REWARDS OF FOSTERING
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RUNWITH KEITH DUFFY
DESERT HEAT IN DUBAI
F R to ta EE ke h om e
June/July 2013 i Issue 18
OURFEARSOF AGEING WHY REACHING A LANDMARK AGE CAN BE DAUNTING FOR MANY
COPINGWITH CANCER HOW PARTNERS CAN HELP DURING ATRAUMATICTIME
BETTERDIGESTION
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THE BESTWAYSTO BEAT IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Are we a prudish nation? DR PIXIE THINKS SO
PL U S C O L O U R I N G P U Z Z L E S C O M P E T I T I O N S NOT E B O OK
“If there is one person who can't afford to be squeamish, it's Dr Pixie McKenna.�
Channel 4's As presenter and resident doctor on share of fair Embarrassing Bodies she has tackled her ted query is bizarre body issues and tells us the next x-ra h Duffy is always around the corner. Elsewhere Keit and join him encouraging readers to get their runners on ey for Irish on his fun run - his latest venture to raise mon people to sign Autism Action.With the HSE seeking more Irish women up to foster parenting, we speak to selfless out how the find who have embarked on this route, and having to give rewards outweigh the possibility of one day at the ageing the child back.And in this issue we also look ions when process, and if it is always a case for celebrat you reach a milestone birthday.
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C r eORed Kar e n EDIT
inside June/July 2013 6 Fighting Autism
There's no stopping celebrity campaigner Keith Duffy as he gets set for his latest fundraising adventure.
8 Body Talk
Dr Pixie McKenna gives us an insight into life as a TV doctor, dealing with x-rated queries on a daily basis.
10 Coping With Cancer
An insight into the effects cancer can have on the partner of someone suffering from the disease.
12 Sun Escape
A summer in Dubai can be one of the cheapest times to holiday because as the temperatures soar, the hotel prices drop.
14 Stepping Into Foster Care
With the latest drive by the HSE to encourage more people to foster, two Irish women dedicated to this discuss the highs and lows.
16 The Dreaded Ageing Process
Do we worry too much about the age we are instead of enjoying life? Jillian Bolger investigates.
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20 Treat Your Feet
If there is ever a time to give your feet some TLC, the summer calls for such pampering.
21 Before You Say I Do
Pre-marriage courses are designed to help couples be aware of what lies ahead. TWR investigates what's required for wedded bliss.
22 Into The Wild
April / May 2013 Winners Mrs Nora McCartney, Rylane, Co Cork winner of the Just Food Hamper-Word Search prize Peg Donnellan, Castlerea, Co Roscommon winner of the Cross Reference puzzle Bernie Golden, Mullingar, Co Westmeath winner of the Main Crossword Hotel break prize YOUR FREE COPY
Cheryl Strayed never realised writing about her extraordinary adventure would lead to a best-selling book and movie. Lisa Jewell reports.
26 Better Digestion
The quest to beat irritable bowel syndrome.
JUNE / JULY 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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notebook HEALTH
Running for cancer A GROUP OF WOMEN BROUGHT TOGETHER BY CANCER ARE SAYING NO TO LECTURES BUT NO TO EXCUSES EITHER.
THE WAITING ROOM MAGAZINE is produced and printed in Ireland EDITOR Karen Creed E: info@waitingroom.ie PRODUCTION/DESIGN Colm Geoghegan E: colm@waitingroom.ie ADVERTISING Ingrid Lyons (Sales Manager) E: ingrid@waitingroom.ie T: 01 5240995 CONTRIBUTORS Alison Cashel, Corrina Ray, Dr Peadar McGing PUBLISHER Danstone Ltd.
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Knowing that exercise reduces the likelihood of breast cancer and the return of it, a group of women went in search of an event to sign up for to give them a goal, so as to make regular exercise an intrinsic part of their lives. But they couldn't find any for everyday people. “There were loads for lunatics that cycle 100 kilometres before breakfast on a Sunday morning, but we're not those people and neither do we want to be!” And so instead they have created a series of their own events to partake in throughout 2013 and 2014, and they are not all triathalons. The people running them all have a cancer related story. To find more about their events or to take part visit www.choosetotri.com
A mood boost from a canine friend
ANY DOG OWNER WILL TELL YOU THAT THEIR DEVOTED HOUND IS THE MOST LOYAL FRIEND THEY HAVE. Recent studies have proven that canine companionship brings a number of health benefits. Playing with a dog increases production of serotonin and dopamine, both of which help to calm and relax us. Another measurable positive effect is lowered blood pressure. One explanation for these therapeutic effects is that a dog fulfils the most basic human need to touch. Stroking, holding and patting a dog can calm and soothe the most stressed of us. The companionship of a dog can offer comfort, help ease anxiety and boost our mood. Irish Therapy Dogs, a registered charity founded in 2008, has undertaken the task of establishing a
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national network of volunteers, who, accompanied by their faithful dogs, would visit residences where the companionship of a dog was missing. Today, more than 270 teams (a handler and their dog) make weekly visits to day care centres, hospices, hospitals, long stay nursing and retirement homes all across the country. Whether you are an individual wishing to offer your time, or an orgnanisation hoping to benefit from regular visits, Irish Therapy Dogs would like to hear from you. Further information and application forms can be found on the Irish Therapy Dogs’ website, www.irishtherapydogs.ie YOUR FREE COPY
notebook HEALTH / TRAVEL
Step outside your comfort zone
DO YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL? DO YOU CARE ABOUT PEOPLE? DO YOU LOVE A CHALLENGE AND CARE ABOUT GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT? If the answer is yes, then your time, your energy, your motivation and your enquiring mind could make a difference to people’s lives in Kenya this year. Londiani is a town and a district where communities face many challenges in their daily lives. Friends of Londiani (FOL) are an Irish registered charity who have been working with these communities and supporting them in their efforts since 2002. Harambee is a swahili word which means ‘working together’ and this is what volunteering with FOL is all about. The next FOL Harambee
volunteer project will be held in November this year. This is a short-term volunteer placement opportunity for two or three weeks in Kenya along with a training programme around it to enhance the experience and help prepare you for it. This is a chance to use your skills to help make changes to people’s lives and to explore hands on for yourself an understanding of global development issues. For more information contact Friends of Londiani on 021 4621748 email harambee@friendsoflondiani.com or visit www.friendsoflondiani.com
A guide to great sleep 1. Stop all caffeine, even in carbonated beverages, chocolate, etc. 2. Do not read, eat, or do anything else in your bed, except sleep or engage in sexual relations. Those are the only two things you should use your bed for. 3. Do not watch upsetting television (like the news) or any other stimulating programs for the two hours before bed. Watch something boring! 4. Do not read stimulating things, do difficult puzzles or stressful things the evening before bed. 5. A few hours before bedtime, make a list of the things you're thinking about or worried about, or that you would like to get done the next day. Keep adding entries as you need to,
Skin perfect
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but then stop an hour or so before bedtime. 6. Don't exercise when it's two hours or less before bedtime. 7. Stop drinking fluids two to three hours before bedtime, and try finish your last bite before bed by 8pm. 8. Get used to wearing an eye mask to keep light out of your eyes, and ear plugs to keep noise from waking you. One good type to try is the silicone earplugs that you roll into a ball, push slightly into your ear and spread out a bit to cover the outside openings of your ears. You will get used to these in a couple of nights, and they really do help sleep become deeper and with less disturbances. 9. Make sure the room you sleep in is cool, quiet, and dark.
10. Make sure you have gone to the bathroom before going to bed, so you won't have to get up to go again. 11. Do not fear not sleeping. While it's not fun or healthy in the long run, being unable to sleep doesn't actually hurt you in the short term. The trick is to break the pattern of fearing you won't sleep, checking the clock, worrying how many hours you have left to sleep, etc.
By following the above tips, instead of wondering if you will sleep, you’ll start to wonder if you can stay awake and alert until it’s time for bed. This re-sets that fear of not sleeping, and so you will sleep - if you follow it faithfully, even on the weekends.
ALONG WITH GOOD TEETH, HEALTHY SKIN IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU NOTICE ON SOMEONE, THEREFORE PUTTING IT AS A PRIORITY FOR MOST TO HAVE IT AT ITS PREMIUM AT ALL TIMES. If, however, you are one of the many Irish adults or teenagers who bear the brunt of having problem skin, then there is a chance to see what can be done to improve it with a free consultation at the Laser Skin Clinic in Monkstown, County Dublin. Head clinician Peggy Stringer has over a decade of experience in the industry, both in Paris and Dublin and using modern technology can address a number of concerns from acne and sun damage,
to rosacea and signs of ageing. Her treatments can be tailor-made to the individual so that even if you are not in a position to be able to receive an intense treatment, whether you are on medication or pregnant, you can opt for a deep cleansing massage with reputable products she sources specifically from the US and beyond. For more information visit www.laserskinclinic.ie or call 01 284 4431
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FEATURE KEITH DUFFY & IRISH AUTISM ACTION
FIGHTING FOR A BETTER LIFE FOR CHILDREN WITHAUTISM Keith Duffy speaks to TWR about his continued passion for raising awareness and money for Irish Autism Action and how essential it is to have early intervention and appropriate education for children 6
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ormer Boyzone star, Keith Duffy, first became involved in working with autism charities when at 18 months his daughter Mia was diagnosed with the disorder. He and his wife, Lisa noticed something wrong in their daughter early on when she wouldn't respond to them. And most heartbreakingly of all, she wouldn't return her parents' or brother's affection. Speaking to a friend at an autism charity event, it became more apparent to Keith that was what Mia had. He describes that day as the worst day of his life. Looking for an official diagnosis, they discovered it could take up to two years to get one. Pure frustration at the lack of help for autistic children led him into charity work, eventually becoming the patron of Irish Autism Action (IAA). Discovering there was only one appropriate school for Mia in Ireland - with only twelve places and a long waiting listKeith and other parents set about fundraising to change that. They raised enough money to employ more teachers and allow more children - including Mia into the school. Over the years from working with the IAA, Keith has raised over €9 million, and they have since set up a diagnostic centre and have 13 schools around Ireland educating 400 children. A 24 hour helpline has also been set up to aid other families dealing with issues surrounding Autism.
How many years have you been involved with Irish Autism Action? I have been fundraising for probably close to 12 years now. I have been patron of Irish Autism Action for the last 10 years. Before I joined them I was fundraising myself. To be part of an organisation like that, helping children, providing support for families who have been affected by autism with things like comfort funds, education and early intervention is great. It was a way for me to be able to exploit my familiar face for the benefit of children, including my own child. What are the biggest barriers facing families with children who have autism? The biggest obstacle with a child with autism is the ignorance surrounding it. People don’t understand it and how it can be helped. They often relate to the movie, Rain Man, which is a terrible interpretation of what autism is. The frustrating part for me is knowing that it has to be early intervention. 18 months is the key to give a child the best opportunity and this is not readily available. There are waiting lists that are the length of my arm. The biggest problem in this country is there is not enough education available for the amount of children with autism.
As a parent of a child with autism, how have you found the Irish system? If you look at any facility that is provided for children with autism, you will find out that any of these facilities have been put together by parents of children with YOUR FREE COPY
KEITH DUFFY & IRISH AUTISM ACTION FEATURE autism. The state has never taken it upon itself to put an autism unit in a school. At the time we wanted Mia assessed there were no services available to us. It was a two and a half year waiting list for assessment. It was very frustrating. That is why I started educating myself and fundraising, doing research in the UK and the United States. It helped keep my frustration levels at bay. By doing this I was helping her but also helping other boys and girls. From then until now the difference that Irish Autism Action and the difference that my wife and I have made is immeasurable. I don’t mind saying that. When you mention autism people think of me.
What has been your biggest achievement to date from your work with the IAA? The best feeling I’ve ever had because of the work I’ve done is seeing the progress of the children at the ABACUS school in Kilbarrack. Where Mia was when she started physically, emotionally and academically she was severely autistic. After five years in that school, the difference that school made to her was immeasurable. Now she is in mainstream secondary school. While her academic skills are fantastic, socially she might not be where we would like her to be, but she is still doing well. I’ve worked with families and seen the progression. The biggest reward is the progression in the child.
How has your daughter Mia progressed? It changes every day. My daughter teaches me something new every day. She is now 13 and going into adolescence and starting to become a woman. That is a whole new chapter and we have to help her through this difficult time. It is such a complex subject to speak about. It changes and brings new challenges. You never stop learning. You have to keep an open mind and keep your ears open. You are constantly learning. I have learnt a lot more than I started off with. I would consider myself quite knowledgeable.
Your latest fundraising evening is open to everyone? Yes, a lot of the reason behind me doing this charity run is that a lot of families come up and say thanks for highlighting autism, for putting it on the map, and that they would love to get involved and support the IAA, but can’t afford my golf event or my black tie event. These events are not practical for those who are not in a position to help the charity financially. One thing I can do that is reachable to everyone that is affected by autism is organise a charity run. If you want to make a difference, come along and walk, jog, or even stroll. I am going to be there along with celebrities on June 30th in the Phoenix Park. There will be a lot of familiar faces. I am encouraging mothers too, 5k is very doable pushing a pram.
What advice would you give to parents who find out their child has autism? From personal experience, you have to have an open mind. The best thing for a child with autism or any disability is finding the best facility with a specific teaching programme, where there is a psychologist and tutor on a one-to-one basis. There is no second place to that. That is not going to happen across the board. If you can’t get a one-to-one teaching programme, there are places like Abacus which has a 6 to 1 teacher activity and then some one-to-one. You have to remember the word autism is just a word that is related to a number of disabilities that a child has. Some children only have some of these disabilities, but they are still labelled. Each child is different. Everyone needs their own tailored education.
To sign up for Keith Duffy’s run for autism on June 30th in the Phoenix Park visit www.keithduffy5krun.com. For more information on Irish Autism Action visit www.iaa.ie
Did you know?
The first signs of autism usually appear as developmental delays before the age of three. Autism is described as a ‘spectrum’ disorder. This means that the symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations and can range from mild to severe. Two children with the same diagnosis can act very differently from one another and have varying skills. The three main areas of difficulty for people with autism are referred to as the ‘triad of impairments’. These are social communication, social interaction and social imagination. Research into autism and genetics has shown autism is genetically pre-determined. However, research is on-going to determine to what degree environmental ‘triggers’ may be involved in the increase in incidence. Autism is not an indication of genius. A small percentage of autistic people are autistic savants who do have incredible talents. Children with autism are not unruly kids who choose not to behave.
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INTERVIEW PIXIE MCKENNA
AN EMBARRASSING BODY PROBLEM? JUST ASK DR PIXIE
Medical celebrity and presenter of Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, Dr Pixie McKenna, has seen it all from protruding piles to those x-rated queries. Nothing appears to faze the Cork doctor, although she finds sometimes dealing with male patients and their awkward body issues can be like playing a game of charades. 8
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PIXIE MCKENNA INTERVIEW Was medicine always your planned career path? Yes, absolutely. My dad was a single-handed GP for 43 years so as soon as I could speak I was interacting with patients. By the age of 16 I knew that if you had chest pain radiating down your left arm it was time to call the ambulance. How did you end up getting into television and the Embarrassing Bodies series? Bizarrely I came across an advert for a Channel 4 show about eight years ago and thought what the heck I will have a go. In true telly fashion I screen tested got told I was "fabulous darling" and then never got a call back. It was the ultimate blow out. Then out of the blue three months later one of the directors was working on another show for BBC and said to me “why don't you try again?”. So I swallowed my pride and secured a role in BBC’s “Freaky Eaters”.When series one aired, Channel 4 was recruiting for “Embarrassing Bodies”. They saw me on the telly box talking about Hula Hoops and signed me up to take on the “Embarrassing Bodies” role. To use a cliché, the rest is history.
What has been your most memorable TV or medicine moment? It was standing on the stage accepting a BAFTA. I couldn't help thinking how did a little girl from Cork end up here - it was surreal. Channel 4’s Holiday Clinic exposed what young people get up to with a high rate of carelessness among this age group. Do you ever get shocked anymore? Some of the holiday revellers try very hard to raise the bar and bring something notorious into the clinic and on occasion they do like setting each others’ bottoms on fire or drinking until their livers explode but ultimately it's nothing different to being in A&E on a Saturday night.
Do people ever come up to you randomly on the street to ask you about a personal health problem? Oh yes, often ladies bare their legs and show me moles, taxi drivers tend to talk about below the belt problems as they feel if you are in the back seat it's a bit like going to confession and down the pub it’s no holes barred thanks to Dutch courage. To be fair as a doctor you always get asked medical questions by your mates so it's much the same although mine are generally x rated. What is the most bizarre body issue you have dealt with on the Embarrassing Bodies series? I would say definitely the lady who didn't drink coffee but administered herself a coffee enema twice a day to make her bowels more efficient. She started off with a sterile technique and expensive French coffee, but by the time we met two years had passed and she was using cheap Nescafé and washing the device in the dishwasher. The mind boggles.
What do you think women get most embarrassed about when seeing the doctor? Any mishaps down below make us blush, be that a dysfunctional bladder thanks to child birth, anatomical variations like large labia, itchiness, rashes, problem periods, protruding piles or plain old flatulence - it brings us out in a sweat
And men? Lads are happy to talk about their bowels but they start to blush if it's a problem with their tackle. They tend to speak in code and there's a lot of wink, wink, nudge, nudge sometimes. Establishing what the problem is can be a bit like playing charades.
Do you think the Irish public is generally quite prudish? Definitely. This became apparent after Embarrassing Bodies and that I was the "go to girl" for all things cringe-worthy when the reality is that we do nothing that the rest of the nation’s GP’s don't do, we just do it in high definition TV wearing fake tan and false eye lashes. YOUR FREE COPY
The mind boggles as to why they are compelled to turn what should be an enjoyable experience abroad into sheer holiday hell. Lots of them forget that at the end of the week they have to go home with their lobster tan and their gonorrhea and face the music. Gee don't I sound very middle aged and boring! One thing’s for sure, my daughter will never be going to Magalluf or to a festival until she is 40. Are you very comfortable with your own body? If you aren't happy with who you are you aren't happy full stop. People come in all shapes and sizes and you either need to embrace it or
endeavour to change it. I would never say no to botox or plastic surgery but my morbid fear of needles and going under anaesthetic means it’s highly unlikely. I have a big nose, a mouth of teeth to rival a horse, I snore, sweat profusely and have a couple of varicose veins so no I'm not the perfect human, but as I'm neither a page 3 model nor The Rose of Tralee, it doesn't bother me. (My husband would beg to differ about my snoring- he says I sound like a strimmer and has at times threatened divorce!). But I firmly believe if you spend your entire life trying to look like someone else you clearly aren't happy with who you are. What future projects have you planned? Lots more “Embarrassing Bodies” coming to a living room near you this year. I also have a new show in the pipeline but would have to kill you if I disclosed the details. And yes I have finally come round to putting ideas together for a new book so it's busy, busy.
“Lads are happy to talk about their bowels but they start to blush if it's a problem with their tackle. They tend to speak in code and there's a lot of wink, wink, nudge, nudge sometimes.”
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HEALTH CANCER
COUPLES LIVING WITH CANCER A diagnosis of cancer has a ripple effect throughout the family, with many couples experiencing fear, confusion, uncertainty, and in some cases anger, depression and anxiety. Health psychologist, D r . K a r e n S . L y o n s conducts research on couples and families with chronic illness at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland
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hroughout life, couples often draw great strength and support from one another in times of crisis and stress, but the cancer experience can place demands on the couple that compromise their ability to do this. The patient may face worsening health, painful treatment and related side-effects, but also the possibility of recurrence. His or her spouse may face the strain of providing care and support, redistribution of roles and household tasks, changes in goals and priorities, and in some cases the fear of losing his or her loved one. Both members of the couple may worry about the impact of the experience on any children, their intimate relationship, and the future of their family. There is a fast growing area of research examining the impact of life-threatening illnesses on couples and the best ways to support them through the journey. Across the board couples who take a team-approach to the experience tend to have better outcomes, as individuals and as a couple. The couple is a unique relationship, defined by the emotional and physical intimacy that exists between spouses. With medical advances leading to more diagnoses in early stages and
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more effective treatments available, long-term survival rates have dramatically increased over the last several decades. How the couple emerges from the experience can depend greatly on how they have coped together. The following advice is based on current research in this area. Patients and their spouses often communicate less during an illness experience either because they are not sure how to talk about what is really on their mind or because they do not want to burden each other with their fears and worries. This latter phenomenon is known as protective buffering and has been associated with distress, decreased satisfaction with the relationship, and greater disagreement between patient and spouse regarding how well the patient is doing. One of our recent studies found 55% of cancer patients and 81% of spouses reported problems related to protective buffering. We know that couples who continue to communicate with each other fare better. Being honest about how you feel can be difficult, but it is important to share these feelings with each other to maintain the emotional intimacy of the relationship. Empathy, self-disclosure, and active listening have all been found to be beneficial. In
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particular, research has shown that a spouse’s response to a patient’s disclosure is very important. Spouses, particularly husbands, have a tendency to respond with problem-solving (fix-it) strategies, whereas patients primarily want to feel listened to and in many cases value a disclosure from the spouse about how he or she is feeling. It may take time to learn new ways to talk and listen to one another. In some cases it can be beneficial to seek help from a counselor or other specialist to facilitate these conversations or learn ways to broach difficult topics together. Couples who can maintain or re-invent their roles as spouses rather than purely shifting to either giving or receiving support increase their ability to stay connected and emotionally healthy. Communicating honestly with one another and making decisions together allows for better management of the patient’s health and the overall relationship. Many couples benefit from support groups, couple-counseling, and developing their own networks. Find what works for you, but don’t be afraid to seek help when needed. We know that younger couples tend to have a YOUR FREE COPY
DESERT HEAT IN DUBAI TRAVEL more challenging time than older couples. Older couples have usually had more time to develop their coping strategies and may have faced other times of stress or illness together successfully. Younger couples are also more likely to have lots of competing demands such as young children and employment. Build support networks and be honest with family and friends about the help you both need. Many couples describe the sadness they feel at the things they can no longer share or do together. Be creative in finding new ways to maintain even small connections with each other to avoid a sense of loss in the relationship. As a patient in one study commented, “when a door closes, open a window.” Sexual difficulties (e.g., decrease in interest, drive, frequency, and satisfaction) can happen to any couple dealing with cancer or illness, but are particularly common when the diagnosis and treatment of cancer involves parts of the body associated with sexuality (e.g., breast cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer). Talking with each other about these difficulties and how both of you are feeling can avoid miscommunications and undue anxiety. It can also be helpful to talk with your doctor about concerns you have and potential strategies. Most importantly, keep talking and listening, share moments together,
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and reassure each other that the concerns you have don’t reflect less affection for one another. Take care of yourself and each other. Throughout all phases of the cancer experience it is important to try to sleep, develop healthy habits, and get even a small amount of exercise to maintain your energy. Support one another in these goals and think about ways to do them together. There are times when one or both members of the couple struggle and experience depression, making it difficult to be supportive. Try to watch out for one another and recognize the signs of depression in yourself and your spouse. Seek assistance through your doctor, nurse, or a psychologist. Couples experience different challenges (e.g. concerns about fertility, employment, retirement, treatment options, disease progression, side-effects, sexual function). Tackling them together as a team requires honest communication, active listening, and problem-solving together. Some couples experience a decrease in the quality of their relationship during illness, while others find it brings them closer together. No two couples are alike and each couple must find the path forward that works for them, but they will reap the benefits if they find it together as a team.
“Patients and their spouses often communicate less during an illness experience either because they are not sure how to talk about what is really on their mind or because they do not want to burden each other with their fears and worries.”
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DESERT HEAT IN DUBAI TRAVEL
DESERT HEAT If you want guaranteed sunshine, and don’t mind soaring temperatures, then consider a holiday in Dubai this summer when low season means cheaper prices writes Corinnna Ray
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y first introduction to the Movenpick brand was while waitressing in a restaurant in Dublin that served the indulgent icecream. One taste of the vanilla flavour and I was hooked. It was only years later I realised the company didn’t just deliver on icy delights but was part of a much bigger service, including hotels. It took a recent visit to Dubai to see if the holiday accommodation offered by the company lived up to the same levels as its sweet treats. Hotels in Dubai are like nowhere else in the world with luxury on a whole different level. Once overtly expensive, prices have dropped dramatically since the recession hit and refreshingly for tourists the quality appears to be the same. Accommodation at opulent five stars like The Movenpick can now be booked for less than €100 a night at certain times of the year. Many visitors opt to stay in the same hotel for the duration of their holiday, but given the variety and our interest in exploring we decided to stay in two options from the Movenpick brand, one on the doorstep of a sprawling mall, and the other looking directly onto Jumeirah beach. Ibn Battuta is not an area where tourists instantly think of to rest their head as it is a few minutes outside the hub of the action. However anyone staying there will soon realise it is just a few metro stops or a €5 taxi ride to the lively marina. It means you can relish all the buzz of the city and then return to your chilled out abode afterwards. The hotel itself is sprawling, with eight restaurants and 396 hotel rooms. Stepping into our bedroom was like venturing into the mythical past as it was beautifully furnished in the colours and styles of Moroccan influence. If you upgrade to a suite these are themed on the African, Asian, Middle Eastern and southern European countries visited by 14th century Arabian adventurer Ibn Battuta. As inviting as our room was we spent most of our time on the hotel rooftop where the swimming pool is
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located. We also made a visit to the spa for some pampering massages. Dinner at night was like a box of chocolates with the choice on offer, with not nearly enough nights there to test out all the different cuisines. We opted for two of our favourites, the Italian restaurant and the Chinese, with authenticity apparent in every dish served. Too full from dinner most nights, we would retreat to the outside bar and join other guests sipping on mint teas or stronger tipples, the scent of the different flavours of shish filling the air. Other nights a stroll around the nearby mall meant we could walk off some calories while purchasing souvenirs. The Dubai tourist and shopping go hand in hand. Ask the expatriates for their advice on the best locations for bags, jewellery and home decor. Haggling is the name of the game at the souks while the malls boast all the best loved brands. If you are after a designer handbag for a bargain price head to the Al Karama Shopping Complex and peruse the leather offerings inside Golden Stars Gate 8. Most visitors won’t leave Dubai without spending a few hours in the Dubai Mall where you can enjoy some free sightseeing after you have browsed through some of the 1,200 retail outlets. The aquarium is one sight to behold, especially at feeding time, while the gold souk stocks all sorts of Arabian treasures. Before you leave head for the waterfall to see a creation of art in full flow. For a hotel that has the beach on your doorstep, The Movenpick Jumeirah, is one of the most central options as we were soon to discover. Beach towels and umbrellas are waiting to be picked up as most guests will want to test out the bath like temperatures of the Arabian Sea across the promenade. Some days we preferred to stay poolside and enjoy cocktails from the bar, dipping in and out of the refreshing water. Here we were on a half board basis which meant buffet breakfasts and dinners, and a definite need for
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restraint. Every night the theme of cuisine changes, while fresh fish and other healthy options are a constant. The hotel is flanked by a promenade of cool bars, restaurants and cafes, many of which we sampled, with one of our favourites being Saladicious. Of course it was appropriate also to sit on the hotel terrace and enjoy some of its acclaimed ice-cream to cool us down in the scorching weather. The intense heat can make any activity an effort but do head to Dubai creek and hop on board an abra for an historical tour of this part of Dubai. If you have more money to spend, book an intimate dinner on a dhow cruise. Not only is it one of the most romantic ways to dine in Dubai, but it offers stunning night time views of the shore and the city’s glittering skyline. Don the abaya and visit a mosque to see the interior splendour of one of these places of worship. Many holidaymakers will choose to get active with one of the sports on offer in the city. There is the chance to ice skate at the Dubai mall, ski at the Mall of the Emirates or if time permits splash around in the water park or head out of the city into the desert for some sand boarding and camel rides. We did all that and finished our holiday on a high note, taking in the sights from one of the skyscrapers. The best view is from the tallest building in the world, The Burj Khalifa, which is one of the newest additions to the city’s skyline. Stretching one kilometre high it is not for the fainthearted.
Stay at the Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate starting from €92 per room per night, or at the Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach starting from €124 per room per night. Prices shown are based on two adults sharing for three nights in June or July 2013. For further information and reservations visit www.moevenpickhotels.com/en/offers. You can fly to Dubai with Emirates and Etihad direct or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. YOUR FREE COPY
FEATURE REWARDS OF FOSTER CARE
THE REWARDS OF FOSTER CARE
With the HSE seeking more people to change a life by becoming a foster parent, many will ask just how easy is it to take a child into your home, knowing you may have to give them back one day? K a r e n C r e e d reports
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fter 18 years of fostering, Eleanor O’ Brien* has lost count of how many children have stayed under her roof. “My last count was 87, ranging from the small babies upwards,” she recalls. It was a spontaneous decision to embark on fostering children, and in doing so, adding to her own family. “I already had three children, with my youngest aged four or five, when I started fostering. I saw a number on a notice board in the school about it one day and I knew someone who did it and thought I could do that”.
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What Eleanor wasn’t prepared for was the intensity of the checks done on her and her family. “After going to a meeting, and doing the training, the garda vetting took place. It is not easy. You have to tell them everything and it is quite invasive. They talk to you, your husband and your children. That is important for people to know if they are thinking of fostering.” When it comes to specific details like the age and sex of the children you want to foster, you can mark your preferences. “You can put in
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what age profile you would rather and whether you prefer to take girls or boys but it is hard to say no regardless of what you have asked for,” says Eleanor. “I always preferred the babies, but now I have gone past that.” Eleanor has two foster children at the moment, aged 10 and 12. “I have them since they were babies.” It inevitably raises the question of how hard it will be if she has to one day hand the children back. “People will always say to me “how can you do fostering? I wouldn’t be able to give them back”. But the thing is you know they are
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REWARDS OF FOSTER CARE FEATURE
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never be closed to them either. I would hope I could ring the child once a week to keep the contact.” She also stresses the point that fostering is not possible without the support of family. “My husband has been brilliant. We would have encouraged and supported each other taking in Ella. He knew how worried I was about her and I had to get on to the HSE. Margaret’s three sons were also very receptive of their new sister when she arrived on their doorstep 10 years ago. “The twins were 14 when she came to live with us. They loved her and she calls them her brothers as she is the only girl. The twins were still only young and they were such a great help and minded her.” It is evident to see the joy that Ella has brought into their lives. “While the honeymoon period is over, it is great to step back every so often and see you giving her a good chance in life. The thing is to me is that she is here, she is my child and I have to do this because I love her.” Neither Eleanor nor Margaret have any regrets about getting into foster care and both would be willing to continue taking children in, or at least pursue more opportunities in the care system. Margaret thinks there are more children in the Irish system now than ever before. “Family is a big thing but not always the best solution for a child.”
For more information on foster care visit www.ifca.ie
(*Names have been changed to protect the identities of those interviewed for this article)
Wh en it comes to s pecific details like the age and sex of t he ch ildr en you w a n t t o f o s t e r, y o u can mark your preferen ces.
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not here forever.” That said she is reassured by the fact that her two current foster children are with her for the long term. As for keeping contact with the other 85 or so children who have been cared for by her, she has a practical approach. “You still worry about them when they leave and at the same time you hope it will be ok. You have contact with some but not really all of them, as you can’t. There is one girl who still visits me but usually when you are out of the system and back with your family it is hard to keep in touch.” Through her 18 years of foster care Eleanor has encouraged many others to follow suit, especially close family and friends. “We have our own little network in my community. My three sisters are now fostering and even my son who is 22 says that when he settles he will foster. My 24 year old daughter just graduated as a social worker so it must be in the family. My children are better people for it. They are more caring because of it.” Dublin mother Margaret Roche would agree that a lot of positivity comes out of foster care, even if at times you are faced with issues. Margaret represents many of the country’s relative carers, i.e those who step in to take care of children who are related when they feel the family are not in a position to care for them. “The little girl I am minding has been with us since she was two and she is now 12. I have been her mother all along”. Margaret also cares for another relative aged 14 who has been with her since he was eight years old. “It was by chance I fell into this role as relative carer. I just picked up on the role of neglect, as things were not right in their home and it would have been an emergency at the time. It was because I had been in contact and concerned about Ella* that I did end up taking her. Her mother was not able to care for her child.” Margaret says fostering is not hard, once you have some support. “It is only if the child is difficult and if you don’t have support from a social worker that it would be overwhelming.” Margaret is currently waiting for a social worker to be allocated to her and is somewhat anxious as Ella has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. “I really need help as there is a lot of pressure on us at the moment with this diagnosis.” Despite the stresses that come with fostering, it would not turn Margaret off from embarking on the same route again. “I would foster again, I definitely would. The boy I care for is 14 and from difficult circumstances. He is so happy here and when he leaves for school or somewhere he calls out “See you mam, love you mam” and seeing that 14 year old do so well in school is rewarding.” To ensure her foster son keeps in contact with his biological family, Margaret allows his brother come and stay a night every so often at the weekends. “It keeps the family unit. Of course when it is relative carers it’s easier. It is harder to do this when it is general fostering.” Margaret echoes Eleanor’s view on the prospect of having to return a child to their original home. “I am sure it would be difficult to give a child back but if I knew he or she was going back to a safe environment it would make me happy. To me that would make me feel that I have achieved something. My door would
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FEATURE THE DREADED AGEING PROCESS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY?
There’s something very different about a milestone birthday – one of those birthdays with a zero at the end. Something about changing decades make you take stock, reflect and reassess your life. One thing’s for certain, whether you’re leaving your carefree 30’s, moving into middle age or facing that retirement decade, not everyone wants to celebrate their ‘big birthday’. The Waiting Room talks ageing, attitude and emotions with three 2013 milestoners.
Paul Sherwood photographer, turned 50 in April 2013
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going and being active. I love the social interaction of my job too. Every day of my work life I meet new people: I’m a photographer first, then husband and father. Photography is my life and keeps my mind sharp and my interests going. Even if I retire I know I’ll continue taking snaps. Compared to many friends I got married old – at 33 – so my babies are only 12 and 14. They keep me young and in touch with what’s going on in the world and I love that. I’m happy at 50, although doing some more travel would be nice. If you asked me about future plans I’d love to go to Thailand and India and see the Northern Lights.I’ve got as much enthusiasm for life as I’ve always had. Ageing well is all about positivity: So long as my body and spirit keep going then I won’t be taking up residence in a chair in the corner of a room any time soon.
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I ’m h a p p y a t 5 0 , a l th o u g h d o i n g s o m e m or e t r avel w oul d be ni c e.
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“Turning 50 didn’t bother me in the slightest. It feels no different to being 49 and, besides, I don’t feel 50 in my head! Maybe I don’t move quite as fast as I used to and I admit I’ve a bit more weight on me and my hair is pretty grey now. But I don’t feel people look at me as an old guy, especially as I get on well with people of any age. As a photographer I could worry that a new client might think I’m too old, rather than count my 30-plus years of experience. Luckily I’m not trying to work with a younger generation, who often favour youth over experience. Sometime I catch myself saying something to younger people, then think: ‘I’m turning into my dad! ”Saying that, he’ll be 75 next year and is pretty active, fit and healthy. I’d like to live past 80, so long as I’ve good health of body and mind and enough money to live comfortably. Inside my fifty-year-old head is very different to what looks back from the mirror! I do feel reasonably fit, and don’t take any medication. I’m pretty easy going too and don’t do major stress. If four years of recession haven’t freaked me out nothing will. Business wise, I keep my head down and keep going with positive attitude. Attitude defines you. I don’t have an exercise plan to keep myself in shape but I do lug cameras about the place every day and drive all over the country. I love keeping
www.sherwood.ie
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THE DREADED AGEING PROCESS FEATURE
Jillian Bolger journalist, turned 40 in April
If, when I was 30, someone had shown me a film of my life as a 40-year-old I think I’d have been happy knowing what my future held. I may look like another boring, middle class, suburban parent, but I know my thirties were filled with amazing adventure, including two years travelling around the world. I believe we’re all the sum total of our experiences and I’m lucky to be able to say I have zero regrets about the choices I’ve made. Maybe that’s why I’m OK about shifting in to a new decade. 18 months ago I started CrossFit, a strength and conditioning programme that I do three times a week. I’m stronger, healthier and faster than I was in my 20’s and my body is in the best shape ever. I may be the oldest woman in my gym, but I’m well able to compete with the 20 and 30 year olds I work out with. They’re a fun and inspiring bunch and their energy levels keep me motivated. The optimist part of would like to think I haven’t even lived half my life yet. If that’s
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the case then I see my CrossFit time as an investment in my future and my kids’ future. Age is just a number but positivity and keeping fit are lifestyle choices. It’s great to feel this good entering a new decade.
I t mi g h t s ee m l i k e a cl i c hé, b ut a g ei n g w el l i s al l about positivity.
Laurie Flannery financial controller, is turning 60 this year “When I turned 50 I didn’t tell anyone, but I’m much more open about hitting 60. I know I wear it well: I’m the same weight I was at 25, and people think I look younger than I am. My partner of 21 years is two years older than me, but looks and acts about 45, so he’s very good for me. You can try to fool yourself but eventually you’ll have to deal with ageing some day. Realistically, I probably only have ten more good years ahead of me. Things like Alzheimers, which my mum suffered from, worry me. I fear I’m becoming a boring old fart as I constantly tell friends to ‘Keep reading, keep eating fish, keep listening to music.’ It’s important to keep your mind as active as possible. We
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all have to deal with the future too, so it’s important to embrace things like social media. As I get older I don’t spend as much money on clothes as I used to. Saying that, I’m all about self-preservation. I’ve major arthritis, so have traded stilettoes for wedges, but I still like to look trendy. I get hair extensions, manicures and my brows done – all without looking foolish. There’s a way to dress at my age! Sometimes I’ll pop into H&M then pull myself back and remind myself to shop somewhere more grown-up. I own an olive farm in Spain and try to spend eight weeks a year there. Redundancy money helped me pay it off and I live a lot like a hippy out there. I love trips away and am recently back from Amsterdam. I got a
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"It’s hard to ignore turning 40 when you’re older than most of your friends and your husband. One school friend who hit the milestone a few months ahead of me was less than thrilled about her new age and asked how I felt about turning 40. I confessed to feeling good, because I’m fitter than I’ve ever been in my life and because most people tell me I look closer to 35 (which I’m perfectly willing to believe!) By contrast, she admitted to feeling miserable because she’s carrying weight and isn’t very fit. It might seem like a cliché, but ageing well is all about positivity. I’m an optimist and rarely take things for granted. I’m not rich with cash, but my life is rich with amazing things money can’t buy – a wonderful husband, three healthy little children, a job I love, fantastic family and friends and good health. We’ve no real financial worries and, aside from dreaming of a bigger house, are really very blessed.
Photograph by Steven Wall
bicycle every morning – while I still can – and cycled around the city. In the afternoon my partner and I went for ‘dates’; age shouldn’t deter anyone from behaving in a fun or spontaneous way. Travel keeps me connected with the world, and stops me feeling old. I love music and dancing too, although arthritis means I can’t do as much of it as I’d like to. Being aware of trends and mixing with young people keeps me young too. Age is more to do with your attitude and the way you are. My sister is eight years younger than me, but she seems older. Not in looks, but behaviour: she’s very narrow minded and conservative. An open mind helps keep you young.”
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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
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who drink moderately have children whose use of alcohol is quite different to the children of those 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
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leave alcohol education to the experts. Besides, I don’t want to put ideas in her head before she’s even a teenager.’ 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 selfesteem 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 YOUR FREE COPY
DRINK AWARE ADVERTORIAL 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 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 YOUR FREE COPY
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 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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HEALTH TREAT YOUR FEET
TREAT YOUR FEET We hide our feet behind woolly socks for most of the year but the minute the sun comes out, we are forced to show them off. If there is ever a good time to get them back to health and in good shape it is now writes Karen Creed
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first became conscious of how important foot care is during a trip to New York in winter a few years ago. I decided to treat myself to a pedicure, despite the fact I was knee deep in snow and my feet were hidden behind snow boots. Given that such a treatment is a year round ritual in the States, not just a summer treat as can be the case in Ireland, the therapists were perhaps not prepared for what they were to set their eyes on. After peeling off the layers of ski socks, one look at my chipped nail varnish and my rather lacklustre looking feet and I got a proper telling off from the nail therapist. Even with her broken English there was no denying that her criticism of “bad feet” stayed with me. From that day I vouched, out of embarrassment more than anything, to take as much care of my feet as I would my hands and face. It was only on my return to Ireland, I realised that many of us are of the same mindset, to simply forget about our feet until summer kicks in. And it’s not just for vanity purposes we should be concerned. Podiatrists have since advised me of the necessity of keeping feet in good health. “They are the foundation of your body, which means keeping your feet healthy can help keep you healthy.”While year round care is the ideal situation, failing that, keeping them looking clean and healthy in summer is the least we can do. With that in mind I went in search of finding the best way to have them scrubbed up. Ireland has no shortage of pedicure services but finding a foot care specialist is not as easy. Hand and foot salons are cropping up slowly, realising the increasing demand for these treatments that some clients describe as luxury, and others deem essential in their body care routine. The Red Lotus Hand & Foot Spa in Ranelagh
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opened its doors last year and while it started out with a local clientele of women, it now boasts a comfortable mix of male clients, many of them sports players who are keen to keep their feet in good condition. Many are drawn to the effective paraffin wax, which is an easy sell for €10, as it is designed to give instant baby soft feet results and has pain-alleviating properties. I, however, was not just requiring a dose of paraffin wax but a deep cleanse and serious cuticle work. What is comforting is that the therapists in this salon use their expertise to instantly identify what your feet may be in need of. One of them being a podiatrist also reassures anyone coming in with a possible foot problem of possible solutions. Sue was assigned to look after my feet. Originally from South Korea, we joked about the fish pedicures that are rampant in Asia. I told her of my first experience of having one done in a market in Bangkok, while she explained in Seoul you can actually go into coffee shops and sit down and dip your feet into a tank of the fish to make the experience all the more relaxing as you sip on a latte. The Red Lotus may not have the fish in the tanks (much to the relief of many customers), but they have all the means to get your feet to the same level of softness. This starts with the type of pedicures. The choice on offer is like being in a sweet shop, as I swayed between a few options. Should I go for the natural honey full pedicure or the organic raspberry one? On the recommendation of my therapist, I chose the latter as it boosts the circulatory system with all the ingredients and an extended massage is included. The pedicure began with an assessment where she assured me the quality of my feet was good, although my nails should have been left without nail varnish during the summer months. “If you don’t let your nails go
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for some time without varnish through the winter months, they become weak and can turn yellow,” she advised. After removing all the dead skin with a raspberry exfoliater, the footbath followed and then it was time to work on the cuticles, softened from the hot water. After some time my nails were trimmed and preened and it was time for the massage which allowed me time to sit back in my massage chair with my ginger tea and enjoy all the wonderful pampering aspects of a pedicure. The perk of this particular massage is the paraffin wax towards the end of the treatment, where I dipped my feet into a bath of warm wax to further hydrate my skin. My feet were then wrapped in cling film and cosy booties to let the wax work its magic over 10 minutes. Afterwards my energised feet were ready for the final part – the artwork. Sue recommended some of the colours that are currently in trend with a vibrant blue and bright red both in the frontline. Playing it safe however, I stuck with my usual coral colour, assuring her I would be more adventurous on my return visit. I left the salon with the same intention I usually have, to return once a month for my pedicure. However this time the expertise of the therapists and the patience I saw firsthand they have with each individual customer, not forgetting my beautifully preened toes, makes me think I will be making The Red Lotus a regular addition to my health care regime.
For more information on The Red Lotus Hand & Foot Spa visit www.theredlotushf.ie where you can find a range of foot and hand treatments. They are offering a range of special offers until the end of June including a mini manicure and mini pedicure for €40. YOUR FREE COPY
BEFORE YOU SAY I DO RELATIONSHIPS
BEFORE
YOU SAY
I DO
For many Irish couples the one final loophole to jump through before walking down the aisle is embarking on a pre-marriage course. Shane Ryan reports
TOPICs COVEREd IN A MARRIAGE COuRsE · Marriage and your family of origin and self-awareness · Marriage and how you communicate · Marriage and your conflict management · Choosing the sacrament of marriage · Marriage and your commitment · Marriage and you being parents · Marriage and your fertility awareness and well-being · Marriage and your sexuality and intimacy
YOUR FREE COPY
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aving decided on a catholic wedding my fiancé and I faced the mammoth task of understanding what exactly was needed to make it all legal. Both of us were intent on having a church ceremony, which we were advised meant signing up to a pre-marriage course. Having some married friends already go down this route, we were aware to some extent what to expect, that there would be a quiz or two on how well you know each other along with discussions on the habits that drive you and your partner mad. Ultimately it seemed it would cover a lot of issues we had already discussed many times in the latter part of our 12 year relationship – from children to finances to what we wanted from our joint future. When it came to deciding who to do the course with we looked at the best known organisations offering these courses, some selling theirs on the theme of fun and a chance to find out if men are really from Mars. Bemused and intrigued by some of the promises, we opted, however, for the more serious tone of programme designed by Accord. The course was spread over a two day weekend where we joined at least 12 other couples, many, who we soon found out, like us had been together a long time. It happened to fall on the same weekend as a major international rugby match which meant a lot of questions were already being asked about the finish time to ensure the kick off was not missed. The course director, Debbie, appeared to be well used to the rather sceptical approach to the course and was keen to assure us that it would be a very hands on two days. She started off talking about her own marriage, possibly to try and get us all to feel more comfortable before opening up about our own relationships afterwards. She jumped straight to the topic of retirement and preparing for it, as this was the circumstance she was finding herself in. Her husband had just finished up in his job and she warned us that his hobbies were crucial at this point of his life; otherwise they would end up
twiddling their thumbs and bored with each other. She asked us to list the main traits that we look for in a partner, which resulted in us calling out the obvious ones from loyalty to kindness which she scribbled on a board, adding her own important ones to the list. She moved on then to our worst habits and we were asked to write down our partner’s worst habit on a piece of paper, cover it, and hide it under our seats until we discussed what habits may be deemed serious and those that were purely issues that could be smoothed out over time. Testing our teamwork was another key part of the course, and for this Debbie asked each couple to sit back to back, with one given a page of a drawing which we had to direct the other to recreate blindly with clear directions from their partners. It resulted in more laughs and frustrated shouts at each other over who was to blame for the bad drawing, than a rejoice of solidarity. The many tea and coffee breaks throughout the course gave everyone a chance to chat to other couples and find out their verdict on having to do this type of course. Most agreed they were reluctant to come on it as they didn’t see the point, but that now they were here, they didn’t find it so bad. Also for some it touched on issues that they genuinely wanted to discuss like if problems arose having children or with finances. For myself and my girlfriend these are areas we had already been through in many general conversations and so it was more a case of it being an open discussion with the group on these matters, while knowing we had already been through the “what if’s”. Before we left we had to do a test on our compatibility and knowledge of each other, which despite our intent that it didn’t matter if we scored low, we left content knowing that we did score high as a good match. We laughed about the course in the weeks after we had completed it, referring back to certain moments, while realising that our regular references to it must show it had some impact on us and our preparation for marriage.
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FEATURE CHERYL STRAYED
THE JOURNEY BACK TO HERSELF Cheryl Strayed 22
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CHERYL STRAYED FEATURE CHERYL STRAYED NEVER REALISE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE BEST-SELLING BOOK AND REESE UP TO PLAY HER IN A FILM WR
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he put down her heavy backpack that she would come to call ‘Monster’ and contemplated just how hard the walk was going to be. “I had a sense that I’d certainly bitten off more than I could chew,” she says. “I thought, ‘Ok, this is going to be much harder than I thought’. I’d done lots of day hikes before where you get up from your bed, go for a hike and then return to the comfort of your bed that night. “But this was wilderness backpacking – trekking into the world of the wild. No electricity, away from houses and modern times. I had spent months preparing but in reality, I was inexperienced. Then again, there certainly were things that I couldn’t have prepared for.” Cheryl faced a 1,100 mile trek that would take around three months to complete. This was the point where she could easily have turned back. But she went on. “That moment was a rude awakening and a necessary awakening,” she says. “I realised this is something that’s going to demand everything that I’ve got. I got going by saying, ‘I only have to travel one mile down the trail with my pack’. Then I got momentum going. “There were moments where I felt such profound pleasure. At the end of a day, I’d feel exhausted – beyond anything I’d ever experienced before – but I’d be sitting in this beautiful place eating my pot of dehydrated food. And thinking how lucky I was to be there.” Cheryl was on her own on her physical journey from the Mojave Desert in California to her final destination, Washington State. But more importantly, she was on a journey to reconnect with herself. She captures this experience in her book Wild, which was a New York Times bestseller and featured on Oprah’s Bookclub. Before the hike, Cheryl had gone through a tumultuous few years – starting with the death of her mother Bobbi from lung cancer four years earlier. She was just 45 and she and Cheryl were very close, even both attending the same college at the same time. After her mother’s death, Cheryl tried to keep the family unit together – her brother, sister and stepfather. “I tried so hard in the immediate time after her death to keep the family together – as if she hadn’t died. I failed at that – my mother was the only one who could keep the family together. “I was in so much pain and I wanted a cure for my pain. So I did a lot of things that people YOUR FREE COPY
D WRITING ABOUT HER WOULD LEAD TO A WITHERSPOON LINING I T E S LISA JEWELL
Actress Reese Witherspoon will play Cheryl Strayed in the upcoming film of the book.
do in their 20’s. I was having promiscuous sex and doing drugs. In some ways, I was reaching for them to make me feel better. “I was grieving like that because I was trying to honour my mother in showing her that I couldn’t live without her. But then I realised that the best way to honour her was to go on with my life and live life to the full.” Cheryl also had to come to terms with the end of her marriage. She’d married Paul when she was 19 and they’d honeymooned in Ireland, and then worked for a few months in Rathmines, Dublin. But despite some happy times, the couple went through separations and kept getting back together. Eventually, they made the decision to divorce. Cheryl found herself aged 26, working as a waitress in Minneapolis and wondering what she was going to do with her life. She spotted a guidebook for the Pacific Crest Trail and decided she would walk it. In some ways, she was better prepared for the hike than she imagined. Her family had lived on the edge of the wilderness in Minnesota and had lived off the land to a large extent. On the hike, she managed to escape collisions with a bull and a bear and had a near miss with a rattle snake in her path. The physical pain in her joints and feet was the worst part of the hike for Cheryl. She met some fellow hikers along the way and by the time she finished the three-month long hike, she felt something had changed within her.
When she sat down to write about her experience, some 13 years after it had happened in 1995, she felt those emotions rush back to her. “I knew that I wasn’t just going to write a blow by blow account of the hike but what it meant to me and how I was transformed by the experience.” It started out as an essay and then turned into a book. Cheryl found an agent and when it was published, the book became a huge success. “I never imagined the success of the book. It had always been my ambition to write but I knew that you can’t set out with the purpose of writing a bestseller – that’s out of your hands.” Wild will soon be made into a film starring Reese Witherspoon and adapted by novelist Nick Hornby. “I think it’s wonderful and I’m really excited about it. I have a lot of respect for Reese and Nick so I know it will be in great hands. It’s going to be a strange experience to see it on the big screen, to see my life up there.” Cheryl has since gone on to write Tiny Beautiful Things, which is a collection of her online advice columns, and is now working on a novel. As well as writing, Cheryl is kept busy with her two children – a boy aged eight and a girl aged seven. She is now married to a documentary maker Brian. In an interesting twist, she met him just nine days after she finished her epic hike in Washington State. “It’s funny in so many ways how that happened. I think the hike was also a preparation to meet him. I felt after the hike that I’d re-adjusted my course and got myself back.” Wild is published by Atlantic Books
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PROMOTION WEIGHT WATCHERS
RUTH MCCABE
Imagine joining Weight Watchers and realising you will have to lose over seven stone if you want to be at a healthy weight. Think of the time that journey will take. Think of the changes you will need to be prepared to make if you are going to reach your ideal weight. Imagine you do it. Imagine you reach that weight, that dress size. Time passes. Now imagine you put five stone of that weight back on again. Well that's exactly what happened to Ruth McCabe over the past five years!
“I'd been overweight since my teens but when a friend of mine was getting married I decided enough was enough and so I joined my local Weight Watchers meeting.” It was there that Ruth, from Blanchardstown, found out that she had quite a bit of weight to lose. “My total weight loss was 7st. 2Lbs.” Having a lot of weight to lose meant Ruth wanted to set herself smaller goals along the way. “I was a size 26 and knew I had a long way to go to my slim dress size, so I used visualise how good it would be to wear size 24 clothes. And when I was a size 24, I would visualise myself at size 22 and so on all the way to goal.” Five years ago, when she joined Weight Watchers, Ruth felt a bit shy exercising so her dad bought her an exercise bike. Now, at goal weight, she walks everywhere. “We are a one car house so I do a lot of walking. During the time I was losing my weight I never joined a gym or a class of any sort. Instead I got out and walked – and it was the same second time around after I put on the five stone. Exercise is great for my body but it's also wonderful for my mental health as well. We have two young children so ours is a busy, happy household but it's great to get out – either on my own or with my friends – and just walk. When my maternity
leave is up I plan to cycle to work and go out walking in the evening to ensure I still get the exercise I've come to love.” A few years after reaching her goal Ruth became pregnant with her second child. “I have to be honest and say that during that pregnancy I more than ate for two. Even so, even though I knew I was undoing a lot of my hard work, I felt confident that I would get back to my goal weight again. It was like Weight Watchers was my safety net and it would 'catch me' and help me back to where I was before so I didn't panic.” Once she had her six week checkup after son Andrew was born, Ruth went to Vera Bakers Blanchardstown meeting. “Vera told me I had put on five stone but I didn't feel put off at the idea of losing that weight again. I was eager to get started, to get back to the happy and confident me I was at goal.” Losing weight after baby Andrew was born meant Ruth was introduced to the ProPoints programme. “I found the ProPoints programme even better than the old programme. It was more flexible and I didn't feel restricted. It was all new so I had to get my head around it and then I was fine. I bring my calculator with me when I go shopping and I've been known to spend ages wandering around Aldi seeking
out new foods to try.” Ruth admits she gets bored easily so it was important for her to have lots of variety in her diet “and with ProPoints I certainly have that.” For anyone who hasn't been to Weight Watchers in a long time and is a bit nervous about using ProPoints, Ruth's advice is “Don't be nervous at all. This is a fresh start for you, a new challenge and ProPoints are just part of that exciting next step.” Being able to wear smaller sizes was a key focus for Ruth five years ago when she was starting to lose her weight. Has that excitement stayed with her, or has buying smaller sizes just become the norm for her? “You must be joking! I LOVE walking into any shop, knowing I will find clothes that fit me there. The thrill of being able to buy cheap and cheerful clothes is wonderful too. In the past I had to go to specialist shops to find clothes that fitted me and specialist meant dearer. Now my wardrobe is bursting at the seams with gorgeous clothes.” “There was a time when being overweight was my norm, my comfort zone. Now, being at my goal weight is my comfort zone, it's where I like and want to be. At goal I feel fantastic and I can look great so why on earth wouldn't I love being on goal?”
Ruth’s Statistics Name: Ruth McCabe From: Blanchardstown Start weight: 19st 4 1/2 lbs/122.5kg Now: 12st 2lbs/ 77.1kg Lost: 7st 2 ½ lbs/45.4kg Leader: Vera Baker
Ruth’s tips for success
Visualise yourself where you want to be. Don't just do it once, keep visualising time and time again. Even now I keep track. Some days I'll track by planning the menu for the next day and sometimes it might be before I go to sleep at night, but I want to know what I'm doing and tracking lets me do that. Realise you can't do your own version of Weight Watchers and still get the great results.
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The bottom line is that Weight Watchers works if you work the Weight Watchers programme. Always be prepared: Whether that's having something handy in the fridge for those nights when you're late home or a Curlywurly in your bag for when you really fancy something sweet. Being prepared can be the difference between a good and a bad week. Use your calculator. I take mine with me when I shop and it's amazing what pleasant or unpleasant surprises you can get. I'd rather find out from the calculator that something is high in ProPoints than when I step on the scales!
Ruth before
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WEIGHT WATCHERS PROMOTION
Cheesy spinach pudding This is delicious with a zero ProPoints value salad on the side. 5 ProPoints values per serving. 21 ProPoints values per recipe. 20 mins prep, 50 mins cooking. Vegetarian, serves 4
Ingredients
450g bag ready washed spinach A kettleful of boiling water 75g (2 ¾ oz) wholemeal bread 3 eggs 150ml (5 fl oz) skimmed milk 200g (7oz) low fat cottage cheese 1 tablespoon English mustard 75g (2 ¾ oz) reduced fat Cheddar cheese, grated Calorie controlled cooking spray 12 cherry tomatoes, halved Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instruct ions 1. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6/200°C/fan oven 180°C. Put the spinach in a colander and pour over all the boiling water to wilt it. When cool, drain and squeeze out as much of the water as you can. 2. Put the bread in a food processor then add the eggs, milk, cottage cheese, mustard and seasoning. Whizz to mix everything together then add the spinach and 25g (1oz) of the cheese and whizz together briefly.
Filo Plum Tart
3. Spray a 1 litre (1 ¾ pint) dish with the cooking spray. Pour in the spinach mixture and scatter with the tomatoes and remaining cheese. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until puffed up and golden. Cook’s tip: Pre-washed spinach can be cooked in its packaging in the microwave on high for a few minutes.
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If you love pastry, filo is an excellent choice- it’s much lower in fat than puff pastry. This easy tart is delicious with 50g(1 ¾ oz) ready to eat low fat custard per person for an extra 1 ProPoints value per serving, or a 60g(2oz) scoop of low fat ice cream per person, for an extra 2 ProPoints values per serving.18 ProPoints values per recipe. 3 ProPoints values per serving15 mins prep + cooling, 30 mins baking. Vegetarian, makes 6 slices
Ingredients
Calorie controlled cooking spray 3x45g (1 ½ oz) large sheets of filo pastry 2 tablespoons ground almonds 12 small, firm plums, halved and stoned ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons caster sugar 1 teaspoon icing sugar, for dusting
Instruct ions 1. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6/200°C/fan oven 180°C. Spray a small Swiss roll tin with a little cooking spray and line with a sheet of filo pastry, trimming it to fit with scissors. 2. Place the pastry trimming on top, then cover with the next layer of pastry, putting the trimmings between the whole sheets and spraying as you go, ending with a whole sheet of filo. 3. Scatter the filo with the ground almonds then arrange the plums on top. Mix the cinnamon into the sugar and sprinkle over the plums. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is golden and the plums are tender. Leave to cool before slicing and serving,
with the icing sugar dusted over the top using a small sieve. Try This: If you slice the plums into quarters, you can bake the tart for less time. After 20 minutes, the plums will be tender and ready to eat.
For more delicious recipes go to weightwatchers.ie YOUR FREE COPY
JUNE / JULY 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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A REAL PAIN IN THE BACKSIDE
FEATURE IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
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BY JESS KEANE, NUTRITIONIST FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH
rritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive health condition. Symptoms of IBS include bloating, wind (flatulence), altered bowel movements (diarrhoea and/or constipation) and may be accompanied by nausea. Dr Sue Shepherd developed the low FODMAP diet in 1999 and it is now widely recognised as one of the ways to alleviate IBS symptoms. The diet excludes foods that contain a family of carbohydrates known as FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols). In people with IBS symptoms FODMAPs are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and pass along the digestive tract to the large intestine. In the large intestine bacteria digest these foods leading to bloating and gas. These foods also alter the fluid content of stool, leading to diarrhoea. Experts have known for some time that lactose (found in some dairy products) can contribute to wind, bloating, and diarrhoea in those who are lactose intolerant and lactose is one of disaccharides that belong to the FODMAPs group of foods. Other foods that are high in FODMAPs include: honey, high fructose corn syrup, artichokes (globe and Jerusalem), asparagus, beetroot, chicory, garlic, leek, all onions (including onion powder), radicchio lettuce, wheat, rye, milk, ice-cream, custard, condensed milk, soft cheeses (ricotta, cottage, cream, mascarpone), legume beans (e.g. baked beans, kidney beans, borlotti beans), lentils, chickpeas, apples, apricots, avocado, cherries, lychee, nectarines, pears, plums, prunes, mushrooms, mango, watermelon, sorbitol (E420), mannitol (E421), xylitol (E967), maltitol (E965) and isomalt (E953). This is by no means a complete list but it gives you an indication of the breadth of this group of foods. Removing foods high in FODMAPs from the diet may be effective in improving IBS symptoms. This diet may also be applicable to those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Coeliac Disease (CD), especially in those who are still experiencing symptoms despite sticking to a strict gluten-free diet. Note: those with CD should remain on a gluten-free diet, although some gluten-free products may also be high in FODMAPs.
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The purpose of implementing a low FODMAP diet is to relieve uncomfortable digestive symptoms and thus improve your quality of life, allowing you to eat and socialise without worry. It is also important that you do not restrict your diet unnecessarily; ensuring you get a varied diet and sufficient fibre, whilst avoiding products that are naturally high in FODMAPs and processed foods with FODMAPs in their ingredients, so work with a qualified nutritionist or dietician alongside your GP or gastroenterologist. For more information visit www.jkn.ie
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“Experts have known for some time that lactose (found in some dairy products) can contribute to wind, bloating, and diarrhoea in those who are lactose intolerant�
GINGER CHICKEN SOUP WITH BOK CHOY
Bok choy is now grown in Ireland and available from most supermarkets.
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME FEATURE
POACHED HALIBUT WITH GINGER AND CORIANDER
Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Low GI Ingredients – serves 4-6 2 tbsp of olive oil ½ small onion, cut into 3 large slices 3 cloves garlic, crushed and left whole 1 “ of ginger, sliced into 4 4 chicken breast, cut into strips 1.5L of homemade* chicken stock 2 tbsp of Tamari sauce 4 scallions, green parts only, chopped into thin slices 2 stalks lemon grass, bulb crushed and cut in half 4 lime leaves 100g brown rice 1 bok choy, sliced diagonally into strips 1 handful of coriander leaves, chopped 1 tbsp sesame oil * made without onions Method 1. In a large saucepan, gently heat the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic, infuse the flavours and remove both from the oil. 2. Add the ginger to the oil and gently sauté for a few minutes, until fragrant. 3. Add the chicken strips and sauté until the chicken is no longer pink (they don’t have to be cooked all the way through). 4. Add in the chicken stock, Tamari sauce, scallion greens, lemon grass stalks, lime leaves, chicken strips and rice. Bring to a boil and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, until the rice is cooked. 5. 3-5 minutes before the rice is cooked completely, add in the bok choy. 6. When ready to serve, remove the lemon grass and lime leaves and discard. Add in the coriander and sesame oil and stir through.
Poaching is a tasty, healthy way of cooking seafood since it doesn't require any oil and preserves all of the tasty juices that are released during cooking. Dairy-free,Wheat-free, Gluten-free, Low GI Ingredients – serves 4 350ml water, 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger 4 scallions (the green stalks only, halved) Dash of Tamari sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice 4 halibut fillets, Salt and pepper, to taste 6 coriander sprigs, 1 lime, thinly sliced Method 1. Put water, ginger, scallion stalks, tamari and lime juice into a large, shallow saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. 2. Season halibut with salt and pepper then place in the saucepan. 3. Scatter coriander over the top, cover tightly and gently simmer until halibut is cooked through, about 10 minutes. 4. Add limes slices to the halibut and serve with quinoa salad 5. Spoon some of the poaching liquid over the fish
QUINOA TABBOULEH
Quinoa is a seed that is known for its protein content. It contains a complete complement of essential amino acids (essential because we must get them from our diet), making quinoa particularly nutritious. It has a delicious mild, slightly nutty flavour and is a great accompaniment to chicken or fish.
Ingredients – serves 4 180g quinoa, uncooked, 375ml of boiling water 1 sprig of thyme, 1 bay leaf Zest of ¼ lemon, 2 handfuls parsley, finely chopped 1 handful mint, finely chopped , ½ handful chives, finely chopped, 1 large cucumber, finely diced Dressing Juice of 1 lemon, 70ml olive oil, salt and pepper to taste YOUR FREE COPY
Method 1. In a small saucepan lightly toast the quinoa seeds before adding the boiling water, thyme, bay leaf and lemon zest. 2. Simmer on a low heat for 12 minutes until cooked (soft and translucent). Drain. Cover the warm quinoa in the dressing and set aside to cool. 3. Once cool, in large serving bowl combine with quinoa, parsley, mint, chives and cucumber. 4. Serve as a salad with fish, chicken or lamb. JUNE / JULY 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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The Eiffel Tower is located where in Paris? a) Bois de Boulogne b) Champ de Mars c) Jardin des Plantes d) Parc de Belleville
2 nights B&B an WIN en ing Meal for 2 at d
one Ev Hotel Fitzpatrick Castle
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23 Native or inhabitant of a
27 Relating to a group , tribe or
US State. Des Moines is the
minority (6)
capital (5)
Who plays Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider series of films? a) Angelina Jolie b) Minnie Driver c) Nell McAndrew d) Jennifer Aniston
Terms: 18+. 60c per entry incl VAT. Network charges vary. Competition closes midnight Monday 22nd July 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
of words (7)
Which event from the 2012 Summer Olympics will be held at Lord's Cricket Ground? a) Archery b) Fencing c) Handball d) Shooting
Answers: 1b, 2c, 3a, 4c, 5a, 6c, 7a, 8a
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
22 Latin for: in the same book or page (6) 24 Latin for: in the year of our Lord
THE WAITING ROOM | JUNE / JULY 2013
love (7) 18 Considered to be superior by others or themselves (7) 19 Expressing sorrow or
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PUZZLES
WORD SEARCH
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Can you list all 21 of these Wild Animals
Buffalo Chimpanzee Cougar Crocodile Eagle Elephant Gazelle
Giraffe Gorilla Hippopotamus Hyena Leopard Lion Mongoose
Monkey Parrot Porcupine Rhinoceros Tiger Warthog Zebra
Cross reference
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