PINK PARENTING
THE world’s No.1 LGBT PARENTING Magazine
www.pink-parenting.com TWITTER # pinkparenting
issue 12 WINTER 2013/2014 £3.95 12
The stories, science and all things parenting for the modern family!!
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ISSUE 12
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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: DANCING FOR KIDS i PANTO SEASON i CHRIMBO CAKES i GIFT GUIDES i MICRO SCOOTERS
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WINTER 2013/2014 07 WE LOVE Packed with news, reviews, and fantastic gadgets for the whole family to enjoy.
12 Q&A WITH... ALLEGRA MCEVEDY We catch up with Chef and author, Allegra McEvedy about growing up, her mother and what being a mum means to her.
14 COVER STORY: JILLIAN MICHAELS We learn more about the Fitness guru and TV star Jillian Michaels and how being a mother of two has changed her life.
18 HAPPY FAMILIES: JANNO & PAUL Janno and Paul from Amsterdam tell their surrogacy journey, and how they are now the proud dads of two beautiful children.
20 LET’S DANCE Let Lucy Miller whip you and your family into shape this holiday with some great dance ideas to help burn off that extra energy this holiday.
26 PANTO 2013 We have put together a guide of the best pantos around the UK to get you and your family into the Christmas spirit.
28 XMAS GIFT GUIDE Wondering what to buy for a loved one? Look no further as we have some great ideas for both him and her to keep you in their good books.
34 IfDASHING THROUGH THE SNOW you are looking for snow this Christmas, we have found some great locations around Europe for you and your family to enjoy on the slopes.
43 CHRIMBO CAKES With the festive season upon us, Annabel Karmel has whipped up some very seasonal sweets for the whole family to enjoy.
51 BEHIND THE BRAND: MICRO SCOOTERS We find out more about the brains behind the super-cool Micro Scooters, how it all started and their plans for the future.
54 ASK THE PROFESSOR We chat with Sheena from Lewis Fertility about the importance of healthy sperm and the tests than can be done.
56 ASK THE DOCTOR Dr. Gad Lavy is back to answer your questions and shares some good advice along the way.
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WINTER 2013/2014 www.pink-parenting.com TWITTER # pinkparenting
PINK PARENTING
THE world’s No.1 LGBT PARENTING Magazine
issue 12 WINTER 2013/2014 £3.95
12
The stories, science and all
things parenting for the
modern family!!
ISSUE 12
WWW.PINK-PARENTING.COM
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: DANCING
ING.COM WWW.PINK-PARENT
i GIFT GUIDES i MICRO SCOOTERS FOR KIDS i PANTO SEASON i CHRIMBO CAKES
Group Publisher Jeff Crockett Managing Editor Giorgio Severi Art Editor Damian Browning Editorial Assistant Justin Stathers Contributors Annabel Karmel, Dr. Gad Lavy, Lucy Miller Business Advisor Thomas Taylor Interim Sales Manager Carlo Mendez Sales Representatives Martha Adison, Pier Minole Accounts Manager Jennifer Gardner US Sales Representative Sean Morrison Client Liason Officer Connie Wilson Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company using only paper from FSC/PEFC suppliers. www.magprint.co.uk Advertising Enquiries advertising@pink-parenting.com Contact details: Pink Parenting Magazine Suite 14, 2 Mt Sion, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1UE Tel: 0843 2895844
Welcome to Pink Parenting We are so thrilled to be sharing issue 12 of your favourite parenting magazine with you, filled with interesting articles, real life stories and top tips on how you can be the best parent. In this issue, our cover feature focuses on fitness guru and TV star Jillian Michaels, about her coming out and how being a mother to two adorable children has changed her life. For our Q&A we chat with Allegra McEvedy, foodie TV presenter and co-founder of the restaurant chain, Leon, about growing up, parenting skills and the inspiration behind her new cookbook. Sheena from Lewis Fertility chats about the importance of having healthy sperm, and we hear from Lucy Miller, nutrition and fitness expert, who shows us how to get the kids to burn off some of that extra energy over the holidays. We also talk to the founders of the super-cool Micro Scooters, Anna and Philippa, who explain how they started and what we can expect to see in the future. For our Happy Families feature, Dutch couple Janno and Paul tell us their journey to becoming proud parents. And we have found the best pantos in the UK to take the family to and join in the fun. And finally with the festive season upon us, the PP team would like to extend a personal thank you to everyone over the last year who have contributed to our wonderful magazine. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you, our readers, and wish you all a Merry Christmas and prosperous and healthy New Year. So with all this and loads more, why not grab yourself a mince pie, stay warm, relax and enjoy our magazine. Happy reading! Team PP
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE!! SUBSCRIBE TO PINK PARENTING MAGAZINE AND GET 6 ISSUES FOR JUST £18.95 WITH A GREAT SAVING OF OVER 22%!! VISIT PINK-PARENTING.COM/ SUBSCRIBE FOR DETAILS!
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Annabel Karmel
Dr.Gad Lavy
Lucy Miller
Annabel is the UK’s leading child
Dr. Lavy is the medical director and
Lucy is a personal trainer, children’s
nutritionist and best-selling author of
founder of New England Fertility, and is
fitness specialist, nutritionist and
books on feeding babies & children.
an internationally recognised speaker
freelance journalist. She loves
Annabel was awarded an MBE in
and author on the topics of infertility,
nothing more than looking after
June 2006 for her outstanding work
assisted reproductive technology,
her body and helping others to
in the field of child nutrition.
surrogacy and egg donation.
reach their goals too.
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©Disney ©Disney. Based on the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ works by A.A.Milne and E.H.Shepard
Hello I’m Annabel Winnie the Pooh & I have searched the hundred acre wood to bring you these tasty & healthy snacks for those little ones with rumblies in their tumblies. The range is naturally yummy, contains no artificial colours or flavours & made using only the finest ingredients so your toddler will have lots of energy for fun filled adventures.
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THE LATEST NEWS, VIEWS, REVIEWS, GIFTS, GADGETS AND GIZMOS
THE BEAR & THE HARE
THE JOHN LEWIS CHRISTMAS ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR takes the form of a classic animated festive woodland adventure that pays tribute to all of our most memorable childhood Christmases. The beautifully handcrafted advert tells a classic story of friendship between a bear and a hare at Christmas. And if any of you have fallen in love with either of these adorable characters, why not visit John Lewis to bag yourself a cute cuddly bear or hare, or how about a backpack for your kid, or what about a baby grow with matching hat?
www.johnlewis.com
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WE L VE THE LATEST NEWS, VIEWS, REVIEWS, GIFTS, GADGETS AND GIZMOS
COOL CHRIMBO CLOBBER SAY HELLO TO THE FRUGI CHRISTMAS RANGE! WITH A RED ROBIN OR cuddly bear to choose from and made from soft organic cotton with touchy feely soft fleece cut out making for a great interactive friend, match with
Frugi’s tomato coloured kneepatch crawlers for a truly festive outfit. www.welovefrugi.com, £18.00
FASIO FAV of tNhe month
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR GIFT, GADGET OR GIZMO FEATURED IN OUR ‘WE LOVE’ SECTION PLEASE CONTACT US AT WELOVE@PINKPARENTING.COM
LOVELY LARGE LUMIA
THE NEW NOKIA LUMIA 1520 IS A CERTAINLY A landmark phone in the history of Windows Phones.
For the first time since its launch, Windows Phone 8's hardware support has finally caught up with the iPhone 5S and top Android phones like the Nexus 5. The Lumia 1520's full HD screen, quadcore Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB of RAM are exactly what we've come to expect in similar top end phones and the 1520 is also the largest Windows Phone by a serious margin thanks to its huge 6-inch screen so that you can enjoy what’s on your phone in a whole new way – even in bright sunlight. www.nokia.com
GADGETe of th h mont
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SEE MORE AT WWW.PINK-PARENTING.COM
DISNEY PIXAR COMPLETE COLLECTION THIS ULTIMATE DISNEY PIXAR BUMPER BOX SET WILL KEEP FANS OF THE animation film studio entertained for hours. A whopping 14 movies have been
given the Blu-ray makeover in this special limited edition collection. The 22-disc set includes all the family favourites such as Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, and there are also two Pixar Short Film Collections. www.amazon.co.uk, from £99.99
29/03/2014
THE FIRST SAME-SEX WEDDINGS IN THE UK will be able to take place from 29 March 2014, Equalities Minister Maria Miller says. It was thought the first marriages would not take place until next summer, however if you are wishing to be among the first to marry in the UK, you will need to give formal notice of your intention by 13 March 2014.
YOUR PUSHCHAIR, YOUR WAY IN THE PURSUIT OF PROVIDING YOU WITH A SMOOTH LIVING WITH YOUR CHILD, iCandy have created an online pushchair configurator which means consumers can now
create endless combinations to find the perfect pushchair from the comfort of their own homes. The first configurator of its kind, a tailor made pushchair means users create exactly what they want down to the very last detail, allowing parents to choose their favourite colours and enabling their pushchair to represent their personal sense of style! www.icandyworld.com/uk/en/configurator
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THE LATEST NEWS, VIEWS, REVIEWS, GIFTS, GADGETS AND GIZMOS
BIG TABLE BUSY KITCHEN
THIS COOKBOOK IS THE ULTIMATE CELEBRATION of food, home, love and life by bestselling food writer and chef Allegra McEvedy. Inspired by her Mum’s handed-down recipe collection, the source of so many happy meals and memories, Allegra lovingly created this culinary legacy not only for her own daughter but for all families to journey through 200 glorious recipes, from first bakes feeding the family and friends and everything in between.
MY WONDERCUBE IS PACKED WITH TEXTILE squares that children can pull out one by one - like a
magician pulling scarves out of a hat. The pieces can easily be pulled apart, stuck back together and re-arranged. And with a choice of fillings, the cube can be adapted to meet your child's growing needs. www.mywondercube.co.uk, from £17.99
WONDER CUBES
EDITO PICK of tRhSe month
www.quercusbooks.co.uk, £25.00
SAFETY MEETS DESIGN THE ATON Q INFANT CAR SEAT FROM CYBEX STANDS FOR MAXIMUM safety and innovative technologies. The interaction of a clever telescopic linear side-impact [protection and a height-adjustable headrest with an integrated harness guide ensures the highest level of safety and comfort. In addition a new function enabling the flattest possible lying angle between head, neck and chest reduces the risk of breathing difficulties for premature babies and newborns.
www.cybex-online.com, £185
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Email us at adoption@merton.gov.uk Next information events on 14 November and 23 January in Morden. www.merton.gov.uk/lgbt-adoption
Q&A WITH...
With a new cookbook just hitting the shelves, Allegra McEvedy MBE, foodie TV presenter and the co-founder of healthy fast-food restaurant chain – Leon, takes time out of her busy schedule to chat about growing up, why she decided to become a chef and what being a mum to Delilah means to her. Q. What was your childhood like, were you a little angel or a little devil and how was school for you?
Q. Losing your Mum must have been very hard for you AM: She was amazing, a great mum. I feel sad that I’m past the milestone that she has been dead in my life longer than she was alive. She was very close to me, and I don’t ever want to forget her. I still wear her clothes and jewellery to remind me of her
AM: Luckily, for my parents, I was always one of those kids that everyone liked but was a little bit cheeky and funnily enough my daughter is proving to be growing up pretty much exactly the same as me! It’s so funny to see traits in her that I remember being in me. School was good, I was never bullied, but I was teased a bit as I was always quite big for my age. I think my saving grace was that I was always good at sport though. So because of that I was very popular and at my primary school I actually ended up being school president. It was the highlight of my 16 years of education. I peaked at eleven!
Q. What's your favourite dish to cook and why? AM: Right now, my favourite dish to cook, hilariously, is pancakes. It's the one thing that my daughter and I make together. It's more fun than cooking for Presidents or Hollywood stars or even Royalty. We do the batter together and everything. Cooking with Delilah really is the greatest pleasure of my life.
Q. When did you decide to become a chef, is it something that you always wanted to do from a young age?
Q. You mention cooking with your daughter Delilah, have you always wanted to have children?
AM: It was probably around my twenty-first birthday. When I was 17 my Mum died, and a couple of months before that I realised I was gay. I kind of went off the rails for a while, so when I was 21 I had this frank discussion with my Dad. At that stage I was all leathered up, with a sort of buzz-cut. I remember him saying to me, ‘Why don’t you become a chef? You’ve always loved cooking and people always liked being around you… You should go and learn cooking, then set up your own place.’ Twenty years later and I have never made it out of the kitchen!
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AM: Yes I always wanted kids. Absolutely. I have found that in the past people would think that if you were gay, you wouldn’t want to have kids, but being gay and wanting kids are two different topics entirely. Your sexuality should not govern whether you want to have kids. The good news is, we as a society are being slowly re-educated to think differently.
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Q. So Delilah is three years old now, how has your work life and personal life changed having your daughter? AM: It has changed the shape of my life. I used to do a lot of travelling, I used to work double shifts, I used to work 7 days a week. Now my time with her is sacred. I only go out twice a week. That's a rule. I never miss two bedtimes in a row – that's another rule. It's a massive emotional thing too. It fulfils my purpose and gives me meaning which I have been looking for a long time. I left having her until I was 39. One of the main reasons that I left it so late is because I was having such a damn fine time! Going out, travelling, working when I wanted... However, there came a time where I had done what I needed to do, and it was time for the next stage of my life.
Q. What qualities do you think make a good parent and what advice would you give to another gay couple interested in becoming parents? AM: I have no doubt that Delilah is absolutely smothered by my love. I can’t help it. From the way that I cuddle her in the morning to when I stroke her hair at night. Purity, love and confidence are the things that I would hold above all in parenting. My first bit of advice for would-be parents is don’t leave it forever. If you want to do it, just get on with it! If you can, talk to other gay parents and don’t be worried about the prejudice about it, because the more of us there are then the easier it will become.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT MY DAUGHTER IS ABSOLUTELY SMOTHERED BY MY LOVE. I CAN’T HELP IT. FROM THE WAY THAT I CUDDLE HER IN THE MORNING TO WHEN I STROKE HER HAIR AT NIGHT. Q. Your new cookbook has recently been published, what was the inspiration behind Big Table, Busy Kitchen AM: When I was little and growing up, my Mum loved to cook. She had compilations of cuttings from the paper, recipes from friends, things she'd made up. She'd sit with an album split into 'seventies' sections: starters; hot soufflés; hors d'oeuvres; lots of puddings because those were her favourites! When she died, I acquired it, as my sister isn't really into cooking. There was something very real and handmade about my mum’s recipe collection, so I took it into my publishers when I was writing my book and said, ‘Let’s do something with this’ and she said, ‘The designer is off sick today. I’ll look after it tonight, and get it back to you tomorrow once she's seen it’. At about ten o’clock the next day, she told me, ‘I’m so sorry. It's gone.’ She had
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stashed it under her desk for safe keeping, but the cleaners had assumed it was rubbish and had accidently thrown it out. My most prized possession was gone, I was devastated, I went through all the stages of grief again… loss, anger, intense sadness. Eventually you have to get on with things, but every time I thought of it, it would make me so angry. After another few years, my daughter was crying one night, so I cuddled her in my bed. She fell asleep and I didn’t – that's the way of parenting – and as dawn broke I remembered my Mum’s cookbook and thought, ‘I don’t want to be cross about this for the rest of my life’. So I decided to write my own recipe collection dedicated to Delilah. That is what my latest book Big Table, Busy Kitchen is, a legacy. It's about loss and sadness and death but it's a joyful book. It's jolly and helpful.
Q. Do you think your cook book might inspire Delilah to grow up and follow her Mum and become a chef? AM: That's up to her. I have no idea what she'll grow up to be. My job is to give her the recipes for life. My Mum died young, and just in case I do too, I want to arm her with everything she needs to know. To structure it like a normal cookbook made no sense, it had to be a journey through life. Big Table, Busy Kitchen: 200 Recipes for Life is available to purchase now from all good bookshops. To find out more about Allegra and what she is up to please visit www.allegramcevedy.com
Allegra's most recent book, Big Table, Busy Kitchen is dedicated to her three-year -old daughter Delilah
CELEBRITY SPOTLIGHT
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WORDS_ LUCY MILLER
Jillian Michaels is best known as the ‘tough love’ personal trainer in NBC’s popular reality-TV weight-loss show The Biggest Loser. Here, we discover more about Jillian’s childhood, her rise to fame and her personal path to becoming a mum to Lukensia, via adoption and Phoenix born naturally with her partner Heidi Rhoades.
I
n 2012, American Health and Fitness Guru, Jillian Michaels became a mum to not one but two new children. A few years before, at the end of 2009, The Biggest Loser star also went public and announced she was bisexual, telling Ladies Home Journal that she was looking for what she called “healthy love.” She told the Journal that “If I fall in love with a woman, that’s awesome. If I fall in love with a man, that’s awesome too, just as long as I fall in love. It’s like organic food; I only eat healthy food, so I only want healthy love!” It was only a few months after this interview that Jillian met Heidi Rhoades, a professional Yoga Instructor, and a close relationship between the two grew quickly, and talk of wanting children and starting a family was the topic of every conversation.
normally lines the inside of the uterus instead grows outside of it which can affect fertility. Speaking openly to RedBook magazine, Jillian even stated, “At a young age, I didn’t know if I wanted kids, so I didn’t really care.” However, as she got older, her opinion changed, especially as a result of working with families on the show Losing It with Jillian, witnessing the bond between a parent and child. It really brought it home to her how much she was missing. “I watched friends go through IVF, with years of hormone injections and devastation and disappointment, and I remember thinking, God wants something different for me,” she explained. “If I choose to pursue this path, I’ll adopt, and when I was finally ready to go for it, I thought, this is going to be so easy. I had no idea. I mean, you’re just waiting around for ages!” Jillian describes the whole adoption process as something that became more discouraging and heartbreaking as time progressed.
THE ADOPTION PROCESS
In 2010, the couple started the adoption process, which Jillian hid from the ever interested press by stating that she was going at it alone and adopting as a single parent. Jillian put adoption down to the fact that at the age of 16, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a medical condition where the tissue that
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BUMP AHEAD
Jillian was really keen to adopt a baby from Africa and Heidi was just supporting her as the person she was dating, but unfortunately that idea did not come to fruition. At this »
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I HAVE ACCEPTED THAT A PART OF ME HAD DIED, BUT ANOTHER PART OF ME WAS BEING BORN. MY KIDS ARE REMAKING ME INTO A STRONGER, MORE SELFLESS WOMAN — A WOMAN I CAN BE PROUD OF.
» point, a year and half had gone by and Heidi turned round to Jillian and said, “You know what, Sweetie? I’m going to be 31 soon, why don’t I just try to get pregnant?”And in the summer of 2011, Heidi fell pregnant. Although it’s never been revealed what method Heidi used to conceive, Jillian didn’t just get one surprise when Heidi announced her pregnancy, she got two, as they learnt that they’d been matched with a little boy from Haiti. The pair, travelled to the Caribbean Island to meet him, and soon leant that the adoption would not work, after the agency insisted they wanted the baby boy to live in a household with a father. “I was like, ‘Okay, it’s not meant to be,’” Jillian told People magazine. Whilst there, they continued to visit different orphanages, and came across a beautiful little girl who kept holding on to Heidi. “In that moment I thought, ‘this is our daughter,’” she said – and it was. Jillian brought Lukensia (also known as Lu) home on May 12th 2012, just nine days after baby Phoenix was born in LA.
DOUBLE DUTY
ISSUE 12 – WINTER 2013/2014
© Don Flood / donfloodphoto.com
So on the plane, just days after Heidi had been through a 27-hour labor, Jillian was on her way to pick up their other new addition to the family. Jillian describes the moment that she walked into the orphanage as emotional “I held it together until I walked through those orphanage doors. Lu saw me and climbed into my arms – she knew it was finally time to go home. I fell to my knees and wept.” Like any new parents, they found the whole process hard, and who wouldn’t with a newborn and a two year old, who couldn’t speak a word of English? Jillian openly admits that her life had become so centered round the kids that it felt like a part of her had died. “I’m not woman enough for this,” she thought. “I’d imagined that I’d be so drunk with love that everything else would fall by the wayside, but that wasn’t the case. It left me feeling guilty, scared, and confused.” Things changed though and Jillian learnt to accept that when it comes to parenting everyone starts as a beginner and improves with time. “I have accepted that a part of me had died, but another part of me was being born. My kids are remaking me into a stronger, more selfless woman — a woman I can be proud of,” she explained on her blog for parenting.com.
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© Don Flood / donfloodphoto.com
COMING OUT
So were her plans to start a family the reason this popular American star decided to come out after all these years? During an appearance on Larry King Now, Jillian stated that she made coming out a priority for her kids. Remaining closeted “had to change,” she said. “I made that a priority. And I feel very strongly about it. And I wish I could have maintained that, but having kids – first of all I don’t know how I would have explained the materialisation of a newborn boy, and then with that said, I never want my kids to grow up and think that I’m ashamed of our family. So, I realised that I had no choice.” Jillian is photographed daily and features in newspapers and magazines alike with her happy little family. In every picture, whether it is on the beach, in the park or on shopping duties, Lu looks extremely settled and happy. And why wouldn’t she? Jillian, her mummy is not only one of the most successful and well-known fitness trainers in America, but she is also a reality show personality, talk show host and successful entrepreneur, with over 15 DVDs to her name and several best selling books.
ANY MORE TO COME?
With their hands well and truly full with Phoenix and Lu, and Jillian openly admitting to finding the whole parenthood thing hard, we wonder if there would be any more additions to the Michaels family. “No way!” she told People magazine. “I want to be in the moment and enjoy all the nuances of their growth and development. I don’t want to rush any of it. I can’t wait for every day.” So there we have it; a success story of a long awaited adoption and a natural birth too. We think it’s safe to say that Jillian doesn’t do things by halves – especially when it comes to her family. She may be from a broken home (Jillian’s parents divorced when she was just 12 years old, which took a heavy emotional toll on her) but there is no way she would put her children through any sort of heartache, despite the fact that her and Heidi aren’t able to wed. “I’ve got to be honest with you I mean don’t know what kind of fantasy world anybody in America is living in because gay marriage is still illegal as far as I’m concerned. I’m not going to sit here and pretend it isn’t,” she told South Florida Gay News. “Marriage is equitable to rights, very significant rights, and I don’t pretend to be something that I am not. If and when the day comes that same sax couples are legally allowed to marry, then I am sure Heidi and I would engage in that dialogue.” Talking about the joys of motherhood Jillian says, “You can’t have it all, and you have to make some tough decisions. I used to think you could, but you can’t. I didn’t understand that something has to give. Now friends will go to Vegas for the weekend and we’re like, ‘Take pictures.’ When Lu looks at me and goes, ‘Mama, I love you!’ I think ‘With a family like mine, who needs Vegas?”’ Lucy Miller is a personal trainer, nutritionist and kid’s fitness specialist. She loves nothing more than looking after her body and helping others to reach their goals too. Find out more at www.lucymiller.me.uk
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REAL LIFE STORIES Like with many couples, the topic of having kids had come up a few times in conversation, but it took a life-threatening illness to spur Paul and Janno, from Amsterdam, into thinking seriously about taking the next step and having a family of their own. Here, Paul tells their personal journey of how they became proud dads to Rosie and Roman via surrogacy in the US.
W
hen I first saw Janno talking to a mutual friend 13 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined how deeply and wonderfully he was going to affect my life. All I thought at the time was “Wow – what a handsome man!”... and although my friend told me he thought we’d be perfect for each other, we didn’t actually get to know each other until three years later. It was Liberation Day, a vast national festival to celebrate the end of the Netherlands’ occupation by Nazi Germany in 1945. On this day every year, a LGBT Bevrijdingsdag party is held outside a monument commemorating the gay and lesbian people killed during the war. This was where Janno and I met again, where we fell in love, and we have been together ever since!
years older than me, we decided the moment I got back that there was no more time to lose. It was time to get serious about our plans for the future. Shortly afterwards, a strange coincidence made us think that we were ready to start our parenting journey. We were at a party and were approached by an acquaintance. We didn’t know her well, and had certainly never talked to her about our desire to have children, but imagine our surprise, when she told us she thought we’d make good parents, and that she would love to give us the opportunity to become Dads, offering herself as a surrogate. This opened a world of possibility to us. We were so excited about our friend’s offer, but, sadly, we found that the complexity of the situation would make it not possible. What we gained from all this, however, was a deeper understanding of the surrogacy process and its benefits. From there, we turned our attention further away and got in touch with a Dutch couple who’d had four kids through surrogates and through them were able to contact Circle Surrogacy, an agency on the east coast.
DREAMS OF BECOMING DADS
Raising a family was always an aspiration for both of us. We knew that one day we would be bringing up children, but we didn’t know when or how it would happen. Five years passed, but, like so many things in life, it took a crisis to spur us into action. I was interning in Uganda, providing treatment to those caught up in conflict zones. Things took a personal turn for the worst when I contracted malaria. Janno was worried enough about my safety as it was, and then becoming so ill frightened him even more. With Janno getting older, he was turning 42, and being fourteen
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PROUD FATHERS
In February 2009, we signed our surrogacy agreement and in August, we met the lovely lady who was donating her eggs to us and we also met Amy, who would be carrying our first child. It
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was strange and magical to think that these women would be helping us to make our baby. The following January, we got the exciting news that Amy was pregnant! Over the following months, we would visit and regularly receive ultrasound scans of our developing daughter. It was a very emotional time, but everything was very positive. Finally, the time came for our daughter to be born, so we travelled to the US and between the three of us, we managed to convince the Doctor to let Janno and I be present for the birth of our daughter who we named Rosie. We are so glad we were at the birth as it was wonderful to see a dream literally come true before our very eyes.
There was only one problem. Owing to the complications that are inevitable to this sort of process, we were down to our final donated egg. Would the pregnancy go smoothly? With surrogacy it’s not uncommon for problems to arise, it was nerve-wracking.
A SIBLING FOR ROSIE
Thankfully, the answer was yes. In fact, Jenn gave birth to a happy, healthy boy a week early, forcing us to make a mad dash to California while she looked after baby number two, Roman, until we arrived. We came home with our own little family, settling into our true adventure, which was only just beginning! We’re still in touch with Jenn and Amy, and would love to visit them again if we can. It’s hard to describe how close a shared experience like surrogacy can make you to another person, and we feel we owe them so much. As Janno says, being a parent feels surprisingly natural, but adds richness and a new layer to your life. It’s such a privilege to be a part of your children’s lives as they grow up. What our story shows is how miraculous the results can be when people come together to make dreams a reality.
GETTING USED TO OUR NEW ROLES
That’s not the end of the story, though. We rented a house for five weeks in the town where Rosie was born while we finished the paperwork and got used to our new roles as dads, but it was only five months before we decided it was time for Rosie to have a sibling. With our information, contacts and experience with Rosie, we found another excellent agency, this one smaller and based in California. Though we weren’t able to travel back and forth as much this time (it’s a bit trickier with a six-month-old in tow!) we had the eggs transferred to the new location, and were put in touch with another amazing surrogate called Jenn.
WWW.PINK-PARENTING.COM
For more information on surrogacy for the LGBT community please visit www.pink-parenting.com/surrogacy or to read more inspirational surrogacy stories visit www.surrogacytogether.com
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WORDS_ LUCY MILLER
Dancing, whether at a party, at home or in a structured class environment, is a great form of exercise. It encourages children to use their whole body, from bending, stretching and jumping while helping to improve their self-esteem, co-ordination, balance and poise. It’s also great fun and often missed as a good form of exercise.
THE BENEFITS OF DANCE
ance is a great example of a fun activity children can do to keep active. Here’s why and how you can encourage your child to dance themselves fit. Strictly Come Dancing is on our screens, there are invitations flying around to end of term disco parties and our radio stations are playing those seasonal classics left, right and centre. It can only mean one thing; Christmas is coming and it’s time to get on those glad rags and dance the night away, which is especially true for our children.
“Dance is a great example of a fun activity children can do to keep fit,” says Sue Wybrow, Founder of Popdance (popdance.co.uk), who runs nationwide dance classes for children over three years old. “It keeps you active, builds muscles strength, flexibility and fitness levels, all while getting active to the beat of music they really enjoy,’ explains Wybow. “When the children recognise the music they are dancing to they really to go for it! They feel confident, excited and can’t wait to learn some moves that they can do with their friends,” she adds. Dance also offers an activity for children who may not consider themselves as ‘sporty’. “The gift of dancing is that any child can do it,” says Wybrow. “It’s about having fun, expressing themselves, and learning some new moves along the way – it’s a form of art that gives them the opportunity to be creative and express themselves.”
DANCING FOR KIDS
According to the Department of Health, Children of a pre-school age who are capable of walking unaided should be physically active daily for at least 180 minutes (three hours) spread throughout the day. This will help improve cardiovascular (heart) health, improve bone health, encourage the learning of social skills and develop movement and co-ordination. Whilst these 180 minutes may seem a lot, experts suggest that most pre-school children currently spend 120 to 150 minutes a day in physical activity already, so achieving this guideline would only mean adding another 30 to 60 minutes a day, which can be as easy as walking to and from the park, encouraging energetic play like climbing a climbing frame at the park or dancing, which unlike the other activities listed above aren’t weather permitting and can be done anywhere, anytime, with very limited equipment.
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HOW TO INTRODUCE DANCING TO YOUR CHILD
Dancing can be done anywhere and needn’t cost you a thing. Children as young as 12 months will move their bodies naturally to regular reoccurring beats. The moment a child hears music they instantly want to move to the beat,” says Amanda Frolich from Amanda’s Action Club (amandasactionclub.co.uk). “It’s a natural reaction.” Watch your child’s reaction when you play a song that they » enjoy and see how naturally and rhythmically that they move.
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SENDING YOUR CHILD TO A STRUCTURED DANCE CLASS WILL HELP TEACH THEM TO FOCUS, BE CREATIVE WHILE HAVING SOME FORM OF DISCIPLINE, ALL OF WHICH ARE HIGHLY COMPULSORY IN ANY AREA OF EDUCATION. until the music randomly stops and then you have to freeze. A great game for all the family that can be used time and time again. The possibilities are endless when it comes to dancing, “there are no wrong moves,” says Wybrow.
HOW ABOUT A DANCE CLASS?
Whether they want to try ballet, modern dance, tap, hip-hop or any other style of dance out there, sending your child to a structured dance class will help teach them to focus, be creative while having some form of discipline, all of which are highly compulsory in any area of education. These benefits will also help in day to day life, while your child will learning how to listen and respond to verbal and physical instructions given by their teacher. If you are interested in enrolling your child into a dance class, start by asking around for some recommendations. Find out from other parents and family members what they know about different dance schools and if their children enjoy the dance classes. You should then go and visit the studio and meet the instructor. With so many different approaches to teaching out there you’ll need to distinguish, which one is right for your child. For example, one instructor may be all about teaching the proper form and style, while the other takes more of a laid back and fun approach. You will need to think about your own child’s personality and goals when choosing what teaching style will fit them best. “The number one priority when looking for a dance class for your child is whether they will have fun or not,” adds Marshall. “A lot of dance schools have got very serious and competitive. At such a young age, it is important for the child to just have fun and do something they enjoy without pressures.” Lastly find out about the little extras: Many classes will have end of year show that you can go and watch or they might work towards achieving some awards or badges throughout the term. This can be very rewarding for you and your child when it comes to seeing how much hard work they have put in and the enjoyment they get out of their lessons. So whether you’re dancing with your child home or at a class, the great thing about dance is that it can be as structured or as unstructured as you like. Dancing is a great way to let your child’s personality shine, while keeping them active and encouraging them to develop co-ordination skills, strength and concentration. The possibilities are endless when it comes to dance; all you need to do as an adult is make sure they are having fun with it. You can join in too, after all it will not only help them to relax and let go but also help you burn a few extra calories before the » Christmas eating begins – if it hasn’t done already!
» Encourage actions like clapping and shaking the hands side to side, before progressing to “Hip Rocks” or wiggles with hands on hips. “You can also play games with children and get them to make up songs using different movements,” says Frolich. “Reach high, bend down low, move side to side, stamp heavy, stamp light, move fast, move slow. Using these moves, you can then make up a very interesting version of their favorite nursery rhyme. “You can also try and introduce props like as hula hoops, or have fun making patterns with ribbons, scarves, wands, maracas, and tambourines while you dance,” says Laura Marshall, founder and creator of Popsicals (popsicals.co.uk) “All sorts of objects can be used for children to think about creating shapes and different rhythms.”
HOW ABOUT OLDER CHILDREN?
As for the older kids, why not allow them to have some friends around after school and encourage them to make up a dance routine to their favourite pop song. “Put on some of the classic dances, such as Gangnam Style, Tragedy, Vogue, Time Warp and the Running Man, and all dance along. Its great fun.” says Wybrow. You can also lay on a disco party in your living room. Tell them and their friends to wear their favourite party dress or dressing up outfit, dim the lights and put on some good music, like Dance Party 2013 (from £8; Amazon) whilst you’re in the kitchen putting together some healthy snacks and cool drinks for afterwards. There are also loads of great Dance DVDs on the market like Moving ‘N’ Grooving (Dance, Fun and Fit for Kids) available from Amazon from £9.50 or Just Dance 2014 for the Wii or Xbox (from £18.99; Amazon), which includes over 40 songs and allows two players to dance along and have a dance competition. It’s guaranteed that they will play this for hours and not even realise that they are burning calories, whilst building strong bones and improving their co-ordination and social skills. There are also fun iPhone apps available like Freeze Dance (iTunes; £0.69p), which is similar to musical statues. You dance
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DANCE STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM!
BALLET
TAP
ZUMBA
STREET DANCE/HIP-HOP
CHEERLEADING
BALLROOM
Graceful, magical and enchanting - ballet has, unsurprisingly, been attracting little girls to the world of dance for many years – after all which little girl doesn’t want to wear some pink satin shoes and a frilly tutu? It’s a very beautiful form of dancing which helps to develop strength, poise, flexibility and grace.
A relatively new dance form, street dance has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to street dance troupes such as Flawless and Diversity. Particularly suitable for older kids, street dance is a very loose form of dance that includes funk, jazz and hip-hop styles performed to current hip-hop and R&B music.
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A fun, vibrant, high-energy form of dance which is great exercise and helps children to develop a strong sense of rhythm and physical co-ordination as they move their feet and tap in time to music. Tap is practised all over the world for fun, fitness and entertainment – ideal for any budding Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers.
Cheerleading is an athletic discipline which is practiced worldwide and incorporates jumps, dance, tumbling, stunts, cheers and chants using pom-poms. It’s great fun for children who like to work as a team and create exciting routines. It often involves dance styles, such as hip-hop and street, all performed in time and sequence.
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Not just for adults, Zumba is becoming extremely popular for kids and known as ZumbAtomic. The popular workout system that combines International music and Latin dance and, is a rocking, high-energy fitness-party with specially choreographed, easy to learn routines to all the music kids love, like hip-hop and the latest chart hits.
Thanks to Strictly Come Dancing, ballroom dancing has enjoyed a surge in popularity and now kids and parents are clamoring to try their hand at dances such as the Foxtrot, Tango, Jive and Rumba! Colourful costumes and memorable music make ballroom and Latin a winning combination, which both girls and boys can take part in.
WWW.PINK-PARENTING.COM
PANTO SEASON Going to the pantomime is a great British Christmas family tradition and is also a fantastic time to relax, sit back and spend some quality time with the kids.
SLEEPING BEAUTY / WOLVERHAMPTON 07 DEC 2013 – 18 JAN 2014
Wake up and prepare to be spellbound by this panto spectacular, squeaky-voiced comedian Joe Pasquale leads an all-star cast in the role of Muddles this Christmas. www.grandtheatre.info
SNOW WHITE / MILTON KEYNES 06 DEC 2013 – 12 JAN 2014
PETER PAN / RICHMOND, LONDON 06 DEC 2013 – 12 JAN 2014
Leading the fun and frivolity of Snow White this year is Hollywood superstar Warwick Davis and includes a hilarious script, big song-and -dance numbers and a stunning set. www.mkweb.co.uk/Whats-On
With legendary actor Henry Winkler (The Fonz) as Captain Hook, the bad guy everyone loves to hate, this pantomime promises to be a swashbuckling show for everyone! www.atgtickets.com/richmond
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JACK AND THE BEANSTALK / CARDIFF 14 DEC 2013 – 19 JAN 2014
ALADDIN / WIMBLEDON, LONDON 06 DEC 2013 – 12 JAN 2014
ROBIN HOOD / PLYMOUTH 20 DEC 2013 – 25 JAN 2014
CINDERELLA / BRISTOL 06 DEC 2013 – 05 JAN 2014
ROBINSON CRUSOE / SOUTHAMPTON 14 DEC 2013 – 12 JAN 2014
DICK MCWHITTINGTON / GLASGOW 14 DEC 2013 – 05 JAN 2014
Featuring more comedy than you can shake a bag of magic beans at, with outrageous costumes, a huge beanstalk and comedian Julian Clary on hand to camp things up. www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
The hilariously mischievous Louie Spence stars as the Prince’s loyal and outrageous servant, Dandini, in this version of Cinderella, and will have the whole family in stitches. www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk
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BAFTA winner and comedienne Jo Brand makes her panto debut as Genie of the Ring in this hilarious version of Aladdin, full of song, dance and audience participation. www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon
With Brian Conley and Lesley Joseph at the helm, this year’s show is another Mayflower must-see with outrageous costumes and a few surprises to shiver your timbers! www.mayflower.org.uk
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With an all-star cast this pantomime is full of action, adventure and an abundance of comedy as well as heroes and villains aplenty all clad in tights, perfect viewing! www.theatreroyal.com
John Barrowman takes on the role of Dick McWhittington in this spectacular adventure, with amazing 3D effects this magical family show will be winner for everyone. www.ticketsoup.com
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WE L VE
THE LATEST NEWS, VIEWS, REVIEWS, GIFTS, GADGETS AND GIZMOS
TIME GENTLEMEN PLEASE
INSPIRED BY THE THREE SURFACES ON WHICH PROFESSIONAL tennis is played, the Rado Hyperchrome XXL watch collection
come in black and features the colours of the court; the hard court is represented by the brilliant blue version, the grass by gleaming green and the clay by an audacious orange. The dial details and hands contain Super-LumiNova to glow in the dark and help you shine this Christmas.
EDITORSICK XMAS PHIM FOR
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www.rado.com, £3,150.00
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SEE MORE AT WWW.PINK-PARENTING.COM
MAN MUG SMELL LIKE A WINNER
FROM THE WITTY COLLECTION OF UNIQUE
and individual mugs from Cheeky, by Jamie Oliver, this white ‘Top Dad’ mug is a great present for the man who makes all things possible. www.amazon.co.uk, £11.99
BAGS OF STYLE
HOUSED IN A TROPHY-LIKE BOTTLE, SYMBOLIC OF STRENGTH and champions, the new scent from Paco Rabanne really does set a
modern vision of masculinity and focuses on the turning of the modern day man into a gladiator. Accompanied by a very sexy TV advert, Paco Rabanne has pulled out all the stops to ensure that Invictus is the perfect stocking filler this Christmas.
DESIGNED PERFECTLY TO FIT YOUR IPAD OR MACBOOK AND A few small essential extras, this pack is ideal for individuals on the
move who don’t want to be weighed down. Plus, it’s handmade using 100% vegetable tanned leather and it looks great!
www.pacorabanne.com, 100ml, £59.99 www.hardgraft.com, £276.00
ONE DIRECTION
THE MARIUS IS A LUXURY ADULT ONESIE FROM ONEPIECE AND is design in a traditional Navy, White and Red Norwegian knit-pattern
print. These onesies are the ultimate is chill out wear and are made from premium super soft cotton, ideal for vegging out in front of the TV this Christmas and staying warm during the winter months. www.onepiece.com, £159.00
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THE LATEST NEWS, VIEWS, REVIEWS, GIFTS, GADGETS AND GIZMOS
HOT PINK IS HOT FOR 2014
FROM THEIR FABULOUS RANGE OF BAGS AND TOTES, Mulberry have just launched the Willow Tote in pink which is simply a must have for any mums on the go. The Willow collection celebrates timeless leather craft with its shape, style and detailing. The focus of this new collection is its structure and simplicity – a beautiful yet practical design finished with signature hardware and detailing. The Willow Tote also has a front envelope clutch that can be zip-detached and used separately. And with pink and orchids being the predicted top colours for 2014, this is a perfect gift for all those fashionistas this Christmas!
www.mulberry.com, £1,300.00
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SEE MORE AT WWW.PINK-PARENTING.COM
CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS SCENTED SURPRISES
SPOIL YOUR LOVED ONES THIS YEAR WITH THE CHRISTMAS CRACKER FROM Jo Malone, full of scented surprises. Included in each cracker is a tart-juicy
HOTEL CHOCOLAT HAS DONE IT AGAIN WITH THIS yummy selection of winter deserts inspired truffles.
blackberry and bay cologne, a reviving lime basil and mandarin body and hand wash and an enlivening grapefruit body crème, ingeniously wrapped in a ribbon tied, cracker shaped box, a perfect present oozing with style and class.
From treacle pudding to apple strudel, these chocolates are an ideal present for the chocoholic in all of us. www.hotelchocolat.com, £23.00
www.jomalone.com, £30.00
ZIP UP, REST & RELAX
THE LUSEKOFTE ONESIE FROM ONEPIECE, IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILL OUT factor with friends and family over the holidays. Made from premium super soft cotton, which available in Dark Pink and White with a Norwegian knit print
design gone urban, this onesie is the perfect outfit to relax in, while staying lovely and warm this Xmas. www.onepiece.com, £139.00
EDITO XMAS PIRCSK FOR HER
KEEPING FAMILY CLOSE THIS BEAUTIFUL STERLING SILVER NECKLACE
is designed to be personalised to keep loved ones close to your heart. A wonderful gift for mums, each item is individually handmade in the Posh Totty Designs workshop in Brighton and can be personalised with any message of your choice. Any three names or words can be chosen to personalise this piece, which hangs on a delicate silver trace chain - a wonderful gift for and Mum in your life this Christmas.
www.poshtottydesigns.com, £69.00
WWW.PINK-PARENTING.COM
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No matter where you are in the world, your journey to family begins here. We welcome international patients. Take your first step and give Dr.Bruce Shapiro or Dr.Said Daneshmand a call today to start your journey!
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© Ola Matsson
PACK YOUR BAGS
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Skiing holidays with the kids are a great way to get some of that important quality-time that all families need. Whether you fancy dashing down the slopes, or simply making snowmen in the fresh snow, there is something for all ages. We’ve found some stunning snowy resorts around Europe that will make a great family holiday for you and your kids this winter, and, if planned well, won’t break the bank.
© Ola Matsson
TRYSIL, NORWAY
Trysil lies in the heart of Scandinavia, just two and a half hours drive from Oslo, and is Norway’s largest ski resort. With over 65 runs that range from beginners to pros and 32 lifts ready to take you up the slopes, all you need to do is get back down in one piece! There are also children areas, a park with jumps and rails and great restaurants to eat in, helping to ensure memorable experiences for the whole family. If you get tired of skiing, families can go dog-sledging through the snow filled country side or take part in ice fishing excursion where you will be shown how to fish under the ice to the frozen waters beneath. www.trysil.no »
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PACK YOUR BAGS
© Diego Gaspari Bandion
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO NORTHERN ITALY
© LZTG / Sepp Mallaun
© Giuseppe Ghedina
Cortina d’Ampezzo has been a winter sports mecca since the 1930’s, and in 1956 it hosted the first Italian Winter Olympic Games. It is known as the Queen of the Dolomites and is located in the heart of the eastern part of the spectacular mountain range. The area, open and sunny, boasts stunning views in every direction. One of the best-known ski resorts in the world, Cortina lives up to its reputation with a system of modern ski lifts and snowmaking capabilities that cover 90% of the slopes and which guarantee a ski season. For the family, Cortina also offers a great adventure park with thrills of all kinds. From snow rafting, canyoning and kayaking, to mountain biking, snowshoeing, bobsledding, the park provides different routes for different abilities so families can play together and separately. www.cortina.dolomiti.org
Zürs is one of the best loved skiing resorts in Europe. Boasting a vast high altitude domain of over 250km of piste, the farming village of lech offers everything you could want from a winter sports holiday including fantastic hotels, fine dining and great après ski activities for all the family to enjoy. The village is full of international flavour, attracting a wide scope of visitors from all over the world - including royalty, and is well known for its quiet and well looked after piste and superb, modern lift system. Families can also enjoy tobogganing, dog sledging and winter excursions into the wilderness, with a tour guide of course. www.lechzuers.com
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.m wwwwww .m oo c cc icsi.sc.oc .ou. ku k
Moccis keep feet of all sizes warm and Moccis keep feet of all sizes warm and cosy. The skid proof leather sole will cosy. The skid proof leather sole will keep little ones from slipping and the keep little ones from slipping and the double elastic makes sure that they stay double elastic makes sure that they stay on. No more cold feet and no more dirty on. No more cold feet and no more dirty shoes indoors. shoes indoors. Ideal for packing and travelling Ideal for packing and travelling Wipe clean or machine wash Wipe clean or machine wash Easy to put on and stays on Easy to put on and stays on Perfect gift for parents / grandparents Perfect gift for parents / grandparents Matching designs for all the family Matching designs for all the family www.moccis.co.uk www.moccis.co.uk info@moccis.co.uk info@moccis.co.uk +44 (0)333 577 7500 +44 (0)333 577 7500
PACK YOUR BAGS
ST. MORITZ SWITZERLAND
© Courchevel Tourisme / David André
© swiss-image.ch / Christof Sonderegger
Considered the oldest winter holiday resort in the world, St. Moritz has been entertaining adventurers since 1864. Corviglia, Corvatsch and Diavolezza are the main mountains in St. Moritz and are synonymous for awe-inspiring experiences on skis. You’ll find almost everything in Switzerland’s largest snow sport region, from extensive, well-known areas with a wide range of pistes to small, family-friendly, village ski lifts. Not forgetting the numerous panorama restaurants, ski huts and snow bars, all bursting with ambiance and promising lively après-ski fun. This region is renowned for its variety of family events – after all, it was here that winter tourism was born almost 150 years ago. www.stmoritz.ch/en
Courchevel 1850 is the highest of 4 villages that make up the famous Courchevel ski resort and has skiing to suit every level from complete beginners to advanced. With a lift system linking to Meribel and Val Thorens, you can enjoy access to one of the most exciting ski areas in the world, suited to families of varying levels. Courchevel 1850
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is the ski resort of choice for many families. It also offers plenty in the way of entertainment for young children when skiing finishes for the day. The Jardin Alpin Gondola stays open until 8pm each evening allowing young (and old!) sledgers to make use of the empty slopes. www.courchevel.com
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CHRIMBO CAKES RECIPES_ ANNABEL KARMEL
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Bake up a storm this Christmas with festive treats from Annabel Karmel. Whether you are baking simple biscuits with the kids or making something that bit special, get into the Christmas spirit with these festive bakes; perfect to tuck into with the family or wrap up in ribbon and give as a present!
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ANNABEL KARMEL
CHRISTMAS PUDDING TRUFFLES
Truffles always make a nice present and these ones can be dressed up to look like mini Christmas Puddings. If you don’t have time to decorate them then just dust the truffles with cocoa. Put each truffle in a mini muffin case and sit in a small box, tied with a ribbon. Store in the fridge.
Ingredients Truffles • 125g (4½oz) dark chocolate • 75g (2½oz) unsalted butter • 200g (7oz) Madeira cake • 50g (2oz) glace cherries • 50g (2oz) raisins • 25g (1oz) pecans • ½ tsp vanilla extract • 2 tbsp icing sugar
Line a baking sheet with baking parchment or Clingfilm. Take tablespoonful’s of the truffle mixture and roll them into balls, using the palms of your hands. Sit the rolled truffles on the prepared baking sheet. When you have finished rolling the truffles put the baking sheet in the fridge for another hour, or overnight, to allow the mixture to firm up again.
Decoration • 50g (2oz) ready to use fondant icing • Red and green food colour • 110g (4oz) icing sugar or Tate & Lyle royal icing sugar • ½ tsp meringue powder or dried egg white powder (supercook) – omit if using royal icing sugar • 4 tsp water
To decorate the truffles first make the “holly”. Colour 1/4 of the fondant icing red and then roll out 36 small balls. Colour the remaining fondant green and roll out thinly (you can do this between two pieces of Clingfilm if it gets too sticky. Cut out 36 holly leaves. Sit the decorations on a plate lined with Clingfilm.
Method
Put the icing sugar in a bowl (and stir in the egg white powder, if using). Add half of the water and stir in, then add extra water, a couple of drops at a time, to make a stiff icing.
Put the butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and melt together over a saucepan of warm water (make sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water), stirring occasionally. You can also melt the chocolate in a microwave using 15 second bursts and stirring between each burst (it will probably take 3-4 bursts). Set aside to cool slightly.
Drop 1/2 teaspoon icing on the top of a truffle and use a cocktail stick or the tip of a knife to spread the icing out a little. Allow to dry slightly, then sit two holly berries and leaves on the top of the truffle. Repeat with remaining truffles then return the truffles to the fridge and leave for 3-4 hours, or overnight, to allow the icing to set. If any of the decorations drop off then they can be fixed back with a little extra icing.
Put the Madeira cake in a food processor and whiz to crumbs. Add the cherries, raisins and pecans and pulse 5-6 times until roughly chopped (if you like larger pieces then chop the fruit and nuts by hand). Tip the crumb mixture into the bowl of chocolate and add the vanilla and icing sugar. Stir until thoroughly combined. Put the truffle mixture into the fridge for around 1 hour, to firm up.
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Prep: 50 minutes + 1 hour chilling time | Makes: 18 large truffles
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Get Get expert Get expert Getexpert expert Get expert Get expert CHRISTMAS TREE fertility fertility fertility fertility fertility fertility LOLLY CAKES information information information information information information and and support and support andsupport support and support and support online online with online with onlinewith with online with online with Boots Boots WebMD Boots WebMD BootsWebMD WebMD Boots WebMD Boots WebMD Ingredients
Cake • 3 eggs • 175g self-raising flour • 150g caster sugar • 25g cocoa powder • 175g soft butter • 1 tsp baking powder
• 50g plain chocolate melted • 50g milk chocolate melted Decoration
• Writing Icing pens • Candy Canes • Mini Smarties or edible baubles
Method
Preheat the oven to 160C Fan. Line a square tin 24 x 24cm with parchment paper and grease. Measure all of the cake ingredients into a bowl. Whisk using an electric hand whisk until smooth.
Let Let us support Let us support Letus ussupport support Let us support Let us support you you in taking the you in taking the youin intaking takingthe the you in taking the you in taking the first first step. first step. firststep. step. first step. first step. Spoon into the tin, and bake for 20-25 minutes until springy to the touch, and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Leave to cool.
Slice into 9 squares and then slice into triangles. Decorate with writing icing pens or piped icing and Mini Smarties or edible baubles. Push short lengths of Candy Canes into the base of the chocolate triangles to make the tree trunks. Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 20-25 minutes | Makes: 9 christmas trees
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er
ANNABEL KARMEL Method
These super-cute Christmas Carrot Cupcakes are simply delicious and are fun for children to make themselves. You can line boxes or tins with shredded Cellophane or some tissue paper and nestle your decorated cakes inside.
Pre-heat the oven to 190°C /375°F /Gas 5/Fan 170°C. Line two bun tins with paper cases. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, mixed spice and salt, and set aside. Put the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat until fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla, soured cream and sifted dry ingredients, and beat until just combined. Fold in the carrot and raisins.
Ingredients Cupcakes • 170g (6oz) self-raising flour • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda • 1 tsp mixed spice • Pinch of salt • 170g (6oz) butter, room temperature • 170g (6oz) soft light brown sugar • 3 eggs, beaten • ½ tsp vanilla extract • 2 tbsp sour cream or Greek yoghurt • 140g (5oz) grated carrot (2 - 3 medium carrots) • 110g (4oz) raisins • Small chocolate honeycomb balls/chips
Spoon the batter into the prepared bun tins, filling each paper case around three-quarters full. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool for five minutes in the tins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. To make Father Christmas faces, colour one third of the icing red. Roll out the white icing and cut out circles to fit the cupcakes. Warm the apricot jam in a small saucepan and brush a little over the surface of the cakes. Place the circles of white icing on top. Cut out triangles to form hats from the red icing and attach a small white ball of icing on top of the hat for a bobble. Add two chocolate honeycomb balls or two chocolate chips for the eyes and use the tube of writing icing to make a beard and hair on each face. The iced cupcakes will keep in an airtight tin for 3 to 4 days. Baked uniced cupcakes can be frozen for up to a month. Defrost for two to three hours at room temperature
Decoration 225g (8oz) ready-to-roll white icing 3 tbsp apricot jam Chocolate honeycomb balls Red food colouring White writing icing
• • • • •
Prep: 35 minutes | Cook: 22 minutes | Makes: 16 christmas cupcakes Suitable for freezing (before icing)
FATHER CHRISTMAS CARROT CUPCAKES
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T H E H U M A N R I G H T S CA M PA I G N F O U N D AT I O N
Family Project The HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION FAMILY PROJECT works for fairness and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families. Through partnerships with a broad coalition of organizations and individuals, the Family Project dramatically improves the way key institutions serve our families with its three main initiatives: WELCOMING SCHOOLS: A comprehensive, LGBT-inclusive approach to addressing family diversity, gender stereotyping and bullying in elementary school environments. HEALTHCARE EQUALITY INDEX: Establishes the "gold standard" for healthcare institutions regarding policy and practice with LGBT families. ALL CHILDREN – ALL FAMILIES: Provides innovative resources and training to help foster care and adoption agencies welcome and support LGBT families. Visit the Human Rights Campaign website at WWW.HRC.ORG/FAMILY for more information.
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WORDS_ JUSTIN STATHERS
You might have seen them clattering down your street or zipping around to squeals of glee in a playground. With their clever, colourful design, Micro Scooters are all the rage amongst kids and parents alike. Here, we chat with Anna Gibson and Philippa Gogarty, the mums who founded the company.
Behind the brand...
T
he Micro Scooters story begins in a playground in Clapham. Anna and her sister were out with their sons when something caught their eye – a Mini Micro scooter, the kids and mums alike were immediately taken with the scooter’s unique look. After a little searching online, Anna managed to track down the Swiss manufacturer and have three of the scooters imported to the UK where they became an instant hit. “Anna knew almost straight away that she had found something extra special and so, wanting other mums to share her experience, she started selling them to her friends and other mums,” says Philippa, who met Anna through their children’s playgroup. And what a difference the little scooters made to everybody’s lives! “For the children it meant an end to being strapped down into a buggy, allowing them their first sense of independence as well as the chance to hone their burgeoning balance and co-ordination skills. For mums it meant an end to screaming toddlers desperate to be freed from their
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buggy restraints. The scooters allowed them to get out of the house with their respective children without the usual dramas and travel paraphernalia,” Anna says. At the time, the scooters were only available from a few specialist import shops. However, the first batch had heads turning at the school gates and playgrounds and the enquiries from parents started to flood in, fuelled by Anna’s clever idea of sticking her phone number and email address to the bottom of each scooter sold.
SCOOTER BUZZ
The buzz at the school gates spread fast and soon Anna was inundated with requests. Joining forces with Philippa, the two began to work together to meet the ever-increasing demand. Contacting Peter Bollinger, CEO of Micro, the Swiss company behind the Mini Micros, Anna discovered the company were looking for a UK distributor and so, in 2004, Micro Scooters Ltd was born. With their products going from strength to strength in terms of popularity, the brave
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mumpreneurs had to quickly adapt to their new role. After all, sales were booming and neither of them had run a business before! Despite Anna’s background as a litigation lawyer and Philippa’s as a fundraiser, Philippa maintains it was the details of the industry that proved the real challenge, “From learning all about shipping and insurance to product patents, to negotiating terms with one of the biggest shops on the High Street, setting up a website, understanding payment gateways, accounts packages, pricing, selling to trade, manufacturing and much more besides!” They took to the new environment with aplomb and Micro scooters have become a craze that shows no sign of stopping, with a considerable following that includes Sarah Jessica Parker and several other celebrities. It’s partly down to the practical innovation of their scooters. “We know many business owners and product designers say their products are revolutionary. But when we starting selling the scooters to parents the response was just that – revolutionary. We were and still are constantly told how »
WINTER 2013/2014 – ISSUE 12
BEHIND THE BRAND
» the scooters make a difference to busy family lives.” But Anna and Philippa say that the real secret is much simpler. “The trick, of course, is to maintain and hopefully exceed our endorsements by keeping our product range, customer service and quality at the exceptional standard we and everyone else expect of us.”
FUTURE SCOOTING
So what’s next? Well, things have never been better for the business. Micro Scooters have been the best-selling toy in John Lewis for three years running, and have been gathering all sorts of awards over the past four years. The Micro Scooters team, now 25 strong, is always eager to build on this remarkable success, and there are several exciting goals they’re currently working toward. Foremost among these is opening up the wonderful world of scooting to older kids, teenagers and adults. The need for this became obvious as the first children to benefit from Mini Micros started to outgrow the smaller model. “We suddenly realised there was a need to create a
ISSUE 12 – WINTER 2013/2014
MICRO ARE THE ORIGINAL. AS WELL AS BEING AT THE FOREFRONT FOR SAFE SCOOTING, URBAN TRANSPORTATION AND SCOOTER ETIQUETTE, MICRO ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING TO PRODUCE NEW PRODUCTS – THEY ARE DEFINITELY THE LEADERS IN INNOVATION FOR THIS CATEGORY. scooter for this rapidly growing group. The Maxi Micro was born and has been an unprecedented success. Fondly known as the older sibling to the Mini Micro, it has the three wheels children grew up with but the flexibility to last them for longer (because of the adjustable handlebar height). With its substantial rear brake, tilt and lean steering and range of fun colours the Maxi Micro allows older children to keep on scooting.” As with any popular product, cheaper brands have sprung up. Anna warns of poor-quality imitations! “We are learning more and more about product patent law
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as we are seeing Micro Scooter copies coming into the market. These cheaply built, poorly constructed scooters posing as Micro Scooters are a new business challenge.” Still, she says, “There were and, we believe, are no other scooter brands we see as competitors – Micro are the original. As well as being at the forefront for safe scooting, urban transportation and scooter etiquette, Micro are constantly working to produce new products – they are definitely the leaders in innovation for this category.” Building on this success, Micro has pioneered stylish aluminium scooters for teens
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and grown-ups too, including a multi-terrain version and even one with a built-in suitcase! Meanwhile, Anna and Philippa’s business has begun to design and produce a wide range of accessories, which are about to be launched worldwide. Philippa is optimistic for a future where this fast, eco-friendly and fun means of transport is used by everyone for covering what she calls ‘Micro-journeys’: distances that are a bit too far to walk but not quite far enough to drive! “We feel that adult scooting is a relatively new market – especially in the UK. We would like to encourage more adults – parents, young professionals, silver surfers and everyone in between – to scoot. We are working on producing scooters that are more design-led. For example, this season we have just launched a range of floral patterned scooters and are soon to reveal more adult-focussed accessories. The world really is our oyster; we believe there is huge potential to get the UK scooting and are determined to be at the forefront of a new transformation in transportation.”
FOREFRONT OF A SCOOTER REVOLUTION!
With a bright future filled with exciting new opportunities ahead of them, Philippa and Anna are proud of the impact their business has had across the UK. “The business has grown rapidly over the past 4 years. We now find ourselves at the head of a thriving, energetic company working with inspirational people on a daily basis. We have launched numerous accessories and continue to work with Micro to develop the colour and design of the scooters it’s thrilling to think about just how far we’ve come considering we started working from the spare rooms of our houses. We are honoured and excited to be the go-to company for children and adults who want to enjoy fun outdoor adventures. We are thrilled by the awards that the scooters continue to receive, and look forward to growing and being at the forefront of a scooter revolution!” For more information on Micro Scooter products, stockists and where to buy information and the latest scooting news please visit www.micro-scooters.co.uk or twitter.com/microscooters
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EXPERT VIEWS Professor Sheena Lewis is an expert in the science of conception. Having pioneered a groundbreaking method of testing the DNA quality of sperm, called the SpermComet™ test, we catch up with Sheena to chat about DNA testing and the options available for couples trying to start a family.
or ss e of Pr WHY IS SPERM TESTING SO IMPORTANT AND HOW HAVE TESTS SUCH AS SPERM COMET COME ABOUT?
SO TELL US ABOUT THE SPERM COMET TEST, AND WHAT IT INVOLVES?
The most important thing about a sperm is that it has good, undamaged DNA. It’s the DNA that combines with the egg and makes the embryo. Most tests measuring the viability of sperm will say ‘a certain percentage of these sperm are too damaged to be viable, and a certain percentage is fine’. That’s actually neither accurate nor helpful, almost all sperm cells are slightly damaged, so what’s important is how damaged they are. Fertile men’s sperm usually have around 15% damage. Often men having problems getting their partners pregnant have more than 25%, sometimes even more than 50% damage. The SpermComet test measures the amount of damage to each individual sperm cell, making it much easier to say whether a man’s sperm will be useable or not.
A lot of it is about a change in attitudes. We’ve begun to realise that problems with conception don’t just happen to women – it’s very often to do with the man. Because of this, we need ways to test both partners. Alas, that hasn’t really worked out in practice. Men are still given poor advice, and are often excluded from clinical examination. They’re given very basic tests such as semen analysis, which has been shown to be very limited. In fact, many of these tests have been shown to be of no benefit whatsoever in finding out how successful the man is likely to be while trying to conceive.
WHAT SORT OF FACTORS CAN AFFECT A MAN’S SPERM?
There are many lifestyle choices that can affect sperm. The big ones are smoking – which is probably the worst – and drugs. Surprisingly, Viagra is among the drugs that interfere with fertility, as it makes certain processes happen to early to be useful. Other sperm-damaging substances include cannabis, which slows down sperm production as well as the sperm themselves, and alcohol, which actually makes the sperm ‘drunk’ and unable to swim in a straight line!
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HOW MIGHT DAMAGED SPERM AFFECT WOULD-BE PARENTS, ESPECIALLY SAME-SEX COUPLES?
The point is that when choosing whose sperm to use – which donor sperm in the case of lesbian couples – you’re going to be looking for the high quality sperm that’s most likely to succeed in fertilising the egg. This test enables you to do that far more effectively than you
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OTHER SPERM-DAMAGING SUBSTANCES INCLUDE CANNABIS, WHICH SLOWS DOWN SPERM PRODUCTION AS WELL AS THE SPERM THEMSELVES, AND ALCOHOL, WHICH ACTUALLY MAKES THE SPERM ‘DRUNK’ AND UNABLE TO SWIM IN A STRAIGHT LINE! would otherwise be able to. Some of the very best healthcare is in Scandinavia, where DNA testing is standard protocol. We are a bit backward in the UK, but if we were to follow their example then there’d be no question about doing this sort of test. The NHS doesn’t provide extensive fertility work, so many couples have to use expensive private clinics. That being said, it actually makes sense to go for the test either way. You want to make sure you get the right kind of treatment, after all. Ultimately, a lot of it is down to the fact it’s quite a recent procedure, and both doctors and patients tend to be quite slow to adopt new practices.
WHERE WOULD BE THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE THE SPERM COMET TEST?
There are lots of ways! You can go to your GP or your fertility doctor and ask them to refer you. If you are in London, you can provide a sample at The Doctors Laboratory (www.tdlpathology.com) The sample will be sent to us and we’ll have the result in 7 days. There are also a number of clinics working with us, so even if you can’t get to us directly it’s easy to have a batch sent over.
HOW MUCH WOULD THE PROCEDURE COST SOMEONE WHO CHOSE TO UNDERGO IT?
It depends a bit on the clinic, but generally it’d be somewhere around £300, which is really not much, especially when you consider that a failed IVF cycle typically costs between £5,000 and £7,000, and that sperm damage is incredibly under diagnosed – in fact, our research has found that DNA damage accounts for about 80% of previously unexplained cases of infertility. It’s a very common problem, so getting tested for it could well save you both massive expense and terrible heartbreak.
CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE MORE REVOLUTIONARY PROCEDURES LIKE THIS IN FUTURE?
I can’t say too much, but our university-based team is working on other sperm tests. What we’ve done so far helps to fund even more progress, which will hopefully continue to make a positive impact in helping couples to begin their parenting journey. Sheena Lewis is Professor of Reproductive Medicine, Queens University Belfast, Chair British Andrology Society, Co-ordinator, ESHRE Special Interest group in Andrology and Co-author of British Fertility Society Andrology guidelines, 2013
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Saving valuable time, money and heartache For more information or to book your next generation test visit www.lewisfertilitytesting.com
EXPERT VIEWS Dr. Gad Lavy, internationally acclaimed reproductive physician and founder of New England Fertility is recognised for building families through gestational surrogacy and egg donation. Here he talks us through the third-party reproduction process at NE Fertility.
ASK AN AT QUESTREINOTING.com
PINK-PA
THIRD-PARTY REPRODUCTION: A GUIDE FOR SAME SEX COUPLES
A
t New England Fertility we offer same sex (gay and lesbian) couples our help in achieving their dream of starting a family. Treatments options include artificial insemination with donor sperm (AID) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) using donor sperm for female couples and egg donation and gestational surrogacy for gay male couples.
In such cases, eggs are harvested from one partner and then they are d in our laboratory with donor sperm, and with the resulting embryos being placed in the uterus of the other partner.
FERTILITY OPTIONS FOR LESBIAN COUPLES:
FERTILITY OPTIONS FOR GAY (MALE) COUPLES:
We offer same sex female (lesbian) couples two primary fertility/ pregnancy options: Artificial insemination with donor sperm and In vitro with donor sperm We work with several reputable national sperm banks, or alternatively, couples can choose their own sperm donor. Once a patient chooses a sperm donor sample, the sperm is then shipped to our laboratory and safely stored in our onsite cryobank. While choosing a donor, the patient will undergo a fertility evaluation to determine the treatment plan (natural cycle, ovulation therapy, or IVF). IVF is indicated if the partner who wishes to conceive suffers from blockage of her fallopian tubes or other conditions affecting the fallopian tubes. Also in cases where one female partner wishes to provide the eggs and the other is interested in carrying the pregnancy.
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Gay couples looking to have children will require the services of an egg donor, as well as a gestational carrier (surrogate), who will carry the pregnancy. It is possible to use the sperm of one or both partners to fertilze the egg. Here is our 6-Step Fertility Process for male couples.
STEP 1. INITIAL CONSULTATION:
Before you begin the process, you will meet with me and my egg donation and surrogacy team. We will review your medical records and discuss the process to you. You will also be assigned a patient care coordinator, who will navigate you through each step. In addition, you will meet with a NEF financial counsellor, who will review the fees associated with the process and discuss your insurance coverage and financing options.
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STEP 2. EGG DONOR SELECTION:
We will ask you to list the important characteristics you are seeking in an egg donor and you will be given access to our online egg donor database, where you can view profiles and pictures of egg donors. Our patient care coordinators will assist you in finding an egg donor who meets your criteria.
STEP 3. GESTATIONAL CARRIER SELECTION:
We work with several surrogacy agencies that specialise in finding women who are willing to serve as surrogates. These agencies also perform background checks on prospective candidates and handle the necessary paperwork (legal contract). Our thirdparty reproduction team then completes the medical and psychological evaluation and prepares the gestational carrier for her cycle.
STEP 4. EVALUATION AND COUNSELLING OF THE INTENDED PARENTS:
Both male partners are required by the FDA in the United States, to undergo screening for infectious diseases. In addition, sperm is collected, tested, and stored at our cryobank to be used for of the eggs.
call us on
+44 (0)843 2895844
STEP 5. CONSENTS AND LEGAL CONTRACT: Gestational surrogacy laws
vary from state to state and from country to country. Surrogates for same sex couples are chosen from “surrogate friendly” states that allow the names of the intended parents to be on the birth certificate, thus obviating the need for adoption. Before proceeding with surrogacy, a formal contract is drawn up between the gestational carrier and the intended parents which covers all issues related to the treatment and the pregnancy. An escrow account is kept with a lawyer to cover the gestational carrier’s costs, which are typically covered by medical insurance.
STEP 6. THE PROCEDURE: If frozen donor eggs are chosen, we would
thaw the frozen eggs and fertilize with the sperm of one or both partners. Three to five days after fertilization, we would transfer the embryo(s) into the uterus of the gestational carrier. The identity of the donor does not need to be known, but the identity of the carrier always is. Once the pregnancy has been confirmed, the carrier is monitored for 6-8 weeks here. We will work with you, the gestational carrier, and the obstetrician to ensure a smooth transition.
INTERNATIONAL SERVICES:
We welcome male couples from countries where fertility services are not available or are restricted. In these cases, the majority of the process can be accomplished remotely – with the evaluation and sperm collection and testing performed at a clinic in the couple’s native country and the sperm samples shipped to us for storage and then later use. Despite the fact that the couples do not need to present in the U.S. for any part of the procedure, we encourage couples to meet the carrier, be present for the embryo transfer, and of course attend the birth of the baby. To learn more about third-party reproduction at New England Fertility, or for a complimentary international Skype consultation with Dr. Lavy, please send an email to info@nefertility.com.
or e-mail us at
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RECRUITING FOR 2014 WANTED FREELANCE ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE G&J MEDIA Key Objectives To sell display advertising from your home over or other location within one (or more, if required) of G&J Media’s titles/projects. Working to volume and revenue targets, the role involves selling direct to clients and to advertising agencies. The role-handler is expected to working within the framework of targets and publishing deadlines, actively source new revenue streams, and positively represent both G&J Media and it’s corresponding commercial brands at all times to build strong relationships. We are always looking for enthusiastic people to join us. If you feel that you can add to our success and want to be appreciated for your effort, send a CV and a brief overview of what you believe you can add to info@pink-parenting.com
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AND FINALLY...
ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION
The Elton John Aids Foundation recently celebrated it’s 20th anniversary in the fight to eradicate the devastating disease and along with EJAF in the US, has raised over £225 million in a bid create an AIDS free future for everyone in the world.
F
ounded in 1993 by musician and original Pink Parent, Sir Elton John, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to support innovative preventions, education programs, direct care and support services to people living with HIV and AIDS. The organisation supports its work through proceeds from special events, causerelated marketing projects and voluntary contributions. The reality of the epidemic today is that the people who are most at risk of infection and illness have been historically denied quality healthcare and continue to face discrimination. They are poor people, people of colour, people who are LGBT and people who use drugs. Medical treatment has progressed significantly, and yet, attitudes toward these communities, and the treatment of them, are preventing society from implementing measures that could essentially eradicate the epidemic. The organisation was inspired by Elton’s young friend, Ryan White, a young AIDS sufferer infected by a blood transfusion, who died in the early 90s. Ryan’s personable and compassionate persona helped to achieve the tolerance and acceptance towards sufferers of the disease. The organisation continues this effort.
EJAF.COM
EJAF
LOVEISINMYBLOOD
ELTONJOHNAIDSFOUNDATION
Neither this publication nor its contents constitute an explicit endorsement by G&J Media of the products or services mentioned in advertising or editorial content. The editorial content in this publication does not necessarily represent policies or recommendations of G&J Media. This publication is not intended to be exhaustive. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, G&J Media shall not have any liability for errors or omissions. Readers who have questions should consult their healthcare providers or other competent sources of information and guidance. © 2013 All copyright G&J Media unless otherwise stated. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
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