TWR - August/September 2013 (QUARK 7):The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13
THE BABY DEBATE
inside
A ROYAL HOLIDAY
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BEST JOB IN THE WORLD?
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F R to ta EE ke h om e
August/September 2013 D Issue 19
SECOND TIME LUCKY AUTHOR MICHELLE JACKSON DISCUSSES MARRIAGE BREAKDOWN AND FINDING LOVE AGAIN
GREEN FINGERS DIARMUID GAVIN'S TIPS TO SPICE UP OUR GARDENS
WWW.WAITINGROOM.IE
BACK TO SCHOOL THE ESSENTIAL A-Z GUIDE FOR PARENTS
PLENTY ON HIS PLATE Dylan McGrath's path from Michelin star to MasterChef and now a mentor
PL U S C O L O U R I N G P U Z Z L E S C O M PE T I T ION S W O R D O F M O U T H
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TWR - August/September 2013 (QUARK 7):The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13
n the Michelin-starred chef Dylan McGrath has show juggles a he as , done be nation how multi-tasking should Best known tor. men and e career as a restaurateur, chef, judg who will des deci who e judg for his role as the serious faced us about to talks he ef, erCh face the chop each week on Mast r unde s ritie celeb ing the latest series where he is putt pressured pressure to cook their best dishes in a high t venture as a lates his t environment. Dylan also chats abou ects along with Proj ness Guin creative mentor for the Arthur ities. onal pers Irish n The Script and other well know ember is Sept that d inde rem Elsewhere in this issue, we are e to guid e s-fre stres our the month of organisation, with our get to how and ol sending the children back to scho n. Gavi muid Diar from tips gardens ready for autumn with her es shar on Jacks elle Instilling positivity, author Mich n and finding love personal experience of a marriage breakdow arney speaks Mull s Mag an, again, while another inspiring wom to day basis day a on s cope to Denise Calnan about how she pot or next your e mak you with Parkinson’s. Finally before we as , brew ct perfe that e cup of tea, find out how to mak tea. noon after of ry look into both the art and histo
C r eORed Kar e n EDIT
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inside August /September 2013 6 Masterchef And Mentor
Dylan McGrath chats to TWR about his latest venture as a creative mentor for Arthur Guinness Projects along with the challenges of being a judge on MasterChef.
8 Living With Parkinson’s
Coping with this disease is a challenge, but there is a lot you can do to proactively live a happy and healthy life writes Denise Calnan.
10 Back To School
Jillian Bolger’s A-Z guide for a stress-free start to the school year.
14 A Royal Holiday
Killarney has many charms with an abundance of five star hotels and luckily for visitors, competition keeps standards high writes Corinna Ray.
16 Second Time Lucky
A marriage breakdown may feel like the end of the world, but there is often a second chance at happiness writes author Michelle Jackson.
17 A Day In The Life
Dietitian Lorraine Cooney demystifies what is involved in her field of work, outlining a typical day in her shoes.
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20 The Art Of Afternoon Tea
We are considered to be the nation that drinks the most tea per capita, but does that also mean we have mastered the art of serving afternoon tea?
21 The Best Job In The World
Finding a job that brings long term happiness is a difficult quest. However taking a career break to embark on a different path can benefit you in the long run writes Simone Murphy.
22 Public Versus Private
June / July 2013 Winners
Cathal O’Connor, Co Cork winner of the Crossword competition Margaret Reilly Co Galway winner of the Word Search competition Mary Gibbons, Co Mayo winner of the Cross Reference competition
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Having a baby is one of the most important moments in your life. But what are the differences between public and private care? Karen Creed reports.
26 Green Fingers
A garden is a space in the home that is ripe for investment. Celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin shares some of his key tips. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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word of mouth
Can music enhance well-being? THE WAITING ROOM MAGAZINE is produced and printed in Ireland EDITOR Karen Creed E: info@waitingroom.ie PRODUCTION/DESIGN Jeannie Swan E: info@waitingroom.ie ADVERTISING Ingrid Lyons (Sales Manager) E: ingrid@waitingroom.ie T: 01 5240995 Brian Murphy (Account Manager) E: brian@waitingroom.ie T: 01 5241027 CONTRIBUTORS Jillian Bolger, Denise Calnan, Michelle Jackson, Corinna Ray, Simone Murphy, Lorraine Cooney PUBLISHER Danstone Ltd.
CONTACT US The Waiting Room Magazine The Studio, Maple Avenue, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin T: 01 2960000 | info@waitingroom.ie Discover more at www.waitingroom.ie
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Simply email your practice address and contact number to subscribe@waitingroom.ie or call 01 2960000.
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Total Average Net Circulation 83,002 (JUL-DEC 2010) THE WAITING ROOM MAGAZINE founded by Maurice O’Scanaill
The Waiting Room Magazine will not be responsible for, nor will it return, unsolicited manuscripts. The views expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Waiting Room Magazine. The entire contents of the magazine are the copyright of The Waiting Room Magazine and may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publishers.
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“Music has always been known to give rise to positive feelings, memories and emotions,” explains Jenny Groarke, a musician and PHD student. The power of music to enhance well-being is currently being explored by Jenny and other researchers at NUI Galway. Jenny is seeking volunteers for her research project, ideally participants aged between 18-30 years and 60-75 to join focus
group sessions. Volunteers will spend a few hours in small groups discussing the reasons they listen to music, and then vote for what they believe is most beneficial for well-being. “We hope to understand how we can use listening to music to improve well-being, which will certainly benefit younger and older adults in the future,” says Jenny. Through her research Jenny has already discovered
some differences in music listening between younger and older adults. “Unsurprisingly young adults are more likely to listen to music to attract potential love interests and older adults often listen to music to remind them of dear friends and relatives now departed.” For more information visit adaptivefunctionsofmusic.wordpress.com or email jenny.groarke@gmail.com
A visa to enter the real capital
On October 16th Cork will become an independent state for one day only, in association with Cork Rebel Week 2013. On this day over 50 visa checkpoints around the city and county will control entry to the real capital. It is all in aid of a good cause of course. The Children’s Unit at Cork University Hospital will benefit from all visitors who purchase the €2 visa from shops and various outlets around the city and country. The visas are available for purchase from now until Cork Rebel Week takes place. All of the proceeds will go towards improving the facilities at the Children’s
THE WAITING ROOM | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2013
Unit which sees almost 16,000 children from all over Munster admitted annually. For more information on Cork Rebel Week visit www.corkrebelweek2013.com
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word of mouth
Cheers to Arthur
Innovators, visionaries and creative types can be inspired to showcase their talents as Arthur Guinness Projects have pledged to invest €3 million in new ideas in music, sport, arts and food over the next three years. The Arthur Guinness Projects has already given funding to 30 Irish social entrepreneurs as well as professional business mentoring for their projects. In the process, The Arthur Guinness Fund mission statement says using creative thinking to develop solutions for social problems. Whilst most businesses measure their impact in profit, social entrepreneurs focus on creating lasting, positive change for communities. “Ireland is a place where there is an abundance of character, talent and creativity,” says Guinness mar-
keting director Stephen O’Kelly, “and we wanted to play our part in invigorating our inherent culture by championing the wealth of amazing creative potential within the country. For many people, their dreams or ideas are on hold – and through Arthur Guinness Projects, we hope to help them unlock those dreams and set them alight.” A 16strong Arthur Guinness Projects panel has been created to choose the winning projects, but also to provide mentoring and support to the overall winners. Comprising four experts within each category the panels will be spearheaded by world-renowned Irish band, The Script (music); chef extraordinaire Dylan McGrath (food); Donegal inter-county manager and consultant, Jim McGuinness (sport)
Having regular smear tests is the best protection against cervical cancer for women over the age of 25. However recent figures show that three in 10 women are not going for their free smear test. Early detection and treatment of changes in the cells of the cervix can prevent a cervical cancer developing. Dr Gráinne Flannelly, Clinical Director of CervicalCheck is urging all women aged 25-60 to go for their smear tests. She said: “The fact that so many women are avoiding this simple, free test is a cause for concern. I truly hope that women who have not yet had a smear test will take five minutes out of their busy day to be proactive about their health. A smear test is nothing to be embarrassed about.”
CervicalCheck is also aware that women aged over 50 are less likely to have their smear tests. Even if a woman is aged over 50, has reached the menopause or has finished having her family, she still needs to have regular smear tests. It’s just as important for a woman of 56 to have a smear test as it is for a woman aged 25. CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme provides free smear tests for women aged 25 to 60. There is a choice of over 4,000 male and female smeartakers (GP’s, doctors and practice nurses) nationwide – and it’s free. For more information visit www.cervicalcheck.ie or freephone 1800 45 45 55.
and celebrated Irish actor, Chris O’ Dowd (the arts). Arthur Guinness Projects is accepting applicants right now on www.arthurguinnessprojects.com
Women warned to wise Giddy kids, up with free smear tests hens and
5 steps to happiness
Do you suffer from panic attacks or ever feel afraid, anxious or even depressed? Five Steps to Happiness offers key steps to overcome certain behavioural patterns and also removes stigma that can be associated with conditions such as anxiety and depression. In this book, Enda Murphy, an experienced Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, teaches methods whereby those of us who experience mental health difficulties can change our negative thinking and behaviours. The book also sets out how to deal with our emotions, and how we can avoid the errors in our thinking that cause mental health problems. With many of his ex-clients allowing him to use their stories, Enda is able to demonstrate the development of each habit through a stage by stage examination of each experience. While this is primarily a book for those who are going through anxiety and depression, it is also a good read for those who might want to understand why these conditions occur and like to learn more about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and how it works in real life. Published by Liberties Press, it is available in all good book stores.
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men
You may think that an art studio offering pottery and painting classes is the perfect weekend activity to keep children entertained. True, Giddy Studios is ideally located in Dundrum Town Centre so if you’re looking for a way for the kids to spend an hour or two while you do some shopping, you can drop your child off for €5 per hour and simply pay for what is painted. But it’s not just a haven for children. Giddy Studios have groups of adults queuing up to partake in hen parties and social evenings. As soon as you sit down to paint you may realise just how competitive you can be when it comes to designing a piece of pottery. The items you can decorate range from teapots to ornaments, and fortunately for those not so deft with a paintbrush the amiable workers are on hand to help with their expertise. Giddy Studios also has a lot of personal presents on offer from clay family portraits which are made to order and baby hand and footprints on pottery and 3d prints in a cabinet frame. For more information on art camps, birthday parties, hen parties, and social evenings, check out www.giddystudios.com or call 01 2960303.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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FEATURE DYLAN MCGRATH
THE MASTERCHEF 6
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DYLAN MCGRATH FEATURE
DYLAN MCGRATH IS A MAN WITH A MISSION – TO REACH PERFECTION IN EVERY ASPECT OF HIS CAREER. HAVING ALREADY SCOOPED A MICHELIN STAR, HIS STAR STATUS CONTINUES TO RISE, WITH THE SUCCESS OF FADE STREET SOCIAL AND RUSTIC STONE RESTAURANTS ALONG WITH HIS ONGOING ROLE AS JUDGE ON RTE’S MASTERCHEF. MOST RECENTLY DYLAN HAS ADDED TO HIS BUSY PORTFOLIO, SIGNING UP AS ONE OF THE MENTORS FOR ARTHUR GUINNESS PROJECTS. HE SPEAKS TO TWR ABOUT MULTI-TASKING AND WHY DETERMINATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS. MasterChef or Celebrity MasterChef - which has been more fulfilling? I didn’t think the celebrity one would be enjoyable but it was, surprisingly. I was wary of getting involved as I didn’t know if the celebrities would care. If they didn’t it would take away what makes the show good. That was my nervousness. But what happened was quite the opposite as they cared more than I thought they would. The only thing about the celebrity one is that it’s shorter than the usual series. This year there are 20 episodes of MasterChef. It is a long process and a huge commitment. Because the celebrity version is shorter the celebrities could have developed their cooking skills further if they had more time.
“The determination to make something of yourself is more important than your natural ability. Otherwise you don’t get anywhere.”
Of all the celebrities on MasterChef who was the most adventurous in their cooking and most entertaining? Aengus was really good fun. I loved Conor Pope’s effort and I felt Yvonne Keating gave it a really good try.
What instigated your own career as a chef? I think I stood in the wrong queue on careers day! To be honest my granddad was a chef and I thought he was pretty cool. He died when I was a young age. I had a clear memory of him in my head and I wanted to be like him. Cooking also offered the opportunity to move away from home. With the bold head on me I wanted to move away so I did.
What made you think you could succeed as a chef? Well I cooked a few barbecues and it went well. I also baked a cake for my mum when she was 40, cutting out the numbers and icing it. I was quite artistic. That said I had no idea that I would go into the depths of perfection. I don’t know if I was always a perfectionist. As Dali once said, “Have no fear of perfection- you'll never reach it”. I had no clue that I was a perfectionist. But I suppose if I had done a drawing, I would throw it in the bin if it wasn’t working. If you weren’t a chef what would you like to work as? A clamper. Ah I’m only joking. I don’t give it much thought. It’s too late to turn back now really.
Do other chefs inspire you, or where do you draw inspiration? I get more inspiration from ingredients than people. Like at the minute I am trying to create new dishes because of the summer weather. I am up at 6 or 7am working with my restaurant chefs. I don’t have to cook like I used to as I have a great team and I am much more interested in developing concepts and identities. If I am thinking of a concept I am much more interested.
What do you look for in a chef? I suppose I can always spot talent straight away. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses. I always say the will has to be stronger than the skill. The determination to make something of yourself is more important than your natural ability. Otherwise you don’t get anywhere. That is brought on from a multitude of reasons. Determination is the only thing that gives you the chance to practice the same thing over and over until you get really good at it.
How would you rate Ireland's restaurant scene compared to the rest of Europe? It is incredibly exciting right now. From where we have come, it is quite remarkable. I don’t know if I have played a big part in it. I’m on my fifth restaurant and all of them have been very different. So I would say I have definitely contributed. I would absolutely go abroad to work if the right opportunity presented itself. You need to be able to go and develop your skills and travel helps that.
Your latest venture is as a mentor with Arthur Guinness Projects. Were you ever given great advice or mentoring? I was given lots of great mentoring when I was younger. Effectively I had some great tutors, all chefs. Today I am not mentored by chefs anymore but mentored by business people. I learn a lot from friends who are in business. I don’t have any chef friends. I don’t do chef friends really as there are only one or two people I have ever met who have the same outlook on food as me. I don’t discuss food with other chefs. In Ireland I rely on people for advice. I am constantly learning and talking.
Do you ever fear spending too much time out of the kitchen with your other projects on the side? No, I am delighted with the balance I have. As long as I don’t have to do split shifts when I am 40, I will be happy. Right now, today, I am building things that work without me. It’s good wholesome food and not something that will fall apart without me. I don’t live like that and don’t want to work like that. I still want to cook things that are fun.
What are your downtime activities? I don’t really have something to de-stress me. I am trying to get in to yoga. Spending time with my brothers is how I de-stress. Spending time with them and the rest of my family is very important to me.
If you were trying to impress someone with a meal, what would you cook? Roast chicken is a solid dish served with roast potatoes. Then for dessert I would recommend jelly and ice-cream. Simple, yes, but it is nostalgic food that reminds me of good feelings.
To test your skills at creating one of Dylan's recipes go to page 13
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HEALTH PARKINSON'S
THE TRUTH BEHIND
PARKINSON’S WHILE COPING WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE IS A CHALLENGE THERE IS A LOT YOU CAN DO TO PROACTIVELY LIVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY LIFE. DENISE CALNAN REPORTS
Mags Mullarney
“Some people with Parkinson’s marathon is to make it from the chair to the door and that’s their goal. It’s been challenging and it’s been difficult. But I’ve met amazing people and I’ve done things I never thought possible.” 8
47 year old Mags Mullarney looked behind her when the neurologist first told her she had Parkinson’s disease. Her initial thought was that he was talking to someone else. “I felt I was too young,” she says, “I really didn’t reckon he was talking to me. I cried when I left the doctor, I was just in utter despair.” At the time Mags was a lawyer by profession, married and with two children with one about to leave college and the other just starting. In January 2004, she went to see a neurologist after noticing her right leg had started to drag. He diagnosed her with Parkinson’s disease, just twenty minutes after walking through the door. “I was feeling hopeless,” Mags says. “I really didn’t know what my purpose in life was anymore.” Fast forward 10 years and Mags is the successful founder of Move4Parkinsons, a group that aims to educate, empower and inspire people with Parkinson’s to achieve a greater quality of life. “I was sitting at home one day and I just thought there has to be another way to do this,” Mags says, “I had yet to use the internet since my diagnosis, terrified of what I would find, but I did it.” Mags began researching Parkinson’s disease, the symptoms and, most importantly, how to manage them and improve her quality of life. She made contact with Tom Isaacs, cofounder and president of UK-based Cure Parkinson’s Trust, dedicated to finding a cure
THE WAITING ROOM | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2013
for Parkinson’s. Tom was diagnosed with the disease at the age of just 27. “Tom is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. We’ve worked side by side, myself looking up and seeing how to manage the symptoms; Tom always looking for the cure.” Between their website, annual Patient Empowerment Day, choir, yoga classes and 5 Elements Framework, Move4Parkinsons encourages patients to try new self-led approaches in improving their quality of life. Sixty-eight-year-old Paul Carey is a regular with the Move4Parkinsons choir and believes it has given him a new lease of life.“I was a real home bird before the choir but it’s given me a great outlet,” Paul says, “It’s a blocker of problems. The illness doesn’t come into it. In fact, we don’t even talk about it when we’re there.” The 25-strong choir released their DVD in April and they have watched their YouTube clip smash a massive 500,000 views online. Mags realised the need for an Irish organisation to support people with Parkinson’s and just over fourteen months ago, established the group. It has already been nominated as one of the top eight finalists for this year’s Social Entrepreneurial Ireland award and Mags is travelling to Montreal in October for the World Parkinson’s Congress 2013. “We’ll be working with neurologists and care workers in Canada and telling them what a day in the life of someone with Parkinson’s is like,” Mags explains. “It’s important we keep validating what people with Parkinson’s need and want. I know my needs but we need to know everybody else’s too.” Move4Parkinson’s 5 Elements Framework, a simplified breakdown for the patient on how to manage their condition, will also be displayed at the medical congress and could become a tool for patients worldwide. Since being diagnosed Mags has worked on her fitness, one of the key steps to the 5 Elements Framework. She has run both the Limerick half marathon and the Dublin marathon and was awarded the first ever inaugural Dublin lord mayor’s medal for her achievement. “I was training four or five times a week but everyone’s marathon is different,” she says. “Some people with Parkinson’s marathon is to make it from the chair to the door and that’s their goal. It’s been challenging and it’s been difficult. But I’ve met amazing people and I’ve done things I never thought possible.” For more information visit www.move4parkinsons.com
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Parkinson’s Disease Signs & Symptoms Tremors - This happens when hands or legs are at rest. Slowness of Movement - Difficulty in completing daily tasks e.g. dressing. Rigidity (Stiffness) - When muscles are unable to relax. Depression - There may be low mood, low self esteem or feelings of hopelessness. Constipation - Feeling of discomfort in stomach or abdomen.
For further information, ask your GP or visit the websites below
www.parkinsons.ie Reference: www.parkinsons.ie/aboutparkinsons_signsandsymptoms - accessed May 2013
www.move4parkinsons.com AZ4/5/13
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FEATURE BACK TO SCHOOL
THE A-Z OF GOING BACK TO SCHOOL
JILLIAN BOLGER’S ALPHABET FOR A STRESS-FREE START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR.
ALARM CLOCK It’s time to kiss goodbye to those lazy summer days and make sure everyone gets up and out on time. Set the clock 10 minutes earlier than you need to rise, so that everyone has plenty of time to get dressed, packed and organised. BREAKFAST The most important meal of the day, insist everyone eats breakfast – even if it’s just a banana – before heading off to school. A full belly will help kids concentrate for longer and feel full of energy.
CALENDAR A family calendar is vital to a smooth running household. Write in important dates, like midterms, and use it to remind yourself what day the kids need gym gear, have matches or need to be collected early. Get in the habit of checking it every morning.
DISCIPLINE After a laidback summer of lie-ins, skipped lunches and late bedtimes it’s time to bring back some discipline. Create a new routine that will help the kids get enough rest, enough exercise and regular mealtimes. Kids thrive on routine, but need your help to enforce it.
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EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Things are about to get a little crazy as all the after school activities kick in for a new year. Before signing junior up for everything going make sure you’re leaving enough downtime in between swimming, GAA, music and drama for them to hang out with their friends and have days off.
FIRST DAY Ensure you know the exact date school reopens. No one wants to miss their first day back! Note the time school shuts too as classes often finish earlier on the first week back.
GIRLS AND BOYS Unless your kids are in a single sex school arrange play dates with boys and girls from their class. It’s generally agreed that children fare best if they mix with both sexes, and they learn different ways of playing from the opposite sex.
HAIRCUTS If your girl’s hair has been flowing free all summer now’s the time to think practical. Get the ends trimmed and make sure she ties it up. Longer hair is cool on boys these days too, but be sure to at least get their fringe trimmed. There’s nothing more annoying for a kid than hair in their eyes.
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IRISH LANGUAGE Even if you were rubbish at Irish at school your children are more than likely learning it today. Take this opportunity to brush up on the cúpla focail with them, and ensure you can always help out with homework. Little things like calling milk bainne or dogs madraí will help kids see the language in context. JUNK FOOD Most schools have healthy lunchbox policies, but that doesn’t stop parents sneaking in sugary treats. Be sensible and let your kids know that school treats are things like berries, fruit salad and crackers. Sugar highs equal sugar crashes, resulting in an afternoon energy slump. Get creative with sandwich fillings and salad boxes so that lunchtime doesn’t become predictable and boring. MAKE A LIST Don’t rely on memory when you hit the shops for that back-to-school shopping. Draw up a list of everything you’ll need, from socks to sticky tape, copies to hair clips. You don’t want to find yourself making additional shopping trips with hoards of other disorganised parents.
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The N It en The N Prog
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YOUR NEXT SMEAR TEST IS AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR FIRST. It’s important to have regular smear tests from the age of 25 to 60. It only takes 10 minutes. Organise yours.
www.cervicalcheck.ie Freephone 1800 45 45 55
The National Cancer Screening Service is part of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. It encompasses BreastCheck – The National Breast Screening Programme, CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme, BowelScreen – The National Bowel Screening Programme and Diabetic RetinaScreen – The National Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme.
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FEATURE BACK TO SCHOOL
Learning and playing are thirsty work. Make sure you send junior off to school with a water bottle to keep them hydrated, and encourage them to take in fluids at both of their breaks. LUNCH BAGS Young children are funny about lunch boxes and bags. If you arrive home with an out-offavour superhero themed one expect objections. Allow them to pick their own, and make a big deal of it. Better still, shop online for a much wider choice that also minimises the chances of half the class sporting the same design.
MID-TERM PLANS Canny parents have already booked their Hallowe’en getaways to bag the best rooms at their favourite family hotel. Browse websites like mykidstime.ie, rollercoaster,ie and discoverireland.ie so you’ve something to look forward to after the first term back. NAME TAGS With 30 kids in a class wearing 30 matching jumpers you can expect at least one other child to have the same coat/school bag/lunchbox too. Avoid expensive replacements during the year by investing in personalised labels (try mystuff.ie) to help everyone identify their own goods. Be sure to stick them on everything that leaves the house!
ORGANISATION A chaotic start to the morning can put you in bad form for the day. Avoid morning madness by doing as much as possible the night before. Wash and fill beakers (though don’t make sambos – they always taste better made fresh in the morning), make sure everyone’s coats and shoes are in the same spot and books and sports gear are all packed up.
PARKING On the school run vow to park safely, legally and considerately. Avoid blocking cycle lanes, people’s driveways and the school gates or causing a traffic jam just so your kids don’t have to walk too far. Everyone on the school run is in a rush too, so don’t turn into that selfish driver who delays other people just so you can get to work on time. QUALITY TIME With homework, dinnertime and extra curricular activities it’s hard to fit in family time. No matter how tired you are in the evenings make time to be a hands-on parent. Kick a ball
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trousers, and make sure you’ve enough spares for those days when you can’t get the laundry dry.
together on the road, read bedtime stories or have a board game night once a week. Reassure kids that school nights can still be fun.
RAIN GEAR Invest in a decent raincoat for your child. They may have to wait in the yard for school to open, or may need to cycle or walk to school on wet days. Ensure the gear is fully waterproof so they won’t have to sit in damp clothes in the classroom.
SPORTS EQUIPMENT There’s more to back to school than the uniform. Have you remembered all the other gear they may need? Think swimming goggles, hurl and sliotar, football boots, tennis racquets, hockey sticks, gum shields, sports bag…
TIMETABLE Make a copy of your child’s timetable and hang it up in your kitchen. Keep an eye on it so you can send them off to school with the correct items, whether that’s gym gear or a tin whistle. Young children have no sense of time and will expect to find the right equipment in their bag whenever they need it.
UNIFORM The earlier you shop for basics the more chance you have of getting everything in the right size. Factor in wear and tear, especially with kids’
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VOLUNTARY DONATION You know about the cost of books and uniforms but have you budgeted for the voluntary donation many schools expect? It may be called voluntary, but schools expect everyone to pay up.
WATER Learning and playing are thirsty work. Make sure you send junior off to school with a water bottle to keep them hydrated, and encourage them to take in fluids at both of their breaks. Concentration is compromised and tiredness sets in when the body is dehydrated.
EXPENSES As with all projects, you need to make an allowance for running over budget. Get your head around this fact now, so that you’re prepared when a note comes home from school looking for €20 for a class trip or special supplies.
YES, WE CAN! School is all about independence for children, but it’s also about support from home. Set aside homework time together and be actively involved in their education. If they find something tough be there to offer real encouragement.
ZZZZ Sleep is a child’s best friend. Whether a junior infant or secondary school pupil, school is hard work and a good night’s sleep is the best way to ensure they’re rested and fresh for the day ahead. A sensible bedtime and a laptop/TV-free bedroom will ensure they’re in peak condition for school each day.
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FISH RECIPE
TEMPT YOUR TASTEBUDS DYLAN MCGRATH SHARES ONE OF HIS FAVOURITE RECEIPES, COD AND CHERVIL SAUCE WITH BRAISED LETTUCE, THAT IS BEST SERVED WITH MASH AND PEA PURﾃ右
INGREDIENTS: 1.2kg of cod scaled and pin boned 1 head of butternut lettuce 100g chervil 200ml chicken stock 100ml cream 50ml olive oil 1 lemon Salt
To prep the cod: Get two large sides of cod, 700g in weight each, you can buy them scaled and pin boned. Place the cod on a chopping board, trim off the tail and along the belly of the cod. This will leave you with a rectangular shape of cod, cut into three pieces per side about 200g per piece; this will leave you with 6 portions. Wash in cold water and dry on some kitchen towel. Place on a plate and wrap in clingfilm and leave in the fridge until ready to cook.
To prep the butternut lettuce: Take off the outer leaves and discard them, then break down the lettuce into leaves and wash in salt water and dry.
To make the sauce: Pick the chervil off the main stalks, wash, dry and leave to one side. Add the chicken stock and cream to a wide bottom saucepan bring to the boil, add the chervil and cook for one minute. Place in a jug blender and blitz for 2-3 minutes, remove from the blender and pass through a sieve into a bowl (which is over ice to cool YOUR FREE COPY
quickly to keep freshness and colour). Add salt to taste, the sauce should be green in colour and of a smooth consistency. Place in fridge until ready to use
To cook the fish: Now you are ready to cook the cod and reheat the sauces, and add lettuce to the sauce at the very last minute. Heat up a non stick frying pan to a smoking heat and add the olive oil. Season the cod with salt on both sides and place skin side down in the frying pan, leave for a minute or two to make sure it doesn't stick. Place in a pre-heated oven at 200c for five minutes, remove from the oven, gently turn the fish over onto flesh side and add a few drops of lemon juice. The skin of the fish should be golden brown and crispy. Place the chervil sauce in a saucepan, bring to the boil, remove from the heat and add the lettuce. Serve straight away and put three leaves in the centre of the plate, place cod on top and sauce around. PEA PUREE 500g peas 10 spring onion 200ml chicken stock
To make the pea puree Wash and finely chop the spring onion and add to the peas (frozen are fine). Put finely chopped spring onion and peas into a small sauce pan
with the butter and chicken stock and place a lid on Bring to the boil and cook for four minutes until peas are soft and edible. Turn off the heat, season with salt and blitz in a jug blender until a fine purﾃｩe forms. Place in a bowl over ice so it stays fresh and keeps its colour. Place in the fridge until ready to use. When ready to serve simply reheat. MASH POTATO 10 large roasted potatoes 200g butter 500ml milk salt white pepper
To make the mash : Prick all your potatoes so they don't explode. Bake potatoes in the oven for 45-55 mins at 160'c. Remove from the oven, cut in half and scrape out the potato from the skin. Put the potato through a moulie to make a smooth mash. Add butter to the hot mash until it starts to split. Bring it back to a smooth consistency with warm milk and season with fine salt and white pepper. Keep the mash hot and ready to serve.
Heat up the pea puree to be served with the cod and chervil sauce with braised lettuce. It is all about timing so get all the preparation done first and when your mash potato is ready then start to cook the fish and reheat the pea puree and heat your chervil sauce before putting the dish together.
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TRAVEL IRELAND
A ROYAL ADVENTURE IN
THE KINGDOM KILLARNEY IS A TOWN THAT'S BEEN PRACTISING THE TOURISM GAME FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. BEYOND THE OBVIOUS PROXIMITY TO LAKES, WATERFALLS, WOODLAND AND MOORS, IT HAS MANY OTHER CHARMS, INCLUDING AN ABUNDANCE OF FIVE STAR HOTELS. COMPETITION KEEPS STANDARDS HIGH WRITES CORINNA RAY.
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had high expectations of Aghadoe Heights before ever stepping foot inside the hotel, simply because of the glowing reviews from friends who had been there for weddings, weekends and pampering breaks. This coupled with the numerous references to the hotel for it hosting fashion shows and charity events made me keen to check it out for myself. With its award-winning spa notching up even more awards recently, I felt there was no better time to check in for a two day stay. Arriving to Killarney in the mist and rain did not seem to matter knowing our visit was going to be largely focused on the inside offerings of a modern five star hotel, with a spa. Sure enough simply stepping into the lobby gave us a sense we would be in a 48 hour cocoon of comfort. The friendly meet and greet set off a good vibe and we soon realised many of the staff have been with the hotel since the early days. We had a quick tour around before we were shown to our corner suite with a view of the lake below. The cosy interior of this hotel is complemented by an impressive collection of original Irish art, while little touches like fresh jugs of water with orange slices made it obvious they try to make guests feel as comfortable as possible. Inside our sprawling room there were plenty of luxury touches to ooh and aah at, but we were instantly distracted by the fluffy robes. Within five
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minutes they were on us and the next stop was the leisure centre. There we had the Roman themed pool area to ourselves for a refreshing dip followed by some bubbles in the Jacuzzi, before we were ready to retreat to the Heights Lounge and Bar for a mid-afternoon snack. The mix of local clientele coming in for lunch and guests just happy to chill out for the afternoon made for a lively ambience. In true holiday mode, a siesta seemed appropriate after our snack. I am convinced the beds are designed to make you feel so lazy you never want to get up. We struggled to make our 7.30pm dinner. Just like the bar, The Lake Room Restaurant has perfect views; the interior is cosy with wood panelling, and a vast wine list accompanies a locally sourced menu. On recommendation of our waiter, we opted for the a la carte meal with a bottle of Chablis. Three hours later we retreated to the bar wholly satisfied, but in need of a digestif. We sipped on our drinks as the piano music lulled us into another sense of slumber. Tucked up in bed by 11pm, we were ready for a day of activity by early morning. Unfortunately the weather did not permit outdoor pursuits, and so it meant a day of staying indoors once again. Luckily the spa and its array of treatments ensure you won’t be twiddling your thumbs if there is rain. Several hours later we sashayed out of the spa area
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revived by our facials and massages. Even those who don’t opt for a spa treatment can head to the thermal suite to banish any stress and tiredness or post-golfing or hiking aches. While Killarney town is only a short drive away from the hotel, we decided not to venture out that evening as the idea of just walking five minutes to the bar for guaranteed good food was more appealing. It seemed most other guests had the same thought as us. With a platter of cheese and meat to start, followed by a hearty burger and fish cake we were sleepy once again. The only thing missing was the piano music, which we realised is the entertainment only on certain nights of the week. Before retreating to our bedroom for another early night, we explained to the receptionist we would be checking out before breakfast as we had to leave before 7am. She insisted on organising a breakfast box for us, and so we were waved off the next morning with our hot lattes to go and a selection of the fine treats that we had become accustomed to during this short break. We left Killarney without seeing very much of it, except from the comfort of the Aghadoe Heights hotel bed, bar and spa. It gives us a perfectly good excuse to return to see more. For more information visit www.aghadoeheights.com YOUR FREE COPY
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TRAVEL IRELAND
IN KERRY OUT AND ABOUT
1. Carrauntoohil at just 1038m makes for a challenging climb. There are a number of routes up the mountain, the two best known are the Coomloughra Horseshoe, which also takes in the second and third highest peaks and the tough MacGillacuddy Reeksridge trail, which nails six peaks in a day’s walk.You will need to be reasonably fit to tackle either, have proper hiking boots, a good map, food, water and hopefully a favourable weather forecast. 2.Watch the sun set in the west over Killarney National Park and Dingle on an evening kayak trip.You can row silently past rustling islands and stop off at the mystical 6th century abbey ruins on Innisfallen Island.You can also hopefully catch a glimpse of some of Ireland's last native red deer. Return by kayak to Ross Castle in twilight, and possibly moonlight. No kayaking experienced needed for this tour. 3. Do you love the idea of making chocolate? In Kerry you can get hands on experience in either decorating, making or designing your own chocolate masterpiece. Courses and day workshops are available at Skelligs Chocolate, an actual Chocolate Factory overlooking the UNESCO world heritage Skelligs Rocks. Prices from ₏12.50 per person. Visit www.skelligschocolate.com. 4.The Kerry Way is a 213km way-marked trail that takes in the best of the Iveragh Peninsula. The walk can be broken into 20 to 30 kilometre sections so that you hike from one village or guesthouse to the next each day. Arrangements can be made to have your luggage sent ahead to your next stop. The route follows old green roads so you avoid traffic and have nothing but the wilds of Kerry to traverse each day. 5. Killarney is famous for its traditional music. Many pubs in the town have live singing almost every night during the summer and at weekends throughout the year. This usually means live bands playing everything from well known Irish ballads to Beatles covers. By the end of the night the whole pub is singing along with wild abandon. YOUR FREE COPY
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FEATURE RELATIONSHIPS
SECOND
TIME
LUCKY IT’S A DIFFICULT BUT BRAVE DECISION TO LEAVE YOUR MARRIAGE WRITES AUTHOR MICHELLE JACKSON, AS SHE RECALLS HER PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF FINDING LOVE SECOND TIME AROUND.
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etting married for the second time I was met with lots of anxious faces asking me was I not concerned that my marriage might fail again. It takes a positive attitude and optimistic nature to enter into matrimony at any age but I think some people carry old ideas on marriage that do not serve them. Just because a relationship lasts a few years, this does not make it a failure, in the same way as longevity does not quantify a successful marriage. There are thousands of couples married for decades and utterly miserable together. When leaving a marriage it is important to realise, however painful, that your time with this person for whatever reason has come to an end. I consider my first marriage successful in many respects. We both worked on forwarding our careers, we travelled a lot and experienced many adventures. There was something I feel fundamentally missing with regard to bringing our relationship to the next stage and for that reason I feel fate dealt a hand in it. We parted without having children so a clean break was possible but I admire and respect those friends of mine who can maintain a civil relationship with their ex - especially when there are children involved. I was 30 when my first marriage ended. Whether you have been living with your partner or married, when a long term relationship ends it causes great upheaval but I also saw it as an opportunity to find a relationship with someone that had the qualities I needed for the next stage in my life. My first husband and I grew apart as we channelled our energies into our career and other things without nurturing each other. I believe we all change and as I look back on each decade in my life my priorities have changed radically and are constantly changing. I was in the middle of legal separation with my ex when I met my husband and did not intend to immerse myself in another relationship so quickly. However fate had other
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plans for me and I believe now the timing involved in meeting that someone special is something you may not be able to choose. I’ve often considered that my first marriage occupied me until my second husband was ready to settle down. We joked that had we met when teenagers or even in our early twenties we wouldn't have made it past a couple of weeks. But taking the experience from my first marriage has helped me greatly, especially when I became a mother. Being a parent is hard and trying to maintain a relationship while taking on this new role is like juggling several balls in the air at the one time. Being a spouse and being a parent are the two most important roles you will have and they are the ones with the least preparation and training. I also feel that having experienced a marriage break-up I don’t have the same preconceptions about status. I realise that I am the same person inside whether I am labelled as single, married, divorced etc. Of course on reaching the forty year threshold most people discover that while they were concerned with how people perceived them in their twenties and thirties they realise now that everyone was just as busily being concerned with them selves. I’m always amazed at how some lovely, bright, single women find it difficult to meet a man and so many women who have been married or widowed seem to find a partner quickly. I’ve tried to find a common thread to this as most of my friends who have been in this situation have found love again and I think the biggest factor in their advantage may be a willingness to take a chance. Understanding and accepting that you are not perfect, and whoever you chose to have a relationship with is not going to be perfect either, also helps. Despite having the experience of two marriages I am no expert and one thing for certain is that no two marriages are alike and even when the same people have a relationship
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with someone different they will no longer be the same so there is no golden formula. Marriages go through peaks and troughs just like the tide and every cycle in nature - the secret to a happy marriage is to know when to ride the storm and make sure that whatever caused the issue doesn’t repeat. If marriage was easy it wouldn’t be so interesting but over the years I have discovered that the key to any successful relationship, including marriage, is communication. In marriage you both need to have your needs heard and to get your needs met so that means learning to compromise. This is where it becomes difficult as usually men and women want different things, but instead of focusing on your differences focus on the things that you both want that are the same. I’ve come across some good tips over the years from friends and family and one of my favourite is this: If your husband is stacking the dishwasher incorrectly, or not the way you like it to be done, leave him to do it his way and don’t undo his work. Another jewel from the same friend has been proved over and over. The way you and your partner greet each other when you come in from work sets up how your evening will go, and ultimately your relationship. I have found that keeping a relationship fresh involves doing little things often - laugh a lot, send funny texts, leave little notes around the house for each other and always say goodbye with a kiss before you leave each other. To those going through the end of a relationship I would say these words in hope of consolation. It is a privilege to have been loved and it is never too late to find love again. Michelle Jackson is the co-author of “What Women Know” and the best-selling author of five novels. Her latest 5 Peppermint Grove is published by Poolbeg and available in all good book shops now at €8.99. www.michellejackson.ie YOUR FREE COPY
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A DAY IN THE LIFE FEATURE
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A...
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DIETITIAN WHEN YOU THINK OF A DIETITIAN DOES IT EVOKE AN IMAGE OF SOMEONE TELLING YOU A LIST OF NICE THINGS YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED EAT? LORRAINE COONEY DEMYSTIFIES WHAT IS INVOLVED IN HER FIELD OF WORK, OUTLINING A TYPICAL DAY IN HER SHOES.
12-1pm: An hour of writing up charts and completing correspondence to GP’s to inform them of the progress of their patients. Then time to eat.
he title “dietitian” means a person has undergone an enormous amount of science-heavy education, supervised practice and continues to train in their specialised areas, which helps distinguish a dietician from a “nutritionist” or “nutritional expert”. Basically you can trust a dietitian to know what is true about food and health rather than, well, simply receiving anecdotal recommendations (e.g. take the client I met who developed renal failure while following a high protein diet from a nutritionist) or advice based on pseudoscience (e.g. the Atkins diet or the Dukan Diet). So here’s a peek at a standard day in my life, dealing with peoples’ health concerns… 9am: A young female with IBS, whose symptoms inflict such misery on her life that her social life is becoming non-existent (bloating, diarrhoea, tiredness). We discuss implementing the low FODMAP diet, a new innovative and highly successful diet therapy for treating IBS. In simple terms it’s a way of identifying certain molecules in food that can lead to these embarrassing and often painful symptoms. A detailed medical, social and diet history is taken before tailoring a dietary plan to fit in with this person’s life. A review appointment is arranged for eight weeks, at which time hopefully, symptoms will have improved and the food challenge phase can commence.
10am-12pm: A review of three individuals who are undertaking the Counterweight Programme, the only evidence based programme proven to help people lose weight and keep it off. I am proud to be the first healthcare professional to use this programme in Ireland. With the first individual, a dietary plan is needed to help them lose weight but also reduce blood sugar levels as these are in double figures, so we focus on an education session on normal serving sizes of carbohydrate. In another, a mother of three children who finds it hard to get structure into her day was helped realise that changing one thing at time is more productive than trying to
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2pm: An afternoon of paper-work awaits and after a quick 20 minute Twitter ‘fix’ I get stuck into a research project I’ve been contracted to work on. It’s to evaluate healthy policies in place in pre-schools to ensure the best health for our future generations. Observing a school with the recommended policies in place really does restore one’s faith in humanity as it’s fantastic to see healthy, nourished and happy children striving for independence and confidence around eating from an early age. It’s clear that ‘you are what you eat’ has so many truths vibrating from its humble origins.
change everything with her diet overnight. Thus a SMART goal was suggested to achieve dietary change, which was to try and have breakfast each morning with her children before school. The last review appointment was with a husband and wife, aware that their eating habits are negatively affecting their children’s and want help to change this. They are undertaking the Counterweight Programme together with the view that the changes they make will have a knock on effect on their children’s eating habits. Today’s topic is on physical activity and they have a ready-made ‘buddy’ system to help motivate each other to try and be more active. Gym memberships aside, these individuals love gardening and are on a mission to grow their own vegetables, which leads to their suggestions of at least one hour gardening most evenings to help boost weight loss and be better role models for an active life.
5.15pm: Two reports down and I get distracted by a phone call which gives me the go ahead to conduct Supermarket Tours. This is so exciting! With today’s supermarkets being so inundated with products it can be overwhelming and confusing to know what is good and not so good to eat. A supermarket tour can solve food mysteries and bypass very clever marketing ploys which get you to eat unhealthy foods.
5.30pm: The end of the day, and via Twitter and Facebook I try and get a few motivating tips or interesting news feeds out there, helping one person at a time to change their eating habits and feel good. I hope you will now agree that a registered dietitian does more than tell people what to eat but that they offer many more skills and practical advice based on medical conditions, food likes and dislikes, cooking and recipe ideas, behaviour change techniques, tailoring advice and goals based on the individual and best of all, helping people avoid ways of eating that may be harmful. For more information visit www.RealLifeNutrition.ie or email Lorraine at hello@reallifenutrition.ie
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ADVERTORIAL DRINK AWARE
Alcohol
A GuIDEfOR PARENTS Young People and Alcohol, can parents have an Influence? by Mark Morgan and Thérèse Hegarty THE
PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO HELP PARENTS TO DISCUSS DRINKING WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
Although it is mainly aimed at the parents of teenagers it may also be useful for parents of younger children and, generally, for all adults concerned with the development of children. This article has been prepared by professionals who have expertise in the area of young people and alcohol but it does not set out to tell parents what they must or must not do. Instead it tries to provide useful information, which may help parents to openly discuss the issues with their children. Parents have an important influence on their children’s behaviour. Many parents may be surprised by this – but it is true! A key guiding idea is that alcohol consumption requires maturity and responsibility. For this reason postponing a first drink to an agreed age has a lot of merit. The exact age will need to be negotiated between children and parents and we take the view that the age of drinking by many young people is too young. Better information can help parents to make the right decision. It is important to note that the latest research suggests delaying teenage drinking for as long as possible is the best option. A young person’s brain will continue to develop into their early twenties so the potential for damage and poor decision making will be reduced if they start drinking at a later age. In Ireland, drinking patterns differ from, for example, wine producing countries – where children are introduced to alcohol in the home. We also differ in where alcohol is drunk, what we drink and in many of our attitudes.
INFLUENCES Many factors influence the drinking patterns of young people.
FAMILY Families are of major importance in children’s drinking. Your example is important. We are not saying that all parents who abstain from alcohol will have children who are abstinent or temperate. Nor are we suggesting that the children of heavy drinkers will necessarily have drinking problems. What is clear however is that parents who drink moderately have children whose use of alcohol is quite different to the children of those
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whose drinking is problematic. How you react to their drinking is also important. The research shows that a moderate and balanced approach to underage drinking is most likely to bring about positive outcomes. In other words if parents take an indifferent attitude it does not produce positive results and a very strict and authoritarian attitude can also cause problems. Many recovering alcoholics remember their childhood as one where love was not communicated and where they felt they were not valued. The research indicates that children who feel loved and valued are less likely to abuse alcohol. We often worry that alcohol problems ‘run in families’ and will be inherited by the children. This is not necessarily true – alcohol problems develop over several years – and we should focus on those conditions in the individuals’ lives which give rise to problem drinking.
FRIENDS Parents identify peers as the most important influence on their children’s decision to start to drink. This is understandable – young people who drink regularly are likely to have friends who drink, while those who do not are likely to have friends who do not drink. Whether to drink (or not) is one of the most central decisions during adolescence and influences the selection of friends. Many of us worry about ‘peer pressure’, which is often considered to come from all the peer group in the locality and school. The reality however is that it is the peer group of those selected friends, especially best friends, which matters most. SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY You may know about the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which is now running in most schools in the country. This focuses on the health, personal development, decision making and self esteem of young people and it also deals with the use of alcohol. However we cannot leave it all to the schools and, as parents, we can influence our children’s attitude to school and to participation. ‘She will be taught about alcohol at school soon enough – maybe I should leave alcohol education to the experts. Besides, I don’t want to put ideas in her head before she’s even a teenager.’
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When a young person drinks too much it is usually part of a broad set of behaviours. Here are some suggestions that can help prevent these behaviours: • Encourage commitment at school – either to study or sport or other activities; • Find out about your school's policies on alcohol. Partnership between parents and schools is likely to bring about a better outcome than any effort made by either on their own; • Encourage children to read or to take up a hobby that does not involve drink. Moving from Primary to Secondary school is a stressful time – new subjects, new teachers, possibly new classmates and making new friends. If the transition isn’t smooth young people are more likely to become involved in underage drinking. Our children may want to appear ‘grown up’ at this time but in fact they are very vulnerable and we need to be alert to any changes and be available for a chat. Teachers have insights into our children which we may not have. Many are parents themselves and they all play a significant role in our children’s formation. Do talk to them if you have concerns about alcohol abuse.
HOW YOU CAN HELP Alcohol abuse is not confined to any particular sector in society. You can be sure that your teenager (or preteen) will be offered alcohol. You cannot be sure that your children will not make silly mistakes with alcohol. Young people who come through all this with responsible drinking habits often share many of the following characteristics: Healthy self esteem. They know their own strengths and weaknesses and have the confidence to know they are liked and to like themselves. Because of this they are unlikely to harm or abuse themselves. Parents can encourage self-esteem by being supportive of their children’s efforts from an early age and being willing and interested listeners to their ups and downs. They can make decisions. There are many influences on young people, often with conflicting messages. These young people can make up their minds without worrying too much what others think. Parents walk a fine line here. Too much control and children have no opportunity to think for themselves – too little and they may feel that YOUR FREE COPY
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DRINK AWARE ADVERTORIAL decisions are not important. What young people need is encouragement to think on their feet, follow their own advice and resist following the herd at times. They understand that some rules are necessary. Through learning to live with clear and reasonable rules young people develop personal responsibility. Parents can help by having a few clear rules at home and by explaining the values behind the rules. A rule about telling those at home where you are going and what time you will be home is a great protection. They appreciate the value of money. They realise that they must manage on a limited amount of money. Parents can limit their children's pocket money or control the amount available from parttime jobs – by, for example, requiring a contribution to collective household expenses from income earned outside the home. They are busy with interesting lives. Some are involved in school, others in sport, dancing, music or youth clubs. They do not have much time to be bored. Boredom is one of the greatest causes of alcohol abuse. Try to spot their talents early and give them every encouragement to develop them. Their families drink in moderation, if they choose to drink, or are open about their problems. They have seen their adult relatives drink in a moderate way, and have seen them choose not to drink on occasion (e.g. when driving). Alternatively, if there are problem drinkers in the family, these issues have been openly and frankly discussed with them. Children of alcoholic parents can use lessons from frank and compassionate discussion of the issue to help protect themselves and their friends. Children are not taken in by appearances – they are more influenced by what we do than by what we say. Teenagers in particular are rarely fooled at home and honesty is certainly the best policy.
PARENTS’ WORRIES “How do I explain the dangers of drink?” Most adults in Ireland take a drink when relaxing and socialising and it is helpful to acknowledge the enjoyable aspect of this. It is also helpful to discuss with young people the harmful aspects such as losing control, taking risks and wasting money. A good time to bring up these discussions is when watching TV when the issue arises. We can talk to our teenagers, listen to their views and convey information and guidance in a distanced way that is not too threatening for them. This has proven more useful than scare tactics or punishment, which can turn young people off. “I worry about the friends they are with.” The ‘best friends’ have a lot of influence in the development of a pattern of drinking. Parents are wise to be aware of the pattern of drinking among young people in the area. It is also helpful to get to know the ‘best friends’ and make them welcome at home. Often parents criticise friends when they fear their influence. This can lead to a young person feeling torn between parents and friends and this is not helpful in maintaining good communication. It is better for parents to convey their worries about the safety of the young people than to run down the friends YOUR FREE COPY
themselves. “Will they end up in a fight?” We also need to discuss the increasing trend towards rowdy and violent behaviour, often under the influence of alcohol, and to clearly state that violence at all levels is unacceptable. Parents can help teenagers to think about places that are dangerous and how levels of alcohol consumption can leave them vulnerable to involvement in fights. Young people need the older generation to be clearly concerned with their safety. “I’m so worried I can’t sleep.” Parents often worry when their teenagers begin to drink. Often that fear is not so much about the drink itself as the consequences of drinking. At its worst the fear can be about drink related violence or poor decision making around sexual activity. “Are they having sex?” We all worry about pressure on our children as they enter puberty and the confusion and anxiety that can follow. The age of sexual activity has fallen and peer pressure along with media pressure can make decision making difficult. Sometimes young people drink in response to this pressure and alcohol consumption can lead to inappropriate decisions. Parents can make it clear to their sons and daughters that sexual activity is always their choice and it is always OK to say "NO". Once again TV and films can provide us with opportunities to discuss this with our young people. “I just don’t know how to begin. I know she drinks sometimes when she’s out with her friends. She’s usually quite a sensible girl, but I just hope she doesn’t take any stupid risks. Should I have drink in the house?” Most households do have drink at home and will often offer a drink to visitors. Drink however needs to be kept in a place where younger children cannot access it by accident. It is unfair to teenagers, especially if parents are away for a night, to leave them in a situation where they have access to a large supply of drink at home especially during the years when they are likely to experiment.
USEFUL CONTACTS Your school’s Parents Council Your school’s Home Liaison Officer Your Health Board's Health Promotion Officer Your local Residents Association VISIT DRINKAWARE.IE for information on alcohol and drinking, from fascinating facts to practical tips. DOWNLOAD FREE GUI DES including the 'Student Survival Guide' the 'Festival Survival Guide', 'Alcohol Sport & You' and the 'Christmas Survival Guide'.
OTHER USEFUL PUBLICATIONS: ‘Straight Talk - A guide for parents on teenage drinking’ published by the HSE
drinkaware.ie was developed by MEAS (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society Limited) MEAS is a drinks industry initiative against alcohol misuse MEAS,Merrion House, 1/3 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 611 4811 Email: info@meas.ie www.meas.ie
Young People & A lc o h ol Q u iz
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? 1 The average age of beginning to drink is 14-15 years FALSE Since the early 80's the average age of beginning to drink has reduced from 15 years to 13 years. The whole 'timetable' of drinking (starting with an occasional drink and following with more regular drinking) is now earlier than a generation ago, but has levelled off, with recent (2011) evidence showing it has increased somewhat. 2 The number of young people who have never tried alcohol has decreased over the years. TRUE There has been a dramatic change here. Thirty years ago about 1 in 4 those leaving post-primary school had not tried alcohol even once.Today the number reaching 18 without having tried alcohol is very small. Some teenagers start to drink because they wrongly think all teenagers are drinking. Recent research shows that the number of teenagers under 15 experimenting with alcohol has dropped and that half of 15 year olds are not regular drinkers. Delaying drinking reduces the risks of harmful drinking in later life. 3 under 18's know that they will not be able to buy alcohol, even if they want to FALSE Young people aged from 16 upwards say that they can get access to alcohol if they want to. (We are not suggesting that alcohol is always easily obtained – what is crucial is that young people see it as easy to obtain). 4 There is more drinking in cities than anywhere else FALSE People from all backgrounds begin to drink at roughly the same age. 5 All young people do not start drinking in the same setting TRUE There are three broad locations for the 'first drink'. Own home or home of a friend (sometimes when parents are away), pubs/off- licences (sometimes bought by a 'friend' who is overage), and parks/beaches/ waste-ground. 6 The changes in Irish Society are part of the picture that influence the drinking of young people TRUE Childhood is shorter in modern Ireland than it was even 20 years ago. Young people are independent minded at an earlier age, are sexually active, and make decisions about their lives earlier. 7 The best time to talk to your children about alcohol is when they enter the early teens FALSE Children often ask about alcohol and drinking when they are very young. When this happens a positive response is better than ducking the issue. Many parents do not see the need to raise the subject until their children reach their teens when they apparently start drinking alcohol. Ideally you should speak to your child before he or she is likely to start experimenting with alcohol.
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REVIEW AFTERNOON TEA
THE
OF
AFTERNOON TEA
SINCE THE IRISH ARE MEANT TO BE THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TEA CONNOISSEURS, DOES THAT MEAN WE ARE THE BEST AT SERVING AFTERNOON TEA?
W
e are a nation of tea drinkers consuming 295 cups per capita each year, 40 cups more than people in the UK. However the concept of afternoon tea originated in our neighbours’ land before we quickly caught on to the delights of it. It’s believed that credit for the custom goes to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford in the early 19th century. The usual habit of serving dinner late left the Duchess hungry in the late afternoon so to stave off the hunger she would order tea, bread and cakes to be served in her room. This was thought to be an excellent idea and the habit quickly caught on, and the concept of afternoon tea was born. For those keen to revel in some of Ireland’s most luxurious venues, afternoon tea is the perfect excuse to experience them without the expense of an overnight bill. Famous for its refined setting, the Lord Mayor's Lounge at The Shelbourne is illuminated by both the sunlight that streams from its windows overlooking St. Stephen's Green and the chandeliers that grace its ceiling. Choosing a week day meant we had a prime seat by the bay window, that allowed my table and I embrace one of our preferred pastimes people watching. In a way the Lord Mayor’s lounge is a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the lobby and the outside streets, with the soft piano music and hushed conversations. Bubbling flutes of Moet were swiftly delivered to our table, before our waitress informed us that the only decision we needed to make is the type of tea we wanted. The selection extends from the traditional cupán tae to the more exotic Middle Eastern fusions. Typically Irish, we all relied on the traditional option as we thought it would be best with what was about to be served. Tea was poured from heavy, ornate, teapots into delicate bone china cups. Even the teabags are special at The Shelbourne are they are sheathed in fine silk rather than paper or cotton. The three tier stands of food were presented in a lovely fashion, starting first with delicate open finger sandwiches – our favourites being the smoked salmon and egg mayonnaise. Our waitress knew to leave just enough breathing time before the next fanciful stand arrived filled with fresh home-made scones and the essential condiments. By which point we were having an in-depth conversation about tea etiquette. The final piece de resistance – the pastries – were like art creations, each one
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The G Hotel, Galway
DID YOU KNOW?
The WHO states that tea is the next best drink to water for hydration. This is good news for Irish people, the biggest tea drinkers in the world. Tea has less caffeine than coffee so it does not have the same diuretic effect. Also, the theanine in tea has been proven to produce a relaxed yet alert state of mind – which is why the cuppa is so popular.
tempted us with the macaroons being the best of all, surpassing even those made in Paris. Three hours after our afternoon tea had started, we were reluctant to leave our sociable afternoon, and so on the offer of our waitress, we had one more pot of tea, this time an exotic one, to end our pleasant afternoon. In the West of Ireland afternoon tea is also embraced, no more so than in the Philip Treacy designed rooms of the g hotel. Here you have a chance to tantalise the taste buds with a mix of traditional and modern treats, all gracing a three tier silver tea stand. This is complemented with tea and coffee for only €42 per two people sharing, or if you fancy a tipple, a glass of Jaquart pink champagne for €59 for two people sharing. While the plain and fruit scones with butter, clotted cream and jam stay true to the traditional afternoon tea, the g gives it a modern twist with the modern sweet treats such as donuts, rocky roads, cheesecake, brownies, and strawberry mousse. We started our afternoon tea in the signature pink room with a bevy of savoury options - chicken wraps, smoked salmon and goats cheese, and pizza slices. We – three women - were the typical afternoon tea guests, but we were informed children are also welcome. In fact the g offer their very own menu called “Little Miss and Little Mr. Afternoon Tea” which has everything from cupcakes to cookies, hot chocolate and milkshakes. It’s priced at €14 for one or €25 for two. The afternoon menu is the same all year around with the exception of sea-
THE WAITING ROOM | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2013
The Shelbourne, Dublin
sonal holidays where they can theme the afternoon tea to fit in with the celebration, whether it is Easter or Valentine’s Day. The perk of afternoon tea here is that if you can’t finish all the treats, they will pack them up beautifully so that you can recreate the afternoon tea again at home the next day with the leftovers.
HOW TO MAKE A GOOD BREW
First thing in the morning run your fresh water tap for about 15 seconds before you fill the kettle. Ensure the kettle is empty, by pouring away any previously boiled water. Fill kettle with freshly drawn tap water which will be full of oxygen to help the flavour develop. If using a teapot then heat it before using. Bring the kettle to the boil and pour straight onto the tea bags in pot or mugs. Leave for 1 to 2 minutes to brew then stir. If you like very strong tea then up to 5 minutes is about the max. Use cups or mugs that have a white lining as the colour is improved. China/bone china will give a better result than pottery. If you are serving from a teapot the milk should be added first as the flavour will be preferable. If brewing in a mug, the milk has to be added last and stir to help the taste. Do not drink the tea too hot as this will impair your taste buds and you will not appreciate the flavour. YOUR FREE COPY
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CAREERS FOCUS TRAVEL
IN SEARCH OF A
DREAM CAREER FINDING A JOB THAT BRINGS LONG TERM HAPPINESS CAN BE A DIFFICULT QUEST. BUT OFTEN TAKING A CAREER BREAK TO EMBARK ON A DIFFERENT PATH CAN BENEFIT YOU IN THE LONG RUN WRITES SIMONE MURPHY.
YOUR FREE COPY
Y
ou may think you have the worst job, always on call, facing a deadline, working in a highstress environment, all for very little pay? The career guidance website Career Cast has evaluated 200 professions across a wide variety of industries, skill levels and salary ranges to determine the best and worst jobs of 2013. It used four core criteria: pay, outlook, work environment, and stress. Thanks to ever-shrinking newsrooms, dwindling budgets, and competition from online news organisations – it seems newspaper reporter ranks as the worst job for 2013. Elsewhere on the list of “worst jobs” are actor, oil rig worker, and dairy farmer. At the other end of the spectrum are the best jobs and at the top of the heap: actuary. Actuaries analyse statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. “Actuary is a top-rated job because it performs very well in all of the criteria we measure,” according to Career Cast. “There simply aren’t enough actuaries to fill the growing demand among a wide range of employers, which will keep actuaries ranked highly for years to come.” It may a world away from actuary but Allan Dixon, from County Wicklow, is among six people to have recently won one of the “Best Jobs in the World”. The 26 year old will be paid a six figure sum to work as an outback adventurer for six months in Australia’s Northern Territory. Winning the role involved him creating a social media campaign to get people around the world to tweet with their messages of support. He also got Irish media on his side and appeared on national radio and TV. The young Irish internet entrepreneur even convinced adventurer Bear Grylls, sprinter Usain Bolt and actor Hugh Jackman to support him in his quest to beat 330,000 competitors from 196 countries to win one of the six positions in the best jobs in the world competition. The other winners are taking up roles as taste master, lifestyle photographer, park ranger and chief funster! Allan recalls that when he was eight years old he got lost on his local beach in Arklow. Well he must have learned
a thing or two from that experience because he will now be embarking on six months of outback adventures. During this time he will travel through the outback, meet locals and discover exciting adventures, blogging along the way and uploading pictures of some of the wild and wonderful things he experiences. He said he was speechless when he heard he had won. “Words can't describe how amazing this whole experience has been”. While Allan is lucky enough to leave his job to take up a high paying role trekking through the wilds of Australia, not everyone will be offered a golden opportunity as easily. However it should not stop those from seeking a new career challenge to test out their skills by perhaps taking a career break. Any career breakers worry that such a move will leave them behind everyone else or even that they will drop a couple of rungs on the ladder. The good news is that generally doesn't happen. Firstly, because career breaks are much more common now, employers not only accept them, but recognise them as a way of up-skilling their staff while retaining loyalty. Secondly, you can ensure your career break isn't 'time off' it's 'time out' - in other words, time spent doing useful and constructive things. Do some volunteer work in a role you are not doing in your day job. For example, if you want to progress to being a manager, but no-one seems to want to give you the opportunity, take a volunteer role where you will be in charge. It might be teaching where you have to control a classroom of kids, or you might manage other volunteers. If you want to learn new management skills but volunteering isn't for you, consider TEFL (teaching English) or training as an instructor (skiing, snowboarding, sailing, diving, etc). In a teaching or instructing role, you will be effectively managing a group, and also responsible for getting the best performance out of them. If you fancy broadening your experience in your job, to help your promotion prospects, again, volunteering is perfect for this. When you're working in a different country, within a completely different culture, and with people who might not even speak the same language, you will develop a breadth of knowledge and a raft of skills that your colleagues back home can only dream about. Like volunteering, working abroad can develop your skills in your day job. As well as developing all your soft skills (communication, teamwork, etc) you will probably learn new and innovative ways of doing things - and you can bring these into your job when you return.
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FEATURE PRIVATE VERSUS PUBLIC
THE BABY
DEBATE
HAVING A BABY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE, BUT DOES PRIVATE CARE MEAN BETTER CARE? KAREN CREED REPORTS.
S
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ince I mentioned my pregnancy, the oohs and aahs of excitement were swiftly followed with a question that seems of paramount importance in Irish society: “Who’s your consultant?” When I informed them I didn’t have one as I was going public, the look of despair and shock was enough to make me wonder if I had made a terrible mistake in opting to go public with my first pregnancy. My husband panicked too, and we got down to doing serious homework on the three options available to us. As we soon found out there are a number of factors that you need to consider before making a final decision about which type of care you choose. There are three main healthcare options - public, semiprivate, and private. You may prefer the camaraderie of other new mums on a busy public ward. However, ward life is not for everyone. Visiting hours can be restricted as a public patient and when your fellow patients have visitors this can be intrusive. Ward life starts early and babies are usually left with their mums most of the day. Basic toilet and bathing facilities are provided but are shared between wards. Unsurprisingly the vast majority would probably
prefer less activity and the peace of a private room. Dr Peter Boylan says private care is all about contact and consistency. “The main advantage is that you have contact with a single experienced practitioner that you have access to seven days a week. At your visits you will always see the same consultant.” Going private involves two things - your medical care and your hospital accommodation. Dr Boylan admits that private care doesn’t come cheap but it is often about perspective. “If you look at it in terms of a holiday or buying a car or television set, in that context it’s not that expensive. Also it is only going to happen two or three times at most. It is really a question of balance and what people want to invest in. Of course that said some are scraping to get the money for private care along with a house and kids going to school” For those going public Dr Boylan dismisses any notion that the expectant mother or baby doesn’t receive top notch care. “What we like to say to people is that they get the same standard of care but don’t get it from the same people. In the public you will see a consultant once or twice during your pregnancy. By virtue of the YOUR FREE COPY
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GOOD TO KNOW
• Although many associate
All parents want to do what’s best for their baby and breastfeeding can contribute significantly to the future health and well-being of both babies and their mothers
sheer volume of patients, it is not possible for the consultant to see everyone. Instead there is a team of people who you will see on alternate visits from midwives to registrars.” The other alternative to going private is semi-private. “You almost always see the same consultant,” says Dr Boylan. For those who choose to go for private or semiprivate, insurance companies will assist but they will only make a contribution to the overall care package. Consultant fees will be additional. Amid the current recession and stretched budgets in many homes, there are women who opted for private care for their first or second child, and find that now they can’t afford it on their next child. Dr Boylan says there can be concessions made. “If a woman wants to attend somebody, they can often negotiate a rate. They might say to the secretary, “my husband has lost his job and we are finding it difficult but they really want to attend him”. Often they might be able to do a reduction or some kind of deal.” With a baby boom happening in Ireland, maternity hospitals are rarely quiet and so introducing schemes like the Domino midwives scheme encourages expectant mothers to focus solely on having midwives see them through their pregnancy from the YOUR FREE COPY
Vitamin D supplements with breasfeeding babies this is not the case. “It is not only important for breastfeeding babies,” says Dr Teresa Bennett. “It is recommended that both bottle and breast fed babies have a Vitamin D supplememnt from birth to 12 months. More recently Vitamin D also plays a part in prevention of diseases like diabetes and some forms of cancer,” she adds. “The main source of Vitamin D is sunlight and obviously it is not recommended for babies to be in the sun. While there are many Vitamin D supplements on the market, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland recommends certain products. These include BabyVitD3 drops, BabyVitD3 pump, and Abidec. It is important to check the recommended dosage as
beginning to birth and promote a holistic approach to labour. The intention is that the mothers will be allowed return home within the day of giving birth with a midwife visiting them for five consecutive days. “I don’t know how widely available it is but it’s very suitable for women who have had one baby to opt for this scheme,” says Dr Boylan. “This early discharge home scheme is great as they can get back into their own environment. Many women would be of the mindset that if there is not a private room available, they would prefer to go home.” When you sign up to a particular care scheme, they will often inform you that you can’t change. But Dr Boylan refutes this is set in stone. “You can change. Hospital administration doesn’t like it but a woman is perfectly entitled to change. Losing a job, it’s not impossible and they may have to change the scheme they are on.” Talking to many professionals and mothers who have opted for private and public, my own verdict is that private gives the mother better comfort, but the level of care for the child remains exactly the same in both private and public.
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PRIVATE VERSUS PUBLIC FEATURE
they all vary.” For more information visit www.hse.ie/go/vitamind
• Antenatal classes are
available in most maternity hospitals, free of charge. These classes cover what you can expect during your pregnancy, the signs of labour, labour and birth and pain relief options. There are also private antenatal classes available. Some hospitals provide yoga, this can also be done privately.
• All parents want to do
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what’s best for their baby and breastfeeding can contribute significantly to the future health and well-being of both babies and their mothers. The HSE offers plenty of information to help mothers who intend to breastfeed with booklets and online services. These can
help build breastfeeding competency and confidence. If you intend to breastfeed your baby there is plenty of free support available, both prior to the birth of your baby and afterwards. The midwife will be able to get you started and there are also lactation consultants in certain regions who can provide specific breastfeeding training. Also at many local health centres breastfeeding support groups are run by the public nurse. For more information visit www.breastfeeding.ie • You can claim for six visits
to your GP while pregnant, which will be covered by the HSE (usually four during pregnancy and two afterwards). The relevant form is available from your GP and must be completed and returned to the HSE.
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PROMOTION WEIGHT WATCHERS
THE WADDINGS ANNE’S
STORY
“13 years ago I came back from holidays. I left the photos in to be developed on a Saturday, I picked them up at 4pm the following Monday, took one look through them, and by 6pm I was sitting in my first Weight Watchers meeting! I lost the weight in 13 weeks and I’ve kept it off ever since. I remember, coming home each week and trying on different things, and each time I’d be able to close another button, it was such a good feeling. I wear a size 6/8 now and it still feels great to be able to buy the clothes that I
STEPHEN’S
want. I know people worry about taking that first step into the class, but when you get there you realise that you’re not the only one; everyone is there for the same reason. The key is not to look on it as a diet, it’s a lifestyle change; you can eat what you like as long as you remain aware of what you’re having each day. Watching Stephen’s turnaround with losing weight and getting healthy has been brilliant; he took to it like a duck to water! I remember one night watching TV with him and mentioning about the
STORY
After suffering with health problems, Stephen Wadding decided to join Weight Watchers. He tells us how his health has improved dramatically since losing an impressive 60 pounds. “I hadn’t always been heavy; it just crept up gradually over time. A couple of years back, I had a few health complications, which meant that I had to get stents put in. I was starting to feel better, and I felt that losing weight would make even more of a difference. Although I had been trying to do it by myself by exercising and watching what I ate, I was getting nowhere. My wife, Anne, had lost two stone with Weight Watchers ten years before and had managed to keep it off all that time. One night, she mentioned that there was a ‘Men Only’ class opening up in Dungarvan that week, so I decided to give it a go. The craic and humour in the class was, and still is, absolutely brilliant. We have great fun, while learning a lot, but then once the class is over, everyone walks out the door serious
‘Men Only’ class. I never thought he’d go, but it’s become a way of life for him now, and he looks great. Eleanor, the class leader, is amazing, she’s been an enormous help to Stephen; she’s just so natural, and talks to her members in a language that they can understand. The best thing is, Stephen is fantastic in the kitchen, so I hardly have to think about what we’re eating, because he does such a good job! We don’t cook or eat anything different, or ‘diet’, we just have the right amount of good food and that works for us.”
about their weight loss. Weight Watchers gave me the tools that I needed in order to lose weight; I reached my goal in June 2011. I still go to the meeting every week; it’s an important part of my routine and I enjoy being there. When you’re carrying four extra stone, even small things take a lot of effort, so losing weight has made a massive difference to my life. My medication has been greatly reduced, and I’m off the blood pressure tablets completely, which means there has been a huge improvement to my health. I do a good bit of travelling around with work, and it used to be that I would come in and be totally wrecked; I was just physically unable to do anything but sit on the couch. Now, even at the end of the day, I’m still full of energy. I no longer come in the door and spend the entire evening sitting down; I’m up and about and doing whatever needs to be done. It’s a great confidence boost, the simplest of things seems so much easier, and the feel good factor is fantastic.”
Anne’s Statistics Name: Anne Wadding From: Waterford Start weight: 11st ½ lb Now: 9st Lost: 2st ½lb Class: Dungarvan Leader: Eleanor McGrath
Stephen’s Statistics Name: Stephen Wadding From: Waterford Start weight: 16st 9lbs Now: 12st 5lbs Lost: 4st 4lbs Class: Dungarvan ‘Men Only’ Leader: Eleanor McGrath 24
THE WAITING ROOM | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2013
“Losing wei gh t has made a massive difference to my life. My medication h as been greatly reduced, an d I’m off the b lood pressure tablets completely” Stephen
Anne and Stephen bef ore
FOR C I N C LU L A S S D E T A I LS DING ‘MEN O MEET I N G S : N LY ’ AT W O R K /B Y REQUE ST 8 W G RO U P EEK COURS ES CALL
1850 2 34 123 O R V IS IT W E IG H T W AT C AT H O H E R S .I M E /B Y E POST 0 5 6 7 7 S E RV IC E C A L L 222 76
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12
WEIGHT WATCHERS PROMOTION
Roast Beef with Warm Summer Vegetables and Herb Aioli 12 ProPoints values per serving Serves 6 25 mins to prepare, 35-55 minutes to cook + resting
Ingredients
1 kg (2lb 4oz) rolled beef top rump joint, with no visible fat, patted dry with kitchen paper (a middles cut section is best, about 10-12cm/4-4 ½ inches in diameter) 1 ½ tsp olive oil 2 tsp Dijon mustard 400g (14oz) baby new potatoes, halved if larger than bite sized 300g (10 ½ oz) baby carrots 2 garlic cloves, crushed 200g (7oz) baby courgettes, halved 300g (10 ½ oz) shelled broad beans, defrosted if frozen 3 little gem lettuce hearts, quartered Juice of ½ lemon 1 tsp sugar 6 tbsp extra light mayonnaise 2 sprigs fresh tarragon, chopped finely 2-3 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped finely
Instruct ions 1. Heat the oven to gas mark 5/190C/fan 170C. Brush the beef with 1/2 tsp of the oil. Heat a nonstick frying pan and brown the beef all over the rounded side. Transfer to a roasting tin and brush
with the mustard. Roast for 30-40 minutes for medium-rare, or up to 50 minutes for medium to well done. Once cooked, cover with foil and rest for 20 minutes before slicing thinly. 2. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes until tender, drain and set aside. Heat the remaining oil in a large lidded pan, add the carrots and cook, covered for 5 minutes. Add half the crushed garlic and the courgettes, cover and cook for 3 minutes, then stir in the broad beans and cook for a further 3 minutes until just tender. Season well and add the cooked potatoes, lettuce, lemon juice and sugar. Stir and cook for 1 minute until the lettuce has wilted. 3. Mix the mayonnaise with the remaining garlic and herbs. Serve with the vegetables and beef.
Strawberry and Stem Ginger Cheesecake 5 ProPoints values per serving 28 ProPoints values per recipe 15 minutes to prepare Serves 6
Ingredients
100g (3 ½ oz) gingernut biscuits 15g (1/2 oz) stem ginger, drained and finely chopped, plus 2 tbsp of the syrup for drizzling 200g (7 oz) low fat soft cheese 250g (9 oz) 0% fat Greek yogurt 2 tsp icing sugar, sifted 1 tsp vanilla extract 250g (9 oz) strawberries, trimmed
Instruct ions 1. Place the gingernut biscuits in a clean plastic bag, seal and crush them roughly with a rolling pin. 2. Stir the drained and chopped stem ginger into the crushed biscuits and tip into the base of a large, trifle-style dish. 3. Gently combine the soft cheese with the yogurt, icing sugar and vanilla until smooth, being careful not to overbeat the mixture. 4. Chop three quarters of the strawberries and stir them into the soft cheese mixture. Spoon it over the gingernut biscuit layer
using the back of a spoon to smooth the surface. 5. Slice the remaining strawberries and scatter over the top of the cheesecake. Drizzle with the reserved ginger syrup and serve.
For more delicious recipes go to weightwatchers.ie or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wwIrelandofficial YOUR FREE COPY
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FEATURE GREEN FINGERS
GREEN
FINGERS
A GARDEN IS A SPACE IN THE HOME THAT IS RIPE FOR INVESTMENT. SO WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO MAKE THE OUTDOOR PATCH ADD VALUE TO YOUR PROPERTY? CELEBRITY GARDENER DIARMUID GAVIN HAS MADE A CAREER OUT OF TRANSFORMING PEOPLE'S GARDENS AND SHARES SOME OF HIS KEY TIPS . 26
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DESIGN IT RIGHT
“People don’t want a screaming individualist garden. Keep it nice and simple with clean, contemporary lines, simple materials and planting that doesn’t look like it’s going to take an awful lot of time or money to maintain. Also keep the overall design simple. When you're making a plan, use a few sweeping lines to lead the eye from the viewing point, which is often the kitchen window, right down to the back of your plot.
THE LAZY WAY OF GROWING GRASS...
“There's a company called Easigrass. It manufactures YOUR FREE COPY
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GREEN FINGERS FEATURE wonderful artificial turf, and it will fit it for you too. It’s an easy solution - no need to mow the lawn because it looks green all year round, and Easigrass really knows its business. It's not cheap but the product is fantastic. So is that lazy or is it easy? I can't make up my mind. If you want the real stuff, the traditional way is to prepare the lawn, dig out the stones, clear perennial weeds, make sure the ground is firm and, once the soil heats up a bit, sprinkle seed. You can do that, but an easier way is to just roll out a new lawn.”
WHAT ABOUT GROBOX?
“A wonderful British invention called Grobox is a garden in a box. The brainchild of horticulturist Jayne Lawton, it contains everything you need to grow plants in one box - something to grow in, nutrients and seeds. All you need to do is dig a hole, bury the box about 2 inches under the soil, water and watch the plants grow. The boxes are made from recycled wastepaper - cardboard, old newspapers - which will biodegrade once in the soil. They are made in a variety of shapes and sizes and filled with seeds, corms, bulbs and tubers, arranged at the right depth and space. These can be planted straight in the ground, or in containers, tubs or hanging baskets. The cardboard will provide some insulation to protect your plants as they settle in. There are a variety of different selections available.”
GET THE CHILDREN INVOLVED
With Grobox there's something for kids as well. You could get a garden containing sunflowers, nasturtiums, marigolds and anemones. “These could be a great way to introduce children to the magic of gardening. They are also ideal for the apartment dweller who only has a small balcony on which to garden and just wants to pot some window containers.”
THINK LONG TERM
“Don’t use too many different species at once or it will look like a multi-coloured fruit salad. Keep it basic and keep it to 10 or 15 different species in a garden - depending on size. When you mass plant your species, simply have the occasional specimen, and consider what your specimens will look like all year round, not only when covered in foliage or flower. If you're planting a tree, why not try a multistemmed birch? When bare it still has a lovely sculptural shape. Enhance this through the evening by up-lighting through the use of a spotlight at its base.
“A pond is always a good addition - and not hugely expensive or complex. It encourages wildlife into the garden and also acts as a mirror to the sky to reflect those rolling clouds above.” framing your front door with a wonderful display of massed colour in pots. For instance, a mass of flowering cyclamen crammed into a 'long Tom' terracotta urn looks special and draws attention from less well tended parts of the garden.”
ADD A POND
“A pond is always a good addition - and not hugely expensive or complex. It encourages wildlife in to the garden and also acts as a mirror to the sky to reflect those rolling clouds above. A garden pond can be achieved by getting very cheap liner, strong polythene for example, over a bed of sand in a dug-out hole.”
LET’S TALK ABOUT PLANTS
“Keep the planting simple like mass plant lowgrowing shrubs such as dwarf purple berberis for colour or clouds of Pittosporum tobira 'Nanum'. Wild flower seeds are particularly great in an area of poor soil in your garden. They come cheap in garden centres, so just sprinkle them on to the poor soil and watch them form a fantastic display. Pay attention to a few detailed areas. Surprise and delight by YOUR FREE COPY
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QUICK QUIZ
TheWaitingRoom
CROSSWORD
When completed, the letters in the shaded squares will spell out the winning word: What is the largest county in Ireland?
2 nights B&B an WIN en ing Meal for 2 at d
Question 1
one Ev tel, East Cork Midleton Park Ho
How many pieces are on the board at the start of a game of chess? a) 28 b) 32 c) 36 d) 40?
Question 2 How many times (as at 2010) has Roger Federer won the Wimbledon Men's Singles final? a) 4 b) 5 c) 6 d) 7
Select Hotels of Ireland Ireland’s biggest independent hospitality marketing group, is offering one lucky winner a fabulous break at the Midleton Park Hotel in East Cork.
HOW TO ENTER:
Question 3 According to the singer Katie Melua, how many million bicycles are there in Beijing? a) 5 b) 9 c) 10 d) 25?
Question 4
How many feet are in a furlong? a) 440 b) 550 c) 660 d) 770
Text TWR2 followed by your answer, name, address and phone number to 53307 or post your answers along with your phone number to us! Closing date Monday 23rd September 2013
NO TIME TO FINISH? NO WORRIES! THIS MAGAZINE IS YOURS TO TAKE HOME! ACROSS
DOWN
Cong ratu lations!
1 Witch doctor (6)
1 Massive reorganisations (5-3)
The winner of last issue's crossword is
4 Bilateral, more than one aspect (3-5)
2 Seat with supports for one's forearms (8)
9 Grant entrance to (6)
3 Chief Law officer of a state (8,7)
Terms: 18+. 60c per entry incl VAT. Network charges vary. Competition closes midnight Monday 23rd September Entries made after the close date do not count and you may be charged. SP Phonovation Ltd. PO Box 6, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Helpline 0818217100
Question 5
10 Of gigantic size(8)
In which year were Concorde planes retired from service? a) 1998 b) 2000 c) 2003 d) 2006
12 Light, tenuous or celestial (8)
Question 6
18 Unattractive child or bird from a fairytale (4,8)
Death Valley is located in? a) California US b) Kerala, India c) Israel d) Saudi Arabia
Question 7 What county has the shortest coastline? a) Cork b) Louth c) Leitrim d) Tipperary
5 Texture or barking sound (4)
13 Insert to keep meat together during cooking (6)
6 Suburb composed of rich commuters (11,4) 7 Repudiate or renounce (6)
15 2, 3 5 and 7 are examples (5,7)
Cathal O’Connor, Co Cork
SUDOKU
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 square contain all the digits from 1 to 9
8 Remove weapon or weapons (6)
21 Pertaining to a God (6)
11 Rope made from the fibre of the Agave Cantala plant (7)
22 Weakened by ageing (8)
14 Even more obtuse (7)
24 Migration to a mining area (4,4) 16 Act of getting rid of something (8) 25 Wealthy people who fly (3,3) 17 Excited or disturbed (8) 26 One whom lordsobey (8) 19 Musical movement to be performed slowly (6) 27 Impassive orunemotional (6) 20 Gracefully slender, lithe, suave (6) 23 A slavic emperor (4)
Answers: 1b, 2c, 3b , 4c, 5c , 6a, 7c
Crossword is open to readers aged 18 or over, are resident in the Republic of Ireland, except employees and their families of The Waiting Room Magazine, its printers, or anyone connected with the competition. The magazine is not responsible for entries lost, delayed or damaged in the post. Proof of postage is not accepted as proof of delivery. Any number of entries will be accepted. Winner will be the sender of the first correct entry to be drawn at random after the closing date. Winner will be notified by post, and only their name and the county in which they live may be published in the magazine. All personal information obtained through entry into this competition will be destroyed following its completion. Entry implies acceptance of these rules.
PUZZLES
THE WAITING ROOM | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2013
source: www.sudoku.com.au YOUR FREE COPY
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PUZZLES
WORD SEARCH
Vision Express supports The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust and Temple Street charities www.visionexpress.ie
WIN A fREE EYE TEST and a pair of designer glasses including lenses worth up to €250 Post your completed WORDSEARCH along with your name and address and phone number to The Waiting Room, The Studio, Maple Avenue, Stillorgan, Co Dublin. Closing date for entries is Monday the 23rd September
Can you list all 12 of these Zodiac Signs
ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER LEO VIRGO
LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES
Cross reference
CRACK THE CODE AND WIN €50
Each letter of the Alphabet appears as a code number. Complete the grid and it will reveal the middle name of Pretty Woman actor Richard Gere! Coded in the lower grid. Then Text TWR3, followed by your answer, name and address and phone number to 53307 or post your answers along with your name, address and phone number to The Waiting Room, The Studio, Maple Avenue, Stillorgan, Co Dublin. Closing date for entries is Monday the 23rd September.
YOUR FREE COPY
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KIDS COLOURING PAGE
C olouring fun for kids
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THE WAITING ROOM | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2013
YOUR FREE COPY
TWR - August/September 2013 (QUARK 7):The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13
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COLOURING PAGE KIDS
YOUR FREE COPY
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