The Saturday Miscellany; How to look good naked; Mark Sargeant's fridge; Redstone Diary
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.How to: Look good naked
By Oscar Quine
Those get-fit resolutions are usually about one thing. Short-cut your way to slim with these little tricks from personal trainer Turner Moyse.
* "In the gym, stick to compound moves. These are exercises that incorporate more than one muscle group. Squats, deadlifts, shoulder presses, bench presses, pull-ups. This maximises the amount of chemicals your body releases."
* "We all know someone who goes to the gym six times a week but their physique never changes. Their body has responded to the stimulus, the message hasn't changed so they plateau. Keep your body guessing by changing the variables: weights, distances and speed."
* "Do sports. They're erratic: one minute you're jogging, the next you're sprinting – and you push yourself more around others. You can do anything from extreme sports to hill-walking."
Rotating column: Fizzician
By Samuel Muston
Now it is all over I can say it. I have become ever so slightly fed-up these past few weeks. It has long been a gripe, of course, but now I feel it has reached the point where I need to ask a straight-out question: just how has Champagne come to be the must-have drink for every damn celebration? It has the sort of monopoly that the Royal Mail might envy; you find it at birthdays, at christenings, at weddings – everywhere.
The thing is, I don't dislike it – in fact, sometimes I have been known to enjoy it a little bit too much. But I do wonder how it got this stranglehold. Could not a martini get a look in? Wouldn't it be nice to have a whisky and soda for the toast? And, you know, wouldn't it be better to buy a mid-to-lower range white wine than a throat-ripping bargain-basement Champagne? It's the start of the year, let's have a new tipple.
Instant Ethics
By Ellen E Jones
Dear Ellen
Q. I said I'd do dry January with my partner but can't face it. Is it permissible to tipple behind their back?
A. That depends. Is your partner the unacknowledged alchie in this relationship? If you don't know, then, guess what? It's you. You're the one in denial about your drinking problem and this is your partner's plan to help. Go with it.
@MsEllenEJones
Micro extract: The only medicine
"Humour is often the way people cope with this subtle psychological terror. The jokes American Muslims tell about state surveillance will be eerily familiar to those who lived in East Germany under the Stasi."
From 'The Muslims are Coming' by Arun Kundnani (Verso, £9.99)
Four play: Virtual currencies
1. Bitcoin*
2. Litecoin
3. Feathercoin
4. Cryptogenic bullion
*first block established today, 2009
All Good Things
By Charlotte Philby
In a puddle
Combat the January blues with a blast of fresh air. This waterproof, super-warm 'Scampsuit' (above) from kids outdoor-wear brand Muddy Puddles is perfect for little ones to whizz around in, come rain or more rain. £59; muddlepuddles
Date mate
Even if you already have a 2015 diary, invest in the 'Redstone Diary 2015: The Art of Simplicity': "A celebration of the plain and the pure, of silence, absences, the unadorned and Patti Smith's recipe for lettuce soup." £15.95; scp.co.uk
Boxer clever
Brooklyn-based label Druthers only makes boxer shorts – and they are the best boxers in town. They combine super-soft fabric, wearable design and the perfect cut. Gap, who? From £15; drutherswear.com
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments