With Great British Bake Off now in full swing, I can only imagine that watching the TV series has inspired lots of people to pull on their aprons and get baking. This year I have set myself the challenge of cooking something vaguely theme related, with each week we watch. With cheesecake for both dairy AND dessert week, fresh bread on bread week, cake for cake week and ginger biscuits for biscuit week, I’m pretty proud of myself for sticking to it. The only exception so far has been 1920’s week where I didn’t really have a clue what to cook, so we had cocktails instead! Last week was Festival Week and while we haven’t watched it yet, I plan to make a cake as I believe the final challenge is Festival Cakes. I’m not entirely sure what that is, but I do love an excuse to cook cake.

Trago have put together this fascinating infograph which shows the various baking times for different size cake tins. For those of you who have fancied baking a cake but not really sure where to start – this information could definitely give you a step up. Along with that, I’m going to impart on you my foolproof recipe for baking a cake. I personally always work in multiples of 60g, as I find this works best. So keep your ingredient quantities the same – 60g of butter, 60g flour, 60g caster sugar and 1 egg (one egg per 60g, so 3 eggs if 180g etc.) Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder for smaller quantities and a full teaspoon if you’re going for a larger quantity. Add a splash or two of flavouring and voilà, you’re done! I’m a firm believer of just mixing it all in together at the same time, even though some people still stick to the sugar and butter first, then the flour and eggs. I use a food mixer though so shoving it all in and blitzing it up has always worked fine for me! If you’re looking to add cocoa powder to make it chocolate, you need to take out some flour and replace it with cocoa, rather than add it in addition. Usually I work on 2/3 flour to 1/3 cocoa (so 120g flour to 60g cocoa) but the more I make, I often lower that to 3/4 and 1/4 instead. Divide your mixture between cake tins or place in cupcake cases and cook for the suggested times below. Make sure you poke a cocktail stick in the middle of the cake every now and again. If it comes out with mixture on it still, then it needs more cooking. If it comes out clean, the cake is cooked! If you give it a go, I’d love to see. Please feel free to post your pictures in the comments!

Oral health is important. That’s keeping check on the health of your teeth and gums to you and me. But it’s not just what you eat that can cause problems with your oral health. There are many other lifestyle influences that can cause dentistry complaints in the mouth area. If you’re suffering from problems with your oral health there’s a Dentist in Balham London who can sort you right out. Take a look below to find out more about some of the lifestyle choices effecting your oral health. 

Smoking 

Smoking is one of the largest factors in diminished oral health and can lead to tooth staining and tooth loss, gum disease, as well as more severe issues like mouth cancer. The nicotine and tar in your tobacco will cause your teeth to stain with a yellow tinge, and this can happen across a very short period of time. Some smokers will even complain of their teeth venturing into the brown colour palette after many years of smoking. We’re well aware of the respiratory health side-effects of smoking, but what about smoking’s effects on the lungs? Smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the blood stream, leading to bacterial plaque and gum disease, so cut down on your cigarettes, quick.

Alcohol 

Drinking alcohol can have many different effects on your oral health and, depending on the type of alcohol you’re drinking. will determine the detriment it has on your teeth. While drinking too much beer adds acidity and stains, too many cocktails filled with sugar and citrus can corrode the teeth through their acidity. Alcohol causes dehydration, which also causes a dry mouth, which also means bad oral hygiene. To combat the effects of alcohol on your oral hygiene, always try to stay hydrated and opt for alcohol with a low-sugar content. You could always try reducing your weekly intake, too. 

Oral Piercings

As is natural when we’re piercing holes in our bodies, it can lead to complications, especially when we’re dealing with oral piercings. It’s important that when you’re looking to get an oral piercing that you’re going to professional piercing artists who understand the safest and correct procedures to take without causing damage. Oral piercings can cause swelling, bleeding, and in some cases gingivitis. The more recent body modification of tongue splitting can also cause bacterial infections if not completed effectively.

Stress 

Ah stress, the silent killer. Stress can cause us humans many different issues when it comes to our health, some of them often flying below the radar. But when it comes to our oral health, stress can contribute to teeth grinding, gum disease, as well as painful canker sores. These oral symptoms of stress can lead to more serious health issues within the mouth like tooth decay, erosion and in some of the worst cases, cancer. 

Like any other element of your health, your oral health is important. It’s often the case that when your oral health is good, then your whole body feels good. With that in mind, why not take our advice on board, cut down on your smoking, engage in some meditation and watch your oral hygiene improve by the second. 

Throwing a party can be stressful – no one wants to run out of booze halfway through the night or realize last minute that they have no food for a fussy guest. To make sure everyone’s talking about your party on Monday morning, here’s some top tips on how to throw the ultimate party! 

Choose the perfect venue  

The first step to planning your party is to choose a venue. You need to decide whether you’re going to throw your party at home, or hire a venue for the event. Hosting a house party is cheaper, but you will be responsible for organizing all of the food, drink, music etc yourself. 

Whereas when you hire a venue, you can often include catering in the hire fee and there will also be a fully-stocked bar onsite where people can buy their own drinks. You also don’t need to worry about cleaning up the next day or noise complaints from neighbors. If you’re holding a party at home, then it’s always a good idea to notify your neighbors beforehand, especially if you think the party may go on late in the evening or be loud.

Arrange music / entertainment 

Music is essential at a party and can be used to create atmosphere and get people in the party mood. If you’re planning on providing your own music at your party, then make sure you download a playlist onto your smartphone or other electronic device and get a high quality pair of speakers to play your music through. Fortunately, you can now download a huge variety of pre-made playlists on apps like Spotify. If you truly want to impress your guests and give them a night to remember, then consider hiring a live band or DJ. 

Fortunately, you can now find and compare a huge range of different live music options using comparison sites like Party Shirt Music. This allows you to compare the best live music providers in your local area and find the best deals for your party. Other fun entertainment options to consider include – games, cocktail making lessons, dance competitions and photobooths. 

Consider food and drink 

Keep in mind that your guests will expect you to provide some food and drink at your party. If you’re throwing your party at home, then buffets and BBQ’s are popular ways to feed your guests in a casual setting. Make sure that you check for any dietary requirements beforehand so you can accommodate your food choices to suit everyone. Provide some popular drinks like beers, wine and make up a few party cocktail bowls. You could also ask guests to bring along some food and drink. That way, you’ll save money and be sure that everyone has something they like. If you’re hiring a venue for the event, you will usually have the option to add on food and drink packages. Remember that it’s important to make guests aware of what food and drink will be provided, so they know whether to eat beforehand for instance. 

If you love entertaining, then use these tips to help you throw the ultimate party! 

Regardless of why you decided to stop playing your favorite sport — whether it was because you had other commitments or whether it was because you got injured — it’s never too late to get back into it. Your sport is still there waiting for you to embrace it once again. All you have to do is be courageous enough to actually embrace it!

Getting back into your sport of choice is not going to be easy, especially if you haven’t played or taken part in it for a number of years now. There are things that you can do, however, to ease yourself back into the rigors and demands of it.

Here’s what you can and should be doing when you decide to get back into sports:

Get in good shape

You might not be able to play your sport at the level or in the intense manner that you once played it at. This doesn’t, however, mean that your current physical condition needs to hold you back from realizing what is close to your full potential. If you get yourself in good enough shape, near enough anything is possible in this instance.

To ensure that you put yourself in the best position possible to take your sport of choice by storm once again, it might a good idea for you to have meetings with sports physicians. These kinds of professionals will provide you with expert advice on what you can do to stay fit, healthy, and injury-free as you seek to get back into sports.

Once you are able to manage your injuries, you should resolve to work on your cardiovascular fitness. This will help you to increase your lung capacity, it will boost your endurance, and it will even improve your joint condition.

Set yourself a training plan

If you’re serious about giving your sport your all, there can be no half measures. You cannot work out as and when you feel like it or decide to take random days — you have to set yourself up with a training plan and, come rain or shine, you have to stick to it. Only by dedicating yourself to your venture fully can you get yourself anywhere near the level you were once at.

Accept help

Having not played sports in a while, you’re probably not particularly well versed when it comes to staying fit and working out. Fortunately, there are a plethora of professionals out there who are willing to offer you their assistance in this instance. All you have to do is accept their help.

This could mean investing in the services of a personal trainer, it could mean attending fitness classes at your local gym, or it could even entail you joining a local sports team — whatever help you feel comfortable accepting, make sure you have no qualms in accepting it. Doing so could provide you with the impetus you need to fully embrace your return to the sport that you love.

Getting back into sports is never easy after an absence. Take the above advice, however, and you’ll make this task a lot less difficult for yourself.

Relaxation is something most people wish they were able to have more of. It may seem difficult to attain, but if you make it a priority and create time to relax, it doesn’t have to be a rare occurrence. At times, you can push back quality time with yourself because you don’t have ideas regarding how to spend that free time. Your goal should be to choose activities that allow you to unwind and make you feel refreshed. Below are a couple of ideas regarding how to spend your free time relaxing.

Pamper Yourself with a Spa Day 

Pampering yourself is an ideal way to treat yourself and relax. Your body works hard for your every single day, so taking time to show it some love is the least that you could do in return. Going to the spa for a day will ensure you’re able to get a range of treatments to help you feel relaxed and refreshed. Here are some specific services you could get during your spa visit.  

• Massage: One of the most popular spa treatments that you can get is a massage. Swedish and deep tissue massages happen to be very common, so try one of those. If you would like essential oils to be used during your massage, then perhaps try getting an aromatherapy massage. 
• Facials: If your face has been looking dull lately, then a facial could be the perfect solution to make your skin look rejuvenated. They’re said to be the second most popular spa treatment behind massages. A few facials you could try are an anti-aging facial, European facial, or a deep-cleansing facial. 

Check into a Hotel 

Another simple but effective way that you could get some well-needed relaxation would be by checking into a hotel. This would be the perfect opportunity for you to kick back and relax without thinking about things like laundry, making the bed, and cooking. If you’re on a budget, look for discounted rooms which you can find online. 

Go on a Short Trip 

Vacations, as well as getaways, within the country or abroad, don’t always have to be long. So why not take a short trip to a country you’ve always wanted to visit and relax in a new environment? Here are some you may wish to add to your list. 

England: If you haven’t been to England before, it could be a good destination. Whether you’ll be in Manchester or London, you can stay at one of the Native apartments or hotels as they offer safe neighborhoods, lush interior, and reasonable prices. Take a tour around one of many museums and try local restaurants. 

Mexico: Another relaxing destination to consider is Tulum, Mexico. Here you could enjoy white sands as well as a quiet and relaxing environment. If you want to try something a little more upbeat, then go to the renowned Cancun for a break. 

Maldives: The Maldives has been rated as a top spa destination which goes to show why it could be a fantastic destination for a getaway. It’s home to hundreds of tropical islands, and you can choose from different luxury resorts that offer various treatments that are inspired by traditional Asian therapies. 

Get Quiet Time 

For the simpletons, your idea of a relaxing weekend could be getting some alone time in. If you’ve got kids, see if someone can take them for the weekend so that you’re able to relax without any interruptions. During this quiet time, you could catch up with simple things such as reading, journaling, or watching movies. 

There are going to be times when you’ll be getting dressed and realise you look too casual. Maybe you want to wear your favourite pair of jeans but feel like they’re dragging down your entire look.

Be glad to know there are ways for how you can dress up a casual outfit and leave the house feeling confident and sexy. All it takes is having the right items in your wardrobe so you can instantly transform an outfit from boring and plain to attractive and exciting.

When in doubt, wear what makes you feel confident and self-assured. 

The Right Pair of Earrings

To start, you can dress up a casual outfit by finding and wearing the right pair of earrings. For example, check out these beautiful Annoushka pearl earrings that are a must-have staple for transforming an outfit.. Think about how much better your outfit is going to look once you have these on. 

Fancy Shoes & Purse

Never underestimate what the right type of accessories can do to help dress up a casual outfit. Go shopping and pick out a pair of fancy shoes or heels that are colourful and sassy so you can look the part. In addition, consider carrying a flashy purse with you as another way to feel and look fancier.

Together, this combination of items that will not only increase the attractiveness of your outfit but also make you look more fashionable and feel more confident as well.  

Red Lipstick

In addition, it’s always a wise idea to go to the store and purchase a tube of red lipstick. Put this on, and in seconds your casual outfit will be dressed up and more “night time”. It may take some getting used to if you’re not someone who wears bold makeup, so be patient as you try out different shades until you find the one you like best. Be sure to check out the rules and tips for wearing red lipstick ahead of time so you can make sure you’re doing it right.  

A Blousy Top

A blousy top is the perfect solution for when you have on casual trousers or bottoms you know you want to wear. It’s a great way to dress up an outfit that otherwise looks a bit dull and not as interesting. Don’t be afraid to be bold in the way of wearing bright colours or wild patterns that catch your eye. On the other hand, if you’re a little more conservative, then opt for a white blouse because they are extraordinarily versatile and exude a classic and chic edge. 

Conclusion

There are going to be times when you’ll need to know what to do to look more fashionable and dressy. Use this advice to help you pick out the perfect outfit for your next event or night out on the town so that you can fit in properly and feel pretty fabulous. All it takes is some careful attention to detail, and mixing and matching the right pieces to properly pull off the dressing up of a casual outfit. 

Taking a gap year before embarking on college studies is becoming more popular as an option for young people in America. While the concept of a gap year can sometimes be seen as taking time off from study, in reality it is often so much more. If the time is used wisely, it can be a crucial year in a person’s development and maturity as they earn money and taste independence, gain invaluable work experience and even open career opportunities. 

One of the biggest obstacles to taking a gap year can often be finding employment when you have no experience or qualifications. If this is a problem you’re facing, here are 4 ways to earn money while on your gap year.

• Become a freelancer

While you may think you don’t have skills anyone would pay for, you may be surprised when you look into the opportunities available. You could become a tutor for young children in English or math, write blogs, and create designs for websites to name just a few. You may be able to find freelance work on platforms like Upwork, TakeLessons or Fiver. Photography can be a great way to earn money if you’ve got a high-quality camera and a good eye. You can offer freelance photography services for events or for others while you are travelling. 

You could also sell images to stock photo services such as Getty which will pass on a commission every time a photo of yours is sold.

• Teach sports

If you fancy getting out and being active, teaching sports or outdoor pursuits can be a great way to stay active, learn a new skill and develop your teaching skills. In addition, if you choose the right type of activity, you could combine the experience with travel to a new country. For example, you could travel to the famous Whistler mountain resort in Canada and take part in snowboarding Instructor courses while staying in truly stunning surroundings.

• Sell unwanted items

While it can take time, selling second-hand items via sites like eBay or Craigslist can be a great project. Buying and selling used items like clothes, accessories, technology and furniture is more commonplace than ever before, and if you learn which items to invest in, you may be able to make a significant amount of money.  

• Use your gap year to further your career 

Whatever you decide to do during your gap year, it’s best to try and choose something which supports your ambitions. Even the smallest amount of experience, whether paid or voluntary, can boost your resume and help you to get a foot in the door when it comes to getting your first internship or job. If you do freelance work, you might want to make it as professional as possible by creating a logo and website where you can show your work. At the end of the year you will have a portfolio of work alongside any savings you’ve gathered and the experiences you’ve had.

After buying a new second-hand car a few months ago, and it instantly needing four new tyres (one company quoted me £185 a tyre!), I decided it was probably best that I start to look after my tyres with the hope I could give them the longest life possible. I have to admit that I’ve never really bothered before and so I’ve definitely had to do some research!

Here are my top tips for looking after your tyres:

1. First and most importantly, your tyres should be the correct type and size for your car. You can check this information in your manual, however you should have them fitted properly, in Loughton for example, with experts like Elite Direct.

2. Keep an eye on the condition of your tyres. They should always look in a good condition – no tears, gouges, scars, lumps etc. If there is something that makes you question what it is, look into it.

3. Tyres should always be pumped up to the correct pressure. Again you can find this information in your manual but it might be handy to keep a note of it in your phone or even on a sticker on your dashboard etc. so you don’t need to keep looking it up. Always check the pressure in cold weather and adjust accordingly. Also adjust the pressure if you carry am unusually heavy load.

4. Tyre grip. The law requires a car’s tread to be 1.6mm but of course you can change them if they begin to look worn on any part of the tyre. If you don’t know how to check for the depth of your tyre tread, look it up. It’s really simple and takes only a moment or two to do.

5. Carrying a spare tyre is not a legal requirement but it it is a good idea. If you hope to rely on it in the case of a puncture, it’s also a good idea to make sure that it’s road worthy by checking that occasionally too.

6. Check your wheel alignment. If your wheel alignment is out, tyres can often wear on the insides, where you can’t really even see them. This can cause unexpected punctures and often you will need to replace tyres sooner than just regular wear and tear.

7. Last but not least, experts recommend you rotate your wheels. Often rear wheels wear down at a slower rate than front ones and some even say left wear more rapidly than right. Rotating your tyres could help them to last longer and you might get many more miles out of your money!

Driving with faulty tyres of any sort, can be incredibly dangerous. If you are breaking the law, you will be subject to fines. If your tyres cause lack of control or slower braking, you may even cause accidents. Because of this it’s really important just to take a few minutes, every few weeks, just to make sure your cars are in the best possible condition they can be.

Are your high credit card bills preventing you from making your mortgage payment each month, although you have a steady income? Filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy may be the solution you have been looking for.

If your mortgage lender has sent a letter warning you of an impending foreclosure, has already begun to foreclose on your house, or your home is about to be sent to a Sheriff’s Sale, you need to read this. You may be able to save your home by filing bankruptcy now.  

Why are you behind on your mortgage payments?

Can you save your house with bankruptcy? The answer depends on your income, what kind of debt you have besides your mortgage, and what your monthly payment looks like. 

There are, broadly speaking, three reasons why families lose their home to foreclosure. The first is unaffordable housing, especially in markets like San Francisco and New York City. The second is affordable housing but irresponsible spending. The final reason is the loss of income, whether from termination or the death of an uninsured spouse.

If You Cannot Afford Your Home

Realistically, a private home in these markets is not affordable for middle-class families, and even low-level executives would struggle to afford in many of these markets.

Conventional wisdom dictates that housing and utilities should not require more than 30% of your annual salary, yet aspiring young couples often commit 50% or more to secure their dream home early in life. Some may make a decision to be “house poor” and make cuts in other areas of their lifestyle to attain that dream home, but being house-poor often means being one bad month away from being homeless. 

If your mortgage payment leaves no disposable income at the end of the month, it is easy to fall behind should an unexpected debt arise.

If You Need to Adjust Your Spending

Whether a bankruptcy can save your home depends on why you fell behind on your payments. 

Are your credit cards maxed out? Did you get stuck with the bill for a wedding or funeral? Did you suffer a medical emergency and got left with outlandish bills for emergency care? Did you take out a personal line of credit to pay down old bills, only to end up deeper in debt?

All of these are “unsecured debts” that can be discharged in bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy can lead to the discharge of these debts as long as you follow the repayment plan.

Are your debts related to court-assessed fines, criminal restitution, child support, unpaid taxes, or federal student loans? 

These are known as priority debts; they cannot be discharged through bankruptcy. 

Missed Mortgage Payments Due to Loss of Income 

Ask yourself a simple question: If your unsecured debts were to disappear, could you make the monthly mortgage payment on your home? 

If the answer is no, absent any alternative like help from family you may have to surrender your home, which you can do without liability for the mortgage in either a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing.

If the answer is yes, then Chapter 13 bankruptcy will be able to save your home. As part of a court-approved repayment plan, you will make your mortgage payment and any other secured debts on time and in full. Then, your disposable income is applied to monthly plan payments 3 to 5 years. 

Once your repayment plan is completed, the balance of your unsecured debts will be discharged. It doesn’t look very good on your credit, but it sure beats having your home sold out from under you for insolvency.

Save your Home in Five Steps

1. Meet with an experienced Bankruptcy Attorney. Come prepared with information on your outstanding debts, available income, and savings, and disclose any legal obligations (like child support) that you have to pay each month. 
2. Assuming you qualify for bankruptcy after the consultation, work with your attorney to provide the necessary documentation and sign your paperwork. Your bankruptcy will soon be filed, and an automatic stay will temporarily freeze pending Sheriff’s sales or foreclosures. 
3. Decide if you will keep the collateral for other secured debts. Multiple vehicles, summer homes or cottages, boats, and other secured property could be surrendered in your bankruptcy filing to reduce your monthly debt and make it easier to pay on your mortgage. 
4. Agree to a payment plan and get it approved by the Bankruptcy court. While your plan typically requires you to dedicate all of your disposable income, you can often use medical conditions or child-care expenses to create a buffer of income in reserve. 
5. Make your Chapter 13 payments on time and in full. A failure to complete your Chapter 13 repayment plan will lift any bankruptcy protections and make it possible for your home to be foreclosed on.

 

Veronica Baxter is a writer, blogger, and legal assistant operating out of the greater Philadelphia area.

You may be feeling sluggish and out of sorts lately due to the way you’ve been living. What you choose to do and not do each day matters a great deal in how well you’re able to function on a regular basis. 

Be glad to know there are five ways in particular that will help you to live a healthier lifestyle, so you hopefully have fewer sick days and visits to the doctor. When you take good care of yourself, you’ll find that your days seem more manageable and you aren’t so tired and worn down. It takes time to change behaviors, so be patient with yourself as you adapt to your new way of life. 

• Hit the Gym

One way to live a healthier lifestyle is to hit the gym more often and break a sweat. Find activities you enjoy doing, such as joining a workout class or weightlifting. Remember to stay hydrated with a drink such as Halo Sport, so you have a quicker recovery time. Exercise is a great way to gain more natural energy and lift your mood.

• Cook Meals at Home

You may also want to consider cooking more meals for yourself at home as a way to stay healthy and save some money and calories. This way, you can pick and choose what ingredients you use and better control your portions. You may find you enjoy cooking and that it’s a relaxing activity for you to do in your free time as well. 

• Avoid Added Sugar & Alcohol

Sugary drinks and alcohol can take a toll on your health and wellbeing over time. Therefore, it’s a wise idea to get in the habit of drinking more water regularly and eating fresh foods. Keep a bottle handy while you’re at work or around the house, so you’re constantly reminded to drink more of it. Your skin will look better, and you’ll feel more energized to tackle your to-do list.

• Address & Break Bad Habits

A good reason you may not be healthy currently is because you have a lot of bad habits that you’re doing and need to break. For example, maybe you stay up late and don’t sleep much or go out for drinks after work each night instead of exercising. It’s important to face your poor habits and then do what’s in your power to make sure you’re not repeating them in the future. Set goals and track your progress so you can stop lying to yourself and start addressing what’s hindering your ability to be healthier. 

• Practice Work-Life Balance

You can also live a healthier lifestyle by practicing more work-life balance and not overdoing it in any one area of your life. Set boundaries with others and learn how to say no to those who request your time and attention when you’re already booked up. Get in a routine that will help you to balance out your work schedule and activities better, so your health doesn’t have to suffer because you work too much.