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The Irish Independent Irish Independent – fine wine & food guide – December 2007

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A BE CREATIVE EDITORIAL PRODUCTION info@becreative.ie EDITOR Kevin Flanagan editor@indowineandfood.ie ASSISTANT EDITOR Dee Laffan deirdrelaffan@indowineandfood.ie DESIGN INM Design Studio studio@production.ie 048 375 16005

DECEMBER 2007

PHOTOGRAPHY Cover shot: Barbara Corsico Web: www.barbaracorsico.com Email: barbaracorsicophoto@gmail.com Nic Mac Innes Email: pix@indowineandfood.ie ADVERTISING KnowHow Media (01) 662 0710 Gerry Knowles gerry.knowles@knowhow.ie Shane Treanor (087) 9750667 shane.treanor@knowhow.ie Colm Martyn colm.martyn@knowhow.ie

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Gordon Ramsay – The Interview Kevin Flanagan speaks to the creator of Hell’s Kitchen to see if he is more angel than devil.

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Lisa’s Labels Sommelier Lisa O’Doherty recommends wines to get you through any occasion this Christmas!

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The Alternative Christmas Cake A wonderful recipe for chocolate cake from Lindt.

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Culinary Delight in the West Dee Laffan interviews the new Executive Chef at the Galway Bay Hotel.

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The Spirits of Christmas Paolo Tullio brings you traditional drinks to cover the 12 days of Christmas.

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Have a healthy Christmas A top nutritionist gives tips on how to survive the holiday season.

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The Veggie Christmas Mary Farrell has some great vegetarian Christmas recipes – and not a nut-loaf in sight!

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News Find out what’s happening in the world of wine and food.

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Darina Allen: Part 2 Put the finishing touches on your delicious Christmas cake and pudding.

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Stars of Irish Cooking Two Irish chefs match their recipes with Taittinger Champagne.

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A Quack’s Tale Dee Laffan puts duck on Christmas menu.

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Family Review Dave Power finds a hidden gem in Dundrum.

Something fishy going on…

Bord Iascaigh Mhara has a delicious fish recipe for Christmas dinner.

Cookbook Reviews Helen Conrad O’Briain reviews two new cookbooks.

Table for 2 – Review Andy Boase finds a culinary haven in Co. Wexford.

Editor’s Welcome What a difference a year makes – or in our case just over two. In our first issue in October 2005, we interviewed Gordon Ramsay at his home in London. To mark our two-year anniversary we wanted to interview the world’s biggest chef again. We eventually tracked him down (between shooting Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Kevin Flanagan – Editor Nightmares and opening more restaurants, he’s a busy man) and he agreed to an interview in November. Thus we found ourselves driving down to Powerscourt in the glorious winter sunshine to meet one of the icons of world cooking. It’s strange how Gordon Ramsay’s reputation precedes him; our photographer had hardly slept the night before, fearful that the enfant terrible would throw a fit and break her equipment! (If you want to see if he did, turn to page 4). Perhaps it is a sign of Ireland’s standing in the culinary world that Ramsay now wants to open a restaurant here (with rumours that Nobu, the world’s greatest sushi chef, will follow him to Ireland in 2008).

This issue of The Fine Wine & Food Guide is also the Christmas issue, and between now and January we will gorge ourselves with every kind of food and wine imaginable - and many drink combinations that are better off not imagined! It is of course a time of celebration, but by the end of the holiday season many of us will have literally had our fill. With this in mind we invited Michele Van Valey, a Californian nutritionist working in Dublin, to give us some tips on how to enjoy Christmas without the pain or weight-gain (pages 16-17). I’m already putting some of her advice into practice, including using smaller dessert plates for main courses (smaller portions = less weight). I’ve also been following her advice to drink a glass of water between each alcoholic drink, which has already saved me one hangover! I would encourage you to take up her Christmas challenge: weigh yourself on December 1st, again on January 1st and finally on February 1st to see if you too can avoid putting on the extra five pounds most of us gain over Christmas. The good news is that if you follow her advice your chances of staying the same weight will be high.

Finally, on a personal note, this year I lost someone who was very dear to me, and with this in mind I’d like to sincerely wish all our readers a truly Happy Christmas, hoping you and your families can enjoy some of the things modern-day Ireland has in abundance: fine wines and nutritious, tasty foods. But best of all, may you enjoy it in the company of close family and trusted friends. Nollaig Shone agus gach rath ort sa Bhliain Nua See you in 2008.

Kevin Flanagan, Editor

Lunchtime Review Dee Laffan finds a nice spot that’s light on the palate and the pocket.

REPRO Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited Published by Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited 27-32 Talbot Street Dublin 1

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Irish Independent – fine wine & food guide – December 2007

Irish Independent – fine wine & food guide – December 2007

the gordon ramsay interview

he last time I interviewed Gordon Ramsay I made a big mistake. It was my first celebrity interview and I was a little nervous. We were in Ramsay’s house in London and he was talking about his new “top secret” TV programme, something he thought he might call The F Word (not a great name, I thought at the time)! Presuming that Gordon would be cooking at night, I enquired if this “live” TV show would be screened during the day. This prompted a furious Ramsay tirade: ‘You think I’d do daytime TV – that I’m a f****** C-list celebrity?’ I quickly changed the subject and was hoping Ramsay would have forgotten my faux pas when we met two years later in the sumptuous surrounds of the Ritz Carlton in Powerscourt, where Ramsay has just opened his first Irish restaurant. As it turned out, Ramsay could not have been nicer.

Was it me? Was it the beautiful autumn Wicklow weather? Or was it the rare bottle of Irish whiskey I gave him as a gift before we started the interview? Who knows? We certainly parted on good terms; he even invited me to the opening of first his restaurant in France next spring! It seems that Ireland helps bring out the angel in the devil that runs Hell’s Kitchen.

KEVIN FLANAGAN COMES FACE TO FACE WITH THE WORLD’S MOST NOTORIOUS CHEF AND LIVES TO TELL THE TALE.

Q&A 04

What attracts you to Ireland?

Absolutely everything. The scenery, the style – when I come to Dublin I feel like I’m in France. But above all, it’s the fantastic ingredients which you don’t have to do a lot with. I’ve also a huge Irish contingency coming through in my restaurant team.

Their attitude is fantastic, lots of tenaciousness and balls. And the support I’ve been shown here is phenomenal. Michael Deane and Richard (Corrigan) have been great in encouraging me.

When did you first get involved in Powerscourt?

I came over two years ago when they were first breaking ground, and just saw this amazing countryside and signed on the dotted line straightaway. I was brought over in a helicopter and thoroughly spoilt, although having said that, I don’t think chefs should be in helicopters, they should take the bus like everyone else! And I’ve got the best brigade here. Paul (Carroll, Head Chef ) is a force to be reckoned with, and he’s only 26 for God’s sake! He’s got a great future.

Is there bad blood between you and other chefs?

Most of it’s just banter but I quite like it so bring it on. I mean, I don’t encourage it, but I’m thick-skinned, and my God have I gone to hell and back to get to where I am today. Absolutely nothing’s been handed to me on a plate and to be honest I’m just too busy to stop and look behind.

Any unfulfilled ambitions?

3 Michelin stars in Dublin, 3 in Paris! I’m neck and neck with Alain Ducasse, who also has 12 Michelin stars but he’s got ten years on me, so maybe ask me that again in ten years. I’d also say the chances of my running a football club one day are very high. continued over

What’s your food philosophy? For example, will you be using only organic produce?

The organic thing is exciting but it’s not the be all and end all.

The integrity behind organic has slipped because the spectrum has become so broad and I hate to think of it becoming the next pretentious thing like nouvelle cuisine was. As a chef, my main issue is with consistency, and there’s never going to be anything wrong with food that is just properly reared or grown.

Do you get tired of being seen as the grumpy, foulmouthed chef?

Do you think in a busy kitchen that I’m going to lean over the counter and say ‘Would you mind awfully passing me the spinach?’ My predecessors, like Raymond Blanc, were even worse – amazing chefs to work for but absolute bastards at the same time. Actually I’ve sent Raymond a copy of my ‘3 Stars’ cookbook for Christmas. Hopefully it’ll bring him a bit closer to winning his own 3 stars!

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The Gordon Ramsay interview

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The Irish Independent

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The Washington Post DIABETES

CONTENTS 2 Changing Diabetes Takes Courage and Leadership 3 An appeal to the President 4 Goal Oriented By 2015, 45 percent of Americans at risk will know their blood glucose level.

5 Assessing the state of diabetes The Triple Barometer will deliver a clear picture of diabetes in America.

6 Coordinating our efforts A National Diabetes Coordinator is needed to deal with efforts to fight diabetes.

Changing Diabetes Takes Courage and Leadership Extraordinary times call for extraordinary leadership and action.

America must include steps to change the way diabetes is viewed and treated.

Novo Nordisk is proud to be in the forefront of a movement to bring fresh ideas and approaches to preventing and treating diabetes. We dare to dream of an America that changes diabetes from its current state – an escalating epidemic spiraling out of control, with poor outcomes for patients and society – to a

7 Catalyzing a change for families The Catalyst for Better Diabetes Care Act. 8 Diabetes Crisis: the facts and figures 10 Care in the community: help for everyone Empowering minority communities most at risk of diabetes.

10 On the path to diabetes Pre-diabetes raises the risk of diabetes dramatically.

11 Medicare diabetes screening: an underused health benefit Diabetes screening is free for Medicare recipients - not enough are using it.

NOVEMBER 2008

12 DAWN Youth How young people are fighting back against diabetes.

“One of the major drivers of health care utilization and costs is diabetes, and any plans to change health care in America must include steps to change the way diabetes is viewed and treated.”

13 Divas defeating diabetes No one is keeping quiet about diabetes any longer, thanks to Divabetic!

14 Sense and Scoring How CBO scoring can be changed to deliver better results.

15 Diabetes: a global problem How diabetes affects the rest of the world.

DIABETES: A ROADMAP FOR CHANGE A TITLE FROM MEDIAPLANET Project Manager: Eric Alexander eric.alexander@mediaplanet.com Production: Be Creative Media Group www.becreative.ie Managing Editor BeCreative: Kevin Flanagan kevin@becreative.ie Editor: David Jørgensen david@becreative.ie Design/Prepress: HCL Design Studio +44 283 751 6001 Print: The Washington Post Mediaplanet is the leading worldwide publisher in providing high quality and in-depth analysis on topical industry and market issues, in print, online and broadcast.

For more information about supplements in the daily press, please contact Kayvan Salmanpour, 001 646 922 14 00 kayvan.salmanpour@mediaplanet.com www.mediaplanet.com This special advertising section was written by Media Planet in conjunction with the advertising department of The Washington Post and did not involve the news or editorial departments of The Washington Post.

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or the newly-elected Obama Administration, and members of the 111th Congress that will convene on January 6, 2009, the stakes are the highest they have been in generations.

Americans will be watching closely as their elected leaders tackle the enormous challenge of setting the

country on the path to an economic recovery. And while Americans are rightly very concerned about their homes, their jobs, and their retirements, they have not lost sight of the value and importance of health care.

One of the major drivers of health care utilization and costs is diabetes, and any plans to change health care in

DIABETES

desired state in which much diabetes is prevented, and those who have the disease are appropriately treated to live long and healthier lives. For us, the desired state also includes finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and significantly curbing the costs of treatment and care.

As a company with more than 85 years in diabetes, innovative thinking in taking on this disease comes naturally to the people of Novo Nordisk and reflects our passion for helping those with or at risk for diabetes. That’s why we created the National Changing Diabetes® Program in 2005, in partner-

ship with leading organizations in the patient and health care provider communities. Together, we have put forward a bold goal of transforming the current American system of health care and moving it toward one that fully supports all aspects of diabetes cure, prevention, treatment and care.

Taking on the challenge of changing diabetes is something that aligns with our company’s philosophy of management. We hold ourselves accountable to a Triple Bottom Line, which means we measure success not only economically, but also in terms of our contributions to society and the patients we serve, and to being good stewards of the environment. For these reasons, we are committed to changing diabetes for the benefit of people who have the disease, those at risk, those affected by it, and society at large.

Diabetes is a serious disease. We hope you will read the articles in this special supplement and learn more about many innovative ideas and actions for taking on the challenge of diabetes. We invite you to join us in our quest to change diabetes.

Most important, we urge you to have the courage to commit yourselves to changing diabetes as you tackle health care reform in the context of the tough economic challenges facing our country.

You’ll have our support, and that of the 24 million Americans with diabetes, and their family members, loved ones, and health care providers.

Sincerely, Jerzy Gruhn

DIABETES

An appeal to the President

Dear President-Elect Obama: Y It is time for diabetes to be a national priority. ou campaigned on a theme of hope and change. One area that desperately needs hope – and change – is diabetes. Of the leading causes of death by disease, diabetes is the only one where the death rate continues to increase.

How serious is diabetes?

It is often called the “silent killer.”

Perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it the “silent destroyer” because, as the leading cause of blindness, amputations, kidney disease and a major contributor to heart attacks and strokes, diabetes very often destroys the quality of life before it kills.

DIABETES A ROADMAP FOR CHANGE

How prevalent is diabetes?

Since 1990, fewer than 20 years ago, the number of Americans with chronic, debilitating and life-threatening diabetes has more than doubled to nearly 24 million. Even more worrisome is that diabetes is forecast to more than double again to 50 million by 2025 if the federal and state governments, healthcare systems, public health professionals and the diabetes community cannot come together to develop the means to slow and reverse the onset of diabetes among Americans.

Of the children entering first grade during the first year of your presidency, a staggering one in three will go on to develop diabetes. And because diabetes affects ethnic minorities more than whites, if that child is female and Hispanic, she will have a 50:50 chance of developing the disease in her lifetime.

In the 75 days since you accepted the Democratic nomination more than 200,000 Americans have developed diabetes, a number greater than twice that of the massive crowd who gathered at Invesco Field, Denver to hear your historic acceptance speech.

During this same period, nearly

50,000 Americans have died from diabetes-related complications.

How expensive is diabetes?

In 2002 diabetes cost America $132 billion. By 2007 diabetes was costing America $174 billion. By 2025 diabetes is expected to cost our country $351 billion – in 2002 dollars!

Today, a person with diabetes costs more than $13,000 per year to treat, compared to $2,500 for someone without the disease.

The federal government spends nearly $80 billion a year to treat people with diabetes. Eighteen out of 21 federal agencies have some level of spending that impacts diabetes, but they lack coordination and leadership of those efforts. In addition, nearly all of that money is spent on treatment with little going to prevention. This lack of alignment is undermining the fight against diabetes.

Changing Diabetes – a Solution for the Future While these figures should cause alarm, they should not cause too much despair.

We know that if diagnosed and given the right treatment, people with diabetes can protect their health, avoid costly complications, and reduce significantly the tax dollars spent on treatment.

We can do this. We know what needs to be done, and it has been proven over and over again.

What we need is leadership President-Elect Obama, this serious and debilitating disease calls out for your attention. The crisis of diabetes presents an opportunity to fulfill your promise of hope and to fulfill your commitment to the American people for real change. Changing diabetes changes lives.

As a means of starting a discussion about how best to address this growing problem of diabetes we offer the following cost-effective suggestions for your serious consideration and our pledge to work with you in a publicprivate initiative designed to help the federal government find its voice as a leader in the prevention and improved treatment of diabetes.

Knowledge is power, and for America’s minority communities, knowledge about diabetes can also be empowering.

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he risk of developing diabetes is significantly higher for members of ethnic and racial minority communities than for white Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Without early diagnosis and accurate information, diabetes can be improperly treated or not treated at all, leading to disabling or deadly complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness and amputation. Many of these serious, often completely preventable conditions affect minorities disproportionately:African Americans are more likely than whites to die of diabetic ke-

1. Launch a national diabetes prevention initiative for Americans in the Medicare program that would help those at risk for diabetes get screened.

2. Champion an effort to achieve the National Diabetes Goal, which is that by 2015, 45% of Americans at risk for type 2 diabetes know their blood glucose level and know what actions to take.

toacidosis, a condition caused by severely high blood glucose levels.They also suffer higher rates of end-stage kidney disease and lower leg amputation as a result of diabetes-associated damage.

Diabetes is not a disease that can be cured by a pill. Doctors, diabetes educators and nutritionists may be part of a diabetes care team, but it is up to the patient to manage the disease every day.

Access to good medical care and clear, culturally appropriate information is critically important for minority communities. Right now, such care is not always available. But that could change.

“Action is urgently needed to protect the health of our citizens, young and old, who are affected by this disease. I will fight in this next Congress to make diabetes a national priority.”

3. Support passage of key bills in Congress that would, among other things, increase access to diabetes education and care by increasing the number of qualified providers, enhance diabetes data collection and dissemination, provide desperately needed support for diabetes initiatives in minority communities that are disproportionately affected by diabetes, and enhance nutrition education coverage for those in Medicare with pre-diabetes.

Our country has risen to health challenges before, and the result has been a decline in the death rate in many major diseases. But the impact of diabetes remains staggering, even though we already have the tools and know-how to fight it. With your leadership, we can finally begin to reverse the unhealthy, costly – indeed frightening – diabetes trends currently facing our nation.

Care in the community: help for everyone

Jim Clyburn (D-SC), Majority Whip, U.S. House of Representatives

Jerzy Gruhn President Novo Nordisk Inc.

R. Stewart Perry Chair of the Board American Diabetes Association

Peter H. Kehoe President American Optometric Association

Amparo Gonzalez President American Association of Diabetes Educators

Fighting diabetes is one issue that can unite Democrats and Republicans...

We know that 24 million Americans and their families are counting on this new Administration and new Congress to give diabetes the national focus it deserves, and we’re ready to lead the charge.

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), Co-Chairs, Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Ensuring that everyone gets access to information and help for diabetes is the goal of the Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act (DPAC), which will reduce health disparities by specifically focusing on identifying and addressing the needs of minority communities in preventing diabetes and treating those who are already living with the condition.

Studies have shown that many members of minority communities are hesitant to work with health professionals who are not familiar with their language and cultural backgrounds.To address this problem, the bill also provides for mentoring and internship programs to increase the number of minority physicians and other health professionals.

It requires the National Institutes of Health to focus more research on discovering why diabetes is so prevalent in America’s minority populations, supporting research on genetics, environmental factors and behaviors that contribute to diabetes. By better understanding the interplay between genetic predisposition and the environment, scientists may be

House Deputy Whip John Lewis of Georgia talks with NBA Hall of Famer and diabetes advocate Dominique Wilkins. able to develop therapies to prevent or delay onset of disease.

Under the provisions of DPAC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will conduct research and support community programs to educate minority groups about how diabetes can develop, how it can be prevented, and how it can be managed.It calls for expanding the National Diabetes Education Program and establishing partnerships with minority populations to study cultural and so-

cial factors that can influence diabetes management and prevention.

“Diabetes has emerged as the greatest public health crisis of the 21st century,and among minority communities the footprint of this disease is even greater,’’ Dr. John Anderson, chair of the American Diabetes Association’s National Advocacy Committee,told PRNewswire.Legislation like DPAC, he said, can “raise the level of awareness about diabetes and the level of care in underserved communities.’’

The Diabetes Prevention Access and Care (DPAC) Act (HR 2210) was introduced to Congress by Reps. DeGette (D-CO) and Castle (R-DE), and in the Senate (S 2983) by Sens.

Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Isakson (R-GA).

On the path to diabetes Those with pre-diabetes are likely to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, unless they take steps to prevent or delay diabetes.

“If we just wait for people to come in with symptoms, the body's machinery is so messed up that it's hard to do a good job with treating the illness.”

John Buse, MD, Ph.D, President, American Diabetes Association and professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine

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ccording to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 54 million Americans have prediabetes, which sharply raises the risk for developing type 2 diabetes and increases the risk of heart disease by 50 percent. Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are abnormally high-- but not yet high enough to be considered diabetes.

Currently, there are proposals in Congress such as The Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act to help seniors diagnosed with pre-diabetes avoid developing full-blown diabetes by providing access to the best possible nutritional advice about how to handle their condition. Given the enormous difference in medical costs between those who have diabetes and those who do not, we can improve the

quality of life for millions of people – and save money – by preventing diabetes. Combined with screening to find those with undiagnosed pre-diabetes, providing people with pre-diabetes the information and support necessary to manage their condition will make a long-term difference and help reverse the current trajectory of our nation’s diabetes problem. By

helping people with pre-diabetes manage their condition, Medicare will avoid having to pay for the much more expensive treatment of diabetes.

“We know that diabetes is hitting people younger and younger all the time. We have to do something to prevent diabetes,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), in comments on the Senate floor.

The Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act (HR 2922) was introduced in the House by Reps. DeGette (D-CO) and Castle (R-DE), and included in Senate bill 1342, the Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention America Act, introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA).

The Washington Post

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The Irish Independent

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Irish Independent

LOVEFOOD Summer 2009

Life’s a

Picnic

Picnics are a cheap and cheerful way to enjoy the great outdoors, writes Peter McGuire his summer, I declare every year to a slightly bemused crowd, will see the return of the picnic. We’ll go for big walks and have a mountain top feast. My friends nod politely, roll their eyes, and drag out their big, hulking barbecues to burn a burger in the rain.

It’s not surprising that picnics are underrated. Many of us have memories of a few soggy, squashed sandwiches – either salvaged from an old bag or caked in gritty sand at the beach. However, picnics are portable, easy to prepare, and usually much cheaper than a barbecue.

If you’ve got a picnic set, great. If not, don’t worry: all you’ll need are some containers, a few plates (plastic or otherwise) cutlery, and some cups. You’ll also need a bag to take away your rubbish.

Food should be kept in a cool-bag, which you’ll find in supermarkets and DIY stores.

A delicious picnic can consist of some sausage rolls, a few salads, some lemonade, and a bit of bread. But for something a little different, why not bring a taste of Asia to the Irish countryside?

These recipes are great way of using up whatever vegetables you have. Most importantly, they travel well. All recipes are to feed four people.

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Recipe Asian Tuna Salad This is a really versatile salad. Apart from the rocket, don’t worry if you lack some of the vegetables specified here. This salad is all about the dressing!

For the dressing:

Ingredients:

2 tbsp lime juice (or use rice vinegar or white wine vinegar)

1 bag of rocket leaves, washed (about 60g) 1 red pepper, sliced into strips 6-10 baby carrots or 1 large grated carrot A few pieces of baby sweetcorn Around 12 mangetout A head of brocolli, broken into around 8-10 florets 2 spring onions, chopped into small rounds 1 dessertspoon of sesame seeds

2 tbsp sesame oil 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional: add this if you like a spicy dressing) To Prepare:

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Whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing. Blanch the broccoli in boiling water for just one minute. Run it immediately under cold water. Now dry fry the sesame seeds on a pan, shaking occasionally, until they begin to brown and release their aroma.

When ready, add the seeds to all the vegetables and the tinned tuna.

Keep the dressing and salads in separate containers. Pour over the dressing and mix before serving.

Around 200-250g canned tuna, drained

Peter McGuire blogs on www.cheapeats.ie

Recipe

Summer 2009

Noodle, Ginger and Coriander Salad The flavours in the Asian Tuna Salad are bold and gutsy, so you’ll need no more to accompany it than this simple salad. This works well hot and cold.

6 spring onions, chopped

Ingredients:

A handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped finely

4 portions of dried egg noodles (around 200g)

2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp of groundnut or olive oil

Fresh black pepper

2 inches of fresh ginger, finely chopped or shredded

To Prepare:

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Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions. Rinse the noodles under cold water and drain well. Toss them in a tablespoon of the oil.

Heat a wok until hot and add the remaining oil. Toss in the ginger, stir-fry for a few seconds, then add the noodles and spring onions. Stir-fry for another two minutes, sprinkle over the soy sauce, black pepper and chopped coriander, and place in a container for your picnic.

Dessert: Fresh Pineapple with Cardamom and Lime Pineapple travels very well. For four people, simply chop a whole, juicy pineapple into squares, squeeze over the juice of two limes, crush the seeds of 6-8 cardamom pods, and mix well.

Place in an airtight container.

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Irish Independent

Irish Independent

LOVEFOOD Summer 2009

LOVEFOOD Summer 2009

f there’s one dish that captures the essence of summer, it’s a salad. In the last edition of LoveFood we showed you how to become self sustainable by growing your very own vegetable patch. At this time of year all kinds of beautiful, ripe produce should be overflowing from your garden bringing it to life with green leaves and splashes of colour. Because most of the vegetables are at the peak of their season there’s no need to do anything fancy with them – they are perfect for throwing into a salad.

A side salad makes the perfect accompaniment to a meal or at a BBQ, but it can also be a main meal itself – just add a little protein. Warm grilled fish, chicken or beef can add a tasty distinct flavour to a salad. Vegetarians can fill up by adding kidney beans and chick peas to a salad, which are high in protein.

During the summer your garden will be bursting with ripe berries. It may sound strange adding these to a savoury salad but you will be surprised how well they complement each other. Just today I had a rocket, mozzarella and Parma ham salad with a strawberry juice dressing!

Toasted nuts also make a wonderful addition to a salad. Certain nuts go very well with various types of lettuce. Goat’s cheese and rocket sprinkled with walnuts is an absolutely gorgeous mix!

Many people mistakenly think that all salads are green and leafy, however many popular salads don’t have lettuce – a fruit salad is probably the most obvious. A traditional Greek salad has tomatoes, feta, chopped oregano and olives. A beautiful Italian salad that I adore consists of juicy (just off the vine) tomatoes with fresh mozzarella layered underneath a crown of torn basil leaves, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.

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Fresh from the Garden Collette Devlin digs up some of her favourite salad recipes

A harvest on your window sill Dress to Impress Olive Oil Dressing 1 tsp salt 1 tbsp wine vinegar 3 tbsp olive oil Add pepper to taste

1 cup natural yoghurt 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped Mint or parsley to taste

Have fun with fruit and veg Win a spa getaway for two!

Summer picnic with a twist Wines for a tenner

Fresh Recipes

In Season

Tomato Salad Tomato slices simply topped with freshly sliced basil and salt and pepper. Serve with vinaigrette, salad dressing, mozzarella cheese, or serve as is.

LoveFood’s guide to what should be ready to eat from your vegetable garden this summer.

Spinach salad Toss a few spinach leaves, L/O cup of fresh peas, L/O cup of red onion and 4 chopped tomatoes in a bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and coarse black pepper. Serve with light vinaigrette dressing.

BestBooks Take a look at these books before you start growing to see what you can achieve.

Garlic Yoghurt Dressing Finely chopped cucumber and tomato mixed

Potato and green bean salad (serves 6) Boil 6 medium potatoes. Leave to cool. Boil 1L/M lbs of halved beans for 7 minutes.

Drain and submerge in cold water. Drain and place in a large serving bowl. Add potatoes and one sliced red onion.

Whisk together L/O cup olive oil, L/O cup rice vinegar, L/O cup red wine vinegar or garlic red wine vinegar, 1tsp garlic powder, 1L/Mtsp seasoned pepper and 1tsp sugar.

Pour dressing over vegetables and toss gently to coat.

David Jørgensen’s quick tips for growing herbs

Asparagus (May-June)

A short season so make the most of this highly nutritious vegetable while you have it. Pick firm, thick, tender stems with a good colour and closed tips. Use immediately after picking as it withers if left for too long. So delicious and requires little effort – a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of black pepper will suffice.

“Gardener’s World” – 101 Grow to Eat Ideas: Planting recipes that taste as good as they look.

By Ceri Thomas Complete Book of Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits.

By Matthew Biggs The New Oxford Book of Food Plants.

By John Vaughan and Catherine Geissler

Spinach (April-June)

This is the best time of year for spinach as it is fresh and tender. Pick the dark green, thin-stemmed leaves with no signs of wilting or yellowing. Can be eaten raw but at its best when slightly blanched.

Spring Onions (March-July)

Pick the smallest and thinnest onions with straight leaves as these are the youngest and have more flavour. Chop and sprinkle over a salad - the mild flavour is a perfect substitute for the overpowering white onion. Add to potato salad or hot mash to create champ.

Potatoes (July–February) Watercress (April–October)

We Irish love our spuds and this time of year we are spoiled for choice. Whatever way you choose to eat them (boiled, mashed, roasted, chipped) they are guaranteed to be delicious.

Watercress is full of goodness, so use in salads instead of rocket. Its slightly peppery taste adds a mild edge to cooked dishes.

Pick crisp leaves with a deep green colour.

Radishes (April–September)

Broad Beans (June–August)

Look for plump, firm bulbs and bright green, crisp leaves. The skin contains most of the peppery flavour so remove if too strong for your taste. Can be used in salads or cooked and served with butter and salt.

A good source of protein and fibre, broad beans lose flavour quickly so eat fresh. Pick crisp, fresh pods. Simply boil, smother in butter and serve with a main meal or as part of a salad.

Growing your own vegetables is a nice little dream that many of us harbour, and whilst a bit of effort and a patch of land is something that quite a few people can muster, for many others, the prospect of picking our own produce is anything but realistic. Living in apartments, flats and townhouses, those communal garden spaces that looked very tempting on the flat-plans aren’t exactly conducive to selfsufficiency – your neighbour wanting to sit out topping up her tan probably doesn’t want to do it amongst your onions and cabbages.

However, we can still attain our own piece of self-grown harvest, no matter where we are, with a simple window box. Window boxes are fantastic inventions, enabling those of us with living spaces far off the ground to cultivate in our own way. The fact that they take up little space means that there’s less work, taking just a few minutes a week to maintain.

Of course, you’re not going to get a full vegetable patch from a window box – think small, and think herbs.

Something for everything

Herbs are one of nature's answers for everything. We know they are delicious when cooking, many herbs have healing and cleansing abilities when used correctly. It is definitely worth investigating such uses before you start to sow the seeds if you are considering using herbs in this way.

If you just want to have something on hand when preparing dinner though, then you cannot go wrong with the hardy essentials like sage, thyme, oregano and rosemary. Other common herbs include parsley, tarragon and dill, and will thrive in the unpredictable climate of this island. Save yourself – and the planet – a fair amount too, by not paying for plastic-wrapped leaves that have probably been airfreighted in from somewhere distant.

Start your window box in early spring – most experts advise around March, as long as there’s not too much lingering cold from the winter months. When

you’ve decided which herbs you want to grow, pop along to your local garden centre to pick up your seeds and soil. Potting soil will do, and won't be too expensive.

Keep it secure

If you have a balcony or ground-space, your box can be placed there without too much effort. Avoid areas that get a lot of direct sunlight (whenever it appears) – some herbs like it, but many don’t. Always check the individual care advice for each herb – this will help you decide what to plant and in what position.

For those who only have a window sill, then your box must be securely fastened to the sill itself. This will probably involve screwing it in place, so a bit of work will be required. Make sure you do this though, as the box could fall off in wind.

Once the seeds are sown, keep watering throughout the summer, and into September. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how fast herbs grow – especially in the case of plants like basil, dill and rosemary, that literally shoot up in no time at all.

Keep them for yourself

Pests are an issue to protect your herbs, especially when you'll be using them in food preparation. Natural solutions are to smear Vaseline around the edges of the box to prevent slugs from reaching their bounty; a saucer of beer nearby is also a handy temptation, luring the ale-loving creepies away from your plants.

Sadly, one major issue will almost definitely be the dreaded greenfly. A lover of herbs, greenfly will try to chomp its way through your leaves. If left to wreak havoc, your poor plant will suffer quickly. As you are going to consume these plants, spraying them with repellent or killer isn’t an option.

Some people do advocate the use of a bit of washing-up liquid with water, and spraying the plants regularly. This is a fairly decent solution, as you will most likely wash the herbs before preparing them anyway.

Alternatively, using your fingers to brush off the greenfly is another solution, though a bit more work.

In no time at all, though, you will reap a lovely harvest of fresh, natural flavours that will totally change the way you cook, as well as giving you a better appreciation for what you eat. When your herbs start to mature, you can simply snip off leaves as required.

A Sunday roast with your own rosemary, or a pasta dish with self-grown basil, can taste much more satisfying!

Eileen Dunne Crescenzi shares her favourite Italian recipes PLUS competitions, delicious summer recipes, gardening tips

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CONTENTS APRIL 2009

12

EDITOR’S NOTE The phrase ‘cheap and cheerful’ has never been in such full flow. While now is the time to cut back on unnecessary luxuries, holidays are somehow too precious to part with. Fortunately low prices can justify taking a trip abroad this summer. The States in particular is proving its worth with excellent package holidays, while accommodation on the shimmering coastlines of Europe is a fraction of the price compared to last year. Personally, I am all for learning a new skill while on holiday this year, be it windsurfing in Portugal or wine tasting in Italy. And since my week of learning Spanish in Madrid I must continue my regular visits to Spain, purely for practising the language of course.

Karen Creed, Editor

SUNDAY INDEPENDENT

APRIL ‘09

magazine

06

14

03 BASQUE IN SPAIN’S HOTSPOT Take your pick of three amazing cities in the small nation with the big identity.

Corinna Ray uncovers the best of the Basque Country.

04 TRAVEL NEWS

Al Fresco

LUXURY MOBILE HOMES THROUGHOUT EUROPE

2 Weeks for the Price of 1

Ireland’s hidden treasures and our pick of holidays abroad for the summer ahead.

06 TEN OUT OF TENERIFE For a guaranteed sun holiday without the long haul, Tenerife ticks all the boxes writes Karen Creed.

08 A SAVVY SUMMER STATESIDE This summer is all about good value with excellent package holidays to Florida and New York.

Corinna Ray finds out how you can also save a fortune when you get there.

Luxury mobile homes available in 6 countries

10

TAKE A CHANCE ON TURKEY

12

MY CAPE ESCAPE

13

A POSTCARD FROM DOWN UNDER

14

GOODBYE SPANGLISH

Prices from

From the vibrant capital of Istanbul to the turquoise coastline, James Spencer highlights the best of a fortnight in Turkey

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Fed up of the Irish weather, Ciaran O’Conluain wanted a holiday that would guarantee sun in an extraordinary destination.

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Jun 14 nts - Yelloh! Village Les Mouettes PP From Only (Based on 4 sharing Includes Ferry Crossing)..........................

Italy - Lake Garda May 14 nts - Fornella Park PP From Only (Based on 4 sharing Includes Direct flights to Verona) ........

Orla Murphy highlights the best of her six week holiday in Australia

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Eager to boost her language skills, Karen Creed enrolled on a Spanish course while holidaying in the vibrant capital of Madrid

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C a l l : 01 433 1057 Terms & conditions apply to all offers. Subject to availability. Selected dates only. Offers cannot be combined. Offers may change or be withdrawn at any time. Crystal is fully licensed and bonded by Commission for Aviation Regulation (TO 029).

Be Creative Media Production info@becreative.ie Editor Karen Creed :: karcreed@gmail.com Design INM Design Studio Advertising Terri Byrne :: tbyrne@independent.ie :: T: 01 7055420 Repro Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited Published by Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited :: 27-32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1

02 SITM April 2009

LEARNING HOLIDAY

LEARNING HOLIDAY

GOODBYE SPANGLISH, HOLA ESPAGNA Eager to boost her language skills, Karen Creed enrolled on a beginner’s Spanish course while on holiday in Madrid nytime I visit a new country I arrive armed with a few phrases in the local language.

My priorities are knowing how to say hello, thank you and how much? (The latter is an essential for anyone who craves a bargain). Even with just these basics it is incredible what a difference it makes to how the locals welcome you. Unfortunately progressing past the everyday greetings in Spanish has been a consistent battle, despite visiting Spain every year since I was a toddler. The fact that Spain is the number one destination for Irish tourists and a haven for holiday home owners, many of us remain non-Spanish speaking visitors, resorting to an eclectic mix of English and Spanish. I, for one, had enough of speaking Spanglish.

I wanted to learn the language. While the easy option would have been to enrol on a course here at home, I craved the full immersion of the Spanish language and the culture. I set myself a challenge “to learn the basics of Spanish in a week”.

Ambitious? Yes. Impossibile? No. The universal appeal of learning Spanish is that it’s open to everyone, whether you are a college student with a free summer ahead, a retired person in search of an exciting new challenge, or a young professional eager to add to your skills base while on holiday. The choice of language schools in Spain is vast

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whether your preference is the flamenco capital of Seville or the pristine coastal village of Granada. I chose the vibrant capital of Madrid as I believed the fast-paced city life would be encouraging to integrate with locals. With at least ten accredited schools to choose from, my temple of learning was to be one of the most reputable, Academia Eureka.

The expression Eureka is inspiring to any Spanish beginner as it indicates triumph of finding or discovering something. The school’s prime location on the shopping street of Calle Arenal guaranteed I would find plenty of Spanish souvenirs, if not perfection in the language. Operating for over twenty years, Academia Eureka has many courses ranging from intensive to evening classes and also private lessons. I chose the intensive option which included 20 hours of classes a week. The more

dedicated can opt for a super- intensive course of 30 hours. With classes of eight students or less, I struck lucky with just one other person in my class. Markus and I were beginners but he had the advantage of having one week of Spanish behind him. I on the other hand had Italian which I was assured would help me learn another Latina language quickly. Starting class every morning at 9am, our teacher Montes undertook the difficult task of teaching us Spanish grammar. Two hours flew by with her enjoyable flair for teaching and showing us how to perfect the pronounciation of her mother tongue.

A short pausa at 11am gave us time to regain more energy for Espagnol classes and enjoy a coffee and chat with other students.

The variety of people ranged from those on a gap year to leisurely holidaymakers, with nationalities spanning from Scottish to South African. The first two days I was limited to basic phrases like “My name is…” and “I like coffee” which was frustrating.

Fortunately I had a chance to develop my vocabulary base in our conversation classes at the school. My priorities shone through and by the end of the first day I was able to order a glass of wine and ask for directions to the shopping streets. Deriving from Latin, the Spanish language is a sensual one and you can feel the passion even when you hear something as basic as “I like your

shoes” (Me gustan tus zapatos). The sex appeal of the language has been boosted by the likes of Enrique Iglesias, and even the cheesy Macarena has proven how addictive the Spanish tones can be.

Our teachers for conversation class rotated every few days so that the students become accustomed to different accents. Andres was our first profeser, with a witty humour and impressive amounts of encouragement.

Equally patient Raquel took over for the final two days and she taught us more valuable phrases for everyday speech as well as how to structure important opinions. Finally I was able to say well known phrases and understand their meaning. As well as classes, Academia Eureka can organise your entire holiday with a programme of activities and excursions and meals with a teacher in a local restaurant. They also arrange housing (with a Spanish family or in a studio/ apartment) which I availed of. My modern studio was a two minute walk away from the school which meant I could really immerse myself into life as a Madrileno.

When classes were finished for the day it would have been easy to slip back into English speaking mode. However I was adamant to live and breathe all things Spanish until my head hit the pillow at night. Whether it was a chit-chat with the waiter in one of Chueca’s trendy bars, asking the price of a designer bag in one of Salamanca’s boutiques or ordering paella in Plaza Mayor, each situation helped me expand my Spanish vocabulary and boost my confidence in the language. The intensity of studying in a strange city was certainly helped by the good weather.

Waking up to blue skies, I couldn’t wait for lunchtime so I could take my grammar book to the glorious Retiro Park and study in the balmy weather. There were numerous diversions in the form of ice-cream breaks or free entertainment with people singing, playing music or boating on the lake.

As much as I like to roam about a new city on my own, I didn’t have enough time to find the hidden gems of Madrid. The quickest route to discovering them was with the help of the Spanish experts – Biodiver Travel. Founded by Eduardo, my interest in all Spanish activities was fulfilled by his detailed itineraries. When I mentioned I liked cooking, I was taken to Madrid’s School of Hospitality to be given an exclusive tour of how Spanish cuisine reaches such exquisite flavours. I learnt how to fillet a durado fish and whip up tempting pastries, before sampling the wonderful creations. Adhering to my love of good wine and a good time, the next night I was taken on a Tapas tour of Madrid. As we meandered from Plaza Mayor into the cobbled streets I was shown the differences between the traditional hearty cuisines of the Basque Country to the lighter fare of the South.

With more than one hundred tapas bars to choose from, it could have been a case of hit and miss. However with the experts I avoided any bad food experiences. I also came home armed with the best edible Spanish souvenirs – Serrano ham, chorizo, manchego cheese and of course a few bottles of Rioja and Rueda wine. As well as organising all types of travel experiences from gastronomy, culture, art to nature, Biodiver Travel also offer the best of accommodation from countryside havens to charming coastal hotels. Their workshops are equally diverse and I am already considering their flamenco dance workshop in Seville after an introduction to the sensual dance in Madrid.

At the end of my week in Madrid I had a good grasp of the city but wasn’t sure how to assess if I had succeeded in the language. The proof I had achieved my goal was in the taxi from Academia Eureka to the airport. For twenty minutes I was able to converse with the driver in Spanish, and not just about how nice a city Madrid is, but about topical issues

14 SITM April 2009

n Madrid Refections Portrait

n City centre

n Plaza Mayor

like the recession. Of course my conversation was littered with mistakes but then learning a language is all about trial and error. Now that I now have a good basic knowledge of Spanish, I hope to return to Madrid and spend some time perfecting this beautiful language. To all the kind and patient people who have helped me on my Spanish journey so far, Hasta luego mis amigos! n • Karen flew to Spain with Iberia Airlines direct from Dublin to Madrid. Iberia flies once a day between Dublin and Madrid. From there, passengers coming from Ireland can fly on to another 37 destinations in Spain, Lisbon and Porto in Portugal, and many cities in the US, Africa and Middle East. Contact Iberia on 0818 462000 or visit www.iberia.com.

• Karen studied at Academia Eureka www.eurekamadrid.com Tel.: (+34) 915 488 640 • The activities she partook in were with Biodivertravel www.biodivertravel.com

April 2009 SITM 15

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Wall Street Journal

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

COSMETIC PROCEDURES

Experience Counts

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

COSMETIC PROCEDURES SEPTEMBER 2008

o one can get away from aging, but the road divides when it comes to how to age; the smart way or the uninformed way. A new study commissioned by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the world’s largest association of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons with over 3,000 members, and conducted by Kelton Research shows that the majority of people look for an experienced, certified facial plastic surgeon over generalists when it comes to facial plastic surgery. Americans trust their faces to the expertise of facial plastic surgeons.

The majority of Americans siding with expertise are employing informed decision-making skills, reinforcing their desire to make smart choices. In fact, 80 percent of Americans trust their faces to the surgical expertise and care of a facial plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic surgery of the head, face and neck over generalists. According to the survey, Americans ages 18-64 are most reliant on facial plastic surgeons, as evidenced by the fact that 83 percent believe they are more qualified to treat their specialized areas than general plastic surgeons.

With the vast number of surgeons in practice today, it is more important than ever to make informed decisions when considering an elective procedure such as facial cosmetic surgery. Informed decision making is especially crucial as more than half of patients (53 percent) have had multiple procedures in the same year. Survey results reflect that parents take more interest in the surgeon’s years of experience than their childless counterparts (54 percent versus 46 percent).

AAFPRS training is thorough and rigorous. Unlike other surgeons, AAFPRS surgeons not only complete a four year specialized residency in OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery which includes Facial Plastic Surgery, but many also undergo an additional one-year AAFPRS fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery and become certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and in many cases, also certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

N CONTENTS 2

EXPERIENCE COUNTS A new survey finds that the vast majority of Americans have overwhelming confidence in facial plastic surgeons.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT COSMETIC DENTIST How to select the best dentist for your cosmetic work.

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COSMETIC TREATMENTS TODAY AND TOMORROW The development of cosmetic procedures, and what may lie ahead.

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COSMETIC COUNTDOWN A look at America’s most popular cosmetic procedures.

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SURGERY IN THE SUN How to save money by traveling further.

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MEDICAL SPAS Spa treatments with trained medical personnel are the new way to achieve a new look.

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BILLION-DOLLAR BEAUTY The American cosmetic product industry continues to boom.

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HEALING THE WOUND Fighting abnormal scarring with silicon gel.

THE LATEST IN SURGICAL AND NON-SURGICAL DEVELOPMENTS

With thanks to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for statistical data.

COSMETIC PROCEDURES A TITLE FROM MEDIAPLANET Project Manager: Eric Alexander eric.alexander@mediaplanet.com Production: Be Creative Media Group www.becreative.ie Managing Editor BeCreative: Kevin Flanagan kevin@becreative.ie Editor: David Jørgensen david@becreative.ie Design/Prepress: HCL Design Studio +44 283 751 6001 Print: Wall Street Journal Mediaplanet is the leading worldwide publisher in providing high quality and in-depth analysis on topical industry and market issues, in print, online and broadcast.

For more information about supplements in the daily press, please contact Kayvan Salmanpour, 001 646 922 14 00 kayvan.salmanpour@mediaplanet.com www.mediaplanet.com

VITO C. QUATELA, MD, FACS President, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associate Clinical Professor, Dept. of Otolaryngology – Facial Plastic Surgery, University of Rochester

The AAFPRS recommends the following tips to assist in making educated decisions when choosing the best surgeon for each individual’s specific needs: • Do your homework. Check to make sure that the surgeon’s area of expertise and corresponding board certification is in facial plastic surgery.

The AAFPRS interactive Web site - www.facemd.org – will confirm a facial plastic surgeon’s membership to this organization.

• Be informed. The AAFPRS can also be utilized to obtain complimentary background materials on specific procedures. Studying these materials before contacting a surgeon makes the patient better informed and can help to develop a list of questions to ask prospective surgeons.

“It is important to check that the surgeon is operating in an accredited facility,” says Dr. Vito C. Quatela, MD, FACS, president of the AAFPRS, and Associate Clinical Professor at the Department of Otolaryngology, Facial Plastic Surgery at the University of Rochester.

“The AAFPRS mandates that all its members operated in accredited facilities.

“When we conducted our survey, we wanted to find out where people placed their trust: we were actually surprised by how high the statistic was. It became clear that people who want a facial plastic procedure were going to place their trust in a facial plastic surgeon,” he continues.

Women have the utmost faith in facial plastic surgeons when it comes to turning back the hands of time as it relates to one’s face. Eighty-three percent believe that facial plastic surgeons are more competent to treat their faces, heads, or necks than a general plastic surgeon; 78 percent of men agree.

The AAFPRS also reports that 85 percent of adult Americans would undergo a facial plastic surgery procedure if given the chance. This same survey reported a 27 percent increase in surgical and nonsurgical activity among men and women since 2000.

But what, exactly, would Americans get done if they had the chance of having a free service by a facial plastic surgeon? Twenty-six percent admitted to wanting an eye lift, followed by neck surgery (21 percent), hair transplants (16 percent), nose jobs (14 percent), facelifts (13 percent), chin augmentation (7 percent), and lip enhancement (3 percent).

The AAFPRS provides consumers with free information and brochures and a list of qualified facial plastic surgeons in their area by visiting the AAFPRS Web site, www.facemd.org. To schedule an interview with an AAFPRS leader, please contact Melissa Kelz at 212 986 7000.

Choosing the right cosmetic dentist hether you desire whiter teeth or want to improve the look of a smile you never felt quite comfortable with, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the world’s largest non-profit membership organization dedicated to advancing excellence in cosmetic dentistry, can connect you with a dentist near you.

"Good communication between dentists and their patients is more impor-

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tant today than ever before,” says AACD vice president, Dr. Hugh Flax. “Don’t be alarmed if you have some work to do on your end before undergoing a cosmetic dental procedure. Cosmetic dentistry is not just about looks, it is overall oral care that combines art and science to improve dental health and function, as well as aesthetics. Finding someone who strives to collaborate with you to create that balance is very important to

achieving long-term wellness and beauty. It’s a winning combination that will keep you smiling for many years” Through progressive cosmetic dental continuing education, the AACD offers dental professionals educational options for any learning style. Cosmetic dentistry's most recognized credentialing program for dentists and dental laboratory technicians, Accreditation, is maintained by the AACD. In addition,

the AACD Charitable Foundation’s primary program Give Back A Smile, a national anti-domestic violence program, has restored the smiles - and the lives - of more than 600 survivors of domestic violence.

For more information about cosmetic dentistry, the Give Back A Smile program, or to find an AACD member dentist near you visit www.aacd.com or call 800 543 9220.

Thanks to

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

COSMETIC PROCEDURES

Cosmetic countdown: the most popular procedures

BY DAVID JØRGENSEN

ith almost 12 million cosmetic procedures – and another ten million non-invasive cosmetic treatments – carried out in the US in 2007, it is probably accurate to say that Americans have embraced the benefits that such procedures can deliver. Figures show that there was a 64 percent increase in breast augmentation procedures between 2000 and 2007, with a 137

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percent increase in abdominoplasty operations during the same period.

There was a 14 percent increase in the numbers opting to have a facelift between 2006 and 2007 alone.

Non-surgical procedures have also seen dramatic rises in popularity.

Botox, one of the most well known treatments, leapt by 488 percent between 2000 and 2007. Overall, nonsurgical treatments grew by 81 percent in the same timeframe.

• Data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Cosmetic treatments today and tomorrow How cosmetic treatments have developed, and what the future may hold

BY DAVID JØRGENSEN

he mass popularization of cosmetic surgery has in no small way been enhanced by reality television shows such as Extreme Makeover and The Swan. Taking those who feel debilitated by their perceived flaws, the contestants receive varying degrees of cosmetic and plastic surgery, usually resulting in dramatic results.

Whilst the vast majority of those having cosmetic procedures are probably not going to such extreme lengths, the way we consider such treatments has seen a huge shift towards complete normalization, perhaps even associating surgical procedures such as facelifts with cosmetic dental work. The point is that the market for surgery has never been as big, or as in demand.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that almost 11.7 million procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, were carried out in theUS last year. An overwhelming majority of those – 82 percent – were for non-surgical procedures. It is probably in this area that both developments and accessibility have changed the most.

Botox continues to be a hugely popular way of treating the skin for

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lines and wrinkles, helping to smooth out the contours – primarily on the face and neck, but in other areas also. According to the most recent figures released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, some 4.6 million Botox procedures were carried out in 2007 – more than any other type of non-surgical treatment.

The same figures show that some 347,500 breast augmentation procedures were completed last year – the highest total for a cosmetic surgical treatment. One major development in this area was the FDA’s approval of silicon gel implants in late 2006. Up until then, the majority of breast augmentation operations used saline-filled implants, unlike in Europe or elsewhere, where silicon gel was the norm. Associated problems with the saline implants included leakage and the implant possibly becoming deformed, and noticeable under the skin. Silicon gel implants are generally filled with semi-solid gel, and are arguably less likely to tear, or move within the confines of the breast.

With the advent of the ‘medical spa’, and the chance for people to have some non-surgical treatments over the course of minutes, rather than hours, procedures such as microdermabrasion and

laser treatments have leapt in popularity. Microdermabrasion is designed to remove the top layer of dead skin cells by running tiny crystals over the facial surface. The treatment stimulates the production of new cells, and helps to eliminate the effects of lines and blemishes. Laser skin treatments can help to remove bumps and marks caused by a variety of reasons, making the skin smoother and firmer.

One of the major benefits of such treatments is that they carry out a similar job to cosmetic products, but produce results in a much shorter space of time. The psychological effects of that timeframe should not be overlooked.

In our ‘on-demand’ society, where no one wants to wait, being able to see marked results within the space of a few minutes can have a profound impact on one’s own self-esteem and bodily perceptions.

In terms of the future direction of cosmetic surgery, one aspect is already apparent. The market is welcoming a new male demographic quite quickly.

As the market for male cosmetic products has increased – the so-called rise of metrosexuality, as the British have called it – so has interest in cosmetic surgery. Of particular interest will be procedures to minimize or re-

SURGICAL PROCEDURES The following most-popular procedures have been selected from data gathered by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

LIPOSUCTION Removing areas of fat around the body through suction techniques, liposuction is a procedure that can benefit those with stubborn fat that cannot be shifted through other methods, such as diet or exercise. Focusing on areas such as the hips, thighs, waist, stomach and buttocks, the technique can also be used on other parts, such as the legs, chest, back and face. The final results of liposuction can usually be seen after about two weeks. One possible issue for patients is skin elasticity - avoiding 'sag' or other undesirable effects once the fat has been removed. Younger patients may benefit more from having skin that can deal with this. Other patients could require skin tightening to compensate for the new shape. Whilst liposuction is an effective way of removing fat, it does not eliminate it for good - patients still run the risk of developing further fat if they do not follow a healthier regime.

BREAST AUGMENTATION Probably the most commonplace surgical procedure, breast augmentation allows

women to develop the size and shape of their breasts. The effect is created through the use of implants, that are inserted through incisions around the breast area, and that sit according to where the surgeon may think the best results can be achieved. Using saline-filled implants was, until recently, the principle form of increasing breast size; the FDA approved the use of silicon gel implants in late 2006, which are now becoming more popular. Such implants are arguably less prone to leak, or to shift. Despite common belief, breast implants could need to be replaced after a number of years, and follow-up checks with a surgeon will be required each year.

EYELID SURGERY Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, focuses on removing skin that causes folding or sagging in the upper or lower eyelids.

Through small incisions, a surgeon can remove any excess to produce the appearance of younger-looking eyes, and tightened skin around the ocular area.

Surgery can also help to remove bags under the eyes.

NOSE RESHAPING Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping, can radically change the contours of the nose, focusing on areas such as the bridge, tip, and nasal passages. At the center of the face, problems with the nose can adversely affect a patient's sense of wellbeing; surgeons treat patients of all ages for any number of issues.

ABDOMINOPLASTY Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a 'tummy-tuck', removes fat and loose skin from the abdominal area. This can happen for a number of reasons, including the effects of weight-gain - and subsequent loss, aging, and the stretching effects of pregnancy. Through an incision in the lower abdomen, the surgeon can remove the excess skin, and in some cases, use liposuction to get rid of any remaining fat deposits. After the procedure, it could take up to eight weeks for the final results to be apparent. In most cases, any sagging or pronounced abdominal appearance is reduced greatly, leading to a more toned look.

NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS BOTOX Botox is a 'filler' treatment designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and smooth the contours of the face and other areas. With the nerve poison botulinium toxin as its basic component, Botox is administered by injection directly to the site of the affected area - the forehead and around the eyes, for example. The treatment can produce dramatic effects in a short space of time, creating a fine look, with age-related lines minimized.

MICRODERMABRASION Microdermabrasion is an intensive facial

place hair-loss, as well as the established procedures such as lifts, fat-removal and suchlike.

Another area of development will be for the rising numbers of African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and

treatment used to give a smoother appearance to the skin, and to reduce problems such as scarring from spots, fine lines, and the effects of aging. With a 'wand', the treatment provider will run a slight vacuum across the face, using tiny crystals to provide an intense exfoliation. This removes dead skin cells, and also helps to stimulate the production of new cells and collagen. Whilst microdermabrasion can be carried out quickly - in about an hour - and requires little preparation and no recovery time, it usually requires multiple treatments to achieve results.

HYALURONIC ACID Another filler treatment, hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient in a number of products.

Naturally-occurring in the body, the acid is found in dermis, one of the lowest levels of the skin, but decreases as we get older. It is this loss that could be a key factor in the aging process, and its effects on the skin. It also possibly has a direct impact on collagen, which helps to maintain the skin's elasticity. Patients receive hyaluronic acid treatments through injections to particular areas, such as the cheeks, to create a fuller, more inflated effect, and avoiding the 'hollowness' that develops as we get older.

Medical spas: an inside-and-out makeover

other people of color who are seeking cosmetic procedures. With different requirements, and perhaps notions of how to look, the challenge for surgical and non-surgical providers alike is how to meet the needs of these new markets.

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BY DAVID JØRGENSEN

Surgery in the sun

BY DAVID JØRGENSEN hilst the availability and consequent popularity of cosmetic surgery and other treatments has grown at a huge rate – a 457 percent increase in the US between 1997 and 2007 – the fact remains that for a great deal of those opting to undergo such treatments, there is also a large financial burden. As cosmetic surgery providers target their services to a wider market, it is unsurprising that clients are exercising their consumer instincts and looking for the best deal available.

Traveling outside of the US for any number of elective procedures is now widespread.

Nearby countries, such as Costa Rica or Mexico offer facilities on a par with those found at home, and clinics in places further afield – Brazil, Argentina, or even India – are now welcoming patients willing to make the journey, but still saving thousands of dollars on the costs of their treatments.

Unlike visiting a clinic at

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home, however, such trips require careful planning and attention to detail. Recognizing this, many companies now offer complete packages targeted directly at the ‘cosmetic tourist’.

“We help patients with all their arrangements: airfare, transfers, doctor appointments, explaining and showing them who will be performing the surgery,” says Emilio Arana, CEO of MedTravel Costa Rica, a tourism company specializing in cosmetic and medical tourism. “We also show patients, where the procedure will take place, advise about specialist hotels with nurses-on-call 24/7, and so on.”

According to Arana, visitors to Costa Rica at least can expect to save between 50–70 percent on the costs of dental procedures, and between 60–70 percent on cosmetic treatments, compared to equivalent prices in the US. This, essentially, is the reason that increasing numbers of Americans are making longer journeys for such procedures: being assured of the same care as they would receive closer to

home, but for a fraction of the cost.

“Costa Rica is actually known as a ‘cosmetic paradise’, offering any number of treatments [to US visitors],” continues Arana, explaining why visitors are choosing the country in ever-increasing numbers.

Those considering traveling to another country for treatment, however, need to consider carefully what is best for their own needs. Whilst the financial benefits are abundantly clear, planning and research is vitally important. Potential patients should investigate what services are available with different companies, and find out what preand post-surgery care is on offer.

Also make contact with others who have already traveled down this route – many of us will visit a dentist or ophthalmologist on the recommendation of someone else, so the same rule can still apply. Using a travel company that caters for American visitors will also help when it comes to answering questions in plain English, and ensuring that all the relevant information has been given to the patient beforehand.

ecognizing the demand for more intensive cosmetic treatments, the traditional concept of the spa is changing rapidly into its newer incarnation – a blend of a spa atmosphere with a medical center. The ‘medical spa’ offers the client a range of treatments – from a basic facial to a chemical peel, for example – with a doctor and trained medical staff on hand.

Catering to those who can afford to spend some time at a spa, but who want more rapid results than what conventional spa treatments can accomplish in the same period, medical spas can provide professional peace-of-mind to those who may not have considered the possibilities of cosmetic procedures before.

Such ‘extreme’ treatments have actually become less so in the eyes of their adherents and others, perhaps as a result of seeing celebrities and, increasingly, contemporaries, enjoying their benefits. It is still important to remember, though, that having a procedure such as Botox and fillers require trained medical professionals, such as a physician or physician-supervised nurse or PA (physician's assistant).

This is especially the case with medical spas that cater to another market – those who want to enjoy the benefits of cosmetic treatments, but do not have the time to spend in a spa. Being able to ‘drop by’ for a quick shot of Botox in a lunch hour has become commonplace.

"The most popular treatments my clients come to me for outside of Botox and Fillers are laser treatments like laser hair removal, laser skin rejuvenation, laser acne treatments, and Skin Tyte, a laser procedure to tighten skin on the face, neck, and other body parts. Medical microdermabrasion is tremendously popular too," says Dr. Loveleen Sood MD. Dr Sood started the Simply Beautiful MedSpa in Lower Westchester, New York, earlier this year, after studying aesthetic medicine for years.

“The treatments on offer here are simple, non-

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invasive, non-surgical procedures that a client can come and have done in an hour or so, and really revitalize the way they look – through Botox, skin rejuvenation, and so on,” she continues. “The concept is to come into the spa, have something done that is simple and easy, but enhances the way you look and feel in a short space of time.”

Offering such services – primarily to women, but, in slowly increasing numbers, to men also – with the backing of professional medical opinion has undoubtedly persuaded many people of their benefits. Such treatments are not without their risks, however: one should never contemplate an intensive medical treatment outside of the professional environment as they might a facial or another spa treatment. Medical spas with the direct involvement of medical professionals do fulfill a need for careful monitoring of such procedures, giving peace of mind to clients.

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contents

Wedding Guide

March 2008

t’s that time of year again when final plans are being put into place; decisions need to be made on honeymoons, dress fittings arranged, wine lists to be finalised, and invitations are being sent. So, if you are having a wedding in 2008, this issue of the Evening Herald Wedding Guide has lots to help you make those important decisions. We have the latest styles in bridal and grooms wear, the new honeymoon destinations, fun ideas for your hen night, advice on how to pick the right wedding menu, how to look a pro at your first dance, and lots more.

I would like to take this opportunity to bid farewell to one of our team who, without him, the magazine would not exist. His kind and happy personality has touched all who have worked with him. Don, good luck for the future, you will be greatly missed.

I would love to hear from you if you have any interesting news, products, stories that you want to share, or if there are any topics you would like us to cover, please email me at: deelaffan@gmail.com Enjoy reading!

Dee Laffan, Editor

I

Kate Hickey looks at the latest trends in bridal wear.

Some great ideas on how to spend your hen night A look at the fashionable colours in grooms wear.

News – new products, services, and gossip from the bridal world.

Karen Doyle learns how to dance for the big day.

Dee Laffan explores romantic getaways and wedding venues.

20 Polly Hayes searches for a wedding singer to beat the band.

22 Where’s hot for honeymoons in 2008? Karen Doyle reports.

24 How to plan the perfect wedding – get someone else to do it?

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A BE CREATIVE MEDIA GROUP EDITORIAL PRODUCTION info@becreative.ie GENERAL EDITOR Dee Laffan deelaffan@gmail.com DESIGN INM Design Studio studio@production.ie 048 375 16005 REPRO Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited PUBLISHED by Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited 27-32 Talbot Street Dublin 1

25 Will your wedding break the bank? Find out inside.

26 The little extras – Kate Hickey looks at wedding party favours.

28 Dee Laffan takes a closer look at the different kinds of wedding photography.

30 Tips on how to choose the right wedding menu, Dee Laffan reports.

32 The latest trends in wedding ring designs.

33 A report on the recent changes to the marriage laws in Ireland.

34 Some quirky wedding gift ideas.

EVENING HERALD WEDDING GUIDE To advertise in the summer issue of the Evening Herald Wedding Guide, please contact DON BYRNE on (01) 705 5421 or email: dbyrne@independent.ie

Wedding Guide March 2008

MARCH 2008 WEDDING GUIDE 3

Entertainment

Entertainment Stella Bass and Rewind

great trick to keep your guests going.

It is also an ideal distraction during the afternoon drinks reception or while the band takes a break during the evening. www.irishdancecompany.com

Amusing the Masses An awful lot of thought goes into planning entertainment for the big day. Polly Hayes looks at some options and considerations that should be on every bride and grooms’ checklist. s the size and spectacle of Irish Weddings continues to grow, so too does the number of options for entertainment.

However, while you might like that DJ you spotted at the nightclub last weekend or that metal

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band you adore, it is crucial to think of your friends and family before choosing the right entertainers.

When most of us think of wedding entertainers our mind is immediately drawn to bands in ruffled shirts, winking and singing a Daniel O’Donnell classic or

a DJ pumping out Kool and the Gang’s Celebration for the fourth time in one night. Let’s be honest, you will not enjoy that and neither will your guests.

Your wedding day is supposed to be a magical, fun event. All of your favourite people in the world will be congregated in one room and the last thing you want is for someone to be left out of the fun or utterly exasperated by your choice of entertainer. At the same time it is your special day so it is important to choose some entertainment that you and your newly betrothed will enjoy. Thankfully entertainers from around the country seem to have thought of everything.

Here’s just a taste of what is available: DANCING TROUPES Irish dancing has had its ups and downs in the trend charts over the years but a group of professional dancers, in good

costume, still has an amazing “wow” factor. As one of the countries greatest cultural exports of the last number of years it is also proven to be entertaining for everybody, young and old. You need only look at the box office sales of “Lord of the Dance” to see that.

Throughout Ireland there are groups of dancers, such as the Irish Dance Company, who will provide you with a troupe of dancing to liven up your day, and the crowd. Darryl Walsh, the owner of this company, also runs a group in New York City where they have proven to be hugely popular.

An usual program for a wedding would involve a 25-minute show with constant costume changes. The surprising aspect to this service is its price, with a fivedancer show only coming to €450. Irish dancing is also a great way to get feet tapping and hands clapping so it is a

A COMICAL MEMENTO Since Niall O’Loughlin’s stationary had a mention on the “Late Late Show” his company, Caricature Company, has had a tough time keeping up with huge public demand. While his service of providing a caricature artist on the big day may not be the most traditional, it certainly is popular.

The standard procedure would be for Niall to set up a backdrop and easel at the drinks reception before the meal.

“It’s just for the guests to have something to do and it breaks the ice between relatives,” joked Niall. “I set up an easel and backdrop, hand out fliers and tell them what I do and when they hear it’s for free they’re all up. The paper’s printed with the bride and groom’s name and the dates so it’s a lovely keepsake from the day.”

His stationary and wedding day service has become so popular, in fact, that he has had to train in new artists to cope with the demand. Niall has been booked solid over the last three years with two or three weddings per week so it is advisable to book early. www.caricaturecompany.com EXPLOSIONS OF EXCITEMENT Nothing says celebration quite as much as fireworks, however, often in Ireland they’re not considered as an option due to their illegality. Thankfully there are companies such as Nationwide Fireworks who will deal with all legal matters, insurance, transport and professional firing.

When you consider how much time you are bound to stay indoors on the big day it makes sense to bring the party outside for a couple of minutes. Owner, Pat Whelan explained: “For winter weddings we slot it into that time after the speeches. Everyone’s been sitting round for a while and it’s a good way to get them outside, let the hotel clear the

room and get them up for dancing.

During the summer it’s not dark until 10-11pm, so we’d usually do it during the break for the band.”

Nationwide Fireworks’ display would usually last about 10 or 12 minutes and is absolutely ideal for those brides who want something really special. www.irishfireworks.com VEGAS GLAMOUR Over the last couple of years casino-style gambling has become very popular.

Now it is possible to bring the glamour and fun of the casino to your wedding reception. Though you might be thinking that it would be inappropriate for your Uncle Michael to lose thousands at the roulette table on your big day, these games are all in the name of fun.

“Everybody’s involved, kids, grannies everybody. We’ve actually had occasions when the bride and grooms have been on the table for three hours,” said Maggie Doyle of Fun Celtic Casinos. Ordinarily the bride and groom ask for roulette and blackjack tables to be provided as they are the easiest games to learn quickly. The company then provides croupiers and the fun money for the event.

“The bride and groom would provide a prize or a couple of prizes and we would hand out fun money to all the guests and then they come and play. Whoever has the most money by the end of our time wins,” explained Maggie. This would be a sure-fire way to get guest chatting and playing together. www.funcelticcascinos.com

such as jazz. Stella Bass is a classically trained singer and musician whose repertoire and experience is incredibly versatile. She advocates the importance of considering the

music for your wedding long and hard.

It is of huge benefit to get in touch with a musician who knows how music at weddings works to see what might suit you.

For example Stella not only sings in church services but also provides background music at drinks receptions. For a full night’s entertainment she also performs with a jazz trio Sweet & Lowdown and Rewind, a selfdescribed party band.

When choosing a band it is also crucial that you discuss exactly what you do and do not want, or low and behold you could be getting a surprise visit from a cover version of the Macerena. l www.stellabass.com

SINGERS WITH STYLE Music is obviously a huge part of the wedding celebration so looking for the right band or singer is crucial. It all depends on your own style and what your guests might like. Remember also that people want to be able to talk and hear themselves think without having to put up with music they might not be into.

There is certain music which you can use as background music and certain music which almost everybody enjoys,

MARCH 2008 WEDDING GUIDE 21

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