Latest news with #Katerina
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Cave of Denis, bounty of archaeological discovery
Michael Shunkov (front left) and Maxim Kozlikin (back right) — the main excavators at Denisova Cave, with Tom Higham in the centre and Katerina Douka back left. The first issue of the journal Nature was published on November 4, 1869, costing fourpence. It has since been the standard bearer of scientific research, reflected in such iconic papers as "A structure for deoxyribose nucleic acid", published in 1953 — a paper that led to Crick and Watson's Nobel Prize for identifying the structure of DNA. This past week has seen another notable article published, in Nature Communications, that describes the discovery of a new human species that was only possible because of the surviving ancient DNA in a tiny human finger bone. The scene is Denisova cave in the remote Altai Mountains of Siberia. In the cave, once occupied by a monk called Denis, the cultural deposits go down metres in depth and thousands of years in time. Painstaking excavations by Russian archaeologists have traced the prehistoric occupation of the cave through the stone tools and fragments of bone — fragments because most had been crunched by hyaenas. The project was joined by international scientists, including my son Tom and his wife Katerina, both specialists in dating. In 2008, a tiny finger bone found its way to the Max Plank Institute, in Leipzig, for DNA analysis and it turned the evolution of the human past on its head, for it came from a unknown species that the excavation team named Denisovan. This has led to a hunt for more Denisovan bones, made the more significant by the fact that modern people from Tibet to New Guinea count Denisovans among their ancestors. There is a new analytical technique that can identify a bone fragment by extracting its collagen, and Tom and Katerina took bags of bone chips back to Oxford from Denisova Cave. After analysing more than 1000, their graduate student Samantha Brown struck gold: a fragment of human bone. Off to Leipzig it went, followed by a long and anxious wait for the DNA results to come through. The stunning result was a world first: the bone came from a young girl whose mother was a Neanderthal, and father a Denisovan, who lived about 90,000 years ago. Not only was this unique discovery the world's first known human hybrid, but it featured on the front cover of Nature. Since then, the search for more Denisovans has reached the highlands of Tibet and tropical Laos and the seas off Taiwan. It seems Denisovans and Neanderthals once had a common ancestor about 390,000 years ago and placing both in the jigsaw of human evolution is continuing apace. For the full story, read Tom Highams' The World Before Us: How Science is Revealing a New Story of Our Human Origins.
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
7 absolutely stunning things you need to eat in Cardiff right now
7 absolutely stunning things you need to eat in Cardiff right now We've rounded up some of our fave eats going into June and summer is really heating up Cardiff's ever-evolving foodie scene has been seriously upping its game over the years (Image: Meating Point ) Cardiff's ever-evolving foodie scene has been seriously upping its game over the years, and we are so here for it! Sure, you'll still find all the usual chain restaurants if that's your thing, but the real magic? It's in the city's buzzing indie eateries, creative pop-ups, and epic food festivals that keep popping up on the calendar. From high-end dining that'll impress even the fussiest of foodies to off-beat street food that packs a punch, Cardiff has become a must-visit for anyone who loves to eat well. With so many delicious dishes and foodie treats, it can be tricky to know where to start, so we've rounded up some of what we've been eating in our ongoing series. We've got you covered, though and you can see the last round-up from April, here. Hungry? Let's crack on. 1. Souvlaki from Meating Point We love a filling Chicken Souvlaki from street food faves Meating Point (Image: Portia Jones ) We love a filling Chicken Souvlaki from street food faves Meating Point. Married couple Katerina and Petros Skliros run this foodie operation and serve traditional Greek dishes at events and festivals around Wales. Regulars to their stalls will have enjoyed expertly grilled and flavourful souvlaki gyros and kalamaki made of fresh, seasoned meats and traditional Greek tzatziki, utilising fresh products that are based on genuine traditional recipes. Article continues below They are now regular traders at the colourful Tiger Yard street food venue in Cardiff Bay, where they are joined by a range of other street food vendors. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here 2. Koththu from Ceylon M8 Food from Ceylon M8, Sri Lankan food stall on Penarth Road, Cardiff (Image: Steph Colderick ) Ceylon M8 has popped up on Penarth Road in recent weeks and is definitely worth a visit for traditional Sri Lankan food, such as koththu and fried rice, a taste of South Asia right in the Welsh capital. We're big fans of the chicken koththu, a bargain at £8.49. Koththu is a stir-fried dish cooked on a hot griddle using thin strips of roti bread instead of noodles, mixed veggies, an egg, and a choice of meat or a veggie dish. The mixture is given a chop on the griddle, then doused in a chicken or beef curried gravy, depending on your choice of meat filling. The fresh meat is doused in light flour and then fried to give it a crisp without a southern-fried coating. 3. Sunday lunch at the Grange We know nobody makes gravy like mam but the Grange is doing a damn fine job on the Sunday lunch front (Image: Portia Jones ) We know nobody makes gravy like mam but the Grange is doing a damn fine job on the Sunday lunch front. A social and well-known dog-friendly pub, the Grange has a hip interior and a massive beer garden for lazy pints in the sun. If you love a massive roast, Sunday is the day to visit for outstanding roast dinners with all the trimmings. We particularly love the roast beef, which is perfectly pink in the middle, served atop crispy roasties, carrots, cabbage, and a big yorkie. Booking is essential as they are a very popular place for Sunday dining. 4. Brownie Croissant from Pettigrew Bakeries Family-run Pettigrew Bakeries recently opened a shop in the swish suburb of Rhiwbina (Image: Wales Online ) Family-run Pettigrew Bakeries recently opened a shop in the swish suburb of Rhiwbina, which The Times recently named one of the top 25 places to live in the UK. The new bakery sells a range of freshly-baked goods, including a brownie croissant stuffed with chunks of gooey brownie, which gives a satisfying sugar high. Pair with a brew and start your day right. 5. Cornish Kern from Tŷ Caws Content cannot be displayed without consent Located within the historic Castle Arcade, the new Tŷ Caws offers a range of lush British cheeses, accompaniments, and gift hamper boxes. The award-winning cheesemonger now has a decadent cheese bar that's open throughout the day and on select evenings. The bar offers a range of cheese and charcuterie plates to eat in with wines and beers by the glass, and you can also build your own cheese plate. Lush! We love the Cornish Kern described by Tŷ Caws as "Comte meets Gouda style Cornish Kern". Kern is longer-matured (16 months), more dense in texture and much more intense than Yarg and definitely deserves a spot on your cheese plate. 6. Tacos from Bearded Tacos The Bearded Taco are a local favourite (Image: Wales Online ) The Bearded Taco, a Mexican food van run by the dynamic husband-and-wife duo Sian Miguel and Jake Barham, has made a splash on the Cardiff street food scene and has since found a permanent home in Cardiff Market. Their award-winning tacos are crafted from freshly made corn tortillas and burst with creative fillings such as avocado topped with lemon, agave slaw, and pollo pibil. Our current favourite is the Tacos Vampiros special, a crispy tortilla loaded with chipotle crema, creamy guac, and coriander, served with your choice of pork, chicken, or tempura avocado. 7. Turkish eggs from KIN+ILK (Image: Portia Jones ) KIN+ILK Pontcanna site is a stark and stripped-back bit of Scandi cool, smack bang in the tree-lined 'burbs of Pontcanna. There's plenty of outdoor seating here too, giving this uber-hip café a real 'European neighbourhood' feel. Try the delicious Turkish eggs, cooked to runny perfection and slathered in creamy, garlic yoghurt and burnt chilli butter for a filling breakfast. Add a few slices of bacon for good measure. Article continues below
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
My Mom Wasn't Ready to Die at 57. I'll Never Forget One of Our Last Conversations in the Hospital (Exclusive)
Before Deborah Finck died at age 57, she made a name for herself on social media by sharing her thoughts on life, family, love and the lessons she learned after five years of living with cancer. Her messages and musings resonated with over 800,000 followers between her TikTok and Instagram accounts. Deborah — who once appeared on the reality series Nanny 911 — was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer, in March 2020. In the years that followed, she was constantly surrounded by her devoted family: her husband Paul and their three sets of twins — daughters Alex and Amanda, 29, daughter Katerina and son Steven, 24, and sons David and Daniel, 23. It was Katerina who originally encouraged Deborah to start posting online near the end of her life. Since her death on Jan. 14, 2025, Katerina has continued creating social media content, with many of her videos paying homage to her mom. This year marks the family's first Mother's Day without Deborah, and while she's not physically present, Katerina tells PEOPLE they'll be celebrating the way the late TikTok star would've wanted, with all six siblings together with their father. "She's here in the way that we spend time with each other, talk about her and do things that we know would make her proud," says Katerina. In a heartfelt essay told to PEOPLE's Zoey Lyttle, Katerina remembers her widely beloved mom and the precious moments they shared at the end of her life, both together and with their community of supporters online. Related: TikTok Star and Mom of 6 Dies of Rare Cancer at 57, One Day After Sharing Tearful Final Post About Not Wanting 'to Go Anywhere' My mom was the type of person who made friends with everyone. She could talk to the wall and have a great time. We'd meet people in elevators, and she'd invite them over. I knew my mom would love sharing her life on social media, and at the end of her life, it did become a crucial outlet for her. By the end of my mom's cancer journey, the illness took away her ability to travel, bake and do so many things that she loved to do. She was sick and bored in the house, but making TikTok videos gave her something to do and more people to talk to. Social media was also something we could do together. My mom and I have always been a good duo. I did modeling and acting when I was younger, and she was my cheerleader. I used to call her my "momager" back then. She always brought me where I needed to go and rooted for me the whole way there. Plus, she loved being in front of the camera, always with a big smile. My mom also once wanted to get into acting and modeling, but she never saw it through. I think this — her viral fame on social media — was her moment of finally making that dream come true. Related: Nanny 911 Star's Daughter Reveals the Last Words She Spoke to Mom the Night Before She Died of Cancer at Age 57 When I encouraged her to start sharing her story on TikTok in April 2024, I had about 130,000 followers as a dog-mom influencer. We'd already seen my growth online, and I knew her perspective had real potential to inspire the millions of people it ultimately did. From day one of her diagnosis in 2020 through her eventual entry into hospice, my mom refused to accept that she would die of the leiomyosarcoma cancer they found in the pulmonary artery of her heart. She maintained her positivity throughout, even when things took an unprecedented turn for the worse last autumn. I visited her regularly while she was sick, even though we were states away. My boyfriend and I live in Alabama, but I often traveled up to my parents' home in Connecticut, where they raised my five siblings and me (we're three sets of twins). I spent a month up there in October 2024, which is when my mom started to get serious about posting on social media. She filmed herself being real, posting the truth and reality of her situation and sharing her will to live. She resonated with people going through challenges in their own lives and changed their perspective by sharing hers. Here was this sick woman reminding people how precious it all is and how much she would give for more time, saying, 'Don't be sad, always be happy, because life is really, really good.' Related: One Day Before She Died of Cancer, TikToker Deborah Finck Watched Daughter Try on Wedding Dresses: 'Will Remember Forever' She loved doing it, and her increasing follower count reflected that the feeling was mutual. I'm still grateful for everything it gave us, especially at the end. Making TikToks made sense for us as mother and daughter. It was just another fun thing that we bonded over. At any random moment, whether we were at home or in the hospital, she'd be like, "You want to make a TikTok?" and we would just get on and laugh. We'd talk to each other and talk to the audience like they were our best friends. And that's what social media is about: making connections and making friends. My mom basically went viral overnight, but during that October I spent in Connecticut, I could tell things were getting worse. Two weeks after I returned to the South, I got a call: 'Mom's not doing well.' We all came to see her in the hospital that November. There, we made something special together. My siblings and I decided to come up with questions to ask our mom and record her answers. She shared her favorite memories with us, and we asked her things like, 'What do you want to tell us on our wedding day?' and 'What do you want to tell your grandchildren about you?' We also have a recording of her saying everyone's name, calling each of us her favorite, which is kind of an inside joke in our family. When we were younger, she'd whisper in each of our ears, 'You're my favorite." None of us knew she was saying that to all of us until one day when one of my brothers overheard her say it to another sibling. But even after we realized everyone was getting the favorite treatment, she kept saying it to all of us individually, 'Katerina, you're my favorite. You're my favorite.' Related: My Daughter Died of Cancer at 26. 1 Year Later, I Still Think of the Words We Shared at the End (Exclusive) As meaningful as we made the time, November still marked a big decline in my mom's health. She was having trouble breathing and coughing constantly, but her doctors said they couldn't do anything about it. They couldn't keep cutting out the tumor. They said she only had a couple months to live and told her it was time for hospice. She refused it then, telling them, "I'm not doing that. I'm finding other options." My mom never gave up, but I think she felt like she did when she opted into hospice the following month. That's not how we saw it, though. To everyone else, we only knew she fought so hard. She started hospice at home on Dec. 31, 2024, and I decided that I wasn't going to leave her side. Even if she didn't need me, I couldn't do anything other than stay there and make sure she was OK. I knew that I just wanted to be with her. A lot of my siblings live close enough to my parents that they were able to come and go easily, popping in throughout the week. Living so far away, I didn't have that luxury, so it was just my dad and I always by her side until the end. At that point, I had pivoted to doing content creation as my full-time job, so I had the flexibility to be there and step up while my dad continued managing his business. As long as I was able to be there for my mom, I was OK with any arrangement. Related: Late Nursing Influencer's Husband Opens Up About Raising Son Alone as He Says Delivery Complication Was Unavoidable (Exclusive) When the end neared, there wasn't anything specific she wanted to do, but she wasn't interested in sleeping all day long. We didn't know how many days we had left, but my mom decided to make a TikTok asking her followers how the two of us should spend that precious time together. We got a lot of great advice from different people, but one idea stuck out to me. It came in an email that said, 'You should go wedding dress shopping with your mom because you won't be able to get that moment back.' She said her aunt works at a bridal gown store and wanted to help give us that experience, even though I'm not actually engaged. Unfortunately, that particular shop wasn't in our area, but this kind person actually looked up shops that were close to us and called them to see who could help make it happen. Related: My Years of Leg Pain Turned Out to Be ALS: Why the Terminal Diagnosis Isn't Even the Scariest Part (Exclusive) She found a bridal boutique run by people who said they would love to do it. They told me to pick 10 dress options, which they brought over to the house on a clothing rack. It happened exactly how we showed it in the video: I tried on every gown, and my mom shared her thoughts and rated each one. Ever since I was young, I always told my mom that I was going to wear her wedding dress on my wedding day. But when everyone left that day and we stopped recording for TikTok, my mom told me there was one dress she really liked on me. She reassured me that I didn't have to wear her wedding dress or buy the new one she liked so much, but the decision was easy to make. I told her I wanted to get the gown she liked, and then I'd wear her dress for my future rehearsal dinner. Simple as that, she said, 'OK. I'd like that.' When my mom died two days later, everyone reminded me I wasn't obligated to get the dress. They said I'd probably want to go shopping again when I was actually about to get married. But no, I told them, I would never want to replace that moment with something else. Related: My Rare Cancer Has Recurred 3 Times in 3 Years. At Age 22, I've Learned to Radically Accept My Fate (Exclusive) We were best friends. Being with her at the end, I sensed she felt very safe with me and could tell me anything. There was one night in the hospital when my mom was feeling terrible and so scared. I wasn't allowed to stay over in her room, so I went to the guest area to sleep. But then I got a call from her; the hospital staff had decided it was OK for me to come back. We cuddled in the bed, and my mom shared stories with me that she said no one else knows. We laughed and we cried. She told me things that she said I need to know. She admitted just how scared she felt and how upset she was that she was doing this to me. We all look up to our mothers. We don't think they're going to be scared. We think they're braver than we are. And on social media, my mom was able to convey how much she loved living life, even in the final days of hers. She kept showing everyone that it's always worth it to make a memory. But in that moment in her hospital room, I realized my mom is just a person who doesn't know what to do. She's just a person who doesn't want this to happen to her. So I told her, 'Mom, you're my best friend. You are the best mom I could ever have and the best person that I know. I'm so sorry this is happening to you." Related: Influencer Who Was Diagnosed with Incurable Colon Cancer Dies at 21 All of my mom's followers now follow me too, since she's no longer around to create content. I'm grateful for them the way she was, for the same reasons. If she didn't have her online supporters to talk to — the people who told her she's not alone, who prayed for her and cheered for her — I don't think she would've fought through it the way that she did. I make content that brings in her memory. I post so many baking videos now, making recipes like my mom's cinnamon rolls, and that's because my mom was always in the kitchen before she was diagnosed. Every single time we would come home from school, she would have all these pastries, all of these different things made for us, because she just loved it. Anytime I smell bread, I think of her. Our house always smelled like bread, whether she was making homemade pizza or homemade Italian bread. Anytime I'm in the kitchen, I feel her presence. I talk a lot about how I'm feeling on TikTok, and I know people might want to hear a lot more than I'm willing to share about my mom. But there are some stories and moments that I just want to keep to myself. I need to show up every day with a smile on my face and see the sunshine in the day. Related: Dominique McShain's Husband Posts Tribute After Influencer Dies of Colon Cancer at 21: 'I Carry You with Me' Her TikTok community seems really happy to see that I'm doing well on those better days. And when I share videos taken during the brighter moments, my mom's followers tell me, 'Your mom shines right in you. You are your mom, and she is always with you." My mom's light was strong in the morning. She was that way throughout our lives together. When I was a kid, I'd come downstairs in the morning before school, and she'd tell me, 'Good morning, sunshine.' She kept up that disposition even after she got sick. If I woke up in Connecticut and my mom was feeling OK, 'Good morning, sunshine. It's time to get up!' was the first thing I heard. It always made me smile. It continues to make me smile, actually, because my mom and her words are still with me at the start of each day. Every morning when I wake up, I think of her. Read the original article on People
Buzz Feed
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
44 Problem-Solvers That'll Help You Get A Little Better At Everything With Hardly Any Effort
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · Hey, even using up a bottle of salad dressing before it goes bad can feel like a substantial win. 1. An 8-in-1 mani in a bottle for a long-lasting flush of color that'll make it seem like you went and got a pro mani. But really, you brushed it on while you caught up on Summer House for a much nicer result than the last time you tried that with a regular polish. Promising review: "I love this stuff. I wanted the benefits of these ingredients but also wanted a flush of color. This stuff is so pretty. You can see on my thumb how smooth my severely rigid and damaged nail is. It looks so much better. The pointer and middle finger have a press on, but I wanted to show how well it applied on flawed natural nails too, next to a 'perfect' press-on." — Katerina Get it from Amazon for $5.36. 2. A rectangular lazy Susan made to hold more than the traditional round ones. Here's to grabbing the oat milk from the back of the fridge without having to remove everything from the shelf that just so happens to be in front of said oat milk. Also, this'll help you use up salad dressings before they go bad! Amazon Check out a TikTok of the rectangular lazy Susan in action. Promising review: "This is perfect for short people with big refrigerators! I could never reach anything on the top shelf and had to grab a step stool, now everything fits perfectly on this and I can reach them all! It glides great and is very sturdy." — Tara Mann Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four pack sizes). 3. A sturdy Pikk-It tool with sharp metal teeth that'll un-ensnare tangled hair from your vacuum cleaners, hairbrushes, and even your beloved round brush dryer. Raise your hand if you've ever broken a seam ripper cleaning a vacuum cleaner. (Meee.) Promising review: "Cleaned three items in less than five minutes. Vacuum brush head and two hair brushes that have three girls' long hair. I can't wait to get the whole vacuum and rug cleaner bristles cleaned. I had to write this review after testing it out. Design is strong, sturdy, and handles great. Highly recommended." — Rob Get it from Amazon for $8.99. 4. A pomade hair wax stick is a super easy-to-apply product that will keep all your flyaways and frizzies controlled whenever you put your hair up into a ponytail or bun. Promising review:"Love it! Works great, doesn't look greasy. Leaves the hair looking sleek. I have naturally curly hair and straighten my hair some days." — Nicole Woods Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in multiple sizes and packs). 5. The Pink Stuff Spray in case you're extremely into the OG cleaning paste and have wondered out loud, "Hm, I wonder what else they make." Well, THIS! Promising review: "I've tried everything I could think of to get my oven clean, then came across this on Amazon. It smells like green apples to me, which is far better than most cleaning products. The picture was taken during the cleaning process of the inside of the glass door. I'm amazed!" — Star Get it from Amazon for $4.86 (also available in a bathroom spray and window and glass spray). 6. Scouring sponges to handle most of the elbow grease for hand-washing anything that needs more than a simple rinse. Caked-on crud from a grilled cheese you left overnight? NBD. Promising review: "Absolutely works as described. Removes the gunk, discoloration, and crud from the bottom of pots easily. Wet the sponge with water, start scrubbing and watch the magic begin in seconds. Minimal elbow grease needed." — Marty Marion Get an 8-pack from Amazon for $7.99. 7. An exfoliating scrub mitt can help you part with excess dead skin and particles while you use it a couple of times a month (it's that good so you don't have to use it as often as other exfoliators!). Reviewers find it super helpful for removing self-tanner, addressing ingrown hairs, and increasing circulation. Promising review:"I have very thin and light body hair, so any form of removal (shaving, waxing, etc) usually leaves me with a lot of ingrown hairs. I've tried body scrubs and washcloths and neither really do a great job. I saw this product recommended by a dermatologist on TikTok and thought I'd try it — it's amazing! I also have very sensitive skin, and this mitt doesn't leave my skin irritated at all. However, absolutely do not use this mitt on your face, neck, or other sensitive areas, it would be way too harsh. I like to use this mitt first when I get in the shower, then use a body wash (a gentle chemical exfoliant) and follow up with body lotion for dry and sensitive skin. This whole routine is fragrance free and leaves my skin feeling very soft and moisturized." — Kat Get it from Amazon for $8.49 (also available in a set of two). 8. A standing weeder (without the chemicals!) to help improve your view of your sprawling yard that was very enticing 'til you had to weed it. You're not the only one who has trouble enjoying weed-filled scenery. And hey, while you're weeding with this there's no bending over! Your back will thank you. Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to made weeding easy. Grampa's Weeder is a small biz. Promising review:"Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weed was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." — JG Get it on Amazon for $39.99. 9. A tabletop fly fan that'll do the swatting at bugs for ya. Its steady breeze serves as a deterrent while you're just trying to enjoy the great outdoors on your patio. If you're looking for something more whimsical, consider this donut-shaped option. Promising review: "This product works well on outside tables to keep flies off of your food. We used it just last night, and it's lightweight and a great size. No assembling required; just add batteries." — SmileyReviews Get it from Amazon for $11.99. 10. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner you can simply throw in your sink (the whole packet!), turn on the water, and watch fizz up as it does the tough work below on all the gunk that OTHER PEOPLE have let build up in your disposal. Amazon Promising review:"Saw on TikTok (don't judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you're left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." — Jessica Hamilton Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.97. 11. Lumify Eye Drops beloved by the masses who've tried other redness-reducing eye drops before. Yes, these are a bit pricier than other versions. But reviewers say it's totally worth it! Oh, and don't forget that it's also made to help relieve dry eyes. Promising review:"I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard "To drops in your eyes and all day, they look perfectly white and healthy. I would definitely buy these again." — Kelley Get it from Amazon for $11.97. 12. Venus Visage Teeth Whitening Pens to easily apply and let sit a minute or two to dry. Buh-bye annoying strips that never quite fit your teeth and coffee stains. You can use each pen ~20 times and should expect your teeth to lighten 4–8 shades. I'm currently working my way through one of these pens! Promising review:"I have only used the two original pens that I purchased and can already see an improvement. I am older than 60 and drink coffee daily and red wine weekly." — vicki houska Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.99. 13. A powerful dishwashing spray that, honestly, if you buy anything from this list, this should be it — especially if your home *doesn't* include a dishwasher. You can spray down that casserole dish caked with enchilada sauce, let it sit, and you simply wipe and rinse away that saucy mess in a few minutes after you've conquered your meal. I live in an apartment without a dishwasher, and I honestly use that as an excuse to order takeout food instead of cooking. But, as soon as I got my hands on a bottle of this stuff (regular Dawn is my go-to dish soap, BTW), I put it to use on both a saucepan I used to make homemade enchilada sauce *and* the casserole dish I baked those enchiladas, which had a ton of caked-on food. It really does work like I say it does! Like, scary well. Get the starter pack from Amazon for $12.16. 14. Seamless bra liners to put underneath your bra to keep it from getting soaked by noon with sweat. Also, they'll put a bit of cushion between your underwire and skin for some extra comfort. FYI: They're machine-washable! Promising review:"This is one of those things that I wish I'd found years earlier. I've suffered from mortifying stress-induced under-boob sweat for most of my adult life. Also, I'm a lifelong Seattle girl who gets upset when it's warmer than 65° outside. So when I stumbled upon this product, I was curious enough to buy a small pack. And yes, I've come back for MORE! For real, I won't put on a bra without one of these liners now. It absorbs all the moisture from heat and stress. And because it's a really soft bamboo/cotton mix, my skin is finally not feeling tortured under there! To the makers of this ingenious life-changing product: thank you thank you thank you! Sincerely, all the grateful ta-tas you've helped to care for." — Niko Get a three-pack from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in women's sizes M–XXL and in several color combos). 15. But if you can't bear the thought of putting something else on your body, some 'bust dust' anti-boob-sweat powder with soothing lavender and chamomile in a sprayable, talc-free formula to fight dampness and discomfort. Megababe Promising review: 'Lifesaver! I wear a very full D cup and this saves me during the summer months. Needless to say, the Florida heat is unrelenting and I cannot live without this Bust Dust. It definitely does the trick to keep my bra dry!' — wenb Get it from Ulta for $16. 16. A stainless-steel tongue scraper that'll help you kick sour wafts to the curb FAR better than your toothbrush. OK, so it might make you gag but then you'll marvel at what gets scraped off. Promising review:"Unfortunately I, like many, suffer from bad breath and have tried so many things to stop it. I read that sometimes it's the germs on your tongue that can cause it, so I went crazy trying to brush my tongue. Of course, we all know how that ends — gagging, watery eyes, and it still looks like that gross film is on your tongue. I finally decided that maybe it was time to get a tongue cleaner and it had to be a stainless steel one because they are easier to clean and sterilize. This product is really easy to use and I can get very far back on my tongue without activating my gag reflex. Also, it doesn't have the feeling like brushing with a toothbrush does. This cleaner just glides across my tongue, taking all the icky germs and bad breath with it. I love my nice new fresh breath and bolster of confidence!" — jordanlauren Get it from Amazon for $7.68. 17. Bottle Bright cleaning tablets will revive the look (and taste!) of the stainless-steel thermos you use every dang day but aren't so great at washing like you should. If stained thermoses and coffee mugs give you the ick, these little tabs are really going to help your bottom line. Promising review:"Finished using it five minutes ago and it's the best! My husband uses a Stanley thermos daily to take coffee to work. He tries to remember to rinse it out every day, but that doesn't always happen. I got the package today, filled the thermos with water, dropped a tablet in, and let it sit. I promptly forgot about it for a few hours. Initially, I was disappointed when I dumped the water, as it was barely tinged brown. Then I put fresh water in, covered the top, shook it, and OMG. T he crap that came out was disgusting, yet fascinating. I looked in the thermos and saw almost nothing but sparkly silver! There was a little crud left in the top third of the thermos, but it's a really tall one, so I wasn't surprised. Got the bottle brush, swished twice, and bam! All clean! No fumes, no smell, no nothing, just clean. I used to struggle cleaning it with baking soda, vinegar, the brush, soap, and elbow grease. Screw that. I will forever use only these tablets! Here's to better tasting (and way less gross) coffee!" — BranchingOut Get 12 tablets from Amazon for $7.48. 18. Some anti-slip eyeglasses stoppers in case you're sick and tired of pushing up your glasses all the time. These subtly help your glasses stay on your nose where you want 'em but are cute in case someone DOES notice them. And with 15 pairs per order, you can outfit all your eyeglasses and sunnies with these! Promising review:" My face is a little sweaty, and while tilting my head 90 degrees downward, they have stayed put. Typically, they would fall off, so these hearts do work!" — chezkk Get 15 pairs from Amazon for $6.99 (available in six colors). 19. A heavy-duty toenail clipper in case your toenails lean more toward the talons and regular old toenail clippers just can't handle them. This pro-level tool can take on thick nails for a comfier trim at home. Promising review:"We bought this for our teen grandson to use for an ingrown toenail because he was not able to go to a nail salon that he trusted to fix this problem. It worked perfectly. He was so pleased with the result as it took care of his painful problem! Thank you for making a fantastic product. Every household should own one, especially during this COVID-19 health crisis!" — T.S. Get it from Amazon for $9.99. 20. KISS PowerFlex Maximum Speed Nail Glue that'll help you realize your faux-nail dreams and then reuse the nails over and over again for a salon look on the cheap. Most reviewers say it lasts for more than a week. Check out a TikTok of the nail glue in action. Promising review: "I've been using this on my press-ons, and when I say they last a month or longer without any popping off! I will never go back to any other brand. Easy to use, quick-drying, GREAT PRICE!! Like, how can you best that value? The size you get for the price is really unmatched. The glue removal is pretty eas y. If I plan on reusing the press-ons, I'll soak them in water and soap and pop them off. If not, I'll cut and shave down the nails and soak in acetone until it dissolves the nails enough for me to use my drill." — Big Ming Get it from Amazon for $1.97. 21. An earwax removal kit anyone who seems to get built up goo quite a bit will appreciate. Or anyone who watches earwax removal videos when they can't sleep. ::raises hand:: Promising review:"Many years ago, I had a pretty severe wax impaction issue. Went to the doctor and got my ear flushed. They recommended this to continue to deal with excess wax. So satisfying to see the wax flush out after using this. These days, my eczema and dry skin had re-surfaced in my ears. So, now I use it to deal with the dry flaky skin in my ears. Put some drops in, let it fizz and bubble, and flush them out. The flakes come out easily — much better than the maddening itchy ears." — Kim Get it from Amazon for $7.98. 22. A natural, plant-based cleaner in case the reason you let things reach gas station–bathroom levels is because you can't stand the smell of bleach. This stuff will tackle grime, streaks, spilled foundation, soap scum, and basically whatever else ends up on your bathroom surfaces. AND it'll leave behind a eucalyptus and tea tree scent, a vast improvement from smelling like an indoor pool. Promising review:"This stuff is amazing!! I was skeptical at first because I have these dark stains on my shower floor that I've never been able to get out and was thinking something 'natural' wouldn't be heavy-duty enough for it. I cleaned half the shower at first because I wanted to see how it looked compared to the dirty side and it did an amazing job with a little bit of elbow grease! You can see the difference." — Katherine Cheng Get two bottles from Amazon for $12.34. 23. Wonderskin Wonder Blading One Step Lip Stain Masque will help you get a little more excited to put on some makeup in the morn because it's fun AND easy. It goes on like a cool lip stain and then peels off to reveal gorgeous, long-lasting color. Wonderskin is a small business that specializes in makeup and skincare products. Promising reviews: " I kept seeing Wonder Blading Lip videos on my TikTok. Went to Sephora and couldn't believe they didn't have it. Wound up buying it on Amazon and loving it!" — PM "I didn't know what to expect when I received this product, but I have to say I am pleasantly surprised! I absolutely love it! I put it on as soon as it arrived. I kept it on for almost a minute and when I wiped it off with a damp cotton ball, the color was beautiful. It's true to its word about the 12 hour stay power. I put a little lip balm over it and enjoyed eating, drinking, and talking. It didn't come off! If you like lip stain? Get this product! It's a keeper. I will be ordering all of the shades." — Brandy Get it from Amazon for $22 (available in 21 shades). 24. A horizontal water bottle organizer that'll keep those too-tall and too–top heavy water bottles *right* where you want them. So it'll be much easier to find your bottle-of-the-day in a flash. YouCopia is a woman-owned small business that specializes in home storage solutions. Get it for $19.39+ (available in four sizes). 25. Crave Naturals Detangling brush can glide through your hair without tugging or ripping out your strands. Time-sucking tangles, meet your match. Promising review:"Omg!!! This is the best detangling brush ever!! Shampoo bath nights have been restored! I dread ever time have have to detangle my daughter's hair no matter how much conditioner I used it would end in tears and frustration! My daughter's hair has super tight curls and I don't think I have ever really fully detangled it until now! We have used other combs brushes and this one by far was the holy grail! No more tears and I feel confident her hair is fully detangled!!" — Ashlee Gordon Promising review (for natural hair):"I never write reviews, but I had to for this one. This brush cured my cancer, paid my rent and revived Jesus from the dead. This. is. a. holy. grail. I have the tangliest (IDC if that's not a word) terribly hard to manage curly, natural hair. But this brush gave me shine brighter than a haole baby's bottom and glided through my hair with ease. 100% RECOMMEND." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in nine colors and multipacks). 26. A self-stirring mug if you'd rather die than take your coffee black, but hate how long it takes your creamer and sugar to actually blend. Amazon Check out a TikTok of the self-stirring mug in action. Promising review: "I'm a huge fan of coffee and I need it in daily life. Absolutely loving this new cup! Easy and quick to mix your coffee and milk, pretty handy! Cleaning the cup couldn't be easier with the self stirring function, just put a little dab of soap, fill the mug half way with water, turn it on and let it do its own thing." — Lina Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in five colors). 27. A rotating Beachwaver curling iron will take a lot of the actual work out of curling your hair. I can curl my hair with a regular curling iron with my eyes closed but I SWEAR by this thing. I've used about every kind of hair styling tool on the planet and had given up on curling irons with clamps. I was fully a curling wand girlie because I'm adept at heat styling and it gave me covetable mermaid waves I wanted. Then I tried a Beachwaver and haven't looked back since. I have them in two barrel sizes and now can zone out while I do my hair. The directional buttons for the tool are easy to use and if I accidentally press the button for the opposite way of which I'd like the barrel to spin, it's a quick and easy correction. I try all sorts of products for my job but this has quickly become one that I talk about all the time. Get it from Amazon for $99. 28. A HUGE pack of denture- and retainer-cleaning tablets that, YES, will de-gunk that $$$ mouthguard you got talked into at the dentist. But it will also turn back time on stained coffee mugs and thermoses so you aren't tempted to invest in new ones when you've got perfectly good ones at home. (Or you can even revive ones found at the thrift or from your local buy-nothing group!) Gotta love a two-fer. I've used this hack to get rid of coffee stains in white mugs with another brand's denture/retainer cleaners and found it's most effective when used with boiling instead of room temp water. M3 Naturals is a small biz. Promising review: "Not only does it work perfectly on my grinder guard, but I used it on a water bottle and a coffee mug, and it was perfectly clean. Had a mint flavor, so that's the only reason I washed them. Got the coffee stain out and everything." — Rachel Get a 120-pack from Amazon for $18.81. 29. A "flossing toothbrush" with two layers of bristles for a serious step up from regular brushes. It has regular firm bristles PLUS longer ones that are ten times thinner to *really* get in between teeth and gums, mimicking flossing. Psst, it's also safe for sensitive teeth. Mouthwatchers is a small business by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans — which are great for targeting stuff often missed with traditional brush and floss routines. Here's what BuzzFeeder Emma Lord has to say about them: " I use an electric toothbrush usually, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively. " Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.90. 30. Outdoor cleaner wipes so you won't use a whole spray bottle and roll of paper towels on getting the patio set ready for actual sitting. Yep, it even works on removing bird poop! Amazon Promising review: "This product really worked on the pitch and bird poop on outside furniture… very pleased." — G.R. Get them from Amazon for $9.79. 31. A rotating whisk blender can help you quickly beat eggs when making scrambled eggs for an army. BTW, I take mine low and slow. Check out a TikTok of the whisk in action. Promising review:"This is one of the coolest gizmos I've purchased! And it works like a charm, especially for scrambled eggs. I've always struggled with getting the egg white and yoke blended well together. This tool does the trick. I found it most effective with liquids. Any kind of sauce or salad dressing can be well blended with this tool too." — Austin Get it from Amazon for $15.12. 32. A pooper scooper might seem like a prank gift. But will go to TOWN on all those piles your dog leaves in your yard without you having to bend down. Amazon Promising review:"With three dogs, two small and one large, scooping the yard is a never-ending job. But with the Arm & Hammer swivel bin and rake, there is no more bending to pick up the doggy droppings. I am able to easily use the rake to push the droppings into the bag covered bin. When I am done cleaning up the yard, I just simply remove the plastic bag from the scoop, tie it off, and dispose. I do spray the rake off with the hose sprayer and then clip the rake onto the scooper for easy storage. I really like this handy scooper. It makes a very icky job much easier to handle." — Kelly Eldred Get it from Amazon for $19.99. 33. A SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher you can program so the coffee machine cuts on each before you can zombie-walk to the kitchen. It also works with Alexa and Google Home! Amazon, Reviewers love this because it doesn't require you to "smart enable" other parts of your home. It's also a great way to turn on your kettle or coffee brewer from the other room so it's ready for you when you get out of bed! Promising review:"This is exactly what I was looking for and had no idea it existed until I saw someone mention it on TikTok! Our front walkway gets pretty dark at night, and I was frustrated with trying to remember to turn on the light every evening and off every morning. I looked into those light sensors you can plug in, but our front porch light is under an awning with enough shade that it would have kept the light on 24/7. This little Switchbot solved the problem. I applied it to the indoor light switch and set the time on my phone. It has worked perfectly ever since." — Alecia McLochlin Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in white and black). 34. A set of toss-and-chop salad tongs, or "salad scissors," that'll help break your $16-salad habit from that place down the street. This chopping tool (that costs less than two of those salads, btw) will bring a little bit of action to food-prep while helping convince yourself that your homemade salads are delish. Amazon Check out a TikTok of the salad scissors in action. Promising review: "Love these! I hate big leafy salads so I bought these and they're perfect for chopping greens into bites. I also use them to quickly chop cherry tomatoes, onions, and other veggies. VERY nice quality." — asoon Get it from Amazon for $21.50. 35. La Pure Waterproof Eyeliner Stamp I'd be remiss if I didn't recommend it to you because practicing a cat-eye flick is HARD. Perhaps you're like me and don't feel done up until you have an eyeliner flick. This'll help! Promising review:"I am not one to write reviews often, but this product has exceeded my expectations! I normally use liquid liners such as Kat Von D Tattoo, but this has drastically reduced the time it takes for me to create a winged look! I personally prefer a longer wing, but this stamp provides a template to work with and reduces the amount of time to create 'sister' wings — they're pretty much twins now! The eyeliner pen itself it's a bit broad for me, but the pigment is great!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in two sizes). 36. A Neutrogena makeup eraser stick can let you do a quick touch-up on that eyeliner wing that you can't get right or you accidentally smeared before it was set. And it's small enough that you can throw it in your bag on the reg. Amazon Promising review:"Why didn't someone think of this sooner? For years, I've been using cotton swabs dipped in makeup remover to remove little goofs or mistakes. This is so much better and portable! Erases waterproof mascara marks around my eyes easily. Must-buy product!!" — Katherine Riordan Get it from Amazon for $7.97. 37. A special brush will keep your dryer's lint trap clear of debris and make drying cycles/the appliance more effective for longer. PLUS, this is a basic safety thing everyone should do! Amazon, Also, built-up lint is a fire hazard! Make this a part of your weekly cleaning routine. Promising review:"This brush is stiff but flexible enough to feed under my dryer's lint filter. Several weeks ago, a trouble light came on that indicated the airflow in my dryer was becoming obstructed. I had the dryer vent and area under the lint filter cleaned. (Not much lint was pulled out, so maybe the dryer sensor gave a false alarm.) I felt a small investment in a brush such as this is better than paying for a future vent cleaning. I've been using it once a week, and it picks up a little lint each time, but that's lint that won't have a chance to build up in the dryer vent!" — blueskys Get it from Amazon for $5.95 38. Grandma's Secret, an under-the-radar solution with serious stain-removing prowess — like, cleaning grease from your favorite pair of jeans. It can remove oil, grease, ink, grass, and blood stains for all my vampires out there. Psst, a few years ago I recommended this to a friend who fell in a puddle of motor oil on a sidewalk, then accidentally wiped it on her camel coat. It got the stains out! Promising review:"So….my son pays no mind to the amount of grease that he is covered in while working in the farm shop 🤣😂 I had basically said these jeans are work jeans now!!! I am amazed at how these look after two washes!! If you haven't ordered it, go do it now!!" — Mommyof20607 Get two bottles from Amazon for $8.99. 39. Goo Gone can zap all sorts of sticky messes on stuff you're trying to make outlive you. It's ready to take on all kinds of messes, including sticky residue from mounted objects like below. When I moved into my rental apartment years ago it came with a fridge with some stuck-on magnets I couldn't scrape off with my finger (and thus, ruined a manicure). My mom rec'd this stuff and it got rid of the mess easy-peasy. Since then I've rec'd it to a friend to successfully remove stickers from garage door windows. Promising review:"This is an amazing product. I've been trying everything to remove my old phone mount on my car dashboard, and this adhesive removal worked very fast. My recommendation is to wear gloves, I noticed that my fingertips and my nails got damaged. But besides from that, I give ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to GOO GONE" — May Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in different sizes). 40. A box of slow cooker liners that'll make cleaning up after yourself (and delicious concoctions) criminally easy in case the reason you haven't been using this workhouse countertop appliance is because of the cleanup. Just toss the liner when you're finished! Amazon I adore my slow cooker but hate cleaning up after using it. So I use these handy lil' bags. Read my full review of Reynolds Kitchens Premium Slow Cooker Liners. Get a box of 20 from Amazon for $12.18 (also available in small size). 41. A daily makeup brush cleaning spray because you and I both know you're not washing your beauty tools as frequently as you should. (Same.) Turns out, your brush bristles didn't come pink. That's just your blush! Promising review:"I'm not very good at makeup, but am practicing. I'm also a clean freak so I was able to use just a tiny bit of this cleaner and my brushes come out clean as new." — William M. Buttlicker Get it from Amazon for $6.99. 42. A plant-based stainless steel cleaner + a microfiber cleaning cloth will finally help you get rid of all the little paw and fingerprints that seem to magically appear out of thin air on your kitchen appliances. Check it out in action on TikTok! The plant-based, lavender-scented cleaner comes with a microfiber cloth for you to use on your appliances, and reviewers say you only have to use a little bit of the cleaner to clean your entire fridge or oven, which means one bottle will last you a really long time. Promising review:"This stuff works great... and that's coming from a clean freak. This cleaner/polish works awesome on stainless steel and any other material that the appliance is made of. It comes with a high-quality microfiber cloth, and it smells good. A little goes a long way, so it lasts through daily use." — RMK Get the set of cleanser and polish from Amazon for $19.95+ (also available in a larger size and two-pack). 43. A touchscreen mist spray so you can clearly see what's going on in your car's navigation screen. That's important! Promising review: "I was so skeptical, but this really works! It's small enough to fit in your purse, and it works on everything! Laptop screen, Kindle, phone. No streaks and super quick to just grab and spray!" — maries_corner22 Get it from Amazon for $7.99. 44. A Scumbug to help keep your pool from getting too gross too quickly after you've done the FULL clean and opened it up for the season. It soaks up sunscreen, oils, and other gross stuff enjoying your backyard retreat. When it gets discolored, simply wring it out, rinse it, and then put it back in its watery home. Promising review:"Scummy water bugging you? I just got this gem of a product last night. Popped it into my hot tub and from the picture I attached, you can see that in just about 12 hours, this little Scumbug ate up all the oil and filth in the hot tub. The water not only looks better, but smells better too! Highly recommended!" — Mickey D. Get a two-pack from Amazon for $12.99. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
The Independent
30-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Dad, 35, dies on holiday after dismissing stomach pain as food poisoning
A 35-year-old dad has died on holiday with a rare case of acute pancreatitis just 36 hours after his stomach pain was initially dismissed as food poisoning. Katerina Glazyrina, 41, has been 'heart warmed' by the support she has received from her local community in Hackney, east London, after her husband Andrejs Krievkalns died suddenly without life insurance. On January 3, Katerina and Andrejs, who both worked in advertising, were on holiday in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, with their five-year-old daughter Lizzie when he complained of a stomach ache – which they assumed was food poisoning as Andrejs was otherwise in good health. But the pain continued and spread to his back and soon he was in hospital in Burgas diagnosed with acute pancreatitis — a sudden inflammation of the pancreas which only leads to severe complications in one in five cases, and only a small percentage of those prove fatal, according to the NHS. Katerina said Andrejs told her not to worry and he would be 'home soon'. However, after she left the hospital, Andrejs' condition caused multiple organ failure and he died on January 4. 'When I heard the news I was alone,' Katerina told PA Real Life. 'It was the hardest day of my life. I don't know how I managed to get through it. 'We were preparing to return to normal life after the Christmas time. 'It's like you went on holiday and you can never come back to the life you've been building together.' Katerina hopes to raise awareness of the symptoms of pancreatitis, which include sudden severe pain in the centre of the abdomen which gets steadily worse and can then travel along your back, according to the NHS. She also hopes to encourage parents to take out life insurance, adding: 'You never know what events can happen and you don't want to add financial pressure on top of the grief and many other complexities that surround loss.' Katerina, originally from Russia, met Latvian-born Andrejs in London in 2006 while they were both students. After seven years of friendship, their relationship evolved into love and they married at Hackney City Hall in 2013, before Lizzie was born in 2019. 'He was a family man – that was his focus,' Katerina said. The family took a holiday to the Black Sea in Bulgaria for their new year break. After enjoying a week and a half together, they were due to return to London on January 4, but the day before Andrejs told Katerina he had 'a bit of tummy pain'. Andrejs had previously had food poisoning in Bulgaria so they presumed the spasmodic pain was something similar. He stayed in bed while Katerina packed their bags and prepared to leave, but the pain continued, spreading to his back and making his stomach tender to touch. Nevertheless, he said he was prepared to fly and he was able to sit up and go to the bathroom. 'He probably didn't want to worry me,' Katerina said. 'And I couldn't measure his pain.' Katerina visited the local pharmacy but the drugs they sold her didn't help. 'He began to look pale, so we cancelled the flight and called an ambulance,' Katerina said. 'They found his blood pressure was low.' It was difficult to explain Andrejs' pain accurately because of the language barrier, but when doctors touched his abdomen, he moaned and they said he should go to hospital. Andrejs was taken to Burgas Hospital, where a doctor told Katerina he had pancreatitis. When she saw Andrejs last, he told her: 'Don't worry I'll be home soon.' When she returned later that day, she discovered he had been taken to the intensive care unit with multiple organ dysfunction, which can be caused by acute pancreatitis. He died just before midnight on January 4 and Katerina was informed at 6am the next morning. With her daughter to look after and all the paperwork required to repatriate his body, Katerina said she 'didn't have the option to fall apart'. 'You have to find ways to be strong,' she said. '(Grief) changes you every day… you lose them every day – when you look at your child and want to adore her, you lose them. 'Anything you do that reminds you makes you lose them again.' Katerina and Andrejs had been in contact with life insurance brokers in 2024 and they were in the process of finding the right policy for life and critical illness insurance – but hadn't completed the process before he died. After his death, Katerina's local community in Hackney came together to raise money for her and her daughter, raising more than £12,500 through an online fundraiser on GoFundMe. 'The community response has been amazing,' she said. 'I never expected it in a million years. I'm just grateful, that's all I can say.' Katerina said it is not just the money, but the way people want to help. 'People are so willing to help me and my daughter, it melts my heart,' she said. 'It's beautiful. I can only say thank you.' Despite the tragedy and hardship which has followed, Katerina is hopeful she can harness her experiences to help others going through the same thing. Using her coaching knowledge, Katerina has started to share her reflections on recovering from loss on her Instagram page coaching_with_kat. 'It's hard to find the balance between grieving and the extreme responsibility of things to do,' she said. 'I want to be able to empower others as a transformational life coach, and help people going through big life changes.' She said Andrejs will always be remembered in the community and by his family. 'Everyone mentions how kind he was,' she said. 'He was such a caring man and I hope our daughter thriving will be his legacy.' Katerina and her daughter can be supported through their GoFundMe page.
