Life Style

A plunger or a drain auger (a long flex that can be fed down the pipe) can help with more stubborn blockages, but if none of this works, you might need to remove and clean the U-bend. Place a towel and a small bucket underneath, then carefully unscrew the joints holding the U-bend to the in-flowing and out-flowing pipes. An adjustable wrench (hardware store again) will loosen them.If the joints are tight, spray with WD-40 or firmly tap with a hammer (this disrupts the grip). Once the U-bend is free, discard the build-up of muck, and clean with a brush or cloth. Replace and gently retighten the joints. Remember not to clamp them on too tightly in case you need to remove them again in the future.A plunger or a drain auger (a long flex that can be fed down the pipe) can help with more stubbor...

In addition to being thin, the skin on your lips lacks certain moisture-locking characteristics that other areas of skin have, such as hair follicles, oil glands and a thick layer of dead skin cells, Rogers said. That’s what makes lips “so soft and sensitive”, she added.When our lips are exposed to environmental stressors like ultraviolet light, air pollutants, cold or hot temperatures and certain foods and drinks, they can become dry and irritated, said Dr Sam Awan, a dermatologist in McKinney, Texas. Licking your lips, which you’re likely to do when they’re dry, can worsen the problem because the digestive enzymes in saliva can cause irritation.That’s why chapped lips are so common, Awan said.Overuse of some lip balms can create a cycle of irritation and dryness, leading to dependence. P...

The allegations come in a lengthy profile of the Duke and Duchess marking the fifth anniversary of their departure from the UK.Meghan Markle recording her Archetypes podcast, which was released in 2022. Photo / SpotifyThe high-profile magazine said it spent months speaking to dozens of people who have lived and worked with the Sussexes to establish how their new life has panned out.The resulting 8000-word cover feature paints a picture of a couple whose approach to their new careers in the world of show business has not always been well-received.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Prince Harry is portrayed as a naive, lonely figure who has failed to make any friends and is desperate to reconnect with his family.One source suggested he did not necessarily realise the powerful impact his tell-a...

Layla “Primevil” Robinson has been skating since the 1980s and took up roller derby in 2011.Being selected to represent her country was an “enormous honour”, and was something she “never even considered” or thought she’d be able to do, she said.“I’m pretty blown away that I’m here, preparing to travel to the other side of the world to represent New Zealand.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Layla 'Primevil' Robinson (second in from the right) says being selected to represent Team NZ is an enormous honour and was something she never considered. Photo / BradK Photography“As someone who struggles with imposter syndrome it still wasn’t fully real to me until I saw my name on the announcement this week.”Robinson said roller derby was all about the team, and seeing what they had worked on in train...

His Majesty, the Times has reported, is set to bestow upon Kate the right to issue her own royal warrants.It’s a perk that no Princess of Wales has enjoyed since 1910 and which was long denied to Diana, Princess of Wales along with things like happiness, marital fidelity or being allowed to play Wham at top volume during Trooping the Colour.What’s that? What’s a warrant? Why, I’m so glad you asked.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Dating back to the 16th century, royal warrants recognise British companies which supply the royal family with various products, who in turn can proudly superglue big royal arms to their front doors and websites and tout their royal association as loudly as they fancy.For example, A Hester Limited can proudly trumpet its credentials as Buckingham Palace’s official...

Aerobic exerciseAerobic activities like brisk walking, swimming or cycling can improve heart and vascular health significantly. These exercises promote better oxygen circulation, decrease vascular stiffness and increase overall fitness.For managing blood pressure, moderate-intensity exercise is ideal. This corresponds to a level where you can sustain a conversation but feel your breathing quicken. This is also known as Zone Two.So, what are the best choices for aerobic activity? In the first instance, the best choice is the one you feel most ready, willing and able to do. If you haven’t run in a while or in fact ever, this clearly won’t be your best option. Consider what you enjoy, do you prefer to exercise inside or outside? Do you want to do something social with others or make it someth...

In 2019, emergency services closed a street block after an exterior cladding panel was blown off the side of an apartment building. Six years later, one side of the complex is still clad in scaffolding and I’m still clomping past it under the protection of a metal tunnel with scraps of ragged carpet at the entrance.Auckland footpaths have more scraps of torn carpet than a Dunedin student flat. Sometimes, when the sun hits them, they smell like a bathroom that hasn’t been cleaned for a week.In November, this is all in a day’s walk to work. In January, fresh from two weeks in the southern wilds, it is unbearable.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.My bus stop has shifted. Zero notification on the Auckland Transport app, zero staff to redirect commuters 270m uphill to a temporary stop. Eventuall...

A stroke is a brain attack caused by a sudden reduction in blood flow to the brain. It’s usually caused by a blockage from a blood clot – or the tearing and bursting of a major blood vessel in the brain – leading to a reduction of oxygen, glucose and nutrients that damages and kills brain cells.During the shampooing process, clients are usually asked to sit down and hang their head back over the edge of the washbasin. Research suggests that overextending the head and neck over the rigid rim of the sink is the primary cause of BPSS.The unusual neck position, neck rotation or sudden jerking movements during vigorous shampooing can cause the backbones of the higher spinal column around the neck area to push against one of the major blood vessels that supply blood to the back and bottom of the...

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Research by the University of Chicago found just six weeks of following a high protein diet can increase the risk of kidney stones - and impair the body’s ability to absorb calcium, increasing the risk of bone loss in the long term.Dr T Colin Campbell, author of The Future of Nutrition, argues an excess of animal protein (from meat, eggs and dairy) can also increase the risk of serious health conditions, including cancer and diabetes.With so much conflicting advice, it’s hard to know which route to take. Here, the experts help us cut through the confusion.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.How many grams of protein should I eat a day?Not everyone agrees with the data from the British Nutrition Foundation.“For best function, we need to be looking towards 100g of protein per day, and for ...