1 in 3 Women Snack in Secret

29 March 2012

One in three women admit snacking in secret, a study has revealed.

Embarrassment about the type of food they eat, as well as the amount of snacks they consume means 33 per cent enjoy a quiet pick-me-up when no-one else is watching.

And two thirds of those even keep their snacks a secret from their own partner and half admit they feel guilty after enjoying a treat.

Almost half also admitted they were embarrassed about how often they snack on something, while 55 per cent hating people thinking they eat too much.

Another 19 per cent simply don’t want people to think they are unhealthy in their food choices, according to the poll by the American Pistachio Growers.

Dr. Cathy Kapica, Adjunct Professor of Nutrition at Tufts University, and a science advisor to the  American Pistachio Growers said:  “The odd snack here and there isn’t a bad thing. In fact snacks can be an important part of a healthy eating style. Choosing snack foods that are nutritious and taste good may help alleviate the sense of guilt, and the need for secrecy around snacking. Switching to healthy snacks, or cutting down on the amount of treats you enjoy, would be much easier than trying to keep it secret from everyone you are close to. If you are snacking in secret, it probably means you are eating something you think you shouldn’t be eating.”

The study of 2,000 Brits also revealed that 40 per cent of women hide delicious food or snacks from their partner to stop them eating it, with the back of the drawer or cupboard the most popular place.

Almost one in ten even hide food under their bed.

A spokesperson for American Pistachio Growers said:  “We were shocked to hear that people are resorting to hiding food under their bed. Keeping your snacking habit from your partner is not only extreme, but must also be difficult, especially if you live together.”

While 31 per cent hide the food away because they don’t want others to know they are eating it, almost two thirds admit it’s because they want to have it all to themselves.

Forty-six per cent of women have even eaten the nice treats they have bought before they’ve even got home from the supermarket to make sure no-one else eats it first.

And a sneaky 21 per cent have made a secret trip to the shops to stock up on tasty sn

acks without their partner knowing.

According to Dr Kapica “if they were eating Snacks like they should be, they wouldn’t be worried about doing it in secret.”

The study also revealed that the average woman will have two snacks a day, with almost three quarters even owning up to skipping a meal and having a little treat instead.

And half admit they can
never go a full day without having at least one snack in between meals. Crisps were the most popular choice of snack followed by chocolate, biscuits and cake.

But 69 per cent of women say they are worried that they snack too often, or too unhealthily, with a staggering 80 per cent trying to cut down or munch on healthier food instead.

Fresh fruit is most likely to be eaten by those trying to be healthy, followed by nuts and crackers.

www.AmericanPistachios.org

Survey: Aspiring novelists predict a tough future
3 April 2012

In the new order of easy self-publishing, the results of a poll of aspiring novelists by leading literary consultancy, The Writers’ Workshop may come as a surprise. Aspiring novelists predict the toughest times ahead for themselves and for booksellers but expect publishers both big and small to be able to adapt in the coming few years.

Asked to predict the future for authors in five years time, aspiring novelists said that authors would be more likely to self-publish (52%), earn over half their income from ebook sales (45%) and overall, earn less from publishing (40%). For aspiring authors in the future, most predicted less chance to earn a living (93%) and a greater need to market themselves (76%).

“It’s bleak, unless you want a X Factor for authors,” commented one. Despite talk of the democratisation of the publishing process, aspiring authors anticipate traditional publishing (86%) and literary agents (87%) to endure but there would be much more self-publishing and e-publishing (78%). Most pessimistically, one in five aspiring authors felt that it is aspiring authors themselves who should be most concerned about changes in publishing (22%).

Four out of five (79%) aspiring authors cite that trying to find out which publishers and agents to approach presents a challenge to getting a publishing deal. Seven out of ten (70%) mention getting good feedback on their work. Also considered to be challenges were finding time to write (51%) and finding out about publishing trends (50%).

“The options for new authors are increasing all the time,” says Harry Bingham, an author and also M.D. of The Writers’ Workshop, the world’s largest literary consultancy. “Most of our clients still want an agent and to be published in the traditional way – but we’ve also had clients take control of their own careers and become #1 Kindle bestsellers in their category. Because the industry is becoming ever more complex, however, it’s become increasingly essential for writers to understand its evolution – and to hear direct from the people who shape the market.

“Our Festival of Writing draws together more aspiring novelists, literary agents and publishers than any other event. Several dozen literary agents and publishers will meet with writers at the 3rd Festival of Writing which takes place in York this September.”

Aspiring authors cite the biggest barriers facing them are writing a good enough book (35%) followed by having to get an agent (23%). However, there also remains a perception of a narrowing market and that publishers are not taking enough risks: “Publishers and agents not willing to take any risks, not even ones they were taking quite happily 5-10 years ago,” commented one writer. “It is finding a publisher or agent who wants to take risks and is not bogged down by market rules,” commented another.

The aspiring novelists polled said they had been writing between 3 to 4 years on average with the aim of getting a novel published. One in ten (12%) said they had been writing for over 10 years. Very few (9%) said they were motivated to start writing by plans for a career change or to see their name in print (8%). Rather that they have always loved writing (59%) or a desire to be creative (29%). 29% said they blogged or tweeted about their work.

Harry Bingham stresses that quality is still by far the most important criterion of success. “We’re know that we come across a novel that’s good enough, we’ll be able to secure an agent for its author. Where we’ve come across something exceptional, that work has often gone on to become a bestseller, win a prize, sell internationally and/or get TV/film interest.

“If authors choose to self-publish, their novel still needs to be strong – and the author needs to realise that they’ll be spending about two full days a week on the sales effort, not just around the time of launch but permanently.

“But either way, what matters is quality. If authors want to succeed, they need four things. Talent. A stunning concept. A rigorous approach to improving their work. And the right kind of engagement with the industry. We can’t help with the first two of those – but we offer loads of help with the last two. And our Festival of Writing is the best place to get started.”

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED TO HELP PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER

3 April 2012

With 10 children a day being diagnosed with cancer and many having to spend extended periods of time in hospital, it is hoped that a new website from the Children’s Cancer Recovery Project – http://childrenscancerrecovery.org.uk – will offer welcomed advice and support to parents and families affected by the disease.

Developed using feedback from parents about what is really needed during difficult times, the site is a comprehensive resource full of practical advice, information and ‘Top Tips’ as well as details about financial grants for families. The charity’s lovable mascot ‘Hugs the Bear’ features on the site wearing a bandana to help children and young people feel less self-conscious about losing their hair. Children receive the bear and other useful toys from the charity when they are in hospital undergoing treatment.

These gifts help them to remain positive. The bear was developed in consultation with children and has especially soft fur and up-reaching arms to welcome a hug.

Hannah Bellamy, Executive Director of Cancer Recovery Foundation, said; “Our experience with the parents of children  affected by cancer let us know that they needed their own very specific website; one that focuses on them and their needs.  The on-going treatment can be an extremely lonely time, but we are here to help. We understand it is hard to deal with feelings, explain things to a sick child and deal with lifestyle changes, tough treatments and extended hospital stays. Many families also face financial difficulties when their child has cancer and we want them to know they can apply for our emergency grants. Easing the financial pressure can be a real help in hard and stressful times”.

She added; “The site also encourages Health Professionals to learn more about our services and pass vital details on to parents who need support and assistance, or just a place that they know cares about them.”

The site is launched as the charity send out its Easter gift bags to thousands of children across the country. Orders are up 12% from last year as a result of more community nursing teams, Radiotherapy and MRI departments knowing about the organisation and the work they do. The toys and books are chosen specifically to help children through their hospital stay by distracting them, comforting them, enabling them to talk about their feelings and developing the skills they need both now and in the future.

Rosey Walters, Therapy Radiographer at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, commented; “They really help us support the children through their radiotherapy experience, and help take children’s minds off the treatment.

The Hugs bears are really useful to show the children how to lie nice and still- just like their new toy!”

For more information go to http://childrenscancerrecovery.org.uk

Free Record-Keeping App Shows the Importance of Being Earnest
5 April 2012

Cloud accounting software provider FreeAgent has launched a unique record keeping iPhone app designed to help self-employed people and very small businesses in the UK to stay on top of their finances and tax commitments.

FreeAgent has developed the app – called Earnest – after being tasked by HM Revenue & Customs to create a free resource allowing self-employed workers and very small businesses across the country to keep track of their income and expenses and estimate the amount of tax that they owe.

Under HMRC guidelines, many micro-business owners and self-employed people only have to file three-line accounts: recording income, expenditure and profit for the year. However, many of these people still find it difficult to manage their accounts – which prompted HMRC to request software companies to develop an app that would provide assistance.

FreeAgent has designed Earnest to be an easy-to-use, intuitive app that provides very small business owners with simple information and record-keeping functions that they require. Available to download today in the iTunes App Store, Earnest enables users to easily track their income and expenses on their iPhone and it is the only free app currently available under the HMRC initiative that also forecasts their tax commitments.

Ed Molyneux, CEO and co-founder of FreeAgent, said: “HMRC challenged the software industry to create an easy-to-use-app that would help self-employed people and very small businesses keep track of their finances, and we’ve designed Earnest to do exactly that. It’s a simple, intuitive app that lets them monitor their cash flow, input expenses and see how much tax is owed – and we think it’s going to be an invaluable tool for small business record-keeping.

“Our hope is that very small businesses will receive the support they require from Earnest – and as they grow and start to require more in-depth features for their finances, their experience with the app will encourage them to ‘trade up’ to use FreeAgent. We’re essentially trying to create a hassle-free journey that small and early-stage businesses can follow when it comes to managing their finances and bookkeeping.”

The Earnest app enables users to:

-  Record income and expenses

-  See your bottom line profit or loss

-  Get estimates on how much tax you owe

-  See upcoming tax deadlines and dates with a “Tax To-do” list

-  Capture and store image receipts using your iPhone camera

-  Create alerts to remind you of important tax dates and as you near the VAT Threshold

-  Categorise transactions by payment method

-  Record cash and non-cash transactions

-  Add notes to entries

-  Record CIS deductions made on income

-  Back up your data by email

More information about Earnest can be found on the website www.earnestapp.com or by visiting the iTunes App Store.