Emma and Roy Hann, from Dundee, Scotland, have 13 children ranging from the ages of four to 27.

The frugal parents, both 49, have revealed how some of the meals they make for their large family cost as little as 66p per head.

The 15-strong Hann family use cupboard staples and meat from online food retailer MuscleFood to prepare a variety of meals, costing as little as £8 per meal.

Meals included Cajun pasta and fajitas, plus a big family barbecue that fed 40 friends and family members and worked out at just 79p per person.

The couple ditched the traditional weekly supermarket shop around five years ago and say they’re about £200 better each month as a result.

As their brood grew, mum Emma realised that each week they were buying items that they didn’t really need, like fancy yoghurts and sugary fruit juice.

Purchasing their meat from Musclefood for around £55, including chicken breasts, steak mince, sausages and diced beef, they also buy £33 worth of vegetables and other essentials.

From the £88 spend, Emma and Roy prepare around 112 portions for their clan.

10 of the children still live at home, with the older kids and their partners regularly popping in for meals.

Café owner Emma said: ‘As our family got bigger, naturally it became more expensive to feed everyone, but doing one big supermarket shop every week was actually driving the cost up even more.

‘By doing this, you’re tempted to throw in deals and special offers that you don’t really want or need.

‘Being able to get everything under one roof is obviously really convenient and works for a lot of families, but by shopping around and being a bit savvier about where we buy certain products from, we managed to save around £50 a week on food.’

Emma and Roy now buy meat in bulk once a month and freeze it before going to the local supermarket a few times a week to pick up fresh food and other bits.

They now spend around £200 a week on food to feed themselves and the 10 children that eat at home.

But it doesn’t mean munching on basic foods either.

‘We like to mix meals up and keep things varied, but there are a few go-to meals the whole family enjoys which we eat most weeks, like spaghetti and meatballs, mac and cheese, and lasagne,’ added Emma.

‘We also try to do a roast at least fortnightly, but this can be quite expensive when you’re cooking for all 13 kids, plus their partners.

‘What we tend to do now is get some of the older ones who’ve moved out to bring the mashed potatoes or Yorkshire puddings, so everyone chips in.’

Husband Roy, a nurse practitioner, does all the cooking.

‘I took over all the cooking duties about eight years ago as I enjoyed it so much and at the time, we had three little ones all under the age of four,’ he said.

‘We’ve always had a cupboard that’s pretty much full of different herbs and spices, plus essentials like chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, and chickpeas.

‘We’ll nip to the shops for fresh veg every few days, buy big 3kg bags of pasta and rice from the wholesalers, and bulk buy about £150 worth of meat once a month.’

Some of the food that’s been stretched out include an £85 hamper from MuscleFood which was used to feed the family for a week.

They even enjoyed some steak, which they considered a luxury. There were even some leftovers available for further meals.

‘With so many mouths to feed and tastes to suit, we tend to make one main meal and then includes lots of different sides, just so that everyone has something that they like’ continued Emma.

‘We’re lucky as none of our kids are particularly fussy eaters, but it’s good to provide options anyway.’

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As far as Michelin stars go, you would expect fancy dining and a lengthy wine list.

But for Australian cook, Sam Edelman, this doesn’t seem to be a limitation.

For his KFC franchise in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, he wants KFC to be ‘more than just a fast food place.’

His branch is one of the most remote in the world, as it is situated in the Outback and Sam says people travel for thousands of miles to have the chicken.

He told Metro.co.uk: ‘It’s about time it got recognised as not just a fast food place.

‘We use fresh chickens that are delivered into the store everyday and hand breaded in our kitchen by our cooks. There is some skill involved.’

The 37-year-old is on a mission to get Michelin Guide to notice his restaurant as a viable contender for the coveted restaurant.

Since Michelin doesn’t publish in Australia, he is going to extra lengths to get the Guide to notice him by setting up a Facebook group called ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken deserves a Michelin Star’.

There are specific requirements to the process towards a Michelin star.

To earn one star, a restaurant must be considered ‘a very good restaurant in its category.’

For two stars, the criteria is ‘excellent cooking, worth a detour.’

To qualify for the elusive three stars, a restaurant must serve up ‘exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey’ to which Sam said that he has no doubt he has achieved.

The idea came to him when he saw a Netflix show called Street Foods and a Bangkok street vendor was awarded a Michelin star.

He said: ‘There’s a show on Netflix called Street Food. A couple weeks I watched it and the first episode is about a street vendor in Bangkok who has a Michelin star.

‘Traditionally I’d always thought that the Michelin star was the peak of fine dining, you have to have a fancy wine list and spectacular dining experience.

‘There was a cut away shot that showed a KFC advertisement in there and it kinda gave me the idea.

‘On a basic level, we meet the criteria. If this street vendor can get the Michelin star why can’t we?

‘My KFC in Alice Springs is in a unique position. The criteria for two stars is ‘excellent cooking worth a detour or exceptional cuisine worth a special journey’.

‘We have people who come to our KFC from 500km or 1000km away and they will expressly come in with the full intent to buy a bucket of KFC chicken while they are in town.’

And people have made journeys that both require a plane ride and block booking for a whole town given that it’s the most remote KFC in the world.

He added: ‘My KFC is the most remote KFC in the world and that’s what sets me apart. I know people make a journey to come to my restaurant. I know that my team put their heart into making the best KFC they can make.

‘I’ve had customers who have come from 1300km away. We have done a catering order for a gold mine that was in Western Australia – we’re in the Northern Territory.

‘It was AUS$1000 order. They ordered a private hire car to collect the order and take it straight to the airport. They chucked it on the plane and flew it to the gold mine.

‘The closest town is 600km from us, and they will buy around 6 buckets and buy for the neighbourhood. It’s good food accessible to everyone.’

Originally from Melbourne, Sam Edelman has been in Alice Springs for nine years, buying the business seven years ago and becoming the franchisee.

He said: ‘I’ve had my franchise at Alice Springs as a franchisee for seven years and I have worked in Alice Springs in the KFC for nine years. But in about a week, I would have worked in KFC for twenty years.

‘I started as a cook when I was still at high school.

‘I think that puts us in a unique position – excellent cooking. If there was only one KFC in the world, regardless of mine or another, it would be regarded as excellent cooking so that’s where I’m going with it.

‘Good food is for everyone. Good food is not just meant to be for fine dining. So I thought, “Bucket, why not give it a go”.’

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It’s more than three years since Charlottle Eades died, but her cat Nala still recognises her voice.

The pair were inseparable throughout Charlotte’s three year battle with glioblastoma – a type of brain cancer.

‘It’s like she knew that something was going on. At the end, Charlotte was bed bound and Nala just stayed with her the whole time,’ her mum Alex told Metro.co.uk for Cat Week.

Now that Charlotte is gone, Nala has helped the family, who are from Brighton, deal with their grief and continues to appear on the YouTube channel Charlotte launched before her death to talk about her life with cancer.

‘She was a huge part of Charlotte’s life and is still such a huge part of ours. She was Charlotte’s best feline friend and is very much mine now,’ Alex added.

Nala and Charlotte grew up together. Alex and her husband Terry adopted her as a rescue cat more than 15 years ago for Charlotte and her brother Miles.

Charlotte adored Nala but when she developed cancer, she spent lots of time at home, recovering from treatment and Nala was always with her, bringing them even closer.

She started experiencing symptoms in July 2013, when she was 16.

Alex said: ‘She would have had headaches and one thing and another and pain. She went to the doctors and the doctor said it was a migraine.

‘She was getting worse so on 18 July, she was sent for a brain scan and they found a type of cancer called anaplastic astrocytoma. The chances of getting that are one in a million.’

Anaplastic astrocytoma is a rare malignant brain tumour that is very fast growing.

Charlotte had radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat the tumour but over the years, the astrocytoma developed into glioblastoma multiforme – a stage four brain tumour.

Alex explains: ‘In July 2015, they found something on her brain that was three millimetres. Within six weeks, that was three centimetres.

‘In October we were told it was glioblastoma – the most severe type.’

Determined to help others, Charlotte began to vlog on Youtube about her experiences.

She talked about normal things teenage girls loved – makeup, handbags and of course, Nala.

Her blog reached over 4.4 million people worldwide and she kept posting videos right up until the end of her life.

Alex explains: ‘On 5 January 2016, she was paralysed on one side and we were told it was terminal. She was just 18 then and she died one week after her 19th birthday in February.

‘We were all devastated and Nala didn’t know what was going on. She just sat in a chair for days on end.’

Before her death, Charlotte had asked her mum to post about her death on YouTube and to give the channel up.

But together Alex, Miles and Nala kept Charlotte’s channel and her memory alive, using it to talk about life after Charlotte is gone and what they are doing to raise awareness of brain conditions.

‘Nala still has to be part of it. She gets into the videos and we’ve done a documentary with Channel 4 and she managed to get in that too. She likes to get into everything’ Alex laughs.

And Charlotte’s old videos help the family, including Nala, remember her.

When the family play her videos, Nala immediately recognises Charlotte’s voice.

Alex adds: ‘Since we lost Charlotte, Nala has helped me and Miles so much. She’s a link to Charlotte, but she’s also so much more. She really is the constant in our lives, the heart of our family.

‘Charlotte would be beaming to see Charlotte shortlisted for this award.’

To recognise the support Nala gave Charlotte and the family through her battle with cancer, Nala is one of the finalists in the Outstanding Rescue Cat category at the Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, taking place on 8 August.

Together, the family set up Charlotte’s BAG (Battle Against Glioblastoma), one of the UK’s only charities specifically focusing on raising funds for research and to encourage more awareness of glioblastoma.

The warmth of a laptop has too much allure for a cat to say no to.

If you’re a cat owner then you know they’ll sit on anything that’s been laid down: laptops, cardboard, yoga mats, prayer mats, your head. You get the idea.

So now Lidl has come up with a chair that’s designed exclusively for our feline friends.

The bargain supermarket’s Zoofari is the perfect spot for kitties to curl up, sleep or just hang out.

The chair which comes in blue is also sure to save on storage space as it is foldable.

And only for £12.99. Less expensive than a laptop.

Because cats are furry creatures and are bound to get hair all over the chair, it comes with a removable and washable cover, as well as a three-year warranty.

The contraption won’t take up too much of your space either and measures to 50 centimetres.

If that sounds like it’s right up your street (or your cat’s) then you’ll have to act quick as there’s only a limited number on offer.

Lidl will launch the chair on 27 June in stores near you so you better hurry to your local.

If you have a four-legged friend that’s not a cat but you still want a place for them to lounge, Lidl is also selling a dog bed that comes with its own shades.

Neither item is available online though so better arrange a slot in your schedule to visit the supermarket.

If you really want a sun lounger for your dog but can’t be bothered to trek to a Lidl, you can get them online from B&M for £15.

Why should humans get to have all the fun this summer?

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It’s almost the end of term and it’s probably time for your child to say goodbye to their teacher.

Teachers can have a huge impact – so you might want to say thank you for everything they’ve done.

One mum posted earlier this week about how she was humiliated by other parents when she said she couldn’t afford £40 for a joint class present for six teachers.

So what should you buy for the teacher’s end of term present? And do you have to buy something?

The answer – simply – is no. Although it’s nice to show appreciation, teachers don’t expect something for teaching your child.

A Mumsnet survey of 1,200 teachers and teaching assistants last year found nearly two thirds would like to receive a heartfelt personal note from their pupils.

Almost half (47%) said they value any present, but 77% worry that parents or carers may feel pressured into contributing to a whole-class gift and 68% worry about children feeling left out if their parents can’t afford to contribute.

If your budget is tight, you really don’t have to spend a lot. A nice card is perfect or a handwritten message telling them how much they mean to your child.

Primary school teacher Sam tells Metro.co.uk: ‘For me, I think the important thing is to remember that no teacher expects gifts, I definitely don’t want anyone to feel obliged to get me anything particularly if they are having a tough time with money.

‘Lots of families are on a lower budget, so I definitely don’t want anyone to feel they have to spend money on me.

‘I massively appreciate any gift, but I particularly love and remember cards, especially handmade cards from kids. Those really mean a lot.’

And if you do decide to buy something more, it really doesn’t need to be expensive.

Sam adds: ‘One of the nicest physical gifts I ever got was just a box of some nice tea. You don’t really stop when you’re at school so having some posh tea is the cupboard is lovely.’

Most teachers agreed that budget of between £5 and £10 is sensible if you do want to pick something up.

Rebecca, a former secondary school teacher, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I didn’t expect anything from my pupils. I got a few thank you cards and chocolates so most spend between £5-£10.’

Jane, a teaching assistant, explains that she often gets gifts but says the most memorable ones are not the most expensive ones: ‘I appreciate everything and never expect a gift. The best gifts are homemade or something personal – the child has thought about what I like and parents have made a real effort.

‘I’m Disney mad, and had a personalised Disney wine glass made for me.’

Although it can be easy to go for something general if you don’t know the teacher or what they like, be wary. Rebecca adds: ‘My colleague received wine, but she doesn’t drink.’

Secondary school teacher Natasha says that it’s good to make sure they don’t receive lots of the same thing: ‘I don’t expect gifts but they are always lovely to receive.

‘I don’t think kids should spend more than £5 especially in context of some our kids who may have less disposable money. I personally love, love handwritten cards. A few of my students made the card from scratch or from recycling materials.

‘I’ve got so much chocolate and for someone who is forever trying to cut back not always great but I tend to keep them and regift or give them to students.’

Primary school teacher Helen says that it depends on the school but around two thirds of her class buy her a gift every year, spending around £5 each.

‘Good presents are things like gift vouchers or chocolates. I don’t like to say there are bad presents because I do appreciate everything but I do get a lot of bath stuff and you couldn’t possibly use it all.

‘Some of the kids make you something and it is genuinely really nice. Parents make homemade bread, cakes and buns and that can be lovely too.’

High school teacher Jane agrees that personal gifts are the nicest. She says: ‘Firstly, we love getting anything. A card with a personal message means a great deal. My class this year made me a picture with a quote from Love Actually saying “love actually is all around”.

‘They all signed it and it made me cry. It’s a quote I would have used with them frequently.’

‘Other options are vouchers for coffee or dinner. Jewellery can be hit or miss because it’s hard to know our taste. Scented candles great – and they can always be regifted. Chocolates pretty good but nice ones – Hotel Chocolat rather than Thornton’s. Mugs are great too.

‘A photo of the class on a nice frame is memorable and flowers are beautiful but a rose bush with a significant name is more meaningful.’

And in terms of things not to buy, Jane says: ‘I also once got a pair of goldfish which were smelly and were quickly given to biology department.’

Although teaming up like in the Net Mums post is a great idea, it’s best to keep the amount affordable and there doesn’t necessarily need to be a set amount. Any amount collected together means buying one lovely gift from everyone.

Jane adds: ‘It’s far better for classes to club together and buy something lovely like vouchers for a hotel rather than 30 presents at a tenner each.’

And Helen says: ‘Friends have had parents team up and buy something together, which is a really nice idea but it doesn’t need to be lots.’

Names of the teachers have been changed.

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It’s a huge concern, where you are going to…you know…at a festival after hours of drinking and eating.

On 26 June the Glastonbury Festival commences, and people are soon going to be waiting for their favourite acts to show up on the legendary Somerset farm.

But where do you go when you need to relieve yourself?

First tip however – the Glastonbury Festival website is very clear about respecting the farm and festival goers, expressly warning not to urinate outside of the designated toilets and urinals provided.

Fish can die because of urine and it can pollute the wildlife in streams (especially if you’ve had one too many lagers and beers).

According to the website, there will be over 2,000 long drop seats across the site this year, with over 1,300 compost toilets which should only have toilet paper thrown down the hole with your waste.

The compost toilets are designed for the waste and the toilet paper to compost with a ‘bulking agent’ like sawdust to help break it down.

The long drop is just that – a toilet that can be used for a long time due to how long the drop is for the waste.

Because of this, it takes a while to fill up. When it is full a new hole is dug and the old one covered with soil.

One thing they mention is that there are fewer portable toilets than ever before on the site this year, bit if you come across one, make sure you flush it before AND after use, since they can get blocked really quickly.

There are some disabled toilets on the site, which have easy access for the wheelchair users on viewing platforms at all the main stages. If you are trying to cut the queue wanting to save time and use these toilets then you will be out of luck. They will be locked to avoid them being misused.

You will have to apply for access via the Glastonbury Festival website.

Urinals are everywhere – there are over 700 metres of male urinals across the site.  There are female urinals known as ‘Shepees’ with four sites across the compound at: Cider Bus, The Park, Glasto Latino and in the Kings Meadow.

People have had numerous experiences with the toilets at Glastonbury.

Blogger Jo Middleton said: ‘It was actually thanks to Glastonbury toilets that I first got a Mooncup, which has definitely been a good thing for me AND the environment!

‘I think it was about ten years ago or so, and Mooncup had stickers everywhere.’

When asked if there were enough toilets, and if the experience was any good she only had good memories.

She added: ‘It always felt like there were loads – queues, but not outrageous. The long drop ones were always the nicest.

‘We did have one horrendous year where we accidentally camped next to a bank of them and were kept awake all night by the metal doors banging.’

But there was also the unfortunate experience of someone falling down the toilet after her phone.

Ruth Walker said: ‘Back in the day (Glasto 2008) a girl dropped her toilet down the long drop loo at Glasto, got stuck trying to retrieve it and then had to be pulled out by emergency services.

‘I can only imagine the smell.’

For example I shall be bringing wet wipes to Glastonbury yet some people have suggested using a flannel to use in toilets. As a Nursing student I will be bringing stuff to make sure my person hygiene is adequate rather than gett

— Roz💐 (@roseannanna) June 22, 2019

Yet, among the many awkward and, frankly smelly, anecdotes it might be simplest to make sure you bring Andrex Washlets.

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The cleaning craze has us dusting our skirting boards and wiping down the hinges of our windows.

But a new report from the Royal Society for Public Health suggests we might not be picking our cleaning battles wisely.

The report says that people should worry less about cleaning floors, walls, and furniture, and concentrate more on hygiene hot spots where harmful microbes can thrive.

The experts also want to take down the myth that being ‘too clean’ is bad for health or causes allergies. They say keeping clean is quite important, actually. So take note, grimy housemates who refuse to do a kitchen wipe-down.

The report explains that the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ popular in the 80s, which suggested that overcleanliness lead to allergies in children, has been scientifically disproven.

Instead of rolling around in our own dirt, what we actually need is diverse exposure to microbes that are mostly harmless, such as those we encounter by going outside the house.

What we don’t need is exposure to dangerous pathogens that put us at risk of infection.

So, yes, we should keep the house clean. But if you’re already rushed off your feet worrying about doing the dusting, the report encourages you to go for a ‘targeted hygiene’ approach rather than worrying about scrubbing your grouting.

The report says that the most important areas to clean are surfaces where you prepare food, utensils, and your hands during and after food preparation.

People should also wash their hands with soap and water before eating, after using the toilet (we hope you’re doing that already), after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, after handling dirty clothing, after playing with pets, after putting out the bin bags, and clearing up pets’ waste, and after caring for someone who’s experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea.

The report also recommends washing towels and bedsheets at 60C to prevent the spread of infections.

Professor Lisa Ackerley, RSPH trustee and food hygiene expert, said: ‘Getting outdoors and playing with friends, family and pets is great for exposure to ‘good bacteria’ and building a healthy microbiome (genetic material that is essential for development and immunity), but it’s also crucial that the public don’t get the wrong end of the stick – this doesn’t need to get in the way of good hygiene.

‘Targeted hygiene undertaken at the crucial times and places is a way of preventing infection that is cheap on time and low effort, and still exposes you to all the ‘good bacteria’ your body benefits from.

‘Good hygiene in the home and everyday life helps to reduce infections, is vitally important to protecting our children and reducing pressure on the NHS, and has a huge role to play in the battle against antibiotic resistance.’

Professor Sally Bloomfield, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: ‘The problem is that we have become confused about what hygiene is, and how it differs from cleanliness.

‘Whereas cleaning means removing dirt and microbes, hygiene means cleaning in the places and times that matter – in the right way – to break the chain of infection whilst preparing food, using the toilet, caring for pets etc.’

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Drinking coffee could help you lose weight, says new research.

So you go ahead and hit that morning latte hard.

A study from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham found that drinking a cup of coffee can stimulate ‘brown fat’, which burns calories to generate body heat.

Experts say people with a lower body mass index (BMI) tend to have a higher amount of brown fat, which is a different type of fat to ‘white fat’ – that one’s caused by consuming excess calories.

Professor Michael Symonds, who co-directed the study, explains: ‘Brown fat works in a different way to other fat in your body and produces heat by burning sugar and fat, often in response to cold.

‘Increasing its activity improves blood sugar control as well as improving blood lipid levels and the extra calories burnt help with weight loss.

‘This is the first study in humans to show that something like a cup of coffee can have a direct effect on our brown fat functions.

‘The potential implications of our results are pretty big, as obesity is a major health concern for society and we also have a growing diabetes epidemic and brown fat could potentially be part of the solution in tackling them.’

Researchers found a link between downing coffee and burning calories first by using stem cells, then moving on to tracing humans’ brown fat reserves as they emitted heat.

Professor Symonds said: ‘From our previous work, we knew that brown fat is mainly located in the neck region, so we were able to image someone straight after they had a drink to see if the brown fat got hotter.

‘The results were positive and we now need to ascertain that caffeine as one of the ingredients in the coffee is acting as the stimulus or if there’s another component helping with the activation of brown fat.

‘We are currently looking at caffeine supplements to test whether the effect is similar.

‘Once we have confirmed which component is responsible for this, it could potentially be used as part of a weight management regime or as part of glucose regulation programme to help prevent diabetes.’

A quick note on all this, though: We doubt any weight loss benefits will occur if your caffeinated beverage of choice is something packed with sugar and topped with whipped cream. You might want to stick to an Americano.

This latest bit of research is just another bit of pro-coffee evidence to convince you to fill your cup.

Studies also suggest that coffee could help to reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, that two cups a day could make you live two years longer, and that the heart problems linked to drinking coffee are a ‘myth’.

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I’ve always had feelings, from a young age, of being lonely and cut off from the world.

Being a full-time wheelchair user with a disability, osteogenesis imperfecta, means I’ve spent considerable time in hospital, missing out on school and interacting with my peers.

My parents were understandably ‘overprotective’, not allowing me to go and play with friends or be invited to sleepovers. I was excluded from lessons because classrooms were inaccessible, or sports hadn’t been differentiated to allow me to participate. Often I was simply told that I couldn’t or shouldn’t do certain things.

For disabled people, feeling ostracised from society comes from a number of factors including emotional loneliness as a result of discrimination, prejudice and internalised ablism, social isolation deriving from attitudinal and physical barriers, and the impact of austerity.

Now shocking new research by Mencap has found that fear of being bullied is leading to social isolation for people with a learning disability. More than one in three people with a learning disability said that being bullied is one of the things they worry about when they go out.

In a survey of 1000 adults with a learning disability, they also shared their fears about getting lost and using public transport.

It is this fear and worry that means people with a learning disability feel reluctant to leave their homes, to attend hospital visits or enjoy social activities. Worryingly, over two-thirds of people with a learning disability said they didn’t have anyone to spend time with either some of or a lot of the time.

Far from a wallflower, I’d describe myself as a cheeky northern lass, not scared of being ‘bolshy’ and a true extrovert. I have always been able to speak my mind and challenge others.

This innate confidence has largely been my saving grace as I’ve always felt somewhat an outsider and different to others – I would almost force myself upon people, making sure I was the centre of attention, be dramatic, articulate, funny and assertive, meaning those around me would have no choice other than to listen to me and include me in their lives.

Despite this, I’ve still felt so lonely at times it has triggered spouts of depression and anxiety. These feelings are shared by 24-year-old Michelle Ornstein, who has learning disabilities.

‘Growing up with anxiety has been a very big part of my life. Anxiety would build up about not knowing my way around, which would just make me go into my little shell and not open up. There were lots of places I felt I couldn’t get to,’ she told me.

In response to this issue, Mencap is launching a series of inclusive sporting events during Learning Disability Week 2019, which brings people with and without a learning disability together through sport to tackle discrimination and stigma. We know it works.

‘Everything changed when I joined my local Mencap group to take part in sporting activities with other people with a learning disability,’ says Vijay Patel. ‘It helped me go from low confidence to high confidence and has given me the believe in myself that I can do it.’

And while Mencap’s initiative is positive, the responsibility to end isolation among the disabled community should not rest solely on the organisation’s shoulders. This form of discrimination is not inevitable and there are many ways in which the government and society can be more inclusive.

Having spoken to Michelle we both agreed that a better care package or funding towards a personal assistant and carers via the direct payment scheme which gives us the tools to maintain our independence is vital – although with cuts to independent living fund across many local authorities it’s unlikely that those like Michelle and myself will receive more help towards care anytime soon.

First and foremost, however, understanding towards disability across the board is paramount for combatting social exclusion.

The ability to maintain our independence, and thus build our confidence, not only tackles feelings of isolation but the feelings of anxiety that so many of us, disabled or otherwise, can relate to.

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Lorraine and Dave had never owned a cat before and had never given the idea a second thought.

But one day they spotted a thin stray living near their home and they knew they had to help – but now Spooky is returning the favour.

The couple began feeding the shy puss and gradually built up her trust.

After getting her the veterinary treatment she needed, the couple decided to keep the little stray, naming her Spooky.

Having been rescued from a life on the streets Spooky made the most of her new-found creature comforts, preferring to stay indoors with Lorraine and Dave.

‘Lorraine and I love her so much because she keeps our spirits up when I am not feeling too good,’ explains Dave.

‘She is always there for both of us and has now become a big part of the family.

‘Lorraine and I never had children, so Spooky is more like the daughter that I always wanted but didn’t have, she is very sweet and strong willed and has settled into our home so well.’

Two years after rescuing Spooky, Dave began suffering from health problems. His kidney, which had been donated by Lorraine 14 years previously, began to fail.

He also developed skin cancer and needed several operations.

During this difficult time Spooky was there to repay the couple’s kindness and filled the home with joy.

‘We were never what you would call “cat people” until one rainy day about four years ago, a very thin and badly treated stray turned up in our garden,’ explains Dave.

‘She was in a bad state and we tried to feed her, she was so nervous of strangers that it took Lorraine many weeks of coaxing to get her to take food from us.

‘Eventually she came into the house and a few days later had a litter of five beautiful kittens, we found good homes for them all and still get updates on how they are growing up.

‘I have been ill, off and on, for many years, having had two kidney transplants – the last on from my wife 14 years ago. I also suffer from skin cancer.

‘I am a frequent visitor to hospitals and have had countless operations, yet through all of this Spooky has been there with us.

‘She knows when I am having a bad day and will not leave me on these days. It’s very strange how she knows, but she just knows when I need picking up.

‘People tell us that you don’t find a cat, a cat finds you, and this is so true with our Spooky.

‘It helps so much to realise that we have to look after her, but really she is looking after us.’

Spooky makes sure Dave never feels alone and has brought humour and comfort into the couple’s lives during his long and difficult recovery.

‘It must be so much harder for someone who is going through ill health or trauma who are on their own,’ says Dave.

‘Lorraine and I are never on our own now, our little family is now complete and the three of us are so happy together – thanks to that little stray who turned up that wet and windy day.

‘Needless to say she is now a very spoilt cat as we are so grateful for what she does for both of us.

‘She is still very nervous around strangers but, as you can see, has now turned into a beautiful cat.

‘We don’t know what life would be like now without having Spooky around, she has changed both of our lives so much, we are so grateful that she decided to pick Lorraine and me to look after her.’

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In our continued mission to make Londoners absolutely miserable (and to take an honest look at how people are renting across the UK), this week’s What I Rent is way up north in York.

Our weekly series What I Rent takes you inside a different person’s rented property each week, so we can all be nosy about what people get for how much they pay – and figure out if we’re being ripped off once we’re armed with that knowledge.

For the first year of the series we focused entirely on London, but for the past few weeks we’ve ventured past the M25, heading to Aylesbury, Lincoln, and Leeds.

As you’d expect, all those rented places have been quite a bit cheaper than our city digs, and it’s been tough for us Londoners to see.

That trend continues this week with Anthony, 36, and Alison, 33, who share a three-bedroom house in Clifton, York.

Hey Anthony and Alison! How much do you pay to live here?

Anthony: I think it’s about £750 a month total which we split evenly.

Alison: it’s £765 we now pay, we had a 15 quid rent increase last year which wasn’t too bad, I thought.

Anthony: I have no idea what we pay in bills but Alison takes what she needs out of my account.

Alison: I don’t just rob you! It’s around £260 a month for all utilities including council tax.

And what do you get for your money?

Anthony: We have two and a half rooms. The house is advertised as a 3-bed but in reality that third room is only good for junk, children and very quick games of hide-and-seek. We have a single bathroom upstairs and a bonus cloakroom/toilet downstairs.

Alison: We’ve also got a large lounge/dining room which is all open. There is a good sized kitchen and a separate back room which has the computer and another sofa in, which Anth classes as the processing room.

Do you think you have a good deal?

Anthony: Yeah, to the point I was suspicious when we found it. I kept asking ‘what’s the catch?’ but it’s probably just because we back onto a railway line and the postcode in general.

Alison: Yes, it’s a great sized house with a big garden in York. We were previously in a small two up two down terrace and paid £680 a month, so this was a major upgrade in size for not much more a month. We are not very far from the centre either, which is always a bonus.

How did you find the house?

Anthony: Alison found it when she was getting annoyed with our last place.

Alison: June 2016 we moved in. I’m always looking on RightMove. I happened to see this and we were the first viewing the day it came on. I made Anth sign the paperwork there and then because it was palatial compared to our previous house.

Do you like the area?

Anthony: I am very happy! It’s a great location for its price and very quiet relatively – considering that not far away is a much rougher area.

I think our street is mostly hospital workers and retirees (being York there are thousands of pensioners everywhere).

It has a decent bus route for myself and it’s easy enough to hit the ring-road and escape the city when needed. Traffic by the hospital is a nightmare though which you have to pass if you’re heading town-ward.

Alison: Yeah, I really like living here. It’s a quiet, no trouble neighbourhood. We have a railway line at the bottom of the garden but it’s about one train an hour and you don’t notice unless you’re stood by the fence. Let’s just say, If we were in a position to buy it I would buy the house.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

Anthony: Yeah, I like that we have enough space here to hold a few gatherings. The garden is great for summer barbeque parties and the knocked-through living room is great for games of Warhammer with the boys!

Alison: We could always have more. But yes, we have a lot of space.

Really large lounge and then a back room extension also. We have things set up so if one of us wants to play on the Playstation the other can watch TV in the back room or play on the computer.

And like Anth says, plenty of space for big party gatherings. The extra toilet always comes in handy when guests are round!

What’s it like living together?

Anthony: Cosy? We have enough space that we don’t get on each other’s toes but you don’t feel as lonely as you might in a flat/house share where you don’t really know the other person.

Alison: We share everything equally, bills and chores etc. It’s rare we argue but think that’s because we are both too chilled out.

And it’s only occasionally I have to nudge Anth to do his share of the chores! We are both massive geeks which makes it easy to keep up with each others hobbies. Film nights and board game evenings are regular occurrences in this house.

How have you made your house feel like home?

Anthony: We go to quite a few comic-cons and have bought quite a lot of art. Framing them before putting them on the walls makes it look more like a home and less like student digs.

Other than that it’s just a case of making a space for your hobbies; I have a table I can paint my miniatures on and a display cabinet for my figurines.

Alison: We have a lot of artwork from over the years that we have put up. We still have loads more but I won’t put it up without frames which obviously costs money and when you have over 40 pieces it’ll add up.

Then there is all of Anth’s Warhammer 40k minis, we have a cabinet for them and will soon need another. They are a good talking point.

My mum comes round to do our gardening, she really enjoys it so she makes the garden look pretty which is better than it looking like a wasteland!

Are there any major issues with the house you have to put up with?

Anthony: The next-door neighbours have a couple of noisy kids. Some nights they scream all night through but it’s getting rarer. Being an old Edwardian house it can get quite cold in the winter but thankfully remains cool in the summer.

I think the floor might be sinking in one or two places but as a renter major structural degradation is not my problem!

Alison: No major issues, just small tweaks that come with renting. The side gate is constantly blowing open in Winter which Anth gets frustrated with barricading on a wet and windy night.

And there is a very very large Leylandi hedge which is slowly dying from the bottom up, it doesn’t look great and is ruining the soil on that side of the garden, but we are not going to sort it as it’s not our house and it would cost a lot to sort.

Are you planning to move again?

Anthony: I’m not in the mind to look for anywhere else. I think I’d need a pay rise/promotion before I can start thinking about the next step, which would probably be a bigger place further out from the city. I’d need to learn how to drive before then though…

Alison: I can’t see us moving again for the time being, we both enjoy the location and the house.

Have you considered buying a place?

Anthony: Oh, you’re serious? Sure! Let me just get that 20 grand I’ve been sitting on all this time! In all seriousness I don’t think buying a house is a realistic prospect for anyone earning less than 30k.

Alison: Yeah, again I am always on RightMove to see what there is in York, but not looking seriously as we don’t have a deposit at the moment.

I’d like to have a place of our own within three years, but that involves being a bit more cautious with what we spend each month.

We are kind of living to our means at the moment as that’s all we have ever done, so we’d have to buy less artwork and less hobby stuff to start seriously saving!

York isn’t that cheap in terms of what you get for your money, but we don’t want to leave the city to get cheaper, maybe just to the outlying villages.

Very fair. Shall we have a nosy?

What I Rent is a weekly series that’s out every Tuesday at 10am. Check back next week to have a nose around another rented property in London.

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Cats love strolling up and down the neighbourhood but they also love their own space.

It’s not always possible for them to roam around for some fresh air (what if they get lost), so Seattle based business Catio Spaces is offering a solution.

As suggested by their name, they help design catios – as in patios for your cats – providing DIY instructions that can be downloaded from their website.

Your feline friends will never have a dull moment with any of these garden designs that range from small spaces to complex contraptions.

Cynthia Chomos, the founder of the company, tells Metro.co.uk why she felt the need to design a recreational space for our kitties.

Catio Spaces offers a variety of DIY catio plans for a window, deck, or garden that are all easy to follow and ‘fun to build’.

You can request small and simple or large and luxurious designs for your back garden.

Cynthia tells us: ‘The inspiration behind Catio Spaces is my tabby cat, Serena, who I adopted after the loss of my beloved 22-year-old cat.

‘Being a nature lover, I wanted her to enjoy the stimulation of the outdoors while protected from a variety of outdoor hazards.

‘I transformed my backyard patio into a catio and created a space we could both enjoy with a water fountain, seating, shelves and cat safe plants.

‘While lounging in it one day with Serena curled up on my lap, I had a flash of inspiration to start Catio Spaces and combine my feng shui expertise and love of design, nature and cats.’

Cynthia adds that Serena is now her colleague, acting as her ‘quality assurance’ expert.

With her help, Cynthia has helped cat parents all over the world solve the dilemma of keeping cats safe while giving them time outdoors.

The most popular plans are the Sanctuary and Haven; three-sided catios that are built against a house to allow easy access through a cat door installed in a window, wall or door.

The downloadable plans include a material and tool list, step-by-step instructions and diagrams for a successful project.

Catio Spaces donates 10% of plan purchases to animal and bird welfare organizations.

‘I’ve never met a cat who didn’t enjoy fresh air and the stimulation and enrichment of the outdoors,’ says Cynthia

‘The most rewarding part of my work is witnessing my four-legged clients step into a catio for the first time, breathe fresh air, feel the wind in their whiskers and see their happy tails exploring their new territory – and of course, receiving a headbutt or sandpaper lick on the nose by a grateful feline.

‘I also feel good knowing my work helps protect birds and other wildlife.’

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When you have a skin condition, you become adept at finding ways to cover yourself up.

Whether it’s baggy jumpers, nude tights, or roll-on body glitter (90s kids will remember this one), those who have issues like psoriasis and eczema have been perfecting a routine to take attention away from their scabs and flakes since they were old enough to realise that people stare otherwise.

Kim Kardashian is one such psoriasis sufferer, and has been open about the condition since she was diagnosed on Keeping Up With The Kardashians back in 2011.

When she recently announced a new line of body makeup, it was this fact she chose to lead with, Instagramming a video of her applying the foundation onto her legs.

Although she said on the video’s caption that she had ‘learned to live with and not be insecure of [her] psoriasis’ and that the makeup was ‘for days when [she] wants to just cover it up’, it has caused controversy.

Critics have claimed that it adds just another insecurity on to the already heaped pile that women have, and forces them to buy more products and take up more time to fit an acceptable beauty standard.

Kim Kardashian certainly hasn’t invented body makeup. Mac Studio Face and Body foundation has been around for a long time, and provides waterproof coverage wherever you want it. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs has spanned multiple generations, covering up our granny’s varicose veins and giving us a tan on nights out. Wartime women even used gravy browning back in the day to get a glow when nylon stocks were short.

More recently, queen Rihanna brought out Fenty Body Lava last year to rapturous applause. And rightly so – it’s stunning.

I don’t see why Kim – someone who has been open about her own problems and shared something that’s boosted her confidence – is persona non grata now.

As someone who’s had eczema since I was born (which at times was so severe that people asked me if I’d been burned in a house fire) makeup has been a lifeline.

Loving yourself is a lot easier when you’re on your own, and don’t have eyes boring into you from every angle in the street. I’ve seen children whisper to their parents asking what was wrong with me, and one woman audibly gasped when I walked into a doctor’s waiting room.

So saying that you need to simply accept yourself as you are is a lot easier said than done, when the world refuses accept you first.

The mental effects of skin conditions can often feel more pronounced than the physical ones, as the wish to feel normal and not have your body fighting itself from the inside out takes over.

The break that makeup can give you is a welcome one, and allows you to move through the world without being different for once.

Friends of mine with acne or scarring have said similar things, telling me that although makeup certainly isn’t the be-all and end-all, it helps to ease the psychological toll that outward marks can cause.

I’m unclear on why wearing makeup on your face is considered empowering and creative (except in some old-school feminist circles), but having the choice to do so on your legs or arms is oppressive.

These reactionary arguments that turn anything a woman does into a way she’s a good or bad role model are anything but feminist. Surely we’re past the stage where someone wearing makeup or heels or having cosmetic surgery make them a double agent for the patriarchy?

Once again, the body positivity issue is forced back into being a responsibility for women to contend with, rather than us understanding the wider societal issues that cause us to want to change ourselves in the first place.

Just because you believe your stretch marks are tiger stripes, or your scars are a sign of your bravery, doesn’t mean everyone feels the same about their blotches, bruises, pocks, or veins. Kim Kardashian is not the person that’s ever going to change that, and it’s a tired trope to make one person the scapegoat for all of our self love.

There is no caveat when it comes to being a woman who loves herself that says you must only do this in your most bare and natural state. If you feel good when you wear two-inch long acrylic nails or an eyeliner flick Cleopatra would be jealous of, that’s apparently fine.

But when you decide to wear body makeup and take a night off from telling people why your body is covered in scabs? Apparently that’s catering to men and bowing down to a world that wants you to change everything about yourself.

Tina Fey’s character in Mean Girls gave us an important lesson when she said, ‘You all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it okay for guys to call you sluts and whores’.

Can I now extend that invitation, and ask us to stop calling each other out as the ‘wrong type of woman’? All it does is give men the right to tell us that makeup is for bimbos, and that our appearance marks out whether we’re intelligent, worthy, or ‘not like all the other girls’.

If you’ve been lucky enough to never be singled out due to the way your skin looks, then I am genuinely happy for you. But, for people like me who have spent their whole lives dodging jibes and glances, the chance to be anonymous for an evening is not to be sniffed at… And that doesn’t make me any less of a feminist.

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Bad news for men who enjoy eating pizza, chips and burgers – it might be affecting your semen.

Though we can’t fault you for your dietary choices (you’re only human), science says a typical western diet might be drastically lowering how many viable sperms you have.

The quality of semen deteriorates in those on a ‘western diet’ of processed meat, sugary drinks and snacks, say scientists.

Researchers from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health compared results between men on such diets against vegetarian ones and those on ‘prudent’ diets rich in protein and dairy.

They found that in comparison, vegetarian men have a higher sperm count.

A study of 3,000 men aged between 18-20 found that men who ate unhealthily had 25.6 million fewer sperm than their counterparts.

To put that into perspective, the World Health Organisation says that 39 million or more is a normal amount.

When couples are struggling with fertility, potential fathers are usually encouraged to maintain a better lifestyle and eat healthier to improve their chances of pregnancy.

So lifestyle clearly affects semen, says Allan Pacey, a professor from the University of Sheffield who commented on the findings presented at The European Society of Human Production and Embryology in Vienna.

‘This just shows the power of diet to the way that testicles function,’ he said.

The experts said that the low numbers could be a result of the lack of antioxidants found in junk food. These substances are usually found in nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

‘It’s almost certain that this is down to an effect that those with the better diets are taking more antioxidants,’ said Allan.

‘With pizza, chips and red meat we know that the antioxidant stress goes up and that is bad for sperm.’

Though vegetarian men were found to be healthier, the best counts were found in men regularly consuming fish, chicken, vegetables, fruit and water.

They had an average of 42.8 million more sperm than the men who followed this diet least.

The results provide interesting insight into how diets at a younger age may affect fertility in later life.

That’s not the only thing affecting sperm count. Apparently, cannabis users have a higher count. We imagine that comes as good news to some.

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Glastonbury is almost upon us and it’s time to start packing.

This year, the festival takes place from tomorrow, 26 June, until 30 June 2019 so if you are heading along this weekend, write a list of everything you need and pack as you go.

Although sleeping in a tent for the weekend can make you want to bring everything you can to make it more comfortable, don’t over do it.

Pack things that will actually be useful across the weekend – remember, you are the one that needs to carry it. Being organised will stop you bringing too much.

It is good to be prepared for all sorts of weather though/ The good news is that the weather forecast is good and it’s probably not going to be a washout but the British weather is unpredictable.

The essential things to bring to Glastonbury:

Your ticket – You won’t get very far without it.

A tent, a sleeping bag and a roll mat to sleep on – Pick a tent that’s a slightly bigger size than the number of people staying there for some space for all your belongings. Before you go, make sure you know how to put it up and that all the pieces (including tent pegs) are in the bag. At the end of the festival, make sure you take it home with you again though.

Toilet roll – If you bring your own, you can make sure there’s always some available when you go to the bathroom.

Your phone – Although you might want to bring an old phone in case anything happens to it, you will need something to be able to contact your friends when you inevitably get separated in the crowd.

A portable battery pack – Many will give you several full charges meaning you can keep your phone topped up across the whole weekend. If you don’t have one, buy one that gives at least one charge of your phone for the number of days you’ll be at Glastonbury.

A torch – When it gets dark, having a torch helps you find your way home and can be useful to help you find all your stuff in the tent. You can use the torch on your phone but that will drain the battery life. Try a wind up torch to make sure it never runs out of battery

Medication, contraception and a first aid kit – With drinks flowing, someone might end up injuring themselves so a kit with plasters, antiseptic cream and burn cream is important. Make sure you have contraception available. The pollen count is set to be very high this weekend so if you have hayfever, bring some anti-histamines.

If you take any regular medication, make sure you take enough for the weekend. You need to make sure it’s in the original container with the dispensary sticker to comply with the festival’s prescribed medication policy. If you need your medication to be stored safely or in temperature controlled storage, it can be arranged by emailing in advance.

Bin bags – They are great for keeping dirty clothes or shoes in to prevent everything else you own getting covered in mud before it needs to, but they’re also useful as make-shift rain ponchos and keeping your stuff dry if your tent leaks. Try to buy compostable bin bags, which are slightly better for the planet.

Duct tape – You’ll appreciate you remembered it when your tent pole snaps.

What to wear at Glastonbury:

Wellies – You don’t need to buy anything too fancy. It is predicted to stay dry this weekend but bring wellies just in case. If the rain does start, the ground quickly gets muddy with thousands of people walking over it.

Layers – Bring t-shirts, vests, leggings, shorts and skirts that you can mix and match. If it’s hot, you don’t need them all but if you’re unsure how the day is going to go, you can easy wear more and pop them in your bag if it heats up. It’s also useful to have clean layers underneath if you get a little muddy.

Silly clothing – It is the perfect time to wear something outlandish.

A waterproof coat – As we mentioned, it’s not forecast to rain but if it does, you’ll need a coat with a hood to keep you dry.

A warm jumper – It’s set to be around 27 C on Friday and 24 C on Saturday but Sunday is predicted to be a little chiller so have something warm with you just in case. It’s also useful to have when the sun goes down every night.

Sunglasses – If the temperature reaches what has been predicted, it’s important to stay safe in the sun.

A secure bag – You’ll need something to keep your money, phone and precious roll of toilet roll safe when you’re watching your favourite acts.

How to stay clean:

A washcloth – The festival are discouraging people from bringing wet wipes as even biodegradable wipes release greenhouse gases when they decompose. A few flannels and some soap that you can wash when you get home will work.

Deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste and other toiletries – Even if you don’t plan to queue to use the shower across the weekend, wearing deodorant, brushing your teeth and a wipe with some water from the sink will at least make you feel a little fresher.

Suncream – Again, it looks like it could be hot. Bring suncream and reapply it throughout the day to stop yourself getting burnt.

Hand sanitiser – Keep it with you in your bag so you can keep your hands clean after using the loo.

Towel – It’s useful to have a towel to dry off, even if you don’t want to use the showers. A microfibre travel towel is much more compact and it will dry quickly in your tent.

Dry shampoo – By day three, your hair will be caked in it but it does help to tame it.

What to eat and drink at Glastonbury:

A reusable bottle – Cut down on plastic and cost by bringing your own bottle and refilling it throughout the day at the drinking water stations. Your bottle might also keep it cooler for longer, which is great for the hot weather.

When it comes to alcohol, you can pick up a reusable pint cup if you pay a £5 deposit. At the end of the festival, you can return it to get your money back or keep it as a souvenir.

Tea and coffee – You’ll want something to get you through the hungover first thing in the morning.

Dried food – There will be plenty of places to eat at Glastonbury but if you want to cut costs or just don’t want to have to leave your tent first thing in the morning to get breakfasts, bring some food with you. Noodle pots, cereal bars, biscuits and dried porridge all work.

Alcohol – You can’t bring any glass to the festival but you can bring cans or plastic bottles. It might seem like a good idea to cut costs but remember you have to carry it all there and it will get warm and unappetising quite quickly.

What not to bring to Glastonbury:

The festival has some advice on things to leave at home.

Don’t bring more than you need – If you do forget something, most things can be picked up on site.

Gazebos – Only tents are allowed as gazebos take up a lot of space. The organisers also ask that people don’t put tape around their enclosures as it makes it more difficult for people to get around.

Glass isn’t allowed.

Non-biodegrable body glitter is now allowed.

Do not bring excess packaging – If you purchase something new for the Festival, please remove all the excess packing at home, before you arrive.

Please do not bring any of these prohibited items:

• No portable laser equipment or pens are permitted.
• No animals (except registered guide dogs).
• No sound systems or drums.
• No generators.
• No sky lanterns or kites, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares.
• No nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

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Have a think back to your school days and it’s the food that really makes the nostalgia hit home.

Remember the days before Jamie Oliver stole away our turkey twizzlers, when we could enjoy a bottle of Panda Pops and a massive cookie with our lunch of a pasty, beans, and chips?

Oh, how we miss them.

But the food that inspires our school lunch nostalgia differs quite a bit between the generations.

While you may fondly remember a sandwich of Billy Bear ham and cheese, someone born just a few years earlier might dream only of Wagon Wheels.

The team over at Wren Kitchens teamed up with nutritionist Jenny Edelstein to take a look at how kids’ packed lunches have transformed over the decades.

They reckon that children’s packed lunches tend to be far more nutritionally healthy today than they were 50 years ago… which is probably the case, considering our prior fondness for pickled onion Monster Munch.

Shall we take a look at the average school lunch for every decade, then?

1970s

Here we have a classic seventies collection of peanut butter and jam sandwiches, some cubes of cheese, cheese puffs, pineapple slices, a carton of orange juice, and a few sweets.

Those cubes of cheese with pineapple are giving us major house party vibes, we must say.

1980s

Yes, those are indeed Space Raiders – a delightful pairing with a cheese and pickle sandwich.

80s kids also enjoyed some apple slices, a Wagon Wheel (I’m team jam), and another carton of orange juice.

1990s

Oh hey, 90s kids. You’ll remember enjoying a ham sandwich (Billy Bear ham gets you extra points), likely with Hula Hoops, some animal shaped biscuits, a Penguin, a jelly fruit pot, and a Capri-Sun.

2000s

Remember Frubes?

If you were a kid in the early 2000s, you probably enjoyed a lunch of a tuna and sweetcorn sandwich, a tube of yoghurt, some pringles (you had a sparkly Pringles snack pot, of course), string cheese, and some fruit flavoured water.

Your mum probably chucked in some apple slices and grapes to make it ‘healthy’… plus a Kit-Kat for pudding.

2010 to now

So here’s what the young people are eating these days: a chicken salad sandwich with fancy ‘thins’ rather than standard bread, carrot sticks, a handful of crisps, a chocolate finger, tropical fruits, and yoghurt covered raisins.

According to the study of 2,000 parents by Wren Kitchens, the majority of parents consider children’s packed lunches today to be healthier than when they were young, and what’s included now is more nutritious than the food found in packed lunches in the 70s.

Nutritionist Jenny said: ‘There’s been a definite shift away from heavily processed foods we saw in packed lunches in the 1990s and high sugar content seen in classic 1970s lunchboxes. Today, we see packed lunches include a good range of fruit, vegetables and protein.

‘Looking at social pressures, over a third feel pressure from other parents to create healthy and exciting packed lunches for their children, but 27% say the cost of maintaining healthy lunches are far too high.

‘Knowing where to start when creating a balanced and nutrient filled lunch can be challenging, but just stepping away from excess fats and added preservatives will do wonders for your child’s health. Try replacing processed sandwiches with a healthy chicken and sweet potato wrap and swapping sugary drinks for water.’

That’s us told.

Jenny recommended the perfect nutritional lunchbox as containing a chicken and sweet potato wrap, vegetables with a cumin and lime yoghurt dip, a tub of mixed berries, and filtered tap water to drink.

So, no, it’s probably not a good idea to run into the comforting embrace of a cheese and pickle sandwich with Monster Munch. Sorry.

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When you sit down with your partner, do you always sit in the sofa in a similar way?

Apparently it could say a lot about your relationship.

A poll of more than 2,000 people in relationships by sofa and carpet specialist, ScS, revealed just 40% of people like to snuggle up on the sofa with their partner, but 60% prefer to have their own space.

Body language expert Dr Georgina Barnett found the top seven positions for sitting on the sofa with your partner and analysed what they could mean.

Sat on different sofas – 37%

According to Dr Barnett this doesn’t necessarily indicate problems but just that you’ve been together for a while and you’ve grown used to each other.

But she added that by staying far apart, it could indicate that couples who use this position have fallen into leading separate lives.

Legs on lap – 20%

Dr Barnett says that the one with their legs on their partner is the one in control, as they are demanding attention and they have the dominant position.

She adds that the this position is a sign of a happy relationship and a couple who are comfortable with each other.

Side-by-side (touching not cuddling) – 18%

A sign of a happy and contented couple, according to Dr Barnett.

She adds: ‘They may not be in the first flush of passion, but they are connected and seeking to maintain contact with each other.

‘Couples who sit in this position have confidence in the relationship and have a level of trust that allows for a healthy amount of space. There is intimacy combined with freedom.’

Opposite sides of the sofa – 16%

This one is also known as bookends and can indicated that a couple have become detached.

It is often used as protest behaviour or to make a point during a row but if there hasn’t been any recent conflict, it can show that the couples sitting like this have grown apart, especially if they previously sat close together.

Dr Barnett adds that this position is more serious if they have their legs crossed, pointing away from each other.

Cuddling in the corner – 12%

Cuddling like this can suggest closeness, according to Dr Barnett – but it can also signify a power differential as one person is spreading out and owning all the space.

Dr Barnett adds: ‘The person spread out in the corner is owning the space, suggesting confidence and power in the relationship. The partner in the middle however, might be less secure and is seeking contact and reassurance – literally clinging on.’

Cuddling in the middle – 9%

Dr Barnett says this one could be seen as one of the most loving positions because it suggests equality but also a sense of connection.

She says: ‘This is often found early in a relationship where there is more of a need for assurance, and the passion is still very strong!

‘If the couple’s heads are leaning together as well, this indicates an emotional as well as physical connection.’

Corner cuddle with tucked legs – 8%

This one is a lot like cuddling in the corner as the person in the corner tends to be the stronger one, while the partner is more submissive.

‘This position is sometimes seen when one is insecure in a partnership, as they are to some extent adopting a foetal position,’ Dr Barnett says.

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Heading to Glastonbury?

We’ll be honest – you’re in for a grim few days.

All the live music and pints will be fun, sure, but you need to be prepared for a lot of mud, sweat, and tear-inducing toilets.

Fair warning: you will likely be filthy… and we doubt you’ll want to queue for the extremely limited showers.

Baby wipes are the obvious choice to feeling slightly fresher, but it’s a load of faff taking out individual wipes to clean your armpits and nether regions.

Enter towel-sized wet wipes.

These are not a new concept, to be clear. Way back in 2015 you could get a massive wet wipe designed for your entire body.

The Big Big Body Wipe, however, was only available online and cost £5.99 for a pack.

What’s new is that you can now get similar massive wipes for far cheaper from your nearest Home Bargains store. Hooray.

The wipes were brought to our attention over in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, where people rejoiced over the wipes’ potential for festivals, camping, and kids coming home all muddy.

For 79p you get two wipes, each over a metre long. If you fancy getting 48 wipes so you’ve got a proper stash for Glasto, that’ll be £18.46.

Home Bargains says the wipes are enriched with moisturiser so they don’t wreck your poor mud-soaked skin, and can ‘freshen your whole body with just one wipe’.

You just wipe yourself all over and you’re done. It’s almost like having a shower… right?

But, of course, a massive body wipe isn’t all good news.

These ones aren’t biodegradable, they’re single-use, and thus will cause a whole lot of waste and plastic pollution.

A far better option for keeping semi-clean at a festival is getting something reusable. Try a flannel – paired with water you can give yourself a quick scrub without destroying the planet.

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Brace yourselves and your hair, because humid weather is coming to the UK.

Humidity makes hair frizzy because the hydrogen in water – which is two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen – can cause your individual hairs to swell, become curlier and, often, frizzier.

As the we get ready for more humidity and heat in the UK, here’s what you need to know about how to tame frizz in humid weather.

Keep your hair moisturised

Dry hair is more absorbent, and so will absorb more of the moisture in the air if it’s humid out.

Kai Wan, of P.Kai Hair and Wella Platform Artist, told Metro.co.uk: ‘Curly hair needs to be kept hydrated to prevent frizz.

‘I’m a huge fan on the System Professionals Hydrate Quenching Mist as it’s easy to keep to hand and you can keep spraying this cooling mist as and when needed. It will keep your curls refreshed and stop any frizzing.’

Use the right shampoo and conditioner

Cosmopolitan.com’s beauty editor Carly Cardellino has said: ‘The trick to controlling frizz and keeping your hair from puffing up is targeting the problem in the shower with the right shampoo and conditioner.

Ammon Carver, a celebrity hairstylist in NYC, also says: ‘You’ll want to use a lightweight moisturizing formula that will inject your hair with the hydration it needs so that it doesn’t soak up excess from the humid air.’

Perfect your blow-drying technique

Cardellino also recommends blow-drying your hair in such a way as to seal the cuticle, to help lock in hydration from any moisturising products you use.

She says: ‘The easiest way to do that is to use a boar bristle brush while directing the heat from your blow dryer downward toward your ends (this helps the cuticle lay flat compared to rough drying without a brush, which can ruffle the cuticle and result in flyaways), and then hitting your hair with a cool shot of air all over to seal the cuticle.

‘Just remember to make sure your hair is 100 percent dry, since hair is less resistant to humidity if it’s still damp before you step out the door.’

Leave some of your conditioner in

Ken Picton, of Ken Picton Salon has said: ‘I tell clients who struggle with frizz to leave a little bit of their conditioner in their hair rather than completely rinsing, as this will coat the whole hair leaving it smoother.’

Ideal if you’re in a rush!

If all else fails, tie it back

If you haven’t been able to tame the frizz and aren’t in the mood to embrace it, then you can always pull and/or tie your hair back to disguise it.

Clips, headbands, braids, buns – anything that keeps a tight grip on your hair will help disguise the frizz in humid weather.

We interrupt your day to bring you this vitally important bit of information: A cat has successfully played dead when faced with a finger gun.

Well, sort of. The cat does it as much as any cat does a trick – half-heartedly, and only until they decide they can’t be bothered.

The video (yep, the one above), shows Baroness the cat falling down and showing her stomach when her owner, Matthew Keating pretends to shoot her with his fingers.

The moment he shoots, Baroness drops to the floor, rolls on her back, and even lets out a meow to really sell the emotion of the scene.

Sadly this isn’t a trained trick that Matthew can now get Baroness to show off at every opportunity. Baroness just happened to play along when her human was filming.

And by the end of the video she’s clearly no longer interested.

But still, we appreciate the (momentary) effort.

Matthew, from Melbourne in Australia, said: ‘It was completely coincidental, but I would definitely be able to repeat the results.

‘Maybe not with the ‘mew’ at the end though – that was just downright adorable.

‘Basically I saw a video online of someone doing that trick with their dog so I thought I could replicate it with my cat by filming her regular routine to roll around on the gravel and pretending to shoot her.

‘It was when she greeted me as I came home that the finger-gun thought came to mind.

‘I was both surprised and amused by how well it was timed. I think it’s funny, and also adorable.

‘This is part of a daily routine between us. Whenever I go out and come home, regardless of the time, I will pull up in the driveway and she will be waiting for me.

‘I’ll raise my hand to my hip and she’ll stand up to nudge it “hello!”. She will then go to the roadside and take a leisurely roll on the gravel whilst I stand watch.’

‘Watching the video I feel I have a strong bond of trust, affection and respect with Baroness. She’s a little lion and she knows it.’

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