Lifestyle News - Food, Home & Trends

Laura Brennan, 26-year-old patient advocate who restored public confidence in HPV vaccine was conferred with an honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature by University College Dublin. Picture: Iain White/Fennell Photography

'I can't go to back to a point where I didn't have cancer, so I have to just enjoy each day and make plans for the time I have...

She’s bright, bubbly, articulate, well-educated and successful – so by rights, the world should be her oyster.

Christmas

Coping with Christmas as a recovering alcoholic

The lights are twinkling, presents are wrapped, our cupboards stocked with all kinds of treats and the drink is in full flow. Alcohol takes centre stage at Christmas; the clinking of glasses as much a sound of the season as 'Fairytale Of New York'.

Michelle Obama revealed her marriage problems with Barack in her book Becoming. Photo: Aurora Photos, USA

Life

Shane Watson: The Obama partnership is not so perfect after all... Ten things no one tells you about marriage

Christmas

The nine most annoying people you’ll meet this Christmas

While Christmas generally brings out the big kid in us all, plenty more split personalties raise their heads during the festive season. As this week hits peak party time, here’s your handy spotter’s guide to the types of people you will probably meet at one of them...

Food & Drink

Rodent droppings, gnawed foodstuffs and cockroaches... FSAI issued 14 enforcement orders last month

The Food Safety Authority (FSAI) have issued a warning to restaurant owners to ensure “compliance with the law” over the festive period, after 14 enforcement orders were issued last month.

Health & Wellbeing

'I was refused service by two health professionals' - Ageing poses particular problems for LGBT people

Statistics from the Visible Lives study in 2011 showed that 40pc of the older people surveyed were not 'out' to their health care provider and many feared that healthcare staff would not understand or would discriminate against them because they...

Christmas

Put pen to paper and send off some heartfelt, handwritten season's greetings

Long before it was popular, my mother started her Christmas prep in the last week of November. True, the tree and decorations wouldn't be mounted until muckers' Christmas (December 8) had passed and The Late Late Toy Show fired the starting pistol on my own descent into a consumerist fever dream.

Life

Bairbre Power: How to be a good guest this Christmas

When someone is kind enough to invite you to dinner or a party, some basic rules apply.

Life

Things no one tells you about marriage

This week, Michelle Obama, visiting the UK to publicise her memoir Becoming, admitted marriage isn't easy. "There are going to be huge chunks of time where you want to push him out the window," she said to tremendous applause because, as she well knows, everyone thinks the Obamas have the perfect, most enviable marriage.

Comment

Independent Life

Life Newsletter

Editor's Choice

Jessica Bowes with Jonathan McSherry (34), of Cedarbrook Walk, Cherry Orchard, Dublin

The best Christmas sweet treats by Orna Larkin - pastry chef at Dublin's InterContinental Hotel

Indy Power: Polenta with Charred Broccoli and Garlic

The best Champagne to buy this Christmas - and it'll suit most budgets

Katy McGuinnes: What's the best mincemeat to buy this Christmas - and do they contain palm oil?

A modern twist on traditional Christmas recipes: Mince pies, strudel, and chocolate brownies

Review: House Café at Cork Opera House - Music to my ears

Food & Drink

Direct ferry route from Ireland to Spain will sail this winter

‘I thought the Camino was for old people’ – A teenager’s take on the walk of a lifetime

Taj Mahal entry fee hiked by 400 percent in bid to deter visitors

It's intriguing and exotic, but can tribal tourism be ethical?

20 greatest destinations in Italy – and the best time to visit each one

Five of the world's most idyllic islands to blow away the winter blues

Travel

How and why e-tron from Audi is big game-changer

First Drive: BMW's new 3 Series: Is it still king of the road?

14 handy tips to help you pass your driving test

First Look: Skoda banking on SCALA to shape the things to come

Motorbike review: Niken is Yamaha’s triple crown

Buzzing about the e-tron

Motoring

FLAGSHIP: Audi e-tron has a range of 400km

'I was given six months to live five years ago'

Coping with Christmas as a recovering alcoholic: 'Feelings are just feelings. You have them and they pass'

'I found out by accident that I had a rare cancer' - GAA coach who believes in living the best life he can

Irish researchers hope epilepsy gene find will help sufferers

Staring at screens too long 'can change structure of child's brain'

Elderly with sea view at lower risk of depression

Healthy Eating

Restaurant meals 'are busting calorie limit'

Family

Mental Health

Ask Allison: My wife and I are very happy together when we are on our own. But we argue about her family - they are very controlling

Katie Byrne: 'Avoid lovers' spats this festive season by learning how to resolve conflict'

Shane Watson: The Obama partnership is not so perfect after all... Ten things no one tells you about marriage

'After Poppy died, people wrote to me about suffering the same awful experience' - Gary Barlow on losing his baby

Expert tips from Francis Brennan on how to be a good host

Dr Sinéad McDonough: 'How parents can help their children to stay safe online'

Dear Dr Nina: My snoring is driving my partner mad. He's sleeping in our spare room

Health Features

Lifestyle plays a very important role in the treatment of any snoring

A three-bed semi-detached home in Kildare for €159,000

Victorian terrace in Dublin 4 goes on the market for €670,000

Tale of two cottages

Diarmuid Gavin: How to set your garden floor alight with an array of ferns

Mother-of-six reduced to tears on last night's Home Rescue after experts completely revamped her home

Mark Keenan: Birthday wishes for housing's forgotten soldier

Homes

Inside the former schoolhouse at Shanvaghera in Co Mayo

'I can't go to back to a point where I didn't have cancer, so I have to just enjoy each day and make plans for the time I have...

Coping with Christmas as a recovering alcoholic

Shane Watson: The Obama partnership is not so perfect after all... Ten things no one tells you about marriage

The nine most annoying people you’ll meet this Christmas

Rodent droppings, gnawed foodstuffs and cockroaches... FSAI issued 14 enforcement orders last month

'I was refused service by two health professionals' - Ageing poses particular problems for LGBT people

Put pen to paper and send off some heartfelt, handwritten season's greetings

Bairbre Power: How to be a good guest this Christmas

Things no one tells you about marriage

Regina Lavelle: 'Duchesses At War is the drama that keeps on giving'

How to do food and wine this Christmas without breaking the bank

'When you’re in the restaurant game, you don’t guess the price' - Dylan McGrath on his €160... Life

'I can't go to back to a point where I didn't have cancer, so I have to just enjoy... Living With Cancer

'I was given six months to live five years ago' Health & Wellbeing

Irish Ferries 'WB Yeats' to set sail after delays of several months Travel News

Peak risk time for a heart attack is 10pm on Christmas Eve Health & Wellbeing

Woman raped in a 'taxi' after leaving Christmas party Irish News

Mum who claims sports star raped her 'afraid to give statement' Irish News

Widow of man who took his own life says he experienced 'relentless bullying at work' -... Irish News

Dan O'Brien: 'The backstop demand could end up bringing about that which it was designed... Comment

Allison Pearson: 'Feelings may have been hurt by BBC ad, but the real pain is that it holds a... Comment

Life Newsletter

Editor's Choice

'If he had made it into the house that night, I would have died'

'The words last a lifetime': Emma Murphy on the silent damage of psychological...

'She accused me of rape and told me I was gay and sterile': an Irishman shares...

Also in Life

WATCH: Mother hails ‘amazing’ medical teams who saved her baby boy’s life

VIDEO: Woman who lost her arm in car crash rebuilds strength by pole-dancing

WATCH: Dancing shoes are on as Friends of the Elderly hold annual Christmas party

WATCH: Deep-fried Christmas dinner hits Scottish chip shop menu

VIDEO: Victoria Smurfit and daughter Evie ask for your support to help cure blindness this Christmas

WATCH: Legendary chef Dylan McGrath explains what's special about his €120 steak

WATCH: Meet the real-life Rapunzel who has not had a haircut in 28 years

VIDEO: Climate change is 'humanity's greatest threat in thousands of years' - Sir...

VIDEO: Suspended from metal hooks – the B&B owner looking for a thrill

VIDEO: 'Breaking the mould' – inspirational journey of man living with cerebral palsy...

Global Greening: The landmarks going green for St Patrick's Day 2018

Ireland's Top 10 beaches for 2018: Our readers have spoken!

Camino de Santiago: 20 photos that will make you want to get your boots on

New York at Christmas: 20 images of an American winter wonderland

Gallery: Your snaps of priceless moments during family visits to Santa

Force of Nature: 15 killer photos of Kerry's Star Wars locations

Los Angeles Motor Show

Is the Tiger back in D4? Acclaimed architects return with Black Terrace for €2.4m

Gallery: The world's most iconic aircraft in 20 amazing images

Gallery: Inside the €32 million Titanic Hotel Belfast

'I can't go to back to a point where I didn't have cancer, so I have to just enjoy each...

Coming to a plate near you - world's first lab-grown steak is served

Europe's most-disrupted flights revealed, but how did Irish airports fare?

Irish Ferries 'WB Yeats' to set sail after delays of several months

Restaurant meals 'are busting calorie limit'

Peak risk time for a heart attack is 10pm on Christmas Eve

Heir to the fashion throne: Meghan Markle has inherited Diana's crown as the...

What makes a Christmas movie work? Here are the essential ingredients for festive...

Exclusive 'When you’re in the restaurant game, you don’t guess the price' - Dylan McGrath on...

Taj Mahal entry fee hiked by 400 percent in bid to deter visitors

Coming to a plate near you - world's first lab-grown steak is served

The best Christmas sweet treats by Orna Larkin - pastry chef at Dublin's InterContinental Hotel

Indy Power: Polenta with Charred Broccoli and Garlic

The best Champagne to buy this Christmas - and it'll suit most budgets

Katy McGuinnes: What's the best mincemeat to buy this Christmas - and do they contain palm oil?

A modern twist on traditional Christmas recipes: Mince pies, strudel, and chocolate brownies

Review: House Café at Cork Opera House - Music to my ears

Almost a million turkeys will be cooked on Christmas day in Ireland - but some forget to turn the oven on

Irish Ferries 'WB Yeats' to set sail after delays of several months

Direct ferry route from Ireland to Spain will sail this winter

‘I thought the Camino was for old people’ – A teenager’s take on the walk of a lifetime

Taj Mahal entry fee hiked by 400 percent in bid to deter visitors

It's intriguing and exotic, but can tribal tourism be ethical?

20 greatest destinations in Italy – and the best time to visit each one

Five of the world's most idyllic islands to blow away the winter blues

20 Best Greek Islands: From Santorini to Sifnos with our ultimate travel guide

KIA going from zero to eNiro with major electric drive - and Soul EV is on the way too

How and why e-tron from Audi is big game-changer

First Drive: BMW's new 3 Series: Is it still king of the road?

14 handy tips to help you pass your driving test

First Look: Skoda banking on SCALA to shape the things to come

Motorbike review: Niken is Yamaha’s triple crown

Buzzing about the e-tron