thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Vaginismus: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment For The Condition Affecting Millions Worldwide

Netflix Netflix
“I have something called vaginismus. My vagina’s like a Venus flytrap.”
Lily’s frustrated admission in the final episode of Sex Education will be all too familiar for many viewers of the Netflix show. Vaginismus – where the muscles around the vagina tighten when penetration is attempted – is thought to affect millions of people worldwide.
It’s not that Lily doesn’t want to have sex, but it feels as though her body has other ideas. While the condition is often associated with pain during sex, it can also become a problem when inserting tampons or undergoing gynaecological and pelvic examinations.
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“It can disrupt or completely stop your sex life, and can lead to distress, a loss of confidence and relationship problems,” Aly Dilks, clinical director at The Women’s Health Clinic, tells HuffPost UK. “It may even prevent you from starting a family.”
milos-kreckovic via Getty Images
What are the symptoms of vaginismus?
The NHS states that the main symptom is tightening of the vagina, which can make penetration difficult or even impossible.
It can affect women in different ways. “Some women are unable to insert anything into their vagina because it closes up completely, while others can insert a tampon but are unable to have penetrative sex,” explains Dilks.
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“Other women are able to have sex but find it very painful.”
Other symptoms can include: burning or stinging when the vagina is penetrated, an intense fear of penetration and pain which makes you avoid sex, and loss of sexual desire if penetration is attempted.
What causes it?
While it’s not fully understood why the condition happens, factors which can play a part in its development include:
:: thinking the vagina is too small
:: negative sexual thoughts (such as thinking sex will be painful)
:: previous sexual abuse
:: damage to the vagina
:: painful conditions of the vagina and surrounding area (for example, vulvodynia)
:: painful first intercourse
:: relationship problems
:: fear of pregnancy.
Treatment for vaginismus
Vaginismus can be treated, however its treatment will depend on the cause.
If there’s an obvious physical cause, such as an infection, it can be treated with medication, explains Dilks. If the cause is psychological, sex therapy may be recommended in the form of counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
“These therapies can help to address any underlying psychological issues, such as fear or anxiety and can tackle any irrational or incorrect beliefs that you have about sex and, if necessary, be used to educate you about sex,” says Dilks.
There is also a therapy method women can try at home with their partners, called sensate focus. This is where a couple agrees to not have sex for a number of weeks or months and, during this time, they touch each other’s bodies, avoiding the genital area.
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“The idea is to explore your bodies, knowing that you will not have sex,” explains the NHS Choices website.
“After the agreed period of time, you gradually start touching each other’s genital areas, which should eventually build up to penetrative sex.”
Vaginal trainers - a set of smooth, plastic penis-shaped objects in different sizes - can also be used to help relax the vagina muscles. They work by gradually getting a woman used to having something inserted into their vagina.
Dilks explains: “The smallest trainer is inserted first, using a lubricant if needed. Once you feel comfortable inserting the smallest one, you can move on to the second size and so on. It’s important to go at your own pace, and it doesn’t matter how long it takes – whether it’s days, weeks or months.
“When you are able to tolerate the larger trainer without any pain or feelings of anxiety, you and your partner may want to try having sex.”
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If you don’t want to use vaginal trainers, Dilks says you can try using your fingers instead.
″You may also find that relaxation and exploration exercises help,” she says. “Having a bath, massage and breathing exercises are good ways to relax while you get to know your body.
“Your therapist may also teach you a technique called progressive relaxation. This involves tensing and relaxing different muscles in your body in a particular order. You can then practice tensing and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles before trying to insert your finger or a cone.
“If you reach the stage where you can put your finger inside your vagina, you can try to insert a tampon, using lubricant if needed.”
Botox injections may also help ease symptoms. When Botox is injected into a muscle, it blocks the signals sent from the brain which tell the muscle to contract.
“Botox targets the muscles involved by effectively disarming them and ensuring that they do not send panic signals throughout the body,” Dilks explains. “The body believes that there is no pain being experienced.”
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It’s estimated that Botox can help to keep the muscle relaxed for anywhere between three and six months, after which it is hoped that the muscle will be able to contract normally without pain or spasms.
Vaginal laser rejuvenation is another option for treating vaginismus. NU-V, a type of laser treatment, has been shown to be “very effective” in treating the symptoms of vaginismus, Dilks adds.
Unfortunately Botox and vaginal laser rejuvenation aren’t available on the NHS, however both “have had very good results for many women”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Taylor Swift Gives Update On Her Mum's Cancer Battle: 'They Found A Brain Tumour During Treatment'

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Taylor Swift is opening up with a heartbreaking update on her mother’s cancer battle.
The Lover singer revealed that her mum, Andrea Swift, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour amid ongoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
She shared the news in a Variety interview, published on Tuesday, about her upcoming Netflix documentary, Miss Americana.
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Taylor first shared her mother’s cancer diagnosis in 2015. Although her mum went into remission, the cancer returned for a second time last March during the filming of the documentary.
“She was going through chemo, and that’s a hard enough thing for a person to go through,” Taylor told the magazine.
“While she was going through treatment, they found a brain tumour. And the symptoms of what a person goes through when they have a brain tumour is nothing like what we’ve ever been through with her cancer before. So it’s just been a really hard time for us as a family.”
Taylor Swift and her mother, Andrea Swift in 2015 Cooper Neill via Getty Images
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The Grammy-winner called her 62-year-old mother a “guiding force” in her life.
“Almost every decision I make, I talk to her about it first,” she shared. “So obviously it was a really big deal to ever speak about her illness.”
Andrea Swift was seen in November cheering for her daughter alongside the singer’s father, Scott Swift, at the 2019 American Music Awards.
During the ceremony, Taylor was honoured with the Artist of the Decade award after performing a career-spanning medley of her greatest hits.
In her acceptance speech, Taylor made mention of her parents, seemingly bringing her mother to tears.
Selena Gomez, Andrea Swift and Scott Swift attend the 2019 American Music Awards. Kevin Mazur/AMA2019 via Getty Images
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The recurrence of the cancer, Taylor told Variety, is one major reason why she has opted out of a world tour to promote her current album ― which features an emotional Dixie Chicks-assisted ballad, Soon You’ll Get Better, about her mother’s illness.
Instead, she plans to perform at a handful of festivals across Europe this summer, including headlining at the Glastonbury Music Festival alongside Paul McCartney, in addition to a select few tour dates in the United States.
“Yeah, that’s it. That’s the reason,” she said of her decision to take a different approach to touring.
“I mean, we don’t know what is going to happen. We don’t know what treatment we’re going to choose. It just was the decision to make at the time, for right now, for what’s going on.”
In an Elle interview last year, in which she revealed that her mother’s cancer had returned, Taylor said the diagnosis helped put things in focus for her.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Mary Berry Reckons She's Never Had A Takeaway And Now We Want To Treat Her To A Box Of 20 Nuggets

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A kebab after a night out, a dirty Domino’s on a hangover or a box of 20 Chicken McNuggets as a treat for making it through the week – those are just some of life’s small pleasures, but try telling Mary Berry that.
The former Great British Bake Off judge has boldly claimed to have never chowed down on a takeaway. Ever.
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Imagine.
Bezza bragged that she has never felt the need to order in because she’s such a whizz in the kitchen, and believes more people should be cooking up delicious meals in their own homes rather than picking up the phone to the local takeaway joint.
Mary Berry has never had a takeaway MelMedia via Getty Images
Speaking to My Weekly magazine, she said: “We want to get people cooking at home. We’re a nation that orders in and eats out.
“I have never had a takeaway. Why should I? I can muster up things very quickly and there are many things that you can buy to help you if you are busy, and which don’t cost that much extra, like grated cheese.
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“If you are in a hurry you can pay a little bit more for it and get food on the table quicker.”
This is far from the first time Mary has served up a controversial opinion on some of the nation’s favourite foods though.
A picture of Mary and a dog for no other reason than the dog is cute Danny Lawson - PA Images via Getty Images
The 84-year-old divided Twitter back in 2018 when she suggested the best way to eat avocado is in a prawn cocktail, rather than smashed onto toast.
Speaking to the Radio Times, she said: “It’s very fashionable now to prepare avocado on toast. I can remember when we didn’t have them at all - now they’re everywhere. But this isn’t one of the nicest things to do with them. Better to add them to a prawn cocktail or to a little plate of smoked salmon or shrimps.”
Mary is currently a judge on BBC cookery competition Best Home Cook, which was originally touted as a replacement for The Great British Bake Off after the corporation lost the show to Channel 4 in 2017.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Why Can’t Short Men Catch A Break?

Why Can’t Short Men Catch A Break?

ITV Siannise and Nas on Love Island.
Nas Majeed can’t catch a break on this season’s Love Island. The 23-year-old has been well and truly friend-zoned – and when contestants had to guess each other’s fears in the couple’s challenge, Jess assumed Nas’s was “heights”. Ouch.
You see, at 5ft 7″ Nas is hardly short, but he’s still two inches shy of the UK male average of 5ft 9″. The joke came in the same week former villa contestant, Amy Hart, revealed her dating dealbreakers. “What do you call a man under 5′10? A friend!” she cackled.
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It seems that in 2020, when we would (quite rightly) declare outrage if someone commented on our weight, doing the same to a man’s height is considered fair game by some.
James, a 21-year-old student studying in Bath, believes this stems from shows perpetuating the “tall, dark and handsome” stereotype. “Love Island, which you could say is a reference point for an ideal body type, will basically have men all being above 6ft,” he says. At 5ft 7″, James is the same height as Nas. He’s noticed women put height preferences in their online dating bios, with comments like: “If you’re not above 6ft, don’t bother.”
“Clearly girls will still date short guys, but you’re dating with the knowledge that you’re outside of the norm [of what] girls go by, or are told to go by,” says James. “And so you feel like you’re dating in a reduced field of people who will look beyond the dark, tall and handsome stereotype.”
Tom Glenwright, 23, from Newcastle, is also 5ft 7″ and says he’s always been aware of his height compared to most of his male friends, who are over 6ft.
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“I get jokes about it all the time,” he says. “If we walk into a clothes shop, someone will always point out clothes in the children’s section and be like ‘Oh Tom, that’ll fit you perfectly!’”
While he’s happy to laugh along with friends, Tom does fear turning up to a date and finding the girl is taller than him.
“I sometimes try to guess someone’s height from their pictures [on Tinder],” he says. “I’ve had a girl comment that they ‘thought I’d be taller’ once before. And there was a girl I was speaking to for a while very recently who used to call me ‘Little fella’ – luckily they were 5”3 so I wasn’t bothered by it.”
Tom Glenwright Tom Glenwright
Like James, Tom says height can make him feel like his “options are limited” when dating. “People can be quick to put others down for their height, even though it’s not something that can be helped,” he says. “I don’t really get offended by it, but I can understand why some people view it in a similar light to shaming someone based on their weight.”
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Even guys who aren’t necessarily below average height can feel the need to add an extra few centimetres to their online dating profile. Quincy Dash, 28, from Liverpool is 5’11, but sometimes says he’s 6ft.
“I don’t know what it is with this generation with height, but criteria needs to be met with certain females,” he tells HuffPost UK. “Some girls often say, ‘I only date 6ft plus’ or the cliché, ‘They need to be taller than me in heels’. There are a lot of good guys out there who don’t make the cut, simply due to height.”
Quincy Dash Quincy Dash
Ben, 29, from London, points out that height isn’t only a factor in straight relationships. He feels the need to find a tall partner, being 6′5 himself, and always checks for height when online dating. “It’s difficult not to when you’re my height, because even someone 5′10 will sometimes be too short, so I usually just set a 6ft or over requirement and swipe with that in mind,” he says.
“It’s less frowned upon as I’m dating guys, but I do still feel a bit bad with the shorter guys around. There’s something I find attractive about taller guys that just isn’t there for the under 6-footers. I’m sure folks out there have swiped left when they’ve seen my height, too”
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Ben Ben
But height doesn’t have to be a barrier. Federico Volinsky, 36, is 5′7 while his wife, Eugenia, 34, is around 6ft. The pair met at a mutual friend’s birthday party and at first, Eugenia thought Federico “wasn’t her type”.
“That wasn’t the first time that I hadn’t been someone’s type — and I’d venture to say we’ve all been there, no matter how attractive we are,” says Federico. “But it didn’t matter, because love isn’t really about what ‘type’ you are; it’s about whether you have a connection.”
Suppied by Federico Volinsky
The pair continued to talk, first on Facebook, then IRL, and romance soon blossomed. “On our first date, she showed up with high heels, but after a few minutes of feeling very short and insecure, I said to myself, ‘she’s here with me, she’s choosing to go on a date with me’ and that changed my thinking ever since,” says Federico.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Why Do We Root For Celebrity Couples To Get Back Together?

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“Have you seen those photos of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston?” my sister asked me casually over the long weekend.
Um, of course I had. Logging onto Facebook Sunday night, doing that obligatory “bored-on-the-weekend” scroll, I couldn’t escape the posts about the exes’ backstage run-in at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards. (And I kid you not, at least three of the articles had “breaking news” tags. Relax, news orgs.)
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Granted, they are pretty great photos. Let’s recap:
Emma McIntyre via Getty Images Fancy running into you, Bradley.
Backstage, congratulating each other for acting-award wins for their respective roles in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “The Morning Show,” the former husband and wife were positively beaming.
Vivien Killilea via Getty Images As the body language experts will breathlessly tell you, their posture shows their love “never died”!
Alexa, play “The Way We Were.” (There is something vaguely Katie Morosky/Barbra Streisand and preppy Hubbell Gardiner/Robert Redford about the way they look, right?)
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Emma McIntyre via Getty Images The photos -- especially the one of Pitt reaching for Aniston's hand -- made a splash online over the weekend.
“Yeah, I saw them!” I told my sister, pulling them up again just for good measure. “They were everywhere.”
But just as I was getting my Google image search on, I got reality checked.
“Weren’t there all these rumors he cheated on her with Angelina Jolie?” my sister said with the ignorant bliss of a younger sibling who was in elementary school when it all (allegedly!) went down.
Oh, dammit, yeah. Aniston and Pitt broke up in 2005 after five years of marriage and rumours that the actor had fallen for his “Mr. And Mrs. Smith” co-star, leading Aniston to famously tell Vanity Fair that Pitt was “missing a sensitivity chip.” Ouch.
BORIS HORVAT via Getty Images Before the split: The couple arrive at the Cannes Film Festival for the official release of "Troy" on May 13, 2004.
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Now, they’re racking up awards for their work and both conveniently single at the same time, much to the public’s glee. (Don’t judge; 2020 is already off to a rough start, news cycle-wise — we need this!)
For what it’s worth, they both seem to be thrilled for each other’s success. When Aniston went up to accept her SAG award for Female Actor in a Drama Series, Brad was seen watching with a big grin on his face backstage:
We forever want to watch Brad watch Jen receive her Actor® #sagawards pic.twitter.com/4arINQhKQx — SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 20, 2020
But, reality check number two: By all accounts, the exes are just friends, have been for years now (Pitt even turned up at Aniston’s 50th birthday last year), and have no plans to return to their 2000s super-couple glory.
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That hasn’t stopped people from really wanting a reconciliation to happen. It’s hard not to project with these pics, said Tom Fitzgerald, one half of the fashion-blogging duo Tom & Lorenzo and the co-author of the upcoming book “Legendary Children: The First Decade of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the Last Century of Queer Life.”
“My husband and I never had any dog in this hunt, but even we were surprised by our own reactions to the pictures,” Fitzgerald told HuffPost. “There were literal gay gasps when we saw that shot of him grasping her wrist as she turned away.”
Fitzgerald has a few theories on why the internet responded the way it did. (Besides the fact that knee-jerk histrionics is kind of Twitter’s thing.)
“Part of the reason everyone reacted so strongly is because Brad and Jen are both so iconic now and nearly an entire generation has grown up without seeing contemporary pictures of them together,” he said. “But another reason is because those shots ― especially the wrist one ― were so ridiculously romantic in tone.”
Therapist: so what brings you in today?
Me: *slams this picture of Brad Pitt holding Jennifer Anniston’s hand on the table* pic.twitter.com/RtiuRue5YJ — Brett S. Vergara (@BrettSVergara) January 20, 2020
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Fitzgerald doesn’t think there’s any romance brewing, though. He’s more inclined to see the moment as “an instance of old friends and lovers simply showing some affection for each other and doing that thing that time tends to do for old lovers: forgive and forget the past.”
That said, the writer gets why people are rooting for a reconciliation. As he pointed out, we tend to view celebrities as avatars for our fears, hopes, desires and perceptions.
“Celebrities become stand-ins or representations of our own emotional states,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s why Jen became this patron saint of heartbroken women in the eyes of the public for so many years. It wasn’t fair to her, but she became a stand-in for how people feel about women who are unlucky in love; whether those people were themselves unlucky or whether they enjoyed judging women who were.”
Sure, it sounds a tad silly, but to see Pitt and Aniston ― “two nearly perfect avatars of the concept of a failed marriage” ― so publicly embrace each other gives hope to the rest of us that it’s possible to mend a broken relationship. (And in this case, it’s extra nice to see Pitt rehab his image and enjoy critical success after getting sober. Aniston, too, is finally getting recognition she’s long deserved for her dramatic work. Why not tack a love story onto that feel-good narrative, too?)
Me: Brad and Jen are mature adults who can be friends without the world freaking out every time they're in the same room together ok?
Me after seeing The Photo: do we call them Braniston or Anipitt — Rachel Simon (@Rachel_Simon) January 20, 2020
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For the romantic realists among us, it’s not so much a desire for them to get back together that most of us feel, as much as a sweet confirmation that the pair are still connected and bonded in spite of everything that allegedly went down, said Katherine Schafler, a psychotherapist in New York.
“Here we have two exes supporting each other, there’s not one winner and one loser, it’s so platonic,” she said. “Their connection reminds us that even when things don’t end the way you were expecting them to, you can still have a happy ending in other ways. In true Hollywood fashion, we all love a happy ending, perhaps that why we can’t get enough of these two. ”
It’s kind of like how you’d be thrilled if your friends who dated for years are finally fine with being in the same room again; no more weirdness at parties!
Collectively, we can leave the past in the past: Pitt and Aniston will forever be the chillest couple to ever chill in Hollywood, a golden pair with golden tans to match. (Seriously, how do two people get so matchy matchy with their tans?)
But for all the diehard fans, there’s always going to be steadfast critics.
Alicia Mintz, the co-host of the pop culture podcast Trashy Divorces (of course they covered the Aniston-Pitt split) is still firmly Team Jen, however the chips may fall.
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“My co-host Stacie and I actually hold fast to the controversial hot take that people split up for a reason, and should probably stay that way,” she said. “In our episode on this whole sorry Jen-Brad-Angelina spectacle, I had a very personal message for Jen as she and Brad revived their friendship post-Angelina: Don’t do it!”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Camilla Creates A Stir Answering A Question About Harry And Meghan

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family,” the queen said Saturday. “I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.”
“I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family,” Her Majesty said, praising the former actor for her assimilation into royal life.
Harry flew to Canada on Monday to rejoin Meghan and Archie.
Photos of Meghan and Archie on a stroll through a Vancouver Island park with their two dogs (and a security detail) are already sparking reported legal threats. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s lawyers are warning off the paparazzi, according to a report from Sky News, for photographing Meghan without her consent. HuffPost reached out for further comment.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--How To Load A Dishwasher Correctly: The Definitive Guide

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Few topics are as polarising among housemates and clean freaks as the best way to load a dishwasher. Everyone has their own “system,” which they believe to be infallible. But in reality, it’s probably wrong ― at least a little bit.
We got the lowdown from experts on how to properly load a dishwasher so that everything comes out sparkling clean and undamaged. Read on to find out how to improve your dish stacking skills.
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How To Load A Dishwasher The Right Way
Top rack: Glasses, mugs and small bowls should go on the top, upside down. If the bottoms of certain cups or dishes are slightly concave, it helps to lean them at an angle to avoid collecting dirty water.
“All plastic items should go on the top rack, too, because the heat comes from the bottom and can warp plastics,” said Heloise Blaure, a chef, blogger at Home Kitchen Land and self-proclaimed dishwasher stickler.
Be sure that any small pieces are secured and won’t fall through the gaps, potentially blocking the washer arm or landing on the heating element.
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“Spatulas, ladles, and other large utensils should lie flat on the top level with your coffee mugs and saucers,” Blaure said. If you stick them upright with silverware, they’ll block the water spray and prevent other things from being cleaned properly.
Bottom rack: Plates, large bowls, pots and pans should go on the bottom. Put the biggest pieces to the sides so they don’t block the sprayer.
Utensil holder: Load utensils handle-first so that spoons and the prongs of your forks are facing up. One exception to this rule is knives, which should be placed point-down so that you don’t cut yourself when you unload them.
Watch Out For These Common Mistakes
Figuring out where to put dishes is fairly intuitive, but there are many nuances to loading a dishwasher so that everything comes out as clean as possible. Below are some common mistakes to avoid.
Overloading. Good on you for trying to save water, but know that overcrowding the dishwasher means you’ll end up having to rewash many pieces. According to Whirlpool, crowding dishes and stacking them on top of each other causes “nesting” and prevents dishes from being cleaned evenly.
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Placing large, flat items near the door. Whirlpool also noted that flat pans or platters should be placed in racks away from the door, as placing them near the door can block detergent from reaching other dishes.
Laying large pots and pans face down. Big items should be loaded on their sides, not face down. “This is especially important for older dishwashers that do not have an upper spray arm, because whatever pot or pan is blocking the bottom spray arm will act as a shield, preventing water from reaching the top rack,” said Aleka Shunk, a food blogger at Bite Sized Kitchen.
Blocking the spray arm. Just because everything fits inside the dishwasher doesn’t mean your job is done. “Right before you start your cycle, you want to give the arm a quick test spin to see if it spins without obstruction,” Shunk said. If it hits a plate or utensil, move that item before you start the cycle, otherwise the dishwasher won’t clean properly.
Facing everything in the same direction. Water sprays from the centre of the dishwasher, so you want the dirtiest part of your plates (the faces) pointed toward the spray. When you load your plates all facing to your right, for instance, you block some of them from having full access to the water. “Instead, you should face them all toward the middle so they get exposed to the spray,” Blaure said.
Leaving a bunch of stuck-on food. You can put un-rinsed dishes in your dishwasher, but you should scrape off any chunks of food before loading. “Too many food remnants in the dishwasher can lead to mould and also dishes not coming out clean,” said Melissa Maker, host of the YouTube channel Clean My Space.
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Cleaning dishes before loading them. Though you should clean off chunks of food before loading your dishes, it’s possible to go too far. If your dishwasher was made in the past 10 years, there’s no need to pre-rinse, according to Blaure. “Pre-washing is a serious waste of time, water and heat,” she said. If you stop washing your dishes in the sink before they go in the dishwasher, you should see your energy bill drop.
Classen Rafael / EyeEm via Getty Images Photo Taken In Simmerath, Germany
Items You Should Never Put In The Dishwasher
You may be tempted to save time and throw the whole kitchen sink into the dishwasher. However, some items will get damaged by sitting through cycles of harsh soap and extra hot water.
Cast iron: Putting cast iron pans in the dishwasher will destroy the coating and cause them to become rusty.
Non-stick pans: Even though many non-stick pans claim to be dishwasher safe, repeatedly exposing them to the hot water and detergents will break down the coating. It’s best to hand-wash these.
Even though many non-stick pans claim to be dishwasher safe, repeatedly exposing them to the hot water and detergents will break down the coating. It’s best to hand-wash these. Delicate pieces: Avoid loading anything that could break easily, such as crystal or china.
Fine metals and finishes: “Certain finishes such as silver or enamelled items should be hand washed only, as the heat and detergents can ruin the finish,” Maker said.
Wood utensils and cutting boards: Avoid putting any wooden items in the dishwasher. “Wood is porous and can not sustain the amount of water that a dishwasher uses to clean,” Maker said.
Sharp knives: Any chef will tell you that sharp knives are to be hand-washed. “A dishwasher exposes them to too much water and shortens their lifespan,” Blaure said.
Anything that is not dishwasher safe: It may seem obvious, but always check dishes to be sure they’re safe for dishwashers. Some items, such as certain plastics, are not.
Tips For Maximising Your Dishwasher Use
Finally, keep your dishwasher in top shape and use it to its fullest potential with these tips.
Clean your dishwasher regularly. Even if you do a good job of removing gunk prior to washing, food particles, paper towels and other buildup can lead to funky smells and poor drainage. At a minimum, fill your soap dispenser with white vinegar and run an empty cycle once a month. You should also regularly check the food trap and other nooks and crannies for stuck food particles.
Preheat the water. To avoid starting a load with cold water, run the kitchen sink on hot for a couple of minutes to get the heated water flowing. You should also check that your water heater is set to the right temperature ― about 120 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly 49 degrees Celsius).
Organise utensils by type. When loading utensils, organise each holder by forks, knives and spoons. It might not seem like a big deal, but when you go to put all your dishes away, you’ll be amazed at how much faster it goes when all the utensils are already separated.
Skip the heat. You might feel guilty about the amount of water and energy each load requires, but it is possible to keep it to a minimum. “If people want to be more environmentally conscious, they can turn off the ‘heated dry’ option,” Maker said.
Dishwashers aren’t just for dishes. According to Whirlpool, there are several unusual items that people may not know can go in the dishwasher. This includes rubber dog toys, baseball caps, grill grates and rubber rain boots.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Susanna Reid Shares Incredible Throwback Pic And Now Everyone Is Thinking The Same Thing

We don’t know if it’s the bowl-cut hairstyle or the top that looks like it’s straight out of Theresa May’s wardrobe, but Susanna Reid circa 2000 looks about as far removed from Susanna Reid 2020 as you could get.
The Good Morning Britain star shared this incredible throwback pic of her presenting the BBC news twenty years ago, when she was just 29 years old.
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If I am not mistaken, this was my very first national news bulletin for BBC TV 20 years ago. https://t.co/JykjJpkNCN — Susanna Reid (@susannareid100) January 21, 2020
Sharing the photo of the video clip on Twitter, Susanna wrote: “If I am not mistaken, this was my very first national news bulletin for BBC TV 20 years ago.”
It didn’t take long for fans of the GMB star to all start making the same comment...
How are you younger now?! — Rachael Fulton (@Rachael_Fulton) January 21, 2020
How do you look younger now TELL ME YOUR SECRETS — Sam (@shiner_sam) January 21, 2020
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Are you in fact Benjamin Button? — Beth C (@BethC07519257) January 21, 2020
Wow. You look younger now. 😊 — Dawn Neesom (@DawnNeesom) January 21, 2020
you looked older then than now!.. well played!! — Just A Guy With His Own Opinion (@GlenRichmond5) January 21, 2020
Wow and you don’t look any older, Susanna.👍👌😁 — Alison Merritt (@merritt_alison) January 21, 2020
I had that haircut too. Never did us any favours! — Helen Grieve 🇬🇧 🦊 (@grieve51166) January 21, 2020
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Susanna joined BBC Breakfast in 2003 before moving to Good Morning Britain in 2014 where she now presents ITV’s weekday breakfast news show alongside Piers Morgan.
Last year, Piers disclosed that things got off to a bit of a frosty start between himself and his co-host, revealing: “She was the queen bee and I was the alpha male. I felt I needed to shake her up a bit. But then I realised it went a bit too far.”
Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Susanna continued: “He is the most irritating man in the world, but I’m a professional.
“I can work with anyone, but it was a shock to the system, and I did find it difficult to sit there trying to be neutral in my opinions while Piers spouted forth about whatever he thought, and then I would be attacked for it.”
Good Morning Britain airs every weekday from 6am on ITV.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her That Aren't Flowers

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Firstly, let’s clear something up here: it’s completely impossible to actually have everything. This is bad news for all the Veruca Salts of the world (that’s a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory reference, for anyone who doesn’t know) but great news for anyone struggling to think of what to get their respective other this Valentine’s Day.
The trick here is to go thoughtful and obscure, rather than grand and showy. Chances are that you’ve got the kind of gal who will go out there and get the items she really wants for herself, a la Destiny’s Child, so opting for a designer bag is futile – and expensive for you.
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My guess is you’ve already ruled out flowers, which is why you’re here. But what to get instead?
Don’t panic, I’ve got your back, with a collection of original gifts that are sure to elicit a smile. From personalised pressies to quirky accessories and a whole host of homeware goodies that will keep you out of the doghouse for the entirety of 2020 - you’ll have Valentine’s Day covered in no time.
HuffPost UK Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution
Don’t know what her favourite lipstick colour is? Try 10 of them instead, gorgeously packaged and ready to give. Charlotte Tilbury is the pinnacle of makeup brands and her matte lipsticks are legendary. It’s definitely time to pucker up!
HuffPost UK Nomu Orange Decanter, Oliver Bonas
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Cheers to getting it right! This bold decanter will take pride of place at her next dinner party and look great displayed on a shelf when it’s not in use. Earn extra brownie points by buying the gin to go in it, too.
HuffPost UK Gold Claw Clove Cuff, Missoma
This delicate gold cuff makes an elegant statement on its own or can be mixed with her other bracelets to add a different shape and texture. Layering jewellery is still all the rage, so even if she already has an overflowing jewellery box she’ll be able to work this in.
HuffPost UK All Sport Backpack, Sweaty Betty
If she’s a yoga or pilates lover than she’ll get a lot of use out of this clever backpack. She can free up her arms by clipping her mat in under the bag itself and durable scuba style fabric makes this extra lightweight, even when she has many, many possessions to carry around.
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HuffPost UK Charbonnel et Walker de Champagne Milk Chocolate Truffles, John Lewis
We know that chocolates for Valentine’s Day isn’t exactly ground breaking, but these deluxe truffles have the royal seal of approval, as well as ours. They’re creamy, filled with Marc de Champagne and lightly dusted with a sweet coating of icing sugar. In short, they’re the best of the best, and a renowned brand in the upper circles of chocolate lovers.
HuffPost UK Personalised Jewellery Case And Make Up Bag, Not On The High Street
She’ll love you forever for saving her the stress, and room, of trying to pack all the jewellery and makeup she needs for a trip away. This chic, personalised, two-in-one travel case fits cosmetics and brushes and comes with a separate, detachable section to keep precious jewellery safely stored.
HuffPost UK Impossible Hand Drawn Print by Jessie Cave, Jessie Doodles
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You might know actor turned artist Jessie Cave as Lavender Brown from the Harry Potter film series but she’s since made a real name for herself with her hand drawn prints. They’re quirky, totally customisable and this one in particular is completely adorable. I defy her heart not to melt when she opens it.
HuffPost UK Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum, John Lewis
There’s no denying that Le Labo is the perfume brand of the moment, and it looks set to continue that way. Santal 33 is its most sought-after scent and draws inspiration from the old Marlboro ads – aka the soft, seductive drift of smoke from an open fire.
HuffPost UK Red Three Wick Pillar Candle, ETSY
The sad thing about candles is that they eventually run out, which is great news for you as it means that even if she has several, she will always need more. This deep red version is totally in keeping with the theme of romance and will last even the most avid candle burner a long, long time.
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HuffPost UK HK Living’s Set Of 6 Ceramic 70s Mugs, Trouva
I know mugs seem an odd choice for Valentine’s Day but hear me out. We often buy them cheap and cheerful and yet we use them day in, day out, so wouldn’t it be nice to have a gorgeous set of mismatched mugs to clutch coffee in the morning or drink hot chocolate from bed?


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--The Medela Swing Breast Pump Helped Me Go To My Best Friend's Hen Party Completely Pain-Free

Huffington Post UK Honestly it's life-changing
Honestly, it’s life changing is a regular series where we talk about the weird and wonderful possessions we can’t imagine life without. Think of it as an ode to the mundane, bizarre and, sometimes, wholly unnecessary products in our lives.
If you’ve breastfed, chances are you’ve suffered the discomfort of feeling engorged. It happens when your breasts are too full with milk: sometimes as a result of those early days, when your body hasn’t quite settled into the rhythm of supply and demand; or if your baby’s feeding patterns change; or if they can’t latch on properly. At times like this, you need the Medela Swing Flex 2-Phase electric breast pump. For me, it was a life-saver.
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If you’ve used one, then you’ll recognise that unique sound immediately – like something you might hear on a farm. Yet the steady bovine sound is comforting, too, because it only means one thing: that you’re working as hard as you can to produce liquid gold. The Medela Swing pump was the fastest, most effective way I found to do it, but it’s not cheap (£139.99 at the moment from Boots).
Medela/Boots Medela Swing Breast Pump
Still, it worked. Whenever I felt like my breasts had turned to footballs, I turned to my trusty friend - the Medela Swing. And so did all of my friends. It was like a cult buy we’d recommend to each other whenever one of us was pregnant and wondering which essentials we would need.
It also became vital when my best friend was getting married. My daughter was only six months old, and I was in the thick of breastfeeding. I couldn’t foresee how I would be able to go to the hen party without doing something to relieve the feeling you get when a few hours pass without expressing milk - that unmistakable feeling of pressure inside your breasts; which swell up and become hard and lumpy (that’s the milk ducts filling up). I was also worried that if I didn’t express some milk to take the edge off, I might be at risk of contracting mastitis.
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And so, while we were out for the night, I took my handy Medela Swing with me. I pumped just before we went out, at the cottage the girls had hired, and I pumped when we got back in, at midnight (as an aside, some of my more party-hearty pals refer to the late-night pump as “pump and dump” because you have to throw away the milk if you’ve been drinking, rather than keeping it for your baby). I say, if a couple of glasses of wine on a night out will make you happy, then do what you need to do. Happy mother, happy child.
Whether or not your baby will take it or not is another story (both of my children refused to take a bottle, meaning I couldn’t stay away from them for long) - but at least you’ll know that you’ve tried. Some women find it hard to get much out, even from an electric pump - which does the squeezing motion for you - but if it works, you can buy special freezer bags that store freshly-expressed milk for up to 12 months.
Simply make sure it’s fully defrosted (in the fridge, as recommended by experts), then it may be kept at room temperature for two hours, or in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
For me, the Medela Swing worked like a charm. I would attach it and within 20 minutes or so I’d have half a bottle (75ml). Leave it for longer and I could fill a 150ml bottle to the top, fuss-free - but you need to remember to switch sides to do the other breast too, or risk sending your milk production into uneven overdrive.
No wonder it gets these rave reviews on Made for Mums. I’m not planning to have any more babies, but I almost miss it. Almost.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Vegan 'Creme' Eggs Have Hit The High Street – But How Do They Taste?

HuffPost UK Amy Packham
Vegans, rejoice – you can now buy creme eggs on the high street to satisfy your sweet tooth ahead of Easter.
Chocolate brand, Mummy Meagz, has launched the treat in Holland & Barrett stores nationwide, after the high demand for them on her site in 2019.
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Six years ago, Meagan Boyle was making small batches of these eggs to sell in her vegan coffee sop in Cottingham, East Yorkshire – but as their reputation grew, so did the demand, so she decided to partner with a retailer.
From 22 January, you’ll be able to buy the eggs – named ‘Chuckie Egg’ – with a filling inside that resembles the famous Cadbury’s treat.
The dark chocolate eggs, which contain soya, sugar, glucose, water, cocoa butter and vanilla flavouring, are completely vegan and contain no genetically modified ingredients or palm oil, with an RRP of 99p each.
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HuffPost UK Amy Packham
But how do they actually taste? Some of the HuffPost UK team had a try – here’s what they had to say:
‘I was sceptical... but I was wrong!’
“A Creme Egg devotee, I was sceptical at first of this smaller, flimsier-looking egg thing. But I was wrong! The dark chocolate is a great differentiating touch, and there’s a ton of filling, which is always the best bit. A perfectly adequate replacement for everyone converting this Easter, and finally equal Creme Egg rights for our vegan siblings.” Charlie Lindlar, commissioning Editor, HuffPost UK Personal
‘Wouldn’t have known it was vegan’
“Creme Eggs haven’t been the same for me since they changed the recipe, so I was quite excited to try a new variation. What I wasn’t expecting to find was dark chocolate when I unwrapped the foil. To be honest, I’m not sure how well it goes with the sweetness on the inside – however, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you it was a vegan egg – the creme tastes like any non-Cadbury’s version would, and the chocolate is good quality, too. I probably wouldn’t have them again, but that’s more to do with it being dark chocolate over milk!” Ash Percival, Entertainment Editor
‘Not a huge dark chocolate fan, but this works’ “The egg is smaller than your average Cadbury’s Creme Egg at Easter, but I’d say it’s much richer. I’m not a massive dark chocolate fan, but this works well. The inside looks just like the original, but it’s a bit sweeter than you’d expect – it’s also a bit thicker and more gloopy. But the egg, as a whole, is satisfying and filling, I’d say. I’d echo my colleagues’ comments and say you wouldn’t know it was vegan. I would actually eat this again.” Amy Packham, assistant life editor Buy the vegan egg at Holland & Barrett.
HuffPost UK Amy Packham
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Knees Up And Ditch The Newspaper – How Bowel Experts Poo

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We all know there are things we can do to keep our bowels moving-and-grooving – and getting plenty of fibre is often top of that list. But did you know there are different types of fibre, and you can increase and decrease your intake to alter the consistency of your poo?
That’s just one of the life lessons gastroenterologists swear by. And in the spirit of ‘sharing is caring’, they’ve told us plenty of other ways they keep their bowel health in check in the hope it’ll encourage us to think about our own habits.
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The issue is important, of course. Constipation cost the NHS £162m in 2017-18, with people sweeping long-term battles of being bunged up under the rug. The report last year revealed that £71m was caused by unplanned, avoidable emergency admissions and £91m was spent on prescription laxatives.
In the same year, 71,430 people in England were admitted to hospital with constipation – that’s equivalent to 196 people a day – with women accounting for about 60% of admissions.
So, what can we learn from bowel experts about how to stay regular?
Don’t avoid the urge to poo
If Dr Benjamin Disney, consultant gastroenterologist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, suddenly needs the loo, he’ll go straight away. “It’s important to have a regular routine and not avoid the urge,” he says.
Ignoring the urge to go for a poo could lead to impairment of the defecation reflex, he told HuffPost UK. This basically means the strength of the urge to go to the toilet could lessen, making it harder to know when you need a poo in future. This, in turn, can lead to constipation.
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Knees up, hips down
For Professor Anton Emmanuel, consultant neurogastroenterologist and director of the GI Physiology Unit at University College London Hospital, getting into an appropriate position on the toilet is key to having successful bowel movements. It’s all about the angles, apparently.
When you sit on the toilet with your knees below your hips, your puborectalis muscle (the muscle responsible for continence) relaxes only partially. It’s basically like trying to push a poo through a partially-open (back) door. But in a squatting posture or knees raised position, the muscle relaxes completely.
Try resting your feet on a low stool, box or phone book while going to the toilet. “It’s quite important that your knees are above your hips,” says Prof Emmanuel.
Rawf8 via Getty Images
Don’t take a newspaper in with you
Prof Emmanuel won’t read the newspaper when he goes for a poo. He’ll go into the bathroom, do his business, then leave. “Settling into a leisurely session is not the right way of going about things,” he says.
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“Don’t spend ages trying to coax something to happen because that’s not a good way, just leave and then go back when the urge comes back.”
This is predominantly to avoid complications when you get older, because opening your bowel for a long time could result in issues with continence and even prolapses later in life.
Get moving
Lack of exercise is one of the most common causes of constipation, which is why Dr Kevin Monahan, consultant gastroenterologist at St Mark’s Hospital in London and medical advisor for Bowel Cancer UK, is a big believer in keeping fit.
An active lifestyle helps keep his bowel healthy and ensures he stays regular. “I cycle 10km morning and evening instead of driving to work, sometimes running the route so I can vary my day,” he says, adding that he deliberately avoids busy roads, pollution and traffic-related danger.
Exercise is independently associated with lower bowel cancer risk, but you don’t have to do it on your commute, he adds: “Having two periods of walking every week, where you are not rushing for a train, also makes a difference.”
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Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
For Dr Disney, staying well-hydrated throughout the day is important to ensure he can poo easily. Drinking plenty of water softens your stools, making them easier to pass, and – bonus – can also prevent unwanted snacking throughout the day.
Make changes to your diet
Dr Monahan cites his diet as a key factor to keeping his bowel healthy – especially as certain foods have been linked to a higher bowel cancer risk. Plus, a healthy diet is key in preventing constipation.
“I start my day with porridge or homemade muesli, and during the day I try to avoid heavily processed foods,” he says. “It’s ok to eat red or processed meat, but on an average week it’s best to have this twice per week only.” A study last year found even moderate amounts of ham, bacon and red meat could increase the risk of bowel cancer.
robuart via Getty Images
Most nights, Dr Monahan will eat fish or chicken, and sometimes vegetarian main meals. “The key [to having a healthy bowel] is to have a healthy balanced diet containing all key food groups, not to restrict food unnecessarily, and to do what fits in with our lifestyle.”
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If you need to overhaul your diet, do so gradually, as a complete overhaul of your diet or daily routine can actually contribute to constipation.
Get a handle on fibre
Prof Emmanuel is a firm believer in paying attention to what ends up in the toilet bowl. If it’s too soft or too hard, he will amend his fibre intake accordingly. “We need a balance of so-called soluble and insoluble [fibre],” he says.
Insoluble fibre can be found in food sources like fruits with skins, uncooked vegetables, nuts, legumes, bran, brown rice and whole-grain flours. “Those fibres are part of what makes your poo bulky,” says Prof Emmanuel. So, they can be helpful when stools are small or sloppy, as they can add substance.
Soluble fibre is found in oats, oat bran, barley, dried beans and peas, and certain fruit and vegetables such as strawberries, potatoes, citrus and prunes. Upping your intake of this type of fibre is generally a good idea if your stools are too hard, as it’ll soften them.
“Rather than saying, ‘Oh I’m taking fibre’, think a little bit more nuanced about what fibre is,” says Prof Emmanuel. “Pay attention to what comes out. If things aren’t the way you like them to be, act accordingly.”
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It’s worth noting that some people with diverticular disease or irritable bowel syndrome might find some fibre sources exacerbate symptoms.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-22--Birth Diaries: ‘My Husband Died When I Was 6 Months Pregnant’

HuffPost UK
In HuffPost Birth Diaries we hear the extraordinary stories of the everyday miracle of birth. This week, Ashley Buggee shares her story. If you’d like to share yours, email amy.packham@huffpost.com.
Brian and I found out we were expecting our third baby on Christmas Day 2017. We’d been trying to conceive a child for nearly a year, but had suffered two devastating miscarriages. On Christmas morning though, it felt different. After opening presents with the kids I went upstairs and took a test just to see.
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It came back positive. Brian came upstairs shortly after and I told him I had one more present for him; I grabbed the positive test and showed it to him. We hugged, holding each other, daydreaming about our baby.
I was six months pregnant when my husband passed away in a scuba diving accident. He was an officer in the US navy and we were living our dream life in Hawaii, 3,000 miles away from our friends and family.
We had a one- and three-year-old at home, and here we were, pregnant with our rainbow baby, when he died. Giving birth to her was the hardest and most rewarding experience of my entire life.
HuffPost UK HuckleberryCloudPhotography
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Fast forward to June 2018. After Brian passed away, I’d made the decision to move off the island to live with his sister and her family. But within a week of arriving in Idaho, my body started to shut down. I wasn’t feeling well. The grief had caused me to lose my appetite, I couldn’t fall asleep without medication and even then my Fitbit was registering three hours max sleep a night.
I knew I had to get our daughter to at least 35 weeks to give her a fighting chance at avoiding NICU, but I could feel I wouldn’t be able to maintain the pregnancy for much longer.
At 34 weeks, I went into the hospital one evening for a test, thinking I’d be sent home to continue bed rest, but they found protein in my urine signifying my kidneys weren’t functioning properly. When they saw my high blood pressure, they told me I wouldn’t be going home until I had this baby.
I was terrified, but relieved. I knew my body couldn’t carry her any longer, and I was emotionally drained. After Brian’s death, my pregnancy was the last little thing I had feeling connected to him, like he might still come back to me. I wasn’t ready to start the next chapter of life raising this newborn baby who’d never meet her dad, along with her brother and sister – but I also couldn’t handle being pregnant with this baby anymore. It was such a mix of emotions.
Brian’s sister, Nikki, stayed with me, and we were moved into a room down the hall. I was hooked up on monitors and settled in for the evening, still not sure what the plan was. They gave me medicine to bring my blood pressure down and let me know it was going to be a waiting game.
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It worsened throughout the day. I started to get nauseous and a few hours later, my blood pressure was back up, despite the medication. The doctor was back in our room within three minutes and said this was it – they were going to induce me. They wheeled my big belly and me into another room and I was given magnesium, as well as Pitocin to start the induction. I slept on and off through the night while Nikki rested (and snored) next to me. By early morning, my contractions were pretty steady and I was dilated 2cm.
The hospital offered complimentary acupuncture during labour, so I thought ‘what the heck’, but quickly regretted this decision as I sat through an hour of them sticking needles into my hands and feet and felt no different at the end of it. It did give Nikki and I a good laugh, though, so it was worth it for that alone. Having her there for me throughout is something I will forever cherish.
I was dilated 4cm after that and ready for my epidural – which was a debacle, as they missed a few times and I nearly passed out. However, my doctor and nurse staff knew my circumstances and went out of their way to make me as comfortable as could be, ending up calling a co-worker who moved down my spine a couple of vertebrae and got it on his first try.
Still, emotionally I was distraught. Even with the epidural in place, I had restless leg syndrome – a painful nuisance I couldn’t stop. And then I became nauseous again and couldn’t stop shaking. My sister-in-law held a green bag to my face and pushed the hair from my eyes as I was sick again and again.
It wasn’t long later, perhaps 20 minutes, that I said to the nurse, “the baby is coming, not right this minute, but I can feel her moving down and she’s coming”. Sure enough I was 10cm dilated. Adeline was ready to be born.
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HuffPost UK HuckleberryCloudPhotography
I held a photo of Brian in my hand, concentrating on his image and the love we had shared together as I was about to bring his daughter into the world.
Through excruciating tears I looked up at one point to see every single person in the room (my doctor, two nurses and Nikki) all in tears with me as they helped me through the delivery. I only pushed for maybe three or four minutes. Two big pushes and a half push and I was able to reach down and grab my daughter by her shoulders, pulling her the rest of the way out and up onto my chest. I held the scissors in my hand, then, and cut her umbilical cord as we both wept.
Physically, it was the easiest labour and delivery I’ve been through, but it’s nearly impossible to separate the physical experience from the emotional experience of giving birth to Adeline – so connected in every way, but such different experiences. The birth was a special moment we were all a part of, welcoming this baby who had helped save me in more ways than one over the months prior – and who would now be the newest member of my family.
Adeline Makai Bugge was born five weeks early on 31 July 2018. She weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces, perfectly healthy. My miracle.
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My birth advice? Enjoy and savour the experience as much as possible. These are once in a lifetime moments you’ll look back in forever, so focus on yourself and your baby.
Follow Ashley’s journey on Facebook, Instagram, or on her blog.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--Ofcom Complaints Almost Triple In Just One Day After Piers Morgan's 'Chinese' Impression

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The presenter sparked a huge backlash after he made noises live on air during Monday’s broadcast, in what was apparently an imitation of a Chinese advert featuring the Queen’s grandson, Peter Phillips.
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He then requested the ad be played again, after which he declared: “Ching chang cho jo”, again trying to repeat what was said in the advert.
Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid during Monday's Good Morning Britain ITV
The following day, a representative for Ofcom told HuffPost UK that they’d received 297 complaints about Piers’ behaviour, a number which has since almost tripled.
On Thursday, Digital Spy reported that 841 viewers had now complained to the media regulator, who will assess the complaints before deciding whether to take the matter any further and potentially launch an investigation.
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During the episode, Piers’ co-host Susanna Reid told him that “taking the mickey out of foreign languages is rather 1970s”, to which he loudly hit back: “Surely you can take the mickey out of it! He’s using ‘ching chang chong’ milk from the Chinese state – that’s what they said in the advert!
“I can’t repeat what they’re saying in the advert… I’m trying to mimic the wording of that advertisement.”
Piers made no mention of the matter during Tuesday or Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain, having previously insisted on Twitter that he wasn’t “mocking Chinese people”, but was instead mocking a ““a member of the British royal family appearing in an advert for Chinese state milk”.
Representatives for ITV did not respond after HuffPost UK contacted them for comment.
Good Morning Britain airs every weekday from 6am on ITV.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--John Bercow Denies Ever Having Bullied 'Anyone'

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John Bercow, the former Commons Speaker, has “categorically” denied having ever bullied anyone.
Lord Lisvane, the former Clerk of the House, confirmed on Thursday he had made a formal complaint about Bercow’s behaviour.
The Times reported Lisvane, who served as Bercow’s most senior official, had handed a dossier of allegations to the parliamentary commissioner for standards.
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Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has reportedly been lining up Bercow, who was a Tory MP before becoming speaker, for a peerage.
In a statement, Bercow said that since retiring it had “become increasingly obvious that the government has no intention of honouring the centuries-old convention that a departing speaker is promptly elevated to the House of Lords”.
He added: “Indeed, it has been suggested to me that the government actively seeks to block any other attempt to nominate me for membership of the upper House.
“I have seen in the media that Lord Lisvane is formally complaining that I bullied staff. For the record, I categorically deny that I have ever bullied anyone, anywhere at any time.”
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There have been suggestions that Downing Street could hamper the move, with the prime minister’s official spokesman highlighting a “long-standing convention” that opposition leaders nominate individuals form their own parties.
Downing Street said today the allegations against Bercow were “very concerning” and should be “investigated thoroughly”.
No.10 said it was “important” the parliamentary leadership responds “fully and promptly to any concerns which are raised”.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “These are very concerning allegations and they need to be investigated thoroughly.
“Everyone working in parliament deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Business secretary Andrea Leadsom said the complaint, if it is upheld, should have an “impact” on whether he is made a peer.
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PA Wire/PA Images
Leadsom, who as leader of the Commons clashed repeatedly with Bercow, told Sky News that the complaints procedures for parliamentary staff – which she helped establish – applied to everyone in the Commons.
“The whole purpose of that was that anybody, including the speaker of the House of Commons whoever he or she may be, should also be subject to that procedure,” she said.
“In the event that there are genuine, upheld complaints about any persons that should have an impact on whether they are found suitable for the House of Lords.”
The document is said to accuse Bercow of having bullied and humiliated staff, including using inappropriate language.
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Bercow has consistently denied allegations of bullying from former members of staff in the past.
In a statement on Thursday, he said: “During the five years that we worked together, Lord Lisvane had ample opportunity to raise any accusations of bullying with me.
“At no stage did he do so, even though he became Clerk of the House – the most senior official. The timing of this intervention is curious.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--First Suspected Cases Of Coronavirus In The UK As Four Admitted To Hospital In Scotland

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More than a dozen people in the UK have been tested for coronavirus, as the health secretary said there is an “increased likelihood” of cases occurring.
Fourteen people in the UK have been tested with five confirmed negative and nine still awaiting the results, Public Health England has said.
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PHE would not give a breakdown of where the people were tested and where the negative results were recorded.
The update follows five people in Scotland and one in Belfast being tested for the mystery illness as there were fears of more cases in other cities across the country, the head of infection medicine at the University of Edinburgh confirmed.
Professor Juergen Haas said tests are currently being carried out and none of the patients, at least three of whom are Chinese nationals, have been confirmed as having the disease.
Three travelled to Scotland from Wuhan, where the outbreak is thought to have originated, within the past two weeks and are showing symptoms of respiratory trouble, a red flag for the virus.
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The other patient is being tested to rule out coronavirus at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, it is understood.
The patient arrived at the hospital showing symptoms which may be associated with the condition but it will be some time before test results are returned.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, located in Govan, Glasgow. georgeclerk via Getty Images
Professor Haas told the PA news agency the cases emerged overnight, adding: “The situation will be pretty similar in pretty much all UK cities with a large number of Chinese students.
“It’s not too surprising. My suspicious is that there will probably be many more cases in many other cities in the UK. None of the cases I know of have been confirmed.”
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He said there is only one laboratory testing for the virus, operated by Public Health England (PHE).
Haas had initially said four people in Scotland were being tested.
The outbreak has killed 25 people and infected 830 in China as authorities around the world work to prevent a global pandemic.
On Thursday evening the World Health Organisation’s emergency committee has said it is “too early” to declare an international public health emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.
The Emergency Committee on the new #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) considered that it is still too early to declare a public health emergency of international concern given its restrictive and binary nature — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 23, 2020
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation, said: “Make no mistake. This is an emergency in China. But it has not yet become a global health emergency. It may yet become one.”
New cases were also reported in Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Vietnam on Thursday.
Passengers wear masks to prevent an outbreak of a new coronavirus in the high speed train station, in Hong Kong on Wednesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The previously unknown virus strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
Most transport in Wuhan, a city of 11m, was suspended on Thursday and people were told not to leave. Hours later, neighbouring Huanggang, a city of about 7m people, announced a similar lockdown.
On Thursday, before the UK cases were reported, health secretary Matt Hancock said the NHS is “ready to respond appropriately” and that while “there is an increased likelihood that cases may arise in this country, we are well prepared and well equipped to deal with them”.
He said England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, is in contact with international experts and his counterparts to monitor the situation.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--Victoria Derbyshire Addresses BBC's Decision To Axe Her Show: 'I'm Absolutely Devastated'

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Victoria Derbyshire has spoken out for the first time since it was confirmed that her BBC current affairs show was being axed.
On Wednesday, reports claimed that Victoria’s show was being taken off the air, as part of a round of cuts to save money at the BBC.
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The presenter has now addressed the matter on Twitter, revealing she found out about the fate of her show after reading about it in The Times.
She wrote: “Absolutely devastated at the plan to end our programme (which I first learned about in yesterday’s Times).
“I’m unbelievably proud of what our team and our show have achieved in under 5 years, breaking tonnes of original stories (which we were asked to do); attracting a working class, young, diverse audience that BBC radio & TV news [programmes] just don’t reach (which we were asked to do) [and] smashing the digital figures (which we were asked to do).”
Victoria Derbyshire Isabel Infantes - PA Images via Getty Images
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Victoria added: “I’m gutted particularly for our brilliant, young, ambitious, talented team - love ’em. And for all those people we gave a voice to. Love them too.”
Absolutely devastated at the plan to end our programme (which I first learned about in yesterday’s Times). I’m unbelievably proud of what our team and our show have achieved in under 5 years.. 1/3 — Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) January 23, 2020
...breaking tonnes of original stories (which we were asked to do); attracting a working class, young, diverse audience that BBC radio & TV news progs just don’t reach (which we were asked to do); & smashing the digital figures (which we were asked to do) ... 2/3 — Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) January 23, 2020
I’m gutted particularly for our brilliant, young, ambitious, talented team - love ‘em. And for all those people we gave a voice to. Love them too. 3/3 — Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) January 23, 2020
At the beginning of Thursday’s show, she also gave a defiant statement, saying: “Good morning and welcome to the programme. We are still here, telling your stories and covering the issues that are important to you in your life.
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“And do you know what? We don’t give up.”
Victoria addressing the audience at the beginning of Thursday's show BBC
The news was confirmed to BBC employees in an internal email, which praised the show’s “award-winning, distinctive journalism”.
“The programme has championed important stories and fresh reporting talent,” the email read.
“This is exactly the type of journalism we need to continue, reaching audiences who are often under-served by the BBC, and we will be retaining some of the programme’s journalism roles to enable us to continue this work. We will outline further details of this next week.”
The BBC also praised the show’s “hugely talented and engaging” host in the email, insisting she will “continue to be a central part of the BBC News team”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--Gwyneth Paltrow Speaks Out On 'Smells Like My Vagina' Candle Uproar

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Gwyneth Paltrow gave “Late Night” viewers a whiff of her thoughts about developing the candle for her Goop brand that she named “This Smells Like My Vagina.”
The candle immediately sold out on the Oscar winner’s Goop lifestyle site, but also prompted criticism.
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Paltrow joked to host Seth Meyers that she was high on magic mushrooms when she kiddingly declared the fragrance had a scent like her lady parts. Then she got a bit more serious.
“It was really funny to us, but also a little bit punk rock,” she said. “I think women, a lot of us, have grown up feeling certain degrees of shame around our bodies or whatever.
“So this is a little bit of a subversive candle for all of us out there.”
At $75 per candle – that’s nearly 60 quid – probably not all of us.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--Coronavirus: Andrea Leadsom Says UK Is Checking All Flights From Wuhan – Except There Aren't Any

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The government’s business secretary Andrea Leadsom on Thursday said all passengers arriving from Wuhan to the UK are being screened for coronavirus – which seems reasonable until you consider the fact there are no flights at all arriving anywhere from the Chinese city because it is in lockdown.
The 11m people living in Wuhan have been told they are not allowed to leave the city unless in exceptional circumstances, in a bid to halt the spread of a new virus that has killed 17 people and infected almost 600 people, according to Chinese officials.
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All flights in and out of the city, as well as nearby Huanggang, have been cancelled, alongside trains, buses, road routes and ferries.
The last flight from Wuhan to the UK arrived at Heathrow shortly after 6pm on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said all direct flights from Wuhan to the UK would be screened, but accepted that they were currently suspended by Chinese authorities.
The Civil Aviation Authority said it was unaware of any flights currently scheduled to arrive in the UK from Wuhan, adding that flights scheduled earlier in the week appeared to have been postponed.
Speaking to Kay Burley, Leadsom said: “As I understand it we are now routinely checking all flights from Wuhan.
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“Obviously this is a huge concern for the world but in particular for that city in China which I understand is now in lockdown and we will of course be guided by all of the advice that comes from the world health authorities and also on the evidence that’s coming out of China itself.”
Business secretary Andrea Leadsom has told Sky News the new coronavirus outbreak is a "huge" concern for the world and she understands all flights from Wuhan to the UK are now being checked routinely adding the UK's response will be guided by advice from world health authorities — Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) January 23, 2020
Two Chinese cities – Wuhan and Huanggang – have been placed on lockdown amid the outbreak, which has killed 17 people and infected almost 600, officials have said.
All train stations in nearby Ezhou, which is home to around a million people, have also now been closed, and Beijing has announced that its iconic Lunar New Year celebrations have been cancelled in a bid to halt the spread of the virus.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said on Thursday that there was an “increased likelihood” of the UK seeing cases of the new virus, and warned travellers against “all but essential” travel to Wuhan.
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He told the Commons on Thursday: “The chief medical officer has revised the risk to the UK population from ‘very low’ to ‘low’ and has concluded that while there is an increased likelihood that cases may arise in this country, we are well prepared and well equipped to deal with them.”
Addressing the UK’s preparedness for potential cases of the virus, Hancock added: “The UK is one of the first countries to have developed a world-leading test for the new coronavirus.
“The NHS is ready to respond appropriately to any cases that emerge.
“Clinicians both in primary and secondary care have already received advice covering initial detection and investigation of possible cases, infection prevention and control and clinical diagnostics.”
He continued: “We are working closely with our counterparts in the devolved administrations and the public can be assured that the whole of the UK is always well-prepared for these types of outbreaks.
“And we’ll remain vigilant and keep our response under constant review in the light of emerging scientific evidence.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--Keir Starmer Cancels Labour Leadership Campaigning As Mother-In-Law Critically Ill

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Keir Starmer has cancelled planned campaigning for the Labour leadership today and tomorrow as his mother-in-law is critically ill.
The shadow Brexit secretary has asked for privacy while he supports his two children, wife Victoria and her mum who is in intensive care.
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A statement from Starmer’s campaign team says his mother-in-law was involved in an accident.
It reads: “Following an accident, Keir Starmer’s mother-in-law is critically ill and has been admitted to hospital in intensive care.
“In order to support his family at this difficult time, Keir will be cancelling all campaign events today and tomorrow. We ask that his family’s privacy is respected at this time.”
Keir Starmer speaks to the media following the launch of his campaign to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as party leader ASSOCIATED PRESS
The 57-year-old former human rights lawyer has a sizeable lead in the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn, having secured the support of unions Unison and Usdaw, and the party’s environment campaign SERA.
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He is set to face competition from shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, who has politics close to Corbyn’s, and campaigning Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, who has placed regaining support in Britain’s towns central to her offer.
The winner of the contest is set to be announced on April 4 after a long campaign and hustings events across the country.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--Beijing 'Cancels New Year Celebrations' In Bid To Contain Coronavirus

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Authorities in Beijing have reportedly cancelled all large-scale Chinese New Year celebrations in a bid to contain the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
Action in the Chinese capital comes as health secretary Matt Hancock warned of an “increased likelihood” of the condition, which has claimed 17 lives so far, reaching the UK.
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“In order to control the epidemic, protect people’s lives and health, reduce the mass gathering and ensure people to have a harmonious and peaceful spring festival, it is decided to cancel all the large-scale events, including temple fairs, in Beijing as of today,” a governmental Beijing Culture and Tourism Bureau told broadcaster CNN in a statement.
“Citizens shall strengthen the preventative measures and support the decision. We will notify the policy changes with the epidemic development [...] and wish all citizens a happy spring festival.”
The outbreak has been largely centred around the Chinese city of Wuhan, nearly 700 miles from Beijing.
Medical staff transfer a patient of a highly suspected case of a new coronavirus at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hong Kong, China January 22, 2020. Picture taken January 22, 2020. cnsphoto via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. Stringer . / Reuters
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Authorities had confirmed 571 cases and 17 deaths by the end of Wednesday, China’s National Health Commission said. Earlier, it said another 393 suspected cases had been reported.
Of eight known cases worldwide, Thailand has confirmed four, while Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States have reported one each.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said it will decide on Thursday whether to declare the outbreak a global health emergency, which would step up the international response.
Meanwhile, Hancock assured MPs the UK was on standby should the virus reach its shores.
“The UK is one of the first countries to have developed a world-leading test for the new coronavirus,” he told the Commons.
“The NHS is ready to respond appropriately to any cases that emerge.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--The Best Veg Boxes In 2020 For Every Budget

HuffPost UK Louise/HuffPost UK
For many, the 2020 resolution is to be a better person (in some way), whether it’s eating more healthily, working towards a personal fitness goal or being more sustainable.
With a vegetable box subscription, you could tick all three boxes. If you’re new to the concept, allow us to explain. Order your vegetables online, through a variety of retailers, and a box of fresh, tasty veg will arrive on your doorstep, with no lugging home potatoes or queuing at the supermarket involved.
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While we’ve already got you covered when it comes to affordable gym wear, sports bras for bigger busts and equipment you can use at home, getting sweaty is just as important as eating well. To help you get off to a healthy start, here’s five of the best to buy.
HuffPost UK Abel & Cole
Abel & Cole combines fresh, organic veg options with an environmentally conscious approach to packaging - that means using minimum plastic and a recyclable brown box to deliver its abundance of organic veggies. It’s Super Speedy box is particularly useful if you’re time-poor with many one pot dishes being possible with the eight-piece veg selection from pasta to salads and everything in between.
HuffPost UK Ocado
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Whip up plenty of hearty, home made meals from a huge selection of vegetable that are in Ocado’s boxes. There’s your usual broccoli, peppers, mushroom etc and seasonal additions too throughout the year including pomegranate, fennel and aubergine so you and make everything from soups to stir frys.
HuffPost UK Riverford UK veg box 18
Coming straight from its fields and farms, Riverford’s box is filled to the brim with seven different vegetable, all organic of course. There’s a mix of staples such a potatoes and onions combined with seasonal items too for you to incorporate into dinner, including chestnut mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.
HuffPost UK Morrison's
Wonky veg is often overlooked but Morrison’s offer in its box just that. You’ll find a minimum of three seasonal product items, such as cabbage, cauliflower, swede, leeks, sweet potatoes, courgettes or parsnips. That’s alongside a permanent inclusion of carrots, onions, and potatoes. You’ll be spoilt for choice once it arrives.
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HuffPost UK Planet Organic
If you live close to the capital then opt for a small box from Planet Organic to get off to a good start. Each box varies week on week, depending on what’s growing at each time of the year, but you’ll never go hungry with a plethora or tasty options on offer such as beetroot, aubergine, chard rainbow and carrots. If you’re particularly busy, you can also do the rest of your weekly shop with them too.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--Love Island's Shaughna Phillips Divides Fans With Protective Behaviour Over Callum Jones

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The democratic services officer had to think on her feet when new arrival Rebecca Gormley revealed an interest in Shaughna’s partner Callum Jones.
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After she’d pulled Callum aside for a chat, in which he reassured her his eggs were solely in her basket, she took steps to nip any further flirting in the bud.
Grabbing Callum’s phone, Shaughna then said she would draft up a speech for him to give to Rebecca to reject her advances.
Shaughna and Callum on Love Island ITV
Explaining her reasons, she said in the Beach Hut: “I want her to literally forget Callum exists.”
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Callum then read out the message Shaughna had composed, which said: “So basically, I feel like when I spoke to you earlier, I told you I was happy with Shaughna but I think I need to elaborate on it.
“I’m closed off from getting to know anyone else, because all my eggs are in Shaughna’s basket. And the basket is locked safe – so locked, it’s laughable.
“Thanks for the time and have a smashing day... PS. Get back!”
Some viewers found Shaughna’s message hilarious...
Shaughna is a legend 😹 no beating round the bush for Callum #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/jfhP7bxIkK — JayJay (@JayyJayy944) January 22, 2020
Shaughna is moving a bit mad but I fully love her #LoveIsIand — becca (@beccahawkinssx) January 23, 2020
Actual gonna use Shaughna and Callums "Get Back" line too much in day to day life now. Fantastic 🥳 #LoveIsland — Phoebe (@phoebe_dunnex) January 23, 2020
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Shaughna is actual jokes howling at her writing out the speech for him why is that me hahahahaha — paulette campbell (@paulettecampb_) January 23, 2020
Nah, Shaughna actually writing a full on press release for Callum!!! Babe RELASSSSSSSSSSS #LoveIsland — Clara Amfo (mute me during Love Island season) (@claraamfo) January 23, 2020
Shaughna drafting what she wants Callum to say to Rebecca is hilarious 😂
I stan my bossy sis.#LoveIsland — Blair. (@beestuckey) January 22, 2020
Shaughna and Callum writing this text I’m screaming #LoveIsland — kori Ⓥ (@lemonadekori) January 23, 2020
Shaughna is actual jokes howling at her writing out the speech for him why is that me hahahahaha — paulette campbell (@paulettecampb_) January 23, 2020
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Others did not think Shaughna and Callum are right for one another...
Shaughna is not playing FR FR. Still think she deserves so much better. Someone as mature as her because he definitely doesn’t match her maturity level. https://t.co/YZKckKGYIS — Zamzoya (@zamzoya) January 23, 2020
I really like Shaughna but how can she not see that her efforts are futile in this?? Her and Callum will not work on the outside she is wasting her time #loveisland — Vickie Bailey (@Vickieee_) January 23, 2020
as much as i love Shaughna, i think she should’ve left him be to see what really happens. I garauntee he would’ve carried on, as upset as she’d be... little does she know the public have her back🤧 we stand Shaughna💗 — Rosina (@rosinafrancesx) January 23, 2020
OK but Callum's affection is fickle and why would Shaughna put herself through this again. Dump the guy. #LoveIslandUK — what's in a name🥀 (@AMisfitsDiary) January 23, 2020
Others said Shaughna’s behaviour displayed warning signs...
Serious red flags on Shaughna’s manipulative behaviour 😳 #LoveIsland — youmeanerr (@jaminadrm) January 22, 2020
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Shaughna writing what Callum should say. TOXIC AND CONTROLLING #LOVEISLAND — KING CLOWN (@KING_MMBJ) January 22, 2020
Love Shaughna for her one-liners&hilarious beach hut comments but starting to worry about her😟understand she likes Callum the most but every1 has the right to talk to other people and she’s obviously rather insecure when that happens so needs constant reassurance🤔 #LoveIsland — Alice Pennington (@AliceP104) January 23, 2020
Shaughna manipulating Callum. She’s controlling him. Toxic. #LoveIsIand — Uncle Fred (@Friddy007) January 22, 2020
Shaughna’s behaviour is toxic and it’s an instant red flag. 🥴 #LoveIsIand pic.twitter.com/ERRDB8HSty — Devon May Vowles (@devonvowlesx) January 22, 2020
Shaughna is tooo toxic n insecure it’s been 2 weeks let the guy live...moving like Callum’s owned by her #LoveIsIand — Yahz (@yahz__) January 22, 2020
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Whatever viewers’ thoughts, Shaughna’s actions had the desired effect, as Callum soon told Rebecca he was no longer keen on pursuing anything with her.
Rebecca then moved her attentions on to Finley Tapp, before locking lips with Connagh Howard at the end of the episode.
But with a recoupling looming and two new boys on their way to the villa (not to mention the fact host Laura Whitmore is currently in South Africa ready to make a surprise appearance), who knows what’s set to happen in the coming days.
Love Island continues on Thursday at 9pm on ITV.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--Koala Hospital Devastated After ‘Scumbag’ Steals Injured Animals' Water Drinking Station

A koala licks rainwater off a road near Moree, New South Wales, Australia in this January 16, 2020 picture obtained from social media. PAMELA SCHRAMM /via REUTERS
One of the two koala water drinking stations installed at New South Wales’ Crowdy Bay National Park was stolen this week, in what has been described as a “terrible” incident that police are investigating.
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, the facility responsible for distributing these water stations to the national park 271 km northeast of Sydney, was informed of the theft on Monday.
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“Isn’t it terrible? We put this water station in to help wildlife and some scumbag’s come and stole it,” the hospital’s Sue Ashton, who also serves as Koala Conservation Australia president, told HuffPost Australia.
“I can’t believe it. Here we are going out into the burnt bushland and in Crowdy Bay National Park it’s really badly burnt, so there’s no vegetation growing back, it’s ash black.”
On Wednesday morning the koala hospital was informed that the $1,450 vessel had been returned to the same spot overnight but was damaged, prompting authorities to continue inquiries.
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“Earlier this week, a wildlife water drinking station located at the Crowdy Bay National Park was reported missing to Manning-Great Lakes Police District,” a NSW Police spokesperson told HuffPost Australia.
“An investigation was launched however overnight, the station has been returned to the location. Inquiries are continuing, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Ashton has urged the public to come forward with any information they may have about the theft, suggesting “somebody must have seen it”.
“The things are so heavy, you need a minimum of two strong men to carry them, probably three. You need a trailer to put it on because they’re about two-and-a-half metres tall and they are really heavy,” she explained.
The damaged metal work and broken hoses will now require a staff member from Port Macquarie to travel an hour to Crowdy Bay National Park to repair the station.
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Port Macquarie Hospital’s ‘Help Thirsty Koalas’ GoFundMe page has raised over $7 million that has been used to source these water drinking stations.
“Originally we were going to build 12,” explained Ashton. “From the money we got we increased that to 100, and we think now we’ll do even more because the need is there.”
Five water stations were recently provided to the Blue Mountains region where the Science for Wildlife organisation has been monitoring koalas who have survived bushfires in the area.
According to Dr Kellie Leigh, Executive Director of Science for Wildlife, the need for wildlife water drinking stations is important because “dehydration is a big threat” to koalas this bushfire season.
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“On top of the fires, we’ve had this ongoing record-breaking drought and it was only a few weeks ago we broke the heat records as well,” she told HuffPost Australia. “So heat stress and then poor quality habitats means that they’re more likely to drink water.
“Koalas don’t normally drink, they get their moisture out of the leaves, but these habitats now are so dry from the drought and then we get these heat stress days which put more pressure on, so dehydration is a big threat.”
A koala named Sharni from Crowdy Bay National Park is treated at The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on November 29, 2019 in Port Macquarie, Australia. V Nathan Edwards via Getty Images
The benefit of drinking stations being installed up in trees is protecting wildlife from predatory species on the ground as well as dangerous conditions.
“You don’t want things like koalas and gliders having to come to ground to get water because then they’re susceptible to foxes and cats,” explained Dr Leigh.
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“One of the big concerns is feral or pest species are now a much bigger threat. These fires have taken out all the understory and so for small mammals and anything coming to ground, they’re much more exposed and vulnerable to predation. So that’s why we want to put as many drinkers up.”
Animals such as wallabies and wombats on the other hand benefit from lower drinking stations “protected by grills” that are “fed the same way” according to Port Macquarie’s Ashton.
Earlier this month the RSCPA warned it was “dangerous” for koala rescuers to give the animals water via a drink bottle.
“It can be dangerous to give koalas water poured into their mouth as they are not usually used to drinking, and a volume such as 10-20 mls can be ‘aspirated’, which means the water goes into the lungs instead of the oesophagus,” a RSPCA South Australia spokesperson told 7NEWS, adding, “an animal can die from aspirating fluid”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-23--Matt Hancock Warns 'Increased Likelihood' Of Coronavirus In UK

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There is an “increased likelihood” of a new virus, which has killed 17 people in China, being found in the UK, the health secretary has said.
But in a statement to the Commons, Matt Hancock insisted that the country was “well prepared” for any potential cases of coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in the city of Wuhan.
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He told MPs on Thursday: “The chief medical officer has revised the risk to the UK population from ‘very low’ to ‘low’ and has concluded that while there is an increased likelihood that cases may arise in this country, we are well prepared and well equipped to deal with them.”
UK travellers have been warned against “all but essential travel” to Wuhan, and Chinese visitors to the UK will be given advice on what to do if they fall ill during their trip.
Hancock explained: “Since yesterday, Public Health England officials have been carrying out monitoring of direct flights from Wuhan city and all passengers on direct flights from China will receive information on what to do if they fall ill.”
He added: “Acting on the advice of [chief medical officer] Professor Whitty we have updated our travel guidance to British citizens to advise against all but essential travel to Wuhan city.”
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It emerged on Thursday morning that a second city in China had been placed on lockdown after the outbreak of the new virus.
Transport links in and out of Huanggang, which is home to some six million people, have been cut off and residents asked not to leave as the number of cases of coronavirus increases.
The city is little more than an hour from Wuhan, where all transport links, including road, bus, ferry, subway, and air travel were suspended on Thursday morning.
Those living in both cities have been asked not to leave, except under exceptional circumstances.
Officials have reported 600 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, as health authorities around the world scramble to prevent a global pandemic.
Health officials fear the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad during week-long holidays for the Lunar New Year, which begins on Saturday.
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Addressing the UK’s preparedness for potential cases of the virus, Hancock said on Thursday morning: “The UK is one of the first countries to have developed a world-leading test for the new coronavirus.
“The NHS is ready to respond appropriately to any cases that emerge.
“Clinicians both in primary and secondary care have already received advice covering initial detection and investigation of possible cases, infection prevention and control and clinical diagnostics.”
He added: “We are working closely with our counterparts in the devolved administrations and the public can be assured that the whole of the UK is always well-prepared for these types of outbreaks.
“And we’ll remain vigilant and keep our response under constant review in the light of emerging scientific evidence.”
The previously unknown virus strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in Wuhan.
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Chinese authorities gave no new details on the numbers of virus infections but it has been reported in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and several other countries including the United States – stoking fears it is already spreading worldwide.
Wuhan’s city government said it would shut down all urban transport networks and suspend outgoing flights from 10am (2am GMT).
State media broadcast images of one of Wuhan’s transport hubs, the Hankou rail station, nearly deserted, with gates blocked or barred. The government is urging citizens not to leave the city.
Staff members check body temperatures of the passengers arriving from the train from Wuhan to Hangzhou, at Hangzhou Railway Station prior to the lockdown coming into effect. China Daily CDIC / Reuters
State media reported highway toll booths around Wuhan were closing down, which would effectively cut off road exits. Guards were patrolling major highways, one resident told Reuters.
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As the city slipped into isolation, residents thronged into hospitals for checks and scrambled for supplies, clearing out supermarket shelves and queuing for petrol.
Authorities in Huanggang ordered indoor entertainment venues, including cinemas and internet cafes, to close and were asking citizens not to leave other than under special circumstances, state media said.
Authorities had confirmed 571 cases and 17 deaths by the end of Wednesday, China’s National Health Commission said. Earlier, it said another 393 suspected cases had been reported.
Of eight known cases worldwide, Thailand has confirmed four, while Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States have reported one each.
In a report on Wednesday, Imperial College London said it estimated a total of 4,000 cases of the coronavirus in Wuhan alone as of January 18, an infection rate based on the number of cases reported in China and elsewhere.
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How has China responded?
In contrast with its secrecy over the 2002-03 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that killed nearly 800 people, China’s government has provided regular updates to avoid panic ahead of the holidays.
During a visit to Wuhan, vice premier Sun Chunlan said authorities needed to be open about the virus and efforts to contain it, the official Xinhua news agency said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it will decide on Thursday whether to declare the outbreak a global health emergency, which would step up the international response.
If it does so, it will be the sixth international public health emergency to be declared in the last decade.
Some experts believe the new virus is not as dangerous as previous coronaviruses such as SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which has killed more than 700 people since 2012.
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“The early evidence at this stage would suggest it’s not as severe,” Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy told reporters.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva that China’s actions were “very strong” but called on it to take “more and significant measures to limit or minimise the international spread”.
“We stressed to them that by having a strong action not only they will control the outbreak in their country but they will also minimise the chances of this outbreak spreading internationally. So they recognise that,” he said.
How have residents reacted?
There is no vaccine for the virus, which can spread through respiratory transmission. Symptoms include fever, difficulty in breathing and a cough, similar to many other respiratory illnesses.
Preliminary research suggested the virus was passed on to humans from snakes, but government medical adviser Zhong Nanshan has also identified badgers and rats as possible sources. Confirmed sufferers include 15 medical workers.
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Many Chinese were cancelling trips, buying face masks and avoiding cinemas and shopping centres, and even turning to an online plague simulation game as a way to cope.
The release of seven movies over the Lunar New Year has been postponed. The holiday is the high season for distributors and cinemas attract huge crowds.