Articles by Fiona Callingham

Technology

Live to 100' with delicious pasta recipe inspired by some of the world's oldest people

A "beautiful" pasta dish could help you "live to 100", according to a chef. This recipe is bursting with beans, legumes and vegetables, drawing inspiration from some of the world's longest-living people. Francesco Mattana, who boasts more than 660,000 followers on his culinary TikTok channel, demonstrated to viewers how to prepare tagliatelle primavera the Sardinian way. He dubbed it the "live to 100 pasta". He explained: "A simple recipe packed full of beans and legumes, which are an essential part of the Sardinian diet. The flavours of the green beans, broad beans and peas combine with the freshness of the tomatoes, lemon, basil and mint and the savoury of the pecorino cheese make this dish a joy to eat. "The sauce can also be used simply on top of toasted bread or as a bed for baked fish." Sardinia, situated off the Italian coast, became the first region worldwide to be recognised as a Blue Zone - characterised as an area where residents enjoy remarkably long lifespans. Based on statistics, approximately 33.6 people per 100,000 residents in Sardinia reach 100 years or beyond, positioning it amongst the regions with the greatest density of centenarians across the globe. The ingredients required for this pasta dish are: 300g tagliatelle A quarter of a leek Two garlic cloves Three tablespoons of peas A handful of broad beans (fava beans) A handful of green beans A handful of baby plum tomatoes Pecorino cheese Basil Mint Lemon zest Olive oil Salt Pepper To start, Francesco prepped all his vegetables. He began by finely dicing two cloves of garlic. Next, he removed the bottom section of the leek - describing this as the "sweetest" part - and sliced it thinly. He trimmed the tips from the green beans and chopped them in half. Francesco then opened the broad bean pods and extracted the contents. He placed a frying pan over medium-high heat and added a "good drizzle" of olive oil. The leeks, green beans, and broad beans were added to the pan and mixed together before cooking for several minutes. The following step involved adding the peas, tomatoes, and garlic before combining and seasoning with black pepper and salt. He then poured in some water, covered with a lid and allowed it to steam for five minutes. Whilst that was steaming, he prepared the tagliatelle in another pan. Once the pasta was ready, he transferred it to the vegetable pan along with some pasta water. For the final flourishes, he incorporated fresh basil, a touch of fresh mint, some lemon zest, and grated pecorino cheese. He then combined everything together and added another splash of olive oil and pasta water before plating up. The chef remarked: "Oh, this is so good. I hope you're going to make this one because it's too good to miss." The five initial Blue Zones are Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy; Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California. According to BlueZones.com, the traditional Sardinian diet is made up of "whole-grain bread, beans, garden vegetables, fruits, and, in some parts of the island, mastic oil". "Sardinians also traditionally eat pecorino cheese made from grass-fed sheep, whose cheese is high in omega-3 fatty acids," it states. "Meat is largely reserved for Sundays and special occasions."

Technology

Cancer symptom that appears when you wake up and lasts 'all day'

A charity has issued a stark warning about a "very common" cancer symptom that can be present upon waking and persist throughout the day. Despite affecting 65 per cent of those with cancer, this symptom could easily be overlooked or mistaken for something less serious. Feeling slightly tired in the morning is quite normal. Even after a good night's sleep, you might still feel like you need a bit more rest before starting your day. It's also not unusual to feel a bit weary during the day, especially during the winter months when the cold weather and lack of daylight can make you feel tired. However, persistent, overwhelming fatigue could indicate something much more serious . Cancer Research UK warns that tiredness which "doesn't go away" , even with enough sleep or rest, could be a potential sign of cancer. This type of fatigue can come from both the disease itself and its treatment, leaving patients "feeling very tired, exhausted and lacking energy". The charity said: "Cancer related fatigue can affect you physically, emotionally, and mentally. How long it lasts, how severe it is, and how often you might have it is different from person to person." If you're experiencing cancer-related fatigue, you might notice: This particular symptom can make everyday life incredibly challenging. Cancer Research UK explains: "Fatigue can be very frustrating. You and your relatives might underestimate how much it can affect daily life. "Everyday life can be difficult and you might not have the energy to cook, clean, bathe or go shopping. You might not even feel up to a chat. Things that you used to find easy to do can feel like hard work." The charity warns that this symptom may force you to stop working altogether. Cancer Research UK adds: "Some people feel like fatigue is a constant reminder of their cancer and this can be hard to accept. "You might worry that because you feel so tired all the time your cancer could be getting worse. But it is more likely to be a side effect of treatment, or due to the fact that cancer can cause fatigue." However, exhaustion doesn't always indicate cancer. It might stem from other medical ailments as well as lifestyle factors, including poor sleep, insufficient nutrition, and lack of exercise. Additional health conditions recognised to cause fatigue include: Particular medications including antidepressants, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and pain medicines are also associated with fatigue. Nevertheless, if you're experiencing unexplained exhaustion that's interfering with your daily activities, you should consult your GP.