Iceni Magazine Norfolk Issue 124

ICENI

Focus On: Food & Drink

A Dopamine Diet... For People With ADHD

Why Not Let Children... Play With Their Food?

Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV Review

Hosting A Retro Dinner Party: Three Must-Have Dishes

Welcome to Issue 124 of Iceni Magazine!

This month’s magazine focuses on Food and Drink.

Trevor visits Nottingham’s Cosy Club and gives it the thumbs up; check out his review on Pages 32 and 33. A diet that helps the body to create dopamine is recommended by some for those who have ADHD. Read more about this and the science behind it on Pages 36 and 37. And if retro is your thing, why not use that as the theme for your next dinner party? We bring you three classic dishes and their recipes to help you plan the perfect evening (Pages 34 & 35).

Elsewhere in this issue, Susan Leigh asks if social burnout is something affecting your life. If FOMO is the reason you say ‘yes’ to most invites, it is perhaps time to re-evaluate your RSVPing (Pages 12 & 13). Great Yarmouth’s Anna Sewell House was the location for a visit by the Queen recently. Find out why and what happened on Pages 8 & 9. Finally, why not head to Page 47 and have a go at solving our Iceni Anagrams for August?

We hope that we see the return of the sun and warmth sometime soon as the past few days have been somewhat dreary... instead of waiting though, head out into our glorious county and discover what Norfolk has to offer. Until September, enjoy this issue and we will see you soon!

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www.icenimagazine.co.uk

"You don't need a silver fork to eat good food." Paul Prudhomme

Out Of This World Guests

Announced For NOR-CONNorfolk’s TV, Film And Comic Con

NOR-CON, Norfolk’s very own TV, film and comic con, returns to the Norfolk Showground on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September 2023.

Tickets are on sale for Norfolk’s longest running comic con. Now in its 12th year, NOR-CON has previously been voted among the UK’s top 10 Comic Cons by arts and entertainment guide The List.

Throughout the weekend, comic, film and TV fans will be able to enjoy a fantastic mix of exhibits, celebrity appearances, stage talks and demonstrations, photo opportunities and a multitude of traders selling memorabilia and merchandise from every corner of the galaxy.

Among the line-up of celebrity guests announced for 2023 are Peter Davison - the fifth Doctor from Doctor Who, Chris Rankin - best known as Percy Weasley from Harry Potter, and Doug Naylor - co-creator of sci-fi cult classic Red Dwarf. All stars will be available for autographs and photos, as well as taking part in stage talks to chat about their careers and answer fans’ questions. More names are still to be confirmed for the 2023 line-up.

Also back by popular demand at NOR-CON this year will be Jedi training including lightsabre skills workshops for padawans of all ages. A host of amazing exhibits will be on show too, including a life-size Johnny 5 (Short Circuit), the UK’s only 1:1 replica of a Star Wars Imperial Probe Droid, plus photo opportunities with some of TV and film’s famous and best loved vehicles including a selection of military vehicles - perfect for a Captain America photo opportunity.

- Tickets now on sale with celebrity guest stars from Dr Who and Harry Potter -

Real life comic book artists appearing at NORCON this year to sketch and offer prints and commissions are Lee Bradley, whose work includes Spider-man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Peter Clinton - the penciller on Silverline Comic’s newest title, Silverline Team Up, and a regular Sketch Card Artist for Upper Deck and Marvel, plus local artist Jay Manchand, who has worked on the Topps Star Wars cards.

Event organiser Mark Dean said, “We can’t wait for this year’s NOR-CON! As Norfolk’s longest established comic con, we pride ourselves on creating an event, which not only features brilliant guests from the world of TV and film, top quality exhibits and fantastic free workshops, but is also fun and friendly for all to enjoy.

We are always amazed by the incredible cosplay each year, and we’re looking forward to seeing which characters will walk through the door this year and win prizes in our cosplay competitions.

NOR-CON promises a fully immersive nerdfest - no matter what you’re into, there’s something for you. Come along and get your geek on!”

Cosplay is a big part of NOR-CON for many visitors, with competitions throughout the weekend for the amazing costumes made and worn by all ages.

(Cosplay is not compulsory for attendees!). Fantastic prizes are up for grabs for this year’s adult cosplay competition including a first prize of over £1,000 worth of cosplay building related items.

NOR-CON is a ticket only event. Visitors are encouraged to buy their tickets online in advance as numbers are limited to ensure the event is not overcrowded.

For more information or to buy tickets visit www.nor-con.co.uk.

For 2023, tickets remain at the same prices as 2022.

The event is run by NOR-CON Events Limited and sponsors include Dremel, Hasbro, Tyges Craft & Foam Supplies and UK IT Group.

Her Majesty The Queen Visits Redwings’

Anna Sewell House

Redwings Horse Sanctuary is delighted to have welcomed Her Majesty the Queen to Anna Sewell House in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk today (Monday 24th July).

The birthplace and home of the author of Black Beauty is in the custodianship of Redwings, the largest horse welfare charity in the UK.

Lynn Cutress, Chief Executive of Redwings, said: “It was a huge honour that Her Majesty the Queen chose to visit Anna Sewell House, which Redwings has been the custodian of since last year. We had a wonderful day and it all went really smoothly - better than we could have ever expected!

“Black Beauty played an important part in drawing attention to the welfare of horses and is therefore intertwined with Redwings’ own story

of rescuing, rehoming and giving a forever home to those who need it within our Sanctuaries.

“We understand that Black Beauty was the Queen’s favourite book as a child, and she told us that she was very excited to be visiting the house where the author of the novel was born and lived. In fact, Black Beauty is one of the current selected books being promoted by HM’s own literacy charity - The Queen’s Reading Room.”

During her visit, the Queen toured the building where Anna was born in 1820 to parents Isaac and Mary, her mother a successful author in her own right. Her Majesty met charity staff and Trustees who talked with her about Anna and her novel’s influence on animal welfare, which was one of the first English novels to be written from the horse’s perspective and one of a select few books that has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. It has never been out of print in 150

Photograph by Keith Mindham

years. Sadly, Anna died less than a year after it was released in 1877 and never witnessed its enormous success or influence.

Her Majesty viewed a number of early editions of the important novel including an English first edition featuring Anna’s original dedication to her aunts and an American first edition, both loaned by the Norfolk Library and Information Service. The Queen also signed special copies of Redwings and the UEA Publishing Project’s new edition, edited by Professor Thomas Ruys Smith. The book, which is published in November, will raise money for the charity, and a copy was gifted to the Queen. It is available to pre-order here now.

Associate Professor Hilary Emmett, a specialist in 19th century American literature at the University of East Anglia, said: “It was an honour to meet Her Majesty today and tell her about our special partnership with Redwings and the creation of this edition of Black Beauty ahead of their 40th anniversary next year. It’s a wonderful project and the first time the book will be raising funds directly for the horses that we know Anna so dearly loved. We like to think she would have approved.”

The Queen also met a number of Redwings key staff and volunteers as well as Redwings’ resident Shetland ponies Moses and Dhansak and watched some horse-related educational activities being undertaken by children and Scouts from the 1st Caister Scout Group. The music was provided by string quartet Bowjangles and Her Majesty was presented with a posy by Miss Ruby Knight and a special fruit cake baked by neighbours and former residents of Anna Sewell House, Kirsty’s Cakery.

The new Mayor for Great Yarmouth, Councillor Penny Carpenter, was invited along by Redwings who are one of her chosen charities for this year. She said: “We were delighted to welcome Her Majesty the Queen to Great Yarmouth and Anna Sewell House. I’m tremendously proud to have Redwings Horse Sanctuary as one of my chosen charities for my Mayoral year. Redwings look after and support beautiful horses, nursing the magnificent creatures back to health and ensuring they are protected and safe and I am very glad Her Majesty got an insight into all the wonderful work the charity does.”

For more information about Anna Sewell House and Redwings and the UEA’s special fundraising edition of Black Beauty, please visit www.redwings.org.uk

Photograph by Keith Mindham

Photograph by Keith Mindham

I Am So Sorry Norfolk

I want to start this month’s column by offering an apology.

This is my second summer in my new home and this year I have been spending more time in my garden.

The novelty of actually having one still hasn’t worn off and a couple of weeks ago I decided to push the boat out and purchase new garden furniture. I had been holding off, unsure if I could justify the cost, but a half price email swayed me.

So, new garden furniture equals happy Beev, and the day after setting it up, friends came over for the evening. We sat outside, enjoying the hottest night of the year so far.

You’re probably wondering where the apology bit comes in, but be patient, I am now getting to that.

The following morning, the heavens opened. My cushions were packed away in the shed, and... well, they haven’t come out since. I am so sorry Norfolk. I have cursed you all with this horrible rainy July. It’s all my fault.

So, as I wait for the curse to lift, I have moved indoors. That might be a good thing for me, as I have another book that needs to be delivered to my publisher by the end of September and there are still a lot of words to write. I have also been honing my culinary skills.

As regular readers will know, I am a fan of the quick and easy meal. Hello, pizza. But as I get older, the weight is harder to shift, and I risk turning into a pizza shape if I’m not careful, so my plan is to spend a bit of time in the kitchen each week cooking up some delicious meals from scratch, which can then be frozen for when I need them. Perfect for when I

am on a deadline, forget the time, and need to grab dinner quick.

I have been following recipe cards and so far there haven’t been any terrible disasters - which is a first for me. Okay, there’s been the odd olive oil mishap and my rice might have been a bit sticky once or twice, but everything has been edible.

That is perhaps because I am using my favourite ingredient in everything. Garlic. And I am a firm believer that you can never have too much of a good thing.

I was cooking a Thai curry earlier and the recipe instructed three cloves. Looking at the garlic bulb I asked myself, ‘is that really enough?’, before chopping up another five for good measure.

I now have enough garlic inside of me to scare off Lestat, Dracula, and all of the Lost Boys.

My brand new thriller, The Boat House, which is set in Wroxham, will be released on the 24th August. Available in paperback, hardback, audio and kindle.

Follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more information.

Above: Keri Beevis

Are You Struggling With Social Burnout And In Need Of Reenergising?

Are you one of those people who treat any invitation as an automatic diary entry?

You’ve been invited, so must attend. How can you miss out when someone has thought to include you? This is all well and good if you’ve got the time to spare, are in a new work position and are trying to make new contacts and relationships or have only a few entries in your diary, but, even in those situations, some circumspection doesn’t go amiss.

Being unable to ever say ‘no’ to a social request is a little like wandering amongst the perfume counters in a department store, where you say ‘yes’ to every spray that’s offered you. If you’re not selective and choose to sample everyone

you’ll fairly quickly become ‘nose blind’, unable to tell what any of them smell like, unable to differentiate the good from the bad or select which ones you prefer.

If your personal situation’s recently changed and you’re new to an area or are recently single, you may feel it makes sense to accept every social opportunity that comes along. Making new contacts, friends and becoming quickly acquainted with your new life may include accepting invitations you would normally discount, which can be a good strategy at the outset. It may bring unexpected people and activities into your life. But it’s important to gradually use a little ‘quality control’, a little discernment and think about ways you can invest your time in activities and arrangements that are best suited to you.

In business, not all invitations to social events are the same, so it’s good to note that free visitor passes are an increasingly common option. Weighing up and identifying which groups will suit, benefit and be the most relevant and enjoyable for you is a way to ensure that you pace yourself and get the most out of each event, rather than trailing wearily from venue to venue, suffering from FOMO, because you’re afraid of missing out. You can then select where you want to focus your energies.

It’s important to remember that treating networking as a one-off event is unhelpful. Often repeat visits are required to establish genuine relationships. Accepting a guest invitation can help you decide how you feel about a particular group, whether it might be to your taste and enable you to meet your target audience if you were to continue attending.

A business network event typically has meetings full of people who have an agenda when meeting you. Everyone has something to sell. But, remember that it takes time to get to know, like and trust people. Relationships are the cornerstone of good business and are often the reason why we choose to recommend one person over another. Circulating and collecting lots of ‘business cards’ and contacts isn’t the route to success any more. If indeed it ever was!

New business openings are a regular occurrence, with VIP pre-launches increasingly popular. And who wants to miss out on the latest ‘hot’ venue opening or not know all about the newest businesses in town. But again, some openings are more relevant and viable than others.

Why not let other people try out some of the new places first? Resist FOMO and instead enjoy having someone else tell you about it, providing a topic for an interesting conversation when you next meet. You can then investigate at a later date, at your leisure.

Don’t become a slave to FOMO. Your friends and the people in your sphere want to spend time with you, but you don’t need to fill every minute with activity and arrangements. It’s okay to sometimes decline graciously, saying you’ll be sure to catch-up with them soon, as you set yourself a limit on how many business and social invitations you accept.

Take regular breaks and instead enjoy spending time in a supportive environment of your own making, perhaps in your garden, walking in nature, going to the gym, having a little quiet ‘me time’ with a good book. Or spend time with your immediate family, reinforcing those relationships and enjoying each other’s company.

All are ways to reenergise and ensure than the social invitations you do accept are eagerly anticipated, enjoyed and remembered, rather than becoming an indistinct blur, hidden amongst the plethora of other events you attend.

When you sample only one or two perfumes you get a better sense of what you do like, of what suits you best. Then you can appreciate and value your experience of each one. Why not implement that approach in the various areas of your social activity too?

Article By Susan Leigh

Susan Leigh, South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support. For more articles, information or to make contact please visit: http://www.lifestyletherapy.net

Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV Review

Alfa Romeo has finally entered the SUV market with the Tonale - a crossover aiming to take on the likes of BMW’s X1 or Audi’s Q3.

Two four-cylinder turbocharged petrol powertrains are offered in the form of a frontwheel drive 1.5-litre mild hybrid producing 160PS with a seven-speed automatic. Meanwhile, the 280PS plug-in hybrid (PHEV), driven here, offers all-wheel drive from its 1.3-litre engine, which is hooked up to a sixspeed automatic ‘box.

On the road, the Tonale PHEV deals with 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds, which isn’t bad for an SUV. The mild-hybrid, by comparison, takes 8.8 seconds to do the same.

The 280PS on tap provides effortless acceleration. However, when flooring the

throttle, the gearbox can be more hesitant to change down versus the mild hybrid, as the PHEV tends to seek power from the electric motor first, only changing down if it needs to.

The feedback through the steering wheel is limited, but the wheel does firm up at speed around corners, and there are three driving modes which impact its firmness, along with adjusting other characteristics of the car.

The PHEV has a 15.5kWh battery, which can be fully charged from empty in around two-anda-half hours from a 7.4kW home wall box. The all-electric range is 42 miles, and it’ll manage 217mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 29-33g/km. And, for the record, the mild hybrid manages 49mpg, producing 130-142g/km of CO2.

The Tonale’s interior is refined, but it isn’t awe-inspiring, falling short of the wow factor you might expect from an enthusiastic Italian

manufacturer. The infotainment screen is pleasing to use, though, offering an intuitively straightforward menu layout.

However, there’s no rotary dial, as seen in some other Alfa Romeos, while the shortcut buttons next to the screen are so small they risk distracting you.

The driving position feels relatively low, but Alfa Romeo has pulled off a neat trick by mounting the dashboard higher up, giving you the illusion of feeling closer to the ground.

There is a bunch of space in both the front and the back, although the legroom is more limited

in the rear. The headroom should be plentiful unless you’re well over six feet tall.

But the PHEV’s boot only offers 385 litres of space, 115 litres less than the mild hybrid, increasing to 1,430 litres with the rear seats folded down in a 60/40 configuration.

Overall, however, the Alfa Romero Tonale has plenty going in its favour. The Italian SUV is generously equipped as standard.

Furthermore, it retains a firm but reasonable level of ride comfort and excellent performance alongside superb economy figures.

Fast Facts - Alfa Romeo Tonale [1.3 PHEV

280 Auto Q4 Veloce trim] as tested:

• Max speed: 128mph

• 0-62 mph: 6.2-secs

• Fuel economy: 217mpg

• Engine layout: 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine with electric motor

• Max. power (PS): 280PS

• CO2: 29-33g/km

• Price: £48,495

By Tim Barnes-Clay. Follow on Instagram: @tbarnesclay

The PHEV has a 15.5kWh battery, which can be fully charged from empty in around two-and-a-half hours from a 7.4kW home wall box.

Makeup To Make Your Skin Pop This Summer

Summer is all about bronzed, sunkissed skin. This beauty trend has recently blown up on TikTok - ‘sunkissed makeup’ is all about natural, glowing skin.

I’ve rounded up a selection of products to glow up your skin this summer.

SERUM

For the ultimate glow, I recommend using ILIA C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40. This first-of-its-kind serum contains Vitamin C, Mineral SPF 40 and Niacinamide.

Its waterless base delivers oils and Allantoin which will soothe and nourish your skin.

Your skin will look instantly brighter.

The lightweight formula also contains your daily sun protection, so it can either be used as a sheerveil over the skin, or applied to your skin prior to your foundation application.

BRONZER

For softer, more natural looking contouring, apply your bronzing powder above the hollows of your cheeks. Blending the powder upwards will create a subtle lift and also add warmth to your skin.

When applying bronzer always remember to apply a little bit of product at a time to create your desired look.

I recommend ILIA Night Lite Bronzing Powder; this product has a soft buttery texture which will blend and build seamlessly. Your skin will be left with a subtle sheen and silky soft to the touch.

HIGHLIGHTER

The purpose of highlighter is to provide a natural, subtle, illuminated glow to your skin.

To avoid creating a prominent strip across your cheeky bones, a simple trick is to smile when applying the highlighter.

This will ensure that the highlighter hasn’t been applied over any fine lines or wrinkles around your eyes.

I find that liquid highlighters are the most natural looking. I recommend using ILIA Liquid Serum Highlighter.

Its gel-based formula contains a blend of organic and natural botanicals that will effortlessly melt into your skin, leaving a dewy, soft, metallic glow.

BLUSH

Adding a pop of blush to your skin will make your skin appear more healthy and natural.

I recommend the ILIA Multi-Stick. This creamy formulated twist-up stick can be used on your cheeks and your lips.

You won’t need any tools for application, simply twist up the stick, swipe on to your cheeks and blend away.

For the best application I suggest smiling slightly and then applying the ILIA Multi-Stick to the apples of your cheeks

All products featured in this article can be purchased fromwww.iliabeauty.com

Hi, I am Charlie, a former make-up artist originally based in Norwich. I have always been passionate about art and channelling it through creative makeup. I trained at Norwich City College in Fashion and SFX makeup. My work has been published both nationally and internationally.

Want to see more? checkout my Instagram - @ThePoutyLip

Our Top Picks For August

Here at Nova Silver, we’re continuing to enjoy the hot summer days and you should too! To keep you in the summer spirit, we have created some of our favourite pieces which can go great with any summer outfit or can make a perfect gift for that special August birthday!

Peridot: The August Birthstone!

Peridot is Nova Silver’s birthstone for August! With its beautiful mixture of summery greens and shimmery gold undertones, Peridot is one of the most visually bold and striking gemstones out there. This gorgeous gemstone has a fascinating history of over 4,000 years and it has even been found in space, including inside meteorites, on Mars and on the moon!

We have some beautiful matching Peridot necklace and earring sets which can be perfect for a little self-treat or even for an August birthday such as this matching swirly design down below. Or why not even treat that special someone to a bracelet like our teardrop design bracelet? The colour of Peridot ranges from bottle green to a yellowish olive colour. The gemstone is also slightly pleochroic which means in certain types of Peridot, you can see different shades from different angles!

Chunky Rings

We are all a big fan of chunky rings here at Nova Silver! Whether it’s a chunky silver ring or it’s big and bright chunky stone rings, they are a great statement accessory and can instantly transform an outfit. They can add texture and dimension to a plainer looking outfit and add individuality and personality. If you’re looking for a bold statement look, chunky semi-precious rings in unusual shapes are a must have! Such as our chunky teardrop amethyst ring, our large circular turquoise ring and our rectangular rose quartz ring which can elevate any outfit!

Whatever you decide to choose to wear this august, make sure you choose something that is drawn to you and that you can wear the most in the beautiful summer weather!

Contact Details:

Best Of Norfolk - Through The Lens Of Our Readers

Thanks to the wonderful photographs shared by our followers on Facebook, have a look at these amazing July images of our stunning region.

Charlotte Watlow - Meeting HRH Prince William

Charlotte Watlow - Happisburgh lighthouse

Charlotte Watlow -Time And Tide Bell At Happisburgh Beach

Dawn Mountain - A Wander Past Cow Tower

Dawn Mountain - Corn In The Field, Southrepps

Charlotte Watlow - Norfolk Show, Jersey Cattle

Helen Chapman - Hardwick

Charlotte Watlow - Barton Turf

Charlotte Watlow - Happisburgh Beach

Vicki Jeffery - Red Arrows, Heart

Charlotte Watlow

Helen Chapman - Shelton

Charlotte Watlow - Neatishead

To be in with a chance of having your own photographs featured in the future, look out for our regular Facebook posts where you can add your images. Alternatively, send an email with your image and caption to: submissions@icenimagazine.co.uk

Charlotte Watlow

Helen Chapman - Walcott Beach

Roy Gough - Walcott

CHECK OUT OUR NEW RUNNING WEBSITE

RUNICENIRUN.COM

Focus On: Food & Drink

Why Not Let Children Play With Their Food?

Why not let children play with their food?

Whilst being somewhat controversial in tone, children playing with food might at times have some unexpected benefits.

With several reports revealing how seriously the pandemic’s affected our children and young people (both NHS Digital and The Prince’s Trust have recently reported an escalation in mental health concerns and eating disorders in young people), it’s important that we try to introduce positive ways to support them towards a better, healthier quality of life.

Some young people have become overly cautious about leaving their homes for

what might be regarded as frivolous, more socially motivated reasons. They’ll go to school and attend extra-curricular activities, but are less than enthusiastic about other non-essential invitations.

Let’s not forget the hours children spend on their devices, on social media, resulting in many forming unrealistic notions of what an attractive body looks like, as well as the associated negative comparisons with their own shape, size and looks.

Finding ways to entice our children and young people out of their rooms is often the most challenging part of the day. But one way may be for you to encourage them to play with their food and have fun as they join you in

the kitchen. You could even embellish this by including the opportunity for them to plan and prepare an entire meal of their choosing.

Letting children plan a menu for something relatively straightforward, like a picnic or a buffet, means giving them free rein on the many choices, however unpalatable the final result may be to you. This is about your children having a day that’s theirs to plan, giving them the ‘authority’ to decide how to spend the time, what to eat and drink.

They may decide to plan a picnic in the garden, at the beach, in nearby woods. It’s their call. And the beauty of this is that they’ll often become absorbed with the menu choices, what kind of sandwiches they’d like to prepare, the cakes and desserts to offer. Your role would be purely advisory, providing a little ‘help’ behind the scenes.

Older children may enjoy the additional challenge of being given responsibility for managing what their ‘project’ will cost, maybe even being given a budget to work within. This provides an opportunity to learn the value of money, bringing an extra educational aspect and level of awareness to the task.

‘Playing’ with food in this way is a positive opportunity for children to benefit on many different levels;

Learning about food preparation teaches children basic life skills as well as insight into what works and what doesn’t work, which food groups, tastes and textures go well together, what looks attractive and appealing. They discover that food has to look appetising as well as taste good.

How valuable is it to learn rudimentary skills about food preparation, even down to making a sandwich, boiling an egg, how much mayonnaise to use, how to chop and slice vegetables and fruit; a beginner’s guide to kitchen skills?

They blossom and grow by deciding to host a picnic in a place they might not typically choose, perhaps initially suggesting the garden, but then gaining enthusiasm to move further afield. Or by deciding to be sociable and invite friends along to enjoy their ‘event’; either option signifying improvements as they excitedly anticipate sharing the results of their labours.

Older children may enjoy the additional challenge of being given responsibility for managing what their ‘project’ will cost, maybe even being given a budget to work within.

Children and young people often enjoy experimenting, sampling and eating what they’ve prepared themselves, testing and tasting their culinary accomplishments. This is often a winning outcome, especially if they’ve had issues around eating and food.

Confidence and self-esteem are improved when new skills are successfully exercised. Giving praise and letting them feel proud at having done something good ‘on their own’ delivers an important boost. And, even if the day’s not an out-and-out success it’s important to pick out aspects that were done well, highlighting their accomplishments and lessons learned, so turning it into a good day in several ways.

Clearing up afterwards adds a level of adult responsibility to their enterprise. ‘You’ve made the mess, now tidy up’, adds an important reminder that finishing a job properly includes putting things away and returning them to where they belong.

The financial, budgeting element of organising a food-related event is important for older children, working out what to buy, what they can and can’t afford and then perhaps finding a cheaper alternative.

It can be a fun challenge, but also relevant from a basic money management perspective, an important life skill to learn as they work out how to compromise, get what they need and then proceed.

We all enjoy eating, drinking and socialising. Letting children ‘play with food’ helps them feel more comfortable around it, whilst also teaching valuable skills for life, talents that will stand them in good stead when they have to make important choices in the future.

Article By Susan Leigh

Susan Leigh, South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support. For more articles, information or to make contact please visit: http://www.lifestyletherapy.net

Learning about food preparation teaches children basic life skills as well as insight into what works and what doesn’t work.

Dining At The Cosy Club

Nottingham is renowned around the globe for many aspects, from history, through architecture, to today’s attractions and attributes.

Sports and world-class entertainment attract numerous visitors constantly, throughout each year. The shopping experiences in Nottingham, along with the most excellent restaurants and eateries, must surely be some of the best that any city has to offer.

Be it a desire or preference for British, European or International cuisine, the venues of Nottingham can and do provide a wealth of choices. I searched for a venue that has style and quality, plus a history of the building too.

The Cosy Club is located in the heart of Nottingham’s city centre and attracts locals

(always a good sign), plus countless visitors, who have found it, perhaps by way of a recommendation. Open throughout the day, to all, my visit was for a luncheon. Previously, this building housed Nottingham’s Victoria Club casino and, prior to that, decades ago, was built (1870) and then became offices for the Imperial Life and Fire Insurance Company. Hence, the function room here is named after that - the Imperial Room.

To commence I opted for GARLIC PRAWNS (Paprika butter, parsley, lemon, toasted sourdough). This proved to be a most excellent start to the dining experience, with my taste buds appreciating the subtle flavours. For main I chose CALABRIAN ROAST CHICKEN (Tomato, ‘nduja & red pepper sauce, roast new potatoes, paprika butter, aioli). This dish had complementing flavours in abundance. ‘Compliments to Chef’ (Head Chef, Mansu and the team). Other popular main course dishes included Lamb, Sea Bass, also Salad options.

I selected VALRHONA CHOCOLATE BROWNIE (Vanilla ice cream, honeycomb) for dessert, from an array of choices. Quality wines/ drinks (including splendid House Coolers) have beverages for all (COSY ESPRESSO MARTINIdoes the job, admirably!).

Gift vouchers are available - perhaps to surprise someone special? Parties and occasions are easily accommodated and ‘themed dining’ happens regularly.

Thank you to Kez, for a warm welcome and to Lucy, for excellent service throughout. Please, visit the website for more details and information, including other locations of Cosy Club venues. Highly recommended.

Cosy Club Nottingham, 16 - 18 Victoria Street, Nottingham NG1 2EX. Tel: 0115 858 1787.

E-mail: nottinghambookings@cosyclub.co.uk

Web: www.cosyclub.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

Review By Trevor Langley

Hosting A Retro Dinner Party: Three Must-Have Dishes

Retro-themed events have gained immense popularity of late, allowing us to relive the nostalgia of bygone eras.

If you’re preparing to host a special dinner party, why not do so with a touch of vintage flair? Here’s a fantastic retro menu that will transport your guests back in time.

STARTER: PRAWN COCKTAIL

Kickstart your retro dinner party with a classic Prawn Cocktail, a beloved British appetiser that rose to fame during the 1960s. This dish combines succulent prawns, crisp lettuce and tangy Marie Rose sauce. In fact, Mr Iceni loves this dish so much that he insisted it take pride of place on the menu for our wedding breakfast! For a vegetarian alternative, swap prawns for pan-seared tofu or marinated artichoke hearts. Here’s a brief recipe:

Ingredients:

- 300g cooked prawns (or tofu/artichoke hearts

for the vegetarian alternative) - we like to use a combination of normal and king prawns

- 1 iceberg lettuce, shredded

- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise

- 2 tablespoons ketchup

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

- Dash of Worcestershire sauce

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Paprika

- Lemon wedges, for garnish

Method:

1. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce to create the Marie Rose sauce.

2. Arrange shredded lettuce on individual plates or in cocktail glasses for an extra retro feel.

3. Top the lettuce with prawns (or vegetarian alternative).

4. Drizzle the Marie Rose sauce over the prawns.

5. Season with salt and pepper and a sprinkle of paprika.

6. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

7. Serve chilled.

MAIN COURSE: BEEF WELLINGTON

For the main course, indulge your guests with a timeless British classic, Beef Wellington. This dish showcases tender beef fillet coated in a flavourful mushroom duxelles, wrapped in puff pastry and baked to golden perfection. For vegetarian guests, a wonderful alternative involves substituting the beef with roasted butternut squash. Here’s a brief recipe:

Ingredients:

- 800g beef fillet (or butternut squash for the vegetarian alternative)

- 500g mushrooms, finely chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 2 tablespoons butter

- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 500g puff pastry

- 1 egg, beaten

Method:

1. Season the beef fillet (or butternut squash) with salt and pepper.

2.In a pan, melt butter and sauté mushrooms, garlic and thyme until the moisture evaporates.

3. Roll out the puff pastry and place the beef fillet (or butternut squash) in the centre.

4.Spread the mushroom duxelles over the beef (or butternut squash).

5. Wrap the pastry tightly around the filling, sealing the edges.

6.Brush the pastry with beaten egg for a golden finish.

7. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 25-30 minutes (or until the pastry is golden and the beef is cooked to your desired doneness).

8.Rest for a few minutes before slicing.

9.Serve with roasted vegetables and a rich gravy.

DESSERT: BLACK FOREST GATEAU

No retro-inspired menu is complete without a heavenly dessert, and the Black Forest Gateau fits the bill perfectly. This indulgent

German cake features layers of chocolate sponge cake, cherries and whipped cream. Here’s a brief recipe:

Ingredients:

- 200g dark chocolate, melted

- 200g unsalted butter, softened

- 200g caster sugar

- 4 eggs

- 200g self-raising flour

- 400g canned cherries, drained

- 400ml double cream

- 2 tablespoons icing sugar

- Dark chocolate curls, for garnish

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the top butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

2.Gradually add eggs, beating well after each addition.

3. Fold in the melted chocolate and self-raising flour until combined.

4.Pour the mixture evenly into two greased and lined cake tins.

5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

6.Allow the cakes to cool completely.

7. Whip the double cream with icing sugar until soft peaks form.

8.Place one cake onto a serving plate and top with whipped cream and cherries.

9.Add the second cake layer and repeat the cream and cherry filling. I like to use some of the cherry syrup for an extra tang, too.

10.Garnish with chocolate curls.

11.Serve chilled.

Hopefully your tastebuds are now tingling and you’ve been inspired to host a fun retro dinner party. Grab your flares or mini skirt, dust off your vinyl and have a fantastic night!

A Dopamine Diet For People With ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect an individual’s ability to focus, regulate impulses and manage their behaviour.

Many people with ADHD have been found to have lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation and reward, so a dopamine diet may be beneficial.

While medication and therapy are common treatment approaches, adopting a suitable diet that supports dopamine production may be a better complementary strategy to manage symptoms.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Lean Protein

Ensuring you have plenty of lean protein in your diet can help increase dopamine

production. Foods like poultry, fish, eggs and legumes are a great choice. They contain plenty of amino acids, also known as the building blocks of dopamine. Eating protein-rich meals can ensure that dopamine is released slowly, which helps with sustained attention and focus.

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel and sardines), flaxseeds and walnuts. They play a vital role in the health of your brain. They help to ensure that neurotransmitters like dopamine work effectively. Incorporating these foods into your diet helps support dopamine synthesis and maintain optimal brain function.

3. Complex Carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates, such as wholegrains, fruits and vegetables, provide a steady supply of glucose to the brain. This helps maintain stable levels of dopamine, as this is reliant on glucose availability. Planning meals that include foods like brown rice, quinoa, oats,

berries and leafy greens can ensure you have plenty of dopamine as well as ensuring you have plenty of energy throughout the day.

4. Foods Rich in Tyrosine

Tyrosine is an amino acid, which is a necessity for dopamine synthesis. Consuming foods rich in tyrosine can help boost levels naturally. Examples include almonds, avocados, bananas, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. These foods can easily be incorporated into snacks or meals to support a dopamine-rich diet.

5. Vitamin B6 and Folic Acid

Vitamin B6 and folic acid are essential nutrients involved in dopamine metabolism. Spinach, broccoli, citrus fruits, lentils and chicken are excellent sources of these vitamins. Try to ensure you have plenty in your diet.

6. Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Antioxidants protect the brain from oxidative stress and promote overall brain health. Berries (like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries), dark chocolate (not too much, though!), green tea and turmeric are rich in antioxidants. Having these foods in your diet can help reduce inflammation and support optimal dopamine function.

7. Adequate Hydration

We all know that having plenty of water every day is vital, but why? Well, staying adequately hydrated is crucial for optimal brain function, including dopamine production. Drinking enough water throughout the day ensures proper neurotransmitter balance and efficient brain signalling. Aim to consume at least 8 glasses (around 2 litres) of water daily or adjust according to individual needs and activity levels.

Diet alone is not an instant solution to some of the problems that ADHD might be causing you, but adopting a diet rich in dopamine can definitely be beneficial to your life.

In recent years, mocktails have gained significant popularity, becoming the go-to choice for those seeking refreshing and sophisticated nonalcoholic options.

Whether it's for health reasons, designated drivers, or simply a personal preference, mocktails offer a delicious and alcoholfree alternative to traditional cocktails. This article presents five modern mocktail recipes that are sure to impress your taste buds, along with nutritional information highlighting the sugar content to support your health-conscious choices.

BERRY BREEZE

Ingredients:

▪ 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, for example)

▪ 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

▪ 1/4 cup agave syrup

▪ Sparkling water

Trendy Mocktails: Refreshing And Healthy Alternatives To Alcohol

▪ Ice cubes

▪ Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Method:

1. In a blender, combine the mixed berries, lime juice and agave syrup. Blend until smooth.

2.Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the blended mixture over the ice.

3. Top it off with sparkling water and gently stir.

4.Garnish with fresh mint leaves. Enjoy!

CUCUMBER NOJITO

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced

- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

- 2 tablespoons honey

- 8-10 fresh mint leaves

- Soda water

- Ice cubes

Method:

1. In a mixing glass, crush (or muddle!) the cucumber slices, lime juice, honey and mint leaves.

2.Strain the mixture into a serving glass filled with ice cubes.

3. Top it up with club soda and gently stir.

4.Garnish with a cucumber slice or mint sprig. Sip and enjoy the refreshing flavours!

TROPICAL PARADISE

Ingredients:

▪ 1/2 cup pineapple juice

▪ 1/4 cup coconut cream

▪ 1/4 cup orange juice

▪ 1 tablespoon lime juice

▪ 1 tablespoon grenadine syrup

▪ Ice cubes

▪ Pineapple wedge or cherry (for garnish)

Method:

1. Fill a shaker with pineapple juice, coconut cream, orange juice, lime juice and grenadine syrup.

2.Shake vigorously until well combined.

3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.

4.Garnish with a pineapple wedge or cherry. Savor the taste of the tropics!

SPICY PALOMA

Ingredients:

▪ 1/2 cup grapefruit juice

▪ 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

▪ 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup

▪ A pinch of cayenne pepper

▪ Club soda

▪ Ice cubes

▪ Grapefruit slice (for garnish)

Method:

1. In a shaker, combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice, honey or agave syrup and cayenne pepper.

2.Shake well to blend the flavours.

3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.

4.Top it off with club soda and gently stir.

5. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit. Enjoy the zesty kick!

LAVENDER LEMONADE

Ingredients:

▪ 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

▪ 1/4 cup lavender syrup

▪ 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup

▪ Sparkling water

▪ Ice cubes

▪ Lemon slice (for garnish)

Method:

1. In a pitcher, combine the lemon juice, lavender syrup and honey or agave syrup.

2.Stir well until the sweeteners dissolve.

3. Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the mixture over the ice.

4.Top it up with sparkling water and gently stir.

5. Garnish with a lemon slice or lavender sprig. Sip and relax!

We hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Food & Drink

How are you all getting on with growing your own food?

Have the rabbits, pigeons, slugs, snails, greenfly, carrot fly, cabbage white etc left you with anything?

In my garden as per usual, my basil seeds have not germinated (7 years of trying without success), but plenty of lettuce and chard did, but my spinach shot in the brief hot spell we experienced, so I’m making new sowings of them.

Tomatoes in the greenhouse seem to be forming well, but several have had end rot, despite regular watering. I’ve also several cucumber plants for the first time, so I’ll see how they work out.

I’ve been seeing a lot of complaints on forums I’m on that people are experiencing problems with the peat free composts. It doesn’t hold moisture particularly well (mind you not an issue for us currently) and seems to lack key nutrients (no idea how I’d identify which are lacking and which are abundant).

I’ve been mixing mine with my worm and HotBin compost and don’t seem to be experiencing too many issues.

But cottage garden/allotment production apart what are the eco choices you make when thinking about food and drink?

In Norfolk and Suffolk, and I always think particularly Norwich, we are really lucky with the food and drink landscape. We have

huge numbers of locally made/sourced gins, worldclass vineyards and wineries, let alone the micro and not so micro-breweries.

We’re also well provided for, with cheese makers, bakers and chocolatiers as well as other manufacturers and restaurants making the most of the ingredient larders on our doorstep.

Walk around Norwich Market and you soon understand how it has become a real draw for the foodie aficionados. But quality food and drink isn’t cheap and the cost of living crisis is real to many of us. So how do you eat/drink and keep as eco as you can?

One interpretation of eco can be very different to the next person, as there’s a wide choice of criteria that you can apply. The best thing you can decide on your top 3 priorities and keep to them whenever practical. It could be packaging, vegetarian/vegan, food miles and of course dietary intolerances will have a big impact, as will convenience.

But food production isn’t cheap, and has never been, but courtesy of a variety of government policies over the last 50 + years, prices have

been supported meaning the consumer has been protected from these true costs.

I think we would all agree that living wages should be paid to employees in all sectors, and along with energy costs, these have been rising.

Add into the mix the withdrawal of production related funding, raw material shortages caused by wars and environmental impacts, animal welfare standards (the UK has some of the highest) and currency variations, and these go some way to explain the increase in costs.

My overriding choice is always to try and buy locally produced. It might cost more in the short term, but planet earth feels the benefits. No rain forests were cut down to produce my local food and unless it used my old sat nav, it wasn’t many miles and absolutely no air miles either!

Article By Jill Roberson @jillecoqueenliving on Facebook and Instagram

Carry on reading to find out Our Picks Of What’s On this month.

Enjoy A Day Out In A Gorgeous Garden

August is the holiday season and so why not take the family and enjoy an inexpensive day out in a gorgeous garden open for the National Garden Scheme?

You don’t have to be a gardener in order to enjoy a garden, children go free, dogs are welcome in many of our gardens and more often than not a delicious tea awaits you.

A variety of gardens are opening across the county including two that are new to the scheme, that are opening in Norwich, whilst others are in rural locations. Jim and Jenny Clarke will be having plant and craft stalls at their open day at Brick Kiln House, ‘We welcome families and children as there is plenty of space for them to run around or simply sit in the dappled shade by the stream’.

SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST & SUNDAY 7TH AUGUST

SOUTHGATE HOUSE, SOUTHGATE LANE, NORWICH, NR1 2AQ

10.30 - 4 adm £5 chd free. Light refreshments. Dogs welcome. Opening for the first time for the National Garden Scheme, this garden, approx. an acre, half of which is on a steep slope, was the former Harbour Master’s house and has a mixture of Victorian and contemporary garden styles, formal garden rooms and informal woodland walks. Opening nearby 1 Woodside cottages

1 WOODSIDE COTTAGES, BRACONDALE, NORWICH, NR1 2AY

11-5 adm £4 chd free. Home-made teas. Dogs welcome. A colourful and productive cottage

SUNDAY 7TH AUGUST

BRICK KILN HOUSE, SHOTESHAM, NORWICH, NR15 1UJ

10-4 adm £6 chd free. Home-made teas. Dogs welcome. 2-acre country garden with colourful borders, contemporary-designed pergola, sculptures and a stream running through a diversely planted wood.

33 WALDEMAR AVENUE, HELLESDON, NORWICH, NR6 6TB

10-5 adm £5 chd free. Home-made teas. A surprising and large suburban garden with an exciting mix of exotic and tropical plants. Garden owner is on the Radio Norfolk Garden Party team.

garden attached to a pretty and historic cottage not far from Norwich City Centre.

SUNDAY 13TH AUGUST

BLUEBELL BARN, LYNG HALL LANE, WOOD NORTON, DEREHAM NR20 5BJ

11-5 adm £4 chd free. Pre-booking essential. No refreshments. Dogs welcome. Colourful borders and meadow in total covering 2.5 acres. Newly planted by the current owners over the past 3 years an example of what can be achieved in a relatively short time.

SEVERALS GRANGE, HOLT ROAD, WOOD NORTON, NR20 5BL

1-5 adm £6 chd free. Prebooking essential. Home-made teas. Dogs welcome. The gardens are a perfect example of how colour, shape and form can be created by foliage plants from large shrubs to small alpines. Wide range of ornamental grasses and variety of herbaceous plants

SUNDAY 20TH AUGUST

CHESTNUT FARM, WEST BECKHAM, HOLT NR15 1UJ.

11-4 adm £5 chd free. Refreshments. Dogs welcome. This popular mature 3-acre garden

has many rare and unusual plants and trees. Croquet lawn & colourful herbaceous borders.

SUNDAY 27TH AUGUST

COBWEB COTTAGE, 51 SHINGHAM, BEACHAMWELL, SWAFFHAM, PE37 8AY 10-5 adm £4 chd free. Home-made teas. Dogs welcome. Small, delightful cottage garden with mixed borders. Sunken greenhouse, pergola, productive ornamental kitchen garden with bees and chickens. Wildlife pond and plants for sale.

SUNDAY 27TH & MONDAY 28TH AUGUST

ACRE MEADOW, NEW ROAD, BRADWELL, GREAT YARMOUTH, NR31 9DU

10-5 adm £5 chd free. Light refreshments. A small garden with a dramatic mix of exotic and late season plants resulting in a rich display of contrasting combinations of foliage and flowers. Include aeoniums, cannas, dahlias, grasses and perennials. Alive with insects on sunny days. Plants for sale.

Before visiting a garden, we advise checking website for any up-to-date information: ngs.org.uk

ICENI ANAGRAMS

Here are five Norfolk beach anagrams along with some clues.

Solve all five and send us an email to: submissions@icenimagazine.co.uk with your answers for the chance to win an Iceni Magazine pen. UK residents only. SHANNON TUT

The main beach to have this outlook

HER MASHING

Here the sea enriches and the pine adorns

BRAT CRANES

Soldiers from Branodunum would once have been found here

LEGAL PAINS

Only nine villagers and 14 smallholders here according to the Domesday Book LOOT ORANGENESS

Opposite of a 2011 Yorkie?