The all-new Civic 2012 is now available in the UK and the ninth generation has shown itself to be a more refined looking vehicle than its boy racer predecessor. The eighth generation was definitely a departure from the Civics that had gone before it, and with the ninth generation, Honda seems to have steered back towards a style that will appeal to a much wider range of drivers.
That’s not to say the 2012 Honda Civic is dull – not by any stretch of the imagination. It still looks like sharp edged and arrow-like, but it’s been smoothed over a little. It has a slightly reduced wheelbase compared to the eighth generation, but it’s an inch longer and half an inch wider. It has also been lowered an inch.
Inside the dashboard is techhie and futuristic – with a split-level control panel. There’s still the mix of digital and analogue displays, but this doesn’t take too long to get used to. In the centre of the dash is the i-MID (intelligent-Multi Information Display). This screen console will tell you everything you need to know about the car’s performance during a journey, as well as what song is playing. You can also link in your mobile phone to have hands free calls while driving.
Another plus for the latest Civic range is that running costs have been brought down through improved fuel economy and lower emissions (meaning a lower road tax annual fee).
The Civic embodies the Honda brand in the UK – for almost forty years they have been on the roads of Britain. And those drivers who like to support British industry, will be pleased to hear that the new Civic is being manufactured at Honda’s plant in Swindon.
Food preferences start when we first wean our babies and continue through childhood into adulthood. Favourites will come and go but often themes will occur in likes and dislikes – it might be texture which is a problem or sweet things which are sought after. Feeding fussy eaters is a bit of a nightmare, particularly fussy children, as parents are constantly concerned about the nutrition they are able to get into their child. Here are a few ideas which may help:
- Don’t make a big fuss about it. Sometimes refusing to eat is all about getting attention even if it is negative attention so remain calm and don’t rise to the provocation.
- Sit down and eat together. Mealtimes with the least distractions will be the most successful. Turn off the television and remove toys from the table. Make it clear that sitting at the table and eating is the only option other than sitting out somewhere boring like on the stairs.
- Don’t eat their leftovers. I hate to waste food too but if you clear your kids plates everyday you may end up eating a whole days extra calories over the week – not good for the waistline! Squirt finished plates with Fairy Liquid instantly to avoid temptation.
- Don’t cheat with treats. If your child refuses to eat a meal don’t panic that they will starve and start giving them pudding, biscuits, sweets or treats. They are not daft and will remember that if they hold out for long enough you will clear away the untouched boring main course and produce something more exciting.
- Get them to help you. Producing quick meals with your children will hold their attention and give them a sense of achievement. Topping a pizza base with a selection of goodies is a perfect start and they are much more likely to eat it.
- Inject a little fun. Liven it up with food made into a face, toast cut out with the ginger bread man cutter or anything else creative you can come up with.
Heading out into the great outdoors can be an exhilarating feeling. Whether you’re just going for a long weekend or for a week, you can get away from it all and relax while you’re living.
Photo: KennethMoyle
What you have to think carefully about is what you’re going to pack – as you don’t want to burden yourself with too much stuff to carry – especially if you’re planning to hike for a while before setting up your tent.
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Everyone is trying to cut back at the moment, especially with Christmas in the offing. The cost of products such as cleanser, toner, moisturiser, hand cream, make up, shampoo, and conditioner can add up but there’s no need to end up bankrupt in your attempt to look good. It’s not necessary to ditch your Olay and start melting beeswax in your kitchen but a few sensible measures can make a big difference to the beauty budget.
There are many websites giving tips on homemade beauty products. If they are to be believed, then a piece of raw potato rubbed on blackheads is apparently every bit as good as a shop bought product, whilst honey dabbed on your blemishes works wonders in killing the bacteria as well as helping the healing process.
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It is not easy entertaining people over Christmas. People have different tastes and some people just don’t seem happy no matter what you do. It is impossible to please everybody, but you can give it a good go.
The food side almost takes care of itself. Buffet food takes over during Christmas and there is always a tin of chocolates within eyeshot.
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One of the most popular Christmas presents last year was the Kindle, probably the most popular e-book reader available. People are rediscovering the joy of reading, without having to have bookcase upon bookcase to accommodate all the material. But you shouldn’t use owning an e-book reader as an excuse to stay on the sofa, snuggled by the fire. They can be useful for activities such as walking and hiking, too.
There is an amazing range of walking guides now available as e-books and the beauty of the e-book reader is that you can slip it into your day pack and it weighs next to nothing. Gone are the days of having to lug a heavy guide with you. And if you’re going travelling for a few months, they’re even more practical.
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Everyone knows how important it is to protect your computer with antivirus software.� We all have so much personal information stored on our computers, that if it fell into the wrong hands � either physically or through hacker or viral access � then our worlds could easily be turned upside down with issues such as identity theft and criminals gaining access to our bank accounts, etc. At the very least, most people will have used one of the free antivirus downloads to protect their pc.
It�s only recently that people have also started realising the necessity to protect smartphones in a similar way with mobile antivirus software.� Just as the computer, if you use your mobile device to connect online, again you are open to the same threats unless you have a security suite including firewall, anti-spyware and a spam filter � or at the very least you just put antivirus software on your phone.
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Everyone these days is feeling the pinch and family finance is uppermost on the minds of many. We all want to be generous at Christmas but it is not worth getting into debt just to do your Christmas shopping.
Even if you are a fan of money off coupons for doing your supermarket shop you may not have realised that coupons are also a great way of saving on Christmas presents. Many of the coupons that are available for supermarket shopping can be useful for buying Christmas presents too. Bottles of wine (or champagne if you�re feeling flush), nice jams such as the Duchy range, smellies, posh chocolates, books and DVDs are all available in the supermarket and make good gifts.
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In this age of digital publishing, ebooks and kindles, traditional books and traditional publishers are either anathema or embracing the opportunities depending on your attitude to the new age revolution.
As Winston Churchill once said: “For myself I am an optimist – it does not seem to be much use being anything else”.
Now the UK’s wartime leader is a good man to quote from when it comes to e-books as the great man’s near million-page digital archive will be published online during 2012.
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Winter gets a bad press. People don�t like it and wish the whole season away � especially when they�ve got past Christmas. Yet it can be one of the best times of year to appreciate some of the amazing countryside we are surrounded by.
True, you�ll have to be prepared and wrap up warm to appreciate the beautiful scenery in winter, but that�s easy enough. All you need to do is get some decent clothing suitable for outdoor activities in winter.
The way you dress is important for your comfort and ease of movement, but good clothing can also provide you with vital protection from cold weather, especially if you get injured or stranded somewhere.
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