REFRAME #02 Autumn '23

FRESH FODDER FOR YOUR FRAME OF MIND

THE POWER SHIFT #02 AUTUMN 23

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Soul Food | You Do You | Me, Myself & I | Nurture By Nature Juice For Your Brain | Dose Of Dopamine | The Skin You’re In

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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. #02 AUTUMN 23

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 3

ME, MYSELF & I

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YOU DO YOU

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THE POWER SHIFT The new series from Amazon Prime Video has more to offer than just great actors and a great storyline. Dive with us into the undercurrents of this powerful, rip tide of a series and discover what lies beneath...

MAKING WAVES In this edition’s Hobbies section, we take a look at the outstanding work of Jon Foreman (land artist). If you’ve never heard of him, consider yourself educated…and enlightened! This man makes nature his canvas and it’s a picture you don’t want to miss!

READ NOW >

READ NOW > NURTURE BY NATURE

ALSO INSIDE

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AUTUMN BLUES?

ME, MYSELF & I Furry and Freaked Out

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YOU DO YOU Not Plain Sailing

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DOSE OF DOPAMINE Do Not Read This Article

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Hack at the Back

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It’s all about getting out there this Autumn and this edition of Nurture by Nature has some epic ways to beat those autumn blues and embrace the seasonal changes.

Scarecrow Festival anyone?

Yes, it’s a thing!

READ NOW >

ME, MYSELF & I

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DOSE OF DOPAMINE

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ONE NIGHT IN NOTTINGHAM Take a walk with us down the darkened streets of Nottingham on one night in October 2021. While this tale is not for the faint hearted, it IS one that you all need to read. We talk to one of the girls involved in the ‘Girls Night In’ campaign and what has happened since that night.

READ NOW >

LET’S BE BLUNT

Get the best of the uplifting feels this autumn!

What to watch or read to make your moods swing high in the sky! This month we’ve got Arnie, Beef and Nalas World.

What started as an article on how to handle trolling, ended up as a homage to James Blunt, The king of all troll slayers. If you want to to learn how to beat the trolls then read this article, because James has got your back! In fact, he thinks ‘you’re beautiful’!

READ NOW >

READ NOW >

JUICE FOR YOUR BRAIN

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BOOST YOUR ROOTS

CENT IN THE CEMETARY

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THE SKIN YOU’RE IN

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COUGH UP FOR COFFEE We all drink it! In fact, it’s the second most consumed beverage in the world (second only to water!). But how many of you know anything about what you are drinking? We spill the beans on your beloved brain booster.

LOOKING GHOUL

READ NOW >

Halloween is just around the corner, but have you chosen your costume yet? If not, then you NEED this! We’ve sourced the spookiest spectacles out there (and of course the funniest ones too).

Get ur freak on!

READ NOW >

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ME, MYSELF &I THE POWER SHIFT ONE NIGHT IN NOTTINGHAM FURRY AND FREAKED OUT

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TRIGGER WARNING This article contains discussion surrounding sexual harassment

THE POWER SHIFT Words/Lou Andrews

“We never dared to imagine it.

A world that was built for us… where we are not afraid…every revolution begins with a spark” The Power It’s funny, because when I saw The Power advertised on Amazon Prime Video, I wasn’t quite sure if the storyline may be a little silly! I mean, women developing special powers to produce electricity? Is it a series about how to cut back on your soaring electric bills?! Be more eco friendly maybe? Then I saw that it had Toni Collette in it. That swung it for me. She’s an outstanding actress and pretty much anything she lends her name to is awesome in my eyes, so I gave it a go. What I didn’t imagine happening was that it was going to resonate so loudly with another topic I was writing about at the time…women’s safety on our streets.

The story begins with Allie Montgomery (played brilliantly by Halle Bush). When we first see her, she has been moved from foster home to foster home and now doesn’t speak, likely due to the trauma she has been through whilst in care. Allie is the first to feel the power.

We then see Roxy who wants to work for her crime boss of a father. However, he won’t permit this as she is a woman and he clearly doesn’t think that women are strong enough to represent his testosterone-fuelled crew! We first see Roxy’s power when she gets angry… the shape of things to come? You see where this is heading right? Repeatedly throughout the series, we are reminded of the same old stereotypes which sadly are still in place within our parallel universe. It’s littered with offences to women; violence, sexism, rape, belittling, you name it. So, I suddenly find myself realising that the show that I thought was going to be ‘far-fetched’ couldn’t have been more true to life.

Yes, there is the concept of women producing electric vibes with their hands, but even that starts to have an element of realism when you realise this power already exists in nature – electric eels. We’re left to conclude that what these women are experiencing is evolution.

A way to survive in what has become a chaotic, violent world where they simply don’t feel safe.

We’re left to conclude that what these women are experiencing is evolution. A way to survive in what has become a chaotic, violent world where they simply don’t feel safe.

Things get increasingly out of control as the same phenomena starts to happen all around the world.

It’s a ticking timebomb just waiting to explode as women start to take back control. What this show does brilliantly is display what happens when the balance

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gets tipped. I have talked about that in earlier articles before. We need an even balance in whatever we do in life. When that balance gets tipped the other way, the same disastrous consequences are inevitable. It’s brilliantly written and superbly acted throughout. Ria Zmitrowicz is on fire (sometimes literally!) as Roxy. She is set for big things in my eyes. So where does this all lead? Well, if I told you that, you wouldn’t need to watch it would you?!

As always, this isn’t just an article on a TV series! As I mentioned earlier, when I watched The Power I was already writing about a linked topic. After my very eye-opening interview in the last edition with Emily Hawkins-Longley about her work at Victim Support, I thought I would investigate matters further. I discovered what can only be described as a brutal, but poignant documentary on Channel 4 called Undercover: sexual harassment – the truth. Now, if you haven’t watched it please do, as it’s an eye opener and not just for women, but for everyone. I have a little girl growing up in this world and these things affect us all. Investigative Journalist Ellie Flynn very courageously goes undercover pretending to be a drunk women on a night out who has been separated from her friends. What unfolds is, quite frankly, both shocking and disgraceful and the experiences visibly affect Ellie, both mentally and physically, throughout the documentary. A very powerful glimpse into how these types of events affect women in their everyday lives.

I always used to think ‘it’s not that bad out there, I’ve never really experienced it myself,’ but I had. I just never realised it, because it’s one of those things that as a woman you just expect to experience. That’s crazy! My mind has been so conditioned to accept this as ‘the way it is’, that I hadn’t even realised I had been through it myself! The grabbing of the bottom, inappropriate suggestions, having to be careful when out walking the streets alone, keeping my drinks close to me on a night out (and yes, I was spiked once – luckily a friend didn’t leave my side!) The list goes on and on! So, the question remains: how are there still so many people out there that think that this is acceptable behaviour?

Ellie chose two separate busy cities (London and Liverpool) on a typical buzzing weekend to prove the point that this is happening everywhere. We’re not talking about isolated incidents in one specific place.

It’s a widespread disease for which, at the moment, there is no cure. Once out into the lion’s den, it’s minutes before a man approaches, inappropriately propositioning her. She tries to walk away, making it clear she is not interested, but the man pursues, relentlessly pestering, circling his prey with clear intent.

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He won’t leave her alone even though it’s clear she is too drunk to even walk properly (we know this is not true, but the role is executed brilliantly). She makes her way, stumbling, back to her hotel and he follows her. What happens next is just shocking and a pivotal point in this very eye-opening documentary. The man follows her into her hotel and then into her hotel room!

My blood ran cold. What if that was my kid? We do our best to protect them, but how can we protect them from this! It’s everywhere and it needs to be stopped!

You really need to watch this documentary to see for yourself, as this was just the tip of an exceptionally large iceberg...one that can sink any of us. A couple of the men even seemed to be claiming they were cab drivers.

This made me think, were they telling the truth or was it a ploy? And if they were cab drivers, then once again we are faced with a situation where even the methods women use to ensure they are safe, are flawed! Get a cab home, that way you are safe! But, it seems even this may have consequences. That thought bungies me with a forceful yank back to the case that sent shockwaves through our communities in 2021…Sarah Everard. She was raped and murdered by a member of the very institution that women use to make themselves feel safe…the police force. She should have been safe. She did everything right. So where does that leave us?

The man follows her into her hotel and then into her hotel room! My blood ran cold. What if that was my kid?

Another feature in the documentary I want to touch on is online dating. This is something I have, thankfully, never had the displeasure of experiencing. Ellie sets herself up profiles on three of the top dating sites. She poses as an 18-year-old, using pictures of herself when she was that age. It’s not long before it starts…a barrage of explicit images, videos and inappropriate messages.

My blood is sitting in a test tube above a fully–flamed bunsen burner right now! Why on earth would someone think that its OK to send this type of content to a young girl, or anyone for that matter?! As I talk to other women on dating sites, I realise that this is a ‘thing’ now. Normal behaviour that as a society we have come to expect – but it isn’t, is it? If a man got his bits out in the street, he would be brandished as a flasher, but do it online and that is ok? It really isn’t. When I ask what women do when they receive such content, I am hit with an even more sobering response. Nothing. It seems this is so frequent that women just ignore the messages as they are an expected entity. And that is something that I think we need to do something about.

We all need to be reporting this and these people need to be removed from all accessible means of distribution.

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If we don’t, where does this lead? Those people are likely to go on to cause actual physical harm in my eyes, because you must ask yourself what sort of a person does that and thinks its ok?!

So how do I conclude an article like this? Well, I don’t really! It’s the grease stain on your favourite t-shirt that just won’t go away, no matter how many times you wash it. There is no conclusion, but there are some things that we can do right now.

One of the things I noticed in the documentary is that Ellie was out in busy towns, with people everywhere, but no-one noticed the harassment she was enduring.

And I get that, because, let’s face it, when we are out we are having fun, having a few drinks, blocking out everything else in the real world to focus on a good night out. That we can change. Next time you are out on a night out, just be aware of what is happening around you and, if you see someone in this position, go and ask if they are OK. It’s a little thing that can make a big difference. We all need to stick together and protect each other as a community. ‘We shouldn’t have to’ I hear you say, and yes, I agree, but right now we DO have to. I know I have certainly become more aware.

The other thing...practise pack mentality. Strength in numbers right? The bottom line is, if you are out with mates then you all have each other’s backs at all times.

That way, if one of you does get spiked the perpetrator will be unable to get to you. Let’s face it, that’s the end game isn’t it? Spike and then isolate. If they are unable to isolate then there is no end game, so we cut them off at the source.

..practise pack mentality. Strength in numbers right? The bottom line is, if you are out with mates then you all have each other’s backs at all times.

Also, if you are out on a night out and decide to get a cab – make sure you ask to see their license so you know they are legit. And finally, if you get sent indecent images, videos or content, please do report it and block them immediately.

Whilst this article focuses on women, I am under no illusions (and you shouldn’t be either), that this can, and does happen to anyone. There’s more that can be done and believe me when I say we will be looking into this further. Watch this space!

Undercover: Sexual Harassment – The Truth

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THE REAL VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY CONSISTS NOT IN SEEKING NEW LANDSCAPES, BUT IN HAVING NEW EYES MARCEL PROUST #02 AUTUMN 23

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TRIGGER WARNING This article contains discussion surrounding spiking and assault

ONE NIGHT IN NOTTINGHAM Words/Lou Andrews, Annonymous

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In October 2021 there was a flurry of spiking incidents in and around the Nottingham area.

It was a tale that sent the socials into a frenzy and quite rightly so. More worryingly, it seemed that needles were now the weapon of choice. A group of young university students decided to take some action. A friend of theirs had been spiked in one of the local clubs (suspected needle incident), which hammered the whole thing home and enough was enough.

I caught up with one of the girls, who has asked to remain anonymous to protect herself from trolling! (that’s right – there are people out there trolling those that are trying to do some good in this world!) Before I began the interview, I was sent the link to the episode of 24 hours in A&E that their friend, Kate, had ended up on and also a link to their social media page, Girls Night In Nottingham – sadly this page now lies dormant due to the pressures of negativity.

At the beginning of the 24 hours in A&E episode we see Kate in a comatose state. She’s not reacting to anything, she’s simply not able to. A motionless pawn in this very real and dangerous game. Luckily, the nurses are able to work their magic and Kate does begin to respond. It’s at this point that we hear one of the nurses comment that there had been ‘a few others’ that had been admitted that night, others who had been to the same places as Kate and had been injected... wait, hold on...what? A few others?! It’s clear this is not an isolated incident and it’s not an opportunist’s game either.

These are calculated, planned attacks and it chills me to the bone. If I haven’t scared you off, then please read on...

Tell me about how the whole Girls Night In thing began?

A friend and I were in the library at uni and rumours had been going around that all these spiking things were going on. Then a friend of ours got spiked, and we sort of went, “Oh, like this is kind of real now, we need to do something about it”. There were 12 of us all together and we set up social media pages and then from there, we just got flooded with stories – some of which you couldn’t even make up. It was so, so scary and you almost don’t want to believe it because it’s that scary.

So, what happened to your friend? Did she get injected and what with?

Thats the problem, she can’t remember. Some of these injections, you may not even feel it. It’s a pin prick. It would be like a tiny freckle on my arm. You would have no idea. And I think that’s the scariest bit with needles, it’s not even like you could cover your hand over your drink to protect yourself! And of course, with needles there are other risks.

...we just got flooded with stories – some of which you couldn’t even make up. It was so, so scary and you almost don’t want to believe it because it’s that scary.

Tell me about how you managed to get the message out there, I mean, did it start off just posting on social pages?

Yeah, we created an Instagram account and some other girls had set up a petition for government (to make it a law that nightclubs must search guests on arrival) and so we were basically trying to promote that to say, “please sign it”.

What we wanted to do was make everyone aware of what was happening. What we did manage to do was to get the government talking about it. It was on BBC News #02 AUTUMN 23

and CNN wanted to interview us. Our Instagram account went up to 12k followers. The stories kept on coming in with other girls saying this had happened to them! It was just constant, so we decided to set up a boycott of all the nightclubs in Northampton on 27th October (Girl’s Night In), which then spread to other uni’s in the UK doing the same and it worked.

...the bars would say, “well we’re gonna sue you for saying this, because it’s bad press” That’s pretty awesome that you guys did that, and that people got behind you and supported it, but I know you had some issues and got trolled, which is why you’ve asked to be anonymous. Can you tell me about that?

Yeah. Some people spoke about us not being diverse or inclusive enough. The other issue we had was that we would call out people, you know, we would say “this has happened in this bar” and suddenly, the bars would say, “well, we’re gonna sue you for saying this, because it’s bad press”. It’s just, people try and break you down and at the end of the day, we were not experts in the field or journalists, we were young and were just trying to help. If we had shown what we looked like, there would have been focus on that rather than the actual issue and that’s not the point here. The point is getting those fixes in place, whether, you know, certain people don’t agree, it’s just a difference of opinion and we can build on those fixes.

What I want to know is how did this sort of thing impact you your frame of mind? Because I’ve got to admit reading some of these things (and you’ve read a lot more than I have) really freaked me out?

It really scared me, you know, my younger sister’s 18. She’s going off to uni and it scares me that she hasn’t got that experience of knowing to avoid doing certain things. Over time you just sort of become conditioned to doing certain things to protect yourself. I was definitely more watchful 13

and protective over my friends and what they were doing when we were out.

Yeah, I get what you are saying about being conditioned. It’s become normal programmed behaviour for a girl to have to think about the safest way to get home at night or if they should take a friend out walking with them if its dark.

Totally. So recently I went to, do you know, Mika (Grace Kelly)? I didn’t realize he was such a gay icon; I had no idea. It was also pride month and it was great. I loved that concert, because I wasn’t being groped and I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I wasn’t targeted. It’s become so normal!

But it shouldn’t be, should it?

No, it never, ever should be.

So, there you have it. Doing this article certainly opened my eyes. One of the things I realised is that we seem to get so far with an issue and doing something about it and then we just down tools. It was like a shovel through the ground, but then it seems we stopped digging.

And I get that, I do. As humans we are built that way.

Our minds will assess the situation and if it’s not an

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immediate threat, it gets parked to allow us to focus on what’s going on around us. However, while it may not be an imminent threat, it IS one that impacts us all and let’s face it, it’s a real game of Russian roulette in the respect that you just don’t know who will be next.

It’s like swimming in the sea and someone in the neighbouring beach has been attacked by a shark. The shark is not on our shore, so we keep swimming…but how long before that shark crosses over into what was once our safe haven?

One thing is for sure and that is that this issue is not going away and girls like the ‘Girl’s Night In’ team need to be encouraged, not torn down like some ageing poster and thrown out with yesterdays trash. You only need to look at that social page to see they were actually making a difference and society, it seems, scared them away. What chance do we have? We need more of them!

If we are going to make a difference then we need to stand together, work together, fight together, because ultimately this war is far from over.

@girlsnightinnottingham

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KENT

What will motivate you to volunteer with us?

Develop skills

Build confidence

Gain experience

Participate in a worthwhile cause

Make a difference to your local community

Our volunteers are essential to the support we give victims of crime. We will train you to support victims from the very first 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 offer, visit our website: www.victimsupport.org.uk/get-involved or scan the QR code Our services are free, confidential and available to everyone regardless of when the crime happened.

24/7 Supportline: 08 08 16 89 111 VictimSupport

@VictimSupport

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Linkedin.com/company/victim-support

Registered charity number 298028. Registered office: Victim Support, Ground Floor, Building 3, Eastern Business Park, Wern Fawr Lane, Old St Mellons, Cardiff CF3 5EA. May 2023 | P2765 © 2023 Victim Support © Getty Images

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FURRY AND FREAKED OUT Words/Lou Andrews

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Firework season is fun for most, but for our furry friends it can be traumatic.

The onset of the autumn months brings us closer to another tradition celebrated here in the UK – Bonfire Night. Many of us take part in the celebrations either at home or by going to park displays, but there are some that don’t share the sentiment…our furry family friends. We talk a lot about our human frame of mind, but what about our pets? The weekends surrounding the 5th of November can be a terrifying time for our beloved companions, so what can we do to help? I have a Border Collie (Asher) and she can be a nervy dog at the best of times, but come fireworks night she’s a wreck and will try to squeeze herself into just about any crevice she can find to escape the festivities. She literally shakes in fear, and you just can’t get her out once she’s hidden! These days we put her bed in the kids play tent in a quiet corner of the house and cover it with a sheet and this seems to make her feel safe and keep her calmer.

There are some useful tips online on how to manage matters, so here are just a few of the best ones:

1. Close all windows and curtains This will help muffle any loud noises and block out the flashes of light.

2. Music/TV Have music or the TV on as this will also help mask the sounds. Classic FM actually have a ‘Pet Classics’ list and Spotify have a ‘classical music for pets’ playlist!

3. Create a safe space If you have a dog, try finding them a quiet space in the house where you can put their bed and leave some of their favourite toys there too. If you have a cat, make sure there is a quiet corner where they can go and hide away (like a cupboard or under the sofa).

4. Outdoor Activity Make sure your dog is walked during the daytime to avoid them being out at peak activity time and keep your cats inside as the evening approaches.

5. Pheromone Diffusers If all else fails you could speak to your vet about a pheromone diffuser. They omit calming chemicals into the room to soothe your pet’s soul!

6. Outdoor pets You could consider covering their cages with a blanket to ease the sounds (just leave a small gap for them to see out). If you have a garage or shed, put their hutch in there or even bring them inside whilst the fireworks are going on. Another tip is to give them some extra bedding to make a cozier hideaway.

7. Be patient Lastly, don’t tell your pet off for behaving this way as they are already anxious enough without us barking at them! Just behave as you usually would to keep that element of normality. Now, go raise some rockets and spark up some sparklers! #02 AUTUMN 23

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SOUL FOOD LIVE FREE AND FORRAGE

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LIVE FREE AND FORAGE Words/Lou Andrews

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Looking for fruity inspiration?

Try the bittersweet treat that’s hiding in plain sight...

When I was a kid, I was lucky enough to have a house that backed onto some amazing woodland, so I spent most of my time making camps and climbing trees…and falling out of trees! One thing I loved was to go blackberry picking with my dad and then make an epic Blackberry crumble when we got home. I think as adults we sometimes bear too many constraints and expectations that prevent us doing the simple things that we would have naturally sourced joy from as kids.

Blackberries are packed with vitamins (C & K), minerals, fibre and antioxidants. They also contain Manganese which is a mineral vital to bone development and a healthy immune system and, what’s more, they are free to forage (unless of course you end up in someone’s garden!). What I didn’t realise was the best time to forage for blackberries is August and September, which is...well...now! So go grab a basket (grab your kids if you have any) and get out there foraging for these little beauties. And, when you get back, here’s a couple of the best blackberry recipes out there, so enjoy and have fun!

Apple & Blackberry Crumble This one is from Bbc Good Food and has a whopping 5 stars from 310 reviews.

Blackberry Jam

Blackberry Muffins

A great and very simple recipe from It’s Not Complicated. It has 4.9 stars out of 181 reviews so get jamming!

Who doesn’t love a good muffin!

This one from Beyond the Chicken Coop, has 5 stars out of 102 reviews and involves the use of sour cream which I’m intrigued by, so will be trying!

View Recipe >

View Recipe >

View Recipe >

...and freeze whatever’s left over! #02 AUTUMN 23

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YOU DO YOU MAKING WAVES NOT PLAIN SAILING

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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 that, 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…

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Painting/drawing/writing/ squash/golf/photography/ cooking/cake making/ candle-making/woodwork/ gardening/calligraphy/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/bog snorkelling/ bee keeping/caving/foraging/ table tennis/coin collecting/ antique collecting/poetry/ chess/darts/paddleboarding/ roller derby #02 AUTUMN 23

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MAKING WAVES Words/Lou Andrews

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Jon Foreman’s art is nothing short of mindblowing...

Hobbies are something that we all need. A little something that is just ours to take the edge off the general stresses of life, and it doesn’t matter what that something is as long as you get pleasure from it. When we started Reframe, we really wanted to capture the fact that there are so many hobbies you can take up…and they don’t all need to cost money. In fact, some are free, like land art.

Whilst researching this article I came across land artist Jon Foreman and his work is just simply breathtaking. What I discovered while researching him is that his outlook serves as a real testament to what a hobby should be for us all. In his own words ‘I do it because I enjoy it’ and ‘it’s a way to remove yourself from the stresses of life’. Most of his work is based out of Pembrokeshire in Wales where he lives.

Jon’s large-scale sand drawings can take him up to four hours to create and his tools for these very intricate works of beauty? Sticks, some string, a rake and of course the paintbox of nature’s finest offerings! And it doesn’t stop there.

Stones, shells, driftwood and even leaves all surrender to Jon’s mastery. He is to nature what Snow White was to animals!

The world is essentially his Etch-A-Sketch and I love that. Jon highlights the natural beauty that surrounds us. The vibrant blend of colours, the intricacy of the ever-evolving shapes, things that are there every day, things that we take for granted. What he makes today is then reclaimed by mother nature herself and a blank canvas awaits him the next day.

This man values nature very highly and he describes his work as ‘a therapeutic process’. He projects his internal mind chatter onto nature’s canvas and the results are ground-breaking (quite literally!). What is also epic is the fact that his creations spark joy in people when they see them. So much so, that he also sells pictures of them on his website Sculpt The World. Check it out, because it’s a real mindblower!

In conclusion, we all need to be a bit more Jon. Break the mould of the norm that we all find ourselves confined to from time to time. Theres so much out there to try, so grab yourself a rake!

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NOT PLAIN SAILING Words/Tony Dunn, Matt ‘The Dude’ Cude

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What happens when life gives you lemons? You strike out on your own as a board builder of course...

I met Matt back in 2014 when he was my instructor on a windsurfing refresher course. I was completely sucked in by the guy’s unwavering love and passion for windsurfing and, were it not for him, that course might just have been a fun, oneoff thing that just petered out. But, Matt’s enthusiasm is infectious. Before I new it I was all over eBay buying up kit and my whole week was revolving around the wind, shoehorning in a session here and there, with Matt always offering his help and expertise.

Fast forward nearly a decade and I consider Matt more of a brother than just a friend. There are many parallels in our lives, but at the core he’s just a kind, thoughtful guy who’s always got your back and always there if you need someone to lift a cupboard or your spirits.

During that decade a lot has changed for Matt and I think his story resonates with many people. I’m proper proud of how he’s changed his life and hope that if, your situation sounds similar, this gives you some inspiration to take a risk and try something new.

I thought to myself the most obvious place to start is windsurfing. How and why I guess, the story of you!

Kind of a condensed 7” version!

So, um, as a young person I was always into water sports, swimming, diving, kayaking, sailing and stuff like that.

Yeah. I didn’t actually find windsurfing until I was about 19.

I’d never thought about windsurfing a day in my life. I’d done sailing and I enjoyed sailing. My granddad was in the merchant Navy, so it was kind of, I always had that kind of nautical background in some way or another, but I never thought about windsurfing. So as, as a young person I did what most young people do, go and wax up curbs late at night, go and skate, wear baggy trousers and stuff like that. <laughs> And then my old man said to me – in the nicest way possible – “you’re a lazy toe rag and you need to go and do something productive and learn a skill”. So I went into catering and became a chef.

Wow, cheffing is tough!

So originally I trained as a chef cos I’ve always enjoyed cooking, but that industry, it’s very hard to be at the top of your game in that you have to be super on it and really and truly working late till three, four o’clock in the morning, you know, for blood, sweat and tears and it wasn’t something I was passionate about.

But, I still love cooking and at least I came away from it able to cook more than a poached egg! <laughs> So the kitchen wasn’t for you, what next?

Somebody said to me about Ardingly Reservoir running an outdoor education course. So it was a crash course, NVQ level three and outdoor education, which was great.

I applied and started the course, but found I was less interested in the paperwork side of it and the rick-box exercises and more interested in the practical side.

Yeah, you’re not a desk-job kind of guy! <laughs> Yeah, totally! The owner and the chief instructor then gave me the opportunity to get more hands-on by allowing me to get my NGB qualifications in kayaking, windsurfing and dinghy sailing. I learnt new skills, honed old ones and

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that’s where my addiction to windsurfing started.

So that’s where it all started then?

Yeah, they took me out windsurfing for the first time.

Classic 18 year old learning to windsurf. In the darkest part of winter, you know, big starter board, big, big, big old sail just like holding a big barn door! And you know, that was it for me. There’s nothing like it. So I would always go out and I’d just be like, “I just wanna go faster”.

And I think for me, that’s what got me into windsurfing more than anything else was the fact that it was so addictive, no two days are the same. You are always learning something. Yeah. The variables, you know, being in and around nature, the variables are massive. I think I’ve got a very addictive personality and that fed into it massively.

Really suited the way you’re wired.

Exactly. Yeah, so I just kept doing it. Then they said to me, “We’ll take you down the coast”. So my first ever experience on the sea was back at home down in Worthing. It was quite a brutal day! Suddenly I’m out on the sea on a big plastic-fantastic board with a daggerboard and absolutely no clue whatsoever. <laughs> I was just like, “right, I want to be on the sea”.

...I think for me, that’s what got me into windsurfing more than anything else was the fact that it was so addictive, no two days are the same.

Moving to the sea from an inland lake is a steep learning curve isn’t it?!

100%. I ended up all the way downwind nearly playing the slot machines at Worthing pier! <laughs> So then I had to walk back up the coastline and the beach is stony as you like, so I had to walk all over the stones, barefoot, for a couple of miles carrying a big lump of a board and rig all the way back up to where I was parked.

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And I was just like, if I can walk over all those stones, over that great a distance, with a weight that big, and still want to get out again, then this is what I WANT to do!

Yeah, that’s how you know you LOVE something isn’t it? If the worst part of it doesn’t stop you wanting more.

Yeah! So you can go away from a day filled with frustration and turn that into determination for the next session. Windsurfing gave me the opportunity to see past failure and turn that around and change my approach so I improved next time and I think that, in turn, helped me apply that approach to life too.

So what happened after you moved on from Ardingly?

So I worked, I did a few jobs in different water sports centres on the coast and inland. And then basically from there I had the opportunity to go traveling. I was able to use my catering and coaching skills while travelling, and that helped me develop more life skills in the process. The owner of the centre where I’d taken my instructor course said to me, “if you ever come back into the country and you need a job, then give me a shout”.

So when I came back I did just that! I’ll never forget, you know, standing there in my three quarter length corduroys – perfect job interview outfit. Yeah. <laughs> I bowled up in my VW van and was like “this is me, I’m back!”. At that point I was a senior instructor in dinghy sailing and I was then given the opportunity to progress and become a senior windsurf instructor, powerboat instructor and a stand up paddle board instructor as well. I worked for them for about 14 years.

Feels like being an instructor was your calling at that point.

To be able to pass what I was learning on to other people and have people go, “that was cool man”. You know, or more importantly, see people stay in the sport or get hooked on the sport. Like yourself and your brother. Yeah, it was a buzz.

Yeah, basically the whole thing about windsurfing is just

To be able to pass what I was learning on to other people and have people go, “that was cool man”.

You know, or more importantly, see people stay in the sport or get hooked on the sport. the freedom of it, the exhilaration and the lifestyle that comes with it as well. But, I think the one thing I think about windsurfing more than anything else is that we can all share the experience regardless of our locations.

My environment’s different to your environment, your environment’s different to mine. But fundamentally, we all share that same one thing about that sport, which is that it’s just so addictive.

So how did you progress from there?

I then spent more time sailing at the coast and met more people who mentored me, helped me develop my skills even more and fed that addiction.

One of those people was a good friend of mine, Stu. He was a big kid and he was a huge influence on me. He had such a natural ability at windsurfing and the buzz he got

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on and off the water galvanised my want and need to windsurf more.

He was the main reason for me to turn pro and start taking part in the British Wavesailing Association events across the country. We’d always talked about doing these events together, so when he passed it really spurred me on.

He wasn’t just an influence on the windsurfing side of it either, he could build anything out of wood and he’d always be like, “don’t skimp on it”. He was a stickler for detail and would get frustrated if something wasn’t done properly. He’d step back, take stock, work out a solution and do it right, which probably stemmed from the windsurfer in him.

It would drive some people mad ‘cos he’d spend a grand on something that they could have bought for a couple of hundred quid, but he wanted to do it right so he didn’t have to come back and do it again.

So after you lost Stu, seems like you kind of took the mantle and carried on with that “don’t skimp” attitude at the centre. What happened there? Because I know you got progressively more frustrated there in the final few years.

Yeah, so I carried with instructing and then started getting pulled into the management side, taking on more responsibility. At the start that was great, because I got to mentor new instructors and run a successful water sport centre and at that time I think I’d sort of grown up in a way. But sadly, the environment changed, staff started to get harassed by local unsavoury elements and the centre started attracting trouble on a regular basis. This then meant that the water sports became secondary to being a social worker and security guard and having to deal with physical and mental abuse.

But, because of my attitude I always told myself tomorrow is a different day and could be a better one.

My other half worked with us as well. Unfortunately, this took a toll on her sooner than me and she became burnt out as a result. She was able to recognise it in herself, but she was also able to see it in me. But I wasn’t able to see it at that point.

At that time I was unable to recognise what was happening to me, because I was too busy dealing with what was happening in my working environment. It was effecting my physical and mental state in a way that I couldn’t recognise at that time, and I just kept on going with a ‘pull your socks up’ mentality. But what was happening was that everything was chipping away at me in the background and that made me ultimately feel more lost than anything else. I was becoming very depressed and very angry, you know, and it was just kind of like, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. I’d lost perspective at that point.

I was becoming very depressed and very angry, you know, and it was just kind of like, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.

I couldn’t deal with the aggravation, but I didn’t know how to get out of it. So then, thankfully for me, the pandemic turned up, so we were all forced into lockdown by May!

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So what did you do?

Yeah, loneliness isn’t just “being on your own” is it?

Yeah, we were all let go the day before the first lockdown started and nothing was said about anyone’s future, it was just a case of ‘we can’t afford you anymore’.

Yeah, you might say to someone “I feel very alone”. And they might say, “well, have you thought about joining a club?” And it’s like, no, it’s not like that. I don’t want to have to stand there and shake you going, “why don’t you understand how I feel?”.

I had a lot of mixed emotions – having worked for a company for that length of time, to be left in the dark like a mushroom was a bitter pill.

Thankfully we (myself and two other managers) were able to setup the furlough scheme which meant that staff could be temporarily re-employed and that took some of the uncertainty out of people’s futures.

This was the turning point.

The opportunity to rent a workshop turned up, and I’ve always wanted a workshop. I’d been repairing people’s boards but always, you know, in a shed or anywhere dry I could find to do it!

So I sat down with my partner, Sue, and we talked about it and she said, “look, you are not happy where you are.

You’re only on furlough for a short period of time and you‘ve got the opportunity to change your life”.

Fast forward and I’m making a living repairing and restoring people’s boards and designing and building my own range of boards and accessories. Being my own boss means I get the opportunity to windsurf more too.

Literally living the dream!

Was the right decision for sure, daunting but I think you could feel the weight lifting.

Yeah. Mentally there have been some moments in the past where I’ve just been like, I wake up in the morning, I just think to myself, “what’s the point?”. And, you know, there were moments where I just kind of thought I’d be better off if I was just sleeping forever. But then I’d think about the influence that I’ve had on people through the coaching or the influence that other people have on me, that just keeps me going, has pulled me out some dark days.

I don’t discuss how I’m feeling too much, but sometimes just being in the presence of a friend is, in its own way, the therapy that’s needed. And, you know, for me, windsurfing is a huge therapy because I can get out and leave it all out in the water.

I don’t discuss how I’m feeling too much...for me, windsurfing is a huge therapy because I can get out and leave it all out in the water.

My greatest fear was being on my own. Being alone, not necessarily physically, but mentally alone. Being alone mentally is possibly one of the worst things. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone, that enclosure of being inside yourself.

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Yeah, I think loneliness is actually more about not knowing or believing, as you say, that there’s anyone else out there who’s in a similar situation or who might understand what you are going through.

Yeah. So coming back to the business side of it, I felt I’d been institutionalised and didn’t know where I was going.

Suddenly I’m solo and it was like, this is scary now. I would say the two biggest influences was Sue and you. So I’ve got you two to blame for this! <laughs> Sue gave me the encouragement and the push to say, if you don’t do it, you’ll never know. And with you, you know, I respect your input and your, constructive criticism, whatever it is.

If you’re isolated on your own, you can’t work out where you’re at either. You need to have those reactions. Yeah.

You need to share stuff with people.

How long has MC Water sports been live and kicking?

Come this July, it’ll be three years and this is definitely the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. And there was something someone said, they walked in and looked around at the workshop and said “are you proud of yourself?”. And I was like, “about what?”. And they were just like, “you’ve created in entire business, you know, from wanting to make boards, now you’re making boards, you’ve created all this yourself.” And I was like, “I never really thought about it, to be honest. I’m just doing it”. But then I thought ‘wow, yeah, I’m actually doing this!’.

Come this July, it’ll be three years and this is definitely the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.

I would never have done it if it hadn’t been for Covid to be honest, so I feel a bit kind of sad in a way that I had to wait for a pandemic, but equally I feel very, very blessed in another way. I had that opportunity to change my life and, for me personally, I needed that change!

Yeah, I genuinely think if I stayed at the centre I was working at, that would’ve been the end of my life right there.

So what’s next for ’The Dude’?

Sail when it’s windy, repair and build boards when it’s not, solve problems, hone skills, drink tea and after all that’s done…just chill! mcwatersports.com ardinglyactivitycentre.co.uk

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ANYONE WHO HAS NEVER MADE A MISTAKE HAS NEVER TRIED ANYTHING NEW ALBERT EINSTEIN

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JUICE FOR YOUR BRAIN BOOST YOUR ROOTS

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BOOST YOUR ROOTS Words/Lou Andrews

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Stim for your stem

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 Autumn edition…

Arnold Netflix Documentary ‘If I can see it, then it must be achievable.’

I grew up on the movies of Arnold Schwarzenegger; Twins, Last Action Hero, Terminator –but, what I didn’t realise (and many of you will likely be the same), is what an amazing person he is!

If you’re an Arnie fan, you NEED to watch this! And if you are not? Well...you still need to watch this! It’s so much more than a typical documentary. You can learn a lot from simply watching this man and the way he navigates through life.

It opens with Arnie sitting in a stone hot tub surrounded by snow, smoking the fattest cigar and looking out at the world. Now for most people that means chilling out and relaxing, but from what I’ve now seen in this documentary, its likely Arnie was thinking about what he wants to achieve next in life! He wanted to become a bodybuilder, so he did. He wanted to become an actor, so he did. He wanted to get into politics and guess what, he did that too!

That man can do anything he sets his mind to simply because he believes he can and puts in the work to achieve it. He is, as the Terminator was, a machine. A real advocate for the power of the mind. It’s easy to see how he was the Governor of California from 2003 to 2011, quite frankly there is no-one else that I would rather represent my state!

Beef Netflix Series This one is a must watch in my opinion. It’s a brilliantly written dark comedy and I completely see why it was being hailed as one of the best TV shows of 2023...because it is! From the opening scene, it’s very relatable. We’ve all had bad days where everything seems be going wrong; the annoying shop assistant, the jammed seatbelt, the road rage incident that pushes you over the edge (well hopefully you’ve not had the last part!). It’s a perfect disaster waiting to happen...

I will skirt around the finer details, as I don’t want to ruin it for you, but in a nutshell it’s about an incident of road rage between the two main characters Danny and Amy, (superbly played

by Steven Yeun & Ali Wong) and the lengths they will go to get one over on each other – and boy, are some of them extreme! It twists, it turns, and it drags you along on this messed up journey with them both, but if you see through all the chaos there is something powerful to be learnt from this too. Inevitably that’s what life’s all about…decisions. And maybe we make the wrong ones sometimes, or maybe there are no wrong decisions. Maybe we make the ones that we were always supposed to make to get us exactly where we are now? It’s all about how you choose to see it.

Nala’s World Book by Dean Nicholson & Frann Preston-Gannon I picked this book up by chance whilst walking through the supermarket one day. My 5-yearold girl likes cats and this one had a cat on the front...no brainer. When I got it home and began reading it to her, I realised what a superb choice that had been. I love a book with a good sentiment and this one is filled to the brim with kindness and life inspiring lessons for your kids and, what’s more, its inspired by a true story. It’s the tale of a lonely little kitten that meets a very kind man and their epic journey together all over the world.

When we got to the back pages, I must admit I cried inside a little simply because it’s so beautiful! My daughter cried out ‘wow mummy look at that!’. I won’t tell you why, go get the book and see…I promise you it’s worth it!

We read it every day after that for about two weeks solid. It really is one of those books that restores your faith in humankind. There really are people out there that will go that extra mile and I think we should all take a leaf out of this book.

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NURTURE BY NATURE AUTUMN BLUES?

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AUTUMN BLUES? Words/Lou Andrews

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Shorter days mean you’re short on things to do right? Wrong!

In general people in the UK tend to see the end of summer as a negative. Bye-bye to beach days and barbeques, hello to a slow descent into moping the next few months away! Darker nights, shorter days and a colder climate seem to be the reasoning behind that, but like I have said before, its all about how we choose to see things. There is beauty and a reason to celebrate in every season if we only open our eyes wide enough to see (and I don’t mean looking through the lens of your phone either!). The radiant red and yellow leaf garlands draped across our woodland backdrops are reason enough. Get out there and experience what Autumn has to offer. ‘I don’t know how’ I hear you say! Well, we have it covered. Below is a list of the best things to do in the UK during Autumn. Go and enjoy it and soak up some of that vitamin D while you are there too.

Apple picking Apparently, late September and October are the best times to pick Apples in the UK! I totally did not know this, and I have to be honest I have never thought about going apple picking either! There is a list of some of the best places to visit on the Delicious Magazine website and there are plenty more to be found on Google. And don’t forget to pick yourself some extras for apple bobbing at Halloween! deliciousmagazine.co.uk

See the Stars in a National Park I really love the idea of this one!

With the darkness approaching earlier during the autumn months you can start the fun sooner! Why not wrap up warm, take some blankets, some hot chocolate in a flask and head out to check out the stars in one of our beautiful National parks. Grab yourself some star-gazing binoculars to really get things going. Tin Box Traveller has a great list of the national parks by area that you can check out.

Autumn picnics The UK has some of the best landscapes to offer, but when was the last time you went for a picnic in Autumn? It’s funny isn’t it, we all love a good picnic in the summer, but come Autumn and its suddenly off the cards! Well, it doesn’t have to be. Pack up your sausage rolls, warm clothes and hot flasks and get out there exploring.

tinboxtraveller.co.uk

Go Ape This one is perfect for all the family as they have children’s courses too. Plenty of fresh air and adrenaline, not to mention fun! Go Ape adventures are said to reduce stress, increase confidence, improve problem solving skills and much more. If you go on their website, you’ll see they have 36 activity centres up and down the country, so wherever you are there’s no excuse not to Go Ape! goape.co.uk

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Autumn Festival at Blenheim Palace Blenheim palace is a beautiful place to visit anyway, but that accompanied by activities, workshops, live music, food and drink stalls and the amazing Michaelmas Market and you have a winner. There are also fun games and craft workshops for the kids too.

Get your tickets on the link below before they all get snapped up.

Where: Woodstock, OX20 1PP When: 30 September to Sunday 1 October blenheimpalace.com

Scarecrow Festival Villages all over England host Scarecrow Festivals in Summer and Autumn, where villagers show off their scarecrow making talents.

Both of my children love the book ‘The Scarecrows Wedding’ by Julia Donaldson, so I know they would love to go to one of these.

The Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival in Worcestershire boasts that theirs is the biggest and the best and is on 23rd/24th September.

Looking at the overview it does sound pretty cool. There are stalls, live music, Scarecrow trails and entertainment throughout the village. There’s a nice overview on the ’A considered life’ website complete with some great pictures and a list of the best ones to visit.

Oktoberfest Most of us have likely heard of Munich’s epic beer festival, but did you know that you can also experience it here in the UK? If you head to the website, you can click on the link to buy tickets at a location near you and get a taste of what Germany’s finest festival has to offer. So, dig out your Lederhosen and head on down! oktoberfestuk.co.uk

aconsideredlife.co.uk

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YOU’VE GOT TO BE IN IT, TO WIN IT DALE WINTON

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DOSE OF DOPAMINE LET’S BE BLUNT DO NOT READ THIS TITLE

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LET’S BE BLUNT Words/Lou Andrews

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Whatever your opinions on his music, James Blunt is No.1 when it comes to trolls.

I must admit, I don’t really get why people troll, but in a world where we live out our lives on a social media stage it’s becoming an epidemic. The private thoughts rattling around the minds of a few happiness haters, now have an online platform to grow their negativity and like bindweed they are hard to get rid of…or are they? In a world without social media, these people would be called bullies. A group of kids in your schoolyard that somehow think they are better than everyone else and that they have the right to tear you down and it has the same impact in the socials as it did back in school. It’s hurtful, unnecessary and has a massive negative impact on your frame of mind. In some shocking cases it has even led to people taking their own lives, all because of the hateful words of these underworld foot soldiers of the sofa! So, what should we do? In my quest to find out, I stumbled across an unlikely genius, batting away these bullies like flies, with one powerful swat of the hand. That man is James Blunt! Yes, the man that penned ‘You’re Beautiful’. I’ve always believed in not taking yourself too seriously and using comedy as an effective (and very enjoyable) forcefield and this man does just that. His comebacks to negative troll comments are both hilarious and cutting. He stops them in their tracks, and they have nothing to come back with. Job done. Drop the mic. You see, if you take away the intent of these comments and are comfortable enough with yourself to not let them bother you, then they become nothing more than empty words on a page that can be torn out and thrown away. As I flicked through his social media comments I couldn’t stop laughing and it gave me an enormous sense of satisfaction that these would-be bullies were slain so brilliantly. He also has a book out entitled ‘How to be a complete and utter Blunt’ so naturally I bought it and its epic! An easy read, but one that will leave you feeling lighter. Here’s some of Blunt’s best bits!

Ceej Tee

Christian Blackman

Lloydy_78

I must be 1 of 2 who genuinely likes every @jamesblunt song.

The other person being him.

If it wasn’t for Twitter everyone would have forgot about @jamesblunt tbh!

I’m having a bad weekend, some guy just asked me if I was james blunt.

James Blunt

James Blunt

James Blunt

Nope, you’re on your own.

And the most relevant you’ll ever be is that one time James Blunt tweeted you.

Me too. And even worse.

I realised I was!

@chickenoriental

@JamesBlunt

@chrisdb94

@JamesBlunt

Katy_Nicolson @katy_nicolson

Can we all take a moment and remember just how terrible james blunt was.

James Blunt @JamesBlunt

NO NEED. I HAVE A NEW ALBUM COMING SOON.

Richard Cheese @porkandparty

As if isolation couldn’t get any worse, @jamesblunt just came on the radio.

James Blunt @JamesBlunt

Worse must be realising you’re too thick to change the station.

yanto1973 @yanto1973

That james blunt song is utterly horrific, horrific.

James Blunt

Free Follow @sassyfalahee

omfg james blunt is on the tv downstairs can this day get any worse!

@JamesBlunt

Yet so many people bought it, bought it.

James Blunt @JamesBlunt

Coming upstairs now.

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@Llioydy_78

@JamesBlunt

AnIrishChap @jthundersrocks

@jamesblunt I broke up with my girlfriend because she likes your music. Shes obviously deaf.

James Blunt @JamesBlunt

If she was your girlfriend she was probably blind as well.

Hettie Jones @sassyfalahee

James blunt just has an annoying face and a highly irritating voice.

James Blunt @JamesBlunt

And no mortgage.

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DO NOT READ THIS TITLE Words/Lou Andrews

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The art of useless.

“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?!

Bored Panda www.boredpanda.com/most-pointless-useless-things Bored Panda have made killing time into an artform. Here’s a selection of classics from their ‘64 Of The Most Useless Things Ever Made’ article.

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SKIN YOU’RE IN COUGH UP FOR COFFEE

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COUGH UP FOR COFFEE Words/Lou Andrews

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We spill the beans on what coffee is good for the mind Coffee is something that came up in my research for the Bad boys of brain food article in our last edition. Pretty much all the articles I read had coffee listed as a positive brain boost, but why? What is it that makes this little cup of morning glory so special? And how much should we be drinking? The statistics on nescafe.com were pretty eye-opening. Us Brits consume around 95 million cups of coffee a day! Yes...A DAY! And that’s not all, this buzzing little beverage is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Worldwide we consume about 400 billion cups a year and its second only to water, yet how many of you know what goes into coffee and which ones are the best for your body? Nope, me neither!

So, the question is this – should we be spending a little extra on something that is a daily vice for our bodies? And, if so, which ones? I must say I have weathered the trenches for you in this article, it was a real minefield! Who knew coffee could be so complex?! I will try and keep it as simple and informative as I can so as not to blow your mind...

There’s a comprehensive study at www.medicalnewstoday.com which seems to claim that coffee consumption can decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The brain-protecting benefits seem to come from the roasting of the coffee beans, during which compounds called Phenylindanes are produced. It appears that a longer roasting time causes the coffee beans to produce more Phenylindanes.

‘This suggests that dark roasted coffee — whether regular or decaf — has the strongest protective effect on the brain.’

I also found an article at www.healthline.com which discusses Caffeine. ‘Caffeine is the key reason why coffee boosts brain function. This stimulant blocks adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that makes you sleepy.’ So, this explains why we all seem to think we need that morning coffee fix to wake us up. It does state though that if you consume it late in the day, Caffeine may reduce the quality of your sleep – so ditch those night-time buzzes people!

One thing that all the articles have in common is that we should be drinking coffee in moderation. So, what is moderation? The general consensus in all the articles I have read seems to be between 2 and 4 cups a day.

much caffeine should we be having? The FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day – that’s about four or five cups of coffee – as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects. But remember, caffeine can also be found in other products such as chocolate and coke! Too high an intake of caffeine can cause detrimental effects such as headaches, insomnia (which has its own health impacts too) – irritability, anxiety, digestive issues and even a faster heartbeat – so make sure you keep that scale balanced!

Which brands of coffee come up as healthiest? When I started this article, I was thinking I would do my background research and then provide you with a list of the best, but there is no such thing it seems! Looking at everything I have found, it seems to come down to two key elements: taste preference and lifestyle! Between instant, peculated and shop bought, the choice is yours dependant on what you prefer as it’s clear that the actual health benefits don’t seem to differentiate between the types. However, here’s a few basic guidelines to work with: • 2-4 cups a day • 400 milligrams of caffeine a day (Arabica beans have less, as does instant)

Now let’s talk beans! joinzoe.com give us a good oversight:

• Dark roasted is better for the brain

There are two main types of coffee beans:

Lastly, body types. Everyone is different and you may have some sensitivity towards some of the elements such as caffeine. If you notice anything, then it’s worth trying out different types and brands. Personally, I do find that most instant coffees do a number on my tummy apart from one…Lavazza. It’s around £5 a tin, so a bit on the pricey side, but the supermakets often do deals on it, and I just don’t seem to get the same body response with this one.

• Arabica beans have a sweeter and more complex flavour profile.

• Robusta beans have a stronger, more bitter taste and more caffeine.

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, it’s worth noting that Arabica beans generally have less.

Next on the list is Peculated or Instant? I found an article at coach.nine.com.au, which states, according to dietitian Melanie McGrice, you can rest easy – ‘for the most part, instant coffee has (almost) all of the health benefits of its more expensive counterpart. Instant coffee is literally just 100 percent coffee beans that have been roasted, ground and brewed with water into a liquid, then dehydrated, so it has the same health benefits as ground coffee beans’. I have to say I was quite surprised at this, as you always tend to think that instant is a bit of a cop out, but apparently not! The article goes on to confirm that ‘The key difference seems to be the Caffeine levels though. One cup of instant coffee has 60-80mg of caffeine. On the other hand, a ground or brewed coffee has 60-120mg of caffeine per cup’. Right, so then, how #02 AUTUMN 23

• Don’t drink too late in the day

Right, this article research has tired out my brain, so I’m off to grab myself a coffee! If you want to read some of the full articles on these subjects, the links are below.

Does Coffee Benefit the Brain? | healthline.com Healthiest Coffee: Types, Preparation, Benefits, and More | joinzoe.com Instant coffee vs ground coffee: Which is healthier? | coach.nine.com.au Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? | fda.gov 53

THE CENT IN THE CEMETERY Words/Lou Andrews

We’ve taken a break from the norm in this edition. Its Autumn, the leaves are turning gold and crimson, and you know what that means? Halloween is fast approaching! Whether you are a fan or not, any opportunity to have some fun and dress up isn’t a bad thing in my eyes, so we embrace it! Since I’ve had my two kids, I’m often seen on All Hallows Eve wandering the streets in the most ridiculous outfits, covered in fake blood – we have THE BEST time! So, get your ghoul on and pick out those pumpkins, because we’ve hunted down the best costumes this season and some of them are a scream!

Beetlejuice

Heinz Ketchup

Cousin IT

This one is bound to be a big seller this year due to all the hype about the long-awaited Beetlejuice 2, set for release next year. You can get the full outfit at many online stores (Amazon do a good one) and there’s even a shrunken head version if you want to be a little different. There is a replica ‘Lydia’ red dress available if you are going with someone else and if you feel like going all out, I even came across a dog costume (yes, I said dog!). It’s bound to get heads turning 360!

Ok this is a little weird, but it made me laugh and I’ve never seen this one before so why not?! You could make it a Halloween Heinz version – Heinz Killer ketchup! And let’s face it if you’re going to go as ketchup, it has to be Heinz.

I actually laughed out loud when I saw this one! This is totally one I would go for…and on the plus side it will keep you nice and warm in the winter chill!

Although, I’m not sure how you would navigate your way around the buffet table. But who cares, you will look epic! What I also love about this is that no-one will know who you are under all the hair!

£31 | very.co.uk

£59.99 | joke.co.uk

From £28 | amazon.co.uk

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Gorilla + Cage

Michael Myers

This one is epic, but very pricey!

However, if you are looking for a show stopping gag this Halloween, then this is it. You could even jazz it up with some Halloween makeup (i.e. dead person in cage etc!).

If you are looking to give someone the Heebie-Jeebies this year then let’s face it, this one always does the trick.

Plus, there is bound to be a Halloween 34 movie out this year so it’s always current! You can do this costume cheaply yourself by picking up a boiler suit and shops like Poundland often do these types of masks. However, if you want to go all out then here’s where to go:

£179.99 | joke.co.uk

Wednesday Addams If you are going to go as Wednesday, then you have to do it the Jenna way!

There are several places that do the iconic ‘black dress’ party number, so shop around and don’t forget to learn the dance routine (if you’ve watched Wednesday then you’ll know what I mean!) £36.99 | amazon.co.uk

Jumpsuit – £17.87 | onbuy.com Latex mask – £18.99 | amazon.co.uk Full costume – £52.99 | joke.co.uk

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HACK AT THE BACK Words/Lou Andrews

Scream of the crop...

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 timesaving goodness – because, let’s face it, every minute of life is precious!

In this edition, we’ve pumpkined-up for the spooky season! Check out these epic, autumn inspired beauties.

Pumpkin Peppers

Pumpkin vase

Pumpkin Preserver

When I saw these, I thought ‘how have I never thought of doing this?!’

It’s cheap, simple, and healthy! You basically cut the pepper to look like a pumpkin, boil the peppers for 5 minutes to soften them, then add whatever filling you want (rice, mince etc.) and bake them in the oven... genius!

Again, it’s simple, but so effective.

Cut the top off a pumpkin, hollow it out, fill it with water and then add a selection of flowers. See, I told you it was simple! The striking orange ‘vase’ really brings the colour of the flowers out…and of course the ghouls! You could even do a variety of assorted sizes and really go for it. And, where can you find this hack? Well its @mrsemilynorris again of course!

If you want your pumpkin to last longer, try the bleach trick (or treat!).

Bleach can stop your pumpkin rotting because it kills fungi and bacteria.

Mix a tablespoon of bleach in a bucket with four cups of water. If your pumpkin is uncarved, just soak it in the solution for 20 minutes and let it dry.

If you have an already carved one, just spray it with the bleach solution and allow to dry.

There is an amazing YouTube video from @mrsemilynorris which shows you exactly how (complete with a filling recipe). She is the one to watch this Halloween for trend setting tips!

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WINTER ISSUE OUT DECEMBER

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