You’d be mad not to trad!
For those in the family who like dance and music, check out the Kilkenny Tradfast which will see some of the country’s world-famous acts taking to the stage while also showcasing the best of local talent in the city’s theatres, pubs and public spaces.
The highlights include the first Tradfest appearance by Donegal’s finest and one of Ireland’s true supergroups, Altan, in St Canice’s Cathedral and the first concert performance by the Banner county’s national and world champion Kilfenora Céilí Band in the Watergate Theatre.
Others returning include Inistioge resident and Gloaming lead singer Iarla Ó Lionáird with his long-time collaborator Steve Cooney and Téada with West Kerry’s finest Séamus Begley leading the young and energetic band who appeared at the very first Tradfest.
With an all-in festival ticket available for only €90, this March 15-18 event is one worth seeing.
Pushing it to the limit
Push-ups are an essential exercise for anyone trying build a stronger chest, but a new study has shown that men who are able to do more than 40 push-ups may have a lower cardiovascular disease risk than peers who can complete fewer push-ups.
“Our findings provide evidence that push-up capacity could be an easy, no-cost method to help assess cardiovascular disease risk in almost any setting,” says first author of the study Justin Yang, MD, published in Jama Network Open. The investigators’ analysis revealed that participants who had been able to complete over 40 push-ups to begin with had a 96% lower cardiovascular risk than men who had completed 10 or fewer push-ups.
However, the researchers warn that because their cohort of participants was made up of individuals in a specific group – active men in their 30s and 40s – the findings may not apply to other groups.
The bees-knees wraps
Plastic has become such an integrated part of our everyday lives that it’s hard to even remember how much we rely on it. From toothbrushes and throwaway cutlery, to toys and electronic devices, plastic is just part and parcel of our functionality in the world. Given how prevalent it has become, and the damage it causes, it’s wise to try and replace plastic with less environmentally damaging products.
One option is to swap out your cling film with Bee Wraps. The eco-friendly alternatives to plastic work just as effectively as cling film, if not better, as they are reusable. They’re versatile, mouldable, strong and water resistant, keeping your food fresh all day.
The wraps are made from beeswax, organic jojoba oil, tree resin and cotton, meaning they can be used for up to one year before being thrown into the compost bin.