Connect Lifestyle March 2020

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EDITOR'S NOTE Hello and welcome to Connect Its March... International Women’s day March 8th. Mother’s Day March 22nd all in all it’s a great month to be a woman really. We chat to some amazing businesswomen and wonderful mums too. All busy ladies.

We chat to Mario Rosenstock who is making his way to Killarney this month and a show not to be missed, he is a nice guy so put it in your diary.

Its also the time of year where people start looking at revamping the home, new kitchens, a fresh paint to those wintery bedrooms or even a new bathroom, we check out some ideas for you.

By the time you are reading this our Connect Hair and Beauty Awards will have happened on March 1st and we will have an amazing feature in the next issue of Connect showcasing all our winners and finalists and of course all the glam and fun from the day.

So, sit back relax and enjoy your favourite monthly read and don’t forget if there is something happing in your life or your area that you would like to share with us, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Until next time...

Mags x

Editor: Margaret Kissane Print: Kingdom Printers Photography: John Walsh Photography 066 7123777 Email: info@johnwalsh.ie | www.johnwalsh.ie Contributors: Marcas Mac Domhnaill, John Canty, Marisa Reidy, Caroline Smith, Lisa Curran, Aine Fitzgerald, Dr Deirdre Fanning.

Beauty Editor: Romy Birdthistle For Advertising Enquiries: Margaret: 086 2408237 sales@connectpublications.ie For Editorial Enquiries: info@connectpublications.ie Website: www.connectpublications.ie

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Mario Rosenstock

By Marisa Reidy HIS unrivalled comic ability and hilarious impersonations of some Ireland’s best known celebs have made Mario Rosenstock a household name among breakfast radio listeners. But the man behind the much loved characters is refreshingly modest about his success and says he feels blessed to be able to do something he genuinely loves every day.

you’re dying to do this and you can’t wait to show them something. Even though I’m on the radio 47 or 48 weeks a year, this is the thing that I love doing the most.”

in school plays and we worked hard at them,” Mario explained, “After that I just said, ‘right that’s it’ and I definitely knew this was what I wanted to do.”

Mario reveals that his love of impersonation began at a very young age, when he noticed how putting on skits in front of his family got quite the reaction.

From there, Mario followed his dream of joining Trinity Players Drama Society, as he knew plenty of Irish directors and actors had come through that society.

Having been in the comedy game for over 20 years, Mario has some truly fascinating stories to tell – from his somewhat fortuitous introduction to Today FM to an unforgettable evening spent sipping wine with football legend Jose Mourinho - who invited him to Chelsea to impersonate him!

“I always revelled in being watched when I was young and performing and putting on skits in front of my parents. I loved doing impressions of my auntie and my uncle in front of my family when I was about five or six,” he said. “I got amazingly positive feedback and even though I was very small, I knew that I could make big people turn their heads to watch. And when you’re small, the idea of turning big people in their tracks is a big deal.”

“I went straight into Players and did 15 or 16 plays in four years and absolutely sucked it all up and adored it,” Mario explained.

After years on stage, Mario got his first big TV break when he caught the eye of an agent from the now renowned Lisa Richards Agency, which led to a part on Glenroe.

As he prepares to bring his live show to Killarney’s INEC on March 21st, the Today FM star tells Connect that is relishing the opportunity to do ‘what he was born to do.’

“I am really looking forward to it. The live show for me is the perfect storm – the perfect combination of what I do,” Mario explained. “I think part of being a good performer is that the people watching you know that you’re loving being there and that it isn’t a job for you – it’s that 4 | Connect Kerry | March 2020

But while he knew he could get the reaction from his seemingly innocent skits, Mario says he didn’t realise he wanted to be a performer until much later.

“I was a bit of a pleaser, I was good at school and good at tennis, but I never focussed on performing until I turned about 14. I got into school acting because of a great teacher who got me involved

“An agent came to one of the plays and left a letter on the board for me. There were no emails or mobile phones back then remember, so they left a letter that said ‘we happen to think you’re a really great actor.’ I couldn’t believe it. This was like the best thing that had ever happened to me. It’s like something you imagine in your sleep. It’s like that thing of being discovered.”

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Connect | Lifestyle He laughs when he recalls his family’s reaction to being cast as the new doctor on what was then RTE’s biggest show.

management got in touch and asked if I did any more of those funny voices and I said: ‘You better believe I do.”

“I was 21 and I got the part, which of course delighted my grandparents. I mean Glenroe was Jesus Christ in those days - it was everything.”

Such was the reaction to Mario’s initial call that radio bosses met with him and Gift Grub was created – and the rest, as they say, is history!

A staggering 21 years on, Mario is still making people laugh with his uncanny impersonations of some of Ireland’s best know personalities from the world of sport, politics and entertainment everyone from Roy Keane, Mick McCarthy and Ronan O’Gara to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Bertie Ahern, Michael Flatley and Miriam O’Callaghan.

During and after his time on Glenroe, Mario also spent many years on stage and starred in a few films –and again laughs at how he naively believed that one film with renowned actress Mia Farrow would be his route to international stardom.

After that film I said to myself: “I’m sorted.

That’s me. I’ve made my breakthrough,” he laughs. “l said wait until they see my beautiful face and hear my beautiful voice. Just wait until the announcement of the world’s greatest actor happens...

Well it just didn’t happen like that. I just went back to my flat where I waited for my phone to ring.”

Ironically, it was while waiting in his flat that his amazing opportunity with Today FM came to pass...albeit somewhat fortuitously!

“When I eventually moved out of my house, I was living with two girls from New Zealand and one of these girls had a job at this station, which had just turned its name to Today FM from Radio Ireland,” Mario explained.

“She would hear me going round the house doing Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness impersonations, or Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair, and I used to keep them up laughing all night. She got me to ring in the breakfast show one morning and pretend to be Gerry Adams giving out about a Britney Spears song and people rang in and said it was hilarious. Then 6 | Connect Kerry |March 2020

While he admits that some of his muses still hate his impersonations, the feedback in general is hugely positive. He believes most see it as a form of flattery.

“Some people are actually delighted, they’re flattered by it. If you’re on Gift Grub you’re more famous than if you weren’t so in a sense it’s a nod to you,” Mario surmises.

“So I walked into a room dressed as Jose Mourinho, talking to his team. It was surreal. I was absolutely pale with worry, but he took it great. The gig itself wasn’t that fantastic though because there were only about 30 people there and only about 12 of them spoke English. They were looking at me with glazed eyes saying who is this eejit?”

It didn’t seem to deter ‘The Gaffer’ however, as he sent all his players to bed and he and Mario stayed up and shared a bottle of wine!

“It turned out he had listened to all my other stuff on the CD, like Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane, and he loved it. So it brought out the child in him. He was giggling away like a young fella.”

Such was the success of Mario’s Gift Grub that RTE soon came knocking, inviting him to host his own TV show. That kicked off in 2012 and ran until 2015, but Mario admits that while he loved the experience, the show proved too difficult to produce on a number of levels.

The most surprising seal of approval of all, however, came from former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, who loved Mario’s work so much that he invited him to perform an intimate gig at the London club.

“I was the first one to do sketches of Jose and so Damien Duff, who was playing for Ireland and Chelsea at the time, brought my CDs over the Chelsea and Jose loved it,” Mario explained. “He particularly loved the songs because he apparently used to drive his kids to school and they’d all be singing the songs in the car.

“So one day, the phone rang and it’s the director of communications at Chelsea who said ‘would you like to come over and entertain The Gaffer and the team’. I couldn’t believe it. I definitely thought it was a prank call.”

Five days later, however, Mario was on a plane to London to meet the man he had mimicked for years – and one of the most noted managers in the English premiership.

“With sketch comedy on TV, the material is eaten up so quickly - it devours it - and basically there’s only so much you can do. It’s extremely expensive to produce and as you may have noticed, RTE ran out of money, so for me to be going around standing in wigs with a cast of people to do sketches that last 10 seconds isn’t going to happen,” he joked. “The reality is, I might spend from 9am to 6pm standing in a factory in a dress with fake rain pouring, surrounded by 50 people, and it might be 20 seconds on camera.

You just can’t make enough material. It’s too hard.”

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Connect | Lifestyle His Sunday Roast radio show on Today FM, however, is something that he absolutely loves – his busman’s holiday as he calls it.

When not ‘working’ Mario loves to make time for his two children, and especially his wife.

“We have two really eager beaver kids – aged 10 and 7 – so they consume our time, but myself and Blathnaid get out once a week. We always have date night, get out together just on our own to have a bottle of wine and a meal together. As well as that, we both love walking and I play tennis all the time. But again, as far as work is concerned, I picked something in life that I love doing so ‘turning off’ is not an expression I understand too much.”

“I love it. It’s my only chance not to be someone else –a time when I can be myself. I mean, I’m using the same brain as I have to do the sketches, except I’m just being curious about the people I’m talking to. I adore that holiday away from myself – it’s like a holiday away from your work.”

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When asked what visitors to the INEC can expect from his show on March 21st, Mario said it is ‘basically a greatest hits show, modernised.’

“We have picked some of the best sketches from the radio of the past 20 years and some of the best bits from the live shows of the last 10 years and we’ve put them all together and have updated material as well to put it in between everything,” he said

“I’m still working on the finishing touches, but at the minute I’m looking at people laughing every 10 seconds, so we’re trying to get that down to eight,” he joked. *A limited number of tickets for Mario’s live e show are still available from the INEC box office

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RECOGNISING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY As the opening week of March winds to a close we come to one of the most important and celebrated events of the year, International Women’s Day. To mark the occasion, we at Connect have compiled the achievements of successful women around Kerry. We will hear their stories, their struggles, their path to success, and their ambitions for the future. We hope you will join us as we learn about and through these powerful women.

Each of the women that share a part of themselves here is successful in what they have set out do. I hope you will enjoy hearing their stories as much as I have, and glean as much inspiration, hope, and wonderment as is there to be gleaned.

Olivia Dunne The first businesswoman I spoke to was Olivia Dunne. Specialising in spiritual healing, Dunne performs healing sessions designed to de-stress the mind and body with her business Healing for Well-being. She spoke about people's reaction to her practice, saying that the public perception is positive. She also told of the benefits of this practice, “We have to work on a lot of things at an emotional level and I think that’s where we need to work for things like depression and things like that, I think that is where they stem from.”

On the topic of what led her to this line of work she said, “Just my own journey through life. I just went to a healing session myself once and just realised the benefit. It releases a lot of internal stress that the body kind of holds onto and releases that naturally.”

She gave advice to people who have not yet tried spiritual healing, saying “Just keep an open mind really.” and citing its benefits “It activates your bodies natural sense of healing so it is a very natural technique and sometimes stress is built up so much in your body that you need something to release the stress. If you don’t, you’re just going to get more overwhelmed and burnt out so sometimes it really is the only option to release it.”

Olivia Dunne provides spiritual-healing to her clients, helping them to discover more about themselves and, as she says, “reach their full potential.”

Mary Lucey Mary Lucey is the principle of the Kerry College of Further Education and Training. She has worked in education for many years and has been very successful. She exemplifies the successful businesswoman, utilising contacts and socialising to meet new faces and get more people in the college's door. She is consistently hard-working, motivated and more than that carries out all of her work with a great humour and poise.

Speaking about her work she said that she finds it “very rewarding to be part of such a progressive and visionary organisation who are making strides in the provision of further education and training in the county and beyond.” She continued, stating that e arlier in her career she “initiated a number of local, regional and national initiatives to promote gender balance; inclusion and an awareness of specific educational/career sectors.”

To people who are aspiring to be successful, she said “I think success should be measured by how happy you are in your career rather than the position or the amount you earn. If you love going to in to work each day, then I believe you have a successful career.”

These sentiments were echoed as she mentioned some points she believes are important to becoming successful at something you are passionate about, she said “Do what you love to do. Work hard; if you love what you are doing – this will never be a problem.

Appreciate and value people’s time that they give you, it is the most precious commodity as they can never get that time back.”

She mentioned too her journey to where she is today, “In college, I honestly did not know what I wanted to do. It was quite by accident that I followed the teaching/education route.” The discovery of her passion for teaching was integral to the direction she decided to take in her life “I loved the satisfaction when my students progressed and successfully reached their own potential.”

To this day, her passion and love for education has not waned. Mary still feels privileged to be a part of the growth that one experiences through learning, “To this day, I am full of enthusiasm and pride when I see a student transforming – academically, socially and personally – throughout the year as they complete a course in Kerry College. As long as I continue to get this feeling, I know I am working in the right role!”

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Tara Donoghue Tara Donoghue runs her own photography company, Tara Donoghue Photography. While mainly being a wedding photographer, she has recently branched out, lending her camera skills to a film called ‘Abbey Leaks’ that was filmed in Tralee and has been presented at various film festivals around the world. She is most definitely successful at what she does, and rapidly involving herself with more projects, remaining a wedding photographer and into other arms of the industry. Tara thinks that “perseverance and determination” are the most important qualities to being able to become successful. “Some days will be tougher than others,” she says “but you have to keep going and celebrate the small wins as well as the big ones” She spoke about oversaturation in the photography industry, “There is a common misconception that the camera does the work and that as a photographer you just ‘press the button’.” And mentioned there are other very important skills in her line of work “You must also be a people person and interact well, making people feel comfortable when you are putting a camera in their face!”

Tara’s personal levels of perseverance shone through while she was speaking about accepting rejection a pushing through it, “If you receive a few “No’s” keep trying. I got turned away so many times when starting out!” Upskilling is an important part of Tara’s success, “Take as many courses as you can! I have trained all over the world and I still get excited about going to learn from other photographers. I don’t think you should ever stop learning.” This can be applied not just to photography, but any line of work. She believes that learning to improve and accepting that there are things that you can improve on is integral to becoming successful.

Without a doubt, one of the most difficult balances to strike in the 21st century is the balance of your work life and family life. When asked how she finds this balance, Tara replied “I get up at 5am,” and added “I work for two hours before my boys wake, then I organise their breakfast and get them off to school/playschool. Then it's back to the office for a few hours of admin, editing or marketing before collecting them and the madness starts all over again.” She is very thankful that she is able to work with her husband and Diana, a designer that they hired last year, working with them means they are “able to tailor parts of our business to each of our strengths, means that we can run a very efficient service for our clients and keep them returning for photographs long after their wedding day!”

International Women’s Day is one of the most important annual events of the year. A celebration in which we look back at the successes of great and successful women, what they have done, what challenges they’ve overcome, and what they aspire to do in the future. In any case, I hope that you celebrate it this year in the best way that you know how, and keep in mind the successes of all the women that I have spoken to above, I hope we will get to celebrate their successes in the future as their businesses evolve and grow.

Jasmine Boutique Jasmine Boutique was openend in March 2010 by Diane Jeffers from Ardfert. Diane always dreamed of having her own women’s boutique having worked for many years In the Fashion Industry in Boston and New York. When Diane returned to her native Kerry in 2005 she put her plans in motion and now Jasmine celebrates it’s 10th year in business and has become one of the best known boutiques in the County for its Customer Service in the special occasion wear arena and have recently added Communion Dresses to the collection for that little princess in your life !! Diane credits the staff of the boutique in making it all that it is today , and customer feedback tells her that it’s the smile and attention to detail , from the staff, whether it’s accessories or the in-house tailoring ;that keeps them coming back for each occasion outfit !! Visit our new web shop jasminetralee.com to see our beautiful new collections ! Diane xx

Helen O'Sullivan Helen is the third generation of O Sullivan’s in their family bakery located in Killorglin. Having completed a Food Business degree in UCC she joined her father in the bakery over 20 years agotaking over completely in 2009 after the birth of her first daughter. A busy lifestyle Helen is a mother to three girls, volunteers in many community groups in Killorglin as well as being involved in the local basketball club who compete in the Basketball Ireland Super League. O Sullivan’s bakery is Kerry largest plant bakery located on the outskirts of Killorglin town, the bakery has expanded over the past number of years most recently taking over O Shea’s bakery in Milltown following retirement of the O Shea family as well as taking over distribution in Killarney and East Kerry which was before that contracted out. There are currently 24 employees in the bakery and their products are distributed by another five people in locations out of their service.

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‘People see us as just bankers, but we are more than that.

We fight for every customer’

By Marisa Reidy SUNDAY, March 8th is International Women’s Day – a day where we celebrate the wonderful achievements of women everywhere, not least in the workforce.

In Bank of Ireland here in Kerry, two women are certainly breaking barriers, proudly filing the roles of Tralee Branch Manager and the Head of BOI Banking in Kerry for the first time ever.

Clare native Deirdre Twomey was appointed Head of Banking in Kerry for Bank of Ireland in August 2018, while Kilcummin’s Marguerite Lynch took up the role of Tralee branch manager in January 2020 – positions which were, up to now, held by men.

Interestingly, both women admit to entering the banking sector somewhat by default. Clare, a former discus thrower for Ireland, gave up a career in health and leisure after being bitten by the banking bug as a college student, while Marguerite found her love for the industry after getting a summer job – a mere stepping stone which she believed would teach her the basic skills to get by as she realised dream of travelling the world.

either party.

You only have to speak with these women for a matter of minutes to feel the passion both have for their roles and to see that there are certainly no regrets by

Deirdre explained to Connect that she first started working for Bank of Ireland in Tralee while studying Health and Leisure at the ITT. It was in 1998 when a summer job was supposed to last from July to September. Deirdre laughs as she explains that things didn’t quite work out that way.

“It started as a summer job but I really loved it here and I decided not to go back to health and leisure,” she explained, “I had actually worked in the Brandon Hotel gym and the West Country gym and I suppose 14 | Connect Kerry |March 2020

I had sort of done as much as the degree was going to allow me, unless I went on and qualified as a PE teacher.”

That wasn’t in her plan, so in 1999 Deirdre took up a permanent position in Killarney - a role she loved.

“In Killarney, there was a great team of us. I loved serving customers, looking after people and, day in day out, it was different,” she said. “I never saw myself working in the bank as I was so into athletics and used to throw the discus for Ireland. I was always gone on athletics meats and always training, so never in a month of Sundays did I think I’d be in an office.”

Over the next 20 years, Deidre worked her way up through the system, from the floor to customer service to business advisor, mortgage specialist and sales manager.

“I came to Tralee for a while as staff manager and sales manager and then went back to Killarney as branch manager about 6 years ago. From there, I went to Limerick for 2 years as area manager and came back down to take up the head of county role,” she said. “The one thing about working in Bank of Ireland is that it’s a brilliant place if you want to progress your education. So I went on to become a qualified financial advisor, and then the next step is the professional banker. “ Being the first woman to be appointed to the prestigious role of Head of Banking in Kerry for Bank of Ireland is something Deirdre is very proud of.

“It’s the first time a woman has taken over the area manager’s role in Kerry and to be the first woman to do that is great and a nice achievement I felt I had accomplished,” she said.

With that appointment, however, comes great responsibility, she says.

“No day is the same, but I’m here to look after the 9 branch locations in Kerry and make sure the teams I have a round me are motivated, happy, encouraged and supported - and that in turn they are all looking after their teams,” she said.

“Ultimately, it’s my job to make sure that the customer who comes through the door or rings you on the phone is being

looked after, so my role is to make sure that each of our locations is looking after our customers and community. That is basically making sure the branches are looking after every single customer – its’ as simple as that.”

Marguerite Lynch meanwhile, is another

lady scaling great heights in Bank of Ireland in Kerry, having been appointed to the role of Tralee branch manager in January of this year. Like Deirdre, she too admits that although her mother worked for the bank, she never intended on pursuing a career in the sector.

“I came in after school, again as a summer job, but my plan was to go travelling. I thought that the experience I gained from the bank would help open doors when I went abroad, so that really was my plan,” she said. “So I suppose my route here was by default .

Like Deirdre, Marguerite was bitten by the banking bug and having come in initially after finishing school, she began her permanent role in Macroom and worked her way up.

“I joined the bank in 2000 and worked in a lot of branches throughout Cork and Kerry over the years, and I firmly believe that is probably the thing that stands most to me in my career - working with different people, with different personalities in different towns and different sectors of business.”, Having moved up the ranks over the years, Marguerite took a break from the sector for three years, so was justifiably proud when she came back to Tralee in January 2020 as branch manager. It serves as inspiration, she says, that hard work pays off.

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Connect | Lifestyle “When I came back to Tralee, I had been out of the bank for 3 years, so I was probably the bottom of the pile, number 50 on a holiday list,” she explained. “So it was wonderful coming back in January 2020 as branch manager and I will always say to the younger staff coming up the line that there are massive opportunities there. These things can happen if you can work hard along the way.”

Asked what they would consider to be the biggest challenges they face in their

respective roles, both ladies unanimously agree that staff morale and customer service are key: “For me, keeping staff moral and staff engagement up can get stressful,” Deirdre told Connect. “Even the front line staff have their stresses and challenges so it’s making sure they feel they can talk to you and the team around you. There’s a huge amount of responsibility on us as people managers to make sure they are looked after”

Work Bench - Bank of Ireland

Marguerite agrees, wholeheartedly: “The main challenge I face is balancing the happy customer and happy staff,” she said. “It’s just making sure that the customer walking in the door is happy with Bank of Ireland. We also strive to embed that in our team as well, so customer service would be one of the most important things in our business here. Part of the challenge too, of course, is keeping a team motivated.”

The rewards of working at Bank of Ireland far outweigh the challenges, however, with both ladies admitting that they get very invested in their customers’ stories and needs.

“When I worked directly with customers it was very fulfilling because you would be directly involved so you get very invested. We honestly get as invested in a mortgage or a business start up as the customer and it’s so good when it all works out. But equally, when it doesn’t work, you are there to make sure than plan is there for them for 6 months time,” Deirdre said. “In my new role, I hope I would be empathetic and I love being able to support people and make work life as happy as it can.”

Marguerite says that the rewards for her are numerous, not least seeing her staff progress.

“I suppose it’s working with your team and your colleagues and seeing the strengths in somebody who may not know that they

have that strength themselves. And like Deirdre said, we become very invested in our customers, even if people have this concept that we don’t. It’s funny, I always said that I’d love to be in a job where I’m helping somebody and now I see that I actually am. We are making a difference.

We might be known as ‘bankers’ but we are so much more than that – we fight for every single customer and everything that comes across our desk. “ As these women continue to blaze a trail in the banking sector in Kerry, Deirdre laughs as she recalls some of the ‘unconscious bias’ experienced by women in the senior positions in the past.

Thankfully, she says, it’s far less of an issue now.

“I wouldn’t say I ever encountered anything ‘negative’ but l so remember a funny experience when a customer wanted to speak with the manager in Tralee one day. I came out to speak with her and she asked me: ‘So, where is he? ‘ There are still some people who, when they see a man in a suit with you, assume he’s the manager and automatically greet him first, but I think that’s more of an unconscious bias rather than anything negative or intentional,” Deirdre said.

“For the first 10 years of my working life, every single one of my line managers bar one was male. Thankfully, that is changing. Now, within the heads of county roles in Munster it’s half and half and of course our CEO of Bank of Ireland is female so things are certainly changing.”

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Beauty Tips

By Romy

Romy Birdthistle, makeup hoarder, beauty enthusiast and owner of New Salon Paradise Beauty Tralee. With over 12 years in the beauty industry. I'm here to share my best tips and tricks when it comes to beauty makeup and skincare. For any questions, information or news on my fun makeup classes just email me makeupbyromyb@ gmail.com

Time for a Spring Clean

Spring is almost upon us thanfully and will hopefully bring an end to our dull weather and with Spring usually comes a bit of a spring clean. Your makeup bag should definitely be included in this clean out. Very Few people are aware that makeup actually comes with a shelf life. Most Products have a PAO (period after opening) which should act as a guideline of how long you should us each product for. You've probably seen this symbol on your makeup products without actually realising what is was referring to.

Every product is different and you'll find each individually marked and it's best to go by these. Your expired makeup can also start to harbour bacteria. When it comes to your skin, this can mean irritation and bumps that look like acne. When it comes to your eyes this bacterial build-up can actually cause infection and pink eye.

The products you want to be most cautious of would be those containing oil such as foundations, concealers, mascaras etc.

If stored correctly (cool dark area, free from damp) then you can expect up to 12 months shelf life from foundations. I dont reccomend keeping them any longer than that as they start to separate and stop working as they would have when first purchased. If you are in the market for a new foundation then you should try the L.A Girl illuminating pro coverage foundation . I love the glowy finish with this foundation, you can pick it up in costellos pharmacy In my opionion mascara is the product thatyou need be most vigilant about the expiry dates. About 6 months is the amount of time you should keep your opened mascara for. If you’re in the market for a new one then the Maybelline The Falsies Instant lash lift look mascara is fab, it gives volume and length with no clumps and it doesnt smear. Available in pharmacies Concealer is another product that would need to be regularly changed, you aare looking at about 12 months or so again and should be stored in the same way as your foundation. I have found that concealers with a creamy consistancyy will usually seperate when they have gone off and they wont sit nicely on the skin, it can also cause breakouts and congestion. I recently picked up the Note Cosmetics BB cream and i love it as a daytime concealer, its really lightweight and perfect for the undereye. Available in sam mccauleys and CH Chemist

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Sharing my experience...

Meet the team Bina Dinan

Over 20 years age. I walked into my first WW workshop and never looked back. I was getting married in 14 months and wanted to feel comfortable and confident on our special day. It’s a decision I will never forget or regret as WW has changed my life completely.

It’s a tough journey but my coach and the class members at the time made me realise that anything is possible. And with the right help, information and support dreams really do come true and for me WW ticked all those boxes! I lost 7st 1lb and felt a million dollars walking down that isle! Over the years I continued to be a WW member and when they approached me to become a coach myself I jumped at the opportunity. I wanted to share what I've learned over the years, to help others believe you can achieve anything you put your mind to and learn to love yourself again and feel and look amazing in mind and body.

WW works it's not about perfection it’s about being real. there will be lots of twists and turns on your journey...I'm with you every step of the way never give up on yourself...becoming a coach was the best decision I've made because I've been there and totally believe 100% that you can do this, if I can do it anyone can.

Mags Savage Bell

When I joined weight watchers back in 2007 I dreaded walking in the door. The main dread I had was “would I be the heaviest there “and I’d be sitting there all alone feeling embarrassed and isolated. It was the total opposite in fact. From taking the 1st step on the scales it was a very warm and friendly environment and I knew there and then I’d made the right decision. All the members there made me feel so welcome and I felt part of a group straight away. There and then, I was hooked to my weekly classes straight away and I’ve never looked back. I never gave up on my goal of leading a healthier happier life and thankfully with the help and support of WW I successfully lost 7stone 4lbs. WW works because it’s real, and it’s flexible.

20 | Connect Kerry |Feb 2020

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Meet the team Stephanie Smith

I have been a member of Weight Watchers for more than six years and had often thought of the possibility of being a Weight Watchers coach but my confidence was very low and I didn't think I had what it took to stand in front of a class of people and try to motivate and inspire them to on their journey. That was until I was approached by my leader and offered the opportunity to begin training as a coach.

The thought that she believed in me and believed that I had the qualities and attributes needed to help others gave me courage to apply to become a Weight Watchers coach and I'm so glad I did.

I absolutely love being a coach, the members are amazing and the meetings are always filled with laughter as well as understanding and encouragement between the members, it's like a little family supporting each other. The camaraderie between the members is second to none and so important on a journey that can, at times, be difficult.

Stephanie weight loss to date is 13 stone 5 and a half lbs.

Mary Mahony

The crucial support I have received from WW since I began my journey back in 2002 weight wise and in many other ways has brought so much joy to my life and I’d like to share it with others. I believe I can now journey with people as a grateful, passionate coach to achieve their goals in time with patience and respect and compassion.

Connect Kerry | Feb 2020 | 21

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THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME Hi Everyone So, who will join me and admit to spending endless hours (and buckets of imaginary money) decorating and redecorating their house in their heads? It’s great!! The sky is the limit in this make-believe game of home improvements. In reality it’s daunting as you feel that your grand scale dreams are financially unattainable. Fear not, here’s a few ideas for revamping your home that won’t break the bank (too much).

FRONT DOORWAY

Don’t underestimate the power of a fabulous front door.

It is the first impression visitors get of your home so make it a good one.

Check out these amazing doors from Weather Master Kerry If replacing your door is not an option why not paint the existing door? A fresh coat of a new colour can do wonders for an old, tired door and it’s easy on the pocket too.

You can also replace the door hardware to liven up the appearance of your doorway. New knockers, hinges and letterboxes are all easily replaced to give your door a new joi de vivre.

HALLWAYS

If you’re anything like me, your hallway is also a dumping ground for shoes, coats and any other item to hand when you come in the door.

Stop the neglect and treat your hallway to the makeover it deserves as the first space your guests see upon entering your home.

Clear the clutter- Invest in practical yet eye catching storage solutions such as console tables with drawers, benches that open up to store shoes and also coat stands or hooks.

Light

Your hallway may or may not have Windows or a natural light source. If not, opt for a beautiful overhead fixture or soft wall sconces to ensure your hallway is well lit day or night.

I love these sconces from Lane Brothers Homestore

Mirrors

A large mirror on one wall will bounce light around a space like nothing else, making your hallway appear vibrant and spacious. On a practical level a hall mirror is much used for a last second glance before leaving the house or answering the door.

Stair Runners

Laying a stylish stair runner can have as much or as little impact as you choose. You have the best of both with the effect of the textured, cosy carpeted area and the exposed wood at the sides.

Slatterys Carpet and Blind Store do it to perfection ( pics below).

KITCHENS

A kitchen renovation can seem overwhelming and expensive but doesn’t need to be. Modest updates to your current room can have a huge effect for minimal effort.

PRESSES- Buying new presses may not be viable right now, so why not update the ones you have? Painting and staining the doors and drawers gives them an immediate and relatively inexpensive facelift.

COUNTER TOP- Replace your counter top … easy peasy. Aim for something neutral and durable for functionality in this hardest working area. Faux marble is so on trend at the minute.

Faux wood is a classic choice that won’t date.

Replace knobs, handles etc et voila!!!!

APPLIANCES- Kitchen appliances have a lifespan of 13-15 years apparently. If your budget allows , how great would it be to splash out on brand new models!

Fridge, cooker, dishwasher and even your smaller appliances like the kettle and toaster ….. all brand spanking new!!! Bliss!

How gorgeous are these appliances from Expert.ie…. Walsh Brothers Electric Tralee &Castleisland

TILES

Transform your kitchen in an instant with a quirky choice of tiles( wall or floor or both). An all in one glass splash back is another fab kitchen revamp option.

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Bring Happiness to your Home. & Slide Have your kitchen Fitted lly Robes Professiona om ro Call into our Show to Brian or Maria

Call us on 066 7137688 083 0400803

GIVE YOUR HOME THE MAKEOVER IT DESERVES

Manor, Tralee, T: 066 7137688 / 083 0400803 Connect Connect Kerry Kerry | M|arch July2020 2019||23 23

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DINING ROOM/AREA

Bring it to the table with your choice of dining furniture.

Whether you are a fan of contemporary chic or mismatched table and chairs, add your personality to the room and bon apetit!

I love both these dining sets from Lane Brothers Homestore ( Charlotte table and chairs) and Mango Crafts ( Mismatched).

LIVING ROOM

This is where your family “lives” (it’s in the name).

The largest purchase for your living room is your sofa. I simply adore the simplicity of this Bradley suite from Lanes.

PAINT

Freshly painted walls look clean, inviting and aesthetically stylish. Whether you’re drawn to a bold, vibrant sense of design or something more calming and neutral, your living room paint ideas should be unique to you.

Having recently had my own painted I must admit I am particularly partial to Johnstones New Duckegg colour

LAMPS

Floor lamps, wall lamps, table top lamps… these are all ways of making your living room space lighter and brighter. For optimum effect include at least three sources of light in the roomgeneral ( overhead) specific ( table tops) and ambient ( wall sconces, candles etc).

your bed.

These Faith&Ethan bespoke Irish made headboards and bases are divine. Available in over 100 fabrics and a myriad of colours , they are made to fit single up to super king bed.

AREA RUG

Choose a rug that’s large enough to tuck under the bed and at least one other piece of furniture- this creates a cosier space. As it’s your bedroom choose a thick pile, fur or sheepskin texture for maximum comfort and foot hugging impact.

LIGHTING

A floor lamp near a corner tub chair is perfect for losing yourself in a book.

Dimmable lighting is brilliant for setting a mood in your bedroom ( keep it clean lads!!).

Bedside lamps are the first and last to be used by you morning and night so choose ones that you love . IMO they needn’t match….. go mad and mix it up a bit!!

MIRRORS

Add mirrors to your plain wardrobe doors. As well as reflecting light, having full length mirrors are a must for every day outfit checks.

BEDDING

As the largest piece of furniture in your room your bed needs to dress to impress. I personally love white bedding as it’s easy to match ( yet hard to keep clean). Add pops of colour with cushions and throws and nighty night to you.

BATHROOM

Visual space is so important in a small sized room. Installing a large mirror can visibly double the size of your bathroom and reflect more light in.

STORAGE

Floating shelves, a tucked away vanity storage unit, hanging shower rack… these all provide storage in one of the smallest rooms in the house.

SHOWER BENCH

I think adding a built in bench to one side of your shower is a genius idea.

How easy shaving your legs will be with the convenience of a seat ladies? Game changer !!

ARTWORK AND WALLPAPER

TILES

Artwork that reflects your style, be it traditional, eclectic or contemporary will bring life to the walls of your living room.

Alternative ways of adding your own personal stamp to your room is with wallpaper. I love the texture, warmth and personality papering one feature wall can bring to a room. Don’t be afraid to go bold as it can easily be changed again. Go for it!!!

Freshen up your bathroom walls and floor with fab new tiles. Choose from stone, concrete, bold retro or beautiful mosaic to uplift your bathroom to the max.

These are from the H Factor Tralee

FLOORS

Worn out old floors can set the tone for an entire room. Sanding and varnishing you’re floors can instantly change the cosmetic look and feel of a room.

BEDROOM

As this is your own personal space you can be bold, be yourself and have fun.

HEADBOARDS Install a statement head. Like jewelery completes an outfit, a fab headboard completes 24 | Connect Kerry |March 2020

So now you have my take on easy home renovations guys.

I must admit to hating my own house many times this week and wishing I could apply all these tips to my place.

But as the saying goes Níl aon tíntean mar do thíntean fèin.

Happy revamping everyone!!

Tonya xx

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Connect Connect Kerry Kerry |M |arch July 2019 2020 | 25

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For beautiful tiles and bathrooms The H Factor is a family owned boutique style tile and bathroom showroom based on John Joe Sheehy Road in Tralee.

It has become synonymous with stylish and classic trends in quality interiors for over 10 years now. The showroom very quickly caught the imagination and the attention of people with beautiful on-trend quality products on display, showcasing top brands and creative designs for both the private and commercial sectors.

With a vast experience and knowledge of tiles and their correct application people look to the H Factor for their technical expertise and advice in specific areas - especially in commercial projects such as hotels, restaurants, pubs, factories, retail outlets, GAA centres and many more similar projects.

At the H Factor we take great pride in our showroom and the creative designs and styles of rooms on display continually inspire people to add that wow factor to their home. A house can be built by anyone but it takes effort, skill and imagination to make it a home - YOUR HOME. At the H Factor we are here to help you make that transition - with plenty of expert advice on the right products that suit your individual lifestyle and budget.

Hi Lovely Connect readers, We have kissed January and February good bye for another year, and I for one am kinda happy about that. There is always a sort of weariness after Christmas , almost like going back to work after being on holidays or after a long weekend, but come March yippee, evenings getting longer and bright colors begin to appear in the shops.

March is a very special month for the Women of the word this year International Woman’s day is Sunday 8th March and Mother’s Day is 22nd March so 2 extra reasons to celebrate the women in your life.

This month I want to talk about how you can look smart and stylish without having to spend lots of money and time. I can only write about how I decide what I wear and how I accessories it, but the key to this is declutter, declutter, declutter.

Before I go to bed every night , I get my outfit ready for next morning and those of you who know me know that my outfits are very simple , dress , skinny jeans and top, or skirt and top, the reason when outfit is simple it is like a blank canvas and I am very lucky to be in the position I am in as I have the best selection of scarves, 26 | Connect Kerry |March 2020

Customer satisfaction is very important to us at the H Factor so our aim is to help and advise people choose products that are suitable, of good quality, durable and within budget for them to enjoy in their homes for a long time.

Budget can be a tricky subject toward the end stage of building and the dreams at the start of the project can be dimmed a little under budget constraints.

With a view to that end we can supply a complete bathroom package to suit all budgets and requirements.

So, do call in and let us talk you through a brand new bathroom for your home, inspired by the H Factor. So if it is tiles, bathroom ware and furniture, laminate wood flooring, bathroom accessories, cabinets or mirrors and other unique pieces that add the H Factor to your home we would love to see you visit our showroom in Tralee.

We are open Monday to Friday 8.30 to 5.30 and Saturday 10 to 4pm Call us on 066 7122229 : Email info@thehfactor.ie

belts and jewelry available to me and I can either go casual with a scarf or up style with lots of bling. To be able to achieve this I went through my clothes before Christmas and sorted them into sections, dresses, tops, trousers and jackets, it makes life so much easier.

As the confirmations and communions are starting back again I would advise the ladies to go through the wardrobes and if you find outfits in there that you haven’t wore in a longtime get rid, and if you find something that you really like but you have worn it before, get it restyled, change the sleeves add a pashmina or brooch or bling it up.

To be stylish , you need to be comfortable in what you are wearing, and remember you don’t have to be wearing latest fashion to look great if that was the case I would never be able to be seen in public , as always please feel free to call in to us here at That’s Perfect and we will do our best to make you feel comfortable for your event.

Until next month Keep smiling and now more than please be kind to each other Carmel xxx

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...thinking sustainable yet on trend interiors

Hi Im Tara, kerry based Interior Designer and Im here to share monthly Interiors news and tips, Feel free to send me in any of your own design dilemmas and ill do my best to resolve them. The interiors world is currently booming. The current fashion industry has never been more heavily influenced by it and homewares are taking more of a throw away approach thean ever. The ever growing importance of mindfulness has taught us that having a safe haven is vital to our mental health and well-being. Online we have Instagram and pinterest that have opened up the interiors world to be far more accessible, we can achieve the desired homes that we want, whilst still remaining conscious of where we shop.

Fast fashion has been a hot topic all year and people are starting to think more about where all our bags full of clothes actually come from and what they are made of, we are finally thinking the same for our homes. Many of us are trying to shop more sustainably, and in the interiors world that means buying furniture using materials that have been sustainably sourced, including buying paints, fabrics, art etc from local makers and suppliers as much as we can, and here in Kerry we have no excuse ! So here I give you some examples of how we can stay conscious of our enviornment and allow it to influence our interiors whilst staying on trend ...

Green is a fresh colour,

the perfect earth tone.

Incorporating splashes of green throughout your home, will create a natural, warm and inviting feeling.

True green plants add the perfect pop of colour to a neutral coloured room if you are not feeling ready to cover all of your walls with it, you can Incorporate some seriously rich greenery. If you want to get in tune with green, you can try leaf-patterned bedding, wallpaper, paintings, or even splashes of solid green decor throughout your home and be brave with it, either do it or dont, half measures do not work, so just go for it !

I nspiration f rom littlegreene.ie who pr ide themselves on being socially and environmentally responsible f or the production of high quality paints and wallpapers.

‘We need to be supportive of the wonderful artists, makers and creatives that can be found all over Co.Kerry and beyond’

TARA ELLEN interior design

You can f ind a great selection of f abr ics, wallpapers and cushions at W indow Style in Castleisland (as above)

EARTH TONES The colours and textures that mimic that of wood, metals, and foliage found in nature’s most basic elements are regularly used in the making of furniture and home accessories. Earth tones like rich forest greens, taupe, and clay colors create a natural look that can create a zen-like environment made for meditation and unwinding after a long day. a perfect situation for your living room or Bedroom C K | J 0877077433 2019 | 27 www.taraellen.com onnect

erry

uly

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by Tyler O'Sullivan Mother’s day is fast approaching, one of the years staple times of mass hysteria. As waves of last minute shoppers are set to descend upon restaurants, shops, and places of work; the shop aisles packed like sardines, and queues from Tralee to Killorglin.

This can, however, be avoided by careful planning and preempting. That is what we hope to help with, gathering ideas for gifts and trips that can, with enough self-control, help you to get your shopping done early.

The tried and tested voucher is a staple of any mother’s day. You can choose from many of the shops around Kerry depending on what the person you are gifting it to is interested in. They can cover supermarket shopping, clothes, movies, or a morning coffee. Or, if you want to have a catch-all gift, you can give them a One4All voucher, that can be used in a huge variety of shops all across Ireland.

While vouchers have become more popular now, they are often combined with treating your mother to a meal, and there is no shortage of places to eat in Kerry. In fact, many restaurants around Kerry serve up Mother’s day lunches. For example, O'Donnells in Tralee has a mother’s day lunch, as does Ballyroe Heights, Dingle Skellig Hotel, and many other restaurants across Kerry.

If you are more artistically inclined, then perhaps you can design a scrapbook or a personalised card. Projects like these can have a lot of meaning to the person that you give it to because of all the work that you put in. A message about how much that they mean to you can always be a nice finishing touch to something like this. However, you will need to pick up supplies and do a bit of planning before you can begin, so I recommend getting started on this one quick if it is up your alley.

28 | Connect Kerry |March 2020

Jewellery can be a great gift for Mother’s Day, Be it a piece themed specifically for the day or a more general necklace, bracelet, watch, or ring. With services to get engravings, custom jewellery available as well, and with options to suit many different price ranges, this can be a meaningful and affordable way to let your mother know how much she means to you.

Flowers are a recurring classic of Mother’s Day. No gift comes close to matching flowers in terms of universality and mass appeal. The sheer variety available means it is more difficult to decide what kind you want to buy than it is to decide if you want to buy any at all. It is usually given alongside a card or other gift in order to add a bit more colour and personality but can easily make a gift by itself if needs be.

Extra points if the person that you are giving them to enjoys taking care of flowers or gardening!

Mother’s day would not be complete without seeing the quickly emptying shelves of products specifically themed for the event in every shop you walk into. Mugs seem to be very popular, disappearing from the shelves just for dozens of more to be brought back in from the stock room. They can be custom made or bought with phrases such as ‘Worlds Best Mom’ emboldened on their front. Pillows are wellestablished in this regard as well, with a huge variety being available with different messages, colours, and styles there is something to fit on any couch.

I sincerely hope that you found something on this list that will help you decide what to get for the mother in your life this Mother’s Day. With that said, a gift can only go so far. A gift is no substitute for a genuine display of affection, and whether you do it through your words or your actions, be sure to let your mother know how much she means to you.

Connect | Women in Business AWARDS|C SPECIAL Advertising onnect

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Afternoon Tea in the Rose Room (served from 2.30pm-4pm)

Only €85 Usually €100 please call 066 7199111 or email spa@therosehotel.com The Rose Hotel, Dan Spring Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 HKA4.

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Connect Kerry |M Connect Kerry |arch July 2020 2019 | | 29 29

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Business Women and Mothers Finding the Right Balance With Mothers Day fast approaching the time is almost come to praise the hard work, dedication, and understanding displayed by mothers not just in Kerry, but the world. Our aim in this piece is to highlight the business-women in Kerry that manage to strike a balance between their family and their work in order to walk down the path of a working mother and make it more accessible and more enticing for other mother’s to walk that path in the present and future. So happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, wherever you may be, I hope you have an excellent day.

Michelle Keane – Mibeau Interiors “When your children are little, make sure your office is kid-proof. Have a plan. Some mompreneurs use paper organizers and some use tech gadgets, but all of them use some sort of planner to balance their work life with their family life. I really feel blessed to have hit the right balance, working as an Interior Designer is fulfilling my passion, I don't see it as a job more of a calling, so when I'm working I'm totally focused and I cherish the quality time I spend with Keith, Luke and Holly just being in their company doing whatever they want to do. I have created a balance that works for me and MY family and I wouldn't change it for the world.”

Elaine Kinsella – Radio Kerry “I have a full time job with Radio Kerry. As well as presenting Kerry’s Full Breakfast with Andrew Morrissey, I’m the station’s Head of Music. I’m also a voice-over artist and event MC and I’m a regular panellist on RTE’s Today Show. I live in Tralee with my 8 year old daughter Amelie. Like everyone, balancing work and family life can be a struggle. A good babysitter is essential for any working parent too so I’d recommend people find one as soon as they have a child. On weekends that I’m not working I try to make sure I spend quality time with my daughter. We both love weekends when we can have brunch out together. We like to bake together too. I find it’s a great opportunity to chat about the week. She’s just 8 so we’re still at the stage of me sitting with her during homework time. I know a lot of working parents don’t get to do homework or spend the afternoon with their kids so I know I’m lucky in that regard. Having the latter half of the day off is particularly good during the summer and we spend a lot of time by the beach in Castlegregory so I make the most of those afternoons.”

Deirdre Ferris – Kerry County Council “When I'm at home with the kids I try to leave work behind. Up to now, I've tried to make weekends, particularly Sundays, family time. I’ve only just started the new position as a councillor for the Tralee MD but I intend to retain that. During the recent general election, 16hr working days were the norm. My son shadowed me throughout the campaign except during school hours and having him with me the whole time was a way of spending time together. My daughter attends any events with me – she loves the Connect hair and beauty awards!”

30 | Connect Kerry |March 2020

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Nora's Kitchen Recipes

A few quick and handy recipes this month

NORAS'S SLIMMING WORLD Takes place every Wednesday at Tralee Pipe Band Hall ,Garveys SuperValu Carpark Matt Talbot Road, Tralee 9:30am, 11:30am, 3:30pm, 5:30 pm & 7:30 pm.

Search: Noras Slimming World Tralee on facebook or @NoraButlerSW on instagram.

Contact Nora: 087-2489838

The Chipotle Steak with Sweet Potato Chips Sweet potato chips make a delicious change from regular fries – and they go so well with steak

Ingredients · 1 Large Sweet Potato, peeled and cut into chips · Low-calorie cooking spray · 1 Small Red Pepper, deseeded and cut into wedges · 8 Baby Sweetcorn · Large pinch of chipotle chilli powder or flakes (see tip) · Large pinch of paprika · Pinch of garlic salt · 1 Lean Beef Steak, such as fillet or sirloin, visible fat removed · Juice of ½ lime, plus a wedge to serve · Small handful of Fresh Coriander, roughly chopped

Method

1. Boil the sweet potato chips for 5-6 minutes, or until just tender. Drain well and tip into a bowl, then toss with a little seasoning and spray with low-calorie cooking spray.

2. Put the red pepper and sweetcorn in another bowl, spray with lowcalorie cooking spray and set aside.

3. Mix the chipotle powder, paprika and garlic salt in a small bowl. Spray the steak on both sides with low-calorie cooking spray and rub with the chipotle mixture to coat.

4. Place a large non-stick griddle pan over a high heat. When smoking hot, add the steak, red pepper and sweetcorn and cook for 2 minutes. Turn the steak and peppers over and shake the pan to move the sweetcorn.

5. Add the sweet potato chips and cook for a further 2-3 minutes, turning the vegetables frequently. Remove the steak from the pan and leave to rest for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle the lime juice over the vegetables and shake the pan to coat well.

6. Put everything on a plate, scatter over the coriander and serve with a lime wedge.

Hunters Chicken Ingredients

- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar - 1 tsp sweet or hot smoked paprika - 1 tsp garlic granules - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce - 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes - 4 smoked bacon medallions, visible fat removed - 4 skinless and boneless chicken breasts - 250g of Kellys Vegetarian Pudding* - 200g grated mozzarella cheese - 400g green beans, trimmed - 15g fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped, to serve - 4 microwaved or oven-cooked baking potatoes, to serve

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200C/ fan 180C/gas 6. Put the vinegar, paprika, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and chopped tomatoes in a large, shallow, flameproof casserole dish. Place over a medium-high heat, bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste.

2. Cut a pocket in each chicken breast and insert 75g of the vegetarian pudding.

3. Meanwhile, gently bash the bacon medallions to flatten them out and lengthen slightly. Stretch a piece of bacon over each chicken breast.

4. Nestle the chicken breasts into the sauce and spoon a little sauce over the top. Divide the mozzarella over the chicken breasts and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

5.When the chicken’s almost ready, steam or boil the green beans for 3-4 minutes, then drain. Scatter the parsley over the chicken, then divide the chicken and sauce between 4 plates, and serve with the beans and baked potatoes.

32 | Connect Kerry | March 2020

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Keep your gut healthy The use of beneficial bacteria, commonly known as “PROBIOTICS” to improve health dates back over a hundred years, but only in the last few decades have probiotics become very popular. They are now widely available and even used clinically to manage a variety of complaints.

Believe it or not we human beings are mostly made of bacteria, in fact the bacteria cells in your body out numbers your own cells 10 to 1. Most of these bacteria are found in your digestive system and influence the health of not just your digestive system but your overall body.

Some of the most commonly asked questions include: : Can I just eat yoghurt which contains probiotics? Research shows that yoghurts made with probiotics often have very low levels of good bacteria in them and may not help your gut bacteria. They may also contain additives including sugars, artificial sweeteners, flavouring or preservatives.

1

2

: Do probiotics interfere with medication?

There are no interactions between probiotics and common medications but if you are taking immune suppressants you should speak with your GP before taking probiotics.

3

: Can I use them with antibiotics?

Yes, just ensure you leave an hour or so between antibiotic and probiotic. Several studies have shown that probiotics may help prevent the negative effect of these medications on your good gut bacteria.

Modern lifestyles, including stress, alcohol, antibiotics, poor diet and lack of exercise can cause an imbalance in your bacteria, depleting your good bacteria and allowing the bad bacteria to flourish, which may lead to poor health and sluggish digestion.

PROBIOTICS (available in capsule) are good bacteria that help improve the health of your gut. Good bacteria are also important for the development of a healthy immune system and some research has shown that a daily probiotic may help reduce risk of infection. They also help with digestive issues such as irritable bowel which may include loose bowel movements and or constipation, bloating and excessive gas.

4

Children are susceptible to coughs and colds and there are probiotics available specifically for children and many are suitable from birth.

Until next time, stay healthy,

Dental Bonding

by Dr Róisín Boyle

Bonding is a simple and very effective procedure which is used to improve the appearance of teeth and to restore form and functionalism. It involves the application of a tooth coloured composite resin material to repair fractured, worn, discoloured or decayed teeth. It is also used to close spaces between teeth, to make them look longer or to change the shape or colour of teeth.

It is a very simple procedure that can be completed in one visit and often without tooth preparation or anaesthetic. The tooth coloured material is matched to the tooth and polished and shaped to give an aesthetic result. Often, prior to shade selection for bonding materials, the teeth will also be whitened to optimise the aesthetic result.

Other options to close spaces or restore fractured or worn teeth include veneers, crowns and orthodontic treatment. In certain cases, these are necessary, however, when appropriate, bonding is a much less expensive, les invasive and more conservative approach which allows us to retain as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Bonding can also be used to help reduce sensitivity in areas where the gum has receded. Speak to your dentist if you wish to discuss your individual case or require further information.

Mac Domhnaill Dentist 49 Upper Rock St, , Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 Y8D4 Phone: (066) 712 1457

: Can I take probiotics while pregnant?

Probiotics can be used safely while pregnant and may have benefits for both mother and baby; as with all supplements it is best to stick with one formulated for pregnancy.

Some of the better quality probiotics which you will find in-store include, VIRIDIAN, UDO’S, QUEST AND TERRA NOVA. We know good bacteria are effective in digestive health but it is important to take the one to suit your specific needs. Remember a healthy gut is an essential step towards good health. As always we are happy to advise you, just call in to any of our stores.

HORANS Healthstores

100% Irish Owned

Deirdre.

Letting Go - Caroline Smith

I was recently asked to give a talk to a group about “letting go”. This is such an interesting topic that I thought I’d write about it here as well.

Usually, when we speak about letting go, we mean letting go of past hurt or pain, anger about something that was done to us or regret about a past relationship or loss. Sometimes, we think about it in terms of clutter and chaos in our surroundings. We don’t normally wonder about how to let go of happy memories or achievements, or how to let go of something that is still of use to us.

Letting go has to do with releasing pain, obstruction and resentment in our lives, things that serve no purpose and don’t help us to live fully. Sometimes we are slow to do that because the pain has become part of our identity and feels, because it is so familiar, almost comfortable. More often, however, we hold on because we don’t know how to let go.

When we experience pain, it is for a reason. It is telling us something. It is important to look at that something, and understand what it is. If we ignore pain, it doesn’t go away. It goes underground, and surfaces in unexpected and damaging ways.

It’s not until we identify the source and deal with it that pain really goes away.

If letting go is hard, it may be because we haven’t really dealt with that pain. We may be holding onto something rather than looking at what it really is, why it hurts, and what we can do about it. There is no simple formula for “letting go”, but paying close attention to what it is that we’re holding on to is a good start.

Connect Kerry | March 2020 | 33

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Exercise & Wellness Hi all Áine of AfitBody Gym here again to tackle all your questions in regards to exercise and wellness.

This time of year can feel like a tough slog, weather isn’t great, we might feel like we lost our mojo a little, Januarys get up a go might feel like it is dead in the water! We need to do what we can to keep focused, energised & generally feeling happy & motivated.

We often judge out health by what we see in the mirror, but generally its what we cant see that drives how we look, feel and our general mood & wellbeing. Gut health is of such huge importance and is often overlooked.

If you are feeling a little sluggish, run down or simply unmotivated, maybe take a look at how you can improve your gut health to give yourself and much needed jump start into a better place of health and wellbeing.

The human gut is more complex than previously thought and has a huge impact on whole-body health. A healthy gut contributes to a strong immune system, heart health, brain health, improved mood, healthy sleep, and effective digestion, and it may help prevent some cancers and autoimmune diseases, When there's an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, also known as dysbiosis, the gut becomes inflamed, this can result in depression, anxiety and general intestinal upset.

Fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts and wholegrains feed healthy bacteria. Avoid highly processed foods. They often contain ingredients that either suppress 'good' bacteria or increase 'bad' bacteria. Probiotic foods, such as live yoghurt, might encourage more microbes to grow.

90% of Serotonin (our happy drug) Is made in the gut, help your gut & body to produce more of this wonder drug , Foods, including salmon, eggs, spinach, and seeds are among those that help boost serotonin naturally.

Eight foods that naturally boost serotonin: 1. Salmon.

2. Poultry.

3. Eggs.

4. Spinach.

5. Seeds.

6. Milk.

7. Soy products.

8. Nut. To set a little gut reset in place take the following steps: 1. Ditch the white.

2. Love your wholegrains.

3. Get down with pulses, beans and lentils.

4. Beef up on veggies.

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5. Eat probiotic foods.

6. Eat prebiotic foods.

7. Eat mindfully and manage your stress.

Give yourself permission to be happy & fall in love with taking care of your mind body & spirit If you have any food or exercise questions please feel free to drop me an email and I will respond.

A healthy & happy body starts with the choices you make each and every day Happy Training.. and Fuelling Áine x This Month’s workout - Booty Burn!

- 12-20 Squats - 12-20 Alternating Lunges - 12-20 Step Ups each leg - 12-20 Squats Jumps - 12-20 Glute Bridge - 12-20 Single Leg deadlift - 12-20 Curtsy Lunges - 12-20 Plank Lifts - 12-20 Donkey Kicks - 12-20 Swings - 3 Rounds Experiment with Foods: This month we are sticking with our new recipe idea. Keep experimenting with different fruits and vegetables. Clean healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring, the choices are endless.

Vegan Tofu Scramble Serves 4-6

•Olive oil 1 tbsp •Onion ½, finely diced •Garlic 2 cloves, crushed •Red chilli 1, finely chopped •Courgette ½, diced •Smoked paprika ½ tsp •Ground cumin ½ tsp •Dried oregano ½ tsp •Spinach a handful •Smoked tofu 225g •Sourdough 2 slices, toasted to serve •Avocado 1, sliced with juice of 1 lime squeezed over •Coriander a handful, to serve

Method

1.Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and add the onion, garlic, chilli and courgette, along with some seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes until softening then stir in the paprika, cumin and oregano, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the spinach and toss for another few minutes until wilted 2.Put the tofu into a bowl and mash until it resembles scrambled eggs. Stir this into the pan and cook gently to heat. Divide between two plates and serve with the toasted sourdough, avocado and coriander

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Connect Kerry | Feb 2020 | 35

Music in the Kingdom Lisa Meets By: Lisa Curran

Happy 2020 to you all! This year is shaping up to be a very exciting year already for so many artists from Kerry and I’m looking forward to bringing information on their sounds and shows to you all throughout the year!

Suppor ting Kerry talent is so important as I do think as Kerry people we have all have a unique talent as performers naturally and these artists have taken the leap to do this as their livelihoods which takes a lot of guts firstly but also many years of training, gathering (usually very expensive) gear/equipment and promoting themselves! So please get behind these artists from our amazing county whether it’s sharing a post,streaming songs or getting to a gig where you will be sure to be highly entertained.

If you had the chance to catch the sold out show by the Coronas in the INEC over Christmas you got to witness the amazing support act Greywind. Greywind are an alternative rock duo from Killarney formed by siblings Steph and Paul O'Sullivan who are making a huge impact in the festiva and gig scene already! Stephs beautiful vocals sparkle over the bands heavy bass lines and the honest lyrics will are a refreshing escape from the norm.

As a live group you will be drawn in completely by the energy of the group which is undoubtedly infectious to any crowd.

In their first 35 shows as a band they have 36 36||CConnect onnectK Kerry erry|M |Farch eb 2020 2020

already achieved playing some of the biggest festivals in the world, including Reading and Leeds Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Download Festival, Rock Am Ring and have supported the likes of You Me At Six and Thrice.

They have been heavily backed by the likes of BBC Radio 1, Zane Lowe and MTV. After signing a record deal with Universal, Greywind recorded their debut album 'Afterthoughts' in Texas with Grammy Winning producer Jason Perry.

The album charted in the Official UK Rock Chart on the day of their sold out debut headline show in London.

In October 2019 Greywind released the music video for their new single 'Desolate' which was entirely filmed in Kerry and highlighting iconic scenery around our beautiful art inspiring county ahead of their two upcoming Irish shows, a Dublin headline show in Whelan's on December 12th and their debut hometown show at the INEC Arena in Killarney on December 29th supporting The Coronas which were all a roaring success for our amazing Kerry grown talent. I am predicting a very successful future for this group and would highly recommend getting lost in their sounds.

Check out their music video for ‘Desolate’ on YouTube and keep up to date on their quick paced and successful music journey on their social media’s.

Facebook | facebook.com/greywind Twitter | twitter.com/greywindband Instagram | instagram.com/greywindband

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Connect Kerry | March 2020 | 37

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Finalists at the Connect Kerry Hair and Beauty Awards 2020 Make-up Artist of the Year - Katherine O'Byrne - Makeup Magician Kat - Romy Bridthistle - Paradise Hair and Beauty - Leah Clail - Leah Clail Beauty - Zara Lee O Shea - The Coco Cottage - Aoife O Connor - CH Chemist Tralee - Sinead Hillard - Freelance MUA - Merilyn O Brien - Blush Beauty Kerry - Erika Tynan - Brush 'N' Blush - Norann Gleeson - Sean Taaffe Killarney - Mags Sugrue - Make Up by Mags

Wedding & Occasion Make-up Specialist - Andrea Kerins - Beautique at Ballyroe - Mags Sugrue - Make Up by Mags - Victoria Murphy - CH Chemist - Aishling O Leary - Beauty Rooms Kenmare - Annette O Brien - Annette O Brien Make Up - Sinead Hillard - Freelance MUA

Brow / Lash Specialist of the Year - Rachel Aslett - Paradise Hair and Beuty - Leah Clail - Leah Clail Makeup - Megan Flynn - Hairworks Tralee - Victoria Murphy - CH Chemist - Jessica O Sullivan - JOS Skin and Beauty Castleisland - Ksenija Ka - Lashes by Ksenja - Sophia Rochford - MK Beauty Listowel - Niamh O Carroll - Sean Taaffe Beauty

Cutting & Re-styling Specialist of the Year - Tara Johnson - Brush n Blush - Elaine O Driscoll - Peter Mark Tralee - Carmel Relihan - Altered Images Listowel - Claire Foley - Aspire Hair - Emily Kissane - Allure Hair and Beauty Killarney - Sarah Fitzgerald - Sean Taaffe Kilorglin/Killarney - Mairead Evans - Head First Killorglin - Eva O Riordan - Evaluation Hair Salon

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Nail Technician of the Year - Daniela Andreea - Nails by Daniela at Brush n Blush - DMN Nail Studio - Pembroke street - Grace Canavan - Crazed Nails - Niamh Curley - Cathrionas Hair and Beauty - Jacqui O Sullivan - Image Hair and BeautyTralee - Agnieszka Ligus - Expose Beauty - Sarah Mulvihill - Girlies Beauty Lounge Bally Bunion - Maggie Begley - Maggies Nails @ Sean Taaffe Tralee - Merilyn O Brien - Blush Beauty Killarney

Wedding and Occasion Hair Specialist - Rebecca Grifin - Tri-Bekah Hair - Erin Hoare - Hair By Erin - Kayleigh Murphy - Image Hair and Beauty - Laura Boyle (Laura Lou Hair) - Chapel Lane Killarney - Susan McDonagh - Allure Hair Killaney - Abigail Richards - Sean Taaffe Tralee - Rachel O'Conner - The Hair Salon Cahersiveen

Colour Technician of the Year - Chrisitina Hurley - Brush 'N' Blushn - Jenny O Brien - Paradise Hair - Maire Sheehan - Emma Quirke Hair - Kellie Houlihan - Aspire Hair - Breda O Brien - Salon B Killarney - Jean Counihan - Allure Hair and Beauty Killarney - Sandra Fleming - Sean Taaffe Killarney - Edel Breathnach - Artisan Hair Salon - Rose O Sullivan - Peter Mark - Nikki Reidy - Nikkis Boutique Hair

Waxing/Threading Specialist of the Year - Emma O Connor - Eileens Beauty Ballyduff - Deborah Ambrose - Expose Beauty - Niamh Walsh - Salon B Killarney - Sophia Rochford - MK Beauty Listowel - Marie Murphy - The Beauty Lounge Dingle - Lisa Flaherty - Nadur Spa

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Best Blow Dry of the Year - Lucia Murphy - Aspire Hair Solutions - Grainne Nagle - Magic Scissors Hair Ballybunion - Tammy Curtin - Gold Hair Salon Tralee - Katie Gibbons - Katies Hair Salon - Elena Buckely - The Hair Salon Cahersiveen - Shauna Corcoran - Shauna Corcoran Hair - Fiona O'Shea - Peter Mark Tralee - Claire Reidy - Claire Reidy Hair at Beautique at Ballyroe

Facial Specialist of the Year - Sarah Mulvihill - Girlies Beauty Ballybunion - Aoife O Dowd - Expose Beauty - Emma O Conor - Eileens Beauty Ballyduff - Niamh Walsh - Salon B Deer Park Road Killarney - Jessica O Sullivan - JOS Skin and Beauty Castleisland - Ramona Scur - Serenity Spa at the Rose Hotel - Aishling O Leary - Beauty Rooms Kenmare - Catriona Delahunty - Freelance Beauty - Elaine Higgins - Pure Beauty Dingle - Mila Jedrzejowska - Nadur Spa at Ballygarry House

Cosmetic Procedure - Alijica Nowak - Euphoria Salon, Tralee - Beauty Within - Kilorglin - The Skin Lab - Killarney - The Kingdom Clinic - New Street Killarney

Male Grooming - Chris O Riordan - St 4Men Killarney - Mairead Evans - Head First Kilorglin - Joel Veasy - Claude Monte Tralee - Daryl Veasy - Claude Monte Tralee - Gary Carey - The Barber Tralee - Patrick Moroney - James Barber Shop Kilorglin - Eric Boylan - Offical Barber shop

Hair Extensions Specialist of the Year - Emma Enright - Brush n Blush Tralee - Tracey Grimes - Listowel - Orlaith Sheahan - Killarney - Chanelle Hurley - The Coco Cottage Tralee

Tanning Specialist of the Year - Mary Murphy - Horans Health Store Rock Street - Leona Murphy - MK Beauty Listowel - Maria Murphy - The Beauty Lounge Dingle - The Beauty Boutique - Killarney

Massage Specialist of the Year - Michelle Mangan - Expose Beauty - Alexandra Rowan - Muscle Therapy Tralee - Ajarat Aneke - Nadur Spa - Lisa Connell - Serenity Spa at the Rose Hotel - Sunnys Thai Massage - Church Street Listowel

Salon/Spa/ Counter Manager of the Year - Christina Hurley - Brush n Blush, Tralee - Edel O Donoghue - Image Hair and Beauty Tralee - Nicola O'Carroll - Sean Taaffe Tralee - Noreen Middelton - The Spa At Muckross Park Hotel - Eva O Riordan - Evaluation Hair

Junior Hair and Makeup Specialist of the Year - Laura Mc Carthy - Emma Quirke Hair Salon - Shannon Murphy - Sean Taaffe Killarney - Chelsea Conway - Cathrionas Hair and Beauty - Alana Foley - Sean Taaffe Kilorglin - Erika Moran - Peter Mark Tralee - Emma Polger - Nails by Daniela at Brush n Blush - Robyn Fitzgibbon - Kerry College of Beauty

Hair Salon of the Year - Aspire Hair - Manor Village - Image Hair Salon - Oakpark, Tralee - Gold Hair Salon Tralee - Caherslee, Tralee - Salon B Killarney - Deer Park Road Killarney - Allure Hair Salon Killarney - Killarney - Sunnys Hair Salon Listowel - Church Street Listowel - Peter Mark Hair Tralee - Abbeycourt Tralee - The Hair Salon Caherciveen - Caherciveen - Expose Hair Salon Tralee - Mounthawk, Fenit Road, Tralee

Beauty Salon of the Year - Paradise Hair and Beauty - Rock Streeet Tralee - Eileens Beauty - Ballyduff Tralee - Rashas Beauty - 23 Killeen Heights, Tralee - Beauty Within - Iveragh Road, Killorglin - MK Beauty - Listowel - CH Beauty Lounge - CH Chemists Tralee - The Beauty Lounge - Dingle - The Beauty Boutique - Killarney - Pure Beauty - Dingle

Connect Kerry | Feb 2020 | 39

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40 | Connect Kerry |Feb 2020