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For years we’ve been told to eat brown rice rather than white. Brown rice (particularly brown basmati rice) is a low-GI food that’s full of fibre and packed with B vitamins. But now health experts are praising black rice, long coveted in China where, according to legend, it was once considered so rare, delicious and nutritious that only emperors could eat it. If you’ve never heard of black rice, read on. (more…)

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Are you dreading getting up in the mornings and going to work? Do you fear losing your job during this tough economic climate? Do you find yourself zoning out in front of the computer when you should be working? Whatever the reason for considering a change in career, it’s essential that you choose wisely. Heading in a new career direction could take training that’s both expensive and costly in terms of time, so it’s important to think very carefully before you take the leap. (more…)

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Fat isn’t the ‘F word’ anymore. Your body can’t survive without fat, and you need to take in the right amount to stay healthy, even if you’re trying to lose weight. All fats are not created equal, though, so before you start stocking up on full cream milk, learn the difference between the healthy fats, the bad fats, and the downright ugly fats. (more…)

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We’re a curry-loving nation, so you’d think we wouldn’t afraid of chillies. We tend to neglect them in our cooking, though. Besides adding their distinctive heat to dishes, chillies are also metabolism boosters that come in many different varieties, from the mild to the kind of hot that’ll leave you sweating and gulping down whatever drink you have at hand. Choosing the right chilli, and knowing what to do with it, will definitely help turn up the heat in the kitchen – in a good way. (more…)

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With the recession still hitting us, more Brits are staying indoors than ever before. And many of us are spending that time indoors watching movies and munching on popcorn. Microwave popcorn is very popular because it’s just so easy to make. It could be bad for your health, though, so it’s well worth considering making your own. You’ll save money as well as avoid potential illness in the long run. (more…)

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Whether you have a tiny pantry or you’re lucky enough to have a walk-in space for storing your kitchen necessities, organising it will go a long way towards making your life easier. All you need to do to make the most of your pantry is have all your goods easily accessible, make good use of shelf space and remember to label everything. Here’s a guide to organising your pantry the easy way. (more…)

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Walking is a great low-impact exercise, and yoga is good for body, mind and soul. Why not combine the two? Walking while doing yoga meditations will still burn calories, while leaving you feeling the calm of someone who has meditated for however long you walk. Simple breathing techniques, body awareness, and a new approach to walking will have you feeling better than you ever before. (more…)

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Around 40 per cent of women have unwanted facial hair, according to The Guardian’s Julie Bindel. A self-proclaimed lesbian feminist and campaigner against unrealistic beauty standards for women, Bindel argues that women should embrace facial hair. That may be a little extreme for most women, who simply want to remove unwanted hair as quickly, and as thoroughly, as possible. For those of you who find facial hair embarrassing, here’s a look at the best methods of removing it, starting with the number one method, laser. (more…)

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Iced teas are the perfect summer drink, but the iced tea you buy ready made in a bottle may come with some ingredients you’d be better off not putting in your body. Preservatives, colourants and artificial flavourants really detract from the health benefits of iced teas, which are full of antioxidant power and flavour. The solution: make your own iced tea. Take a look at these super healthy, healing iced tea recipes from Care2.com. (more…)

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When it comes to choosing plastic or brown paper bags when you go shopping, you may think the obvious answer would be to go with paper. Paper is biodegradable and comes from renewable resources, right? While that is true, there’s more to brown paper bags than meets the eye. Read on to find out why you’d be doing the best you can for the environment by choosing neither plastic nor brown paper bags. (more…)