Gazette & Diary Magazine
The Winter Issue January / February Issue 10 / 2012 £1.50 - where sold
FREE
With Aberga the ve Chronic nny le
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Happy New Year
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Welcome to the first 2012 edition of the Gazette & Diary magazine! All the staff from the Abergavenny Chronicle and Gazette & Diary magazine would like to wish you a Happy New Year. We've started the New Year with a bang and have brought you the First January Gazette ever! From New Year Resolutions to our Holiday on Ice review we have something for everyone. As this year is the year of the Dragon we hope its full of power and wealth for you all!!!
Inside...
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Page 09 Christ College Brecon Page 04 I ❤ Slimming World
In association with
The Abergavenny Chronicle
Page 20-21 Holiday on Ice!
▲ Page 14 January Sale Tips ▲
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DESIGNERS: Dave Simkiss dave.simkiss@nwn.co.uk
Page 24 Gazette Motors
John Gaulton john.gaulton@nwn.co.uk
▲ Page 17 Spotlight on Abergavenny Market
ADVERTISING: Jenna Hopkins ext 26 Hazel Walding - Advertising Manager For information on how to advertise in our next issue, contact: advertising@tindlenews.co.uk or telephone 01873 852187 ext 34 or ext 26 GENERAL MANAGER - Mary Purcell
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When you have finished reading the Gazette & Diary Magazine - please recycle it.
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Page 21 Events that happened in January
Page 26-27 New Year New You
PUBLISHING: Printed and distributed by NWN Media. www.nwnmedia.co.uk Mold Business Park, Wrexham Road, Mold, CH7 1XY.
At NWN Media we are committed to addressing the key environmental impacts of printing and the production process, and preserving the environment for future generations. Our environmental policy is achieved through continuous monitoring, annual targets and action plans. The sourcing of newsprint is a major environmental concern for publishers and we at NWN Media source our newsprint from UPM Kymmene in Deeside, utilising their 100% recycled paper, which is produced as a natural, renewable and recyclable fibre from sustainable, responsibly managed forests. UPM is committed to forest management and forest harvesting practices based on the internationally accepted principles of sustainable forest management. UPM Kymmene is just a mile from the press site, which also keeps carbon footprint to a minimum in the obtaining of our paper. All newsprint waste is taken back to UPMʼs site and fully recycled.
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Slimming World - Before and After! Back in August, Tom Pook and his wife Carly took the first step to changing their lives by walking through the door of their local Slimming World group at Abergavenny Rugby Club.
Tom , 23, said, “I never felt bad about my weight, but now at almost 6 stone lighter I feel amazing, much happier and more energy, running around after my little boy is effortless.
Twenty weeks later Tom, from Abergavenny, is an astonishing 5 stone 12lbs lighter shedding an average of 4lb a week and Carly has lost a fantastic 3 stone by following the fantastic Food Optimising Plan.
“I am on my feet all day and have always suffered with pain in my feet but since losing the weight it is a lot better.
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JANUARY SPECIAL YOUR EYE TEST FOR £10
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If you want to join us we are at Abergavenny Rugby Club Monday Evening and Tuesday morning call Yvonne on 07888 722881 and change your life in 2012.
Before:
After:
Breakfast, nothing Lunch, pasty/pie Dinner, takeaway Snacks, chocolate/crisps
Breakfast, fat free yogurt and fruit Lunch, jacket potato/omelette and salad Dinner, gammon, egg and chips Snacks, yogurt and fruit
“Working in the garage I would just grab a pie or pasty and snack on chocolate or anything sweet then have a takeaway at night. Now that’s all changed and I cant believe how much we can eat, anything from spaghetti Bolognese, curry and rice, roast dinners and even the occasional take away, really the sky’s the limit it is so easy. “With such a drastic change people who know me and have been coming into the garage have not even recognised me! I have gone from a four extra large to a size large / medium so buying new clothes is the latest hobby.
With this Voucher (usually £20) Abergavenny 67 Frogmore Street Telephone 01873 859898
Yvonne, Abergavenny’s Slimming World consultant is so proud of them, she said, “They have been amazing and have been an inspiration to all the other members in group, the Extra Easy plan does what it says in its title it’s EXTRA EASY.”
“Lots of people have joined our group after seeing myself and Carly and what we have achieved – had we known it was this easy we would have done it years ago. We are still on our weight loss journey and are looking forward to great things in 2012.”
Useful New Year Numbers ❒ Welsh Water (public
sewers) 0800 085 3968 ❒ Welsh Water (water
mains) 0800 0520130 ❒ Police non - emergency
number 101
WEIGHT loss £10 discount
when taking a month’s course on your first visit usual price £17 per week or £49 per month • Successful, tried and tested method • Consultations with fully qualified Doctors • Continued support • Works equally as well for men
ALBANY CLINICS NEWPORT 01633 243533 PONTYPRIDD 01443 400391
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❒ The Samaritans
- English language helpline 01248 674 985 - Welsh language helpline 0300 123 3011 ❒ Childline 0800 1111 ❒ NSPCC
- English language helpline 0808 800 5000 - Welsh language helpline 0808 100 2524
MONDAY Abergavenny Abergavenny Rugby Club, Bailey Park, 5.30pm and 7.00pm Tel: Yvonne 07888 722881
TUESDAY Abergavenny Abergavenny Rugby Club, Bailey Park, 9.30am - morning group Tel: Yvonne 07888 722881
TUESDAY Gilwern Gilwern Community Centre, Lower Common, 5.30pm Tel: Paula 07756 561757
TUESDAY Brecon Bishop Bevan Hall, Lion Street, Brecon, 6.30pm Tel: Joan 01873 812053
WEDNESDAY Pontypool Neighbourhood. Learning Centre, Penygarn, Pontypool, 10am Tel: Yvonne 07888 7228814
WEDNESDAY Usk Centenary Hall, Maryport Street, Usk, 5.30pm Tel: Cheryl 01291 672929
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAYS
Glangrwyney Glangrwyney Village Hall, 6.30pm Tel: Joan 01873 812053
Brecon Bishop Bevan Hall, Lion Street, Brecon, 7.30pm Tel: Paula 07756 561757
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How are you feeling today? How we respond to that question, naturally depends on how we feel at the time. How many times have you regretted your quick response perhaps answering ‘Fine!’ more sharply than you wanted too but couldn’t help it! Ask yourself these few simple questions: ■ Do thoughts from your past seem to get in the way? ■ Do you find yourself unable to stop memories crowding into your mind? ■ Do you still feel or even hear those memories as if they were happening now?
Memories can be experienced in incredibly graphic detail including smell and taste. Our minds are very powerful in that when we go through any experience every aspect is imprinted into our memory banks. Over time we tend to forget the impact of every detail and usually only remember hazy sometimes obscure bits that gradually fade. As we get older these memories tend to get grouped into positive pleasant ones, and the unpleasant or hurtful memories are forgotten because we don’t wish to be sad. For instance, these memories can be triggered when we hear a particular piece of music on the radio. We find ourselves thinking initially of the music but sometimes continue to remember other things like people or places and some or all the emotions felt at the time. We find ourselves re-living in one degree or
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another, various aspects of the past event. This is alright because when the music stops, our past memories usually fade and we carry on with our present life don’t we? But what do we do when they don’t fade? What do we do when we cannot stop the memories from seeping or even bursting uncontrollably into our thoughts? What if they are there in our minds all the time? What do we do if the trigger for the memory or flashback is actually you? What do you do when you are in the grip of one of these memories and a loved one comes to you and asks how do you feel?
What can you say? How can you explain that you are at that very moment re- living a painful memory from a past military conflict that you were involved in? present life, can be addressed using NLP.
Or you are recalling being beaten and the pain and humiliation you feel is overwhelming. The only outward display to those around you is your tears.
There is a way.
You cannot explain without reliving the detail, the very thing that you want to forget but cannot.
What we can do is to change the impact that the original event caused. You can change how you experienced the original emotions, so that the memory of the event is altered for ever.
NLP consists of a set of easily learned techniques that you can use to rebuild and quickly gain control of your present life, so that you are no longer in the grip of your past memories. If you want to find out more about what NLP can do for you, call John Barrett on 07930 370595
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, being bullied, phobias, in fact any memory from your past that you desperately want to diminish the intensity of, or reduce the impact of that memory on your
John is registered as a professional member with the ANLP- He is also a registered healer with the Healing Trust, and the Complimentary Natural Healthcare Council.
You cannot even explain the tears, let alone stop them. There is no-one that can understand how you feel because it was all so long ago and you should have gotten over it by now shouldn’t you?
January / February
It’s not possible to change the events of the past. They have happened and we feel the way we do because of the way we were at that time.
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King Henry VIII Comprehensive King Henry VIII is a vibrant comprehensive school which offers a diverse and challenging curriculum for 11-18 year olds. The school and its community are proud of their traditions dating back to 1542 but equally are keen to look to the challenges of the future and embrace the opportunities the 21st century brings to education.
that our resources can provide.
At KHS we are proud of a reputation for providing first class teaching by well qualified and caring teachers; offering a wide range of academic and vocational courses and providing extensive extra curricular activity opportunities including sports and musical activities and regular visits abroad.
These physical changes also have a positive effect on the improving standards at the school and thereby creating results. During our recent inspection by ESTYN inspectors recognised the progress the school has made over recent years and in particular the improvement in examination performance. The examination results at King Henry have seen a significant upward trend, with this year’s GCSE results being the best in the recent history of the school. Our results reflect the effort and commitment of not only staff, students and parents but also the wider community in which we are proud to play an important part.
We are constantly trying to improve the quality of the physical environment of the school and during the past year these improvements have included: installation of Wireless networking throughout school enabling fast and flexible internet access; two further Video Conferencing suites; refurbishment of the Music Technology suite and a new Sixth Form Coffee Shop. Such improvements enhance the learning environment and ensure that our young people have access to the best facilities
The school has received two important awards this year. Firstly, the Basic Skills Quality Standard, which followed a demanding assessment process into the provision the school makes for young people who require extra support, in particular with literacy and numeracy. Secondly, and more recently the Governing Body received the Bronze Award of the new Governors’ Quality Mark and in doing so was one of the first secondary schools in Wales to achieve it. The Award recognises
and endorses the good practice of governance carried out by the Governing Body at KHS and their role in acting as critical friends, working in partnership with the school leadership team and staff to raise standards. The young people of King Henry School continually impress staff, students, parents and members of the community with their achievements in a wide variety of disciplines. The annual school dramatic production always plays to enthusiastic
sell-out audiences and our students also have a history of great success at both individual and team level in a range of sporting activities. The list of our young people who have achieved International Honours by playing for their county is growing rapidly. KHS continues to grow as an achieving community that puts the needs of our young people at the centre of everything we do. We look forward to rising to the challenges that lie ahead.
King Henry Vii School Ysgol Brenin Harri’r VIII King Henry VIII School offers a diverse and challenging curriculum for 11-18 year olds within a vibrant and achieving community. We are proud at King Henry VIII of our reputation for: ● ● ● ● ●
A tradition of first class teaching by well qualified and caring teachers Offering a wide range of academic and vocational courses Achieving outstanding examination results at both Key Stage 4 and 5 Supporting pupils with special educational needs Providing an extensive range of extra curricular activities including sporting and musical activities and regular visits abroad For further information about the school or to arrange a visit please contact Nicholas Oaten (Headteacher) on 01873 735373
King Henry VIII School Old Hereford Road Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 6EP www.kinghenryviiischool.org.uk Respecting tradition, embracing the future.
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Christ College Brecon
Inspectorate for Education & Training in Wales. In its report, the Estyn inspection team judged Christ College to be ‘Excellent’ in all areas that it assessed and identified significant examples of sector-leading practice. The report recognised the high standards achieved at Christ College and the quality of provision and support provided to achieve these standards as the inspectors observed ‘Pupils of all ages make very good progress and achieve particularly high standards in public examinations at keys stage 4 and post-16'. Head Emma Taylor said: ‘We know that academic results open doors, so we are committed to helping every individual maximise their achievement in this area.
At Christ College Brecon we work hard to create a stable environment, with extensive choices under the one roof, where pupils can be happy, grow in confidence and maturity, and thrive academically and in every other way. We pride ourselves on the pursuit of excellence, on encouraging our pupils to find and develop their talents and preparing them for the world beyond school. For the second year in a row, pupils at Christ College witnessed a galaxy of stars as they celebrated the best ever haul of top A* grades at the school.
Top grades have also been awarded to the school as earlier this year Christ College was awarded the best possible inspection results by Estyn, Her Majesty’s
The 2010/11 Upper Sixth continued the run of outstanding A level results with 18% of all A level grades achieving the challenging A* top grade. These A level results were amongst some of the best ever seen here with 77% of all grades achieving the top A*B grade.
motivated, show high levels of self-discipline and are very effective independent learners.' One feature that was particularly pleasing to the school was the observation that Christ College's ‘extensive and enriching extra-curricular activities programme contributes significantly to pupils' personal and social development and their academic progress'. This acknowledges that we teach well beyond and around the narrow requirements of examinations, and believe that education takes place everywhere a pupil goes and not just in the classroom. The high pupil participation rates in the DofE Award Scheme, the extremely popular Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and our pupils’ successes in the sporting, music and drama arenas are evidence of this. To register for our Open Events, please contact Mrs Stephens on 01874 615440 or via admissions@christcollegebrecon.com
The GCSE results were equally impressive with the best ever haul of top A* grades at the school as one in three of all entries was awarded the A* grade. This is the second year in succession at the college when more than 50% of all grades have been at A or A* level. It’s no surprise therefore that Estyn observed that ‘pupils are extremely well
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The Best Bespoke Care Service Whatever your Care needs, Penpergwm Care Centre is the place to help. They offer a professional service of care for older people in the residential home or in their own home. You can also visit Penpergwm House for Day Care where you can enjoy a home cooked two course lunch (including an alternative menu) and join in the activities. This beautiful home set in lovely grounds provides 26 rooms for residential use. Respite Care for short stays is also offered, subject to availability. Penpergwm House has become renowned for the regular events and the variety of daily activities it offers to Residents and Day Care visitors. For this reason places both permanent and temporary are much sought after. Penpergwm Training Centre offers a variety of training courses for their own staff for other local businesses.
PENPERGWM HOUSE Training Centre
Penpergwm, Abergavenny, Mon. NP7 9AE
Courses available from January 2012 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Basic First Aid (Emergency One Day Appointed Person) Basic Food Hygiene Level 2 Awareness of Health & Safety/COSHH Fire Safety Moving & Handling All Wales Passport Training Infection Control Challenging Behaviour / Mental Health
Please ring Gail on 01873 840267 / 07977 916227 to book your place or request a 2012 brochure. Email: g.hannam@penpergwmhouse.org.uk
Penpergwm House has always had a strong commitment to staff training and have therefore included the Training Centre as an important part of our on site facilities. We offer a wide range of courses using in-house and local trainers. Our aim is to encourage people to continue with their development to ensure high quality standards and to meet legal requirements. We offer a local, flexible service and our training room is also for hire to other companies for their training requirements. Please ask for details. All our courses, e.g. First Aid, Food Hygiene, Health and Safety, etc, are open to everyone and we provide a small friendly environment in which to learn with free car parking available.
We also provide: Residential & Respite Care, Day Care and Domiciliary Care. Please contact us for details. Website: penpergwmhouse.org.uk ●
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The Initiative shop The initiative shop, situated in Frogmore Street, just along from Tesco’s, is a fantastic place to start looking for those essential items for going back to school or further education.
The initiative shop’s own label products, initiative, offers the best value for money on everyday school and study essentials and we also stock a fantastic range of painting and craft products from artists pads to Fimo. If you can’t find what you are looking for in store we do have access to over 30,000 products with the majority being available
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At Herefordshire College of Technology (HCT) we provide a huge choice of over 70 different full-time courses which are ideally suited to young people leaving school. Our learning programmes are closely related to professions and trades, and we prepare our learners both for work and higher education. Many of our courses reflect work opportunities available locally, for example, construction, engineering, motor vehicle maintenance, hairdressing, beauty therapy, catering, health and social care, child care, computing, accountancy, business, public services, sport, travel and tourism, agriculture, animal care, countryside management, equine, sport, blacksmithing and farriery.
With 50% off selected lines there is no better time to visit and with over 1,000 products in stock from filing products to computer accessories there is something for everybody.
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for a next day collection in store. We can also print, copy, laminate and bind those all important school projects, assignments and course work. We look forward to welcoming you The initiative shop, 22 Frogmore Street, Abergavenny Tel; 01873 857069 Website; www.theinitiativeshop.co.uk
January / February
Courses are provided at many academic levels, from foundation through to advanced. We are also developing more university level courses, enabling people to study degrees and advanced diplomas locally.
Many of our 16-18 year old students are at college full-time. However, some secure apprenticeships with local companies; an ideal way to earn a wage, gain real work experience and recognised qualifications. We are very proud of our outstandingly successful apprenticeship programme. We hope that, if you decide to study with us, you will really enjoy your time at HCT. We are very excited about the future and are determined to do our very best to support every single student, so that everyone can achieve his or her full potential. Why not come and join us next year?
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January Sale Tips
Keep an eye out for those offers that just seem too good to be true they most likely are so just double check with a sales assistant. Always double check the size of an item before you purchase it. In all the commotion it could have slipped onto a different hanger and you don’t want to get home and realize the item doesn’t fit you. Don’t go into every single shop you walk past you’ll end up buying things you don’t need or want.
Here are some handy tips and guidelines to follow to make sure you have a successful January sale shopping trip! January sale shopping can either be a complete nightmare or a major success! It’s definitely one of the busiest sales of the year though, as our stores are preparing for their Spring / Summer 2012 collections and shoppers are snapping up any last minute bargains. With the weather and the economy before Christmas having an effect on how we shopped, there are January bargains to be had. Follow our tips to make sure you get the most out of The January sales.
Buy a couple of lightweight jumpers or cardigans that you can wear throughout spring / summer for those chilly evenings. Or even slippers, PJ’s and accessories such as gloves and scarves you know you’ll need them at some point! That rather expensive coat that you’ve been eyeing up is now half price a definite bargain to take advantage of! Coats are just so expensive these days and you’ll be super prepared for the following winter. Don’t do a Becky Bloomwood from Confessions of a Shopaholic and pounce on fellow shoppers! Make sure you don’t put down any undecided items in case someone else comes along and picks it up.
Try to avoid shopping at the weekends - parking is always a nightmare! If not, then just make sure you get to the shops nice and early. Last, but not least, if you really can’t bring yourself to trek through the shops then you can always do some online sale shopping all you need is your credit card and a cup of tea!
Open Morning
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ABERGAVENNY Spotlight on Abergavenny Market ■
Dennis Cooksey with his nieces Carol Davies and Christine Hughes who now run the Nuth family business
MARKET
Situated in the middle of the town known as the Gateway to Wales, Abergavenny Tuesday Market is well known as one of the major markets in Wales.
MARKETS EVERY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAYS
Dennis Cooksey belongs to one of the longest families dynasty associated with Abergavenny market. Dennis, now aged 81, has been working in the market hall for over 60 years after giving up a job at the Ebbw Vales steelworks to join the family firm, Nuth’s named after his grandfather Jack who founded the business during he latter days of the 19th Century, and has seen his parents, aunts and uncles all running the fruit and veg stall. Dennis took over the helm of Nuth’s some 45 years ago and ran it with his mother Annie and during the market’s hey day the family business had three stalls, not just selling fruit and vegetables but fish as well. Dennis said: “It’s a completely different feeling now being a market trader as back then it was one big family intermingling with each other. Today, while all the traders get on with each other it’s like being a big community instead of living in each other’s pockets.” Nuth’s has always been big on the agricultural shows, attending The Royal Welsh, the National Eisteddfod and the Monmouthshire and Usk shows every year . Their quality produce has led them to receive invitations to attend many of the other shows held across the UK. Dennis explained that fruit and veg is as popular as ever with his customers and added: “Television cooking programmes have helped reinvigorate people’s interest in obtaining the best produce from the markets for their meals. “My first memories are living with my grandparents in Govilon and being introduced to the market routine at an early age. I enjoy working in the market still, even though I am semiretired, its something I have done since I was a lad helping my mother and grandmother on the stall. “To me it’s not a job but a way of life. It’s especially enjoyable as I have worked with all the generations. I may not have children of my own, but there are two nieces of mine who have taking over the day to day running of the stall. “They are the ones who have to get up at 2am and travel to Bessemer Market in Cardiff to obtain our produce. I don’t miss that side of the business at all, but I do get to enjoy the social side of it, especially when some of my former steelworks colleagues seek me out when they are in Abergavenny.”
Farmers Market ■
Thursday 19th January
The earliest known photograph of Nuth’s stall in Abergavenny market featuring Dennis as a school boy with his mother Annie
Dennis pointed out that carrots, onions and spouts were popular as ever at this time of year along with their large range of potatoes. “I’ve worked in the market in all weathers, it’s part of the job and I still love it. It’s hard work and I take it easy, just like my old mother Annie did in her latter days.”
Antiques Fair Sunday 15th January
For further details contact Geoff Harris 01873 735811
Christine concluded: “This job has long hours and while it is rewarding seeing the smiles on people’s faces, it is a lot of hard work. I also get the feeling that the younger generation are not interested in being market traders of the future. They have their own lives to lead, which sadly doesn’t include selling fruit and veg.”
The Belgrave Hotel The Esplanade, Tenby, Pembrokeshire SA70 7DU Tel: 01834 842377 Fax: 01834 842626
Come and enjoy the hotels superb seafront position overlooking Tenby’s beautiful south beach in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
Midweek B&B from £37.50 pppn
Arrive Friday or Saturday Enjoy 2 nights mix and match
£89.95 pp
One of the most sought after wedding destinations in Wales. www.manorhotel.co.uk
3 Nights £127.45 pp Dinner, Bed & Breakfast on Saturday Bed & Breakfast Friday and Sunday Candlelit Dinner & Dance Thursday and Saturday Gala Menu, Breakfast in Bed Sunday Morning Ring now for Birthdays, Anniversaries and other special breaks.
Wedding Open Day
Dennis’ nieces Carol Davies and Christine Hughes said: “Our Uncle may have semiretired, but he’s still the boss. We’ve been working on the stall for many years and even we have seen changes to people’s buying patterns. There is still a place for a market, despite a lot of people choosing the connivence of supermarket shopping. “We still maintain the quality mark that Jack Nuth began, so we don’t buy in produce that is not up to our high standards. If it doesn't look good at the wholesalers, it simply doesn’t get selected by us. Everything we stock has to have a good shelf life. “What people tell us is they like the option to buy one of something. This is of great news to our older generation, many of who are now on their own and often feel that buying more than one of anything would only be wasted.”
Call for information on our Promotional Offers For more details contact: Chris Murphy Mob: 07719 662634 Tel: 01291 690 077 Website: www.raglanparc.co.uk Parc Lodge, Station Road, Raglan
Sunday 8th January from 12noon T: 01873 810212
Brecon Road, Crickhowell, NP8 1SE ●
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From the field to the freezer How Wiltshire Farm Foods’ carefully prepared frozen meals are helping people stay independent For those who’ve worked hard all their lives, maintaining independence is particularly important - especially when it comes to mealtimes. Wiltshire Farm Foods is one company that’s keen to help those who can’t get out and about as much, so they can eat well and look after themselves. Established for more than 20 years, Wiltshire Farm Foods creates and delivers a delicious range of frozen meals that can be cooked in minutes. From the field, to the freezer, every detail is considered in order to offer nutrition, value, flavour and award-winning personal service. Ingredients are selected from carefully approved suppliers and are then prepared by a team of nutritionists and award-winning chefs in their Wiltshire kitchens. Once cooked, the meals are placed into handy trays that fit easily into the freezer, then frozen almost immediately to lock in the freshness.
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Convenience is a key part of the Wiltshire Farm Foods offering. All meals can be ordered over the phone or online. They’re then delivered by a friendly, local delivery driver, who is always happy to put meals away in the freezer if preferred. With the freezer stocked up, you know that a hot meal is only ever a few minutes away. Most dishes take 8-12 minutes in the microwave or 35 minutes in the oven. As they are cooked in their trays, there is no preparation, no pots and pans, just delicious meals that you can enjoy in your own time. Maintaining independence has never been easier. Recently, national treasure Ronnie Corbett joined Wiltshire Farm Foods for a TV and magazine campaign promoting the delicious meals - and the independence they bring. The TV adverts also feature Edith and Eric, who talk to Ronnie about the benefits of the service. If you’ve not seen them yet, keep a look out. For more information about Wiltshire Farm Foods in your area, you can contact 01600 892855 or visit www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com for a free brochure.
January / February
Warm up to wood-burning stove Visit our showroom in CHEPSTOW to see our stylish range of traditional and contempory stoves in multi fuel, gas & electric. Stove expertise at competitive prices. Offering the complete package from supply to installation by Hetas qualified engineers and we will ensure you have the perfect stove.
Telephone for a survey: 01291 621545
Opening times: Tuesday - Sunday
Classic Stoves Chepstow Garden Centre, Pwllmeyric, Chepstow NP16 6LF 01291 628080 www.classicstoves.co.uk â—?
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Colin Ratushniak
On A recent trip to Amsterdam , Gazette team members had the pleasure in meeting Colin Ratushniak, one of 2011's Dancing on Ice skating stars. Colin skated his way through to the final of the television series with his partner Laura Hamilton, a presenter on Nickelodeon tv. Colin first got used to skating on ice whilst playing ice hockey until the age of 12 when he decide to move into figure skating. He then skated competitively for the next six years. And by 2003 he decided to hang up his competitive skates and began to skate in professional shows and has now skated in shows in more than 300 cities in 20 countries around the world.
Holiday on Ice! Holiday on Ice is is returning to Cardiff in February which will take you on a journey that celebrates love, life, music and dance in one of the most thrilling ice spectaculars you will ever see.
Robin comments: "A few years ago I was working with Barry Manilow on a TV Special and I found his music works just as great skating should. It flows beautifully and soars in all the right places.
Tropicana – The Passion Tour, is the brand new show created and choreographed by Olympic champion Robin Cousins whose love of skating and desire for artistic excellence has given provided some of the most unforgettable performances ever seen on ice.
“There's passion and power in the songs and that's what I've always tried to convey in the shows I create, so I am absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to showcase this wonderful music in Tropicana and hope this will add a new dimension to the audience's enjoyment of these great songs."
In Tropicana, Robin invites you to share his dance and musical inspirations - from the high octane Rock ‘n’ Roll of fifties America to a smouldering bolero and the steamy Latin rhythms of a tropical night club – brought to life by a cast of over 40 world class skaters. As well as offering an original musical score, the show features interpretations of some of the best loved songs from world-renowned songwriter Barry Manilow including ‘I Can’t Smile Without You’, the iconic ‘Mandy’ and the one and only ‘Copacabana’.
Colin recently joined the Holiday on Ice team where we met up with him whilst skating at the RAI stadium in Amsterdam in December. This show gave him the opportunity to work on Tropicana, the passion tour alongside of Robin Cousins who directed and choreographed this ice show. On asking Colin was it harder woking with Holiday On Ice or Dancing on Ice he said that both had their own pressures and it was taking him a while for him to get back into this style of skating as everything is choreographed. He explained : “All the moves are designed with military precision, which means we have to be in a certain part of the ice rink at any one time.” Colin works alongside professionals who have been skating for years and others just starting out. He added: “Whilst being involved with Dancing on Ice I have to keep in time with my partner who may have never skated previously before joining the show. “With a bit of encouragement and lots of hard work these novice skaters soon show signs of talent.” Colin, who has held a pilots license since the age of 17, has been travelling for the last eight years in numerous jobs - even skating for the Disney organisation. He enjoys visiting various countries and he told the Gazette that he always makes a list of the many places that he can visit whilst staying in any one city. He laughs when he says that there are not many jobs in the world in which you get paid to travel. He added: “This is a short tour of three months duration, which includes Cardiff, and when I return home to Toronto I will take my time in deciding what to do next, but I don’t think it will be Dancing on Ice 2012.
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And for the first time in Holiday on Ice’s history, Tropicana is using a giant, state-of-the-art screen as the backdrop to the show, enhancing the action on the ice with a thrilling light show that incorporates additional footage of the skaters. The show will be delighting audiences in Cardiff at The Motorpoint Arena from February 7 to 12, 2012. Ticket prices range from £25 to £36 with
concessions for senior citizens and children at just £12. A family ticket for £70 is also available and new for 2012 is a limited edition ‘Meet and Greet’ package on selected performances for just £10 per person. All tickets are subject to booking and transaction fees. There are also big savings for groups of 10 or more people from the box office on 02920 22 44 88 or book online at www.theticketfactory.com/holidayonice. For more information visit www.holidayonice.co.uk
Lowri Jones was the winner of the Holiday on Ice ‘Ice Factor’ Competition that attracted young skaters from all over the area The contestants performed a timed routine in front a panel of judges that included Robin Cousins MBE and Lauren Taylor, a professional ice skater in Holiday on Ice’s new show Tropicana. Lowri’s prize is to perform her own choreographed routine on the opening night in Cardiff in front of thousands. Also impressing Robin Cousins, Isabella Larkin and Caitlin Marsh who were awarded
second and third place have been asked to perform on other dates during the week. Robin Cousins said: “There was a huge amount of talent taking part. Several of the skaters were good enough to have the potential to join a professional skating show like Holiday on Ice when they’re older. “Lowri’s performance stood out; her attitude and poise was captivating throughout and we are really looking forward to seeing what she comes up with for opening night. I encourage Cardiff audiences to come along and support her on the opening night of the show.”
Holiday on Ice statistics Events that happened in January ❆ 68 consecutive years of travelling ice ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆
entertainment in multiple countries 25 December 1943 - First ever performance in Toledo, Ohio, USA 324 million visitors by coming season 2011/2012 98 different ice shows have been produced 53,600 shows have been performed since 1943 Holiday on Ice has visited 620 cities in more than 80 countries on five continents
Records over the past seven decades as recognised by the Guinness World Records organisation: ❆ 1988 - 'most watched show of all time' with 250 million visitors ❆ 1994 - 'longest kick-line in the world' ❆ 2003 - 'most watched show of all time' with 300 million visitors ❆ 2008 - 'The most visited show in the world' ❆ 2008 – ‘World’s largest Pin Wheel’
On a yearly basis Holiday on Ice has: ❆ 250 Skaters and ❆ 120 Crew members appearing in ❆ Five Shows simultaneously touring ❆ three continents, visiting ❆ 75 cities and towns in ❆ 15 countries giving ❆ 1,000 performances After 68 years Holiday on Ice has the following statistics: ❆ 6,000 skaters, 12 Olympic Medallist ❆ 5 times in the Guinness World Records Book ❆ 27,000 costumes (280 costumes per show x 98 shows) ❆ 148,500 m2 fabric (27000 costumes x 5.5 m per costume) ❆ 16,000 hats and wigs (98 shows x 163 heads per show) ❆ 3,360 km2 ice - that's an average ice floor being 650 m2, average of 76 cities per year to put an ice floor in, in the last 68 years.
● United Kingdom is Created.
● Edward VIII succeeds to the throne ● French King Louis XVI was executed in
Paris. ● Union of Utrecht signed, Dutch
Republic formed. ● Mutineers burn their ship, the ‘Bounty’
and settle on Pitcairn Island
● Alaska becomes the 49th State of
America. ● New York runs the first unmanned
subway train.
● Cullinan diamond is discovered. The
world’s largest at 3,106 carats. ■ Not only has Robin Cousins created and
choreographed Tropicana, but, along with composer Maurice Luttikhuis he has written two original songs for the show! They are ‘City Streets’ which you hear at the top of Act 2 in ‘Enchanted Toy Shop’ and ‘Think of Us’ which features at the end of ‘Big Band Swing’ ■ The incredible graphics that you see on the video wall have been designed and created by Dirk Decloedt in close collaboration with Robin. Dirk created the content for the worlds largest video screen in Celine Dion’s Las Vegas theatre show, ‘A New Day’ and worked with Britney Spears on the ‘Circus’ World Tour in 2009 ■ The silhouette that you see dancing on the screen in ‘Caliente Rhythms’ is Robin! ■ Although they have been recorded and performed live in concert, this is the first time that the Barry Manilow songs ‘Where you Go” and ‘Stars in the Night’ have been presented as part of a live theatrical
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performance. Listen out for them in the ‘Passions’ duet and the ‘Finale’ Many of the songs in Tropicana have been recorded for the show by Robin’s friend Tim Howar, lead vocalist in the current line up of Mike & The Mechanics Tropicana is the tenth show that Robin has helped create for Holiday on Ice. 2002 Colours of Dance; 2003 - In Concert; 2004 - Celebration; 2005 - Hollywood; 2006 Diamonds; 2007 -Fantasy; 2008 - Peter Pan On Ice; 2009 - Mystery and in 2010 Spirit. Robin’s shows for Holiday on Ice have toured all over the world. In January 2012 Great Britain will be hosting the European Figure Skating Championships and Robin has been commissioned to choreograph the opening and closing ceremonies. Robin is as an Official Ambassador for Team GB for the 2012 Olympics.
● Michael Jackson is burned when
filming a Pepsi commercial. ● London’s Pall Mall becomes the first
street lit by gaslight. ● King Harold is crowned King of
England. ● Jeffries and Blanchard’s first balloon
flight across the English Channel. ● The world’s first underground railway
service opens in London between Paddington and Farringdon.
● Trotsky appointed People’s Commissar
for Military and Naval Affairs. ● Charles I King of England is beheaded. ● Insulin first used to treat diabetes. ● The first American style Supermarket
● Adolph Hitler named German
Chancellor.
opens in UK. ● ‘Mickey Mouse’ comic strip launched. ● Henry Ford introduces model-T Fords ● Elizabeth 1st crowned Queen in
Westminster Abbey. ● Ivan the Terrible is crowned Czar of
Russia. ● Prohibition introduced in America? ● Francisco Pizarro founds Lima Peru ● The board game ‘Scrabble’ is launched.
● Guy Fawkes executed for gun powder
plot. ● The first car to reach 100 mph,
MacDonald, Daytona Beach. ● McDonald’s open their first restaurant
in Russia
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. . . o u D Dear if you would like dear duo to help with your problems, please write to Dear Duo, The Gazette and Diary, 13 Nevill Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5AA.
Dear Duo
January 2012
Bristol, Thursday matinee Panto, David Hasselhoff in Peter Pan. Coach/Theatre. £32 per person. Limited tickets. Reservations 01873 852567
gva
Aber Alzheimers memory cafe at Trinity Church Hall, drrop in anytime between 10.30 and 12.30
Aber Alzheimers carers meeting, Angel Hotel, 7.30-9pm, All Welcome.
I really need your help!! I was seeing this boy for about 5months, and i genually loved him. But sometimes when i feel as if im getting too close to someone, i have to call it off. So we broke-up. I then found out that while we were going out, he cheated on me multiple times and was texting other girls, asking them for ..things. We got back together, finished,got back together, finished, got back together and finished atleast 6 times. But i still loved him. I then met this other boy, he is nothing like my ex! he is really sweet, and kind, and does care about my feelings, he’s said he wants to have a kid, and get married (one day!) nothing like my ex! And the more i got to know him and he told me he liked me, the more i liked him. But obviously, i still loved my ex. Over a few weeks or so, i began to really like this boy that i had gotten to know, but my feelings were still strong for my ex. And now, me and this boy are going out, but there is still this feeling that i have for my ex. And im not sure wether it will ever go away. I’ve tried my hardest to get over him, I’ve even went as far as to burn a picture of him, and although that did help alittle bit, nothing has made this feeling go away. And im not sure if anything will, what should i do!? Jess
Hi Jess I think this is a situation that many people go through, and it always seems the worse they have treated you the more you want them. You will probably hold a torch for your ex for a long time to come yet and this may never completely leave you , but this is ok, one day it will fade into the backround. Enjoy your new relationship, be thankful that you have managed to find such a nice person who obviously cares for you, dont try to force new feelings and one day you will wake up and realise you love him so much more than you ever did your ex. J Hi You really need to get over this fella, he obviously didnt love you as much as you loved him or he wouldnt have cheated on you, You seem to have a genuine guy this time so enjoy the flattery and attention that he is giving you. You will get over your ex and it will take time. H Sorry to those who have not had their problems answered yet we have limited space but we will eventually get round to you!
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The Winter Issue
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January / February
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Gazette Motors When Land Rover starts to embrace the growing trend for front-wheel drive SUVs you know the concept isn’t some flash in the pan gimmick. In truth, there’s a lot to be said for a two-wheel drive ‘soft-roader'. Many 4x4s never see a muddy track and the economy savings of only two driven wheels will be of greater benefit to many owners. There’s a new breed of buyers out there now. Cars like the Range Rover Sport have shown that popularity is not just about ability. Brand image and the whole lifestyle package are equally important to an increasing number of owners. Providing a slightly more affordable alternative is the new Evoque. A bold-looking compact SUV, it’s already created a stir and won numerous awards, and in four-wheel drive guise is surprisingly capable. Predictably, a front-wheel drive variant was an inevitable addition to the range. There will be cynics who believe such a car dilutes the brand, but company bosses will point to real world benefits: improved fuel consumption, lower CO2 emissions and reduced weight. And if you want to buy into the Range Rover image but aren’t overly fussed about a car’s mountain climbing abilities, this two-wheel drive Evoque ticks more boxes than the detractors would care to admit. By removing 75kg of excessive weight - that’ll be the part of the transmission that’s no longer needed - plus fitting a 150 horsepower version of the Evoque’s 2.2-litre diesel complete with engine stopstart, this two-wheel drive car boasts a creditable 129g/km CO2 in three-door Coupe form and 57.6mpg. It’s a fraction more in five-door trim, but
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We take a look at the new Range Rover EVOQUE ED4 COUPE still better than the all-wheel drive model’s extra 20g/km CO2 penalty and 8mpg higher fuel consumption with the same engine. Immediately it’s easy to see the car’s on-paper appeal, and such a performance easily plays into the wallets of company car drivers. For many SUVs are completely off limits, although this Evoque’s frontdrive status and car-like economy should boost its chances when fleet managers compile their new lists of qualifying vehicles. This Evoque isn’t just a new model for company car drivers, though. For the private purchaser it offers the same stunning looks, quality cabin and practicality as its all-wheel drive cousin. On the road it’s near-identical in its ability to tackle the concrete jungle; the lofty driving position and easy access rear load space complete this car’s rounded performance. Engine-wise the entry level 148 horsepower 2.2-litre diesel offers ample power and plenty of torque, with the short shift manual transmission proving to be anything but a compromise. Quiet around town yet punchy enough for spirited driving, the car’s modest on-paper performance figures mask the engine’s willing character. And while you might sacrifice Land Rover’s now familiar Terrain Response system to help you traverse tricky surfaces, the two-wheel drive car is surprisingly capable when the going gets slippery. Granted, its limits are modest by the standards of a seasoned off-roader, however the car’s various electronic traction and stability aids are smart enough to kick in early if they detect wheelspin.
Mario’s Video Services
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The Winter Issue
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If you need an Evoque that will take you (almost) anywhere the all-wheel drive version will surprise you with its abilities. For many who have no such requirements but still want to be part of what has become an increasingly attractive brand, the two-wheel drive car will not disappoint.
Facts at a glance ● Model: Range Rover Evoque 2.2 eD4 Prestige Coupe, from - £36,625 on the road. ● Engine: 2.2-litre diesel unit developing 148bhp. ● Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels. ● Performance: Maximum speed 112mph, 062mph 11.2 seconds. ● Economy: 57.6mpg.
Crucially there’s no hint of a compromise when it comes to the ownership experience. From its rakish looks to the wealth of standard and optional equipment - especially the stunning panoramic glass roof - it’s hard to find fault. And when you factor in the fuel, emissions and potential tax savings, you realise that beyond the badge there’s real depth to this particular Evoque’s abilities.
● CO2 Rating: 129g/km.
Tel: 07401 050585 Email: info@mariovideoservices.co.uk
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Nick Ramsay AM Assembly Member for Monmouth
TEL: 07960 442755 7 HILL CREST CROSS ASH NEAR ABERGAVENNY NP7 8PF TEL 01873 821355 OFTEC Registered
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In summary, the Range Rover reputation stays intact despite the car’s lack of genuine, goanywhere ability. As the brand moves towards satisfying both traditional and new customers, with the latter possessing a markedly different set of expectations and requirements, the company has taken care not to sacrifice its core values.
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For many, though, this particular Evoque will live almost exclusively in the real world, one full of poorly surfaced roads and congested city streets. And in this environment the car excels, boasting a supple ride and very little body roll despite its SUV dimensions. The car’s electric power steering - another fuel saving technology - offers a good blend of accuracy and assistance at all speeds. On a similar note the engine’s stop-start feature also works well, shutting down and firing up the motor with the minimum of fuss.
January / February
Hospitals - Schools - Transport Environment - Housing Write to: Nick Ramsay AM, Constituency Office, 16 Maryport Street, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1AB E-mail: nicholas.ramsay@wales.gov.uk For further information call: 01291 674 898 or 029 2089 8735
B&Q set to change the face of the kitchen and bathroom market with an unbeatable price commitment 60 million price investment and longest ever; a sale is not just for January it's for Winter Using the power of its market leading position as part of Kingfisher plc, Europe’s leading home improvement group, B&Q is committing to beat any price in the kitchen and bathroom market in its Winter sale this year. The retailer is responding to customers’ budgets by reducing prices in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom market with a £60 million price investment. It is also launching an industry leading four year interest free credit deal to help customers spread the cost of their home investment. The retailer is making it easier for customers by running the event over a longer period of time launching on 16 December 2011 until the beginning of March with prices so low that it will beat any price in the market. Ian Herrett, B&Q’s Business Development Director says; “Cash strapped times call for creative customer driven campaigns. We recognise that customers have got less money in their pockets yet they still want to add value to their homes. We’re on a mission to help customers improve their homes; offering kitchens and bathrooms at industry beating prices over a longer period of time and a four year interest free credit just made it easier than ever.” This investment is backed by a £5.5 million marketing campaign which includes the retailer’s biggest ever digital spend and a new style creative TV and press ad campaign centred on the theme of memories to the classic Dean Martin track, Memories Are Made of This. The ad will air on the evening of 15 December 2011. Customers can choose from a range of 29 kitchens and 12 bathrooms to take away immediately off the shelf from store or order from a range of 24 custom designed Cooke & Lewis kitchens or 25 bespoke bathrooms that can be fitted by B&Q’s award winning installations team, who fit around 35,000 installations a year with a five year workmanship guarantee. In addition, designing and planning dream kitchens and bathrooms is absolutely free at B&Q.
Recent research by the retailer shows that customers are confused and cynical about the deals and offers in the market place. Today’s move completely removes all the jargon and caveats to give customers a straight forward clear unbeatable value message not just on doors and drawer fronts like the rest of the industry but on thousands of items across kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, flooring, tiling and branded appliances. Research also shows that 76 per cent of homeowners said that value for money is the most important factor to them when choosing a new kitchen.
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New Year New You Whether it’s a resolution you set for January 1, or a goal you start midyear to reach, you can make the next year of your life a healthier one. THE FIRST STEP IS TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOUR DIET AND HEALTH HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS. Think about questions like these and write down your answers in a notebook so that you can look back them again a year from now: ■ ■ ■ ■
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How does your weight compare with a year ago? Do you feel healthy and have a lot of energy or are you tired all the time? Do you take vitamins or other nutritional supplements? Do you eat at home most of the time? If so, what types of foods? Whole fresh foods, boxed foods or TV dinners? If you eat in a restaurant, what types of restaurants do you go to and what types of foods do you choose? How physically active are you? Do you exercise regularly? Do you eat healthy size portions, or do you stuff yourself with every meal? Do you smoke? How much alcohol do you drink each week?
It is important to take an honest look at your health and dietary habits in order to set goals for your health and diet. THE SECOND STEP - SETTING GOALS The second step is to set goals. Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to be able to run up and down your stairway without becoming winded? Do you want to reduce cholesterol or lower your blood pressure? Decide what you really want to achieve for your health and diet over the next month and over the next year. One good goal for your first month could be to resolve to take your lunch to work four days per week for each week this month instead of eating lunch in restaurants every day. Another example of a monthly goal would be to resolve to walk for 30 minutes four days per week each week this month.
Write down your goals in a notebook or in the food diary you are going to create in step seven. THE THIRD STEP - DETERMINING YOUR DIETARY NEEDS There are so many diets ranging from low carb to low fat to low calorie. Here just some ideas you might want to consider for your dietary needs: Do you have high blood pressure? If so you may wish to reduce sodium in your diet by avoiding canned and packaged foods. ■ Are you overweight? You need to decrease your calorie intake or increase your amount of physical exercise. You can choose low carb diets or low fat diets, just be sure to watch your calories and portion sizes. ■ Do you have diabetes? If so, then you need to reduce your sugar intake. ■ Do you have high cholesterol? Increase your intake of soluble fiber like the fiber found in oatmeal. Fiber will lower your cholesterol levels. You should reduce your intake of saturated fats and increase your intake of omega-3 essential fatty acids from fish, flax, walnuts and canola oil. ■
If you have specific health concerns, you should make an appointment to see your doctor or a nutritionist to help you know how different foods can affect how you feel. THE FOURTH STEP - DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS A healthy diet should give you all of the vitamins and minerals you need, but many people take vitamins just to make sure. There are several formulations available, but all you need is a simple multivitamin and multimineral supplement. THE FIFTH STEP - DESIGN YOUR HEALTHY NEW DIET To design your new diet, here is what you need to know: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
How many calories do you need to eat each day to reach your weight gain or weight loss goal? How do your eating patterns fit your lifestyle? Do you feel better with three large meals per day or five smaller meals per day? Will you continue to eat in restaurants often? What types of fruits and vegetables do you like?
A healthy diet should give you five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day, 25 grams of fiber per day, five or six ounces of protein per day and a small amount of omega-3 essential fatty acids each day. To stick with your new diet, you will want to include foods you enjoy. If you love hamburgers, that’s OK. Make them at home with whole grain rolls and cut down the size of the hamburger patty, or use ground turkey. Add lots of lettuce, onion, and tomato. Add a salad instead of fries. Learn which foods can substitute for the unhealthy foods you have been eating. Here are some ideas:
Cooking methods are important for healthy nutrition. Sautéing is better than deep-frying your foods. Frying foods adds fats and calories and doesn’t add any nutrition. Steam your vegetables instead of boiling them to mush. Steaming will preserve more of the vitamins found in the vegetables. When you cook your healthy meals at home, be sure to make a little bit extra to save as leftovers to take to work or school as a healthy lunch the next day THE SEVENTH STEP - GETTING STARTED WITH A FOOD DIARY If you are really serious about changing your diet, losing (or gaining) weight and improving your health, you will find that keeping a food diary is key to your success. You can keep track of the foods you eat every day in a food diary notebook. Note the portion sizes and write down the calories you eat every day. Add up the number of calories you eat each day and your total for the week. If you need to lose weight, decrease the number of calories you need to eat each week by 500. By eating 500 fewer calories each day, most people will lose about one pound per week. You can make your own food diary or join Calorie Count to keep track of your healthy new diet online. THE EIGHTH STEP - EXERCISE, FITNESS AND GENERAL HEALTH GOALS Healthy nutrition is just part of a healthy lifestyle. Another component of health and fitness is exercise. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you need to get out and get moving. Walking, running, aerobic exercise and weight lifting are all great exercises. If you want to lose weight, it is important to increase aerobic activity like walking or running. If you need to increase your strength, then you need to start resistance training such as lifting weights. There are health clubs, gyms, personal trainers as well as athome equipment to get you fit and healthy. Do you smoke? If so, you will really do yourself a favor by quitting. Smoking has been connected to so many chronic diseases...plus you will save a lot of money over the next year if you quit smoking. How much alcohol do you drink? One drink per day has been shown to be beneficial and there are antioxidantsin red wine. More than one drink per day can be detrimental to your health, however. If you find yourself drinking more than four ounces of wine or twelve ounces of beer each day, then you may need to decrease your consumption of alcohol. THE NINTH STEP - REDUCE STRESS Stress is detrimental to your health. Stress includes daily events like constant deadlines at work, long drive-times with excess traffic, more activities that time to do them, as well as emotional trauma like death or divorce. Find ways to reduce stress in your life: ■ Maintain An Organized Living Space: A cluttered environment can literally drain your energy and cause additional stress! Conversely, a beautifully decorated, soothing environment can be a haven where you can escape from the stressors in your life. Working on de-cluttering your home, getting organized about cleaning, or even practicing Feng Shui are all ways you can work toward the goal of having a beautiful and organized living space. ■
Learn to Organize Your Time: By keeping a schedule, learning to say no to excessive demands on your time, and utilizing shortcuts in your life, you’ll be less frantic, and have more time to do the things that energize and destress you. You’ll also have more time to do things that you enjoy in life.
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Cultivate A Supportive Social Circle: Those with a supportive social circle, or even just one close friend or partner to talk to and lean on in times of crisis, enjoy healthier, less stressful lives. (And they have more fun!) If you make the commitment to meet more people, and better develop the relationships you have, you’ll find that the payoff is more than worth the effort.
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Take Care of Your Body: If your body is healthy and in good repair, you’re better able to handle stressors in your life. However, an unhealthy body can cause great amounts of additional stress. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, getting massages and pampering yourself are all good ways to take care of your body and make stress management easier.
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Renew Your Spirit: We carry stress in our bodies, and hold it in our minds, so a stressful experience can stay with and keep affecting us after the actual experience has ended. Managing stress in your daily life can be much easier on your mental, physical and emotional state if you take regular breaks from it. There are many great stress-relieving exercises that can help you release both the tension from your body, and the stressful thoughts from your mind, making you more at peace and able to handle the stress that comes in each new day.
■ Choose crunchy raw green
beans instead of chips and serve them with a little of your favorite dip. ■ Replace high fat hot dog franks with soy dogs. ■ Choose whole grain breads and pasta instead of white bread and white pasta. ■ Skip the sugary desserts and have a small dish of fresh berries with a dab of whipped cream or non-fat whipped topping...add a sprinkling of walnuts on top. ■ Use lemon juice instead of salad dressing. ■ Choose low fat ground turkey instead of high fat ground beef. THE SIXTH STEP SHOPPING AND COOKING When you shop for healthy foods, use a shopping list and stay away from the snack food aisles and the prepackaged foods aisles as much as possible. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, lean meats, fish and legumes. Avoid foods high in saturated fats, sodium, trans fats and sugar.
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The Winter Issue
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FIREPLACES R.G.M. FIRPLACES As you develop these stress-relieving practices in your daily life, you should experience less stress, and be better able to handle the stress you do experience, leading to a happier, more healthy life. THE TENTH STEP - MOTIVATION AND MAINTENANCE Sometimes getting started with a new healthy diet and fitness plan is the easy part. Many of us hit occasional road-blocks due to busy schedules, loss of motivation and sometimes we hit weight loss plateaus. Those weight loss plateaus are the times when we feel like we do everything right, but the scale doesn’t seem to budge. When this happens, don’t give up. Here are some articles and resources that will keep you motivated: ■
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Are You Resolved? Are you resolved to meet your weight-loss goals this year? If better habits and achieving a healthier weight are among your new year’s resolutions, give yourself a pat on the back for making your health and yourself a priority. Now comes the hard part ... sticking to it! Here are a few tips to help you keep on track with your weight-loss resolutions: Get the "Write" Stuff - Journals, food diaries, grocery lists, to-do lists ... you write down a lot of things to stay on-track, so why not add your new year’s resolutions? Brainstorm all of your goals onto one piece of paper and then rewrite each individual goal as a contract with yourself. For example, one of my resolutions this year is to limit myself to one diet soda daily; I simply signed and dated a note card stating this and put it on my fridge with a magnet so I am reminded each time I open the door. Put your contracts somewhere that will remind you of the promises you have made -- this boost will be helpful when your motivation wanes. Save the Date - If you just say you’re going to meet your goal some time this year, that’s probably too open-ended. You may fall into the "I’ll-start-my-diet-next-Monday" trap if you leave your timeline wide open. Instead, mark your calendar for a certain date for each goal you want to meet. By June I would like to walk two miles a day. I have a set date and I know I need to work up to those two miles starting out with 10 additional minutes of walking per day this week, 15 minutes more next week, and so forth. Having that timeline reminds me that I can pace myself according to my goal rather than doing too much, too soon. Make (and Meet) Mini Goals - A goal that’s too big can be so overwhelming that you never even get started toward meeting it. Make small changes every week and they will add up in time. It’s easier to move individual stones than a whole mountain. Here are some examples of weekly changes you could incorporate into mini-goals: Week One: Drink 8 glasses of water per day. Week Two: Take the steps at work instead of the elevator. Week Three: Switch to diet sodas instead of sweetened beverages. Week Four: Eliminate fried foods from my daily diet. Week Five: Eat one vegetarian meal per week.
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Track and Reward - Keep your momentum going strong by charting your progress and setting up your own rewards system. For every five pounds you lose, for instance, you could treat yourself to something special: Five pounds could mean a new paperback book and 10 pounds, a new department store lipstick. Reaching a milestone like 25 or 50 pounds could mean something really special like a weekend getaway. Set the rewards you want now so you can look forward to them as you work toward your goals. Get Real - Nothing sets you up for failure more than unmeetable expectations. If you set an unrealistic goal (i.e., losing 20 pounds in one month), you will become discouraged when that doesn’t happen. The best weight loss is slow and steady -- around one to two pounds a week. If a diet leads you to lose much more than that, it may not be healthy and the weight probably won’t stay off. Most of us took years to gain the weight we are trying to lose, so there is no reason we should expect it to come off in a short time.
Call in the Calvary - Weight loss is difficult in the best of circumstances, so don’t try to go it alone. Tell your friends and family what you want to accomplish and how they can help you. Telling someone else your goals will make you feel that much more dedicated to reaching them. And maybe you’ll even find a weight-loss buddy among your peers; buddying up is a great way to stay motivated.
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The Winter Issue
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January / February
27
Ford Retail Dealer
CLYTHA MOTOR Co
MERTHYR ROAD
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ABERGAVENNY
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MONMOUTHSHIRE
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