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This month..
6. November Horoscopes
8, The Sian Thai Restaurant 10. Mo Decides It Time 14. £2000 Donation 16. Your garden 19. 5 Types Of Scams Targeting Drivers 22. Puzzles 29. Food Shock 30. New Book Lifts Lid The team EDITOR Michael Davies WEB DESIGNER Matthew Clarke ACCOUNTS Lisa Davies PROOF READER Elisabeth Davies Advertising sales Tel: 0117 3258029 Mobile: 07500 017236 Email: info@directlocalonline.com Distribution: Direct Local South Glosl edition is delivered to 20,000 people each month. Why not subscribe free on our website to receive our bigger and better weekly virtual magazine and be in with a chance to win £100. Its full of local news events competitions and much more
Mikes letter
Welcome to this weeks magazine!!
Bristol is officially in Tier 1+, so, what does that mean in reality terms for us Bristolian’s then? Well It seems nothing, as all its created is a task force that can be more en-forceful with the rule of 6 and current guidelines. Do you really think this is going to make a difference to those who do not believe they will catch coronavirus or even think this virus is real! I have visited many places on my rounds in Bristol delivering our magazines and the general feel from a select few people is that the virus is a conspiracy, and that if they catch it they will survive it any as it’s only the elderly and those with underling medical conditions that will be at high risk of a fatality. Whatever your thoughts are on this subject surly the best thing to do is just be mindful of our actions and keep our distance as much as possible. Then maybe just maybe we will stay out of tier 2 and stricter restrictions. Rant over! Halloween this Saturday one of my favourite times of the year as I love the costumes and seeing the kids dressed up in their crazy outfits. My favourite must be the trusty bin liner outfit lol. Anyway, I hope everyone taking part in Halloween stays safe and socially distant.
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www.directlocalbristol.co.uk Facebook.com/directlocal Twitter.com/directlocalmag Issue 48 November 2020
Disclaimer The opinions expressed in Direct Local do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publisher or their agents. Whilst every reasonable care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information included within this publication, the publisher takes no responsibility for errors or omissions in Direct Local. The content of Direct Local is not to be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher. Please pass to a friend, recycle or compost. All adverts designed by Direct Local are the property of Direct Local please contact us if you wish to reprint them in other publications as a small release fee Is applied. Use of adverts designed by us will need written permission first.
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Emotional Fitness: A-Z for positive mental health “If you live your life on an emotional roller coaster, you may end up not living your life.” Clare Davis We all have ups and downs in life, and we can't merely ‘get over’ our emotions, but we can work on them on a daily basis and learn to take control of them.
Clare developed this book after starting a YouTube channel and pod cast called Mental Health Chats with Australian based Peter Dundon.
“What I have been most amazed about are the comments and messages I have received from people telling me that they’ve never thought of emotional fitness and using In this new book by experienced coach and preventative measures before. People started trainer Clare Davis, there are 26 straightsharing their stories - stories of depression forward ways to increase positive emotions and anxiety, even suicidal thoughts. When I and improve emotional fitness are discussed. asked them whether they’d ever had advice This easy to follow and down-to-earth book about preventative measures, most of them contains plenty of practical activities to help said they were told to ‘get over it’. But we put theory into practice. can’t just ‘get over’ our emotions. We need to work on them on a daily basis and take “If we don’t learn to understand and control responsibility for them. This is where our emotions, our mental health and even our preventative measures and emotional fitness life is at risk. Poor mental health can become are key. “ a downward spiral that affects our relationships, our performance at work, and This book is written as an ‘easy to read and our physical health if we don’t do something use’ book, to help the reader focus and about it. This is why we need to use complete the activities. https://www.amazon. preventative measures.” co.uk/gp/product/B08KM8YV26?ie=UTF8
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WHATS DOES NOVEMBER HOLD FOR YOU Aquarius Jan 20-Feb 18 If something seems trickier than at first seemed, don’t get upset or frustrated, just stop and try to see it from all angles. If you have a gut feeling about something, try to follow it at this time as it stands in good stead. Be kind to yourself and be sensitive to your own needs. Keywords. Intuition and be kind to yourself. Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 You may get some new ideas for ways of sorting out difficult situations. Work with your intuition if possible, try to see other people’s perspectives. Try stepping back from things if they seem a little difficult, sometimes a different view with things make things seem clearer. Keywords. New ideas, intuition and review. Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19 Some changes could be about to come your way. If they’re not really to your liking, try and see them more as challenges, and look for opportunities within them. Remember that you have your own values, and don’t be shaken from these, but don’t be too hard on yourself either keywords Changes and opportunities Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 You may be thinking of starting a new interest. It could be quite a sociable time coming up this month. Trying to be a listening ear, more than giving advice, you will be surprised how much people will appreciate it. Keywords. Study and sociability Gemini May 21 - June 20 There could be some changes on the way, so don’t be surprised if you come up with new ideas, or interests. You may need to be a bit flexible with other people and think before you speak, and try to be sensitive to other’s feelings. Keywords. Changes, flexibility and sensitivity. Cancer June 21 - July 22 There could be some things that feel as though they are being held up right now, be aware and look out for opportunities that may help to sort these hold-ups, so that things will begin to flow freely again. It may also be worth stepping back and looking at the achievements you’ve made this year, and what other things you would like to achieve next. Keywords. Opportunities and goals
Leo July 23 - Aug 22
You may otherwise miss opportunities that could be nearby. It does seem some things will be moving forward even if they have felt on hold for a while. Keywords. Balance and opportunities
Virgo Aug 23 - Sept 22
If Life seems a little trying see if there are other ways of dealing with things, to make life easier. You are often fair-minded with others, but can be quite hard on yourself. Don’t underestimate yourself; value yourself as well as others. Keywords Find easier Ways, and make time for you
Libra Sept 23 - Oct 22
You may have noticed your vitality is little sluggish at the moment, if so, may be time to review lifestyle habits. Any cutbacks are just a little tweak here and there that should make some difference. Try not to let things build up, or take up too much of your time, Try and listen to your intuition. Keywords Changes, intuition
Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21
Relationships seem prominent, along with your home environment. You may find there are some new interests, or ideas that come to mind for you at this time. Be open to other people’s ideas or suggestions, Try to be aware of being calm, and fair-minded in dealing with others. Keywords. New ideas and fairness.
Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21
It would be useful if you pay attention to your intuition, certainly in regards any situations that may be a little difficult. Try not to let anyone sway you from things that you have strong values about, and keep your integrity that there could be some changes on the way. Keywords. Integrity and changes
Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19Home and close relationships are prominent for you at this time. It seems as though there are a lot of things that need to be done, and a lot of people wanting your time and attention. Try and seek balance for yourself. Somethings may not feel that they are running as smooth as they should, try and keep calm, and know that things don’t stay the same, Keywords. Home, relationships and balance. Disclaimer This zodiac is for entertainment purposes only please do not take the predictions seriously Marie take no responsibility for your actions
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Peckish? Then Visit The Sian Thai restaurant
If I’m ever peckish and would like a decent, affordable, tasty slice of home cooking with an Asian flair and have got time on my hands then I take myself off to the family run Siam Thai restaurant in Chipping Sodbury. It’s located at near the bottom of the village by the cenotaph. Siam Thai offers customers a taste of authentic home cooked Thai cuisine at an affordable cost. They do a great lunch time menu where one course can cost as little as £5.00. The food is all cooked fresh to order and there isn’t much of a wait during lunch time service. I usually go there with a friend and we both go for three courses with a couple of drinks and it costs us about £30.00? The dish I would recommend is the Thai chicken toast which is more or less the same as Chinese prawn toast but with chicken, Pad Thai pork noodles and an ice cream dessert.
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The flavours are delicate and well balanced and do not over power each other. Service is quick but that’s because during a lunch time there’s hardly anyone on there. The restaurant itself is quite dated and the staff are very formal. It’s very quiet in there with almost no atmosphere and your very conscious of how loud your speaking. This can put a lot of people off I know as most do like a good natter over a meal. Now obviously I am talking about a lunchtime service so this isn’t what it is like in the evenings. In fact when I have walked passed of an evening the atmosphere seems to be a lot more upbeat and livelier. The restaurant definitely needs updating but the food in my opinion doesn’t. So if you want a quick and tasty lunch which is good value for money and your not too picky on the restaurant setting then I’d very much recommend Siam Thai.
Reviewed by food critic Peter Abraham
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With high cholesterol and a risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, Mo decided it was time for a change. "I've experienced an overwhelming shift in both body and mind" There are many benefits I've felt on my WW journey so far. I was unaware of these benefits when I first embarked on this wonderful and transforming endeavour of self-discovery and fulfilment. My WW journey started in September 2018. At the time, I had no idea of the profound impact it would have on me, particularly the mental and physical transformation I would go through. It's definitely changed my life for the better. Prior to joining the programme I thought life was great: I had the best family & friends, a supportive partner and a great job, so what was I missing?! I didn’t actually realise I was missing anything until joining the WW programme. Since losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle, I've experienced this overwhelmingly positive shift in both body and mind. My confidence has soared and I believe in myself much more than I did. “Before joining WW, I was at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes” Before I found WW, I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, an alarming BMI reading and was at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes due to my weight and lifestyle. These readings at a medical appointment shocked me. At the risk of sounding like a cliché, if I knew then what I know now, I would’ve been motivated to make changes sooner. I put myself at greater risk by overlooking so much when it came to my overall wellbeing. I conformed to age-old cultural male attitudes and stereotypes. I grew up believing that men must not talk openly about deep-rooted issues such as weight and body image. Luckily, I’m part of a generation that is now challenging this archaic notion as we make conscious positive strides to improve ourselves both as individuals and in society.
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The health implications that arise from being overweight are equally harmful to men and women, but for some reason they have been treated or thought of differently in the past. Men are not often associated with programmes such as WW, but there are lots of us who have found success on the programme. What I’ve found in the WW community is that we all go through things, and we can support each other through the good and the bad. Find out if you’re at risk for Type 2 diabetes Before starting my journey, I weighed nearly 18st, but was always a very active person and felt there were no issues with my weight. I was happy in myself, confident, and pretty content with the way things were. However looking back now, I know deep down I struggled with my addiction to junk food and portion control. I also did not address the deep discomfort I had with my clothes size. I often avoided shopping for new things because the things I liked did not come in my size in some of my favourite shops. “WW gives you the tools and knowledge to commit” The WW programme offers you so much, and it’s so flexible that it can be tailored to fit anyone’s lifestyle. And I mean literally anyone! I’ve learnt a lot about myself along the way, and the priceless knowledge I have obtained about the effects food nutrition has on me both physically and mentally is powerful beyond measure. At the heart of any success is commitment, and you have to be committed to building the best version of yourself using the tools and knowledge that WW gives you.
Exercise and moving more is very much a part of the WW programme, in addition to the food and nutrition element. There’s so much knowledge and support on offer, it would be extremely hard not to find something that works for you.
The programme is simple to follow and has an easy-to-use app, which is great, not to mention the amazing Coaches who make you feel special. You learn to do things your way and at your own pace whether it be yoga, running, walking or meditation for your mental wellbeing. You can absolutely find what you’re looking for on the WW app. Follow Mo and his partner Andri’s journey here! “I will continue to strive for more than just weight loss” I've lost more than 5st since the start of my WW journey, have been maintaining now for the last six months, and have completely transformed my body and my mindset. I feel great! As well as significantly reducing my exposure to weight-related health risks, I've also learnt some lifelong lessons and have experienced an overwhelmingly positive health shift in my body, mind and soul. But my journey doesn’t end here. I will continue to strive for more than just weight loss. Believe me when I say your journey starts here with WW. What are you waiting for?
How does your risk of Type 2 diabetes measure up? Your age, family history, ethnicity and weight can all put you at risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. Your local Healthier You service delivered for free (by WW) may be able to help you. Here you’ll get all the support you need to make positive lifestyle changes and lower your risk.
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27/10/2020 12:24
PLANNING A MEMORIAL WOODLAND RESTING PLACE An increasing number of people are buying burial plots in the South West so that they know where they will rest after death and be assured that their demise will not damage the environment.
Said Chris Baker: “Most people think we are running out of room for burials in the UK but that is just not true. There is a real desire to create new woodland habitats to replace those that have disappeared over the years and doing that through burial grounds, as we are doing, is a way to finance their creation.
Bristol Memorial Woodlands in South Gloucestershire, which is creating a 100-acre woodland burial ground just north of Bristol, “It also means that there are people with an say family plots have become popular once interest in maintaining those woodlands and again in a way not seen since Victorian times. their families rest there and that future generations will have a stunning, natural Chris Baker, founder of Bristol Memorial place to go to remember their ancestors. Woodlands said: “Greater environmental awareness seems to be driving a new desire “The local council crematorium is often very for people to be buried, rather than be functional and busy and not a place to sit and cremated. Burial is traditional and natural and remember loved ones. We also find that many returns a body into the ground without using people like the idea of knowing where they fossil fuels and without emissions from a will be buried – whether that is their body or chimney. an internment of ashes. “We are now finding people buying burial plots for family members as gifts and whole families wanting to be buried together and know that future generations will be able to gather there beneath the trees and remember them.” Traditional burials went into decline in the UK as a result of village churchyards becoming full and in the 20th century cremations became the norm for many communities. Changes in the way people mourn and look at death have seen a shift in attitudes.
“Some of the enquiries we are getting are from people who are just being practical and knowing that we all have to face death some time. Others are from people with a faith that requires them to be buried and they want to buy plots for their whole family.” Many faiths have always favoured burials and Bristol Memorial Woodlands has created a sacred Jewish burial site and a Muslim burial ground, designed under the guidance of religious community leaders. Information on Bristol Memorial Woodlands can be found at www.memorialwoodlands. com
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£2,000 donation for new kit helps Yate martial arts club return with social distancing
A martial arts centre in Yate has been given a lifeline to resume training with appropriate social distancing thanks to a donation for new equipment from Barratt Homes. The leading housebuilder, which is delivering hundreds of much-needed new homes at nearby Ladden Garden Village, Yate, has donated £2,000 to help EPiC Martial Arts buy new mats and training equipment. The high-quality mats are being used in a colour code system in Yate Parish Hall, where the sessions are held, to mark out spacing and allow training to resume indoors after four months of closure. The club, which celebrated its fifth anniversary this week, has now been able to re-start sessions. Barratt Homes made the donation as part of its commitment to supporting the local community where they are building new homes and facilities. Ladden Garden Village is a new development in North Yate offering a range of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes. Once complete, there will be a primary school, nursery, health centre and local shops as well as 32 acres of open space and sports pitches. The investment from Barratt has enabled EPiC Martial Arts to buy 68 high quality training mats and is also helping them work towards opening up another club in Thornbury, where Barratt Homes is currently building a further 280 homes at Park Farm. Matt Roberts, senior coach at EPiC Martial Arts (pictured, image 3) said: “This donation has made a massive difference - allowing us to get back to training safely and giving the young people back that focus, inspiration and exercise they so sorely missed during lockdown.
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The colour code mats make it really clear where the safe distances are between people. And the extra investment will help us on our way to opening another club in Thornbury, bringing the opportunity of martial arts training and all the benefits that brings to more young people." Andrea Pilgrim, sales director at Barratt Homes added: "At Barratt we are passionate about supporting our local communities so when we realised how much these children and young people were missing exercise, interaction and inspiration of these martial arts sessions we were really happy to step in and help. "Sports and social clubs and classes like these are part of the fabric of a community. At Ladden Garden Village, we're building lots of community and sports facilities alongside hundreds of much-needed new homes, which will help give it a really strong sense of community and social connection. Matt and the team at EPiC Martial Arts are doing a fantastic job and we'd love to see these sessions in Thornbury too where we're building the new Park Farm development. Barratt Bristol's community fund donates £1,000 a month to local causes in the communities where it is building homes. Support earlier this summer included donations to local foodbanks which have experienced unprecedented demand due to lockdown and the Covid pandemic. To find out more about new homes from Barratt, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or call 0330 057 6000.
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Your Garden In November The garden begins to wind down in November as deciduous plants enter dormancy. leaves are falling rapidly and wind and rain are on the increase.
Tie in all the plants and secure structures an important winter job is to stake tall plants, climbers and young trees to protect against strong winds. check that existing ties are not cutting into stems of plants that have grown over the summer. Structures such as arches, pergolas and fences should also be checked and ideally treated with preservatives. If repaired now there is less potential damage in high winds.
Whilst most of nature is hibernating in the colder months, winter is the ideal time to get new trees into the ground. trees are best planted in the late autumn when the soil is still warm but not too dry, giving roots time to acclimatise before the harsher temperatures of winter arrives. whatever your plan to do outside in Nonmember, take time to enjoy the garden as it fades, leaving structural plants LOOKING GOOD THIS MONTH...TREES and evergreens to take centre stage. PROTECT TENDER PLANTS
Why should you plant them?
the weather is turning so its time to get those plants protected - frost can do serious damage to tender plants. frost tender plants in pots should be moved to the greenhouse, conservatory or porch. Exotic plants such as palms or tree ferns should be wrapped up for the winter with frost protection material.
Trees add structure to gardens and landscapes. As well as being used as a focal point for the garden they also make good hedges and screens. they come in a huge number of varieties, shades and position. Whilst most trees are grown for there foliage or flower, some are praised for their bark and branch shapes. Some trees look fantastic in spring while full of flower and other burst into vibrant colour in the autumn.
LIFT AND STORE CORMS AND TUBERS
Lift and store plants such as dahlias and tuberous bedding begonias that have been hit by bad weather. store in a dry, frost-free dark place ideally in a layer of sawdust. check oc- How should you plant them? casionally over winter to ensure they are dry and rot free. remove any that look suspicious Young trees should be staked diagonally. to prevent the risk of further infection. This protects them from strong winds and ensures the roots do not get damaged. Most varieties of trees will have specific planting instructions. There is a tree that will thrive in all soil types from wet soil to poor dry land and everything in between.
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5 types of scams now targeting drivers Go Compare has warned motorists to be vigilant as new concerns that economic uncertainty, along with tightened lockdown measures designed to preventing a second wave of the pandemic, will increase fraud. The restrictions have doubled the amount of time people spend online managing their affairs. This has attracted cyber criminals who are targeting the sale of vehicles through digital sales platforms or are acting as genuine organisations and companies, including the DVLA, to steal victims’ money, personal information or to try to get them to click on links which may contain malware.
Scammers pretend to be legitimate insurance brokers to sell fake or invalid car insurance policies. Motorists are lured by the promise of cheap premiums. Fraudsters ask their victims for an upfront ‘arrangement fee’ to secure the deal. Victims of “Ghost brokers” are usually oblivious to the fact they are not insured until they submit a claim following an accident or are stopped by the police for driving without insurance. In some cases, ghost brokers also retain the victim’s card details and use these to pay for other victims’ insurance.
Coronavirus has also meant that many people are having to manage on much-reduced income – making them more vulnerable to fraudsters offering deals that are DVLA Scams to good to be true. This year DVLA warned of a 20% increase in fraudulent activity. Cyber criminals posing as the DVLA issue text message and email Fake car listings copied from legitimate car scams and set-up fake websites. Official adverts are used to incise buyers, citing coronavirus restrictions as the reason the car looking messages will have links asking for payment details to rectify failed vehicle tax can’t be viewed in face to face. Fraudsters are offering to deliver the car once money has payments or advising victims that they are been placed into a holding account, assuring due a vehicle tax refund while the websites attract motorists looking for the DVLA site to the would-be buyer that the cash will not be renew their driving licences. Criminals have released until they have seen the car and also coxed drivers into paying for services agreed the purchase. Victims are often lured that do not exist. Scams have included selling by too good to be true deals and hand over driving test passes e payment to remove large deposits to secure the vehicle. The fraudster then immediately banks the money, penalty points from driving licences. leaving their victim with nothing. Accident scams Fake car sales
Vehicle matching scams Fraudsters who cold call someone that has just placed an advert to sell their car, claiming they have an immediate buyer for the car. They then ask the seller for an upfront fee, which is refundable if the car does not sell. The car is not sold and, the refund is never paid. Insurance broker fraud (also known as ‘ghost broking’)
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Crash for cash scammers are run by criminals who stage accidents by targeting an innocent driver to become the ‘at fault driver’, to profit from fraudulent insurance claims. Common tactics are deliberately slamming on the brakes to ensure the vehicle behind crashes into them or ‘flash for cash’ scams where criminals wait for victims to exit from side roads, and flash their headlights, appearing to offer the victim a right of way to join the flow of traffic. Once the victim commits to exiting the criminals speed up and hit them side-on.
The aim is to make as much money as possible from exaggerated claims, with proceeds often used to fund more serious crimes. Fleur Lewis, Head of Fraud at GoCompare commented, “COVID-19 has changed the way we live and an increasing number of people are managing everyday activities, including shopping for goods and services, online – many for the first time. Criminals are exploiting the situation. Since lockdown was first introduced, there have been big increases in reports of cybercrime and other fraudulent activities.
Go Compare has provided the below tips to help avoid falling victim to fraud:
“The new tightened lockdown rules introduced in a bid to prevent a second wave of the pandemic coupled with continued economic uncertainty, create perfect conditions for fraudulent activity. So, we’re urging people to be extra vigilant.
If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is. For example, cars being put up for sale at a much lower price than others of the same make, model, and mileage. Or offers of very cheap insurance advertised on social media or websites. Are you being pressured to act (e.g. ‘within 24 hours’ or ‘immediately’)? “Scams are becoming increasingly Fraudsters often use threats of fines, deadsophisticated and using the internet, criminals lines or time-limited offers to pressure victims often conduct frauds by pretending to be a into responding. brand or an organisation you trust, which can make them difficult to spot. Be aware of and don’t respond to emails or texts asking for your personal details or unsoThe good news is that from making sure the licited proposals offering easy money. For exsecurity on online devices are up to date to ample, the DVLA doesn’t send text messages being able to recognise common tactics with links asking for payments nor does it employed by fraudsters - there are steps you text drivers advising of a tax refund. Think can take to help avoid falling victim to fraud.” carefully about the information you share on social media and review your privacy settings Last year, GoCompare also became the first Publicly available information about you can comparison site to join the Insurance Fraud be used by criminals to make their phishing Bureau (IFB), a not-for-profit organisation that messages more convincing. acts as a conduit of information for the insurance industry to help fight against fraud. Make sure your online devices and apps are To combat the rise in fraud, the IFB has regularly updated with the latest software, launched a national campaign, called ‘Stop which usually contain important security upthe Scams’, to help the public spot signs dates. Avoid clicking on links in emails. Go to of scams and report them to the Insurance the company or organisation’s website by Fraud Bureau (IFB) Cheatline. entering its address directly into your browser. Ben Fletcher, Director at the IFB, said: “Motor fraud is the most common type of insurEnsure you always use a secure website ance scam and the disruption of Covid-19 when you need to enter confidential or is sadly providing even more opportunities sensitive information. Look for addresses for fraudsters to target the public. We must beginning “https://” and not “http://” and the do more which is why we’ve launched an small padlock symbol. If, your browser industry-backed ad campaign called Stop the displays a security alert indicating that the Scams to help the public spot signs of site is not trusted, don’t go any further. insurance fraud. If anyone has any information about a known or potential If you suspect that you have been contacted insurance scam they can report it to the IFB’s by, or have fallen victim to a fraud, you can Cheatline* - their information could help to report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police. launch an investigation.” uk / 0300 123 2040
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Sweet potato & spinach korma
Ingredients
Method
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Heat the oil in a large lidded pan and cook the onion over a medium heat for a few minutes to soften
1 large onion, thickly sliced
Add the garlic, curry paste and spices, then cook for 1 minute until fragrant
2 garlic cloves, crushed 180g jar korma curry paste
Pour in the coconut milk, then fill the can with water and add that to the pan, along with the sweet potato
1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander
Bring the liquid just to the boil
400g can light coconut milk 500g sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 3 tbsp smooth peanut butter 400g can chick peas, drained and rinsed 3 x 125g packs baby spinach 3 tbsp desiccated coconut
Feeds 6 Ready 1 Hour
Vegan
Each serving contains Energy 19% 20 1610kj 378kcal
Pour into the pan and stir in, mixing well Bring back up to the boil, then turn down the heat, cover and simmer for 25–30 mins, until the sweet potato is tender Stir the chick peas, spinach and desiccated coconut into the curry and heat through
Plain naans, to serve
Vegetarian
Put the peanut butter in a small bowl and spoon over 2-3 tbsp of the hot coconut milk mixture, whisking in, until it’s runny
Season, then serve with the naan breads Gluten Free
Fat Med 29% 7.2g
Saturates High 51% 20g
Sugar Low 10% 11.2g
Salt Low 14% 0.71g
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Home Improvement tips
Tips And Tricks For Successful House Painting There is more to house painting than just slapping up a coat of paint. The job can be messy, amateurish if the homeowner is in a rush or impeccable and of professional quality if he or she will follow a few tricks of the trade.
Hauling out a kitchen chair to climb up on will result in slops and streaks on the unsuspecting furniture. Stir sticks are a must or the colors won’t be mixed properly
Preparation: If the surface is dirty and peeling, it must be cleaned and sanded before a new coat of latex or enamel is This is not a task to hurry through or it will applied. Paints don’t stick to dirt and instead have to be done over again sooner rather of a quick cover-up job, there may be layers than later. Without proper attention, the new coat can flake off in big disappointing peels. Un- of wet muck that fall off before a painter successful painting can mean that the entire knows it. Flakes peeling underneath will task will have to be done over again or that cause a new layer to peel away as well. Prep it will look like a sloppy eyesore for years to isn’t something to skimp on if a topnotch come. Here are some tips for the best results: result is desired. Taping around windows and woodwork is also crucial in order to keep Tools of the trade: Pros take great pride in them neat and spot-free. their tools and for good reason. Having high quality paintbrushes, ladders, stirring stick Color choice: Choosing the color will take and rollers will allow a superior result more a bit of time. It’s not as easy as it may seem. easily. Inferior quality paintbrushes may seem There are zillions of shades of a hue as like a bargain at the cash register but once simple as white. Taking swatches and the painting begins, it may become a samples home from the store will be an different story. Shedding brush-hairs left in important step. Looking at tones next to the path of the shoddy paintbrush will be a existing furnishings, lighting and woodwork pain to pick out of the newly applied layer. will help with selection. Once a hue has been settled upon, painting a sample area and Those crummy brushes will shed more than living with it for a few days will be a good a dog in the middle of summer. Without a idea. This will allow a homeowner to see what retractable ladder, a homeowner will have a it looks like at various times of the day and in hard time reaching various spots. after the certain lighting. can has set for a while. And rollers, like paintbrushes, must be of high quality for When a homeowner decides to do some proper absorption and distribution. house painting, he or she must take the time to do it right. Proper tools , preparation and color choice will be steps on the path to enhanced curb appeal. The interior and exterior of a house can be greatly improved upon with a product as seemingly simple as a can of paint.
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Path to improved health
Sports drinks are helpful if you’re planning on exercising at higher than normal levels for more than an hour. They contain carbohydrates and electrolytes that can increase your energy. They help your body absorb water. However, some sports drinks are high in calories from added sugar. They also may contain Your body is dependent on water to survive. high levels of sodium (salt). Check the serving Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body size on the label. One bottle usually contains needs water to work properly. For example, more than one serving. Some sports drinks your body uses water to maintain its temperacontain caffeine, too. Remember that a safe ture, remove waste, and lubricate your joints. amount of caffeine to consume each day is no Water is needed for overall good health. more than 400 milligrams. Look to water first You need to drink water every day. Most people have been told they should drink 6 to 8, 8-ounce glasses of water each day. That’s a reasonable goal. However, different people need different amounts of water to stay hydrated. Most healthy people can stay well hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than 8 glasses may be enough. Other people may need more than 8 glasses each day.
Energy drinks are not the same as sports drinks. Energy drinks usually contain large amounts of caffeine. Also, they contain ingredients that overstimulate you (guarana, ginseng, or taurine). These are things your body doesn’t need. Most of these drinks are also high in added sugar. According to doctors, children and teens should not have energy drinks. If staying hydrated is difficult for you, here are some tips that can help:
• Plan water is best for staying hydrated howev er other drinks and foods can help, too. Fruit • and vegetable juices, milk, and herbal teas add to the amount of water you get each day. Even caffeinated drinks (for example, coffee, • tea, and soda) can contribute to your daily water intake. A moderate amount of caffeine • (400 milligrams) isn’t harmful for most people. Here are the caffeine amounts found in popu lar drinks: • 12 ounces of soda: 30 to 40 milligrams • 8 ounces of green or black tea: 30 to 50 milligrams • • 8 ounces black coffee: 80 to 100 milligrams • 8-ounce energy drink: 40 to 250 milligrams However, it’s best to limit caffeinated drinks. Caffeine may cause some people to urinate • more frequently or feel anxious or jittery. Plus, be mindful of what you drink. Some choices may add extra calories from sugar to your diet. Water is also found in fruits and vegetables (for example, watermelon, tomatoes, and lettuce), and in soup broths. Other options
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Keep a bottle of water with you during the day. To reduce your costs, carry a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime to your drink. Drink water before, during, and after a workout. When you’re feeling hungry, drink water. Thirst is often confused with hunger. True hunger will not be satisfied by drinking water. Drinking water may also contribute to a healthy weight-loss plan. Some research suggests that drinking water can help you feel full. If you have trouble remembering to drink water, drink on a schedule. For example, drink water when you wake up, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and when you go to bed. Or, drink a small glass of water at the beginning of each hour. Drink water when you go to a restau rant. It will keep you hydrated, and it’s free.
Things to consider If you don’t drink enough water, you may become dehydrated. This means your body doesn’t have enough fluid to operate properly. Your urine can be an indicator if you’re dehydrated. If it’s colorless or light yellow, you’re well hydrated. If your urine is a dark yellow or amber color, you may be dehydrated. There are other signs that can signal you may be dehydrated. They include: • • • •
Little or no urine. Urine that is darker than usual. Dry mouth. Sleepiness or fatigue.
Some people are at higher risk of dehydration, including people who exercise at a high intensity (or in hot weather) for too long, have certain medical conditions (kidney stones, bladder infection), are sick (fever, vomiting, diarrhea), are pregnant or breastfeeding, are trying to lose weight, or aren’t able to get enough fluids during the day. Older adults are also at higher risk. As you get older, your brain may not be able to sense dehydration. It doesn’t send signals for thirst. Note that water makes up more than half of your body weight. You lose water each day when you go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when you breathe. You lose water even faster when the weather is really hot, when you’re physically active, or if you have a fever. Vomiting and diarrhea can also lead to rapid water loss. Be sure to actively drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated.
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FoodStock 2020 Launched by Bristol Charity Bristol-based food charity, FareShare South West, has announced FoodStock 2020: a campaign with the aim to build a stockpile of emergency food with the infrastructure to deliver it to critical frontline organisations through a difficult winter. The FoodStock 2020 operation, which will source food from across the food industry at scale, aims to build a stockpile big enough to distribute food for 1 million meals in just 3 months and will be housed at the charity’s secondary warehouse near Ashton Gate Stadium – formerly used by Dreams Beds. Julian Mines, CEO of FareShare South West says: “The move now to amass a stock of ambient food and begin planning the logistics of redistributing is essential to make sure our city and wider region does not go hungry in the difficult winter months ahead. We’re not waiting until a full lockdown hits or until demand spikes to astronomical levels. We’re preparing now. Whilst we hope the economic fallout and impact of a second wave are not as catastrophic as some predict, we’d be naïve not to prepare for that. Expanding by 5 times our capacity back in March 2020 to meet sudden need was only possible thanks to temporary infrastructure afforded by a number of organisations, funders offering temporary support and by financial donations from the public.
That’s now ended, and we need to ensure we have the funds, infrastructure and resource this time round to keep people fed in the winter ahead. This time around we must be more strategic, coordinated and targeted to make sure those in the most critical situations are prioritised, and we want to go further in serving and supporting frontline groups. We’re relying on the power of Bristol – a city brimming with care and compassion – to come together to help us get this centralised emergency solution to the food insecurity we anticipate, off the ground. To confirm, we are not looking for donations of food but instead for funding from local businesses, public donations where people feel able, and even volunteering – including to help us operate a food parcel packing hub, located on the mezzanine level of our secondary warehouse. This space will centralise food parcel packing for the city and wider region and allow our food to go to organisations and initiatives of all sizes.” The FareShare South West team are encouraging the Bristol public to keep an eye on their social media platforms so as not to miss upcoming announcements or calls for support as they respond to the emerging winter crisis. To donate to FoodStock 2020, visit: www.faresharesouthwest.org.uk/foodstock-2020 To learn more about FoodStock 2020, donate the campaign and find out how you can help visit: www.faresharesouthwest.org.uk/foodstock-2020
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NEW BOOK LIFTS LID ON BRISTOL COUNCIL AND GOVERNMENT A Bristol City Councillor has written a book lifting the lid on local and national politics, concluding that government is broken. Clive Stevens, who has represented Clifton Down as a Green Councillor for four-and-ahalf years gives an insight into how political decisions are made in After The Revolution, published by Bristol independent publishers Tangent Books. In over 400 pages he sets out lessons from local government on designing a dynamic democracy and along the way gives the inside story of many council decisions over the last five years. The work has had ringing praise even from his political opponents with Labour’s Councillor Paul Smith, who has just stepped down as housing chief on the council saying in an online review: “It is a telling study of the limitations and possibilities of local government in Britain today, the role of elected councillors, how to navigate the system and importantly how it could be changed to work better for the people. An essential read for any in local government and anyone trying to work with it (or battle against it).” Clive, who has worked in business and academia and been involved in local activism, introduces “the mathematics of power” which he says is driving politics at this time. This is the fact that to gain and stay in power political parties only have to keep 30% of the population on board and have fallen into a system where they spend their time in power repaying those 30% rather than always acting for the greater good. Clive says rewarding self-interest groups to the detriment of broader society is sadly not new. “We get the behaviour from politicians we deserve if we are content with them gaining and keeping power when voted in by as little as 30% of the electorate,” he added. “Our leaders have to favour those who have put them into that position – whether it be the CBI or the unions – and will ultimately have to pay them back (with our money).
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“Sadly, that means other groups don’t get their share of the funding as a result.” Clive believes as we take stock of a postCovid world, now is the time to insist on proportional representation to restore and enable new thinking about democracy. The book has numerous examples from local and national government which support his theory. “Voters need to see what’s going on, care about it, and be involved with finding the solutions. “That starts with openness of information, scrutiny and selecting a representative selection of citizens to be involved in local and national decision making. “We will still need elected representatives, but in addition the public will be involved in citizens’ assemblies discussing the huge questions of the day. “The public will help determine local issues too. They will be selected to reflect all demographics and be paid for their time.” After the revolution: lessons from local government on designing a dynamic democracy is available from Tangent Books www.tangentbooks.co.uk £20 (ISBN 978-1-910089-94-1). Contact: richard@tangentbooks.co.uk
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