The Daily: April 24
Scary Films and intense dramas good for our health...
Apparently dark dramas and scary films trigger the production of adrenalin and dopamine, which could aid the process of weight loss. Raised adrenaline levels when watching these genres increase out metabolic rate to the extent that we burn a third more calories than usual whilst in this state of fear. Academics have found that by watching the 1980 psychological thriller 'The Shining', 184 calories, the equivalent of a small chocolate bar, could be lost. Professor Glenn Sparks of Purdue University in Indiana asserts that 'when a person gets afraid they experience high physiological arousal along with fear' making 'their heart rate and blood pressure increase and their muscle tense'.
Garden made of cake opens
A completely edible garden has been opened in London. The garden, featuring a fruit loaf wall and chocolate soil, has been described as the first-ever fully edible garden. It is located in Russell Square and features 250 cake 'flowers', a wall made from 1,300 slices of fruit loaf which is grouted with Nutella, soil made from chocolate crumbs and borders of bourbon biscuits. Rosalind Miller designed the garden to mark the launch of Carole Matthew's latest book: 'The Cake Shop in the Garden'. It took over 450 hours to bake and features 15 different types of cake.
Reese Witherspoon to voice Harper Lee's new novel
Reese Witherspoon is set to be the voice in the audio-recording of Harper Lee's new novel: 'Go Set a Watchman'. The novel is one of the most anticipated of the year, being set after Lee's debut novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Publishers have claimed that it will feature Scout returning to her home town where she will 'grapple with issues both personal and political'. Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter in the Johnny Cash biopic 'Walk the Line' and has stated that it 'is an honour and a privilege to give voice to the Southern characters who inspired my childhood and love of reading'. The novel is set to be released on the 14th of July and is already selling for less than half price on Amazon.co.uk.
The flirtation cards used by 19thC men to court ladies
A collection of flirtation cards have been unveiled by collector Alan Mays, providing insight into how men pursued a love interest in 19thC America. Entitled the 'escort card', the words on them varied from romantic and cheesy to blunt and comical, but all requested that the card be returned if they were unsuccessful. Many included rhymes such as: 'You are sensible and good, and have all the charms of womanhood, Your eyes resemble the stars above you, I shall be miserable if I can't love you.', while others were very direct: 'May I. C. U. Home?'. One rather blunt, and potentially quite rude escort card states: 'I am ___Who the devil are you?'. Many of the cards were accompanied by quaint drawings, depicting the sense of the rhymes or pick-up lines.
Switzerland is 'world's happiest' country according to new poll
Switzerland has topped the third annual World Happiness index produced by the SDSN (Sustainable Development Solutions Network). The country, famous for its chocolates, luxury watches, private banks and ski resorts was followed by Iceland, Denmark and the Norway out of the 158 countries examined. The world's unhappiest countries included those such as Togo, Burundi, Syria and Benin. The study takes into account variables such as healthy life expectancy, corruption levels and social freedoms. The report claimed that 'increasingly happiness is considered a proper measure of social progress and goal of public policy', insinuating that the happier the country, the more successful the society.
Apparently dark dramas and scary films trigger the production of adrenalin and dopamine, which could aid the process of weight loss. Raised adrenaline levels when watching these genres increase out metabolic rate to the extent that we burn a third more calories than usual whilst in this state of fear. Academics have found that by watching the 1980 psychological thriller 'The Shining', 184 calories, the equivalent of a small chocolate bar, could be lost. Professor Glenn Sparks of Purdue University in Indiana asserts that 'when a person gets afraid they experience high physiological arousal along with fear' making 'their heart rate and blood pressure increase and their muscle tense'.
Garden made of cake opens
A completely edible garden has been opened in London. The garden, featuring a fruit loaf wall and chocolate soil, has been described as the first-ever fully edible garden. It is located in Russell Square and features 250 cake 'flowers', a wall made from 1,300 slices of fruit loaf which is grouted with Nutella, soil made from chocolate crumbs and borders of bourbon biscuits. Rosalind Miller designed the garden to mark the launch of Carole Matthew's latest book: 'The Cake Shop in the Garden'. It took over 450 hours to bake and features 15 different types of cake.
Reese Witherspoon to voice Harper Lee's new novel
Reese Witherspoon is set to be the voice in the audio-recording of Harper Lee's new novel: 'Go Set a Watchman'. The novel is one of the most anticipated of the year, being set after Lee's debut novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Publishers have claimed that it will feature Scout returning to her home town where she will 'grapple with issues both personal and political'. Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter in the Johnny Cash biopic 'Walk the Line' and has stated that it 'is an honour and a privilege to give voice to the Southern characters who inspired my childhood and love of reading'. The novel is set to be released on the 14th of July and is already selling for less than half price on Amazon.co.uk.
The flirtation cards used by 19thC men to court ladies
A collection of flirtation cards have been unveiled by collector Alan Mays, providing insight into how men pursued a love interest in 19thC America. Entitled the 'escort card', the words on them varied from romantic and cheesy to blunt and comical, but all requested that the card be returned if they were unsuccessful. Many included rhymes such as: 'You are sensible and good, and have all the charms of womanhood, Your eyes resemble the stars above you, I shall be miserable if I can't love you.', while others were very direct: 'May I. C. U. Home?'. One rather blunt, and potentially quite rude escort card states: 'I am ___Who the devil are you?'. Many of the cards were accompanied by quaint drawings, depicting the sense of the rhymes or pick-up lines.
Switzerland is 'world's happiest' country according to new poll
Switzerland has topped the third annual World Happiness index produced by the SDSN (Sustainable Development Solutions Network). The country, famous for its chocolates, luxury watches, private banks and ski resorts was followed by Iceland, Denmark and the Norway out of the 158 countries examined. The world's unhappiest countries included those such as Togo, Burundi, Syria and Benin. The study takes into account variables such as healthy life expectancy, corruption levels and social freedoms. The report claimed that 'increasingly happiness is considered a proper measure of social progress and goal of public policy', insinuating that the happier the country, the more successful the society.