Articles by Jo Foster

Single use plastic is still having a negative impact on the environment, despite warnings about how it is affecting our oceans. The fight against pollution goes on, with the latest research estimating there are now up to 51 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the world's seas. The devastating impact on wildlife paints a terrifying picture of death and injury to many of our birds and marin...

Having a cluttered kitchen can be a big source of stress at the best of times, so cooking and dining in a messy space during lockdown can only multiply this feeling. Psychologists have long recognised the link between living in a mess and suffering from stress and anxiety. Clutter affects not only our anxiety levels but also our ability to focus and sleep. According to experts, this makes us...

While we have to stay home, it's important to keep occupied! Free arts and crafts ideas for families are a cheap and easy way of doing something enjoyable together. A good mental activity can help the kids to express how they are feeling through being creative. © Tomsickova Tatyana / Shutterstock.com   Benefits of arts and crafts While the children aren't at school, arts...

Single-use plastics continue to be a problem for the environment, with 86% of UK residents expressing concern that we still use too many disposable and non-recyclable products. The UK generates around 2.2 million metric tonnes of plastic packaging waste every year, including household plastic packaging totalling 1.5 million tonnes. Around 600,000 tonnes of the waste is generated from plastic...

Right now, many of us are finding ourselves stuck at home. Since the third national lockdown began on 5th January, adults and children are looking for ways to keep busy or to simply pass the time away. Rather than lapsing into despair, boost your morale by taking up new hobbies, revisiting old ones, or doing tasks you normally don't have time for. © ChameleonsEye / Shutterstock.com ...

Now the UK is on lockdown again, for the third time since the Covid-19 pandemic escalated in March 2020, many families are home schooling their children to ensure their education doesn't suffer. Unfortunately, some families are facing struggles due to schooling at home. During the previous lockdowns last year, 87% of UK parents had home schooled at least one child in their household because ...

Turkey brining is a traditional way of preparing and cooking the Christmas turkey. Aimed at making the bird tastier, juicier and more tender, brining dates back to pre-refrigeration days, when its primary purpose was to keep the meat fresh for longer. Its exact origins are unknown, although it is widely used across the globe, with both Europe and America claiming to have used it first. Long ...

People across the UK are looking forward to a welcome Christmas respite from the challenges we've faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After the government announced a temporary relaxation of the strictest lockdown rules between 23rd and 27th December, it will be possible to see more loved ones over the festive period. However, it's important to remember some dos and don'ts when it comes to C...

For many, the weeks preceding Christmas are a time for tackling those DIY projects we've been meaning to get around to. Everyone wants their home to be perfect for the festive season and rather than leaving jobs ‘til the last minute, it's best to start early. This year, many of us have more time than usual on our hands, so we’ll probably be spending more time at home over the coming weeks. T...

According to the Surf Industry Manufacturers' Association, the global surfing population is estimated to be between 23 and 35 million. It is one of the world's oldest sports - archaeologist’s recently unearthed prehistoric stone carvings depicting surfers in Chan Chan, Peru, dating back more than 5,000 years! Historians say surfing was a pastime of the Peruvian fishermen, although they used ...