Reframe #05 Winter 24/25

FRESH FODDER FOR YOUR FRAME OF MIND

#05 WINTER 24/25

#05 WINTER 24/25

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

1

SUBSCRIBE! CLICK NOW

2

#05 WINTER 24/25

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. #05 WINTER 24/25

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

THE HANDS OF HOPE

10

SOUL FOOD

16

Hope Solo is a flawed human with a good heart who’s made mistakes. Perfect people please raise your hands...

READ NOW >

FOOD TO BOOST YOUR MOOD We talk to Tim Allen, who changed things up with a camera and some train tickets.

READ NOW > NURTURE BY NATURE

30

ALSO INSIDE

FRESH AIR AND FESTIVE FROLICS

JUICE FOR YOUR BRAIN Boost Your Roots

26

The Cent in the Sentiment Hack at the Back

44 46

Millions in the UK are quietly suffering with a condition that, even in 2024, is barely even whispered about..

READ NOW >

ME, MYSELF & I

8

DOSE OF DOPAMINE

36

TREAT PEOPLE WITH KINDNESS

YOU REALLY SHOULDN’T HAVE

Kindness can be an overlooked commodity in this busy life of ours...

It’s the ‘thought’ that counts...

READ NOW > YOU DO YOU

22

READ NOW >

SKIN YOU’RE IN

40

TALKING TABOO Millions in the UK are quietly suffering with a condition that, even in 2024, is barely even whispered about..

READ NOW >

THE FINAL PIECE There’s a lot more joy to be had than you’d think in those little scraps of cardboard.

READ NOW >

#05 WINTER 24/25

5

ME, MYSELF &I TREAT PEOPLE WITH KINDNESS THE HANDS OF HOPE

6

#05 WINTER 24/25

#05 WINTER 24/25

7

TREAT PEOPLE WITH KINDNESS Words/Lou Andrews

8

#05 WINTER 24/25

No, this isn’t an article on Harry Styles, although the man has a good point! Kindness can be an overlooked commodity in this busy life of ours...

It’s not because we are not good people, no, it’s simply because we don’t often have the time to stop and look around us. To some extent I think we all live in our own little bubbles of life. Yes, we have our eyes open, but how often do we really see things? How often do we make a conscious effort to be aware of opportunities to gift someone a random act of kindness? With it being the season of goodwill and all that, I thought we would take a look at this simple subject – after all sharing is caring right?

How often do we make a conscious effort to be aware of opportunities to gift someone a random act of kindness?

This time last year, I was shopping for some stocking fillers in Tesco when I heard some loud shouting. When I looked up, I could see a woman trying to restrain what appeared to be an eleven or twelve-year-old girl. The girl was highly agitated and was trying to kick out at passersby. Initially, I didn’t really know what to do so I calmly walked past them and stood a couple of meters down. I could hear the mum desperately trying to calm her daughter down. Before I had even had the chance to think, the girl broke free, and the mum shouted to me to stop her as she would hurt the little kids just behind me. I had no choice; I caught hold of the girl and began to talk her down. I don’t know why I did that, it just seemed that was the best thing to do. She wasn’t trying to kick or hurt me, she had just stopped and was staring at me and listening. The mum came over and thanked me and explained that her daughter had autism, but she had needed to get some food shopping, so she was having to navigate how to manage both. My eyes had been opened and I realised that this was my opportunity to step up and do something for someone else, so I offered to escort her and help while she got the bits she needed. Through doing so, I got to see just how difficult even the simple things can be when you are in this situation. Some shoppers were fine, but others tutted and muttered things under their breath, many people stared and even the woman at the till became inpatient with us. I completed the shop and helped the woman load her shopping into the car. The woman was so thankful I actually thought she was going to cry. As I waved goodbye, I realised that the little girl and her mother had ignited a flame inside of me. A flame that made me feel warm and bright inside.

By showing some kindness, I had, in turn, made myself feel good too. Surely that is a win/win, right?

#05 WINTER 24/25

I went home wondering; if I spent more time being aware of my surroundings when I was out of the house, would I see more people in need of some kindness?

And sure enough, I did! The next day with my alert button switched to ‘on’, I was stood in the queue at the newsagents. The lad in front of me had put some sweets on the side, but he couldn’t find his wallet. As he frantically searched for £1.50, looking embarrassed, I gave the shop assistant the money! The lad couldn’t believe I had done that. He must have thanked me 10 times before he left the shop. Again, came this warm feeling inside! It carried on like that too. There was the woman whose kid dropped his glove at the school, she smiled and thanked me as I returned the glove out of breath from running after them! There was the little old lady that grabbed my hands and said ‘god bless you’ when I swapped her broken trolley for a working one at the supermarket and they all made me feel happy too.

A flame that made me feel warm and bright inside. By showing some kindness, I had, in turn, made myself feel good too. Surely that is a win/win, right?

After a couple of days, I had sub-consciously retreated back into my life bubble again and things stopped happening, but every now and again I remember to flick that switch back to ‘on’ and it’s always a worthwhile experience.

Many people donate money to charity at Christmas and that is great, but for those of you that don’t have the spare money to donate, flick that switch and share some kindness...you never know, it could change your life...or someone else’s.

9

THE HANDS OF HOPE Words/Lou Andrews

10

#05 WINTER 24/25

From zero, to hero, to zero, to hero...Hope Solo is a flawed human with a good heart who’s made mistakes. Perfect people please raise your hands...

When I’m looking for articles to write in REFRAME, I always like to find the little diamonds in the rough…and this one was just that. I was flicking through Netflix one day and stumbled across a documentary called ‘Hope Solo Vs. US Soccer’. Now, I had never heard of Hope Solo, which after watching this documentary, I would say is a crime against football! As the documentary played out, I realised that there was a lot we can learn from her life and how she manifested that into professional success. No matter what happened to her, she stood on life’s mountain looking down like a lion.

She’s a true fighter. Hope was somehow able to use her knocks in life to fuel her juggernaut and crash through the world of football leaving behind one hell of an impact. There have been so many occasions in Hope’s life where she could have given up, but she just kept on going.

Hope Solo was the goalkeeper for the US Women’s National team for 15 years. Her awards cabinet is more vast than Elton John’s jewellery collection! She’s won two Olympic golds, the 2015 World Cup and prior to that two state championships. In the documentary she is softly spoken and comes across somewhat humble… then we flash to footage of her on the pitch and you realise that this girl is a beast of a player. She plays with such drive that it feels like losing was never an option in her mind and I’m sure that presence was felt many times by her opponents. She worked hard for what she achieved, despite all that went on in her home life.

Her awards cabinet is more vast than Elton John’s jewellery collection! She’s won two Olympic golds, the 2015 World Cup and prior to that two state championships.

Hope’s parents split up when she was a child and at the age of seven her father took her to Seattle for the weekend. That weekend went on longer than it should have…and ended with Hope’s father being arrested in front of her and taken away. Yes, you guessed it, he had kidnapped her! She didn’t see her father for a decade after that, which is so sad because you can really see the love between them in the images that we get shown. Despite what must have been a very difficult time for her, Hope excelled at football in high school and had over 200 offer letters for colleges! She was so well respected in the game that the parents and coaches used to help pay for lunches and travel when her mum couldn’t, just so she could continue playing.

It seems there is Hope (Yes, yes, OK, a predictable play

#05 WINTER 24/25

on words!) for our society yet! She had set her mind on going to Virginia. However, while playing football in a park in Seattle Hope saw her father. It turns out he was homeless and had been living in the woods. That spurred her decision to stay put and she signed for Washington.

She had set her mind on going to Virginia. However, while playing football in a park in Seattle Hope saw her father. It turns out he was homeless and had been living in the woods.

She took him food and visited him often. The bond between them is key in this documentary. Every time Hope speaks about her dad her eyes light up and a smile appears like she’s replaying some of the happy moments in her life. She says she never judged him, and I think that’s a key trait to live by. She didn’t waste energy dwelling on what could have been or look for someone to blame. No, she got out there and took what she rightly deserved in life. Her dad followed her every stride like a proud parent. In 2007 she finally got picked to go to the World Cup in the starting line-up, but just prior to leaving she got a call to say that her dad had passed away. Again, that would floor most people, but not Hope. She went out there and played her soul out in honour of her dad. Her saves were impeccable, you would have thought her opponents were trying to kick a beach ball into a mouse hole she was that good!

The US cruised through to the semi-final and then in a dramatic turn of events, Hope was dropped to play Briana Scurry. It’s been said that it was Scurry’s last tournament and as she was such a legend they took the decision to make the switch. It turned out to be the wrong decision...the US were knocked out of the tournament in a 4-0 loss! It was dubbed by the broadcasters as ‘the worst decision in US history’ and, undoubtedly, it was a bad one.

Hope Solo was subsequently interviewed and asked if she would have made those saves…and she said ‘yes’.

A sudden tidal wave of negative press swept over the land. She had broken the bro-code. Her own teammates shunned her, to the extent that for the bronze medal match the team didn’t even want her at the game! And the icing on the top of a very badly baked cake...she wasn’t even allowed to travel home with her team, she was left in China. Having watched this documentary, it seems to me that Hope isn’t a vindictive sort of person… what she is, is honest! Unfortunately, that’s not seen as 11

a positive trait in the world we live in. The broadcasters and the fans can be honest, but not the players! She was right in what she had said, and most people would have agreed with her, yet she still faced this persecution. And let’s not forget, she was playing that tournament in her dad’s honour. She has said that she fell into depression at that stage. However, that didn’t last long because in 2008 the new coach, Pia Sundhage, brought Hope back. Someone finally got that this is about winning games, it’s not a popularity contest…or at least it shouldn’t be.

Pia herself is such an interesting character in this documentary. You can tell she’s really upfront and I really admire that. She went against what everyone else thought, because it was the right thing to do. Hope was back and boy did she shine. The 2008 Olympics were aptly back in China…and they won. In the aftermath of that Hope became a major celebrity, even getting a deal with Nike. Isn’t society a fickle fanclub!

Finally, all seemed well in camp hope, however, that wasn’t to last. In 2014 Hope was involved in a domestic dispute with her sister and 17-year-old nephew. It resulted in her arrest, but luckily the case was thrown out. At that point she was preparing for 2015 world cup.

Now again, this would likely have floored most people, sinking into the depths of the murky waters, but not Hope. In the throes of turmoil, she rose to the top like a phoenix from the flames. The US won that world cup final 4-0! You’ve heard that saying right…’when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade’? Well, Hope Solo makes limoncello!

Shortly after this, Hope was applying for a home loan and needed her contract – and that’s when she found out that she didn’t have one! After chasing and chasing she was basically told to shut up and play. This digging broke through the ground and unearthed the massive inequalities between what the men’s soccer team were paid and what the women’s team were paid – this despite the woman winning all of the tournaments!

The woman’s soccer team had netted four times the revenue of their male counterparts. Hope sought legal aid against the federation.

This...unearthed the massive inequalities between what the men’s soccer team were paid and what the women’s team were paid – this despite the woman winning all of the tournaments!

Fast forward to the 2016 Olympics and the US were playing Sweden led by a new coach…Pia Sundhage!

Now listen, that woman is clever, she knew how she was going to win that game. They played defensive… and in Pia’s own words they played ‘boring’ to win the game. The US were out and, once again, and Hope put her cup-winning foot in her mouth by saying they ‘played a bunch of cowards’. Now this, in normal circumstances, would have led to a suspension and a slap on the wrist, but not for Hope. They ended her contract! It’s ridiculous and let’s face it she wasn’t fired because of that; she was fired because she was taking on the federation at the time! It was an easy out. Once again, Hope was cast out into the darkness, wounded and alone. But this injured animal wasn’t about to lie down and lick her wounds, no. She threw all her energy into the fight for equal pay. She began to create a real 12

voice for it and people were starting to listen…so much so that the other players filed their own suit. In 2022 a settlement was reached for 24 million dollars…yes 24 million! Hope wasn’t happy with this though because, as she says, they weren’t in it for a settlement they were in it to change the landscape. And I admire her for that because in essence, she’s right. You can’t build the house if you don’t lay the right foundations first and Hope was paving the way for what would have been a real change worldwide.

Sadly, in March 2022 Hope was arrested for driving under the influence with her two kids in the car. In her own words she ‘finally gave people a real reason to hate her’. She retreated from the limelight. This saddens me, because you can see the raw disappointment and sadness in her face when she talks about it. And all I can see is a real hero that has been so run into the ground by the vultures that surrounded her, that she spiralled into alcoholism and lost control briefly. And of course, the good people of the world were there to toss some proverbial soil on her coffin. Ironic that those same people would have been cheering her on when she won all those trophies. We need to get better at that as a society. Better at not trampling people into the ground when they hit a nail in the road. We have all had troubled times, haven’t we?

Thankfully, we are left on a high note though as in 2023 she was inducted into the hall of fame and quite rightly so.

What I got from Hope Solo is that there are real diamonds out there buried in the rough and if only we give them the care that they deserve, they can shine bright. Hope has taught me that there is, well, hope!

When life’s storms hit, we don’t need to let it sink us. There is fight inside us all to sail into the sunset. I couldn’t find much about what Hope is doing in 2024, but I pray that she uses her strength to teach others – what should be done and what shouldn’t be done.

There is true power in understanding and she’s the woman for the job. The US could use that strength on their team. In essence, in life…there is always hope. #05 WINTER 24/25

IF YOU HAVE HATE IN YOUR HEART, THEN YOU HAVE ALREADY LOST DANIEL LARUSSO

#05 WINTER 24/25

13

SOUL FOOD FOOD TO BOOST YOUR MOOD

14

#05 WINTER 24/25

#05 WINTER 24/25

15

FOOD TO BOOST YOUR MOOD Words/Lou Andrews

16

#05 WINTER 24/25

‘Super food’ doesn’t have to mean ‘bush-tucker trial’...

In last year’s winter edition of REFRAME, we did an article on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you didn’t manage to catch it, you can read it in our previous editions section on the website. In simple terms SAD is known as the ‘winter depression’. The NHS estimate around 2 million people in the UK suffer with it each year. Thats a crazy amount, right?

While there is no clear cause of SAD, I personally think it’s linked to a multitude of things. The weather has an impact for sure – you only need to commute in London to see the difference between people’s moods in summer and winter. Come winter, those commuters have turned into murky-grey trout trying to swim against life’s current! Combine that with the lack of money and increase in debt after Christmas, plus the come-down after the Christmas buzz, and you can see why January is the labelled as the most depressing month! So, with that in mind, we thought we would look at what we can do to lighten the load a little...while keeping the spending low. This year, let’s take a look at the foods that can beat those low winter blues.

Oily Fish It seems apt I start with this one after my earlier reference to Trout! Oily fish contains Omega-3 fatty acid which we need to consume via foods, as our bodies don’t produce it naturally. Some studies have suggested that Omega-3 is linked to improving low moods and fish such as Salmon and Tuna are the top dogs! Now, I don’t particularly like what I call ‘fishy’ fish, but I have come to realise that if it’s in a flavorsome sauce, then I will eat it! This recipe from BBC Good Food is epic, trust me and give it a go! bbcgoodfood.com

Fermented Foods Yuck! I hear you say while having flashbacks of the fermented eggs in I’m a celebrity!

But, you will be glad to know you don’t need to complete a bush-tucker trial to get your fix! The supermarkets have lots of great tasting fermented products that contain Kimchi, Kefir and Kombucha. Waitrose sell a brand named ‘Vadasz’ which have a load of items on offer – one of which is a garlic and dill sauerkraut and it’s divine! Brands like Yakult and Yeo Valley offer a range of yogurts and drinks too.

I have to admit, when I think of mood foods, I tend to forget about the importance of your gut! I mean, everything in our bodies and in life in general is connected so of course, the gut will also affect your mind. In fact, 90% of our serotonin is created by the healthy bacteria in our guts, so don’t just stand there, get fermented!

Dark Chocolate Finally, some sweet stuff to sink your teeth into! Dark chocolate is high in healthpromoting flavonoids, which are known to increase blood flow to your brain, reduce inflammation, and boost brain function – all of which lead to improved moods! Milk chocolate is high in both sugar and fat and lower in flavonoids, so switching from milk to dark chocolate is a wise choice. Now, I know what you are thinking…but dark chocolate just isn’t the same! Well stick with me, as there are some lush tasting treats out there!

Montezuma’s and Tony’s are a favourite of mine, but even the big brands like Lindt and Ferrero Rocher offer a delicious dark option.

Bananas This basic budget fruit is a real powerhouse and you can get them everywhere! They’re a great source of vitamin B6, responsible for making both Serotonin and Dopamine. Now you know why the Minions are always so happy! They also contain natural sugars and fibre to keep those food cravings at bay! Now let’s face it, bananas and dark chocolate are a great combo, so why not double the dose with this lush little recipe from Nigella! thehappyfoodie.co.uk Now these are just a few to get you going, but there are many more on the links i have provided below, so get eating! https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mood-food#Fermented-foods https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/wellness/what-eat-stay-healthy-and-happy https://www.olivemagazine.com/wellbeing/10-foods-to-improve-your-mood #05 WINTER 24/25

17

YOU DO YOU THE FINAL PIECE

18

#05 WINTER 24/25

#05 WINTER 24/25

19

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…

20

#05 WINTER 24/25

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 #05 WINTER 24/25

21

THE FINAL PIECE Words/Tony Dunn

22

#05 WINTER 24/25

The title sounds like a deep and meaningful metaphor, right?

Nope, this is actually an article about the pleasure to be had in the humble jigsaw puzzle! Flashback to 2020, when most of the world suddenly found itself on hold. Having ‘done’ all of the streaming platforms, both myself and my better half decided we’d get a jigsaw puzzle for a laugh. The only jigsaw I’d been familiar with in adult life was for cutting wood, but I thought it’d be a nice, if brief, distraction. Over 30 puzzles later it would be fair to say that, even though we do less now than we did then, we can officially class it as a hobby!

Put simply, it’s a seriously relaxing, therapeutic pastime that’s accessible, cheap and the options are seemingly endless.

If you can think of a topic, there’s a jigsaw for that! You can do it alone, in a pair or as a group. When there’s more than one of you it’s a surprisingly social affair and you’ll find yourself laughing and putting the world to rights over those little scraps of cardboard. When it’s just you, it’s an amazing form of escapism and you can lose yourself for hours.

As I mentioned, there’s a huge range out there, from the classic steam trains and landscapes to modern art and everything in between. You can even get your own photos made into a jigsaw! Get yourself a simpler one to start with, say 250–500 pieces, grab a brew and get lost for an hour. You won’t regret it and your head will thank you for it. Then there’s that bitter-sweet moment you reach the last piece – you’ve finished, but you can start all over again...

#05 WINTER 24/25

23

JUICE FOR YOUR BRAIN BOOST YOUR ROOTS

24

#05 WINTER 24/25

#05 WINTER 24/25

25

BOOST YOUR ROOTS Words/Lou Andrews

Five of the best

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 our top tipples for the winter…and of course there are a few Christmas classics for those festive feels!

A Man Called Otto Movie You can’t really go wrong with a Tom Hanks movie, can you? And this one is no exception.

It’s one emotional rollercoaster I will tell you that! This movie will both break your heart and mend it all at the same time! It’s about a grumpy old widower named Otto Anderson who has lost the will to live since losing his beloved wife. That is until a new couple and their two young daughters move into his street. Somehow, they are immune to Otto’s hostile manner, no matter how hard he tries! What begins with his new neighbours dropping off a welcome gift of food, develops into the recipe for a new life. If you watch anything this holiday season, I recommend it be this little shining star!

The Family Man Movie It’s one of the less talked-about Christmas movies, but it shouldn’t be as it has all the right ingredients to make an amazing Christmas cake! Right at the start we see Jack Campbell (Nicholas Cage) at the airport leaving the love of his life for a one-year bank internship in London. We then skip forward 13 years to see that Jack is now rich and successful in his new life, but he is also lonely. A chance encounter with a stranger on Christmas eve, teaches Jack that there are far more important things in life than money. Sometimes, the most valuable things in life are free.

26

#05 WINTER 24/25

Bluey – Season 3, Episode 49: The Sign Animated Series Yes, I know that Bluey strikes a bit of a minor chord with some parents out there, but I have to say, I love the Heelers. This one is a special extended episode (31 minutes), and it’s based around the fact that Bandit has a new job in another city, so they are selling their beloved house to start a new life elsewhere. As always, Bluey does an excellent job at tugging at those heart strings. Their house is full of memories of the kids growing up. The first steps, the first day at school, family gatherings, you name it. I suddenly found myself really connecting with this episode, because let’s face it, our houses are not just four walls and a roof. They are our homes, and all our memories are stored within them. I won’t tell you the ending, but I will tell you that it reduced me to tears...and when I looked over at my six-year-old daughter, she was crying too!

Bridget Jones Diary Movie There is just something about Bridget that is so endearing. Perhaps, it’s because Renee Zellweger is on top-form in this this movie or perhaps it’s simply because Bridget is so darn relatable. We have all been single at some point in our lives, drunk too much, made fools of ourselves, and worn questionable clothing! She is, it seems, a part of us all. It’s a heartwarming tale of Britain’s most famous singleton as she clumsily stumbles her way through life. There are a lot of laughs, love, and of course giant pants! If you haven’t seen this one yet, then you need to down tools at once and reach for the remote!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas Movie This one is a family favorite in my house over the Christmas period! It ticks so many boxes – snow, Christmas feels, laughs and most importantly an adorable back-story sure to warm you inside. It’s about The Grinch (brilliantly played by Jim Carrey), a bright green creature who lives in the mountain, cast out from the main town. The Grinch has hatched a sinister plan to steal Christmas and all its cheer from the townsfolk. It’s said from the start that The Grinch has a heart two sizes too small and as the movie unravels, we find out why he is like that.

This movie is all about understanding, not judging a book by its cover...and the notion that Christmas is not just about extravagant gifts and decorations.

#05 WINTER 24/25

27

NURTURE BY NATURE FRESH AIR AND FESTIVE FROLICS

28

#05 WINTER 24/25

#05 WINTER 24/25

29

FRESH AIR AND FESTIVE FROLICS Words/Lou Andrews

30

#05 WINTER 24/25

Plan some festive fun to fuel those seasonal feels...

We are back with our second edition of this seasonal segment! And, once again, we bring you the low-down on the top Christmas festivals this year….and it’s a cracker (get it?!). I love the feel of a good Christmas festival. Theres something about being outdoors all wrapped up warm, with the lingering smell of wood burning fires and mulled wine. It sort of feels like home and captures that nostalgic essence of Christmas. And it doesn’t need to cost the earth either. There are plenty of things you can go to for a reasonable price to soak up the scents and festive cheer. We have listed some of the best ones below at varying costs to suit all your needs.

Christmas Markets Bath Christmas Market This one was first on the list this year because, well, I’m going! I missed it last year, but it looked so good I vowed to go this year.

Bath is so beautiful anyway, but mix that with 200 top quality, quirky stalls and some festive entertainment and you have the perfect storm. On top of that it’s free to go! Looking at the stall listings for this year there is something for everyone; hand crafted chocolates, tea and coffee brewers, jewellery, perfume, art, a peanut butter stall (yep, I’m heading there!) and there is even a luxury pet gifts stall for your furry friends! And of course, there will be food and drinks on offer, so fill your festive boots.

Where: Bath city centre When: 28 November – 15 December 2024 bathchristmasmarket.co.uk Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market Every year, Birmingham plays host to the largest authentic German Christmas Market outside of Germany and Austria. Looking at the images on the website, it is clearly the place to be, and I can imagine the atmosphere is electric. There’s an array of traditional goods up for grabs such as crystal lamps, toys, jewellery, glass baubles and wooden decorations. Theres a bandstand with some great acts to gets you in the Christmas party mood. And of course, some traditional foods, so grab yourself some Gluhwein and a few ‘Stollen’ moments (groan!).

Where: Victoria Square, Birmingham, BE 3AA When: 1 November – 24 December 2024 thebfcm.co.uk Cardiff Christmas Market This market has been running for 30 years and is focused around original, handmade works, which I love. There’s a mass array of quirky and unusual gifts on offer this year – polymer clay jewellery, fruit wines, flavoured rum & gins, fused glass decorations & jewellery, vintage Welsh blankets & tapestry and much more. If all that shopping works up your appetite, grab yourself some grub from the Melted Cheese Company or some stuffed cookies from The Chunky Square or even some Japanese street food. Theres nothing like a bit of creativity to get the inspirational juices flowing, so get yourself down there and gift your loved ones something unique this year. And, of course, there’s no cost to enter for this one!

Where: Woking Street, Cardiff, CF10 2DP When: 14 November – 23 December 2024 cardiffchristmasmarket.com #05 WINTER 24/25

31

Experiences Christmas at Blenheim Palace What could be more impressive than a Christmas event in a castle?! Blenheim Palace has stood strong since 1704, so just being there is to be a part of history…not to mention that some of Bridgerton was filmed there! The Christmas event promises to be a dazzler…and I mean quite literally – the videos on the website show some of the most impressive Christmas light displays I have seen.

There is a light trail, Neverland in the palace, an ice-skating rink, Neverland afternoon tea and of course a Christmas market, where you can pick up some festive goodies. Get yourself down there!

Where: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL When: 15 November – 1 January 2025 (market runs up to 22nd December) blenheimpalace.com

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland This one is on the expensive side, but I can honestly say if you have the money then go, because it really ramps up that feeling of Christmas. They don’t do things by halves in London so it’s BIG and there’s a lot to do. Alongside the usual Christmas markets and food stalls they also have some epic high adrenaline rides for all the family and some festive shows. You can also book a multitude of things to do (at varying costs) such as the magical ice kingdom, ice skating, circus, Santaland ride pass, the giant wheel and there’s even ice sculpting workshops to name just a few! It really is an epic day out so check out the link below.

Where: Hyde Park, London When: 21 November – 5 January 2025 hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland The last time I went to this, we stayed for a few nights in the New Forest (only about a 25 minute drive away).

The New Forest at Christmas has such a lovely warm, comforting feeling with lots of old pubs and animals wandering around freely, so I would recommend doing that and then heading to Bournemouth for a day of festive fun! It’s no cost to enter so you can experience the enchanting illuminations and maybe grab a drink in the Alpine lodge bar. Theres an ice rink and of course some great market stalls in the Alpine market. And if you fancy some afters, there is of course Bournemouth pier where you can cash in (or out!) at the amusements.

Where: Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2 BU When: 15 November – 31 December 2024 christmastreewonderland.co.uk

32

#05 WINTER 24/25

IT’S NOT WHAT’S UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE THAT MATTERS...

IT’S WHO’S AROUND IT CHARLES M SHULTZ

#05 WINTER 24/25

33

DOSE OF DOPAMINE YOU REALLY SHOULDN’T HAVE...

34

#05 WINTER 24/25

#05 WINTER 24/25

35

YOU REALLY SHOULDN’T HAVE...

Words/Lou Andrews

It’s the ‘thought’ that counts...

“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?!

Useless Gifts amazon.co.uk As this is our Christmas edition, I thought ‘why not have a look at the most pointless gift’s you could possibly buy?’

There’s got to be plenty of laughs in that, right...and I wasn’t wrong! I had intended to trawl the internet searching for naff nicknacks to buy, but I ended up punching ‘useless gifts’ into Amazon. I laughed my way through the countless useless items on offer and found myself making the most ridiculous Christmas list I have ever made! It’s no wonder Santa has such a hearty belly laugh if this is what he is delivering! So go on...give the gift of giggles this Christmas!

#05 WINTER 24/25

37

SKIN YOU’RE IN TALKING TABOO

38

#05 WINTER 24/25

#05 WINTER 24/25

39

TALKING TABOO Words/Lou Andrews, Kat Casey-Farmer

40

#05 WINTER 24/25

Millions in the UK are quietly suffering with a condition that, even in 2024, is barely even whispered about..

This evening, I have the pleasure of talking to Kat Casey-Farmer. Kat has been a hairdresser for 27 years and was previously a very well-respected style consultant at Rush in Croydon, which is where I first met her. She now owns her own salon called Time Hair & Beauty in Caterham, Surrey, which has been thriving for 9 years – but we’re not here to talk about hair tonight, no, we’re about to discuss something a little more taboo...incontinence. It’s a subject that noone really wants to talk about, and yet NHS England estimates that around 14 million men, women and children are living with bladder problems in the UK. It’s a big problem, with a little voice, but help is at hand in the form of a bladder busting miracle chair, so let’s take a seat and find out what it’s all about...

So, Kat, tell me about this wonder chair of yours! What is an incontinence chair and how did you find out about this sort of thing?

I have suffered with incontinence myself, since having children, and it was particularly bad after I had Arden, my third. I’m always looking for a quick fix, because I simply don’t have the time to go to endless Pilates sessions. A friend of mine in Australia had had treatment using an incontinence chair and it had worked for her. So, I set myself the task of trying to find one over here. I managed to find somewhere just up the road from me, and I noticed the difference after the first treatment.

Wow. So, it was that quick?

Yeah. That isn’t the case for everybody. There’s lots of different types of incontinence, but the two most common are Stress Incontinence and Urgency Incontinence. Stress is when you do things like a high impact run, skipping or going on the trampoline and you leak, and urgency is when you literally cannot hold your wee as you’ve not got enough muscle there to hold it in.

Right. So, would that last one be where pregnancy incontinence fits in?

Yeah. So partly, but also, I think people automatically think that incontinence is caused by being pregnant or giving birth! No. It also occurs in women, particularly of perimenopausal or menopausal age, whether you have had kids or not. When women start to go through the menopause, they can experience a lot of vaginal dryness, which can be quite uncomfortable. What the chair does is increase the blood flow through to that area, which helps with the dryness.

It’s a degeneration of the muscle, but it’s also happens to men as well!

Hang on, wait, what? As in, the penis muscles?

#05 WINTER 24/25

Yeah. So, guys obviously have prostates, and the prostate can get enlarged. Some men may have had to have a prostatectomy because they’ve had cancer. The radiation treatment for that causes a breakdown of the muscle, which causes incontinence. And, again, aging causes a change in hormones and the degeneration of the muscle, and so therefore, a lot of people experience incontinence at some point.

That’s really interesting, because we always assume that incontinence is associated with pregnant women and old people! Even the adverts seem to be based around that. But that isn’t the case, you can have it from any age?

Yes, any age, and what we need to be doing is seeing this as a wellness matter – looking after your pelvic health – rather than it being a taboo subject.

Yes. And by pelvic health, I am assuming you don’t mean just using Femme Fresh! It’s an interesting point though, because we focus so much on matters of the mind, but this is a subject that impacts so many people and yet no-one talks about it.

Yeah. So, I have a client using the chair now. He has suffered with, what he calls ‘the leak’ for a long time – like thirty-odd years! And he’s so ashamed that he won’t even buy pads. He folds up a hanky, and he wears a clean hanky in his pants every day for ‘the leak’!

Oh, wow. So clearly people are embarrassed by this. Is that impacting people booking sessions, and when they do book, are they nervous or worried about talking about it?

What really struck me with the first two customers that booked in, is that I didn’t realise how much of an emotional effect it has on people and how, mentally, it’s a real struggle. So, when my first lady came in she was

41

really emotional when she sat on the chair. And it made me think about my own experience. I thought, ‘do you know what? My day-to-day life was really affected by it’.

It would be something that was constantly on my mind.

I’d be careful choosing what I was going to wear, because I thought it was going to show. If I was going to the gym, I never wore brightly colored leggings, for instance, because I was worried it would show.

Yeah, I think that’s the case with a lot of these situations. People are embarrassed, so they hide it and hope it will just go away, but of course it won’t and the longer you leave it, it just sort of builds up into this great big bubbling pot of stress and worry. Have you found that you get more women calling to book appointments, or do you get some men?

Well, at the moment, it’s more women, but it’s early days. I’ve only had the chair since September. I’ve had to invest quite a large amount of money in the machine, and so the cost of a course is relatively expensive so it’s something that people are really having to think about before booking. But, once we’ve got them in, the clients that we’ve had, the women are like, ‘my husband needs to come in for this. He’s been asking me lots of questions!’.

So, I think the fact that women are coming for treatment, it may push the guys through the door.

It treats erectile dysfunction and can also improve women’s sexual health.

I was feeling quite conscious of my ‘wizard’s sleeve’ So, let’s talk about the cost...how much are we looking at here? And how many sessions do you need for a course?

Everybody starts off with 6 sessions in a course and the cost for that is £1200. But, when you consider the average person suffering with incontinence, spends about £700 a year on incontinence products, it’s worth it. Then most people will probably need to do one or two sessions every six months after that.

Right. So, a lot of people will be thinking that £1200 is a lot of money, but I guess, when you look at what this can do to someone’s frame of mind, you know, it’s well worth the money. Am I allowed to ask you how much that chair was to buy?!

Yeah, it was £50,000 plus VAT. But it’s not just incontinence that it helps.

Wow, that’s an expensive chair! What else does it do?

It treats erectile dysfunction and can also improve women’s sexual health. I was feeling quite conscious of my ‘wizard’s sleeve’!

An interesting term for it! Not sure Harry Potter would approve! <laughs> What do you mean, conscious?

I felt like it was loose down there, and it wasn’t as sensitive or enjoyable during sex. It didn’t feel the same, and it wasn’t as intense. It just felt different after childbirth. The pelvic floor muscle is hammock shaped and what happens is, as it degenerates, it kind of drops down because it gets a bit floppy and loose. What the incontinence chair does is it encourages that muscle to lift back up and strengthen.

42

How does it work?

The chair is like a just a flat chair that you literally just sit on, and it creates an electromagnetic field in the pelvic floor area – up to about 10 centimeters into your abdomen. Each session lasts about 28 minutes.

If you’re doing your pelvic floor exercises, brilliant, but your brain only allows you to exercise your pelvic floor muscles up to 40% of its capability. It’s just physically, the anatomy of your body and your brain will not allow you to do any more than 40% of its capability. This chair does 100% of it! It’s basically the equivalent of doing up to 11,000 Kegel exercises in one sitting!

Wow! Thats insane! Okay. So, there’s a massive difference there. Are there any side effects with it or anything like that?

No. Not really side effects, but you can feel a little bit dry down there for a while. Not for very long, like, two or three days or something. But, there are constraints to using it. You can’t have any metal in your body around that pelvic area. So, for example, if you have a pacemaker or a hip replacement, then unfortunately you can’t use it. The same goes for the old-fashioned copper coil, for instance.

How many sessions have you had on yourself now? And how do you feel?

I’ve had eight sessions and I feel like its life changing.

Really? What I wanna know is...are you in pink shimmery spandex when you go to the gym now?! Have you reached that confidence stage yet?

No. Because I’m too lazy to go to the gym! But honestly, I don’t feel like I’m going to wet my pants anymore. And I didn’t tell my partner that I’d had the treatment. Then, when we went to have a little jiggy-jiggy, he was like, ‘what’s happened?’. And he could feel the difference straight away, in a really good way!

No way. I love it, so there you go! Clearly, it has a massive impact...in more ways than one!

Yes! And in my salon, you can come and have your hair cut while you’re getting it done!

Well, there you have it people! I’ve got to say I feel enlightened by that chat...and somewhat confused. I mean, think about it, if you had a leak under your sink, you’d immediately get it fixed right? You’d call in the Super Mario Bros to power you up! You wouldn’t just leave it and wrap a towel around it hoping it would go away, would you? No. So why are we so different when it comes to our bodies? Why do we get so consumed with embarrassment when it comes to matters of the bladder, I mean, we don’t think twice about going to the dentist to fix our teeth or getting a pedicure to fix our feet, do we?

If you are thinking about getting treatment, give Kat a call at Time Hair & beauty. She certainly knows her stuff and I can honestly say she is one of the nicest and most open people I know, so you will be in good hands.

In conclusion, if you’re struggling out there, don’t just wrap a towel around it, spend a penny and get that leak fixed... timehairandbeauty.com

#05 WINTER 24/25

OUR BODIES ARE OUR GARDENS, TO WHICH OUR WILLS ARE GARDENERS WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

THE CENT IN THE SENTIMENT Words/Lou Andrews

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…and of course, this is a special extended Christmas version, so share some Christmas love this year!

4 Puzzle Piece Necklace Set I love this idea, in fact, I love it so much that I am getting one for my family this year! Now, the one I have listed below is fairly pricey and you can choose the type of coin you want and chain size which may alter the price, but there are so many variations of these that you can get them much cheaper. I really like the idea that my family will always have a piece that fits together to make a whole. Just like in real life, we will always have a part of each other and this jewellery stands for that. You can also get them for friends or anyone that you hold close to your heart. £135+ etsy.com

Personalised Night Before Christmas book This book is one of my favorites to read to my kids on Christmas eve, so I was stoked to find out that you can get a personalised version! Traditions are something that I hold dear, and I had many myself growing up that transport me right back to happy times with my parents. The book can be customised with your family surname, up to two parents’ names, and up to six kids’ names and I really like the idea that this can form part of your Family’s Christmas Eve traditions. £21.99 iseeme.com

‘I made a book about you’ gift book An amazingly simple idea, but one that has the potential to really tug at those heartstrings! 30 beautifully illustrated pages holding meaningful messages... and the best part...there is space to add your own comments throughout.

There are sections like ‘how you inspire me’ and ‘something you have taught me’ which will allow you to really make someone feel special. So, dig deep and tap into your soppy side!. £10 notonthehighstreet.com

44

#05 WINTER 24/25

100 Dates scratch-off poster A gift such as this one has so many levels of impact! It opens the door to a whole new realm of relationship and personal journeys. The concept is quite simple, there are 100 boxes, each with a different date idea behind them and you simply scratch the chosen box and then do whatever the date idea is behind it. I think if you commit to this, it could be a real game-changer.

Not only could it bring excitement into your relationship, but it could also introduce you to new things that you never knew you liked. A winter winner if you ask me! £16.99 amazon.co.uk

Cello Tealight Dome - I Love you Grandma A special gift for the lady that made your kids possible...yep, this one’s especially for grandma. It’s a really reasonable price and looks beautiful all lit up. You can also choose if you want it with an LED light or a scented tealight.

While you’re there, check out the other gifts available on this site as they have some nice trinkets at low prices if you are strapped for cash this year... the little ceramic hanging hearts for £2.99 are a great little gift! £9.99 collectables.co.uk

The Kindness Challenge Personally, I would like to see everyone get one of these this year! An act of kindness is something that is so powerful and yet we go through life not putting this tool to good use. Well, with this gift, here is your opportunity. It’s another scratch-off gift, but what I like about these is the surprise element – you never know what you are going to get and if you commit to it, you could really tap into a side of yourself you didn’t even know you had. It’s the perfect double-ended gift...you make someone else happy which in turn makes you feel good, so give a little kindness for Christmas this year! £9.57 etsy.com

Custom Bobbleheads Love, love, love these! It’s another pricey one, but it will be a definite keeper and one for the mantlepiece! Theses personalised bobblehead figures are both humorous and very well detailed. You can get couple versions which would make great gifts for your partner, parents and grandparents...and you can even add in the dog for full effect! They boast being 100% hand-crafted, which I think merits the price-tag! £99 bobblegifts.co.uk

#05 WINTER 24/25

45

HACK AT THE BACK Words/Lou Andrews

Xpress Xmas...

Wreath hanging hack

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’ve filled our festive stockings to the brim with time-saving treats! Check out this year’s crackers!

Repurposed Christmas Cookie Packaging

I like this one, simply because it’s always such an effort to get my wreath to stay on the door! I was looking at buying one of those purpose-built door hooks, but now I’ve Another easy win! I found this one on Pinterest and in the images it’s used found this I won’t bother. It’s cheaper for giving homemade cookies as a gift, and just as effective. but to be honest, you could use this countryliving.com for other gifts as well. It would make great packaging for printed posters!

Obviously, make sure you clean the inside of the pringle tube first and then decorate it however you choose.

Christmas garland hack This one has gone viral already and I can see why! If done correctly, it looks beautiful. All you need is an extendable curtain pole or shower pole, some foliage and some lights.

Fit the pole into your doorway, wrap your foliage and lights around it and voila...a little piece of twinkling heaven! You could even hang some decorations from it if you so wish. goodhousekeeping.com

uk.pinterest.com

46

#05 WINTER 24/25

Make Your Own Snow Globe

Indoor mini snowman

My kids are going to love doing this one! You just need an old glass jar, some glitter and whatever decorations you want to put inside. Simply glue the decorations onto the inside of the lid with silicone glue (or onto the bottom of the jar depending on what way up you want the jar to sit). Next, fill the jar with distilled water, a few drops of glycerin and add glitter or fake snow. Seal the lid in place with some more silicone and shake away!

This one made it onto the list last year and its back once again simply because, well, I like it! Let’s face it, we never know if we will see snow in the UK, so why wait for the great British weather to build a snowman with your kids! All you need is cornstarch, vegetable or baby oil and then whatever you want to use to decorate your snowman. Easy and so much fun!

The full guide can be found in the link below.

goodhousekeeping.com

ziggityzoom.com

Pinecone and Cork Mini Christmas Trees Another cheap and easy decoration!

All you need is some pinecones, corks, green paint and glue! If you forage your own pinecones, give them a soak in some hot soapy water and then leave them to dry first! Then pop some green paint on the ‘tree branches’ and stick the base of the pinecone to the cork. You can play about with this however you wish by adding extras like glitter of fake snow etc. You could even stick some twine to them and use them as tree decorations! eu.azcentral.com

#05 WINTER 24/25

47