Feelgood 16-12-2011

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Feelgood

Friday, December 16, 2011

Great expectations Well-known personalities, including Neven Maguire and his wife Amelda, on embracing 2012: 8, 9

SAFE AND SOUND

Emergency workers ensure our safety on Christmas Day: 4, 5

WEIGHT WISE

How not to pile on the pounds over the festive season: 11

ALL THE TRIMMINGS

Tasty reasons to pick up Irish foods for the holiday celebrations: 12

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2 News front Kate O’Reilly WHAT’S ON ■ The 41st year of the traditional fast and fundraising for SHARE (Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly), the organisation for the care of Cork’s elderly, began yesterday with the launch of the crib in Daunt’s Square and is taking place up until Christmas Eve. This year 1,800 fifth-year students from 20 schools will raise funds for SHARE. You can make donations at SHARE cribs in shopping centres around the city and suburbs, or at the Day Care Centre in Sheare’s Street, Cork, 021-4273977. The campaign theme this year is respect.

Respect for our older generation, respect for their views, and respect for their time of life.

■ Get into the Christmas spirit with The City of Cork Male Voice Choir, Chorus of Cork Opera and five soloists — Fiona Ryan, Louise O’Sullivan, Ryan Morgan, Carol Kennedy and Emma Kate Tobia — who will perform in a Christmas concert at Triskel Christchurch tomorrow at 8pm. Tickets at €20 are available at the Triskel Arts Centre at 021-4272 022. All proceeds go to Cork Simon Community.

■ The annual Newmarket Christmas Day Swim takes place in the Island Wood Newmarket at 12.30pm. The swim this year is in memory of Dan Kenneally, a popular young local man who passed away on May 26. Proceeds will go to Breakthrough Cancer Research, a Cork-based charity solely dedicated to cancer research. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Sponsorship cards available from Mary Stack on 029-60444 or 087-9439612. Breakthrough Cancer Research is the new national fundraising arm of Cork Cancer Research Centre. Funds raised from the third Lixnaw Vintage Club Run on St Stephen’s Day will also go to the charity. Contact Michael Feeley on 086-6996886 for further details’ www.breakthroughcancerresearch.ie ■ MEMORY RIBBON: This Christmas, families all over Ireland will decorate trees; The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is also asking people to help decorate their special online Christmas tree to remember everyone who has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease and raise vital funds. Demand for the services provided by the Society, which includes day care, respite and home care continues to remain at an all-time high, with waiting lists of almost 1,000 families. For details about how to support the Christmas Memory Ribbon Campaign contact Emily Brew on 01- 207 3816 or visit www.memoryribbon.ie ■ COSMIC CHRISTMAS: From December 17 to 23, CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory visit Santa and his cosmic crew in his beautiful Victorian Grotto daily from 11am to 6pm. Write your message at the interactive kiosk and the radio telescope will beam it towards Lapland so that Santa Claus can read it straight away. Entry is €10 per child, which includes an astro gift bag (photos €5, or bring your own camera). And from December 27 you can combine Christmas and science for fun drop-in workshops that will teach you how to make crystal snowflakes, snow globes and other Christmas goodies. Drop-in workshops run until January 8.

FeelgoodMag

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While some ill children will spend Christmas in hospital, Mr Claus won’t forget them, writes Sinead O’Beirne

Doctor Santa C

HRISTMAS is fast approaching and nothing lights up a child’s eyes more than the prospect of a visit from Santa Claus. But thousands of children in the country who, due to illness and prolonged hospital stays, deserve an extra special something under the tree this year.

At any given time there are 230 sick children on the wards of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital (OLCH) in Crumlin. Over half of those will be discharged before December 24 and will be thrilled at the prospect of Christmas in their own homes.

Dillon Crowley from Kerry is one of the lucky ones. He has been in and out of hospital all year having undergone extensive neurosurgery and months of gruelling chemo and radiotherapy after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last February.

His discharge is imminent and he can’t wait to get in the festive spirit.

“I am really excited about being home and I’m looking forward to decorating the tree with my brother and sister,” he says.

“I’ve asked Santa for Mario 3D Land, Mario Cart 7 and an AC Milan jersey, so I hope I get it.

“I’m also looking forward to the Christmas dinner, even though I would probably prefer a Chinese takeaway.”

While Dillon will be home for the holidays, Suzanne McCabe from OLCH says the children who are staying in hospital

ALL SET: Dillon Crowley, aged eight, with his parents Eileen and Christy, at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital before he left for home in Rathmore, Killarney, Co Kerry for Christmas. Picture: Maura Hickey

during Christmas will be well looked after.

“We do our utmost to send home as many children as we can for Christmas,” she says. “Some will be discharged for the whole period and some may go home in the morning to receive Santa’s gifts and have dinner with their families before coming back here in the evening. But there will be around 100 staying in hospital over the festive period and we have plenty of nice things in store for them.

“On the Thursday before Christmas we have a celebrity walk on the wards (organised by the Keating family) where 35 well-known personalities will come in to

see the children. These include Daithí O’Shea, Kathryn Thomas, Nick Munier, Emma O’Driscoll, Lorraine Keane, Glenda Gilson, Brendan O’Carroll and members of the Leinster rugby team.”

And on Christmas Eve Santa will be paying a visit. “Santa Claus will do a tour of the wards on Christmas Eve so everyone will be sure to get something nice,” says McCabe. “The Lord Mayor of Dublin will also pay a visit and all the children, their families and staff will enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner. We will do our best to make a fun and festive day for anyone who is staying with us over the holidays.”

HEALTH NOTES DRINKAWARE.IE is joining forces with the Road Safety Authority to launch the Morning After Christmas Campaign.

Many of us do not think about what we drank the night before when we get in the car the following morning. It is vital to be aware that it takes your body about one hour to get rid of one standard drink. A standard drink is equal to a glass of beer/cider, a small glass of wine or a pub measure of spirits.

That means a pint contains two standard drinks and a home measure of spirits or wine may contain two to three standard drinks.

The secret to sobering up is time — no amount of coffee or breakfast rolls will speed up the process.

Check out www.drinkaware.ie and use the handy Standard Drinks Calculator.

New research points to a new target for future treatment of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma — a cancer of the lymphatic system. The findings, from a study led by Dr Dermot Walls, senior lecturer at the School of Biotechnology in DCU, are the first indication that Bfl1 protein plays a crucial role in prolonging the survival of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells, the malignant cell that is critical to tumour development.

The research, published this week in the International Journal of Cancer (IJC), shows how these malignant HRS cells, which represent a small fraction of the tumour mass,

www.irishexaminer.com www.irishexaminer.com

BE AWARE: Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar lent his support to the launch of the drinkaware.ie/Road Safety Authority Morning After campaign with Fionnuala Sheehan, chief executive of drinkaware.ie and Noel Brett, CEO of the Road Safety Authority.

Picture: Conor Healy Photography

are vital to its development.

More than 100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Ireland every year.

Currabinny Christmas Swim will take place on Christmas Eve at 4pm. If you would like to take part contact Eithne on 087-7913014 for your sponsorship card.

The 18th Annual Whitebay Christmas Swim will take place in Whitebay on Christmas Day at 12 noon. If you would like to find out more please call Mary at 021-4929410 or email mary@corksimon.ie.

All proceeds from both swims go to Cork Simon Community. cost €5 per child. Full details are available www.bco.ie or call 021-4357917.

www.irishexaminer.com feelgood@examiner.ie

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

The ISPCC knows Christmas can bring unwelcome stress and trauma for children and this year they are expecting over 1,000 calls to their Childline service (1800-666666) on Christmas Day alone.

Childline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — staff will be available all over the festive period to listen to and support vulnerable children and young people.

The ISPCC depends on the Irish public for the vast majority of its funding and is calling on the public to be as generous as possible in these difficult times — whether it be a Christmas donation or a letter from Santa (order up to December 19) . For details see: www.ispcc.ie or call 1850-504050.

Editorial: 021 4802 292

Advertising: 021 4802 215

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In Profile

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THE SHAPE I'M IN

Niamh Kavanagh

Hectic lifestyle N

IAMH Kavanagh has been a performer for 25 years. She won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 with In Your Eyes, she represented Ireland again in Eurovision 2010 and she was a lead vocalist on the film soundtrack for the Commitments.

But she hasn’t acted since she was at school and now she’s playing the Evil Queen in the Sleeping Beauty panto at Dublin’s Tivoli Theatre. “I think I’m mad and I’m slightly nervous but it will be fantastic,” she said, ahead of opening night last Wednesday.

The 43-year-old leads a very busy lifestyle. “I’m always gigging. I do a lot of gigging in theatres and I always have session work on TV or radio so there’s good variety.” Otherwise, Niamh — who’s married to Paul Megahey — stays home with the couple’s two boys, who are aged eight and 10. “I made a very definite decision to do that,” she says.

And it’s important to her that she has Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off. “When the show finishes, I’ll drive straight up home, which is in Carrickfergus. We’re going to my sister-in-law for the meal on Christmas Day. I used to work a lot in the run-up to Christmas and then be like a zombie. I felt I couldn’t do that to the kids anymore.” ● Niamh Kavanagh performs in The Cheerios Panto, Sleeping Beauty, at the Tivoli Theatre, Dublin, until January 15. Visit www.panto.ie.

What shape are you in?

Fair to middling. I could be thinner and fitter. I walk every day for about an hour. I walk the dogs, Ruby, a black labrador, and Annie, a blue roan spaniel.

3

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When did you last cry?

I cry a lot during books and movies because I really get into them. I tend to cry less in real life. The last time I cried was in February when Paul’s mum died.

What would you change about your appearance?

I could think of 50 things but I wish I didn’t have hair in certain places — legs, underarms, face.

What trait do you least like in others?

I don’t like meanness and I don’t like when people do things out of spite. We’re all trying to get on in life and lead a good life. And everybody deserves a chance to do that.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I sometimes wish I paid more attention. I’m inclined not to remember small details, like people’s names. I’d like to do that better, especially when people take an effort to be kind to me.

Do you pray?

Yes, I do. The boys and I pray – we’re not down on our knees all the time but it’s important to me that they believe in God. Faith is very important to me and I never feel I’m alone because I have a sense of God being with me. I’d like the boys to have that too.

What would cheer up your day?

Like any mother, anything my children do that makes me realise there are people around who love me.

Helen O’Callaghan

Do you have any health concerns?

I’ve inherited this thyroid thing so I have a goitre.

I don’t have to take medication for it but I watch it and get it checked.

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What are your healthiest eating habits?

I love fruit and vegetables and drink lots of water.

I’m not sure I’ve met a vegetable that I don’t like.

Ok — I can live with aubergines but they wouldn’t be my first choice. I love roasted veg, steamed broccoli, asparagus. I get very excited about red onions roasted with sweet potato.

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What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Real butter — I try to limit it because I know it’s my weakness.

What would keep you awake at night?

I don’t often have problems sleeping, but thinking about things I’ve got to do would keep me awake.

I’m a woman who believes in lists.

How do you relax?

Every day I have a time that’s mine alone. I love to walk, but if I can’t do that I sit quietly or I read. I might sit in the car and listen to audio books. I also love a massage.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

I’d invite Terry Pratchett because I love his books, and I’d ask singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt. I’d also ask my husband. I love him because he’s great company. He’s a very interesting and interested person.

He likes the jokes I make and I don’t make many.

What’s your favourite smell?

I love sitting on the sofa when the kids are just out of their bath and smelling their shampoo. I love the snuggliness of that — before they get too cool for it.

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DIVINE TASTE: Niamh Kavanagh says she tries to limit butter because she knows it’s her weakness.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

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While the rest of us are enjoying Christmas Day, Arlene Harris meets three

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members of the emergency services who will be working to ensure we are safe

Don’t worry... we’re here O

N Christmas Day when families up and down the country are celebrating the festive season with their loved ones, a dedicated group of people will be busy at work — ensuring we are all kept safe and sound over the festive period.

While we’re tucking into the turkey, members of the emergency services will be working around the clock in fire stations, hospitals and police stations across the land. We spoke to three men who will be leaving their families at home on Christmas Day to go to work.

David Duke from Dublin has been working as a fire fighter for Dublin Fire Brigade since 1997. The 33-year-old will be leaving his new wife, Gillian, at home on Christmas Day so he can help to man Tara Street fire station.

“I will be working from 10am until 6pm on Christmas Day and although ideally I would love to be at home with my family, fire fighting isn’t the sort of job where you can finish one year at the end of December and start a new one in January,” he says.

“The station needs to be covered at all times — like A&E departments and Garda stations.

“There will be a crew of about 45 of us working on that day, and it will be business as usual, but the station will be decorated with a tree and all the other types of festive décor.

Myself and my colleague Barry O’Rourke look after the mess on D-Watch in Tara street and we will be in charge of cooking a Christmas breakfast for everyone at work on that day. A full Irish at midday is the tradition, and unless we are out on a job we will sit down together to eat.

“It’s a good time to serve up because it will keep us going through out the day and most of the guys will have worked up a good appetite for the traditional dinner when they get home after the shift.

“While I’m at work Gill will be at home with both our families preparing food. Luckily for me, they will wait until I get home in the evening to eat — so although I won’t be with them during the day, I do get to have Christmas dinner with everyone later on.”

While Christmas is a quieter time of year with fewer people on the roads, accidents will happen. But there are ways to reduce the possibility, says Duke.

“Christmas is generally a quiet day due to reduced levels of traffic and people staying at home, but like any other day, there is still the potential for accidents. So to help people have a safe and enjoyable holiday, I would advise people to replace any faulty or broken Christmas lights before putting them up.

“Also be sure if you are using candles, never to leave them unattended, and if the roads or weather conditions are poor, stay at home with your friends and family and enjoy the Wizard of Oz.” Vincent O’Toole is an advanced paramedic from Waterford. The 35-year-old, who is engaged to Elena, has a son, Kevin and another child is due to be born after Christmas. He will be working a 12-hour shift on Christmas Day but hopes there won’t be too many acci-

Feelgood

MISSING OUT: Fire fighter David Duke would love to be at home on Christmas Day with his family. “Fire fighting isn’t the sort of job where you can finish one year at the end of December and start a new one in January,” he says.

Picture:Nick Bradshaw

Myself and my colleague Barry O’Rourke look after the mess on D-Watch in Tara street and we will be in charge of cooking a Christmas breakfast for everyone at work — a full Irish at midday is the tradition and unless we are out on a job, we will sit down together to eat dents to deal with.

“Christmas is only celebrated on one special day so I will miss out on it this year,” he says. “All my friends and family are off and it will be hard not spending time with them. But I have been with the ambulance service for over eight years and have worked Christmas Day and night before — so I will just get on with it.

“It is just as important as any other day and we are careful not to break from the usual routine. So in the morning we will check the ambulance and its equipment making sure we have everything ready for the day ahead. We will also radio the control centre with the crew details and get an update on the dispatch system.

“Then we wait for the dreaded 999 phone

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

to ring. But as Christmas Day occurs on the weekend, we expect our station to be quiet with just two crews on duty.

“There will be four of us working each shift and although nobody wants to work during Christmas, we certainly try to make an effort in the station and not let it become another normal day. We do our best to make it as Christmassy as possible — but it’s all

SANTA CALLING: Garda Joe Sullivan in the control room at Anglesea Street garda station in Cork. He is working the 2-10pm shift so will get to see what Santa is bringing his son in the morning.

Picture:Denis Minihane.

down to the crew and how busy it is.”

Despite the festive atmosphere, the paramedic urges us all to be careful over the holidays.

“Any serious accidents I have come across on Christmas are in the home,” he says.

“New socks and the usual overindulgence on the Christmas spirit can make the ordinary house stairs a dangerous place. I have taken a number of patients with head, neck and back injuries to hospital resulting from this type of fall. So be careful at home.

“We should also remember that Christmas can be stressful and lonely, especially in these times.

“Last year 486 people committed suicide, dying of a silent problem which although it has had an undeserving stigma attached, it is prevalent in our society. 211 people also died on the roads in 2010, so I would ask everyone to drive carefully and also to look out for each other over the holiday season.”

Joe Sullivan from Kenmare, Co Kerry, has been working as a member of the Garda

Feelgood

Síochána since 2007. He will be helping to keep his station at Anglesea Street, Cork, ticking over on Christmas Day while his wife Kasia and four-year-old son Matthew will be celebrating without him.

“I will be working from 2pm until 10pm on Christmas Day so luckily, I will get to see what Santa has brought Matthew in the morning,” says Joe, 31. “But although the station will look very festive with a tree and decorations, we will be treating the day as any other.

“However, we are stationed in the middle of Cork city so there aren’t many residents around and all the pubs will be closed, so it should be a fairly quiet day.

“I have worked over Christmas in the past and the majority of call-outs we get are domestics — people drinking too much at home and tempers getting flared. Also, because lots of families will be travelling to each others houses, we can get called for road traffic accidents. And like every working day, there are bound to be a few surprises, so I’ve no doubt that we will be kept going.

“Kasia and Matthew will be going to my family in Kenmare and I will go down there after work, so I will miss dinner and the traditional present opening in the evening.

But hopefully they will leave me enough turkey to have a sandwich when I arrive.”

While Joe wants others to make the most of the festivities, he says it’s important to keep an eye on our alcohol intake.

“The best advice I could give over the festive period would be to drink sensibly,” he says.

“Lots of accidents occur as a result of too much alcohol and it’s important to remember that you can have fun and be responsible at the same time.

“So don’t drink too much, be safe on the roads and don’t travel in bad weather and have a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year.”

PEACEFUL DAY: Paramedic Vincent O’Toole says December 25 is just as important as any other day and it’s careful not to break from the established routine.

Picture: Patrick Browne

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

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TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:14/12/2011Time:15:44:58Edition:16/12/2011FeelgoodXH1612Page:4

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4 Emergency services

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While the rest of us are enjoying Christmas Day, Arlene Harris meets three

XH - V1

members of the emergency services who will be working to ensure we are safe

Don’t worry... we’re here O

N Christmas Day when families up and down the country are celebrating the festive season with their loved ones, a dedicated group of people will be busy at work — ensuring we are all kept safe and sound over the festive period.

While we’re tucking into the turkey, members of the emergency services will be working around the clock in fire stations, hospitals and police stations across the land. We spoke to three men who will be leaving their families at home on Christmas Day to go to work.

David Duke from Dublin has been working as a fire fighter for Dublin Fire Brigade since 1997. The 33-year-old will be leaving his new wife, Gillian, at home on Christmas Day so he can help to man Tara Street fire station.

“I will be working from 10am until 6pm on Christmas Day and although ideally I would love to be at home with my family, fire fighting isn’t the sort of job where you can finish one year at the end of December and start a new one in January,” he says.

“The station needs to be covered at all times — like A&E departments and Garda stations.

“There will be a crew of about 45 of us working on that day, and it will be business as usual, but the station will be decorated with a tree and all the other types of festive décor.

Myself and my colleague Barry O’Rourke look after the mess on D-Watch in Tara street and we will be in charge of cooking a Christmas breakfast for everyone at work on that day. A full Irish at midday is the tradition, and unless we are out on a job we will sit down together to eat.

“It’s a good time to serve up because it will keep us going through out the day and most of the guys will have worked up a good appetite for the traditional dinner when they get home after the shift.

“While I’m at work Gill will be at home with both our families preparing food. Luckily for me, they will wait until I get home in the evening to eat — so although I won’t be with them during the day, I do get to have Christmas dinner with everyone later on.”

While Christmas is a quieter time of year with fewer people on the roads, accidents will happen. But there are ways to reduce the possibility, says Duke.

“Christmas is generally a quiet day due to reduced levels of traffic and people staying at home, but like any other day, there is still the potential for accidents. So to help people have a safe and enjoyable holiday, I would advise people to replace any faulty or broken Christmas lights before putting them up.

“Also be sure if you are using candles, never to leave them unattended, and if the roads or weather conditions are poor, stay at home with your friends and family and enjoy the Wizard of Oz.” Vincent O’Toole is an advanced paramedic from Waterford. The 35-year-old, who is engaged to Elena, has a son, Kevin and another child is due to be born after Christmas. He will be working a 12-hour shift on Christmas Day but hopes there won’t be too many acci-

Feelgood

MISSING OUT: Fire fighter David Duke would love to be at home on Christmas Day with his family. “Fire fighting isn’t the sort of job where you can finish one year at the end of December and start a new one in January,” he says.

Picture:Nick Bradshaw

Myself and my colleague Barry O’Rourke look after the mess on D-Watch in Tara street and we will be in charge of cooking a Christmas breakfast for everyone at work — a full Irish at midday is the tradition and unless we are out on a job, we will sit down together to eat dents to deal with.

“Christmas is only celebrated on one special day so I will miss out on it this year,” he says. “All my friends and family are off and it will be hard not spending time with them. But I have been with the ambulance service for over eight years and have worked Christmas Day and night before — so I will just get on with it.

“It is just as important as any other day and we are careful not to break from the usual routine. So in the morning we will check the ambulance and its equipment making sure we have everything ready for the day ahead. We will also radio the control centre with the crew details and get an update on the dispatch system.

“Then we wait for the dreaded 999 phone

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

to ring. But as Christmas Day occurs on the weekend, we expect our station to be quiet with just two crews on duty.

“There will be four of us working each shift and although nobody wants to work during Christmas, we certainly try to make an effort in the station and not let it become another normal day. We do our best to make it as Christmassy as possible — but it’s all

SANTA CALLING: Garda Joe Sullivan in the control room at Anglesea Street garda station in Cork. He is working the 2-10pm shift so will get to see what Santa is bringing his son in the morning.

Picture:Denis Minihane.

down to the crew and how busy it is.”

Despite the festive atmosphere, the paramedic urges us all to be careful over the holidays.

“Any serious accidents I have come across on Christmas are in the home,” he says.

“New socks and the usual overindulgence on the Christmas spirit can make the ordinary house stairs a dangerous place. I have taken a number of patients with head, neck and back injuries to hospital resulting from this type of fall. So be careful at home.

“We should also remember that Christmas can be stressful and lonely, especially in these times.

“Last year 486 people committed suicide, dying of a silent problem which although it has had an undeserving stigma attached, it is prevalent in our society. 211 people also died on the roads in 2010, so I would ask everyone to drive carefully and also to look out for each other over the holiday season.”

Joe Sullivan from Kenmare, Co Kerry, has been working as a member of the Garda

Feelgood

Síochána since 2007. He will be helping to keep his station at Anglesea Street, Cork, ticking over on Christmas Day while his wife Kasia and four-year-old son Matthew will be celebrating without him.

“I will be working from 2pm until 10pm on Christmas Day so luckily, I will get to see what Santa has brought Matthew in the morning,” says Joe, 31. “But although the station will look very festive with a tree and decorations, we will be treating the day as any other.

“However, we are stationed in the middle of Cork city so there aren’t many residents around and all the pubs will be closed, so it should be a fairly quiet day.

“I have worked over Christmas in the past and the majority of call-outs we get are domestics — people drinking too much at home and tempers getting flared. Also, because lots of families will be travelling to each others houses, we can get called for road traffic accidents. And like every working day, there are bound to be a few surprises, so I’ve no doubt that we will be kept going.

“Kasia and Matthew will be going to my family in Kenmare and I will go down there after work, so I will miss dinner and the traditional present opening in the evening.

But hopefully they will leave me enough turkey to have a sandwich when I arrive.”

While Joe wants others to make the most of the festivities, he says it’s important to keep an eye on our alcohol intake.

“The best advice I could give over the festive period would be to drink sensibly,” he says.

“Lots of accidents occur as a result of too much alcohol and it’s important to remember that you can have fun and be responsible at the same time.

“So don’t drink too much, be safe on the roads and don’t travel in bad weather and have a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year.”

PEACEFUL DAY: Paramedic Vincent O’Toole says December 25 is just as important as any other day and it’s careful not to break from the established routine.

Picture: Patrick Browne

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

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Psychology

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We need to view bipolar depression as a response to life, not a chemical imbalance

Scientific delusion?

Tony Humphreys

A

T A mental health forum on Depression in Rural Ireland in Ennistymon, Co Clare, Dr Bhamjee, a psychiatrist, said “there is growing scientific evidence that adding trace amounts of the drug lithium to a water supply can lower rates of depression and suicide”.

I’m not sure what research the psychiatrist was relying upon, because very up-to-date research goes contrary to the above quoted assertion. There is also Dr Bhamjee’s assumption that depression is a neuro-biological condition rather than an emotion that arises to draw attention to struggles within the individual who is distressed.

Surely, the fact that the suicide rate increases by 25% during times of international economic recessions points to and supports the belief that depression is due to problems in living and not some theoretical chemical imbalance, Lithium is nature’s lightest metal and was discovered in 1818. It was then alleged to dissolve uric acid and subsequently was used as a therapy that could dissolve kidney stones and break up the uric crystals that collect in the joints of people who suffered from gout. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, lithium became a popular ingredient in tonics and elixirs and was even added to beers and beverages. However, lithium was eventually found to have no uric-dissolving properties and in 1949 the FDA banned it after it was found to cause cardiovascular problems.

Curiously, in the same year it was banned in America, it appeared as a psychiatric drug in Australia. A physician, John Cade, observed that guinea pigs became docile following a dosage. Following this observation he decided to administer the drug to ten ‘manic’ patients and he deemed the outcome to be successful. However, in writing up his findings he omitted that the lithium treatment killed one person and made two others severely ill.

Lithium can be toxic even in fairly small doses — hence my alarm in response to the notion of putting traces of it in water. Both intellectual and motor function can become impaired, and if too high a dose is administered, a person may fall into a coma and die.

In 1969 lithium reappeared in the United States as a treatment, strangely enough approved by the FDA that had banned it only 20 years before, for what was seen as a newly discovered disease — bipolar depression (mood swings).

Up to that point manic-depression was seen as a unipolar condition. In the 1980s several investigators raised serious concerns about lithium’s long-term effects. Both in the USA and Britain, lithium was found to be causing more problems than it was designed to cure. Other studies found that individuals labelled bipolar and who were treated with lithium and then stopped taking it ended up “worse than if they had never any drug treatment” (Dr Joanna Moncrieff, British psychiatrist). Further studies found that more than 50% of lithium-treated individuals would quit taking the drug due to its dulling their minds and slowing their physical movements. The most damning evidence came from researchers in the University of Illinois who found that at the end of four-and-a-half years, a staggering 41% had “poor outcomes”, nearly one half had been rehospitalised and as a group were not ‘functioning’ any better than those not taking the drug.

All the indications are that lithium is ineffective and is associated with various forms of harm. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that psychiatrists ensure the safety of their clients

Feelgood

Picture: iStock

There is a deeper issue to be considered and that is whether or not bipolar depression is a neuro-biological disease or a symptom of human problems in living in prescribing lithium — indeed, regular blood tests are carried out to ensure safety. Any ceasing or reducing of any psychotropic medication needs to be closely supervised by a medical practitioner.

There is a deeper issue to be considered and that is whether or not bipolar depression is a neuro-biological disease or a symptom of human problems in living. There is also the issue of the spiralling number of people being diagnosed with the condition: in 1955 there were 12,750 people in the USA hospitalised with bipolar illness, by 2011 some six million American adults have been diagnosed as bipolar.

All of the above begs the question: is bipolar depression a real condition or a scientific delusion? By asking the question I am aware that people are deeply distressed by symptoms such as “bizarre” beliefs and feelings of deep depression and that those experiencing these symptoms require intervention.

What is at issue is how bipolar depression (and, indeed, other unsubstantiated psychiatric conditions) is described, classified and treated.

In his book, Doctoring the Mind, clinical psychologist Richard Bentall expressed the view that “most psychiatric diagnoses are about as scientifically meaningful as star signs, a diagnostic system which is similarly employed to describe people and predict what will happen to them, and which enjoys a wide following despite compelling evidence that it is useless.”

Psychiatry is an emperor without clothes and this has serious implications for government social policy that currently invests psychiatry with legal powers that threaten the wellbeing of very distressed individuals who come under their care, particularly, those who are involuntarily admitted to psychiatric units.

Dr Tony Humphreys is a clinical psychologist, author and speaker.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

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Target more females in Munster and Cork than any other daily newspaper.

To reach them, advertise in ‘Feelgood’.

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Tel: 021 4802265 lori.fraser@examiner.ie

TERAPROOF:User:noelcampionDate:14/12/2011Time:16:01:48Edition:16/12/2011FeelgoodXH1612Page:7

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XH - V1

Advertising Feature

Phelan’s Pharmacy, helping people to live an independent life

7

P

helan’s Pharmacy is already one of the best known in and around Cork city.

Conveniently situated at Kinsale Road roundabout, (near South Doc) it’s open until midnight 7 nights a week, which makes it a lifesaver for anyone urgently needing a prescription or medicine. However, there is now a lot more to Phelan’s and you should go and look for yourself. They’ve extended their floor space from 1000sq ft to 4000, and have laid out a special area dedicated to mobility and living aids, all designed to make things easier for those who could use a little help. From wheelchairs to special cutlery, it’s your one-stop shop for everything.

“Our job is helping people to live an independent, safe, dignified and healthy life,” says Denise Phelan. “The reason it works so well here is that everything within a pharmacy is completely confidential. Once you come inside the door, our specialised staff are there, ready and able to deal with all your queries and give helpful advice.”

They even have private consultation rooms, she explains, so you don’t have to discuss things over the counter.

There are times in everybody’s life when some assistance is needed in getting things done. Simple actions like opening a tight jar lid.

The reassurance of a walking stick or a wheelchair after an operation. Scooters to make getting about as easy as it used to be. Special aids for baths and showers. An ingenious multi-use tool that can pick things up, act as a shoehorn, retrieve items from high shelves, and more. “We have all the things you need

Feelgood

Emma Coughlan and Denise Phelan and the newly extended Pharmacy.

Phelan’s Pharmacy, Kinsale Road, Cork.

The extended dedicated area for living and mobility aids at Phelan’s Pharmacy. after a hip operation, as well as useful aids to help older people who could do with a helping hand, although they have nothing wrong with them,” explains Denise. They carry an extensive range of incontinent wear, from pads to pull ups for both men and women, and elastic stockings for every day or for post operations. They also stock a

mens’ range of stockings, with a measuring service available in the pharmacy.

When she started to stock the new dedicated area for living and mobility aids, Denise was surprised to discover that there were so many ingenious products out there. “Getting in and out of the car for example – there is a cushion that swivels, and a

little grab bar that goes inside the door of the car and you can lean on that to get up.

It’s the most simple device, yet makes all the difference.”

Even those who find their hands getting shaky still like to feed themselves if they can. You can buy a mat that fixes everything you put down on it, useful stands for tea or coffee pots to avoid

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

spills. Cups which enable those who have to lie in bed all day to have a refreshing drink without sitting up.

There is no end to the clever and helpful aids just waiting for you to find them, either for yourself or for a loved one, and they really can make all the difference. Why not go and check them out now? Handily accessible from

the ring road, plenty of free parking, and open until midnight seven nights a week.

Phelan’s Pharmacy really makes life a lot easier.

Phelan’s Pharmacy, Kinsale Road Roundabout (near South Doc) Cork.

Open 10am to midnight, 7 days a week, 364 days a year. 021 431 0132.

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:14/12/2011Time:15:28:29Edition:16/12/2011FeelgoodXH1612Page:8

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8

Cover story

New Year hopes

XH - V2

If 2012 was to be your best year ever – what would you like to achieve? Is there a habit you’d like to drop, a place you’d love to visit, a book you’ve been meaning to read? Helen O’Callaghan put the question to some of Ireland’s best-known personalities

Breaking old habits, finding new experiences ● PJ Gallagher, comedian

● Derek Mooney, RTÉ presenter ● Neven Maguire, celebrity chef

● Mary Kennedy, RTÉ presenter

● Paul Howard, author

I hope to get married

Give up cake and wine

Run another marathon

Tackle my new book

If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

Get married. My wedding to Elaine Stewart was due to happen this January, but it got cancelled because I was scheduled to have an operation. I’ve got an old injury to my leg from years ago and I’ve had three operations already, but the surgeons made a mess of it. In the meantime, I’ve decided not to have the operation, but to get physiotherapy instead so I wouldn’t mind getting the wedding back on.

What would you like to experience?

Something new — every year, I like to do something new. I’d love to do car racing and I’m planning to do my first BMX bike race in my 30s — those are two things I’d love to do.

What habit would you like to drop?

I curse too much. If I could half the amount I curse — turn my ‘fu..’ into ‘fe..’ that’d be good.

What habit would you like to take on?

I need to start eating a breakfast. If there’s nothing in the house I’ll have a packet of biscuits and winegums. For breakfast, I’ll have Esso, for lunch Texaco and for dinner Stat Oil — I have to stay away from petrol station cuisine.

Is there a particular book you’d like to read?

When I started gigging with Maeve Higgins in 2005, she gave me Wuthering Heights.

It’s been in my gig bag since then and I’ve read the first page.

If I could read page two in 2012, that’d be good. ● PJ Gallagher’s DVD, Meet Your Neighbours, is available now.

Feelgood

If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

I don’t set myself goals and I tend not to make New Year’s resolutions, so it’s hard to state what I’d like to achieve in 2012.

However, I’d consider it a great achievement if I could get through the year without any physical, emotional or mental setbacks and the same goes for my family and friends.

If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

If you asked me this time last year, I’d have said I’m committed to writing my book, but I’ll never do it, I won’t have the discipline. In fact, I did and had it written by the May deadline this year.

Maybe I can apply that discipline to running another marathon. I’ve done two already and I’d love to run another.

What would you like to experience?

In 2012, I’d like to experience the joy of being able to communicate in a language other than English. It’s one of my true regrets that I didn’t study a ‘foreign’ language. I’m fortunate enough to travel to some of the most wonderful places on the planet and what an experience it would be to sit down and have a conversation in Dutch or Spanish or Portuguese.

What would you like to experience?

I’d like to experience continued contentment and good health, not just for me but for my family and children. I’d also like to experience the feeling that things are getting a bit better in this country around finding jobs. My daughter, Eva, got her job in the bank before the bubble burst so she’s working and studying too. My son, Tom, has a primary and master’s degree and is on a Fás scheme, where you get job-seeker’s allowance and you work in a company and they top up the money. But that’s only for nine months.

My other son, Eoin, graduated this year and is still working in the part-time job he had at college. My fourth child, Lucy, graduates this year.

What habit would you like to drop?

Drinking alcohol and eating cakes are habits, bad ones! Don’t get me wrong — I don’t drink every day, usually only at weekends, and sometimes I could go for weeks on end and never touch the stuff. I get a coffee in the morning and a cake, not because I need or want it but out of habit. I go for dinner at the weekend and drink wine.

So these are two habits I’d like to drop.

What habit would you like to take on?

I’d like to walk to work every day. I do, sometimes, but not enough. I wouldn’t mind but I love walking.

Is there a particular place you’d like to visit?

I’d like to go to the town of Jukkasjärvi in Sweden, 200km north of the Arctic Circle, to see the aurora borealis (northern lights). According to NASA, the atmospheric conditions are just right now and they predict 2012 will the best year in 50 years to see this natural phenomenon.

We’ve twins due in February If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

Next year’s going to be an exciting year for me because my wife, Amelda, is expecting twins. She’s due at the end of February. These will be our first children and I’m very excited and nervous.

What would you like to experience?

Good health for me and for Amelda and that I get to spend time with her and the twins. I can’t ask for more than that.

What habit would you like to drop?

Not being able to say no to people. It’s a habit I’m going to have to drop because Amelda and the children will

have to be my number one priority.

What habit would you like to take on?

I’d love to do yoga or pilates. I did a bit of yoga on holidays two years ago.

I loved it — it’s very good for peace of mind.

I’d also like to get fitter. I’ve got a great gym in my house. I’d love to get to use it and enjoy it.

Is there a particular place you’d like to visit?

We can’t go abroad in January as we usually do so we’ll instead get to see our beautiful home country of Ireland.

We’ll bring my mother and my parents-in-law as well.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

What habit would you like to drop?

Being a bit of a worrier, which I inherited from my mother. I’d like to be less anxious, not sweat the small stuff and be more relaxed.

What habit would you like to take on?

I’d like to do more hill-walking.

Is there a particular book you’d like to read or place you’d like to visit?

I’m in the middle of John Lonergan’s The Governor and I’ve got Sr Stanislaus Kennedy’s book lined up as well. I love cookery books — I hope Neven Maguire brings out a new one. And if I won the Lotto, I’d go on a cruise around the Caribbean. I also really want to go to Ethiopia, and I’m going there in January. ● Mary Kennedy’s book, Lines For Living, is available now.

If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

I have a long-term biographical project in mind — about the Guinness heir, Tara Browne, who died in 1966. He died aged 21, but he packed in so much. He was a member of the aristocracy and moved in pop circles in swinging 60s London. He was friends with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. He was the subject of the opening stanza of the best Beatles song ever recorded. This project has been a real labour of love for me and for the past five years I’ve been interviewing everybody who knew him. I’d love to just get six months to write that.

What would you like to experience?

We’re planning a family holiday — my wife, dad, two brothers, my brother’s girlfriend. We’re planning to go to the European Finals in Poland next June. It’s the thing I’m most excited about for next year.

What habit would you like to drop?

I’m going to drive a bit slower and take fewer unnecessary risks on the road. Every year I resolve to stay within the speed limit. Each year, I last a bit longer.

What habit would you like to take on?

I’d like to have more down-time. I tend to over-work. I’ll work a 12-hour day and put off phone calls and emails to friends to another day and that day never comes.

Is there a particular book you’d like to read or place you’d like to visit?

When people ask if I’ve read Ulysses, I say I’m saving it for when I go to prison for a crime I didn’t commit. I do want to read it because I get why it’s such an important book, although I know it’s going to be exasperating.

Travel-wise, I’ve seen a huge amount of the world — 56 countries! But one country I never got to was Brazil and I’d really love to. ● Paul is author of the Ross O’Carroll Kelly series. His book Mama Mia! was shortlisted in the Bord Gáis Irish Book of the Year Awards 2011.

9

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:14/12/2011Time:15:28:29Edition:16/12/2011FeelgoodXH1612Page:8

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8

Cover story

New Year hopes

XH - V2

If 2012 was to be your best year ever – what would you like to achieve? Is there a habit you’d like to drop, a place you’d love to visit, a book you’ve been meaning to read? Helen O’Callaghan put the question to some of Ireland’s best-known personalities

Breaking old habits, finding new experiences ● PJ Gallagher, comedian

● Derek Mooney, RTÉ presenter ● Neven Maguire, celebrity chef

● Mary Kennedy, RTÉ presenter

● Paul Howard, author

I hope to get married

Give up cake and wine

Run another marathon

Tackle my new book

If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

Get married. My wedding to Elaine Stewart was due to happen this January, but it got cancelled because I was scheduled to have an operation. I’ve got an old injury to my leg from years ago and I’ve had three operations already, but the surgeons made a mess of it. In the meantime, I’ve decided not to have the operation, but to get physiotherapy instead so I wouldn’t mind getting the wedding back on.

What would you like to experience?

Something new — every year, I like to do something new. I’d love to do car racing and I’m planning to do my first BMX bike race in my 30s — those are two things I’d love to do.

What habit would you like to drop?

I curse too much. If I could half the amount I curse — turn my ‘fu..’ into ‘fe..’ that’d be good.

What habit would you like to take on?

I need to start eating a breakfast. If there’s nothing in the house I’ll have a packet of biscuits and winegums. For breakfast, I’ll have Esso, for lunch Texaco and for dinner Stat Oil — I have to stay away from petrol station cuisine.

Is there a particular book you’d like to read?

When I started gigging with Maeve Higgins in 2005, she gave me Wuthering Heights.

It’s been in my gig bag since then and I’ve read the first page.

If I could read page two in 2012, that’d be good. ● PJ Gallagher’s DVD, Meet Your Neighbours, is available now.

Feelgood

If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

I don’t set myself goals and I tend not to make New Year’s resolutions, so it’s hard to state what I’d like to achieve in 2012.

However, I’d consider it a great achievement if I could get through the year without any physical, emotional or mental setbacks and the same goes for my family and friends.

If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

If you asked me this time last year, I’d have said I’m committed to writing my book, but I’ll never do it, I won’t have the discipline. In fact, I did and had it written by the May deadline this year.

Maybe I can apply that discipline to running another marathon. I’ve done two already and I’d love to run another.

What would you like to experience?

In 2012, I’d like to experience the joy of being able to communicate in a language other than English. It’s one of my true regrets that I didn’t study a ‘foreign’ language. I’m fortunate enough to travel to some of the most wonderful places on the planet and what an experience it would be to sit down and have a conversation in Dutch or Spanish or Portuguese.

What would you like to experience?

I’d like to experience continued contentment and good health, not just for me but for my family and children. I’d also like to experience the feeling that things are getting a bit better in this country around finding jobs. My daughter, Eva, got her job in the bank before the bubble burst so she’s working and studying too. My son, Tom, has a primary and master’s degree and is on a Fás scheme, where you get job-seeker’s allowance and you work in a company and they top up the money. But that’s only for nine months.

My other son, Eoin, graduated this year and is still working in the part-time job he had at college. My fourth child, Lucy, graduates this year.

What habit would you like to drop?

Drinking alcohol and eating cakes are habits, bad ones! Don’t get me wrong — I don’t drink every day, usually only at weekends, and sometimes I could go for weeks on end and never touch the stuff. I get a coffee in the morning and a cake, not because I need or want it but out of habit. I go for dinner at the weekend and drink wine.

So these are two habits I’d like to drop.

What habit would you like to take on?

I’d like to walk to work every day. I do, sometimes, but not enough. I wouldn’t mind but I love walking.

Is there a particular place you’d like to visit?

I’d like to go to the town of Jukkasjärvi in Sweden, 200km north of the Arctic Circle, to see the aurora borealis (northern lights). According to NASA, the atmospheric conditions are just right now and they predict 2012 will the best year in 50 years to see this natural phenomenon.

We’ve twins due in February If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

Next year’s going to be an exciting year for me because my wife, Amelda, is expecting twins. She’s due at the end of February. These will be our first children and I’m very excited and nervous.

What would you like to experience?

Good health for me and for Amelda and that I get to spend time with her and the twins. I can’t ask for more than that.

What habit would you like to drop?

Not being able to say no to people. It’s a habit I’m going to have to drop because Amelda and the children will

have to be my number one priority.

What habit would you like to take on?

I’d love to do yoga or pilates. I did a bit of yoga on holidays two years ago.

I loved it — it’s very good for peace of mind.

I’d also like to get fitter. I’ve got a great gym in my house. I’d love to get to use it and enjoy it.

Is there a particular place you’d like to visit?

We can’t go abroad in January as we usually do so we’ll instead get to see our beautiful home country of Ireland.

We’ll bring my mother and my parents-in-law as well.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

What habit would you like to drop?

Being a bit of a worrier, which I inherited from my mother. I’d like to be less anxious, not sweat the small stuff and be more relaxed.

What habit would you like to take on?

I’d like to do more hill-walking.

Is there a particular book you’d like to read or place you’d like to visit?

I’m in the middle of John Lonergan’s The Governor and I’ve got Sr Stanislaus Kennedy’s book lined up as well. I love cookery books — I hope Neven Maguire brings out a new one. And if I won the Lotto, I’d go on a cruise around the Caribbean. I also really want to go to Ethiopia, and I’m going there in January. ● Mary Kennedy’s book, Lines For Living, is available now.

If 2012 was to be your best year ever, what would you like to achieve?

I have a long-term biographical project in mind — about the Guinness heir, Tara Browne, who died in 1966. He died aged 21, but he packed in so much. He was a member of the aristocracy and moved in pop circles in swinging 60s London. He was friends with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. He was the subject of the opening stanza of the best Beatles song ever recorded. This project has been a real labour of love for me and for the past five years I’ve been interviewing everybody who knew him. I’d love to just get six months to write that.

What would you like to experience?

We’re planning a family holiday — my wife, dad, two brothers, my brother’s girlfriend. We’re planning to go to the European Finals in Poland next June. It’s the thing I’m most excited about for next year.

What habit would you like to drop?

I’m going to drive a bit slower and take fewer unnecessary risks on the road. Every year I resolve to stay within the speed limit. Each year, I last a bit longer.

What habit would you like to take on?

I’d like to have more down-time. I tend to over-work. I’ll work a 12-hour day and put off phone calls and emails to friends to another day and that day never comes.

Is there a particular book you’d like to read or place you’d like to visit?

When people ask if I’ve read Ulysses, I say I’m saving it for when I go to prison for a crime I didn’t commit. I do want to read it because I get why it’s such an important book, although I know it’s going to be exasperating.

Travel-wise, I’ve seen a huge amount of the world — 56 countries! But one country I never got to was Brazil and I’d really love to. ● Paul is author of the Ross O’Carroll Kelly series. His book Mama Mia! was shortlisted in the Bord Gáis Irish Book of the Year Awards 2011.

9

Zone:XH

10 Medical matters

XH - V1

Q

My 11-year-old son suffers from ongoing constipation. We have tried various OTC preparations with limited success. What would you recommend?

Dr Julius Parker is a GP with HSF Health Plan’s free 24 GP advice line.

For more information visit www.hsf.ie or lo-call 1890 473 473 If you have a question about your health email it to feelgood@examiner.ie or send a letter to: Feelgood Irish Examiner City Quarter Lapps Quay Cork

A. Constipation is a common problem during childhood and bowel habits do vary, anything from three times a day to once every other day can be normal. Persistent constipation means your son may have to strain at the toilet, get tummy pain or has seen traces of blood on the toilet paper.

Passing very large, hard motions, which is often painful, or small hard pellets (“rabbit droppings”) are also common.

I’m assuming your son has had this difficulty for a while, and has no other medical problems. Treating constipation requires time, patience and a sympathetic approach. It is important to drink plenty — water should be the main drink, for example, between meals, but fruit juice, containing fructose, such as apple, may have a mild laxative effect.

Persuading children to eat a high-fibre diet is easier said than done. Some cereals, such as Weetabix or Shredded Wheat, are high in fibre. Vegetables and wholemeal bread should be routinely part of family meals. Offer fresh or dried fruit and raisins as snacks so that sweets are an occasional treat.

Encouraging a regular toilet habit at home means your son doesn’t have to ‘hold on’ as many children with constipation don’t want to use school toilets.

Most children with persistent constipation will need laxatives. The dose depends on the child’s age, severity of symptoms, and response to treatment. The key is to continue treatment, gradually reducing the dose for several months. Stopping abruptly may trigger another episode of constipation, which is disheartening for everyone.

There are two types of laxatives: one softens the motions by encouraging the absorption of water into the gut, and the other stimulates bowel movement and emptying.

It’s common to need a combination of both.

I’d recommend you start by seeing your GP so you and your son can gain confidence that this is a problem that can be solved.

Q. I’m eight weeks pregnant and feel tired and nauseous all the time. Is there anything I can take to help?

A. Unfortunately, these symptoms can take

NEWS UPDATE

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:14/12/2011Time:15:04:11Edition:16/12/2011FeelgoodXH1612Page:10

GPs will highlight the growing incidence of type ll diabetes on our TV screens in the New Year as part of RTE’s health programme Operation Transformation.

GP members of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) will volunteer at nine centres across the country — North and South Dublin, Limerick, Sligo, Galway, Cork, Waterford, Dundalk and Athlone. They will perform a free glucometer reading test and offer general guidance to those presenting at each of the nine testing centres.

Filming will take place during the testing process on January 19 between 9am and 12pm, with live broadcasts from each centre. The GPs will also offer guidance to those presenting at the centres.

Operation Transformation is the most success-

FREE TEST: GPs will use glucometers as part of diabetes testings.

ful health-based reality show in RTE’s schedule and its impact is not just related to the participants, but also provides important health advice for viewers on many health issues — particularly the issues of healthy eating, exercise and weight management.

A recent survey of Irish people aged between 45-75 showed that there could be as many as 30,000 people in that group with undi-

away some of the excitement at being pregnant. About half of all pregnant women have some nausea and vomiting in their first three months. These symptoms usually start around six weeks and, although it can seem a long time, usually settle by three months. Changing levels of the hormones oestrogen and HCG (human chorionic gonadatrophin) in early pregnancy are the most likely cause.

There are many myths, but it’s true that such symptoms may be worse in your first pregnancy, a twin pregnancy, or if your mum had these symptoms.

There are also many suggested remedies.

Firstly, you should try and get plenty of sleep as these symptoms will feel worse when you’re tired. Make time to rest during the day, and cut down on your social life for now. Drink plenty, but in small, frequent

agnosed type ll diabetes and another 146,000 with undetected pre-diabetes.

At the moment, one in twenty people have diabetes and in the over-60s cohort this rises to one in eight.

The IMO says that the programme will provide a “terrific opportunity to positively reinforce the central role of GPs in the healthcare infrastructure” and highlight the need for people to manage their weight, exercise and eating habits.

amounts. Sucking on ice cubes or lollies may help. You may also find small snacks better than trying to eat a meal; biscuits, crackers or crispbread are good options. You may notice some foods or smells trigger your symptoms and be able to avoid these.

If you want to try antihistamines, which can help with nausea, have a chat with your GP first.

Other treatments that have been tried, although there is limited evidence, include ginger which is available as part of a supplements in pharmacies. Acupressure, which involves wearing a band on your forearm, may also help.

If you start to get persistent vomiting, you should see your GP. Occasionally, this can be a sign of infection, such as cystitis, or you may need special treatment to prevent dehydration.

NOTE: The information contained in Dr Julius Parker’s column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor first

C

Catherine Shanahan MUM’S WORLD Feelgood

ALL it Yuletide, Noel, Weihnachten.

Call it a byword for overindulgence.

Call it the most costly nod to consumerism in all 12 months of the year. But whatever you think of Christmas, at its core is a relationship that must surely bring warmth to the most chill and hide-bound of hearts: after 72 centuries of marriage, the union of Mr and Mrs Claus remains intact.

That this indomitable duo are still together, despite the insatiable demands of 21st century childhood, is testament to a relationship most parents can only aspire to. Us mere mortals struggle daily to strike a balance between caving into constant demands or taking too strict a stance, because the line between denying and spoiling is such a fine one.

Mr and Mrs Claus, conversely, seem to have it down pat. They are the only couple I know of able to affect good behaviour without ever saying a cross word. They have more talent than Supernanny for getting the kids to bed. The mere mention of their name generates more goodwill than 1,000 rollover minutes on your phone bill. Their achievements are all the more magnificent against a backdrop of invisibility. They can work miracles of obedience in children without ever having to be seen to be believed.

What’s more, the power they wield behind

the scenes can be leveraged at any stage of the year. A threat of being struck from the Christmas list is as effective in spring as it is close to the festive season because Santa, like God, is omnipotent and onmipresent and no child can afford to ignore such a weighty combination.

Their persistence in the face of a world full of cynicism is a tribute to their authenticity. Brand Beckham wouldn’t stand a chance against the impeccable credentials of Santa and his missus, despite his never having bent it like Beckham or her non-attendance at every significant fashion event from Milan to New York city. Let’s face it: Mrs Claus is never going to grace the cover of Harper’s Bazaar unless a floor-length sack of red velvet and horn-rimmed granny glasses suddenly become “must have” fashion accessories.

And yet, despite their quaintness in a world where everything else has a sell-by-date, this particular pairing remains universally cherished, capable of inducing a smile in young and old alike, forever associated with a happy and special occasion regardless of age, time, race and even religion.

So here’s to Mr and Mrs Claus and their eternal supply of toys; here’s to a marvellous tradition without which winter would be so much bleaker and here’s to celebrating the magic and wonder of Christmas.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

Mr and Mrs Claus are the only couple I know of able to affect good behaviour without ever saying a cross word. They have more talent than Supernanny for getting the kids to bed

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Festive feasting

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Stay trim this season with small portions and no nibbling, says Rachel Borrill

Don’t pinch too much

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HE festive season is upon us once again, and it is a time when we over-indulge. We all love to eat, drink and be merry, but at what cost? Will we still be able to squeeze into our jeans in January?

A typical Christmas Day dinner, and then all the other snacking, munching, nibbling and drinking can add up to 4,000 calories, twice the recommended daily allowance for a woman. But it is possible to enjoy your Christmas dinner without piling on the pounds. We ask the experts for their tips and advice.

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TO PACE YOURSELF — IT CAN BE A LONG DAY Everyone enjoys a Christmas drink or two, but it is important to watch what you are drinking and how much.

Look at the strength of the wine you are drinking and have a soft drink or glass of water after every glass of alcohol. For a refreshing twist, mix white wine with soda water or lemonade.

Use low-calorie mixers and pour spirits into the glass before adding the ice, so you can see just how much alcohol you have poured.

Invest in a drinks’ measure, it’ll help to keep an eye on the number of units you are consuming and cut down on calories.

“Don’t be afraid to say that you are going to bed and it is time for people to go home.

And don’t feel that you have to entertain people and feed them alcohol all night because it is Christmas,’’ advises Niamh Hannan, a registered psychologist.

AFTER DINNER — AND YOU ARE STILL HUNGRY? For most people, post-Christmas dinner grazing is their biggest downfall. It is so easy to eat 1,000 calories by nibbling away and without having another meal.

Just eating a handful of chocolates a couple of times a day can result in gaining a 1lb of fat. So how do you resist the temptation?

“You have to connect with your body,’’ says Catherine Hassett, a weight-loss coach. “It is asking your stomach is it full? Are you actually hungry or is it in your mind, because a lot of the time because we know it is Christmas we think: ‘The chocolate is there so let’s eat it’.”

If you are hungry, then eat slowly, enjoy the flavours and savour the food.

“You don’t have to eat everything that is put in front of you because it is Christmas Day. Be conscious of what you are eating, and if you really enjoy it then you will be satisfied,’’ she says. ● www.icancoaching.ie

HOW TO ENJOY YOUR CHRISTMAS DINNER The traditional Christmas dinner is healthy — it contains lean protein and vegetables.

But the extras — the sauces, the desserts and treats — add up to that huge calorie count.

“You can enjoy your dinner, but watch what you are eating,’’ says Paula Mee, a dietician. “Have the turkey, but without any skin, and pile your plate with vegetables. If you want a dessert, then have a very small portion and eat it slowly, savour every mouthful.”

If you are using the meat juices to make gravy, drain off the fat first and steam your vegetables, to retain more of their vitamins. Don’t have mince pies, chocolates and treats to hand. ● www.paulamee.com WORK OFF THOSE EXTRA CALORIES To work off those extra Christmas calories, exercise before you eat your dinner or go to the party, says John O’Connell, a fitness expert who has trained the New Zealand All-Blacks.

“You should do the exercise first as it increases your metabolism and creates a demand for energy, that is calories. So when you do eat, not as many calories will be stored as fat,’’ he says.

Maintain your usual exercise routine throughout Christmas, even if you do have a hangover, as it will help to clear your head.

“Also, make sure the children are active too. Go to a playground, get them running around, go ice-skating, play football with

them, get them out and using every muscle,’’ he says. ● www.sffitnesscamps.com

If you are hungry, then eat slowly, enjoy the flavours and savour the food

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: A typical Christmas Day dinner, and then all the other snacking, munching, nibbling and drinking can add up to 4,000 calories, which is twice the recommended daily allowance for a woman.

Picture: iStock FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

DON’T PANIC Christmas can be a stressful time, which can lead to comfort eating. The children have high expectations, there can be family tensions and then there is the added pressure of trying to cook the perfect dinner. The secret to a successful and enjoyable day is to delegate, says psychologist Niamh Hannan.

“Everybody can do something to help.

Rather than one person being responsible for cooking every aspect of the dinner, delegate.

Someone can do the vegetables, another the desserts.

“We all want Christmas to be idyllic, but it rarely is. Try not to be too much of a people-pleaser. Instead, try to create a relaxed atmosphere.

“If you are relaxed, then the others feel relaxed too and don’t feel under pressure to perform or be funny. They can just be themselves,’’ she says.

To help you relax, take time out for yourself. Play your favourite music, make yourself a non-alcoholic cocktail and enjoy. ● www.helpme2parent.ie

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Food survey

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Support your own T his year, looking for new products to showcase, I found plenty to prove that there are great courageous food producers trying to please us and provide consumers with a variety of foods which make excellent gifts.

We need to support them, this of all years.

Happy Christmas!

CRANBERRY SAUCES

SuperValu cranberry sauce, €1.93

Hayfield Manor Cranberry Sauce, €5

The Scullery Wild Cranberry Sauce, €3.65

Sweetened with grape juice, pectin has been added and provides a slightly over done jelly texture. The cranberries are not as vibrant as they could be, but the result is quite pleasant.

Score: 6

Restaurants producing chutneys, sauces and puddings is a good idea but the produce has to be good. This cranberry sauce is thickened with cornflour which dominates the taste and texture.

This is bland. Very disappointing and expensive.

Available in Brown Thomas.

Score: 3.

This is exactly what it should be, full of fresh, natural tastes — just like a good home-made sauce.

Very lightly spiced, sweetened with sugar and apple juice with a little orange for added flavour, this is the winner by far. Fair price.

Widely available.

Score: 9

Roz Crowley

CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS

Gan Gluten, 190g €6 This gluten-free little pudding also comes in double the size for €10 and is wheat, egg and dairy free. Moist from the addition of fresh oranges, strawberries, and brandy with sultanas, raisins, almonds and sugar. Good value and delicious. Available at Thursday Farmers’ market, Mahon Point, Cork and Thompson’s Farm, Café, Carrigaline.

Score: 8.5

Jam Bakery and Deli Christmas pudding, 500g €10.

Eunice Power Christmas Pudding, 400g €8.95

This pudding’s almost black colour may be accounted for by the addition of Guinness, or the black rum which also keeps it moist and seasonally boozy. It has been a little overmixed but is satisfying for lovers of a dark pudding.

Available from Jam Killarney and Hanleys Garden Centre, Kinsale roundabout, Cork.

Score: 8

This chef has made a name for herself as a top caterer in Waterford and makes seasonal produce for markets. The pudding is a fairly light mixture with some chopped almonds for added texture and just enough fruit. A lovely moist texture is helped by the addition of Irish stout. Delicious.

Available from Urru Bandon and Country Store Dungarvan which will also post them nationwide.

Score: 9

SWEET TREATS Cameron Macaroonry, €1 each plus packaging (€11 for 8)

Spiced Honey from Marks & Spencer, €3.69

Skelligs Figgy Rum chocolates, 200g €11.95

Born in Brittany, Gwen Cameron makes deliciously light macaroons flavoured with fruit (mango, blueberry, blackberry), chocolate, nuts and honey and lavender. She packages them beautifully in various shaped boxes. This new unit is just what the English Market in Cork needs. These will make a simple dessert, a lovely gift when going to dinner, or a stylish stocking filler. The almonds are quite evident in the slightly grainy, nutty texture.

Score: 7

Make a quick hot whiskey, or apple juice for an alcohol-free, hot pick-me-up, with sweetness and spices all in one. Good on the Christmas ham or to drizzle on simple sponges or ice-cream. Try it on the side with salty cheeses.

Score: 8

This attractively boxed collection of 11 or 12 chocolates could almost be called a healthy treat. Figs are marinated in rum and bathed in a truffle cream before being dipped in milk chocolate. Gluten free, the figs are not oversweet and provide an almost salty contrast to the chocolate. Delicious. Fair price. From speciality chocolate shops and delis.

Score: 8.5

SAVOURY TREATS Toons Bridge Dairy semifresh buffalo mozzarella, €26 per kilo It’s a terrific treat to be able to get this good mozzarella from Toby Simmons who started selling olives in the English market 18 years ago. Made with milk from buffalo reared by farmer Johnny Lynch near Macroom, this will be delicious for a starter on Christmas day. €2.50 per ball of cheese which will serve 2–3. Available at The Real Olive stalls nationwide.

Score: 8

Feelgood

Killeen Goats Cheese, €24 per kilo

Hederman Smoked Mackerel, €5

This is my cheese of the year, rich and creamy, yet light, slightly salty and nutty. There are a few levels of maturity and the most mature one has won awards. For me the more widely available young one is subtle, the creamiest and best of all. Not at all goaty or acidic, it’s a superb addition to a good Irish cheeseboard.

Available at farmers’ markets and in speciality shops.

Score: 9.5

This whole mackerel is just delicious, with a wonderfully soft, almost mousse-like texture. This will be my starter on Christmas day. I’ll make a dressing from olive oil, lots of lemon juice and will add a little horseradish sauce or wasabi Japanese horseradish to provide contrast. Available in Midleton, Cobh and English markets and Avoca. See www.frankhederman.com Score: 9.5

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

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Male Male health health 13

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AUGHTER is regarded as the best medicine and that’s true for the man whose surname is the same as the town in which he lives. Ciaran Ennis, from Ennis, Co Clare, practices what he preaches — he’s a laughter yoga leader who has found laughter a huge benefit since he lost his job earlier this year.

“That was a difficult time for me,” says Ennis. “Laughter helped me to stay positive and not fall into despair. It carried me through the emotions that come with job loss and it has given me confidence.”

Laughter yoga combines that spontaneous, unconditional laughter we associate with the freedom of childhood and yogic breathing.

“Children laugh with joy and, as we get older, through conditioning, we get caught up in being serious and forget to laugh,” says Ennis, who set up a laughter club in Ennis two months ago.

“It’s about finding that inner spirit of joy and relearning playfulness and child-like innocence and getting in touch with our feelings.”

Laughter yoga took root in India only in the mid-1990s and is based on the premise that laughter is an exercise that gives the body a powerful cardiovascular workout.

“It reduces stress and releases feelgood en-

BEST MEDICINE: Ciaran Ennis, to the forefront, practices laughter yoga with other participants.

Deirdre O'Flynn

MOSTLY MEN

Picture:Eamon Ward

dorphins,” says Ennis, adding that there are 6,000 laughter yoga clubs in 60 countries.

“When you laugh, you use internal muscles, including the diaphragm. You exhale more, so you get rid of stale air and take in more oxygen, which nourishes every cell in your body.”

The laughter club is based on a group exercise, with laughing and eye contact in the group making the sense of fun and laughter contagious.

“You fake the laughter in the beginning.

And, in fact, the body doesn’t know the difference between fake and real laughter, so the benefits are the same,” says Ennis, who makes an effort every day to laugh for 10-15 minutes.

“I feel a lot lighter, brighter and more positive. When difficult things happen, I have more space inside me to think clearly,” he says.

Go easy on party fun ICS research boost with work safety for prostate cancer IT’S easy to get carried away in the next week, with Christmas parties and drinks at work to celebrate the festive season.

Remember that employees and employers have duties and responsibilities when it comes to intoxicants at work.

Intoxicant is defined in The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 Picture: iStock as including alcohol and drugs, and any combina-

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tion of drugs or of drugs and alcohol.

It includes legal and illegal substances. So, prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medications are included.

Save yourself some hassle and check out the Health and Safety Authority’s website at www.hsa.ie, where you’ll see an information sheet on intoxicants at work.

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STOCKING FILLER: At just €3.49 for 50ml, Lidl’s Suddenly Madame Glamour, which arrived in Irish stores on December 5, is causing something of a “scentsation”. A blind test on Newstalk’s Tom Dunne Show rated the perfume above Chanel’s Mademoiselle and Irish scent Inis. With citrus and floral notes, incorporating Bergamot and Jasmine, the new Lidl perfume has been described by independent Fragrance Consultant John Bailey, as a “timeless, affordable, and classic fragrance”.

Feelgood

Research into prostrate cancer is being supported by the Irish Cancer Society. Professor Ciaran Morrison (Irish Cancer Society prostate cancer researcher, working at National University of Ireland, Galway) received a research grant to use his expertise in DNA damage research to improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

The grant is part of the Irish Cancer Society’s €3.1m investment in cancer research, supporting the work of eight research scholars, four research

fellows and four prostate cancer researchers.

It’s predicted that the number of prostate cancer cases will almost double to 1.7m by 2030.

Currently, one in 12 Irishmen can expect contract prostate cancer in their lifetime but the majority will not die from the disease.

Cancer rates are expected to rise and it is estimated that by 2020, Picture: iStock 40,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Ireland each year. ● For details on the Irish Cancer Society research programme visit www.cancer.ie.

● To find out more about laughter yoga, contact Ciaran Ennis at 087-7839868 or ennisciaran@gmail.com or log on to www.laughteryogaireland.org.

DId you know...

Men are less willing than women to be screened for cancer (Source: Moffitt Cancer Center, Florida, US)

Still searching for that special something…

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QUALITY TOYS: Still searching for that classic toy or a gift for a little one? There has been a rise in the amount of people shopping online this year and Irish toy stores like www.mimitoys.ie, www.littleones.ie and www.toysonline.ie offer wooden and traditional toys. Choose from BigJigs Bunny Ride-On for the little ones, €39.95 to this new play kitchen from French toy maker Janod, €99.99 to include free delivery.

Last orders by December 22 from www.toysonline.ie

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FIRESIDE TALES: A new book of short stories by Irish writers is being sold in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation this Christmas. Celebrating What Truly Matters: Powers Irish Whiskey Short Story Collection is penned by writers to reflect mellower moments in time and the warmth of relationships, family and friends.The book costs €9.99 from Easons, SuperValu, The Old Jameson Distillery and Midleton Distillery stores and www.hospice-foundation.ie and www.powerswhiskey.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

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CONCERN GIFTS: Gifts from Concern start at just €8 for apple trees, which are a new gift for Christmas 2011. Earlier this year international rugby player Rob Kearney seen here with farmer Ali Hussein, travelled to Ethiopia and met farmers who had seen their lives improve thanks to this cash crop. Other gifts include a piglet, €9; sports equipment, €11.

To view and order gifts log on to www.concerngifts.org or call 1850-458400.

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Beauty

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It is the party colour, best worn as a metallic eyeshadow or a sumptuous nail polish

Golden moment

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The news on...

FANCY SOAP FANCY soap is just my thing this Christmas. I can’t get enough of it.

Plus it makes a really great present: simple, honest and very pretty. I can barely manage to step beyond the threshold of Lush stores because of the olfactory overload that assaults you, but I will definitely be making the effort for their new hand and body soap, Scentenari.

Fragranced with rose jam, the soap looks almost like a very posh cake but it makes a nice inexpensive little gift at €6.45. Lovely.

Emily O’Sullivan

I

T IS December’s most flamboyant colour, so it’s hard to ignore now.

Despite my wardrobe being based around a monochrome of black and grey, and despite my make-up bag being allergic to anything glittery or shimmery, I can’t help it: come December, I am utterly and hopelessly in thrall to gold.

Part of this is the influence of the festive season. I do love gold, but I would never wear it at any other time of the year. But by mid-December I am contemplating this shade in a new way, and itching to put it on. While festive-themed make-up and fashion is kitsch at the best of times, gold seems somehow to slide in under the radar.

It’s rare that I’ll pass a Christmas without dipping into a rich metallic eyeshadow or sumptuous nail polish at least once. There’s a very good reason for this: gold is fun, it’s glamorous and it’s the ultimate party colour.

But it does need a degree of restraint.

For blondes, it can be a hard shade to carry off well. The key, unless you want to look super-1970s, is to wear it against a pale skin tone. And once the backdrop isn’t a mahogany tan, gold is quite a chic shade to wear.

The most obvious place to start is on the eyes. Gold eyeshadow can range from dark molten metallic to cheery, pale spun-gold shades, but it’s best to opt for the former this season — it’s easy to wear and way more flattering.

Gold also works well blended with other shadows — dabbed on grey or on brown, which tones down the glistening effect and gives it a more smokey, sultry edge. Finished off with lashings of black mascara, it’s a look that simply screams “party”. If smokey just isn’t your thing, try going for a paler shade with a black eyeliner and lifted with a really striking red lipstick. It’s 1970s, but in a good way.

So where do you go for the perfect gold?

Well, the most obvious place is MAC. MAC is the kind of make-up company that loves a good gold, and isn’t ashamed to say it, so it’s an ideal hunting ground for everything from burnished, bronzy-shades to peachy shim-

Take three...

Rescue Creams for Tired Skin All those late nights take their toll during the party season, with a sorry looking under-eye area and seriously dull skin. In the absence of sleep and water, fake it with these miracle creams.

Guerlain Midnight Secret Late Night Recovery Treatment, €73.

This is a classic ‘pretend you’ve had sleep’ cream. And you know what? It works. It makes the skin look magical.

You pay for that, it’s an expensive cream — but if you keep it for big nights out, it begins to pay for itself.

SEASONAL COLOUR: Whether you just use a dash of eyeshadow or a flattering dusting on your cheeks, it’s the season for gold.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, €35.

Beauty Flash Balm is good but not amazing, despite all the hype. Maybe that’s because it’s such a famous cult product that you expect it to make your skin look as if it’s lit from within. It won’t do that, but it will leave it well-hydrated and even a little bit glowing. A good standby.

mery tones to edgy metallic super-shine. It’s all there for the taking, so experiment.

Once you step beyond the eyes, gold becomes a trickier prospect. Quite frankly, the idea of applying a gold powder to my face fills with me an emotion approaching fear.

The first thought is “why on earth would I?” but gold is beautiful on the face, once it’s done properly, and some of beauty’s most successful face powders are built around the kind of luminosity that only gold can bring.

Bobbi Brown has a stand-out gold shimmer

powder that works well on paler skin tones this season, while Lancôme’s Golden Hat blush compact is too sweet not to love.

Finally, if you’re a shy and retiring type and can’t quite commit to a golden face or Midas-style eyes, then you can always play it reasonably safe with some golden nails.

Chanel has a gorgeous gold nail polish, but further down the scale you’ll find way more affordable offerings from the likes of Barry M, Essie and Ciaté.

What are you waiting for?

Decleor Double Radiance Cream, €54. Decleor is a brand that your skin will thank you for checking out. The products are really gorgeous, and after a mere day’s application, 73% of testers experienced radiance with this cream. It’s packed with plant oils and has soft-focus pigments that reflect the light for an instant radiance boost.

find a delicately shimmery powder that’s not too OTT. Definitely one for dark, sexy winter nights.

sweet. Created alongside Kate Winslet, and supporting the Golden Hat Foundation, a charity devoted to improving the lives of those with autism, this is a good way to spend your money this Christmas. The powder is a gorgeous pretty pink, so you can swirl it around and use it all over the face, on the cheekbones, or simply use the gold to highlight the eyes.

clicks open are just two things that would draw you to this beautiful Christmas compact. Inside, it’s like a mini work of art with an embossed pale gold powder that really brings luminosity to the skin.

STUFF WE LIKE MAC Eyeshadow Metal X Cream Shadow in Venetian Tarnish, €20.50. This is a great sexy eyeshadow. It’s not too super-gold, it’s more subtle than that, more metallic-edged, more bronze, but it’s a good one if champagne-coloured golds just aren’t your thing.

Bobbi Brown Party Shimmer Brick, €44.50. A lovely powder to put you in the mood for a big night out. It comes with a martini shaker and glass etched into it, so what’s not to love? Beyond the “party” packaging, you’ll

Feelgood

Barry M Nail Paints in Gold, €3.56. What can I say? A classic gold shade that injects a bit of fun into party proceedings.

Even if you’re not prepared to commit to gold on the face, this is a great way of getting a bit of the look without jumping right in. Plus, it looks really great with an all-black outfit. Understated, sexy, cool.

Lancôme Golden Hat Blush Compact, €45. We love this one, it’s so

Chanel Lumière Sculptée de Chanel, €55. There’s something unspeakably opulent about a Chanel compact. The glossy black casing and the way it

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

Giorgio Armani Face & Eye Palette, €65.

Expensive, yes, but this palette is beautifully priced and makes a lovely gift for Christmas, if you can afford it. And for a really special effect you can splash out on one of the limited edition compacts decorated with Madre Perle for €110. Inside, you’ll find gorgeous sand and champagne shades subtle enough to be worn on Christmas Day.

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Natural health

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Megan Sheppard Do you have a question for Megan Sheppard?

Email it to feelgood@examiner.ie or send a letter to Feelgood Irish Examiner City Quarter Lapps Quay Cork

I am travelling to Cuba in January. Anybody I spoke to who has gone there in the past loved it, but also suffered from stomach problems and diarrhoea. Although I will take the usual precautions, only drinking bottled water etc, I would appreciate your advice on what I can take before and during the holiday to prevent/cure these symptoms?

A. Your best bet is to take some activated charcoal and probiotics with you. Activated charcoal can carry 2,000 times its own weight in toxins (including heavy metals) which makes it an essential item for the first aid kit since it can save the life of a person who has accidentally ingested poison.

For digestive problems relating to food and water while travelling, you will need to mix a teaspoon of this black powder into a glass of water, stir well, and drink the full glass each morning. This same dosage should be used immediately after any suspected incidence of poisoning.

The beneficial bacteria in probiotic supplements bolsters the immune system and promotes digestive health. It is a good idea to be taking these at the recommended dose leading up to your trip away. In the case of food poisoning or questionable water take three times the standard daily dose every two hours for up to 24 hours following the poisoning, and then take a triple dosage once daily for the following week.

Q. My 14-month-old granddaughter eats all of her food during her three days in creche, but refuses to eat at home with her mother even though the food is the same.

Mother is very worried (been to doctor) and is afraid she may be losing weight.

A. This is a challenging situation, and I can certainly appreciate why you are both so concerned. The environment is obviously a key influence on your granddaughter’s appetite so it would be worth taking note of the specific differences between creche and home around mealtimes. Is she eating in a group, which specific meal times she is fed? Are there any particular ‘tricks’ to encourage eating, and does she favour a particular creche worker at mealtimes?

You don’t mention if she feeds herself (I know that some little ones are very determined to do so at this age, while others are just as determined not to!), and this could also be important to ensure consistency between creche and home habits. Enduring some messy self-directed food times to encourage the wee one to feed herself, if she isn’t already, might help.

Often where eating is an issue, it can be due in part to underlying anxiety or stress.

Flower essences are an ideal solution, not least because they are non-addictive, physically

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from health stores or www.shieldhealth.ie (045-892267). These chewable capsules have a natural strawberry flavour, and can be broken open if you are concerned that she may swallow them whole, spit them out, or choke on them.

Q. I suffered a middle ear infection last August. I was on an antibiotic for it and the infection has cleared but I am still suffering from vertigo. I was put on Serc.

16mg tablets for a week but it did not clear. What can I do?

Picture: Picture: Getty

I am travelling to Cuba in January and want to prevent suffering stomach problems harmless and safe to take alongside prescribed medication. I love the range of essences made by Ann Callaghan and her nephews — Indigo Essences. Developed utilising the energies of crystals, they have a real sense of fun and freedom about them too. The essences come as individual drops or sprays (with added essential oils so they smell divine) which are lovely when sprayed around a person or in the room. You can order the Indigo range online (www.indigoessences.com) or by phoning 01-4296997.

To help with overall nutrition, I would suggest Kindervital, a liquid combination of fruit and herbal extracts designed to help support nutrition in children from the age of six months onwards. Kindervital is available from health stores where 500ml costs €13.99. Your granddaughter will need 5ml, twice daily mixed in juice, smoothie, or water.

To ensure that she is getting her omega essential fatty acids, there is one brand in particular that I find children will happily eat — MorDHA-Mini by Healthy and Essential

A. The length of time it takes for vertigo to clear varies from person to person. Vertigo, the sensation of movement even on solid ground, is often strong enough to upset balance and cause nausea. It can stem from a number of conditions, including (as in your case) middle ear infection, Meniere’s disease, epilepsy, toxaemia, brain disease, or it can appear as a result of unknown causes.

One of the most common issues in people who develop vertigo, without it being a side-effect of medication or a pre-existing condition (such as Labyrinthitis or Ménière’s), is dehydration. Try increasing your water intake, and adding a tiny pinch of sea salt or a squeeze of citrus juice for each 300ml glass to maximise absorption.

Another issue which is found in more than 80% of all people who suffer from vertigo is either high cholesterol or high blood sugar levels. If you are at risk of being in either of these categories, then some simple dietary changes are a relatively quick way to effect change and relieve your symptoms. If you are happy to supplement your diet as well, then a high-potency vitamin B-complex to improve the health of the central nervous system, increase blood flow to the brain, and lower cholesterol levels.

Vertigo can actually be caused by a number of drugs, including antibiotics, caffeine, alcohol, blood-pressure medication, and sedatives — but one of the most common causes is aspirin.

Dr Christopher’s Ear and Nerve Formula is widely used to help with a number of conditions relating to the ear and nervous system.

It is particularly useful in cases of motor nerve injury, hearing loss, and tonsillitis. It contains only only five ingredients: black cohosh, blue cohosh, blue vervain, skullcap, and lobelia.

Many people have used this formula to successfully treat vertigo. Use 4-6 drops directly in the ears, massaging it into the lymph glands at the base of the jaw and down the nape of the neck, along with taking the drops internally (6-10 drops, three times daily). Very popular in the United States, the Dr Christopher range of herbal products is now available in Britain through a company called Vitamin UK (www.vitaminsuk.com; 00-44-800-0568148).

■ NOTE: The information contained above is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor first.

Megan puts the spotlight on:

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LTHOUGH we think of bones as being solid and lifeless, they are in fact living tissue affected by diet and exercise. Cells called osteoclasts are continually breaking down old bone tissue, while osteoblasts stimulate the growth of new bone tissue. Unfortunately, after the age of 30, bone tissue is being absorbed faster than it is being formed.

Osteoporosis affects one in five women and one in 12 men in Britain and Ireland. More common in people over the age of 50, there are typically no overt symptoms of the loss in bone mass. In many cases, people have no idea that they suffer from osteoporosis until they experience a fragility fracture.

Usually occurring in the wrist, hip and

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spine, these are fractures resulting from little or no trauma.

The first step in building and maintaining strong, healthy bones is eating a healthy balanced diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables (and oily fish for non-vegetarians). Supplementing with magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D is also recommended. Osteocare by Vitabiotics provides the recommended daily allowance of 800mg calcium, plus 300mg magnesium with vitamin D and zinc for

Building Strong Bones bone protection.

Osteocare is available from health stores or www. hereshealth.ie; 90 tablets cost €14.99.

According to the Irish Osteoporosis Society (IOS), it is important to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. Choose brisk walking, running, skipping or aerobics, which are all recommend-

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

STEP OUT: Brisk walking is one of the exercises recommended for building bone density.

Picture: Getty Images

ed for building bone density. Try not to get stuck in a rut with your exercising — it must increase along with your fitness and ability in order to improve your bone health. Adding wrist or hand weights, increasing the incline for walks, or raising the difficulty level of your balance exercises will help to build stronger bones. Mix it up, too — repetitive actions aren’t quite as stimulating as varied exercises. Do consult your doctor before beginning any exercise routine if you have health concerns. ● For more information support, and useful products, including an osteoporosis educational pack including a CD and DVD (€15), visit IOS at www.irishosteoporosis.ie or phone 01-6774267.

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INTRODUCING

Escape Spa & Vanilla Browns Hair Salon, The Absolute Hotel, Limerick T: 061 463608

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Escape Spa, The Woodstock Hotel, Ennis T: 065 6797507

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011