REFRAME #01 Summer '23

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What’s the big idea?

The main thing we’ve learnt is… it’s not what you see, it’s how you choose to see it…and that’s Reframe.

Dear friend, Welcome to Reframe! If you’re reading this then you’re up for challenging, enjoying and caring for yourself. If so, keep reading because you are in for an interesting and quirky experience that may just change your mind!

Reframe was born out of our own experiences, our unquestionable friendship (putting up with each other for a very, VERY long time!) and, most of all, our passion for wanting to help people.

If you are able to take just one article from this magazine and make it work for you…then we are happy bunnies!

Within these pages you’ll find articles from real people with real experiences and real insights on the things that worked for them.

Every advert you see within these pages is there because we’ve

extensively researched that company and believe that they have the best product in their field.

Reframe is all about removing the current labels and stigma associated with your frame of mind.

At some point in our lives we all have our own baggage – some have small rucksacks and others massive suitcases. Whichever it is that you carry, we hope you find something in here that will help, make you laugh, inspire you and lighten the load!

The main thing we’ve learnt is…it’s not what you see, it’s how you choose to see it…and that’s Reframe. No labels, no fuss, just sharing a bit of inspiration that may help.

Big love, Lou & Lax

THE VILLANELLE PARADOX

Psychopathic, ruthless, deadly assasin with no code. We can’t get enough of this girl...

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HOBBIES

Painting, baking, stamp collecting, e-foiling, axethrowing...we look at the things we love doing and the things we don’t know we love doing yet...

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RONI B GOOD

We step inside Roni B’s kitchen to explore the unique, bold and complex flavours of the Philippines and banana ketchup….yes it’s a thing! Recipes inside.

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WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Fill your boots and walk it off with our little guide to pub walks in the UK.

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THE EMILY PROJECT

An open and honest chat with Head of People at Hearst UK and mum to the masses, Emily HawkinsLongley. She opens up about volunteering at Victim Support, the impact it has had on her life and how you can follow in her footsteps. A passion to help people? This is for you.

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FACE/OFF

The positive effects of laughter are no joke! We take a look at the hilarious and freaky memes of internet face transplant wizard Arkane Lowe @arkanememes.

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NORMA. SERVICE IS RESUMED.

We chat to wellbeing guru Norma Powell on how she went from having crippling arthritis to becoming a reiki master and Shiatsu practitioner using all natural fixes. If your joints are a little jaded then this is a must read!

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THE BEST-OF-ALLS

We’ve gone hunting for the best alternatives to the big festivals this summer – from yoga to yoghurt, burnouts to bake-off and everything in between!

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ME, MYSELF & I

THE VILANELLE PARADOX

HOW TO HONE YOUR ZONE THE EMILY PROJECT

THE VILLANELLE PARADOX

Words/Lou Andrews Image/Tony Dunn

Why are we all crushing on a crazed assassin?

It’s a beautiful evening. The sun hangs tightly in the sky, shedding a warm blanket across the world. I’m appreciating the views over the Dorset coast and the occasional drift of cool breeze. While I sit sipping an iced lemon gin, I find my mind wandering and daydreaming about Villanelle…hang on...wait…what? Yes, the psychotic assassin Villanelle from Killing Eve has somehow strutted her DMs into my tranquil haven, which has now got me thinking “what the hell is wrong with me?!”. But it’s not just me is it? Thousands of people across the world found themselves crushing over the eccentric villain in a big way. In fact I’m betting that many of you reading this have too…yes I’m talking to you!

And the funny thing is…I didn’t have the same exasperated feelings over Jodie Comer. Don’t get me wrong, Jodie is fit, but Villanelle is fire and I found myself wanting to get burnt! Even more worrying you may think...but is it?

Killing Eve burst onto the screens on 8 April 2018, and from the opening scene where Villanelle nonchalantly knocks ice cream over the sweet smiling little girl, to the hospital massacre that ended the first episode it was clear that she was not to be messed with. As the series moved on, the intoxicating magnetism between Eve and Villanelle had us all craving more…and wishing at times we were Eve (especially that last steamy scene of season 5 – you know the one!).

So what is it about Villanelle that had us so captivated? You will be pleased to know that it is not the fact that she is a blood-thirsty serial killer…no…the truth is somewhat more simplistic. She has traits that in some way we all aspire to. She oozes confidence in every stride, from the eccentric threads that she wears (which most of us can only wish we could pull off!), to the brazen disregard she has for what people think of her (the eating pasta incident of Series Two).

That don’t-give-a-damn attitude is incredibly attractive, especially as many of us hide behind the curtains of our internal mind chatter, which has us applying a level of restriction to our everyday lives. There is also the strength vs. vulnerability aspect. Villanelle displays an outwardly strong persona, the kind that would have you feeling completely safe when out with her, and yet completely consumed at the same time. She holds an underlying glimmer of vulnerability too which, every so often, peeps out and shows us her human side and has us buying into the whole ‘she can be fixed’ gag. Who doesn’t like to be the hero every now and

then right? And last, but by no means least…she is unpredictable! Is she going to passionately kiss you or violently drive a hair pin through your eye?! It keeps us wanting more and more.

So now I feel much better about my little crush, how about you? However, that’s not the only part I find interesting. Let’s go back to what I said in the beginning about me not having the same exasperated feelings over Jodie Comer. Now that’s something I find really interesting here. Jodie played Villanelle so exquisitely and displayed such fine crafted acting that she became a completely different person. “That’s acting” I hear you say, but hang on there…if that’s possible then can’t we all hone a little of that Villanelle confidence? The confidence that many of us don’t think we can achieve, which, in turn, puts us off doing things we want to in our lives (going for that high paid job, chatting up that stranger sat next us etc.). We all act at some point in our lives don’t we? No? You don’t think so? Ever had a really crappy day or some bad news and then had to go out and pretend all is good? I rest my case.

I guess what I’m saying is that if Jodie can create such a magnified paradox in all of us by acting and then, in turn, completely change our perception of her…then surely there is a possibility that we can all hone an aspect of that ourselves? Change what you put out there and you’ll completely change the responses you get back.

It’s been talked about many times over and those of you who have read the book The Secret will know what I am talking about. The laws of attraction. This is living proof that this actually does work. You see, whether it’s acting or not, we can all choose to change an aspect of our persona if we really want to. So I’m saying…hone it and own it! Be more Villanelle!

Next time you want the confidence to go and speak to that stranger you have been staring at for the last hour, pull a ‘Jodie’ and just do it…you never know what you may get back.

...whether it’s acting or not, we can all choose to change an aspect of our persona if we really want to. So I’m saying… hone it and own it!

HOW TO HONE YOUR ZONE

Words/Lou Andrews

In a mix of allSorts, there’s only one you. So what’s in your bag?

Well, now it wouldn’t be right of us to delve into an article like the Villanelle Paradox and not follow it up with an article on how to do it would it? So, here we go. We have trawled the internet to bring you the top tips and added a side of our own sauce to spice things up a bit. Hold onto your hats ‘coz you’re about to get to like yourself a whole lot more!

You know that phrase ‘dance like no-one is watching’? Many people have it on a sign hanging up in their home somewhere. It’s probably not because it sums them up perfectly, but because that is the person they want you to think they are and, deep down, they truly want to be. How many of us do you think really do dance like noones watching? That’s the point I guess. So many of us do things for show or because it’s what we think other people want to see – the reality is that we need to start doing things for ourselves and being who WE want to be. If you think about it, that’s what makes a person ‘cool’. It’s not the looks or the clothes. It’s just being who they choose to be at that point in time and being completely comfortable with that. It should be that simple, but it’s not, right? We live in a society so overloaded with expectations of how we should act or look (especially through the eyes of social media) that we lose sight of the real end game… what do WE want and who do WE want to be?

If you were playing an online game, then you would make your character look and act the way YOU wanted them to, wouldn’t you? So why on earth would we not apply the same simple logic to the real world?

If you were playing an online game, then you would make your character look and act the way YOU wanted them to, wouldn’t you? So why on earth would we not apply the same simple logic to the real world? You see, to hone a bit of Villanelle, you need confidence and to gain confidence you need to like yourself…and I mean really like yourself. Think of a time in your life when you have felt good about yourself? And it really doesn’t matter what you were doing or even how old you were. Just the existence of that moment means it can be done. It’s completely tangible, because you have already done it! There are common denominators that we are all aware of which can help the body such as diet, exercise and getting enough sleep, but what else can we do?

Positive Self Talk

This one came up quite a bit in my searches and with good reason. We all have an inner voice. Internal mind chatter that can either make you feel good or feel bad. The latter is commonly known as ‘negative self-talk’. Learning to change this dialogue is the most powerful tool you can acquire, but it takes practise. So, firstly, how do you recognise negative self-talk? Ever had thoughts such as ‘I’m never going to win as I’m useless at this’ or ‘I’ll never get that job, because I’m not qualified’ or the classic ‘why does this always happen to me?’? You are not alone; we all have them. Once you start to recognise these thoughts you are half way there…you then need to ‘reframe’ that negative statement in your mind to a positive one. If you hear your inner chat telling you that you are useless, then tell it that you are not useless. If your train is delayed instead of thinking ‘why does this always happen to me’, utilise that time. So what if its delayed? You can’t change that, but you can change what you use that time for! More time to listen to your favourite podcast or tune or look up that new course you have been thinking about…now that’s a positive! You get what I am saying? Look for the positives in the negatives, because there always is one.

The Two Chair Technique

This was a technique that I learnt when I was doing my hypnotherapy diploma and it had that much of an impact that I can still remember how it made me feel. It’s a very simple exercise, but for it to be effective you really have to commit to what you are doing. Take two chairs and face them opposite each other. Sit in one of the chairs and close your eyes. Now imagine someone that loves you unconditionally (and thinks the sun shines out of your rear end!) sitting in the chair opposite you. It can be literally anyone (mine was my best friend). You need to clear your mind of anything else and just focus on them – how they look, their smile, any sounds or smells. Once you have this clearly in your mind, stand up and move to the other chair and then close your eyes again. Imagine you are now that person looking at yourself sitting in the other chair. Again, you really need you to visualise yourself sitting there opposite. Once you have done this, notice all the good things that person sees in you. Remember you are looking at yourself from inside the mind of someone who loves you and NOT as yourself. Do this correctly and you will be surprised at what you see and the qualities that come out. It’s a technique that kind of forces your brain to have to look at yourself through someone else’s eyes which is a pretty powerful tool. Once you’ve done this exercise, write down all the positive things that came up and then keep it somewhere safe to look at when you need a good pick up.

Hobbies

Something we will be covering in more detail at Reframe is hobbies. So many of us don’t pursue things that we would really like to, because we make excuses for ourselves. But what could make us feel better about ourselves than doing something that we enjoy doing? Ask yourself this…what is it that you always wanted to try doing, but never did? It’s not even about being the best at it. It’s about enjoyment, fulfilment and ultimately self-accomplishment. If you find the things that really make you tick, you will reap the rewards. And the pay-out is sweet! Fancy running the marathon? Playing an instrument? Cold water swimming?

Learning to change this dialogue is the most powerful tool you can acquire, but it takes practise.

Painting a picture? Needlework? Baking? Make your own soap or candles? Get out there and do you!

with that. Do you really want to be skydiving out of a plane at a million miles an hour, while trying to capture the perfect selfie so that everyone gets to see how great you are...or is a pub lunch with a mate more your thing?

Dress to Impress…YOURSELF!

Looking good makes you feel good and feeling good boosts your confidence. It’s no secret that a nice new item of clothing makes you feel more alive, but the key thing here is to wear whatever it is that makes YOU feel good. We should dress to impress…ourselves. Some Adidas kicks, a pair of gold stilettos, some comfy slacks – if you love how you look in it, then go for it, because it’s all about you.

Stop comparing yourself to others!

How common is this one these days?! Yup, how many of us look at other people’s social media posts and go ‘oh I wish I could be like that’ or ‘I wish I was doing that’. But if you actually think about it…do you really want to be doing that? Because if you really did…then surely you would be doing it. Truth is, we are all different and that’s the way it’s supposed to be. And there is absolutely nothing wrong

These are just a few key points to get you going on your journey to the new land, but there are tons of helpful tips out there on the internet so get those confidence cogs turning!

So many of us don’t pursue things that we would really like to, because we make excuses for ourselves. But what could make us feel better about ourselves than doing something that we enjoy doing?

What people see in you is a mere reflection of the image you choose to portray...

WANTING TO BE SOMEONE ELSE IS A WASTE OF THE PERSON YOU ARE KURT KOBAIN

THE EMILY PROJECT

Mum, stepmum, mum-to-be, HR guru and victim support volunteer – we talk to a true human resource

So, let me set the scene. It’s about 7.45pm on a Wednesday night and I should have been on a Zoom call with Emily Hawkins-Longley at 7.30pm…but, due to my pretty awful tech skills, it’s not going to plan. Finally, we are both in and I apologise for my tardiness! Emily doesn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, I must say, she looks pretty damn chilled and somewhat glowing…the latter is due to the fact that she is 27 weeks pregnant (a fact that I’m reminded of every 10 minutes as she changes position in the chair and a splash of guilt slaps me in the face)! Now, before I share the actual interview with you, let me debrief you a little on Emily. She has been in HR for around 20 years and is currently Head of People at Hearst UK (Elle, Good Housekeeping, etc). She is a stepmum to three, a full-time mum to one and, as I mentioned earlier, she also has one on the way. So, as you can imagine, she is one heck of a busy lady! She has also recently taken on volunteering for Victim Support. Now, many of us have had a burning desire to help people at some point in our lives and some of us may have even thought about taking up volunteering, but we just don’t have the time…well, this girl is proving that that may not necessarily be true…

Words/Lou Andrews, Emily Hawkins-Longley

I think the first thing I wanted to ask you, is how did you get into victim support and what made you choose them?

So during the pandemic, I mean, working in HR was not fun! I was doing lots of redundancies, lots of furloughs and at that time I was an HR director, so it was like the buck stopped with me. I’ve always loved HR, but I got into HR because I liked dealing with people and at that stage I just thought ‘the way that I’m dealing with people at the moment is not the most positive’. It just put a lot of things into perspective for me and I had a conversation with my husband, and I was just like, “I feel like there’s more that I could do that I’m not doing”. And then, one day, I just decided to see what was out there. I was quite interested in supporting those that had been through domestic abuse, so I did a Google search and the role of victim support came up, working across Kent, so I thought I’d apply. I read through the role and they were only asking for three hours a week and I thought, actually, I get a lunch break every day, surely I can spare three hours a week? There was training that also needed to be considered and one of the barriers to doing something like that before was ‘oh, they wanna do in-person training’, but during the pandemic obviously everything was online. So it was a lot easier and they’ve continued to do it online, because it is easier to train groups of people. What does a typical day look like working for Victim Support? How does it all work?

I have about four cases on at any one time and I normally call those people once a week or every other week. It depends on the situation. I’ve also got a couple of cases that are long term that I might call once a month just to check in. The calls are booked in advance and for my first call with somebody, I usually just introduce myself and it’s a five-minute call and I then arrange a time to have a proper conversation with them. Because of the nature of the things that we’ll be discussing they need to be in the right head space and have the right environment to have that conversation. During that call, there are certain things I might need to do, for example, there’s something we do called a distance travel survey where we’ve got set questions to ask them such as ‘how would you rate your support network?’, ‘what’s your perception of safety?’. There might be things that help trigger a conversation if somebody is not feeling comfortable to just open up. Um, but yeah, normally those calls are about an hour, so I’ll fit them in amongst my workdays. Some people like to be called after work which is fine and a lot of them like to be called around lunchtime ‘coz they’re also working.

So, can anyone do it? I think this is a key question, ‘coz a lot of people look at things and think, ‘oh, I’m not qualified’ or ‘I don’t know what I’m doing!’ So can anyone do it, really?

I think so. You don’t need qualifications; you just need to complete the training. I think it’s just having the will to do it and learning how to be an active listener. It’s about really listening to the person and thinking about what you could do to help. A lot of people just need to feel like somebody cares.

Yeah, I agree. I think that’s the key thing really –being a good listener and being able to make people feel comfortable. So, in terms of development, I’m assuming they don’t just throw you out there and off you go! What’s the training like with things like this?

It’s very good. For the first stage, the types of things you might learn to support would be serious crime so

maybe a burglary or an assault. The first bit of training is learning how to support people through that and there might be a bit of role play that you do. Like I said, everything I did was done online and it was a day session with regular breaks, but they make it interactive. It’s very interesting and you’re hearing different scenarios with videos, so it does really hold your attention.

Once I’d had a few cases of serious crime and really sort of ‘cut my teeth’ on those, I then had further training. I went on to have domestic abuse support training and I’ve also done stalking training as well. More recently, I’ve gone on to have training in supporting serious sexual violence. Although these sound-like heavy topics, the calls can be quite positive, and you do feel like you’ve made a difference. And, you know, when you get to the stage where you feel ‘I dunno that you need me anymore’ – that’s the most satisfying thing.

What I wanted to ask about is what’s the ongoing support from Victim Support like as you’re going along? So, you’ve done your training, what happens next? Are they there to support you throughout as well? If you’ve got questions and things like that or a tricky case?

Oh yeah, yeah. I mean each case has a case manager. Every time I speak to a client, I have to fill out a report and submit that back to Victim Support and I can put notes on there for a case manager to review. So, for example, we can do letters for people that are trying to move home. So, in cases like domestic abuse, they might need something for the housing association to put forward for a new house so they can leave the area for safety reasons. I could add this request to my notes. Also, with domestic abuse cases particularly, we have to keep asking questions with regards to how safe they are and if I ever have any concerns or there’s been an incident that hasn’t been reported to police, you know, I might raise that with the case manager. In terms of my own mental health, I have check-in’s regularly with my manager at Victim Support and there are phone lines if you feel you need a bit more support yourself. I guess the thing that I’ve learned is to kind of really manage the way that I deal with it and to sort of acknowledge that I’m not a robot. So, like, if I hear something upsetting, I’ll do the call and I might like come off the call and, and feel a bit upset, but that’s a normal response. Yeah, yeah, definitely. So the next question I think we’ve touched on, but I just wanna drill down into it a little bit more…how much time do you have to dedicate it to it realistically? Coz I know everyone’s got families, everyone’s got work. You mentioned three hours a week, is that pretty much what we’re saying?

Yeah. I mean that that’s what I do and there are some weeks where I don’t have calls at all, or you might try and call someone and they don’t answer so you work around that.

So do you need to get your Employer on board with stuff like this? I mean your company (Hearst UK) know you are doing this and they’re fully supporting you, which is amazing and I think more companies need to

And, you know, when you get to the stage where you feel ‘I dunno that you need me anymore’ – that’s the most satisfying thing

be doing the same. But I mean, if people are gonna be doing this in their lunch hours should they be letting their managers know?

Yeah for sure. I mean, I go into an office twice a week with my job, so I generally try and make sure that my calls are on the days that I’m at home, but actually there have been times where a call happens to fall on a day that I’m in the office and I’ll just like book myself into a meeting room. And it’s not just the duration of the call… you have to think about how you might feel afterwards, so for example, I wouldn’t go straight from a support call into another meeting. I would make sure I have like a half hour break before I go into another meeting just so that I can sort of get my head straight. I also have to say, in regard to work, lots of companies now offer volunteer days. So, if you were thinking of doing something like this, it could be something that you put forward as a proposal to your workplace.

belonging. Some companies write it into their diversity strategy, because it’s a way of employees being exposed to other people they wouldn’t normally be exposed to and moving in circles that they wouldn’t normally move in.

So, what sort of things do you have to deal with? I know you can’t talk about people’s direct personal problems and things like that, but I think this one’s quite important to give people an idea of the types of things they may be dealing with.

I mean with serious crime, it might be things like neighbour disputes, somebody who’s suffered an assault or even burglary, which is quite a common one. It can be all sorts of things. I had one that was a very random accident that had happened to somebody, but they believed it may have been caused on purpose by another person. In general a lot of it is dealing with some form of response to trauma and helping people realise that there’s nothing wrong with them – it’s a natural response to have. And I have to say with the serious sexual violence cases, some of the stuff that’s happened to them is heavy, but it’s helping them realise that they’ve done nothing to deserve it. That it’s in no way their fault and they do, over time, start to recover. It’s not the thing that defines them and actually a lot of the calls you’re talking about quite positive things that they can do to cope with what’s happened to them. I’ve had people that have discovered things like arts and crafts and stuff as a positive way of coping.

Okay. So, tell me a little bit more about that ‘coz that sounds quite interesting actually…what’s a volunteer day and how do companies get involved in this?

There’s loads of volunteering opportunities out there and lots of companies have already got corporate social responsibility policies and that sort of thing, so it could be something that they would consider. The other very positive angle with the volunteering is diversity and

So how do you manage to leave the problems you deal with at the office and not take them home with you into your personal life?

So as I said earlier, I have to write these reports after I’ve spoken to someone (they’re not very long – it sounds like a bit of painful admin, but it’s really not!) and it’s actually quite therapeutic to just write down what you’ve spoken about. I do always give myself a bit of time before I go into something else. So, for example, I would never do one call after the other.

I would do a call then have a break maybe, or like, you know, check my work emails or something. Sometimes if I’ve had a heavy call, I might just go and stand outside. I find taking myself out of the actual environment that I was in when I had that call and going somewhere else sort of helps me psychologically deal. I’ve also got my manager so if I was struggling with the case, I would talk to them. I do feel like some of the calls are quite positive because I’ll often have the call and feel like, ‘oh, they’re doing so much better’.

So I suppose that doing something like this can be very rewarding. Can you tell me the impact this has had on your personal life in a positive way? Coz I imagine there’s a lot of positive things that you can share about it.

I have to write these reports after I’ve spoken to someone (they’re not very long – it sounds like a bit of painful admin, but it’s really not!) and it’s actually quite therapeutic to just write down what you’ve spoken about.

Yeah, I mean it really is. You do feel good when you feel like you’ve helped somebody and also people are very appreciative. You’ve helped somebody through the most traumatic thing that’s ever happened to them and when you have that final call and they are like ‘oh my god, you’ve helped me so much, thank you for giving me your time’, it does make you feel good…but then that can make me feel a bit guilty sometimes when I’m like, ‘yeah, I’ve done so well’ then all of a sudden I’m like, ‘oh, hang on, that’s not why I’m doing it’. Like, I’m not doing it to make myself feel good.

No, maybe not, but you’re giving your own time to help others…why shouldn’t you feel good about that? And, by you feeling good about yourself, that makes you feel good about going to help the next person. So, it’s exactly the right thing to feel. I can imagine it is very hard doing this sort of thing, so I think it’s really important for people like yourself to take the positives out of it. And I can imagine you learn from them as well?

100%. They are just so strong and some of the things that have happened to them, you do sort of imagine yourself being in that situation and think ‘I dunno if I would cope as well as you have’. And a lot of my clients want to help change things, so that if someone else were to go through something similar, they would have a better experience (like maybe contacting an MP). So yeah, it can be quite inspiring. Some people’s situations are quite desperate and they just really appreciate having somebody. We all assume that everyone’s got family or friends, but often the people that I’m talking to don’t and are very lonely. I think sometimes some subjects, let’s face it, they are quite difficult to talk about. So sometimes they just feel more comfortable talking to strangers. Also, so often, people that have experienced that trauma don’t want to inflict those thoughts on someone else – especially someone they care about.

A big thanks Emily for your time today and for giving such an open interview. Before we go – for anyone that is reading this article and thinking that they really want to get involved, what’s the first step for them?

I think the first thing is to think about what sort of thing you want to do and then look up what is available in your area. So, I mean, Victim Support specifically will have different regions, where you can apply to be a supporter. There’s also loads of websites dedicated to volunteering. You literally just have to go online and Google what you might want to do.

For example, there are groups that support lonely elderly people that just want a phone call every so often, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be with someone who’s experienced something quite traumatic. The Mayor of London’s website has got some really good volunteering opportunities, for London specifically. I think it’s just literally having the will to do it – go online, make some enquiries and just pursue it.

As the call comes to an end, I find myself sitting alone in the silence of my home office. The last dredges of my cold coffee are a lost cause and and my mind is deep in thought. A conversation like that provokes these emotions in people. I now find myself wondering ‘is there more I could do to help people?’ In life, it seems we may not always have physical things to give, but there’s one thing we can give…our time. And this, it seems, is our most valuable asset.

In conclusion there are Clarke Kents walking among us! Superheroes in office worker clothing, giving up their spare time to make a real difference to a strangers life… and that could be any of us!

www.victimsupport.org.uk

www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/volunteering

I think it’s just literally having the will to do it – go online, make some enquiries and just pursue it.

What will motivate you to volunteer with us?

Our volunteers are essential to the support we give victims of crime. We will train you to support victims from the very rst introduction, working with them to help meet their needs until they feel strong enough to move forward on their own.

For more information and to see the roles on o er, visit our website: www.victimsupport.org.uk/get-involved or scan the QR code

Our services are free, con dential and available to everyone regardless of when the crime happened. 24/7 Supportline: 08 08 16 89 111

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SOUL FOOD

RONI B GOOD

THE BAD BOYS OF BRAIN FOOD

RONI B GOOD

Words/Lou Andrews, Roni B

Fresh food, family, friends and fun...Filipino style.

I’m pretty excited about my chat today with Roni from Roni B’s kitchen. I first saw her at the Surrey Hills Festival and I was drawn to her stall initially by the uniqueness of the product. I knew very little about Filipino foods (something I hope to cover off in this article) and I had certainly never tasted them, which is probably the same for many of you reading this. I mean, if I asked you to name a Filipino dish right now it’s likely many of you couldn’t. So, let’s dive together into this unknown world of fantastical flavours. These products are more than just branded sauces. They not only encapsulate something new, exciting and rich in heritage, but at the very heart they hold memories of traditional family recipes passed down through generations.

Roni B commented that ‘food is the central hub that brings family and friends together’ and that is what makes her and her products special. They are made with love. Don’t just take it from me, take it from Roni B...

Thanks for chatting with me today, firstly we’d like to know a little bit about you! Can you tell us about your background?

Cool. Um, background…I’m an only child born to a soldier and a housewife. My father and mother are both from the north of the Philippines, so I’m a northern girl. My father, being a soldier, we moved around a lot. I did live in the US for about a year, um, when my dad had training there. By education I am actually a marine zoologist! <laughs>.

I also went to med school for a year, didn’t like it and left. And basically, went into sales and marketing and here I am! I have been with my hubby for about 20 years, and we work together on Roni B’s kitchen.

What is your earliest memory of cooking at home when you were young?

At 12, my father bought me this great big cooking range, one of the biggest. So, I was there, waiting for the delivery <laughs>. I started baking in my family as my mom doesn’t bake, so I said to myself, ‘I will do what my mom doesn’t do’. I made all the pastries, all the cakes, the muffins. I would glaze hams for Christmas, you know, things my mom didn’t normally do. My mom does more traditional indigenous food.

So actually, you’ve been an outside of the box thinker since you were 12! You found gaps in the market even then! <laughs>. Clearly cooking’s always been a passion for you?

<laughs> Yeah. And in a Filipino household, cooking is one of those things that everybody does as a community, especially when you have fiesta and especially in the provinces. You would have big cauldrons outside of the house and they would be stirring in big pots <laughs>. A fiesta for us, especially in the provinces, it’s an open house, whether I know you or not, if you come to my house, you will get fed! And when I talk fiesta, you are looking at nothing less than 50 people coming into your house, so you have to cook loads from 7:00am until evening!

Wow. So, it’s constant food.

Yep, It’s constant food. <laughs>.

I read that you do your business full-time now, is that correct? And how did it all start?

That’s right, yeah. So, when I started this, I was reconnecting with my schoolmates from university, and we would meet once a month and all go out and have a meal. We couldn’t find too many, um, Filipino restaurants, so I thought okay, now there’s a gap <laughs>.

At that time supper clubs became fashion, so we started a business called Manila and we started doing supper clubs. We worked with Filipino chefs, as there’s a lot of Filipino chefs working in restaurants in London, and a few of them were in Michelin star restaurants so they’ve got the training. In December 2016, everybody was, like, doing supper clubs.

And at that point, I got an invite to go on Kirstie Allsopp’s tv show. They were doing a segment called, ‘alternative Christmas dish’. They invited four people who do supper clubs. I was doing Filipino food, one was doing French, one from Cameroon and one was Nigerian. We did a cook-off and I basically won that, and I said to myself, ‘okay, so that means Filipino food has legs in London’.

Because everybody else was doing supper clubs, you’re competing with a lot of people. So, I said to myself, ‘what would be the fastest way to spread the word, why don’t we just create products and make them ourselves?’.

So, me and my hubby, we started mixing ingredients in our kitchen <laughs>. We bottled and jarred everything ourselves and we would sell it to, you know, family, friends, colleagues… anybody who would listen to me talk about my product <laughs>!

We started doing markets with hot food and then gradually moved from hot food to the product business and then we named the business – Roni B’s kitchen.

I’ve seen that three of your products have won a Great Taste Award?

Its Four now! We got another one last year. Wow, that’s really impressive and I think it’s the kind of stamp that people recognise when they see it on a product. But four…well done you! So, what products have got the four?

The first one was the Black Bean Chili Oil, which was One Star in 2019. The second was Kalamansi Marmalade which got Two Stars in 2020. The Garlic Chili Oil got One Star in 2021. And then my Black Bean Chili paste got Three Gold Stars in 2022. We were the first Filipino British brand to actually have it.

We did a cook-off and I basically won that, and I said to myself, ‘okay, so that means Filipino food has legs in London’

Nice. I bow down to you Roni <laughs>. That’s amazing. It really is. You must be so proud of that. I saw on your website that your products are all natural and vegan friendly. How important is that to you and your brand?

Well, you know what, I didn’t realise that my products were vegan friendly until my manufacturer said to me, ‘Roni, you are totally plant based, you are vegan!’. So, I didn’t design it to be like that. It just happened to be like that, but it’s important for me to keep it that way. I mean, all natural has always been important to me. I don’t like anything artificial. I like the natural taste. I always say though that it might be vegan, but how you use it is up to you!

Why do you think Filipino food has been slow on the uptake in the UK? Because there seems to be no reason for it, yet I must admit I’ve never even tried it and I imagine many people reading this will be the same?

That’s the biggest debate! I think maybe because there’s no sort of cohesive campaign that the Philippine government can get behind. I remember probably about five or six years ago, Malaysia did a big push for Malaysian cuisine, and it was funded by the government, so that helps in creating a bigger noise. But when it’s like little noises here and there, that’s why I think it’s slow work. For someone like me who’s never tried it, what foods would you recommend starting off with?

First thing you should try is Adobo. The reason I’m saying Adobo is because it is quintessentially the unofficial national dish of the Philippines. And you’ll have the biggest Adobo debate if you talk to any Filipino! The best thing I can say to you about Adobo is – there are 7,000 islands in the Philippines and there are 7,000 versions <laughs>. This one is mine. In the Philippines its always family based, passed on. So, it’s always my grandma makes the better one or my mom makes the better Adobo!

Your second should be Sinigang. It’s a sour soup with loads of vegetables and you can have it with meat, fish, or shellfish. And it is by one of the greatest Filipino food historians and her name is Doreen Fernandez. It is the best representation of Filipino cuisine, and it is my favourite dish in the entire world! <laughs>.

liked ketchup on their fries, but we had a shortage of tomatoes…and a lot of bananas! So, this lady, Maria Orosa, (who is recognised as the one who created banana ketchup) created this condiment to basically service the US Army <laughs>. And slowly it became part of, you know, the Filipino condiments.

Banana ketchup was developed in the 1930s, when the GIs were in the Philippines (pre-war time). They liked ketchup on their fries, but we had a shortage of tomatoes…and a lot of bananas!

Unfortunately, because it’s Banana, back in the Philippines, they do use a lot of artificial colouring to make it red because ketchup must be red <laughs>. That’s why it took me a long time to produce Banana ketchup as a product and keep it natural. I use tomatoes. It’s not too much banana or too much tomato…It’s somewhere in between. So, when people see banana ketchup, they may think ‘Ooh, I don’t like bananas’…but try it first.

Yeah, for sure. I mean for me, I love bananas. Do you eat it like you would normal ketchup?

Yeah. And when you buy big buckets of banana ketchup, you can use it as a base for some of your sauces. So here we will use tinned or fresh tomatoes, in the Philippines we use banana ketchup!

The other product I wanted to ask about is this Tamarind jam. I saw on your website that it goes really well with cheese. Is that right, because we are a nation of cheese lovers?

Yeah, it does. Tamarind is one of those plants or fruit that was introduced into the Philippines. In Filipino cuisine, the major flavour is sour. The Filipino palette likes sour and salty flavours. We are the masters of cooking with vinegar as one of the sours. You ask any Asian-American chef and the first thing they’ll say is ‘if you wanna know how to cook with vinegar, ask a Filipino’ <laughs>!

Roni B, thanks so much for talking to me. It’s been a real pleasure and very educational too! I do hope people read this and check out your website or Instagram pages and try some of your products.

Wow. Okay. So, we need to try that one! <laughs>

Yeah. And then if you’re gonna try dessert, the quintessential Filipino dessert is called Halo-Halo which means mix. So, you get a tall glass of every sweetened fruit, sweetened beans with ice cream, milk, ice shavings, like a custard flan and you mix it up and you eat it when it’s hot.

The other product I wanted to ask you about is your Banana ketchup as I’ve never heard of it before, and it sounds amazing?

Banana ketchup was developed in the 1930s, when the GIs were in the Philippines (pre-war time). They

And there you have it…you are no longer a novice in Filipino food! It’s very clear that she is passionate about her product, and you don’t see that very often…product over mass production. Is there anyone else you would rather have making your marinades?! Plus, she is a big Marvel fan (so added coolness!). She may well be ‘a little noise’ now, but I have no doubt that Roni B’s Kitchen will be selling out stadiums very soon! One of the mottos for Roni Bs kitchen is ‘Born in Manila, made in the UK’…and it looks like she’s bringing it home.

Flip the page for two perfect summer recipes guaranteed to spice up your barbie this summer >

www.ronibkitchen.co.uk

...you’ll have the biggest Adobo debate if you talk to any Filipino! The best thing I can say to you about Adobo is – there are 7,000 islands in the Philippines and there are 7,000 versions...

PORK ADOBO WITH PINEAPPLE PORK ADOBO WITH PINEAPPLE

by RoniB's Kitchen Recipe Collection by RoniB's Kitchen Recipe Collection

Ingredients

Cooking oil

550g pork belly, cut in cubes

1 jar RoniB's Kitchen Adobo Sauce

200ml chicken stock

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, minced

1 bay leaf

1/2 small pineapple, sliced

Chopped spring onions

Toasted garlic chips

Directions

Marinade the pork cubes with the Adobo Sauce for at least 4 hours or overnight

After marinating, take pork out and reserve the liquid In a deep pan, heat oil and brown the pork cubes. Set aside.

Fry the onions for about 2 minutes then add the minced garlic and continue to fry until fragrant. Add the pork cubes and stir.

Add the marinating liquid (Adobo Sauce) and chicken stock and bay leaf; simmer covered for about 45 minutes. Remove cover and continue to cook until sauce thickens.

In another pan, lightly fry the pineapple slices until there are some charring.

Sprinkle with spring onions and toasted garlic chips.

Product

Serving:

Serve with rice or mash potato and buttered vegetables or fresh tomatoes or pickled vegetables

SPICY POTATO SALAD SPICY POTATO SALAD

by RoniB's Kitchen Recipe Collection by RoniB's Kitchen Recipe Collection

Ingredients

350g baby potatoes (Jersey royals, if in season)

5 tbsp yogurt

3-5 tbsp RoniB's Kitchen Garlic Chilli

Paste

Juice of half a lemon

Salt to taste

Ground black pepper to taste

Dried herbs of choice or seaweed

(optional)

Directions

Cut potatoes in half Heat a pan with water and boil the potatoes until soft but still firm Transfer to a bowl.

In another bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients except for the dried herbs/seaweed

Coat the potatoes with the dressing making sure the potatoes are well coated. Transfer potatoes on a serving plate and top with dried herbs or seaweed, if using

Product

Serving:

Serve with your favourite barbecue dishes

1.

2. 3. 4.

5.

LIFE IS UNCERTAIN... EAT DESERT FIRST ERNESTINE ULMER

THE BAD BOYS OF BRAINFOOD

Words/Lou Andrews

The fabulous five guaranteed to feed the mainframe.

Someone once said to me that we are so consumed with body fitness, we forget that our minds need work too. We wouldn’t think twice about going to the gym or looking up the latest fad food diets to make our bodies look a certain way, but when it comes to the brain…well that’s a different story. But why? I mean, that’s sort of like having an expensive car that you spend hours fine tuning and cleaning – only to let it be driven by someone that’s never had a driving lesson! Yep, you see where I’m going right? Well never fear, I’m on it! Think of me as your cheeky comparison companion for all that is mind matters! I have waded through the internet to compile a list of the top 5 brain foods that appeared in every article I read. People of the pages, I bring you the bad boys of brain food…

1 2 3 4 5

1. Oily Fish (Salmon, Trout, Mackerel, Tuna etc)

I don’t think this one is much of a surprise to anyone. It’s still king. Recent studies have shown that Omega 3 fatty acids may preserve brain health and enhance thinking skills in later life. And the fact that our bodies cannot make Omega 3 ourselves means we have to source it from our diets!

The NHS site recommends we eat two portions of fish a week (one of which should be oily) and there is even speculation that it may reduce the risk of developing dementia, especially when it is eaten as part of a healthy diet. With all these pros I think it’s time to reel it in!

2. Blueberries

I must admit I did not expect this one to come as close to oily fish for the top spot, but it seems that these little purple wonders are jam packed with both anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, which can reduce the risk of brain ageing and improve the communication between brain cells!

Their high concentration of antioxidants helps to support a healthy, well-functioning immune system. They are also lower in calories and sugar than other fruits so what’s not to like? The other thing I found is that it doesn’t seem to matter whether they are fresh or frozen.

3. Leafy greens (Kale, Greens, Broccoli, Spinach etc.)

Again, no real surprise with this one either.

Key nutrients such as vitamin K, nitrate, folate, beta-carotene etc. are particularly dense in leafy green vegetables. These nutrients are also associated with a healthy functioning brain. It seems there’s something in the whole ‘eat your greens’ comment you used to get bombarded with as a kid. And what if you don’t like the taste of them? Just add them to your regular foods chopped up and you won’t even notice! (Spinach in curry is amazing…or even kale in your bolognaise!).

4. Nuts

Nuts in general come up as a good asset when talking about brain function; almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts all get a mention, but there is one that comes out top dog by far…walnuts! Yes, these little beauties have a significantly high concentration of DHA (a type of Omega-3 fatty acid). DHA has been shown to protect brain health in babies, improve brain performance in adults and prevent age-related cognitive decline. I mean come on, they even look a little bit like a brain (or is that just me?!)…nature’s way of nudging us in the right direction?

Coffee

Finally, this one I must admit did get me! Because I’ve always heard the negatives about coffee (caffeine) and not really the positives. It has sort of become the underworld lord of the superfoods in my head!

Coffee was mentioned in most (if not all) of the articles I read. It was on a par with whole grains and just overtook at the last hurdle. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and some studies have even linked it to having positive effects on both our short term and long-term memories. But what type of coffee, as I’m sure that the instant value brand you find in the supermarkets won’t cut the cream? Well, the most interesting study I read suggested the key to coffee’s brain-protecting benefits lies in the existence of compounds released in the process of roasting the coffee beans! I.e., the longer it’s roasted, the more it has. Therefore, it’s concluded that dark roasted coffee (regular or decaf) has the strongest protective effect on the brain!

But tread carefully people, as the recommended intake seems to be between two to four cups a day!

5.

YOU DO YOU

FISHING FOR SOUL HOBBIES

FISHING FOR SOUL

Words/Lou Andrews

Wondrous views and wet socks on the Cornish coast

There’s something about the sea that I find so overwhelming and it gets me every time. It can lap you in gently and allow you to bask in all its glory, but with the same breath, suck you in and never let you go. The unpredictable nature of the beautiful beast. As I stand here looking at the magnetising backdrop of the Cornwall coastline, I find myself completely chilled out. I’ve come to Cornwall with my best friend and her family and tonight I have come night fishing with the boys! It’s about 8pm and they are setting up their rods while I’m taking it all in with a cold can of Madri.

Now, I haven’t been fishing for many years. As a child I spent so much of my time in and out of the sea with my dad. We had a chalet on the beach at Whitstable and he was a keen fisherman, so I grew up with it…maggots in tins, sandy sandwiches and the best times with my old man. He passed away when I was 8, but those times are still very vividly embedded in my mind. As I stand here today there is a large part of me that feels close to him and a part of me that will always belong to the sea.

Whipsiderry beach is a real hidden gem in Newquay. It’s sheltered from the world by massive cliffs (there are warning signs around of falling rocks which I’m choosing to park in the back of my mind whilst I am down here… no room for worry tonight!). The only downside is the mammoth set of stairs you must conquer to get down to the sea, but the views on the way down are well worth it and so is the beach. It’s littered with rock pools and caves which can be explored when the tide goes out. A few more sips of my beer and the boys are casting off already, so I make my way down to the seashore. Andy is telling me that he’s using a spinning rod, so essentially you cast off and then reel it straight back in. After a few casts he turns and passes the rod to me and says “here you go!”. He shows me what to do and it’s pretty straight forward, so off I go. After the first cast I’m already loving it and Andy begins to tell me how expensive the line and reel are… now at this point I am having visions of letting go of the rod on the next cast and throwing the whole darn thing into the sea! Either that, or reeling in and hooking Calum by the mouth and taking him down with me, haha! Andy isn’t bothered and in fact he then leaves me to go off and chat.

At this point I’m holding onto the rod so tight it’s like a white-knuckle ride! As I cast off again, I look out at the sea, and I’m reminded how small we are in such an amazing world. Full of wonder and yet so many of us never get the time to stop and look at it. It suddenly dawns on me that

you don’t see many women fishing and I’m not sure why that is. Maybe it’s the hunter gatherer thing. Whether we realise it or not so many things are pre-programmed in our minds, and I think that’s one of them, but it shouldn’t be. This experience is so consumingly calming, and a little overwhelming, that I think more people should give it a try. That’s what hobbies are about – just trying things. You never know if you’ll like something until you try it. There is so much more to it. It’s the thrill of the chase too… am I going to catch anything; big or small? At this point I’m not too fussed which! After a while the sun begins to retreat and it’s a stunning view. An intense glowing pink ball heading home behind the backdrop of the blue sea. A perfect blend of colours. The tide is also beginning to retreat, so the rock pools and caves are now accessible. We head off to explore.

Its dark now, but the torch on my i-Phone does the trick. The rock pools are littered with life. There are decent sized shrimps, and you can see their eyes glowing in the dark as they dart around. Crabs are scurrying under rocks to avoid being caught. The boys have spotted a fair sized one that has positioned itself under an overhanging rock in one of the pools and they are trying to coax it out. Suddenly, I find myself rolling up one of my trousers legs and I’m down on the mud swooping for the crab! It’s at this point that I am hearing echoes of my dad whispering in my ear ‘go for the rear Lou, so it can’t get your fingers with its claws’. I’m transported back to being a child again, all full of hope with my dad at my side. I can hear him like it was yesterday and it’s then I realise that the things we are taught stay with us even if those people are no longer here, a part of them always will be.

With that I swoop in and boom…I have the crab! I can’t tell you how proud I felt in that moment, I mean it was just a crab, but it meant so much more than that! I put the little fella back in the pool and then I hear Andy shout ‘Starfish’. I’m so excited I forget I’m stupidly wearing my canvas trainers and a second later one of my feet is fully submerged in a rock pool. Damn novice! The boys are laughing as I squelch my way over, but I’ve got to say I don’t care. This whole experience has been epic! It’s around midnight now and we are heading back to the beach to pack up. As we leave the beach behind, I am feeling full. It’s been so enlightening in so many ways. Great conversations, new lessons learnt and all under a wonderful backdrop provided by nature. We caught nothing, but we landed one hell of a life experience and one that I will never forget.

HOBBIES

Words/Lou Andrews

Get lost in something you love

The Oxford dictionary defines the word ‘hobby’ as “an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure”. Yet so many of us don’t have any active hobbies…at least not ones that are for pleasure! I was discussing this subject with a friend of mine recently who has been having a tough time and I asked them if they had any hobbies. They said they sometimes go to the gym, so I asked if they enjoyed it and they said “no”! The gym wasn’t something they chose to do, but rather something they felt that they should do! That doesn’t sound like a pleasurable hobby to me! So how many of you out there have a hobby? Something that is just for you and not for your kids or because your friend enjoys it or because you feel you have to do it? I suspect many of us have things that we always wanted to try, so why not give it a go?

We are all born with our own unique set of skills, a toolkit just for you, provided by nature. It’s nature’s way. Each of us a different shaped piece of a very masterful puzzle. So why would we ever try to be anything other than who we are?

Finding out who we are, and embracing those powers, is the single most powerful tool that we have. With that in mind, I think it’s time that we all explore what really does make us tick. We will be delving into the art of hobbying in each edition of reframe, but for now here’s a mass mind dump…

Painting/drawing/writing/ squash/golf/photography/ cooking/cake making/ candle-making/woodwork/ gardening/reading/acting/ singing/sewing/cold-water swimming/cycling/running/ pottery/basketball/football/ juggling/winemaking/archery/ shooting/windsurfing/ animation/bird watching/ blogging/bowling/poker/ bonsai/cheese making/crossstitching/ukelele playing/ songwriting/animation/ decorating/car restoration/ fishing/judo/magic/dancing/ pole dancing/pyrography/ metal detecting/ancestory/ astronomy/axe throwing/bee keeping/caving/foraging/ table tennis/coin collecting/ antique collecting/poetry/ chess/darts/paddleboarding/ roller derby

JUICE FOR YOUR BRAIN

THE BEST-OF-ALLS

BOOST YOUR ROOTS

THE BESTOF-ALLS

Words/Lou Andrews

Bringing you the best festivals kicking around this summer

Summer is here and its time to switch from sleep mode to party mode– a festival out in the open air is a great way to do just that. Most of us have heard of the main ones; Glastonbury, Reading, Isle of Wight etc, but what if being slapped in the face with mud and breathng in wonderous stenches is not really your thing? What if you are more into meditation than music? What if you are more into cars than camping? Dishes than dancing...you get the point! There is a magnitude of mind-blowing festivals out there, whatever you may be into, so here are some of the best alternative ones to get you started.

Wellness

The Wilderness Festival

The overview on this one states it’s a weekend of escapism, high jinx and wholesome hedonism and from that I love it already! There is a lot to take in with inspirational talks, live music, a sanctuary & spa section (which includes disco yoga!), axe throwing, wild swimming – the list goes on. A magically chilled environment which is family friendly and boasts big acts this year such as the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim. You can only book tickets for the full weekend (because they want us to immerse ourselves fully in their world) and they offer a variety of different camping options. Get yourself down there!

Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

When: 3–6 August 2023

wildernessfestival.com

The Greenman Festival

The website info is beautifully warm. It invites you to immerse yourself in its community of settlers – host BBQ’s with fresh produce sold daily by the local butcher, team up for the legendary pub quiz, cuddle up around the settlement bonfire or enjoy live music, workshops and outdoor adventure. The whole package looks very family orientated and a chance to spend some quality time in a rural environment. This year they are hosting a three-course feasting menu banquet created by chef Danny Jack and eco-chef Tom Hunt and I must say the images of the dishes on offer are enough to make your mouth water!

Where: Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Wales

When: 17–20 August 2023

greenman.net

Running/Fitness

Love Trails Festival

They boast being the world’s first running and music festival and I must say I haven’t seen anything like this before. If you are a fan of running then this is a must for you! They have trail running, beach trips, talks, heavenly foods plus wellness and adventure activities. The pictures on the site look pretty darn epic!

Where: Gower Peninsula, South Wales

When: 6–9 July 2023

lovetrails.com

Lovefit Festival

A pure adrenaline HIIT for fitness lovers! During the day you can take part in activities such as paddleboarding, yoga, hiking and meditation and by night there are DJ sets and hot-tub after parties. This one seems to have more of an adult theme, time out to just be you under the beautiful blanket of stars.

Where: St Clere Estate, Kent

When: 14–16 July 2023 lovefitfestival.com

Food

The Big Feastival

I have to say this one looks so good that I have already been persuaded into going! Its held at Alex James’ (Blur) farm in the Cotswolds and is a perfectly blended mix of Michelin star chefs, award-winning street food and top notch music. It seems very family inclusive with wild workshops and crafting and there are even cookery classes for the wannabies! The street food line up for this year looks amazing (check out the website) and the music line up is equally as impressive with artists like; Sigrid (if you haven’t seen her live you should!), Tom Grennan and The Vaccines to name a few! You can get day tickets or the full weekend experience so head on over to the website.

Where: Churchill Heath Farm, Kingham

When: 25–27 August 2023

thebigfeastival.com

The Edinburgh Food Festival

Launched in 2014, this festival sees some of Scotland’s top food and drink vendors descending on George Square Gardens for a food-fuelled ten day extravaganza… and to top it all off, its free to enter! The website doesn’t hold a great deal of information on the event at present, but don’t let that put you off as the vendors currently listed look amazing.

Where: George Square Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland

When: 21 – 30 July 2023

edfoodfest.com

Foodies Festival

The Foodies Festival holds 12 festivals at various locations across the country and each one is a celebration of the food in that region. The heart of the festival is the theatres, where you can watch top local chefs show off their culinary capabilities… and you can even take the recipes away with you. Masterchef winners and finalists go on tour with Foodies as do Bake-off winners and finalists, so you are in very good (and skillful) hands! There is even a kids cookery theatre giving kids the chance to taste new flavours and learn some simple cooking skills. To top it all off there are also some great music artists listed such as Scouting for Girls, Fleur East and Natalie Imbruglia so check out the website to find your nearest one!

Where: Multiple locations

When: Various dates foodiesfestival.com

Love Cheese Live

Who doesn’t love a bit of cheesiness? This festival is all about that! It’s one of the UK’s largest Cheese, Food & Drink festivals including cooking inspiration, shopping and tasting. This year boasts the culinary talents of James Martin, Will Holland, Lisa Marley and more! There is live music, an artisan market and ample camping facilities. Check out the link for tickets.

Where: Staffordshire County Showground, Staffords

When: 30 June to 1 July 2023

lovecheeselive.co.uk

Cars

The Silverstone Festival

The Silverstone Festival presents a unique blend of the best historic motorsport, incredible music, family fun and amazing food. For car enthusiasts this is a must, with plenty of races and a mass display of automotive eye candy! What more could you want?! You can get a day ticket or go for the full weekend. Music-wise they have some big acts on show such as McFly & the Sugababes. Check out the website for further info.

Where: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire

When: 25 – 27 August 2023

silverstone.co.uk

Goodwood Festival of Speed

This one does exactly what it says on the tin! The video on the website is an epic display of fast-action, fun filled adrenaline. You can meet your motorsport heroes, see iconic road and race cars and get a glimpse of some epic future tech. Kids go free too! Don’t get left for dust, check out the website for tickets.

Where: Goodwood House, Chichester

When: 13 – 16 July 2023

goodwood.com

BOOST YOUR ROOTS

Words/Lou Andrews

Massage the grey matter My Octopus Teacher

It’s common knowledge that external factors such as movies, TV, books, music etc. can impact your frame of mind. So in each edition of Reframe, we will be bringing you something to warm your cockles and soothe your soul. Don’t say we never give you anything! Here are the top tipples for the summer edition…

Netflix Film

I have to admit, I’m not generally someone who tends to watch nature programs. That’s not to say that I don’t find them enjoyable if they happen to come on, but in general they’re not my bag…well at least I thought they weren’t! I only decided to watch My Octopus Teacher because a mate of mine had gone on and on about it and I guess curiosity got the better of me – and im so glad it did! It starts slow, but don’t be fooled, stick with it as about 11/12 minutes in you meet ‘her’ for the first time and I have to admit she blew my mind! You feel a connection right away and it draws you in. This documentary isn’t just another nature program, its way more. The simple life story of this Octopus runs parallel to the trials and tribulations we ourselves go through as humans, which ultimately makes us questions our own connections.

I didn’t realise how incredible these creatures are and what they are required to do to navigate their way through such a treacherous life. They really are one of life’s teachers and a very valuable lesson it is too. Definitely one you don’t want to miss.

Lost Ollie

Netflix Series

“Your absence has gone through me like thread through a needle…everything I do is stitched with its colour.”

W.S Merwin

The opening quote from ‘Lost Ollie’ pretty much sums up where this Netflix series is headed. It tackles the subject of grief, but in a way that can be understood by both adults and kids. The series focuses on Ollie, an adorable stuffed toy rabbit that has lost his beloved owner, and his desperate journey to find him. It’s rated a PG and is definitely something I would recommend watching with your kids as it does create an understanding of the subject matter, which is portrayed in a very honest, yet simplistic manner.

As the series moves on it links all of its characters and storylines via flashbacks and memories patched together by Ollie…and it’s a very beautiful patchwork piece at that. Whilst dark in places, Lost Ollie leaves you with a warm feeling that everything happens for a reason. It also reminds us to make the most of the little moments in life and the people that we love, because ultimately life and life connections are precious.

I wanted to end with another quote from the series. It’s a poignant one and it’s simply this –“Ollie is us”. And he is, he’s a part of all of us.

The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse

Book/Film by Charlie Mackesy

I bought the animated version of this book for my daughter last Christmas. It was on one of the ‘best gifts for kids’ lists so I thought I’d give it a try…and I’m so glad I did. It’s a beautifully written and illustrated tale of unlikely friendship, life lessons and sentimental echoes. Just reading it with her made me feel as if we’d been on our own voyage of discovery…and that we needed to go on more! It’s the little things that matter.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole.

“Kind” said the boy.

One of my favourite quotes from the book, but to be honest this book is full of them. Littered with thought-provoking dialogue that will have you questioning the stepping stones of life. It’s not often a book can do that. Over and over again! The illustrations are exquisite, simplistic in detail and yet so full of warmth! If you haven’t got it yet…then you need it…as much as the mole needs cake! (You’ll understand this when you have read the book!)

What I took from reading this is that sometimes what we’re searching for in life isn’t always what we need. And sometimes what we need is closer than we think…

NURTURE BY NATURE

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE ATTACK THE BLOCK

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Words/Lou Andrews

Fresh air, fresh food, fresh perspective

It’s been said that to maintain a healthy mind and body it’s all about balance and, to be fair, I completely agree with that. Tip that scale either way and there may well be consequences. Yes, it’s important to eat well, but that doesn’t mean the odd comfort food day is off the menu. Yes, we need to watch what we drink, but again in moderation it’s not an issue and yes, we should exercise, but that doesn’t mean we have to complete a gruelling gym regime every day. Everything in moderation...including moderation!

Us Brits love a good pub lunch, with friends, family, partners etc. and why shouldn’t we? It’s a great opportunity to catch up, have a laugh and eat something that we haven’t cooked ourselves, all while enjoying a glass of pinot or a pint. In general, I love going for a good sunday roast in one of those old looking pubs; original beams and a roaring fireplace...but I always eat too much and end up feeling like I shouldn’t have! So that got me thinking, there must be a balance for that right? Well there is…pub walks. A beautiful blend of good food, good company, and the good old British countryside to walk off the...er…extra baggage! Plus, it comes with a side of vitamin D and plenty of fresh air to get those juices flowing. Let’s be honest, how many of us actually take the time to have a good look at what’s around us? I mean, we all live in this world, but how often do we really see the world in which we live?

There are many sites online that you can search to find pub walks all over the country. If you go on the National Trust website, they have a whole piece on ‘Best Pub Walks’. There are even apps you can use (pubwalks.com does a great one).

One company that came up in my searches was Hall & Woodhouse. They have numerous Breweries across Dorset, Devon, Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey and they have one unique point; they have had their own maps produced for walking/biking trails at some of their most scenic pubs. You can check out the route maps (distance and estimated times are on there too) and download them on the website before you go! There is also a historical overview of the landmarks you will come across venturing along these walks. Brilliant! I have eaten in ‘The Smugglers Inn’ in Dorset previously, but I didn’t realise they had official pub routes as it was just a pit stop on the way home. It has breath-taking views of the Isle of Portland and the English Channel and was the ‘headquarters’ for 17th century smugglers, so I can imagine that the walk is no let down. The pub’s exterior and surroundings set the bar high and the food more than matched it. I had a beautifully cooked 21-day aged British beef roast followed by the dark chocolate mousse, sound good? I am definitely going to book another trip here and do the pub walk after dinner. Blow away the cobwebs...and the peach cobbler!

pubwalks.com

hall-woodhouse.co.uk

ATTACK THE BLOCK

Words/Tony Dunn

Get out there and ‘walk the dog’

“Life move’s pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around once in a while, you might miss it...” Ferris Bueller. I’ve lived in the same place for over 20 years now. When I step out of my front door the only option I’ve got for a walk is to pound the dull, predictable pavements of the local streets. Or at least that’s what I used to think. I, like most people, used to think of a walk as an event…something I’d go and do in a beautiful place. A forest, a beach, a cliff top etc. Grab a coffee and a flapjack from the sea-view café, stroll along the promenade leisurely and breathe in the fresh air.

And, if I had the time, that’s exactly what I would be doing. But, I quickly realised that any ‘leisurely’ stroll was too leisurely to fit into my life on a regular basis and, even if I could find the time to squeeze it in, I’d be doing just that –squeezing it in. That’s not a relaxing prospect.

Then in 2006 we got a dog, Basil. This changed everything. Now I had a legitimate excuse to ‘squeeze’ these walks into everyday life and we used to visit some beautiful places off the back of ‘Baz needing a walk’. However, while all of this was a happening a strange side effect of the dog walking occurred without me noticing.

Not every day could be a three hour coastal trek, so all of the other exercise duties were carried out on my local streets. The more we walked them, the more interesting they got. The more I spotted little side streets leading to old cottages, overgrown footpaths and bridleways. The more I walked past these the more nosey I got and, before long, when we went out for our walks we were exploring everywhere we were legally allowed to! I even found a huge common in the woods just 10 minutes from my front door and there was so much to see on the route too – a personal scrap yard in someone’s back garden, a 25 x 8ft mural of a Caribbean party scene on a garden wall and a miniature village on display outside the front of the most unassuming 60s detached house you’ve ever seen.

As the seasons changed, so did the landscape (and the miniature village, Christmas was my favourite!) and as the years went on people moved away and new people moved in. The scrap yard is now a groomed lawn with a summer house at the far end and the mural is looking tired and faded, but it’s been interesting to watch all these changes unfold so slowly and steadily alongside daily life.

We lost Baz back in 2017 and it was a hard loss. For a long time I didn’t go out and walk at all, not because it was difficult emotionally, but because it felt like I no longer had my legitimate excuse for just going out and walking. It wasn’t until six months later that I realised just how good the walking had been for me, both mentally and physically, and I vowed to get back out there and ‘walk the dog’ on a regular basis.

It was hit and miss to start with, but now any opportunity I’ve got to go for a stroll, even if it just for 20 minutes while I’m waiting for something like a prescription, I take it. There’s no coffee, no flapjack, no promenade and no Baz – but there’s loads of interesting things to see in the dullest of places. No two walks are the same and my head and my heart are both grateful for it.

Don’t underestimate the power of the stroll. Even 20 minutes of allowing yourself to wander with your thoughts can be enough to break the day up and give you a soft reset. Get out there and ‘walk the dog’. Bung your shoes on and pound those unpredictable pavements you call home.

DOSE OF DOPAMINE

FACE/OFF

Words/Lou Andrews

Super. Imposed.

“Laughter is the best medicine”. That’s a phrase that gets thrown around, but it’s actually true! Research has shown that laughter increases the brains production of Endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that can also relieve stress and even pain. Endorphins (or Endolphins as Lax calls them) contribute to us feeling happy and calm, thus improving our frame of mind. Good job that we have an entire section dedicated to your chuckles, sniggers and cackles then, isn’t it?!

Arkanememes

www.facebook.com/arkanememes

Many of us have those apps on our phones where you can swap your face with a famous person or your partner/friends etc…well this guy is the crème de la crème of the face off world. People, meet; Arkane Lowe. He is a digital creator and the brains behind the hugely popular Arkanememes. This man is a mash-up marvel with the superpower of being able to make people laugh without even saying a word. We’ve selected some of our favourite images below and if you love them that much, you can even buy t-shirts from www.storefrontier.com/arkanememes. I have to say one of my favourites has to be Avril La Bean! But, to be honest, anything you put Mr Bean’s face on is too darn funny! Anyway, sit back and enjoy the best of Arkanememes!

SKIN YOU’RE IN

NORMA. SERVICE IS RESUMED SLUMBERLAND

NORMA. SERVICE IS RESUMED

Words/Lou Andrews, Norma Powell

Norma Powell was told she would have to ‘just manage’ her Arthritis. So she did...

According to research, around 10 million people in the UK are thought to have Arthritis with the most common form being Osteoarthritis. And it seems to be more common in women and the over 45’s. That’s a huge number! Off the back of those figures, it’s pretty likely that some of you reading this will also be affected. So, what’s the cure? Well, that’s just it, there doesn’t seem to be one. Everything I have read seems to suggest a combination of exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, painkillers and NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs). So, reading that one would assume that you must conform to taking medication long term to live with the condition…or do you? Meet the women who took back control and kicked Arthritis to the kerb.

Norma Powell is a married mother of two who hails from Croydon (or Croydonia as she calls it!). She will be 60 this year (yes, I did ask if I could mention that!) and looking at her, I would have put her in her mid-fortys. I have to say this woman is pretty damn incredible and so is her commitment to ‘living her best life’. When I tell her how inspirational she is, I am presented with a very humbled and bashful soul…she laughs it off and says, ‘bless you’! She is a Reiki master, Shiatsu practitioner and can bend in ways I could only dream of...and all of this whilst having been diagnosed with Arthritis…wait…what?! If you want to know how, I suggest you read on.

The first question I wanna ask you is; when were you first diagnosed as having Arthritis and what were your initial symptoms?

So, I was diagnosed with Arthritis over 12 years ago. Prior to that, I’d done the marathon and I was very fit –you know, going to the gym 3, 4, 5 times a week. Then I pronated my right ankle, playing rounders, and it just wouldn’t heal. Eventually, when I started to walk with a limp, I then decided to go to the doctors and, uh, he diagnosed early-onset Arthritis.

When it was at its worst and what impact did that have on your life?

I had a limp on the right-hand side, so if I was sitting down, I’d get up and I’d be stiff in the joint of my ankle. But it wasn’t just stiff, it was like walking on broken glass, if I’m honest. Yeah, so it impacted me in the respect that I couldn’t do the exercise activities that I would once upon a time do. It then manifested from the ankle and moved up into the big toe joint, so if I was walking it would cause a lot of pain. At that point, I was envious of my previous life.

This obviously impacted your frame of mind, because you couldn’t do the things that you were used to doing. Yeah, massively. The things that I was used to doing; like running, going to the gym etc. I wasn’t able to do anymore. I would do yoga regularly and I had to stop doing all that.

So what was the advice from the GP?

The GP said ‘take this prescription of anti-inflammatories and if it causes you pain, take these painkillers’ and I opted not to do that. So, I just started to have reflexology and myofascial work on that ankle.

And what was the prognosis? Were they pretty much like, ‘it’ll just ease, but it’ll always be there’ sort of thing?

Yeah.

Okay. So, what was the turning point for you? Because I know you worked a lot on diet and stuff like that, but at what point did you go ‘right, I need to sort this’?

My turning point, Lou <laughs>…are you sure you want to hear this?

I do, I do! <laughs>

My turning point was I remember having a conversation with someone at work and they were talking about illnesses and time off and stuff like that and I remember just thinking…I want control. I want to be the master of my own destiny. Back then we didn’t do things like working from home so I would have time off ‘coz my feet were in a bad way and I just remember this particular day, I went to the GP and the GP turned to me and said, well, we could always put a nail in your big toe and that will stop the pain!

Yeah. That’s one hell of a massive turning point right there!

That was it. So, that’s when I went on this real deep dive into how can I manipulate this body so that it allows me to live in my optimum?

I used to drink 15 cups of coffee a day, used to eat sweets. And I was always looking for the next ‘food that would stimulate me’. I was a big coffee drinker to keep me alert, but I worked out that my nervous system was just shocked and I realized how impactful (in a negative way) food was on my body.

I had previously given up coffee and sweets, so I then started out with a three-month meat, refined carbs and alcohol-free period. And from there I moved on to removing deadly nightshade. And it doesn’t work for everyone. But that’s what I did.

My turning point was I remember having a conversation with someone at work and they were talking about illnesses and time off and stuff like that and I remember just thinking… I want control

Tell me about deadly nightshade. What is it?

Things like normal potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and peppers are all part of the deadly night shade family. I think it’s the Uric acid in the deadly nightshade family that when you eat it, it’s just not good for you. Let me reframe that… it’s not good for MY body. Everyone is different. With my body, for example, I would eat a bowl of pasta with tomato sauce…and within 10 minutes I couldn’t walk! Wow. Tomatoes. Who knew? So what sort of things did you substitute? I mean, potatoes and tomatoes are quite a big thing to remove for some.

So, for potatoes, I would just use sweet potato. I could eat a yam or plantain maybe. Also, as I am from Caribbean descent, I would eat a green banana. I could also eat rice. Okay. So, you did that for three months, what were you like in yourself after that period?

I was much, much better. But also, in conjunction with the diet, I was doing body work. I would have a reflexology treatment, a massage and Shiatsu, and I would do my own personal Reiki and my husband would do a massage on my feet. The big question is why was I doing all of that? And it’s to support what I have. If you think about it, Arthritis is about an inflamed joint. So, if I didn’t move it, it hurt and if I did move it, it hurt…so my question was, which one do I choose? And my opinion, my best option for me was to move it. So, I used to have these little exercises that I would do every single night religiously. And it was just to loosen the fascia and work the ligaments and tendons in both feet and that was my first goal. Then to increase movement was my latter goal. I would have Shiatsu once a month, one form of alternative therapy per week and I would purchase a massage once a month.

And so how long did it take you to get that ankle to a stage where you could start doing things that you couldn’t before?

Oh, a good six, nine months.

Wow. That’s pretty good going! So the right foot that you had all these problems with, you don’t have those problems anymore?

I don’t have those problems anymore.

That’s amazing, Norma. Pretty incredible. I think GPs are quite narrow minded in respect of these kind of alternative treatments, but clearly it’s worked for you. I mean, I think you are testament of someone who has committed themselves to doing something and it’s great to get that out there to show people that actually this is possible if you commit yourself to doing it.

Yeah, I’ve committed myself to looking after myself. So, I have to understand what makes me feel good and what makes me feel bad and be prepared to meet halfway in the middle.

Do you have sweets anymore Norma? Tell everyone what happens when you eat sweets now!

I do eat sweets Lou…and I get hyper <laugh>

Do you drink coffee anymore and, if so, is it a specific type?

I do. I ritualize things and I’m not gonna lie because I love it. I love coffee, but I will have one coffee that’s made at home. So I know that it’s the best coffee that I can provide for myself. If I’m working from home, it’s in a particular cup and I sit down and I drink it without any noise and I just savour my coffee!

I just want to go back to what you were saying about deadly nightshade and how it’s a very personalized thing – these things work for you but may not work for someone else. With that in mind, would you recommend allergy testing?

Of course. One hundred percent. I have done that as part of my holistic wellbeing journey.

So, for someone else that wants to do this, would you say just to do it gradually? And how would you approach it?

Yeah. The secret source to anything, is to take on one thing at a time. Change one thing and that will have a crescendo effect on the rest of the body, the rest of the mind.

I do honestly think you are such an inspiration and I think lot more people need to ‘do a Norma’. Can you tell everyone out there what your life looks like right now?

I am living my best, best life! What that means for me is that I’m able to use my body in a way that it’s comfortable. I walk a minimum of 8,000 steps a day. I do Qigong daily, I have a one-to-one yoga session once a week. I’ve completed two 5K’s in the last two–three months. I am also running my own clinic now to help others. I do Shiatsu, Reiki and Japanese facials. Actually, I’m bringing trauma healing into my practice now also. Wow! Tell me in a nutshell, what is Shiatsu and how did you get into it?

I worked with a colleague who said to me, ‘oh, can I be his Guinea pig for Shiatsu’! And I thought ‘what the hell is this Shiatsu business?’ He did an open day and what I said to him was ‘if you could open my head, take all of this stuff out and put my head back on, I’ll be Eternally grateful!’ (she says laughing). And Lou – and this is no word of a lie – I couldn’t speak afterwards. I had to go home and I went to bed and I slept for 24 hours!

So, the way I always describe Shiatsu is…I do what an acupuncturist would do, but without the needles!

One of my favourite sayings is it’s a bit like ‘leaves on the line’. You’ve got leaves everywhere and you can’t get from destination A to B without scooping all these leaves off of the line. You want to be able to think straight, you want to be able to breathe well, you want to be able to move your

body. And those are the three basic things that you need to do to live your perfect life. Whatever your perfect life means for you.

I guess for me, wellness is about ‘how can I make this body work to its optimum, feel at its optimum?’. And how can I impart that knowledge and to other people. That’s what makes me tick. I really, I really enjoy talking about health and wellness.

So, there you have it. Clearly there is a lot to be said for a healthy diet and exercise and also knowing your own body. I am currently sat here pondering over the Big Mac I had for dinner earlier and feeling somewhat guilty that I currently don’t give my own body as much respect as I should do! As Norma pointed out some of us are reactive to certain foods or drinks and others may not be, so it really is a personal journey…but a journey that you want to make in a well-oiled machine and not a clapped-out old banger! We have one body and one chance to ‘live our best lives’ so if committing to a healthy diet and exercise regime is going to help, then it’s a no brainer! If you want to see more of Norma then please do follow her at #normaShiatsucroydon for tips and videos from someone that genuinely cares.

normashiatsucroydon.com instagram.com/normashiatsucroydon

I couldn’t speak afterwards. I had to go home and I went to bed and I slept for 24 hours!

SLUMBERLAND

Words/Lou Andrews

More memory than foam?

Let me ask you a personal question…when was the last time you bought a new mattress? If you are anything like me then it may well be 10+ years ago and yet, here I lie for the third night running struggling to get to sleep. My partner is lying next to me listening to some trippy hypnotherapy app to try and get to sleep too and here we are lying on a mattress that has more memory than foam! If you think about it, we spend around a third of our lives in bed, but we are more likely to go out and spend our money on hyped-up cars to pop to the shops in than we are on something that may improve our daily lives. Weird…isn’t it?!

It’s not just a myth that lack of sleep can have a severely detrimental impact on our frame of mind. Fact: The brain does most of its housekeeping while we sleep and one housekeeping duty in particular – waste disposal! No wonder we feel so foggy after a night of sleep-deprived mayhem.

Lack of sleep also makes people more irritable (we see this more clearly in babies), it makes you worry more and can make us more anxious. ‘Yes, yes, we know all this!’ I hear you cry. But, there’s more. What I didn’t realise until researching this article is the effect long term sleep deprivation can have on the body. This shocked me if I’m honest, ‘coz how many of us have sleep problems and just pass it off thinking it will sort itself out? Long term sleep loss can be linked to heart attacks/strokes (as it may disrupt the parts of the brain which control the circulatory system), diabetes (as it may disrupt the body’s method for processing glucose) and decreased fertility (as it can lead to lower levels of testosterone and the hormones which trigger ovulation). There are also other conditions mentioned such as hypertension. Right, that’s enough of the pillow talk, let’s get stuck in and sort this out!

So, how often should a mattress be changed? Well, the sleep foundation says every 6-8 years as a rough guide and other websites seem to vary between 5 and 7 years, but they all agree on the same point…there are varying factors to this. For example, if you bought a cheapo one in the first place, then it may not last or if it gets damaged it will need replacing sooner etc.

When it comes to price you can literally pay anything from £200 to £2000 so which should you go for? Well funny you should ask, because I got my butt out of bed and trawled the internet to come up with the top five rides that will guarantee a safe trip to Slumberland!

Simba Hybrid Pro

• Cheapest price found: £989.40

• Two layers of titanium Aerocoil springs to increase airflow and give total body support.

• Simbatex foam for body temperature control.

According to Simba themselves this mattress took 70 prototypes and the body data of 10 million sleepers to make…with data like that it’s no wonder they are top of their game.

Emma Original

• Cheapest price found: £424.50

• Airgocell & Emma ultra-dry original cover keeps your body cool and dry.

• Halo memory foam & Emma HRX supreme personalises the support for your body. This one also came up alongside Simba in every review I read, but as you can see it’s half the price – bonus!

Nectar Hybrid

• Cheapest price found: £707.00

• Quilted cooling cover designed to draw heat away from your body and circulate fresh air.

• 7 zone supportive base, developed to ensure a perfect night’s sleep with 7 different zones of support. I personally had never heard of Nectar, but this mattress came up a very strong third place out of all the articles I read. Price wise, it sits in between the Simba and the Emma, but does not come up short on the positive reviews.

Brooke and Wilde Eelite

• Cheapest price found: £1399

• Eight unique layers, perfectly combined to give deep and restful sleep.

• Removable, washable top cover. This mattress is all about the luxury and it does not disappoint, however the price tag may well do for some!

Dream cloud luxury hybrid

• Cheapest price found: £647.46

• Luxury quilted top gives maximum breathability and premium softness for a luxury sleep experience.

• Dream plush breathable supporting memory foam provides deep contouring support that adjusts to your position. It has had some great reviews. However, there is a clear gap between this one and the other four.

So, that’s it for my old mattress. We’ve had some good times, but another one bites the dust (or should I say dust mites) and I am now off to buy a new mattress at last! And which one will I go for you may ask? Well, for me it will have to be the Simba Hybrid. After all, who can argue with 10 million sleepers! Night night.

THE CENT IN THE SENTIMENT

Words/Lou Andrews

Saw this, thought of you...

You’ve heard the phrase ‘it’s the thought that counts’? And its true, we all love the idea that somebody has gone to the effort of looking for a gift that would mean something to you. Some of the most amazing gifts I have been given are the cheapest ones, but a lot of thought and effort has gone into them. These are the keepers! The gifts that never get tossed out with the broken electronics or clothes that are now too tatty! So, with that in mind, we thought you would like to take a look at some of the most interesting and meaningful gifts out there that won’t cost you the earth.

Retro Viewfinder

Back in the 80’s these were everywhere and you could buy different reels of images of your favourite cartoon shows etc. Well, you can still buy these, but now you can get personalised ones. Amazing! I bought my girlfriend one for Christmas and had a reel made of both our kids and she literally almost cried (not that I was trying to make her cry!). The best part is that once you have bought the viewfinder you can get extra reels whenever you have images you want to use. It’s a lovely way of keeping memories that aren’t just stored in our smart phones or up in the cloud.

£39.99

uncommongoods.com

Personalised Scrapbook Spotify Mixtape

I love this one! Mixtapes in any form are THE way to show someone how you feel about them and, of course, how well you know them! Music has that special way of capturing memories and imprinting them in your mind so that when you hear that song it’s almost like you are back in that very moment. This product links to Spotify, so you create your playlist on that and then the playlist URL is added to your finished mixtape. You can also customise the cassette label with a special message and photo.

£17.50

notonthehighstreet.com

Plantable Wildflower Cards

A very unusual gift that I stumbled upon while doing my research and I love the concept. You simply write your message to the recipient inside the card and once they have enjoyed your special words, they plant the card…yes plant it! Each card is packed with British perennial wildflower and grass seeds so you plant them, water them and then stand back and watch them grow. Great personalised gift… and great for the environment too.

£4.20

friendlyturtle.com

We

HACK AT THE BACK

Words/Lou Andrews

And chill...

Another one of our recurring remedies! In each edition of Reframe we will be bringing you the best life hacks to make your life that bit easier. A seasonal slice of time-saving goodness – because, let’s face it, every minute of life is precious!

In this edition, we are giving you a side of slick for summer to make your life easier!

Water balloon ice packs

This simple, but effective idea means you never have to worry about not having any ice packs for your drinks bucket or cooler! A packet of water balloons is cheap and something you can just keep in your kitchen drawer until you need it! And, when it’s time for the summer party, you simply fill the required amount of balloons with water and freeze them...job done!

Frozen grape ice cubes

Love a nice glass of cold white wine in the summer, but hate how it gets watered down by the ice? No worries, we’ve got you covered. What could be better to chill your Chardonnay than the creator itself…the grape?! Simply wash some white grapes, pop them in the freezer and boom…you have an epic, pint sized Pinot chiller!

Watermelon pops

An easy and tasty chiller to fill your kids with goodness this summer… and all you need is a watermelon, some lolly sticks and, of course, a freezer. Simply cut your watermelon into 2cm thick slices and cut those into triangles. Once done, make a small incision in the middle of the skin of each triangle (large enough to hold your stick). Then slot the lolly sticks into the incision and pop the watermelon slices into the freezer –a frozen feast of goodness!

AUTUMN ISSUE OUT SEPTEMBER