Feelgood - Irish Examiner

TERAPROOF:User:irenefeighanDate:10/03/2010Time:17:22:37Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:4Zone:XH4A vulnerable journeyXH - V1The entire balance of the relationship between mother and child reverses when shedevelops Alzheimer’s disease, as David Marlborough knows only too wellARECENT report by Kings Collegein London estimates thatover 115 million people globallywill suffer from dementia by 2050. This is afrightening statistic and a 10% increase onfigures released as recently as 2005. However,it’s only when cold statistics meet stark realityand a relative becomes stricken that thenightmare begins.My mother, Phyllis, an otherwise youthful70, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in early2008. There had been inconclusive yet telltalesigns before this — confusion, forgetfulness,mixing up dates, etc — but, you think,these could be merely symptoms of thememory loss which ageing often brings. Forme there was a kind of gradual dawningwhich finally cemented when, sometime theprevious summer she couldn’t find her wayback to her car after visiting her GP.Alzheimer’s gradually depletes the braincells of the person in question, causing, inaddition to the initial memory loss, impairedrationality and bodily functions, confusionand bizarre/inappropriate emotional reactions.Essentially, the body’s nerve centre, littleby little, and in disturbing fashion, shutsdown.In Ireland, over 44,000 people, the vastmajority of these above the age of 60, areestimated to be currently affected by dementia.Alzheimer’s disease, the most commoncause of dementia, accounts for 66% of allcases. While the incidence of the conditionincreases with age, dementia is not a naturalpart of ageing and the condition can affectyounger people too.The ubiquity of Alzheimer’s makes the diseaseno less frightening nor does it dull itsimpact on the family and friends of the victim.As it “progresses” along its terrible journeyit can drive families apart and may evenadversely affect the carer’s health. As it takeshold, like some tragic parasite, your lovedone’s unique personality disintegrates graduallybefore your eyes, with you powerless toprevent this.I now watch my mother who bore andraised her son and daughter fade away to becomeas vulnerable and dependent as a smallchild. A woman who once played tennis nowrecites children’s nursery rhymes. Phyllis’deeply caring, Christian personality alwaysled her to assist older people with things likebringing them to Church. Now friends andfamily accompany her.The entire balance of the relationship betweenmother and child reverses and rolesshift. The former Beirut hostage BrianKeenan recently said that his mother developingAlzheimer’s brought them closer together.An interesting viewpoint but one thatcontrasts sharply with most other people inthis situation — the general consensus beingone of an inexorable drifting apart. It’s theultimate long goodbye.My father’s own health problems (a heartcondition with the strong possibility of a bypassin the near future) means that he, of necessity,can’t be as available to her as he mightotherwise be. Indeed, in order to safeguardhis health, we have secured a place in a nursinghome for Phyllis where she has settledwell.FeelgoodSNAPSHOTS OF A LIFE: Main picture, David and his mother Phyllis at Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, last June; above, Phyllis as a young woman inthe 1950s and below, David’s Holy Communion Day, spring 1981 with Phyllis, sister Louise and dad Patrick.I now watch my mother who bore and raisedher son and daughter fade away to become as vulnerableand dependent as a small child. A woman who onceplayed tennis now recites children’s nursery rhymesFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010Daily ongoing difficulties include incontinence,rising after only a few hours sleep,unpredictable movements, and going throughphases of incessant demands, inappropriatesexual references and in some cases anew-found aggression. As Phyllis was always aplacid, gentle person our family has been,thankfully, spared this last problem.Emotions experienced by family carers includesadness, incomprehension, worry, andisolation alongside helplessness, impatienceand frustration. Unfortunately, the formidablechallenge of coping with an elderlyAlzheimer’s relative is only aggravated in lightof the resources available to families whichcould kindly be described as “patchy”.The entire process after the initial diagnosisbecomes fragmented and seems to be a constantKafkaesque game of pass the parcel betweenthe geriatrician, public health nurse,social worker, GP, the limited, but invaluable,support provided by The Alzheimer’s Societyand Carer’s Association and the HSE. Allalong this terrible journey yet another officialform of some description will require fillingout, further eroding already considerably depleted,patience.Indeed the perverse situation has developedwhereby, in order to secure a permanentplace in a public nursing home, theAlzheimer’s sufferer has to be admitted tohospital first. If no acute turn of events bringsthis about then the relative may be forced toconsider bringing their relative to A & E.Scarcely an option any caring family wouldrelish having to consider. The alternative isexpensive private healthcare.As long as they remain in their own home,the patient should have a caring and supportingenvironment with persons familiar tothem. They should be encouraged to remainphysically and mentally active. Routine lighthousekeeping tasks as well as hobbies such asknitting, crochet or painting are all worthwhile.Games relating to the use of memory,such as I Spy or Chinese Whispers, may entertain,as well as help stimulate the mind.It’s an oft-repeated truism that howcivilised a society is can be ascertained byhow it treats its most vulnerable. TheAlzheimer’s patient is one of the most vulnerablepeople you could possibly meet.■ For more information visit the website:www.alzheimer.ie

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:15:37:41Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:5Zone:XHXH - V15MOTHER CARECarol O’Callaghan searches the shops and surfs theinternet to find her ten top gift suggestions for mum this Sunday1Fresh fruit andvegetable juices canhelp you achieve yourfive-a-day. The AWTjuice machine, byBreville, cuts downon chopping byallowing you to put large fruits inwhole. 151, from electricalshops.2A new range toTesco isTreaclemoonbody scrub,which includes achoice ofrefreshing ginger, fruitystrawberry, and cool vanillafragrances. 3 each.3Most womenlove candles,and theorangeblossom fromMarks &Spencer brings with it abeautiful fragrance ofspring, packaged in a smartpresentation box. 13.56Anti-ageing enthusiasts might be interested inSlendertone Face, seen above. Its makers say thedevice will stimulate facial muscles to make the facelook smoother and more toned. Seewww.slendertone.ie for stockists — 300.The Breville AWT health grillallows you to cook without addingfat, and helps remove excess fatfrom meat. As everything iscooked on both sides,simultaneously, it cuts down oncooking time, too — 61, from good electricalshops.8BODYMOVESby DebraDaley detailshow exercisecan help with,and deter,illnesses suchas heartdisease, diabetes andarthritis, as well as usingexercise to make a positivedifference to bodyexpandingpregnancy. About18 from bookshopsnationwide.9Almond hand-and-body cream, amango shower gel, and a loofah arepacked into a zingy, citrus-printedwashbag. Perfect for overnightsawayfromhome. 13 at Marks& Spencer.10Enjoy a Mother’s Day cuppawith this floral mug, ateapot-shaped infuser, organichoney and oatbiscuits and apacket of Fairtradetea from M&S, 10.4Shelves were cleared inhours when it wasannounced that Boots No.7protect and perfect intensebeauty serum was clinicallyproven to repair signs ofageing due to sun damage. Now easier tocome by, it’s a nice little boost for tiredskin. From 29.7George Clooney made asketch, and donated it todecorate this charity mugand tin, which is sold tohelp combat poverty andaid child protection.Details fromwww.whateverittakes.org —12.■ SEE ALSO KATE O’REILLY’S TIPS ON PAGE 13 ■FeelgoodFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:15:11:20Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:6Zone:XH6The Yantra Mat isthe latest stressreduction productto hit the market.TanyaSweeney putsit to the testXH - V1LIKE Jordan, cellulite and Twitter,stress is an ever-present and inescapablepart of modern living. Insmall doses, stress can be quite manageable,even handy — it helps put a fire under ourfeet, enabling us to get things done. But lifeis moving along at breakneck speed, and wedon’t get much of a breather between onestressful period and the next.Between financial worries, a slew of deadlines,a hectic social life and everything elsethat comes with a busy lifestyle, I’m certainlyfeeling the crunch. In fact, I can’t recall thelast time I had a truly stress-free day. Thephysical symptoms of stress are fast catchingup with me: sleepless nights, a fuse that’sshorter than KylieMinogue, a smatteringof tell-tale spots.We’ve been advised todo a lot of strangethings in the quest of astress-free life: drinkcertain teas, use reiki, oreven talk to ourselves inthe mirror. But the latestbizarre weapon in the battle against stress— a mat not dissimilar to a bed of nails —takes some beating.The Yantra Mat is made with 210 spikedflowers, and on first impression, looks likeno-one’s version of a comfortable experience.Yet it works on the principle of acupressureand Chinese medicine. According to the lawsof acupressure, you essentially kick-start yourbody’s natural curative abilities by providingpressure on the back at over 8,800 points.“When acupressure points are stimulated,the muscles relax and oxygen flows betteraround the system,” explains stress managementconsultant Sarah Bird. “Because of that,you get a sense of wellbeing. It helps to energisethe body.”At the recent Yantra Mat’s launch inDublin its PR women are suitably effusive.“I’ve never slept better,” exclaims one. “I layon it facing down recently, and my stomachupset was gone within 20 minutes,” quips another.In Sweden, where the Yantra Mat is alreadypopular, 96% of users also experienced positivebenefits — 41% of those surveyed experiencedbetter sleep, 45% noted an improvementin their wellbeing.But is this just PR piffle, or are theseYantra Mat users onto something? Time tofind out.At first, the mat is hard to touch — theflower-shaped spikes almost graze my handwhen I pick it up (stress level on a scale ofone to 10... about a gazillion). Yet once I putit on the floor my body weight is distributedonto it, it feels peculiarly manageable. Notexactly comfortable, but not as painful as Ithought it might be.After 20 minutes, I’m certainly feelingmuch less stressed. In fact, I can feel an odd,energising sensation rippling through myback and limbs. But, I wonder, does relaxationhappen simply because you’re takingtime out of your schedule to do nothing?“Taking 20 minutes out of the day forFeelgoodPLACE MAT: Tanya Sweeney using the Yantra Mat, an acupressure mat which is believed to relieve aches and pains, stress, low energy and tohelp with sleeping more comfortably. Picture: Maura HickeyWhen you’re FLAT OUTyourself is a great thing,” says Bird. “Butyou’ll find that if you simply lie on the floorwithout it, you’ll notice a difference.”The next day, I decide to try the mat againwhile lying on the sofa watching America’sNext Top Model. After accidentally driftingoff to sleep for 30 minutes, I wake to findTyra slaying the dreams of another younghopeful. But rather than be groggy andgrumpy, as is my normal fate after a daytimenap, I am alert and refreshed. I sit down towrite an article that I’ve been putting off fordays, and am pleasantly surprised to find thatI’m focused and sharp.After a week of using the mat, the deadlines,dinner invites and to-do lists are stillcoming in thick and fast. However, I’venoticed one small change — I am sleepingbetter. Previously, I had been suffering a 4amshowdown with the bedside clock, but now Iam sleeping right through the night.I’m still experiencing moments of stress and■ Proteins maintain and strengthen thebody’s muscles, and this goes a long waytowards fighting stress. Take 3,000mg ofvitamin C per day to help maintain ahealthy nervous system while understress. B-vitamin supplementscan also strengthen your nervoussystem whether you’re alreadydepleted by stress orstoring up for an onslaught ofstressful circumstances.■ Sex releases endorphins (thebrain’s feelgood hormone) andthe chemical oxytocin, whichcreates a feeling of wellbeing.FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010panic — the mat hasn’t been able to turn meinto a serene yogi just yet — but I look forwardto the simple act of taking time out todo nothing but lie still and breathe.“People are stressed about family, relationshipsand losing their jobs, and they’ve lostconfidence in their abilities,” says Bird.“Some stress happens when we feel hopelessand helpless. When you’re overwhelmedyour stress response kicks in. When this happensthe brain releases the hormones cortisoland adrenaline. But when we’re constantlyunder stress we’re releasing cortisol all thetime, and it can damage the immune system,making us weakened.”All this means that stress can manifest itselfin many physical forms. It can raise bloodpressure, suppress the immune system, increasethe risk of heart attack and stroke,contribute to infertility, and speed up theageing process. Long-term stress can evenrewire the brain, leaving us more vulnerable■ Exercise also creates an endorphin rush, allowingour body to externalise and releasefrustrations by calming the nervous system.■ A wind-down bottle of wine sounds greatin theory, but it places the body undereven more stress afterwards.The liver and nervous system areunder attack as alcohol depletes VitaminB in the body.■ Aromatherapy oils like lavender,lemon, rose and peppermint areknown for their calming properties.Put a few drops on a tissue and inhaleor add some drops to boilingto anxiety and depression. Cortisol is alsostored in the abdomen and turns to sugar,which explains why many stressed peoplecarry the telltale roll of fat around their middle.“The first thing to look out for is disturbedsleep patterns,” advises Bird. “You also startto get tension in your neck and get regularheadaches. In more extreme cases you start toget stomach problems.“You’d be surprised how many people forgetto breathe when they’re stressed,” smilesSarah. “You need to stop in the middle ofyour routine and do it regularly throughoutthe day. Drinking lots of water too keepsyour brain hydrated and in good working order.”■ The Yantra Mat is available from leadinghealth stores, pharmacies and sporting outletsfor 49.90. See www.yantra.ie for more information.Help yourself to some relaxation timewater to scent a room.■ Certain herbs are lauded for their relaxingproperties, among them valerian,kava kava and ginseng. These are availablefrom health food shops nationwide.■ Herbal teas suchas green tea andchamomile tea areloaded with antioxidants,which combatthe effects ofenvironmentalstress like pollution.

TERAPROOF:User:PAULOKEEFFEDate:10/03/2010Time:17:08:06Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:7Zone:XHXH - V1When your children behave destructively, you must be firmand insist they take responsibility for their own actionsA time for tough loveTony HumphreysWHEN a child or teenagergoes on the rampage in responseto a ‘no’ from a parent,what is the parent to do? A clip aroundthe ear would only be fighting fire with fire,and would not be a good example of a matureway of managing conflict.The best response to a child attempting togain control through destructive behaviouris for the parent, in a safe way, to hold thechild firmly, preventing further intimidatingbehaviour. When it is a teenager, the parentshould keep a safe distance, maintain strongeye contact, and request firmly that (s)heimmediately desists from the threatening behaviour.If the teenager continues, then, theparent should ring the police. This responseis both a kindness to self and to the son ordaughter.Once the dust has settled, resolution is required.Separateness, which is critical to resolution,has three aspects:1. The young person is not his or herdifficult behaviour.2. The young person’s trail of destructionis about him or her.3. The parent’s response is about the parent.The maintenance of the relationship isparamount when a parent is responding tochildren’s or teenagers’ challenging behaviour.No behaviour justifies breaking therelationship, to do so is more troubling thanthe young person’s challenging behaviour.A child (or adult) is not his troubling behaviour,and so, in maturely responding tothis behaviour, parents must do their best tostay connected with their son or daughter,and be clear about him/her taking responsibilityfor their threatening behaviour. Themessage is ‘I love you, but I will not toleratebeing threatened and I need for you to takeresponsibility for the outrageous outburst’.Often the enmeshment of the teenager’sbehaviour with the parent’s response makesit impossible for true resolution to emerge.For example, when a parent blames herself— ‘I’ve totally spoilt him’ — she deprivesthe young person of taking responsibility forhis own actions. The parent loses the opportunityto get to know the son or daughterby inquiring — when the timing is right —‘how was it that you responded in such adestructive way to my ‘no’ to your request?’The young person may respond ‘but you alwaysgive me what I want’ or ‘I’m embarrassedabout telling my friends I won’t beable to go to the disco’, or whatever. Theparent can respond by saying: ‘I’m glad tohear, now, about where you are in all of this,but I need for you to first take responsibilityfor the aggressive manner of your responseand to pay for all of the things you broke.’Differences arise in all relationships, buthow these are handled is critical to a family’swell-being. Even if this was one of the first‘nos’ the young person has encountered, hisviolent response was about getting his ownway — it was not due to being spoilt. Unlessthe young person is confronted with responsibilityfor his own reactions, then hisprogress toward maturity is blocked. Parentsneed to ensure the young person is not allowedto slide out of the responsibilities arisingfrom his/her outburst.Children and teenagers are members of afamily and live under the same roof. Thereare responsibilities that go with these circumstances,and the earlier that children are givetheir responsibilities, the better. If parentswant to have a mature and responsible 15year old, then they need to have started withthe 15 day old. As children get older, theage-related responsibilities need to be laidfirmly at their door. When young people arenot co-operating, it needs to be quickly challenged— not 10 or 20 years later — so thatany blocks to the mutual co-operation that iscritical to effective familyfunctioning are resolved.Examples of the responsibilitiesof childrenand teenagers are: tidyingaway their toys,tidying their room, goingto school, householdchores, taking due careof their clothes and belongings,responding toreasonable requests, beingkind to parents andother members of thefamily, learning frommistakes, doing theirschool homework, beinghome at an agreedhour, attending theweekly family meeting.It is a separate issue when the parent, onexamining his or her own behaviour, discoversthat ‘I have spoilt my son and neglectedmyself in being over there for him and underthere for myself.’ The parent has the responsibilityto correct this serious imbalance, andtake the necessary actions to be there for selfand create the opportunities for her son ordaughter to be responsible for his or her selfand actions. Strong boundaries around theseresponsibilities are crucial.Parents are certainly responsible to theirchildren and teenagers, in terms of bringingthem from a place of total dependence to utterindependence. However, parents are notresponsible for their children, but they dohave a responsibility for their own selves andall feelings, thoughts, words and actions. Inhomes where such responsibility operates, itis not a case of parents saying ‘do as I say’,but a clear situation of ‘do as I do’.Clinical psychologist Dr Tony Humphreys will speak on theinner story of suicide on Tuesday, March 16, at North PresentationSecondary School, Cork at 7.30pm. His bookMyself, My Partner, is currently available.UNCONDITIONAL LOVE:It’s vital the parentmaintains a relationshipwith the child, no matterhow bad the behaviour.Picture: iStock.7Do you really want toStop Smoking?Youcan with our one session stop smoking programmeAssistance Also Available For,Public Speaking, Weight Control, Phobias, Insomnia, IrritableBowel Syndrome, Child Birthing, Stress And Personal Problems.Formore information contactAbsolute Hypnotherapy Clinic9a Barnavara Hill, Glanmire.Tel: Peter Conroy at087 9715322 /021 4889581Email: absolutehypnosis@eircom.netwww.hypnosiseire.ieDownSyndrome&Self-esteemDo you have achildwith Down Syndromebetween 10–19 years?Are you interestedin participating in astudyon the self-esteem of childrenwith Down Syndrome?EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTIS LOOKING FOR FURTHER FAMILIESTO PARTICIPATE.NO DIRECT CONTACT REQUIRED &TOTALLYPRIVATE&CONFIDENTIAL.PLEASE CONTACT YVONNE ON087-4169635 oryvonneˉolten@yahoo.comfor further informationTheFeel GoodPersonalsFOR COST EFFECTIVEADVERTISINGPhone: NIAMH KELLYTel. 021-4802215Fax 021-4273846niamh.kelly@examiner.ieFEELGOODForadifferent viewRegistered MemberICHPRelease YOUR potential... be all you can beNAs featured in FEELGOODA2-day workshop that willchange you and your life“I left inspired and invigorated”Gail Dowling“It was exactly what Ineeded”Donal DowneyCork March 27th/28th-€195Call 021-4826022or 087 2426889 or 086 2413963www.thepotentialgroup.ieADIFFERENT VIEWON LIFESTYLEYour guide to fitness, health, happiness and lifestyle.Great writers and mentors. Where you come first.EveryFriday.FeelgoodFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:16:51:41Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:8Zone:XH8ALMOST 3,000 new cases ofbreast cancer were diagnosedin Ireland in 2008, confirmingthat one in ten Irishwomen are likely to developthe disease at some stage intheir lifetime.We need to be remindedof these shocking statisticsbecause although much ofthe population has beenaffected by the recession andfeels powerless to bringabout change, this is an areaof life where being proactivecan bring about real change.Supporting the FashionTargets Breast Campaign is away in which every one of uscan help to raise awarenessabout breast cancer andreduce the numbers of womenaffected by it.The campaign waslaunched by Elle McPhersonin 2005 and since then manywell-known celebrities, athome and abroad, have supportedit and in the processhelped raise 700,000 forbreast cancer research, highlightthe need for early detectionand remove any stigmaattached to the disease bylinking it to the glamorousworld of fashion.Wearing t-shirts, carryingbags (and in some cases doingboth) some of our bestknownpersonalities havetaken time out from theirbusy lives to support thisworthy cause.ARLENE HARRIS caughtup with key people whohave taken part over thepast five years.FeelgoodXH - V1In the BAG9ALL FOR THE CAUSE2010Miriam O’CallaghanBROADCASTER Miriam O’Callaghan is nostranger to charitable causes, and, despite herbusy life, readily agreed to model the 2010FTBC bag designed by Tory Burch (45).“FTBC is an extremely important campaign, becauseit’s an eye-catching, attractive, high-profile wayof getting women to think about their health andtheir bodies,” says Miriam.“We all live very busy lives these days, betweenwork and family commitments, and the very lastthing we usually think about is our own health,” saysthe mother of eight. “So, this campaign is a way ofmaking people more aware, and, as we all know, earlydetection in cancer diagnosis can often make thedifference in the final outcome.”The 50-year-old presenter has first-hand knowledgeof the devastation illness can cause within afamily. “I have no personal experience of breast cancerin my immediate family, but I know plenty offriends and work colleagues who have gone throughthis traumatic experience,” she says.“On a personal note, my darling sister, Anne, diedaged 33 from stomach cancer and it makes you veryconscious of the disease and the importance of earlydetection,” she says.And, through her work, Miriam has met manywomen who have been affected by cancer.“I have fronted the ICS Breast Awareness Campaignson many occasions, so I was fortunate enoughto meet many wonderful survivors of breast cancer,”she says. “I was always so impressed by their courageand good humour in the face of great adversity.”Why should people support the campaign? “I realiseit’s a difficult time, financially, for many peoplein Ireland, so I wouldn’t suggest that they go out andbuy a bag, unless they can truly afford it,” she says.“Getting together with friends, chatting, and havingcoffee mornings to spread the word and make otherpeople more aware of breast cancer would be just asuseful.”2009Ray D’ArcyPicture:Nick Bradshaw/ fotonicBREAST CANCER is predominantly a femalecondition, but a small percentage ofmen (1% in Ireland) also suffer from the disease,so when we asked broadcaster Ray D’Arcyto take part in the campaign last year he had nohesitation.“Both of my grannies’s died from cancer. it is aterrible, unforgiving disease that touches all of usin some way or other,” he says. “But breast canceris not an exclusively female problem, men can beaffected too, either by contracting the disease orby losing a loved one — it is something that affectsus all.” During the 2009 campaign, the45-year-old presenter modelled the men’s FTBCt-shirt andalso sportingly agreed to be photographed wearingthe FTBC Paul Smith tote bag.“It was a small thing to do if it was going tomake people sit up and take notice,” he says. “Irecently joined hundreds of others in having myhead shaved for the Today FM Shave or Dye campaignwhich we are currently running in aid ofthe Irish Cancer Society.”“This was quite a poignant exercise as we spoketo so many people who had lost loved ones tocancer and there were so many of us healthy peoplerunning around with bald heads — it highlightedthe fact that shaving our hair off was asmall price to pay and we’ve raised 500,000 sofar.”With a three-year-old daughter of his own, Rayis keen to promote healthy living and body awareness.“We have become an unhealthy nation andsomething needs to be done about that,” he says.MODELQUOTESupermodel, ErinO’Connor was keen tolaunch the 2007 FTBCcampaign as she hadbeen personally affectedby the disease. “Mygrandmotherunfortunately passedaway from breastcancer,” she said.“I was small whenshe died, but the deathaffected everyone in thefamily in a way that westill think about whatshe went through. And,actually, rather sadlybecause what wasn’tavailable at the time.“She was just 53, but Ithink we have takenpositive action as a resultof something sotragic and we are allaware of what we needto do to maintain apositive lifestyle.”“When I was growing up exercise was a given andpeople seemed to lead healthier lives. We need toinstil some sort of health consciousness into ourchildren.“Early detection is the key and making peopleaware is crucial.”Why should people support the campaign? “It’sa win/win situation,” he says. “If you buy the bagyou get a designer item for a reasonable pricewhile helping to raise awareness and funds for agood cause. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter— all you need to ask is where did you get thebag and you’re away.”Picture:Mac Innes PhotographyFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 20102008Lorraine KeaneTV PERSONALITY Lorraine Keane has been involved inevery FTBC campaign since it launched in Ireland, in2005. As one of six sisters, she says breast cancer is a veryreal threat to women.“I’m very much a woman’s woman and am surrounded by femaleswho are very important to me,” she says. “From mymother and my sisters to my daughters, my friends and my relatives— any one of them could be affected.“So, I would shout it from the rooftops, if I could — preventionis better than cure. We all need to do what we can to preventthis desperate disease.”The 36-year-old is not taking any chances when it comes toher own health — breast awareness has become part of her regularroutine.“Since I became a mum, I worry about my health a lotmore,” she says. “Every night, I pray to let me live as long aspossible, so I can see my girls grow up — not being around forthem doesn’t bear thinking about.“Ronan Keating told me that if his mum had beenscreened for breast cancer earlier, she would probablynot have died so young (she was 51). And he and hisfamily are working tirelessly to ensure that otherwomen don’t suffer the same fate,” she says.The mother-of-two has been involved in manyFTBC campaigns and still has all of the productsrelating to the cause.“I still have all of my FTBC t-shirts and bags— I can’t bring myself to get rid of them. Becausewhenever I get the opportunity touse them, it’s reinforcing the issue ofbreast cancer,” she says.Lorraine says women can,and should, be helpingeach other to fight thisdisease.“Women are incrediblecreatures —we are always lookingafter everyoneelse, so it isabout time thatwe looked aftereach other.“Talkingabout breastcancer, andsupporting thecause, will helpthousands ofwomen going throughtreatment right now, and even ifjust one woman makes the decisionto visit her doctor andcatches the cancer early, then it isall been worthwhile.”Why should people support thecampaign? “Buy the bag, if you can affordit, and, if not, set a date with yourfriends and organise a coffee morning ormake-up night, and get everyone to donatea couple of euro — you’ll have fun and willraise money for a great cause,” she says.Picture:Mac Innes PhotographyPAGE 10:■ 2007: AmyHuberman■ 2006: BlaithnaidNí Chofaigh

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:16:51:23Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:10Zone:XH10Glad to beIn the BAGRAISING AWARENESSXH - V12007 MODEL 2006Amy HubermanWHEN actress and novelist Amy Hubermanwas asked to take part in the2007 FTBC campaign, she jumped atthe chance.“I had no hesitation in taking part, as it wasa great opportunity to raise awareness for sucha worthy cause,” she says.“But the day of the shoot was fantastic also—there was areally good vibe and agreatsense of support between all of the women involved.It was like afeeling of solidarity to bedoing something worthwhile as a group. Wealso had agreat laugh,” she says. And Istillhave the t-shirt, although it is so old now, Iwear it as pyjamas.”Despite the fun on the day, the30-year-old said her involvement with FT-BC has highlighted the need to bebreast-aware and not leave health tochance.“Like many women of my age, Ihad notreally paid much attention to breast cancer,thinking it wasn’t something to worry aboutuntil I got older. I thought I was invincible.”But after taking part in FTBC, Irealised it can affect women of anyage, and circumstances, such as beingon the Pill or having breast cancerin the family can make you moresusceptible.”The Dublin actress is gratefulto have had no personal experienceof the disease, but says thatprevention is always better thancure.“I make sure to do regularbreast checks and know what feelsright for me,” she says. “If Iwasworried about anything, Iwouldn’t hesitate to go and getmedical advice.“We need to face the fear whenit comes to these things, chancesare everything will be fine, butignoring it definitely won’tmake it go away,” she says.Why should people supportthe campaign? “FTBC is avery clever campaign, becauseof the correlationbetween wearing gorgeoust-shirts and bags, and advertisingthe need to bemore aware about breastcancer,” she says.“Everyone who buys FT-BC products will be supportingthe cause, and reinforcingthe message thatbreast cancer is not somethingto be embarrassedabout. So buy the bag, gettalking and get yourselfchecked out.”Picture: Barry McCallFeelgood■ For more informationabout breastcancer visitwww.cancer.ieQUOTETHE internationallyrenowned supermodelElle MacPhersonFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010launched the campaignin 2005 and was quickto highlight that breastcancer can targetanyone and encouragedpeople to buy thet-shirt and support thecause.“It doesn’t matter ifyou’re old or young,rich or poor, fat orskinny — breast canceris something that couldaffect you, your mum oryour sister,” said the45-year-old during theoriginal campaign.the factsabout FTBC■ Fashion Targets Breast Cancerwas launched in Ireland in2005■ To date the campaign hasraised 700,000 for breastcancer■ Funds raised have gone towardsraising awarenessabout breast cancer and producingfree informationleaflets for women■ The campaign product featuredexclusive T-shirts from2005-2007■ Diane Von Furstenburg andOrla Kiely designed FTBC bagsin 2008■ Paul Smith designed a bagand t-shirt in 2009■ The 2010 FTBC bag was createdby American designer ToryBurch. It costs 45 and willbe available in Brown ThomasDublin, Cork, Limerick and Galwayand BT2 Grafton Street,Dundrum and BlanchardstownShopping Center from FridayMarch 19.Picture: Barry McCallBlaithnaid Ní ChofaighTV PRESENTER Blaithnaid Ní Chofaigh was involvedwith FTBC in 2006, and has a personal interestin raising awareness about breast cancer. Her grandmotherdied from the disease and her older sister has justendured a gruelling battle with breast cancer.“My sister is only 42 and I never thought I would be sittingwith her in St Vincent’s hospital, while she wentthrough weeks of treatment,” she says. “I used to think thatbreast cancer only affected older women, but this, truly, is amyth that needs to be addressed.”The 39-year-old believes children should be made awareof their bodies from a young age and should know what tolook for.“The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) have always run reallygood campaigns and FTBC has been a phenomenal success,but Ithink it would be agreat idea to get young womenwho have been affected by the disease to visit secondaryschools and talk to teenagers about the need to be breastaware,” she says.The death of her grandmother, and, more recently, hersister’s lumpectomy, have made Blaithnaid very aware of thedangers of breast cancer.“My father told us when we were younger that breastcancer is hereditary and advised us to have regularcheck-ups, so, since my early 30s, I have been having amammogram every year,” she says.“Early detection is absolutely crucial and can mean thedifference between life and death, so an annual check-upcould make all the difference.”Why should people support the campaign? “There arethousands of worthy causes out there and we can’t help everyone.But if you only gave your time to three charitiesthis year, make FTBC one of them. We are all affected insome way or other and being breast aware could save yourlife.”

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:15:55:49Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:11Zone:XHXH - V1Understanding the building blocks of the body, PART 2: FATS11Roz CrowleyWHILE we don’t need alot of them, we requirefats to help in the constructionof cells, particularly nerve tissue,to keep red blood cells healthy and movethem around the body.For those who exercise to extremes, fatsthat come from plant sources can help theimmune system and even raise themetabolic rate.Omega fatty acids found in oily fish areessential for:■ good brain function■ learning■ mood regulation■ dealing with cholesterol.As vitamins A, D, E and K are fat solubleonly, we need fats to process theirbenefits. We need just 10g of fat per dayto do all this, but the bad news is that amere 12g of butter or a 30g lamb chop(including the fat) will deliver that in onesitting. However, we don’t have to cutthem out completely and pure butter ispreferable to some margarines which containhydrogenated fats.With the winter we have just had, someof us were glad to have a little padding tokeep us warm, but fats contain the highestnumber of caloriesper gram of the threefood groups, doublingthe amountfound in carbohydrates.If our visible fat isechoed in our organswe are in trouble.Biopsies done of thelivers and hearts ofobese patients showingfatty deposits aredisturbing.But not all fats are bad.The healthiest source is from plants inthe form of oils such as olive and sunflowerseed, and from seeds and nuts. Thefat content of some nuts is higher pergram than of fatty meat, so we are back tothe old chestnut of balance.Olive oil is a fat, oily fish is fatty andboth are excellent for health. However,while high in fat, they also bring to thetable omega oils which are heart protectiveas long as they are also not used inexcess. No matter how good for us, westill have to watch quantities.WE MUST:Cut visible fat off meat before eating,including from ham, rashers, steak, lamb.There is also invisible fat in meat which iswhy we shouldn’t eat even lean meat inlarge quantities.Keep pork products to a minimum andwatch the content of the Irish breakfastchoosing either sausage, black pudding orrashers, not all three.Eat stewed apple withpork dishes to help digestthe hidden fat andhave chutney andpickled gherkinstyle productson theFeelgoodEXERCISECAUTIONside. Horseradish sauce, if not too creamyor processed, helps to digest beef.■ Eat fish twice a week and the oilier thebetter — mackerel, canned or fresh sardines,fresh tuna and swordfish, herrings,fresh salmon, but any fish has good oils.■ Eat hemp, flax, sunflower, pumpkinand sesame seeds, soybeans, walnuts, seaweed,wild birds,venison, chicken,eggs, which all havedifferent types ofbeneficial oily fats.Eat a tablespoon ofseeds a day in salads,added to soups andas snacks. Use a tablespoonof olive oila day on bread andto finish soups andvegetables to gainthe best benefit fromthem. We lose out when we cook it.■ Cut down (not out) on butter, replacingwith olive oil which has added benefits.Cut down on cream and save as atreat.■ Save biscuits, cakes, creamy-filledchocolates for monthly treats. Replacewith a small amount of dark chocolate,which can help lower blood pressure,boost brain power and liftdepression.■ Read labels and avoid foods thatare high in saturated fats and hydrogenatedfats.WE MUST NOT:Deep fry foods and if we do, we mustnot overheat or re-use the oil. Keep deepfrying as a treat and throw out the oil afterwards.It may not be economical, butworth it when we save on the healthproblems caused by the toxic chemicalscreated when oil changes its chemicalcomposition with heat and re-use. This isanother key to obesity and continuing researchon what goes on in the body whenit has to process already highly processedfood is likely to deliver further confirmationthat fresh food is best.■ Eat too many saturated fats. These arethe ones to avoid and are found in manycommercially produced conveniencefoods.■ Eat fried foods, crisp or burnt fat, hydrogenatedfats or trans fats which arefound in commercial cooking oil used indeep fat fryers as they last longer thanhealthier oils. Stir fry instead using a littlewater with olive oil to part steam thefood.FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010HOME COMFORTSTHE book Great British Food, newly publishedby chefs at London’s Canteen restaurant is doingwhat many Irish restaurateurs and foodproducers have been doing for the last 20years — bringing back a sense of pride in nationalcuisine.This is comfort food which at the same timemanages not to be stodgy.For Patrick’s Day I like the idea of their eggsflorentine, pictured, which introduces somegreen to the start of our nationalday.A recipe for piccalilliuses seasonalcauliflower withgreen beans, redpepper, onion andsome spices andmustard seedsto flavour them.There is a goodrecipe for parsley sauce, which is deliciouswith bacon and cabbage, and their carrot cakehas healthy walnuts and sunflower oil as wellas plenty of grated carrot. In hardback on texturedpaper, the photographs are enticing.Fair value from Ebury Press, 21.GOING GREENST PATRICK’S DAY is a good excuse to eatgreen foods. Start the day with the Eggs Florentine,above, using a bed of spinach under apoached egg on a toasted muffin.Follow for lunch with a pea soup. This iseasy to make by slowly cooking a choppedonion in butter or olive oil with a choppedpotato, then adding frozen peas and somegood chicken or vegetable stock and bringingto the boil. Add a splash of milk and liquidiseor mash. Serve topped with toasted golden linseedsand a blob of yoghurt.Later in the day, after the parade and a briskwalk, make a quick sauce for pasta by liquidisinggreen olives with olive oil and adding someparmesan cheese in whateverproportion you fancy.Try 200g olives to200ml olive oil, 40gparmesan and a halfclove of garlic. Heatgently before addingthe cooked pasta to thesaucepan. Finish with moreparmesan.Purslane, also known as pigweed, looks a bitlike shamrock and is delicious as a salad on itsown or mixed with other leaves. It can also beblanched and returned to the saucepan witholive oil for an easy sauce for pasta rice oradded to stock to make a green soup.To keep fat content low, change the proportionsof meat to cabbage on the traditional baconand cabbage plate. Use iron-rich curly kaleas an alternative to cabbage, though cabbagehas huge health benefits too. Cook in a littlewater in a saucepan with the lid on or use asteamer, or cook in the bacon water.To catch up on vitamin C in this tough weather,we can be forgiven for importing fruit andit’s hard to beat kiwis for versatility. They alsohelp to digest fats, so a goodidea to eat after bacon andcabbage. Liquidise with apassion fruit and use as asauce for a warm sponge oras a dip for shortbread biscuits.

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:15:59:29Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:12Zone:XH12Dr Niamh HoustonFAMILYDr Niamh Houston is aGP with a specialinterest in integrativemedicine. If you have aquestion about your child’shealth email it tofeelgood@examiner.ieor send a letter toFeelgoodIrish ExaminerCity QuarterLapps QuayCorkQI’M very concerned about mynephew who seems to bewithdrawn and not his usualself. I’ve discovered recentlythat he smokes ‘pot’ regularly.He says he’s not addicted and that he usesit now and again just to help him relax.Are there any long-term health effectsfrom using cannabis?A. Many people, especially teenagers, seecannabis as a harmless substance that helpsyou relax and “chill” not like alcohol andcigarettes that are bad for your health. Yetthere is growing evidence to show thatteenagers and young adults who usecannabis long term are more likely to havehallucinations, delusions or signs of psychosisthan short-term users, or people who’venever smoked marijuana.Regular use of this drug can double therisk of developing a psychotic episode orlong-term schizophrenia. Over the past fewyears research strongly suggests there is aclear link between early cannabis use andlater mental health problems, especially inthose with a genetic vulnerability. Also,adolescents who use cannabis daily are fivetimes more likely to develop depression andanxiety in later life.Around one in 10 cannabis users has unpleasantexperiences, including confusion,anxiety and paranoia. These feelings are usuallyonly temporary, but the effect can bemore long-lasting than users realise.Cannabis can interfere with a person’scapacity to concentrate, their short-termmemory and reduce motivation. Users aremore than twice as likely to be the cause ofa fatal car crash.The brain is still developing in the teenageyears up to the early 20s. Any substance thataffects neurological development has the potentialto lead to long-term psychological effects.Cannabis has some of the features ofaddictive drugs such as tolerance (having totake more to get the same effect), withdrawalsymptoms including craving, sleep problems,aggression, irritability, poor appetiteand restlessness. Skunk (stronger type ofcannabis) may be used as a substitute for ecstasyor LSD.There are about 400 chemical compoundsin an average cannabis plant, the main psycho-activecompounds rapidly enter theblood-stream and are transported directly tothe brain and other parts of the body. Thesecompounds tend to build up in fatty tissuesthroughout the body, so it takes a long timeto be excreted in the urine. This is whycannabis can be detected in urine up to 56days after it has last been used.Cannabis is classified as a Schedule 1 drugunder the Misuse of Drugs Act.■ www.talktofrank.com is an excellentwebsite■ Also www.drugs.ie, www.addictionireland.ieXH - V1Any substance that affectsneurological development has thepotential to lead to long-termpsychological effectsQ. Is sex during pregnancy safe or not?After a long time trying, I’m pregnant,and don’t want to do anything that willput the baby at risk. Can sex duringpregnancy cause a miscarriage?A. As long as your pregnancy is proceedingnormally you can have sex as often asyou like. Some women find that during thefirst trimester hormonal changes, fatigueand nausea can sap the desire for sex. Duringthe second trimester, increased bloodflow to your sexual organs and breasts canhelp rekindle your enthusiasm for sex. Bythe third trimester, weight gain, back painand other symptoms once again can dampenthe desire. There’s more to sex than intercourse— if you don’t want to have sex orit is difficult, try cuddling, kissing or massage.It is a common concern that sex duringpregnancy can cause a miscarriage, especiallyin the first trimester. Early miscarriagesare usually related to chromosomalabnormalities or other problems in the developingbaby. Sex isn’t a concern as yourbaby is protected by amniotic fluid in youruterus, as well as a plug of mucous thatPicture: GettyImagesblocks the cervix during pregnancy.As long as you’re comfortable, most sexualpositions do not pose a threat during pregnancy.But if you receive oral sex, make sureyour partner doesn’t blow air into yourvagina. There is a small risk that a burst ofair may block a blood vessel (air embolism),which could potentially be a life-threateningcondition for you and your baby. Generally,anal sex isn’t recommended during pregnancy,it may allow infection-causing bacteriato spread from the rectum to the vagina.You would be advised to avoid sex duringpregnancy if you’re at risk of pre-termlabour, have unexplained vaginal bleeding,are leaking amniotic fluid, have placentiaprevia (the placenta partly or completelycovers your cervix) or if your cervix beginsto open prematurely (cervical incompetence).After birth, whether vaginally or by caesariansection, allow your body to heal.Wait four to six weeks before resuming intercourse.This allows time for your cervixto close and any tears or a repaired episiotomyto heal.NOTE: The information contained in Dr Houston’s column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor firstCatherineShanahanMUM’S WORLDHE who said men represent the triumph ofmind over morals and women the triumphof matter over mind failed to point out theeffect this fundamental difference canhave on choice of children’s reading material.The mother, with firm focus on didactics,is a fan of Aesop, where virtue is awinner and evil rues the day. The BoyWho Cried Wolf is a personal favourite —the honest man’s salutary tale.The father also likes fables, but of abrand where the moral is hazy. His tastefor the tasteless is reflected during a visitto the local library. His choice of titlesounds not unlike the material kept wellout of reach at the video store.“Lemmy goes Diving” features theeponymous Lemmy, a young lad with attitudein spades. During a dive, he unearthssome treasure which he is about to claim— when Bully Boy McCoy arrives on thescene to try put his nemesis to shame.There is pulling and pushing andscratching and swearing and tearing andbiting galore until, out of nowhere, Lemmythrows a punch and bursts open bully-boy’snose.The damage inflicted by Lemmy’s haymakeris plain for all to see. Bully Boy Mc-Coy winces in pain as Lemmy dances withglee and scoops up his treasure to take tothe surface leaving bully-boy to the mercyof the sea.The upshot of victory is fabulous wealth— we see Lemmy with a suitcase of ‘seriousmoney’. Gratuitous violence equalsgood fortune is the moral of this little story.That night as her children bed down, themother picks up the book. Weary from along day at work, she thanks the Lord forlarge print and illustrations that cut downon text. Her happiness is somewhat curtailedas Lemmy lands a right hook. She isdownright perturbed when her son cheershim on, with “BASH HIM” “TAKE THAT”“BOOF!”Granddad drops by the next day andchances upon the same text. He smothersa snigger as he reads to his grandson andLemmy lets fly with his fist. He spots thatthe book is on loan and wonders whomade the selection. His enjoys Lemmy’santics as much as his grandchild, even ifhis morals are open to question.It is true, the mother thinks, that thepublic library is the most dangerous placein town. Let a man lose and God knowswhat he’ll choose to bring back into yourhome.In search of an answer, she seeks out thefather and asks what informed his choice.“I’m surprised you should ask,” he said.“It’s in my nature, as the scorpion said tothe frog.”FeelgoodFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:16:08:24Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:13Zone:XHXH - V113Cancer campaignto get men talkingWORD OF MOUTH: Broadcaster Gerry Ryan is to record aradio advertisement in support of Men’s Health Month.Quitline offers advice ingiving up smokingIF YOU’VE fallen off the wagonthis Lent in your attempts to giveup smoking, don’t despair. TheIrish Cancer Society runs the NationalSmokers’ Quitline in partnershipwith the HSE.“The Quitline offersadvice, informationand support tosmokers and hasbeen proven to helpsmokers quit,” saysNorma Cronin,health promotionmanager, Irish CancerSociety.Aside from the factthat you’ll have moreTAKE 4THERE aremany ways toshow yourmother howmuch you carethis Sunday.Some giftideas are:money if you stop buyingcigarettes, smoking causes 30%of all cancers, including 95% ofall lung cancers. Half of all smokerswill die from tobacco-relateddisease. Quitting smoking is thesingle biggest thing youcan do to improve yourhealth.If you would like advice,information andsupport with quitting,call the National Smokers’Quitline (CallSave1850 201 203, open 8amto 10pm, Monday to Saturday)or log ontowww.giveupsmoking.ie.ELEGANT ROSES: The Figs and Rougerange has the vintage garden aroma ofRambling Roses — an elegant gift forthe mum who likes natural products.The range includes cleanser, toner, daycream, shower gel, body and hand lotionand is free from parabens, syntheticcolours and aromas. Figs & Rouge from9.63 and stockists include NelsonsHomeopathic Dispensary,15 DukeStreet, Dublin, (mailorder 01-6790451).Boots recommendtheir Calming SanctuaryBath Relaxer(6.99) which is infusedwith jojoba oil,moisturising almondand primrose oils.ASPART of its Men’sHealth Month, the MarieKeating Foundation haslaunched a new website called getmentalking.ieto encourage men toget talking about their health.One in nine Irish men is at risk ofdeveloping prostate cancer, one in 19is at risk of developing bowel cancerand one in 205 are at risk in relationto testicular cancer.“Using the latest digital technologythrough a dedicated website is our approachin encouraging men to telltheir stories in a safe and non-threateningway,” says Lillian McGovern,chief executive of the Marie KeatingFoundation.“The power of this channel ofcommunication cannot be underestimatedand our hope is that many menwill engage with us using thismethod.”Armed with the knowledge thatmen are increasingly unlikely to visit aDeirdre O'FlynnMOSTLY MENWalk keeps heartfoundation ‘healthy’CARDIOVASCULAR diseaseis one of Ireland’s biggestkillers, so raise awarenessby participating in the IrishHeart Foundation’s charitywalk in May.From May 29 toJune 5, the foundation’soverseas Europeanwalk willtake place in Galicia,in northernSpain, along the last140km of the Camino deSantiago. This is a great opportunityto raise funds forthe Irish Heart Foundationand undertake one of thePAMPER DAY: Treat your mum to alittle pampering with The Party BlowDry from Peter Mark. The KerastasteVolumorphose treatment leaves hairfeeling thicker with added body andvolume. A Party Blow Dry adds 15to the normal blow dry price with20% off all hairdressing at Peter Marksalons. The BrookLodge Hotel &Wells Spa, pictured, offers a day andnight this Mother’s Day. For 150 perperson sharing,you gettwo treatmentseach inThe Wells Spa,dinner in LaTaverna Armentoand accommodation.doctor or engage with the health services,the foundation has decided to developa campaign which aims to literallyget men talking.With the use of YouTube and Facebook,the foundation’s hope is to encouragemore men to talk about theirhealth.On the website, men can ‘ask the expert’,talk to one another, post contentto the site and access information on thevarious types of men’s cancer. ThroughoutMarch, the foundation’s communitymost historic and spiritualwalking routes in the world.The foundation’s overseaswalks are a key source ofcharity income, raising200,000 annually. All moneyraised will fund thepromotion andstaffing of the nationalpatient helpline,1890 432787, whichprovides patients andtheir carers with informationand support. Prior todeparture, each participantmust raise 2,500. ContactTanya on 01-6685001 ortcomber@irishheart.ie.Mother’s Day giftsGIFT OF FLOWERS: Your mother’slove allowed you to grow from a tinyseedling, so Oxfam are asking you toplant sunflowers in her honour. Bygrowing and pressing them for oil,people living with HIV and AIDS canearn an income tohelp them eat nutritiously.Sunflowersis one of the OxfamUnwrapped gift setsfor Mother’s Day andcosts 23.50. Allsets include someFair Trade chocolate.More details:www.oxfamirelandunwrapped.com.information service will be focussed onmen’s health. It will be visiting men’sgroups and workplaces bringing withthem the message of early detection andthe benefits of talking about your health.Information on men’s cancer will bemade available through Marks & Spencerstores throughout March and merchandisewill be on sale in-store.RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan is alsosupporting the campaign, recording a radioadvertisement which will airthroughout March.It is hoped that men will log on to thesite during the month to take part inthis campaign. To encourage men to logon, the foundation will be running onlineadvertising and doing online‘give-aways’ to encourage traffic ontothe site.“We believe that the real ambassadorsfor this campaign are real Irish mentelling their stories and sharing experiencesand where better to do it than atwww.getmentalking.ie,” says O’Sullivan.DId you know...A surge inteeth grindingis linked tostress causedby therecessionSource: Dental Health Foundation, UKNEW EXPERIENCE: With aOne4all Experience Gift Card, yourmum can choose from many packagesincluding a day spa in Kerry,learning to cook in Wicklow, takinga flying lesson over Dublin orunwinding in a five star hotel inCork. One4all has designed theuser friendly Silver, Gold, Platinumor Elite Experience gift packageswhich allow her to chooseher preferredgiftbased onher desiredspend(pricesfrom50).FeelgoodFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:11:29:00Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:14Zone:XH14XH - V1The news on ...UNSTRUCTURED CURLSEmily O’SullivanWomen don’t needface-freezing cosmeticsurgery to remainattractive and sexyIF YOU’VE got wavy hair a la Pixie Lott,then you’ll be delighted to know that accordingto Jake Davis, senior stylist forJohn Frieda, “unstructured curls” are oneof the big looks for spring/summer 2010.It’s all about “loose and natural, randomtextures, an undone look”, saysDavis.“This curly look is soft and movesaway from the very overdone Hollywoodcurled look — spring/summeris relaxed and about lazy days andwarm weather, not the glamoroussiren look of the Christmas party season.”If you’re more crazy frizz-meisterthan relaxed curly chic, then opt forJohn Frieda’s Dream Curls Curl PerfectorSpray, 5.99, to tame things down.STUFF WE LIKENuxe First Expression Lines Eye ContourCream, 20. This eye cream has aslightly oily texture but remarkably it is almostinstantly absorbed into the skin. It’spacked with natural ingredients, such asblue lotus and poppy seeds, althea root,calmosensine, amaranth andmusk rose. For best results, usemorning and night.No7 Lift & Luminate NightCream, 29.25. Great fordehydrated and dull-looking skin,Lift & Luminate is a firming andbrightening cream that promises towork on the complexion in just fourweeks. The cream has a lovely richtexture and has been making ourskin feel silky soft and looking aFeelgoodAgeing thenatural wayI’M CONVINCED at some point soonthere will be a backlash against our obsessionwith youth. From puerile plasticsurgery TV shows about cosmetic vaginal reconstructionto alien-like women stalking thecorridors of celebrity with blank StepfordWives expressions, I’m quietly confident thatplastic surgery, and the relentless obsessionwith ageing and imperfection, will be theharbinger of its own demise.Extreme vanity is unattractive. Fact. Beingcomfortable in your own skin, on the otherhand, is alluring. It’s sexy. It’s subtle and it’smagnetic. We’ve reached a state of near hysteriaabout the small creases that creep acrossour faces, but women who avoid cosmeticsurgery and non-invasive procedures have abeauty that exposes the bizarre horror ofbloated lips, stretched skin and expressionlessforeheads.Consider Helen Mirren, Susan Sarandon,Vanessa Redgrave, Meryl Streep, picturedhere, Catherine Deneuve — they exude anelegance that women like Ivana Trump canonly dream about. They are confident, relaxedand have an allure that transcends age.They have, and are, ageing with grace andelegance. It can be done.I recently watched The September Issue, afilm about the uber-sunglassed Anna Wintourand US Vogue. But despite being one of fashion’smost commanding figures, Wintour wasnot the film’s star. Instead that plaudit landedwith the magazine’s visionary creative director,Grace Coddington. Coddington’s appearanceis dramatic: her shock of frizzy red hairframes a face ridged with lines and etchedwith experience.At first, it takes you by surprise, but herbeauty slowly unfolds before you, and by theend of the film, you are captivated by her, intrigued,almost mesmerised — this is awoman working at the pinnacle of the fashionindustry with expressions that you canread. It’s refreshing, honest and, yes, sexy.I don’t know any women who’ve hadBotox treatments. My friends are notprimed and preened — they are mothersand working women who exude an earthysexuality. They are anything but false, andthey are admired by the men around them.I can see the beginnings of lines and wrinkleson their faces, and I like it that way.Bobbi Brown is one beauty guru that istouting the no-Botox route. Yes, she’s abusinesswoman, and yes, she has a skincareand cosmetics line to sell, but she is frankwhen it comes to the importance of womenbeing allowed to age naturally. “Of coursewe all want to look better — but thatdoesn’t have to mean looking younger,” shesaid in a Sunday Times interview.little more radiant. Three cheers.Trilogy Age Proof CoQ10 BoosterSerum, 28.95. Trilogy has become one ofour standout brands of late — theproducts are simple, natural and effective.This new Booster Serum isspecifically designed for maturingskin and has a collagen-boostingco-enzyme, as well as tamanu oil,which is rich in essential fatty acids.It’s designed for use underneath yourregular moisturiser and helps skinfeel silky soft and very well hydrated.Roc Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correction,32.95. Retinol is still regardedas one of the most effective anti-ageingingredients, so if you’re lookingFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010Brown’s solution is her make-up face lift,a much publicised range of products thatbring a lightness and brightness back to theface. Concentrating on deeply moisturisingproducts that have a sheer look, Brown isreflecting the long-held make-up rule that,as you age, less is more.Central to this look is a light foundation.Heavy bases look truly awful on more matureskins, which need to inject a look ofdewy freshness to keep it young-looking.Yes, you might need to cover up dark circlesand red veins and uneven skin tones,but you can do this with a concealer.Don’t let dead skin cells build up on theskin — use a gentle exfoliator regularly, optfor a radiance-boosting moisturiser and getout for regular walks. It might sound simplebut it does bring a freshness to the cheeks.And that’s bound to make us all lookyounger.for anti-ageing cream then this is as good aone to go for as any. It has a rich, satinytexture and a slightly shampooey fragrance,but it feels very gentle on the skin.Clarins Gentle Peeling, 30. Firstlaunched in 1974, this cleanser hasproved its staying power. It’s aclay-based product, which needs to onlybe left on the skin for a minute beforewashing it gently off. Great for brighteningdull, tired-looking complexions.Bobbi Brown Extra SPF25 MoisturisingBalm, 50. We’re always includingthis one, but we do love it so, andit’s part of Bobbi Brown’s Make-up FaceLift. It’s a very sheer, very moisturisingtinted balm that gives the skin a lift inSHOWER GELSTAKE THREEI’M more of a soap bunny than a shower gelfanatic — after all, what’s the point of allthat wasted packaging when it comes downto it? Still, there is something about a goodquality shower gel that can set your day offin the right way. Here are threewe like:Voya Squeaky Clean, 16. Infusedwith organic seaweed fromIreland’s Atlantic coastline, this isan energising body wash that givesa good woosh to the start of theday. It foams up well and the sweetbasil and organic clove bud oilsgive it a great scent.Score: 8Clinique Deep Comfort Body Wash,18.50. A lot of shower gels and soaps canbe quite harsh and drying on the skin. Notso this one, a, literally, deeply comfortingwash with a luxurious creamy latheringfoam.Score: 8Original Source Mint andTea Tree Shower, 2.39.Hurrah, a shower gel thatdoesn’t make us feel too guilty.This fabulously invigoratingminty gel comes encased in awaterproof pouch that is recyclableand uses 75% less packagingthan before. Bravo.Score: 10the lightest way possible. It might feelstrange if you’re used to wearing heavierfoundations, but give it a go and you maywell find yourself converted… forever.Benefit Brows a-go-go, 39.50. It’s importantto keep your brows looking definedas you age, as nature can thin and lightenthem. Powders are much betterthan the harsh effect thatbrow pencils can create. Thisis a good kit because it hasthree brow shades, a greatbrightening eye shadow, and acreamy pink concealer thathides dark shadows underthe eyes.

TERAPROOF:User:PAULOKEEFFEDate:10/03/2010Time:17:06:39Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:16Zone:XH16XH - V1ENJOYHEARING AGAIN......get Better, Clearer, moreNatural Hearing with the mostTechnologically AdvancedDigitalInstrumentavailableIntroducing the NewSSeries from StarkeyThe SSeries from Starkey is the biggest leapin Hearing Aid Technology in years. It offersfeatures never before possible, switchingautomatically to anticipate hearing patternsSO SMALL AND SO EFFECTIVEIt is truly amazing that this wonderful invention can be so small. Even yourclosest friends will find it difficult to believe that you are wearing a hearing aid. Yes,improved hearing is now easier than you had thought possible thanks to the new SSeries.DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE“If you think you have ahearing problem...the time to act is NOW. Living life to its fullest meanshearing all the sounds around you. The important sounds of conversation, telephone and TV. Tohelp ensure that you receive the highest quality hearing care, we utilise the most sophisticated diagnosticand evaluation service available. Youhave my personal assurance of satisfaction in all your dealings with us.”- GRAHAM M. QUINWe also specialise in...CUSTOMISED HEARING PROTECTIONFor industrial, music, swimming and motor sports usageOCCUPATIONAL HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAMMESWorkplace noise assessments. Assessment of hearingprotection requirements. Occupational audiometrySOFT LASER THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF TINNITUSFREE HEARING TESTOffer valid from Today until Friday, 26th March, 2010This is awonderful opportunity to have your hearing evaluated by the top people in their fieldGovernment grant of up to €1,520 for P.R.S.I. contributors and their spousesPhone 021 4271351 An appointment saves timeCrowley’sOpticians &Hearing Aid Clinic26 GRAND PARADE, CORK 021 4271351GRAHAM M. QUIN BE MSc (Audiology) Dip SHWW Dip Env Eng CEng MIEI MIOSH Consulting Audiological ScientistFeelgoodFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010