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Clever hack for banishing fruit flies from your kitchen

<p>There’s nothing worse than trying to keep a clean kitchen, only to be greeted by a swarm of pesky fruit flies.</p> <p>Once they arrive, it seems like nothing will ever work to get rid of them.</p> <p>According to Good Housekeeping, fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs at a time and even worse, those eggs hatch within 24 hours.</p> <p>Now one clever Sydney woman has revealed her genius hack for bidding them farewell once and for all, with a cheap and effective method that she happened to come across quite by chance.</p> <p>“I realised I could use red wine when I left a glass out and came back in the morning and it had a bunch of flies in it,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/fruit-fly-hack2.jpg" alt="" width="676" height="452" /></p> <p>“I didn’t realise that wine would work so well – I’d tried traps with apple cider vinegar and dish soap before but it’s never worked as well as this."</p> <p>Fruit flies are attracted to ripe and rotting fruit and vegetables, things like beer and wine, bins and cleaning rags, so the mixture was the perfect solution.</p> <p>She first took a glass jar and filled it three-quarters of the way up with water. While from the photos it might look like there is a lot of wine in the mixture, it’s actually 90% water.</p> <p>She then added a few splashes of red wine and some dish soap.</p> <p>Then, she sealed the top of the jar with glad wrap and poked a few holes in the top with a fork. She then secured the whole thing together with a rubber band to keep it all in place.</p> <p>Now, the jar with the mixture lives on her windowsill next to her fruit bowl and the results speak for themselves!</p> <p><em>Images: Yahoo</em></p>

Food & Wine

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How to banish painful leg cramps

<div id="primary" class="contentAreaLeft"> <div class="Maincontent"> <p>Everyone experiences leg cramps at some point in their lives, to a greater or lesser degree. If you’re lucky it can be as minor as a short series of spasms or cramps in the leg muscles that don’t relax for several seconds. Often these can be caused by overuse or dehydration, or even just standing and walking for longer than usual.</p> <p>Routine muscle cramps generally last just a few seconds or minutes and ease with warmth, rest and stretching. But you need to be able to tell the difference between that and more sinister conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), peripheral artery disease, or even a clogging of the arteries which can reduce circulation to the limbs.</p> <p>The most common leg cramps – also known as restless leg or night leg cramps – can appear as if from nowhere, and as the name suggests, occur mostly at night.</p> <p>Characterised by a sudden movement in the leg muscles, causing painful, involuntary contractions to occur, they can last from a few seconds up to a few minutes.</p> <p>While low levels of certain minerals such as electrolytes and some medications have been cited as causes of leg cramps, unfortunately there is currently no definitive cure. However, sufferers can take Crampeze long term to help combat these cramps.</p> <p>Let’s take a closer look to help see if the leg pains you are experiencing may be simpler than you think to help identify – and hopefully ease.</p> <p><strong>What are the symptoms of common leg cramps or night cramps?</strong></p> <p>The symptoms of a muscle cramp include:</p> <ul> <li>Sudden uncontrollable and painful spasms in the muscle</li> <li>Muscle twitching</li> <li>Excruciating deep muscle pain in the calf</li> <li>Tightness of the calf and hardening of the muscle</li> </ul> <p>A cramp can reoccur several times before it goes away. Cramps are common at night and generally occur in the calf muscles and feet.</p> <p><strong>What can be the underlying cause of such cramps?</strong></p> <p>The exact cause of muscle cramps is largely unknown, but there are some risk factors that include:</p> <ul> <li>Muscle injury</li> <li>Muscle fatigue</li> <li>Poor diet and lifestyle</li> <li>Low Magnesium levels or Magnesium deficiency</li> <li>Dehydration</li> <li>Physical overexertion</li> <li>Physical exertion of cold muscles</li> <li>Some medications</li> <li>Excessive perspiration</li> </ul> <p><strong>How can you stop leg cramps?</strong></p> <p>Many people turn to magnesium supplements to try relieve leg cramps. Magnesium is involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and around 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. It assists with energy production and is necessary for proper muscle and nerve function, while helping to maintain normal healthy functioning of the nervous system and may help relieve muscular cramps and spasms. However, magnesium alone is not a complete cramp solution to stop leg cramps.</p> <p><strong>Why choose Crampeze instead of a magnesium supplement?</strong></p> <p>Crampeze offers a wide range of muscular cramp relief products that fit in with your lifestyle and preferences. Crampeze products provide Magnesium supplementation and contain Viburnum Opulus (Cramp bark), which is traditionally used in western herbal medicine to help relieve muscle cramps and mild muscle spasms and twitches. Crampeze can be taken every day and easily fits into your routine to help you live your life cramp free from today.</p> <p><strong>Key Crampeze ingredients and how they work to stop leg cramps:</strong></p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://crampeze.com.au/products/crampeze-night-cramps/" target="_blank"><strong>Crampeze Night Cramps</strong></a> contains:</p> <ul> <li>Viburnum Opulus (Cramp Bark) traditionally used in western herbal medicine to help relieve muscle cramps and mild muscle spasms and twitches.</li> <li>Viburnum Opulus (Cramp Bark) traditionally used in western herbal medicine as an antispasmodic and to maintain general health and wellbeing.</li> <li>Magnesium to support energy production and maintain muscle function.</li> <li>Ginkgo Biloba that acts as an antioxidant, reducing free radicals formed in the body.</li> <li>Ginkgo Biloba to support blood circulation to the peripheral areas of the body (legs, hands and feet).</li> </ul> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://crampeze.com.au/products/crampeze-night-cramps-forte/" target="_blank"><strong>Crampeze Night Cramps Forte</strong></a> contains:</p> <ul> <li>Viburnum Opulus (Cramp Bark) traditionally used in western herbal medicine to help relieve muscle cramps and mild muscles twitches and as an antispasmodic.</li> <li>Magnesium to maintain healthy immune system functions and support healthy neuromuscular system.</li> <li>Magnesium to maintain muscle function and support nervous system function.</li> <li>Nicotinamide, feverfew extract and vitamin B5.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional lifestyle tips to help reduce cramps</strong></p> <p>There are many things you can do to help alleviate night time leg cramps that can be incorporated into your daily routine, such as drink plenty of water during the day, daily calf stretches, trying not to sit with your legs crossed, taking a warm bath before going to bed, indulge in regular massages, and modifying your diet to include more potassium and magnesium-based foods.</p> <p><strong>Some extra cramp facts</strong></p> <ul> <li>Leg cramps are reported in up to 60% of adults and 7% of children. Up to 20% of people have symptoms every day.<em><sup>1</sup></em></li> <li>About 1 in 3 people over the age of 60, and about half of people over the age of 80, experience regular leg cramps.<sup>2</sup></li> <li>Approximately 50% of those over 55 suffer nocturnal leg cramping, with significantly more people experiencing nocturnal leg pain.<sup>3</sup></li> <li>40% of people who suffer from leg cramps have cramps at least three times per week.<sup>4</sup></li> </ul> <p><strong><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with </em></strong><a rel="noopener" href="https://crampeze.com.au/" target="_blank"><strong><em>Crampeze</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong></p> <p><em>References:</em></p> <ol> <li><em>Allen RE, Kirby KA. Nocturnal leg cramps. Am Fam Physician 2012;86:350–5. [PubMed] http://www.patient.co.uk/health/cramps-in-the-leg</em></li> <li><em>http://www.backinmotion.com.au/news/article/how-to-combat-night-pains-and-cramps Adrian Quinn – Physiotherapist and Director, Back In Motion</em></li> <li><em>Camberwell How to combat night pains and cramps Published: 19 March 2014</em></li> <li><em>http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180160.php by Christian Nordqvist</em></li> </ol> </div> </div>

Body

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5 natural ways to banish household pests

<p>There’s nothing worse than going out to the kitchen in the morning only to find a numerous-legged critter has made itself comfortable in your pantry.</p> <p>Thankfully, you don’t need to spend hundreds on dangerous chemicals or professional pest controllers to get the job done. Whether it’s flies or cockroaches, we’ve got natural solutions to all your pest problems.</p> <p><strong>1. Flies</strong></p> <p>Do you constantly have the swatter at the ready? Put it down! All you need to ward away flies is basil! They hate the smell. Simply place pots of basil on your windowsills or kitchen top to discourage them. If you don’t have enough sun for potted basil, the dried stuff works just as well. Just pop it into a muslin pouch and rub it often to keep the scent nice and strong.</p> <p><strong>2. Spiders</strong></p> <p>Banish eight-legged critters with a spray bottle filled with water and unsweetened lemon or lime juice – spiders hate citrus. Grab some wipes and spray down the areas of your home prone to spiders (doorways, windowsills etc). If they’re wreaking havoc in your garden, scatter some lemon, orange or lime peels around.</p> <p><strong>3. Ants</strong></p> <p>These tiny troublemakers can be notoriously difficult to get rid of, but the solution is surprisingly easy. All you need is a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Use it to wipe down any surfaces ants have taken a liking to and repeat several times a day until they’re gone. It works by destroying the scent trails used by ants to help them navigate.</p> <p><strong>4. Mosquitoes</strong></p> <p>The enemy of every summer barbeque, pesky mozzies can be eradicated with something a little unorthodox – catnip. According to <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Science Daily</span></strong></a>, it repels mosquitos even more effectively than DEET. You can grow it at home or apply undiluted catnip oil to your skin and you’ll be protected for up to two hours.</p> <p><strong>5. Cockroaches</strong></p> <p>Get rid of creepy-crawly cockroaches by dusting boric acid into any cracks, crevices, voids and wherever else you see them emerge from. This fine powder clings to their legs, antennae and bodies, so when they groom themselves, they consume the boric acid, which acts as a stomach poison and kills them.</p>

Insurance

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4 natural ways to banish facial hair

<p>When it comes to hair, it seems that us ladies want it all long and luscious on top with minimal hair everywhere else.</p> <p>Unwanted facial hair can be a result of hormones (especially as estrogen levels change around the menopause) as well as genetics, medications and other medical issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).</p> <p>The good news is there are plenty of ways to deal with the issue using natural products that you probably already have in the house.</p> <p><strong>1. Honey and sugar wax</strong></p> <p>All you need is sugar, water and honey for this homemade wax.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></p> <ol> <li>In a small saucepan on a medium heat, place two teaspoons of brown or white sugar, a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of water.</li> <li>Stir for around 30 seconds until it starts to bubble and go darker. Set aside to cool.</li> <li>When cool enough to touch, use a plastic spoon to apply it to the hair on the face.</li> <li>Put a strip of cloth over the wax and use your finger to smooth it out in the direction of the hair growth.</li> <li>Rip off the strip in the opposite direction of hair growth.</li> </ol> <p><strong>2. Chickpea flour face mask</strong></p> <p>Available from health food stores and some supermarkets, chickpea flour (also known as gram flour or besan) is a great way to remove unwanted fine hair.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></p> <ol> <li>In a small bowl, bring together 2 tablespoons chickpea flour, 1 tablespoon of cream, 1 ½ teaspoons of milk, and ¾ teaspoons of ground turmeric.</li> <li>Mix well and use your fingers to apply the face pack. Leave on for 20 minutes until dry, then scrub off with a damp face washer.</li> <li>Repeat three to four times per week for up to a month to see results.</li> </ol> <p><strong>3. Spearmint tea</strong></p> <p>Often unwanted hair is due to an excessive production of androgen in the body. Spearmint tea is a popular method for regulating the hormones and is regularly used in Turkey.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></p> <ol> <li>Boil and pour water for a cup of tea.</li> <li>Add a teaspoon of dried spearmint or 5 leaves of fresh spearmint leaves.</li> <li>Allow to steep for 10 minutes before drinking.</li> <li>Repeat twice a day</li> </ol> <p><strong>4. Lemon juice and honey face scrub</strong></p> <p>The stickiness of this scrub will help you to remove fine facial hair. Lemon juice cleanses the skin while also lightening the hair, while the honey helps to soften the hair, making it easier to remove.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:<br /> </span></p> <ol> <li>In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 4 tablespoons of honey.</li> <li>Use the fingers to apply to your face and allow to dry for 20 minutes.</li> <li>Use a warm face washer to scrub the mixture off the face.</li> <li>Repeat twice a week for up to 3 months. </li> </ol> <p>Have you used any natural methods for removing facial hair? We would love to hear your tips in the comments.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/07/problem-with-all-natural-skincare-products/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The problem with “all-natural” skincare products</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/07/ways-to-make-your-perfume-last-longer/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 ways to make your perfume last longer</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/07/5-of-the-most-elegant-accessories/">5 of the most elegant accessories</a></strong></em></span></p>

Beauty & Style

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New twisting plane seat design could banish discomfort

<p>It is an age old question that never seems to be solved. How can airlines make travel more comfortable? Well, the answer might finally be here.</p> <p>London-based, award-winning design firm, Factorydesign have come up with a brilliant concept for the humble airline seat that "twists" with the passengers' movements.</p> <p>The patented design mimics the human spine and allows for movement - therefore avoiding pressure build up, as well as featuring a vertical spine structure with "ribs".</p> <p><img width="499" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/13118/plane-seat-hero_499x280.jpg" alt="Plane Seat Hero" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Designer Adam White thought up the idea while travelling on a 14-hour flight from Japan to the UK, Aircraft Interiors International reports.</p> <p>"There has been considerable debate about economy class seating in the media, and many concepts which don't actually seem to have considered the needs of the passenger," White told the website.</p> <p>"This design is completely centred around improving the passenger journey experience. From your shoulders to your thighs, the seat follows your profile as you move."</p> <p>White went into more detail about the idea while speaking to Skift. </p> <p>"The real breakthrough of the idea was that all previous seats were based on, essentially, a series of hinges and by putting a spine into the seat, it allows the freedom of movement, twists and turns, without creating pressure points." he said.</p> <p><img width="498" height="455" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/13119/plane-seat-in-text_498x455.jpg" alt="Plane Seat In Text" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>'If you cross your legs, you get a very strong pressure point under your thigh at the edge of the seat. In a Twister seat, the seat twists down at that point, and relieves pressure."</p> <p>The idea was presented to government funded awards. Four working prototypes were created and the company hopes to entice manufacturing partners on board.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Factorydesign</em></p> <p>First appeared on <a href="http://www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stuff.co.nz</strong></span></a>.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/spot-the-cat-hidden-in-this-picture/"><strong>Can you spot the cat hidden in this picture?</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/6-clever-uses-for-silica-gel-bags/"><strong>6 clever uses for silica gel bags</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/abandoned-puppy-rescued-on-christmas-eve/"><strong>Abandoned puppy rescued on Christmas Eve doesn’t look like this anymore</strong></a></em></span></p>

News

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7 ways to banish negative thoughts

<p>If you find yourself getting caught up in thoughts about “what if” or “if only” these can become negative thought patterns that can lead to depression and anxiety. Although it’s common to have negative thoughts sometimes, if you regularly focus on them it can stop you from enjoying your life. So if you’re interested in turning your thoughts in a more positive direction, you can follow our ideas below to reduce the negative thoughts that could be holding you back from your true potential.</p> <p><strong>1. Observe the negative ideas</strong></p> <p>First of all you need to work out when you are having these negative thoughts in order to get them out of your head. Some common ones that you might have include the idea that everything is black or white with no middle ground; taking on the blame when things go wrong, even when things are not necessarily your fault; focusing only on the negatives in any situation without seeing the positive side; and always assuming that the worst is going to happen.</p> <p><strong>2. Take action against negative thoughts</strong></p> <p>Once you notice these types of thoughts creeping in, try to think objectively so that you don’t get caught up in a negative spiral. What advice would you offer a friend who came to you with the same thoughts? More than likely you would give her a logical answer like “there’s no need to blame yourself for things that are out of your control.” You can apply this to your own situation and think of other reasons why things have not turned out the way you had planned.</p> <p><strong>3. Limit the thoughts</strong></p> <p>Often it is difficult to just stop the negative thought altogether. Instead, allow yourself a five-minute session with it before you take a break from dwelling on it and get on with your day.</p> <p><strong>4. Be kind to yourself</strong></p> <p>It’s easy to feel down in the dumps when we compare ourselves to other people or some unattainable goal. Notice when you are doing this, and give yourself a break. You are human after all. Try to think of a positive quality when you are caught up in the negatives, as this can help you see from another point of view.</p> <p><strong>5. Be thankful for what you do have</strong></p> <p>Even when you are going through a difficult time, there are usually still parts of your life that you can be grateful for. Gratitude can give your mood a real boost, and if you write it down you can even refer back to your notes later for a quick lift.</p> <p><strong>6. Write down your good points</strong></p> <p>It’s too easy to get caught up in what you aren’t happy with about your life. By making a list of your strengths and talents you can help to kick those negative thoughts out of your mind. Plus you can refer back to it when you need a boost.</p> <p><strong>7. Ask for help</strong></p> <p>If you find that your thoughts are holding you back from what you need to do each day it might be time to source some professional support. Taking part in counselling or joining a support group can help to reduce the anxiety that you feel and allow you to make a positive action plan for the future.</p>

Mind

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How to banish 8 common household smells

<p>There’s nothing fun about a bad smell in your home. And sometimes your regular cleaning products just won’t cut it. So if you’ve got a whiff around the house why not try some of our quick and easy tips to get rid of those pesky odours for good.</p><p><strong>Fridge</strong></p><p>Leave a small dish of baking soda in your fridge, as this will absorb any bad odours</p><p><strong>Cooking smells</strong></p><p>Boil a cup of vinegar on the stove. It will smell strongly of vinegar for a while but will remove the smell of things like cooked fish, curry, or burnt food.</p><p><strong>Car</strong></p><p>Keep an unopened refill sachet of fabric softener in your car. The scent will permeate through the car without being overpowering like some car air fresheners.</p><p><strong>Microwave</strong></p><p>For a whiffy microwave, place a few slices of lemon in a microwave safe bowl. Cover with water and then place on high for five minutes. Wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp cloth.</p><p><strong>Bin</strong></p><p>Sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the bin to absorb odours.</p><p><strong>Shoes</strong></p><p>If you have a smelly pair of shoes, sprinkle some baking soda inside and leave overnight. The next day, empty them out and they should be much less smelly.</p><p><strong>Garbage disposal</strong></p><p>After squeezing a lemon or orange, throw the peels down the disposal for a natural way to clean the blades and pipes.</p><p><strong>Bathroom</strong></p><p>Keep a packet of matches near the toilet. Strike a match and blow it out – it will remove any odours from the air without the harsh smell of some air fresheners.</p>

Home & Garden

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