If you're bored with cereal for breakfast, try this fruity alternative. Thick slices of fruit bread, toasted and spread with orange-flavoured cream cheese, are topped with strawberries and bananas. Cut the loaf lengthwise for 2 slices per [...]
Search results
No harm done
When I needed my university exam certificates for a job interview, my brother volunteered to go up to the attic to find them and put them in a folder for me. The next week, I nervously walked into the interview room, where much to my surprise [...]
Naan with lentil ‘caviar’
Yoghurt spiced with garlic and mint, then mixed with raw vegetables and high-protein lentils, is delicious spooned onto warmed naan. A few coriander and mint leaves on top add a touch of freshness, and a dab of chutney or lime pickle on the side [...]
Ingrate
I recently visited a local restaurant for a spot of lunch. I ordered a ham salad, and the waiter soon arrived with my meal. “Do you know what kind of cheese this is?” I asked him, pointing at my plate. Off he went into the kitchen to find out [...]
Deadly diet
At a conference I attended recently, a doctor was addressing a large audience. “The material we put into our stomachs should have killed most of us sitting here years ago,” he said. “Red meat is full of steroids and dye. Soft drinks corrode your [...]
The customer is always half right
I was really pleased with my purchase of a new pair of shoes from a major retailer. About a week later, on a rainy day, I was in a rush and quickly grabbed my shoes from the rack and made my way into town. To my horror, I felt a wet sensation [...]
After dinner drinks
We recently ate a restaurant and as we paid our bill the waitress asked our small son what we were going to do next. Excitedly, Jamie said, “We have whisky in the car, you know.” The waitress glared at me and walked off before I could explain to [...]
Knock knock
When I worked in the post office, a lady barged in and started complaining that she’d got home to find a note from the postman – he’d tried to deliver a package but nobody was in. “My husband was home all day!” she fumed. After I gave her the [...]
The Great Tweet-off: Kids’ Edition
A source of surprise, pain, comedy, wisdom and everything in between, this month we celebrate the joy (mostly) of children. Sometimes, at night, after my son has gone to bed, I go into my room and finish all my sentences. – Paula Poundstone [...]
The Great Tweet-off: Social Media Edition
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube … for every new way we have to connect these days, there’s a joke to be made on the mother of them all: Twitter. When you’ve got 5 minutes to fill, Twitter is a great way to fill 35 minutes. – Matt Cutts [...]
Never looked better
At the funeral of a family friend, I was chatting to June, an elderly lady I hadn’t seen since I was a teenager. I was thrilled when she told me what a beautiful young woman I’d become. On the journey home, I remarked to my mother how lovely it [...]
Unsearchable
I was trying to teach my mother how to use the internet, but at 86 she felt she could carry on perfectly well without it. Determined to prove how good it was, I told her she could Google any question she liked and it would find an answer. She [...]
Spitting image
I was showing off my drawing skills to my four-year-old one day. I would sketch different things and then ask him to recognise them. My boy was doing really well until I drew an angry face and he shouted, “It’s Mummy!” My wife was not amused.
Poor reception
I recently took my wife on holidays to the north of England, and since our son was to join us for a few days, I texted him to bring fuel for the fire as it had turned decidedly chilly. A few days into our stay, we received news that an elderly [...]
Blissfully lost
An old, tired-looking dog wandered into my garden one afternoon. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he was well looked after. I gave him a few pats on the head and he followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, [...]
Advertisement
Recommended for you
Not all business hosting plans are created equal—learn what really matters in 2025 before hidden costs and slow speeds hurt your site.
Getting back outside this spring? You might be surprised to learn how dehydration can trigger painful muscle cramps—even when you don’t feel thirsty. Find out the hidden connection and how to stay comfortable and active all season long.
Keeping your blood flowing smoothly is key to preventing varicose veins and promoting overall leg health. These practical tips can help you strengthen your veins, reduce discomfort, and boost your circulation with simple daily habits.
From olive oil that works like food-based ibuprofen to pineapples packed with pain-fighting enzymes, the foods you eat can play a powerful role in reducing inflammation. Research shows that everyday staples — from apples, nuts, and leafy greens to dark chocolate, fish, and even red wine — are loaded with natural compounds that help ease pain, protect against disease, and keep your body running smoothly. Here’s a tasty guide to the top inflammation-fighting foods worth adding to your plate.
