Families First Dec14-Jan15 by Families First

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The paper that families read Issue - Dec ‘14/Jan ‘15 www.familiesfirst-uk.com

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to an iPad

see pages 19-23

How to survive Christmas

Read the survivors guide on pages 34&35

Men, we haven’t forgotten about you,

Get healthy, get cooking, get the latest gear on Pages 42-46

Caring for our parents. What is available to help, Page 38

The Cost of Christmas

PLUS Lots more inside...

Feed 8, the whole works for less than £22.00!!!! Read all about it on page 27

Family first Awards, are now open, so find out how you can nominate someone special see page 18-19

W W W. F A M I L I E S F I R S T. I E

G N I P E SLE Y T U A E B

N A R H E O N N I N L R CO ’ O O N K O E C R BY DE ND LYRICS BY PHED A MUSIC A & CHOREOGR D E T E C R E I R U I G D A M H A R O B BY DE 015 2 N A J 4 4 1 0 2 5 DEC

THE L MAGICILAY FAM AL MUSIC

DER AL FUN PRINCIP

BOX OFFICE / 028 9038 1081 ONLINE / WWW.LYRICTHEATRE.CO.UK IN PERSON / 55 RIDGEWAY STREET BELFAST BT9 5FB www.familiesfirst.ie

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Familes First NI

December 2014 / January 2015

Hello again,

Inside this Month:

Hasn’t the year flown! Christmas and New Year just around the corner, and Families First paper officially 1!!!!

Winter Health - p6

Firstly let me thank all of you who continue to contact us in regard to our paper. We are glad that we are enjoying the different read, and have taken on board your suggestions. One we have included in this issue, yes you guessed, the men’s section. We have lots of interesting things there, Cars – of course, getting healthy the juicing way, and if they don’t do it already, cooking for guys, we hope this will encourage them to cook a lovely meal for two. Now you can’t be bad to that! Another change here, is our front cover girl Megan, this is the last time you will see her on the cover. Megan is now 3 ½ and has blossomed from a baby to a wonderful little girl, who like all other girls loves frozen. We would like to thank Megan’s family for allowing us to see her develop, and enjoy some of the activities she was involved with over the year.

Ladies Fashion, Boots - p9

As you know we ran a competition on our face book page families first ni a few months ago, and our winner will be revealed in our next issue. Many, many thanks to all who entered, it was so hard to choose, the children were all beautiful. Along with our usual features we have included this month, caring for your elderly relatives. Hopefully the information there will help you make the right choices for your family.

Christmas Crafting - p10

Of course, as it is Christmas we have a spread on how to survive Christmas, and get Christmas for 8 all for under £22.00 so read on.

Book Reviews - p32

I hope you continue to enjoy our paper, please let us know your thoughts by writing to us at admin@babyfacemarketing.com From all the team Have a truly wonderful Christmas, and a very peaceful New Year. Best.

Party Food Recipes p25

Isobel

Education - p14

Find us on Facebook too! www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI and www.familiesfirst-uk.com Disclaimer: While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication and website. Babyface Marketing Ltd accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability, loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by the reliance on the information contained in the publications or web site, or in any company, individual or firm mentioned , or in the event of any company, individual or firm ceasing to trade, is hereby excluded.

Guys Gear - p42

WOW!!!!

Our lovely friends at the family owned Irwin’s Bakery have given us this fantastic prize We have 25 bags to give away to some lucky mum, each will include a money off coupon!!

Now you can’t be bad to that!! All you have to do is send us your name and address to

admin@babyfacemarketing.com Good Luck, remember it’s the first 25!!

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Familes First NI

5 Ways with Ginger. A chunk of fresh root ginger and a few minutes give us tasty new recipes!

Fish Marinade

Mix 3 mashed garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, a chopped jalepeno and a handful of chopped coriander leaves in a blender. Add 2tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil and a good splash of white wine. Pour over fish and bake for about 10 mins. Serve with brown rice.

Teatime cookies.

Melt together 100g butter and 100 caster sugar, then beat in one egg and 100 golden syrup or molasses. Stir in 275g flour, 1tsp baking soda, 1 or 2 tsp freshly grated ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground cloves and a pinch of salt to make a delicious ginger cookie dough.

Fizz Refresher

Put 100g ginger, sliced, 500 ml water and 200g sugar into a saucepan and simmer for 30 mins. Leave to steep for longer if possible. Strain the syrup and leave to cool. Pour syrup into an ice-filled glass and top up with fizzy water or lemonade. Store in the fridge.

Tea and a chat @ the Hub Grab a cuppa and dip into these bite size reads for that kettle-on feet up moment.

4 Best Christmas Apps Christmas games

Give as you Live

FREE – Android. This cutesy puzzles for kids includes connect the dots, jigsaws shapes and memory games. Each has a Christmas theme and will keep the youngsters busy while you get on with the festive preparations.

FREE - iPhone/ Android. Every year we do more Christmas shopping from our phones. And if you buy from stores through this app, then a percentage of your purchases can be donated to one of 220,000 charities.

Christmas Booth

Sing Along Christmas Carols

FREE - iPhone/ iPad. Make your photos festive with this fun app packed with Christmas themed stickers that can be added to any snaps you take. Dress people up in Santa outfits, add trees or red roses

Free iPhone/iPad. Great for aspiring carol singers or those who like a festive warble, this has the lyrics including Deck The Halls, Jingle Bells and we three Kings along with the background music. The £2,99 version has 50+ songs .

and then share them with friends.

Top 10 commonly broken new year resolutions... 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Lose Weight and Get Fit Quit Smoking Learn Something New Eat Healthier and Diet Get Out of Debt and Save Money

6. Spend More Time with Family 7. Travel to New Places 8. Be Less Stressed 9. Volunteer 10. Drink Less

Seven healing colours...

you energy, warms you up and improves your blood circulation. TIP Wear a red T-shirt when you’re exercising and red socks or gloves if you’re feeling cold. Scatter red accessories around your home to warm it up in winter, but don’t paint your bedroom red. It looks sexy, but it will also keep you awake.

ORANGE Stimulates

emotions and can act as an antidepressant. We are often attracted to orange when we need a lift. TIP Wearing orange will help to give you more confidence.

YELLOW Stimulates the

mind, helps you stay alert and can improve your memory. TIP Wear something yellow for an important occasion when you need your wits about you.

BLUE Calming for both mind

and body. Blue helps you to breathe more slowly and deeply, it lowers blood pressure, makes you feel sleepy and is very good for insomnia. TIP Blue is the perfect colour to choose for a bedroom

GREEN The perfect colour for relaxation. Green is naturally healing colour, which falls right in the centre of the colour spectrum, making it really easy on the eye.

Peel and grate a chunk of ginger and blitz with 150g of natural coconut yogurt, ½ fresh mango and honey to taste. Ideal for breakfast on the run.

This month we love

Now that the weather has taken a turn, there is nothing like something really nice on our return home.

Pick up a crafty festive kit!

Beetroot has been named the latest superfood Why? Because it comes from the same family as spinach and chard – they’re a great source of potassium, magnesium and fibre and are packed with nitrates that can help lower blood pressure and improve liver and kidney health. Look for fresh beets with green leaves attached as they’re richer in nutrients (calcium, vitamins A and C and betaine) than vacuum-packed. Peel them, chop into chunks and roast for around 40-50 minutes.

TIP Feeling stressed? Go outside and soak up all the natural greenery around you, or put pleanty of green plants around your home.

INDIGO Calms the conscious mind but stimulates the unconscious mind, helping to boost creativity. TIP Use splashes of indigo in your bedroom. Even a cushion or blanket in this colour can improve y;ur sleep. PURPLE Rebalances the psyche. Very good for mental health and helps to overcome problems such as phobias, addictions and panic attacks. TIP Wear purple if you’re try to give up smoking or conquer a fear.

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Sprinkle thinly cut slices of ginger with sea salt and leave for 30 mins. Stir together 50ml rice vinegar and 50g sugar in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, then pour over the ginger pieces. Leave to cool and store in the fridge. Perfect to add to a salad or stir-fry.

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www.Gifthorseskits.co.uk

Beet it

Perfect Pickle

We love these casserole pots.

Knit your own Christmas Decorations Kit £15

You don’t have to see a colour therapist to feel the benefits of colour therapy, because it’s easy to apply some of the basic principles yourself....

RED Stimulates the body, gives

Super smoothie.

Metallic £15 Heatons

Heart £20 Sainsbury’s

Best Reads.

The woman who stole my life by Marian Keyes (Michael Joseph £18.99)

Stella Sweeney is an ordinary mum, working in her sisters beauty salon, when fate steps in and changes her world.

If you have the money, this is the gift for you! Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean. The Rolls-Royce of electric toothbrushes. It removes seven times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, improves gum health and whitens teeth using a whizzy, 31,000 brush strokes a minute. It charges in a smart glass charger and is available in white, pink or black. Wait for it......... £249.99 boots.com. I would like new teeth for all the family for that!!!!!

Secrets of Pippa’s

Pert Posterior. Pippa Middleton has revealed the four key exercises that help maintain her famous pert posterior.

The 31 year old party planner swears by a combination of ladders (jogging on the spot, lifting alternate knees and arms), plie squats, wall pushes and planks at least three times a week.

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December 2014 / January 2015

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IS WINTER BAD FOR YOUR HEART?

WHY AM I SUDDENLY SO SNEEZY? People often ask why we get so many colds in winter, and I believe it’s partly down to the fact that our nose and throat get cold, explains Professor Ronald Eccles from the Common Cold Research Unit at Cardiff University. ‘Cold slows down the movement of mucus in our nose and throat, and this is one way we flush out the cold virus before it can take hold. I’d recommend everyone to wear a scarf around their throat – and if possible, over their nose – in winter to keep this area warm and prevent the slowing of defences.’

OUCH!!! EXERCISE REALLY HURTS. Cold weather causes your muscles to contract and be less elastic, which can increase the risk of injury when you exercise. During the winter it’s therefore more important to do a good warm up routine before exercising so you reduce the risk of tears and injuries, ten minutes of moves that get your whole body gently moving before you start your workout proper.

Studies reveal that cholesterol levels in the UK are 3-5% higher in winter than summer – blood pressure can also go up. The increased blood thickening that occurs in winter is believed to be the blame. If you’re diagnosed with borderline high cholesterol/blood pressure in winter, get it checked again in the summer in case it’s fallen Flu could be a possible trigger for a heart attack or stroke. The areas of narrowing are called plaques unstable and more likely to rupture and block. Older people who had flu jabs early in the season had a 20% lower risk of stroke over the next year than those who skipped their jabs. If you haven’t been vaccinated, at least try infection protection by washing your hands regularly and book your jab for next year.

Your winter health dilemmas solved It’s not just your outfits that change through the year - the internal working of your body do, too. Health experts explain how to work with, rather than against, the seasonal changes you might face. HELP I’M PILLING ON THE POUNDS It’s becoming increasingly clear that gut bacteria play a role in balancing weight. When researchers in the US analysed the make up of gut bacteria through the seasons they found that in winter people gain bacteria that absorb kilojoules (energy) from food, and lose those that help us keep weight down. ‘During winter your body wants to extract and store as much energy from food as possible, says researcher Emily Davenport from the University of Chicago. ‘Your digestive system also functions more effectively in winter’. However the change may also occur as we swap summer salads for stodgy winter comfort foods on which the bugs thrive. Keeping your wintry diet lower in fat and sugar might help to negate some of the change.

OH, I ACHE FROM HEAD TO TOE! Aches and pains, specifically back pain, can worsen in winter and one reason is that lower levels of sunlight reduce vitamin D levels. Up to 40% of us are deficient in vitamin D in winter, and low levels affect the muscles and nerves leading to aches, pains and muscle weakness. Reverse things by taking at least 400iu of vitamin D3 daily. We like Vitamin D3 One a day. £7.95, Healthspan.co.uk..

STRUGGLING WITH THE MOODY BLUES? Feeling a bit blue is not just due to cold, dark day’s blocked up noses can also cause our mood to slump. Research found that you’re more likely to be unhappy if you breathe through your mouth rather than your nose as it decreases the temperature of the blood reaching the emotion centre of the brain and lowers your mood. If you’ve got a cold, use a natural nose clearer like Olbas Oil and you might feel less wretched.

I’M SO FED UP WITH DRY, ITCHY SKIN. When you expose your skin to cold weather and central heating the natural barrier is impaired, which makes it easier for irritants to trigger sensitivity. Moisturisers will help reduce risk of this, serums that contain silicone help and seal the skin, and create a reinforcing barrier. Try Dermalogica Barrier Repair £36.50 dermalogica.co.uk

ORY

EM UR M

R YO w D FO new? O of Ne O G rsity ing e h v i t e n e R IS U m

I CAN’T SAY NO TO SUGARY SNACKS. It’s well known that that those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) often eat more carbohydrates, but a study in the US reveals why. People affected by SAD actually lose the ability to taste sugar in winter, meaning they’re more likely to over-indulge in sweet stuff to try and make up for that. Bitter and sour tastes are also blunted. Why this happens is a mystery but the good news is that things generally go back to normal in the spring……..Yippee!!! www.familiesfirst.ie

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December 2014 / January 2015

Northern Ireland’s leading first aid training provider. The DIFFERENCE between a life lost…

At work, rest or play people may have an accident or sudden collapse without warning St John Ambulance (NI) can teach you what to do in such an emergency We run high quality first aid courses for both industry and community groups throughout Northern Ireland Approved by HSENI to provide FAW and EFAW courses We also run Fire Marshal courses

For information about all our courses telephone the Training Department on 028 9079 9393, or email Anne.Mcspadden@ni.sja.org.uk

…and a life saved!

Cosmetic Braces

After

Gentle Dental Care offers new cosmetic braces which improves your facial proportions, straightens teeth and closes gaps. 50% of people consider the smile as the first facial feature they notice. Smiling not only makes you look great and feel better but also improves your interactions with other people.

Before

Features of Cosmetic Braces

Who is Suitable?

• Fewer or no extractions

• From children to 60+.

for most patients.

• More comfortable by using lighter forces than train tracks.

• Often quicker than

Benefits of Cosmetic Braces

conventional train tracks.

Cosmetic braces use new technology to improve the position of your jaws which means a more beautiful facial appearance. The process creates extra room for cramped, tilted or overlapping teeth and thus reduces the need to remove teeth to make space. Extracting teeth can lead to negative changes in facial appearance and bite for some patients. People suffering from headaches, cracked or chipped teeth due to a poor bite, can often achieve a comfortable, stable bite using cosmetic braces.

Inland Revenue Charity No.XR38256

• Choose clear brackets

• Anyone who has had braces before. • Great for people with bite problems. • Those who don’t want jaw surgery. • Young children who have significant

for better appearance.

jaw issues from an early age.

How to Get Started Book a consultation to discuss your needs and expectations. We then provide a personal treatment plan and a no-obligation quotation with finance options.

CALL NOW 028 9032 6795

Principal Dentist

DENTISTS

Lucy Stock

BDS DipImpDent RCS (Eng)

Lucy Stock BDS

adam@gdconline.co.uk

MANAGING PARTNER

Judith Adamson

Trevor Martin

BDS

BDS PG Cert

58 Lisburn Road . Belfast . BT9 6AF

028 9032 6795

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David Hefferon

BDS Dip Hom Tox (Hons) FIAOMT

info@gdconline.co.uk

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Adam Jaffa BA Dip Couns RDN

gdconline.co.uk

Familes First NI

8 The secret DARK, SKINNY BROWS ARE AGEING.

The secret GLITTER IS OUT Be wary of eyeshadows that are glittery, frosted or overly matte and chalky – all these textures will accentuate any wrinkles and can be really ageing, warns the experts. Warn the experts. They suggest, look out for subtle shimmers and soft matte finishes in pale colours. TRY MAC Eye Shadows in Sweet Lust, Idol Eyes and Vapour, £13 each.

The secret NOT TO PRIME IS A CRIME. Laughter lines may tell of happy memories, but they get in the way of a flawless base. Enter primer, an essential part of your anti-ageing arsenal – apply it after your eye cream to help conceal crow’s feet and smooth crepey eyelids. According to our experts, it temporarily plumps fine lines and gives skin an instant boost.

As we get older, brow hair often thins or fades in colour, and a brow that’s too dark and skinny can look hard and ageing. Counter that by softly filling them in with a taupe-toned pencil. Why taupe? It’s the one shade that flatters everyone from blondes to redheads, light complexions to deeper skintones. TRY Smashbox Brow Tech to Go in Taupe, £1

TRY Too Faced Shadow, Insurance Eye Primer £17

The secret BLUSH NEEDS A RE-THINK. Should you apply blusher to the apples of your cheeks? Not anymore! Blush placed too close to the centre of your face draws attention to those folds that run from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth. Instead, apply an illuminating blusher to the tops of your cheekbones and work towards your temples.

10 make-up secrets that take years off.

A bit of trickery here, a little stroke of genius there – yes, the way you apply your make-up really can make you look years younger. Here’s how: The secret SKIN GETS THIRSTY Repeat after us, make-up can only do so much. It goes a lot further (and looks better) if you start off with a good canvas. ‘If your skin is starting to lose its first flush of youth, ask yourself if you’re keeping it hydrated and protected, ‘says Laura Mercier. Pick a turbo-charged hydrating moisturiser that also has an SPF so you’re protected against ageing UV rays all year round. TRY Vichy Aqualia Thermal UV SPF 25, £17.

The secret LESS IS MORE ‘A common mistake as you get older is to go for a heavier foundation, but it looks cakey and unflattering’, advises make-up artist Laura Mercier. Opt for a CC Crème to even out skin, followed by a light, hydrating foundation for a radiant and more youthful complexion. TRY No7 Youthful CC Cream, £14.50, plus YSL Fusion Foundation, £30.50

The secret LIPS NEED LINING Your natural lip line can begin to fade with age, so it’s worthwhile buying a lip liner that’s the same colour as your lips. You’ll use it every day, so you can afford to splash out on one with a creamy texture that won’t drag on your skin. Whether you’re wearing lipstick or not, gently trace your liner along the outside of your mouth using soft, feathery strokes to give the illusion of fuller lips. TRY Laura Mercier Lip Pencil in Plumberry, £17.50

TRY Clairns Blush Prodige Illuminating Blush in Rose Wood, £26.

The secret SWITCH YOUR MASCARA The secret STICK TO STAINS Lip stains are ideal for more mature lips as they help stop the bleeding that you’d usually get from lipsticks. Statement colours can be worn if you’ve got full lips, but if they’re thin, play it safe with a plumping lipgloss that’s close in colour to your natural lip shade.

A mark of youthfulness is a fuller flutter, yet sadly our eyelashes get sparser as we get older, so you need a thickening mascara that will boost your lashes from root to top. Eyes will look bigger and brighter, especially if your curl them first. TRY Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara, £17.50.

TRY Revlon ColourStay Moisture Stain in Parisian Passion, £7.99 or Kiko 3D Instant Volume Lipgloss in Deep Pink, £6.90

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The secret FAKE YOUNGER EYES As we age, the skin underneath our brows and around the eye sockets can slacken and cause eyes to take on a hooded appearance. For a quick-fix, apply a matter chocolate brown shadow along the socket line of your eye – a great cheat for taking more defined and younger-looking eyes. Blend the shadow in well so you’ve not left with a severe line. TRY Lola Eyeshadow in Brown, £10, Marks & Spencer.

December 2014 / January 2015

9 Tan Aztec ankle boot, £15, Primark

Studded Cahoot Boot, £80, Office

Dorothy Perkins, £39.99

Belt detail ankle boot, £35, New Look

Nouveau 2 Boot, £110, Office Autograph boot, Marks and Spencer

Nala Boot £125, Office

Winter Fashion BOOTS

Brown knee high leather boot £149, Dune

Rover, Grey wedge boot

(also available in black)

Cythiaa open toe Boot, Steve Madden

Reo Boot, £119, Dune

£119, Dune

Limited edition boot, £49.50, Marks and Spencer

Autograph Boot, £109, Marks and Spencer

Tallia, Black boot (also available in brown),

£225, Dune

Thigh High boot, £20, Primark

Autograph boot, Marks and Spencer

Climber boot, £75, Office

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Long zip Boot, Steve Madden

Familes First NI

Make your own soap

Advent Gift buckets A simple and quirky alternative advent calendar, these tiny metal

I decided to make my own soaps to give to family and friends as part of their Christmas presents this year. I’ve made soap before and it is so much fun, and really quite simple. You can do it the hard (and potentially dangerous) way of making it from scratch, using chemicals and all that jazz, or you can do like I did and buy a melt and pour soap base to take the dangerous part away but keep the creativity! Here’s how you do it...

buckets are decorated with a sweet heart motif and then filled with small, foil wrapped chocolates and sugar canes. The cut little buckets are finished off with a little numbered peg to denot the passing days of Advent.

Start by cutting your soap base into small-ish chunks. Calculate the right amount you need by measuring the capacity of your moulds and using the equivalent amount of soap. Pop the chunks into your bowl and cover with clingfilm. Melt your soap in the microwave, 1 minute at a time, stirring in between until it’s totally melted. You can then add your fragrance. Add a drop at a time, stirring thoroughly in between, until the smell is as strong as you want it. For a small amount of soap (e.g. a few bars) you probably only need a few drops.

You will need ✓ Melt and pour soap base. There are loads of really good online soap-making shops you can buy this from, in all different quantities and qualities, and in opaque or clear. ✓ 2 and 3. Moulds. I used a variety of different moulds. Silicone moulds in cute shapes are good for making small individual soaps, and you can also use large tupperware containers to make a rectangular block of soap that you then cut into chucks. I made lots of different types, as you’ll see! ✓ Colouring (optional). I bought this along with my soap base from the same online shop, in red. Food colouring may well work too, or you can do without colouring entirely. ✓ Fragrance oil. I also bought mine from the same online shop, but you can use any essential oil. I used sweet pea essence to make a lovely floral smell! ✓ Dried flowers (optional). I used dried lavender buds, but any dried flowers or seeds look and feel nice. ✓ Large microwaveable bowl. ✓ Wooden spoon. One you don’t mind not cooking with again! ✓ You’ll also need clingfilm and a sharp knife.

If you’re colouring your soap then add it now. Stir in a few drops at a time, until you reach the strength of colour you want. Mine took quite a lot to make my hot pink colour! Then start filling your moulds! This can get a little messy so if you have a pouring jug with a spout it’s a good idea to use it - see mine above before I started using my pouring jug and was just using a large spoon - the soap went everywhere! This is also the point where you would add your dried flowers or seeds if you’re going to use them. Then leave them to solidify. Small ones don’t take very long at all - about half an hour - and you can put them in the fridge to speed up the process. Once solid, pop the soaps out of the moulds and there you go! Here are my little flower soaps. I used a small sharp knife to trim the edges as you can see they were a bit messy. I used a large rectangular tupperware container to make lovely big bars of soap. I started by lining up pink heart soaps in the container, upside down so that they could stand up on their own. I then filled the rest of the container with uncoloured white soap. Once solid I emptied out the large block and sliced it into big bars.

You will need ✓ Tracing paper and pencil ✓ Piece of clear plastic (for the stencil) ✓ Scalpel or sharp blade (for cutting out the stencil) ✓ 24 small metal buckets,

Draw a heart motif onto the paper with the pencil. Carefully cut out the shape with a sharp blade or scalpel. Lay the stencil over the front of the bucket—you may wish to use small pieces of masking tape to hold it in position while you paint. Apply the paint carefully so that it does not bleed behind the stencil outline.

When the paint is completely dry, carefully peel off the stencil and repeat the process on the other buckets. I used both green and red paint to decorate the buckets with a heart motif.

BALLERINA PAPER CUT-OUTS

These look gorgeous dotted around a mantelpiece with fairy lights and a few baubles. Cut out the template

You will need

Fold the paper in half and position both the ballerina and skirt template on the edge, so the middle is on the fold. Draw around the templates lightly in pencil.

✓ Template ✓ Coloured paper ✓ Scissors

Cut out the ballerina and semi-circle skirt. Fold the skirt in half one or two more times, then cut out shapes, lines, fray the edges etc, then open up. Cut a slit in the top so you can get the ballerina through the skirt. Straighten up and display. Paper, £9.99 sheets www.familiesfirst.ie

(1cm) wide ✓ Hot glue gun (or all-purpose glue) ✓ Red gingham and polka-dot tissue paper ✓ Foil-wrapped chocolates and candy canes ✓ Numbered pegs

Crafting made easy... Total cost of project 12p

approximately 2in (5cm) high ✓ Masking tape (optional) ✓ Green and red acrylic paint ✓ Stencil brush ✓ Scissors ✓ Narrow ribbon or ric rac braid, Approximately 1⁄2in

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Cut a length of ribbon or braid to fit around the bottom of the bucket, adding about 1⁄4in (5mm) for overlap. Use glue or a hot glue gun to fix the ribbon in place, starting at the back of the bucket to hide the ribbon’s raw edges. Repeat on the remaining buckets, using either ribbon or braid. Cut a small square of tissue paper, measuring approximately 5 x 5in (13 x 13cm). Place the tissue paper in the bucket, folding in the edges neatly. Fill with chocolates and candy canes. Clip a numbered peg to the front of each bucket to finish. (If you can’t buy numbered pegs, simply glue card motifs to pegs and add the numbers.)

Follow our simple step by step guides and see what you can make!

December 2014 / January 2015

Christmas crackers The problem with most Christmas crackers sold today is they are stuffed with cheap toys and rubbish prizes. A decent set can cost you over £20 for 8 crackers, and the gifts inside are still throw-away trinkets. It’s a snap to make your own crackers, and filling them with personalized messages, thoughtful gifts, and festive paper hats is easy — you probably have many of the materials at home already. You will need ✓ Festive paper ✓ Toilet paper tubes (1 per cracker) ✓ Cracker snaps (1 per cracker) ✓ Ribbon ✓ Tape, glue gun, or glue stick

My tubes measure 12” x 6” (30.5cm x 15cm) — enough paper for a little overlap when wrapped. Cut as many cracker sheets as you have guests.

Tip: Do not tape or glue your end tubes to

Tip: Be sure to use cracker snaps measuring

the same length as your toilet paper tubes. If your snaps are too short, it’s hard for your guests to grab a snapper end and achieve a pop.

tep One: Cut your cracker paper. Your choice of paper can make or break your cracker budget. Thick and opulent papers cost more, while thinner, less fancy wrapping papers cost less. Reusing last year’s unwrinkled gift wrap is free.

your cracker paper. The outside tubes are used to keep your cracker ends looking perfect, and will be removed later. tep Four: Fill your crackers. We’ll get to the gift ideas in a sec, but first you’ll need to close one end of your cracker to keep the goodies inside. How to close a cracker end: Slide out one end tube to create a small 1/4” gap between it and the center tube.

The trick with homemade crackers is they can be used for a variety of occasions: birthdays, weddings, New Year’s Eve, and even as present toppers or festive table decorations. If Christmas isn’t your thing, then get cracking with other ways to make this fun and frugal project a part of your next party.

Ruler Scissors Tissue paper (for paper hats) Joke, quote, or riddle Present or prize Candy (yum)

1 2

Total Cost: £3.00 for 10

Here’s how to make your own party crackers:

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use your fingers to make a neat crease in the gap and press to ensure the crease holds.

Wrap a piece of ribbon or string around the gap. Tie a bow or use your preferred decorative flourish to finish the ribbon.

Tip: Do not remove the end tube, yet. Keep

tep Two: Roll your party cracker. Tape or glue your cracker snap into the central tube. On the wrong side of your cracker paper, place a piece of tape along the outside of your centre tube. If your paper is thick, you may need to use a crafting glue gun to properly seal your cracker. Press taped/glued edge of tube neatly down along the paper.

the tube in place to keep your cracker paper uncreased.

Align two more tubes on either end of the center tube with the snap neatly placed inside. These extra tubes help you roll a neat and pretty party cracker. Glue, or stick three pieces of tape along the opposite edge of the wrapping paper. Roll the tubes, and seal it shut to the paper.

The size of your paper depends on the length and width of three toilet paper tubes. Classy, I know.

Create cracker jokes: Cracker jokes are a big part of the fun. Most jokes are terrible groaners, but they can make for a great dinner icebreaker while giving your guests a good laugh. Find your Christmas cracker jokes here, print or write them out, and then cut them to a small size. Get the kids to get the jokes, they will love being involved Find frugal cracker gifts: Fold a tiny origami ornament, insert a tiny toy, or add a tasty homemade treat to

Lay three tubes side-by-side and measure. www.familiesfirst.ie

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sweeten the deal. Other frugal gifts ideas include: re-gifting items you won’t use, poundsavers are great as are homemade crafts, delicious teas, toys, or games. A tiny deck of cards is always fun for kids to play with after dessert is served. Or make the cracker the gift itself by adding a piece of jewelry, a gift card, or a gift certificate from a favorite store. Want to propose this Christmas. Make a romantic wedding cracker. Fill the open cracker end with a gift, a paper hat (crown), candy, and a joke.

tep Five: Decorate your party cracker. Close the final cracker end using the tips from Step Four. Use crafting stamps, stickers, or a width of gift wrap to add a few finishing touches to your cracker. Carefully remove the cracker end tubes. Be careful not to remove your cracker snap. Put your crackers on presents or set them at the dinner table for decoration, and watch the frugal holiday fun unfold.

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December 2014 / January 2015

Choosing a nursery for your child... OKAY! So, you have negotiated the minefield of giving birth,

potty training and everything in between. You have now reached the stage where you are considering handing over the small individual who is surely one of your most loved achievements to strangers…. Choosing the right nursery can be a daunting prospect. Nurseries are a great way to help a child learn and develop, so picking the right one can have a positive effect on your child. Do you go with the nearest, so that you can walk there, or do a drop-off near your work? Do you go with the most expensive because “It’s bound to be the best”? Or, how about “It’s one that my friends recommend”? All these should be considered. ABOVE ALL IT IS CRITICAL THAT BOTH YOU AND CHILD ARE HAPPY AND CONFIDENT WITH YOUR CHOICE OF NURSERY. • Do as much research as you can on the internet. Most good nurseries have a website where you can get a good initial feel for the place. • Don’t automatically go with the nearest. Look at the route you take to work and consider all nurseries in the area. • Call your chosen nurseries to arrange a visit together with your child.Was the phone answered in a professional and friendly manner? Did the nursery accommodate the date you suggested without any hesitation or difficulty? If they couldn’t, was there a valid reason? • Make a list of questions and use the same ones for all the nurseries; you can then compare them more easily when you come to make your final decision. FIRST IMPRESSIONS. • How easy is it to park? • How does the nursery operate its entry system? • Upon answering the door was the member of staff welcoming, polite, friendly and professional? • In most nurseries the manager, deputy or room leader will show you around the nursery. This is the time when you can ask lots of questions and gather most information. Always ensure you

see the whole nursery and not just the area your child may enter when they first start. This will give you a much better picture of the whole nursery. You can also ask to speak to the person who might potentially be your child’s key person – this is the team member who will be your child’s main carer and who will build a close relationship with you. Together you will share information about how your child has been at home, any new interests, outings etc., and they will update you about what your child has been doing each day at nursery. WHILE BEING SHOWN AROUND, ASK THESE KEY QUESTIONS. • Are the indoor areas all safe, clean, welcoming and well decorated with work the children have done? • Is there a secure and clean outside area for children to play in? • Do the children in the different areas look happy, settled, and engaged in the activities? • Do the staff appear friendly, welcoming, calm, relaxed, well-presented and professional? Are they at the children’s level and engaged with them? • Is there a high turnover in staff?(not a good sign) • Does the nursery have a policy of “learning through play” or is it just play? • How do they manage the settling in process? • Do they prepare fresh food / snacks? YOU KNOW your child better than anyone else and will know where they will be happiest. I cried all the way home the first time I left my children at nursery (don’t worry, it’s completely normal) but if they are happy, and have a positive experience at nursery, you can be confident knowing that you have done all you can to give them a great start on their educational journey.

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ith so much pressure on too few school places it’s unsurprising that increasing numbers of parents are considering home education as an option for their children. This guide gives you information on how to home school and teaching at home. Recently the media reported that nearly half of all children in some local authorities missed out on their first choice of secondary school so homeschooling in the UK may be their only option. The implications for families are huge, both on an emotional and practical level, leaving parents feeling the right to the best education for their child is completely beyond their control. Of course, even if you’re lucky enough to be allocated the school of your choice, you may find the conventional education path does not work out for your child perhaps they don’t settle well in their class, find the work doesn’t

example, you don’t need to be a teacher as some people believe, it is perfectly legal, you don’t have to stick to the National Curriculum, home educators come from all social, educational, economic and cultural backgrounds, and children are not isolated and friendless, failures or weird! As generations of home educated children grow up, some never having been to school, and move forward into further education, universities and employment, they are living proof of how successful it is; a life saver for some whose destiny in school may have been prolonged suffering at the hands of bullies, or academic failure as their learning needs were not individually catered for. This is the greatest advantage of home education; it gives parents the opportunity to create a ‘tailormade’ education - one that suits the learning needs of their child. Because of its flexibility parents who home school have a choice

which suits them or no specific curriculum at all. • Within the home educating community there are social networks and group activities which have a higher ratio of adults to children, so there is hardly ever an incidence of

Education vs Homeschooling

Over the next few issues we will be looking at formal school education vs homeschooling, which is on the increase here in Northern Ireland. In this first of 3 features, we look at what really is homeschooling all about, the pros and the cons.

meet their needs or in worst cases, suffer bullying. In short, there are many reasons parents might be thinking about beginning to home school, but, as with any major decision concerning your children, it can be difficult to fully weigh up the pros and cons. Home education is growing in popularity, providing a positive solution for many families facing some of the problems described above. If you’re currently weighing up the options, Ross Mountney, author, mother of two and home educator gives a realistic insight into home education so you can decide whether it’s the right path for your child.

An expert’s introduction to home education

Home education is an exciting and successful approach to their child’s learning that thousands of parents are now turning to instead of school. The thought of home educating may at first seem daunting. But most parents’ apprehension is due to the fact that so little is widely understood about how home education works and there are many assumptions and misconceptions surrounding it. For

about what, when, where and how their children learn. This gives them a huge advantage over schools, particularly those children who don’t ‘fit in’, or who have learning needs that a busy teacher cannot cater for, or who find the school environment too stressful for them to learn well which many children do. It’s through it’s flexibility that it offers so many other advantages: • Parents can take an approach to learning that suits their individual child. For example, some learn better through more practical activities than book based or written based activities. • Children do not have to be continually tested, examined, or do ‘school work’ all day at home. Continued testing does not actually enhance a child’s learning in any way and wastes time that could be spent doing more inspired activities. Home educated children get through stuff much faster than they would in school so they have more time to develop other interests. • Families do not have to stick to the National Curriculum, they can use any curriculum

bullying and there is a greater respect and understanding for the differences between individuals. Because of this children develop good social skills, gain confidence and relate to others well. • It doesn’t matter what background you are from; cultural, social, financial or educational. • It doesn’t have to be expensive. It can work out no more costly than it does at school when providing for school trips, uniforms or expensive designer trainers! • Parents can create a better balance between activities, for example between physical and sedentary activities, between practical and academic exercises, between creativity and learning parrot-fashion. • The child can learn at the rate which suits him irrespective of age or waiting for others to catch up or whether he is ready. • Children are removed from the destructive competitive race that education has become. Home educating gives families the opportunity to make education the personal development of an individual which is really what it should be.

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• Families can choose which subjects they study and which exams they want to do - or not do if they prefer. Many home educated children go on to university without doing masses of GCSEs, but with the standard five. This frees children to develop other aspects of their character and their interests and be generally less stressed about learning. • Children are removed from the pressure of having to be constantly in with the crowd or keep up with their peers. They can instead be the people they want to be and enjoy relationships with people of a variety of ages and interests. • Being out of school and in contact with real life develops many study/motivational/life skills in home educated children which some universities recognize as an advantage. • There is far more opportunity for sport and exercise and outdoor activities. • Home education gives children who are written off by the school system an opportunity to thrive and achieve and have a happy experience with learning. • Children begin to take charge of their own lives and their own learning which develops a sense of responsibility and maturity that often exceeds their school peers. • Many parents find that their family life is much happier when school stresses are removed and their children revert to being ‘their normal selves’ again. • Parents have the opportunity to make learning a positive and inspiring experience for their children, which indeed it should be, rather than being switched off or bored by it often for years!

The challenges

There are of course challenges; the biggest being that the parents have to devote time and energy to it. But many parents who have had children in school who were not thriving or achieving maintain that the advantages far outweigh the challenges. Home education is not without worry and parents have to recognize that home educating does not have a prescribed outcome as you would expect with schools. But many parents say that nothing is certain in school either, they worried just as much over their

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child in school and that to rescue their child from daily suffering is worth it. Some parents even find that although their child may have been labeled as ‘special needs’ in a classroom, these were really just differences in the way their child learned and once these were recognized the difficulties were resolved. Parents also worry that they would not be able to teach their children what they need to know. But home educating is a completely different approach that doesn’t always include direct ‘teaching’. Instead, parents can facilitate their child’s learning by using an approach that involves a variety of methods; using workbooks and schemes of work available through the Internet and booksellers, group sessions with other home educators, the Internet which carries all the information they need, lots of practical activities, visits to museums, galleries, places of interest, field trips, by using resources in the community they weren’t even aware of until they sought them out like workshops for example. This varied approach which seems so different from school and rather haphazard works beautifully for many families, keeping children engaged and motivated and interested in learning. Schools have conditioned most of us to believe that learning can only take place in classrooms via teachers but many home educators are proving this is not the case. The Internet means that knowledge is available for everyone now. There are also a variety of distance-learning courses families can use, and the major exam boards can provide materials and learning packs geared towards taking exams. So the learning side of home education is sometimes not as challenging as organizing the family and working life but most parents have had a taste of that already! The down side is that parents have to fund exams and materials but some get round this by returning to school at exam stage, although many go on to study for their exams at home and costs vary. Campaigners are working to have home educators’ exams funded as school exams are. Ross Mountney is the author of ‘Learning Without School. Home Education’ Published by Jessica Kingsley. Ross has also written a personal account on his family’s experience of Home Educating. ‘A Funny Kind of Education’. You can find out more and listen to an extract at Ross’ website. In our next issue we have a few home schooling parents who will share their experiences. This will be one to read!!! Any comments you would like to share with us please sent to admin@babyfacemarketing.com

December 2014 / January 2015

A special feature brought to you by AE Publications

Chris has been using AE’s books for three years now. We go through them together and the improvement in his work has really been noticeable. Mrs Alison Peters

5–7

WORKBOOK

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Learning doesn’t have to stop at the classroom door It’s important to me that my son Chris makes the most of his education and has the best resources and opportunities made available to him so that he can succeed in later life. However at times it felt like Chris wasn’t in control of his education. If he found a topic particularly difficult, sometimes there wouldn’t be time at school to make sure he had fully understood. I’d look through his homework, see him struggling and we’d have to go through the whole topic again. That’s why we decided to supplement his studies with extra work, outside of school, to make sure he understood his subjects. With so many different books on the market, it was difficult to know which ones would work best. I heard about AE’s books from a friend whose child was using them. When she showed me how each topic is broken down into manageable sections and presented, it reminded me a lot of lessons from my childhood, learning the techniques required to get the correct answers before moving on to focus on the ‘hows’ and ’whys’. The organisation of topics and pace of progression impressed me most. The books are well written and the way information is presented is kept consistent. Chris has been using AE’s books for three years now. We go through them together and the improvement in his work has been really noticeable.

At times the work can be challenging, but this is a good thing, and through AE’s step-by-step structure, Chris can identify where he’s going wrong and we can make sure he gets to grips with a topic before he progresses further. What he loves most is being able to demonstrate what he’s learned from the books to his teachers at school. They are very impressed with his progression and my husband and I are very proud of him. What’s more, even though he’s now passed his 11+ exam, he still wants to carry on with this extra work. Now my daughter Jade has also started using the books, there’s no stopping either of them! MRS ALISON PETERS About AE Publications All of AE’s workbooks have been rigorously classroom tested and used in AE Tuition classes for over 15 years. Over 85% of children that have completed the AE Tuition learning programme have gone on to achieve success in the state grammar school 11+ examinations and independent school selection tests. About the author Stephen C. Curran MA, BA (Hons), B(Mus), PGCE, Dip. RSA, Mcot, has over twenty years of teaching experience both in the secondary and primary sectors. Stephen has written courses for children in Mathematics, English, Verbal Activity, Non-verbal Reasoning and Creative Writing.

For more information on our range of educational www.familiesfirst.ie www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI books please visit aepublications.co.uk

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HAZELWOOD INTEGRATED COLLEGE

Gilnahirk Primary School 148 Gilnahirk Road, Belfast BT5 7QQ Telephone: 028 9040 1697 Fax: 02890 790184 www.gilnahirkps.org.uk

Are you looking for a school that offers: An opportunity for every child to learn. “Success for All”. A seven-year learning experience. An ACE Curriculum that Aspires, Challenges and Engages all students. Three Career Pathways to allow you to be Work-ready, College-ready or University-ready. A dedicated focus on improving Literacy and Numeracy. High standards for all. An enriching Diversity and Inclusion programme that values and respects all faiths and traditions.

Thursday 8th January 2015 Record Breaking GCSE Results 72% 5 A* - C

We offer a high quality Integrated education experience for 11–18 year old boys and girls from all communities and all abilities. Our Open Days are in early January 2015.

Hazelwood Integrated College 70 Whitewell Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 7ES website: www.hazelwoodcollege.co.uk email: info@hazelwood.belfast.ni.sch.uk

We welcome all P6 + P7 Pupils and their Parents from all seccons of the community to our Transfer Evening For further informaaon contact the Principal, Mr Beaae on 028 9446 2963

telephone: 028 9077 4202 www.familiesfirst.ie

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December 2014 / January 2015

Strangford College

11-18 Grant Maitained Integrated College Strangford Integrated College offers students of all abilities, religions and cultural backgrounds, the opportunity to be educated together, in a caring, trusting and inclusive community, which seeks to maximise their full potential and celebrate their achievements. The College Credo sums up our ultimate goals for the students in our care:

Inspire Achieve Excel

Strangford is committed to developing effective and active learning through the best in Teaching for Learning techniques. The College has a research and development team, made up of teachers, teaching assistants, students and governors, who are developing the College Learning Cycle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the blue print for all our lessons. The development of Leadership is a key focus of the College, and the innovative House System is an integral part of College life.

Rockport School A Learning Adventure

OPEN MORNING Saturday 31 January 10.30 -12.00

Small class sizes Excellent academic results Individual pastoral care Sixth Form from September 2015

INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL, 3 - 18 Rockport School, Craigavad, Holywood, Co. Down, BT18 0DD www.familiesfirst.ie

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04/12/2014 11:29

Familes First NI

Marie Marin introduces Employers For Childcare Charitable Group Family & Childcare Services In 2002 I set up Employers For Childcare Charitable Group to make it easier for parents with dependent children to be able to get into work and to stay in work. Today we continue to address childcare as a labour market and economic issue. We promote family friendly initiatives to employers, we lobby Government about childcare affordability and we provide advice and information to parents across Northern Ireland. We know from our 2013 ‘Childcare Cost Survey’ that the cost of childcare has an influence on the number of hours parents can work, with the average family spending up to half of their salary on childcare. Only 11% of families with dependent children are currently receiving financial support through the childcare element of Working Tax Credit or the Childcare Voucher Scheme. Over the coming months I hope this column will help you to reduce your childcare costs, maximise your family’s income and offer you some practical advice on securing affordable, flexible, quality childcare.

Let me take this opportunity to introduce the organisation… Employers For Childcare Charitable Group comprises a Charity and two Social Enterprises. Employers

For Childcare Vouchers Limited is a financial administration company while Employers For Childcare Solutions Limited is a specialist recruitment and training agency. Every penny of profit both companies generate is distributed for social good through the activities of the charity.

A Helping Hand for Parents Our Family Benefits Advice Service helps parents to make informed choices about their entitlements. Our experts provide free, impartial, confidential, benefit advice to help parents maximise their income and understand their rights. We complete ‘better off’ calculations to assess entitlement to financial support and provide information on local childcare provision. Our specialist advisers carry out free benefit entitlement checks and provide information on various family issues including: Tax Credits, Childcare Vouchers, Social Security Benefits, Maternity/ Paternity Leave and Pay and flexible working options.

Childcare Solutions Childcare Solutions is a unique service providing a range of childcare by highly qualified, fully vetted, trained and experienced carers.

including conferences, weddings and holiday care.

awareness and some specific childhood conditions.

Essential Childcare Training

Making a difference and giving back

We provide 24/7 care for babies and children at affordable rates in the family’s own home, a particularly beneficial service for those who have to work outside the traditional 9-5 hours. For children and young people up to the age of 18 years old with a disability we offer care packages tailored to meet individual and specific needs.

At very competitive rates we offer a range of training for parents and childcare professionals who need to know how to protect children in an emergency situation. Our highly recommended Paediatric First Aid course covers Basic Life Support (CPR), choking and how to deal with head injuries. Whether you are a new parent, or even a grandparent, our training covers essential skills and knowledge to better equip you to support families.

We are a self-financing organisation, and every penny of profit that we generate ourselves through our trading companies is invested into providing vital services for working families in Northern Ireland. In the last six years we have generated and subsequently invested £3 million into these services.

Our Mother’s Helpers provide a helping hand around the home, both before and after the birth of a new baby. Childcare, light domestic chores and a listening ear are all included in this service. Our mobile crèche services provide childcare on location for a variety of occasions

Just last month the advice our experts provided to the parents of a child with a disability resulted in the family being £283 per week better off.

Childcare Vouchers Childcare Vouchers are an employee benefit available to all working parents throughout the UK.

Looking for Childcare Solutions

Operating as a salary sacrifice scheme, working parents can swap part of their salary to pay for childcare. Similar to pension schemes an amount is deducted before tax and National Insurance Contributions are applied. Each parent could save over £900 per year, offering a potential two parent household savings of £1,800. With the expense of Christmas alone these savings are a welcome addition to a family’s income!

We also offer Fire Safety and Food Hygiene training alongside specialist courses in lifestyle issues such as healthy eating, disability

To find out more call Freephone 0800

Ultimately, I would like to help you to spread the word to your relatives, friends and colleagues about the free advice, information and services that they could avail of through Employers For Childcare Charitable Group.

028 6538 or landline 028 9267 8200.

Visit: www.employersforchildcare.org or email info@employersforchildcare.org

Advice about Family Benefits

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Information about Childcare Vouchers

December 2014 / January 2015

Vote NOW ce n a h c r u o y r o f

WIN

to an iPad

The Families First Awards are coming to Belfast, after our huge success in Dublin They will take place in Belfast in February, so now is the time to get voting for those people who are important to you or just someone who is special, or has made life better for you in some way.

www.familiesfirst.ie

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Familes First NI

People awards are as

follows and voting is now open;

• Mum of the Year • Dad of the Year • Child Superstar • Superstar Sibling • Grandparent of the year • Young carer of the year supported by St John Ambulance

• Foster Parent of the Year. • Best Baby Story • GP of the Year • Childminder of the Year • Nursery Assistant of the Year. • Business Parent of the Year • Award for Innovation • Amazing Act of Kindness Supported by U105FM

So, get voting for that special someone.

To do this just simply visit our web site familiesfirst-uk.com and submit 500 word to describe why they should be given an award. Remember the Family First awards are nominated and vote for by the public, and are totally in recognition of the people and products who put families first.

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Or contact us by email on admin@babyfacemarketing.com www.familiesfirst.ie

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December 2014 / January 2015

Services and providers Awards

11 Categories

Best Family Bread Hovis

Irwins

Brennans

- Suported by Employers for Childcare

Nursery / Créche of the year - North Down Lk Kids

We asked our staff & parents to describe LKK in 1 word: ‘Fantastic, fun, personal, professional, amazing, trustworthy, adventurous, caring, first-class, delicious, inspiring, clean, helpful, flexible, superstars, lovely, excellent, secure, epic, unique, wonderful, top-notch.’ LKK’s goal is to add sparkle into childcare & grow into the best nursery possible.

Little Bears

Big Red Balloon

With a close staff team of a variety of ages/experience and very low turnover, we create a stimulating environment both indoor and out for every child in our care and provide a high quality, homely, childled approach to learning and development through treating each child as an individual whilst respecting parents as the primary caregivers.

Nursery / Créche of the year - Belfast Puddleducks

We believe each child is a unique individual who should be cared for and stimulated in a way that maximises their potential while we continuously challenge the norms of early years practice. Puddleducks was created to sustain charity work of Belfast Central Mission which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

Start Smart

“At Start Smart Daycare, supporting and encouraging personality development, autonomy and creativity are top priorities for us. Developing social interaction and understanding differences in others also plays an important role in our work. Importantly we wish to support you, the parent, in bringing up your child.”

Angels

Happy Days

Our parents say it all for us.....................Visit our website www.happydaysdaynursery. com and read our testimonials........ not just any daycare ....... it’s Happy Days Daycare

Primacy

Primacy Day Nursery is a professional child care facility in Bangor, which provides a safe, caring, friendly environment to nurture your child as they develop. *Fully qualified, experienced staff. *All weather outdoor play area. *Nutritious meals prepared daily in-house. *CCTV. *Nursery drop off, pick up service available.

- Suported by Employers for Childcare

Ashvale

An Droichead

An Droichead’s (pronounced ‘An Dryhid’) Day Care opened in October 2013 to serve families in south Belfast and the city centre. Since then it has grown rapidly, employing several extra staff and opening a new childcare room within its purpose-built childcare centre. signs master:Layout 1

17/02/2014

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DAY-CARE

Ymca

Over 100 families are supported by YMCA childcare in South Belfast enabling parents to manage their work-life balance and providing an environment where children develop friendships and life skills. We aim for excellence in our facilities, ongoing staff training and keeping costs as affordable as possible.

Cúram Lae @ An Droichead 20 Cooke Street T: 02890 288818 Wrap-around care from 8am - 6pm every weekday of the year

Nursery / Créche of the year - Greater Belfast Little Rays

Celebrating 21 successful years, Little Rays, cares for approximately 400 children, passionate about providing top quality care in a homely, relaxed atmosphere the children can learn through play whilst having great fun, enjoying a range of activities designed to encourage both healthy body’s and minds. They regularly bring in experts in areas including nutrition, fitness and even language ensuring the children are always challenged.

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Currently registering

- Suported by Employers for Childcare Paddington Lodge

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Familes First NI

Nursery / Créche of the year - Lisburn Little Rays

Old School House

The Old School House is situated on the outskirts of Hillsborough providing a home from home in a safe and stimulating environment. Staff are highly qualified ensuring we provide the highest standard of education while supporting families in our care.

- Suported by Employers for Childcare Bella Bambinos

Ni4kids Childcare of the Year Award Winner 2013 & Semi finalist 2014 Highest Rated N.I Day Nursery 2013 & 2014; 4th Highest Rated U.K Day Nursery 2014; Boost Better Breaks Award - Winner 2013.; Investors in People Award Winner - 2014; Banbridge Business Awards - Winner 2014

Little Stars

Best Family Restaurant Makula5

Governor Rocks

Makhulu 5 is a unique, traditional, family orientated South African Steakhouse where we pride ourselves on delivering the delicious tastes and flavours of South African cooking in Northern Ireland. Our aim is to provide warm, welcoming service and fresh food delivered by a professional, fun team who love what they do.

Quays Restaurant

Le Winters

Spur

Nevada Spur Steak & Grill at Victoria Square is a family-friendly restaurant. There’s a special children’s menu and every Friday from 3 – 6pm kids eat free when accompanying a dining adult ordering a main meal. There’s also a freeto-join Secret Tribes Kids’ Club for children 12 years and under.

The Quays Restaurant is situated on the picturesque harbour of Portavogie in County Down with a breathtaking view across the Irish sea to the Isle of Man. At the Quays we pride ourselves on using fresh local produce, served to a high quality at very affordable prices. The restaurant is known and has been acknowledged for its high level of customer service and family friendly atmosphere.

Linenhill Kitchen & Deli

Shaun, John & Fiona share a passion for local, seasonal ingredients, and champion the world class artisan products available on their doorstep – ‘keeping it local’ ‘We bake in house each morning to ensure the freshest scones breads & deli items and grow our own range of herbs, leaves, vegetables in our poly tunnel’.

Best Family Hotel Citynorth

The CityNorth Hotel is conveniently located just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport. The 4 star boasts style & luxury combined with great value & service. The Hotel is well-known for its family friendliness with lots to keep the children occupied during their stay, from a daily kids club to an onsite games room and playground.

Jacksons

Innis showen

Hillgrove

HILLGROVE Four Star Hillgrove Hotel, Leisure & Spa is the perfect Family Resort. Outdoor Playground, 3 Games Rooms, Bouncy Castle, 7 hours of Free Kids Clubs daily at weekends and all school holidays, Swimming Pool, Family Changing Rooms, Family Rooms, Kids Menus. www. hillgrovehotel.com

Castleknock

Osprey

Kees

Green Isle

Best Family Day Out Streamville farm

Streamvale is a family farm, milking cows, making ice cream and welcoming visitors to the world of farming. We have loads of friendly and cuddly animals plus wonderful staff to make sure you get up close and personal. There’s indoor and outdoor play for a full day’s family fun.

Ark farm

THE ARK OPEN FARM IS A POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTION ON THE ARDS PENINSULA, OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND. WITH LOTS OF TAME AND FRIENDLY ANIMALS, OUR STAFF ARE ALWAYS ON HAND TO LET CHILDREN GET UP CLOSE TO MANY OF THEM. UPCOMING HALLOWEEN AND CHRISTMAS EVENTS.

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Barry’s

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Carnfunnock

Carnfunnock Country Park, Larne offers 191 hectares of mixed woodland, colourful gardens, waymarked walks and spectacular coastline, packed full of fun attractions and activities for all the family to see and do.

December 2014 / January 2015

Best Activity Provider Belfast School for performing arts

Jem swim school

Best Family Support Group Accord

Advice N.I

Best Activity Provider Charlies Den

Funky Monkeys

Playspace

At Funky Monkeys we aim to please everyone and have designed our facilities with this in mind. The facilities include: • Jungle themed play structure for children aged 8 and under • Separate soft play area for babies • Multiple party options so every year your child can experience something different on their special day • Excellent healthy eating café • Complimentary magazines & newspapers

Also categories for:

PLAYSPACE, the space to play! Toddler time,disco play, Bouncy castle on different days! Yummy food for all to eat, Why not give your kids a treat! Climb the frame, race down the slides, Meet our alien friend inside! Friendly staff greet you at the door, Come let your kids explore!!!

Best event of the year

Vote NOW ce for your chan

to WIN

an iPad

Complete this voting form, cut out and return to: Families First Awards VOTE 15 School Road Killaughey , BT 22 2DZ for your chance to WIN an ipad!! Name: Address:

Postcode Contact Telephone Number: Email Address:

Terms & Conditions see online for details. To be in with a chance of winning our giveaway of one ipad you have to nominate someone or a service and vote, only if they are successful will you be in with a chance. Competition is for a single unit iPad and the winner will be chosen at random.

Best Family Bread ❏ Hovis ❏ Irwins ❏ Brennans Nursery / crèche of the year North Down ❏ Lk Kids ❏ Little Bears ❏ Big Red Balloon ❏ Happy Days ❏ Primacy Belfast ❏ Puddleducks ❏ Start Smart ❏ Angels ❏ Ashvale ❏ An Droichead ❏ Ymca Lisburn ❏ Little Rays ❏ Old School House ❏ Bella Bambinos ❏ Little Stars

Most useful website for parents Best family restaurant ❏ Makula5 ❏ Governor Rocks ❏ Le Winters ❏ Spur ❏ Linenhill Kitchen & Deli Best family hotel ❏ Citynorth ❏ Jacksons ❏ Innis showen ❏ Hillgrove ❏ Castleknock ❏ Osprey ❏ Kees ❏ Green Isle Best family day out ❏ Streamville farm ❏ Ark farm ❏ Barry’s ❏ Carnfunnock Best activity provider ❏ Belfast School for performing arts ❏ Jem swim school

Ballymena ❏ Jolly Tots Antrim ❏ Building Blocks ❏ Lady Birds ❏ Little Rays

Best visitor attraction

Greater Belfast ❏ Little Rays ❏ Paddington Lodge

Best family support group ❏ Accord ❏ Advice N.I

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Most useful app for parents Best soft play ❏ Funky Monkeys ❏ Charlies Den ❏ Playspace Best event of the year

Most useful website for parents

Most useful app for parents

NEW NOMINATIONS ARE COMING IN DAILY SO GET ONTO OUR WEBSITE FOR THE MOST UP-TODATE INFORMATION AND GET VOTING FOR YOUR FAVORITES!!

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Chef Ian Jeffers...

Chef Stephen Jeffers,has run some of the best kitchens & restaurants in Northern Ireland. He has been a personal chef to the rich and famous and has cooked at the top level for over 25 years. He now works as a teacher, food. Stylist & consultant chef .you can find his food blog on www.chefstephenjeffers.com or follow him on twitter: @chef_jeffers www.familiesfirst.ie

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December 2014 / January 2015

Recipies sponsored by:

Mini prawn lettuce cups....

Catering Veg Products for Retail & Freshly Prepared Fruit & 6HD. Road, Dungannon, BT71 Address: 89 Ballynakelly .uk Email: info@quinfresh.co Tel: 028 8774 7691 Fax: 028 8774 0705

Method....

In a small bowl place mayo, horseradish & ketchup whisk well and add zest. Mix prawns in and add cucumber .set lettuce on chopping board. Now place a tsp of prawn mix into lettuce add cress . Roll tightly and hold with a little tooth pick.

10-15 miniature cups 1 little gem(split into individual leaves) 40g Norwegian prawns (defrosted) 1 tbsp mayo 1 tsp horseradish 1 tsp tomato ketchup 1/4 lemon (zest) 1/8 cucumber(pickled & finely diced) Cress

Little blue cheese, pear & pecan nut toasts 18-20 miniature toasts 2 rounds of bread (sliced thinly rubbed with garlic clove) 30g blue cheese (crumbled) 1/2 ripe pear (finely chopped) 10g pecan nuts(toasted) Chervils leaves

Method.... Set oven 180c brush bread with oil and bake for 5-7 minutes until lightly brown. Now in a mixing bowl add cheese,nuts & pear. Place on top of cool crisp bread,now top with filling place rocket on top.

Mini Yorkshire puddings, pastrami, horseradish & mustard 20-25 minature puddings

You need ,whisky,mixing bowl & mini muffin tins Set oven @190oc

Pudding mix 100ml egg (beaten) 100ml milk 100g plain flour Salt & pepper 50 ml Goose fat/beef dripping or vegetable oil

Method....

Dressing.... 30g whole grain mustard 30g horseradish sauce 1/4 lemon(zest) 1 tbsp of mayo

Place flour into a bowl & season with salt and pepper. Make a well in centre and slowly whisk in egg and milk slowly until smooth. Leave to rest 1/2 before using. Now pour oil into muffin tins ,halfway up the tin moulds. Place tin into oven and heat for ten minutes,pour mix into moulds half way up and bake for 20 minutes.

Turkey sausage rolls... 20-30 miniatures 100g puff pastry(shop bought ready rolled) 1 beaten egg yolk 50g sausage meat (pork) 60g turkey mince 15g cranberry sauce Parsley (chopped) 10g chestnuts (chopped) 1 tsp water Salt & pepper

Dressing Simply mix all together well. Garnish ..... Mustard cress ,2 slices of pastrami cut into thin strips...

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Method....

Place turkey mince & sausage meat into a bowl & season well. Now add nuts,cranberry sauce,water & parsley. Place into piping bag,brush puff pastry with egg yolk and pipe pastry with sausage meat. Roll pastry into sausage shape & cut into mini rolls,egg wash well. Bake 200c for 10 minutes ....

Familes First NI

How to cook a perfect omelette • 500g new potatoes • 1 onion, preferably white • 150ml extra-virgin olive oil

Method

1 2

Scrape the potatoes or leave the skins on, if you prefer. Cut them into thick slices. Chop the onion. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the potatoes and onion and stew gently, partially covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the potatoes are softened.

• 3 tbsp chopped f lat leaf parsley • 6 eggs

Strain the potatoes and onions through a colander into a large bowl (set the strained oil aside). Beat the eggs separately, then stir into the potatoes with the parsley and plenty of salt and pepper. Heat a little of the strained oil in a smaller pan. Tip everything into the pan and cook on a moderate heat, using a spatula to

shape the omelet into a cushion. When almost set, invert on a plate and slide back into the pan and cook a few more minutes. Invert twice more, cooking the omelet briefly each time and pressing the edges to keep the cushion shape. Slide on to a plate and cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Books Do ahead Dinners

by James Ramsden (Pavillion Books)

This book is full of big, fresh flavours, put together with your speed and convenience in mind. The recipes may seem a little complex but they’re made easy to follow by the simple to do lists planned in time slots ,from two days ahead of the big meal.. The poached chicken with peas, onion and bacon is a particular delight. There’s also a great dessert section

Tom Kerridge’s Pub Food

From the kitchen PANS

How to make a Rich Wine Gravy

Pour the turkey juices into a bowl and skim off fat (reserving 2tbsp) top up the turkey juices to 850ml with cooking water from vet or vegetable stock. Heat the 2tbsp reserved fat in a pan. Sprinkle on 2tbsp plain flour and cook, stirring ,for 1 min. Gradually pour in the turkey juices and stock and bring to the boil, whisking. Add 150ml Madeira wine and simmer for 5 mins. Season to taste and strain through a sieve into a warmed jug.

2 3

Make it veggie

If you’re serving nut cutlets, here’s a vegetarian gravy. Cooked chopped onion, carrot and celery stick in 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Stir in 2tbsp plain flour and 1 litre of vegetable stock. Simmer for 10 mins and shake of mushroom ketchup and soy sauce.

Absolute Press.

Here’s your chance to enjoy a great pub style meal at home. That said, this is high end pub food, so many of the recipes need some careful shopping and take a bit more time to prepare but it’s worth it. How about warm buttered ham with broccoli stalks and capers for supper?

There are endless pans to choose from depending on your budget, but we believe it’s worth shelling out for something that will last a lifetime.

ANOLON NOUVELLE COPPER 24CM SKILLET. It’s stylish, hefty and top of the price range, but this frying pan/skillet will last you a lifetime. The handle has been riveted to the pan and remains cool when the pan heats up on the hob, and it’ll go straight in the oven to brown the tops of frittatas or bake a tatin. The thick copper base means heat distribution is even with no ‘hot spots’ so even browning is a doddle. It is also very, very easy to clean. Induction friendly. Approx £70 available from gourmetcookwareuk.com LE CREUSET OMELETTE PAN. This is heavier than many other omelette pans but the cast iron retains heat and cooks fast, making the whole cooking process quick and efficient, and there’s less chance you’ll cook your omelette to rubberiness. Plus it’s perfect for frying a couple of eggs or a solitary steak. Price £65 lecreuset.co.uk

MINI TRI-PLY COPPER SAUCEPAN. Not exactly essential, but unbelievably useful, particularly if you make curries and need something to make a tarka in, fry small quantities of anything like capers, anchovies or sage leave, or use flavoured oils for Chinese dishes on a regular basis. It also looks great on the bale with a sauce in it. Cost £19.99 lakeland.co.uk LE CREUSET CAST IRON SHALLOW CASSEROLE. The depth in this pan makes it one of the most useful as you can fit plenty of meat, fish or chicken in it in a single layer so everything cooks at the same speed. It will serve as a paella or risotto pan as well and looks great on the table. I use mine regularly Cost £155 lecreuset.co.uk

Try it! Make your own cranberry sauce. It’s so easy!

Put 400g fresh or frozen cranberries into a pan with 100ml orange juice and 75 light muscovado sugar. Bring to the boil, then simmer until the cranberries start to burst. Spoon into a bowl and leave to cool and thicken. It will keep in the fridge for 3 days. Make it zesty by adding the grated zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon, or replace the orange juice with port.

Smashing Plates

Smashing Plates by Maria Elia Kyle Books

You’ll want to buy two copies of this – one as a gift and one for yourself. With beautiful imagery, exciting recipes and foolproof methods, this book is not just a tool for success, it’ll look great on your coffee table too. There are loads of great dishes, all with a Greek influence, so expect classics with a twist, such as rabbit baklave and ouzo and lemon-cured salmon. I love the flatbreads.

LAST MINUTE Christmas Do it yourself. How to make...... Here are some top tips to make the best of your festive meal.

Very crisp roast potaotes The most important thing is to roast your potatoes once your turkey is out of the oven and to give them enough room and the right temperature 200c/fan 180cc gas 6. An overstuffed oven is likely to steam them, as is pilling too many into a tin that’s too small. Help then along by par-boiling them first and then roughing the outsides up a little in a sieve as you drain them. A light dusting of flour or polenta before you add your potatoes to hot fat can also do wonder.

Cheat it! Buy ready-made gravy and add a plug of port. TIP: Mary Berry recommends adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce to pep up your gravy. www.familiesfirst.ie

Proper

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Perfectly cooked Sprouts If your sprouts are big, halve them, otherwise trim them but don’t cut

any crosses in the base as this makes them waterlogged. Sprouts are best when steamed, but make sure they’re tender at the end of cooking. If you want more flavour or a different texture, fry halved or shredded sprouts in oil and then add a knob of butter and lots of seasoning.

Roast Turkey with a Golden, Crunchy Skin You need a nice high heat either at the end or start of cooking, possibly both, to get a crisp browned turkey skin, plus you need an oven that’s not stuffed with other things. Loosen the skin from the breast then rub butter liberally into the breast skin. Put the turkey into a hot oven for 30 minutes or until the breast is browned, then cover it in foil and cook as planned. Take the foil off at the end to finish and whack up the heat briefly if you need it.

December 2014 / January 2015

Passion Fruit and Pomegranate Pavlova Layer Cake.

CHRISTMAS DINNER THAT COSTS £2.66 Budget supermarkets are making a real difference to the cost of our shopping – this year we are revealing the cheapest festive basket

Budget Basket Higher, lowe.r, e no chaicens g compare with 2013

(Tried and tested) This beautifully tiered Pavlova is stunning dessert to serve up to a celebration. Serves 12 – 16 . Ready in 5 1/2 hours, Cooling.

Ingredients • 10 medium egg whites. • 525g castor sugar

din ner, and Tip: I made thi s jus t after time, leaving tur ned off the ove n at bed r night. the me ringue to coo l ove

Heat the oven to 110c, gas ¼. Line 3 baking sheets with baking paper then draw a 27cm circle on one sheet and a 22cm circle and an 18cm circle on the other sheet. Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl using a hand held electric whisk, until they form stiff peaks. Still whisking add the sugar, a little at a time until the mixture is thick and glossy. Spoon half the mixture over the largest circle, and divide the rest between the smaller two, putting slightly more on the middle-sized circle. Use the back of a spoon to spread the mixture to the edges of your circles and make pretty swirls and peaks. Transfer to the heated oven and cook for 5 hours, then turn off the heat and leave in the oven to cool completely. To assemble, stir the passion fruit juice and sugar into the double cream – the mixture will thicken with the acid from the juice. Stir in the Cointreau and curds to make a luscious thick cream. If it is not thick enough (some passion fruit are juicer than others), whisk a little, if too thick add a splash more cream. Place the largest meringue on a flat serving plate and spoon over one third of the cream. Scatter with some pomegranate seeds and lime zest. Top the second largest meringue and spoon over another third of cream and more seeds and zest. Top the smallest meringue and finish with the rest of the cream, seeds and zest. Drizzle all over with the honey and serve.

Iceland.................................................................................... £27.84 Lidl............................................................................................£28.13 Asda..........................................................................................£32.47 Tesco........................................................................................£32.98 Sainsbury’s..............................................................................£33.32 Co-op.......................................................................................£40.49 M&S.........................................................................................£47.04

1 2 3 4

9 10 11

TOTAL..........................

How the big shops lined up.

30 mins to 1 hour preparation time; 30 mins to 1 hour cooking time; Makes about 20 profiteroles Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Place a small roasting tin in the bottom of the oven to heat. For the choux pastry, place the water, sugar and butter into a large saucepan. Heat gently until the butter has melted. Turn up the heat, then quickly pour in the flour and salt all in one go. Remove from the heat and beat the mixture vigorously until a smooth paste is formed. Once the mixture comes away from the side of the pan, transfer to a large bowl and leave to cool for 10-15 minutes. Beat in the eggs, a little at a time, until the mixture is smooth and glossy and has a soft dropping consistency - you may not need it all. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Using a piping bag and plain 1cm/½in nozzle, pipe the mixture into small balls in lines across the baking sheet. Gently rub the top of each ball with a wet finger this helps to make a crisper top. Place the baking sheet into the oven. Before closing the oven door, pour half a cup of water into the roasting tin at the bottom of the oven, then quickly shut the door. This helps to create more steam in the oven and make the pastry rise better. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden-brown - if the profiteroles are too pale they will become soggy when cool. Remove from the oven and turn the oven off. Prick the base of each profiterole with a skewer. Place back onto the baking sheet with the hole in the base facing upwards and return to the oven for five minutes. The warm air from the oven helps to dry out the middle of the profiteroles. For the filling, lightly whip the cream with the orange zest until soft peaks form. When the profiteroles are cold, use a piping bag to pipe the cream into the profiteroles. For the chocolate sauce, place the water and sugar into a small saucepan and bring to the boil to make a syrup. Reduce the heat to a simmer and place the chocolate into a heatproof bowl set over the pan. Heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Take the pan off the heat, pour the syrup mixture into the chocolate and stir until smooth and well combined. To serve, place the stuffed profiteroles into a large serving dish and pour over the chocolate sauce. Serve hot or cold.

..........£21.31

....................................

Choux Pastry - Profiteroles Follow our step-by-step guide to a wonderful dessert

..........£9.99 or................................. Turkey Lidl Braemo ..............£1.50 ris Pyper, 1.5kg..... Potatoes Co-op Ma ...........£0.30p uffing Asda 2x85g. Sage and Onion St .........£0.49 ..................................... Sprouts Asda 750g .........£0.49 . .................................... Carrots Asda 1.2kg ...........£0.90 0g................................. Parsnips Tesco 75 co Cranberry Sauce Tes ......£0.50 . .................................... 5g 18 e lu Everyday va Sainsbury’s Christmas pudding ...........£2.00 .................................... Basics 2 x 454g. .... ..............£1.49 l, 250g...................... Brandy Butter Lid ry’s Mince Pies Sainsbu ...........£0.65 x 6.............................. s ff Pu ce Basics Min land Large Christmas Cake Ice .........£3.00 ..................................... Iced Fruit Bar 800g

1 2

FOR THE TOPPING AND FILLING • 4 Passion fruit, scooped out and sieved, seeds discarded. • 3 tbsp caster sugar. • 750ml double cream • 2 tbsp Cointreau • 3 tbsp orange curd • 3tbsp Lemon curd • Seeds of 2 pomegranates • Zest of 2 limes, thinly pared • Runny honey, for drizzling.

5 6

’s pr

Here’s how this year

Ingredients FOR THE CHOUX PASTRY • 200ml/7fl oz cold water • 4 tsp caster sugar • 85g/3oz unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing • 115g/4oz plain flour • pinch salt • 3 medium free-range eggs, beaten FOR THE CREAM FILLING • 600ml/1 pint double cream • 1 orange, zest only For the chocolate sauce • 100ml/3½fl oz water • 80g/3oz caster sugar • 200g/7oz good-quality dark chocolate, broken into pieces

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Over the last few months, we here at Families First have been monitoring the cost of our shopping basket each month. We have put together our festive shopping list and the good news is that our value basket – makeup of the cheapest of everything – costs less than it did in 2013 The composite basket to feed eight totals £21.31 – or £2.66 a head. Last year’s basket cost £21.85, suggesting the supermarket price wars are hotting up. For your cheapest one-stop shop, head to Iceland. Dinner for eight people from Iceland costs £27.84 – with fresh veg! The discounter Lidl still represents great value, with its £9.99 turkey cheaper than all its competitors. At the other end of the price scale, the Co-operative and Marks & Spencer were the most expensive – expect to pay more that £40 at each. But there are still bargin’s to be found at stores. Let us know what bargain you have found this Christmas. Contact us on admin@babyfacemarketing.com

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28 THE CLAIM

‘Natural’

The reality: there’s no legal definition for terms like ‘Pure’, Natural, ‘Best’, and ‘Selected’, so these claims are generally meaningless and the food the label is on, could still be highly processed. The only exception to this is when you see the word ’traditional’, as this must have been made in that way for at least 25 years or one generation, but again this is no recommendation that the product is particularly healthy.

Tip: Ignore these descriptions and,

THE CLAIM

‘No added sugar/ unsweetened’.

THE CLAIM

The reality: This doesn’t mean it’s sugar-free, or necessarily low in sugar, just that no extra sweetness has been added. It might still have high sugar content.

Tip: Look at the ingredients:

honey and fruit puree are natural, for instance, but still sources of sugar.

instead, check the nutritional label.

‘Fresh’

The reality: This effectively means little more than ‘not frozen’ and uncooked – but salads, fruits and meat can be kept in ‘modified atmosphere’ packaging that uses gases or vacuum to prevent them from going off, and ‘fresh’ eggs could have been laid over a week previously.

Tip: Be aware that ‘freshly baked’ bread may not be all it seems: very often it will be made from part-baked products that have been prepacked or frozen off-site, then ‘baked off’ at the supermarkets’ in store bakeries.

‘Helps maintain a healthy heart’.

THE CLAIM

The reality: Health claims must legally be backed up by an explanation, but use common sense and treat the claim with caution – manufacturers only have to have reasonable scientific evidence.

Tip: Don’t take health claims at face value. Maintain a healthy heart by eating a low-fat diet with plenty of fibre.

‘One of your 5-a-Day’

THE CLAIM

The reality: The food industry has hijacked the Government’s ‘5-a-day message and created their own (unregulated) labels. Some ready meals, tins of spaghetti and sugary drinks say ‘1 of your 5-a-day’ even if they’re packed with sugar, salt and fat.

Tip: Ignore these claims and stick to real fruit and veg (fresh, frozen or tinned).

How to understand FOOD LABELS Don’t believe everything the packaging tells you. Let us read what the experts say, so you know what you’re up against. THE CLAIM

‘100% Fruit Juice’

The reality: Although far better than ‘juice drinks’ that often contain little or no fruit and lots of sugar, this label doesn’t mean it only contains the juice of the fruit. There may, for instance, be added ingredients and it could have been concentrated, frozen and then reconstituted before packing. This means the juice has been heated to remove the water, which leads to some loss of nutrients, especially vitamin C.

Tip: Look for ‘direct juice’ or not

from concentrate instead. Or best of all squeeze your own.

THE CLAIM

‘Fresh’

Low Fat

The reality: The food must contain no more than 3g of fat per 100g for solids or 1.5g of fat per 100ml for liquids (1.8g of fat per 100ml for semi-skimmed milk). However, many low-fat versions have the same or just a little less than normal versions.

Tip: Compare the fat content with the ‘normal’ version before buying. In a study a standard chocolate digestive had 85 calories, while a lighter one had 77!

t h g li

THE CLAIM

‘Diet/Light’

The reality: The product must be at least 30% lower in calories or fat than standard products to be labelled like this – and must explain exactly what has been reduced and by how much. But, in many cases, manufacturers replace the fat with sugar and sweeteners, such as aspartame, to make up for lost flavour. Professor Helen Hazuda of the University of Texas Health Science Centre, claims that drinking diet drinks regularly gives you a taste for sweet things, distorts normal appetites and even damages key brain cells.

Tip: Compare brands; the ‘light ‘version of one brand of crisps may contain the same amount of fat or calories as the standard version of another brand, so always check.

t e i D

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THE CLAIM

‘With Omega 3s’

The reality: In order to be ‘low salt’, a food can’t contain more than 0.3g salt per 100g (remember to check how many grams in a portion, though).

Tip: The recommended maximum salt intake for an adult is 6g per day. Compare labels on food packaging, choose tinned food that has no added salt and bacon that is reduced salt. Never add salt to your food automatically – taste it first.

‘Made with whole grains.’

THE CLAIM

The reality: In the UK there’s no legal minimum requirement of unrefined grain ingredients for products to be classed as whole grain. In fact, the term is used to market products with startlingly small amounts – in one case as low as 6%.

Tip: Make sure the label says ‘100% whole grain’ and the ingredient label says ‘wholemeal’. The largest ingredients are listed first, so if ‘wheat flour’ is first, it’s mainly white flour.

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THE CLAIM

‘Fresh’

December 2014 / January 2015

THE

CHRISTMAS SHOPP ING LIST

e have seen it on the TV, we have W read about it in our daily newspapers, but when it comes right down to it which Supermarket is the cheapest.

Here at families first we take the cost of living very seriously, so we put together a typical basked of everyday things, there might have been more we should have added, you might have liked other brands, but, we made a list and compared, as near to it as we could like for like, to really see what supermarket is the cheapest, at the time of going to print Some items were not available in all the stores, but we have done our best to have as near to it as we can. We did not bring in store promotions into the comparison.

I think you will find this interesting reading.

ITEM Potatoes: Maris Piper: 2.5KG

£2

£2.00

£1.98

Brussel Sprouts: 500g

£1

£1.00

99p

£1.85

£3.00 for 1KG

75p

60p

57p

Raspberries: 150g

£2

£2.00

Blueberries: 150g

£2

£2.00

£3.00 - 260g

£25.52

Turkey with Muscavado & Orange Glaze £16.00

£18.00

Ham: Smoked Gammon Joint 750g

£4

1.3KG £10.00

1.5KG -£10.00

Cocktail Sausages, 70 cocktail sausages

£3

£3.00 for 60

£2 for 410g

Celebrations: Tub 750g

£5

£5.00

Roses: £5.00, Tub 753g

£5

£5.00

Ferrero Roche: box of 24

£5

£5.00

After Eights: 300g carton

£2

£2.00

Cadbury Selection Boxes: Medium box

£1

£2.00

£2.99

Jacobs Cream Crackers: 300g - £1

Asda Own 300g – 40p

£4

£8 - pack of 6

N/A

£1.24

£2.25 or two for £3.50

£2.48 or two for £2.50

£1

£1.30 or two for £2.00

£1.00 for 6

85p

£1.49

80p for 250ml

£1.00 for 240g

Honey: 340g

99p

£1

Asda own:454g £1.45

Cloves: 30g

£1

£1 - 50g

Asda own:31 g – 98p

£2 (bogof)

£2 - or 2 for £3

£1

54p

£1.15

Asda smart price – 72p

£7

£7 - or 2 for £10

£5

Tangerines: 700g Carrots: 1Kg

Turkey: Crown Medium, Serves 6-8 people

Crackers: Tesco Biscuits for cheese Cheese Board: Tesco 7 cheese selection pack Pringles: Mince Pies: 6 pack Double Cream: 300ml Cranberry Sauce: 400g

Shloer Tin Foil Party Crackers: Box of 6 www.familiesfirst.ie

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Bleed a Radiator...

Changing a plug

Like all aspects of your heating system radiators have to be maintained to ensure they’re working correctly, but what actually happens to stop radiators working? Trapped air or gas prevents hot water from heating your radiator fully. The good news is, bleeding radiators is a simple job that you can do yourself, and it can make a real difference to how energyefficient the heating in your home is. While this isn’t a hard thing to do, please follow these instructions with caution. If you don’t feel confident about what you’re doing, stop and get advice from a qualified heating engineer. Step 1: Turn your heating on and get your radiators hot Turn on the heating so that all radiators in your home come on - you may need to turn up the temperature on your thermostat and individual radiator temperature controls to make sure they all come on. Remember to wait until your radiators are fully heated before moving on to step two. You need to build up the pressure inside the radiator to be able to force the air out. Step 2: Find out which radiators need bleeding Once your radiators are all hot, go and check each one individually to see if all parts of the radiator are warming up. Be careful - radiators can get very hot and you don’t want to burn yourself. Cool spots, particularly towards the top of the radiator, mean that there could be air or gas trapped and therefore you’ll need to bleed that radiator. Air or gas is more likely to get trapped in the highest radiator in the home. It can also sometimes get trapped in the coil that runs through the hot water cylinder, as that can often be the highest point in the system. Once you’ve found your cool spots it’s time to move onto step three and bleed them. Step 3: Bleed the radiators Before you bleed any radiators make sure your central heating is switched off. This is reversing the process identified in step one and will allow you to handle the radiators without burning yourself or soaking your floor. Bleeding radiators usually requires a radiator key, but with more modern radiators you can use a flatblade screwdriver. Often finding the radiator key is the hardest part so it’s a good idea to keep it near one of your radiators or near the boiler. Otherwise you can buy a radiator key from any hardward or DIY store for a few pounds. At the top of the radiator at one end there will be a valve. You can attach the radiator key to the square bit in the centre or put the end of the screwdriver into the groove. Hold the key or screwdriver with a cloth, and have another cloth ready to catch any drips, then slowly turn the radiator key or screwdriver anticlockwise – if gas is escaping you’ll hear a hissing sound. Once there is no more gas, liquid will come out and the valve will need to be closed quickly. With the more modern screwdriver operated escape valve, liquid is likely to emerge as a jet rather than a dribble. Step 4: Check the pressure Check the pressure by having a look at the gauge on your boiler. If the pressure is too low, you’ll need to ‘top up’. You can do this using the lever or tap on your boiler, known as the filling loop. Afterwards, you may want to run another ‘hot test’ to check that your efforts have been successful. Simply turn your heating on, wait for all the radiators to heat up and check for any cool spots. That’s it! Congratulations, now you know just how simple bleeding radiators can be! Automatic radiator valves Depending on what type of radiator you have it may be possible to automate the process of bleeding your radiators by using an auto vent. Auto vents like the Aladdin are automatic radiator bleeders that attach to your valves. The vent lets out air gradually, increasing the effectiveness of oyur radiator and meaning your boiler doesn’t have to work so hard. Remember you will need one auto vent per radiator. How else can you improve your heating? There are plenty of other gadgets and gizmos to improve the effectiveness of your heating. Radiator insulation foil for example is a simple way of ensuring your radiators heat your room, not your walls. Insulation foil sits behind your radiator and reflects the heat they generate back into the room. They are widely available in hardware shops and you should be able to install them yourself. A slightly more expensive option but still under the £25 mark is the radiator booster. This is essential a stretched fan unit that sits on tops of your radiators and pushes the warm air generated around your room. While the radiator booster will use electricity to run, they will save you more on your heating bills.

Toaster, hi-fis, lamps, presents from abroad ... why is it that so many of them still seem to come without a plug - or with a plug that would be perfect in Europe, but won’t fit into a good old UK socket? The good news is that changing a plug - and a fuse - is a very straightforward business. These days there’s a standard plug for all light fittings - the 13 amp square pin. You can buy them almost anywhere - at the supermarket, your local hardware or DIY store, and even most corner shops. First, choose your fuse Look on the appliance itself, or the packaging for the wattage. This is indicated by a W (e.g. 600W). For appliances up to 720W you’ll need a 3amp fuse (always Red). For appliances from 720-3000W you’ll need a 13amp fuse (Brown). Both fit into a standard 13 amp plug. It’s simple, there’s no top or bottom, just clip it in between the grips on the right hand side of the plug. Getting Wired You’ll need: a screwdriver, wire strippers (at a pinch you can use scissors or your teeth), and the

correct fuse if it’s not already in the plug you’ve purchased). Loosen the large screw in the centre of the plug and remove the cover. Put them both somewhere safe where the screw won’t roll away. Position the flex (the lead from the appliance) onto the open plug to determine how much (if any) of the white plastic sheathing to remove - the plastic cord clamp at the base of the plug must grip sheathing, not the coloured conductors. Strip the sheathing and again position the flex on the plug so you can cut the conductors to the right length. The conductors are as follows: Blue = neutral (think of water!). Always goes in the left hand terminal. Yellow/Green = earth (think grass). Always goes in the central terminal Brown = Live (think of soil giving life to plants). Always connects to the fuse via the right hand terminal.

Strip the plastic back from the ends of each conductor and twist the bared wires between finger and thumb so they form a wire, which can be pushed into the terminals. The terminals are often simply held in place by a small screw. Loosen the screw, push the wire in under it, then tighten the screw on top, hence ensuring the connection. The conductors should follow the channels in the plug to fit neatly - neutral wire goes in from above, the earth goes in from the side. (If you only have two conductors in your cable, they will be the live and neutral ones. Wire as usual to the live and neutral terminals, leaving the earth terminal empty). Next, tighten the cord clamp to grip the end of the sheathing and secure the flex. Check a fuse of the correct rating is fitted, then replaces the cover and tighten the screw. Voila! Lights, music, or a kettle that works!

Energy savers Winter proof your home. Worried a cold snap will send our bills soaring? Here’s how to chase the financial chills away..... Draught proof • It’s the cheapest way to insulate your home, cutting bills by 10%, says the Draught Proofing Advisory Association. • Seal air leaks round windows or doors with weather stripping (£1.40 Amazon) or a door brush seal (£9, B&Q) • Make a funky snake draught excluder. Cut one leg off an old pair of striped tights and fill with rice. Stitch it closed, then add a forked tongue and googly eyes! • Fit an ecoflap on your letterbox (£25 Amazon) and buy keyhole covers, (£5 Homebase). • Floorboards lose heat so fill the cracks with newspaper or sealant (£3, DIY stores) and save £25 a year. • Use a chimney balloon (from £18, Chimsoc.co.uk) to prevent money going through the roof! Insulate Insulating a home knocks £200 off the annual heating bill, says the Heating Helpline (heatinghelpline. org.uk) • Less than 10cm of insulation in your loft means you’ll be losing 25% of your home’s heat through the roof. Top it up to 27cm and save £150 a year according to Heating Helpline. Find a loft insulator using the

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National Insulation Association (nia-uk-org) or a cavity wall insulator via the cavity insulation Guarantee Agency (ciga.co.uk) • Homes built pre-1920 usually have solid walls that lose heat twice as fast as uninsulated cavity walls. A certified installer will have to do this at a cost of around $415 for a three bedroom house, but it will save £270 a year on average.

• Set your hot water thermostat to 60 degrees. Any higher wastes energy and could scald. • Fit A-rated double-glazing to save £90-£120 a year on heating bills compared to a singleglazed home.

Save Turn thermostats down, Aim for 21C in the living room and 18C elsewhere. Turning it down by just 1 degree could save up to £70 a year.

• It takes just 15 minutes to find a new supplier via uswitch.com or moneysupermarket.com. the process takes six weeks. • Tip Look at smaller providers like First Utility and Ova: go paperless pay by direct debit and opt for gas and electricity from some supplier.

• Bleed radiators to make them efficient using a square key (£2) from DIY stores. • Fit thermostatic valves (From £9 screwfix.com) to manage radiator het in each room. • Hang radiator reflectors. Made from specially coated laminated aluminium foil, they reflect 95 of heat back into the room.

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Switch Moving gas/electricity providers saves up to £365 a year if you’ve never switched, says energy/ helpline.com

Help • For free saving energy advice go to energysavingtrust.org.uk • The Government’s Green Deal (gov.uk/greendeal) gives loans to make property improvements, which reduce energy use.

December 2014 / January 2015

Stains hate Bio! You’ll get best results by suing a biological detergent, as it contains enzymes that break down the stains. However these stain-busting enzymes are too powerful for delicate fabrics, such as wool or silk and, of course, may irritate sensitive skin. In these cases, stick to a non-biological detergent and pre-treat the item with a proprietary in-wash stain remover, such as Vanish.

STAIN

OUT & ABOUT RED WINE Flush with Sparkling Water

TEA AND COFFEE

Dab with white paper towels. Do not rub.

Do’s and Don’ts.... Do dab the stain gently from the reverse side. Rubbing furiously will only spread it. Do keep different stains removal products apart. Chemicals can react together and make matters worse.

Stain

Don’t rinse a stain with warm or hot water, you may set it permanently.’ Don’t use soap, you may just make it worse Don’t use salt on a red wine stain, you’ll set it permanently. In an emergency, splash some white wine on your red wine stain, then machine wash once you get home.

Busters

AT HOME-WASHABLE FABRICS

Spray Liberally with hairspray. Wash at 40oC with biological detergent

AT HOME-CARPET Spray with Wine Away (£3.99; wine awaydirect.com). Leave for a few minutes, then blot with paper towels.

Rinse with cold water. Wash at 40oC with biological detergent. For delicates, use a gentle Cover with Lakeland White Wonder (£4.99; Lakeland. detergent. If this doesn’t work, rub washing-up liquid into the stain and wash again. co.uk) and dab with white paper towels. Apply a little several times, not all at once.

Cotton: blot with methylated spirit, then wash at 40oC with biological detergent. Wool: Gently scrape off as much residue as blot, apply Stain Devils. Pizza, Pasta and Curry Sauce (£1.99; dr.-beckmann.co.uk) then possible. wash at 30oC on the delicates cycle.

Treat affected area with White Wonder. Blot with lightly dampened white paper towels. Leave to dry.

GREASE

Gently scrape off any solid parts

Soak up as much as you can with white paper towels. Lightly sprinkle with talc or cornflour. After a few minutes, remove powder with a soft brush. Gently dab at any remaining grease with an alcohol-based solvent, such as methylated spirits, allowing it to evaporate. Work liquid detergent into the stain, leave for a few minutes. Machine wash at as high a temperature as fabric allows.

Same as for washable fabrics, apart from putting fabric in your washing machine. Instead wash the area with lukewarm water, without over-wetting, and blot dry with kitchen paper.

FOUNDATION MAKE-UP

Gently scrape off residue

Cotton spray with De.Solv.it Universal Stain Remover (£9.99; desolvit.co.uk), following product instructions. Repeat as necessary. Machine-wash with biological detergent at as high a temperature as fabric allows. If the stain persists, immerse in a biological presoaking agent before rewashing. Silk and wool: spot-treat area with Stain Devils Mud, Grass and Make-Up (£1.99; dr-beckmann.co.uk), according to instructions. Wash at 30oC on the delicates cycle.

Apply White Wonder. Leave for a few minutes, the use white paper towels to soak up the stain. Work from the outside inwards to avoid spreading the stain. Repeat as necessary. Finish by dabbing the area with a dampened paper towel to rinse it, then blot dry.

MUD

Allow to dry

Cotton: wash at 40oC with a biological detergent. For stubborn stains, try a biological pre-soaking product. Follow instructions, then wash as normal. Silk and wool: rub washing-up liquid into the area, then wash as normal. If this doesn’t work, spot treat with Stain Devils Mud, Grass and Make-Up, following instructions. Wash as normal

Try gently removing the dry stain with a vacuum nozzle, but do not push dirt in. For remaining marks, apply White Wonder, leave for a few minutes, then blot with lightly damp paper towels. Repeat until removed. Rinse with clear water and blot dry.

GRAVY

FELT-TIP PEN Blot with dry paper Dip a cotton bud in methylated spirits and apply to the stain. Don’t over-wet. Dab towels gently, then blot with paper towel. Repeat until all colour is lifted. Flush with cold water, then carefully work White Wonder into remaining traces. Leave for a couple of minutes, then blot again. If traces remain, try spot treating area with Stain Devils Ball Point Pen and Felt-Tip (£1.99; dr. Beckmann.co.uk) Machine wash at as high a temperature as the fabric allows.

Same as for washable fabrics, minus placing in yur washing machine. Instead rinse the area with lukewarm water, without over-wetting, and blot dry with kitchen paper.

CANDLEWAX

Do not touch

Put a paper towel on the stain and iron on a low Place white paper on both sides of the stain and iron on a low heat. Use methylated spirit for any remaining colour and machine-wash with biological detergent at as high a heat. Move paper around for maximum absorption. Remove remaining colour with a few drops of temperature as the garment allows. methylated spirits (try it on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t fade your carpet).

SOOT

Do not touch

Vacuum up reside with nozzle. Wash as normal at as high a temperature as fabric allows. Spot treat with Bissell SpotClean (£7.99; Lakeland. co.uk) You may need to have the whole carpet Make sure fabric has plenty of room to move about, and don’t use fabric conditioner professionally shampooed. until all odours have been removed, otherwise it will mask them. Carry on until stain disappears, without allowing item to dry out between washes.

Gently blot up as much of the stain as possible with white paper towels. Dab, don’t rub.

Rinse under cold water. If the stain has dried, steep first in an enzyme-based presoaking agent, or a washing soda crystal solution (for silk and cotton), then follow the instructions given for each fabric. Cotton: machine wash at 30oC on the delicates cycle. Wool: spray lightly with Wine Away until stain turns blue. Blot and repeat process until the stain has gone. Follow with a 30⁰C machine wash on a delicates cycle.

BLOOD

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Cover with Wine Away and, working from the outside, use the white paper towels or a clean, white, lint-free cloth to absorb stain. Make small applications rather than soaking. Continue until stain has gone. If traces remain, try covering area with a paste of cornflour and water. Dry, sponge with cold water and repeat.

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BOOK

Reviews

First and Second Term at L’ Etoile by Holly Willoughby and Kelly Willoughby

Join Molly, Maria, Pippa and Sally in the first two sparkling School for Stars stories by popular TV presenter Holly Willoughby and her sister Kelly. On the first day of term at L’Etoile, School for Stars, twins Maria and Molly Fitzfoster meet Pippa Burrows who’s won a song-writing scholarship to the school. The talented trio share the same dreams of superstardom and become best friends. But will their friendship stand up against spoilt and scheming Lucifette Marciano’s plans to wreck their chances and claim fame all for herself? A glittering series of friendship and adventure that every star girl will love to read!

Horrid Henrys Tricky Tricks by Francesca Simon Celebrating 20 horrid years of the nation’s favourite naughty little boy! Enjoy the best of Horrid Henry with ten favourite stories in this hilarious, new and colourful gift book featuring Horrid Henry’s trickiest ever tricks!

Reads 3Fantastic from Harper Collins

The Map to Everywhere by Carrie Ryan and J. P. Davis A boy who can’t be remembered. A girl who can’t get home. And a rich fantasy world bursting with pirates, magic and wonder!

Tiger who came to tea The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger!

Master thief Fin and school girl Marril are on a wild chase to find the Map to Everywhere, but can they escape the Oracle – a dark and powerful wizard who seeks the map to fulfil a terrifying prophecy of his own? Buckle-up for this roller-coaster ride! The first in an epic new adventure series from husband-and-wife team; John Parke Davis and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author, Carrie Ryan.

PICTURE PERFECT!

This modern classic picture book is perfect for reading aloud, or for small children to read to themselves time and again. All artwork has been re-originated and a fresh design approach has been used for this reformatted edition.

How to catch a star An inspirational story from internationally bestselling, multi-prize-winning picture book creator Oliver Jeffers. Once there was a boy who loved stars so much that he wished he had one of his very own. Every night he watched the stars in the sky from his bedroom window and dreamed of how he could be their friend and how they could play hide-andgo-seek together. So, one day, he decided to set about catching a star of his very own…

Demon Dentist

Sparky! by Jenny Offil and Chris Appelhans Could sloths be the new meerkats? Find out in this gorgeous picture book about a little girl and her adorable pet sloth, Sparky. With beautiful illustrations, this is a sweet and funny story about finding the perfect pet. www.familiesfirst.ie

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Darkness had come to the town. Strange things were happening in the dead of night. Children would put a tooth under their pillow for the tooth fairy, but in the morning they would wake up to find… a dead slug; a live spider; hundreds of earwigs creeping and crawling beneath their pillow. Evil was at work. But who or what was behind it…?

December 2014 / January 2015

he act of forgiveness is something most of us do in our everyday lives without thinking or giving it much, or indeed any thought. A friend cancels a long standing dinner arrangement at the last moment, we understand. A work colleague forgets to do something you really needed done for a meeting, we move on. Not to be forgiving in such relatively simple everyday happenings, seems, well, silly. But what if someone did something so awful that it resulted in the death of someone you loved? Devastated by grief, could you ever imagine a world where you’d end up forgiving them?

For most of us, the answer would be an emphatic ‘No’. But when Jayne Simpson found herself in that torturous, heartbreaking position her response was as simple as it was expected. In July 2010, Jayne’s daughter Sarah was been driven to the family home in Colerain for barbecue when the car she was travelling in crashed. The driver, her boyfriend pulled out to overtake a lorry, and collided head-on with another vehicle. It’s hard even to begin to imagine what Jayne must have felt in those early days. But it’s safe to say that most of us would have been consumed with hatred for the person responsible – especially as the police said the accident was avoidable.

FEELING EMPATHY

Yet, Jayne remarkably chose not only to forgive this man, whom she only met for the first time after the accident, but also invited him to Sarah’s funeral – and wrote to the judge begging for him to be spared jail.

Could you

‘It wasn’t a decision it was a natural instinct to forgive’ says Jayne. ‘It wouldn’t have helped either of us by not forgiving. I could see how grief stricken he was, so I wanted to do all that I could to help him get over the trauma. He needed to be able to move on and forgive himself.’ She adds, ‘I wouldn’t have done what he did, but I could see that it’s possible to make a bad judgement when driving.’ Such empathy wouldn’t have come easy to most of us – and didn’t to some of Sarah’s friends. While Jayne’s husband backed her decision to make the invite, they were, perhaps understandable, more reticent. ‘There were some who wanted to ‘beat him up’ if they met him. The others who were in the car didn’t ever want to see him again’ Jayne explains. ‘I’m not sure if everyone understood why I did it, but they respected my decision. I wanted him to have the opportunity to say goodbye at her funeral.’

Writer and psychoanalyst Jan Wilson, suggests that forgiveness does more than simply lighten the burden of guilt for the perpetrator of wrongdoing, she believes, it also puts the forgiver in an immensely powerful position. There is a belief that if you forgive, people will be absolved of their guilt. At worst, it is a tyrannical gift, your life in my hands. You’ll feel better when I forgive you. The topic, is clearly nothing if not complex. While there is no evidence that Jayne was in a rush to achieve the moral high ground, it’s certainly true that she felt very strongly, indeed about her daughter’s boyfriend future. When he appeared in court, charged with causing Sarah’s death by dangerous driving – and knowing that he faced a custodial sentence – she wrote to the judge asking he show leniency. ‘At the time I didn’t think it helped because he still went to prison (for two years), but it sounded as though he received a more lenient sentence than others’ says Jayne.

FORGIVE...or FORGET? How would you act towards someone whose actions caused you the greatest anguish of your life? We find out how forgiveness can help the healing process. ACCEPTANCE Jayne admits her Catholic faith played a huge part in her behaviour towards her daughter’s boyfriend, but she also kept in mind what her daughter would have wanted: ‘I know Sarah would have forgiven him as well’ she says. ‘She was a very forgiving person’. Jayne’s reaction is certainly not the norm – and most experts agree that the most common response in a situation as traumatic as hers is to hold onto your anger. But clinical psychologists argue that forgiveness is far healthier in the long run. They tell us that you need to recognise that what you’re having is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation, but as some point you have to let go. The gift

of forgiveness is essentially what you give to yourself – because otherwise you’ll spend your life in bitterness and resentment. Another psychologist states that forgiveness is as beneficial for the forgiver as it is for the person being forgiven; it’s a bit of both. When it’s someone you know and love who’s hurt you, then it’s going to be more about the other person involved in your decision. But if you don’t know them, it’s more about learning to let go. But what if you’ve been hurt and can’t forgive? More of us can’t, after all. It’s really about understanding why and how it happened and developing empathy for that person, despite what they caused, they go to say it doesn’t mean it’s okay, it just means that you can accept that it happened. It’s a sentiment the parents of 17 year old schoolgirl Angela Ennis might appreciate. Angela was killed when she was a passenger in a car being driven by her best friend, who was 18. The car veered off a dual carriageway

and crashed into a barrier in April 2009. Angela’s friend had insisted on driving home from a nightclub where the girls had both been drinking, despite the fact that two people told her not to drive and one person tried to take her car keys away from her. She pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol, was devastated by the result of her actions and this was something both the sentencing judge, as well as the victim’s parents, took on board when the case came to trial. ‘Angela was your best friend, and there can be few more poignant cases facing a judge than to sentence a young person who has killed a dear and close friend. There can be no preparation for any person who is faced with the guilt of losing such a friend to try to find the right way of living with that responsibility’.

actions when he sentenced her to just 28 months. Adding ‘I have no doubt that you are heartbroken and racked with grief.’ There is no question that contributed to the judge’s decision was the reaction of Angela’s parents. For instead of baying for the blood of their daughter’s erstwhile best friend, they wrote victim impact statement, which was not read out to the court, but which was read privately by the Judge. The judge conceded ‘it is moving that the family should be able to find space in their grief to consider the predicament of the person who has caused the death of their beloved child. Not everyone can find it their hearts to be this merciful.’

Although she faced up to 14 years in prison, the judge accepted that she was full of remorse for her

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T he expe rt’s

tips .

5 steps to help you to forgive.

You can’t change the past, but you can change your future. Holding onto anger due to other people’s actions does you harm and gets you nowhere. Learn from the situation and take some responsibility yourself. By blaming others you’ll never be able to drive your life forward and will always be living through the actions of others.

You need to allow yourself to release negative emotions. Professional help can be a useful first step and exercise is also a good way to release stress.

Just because someone inflicts pain on you, doesn’t mean that they are completely in the wrong. Put yourself in their shoes and see if they meant to hurt you – often you’ll find it’s just a misunderstanding. If they did, you need to evaluate whether that person is actually worth forgiving.

If you really can’t let go, try writing down all your thoughts about this person and deepest feelings about what has happened. The take the paper outside and burn it. Imagine you are letting go of all the negative emotions and they are disappearing.

Replace your negative emotions with a more positive way of looking at your situation. Find some good memories and try to focus on them.

Do you think you could forgive someone in you were in similar circumstances. Email us to admin@babyfacemarketing.com

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Surviving Christmas Healthy Christmas Habits. And Tips

To keep all year round. Some of our festive customs are actually good for us, and could be beneficial 365 days of the year. Like these.....

PARTY

SAY THANK YOU

SHELL YOU NUTS!

SING OUT LOUD.

You wouldn’t receive Christmas gifts without using those two little words, yet every day people do things for us that e forget to thank them for. Bet ou never thought that adopting a ‘gratitude attitude’ would make you happier? Studies show bestowers of gratitude get a host of benefits, including better sleep, fewer symptoms of illness and decreased stress.

Shell-on nuts make a seasonal appearance in many homes – but why just at Christmas? Nuts are good for us, but they contain a lot of calories. If you’re watching your weight, you need no more than 25 – 30g a day. This can be hard to stick to – which is where the nutcracker comes in. Shelling nuts slows down how many you consume by as much as 41%, according to studies.

Whether it’s carols or karaoke at the office party, Christmas is singing season – and not only does a good warble make us happy, it also helps the heart. According to Heart Research Uk, singing increases oxygenation in the bloodstream and exercises the upper body muscls, that combined with the mood boost helps explain why regular singers live longer than other folk. Why not join Heart Research UK’s Sing your Heart campaign – find out more at heartresearch.org.uk

WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG There are parties galore this month and if you’re hosting one, you’ll obviously want to keep the cost down- so here’s how to throw a great bash without overspending.

Start early

If you leave things until the last minute, you’re more likely to go over budget. Liz Taylor, Managing Director of event planners Taylor Lynn Corporation, recommends using an app to help you keep track of your plans and the costs – Simple Soiree (free) and Pro Party Planner (£2.99) are her favourites that allow you to keep a tract of RSVPs, food and wine lists.

Value Venue

Of course, the cheapest place to host a party is in your own house, but not everyone is that brave.

Sarah Bright, head of events at prestigious London venue BMA House, says ‘Think about timing –venues charge more for weekend bookings. If you have the option, try an early weekday, but make sure everyone can get the next day off or at least a later start!’ When it comes to booking, the earlier the better: ‘ Many people start looking for a venue in January, as the last party is fresh in their mind and they can secure a date knowing that nothing else needs doing until late autumn,’ says Sarah. If you’ve let it too late this year, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas 2015!

Interactive invites

If getting a date everyone can attend is a problem, use an online interactive scheduling tool like Doodle. All you do is create a calendar of possible dates and send the link over to your prospective partygoers-they can fill out the survey and Doodle will calculate the time and date that

the most people are free. Once you’ve got the date set, Sarah Bright says, ‘There are lots of free apps, such as Evite or Smilebox, which allow you to design invites online to share,’

Cheap eats

Planning the menu early can mean catching supermarket deals and spreading the cost. Liz Taylor says ‘At the start of December buy in, prep and freeze food and make fresh dishes the day before. ‘There are plenty of great deals around – Tesco’s party canapés are tree-for-two, starting t £4 and include festive delights like mini souflettes and glitter prawns with cocktail dip.

Easy entertaining

Photo booths are a huge trend at the moment, but you don’t have to fork out a fortune for those festive snaps. Leanne Jennings, senior buyer at Hawkins Bazaar says: ‘Bag yourself a tripod for under £20 and dig out the most

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bizarre items of clothing you have, and you’ve got the same party feature for a faction of the price.’ A DIY karaoke machine is great fun and simple to set up. Online apps like KaraFun or Power Karaoke have thousands of free karaoke tracks, so all you need to do is set up your laptop with a USB microphone (£19.99, game. co.uk) and you’re set to go.

DIY decorations

There’s not need to splash out on fancy decorations, ‘says Leanne Jennings, ‘Homemade decorations – the wackier the better – will always be a talking point for shy guests. Use sites like Pinterest and Instagram to get some great ideas. ‘Materials don’t have to cost a packet either as you can find them around the house. Sarah Bright says, ‘Start collecting things like empty jam jars. I love the idea of using recycled jars as tealight holders and dressing them up with colourful ribbon.’

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Dazzling drinks

Tell guests you’re planning to play cocktail roulette-a game where everyone brings a bottle of alcohol they’ve had rattling around the back of their cupboard – whether it’s limoncello or a dodgy liqueur they brought back from Prague. It won’t cost the guests anything and all you’ll need to do is provide mixers, ice and glasses. If you fancy some bubbles, Lydia Harrison AIWS, certified educator with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, says ’Many wines from New World countries such as Australia and New Zealand use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the same grapes as Champagne, but are usually cheaper.’ Try Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Chard Pino Noir Brut, £10 Sainsbury’s. And if you’re set on Champagne, go for a lesserknown grower or own-brand label. Oudinot Champagnes start at £15 per bottle at M&S.

December 2014 / January 2015

Entertain

everyone

this

Ages (7 – 13) The build up to Christmas will have had them excited for weeks, so make all their wishes come true with these tips:

From toddlers to teens, here are some expert tips for keeping all the family happy (and in the festive spirit) throughout Christmas day. Small children.

• Keep it simple; you don’t need too many presents at this stage, most of them are happier with the cardboard box than the gift itself. • In the morning, encourage the kids to have a festive fashion show with tinsel, fairy wings and hats. • Allow children into the garden to let off steam and they’ll soon burn off lots of energy, giving them a good appetite for lunch.

Keeping this age happy shouldn’t be a hassle; after all it’s the most magical time of the year for them.

• During the lengthy lunch, have some ticker and colouring books for pre-schoolers, and Lego’s new Mixels (£3.00 eBay) for school aged kids

• Base your plans on the normal behaviour of your children, but allow for extra excitement because it’s Christmas.

• After lunch let them play with a toy that you have kept back from the present pile, or watch a move all together.

(Ages 1-6)

• Most children of this age still believe in Father Christmas, and the magic and over-excitement is at its peak. This, of course, can easily spill over into exhaustion and tears, so be sure to factor in some quiet time to keep things calm. • Presents are the most exciting part of most children’s Christmas morning, so why not spread it out across the day? Hide some smaller gifts around the house and give them clues to track them down. • Have you bought presents that need to be assembled or are battery operated? Sort them out before you wrap them up, so your kids can play with them first thing in the morning. • Make children feel part of the proceedings by getting them to help you decorate the tree or lay the table. • Entertainment can be as simple as giving age-old games a festive twist, eg Santa’s says and Christmas musical chairs. Visit activityvillage.co.uk/Christmas for

10 ways to lighten up Christmas. It’s not the time to diet, but there are sneaky little ways to save on calories and be healthier without feeling deprived!

Again can you do a big 1 and the words beside it. Make your own dips – bought ones can be loaded with fat and sugar. Mix chopped tomatoes, onions, coriander and chilli for a salsa; make a blue cheese dip with half fat crème fraiche or mash avocado with lime juice chopped chilli, onions, tomatoes and coriander for a fab guacamole.

Have some hearty, chunky, homemade vegetable soup before the party. Serve with a good chunk of wholemeal bread so you’ll bump up your five a day and boost fibre content, too.

Watch the alcohol content without being a party pooper! If the ABV is lower, so are the calories. Vinho Verde is around 10% ABV, so you’ll save 30% of calories compared to drinking a weighty New World white wine. A good Asti Spumante is only 7.5%

Rather than sugary fizzy drinks, try 0% beer. Brands such as Bavaria, Cobra and Beck’s Blue all taste good, as long as you chill them well. Even some of the

Zeo is a new adult alcohol free drink without any additives and containing only 60 calories a bottle. It comes in 3 flavours and is sold in bars, as well as through other outlets.

A bowl of popcorn is always a better option than a bowl of cheesy puffs! Ditto a dish of pretzels.

Keep up your vitamin C levels. Not only do you want to boost your immune system in winter, but it will also help to alleviate any little symptoms of festive over indulgence. It’s easy to eat lots of satsumas at this time of year, too.

Start the day with a whopping breakfast smoothie – breakfast

eaters pick less during the day. Try soya milk whizzed up with lots of frozen berries and mango, then add seeds and a little wheat germ for a super food boost.

more ideas. • Need a new DVD? How to Train your Dragon 2 (£10. Amazon) and The Snow Queen – the story that inspired Frozen – (£7, Amazon) are both out this month, so pick them up in time for Christmas afternoon.

(Ages 14-19) Most teens may be happy to mooch around the house or go back to bed for a couple of hours, but encouraging them to get involved in the festive fun may just bring you all closer as a family. • Christmas isn’t just for the little ones; teenagers shouldn’t feel that they have to be all grown up about Christmas now that they’re older. Let them be kids again, join in with all the traditions, and escape into the child like magic of it all. • You could get them to volunteer. It’s important for children to give something back at Christmas. Take them to help volunteers, give out presents at their local old people’s home, or visit sick children in hospital – somewhere they can see that not all children are as lucky as themselves. • Challenge them to create a festive quiz about Christmas in different countries – they’ll learn something new and enjoy being a quizmaster when dad gets one wrong after a few brandies. • Make them a DJ for the day. Ask your teens to choose ten of their favourite Christmas songs to play in the background throughout the day. Older relatives will love the classic tunes and the children will feel involved. • If the weather’s not too wet or cold, organise a family tug-ofwar contest, or mini football tournament – it’s a great way to get teenagers playing with their younger siblings.

It sounds obvious, but buy baked crisps rather than fried. It’s easy when you have kids around to just go for the easy option, but you don’t want calorie laden snacks around to tempt you.

Make your own New Yourstyle bar nuts to cut down on salt. Roast a 500g (1lb 20z) mix of unsalted raw nuts, such as pecans, almonds and hazelnuts in the oven – then toss them in chopped rosemary 50g, 2ozs of butter and 2tsp each sugar, sea salt and smoked paprika. Return to the oven for 5 minutes. They will keep for 3 days in an airtight container.

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Christmas

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• Teenagers can be very useful when it comes to all the cooking, food preparation and tidying, so use them! Task them with crating the starter, serving their own pudding or creating personalised Christmas crackers.

Cross-generational We’ve all been there; granny wants to watch the Queen’s speech while the youngest is insisting on Arthur Christmas for the second time and the teenagers are glued to their iPads. Here are a few ideas to get everyone together. • Buying a new board game once a year as a family present is a way to build up a collection of go-to activities that everyone can enjoy. New launches include Shout (£29.99. Drummond Park) and Don’t Panic (£22.99, John Adams) • Create a TV schedule that’s fair so everyone gets to watch their favourite telly. Check the schedule in advance so you can record specials. • Playing isn’t just for children, spread small versions of Domino’s. Pick-up Sticks, or Noughts and Crosses around the table for guests to have fun with • Hold a ‘Minute to Win it’ marathon with games like ‘stacking cups’ and ‘get the biscuit from your forehead to your mouth, so that everyone from little ones to great granda’s can take part. You could even buy a prize for the overall winner. Visit gameshows.about.com/od/ minutetowinitgames for more ideas. • The most senior members of the family get tired quickly by noise and chaos, so make sure there’s a quiet place for them to have some peace for a while.

Familes First NI

Life’stravelling better for less

this Christmas

Family & Friends Ticket

£20*

Unlimited Bus & Rail Travel

Metro Family Day Ticket

£9*

WHATS ON... Elf Hunt Date:1 November – 31st December Venue: Learning SPACE, 11A Fountain Centre, Belfast The elves are minding Santa’s sleigh and have lost some of the Christmas presents! Can you help the elves to find the missing presents before Santa returns & get a special reward! All day, every day throughout November & December until Santa comes. For more info: learningspaceni.co.uk

The exhibition includes models of Dorothy’s house from the Wizard of Oz, Captain Hook’s ship from Peter Pan, the Snow Queen’s castle, the Mad Hatter’s tea party from Alice in Wonderland, the Dwarves cottage from Snow White and the Beast’s Castle from Beauty and the Beast. Prior to coming to W5 to create this exhibition Mark had spent three years working in New Zealand on the Hobbit series of movies and each of the models he created here have the look and feel of miniature movie sets. Designed to resemble old fashioned Christmas windows this exhibition enchanted and amazed visitors young and old and Mark’s models were described by many as “simply breathtaking!”

Unlimited Metro Bus Travel

Bus Rambler Ticket

£9 adult £4.50 child Unlimited Bus Travel

#translinklifesbetter

Saturday 20 December to Sunday 4 January

*Terms and conditions apply: Up to 2 adults and 4 children (minimum 1 adult and 1 child)

Life’s better travelling for less this Christmas

Belfast Christmas Market Date:15th November – 21st December 2014 City Hall, Belfast The ever popular Belfast Christmas Market is back from 12 noon on Saturday 15 November offering a range of unique gifts, gourmet food and drink to cater for the savviest of shoppers! Enjoy the fantastic range of food, beverages, crafts and decorations on offer from across Europe and beyond - browse a selection of handbags, satchels, socks, hats and gloves, wooden toys, essential oils, crystals, hand-painted pottery, Christmas decorations and much more! Don’t forget to pay Santa’s post-box a visit and send off your Christmas wish lists to the North Pole. Each child who posts their letter will receive an individual response from the ‘big man’ himself. Market Opening Times: Monday - Wednesday 10am - 8pm Thursday - Saturday 10am - 10pm Sunday 1pm - 6pm Santa’s Grotto Monday - Wednesday: 11am - 6pm Thursday - Friday: 11pm - 7pm Saturday: 11am - 6pm Sunday: 1pm - 6pm And if you post Santa a letter in his post box (in the grounds of the Belfast Christmas Market) by 17 December, you’ll receive a letter back from him!

Jack and the Beanstalk Date: 27th November 2014 – 4th January 2015 Venue: Belfast waterfront Jack and the Beanstalk is brought to life by a fabulous cast of larger than life characters! Children will love being part of this magical adventure as it unfolds, cheering the goodies, booing the baddies and joining in with the catchy sing-along songs! Ticket Prices Tuesday 2 to Friday 12 December and Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 January: Children / concessions: £14 / Adults: £17 Groups (15 +): £12 per ticket Saturday 13 to Wednesday 31 December: £17 (adults) £15 (children / concessions) Groups: £12 per ticket (15+) Preview tickets: £10 (Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 November) also available. For more info and booking: www.waterfront.co.uk

During the festive season, Translink is helping passengers cut costs with fantastic offers available for bus, coach and rail travel. The ‘Family and Friends Ticket’ offers unlimited bus & rail travel for up to 2 adults and 4 children for just £20, or sit back and relax with the ‘Bus Rambler Ticket’ offering unlimited travel on all bus services within Northern Ireland for just £9 (adult) or £4.50 (child). For anyone out and about in Belfast, don’t miss the ‘Metro Family Day Ticket’ for just £9. (All available from 20 December – 4 January). Monday – Sunday after 9.30am there’s a third off day return tickets on all NI Railways services and on selected Goldline services. Anyone tempted to take a ‘Dublin Day’ can enjoy online Enterprise train fares from as little as £10 return.

A Magical Christmas Experience at Titanic Belfast Date: From 22nd November 2014 Tickets: Adult £4, Child £15 Join Father Christmas for traditional festive cheer from 22nd November at Titanic Belfast’s Magical Christmas Experience. Make your own decorations, play timeless street games, enjoy classic stories, write your Father Christmas letter and visit him in his Old Curiosity Shop where he’ll check your name off the “Naughty and Nice List”. A child (under 13) ticket includes a visit to Father Christmas, crafted gift, a souvenir photograph and ginger bread cookie An adult ticket includes mulled wine and a mince pie.

Translink customers can make big savings all year round by purchasing multi-journey bus and rail tickets, as well as youth discount cards and there’s also free travel with Senior and 60+ Smartpass. So whether you’re shopping, socialising with friends, attending parties or looking for a family day out, life’s better with Translink! For full details on all our travel offers click

www.translink.co.uk/christmas2014 www.familiesfirst.ie

Once Upon a Fairytale Exhibition Date: 22nd November- 4th January 2015 Venue: W5 Belfast The exhibition of model fairytale sets returns to W5 for Christmas. Inspired by the worlds of classic children’s stories, acclaimed model maker Mark Maher created six stunning model sets for this enchanting exhibition. www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

Christmas Story Ride Date:1st Dec- 23rd Dec Venue: Streamvale Farm, Belfast A fully guided, hour long magical visit, taking in a unique story, a walk to the deer, a trip around the animals and a visit to Santa. Present for children included. For more info: www.streamvale.com

Christmas Mystery Palace Date: 3rd Dec-4th Jan 2015 Venue: The Mac, Belfast Price: £12/£10 Why not start a new family tradition this Christmas at the MAC... Presented by the MAC and Cahoots NI, the same team that brought you The Incredible Book Eating Boy - you won’t want to miss this exclusive family show! Follow the extraordinary story of The Family Hoffman, whose marvellously magical Mystery Palace rolls into town for Christmas! Expect live music, fun and lots of magic For more info: www.themaclive.com

December 2014 / January 2015

December - January

Enchanted Winter Garden Date: 4th Dec-23rd December Venue: Antrim Castle Gardens Come along with all the family between Thursday 4 and Tuesday 23 December and gaze in wonder at the sparkling lights and special festive displays. Large Parterre, Antrim Castle Gardens. Thursday 4th until Tuesday 23rd December, 3-8pm For more info: www.antrim.gov.uk

Christmas at the Zoo Date: 13th Dec – 22nd Dec Venue: Belfast Zoological Gardens Come and visit Santa in his grotto, get a special gift and join in the festive, family fun at Belfast Zoo this Christmas! Help wrap and deliver presents for the chimpanzees, decorate Christmas trees for the Asian elephants, make your own Christmas crafts, visit Mrs Claus for story time and much more. Booking is essential to visit Santa in his grotto. Tickets for the grotto cost £6.50 per child. 13th,14th, 20th,21st & 22nd December To book your tickets, call 028 9077 6277 extension 203.

Christmas at St George’s Market Date: 19th-24th December This Christmas promises to be a special time at the historic St George’s Market. The opening hours will be extended right up to Christmas Eve to make it easier for you to pick up those special gifts, treats and stocking fillers. You might even bump into Santa Claus as he pops in for a visit on Friday 19, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December. There’ll be choirs and other entertainment too including: • cartoon characters, • children’s entertainment, • face painting, • family fun activities, • fashion shows, and • tasty chocolate giveaways. With every purchase you’ll be entered into a Christmas ballot for the chance to win your very own ‘stall’ crammed with more than 100 St George’s goodies!

Days of Christmas Past Date: 20-21st December Venue: Ulster American Folk Park This festive season take the family back in time to experience the magic of a truly traditional Christmas. Visit the toymaker in his workshop, let the Folk Park Mummers entertain and amuse you, get to taste seasonal treats and meet Santa and Mrs Claus who have a gift prepared for every child! Booking is essential. Visit nmni.com/uafp to book. Spirit of Christmas Past Date: 14th December 11am-4pm Venue: Ulster Folk and transport Museum Seasonal smells, Christmas fayre, brass bands & carol singing around the Christmas tree infuse the museum with the Spirit of Christmas Past. Children can write their letter to Santa who will be taking time out of his busy schedule to warm his

toes in front of the Old Rectory fire. Sample a range of seasonal fayre, listen to the brass bands and carol singers and enjoy the Magicians in the Gilford Picture House and the Irish Rail Gallery Step back in time and discover how seasonal decorations transformed people’s homes and be inspired with some decorative ideas for your own home. Visit the Christmas Market to pick up a gift or two or some ready-made decorations. Join the carol singers to sing traditional carols around the Christmas Tree before you head for home. For more info www.nmni.com/uftm

Winter Walks

at Castle Ward Rise of the Guardians - Big Christmas Movie Date: 23rd December, 2pm Venue: Belfast Waterfront Price: £3, Movie snack box £6 Enjoy the big Christmas movie on the Waterfront’s big, big screen! Rise of the Guardians is an epic adventure that tells the story of a group of heroes, each with extraordinary abilities. When evil spirit, Pitch, sets out to take over the world, the immortal Guardians including Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy and Jack Frost must join forces for the first time to safeguard the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world. Arrive from 2pm and get into the Christmas spirit with face painting and lots of festive fun. Come dressed as your favourite Guardian or villain! Movie begins at 3pm.

Winterland Express Date:27th December – 4th January Venue: W5 at Odyssey, Belfast This Christmas take a journey to the fairytale world of Winterland. Take a trip on the Winterland Express, W5’s magical miniature train ride. Travel through the enchanted forest into the icy cavern to emerge in the courtyard of Winterland Castle, the home of the Ice Queen, where a few surprises await! The Winterland Express is free with admission to W5 and the ride lasts approximately 5 - 8 minutes. Advance booking is strongly advised to guarantee a place on the ride. To advance book tickets and a time slot please call 028 9046 7790/7793. The Winterland express will be operating on the following dates and times: Saturdays from 22 Nov-3 Jan: 10.15am-5.00pm Sundays from 23 Nov-4 Jan: 12.15pm-5.00pm Thursdays and Fridays from 4 Dec-19 Dec: 4pm-7pm Monday 22 - Tuesday 23 Dec: 10.15am - 4.30pm Monday 29 Dec - Friday 2 Jan: 10.15am - 5.00pm Family Fun: Story Quest- Ages 7 -11 Date: 3rd January Venue: Mac, Belfast Be transported to a world of imagination, as you creak open the Storybox and read festive yarns of olde. Help the Storymaker bring his tale to a merry end before the box closes forever, in this delightful drama based workshop. Workshops cost just £7 per child, or book 3 for just £15. Don’t forget accompanying adults go free. Ages 7 -11. For more info: www.themaclive.com

Sleeping Beauty Date: 7th – 5Th Jan 2015 Venue: Island Arts Centre, Lisburn Lambeg Players return to the Lagan Valley Island for another hilarious and fun packed pantomime featuring all your favourites you’ve come to know and love. As every year, this is a wonderful night’s entertainment for all the family, from little kids to big kids. Time: 7.30pm (and 2.30pm on Sat) Price£10/£8 For more info: www.islandartscentre. com www.familiesfirst.ie

At this time of year there is something nice about getting wrapped up and going for a walk, especially after all of the excesses of Christmas. With over 34Km of multi-use trails, Castle Ward is the perfect place to get out and explore during the festive season. This fascinating National Trust property nestled on the shores of Strangford Lough, offers you unspoilt access to the stunning countryside and coast that surrounds us. Discover the beauty of this historic demesne as you stroll, cycle or trot along the variety of trails which Castle Ward has to offer. You might decide that a stroll along the shore is all you want to do, taking in the breath-taking views across Strangford Lough. Or for the more adventurous you can tackle the 12Km boundary trail, which takes you through the wider and lesser known parts of the estate. Perhaps you fancy stepping in the footsteps of the Stark family and exploring the castle trail? This 3Km trail takes you along the shore to Audleys castle returning back to the historic farmyard here. Fans of game of thrones are more likely to recognise these places as Winterfell and Robb’s Camp! The different trails around this walled demesne are suitable for all ages and abilities making them suitable for the whole family to enjoy. Castle Ward House sits magnificently in the 820 acres of landscaped park, lakes, woodlands and fields. The gift shop provides a large interesting range of gifts for all occasions and the second-hand bookshop and tea room provide spaces for relaxation after an enjoyable walk around the demesne. You will also find an exotic Victorian Children’s Playroom, Sunken garden, walking trails, farmyard with pigs, hens and goats, plus an adventure and children’s playgrounds. The grounds are open every day except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day and charges do apply for entry, National Trust members are free on production of their cards. There is limited opening of the estate between 23rd Dec – 3rd January 2015. For further details on the opening times and prices please check out our website on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castleward. Strangford, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7LS Telephone: 028 4488 1204 Email: castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

Familes First NI

Rachel’s story

Caring for my elderly loved ones.

hen Rachel’s mother had a fall, the ambulance staff suggested she book an assessment. Rachel then had to sort out home care support services for her mother.

“It started gradually really. She couldn’t remember what she had to eat the day before and then, because I used to do all her shopping and get it delivered there and I would be there to put it all away, she’d say, ‘Well, why have you got me this?’and she didn’t remember that was her favourite food. She had a series of falls and because she wasn’t capable of getting up and down stairs without extreme difficulty, the other members within that building were expressing concern over her ability to look after herself. Crisis point The final time she fell over, one of the residents, who is a retired GP, said that he felt we should call an ambulance. We had a paramedic and he said, ‘Well you know, she’s OK, but I would suggest that you send her for an assessment.’ So that’s what we did. I suppose I expected the first port of call to be her GP and he was very helpful, but there’s a limit to the resources they have. They also don’t seem to be able to point you

in a central direction and say this is where the information can be found that you’re looking for, or advice, or something. In order to get my mother to an assessment, we had to call the ambulance service, who then had to do a health and safety assessment. They then said, ‘Sorry, we can’t take her.’ So I’m thinking to myself, if she’d had a heart attack or something else, you would have taken her, but because she’s going for an assessment, you’re not going to. It cost £300 in ambulance fees. It all happened so quickly It literally went from last fall, assessment, she’s incapable of looking after herself – and that all happened within three days. I couldn’t possibly have her living with me because she has dementia, which makes her abusive and very, very hostile. We had huge problems even trying to get my mother there and back and basically they said that she needed 24/7 care, so I was given a booklet by somebody at the hospital while she was being assessed.

“I work, my husband works, I couldn’t take any more holiday off. I’d already taken about four or five days off. I just couldn’t cope any more.” I work, my husband works, I couldn’t take any more holiday off. I’d already taken about four or

five days off. I just couldn’t cope any more. So I picked the agency that said, ‘Yes, we can do it. I’ll send somebody over.’ I’m afraid the criteria was that simple, because I was that desperate. My mother had what they called waking nights. She would sleep during the day and be up until 2/3/4/5 o’clock in the morning. [The agency] add extra fees for that because the carer cannot sleep, so it was three shifts of eight hours by different people from this nursing agency, but they weren’t nurses as such they were just carers.” [Rachel’s mother is now living in a nursing home and Rachel is happy with the care she is receiving.] Rachel had a happy ending to a sad story. I am sure there are some of you who are facing similar problems. Hopefully this guide will help you along the decision making path. If your relative wants to stay in his or her own home, but needs help and support to do so, there is a range of services that can provide care or other help at home. Many people continue living independently with the help of home care providers. In this guide, we take you through the process of identifying your relative’s needs and who might meet them. If your relative is finding it difficult to carry out personal care routines – such as washing or dressing – home care services can provide the extra support that they need.

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How do home care services help Home care services (also known as domiciliary care) provide carers or personal assistants who can visit your relative at home to help with a wide range of jobs, including: • getting out of bed in the morning • washing • dressing • maintaining personal appearance, such as brushing your relative’s hair • help and support with toileting • getting settled for the evening and going to bed • nursing care from a registered nurse • picking up prescriptions • giving prescribed medication • preparing meals • collecting pensions • supervision and companionship. Your relative might also benefit from private care agencies or individuals to help with: • cleaning: regular kitchen or bathroom cleaning or one-off spring cleans, vacuuming the home or cleaning floors, tidying and dusting • doing the washing-up • laundry • shopping (either with, or on behalf of, them) • managing household bills • dog-walking • gardening • general home maintenance. The level of care and support that each person needs will vary. Your relative might need assistance with some, or all, of the above

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tasks; they might need care for only one hour a week, a couple of hours a day, or to have a full-time or live-in carer. Home care services can be used temporarily – for example, while your relative recovers from an illness or operation – or long term. One of the benefits of home care services is their flexibility, which allows your relative to choose the right level of help and support for them. Home care agencies versus home help In this guide we look at home care agencies and home help separately. Local authorities tend to focus their limited budgets on home care agencies (providing personal care) rather than home help services (providing help with practical household tasks). Local authorities have an obligation to provide some services, such as meals for those who have no other way of getting a meal, but they are unlikely, in most cases, to provide help with household tasks. If your relative needs help with cleaning and gardening, or personal assistance to help with shopping and paying bills, it is likely that they will have to look elsewhere, although local authorities can be helpful.

NEXT ISSUE: Nursing homes and their care.

December 2014 / January 2015

Carers NI support groups When you’re looking after someone it can often feel like you’re on your own. Joining a local support group can help to connect you with people who know what you’re going through. Carers Northern Ireland facilitates a number of Carers Support Groups in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. Contact Lyn Campbell to find out more on 028 9043 9843 or email: lyn.campbell@carersni.org

The groups meet as follows: • Antrim - 1st Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm in Antrim Civic Centre • Carrickfergus - 1st Tuesday of every month at 10am in the Miskimmon Suite, Old Town Hall, Antrim Street, Carrickfergus • Coleraine - Last Thursday in the month at 1.30pm in the Blind Centre, Abbey Street, Coleraine • Mid-Ulster - 3rd Thursday in the month at 7pm in the Day Centre, Magherafelt • Whitabbey - 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the Day Rehabilation Unit, Whitabbey Hospital The Groups meet every month except July and August. Visit the Carers UK directory to find support near you.

s we get older, many of us start to suffer with mobility problems. Everyday things we used to take for granted, like walking up the stairs, can become an issue. If you are finding it more and more difficult to walk from your living room to your upstairs bedroom or bathroom, help is at hand in the form of a stairlift. Stairlift Solutions have been selling, installing and servicing stairlifts for over a decade now right across Northern Ireland. As a locally owned family run business, Stairlift Solutions prides itself on a helpful and friendly service, always going that extra mile for all their customers — both new and old alike. Whether it’s straight or curved, indoor or outdoor, Stairlift Solutions can offer new, reconditioned or rental of stairlifts and can even have it installed within 24 hours if needed. They also fully maintain the stairlifts with full warranty and 24 hour after sales care, plus extended warranty is also available for total peace of mind. Stairlift Solutions is also a proud supporter of both Action Cancer and Marie Curie and continue to promote their causes across Northern Ireland. Here is what just some of their many satisfied customers had to say:

• I am delighted with the stairlift you supplied. It is marvellous, it enables me to get to the bathroom and bedroom and it saved me a lot of expense by not having to get a toilet downstairs. It is a great invention!» Mrs McClean - Belfast • The stairlift is a great job and is really helping my Mum & Dad. Thank you very much for your help in getting it installed at short notice. The whole process was a pleasure and we would highly recommend you.” Mr McCallister - Bushmills To arrange a FREE, no obligation survey of your staircase, or if you have any other questions, please call 028 9188 2249 or go to www.stairliftsolutionsni.com www.familiesfirst.ie

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When you call into a Memories Café you can be guaranteed great fun and a good laugh where everyone is caring and friendly and looking forward to that day’s activity. Dementia Support Manager of the Cafes Network, Deirdre Owens says ‘85 per cent of people with dementia say they struggle with isolation, loneliness and depression. The Memories Cafés provide a social atmosphere that aims to help people with dementia keep physically and mentally active as well as helping people express themselves. It is an opportunity for people diagnosed with dementia and their carers to come to a safe and understanding environment where you will meet with welcoming, supportive people, spend time sharing information and experiences and take part in fulfilling activities.’ The Café’s which are funded by the Big Lottery offers a varied schedule of stimulating, interactive and engaging activities including games, reminiscence, music sessions, storytelling, information talks, outings, health and wellbeing sessions, relaxation sessions and best of all the opportunities to have a chat. Anna who attends a Café with her husband has found it to be ‘a wonderful experience and a real benefit to be with people who understand the disease.’ She feels they have both benefited greatly from the friendliness of all the people there, the interesting and fun programme that is provided and the appetising scones and buns that are served.

Our Newtownards Café is every Tuesday morning in St Marks Parish Centre, Church St, Ards from 11.00am – 13.00pm And our Comber Café is every Wednesday morning in the 2nd Presbyterian Church Hall, Killinchy St, from 10.30am – 13.30pm We also have Memories Cafes throughout Belfast, Banbridge, Armagh and Kilkeel. Just contact the Coordinator on 028 9181 6742 for information on day’s times and venues. The Alzheimer’s Society also provides Outreach Support, Carer Support Groups as well Carer Information Programmes which run throughout the year to support people with dementia and their carers throughout Northern Ireland. Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. The organisation provides information and support to people with any form of dementia and their carers through publications, a website (www.alzheimers.org.uk) and more than 2,000 local services. They also have a low-cost, National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122.

Within this relaxed environment, people with dementia and their carers are able to speak with trained staff about any concerns, receive independent information on dementia and signposting of the services available. The Memories Café offer light refreshments and you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a bun while making new friends and learning new skills.

When it comes to insurance, isn’t it time you put yourself first?

It could be you.

Just think about all the things you insure as a matter of course.

However, when it comes to the lottery of life we don’t think critical illness will happen to us.

We all dream of winning the lottery, even with odds of 14 million to 1.

For example, more people insure their pets than their family.1

The chances of a critical illness striking close to home are higher than you may think. Look at the critical illness claims statistics below.

When you look at the cost of these everyday insurance plans you soon realise that the cost of personal protection is not to be sniffed at:

34 It costs £5.49 a month to insure a mobile.2

Boiler insurance costs from £9.00 a month.3

Multi-trip holiday insurance costs £29.99.4

A £33,000 life or critical illness cover plan costs £10.00 a month.5

Sources: 1 www.independent.co.uk, July 2013. 2 www.protectyourbubble.com, August 2013. 3 www.britishgas.co.uk, HomeCare 100, August 2013. 4 www.insureandgo.com, August 2013, annual bronze cover for an individual aged 28. 5 28-year-old non-smoker. Life or Critical Illness Cover, 20-year term, reviewable rates, lump sum of £33,280.74, monthly payment £10.00 including £2.60 plan charge. Personal Protection Menu from Bright Grey, August 2013.

34% of critical illness claims were made by people aged 45 or under.

The average age of people who claimed for Multiple Sclerosis was 42.

The average age of people who claimed for cancer was 48.

We’re all natural optimists, but even just a little bit of cover could mean you’re leaving less to chance.

Source: Royal London UK intermediary protection claims paid, 1 January – 31 December 2013.

What next?

Talk to QUANTUM3 FINANCIAL SERVICES. We'll help you identify your individual protection needs and guide you through the various types of cover available to make sure you get the right cover at the right price.

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December 2014 / January 2015

Money Moves How to retire richer, sooner and happier – whatever your age...

In your thirties In your fourties In yourFifties In your Sixties START SAVING Contributing £200 a month from the age of 30 could give you a pension fund of £233,890 by 60. MAKE A PLAN Speak to a financial adviser about retirement plans. Search unbiased.co.uk for a local independent expert; initial meetings are usually free.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS By October 2016, all employers in the UK must offer a pension in a scheme being phased in over the next two years. The money advice service is to aim to contribute around 10% of your salary throughout your working life.

REMORTGAGE FOR A BETTER DEAL Mortgage payments typically make up a third of monthly outgoings, says Sky News Sunrise money expert Sarah Willingham. ‘Based on a £150K mortgage, you can save in the region of £1,700 a year by switching to a lower interest rate’.

STOCKS AND SHARES ‘You don’t need a lot of money to play the stock market’ says Steve McDowell from Moneywise (moneywise.co.uk) ‘A very good guideline is about £1,000 to cover trading fees and don’t expect returns tomorrow. Give shares at least five years to grow’.

IF YOU DO ONE THING ‘Protect your state pension. Claim National Insurance credits during career breaks, so you’re still contributing to your NI record, allowing you to claim a full state pension, says Gemma Johnson of myfamilyclub.co.uk

INCREASE YOUR PENSION Put aside £290 a month to get a pension of £10,000 a year by 68. Increase regular pension savings when possible

WHAT’S YOUR GOAL? The pension calculator at the moneyadvicesservice.org. uk checks that you’re on target to reach retirement goals.

SHOP AROUND Switch energy, insurance and phone providers regularly. Those hundreds of pounds saved every year add up over the decades.

SAFE AS HOUSES? Some experts advise cashing in on increasing house values with a buy-to-let property. ‘There’s only one way house prices can travel in the decades ahead, which is why it’s good news to invest in property’ believes channel 4’s Phil Spencer. Kate Faulkner managing director of Designs on Property agrees, but warns, ‘over the next five years, forecasts suggest house prices will grow by 20-30%. This means it’s going to be difficult to get property at a discount’.

IF YOU DO ONE THING Consider consolidating pensions. If you have more than one workplace pension, under the latest rules, three smaller pensions can be rolled into one. Amalgamating pension pots could help secure a higher annuity rate, but don’t consolidate into a plan with higher charges, as this could wipe out any potential gains. Take guidance from your financial adviser. The government’s free Pension Tracing Service tracks down forgotten pensions. Find out more at gov.uk

IT’S STILL NOT TOO LATE TO START A PENSION It’s almost always worth starting a pension, unless you’re under 22, or earn less that £484 per month, from 2018 every employer must contribute 3% of your salary’s value into your pension, if on the average salary of £26,000pa your employer has to put £780 in your pension pot every year.

DIVERSITY REINVESTING If you like flexibility, consider managing your own pension pot with a self-invested personal pension (SIPP). This DIY pension is like a shopping basket, which can be filled with investments like commercial property or shares.

KNOW YOUR ALLOWANCES Annual ISA allowances have risen from £11,520 to £15,000 with growth being tax-free. Previously, ISA allowances could be split between two ISA’s made up of stocks, shares and cash. Now ISAs can contain a mix of investments and cash, or 100% cash. RENT OUT YOUR SPARE ROOM Taking a full time lodger could earn you £4,250 tax free a year, Doesn’t appeal? You could rent out a room to professionals during the week. Visit mondaytofriday.com for details.

IF YOU DO ONE THING Create an emergency fund to plan for the unseen. Aim to put away six months of total outgoings.

DOWNSIZING? Speak to three estate agents for a valuation. Haggle over commission rates; see if any of them will charge a flat fee of say, £500!

CHECK YOUR CREDITS Married women lacking credits for a state pension can claim up to 60% of their husband’s pension or 100% if they’re widowed. Check you eligibility for Carer’s Credit if you’re a carer working 20 hours a week or more to build up a state pension. Visit gov.uk for details.

HEAD TO THE SUN If you’re retiring abroad, consider transferring your pension to a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme, as you can invest in the country’s currency for better tax breaks. Visit gov.uk for more details. CONTINUE WORKING Working past the state pension age offers great financial benefits. You don’t pay National Insurance, and your tax free personal allowance rises, meaning earnings increase. The state pension age is gradually rising; by 2018, it will be 65 for women and by 2020, it will hike to 66 for both sexes. BUY ANNUITIES WISELY Private pension holders, usually buy an annuity (a payment system that converts pensions into a guaranteed lifetime income). Research from The Annuity Bureau shows many annuities have plummeted, with savings of £100,00 offering incomes of £6,280 a year compared with £13,681 just over 20 years ago. Consumer Which? Recommends using an independent financial adviser to shop around on your behalf.

IF YOU DO ONE THING Check your home insurance. Older people make few and smaller claims, so there are great discounts for over sixties. Visit castlecover.co.uk and ecclestastical.com

3 Clever ways to retire sooner! RENT YOUR GOODS Rent out designer goods for a fee, using sites such as uk.zilok.com and rentnotbuy.co.uk, you could make up to £20 a day renting out a Mulberry handbag or jewellery. www.familiesfirst.ie

INVEST IN WINE AND WHISKY The value of some whiskies has risen 400% in the last four years. Visit rarewhiskysite.com. There’s no need to worry about storage; bottles are usually kept in special warehouses and sold lter on your behalf.

www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

HELP A START UP BUSINESS Peer-to-peer lending is now regulated by the Financial Services for investment range from filmmakers and authors to florists and cafes. Schemes aren’t regulated by the Financial Service Compensation Scheme, so should be fully researched, although RateSetter (ratesetter.com) claims that everyone of its lenders has received their investments back.

Familes First NI

A distinctive timepiece from Jorg Gray features a precise Japanese movement, making it ideal for special occasions and everyday wear. Finished with Italian leather strap and a screw down crown.

The new 300 piece Limited Edition of the ScubaGraff has been constructed from 18kt Rose Gold and Titanium and a chocolate DLC coating. It measures 47mm in diameter and is fitted with a AR –coated crystal. Divers features include: a mechanical 30 minute dive-time indicator (6 o’clock), a rotational divers bezel with 18kt Rose Gold dive-time scale, a Helium Escape Valve (9 o’clock), a diamond-tipped screwdown crown, and a water reistance to 300 meters.

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Skyhawk A-T Titanium Watch Citizen Skyhawk Eco-drive Gents Chronograph Watch, Black Batons Dial with Digital Display, Perpetual Calendar, Titanium Case and Bracelet, Water Resistant up to 200 Metres.The new, fully loaded 3rd generation Skyhawk redefines atomic timekeeping with radio controlled accuracy and Eco-Drive technology. 3-Day Low Charge Warning (Will notify you 3 Days before the watch completely stops), 180 Day Power Reserve when Fully Charged (Approximately 2.5 Years with Power Save Function - 150 Hours to fully charge in average lighting).

GuysGear Hugo Boss Men’s Chronograph Watch. This gents Hugo Boss watch has a PVD rose plating PVD rose plating case and is fitted with an analogue chronograph quartz movement. It fastens a brown leather strap and has a brown dial. The watch has a date function.

Taking the vibrant colours of marine life, the Oris A quis date adopts a striking orange palette that stands in the deep blue sea. The watch has a water resistant capability of 300m which is perfect for observing the glamorous coral life

Includes alarm, stop watch and back light shatter resistant acrylic window performance and durable resin case with digital display. Durable stainless steal with fold over clasp reliable quartz crystal movement technology for precise keeping.

Black Metal Braclet Fossil Watch. Available from wristwatcharea.com www.familiesfirst.ie

The Dial is grey, vertically satin- finished with ‘The BNY Mellon Boat Race Oxford and Cambridge’ inscription, applied rhodium-coated markers with luminescent material, light and dark blue markers at 12 o’clock, rhodium-coated hands with luminescent material, and the seconds had is adorned with an arrow referring to the logo of the Race. www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

Developed with Switzerland’s Air Zermatt search-and- rescue chopper team, this polymath boasts a pilot’s logbook, GMT time, an alarm, chronograph, countdown, thermometer and calendar. In Short, it’s a lifesaver.

December 2014 / January 2015

Juicing

JUICING RECIPIES

Come new year, we will all feel the extra pounds after Christmas, many of us will set a new year’s resolution or two in place, trying to get healthy certainly will be one, and losing weight will also rank high up your list. Let’s face it, the majority of us definitely do not get our recommended 6-8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

What is juicing

Juicing extracts the insoluble fiber from the produce leaving just the nutrients for your body to absorb. Plus, juicing is a great way to incorporate a wide variety of fruits and veggies into your diet rather than sticking to the same foods everyday.

Why should you juice?

Using a good juicer and drinking your veggies and fruit is a proven way to lose weight fast and you will be giving the body what it needs to heal, stay healthy and reduce the risk of just about everything bad.

Hollywood actors do it to reduce weight fast for a role. You can get more of what you need from juicing than eating the veggies and fruit raw. It is recommended to juice veggies more than fruit because of the sugar content of fruit but either way you are doing much better than you would be if you are on a normal Diet. It’s now an Instagram fad, though. Juicing your own fruit and veg is the quickest way to gulp down the maximum hit of vitamins, minerals

and enzymes. But be aware, it’s also the most expensive, So if you feel you would like to try juicing to get you going this new year, we have tested 5 of the most popular around. They are not cheap, but as I am sure you will agree, men are the hardest to buy for, so maybe the family will get together and buy one for you for Christmas. There are lots of web sites that will give you recipe ideas, we have included some of these to get you started.

So get juicing!!!!

Aid digestion

Squeeze fatique

• • • • •

• • • • • •

Red apple 1 Tart green apple 1 Ginger, 1 inch unpeeled Fresh mint Pineapple, 2 mugs chopped.

Cleanse your mind • Apples, 1 ½ • Celery sticks, 2 • Cucumber, avocado, lime broccoli, ½ each • Spinach, 2 handfuls • Kale 1 handfuls • Ginger 1 inch

BeeGinger, ½ inch peeled. Pineapple, 4 fresh slices. Cucumber, ½ Spinach, handful Red apple, 1 Mix in a tbsp Wheatgerm.

Boost Strength • • • • • •

Beetroots, 2 Carrots, 2 Apple, 1 Lemon, 1 Mint, 3 sprigs Add 10ml Aloe juice.

Fight a cold • Carrots, 400 chopped tailed and cut into thirds to avoid clogging machinery • Ginger, 2g • Tumeric, pinch.

JUICERS

SANA EUJ-686 £319

OMEGA VSJ843 £380

KUVINGS WHOLE £350

L’EQUIP XL £109

CHAMPION 2000+ £300

We could tell you that the ‘single auger’ system gives you an enhanced nutritional payload. Or that it’s surprisingly quiet. But the key fact here is that this machine simply looks better than every other juicer on the market.

Everything here is geared to extracting as much juice as possible from your fruit and veg. The vertical loading nutrient unground and lets through the least pulp of all models

If you’re hot on what’s trending in the world of uber healthy living, cold pressed juices will have been filling up your feed.

The best value model. This ‘centrifugel ‘ juicer, which works by slicing up the food you put in with a flat blade and then spinning like mad out of it to separate the stuff you want from the pulp you don’t. It makes it louder to use and you get a bit less juice but all the important parts are dishwasher safe, so your faffing time gets a decent cut.

Consider this the Volvo of the group. It might not be as shiny or boast the latest innovations of it’s rivals, but it will keep going indefinitely. It’s masticating mechanism – literally chewing up the fruit and veg and spitting out the juice – means there is less to go wrong and it takes just under a minute to clean from the moment you turn off the motor.

You’ll want to leave it out on the worktop, rather than spend time every morning packing it away.

Juice quality

7/10

Cleaning is a pain – fill it with water and give it a spin, and the main parts will sort themselves out while you’re drinking the fruits of your labour. Juice quality

7/10

Heat given off by fast moving parts can damage nutritional value of the fresh foods, so the slower the chewing motion the better. This is the best value leisurely juicer you can put in your kitchen.

Juice quality

8/10

Juice quality

6/10

Juice quality

8/10

7/10

Ease of cleaning

9/10

Ease of cleaning

8/10

Ease of cleaning

8/10

Ease of cleaning

8/10

Ease of cleaning

Noise reduction

7/10

Noise reduction

7/10

Noise reduction

8/10

Noise reduction

8/10

Noise reduction

6/10

Worktop looks

10/10

Worktop looks

7/10

Worktop looks

8/10

Worktop looks

8/10

Worktop looks

8/10

Overall:

Excellent juice quality, especially if you’re using a lot of leafy greens. Te homogenising function ensures juice keeps for longer.

A smaller chute means you have to do more cutting up before you start juicing, but it’s the highest-yielding vertical juicer on the market.

It’s the quickest ‘slow’ juicer on offer, producing excellent nutritional values. You will have to chop up leafier veg but the results are worth the extra effort.

Very fast and easy to use, with minimal prep time in terms of cutting up fruit and veg before you feed it in. this is a good value option if you’re new to juicing.

More modern models have better yields but note that this is an almost indestructible beast, which will work as well in 10 years as it does out of the box.

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Familes First NI

LIMITED OFFER UNLIMITED APPEAL 208 ACCESS+ • AIR CONDITIONING • ELECTRIC AND HEATED DOOR MIRRORS • REMOTE CONTROLLED CENTRAL LOCKING • CRUISE CONTROL WITH SPEED LIMITER • ABS AND ESP • ELECTRIC FRONT WINDOWS

£159

down/per month

Includes £1,850 customer saving

F R E E METALLIC PAINT *

Order now for January registration

on Passport Personal Lease#

NEW PEUGEOT 208 ACCESS+ The award-winning Peugeot 208 Access+ with new PureTech engine, comes with air conditioning, electric front windows and cruise control with speed limiter. It is now available from just £159 down and £159 per month. Plus order any new Peugeot now for January registration and get Free Metallic Paint* worth up to £600. For a test drive, call into your local Northern Ireland Peugeot dealer today.

MOTION & EMOTION

Regency Cars Newtownards

43 Portaferry Road, Newtownards. T: 9181 4581 www.regencycars.net

Official Fuel Consumption in MPG (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 208 Range are: Urban 51.4 – 67.3 (5.5 – 4.2), Extra Urban 72.4 – 85.6 (3.9 – 3.3), Combined 62.8 – 78.5 (4.5 – 3.6) and CO2 104 – 95 (g/km). MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. Model shown is a 208 Access+ 1.0 VTi 68 Puretech 3 door. Terms and conditions apply, participating dealers only or visit www.peugeot.co.uk. To finance your lease/purchase we may introduce you to a limited number of lenders. #Passport Personal Lease: A guarantee may be required. Over 18’s only. Written quotations available on request from Peugeot Financial Services, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill RH1 1QA. 208 Access+ VTi 68 Puretech 3 door, customer initial payment £159, including £1,850 customer saving, optional final payment £4,910. 36 monthly payments payable. Annual mileage 6,000 miles. If you choose to pay the optional final payment, you can pay an annual payment equivalent to one of your monthly payments but will not own the car. Excess mileage charges may apply. Ownership is possible with Passport - ask us for details. *Free metallic paint applies to eligible cars ordered between 15th November and 31st December and registered before 31st March 2015. Retail sales only. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Information correct at time of going to press.

AUDI A3 2.0 TDI SPORT 5DR [START STOP] FULL SERVICE HISTORY / £30 TAX Economical car with Stop / Start technology, £30 Road tax 46,800 miles £12,650

CHRYSLER 300C 3.0 V6 CRD 4DR AUTO FULL SERVICE HISTORY Local car, Full service history - recently serviced 69,100 miles £7,950

AUDI A3 1.6 TECHNIK 3DR LOW MILEAGE, FINANCE AVAILABLE Local car, Full service history - just fully serviced 38,900 miles £8,950

CITROEN DS3 1.6 E-HDI AIRDREAM DSTYLE 3DR £0 RFL, ECONOMICAL Local car, Full Citroen service history - recently serviced, Economical car with Stop / start technology 26,000 miles £9,450

AUDI A3 1.6 TECHNIK SPORTBACK 5DR ECONOMICAL FAMILY CAR Local car, Full service history - just serviced, Economical family car with good spec 40,000 miles £10,450 AUDI A4 2.0 TDI 143 S LINE 4DR ONLY 53400 MILES Full service history - Just fully serviced, Economical, Great spec 53,400 miles £11,950

FIAT 500 1.4 SPORT 3DR BLUETOOTH / HALF LEATHER Local car, Service history - recently serviced, Economical 60,000 miles £5,450 FORD FOCUS 1.6 SPORT 5DR FINANCE AVAILABLE Local car, Just fully serviced, Economical family car 64,700 miles £3,750

AUDI TDI 143 S LINE 53400 MILES Full service AUDIA4 Q52.0 2.0TD S LINE 5DR 4DR FULLONLY LEATHER / BLUETOOTH history - Just fully Great- spec 53,400 miles 28/06/2012, Localserviced, car, FullEconomical, service history recently serviced, £11,950 Economical 4x4 with Stop / start technology 43,300 £25,950

FORD FOCUS 1.6 ZETEC 5DR ONLY 10000 MILES Late 2011, Local car, Full Ford service history - Just fully serviced, Economical family car, Low mileage 10,000 miles £8,950

BMW 3 SERIES 318D SE 4DR 2.0 £30 RFL / 18” UPGRADE ALLOYS Full BMW service history - recently serviced, Economical car with Stop / start technology, £30 Road tax 20,000 miles £17,950

JAGUAR XF 3.0D V6 PREMIUM LUXURY 4DR AUTO ONLY 13900 MILES Only 13900 miles, Local car, Full service history - Just serviced, Immaculate condition car with great spec 13,900 miles £17,950

BMW 3 SERIES 320D M SPORT HIGHLINE 2DR AUTO 2.0 AUTOMATIC / GREAT SPEC Full BMW service history - recently serviced, Economical, Great spec 57,600 miles £15,450

KIA SPORTAGE 1.7 CRDI 1 5DR ECONOMICAL / KIA 7 YEAR WTY 1 Owner, Kia service history, Economical car with Stop / start technology, Balance of Kia 7 year Warranty remaining 20,000 miles £14,950

BMW 3 SERIES 325D M SPORT 2DR 3.0 19” ALLOYS / ELECTRIC SUNROOF Local car, 1 Owner, Full BMW service history - still under BMW service plan, Economical car, Great spec 50,000 miles £16,950 CITROEN C3 PICASSO 1.6 HDI 8V EXCLUSIVE 5DR ONLY 9900 MILES3 /SERIES £30 RFL Only SE 9900 miles, Citroen service BMW 318D 4DR 2.0Local £30 car, RFLFull / 18” UPGRADE history -Full justBMW fully service serviced, Economical car serviced, with £30 Economical Road tax 9,900 ALLOYS history - recently car miles with Stop£7,950 / start technology, £30 Road tax 20,000 miles £17,950

MINI HATCH COOPER 1.6 COOPER D 3DR ECONOMICAL CAR / CHILLI PACK Local car, Mini service history - just fully serviced, Economical car with Stop / start technology and Zero Road tax 37,200 miles £10,450 MAZDA6 2.0TD TS 5DR ECONOMICAL / FINANCE AVAILABLE Local car, Full Mazda sevice history - recently serviced, Economical 64,200 miles £6,950

MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS 1.5 BLUEEFFICIENCY A160 CLASSIC SE 5DR ECONOMICAL / BLUETOOTH Local car, Mercedes digital service history - next service due in 10400 miles, Economical / spacious car 32,800 miles £6,450

RENAULT CLIO 1.2 16V DYNAMIQUE 3DR [AC] ONLY 34800 MILES Local car, Full Renault service history - recently serviced, Economical 34,800 miles £4,450

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.0 TDI CR 140 SPORT 4DR DSG SUNROOF, FRONT & REAR PARKING Full Volkswagen service history - Just serviced, Economical car with great spec 23,800 miles £14,450

MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS 2.1CDI C220 CDI SE EDITION 125 4DR 7G-TRONIC 18” ALLOYS / SAT NAV 13/12/2014, Local car, Full Mercedes service history - just serviced, Economical car 44,300 miles £14,950

RENAULT CLIO 1.2 16V DYNAMIQUE TOMTOM 5DR FULL RENAULT SERVICE HISTORY Local car, Full Renault service history - just fully serviced, Economical 29,900 miles £5,950

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC 2.0 GT TDI CR BLUEMOTION TECH 4DR Local car, Full Volkswagen service history - just fully serviced, Economical car with Stop / start technology 34,800 miles £14,250

MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS C220 CDI SE 3DR AUTO 2.1 ECONOMICAL / AUTOMATIC Local car, Just serviced and MOT’d, Economical 85,700 miles £4,950

SKODA ROOMSTER 1.6 TDI CR 105 SE 5DR PANORAMIC ROOF / HEATED SEATS Local car, Full Skoda service history - Just serviced, Economical car with great spec 26,000 miles £7,950

VOLVO S80 2.0 D SE SPORT 4DR 2.0 D R-DESIGN SE PREMIUM NAV Local car, Full Volvo service history, Just fully serviced 46,500 miles £10,950

NISSAN JUKE 1.5 DCI ACENTA 5DR [SPORT PACK] FULL NISSAN SERVICE HISTORY Local car, Full Nissan service history just fully serviced, Economical 50,000 miles £9,950

SEAT ALTEA 1.9 TDI S 5DR ECONOMICAL / FINANCE AVAILABLE Local car, Full service history - Just serviced, Economical family car 49,800 miles £6,450

NISSAN NAVARA 2488 CC 2.5DCI AVENTURA PICKUP 4WD AUTO / MASSIVE SPEC / NO V.A.T NO V.A.T, Just fully serviced 70,000 miles £7,950 NISSAN QASHQAI 1.5DCI N-TEC 5DR ONLY 18000 MILES / GREAT SPEC 24/11/2011, Local car, Full Nissan service history Just serviced, Economical car with low mileage, Great spec 18,200 miles £12,450 NISSAN QASHQAI 1.6 ACENTA 5DR ONLY 12500 MILES / F.N.S.H 18/11/2011, Local car, Full Nissan service history - just serviced, Economical family car with great spec 12,500 miles £9,450 PEUGEOT 208 1.4 HDI ACTIVE 5DR BLUETOOTH, CRUISE, I-POD 10/10/2012, Local car, Zero Road Tax 15,200 miles £8,950 PEUGEOT 207 1.4 SPORTIUM 3DR SAT NAV / BLUETOOTH Local car, Just fully serviced, Economical, Great spec with Sat nav and Bluetooth 20,000 miles £5,950

Quality Used Cars 81 Ballybracken Road, Doagh, Ballyclare BT39 0TE www.familiesfirst.ie

SEAT LEON 1.6TDI ECOMOTIVE SE 5DR ARRIVING SOON / £0 ROAD TAX Arriving soon, Please call for details, Full service history, Economical car with Stop / start technology - £0 Road tax 48,000 miles £7,950 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 1.6 VVT ATTITUDE 3DR 4X4 / ATTITUDE SPECIAL EDITION Full service history - recently serviced, Attitude special edition with many extras 90,000 miles £4,750

VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.4I 16V SRI 5DR ONLY 14000 MILES Arriving soon, , Local car, Full Vauxhall service history - just serviced, Economical family car with good spec 14,000 miles £7,950 HONDA CR-V 2.2I-DTEC EX 5DR 4WD ECONOMICAL 4X4 / MASSIVE SPEC 09/12/2011, Local car,£30 FullTAX, service history - Just VAUXHALL CORSA 1.3CDTI SE 5DR ECONOMICAL, serviced, Economical 4x4, Massive spec 36,000 mileshistory £16,450 HIGH SPEC 20/10/2011, Local car, Full Vauxhall service - Just fully serviced, Economical car with £30 Tax 14,600 miles £7,250 VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1.2 60 3DR ONLY 7000 MILES, F.V.W.S.H Local car, Full Volkswagen service history - Just fully serviced, Economical, Low insurance 6,000 miles £5,000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2.0TDI GT 3DR ECONOMICAL, LOW MILEAGE, F.S.H Local car, Full service history - just serviced, Economical 30,000 miles £11,950

TOYOTA AYGO 1.0 VVT-I + 3DR ECONOMICAL / £20 TAX / LOW INS Local car, Full Toyota service history - just fully serviced 26,800 miles £5,450

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6 TDI BLUEMOTION TECH SE 4DR ECONOMICAL / £30 RFL Local car, Full Volkswagen service history - just serviced, Economical car with Stop / start technology, £30 Road tax 55,000 miles £11,450

VAUXHALL ASTRA 2.0 CDTI 16V ECOFLEX SRI 5DR [START STOP] ONLY 16900 MILES Local car, Full Vauxhall service history - just fully serviced, Economical car with £30 road tax 16,900 miles £9,450

VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO 2.0TD BLUEMOTION TECH GT 3DR VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO 2.0TD BLUEMOTION TECH GT 3DR VIPER GREEN / ONLY 9650 MILES Local car, Full Volkswagen VIPER GREEN / ONLY 9650 MILES Local car, Full Volkswagen service service history history --recently recentlyserviced, serviced,Economical Economicalcar carwith withStop Stop/ start / start technology, technology, £30 £30 Road Road tax tax 9,650 9,650 miles miles £16,000 £16,000

T: 028 9332 2120

www.philiphollandcarsales.co.uk www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

THE FACTS

December 2014 / January 2015

What does it cost? Price £14,895 to £23,445

Fuel per 100 miles £7 - £12

Target Price £13,437 - £21,108

82 - 129 g/km

Cost

★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars Our favourite engine is the 118bhp 1.6-litre

diesel. It’s flexible, so you rarely have to rev it hard, and makes the 308 feel reasonably brisk. You have to work the 91bhp 1.6 pretty hard at times, but it doesn’t feel significantly slower than the higher-powered version when you do. Both 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engines are worth a look if you don’t do many miles a year; the 109bhp unit is decently punchy at low revs, while the 129bhp version feels more urgent and is usefully brisk.

Ride & Handling

★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars Aside from a bit of patter from the rear of

the car, the 308 rides pretty well on most surfaces, although models with 18-inch wheels are less comfortable at low speeds. Sadly, you pay for this suppleness with sloppy body control. The steering is also a little vague and overly light, which doesn’t inspire enough confidence on twisty back roads or on the motorway.

Refinement

★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars The 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine stays

quiet unless you rev it hard, but the 91bhp diesel sounds gruffer and transmits more

CAR REVIEW

Tax band : A - D

PEUGEOT 308 HATCHBACK

vibration through the pedals. The 1.2-litre turbocharged petrols are the most hushed engines in the line-up, and remain calm and quiet at all times. You have to put up with some wind noise at motorway speeds, while the manual gearbox has a vague action.

Buying & Owning

★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars The 308 is competitively priced, and you can get a decent discount to make it better value. The diesel models and 1.2 turbo petrol versions are impressively economical, while their low CO2 emissions help to make them cheap to run as company cars. Resale values are the only area where the 308 struggles to match the class leaders; they’re merely average, though, so are far from awful.

Quality & Reliability

★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars Much of the cabin is smartly trimmed,

but there are some signs of cost cutting, including a swathe of hard, scratchy plastic beneath the centrally mounted touch-screen. The 308 was too new to feature in the most recent JD Power customer satisfaction survey, but Peugeot as a manufacturer got average marks for reliability. www.familiesfirst.ie

Safety & Security

★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars Standard safety equipment is comparable

with that in most rivals, plus Peugeot offers a Driver Assistance Pack on some models that brings several desirable extras. These include adaptive cruise control and a system that automatically applies the brakes if it detects an imminent collision. Security kit includes an immobiliser and deadlocks, and most versions also get an alarm.

Behind The Wheel

★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars As in the 208, there’s an unusually

small steering wheel that you look over (instead of through) to see the instruments. Fewer drivers will find the top of the wheel blocks their view of the speedo in the 308, however. A touch-screen is standard on all but the entry-level trim, and features large easy-tohit icons. That said, some of the minor functions are fiddly to operate on the move, and it’s a pity Peugeot hasn’t fitted separate controls for the air-conditioning.

Space & Practicality

★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars The boot can swallow 470 litres of luggage, www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

which is 120 litres less than the Skoda Octavia’s can manage, but a lot more space than you get in a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf. Unfortunately, the 308’s large carrying capacity comes at the expense of rear legroom; six-footers will feel seriously cramped when sitting behind similar-sized people up front, while rear headroom is also quite tight if you specify the optional panoramic glass roof.

Equipment

★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars Every 308 comes with air-conditioning,

Bluetooth, a digital radio and cruise control, but we’d go for Active trim, which gets alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and sat-nav. Allure models are expensive, but add full-LED headlights, a reversing camera and front parking sensors, while range-topping Feline versions get 18-inch alloys, the panoramic glass roof and keyless entry as standard.

Familes First NI

Baked pear in puff pastry i Ingredients 1 whole pear(peeled & cored) 3 tbsp soft brown sugar 1 vanilla pod(deseeded) 1/2 lemon (juice) 40g Puff pastry

Turkey Saltimbocca..... ◆ simply place turkey fillet on bench,now add sage on top ,warm with ham tightly. ◆ in a non stick pan add butter and cook turkey of each side for 2 minutes. ◆ place into oven @180oc 6-8 minutes until cooked.

Sauce

◆ in a small pot,add wine and bring to high heat. ◆ now add brown sugar & cranberries reduce until sticky. ◆ now add stock and reduce by half. ◆ Serve with fondant potatoes,roast roots & gratin of sprouts

(serves 2) ◆ Place pear in sugar with vanilla & lemon juice into a heavy pan and caramelise for 5-7 minutes flat side down. ◆ Cool pear for 15 minutes. ◆ Now place cool pear on top of bench and wrap puff pastry around,prick pastry well & bake in oven 180oc for 15 minutes. ◆ Serve with honey comb ice-cream

Some simple, fast recipes for Men!! Why not have a go....

i Ingredients

Catering Veg Products for Retail & Freshly Prepared Fruit & 6HD. Road, Dungannon, BT71 Address: 89 Ballynakelly .uk Email: info@quinfresh.co Tel: 028 8774 7691 Fax: 028 8774 0705

2x 130g turkey fillet(marinated) 2 slices of Prosciutto ham 2 large sage leaves 20g butter Salt & pepper Sauce 30ml Marsala wine 100ml Brown chicken/ turkey stock 10 fresh Cranberries 1tbsp Brown sugar

Winter chestnut soupcrispy bacon & chives i Ingredients (serves 2) ◆ in a small pot add oil, shallot, celery & sweet potato cook soft. ◆ add chestnuts, tomato purée & honey sauté for a few minutes. ◆ now add stock bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. ◆ add creme fraiche, salt & pepper blend well. ◆ Serve with crispy bacon & chives.

1 shallot (finely chopped) 1/2 rib of celery (finely diced) 1/4 sweet potato (diced) 1 tsp of tomato purÈe 6 chestnuts (chopped) 1 tsp of honey 175ml vegetable stock 1 tbsp of creme fraiche

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December 2014 / January 2015

Families First

Mini Directory

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2 out of 3 MS sufferers have one thing in common. They’re women. There are around 100,000 multiple sclerosis sufferers in the UK1. In fact it’s one of the 5 most common critical illnesses claimed for2. What’s more, it affects twice as many women as men3. MS is also very difficult to diagnose. That’s why many providers use the standard definition from the Association of British Insurers to make decisions on a claim. But at Bright Grey, the definition is better than that and means you don’t have to wait as long for your diagnosis to be confirmed.

77,000

women in the UK have been diagnosed with MS1

is the average age of women who claimed for MS2

Just over

1 in 14 of all women’s critical illness claims paid were for MS2

So, if you’re thinking about critical illness cover, choose an insurer that acts sooner rather than later to help MS sufferers. Sources: 1. www.mssociety.org.uk, June 2014. 2. Royal London UK intermediary protection claims paid, 1 January – 31 December 2013. 3. www.mstrust.org.uk, June 2014.

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