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I Just Learned How To Properly Juice A Lemon Without A Juicer And It’s Genius

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As somebody that puts lemon juice in tea, rice, and every chicken dish I ever cobble together, let me tell you: there is never enough lemon juice to satiate my zesty needs.

With all of that being said, I don’t own a juicer. It’s not necessary, it’s not essential, but it does make the whole juicing process a little faster. I just keep forgetting to pick one up when I’m at the shops.

However, one genius, one utter SAINT, has shared his hack to thoroughly juicing a lemon without a juicer and let me tell you, lives were changed.

How to properly juice a lemon without a juicer

TikTok user Michael Hayes, who has over a million followers, shared his tip for juicing a lemon without a juicer.

For his method, he simply slices a lemon in half and then puts it between tongs, and then squeezing.

How. Did. I. Not. Think. Of. This.

I did immediately run to the kitchen to try this and honestly, it worked a treat. Pretty ideal for doing directly over a pan or even just a cup of ginger tea. Obsessed.

The chef also urged people not to throw out broccoli stalks and instead, sauté them in soy sauce for a side dish that tastes “just like sautéed onions.”

Health benefits of lemons

Thinking of becoming a fiend like I am and adding lemons to everything? Well, as well as being delicious and adding a tonne of flavour to dishes, lemons are also great for your health.

According to WebMD, lemons can:

  • Be an ideal source of vitamin C
  • Help to maintain iron levels and prevent amenia
  • Prevent kidney stones
  • Improve your complexion
  • Reduce your risk of heart disease
  • Support the immune system
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduce risk of diabetes

Not bad for a tiny little fruit, eh?!

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James Corden Is Taking Extreme Measures To Keep The Gavin & Stacey Script Under Wraps

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Gavin & Stacey creators James Corden and Ruth Jones are apparently taking no chances when it comes to protecting the script for the much-loved sitcom’s final outing.

James and Ruth finally gave fans the news they’ve been waiting almost five years for back in May, when they announced that Gavin & Stacey would return to our screens this Christmas for a one-off special that they’ve insisted will be its last ever episode.

And with production getting underway later this year, it seems the pair are taking security very seriously.

According to the BBC’s Director of Comedy, Jon Petrie, he hasn’t actually been allowed to see a copy of the script yet – despite being the one who commissioned the special.

Speaking at a comedy showcase this week, Jon said (via the Daily Mail): “I genuinely still haven’t seen the script, James and Ruth won’t let us look at it yet.

He added:”I think [that’s] great, they are really keeping it under wraps and don’t want people to see it outside of their very, very tight circle until they’re 100 per cent certain of it.

“I think it will be hard when they are filming it because it’s such a huge show and everyone will want to watch, everyone in all the locations where it’s shot, it will be obvious what’s being shot.”

Gavin & Stacey stars James Corden, Joanna Page, Mathew Horne and Ruth Jones
Gavin & Stacey stars James Corden, Joanna Page, Mathew Horne and Ruth Jones

Of course, you can’t blame James and Ruth for being overzealous, particularly as news of the special was leaked in the press weeks before they actually announced it.

Ruth has previously made no secret of her upset about this leak, admitting last month: “I wanted to give everybody a nice surprise and I think it was really mean that they leaked it.”

Meanwhile, James disclosed during a Radio 2 interview last week that the Christmas special’s script isn’t actually finished yet, telling Zoe Ball: “Ruth and I have to do one last pass and clean up of it, really.

“The cast are like, ‘when can I read it?’, [but] we don’t want to really give it to anybody if we feel like we have to make a few trims and adjustments. But I’m really excited to share it with people.”

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Natalie Portman Reveals How She Really Feels About Those Star Wars Prequels

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Natalie Portman has insisted she feels “blessed” to have been part of the Star Wars franchise.

The Oscar winner appeared as Padmé Amidala in the three prequel films in what’s come to be known as the “Skywalker saga”, beginning with 1999’s The Phantom Menace and ending with 2005’s Revenge Of The Sith.

Speaking to Total Film, Natalie said she felt Star Wars is something she feels “extraordinarily lucky thing to have been part of”.

“I know how meaningful it is for people. And, every day, still, people are like, ‘I just watched it with my kids’,” she explained.

“To be part of something like that that’s part of that cultural mythology, and part of people’s childhoods, in such a vibrant way, is so, so lucky.”

Natalie Portman in The Phantom Menace
Natalie Portman in The Phantom Menace

Lucasfilm/Kobal/Shutterstock

However, the Black Swan actor admitted that not all of her Star Wars memories are good ones, namely down to the fact the prequel trilogy didn’t exactly get the warmest reception from fans at the time.

“The reaction to them when they came out, being as harsh at it was – it was hard,” Natalie recalled.

“And obviously, over time they’ve gained more appreciation, which has been nice, to always feel the balm of time. But, yeah, I feel very blessed to have been part of that, at that moment in my life.”

The stars of Star Wars Episode III
The stars of Star Wars Episode III

Keith Hamshere/Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

Natalie was just 18 when Episode I in the Star Wars saga hit cinemas, and she’s since gone on to win acclaim for films like Closer, Black Swan and Jackie, all of which earned her Academy Awards recognition, as well as last year’s May December.

Following her stint in Star Wars, Natalie also joined another major franchise when she joined Marvel’s Thor universe as Jane Foster.

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House Of The Dragon Star Opens Up About Filming ‘Animalistic’ Sex Scene That Was Eventually Cut From Show

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House Of The Dragon star Olivia Cooke has revealed not all of the sex scenes she filmed made it into the final edit.

The British actor played Alicent Hightower, who becomes the second wife of King Viserys I Targaryen, in the first season of the Game Of Thrones prequel, and reprises the role in the second run, which is airing now.

In a new interview with Elle, Olivia opened up about some of the show’s infamous sex scenes, recalling one in particular that wound up on the cutting room floor.

“It was messy as fuck,” she said of the “animalistic” and “carnal” sequence. “It wasn’t beautiful, and that was really fun to do.”

Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke on the set of House Of The Dragon season two
Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke on the set of House Of The Dragon season two

On why the scene ultimately wasn’t used, she claimed that showrunner Ryan Condal felt “we weren’t learning any more about the characters”.

“I disagree with [that] slightly,” she added. “But it’s okay. It’s his show.”

Asked more generally about House Of The Dragon’s sex scenes, Olivia shared: “I thought there’d be way more, and so I’m relieved that when it has been used for me, it’s showing Alicent being pleasured, which is amazing and doesn’t feel gratuitous. It feels like we’re telling a story.”

Olivia recently gave an interview to The Times, in which she shared how she really felt about playing a grandmother in the hit fantasy show, despite only being in her early 30s.

“I have really complicated feelings towards it,” she admitted. “If they can create dragons, they could have made me look younger – and then older. Or maybe they should have cast actors in their forties?”

“It’s strange,” Olivia added. “I bristle a bit because the years between being a teenager and now a grandma on screen were so short for me. There’s real reticence to see women age on screen.”

House Of The Dragon airs on Mondays on Sky and Now.

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4 Simple, Effective Ways To Cope In Hot Weather During Pregnancy

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Pregnancy can come with a myriad of symptoms, including nausea and back pain. However, one that’s especially difficult during the summer is feeling that your body is warmer than usual.

According to the NHS, this is due to hormonal changes and an increase in blood supply to the skin. It can also cause you to sweat more.

This is already difficult enough, but during a heatwave, like the one that’s set to hit the UK later this month, staying cool can seem outright unmanageable.

How to cope with hot weather and heatwaves during pregnancy

Stay hydrated, especially if you’re prone to sweating

According to the National Institute of Health, the current recommendation for water intake is drinking 8–10 glasses of water each day. Perhaps up it a little more if you need to or are prone to sweating.

Your pee should be a pale yellow in shade, if it’s darker, you need to drink more water.

Adjust your approach to exercise

The National Childbirth Trust warned: “You might need to adjust your exercise plan while pregnant, particularly if there’s a heatwave. If your body temperature rises too high in the early stages of pregnancy, there are risks.

“So make sure you aren’t over-exerting yourself, particularly in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.”

Wear light, cool clothing

Try to wear clothing that is breathable and light-coloured. This means avoiding synthetic fabrics, opting for more airy clothes.

Travel expert Justin Chapman said: “Stick to light-coloured, natural fabrics like cotton and linen in hot weather. These are breathable and will keep you cool, unlike synthetic fabrics that will trap heat, along with bacteria and odour, and make you feel hotter.”

Stay out of the sun where possible

Of course, we all want to make the most of the sun while it’s here, especially in the UK. However, protecting yourself from the sun’s rays will help you to stay cool during hot days.

The NHS recommends staying out of the sun between 11am-3pm, when the sun’s rays are the strongest, and wearing sunglasses and hats to protect yourself and stay cool.

Finally, make sure that you rest! Hot days are tiring as our bodies have to work harder in the heat, so make sure you’re being kind to yourself and resting as much as possible.

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Central Cee’s Front Row Appearance At Paris Fashion Week Stole The Show For This 1 Baffling Reason

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Chart-topping rapper Central Cee got the best seat in the house next to Sabrina Carpenter at the Louis Vuitton Fashion Week show on Tuesday, but that’s not the reason his appearance at the event has got people talking.

The British musician and Espresso singer sat side by side at the high fashion spring/summer 2025 event in Paris, where they were spotted posing for photos together at the outdoor show.

But one video clip has been doing the rounds online that ends with a truly random reveal, in which Central Cee whips out his Nintendo DS and proceeds to bury his head in a video game.

The interaction unsurprisingly left social media users bewildered and amused, especially as another clip revealed that the Nonsense singer even gave it a go herself.

“Central Cee watching Sabrina Carpenter play the Nintendo DS at the LV show is the most random sight to see but coolest at the same time,” one X (formerly Twitter) user said.

“He’s so real for this,” another shared. “Central Cee the epitome of that one cousin who’s forced to take pictures at a family gathering,” a third joked.

Some fans also noted a certain lyric in Sabrina’s signature hit Espresso had never been more relevant.

It’s also worth pointing out that the pair were seated next to Eurovision favourite Mahmood, who finished in second place back in 2019.

Another video from the fashion show also shows the moment Sabrina first introduced herself with a hug and even insisted that “Barry said I said to say hi to you”, name-dropping her rumoured boyfriend Barry Keoghan.

That’s not the only fashion week moment that’s caused a stir online this week, after Paul Mescal attended Milan Fashion Week in a pair of his signature short shorts.

In what came as a surprise to absolutely no one, the internet lost it at yet another leggy outing from the Normal People star.

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10 Simple Tips For Ensuring You Get A Great Sleep At A Festival

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It’s summer in the UK which can only mean one thing for music lovers: it’s festival season.

Festivals are famously great for getting together with friends for the weekend, enjoying live music and partying until the early hours. What they’re definitely not famous for is being an ideal spot for getting some restful sleep.

However, according to sleep expert Edward Gorst from Panda London, getting a good sleep at a festival is not only possible but essential.

10 steps to ensuring you sleep well at a festival

Choose the right camping spot for quiet

If possible, choose a camping spot in a quieter area away from stages, walkways and communal spots where noise levels tend to be higher.

Invest in quality camping gear

While festivals aren’t exactly wild camping, having the best camping gear will make a huge difference to your festival sleeping experience.

Gorst said: “A comfortable sleeping bag suited to the weather conditions, along with a good sleeping mat or air mattress, can greatly enhance your sleeping experience.

“These items offer better support and insulation from the cold ground, ensuring you remain warm and comfortable throughout the night.”

Invest in earplugs and an eye mask

Festivals are lively and often run late into the night, and even if you party into the night, chances are the bright lights and chatter will still keep you up when you’re ready to hit the hay.

Gorst said: “Earplugs can help muffle the sounds of music and chatter, while an eye mask will block out ambient light, creating a dark and quiet environment conducive to sleep.”

Establish a bedtime routine (yes, even at a festival!)

Even at a festival, having a routine can signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

This could include reading a book, listening to calming music, or practising relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises. A consistent routine can make it easier to fall asleep in an unfamiliar and potentially noisy environment.

Be mindful of stimulants

While this may sound counterintuitive to going to a festival, limiting the alcohol you consume close to your bedtime can help you get a good night’s rest. Additionally, cut off caffeine before the evening so that your body can wind down effectively.

Stay hydrated as much as possible

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, but try to reduce fluid intake in the hour or so before bed. This will help minimise nighttime trips to the loo, which can disrupt your sleep.

Wear comfortable clothing to sleep

Opt for comfortable, breathable clothing for sleeping. Layers are ideal, as they allow you to adjust your temperature throughout the night. Being too hot or too cold can interfere with your ability to fall and stay asleep.

Create a comfortable sleep environment

Personalise your tent to make it as comfortable as possible. Bring a small pillow from home, use a soft blanket, and consider using a camping pillow for added neck support. Familiar and comfortable items can help you feel more at ease.

A little bit of home right there in your tent!

Practise good sleep hygiene

Try to go to bed and wake up at consistent times, even at a festival. This helps regulate your body’s internal clock and can improve the quality of your sleep. Avoid screen time before bed as the blue light emitted from devices can interfere with your natural sleep cycle.

Take naps if needed

If you find it difficult to get a full night’s sleep, short naps during the day can help. Even a 20-30 minute nap can refresh you and make up for lost nighttime sleep. Find a quiet spot, use your earplugs and eye mask, and take a quick rest to recharge.

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These Are The 10 Most Complained-About TV Moments In Ofcom’s History

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1. Good Morning Britain, 2021 – 54,495 complaints

Piers Morgan casts doubt on Meghan Markle’s claims she experienced suicidal thoughts while still a senior royal

2. Celebrity Big Brother, 2007 – 45,159 complaints

Jade Goody and fellow housemates’ treatment of Shilpa Shetty sparks racism accusations

3. Celebrity Big Brother, 2018 – 25,327 complaints

Roxanne Pallett wrongly accuses Ryan Thomas of deliberately punching her in the ribs

4. Britain’s Got Talent , 2020– 25,017 complaints

Diversity’s guest performance reflecting on the events of 2020 includes references to Black Lives Matter protests

5. Love Island, 2021 – 24,921 complaints

Former Islander Faye Winter shouts at boyfriend Teddy Soares in the villa.

6. Julia Hartley-Brewer (TalkTV), 2024 – 17,351

Julia Hartley-Brewer suggests Mustafa Barghouti, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, is perhaps “not used to women talking”.

7. I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, 2020 – 11,516

I’m A Celebrity continues to use live animals in its Bushtucker Trials.

8. Dan Wootton Tonight (GB News), 2023 – 8,867

Guest Laurence Fox launches into a misogynistic tirade about a female journalist live on air.

9. Jerry Springer The Opera, 2005 – 8,860

Viewers take issue with the musical’s use of language and depiction of Christian imagery.

10. King Charles III: The Coronation (ITV), 2023 – 8,421

Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh remarks on the disparity between what she described as the “rich diversity of the Abbey” the “terribly white” scene after the Royal Family waved to the public from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

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Daters, Meet “Pebbling” ― The Penguin-Based Dating Trend Social Media Loves

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We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about “tolyamory,” where one or both partners silently permits the infidelity of another without ever explicitly addressing it.

We’ve covered the “orange peel” and “Dorito” dating tests, too. But what’s “pebbling” ― a penguin-inspired dating trend I keep seeing on my For You Page?

A viral TikTok from @jakeyboiarts describes it as giving “someone a bunch of something because you’re thinking about them, for example, a penguin that gives a pebble to another penguin they love.”

The video, which has earned over 640k views as of the time of writing, explained that “pebbling online is like someone who gets videos, memes, whatever, and you send them to someone.”

What’s that got to do with dating?

It doesn’t have to. Another TikTok video by autism-specialising therapist @myautistictherapist suggested that “the way [many autistic people] share love is through giving information” ― “pebbling” facts, as it were.

And that love can be for friends and family as well as partners. “A lot of the autistic people on this app are showing the world love by sharing what they know,” the therapist said; of course, the same goes for anyone else. It’s a little gift for those you love.

But seeing as the Gentoo penguin-based habit it’s based on is used for amorous avian couples, the trend has taken on a romantic hue on social media ― and the pros seem to approve.

Older forms of “pebbling,” like giving someone a gift, bringing them home a snack, or even telling them about a part of your day that made you think of them have existed for as long as love has, Psychology Today points out.

But relationship expert Gigi Engle told Metro.co.uk that the newer, online application is great for couples; “I think it’s the cutest thing ever because memes are a love language these days,” she said.

“Pebbling started with the advent of meme sending as a form of creating a connection with people… It can definitely strengthen a relationship because it’s similar to sending a message saying, ‘I saw this and thought of you,’” the romance expert added.

So… it’s always good?

As with anything else, you can have too much of a cute thing.

App user @jakeyboiarts’ TikTok references opening your phone to “hundreds” of notifications ― that might be overwhelming to some (it’s me, I’m ‘some’).

Engle also told Metro that, “Pebbling does have the potential to set an expectation of communication you’re going to have throughout your relationship, so that’s something to keep in mind.” Your partner may feel hurt if you’re unable to keep up the pebble pace for long.

And in the same article, dating expert Drew Wyllie of Pure dating app, advised that “What is deemed sweet and thoughtful for someone, may be irrelevant for someone else” and suggested pebblers “make a mental note of your partner’s likes and dislikes as well as their daily behaviours so you can make your presents more relevant.”

“Pebbling alone is not going to get you far,” Psychology Today adds, stating that the memes should be a jumping-off point for deeper connections and not your main romantic meeting point.

Still, though, if you are your beau have a sweet meme exchange going, then take it from the Gentoo gents and keep it rolling.

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Nigel Farage Mocked Over Reform UK’s ‘Deeply Unserious’ Plan To Cut Taxes And Raise Spending

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Reform UK’s plans to cut taxes while also massively increasing public spending has been branded “deeply unserious” as the party unveiled its general election “contract” with voters.

The document – which party leader Nigel Farage refused to call a manifesto – was launched as the right-wing party threatens to torpedo any lingering chance the Tories had of staying in power.

It included plans to boost public spending by £141 billion a year – many times more than either Labour or the Conservatives have proposed – while at the same time cutting taxes by £70 billion.

Other pledges include scrapping the UK’s net zero commitments, pulling the country out of the European Convention on Human Rights and freezing “non-essential” immigration.

But at the launch of the 26-page document in Merthyr Tydfil, Farage endured a rough ride from sceptical political journalists who queried.

The BBC’s Alex Forsyth said: “You’ve talked about the costings, you’ve talked about the spendings, but some of the stuff in here – a freeze on immigration, NHS waiting lists down to zero, more police officers.

“You accuse other parties of broken promises, but isn’t this a list of unrealistic promises – wish-list rather than a serious plan? Aren’t you doing what you accuse others of, which is chucking out a load of things which sound popular in the hope you get votes, that you never plan to deliver on?”

Farage replied: “It is a promise that this is what we’re going to campaign for over the course of the next five years.”

He said that Reform UK would not win the election, but would be “a voice of opposition to Labour” in the Commons.

“We’ve laid out very clearly where we stand philosophically, ideologically, on a number of things and this is what we’re going to fight for,” Farage added. “I see no inconsistency with that whatsoever.”

Sky News deputy political editor Sam Coates told Farage: “In your contract, your proposing to spend an extra £141 billion every year. That’s about 30 times the amount that Labour say they’re going to spend, 10 times the amount of the Tories and about three times what Liz Truss spent.

“You did say you weren’t going to win the next election, but the scale of this – it’s deeply unserious, isn’t it?”

Farage replied: “That’s right, it’s radical, it’s fresh thinking, it’s outside the box, it’s not what you’re going to get with the current Labour and Conservative parties, who are virtually indistinguishable from each other.

“Is this radical, fresh thinking on economics? Yes. Is it radical, fresh thinking on constitutional change? Yes. Is it very radical change on the way our education system is currently bringing up our young children? Yes.

“Britain is broken, Britain needs reform. That’s what we’re here for, that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re unashamedly radical – we want change.”

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