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Does Expensive Food Equal Unhealthy Eating?

A recent report has revealed that people in London are eating more and more unhealthily as living costs continue to increase. Here Erik gives his view on this growing problem.

"Better quality foods are often more expensive, as well as often the healthier options. For example, a box of chips with two spicy chicken wings costs £1.50 at my local fast-food place, but when I asked for rice, which is healthier than chips, they wanted to charge me £4. No wonder many people do not have any other option than to just to live unhealthily.

Or bring their own food, which is often impractical, and unusual in the eyes of the consumer society. Recently, I saw a man open a sachet of instant soup and add to it hot water from a flask, right in one of the London's shopping malls. Way to go, but I thought him weird and would not like to be viewed as such. No one would. And therefore we choose rather to be the victims of fast-food than public disdain.

Sporting Spirit vs Commercial Culture

In my country, rugby has no tradition at all, which is pity, because I think it is one of the best games in the world. I like it, although I have never actually played it.

Recently, during my Cambridge visit, I saw a bunch of guys playing rugby in a park. They reminded my of my high school P.E. lessons, when we would play football outside regardless of the harsh conditions. Although rugby does not have any tradition in Slovakia, in passion we matched the guys from Cambridge. And that matters. Such sports should teach young men fair play, build fortitude and improve physique. They are part of the curriculum of most of the schools in England. In Slovakia, the most popular school game is football (soccer).

There are only a few American Football teams in Slovakia. Actually, many people back there do not differentiate between Rugby and its "commercial" brother - American Football. Once someone allowed the players to pass the ball forward, dressed them in protective gear so that they look like Darth Vader and filled their heads with pre-learned tactics. And this is how American Football was born. I can not help, but to me it comes across as a game more connected with the commercial culture of eating up hamburgers than the original spirit of sport.

Erik's View: Migration, Alcohol & Feminism

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Each week he gives his view on the events of the last seven days. This week, he looks at migration policy, binge drinking and feminism.

Erik's View: Chavez, Daffodils & the NHS

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Each week he gives his view on the events of the last seven days. This week, he casts his eye over Hugo Chazez's death,  a Mother's Day daffodil shortage and international students' right to the NHS. 

Death of Hugo Chavez

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez died this week after a lengthy but secretive illness.

"Dictators usually live a long time, unless they are overthrown and executed. Hugo Chavez died at the comparatively young age of 58 which hints that he was not the traditional dictator, but a "21 century liberator"- a term he coined himself.

Recently, the president of Colombia said that Chavez was a model leader for the rest of South America. Many countries followed the Venezuelan process towards ‘21 century socialism' with a bit of democracy. However, Chavez‘s health has been debated for over a year. There are stories that he might have died long before the official announcement. The sudden cancelation of some public appearances only testifies to what could have been a political move playing for time.

Erik's View: Student Cocaine Study & Work Stress

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Each week he gives his view on the events of the last seven days. This week, he takes a look at a university cocaine study and the 'revelation' that work is stressful.

A Cocaine Study on Students

It was revealed this week that King's College London university had asked its students to participate in a study on cocaine, where they got paid to take the drug.

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