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Yearly Archives: 2018

Pink gin is arguably the cutest drink going, and there's nothing quite like popping a 'cheers' Boomerang up on the 'gram of you and the gals clinking pink glasses in the sunlight. 

While we love a classic G&T, sometimes we're in the mood for something a little bougier, if you know what we mean.

Beefeater have created six divine cocktail recipes you can make with pink gin, and we're literally drooling just looking at them: 

That's our drink choice sorted for summer!

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Sorry Cork, but according to a new study, your citizens are some of the least sexually satisfied in the world.

Lazeeva surveyed more than 450,000 adults (aged 18 to 70) from cities around the world to find out how sexually active, experimental and satisfied they are – and the results are very interesting to say the least. 

Researchers also combined their findings with statistics from each country's health department to discover how well these cities faired when it comes to contraception, gender equality and LGBT friendliness.

All these factors combined to reveal a number of sexual truths about cities around the world.

Unsurprisingly, Paris, A.K.A. the romance capital of the world, came out on top when it came to sex positivity. It was closely followed by Rio de Janeiro, London and Los Angeles.

However, it was the appearance of a certain Irish city on the list of 'least sexually satisfied' that really caught our attention.

Cork, Ireland's southern capital, came in at number five.

Top 10 least sexually satisfied cities:

  1. Chengdu

  2. Guangzhou

  3. Shanghai

  4. Tokyo

  5. Cork

  6. Hong Kong

  7. Perth

  8. Helsinki

  9. Oslo

  10. Beijing

What's more, Cork also took home the silver medal for 'least sexually experimental' – which isn't that shocking, all things considered. 

On the other end of the scale, the Belgian city of Antwerp came out on top when it came to sexual satisfaction… so if any Corkonians are looking to spice up their sex life, you know where to go. 

If you’d like to read the full stats (and find out where Dublin ranks in all of this), you can head over to Lazeeva to read more.

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Every fashion blogger worth their Gucci belt has been rocking a pair of tasselled earrings for the Spring season, and we want in on the look. 

While to many they may scream 'holiday,' we're obsessed with pairing these statement earrings with a crisp white shirt tucked into blue jeans, or with a black jumpsuit for a night-out look. 

Luckily, the high street is hearing our call, and there are more than a few pairs to choose from: 

 Green square tassel drop earrings €17.00, ASOS earrings €16.22

 Wrapped Bead & Tassel Earrings €8.11, Orelia Statement Embellished Earrings €47.30

Green triangle tassel earrings €13.00, Penneys yellow earrings €3.00

Penneys coral earrings €5.00, Black coin earrings €12.00 

Topshop earrings €12.00, Pearl Tassel earrings €5.99

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Lady Bird is one of the most talked about films of the year. The coming-of-age tale touched the hearts of millions across the world.

I couldn’t hold back the tears when I first went to see Lady Bird at the cinema. The tears just wouldn’t stop rolling and it wasn’t because it’s an upsetting movie, it’s because Lady Bird is real.

It’s the coming-of-age movie that we’ve wanted to see for years. It’s brutally honest and has real heart, so it’ll come as no surprise to hear that star of the film Saoirse Ronan is honoured to be part of such a life-changing film.

She gushed about playing the rebellious and relatable Lady Bird in an interview with RTÉ Entertainment.

“It really has sort of become a film for the generation, which is so cool, and so cool to be involved in something like that."

Coming-of-age movies like The Breakfast Club and The Perks of Being a Wallflower hold a special place in the hearts of youths all across the globe.

“I loved things like Rebel Without a Cause and Dirty Dancing. Lots of films that, I suppose, were about a young person figuring out who they were in the world. That seemed to be what I was really drawn to,” Saoirse expressed.

She continued: “Things like Clueless – I think that was such an important film for so many young people when that came out. More than anything, it was about three girls being themselves, and they all had such distinctive characters."

The Oscar-nominated Lady Bird raked in $76.9 million at the box office, Saoirse won a Golden Globe for her performance in the film and writer-director Greta Gerwig has inspired millions of women to get their work out there, but more importantly, Lady Bird became the movie that our generation has needed for years.

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Your sexual health is more important than ever, as latest figures show an increase in sexually transmitted infections.

In response to the concerning rise, HIV Ireland, in collaboration with Durex is launching its Just Carry One initiative.

Be prepared to see half of our beloved Dublin Buses transformed into hubs of information reminding us to practise safe sex.

If you aren’t already, it’s time to buckle down and get serious about safe sex as 10 people in Ireland are diagnosed with HIV every week.

Furthermore, 2017 saw a 10 percent increase in STI notifications compared to 2016 in Ireland.

Chlamydia cases climbed by 7.6 percent and gonorrhoea grew by 15.6 percent.  

Reports of genital herpes also rose by 14.2 percent.

The age group which have the highest rate of STIs are people aged 15 to 24 years of age.

According to research, they account for half of the chlamydia diagnoses, 39 percent of gonorrhoea cases, and 38 percent of genital herpes cases.

Additionally, Durex found 68 percent of Irish people in the 18-24 age group have never had an STI check.

Another one in 10 have experienced an STI scare.

The campaign will be running from June 22 to July 6 and will promote the use of condoms EVERY time you have sex.

You can avail of a free packet of condoms when you pop into HIV Ireland’s offices.

Condoms are the ONLY form of contraceptive to protect against STIs, including HIV.

If you fancy a chance at winning a special Durex goodie bag on HIV Ireland’s social medias, just answer the question – ‘How do you carry yours?’

Remember there is nothing sexier than safe, consensual sex.

If you’re concerned about your sexual health, talk to your GP and organise an STI check.

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From Tuesday, July 10, to Wednesday, July 11 Dublin will be welcoming two very regal visitors.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to visit our lovely capital, and they've got a jam-packed schedule.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting invaluable institutions in Irish life during their trip, so they are, of course, stopping by Croke Park.

 

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They'll mingle with figures from Ireland's sports, military, arts, and social enterprise sectors at a summer garden party at the British Ambassador's residence, BreakingNews.ie reports.

The couple also has the chance to learn all about the Republic's rich past during their visit to Trinity College, which is set to include a look at the Book of Kells.

Harry and Meghan will observe a moment of reflection at the Famine Memorial during their trip.

Afterwards, they will visit EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, which recounts the story of the 10 million Irish people who have spread across the globe.

The Duke and Duchess are set to speak with kids and young people participating in free coding workshops in DogPatch Labs, a co-working space for technology start-ups. They will also be talking with female tech entrepreneurs.

Their schedule is rounded out with official meetings with President Michael D. Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

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The freezer and microwave are two appliances that we rely on a daily basis. Yet for some of us, using them comes with a slight feeling of guilt.

Realistically though, frozen food is a part of our diet, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. 

To learn how to navigate the frozen food aisle with confidence, to follow all the safety rules correctly and understand how to make the most of your freezer, we sat down with Elsa Jones, qualified nutritional therapist and author of bestselling book ‘Goodbye Sugar’. 
 

 

Why do you think some people have a bad image when it comes to frozen food?

I think it’s because when we think of frozen food, we think of unhealthy food, like ready-made meals, frozen pizzas, ice-cream but probably what we don’t think of is all the fruits and vegetables which can be frozen and consumed easily and readily, such as blueberries, butternut squash or peas, which are as good for you frozen as they are fresh!

Should frozen food be considered a processed food?

It depends; if you freeze blueberries, put them into a package and the only ingredient listed is “frozen blueberries”, I wouldn't consider that processed. It’s totally natural.

 

Is fresh food always better than frozen food?

Not necessarily. Researchers have shown very little difference between fresh and frozen when it comes to fruits and vegetables. In some cases, there can actually be a slightly better nutritional value in frozen foods. In particular, when fruits and vegetables are frozen when they are at their peak in terms of ripening – ie, when they are as full of nutrients – all the nutrition then is preserved. Sometimes fresh fruits and vegs can spend a lot time in transit, in storage, on the supermarket shelves before they end up in your fruit bowl. In my opinion, both have their place.

Of course, we should all be eating fresh fruits and vegetables, but I just think that anything that makes healthy eating easier for people is great. The fact is about ¾ of the Irish population don’t get their five-a-day and it’s all down to time constraint, busy lives, tiredness, not having enough energy at the end of the day to start chopping vegetables. Or sometimes it's down to budget. If you are struggling to get your fruit and veg intake, it can be wise to consider including more frozen food because it will make you more likely to use them and therefore, get that intake that you're missing out on. 

What are the main advantages of cooking with frozen food when you have a busy life?

First, it’s a matter of ease. Having, for example, a bag of frozen butternut squash or stir-fried vegetables at hand will make you more likely to cook a healthy meal, and less likely to go for a ready-made pizza or a takeaway.

This is also a budget-friendly option. Let’s say sometimes you like to make a tropical smoothie with a bit of pineapple and mango. You don’t necessarily need a full pineapple but just a handful, and then it might be another month before you want to make that smoothie again so having a bag of frozen pineapple would come in handy then. It solves a lot of waste issues. When you make a Thai Curry and you need a small amount of ginger or coriander, using frozen products prevents you from throwing half the packet in the bin.

It can also be a great way to try food such as quinoa, brown rice, cauliflower rice, which we don’t always know how to cook or have the time to. 

What type of frozen food would you steer clear from?

I would limit the highly-processed ready-made meals, frozen pizzas, garlic bread, frozen desserts or pastries. Let’s put it this way: if a food is unhealthy before it’s frozen, it will still be unhealthy when it’s unfrozen. 

What are some safety rules to follow when cooking from frozen foods?

It really depends on the food so it is really important that you follow the instructions on the package, especially if using meat or fish. Certain things can be used straight from frozen and added to a stir-fry or microwaved, such as peas, when meat usually needs to be cooked through. When you look at the ingredient list, you want a small number of ingredients and you want to be able to recognise everything. You don't want to see a big long list of ingredients that you can’t pronounce. If you pick up a bag of frozen mango, all it should say is “mango”.

How long can we keep frozen food in our freezer?

If you haven’t opened it, you usually can keep food for 6 to 8 months in your freezer. If you open the package, it’s usually up to about 3 months. 

What mistakes do people make at home when it comes to freezing food?

Probably not covering it properly. Getting proper freezer bags or BPA-free containers is important so you don't end up getting that frost on the food. Make sure the food is well-covered and sealed if you want it to freeze well and stay fresh.

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If you have been experiencing sleepless nights, a new drink trend growing on Instagram is coming to the rescue. 

After the #avocadotoast, #mermaidlatte or #snoothiebowls, it seems like you are going to see and hear a lot about Moon Milk. 

But what is Moon Milk, and it is good for you?

Used in Ayurvedic traditions as a remedy for sleeplessness, this potion is made with adaptogenic herbs and ayurvedic spices. Basically, it sounds like a pimped version of the traditional Indian chai tea – without the actual tea.

The main ingredient, called ashwagandha, is a root which soporific properties and can be found in Indian shops or organic shops.

 

Blue moon milk #milk #moonmilk #yummy #warmmilk #soothing #sleep

A post shared by S A M (@tieusam.sw) on

Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger and honey are also used to make this tasty nighttime beverage, which is said to help digestion, regulate your mood and detox your body. 

Mixed with milk – dairy or alternative, this drink is the perfect replacement for the evening tea if you are worried about your caffeine intake. 

So, will you try the Moon Milk?

Featured image: Instagram @jordanyounis

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While you might just be done with college for the year and getting to enjoy your summer, now is probably the best time to start thinking of your school supplies for next year.

Especially since Sostrene Greene, one of our favourite affordable Danish interior brand, has just released their new catalogue. Even if you are not in school anymore, this will give you some major stationery envy. 

From adorable notebooks and pens to well-though desks, stylish lamps and practical chairs, the Nordic office collection is inspired by the Bauhaus movement of the 1920s, boasting simple geometrical motifs.

The paper-based products in the collection are FSC-certified to highlight the sustainable origins of the materials.

The collection will be available for sale from Thursday 28 June, except for the desk and the office chair, which will be available from Friday 20 July.

 

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By Amy Donohoe

Ireland is the second worst country in Europe when it comes to tackling climate change, with Poland last according to a report published by Climate Action Network Europe.

The report looks at how countries perform in reaching their targets. It looked at the aims and progress made by the 28 EU countries fighting climate change.

Ireland ranked at 28th. Sweden is ranked second as they are on track to meeting their climate and energy targets for 2020, and they have a vast amount of renewable energy. We are set to miss our 2020 climate and renewable energy targets and we’re also off-course for the 2030 emissions target.

Ireland will face annual non-compliance costs of around €500 million if efforts are not made to cut emissions. The top position of the ranking is uninhabited as all EU countries are off target and are failing to increase their climate action in line with the Paris Agreement goal, according to CAN Europe.

They also advised EU countries to urgently and substantially increase its action. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan blames a lack of political will.

“We're shamed, we're right down at the bottom of the latest league table,' he said. 'The main reason is not that Irish people aren't good at this or Irish people don't want to do it, it's lack of ambition in government. It's lack of our government within European Union and elsewhere pushing for higher targets, pushing for ambition. We can turn this around, all that's missing is political will.” 

Ryan also said: ”We want that Committee to focus on what the public sector can do and to influence the drafting of the new National Energy and Climate plan, which we have to present to the EU in the next year.”

Transport and agriculture emissions are significantly increasing. Ireland have failed to prepare effective policies to place near-term climate action with EU and Paris Agreement commitments. CAN Europe recommends that Ireland stop using peat in electricity generation by 2019 and coal use by 2025.

Back in April, The Citizens Assembly published a report that makes a number of suggestions on how Ireland should tackle climate change, such as higher taxes and increased public transport. The Assembly made the following 13 recommendations by majority vote:

97% of the Members recommended that to ensure climate change is at the centre of policy-making in Ireland, as a matter of urgency a new or existing independent body should be resourced appropriately, operate in an open and transparent manner, and be given a broad range of new functions and powers in legislation to urgently address climate change.

100% of the Members recommended that the State should take a leadership role in addressing climate change through mitigation measures, including, for example, retrofitting public buildings, having low carbon public vehicles, renewable generation on public buildings and through adaptation measures including, for example, increasing the resilience of public land and infrastructure.

80% of the Members said they would be willing to pay higher taxes on carbon intensive activities. 96% of the Members recommended that the State should undertake a comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of all critical infrastructure (including energy, transport, built environment, water and communications) with a view to building resilience to ongoing climate change and extreme weather events. The outcome of this assessment should be implemented. Recognising the significant costs that the State would bear in the event of failure of critical infrastructure, spending on infrastructure should be prioritised to take account of this.

99% of the Members recommended that the State should enable, through legislation, the selling back into the grid of electricity from micro-generation by private citizens (for example energy from solar panels or wind turbines on people’s homes or land) at a price which is at least equivalent to the wholesale price.

100% of the Members recommended that the State should act to ensure the greatest possible levels of community ownership in all future renewable energy projects by encouraging communities to develop their own projects and by requiring that developer-led projects make share offers to communities to encourage greater local involvement and ownership.

97% of the Members recommended that the State should end all subsidies for peat extraction and instead spend that money on peat bog restoration and making proper provision for the protection of the rights of the workers impacted with the majority

61% recommending that the State should end all subsidies on a phased basis over 5 years.

93% of the Members recommended that the number of bus lanes, cycling lanes and park and ride facilities should be greatly increased in the next five years, and much greater priority should be given to these modes over private car use.

96% of the Members recommended that the State should immediately take many steps to support the transition to electric vehicles.

92% of the Members recommended that the State should prioritise the expansion of public transport spending over new road infrastructure spending at a ratio of no less than 2-to-1 to facilitate the broader availability and uptake of public transport options with attention to rural areas. 89% of the Members recommended that there should be a tax on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture. There should be rewards for the farmer for land management that sequesters carbon. Any resulting revenue should be reinvested to support climate friendly agricultural practices.

93% of the Members recommended the State should introduce a standard form of mandatory measurement and reporting of food waste at every level of the food distribution and supply chain, with the objective of reducing food waste in the future.

99 % of the Members recommended that the State should review, and revise supports for land use diversification with attention to supports for planting forests and encouraging organic farming.

The Green Party has welcomed the publication of the report, saying that the findings advertise the government urgently need to take strong climate action. Efforts will need to be made locally and internationally by governments, public agencies, businesses, industries, communities and individuals if we hope to combat climate change.

Achieving major reductions in the use of fossil fuels is essential if Ireland is to secure the major cuts being sought in GHG emissions. Our leaders need to apply policies for a cleaner and more sustainable country. If the world successfully reduces emissions, it will take the Earth time to recover from the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere.So we will be still suffer with the climate change impact for the next 50 years.

Weather patterns are changing due to climate change, which is causing problems for many people. In Ireland there an increase in average temperatures, rainfall and a reduction in the number of frost days. In the future there will be more extreme weather, water shortages in summer and an increase in flooding which will impact on plants, animals and marine life.

Small changes can make a big difference to the environment such as leaving your car at home even one day per week and cycling or walking instead. This will reduce greenhouse gases and help to improve your health.

Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency have this advice on their website about what we can do to protect our environment.

AIR & CLIMATE

• Turn down the heat especially at night and when away from home.Turning your thermostat down by 1oC will cut your heating bill by up to 10 per cent

• Turn off lights in empty rooms and when away from home

• Buy the most energy-efficient household appliances you can afford. ‘A’ rating appliances are most energy saving

• When making tea or coffee only boil as much water as you need • Buy locally produced or grown items where there is a choice – they don’t require the transportation energy of imported goods • Most energy loss in homes is through poorly insulated lofts, walls and windows – instal more insulation and draft-proof your home • Use renewable energy such as solar energy, heat pump systems and wood fuel for your heating needs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels • Choose a car with a smaller engine capacity or with the best fuel efficiency. In general, the smaller the car, the lower the CO2 emissions will be

WASTE

● Be conscious that buying products generates waste so buy only what you need

● Take unwanted, reusable items to a charitable shop such as clothes and toys or return items to businesses/shops

● Buy loose produce (fruit and vegetables) whenever possible and avoid over-packaged convenience food

● Recycle everything you can such as cans, glass, paper and cardboard, plastic, and clothes via home recycling schemes or local bring banks and send less waste to the landfill

● Use local authority ‘drop-off’ facilities for waste oil, batteries or bigger items such as computers

● Return old electrical goods to retailers when buying new electrical goods as defined under the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations

● Start a compost or worm bin for kitchen waste and garden clippings. As well as reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, you will have your own organic compost which will improve soil health

NATURE

● Be conscious of conserving sensitive habitats when undertaking new developments.

● Avoid picking wild plants or flowers and disturbing wildlife.

● Throw litter in rubbish bins not the countryside.

● Get involved in conservation projects.

● Plant native trees to absorb the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide from the air.

● Avoid using chemical pesticides and herbicides in your garden – use natural products/means instead.

WATER

● Use environmentally safe cleaning products to reduce the impact of chemicals on water and dispose of unwanted chemicals, solvents and oils responsibly

● Conserve water and reduce the generation of wastewater by repairing any leaks or dripping taps in your home as dripping tap can waste up to 90 litres of water a day

● Use a basin when washing dishes – it can save up to 10 litres every time

● Run your washing machine and dishwasher only with a full load

● Wash your car with a bucket of water as it will take 10 litres on average. A hose pipe will use 9 litres per minute

● Collect rainwater for watering your plants

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Fans of The Greatest Showman are going to be thrilled to hear this news: Happenings open air cinema will be screening the musical in Dublin this week.

They shared: 'Happenings in association with 7Up Free are delighted to dazzle you with The Greatest Showman to kick off Summer Cinema 2018!'

The screening will take place on Friday, June 29 at 8:30 pm.

Tickets cost a mere €5.80 so you can bring the entire family along to see the much-loved musical.

Make sure to bring along blankets and your own seating to the event, which takes place in Merrion Square.

You can bring your own picnic to the screening, or treat yourself to some delicious food and coffee from the Irish Village Markets, who will provide plenty of treats at the event.

Happenings stressed that this screening is a no alcohol event.
The Greatest Showman follows the story of P. T. Barnum, who came from nothing and went on to create a show that became a huge success around the world. The original musical celebrates diversity and the uplifting tale has captured the hearts of millions around the world.

The beloved movie has one of the catchiest soundtracks featuring songs including This Is Me and A Million Dreams.

The Greatest Showman soundtrack recently became the longest-running movie soundtrack in the United Kingdom, so we’re sure everyone will be singing along at the Dublin screening.
We couldn’t think of a more perfect way to spend a Friday night. Make sure to pick up your tickets as soon as possible as tickets are bound to be swiped up.

You can pick up your tickets to Summer Cinema: The Greatest Showman here.

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We won’t be waving goodbye to the warm weather anytime soon as Met Éireann has predicted that the heatwave is to last for 10 days.

They have issued a yellow weather warning for the remainder of the week with temperatures set to reach highs of 30 degrees.

It is understood that the Midlands and West of Ireland will experience the hottest temperatures.

 

Unfortunately, for hayfever sufferers, the high temperatures mean an increase in pollen so symptoms may worsen in the coming days.

They believe that Thursday will be one of the warmest days of the year, however, the public has been advised to conserve water as the temperatures soar.

Kate Gannon of Irish Water has asked the public to be careful as water levels may be affected by the heatwave: “If the Summer and Autumn continue to be dry and hot they may come under pressure later in the year. If the demand doesn't decrease we're going to start seeing people affected on the edges of our network.”

The public has also been warned about an increase in jellyfish this summer.

 It is believed that the Lion’s Mane jellyfish is larger in size this year, so swimmers have been asked to take extra caution.

Numerous people have been stung by the venomous creatures across the country. If you’re stung by a jellyfish the symptoms range from vomiting to cardiac arrest in severe cases.

The warm weather may be a joy, but it is vital to stay safe during the heatwave.

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