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These 10 smart grocery swaps can help reverse diabetes

<p><strong>Diagnosis diabetes</strong></p> <p>It can feel daunting to be faced with the need to make a major lifestyle change. You enjoy food, and you should. At Reader’s Digest, we like to think nature designed nutrition to taste delicious so it can be a source of pleasure in your day that’s fun to look forward to.</p> <p>If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, this diagnosis doesn’t have to take over your whole identity and all the things that bring you joy. There are ways to adapt some of your favourite foods so you can still have them!</p> <p>Registered dietitian Jackie Newgent lists interesting meal swaps you can make so that classic dishes can be healthier, while still plenty pleasurable.</p> <p>With some wisdom and dedication, it can be possible to turn your condition around and feel great for good.</p> <p><strong>Pair starchy with non-starchy veggies</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> one kilo potatoes</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> 500g kilo potatoes plus 500g cauliflower</p> <p>This mashed potato hack keeps your total carbs in check without forgoing flavour. Whip equal parts boiled potatoes together with roasted or boiled cauliflower. </p> <p>The results of this dynamic duo may help you better manage your blood glucose, since they’re carb-friendlier than a huge bowl of mashed potatoes alone: 100 grams of cooked potatoes without skin provides 22 grams of total carbohydrates, versus 13 grams total carbohydrate in the 100 gram combination of cooked potatoes and cauliflower.</p> <p><strong>Pick fruit you can chew</strong></p> <div> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> one litre apple juice</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> one bag of apples</p> <p>Enjoy whole fruit rather than just the juice whenever possible to get all the fibre of the naturally sweet fruit with its edible peel…plus chewing satisfaction. One medium apple contains 4.4 grams of fibre while a 200ml glass or juice box of 100-percent apple juice has 0.4 grams of fibre. </p> <p>The soluble fibre in apples can help slow down absorption of sugars. Polyphenols in apples may have powerful antioxidant properties.</p> <p><strong>Grill a better burger</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> 500g 85% lean ground beef patties</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> 500g ground chicken breast</p> <p>Gram for gram, chicken breast has significantly less saturated fat than the marbly beef of classic burgers. Specifically, an 85g cooked 85% lean ground beef patty has five grams of saturated fat compared to 0.6 grams of saturated fat for a cooked patty made from 85g of chicken breast meat.</p> <p>Keeping saturated fat intake low is especially important when you have diabetes to help keep your heart healthy. Pro-tip: make chicken burgers juicier and tastier by combining ground chicken breast with a little plain yogurt, rolled oats, and herbs and spices before cooking.</p> <p><strong>Look for live cultures in the dairy section</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> one container regular cottage cheese</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> one container plain low-fat Greek yogurt or cultured cottage cheese</p> <p>Probiotics are “good” bacteria that help keep your gut healthy. For people with type 2 diabetes, research published in Advances in Nutrition suggested that probiotics may also have glucose-lowering potential. So, pop products with live active cultures (probiotics) into your cart while strolling by the dairy aisle. Choose plain low-fat Greek yogurt or cultured cottage cheese.</p> <p>Be sure to read the nutrition labels, since probiotics aren’t in all dairy foods. And, for the lower-sodium pick, stick with yogurt.</p> <p><strong>Choose healthier-sized grain portions </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> 1/2 dozen bakery-style plain bagels</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> one package of wholegrain English muffins</p> <p>Swapping wholegrain in place of refined grain products helps kick up fibre and other plant nutrients. Studies suggests this is linked to lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Also, opting for healthier-sized varieties, such as wholegrain English muffins rather than big bakery-style plain bagels helps cut kilojoules (and carbs) – not enjoyment – while promoting a healthier weight. In fact, you’ll slash over 1000 kilojoules by enjoying a whole-wheat English muffin instead of that oversized 140g bagel.</p> <p><strong>Get your munchies with benefits </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> one bag of potato chips</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> one jar or bulk-bin container of roasted peanuts</p> <p>It’s a no-brainer: a small handful of nuts is a better bet than potato chips. Peanuts, for instance, offer a triple whammy of dietary fibre, plant protein and healthy fat, which can boost satiety. Greater satisfaction means a greater chance you’ll keep mealtime portions right-sized.</p> <p>When peanuts or other nuts are eaten along with carb-rich foods, they can help slow down the blood sugar response. Plus, a Mediterranean study found that higher nut consumption may be associated with better metabolic status.</p> <p><strong>Dress a salad smartly </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> one bottle of fat-free salad dressing</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> one small bottle olive oil plus one small bottle balsamic or red wine vinegar</p> <p>Some bottled salad dressings can trick you. For instance, “fat-free” salad dressing may be loaded with added sugars. (For reference: four grams of sugar is equal to one teaspoon.)</p> <p>So, read salad dressing labels carefully for sneaky ingredients, especially excess salt (over 250 milligrams of sodium per two-tablespoon serving) or added sugars (more than five grams added sugars per two-tablespoon serving). Better yet, keep it simple and make your own vinaigrette using 2-3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar.</p> <p><strong>Select less salty soup</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> one can/carton of vegetable- or bean-based soup</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> one can/carton of low-sodium vegetable- or bean-based soup</p> <p>When compared to people without diabetes, sodium levels were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes, based on a meta-analysis published in European Journal of Nutrition. Curbing sodium intake is beneficial for people with diabetes since too much may increase your risk for high blood pressure.</p> <p>So, slurp up soup that’s low in sodium. And kick up flavour with a splash of cider vinegar, grated citrus zest, herbs, spices, or a dash of hot sauce.</p> <p><strong>Go for "naked" fish</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> Breaded fish sticks</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> Frozen salmon fillets</p> <p>Cut salmon into large cubes, season, and grill on skewers. Or make fish sticks by simply cutting into skinny fillets, season and roast. Why? Research published in Diabetes Care finds that eating oily fish may be associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Non-oily fish, like the whitefish in fish sticks, didn’t show this link.</p> <p>Salmon is an oily fish and a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, a heart-friendly fat. Plus: when you make your own salmon skewers or sticks, you won’t have extra carbs from breading.</p> <p><strong>Do dip with a punch of protein</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Instead of:</em></span> one container of sour cream &amp; onion dip</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Buy:</em></span> one container of pulse-based dip, like hummus</p> <p>Wise snacking can be helpful for managing blood glucose. It can also be delicious. Dunk veggies or wholegrain pita wedges into pulse-based dip, like hummus, black bean dip, or lentil dip. </p> <p>Check this out: one-quarter cup (that’s 60 grams) of onion dip has 870 kiljoules, five grams of saturated fat, 1.2 grams of protein, and 0.1 grams of fibre, while one-quarter cup hummus has 590 kilojoules, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 4.7 grams of protein, and 3.3 grams of fibre. Hummus clearly wins!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/diabetes/reverse-diabetes-10-smart-grocery-swaps?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p> </div>

Food & Wine

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Bride and groom follow hilarious family tradition by swapping wedding outfits

<p>A newly married bride has decided to follow in her parents' hilarious footsteps by swapping her wedding day outfit with her new husband. </p> <p>Rosie Joyce, a fashion and lifestyle influencer, documented her special day online, with her picturesque wedding drawing in thousands of views. </p> <p>However, the picture perfect wedding took a jovial turn when Rosie and her husband Justin emerged in each others' wedding attire.</p> <p>Rosie drew inspiration from her parents, who started the tradition on their wedding recovery day, with Rosie's dad coming out in her mother's white wedding dress, while her mum donned Rosie's father's tux. </p> <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 610px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7234723167137205522&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40rosiewheeler92%2Fvideo%2F7234723167137205522%3Fembed_source%3D71223855%252C121331973%252C120811592%252C120810756%253Bnull%253Bembed_masking%26refer%3Dembed%26referer_url%3Ddk79lclgtez2i.cloudfront.net%252FGVtpj6u%253Fapp%253D1%26referer_video_id%3D7234723167137205522&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2FoAoQgDkDRYdIkAzbNowZzuM8FpKnEB8VQTfBsf%3Fx-expires%3D1684998000%26x-signature%3DwPzyFwqR8d1f6xQ5i%252F8OdYfm2f4%253D&amp;key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>“I grew up obsessed with these photos! How did we do?” Rosie wrote in her video. “We wanted to recreate the photos and surprise everyone on our recovery day.”</p> <p>In their recreation, Justin wore Rosie's white strapless gown and Rosie dressed in Justin's wedding day suit as they snapped some adorable photos. </p> <p>The big reveal went viral online, with Rosie documenting their story in a TikTok which has over 10 million views. </p> <p>One viewer said they were "Obsessed!" with the photos, while another praised Rosie's new look, saying “You absolutely ate it up in that suit, my god.”</p> <p>And while many commenters pointed out that as darling as Rosie and her hubby looked, the real stars of this TikTok show were her parents.</p> <p>“Your parents hair?? The drinks?? The cig?? Perfection” wrote one.</p> <p>“Your Dad looks like Neil Diamond in his early years,” pointed out another, while another viewer thought "it was a deleted scene from <em>Parent Trap</em>,” noting her father's resemblance to Dennis Quaid. </p> <p>Other viewers were quick to comment on how reflective and sweet the recreation photos were, with one person writing, "This is such a cool tradition to carry on!! Absolutely love this."</p> <p>Another viewer summed up Rosie and Justin's adorable relationship, writing, "The fact that your new hubby loved the idea shows you found the one."</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Relationships

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The truth about house swaps

<p>Swapping your humble home on a quiet street for a house that’s a stone’s throw from Regent’s Park in London’s prestigious north. It’s a romantic notion isn’t? As house swaps become more popular, it appears not everyone is sold on the concept. For some, the idea of house swapping has raised questions about security and safety. Over60 sat down with Nick Faud, the founder of Aussie House Swap Australia, to find out the truth about house swapping.</p> <p><strong>What are the common misconceptions about house swaps?</strong><br />Some homeowners worry about having someone in their home. The key to house swapping is that this is a mutual agreement between two parties as you are staying in each other’s homes. Swappers treat their each other’s home with care and respect, knowing that they’re in their home and this is what they would expect from them. Also some people worry about their insurance. In fact, you'll find most insurance companies prefer that there is going to be someone in the home rather than leaving it empty and vulnerable. Check with your insurance company and inform them that you have someone looking after your home while you are away.</p> <p><strong>What measures are in place to ensure the safety of the houses?</strong><br />House swap holidays are a mutual agreement based on trust. Both members are in each other’s homes and so they treat them as well as they would their own. Having someone in your home while you are in theirs ensures a level of trust and respect from house swappers. Many swappers will have a lockable cupboard in their home where they can store any valuables away while the swap partner is staying in their home. This can also include personal items or photos that you do not feel comfortable leaving out for others to look at.</p> <p>The more open communication you have before commencing the swap, the better your swap holiday will be. If there are any rooms you don’t want your swappers to go in, you can make this clear at the outset and they will respect this. Be open about any concerns at the beginning and address them so they will not come up during the swap and become an issue.</p> <p><strong>Do swappers ever maintain contact after a swap?</strong><br />Many swap members will swap again with a swap partner if they like the house and area. They can almost become each other’s holiday homes!  We have heard of many swappers who go on to find that they have a lot in common and become friends. Some even holiday together at times. The house swap community is a great group of people. To be open to the idea of letting someone stay in your home while you holiday in theirs, is an open and trusting attitude so many swappers make positive and lasting friendships in the swap community.</p> <p><strong>What are the rules around pets?</strong><br />Some swappers think they cannot swap if they have pets. This is not the case. Many house swap members love to spend some time taking care of their swap partner’s animal. As long as it’s not a big commitment then most swappers are happy to swap house with someone who has a family pet. If you have a treasured canine friend who you travel with, then this is usually also fine as many swappers are happy for you to bring your own pet with you. You just need to check at the beginning that the swap partner is happy for this, and if so, whether the animal is allowed inside or has to stay outside. Some homes are not set up for animals so in this case you cannot bring your pet with you, however, there are many pet-friendly swappers out there.</p> <p><strong>How long on average do people swap houses for?</strong><br />People swap their houses for all different lengths of time. Some will swap of a weekend, a week, a month, a few months or even a year! Swappers travelling closer to home may want to swap only for a short length of time, but those who are travelling further away may want to swap houses for a longer time.  </p> <p><em>Image: @aussiehouseswap (Instagram)</em></p>

Real Estate

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Duchess Kate swaps dresses for army kit

<p dir="ltr">Kate Middleton has shared incredible images of herself in an army uniform in honour of Armed Forces Day in the UK.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Duchess of Cambridge along with her husband Prince William were paying tribute to the men and women who served in the country's armed forces.</p> <p dir="ltr">She shared the behind-the-scenes images to the couple’s Instagram account which were taken back in 2021 giving her a glimpse into the training recruits undertook. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Today on Armed Forces Day, William and I would like to pay tribute to the brave men and women, past and present, serving in all of our armed forces, at sea, on land and in the air, here in the UK and around the world,” the Duchess wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you for all you and your families sacrifice to keep us safe.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfOOrY6tWMo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfOOrY6tWMo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Last year, I was honoured to spend time with the @BritishArmy to see how they train serving personnel and new recruits. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It was wonderful to see first-hand the many important and varied roles the military play day in, day out to protect us all, and I look forward to discovering more about the @RoyalNavy and @RoyalAirForceUK in due course.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s not uncommon for Royal Family members to serve in the army with the Duke of Cambridge himself serving in the Royal Air Force from 2006 to 2013.</p> <p dir="ltr">He was also trained by the Royal Navy in 2008.</p> <p dir="ltr">His younger brother Prince Harry served with the British Army and the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, making him the first royal since Prince Andrew to serve in a war zone.</p> <p dir="ltr">Their father, Prince Charles, was part of the Royal Air Force, while their grandfather Prince Philip served in the Royal Navy for nearly 14 years.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Woman who refuses seat swap called out

<p dir="ltr">A woman and her partner who refused to swap seats on a flight so a mother could sit next to her child have sparked a debate. </p> <p dir="ltr">Taking to Reddit, the woman asked whether she was being unreasonable for not changing seats after specifically paying for the window and middle seat. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I had the window and he had the middle. A lady sat on the end and her daughter was in front,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She asked if they could have our two seats and we have hers/daughters or my boyfriend would switch with her daughter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I politely said no which she wasn’t happy about.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We got asked ‘What difference does it make? You're adults, my daughter is scared of flying and is a minor’.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anyway, we didn’t move. Was I in the wrong? Surely if she was that bothered she could have paid like us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Reddit community sided with the woman and called out the mother for not paying for her daughter’s seat.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have a child who is scared of flying and so I would have paid to ensure that I had the seats I needed,” one person wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She wasn’t being unreasonable to ask. You weren’t being unreasonable to refuse. She was unreasonable to be grumpy about it,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Not unreasonable to ask but unreasonable to try and guilt you about it. Mother of the century,” someone else commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No chance I would move, I am terrified of flying and am really picky about my seats,” another comment read.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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7 harmful beauty product ingredients that you should swap out

<p><strong>How harmful are your beauty products?</strong></p> <p><span>A study found there are as many as 126 potentially harmful ingredients in the average adult’s daily beauty routine. </span></p> <p><span>From synthetics in your shampoo to chemicals in your concealer, find out which ingredients you should swap out and why.</span></p> <p><strong>Fragrance</strong></p> <p>“If you only change one thing in your beauty routine, the ingredient you should avoid is fragrance,” says Lindsay Coulter, the David Suzuki Foundation’s resident green living expert.</p> <p>Fragrance isn’t just in colognes or perfumes; in fact, it’s added to everything from body wash to shampoo to face creams. Even unscented products can contain fragrance compounds that act as masking agents.</p> <p>“It shows up as one word [on the ingredients label], but it can be a concoction of hundreds of different ingredients,” Coulter explains.</p> <p>According to research published by the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, these anonymous chemical compounds can trigger allergies and asthma, cause hormone disruption, and in many cases, are harmful to fish and other wildlife after they get washed down the drain.</p> <p>Not ready to give up smelling pretty? There are still plenty of green alternatives, says naturopath Jen Newell. “I recommend that people opt for products with essential oils or other natural scents,” Newell says.</p> <p><strong>Parabens</strong></p> <p><span>Parabens are preservatives that can be found in everything from makeup to moisturisers to fragrances. Problem is, numerous studies have shown that these chemicals – which are easily absorbed through the skin – have the potential to interfere with hormone function and have been linked with breast cancer. </span></p> <p><span>How do you rid your beauty routine of this particularly harmful ingredient? Keep an eye out for products that are labelled “paraben-free,” and study the ingredient list carefully, as these pesky preservatives can be listed in different ways, including “methylparaben” or “propylparaben.”</span></p> <p><strong>Triclosan</strong></p> <p>Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that can be found in antibacterial soaps, body washes, hand sanitisers, toothpaste and mouthwash.</p> <p>The issue with triclosan, Coulter says, is that it kills all bacteria – good and bad. Although this ingredient is not yet regulated in Australia, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States banned its use in September 2016 on the grounds that it could pose health risks, including bacterial resistance and hormonal effects.</p> <p>The good news? It’s easy to steer clear of this harmful ingredient, as triclosan is listed on product labels.</p> <p>For an alternative to triclosan, Coulter suggests alcohol-based sanitisers or old-fashioned castile soap and water.</p> <p><strong>Sodium lauryl sulphate</strong></p> <p><span>Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS, sometimes also known as SLES) is a chemical additive that makes super-foamy bubbles and suds. </span></p> <p><span>It’s often listed as a main ingredient in soap, shampoo, face wash and dish soaps, says Coulter. The reason that SLS should be avoided is that it can be contaminated with ethylene oxide, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer lists as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing chemical). </span></p> <p><span>Check your soaps for this ingredient before purchasing and don’t fret if the SLS-free product you try doesn’t produce a rich lather like your old shampoo or body wash. </span></p> <p><span>A lack of suds doesn’t mean it’s not doing its job, says Coulter; it simply means you’re skipping out on a harmful chemical.</span></p> <p><strong>Phthalates</strong></p> <p>Phthalates are commonly found in fragrance compounds, says Newell. Research suggests they can disrupt hormones during critical periods of human development (such as a baby’s development in utero) and they’ve also been associated with male infertility.</p> <p>If you’re having trouble identifying which products might contain harmful ingredients such as phthalates, Newell recommends downloading the Think Dirty App to your smartphone.</p> <p>It allows you to scan the bar codes of the products in your daily beauty regimen, and then assesses their degree of safety.</p> <p><strong>Oxybenzone</strong></p> <p><span>Oxybenzone is the active ingredient in many popular sunscreens, but Newell recommends avoiding it when possible – and for good reason. </span></p> <p><span>According to a study published in the </span><em>International Journal of Andrology</em><span>, oxybenzone has been linked to skin reactions and it may even disrupt hormones. </span></p> <p><span>There have also been studies indicating that when oxybenzone is exposed to sunlight it can form free radicals that cause skin cell damage. </span></p> <p><span>This doesn’t mean you should skip sunscreen altogether, of course. It’s easy to avoid this chemical if you stick with mineral-based zinc or titanium oxide sunscreens.</span></p> <p><strong>Petrolatum</strong></p> <p>Petrolatum or petroleum jelly is often used in moisturisers, lip balms and hair products because it acts as a moisture barrier and creates a sheen.</p> <p>The David Suzuki Foundation lists petrolatum as one of its “Dirty Dozen” harmful ingredients to avoid, as it can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which the European Union lists as a carcinogen.</p> <p>If you want to skip petrolatum just to be on the safe side, try organic coconut oil or shea butter to moisturise your skin.</p> <p>If you’re feeling overwhelmed when it comes to “greening” your beauty routine, begin the transition slowly. “Start with the products you use most often and then eventually replace those items that you only use every once in a while,” recommends Newell.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/beauty/7-harmful-beauty-product-ingredients-that-you-should-swap-out" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Miss England swaps beauty crown for hospital gown amid pandemic

<p>Miss England 2019, Bhasha Mukherjee, has returned to her lucrative medical career in trade for her crown in order to help those impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.</p> <p>The 24-year-old winner told<span> </span>CNN<span> </span>she was returning to her career in the UK after coming back from doing humanitarian work as Miss England abroad. She is returning to her job as a junior doctor at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, Eastern England – which she held before she won the crown.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-uoPX0gOgj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-uoPX0gOgj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Dr Bhasha Mukherjee (@bhasha05)</a> on Apr 8, 2020 at 10:39am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p> “I felt a sense of this is what I’d got this degree for and what better time to be part of this particular sector than now,” she explained on Monday.</p> <p>According to John Hopkins University data, the United Kingdom currently has 56,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19, as of Tuesday morning.</p> <p>Mukherjee says her initial plans to act as an ambassador for a number of charities throughout countries including Turkey, India and Pakistan quickly had to quickly be given up after receiving messages from her former colleagues about the dire situation currently taking place in England.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9gsfeyHxP5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9gsfeyHxP5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Dr Bhasha Mukherjee (@bhasha05)</a> on Mar 9, 2020 at 4:15am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p> “When you are doing all this humanitarian work abroad, you’re still expected to put the crown on, get ready ... look pretty,” she said.</p> <p>For her, there is no better time to step back from her crown and help the country in its time of need.</p> <p>“Health care staff are risking their lives for us, so let’s risk our mere leisure for a little while to say thank you to them,” Mukherjee wrote in support of the U.K’s National Health Service.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8OamTtnfvN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8OamTtnfvN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Dr Bhasha Mukherjee (@bhasha05)</a> on Feb 6, 2020 at 4:21am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Mukherjee says being a doctor requires her to be as creative as possible in relation to speaking to patients and “trying to convince them of taking their medication or doing a certain treatment.”</p> <p>“That’s where the art comes in, you see,” she explained.</p> <p>“That’s where the humanities and all the communication skills come in. And that was very exciting for me.”</p> <p>Mukherjee told<span> </span>CNN<span> </span>she is placing herself under quarantine for two weeks before she returns to her medical profession, but stated she is prepared and readily awaiting the new challenge that she is soon to face.</p>

Caring

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How to house swap safely

<p>House swapping is a fun way to live like a local overseas.</p> <p>Here are some tips to help you swap.</p> <p><strong>How to start</strong></p> <p>Join a reputable house swapping site with homes available in the cities you want to visit. While it costs nothing to browse properties, you will need to pay an annual subscription fee (around US$75) to communicate with potential home swappers and to have your own home profiled on the website. The swapping itself is free so no other money should change hands.</p> <p><strong>Secure insurance</strong></p> <p>Having the right insurance is your responsibility. As soon as you discuss travel arrangements, call your home and car insurance company. Also ensure the home you are staying in is properly covered and check who carries the cost of any extra premium fee if the swap takes place.</p> <p><strong>Do your homework</strong></p> <p>Arrange a call with your swappers to “meet” them. Ask for and provide references. Ensure you have the name of a local trusted friend or family member of theirs you can contact in case of emergency. Provide the same, plus a local doctor, hospital, pharmacy, vet, mechanic and your travel details.</p> <p><strong>Consider pets</strong></p> <p>Taking care of the house owner’s pet can often be part of the deal. Leave clear instructions and enough supplies for the whole period of the swap.</p> <p><strong>Be thoughtful</strong></p> <p>Leave basic supplies like milk and bread. Write a welcome note and share local favourites. Lock away valuables and make it clear what is OK to use (bed linen, pantry staples) and what is not OK to use (wine collection). Reports of theft or damage are rare in the house swapping community, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.</p> <p><em>This article first appeared in <span><a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/tips/How-to-House-Swap-Safely">Reader’s Digest.</a></span> For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, here’s our best subscription <span><a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestsubscribe?utm_source=readersdigest&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;keycode=WRA85S">offer.</a></span></em></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Travel Tips

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Neighbours in parking feud swap passive aggressive windscreen notes

<p>Two neighbours in London have been left in a parking feud, which was first started when a passive aggressive note was left on a car windscreen.</p> <p>The driver, who started the angry note exchange, became furious after noticing that his neighbour had parked over two spaces.</p> <p>"Your selfish inconsiderate parking is atrocious," he wrote on the note that was left on the windscreen.</p> <p>He also accused the owner of the car of “wasting space” by parking in the middle of two spots.</p> <p>However, when the car owner saw the note left on their vehicle, they didn’t take it very well and decided to fight back.</p> <p>The owner of the car penned their own passive aggressive note, which has since been shared on Reddit.</p> <p>"To whoever put the note here and the one before that, has it ever occurred to you that I might have parked very considerately behind a car in the only space provided and that subsequently the other cars moved away leaving my a car where it was?" the owner of the parked car wrote.</p> <p>"From now on, please take note: I always park as considerately as I am able to in the space there is.</p> <p>"Kindly stop putting passive aggressive notes on my car.</p> <p>"PS. If you had the courtesy to let me know which house you are in, I could have explained this in person."</p> <p>The owner also wanted to talk to the person face to face, to end the parking feud.</p> <p>"If you would like to have a civilised discussion about this instead of making me feel like I am being harassed by an unseen stranger, please drop by, or at least drop a note in my door letting me know which door I can post a response into, instead of making me feel like I have a primary school feud," he wrote.</p> <p>It is unknown if the pair have since met in person and made amends.</p> <p>Have you ever been involved in a parking feud with a neighbour? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Reddit</em></p>

Legal

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5 small food swaps that will make a huge difference to your health

<p>There’s no denying that dieting is incredibly difficult, but it’s even harder if you try and avoid temptation altogether. Sooner or later, your cravings will win out and you’ll find yourself halfway through a tub of caramel swirl ice cream – or is that just me?</p> <p>Thankfully, you don’t necessarily need to deny yourself a mid-morning snack, afternoon bite or sneaky dessert – as long as you make the right food swaps.</p> <p><strong>1. Swap chips for popcorn</strong></p> <p>A small bowl of plain popcorn with a sprinkling of salt is so much better for you than those (admittedly delicious) fried, oily, sodium- and preservative-packed chips. A serve of plain popcorn is low in calories, high in fibre, and believe it or not, counts towards your daily whole grain intake. Win, win, win!</p> <p><strong>2. Swap store-bought juice and smoothies for homemade</strong></p> <p>Bottled juice and smoothies, no matter what they tell you on the labels, will never be healthier than what you can make at home. Store-bought drinks are usually filled with teaspoons of added sugar, and most of the time, all the pulpy, fibre-packed goodness doesn’t make it into the bottle. Instead, throw some of your favourite fruit in the blender with a bit of ice (or maybe some almond milk) and make your own.</p> <p><strong>3. Swap takeaway for frozen leftovers</strong></p> <p>Not only is it expensive, but takeaway foods can undo all your hard work. Instead, make a little extra of whatever you’re having for lunch or dinner, put it in a container or zip-lock bag, and chuck it in the freezer. The next time you’re running low on time (or, let’s face it, energy), simply grab some leftovers, reheat and eat!</p> <p><strong>4. Swap spaghetti for zoodles (zucchini noodles)</strong></p> <p>No vegetable will ever come close to good ole fashioned, deliciously carb-filled pasta, but think about all those extra calories you’re saving by swapping to zucchini noodles (made using a spiraliser). Even better? You can justify an extra spoonful of toppings! That is, if you can resist going overboard. I can’t.</p> <p><strong>5. Swap tacos and wraps for lettuce</strong></p> <p>The taco or tortilla is only there to keep your food together, and it doesn’t really add much taste. So why not replace it with a nice, big lettuce leaf? Again, it means you can add a little bit of extra filling, but you’re avoiding those unnecessary carbs, fat and even sugar, depending on the type of wrap you usually go for.</p> <p>What healthy food swap do you recommend? Share it with us in the comments below.</p>

Body

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What you need to know about home swapping

<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Sixt Fer à Cheval. Justine, Mark and Melissa outside La Tibolire just before the big snow arrived.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Justine Tyerman, 61, is a New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor. Married for 36 years, she lives in rural surroundings near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand with her husband Chris. </strong></em><em><strong> </strong></em></p> <p>Sleeping around and bed swapping were practices severely frowned upon when I was a young women growing up in the 60s.</p> <p>But lately I've developed a habit for it, especially when travelling overseas.</p> <p>What's more I've even been recommending it to others including my husband and daughters.</p> <p>Shameless behaviour… but it's exciting… and free… and I can't stop it.</p> <p>It all began a couple of years ago when I strayed into a risqué site late one night while doing some secret solo surfing. It was a dangerous place, fiercely addictive, I should have shut it down immediately… but I didn't. Personal details were exchanged over the internet, a membership fee was paid and not long after I was hooked. I became a swapper, one who sleeps around in strange beds for free.</p> <p>I'm now part of a sophisticated worldwide syndicate or club dealing in an exclusive currency or points system all of its own.</p> <p>My habit has taken me to exotic places all around the world, Santorini, Crete, Palm Beach, Paris, and more recently ski resorts in the French and Swiss Alps, the fulfilment of a lifelong dream to spend a winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The latter was destined to remain just a fantasy until I discovered such a trip did not have to cost an arm, two legs and a few vital organs.</p> <p>Thanks to membership of the “club,” most of it was free so we could afford to take the kids too.</p> <p>The club is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.lovehomeswap.com/" target="_blank">Love Home Swap</a></strong></span>, an international home swap agency founded in 2011 by British brother and sister Ben and Debbie Wosskow. The organisation now has 100,000 properties in 190 countries worldwide and a team of dedicated concierges to assist people to find the perfect place for the holiday of their dreams.</p> <p>Members can choose to swap houses either simultaneously or non-simultaneously, rent their houses to other members or use a points system whereby they earn credits when another member stays in their home, which they can ‘spend’ on a holiday in any members’ homes anytime or anywhere in the world.</p> <p>With help from LHS concierge Charles, we organised a combination of rental and points swaps and on one occasion, we were even hosted – in other words, the owners were in residence which turned out to be a huge plus.</p> <p>We met our daughters in Paris a few days before Christmas and stayed at Vincent's superb penthouse apartment overlooking the Seine with views of Notre Dame, Sacré Cœur and the Louvre. Being peak season, it was not possible to secure a swap or a points deal so Charles found us a luxurious centrally-located rental property within easy walking distance of all the major tourist attractions. The cosy, beautifully- decorated apartment slept four, had a full kitchen and bathroom but cost far less than a hotel suite with the equivalent space, views and location. We met Vincent briefly at the end of our stay – a quintessential Parisian, charming and debonair.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28625/paris-france-vincents-apartment-8-_498x280.jpg" alt="Paris , France , Vincent 's Apartment . (8)" width="498" height="280" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Paris, France, Vincent's</em> apartment. </p> <p>Next we stayed in the exquisite historic Swiss alpine village of Grimentz at Anne's spacious new five-bedroom, three-bathroom chalet, two minutes’ walk from the main lift station and one minute from the best après-ski bar in the Val d'Anniviers. We used points for our seven-day stay which was free apart from the compulsory Swiss tourist tax.</p> <p>We arrived by car from Geneva just before a major blizzard set in, delivering fresh snow to the slopes, setting us up for a week of glorious skiing at Grimentz and neighbouring Zinal and St Luc.</p> <p>Seldom do you strike perfect ski conditions, but we had the best blue-sky powder days of our lives at Grimentz with the lightest, driest fluff you could ever dream of.</p> <p>The mountain panorama was awe-inspiring, with the Matterhorn standing majestically in the distance along with dozens of other 4000m-plus peaks.</p> <p>In addition to the shiny new cable car linking the ski fields of Grimentz and Zinal in just eight and a half minutes, there was an efficient network of chairlifts, pomas and T-bar lifts that never broke down. After all, nothing ever malfunctions in Switzerland.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28626/grimentz-ski-areapicture-by-nicole-salamin_500x333.jpg" alt="Grimentz Ski Area .Picture By Nicole Salamin" width="500" height="333" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Grimentz ski area. Picture by Nicole Salamin.</em></p> <p>I loved the old part of Grimentz with its lovingly-preserved sun-blackened wooden granaries dating back to the 1500s. The sturdy wooden structures, built on stone stilts to keep rodents at bay, line narrow, cobbled pedestrian-only streets on the steep hillside above the valley. The place was straight out of a book of Grimm’s Fairytales.</p> <p>We did not meet Anne but spent several months corresponding by email, even exchanging photos of our pets. Anne and family are planning a holiday in Canada with the points they earned from our stay. I hope they will also visit us in New Zealand one day.</p> <p>After our daughters left to go back to work in Sydney and London, husband Chris and I were hosted by Melissa and Mark at La Tibolire, the lovely chalet they built in Sixt Fer à Cheval in the French Alps. We stayed a week in their fully self-contained apartment on the ground floor of the chalet using the LHS points system.</p> <p>An English couple who had been happily swapping for several years, Melissa and Mark were the finest of hosts. We wined, dined and laughed together most nights beside the fire at La Tibolire, and they also provided us with excellent local information on the best ski rental shop, boulangerie, pâtisserie, hiking tracks and restaurants to go to. They even acted as our ski guides in the Grand Massif ski domain which is made up of five fabulous resorts – Sixt Fer à Cheval, Samoëns, Morillon, Les Carroz and Flaine.</p> <p>On the days we did not ski, we explored the gorgeous little village of Sixt Fer à Cheval. The River Giffre flows through the centre of the village which proudly boasts a sign with the words “L’un des Plus Beaux Villages de France” – one of the most beautiful villages in France. And indeed it is.</p> <p>We spent a day hiking in the nearby Cirque du Fer à Cheval, a spectacular horseshoe-shaped natural amphitheatre 4 to 5km in length with walls 500 to 700m high, crowned by majestic peaks, Tenneverge (2987m), the Cheval Blanc (2831m) and Grenier de Commune (2775m).</p> <p>Despite being the coldest time of winter, there were countless exhilarating outdoor activities to choose from. At Espace Nordique du Haut-Giffre at the Col de Joux Plane above Samoëns, we went husky-sledding, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing on a day so clear and bright, it made my eyes water even with goggles on.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28627/sixt-fer-à-cheval-justine-tucked-up-cosily-in-the-husky-sled_500x375.jpg" alt="Sixt Fer À Cheval . Justine Tucked Up Cosily In The Husky Sled." width="500" height="375" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Sixt Fer à Cheval. Justine tucked up cosily in the husky sled.</em></p> <p>I would love to go back in the summer and hike the high mountain pathways and stay a few nights in the mountain refuges we often saw sign-posted.</p> <p>Melissa and Mark are off to Florida to spend the points they earned when we stayed with them, and they are planning to visit us in New Zealand in November.</p> <p>The beauty of this form of travel is that your accommodation costs, usually the most expensive part of a long holiday, are zero. You use your empty house as holiday collateral, making it available as a simultaneous or non-simultaneous swap with other members, or as a means to generate points that you can use anywhere in the world, anytime that suits you, offering huge flexibility.</p> <p>If you avoid the peak season, the choices are mind-boggling, and you have the services of a LHS concierge to assist with finding just the right place.</p> <p>Thanks to LHS, we stayed in magnificent places, saved many thousands of dollars, kept our arms, legs and vital organs intact and made new friends along the way. A hopelessly addicted bed-hopping, home-swapping, collector of LHS credits, I am now planning the next family rendezvous, this time somewhere warm and exotic. Morocco has merit…</p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.lovehomeswap.com/" target="_blank">Love Home Swap</a></strong></span> assisted with accommodation.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/09/10-of-the-most-spectacular-islands-in-australia/"><em>10 of the most spectacular islands in Australia</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/09/travel-experts-reveal-best-and-worst-airports/"><em>Travel experts reveal best and worst airports</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/09/6-rules-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-stopover/"><em>6 rules to get the most out of a stopover</em></a></strong></span></p>

Travel Tips

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Grandma’s hilarious reaction to face swap

<p>An English grandma’s reaction to her first experience of trying Face Swap is leaving the Internet in stitches.</p> <p>Face Swap, an app that lets you place anyone’s face on your head, has recently gained popularity among the younger generation due to the bizarre and hilarious composite “faces” you can create.</p> <p>Charley Stillwell’s “Nanny Noo Narr,” whose real name is Sheila Watts, recently tested the different face-swapping filters for the first time. Shocked to see her face replaced by such famous celebrities as Beyonce, the nan reacts with a mixture of absolute horror and glee.</p> <p>“We were in the kitchen having a couple of glasses of wine when I started playing with the app,” Stillwell told ABC News of how the hilarity began. “I showed her but started recording at the same time to get her natural reaction to the filters. Little did I know how funny she was going to be!”</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/12/life-lessons-from-grandparents/"><em>Top 10 life lessons kids learn from grandparents</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/5-types-of-grandparents/"><em>There are 5 different types of grandparents – which one are you?</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/parents-and-kids-who-look-identical/"><em>10 pics of parents and kids who look identical</em></a></strong></span></p>

News

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How to pay next to nothing for accommodation

<p>It’s the New York City destination dream to stay in an apartment on the Upper East Side that overlooks Central Park. Well, thanks to a hot holiday trend, house swapping, this could now be the reality of your next travel adventure.</p> <p>House swapping whereby you exchange houses with someone – either in New Zealand or in one of many countries around the world – is for many people, the difference between a couple of weeks away or an extended trip. In some cases, it’s the difference in affording a holiday at all. We think the best part of doing a house swap is that you get to live like a local rather than a tourist.</p> <p>Home swaps can be for any agreed period, may include use of motor vehicles and swaps can be arranged at the same time or at different times.</p> <p>While the proof of the success of the holiday is in the pudding – many positive stories, high success rate and a skyrocketing travel trend – it does mean letting strangers into your home. Here are some tips on ensuring a seamless house swap.</p> <p><strong>Chemistry</strong> — this is a vital ingredient. You need to feel good about the exchange for it to work out for you.</p> <p><strong>Communicate</strong> — members can sometimes exchange 10 to 20 messages via the site to confirm a home swap vacation and a phone or Skype call can definitely help too to get to know each other and the properties involved. We also make available an Agreement form, which lots of members like to use.</p> <p><strong>Style</strong> – Spend time making your listing look lovely. And then add lots of photos and sell your home. As a comparison, think online dating.</p> <p><strong>Open mind</strong> – When it comes to where you hope to travel to as part of your swap, be open minded.</p> <p><strong>Insurance</strong> — Inform your insurance company before you go. Most prefer for people to be staying in your home, rather than it being left empty, but take out any extra cover if you need to.</p> <p><strong>Considerate</strong> — Ensure your home is tidy before your swap partner arrives and stocked up on basics such as kitchen staples and clean linen.</p> <p><strong>Cautious</strong> — Lock away any precious items before you go. That said, you will have to be a little relaxed about things as you can't pack up the whole house.</p> <p><strong>Key keeper</strong> – Enlist a neighbour or friend to keep a key while you’re gone and keep an eye on things should something come up. It can help ensure that it's all smooth sailing.</p> <p><strong>Enjoy</strong> — Home swapping is an amazing way to travel like a local and bag huge savings on holiday accommodation.</p>

Travel Tips

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How to house swap

<p><em><strong>Nick Faud, the founder of Australian home exchange website Aussie House Swap, shares his top five tips for a successful house swap.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Communication, communication, communication!  </strong></p> <p>The more you communicate with your swapper, the more chance of having a successful and enjoyable swap holiday.  Make sure you email each other and talk on the phone about your home, the local area and anything your swapper might need to know regarding heating and cooling and phone etc.  If you communicate things via email then you can refer back to it if needed which can be helpful as there can be a lot to remember.</p> <p><strong>Get snap happy</strong></p> <p>Make sure you send photos to each other and be honest about your home. It is important that each swap partner knows what the home is like they are going to stay in so there are no last minute unwanted surprises.  It doesn't matter if your house is not the biggest or flashiest, sometimes what is charming is a small country home.  It is just important that each swap partner can get a good idea of the home and that this is a good fit for each swapper.</p> <p><strong>Start early!  </strong></p> <p>Make sure you start early in organising a swap holiday.  This way you can make sure you find the right person to swap with and you will have plenty of time to organise travel, see photos and have enough communication with your swap partner that you both can feel comfortable that you are prepared for your swap holiday.</p> <p><strong>Fill out your Handy House Swap form! </strong></p> <p>To make your swap holiday easy we have a Handy House Swap form on our site.  Print it out and add your detailed information about your home for your swap partner.  Explaining how to use a television or a tricky oven can make the difference for your swapper, and your swapper will also do it for you.  The more information each of you have to refer to, the easier it will be.  Every home appliance has its own quirks so include anything that you can think of that might be helpful for someone staying at your home.  This can include when bins are collected, what to do if the electricity cuts out etc.  Include the number of a family member or friend who can be a contact person in case of an emergency.  Once you do this once then you can use it for all other swap holidays and just add any new information.  Having this information at your fingertips makes the stay that much easier!</p> <p><strong>Clean</strong></p> <p>Ensure your home is clean, neat and tidy for your swap partner.  As you are saving so much money on accommodation, some swappers will get a cleaner in for a couple of hours before the swap to help them have the place sparkling for their swapper.  Maybe leave a bottle of wine, some chocolates, and some local information about where to get good coffee and nice restaurants or things to do.  Many swappers will leave fresh flowers on the table and a bowl full of fruit- anything that will help your swap partner feel at home.  These extra touches can really impress your swapper and they are easy to do.  Also make sure that when you leave your swapper’s home, you leave it as clean and tidy as you found it.  Check if your swap partner wants you to clean the sheets before you leave, or perhaps they are just happy for you to strip the bed.  Travelling home after a holiday it is nice to walk in the door to a neat and tidy house where all you have to worry about is unpack from your trip.  Ensuring the house is left clean and tidy for your swap partners return is really important- and they will have done the same for you!  Feel free to leave a thank you card and a small gift if you really enjoyed your stay as this is the icing on the cake for your swap partner.</p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Confessions of a house swapper

<p><em><strong>Australian travellers Angela Hart and her husband, Robert, have swapped houses 15 times. Angela spoke to Over60 about her experiences…</strong></em></p> <p><strong>How does it feel letting “strangers” live in your home?</strong></p> <p>I’ve never been nervous. We have a separate flat attached to our house that we’ve rented out to holidaymakers for many years, so I was used to having people in our house.</p> <p>You get to know the people you’re swapping with by phone and email beforehand, so they don’t feel like strangers.</p> <p>If you are trusting of other people, they will respect that trust and will trust you in return.</p> <p><strong>Do you lock away or hide personal items, and if so, what items?<span style="font-size: 10px;"> </span></strong></p> <p>I do lock away some pieces of jewellery and precious breakables, but not because I think the house-swappers are going to steal them.</p> <p>It’s for insurance reasons, in case they forget to lock the house one day or it’s broken into, and to safeguard a few very special items that have great sentimental value, for example a jug my sister made for me, from getting accidentally broken.</p> <p><strong>Do you build a picture of what your house-swappers are like when you’re living in their home? Does it ever feel strange?</strong></p> <p>I think it’s natural to look at their family photos on the wall and think to yourself, for example: “oh that must be the daughter” and so on. You certainly learn a lot about their lifestyle from their home and I’ve even picked up some helpful ideas.</p> <p>We had a woman stay at our house who invited some friends over for dinner and it turned out the friends were also friends of ours, so it was very strange for them to go for dinner at our house and us not be there!</p> <p><strong>Have you ever broken something during a house swap?</strong></p> <p>The loo flooded the bathroom in one house. I was terribly worried about it but the owners were fine – apparently it had happened before and wasn’t our fault at all.</p> <p>I broke a wine glass during our last swap so I bought the owner a new set of four wine glasses.</p> <p>It’s all part of the mutual trust. I admit to any breakages and hope anyone staying in our house would do the same.</p> <p><strong>Have you made friends through house swapping?</strong></p> <p>Definitely. Some people we swapped with who live in the Loire Valley in France invited us to stay longer than we’d planned so we could spend some time with them. We’re also very friendly with another French family and I keep in touch with lots of people we’ve met through swapping.</p> <p><strong>What is the best thing about house swapping?</strong></p> <p>Obviously you save a lot of money, so if you’re retired like we are you can have much longer holidays. You can settle into somewhere and get to know the area like a local. We’ve sometimes swapped cars too, so you have your own transport included.</p> <p>We’ve travelled all over the world with house swaps: Canada, the French and Italian Alps, Paris, Venice, the French Riviera, Austria, Portugal, various parts of the UK and, closer to home, Margaret River, Noosa and Tasmania.</p> <p>Robert has Parkinson’s disease and two years ago decided not to travel any more. Then his old University friends organised a 50th anniversary reunion and we decided to use our frequent flyer points, organise a house swap and go!  We had six weeks seeing old friends and relatives and the house swap helped make it all possible.</p>

International Travel