The last few months have provoked seismic shifts in the travel industry. Greece has put an ultimatum to tourists that could change how we travel (internationally) for the foreseeable future. Sicily and Japan have offered to subsidize travellers’ next trips. Qatar Airways has taken in-flight hygiene to new heights. Oh, and business class travellers have started taking advantage of some insane loopholes.That’s just to mention a few rumblings.Today we’re looking at the future, drilling a question that all jet setters you will have to ponder before sating their wanderlust in 2021. And given the consequences of Things Going Wrong in this area, we reckon you’re better off getting your head around it sooner than later.The question? Where is the new line between bravery and selfishness? Much like in Ozark when Pastor Mason Young chooses his morals over his family’s safety, or in Crime & Punishment when Raskolnikov puts his faith in absolute rationality (then tortures himself with guilt), if one is to travel internationally in 2021 (or, if restrictions loosen quicker than anticipated, this year), how do you do so with integrity?In other words: what’s the difference (beyond luck) between a brave soul mapping unchartered territory for others to follow (thus getting the travel industry back on its feet like an absolute champion), and a selfish idiot causing his or her family heartache, racking up thousands in insurance bills, and negatively affecting the areas they visit?The simple answer? Get it right.The complex answer: do your research, understand the new risk vs. reward matrix, follow official recommendations (of both your country and the country you plan to visit) and take your own personal skills and vulnerabilities (physical, emotional and financial) into account. Having luck (and the media) on your side doesn’t hurt either.Not to mention the Massive Grey Area (at best) that is travel insurance right now.While we don’t have a crystal ball for next year, we have two interesting case studies from travellers who have found themselves isolating, in recent months, in far-flung locations, and substantially different reactions by the public to their stories.

 

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A post shared by Eva zu Beck ♡ Adventure Travel (@evazubeck) on Apr 15, 2020 at 2:45am PDT

One example is Eva zu Beck, a Youtube Travel Vlogger who recently found herself isolating on Yemen’s remote island of Socotra, a 3,625 square kilometer desert paradise 60 miles east of the Horn of Africa.As CNN reported on the 19th of May, “While the rest of the world stays inside, Zu Beck, who grew her social media following to over 1 million with her travel vlogs on off-the-beaten path destinations like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Syria, has spent the last two months wild camping on deserted white-sand beaches, fishing for grouper in the open ocean and climbing 10 story-high sand dunes as she waits out the pandemic on one of the world’s most isolated islands.”

“Remote island life has become the new normal for the 29-year-old, an adventure YouTuber and travel documentary host from Poland.”

Zu Beck arrived on Socotra on the 11th of March, along with 40 other international tourists, to take part in Socotra’s first-ever marathon event, and was meant to stay for two weeks.However, “Unbeknownst to Zu Beck and her fellow marathon runners… the world was quickly shutting down… On March 15, after she and the other participants had completed the race, Socotri officials announced that the island would be closing its borders, and that the marathon runners should return home as soon as possible,” (CNN).Zu was then faced with a difficult decision: leave Socotra, and risk contracting the virus on her 5,000 kilometer journey back to Europe, or stay in paradise, and accept the possibility of being stuck for some time (and contracting the virus while there).Zu sought (and was granted) permission from Socotri officials, and decided to stay, along with four other tourists.While this is undoubtedly a brave decision (society would never have got anywhere unless intrepid individuals like Zu had existed in previous eras), not everyone agrees with Zu’s decision to visit a remote and potentially vulnerable island as the pandemic took hold.While Zu claims she didn’t realise how serious The Pandemic was when she arrived, and, CNN reports, was “reassured” she wasn’t introducing the Virus to Socotra by “medical screening” upon entry, it’s fair to say The Virus was a known phenomenon (even if it amplified day by day after they left) when she (and the others on her flight) decided to go ahead and do the marathon.As travel influencers, numerous times in recent years, have provoked the media to generate publicity (and gain followers), it wouldn’t surprise us if Zu had an inkling going to (and then staying in) Socotra could benefit her career, even if she didn’t plan it.That’s not to say that it was wrong to do so if she did (or that she necessarily did that at all), just that it seems highly unlikely it didn’t factor into her decision making.In any case, the ground was fertile for some Tall Poppy criticism, and the internet duly responded: since CNN’s story was published on the 19th of May, Zu has, “heard from a number of critics via social media through the campaign #Respect_Socotra, who argue that her presence is endangering the local community,” (CNN).Zu responded with the following Instagram post.

 

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2.5 MONTHS ON THE ISLAND: 2⃣ COVID-19 UPDATE. Thank you to everyone who has been so concerned about my stay on the island. #Respect_Socotra, You have given me a new perspective and I apologize if I sent the wrong message before. Things are different from what they were before. My 1st month here was a “honeymoon period”, and the island felt very much sealed from COVID-19 due to restricted traffic. But, times change. Currently, many cases are being reported in mainland Yemen, and with some boat traffic to the island, not all of it properly quarantined (as it seems), locals have concerns. People (not tourists) have continued to arrive on Socotra. People are on alert, and wary that there is a possibility that the virus will eventually make it here, whether that’s tomorrow or in a year from now. Before, it felt safe to travel to different places around the island, but that’s no longer the case. Over the last 3 weeks, I’ve been spending the majority of my time in a family home in one village and intend to keep it this way. According to health professionals, the island is free of COVID-19, and while people want to trust them, it’s hard to know for sure without proper testing facilities. So in the village, Shibhan, they’re starting to take measures, just in case. Getting ready for the future. My host is trying to change the greeting habits in the village (from a handshake and a kiss to a wave), which isn’t easy but as he says, “we’ve got to start somewhere”. We started sewing face masks. From the perspective of time, given the knowledge I have now about the spread and nature of the virus, would I have made the decision to come here in the first place? No. My intention was never to encourage active travel to remote places during a pandemic. Rather, I wanted to share the beauty of a place I was already in, a place that’s little-known and needs to be protected. Remote places and populations are at a higher risk from the virus – in part because of limited healthcare infrastructure. Leaving? Hopefully. It’s a work in progress. Please donate to @monarelief, a local NGO working to bring basic necessities to people in Yemen: patreon.com/monarelief

A post shared by Eva zu Beck ♡ Adventure Travel (@evazubeck) on May 19, 2020 at 6:41am PDT

“Thank you to everyone who has been so concerned about my stay on the island. #Respect_Socotra, You have given me a new perspective and I apologize if I sent the wrong message before,” she said.

“From the perspective of time, given the knowledge I have now about the spread and nature of the virus, would I have made the decision to come here in the first place? No.”

“My intention was never to encourage active travel to remote places during a pandemic. Rather, I wanted to share the beauty of a place I was already in, a place that’s little-known and needs to be protected,” Zu added.On the other side of the coin (and world), we have a rather different example; Christian Lewis, an ex British paratrooper who is now self-isolating on a usually uninhabited Shetland island. As we wrote in April, this situation came about as lockdown measures were introduced while Christian was three years into a fundraising challenge to walk the UK coastline.As The Guardian reports, “Chris Lewis, 39, has walked 12,000 miles since setting off from Llangennith beach on the Gower peninsula near his home city of Swansea, south Wales, in August 2017.”He was sleeping in a tent on mainland Shetland when the government announced the introduction of lockdown measures on 23 March to limit the spread of coronavirus.“Lewis and his dog, Jet, travelled by boat to Hildasay, a 108-hectare island off the west coast of the Shetland mainland, and have remained there ever since,” (The Guardian).With just a tent for protection in one of the most northerly and windswept parts of the UK, Lewis could’ve been in trouble.But thanks to the kindness of strangers, he’s found himself in one of the best places on the planet to sit out the crisis – a cottage on a tiny remote island.

 

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A post shared by Patryk Matuszczyk (@patryk.photographs) on Feb 6, 2020 at 3:50am PST

Hildasay is one of the Scalloway Islands. South West of the Shetland mainland, Hildasay measures less than half a square mile and has been largely deserted since the late 19th century.As CNN reports, “Lewis receives deliveries of water from [a] local fisherman called Victor and forages for food. He makes the occasional boat trip to the Shetland mainland [a half hour trip, by small boat] for other supplies.”So far we are yet to see any negative response to Lewis’ response to the pandemic.These are just two (viral) examples of the different situations travellers have found themselves in over the last few months. As we come out of this pandemic and countries open at different rates, it will be interesting to see how travellers cope with the heightened scrutiny on (and consequences to) their actions.Especially given the uncertain situation around insurance (now The Virus is a known event, you won’t be covered for any pandemic-related incidents), we’re all going to have to think carefully about any overseas jaunt we sign up for in the coming years.

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The post Off-The-Grid Living: What It’s Really Like appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

They don’t put Guantanamo to shame (and they are understandable) but damn; St Lucia’s new tourist rules and regulations are almost enough to put you off travelling until The Pandemic is a footnote in history.Backing up a second, here’s some context: despite most people doing sweet f*ck all during lockdown (to the point where we’re getting experimental with our hair and beards) we can surely all agree we’re going to need a holiday to unwind from the stress and pressures handed to us by The Bat Kiss.What better place to go then, than a Caribbean island; sipping on a cocktail or two while gazing out at crystal blue waters? Fortunately for you (we’re assuming your interest was piqued), Saint Lucia, a small island situated to the North West of Barbados, has said it will reopen its borders for travellers looking to escape their daily stressors and find some sanctuary among sand and sea.Although, there is one catch that might cause more stress and turmoil than what you’re escaping…

 

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A post shared by Travel Saint Lucia (@travelsaintlucia) on May 25, 2020 at 6:03am PDT

That’s because Saint Lucia has said that even though it will welcome international arrivals from June 4th 2020, anyone who arrives on the island will have to adhere to a strict set of guidelines that will prevent you from doing pretty much anything.As reported by One Mile At A Time, Saint Lucia asks all guests to be tested within 48 hours of their flight and present a certified negative result at the check-in desk of the departure airport. They will then need to wear masks for the duration of the flight(s), even if the particular airline doesn’t make it a compulsory measure.The fun doesn’t stop there. Once on terra firma in Saint Lucia, guests will need to have their temperature taken and can only take an authorised taxi to their accommodation, booked by the hotel, of course. No rideshares. No renting of cars.Once you arrive at the hotel, you may as well make sure you’ve got plenty to occupy yourself with once inside the four walls. While you will be able to leave the confines of your room to explore the island, you won’t be able to dine out anywhere as all restaurants will remain shut. The only place you can eat is inside your hotel of choice, and even then, you will be subject to a temperature screening at every meal.

 

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A post shared by Travel Saint Lucia (@travelsaintlucia) on Mar 7, 2020 at 2:01pm PST

It’s understandable that Saint Lucia is determined to keep the island nation safe from any further outbreaks, having recorded just 18 positive cases and zero deaths. But, despite the 4th of June reopening, we can’t find any flights from Sydney to Saint Lucia until July, when you can expect to pay in excess of AU$9,000 for a return business class seat.American travellers may, however, be pleased to know they can travel to the Caribbean, with direct flights available from Miami (which acts as a stopover airport for other major US airports). A return flight with British Airways will set you back around US$950, just don’t expect a business class seat. It’s economy all the way.If you plan to book a holiday, best pack your hiking boots.

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The post Caribbean Island’s Tourist Rules Reveal The Problem With Hotspots Rushing To Open appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Last weekend a historic swell hit Sydney’s coast. Kelly Slater got in the mix, photographers shot their optics off, and local surfers filled their (neoprene) boots with piss and glory.Everywhere from Manly to Avalon went, as they say, off. In amongst it all, though, at a relatively well-known break, there was an incident which has now gone viral.The video involves an inexperienced surfer attempting to gain access to the water by ‘rocking off.’Experienced surfers usually do this to avoid a long paddle. Our ~protagonist~ however, only succeeds in making himself a meme.RELATED: The Best Surf Beaches & Breaks In SydneyThe surfer in question fails to gain entry multiple times, is heckled from the cliff and – finally – after being dragged across the rocks multiple times, manages to get in (only to be swept back down the beach without catching a wave).The video was then posted on Youtube and reposted by various surf media with variations of the following headline: “How not to rock off.”Other than inspiring the requisite chuckles and head shakes it was designed to, however, it has also stirred up a cultural divide among Sydney surfers.While The Sydney Morning Herald and co. like to report on Sydney’s “latte line” in terms of jobs and housing, this ‘rock off video’ serves as a similar flashpoint for surfers.Case in point: the following comment, left underneath a Swellnet article discussing the video: “I punt is he’s a fuckwit Trust Fund Kid who was coking his head off all night and morning.”“Back to the cafe for a half strength decaf latte,” wrote another in the Youtube comments.This came among more ‘normal’ criticisms from Swellnet users, like, “you are supposed to jump when the wave comes mate!” and “train wreck, but can’t look away…”.Other highlight comments include: “He should not of been anywhere near the ocean that day, and his poor board copped a battering” and “I am still bemused how with that paddling style he thought he was going to catch even one wave in those conditions.”

“This is the surfing equivalent of a bloke who has just learnt to snowplow and then decides to take on a narrow 45 degree chute with a few cliff bands in it.”

While, in other circumstances, his persistence would have been admirable, the size of the surf that day and his evident lack of experience (unless this is all some elaborate hoax by a stuntman), render it foolish and selfish, the consensus seems.For more on the cultural divide, check out the following…

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The post Rocking Off: Mega Swell Video Reveals Cruel Cultural Divide Amid Sydney Surfers appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

For as long as I can remember, mobile phone manufacturers have always included headphones in the box.Personally, I would rarely use them as they never quite offered the absolute last word in sound quality (in my opinion) – although I do faintly remember the pair that came with a Sony Ericsson Walkman phone were smile-inducing bass-heavy – so I would usually switch them out for a pair made by a ‘proper’ hi-fi company.But for many phone users, the included pair of headphones offers an easy gateway to listening to music and making hands-free calls.The iPhone is, without doubt, one of, if not the, most popular smartphones to own and to be seen with the white headphones hanging out your ears is often seen as a status symbol, and for many, they’re a must-have fashion accessory.However, if rumours are to be believed, Apple will no longer supply a pair of its wired EarPods in the box when it launches the forthcoming iPhone 12 range. And that’s something I’m just not comfortable with.

Why? Because omitting them entirely will force customers to spend out on their own pair when just they might not want to. That, and it’s will force the rest of the industry to follow suit. So far though, so Silicon Valley.It, therefore, wouldn’t take a genius to work out Apple’s cult employees will suggest you invest in a pair of its totally wire-free AirPods or AirPods Pro – a product I’ve taken personal offence to, on not one, but several occasions.I imagine most people who step foot in an Apple Store won’t mind this tactic. A vast majority of iPhone owners will already have their own pair of AirPods, so if they upgrade their phone they’ll just carry them across. But for those who are new to the brand – having been swayed by the “this is the best iPhone ever” marketing gimmick – may not want to spend the extra cash on a product they’ve so often been able to find hidden underneath the phone in the box for free.I reached out to Geoff Quattromani, an international tech commentator, and host of the Technology Uncorked podcast, to get his two cents on the whole deal.Similar to how I personally never saw the need for the included headphones, Geoff says “I think it is interesting that including headphones ever happened in the first place. It was always a “value add” as they aren’t necessarily required to make the phone work, like a charger is.”And of course, we can all agree that fewer pairs of included headphones that go unused, equals less electronic waste. Geoff agrees, “I have always left them in the box, so Apple could appear “green” by removing them.”That’s certainly the case over in Europe, as it has called upon technology manufacturers to all adopt the USB-C connection method for future releases to help cut down on the production of several different cable types and to minimise waste. One cable to fit all is a welcome move in my opinion.However, Apple will still be free to use its Lightning connector in Australia and America if it so chooses, although the MacBook lineup and the latest iPad Pro models both use USB-C, so Apple may finally succumb to the adoption of a global standard for its most popular product.And this is where I can totally understand – and it pains me to say – why Apple may do what it’s rumoured to do.

 

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A post shared by AirPods Style (@airpodsstyle) on Apr 18, 2019 at 1:14pm PDT

The Silicon Valley behemoth has the whole industry wrapped around its incredibly well-designed finger. It has balls the size of watermelons and will do whatever it deems necessary in the name of “innovation”. As Medium writer Chris Messina points out with regards to the wireless AirPods, Apple has a knack for taking something so often seen as ridicule-worthy (such as talking into a wireless Bluetooth headpiece) and turning it into a product we’ve all got to have.I hate how it happens, but also have to appreciate and admire how it just works.The glaringly obvious move is that Apple is working towards is completely wire-free future. The technology giant did away with the 3.5mm headphone jack with the introduction of the iPhone 7 in 2016, to much uproar, but soon enough the rest of the technology industry followed suit. That move alone forced many consumers to turn to wireless headphones to get their music fix. Enter AirPods.Myself, and Geoff included, wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lightning connector removed from the iPhone lineup entirely in the not too distant future. Geoff adds, “A sealed device like this means they can be much better with water resistance and fewer issues overall.”The signs are there. Apple has offered wireless charging with its iPhone models for a few generations now and has previously teased an AirPower wireless charging mat that would be able to simultaneously charge your iDevices at once. That product suffered several issues and never came to fruition, although fresh evidence suggests Apple has made a U-turn and put the project back into action.But despite the technological pathways Apple would be forming if it gave you an iPhone sans headphones, the other obvious tactic is to drive sales of the AirPods or other future headphone releases. The company acquired Beats some years ago in a multi-billion dollar deal, “…they are likely keen to see people buying them and providing no option in the box does help them push sales of their own products”, says Geoff.

 

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A post shared by Damian Fox (@foxdamian) on May 28, 2020 at 1:01pm PDT

As I’ve said, I can see why Apple would do what is rumoured. I just don’t agree with the principle. Especially because I imagine the price of the phone won’t be reduced, so you will be paying upwards of AU$2,000 for just phone in a box. However, Geoff is a little more lenient on the world’s second most valuable company (behind Amazon), “I wouldn’t be surprised if the iPhone had a pair of AirPods included in the box.”Only time will tell what Apple decides to bring to the table – or doesn’t, as it were – and with its annual launch party most likely still earmarked for a usual September date, we don’t have too long to wait.

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The post Apple Earpods: New Approach Reveals Everything That’s Wrong With Silicon Valley appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Whether it has emotional value, or whether it looks particularly good on your wrist, any watch collector will have a go-to timepiece that they single out as their favourite. We think we’ve discovered that piece in Conor McGregor‘s repertoire of time tellers, his platinum Rolex Day Date.The Irish MMA fighter has several timepieces in his collection – including a few Patek Philippes – but the watch he’s been seen wearing more often than not is this Rolex, ref. 228206-0002. It’s been a watch of choice for Conor even as far back as 2017 and recently, the roughly-AU$90,000-timepiece was his companion during a casual sparring session in his garage. Who needs a fitness tracker, anyway?

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A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on May 28, 2020 at 10:57am PDT

This time, however, he’s showing off his Rolex with exclusive ice-blue dial (an exclusive colour to Rolex, that is) with his wife, Dee Devlin, in tow. Unfortunately, she’s not wearing a ‘hers’ version of the same Rolex, but instead, she has an Audemars Piguet Offshore Lady with 37mm rose gold case – ref. 26231OR.ZZ.D003CA.01 – which you can pick up for around AU$65,000.Conor’s particular Day Date is available in a few variations: there are three types of indices to choose from and the dial can be specced with or without a diagonal motif. Conor’s comes sans motif, attached to the President bracelet and baton indices. You can choose to have the platinum version without the ice-blue dial if you so wish.The Day Date first launched in 1956 and arrived as the very first watch to indicate the day of the week, spelt out in full. It runs on Rolex’s own 3255 calibre movement, which powers the entire Day Date family of timepieces, and comes complete with 70-hour power reserve.The smile in his pictures only strengthens the case for this being a favourite within his collection.

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The post Conor McGregor Rolex: He Can’t Stop Wearing This Ice Cool Platinum Watch appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Other than having some quality chat, a dope hairstyle and the freshest kicks, what’s the one other thing gym bros’ believe is the secret to picking up chicks? That’s right, huge biceps.

So often the true sign of masculinity – along with a pumping chest, naturally – being able to curl more than your friends has been a source of ridicule for years. You may be taking a sly look at your own arms as you read this, putting some tension into them or curling them and nodding in agreement that yes, your arms are perfectly fine.

But they can always be bigger. But just how do you make that happen? Friendly German fitness blogger Jo Lindner – @joesthetics – has the answer: variation in curling technique.

The German God for bros everywhere, Jo posts regular tips and tricks videos to his Instagram page that are easy to understand and could well be the secret to unlocking your full fitness potential. Some of his recent posts have paid particular attention to the biceps, and we’re inclined to listen in, because, well…just look at the frickin’ size of his arms.

Jo’s first advice comes when using a straight barbell to carry out biceps curls. Chances are you already use one of these when you hit the weights floor, but were you aware of the effect holding it in different places can have? A wide grip will work the inner part of your biceps while holding the bar in the centre works the outer part. You’ll need to incorporate both movements if you want to see your peaks grow.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jo Lindner (@joesthetics) on May 23, 2020 at 4:10am PDT

Most importantly, says Jo, “you want to make sure your keep your elbows close to your body”. Why? Keeping them close to your body at all times exerts more pressure on the bicep muscle. If you move them away from your body in order to facilitate lifting heavier weight, you start to bring other muscle areas to the fore, meaning the bicep doesn’t get worked as much.

Jo has some quality tips when using dumbbells for single-arm curls, too. When performing this exercise, he says that instead of performing it in the conventional sense – standing upright, curling your arms upwards – you can bend over slightly, move the elbow so it’s slightly behind you and lift the weight up beside your body. Both methods will give you bicep peaks to woo any muscle-loving lass.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jo Lindner (@joesthetics) on May 21, 2020 at 5:23am PDT

He then moves on to the preacher curl machine. This is another favourite of gym bros who like to push their cheeks out while looking at themselves – and their muscles – in the mirror. Rather than grip the handles (a technique we imagine most of us do) Jo says you should instead rest it on the base of your hand. His reasoning, “because here you then have the most tension in your biceps always”, a little lost in translation, but we understand what he means.

If you grip the handles in a traditional sense, you take some of that tension away, either by using the wrist or by activating the forearm.

What you may also notice in Jo’s videos, is that even though his arms are bigger than most peoples’ heads, he doesn’t live incredibly heavy weights. The dumbbells in one of his other videos, for example, are ‘only’ 16kgs. For a man of his size, we’d argue this weight would be a walk in the park. But he does it to show that technique needs to come before all else.

Add these techniques into your next workout routine, whether it’s at home or when you eventually get back into the gym and watch those peaks rise.

Watch how to get huge like Jo Lindner

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The post Bicep Building: German Fitness Blogger Reveals Training Technique Most Men Forget appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There are more stereotypes about Aussies than you can throw a Soy Flat White at. But while some Sydneysiders are Activewear Enthusiasts who fill their beachside pads with Old World art (but really don’t know how to work a Moka Pot), others are – shock, horror – normal citizens.In other words: don’t believe everything a Melbourne backpacker tells you at 2am in a Barcelona hostel. But we digress…Turning the globe 180, there is a naive myth even the most sophisticated Australians believe. In fact, some spout it like forgotten kettles. The idea? Europeans don’t drink to get drunk. In fact, listen carefully on any given Saturday night, and you’ll hear a chorus of people showing off their worldliness and telling their friends or family, “The drinking culture is different over there.”“Start ’em young and they learn a bit of responsibility.”“It’s a social thing for them.”While I don’t dispute many Europeans have a healthier relationship with alcohol than Australians, after living in Spain for three years, talking to experts and – this week – dipping my tongue into Australia’s burgeoning world of alcohol-reduced wine, I reckon we’re kidding ourselves if we think Europeans don’t drink for the alcohol.They may drink less (more often), and they may make better use of that little buzz (to have spirited conversations, on a daily basis, with friends and family, rather than abstaining midweek then getting trashed on a weekend), but even though they better know their limits, they wouldn’t have developed such a culture around drinking if they didn’t appreciate its effects.Especially after trying a low-cal low-al Pinot Grigio last Friday night, courtesy of Jacob’s Creek, and feeling the ungrateful pang of “where I’d be at if this was real wine”, my belief that Europeans, like us, drink for the alcohol, has only strengthened.However, I also came to the realisation that 50% wine, though it may deserve some aspects of its bad rap, has a real place in the market that everyone – not just health freaks – can benefit from. So: here you have it – everything I discovered when trying Jacob’s Creek’s Better By Half Range (including the Pinot Grigio, Brut Cuvée and Rosé).

It’s not a Friday night wine range

If you want serious fun, forget it.

It is, however, a perfect accompaniment for midweek meals

Lo-al wine is perfect for those who got used to drinking every day during lockdown, and are now heading back to work and can’t afford to wake up late anymore. Or those who simply like the taste of wine with a certain meal.

It could be just what Australians need to bring their relationship with alcohol back on track

Though I personally doubt it will do such a thing (due to the stereotypes that still exist around reduced alcohol beverages), it certainly could, if people tried it.

It tastes… pretty good

I’m no sommelier, and I don’t typically drink any of the three types of Jacob’s Creek beverages I tried over the last couple of weeks. But I found them to be tasty, refreshing, options that get you humming enough to take your Monday night conversation with your partner beyond “how was work” – without a hangover.Of course, you could achieve the same by drinking half a bottle of normal wine (together), but if you struggle with impulsive decision making, stocking your pantry with Better By Half beverages isn’t such a bad idea.

It’s going to be a ~thing~

Lo-al may sound like a dirty word at the moment, but it may soon enter common parlance: as Pernod Ricard wine ambassador Kristy Farrell told us, “The health and wellbeing trend is definitely growing and it’s something we’re seeing at all ends of the retail spectrum; alcohol is no different.”

“Overall the lower-alcohol wine is definitely trending because people are more health-conscious.”

It’s not just for health freaks… but it is great for them

As Kristy told us, the Better By Half Range is aimed at “anyone who’s looking to moderate their alcohol intake and someone that’s health-conscious.”

“The great thing about Better By Half is you can still enjoy a glass of wine and have that full experience without feeling dusty the next day.”

It’s perfect for brunch

As Kristy told us, “Any occcasion is a good occasion” for a Better By Half wine. But they are particularly suited to “ones where you are looking for a lighter alcoholic taste – like a Monday or Tuesday night – or brunch.”

“If you’ve got friends over and you’re having brunch, 11am might be too early to have a full-strength, so it’s a really great option for brunch as well.”

It could be your gateway into a healthier relationship with wine

As Kristy told us, “it’s about coming together with friends and family” and enjoying the taste and sensual experience of wine “rather than drinking lots of alcohol.”

Biggest takeaway?

One of the biggest misconceptions Australians (myself included) have is that they don’t see the need for non-alcoholic drinks in their lives until they taste it (and many times even afterwards). But after giving the Jacob’s Creek Better By Half Range a proper whirl I can now say, though I may not be a huge fan personally, I now understand the attraction.

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Boeing has restarted its Renton, Washington, facility’s production of the 737 MAX after halting production in January. The production will resume slowly, then Boeing will gradually ramp up production over the next year as it implements more than a dozen “workplace safety and product quality” initiatives.

This comes a year and seven months after the first 737 MAX incident in October 2018, when a Lion Air flight crashed 12 minutes after takeoff, as faulty sensors (which were designed to stop the plane angling too high) activated –and pushed the nose down – while the plane was simply trying to fly flat.

The second crash, due to a similar software issue, took place in Ethiopia, in March 2019, by which time Boeing had delivered 386 of the 737 Max jets, to airlines around the world. From that point, regulators all around the world parked the 737 MAX jets and they have remained grounded ever since, as Boeing has worked to complete a software redesign and improve recovery procedures from errant flight system activations.

Official reports for both crashes largely blamed a flight control system unique to the Max series.

Back to the present: Boeing is once again producing this now-infamous jet.

“We’ve been on a continuous journey to evolve our production system and make it even stronger,” Walt Odisho, vice president and general manager of the 737 program, said in a statement. “These initiatives are the next step in creating the optimal build environment for the 737 MAX.”

As cnet.com reports, “Since the temporary production suspension starting in January, Boeing says it has fixed the problems and that mechanics and engineers have been working to ‘refine and standardize work packages in each position of the factory.’

“The company says the 737 program will gradually increase production this year. But because the Federal Aviation Administration has yet to schedule a certification flight, a necessary step before it can carry passengers again, Boeing has not yet said when the Max could return to service.”

On this: Boeing said last year that it didn’t expect the 737 Max to fly again until at least mid-2020. However, that was before a global pandemic upended the travel industry, so the new date appears likely to be postponed.

As The Verge reports, “Boeing recently announced it would be laying off nearly 7,000 employees as the novel coronavirus continues to hammer the airline industry. The Chicago-based airplane manufacturer — the biggest exporter in the US — had already announced it would trim its workforce by around 10 percent.”

More as the story develops.

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The post Boeing 737: Company Resumes Production Of Its Most Infamous Jets appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Who doesn’t love to gorge themselves on foods we know are bad for us? Any hangover day can be easily cured with a trip to Macca’s or any other well-known fast-food restaurant. But other than just having a negative effect on the waistline, have you ever wondered what sort of effect foods high in saturated fat could have on your cognitive performance?

According to one recent study, fatty foods can in fact affect our ability to concentrate, even on the most simple of tasks. The study in question (via Science Daily) was conducted at Ohio State University by Annelise Madison, a graduate student in clinical psychology, with the results published on May 12th 2020.

Her research found that “just one meal high in saturated fat can hinder our ability to concentrate” which she serves as a stark warning to everyone – us included – who have let their diets go more than they normally would during lockdown.

To obtain her findings, Annelise conducted a study on a group of 51 women. She got the group to complete a Continuous Performance Test (a common 10-minute test of attention, concentration and reaction) after eating either a meal high in saturated fat or a meal prepared using sunflower oil, which is high in unsaturated fat.

Time for a quick biology lesson – with some help from Pro-Activ. Saturated fats are classed as unhealthy fats. They’re found in foods such as butter, sweet treats, meats, and various other dairy products. These fats remain solid at room temperature and because the molecules are packed together tightly, and the molecules are “saturated” with hydrogen molecules.

Unsaturated fats meanwhile are a healthier alternative. They’re found in oily fish such as salmon, nuts and seeds, vegetable oils and the staple of any Australian diet, avocado. Molecules in unsaturated fats aren’t packed so tightly together, so can be broken down easier.

Back to the study. Madison noted the

“…performance on the test was worse after eating the high-saturated-fat meal than after they ate the meal containing a healthier fat, signalling a link between the fatty food and the brain.”

She added, “Most prior work looking at the causative effect of the diet has looked over a period of time. And this was just one meal – it’s pretty remarkable that we saw a difference,”

She did acknowledge the fact that while sunflower oil is high in unsaturated fat, it is also high in dietary fat, which can eventually take a negative toll on your body’s overall health. In this regard, Madison says, “Because both meals were high-fat and potentially problematic, the high-saturated-fat meal’s cognitive effect could be even greater if it were compared to a lower-fat meal.”

Annelise conducted a follow-up study to look at the effects high-fat meals could have on fatigue and inflammation among cancer survivors. The same group was used because 32 of them were breast cancer survivors. The group carried out a baseline assessment test, before consuming a high-fat meal comprising 60 grams of fat, along with “either a palmitic acid-based oil high in saturated fat or the lower-saturated-fat sunflower oil.” Regardless of the meal given to the women, both contained 930 calories and “were designed to mimic the contents of various fast-food meals.”

The women were asked to complete the same test again five hours later, and between one and four weeks after that, were asked to complete the same test one more time, but after eating the opposite meal to the one they had before.

Results were pretty conclusive, “After eating the meal high in saturated fat, all of the participating women were, on average, 11 per cent less able to detect target stimuli in the attention assessment.”

Madison further noted, “…that food high in saturated fat can drive up inflammation throughout the body, and possibly the brain.”

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The post Just One 'High Fat' Meal Can Kill Your Ability To Do This Crucial Thing, Study Finds appeared first on DMARGE Australia.