I recently received this book that I have to tell you about, especially if you're like me and always looking for that "something more" in life. Michael Finnerty wrote a book called "The Cheese Cure." In a lot of ways, it felt like it was designed particularly for me and you.
You know how I often talk about feeling that "flatness," that nagging unrest even when things are going well? That relentless question, "What can I do?" – even now, as I'm pouring my energy into learning about building wealth from every angle. Well, Michael Finnerty, the author of this memoir, perfectly articulates that exact feeling at the start of his story. He was a highly successful journalist, working for big names like The Guardian, seemingly living the dream. But beneath the surface, he was hollowed out, disconnected from anything tangible, and utterly drained by the abstract, often cynical world of media. He felt like his life was moving too slowly and empty and just left him wanting more – exactly how I've often felt, especially when my own wealth-building ventures feel like they're not making headway.
Then, one day, something significant happened that changed everything for him. He was at Borough Market in London, drawn in by its vibrant energy, the genuine buzz of real people doing real things. He found himself utterly captivated by a particular cheese stall, mesmerized by the passionate cheesemongers and the sheer physicality of their work. In a move that truly resonated with my own desire for significant change, he took a radical leap: he applied for a job as an apprentice cheesemonger. Can you imagine?! Leaving behind a prestigious career for... cheese.
The bulk of the book is about his fascinating journey into this entirely new world, and honestly, it’s where the "cure" really takes hold. He dives headfirst into the very real, often pungent, world of artisanal cheese. He describes the incredibly hard, physical work – the long hours on his feet, the bone-chilling cold of the cheese room, the sheer weight of lifting those massive wheels of cheese. It’s a complete contrast to his old desk job, and he finds a strange, profound therapy in this physical reconnection with his body.
You know how I often talk about feeling that "flatness," that nagging unrest even when things are going well? That relentless question, "What can I do?" – even now, as I'm pouring my energy into learning about building wealth from every angle. Well, Michael Finnerty, the author of this memoir, perfectly articulates that exact feeling at the start of his story. He was a highly successful journalist, working for big names like The Guardian, seemingly living the dream. But beneath the surface, he was hollowed out, disconnected from anything tangible, and utterly drained by the abstract, often cynical world of media. He felt like his life was moving too slowly and empty and just left him wanting more – exactly how I've often felt, especially when my own wealth-building ventures feel like they're not making headway.
Then, one day, something significant happened that changed everything for him. He was at Borough Market in London, drawn in by its vibrant energy, the genuine buzz of real people doing real things. He found himself utterly captivated by a particular cheese stall, mesmerized by the passionate cheesemongers and the sheer physicality of their work. In a move that truly resonated with my own desire for significant change, he took a radical leap: he applied for a job as an apprentice cheesemonger. Can you imagine?! Leaving behind a prestigious career for... cheese.
The bulk of the book is about his fascinating journey into this entirely new world, and honestly, it’s where the "cure" really takes hold. He dives headfirst into the very real, often pungent, world of artisanal cheese. He describes the incredibly hard, physical work – the long hours on his feet, the bone-chilling cold of the cheese room, the sheer weight of lifting those massive wheels of cheese. It’s a complete contrast to his old desk job, and he finds a strange, profound therapy in this physical reconnection with his body.
What really got me, though, was his sensory awakening. He learns to truly smell the complex aromas of different cheeses, to feel their textures, and to taste the myriad of flavors – from the nutty sweetness of a perfectly aged Comté to the earthy bloom of a creamy Camembert. He details how cheese is a living thing, constantly evolving. I remember a part, perhaps around page 78, where he meticulously describes turning a wheel of Comté, the precise humidity, the patient waiting. It's all about respect for the craft. As someone who appreciates the story behind food, like my love for tasting Jollof rice from different African countries – each with its unique flavor, but all part of the same delicious heritage – his deep dive into the world of cheese just clicked with me. He makes you understand why, for him, cheese became "soul food." And you know me, if the food isn't sweet (and by "sweet" I mean tasty and authentic, not just sugar), no matter how good it looks, I'm not eating it.
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Standing proudly at Coronation Park, Port Glasgow, are the magnificent 10-meter statues by artist John McKenna, affectionately known by locals as The Skelpies. These imposing figures, officially titled "The Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow," are a powerful homage to the town's rich shipbuilding heritage.McKenna's work, completed in 2009, captures the essence of the countless local men and women who dedicated their lives to the bustling shipyards. More than just steel and concrete, these statues embody the spirit, hard work, and legacy of a community that shaped maritime history. Next time you're near Glasgow, make sure to visit Port Glasgow and witness these incredible testaments to a bygone era.
I recently got some Oriflame products, and I’ll be sharing my thoughts on them with you over time. This is not a paid collaboration; as always, I share my honest opinions about products I use on my blog.
Today, I’m reviewing the Oriflame Milk and Honey Gold Nourishing Hand and Body Cream (250 ml).
I like scented creams, largely because of my mom—she loves them too. However, she has oily skin, and what I’ve noticed about heavily scented creams is that they often focus more on the fragrance and less on actually nourishing the skin.
With this product, the scent is lovely—pleasant and soft. The texture of the cream is smooth and feels good when applied. But the scent doesn’t last long on the skin. Also, while the cream is quickly absorbed, it tends to leave my skin feeling dry. It doesn’t moisturize deeply, and the texture is quite light. After applying it, I often find myself needing to use another cream to actually keep my skin from feeling dry.
Here’s what the website says about the product:
This rich and indulgent, delicately scented hand and body cream is formulated with luscious, organically sourced extracts of Milk and Honey. It intensively hydrates and nourishes for beautifully soft, smooth, glowing skin.
– Intensive 48h hydration
– Instantly boosts skin moisture by 59%
– Clinically, consumer, and dermatologically tested
The site also mentions that it contains beeswax, a natural wax emollient produced by bees and valued for its hydrating and protective qualities. It’s often used in skincare to relieve chapped skin and add a soothing barrier.
But based on my experience, the hydration doesn’t last more than 30 minutes. This is my personal opinion from using this product. It leaves my skin feeling dry and uncomfortable. I wouldn’t recommend it for people with dry skin. While the scent is beautiful, it fades quickly and doesn’t last.
This cream costs £12 and I will not buy it again.
As a tourist, you should always be careful of your surroundings, but business travelers are also targets for travel scams. Business travelers are a very profitable target for scammers since they can use high-limit corporate credit cards and make many reservations at once.
The key to avoiding these problems is to learn how to spot them, whether they are international credit card fraud or flight fraud. We put up the most recent travel safety tips to help you recognize trouble, both at home and abroad.
How many people are impacted by travel scams?
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are often the targets of online fraud because criminals are getting better at it, especially when they utilize AI in phishing scams. A report by UK Finance indicated that small and medium-sized businesses in the UK lost £59.2 million to fraud in 2021, which is a 35% increase from 2020. The survey also revealed that 80% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have been asked for personal information and money without asking.
You might not think so, but travel scams are more widespread than you think, especially when you plan business trips online. A study by McAfee Corp found that 30% of the respondents asked said they had either been a victim of an online travel fraud or knew someone who had. The same research found that 14% made payments through fraudulent platforms, and 18% experienced identity fraud.
How do travel scams affect those who travel for work?
There are both easy and complex ways to scam someone. Phishing emails and fake booking websites could trick business travelers. One typical approach is to construct a fake website that appears like a trusted site, but the URL is slightly different.
Digital criminals are also good at making fake invoices that appear like they originate from real suppliers. These invoices have a recognizable corporate logo and a registered office.
Some criminals can pretend to be a representative from a corporate travel agency and call your team to ask for payment information for a trip that is coming soon. But your company's travel policy should make it clear what the rules and budgets are for business travel, as well as which websites and platforms are okay to use. You can prevent these frequent phishing scams by only using reputable, approved sites like Booking.com for Business.
5 reasons why virtual cards are good for business travel
What are cards that are not real?
A virtual card is a digital version of your real bank card that you keep on your device. Virtual cards, especially for corporations, can exist without a real card. You can use it to pay for things in stores or online without having to touch anything. A virtual card has all the same information as a real credit or debit card, such as the
- Name of the cardholder
- Number on the credit card
- CVV
- Billing address
- Expiration date
The difference is that virtual credit cards give online stores changing information; therefore, the verification code is different every time you use a virtual credit card. The 16-digit number is only valid for a single transaction at a specified amount.
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