Plympton Magazine May 2023

WIN!

4Ticketsto Camel Creek

ULTRACARDIAC

The Southwest’s exceptional cardiac service

SPRAY VISION

Transform, refresh and restore your home with Spray Vision

HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME

Tips on how to sell your home

This is my final farewell as Editor for Plympton Magazine. It has been a pleasure to create the magazines for you and I hope you have enjoyed the content over the years. The Magazine will now be in the lovely hands of Abigail Jones, our new Editor.

In the May edition of Plympton there is two business profiles, lots of insightful editorials and some tasty veggie and cocktail recipes.

We met Sarah and Sean Gundry, founders of Ultra Cardiac to see their brand-new clinical rooms and understand more about the services they cover. We also learn about their hopes to create a hub for clinical practitioners within their new premises.

We met Dean and Sarah of Spray Vision, based in Plymouth to understand their new business venture and how it can transform the houses of Plymouth.

We have also looked into some easy tips, tricks and advice when selling your home and attracting the right buyers.

I hope you enjoy this edition

SELLING YOUR HOME

How to attract buyers

Imagine waking up on a summer morning with the sun glistening through your window, feeling its warmth on your face as you take a sip of your morning cup of tea. You then stroll out of your bi-folding doors into your south-westerly facing garden, where you marvel at the fully bloomed flower bed you planted in Spring. Suddenly, you’re transported back to reality with the sharp pop of your toaster and find yourself staring out of your kitchen window, looking at your shaded courtyard garden where a sunny morning cuppa is out of the question.

Traditionally, spring time is the prime time to sell a property as the warmer weather tempts us to relocate to be closer to the coast or to have a bigger garden so you can finally have that vegetable patch you’ve always dreamed of. But where do you start? Should you replace your bathroom or paint the bedroom wall? Moving house is a very daunting thought, especially if you haven’t moved for years. We’ve looked into some easy tips, tricks and some advice when selling your home and attracting the right buyers.

VALUATION

The first step is finding out how much your home is worth. It’s recommended to have two to three valuations to work out a good average on the price and ensure the valuing agent brings and leaves a copy of a ‘Best Price Guide’ which shows evidence of their pricing. A good Estate Agent will talk you through the journey of selling your home and clearly explain how they will achieve the best price for you. Ensure they offer professional photography and a floor plan as this what buyers will want to see straight away.

PRICE

Now, let’s talk about price. Of course, we all want the most for our homes as possible but pricing the property just right makes all the difference, so be realistic about the price. It’s good practice to do your research and have a look at properties that have sold within the last year in your area to give you an idea. The Estate Agent valuing your home should provide further evidence and information to support their valuation and outline what they do to achieve the best price for your home. Statistically, the first two weeks of marketing your home are the busiest time so it’s important to have the marketing right. A quick tip, don’t be fooled if an agent comes in with a price a lot higher than the others, this could be an overvaluing tactic to win your business with the intention of reducing the price within those first crucial weeks.

IMPRESSION

You’ve chosen the agent to sell your home and you’re ready to have your photographs taken, brilliant! Now let’s talk about first impressions. Buyers will form an opinion on the property within seconds of seeing the

listing on the property portals such as Rightmove or Zoopla and that’s just from the front of your home! Ensure driveways, front gardens, and even the front door looks as good as can be!

DECLUTTER

It may go without saying but giving your home a good declutter feels cleaner, more spacious and also shows to a potential buyer that the property is well cared for. A great interior design tip when it comes to décor is the rule of three, arrange anything from home accessories to visual artwork in to threes creating a unified and appealing effect. The items remaining on display should simply suggest the room’s purpose, just remember that you want people to be looking at the house, not the belongings.

DEPERSONALISE

Keeping personal memorabilia on display such as family photos can create a mental block for some prospective buyers, they’ll be reminded that the property is already someone elses home, distracting them from visualising their own life in that space. If there’s any important or sentimental framed photographs well placed on the wall, a great option could be to cover them with printed depersonalised images that you can easily remove after viewings.

LIGHTING

One of the most important aspects of selling your home is of course, lighting. Keep those blinds open and curtains drawn, let the natural light flood into the space. If you’re not in ample supply of daylight then that’s where artificial light comes into play. Mirrors are also a great tool to help create light and space in smaller or darker areas of the home. Estate Agents should turn on all lights before a viewing takes place, but another tip to create ambience is to turn on any lamps and accent lighting, this also applies when you have your photos taken. It can set the scene and add depth to the room.

REPAIR

A popular question raised when selling a property is, ‘Should I replace the …’ and the answer is no. Installing a new kitchen or new bathroom of course looks nice for photographs but it doesn’t add much to the value of the property, particularly enough to cover the cost of fitting it. Nine times out of ten, your new buyer will change the property to meet their tastes and will end up changing things like the kitchen and bathroom. Smaller jobs like tightening a leaky tap or painting a couple of walls

that could do with a fresh lick of paint will make the property feel more fresh and desirable.

When moving day comes, Devon Move Removals & Storage has over 40 years of experience and has built its reputation on their first-class service. They cater for house moves and commercial relocations to help you move across the South-West, nationally and even to EU destinations. Devon Move also sells cardboard boxes and packing material to help with your removal or storage needs. Give them a call today for a free no obligations quote: 01626 363430.

A couple from Cornwall have dedicated their lives to deliver exceptional heart care to the people of Devon & Cornwall and endeavour to create their own hub of local clinical professionals. One night, over dinner, Sarah and Sean were talking and saw a gap in the market, what if there was a way to use their combined skills to help improve cardiac testing efficiency in West Devon? Fast forward nine years, we got the opportunity to meet the dynamic duo, in their brand-new clinic (which has just undergone a massive renovation) to find out more about creating not only a space to host their own growing echocardiography business, but also a clinic for other practitioners.

The ambitious couple are quite the business pairing, with Sean’s medical background originally as a medic in the armed services, then as echocardiographer (cardiac sonographer) and Sarah’s business and financial acumen from her career as a Commercial Bank Manager. Through Sean’s varied career history in numerous cardiology departments spanning the length and breadth of the country, he saw first-hand the many ways different NHS Trusts managed the referral process and subsequent image handling / sharing of these echocardiograms (ultrasound scans of the heart). One night over dinner, the couple got talking about these processes, the improvements they thought they could make and the business idea was conceived.

In 2017, after years of hard work behind the scenes, Ultracardiac was born. Over the last five years they’ve far exceeded their own expectations, winning the contracts and most notably the trust of our local hospitals across Devon and Cornwall, and the ICBs (Integrated Care Boards) responsible for the echoes within the GP network. They have seen the business grow to nearly twenty staff working from ten sites across our region.

This year brings an even more exciting new business venture for the couple, TOR VIEW CLINICAL ROOMS. With the spectacular success of Ultracardiac, Sarah and Sean have relocated to a larger premises in

Estover to accommodate their growing business, with plenty of room for potential. Within their time working in the industry, the Gundry’s recognised the lack of dedicated, high quality clinical space available in the area and saw a great opportunity for well-appointed, flexible rooms on short and long term rental contracts, to other clinical professionals. They also have an admin team on hand upstairs in the newly refurbished offices, should that be required for any business along with full time receptionist on the front desk. They really have covered all business bases.

With help of interior design company Kate Norcott Design, the CQC (Care Quality Commission) approved premises has been fully rebranded giving it its own identity so that any partnering businesses such as; a sports therapist or aesthetics practitioner, can work within the building and not be under Ultra Cardiac branding. The clinical rooms themselves are a blank canvas so that any business renting the space can create an environment tailored for their clients.

Not forgetting about the core members of any business, the staff, Kate Norcott has lovingly created a stunning kitchen and lounge area for members of the clinic to feel proud of where they work and valued. Norcott has subtly incorporated the new Ultra Cardiac colours within the interior design to pay compliments to the founders of the business.

“Our staff work incredibly hard and have set a really high bar in terms of quality of the service we provide - the environment we have created here is our thank you for their awesomeness”

Clinics can be an intimidating experience, so the creative vision was to take visiting patients and customers on a journey. The waiting room is purposely designed to feel familiar, homely and calming with the warm lights and a soft colour palette. The seating benches are higher to make sitting down and standing up easier and less strenuous for patients. The hope is that any patients feeling nervous or anxious when they arrive, will be more relaxed and comforted by the ambiance created.

Sarah & Sean Gundry

When moving from the waiting room into the corridor, it starts to feel more clinical with brighter lights yet retaining the stylish but more subdued modern aesthetic. Then, entering the clinical room itself, patients can expect to see the familiar white space, giving them confidence they are in an upmarket clinic and a professional environment. In our experience when visiting Tor View Clinical Rooms, we were greeted with a warm welcome by the friendly staff and felt instantly relaxed as soon as we entered the practise.

The heart is not like the baby toe, a baby toe we can live without, but the heart is one of most important organs in the human body and it’s imperative to know you’re in safe hands. With highly experienced and professionally accredited staff, Ultracardiac pride themselves on being able to provide this level of care and service to Devon and Cornwall. Using software which is Cloud based, all Echo reports can be shared with GP’s and Hospitals, or any other clinician in a patient’s care pathway, thereby avoiding the need for unnecessary repeat tests saving NHS money and patient’s valuable time.

Whilst Ultracardiac get a high number of referrals from various NHS sources, patients can also self-refer. There are actually only a few defined reasons why a patient may be able to have an echocardiogram on the NHS via a GP, but you may wish to self-refer for a variety of reasons. There may be a family history of heart problems and you’d like to avoid waiting lists or just for peace of mind, Ultracardiac’s tests will be able to tell you about the structure, valves and pumping function of the heart, as well as the electrical rhythm. Remaining true to their core values of trust, integrity, and honesty it is important that Ultracardiac’s services are accessible and affordable for everyone, with prices starting as low as £50.

To make their services as accessible as possible to as many as possible, a number of the machines are portable, meaning they can provide their services in satellite clinics in more rural areas with the same level of care and service.

Of course we are all aware of the pressures the NHS are under, not to mention our own pockets. Their genuine passion to help the community is noticed as soon as you enter the clinic with everything they have accomplished and their efforts to create a space for people to feel safe and taken care of.

It’s evident that the pair have hit fantastic milestones in their short time being established, but where do

they see themselves in five years? Tor View Clinical Rooms aims to be a one stop shop for patients to visit for medical appointments with a variety of businesses working cohesively and become THE clinical hub for Devon and Cornwall.

“APPOINTMENTS WITHIN DAYS, RESULTS WITHIN HOURS.”

£50 – electrocardiogram (ECG)

£195 – echocardiogram with sonographer’s report. (Echo)

£245 – echocardiogram, sonographer’s report plus comments from a consultant cardiologist.

£395 – symptomatic patients “one stop shop” –echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, telephone consultation with consultant cardiologist and follow up letter.

Results will be with you in 24 hours.

If you are interested in renting one of their clinic rooms, please contact Sarah on Sarah@ultracardiac.co.uk

Inside one of the clinical rooms for rent

Tor View Clinic Patient Waiting Room

Ask

With over 28 years hearing, balance & tinnitus testing experience & having worked in the NHS as well as for leading hearing aid manufacturers, Kevin’s international background is uniquely placed to o er you the very best hearing care advice available.

Kevin provides expert, relaxed consultations, friendly attentive care and bespoke professional advice.

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All hearing aid brands available

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

This year we are blessed with not one, not two but THREE bank holiday’s this May and with any luck, the British Weather will be on our side so we can make the most of it. To make life easier for you, we’ve found some great local activities for everyone to enjoy!

It only makes sense to kick things off with all things water related as we are blessed to live in Britain’s Ocean City;

South West SUP

If you’re a complete newbie or looking to paddle board regularly with like minded suppers, then this award-winning school is just for you. Located on the waterfront at the Royal William Yard they offer everything from Junior clubs and 1-1 sessions to group sessions and guided tours. To finish off your paddle boarding adventure, you will find their organic coffee shop, The Shack, offering local refreshments, snacks and of course ice cream.

ACTIVITIES

Wellness Warriors Yoga Studio

Tailoring towards all areas of wellbeing, the Modbury based Yoga studio supports all your physical goals from improving sleep to increasing mobility. Offering a wide variety of classes but one to mention for May is the weekly Beach Yoga session held at Bigbury Beach. You’ll be taken through the gentle flow and deep relaxation class, all whilst being serenaded by the ocean and immersed in the beautiful surroundings.

Bike Trails

With those brighter mornings and warmer evenings rolling in, a great escape to the outdoors is a good old fashion bike ride. Perfect for all the family or by yourself and it’s a great opportunity to explore, all from the comfort of your padded seat. National Forests such as Cann Woods and Dartmoors Drake’s Trail are perfect for bike rides with a variety of cycle paths. Bathe yourself in the woodland wonders and lose yourself in nature. No bike? No problem. As part of Plymouth’s environmental efforts, you can now find Berly Bays dotted around Plymouth where you can hire an e-bike and take yourself around the Plymouth Sound. Or if you have a car, we recommend the Camel Trail where you can hire a bike and take the track from Wadebridge to Padstow.

Tinside Lido

Consistently voted in the top 10 of Europe’s Outdoor pools, and we have the privilege of having this beautiful and historical attraction right on our doorstep. It’s easy to take for granted something so close to home but the Grade II listed pool is so unique to our city and holds an archive of memories as far back as 1935 when it was first built. Since it’s regeneration in 2003, the Lido has been open to the public and been a great hub for summer days out. We welcome with

MAY BANK HOLIDAY OUTDOOR

open arms the reopening for the season on 27th May, just in time for the bank holiday.Time to grab those googles!

Go Paddling Week 23rd – 31st May

If you love the great outdoors and fancy trying something new, then ‘Go Paddling’ week could be the perfect chance. The British Canoe Union have designated a week to encourage paddlers old and new to get on the water in a canoe or kayak and lucky for us, we’re surrounded by water. Mount Battern Watersports is a great place to start with their Try Sessions to introduce all new comers or if you’re feeling a little rusty. If the idea of kayaks gives you sea legs then Reactive Watersports in Ivybridge offer lessons in Surfing, Wing Surf and even have SUP Safari’s when you’ve mastered the basics.

Pennywell Farm

A full day of farmyard fun for all of the family, with activities every half hour from 9:00am – 4:00pm so there’s no shortage of entertainment. Enjoy the exhilarating ferret race at 10:00am, Pamper the Pony’s at 1:00pm and end the day with some Piggy Cuddles. The farm also offers 4 farmyard rides from the Red Rockets to the Run Rabbit Go Carts, all included in the admission price!

Dartmoor Zoo

Enjoy the 30-acre zoo and all the splendour and marvel at the largest variety of big cats in the South West from the tigers, lions and cheetahs. The zoo celebrates a vast array of animals at the zoo from mammals and birds to reptiles and amphibians, so there’s something for everyone. Once at the zoo you can enjoy daily and educational talks, upgrade your visit with one of their ‘Experience’ packages and join in with the ultimate detective trail which begins on 27th May.

Camel Creek Theme Park

A vibrant and welcoming family theme park delivering great adventures and days out for the whole family. The all-weathers attraction is open all year round with seasonal activities such as the Fusion Extreme Bike Show on 13th and 14th May and Storytime with Paddington to round off the month on 30th and 31st May. Enjoy the thrilling rides, pet some furry and scaley friends and fuel up with a range of different eateries and sweet treats, it’ll be a day to remember at Camel Creek.

River Dart Country Park

“With over ninety acres of woods, scenic walks and beautiful lakes, the River Dart Country Park is the perfect setting for all kinds of outdoor activities. With over 25 park attractions, children can rough-andtumble over space nets, swing through trees on jungle ropes, or even capture a wooden pirate ship surrounded by water! Toddlers aren’t left out either with our Toddlers Beach and Playground (Lilliput), just perfect for tiny explorers.

You can visit for the day, camp on our award-winning camping and touring site, or stay in our luxurious ensuite rooms in Holne Park House and the refurbished Coach House. For the more adventurous, during high season, at extra cost, “Dare Devils” offer instructor supervised activities on-site, including mega zip wire, high ropes course, open boat canoeing and more!” –River Dart Country Park.

Local Walk Trails

It’s no secret that the South West is in ample supply of beautiful scenic walks and what better way to spend your bank holiday then lacing up your walking boots, grabbing your water bottle and allowing your feet to take you on an adventure. Whether you are wanting to explore more of Dartmoor or stick to the South West coasts there are many walking trails to explore or you could even create your own.

These are just a few of the many activities that happen locally and hopefully these have sparked some excitement to try something new or inspired some ideas of your own to go outside and create some new memories.

Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram of your adventures!

@omplymouthmagazine

What’s On South Devon

THe kings coronaTion ceLebraTions

Bedford Square & Guildhall Car Park, Tavistock - Saturday 6th May

Come together as a community in the Tavistock town centre to celebrate the King’s Coronation. Have a go at Swing Dancing - Mad About Swing will be on hand to help you glide across the cobbles to the sounds of a bygone age. Help yourself to the grindage from our street food stalls, and our Pimms bar too. Or if you prefer, indulge in a traditional cream-tea. There’s lots to do in the fun Kids Zone from a traditional Punch & Judy show to a magical bubbleshow and face painting.

briTian’s ocean ciTy running FesTiVaL

Plymouth Hoe, Plymouth Sunday 14th May

Join in one of the South West’s most popular running events. Whether your aim is to return to running, smash an old PB, or take on a new challenge, there’s something for everyone!

Choose from 3 distances: half marathon, 10k and 5k as well as Team Challenges and Primary Schools Challenge.

Dinosaurs in THe Park

Central Park

19th May - 11th June

On The Green, Royal William Yard 7th May

Known for showcasing some of the region’s most talented artists and makers, the markets offer everything from tasty treats to handcrafted gifts.

cominc con & gaming

FesTiVaL

Plymouth Active, Plymouth

13th - 14th May

Returning bigger than ever this summer at the Plymouth active/ life centre, held across 2 days with props, cars, gaming, vendors, cosplay and activities it’s one not to be missed for the family.

Journey back in time to the prehistoric and emjoy activities such as a dino trail, dino fun zone, food and beverage zone, and a range of gift, souvenir stores AND MORE!

ouTDoor cinema exPerience

Saltram House, Plympton

26th - 28th May

The Barbican, Plymouth

26th - 27th May

Enjoy swashbuckling two days of fun inspired by the high seas as Plymouth Pirates Weekend returns on 20 and 21 May 2023, with plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy!

FLaVour FesT

Armada Way, Plymouth

26th - 28th May

It’s the South West’s largest free food and drink festival, with hundreds of local producers selling tasty treats and a chef stage with regional cookery stars showcasing their skills.

Adventure Cinema is bringing your big screen favourites to the stunning grounds of Saltram House. This spectacular open-air cinema tour has an eclectic mix of classics, musicals, big blockbusters and family favourites. Buy your ticket, pack a picnic and join us under the stars this summer!

green man weekenD

Mount Edgcumbe, Torpoint 27th - 28th May

The Green Man is back for another year – bringing the rebirth of the natural world with him. This free family festival includes such wonders as medieval knights in shining armour; archery for all; delicious food; plenty of retail opportunities, and lots of entertainment for all the family.

PLymouTH PiraTes weekenD

GREENMAN, MOUNT EDGCUMBE

gooD FooD & craFT markeT

GREENMAN, MOUNT EDGCUMBE

RECIPE IDEAS Veggie

It’s Veggie Week on 15th to 21st so we’ve found some beautiful dishes for you to try

Roasted Cauliflower & Chickpea Flatbreads (Makes 2)

• 1 head of cauliflower, broken into florets

• 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 2 tbsp za ‘atar

• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes

• olive oil

• 250g greek yoghurt

• 2 tbsp tahini

• 1/2 lemon, juiced

• 1/2 garlic clove, crushed

• 1/4 tsp saffron

• 2 flatbreads

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

• 1 tbsp nigella seeds

• 1/2 tsp sumac

ONE Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/Gas 6. Put the saffron into a small bowl, cover with 2 tbsp warm water, stir and leave to one side. Put the cauliflower and chickpeas into a large roasting tray. Sprinkle over the za’atar, chilli flakes and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and mix together until evenly coated. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender and the chickpeas are crispy.

TWO Bake for 12-15 mins, until the biscuits are pale gold. Once cool, decorate to your liking. Will keep in an airtight container for up to five days.

THREE As the cauliflower is roasting, make your yoghurt dressing. Mix together the yoghurt, tahini and lemon juice. Add the garlic and vibrant saffron liquid (including the threads). Stir together and season to taste with salt and pepper.

FOUR When the cauliflower is ready, remove from the oven. Spread the yoghurt mixture over your flatbreads, arrange the cauliflower and chickpeas over the top. Sprinkle with the parsley, nigella seeds and sumac. Enjoy!

Crispy tofu Stir-fry (Serves 4)

• 400g block firm tofu

• 1 tbsp cornflour

• ½ -1 tsp chilli flakes

• ¼-½ tsp Szechuan ground peppercorns

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

• spring onions, trimmed and cut into lengths

• 200g green beans cut into lengths

• 400g ready-to-use thick udon noodles

• 2 tsp sesame seeds, plus a pinch to serve

• 1 tbsp low-salt soy sauce, plus extra to serve

• ½ tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

ONE Drain and pat the tofu dry with kitchen paper. Cut into cubes, wrap in more kitchen paper, and place a heavy board over the top. Leave to drain for 15 mins.

TWO Mix the cornflour, chilli flakes and ground peppercorns together in a bowl with a pinch of salt, then add the drained tofu. Toss well to coat.

THREE Heat half the vegetable oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a high heat, and fry the tofu pieces for 5-6 mins until golden all over. Scoop out of the pan, and leave to drain on kitchen paper.

FOUR Add the remaining oil to the pan and stir-fry the spring onions and beans for 3-4 mins until tender and lightly golden. Pour a kettle of boiling water over the noodles in a sieve to loosen. Drain well, then tip into the pan. Fry for a few minutes until piping hot. Add the sesame oil and seeds, and sizzle for a few seconds. Splash in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, then add the tofu. Toss well, then serve in bowls with a pinch of sesame seeds on top and more soy sauce on the side.

TREAT YOURSELF RIGHT

Creating a healthy relationship with food is the best way to understand your body’s requirements and maintain a healthy weight. Fareeha Jay, a registered dietitian based in Plymouth tells us about the negative consequences of dieting and the psychological effects of labelling foods as ‘good and bad’.

Changing the meaning of the word ‘treat’ to signify something that will have a positive impact on our bodies instead of something that is naughty is a good way of creating a healthy relationship with food. Labelling unhealthy foods as a ‘treat’ will result in using food as a reward and therefore giving yourself permission to indulge more frequently than you would on a daily basis.

The word diet comes from the Greek word “Diaita” which means “way of life”. Diet means foods and drinks usually eaten by a person. However, over time the more regular use of this word implies restricting food to lose weight. For example, we hear people say “I’m on a diet” meaning they are following a specific food plan to lose weight; many times, by cutting out food groups.

The problem with these “diets” is that they are not sustainable as they are based on unrealistic eating habits. Once you stop, the weight bounces back. This weight gain also has a direct impact on your selfesteem leading to a feeling of failure. For many, it can lead to yo-yo dieting and can trigger binge eating.

Following different diets can cause nutritional deficiencies, affect gut health, low energy levels, weaken the immune system and in worst-case scenarios may also lead to fertility issues, affect thyroid function, and weaken the bones.

The alternative is diverting towards health-promoting diets; diets that are high in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and pulses. Include lean protein or plant-based proteins such as lentils, beans, tofu, and tempeh in your diet. Also add good sources of calcium such as milk, cheese, or dairy alternatives and healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados. No food needs to be avoided; it is all about balance and moderation. Having a wide variety of food means you are getting a variety of nutrients and each nutrient has a different role to play leading to:

• Strong immune system

• Healthy skin and eyes

• Strong bones and teeth

• Diverse gut microbiome

• Reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease

• An overall feeling of wellness

The important thing is that all foods are foods and shouldn’t be labelled as good or bad. Terms like cheat meals make us believe that we have done something wrong leading to a feeling of blame and guilt, after having these foods. The term clean eating promoted so often by food bloggers may have an impact on people and make them vulnerable to eating disorders. All foods are clean; foods are only dirty if they have dirt on them or have not been washed properly.

Using such terms leads to a negative relationship with food. Foods high in fats and sugar can also be part of a healthy lifestyle; it’s all about moderation. We usually forget that food is not just about energy going in and out, rather food is about enjoyment, family time, making memories and so much more.

We need to improve our relationship with food and the only way to do that is to stop following weight focused diets. We need to embrace a health-promoting diet and think about sleep, hydration, movement, stress relief and investing in friends and family to optimise our overall health.

The Low Maintenance Garden

Transform your garden with arti cial grass and rot-proof composite decking

From a mud patch ... to a perfect lawn

Replace rotten wooden decking with anti-slip low maintenance composite

From derelict ... to perfect

Time to cut down on your gardening chores.

With careful choice of a few clever products it is possible to spend less time working in your garden and more time relaxing in it. Arti cial grass means no mowing, no mud and gives you the perfect lawn to use all year round. As well as looking incredibly realistic, it is pet and child friendly.

Why not install the latest generation wood-free composite decking to create the perfect area for relaxing and socialising. It is anti-slip, rot proof, maintenance free and comes with a 25 yr guarantee. From a vintage weathered look to chic modern golden oak, the decking comes in a range of nishes to complement your garden.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Mental Health Awareness Week 15th - 21st May

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is centred around Anxiety, an emotion we’re all familiar with but an emotion that can easily get out of control and become a real mental health issue.

So many factors can contribute to feelings of anxiety such as relationships, starting or losing a job, exams, things to do with money or struggling to meet basic needs to name a few. As you can imagine, the outcome can impact the health and well-being of a person but simply becoming aware will change this in a heartbeat.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems we face yet still, the challenges are not taken seriously enough. From a recent study carried out by the Mental Health Foundation, six in ten adults feel this way, so never feel like you are alone.

Here at OM Magazine, we have looked into some coping mechanisms to help combat any feelings of anxiety.

Meditation

Meditation Day 21st May

We can’t talk about mental health and not mention The G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) of mental wellbeing; mediation. A practice that intentionally draws our attention to our mind and to take time out of our busy day to sit quietly and focus on our breath. Giving yourself this time helps to become aware of your thoughts but allow them to pass and connect with your breath once more, bringing yourself back to the present moment.

Research and studies have shown a multitude of health benefits for your body such as improving sleep, decreasing blood pressure and may reduce agerelated memory loss, but its biggest impact is shown to reduce stress, depression and anxiety. In an 8-week study, meditating daily reduced anxiety symptoms and increased positive self-awareness and improved stress reactivity.

Just like the gym or any new habit you are trying to adhere to, consistency is what matters most. You have nothing to lose as it’s a free practice that you can do anywhere and anytime. To aid with your meditation you can turn to YouTube for free meditation music or you can download a brilliant free app called Insight Timer which has a variety of meditation and sleep music as well as guided meditations. Some other apps you could try are; HeadSpace, Calm: Sleep & Meditation, Meditation Studio or Balance: Mediation & Sleep.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Technique

A five-step method that can help ground you when you’re feeling anxious or in panic and bring you back to the present moment. Before starting the technique,

pay attention to your breath and ensure you are taking deep, slow, long breaths, this will help to return you to a calmer state;

• Notice FIVE things you can see around you

• Notice FOUR things you can touch around you

• Notice THREE things you can hear

• Notice TWO things you can smell

• Notice ONE thing you can taste

Keep your body moving

A quick natural remedy, if you’re experiencing some sporadic anxious thoughts, is to literally walk away from the situation. A bit like meditation, this is a great way to focus on your body and surroundings rather than your mind. Exercise can boost your mood and send that lovely little happy chemical around your body, serotonin. If you find yourself with a bit more time, perhaps this would be a great chance to grab your mat and try out some Yoga. Not only does it improve your flexibility, and posture and reduces stress but it’s an incredibly powerful mindfulness practice. If you’re new to Yoga or you’re a seasoned Yogi, there’s a great Youtube channel called ‘Yoga With Adrian’ which caters for all abilities. If you wanted to treat yourself to

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some classes and meet like-minded individuals in the process, Plymouth has some great studios such as Yoga Loft, Space to Move Ltd or The Yoga Sanctuary Ltd.

Journal

Getting into the habit of writing down your thoughts and emotions is such a great tool to keep track of how you feel but also can help to recognise what’s causing certain. The practice itself can be calming for some as it’s another avenue of checking in with yourself and taking the time out of your day to focus on yourself.

If you need to speak to someone, here are some great charities that can offer support and advice; Samaritans - 116 123, First Response – 0800 923 9323, YoungMinds text ‘YM’ to 85258.

What type of businesses would you like to see advertised in Plympton Magazine?

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Please send to: Plympton Magazine Reader Response, Unit 5, Bowker House, Lee Mill, Ivybridge, PL21 9EF by Monday 5th June 2023

T’s&C’s: The voucher is non-transferable and no change can be given. Voucher cannot be exchanged for cash. Must be aged 18 or over.

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Did you know that you can change the colour of your kitchen cabinets and UPVC doors and windows without having to replace them? Spray Vision offer something unique to the people of Devon & Cornwall with factory-finish spray painting. This revolutionary service will leave you with money to spare at the end of your renovation project whilst transforming your home with a showroom finish that is guaranteed to last for 10 years. Before meeting Dean and Sarah of Spray Vision, Myles and I thought painting UPVC was impossible. Amazed at the results, we had many questions to ask the Plymouth-based couple to find out more about their service and how it came to be.

With the ambition to learn a trade but unsure of which one, Dean decided to undergo a college course where he was able to pick up a few different skills. One of these skills included professional spraying. This instantly sparked Dean’s interest and led him into a four year apprenticeship with one of the nations leading vehicle body repair garage where he focused on repairing and respraying vehicles for clients. Dean completed many training programmes at the reputable Thatcham research automotive training academy, where he learnt the latest spraying techniques and technology. He also gained an ATA qualification which he had to redo every couple of years, this meant he is always up-to-date with any new paint processes and technology.

A few years later and a heap more experience and knowledge under his belt, he got a job spraying prestigious luxury yachts for Princess Yachts in 2019. As you can imagine, the quality of the paintwork on a Princess Yacht has to be of a very high standard before handing it over to the client. Being a perfectionist, Dean thrives in this environment and has always been very proud of the spray paintwork he has completed on both vehicles and yachts.

During easter of 2022, Dean, Sarah and their two children went to Florida to visit his father for the holidays where they began talking about Dean’s father’s painting business and mother-in-laws hand painted kitchen business. After a few light-hearted disputes over which is better; hand painting or spray painting, they all agreed that Dean should start up his own painting business. Dean had always envisaged owning his own business where he could offer a premium service to the people of Devon and Cornwall.

Arriving back on English soil, Dean and Sarah’s visions spiralled as they became excited by the concept of this new business venture. After endless hours of research, ideas and notes taken later, they were ready to get the ball rolling and bring the vision to life. The name ‘Spray Vision’ came from Sarah after playing around with paint and renovation terminology. With the high-quality equipment, premium industry standard paint and transit custom van purchased, they were primed and ready to get spraying.

Their first project was in the safe hands of their own family home. This enabled Dean to get used to the equipment, paint and ensure the finish was up to his high standard. Myles and I visited their home during the interview and we could tell instantly which house was theirs on the street as it looked fresh, and bright with unique matt anthracite grey-coloured UPVC windows and doors. After showcasing the before and after images on their social media channels, they received an influx of new customers who were all astounded by the results and the service.

Spray Vision specialises in UPVC windows, doors, garage doors and kitchen cabinets however, there is no limit to what they can spray. This is due to the different kinds of premium paint they use and the techniques Dean uses to prepare and prime the material before spraying. There is also no limit to what colours you can use and there is no added charge for brighter or more unique colours. They offer a swatch booklet however, if you find a particular paint colour that you like with another brand, they will match the exact same shade for you.

By using a spray gun, you receive a flawless ‘factory finish’ with no brush or roller marks, bubbles or uneven paint. The paint that Dean uses has a 10-year guarantee and is weather-resistant, peel resistant, and

waterproof. Dean uses specialist paints which form a chemical compound to adhere to the upvc. Rest easy knowing that your house will look beautiful all year round.

When Dean comes to paint your kitchen, he will require 3 days maximum in your home, which is much faster than replacing a whole kitchen. You will still be able to use the kitchen throughout the process and everything can stay in the cupboards, Dean will just mask the inside so that the paint stays within the desired areas. Dean will start by taking all the cupboard doors, kickboards and drawers to his workshop to be sanded down, repaired, primed and sprayed. He will return to your home a few days later where he will mask the whole kitchen, sand, repair and prime the carcass. The following day, he will come back and apply 2 coats of coloured topcoat on the carcass, side panels etc. On the third day he will put all the cupboard doors and handles back on and leave you with a beautiful new kitchen and a personalised Spray Vision mug left on the counter.

The paint Dean uses in your home for kitchens and furniture is water-based and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals when breathed in therefore it is safe for the client and any pets they may have. Spray Vision can change your cupboard door and drawer handles if desired, adding to the modern and transformed look. The exterior of your house might require scaffolding to be erected which Spray Vision can organise. Dean will protect your property from overspray by masking the walls and glass surrounding the areas to be sprayed. Spray Vision can also paint the exterior walls of your home if you want a complete transformation.

You can receive a free quote usually within 24 hours of your enquiry in between Sarah’s part-time job as a teacher. Simply send Sarah an email or facebook message (details listed below) of what you’d like to be sprayed along with a few photos and she will create an estimated quote. If you are happy to go ahead, Dean will visit your home, talk to you about your vision and give you an exact quote. The quotes are priced per door/drawer/window/side cabinet therefore, he will make sure the number of doors relates to the quote given. The average quote for a full medium-sized kitchen with 15-20 doors comes to £1,500-£2,500 compared to a brand-new kitchen which can be priced anywhere between £5,250 and £14,000.

Not only does it save you money but it also prevents unnecessary waste. In most cases, people want a brand-new kitchen for aesthetic purposes however, keeping the same cabinets and simply painting them, can transform your old kitchen and bring it into the modern world. The images on this page illustrate just how dramatic the transformation can be.

Garage doors take up a huge part of the exterior of your home therefore, it will make a huge difference to your curb appeal if it looks brand new and matches your doors and windows. Dean can also paint your cladding, electric meter box, soffit, fascias, gutters and downpipes so that it matches your doors and windows.

With over 15 years of spraying experience, Dean is confident he can transform your home and leave it looking flawless. He has received countless great reviews both in person and online. Dean loves nothing more than to see the clients’ faces when he reveals to them the finished product, often they are astounded by the difference and high-quality factory finish. They have also received great feedback regarding their customer service, with Sarah explaining the process with simple terminology and Dean arriving at your house punctually, remaining tidy and hassle-free.

With some of the larger jobs, Dean uses other highly skilled Spray Vision team members to ensure the job is done within the allocated time and up to their usual, high standard. When the job is finished before the end of the day, Dean will let the team go home early and still pay them for their day rate.

If you would like your kitchen, windows or doors sprayed, they currently have a mere 2-month lead time before you can witness the transformation of your own house.

In 5 years, they would love to be dominating the spray-painting market in Devon and Cornwall, have multiple vans, more employees and more importantly, ensuring the people of Plymouth are aware of the transformations they are capable of doing to your home. The future of Spray Vision looks bright. Not only will they be giving the people of Devon & Cornwall beautifully painted homes but as a result, they will be making the streets of Plymouth look fresh and modern, house by house.

RECIPE IDEAS COCKTAiL

May 13th we celebrate World Cocktail Day. We’ve tried and tested some springtime cocktails you should try

Gimlet Cocktail

Makes 2 - Difficulty - Easy

INGREDIENTS

• 50ml homemade lime syrup or lime coridal

• ice

• 50ml London dry gin

• slice of lime and an edible flower, to garnish

• 2 limes, grated zest and juice

• 200g caster sugar

ONE Put a martini or coupe glass in the fridge to chill. Pour 50ml of the lime syrup (see recipe, below) or cordial into a jug or tall glass and add a few ice cubes and the gin. Stir until the outside of the container feels very cold.

TWO Strain the mixture into your chilled glass and garnish with a slice of lime and an edible flower.

THREE For the homemade lime syrup, put the lime zest into a saucepan. Squeeze the juice from both limes into a measuring jug – stop when you get to about 60ml, then top it up with water so you have 100ml of liquid in total. Pour this into your pan with the caster sugar. Heat very gently, stirring occasionally just until the sugar has dissolved, but don’t let it boil. Strain the mixture into a heatproof jug and leave to cool. Makes 280-300ml. Lasts up to two weeks.

Gentain White Lady

Makes - 1 Difficulty - Easy

INGREDIENTS

• 25ml lime juice

• 50ml Portobello Gin

• 20ml sugar syrup

• 20ml egg white

• 10ml violet liqueur

ONE Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake well to froth up egg white. Strain and serve.

Rhubarb and Ginger Negroni

Makes - 1 Difficulty - Easy

INGREDIENTS

• 40ml Botanist gin

• 20ml Martini Rosso

• 20ml Campari

• 1 tsp Rhubarb and ginger jam to serve orange zest or candied ginger

ONE Stir all ingredients over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with orange peel and ginger candy on a cocktail stick.