Health & Beauty / Tips & Advice
A passion for pancakes: The history of Shrove Tuesday
Food historian Fraser Wright takes a closer look at the history of Shrove Tuesday and provides an Old Scottish Pancake Recipe from 1755. Where does the tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday come from? And for how long has this been going on? The...
Alternative affection: 17 ideas for a different Valentine’s Day
Bored with the same old routine on Valentine’s Day? Breakfast in bed, flowers, chocolates, candle-lit dinner… Well why not pamper your partner in a different way this year and do something unusual. We have compiled a list of date ideas that go against the usual...
Once upon a time… How to write a novel in 10 steps
New York Times bestselling author Michelle Richmond explains that the first thing you need to know about writing a novel is that there are no easy answers. The second thing you need to know is that there’s no magic formula. Every novel demands its own structure, its...
Spring is in sight! What jobs to do in your garden in February
February already! Wonder what the weather will bring this month? It can prove a busy time of the year for gardeners and all of a sudden there are a thousand and one things that can be done now, such as early sowings of flower and vegetable varieties being started so...
Business boom! How the ageing population is a boost for business
Pension reforms along with the accumulation of property wealth have created a generation of older people more affluent than ever before and, with the grey pound worth £320bn a year, entrepreneurs are finding new ways to cash in. Britain’s retiring workers have...
Opinion divided over Bitcoin and digital money investment
This week Lloyds and Virgin Money stopped customers using credit cards to buy cryptocurrencies, amid concerns they could run up too much debt. BBC News reports that it comes as the value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies fell after a year when prices rose...
Over-50s cutting back on spend
This lucrative corner of the market is still eager to travel and enjoy new experiences but with an eye on safety and value for money, a study reveals. TTG News reports that older travellers are still planning to go away in 2018 but many want to reduce how much...
Say hello: Friendly neighbours matter more than money to older people
FRIENDLY neighbours are valued more highly than any financial gain when downsizing into a retirement property. The Express reports that living near people who will “pass the time of day”, say “hello” or just stop for a quick chat is rated as one of most...
6 health issues: Don’t avoid them when you’re over 50
At times it can feel like we’re overwhelmed with information on what we should and shouldn’t be doing to best protect our health. And while by the time you reach your 50s you feel as though you know your body pretty well, there’s the small issue of the menopause to...
Keep your joints pain-free this winter
If you’re a joint pain sufferer, you may have noticed that the onset of wintery, cold and wet weather can make joints ache more than usual, adding an extra burden on top of the miserable conditions - although it’s not precisely clear why this happens. 50 Plus...
Older people identify the key to happiness in later years
A pioneering new study conducted by older people has provided valuable insight into what people want and need to make them happy as they age. Stir reports that as part of the project, involving the University of Stirling and Age Scotland, community researchers...
Trendsetters: 10 gardening trends set to blossom in 2018
‘Mindful gardening’ promises to continue to grow, as more and more Brits turn to tending their allotments, herbaceous borders and houseplants as a way of boosting mental health and wellbeing, while cacti and succulents look set to adorn all the coolest shelves and...