Visit it

Is the Bionic Woman still purely science fiction or is she science fact?

Explore the world of false body implants and limbs and see how similar we have become to science fiction characters like the Six Million Dollar Man and Robocop.

Discover how scientists and engineers make replacement parts that function as part of the human body, and where their discoveries will take us in the future.

This exhibition is at the Thackray Museum, Beckett Street, Leeds, until August 31.

Adult £5.50, child £4, concession £4.50, family (2+3) £18, parking £1. Tel: 0113 205 6521 or visit www.thackraymuseum.org.


Eat it
No-one knows who first thought of freezing sweetened flavoured water or cream, but there are few more-inspired culinary creations. The simplest recipes are based on cream, sugar and crushed or puréed fruit.

If you allow for about 30 per cent sugar to 70 per cent double cream and fruit purée, it doesn't even have to be churned in an ice cream maker (although the texture is better if it is churned).

Whisking the cream into soft peaks before folding in the fruit purée helps to add volume, while adding alcohol will help to give the finished ice cream a softer texture. Allow about 50ml/1¾fl oz alcohol to 500ml/17½fl oz liquid ice cream.


Nestbuilding

After a hard day at work, I find myself thinking about one thing – a long hot soak. Undoubtedly it helps relieve and de-stress your mind, and it's a fabulous excuse to have a little 'me' time.

So why not take your bath to the next level? How about converting it into a miniature spa? All it takes is some essential oils, candles, gentle music, and yourself.

When it comes to choosing towels, make them oversized and extra fluffy! Whilst you are relaxing, why not have your towels warming on the heated towel rail? Heated towel rails are good for this, and what's more they also make your bathroom look neat, tidy and stylish.

Image courtesy of Jacqui Small publishing.


Listen to it

UB40

TwentyFourSeven (Reflex)

Singer Ali Campbell may be bidding farewell to reggae leviathans UB40 with this album but it's very much business as usual for this Brummie collective who've had more chart hits than The Beatles.

Easy-going lover's rock with a dash of social commentary is very much the order of the day – hence the appearance of 1 Love and Rasa Don from 'conscious rappers' Arrested Development on the despairing Oh America!, percussionist Norman Hassan condemning the horrors of Darfur in The Road and Asian singer Hunterz fretting about the global climate of fear in Middle of the Night.

Brit reggae veteran Maxi Priest guests on a slick cover of I Shot the Sheriff and the fiendishly catchy Dance Until the Morning Light, (which features a sample from the Desmond Dekker classic Israelites), and Robin Campbell takes the mic for a Stax-meets-Trojan rendering of Lennon and McCartney's I'll Be Back.

There's a hello too for another member of the Campbell clan, Duncan, who's soon to take over vocal duties from Ali on a permanent basis. Here he makes a decent fist of a downtempo cover of the Tommy Edwards chart-topper It's All in the Game.

The future, then, looks very much assured for UB40.


Get fit
Protein will make you feel full, and will help repair muscle after exercise.

Try sourcing protein from skinless chicken, tofu, pulses (beans and peas) and oily fish such as salmon, fresh tuna and mackerel; these also contain other beneficial ingredients and are low in bad saturated fats.

Recommended by personal trainer Richard Hill. See www.funclasses.co.uk for more info.