Maybe it’s the hot weather but every day this week, I’ve been ready to doze off by mid-afternoon.

So what do I do…?

Reach for a chocolate bar for that much needed energy boost.

Of course, this is a big mistake. Not only will this add centimetres to my waistline (and I don’t need any more centimetres!), snacking on sugary foods actually makes us more tired.

Below, are six alternative ways to boost your energy levels naturally...

1. A brisk 10-minute walk will increase your energy and in turn, improve your mood. A chocolate bar will immediately have the same effect, but within an hour your energy will slump again. After walking, your mood should stay improved for well over two hours.

2. Understand your energy body clock. We tend to peak and slump at the same time each day. Generally, we're at our most energetic from late morning to early afternoon (between 11am and 1pm) and early evening (6 to 7pm) and we're at our most sluggish in the late afternoon (3 to 5pm). By doing easy tasks in the slumps and tackling harder projects when you're peaking, you'll help enhance your mood.

3. Learn to observe your own thoughts and actions. We look at what happens directly after an action as reinforcement that it worked. So if you feel great after you have a cup of coffee, you will see that as a positive thing to do. What you need to do is start looking at your thoughts an hour or two after your actions. Chances are, an hour after filling your body with caffeine, you’ll be back to square one.

4. After exercise, the best boost for energy and mood is listening to music. Take time out during your slumps to listen to your favourite music and let it take you away. In my case, it’s Johnny Mathis, but it doesn’t matter what type of music you listen to; as long as it makes you feel good.

5. If you feel the need to take a nap, take one (if you can)! It's your body’s way of telling you you're not getting enough sleep. A short nap will make you feel refreshed. The ideal time frame is between 10 and 30 minutes. Anything longer than that will stop you sleeping properly at night.

6. Another great boost for spirits and energy is socialising. Chatting to a friend on the phone or popping over to a neighbour to catch up is a great way to raise your spirits.

By following these tips, you should notice a definite improvement in your energy levels in a matter of a day or two... And your waistline will thank you.

Never be short of these ingredients again!

There are often times in the kitchen when we don't have an ingredient we need. For most of us, this usually happens right in the middle of cooking a particular dish! But don't turn into a catastrophe - there is often something else you can use in its place. Take a look at these replacement ingredients…

    * Saffron: Use a small amount of Turmeric instead.
    * Breadcrumbs: Crushed water biscuits or cornflakes.
    * Cornflour (1tbsp as a thickener): Use 2 level tbsp plain flour.
    * Single cream (285ml): Use 225ml milk plus 60ml melted unsalted butter.
    * Honey (225ml): 225g sugar plus 4 tbsp water or golden syrup.
    * Lemon juice (1 tsp): 1/2 tsp vinegar or lime juice.
    * Tomato sauce: Condensed tomato soup or a packet of tomato soup made up with half quantity of water.
    * Gravy: Condensed tinned soup or packet soup made up with half the usual quantity of water.
    * Sour milk or cream: Add a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to each 225ml of fresh milk or cream and let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
    * Self raising flour: Use plain flour and add baking powder. The amount to add varies depending on what you're using it for, but generally, use one level teaspoon of baking powder to 100 grams of flour.
    * Baking powder: Use two parts cream of tartar to one part bicarbonate of soda.
    * An egg: If you need an extra egg for a cake recipe that uses a raising agent such as baking powder or self raising flour, replace the missing egg with 15ml (1 tablespoon) of vinegar. 

In the name of happiness and success,

Pascale Barrow
Managing Editor of Personal & Finance Confidential