Collaborative Post | In recent years, the beauty industry has witnessed an intriguing development: the rising popularity of cannabis seed oil in a myriad of products. This trend is more than just a passing fad; it reflects a growing recognition of the oil's unique benefits for skin and hair care. However, as with any ingredient that suddenly takes the spotlight, it's essential to approach it with a balanced perspective, considering both its advantages and potential considerations.

Cannabis seed oil is derived from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike CBD oil, which is extracted from the plant’s flowers, leaves, and stems, cannabis seed oil is obtained solely from the seeds. Notably, it contains little to no THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component found in cannabis. This makes it a non-intoxicating ingredient, perfectly legal, and safe for use in beauty products in the UK.
Speaking of legality, while cannabis is classified as a drug and allowed for medical use only, the sale, purchase, and storage of weed seeds is completely legal. However, you cannot cultivate them, unless you have a licence. One of the major seed banks, Barney’s Farm, has recently launched its UK-specific site and distribution centre. 

Now, UK citizens can purchase quality cannabis seeds enjoying lower import-related charges, and quick delivery. Together with the increasing use of cannabis in beauty products, this signifies the shifting landscape in the UK. ​

By integrating products with cannabis seed oil into your beauty routine, you can reap the following benefits: 
​

• Moisturizing Properties: Cannabis seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, which are known for their moisturizing properties. This makes it an excellent ingredient for products aimed at nourishing and hydrating the skin.
• Anti-Aging Effects: The oil is also a potent source of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which helps in combating the signs of aging by reducing the damage caused by free radicals.
• Soothing Effect: Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, cannabis seed oil can be particularly beneficial for those with sensitive skin, reducing redness and irritation.
• Acne and Oil Control: Surprisingly beneficial for acne-prone skin, the oil can help regulate the production of sebum, potentially reducing the likelihood of breakouts.
• Hair Care: When it comes to hair, cannabis seed oil can enhance the strength and health of hair strands, imparting moisture and boosting growth.

  Despite its natural origins, you should approach a new product with seed oil with caution:
​​

• Skin Sensitivity: Always conduct a patch test before incorporating a new product into your routine, as individual reactions can vary.
• Product Quality: With the rise in popularity, the market is flooded with an array of products containing cannabis seed oil. It's important to choose high-quality, reputable brands to ensure the best results and safety.
• Expectations: While cannabis seed oil has many benefits, it's not a miracle cure. Expect realistic results and give your skin time to adapt to new products.
• Regulatory Landscape: In the UK, while cannabis seed oil is legal, staying informed about the regulatory status of such products is advisable, as the legal landscape can evolve.

If you’d like to try beauty products with cannabis oil for yourself, here are some suggestions: 

Skincare

• The Body Shop Hemp Heavy Duty Face Protector
• Kiehl's Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate
• Revolution Skincare Nourishing Oil - CBD Oil

Body Care

• Ho Karan Holy Flow Oil
• Malin + Goetz Cannabis Hand + Body Wash

Hair Care

• Dr. Organic Hemp Oil 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner
• Shea Moisture Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil Lush Length Shampoo

Special Treatments

• MGC Derma CBD and Hyaluronic Facial Serum
• ELEMIS Superfood Facial Oil

Cannabis seed oil presents a compelling combination of advantages for both skin and hair care, supported by a rich history of traditional use and reinforced by contemporary scientific findings. In the UK, the landscape of cannabis use in beauty products reflects a broader acceptance and appreciation of its potential.

This progressive stance is mirrored internationally, with companies like Barney’s Farm playing a pivotal role in expanding access to high-quality cannabis products. Their presence in the UK and USA market with Barney's Farm USA not only caters to a growing demand but also signifies a global movement towards embracing the diverse applications of cannabis. 
​
​
Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.

Collaborative Post | As you get older, everything changes, sometimes dramatically, sometimes so gradually that you don't really notice it until a lack of strength or diminishment of stamina reveals itself to you at the most inconvenient moment – when you are changing a tyre, for example, or briskly walking five miles to fill up your jerry can! Prevent yourself from landing in this sort of situation as you explore the Southeast of the UK – Marlow and London, for example – with the following MOT and car care tips that every driver over fifty should be aware of.

MOT is older than you!
MOT testing was introduced into the UK in 1960, initially just for heavy goods vehicles, but gradually widening to encompass all vehicles and reducing from being required for ten year old vehicles to being required for three year old vehicles (four years in Northern Ireland). This means that the MOT test is a tried and trusted feature of UK motoring and while it is frequently adjusted to account for advances in motoring (and for the tendencies of drivers to be only too human too) it looks to be a feature of the motoring world for some time to come, despite occasional attempts to have the test abolished or done away with. Make sure you know when your MOT test is due, and make sure you book it for sometime in the month preceding the expiry date of the certificate – this will ensure you retain your anniversary date without even being non-compliant.

Stay current
Make sure you check on the latest MOT rules before you book your MOT test each year. Every now and then, as mentioned above, new items are added to the checklist or items are edited to make them a little stricter in order to protect the environment or other road users, for example. Once you're sure you know what is expected of your car, you can arrange for a service to bring your car back to full roadworthiness, or just go ahead and book your MOT with a clear conscience, knowing it will sail through even the latest additions without any issues. Local MOT garages are a good option to safely book your appointment. For example, DAT Tyres offers MOT in London - they have good customer reviews and a strong local presence.

Maintain with ease
As you age, you will lose some of your strength, stamina and willingness to spend hours perfecting your ride, preferring instead to get on with living your life. To this end, learn how to efficiently and easily complete car maintenance tasks. Instead of scrambling around under the car, take your car for an interim service. Instead of struggling to change tyres yourself, book a tyre fitting at a time and place that suits your needs. Make use of the latest gadgets and machinery, which is all designed to take the muscle out of car maintenance – and is often far more accurate to boot.

Remember POWER

• Petrol: Keep an eye on your tank, and if you're travelling, whether it is North to Manchester or even Scotland, or Southeast to London and Marlow and beyond.

 

• Oil: Your oil keeps the engine well lubricated so everything moves smoothly with little in the way of friction or heat building up. Top it up, and get your mechanic to check it every now and then to make sure it is clean and free from grit and dirt.

 

• Water: Your engine will overheat if there is little water in the radiator, so make sure you top it off before you travel, and carry a five litre bottle in the back of your car if you have had any overheating issues.

 

• Electrics: Check your electrics, especially before travelling to unfamiliar places. Having no (or faulty) lights while driving on roads that are not known to you is very disconcerting, and is very unsafe, not to mention illegal. Taking a short while to make sure light bulbs are fitted correctly and connections are clean can save you time and prevent injuries and accidents.

 

• Rubber: There are some parts of the car that are made from rubber and all of these should have good integrity and work as intended. These include windscreen wipers which should sweep your windows clear; seals around windows and doors which should be tight tightly, protecting you from the exhaust fumes and dirt outside. And finally, your tyres should be in good shape and properly inflated.

Prevent Protect, Delay
As you hit your half-century, you will be practised in good driving habits, and you will have almost certainly already learned that prevention is better than cure, so you will prevent breakdowns and accidents, protect yourself, your family and other road users from harms, and delay the inevitable breakdown of your vehicle for as long as possible by making frequent maintenance checks, having the car serviced promptly and getting your MOT test done as soon as it is due.


Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.

You may instead (or additionally) want to have your radiators replaced. Radiators generally last about 15-20 years before they need replacing. That said, they may need replacing sooner or later depending on factors like how well they were maintained.
 
Ultimately, whether or not your radiators need replacing because they are beyond economical repair, worn-down in general or you simply feel it's time to opt for more efficient and more modern alternatives, you’ll want to have an idea of how much this might cost.
 
How much a given radiator costs and how much replacing all radiators in a home might cost can vary depending on a range of factors, including the type and quality/brand of the radiators and the price of labour in your area. 
 
Below, we look at the average cost of having all radiators replaced in different sized homes, broken up into the pricing for different types of radiator replacements in each case.
 
Here are the average costs to have all radiators replaced in a bungalow:
●      Replace all radiators with single radiators - £280 to £660
●      Replace all radiators with double radiators - £360 to £750
●      Replace all radiators with electric radiators - £340 to £2,100
 
Here are the average costs to have all radiators replaced in a terraced house:
●      Install single radiators in place on all radiators - £320 to £1,140
●      Install double radiators in place on all radiators - £440 to £1,275
●      Install electric radiators in place on all radiators - £410 to £3,300
 
Here are the average costs to have all radiators replaced in a semi-detached house:
●      Replacing every radiator with a single radiator - £580 to £1,620
●      Replacing every radiator with a double radiator - £760 to £1,800
●      Replacing every radiator with an electric radiator - £715 to £4,500
 
Here are the average costs to have all radiators replaced in a detached house:
●      Adding single radiators to replace each existing radiator - £1,440 to £2,460
●      Adding double radiators to replace each existing radiator - £1,680 to £2,700
●      Adding electric radiators to replace each existing radiator - £1,620 to £6,300

When looking for a suitable professional near you, it’s best to secure quotes from 3+ contractors/companies before deciding who to opt for.
 
Of course, if you want to have a gas boiler replaced with a new gas boiler, you could hire a Gas Safe register engineer to replace your boiler and radiators. That said, for replacing an oil boiler, an OFTEC technician is required, while in the case of an electric boiler, a regular heating engineer should be suited for most of the job (if not all), although an electrician may also be required.
 
Ultimately, the professional(s) needed for the work at hand will depend on the type of work involved. Moreover, you may simply want to have a boiler replaced or only have your radiators replaced. Either way, ensure you opt for the right type of professional(s) for the work required.
 

Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.