REFRAME Issue 06 Summer 2025

FRESH FODDER FOR YOUR FRAME OF MIND

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Me, Myself & I | Nurture By Nature | Juice For Your Brain | Dose Of Dopamine | The Skin You’re In | Hack At The Back

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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. #05 SUMMER 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

SOUL FOOD

THE CON IN THE CONDIMENT

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JUICE FOR YOUR BRAIN

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Not a single one of us can say we haven’t told a lie. Belle Gibson’s was a ‘biggie’...

READ NOW >

THE BESTOF-ALLS Get out and about this summer with our guide to unmissable festivals.

READ NOW > NURTURE BY NATURE

ALSO INSIDE

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HARRY AND THE HERITAGE

JUICE FOR YOUR BRAIN Boost Your Roots

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Laycock Abbey is steeped in lore and history and perfect for a little Potter...

Hack at the Back

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READ NOW >

ME, MYSELF & I

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DOSE OF DOPAMINE

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LITTERALLY, COME ALIVE!

SLIM SHADY

Sometimes you just know you’re living in a future memory...

The latest weightloss wonder-drugs offer rapid results – but is there a catch down the road?

READ NOW >

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SKIN YOU’RE IN

INTOLERANCE Sluggish, bloated, unhappy gut? Same. In the end my intolerance was greater than my gut’s...

READ NOW >

TIME TO MAKE IT PERSONAL We’ve picked a few of our top, personal gifts for the special souls in our lives...

READ NOW >

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ME, MYSELF &I SLIM SHADY

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SLIM SHADY Words/Lou Andrews

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The latest weightloss wonderdrugs offer rapid results – but is there a catch down the road?

There are strange happenings going on all around us at the moment. Have you noticed? A barrage of posts on social media from people all over the world that appear to be shrinking in size overnight. It seems to parallel the same wizardry as the infamous head-shrinking scene in Beetlejuice! How is it possible? And in just a few weeks too! Is there something in the water?

Well, no, it seems it isn’t the water. It is indeed a wizard – the wizard of Oz-empic! Yes people, I’m talking about what is now commonly referred to as ‘the skinny jab’.

There are two main types I have heard people talk about and that is Ozempic and Wegovy. Both are very similar as they both contain the same active ingredient – semaglutide – however, there is one main difference; Wegovy is approved for weight loss in the U.K, but Ozempic is only approved to treat type 2 diabetes!

They are essentially the same type of drug, but the dosing schedule is different because they treat different things. The dosage for weight loss is higher than is used for type 2 diabetes. What?! So, you are telling me that people all over the world are injecting themselves with something used to treat people that have a serious health condition just to lose a few pounds?

It seems some people can be very concerned about what vaccines they will accept in their body, yet put injections like this the same category as a diet drink.

I didn’t know very much about the skinny jab before I wrote this article, but one thing I am is logical...and my logic was telling me that this cannot be good for your body, right? And surely when you stop taking it, then you will just pile all the weight back on again, because after all you have essentially been tricking your body.

So that would mean that all these people will need to stay on this type of drug forever...or start eating less and exercising once they stop taking it...which is likely an option that they didn’t want to do in the first place or they would have done that instead of using costly injections! I feel another deep dive coming on!

...when you stop taking it, then you will just pile all the weight back on again, because after all you have essentially been tricking your body.

So, how do these drugs work? According to Diabetes. org.uk, Semaglutide increases the hormones that are produced by your gut when you eat. It works by helping your body to produce more insulin when needed. It also reduces the amount of glucose, or sugar, produced by the liver, and slows down how quickly food is digested.

The latter is what encourages the weight loss.

Now I know how it works I am thinking surely there must be some risks taking this sort of drug. I mean, if we are playing God with our internal organs then there is surely a risk that they will fight back at some point?

So, what are the possible long-term health risks?

The first article I stumbled across when researching this was an article by healthline.com and it was a real eye-opener. It seems that Wegovy has a boxed warning

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about the risk of thyroid cancer! Apparently, this has only been proven in animal testing, and it is currently unclear if the same effect would happen in humans. I think the ‘currently unclear’ part is a concern, I mean is it worth risking just for the sake of looking slimmer?

I completely understand from the point of people that are obese, making this is their only option. For some, the health risks they are facing due to their weight are so significant, that this is the lesser of the two evils and a risk well worth taking. However, for the average joe that could eat a little healthier and maybe exercise more to lose weight, I just don’t get it.

There is also an extensive list of delightful side-effects too such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, stomach pain and tiredness come up as the very common ones, but gallstones and hair loss and dizziness come as common ones...sounds fun hey?!

The even more concerning thing is that there are much cheaper ‘alternative’ drugs available on the black market that are not monitored and likely have not had extensive testing done.

The even more concerning thing is that there are much cheaper ‘alternative’ drugs available on the black market that are not monitored and likely have not had extensive testing done. With the skinny jab becoming the new next best thing, it’s likely people will turn to these as they are more affordable, which begs the question...are we heading for another plague of drug abuse as we had with Oxycontin in the USA? So those are my findings people. I will leave you to make your own mind up. One thing I will leave you with though is that life, as it is, is full of tough hurdles that we have to relentlessly jump over, do we really need to add more to the track – especially ones that are not truly necessary – maybe we could all just jump actual hurdles and lose weight that way!

For those of you reading this that have been considering it, please just do your research first and whatever you do, make sure you get it from an approved source and stay safe.

Diabetes UK | Semaglutide - Uses, How it Works and Side Effects Healthline | Side Effects of Wegovy: What You Need to Know Superdrug | Wegovey vs Ozempic

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SOUL FOOD THE CON IN THE CONDIMENT

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THE CON IN THE CONDIMENT Words/Lou Andrews

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Not a single one of us can say we haven’t told a lie.

Belle Gibson’s was a ‘biggie’...

Apple Cider Vinegar is a new series on Netflix focusing on the life of social media influencer Belle Gibson. Belle led her followers down a very twisted and winding path – one that inevitably led to nowhere...simply because it was a lie...and a very dangerous lie at that!

She announced on social media that she had stage 4 brain cancer, but instead of having grueling chemotherapy to tackle her disease, she was curing it herself simply by having a strict, healthy lifestyle.

Social media in situations like this can be a very dangerous tool. It helps paint a perfect picture, and let’s face it, people see what they want to see – no matter how far-fetched that may be.

Now, I get that many people will read this and think... well who is going to believe that, but the sad thing is that many people did and there is good reason for that too. Belle had tapped into a vulnerable market. A market full of people that desperately wanted answers and would try anything to rid themselves of the life consuming burden that they were forced to carry around every day. Belle gave them hope. A reason to believe that things could change. A house of cards that at some point was always going to come crashing down.

The sad thing about all of this is that the ‘The Whole Pantry’ was actually a really beneficial tool with lots of healthy and nutritious recipes and they were very well presented too. She could have been a real hero and helped people just based on that – she didn’t need the lie – she was enough without it!

Belle created a healthy eating app called ‘The Whole Pantry’ when she was just 21. The app was a massive hit, with 200,000 downloads in the first month and it was even voted Apple’s best food and drink app of 2013.

Belle had officially hit the bigtime.

I do truly believe that a healthy diet when treating any ailment (or in life in general), is a strong weapon to add to anyone’s armory. However, it’s simply dangerous to say that it can cure cancer alone...and therein lies the real issue. People may have delayed vital treatment to save their lives simply because they believed in what Belle was telling them. That is damaging.

People may have delayed vital treatment to save their lives simply because they believed in what Belle was telling them. That is damaging.

It’s not fully clear why Belle did what she did, but if I’m honest, there’s a part of me that feels sorry for her. It’s almost like she believes her own lies and there is almost certainly an underlying condition contributing to her persona – whether that be a form of Munchausen’s or pathological lying. I mean it’s pretty clear from the offset that Belle’s childhood was dysfunctional in many ways. Now, some of the things about her past are said to have been untrue – however – one key element was true and that was that she moved out aged 13 and moved in with an older man in the same street!

So, what about the whole Apple Cider Vinegar thing?

Belle said she used it to cure ringworm which certainly isn’t true...but are there health benefits to it? Well let’s take a look, shall we?

The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Apple Cider Vinegar is made by fermenting the sugar from apples, which turns them into acetic acid and it’s this compound that is responsible for it’s said health benefits.

I must admit I already use it in my pickled cabbage recipe so I will be a happy bunny if I have inadvertently stumbled across something that ticks my healthy eating box!

I have trawled through many articles on the subject and whilst there is still more research to be done, it does seem that there are key health benefits to eating apple

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cider vinegar – yay for me! So, let’s take a look at some of the main things that come up across the board.

Weight loss This one I was briefly aware of, as someone I know used to drink it in water to help them lose weight!

Now I’m not sure how I feel about drinking it as I am not confident that it won’t make me smell like a bag of chips, but there have been human studies that have shown Apple Cider Vinegar can help you lose weight.

The main reason for this is that when eaten with a meal, it helps make you feel full and more satisfied afterwards therefore reducing the amount you need to eat and curbing after snacks.

...when eaten with a meal containing carbohydrates/starchy foods, Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce your glucose and insulin levels.

Apple Cider Vinegar can help to kill pathogens and also some strains of bacteria, which is why it is used for cleaning. In the past it was used to clean wounds... although I think we have progressed since then! It is a great preserver of food as it prevents bacteria like E.Coli from growing, so pickling your food will certainly make it last longer.

Manage blood sugar levels This is said to be one of it’s most influential factors.

There have been many studies that claim when eaten with a meal containing carbohydrates/starchy foods, Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce your glucose and insulin levels. However, if you already taken medication to manage your blood sugar, then please check with a GP first.

In conclusion, it may not cure ringworm, but ACV certainly has it’s benefits so get pickling!

BBC Good Food | Top 5 health benefits of apple cider vinegar

Kills Bacteria

tandfonline.com | Benefits PDF Download

If you think about it, there are many cleaning products that contain vinegar so there must be some method to that madness!

Healthline | 6 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar, Backed by Science

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IF YOU CAN’T FEED A HUNDRED PEOPLE, THEN FEED JUST ONE MOTHER TERESA

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JUICE FOR YOUR BRAIN BOOST YOUR ROOTS BEST-OF-ALLS

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BOOST YOUR ROOTS Words/Lou Andrews

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 this month’s top feel-good factors for a summer of fun!

Lilo and Stitch Cinema Release Movie Now it’s no secret that I love a good kids movie, so it didn’t take much to get me to go and see this one. There are so many hidden messages in kids’ movies, and I think as adults we can take a lot from them. For me, I was concerned at how this one would re-create the magic of the original. However, there was no need as they smashed it! This movie is so heartwarming that it was like I had a hot water bottle up my shirt! I found myself moved to tears on a number of occasions and my son, who is 4, actually did cry at the underwater scene near the end (you will know when you see it). The actor who plays Lilo is phenomenally cast and bringing Stitch to life for a new generation was the right decision.

You will leave this movie feeling moved...and with the very sobering reality that whilst life may throw tough times at us, in the end we will always get through it as long as we have love and each other!

I Feel Pretty Movie | Amazon Prime On the surface, this movie seems like just another easy-watch comedy starring Amy Schumer...but if you peel off that predictable layer, there is something far more valuable beneath! Amy stars as Renee Barrett, an insecure and somewhat down-trodden women trying to navigate a world filled with what she perceives to be beautiful women – skinny, tanned, successful – you know the ones right?! One fateful day during a spinning class, Amy suffers a hilarious accident which results in a bang to her head. When she looks in the mirror, she sees herself as that same beautiful woman she once longed to be – even though literally nothing has changed about her! From that point on, Amy exudes confidence which changes not only the way she navigates her life, but also the way in which others see her. This movie has a powerful point – and it’s not a point that you are being told – it’s one that you can see with your own eyes. Self-love truly is the key to a fulfilled life! It doesn’t matter what shape or size you are, just as long as you are happy with yourself!

The Minimalists – Less Is Now Documantary | Netflix It all started with one simple question: How might your life be better with less? Thats the ethos of Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus – commonly known as The Minimalists. It’s a simple question, but to be honest one that I don’t think many of us consider on a day-to-day basis, but we should, shouldn’t we? Our lives are so fueled with the need for ‘stuff ‘and I don’t just mean the random objects we have lying around either. No, we strive for bigger jobs, better grades, houses bigger than we need, bigger cars...more more more. What this programme will lead you to question is how much of this ‘stuff’ do we actually need? And, ultimately, are we overlooking the simple things in life like relationships and community to replace them with bulk-buys from Amazon. I have to say it’s a real eye-opener, mainly because I think they have a point! It will make you think about what really is important in your life and of course the environment we live in. Do you really need that 10th pair of trainers or the new saucepans you just bought to make you feel better or would spending more time with a loved one fill that void? Could you donate more to charities buy recycling old items, selling items you no longer need or simply not buying new ones in the first place and sharing that money with a charity close to your heart?

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WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME IF I WENT TO FILM SCHOOL I TELL THEM, ‘NO, I WENT TO FILMS’ QUENTIN TARANTINO

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THE BESTOF-ALLS Words/Lou Andrews

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Bringing you the best festivals kicking around this summer Summer is here and its time to switch from sleep mode to party mode– a festival out in the open air is a great way to do just that. Most of us have heard of the main ones; Glastonbury, Reading, Isle of Wight etc, but what if being slapped in the face with mud and breathng in wonderous stenches is not really your thing? What if you are more into meditation than music? What if you are more into cars than camping? Dishes than dancing...you get the point! So, what are you waiting for? Dive in, dig out those debit cards and get booking!.

Wellness The Wilderness Festival The overview on this one states it’s a weekend of escapism, high jinx and wholesome hedonism and from that I love it already! There is a lot to take in with talks, comedy & conversations which this year features great company with Jamie Laing and food stories with Jay Rainer. Wellbeing body & mind featuring mental fitness with Maya Raichoora and aerial yoga – taking you to the heights of relaxation! It’s a magically chilled environment which is family friendly and that’s not all...there’s The Wilderness Stage which this year boasts live music acts such as Basement Jaxx, Supergrass and Wet Leg (a personal favourite of mine).

They offer full weekend camping tickets, full weekend tickets (without camping) and day tickets (without camping) and they offer a variety of different camping methods too. Get yourself down there!

Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire When: 31 July – 3 August 2025 wildernessfestival.com The Greenman Festival The website homepage is a trippy visual I must admit but delve deeper and unearth the true potential of this very welcoming festival. If you purchase a settlers pass you are invited to immerse yourself in its community of settlers for a week – host BBQ’s with fresh produce sold daily by the local butcher, team up for the legendary pub quiz, cuddle up around the settlement bonfire or enjoy live music, workshops and outdoor adventure. The whole package looks very family orientated and a chance to spend some quality time in a rural environment. This year the live acts include Underworld, Wet Leg and Beth Gibbons.

Where: Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Wales When: 14–17 August 2025 greenman.net We Out Here Festival The brainchild of 6 Music’s Gilles Peterson, WOH is a family friendly celebration of some of the finest music on the planet! Set in the beautiful grounds of Wimborne St. Giles, Dorset, this festival showcases legends and emerging tallent all in one place. Bring the kids and get the future generation hooked on the joy of live music!

Where: Wimborne St. Giles, Dorset When: 14–17 August 2025 weoutherefestival.com

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Food The Big Feastival I have to say this one looks so good that I have already been persuaded into going! Its held at Alex James’ (Blur) farm in the Cotswolds and is a perfectly blended mix of Michelin star chefs, award-winning street food and top notch music. At first glance you can tell this is a very family orientated festival with plenty of fun for the kids. They also have top chefs and some very epic-ly delicious looking street food stalls (If you don’t believe me, just look at the images!).

The live music acts quite frankly kick some bottom and this year you have acts such as Travis, The Wombats, Scouting for Girls and Nelly Furtado heading up what is set to be an epic weekend.

Where: Churchill Heath Farm, Kingham When: 22–24 August 2025 thebigfeastival.com Foodies Festival The foodie’s festival holds 12 festivals at various locations across the country and each one is a celebration of the food in that region. The heart of the festival is the theatres where you can watch top local chefs show of their culinary capabilities… and you can even take the recipes away with you. MasterChef winners and finalists go on tour with Foodies as do Bake Off winners and finalists, so you are in very good (and skilful) hands! There is even a kids cookery theatre giving kids the chance to taste new flavours and learn some simple cooking skills. To top it all off there are also some great music artists listed this year such as Pixie Lott, Boyzlife, Judge Jules and The Wanted 2.0. Head to the website to find out more.

Where: Multiple locations When: Various dates foodiesfestival.com

Cars The Silverstone Festival The Silverstone Festival presents a unique blend of the best historic motorsport, incredible music, family fun & amazing food. For racing enthusiasts this is a must, with plenty of races and a mass display of automatic eye candy! . You can get a day ticket or go for the full weekend... Music-wise they have some big acts on show this year such as Craig David, Natasha Bedingfield and The Ministry of Sound classical. Don’t get left for dust and check out the website for tickets.

Where: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire When: 22–24 August 2025 silverstone.co.uk

The British Motor Show This one is packed with constant live action, over 1500 cars and activities galore for the kids. Hosted at Fanrborough International there’s bags of room to moove about – live music, Lego, a supercar showdown and a parachute display from the British Army. If you love your cars and have little petrolheads in tow, this is perfect.

Where: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre When: 15–17 August 2025 britishmotorshow.live

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DO YOUR LITTLE BIT OF GOOD WHERE YOU ARE; IT’S THOSE LITTLE BITS OF GOOD PUT TOGETHER THAT OVERWHELM THE WORLD DESMOND TUTU #05 SUMMER 25

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NURTURE BY NATURE HARRY AND THE HERITAGE

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HARRY AND THE HERITAGE Words/Lou Andrews

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Laycock Abbey is steeped in lore and history and perfect for a little Potter...

During the easter holidays this year we headed off down towards Bath to see one of my partners most treasured friends. We were booked to go on an easter-egg hunt (the third one for my kids – they do love an egg hunt!). As we were going along my partner asked me to google the location we were meeting them at – which was Laycock Abbey in Chippenham.

My interest piqued when I saw images of Harry Potter! It seemed that some of the scenes from the movies were filmed in and around Laycock...this easter egg hunt was suddenly taking a magical turn – quite literally!

I love the Harry Potter movies and for me one of the key components is the true British feel it creates...a sentimental remanence of all things home. The diverse imagery of a bustling London town blended with quaint countrysides, medieval stone streets and buildings...and of course the snow! OK, the latter was missing, but I can cope with that.

I did one of my deep dives as we cruised down the motorway and it seems Laycock Abbey has quite the history. It was founded in the 13th century as a nunnery, and it remained that way until the 16th century when it was sold to Sir William Sharington to become his family’s home. Eventually it was taken on by the Talbots and in 1835 William Henry Fox Talbot made what is known to be the earliest surviving photographic camera negative – which was of one of the latticed windows in The Abbey!

Whilst The Abbey has been through many architectural changes through the years, there are still many aspects that lay almost undisturbed by time – the Tudor stable courtyard has retained most of its original features such as the brewhouse and the bakehouse.

...it has also set the scene for many of the British greats such as The Other Boleyn Girl, Pride and Prejudice, Wolf Hall and His Dark Materials

National Trust sites. This was a no brainer to me, I mean, there is so much history to be discovered, and I am forever saying that we need to take the kids to places where they can open their minds (and lungs!) to what is around them – other than always wanting to be constantly surrounded by technology! You can go to as many places as you want, all for £14.05 a month! As we now know, getting outside is good for us and so is walking – take a picnic and you have the makings of a lovely family day out for a fraction of the price!

...you know that feeling that you get when your hairs stand on end and you are about to witness something profound?

Upon entry into The Abbey, I can honestly say that it felt a little bit electric – you know that feeling that you get when your hairs stand on end and you are about to witness something profound? This place just wreaked of history, it was like the building itself was alive and I found myself pondering what these walls could tell us and who may have walked in my footsteps down these hallways.

When you get to The Cloisters, you almost feel like you are in one of the Potter movies – albeit a muggle version! (I’m quite short, so I could have been a Gringotts extra!). It’s iconic in so many memorable scenes and nostalgia will work its magic to make you believe you have just seen Harry, Ron and Hermoine wandering through the long, enchanted corridors!

In terms of TV and movies, Laycock Abbey seems to have its very own wall of fame! Not only were some of the internal scenes for three of the Harry Potter movies filmed here as well as Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, but it has also set the scene for many of the British greats such as The Other Boleyn Girl, Pride and Prejudice, Wolf Hall and His Dark Materials.

The quaint village of Laycock is also no stranger to the bustle of the bright lights, with some of the Harry Potter movies being shot there and Downton Abbey – both the series and the movie – and I can completely see why.

On arrival at The Abbey, we were faced with a decision – we either pay £22 per adult, £11 per child and £5 to park or we could sign up to become a National Trust member which would cost £14.05 a month for the 4 of us as a family membership and that would allow us to enter for free and also gain us access to 500 other

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And the legendary list goes on! The Chapter House – this was used for when Harry finds The Mirror of Erised in The Philosopher’s Stone. The Warming Room was used for Professor Quirrell’s defense against the dark arts class and The Sacristy became the home of Professor Snape’s potions classroom! I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want to walk in the footsteps of Alan Rickman?!

I honestly had the best day. I felt both educated and exercised. Before we left, we walked through the town and stopped for a drink at The George. The walls of the pub were littered with amazing images of the filming of Harry Potter. As I sat down in the beer garden for a very well-deserved Gin and Tonic there was one thing left that I really wanted to know...where was the house that Lily and James Potter lived when they were killed

by Voldemort – the very place that Harry got his scar.

A quick google search told me that it was at the end of Church Street – which happened to be just across from

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where the pub was. I grabbed both my kids and took off to find my last Horcrux! It wasnt long until I found it.

Now, I didn’t want to overstay my welcome as I am sure the current owners are inundated with people snapping pictures outside of their house (to be fair, if it was me, I would take much amusement in photo-bombing – maybe even in a dark cloak with a bald wig!). I took a quick picture of my kids and then headed out with my heart full.

On the way home it got me thinking – you never know what life is going to throw at you. I mean what began as a search for chocolate eggs ended up as a search for the legendary wizard himself (sadly no chocolate boxed frogs though!). I guess we just need to embrace the journey and welcome what life presents us with. I mean it’s a lot like Bertie Botts every flavour beans – you may get rotten eggs or dirt, but you also might get candy floss or lemons...and you know what they say about life and lemons hey?

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IT DOES NOT DO TO DWELL ON DREAMS AND FORGET TO LIVE ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

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DOSE OF DOPAMINE LITERALLY, COME ALIVE!

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LITERALLY, COME ALIVE! Words/Lou Andrews

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Sometimes you just know you’re living in a future memory...

Dose of Dopamine is usually where me and Lax find the funniest things possible and laugh ourselves silly for hours on end whilst putting it together for you! However, this one is different! It’s different, because I have just been to see Come Alive, The Greatest Showman at The Empress Museum...and I am so ramped-up that I am writing this in the car on the way home! Yes, it’s that good! So, grab your popcorn, follow me back into the bright lights of the big top tonight and I will tell you why...

Even from the 10 minute wait in the queue outside of the Empress Museum, you can literally feel the magic beginning to evolve, casting a hypnotic spell over any nearby dwellers. There are staff outside dressed in fullon circus attire checking tickets and a happy swirl of laughter and conversation amongst the eager crowd.

Upon entry, you are at once immersed into the ambiance of what is to come. You are faced with a cocktail bar filled to the brim of showman themed cocktails…the ‘Showman Royale’ was a good, but brutal choice! Above the bar there is a giant silhouette light (similar to the one Hugh Jackman gave his daughters in the movie), ricochetting a dazzling dance of lights around the room.

...we walked through a mini-street echoing some of the scenes from the movie. It was littered with more circus-themed joy in the shape of a fortune teller, acrobats, stalls selling merch and a little haven where you can get face jewellery and cowboy hats etc.

As we continued, we were drawn into a mini side tent which was buzzing with the presence of a circus juggler performing some impressive little tricks, people cheered as he interacted with the audience all whilst juggling about 6 batons in the air! Next, we walked through a mini-street echoing some of the scenes from the movie.

It was littered with more circus-themed joy in the shape of a fortune teller, acrobats, stalls selling merch and a little haven where you can get face jewellery and cowboy hats etc. My two kids obviously got the face jewellery and of course somehow some of them ended up on myself and my partner...and in various other places around the house for weeks on end after! It’s a given with kids!

Finally, it was time to take our seats for the show and my kids were now buzzing with excitement! The circus tent is not massive - which creates the feeling that you are somehow involved in the show...little did I know that later we would be!

It was dark for a moment, almost the perfect calm before the inevitable musical storm brewing. And then just like that it exploded...lights, music, acrobatics, cast members in the audience, people cheering! I honestly couldn’t tell you who was doing what or even what song was first because from that first moment, I was hooked on the feeling!

As soon as ‘Come Alive’ began, pretty much the whole audience were joining in singing and clapping...

and that is the way it stayed throughout – a beautiful chaotic palette blended with top class performers, singers, actors, dancers and let’s not forget the band.

There isn’t a stitch out of place in this very well-crafted tapestry. They were all simply incredible...oh and what I didn’t realise until much later (as I was so distracted!) is that the cast were the very same people that were entertaining the crowds before the show!

Simon Bailey played the part of the showman, and he nailed it. He managed to project that same charismatic swagger and enthusiasm that Hugh Jackman did in the movie and his vocals sliced through the crowd like a hot knife through butter. Like I said, everyone in that show was simply brilliant, however, there was one vocalist that stole a corner of my heart, being an ex-performer myself. That man was Jaz Ellington. He duetted on ‘Never Enough’ which is one of my favourites and no easy feat to sing. His power and vocal range is off the scale!

Honestly, that man’s voice has such a beautiful earthy tone that it resonated through my soul like the natural after-tremors of a seismic wave! Simply moving!

And then just like that it was all over. The dust began to settle and as the sounds of the bustling circus became mere echoes in the distance, I was hit with a sobering realisation – this show is exactly where you can go to get an intravenous hit of pure joy straight to your veins...this IS the vital dose of dopamine that so many of us are in need of!

I have left there tonight with a sore throat from singing and cheering, red hands from clapping too hard and bruised thighs because I was hitting them like drums! It’s the sort of place where you can go and just leave your inhibitions at the door, you are there for one reason and that is to lose your soul to the thrill of the performance.

It’s way more than you would ever get from simply going to a theatre show…and I know they are doing a Greatest Showman theatre show…but I’m sorry chaps…you can’t top this!

Sometimes in life we forget to embrace those opportunities to just let our hair down and forget the outside world, and I think we all need that from time to time, don’t we?

This, for me, was one of those life experiences that you simply don’t want to miss. We spend so much time rushing around and not living for the here and now…

Come Alive …. you stole my heart and etched upon it a lifetime memory for me and my kids...and that my friends is priceless.

Come Alive Website Jaz Ellington

STEP WITH CARE AND GREAT TACT, AND REMEMBER THAT LIFE’S A GREAT BALANCING ACT DR. SEUSS

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SKIN YOU’RE IN TALKING TABOO

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INTOLERANCE Words/Tony Dunn

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Sluggish, bloated, unhappy gut?

Same. In the end my intolerance was greater than my gut’s...

About a year ago I started to notice myself getting sluggish in the evenings. Not long after that, the bloating started.

By the time I decided to do anything about it, I was getting to the end of the day with a belly so distended you could rest a pint on it. Add to that bad wind that would make someone with anosmia flinch (look it up, I had to!), and it was time to get a handle on this!

At first, I removed yeast from my diet and that seemed to help a bit, but the bloating quickly came back and, before long, I was back to where I started. I decided to bite the bullet and get an intolerance test done.

An allergy is when your body’s immune system is triggered by a type of food (shellfish, nuts etc.) and normally quickly results in rashes, vomiting etc.

Intolerance does not involve the body’s immune system and it’s more likely to be individual to you and present in the form of a digestive issue. I sent off for a kit from yorktest.com on a recommendation (not cheap at £150, but I’d got to the point where I’d try anything). The test arrived, I pricked my finger, posted it off and waited for the results. About 10 days later I got them through – they made for a sober read. At the top, in red (High Reactivity), were the cornerstones of my diet – yeast, cow’s milk, wheat, soy, garlic, potato, carrot and onion!

to trigger intolerance in the gut. Monash University have a FODMAP Diet App that was useful and with a simple traffic light system – it tells you what’s good and what’s likely to get the bloat on. Some of these foods are pretty surprising, like broccoli and lettuce and some are fine in small portions but as you increase them they become an issue.

After 6 weeks of unseasoned meat and rice for dinner and yeast/gluten free wraps for lunch (the cardboard wraps…NEVER again!) I spoke to the nutritionist and they advised me to reintroduce one thing at a time then move on if that caused no problem, or eliminate it if it did. It’s a slow process, and you’ve got to be honest with it and stick to it, if you don’t the only person you’re cheating is yourself. If it made me realise one thing, it was that prior to this I was eating large portions of everything that aggravated it – yeast, garlic, onion etc.

I’ll be honest, I was gutted. I set about dropping these from my diet one by one to see if removing any specific one would help, but nothing made any impact.

Then I remembered that the cost of the test includes a consultation with a nutritionist. I got in touch and booked an appointment.

...the best thing to do was to completely remove all of these from my diet for about 6 weeks.

The nutritionist was very helpful and realistic and suggested that the best thing to do was to completely remove all of these from my diet for about 6 weeks. I’d be lying if I said I was excited about the prospect, but decided if I was going to do it I’d have to do it properly.

I waved goodbye to crisps, milk chocolate, beer, fruit (bananas were OK thank god!) wheat, yeast, sauces, pepper etc. Everything I enjoyed basically.

They also introduced me to the FODMAP diet (nope, never heard of it either!) a diet based on foods likely

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So, what’s the rub? Did it work, and if so, at what cost.

Well, I think I’ve been lucky. I slowly reintroduced the foods, but this time I was conscious of the portion size.

I’m now back to eating just about everything again, just smaller portions of crisps, less seasoning on my meat, less bread each day and the only thing that’s definitely a no-go area is raw onion! I miss the big flavours, but it’s worth it not to be suffocated by my gut every night.

Since doing this I’ve mentioned it to people and the amount of them who say they’re suffering the same is pretty staggering. It’s not an easy thing to do if you’re a food lover like me, as there’s a chance that some of your favourites will be off the menu in the future, but I can’t put a price on not carrying that bowling ball around with me every day!

BDA | What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance? yorktest.com Monash University FODMAP Diet App

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THE CENT IN THE SENTIMENT Words/Lou Andrews

Time to make it personal...

I wrote a book about you Now, as a writer I know only too well how powerful words can be and this book can be used as a powerful tool to show someone just how much you care. It’s filled with pages of thoughtful prompts for you to fill in the answers to. What I like about this one is that the questions are broad enough so that you can pretty much tailor it to anyone – a partner, a love interest, a best friend etc. £14.99 amazon.co.uk

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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, heres the question...do you want to be a keeper? If so, come right this way...

The perfect match couple’s matchbox

Personalised Opoly board Game

I like it...I like it a lot! This gift is so simple, yet it looks so cool, and you can personalise it with initials and a year. Also, the thing about matches is... there will always be a time that you need them which makes this gift a keeper!

This one is next level when it comes to personalised gifts and with a hefty price tag too, but I honestly think that if you love the original game, then what could be better than an edition made just for you?! The whole board is customised around your life and memories, with a nice picture image in the middle. And of course, what’s the one board game that people tend to never throw out...

£24 notonthehighstreet.com

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THE GREATEST GIFT OF LIFE IS FRIENDSHIP, AND I HAVE RECEIVED IT HUBERT H. HUMPHREY

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HACK AT THE BACK Words/Lou Andrews

Fire up the barbie...

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 will be sharing some red-hot tips to make your summer sizzle!

Ice cold drinks

Fly Hack

BBQ Cleaning

This one’s so good it’s going back in again! If you like your drinks chilled like I do, then this hack is for you. So simple its silly, but it works a treat!

Just get a few of those small drinks bottles and fill them about a third of the way with water (more if you want more ice). Then lay them on their side in the freezer. When it’s time for a drink just grab a bottle out and fill it with whatever you choose. The wall of ice will keep your bevvy chilled.

Now I don’t know about you but one of my pet peeves about summer is all the flies! It’s like they all hide out somewhere waiting...and then as soon as the BBQ comes out, they descend En masse and have a party of their own in your garden! Keeping with the Apple Cider Vinegar theme of this edition, check out the below Tik-Tok video! All you need is sugar, washing up liquid, water...and Apple Cider Vinegar! And looking at the video, damn does it do the trick!

There are only two things needed for this – a large onion and a BBQ fork! Now that’s what I call a hack! If you have been BBQing, its likely you will have both items kicking around anyway. Just wait until the BBQ has cooled down (but make sure it is still warm), then slice the onion in half, stick the fork into the rounded side and rub the onion over the grill!

Apparently, the onion will release juices that will cut through the grease and grime!

bobvila.com

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TikTok

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Packing for travels

Deflating Pool Toys

This is one that I actually use now for my kids that does make my life easier...

Ziplock bags! You can get them in all kids of sizes and if you have shopped in places like Temu or Shein, you will know that a lot of their products come in these type of bags – so keep hold of them as they are perfect for travels! I use a small one for each day’s outfits for both of my kids. It saves overpacking and that volcano of a suitcase mess you get from rummaging around looking for things. I also use these to prevent leakage from my toiletries!

This one is a fly in the face for me... you spend 3 hours going red whilst sweating profusely to get the armbands and beachballs etc. blown up...and then a few hours later you realise you have to sit pinching the tiny plastic valves whilst the expelling air takes on the role of a sloth for the day! Well people, I have just stumbled on pure gold, and it comes in the form of a binder clip!! Yes, if you apply one of these office bad boys to the valve, it allows the air to flow out hands-free!

Hold my hat...I’m off to Ryman....

Ice Ice Baby!

Once you start doing this there’s no going back! It’s simple, put a pack of baby wipes in the freezer for half an hour to give them a boost, then leave them in the chiller section in your fridge. Then, if you’re feeling sticky and icky, grab one and treat youself to a cool, refreshing wipe!

firstforwomen.com

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