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Monthly Archives: May 2017

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If you managed to catch the good weather yesterday by ducking out of the office, then good on you, but you may have wanted to save that strategic break for today.

The temperature is due to reach a glorious high of 24 degrees, and we're just glad our foundation has built-in SPF.

According to Met Eireann: 'Sunny spells developing widely during the day and becoming warm with highest temperatures 18 to 24 degrees in light breezes.'

Temperatures are expected to remain high until Friday, when there may be a spot of rain. 

We're dusting off the sunnies in anticipation. 

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The majority of Irish people believe the Government is not doing enough to solve the housing crisis.

The new poll report from the Simon Community shows that 75 per cent of those asked think politicians are not doing enough to make rents more affordable.

Irish people also expressed their concerns about the increasing rate of homelessness over the past number of years, with seven in ten seeing it an a major issue. 

'Particularly at the private rented sector and homelessness, and what we found was that 75 per cent of people believe the Government is not doing enough to keep rent affordable,' spokesperson Niamh Randall told Beat. 

'70 per cent  believe the Government is doing enough to protect those who are renting and 72 per cent are really concerned about the rates of homelessness increasing due to rising rents and reducing supply.'

'So here we see public opinion is ahead of political opinion, demonstrating the real urgency on the ground.' 

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Katie Hopkins is known for her abrasive personality and controversial views.

The newspaper columnist has previously been reported to police for her comments, and now in the wake of the Manchester attack, the journalist has been reported to the authorities once again. 

She was reported to the Metropolitan police for a tweet in which she called for a 'final solution' to the attacks.

The journalist also made a plea on Twitter for 'Western men' to 'rise up' and 'demand action.

She was accused of 'inciting racial hatred' by one Twitter user, who then requested that the police become involved. 

'Clearly, certain things I tweet I absolutely accept that words matter,' she said, clarifying her statements to Fox News.

'I said the word 'final solution,' in a tweet, and I would not in any way want to use that term and the inference other people lay on that, what I meant was we need a lasting solution, a resolution,'

'I demand action. I want people to use their anger to say we need to do something to stop this.'

'We need to be deporting these people, deport the people that are hiding them and get amongst this because this is our little girl, our 8-year-old little Saffie that died.'

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan police confirmed to The Guardian that a complaint had been received, adding: 'As is routine, the allegation will be reviewed and assessed by specialist officers.'

Feature image: Katie Hopkins Twitter

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When we saw this job listing, we had to look twice because cuddling cats as your job? Sorry, but that is possibly the best line of work you could ever get into.

Just Cats, Dublin's first cat-only clinic, is looking for a crazy cat person to hug the felines all day, and we can't think of anything better.

The vet is located in Clonsilla, Dublin 15 and the job description is as follows:

''Are you a crazy cat person and loves cats?
"Does cattitude come naturally to you?
"Have you counted kittens before you go asleep?
"Do you feed the stray cats in your locality?
"Does petting cats make you feel warm and fuzzy?

"If you answer yes to some or all of these questions, how about working with cats as a full time job at Just Cats Veterinary Clinic?"

Do you know someone who would just love and adore this job? Let them know all about it in the comments!

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Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given and his fiancée Becky Gibson are over the moon with their new baby girl.

The soccer legend announced the birth of his new baby on Instagram with a sweet snap of the little girl’s tiny foot in his hand yesterday afternoon.

The proud dad added a caption saying: “Feeling blessed, welcome to the world Cassie Elsa Given. Very proud of Becky."

 

A post shared by Shay Given (@no1shaygiven) on

PR executive Becky, aged 30, also took to Instagram sharing a photo of herself looking calm and content in a birthing pool holding her precious newborn daughter.

And although baby Cassie weighed a healthy 11.5 pounds at birth, Becky explained her labour was very short, just an hour and a half long!

Becky wrote underneath the photo: “The moment all my dreams came true for a magical, uninterrupted, short, calm, drug-free relaxed home birth with no medical intervention. I believed in myself and my baby and afforded her the very best welcome to the world…so proud of myself and @no1shaygiven for this experience.”

She went on to explain why they had picked the name Cassie Elsa; the couple wanted to use both of their grandmothers’ names for their little one – what a lovely tribute.

Becky and Shay are already proud parents to a little girl named Grace who was born December 2015 and Shay is also a dad to two older children, Shay Junior, ten and Sienna, seven, with his ex-wife Jane.

What a beautiful little girl, congrats to the couple.

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The two top British chefs have been feuding for a while now, but it looks like one of them is totally over it.

Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay's drama has been going on for a couple of years and all started when Jamie stuck up for an Australian journalist whose physical appearance was slagged off by the foul-mouthed TV chef.

Since then, the Twitter spats have been ongoing.

Image result for gordon ramsay

But, in a recent interview with Jamie in Women's Day, he said that the whole thing has gotten a bit "pathetic."

"Gordon has been fairly horrible to me over the years and I did used to bite," he said. "Now I just shut up and take it. A bit of drama is always good for some PR."

He added, "Competition is healthy. It's good to have that kind of rivalry."

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Jamie continued to say that it's a bit embarrassing now, since their kids are the same age and can see all of the back and forth bickering online.

"Our kids are around the same age and they don't need to see their dads slagging each other off. It's pathetic."

We wonder what Gordon has to say about this.

Main image: Dave Bennett

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What do you do when your girlfriends are far and few between?

Wrangle in the bros, of course!

That's what happened to this bride, Rebeca Sinohara, a 24-year-old computer engineering student from Brazil.

She told Buzzfeed News that she doesn't have a lot of female friends, and became sad when she saw brides taking pre-wedding prep photos online.

"In my engineering classroom there were 56 guys and only four girls, so it's not like I had a lot of choice," she said.

"Of course I have girlfriends from childhood and high school but we are not as close as before, and there are some girls that I lived with in shared housing during university, but none of them I became BFFs with.

"I always knew that I wouldn't have a gang of girls to be bridesmaids and to sit together putting on makeup and all before the event."

So instead of ditching the prep photos, she asked five of her best male friends to stand in.

"They are really great friends, and I had no doubt they would do this for me."

Rebeca only planned to take the photos on her phone, but when her make-up artist stepped in, it turned into a full-blown photoshoot.

She captioned the album, 'When the bride doesn't have any girlfriends, it's time to call her bros. This is what happens to a girl in Computer Engineering.'

"The guys were all so happy in their pink robes," Rebeca said. "It was really funny."

When she uploaded her photos onto Facebook, they quickly gained attention and went viral, with more than 50,000 shares.

"I definitely never thought it was going to go viral. The pictures were supposed to be only for us, to keep as a good record."

And as for the wedding? "I can say for sure all the five guys cried. I just really hope someone got that on camera."

We just love this so much.

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In my early twenties, I spent an inordinate amount of time wondering how other people managed to make it through the day without needing to take a nap.

I marvelled at friends and family members who rose at 7am and went to bed at 11pm, and didn't once feel the need to rest their chin against their chest and sleep.

And sleep, and sleep, and sleep.

At about 24, I started noticing that no matter how much sleep I got, I struggled to function at the same level as other people. At the time I was completing an MA and working a part-time job, so I was assured that it was just my busy lifestyle that left me feeling this way.

But I was certain there was more to it. I constantly felt like I was treading through treacle, I struggled to concentrate and my lethargy made me feel like I weighed a thousand tonnes and was moving through the world at a glacial pace.

There were times when I slept in toilet cubicles in college (and yes, it is as grim as it sounds), because I knew I wouldn't make it through my next class without getting even a few moments sleep, and I didn't want to be seen drooling down myself in crowded common areas.

Did these ill-advised bathroom breaks ever help? Not really, but I was desperately trying to deal with my exhaustion without it interfering too drastically with my studies or social life.

Oh, and then there was the constant cold and the inexplicable weight gain.

No matter how many layers I wore, I was permanently cold.

It actually felt like the coldness had permeated my skeleton – seeped into my bones. ​Carrying a hot water bottle everywhere I went was like using a plaster for an axe wound, it covered the surface but did nothing for the turmoil beneath.

My weight, which is something I've always needed to keep an eye on, began to creep up, and between the spike on the scales and the constant exhaustion, I was…well… a mess.

After a much-needed trip to the doctors, I was given a blood test and diagnosed with hypothyroidism which means I have an under-active thyroid.

The thyroid is a gland in the neck, which regulates and controls your metabolism, and mine wasn't producing enough of the hormone needed to do that, which resulted in 12 months of toilet naps, sparse eyebrows and full-body shivers.

Being told that my symptoms made sense and I wasn't just lazy, unfit, and greedy was so reassuring, while being prescribed daily medication which regulated the production of hormones was like being coaxed into the light.

My energy levels increased almost immediately, and my sense of lethargy all but disappeared.

I was encouraged to avoid sugar as my weight has a tendency to spike if I even pass a bakery, and while I certainly keep it in mind, I have an insatiable sweet tooth and don't always adhere as strictly to the advice as I should.

I do, however, know when my metabolism has had enough of my rule-bending, and I do my utmost to rein it in.

Five years on, I have good days, bad days and days when I'd step over my own mother for sliver of chocolate, but isn't that normal?

For me, keeping active is vital for controlling the condition, as it not only increases my energy levels naturally, it also stops me reaching for junk food because I refuse to undo the merits of a gym session for three minutes of chocolatey, nutty, biscuity… sorry, where was I?

While hypothryroidism is a very common condition, and easily managed with a prescribed level of daily medication, the effect it has when it goes untreated can be detrimental to a person's physical and emotional wellbeing.

If you're concerned that you may be suffering from the condition, a quick blood test with your GP will go a long way towards identifying the reason for your symptoms.

So, step yourself out of that toilet cubicle and schedule an appointment with your practitioner ASAP.

 

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As holiday season rolls around, it's safe to say a lot of us what to ditch our, er… rolls in time to don an itzy bitzy bikini.

But as ALL of us know, it's not that easy, and sometimes we have to be super honest with ourselves in order to achieve our goals.

So, if you're determined to drop those extra few inches over the next couple of months, here are a few tips to help you along the way.

Sleep is QUEEN

Nabbing at least seven hours of sleep every night helps you manage your appetite (and keeps you sane).

Late nights and extra early mornings can mess with your hunger hormones and lead you down a path of munching on those very-tempting greasy foods.

10pm Dominos, how are ya?

Image result for sleeping

 

Losing weight and a healthy diet go hand in hand

Unfortunately, no matter how hard you workout, you can't trick your body.

No matter how many hours you spend at the gym it won’t work if you consume more calories than you could possibly burn.

So, be kind to your body and give it the best nutrition you can.

Sliced Oranges Kiwi Melon Blueberry and Dragonfruit on White Ceramic Platter

 

Mix it up

Being an expert in yoga might give you a confidence boost, but if you get too comfortable you’re going to stop seeing results, so try and mix it up.

Fitness instructors often suggest doing a mix of cardio, weight-training and aerobics.

If anything, it'll make things interesting.

Low Angle View of Woman Relaxing on Beach Against Blue Sky

 

You DO have the time

Making the time to look after your health will help you develop better habits that your future-self will thank you for.

We know it can be difficult if you work long days, or go to college at night, but trading in an episode of Riverdale for a 30 minute gym sesh will make your mind and body feel so good.

Archie is getting super annoying anyway…

Woman in White Jacket Holding Silver Iphone

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Forbidden Fruit is kicking off festival season next weekend, and we're kind of panicking about what we're going to wear.

Luckily, there is still time to order online, and ASOS has just dropped a whole host of fantastic festival finds.

Whether it's a sequined kimono or a printed crop top you're after, we've got you covered. 

 Left to right: Pom pom headband €8.11

Sequin vest €35.13 

Rebel T-shirt €24.32

Marble sunglasses €18.92

 Left to right: Sequin kimono €114.86

 Free People top €43.24

Wrap Front Dress €47.30

Bum bag €33.78

 Left to right: Fringed playsuit €47.30

Bralette €24.32

Bershka floral top €20.26 

Leather ankle boots €67.57

Left to right: Pink bell sleeve top €40.54

Co-ord set €29.73

Gingham dress €33.78

Mermaid jacket €60.81

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We've all been led to believe that fat is our dietary enemy.

We've been conditioned to think that we should stick to low-fat foods in order to stay healthy, so it's no wonder that when nutritionists step forward and advise us to eat high-fat foods, we're all a little confused.

Well, some high-fat foods are super healthy for you and should be included in your everyday diet.

Now, we're not saying you can eat rashers by the bucket load (although, sometimes we want to) but eating the foods below in moderation will help you along the way to achieving a balanced diet.

Avocados

Top of the list is obviously avocados, because we need an Instagram favourite in here, right?

We're joking, but avocados are seriously good for you. According to Self, the brunch-favourite has approximately 23 grams of fat. 

As well as that, a medium avocado contains 40 percent of your daily fiber needs, is cholesterol-free, and "is a good source of lutein, an antioxidant that may protect your vision."

See? We don't just love them for the pretty pictures.

Avocado Fruits

 

Grass-fed butter

"Nutritionally, butter is actually a much healthier fat than most people realise, especially if it comes from grass-fed cows," nutritionist Laura Schoenfeld told Women's Health.

As well as that, dairy fat from pastured cows contain higher levels of fat-soluble vitamins, which help your body to use calcium appropriately.

It deposits calcium into your bones and removes it from your arteries, so it's a win-win.

Did we mention it tastes unreal on your veggies, too?!

Image result for butter

 

Dark chocolate

Mmm hmm, of course we had to include this sweet treat. One ounce of dark chocolate contains around 9 grams of fat (but, of course we have more than one serving at a time).

Self notes that it contains vitamins A, B, and E, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and flavonoids, which are all plant-based antioxidants.

And if you want a good dose of fiber in the mix too, aim for 70 per cent cocoa content to get the most out of the delish treat.

Chocolate avocado smoothie, anyone?

Image result for dark chocolate

 

Eggs

A lot of people have been foregoing eating an egg yolk in recent years, but guess what? It's super good for you!

Self explains that, "while it's true that the egg yolk contains some fat, it's also packed with important nutrients."

A whole egg contains five grams of fat, as well as choline,  which is an important B vitamin that helps regulate the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system.

Eggs have also recently been linked to heart health too, so go on, order that omelette.

eggs, food

 

Bacon

Choline comes back into play again as Women's Health states, "high quality bacon is chock-full of [the] very important nutrient, which has been shown to help fight off the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease and other chronic mental impairments."

Bacon also delivers a good measure of B vitamins and zinc into your body. 

What's more, it aids in the production of serotonin, the feel good neurotransmitter in you brain.

There's nothing better, right?

Image result for bacon

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If you grew up in a Catholic household, you'll know only too well the number of sayings, habits and rituals which pepper daily conversation.

For a long time, you took most of these things as standard, and happily assumed everyone held the same beliefs and followed the same rules as you and your family.

And whether or not you still practise, the vast majority of us are now able to see the funny side of the various perceptions we had of the fate as youngsters.

And here are just 12…

1. Assuming St Anthony ran his own Lost & Found

As a child, you thought of St Anthony as the Finder of All the Lost Things.

Whether it was your school journal or your favourite Troll you were looking for, St Anthony was the bloke to talk to.

And it never hurt to promise him a few bob in return for finding your Camogie kit.

2. Presuming candles held magical powers

Both your mother and grandmother gave you the impression that lighting the wick of a candle was the equivalent of casting a spell.

Whether it was in the run-up to exams or following the hospitalisation of a family member, the candle process was looked upon with almost as much importance as studying or medicine.

And if you're honest, you still get a little comfort out of it the odd time, right?

3. Feeling disappointed that your Confirmation name would appear absolutely nowhere

You spent months if not years turning various names over in your head in the run-up to your Confirmation Day.

After finally choosing a name which you thought worked for you, you couldn't wait to practise your new (and extra-long) signature.

And then you learned that aside from your Confirmation Day, you will never ever be asked about it again.

4. Remembering what you bought with your Communion cash

One of our most abiding childhood memories is the sheer wads of cash pressed upon us on our Communion Day.

And to this day, the vast majority of us still remember what we splurged on with our loot.

And if it wasn't made of plastic, totally overpriced and nowhere near as fun as we thought it would be, you did it wrong.

5. Fearing the catechism and all it stood for

While the term catechism was rarely brought up by your teachers, your grandparents had a habit of asking you about it.

After being forced to memorise it back in their day, they were stunned to find out that your generation was getting off lightly.

And you feared the day they might reintroduce it to primary schools.

6. Faking 'sins' so you'd have something to say at Confession

Although you spent half your childhood doing things you probably shouldn't have, when the time for Confession came, your mind went blank.

For some reasons some 'sins' didn't seem worthy enough and others were much too real to be confessed, so your imagination went to town.

And you often compared notes with mates before you took a seat inside the Confession Box to make sure you weren't overlapping with your fictional 'sins'.

7. Wishing the Holy Wafer wouldn't stick to the roof of your mouth

You spent the first eight years of your life wishing you could take part in the Communion aspect of mass.

And then the day comes, and you wonder why you bothered.

No one told you the wafer would stick to your mouth, and you wouldn't even get a sip of that wine doing the rounds.

8. Wearing your Communion dress every Sunday for the following three weeks

Being told you were allowed wear your Communion dress more than once was pretty damn amazing.

And like any self-respecting kid, you rode that wave for as long as possible.

Which ultimately meant your mother was forced to hide your Communion dress in the attic until you forgot about it.

9. Plotting your revenge after getting blanked during the Sign of Peace

Look, no one likes the Sign of Peace ritual which we're forced to endure during Catholic mass.

It's awkward, it's unnecessary and it's so very, very skin-crawly.

And yet, when you bother your arse to take part, you don't expect to be fully blanked which is why certain parishioners have a black mark against their name in your book.

10. Feeling like mass was little more than an aerobic session

Between kneeling, sitting and standing, you get your fair share of exercise at mass.

And those times you had to go from kneeling to standing? Yeah, they weren't for the fainthearted.

Why couldn't you just make like that 90-year-old woman in the corner and sit perfectly still for an hour?

11. Pretending to feel embarrassed by your ashes but secretly loving them

Everyone pretended to hate getting ashes on Ash Wednesday, but everyone secretly loved it.

And that's because you got a break from class and were allowed roam around with a dirty face and no one could say a word.

What's not to love?

12. Spending an afternoon in a graveyard was relatively normal 

If you grew up in a Catholic family, you'll know that your parents often considered a roam around the graveyard as an acceptable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

While you were all for a quick visit to remember deceased relatives, you drew the line at your mother's insistence to check out every grave in the place.

And why she felt the need to guess what caused the death of each person was beyond you…

 

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