• On 4 Jan 2023
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• Food And Drink, Vegetarian
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Which Are The Best Ingredients For Veganuary Recipes?

On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out tips from experts at Bulk.com for which are the best ingredients to include in your veganuary recipes.

I’ve been vegetarian since the age of 13, and I absolutely love to cook. I love everything about food from choosing the ingredients, to chopping them up, to mixing them… and absolutely I love the eating of them. Veganuary is a great chance for other people to experiment with plant based diets, so I am taking a look at top tips from experts for how to get the best ingredients for your veganuary recipes.

Veganuary

If Brits want to participate in Veganuary this year, a new analysis has identified the most popular plant-based ingredients they should include in their next food purchase.

Bulk.com, a leading UK food website, revealed the ranking, which is based on the best winter plant-based recipes and seasonal search trend data to predict how many people will participate in Vegananuary in 2023.

Veganuary comprises of a yearly 31-day challenge that urges individuals to follow a plant-based diet in January, with an end goal to reduce their animal product consumption. Many people are reluctant to try plant-based dishes as they expect them to be less tasty – with studies suggesting that going vegan can change your taste perceptions. 

Veganuary Recipes

Bulk.com looked at over 50 seasonal plant-based dishes to find out which ingredients are most common in the best-rated recipes and which ones should be skipped over to make the transition easier for new vegans.

According to the data, garlic was the most common ingredient in the nation’s favorite vegan recipes. This ingredient has seen a huge rise in popularity over the past year as a result of videos showing how to pickle, roast, and confit it.

27 of the 50 most popular recipes contained garlic. Garlic consumption has gained popularity as well as numerous health benefits for the winter months; it contains allicin, which helps increment the quantity of infection battling Lymphocytes in your circulation system, supporting your safe framework.

Ginger and lemon, which were used in 9 of the 50 recipes, coriander, soy sauce, and thyme were two other herbs, spices, and flavorings that were particularly well-liked.

The fact that olive oil, which is high in a variety of antioxidants, came in second place in vegan recipes is even more good news for those who enjoy roasted or confited garlic.

Top Ten Ingredients In Vegan Recipes

1. Garlic (27 /50)
2. Olive oil (26 /50)
3. Carrot (18 /50)
4. Onion (14 /50) 
5. Vegetable stock (11 /50)
6. Ginger (9 /50)
7. Lemon (9 /50)
8. Butternut squash (8 /50)
9. Coriander (8 /50)
10. Chickpeas (6 /50)

Vegan Protein

Another widespread belief is that vegan food is less nutritious, causing British consumers to worry that they won’t get enough protein.

The nutritional value of each dish was also looked at in the recipe analysis. While some meal options were lower in protein than others, many could easily help Brits meet their recommended intake of 45 grams for women and 55 grams for men.

This corresponds to the requirement of 15-18 grams of protein per meal, which is met by 22% of the best recipes and exceeded by 18%. It was found that pasta-based dishes had the highest protein content.

Trying Veganuary

“While changing your diet can be daunting, it can be a great way to test your endurance and to try something different for a little while – with the list of top ingredients providing the perfect shopping list for Veganuary,” said an expert from Bulk.com. “If you’re unsure whether incorporating plant-based dishes into your diet can help you meet your nutritional requirements, there are plenty of options available to alleviate the pressure, such as plant-based protein bars, B12 supplements and multivitamins.”

The brand looked at search trend data over the past ten years to see how much Veganuary searches rise each January to predict how many Brits will try going vegan this year.

With 157,338 Brits confirmed to have participated in last year’s challenge, we anticipate at least 91,256 more people will give it a shot this time around. The data show that on average, interest in Veganuary rises by 58% in January each year.

Sources: Google Trends, The UK’s Leading Recipe site, and The Official Veganuary Participation Survey. 

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• On 3 Jan 2023
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• Travel
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Which Lucky Holiday Destinations Should We Visit In 2023?

On the JJ Barnes blog, I check out research into lucky holiday destinations to visit in 2023, and which one is the most popular.

If you’re in the fortunate enough position to be able to afford a holiday in 2023, why not pick somewhere that is supposed to bring you luck? I’m pretty sure most of us could do with some after the last few years have kicked us all firmly in the junk repeatedly.

So, I decided to check out research into which holiday destinations are supposed to bring most luck to visitors, and which one is the most popular.

Lucky Holiday Destinations

There are a number of places around the world that are known to bring luck to all who visit, whether you want to attract love, money, or just good vibes for the coming year. The question is, which lucky European hotspot is the most popular?

Besteonlinecasinos.com looked at TripAdvisor reviews and online searches for popular lucky places all over the world to find out. This incorporated the quantity of surveys, number of Instagram hashtags and worldwide normal month to month search volumes. The 10 most popular European destinations were selected after these factors were averaged to produce a popularity score out of 10.

Most Popular Lucky Destinations

Trevi Fountain

With a popularity score of 9.7 out of 10, the Trevi Fountain is the most popular place to attract prosperity. The fountain is one of three locations in Italy that make the top ten. The is highest ranking for TripAdvisor surveys at 103,054 and the second highest for Instagram hashtags with 626,666 tagged travelers’ trips on the popular fountain.

The number of coins you throw over your left shoulder into the fountain determines the level of luck you experience during your visit. It is said that one coin will bring you back to Rome, two coins will bring you back to find love, and three coins will not only bring you back to Rome to find love but will also guarantee you good luck when you get married.

Hagia Sophia

With a popularity rating of 9.4 out of 10, Hagia Sophia comes in close second. With 337,000 monthly searches, the stunning Byzantine Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, attracts the most visitors from Europe looking for good fortune. The so-called “Wishing Column” can be found inside the mosque. People who stick their thumbs into the hole in the pillar and spin it around in a full circle are said to receive luck from the column’s healing liquid.

Charles Bridge

With a score of 9.1 out of 10, Charles Bridge is the third most famous lucky destination in Europe. It has the highest number of Instagram hashtags (724,428), the highest number not only in Europe but also among all of the locations analyzed worldwide. The 30 statues that line the Bridge, which was built in the early 14th century, add to the beauty of the Czech countryside. Rubbing the St. John of Nepomuk statue is said to bring you back to Prague, and rubbing the plaque with a dog at the foot of a knight will bring you luck.

Blarney Castle

Ireland’s Blarney Castle comes in fourth with 7.2/10. The castle is one of only two lucky Irish locations in the top 10, along with the Hill of Tara (3.8/10), which is in the eighth spot. According to Instagram hashtags, the castle receives over 102,000 posts and receives 40,000 global online searches each month. Blarney Castle’s luck is presented by leaning yourself back (through a railing) to kiss the stone, which thusly provides you with the ‘gift of the gab’ otherwise called the capacity to smoothly talk.

Casa di Giulietta

Casa di Giulietta, or House of Juliet, ranks fourth in terms of popularity. Casa di Giulietta has received over 12,000 reviews and 81,259 posts, as indicated by hashtags on Instagram. In the open courtyard of the House of Juliet, which is attached to the well-known Juliet’s balcony, tourists and locals alike write letters of love and stick them to the walls in the hope that Juliet will help them achieve their happy ending. If you want more luck, you can rub the bronze Juliet statue in the courtyard.

Methodology

1. Besteonlinecasinos.com sought to discover the most popular European destinations to visit to bring luck and prosperity into your life.  
2. A seed list of 30 ‘lucky’ locations was established from reputable online sites such as Town&CountryMag.com and ReadersDigest.com.
3. Three metrics were chosen to establish the popularity of the listed locations; number of Instagram hashtags, number of TripAdvisor reviews and number of global google online search volumes.
4. The total number of reviews were collated via TripAdvisor.
5. The total number of hashtags were collated via Instagram.
6. Each location was entered into search analytics tool Ahrefs to discover the average global monthly search volumes.
7. These factors were combined into a weighted average to create a popularity score out of 10. Each destination was then ranked according to the popularity score.

Data collection was completed on 14th December 2022.

The full dataset can be found here.

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• On 2 Jan 2023
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• Home And Garden
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How To Protect Your Home From Winter Damage

On the JJ Barnes Blog, insurance experts A-Plan Insurance take you through their top tips on protecting your home this winter, and ensuring you don’t have to splash the cash on potential repairs.

The weather is getting colder, and that means our houses are in danger of damage from cold and wet. I’m checking out advice from A-Plan Insurance for how to Winter proof our homes so we don’t have to spend extra money fixing problems!

Why We Need To Protect Our Homes

• A Met Office survey conducted in 2021 found that a lack of preparation causes 40% of Brits to be “caught out” by winter.
• In the event that the weather worsens this winter, more than a third of the population is likely to be unprepared. In addition, during the winter months, 19% of people experienced a broken boiler and more than 25% experienced power outages!
• Sadly for us Brits, January and February are eminent for being the ‘wetter months’. To keep your home and health safe this winter, you can and should take some precautions.

How To Protect Your Home

1. Make sure your boiler is serviced if you haven’t already. According to British Gas, the busiest period for boiler repair calls is from December to January; the company receives approximately 45,000 calls during Christmas week alone!
   
2. Radiators should be bled, and pipes should be insulated.
   
3. Seal keyholes, drafty chimneys, and letterboxes that don’t fit right.
   
4. Keep the heat in and the cold out by closing the doors to rooms you don’t use!
   
5. If you want to keep that extra bit of heat in your home, think about installing thermal blinds or lining beneath your curtains.
   
6. Insulate! Fill and seal and use rugs because uninsulated walls and attics account for half of a home’s heat loss and no flooring insulation accounts for 10%.
   
7. Prepare a supply of sandbags in case of a flood.
   
8. Flood guards should be used on exterior doors and ventilation bricks should a high level of surface water be anticipated.
   
9. Cover your outdoor faucets and install non-return valves on your drains and pipes.
   
10. Your boiler, fuse box, and even television should all be wall-mounted at least 1.5 meters above the ground.

How To Avoid Burst Pipes

Did you know that one of the most frequently filed claims by insurers is for damage caused by “escape of water”? According to the Association of British Insurers, the average claim for damage caused by a burst pipe is between £6,500 and £7,500.

Despite the fact that water damage is typically covered by your building’s insurance, it is preferable to prevent it in the first place. The Big Freeze poses an additional threat during the winter, but “escape of water” can occur at any time of the year. Most of the time, pipes that run along exterior walls and are exposed to outside temperatures tend to freeze more easily.

How To Prepare Your Pipes For Winter

• Lag water tanks and pipes in unheated interior spaces like garages and lofts.
• On chilly days, open the loft trap door to let heat circulate.
• For additional lagging, wrap fragile pipes in electric heat tape.
• Guarantee there are no breaks or holes around the lines that enter your home and fill any you find.
• Disengage open air things like hoses.
• Make sure you know where your stopcock is and that you can turn it off if you need to.
• If you’re going to be away for Christmas, keep the heating on at regular intervals, either on low or on a timer. If you are going to be away, have a friend or neighbor check the temperature of your home on a regular basis.
• Verify that your boiler has undergone maintenance.
• Turn off the water at the stopcock and think about draining the system so there is no more water in the pipes if your property is going to be unoccupied for a longer period of time.

If you find your pipes are frozen, switch your water off at the fundamental stopcock straight away. Verify that no pipes have burst. If not, either wait for them to warm up or use a low-wattage hairdryer, hot water bottles, or a towel soaked in hot water to thaw them, starting at the end closest to the tap.

If you discover a burst pipe, turn off the water at the main stopcock and open all the faucets to drain the system. Turn off the central heating and any other water heating systems. Advice on arranging professional repairs and filing a claim on your home insurance can be obtained from your home insurance service.

Risk Of Flooding

One in six homes in the UK is thought to be vulnerable to flooding. The flood risk to property will only be reduced by 11%, despite the Government’s announcement of a record £5.2 billion investment in improved flood protection for homes and businesses over the next five years, which will assist in avoiding the enormous £32 billion in flood-related economic damages.

The property damage can be catastrophic, especially for those without insurance.

The ABI estimates that the average household flood claim for Storms Ciara and Dennis in 2020 is approximately £32,000. According to NFU Mutual, insurance claims from 2022’s Storm Arwen totaled a staggering £80 million.

Many homes are woefully underinsured, which is exacerbated by the significant rise in building materials, such as timber prices rising by 23% in a month and other materials rising by 10% to 15%. This could mean that repairs this year could cost even more, so make sure your cover is up to date right away.

What Should I Do In The Event Of Flooding?

For flood warnings, make sure you’re on the UK Government mailing list (or here if you’re in Scotland). Additionally, you can check the government website..

Put your sandbags and other temporary flood protections in place if your area is on high alert. Turn off the gas, electricity, and water supplies if you can, and move valuables, including important documents, upstairs. Additionally, turn off water-consuming appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine.

If you are asked to leave, be ready to evacuate right away, including your pets.

Only return when you are told it is safe to do so, as leaving too late could leave you stranded upstairs with no way out.

If you’re in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise, if you’re flooded, the dedicated Floodline number to phone for advice is 0345 988 1188 (0300 2000 100 in Northern Ireland), and it’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have no insurance providing cover for alternative accommodation, you may be able to get temporary accommodation by contacting your local council who will come to inspect your home and assess whether you’re eligible.

Important: Before you start the cleanup, you need to call your insurance company. They will tell you what to do next and whether you can file a claim. Due to the possibility of biohazards, it is essential to consult with your insurer prior to cleaning.

Will Home Insurance Cover Winter Damage?

The response is essentially “it depends on the damage.”

For your personal belongings, you’ll need home insurance called “contents,” and buildings insurance will cover your home in the event of a storm that damages your roof or causes a leak that damages it.

You can file a claim for the damage to your furniture, electrical items, and other belongings if it is caused by an event, such as a pipe burst or storm flooding. However, you will need to determine how much coverage you have.

Note: You won’t be covered for this under a standard buildings and contents policy because it can be very difficult to obtain insurance for a property that has been flooded before. A-Plan has agreements with specialized providers that allow us to provide flood insurance for homes at risk with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Call the team directly at 01865 241 241 to speak with one of our flood specialists, who will be happy to provide you with general guidance and explain your options. Contact your local branch to see if your current home and contents insurance policy covers you adequately. They will be happy to go over the details with you.

The research was carried out by A-Plan Insurance, which has more than 100 high street branches nationwide. The company, established in the 1960s, provides a personalised service to more than 600,000 clients.  

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• On 1 Jan 2023
• By Admin
• Food And Drink
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Biscuitology – Which Is The Best Biscuit For Your Tea?

On the JJ Barnes Blog, as more than 8 in 10 Brits have a snack with their tea, I check out tips from a tea expert for how to pick the right biscuit to have with your cup of tea.

If you’ve been over indulging on the wine this Christmas, like me, you might well be swapping your favourite tipple for a sensible and warming mug of tea instead now January has arrived. But with so many types of tea on the market, it seems sensible to make sure you’re choosing the exact right treat to enhance your experience.

Tea And Biscuits

According to a survey conducted for the UK Tea and Infusions Association (UKTIA; www.tea.co.uk), the British are known for their love of tea, but they also love biscuits a lot. More than half (55 percent) of respondents to the real-world survey consume savory or sweet biscuits with their tea. In fact, a third of them admit to snacking on multiple biscuits simultaneously! Only 14% of Brits never take their tea with food.

“While sweet biscuits are the go-to snack for more than four in 10 tea drinkers, other popular options are savoury biscuits, a piece of cake, or a sandwich,” said Dr Sharon Hall, Chief Executive of the UKTIA. “Just over one in 10 (14%) enjoys their cuppa with lunch or evening meal. A healthy one in 20 (5%) have a piece of fruit, while samosas or granola bars are popular amongst younger tea drinkers aged 18-29 years.

“However, it’s worth knowing that the delicate flavour of some teas can get easily overwhelmed by buttery or chocolatey biscuits, so there is definitely a science to choosing the right biscuit for your cuppa. Whether you prefer a mug of regular builder’s tea or enjoy a refined cup of Earl Grey, there’s a biscuit pairing for you”.

Healthy Option

In addition, people are unsure whether tea itself contains calories, despite the fact that the calories in our snacks can quickly add up. The UKTIA survey found that more than seven out of ten respondents incorrectly stated that tea without milk or sugar contains between 1 and 150 calories, with the majority picking the 1-50 range.

“As the nation gets to grip with pandemic weight gain, it’s good to know that black, green and herbal teas are all naturally calorie-free,” Dr Sharon Hall explained. “We know from our survey that most people (67%) add a splash of dairy or plant milk to their tea – which would deliver only around 15 calories, making tea a healthy option for those trying to watch their weight.

“Sugar is a different matter and can add 16 calories for each teaspoon. Just under a third of people in our survey take sugar in their tea”.

Which Biscuit Goes With Which Tea?

So, from a flavour perspective, which type of biscuit goes best with which tea? Dr Sharon Hall offers SEVEN delicious pairings:

Regular black tea

For the traditional British cuppa, taken with or without milk, Dr Hall recommends a chocolate digestive. “Pairing up the nation’s favourite tea with their favourite biscuit make sense. Both are comforting and a good excuse to take 10 minutes out of the day”.

Earl Grey

The citrus flavour of the Bergamot oil used to make this historic tea goes beautifully with the orange tang of a Jaffa Cake. Dr Hall says: “While the debate about whether a Jaffa is really a biscuit or a cake continues, there’s no doubt that this pairing will delight your taste buds”.

Green tea

Dr Hall advises: “The clean, grassy – and often sweet – notes of green tea can get overpowered by buttery or chocolatey biscuits so choose something fruity instead, like a fig roll or Garibaldi biscuit”.

Chamomile

“This soothing bedtime brew – with flavours of apple, vanilla and honey – can be paired with a familiar, childhood favourite, such as a malted milk biscuit”, says Dr Hall.

Peppermint

“Mint and chocolate pairings go really well in other food combinations”, notes Dr Hall, “which is why an Oreo cookie is a tasty pairing for a refreshing cup of peppermint tea”.

Red bush (Rooibos)

More people are opting for a caffeine-free red bush brew at night. Dr Hall suggests: “For those who fancy a nibble with it, the oats and syrup flavour of a hobnob complement the nutty, woody notes of rooibos”.

Liquorice

“Putting a traditional slice of buttery shortbread with a cup of liquorice tea may seem unusual but it’s worth the experience”, says Dr Hall. “Liquorice has an aromatic taste and is vibrant enough to cut through the sugary-sweetness of shortbread”.

What is the UK Tea & Infusions Association?

The independent, non-profit United Kingdom Tea & Infusions Association (UKTIA) supports the industry and works to promote tea and herbal infusions and their unique story to consumers, the media, and key stakeholders.

UKTIA supports the supply chains for tea and herbal infusions on behalf of the major countries in the world that produce and export tea, UK tea packers, and related UK businesses. Support and information of a technical, scientific, and regulatory nature are provided by the UKTIA. UKTIA is the voice of the English tea and herbals industry.

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• On 31 Dec 2022
• By Admin
• Entertainment, News
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Stanley Tucci Has Been Crowned The 2nd Sexiest Bald Man Alive

On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out research into the sex appeal of famous bald men, and discover that Stanley Tucci is the second sexiest bald man alive, despite his show being canceled.

Stanley Tucci has had a busy year: his show “Searching for Italy” was cancelled by CNN, he was named the second sexiest bald man alive, and he recently spoke about all of these things on Jimmy Fallon.

Sexiest Bald Man Alive

“In this study we looked at a wide number of factors such as facial golden ratio, Twitter sentiment analysis (looking at over 2.45 million tweets!), net worth and height,” explained a spokesperson from Reboot SEO Agency. “These factors were then used to create an index score out of 10. Furthermore, Reboot SEO Agency also looked at the cranial shine factor for each individual.”

1. Vin Diesel – Sexy Score 6.46/10

Vin Diesel is named the sexiest bald man of 2022 for taking the crown from Prince William’s gorgeous bald head! You might be wondering how that could be? The actor scored very highly on almost all of the index factors, in addition to his obvious sex appeal.

With a cranial luminance of 563.65 cd/m2, the study demonstrates that Vin Diesel’s head is rather shiny, reflecting light at 70.46 percent of that of a standard light bulb. He also stands 1.82 meters (5.9 feet) taller than the average man. He received a sexy score of 6.46 out of 10 for all of these things and a few more.

2. Stanley Tucci – Sexy Score 6.33/10

Twitter users will be pleased to learn that Stanley Tucci has been named the second sexiest bald man in 2022! In fact, 17% of tweets about Mr. Tucci praise his attractiveness. His facial features show a golden ratio proximity of 75.83 percent, second only to Jason Statham’s of 78.09 percent. Stanley Tucci received a sexy score of 6.33 out of 10 overall.

3. Shemar Moore – Sexy Score 6.25/10

With a sexy score of 6.25/10, the S.W.A.T. actor Shemar Moore comes in third place. Shemar Moore has a head that is even shinier than Vin Diesel’s, reflecting light at 71.85% of that of a standard light bulb, in addition to the fact that he exudes confidence, which makes him very attractive (not to mention the police uniforms he wears on set). In addition, he is portrayed as sexy in 30.24 percent of all tweets that mention him, which is the highest percentage for that index factor.

4. Pitbull – Sexy Score 6.16/10

With a sexy score of 6.16/10, Mr. Worldwide, also known as Pitbull, comes in fourth place. The international singer has a golden ratio of 67.69 percent, according to the facial analysis. According to Twitter data, Pitbull is the second sexiest bald man, after Shemar Moore, with 21.59% of tweets depicting him as attractive.

5. Prince William – Sexy Score 6.13/10

While Prince William may be crowned king of the bald men in 2021, his sexy score of 6.13/10 places him fifth in 2022. According to the study, 15.69% of all tweets about Prince William portray him as sexy. With a height of 1.91 meters (6.2 feet), the Prince of Wales ranks second tallest among the study’s top 10 finalists, behind only Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who stands at 1.96 meters (6.4 feet).

Other Sexy Bald Men

An honorary mention to Floyd Mayweather Jr. who scored 2.29/10 in the ‘sexiest bald men of 2022’ study, putting him in 11th place. 

Methodology

1. Reboot SEO Agency performed a multivariate study to identify the sexiest bald celebrity. The research utilises social media analytics consisting of over 2.45 million tweets along with an anthropometric analysis using computer vision algorithms to compute the geometric golden ratio proximity for each celebrity.
2. Firstly, a seed list of notable bald celebrities was used to scrape over 2.45 million tweets dating from 2017 onwards. Tweets were required to contain either the official twitter handle or a popular hashtag for each celebrity.
3. One-hot encoding was subsequently applied to identify tweets containing words, as well as emojis, synonymous with sexy. The resulting dataset was aggregated to compute the percentage of all tweets containing sexual references as well as the average number of likes for those tweets.
4. Images required for the computation of the geometric golden ratio proximity for each celebrity were then collected. The inherent face variability from a multitude of confounding factors including varying expressions, illuminations and poses increase entropy within our model. The relative impact of such factors is controlled and mitigated through strict photo selection criteria ensuring a standardised sample of up to 3 images per person per year.
5. A computer vision algorithm was then used to identify facial landmarks of prominent facial features. Subsequently, ratios between the computed landmarks were then used to approximate the geometric golden ratio of each image. Each celebrity’s golden ratio approximation was then determined as the average ratio across all samples for that celebrity.
6. The cranium luminance was then computed following the methodology described on Wikipedia – relative luminance. The methodology was applied specifically to a cropped image of the celebrity’s head.

Note: insufficient reflectance from Prince William’s cranium meant cranial luminance could not be computed.

• The social media analytics along with golden ratio approximations and additional statistics such as height and net worth were used to create an index score out of 10.

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• On 29 Dec 2022
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• Health And Beauty
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Discover The Healthiest Countries In Europe… And What We Can Learn From Them

On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out a new study by Snuff Store which revealed that Sweden is the healthiest country in Europe, and what they’re doing right!

Getting healthy in the new year is a pretty standard goal, whether you’re into new years resolutions or not! The decadence and, let’s be honest, laziness of Christmas means most of us are feeling a bit bloated, a bit gross, and in need to a shake up to our bodies.

So, if we’re going to get healthy, why not take inspiration from the healthiest countries in Europe? What are they doing that gives them the healthiest lifestyles?

The Healthiest Countries In Europe

Research by Snuff Store analysed multiple factors, including: 

• Percentage of the population that smoke 
• Obesity rate  
• Life expectancy  
• Litres of alcohol drunk per year, per capita  
• Percentage of the population reporting chronic depression  
• Number of doctors per 1,000 people  
• Percentage of the population that are inefficiently physically active when compared to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended level of activity. 

Each country received a score out of ten for each factor, which was added up to generate a health index score. The country is healthier the higher the score.

1. Sweden – Health index – 48.53

Sweden has the highest for quality of life but, according to the data, it’s also one of the healthiest countries. With the lowest number of smokers in the whole of Europe, Sweden has one of the lowst obesity rates, and the second-highest life expectancy at 83. Low obesity rates can be attributed to the low levels of physical inactivity, and the fact that in Sweden they drink less alcohol than most of Europe.  

2. Finland – Health index – 47.37

Finland has very low rates of smoking, with less than 10% of the population smoking. Finland, like its Scandinavian neighbors, has a long life expectancy and low obesity rates. According to the World Health Organization, only 16% of the Finnish population is insufficiently active, making them one of the most physically active nations.

3. Moldova – Health index – 45.40

Moldova ranks third in terms of health. This is because it has the second lowest rate of obesity in Europe. The WHO estimates that the proportion of the population that is insufficiently active is the lowest in Europe, which could account for these low levels.

4. Belarus – Health index – 45.11

Belarus has one of the lowest rates of inactivity, and the country has over 23,000 sports facilities, or 2.5 for every 1,000 people, so it’s clear that there is plenty of activity for everyone to do. They additionally have five doctors for each 1,000 individuals, which is better than expected. Belarusians do drink and smoke more than anyone else; nonetheless, it actually has a below average obestity rate and low degrees of depression.

5. Norway –  Health index – 44.35

Norway has one of the lowest smoking rates in Europe at 10%, despite having the highest rate among Scandinavian nations. Additionally, Norwegians consume less alcohol than the majority of other nations and have a 23% obesity rate, which is lower than the national average. Because of these factors, Norway ranks among Europe’s healthiest nations.

6. Iceland – Health index – 44.29

With only 7.5% of the population classified as being smokers, Iceland has the second lowest percentage of smokers in Europe. In addition, Iceland has a high life expectancy of 82 years and adopts healthier lifestyle choices, including a lower alcohol consumption rate.

7. Switzerland – Health index – 43.77

Switzerland has the highest life expectancy, at 84 years, and the third lowest obesity rate in Europe. The Swiss likewise report lower levels of depression and have more than average doctors for every 1,000 individuals.

8. France – Health index – 43.63

France has the highest number of doctors per 1,000 people in Europe and a 21% obesity rate. Compared to the rest of Europe, only 17% of people smoke, which places it in the top 10 but is still lower than average.

9. Belgium – Health index – 43.19

Belgium ranks ninth in Europe in terms of health. This is because it has lower than average depression rates, a long life expectancy, and low rates of smoking. Additionally, the healthcare system in Belgium is excellent, with six doctors for every 1,000 people.

10. United Kingdom – Health index – 42.96

The UK is the tenth healthiest country in Europe. Smoking rates in the UK are 15% which is lower than much of Europe, however, the UK has a higher obesity rate at 27%, this could be due to the higher percentage of the population who are insufficiently active. Despite this life expectancy is 82 years which is one of the highest. 

What Can We Learn?

“The focus on health and lifestyle has been at the forefront of conversation for a while now, as much of the continent has seen obesity rates rising as people become less active and taking up unhealthy habits. It’s clear to see that in healthier nations there is more activity, less smoking and drinking and thus, in most cases, lower levels of depression,” explained a spokesperson from Snuff Store

“In Scandinavia, the low levels of smoking can be partly put down to the availability of smokeless nicotine products that have helped bring smoking levels down and thus medical issues associated with cigarettes. Europe has an average obesity rate of 22% which is much below the global average, which is calculated at 39% of people being obese or overweight. 

Overall Europe has some clear health indicators that give insight into the consistent work that governments are doing to create healthier nations. However, there is still plenty of action that people can take to increase their personal health and live longer and better lives” 

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• On 28 Dec 2022
• By Admin
• Mental Health
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Top Tips To Reduce Stress From The Cost Of Living Crisis

On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out top tips for how we can learn to cope with cost of living crisis induced stress, from experts at Simply CBD.

Most of us are feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis. With the cold weather, food prices are going up, and the cost of Christmas, things are only getting more stressful. If, like me, you don’t feel like you can take any more stress, this isn’t a good sign.

How To Cope With Stress

So, in hopes we can all find ways to cope, I’ve checked out some advice from the CBD experts at Simply CBD who have shared some suggestions relaxation and de-stressing techniques that can be incorporated into your weekly routine.

According to a new analysis, over the course of the past month, searches in the UK for “reduce stress” increased by 216 percent, demonstrating how desperate we Brits are for solutions to feelings of overwhelming stress. In fact, in the UK, searches for “is stress normal” have increased by 635 percent in the past month, demonstrating how concerned we are about stress levels and how it can affect our health.

Self Care

Stress and anxiety can be greatly reduced by focusing on self-care and being aware of your own needs. A few types of taking care of oneself incorporate keeping a reasonable eating regimen and supporting a solid rest plan, however it is ourselvees which are most frequently neglected.

Pampering does not have to cost a fortune. Put off spa treatments and vacations; You can easily pamper yourself at home:

• Take a hot shower or bath.
• Put on a face mask and curl up with a good book. Spending time away from the blue light from your phone helps you relax.
• Burn some candles and listen to a podcast about meditation.
• Give yourself a treat by cooking your favorite meal at home.

Exercise

Finding the time to get a good workout in can often be the release from a lot of stress that has been stored up, despite the fact that the thought of exercising can sometimes be exhausting, especially when we are working long hours.

The only thing that prevents you from releasing tension and producing endorphins, also known as the body’s natural painkillers, is sometimes getting past the mental barrier of engaging in physical activity.

There are numerous ways to fit in an hour of increased heart rate, and the exercise does not necessarily need to be intense:

• Go for a walk. Whether you’re with friends, family, or just yourself, getting some exercise and some fresh air will do wonders for your health.
• Take part in a local exercise class. If you don’t want to work out hard, low-intensity classes like Yoga and Pilates are great options.
• Take part in an exercise class online! – You will be pleased to know that there are thousands of online classes and free pre-recorded workout videos that you can do in the comfort of your own home if going outside to exercise makes you dread it.

Listen To Music

We are all aware of how important brain health is, and listening to music gives the brain a complete workout. You have the ability to:

• Decrease blood pressure
• Enhance memory
• Reduce stress.
• Increase quality of sleep

Not only can it lower stress, but it can also improve mood and make it easier to express emotions. There are so many different kinds of music to choose from, so pick whatever makes you feel good and gets you out of a funk!

Find Hobbies

You are allowing your body to remind itself of something you enjoy and take pride in by experimenting with hobbies that you may have put off. Hobbies are a great way to get away from the stresses of everyday life and can be the ideal way to unwind.

It’s never too late to find a hobby if you’re having trouble coming up with one! You are already one step closer to expanding your knowledge, broadening your range of skills, keeping your brain active, and taking your mind off of all things stressful by making a list of all the hobbies you would love to try.

Turn Off Your Phone And Avoid Social Media

It’s hard to imagine life without technology in a world where everything is available at the touch of a button. However, keeping up with everything on social media can sometimes be exhausting and lead to unhealthy comparisons.

You can avoid the constant updates and concentrate solely on other activities that might bring you joy by turning off your phone or limiting how much time you spend on social media. You could be reading your favorite books, spending time with family and friends, pampering yourself, or just taking a nap—whatever relieves stress from your day—instead of being distracted by technology!

I Hope This Helped

As a massive stress head who constantly finds things to worry about, which is particularly easy right now, I’m definitely going to follow some of these tips. Learning to destress is so important, so I hope this will help you too!

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• On 27 Dec 2022
• By Admin
• Entertainment
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Top 10 Most Popular Second Hand Games And Consoles In 2022

On the JJ Barnes blog, I check out research that shows 62% of gamers in the UK are turning their habit of buying new games to hunting second hand games due to tighter budgets for gaming amid the cost of living crisis. 

Life is busy and hard, and games are a lot of fun, but with the cost of living crisis stealing away our budgets it can be really hard to find affordable entertainment. With multiple children who all want to play different games, this is increasingle true!

Theslotbuzz.com was intrigued to discover which game and console are the most popular among gamers in the second-hand market with International Games Month seeing a 60% increase in pre-owned game searches on Google*. They did this by scraping recent sales of 15 gaming consoles and 60 of the most popular games on a well-known global resale e-commerce website. This revealed the best-selling used games and gaming consoles in 2022!

*Used/pre-owned/second hand sales only in the last 90 days

Most Popular Second Hand Games

Minecraft

With 5,700 used items sold in the last three months, the most of any game reviewed, Minecraft is the most popular game on the used market. It should not come as a surprise that Minecraft ranked first in the second-hand market as well, given that it is the game that has sold the most copies across all platforms. On average, pre-owned Minecraft PS4 editions cost £11, which is 50% less than the cost of a brand-new official copy.

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare II

Call of Duty comes in a close second: 5,500 used games of Modern Warfare II were recently sold on the second-hand market. This first-person shooter, a sequel to the smash hit Modern Warfare from 2019, has only been out for a month, but it already ranks among the most streamed games this month. This used game sold for £46 on average, which is only 10% less than buying a brand-new one.

GTA 5

With 4,500 used games recently sold online, Grand Theft Auto V, also known as GTA 5, comes in third place. After debuting earlier this year on the PS5 and Xbox One platforms, Rockstar’s enduring game has once more made headlines. Gamers can save more than 27% compared to purchasing a brand-new GTA V PS5 at an average selling price of £18.

Most Popular Second Hand Consoles

PlayStation 4

With 13,000 used PlayStation 4 consoles sold online in the last 90 days, PlayStation 4 is now the most popular gaming console in the second-hand market thanks to its successful launch.

Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS, which will be discontinued and taken off the market in 2020, is not surprising to be the second most sought-after console in the used market, with 12,000 used consoles recently used. According to Statista, it was first released in 2004 and is currently the second most popular console worldwide, with 154 million sales.

Nintendo Switch

With 11,000 used consoles sold worldwide, Nintendo’s Switch gaming device ranked third. This one-of-a-kind console, which came out in 2017, lets people play games at home and on the go.

Second Hand Gaming

“Although I am mostly traveling, I am also huge on gaming.” said Martin Betch, the co-founder of Hi-van, a company specialized in travel van life,and a huge gaming fan who loves traveling, sharing his reasons for choosing second hand gaming with Theslotbuzz.com. “I carry my Nintendo Switch and my Xbox One everywhere I go! Second-hand games and consoles are becoming increasingly popular as people try to save money during the cost of living crisis. As a traveler, I try to be frugal with my costs but it’s really hard to be. Petrol’s price has more than doubled since a year ago, most consumer goods have become more expensive and restaurants have become very expensive. We cannot afford to buy AAA video games anymore. The new Modern Warfare 2 costs 69.99$! 

Of course, I am not going to spend 70 bucks on a game even though I love the series. That’s why I turn to buying games second-hand. Many people accidentally buy extra codes for their games when they get them new and sell them on eBay for cheap. But not always, so I just wait for the sales to come by.”

Methodology

1. Theslotbuzz.com was interested to find out which secondhand game and gaming console was the most sought-after.

2. To do this, they first collated a seed list of 61 most popular games right now in 2022 after referencing many reputable sites such as Ranker, npd, gaminggorilla, etc. Free games such as Fall Guys, Fortnite, PUBG, Counter-Strike:Global Offensive, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, League of Legends, Valorant are excluded in the research. They also collected a seed list of 15 most popular gaming consoles. 

3. They then put each game name into a global notable P2P e-commerce website and noted down the number of sales within the last 90 days worldwide. 

4. Listings were filtered to “like new”, “very good”, “good”, “acceptable”, “used” to ensure that only used or secondhand items are included in this study. 

5. Listings were filtered to “video games” or “video game consoles” only so that only game/console sales were counted, excluding other merchandise with the same name.

6. *A 60% increase in second hand games Google searches was seen during the past month (23rd October – 23rd November, 2022)

7.The data were collected between the 15th November -21st November and is correct as of then.

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• On 22 Dec 2022
• By Admin
• JJ Barnes Updates
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Merry Christmas From JJ Barnes

On the JJ Barnes Blog, I want to say Merry Christmas to my readers and announce a short Christmas break!

At this most wonderful time of the year, I want to wish all my readers and contributors a very merry Christmas!

I’ve had a truly lovely Christmas season sharing content about all things that excite and interest me, so thank you for being with me for this wonderful ride.

To take time to be with my family and friends, I’m taking a four day break from creating or posting new content, from Friday 23rd, to Monday 26th. From Tuesday 27th I will be back to work!

Thank you for being with me, thank you for reading, sharing and enjoying my articles, and a truly merry Christmas to you all.

Loads of love and Christmas kisses,

JJ Barnes
and everybody at Siren Stories
x

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• On 22 Dec 2022
• By Admin
• Christmas
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The Best Places To Spot Santa In The UK

On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out tips from Clear It Waste for the best places to see Santa in the UK this Christmas Eve!

My children are desperately excited for Christmas, and as the big day approaches, the talk has, of course, turned to Father Christmas! Will they be able to go to sleep? Will they hear sleigh bells? Could they even spot him in the sky?

To find out, I’ll be looking at research from Clear It Waste Clearances for where the best places in the UK are to spot the man himself.

Seeing Santa Claus

Children in the United Kingdom will be excited to see Santa Claus flying by as Christmas draws nearer. However, seeing Santa might be difficult in some urbanized areas due to the staggering 78% of the UK’s night sky that is affected by light pollution.

Clear It Waste Clearances used lightpollutionmap.info to collect light pollution data on the Sky Quality Meter (skyglow), Artificial brightness (artificial lights), and Bortle scale (viewing)* to determine which UK city is the best for spotting Santa this year. After that, they developed an overall light pollution index score for fifty of the largest cities in the United Kingdom and revealed the city with the best chance of seeing Santa Claus fly by this year!

Key Findings

• Winchester ranked as the best UK city to spot Santa flying over this Christmas. With an overall light pollution index score of 9.43/10, they scored particularly low in Artificial brightness.
• Chichester ranked second best city to catch a glimpse of Santa overhead with an overall score of 9.03/10 based on all three criteria. Bath third with 8.83/10.             
• London ranked as the worst city to spot Santa with only 0.37 points. This is followed by Westminster and Manchester. 

Top Ten Best Cities To Spot Santa

1st: Winchester, Hampshire, 9.43/10

Winchester was rated as the city in the United Kingdom with the best chance of seeing Santa Claus flying over this Christmas! The city in central Hampshire has the lowest number of artificial lights (824), giving it an overall score of 9.43/10.

Winchester, once the UK’s capital, is famous for its large medieval city center and Christmas markets during the holidays, which show how festive the city is.

2nd: Chichester, West Sussex, 9.03/10

Chichester received an overall index score of 9.03/10, making it the second-best location this year to view Santa Claus flying overhead. On the Sky Quality Meter, the small city receives a respectable 19.85, indicating a sky that is somewhat darker and healthier than that of other UK cities. However, Chichester ranks second overall due to its slightly lower Artificial Brightness Score of 1070.

Along England’s South Coast, Chichester is known for its charming architecture, ornamental gardens, and annual theatre festival.

3rd: Bath, Somerset, 8.83/10

With a light pollution score just below 9, Bath came in third. Bath’s achievement of a commendable 5 on the Bortle Scale and its high Sky Quality Meter score of 19.71 are encouraging signs for the city’s efforts to combat light pollution. Sadly, it received a lower Artificial Brightness Score, making Bath the third best place to see Santa flying over this Christmas.

The wonderful slope city is famous for its unbending arranging consent regulations, meaning structures both old and new have a specific obsolete person that wouldn’t appear to be awkward in a Christmas snow globe.

Top Ten Worst Cities To Spot Santa

48th: Manchester, Greater Manchester, 0.57/10

With a score of just 0.57/10, the vast metropolitan area of Manchester ranks 48th, making it the third worst city to see Santa flying over this Christmas. Manchester has one of the greatest effects of light pollution on being able to see the sky because of its disappointing scores on all three light pollution criteria.

Even though it might be difficult to spot Santa at night in Manchester, the modern, urban city has one of the biggest Christmas markets in the UK for you and your family to visit!

49th: Westminster, City of London, 0.47/10

Westminster, like London, which is more widespread, receives a very low score for access to the night sky. Westminster’s combined light pollution index score is only 0.47/10 with a Bortle Scale of 9, an SQM quantity of 17.54, and a huge artificial light score of 10,200.

50th: London, Greater London, 0.37/10

London received a score of just 0.37 out of 10 for its ranking as the worst place to see Father Christmas flying over this holiday season! Londoners who were hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa flying overhead may be disappointed because the city received the lowest score out of all three light pollution measurements the study examined.

It is evident that sacrifices have been made to night sky visibility in the UK capital, the hub of business, leisure, and sightseeing, with super-bright LED streetlights limiting what can be seen above.

Methodology

1. Clear It Waste Clearances were intrigued to find out the best UK cities for spotting Santa this Christmas.

2. To achieve this, they gained a seed list of all UK cities from gov.uk and then collected their light pollution data from a leading database lightpollutionmap.info. 

3. To gain the most accurate representation of the light pollution in a city, three sets of data per location were taken : Sky Quality Meter/SQM (mag./arc sec2), Artificial Lighting (µcd/m2), and a Bortle Scale measurement (class 1 – 9). Measurements were taken from the centre of each city for maximum fairness. 

* Sky Quality Meter/SQM is a measurement to quantify the skyglow aspect of light pollution. Artificial Lighting score indicates the artificial lights scattered in the atmosphere which raises night sky luminance. Bortle Scale measures to what extent light pollution affects your view of the night sky. A city with less light pollution would result in a higher SQM score and lower Artificial Lighting and Bortle Scale scores.

4. An overall rank score out of 10 was created for each location based on the average percentrank formula on the 3 variables, uncovering the best UK city to see Santa fly past.

5. Only UK cities with a population over 100,000 were considered into the full ranking, but all cities’ data could be found in the dataset here Onedrive. 

6. Sources such as Campaign to Protect Rural England, City of London, Visit Manchester, Chichester Theatre Festival and more all contributed information to this piece.

7. All data was completed on 22/11/2022 and is correct as of then.

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