Just for Her Issue 12 by Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd

ISSUE 12

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AZ to

NEW YEARS Resolutions

Just for Her is looking for interesting and relevant articles about the Service community… If you have something you have written, ideally with pictures too, then please send your articles in to justforher@forcespublishing.co.uk.

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Dishing the Dirt on

CLEAN EATING

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MARRIED to

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PTSD

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Sh ow

Th e Ke y to H appin ess

Directory for the Wives, Girlfriends and Families of Military Personnel

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Win tickets to T he Nat io na l Wed di ng

POLE POSITION

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H appy Po st is ba ck!

ABSTINENCE

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makes the heart grow fonder

for

Directory for the Wives, Girlfriends and Families of Military Personnel

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Would you like to see your article published? Just for Her is looking for interesting and relevant articles about the Service community… If you have something you have written, ideally with pictures too, then please send your articles in to mail@forcespublishing.co.uk.

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Welcome to issue 12 of Just for Her… Happy New Year lovely readers! We hope that you all had a fun filled Christmas and are ready for 2017! If you still haven’t decided on any resolutions this year then check out our A to Z Guide for some inspiration. Got engaged at Christmas? Make sure you enter our competition to win tickets to The National Wedding Show. In this issue we Dish the Dirt on Clean Eating so if you had one too many mince pies during the festive period, and you’re feeling guilty, go straight to page 56. If the thought of going to the gym leaves you in a cold sweat, why not give pole fitness a try? You can find out all about this latest craze in Pole Position. PTSD is sadly a big part of military life and can have a profound impact on the wives and girlfriends of sufferers. In our Married to PTSD article, one brave wife tells us her story. Another issue rife in the military is staying intimate during deployment. We discuss ways to stay connected as a couple during separation and consider whether Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder! As always you can browse our fashion and interior pages for ideas and view our travel pages to help plan your next trip abroad. If you’re thinking of going away for Valentine’s Day, make sure you read Reasons Why Lisbon is the Perfect Weekend Destination before you book anything!

A to Z of New Year’s Resolutions

The Key to Happiness

Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Military & Me

A Modern Day Addiction

Walking with the Wounded

Married to PTSD

PTSD - Bowen Therapy

Asking for Help

Win Tickets to The National Wedding Show

Easy Valentine’s Three Course Meal

Scrabble Tile Art

Shop The Highstreet

Home Front Cleaning

Cleaning Goddess Gadget Guide

Dishing the Dirt on Clean Eating

Pole Position

Fashion Lookbook

Bizarre Britain

Reasons Why Lisbon is the Perfect Weekend Away

Cities A to Z - Innsbruck

For anyone that would like to contribute to the next issue, the closing date for contributions is 24th February. Until next time...

Many thanks to Kate Saines for her editorial contribution

Enjoy! Articles and photographs reproduced by kind permission of the contributors © No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers. Advertisements are included in good faith. The MOD or any Service Establishment is not responsible for the advertiser or its advertised product or service.

Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU. Tel: 01933 419994 www.forcespublishing.co.uk justforher@forcespublishing.co.uk @justforhermag Editorial: Joanna Barnes Design: Amy Leverton

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AZ to

NEW YEAR’S Resolutions

CALORIES

We’re not saying obsessively count them – but if you’ve been meaning to lose a few pounds or are feeling a bit guilty after so much Christmas indulgence then the New Year can be the perfect time to make some positive changes to your eating habits and set some healthy & attainable goals!

abd Another year over and another one beginning! If you haven’t made one already and need some inspiration for a great New Year’s Resolution then look no further!

ATTITUDE

If 2016 didn’t go so well, start 2017 with a new and positive attitude and put the effort in to keep it that way! Try to look on the bright side of things, shake off the negative and focus on the positive!

BUY LOCAL

Buying local is great for many reasons - produce is often fresher, it keeps money in the local economy – the knock on effect being that the more prosperous the area becomes the greater the employment opportunities will be, it’s great for the environment - buying local, inseason produce with a traceable farm-to-fork footprint instead of food that has been ﬂown half way across the world and wrapped in plastic is certainly the greener option! You are more likely to find a great quirky gift, or a one-off piece of furniture if you look for it closer to home!

DECLUTTER

Tidy house, tidy mind, as the saying goes! Spring is on the horizon and you could get one step ahead of the spring clean by having a clear out. Clothes, bric- a-brac and old toys will be welcomed at charity shops, or maybe make a bit of extra cash having a car boot sale!

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i egh

INSPIRE

HOBBIES

EXPLORE

Whether it’s the World or just your local area – make it your mission to get out there this year! Moving around a lot with the military can be hard going but it does give you a good opportunity to explore different places!

FITNESS

If you’re wanting to boost your fitness in 2017 then now is the time to get started! Treat yourself to some good running shoes & join a running club, or stick your headphones in and go it alone – the Couch to 5K podcast is a great place to start! Gym memberships can be pricey but many gyms offer discounts during the New Year so now might be the perfect time to join. Swimming, Zumba or other locally run classes are a great way to meet new people, have fun and get fit at the same time!

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GO GREEN

Make it your aim to reduce your carbon footprint this year. Small changes can have a big impact! Change your light bulbs to low energy ones, fix any leaky taps, only run the dishwasher or washing machine with full loads, put on an extra jumper instead of cranking up the heat – just a few ideas on how you could make a difference!

If you’re a bit tired of the same old, day in day out, why not try out some new hobbies? Check out what’s on offer locally, maybe you’ve always wanted to tap dance, learn how to crochet or join a football team... Many places will offer a free first lesson to get a taste for it before committing to anything long term so you can have a go at a few things and see what takes your fancy!

Instead of learning something new, maybe you are a master at something that you could teach others! There are many different ways to inspire, setting up a YouTube channel, writing a how-to blog or even setting up a local evening group to pass on your knowledge. Inspiring others leaves you with a wonderful feeling and you never know where it could take you!

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p jnq k PAY IT FORWARD

Pay It Forward is a simple concept – always be on the lookout for ways to spread some kindness, brighten someone’s day and help others. It can be as simple as donating old clothes to charity, sharing your umbrella with a stranger on a rainy day or making an appointment to give blood, buying a meal for a homeless person or stopping to help someone who’s broken down at the side of the road.

JOURNAL

Keeping a journal, or even scrapbooking, blogging or using a journal app such as DayOne is a great New Year’s Resolution to take up. Regularly writing down your thoughts not only keeps the creative juices ﬂowing but it has been shown to have great mental health benefits too and is proven to be very cathartic.

r o l m KEEP YOUR PROMISES

Not just to others, but to yourself as well! And don’t make ones you know you can’t keep, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve let yourself, or others, down!

LEARN A LANGUAGE

Studies have shown that bilingual people have greater memories & multitasking skills than their monolingual peers. It can stave off Alzheimers & it improves your English, too, thanks to having to study the mechanics of and having a greater understanding of grammar, sentence structure and conjugations. Plus, with all the travelling that can come with being part of a military family, it might really come in handy one day!

NO!

If you find yourself rushed off your feet or always trying to please everybody, make it your resolution to say ‘no’ more often!

QUIT

Smoking, drinking, junk food, biting your nails, being negative, moaning... There’s always something we could quit! Now is the time!

One Second Everyday

A great little app to download and a fun and easy resolution to take on. The premise of One Second Everyday is that you take a one second video of something you are doing everyday for a whole year. The end result when they are all linked together is great, you can look back at a whole year in your life and save it forever!

If you love to read, set yourself a 2017 book challenge! If you google the concept it will bring up a tick list of different types of book you should aim to read throughout the year to really broaden your reading scope.

MEET UP WITH OLD FRIENDS

Sometimes life just gets in the way, and before you know it you’ve lost touch with people you used to be close to. Make an effort to reconnect with old pals and get together more!

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u s SAVE MONEY

It could be as simple as buying a money box and squirreling away all your loose change, saving every 20p coin you get, or opening up a savings account and setting up a direct debit every month. You will be surprised at how much you end up with at the end of the year or by the summer! Tie it in with another resolution too – if you’re giving up the take-aways or cigarettes put away the money you’d spend on them and treat yourself to something better!

UNPLUG

Make it your mission to spend less time on your phone, social media or in front of the TV! The majority of us will probably agree we spend way too much time glued to a screen – one study showed the average person spends over 9 hours a day looking at a screen! You don’t need to cut your electricity lines and close down your Facebook account but make little changes. If you go out for drinks or a meal put your phones in the middle of the table, and switch off the TV at dinnertime and talk to each other instead!

t x v TIMELINESS

If you’re one of those people who always seems to be late for everything, make the effort to become more organised, get things in order and stay on time for things! A little planning before the school run, work, or an outing can make things so much easier and avoid the stress of rushing around!

VOLUNTEER

w WATER

Drink more! Keeping hydrated has lots of positive benefits – better focus and concentration, clearer skin, increased energy, a boost for your immune system and it can stave off headaches. If you don’t like the taste of water you can infuse it with fruit – so there’s no excuse!

XMAS

No, we’ve not gone mad, we know it’s only just been BUT now is the perfect time to get ahead for the next one! Shop the sales and store a few pressies away to save money in the long run!

Volunteering your time is one of the best things you can do. Pick an issue that is close to your heart and go for it! You can get in touch with local charities easily through Facebook pages or websites, or you can drop into charity shops and go from there. Even if it’s an hour a week you could make a big difference.

YOGA

A great way to relax and do some gentle exercise, yoga is a wonderful peaceful resolution to take up!

ZEN

Adopting a Zen attitude is all about letting go of what you can’t control, looking at the bigger picture, focusing on positive thoughts and taking time for yourself. Meditation plays a big part and will help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

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How happy are you - really? Often, even though we may have many reasons to be happy - you may be married to the love of your life, have your health, your dream job, your perfect house - for some reason we still feel like something is missing, and that we aren’t truly, completely happy. To embrace the New Year in a positive manner and to start as we mean to go on we have narrowed down the top proven ways to turn it all around and fill your life with joy…!

KHappiness The

Start with the basics

You don’t need to be meditating for hours on end, doing advanced yoga at sunset on a deserted beach or rocking gently in a hammock in the sun drenched Bahamas whilst a topless Ryan Reynolds look-a-like hand feeds you peeled grapes... Although we admit this would make us VERY happy! No, the basics of being truly happy with your life comes from the smaller things. Go to bed at a decent hour and get enough rest, make sure you are eating at the right times and not letting yourself go hungry for hours, try to plan ahead so your are more organised – packing the kids lunches the night before school instead of rushing around in the mornings, planning your meals for the week and taking a shopping list with you to the supermarket so you’re not missing a vital ingredient at the last minute. Science has proven it’s the little things that make our lives a bit easier which help to reduce stress, boosting happiness

and giving us a more positive and content feeling overall.

Find Your Tribe A vital component to being happy is to surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you, who make you laugh and who make you feel like you are a wanted part of the group. Even for introverts, social time is highly valuable when it comes to improving our happiness. Humans are, by nature, herd animals and having a close friend group, whether it’s with one, two or twenty people, makes us feel loved, content and happy. One of the top 5 regrets of dying people is losing touch with friends and family, and not spending enough time with them. So pick up the phone and call your cousin, search on Facebook for your senior school BFF and make time to have coffee with your friends!

Exercise

Regular exercise isn’t just good for our physical health, but our mental health too. When we are feeling sad, stressed or anxious many of us turn to things like eating junk food, binge-watching TV shows or increasing our use of alcohol and tobacco for comfort. Whilst these things may work to make us feel better in the short term, they usually come with negative side effects that make us feel worse about ourselves. When carried out repeatedly, gorging on chocolate or drinking an extra G&T or two a night will have negative consequences. In the long run these behaviours, undertaken to increase happiness, actually end up making us feel worse. Exercise not only improves our mood in the short term but it also has long term positive effects on the rest of our wellbeing too. It can reduce stress and anxiety and has been proven to be a key component in helping to fight depression – a study published in the British Journal

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a long term commitment. For example, if you’re interested in nursing you could volunteer in a nursing home or hospital. If, on the other hand, you’re reading this and thinking; spare time, what’s that?! There are other smaller ways you can help too. Just being alert and on the lookout for ways you can help people who’s paths you cross everyday can be rewarding. “Dedicating some Things as small as sharing your time helps you to umbrella with a stranger, holding make new friends, doors open for people or giving your spare change to charity expand your network will give you a warm and fuzzy and boost your social feeling inside.

of Sports Medicine revealed that walking actually worked faster than antidepressants. It boosts your energy levels and helps you to form a better sleeping pattern, it can raise your high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the good cholesterol) and lower your lowdensity lipoprotein (the bad cholesterol), it can help fight obesity and give you a more positive body image.

Give To and Help Others

Helping others kindles happiness. If you have skills. It is a great way a bit of spare time, you to meet new people, could put it to great use Practice Gratitude by volunteering for a local especially if you are Studies have shown that charity. Helping out in new to the area.” consciously focusing on even the smallest of ways being thankful for every little can make a huge difference thing in our lives improves our overall to the lives of people, animals happiness. People who work on developing or organisations in need and it will make an ‘attitude of gratitude’ are often more a big difference to you, too. Dedicating relaxed, happier and secure. There are some time helps you to make new friends, many ways to practice gratitude, you could expand your network and boost your keep a gratitude journal, taking time to social skills. It is a great way to meet new write down all the things you are grateful people, especially if you are new to the for.You don’t need to do it every, once a area. If you are unhappy in your current week is enough. Some people prefer to job, volunteering is a fantastic way to gain just take a few moments throughout the some experience in a new field of work, day to actively think about things they and to test out the waters without making

are thankful for. Expressing your gratitude directly to people also boosts our happiness, as the act of thanking another often brings them happiness too. It could be your mum, best friend or even an author whose book changed your life. When something negative happens, try to counteract it with a positive thought. For example, if your sister forgets your birthday one year, instead of thinking “she forgot about me” take a moment to look at the bigger picture and change it to “she has always been there for me”. We cannot control every aspect of our lives but we can control how we react to them.

Spend money on experiences, not things We all know that money can’t buy happiness, per se, but if you are going to spend money in search of satisfaction, splurge on an experience, not an expensive gadget. A study in Psychological Science found that people who tended to spend their money on doing rather than having were much happier in the long run. Anticipating a trip, rather than a thing, gives us more excitement and joy. When you look back in years to come you will be happier with the memories of a great experience than the memories of a great pair of shoes you once brought! 9

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ABSTINENCE makes the heart grow fonder

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We all know the strain deployment can put on our emotions, families and general dayto-day tasks. But what about our sex lives? We have spoken to some military wives about how to maintain the physical side of our relationships and to ensure abstinence makes the heart grow fonderâ&#x20AC;Ś.

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When our partner heads off on a mission it’s not just his biting wit, his sharp mind, his extra pair of helping hands and his strong arms we miss… No, there is something else, a vital, necessary element which we have to do without. And no, it’s not the Netflix password! We are talking about sex. Or, more precisely, the complete lack of it when our husbands or partners are deployed. (Although, admittedly, not having the Netflix password is hassle!) Here we have a few tips from military wives and partners about how they survive the dry spell and keep this side of their relationship from wilting during the drought:

Talk Dirty

Don’t make the phone calls and Skype conversations all about the domestic stuff… have some fun and use it to flirt, talk dirty and generally let your imagination run wild. Obviously there will be other more pressing matters you might need to attend to during these precious phone minutes. But once you’ve got the paperwork out of the way – which energy supplier to switch to, what the outcome of the MOT was and where he put the key for shed padlock – why not make merry.

Cat Williams, a relationship counsellor and coach who is also a military wife, said this is a very common way that couples use to communicate and keep the fire alive in their relationship during deployment. For not only is it a great way of igniting passion but also an intimate way of expressing love and filling a vital gap in the way we are able to express ourselves to our partner.

These assignments have become a regular feature of deployment and although Claire was willing to share the idea, the content is strictly confidential so you will have to use your imagination if you want to adopt similar escapades into your relationship. Claire is convinced that it’s nurturing the physical side of the relationship which holds things together during the ‘sexts’ is not inevitable separation that armed forces life entails.

Cat explained that when our other halves depart we immediately lose one of the five ‘love Sending messages’. In case you are not only a great way of familiar, love messages - also known as love languages - are igniting passion but communication systems we use to show someone we care also an intimate way about them. They are touch, words, gifts, acts of service of expressing love and and time. Cat said: “One of those is missing when filling a vital gap in someone’s away - and that’s touch, because they are not the way we are able physically there. That leaves the other four, so you have to to express ourselves to make good use of those.”

“

“Being apart is difficult both mentally and physically,” she said. “It’s hard to deal with the minutiae of everyday life which takes its toll on your mental health. And at the same time it’s hard missing out on the physical aspects of your life together, which can range from sex to just a hug or kiss before you leave the house. In order to be happy our partner. I need to have both aspects in balance so nurturing Sexting provides a great way the physical side of the relationship while to employ both words, gifts and time. Cat separated helps keep things together.” said: “How you speak and communicate with words, both what you say and how you say it are important.” What is more, Flying Solo the mere fact you have taken the time Of course, with this suggestion, we are out of your day - which, let’s face is extra not just justifying the existence of the busy with all those additional chores that section of the Ann Summers’ store that deployment brings - is an expression of includes battery operated goods, nor are we love. In other words, sexting is a way of promoting the Official 2017 Aidan Turner showing your love in triplicate. There’s just calendar. (Okay, maybe we are a little bit). that small matter of the ‘sext’ going to the No, we actually have a very important point wrong person. So, if you are about to bare to raise - namely that having some time on all to your man via your phone, make sure your own, with distance between you and you double check the recipient first. your partner, need not be a bad thing for

Just remember, discussing the fact the tread on the front nearside wheel is a bit low is probably not the best phone sex foreplay. You might want to subtly shift the tone before launching into flirtation mode. And, also, don’t forget to keep it behind closed doors. No one else in the office wants to hear your innuendos about stick shift, manual transmission gearboxes or purring engines thank you very much.

The Daily Assignment

Sexting

“It started when he went to Afghanistan,” she said “and we’ve done it every time since. Before he goes he writes an email of things he wants to do, pictures to take, and then I get one each day. I follow the instructions and send him the evidence. It’s a little silly, not always sexual (but more often than not!) but it’s really exciting getting that email

It’s not just high-profile, happily married yet slightly rakish celebs who have the monopoly on sending filthy text messages. Sending ‘sexts’ is also a great way of keeping military marriages alive during long periods of separation!

each day. Plus he actually has to do some thinking beforehand.”

“

e have discussed the ups and downs of deployment in Just for Her on many occasions, but there is one matter which we have yet to explore… Something that is fundamental to a relationship and which, if it’s missing, can lead to severe marital disharmony or even separation.

This tip comes courtesy of Claire, a military wife who, along with her husband, invented a brilliant technique for keeping sex alive during deployment. This is perfect for anyone who is wondering how to incorporate ‘sexting’ into everyday communication.

your relationship. In fact, if you feel your sex-life is struggling, distance could be just the thing to help revive it and boost your own confidence. Cat explained: “The secret to successful relationships is self-esteem. While your partner is away you have the ability and the time to work on your own confidence whether that means physical confidence, or whether that means ways to express yourself sexually via messages to him.” She said it is common for couples to be completely in the dark about, for example, their partner’s favourite sexual position. And while it’s not a bad thing if you don’t know this, it is a very good thing when you do find out. continues over page >> 13

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“Use the time he’s away to think about how confident you feel that you understand what you want from your relationship sexually.You can even communicate that from a distance. It might be easier than when you are close together. You could move your relationship forward when you are apart.”

you happen to bump into in the street. Okay, maybe not the last one. But you get the point. Cat thinks talking about it with friends, especially other military wives, will not only increase your confidence but you might also pick up some tips on how to get through deployment!

Talk about it

It’s a point which is echoed by Claire, who said: “I have some very good friends who know all about my ‘assignments’ (well they

Talk to your friends, your partner, or anyone

know I have to do something - the content is always strictly between myself and the hubby). But, on the other hand, I definitely have some friends who don’t talk about anything physical. Every day things such as moaning about the kids, or tips on easy meals for example, are easy. But, maybe it’s something to do with being British that makes it hard to discuss anything intimate for some people. As you can tell, I’m not one of those people!” Talking to our partners is also fundamental, and Claire even goes as far as to say that sex is such an important part of a relationship that without it she would feel that large part of the intimacy and communication was missing. “Sex, for us, is a way of talking without talking,” she said.

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Cat Williams is offering a one-off counselling session at £45 (a 20% discount on the normal price) for anyone who has read this article and wants to talk about any issues around sex. For more information and to get in touch with Cat, visit her website www.staycalmandcontent.com.

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PROFILE

Military

Name - Camilla Reed Age - 26 Current Location - Plymouth When and how did you meet your partner? I met my husband in 2012 just before Christmas leave on a night out in Exeter, he was in training and I was visiting my brother. For the first time in about 18 years I went into a McDonalds after drinking many a mojito, we got talking, and that was that...!

Best thing about military life?

The constant reminder of love. Never taking anything for granted and treasuring the small things. The Sunday mornings in bed, the dinners together when they’re home. The things you adore that other people can complain about.

Worst thing about military life?

Well, obviously the time apart isn’t exactly a joy but I think the worst part is probably the unpredictability. The not knowing where you’ll be in a months time or having to hold off planning or not being able to book things in advance.. It sounds small but now and again you wish you could plan, especially when it’s your up and coming wedding! The birthdays and celebrations alone can also be tricky but I’m on my 4th in a row alone now so it’s becoming the norm!!

& Me

that time too. I actually often find the lead up to the goodbye is much worse than the goodbye itself. After a long preparation for the deployment you just want it to come around so you can deal with it, rather than just thinking about it. The build up is often really stressful for them - trying to pack and sort and checking kit, and for us it’s giving them space to get sorted, trying to make their favourite meal before they go and appreciating all the little things you know you’ll be without. The most recent goodbye was in the early hours of the morning and that was really tough actually, it was dark and cold and I couldn’t sleep after so sometimes it can be really exhausting.

Do you have certain coping mechanisms for dealing with the absence of your partner?

If I think back I notice a pattern of keeping myself really occupied: like setting a gym goal or joining a social group, getting really stuck into my baking, crafting and making things for our home or working longer hours... But for the long evenings it’s my beautiful big pup! He is my coping mechanism.. He gets me out in the fresh air everyday, keeps me active, loves a snuggle and is always pleased to see me.

Favourite posting?

What’s your guilty secret when he’s away?

I’ve only ever moved here but I’ll be so sad to leave when we do. I’ve landed in a wonderful neighbourhood, I’ve finally made our house a home and living by the sea is amazing. I’ll certainly miss this lovely place when we move on.

No shaving…?! Absolutely! I also indulge in naff TV marathons resulting in falling asleep with my dog downstairs (which my husband certainly doesn’t know!), ice cream and lots of cake. A key for deployment survival!

How do you deal with goodbyes? Well they’ve all been different. It seems to depend on where we both are with things and what we are doing as individuals in

Just 4 Her Iss 12 2016.indd 16

Do you do anything special when your partner returns? Shave!! I think of what food he’s probably missed the most being away and make his

favourite dinner, get some beers in and look forward to just being together. I also usually have a good few days of beautifying beforehand! Hair, nails, exfoliate… Probably more for my benefit than his - I suddenly feel human again once I’ve done those things!

What’s your top tip for new military partners?

That’s such a hard one as all of them are so different. But overall I’d always say - try not to take anything that happens around ‘deployment time’ personally, they often put up barriers, sometimes act off, or distance themselves just as a way of starting that separation process.. It’s usually only temporary. But I’d say all you need really is patience, loyalty and trust to be with a military man.. If you don’t have one of those things life becomes very difficult. Sometimes easier said than achieved but vital for a happy life!

What three words would you use to describe military partner? Fun, spontaneous and practical

Would you like to feature in the next issue? Email us at justforher@forcespublishing.co.uk 15/12/2016 09:50

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Addiction Modern Day

ost of us, if we are honest, have become hugely reliant on our smartphones, tablets and other devices. Some might even admit to be obsessed or addicted… With the help of some military spouses, we weigh up the pros and cons of the digital age and look at ways to maintain a healthy balance when it comes to communication. Where would we be without our phones? Or, indeed, our tablets, laptops, smart TVs, music systems and eReaders? We are attached to them (sometimes literally), both physically and emotionally. They contain ‘our lives’, they organise us and they hold our precious memories. Crucially they provide us with instant communication with people who are both close and notso-close. Research has revealed the average phone user checks their device 150 times a day. When you consider we are awake for at least 16 hours a day that’s roughly nine times an hour. Imagine all the time we are devoting to our gadgets? As parents lose their teenagers to social media, as couples realise they have lost the art of face-to-face communication, as friendships falter when nights out become devoted to selfie-taking, it begs the question, are we becoming obsessed with technology? Or, more worrying, are we become addicted to our devices?

It’s no wonder so many people have decided to incorporate ‘digital detoxes’ into their lives. For anyone who isn’t familiar, digital detoxes involve going cold turkey, or drastically limiting, technology for a certain period of time. Some people do it for a day, some for a week or some for longer periods. The idea is we reconnect with traditional forms of communication and escape the mind-buzzing chaos which is symptomatic

of the 150-day habit of checking for messages and notifications.

Mel Murray, who works in finance and has three children, leads an incredibly busy life and finds that having the occasional ‘digital detox’ is essential for creating more time in her schedule. “I do one for a week every Christmas time,” she said, “And most Sundays too. It’s very liberating and you get so much more out of the day.” Mel’s detox involves switching off social media, mobile phones, tablets and the mac. The family is still allowed to watch TV. “It’s very liberating and you get so much more out of the day,” she added. “It makes you realise how much time you can waste goofing about on the internet. I also listen to the kids more, rather than being distracted by electronic chores.” Esther Higham, who runs Higham & Co, a TV, film and video production company, has gone one step further and has a complete blanket ban on any technology one day a week in her household. It’s known as ‘Screen-free Sunday’. “The kids hate it,” Esther said, “but they actually start to play better with each other when they don’t have that distraction. We try to do it too no internet shopping or even Netflix on a Sunday night.”

occasions where detoxes happen through no planning or fault of our own. Raquel March, a mother-of-one, who works in the property industry, said she and her husband were forced into a digital detox on their honeymoon after booking a resort which turned out to have no internet connection. “We missed it more than ever as we were in a paradise island, with a five-day long storm and nothing to do. We were so bored! Then one day we saw a Spanish couple walking near us with the same bored faces that and all the guests at the hotel had and we asked them if they wanted to come and have some gin and tonics with us! It was so much fun! We would never have made friends with them if our phones had been working.” Melissa Reardon, a musician from London, said she once unwittingly ended up digital detoxing after losing her phone for a week. But she has also made conscious efforts to go ‘tech free’. A regular festival-goer, Melissa only takes an old fashioned Nokia which can send and receive calls and texts when she’s on tour. “In both situations it’s really actually quite blissful to not have to deal with the constant barrage of information. I read so many more books whilst commuting in that phone-free week and felt a lot more relaxed. I don’t really have the willpower to do it on a more long-term basis, it seems.”

“

And then, of course, there are those It’s not just willpower, however, which makes detoxes tricky for many. In the military, having communication with our loved ones is crucial and our phones, tablets and other forms of technology are the key to this. Daniella Blackman, a mum of one, said technology - specifically video messaging - has been essential for her family. “FaceTime was super important when my husband was deployed for four months when my baby was 16-weeks old,” she said. “It meant he could see her milestones and she very much knew who Daddy was when he got home when she was eight months old.”

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“

That bit was so much fun! We would never have made friends with them if our phones had been working.

Indeed, many military families will argue that being able to see and talk to mummy, daddy or other relatives on our phones and devices has nearly eradicated the awkward homecomings in which children do not recognise their parent.

’’

mealtimes when she is strapped into her highchair.”

Are you suffering a technology overload? Try these everyday Digital Detox tips…

There are downsides, however, to his daughter’s familiarity with smartphones. “Depending on how tired she is, it can sometimes backfire as she gets hold of an iPhone or iPad and she just wants to watch a programme not speak to Daddy!” he said.

1. Set yourself ‘screen time’ – Allot certain times of the day when you are allowed to check your phone, emails and social media and set an alarm clock so you only spend a specific amount of time attached to your device.

It’s not just FaceTime which is proving a vital tool to families in the Army, Navy and RAF. James and his wife, like many military spouses, spend a lot of time texting each other. They find this method of communicating works best as they can reply to each other at a time that suits them. James admits there are a few negative consequences. “As technology is in everyone’s hand, there tends to be a self-induced pressure that you have to talk daily, or even hourly, which just adds to pressure when, sometimes, you don’t need any more.” He makes a good point. It would appear that when it comes to technology it is something which we cannot do without especially in the armed forces. But it’s also clear that overuse is not beneficial. As with all things it’s about getting a balance.

2. Ban technology from meal times – Don’t eat and text. Avoid having TV-dinners or even putting a radio on in the background. Use the time to talk with your family and friends. 3. Make bedrooms a techfree zone – Yes, that includes TVs and computers. Making your bedroom a place without screens and bright lights will also aid your sleep. If you like reading in bed, try using actual books or a Kindle with ‘blue shade’ to reduce the amount of bright light you are exposed to. 4. Hide phones on nights out – You can take your phone with you (essential for personal safety and calling taxis) but keep it in your bag. There’s nothing worse than spending the night with someone who keeps glancing at their phone instead of listening to you.

James Priest, whose wife is in the Royal Navy, relies on FaceTime to interact with his daughter. James has to live apart from his family for the majority of the week because of his civilian work commitments, so technology is fundamental to keeping the family together. “We average one or two days together a week,” James explained, “depending on my shift routine. So we have come to rely on FaceTime so our daughter still gets to interact with me daily - usually at 19

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Her Majesty The Queen has given permission for a unique new walking challenge at Balmoral Castle to mark Armed Forces Day next summer…

he ‘Balmoral Challenge’, organised by military charity Walking With The Wounded, will see up to 100 teams of four compete over one of three mountainous routes on HM The Queen’s estate in the Cairngorm National Park - with each team supporting a vulnerable veteran to regain their independence and reintegrate into society.

The challenge celebrates the history of the estate with the three routes making the most of the historical landmarks which dot the map. It will include a ‘big’ route of 33km which climbs over three Munros, a ‘thinking’ route calling on teams to think strategically and pick up as many points as they can within a set time limit and a ‘family’ route for over 12s in the forests above the castle. Balmoral Estate Factor, Richard Gledson, said: “We are delighted to be working with Walking With The Wounded on what will be an exciting new event helping to raise funds to support our wounded servicemen and women. We look forward to welcoming all the participants to Balmoral and to getting our very own Team Balmoral into training!”

Teams will meet and compete against the charity’s beneficiaries from across Scotland and hear first-hand how they have overcome physical, mental and social injuries such as homelessness to get back into work and independence. Duncan Slater from Muir of Ord near Inverness lost both his legs serving in Afghanistan when his vehicle hit an IED. He recovered to become the first double leg amputee to ski to the South Pole as part of WWTW’s South Pole Allied Challenge in 2013 and helped recce the routes for the Balmoral Challenge ahead of its launch - challenging others to get involved.

“We hope this challenge will inspire more people to come and meet our beneficiaries, be inspired by their determination despite adversity and to test themselves and their teams in the hills for a very worthy cause”

He said: “The area is stunning and finishing in front of the castle is very special. It will be a great way for people to show their support for our veterans and have a really memorable experience at the same time. Everyone has their own challenges and fitness levels but it’s important people have a goal to work towards and this will be a fun one to take on as a team.”

Walking With The Wounded CEO and Co-Founder Ed Parker said: “We are very honoured to have this wonderful opportunity. Our programmes have expanded to support more and more Scottish veterans, and we work in partnership with a number of other military charities in Scotland. We hope this challenge will inspire more people to come and meet our beneficiaries, be inspired by their determination despite adversity and to test themselves and their teams in the hills for a very worthy cause, helping us raise a significant sum of money to further expand the services we offer.” Walking With The Wounded was set up in 2010 by former army officers Ed Parker and Simon Dalglish after Ed’s 26-year-old

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nephew lost both legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2009. Last year it staged the “Walk Of Britain”, which saw four wounded Brits and two wounded American veterans walk 1,000 miles across the UK, starting from the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown and finishing at Buckingham Palace, to raise funds and awareness for the charity. The charity’s expeditions are all funded entirely by corporate sponsorship, with fundraising going to its programmes supporting vulnerable veterans who have been physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged by their service. The charity assists them in gaining independence through new long-term careers outside of the military. This includes providing support to homeless veterans and veterans in the Criminal Justice System.

Entries for the Balmoral Challenge are now open! For more information on the challenge, or to sign up, please go to www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/ support-the-walk/balmoral-challenge/

If you can’t wait that long, why not take a look at The Cumbrian Challenge, which takes place in May…

he Cumbrian Challenge is Walking With The Wounded’s fun and testing, flagship, annual fundraising event in the Lake District for teams of four – with every team that takes part supporting another wounded veteran back into work and independence. Are you and your friends or colleagues up for taking on the challenge over the beautiful fells alongside our inspirational wounded servicemen and women including our expedition teams such as our South Pole and Walk Of Britain team? There is a route for all abilities and you’ll be amazed what you can achieve. “The Cumbrian Challenge supports team building, leadership development, provides genuine inspiration and above all is fun. Our ongoing presence is guaranteed.” Shaun Savory, HR Director, Birketts LLP DATE: 12-13 May 2017 (Friday night registration from 4pm, including dinner and briefing). www.walkingwiththewounded.org. uk/support-the-walk/cumbrianchallenge/ 21

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Life doesn’t always go to plan but some plans are too important to put at risk. I will give you the tools to make a difference to that - it’s the programme that gives you the time and space to stand back and take in the whole view. • You will get to the root of how successful plans are born. • You will understand how to make Control work for you. • In business, it works for leaders and managers; in life it works for anyone. A 5-Module programme that looks at successful goals, achieving balance in your life, harmony with those around you, creating time and space, and building your resilience. Offering self-help, group sessions or one-to-one guided options including the popular outdoor “Walking Answers”.

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Who Has Control? Life doesn’t always go to plan but some plans are too important to put at risk.

There are two types of job - the ones you do because they pay you money, and the ones you do because you have a deeply held belief and passion about them. Back in 2014 that realisation hit home for me very hard. Have you ever been in the position where you think to yourself “I’m doing this because somebody’s paying me to do it - but I don’t believe in it and given the choice I wouldn’t be doing it.”?

ow take that a step further: “Not only do I not believe in it, but it actually goes against all my most deeply held values and beliefs.” You may well have been there too, so you’ll know that it isn’t a pleasant place to be. You don’t wake up in the morning thinking “Yippee! Another great day ahead!” You don’t end the day with a sense of satisfaction for a job well done. Now comes that worrying bit – or at least it was worrying for me. I’m not talking about any old job; this was my own company, my business that I had been building for the previous seven years. I was running my own management training consultancy. It was successful – in financial terms. Something had clearly gone wrong in my master plan because someone else seemed to have taken control of it and I didn’t like it any longer. I was spending a lot of time as “an associate trainer” delivering someone else’s training packages to groups of people who on a regular basis seemed to be on the wrong programme at the wrong time. I would end the day knowing that the course had gone to plan but deep down I could have delivered so much more given more time, more freedom to go “off piste”, to work with them as individuals…

I didn’t take some sort of control it would destroy me. Anyone who’s been through this sort of life changing event will know that you go through a phase of everything happening around you, of other people taking control while all you want is to find some sort of anchor to cling to. So it was from out of this chaos that I first set to work at building a new life for myself. The rebuild began with a return to the business world to resume the career I’d had in days before children. Within 5 years of that I was setting up my own company. Coming from a fast paced, target driven organisation I worked on a business model that would deliver financial security and sustainability, based on my established skills in management. I knew I enjoyed training so it looked like a recipe for success and, as I say, for the first seven years all seemed to be going well. Then, along came another major event – the realisation that my business was in danger of failing simply because I didn’t like it any longer. If the business failed I was going to be left without income, no means of paying the mortgage, losing my house etc. etc. etc. This was big. I made myself three promises:

Time to step back and take a long hard look at what was going on, and three truths hit home:

So, that is how “Who Has Control?” was born - it was the question I kept coming back to. In the process of unpicking what had gone wrong, then rebuilding my business, I took a long hard look at what it takes to be strong enough to keep control no matter what life throws at you. I realised that you can achieve what you want, and you can keep control even when the whole world seems to be against you but to have the strength to achieve that both you and your business need two things – integrity and authenticity. When you’re starting a business, there needs to be a masterplan, and that plan needs a solid financial foundation and a realistic commercial outlook. But what I also realised to be far, far more important is that you must have a passion for what you’re doing; it has to come from a deeply held belief

* I wasn’t in control * There was no masterplan * I’d been here before When I say that I’d been here before, I mean majorly not in control of life. Each time had proved a huge and painful learning curve. By far the most significant time, and the catalyst that set me going on reassessing my life and what I wanted to do with it, was losing my younger son in a car accident back in 2001. The grieving process goes on to this day, but 12 months in to the process I realised that if

* Take control * Write the masterplan * Never go there again

that reflects everything about you - that’s the integrity and authenticity bit. I know now that my business was never about turning up and training a roomful of people. Life can be tough, in the business world just as much as personally. What drives me is the knowledge that I’ve helped someone; no one should have to go through pain and suffering so anything I can do to put you in a stronger position to cope with life’s challenges counts as a box ticked. One of the results of this rethink is a 5-part programme that covers the steps I’ve taken to get back to loving my business (now as much about working with individuals as it is about group work, and I use my own material so I know it’s right for my audience). It’s also turned out to be a pretty good recipe for life in general, particularly if you’re not quite sure what you should be doing. It has been a massive journey since I first set out to rebuild my life. I often wonder what difference it would have made if I’d known then what I know now, or even if someone had told me what I could achieve. Maybe that’s why I now spend my time helping other people achieve their dreams! (Dianne’s website: www.whohascontrol.com gives full details of her coaching and training programmes)

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MARRIED to

PTSD

ost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is slowly being recognised as a mental illness which affects far more servicemen and women than we realise. With help from campaigns run by public figures such as Prince Harry, the stigma attached to having the condition is very slowly being reduced. But while progress is being made in finding help for the sufferers, little is known about the effects that PTSD has on the partners, families and loved ones of those with the condition. We spoke to a woman whose husband was been diagnosed with PTSD about how it threw their lives into turmoil and how they are coping with the illness.

It is not long after 5th November when we talk to Jane*, a mum of three children whose husband Matthew* used to serve in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. She apologises for not speaking sooner. “Fireworks and PTSD don’t mix well,” she said. It’s a statement that requires no explanation but one which illustrates the effects the condition can have on every day family life. Something as simple as enjoying a Bonfire Night event with family is just not possible any more. In fact, merely being at home on a night when the sky is alight with whizzing rockets and when the thud of explosions are incessant can be deeply tormenting for PTSD sufferers. And it’s not exactly easy to escape.

Matthew’s struggle with PTSD began back in 2003. He was a frontline infantry soldier, joining the army to change his life, keep out of trouble and make his family proud.

Jane met Matthew after he returned from Kosovo. “He was a lively, funny and a very caring man,” Jane said. “He had great pride in himself, always cared about his appearance and looked out for everyone. He charmed me and treated me with care and love and always made me laugh. We had great fun together.” It was not initially obvious that events in Kosovo had had an effect on Matthew’s mental health. Jane said: “He hid his condition well”. There were occasional nightmares and periods of depression. But Matthew didn’t talk about his experiences in Kosovo at all. “Looking back,” said Jane, “I now see he was trying to put them out of his mind.” Life continued in a relatively normal manner for the couple. It included a posting to Germany, where Jane found work teaching in a military school, they also had three children. But this time was punctuated with episodes which led Jane to suspect there might be problems. Matthew would binge drink, become bad-tempered and inconsequential events would trigger mood swings. He would snap at Jane and the children and spend hours alone, not wanting to talk to anyone. There would also

*Names changed

be times of what Jane describes as “almost manic” behaviour. “He would be over the top with his actions and moods. I knew there was a problem but didn’t connect this with his experiences in the army.” In 2003 Matthew was discharged from the army with epilepsy and mental health problems. Jane believes today this would have been diagnosed as PTSD immediately. But, 13 years ago, it was not recognised. Despite this, the family remained in Germany because of Jane’s teaching job. And aside from the odd mood swing and bouts of depression, the familiarity of army life appeared to keep Matthew stable. The serious problems began when the barracks closed, Jane was made redundant and the family returned to the UK. Matthew’s mood swings became more frequent and increasingly intense, he began drinking more and started to self-harm. Whenever there were problems, Jane explained, he would cut himself on the chest and stomach. One day he had an episode which Jane can only describe as an ‘absence’. “He was unresponsive and I was unable to rouse him from it. He began to shake, clench his fists and he looked terrified. “When he came out of it he explained that it felt like he was back in Kosovo and was living some bad memories again. He also described a searing pain in

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Matthew’s mood swings became more frequent

“

and increasingly intense, he began drinking more and started to self-harm…

the back of his head. It was at this point I persuaded him to speak to someone.” The next day Matthew saw his GP, who diagnosed PTSD and made a referral to the Mental Health team as well as prescribing antidepressants. The GP also suggested they contact Combat Stress, a leading mental health charity for veterans. You might expect there would be a happy ending at this stage, but the condition is far more complex than that. Jane explained that after this point the flashbacks, self-harming, nightmares and headaches began to happen more frequently. One evening, following a heavy drinking session, Matthew walked out in a rage and disappeared. It emerged he had gone to a local pub, carried on drinking and got involved in fight in which he’d broken his hand. “This is about where we are now,” said Jane. Although Jane admits they were lucky to have an understanding GP, who referred Matthew to a psychiatrist who served part time with the TA and therefore had experience in this area, he has found treatment difficult. He worked with a cognitive behavioural therapist and was about to begin EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing), which is a method of psychotherapy, but he backed out through concerns about the impact talking about supressed memories would have on his behaviour. continued over page Photo posed by models

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The PTSD has also placed a heavy burden on home and family life. With Matthew unable to work, there are financial pressures. He tried applying for benefits but has been turned down - in part because PTSD is not recognised yet as a condition. Matthew is also carrying the guilt of the effects his illness is having on his family, particularly his daughter and two sons. The emotional impact on the children was such that social services became involved, placing a Child Protection Plan to support them. The school also assigned the children with a counsellor. “Our daughter was so upset,” said Jane, “particularly when she found out about the self-harming - it had got to the point where Matthew didn’t try to hide the cuts any more - and she became upset and withdrawn at school. At this point she opened up and spoke to them about what was going on. This then triggered involvement from social services.”

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While the children go to Young Carers sessions as respite from the situation at home, Jane seeks solace in the Military Wives Choir. “This has kept me sane!” she said. “While I am singing with the ladies I can forget everything going on at home

and just be me for a while. They are my counsellors, friends - my lifeline!” Despite having comfort from the choir, Jane admits there has been very little in the way of formal help for wives and families of those suffering with PTSD and she has yet to find a support group for herself and the children. She is grateful for the support Matthew has received from organisations such as Combat Stress, the Royal British Legion and Walking with the Wounded but is disappointed there is, again, no formal support systems in place. “For serving soldiers help is more readily available, but for veterans, like Matthew, we have to rely on charities,” she said. Combat Stress have had a very positive involvement in the process, organising appointments with an occupational therapist. And the good news is, at the time we interviewed Jane the charity was working on finding Matthew a residential treatment course. Currently more than 6,000 veterans across the UK are registered to receive support from Combat Stress. And over the past five years the charity has had almost 10,000 new referrals, an increase of 71%. Nicola Hudson, a spokeswoman for the charity, which supports ex-servicemen

Wirral Bowen

Therapy Symptoms reported to respond to the Bowen technique include

and women with conditions including PTSD, depression and anxiety through a range of free services including short-stay clinical treatment, occupational therapy and community support said, “On average veterans wait 12 years after leaving the services before seeking our help, by which time their condition can be highly complex. However, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are coming to us much sooner, within four to two years respectively.” While there are no official figures to quantify the number of forces personnel - both currently serving and veterans - with PTSD, what is clear is that there will be many people out there with the condition who are not being treated. Jane’s advice to anyone reading this who thinks their husband, partner or loved one is suffering is to ask for help. “Speak to your GP, ring Combat Stress, do something and don’t give up asking. Don’t let things get to the point where there has to be a crisis. There are people to help so don’t let anyone stop you getting the advice you need.” For more information visit www. combatstress.org.uk or you can call the charity’s free 24-hour Helpline on 0800 138 1619.

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PTSD

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Maria Khan Dip.hyp.I.S.C.H

Hypnoslimmer consultant EFT Practitioner

The Bowen Technique is a very gentle, subtle and relaxing hands-on treatment, not a form of massage. Safe for people of all ages: promoting healing, pain relief and recovery of energy. 93% of people in a recent survey benefited from Bowen Therapy. The Bowen Technique should not be used as an atternative to seeking medical advice.

Nicolas Tobin BSc, Cert. ECBS, MBTPA, MFHT Tel: 07496 596 969 www.wirralbowentherapy.co.uk 51 Sandham Grove, Barnston CH60 1XN

• Stress/Panic attack • Pain management • Stop smoking • Weight control • IBS

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CONTRIBUTION

ost

Bowen Therapy at BTPA Bowen Therapy Professional Association

Traumatic Stress Disorder by getyouseen

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by traumatic and distressing events which many military service men and woman often suffer from after serving in the Armed Forces.

The time length when someone suffers from PTSD can vary massively. It can occur straight after a traumatic incident or can be triggered years later. Someone who is suffering from PTSD often relives the incident through nightmares or flashbacks triggered by everyday situations. The symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can vary depending on the individual’s experience.

Bowen Therapy can help to relieve the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as it relieves stress from deep inside the body which can help reduce the symptoms of PTSD and can encourage the individual to regain a normal life.

The Bowen Technique is a finger and thumb rolling movement which is applied to specific points Symptoms may include: of the body. It is performed on * Re-experiencing muscles, ligaments and soft tissue When the individual relives the traumatic using only the amount of pressure event resulting in physical changes such as appropriate for that person. No erratic behaviour, pain or trembling. hard manipulation or force is * Avoidance and emotional numbing needed or used. The Bowen Technique encourages the whole body to restore its natural hormonal Avoiding certain people, places or objects and physiological balance, resulting which remind the PTSD sufferer of the in a release of deep stress from the traumatic incident. They might also avoid individual’s body. discussing the event completely. Bowen Therapy is not forcing the body to change, but asking the * Feeling on edge body to recognise the treatment * Depression and make the make the improvements * Anxiety accordingly. * Headaches People normally find that It is performed Bowen Therapy is a gentle Between 2005 and and relaxing experience. The 2014, 1,390 claims were on muscles, sessions generally last around awarded under the Armed ligaments and Forces and Reserve Forces soft tissue using 30 – 60 minutes. Only 1 – 3 sessions may be necessary to Compensation Scheme for only the amount see and feel a result, however, mental disorders, including of pressure depending on the severity of PTSD. With the Armed appropriate for that the PTSD the individual is Forces withdrawing from suffering, they may require Afghanistan and Iraq, it is person. more. likely that these stats will unfortunately increase.

‘‘

’’

If you think you suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or know somebody that does, we recommend that you visit your local GP for a full diagnosis and then choose to receive Bowen Therapy post diagnosis. To find out more about how the Bowen Therapy Professional Association can help you, or to find your nearest Bowen Therapist Tel: 0844 561 7173 Email: ask@bowentherapy.org.uk Web: www.bowentherapy.org.uk

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CONTRIBUTION

“Asking for Help”

have been wanting to write this for quite some time so here goes...My name is Stephanie and I am a RAF wife and mother of two who was a military brat (scaly brat), so military life is all I’ve ever known.

We have all been there, when hubby is away, the kids get sick or you get sick and your stuck! But on most occasions this is a short lived crisis and life returns to some semblance of normal. Unfortunately though, this is not always the case. There is a small group of military wives who have a daily battle of their own; who fight a good fight every day and very often hide this from friends and the community around them. These spouses have disabilities or additional needs (sometimes invisible illnesses). For example I personally know 2 wives with lupus (if you have ever watched House you will know what this!), several with joint and mobility issues, amputees, cancer patients and those with mental health issues which are as real and debilitating as the physical disabilities. I am one of these spouses and unfortunately have a bit of everything. I have mobility issues caused by having metal plates in my pelvis and Ehlers Danlos syndrome which can cause me to have multiple joint dislocation and sublux each day. I also had tongue cancer (yes, you read that right) and am now fed via a PEG tube which goes directly into my stomach. For anybody, dealing with being a military spouse or partner can be challenging and darn right difficult at times but adding an additional health issue can make every day even harder. That said, on a positive note, there is help out there! Here are a few things which I hope will help: Support4spouses+ this is a Facebook support group that I started in 2011 and we have around 100 members. It is a peer support group spanning all three services and our members are ladies who have been there and done that so are able to advise and support new members.

Support4spouses (no plus sign) is another Facebook group which was also started in 2011 and has over 400 members! This group is for wives and partners who have children with additional needs. It is a fantastic resource and the ladies are so knowledgeable and willing and able to assist new members in the minefield that is additional needs parenting. RAF Families Federation - provides Then there are the more professional routes all RAF personnel and their families with for getting help and assistance – and no this professional support and assistance and are doesn’t mean your husband’s work will be independent of the chain notified or that his rank will be effected. This is a myth “For anybody, dealing of command. They are a great place to go should you that needs abolishing! with being a military be struggling with issues SSAFA - Offer a wide spouse or partner such as housing and house range of support and access can be challenging adaptations. to practical services to assist and darn right difficult Sometimes asking for help our community including: • Help for all RAF, Navy at times but adding an is the hardest thing anyone and Army personnel and additional health issue can do and it can be soul destroying. We are all guilty their families based within can make every day even of ‘painting on a smile’ and our community. • Support for Unit welfare harder. That said, on a ‘putting on a brave face’. initiatives and facilities’ positive note, there is I think asking for help is a brave thing to do and should including the community help out there!” be commended because, nurseries and schools. from experience, the • Befriending and smallest amount of support can turn into supporting those who feel isolated whether a springboard to really turn things around. this is due to being new to the station, There is no magic wand available but there having a service member of their family is help out there waiting so please just ask. away which they are finding hard or due to their own or their child’s illness or disability. What’s the worst that can happen? They say no? You’ve not lost anything by asking! • Practical, low level support through our team of Community Volunteers. This can include lifts to appointments, low key house And remember you are not alone. help and support with children. Station Padre – now this is something that I believe is massively under used. Regardless of your religious beliefs, the Padres are trained and practiced in pastoral care. Simply put, in my humble opinion, they are the best listeners in the world. They are also in a position where they are able to tap into other support services which may be available – never be worried about approaching the padre as in my experience they are all lovely and make a good cup of tea too!!

Helpful Links www.mouthcancerfoundation.org www.ssafa.org.uk www.raf-families-federation. org.uk www.facebook.com/groups/ support4spouses+ www.facebook.com/groups/ support4spouses

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Paul Osman

01132177069 Herbalife Distributor

07828 138382 www.paulosman.co.uk

For far too long now, our best friends have been running around unclothed. No longer! All those that agree with us we urge to take action. Our canine babies have the right to wear clothes as much as we do. And it us up to us to take charge. This is where you come in. Go to Pixies Posh Pets and get dog clothing! The more dogs that wear clothes the more acceptable it will become, so take up the challenge and dress your dog now...

PIXIES POSH PETS ARE NOW DOING DACHSHUND COATS & FLEECES SHORT OR TALL LARGE OR SMALL PIXIES CATERS FOR ALL WE HAVE DRESSES, JUMPERS, COATS, BEDS, LEADS, COLLARS AND MORE, GO TO www.pixiesposhpets.co.uk pixiesposhpets@yahoo.co.uk FB: Pixies Posh Pets Boutiques Twitter: Pixies Couture

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SpookyMrsGreen the pagan housewife

Mindful parenting, magic and mysticism

sabitoe @spookymrsgreen www.SpookyMrsGreen.com - A pagan lifestyle blog that incorporates mindful parenting, magic and mysticism, environmental awareness and related subjects. Visit the website today and download your FREE COPY of It’s Complicated (A Redcliffe Short Story) - British paranormal romance set in Cornwall.

The Crafty Artisan

Nestled in a small valley on the River Tawd in West Lancashire England, The Crafty Artisan has been designing, making and selling hand crafted Anniversary, Wedding, Civil Partnership and Same Sex Wedding cards since 1997 and I am just as passionate about my craft now as I was back then. I like to offer my customers great customer service and one of a kind cards in a variety of styles and themes - something to suit everyone. Whether you are looking for Minimalist or Contemporary to Shabby Chic or Vintage, with the diversity and individuality of my cards I hope you find the perfect greetings card for you whatever the occasion.

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T: 0208 3468233 M: 07956 384 575 UK DISTRIBUTORS OF THE SIMPLEST MOST ROBOST LITTLE NEEDLE THREADER.

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“Look around and see the quality of your life and know that it’s nothing else but a reflection of the quality of your thoughts.”

I have been granted a gift that allows me to help people raise their vibrations and remove blockages, helping them with the awaking process and allowing them to be more of their true selves, standing in their own power. From my work as a healer, I know that the single biggest cause of pain and suffering on the planet is the disconnection people experience when they are not living an authentic life and standing in their own truth and power. For most people that disconnection shows up in the form of financial crises, relationship problems, spiritual or physical pain. Healing allows people to remove all blockages, patterns and programming. For most people, healing starts taking place the moment they book their session. My work is extensive and goes beyond time and space.

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London Olympia 17-19 February | Birmingham NEC 3-5 March | Manchester EventCity 11-12 March

Win Tickets to the UK’s Biggest Wedding Show!

he National Wedding Show has a spectacular line up for spring 2017, bringing the nation’s most beautiful, stylish and inspiring wedding suppliers together under one roof, including the hottest names on the high street and independent boutiques. All the bridal party will be entertained with live music, food tastings, shopping hotspots and DIY classes, not to mention The Champagne Bar! The Revlon Runway brings to life the

latest trends for the bride, groom, motherof-the-bride and the bridesmaids on the UK’s largest bridal catwalk. The biggest names in bridal design will showcase their latest collections including Jenny Packham, Vera Wang, David’s Bridal, Alfred Angelo, Allure Bridals, Berketex Brides, Maggie Sottero, Maids to Measure, Debenhams, Coast, Phase Eight,Young’s Hire, Moss Bros, Nigel Rayment, Katya Katya Shehurina, Cad & The Dandy, Ghost London, Ben De Lisi, and many more offering timeless classics, one off creations and lust worthy designs.

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The National Wedding Show tours the country to bring brides-to-be their fashion-fix and the very latest in stationery, honeymoons, beauty, plus so much more! It’s the perfect place to shop for your entire wedding or if you are on a ‘quest for the dress’ head to the Bridal Boutique and Designer Boutique, with endless opportunities to try on that dream dress, you’ll also get the chance to speak directly with some of the designers and ask their style advice. They say knowledge is power, and The National Wedding show has a line-up of industry insiders to devour their passions at The Makeover Theatre*, the home for hair, beauty and style advice. The show’s producers will also be on the hunt twice a day to offer a lucky bride-to-be and the mother-of-thebride or groom a head to toe makeover live on stage. Prepare to be amazed… Savile Row tailors from Cad & The Dandy and Yardsman lead the way for the boys in the Gentleman’s Lounge, where the iconic British menswear brand will showcase their latest bespoke and hire collections, including everything from the traditional morning suit to Scottish highland dress plus contemporary takes on the classic lounge suit. Who knows, you might discover the grooms (and his groomsmen’s) stylish side. 33

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If you are looking to book your honeymoon, get the low down on the latest hot-spots, relaxing havens or trekking adventures with the likes of Turquoise Holidays, Sandals, Thomas Cook, Beachcomber Tours and many more. Back by phenomenal demand, Kat Williams from award winning blog Rock N Roll Bride, will continue to put her stamp on the show and curate an unique area for brides-to-be looking for alternative suppliers. Offering guests the very best from quirky jewellery, sensational cakes, show-stopping dresses and fun headwear! Sounds like just what you are looking for? Make your way to The Rock n Roll Bride Collection where Kat herself will be on hand to point you in the right direction to

put your own bespoke touch to your special day. At the heart of this area, you will find The Rock n Roll Café, the perfect pit stop for savvy shoppers. The day wouldn’t be complete without some early wedding celebrations! Hot foot to the Champagne Bar and pop open a bottle of bubbly. But if you are looking for the perfect FROW (front row seat, obviously!) at The Revlon Runway book VIP Tickets, where you can not only reserve your catwalk seat but beat the queues with fast track entrance, unlimited access to the luxurious VIP Lounge, a complimentary glass of bubbly, plus get your hands on a VIP goody bag!

Win Tickets…! Just for Her has teamed up with The National Wedding Show to offer 10 lucky readers and their ‘plus one’ the chance to attend the year’s most prestigious wedding event, absolutely free! *Only available at London & Birmingham. To be in with a chance of winning these fabulous tickets, email / send a post card to competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk or Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northamptonshire NN10 0RU with your name, address, phone number and which venue you wish to visit and if you are picked you will receive a FREE pair of tickets. Tickets are valid any day and are limited to one pair per winner.

So what are you waiting for? Send your entry today! Closing date: Friday 6th Feb 2016 Don’t worry, if you are not a lucky winner, you can still book in advance…

For more information visit The National Wedding Show website: www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/nationalweddingshow Twitter: @nationalwedding / #TNWS Instagram: thenationalweddingshow 34

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Easy

Valentine’s Three Course Meal

Want to impress your loved one this Valentine’s day but aren’t the next Nigella? We have you covered with this simple, but impressive, 3 course meal that if we can make - anyone can!

Starter

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus • • • • •

10 slices prosciutto 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed 1 tsp lemon zest Salt 1 tbsp olive oil Pre heat your oven to 180C. Wrap two stalks of asparagus with the prosciutto & repeat until they are all used up. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or grease with oil. Place your asparagus onto the tray and sprinkle with the salt. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven and garnish with lemon zest. Veggie Version: Swap the ham for grated parmesan!

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Main • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chicken in a Creamy White Wine Sauce

5 slices of bacon 6 boneless & skinless chicken breasts 1 /2 cup all purpose flour 3 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, sliced 4 cups fresh mushrooms 3 cloves of garlic, minced 1 1/2 cups white wine 1 /2 cup chicken broth 1 1/2 cups single cream 1 tbsp dried parsley (plus more to garnish) 1 tsp salt 1 /2 tsp ground black pepper

Place a large skillet over a medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until browned. Once brown, remove from the pan leaving the drippings in the skillet. Chop the bacon. While the bacon is cooking, pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and toss each breast in flour so all sides are coated. Shake off any excess flour and once the bacon is removed from the pan add the chicken and allow to brown on each side, cooking until nearly done all the way through. If needed, add olive oil to help the chicken brown off. Once it is done, remove the chicken and set to one side. Add the sliced onions to the skillet and cook for a couple of

• 2 eggs • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 2 1/2 cups whipping cream • 6 oz good quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids) To begin, mix the eggs and sugar together well. Heat one cup of the whipping cream until it is hot but not boiling and add slowly to the egg and sugar mixture. Add this mixture to a saucepan and heat slowly until it thickens, do not boil it. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate until melted. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours until chilled, stirring occasionally. When the mixture is completely chilled and firm, whisk the remaining whipped cream until soft peaks form. Remove the chocolate mix from the fridge and stir it all in well together. To serve, leave it as is or decorate with sprinkles, fruit, nuts or white chocolate flakes!

minutes. Add in the mushrooms and cook together for an extra minute, adding olive oil as necessary. Finally add in the garlic and cook until the mushrooms are browned. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the wine, cream and spices to the mix and stir well. Add in the chicken and the bacon and keep on the heat until the chicken is cooked thoroughly. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans or even on pasta! Veggie Version: Substitute the chicken and bacon for Quorn chicken style pieces, or double up the amount of mushrooms and onion and add in some lightly stir fried mange tout and green beans!

Dessert Chocolate Mousse

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SCRABBLE M

TILE ART

How to make a beautiful handmade gift for Mother’s Day

love nothing more on Mother’s Day than a handmade gift from my daughter. I love my favourite perfume or CD but it doesn’t compare to a half scribbled card, or an item with a hand print on. It made me think that, as we get older, that doesn’t have to stop (hopefully it will be a little better than when I was 5 though!). I love pretty much all crafts, but I really have to motivate myself to get started. I’m a prolific Pinner on Pinterest but rarely actually make anything,. Until now! Just for Her asked me to show them how easy it would be to make a scrabble frame for Mother’s Day…

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Firstly order some scrabble tiles from the internet (or use scrabble tiles from an old Scrabble Board) - they can be expensive, so make sure you research. I do like the wooden tiles, however this time I went with black and white, which are quite different to ones I’ve seen before and they really stand out. Purchase a frame - the one I bought is from Wilkinsons and cost just £7. You could also try Ikea, whose frames are great value. Wherever you buy one from, make sure the box frame depth is able to fit the scrabble tiles in. Backing paper - stationers usually have beautiful card, more often than not used for scrap booking. But on this occasion I used pretty wrapping paper, which is handy as most people have that around the house. Super Glue – I bought a mini Loctite Trio set and I actually used less than one of the trio which is about 1g. The time is spent laying all the tiles out and deciding what to write.You can go down the route of ‘Special Mum’, ‘Amazing’, or ‘Beautiful,’ all of which I used, but if you’re going to make something personal make it personal! We go to my mum’s house every Sunday for a roast dinner. My mum is very funny. My daughter and her always joke about each other being mental. I think by adding in personal words or phrases it makes a frame more individual. Let’s face it, there are quite a few companies

‘You can go down the route of ‘Special Mum’, ‘Amazing’, or ‘Beautiful,’ all of which I used, but if you’re going to make something personal make it personal!’ out there now that make scrabble frames and you want your mum to know you made it specially! Once you’ve tried different variations of how to lay out the tiles, and how they fit best in the frame, you can get your backing paper ready. I drew round the back of the frame and cut it out. If you buy card it’s usually already the best fit for the frame. When you re-lay out your tiles on your backing paper/card make sure you have a border around the edge. Most box frames have a ledge and if you stick your tiles too close, it won’t fit. Super glue your first tile and work inwards, making sure you’ve spaced it all out before you start to glue. Some people stick their tiles right up close to each other, but I love a little gap inbetween; it’s totally personal preference.

I prefer to use super glue over glue dots or double sided tape as a) it’s neater and b) if it’s hung over a radiator it’s less likely to fall apart. Again, personal preference. I did, however, put double sided tape on the inside of the back of the frame and stuck the backing paper on. This is something I wouldn’t usually do if I’m using card as a backing, but as the wrapping paper was flimsy I thought it would hold it in place better. Ta-da your frame is done! All in all this cost just over £20. £7 for the frame, £2 super glue (I have 2 left), £2 for the wrapping paper (but there is practically a whole roll left) and the plastic scrabble tiles were about £10 (again I have loads left). I’m pretty sure, apart from the scrabble tiles, you can find most of what you need in and around your house.

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Highst

Cloud Cushion £16.99

Blue Lantern £12.99

Blue Vase £19.99

Blue Geometric Vase £9.99 Glass Lamp £39.99

Blue Alarm Clock £9.99 Numerical Shelving Unit £29.99

Royal Blue Cushion £14.99

Blue Side Table £39.99

Blue Ombre Vase £14.99

Side Table with Blue & White Top Design £39.99

Blue Velvet Chair with Metal Sides £129.99

Feeling Blue

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street SHOP THE

MATALAN

Nature’s Finest

Aloe Plant £10 Leaf Duvet Set £10 Flower Resin Frame £8

Glass Tile Wall Art £16.99 Hanging Tear Glass £5

Badger Cushion £24.99

Large Leaf Plant £8

Hanging Metal Rim Frame Gold £3

Black Metal Rim Frame £3

Glass Base Serving Tray £9.99

Blue Container £14.99

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Fox Grass £12

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Floral Vintage Double Duvet Set £11

GEORGE Twisted Vintage Large Blue and Yellow Floral Tin £TBC Rabbit Plate £4

Stoneware Decal Vase £10

Rabbit Teapot £8 Patterned Hurricane Vase £6

Melamine Jug and Bowl Set £12

Jewellery Box £12

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Hanging Ceramic Cat Plate £4

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SAINSBURYS Moroccan Bathroom

Marrakesh Wicker Bin £10

Marble Tumbler £10

Wooden Over The Bath Storage £15

Marble Soap Dispenser £12 and Marble Soap Dish £8

Marble Storage Jar £12

Wooden Tidy Tray £6

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Marble Pedestal Mirror £20

White 3 Tier Storage Unit With Baskets £40

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Plate £4.50

Utensil Set £10

Tablet Holder £8

Jar £6

Antelope Head £99

Egg Cup £6

Glass £4.50

Basket £14

Zebra Cushion £25

Storage Tin (set of 3) £12 Amber chair in Nyanga Tan £599

Tea Towels £12 Cake Tin £12

Splash of Yellow

DEBENHAMS 46

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On Safari

M&S Elephant Cushion £19.50

Antelope Dinner Candle Holder £25

Banded Hurricane £29.50

Tall Afia Vase £39.50

Elephant & Rhino Salt and Pepper Pots £15

Tribal Stripe Rug £149

Short Hammered Vase £19.50 Conran Farley Coffee Table £22

Leopard Embroidered Cushion £35

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01223 263960 263960 079 0 07907009008 9 09008 09008

cambridgepaellacompany@gmail.com www.cambridgepaellacompany.com

Handmade filled chocolates, confectionery, favours and gifts. Based in the heart of Staffordshire

www.chocolateat22.net

A Fresh Approach to Catering

• • • • • • • •

Independent business Bespoke coffee van Supplier- Time coffee Colombian Huila single estate bean Handmade Cake and Crepes Friendly service Events, Corporate Hire, Private Hire Parties, Packages available, hourly hire etc

Being a family based catering company, Fresh Delights main objective promotes the provision of healthy and delicious foods that meet the needs of active and energetic customers. Our simple approach enables our clients to choose from a well-balanced range of tasty alternatives that provide them with fast foods that enhance their busy lifestyles. We source fresh, high quality, and nutritious produce and we promote our range of goods that encourage intelligent choices in a fun and responsible way.

“Promoting a sustainable Healthy Eating Solution” Contact us: 01455635406 • 07534244322 www.delightscatering.co.uk

w w w . d u c a f e . c o . u k

Latest Children’s Fashion Trends At Affordable Prices

See the full range here: www.grubbyhandschildrensclothing.com

Aromatherapy inspired products. Candles, tealights, incense, aromatherapy oils and cruelty free bathroom products direct from the Handmade Soap Co. We stock the full range of Village Candles and accessories at very competitive prices. Check out our latest Himalayan Salt Lamps, the health benefits are amazing!

www.junescandles.co.uk

Jaychuls Snow Cones Snow cone refreshments available to hire - kids and adults frozen fun! Also find us at local events!

Jaychuls Snow Cones

T. 07794 313482

Laura Minion

Independent Usborne Organiser Contact me to place an order,

book a home party, join my team or to simply find out more.

Find me on facebook.

laurajminion@gmail.com 07891 111312

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Elegant designer magnetic jewellery for both men and women. Alternative therapy for pain relief. We are now available for sales events.

07580247272 www.magneticbracelets4u.co.uk

With Scentsy, it costs just £85 to launch your business. As soon as you join, we’ll send you a Scentsy Starter Kit — all the products and business tools you need to get started. Set a goal to pay yourself back with your Launch Party commissions and say hello to a fresh start. Sounds dreamy, right? Owning your own business and working whenever you want? Earning 20 to 36 percent commissions and bonuses for sharing products you love? Doing something fun alongside a group of really amazing people (your new friends!) and finally feeling truly independent? That’s because it is.

Sam’s Lovely Smellies - Certified Consultant 07809684051 | s.reid88@yahoo.com www.samslovelysmellies.scentsy.co.uk

Sapphire Papercrafts is your new go to shop for papercrafting goodies, located in Coventry City Centre. We have experienced papercrafters on hand who are sure to be able to help with any queries you may have. 26 City Arcade, Coventry, CV1 3HX www.sapphirepapercrafts.co.uk enquiries@sapphirepapercrafts.co.uk Phone - 024 76559921

SHAZAZZ Web: www.shazazzjewellery.co.uk Email: shazazzjewellery@gmail.com Designer: Sharon Aslett Phone: 07818118747

✓ Buy my products ✓ Host a party ✓ Join my team

FREE business opportunity, no start up costs or fees EVER! Start earning straight away! Contact Siobhan for more information

pampermebysiobhan Email: siobhanpshelley@gmail.com

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CONTRIBUTION

HOME FRONT As RAF dependants (we’re not offended by that word!) we have encountered all the usual problems with trying to ﬁnd a job that works around spouse’s shifts, deployments, young families, childcare, local transport and living in the sticks, so we got together and created work for ourselves. We established Home Front, our little cleaning company that focuses on SLAM blocks, cleaning private rooms for Junior Ranks. The stumbling blocks and red tape were huge and we very nearly gave up before we started, but we persevered, pestered and generally wouldn’t take no for an answer, until the right person heard us and shouted on our behalf. So, with some amazing support from, amongst others, Sqn Ldr Andy Reid (OC SSS) and the staff in the Accommodation cell, here we are!

Getting word out that it’s OK to use us has been our biggest problem as we’re new and, as far as we know, this service hasn’t been offered on a camp before. But, our fliers are out there, we have a facebook page, Home Front Cleaning, and we’re getting loads of recommendations too so, hopefully, word is trickling around that we’re here and we’re good at what we do! So, if you see three ladies stumbling about with a henry, a carpet cleaner and a HUGE bag of cleaning stuff, then do stop and talk to us!

HomeFront Cleaning

MIDLANDS MILITARY CATCHMENT

Initially, we concentrated on regular cleans for those without the time, energy, motivation, will (whatever, we don’t care!) to do it themselves, but we’ve already branched into march outs and preinspection cleans and we hope to be able to offer communal areas behind corridors, prior to block inspections. And, we’re just about

to expand to offer SNEC and WO rooms in the Mess too, so if you know anyone ...

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opportunity to earn as much or as little as you want. It’s the flexibility which makes it so great.’’

Achieve Your Fashion Dreams

ost women in the UK wear 20% of the clothes in their wardrobe 80% of the time – does it surprise you or can you relate to that?

which will sit there with the tags still on.

One French fashion company – Captain Tortue, is on a mission to change it by providing the ultimate in customer service to help women choose a capsule wardrobe they really will wear. Just for Her looks at the company taking the country by storm and shares the story of a Consultant who’s building her own fashion business from home and enjoying a new level of flexible working.

“When I came across the Captain Tortue range about 9 years ago after having my daughter, I soon realised I only needed half the items for twice the amount of looks.’’

Jacque Drain is one of over 400 Independent Consultants in the UK growing a business with Captain Tortue. Based in the Midlands, Jacque, a wife and mother, joined as a Consultant because she loved the clothes so much and completely got the versatility of the Collections and the number of different outfits she can pull together. The collections are refreshingly different from the high street. They are incredibly stylish with unique designer details. “As women we often find ourselves having lots of clothes in the wardrobe but when it actually comes to going out will still say we have nothing to wear,” said the 48 year-old. A study from shopping channel QVC shows the average woman has 22 items of clothing in her wardrobe she will never wear. Added up across the country this means women will spend £1.6billion on some 500 million items of clothing

It’s a staggering fact and just one of the reasons Jacque changed her old shopping ways and turned to Captain Tortue.

“When a friend approached me and suggested I join the company with her to set up my own business I didn’t have to think twice, it sounded like so much fun’’. “I believe in the product and becoming a Consultant is one of the best things I’ve ever done.” “I didn’t come from a sales background but it didn’t matter, Captain Tortue provided all the training and information I needed to make my business a success”. Four years on Jacque is now a Manager and has a team of Consultants working with her. Their businesses grow as a result of meeting new people. Who wouldn’t enjoy shopping with their friends over a coffee or a glass of wine? With great Hostesses rewards, you benefit from inviting a couple of friends to see the Collections at your house, whilst other customers enjoy a more personal one to one shopping experience.

As a customer you buy the clothes because you like them, you join as a Consultant to earn money around your family (and keep your own wardrobe up to date!) but the opportunity is there to grow a serious business with an income to match.”

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Advertorial

So What Is Captain Tortue? Captain Tortue was created in 1993 by Philippe and Lilian Jacquelinet in France. A family-run business which is supported by the LVMH group who own some of the most prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Moet and Hennessy, Tag Heyer and De Beers. Officially the leading direct selling company in France and Captain Tortue is now celebrating 12 years in the UK. Collections are for girls (ages 4 - 10 years) and for women (sizes 4 - 24) We’ve recently launched JAVA a range of sports and leisure wear. Captain Tortue is sold exclusively by Independent Consultants not on the High Street or on line. For more information visit www.captaintortue.com.

Would you like to JOIN US? Captain Tortue fits the bill with its unique style of social selling, plus free clothes you’ll love for yourself! Bag yourself a POP IN Shop. £150 gets you all you need to start. 23 garments in a bag that becomes your shop-on-the-go!

You don’t need experience You’ll love the Flexibility You’ll set your own earnings goal and manage your own time

“I’m a wife and mother first so my business must work around my family and it does. Captain Tortue offers the

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Cleaning

GODDESS T

GADGET GUIDE

he time of year is almost upon us when our usual household chores get elevated to the status of an event; The Spring Clean. Whilst the basics of spring cleaning are the same as our normal, everyday cleaning tasks there is something particularly cathartic about the annual purge. Whilst your spring cleaning may never become effortless, you can certainly make it more hi-tech and fun with these top gadgets we’ve rounded up for 2017!

Mocoro Robot Cleaning Ball £29.99

Swiffer WetJet Mop £36.99 Swiffer WetJet Floor Spray Mop gives you a great clean on virtually any floor in your home. With a unique dualnozzle sprayer, this all-in-one mopping system breaks up and dissolves tough messes for a powerful clean. Its cleaning solution loosens dirt and lifts it off the floor, pulling dirt and grime into the WetJet pad and locking it away for good.

You can turn up “I want to break free” as loud as you like, hoovering is still a pain in the backside AND it eats up hours of your precious time. But now, thanks to a marvel of eccentric Japanese engineering, you can put your feet up and let the Mocoro Robot Cleaning Ball do all the work. It’s a fluffy robotic duster with a mind of its own; roaming freely around your home picking up dust and filth, changing direction whenever it hits an obstacle so it doesn’t get stuck in tight corners or insist on trying to go upstairs. Just sit back and let it do it’s thing – it’s got so much personality you’ll expect it to hop up on your lap and start purring. To stop this playful ball from wasting battery there’s an internal timer that pauses it after 15 minutes until disturbed again (a very gentle kick will do). The pink microfibre coat can be brushed clean and is easily removed to be hand or machine washed. Did we also mention that it’s the greatest cat toy ever made? Now you can come home to sparkly clean floors AND exhausted pets.

iRobot Roomba £799.99 Roomba 980 gives you cleaner floors, throughout your entire home, all at the push of a button. Roomba 980 seamlessly navigates an entire level of your home, keeping track of its location and recharging as needed until the job is done. The AeroForce® Cleaning System with Carpet Boost automatically increases power on carpets where it’s needed most. And with the iRobot HOME App, you can clean and schedule on the go.

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Microfiber Cleaning Slippers £4.99 • Easily clean those out of the way places without kneeling or stooping

Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen - £4.99 Tide to Go is the portable, instant stain remover that helps eliminate many fresh food and drink stains on the spot. Keep a Tide to Go in your briefcase, car, purse and kitchen everywhere you encounter stains.

• Material: Microfiber • Size: Free Size(One size fits all) • It is a great help to wear these around the house, cleaning as you walk • Perfect for dust, dirt, and pet hair

Baby Mop - £29.99

Plug Hub £9.99

Ask yourself this: Can you actually remember anything that happened before your 2nd birthday? Almost certainly not. So with this in mind, would you really begrudge your mum and dad if they had decided to use you as a lovely smiling, gurgling Baby Mop? After all, you’d only be crawling around and exploring the kitchen floor anyway, so they’d be crazy not to dress you up in something that enhanced the sweeping process a little, right? Your loving parents spent those long years keeping you as clean as a whistle – isn’t it only fair that you should give something back? Whether you were used as a squidgy human broom or not, you now have the chance to metaphorically pass the torch and endow your baby (as well as your friends’ and relatives’ babies) with the virtues of a strong and diligent work ethic.

• Three openings on the top of the unit direct your cords neatly to your power strip

Made from 100% cotton, this soft and cosy onesie is covered in ultraabsorbent mop microfibers to transform your aimless crawling baby into a cleaning machine. So don’t go forking out hundreds of pounds for a new vacuum or a house cleaner, let your baby do what it was born to do.*

• Sit Plug Hub on its rubber bottom or on its back, or mount it to a wall.

• Three integrated cord anchors let you wrap up and hide longer cords.

• Made from rigid plastic with a rubber “foot” on the bottom

*Explore your home in a warm onesie that just happens to also clean the floor really, really well.

Mr Clean Magic Eraser - £3.50 When it’s time to kick dirt to the curb, look no further than Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser. It’s so tough on so many messes it’s a wall cleaner, bathtub cleaner, oven door cleaner, light switch cleaner, doors cleaner, and more cleaner, all rolled into one. Simply wet, squeeze out excess water and erase! 53

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Contact Bal on: 01354 658427

or 07758 933486 www.inspirationalbalancing.com

Discover Your Purpose

Looking for a new challenge and want to work flexibly?

Eliminate Unwanted Feelings

Join MyShowcase today and become a part of a fast growing community of women showcasing the best independent brands in beauty, chosen by awardwinning beauty expert, Kate Shapland.

Wish you could gain a better understanding of your personal gifts and life purpose? Wish you could cleanse away emotional blockages so you can feel happy, empowered and in charge of your life?

Heal you relationships

Discover how you can let go of the emotional hold people have on you.

Restore Your Vitality

Learn how you can restore your health and vitality by reducing physical symptoms, boosting your energy and balancing your emotions.

Become an Independent MyShowcase Stylist and offer a personal beauty shopping service tailored to your friends, family and connections. No sales or beauty experience required. We’ll mentor you, develop your business skills and enable you to run your own successful beauty business on your terms! Contact Tiffany Youngs – Stylist to find out more https://www.myshowcase.com/stylist/tiffany_youngs 07766417517 | Tiffyoungs12@gmail.com

Tracey Coulson Master Teacher

• Individual Angelic Reiki Treatments • Beginner To Practitioner Level Angelic Reiki Workshops • Master Level Angelic Reiki Workshops • Angelic Reiki Shared/Development Groups

Available For Your Events And Functions All Year Round

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info@greekstreetfood.co.uk | +44 7453 760760

Nuneaton and surrounding areas as well as elsewhere in the UK and internationally by invitation

Tel: 07432 119580 Email: tracy47@me.com

Alpa Pabari Quantum Coaching Offers Theta Healing Online Sessions and Courses Theta Healing ® is designed by Vianna Stibal, the founder of Theta Healing ®. It is a therapeutic self-help guide to develop the ability to change on all levels: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually by connecting to universal source energy. Alpa is a Licensed and Certified ThetaHealing ® Master and Certificate of Science, the highest achievement within the modality. She uses her gifts and training as a Pharmacist, medical intuitive and metaphysician to help people transform their lives. She runs sessions and Quantum Coaching ® packages to: • resolve emotional issues such as grief, loss, separation, anxiety, heartbreak • empowers people by removing and replacing negative emotions, feelings and thoughts with positive beneficial ones • guides clients to where they want to be by removing energetic blocks and sabotage. If required Alpa can also use other modalities she practices to bring about beneficial change. Alpa also trains others in using this meditation technique for themselves in order to empower themselves. Private boutique classes for you and your friends are also available.

For more information and to book your appointment please contact Alpa on 0044 7935 813515 or find out more at www.alpapabari.com

Semi Virtual Crochet Courses, designed for those with busy lives who love to craft or learn new skills. The beginners course includes everything you need to learn the art of Crochet. • Clover Amour crochet hook • Stylecraft yarns • Crochet starter stitches (to get you going) • Instruction books to accompany the online courses • Access to exclusive video only available to course subscribers • Support via our closed Facebook group and email • Printed bags to keep your hard work safe Learn to crochet the easy way with a course designed to fit your lifestyle and learning style.

Exclusive readers discount of £5 off any course when you checkout using this code: FORHER Find out more about Beautiful Things on Page… www.semivirtualcourses.com | 01277 811136 | admin@clairemackaness.com

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EAST MILITARY CATCHMENT

Beautiful Things Claire Mackaness is owner and founder of Beautiful Things, a haven for creatives and crafters just outside Brentwood in Essex where you can attend courses in sewing, knitting, quilting and silk painting to name but a few. Not content with providing craft opportunities for the people of Essex alone, Claire is on a one-woman mission to get the world crafting, starting with her Semi Virtual Crochet Course for beginners. ‘My goal is for everyone to experience the joy of crafting whether it’s in the creation or in the giving or receiving of something handmade and I believe crochet is the perfect place to start. Crochet is accessible to all, you don’t need loads of kit or equipment, in fact you get everything you need in the Beautiful Things Starter kit to complete the beginners course and by the end have the confidence to carry on and make many more crocheted “Beautiful Things”’ says Claire. But you don’t need to take Claire’s word for it, we contacted a few of Claire’s Virtual Crochet pupils and this is what Amy had to say.

5 Minute Focus – Beautiful Things Semi Virtual Crochet Course Tell us about yourself. My name is Amy and I’m from Leigh on Sea, Essex. I’m 35 and live with my partner and our 3 guinea pigs. I work full time for the local council and in my spare time I enjoy making things.

Have you always been interested in crafting & craft activities? All my life… I had a sewing book as a child and was always at mum’s sewing machine making things. My mum taught me how to knit and sew but not how to crochet. I had many unsuccessful attempts and just couldn’t work out why I couldn’t do it.

Why did you choose an online course rather than “face to face” tuition? Like many of us, I lead a very busy life and have a few health issues which mean I can’t get out as much as I would like. Although the Beautiful Things HQ is not that far from me, the ‘online’ option didn’t restrict me in any way and there was no pressure. I didn’t feel as though I was letting myself down or anyone else if I couldn’t make a class. The classes took place where and when I chose and also gave me the opportunity to go onto the next step if I picked something up quickly or go back if I needed to go over something again.

Why did you choose the Beautiful Things course? I’d previously tried videos on YouTube and I just found them difficult to follow or there were holes in the information. The Beautiful Things course offered added value. You get the starter kit, which provides EVERYTHING YOU NEED, including, yarn, hook and instruction manual to accompany the online videos, plus there is a fantastic support structure as you are added to a private Facebook group for the course and are able to talk to others

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at the touch of a keyboard. The inclusion of the ‘starting stitches’ and step by step instruction manual with images and time markers in the kit make even the most intricate of stitches, crystal clear and generally the set up, structure and support during the course is amazing.

When did you sign up for the Beautiful Things virtual crochet course? I had been following ‘Beautiful Things’ on Social Media for quite a while and finally started the course in July 2016. I was fascinated and inspired by how easy Claire made crocheting look and was confident that with her guidance I could overcome my previous problems grasping the art of crochet.

How did you find time to do the online course? The truth is that when you are having fun, you find time. With just a little planning and prioritising you can allow yourself an hours pleasure crocheting in the evenings and weekends and around work or family life. The Beautiful Things booklet tells you exactly how long each session will take so you can set aside the right amount of time to do each section. Plus you can pause and re-run, it is all just so easy.

How long did it take you to complete the beginners course? I completed the beginners course in just under 2 weeks and then immediately ordered the intermediate course. In the end, I finished the 2 courses in 3 weeks. I went from not being able to crochet at all to being an intermediate in just 3 weeks. Having given up so many times in the past that to me was just so unbelievable. Plus I found it so addictive I couldn’t stop making things. Now I’m confident enough to have a go at pretty much anything. By the end of the beginners course I was able to follow a pattern and Claire recommends patterns

Use co code FO upon checkou RHER at the t for £ online c 5 off any ourse & kit

that are well written so I’ve already crocheted myself a top and proudly worn it out. I’ve bought the amigurumi cactus course as well. I just love to crochet. Granny blankets, Christmas baubles…you name it…. I can’t get enough.

What would you say to anyone considering a Beautiful Things Virtual Crochet course? It’s so important to make time for yourself and do something you enjoy. Honestly, if I can do it, anyone can…. But I will post a warning:….. It is addictive so be prepared to be well and truly Hooked!!! …. Pun totally intended!!

Find Claire on facebook: BeautifulThingsClasses Instagram: @artyfartymack Twitter: @clairemackaness

Claire records a regular podcast on YouTube about knitting & Crochet and also vlogs about sewing and dressmaking amongst other crafty pursuits. Her channel is called ‘Beautiful Things’

15/12/2016 09:54

Dishing the Dirt on

CLEAN EATING

uilt-ridden following the annual food-fest that is Christmas? Sluggish after existing on a diet of mince pies washed down with Irish cream liqueur for 12 days? In need of a health kick? We might just have the answer in the form of this energyboosting, nutrient-packed diet. And, what’s more, you don’t have to give up chocolate!

If you’ve ever sprinkled flax seeds into your porridge, swapped pasta for courgetti or splashed some cash on Spirulina it’s likely you’ve had a brush with the latest food revolution that is Clean Eating. If the last paragraph makes no sense whatsoever, it’s you’ve probably cast the Clean Eating craze aside as another faddy diet. But, if you are in this camp, never fear – clean eating is not as scary as it sounds and could be the key to improving your health and boosting your energy levels. For while, at its most extreme, this new food trend might seem slightly eccentric and appear to involve ingredients which are unlikely to grace the shelves of your local Tesco Metro, there are lots of accessible ways to enjoy the health benefits. Here’s our lowdown on how to eat clean whilst not breaking the bank and without having to waste an entire weekend scouring the country for half price Chia seeds.

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Who’s been doing this clean eating, then? Everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Jamie Oliver have been getting on the clean eating or ‘eating clean’ bandwagon over the last few years.You may have seen a new crop of cookbooks emerge on the market from selfstyled nutritionists such as Ella Woodward (Deliciously Ella) and Hemsley & Hemsley. They cornered the market on making food that is free from all sorts of staples such as dairy, gluten, sugar and – in some cases – meat in their bid to cleanse and revitalise their bodies. This corner of the market has now become so over-populated it has spread to saturation point. And while these pioneers have gone on to make their own TV shows and generally take social media by storm (they never forget to Instagram their dinner) the general public has been lapping up this new craze. The problem is, going without bread, milk and the occasional Kit Kat Chunky is not the most practical lifestyle choice. Meanwhile there have been cases of people suffering side-effects from clean eating staples such as raw cacao, which – it has been claimed – can cause sleeping problems, mood swings and other symptoms associated with stimulants. There has been a bit of a backlash. As a result, those who want to enjoy the benefits but keep their diet nutritionally balanced, are seeking more moderate versions of clean eating and that is what we are here to review for you. So, what is clean eating, exactly? As the name suggests, clean eating involves consuming food which is in as much of a natural state as possible. But the actual interpretation of the diet – as we have seen – is very broad. For some it might mean going the full Ella Woodward and cutting out gluten, wheat, dairy, sugar and meat. For others it might mean eating meals made from scratch with organic ingredients. Pollyanna Hale, a weight loss coach to mums who runs TheFitMumFormula, explained clean eating has no official definition. “To most followers,” she said, “it means eating only natural wholefoods that have been minimally processed.

“Some people exclude gluten and dairy, and eat organic [as much] as possible, but it’s not as strict as the Paleo diet, which strictly excludes all dairy and grains as well as beans and legumes.” It could be as simple as swapping your mid-morning Twix for a boiled egg. Yes… the humble egg does not sound as appealing as a chocolatecovered sweet treat but the benefits are far greater. The biscuit will give you a brief hit of energy which will subside shortly afterwards. The egg, meanwhile, is rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc, which can help boost your energy levels and immune system respectively. What’s more it is a source of protein which means you will stay fuller, longer. And that pretty much sums up the essence of clean eating. It’s about only eating food which benefits your body in some way. Filling up with nutritional food, which is doing something good inside us, rather than gorging on something scrumptious but full of chemicals which either do nothing for our bodies, or can harm them. This means including a colourful array of fruit and vegetables in all meals, including lots of protein via good quality meat, fish and pulses and filling up with wholegrains. And, the good news is, there is nutritional value in chocolate! Especially, if you are into the 80% cocoa variety. When should I be clean eating? Clean eating can be incorporated into your diet at any time. If you follow our recipe guide below, you’ll see it’s quite easy to include in day-to-day life and you can also feed ‘clean’ meals to your family too. In terms of choosing when to start the diet the New Year is the perfect time to begin clean eating – when we are all feeling the burden of the Christmas excesses. You may be feeling bloated, listless and in need of a pep and some of the benefits

‘Beware of all those seemingly healthy foods like cereal bars, diet products and ‘low fat’ versions of puddings, crisps and chocolates. They have the same, if not more, bad stuff in them as their higher fat counterparts’

of these menus is they reduce sluggishness, making you feel more alert and energetic. If it seems overwhelming, introduce meals slowly. Begin with ‘clean’ breakfasts and then, after a few weeks, adapt your lunch and so on. Don’t beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon. This style of eating is not strict, it won’t matter if you have a slice or two of cake at your friend’s birthday or have a Hula Hoops binge-fest after a bad day at work. You’re only human. How do I clean eat? Make sure your meals and snacks contain plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein. Try to cook from scratch if you can and avoid processed foods such ham, bacon, packet sauces, ready meals, ketchup and so on. If you are not sure it’s processed, check the labels and avoid food where the list of ingredients includes high levels of salt, sugar or components that have been manufactured in a lab. The litmus test is that if you don’t understand what the ingredient is, or have never heard of it, it’s probably processed. Beware of all those seemingly healthy foods like cereal bars, diet products and ‘low fat’ versions of puddings, crisps and chocolates. They have the same, if not more, bad stuff in them as their higher fat counterparts. As you’ll notice from our three-day recipe plan, certain ingredients are common throughout and worth buying as store cupboard staples. Examples include coconut oil, sweet potatoes, peanut butter and eggs. You can save money on the more expensive items such as raspberries by purchasing frozen varieties. If you have a peanut allergy, try almond butter or cashew butter as an alternative.

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What is

CLEAN EATING? Other tips to help you ‘eat clean’ include making sure you always eat the skins of fruit and vegetables if you can – these contain the most nutritional benefits! So when you eat an apple or a potato, ditch the peeler. And how about making your own pasta sauce from fresh tomatoes, courgettes and onions instead of buying sauce in a jar from the supermarket? Or try looking for recipes for homemade ‘energy bites’ which are nutritious, filling yet tasty substitutes for chocolate, cakes and cereal bars. Why is it so beneficial? According to Pollyanna, the benefits of

clean eating are twofold. She said the first is that not eating processed sugars, artificial ingredients and unnecessary additives vastly reduces the strain your body is put under to process and excrete these. “The body is very capable of dealing with unwanted substances,” Pollyanna explained, “but removing these foods does take the pressure off.” But that’s not all. “Eating instead more nutrient-dense whole foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and all the other fats and amino acids we need means that you’re fuelling your body to perform optimally,” she said.

“Eating nutritious foods will give you better skin, digestion, more energy and mental clarity compared to eating junk food.” And that’s really something to celebrate in the New Year. This three day clean eating plan has been compiled by Pollyanna to help you get your New Year health kick off to a flying start.

Three Day Clean Eating Plan BREAKFAST: 2 eggs scrambled in 1 tsp coconut oil, with 1 cup chopped peppers and mushrooms

BREAKFAST: 50g gluten free oats cooked in milk, topped with half a chopped banana and berries

SNACK: A pear with 1 tbsp. peanut butter

SNACK: Shake made with 200ml full fat milk 100g frozen strawberries and a tsp. honey

LUNCH: 100g cooked chicken, 1 tbsp. chopped hazelnuts, and a large green salad dressed in oil and vinegar. SNACK: hot chocolate made with 200ml reduced fat coconut milk, cocoa powder and 1 tsp honey, plus a bowl of raspberries SUPPER: 100g fresh tuna steak served with roast peppers, tomatoes, onion and courgettes (roast in coconut oil)

BREAKFAST: 50g no added sugar, nutty gluten free muesli topped with Greek yoghurt and berries SNACK: Shake made with 1 tbsp. peanut butter, a medium banana, and 150ml almond milk

LUNCH: Large roast beetroot and feta cheese salad with rocket Snack: 150g cottage cheese with grated apple and cinnamon SUPPER: 100g chicken from a whole cooked deli chicken, with a small sweet potato, cauliflower and broccoli florets roasted in coconut oil

LUNCH: Frittata (can be eaten cold), made with 2 eggs, 30g ricotta cheese, onion, spinach and mushrooms. SNACK: 150g Greek yoghurt with berries SUPPER: Beef Bolognese on courgette spaghetti, sprinkled with 2 tbsp. grated cheese

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POLE POSITION T he use of a pole for sports and exercise has been traced back as far as 800 years ago to the traditional Indian sport of mallakhamb. In the 1920’s, travelling circuses and sideshows would utilise pole dancing with the pole in the centre of the tent. Eventually, the pole moved from the tent to bars which was a big hit in the 80’s when the art of Burlesque became more accepted and popular and pole dancing was born, which is still common practice and heavily associated with strip clubs around the world today. Contrary to popular belief, pole fitness is entirely different to pole dancing, involves no stripping and is rapidly gaining interest in the fitness world. To find out more we spoke to the lovely Floren Carter who began pole fitness earlier this year, to dispel some myths, gain some insight and get her take on the dizzying world of pole fitness!

Is there a dance element to pole ﬁtness or is it more strength exercise?

In the classes that I attend, it’s much more geared towards building strength and a full body workout. There are opportunities to learn different routines to set music, which is more dance orientated. It does depend on the Pole School as to their teaching style.

What does a typical class entail?

My pole fitness classes are an hour long and are for mixed ability. They start with a five minute warm up. Then we split off into ability groups. To follow the warm up, we do pull ups on the pole. We have two to three instructors in each class, and we normally have at least two people to a pole, this is so that the individual attempting the move has a marker in case they need help in getting down or to get into the correct position. We then cover various moves that the instructor demonstrates. At the end of the class, we have a cool down period of different stretches.

Tell us a little about yourself... Hi, my name is Floren. I am a part time waitress and mother of two small boys who definitely keep me on my toes!! I’m twenty seven years old.

How long have you been doing Pole Fitness? I started attending pole fitness lessons in early March 2016, so just over eight months.

How did you ﬁrst get into it, was it what you expected? My friend is an instructor and whilst at her house for a play date with the children, she let me have a go on her pole which is up in her living room. She encouraged me to come to class & the rest is history! As silly as it sounds, I didn’t actually expect a warm up, consisting of things like star jumps, squats, and planks. I started off in a beginner’s class, which covers things like how to position yourself at the pole, correct posture for walking around the pole, beginner moves and spins. The beginner classes are geared towards women who need a little boost with their confidence and to give you a taste of what pole fitness is like. 60

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What is the best thing about it? That is a really hard question! Before I started pole fitness I had very little upper body strength, I was always exhausted from running around after my children and I had very little self confidence. I hated looking in the mirror because I felt out of shape and ugly. I started seeing results very quickly. I had an hour lesson once a week and no form of exercise apart from that and no change in my diet (which is dreadful!). I noticed that my jeans were fitting better, and I felt stronger. I managed to lose half a stone. All of a sudden, none of that mattered. I stopped obsessing about how my tummy looked, and my legs looked. I started appreciating my body for what it could do, and not for what it looked like. I can hang upside down, holding onto a pole with just the back of my knee and that is a massively empowering feeling. I feel like I achieve something every time I pole. This is called “Butterﬂy” - my ﬁ rst ever on the left after 5 weeks of pole, and then my most recent… A good one for showing how photos track progress.

15/12/2016 09:54

Are there any bad things about it?! Haha, no! However, because you need your skin to be able to grip the pole, you can end up with some bruising, especially when you are a beginner because your skin isn’t used to the activity.

Does it ﬁt in easily with your family life? The lessons really do, if you can commit to going to a gym, then an hour a week of pole fitness is nothing. I also have a ‘home pole’ which I have up constantly in my living room. When anced move my youngest used to nap in the day, I would “Russian Layback” - An adv Fang easily fit an hour of pole fitness into my day. Now that he’s dropped his nap I normally find my time once the children are in Do you think people have misconceptions about it? bed. X Poles are the world leading brand for Yes, definitely. I have had a few negative comments, such as ‘Isn’t pole fitness.You can find second hand poles that for strippers?’ and ‘I can’t believe your fiancé lets you do that’. fairly easily on ebay, and they run from Both of these statements left me totally dumbfounded. Firstly, £80-£150 depending on the size of I have a huge new founded respect for the work that strippers the pole and whether it is a static or do, it requires a lot of energy! Secondly, the latter comment is spinning pole. They are easy to put just degrading for women in general. Pole fitness as a sport is no up and take down, not requiring different to gymnastics. I take those types of comments on the chin any screws, it fits into place with and try to educate where I can. People might think you need to the same sort of technology as be flexible or have upper body strength when you start but you a stair gate, with the newest develop these things by doing pole. Also, these poles hold up to 18 ones being bottom loading stone, so it’s not a “skinny girl” sport, women of various ages and so you don’t even need a sizes come to my pole classes and it’s a really supportive atmosphere. ladder to install it. We have women from 16 - 65 attend our classes.

Do you think it is gaining in popularity, how many people attend the class you go to? I think that word of mouth and the help of the internet is definitely helping in its popularity. Pole fitness has a huge online community, especially on Instagram. There are also many tutorial videos on Youtube that really show how to break down moves and spins. Our classes are pay on the door, which means there is fluctuation in numbers that attend. In the class I attend the numbers can range from as little as 6 to 28.

Have you ever performed in front of an audience, or would you like to in the future?

What is the biggest difference you have noticed in yourself since you started it? Definitely my self confidence. I am proud of what my body can achieve.

You have quite a following on your pole ﬁtness Instagram account, do you ﬁnd it helps to document your progress and have you made lots of friends through doing it? I originally set up my Pole Instagram account, @poley_floss because I felt like family and friends wouldn’t appreciate the spamming of photographs and videos. Ha ha! Sometimes the only way to see your progression is by viewing images. I get amazed by how much I have accomplished in such a short time. I have made some great friends via Instagram thanks to pole fitness. It’s amazing the sense of community, everyone is so supportive and there is a world of knowledge that is shared easily. Finally, I would say that if you’re interested in trying something new, that will boost your confidence, your self esteem and help you get fitter then definitely search for your nearest pole classes. My motto, it’s always worth a try!

No, I haven’t. It is definitely something I would consider in the future. There are competitions, which are picking up in the UK. “Remi Layback”

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2 6

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Certainly this trend is not for the faint hearted, but it offers a welcome alternative to our traditional uniform of black and grey separates - in fact, it serves as a reminder that spring is just around the corner. If you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ready to commit to stripes all over, use it to accessorise - a handbag or pair of shoes lets you dip your toe into the trendâ&#x20AC;Ś

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From snail racing to bog snorkelling, apparently we are a nation of weirdos! We Brits love traditions, and throughout the year across the country there are many strange and wonderful festivals and events that take place. So if you like the idea of chasing cheese down a hill, charming some worms or giving it your all at the World Egg Throwing Championships then here is our pick of some of the wackiest traditions going! Cheese Rolling Every year on Bank Holiday Monday in later May the world famous annual Cheese Rolling event sees competitors hurling themselves from the steep, grassy slopes of Coopers Hill, near Gloucester in pursuit of a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. There are several races throughout the afternoon, including ones for men, women and an under 14’s uphill race. Dozens of competitors run, roll and stumble down the uneven and incredibly steep hill after it, often resulting in injuries! The winners get to take home the cheeses. It’s uncertain where and why the tradition began, but it’s thought to either be from an ancient pagan fertility rite or that it evolved from a requirement of maintaining razing rights on the common. Wherever it came from, it’s such a well known and huge event today that people travel from all over the world to spectate or take part!

Bog Snorkelling Bog Snorkelling is a sporting event that consists of competitors completing two consecutive lengths of a water-filled trench through a peat bog in the shortest time possible. Competitors must wear snorkels and flippers and complete the course without using conventional swimming strokes, relying on flipper power alone. The activity of bog snorkelling was started in 1976 near Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. It began as a result of an over-the-bar conversation in The Neuadd Arms between a few regulars on how to bring more tourism to the small village. Bog Snorkelling gained interest and in 1985 the first Bog Snorkelling World Championship was held, and has taken place September every year since, bringing in crowds. Proceeds from the Championship now go towards a chosen charity each year.

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World Snail Racing Championships Ready, steady... Slow! Each July in Congham, Norfolk, competitors and spectators alike flock to witness the annual Snail Race. Snail races usually take place on a circular track with the snails starting in the middle and racing to the perimeter. The track usually takes the form of a damp cloth atop a table. The radius is traditionally set at 13 or 14 inches. Racing numbers are painted on the shells or small stickers or tags are placed on them to distinguish each competitor. Last year it was won by Herbie 2, who completed the course in 3 mins and 25 seconds!

Worm Charming For more bizarre events involving slithery garden friends head to the village of Willaston, near Nantwich, Cheshire, which has been the home of the annual World Championship Worm Charming event. In 1961 the headteacher of a the local school invented Worm Charming, designed as a fund raising event. It’s now used to raise money for charities and has people from all over the country come to take part. Each person is issued with a 3 meter square plot of land where they attempt to attract worms to the surface of the ground, using music, vibrations and other techniques except digging. Whoever ends up with the most worms is the winner!

Mind Sports Olimpiad Each year in London the Mind Sports Olimpiad is held, attracting people from all over the country to come and take part in the biggest board games festival in the world. People come together to compete playing classic games such as Chess, Bridge and Scrabble, along with more modern games such as Tetris and Magic The Gathering. The most prestigious award is for the Pentamind World Championship – a trophy and £500 cash, which is awarded to the competitor who holds the best results from 5 different competitions. There are numerous other cash prizes for various categories but you can also go along to play uncompetitively for free.

dance in exchange for gifts of money, food or beer. The festival was of a stature that farmers would often reserve their best straw for the making of the bear. The custom died out early in the 20th century, probably because the local police regarded it as begging, but it was resurrected by the Whittlesea Society in 1980. The festival has now expanded to cover the whole weekend when the Bear appears (not Plough Tuesday nowadays, but the second weekend in January instead). On the Saturday of the festival, the Bear processes around the streets with its attendant “keeper” and musicians, followed by numerous traditional dance sides, including morris men and women, molly dancers, rapper and longsword dancers, clog dancers and others, who perform at various points along the route. Sessions of traditional music take place in many of the public houses during the day and evening, and a barn dance or ceilidh and a Cajun dance round off the Saturday night. The bear is then burned at a ceremony on Sunday lunchtime (don’t worry, just the costume, not the man inside!).

Harvest Festival of the Pearly Kings and Queens The London tradition of the Pearly Kings & Queens first began in 1875, when a boy named Henry Croft left his orphanage to make his own way in life. His first job was as a road sweeper in the markets of Somers Town. Here he made friends with the Costermongers, who were traders in the market. To show their status the

Costermongers sewed smoke pearl buttons along the seams of their clothing, and were well known for taking care of each other and people in need. Henry decided he would like to help others in need too, particularly the children left at the orphanage where he had been raised. He began to collect all the buttons he could find when sweeping the streets and when he had enough he sewed them onto his cap. Eventually his entire outfit was covered in buttons from head to toe, and using this to draw attention to himself he began to collect money for charities. 125 years later this tradition is still continued, and each district in London is represented by a Pearly King and Queen. Some of the Pearly families still going today can be traced back to the original generation. The Pearlies fundraise all year round for various charities but each September they hold a harvest festival where there is music, food, a parade and donations of food are gathered to give to the Whitechapel Mission.

World Egg Throwing Championships Every June in Lincolnshire, The World Egg Throwing Championship takes place. Consisting of teams of 2, a tosser and a catcher, starting at 10 metres apart and spreading further after each successful catch. If the egg is dropped of broken you’re out and the top 5 go through to the finals. Other events include The World Target Throwing with Accuracy Challenge, The World Russian Egg Roulette Championship, The Egg Throwing Static Relay, The Under 13’s World Egg Throwing Championship and The World Egg Trebuchet Challenge!

Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival The festival of the Straw Bear is an old custom known only from a small area of Fenland on the borders of Huntingdonshire. On Plough Tuesday, the day after Plough Monday (the first Monday after Twelfth Night), a man or boy was covered from head to foot in straw and led from house to house where he would 73

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Reasons Why Lisbon is the

Perfect Weekend Destination By Rachel Carr of “This Is Carrt”

www.thisiscarrt.co.uk

couple of weekends ago, one of my oldest friends, Miss T, and I finally ticked off Lisbon from our hit list. We had very high expectations of the city and luckily the Portuguese capital far exceeded them. I absolutely loved every second of our stay there and thought that the city made a perfect weekend away given its ease of access (just a short direct flight from Heathrow), plethora of excellent restaurants and swathes of culture. We stayed at the LX hotel in the Bairro Alto district, which I would happily stay at again. It was chic, had attentive service and its location was walking distance to 99% of the places Miss T and I wanted to go to. I’ve listed some of my must dos for the city, but really you could just sit at coffee shop all day and watch the world go by in this buzzy capital.

Free Walking Tour. I loved a free walking tour that I went on that went from Rossio square. This small company run about three a day to different locations and areas.You’ll see them on the square as they wear yellow tshirts and hold yellow umbrellas. They leave at about 11am in the morning and though free, the guide does love getting a tip at the end. Miss T and I joined the Mouraria area tour which ambles around what is widely considered the oldest part of the city. It was fascinating and beautiful. The district is full of narrow lanes and tiny alleys all adorned with antique Portuguese tiles and modern street

art. The guide gave us both historical facts, local city tips and gossipy titbits that made the tour informative and fun.

Alfama. This area of Lisbon is fab just to get lost in as it is full of quirky little restaurants and shops in its winding streets. The castle is here which affords spectacular views of the city but in itself is lovely to walk around with its pretty grounds. Entrance is around 8euros which also takes in a museum. I had lunch in two places in this area. One was called Petisquerira Conqvistador really near the castle. I had one of, if not THE, best steak sandwich of my life there! I also enjoyed a lunch at, Medrosa d’Alfama which looks like nothing from outside but does yummy salads, sandwiches and cheese&meat boards.

One of my top tips for this area though is to go for a drink at Memmo Alfama which is a hotel in one of the back streets. They have an amazing rooftop bar with a red swimming pool with the most amazing view of the old town of Lisbon.

Breakfast. Food in Lisbon is such a gastronomic feast that you have to make use of every meal time. For breakfast, one of the nicest places my friend and I went to was a cute bakery called Tartine in the Chiado region. It had the most delicious bread, and served wonderful scrambled eggs and was a lot cheaper (and better) than our hotel breakfast. Opposite this eatery is also the notable Kaffeehaus, but any bakery that you walk by with fresh croissants in the window along with the traditional Pasteis will mean that you eat well - all washed down by delicious Portugeuse coffee which is an institution in itself. Mercado da Ribeira Velha. The Time Out market in the Bairro Alto area is my idea of heaven. Its a market place that allows customers to try loads of different foods from a wide selection of the best restaurants in Lisbon in this one warehouse. It’s another great way to up your gastronomic intake in very informal settings. I ate my body weight the night I went and it was unfortunately so close to our hotel that I didn’t get to walk it off! It was totally worth it and no visit to Lisbon would be complete without even a lunch time visit here.

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Petiscaria Ideal. Whilst the Timeout Market could have kept me entertained for days on end if my stomach allowed, my best meal was easily at the cute little restaurant Petiscaria Ideal. It’s like a Portuguese tapas restaurant. The service was wonderful and I loved the décor! It was very good value, very garlicky and had a great atmosphere. It’s on a road with loads of other fab restaurants (like most of Lisbon) if you can’t get a table, but if you definitely want to go here I would book (again like most of Lisbon!).

Rooftop Bars. The hilly nature of Lisbon and its collection of tall buildings mean that there are no shortage of bars with views. However, along with the aforementioned Memmo Alfama, I loved the bar atop Hotel Bairro Alto. This is a five star hotel that has a fabulous roof terrace with a view of the river (though there is a crane in the middle

of the vista at the moment), and it gets the sun until it goes down. It is perfect for a sundowner, though it may be a good idea to try to book even for this as Miss T and I only managed to get a seat after much persuasion - though we did go at sunset which is an obvious premium. We didn’t eat here but the food looked fab.

Outside Lisbon. Sintra is a town about a forty minute train ride away from Lisbon. The train costs next to nothing. Whilst it was not my favourite activity that Miss T and I partook in whilst we were in Portugal, it was nice to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. Sintra is quite a spread out town, with its main draw being lots of wacky castles and stately homes, but the tourist buses are very busy which can be quite stressful. My friend and I got a couple of taxis around the place, particularly to and from a place called Pena Castle - which has to be seen to be believed. Belem. This is a suburb on the outside of Lisbon which is home to a fab art gallery, a picture perfect tower/rampart, an awe inspiring monastery, but most importantly the famous Pasteis de Belem café where you can eat custard tarts until you are blue in the face. A top tip here is to ignore the long queue outside if you visit the café – and just walk inside to sit down at the tables. The queue is for take away and inside is just a regular eatery with table service. (Ironically it is quicker simply to eat in then stand in the take out queue)

Top Tips For Any Visit To Lisbon Uber. Uber is SUPER cheap in Lisbon. Our most expensive trip was from the airport and cost 13euros. Citymapper app. They have a Lisbon option and I always find it a very easy app to use even with the winding streets of the Portuguese capital. Refined carbs. The Portuguese serve everything with bread which is fabulous and as Lisbon is a walking city, it is quite guilt free too! Coffee. As previously mentioned, coffee is a bit of an insitution in Lisbon. Ordering here is very different to any Costa. I realised about two days in that they don’t really have lattes! Green Wine. This always sounds really weird to me, but it doesn’t detract from the sheer fact that it is very drinkable and very moreish. Even Miss T who isn’t much of a drinker drank a lot over the five days we were there!

Finally… just walk, get lost in the winding streets and fall in love with the faded charm of the place. 77

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CITIES A TO Z

Innsbruck

Hiking boots or high heels? Innsbruck combines city life and outdoor fun Cowbells or Baroque tunes? Hiking boots or high heels? Making the right decision could be a bit of a struggle, as Innsbruck and its holiday villages offer you the best of both worlds with modern city flair AND serene mountain scenery. One minute you relax in one of the many street cafés surrounded by magnificent medieval buildings in Innsbruck’s historical old town - and less than thirty minutes later you enjoy the most magnificent panoramic views from a mountain restaurant terrace located at 2,000 metres above sea level. This truly amazing experience is the result of the recent reconstruction of Innsbruck’s Nordkettenbahnen cable railways, which allows you to board the stunning new funicular in the very heart of the city. A mere twenty-minute ride whisks you up to high-alpine terrain, where great starting points for glorious hikes and thrilling mountain-climbing adventures await you at Seegrube and the Hafelekar summit station. Also ‘après-hike’ entertainment options are many and varied in the capital of the Alps. Why not start with a relaxing stroll along Maria Theresien Street with its modern urban design, stop for an aperitif in one of the many charming bars before 78

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moving on to the culinary heights of Innsbruck’s gourmet dining scene. While we can warmly recommend the tender and succulent Tyrolean mountain lamb, the tempting offer includes also a rich variety of internationally inspired dishes created by several award-winning chefs. While the renowned Innsbruck Festival of Early Music celebrates the masters of music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, the diverse programme of the annual Tanzsommer Innsbruck dance festival takes you on an artistic journey around the world. And as the popular Innsbruck Promenade Concerts fill the air of the Imperial Palace’s inner courtyard with beautiful waltz melodies full of nostalgia, the square by the Tyrolean State Government plays host to the New Orleans Festival, offering the happy crowd popular jazz and swing tunes as well as intoxicating soul music in a convivial atmosphere.

Pubs, wine bars and other hip nightlife hotspots Extend your day into the night - ‘Innsbruck by night’ stands not only for concerts, plays, and festivals. Innsbruckers also adore bringing the day to a close in one of the city’s stylish bars, busy street cafés or laidback pubs known as ‘Beisel’. Wherever you go, you’ll enjoy the congenial local atmosphere, fine drinks, tasty snacks and occasional live music. Close to St. James Cathedral, the s’Culinarium, a tiny specialty wine bar awaits you with a sensational selection of sensational wines as well as hundreds of fine spirits which can be sampled at a small al fresco area during the summer.

The laid-back Stiftskeller is ideal for a relaxing evening drink, as it offers authentic beer culture in a relaxed atmosphere. Managed by the Munichbased Augustinerbräu, it features also a cosy protected beer garden section. Practically next door, Il Convento impresses at first sight with its inviting roof terrace and street-level seating area. Its stunning interior blends historical flair with ultramodern architecture, providing the perfect setting to enjoy some antipasti and a glass of wine - and savour a taste of ‘Italianitá’ in the very centre of Innsbruck. Just a few minutes walking distance from the Old Town you find Ebi’s, a small American bar located on Adolf Pichler

Square which boasts a vast selection of wines and cocktails. Continue from here to the Rathausgalerien mall and the sophisticated 5th Floor American bar. Part of the stylish ‘The Penz’ hotel, it offers spectacular vistas onto the city lights from its spacious rooftop terrace. Two floors further up perches the 360°, a successful blend of café, wine bar and lounge and elegant vantage point with glass all around to enjoy unobstructed views from all angles. How about some sophisticated evening entertainment with a difference? At Casino Innsbruck you can combine playful fun with an elegant dinner and pleasant evening entertainment, such as dance events, cabarets and comedy shows. For authentic Irish pub atmosphere try The Galway Bay on Kaiserjäger street, a popular meeting place to watch live sports programmes. Your exploratory tour of Innsbruck’s trendy bars and restaurants wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Schindler or Bar Centrale located right next to the stylish Kaufhaus Tyrol mall. Heading towards the Golden Roof you’ll pass the DelikatessenCafé Manna, a great spot to meet friends for drinks and have a good time while enjoying live music several times a week. Another not-to-be missed hotspot is the stunning adlers bar in Brunecker Street, perched on top of Innsbruck’s highest hotel. Besides featuring DJs and live acts on a regular basis, this hip in-location boasts spectacular views across the surrounding mountain scenery from its stylish bar, lounge area and 12th continued over page >> 79

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There is no other zoo like the Innsbruck Alpine Zoo!

‘‘

Children and parents share the excitement of discovering the alpine animal park, where otters mesmerise visitors with their agile aquatic antics, wolves howl in sync when nearby churchbells chime, while in the barnyard no-one can resist patting the little piglets and lambs.

floor viewing terrace. Small and intimate, the Erlkönig bar in Meraner Street remains an all-time favourite with night-owls with a penchant for historic architecture and timeless, distinguished furniture. Its unique design and laid-back, friendly atmosphere places the Erlkönig among the top night spots in town. The Early Bird, the ‘Home of Urban Bohemians’ located in Inn Street, is a buzzing after-work music lounge with a cool vibe. Here anyone over the age of 21 is welcome to enjoy mellow live music in a great atmosphere.

Freeride City Innsbruck: Where urban vibes meet powder spots For freeriding hotspots for adrenaline junkies with a zest for life check out Freeride City Innsbruck – the name says it all. There’s no other European city of similar size where city feeling and epic

’’

powder locations are only a heartbeat apart. One of Innsbruck’s coolest hotspots, where ardent enthusiasm and amazing powder snow merge together in truly perfect unison, is even easily accessible from the very centre of town! In less than half an hour, the Nordkettenbahnen cable railways whisk freeriders up to one of Europe’s steepest ski areas - the Nordkette mountain range. Featuring a soaring 1,500 m elevation difference between the infamous Hafelekar and Hungerburg, it offers a truly challenging freeride experience, even to seasoned pros. As names like ‘Cannonball’, Hard Rock’ or ‘Thriller Flake’ might let you guess, the fifteen exciting freeride runs at Stubai Glacier are heaven on earth for all adrenaline junkies with a zany zest for life. Only a forty-five minute drive away from town, the Stubai Glacier Powder Department also forms part of Freeride City Innsbruck, offering a truly elevated experience in high-alpine backcountry from October until June.

A visit to the Alpine Zoo - at 750m the highest of its kind and the only themed wildlife sanctuary worldwide - is a truly unforgettable experience for children and grown-ups alike. More than 2,000 animals and 150 species can be viewed in their natural habitats, as the zoo’s enclosures, aviaries, aquariums and open-air terrariums are home to the most complete populations of animals native to the European Alpine regions. The Alpine Zoo is easily accessible by public transport - simply hop on the ‘W’ city bus leaving from Marktplatz, near the indoor market. Also the new Hungerburgbahn stops at Alpenzoo, offering a combined ticket that includes cable-car, entrance fee to the zoo and free parking at the Congress - and Citygarage. Children and parents share the excitement of discovering the alpine animal park, where otters mesmerise visitors with their agile aquatic antics, wolves howl in sync when nearby church-bells chime, while in the barnyard no-one can resist patting the little piglets and lambs. The youngest visitors can romp to their heart’s delight in the ‘Bear’ playground - and try to reach the Geierwally eagle’s nest, perched up high on a climbing wall. A new special attraction is the re-designed Ibex enclosure, where visitors can stroll freely among the majestic beasts, without any obstructing barriers. Little ones will love the idea of celebrating their birthday at the Alpine Zoo. The package aimed at children from the age of five, includes a guided adventure tour of the zoo (also available in English), a snack, a present for the birthday child and a small souvenir for every little birthday guest. Parties can be hosted every afternoon from Monday to Saturday, advance booking is required. The Alpine Zoo is open daily from 9am to 6pm (closing at about 5pm during winter). Special evening guided tours from July until September offer detailed insights into the lives and loves of the animals. Information: Alpenzoo Innsbruck, tel. +43512-292323, alpenzoo@tirol.com, www. alpenzoo.at

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