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Reckon you could get another shave out of your razor? We’ve all done it, wondering how long we can actually use one, as we whip it out again and again. Well, it may not be worth the risk to your health, according to dermatologist and Dove expert, Dr Cristina Soma. So, how often should you change your razor? “More people cling on to their razors for much longer than is advised, and are surprised when we recommend that a razor is changed every five to seven shaves,” says Soma. “The frequency of change also depends on other factors, such as how frequently and how many areas you shave, your hair thickness and type, the quality of your blade, and whether you are good at washing it off afterwards and looking after your blade.” What happens if you don’t? “Most of us own a dull blade full of skin cells, soap and hair debris. In the worst cases, you can also see rust on the blade,” Soma says. “When all this grime accumulates and the blade dulls, you are less likely to get a close, smooth shave, and more likely to cut yourself. Bacteria can accumulate on the blade and have some serious consequences, too. “Using a dull razor blade can result in shaving rash and bumps, ingrown hairs, and inflamed or traumatised skin. More seriously, it can result in cuts and possibly lead to infections,” she explains. Infections “You could get any kind of infection from using an old, unsharp razor. After a while of using the same blade, bacteria starts to grow, which will create irritation on your underarms,” she explains. Shaving armpits, pubic hair and legs may cause real issues. “The most common form of infection would be a bacterial skin infection, with symptoms including redness, swelling, pain or pus. Treatment for this would be an antibiotic ointment. “To really care for your underarms, you need to change your razor frequently, use a shaving cream or gel, shave in the direction of hair growth and rinse the blade thoroughly, then store it in a clean, dry place. “Furthermore, the underarm area is very delicate, so take care in choosing a deodorant that supports the skin barrier,” explains Soma. Resistance and irritation If you feel any resistance when shaving with an old razor, it could cause an issue. “If you can feel your razor tugging at your hair, rather than gliding over it smoothly, it’s likely blunt and will cause skin irritation, razor burn and ingrown hairs,” says Dr Tim Clayton, consultant dermatologist at Pall Mall Medical in Manchester. “Ingrown hairs can lead to bacterial infections, hyperpigmentation and keloids [a type of raised scar] so it’s important to avoid these where possible,” he says. Rust If you see a hint of orange on there, it isn’t worth using. “Tetanus can be spread via a wound caused by a rusty object, but it isn’t the rust that will cause tetanus – it’s the bacteria on the razor. “If you’re concerned about contracting tetanus, make sure you’re up to date with your tetanus vaccinations,” says Clayton. Concerns about cost In a 2021 International Journal of Women’s Dermatology study, women’s four-blade razors were priced 66% higher than men’s, who may be less inclined to shave their bodies. So, if changing your razor is costly, it may be worth considering your relationship with your body hair. “There is no hygiene benefit to shaving your body hair. What you choose to do is completely up to you,” says Soma. “Increasingly, we are seeing more acceptance and diversity in what people do with their hair, and from a medical standpoint, as long as you’re doing it in a hygienic and safe way, carry on.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Are we working out too hard? How to perk up urban balcony gardens and window boxes Sadiq Khan and Romesh Ranganathan: Women still aren’t equal in politics and comedy

Cher has revealed that she is launching her very own gelato brand in Los Angeles. The “Believe” singer, 77, shared a video on social media showing a colourful food truck emblazoned with the word “Cherlato” on the side, as well as graphics of her holding a cone with a scoop of the popular treat. She wrote in the caption: “Yep, this is real… I’m launching my gelato… Watch out LA! All started five years ago and now it’s finally HAPPENING. More to come…” The pop star has had other business ventures in the past, including in the fashion and beauty industry, but this is her first foray into the food world. Fans were excited by Cher’s announcement, with many declaring that they would definitely be visiting Los Angeles to try her Italian ice cream. Some were tickled by the brand name, “Cherlato”, while others suggested ice cream names that were puns on her song titles. “If I Could Turn Back Lime vegan gelato,” one person wrote, riffing on Cher’s hit song “If I Could Turn Back Time”. “Do you believe in scoop after scoop?” another said, referring to her song “Believe”. A third had several suggestions, and wrote: “Flavours had better be based on song titles! ‘I Got Ube Babe’, ‘Believe in Life After Rum’, ‘If I Could Turn Back Lime’, ‘The Scoop Scoop Song (It’s in His Hershey’s Kiss’)’. Best I could come up with at almost 2am.” In May, Cher celebrated her 77th birthday, but showed no signs of slowing down as she wrote on Twitter: “Will someone please tell me when will I feel old? This is ridiculous. I keep hearing these numbers, but I honestly can’t understand them. What’s the deal with numbers? I’m dyslexic and numbers are hard for me.” She added in a more poignant note to fans: “Thank you for staying, I know it’s been hard.” Cher made headlines in November 2022 after she confirmed her romance with 36-year-old music producer Alexander Edwards, who she called “AE” on social media. She told fans that “love doesn’t know math” after confirming they were in a relationship. Cher and Edwards first met during Paris Fashion Week last year. However, in May, it was reported that the legendary singer had called it quits with Edwards, despite rumours that the pair were engaged. According to TMZ, the couple ended their relationship after six months of dating. Cher previously prompted speculation that she and Edwards were engaged after she shared a photograph of a huge diamond ring she received from Edwards on Christmas day. But the publication quoted a source as saying that the pair were simply “playing into the speculation it was an engagement ring”. Read More Ruth Handler: The Barbie inventor who revolutionalised prosthetic breasts and narrowly avoided prison Fans defend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid breakup rumours Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez share newborn son’s sweet name and first photo Barbie’s here: 7 other fashionable films to watch Popeyes widely mocked for attempt to join ‘girl dinner’ trend Three barbecue recipes to try that aren’t burgers

There’s a reason high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is so popular – it’s designed to give you a killer workout in a short amount of time. HIIT classes are short, sharp bursts of exercises where you’re working out above 85% of your maximum heart rate, and Sean Johnson, regional fitness manager at Orangetheory Fitness, can see why they’re “tempting”. “A lot of people are pressed for time and seek a ‘quick fix’. To many people, the assumption is ‘no pain, no gain’ and so therefore seek out a hard-hitting, pulse-shattering workout to undo the unhealthy habits they may have gotten themselves into,” he says. “A hard workout can feel very rewarding when you move fast and blast around for a short time.” Plus, there are benefits to HIIT training, with Johnson saying: “A shorter, more intense workout does have the ability to elicit a longer afterburn compared to a less intense longer workout.” But is there a chance we’re overdoing it, in a bid to ‘get the most’ out of our workouts? There’s a growing trend for lower intensity exercise – often using a heart rate monitor so you can track where you’re at – which might provide a whole host of benefits, without making you feel a bit sick. Signs you might be overdoing it “Working at a maximal heart rate can sometimes cause people to feel lightheaded, dizzy, faint and nauseous. This isn’t very fun and can also deter people from coming back,” suggests Francesca Sills, exercise physiologist at Pure Sports Medicine. Johnson agrees: “Working out for too long at an intensity that is too high can put numerous stresses on the body such as fainting, vomiting and even serious cardiovascular and respiratory health issues.” A heart rate monitor can help you track how hard you’re pushing yourself, but if you don’t have one, Johnson recommends going by “feeling”. Orangetheory uses three terms to define your perceived exertion: “Base pace is a ‘challenging, but doable’ feeling, push pace is an ‘uncomfortable feeling’ and all out is an ‘empty the tank feeling’,” Johnson explains. He doesn’t recommend spending more than a minute in the ‘all out’ section, and other signs you might be overdoing it include “fatiguing earlier than you normally do, dizziness, light headed, you get injured or have joint and muscle pain regularly”. Downsides to HIIT? Sills suggests there aren’t necessarily downsides to HIIT, just “things to be wary of”. She says: “If you’re working very hard for a long time or for longer than you are used to, it’s possible that you’ll finish the session feeling unwell rather than energised.” Johnson says there is the risk of overtraining with regular HIIT classes. “In the shorter term, working out at an intensity too high can stress your adrenal glands and stimulate the release of cortisol (the stress hormone). In turn, this can have numerous side effects such as increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, encourage fatigue and ultimately hinder recovery. “If your body cannot recover properly, you will find it hard to get into a regular routine with your fitness and will see a lack of results.” The benefits of slowing down Johnson suggests incorporating lower-intensity exercise into your routine can improve your everyday life. “Doing workouts that don’t raise your heart rate to the extremes can help reduce the risk of injury (and risk of falls and trips), reduce fatigue and pain, elevate your mood, improve sleep quality, while still helping to burn calories,” he says. Sills mentions how ‘zone two’ workouts are a “hot topic” in the fitness world recently – this is a type of low-intensity, sustained exercise where you’re working at around 65-75% of your maximum – for example, going for a gentle jog where you can still hold a conversation. She says these types of workouts are gaining popularity because of the “large amount of benefit it brings to the health and efficiency of your cardiovascular and metabolic systems”. If you’re used to leaving it all on the floor with an intense workout every time you hit the gym, it can be tricky to know how to slow down. Johnson recommends using the ‘FITT principle’ to adjust your exercise routine: Frequency: Instead of doing your four workouts next week try doing only threeIntensity: Do your normal four workouts, but take it down a notch in each one.Time: Instead of doing four x 90 minute workouts next week, maybe try doing four x one hour workouts.Type: Switch it up and use different equipment or style of workout. Johnson adds: “Having slower days will enable you to focus more on the form and technique, which transfers over to the high intensity days as well.” Doing HIIT safely While it’s a good idea to mix up your workouts with different intensities, there are a few things you can do to make sure you don’t overdo it in HIIT. Sills recommends ensuring “you are eating well to fuel your body for performance”, and “get on top of your sleep routine to allow your body to rest and repair”. If you’re a newbie to exercise, she wouldn’t necessarily recommend a HIIT class immediately: “If you haven’t done much training before, it’s important to learn how to do things right and build a good base level of strength and fitness before going in and smashing yourself. If you aren’t sure how to perform exercises well when you’re fresh, you aren’t setting yourself up for success when you’re fatigued.” And finally, she says: “It’s important to work within your own limits. Often these classes are busy, loud and intense and people can be encouraged to continue to do more weight, more reps, etc. Issues arise when people push too far beyond what they can manage. Instead of working at a 10/10 all the time, drop it back to an eight to nine.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How to perk up urban balcony gardens and window boxes Sadiq Khan and Romesh Ranganathan: Women still aren’t equal in politics and comedy SPF cocktailing: Why you should steer clear of the buzzy TikTok trend

Gemma Atkinson has announced the name of her second child with Gorka Marquez as she shared the first picture of the infant. The couple, who met when the former Emmerdale star took part in BBC reality show Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, welcomed their first child earlier this week. In her original post, Atkinson, 38, shared that she had given birth to a boy, with the pair spending a joyous week together before Spanish dancer Marquez, 32, heads off to rehearsal for the new series of Strictly. On Saturday (22 July), Atkinson shared her first photo of her baby son sleeping in his cot in a blue t-shirt. She confirmed his name in the comment section, writing: “Thiago Thomas Marquez [heart emoji]. Our family is complete.” Atkinson and Marquez’s fellow Strictly stars flooded the comment section with support, with pro Oti Mabuse calling the picture “beautiful”. It Takes Two host Janette Manrara commented: “Look at him! CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!” Dianne Buswell said that Thiago was a “mini” version of his father, while Karen Hauer wrote: “Oh the most beautiful little one. Felicidades.” The couple, who already share a three-year-old daughter, Mia, were not partnered up on Strictly in 2017, but started dating after the series finished. Atkinson gave birth to Mia in 2019, during which she he needed an emergency c-section and suffered a haemorrhage after the birth, losing nearly a litre of blood. Following the experience she said she was initially “adamant” that she and Marquez would not want another child. Appearing on Steph’s Packed Lunch last year, she recalled: “All these things were going through my mind, what did I do that caused all that to happen? I was telling myself for weeks and weeks I’d failed at childbirth. “I was having horrible dreams that someone was going to take Mia from me. I remember my mum running into my bedroom and I was sat up screaming, sweating.” Marquez will appear as a professional dancer on the forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, which kicks off in September. One fan favourite pro who won’t be taking part this year, however, is Amy Dowden, following her breast cancer diagnosis. The Welsh dancer, 32, told fans she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer in May and underwent a full mastectomy to treat the disease shortly after. Dowden had shared ambitions to compete on the dancing competition this year, saying that only chemotherapy would affect whether she’d compete on this year’s Strictly. However, on Friday (21 July), Dowden shared that she would be needing to have chemo after more tumours were discovered following her mastectomy. “They found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo – for me that was a massive blow,” she said. “It wasn’t in the plan, originally – and I know the plan you can’t get fixated on. “This year, it means I’m not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly, but I’m in such regular contact with the team – the BBC have just been utterly incredible,” she said. Read More Fans defend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid breakup rumours Tim Shaddock rescue: Ben Fogle offers to pay for Australian sailor and dog to be reunited after emotional separation Father sparks outrage for calling son ‘spoiled’ after 23-year-old said he can’t throw wedding for under $7,000 Gemma Atkinson announces birth of second baby in heartwarming Instagram post Myleene Klass says she’s ‘changed history’ as government pledge miscarriage support Researchers warn after 25 types of toxic flame retardant found in human breast milk

Myleene Klass has celebrated “changing history” after the government announced plans to better support women who miscarry while pregnant. For the last four years, the former Hear’Say singer has been backing changes to the Women’s Health Strategy in Parliament. This included a call to ensure women will not have to suffer up to three miscarriages before receiving help – an issue sensitive to Klass due to her personal experience with miscarriage. On Saturday (22 July), the Department of Health and Social Care announced a package of new measures to "boost the health and wellbeing of women and girls", including a pilot scheme that will see medical intervention for women after every miscarriage. As the pledge was made, Klass, 45, shared a picture to Instagram of herself and Labour MP Olivia Blake stood outside the Houses of Parliament celebrating the win. In the photo, Klass is wearing a yellow power suit while Black wears a floral dress, with the two campaigners holding signs that read “we did it” and “miscarriage matters”. “WE DID IT!!!!” the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star captioned her lengthy post. “We have changed the law and therein, history! The world is officially a better place for women and their families because we never gave up. “I met @oliviablake_mp filming my Bafta nominated Miscarriage documentary. We were both battered and bruised from our MC experiences but from that moment we joined forces and I became a campaigner for change to Miscarriage law and women’s health care.” She continued: “Women’s health has always been a contentious, almost invisible issue. Miscarriage is the final taboo, dismissed as ‘one of those things’ or ‘it wasn’t meant to be’. I now know that not to be the case. Change has to come from the top, from Government. Who knew our wombs are owned by Westminster?!” Klass then explained what the new law meant and how baby loss charity Tommy’s would be helping going forward. This includes more support for those experiencing miscarriage, retraining medical staff to handle the issue and updated guidelines for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. “That’s the official line,” she continued, “The personal side of this is 4 miscarriages along, pouring the heartache and frustration into fierce campaigning HAS WORKED. We have changed the future for so many mothers to be and babies to come. “This will all take time, but it’s officially confirmed and will be actioned… I wanted my children to see their mother turn her pain into power and the babies I never got to hold, to know they chose a mother who would fight to have their voices somehow heard. I never dreamed those voices would resonate into the history books and their legacy would be the most powerful of all, real change.” The changes come after a published pregnancy loss review, which looked at improving NHS gynaecology and maternity care. Minister for women’s health Maria Caulfield said: “Our work continues to support women through the agony of pregnancy loss… We will keep working and investing so girls and women across the country can benefit from the world-class healthcare they deserve.” Earlier this month, Klass had spoken out defiantly in support of the proposed changes to the law, saying that the government did not “deserve power” if it failed to implement them. “A health secretary and a health department and a government that doesn’t look after the people, that is in a position and empowered to do so, doesn’t deserve to hold [onto] that power,” she said. Read More Tim Shaddock rescue: Ben Fogle offers to pay for Australian sailor and dog to be reunited after emotional separation Fans defend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid breakup rumours Father sparks outrage for calling son ‘spoiled’ after 23-year-old said he can’t throw wedding for under $7,000 Myleene Klass: Government does not deserve power if miscarriage policy unchanged Researchers warn after 25 types of toxic flame retardant found in human breast milk Amy Dowden announces absence from Strictly Come Dancing due to chemotherapy

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Amy Dowden has shared her gratitude for the kind words she’s received from fans after revealing more about her cancer diagnosis. The Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, 32, told fans she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer in May. She underwent a full mastectomy to treat the disease shortly after. Dowden had been waiting to discover what further treatment she’d need, having noted that chemotherapy would affect whether she’d compete on this year’s Strictly. In an Instagram Live chat with breast cancer survivor and Paralympic gold medallist Erin Kennedy for the charity CoppaFeel! on Friday (21 July), Dowden spoke out about being told she’d need chemotherapy after more tumours were discovered following her mastectomy. “For me my journey everything changed,” she explained. “I was originally going to have a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. But then, after my MRI, they found another tumour so then it changed into a mastectomy and then, after my mastectomy, unfortunately, they found even more tumours. “They found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo – for me that was a massive blow,” she continued. “It wasn’t in the plan, originally – and I know the plan you can’t get fixated on.” Dowden admitted that she had reservations about beginning chemotherapy as she feared it would interfere with her dance practice. “For me, straightaway, it was my dancing – like, you can take away my boob but you can’t take my dancing away from me and that’s what I get really upset about,” she recalled. Though Dowden had hoped to return to Strictly this year, the effects of the chemotherapy mean that she will not return in a competitive capacity for the forthcoming season. She added: “This year, it means I’m not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly, but I’m in such regular contact with the team – the BBC have just been utterly incredible.” After the live broadcast ended, the performer shared an additional message on her Instagram stories thanking everyone for the “love and support” that has been directed her way. She wrote: “I’ll tackle this next step the best I can and very blessed to have the love and support of my family and friends along with you guys. “The rest of the year looked very different to what was planned but hopefully I’ll enter 2024 cancer free and I’ll never take anything for granted and promise to live life to the full.” Dowden joined Strictly in 2017, and has competed in every series since, reaching the final in 2019 with kids’ TV presenter Karim Zeroual. Read More Tim Shaddock rescue: Ben Fogle offers to pay for Australian sailor and dog to be reunited after emotional separation Father sparks outrage for calling son ‘spoiled’ after 23-year-old said he can’t throw wedding for under $7,000 Fans defend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid breakup rumours Researchers warn after 25 types of toxic flame retardant found in human breast milk Mother calls out ‘double standard’ after husband is praised for doing ‘bare minimum’ Couple praised after sharing intimate bathroom TikTok: ‘The reality of birth’

We all love a good barbecue but sometimes we want something a little more than overcooked burgers and soggy salads. There’s no reason you can’t be adventurous when cooking al fresco, says Farang chef Sebby Holmes. When cooking chicken over a fierce heat, for example, it’s always best to marinate or brine it first. That’s what makes the chicken green curry below so packed full of goodness by the time it hits the barbecue. The same goes for the grilled tiger prawns and citrus som tam salad. A widely eaten salad in Asia, the som tam’s clementine adds a natural sweetness to the juices of the grilled prawns, making this a stand out dish. When cooked over an open fire, aubergine has an amazing ability to transform into a smoky, soft bombshell of flavour. The smoky aubergine, pickled cucumber and sesame salad with runny duck eggs is the perfect accompaniment to a barbecue, and also delicious served with steamed rice as a main. Barbecue chicken green curry When cooking chicken over a fierce heat such as a barbecue, it’s always best to marinate or brine it first. Now, you can honestly spend a lifetime researching the brining process and some people do, however we don’t have time for that! Suffice to say that by leaving raw meat in contact with salt and/or sugar and moisture before cooking, you allow it to take on flavour. This recipe uses the green curry paste to marinate the chicken, meaning it’s packed full of goodness by the time it hits the barbecue. Serves: 2 Ingredients: 20g coconut oil (vegetable oil can also be used instead) 100g green curry Payst 3g kaffir lime leaves, torn a little to release their flavour 10ml fish sauce (if using Payst no seasoning is necessary as it is pre-seasoned) 10-15g palm sugar (if using Payst no seasoning is necessary as it is pre-seasoned) 200ml chicken stock 1 tin coconut cream 4 free-range chicken thighs on the bone (400-600g total weight) 100g new potatoes, sliced in half 80g baby sweetcorn, sliced at an angle 80g green beans, sliced in half lengthways 10g krachai wild ginger, peeled and julienned (if you can’t find this, use the larger, more common ginger) 10g Thai sweet basil A piece of wood for smoking on the BBQ (my favourite is hickory) Method: Heat the coconut oil in a large saucepan over a high heat, then add the green curry paste and kaffir lime leaves and stir regularly until the paste begins to split like scrambled eggs – this will take a few minutes. You will notice that the smell of the ingredients changes from raw to fragrant. At this point, add 10ml fish sauce and allow it to cook into the paste for 1 minute (don’t add too much as it is strong and you can always add, but never take away). Next, add the sugar and cook for a minute or so until melted and beginning to caramelise – this is noticeable as the paste begins to darken. Now it’s time to loosen the curry with liquids. Add half the chicken stock and 100ml of the coconut cream to the pan, then remove from the heat and allow to cool. When cool, use a little of the curry to marinate the chicken thighs; use enough to coat them, then refrigerate the chicken to allow the flavours to infuse for a minimum of 2 hours, but ideally overnight. Light the barbecue and wait for the coals to glow red. Place the piece of wood onto the coals and allow to set alight and begin to smoke. At this point, add the chicken thighs skin-side up and cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, lowering the BBQ lid so that the meat is engulfed by the smoke. Turn the chicken pieces over and repeat the process until the skin is crispy and golden brown and the chicken is piping hot. Next, return the remaining green curry to the pan and bring back to a simmer. Add any excess from the marinated chicken, then add the remaining stock. Add the potatoes and cook for about 8 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the sweetcorn and green beans and cook for a further 5 minutes until all the vegetables are softened but still retain a little bite. Add the hot chicken thighs, the remaining coconut cream and the krachai and basil. Check you are happy with the seasoning, add a little more fish sauce, sugar or coconut milk if needed and serve immediately. This dish is best served with steamed jasmine rice. Grilled tiger prawns and citrus som tam salad Som tam has fast become one of the most widely eaten and popular salads to come out of Asia. It originates from Lao, but now has many well-known variations from all over. This version is one I created for Farang. The use of clementine, which adds a natural sweetness, along with the juices of the grilled prawns, makes it a stand out dish. Try it with some sticky rice and some of our ginger and green sweet chilli dipping sauce for a proper feed. Serves: 2 Ingredients: 8-10 prawns, cleaned, deveined and outer shells removed 1 tsp fish sauce 1 tsp vegetable oil 4 garlic cloves, peeled 2 tsp dried shrimp A pinch of Maldon sea salt 1 tbsp peanuts, fried or roasted 3 red bird’s-eye chillies (more if you like it spicy) 10g green beans, chopped in 2 30g cherry tomatoes 200g shredded green papaya (can be found in most Asian supermarkets) 10-15g palm sugar 20ml thick tamarind water Juice of 2 limes ½ lime, chopped with the zest on Juice of 1 clementines Method: Coat the prawns in the fish sauce and oil, then place them on a hot grill for 2-3 minutes until the side in contact with the heat has turned pink. Turn the prawns over and repeat on the other side until they are hot throughout. Remove from the heat and set aside. Pound the garlic and dried shrimp in a mortar and pestle, using the salt as an abrasive. Then pound in the peanuts to break them up just enough to mix through the salad; be careful not to over-pound them or they will turn into peanut butter. Next, one by one, add the chillies, green beans, tomatoes, grilled prawns and papaya to the mortar, bruising them as you go to distribute the flavours. Add the palm sugar, tamarind water, lime juice, chopped lime and the juice of 1 clementine. Give the salad a final bruising to ensure that all ingredients are packed full of the flavoursome dressing, making sure that the palm sugar has completely dissolved in the dressing, otherwise someone will get an unexpected sweet mouthful. Taste the dressing to check that it suits your tastes – it should be sweet, salty, sour and spicy with a hint of bitterness from the lime zest. Adjust the seasoning if necessary, then serve. Smoky aubergines, pickled cucumber and sesame salad with runny duck eggs When cooked over an open fire, aubergine has an amazing ability to transform into a smoky, soft bombshell of flavour. This salad, a perfect accompaniment to a barbecue and also delicious served with steamed jasmine rice as a main, uses a runny egg to contribute to the dressing. I’ve used Thai purple aubergines, which are thinner and easier to grill evenly in a short time. You can also use ordinary aubergines, but they may need a little longer on the fire. Serve drizzled in our burnt chilli dipping sauce to add an extra level of flavour. Serves: 2 Ingredients: 4 Thai purple aubergines (these can be found in most Asian supermarket, however, the larger, more popular, aubergines can be used instead) 2 duck eggs 10g jasmine rice 10g mint, torn 10g coriander 10g Thai shallots, peeled and thinly sliced (banana shallots can be used) 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds For the pickle: 2 tbsp caster sugar ½ tsp table salt 50ml distilled white vinegar ¼ cucumber, thinly sliced For the dressing: Juice of 3 limes Juice of 2 clementine 2 tsp fish sauce (seaweed sauce can be used as a vegetarian substitute) ½ tsp chilli powder (a little less if you don’t like things too spicy) 2 tsp caster sugar 3 tsp tamarind water Method: Light the barbecue and place the whole aubergines directly onto the hot coals, or near the hottest part of the grill if you’re using a gas barbecue. Keep a close eye on them and turn them over frequently, ensuring that the heat from the coals is distributed evenly. The aubergines are ready when they are soft to the touch, with charred and blistered skins. When cool enough to handle, peel off the skin. If you are not using a barbecue, crank the oven right up to full blast and bake the aubergines until the skins are charred and the flesh is soft – this will take 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, soft-boil then peel the duck eggs. An average-sized egg takes 6-7 minutes to cook on a rolling boil. I cook mine in salted water, then transfer them into ice-cold water with a splash of olive oil. If you peel the eggs in the water, the oil gets between the shell and the flesh, making them easier to peel. Once peeled, set aside at room temperature. Put the rice in a dry frying pan and lightly toast on a medium heat, shaking the pan constantly until the grains have turned golden brown and release a lovely aroma. Pound the rice into a powder in a granite mortar and pestle, or use a spice grinder. Make sure to grind the rice to a powder as it will be used to add texture to the salad; it will be crunchy if the grains are too coarse. Next, make the pickle. In a medium saucepan, gently heat the sugar, salt and vinegar together with 50ml cold water until the sugar has dissolved. Be sure to keep stirring so that the sugar dissolves without heating the water too much. Remove from the heat and add the cucumber, then refrigerate. Make the dressing. In a bowl, mix the lime and clementine juices, the fish sauce, chilli powder, sugar and tamarind water. Taste and adjust the dressing to cater to your own taste buds: it should be sweet, salty, sour and hot, with an edge towards the salt and citrus. When you’re happy with the flavour, add the aubergines, mint, coriander, shallots and the pickled cucumber (straining any pickling juices before adding), then gently fold together, leaving the aubergines whole if you can be delicate enough. Put the aubergines on a serving plate and place the duck eggs on top. Using the tip of a knife, pierce a hole in the eggs and break them open with your fingers, releasing the runny yolks so that they ooze into the salad. Sprinkle the salad with the rice and sesame seeds and add a tiny pinch of salt onto the runny egg yolks as a surprise burst of flavour. Serve with steamed jasmine rice for an extra fill.

Have you ever placed your iPhone on a wireless charger before bed, only to wake

Toxic flame retardants have been found in human breast milk, research has revealed. A new peer-reviewed study published in the Environmental Pollution journal has identified 25 types of toxic flame retardants in human breast milk in the US, posing a “disturbing” threat to breastfeeding infants. After analysing breast milk samples of 50 mothers from the Seattle area, researchers at Toxic Free Future, Emory University, the University of Washington, and Seattle Children’s Research Institute found brominated flame retardants (BFRs) – a class of man-made compounds commonly used in products like upholstered furniture, televisions, and insulation. Researchers have warned that these chemicals, as well as the presence of flame retardants in human breast milk, can have an “adverse effect on human health” and “early-life exposures are of greatest concern”. One type of flame retardant found in the breast milk samples were polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), despite these compounds being phased out by manufacturers nearly 10 years ago. Efforts to ban PBDEs came around in 2003 after the toxic chemicals were found in the breast milk of 20 mothers in the US. Chemical producers quickly stopped the sale of PBDEs for use in upholstered furniture, and they were eventually banned by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Companies then turned to another, largely unregulated BFR called bromophenols, which are used in electronics and have been shown to affect hormone levels in infants. While the research found that levels of banned PBDEs had declined in breast milk samples – 70 per cent lower than they were 20 years ago – bromophenols were present in 88 per cent of the breast milk samples tested, ultimately replacing one banned chemical with another, unsafe chemical in the same class. “Our results show that when we prohibit the use of persistent toxic chemicals like PBDEs, we make breast milk safer for babies,” said Erika Schreder, study co-author and science director at Toxic Free Future, a group that has advocated for new regulation of industry and consumer products. “But it’s disturbing to find that the replacement chemicals are now building up in breast milk.” Brominated flame retardants are often put into casings for TVs and other electronics. Studies have shown that these chemicals can escape out of products into indoor dust and air, outdoor air, surface water and of course, breast milk. BFRs have also been linked to negative health impacts such as learning problems, hormone disruption, and reduced fertility. “It’s concerning to find flame retardants in breast milk that can disrupt hormones and affect children’s brain development,” said Dr Amina Salamova, study co-author and assistant professor at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, adding that bromophenols have already been found to “affect key thyroid hormones during fetal development”. Local, state, and federal policy makers have since taken steps towards regulating harmful flame retardants. In December 2021, New York governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill that restricted the use of flame retardants in furniture, mattresses, and electronic displays. The law also prohibited the use of organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in electronic enclosures, such as televisions. The European Food and Safety Authority has also banned or restricted the use of certain BFRs and BFR-treated products throughout the EU to protect health and the environment. “I hope we can learn our lesson this time and put policies in place that address the entire class and make sure chemicals used in products are known to be safe,” said Schreder. Read More Baby formula crisis: As the cost of living bites, meet the parents struggling to feed their infants Keke Palmer claims she faced ‘breast milk discrimination’ at airport: ‘Why is that not a crime?’ Couple doing IVF lets their dog decide baby’s sex Women in certain professions ‘may be at higher risk of ovarian cancer’ – study Mother calls out ‘double standard’ after husband is praised for doing ‘bare minimum’ Couple praised after sharing intimate bathroom TikTok: ‘The reality of birth’

The “girl dinner” trend is the newest viral sensation taking over TikTok. Now, Popeyes has unveiled its take on “girl dinner” by offering a variety of sides for a single meal. However, not everyone is on board with the new menu item. For those unaware, the “girl dinner” trend first popped up in May after TikTok user Olivia Maher described her ideal meal as nothing but bread and cheese. As Maher showed off her plate - which consisted of bread, cheese, wine, grapes, and pickles - she said: “This is my dinner, I call this ‘girl dinner.’” Since then, fellow TikTokers have used Maher’s sound to highlight their go-to “girl dinner” meals - green olives, salami slices, and pieces of cheese; guacamole and chips; or prosciutto and peach slices. Essentially, the “girl dinner” trend involves a smorgasbord of one’s favourite snacks or small plates, which is why it didn’t take long for Popeyes to unveil its own “girl dinner” menu. The American fast food chain, known for its iconic chicken sandwiches, is now selling a selection of six side dishes on its website under the new tab, “Girl Dinner”. The menu includes mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, Cajun fries, coleslaw, biscuits, and red beans with rice. Each dish has to be ordered separately, and the price varies depending on how many sides are ordered. In fact, the “Girl Dinner” tab is identical to Popeyes’ menu for side dishes, but just with a trendier name. That’s partly why Popeyes’ new “girl dinner” menu has sparked much conversation online: it’s all just sides. “Thought this was a joke but there is literally a ‘girl dinner’ section on the Popeyes website wtf is going on,” read one viral tweet. “Popeyes got a ‘girl dinner’ section on the app…but it’s just sides lol,” another said. “If anyone was wondering Popeyes has a ‘girl dinner’ segment of its menu and it’s just all their available sides,” a third user wrote. While some people believed the menu option was a “genius” marketing ploy, others pointed out its shortcomings – namely, that a restaurant known for its chicken wouldn’t offer chicken in its new menu. “To go to Popeyes and not get chicken is a literal crime give girl dinner some chicken plz,” said one user in response. Unlike a traditional combo meal, which combines a variety of offerings into one order, many people also noted that the “girl dinner” meal is exactly the same as Popeyes’ side dishes. “They didn’t actually do anything tho!!! It’s just sides, there isn’t a combo mix-n-match,” said one person on TikTok. “They duplicated the sides tab and renamed it ‘girl dinner.’” Much like the original “girl dinner” trend, which sparked some controversy for lacking sustenance, Popeyes fans believed that its new menu option was simply not enough food. “Popeyes is offering a ‘girl dinner’ menu that contains zero meals,” one person tweeted. “Just a quick reminder that it is girly and feminine as f*** to eat many big, nutritious meals a day.” In a statement to CNN, Popeyes said its “girl dinner” menu was designed to give its fans “options packed with robust Cajun flavours that are made with the same slow, time-honoured, homemade traditions of Southern cooking that the brand started in 1972”. Read More What is the ‘girl dinner’ trend and why is there controversy over it? What is an ‘ingredient household’? TikTok phrase for snackless homes goes viral ‘We call them Picky Bits’: Nigella Lawson responds to viral ‘Girl Dinner’ trend Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat

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