Spotlight Magazine for the South Mansfield area of Nottingham May 2015

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Mansfield South

ISSUE 64 May 2015

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th in Delivered to 18,000 Homes and Businesses each mon ford Bridg West & Mansfield South, Mansfield North Inside this issue: • Chelsea Flower Show • Ladybirds • Is Your Car Ready For Summer? • Children’s Entertainers • Business Focus • Puzzles • Recipe • Garden View

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Spotlight Magazine

Contents

Happy May Everybody!

Recipe 6 Ladybirds 8 Beauty Tips 10 Puzzle Pages 12 Garden View 14 Go Green 16 Pedicures 18 Children’s Entertainers 20 Is Your Car Ready For Summer 22 Microwave Ovens 24 A Good Read 26 Milk Alternatives 28 Index 30 Published by Spotlight Local Media Ltd Company No. 6841257 Tel: 01623 706570 Suite 104, 1 Hanley Street Nottingham NG1 5BL Graphic Design and Layout: Spotlight Local Media Distributed by Best Distributions Trusted Delivery Partner of the Spotlight Magazine

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So that’s the bank holidays out of the way for a while... now at least the we should get some better weather!

It’s time to turn our attention to our gardens and external maintenance of the house. We have plenty of advertisers here who can help with any of those jobs that you don’t have the time to get done.

Please try to support our local advertisers whenever you need a service or product. Remember to keep it local!

Spotlight magazine is delivered to 6,000 homes and businesses in the Mansfield South area each month, with similar magazines going to Mansfield North and West Bridgford.

To Advertise or contribute: T: 0115 822 4995 E: info@spotlightlocal.co.uk Web: www.spotlightlocal.co.uk

To advertise or contribute call •07595 510190 www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

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CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

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Spotlight Magazine

Chilli With Black Beans Recipe

Chilli With Black Beans A healthy, hearty recipe Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time: 30-40 mins Serves 6 Ingredients Chilli 2 tsp cumin powder 2 tsp ground coriander 1-2 tsp hot chilli powder 2 tsp sweet paprika 1lb 2 oz / 500g pack extra lean steak mince 1 tbsp flour 4 garlic cloves, chopped 400g can chopped tomatoes

1 beef stock cube 2 tbsp tomato purée 2 onions, finely chopped 3 red peppers, deseeded and diced large pack coriander (stalks for the chilli, leaves for the salsa) 2 x 400g cans black beans Salt and pepper to taste Lime and plain yoghurt to serve Salsa Three large ripe tomatoes Small red onion Avocado Handful of coriander leaves (reserved from the bunch) Method Strip the coriander of its leaves and reserve in a bowl. Finely chop the coriander stalks.

Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onion, coriander stalks and garlic together.

Remove from the pan and set aside.

Dry fry the mince in batches until browned.

Add the spices and cook for a further minute. Return the onions and coriander stalks to the pan, stir to mix. Add the flour and cook for another minute.

Add the tomatoes and a can of water, crumble in the stock cube, then stir in the tomato purée and chopped peppers.

Cover the pan and cook for 15 mins. Stir in the drained black beans. Cook for a further 20 mins more until everything is reduced and tender.

Serve with rice, lime wedges and yoghurt, and a fresh salsa of chopped tomatoes, avocados, red onion and coriander leaves.

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Spotlight Magazine

Ladybird, Ladybird Fly Away Home

L

ast weekend my husband and I spent a long overdue day tidying the garden.

During our labours I became intrigued by the number of ladybirds populating the leaves and bushes, which made me curious about the world of this mini beast.

Popular with children and adults alike, I wondered how much we actually know about them and thought I’d do a little research.

The ladybird is actually a member of the beetle family and its scientific name is Coccinellidae, meaning ‘little red sphere’.

There are over 42 different species in the UK, the most common being the bright red variety that has seven spots and is thought to have given the insect its name: “Lady” referring to the Virgin Mary (Our Lady) who in early paintings is seen wearing a red cloak, and the seven spots being symbolic of the seven joys and seven sorrows of Mary.

The ladybird starts life as a tiny, shiny, yellow egg, laid in a cluster on a leaf from late spring into summer. Each egg hatches to release a small, black, 6-legged larva which eats greedily and increases in size by shedding its skin three times in its lifetime. The full grown larva eventually attaches itself to a leaf and forms a pupa, from which the adult beetle emerges 1-2 weeks later.

Beetles and larvae feed through the summer and ladybirds that hatch early will produce a new generation of beetles during mid to late summer. During its short life span, a ladybird will lay around one

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thousand eggs. When the colder weather comes it looks for somewhere warm to hibernate for the winter, where it may stay for up to nine months.

Very few will survive to hibernate a second winter - one year is the common life span of a ladybird. They emerge from hibernation in late March to April, to feed and mate and begin the process all over again!

Ladybirds have brightly coloured wings which beat about 85 times per second while flying. The wings are also used to warn off predators. In times of danger, ladybirds are able to roll over and play dead.

They secrete a fluid from the joints in their legs that gives off a foul tasting fluid that prevents their enemies from finishing them off!

Ladybirds are a gardener’s friend and should be made welcome as they are one of the best deterrents against garden pests. They eat aphids (tiny softbodied insects) that destroy foliage and plants such as roses and tomatoes, their particular favourite being greenfly.

They also eat small caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites and even some scale insects.

A ladybird will consume around 5000 aphids during its lifetime.

Ladybird, ladybird, don’t fly away home.

Stay close by and keep looking after our gardens for us!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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O

Lift A Little

ften coined the ‘non-surgical facelift’, Microcurrent Facials have been a popular treatment in Salons and Spas for a number of years, thanks to their proven abilities to re-educate muscle tissues, which in turn help to firm and tighten the skin.

Today’s professional systems have made these electrical-based treatments incredibly affordable and thus Microcurrent Facials are becoming increasingly in-demand by time poor, skin conscious clients.

A Microcurrent is produced by using a low frequency interrupted direct current giving you a ‘faradic type current’. The current is measured in microamps, which is a millionth of an amp. This is shown as µa, and as its name implies is a very small amount of current.

The electrotherapy treatment is used to tighten and tone or relax muscle fibre offering re-contouring of the area being

worked. On the face, Microcurrent reduces fines lines and tightens sagging skin.

Microcurrent uses two probes to apply the current to the tissue and as the electrical pulses pass in both directions between them during the treatment, it does not matter which way the probes move as they are both doing the same work.

When a muscle lengthens or shortens, the skin lifts and firms. Working from the belly of the muscle outwards will have a lengthening effect on muscles that have become increasingly contracted from years of making facial expressions.

Working a muscle from the origin and insertion point inward will have a shortening effect that is necessary for those muscles that have become elongated over many years of age and gravity.

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Spotlight Magazine Spotlight Spotlight Magazine Magazine

Puzzle Page

Crossword Clues Across 1 Prejudice based on ethnicity (6) 5 Erotic fixation (6) 8 Hope, desire (4) 9 Addictive drug (8) 10 Sacred songs or hymns (6) 11 Marrying twice without divorce (6) 12 Dull heavy noise (4) 14 Sick (3) 15 Female (4) 16 Horror-struck (6) 18 Place of Christian worship (6) 20 Nazi symbol (8) 22 Military force (4) 23 Iconic Australian city (6) 24 Twinging, hurting (6)

Quick Crossword

Down 2 First sign of the Zodiac (5) 3 Breathed in (7) 4 Short item of ladies’ clothing (4,5) 5 A long way away (3) 6 Strip of leather, shoe (5) 7 Sparkle, glitter (7) 11 Warm headwear, ski-mask (9) 13 Main road, carriageway (7) 15 Hungarian soup or stew (7) 17 Set a fire with criminal intent (5) 19 Pungent spice (5) 21 Evergreen climbing plant (3)

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Spotlight Magazine

The Chelsea Flower Show

Chelsea 19th – 23rd May

The Chelsea Flower Show is to gardening what the Paris catwalks are to fashion.

Paris fashions may seem outlandish, but they push certain trends, which in a watered-down version end up in high-street shops.

Likewise, though many of Chelsea’s show gardens are fantasy pieces which demonstrate outrageous ideas, the horticultural trends on display will find their way into our own more modest plots.

For example; did you know that bonsai specimens and topiary gardens were introduced at Chelsea in 1913? Rock gardens were introduced in the 1940’s and decking in the eighties. All of these can now be bought in garden centres up and down the land.

In 2006 James Dyson even produced a water feature in which the water ran uphill.

Actually I’m still waiting for my garden centre to stock one of those! Maybe one day...

Chelsea isn’t just about high fashion though; it reflects environmental trends too.

In recent years there have been hosepipe bans in the great Pavillion and many of the gardens have showcased droughttolerant planting schemes.

Chelsea really is window-shopping at its finest. It’s like walking through a reallife version of the best garden design catalogue in the world.

And if you visit on the last day you don’t have to restrict yourself to window shopping. At 4pm precisely a bell rings and the great Chelsea sell-off begins.

The poor designers, after all their hard work, begin the mammoth task of dismantling their creations. The good news is that the public can buy them. It’s perfectly possible to end up owning a little piece of a prize winning garden. So what should you choose?

If it were me I’d want something special; a reminder of my visit. I’d go for a species which I know would grow in my garden, but an unusual variety, not available in my local garden centre. In my case it would probably be an unusual lavender or fuchsia.

Choose carefully and you could have a little piece of Chelsea gold adorning your plot for many years to come.

By Rachel Leverton

Chelsea draws over 150 000 visitors each year. For the past ten years it’s been held over five days instead of four, such is its popularity.

The sheer quantity and varieties of plants on display to the general public is breathtaking.

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Spotlight Magazine

Pedicures

Most of us neglect our feet. They spend much of their lives covered up – out of sight and out of mind – and yet I for one love to give them the occasional pamper and am convinced they thank me for it!

A pedicure, professionally done, is a therapeutic treatment for feet which can support chiropody if you have foot problems, can assist posture by helping you to walk more comfortably and can soothe and relax you whilst being done.

Typically, a pedicure will begin with a soak of your feet in warm, scented water which will both cleanse and soften the skin. This is then followed by an exfoliating rub to get rid of dead skin. Salts and minerals are used, but exfoliation may also be done with pumice, especially on the heels or ball of the foot.

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A massage of the feet with creams and aromatherapy oils follows, to refresh and soften the skin. You may also be treated to a massage of the lower leg.

Finally, cuticles will be clipped and nails cut and shaped before nail polish is applied to send you away with pretty toes!

Any style of polish can be applied, from a French pedicure with white tips to gel polish which gives a long-lasting glossy finish which dries instantly.

With summer approaching, now is the time to get your feet ready for those open toe sandals!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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Spotlight Magazine

Choosing A Children’s Entertainer

Whether for a birthday party or a fete an entertainer can make or break an event.

be happy to provide references.

Insurance

Ask around Most good entertainers get the majority of their business by word-ofmouth.

They should have public liability insurance and CRB checked.*

Pick someone enthusiastic If they don’t enthuse you, they won’t enthuse your child Book early Everyone wants a slot between 2pm and 5pm on a Saturday Consider alternative dates You might get exactly what you want a little cheaper.

Ask for references and follow them up A good entertainer will

Choose someone age-appropriate Your nine-year-old probably won’t thank you for a clown.

Trust your entertainer They entertain children all the time so they know what makes a great party BUT You know your child best Don’t be afraid to voice any concerns you have. If your child doesn’t like loud bangs for instance, or is shy, say so.

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E

Is Your Car Ready For Summer?

very year as we approach winter there are articles popping up advisine us to prepare our cars for the cold weather, however, your care needs to be ready for hot weather too.

Here are a few tips to make your summer driving a breeze.

If you are planning a road trip this summer, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t just put petrol in your car and go.

A pre-trip vehicle check can determine how road-ready your vehicle is so you can take steps to have any problems fixed before heading out on holiday, and to avoid the potential safety hazards of breaking down miles from home.

Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

Check the brake system and make sure the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.

Check filters and fluids, including engine oil, antifreeze/coolant, windshield washer and power steering, brake and transmission fluids. Dirty air filters can waste gas and cause the engine to lose power.

Check the hoses and belts and replace if they become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear.

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These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.

Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Underinflated tires reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy and uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

Check that the gas cap is not damaged, loose or missing to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

Treat your car to a good car wash.

Winter takes a toll on every part of your car — everything from your brake lines to your engine gets blasted by a constant barrage of salt, ice, water, sand, and general filth. Interiors become filled with dirt and tracked-in grime. Do yourself a favor and clean your car top to bottom, inside and out. Use good, high-quality cleansers and high-pressure water on the outside to get rid of salt and trapped sand, and be sure to hit the wheel wells and underbody.

Many local garages will perfom an air conditioning check up for free. If you have ever been caught in a traffic jam on a hot summers day with irritable kids you will know how important good air conditioning can be.

Your local garage will usually also have a check up available for summer motoring, so why not drop in and let them give your car a professional once over.

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N

Microwave Ovens

otoriously poor at cooking, my mum earned herself the title “Microwave Mary” after she discovered the joys of this new invention in the mid 80s. It was like a dream come true for her: ready meals heated at the touch of a button, jacket potatoes cooked in minutes!

The microwave oven has progressed somewhat since those early years, but they still make a great choice for busy people who can’t spare the time for cooking or for individuals who don’t have space for conventional ovens – and they also save energy for the cost conscious!

When choosing a microwave oven, first consider the needs of your household.

Ranging in size from 17L to 32L, go no smaller than 27L if you have a family.

You’ll need the larger turntable and greater interior height. Then decide on the power, which can vary from 800W-1100W. The higher the wattage, the quicker the microwave will cook.

A basic microwave, such as delighted my mum all those years ago, will defrost, cook and reheat food, but there are other options available. First is a microwave with internal grill, which will brown and crisp food in a way that is not possible with a basic model, and the grill and microwave can also be used independently.

Finally, there is the built-in option. This is available for any type of oven and will add to the design quality of your kitchen, whilst also freeing up work space.

When deciding upon which features to have on your microwave oven, consider what type of cooking you do and select accordingly. Choose a grill or combi-oven if you do lots of grilling and roasting, and if you use lots of frozen food, look for an oven with a good defrosting feature.

Some models offer an automatic cooking and defrosting function, which calculates the time needed for cooking based on the weight of the food. Microwaves with a sensor cooking feature detect the amount of moisture in food along with the humidity inside the oven and adjust power levels and cooking time to ensure the best results.

A host of other features, including preset programmes for cooking popular foods and drop down doors for easier loading and emptying are also available.

Microwave ovens are a great asset to the modern cook, and in my mum’s opinion, no kitchen should be without one!

Higher up the range is the combimicrowave, which includes a convection (hot air) oven in addition to the microwave oven and grill.

These models give most flexibility as all functions can be used independently or together.

Combination ovens can halve the cooking time for most foods, and are able to roast brown and grill.

Some combination ovens also offer a steaming function.

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Spotlight Magazine

The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly

A Good Read

Finding your way in the world after leaving school can be daunting, and for Karen this is no different.

A language student at a college in London she has a chance encounter with Biba, an exotic and bohemian student, and Karen’s life will never be the same again.

Biba lives with her brother Rex in a crumbling gothic style townhouse in London, with a lifestyle that could not be further from the suburban humdrum that Karen grew up in.

She is drawn to these two siblings and so begins a summer of freedom, cheap wine, experimental drugs and sexual adventures.

The lure of Biba’s personality is tremendous and Karen clearly aspires to be like her.

Then, one day, their idyllic summer comes crashing to a halt.

Karen learns the truth of Biba and Rex’s family life and an unexpected visitor leads to tragedy. A more mature Karen looks back on the events of that summer ten years later as she comes to terms with her role in everything.

As a reader, you know from the start that something is going to happen. Like a car crash in slow motion you can see it coming as Karen absorbs more and more of Biba’s exotic nature.

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The Maze Runner by James Dashner Post-apocalyptic and dystopian literature seems to be all the rage in the Young Adult fiction market these days.

Hot on the heels of the successful Hunger Games and Divergent trilogies comes The Maze Runner. Initially published in 2009 it came to prominence with the release of the film adaptation in 2014.

Thomas is a teenager who awakes to find himself in a box in a place called the Glade. He has no memory of who he is or how he came to be here, but he is thrown into this new community, and as a reader so are you. Before long you become familiar with the terminology used by the boys and you feel as if you are a Glader along with them.

As Thomas adjusts to his new home he learns about the Maze which surrounds the Glade. Each day the walls open and a select group of runners spend daylight hours exploring and mapping it.

It is a race against the clock because at sunset the Grievers – giant robotic creatures – enter the Maze and they are deadly. The walls close to protect the community and overnight the structure of the Maze changers, leaving the runners to start again in the morning.

The big mystery is why. Why are Thomas and the other boys there and why do the Grievers come out to get them? Why do the walls in the Maze change and will the runners ever solve it.

However, more importantly why has a girl been sent to the Glade and why has all communication with the outside world suddenly stopped?

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M

Milk Alternatives

ilk is a highly nutritious food and for hundreds of years was only available from animals, but nowadays there are many non-dairy alternatives, each with a different nutritional profile, flavour, colour and texture. Extracted from plants, they are a great milk substitute for those suffering from allergies, lactose intolerance or who may be following a vegan diet.

Soya milk is possibly the most well known milk alternative. Made from soya beans, it is most nutritionally similar to cow’s milk, being high in protein and fibre. It also contains cancerfighting isoflavones, can help prevent heart disease and can be beneficial to menopausal women by reducing hot flushes.

It is safe for the lactose intolerant and those with milk allergies but can be high in sugar.

With much less protein, but with a pleasant flavour and creamy texture, is almond milk.

With a third fewer calories than semiskimmed milk, it is high in Vitamin E, but lacks other vitamins, minerals and fatty acids present in dairy milk. Made from ground almonds, water and sweetener, it provides a good source of magnesium, necessary for healthy bones, and is also beneficial for the immune system.

Rice milk is the most hypoallergenic of all milk alternatives, often being found free of soya, gluten and nuts. It is high in carbohydrates but low in protein and its watery texture makes it unsuitable for baking and cooking. It is, however,

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very nutritious and can help lower blood cholesterol and control blood pressure, but could cause a sugar overload in diabetics.

You should choose fortified versions.

Similar in texture to, but not as nutritious as whole milk, coconut milk is low in carbohydrates but relatively high in fat. It works well in baking due to its nutty flavour and is a good choice for those suffering from multiple food allergies, as it is often found soy, gluten, cholesterol and nut free.

When stored in a fridge it can solidify and separate, but once stirred and brought back to room temperature will restore to its original texture.

Oat milk is lactose and cholesterol free and is naturally high in the antioxidant Vitamin E. It also contains folic acid which is essential for repairing DNA and producing healthy red blood cells. It can be tolerated by people with multiple allergies and is a good source of phytochemicals, which help fight cancer, heart disease and stroke.

High in sugar but low in calcium and protein, it has a distinctive, oaty flavour which not everyone likes.

Good luck as you try these milk alternatives, but remember that if you don’t consume dairy you will need to make up for the loss of nutrients, especially calcium and Vitamin D, from other sources, unless choosing a fortified product.

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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