Health wellbeing magazine

I remember the day shyness took over my life. I was 14 years old and in the middle of a French conversation lesson at school. I loved French, probably because I fancied myself as some kind of chic Parisian, sipping espresso in a corner cafe. We were in the brand new language laboratory, with its cassette players that were very flash for the time. The teacher told us to record ourselves speaking about a film we had seen recently. Perfect. I recorded myself, in the most English of French accents, with utter confidence. Then, I pressed “play” to listen back. All I heard was a little kid talking. Where was the highly insightful monologue I had just recorded? My immediate reaction was to assume I was listening to someone else’s tape, or that I had hit the wrong button. But then, it dawned on me. That was my voice. And there it was. At 2pm on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon, I realised there was something weird about me. I vowed that from that moment on that I would hide … [Read more...] about I was living in the background of my life – until I realised shyness isn’t shameful

Organic food has more of the antioxidant compounds linked to better health than regular food, and lower levels of toxic metals and pesticides, according to the most comprehensive scientific analysis to date. The international team behind the work suggests that switching to organic fruit and vegetables could give the same benefits as adding one or two portions of the recommended "five a day". The team, led by Prof Carlo Leifert at Newcastle University, concludes that there are "statistically significant, meaningful" differences, with a range of antioxidants being "substantially higher" – between 19% and 69% – in organic food. It is the first study to demonstrate clear and wide-ranging differences between organic and conventional fruits, vegetables and cereals. The researchers say the increased levels of antioxidants are equivalent to "one to two of the five portions of fruits and vegetables recommended to be consumed daily and would therefore be significant and meaningful in … [Read more...] about Clear differences between organic and non-organic food, study finds

WANT a quick route to the top? Try a fast-food chain. More than just a stop-gap or summer job, the roles can provide an apprenticeship to degree-level training, along with flexible working hours and the chance to run your own franchise within a few years. KFC worker Pauline Richards hit the headlines after working her way up from cleaner to manager at the company’s Taunton branch in Somerset and then staying with the chain for 41 years — and still going strong. And thousands more are making fast food a long-term career, moving from shop floor to management and even the board room. Neil Piper, KFC chief people officer, said: “We’re always on the lookout for people to join our KFC team who want to have fun while they work, who are enthusiastic and share our love for our guests. “Offering flexible hours, our teams are able to fit their busy lifestyles and studies around their work. We’re always keen to support our ambitious team members, providing … [Read more...] about Try a job at a fast-food chain for a fast route to owning your own store

It's a cold, rainy day in Bradford and the balti restaurants and fast food outlets offering "desi" [Asian] milkshakes, have yet to fill up. But close by, the industrial kitchen of the International Food Academy is already buzzing with activity. Angelo Towse, 33, is frowning in concentration as he carefully folds, and stuffs, samosas. By the stainless steel sinks, former bricklayer Joel Stafford, 26, is patting mince on to skewers for kebabs while Awais Mumtaz, 20, whose father owns Mumtaz, one of Bradford's best-known restaurants, is learning to make a stuffing and roast potatoes. It may not quite equal the heat and noise of an Indian restaurant, but kitchens like this could be the future of the British curry industry. Since May, Bradford College has been training 50 youngsters to make – alongside Chinese and English dishes – curries, rotis and samosas. The dishes are sold everyday in the college canteen to students and staff – and while it may not be … [Read more...] about The curry crisis

Australians are among dozens of people caught up in New Zealand's volcanic eruption, which has killed least five people. Police expect the fatalities to grow after New Zealand's Whakaari, or White Island, volcano erupted on Monday afternoon. As many as 27 people have been left stranded on New Zealand's most active cone volcano, with their condition unknown. Police and emergency services haven't been able to reach or make contact with those trapped by the blast. Whakaari also known as White Island, 48km (29mi) located off New Zealand's North Island, erupted around 2.11pm local time on Monday blowing huge plumes of smoke and debris 12,000km (7,400mi) into the sky. National Operation Commander Deputy Commissioner John Tims told reporters on Monday evening that it's currently too dangerous to search for survivors.   'There are possibilities of further eruptions. The physical environment is unsafe for us to return to the island,' he said. 'It is important that we consider the … [Read more...] about More than 20 Australians are caught up in New Zealand’s volcano eruption as death toll climbs to five and authorities say it’s too dangerous to search for survivors