CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Being “healthy” can mean many things for different people, but ultimately, being healthy means investing in yourself1. Once you’ve taken a step back and reflected on what parts of your life you want to change, there are usually three main areas that you will want to focus on for your healthy lifestyle: diet, self-care, and exercise.

Healthy eating and maintaining diets:

Having a balanced diet is one of the most basic elements of a healthy lifestyle. When you’re setting the goals that you want to achieve with regards to healthy eating, you need to spend some time planning. This means assessing your current diet, and setting flexible and achievable goals that won’t leave you feeling burnt out or lacking the energy to tackle everyday tasks. Research suggests that to have a balanced meal, about half of your plate should consist of vegetables, one quarter of your plate should be whole grains such as rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta, and the last quarter should be proteins such as fish, chicken, or beans. Other ways you can improve your diet is by cutting your sugar intake by limiting the number of sugary foods or drinks that you consume.

It’s very easy to think that having a ‘balanced’ diet means ‘strict’ diet, but the truth is, the best lifestyles are those that focus on moderation rather than restriction!

Self-care isn’t selfish:

In our current landscape of work, it can be difficult to step back and carve out time for yourself. But taking time out of your day for self-care is necessary for creating a healthy lifestyle. It gives you time to alleviate your stress by doing things that bring you contentment.

Self-care looks different for every individual. For some, it will be spending an hour out of the day to take a walk or read a chapter of your favourite book before bed. For others it can be treating yourself after a long week; this can be by indulging on new grooming kits, electric shavers, cologne, whatever you like.

In fact, research shows that men are now spending more time on grooming as a form of self-care1. There is a growing interest in maintaining good skincare, and part of this is done by investing in grooming products, such as skin care itemslike moisturises or high-quality electric shavers and shaving foam/gel.

But regardless, whatever your preferred form of self-care is, giving it a priority in your life is important for a healthy lifestyle.

Finding the right workout for you:

Not everyone enjoys going to the gym or going on a run, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on exercise altogether. Instead, you need to take some time to find out what form of exercise works best for you. This can be anything from going on a thirty-minute walk every day to swimming in the mornings. And if you’re finding it hard to incorporate exercise into your existing routine, you could swap some or all of your transport commute to cycling or walking, or actively choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator. As long as you’re increasing your mobility, you’re exercising!

For those of you who are already working out, either at home or at the gym, but aren’t seeing the results you wanted, there are a range of factors that could be influencing your routine. Things like a bad sleep schedule or avoiding meals for the sake a ‘strict’ diet.2 Identifying where you’re going wrong in your exercise routine will help you make the changes you need to get back on track.

Now, as you’ve probably learned from the points above, a healthy lifestyle should be flexible, and will be different for every single one of you. But to start off, focus on these three areas and see how your life changes!

Images by

Anastase Maragos

Edgar Chaparro

Gordon Cowie

Austin Wilcox

Alora Griffiths

We all wish we could have gone to school at Hogwarts, had an adventure in Wonderland or got up close and personal with dinosaurs at Jurassic Park. Unfortunately, the barriers of fiction prevent us from doing so. 

However, in the wake of the new Marvel film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hitting theatres, Google searches for ‘Flights to Wakanda’, the film’s titular and fictional nation, have increased by over 1000 searches.

Wishful thinking, or have people been genuinely fooled into believing Wakanda is a real place? Either way, the team at Betway have revealed the search terms for other iconic fictional places that people are seeking flights to, as part of their new study to find the most successful film franchise.

So, which fictional place can truly be considered the people’s fantasy holiday destination.

1. Hogwarts (Harry Potter) – 2.8k searches

Taking the top spot for the most desired fictional holiday destination is Harry Potter’s very own school of witchcraft and wizardry – Hogwarts. With 2.8k searches, it seems that many yearn for an education in magic.

Sadly, many will end up disappointed when they realise that not only does Hogwarts not have an airport, it’s also a fictional school created for J.K. Rowling’s books.

Unless we’re all muggles ignorant to the world of magic? Who knows.

2. Wonderland (Alice In Wonderland) – 2.1k searches 

Next on the list is Wonderland, the fictional world down the rabbithole in Lewis Carrol’s novel Alice In Wonderland. With 2.1k searches, people clearly have a desire for a mystical adventure in Wonderland.

Those who have tried to find The Mad Hatter, The White Rabbit and The Queen of Hearts down a rabbit hole might have been unsuccessful and checked for flights as a last resort. It’s a shame to have to break it to them that Wonderland is indeed fictional.

3. South Park (South Park) – 2k searches

Although South Park is canonically based in the US state of Colorado, with characters that reflect the darkest parts of our society, the fact the show is a cartoon might be one giveaway that the town is fictional.

With 2k searches, it seems South Park’sreality is convincing enough to fool people into searching for flights to the snowy Colorado town, but those hoping to go hang out with Kyle, Stan, Cartman and Kenny will be disappointed.

4. The Emerald City (The Wizard Of Oz) – 1.8k searches 

Next up is the Emerald City from the classic film The Wizard of Oz. Those hoping to follow the yellow-brick flight path to find the Tin Man, Scarecrow and The Cowardly Lion will instead be met by the wicked witch of fiction.

With 1.8k searches, there are some who clearly have a great desire to go and see the wonderful Wizard of Oz, but they’re going to be very disappointed to learn the entire thing is a work of fiction.

5. Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park) – 1.7k searches

Everyone wanted to get up close and personal with dinosaurs as a child, but we soon learned that they’ve been extinct for millions of years. With 1.7k searches for flights, we might have to break it to a few people that dinosaurs are, in fact, extinct.

Considering the chaos that ensues in Jurassic Park, it’s surprising to learn that some have a desire to get chased by a giant T-Rex and vicious velociraptors. Maybe they just want to hang out with Jeff Goldblum instead?

6. Gotham City (Batman) – 1.6k searches

Despite Gotham City being entirely fictional, who would actually want to visit this crime-riddled City? When a city needs a masked vigilante to fight supervillains every night of the year, it’s probably a sign that it’s not the best place for a relaxing city break.

With 1.6k searches, it seems a handful of people fancy their chances against the Joker and Co. in this comic book world. Either way, people hoping to drive around Gotham in the Batmobile won’t find what they’re looking for.

7. Pandora (Avatar) – 1.4k searches 

In 7th place is Pandora, the stunning fictional world from James Cameron’s 2009 movie Avatar. With the anticipated sequel Avatar: The Way of the Water releasing in December, the 1.4k search for flights is bound to increase in the coming weeks.

When the stunning fictional world of Pandora caused jaws to drop when the film was released in 2009, some fans had to face the disappointment of learning that the alien planet was fictional. However, watching the film in 3D is probably the best substitute.

8. Metropolis (Superman) – 1k searches 

Lastly, we have the city of Metropolis, the home of the laser-eyed flying alien Superman. Whilst you might feel safe living in a city protected by an alien hero with super-strength, Metropolis has seen its share of damage from Supervillains over the course of the franchise.

With 1k searches, there are still a handful of people who desire Superman’s protection in their city. However, the fact that Superman and his city is entirely fictional will make 1k people will be disappointed when they can’t find their flights.

Heritage British menswear label Hawes & Curtis was founded in 1913 by Ralph Hawes and George Frederick Curtis, Hawes & Curtis, has developed into the quintessentially British brand specialising in fine tailoring and accessories for both men and women. The brand is built upon the promise of exceptional quality, innovation and outstanding value.

As the original Jermyn Street shirtmaker since 1913, opening its first store in the Piccadilly Arcade and is known for having introduced the backless evening waistcoat and the Windsor collar. Steeped in heritage the gentleman’s Gentleman’s atelier have dressed the great and renowned from the Duke of Windsor and Lord Mountbatten to Cary Grant and Fred Astaire, Hawes & Curtis has been dressing the best since 1913. Outfitter For The Aristocracy Hawes & Curtis is known for having introduced the backless evening waistCoat.

Fast forward to today Hawes & Curtis is just as passionate about menswear today as they were then, building a global name with its exquisite shirts thanks to their superb quality and attention to detail. Making is easy for Men to make a stylish summer statement in a printed shirt showcasing the characteristics of opulent British design and craftsmanship. The offering is comprised of premium cotton options, either in100% eco-friendly Better Cotton, or including a bit (3%) of elastane for extra stretch. From the subdued to the standout, there’s a print for every aesthetic to effortlessly upgrade desk or dinner staples and incorporate colour and print in a classy way. 

Offering sophisticated summer styles in their holiday edit. Choose from festival essentials, including relaxed, beach-ready shirts and the perfect lightweight linen to elevate your evening aesthetic, along with everything in-between. Neutral tones and breathable fabrics adorn non-iron shirts, chinos, linen suits, polos and more, while the offering includes loafers and trainers to complete your holiday look.

BBQ lover Summer is upon us and gardens spruced up for the warm weather, Traeger – market leaders in premium wood pellet BBQ’s –  We caught up with a couple of their leading Traeger chefs to share some of their best and top grilling tips and hacks .

What’s your top trick for cleaning your grill?

– Clean little and often rather than letting it build up.  Using a Traeger cleaning spray helps

– Wipe it down while it’s still hot! It’s much easier to do than when it’s cold.  If you don’t have a wooden Traeger scraper, a ball of tinfoil works really well. Do this either at the end of your cook or once you’ve preheated the BBQ.

– For the grill grate itself, grill brush to scrape away large pieces and then a half onion on a hot grill to sterilise and flavour. The acids in the onion will help lift the grease

What’s your top BBQ cooking hack?

– Always give yourself more time than you think you’ll need! Worst case scenario, the food is done a little early. Wrap it up, put in your oven on the lowest setting (usually around 60c) and keep it warm.

– No matter what happens with a cook, even if it goes wrong, it can more than likely be rescued and still turned into something amazing.

– Re-season your food with the rub you have used to start with, it adds a big depth of flavour

– To BBQ the juiciest chicken wings with the crispiest skin – cook them at 2 different temperatures. Start by smoking them low and slow to lock in the flavour, then half way through – turn up the temperature to crisp up the skin

– Wrap an assembled burger in foil and put it back on the grill. Takes it to the next juiciest level!

What trends do you think will be big this year in BBQ? – have asked for recipes

– Cheaper/different cuts of meat will feature heavily as people want better value for money with the cost of living crisis and want as much bang for their buck

– Mexican food such as tacos and easy one pot recipes such as  Goulash or stews

– Smoking food and cooking low and slow are going to be big trends this year. This method of cooking is definitely becoming more popular in the UK with dishes such as smoked pulled pork, ribs and wings  

– We see more and more foods getting “smashed”. It started with the avocado, then we had burgers last season….Now we can see smashed potatoes next

– We should start to see more plant based and gluten free products as health comes to the top agenda.

– Batch cooking will return and with the mindset of healthy meal planning and reducing food waste.

What’s your go-to veggie or vegan dish to cook on a BBQ?

– Braised carrots in a stock that’s flavoured with everything you will find in pickle vinegar, then smoke them and serve them as ‘not dogs’

– A tray bake is always a good one to do. Throw in some new potatoes with a load of veggies. Sprinkle some Traeger Veggie rub over the top and bake in the Traeger until everything’s lovely and soft.

– Some smoked confit tomatoes which make an incredible bruschetta or a fantastic brown sugar and cinnamon slow smoked butternut squash.

Why are pellets the best way to grill?

– Wood pellets  are clean, efficient, cost effective, family friendly and they produce the most incredible clean smokey flavour

– Pellets are the best way to grill as they enhance the flavour of whatever you are cooking, depending on which wood flavour you use.  You get such a big punch of flavour even from a small number of pellets

– Wood pellets give you all the smoke flavour you need, with none of the hassle. You don’t have to worry about fire management like other methods of grilling, which means you can put 100% of your focus on the food and have 1 less thing to stress about.

How to cook the perfect Steak?

– Use the Reverse sear method. Season your steak with Traeger coffee rub, set your Traeger to 110c and insert the built in probe or Meater probe. If you like a medium rare steak, once the internal temperature hits 46c, remove the steak from the grill.  Put the Traeger cast iron on the grate to heat up first, then add the steak and turn up the temperature as high as it goes. Sear each side for just a couple of minutes until you’ve hit 56c internal.

– Always use a good rub that’s made for the type of meat you are cooking.  With Steak – use a beef rub

– Use a steak that is at least a 1-inch thick and has the same thickness throughout, to ensure a uniform cook throughout the steak: https://www.traeger.com/recipes/reverse-seared-rib-eye-steaks

– Most importantly, let the meat rest, so any juices have come out before serving.

– The perfect Steak

– Ingredients

– 1 Thick cut steak ( no less than 1”) of your choice

– Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub

– Steak needs to acclimatise to room temperature, so allow it to rest out of the fridge for around 30 minutes. If you hit your steak with heat straight from the fridge, it will contract and seize up and you will have a tough piece of meat.  

– Pat your steak dry with some kitchen roll and season liberally with traeger blackened Saskatchewan and leave it on the side for 30 minutes.

– Set your traeger for 100 degrees c using Traeger Signature pellets where possible.

– Place your meat probe into the thickest part of your steak, making sure you avoid any fat as this will increase your temperatures.

– Grill on both sides as you prefer

How important is it to marinade meat or fish before you BBQ?

– It’s important for a few reasons.  A marinade will add flavour, help tenderise the meat and lock in important juices.  Try adding marinade or re-season while the meat or fish is resting to add even more flavour

– Don’t overpower with too much rub or marinade, so that the star of the show doesn’t lose its identity.

Enjoy !