Connect Lifestyle November 2021

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Made in Kerry, for Kerry FREE

Jacqui Hurley

PLEA SE TAKE NOV ME E MBE 2021 R

RTE's record breaking sports presenter.

Jennifer Rock

...AKA THE SKIN NERD TALKS SKINCARE AND BEING SEASONALLY SAVVY WITH YOUR ROUTINE

From Big Brother to Big Camp Christmas Chats, Brian Dowling Gourounlian and how he became Ireland’s most popular Podcaster 1

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EDITOR'S NOTE Hi everyone, Its November, those four weeks when we begin to panic and wonder how we will get everything done for Christmas, well a little tip.. it will happen and Christmas will come and go, and while we all love to give and receive gifts at that time of year don’t be pressured, if we have learned anything over the past year its to look after ourselves and those we love so don’t panic if you haven’t got the amazing gift, something small and thoughtful will be loved just as much. Give someone close to you an extra hour or two a week of your own time, it will be far more appreciated.

We have lots for you to read as we head into the long winter nights.. Jacqui Hurley tells us how sport has become her life, Brian Dowling chats about Christmas loss and enjoying what you do.

Jennifer Rock ‘the Skin Nerd’ has some great new products and gives some tips on keeping our skin good.

Mairead from Achieve Fitness gives some advice on looking after our bodies through menopause and we have all the usual tips and snippets from all our contributors.

Don’t forget next month we will be bringing you the last minute gift ideas, our recommended book list for the pressies and lots more so until then Stay safe and mind each other

Mags xx

Editor: Margaret Kissane Print: Kingdom Printers Graphic Design: Yevgen Kalynin Editorial Contributors: Cathriona Murphy, Lisa Curran, Romy Birdthistle, John Canty, Mairead McMahon, Pat Harmon, Marcas Mac Domhnaill For Advertising Enquiries: Margaret: 086 2408237 sales@connectpublications.ie For Editorial Enquiries: margaret@connectpublications.ie Website: www.connectpublications.ie

Candida... What is it?

Many types of fungi live in and on the human body, including yeasts known as CANDIDA. Candida is typically found in small amounts in the mouth, intestines and on the skin. At normal levels the fungus is not problematic. However, when candida begins to grow uncontrollably , it can cause an infection known as CANDIDIASIS. In fact, CANDIDA is the most common cause of fungal infections in humans.

Typically the healthy bacteria in your body helps to keep candida levels under control. However, if your healthy bacteria levels are disrupted or the immune system is compromised, candida can begin to over produce.

SOME COMMON FACTORS WHICH MAY LEAD TO CANDIDA OVERGROWTH INCLUDE: :Taking antibiotics :A diet high in sugar and refined carbs :Weakened immune system :High alcohol intake :stress WHEN CANDIDA BEGINS TO OVER PRODUCE IT MAY LEAD TO SYMPTOMS SUCH AS: · Skin and nail fungal infections · Feeling tired · Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation or diarrhoea · Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus and brain fog · Skin issues, such as eczema, psoriasis and rashes · Irritability, mood swings · Vaginal infections, urinary tract infections and itching · Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings · Oral thrush Some natural remedies you will find in-store, to help alleviate these symptoms include: GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT: has natural compounds which may help to kill candida in the body. It is natural and non-toxic, and can be more effective than some over the counter recommendations.

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BIO-KULT CANDEA: Strong probiotic which contains garlic and grapefruit seed extract to kill of the yeast over growth and repopulate the good bacteria (always seek medical advice before taking grapefruit seed extract if you’re on statins) OLIVE LEAF: with it anti-fungal activity it is very effective against oral or vaginal thrush.

Diet plays a very important role when trying to control candida, so avoid processed foods, sugar and yeast.

If you think you may have symptoms of candida, call into your local Horans Healthstore and we will advise you which supplement suits your needs best.

Until Next Time, Stay Healthy Deirdre

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In a league of her own, Jacqui Hurley on her phenomenal career as RTE's record breaking sports presenter and bestselling children's author

by Cathriona Murphy Jacqui can you tell us a little about your early life and what developed your passion for sports?

Well I actually spent a lot of my early life in Australia, my early memories were more or less formed there. We moved when I was 3 and lived there for 7 years so those formative primary school years were spent in Canberra in Australia. I guess the love of it really started because in Australia they just really love sport they really do, everything is set up for the outdoors, the children have so much opportunities to play lots of different things. So for me the real love of it probably started there with just my Mom and Dad kind of throwing us into everything from little athletics to netball to soccer, whatever was going really we just played loads of sport. When we moved back to Ireland it was really just continuing that, as soon as we got home they looked into the first sports clubs that we could join. I think because my Mam and Dad were into it as well they recognised that sport is what helps kids to make friends and for us I think they were just trying to help us settle in to a new environment and they knew that we were sporty so they kind of thought that maybe if we can get them playing sport they’ll make friends with the local kids and it was definitely a good decision because I think that’s what mainly helped with the transition.

In rural Ireland GAA clubs care often the heart of the community and not just the kids but the social aspect for the parents too, do you find that is still prevalent today?

Oh absolutely, my parents are very outgoing and friendly people but having spent 7 years away, and this was in the 90’s in Ireland when people didn’t just fly in and out the way they do now, they really realised they needed to immerse themselves to make new friends. The GAA club was the most central point of their lives and still is today, they still regularly go to matches my father was involved as chairman of the club and we were always just really invested in the community in Ballinhassig. A lot of that was them realising that this was going to be our social outlet as well and it was a no brainer to them, it was who they are and exactly what they were going to do. I just think in every rural community yes, GAA is the heart and focal point.

Did you feel upon your return to Ireland that there were as much opportunities here for girls in sports in comparison to Australia?

Jacqui Hurley It’s a funny one because our GAA club in Ballinhassig there was always a camogie team, we didn’t have a lady’s football team but there were teams for us to play on. I went to an all-girls school in Bandon and we had a huge sports program available, there was so many options. So we probably didn’t really see it in the same way that some of my friends did and their experiences might have been very different where they went to different schools and just didn’t have the same access. Whereas I think with our family, because my parents were into it they actively sought sports for girls and I’ve got an older sister and a younger brother, so because my sister was the first in the family she was the one that really found it. She was and still is really good at sport, she was very athletic and even made the Irish basketball team so then I wanted to play and I wanted to follow in her footsteps, so to me there was never a barrier.

Did you find your chosen career was always going to be in sports and media based?

Yes, it’s funny because probably in my head I always wanted to work in sport it was just about finding the right job and I was always fascinated with the media. My

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me, it was almost like a sliding doors moment.

Historically in Ireland progress has been slow to evolve, but in 2009 you made history by becoming the first ever Female presenter on Sunday Sport, how did that feel for you?

Ursula Jacob

parents would have said when I was younger I walked around holding a pretend television screen doing the match reports so it probably was in some way destined for me. But there is a huge difference between wanting to do something and actually making it happen for yourself as well, when I went off and did my internship in America I was working in the newsroom and I was very open to working in news or entertainment. To me I think sport was always the biggest hobby I ever had and I felt if I could combine the two I’d have the perfect job but it’s not always straight forward. Getting there can take time and for me it was once I realised that it worked for me then I was focused on following through with it and just giving myself the best opportunity to get the job but I probably equally could have ended up in news and been just as happy but gladly sport kind of chose me in a way.

Sometimes I think our paths are laid out for us? I had an opportunity when I started out in RTE, I used to do a sports round up on a show called TTV, at the time I had auditioned for the job I had sent in a tape because they were looking for contributors, Teresa Smith was the producer of the program she rang me for an audition, she said “Listen, we think you’re great, we would love you to do one of the contributor slots it’s your decision, so would you like to do the sports or the entertainment/ celebrity”? I said I would take sport and she asked why I would choose sport? Even at the time, I was only 21, I remember saying I felt like there was a longevity in sport that I could do lots of different things. I still feel like that was the right decision for 8

At the time I didn’t know I was the first woman until interviews when they were announcing my appointment, journalists started asking me how it felt to be the first Female presenter? I was like “Oh wow, really?” But of course I was because I had listened to that show when I was growing up and there were never any women on it but it just hadn’t dawned on me? But at the time it wasn’t actually that important to me, I was more worried that I would be the youngest presenter of the show and more worried I would make a mess of it!

Being the first woman wasn’t daunting at all I just thought I had a job that I was going to really enjoy. But looking back now I understand how important it was and I think now I’m incredibly proud of it, being the first you hope there’ll be plenty more after you and they will say Jacqui was the first, it’s a lovely accolade to have. It gives me immense pride and I like to think in the time since then it has evolved even more, if you look around the landscape of Irish media even just within sport you’ve got Joanne Cantwell, Sinead Kissane, Marie Crowe all very visible on your screens on a regular basis. In addition to them you’ve also got Female pundits such as Ursula Jacob, Anna Geary, Aoife Sheehan so you see these women and it’s no longer beyond the realms of normality anymore to throw on your TV and see them doing that and its similar across the water in England where you see lots of Female pundits doing soccer now which I think is great but if you look at the landscape and see the likes of Sarah McInerney, Claire Byrne, Miriam O Callaghan, Mary Wilson there is loads of really prominent Females out there now in the mainstream media which I think it’s a really good thing. It seems to me, in particular the last 10 years, there’s been a realisation that the picture needs to reflect reality. My boss has a saying that if you’re watching the television and it doesn’t look like your living room then you’ve got a problem, and he’s right, your TV screen shouldn’t be all 60-year-old men, it should be a diverse society that looks like you’re walking down the street and see lots of different people.

Can you tell us about your involvement in the 20x20 campaign?

I loved it, I have to say it was the first campaign that I really think captured the whole of society and not just the women in sports society. Sometimes there is a difficulty for the people who are shouting about trying to more access for women in sport that sometimes that voice can become marginalised, you can feel like you’re shouting and nobody is listening, whereas with the 20x20 campaign what they did was they turned it on its head.

They put it out to society and allowed everybody in and I do think that that’s the best part about it, none of us want to be feeling like you’re forcing something on people that they don’t want. I think with 20x20 they tried to show that there is room for everybody at the table, all you have to do is make a small commitment to help and with your small actions it can create a very big difference. I thought the whole thing was overwhelmingly positive, first and foremost they managed to get big companies on board who agreed to back it, then big names that jumped into it such as Brian O Driscoll, Paul O Connell speaking so well about women in sport I think it makes a real difference and I know some people feel that the dads with their daughters are coming so late to this, I don’t care how late you come to the party it’s that you come. I really feel like if we are going to change the future it’s going to take a lot more people that just that one small voice of people who are interested in women’s sport because over the last 15 years the growth levels of female sports in general and those who follow them have grown on huge multiples. So hopefully those numbers will multiply and 20x20

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Jacqui Hurley

has done that by bringing everybody in, giving everyone a voice and personally, in my opinion, its probably the most impactful campaign we’ve ever seen in Ireland.

With your books “Girls Play Too” were did the idea come from and how was it received in the publishing world?

It’s funny now because no I can look back and see that it’s been so successful but at the time you have an idea and you think it’s a great idea but you’ve no idea what others will think? So I suppose with 20x20 one of the things they looked for was for people to make a pledge to help change the landscape and for me there was no point in

pledging to go to more female matches because I already do that. I wanted to do something that was going to push me out of my comfort zone and do something tangible that might genuinely have an impact on the future generations.

To me a book was always something that I had floated around in my head and when they asked people to make a pledged, I thought do you know what? I’m going to pledge to write this book and I’m going to do this because I really believe that this could be the book that’s going to give kids a real chance at learning about their icons in a sporting sense that we didn’t have growing up. I had a moment at the Zoo with my son Luke who was 5 and his friend Ivanna who was 7 and I overheard a conversation with them that genuinely broke my heart. The two of them were chatting and debating who was better, boys or girls? I heard Ivanna say to Luke “Do you know what? You’re right, boys are better than girls” I said Ivanna why do you think that? She said “Because their matches are on the television” I thought how has society thought a 7-year-old girl that this is how we judge who is better?

And I tried to tell her that boys and girls are equal but there was a part of me that she’s kind of right, this is what she has learned so I thought we need to do something about this. So I wanted her to have a book in her hand with sports icons that she could aspire to be and the greatest thing is that the book isn’t just for girls, my son is 7 now and he loved reading it about the girls that had been recently successful such as Leona Maguire, Katie Taylor, Niamh McCrystal, Katie George Dunleavy and Ellen Keane. When Rachel Blackmore won the Cheltenham Gold cup, the amount of messages I got from parents, school teachers just saying thank you for making her accessible to kids and Rachel said that to me herself. It’s as simple as putting it in print and showing them what they can be and achieve. The success has just blown me away. I want to ensure my daughter Lily is given the same opportunities in life as her brother Luke because that’s how I was raised.

You talk with great pride about your family, can you tell us how the last 18 months has impacted your family life.

There were lots of positives with lots of family time, to all be at home together, plenty of laughs!

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Valerie Mulcahy

There were stresses such as my husband Shane working from home and I largely stayed working because we were doing the news. I worked some day at home but mostly in the office so the struggle for him was very much harder for him in terms of having the kids at home whilst he worked and that is very hard. The positives definitely outweighed the negatives. As a family we were happy to see them return to school in September and knowing we were coming out the other side of it. It makes you revaluate everything; the perspective it gives. We recognised we were really busy and needed to take a step back and enjoy the simple things. As adults sometimes we spend our time chasing our tales so its recognising when we need down time and taking it.

And finally, what are your hopes career wise over the next few years?

The book, in a way a three book series would be fabulous. Really it will see how the second book sells and the impact that it has. If I felt people wanted more of it then that would be lovely. The other thing that just gnaws away in the back of my mind is that I would like to do a boy’s book. My son asks all the time why there isn’t one and he’s right, if were trying to show kids equality it would be lovely to do Boys Play Too. The publishers have been amazing throughout the entire process and they would love for it to continue as would I. For the sports, RTE have just taken on the United Rugby Cup coverage and I will be doing that so it’s just been a dream come true, it’s been a really good year.

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From Big Brother to Big Camp Christmas Chats, Brian Dowling Gourounlian and how he became Ireland’s most popular Podcaster

ARTHUR & BRIAN LA

by Cathriona Murphy When I sat to speak with Brian about his upcoming Christmas podcast “Brian Dowling’s Big Camp Christmas Chat’s” his infectious enthusiasm for all things Christmas became immediately clear.

After first thanking him for doing the interview he replied “Not at all I love Christmas!” with a childlike enthusiasm that only Brian can! He told me; When I recently put up a poll on my Instagram asking people did the mind the early Christmas posts, because it can actually trigger some people, 93% actually said they liked it, they liked hearing about Christmas in September/October so I thought great, there we go, I’ve been given the green light!

Christmas brings so much joy and taking in your career transition into the world of podcast with the phenomenal success of “Death Becomes Him”, how do you find the balance of switching from such a sombre theme to a more upbeat on in your Christmas podcast?

The DBH podcast is funnily enough probably one of the most successful things I’ve ever done which is a very strange thing.

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It’s the one thing that I will get a dm on related questions. When you sit down to Instagram about and have done every day do any podcast your guests bring a whole about that podcast, and it’s about a year different vibe and different tone. Christmas and a half old. I now get stopped by people is a bit like grief really, every individual has who want to talk about it, I’m so proud of a different experience of it. what that podcast has created, I think it has allowed people to talk publicly about In terms of your own memories of their grief, their vulnerability and people Christmas growing up, is there anything in particular that instilled that love of don’t see it as a weakness. I’ve been saying Christmas into you? all along that I believe talking is therapy, its helped so many people and when I was actually doing DBH initially it was such I grew up with 6 sisters and to us Christmas a very heavy and sombre subject matter was always more about family than the that I said to my husband Arthur that I’d presents. I do remember one-year Mom love to do a podcast to bring a bit of light locked the sitting room door because she and love, I think I’ll do a Christmas podcast! He was like really?! I said yes I’m going to do one and I’m going to call it “Brians Big Camp Christmas Chats”. I contacted 7 people we ran it for 7 days back to back which was a lot. But this year I’m doing it for 5 weeks so it’s one episode a week and it was so good being able to talk to people about something so fun and positive. The first question was always “How has 2020 been for you?” because 2020 is a year we will all remember and then everyone gets asked the same Christmas Brian Dowling Gourounlian podcast cover

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didn’t want us getting up early and triggered they are because they’ve lost rose before we even started and you could seeing what Santa had brought for us. I someone close to them and the idea of tell! When I listen back I think oh my god I remembered I knew where she put the key Christmas fills them with dread. For us sound drunk but I sound fabulous so this so I got up at 3am and I went around to all personally we have turned the negative year I shall be encouraging all my guests my sisters and woke them up into a positive, having lost Mom in to have some pink fizz or something! For and we went down to find 2018. For someone who had loved season one I had such amazing people, the presents. Mom and Christmas for 39 years, I was Doireann Garrihy, Pippa, Donal Skeahan, Dad got up and had dreading that first Christmas Tommy Bowe and Amy Huberman. I think the fire going, we but because we knew our season one did so well, it trended number were exhausted, I Mom loved Christmas one all over Christmas which probably puts think I was only 10 so much it helped us to more pressure on season 2. Season two will at the time? Mom, fake our way through it? be equally as fun, equally as camp but just you would think I remember on Christmas a little tipsier! she would have day our baby sister Tara killed us but not who lives at home with Lastly Brian, with the podcasts being at all she relished Harvey and Dad, she such a huge success have you any in it. I remember the cooked the whole dinner plans to take it into a documentary or toys we would get, the Mom would have and we television format? new toy smell! We would were all very aware BRIAN & MUM ROSIE of that. I got up only use the sitting room With DBH we were in talks at Christmas because we and gave a little to do that into a TV show were children back in the day so it was speech and of course we but the issue with that such a novelty to be in the sitting room all cried, we all felt the was I wanted to retain as with the fire, full of toys, we could eat what emotion. So now the much rights and power we wanted. Christmas day dinner is my Christmas tree at home as I could and honestly favourite dinner ever. I just love everything goes up on the 10th of there was an issue with about Christmas, it’s about family and love. December, the date of that, I was reluctant to Arthur and I are having all of the family Mom’s birthday in honour give away any share to it here at our house on St Stephens day so it’s of her. I think you have to be because Arthur and I had going to be full on, lunch for 25 people but able to do that and it takes a worked so hard on it. I’m so we will all bring something as in one sister lot of courage to be able to do it, passionate about the show, this is bringing a ham, another sister a turkey, especially because Christmas is a ARTHUR & BRIAN podcast saved me from a lot WEDDING DAY my neighbour Heather is doing the stuffing very emotional time of the year. because it really is my therapy, for me. We’ll put tables and chair together along with my theme of red and gold. I mean probably at 6pm I’ll be like oh god pass me a Cosmo but it’s so nice to be able to do it, especially now that Arthur and I have our own place here in Ireland.

Marrying your two podcasts together, is there any advice you would give to someone grieving for the first time through Christmas?

Yes, definitely, it was only recently I was talking about Christmas and I opened some dm’s and people tell me how

We go to the grave Christmas morning, we light a candle at Christmas mass, we bring flowers and all of that and talk about her a lot, memories of her that make us smile. You really have to force yourself to tell yourself your strong enough.

So Brian coming back to Big Camp Christmas chats, can you tell us what we have to look forward to on this year’s podcast?

I’m still currently casting it so I’m doing 5 episodes over 5 weeks starting on Sunday the 21st of November and PIPPA it will run until 19th of December. I have 3 amazing guests confirmed already, you want to have a really good mix of people, different people but the good thing about it is no matter who I contacted absolutely love Christmas too! This time though I think I’m going to encourage people to drink, when Pippa O Connor and I did an episode last season I think we had downed a bottle of 16

DOIREANN

all of my guests have been my therapists. I would never rule it out though. We are doing a tour of DBH next year all around Ireland, we have 4 venues confirmed and it will be titled “Death Becomes Him; The Talking and Therapy Tour”. Basically it will be the podcast live with special guests and some experts. Even though the podcast can be sad and uncomfortable to listen to there is humour in there as well. My only fear is that if we took it to TV if there were cameras there would people be as vulnerable and open?

With the Christmas podcast we are hoping to take it live next year, everyone loves Christmas so guests could play silly games, get drunk, dance etc. We are lucky these days we can make anything as interactive as we like? So who knows, I’d never rule anything out!

Brian’s Big Camp Christmas chats will be available on Spotify on November 21st

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Tralee Hair and Beauty powerhouse, Romy Birdthistle brings a touch of Paradise to Manor West Paradise Hair and Beauty has fast become one of Kerry’s best known Hair and Beauty Salons. Established in 2108 on Rock Street with just 3 staff members by proprietor Romy Birdthistle it has grown immensely since then to an award winning staff

of 11. Recently Romy has announced an exciting new move up to Manor West Retail Park. Being the only Salon up in the retail park, it is sure to be a popular choice of Hair and Beauty in a very little catered for end of town.

Speaking to Romy she told us “The relocation has been a great experience, with all staff collaborating with ideas. It really would not have been possible without the hard work of Flynn’s Construction for the building works, Sean Allen Plumbing and J Signs/ Kerry Tec for signage. I must mention my partner, John Turner too as he has really made all of this possible with doing all of our electrical work, painting, cleaning and a million other things too! I am excited to introduce new services in the salon

such as DIBI Milano facials and a new state of the art Laser hair removal which will work on sallow skins and even on days you have tan on! Along with some of our older popular packages I am excited to introduce some new ones and of course our staple favourite, unlimited hairdressing voucher”

Romy qualified in the beauty industry in 2006 and has since gone on to receive certification in training. In the last 12 months during lock down, Romy has used this time to improve and expand New facial room with our new her business. So much so product range - DIBI Milano, which that she established a full is a cosmeceutical skincare range time training academy in Limerick in June of this year. Paradise Hair & Beauty was also the proud receiver of the accolade of being the first accredited mindful salon in Ireland, and one of the first in the UK, after the team undertook training from the first CPD Certified Mindfulness Course for salons and other small businesses. Romy credits mindfulness with helping to grow the business despite the adversity of repeated closures due to COVID, and with keeping the team thriving and positive. Every team member took the mindfulness course, called The M.I.N.D.F.U.L Salon Source Code, which covers being more mindful within the work environment, mind-set exercises, how to be mindful as a team, what to focus on and why limiting beliefs cause disempowering behaviours and how to shift this. The salon undertook the training through The Salon Jedi Academy.

Salon Jedi founder Caroline Sanderson says, “It’s testimony to the strong teamwork at Paradise Hair & Beauty that everyone completed the CPD accredited training at a time where it’s needed the most. I have been practising and teaching mindfulness since 2011 and can directly credit this technique Nail stations and garden wall which will be changed to match the with the incredible success my salon has experienced – it seasons helps any team become calm, focused and confident thanks

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of constant innovation in aesthetics, guarantees maximum performance in full compliance with safety.”

“With the laser hair removal I am particularly excited about the response this will get. Traditionally, laser hair removal can be tricky to have done if for instance you have tattoos, sallow skin etc. But with this new system you can simply pop in on your lunch break and have it done. It doesn’t matter if you have fake tan on or are fair haired, sallow skinned, this new system works on every hair and skin type which is what makes it so cutting edge and exciting!”

Something very close to Romy’s heart is providing an inclusive space where everybody feels welcome and can access easily.

“We have put in a wheelchair sink for the hairdressing and loads of wheelchair parking, we can also remove the beauty bed from one of the rooms and if someone has a wheelchair with a lie flat/ back capability then we can offer beauty treatments too” For more information on Salon opening and appointments/services please contact 0667121578

Laser hair removal machine, state of the art and works over fake tan and on tanned skin, fair hair etc

to their training. There has never been a time that mindfulness is more needed” Paradise Hair and Beauty was also awarded The All Star business accreditation for best in class for the Hair and Beauty team in Ireland, an accolade Romy is immensely proud of. Along with ensuring she hires staff that excel in their field of expertise, for example Rachel. Specialising in lash extensions, Rachel has built a reputation as one of the best in town with appointments fast booking up. Her work was acknowledged when she won the Connect Kerry Brow and Lash Specialist award. Also working in the salon as a stylist is influencer Clodagh Moore.

With over 20k followers on her Instagram and represented by the Andrea Roche agency, Clodagh is a very much sought after stylist with Blondes being her speciality.

When I asked Romy about the new treatments coming for her clients she said “With DIBI Milano I am so excited to be able to bring this to Tralee. Its proven method allows us to objectively identify the aesthetic criticalities of face and body, defining a treatment strategy that guarantees real, fast and totally reliable results. The powerful synergy of the most advanced technologies for beauty, the result

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Jennifer Rock

...AKA THE SKIN NERD TALKS SKINCARE AND BEING SEASONALLY SAVVY WITH YOUR ROUTINE

by Cathriona Murphy Catching up with bestselling author Jennifer Rock, founder and CEO of The Skin Nerd, Skingredients and The Nerd Network.

Jennifer how have you found the response to your new launch of more sustainable products, “Click and Twist”?

There has been a fantastic response, we have been live almost every night online with different companies talking about Skingredients.

We were actually with the team recently in CH Tralee, Kevin and his team are just brilliant, they get behind everything we do. They’re in a league of their own they genuinely are the amount of work they put in and how they work as a team. It’s just something we cannot take for granted the level of support so we really appreciate it.

Skingredients was a game changer when it came onto the market and with the launch of the new “Click and Twist” it continues to be so, how did the idea for this come about?

“Click and Twist” was actually to be part of the first Skingredients launch so for anyone that is a dedicated and eager Skingredients user they will have noticed that the inside of the previous packaging actually had little inserts so it was always part of what I wanted to do. I think it’s fair to say that our brand is known for educating on skin health but I really wanted to make sure that I educated myself and others on the whole conversation around beauty so when you look at the beauty sector there is 142 billion units of plastic created per annum for beauty products alone and the majority of those are not recyclable. So globally 91% of the plastic that’s created isn’t actually recycled. So when I started thinking how much I love giving skin health, I love this topic but I need to make sure that while I have a positive impact on people’s skin, I need to have a positive impact from a carbon emissions perspective on the planet too. So when you have Skingredients now versus before, if you’re using Skingredients for a full year you’re actually reducing your own personal carbon footprint by 69.2% because all of the products have become refillable. We are the first line, that we know of, to change everything in one fell swoop! Probably not the most business savvy decision to have done but it’s definitely a moral driven decision to ensure that now with all of our products you just purchase our primary starter pack ones which is like the home if you will for all products and then after you use them you just

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purchase the refill and keep popping it in every time you run out and that plastic is completely recyclable, you can do it at home so it makes it easy, I don’t know about you but if something is easy to do I’m far more likely to do it!

Can you tell me about your involvement with “Plastics for Change” and what that entails for you?

I am genuinely delighted that we brought out refillable in the componentry in Skingredients. As a brand we always say that Skingredients is about the ingredient’s for the skin but now we’re really going to look at the ingredients that is part and parcel of the packaging as well. So we have the refill piece which makes it easy for people to use and keep going and recycle so they can play their part, however we wanted to take that a step further. We partnered with an initiative called “Plastics for Change”, a few of the larger companies have also partnered with them over the years. Essentially it’s an organisation that work with hundreds and thousands of people who have a disadvantaged life, they give them a job, help them with their home, lifestyle, give them an education and part of that job is to collect plastics from landfills and from the sea. So our promise is that for every Skingredients bottle purchased be it the original pack or the refill, every single time you purchase we are then going to take a piece of plastic out of landfills and the ocean going forward.

Essentially like for like, every time you use Skingredients you’re able to recycle but not only that, you know you’re actually taking plastic out of the environment. The idea that 11 million tonnes of plastic per annum is put into our landfills and oceans means that if we stay that way by 2050 there will be more plastic in our sea than fish.

Moving onto your business and brand as The Skin Nerd, sometimes as a consumer it can be intimidating going into a department store looking for the right product and advice.

Especially if you have a skin condition and maybe have not been met with appropriate levels of sensitivity in store. What service do you offer on your website to help your clients?

That’s such an important question, we always talk in Skingredients about how skin care is emotional so for anyone that doesn’t know, I got into skin care at age 13 because I was being teased and taunted,

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my skin wasn’t great and it was a tough time. So I think what’s happened is over the years you hold onto that empathy and you really can relate to people. Skin conditions can affect how you feel in your own skin, in terms of education that’s where it really originated for me. From having my own skin woes to working in the skincare industry to being an educator for 14 years in Ireland, London and the USA so I think that I’ve brought empathy and education together. I know that some people don’t like going in face to face so on our website we have a live chat, skin quiz. All of our team are completely fully qualified in skincare, everywhere we stock, and you have some phenomenal people close by in Tralee, they are beyond trained. For us its ensuring that they have the education to empower people to know how to use skincare, its time its money its effort so the very least we can do is to ensure people know how to use it best. We are literally only a DM away on social media or on live chat and we will happily give someone a phone call if they would prefer that too.

For anyone that wouldn’t be familiar with the big name ingredients and with so much different types on the market, is there any product in particular that everyone should have?

When you think of your skincare traditionally you think of dry, oily, combination, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s etc. you feel categorised due to age and skin type. Now that’s not to say that it shouldn’t exist, it should but the analogy I always use with Skingredients is every day I eat my carbohydrates, I eat my protein and drink my water so in essence we know there are certain ingredients we need internally every day to be the healthiest version of ourselves and that doesn’t matter if your Male, Female, 20’s, 30’s. And that applies to skincare too, there are lots of ingredients that are the key ingredients that everybody needs regardless so I always say that’s why some of our products are called

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the key for. I’m a big believer in using a hydrating cleanser every morning and evening, Hyaluronic acid is nearly instantaneous results it’s like a drink of water for the face. With Vitamin A and Vitamin C I could be here for 2 hours talking about that! It’s a game changer on a clinical level, it has an impact on pigment, lines, wrinkles, helps healing abilities, scars, it’s just such a go to ingredient. SPF is an unequivocal for me, it’s important even in Ireland where we might not have the sun 365, so in essence they are the key ingredients I would recommend. If you want to start small I would say cleanse and SPF, they’re the least sexy but remove the dust and pollution from the skin every day and shield against the elements.

Lastly, Jennifer, coming into the festive season what advice would you give our readers here at Connect to have their skin ready for all the upcoming events and makeup that goes with it?

Definitely, I think this time of the year I tend to get excited because the days are shorter so from a skincare perspective it means that you can actually up the ante on the amount of Vitamin A your using so going back to what I said earlier, the skin protein, the Vitamin A, retinol. I would get professional treatments done, I know that this is not an option available to everyone but because the daylight isn’t as harsh and you’re not as exposed to UVB rays you’re able to have a little bit more IPL and laser treatment than you might have had during the summer. Ceramides are the main ingredient in skin good fats and there important to get into the skin now that well be out in the elements, exposed to false heat such as radiators, cars etc. so ceramides are an important ingredient to get back into the skin. It will help the makeup sit better and give a dewy radiant complexion all over.

SURE TO SATISFY ANY TASTE, ANYTIME

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Out out this Christmas!

With the way of the world this last eighteen months or so, I think we are all looking forward to Christmas more than ever! Let’s go all out glam and I for one am thoroughly excited about it. This month’s column has you covered! Let’s ditch our beloved loungewear and slippers for heels and festive party dresses.

Time to Sparkle!

Dress Theia by Don O Neill at Goose boutique Tralee

Let’s start with the most obvious - sequins! Choosing sequins over the festive period is always a fail-safe. Sequins can be as bold or as chic as you like, choose a colour palette that works for you and that compliments your favourite most worn accessories. Dresses, jumpsuits, skirts or maybe just a little sequin bag - you won't regret adding some sparkle! This beautiful sequin dress is from Goose Boutique in Tralee. It’s a Theia dress by Don O’Neill, available for a fraction of the retail price.

Ladies that Lunch!

Commando leggings from Brown Thomas

I love a good girly lunch at Christmas, so you need Blouse an outfit that transitions from day to night. My go to, Weardrobe, is my pair of Commando Faux leather leggings, a Tralee cute blouse and a black blazer. Team them with a comfortable pair of black ankle boots like these Kate Appleby boots from the Shoe Rack, Tralee. I also love this little black bag from Mango, which is now open at Shaws in Tralee. Definitely check it out, with weekly deliveries, they are sure to have something that catches your eye.

Mini Bag Mango at Shaws

Bla

zer a

Boots Shoe Rack Tralee

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t Sh

aws

Finishing Touches Maybe you haven’t the time or the budget for a whole new outfit. Then your answer Necklace at is accessories! Accessories Zara can really update and elevate any outfit. At this time of year, more is more!! Think bling cocktail rings, shoulder skimming earrings, layering necklaces or indeed a beautiful statement necklace! Zara always have such gorgeous affordable pieces, often with a vintage feel. TK Maxx, Carraig Donn and The Kilkenny Shop are also great for accessories.

Necklace at Zara

Earnings at Zara

The LBD

Black dress Mango

A beautifully fitted, little black dress can last a lifetime, especially if you find that piece that feels like a true style investment and your 'go to' look. Opt for chic and a classic silhouette, to ensure longevity and a base that lends itself to multiple occasions. Again, dress it up with some accessories and a beautiful faux fur teddy coat to get in the festive spirit. This one from Macbee’s, Killarney is absolutely divine!

Teddy coat from Macbeees Killarney

Remember, looking and feeling stylish doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Investing in one or two new pieces, will really update your look. Stay true to your style and pick items that will integrate well and work hard in your wardrobe.

Go forth and sparkle this festive season! And most importantly, have fun!

Hope you enjoyed this article guys. Keep an eye on my Facebook and Instagram to see how I style my festive outfits. For any fashion or beauty queries, please email laurahollystylist1@gmail.com Laura xxx @laurahollystyle Laura Holly

For any fashion or beauty queries, please email laurahollystylist1@gmail.com 25

Introducing...the

Ferrari Facial at The Beauty Rooms Kenmare This month we have discovered something amazing in the beautiful town of Kenmare, Aishling and her team at the Beauty Rooms will ensure you are glowing for all those festive moments in the coming month. We ask Aishling to tell us all about it.

Introducing the Ferrari Facial @ The Beauty Rooms Kenmare As we stepped forward again from behind the veil of being distanced from our customers, I knew I had to bring something new and innovative to the field of beauty that I have spent so much time in... I adore skincare and adore using our affordable and highly effective salon skincare brand ASAP ..

Watching the results unfold, developing a relationship with my client and undergoing the skincare journey with each and every person who entrusts me with their skin whether it is preparing for their wedding, getting ready for grads, overcoming acne or just getting the best skin possible is addictive as a skin therapist !!..

I had noticed that throughout lockdowns my clients had become very well educated in skincare needs and wants, which meant that the bar had risen once more which is always fantastic as it pushes us as service providers to bring more for our customers which means better products, better service and better results each and every time ..

So I introduced the Microplus machine from @asapskin_ireland into the salon when we returned and by using the best of technology with proven results, responses and reliability has allowed me to custom each and every treatment to the skin being cared for..

The reason I call it a ferrari facial is because what do you think of when we say ferrari??? Fast, high end, luxurious and so on..

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Blending microdermabrasion with crystal tipped probes, gently buffing and smoothing the skin... Applying a fusion of peptides/acids and prescription peels to achieve amazing results....

And sealing that all in with a sonophoresis treatment means that your future skin will thank you for what you do for it today!!!

If your skin is dry or dehydrated we can quench the thirst of a parched, tight skin with a hydra fusion ferrari facial blend...

If your skin is ageing and lacklustre we can replenish the glow with a rejuvenation cocktail ferrari facial mix..

If acne is a main concern we can apply a multi prong approach to deliver results each and every time under careful guidance....

If Rosecea is holding you back... We can gently treat, support and nourish that skin back to calmness and soothe the wild redness with our supercalming and strengthening treatment blend...

Whatever your skin concerns, we have the answers, tools and the products to empower, educate and encourage everyone along their skincare journey!!

Get in touch to book your Ferrari Facial to be ready for the red carpet of life.....

Beautyroomskenmare@gmail.com FB and Insta: @thebeautyroomskenmare Ph: 0879027300

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Breastfeeding and Oral Health

by Dr. Róisín Boyle

Current studies show that breastfeeding up to 12 months of age is associated with a decreased risk of dental decay. WHO recommends breastfeeding until two and beyond as there are many benefits for both mum and baby.

Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for around the first 6 months of life, complementary foods should be introduced from around 6 months of age alongside breastfeeding. Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Breast or formula milk should be the babies main drink until one year old.

Introduce babies to drinking from a non-valve free flow cup from around 6 months of age containing only breast or formula milk or plain water. Aim to stop using the bottle by their first birthday at the latest. The longer the child uses the bottle the greater chance it may impact the alignment of their teeth and growth of the oral cavity.

Do not give babies a bottle in bed with them at night as this caries a very high risk of ‘baby bottle’ tooth decay.

Breastfeeding promotes the full development of the oral cavity and helps with muscle development for speech also.

Talk to your dentist for further help and advice.

“November November” a lovely song by Auto Da Fe (2001). 20 years gone in the blink of an eye. Just like 2021. I have a diary on my desk at work ( who am I trying to fool , I don’t have a desk...). I have a diary under the counter at work and on the 1st of January each year I always mark the day when we less days left in the year than have already gone and I always wonder what changes will have taken place before I get to that date. For the curious among us the date is July the 2nd.

Well here we are 11th month and things are slowly but steadly getting back to what is our “normal”. We are getting new stock weekly, bags, scarfs, hats and gloves. There is something very comforting about a chunky scarf wrapped around you if you are having a less than “Perfect” day.

As always we have our Christmas Club running again so if you want to put some items away and pay off weekly please call in and get started, and for the person who is impossible to buy for, we have gift cards.

I know we all have had enough about daily numbers, antigen tests and lockdowns but it does appear that we may have it around for a while longer yet and it is because we want to keep our customers both safe and stylish we have masks arriving weekly. So if you have an event coming up, wedding, christening, party or maybe you are one of the lucky ladies that have purchased your ticket for the event of the month: CONNECT ANNUAL LADIES LUNCH , Sunday 28th November , bring in your outfit and we will accessorise your mask with outfit.

I must sign off now and practise my after party song for the Ladies Lunch, am I a Whitney Houston or Margo maybe I will practise both......

Keep Safe, Keep Smiling but most of all be Kind Carmel

49, Sráid na Carraige Uachtarach, Trá Lí, Co. Chiarraí 49 Upper Rock Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry Ph: (066) 712 1457 | www.macdomhnailldental.ie | fiacloir@gmail.com

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Ask the Pharmacist In the latest addition of our Ask The Pharmacist feature, Mounthawk Allcare Pharmacy’s Pat and Maria discuss how to give up smoking.

“Throughout this COVID pandemic, people have been doing a lot of soul-searching and we find people are now more health conscious than ever. Everyday, we see more and more people taking to the Fat Mile in their droves, determined to shift the pounds. Not so here in Mounthawk Pharmacy, where many of us have doubled in size over the past year-to the extent that

we are considering if the professional Sumowrestling circuit is as lucrative as we have heard. There are many things you can do to improve your health, for example eating less and exercising more (easier said than done).

Another thing you can do is stop smoking and this article is for those people who are considering this option. After the most recent budget, it now costs more to buy a packet of cigarettes than to stay in a 4 star hotel in Leitrim for a month so if you fancy a break up the country in beautiful CarrickOn-Shannon, read on.

Nicotine is the substance found in cigarettes that is found in all nicotine replacement products over the counter. It helps to relieve the withdrawal effects you can experience after giving up smoking. There are a large range of products available from your local pharmacy and this article will run through them all to allow you to pick the one that is most suitable to your needs.

Patches - these are applied to clean, dry, non-hairy skin on

the upper body for a defined amount of time every day. They come in a range of strengths and the strength you use depends on the amount of cigarettes you smoke in the day. For example if you smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, you would require the 25mg/16 hour patch, use this for a few weeks and then reduce down slowly. Nicotine patches if worn for 24 hours can cause sleep disturbance so the newer patches tend to be worn for 16 hours so you put them on first thing in the morning and remove them last thing at night. The great thing about patches is that by releasing a steady amount of nicotine into your system, they help to prevent withdrawal and cravings. However some people find they can cause skin irritation so they are not suitable for everyone.

Chewing gum - comes in a range of strengths and flavours.

The trick with nicotine gum is to chew it until the taste becomes strong and then rest the gum between your cheek and your gum. When the taste fades, start chewing again. This gives time for the nicotine to be absorbed across the oral mucosa. Many people like the chewing gum as the chewing action helps to relieve cravings fast, however for some people the gum causes throat irritation and indigestion.

Lozenges - very similar to the gum except that you suck the lozenge instead of chew it. As before when the taste becomes strong, rest the lozenge between your cheek and your gum. The lozenge will dissolve over about 20 minutes and comes in a range of flavours. A very popular option.

Spray - this is one of the newer methods available and you spray the inside of your mouth, avoiding the throat for a quick fix of nicotine. Do not inhale while spraying and do not swallow for a few seconds after spraying. Do not use more than 2 sprays at a time and no more than 4 sprays in the hour.

Inhaler - another popular method, the inhaler is like an artificial cigarette and you place cartridges inside it to deliver the goods. An excellent option for those who miss the hand-mouth action of smoking a cigarette.

As you can see, there are a lot of options available to you but the most important thing when giving up smoking is willpower. These products can only help you so much, at the end of the day it is you that will have to do the hard work. Giving up smoking is hard and most people fail on their first, second attempts etc. Don’t be hard on yourself, any attempt to give up or cut down is to be applauded. Call into us in store where we are happy to provide you with the support you need to make an important health choice. And keep that all inclusive month away in Leitrim in the back of your mind when you are going through hard times. We hear it is just lovely in January”

If you need any advice feel free to contact All Care Pharmacy Mounthawk on : E: mounthawk@allcarepharmacy.ie | Ph: (066) 712 8989 FacebookB/Instagram mounthawkallcarepharmacy

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TARA ELLEN interior design Hello connect readers A hot opic in the interiors world at the moment is seasonal decoration for the home, getting that autumn feeling with a sense of occassion as we approach christmas, but are not yet ready to sprinkle the place with sparkle. So I thought this momth we could take a look at creating some seasonal wreaths, always a great way to add colour and a bit of warmth to your room, think of it as seasonal wall art. ‘this seahead and moss creation has a wonderfully pale and ethereal look, an ideal focal point for any dark corner in your home.’ h&G A white heather or snowberrys would also work well in this style of arrangement The example to the right in the bedroom is a great idea done by Kate Smyth of Worm, her she has tried something new, which you could also try. Get some tropical leaves and spray in subtle autumn colours, here they have a metalic hint. It will add drama to any room you choose to hang it in

If you have chidlren, grandchildren, nephews or nieces, this list goes on ... (any excuse will do) a fun activity could be to go out collecting pine cones or cutting fabrics or felt and create your very own wreaths.

Try adding some bright colours to the tips of your pine cones, to give your wreath some fun and playfullness, a great way to brighten up a dining area, hallway or kids bedroom, a nice conversation piece too.

And then ofcourse with all this talk on getting crafty and spending an afternoon making and creating wreaths, there is the reality. Like so many of us, that afternoon might never arrive, with all of us having busy lives one way or another it can be hard sto find the time. Lucky for us, there are some stunning examples available to buy. You can get one custom made to suit your home, or buy one that has already been styled and created.

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Phoenix Women's Centre

The past two months have been a busy time for Rose and also for the Help Rose Bloom Fundraising Group.

The PHOENIX WOMEN’S CENTRE is all about supporting women in any way that we can. No matter what difficulty a woman may encounter, we are here to help on our support line, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10.00a.m. to 2.00p.m.

Rose has returned to her Playschool after the summer holidays and Meadowlands Hotel has generously donated a voucher for is delighted to have her new wheelchair which has given her great one night’s B and B at their fabulous hotel. It would make a independence in her classroom. lovely treat or Christmas gift. We are Raffling this voucher. If you call into Paco, High St Tralee, Urban Sanctuary, The Square, Rose has also continued to participate with intensive physiotherapy Tralee or Brush and Blush, Milk Market Lane, Tralee, you can sessions in Kerry and Cork two to three times a week. These purchase an entry into the draw for just €5.00. Closing date is sessions are proving very beneficial to Rose in helping her to Tuesday 30th November 2021. improve her body strength and flexibility. She has amazed her therapists with her progress and determination.

We will have a stall at the Tralee car boot sale on Sunday 31st October. Please come along and support us or donate any Unfortunately her planned surgery to correct her scoliosis has items for sale to help us been delayed and will not take raise funds for our Centre. place until January at the earliest.

Items can be dropped off We are very grateful to her medical at our office at the above and physiotherapy teams for their times. continuing support and care for Rose.

Our Walking Group Fundraising has continued and we led by Lesley Collins are almost at the amazing figure of meets every Wednesday €100,000 which is phenomenal in just at 11.00a.m. at the a few months. The Help Rose Bloom Wetlands in Tralee. Come Tractor Run took place on Sunday, along for a ‘walk and October 3rd. The event raised €5237.00. On the day we saw 101 talk’ and meet new Tractors and Vintage Trucks participate in the friends.

Run. We are extremely grateful to everyone who made the event possible and to all We would like to thank Sharon Roche for very kindly donating who participated with their Tractor or €500.00 to the Phoenix Centre. Sharon held a fundraising head Truck. shave to help out the Open Arms Kerry (OAK) project and to remember her son Seán who died 10 years ago. Sharon raised Our fundraising efforts continue as we over €4,000 for the community initiative in the area of mental strive to reach our target of €250,000. health.

Plans are currently being prepared to make alterations to Rose's Family Home to provide The donation of €500.00 will be used by the Phoenix Centre

a ground floor Bedroom and other facilities for to support women in the area of mental health and wellness Rose. We anticipate work commencing early in 2022. projects.

Some of our upcoming fundraising events include a very generous We would also like to thank Karen O’Donnell who delivered prize of a Bathroom makeover valued at €6000. Tickets available on a workshop for the Phoenix Centre (pro bono) as part of Eventbrite. See details below. the Kerry Mental Health and Wellness Festival. Entitled ‘Courageous Minds, Courageous Questions’, Karen discussed The four schools of the Ballymacelligott Community are also how to activate our higher level brain functions to get arranging individual fundraising events for Help Rose Bloom. conversations back on track and move towards trusting in others.

WIN A BATHROOM MAKEOVER WORTH € 6000WITH HELP ROSE BLOOM Culture night Poetry night took place on Zoom in late sponsored by September. Beautiful contributions from talented women were read and appreciated by all. The event was hosted by Máire Holmes, writer in residence. Thanks to all who participated.

To ensure you do not miss any forthcoming training or events please check our face book page.

TICKETS AVAILABLE ON www.eventbrite.ie/e/win-a-bathroom-makeover-worth-6000Phoenix Women’s Centre, Market Place, Maine Street, Tralee, tickets-165619230577 Co. Kerry. Tel 066 9130430 1 TICKET X €10 - 3 TICKETS X €25 - 5 TICKETS X €40 Email: info@phoenixwomenscentre.ie

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www.facebook.com/PhoenixWomensCentre

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EXERCISE AND NUTRITION TIPS FOR MENOPAUSE As we have just celebrated world menopause day recently we will touch on some tips and advice for any ladies experiencing the menopause at the moment.

• Cooling foods: If you’re suffering from hot flashes, so-called “cooling foods,” including apples, bananas, spinach, broccoli, eggs and green tea may help you cool.down.

During menopause, women tend to gain fat while simultaneously losing muscle mass. But it’s not just the fat you can see that’s the problem, , it’s also the visceral fat that surrounds your organs.

• Water: It’s really important to stay hydrated during menopause.

Not only will it help keep your weight in check, it will also help your body flush out toxins and absorb nutrients. Aim for 2L per day.

“An increase in visceral fat makes you more susceptible to heart disease, hypertension and insulin resistance. which can lead to diabetes. The good news is, that eating a balanced nuttritiinal diet and partaking in regular exercise including strength training in particular can slow down or revert the loss of muscle and accumulation of fat as well as reduce the frequency of hot flushes and can improve other non-vasomotor symptoms of the menopause including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Strength training is also vital for keeping our bones strong and dence thus preventing osteoporosis.

Nutrition - what to eat and what to avoid • Fruits and vegetables: Many fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which help prevent cell damage. Favorites include dark green leafy vegetables, including spinach, kale and broccoli, as well as peppers , tomatoes and carrots.

Brightly coloured fruits, such as mango, cherries and berries, are also loaded with powerful antioxidants.

• Oily fish: Several studies link the heart-healthy fats in fish, called omega-3 fatty acids, to improved mood and brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help keep blood pressure levels in check. Healthy blood pressure can help control hot flashes. Oiky fish like ssrdines or salmon is also one of the food sources of vitamin D, a key nutrient for both mood and bone health.

• Protein: To alow your body to build or retain muscle eat plenty of high-protein foods, such as fish, meat, eggs legumes, nuts and seeds.

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What Foods to Avoid While it’s important to focus on getting necessary nutrients during menopause, limiting foods that can make symptoms worse is also key. Here are a few culprits to watch out for: • Spicy foods: Not surprisingly, spicy foods can make hot flashes worse.

• Alcohol: Having a glass of wine a few times a week probably won’t affect your symptoms. But excess alcohol will.

• Fatty foods: Except for oily fish and nuts, try to keep your intake of fat-laden foods to a minimum. Steer clear of fast foods, fried foods and processed cakes and snacks.

EXERCISE * Exercise - aim to exercise a minimum of 5 days per week for 30 minutes * Include both cardio (for heart and respiratory health ) and strength training to maintain muscle mass and assist in fat loss * Get outdoors where possible - fresh air is a hugely underrated medicine * mobility and stretching are also essential to ensure joint range of motion and injury prevention * Exercise is proven to alleviate anxiety and improve sleep - all good. * Join a group class specifically designed for women experiencing the menopause.

Being in the company of others experiencing a similar body and hormonal transformation will really help .

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Kelly’s Butchers celebrate Energia Family Awards win Kelly’s Butchers have just been announced as winners of the Family Food and Drink Producer of the year in the Energia Family Awards. This is a prestigious national competition and the Newport butcher family are delighted with their win. The awards honoured businesses who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and resilience throughout the Covid-19 pandemic while continuing to thrive and grow.

“We’re very pleased to win this particular award as it recognises consistency of quality of produce and the achievements of the business, as well as saluting our entire staff who are so important to us”, said Seán Kelly, “The theme of the Energia Awards is of ‘Resilience through generations’ which matches Kelly’s of Newport perfectly as we celebrated 90 years in business last year”.

In choosing their winner, the judging panel examined many different aspects of the business. They required the family business to produce food with exemplary taste and flavour and sought evidence of customer feedback and testimonials. Innovation in products and systems that demonstrate improved business performance as well as a robust quality system were requisites.

They also looked at the whole team working within the business and Kelly’s are very proud of their strong team without whom none of these awards would be possible.

Community involvement was an element which is very important to the Kelly family who are deeply connected to their hometown, Newport. Previous achievements were also taken into consideration and Kelly’s have many to choose from including Seán Kelly receiving a knighthood from a visiting French contingent some years ago.

Kelly’s Hazlett was awarded a silver medal in the Cured Meat and Charcuterie section at the 2021 Blás na hÉireann Irish Food Awards. The most recent introduction to the Kelly range is a gluten-free white pudding. Kelly’s award-winning puddings, sausages, and very soon Christmas hampers, are available all over

the country and through their website www.kellysbutchers. com. And supplied to Kerry stores by Kissane Meats for more info or availability call 087 2790115.

Normally the Energia Family Awards would culminate in a highprofile awards ceremony, however Covid restrictions meant that this year it was an online event. Master of Ceremonies Matt Cooper from Today FM announced the winners in a virtual ceremony and each winner was asked to put together a celebratory video – a very different experience to normal.

Say Happy Christmas with a

Kelly’s Hamper ORDE TODA R Y

COU RIER NATIO DELIVER Y NWID E

KELLY’S BUTCHERS, NEWPORT 098 41149/098 42608 | www.kellysbutchers.com 37

c i s u m M o d g n i K in the

n a v i l l u S ' O Tanya

By Lisa Curran Hey Tanya, absolutely delighted to speak with you!

Firstly welcome home from Canada! Congrats on all your recent achievements, tell us what made you make the move back?

Thank you so much for having me! It’s so lovely to chat with you!

Yes, I returned home from Canada last year and it was definitely a decision that I went back and forth with for a while as I was doing a lot of gigging and recording in Toronto during that time and I absolutely loved my life there but I think I was ready to make the move home given the pandemic hitting and missing friends and family back home. It’s great to be back in Ireland now and Canada will always be there when I want to return for visits.

You’ve recently opened your own music school and tied it in with mindfulness, what inspired you to tie the two and what can students expect?

Yes, I have recently opened my music coaching school called Mindful Music Coach. This is something that I have always wanted to do.

Obviously, I have been playing music since I was a kid and have had some incredible music teachers along the way who have all inspired and encouraged me. I had been teaching in a music school in Toronto for two years before returning home and also ran a music programme in an elementary school over there while I continued my music studies and decided that If I was to return home that I would continue to teach music. I have also had a huge interest in positive mental wellbeing as I am someone who has struggled with anxiety and panic attacks for many years. I always had anxiety but the panic attacks began in my 20’s where I regularly ended up in A & E with severe panic episodes. I discovered mindfulness a couple of years ago and It really helped me to manage my panic attacks and from there I began doing Mindfulness courses and eventually trained to become a Mindfulness for Wellbeing Teacher. I now offer a combination of music and mindfulness classes which has gained a lot of interest from parents with the current rise of anxiety disorders. Learning all of these tools for mindfulness, breathing, the focus, ability to control our thoughts and reactions works really well with music. Each practice enhances 38

the other and I am so happy to be able to see the positive impacts this has on children, teens and adults.

Your own music career is taking off and you’ve had the opportunity to write with some amazing artists, tell us all about the process and what your goals are!

Creating music has always been my number one passion. I began composing music on a toy keyboard at the age of 7 and have just continued to create music since. I have been gigging since I was a teen and I have been very lucky to play support to many established artists along the way. I am currently cowriting with some amazing artists and recording and am really excited to share some original music soon. I still pinch myself at the fact that I am able to make my passion into my career and my main goal is just to compose, record and play gigs as nothing beats the enjoyment I get from this.

You’re a well recognised wedding and event vocalist, how was covid for you and what are your hopes for the future of your performing, especially coming up to Xmas season.

I definitely struggled with lockdown along with everyone else and not being able to play live gigs was just heartbreaking for so many musicians but it has definitely made me appreciate it so much more now and it’s great to be back taking bookings again. I am definitely looking forward to the busy season as it’s been quiet for so long.

Where can people check out and follow your journey?

All social media is under Tanya O Music Artist Website/ TanyaOMusic.com Teaching Website/ MindfulMusicCoach.com

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