Drinking green tea has allegedly many health benefits but for many traditional tea drinkers in the U.K. that is a bitter sweet positive.

Let's face it if you have tried drinking green tea you will likely already know it can be a bitter drink with an equally bitter after taste.

But these days there are many green tea options.

This woman likes Tetley decaffeinated, not sure how that works, green tea with honey. It is packed in convenient tea bags perfect for work and home.

Pop a couple of the bags into your work or travel bag and all you need is hot water and a mug or cup.

They do not need sweetener or sugar adding unless you have a very sweet tooth. Making a cup of it for a hard working NHS junior doctor pre-retirement I was surprised that he wanted a couple of spoons of sugar adding. But he was an Asian doctor used to drinking hot sweet milk free tea.

The latest good buy green tea bag is by Heath and Heather retailing at £1.49 for 20 bags from Aldi.

Looking online Holland and Barrett have the same product retailing at £2.49 for 20 bags. At time of writing though they are on offer as a "buy one get one half price deal."

So not cheap either way.

This woman opted for the organic green tea and Moroccan mint variety. Packed in a pretty floral box as soon as the outer cellophane was broken a rush of mint filled the air. The bags are individually wrapped so that gives you an idea of the strength of the mint.

The aroma as you make the drink is strong mint almost spearmint.

But unlike so many herbal tea bags the mint flavour translates into the drink.

For this woman is was a nice relaxing and refreshing cuppa, no sweetener needed. To be fair she does not take sugar in tea normally

The Benefits of drinking green tea

Drinking green tea can reportedly aid weight loss and help reduce blood pressure. There are also claims it can help reduce cholesterol, control diabetes and improve heart health.

​Note: Possible side-effects

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/superfoods/Pages/is-green-tea-a-superfood.aspx

Op-ed: The unelected House of Lords is back in the spotlight.

As they debated the triggering of Article 50 Monday unelected PM Theresa May took the unprecedented step to sit on the sidelines in a somewhat intimidating way.

The Lords is also in the news as a fly-on-the-wall documentary airs on BBC.

With one Lady already confirming what most of us suspected, that some Lords and Ladies claim their £300 a day for doing basically sod all, does the House of Lords represent value for money?

Is it even fit for purpose?

Take a look at our earlier report from late 2014:

"Times are tough in the UK, at least for we plebs.

Most people balance a fine financial line which could snap at any time.

Homelessness, use of food banks, poverty in general, fuel poverty and the rich poor divide are increasing.

But fear not, as David Cameron and his ministers would say, we are all in this together.

If you still believe that blatant lie consider news reports that the House of Lords, often called the best club in London, refused a budget cut as it would mean cheaper Champagne. The story dates back a couple of years but is only now making headline news. The gist of it is still pertinent.

Lords and Ladies of the House, and I use those terms very loosely, are provided with £260,000 worth of Champagne each year. These 'people' are against a budget cut not as it will stop the free flow of Champagne but because it might mean they have to endure a cheaper version!

Their arrogance is unbelievable. But in recent days we have experienced a fair few 'Let them eat cake' moments in the UK which suggest too many politicians, elected or not, are completely out of touch with the real world; a world they shape and expect others to play along with.

• Firstly there was the House of Lords hitting headlines following revelations that previously convicted Tory peer Lord Hanningfield claimed a £300 a day allowance for days he merely showed up, briefly
  
• Tory MP Stephen Dorrell was accused of a blatant conflict of interest but the PM still to act on that one.
• Tory Andrew Mitchell lost his PlebGate libel appeal but even the judge showed a touch or arrogance when he hinted the police officer involved was likely not bright enough to make up such a story, involving the word Pleb.
• Then there was the Sun publishing pictures of Nigel Mills, [Conservative Amber Valley MP, elected in 2010] playing the hit online game Candy Crush Saga during a meeting of the works and pensions committee, of which he is a member - Tory MP plays Candy Crush during DWP committee meeting.
• Also this week Conservative peer Baroness Jenkin of Kennington said "poor people don't know how to cook" at a press conference. The arrogant peer was speaking in Westminster as results of a parliamentary inquiry into the use of and increased need for foodbanks in the UK were released - Poor people cannot cook Tory Peer apologises.

​There have been too many tales of Tory MPs asking cash for access or abusing the parliamentary system.

Perhaps ChampagneGate will be the final straw for the general public.

Read details of the Lords abuse of the system at the Mirror. A portion is copied below:

The First Born is a popular art work on regular display at the Ferens Art Gallery Hull. It is not however universally popular as some dismiss it as "chocolate box" art.

But is is a skilful work of art whether you like the subject matter or not.

It was painted by Fred Elwell a semi-local artist.

Fred Elwell

Fred Elwell was born in Beverley, Yorkshire, in 1870 and died in 1958. If you search the Internet for him you will find that information is fairly scarce. However, in my city Kingston-upon-Hull his is a fairly well-known name.

Fred attended evening art classes, before winning a scholarship to the Lincoln School of Art in 1887. He was a successful student and won many awards. Although he experimented with modern influences he opted for the traditional style of painting which was currently popular.

Fred travelled abroad painting in Antwerp and Paris and had plans to move to London and make the capital his home. However, this was not to be. Financial constraints and poor health saw him return to Beverley.

There is little doubt that if circumstances had been different his name would have been more widely known.
In 1914 Fred married Mary Dawson, a local widow, who was also an established, local artist. With an improved financial position Fred and Mary travelled extensively and Fred became a full member of the Royal Academy in 1938.

Ultimately Fred believed that :-
"painting is 90 per cent perspiration and 10 per cent inspiration" and regarded modern art movements as "misguided attempts at being different ".

A traditional artist, many of Fred's paintings are disliked by modern artists and dismissed as chocolate box, sentimental and chintzy. There is no denying though that Fred was an exceptional artist and his work is charming and well as professional.

One of his most famous paintings locally is "The first born" which is part of the Ferens Art Gallery's vast collection. The painting shows a young husband sitting on the bed of his wife as she holds their newly born first child. It is sweet and very much of the time.

There are works of art by Fred Elwell on display at galleries around the country including in Beverley and Bristol.

Beverley, East Yorkshire is quite rightly proud of Fred Elwell and his local links.

For 2009 a Fred Elwell trail was created organised. It meant that some of Fred's paintings were hung in prominent positions around Beverley; places significant to each piece of work.
​
Most of Fred's paintings incorporated areas and settings in and around Beverley.

Beverley still has a quaintness, retaining much of its old world charm, despite having modern shops and roads.

Ferens Art Gallery

The Ferens is located in Victoria Square in the centre of Kingston-Upon-Hull and is free to visit. It is owned, run and maintained by the local council.

The gallery has permanent collections on display which include works of art by Canaletto and Frans Hals as well as modern works and temporary displays.

The gallery's gift shop sells greetings cards and posters of The First Born and more.

​Beverley

Beverley is around 7 miles outside of Kingston-Upon-Hull in East Yorkshire, England. It is a small market town which is very pretty. Within a short distance there are the Yorkshire wolds, York, Harrogate and the coast.

Beverley has a through train station with links around the country and a good bus service. As a base for exploring East Yorkshire it would be a perfect.

Beverley though small has a racecourse with a good programme of events. There is a large market held every Saturday and a smaller Wednesday market.

The Westwood, a short walk from the centre of Beverley, is a great place to picnic or just stretch your legs. Beverley has a good selection of shops, restaurants and cafes. Good antiquarian book stores and antique shops are dotted around.

​Beverley has a Minster and the historic St Marys Church which are also worth a visit.

​Fred Elwell
Hull Museums
http://www.museums.eastriding.gov.uk/treasure-house-and-beverley-art-gallery/collections/the-elwells/
http://fredelwell.org/

Op-ed: So Mr and Mrs Trump are together in Florida.

Reunited at last.

The First Lady Melania Trump has not joined her husband in the White House following his inauguration, breaking with tradition.

So an unconventional couple and an unconventional POTUS and First Lady.

Whether that is in a good or bad way is up to you.

But the media have been questioning "where's Melania" and this old long time married woman picked up on one thing.

When Melania and Donald finally caught up with each other in Florida there was a photo opp and it was used for maximum publicity.

It was staged and showy with Melania playing the trophy wife to perfection.

But it did not show a traditional or conventional happy couple reuniting.

Pres. Trump, so often the big showman, has appeared slightly tamed at least vocally since his inauguration.

Except for on Twitter that is.

He appears to have undergone a slight makeover.

But body language can be a giveaway.

The way Trump pats Melania's hand when they meet looks odd.

Is he thanking her for joining him? Did she have to be persuaded? Is he a bully? Or was it simply reassurance as both of them settle into their new roles?

Mr Trump has been married three times.

Is marriage number three going through a wobbly period?

Time will tell.

​The Obama's faced questions about their marriage in the media which appear to have been purely malicious.

Related
​http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/donald-trump-president-body-language-9225180

If there is one sure fire way to create a shortage it is to declare a shortage.

This time it is some fresh produce which is imported into the UK from countries like Spain. These countries have experienced unusually cold weather this winter and it has hit crops hard.

​But let's get real folks.

UK shops and supermarkets carry a huge range of groceries.

This woman can remember when there was little choice. There were a couple of brands of soap powder, tinned goods, minimal vegetable choice and the like.

We have become used however in the 21st century to being able to buy any product at any time of year and that includes salad and summer fruits like strawberries in winter.

But in 2017 if one item is unavailable there is bound to be a replacement on offer.

Once a shortage is announced though it snowballs rapidly as people stock pile; that may not be so easy thankfully this time.

The twitter image above shows the old jungle drums are working overtime to spread the news. In 2017 social media will add to shortage woes.

Rationing in supermarkets adds to panic buying.

Previous shortages

People who lived through the war years know all about proper food shortages and rationing.

This woman has experienced first hand at least three food shortages:

• ​potato
• bread
• sugar

The potato shortage probably would not be such a big deal these days. There are so many alternatives such as rice and pasta. When I experienced a potato shortage decades ago I refused to pay inflated prices for any that were available. I looked for other options and discovered a whole new range of replacement foods.

The bread shortage almost passed us by. We are hit and miss bread eaters sometimes consuming very little. We found we could get by and use crackers, rice cakes and crispbreads when necessary

The sugar shortage was great. I quit taking sugar on cereal and in tea and my taste buds were soon re-tuned. To this day I only take sugar in coffee and then prefer to opt for a sweetener.

And those three shortages were great for the hips!

But all three resulted in sky high supermarket prices that some people just paid.

Definition of a food shortage?

​"Food shortage may refer to: Famine, a general and persistent shortage of food. Economic shortage specific to food (not necessarily long term or leading to starvation, but not filling demand for speed, quantity, or type of edible goods)."

Don't be a sucker

You can opt to chase around to buy stocks available, you can pay inflated prices or you can simply adapt.

This woman knows what she will be doing!

BBC News
Benefits of taking vitamins
Dementia fighting Vitamin B

Winter and YOU

When Autumn in the UK is just around the corner the odd grim day offers a glimpse of what is to come. Unfortunately it will rarely be a pretty as a picture scene, as in the one shown. Cold, wet and windy weather will be the order of the day.

In the UK our seasons continue to shift but cold and tough weather hits us all some of the time.

With limited amounts of daylight, let alone sunlight, it is all too easy to get run down and feel tired and depressed.

These days though it does not have to be like that. As usual forward planning is the order of the day. It is up to you. If you look after yourself, throughout the winter months, you can emerge in Spring slim, fit and well rather than overweight, out of condition and feeling drained.

A handful of ways to stay fit during Winter

Your diet
Our diet is as important as ever in Winter. In fact it is probably more important. With less exposure to sunlight we can all end up lacking in some vitamins.

​Vitamin supplements are OK but it is better by far to take in your vitamins via your diet.

Fresh fruit and vegetables can be a little more expensive in Winter. However if you buy seasonal fruits and veg they should be good value for money. Remember that some frozen vegetables still offer a good source of vitamins, are easy to store, have a good shelf life and can be a cheaper option.

Ensure that your winter diet does not just include stodgy, winter warming foods but that it also includes:-

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Lean Meat
• Calcium rich foods such as milk and yogurt
• Wholemeal bread and cereals

Try to avoid filling up on sugary foods. Salads can still be tasty in Winter but may seem an unsuitable cold alternative. Try a warm salad instead. This way your body will receive the vital minerals and vitamins needed for good health and you will enjoy a tasty warming meal.

Coughs, Colds, Chills and the Flu

As if the usual winter bugs were not enough we now have the threat of Swine Flu lurking at our doors. Keep yourself as fit as possible in order to minimise the risk of developing flu and colds. Remember that good hygiene also plays a part. Wash your hands regularly throughout the day and dispose of used tissues as soon as you have used them. Sticking them in your pocket or handbag will only compound problems.

Eat a good diet and consider taking a daily supplement of Echinacea. Many people swear by this as a coughs and colds preventative. Eat a vitamin C rich diet or, if this is not possible, take a supplement. Reduce or stop smoking as this habit reduces the vitamin C in your body.

Do not cough and sneeze all over the place. Make sure that you cover your mouth. These days it is recommended that you sneeze into the crook of your arm rather than your hands. This is because it so easy to spread infections via your hands.

Carry hand wipes for emergencies. These can be good also for wiping suspect keyboards and telephone handsets. Remember to use good hygiene practices in your place of work.

Winter vomiting bugs

I have seen The Winter Vomiting Bug or Noro Virus in all its glory, and trust me it is not a pretty sight. If you are fit and healthy it should not cause you lasting problems but it is not pleasant. Projectile vomiting and severe diarrhoea can leave the patient feeling drained and weak. Just what you do not want for the Holiday Season and beyond.

Again good basic hygiene is essential. If you think you have contracted this illnesses stay home. It is best to avoid work and socialising for at least 48 hours. Most people will not feel up to either anyway. However, if you live with someone who has this illness and you start to feel unwell, that is vomit for example, the same applies to you.

During winter we are often tucked up together sharing buses, cars, or Christmas shopping. At such times it is all too easy for these bugs to run riot.

Keeping warm

Keeping warm is much easier these days but not cheap.

However for the elderly and vulnerable it may not be so easy. With increasingly expensive fuel bills people are often advised to turn down the thermostat. If you are elderly this is not good advice. Hypothermia is all too easy to develop in the elderly. If you are struggling with the financial cost of keeping warm check out what help is available. There are also government grants in the UK which could help insulate your home.

Winter clothes are essential for your well being. If last years winter clothes are looking sad and tired try shopping around for new. If necessary check out the secondhand shops for bargains. If you chose such shops, that are located in nicer areas of town, the nearly new goods will be just that. Almost new.

The Internet has some good bargains but make sure that you really need and want what you buy or else it is not a bargain.

Taking care

As much as you need to take care in Summer, you also need to in Winter, but of course the problems are different. Cold and foggy weather can put your safety at risk in many ways. If you are driving visibility may be poor or the roads could be slippery. If you are out and about on foot the darker mornings and evenings could mean that you are more at risk from thieves and the like. Pedestrians are also prone to slips and trips on icy pavements. The A and E departments of UK hospitals are full of people with fractures in both summer and winter. I guess this because in Summer we often take more risks and in winter there can be more hazards out there.

None of this however should prevent you getting out and about. Just make sure that you are conscious of you safety and use your common sense. Sensible clothing and footwear is part of this common sense approach.

Increased costs

You will no doubt find that money can be a little tight during Winter. What with Christmas shopping, increased fuel bills, limited walking and some healthy foods a little more expensive it can be difficult to make ends meet. This means that it is more important than any other time of the year to budget well. Of course that is unless money is no object to you? I know. I wish!

Keep basic household accounts and cuts costs when possible. Make sure that you do not cut back on essentials though as this will be false saving. In the long run you will have to spend more to put things right.

SAD, seasonal affective disorder

Even if you do not actually suffer from SAD it is all too easy to feel down in Winter. If you are looking after yourself then this may not happen. If it does try to:-

• Get outdoors at least for a short while each day when it is daylight. Even a 20 minute walk outside during your lunch break could help.
• Look to your positives. It is all too easy to dwell on the negative aspects of your life and feel down.
• Invest in a Light Box if necessary. This will supply the light which you could be sadly missing during winter.
• Take up some new hobbies and challenges. Keeping busy and focused on something can help.
• Book next year's holiday to give yourself something to dream about all Winter.

Exercise

• Exercise is vital at any time of the year. However during winter it is yet another one of your weapons in the fight to stay well. You do not have to go mad and over exercise. Try to walk whenever possible and partake of a few simple exercises.

Your skin and hair

​Your skin and hair can really suffer during winter. Those cold blasts of air can make your skin dry and rough. Use products, whether you are a male or a female to help protect your skin and hair. This way you should not leave Winter, and enter Spring, looking like a cross between a wrinkled prune and Methuselah.