LocalReach Weston February 2023

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LocalReach is delivered each month by ROYAL MAIL to ALL of the Weston-super-Mare/BS23 postcode areas, including all towns and villages within the postcode areas, to every resident and business, totalling 18,186 copies each month.

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The Food of Love

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach right? So I decided to cook up some culinary love magic for my boyfriend this Valentine’s day, but what to choose?

He loves Japanese food so I consulted my Japanese food-loving friend Yui. She informed me that in Japan the puffer fish is considered to be a great delicacy and an aphrodisiac, but the kicker is that it contains a poisonous gland so deadly it must be removed before eating! One mistake by the carefully trained chef and the food of love can become quite literally, a matter of life or death!

I thought a safer seafood option might be the oyster. A favourite with the Romans some oysters

are able to change sex repeatedly and so are said to give you the ability to experience the male and female sides of love. Yui cheerfully imparted the ‘fun fact’ that at least 12000 people a year in the UK develop food poisoning after consuming oysters, which kind of put me off a bit.

What about asparagus? The high levels of vitamin E are supposed to increase blood and oxygen flow to the genitals. It’s also full of potassium — which is linked to sex hormone production, and as a bonus it even has a somewhat phallic shape. Asparagus and hollandaise sauce was a winner surely. Yui (who I suspect does not care much for Valentine’s Day) tilted her head to one side. “You do know that the asparagusic acid in asparagus, breaks down into sulphur compounds, which make your urine smell revolting?’ Uh-oh, she was right.

In the end I settled on making chocolate mousse. Dark chocolate contains both a relaxing sedative that lowers inhibitions plus a stimulant to perk you up. My boyfriend is a chocoholic so I’m backing a winner and better still Yui didn’t point out any pitfalls…because I didn’t tell her what I was making!

Happy Valentine’s Day.

By Lucy Perkins

Garden View

This month – A passion for peaches

should be enriched with well-rotted manure or compost. If planted into a pot, make it as large and deep as the space will allow. When the flowers appear, cover the plant with a light fleece at night to protect the blossom. Because of the lack of natural pollinators early in the year you can help things a long by using a long dry paintbrush to dust pollen from one flower to another. Then water the plant regularly and feed with tomato food through the summer to keep it healthy. Prune any branches that grow out away from the wall, and also remove any that overcrowd the framework. Cut some old and fruited lateral shoots out each year to allow new ones to take their place.

When we rented a house in the South of France one summer, there was a peach tree in the garden and the owner invited us to help ourselves. We have never eaten so many sweet, ripe peaches. Nothing in the supermarkets here has ever compared to those fat globes of nectar.

A few years ago, I discovered that it was possible to grow peaches in this country too, with a few caveats. In the far South it’s possible to grow them against a south, or south-west-facing wall. Further up the country we need the help of a conservatory or a large greenhouse. The reasons for this are threefold: peach trees tend to flower very early, around February, when the UK can still suffer sharp frosts in the mornings; they also develop fungal diseases if the weather is too cold and damp and finally, our short summers generally don’t give enough time for the fruits to ripen. But if you have that south-facing wall or conservatory and would like to have a go at growing peaches (and who wouldn’t?) read on.

‘Peregrine’ is a white-fleshed peach quite wellsuited to the English climate (the above warnings notwithstanding) though generally best grown under cover. ‘Rochester’ is a very reliable yellow variety that gives good harvests of large fruits in August. It also has the advantage of being a late bloomer, making it less susceptible to frost damage. If space is limited, which it often is in a conservatory, choose a plant grafted on to dwarf rootstock. Peaches are best grown as a fan. Fasten horizontal wires to the wall at 30cm intervals to allow the stems to be tied in and spaced out evenly. The plant should be positioned about 25cm from the wall with branches sloped towards it, and if planted directly into the soil, this

It might take a couple of years but with a little care and attention and a smidge of luck you will be able to reap the reward of harvesting your own peaches. There are few activities quite as delightful!

Happy gardening.

By Rachael Leverton

A Brief History of Crisps

in Slices or Shavings”. The author advises that they are, ‘…sprinkled with a very little salt.’ Kitchiner’s book was popular and sold well on both sides of the Atlantic. His sliced, fried potato recipe was referenced in many other recipe books and Kitchiner was something of a celebrity chef in his lifetime. He was also an optician, and an amateur musician! A man of many talents. In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Mikesell were running a small business in Dayton, Ohio, selling dried beef and sausages. They acquired some equipment for making potato crisps (called chips in the US) and the Mikesell’s Potato Chip Company was born. They still claim to be the oldest commercial potato crisp (chip) company on record.

My teenage son wandered into the kitchen and opened a bag of crisps. H sniffed the contents appreciatively. ‘Mmm…I wonder who invented crisps…’ he said before popping one into his mouth and proffering the bag in my direction.

Good question I thought. The first reference I could find to something resembling the modern crisp was in a recipe book, The Cook’s Oracle, by William Kitchiner, which was published 1817. Recipe 104 is titled “Potatoes fried

It took a decade for the idea of crisps to reach the UK, and again it was husband-and-wife team at the forefront, running their small business out of a West London garage

Frank Smith and his wife cut, fried and package potatoes which they sold in the Cricklewood Crown pub next door, in greaseproof paper bags. Initially he provided salt shakers for the patrons to season their crisps but they were always being stolen, so Frank came up with the idea of providing a small blue sachet of salt instead, and invented Salt and Shake crisps. The crunchy salty snack proved a big hit, and the Smiths were so successful that in 1927, Frank was able to set up a factory in Brentford’s Golden mile, and expand the business.

Salt was the only seasoning available until Joe ‘Spud’ Murphy came along. He owned the Irish crisps company Tayto, and in the 1950s, his team developed the technology to add seasoning during manufacture. The very first commercial flavour was Cheese & Onion, launched in 1954. Companies worldwide quickly sought to buy the rights to Tayto’s technique and a few years later Salt & Vinegar crisps became available. Today in spite of the hundreds of flavours available, Ready Salted, Cheese and Onion and Salt and Vinegar are still the most popular flavours. In the US the first flavoured crisps to emerge were barbecue flavour, and no other flavours were available until the 1970s.

Today in the UK crisps are one of our most popular and well-loved savoury snacks, and approximately 140 000 tonnes of crisps are sold each year.

Happy munching!

By Sarah Davey

Warning on

“call

to resolve” websites…

plus,

be sure to find and use the upgraded snipping tool on Windows 11

Recently we have seen a large increase in scam websites which suddenly pop up with a scary warning message, telling you to ring a number to help resolve. Whatever you do – do not call the number shown, as this will result in a third party wanting access to your computer, and in turn your bank account!!

If you need any help with such issues, please call us (see advert on this page).

Windows 11 includes an updated snipping tool which will continue to receive new features in future updates, such as video recordings. For those unacquainted, modern computers allow for parts of the screen to be “snipped” into images, which can then be saved, emailed, inserted into documents, printed, and so on. No need to point the phone camera at the screen, which never comes out very well!

Those who upgrade to Windows 11 often lose their snipping tool shortcuts, and fear the tool is gone for good. In fact, the upgraded snipping tool is available, but could need locating. Windows 11 must have its latest updates otherwise the tool could be missing. To check this, head to settings, select “Windows update” and click “Check for updates”. On an up-to-date machine with a missing snipping tool, open the start menu, head to “Microsoft Store”, search for “Snipping tool” which is the blue scissors icon, and click “Get” which installs the latest tool.

On an updated Windows 11 device, find the snipping tool in the start menu with a search for “Snipping Tool” and selecting the top result. The blue scissors icon will show on the taskbar –this can be pinned by right clicking on it and selecting “Pin to taskbar”. With the tool open, click “New” to begin a screenshot, and hold-click move over an area with the mouse to generate a screenshot. Even easier, the Windows key, Shift, and S can be pressed all at once to trigger this snapshot procedure without even the need to open the tool.

Neil Buzzard, Director, Computer Problem Solutions Ltd. Tel: 07973 536299

Happily Ever After

Who doesn’t know that it’s Valentine’s Day this month? Valentine’s is marketed as being all about attracting and impressing the partner of our dreams right? But what happens afterwards… how do we preserve the magic (or at least some of it) long term? Well, researchers and counsellors have some good (and sometimes surprising) research-backed tips and tricks.

Assume the best - According to psychologists, couples who rate their marriages as happy tend to assume their partners intentions are good, even when they are disagreeing. By giving their partner this benefit of the doubt they are able to seek clarification, learn about their real motives, and move forward.

Argue in a healthy way - Counsellors at Northwestern University and Adler University in Chicago found that an important marker of a healthy relationship is the ability to argue well and resolve conflicts. Being able to work through life challenges is an important skill and one which strengthens a relationship bond.

Text your way to happiness – An affectionate text is a way to stay connected while apart and can provide a little boost of the happy hormone dopamine to your partner. But, remember never apologise in a text message…always do that in person.

Don’t prioritize material things - A study carried out at Brigham Young University in Utah found that higher levels of materialism are associated with less relationship satisfaction. The researchers’ discovered that materialistic partners may be seeking happiness in possessions, rather than people, meaning they end up investing less time and energy into making their relationships successful.

Make your relationship the priority – There are so many things in the modern world competing for our attention that it’s important to set aside time for our closest relationship, and to guard that time well. Schedule dates, even if it’s just time for a glass of wine and a chat after the kids are in bed. Discuss an activity you’d both like to try, whether it’s learning how to play chess, or salsa dancing, and then turn that into a date event. Doing new things together will give you more to talk about.

By Louise Addison

Raspberry Tartlets

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 1-2 hours

Cooking time: 10 to 30 mins

Ingredients:

Pastry

175g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

2 tbsp icing sugar

100g butter, chilled, cut into small pieces

1 egg, beaten

Crème Pâtissière

150ml whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

25g caster sugar

25g plain flour

1 free-range egg

75ml double cream

Raspberry Topping

4 tbsp raspberry jam

450g raspberries

You will need 8 small 10cm loose-bottomed metal tart tins and some baking beans.

Method:

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.

To make the pastry, rub the flour, icing sugar and butter together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Or place the flour, icing sugar and butter in a food processor and pulse. Then add

the egg and combine until the mixture forms a ball.

Place the dough on to a floured surface. Roll it out with a rolling pin. Cut eight rounds big enough to line the base and sides of the tins. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.

To bake blind, prick the pastry bases, line the tins with baking parchment, fill with baking beans and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the beans and paper and return the bases to the oven for 5 minutes, until cooked and a pale golden-brown. Leave to cool.

To make the crème pâtissière, place the milk and vanilla in a saucepan. Heat until the milk it is just scalded (just on the point of boiling).

Place the sugar, flour and egg in a mixing bowl and whisk. Pour in half the hot milk and whisk until smooth. Pour in the remaining hot milk.

Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring all the time, until the custard becomes very thick.

Pour into a bowl, allow to cool then cover with cling film and chill in the fridge until cold. Once cold, pour in the double cream, whisking constantly. Spoon this crème pâtissière into the tart cases and return to the fridge to chill.

To make the glaze, heat the jam in a saucepan with a tablespoon of water and whisk to combine. Strain the liquid through a sieve into a small bowl.

Arrange the raspberries to stand upright on the crème pâtissière then brush the warm glaze over the top.

Lynne Castell’s Adult Art Groups

Keen to learn to draw and paint; develop your skill; or start that Christmas gift set of paints?

Lynne teaches a wide range of subjects in Watercolours 1.00 - 4.00pm on Tuesdays

Oils, Acrylics, Pastels 10.00 - 1.00pm on Wednesdays at Greenways Farm, 2 Lyefield Road (behind the Crem), Worle BS22 9NX.

For more details, contact Lynne on 01934 628760 / 07519 109002 or online at www.lynnecastell.co.uk

National Sickie Day!

Take care of your mental health

leave on mental health grounds might help to stop pressures building into something worse, necessitating more sick days later in the year.

Taking a mental health day is not about shirking or taking liberties, it’s about taking control and minimising the risk of physical illness that can be triggered by unmet mental health needs.

The first Monday of February is statistically the day that workers are most likely to call in sick, which is why it has been dubbed National Sickie Day!

Having a cold or flu are the most common excuses used for taking a day off work, but almost half of the people who take the day are actually stressed, anxious, or depressed. Physical illness is a more socially acceptable reason for taking the day off, so most people use this as their excuse, instead of telling their boss the truth.

A mental health day should be an acceptable reason to take a day off because one day of sick

We don’t hesitate to take a day off to rest and recover from physical illnesses such as the flu, yet we don’t feel its right to take time off for mental illness. Physical health and mental health are equally important in the workplace and a good employer will ensure line managers are trained to be able spot signs that their staff might be struggling. Once a problem has been identified it is important that employees are able to discuss the issue without fear of discrimination, and that employers are able to offer the right support and opportunities for self-care. This may be as simple as being flexible with working hours or encouraging employees to take their full lunch break away from their desk, or as complex as providing in house counselling. Recognising that mental problems are often invisible and that employees may need support is a great start.

By Gemma Peters

2023 has arrived as I write this, and yet I know by the time you read it we will be a month in and we hope that there will have been some positives to encourage us. Its always good to have things we can rely on and somewhere to turn when things go wrong. We are pleased to be able to offer you that service when your domestic appliances fail. As we enter our 39th year in business we know that the service we provide is popular with all ages, and we are very happy to cater for the differing needs of singles, couples, families and seniors.

One thing we really feel privileged to do is to assist customers elderly family members. We are bowled over by the trust placed in us, and love the fact that we get to help people who need that extra bit of reassurance and care. This is so appreciated by families and we love the great feedback. Here are a couple of quotes from our google reviews:-

“Excellent service, inspecting failed machine, sourcing and replacing dishwasher, removing old and all new packaging, and fitting new including adjusting space to create better fit” AG “David arrived on time, listened to my concerns, Gave clear explanations, agreed what needed repair and promptly did job. Excellent service which we shall use again as necessary. Thank you” JB

All our repair work is backed up by our 90 day guarantee and we are fully insured. Our new appliances all come with the manufacturers guarantee and we are always available to help if you do encounter any problems.

So if your domestic appliance fails make us your first choice for friendly, reliable, dependable service - whether that be a washing machine, washer dryer, tumble dryer, electric cooker, oven or hob or a dishwasher. Although we no longer repair refrigeration we can supply new freestanding or integrated fridges, freezers and fridge freezers, so don’t hesitate to call if you have a problem. We look forward to being of service. Ring us on 01934 517657 or contact us through our website. Don’t forget to mention you saw us in LocalReach.

Inexpensive (5)

Attached to a mast (5)

Ill-fated ship (7)

Subside, wane (5)

Merriment (5)

Luke warm (5)

Anxieties (7)

Weaken, drain (3)

Reed instrument (4)

Coax, wheedle (6)

Earlier (5)

Blood vessel (6)

Thin fog (4)

Formerly known as (3)

Infers (7)

Volatile, liquid (5)

Style of car (5)

Pontoons (5)

Display (7)

French hat (5)

Liquifies (5)

Oaty chocolate biscuit (6)

Clothes, garments (6)

Could be pork, apple or steak! (3)

Loathes (5)

Alike (7)

Could be citric, hydrochloric or sulphuric! (4)

Deadly (6)

_____ Wogan, radio presenter (5)

Adult female (5)

Journey, itinerary (5)

Hedgehog, hero of a video game (5)

Destructive insects or small animals (5)

Mask, disguise (5)

Ploy, ruse (7)

Far away (6)

Change, alter (6)

Group of seven things (6)

Beelzebub (5)

Blunt-ended sword used for fencing (4)

Outer edge (3)

Silence and Solitude

What a beautiful day! The blue sky of many subtle hues of pale turquoise to sapphire blue, while a wispy cloud lazily drifts by like an absently daydreaming child. Silence surrounds me, apart from the odd chirp of a bird or the tap of a pen on paper as my wife prepares for looming exams. I hear the dull thud of the cat flap and the loud lapping as he pauses by his water dish. The cat then passes by the open door licking the residue from his lips. All these small moments I would miss if I weren’t purposely making time to be present. I am purposefully trying to be mindful of the moment, for in this silence, God can speak, for like Elijah discovered, it is the still small voice that He speaks, not in the earthquake, thunder or fire, but in the quiet place. Being aware of the moment allows us to be thankful, alive, and ready for Him to speak.

Silence and solitude can help connect us to Jesus in a new way because they allow us to quiet our minds and hearts and focus on our relationship with God. In the busyness of our daily lives, it can be challenging to find the time and space to be with God and listen to his voice.

John Mark Comer, a pastor, and author writes about the importance of silence and solitude in his

book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.” He says Silence and solitude are essential for the Christian life because they create space for us to encounter God and be transformed by him. In the quiet, we can listen to his voice and be shaped by his presence.”

By setting aside time for silence and solitude, we can create space to listen to God and be attentive to his leading and guidance. This can help us develop a deeper understanding of God and how he works in our lives, leading to a deeper connection with him. In Matthew 14:23, Jesus himself withdrew to a solitary place to pray and spend time with God. We see in this example the importance of taking time to be alone with God and seek his presence.

You may think you are too busy to stop, or the mind wanders, and many other excuses why we can’t do this. Practice a little each day, focus on the sounds and what you see, have a notebook to write down the wandering thoughts, and then refocus. Notice your breathing, the rolling dust caught by the sunlight, and your heartbeat. Give yourself a moment to be, not on your phone, not watching TV, but sit looking out a window and watch the world go by for a few moments, tune out and tune in to another world, and you won’t be disappointed.

By Revd Andy Pearce

Designing and fitting kitchens in North Somerset for over 13 years

Have you been thinking of a new kitchen?

Save 50% on a new kitchen by simply replacing doors, drawers and worktops.

Dream Doors North Somerset would like to thank past and current customers for their support and referrals.

Our Checkatrade rating 9.8/10 is thriving and we believe it’s down to the authenticity of your local Dream Doors Kitchen experts based in Congresbury.

We cater for all sizes of kitchens and budgets, including apartments. A recent installation gained fantastic feedback from Mrs Ware “I love my little flat and what we’ve done with the kitchen is the icing on the cake. Ed and Carl, what a lovely pair of lads; I’m over the moon.”

Covering the whole of North Somerset, we have delighted over 1000 homeowners, and we love making a difference to our customers’ lives, by refurbishing their now sociable areas within their home.

Often a chat or a drink or two can be held in your kitchen and it creates a lovely social area for your friends and family.

Dream Doors North Somerset can talk through what your vision is and ensure that a cost-effective solution is available. Our locally based project & fitting teams are always on hand to ensure 100% satisfaction is achieved.

Call Kay and the team at the showroom on 01934 832361 or email n.som@dreamdoors.co.uk to realise your kitchen vision.

In the Market for a new phone?

Replacing your mobile phone can be a very expensive process. With the latest iPhones and Android devices selling for over £1000 or £50 per month on contract this is a big outlay. But for every new phone that is bought an older model appears on the second-hand market. If you’re happy to use a phone that’s one or two years old you can make some amazing savings while still getting an excellent phone. But there are some pitfalls you need to avoid.

For total peace of mind use an official reseller. Apple has an official refurbished shop where you can pick up older iPhone models that have been tested and guaranteed by Apple themselves. Similarly there are a number of reputable companies that refurbish other makes of phones. You’ll pay a slight premium but you know that your phone will work and be in good condition.

eBay is a viable option. Although you won’t be able to handle the phone, a good seller will offer

lots of photos highlighting any issues with the device. If you use PayPal to buy the phone you will get automatic cover from your PayPal account in case the phone you receive doesn’t match the description stated by the seller. This includes the phone not working, being locked or being damaged.

A locked device is the major pitfall to watch out for when buying second-hand. When you buy a new phone you register it against either your Apple or Google account. The phone then becomes locked to that account. So make sure the device you are buying is fully unlocked and wiped clean. If it isn’t this is usually a sign that the phone has been stolen. Phones can also be locked to a mobile phone company so again make sure that this lock has been removed.

After this it’s really down to looking at the condition of the device, especially the screen, buttons, battery and charging port. If any of these are damaged you are best to walk away.

Unless you are the type who HAS to have the latest model, buying second-hand should probably be your first move.

By Tom Hancock

The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart

Ana Kaminski is a midwife who is taken to Auschwitz with her young friend Ester Pasternak. As they pass through the iron gates and reach the front of the processing line, Ana steps forward and quietly declares her profession, saying Ester is her assistant. Their arms are tattooed, and they’re ordered to the maternity hut. There Ana vows to do everything she can to save the lives of mothers and their infants.

But she soon learns that the SS snatch the blondhaired babies from their mothers to place with German families. In spite of her horror Ana realises that for these children there is at least the hope of survival. With rumours of the war ending Ana and Ester begin to secretly tattoo the newborns with their mother’s numbers, praying one day they might be reunited.

The novel is fiction, but it’s based on a true story and many of the characters are based on real people at Birkenau (the largest camp in the Auschwitz complex). Ana is a Catholic, Ester is Jewish and Ana was the midwife who delivered her. Ana’s family were part of the Resistance helping Jewish people escape the Nazi enforced Ghetto until Ana was arrested along with two of her sons. Her husband and other son were not home at the time, so Ana does not know what happened to them at the time she arrives in Auschwitz. She and Ester cling to their friendship and each other through the horror and evil around them. When Liberation comes will they find a way to get home together? And what awaits them there?

The voice of women is often absent from history, even quite recent history. Anna Stuart’s sensitive,

beautiful novel showcases one woman’s incredible story which is a tribute to those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis.

The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Isabella Riosse (Isa) is a teen trapped on the island of Joya, a land full of myths; forbidden to travel further than the forest that flanks her village by the Governor, and all the while dreaming of the faraway lands her cartographer father once mapped.

When a string of unsettling events and the disappearance of her closest friend Lupa make it necessary to journey beyond the forest in search of answers, Isa joins a team of explorers on an adventure that will test her map-making skills and her courage.

As she follows her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isa discovers the true purpose of her quest: to save the island itself.

The story is a fantasy set in a parallel magical world. The author draws on mythology and folklore and blends these with themes of friendship, adventure and courage. As a bonus the text is enhanced with beautiful illustrations and maps.

The Girl of Ink and Stars is officially a children’s novel but I suspect there are many adults who will also enjoy this richly drawn world and its characters.

By Tash Donovan

OvenGleamers Top Tips for Loving Your Cooker This February

1. Invest in a non-stick oven liner. They help to catch all of those annoying drips that stick to the bottom of your cooker, which later can become a burnt-on mess. Easy to wash or pop in the dishwasher.

2. Do not use harsh chemicals inside your cooker. Instead, try a safer homemade option using items found around your household. For an all-purpose cleaner and deodorizer, mix together 4 tablespoons baking soda with 1 litre warm water.

3. Get the wiping habit! Wipe away any spillages immediately with a damp cloth. Don’t give the mess a chance to stay. I know this sounds easy and as hard as you try it is a chore, the oven can still be hot and some of the stuff just doesn’t want to come off but stick with it. Get a microfibre cloth and use it wet with washing-up solution.

4. Cover your roast! You need to stop the grease spitting all over your lovely clean oven. To do this just put a lid on your roast tin or cover with foil or try a roasting bag. This way the inside of your oven and your grill (if its inside your oven) won’t become completely coated in grease when you are cooking. This grease, if left in the oven, becomes burnt on carbon in the long term and is very difficult to get off.

5. Get a professional in to Gleam It! If you really can’t get all the dirt and grime out of your oven yourself then maybe call and book someone that can. A newly cleaned cooker will be sparkling and clean and if you follow our other tips you will keep it clean, won’t you?

Need some professional help? Then call Graeme at OvenGleamers on 01934 440032 or go to www.ovengleamers.com for more details.

A Healthy Heart for Valentine’s Day

It’s that time of year when we think about who sets our heart a flutter, or who we will give our heart to. There are heart-covered cards in the shops, and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. The heart is centre stage on February 14th. But to misquote a popular saying, ‘a heart is for life, not just for Valentine’s Day!’

Your heart works hard. It’s essential to pump nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to your whole body, as well as carry metabolic waste products away.

Most people think heart disease only affects older people but this isn’t true. The way you live in while you’re young impacts your heart health in later life. Plaque can begin accumulating in your arteries in your teens and twenties. It comprises of fatty deposits, made up of waste products produced by the body’s cells. If plaque goes unchecked it can thicken the blood vessel walls, clog arteries and take a toll on your heart.

It’s commonly thought at heart disease is primarily a problem which affects men, but it’s also the second leading cause of death for women (after Alzheimer’s) in the U.K., and about two in ten of the deaths caused by coronary artery disease occur in adults, whether male and female, who are under 65 years old.

This means that whatever sex you are, making heart-healthy choices when you’re young will reduce your risk of heart disease as you age. Ways to reduce the risk of heart disease include: Eating a healthy diet; Regular exercise; Maintaining a healthy weight; Avoiding smoking (or giving up); Avoiding excess alcohol and Managing stress levels.

It’s also important to keep up with regular wellness examinations including monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Most pharmacists can carry out these checks.

One myth about heart disease is that all fat is bad for you, but while certain types of fats like saturated and trans fats are linked to heart disease, other types of fats can actually lower your risk of problems.

Hence you should include some unsaturated fats in your diet, as they are beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels. Unsaturated fats are found in fresh nuts, olive oil, and low-fat dairy products,

as fish rich in omega-3 fatty acid-rich, such as salmon.

Genes also play a role when it comes to heart health. It’s true that some people will always be more at risk of heart disease because of genes they’ve inherited from their parents. But just because you have a genetic predisposition to heart disease does not mean that its inevitable you will succumb. However, if you engage in harmful behaviours, such as smoking, excessive drinking avoiding exercise, and eating an unhealthy diet, you will definitely put yourself more at risk. Poor lifestyle choices can increase your cholesterol levels, cause high blood pressure, and even result in type 2 diabetes. All of these have the potential to increase your risk for contracting heart disease, so if you know you have genetic risk factors, it’s even more important to maintain a healthy weight, keep your blood pressure under control, and stay active.

This Valentine’s Day, ask yourself if whoever you choose to give your heart to, will be getting a healthy one!

By Jamie Maxfield

Why Bra-rchitecture is Worth Paying For

I was 12 when I had my first bra fitting. The condescending assistant whipped out her tape measure, pronounced I was a ‘36C’, adding, ‘That’s large,’ produced two orthopaedic-looking white bras, decided they were a ‘good enough fit’ and that was that. She never told me that my breasts would change, with every growth spurt, with monthly hormones, with the contraceptive pill, during pregnancy and childbirth…no, my bra size was set in stone at age 12 and 25 years later I was still wearing a 36C. I suffered from upper back pain and often had deep red marks on my shoulders but it was only when I visited a specialist bra shop in my thirties looking

Puzzle Solutions

for a sports bra that a wonderful fitting assistant advised me I was wearing the wrong size. My back size needed to go down to a 30 and my cup size up to an F! The moment I donned the pretty bra she’d selected my shoulder pain all but disappeared. I also visibly shed at least half a stone in the mirror and marvelled at my new slim waist. She advised me on bra care, bra lifespan and how to recheck my size every six-12 months. I left a good deal poorer because as I learned, a good, well-fitting, supportive bra involves a lot of sophisticated engineering and workmanship and thus costs considerably more than I was used to paying.

Breasts, especially full breasts, are heavy, and we are taught to carry a heavy item by holding it close to our body, because it puts less pressure on our back. A bra should do that for your breasts. This is why the band is the most important part, because it provides 80% of the support. As the cup size increases the band needs to be wider, and the straps thicker, to redistribute the weight across your torso. If the band is too thin, it will fold and dig into your sides, while the shoulders will take too much of the weight, causing those deep red marks.

Once we have a well-fitted band, we can look at the cup. A cup formed from one solid piece of material will stretch gradually, no matter how well made. The exception to this is heat moulded lace, which some manufacturers are beginning to use because it fits well without stretching. Most cups though are seamed. They provide support via a side panel placed in such a way that it doesn’t stretch plus and a bottom panel (sometimes two panels) that provide support to the underside of the breast. The decorative top panel may or may not have some stretch to it. In addition many possess an inner sling for extra support. All brands differ slightly, and some might suit your breast shape better than others. For example, my narrow rib cage and shoulders mean I prefer a bra where the cups are situated close together and the straps are also close set at the back. I find Fantasie full cup bras fit me best, my best friend prefers the shape Panache bras give her, and her daughter is fan of Freya balconettes, with wider set straps.

Hopefully, you now understand how much design and engineering go into a well-constructed bra, to produce lift, shape and support, as well as something beautiful to look at.

By Gemma Peters