Arachnophobia or the fear of spiders is the oldest and most common phobia in the Western culture.  The word Arachnophobia is derived from the Greek word 'arachne' meaning spiders. The response to spiders shown by an arachnophobic individual may seem irrational to others and often to the sufferer himself. It is such a pity that so many have this fear. Spiders have so much to give House spiders feed on common indoor pests such as clothes moths, cockroaches, earwigs, mosquitoes, flies and more, and look at why this is such a good ...

In spite of their obvious convenience, many people have been turned off commercial wet wipes because of their threat to the environment. We have written about how wet wipes are causing watery waste havoc.  Once reserved for babies, now adults and children are using wipes in their millions – leading to massive sewer problems in the western world. Experts say that mislabeling is to blame.  Although often labeled as flushable wipes, this is far from true. Wet wipes are designed to stay wet ...

There is a new word around - and that is Oniomania - and it means suffering from a shopping addiction or compulsive buying. Most of us like to do a bit of shopping from time to time and that is perfectly natural. But for some, a bit of shopping can turn into a much more frequent occurrence, even becoming an obsession. The age of online shopping is not helping this compulsion If you do become a compulsive shopper, think how easy it becomes when ...

The slow and controlled lifting of weights will increase bone density and make your muscles stronger. Studies have shown that strength training over a period of time can prevent bone loss - and even help to build new bone. Yes, weight training for osteoporosis, not just walking or doing aerobics, but lifting weights can help protect the bones and prevent osteoporosis-related fractures. The advice is to try and do regular weight training on three days a week but not on consecutive days - obviously to give your body a chance to rest ...

Millions of people suffer from arthritis - and the word arthritis means inflammation in the joints. There is a common misconception that if you use your joints too much and work them too hard over your lifetime, you will wear them out. But apparently there is no evidence showing that using your joints causes them to wear out more quickly. Do not believe the wear and tear myth! In fact, you need to keep them moving and active.  To exercise regularly, to walk for ...

No one wants to suffer from arthritis and joint pain but changes in the weather can be a constant contributing factor to those arthritis symptoms that can affect so many. And it is not just during a special time of the year. Different climate changes at different times of the year can be the cause of joint pain flare up whether  it is cold, it is raining or the weather is humid. There are 4 categories of climate changes Low barometric pressure is ...

At this time in our history, the world is worrying about the extensive and hugely damaging forest fires in the Amazon - and how it will all end. The Amazon rain forests are at great risk, desperately needing the rain after which they are named. Why we need rain forests Rain forests are forests which grow in areas of high rainfall.  Tropical rain forests are found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn and receive between 68 to 80 inches ...

The past few years have seen a surge in support for wildlife - and this includes your own garden and back yard. Gone are the days when everyone had to have a very neat and pristine "plot in the sun" with rows of straight bedding plants. Back then, every part of the garden had to be weed-free and without the slightest sign of any pests.  Shrubs and bushes had to be strictly pruned and lawns take on the appearance of bowling greens.  ...

You would probably never guess - but a tussie mussie is a small bouquet of leaves and flowers from different herbs. The idea dates back to medieval times but became very fashionable in the Victorian era. Another name for a tussie mussie is a nosegay - and they were often given as gifts to be held or worn attached to clothes. Why nosegays were used Nosegays were originally intended to be put to the nose either for the the pleasant sensation of sniffing something ...

A recent news item here in the UK was that fresh goji berries were now becoming available to buy in supermarkets. Up to now, it has only been possible to buy them dried. On this side of the pond, fresh goji berries come from Morocco in North Africa.  They obviously need a very warm climate.  And in spite of summers becoming warmer here in the UK, goji berries are not a commercial possibility - yet. When we took over our allotment plot some ...