Feelgood 09-07-2010

TERAPROOF:User:irenefeighanDate:07/07/2010Time:16:21:14Edition:09/07/2010FeelgoodXH0907Page:1 Zone:XH

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UNITED WE STANDScientists advise on whatmakes a marriage happy: 4, 5

BEACH BABEWe’ve got a swimsuit tosuit your shape: 11

BIG CHILLRoz Crowley puts eightice creams to the test: 12

GAME FOR ANADVENTUREBunny ears and all-night drinkingsessions get the boot in favour ofactivity hen parties: 8, 9

FeelgoodFriday, July 9, 2010

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FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2010

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Feelgood

HEALTH NOTES

Kate O’Reilly

WHAT’S ON

News front

■ HEART BBQ: The Irish Heart Founda-tion (IHF) is celebrating Cork Week witha barbeque on Wednesday next. Thisfun event is supported by the Chamberof Commerce and dedicated to formerpresident Joe Gantly who died fromheart disease. Admission 45, includingaccess to Cork Week, a barbeque, liveentertainment and a donation to theIrish Heart Foundation. Music from 4pmincludes Fred and the Frank & Walters.Tickets from the Cork Office of the IHF,42 Penrose Wharf, or call 021-4505822.

■ LADIES DAY: Ladies Day at Cork Week2010 takes place in the Royal Cork YachtClub, Crosshaven on Thursday next.The event includes a champagne recep-tion, lunch in the Corporate Marquee, amake-up master class, a fashion showand a best dressed lady competitionjudged by Lisa Murphy and Celia Hol-man-Lee. Tickets 75 each or tables of10 for 750 from Cork Simon’sFundraising Office on 021-4321166 oremail [email protected]

■ FREE HEALING: Since last year JoanBuckley of Lily Holistic Centre in Pas-sage West, Co Cork has been giving afree distance angel healing session onthe first Tuesday of the month. The nextfree healing session is on this comingTuesday, July 13. For more informationand to sign up for the next healing visitwww.lilyholistic.com/freeHealing.htmlor contact Joan at 087-6749221.

■ CHARITY GOLF: Soccer legend PaulMcGrath’s Annual Charity Golf Classic,will take place next Friday at ArklowGolf Club, Co Wicklow, in aid of theCystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland.Celebrity golfers will compete includeNorman Whiteside and Ronnie Whelan,Bernard Dunne, Ken Doherty and DesBishop. The evening will be rounded offwith a meal in the Arklow Golf Club,charity auction and entertainment byFrances Black, Don Baker and BrianKennedy. Entry 1,000 for a team offour, including dinner. Further informa-tion at www.paulmcgrathcharity-golf.com or call John Doyle on087-1343077 or Juanita Cahill on087-6181458. For further information onCystic Fibrosis visit www.cfireland.ie.

■ HEART CLINIC: The Irish Heart Foun-dation will hold a free blood pressureand cholesterol testing clinic at theCommunity Centre, Ballinlough onWednesday next from 10.30am-12pm.For details phone 021-4505822.

■ FREE ASTROLOGY: Would you wouldlike a free, short (30 minutes) astrologyreading at Dervish, Cornmarket St Corkon Thursday July 22? Contact Claire De-vereux on 087- 6185058 or visitwww.clairedevereux.com

Items for inclusion in this columncan be sent to [email protected]

MOTHER KNOWS BEST:Grandmother, KayByrne, shares herparenting tips withdaughter, FionaHodgins, and SMA baby,Isabella Hodgins (16months) at the launchof SMA Nutrition’s‘Search for Real Mum.’Picture:Mark Stedman/PhotocallIreland

WORRIED about your child’s stammering?According to the Irish Association of Speechand Language Therapists (IASLT), there is noone cause. Strategies can help. Parents are en-couraged not to correct the stammer, nor askthe child to slow down. Remove all pressuresabout speaking correctly, be clear and delib-erate when speaking, and keep a diary ofwhen the child is less or more likely to stam-mer. By understanding the triggers and stres-sors, parents can create a supportive environ-ment for their child.■ For more information, visit: www.iaslt.ie.

Drop weight and cut your risk of stroke ad-vises the Irish Heart Foundation. This starkwarning follows the results of a major USresearch project, which found that strokerates have tripled among women aged fromlate 30s to early 50s, because of the obesityepidemic. The research was based on theNational Health and Nutrition ExaminationSurveys, which studied 10,000 men andwomen. Fifty four percent of Irish womenare overweight or obese. Ten thousand peo-ple will suffer a stroke every year and onein four will die from it.■ For more information on preventingstroke, visit: www.stroke.ie.

SMA Nutrition has launched a nationwidesearch for an experienced mum to join itspanel of experts. The winner will join theSMA ‘every step’ panel of experts on their

national tour this summer, and receive aprize worth 3,000.Interested mums can log onto

www.tv3.ie/smarealmum, saying why they,or their nominee, should be picked. Five fi-nalists will be chosen and announced onwww.tv3.ie/smarealmum. The winner willbe announced on The Morning Show, onTV3, next month.

A free app can give you a daily pollen up-date. Sanofi aventis and the Asthma Soci-ety of Ireland have joined to launch a newiPhone application, ‘pollen alert’. It offers aregional assessment of pollen levels, sev-en days a week. The information is basedon research carried out by the Universityof Worcester, in Britain, which also moni-

tors pollen in Ireland.‘Pollen alert’ can be downloaded for free

from the App Store, or by visiting www.asth-masociety.ie/www.irishhealth.com.

Researchers have established a link betweendementia and depression — two conditionsthat often co-exist. Those who suffer fromdepression have double the risk of developingdementia when older. Dr Jane Saczynski, ofthe University of Massachusetts, says when aperson is depressed their brain tissue becomesinflamed and this may contribute to dementia.“Certain proteins found in the brain, that

increase with depression, may also increase therisk of developing dementia.” Dr Saczynskisays the findings point to a link, not a cause.

Irene Feighan

Career women, like violinist Linzi Stoppard, are freezing their eggs toallow them conceive as late as possible, says Arlene Harris

Frozen in timeB IOLOGICAL clocks seem to be

ticking louder than ever before.Whether managing a successful

career or looking for Mr Right, an increas-ing number of women are delaying moth-erhood until their mid-30s or early 40s.With research showing it takes twice as

long for women over 35 to conceive, it isno wonder many would-be-mothers areturning to science to ‘stall time’.Freezing eggs until the time is right is be-

coming increasingly popular with manywomen, including English violinist, LinziStoppard, who, at 31, has decided to slowdown ‘mother nature’ while she concen-trates on her career.Stoppard, who plays with the rock band,

Fuse, has had 10 healthy eggs frozen untilshe is ready to conceive. She is not alone— it is estimated that 6,000 eggs have beenfrozen in Britain. In Ireland, the figures arefar more conservative, with between fiveand 20 freezes taking place each year —and almost all of these are from womenwho are undergoing cancer treatment.Gerri Emerson, senior embryologist and

research and development officer at the hu-man assisted reproduction Ireland (HARI)unit, at the Rotunda hospital, in Dublin,says while egg-freezing is available free ofcharge for medical purposes, it may besome time before the facility will be usedfor private reasons.“The current method of slow-freezing

eggs is an accepted and safe procedure, butit has a relatively low success rate(6%-21%), so it is not something we wouldbe encouraging for social reasons,” she says.

Freezing eggs is not something to be un-dertaken lightly. “It is emotionally andphysically draining, but, for women under-going medical treatment, it offers greathope for the future,” says Emerson.“We have to counsel all our women, be-

fore beginning treatment, as there are some

risks involved and the outcome may not re-sult in pregnancy.”But while fertility clinics in this country

have been slow to seek a licence to offerfreezing for lifestyle purposes, the new,more successful methods might see aturnaround.“New techniques, such as vitrification,

involve rapid cooling times and a higherconcentration of cryopreservation,” Emer-son says. “This latest technology is reallypromising and results, so far, have shownsuccess rates of almost 99%.“I would imagine it will be available in

Ireland within the next few years — it isjust a matter of carrying out risk analysisand organising paperwork.”

THE FACTS:■ Egg-freezing is a process by whichovaries are stimulated by artificial hormonesto produce multiple eggs.■ After two to four weeks, the eggs areharvested and frozen.■ Risks include ovarian hyper-stimulation,allergic reaction to medication, and multi-ple pregnancy.■ Slow-freezing methods have very lowsuccess rates — only 200 live babies bornworldwide.■ Egg freezing for oncology patients is freeof charge, but a doctor’s referral is necessary.■ When vitrification is available in Ireland,women can expect to pay 5,000 for theservice.

■ For more information, visit www.hari.ie.

ON HOLD:Violinist LinziStoppard hashad 10 eggsfrozen. Picture:Carmen Valino/PAWire

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FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2010Feelgood

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THE SHAPE I'M IN Eddie English

Whetherat work

or leisure, I’moften

squeezing mybody into tightspaces. I’m abig man and Ipush my body,so it creaksand strainsmore than

a little

Back in command

STRESS BUSTER: Sailinginstructor Eddie Englishsays he worries less sincehe had a quadruple bypasssix years ago. Picture:Cillian

Kelly

What trait do you least like inothers?Deceitfulness — somebody not being truthful. I can’tstand it. I always need to see the whole picture. Evensomebody who says nothing — they’re not telling a lie butthey’re not communicating the truth

either.

What trait do you least like in yourself?I’ve got more patient, especially since my heart

operation. I’d like to be more chilled and laidback. I’m getting there, and it does happen withage, but I have to learn to relax more.

Do you pray?In the privacy of my own mind, I pray. Itmight be a formal prayer or it might just bea conversation. There are times when,momentarily, something’s going seri-ously wrong and then it’s a veryquick formal prayer.

What would cheer up yourday?A good booking on to oneof ourcourses.

Helen O’Callaghan

COBH man Eddie English is one of approxi-mately 2,000 sailors who will participate innext week’s Cork Week, a series of sailing

events in Crosshaven. “I’m racing on board a 42ft yachtcalled Oystercatcher. Last time I sailed her was in Antiguain the Caribbean in May.”Eddie has been running his sailing school, Sail

Cork, in East Ferry since 1974. Married to Jo, hehas two children, Aisling, seven, and Eamonn, five.“They are a fantastic joy,” says the 56-year-old,who had a quadruple heart bypass six years ago.“I’d had a heart condition for a while and I was

getting very uncomfortable and breathless. I’d hada number of angioplasties and I knew I’d have tohave a bypass at some stage.”Eddie says he wasn’t scared going into surgery.

“My wife was very supportive. We adopted a verypositive mental attitude. Having the bypass gave mefreedom — it revitalised my life.”

What shape are you in?Not bad but I could be better. I have workto do. I need to get my weight down. I walkat least a few miles a day.

Do you have any health concerns?Whether at work or leisure, I’m oftensqueezing my body into tight spaces. I’ma big man and I push my body, so itcreaks and strains more than a little. Iend up going for physiotherapy morethan once a year. At the moment, I’mgetting it for my sciatic nerve on the leftside.

What are your healthiest eatinghabits?I stay away from bread, butter and sugar.I eat fruit, nuts, seeds, fresh fish — espe-cially oily fish — and porridge duringwinter.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?If I’m out for a meal, I like to havedessert. I especially like tiramisu.

What would keep you awake atnight?Worry about the business or my family.My mother’s 86 and she has had to go toa nursing room — I worry about her.And, in the current climate, there’s wor-ry about business. But I don’t worryanything like I did before the bypass. Isleep okay — I think about sailing andthat puts me to sleep.

How do you relax?Mainly by going sailing. During winter,I’m in the office during the day and teachingnavigation at night. To split the day, I go for apint of Guinness in a pub called The Roaring Don-key.

Who would you invite to your dream dinnerparty?My wife never met my father. I’d love if he couldcome back and that my mum could be in her youthand that we could meet them when they were our ageand have a party.

What would you change about your ap-pearance?I’d lose a bit of weight — a stone and ahalf max.

When did you last cry?I buried my brother-in-law, Dominic, last April. He was33. I shed a few tears then.

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Feelgood Feelgood

Tara Parker-Popewrote the book

after her 17-yearmarriage began tofall apart and shewas struggling tomake sense of it

MARRIAGETYPES

You can work it outA new book takes a look at marital science and reveals how and why some couples make it to happy-ever-after, reports Helen O’Callaghan

DO you smile and roll your eyes inreaction to something your part-ner has said? How exactly do you

re-tell the story of how you first met yourother half — with nostalgia and optimism orwith negativity and regret? Does your mar-riage have at least a five-to-one daily ratio ofpositive to negative interactions?How you behave in any of these contexts

can strongly predict whether you’re on coursefor a happy marriage or doomed to divorce.This is according to New York Times jour-nalist Tara Parker-Pope and author of ForBetter For Worse, The Science Of A GoodMarriage.Parker-Pope wrote the recently published

book after her 17-year marriage began to fallapart and she found herself struggling tomake sense of it. Rather than resort to mar-riage advice books and self-help guides,which she felt were filled with unhelpfulplatitudes, the long-time health writer beganto trawl the internet for research on marriageand relationships.“I was stunned to find a vast world of mar-

ital science beyond the self-help aisle. Fordecades, numerous scientists have beenchurning out credible research filled withpractical advice about marital health,” says themum-of-one, who believes understanding thescience of marriage gives us a crystal ball tobetter predict which relationships will workand which won’t.In her book, for which Parker-Pope turned

to top biologists, neuroscientists and psychol-ogists, some of the truths uncovered aren’t sosurprising — if you wait until you’re over 25to wed, you’re less likely to split up. And ifyou marry someone like yourself — withsimilar values, backgrounds and life goals —you’re likely to stay the course.But other insights are more subtle. Take the

analysis by marriage researcher John Gottmanof the ‘how-we-met’ stories of 52 couples.After the couples initially told their stories,University of Washington researchers had apretty clear idea which couples were happyand which were headed for divorce. Threeyears later they checked in with the couplesand found the how-we-met story had pre-dicted with 94% accuracy, which coupleswould break up and who’d stay together.

“Spouses who are in happy marriages oftenrecount the early part of their relationshipwith laughter, smiles and nostalgia — evenwhen talking about difficult times like a jobloss or financial struggles. Unhappy couplestend to recast their past times together in adecidedly negative light,” says Parker-Pope.She cites two different examples of how a

wife might talk about her first visit to herhusband-to-be’s filthy apartment:“My goodness, the place was a wreck!

Socks everywhere, empty beer bottles. It wasdefinitely a bachelor pad.” Or “It was disgust-ing. Even back then, he was a completeslob”. “It’s the same story about the samemessy apartment, told two different ways. Butit’s clear which wife is happier in her rela-tionship,” says Parker-Pope.Which pronouns we use when telling sto-

ries of our experiences as a couple also givestrong hints as to where our marriage isheaded. “Happy couples say ‘we’, ‘us’ and‘our’ when telling their stories. Unhappycouples often stick with ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘mine’ and‘you’ and ‘yours’.” Parker-Pope gives the ex-ample of a happy couple describing a moun-tain-climb: “We went climbing in the moun-tains and got terribly lost. We were so dis-tracted by the scenery”, says the woman.“We never went near mountains again, butthat was still one of our best trips together,”says the man.This, she says, is an example of ‘we-ness’,

typical of a connected couple. An unhappycouple would describe the same trip very dif-ferently: “You lost the map that day, and ittook hours to get back home. I was exhaust-ed,” she says. “You never really liked hikingmuch anyway,” he says.Couples often get panicked about the

wrong things, such as conflict. The authorcites the work of marriage researcher JohnGottman, who believes a certain amount ofconflict is necessary to ‘weed out’ problemsthat can harm a marriage in the long run. Hestudied couples early in their relationship,finding that peaceful couples reported moremarital happiness than couples who bickered.But three years later the peaceful coupleswere far more likely to be headed for divorce,whereas the bickering couples had workedout the kinks in their relationship and weremore likely to be in stable relationships.”Stephen Cummins, director of marriage

education with Accord, says couples have this“crazy notion” that conflict’s a sign of dishar-

mony and that, if not cured, it will separatethem. “They’re afraid if they disagree orfight, they’ll run their marriage off the road,”says Cummins, who advises couples not towaste energy trying to avoid conflict. “Twopeople in a marriage are different and they’llhave different opinions —that’s normal. And some con-flicts willnever be resolved, but theycan be managed.”Research conducted by

John Gottman at the Univer-sity of Washington found thatjust watching the first threeminutes of an argumenthelped predict which coupleswould stay married and whowas headed for divorce dur-ing the next six years.“If you get the first three

minutes of a fight right you’rea long way towards improvingthe entire relationship,” saysParker-Pope. She refers tomarriage studies that showone of the main differencesbetween a good fight and abad fight is whether it beginswith a complaint or a criti-cism: ‘I was upset last nightwhen I came home and thedishes were in the sink andthe floor wasn’t swept’ (com-plaint) versus ‘Why can’t yoube bothered to do the dishesand clean up after the kidsthe one time I have a meet-ing. You never think about pitching in whenI’m busy with other things’ (criticism).“It’s a sign of serious trouble when the

opening to your discussion begins with criti-cism, contempt or sarcasm,” says Parker-Pope.(Eye-rolling in reaction to what a partner hassaid is a painfully obvious sign of contemptand a powerful predictor that your relation-ship’s in serious trouble, says the author).

Stephen Cummins advises“softening your start-up” in aconflict situation. “If a wiferings her husband when he’s onthe road home and says ‘whereare you?’ in a not very wel-coming tone — therebypre-announcing a major issue— he’ll arrive home in a suit ofarmour. Or he’ll take a detourto the pub. Saying ‘hello, howare you? How was your day’softens the start-up.”Psychotherapist and psycho-

sexual counsellor JosephineO’Halloran says good marriagesare based on genuine intimacy— not just sexual and emo-tional (where you feel able tobare your soul to your partnerand say it as it is) but opera-tional too. “How do they han-dle money? Do they have ajoint account? Unresolved con-flict around money is often abiggie in marriage breakdown.How do you handle in-laws?Does his mother want him tocome home and put up a shelf?Does her mother want her tomind Granny? Couples have torealise they’re a new family

now and they can’t have the same relationshipthey had — pre-marriage — with their fami-ly of origin.”

Satisfactory division of household chores isanother operational necessity, says O’Hallo-ran, something that’s borne out by researchcited in For Better For Worse. A survey con-ducted by Neil Chethik of 300 Americanhusbands found a consistent parallel betweenhousework and sex. When both spouses weresatisfied with the way housework was divid-ed, the couple had sex one more day amonth compared to couples with a spousewho was unhappy about housework equity.That successful marriage comes back to

practicalities is something Tony Moore, rela-tionship counsellor with the Marriage AndRelationship Counselling Service (MRCS)agrees with. “People buy into the dream andmarketing of marriage. They think love willcure all. Being lackadaisical about time-keep-ing, budgeting and communication isn’t con-sistent with a good relationship. If you keepdisrespecting someone, while still saying youlove them, you’re not walking the talk.”The book offers a prescription to improve

your marriage, with advice ranging from howto survive the early years of parenthood tohow to bring the spark back. And in a bookthat draws so heavily on the world of science,it’s not surprising that one of the author’s bestbits of advice has a mathematical flavour.“Strong marriages have at least a

five-to-one daily ratio of positive to negativeinteractions. This means it’s not enough toapologise for mistreating your spouse. For ev-ery mistake you make, you need to offer fivemore good moments, kind words and lovinggestures to keep your marriage in balance,”says Parker-Pope.

■ For Better For Worse, The Science Of AGood Marriage, Tara Parker-Pope, 13.20.■ Visit www.mrcs.ie and www.accord.ie.

WEDDED BLISS:Relationship counsellor TonyMoore says people buy intothe marketing dream ofmarriage but have to facerealities afterwards.Picture: Billy Higgins

FOR Better ForWorse, The ScienceOf A Good Marriage,

outlines five types of marriage, firstidentified by American marital re-searcher Mavis Hetherington in a30-year study of divorce in the US.

■ Cohesive/individuated mar-riage: Partners don’t spend everywaking moment together but seembonded. Marriage functions like arefuge that husband/wife return toat the end of the day for renewal,support, affection and companion-ship. These couples had the sec-ond-lowest divorce rate. They be-came vulnerable to divorce whenone person begins to put moreemphasis on ‘me’ than ‘we’.

■ Traditional marriage: Markedby the male breadwinner/femalehomemaker roles. This had thelowest divorce rate in Hethering-ton’s studies. But just because thesemarriages are stable doesn’t meanthey’re always the most happy. For atraditional marriage to thrive, bothpartners have to be happy withtheir individual role, perform itwell, and feel respected by the oth-er partner for the contributionsthey make to the marriage/family.

■ Pursuer/distancer marriage: In80% of these, the pursuer is thewoman, who’s eager to confrontand discuss problems. The husbandresists engaging in the discussion byreading the newspaper, turning onthe TV or just staring into space.Eventuallythe dis-tancer getstired of the‘nagging’and getsangry. Thepursuer al-so gets fedup and withdraws into herself. Thisis the highest-risk marriage.Robert Levenson, marriage re-

searcher at the University of Cali-fornia-Berkeley, says if you’re in apattern where one person’s unhap-py and the other person isn’t will-ing to discuss and compromise, itcan’t go on. “You have to rebal-ance.”

■ Disengaged marriage: Involvestwo self-sufficient individuals, whofear/don’t need intimacy to achievea sense of wellbeing. Disengagedcouples don’t argue a lot — theyoften don’t need each other on adaily basis. People in these mar-riages would have pretty much thesame lives if they were single, andthey lack mutual affection and sup-port. This marriage had the sec-ond-highest divorce rate.

■ Operatic marriage: Charac-terised by dramatic highs and lows,emotionally volatile with rows of-ten leading to sex. People in thesemarriages reported the highest levelof sexual satisfaction. Such mar-riages can work but if one or bothpartners says hurtful/damagingthings during the conflict, the rela-tionship may be difficult to sustain.

Happycouples say

‘we’, ‘us’, and‘our’ when

telling theirstories.

Unhappycouples oftenstick with ‘I’,

‘me’, ‘mine’and ‘you’ and

‘yours’

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Feelgood

SAFE HANDS:Sean Mc SharryclimbedKilimanjaro at10 with hisgodfather,experiencedadventurer,IanMcKeever.Picture: NickBradshaw

Some teens who take up risky challenges may be seeking attention, says Ailin Quinlan

A step too farHIGH ACHIEVER: At 13,Jordan Romero climbedMount Everest. Picture: PRAKASHMATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)

OVERSTRETCHED:AbbySunderland,had toabandonher attemptto sailaround theworld solo.Picture:AP/JaeC. Hong

OVER-AMBITIOUS teenager orpushy parents? It’s hard to knowwhat really drove 16-year-old

Abby Sunderland to attempt to sail aroundthe world on her own.Whatever it was, it could have resulted in

her death — the blonde adolescent, fromMarina del Rey, California, was rescued fromher stricken vessel in a remote spot of the In-dian Ocean, in June.Her yacht, Wild Eyes, was reportedly

pounded by gigantic waves that had destroyedits mast, which, in turn, knocked out hersatellite communications equipment and leftthe ship floundering midway between Africaand Australia.What made her do it? Perhaps it was sibling

rivalry — her brother, Zac, had successfullymade a solo voyage around the world at theage of 17, becoming the youngest person inthe world to do so.Perhaps it was a healthy sense of adventure.

Abby is a highly-skilled and experiencedsailor, according to her father, who dismissedthe strong criticism levelled at him for allow-ing the teenager to engage in what many feltwas a foolhardy exercise that could easilyhave ended in tragedy.Laurence Sunderland strongly defended his

decision, saying modern society tends to beover-protective of children, and that a riskychallenge was healthy for an adventurouschild.And, indeed, there’s nothing new about

teenagers taking on seemingly momentouschallenges — for example, in May, JordanRomero, a 13-year-old from Big Bear Lake,California, became the youngest person inthe world to scale Mount Everest, the world’stallest peak.However, while his father also faced criti-

cism, it’s worth pointing out that Romero, atleast, did not endure his ordeal alone — hewas accompanied by a team including his fa-ther, Paul, a critical care paramedic, andSherpa guides.His next mission is to climb the highest

mountains in all 50 states in the UnitedStates.However, while, for some, the glory cer-

tainly lies in the achievement, for others thesecret attraction may be the sheer notorietyinvolved.The growing cult of celebrity means that

being ‘ordinary’ is no longer enough forsome — and this may also be attributed tochanges in society, according to psychothera-pist, Orla McHugh, author of Celtic Cubs:Inside the Mind of the Irish Teenager.Our need to get attention is greater than

ever before, she says: “Because a lot of thesupport structures we had before, like thechurch and the community, are not the same,we are far more insecure.“Our need to be loved and liked by people,

is greater because we are in a far more indi-vidualistic society as opposed to a communi-ty.“With that comes the whole culture for

celebration — young teens are, by their na-ture, very impressed by idols. Teenagers,these days, can be driven by the need to im-press because of the level of positive attentionthey get through that.”In cases such as Sunderland’s, she says, it’s

not only about accomplishment — it’s also

about bringing positive attention.“It must also be about celebrity.

16-year-olds are not able to judge situationsthe same way as adults, so the brain is not asdeveloped.“The notion of a teenager out in the mid-

dle of the ocean needing to make serious de-cisions where if anything goes wrong it canbe important, that is a bit foolhardy,” shesays. “Neurologically, they are not developeduntil about the age of 24, nor is their abilityto discern and judge the pros and cons ofsituations.“In cases where there is a danger to the

child there is also a certain amount of negli-gence,” she says.In some cases, it’s simple — there are par-

ents out there who are purely attracted topublicity, says Rose Tully, of the NationalParents’ Council Post Primary.

Tully points to the American boy whosupposedly took off in a hot air balloon, butwho, as it turned out, was actually beingkept hidden by his attention-seeking parents.“There is a kind of fear of being ordinary,

as if they were bitten by a bug and have toachieve something out of the ordinary.“If I had an 18-year-old who was suddenly

interested in doing something like this, Iwould have major qualms about it. I think itis foolhardy on the part of parents,” says Tul-ly, herself a mother of five.“Maybe, a lot of it is trying to live your

life through you children — if you don’tachieve something, you want your child toachieve it.“Essentially, it can be about you projecting

what you want to do yourself onto yourchild.”There’s a very thin line between wanting a

child to explore its potential and pushinghim or her an extra inappropriate step, shesays. “Parents need to be careful.”There’s always controversy about young

children and young people being ‘pushed’ inthe areas of music or sports — but their livesare not being put at risk, points outMcHugh.Letting someone go out into the ocean, on

their own, is a very different issue, she says.“If they get sick or if there is an accident,they are alone and there is no one there.Sailing is a very isolated thing.”Of the Sunderland parents, McHugh says:

“I don’t know what their motivation was —one can only assume that it is about gettingthe celebrity and the huge attention.“How else could you sleep at night,

knowing your 16-year-old is sailing roundthe world on her own?”

‘Leave kids live their own dreams’PARENTS, be careful — don’t try to

live your dreams through your kids.That’s the warning from adventurer,

author and lecturer Ian McKeever, whotwo years ago helped his 10-year-old god-son achieve a dream to climb Mount Kili-manjaro.In 2007, Ian, a life-coach who works

with teenagers and a lecturer in public andmedia relations, climbed the Seven Sum-mits of the World.The following year, he helped train and

prepare his 10-year-old godson Seán Mc-Sharry, to climb Kilimanjaro. In May2008, accompanied by McKeever and twoothers, Seán became the youngest Euro-pean to successfully complete the chal-lenge.

“The motivation has to come from theyoung person himself or herself. It’s not ourplace as adults to live our dreams throughour young people,” says McKeever.

Seán had climbed Carrauntuohill withMcKeever in 2007 and had revealed tohis godfather that he also longed to visitAfrica.“I was the facilitator and I was delight-

ed to do it — but it wasn’t my goal, itwas Seán’s,” McKeever says.“There can be over-influence from the

custodians or parents and very often no-body stops to ask young people whatthey want.”The common denominator with

high-achieving children and teenagers, hesays, is attitude.“They’re all very positive. What we

need to do in this country is to ensurethey live in a positive environment andare encouraged to fulfil their dreams.”

High hopes


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Psychology

Tony Humphreys

Relationships at work, school and playdeserve as much attention as intimate ties

Human relationsNO MATTER where you are or

what you are doing, whetheryou are alone or with others,

you are always in relationship. Typically, wethink of relationship in terms of intimate re-lationships between, for example, lovers orspouses or parent and child. However, dif-ferent types of relationships occur in allplaces where individuals live, work, play andpray and these liaisons require as much at-tention as those relationships between inti-mates.

Indeed, with what has transpired withinchurch, banks, government, public bodiesand sporting bodies, there is an urgent needto address the quality of relationships withinthese social systems.

The depersonalisation, narcissism, individ-ualism, abuse cover-ups, mis-use of taxpay-ers’ monies, greed, cosy circles of deceit andsuperiority are just some examples of theextreme failures in relationships that haveemerged — and the uncovering is not evenremotely over. Sadly, it is still the case thatthe most dangerous place to be is the family.Schools, too, need to address the issue of re-lationship first, education second, as thereare many students who complain ofanonymity and many teachers who arehighly stressed due to an examination-resultfixated mentality. The social and economiccrises we are currently experiencing indicatethat education has proven to be no reliableindex of maturity.

What is frequently missed about the na-ture of relationship is that each relationshipis always a couple relationship and also thateach relationship is different to all others.For instance, within the family, each childhas a different relationship with each parentand vice versa and the parent who claims totreat all her children in the same way missesthis fundamental fact of the uniqueness andcreativity of each relationship. Similarly,each student relates to the teacher in a dif-ferent way and it is the mature teacher whorecognises that each student responds to hispresence and what he says or does in accor-dance with his or her own unique interiori-ty. It is for this reason that teaching needs tobe always focussed on the individual and notthe group.

In the workplace, to our detriment,where sight has been lost of the critical roleof relationship, the reality is that each em-ployee has a different manager and it is themature manager who is conscious of this es-sential fact. Within workplaces — particu-larly, within financial and, ironically, healthand social services — individual employeesneed to bring their individuality, creativity,values, beliefs into the workplace and nolonger be limited and feel threatened by atarget-fixated mentality that put profits be-fore people and performance before em-ployees’ personal wellbeing.

A determining factor of what happens be-tween people is what happens within eachmember of the dyad. Whether we are con-scious or unconscious of this fact, whetherwe like it or not, each person’s inner world— how one perceives self, one’s fears,doubts, insecurities, unresolved conflicts orone’s fearlessness, belief in self and occupa-tion of an inner stronghold — determine

how one perceives and interacts with theother. This is a two-way street and whenindividuals have little sense of their worth,are dependent, fearful and have had to re-press many aspects of their true nature, theyare either a danger to themselves or to oth-ers — or both. It follows when individualshave a strong sense of their worth, are sta-ble, mature and tolerant that they create re-lationships that are of a progressive ratherthan a defensive nature. Personal effective-ness — a solid interiority, a deep knowingof self — determines professional effective-ness, a fact that needs to be urgently inte-grated into education and training of profes-sionals, so that the recent history of politi-cal, religious, economic, social and emo-tional scandals are not repeated.

In my book with co-author Dr HelenRuddle, all of the above issues are exploredin depth. We especially emphasise the re-sponsibility that each and every one of ushas to reflect on how we are within our-selves and how, out of that place, we relateto others. If our inner world is harmoniousthen we will be better able to live with oneanother in harmony — it is in this sensethat individual maturity leads to mature so-ciety. For persons who occupy positions ofgovernorship over others, the responsibilityof personal maturity is particularly urgent.The recession that has hit the world in re-cent times can be traced to deep emotionalprocesses where trust had disappeared,where there was little room for individuality,where performance was prized above well-being and where there was an overwhelm-ing push for ‘success’ at all costs.

The book is especially aimed at thoseadults in our society who have leadership,managerial and parental responsibilities.While aimed at men and women, the bookseeks, in particular, to draw in men whotraditionally have not seen relationship asbelonging to their sphere of business. Forthe sake of mature society this is an area thatmen can no longer afford to avoid.

Dr Tony Humphreys is a clinical psychologist, author andnational and international speaker. The new book, Rela-tionship, Relationship, Relationship, The Heart of a Ma-ture Society, was launched recently by TCH chairmanAlan Crosbie at the West Cork Literary Festival inBantry.

TWO TO TANGO: It is oftenmissed that eachrelationship is always acouple relationship andalso that each relationshipis different to all others.Picture:iStock

University College CorkOral Health Services Research Centre

Toothpaste Study• Are you interested in participating in a toothpaste study?• Do you have sensitive teeth?• Are you aged between 18 - 50 years?• Are you willing to attend our clinic in Wilton for 4 visits fromAugust to December 2010?

If so please ring021 - 4901213 or 4901210 for further information

Thank You

A DIFFERENT VIEW SINCE 1841


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Feelgood

Is there anything hens are not prepared todo? “They won’t go paintballing. In the lastfive years, we’ve only had one hen party do it,”says Devitt. “They get bruises and welts thatcan last for two weeks. And they don’t want to

be running, because of the risk of a sprainedankle.”But, whatever the chosen activity —

whether bungee jumping or belly-dancing —hen parties have become much more about the

linking of families, says Woolfson.“They’re an opportunity for the bride to get

together with her family and friends, and forthem to show her how much she means tothem,” she says.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

The most popularwater-based hen

activities arekayaking and

surfing. On land,women want theadrenalin rush ofthe zip wire or

the equally scaryHigh Ropes

course and aerialobstacle course

Hen nights have become sedate, less about drinking and more about the bride-to-be bonding with her friends on activity-based weekends, says Helen O’Callaghan

A GANG of shrieking women on apub crawl, dressed in sparkly, pinktutus complete with bunny ears

and tails — that was the Irish hen party. Youheard them before you saw them. Now, youmightn’t recognise them.Women kayaking off the Connemara coast,

learning to pot flowers on a Wexford farm, orbeing taught the art of seduction at a burlesquedance class — could it be that these are henparties? Yes, say those who work in the field,confirming that in the world of the ‘hen’,things are changing — even something as se-date as afternoon tea has become an activity ofchoice for a growing number of hen parties.Angela Devitt, marketing manager at

Treacey’s Hotel, Enniscorthy, has been workingwith Hen Party Ireland at the hotel for thepast five years. Before that, she was a weddingcoordinator. “Hen parties have definitelychanged in the last four years. Hens are doinga lot more activities, now, particularly interac-tive ones. Brides-to-be have jobs, have trav-elled, have been to college. They have a lot ofdisparate groups of friends and they want theguests at the hen to get to know one another,”she says.It’s a growing business. More than 22,000

marriages were registered here in 2008, up7,000 since 1995.Delphi Mountain Resort, in Leenane, Co

Galway, has seen a 50% increase sincemid-2009 in hen parties seeking activity-basedweekends. “The traditional hen — the wholegoing out and getting trashed drunk — isn’t sopopular, anymore. Girls want to have fun withfriends. It’s more of a bonding thing,” saysLaura Nolan, marketing executive at the resort.The most popular water-based hen activities,

she says, are kayaking and surfing. On land,women want the adrenalin rush of the zip wire(involves climbing a ladder to the top of a 30ftpole, where you’re switched from your harnessonto the zip line — you then have to jumpfrom the ledge and zip down a 200m wire), orthe equally scary high ropes course (aerial ob-stacle course that’s based 25 feet aboveground).“Generally, it’s sporty girls who come here,

but the non-sporty types come, too. The activ-ities are challenging, but doable,” says Nolan,who says hens can opt for full or half-day ac-tivities — marginally more opt for the half-day.“They’ll either have a sleep-in in the morning,or they’ll do a spa treatment, or a trip in theafternoon.”But can hen parties really have changed that

much? Surely, the noise levels must be thesame? “Women are still loud, cackly and gigglywhen we get together. That’s what we do. Andthe more of us there are, the louder it gets,”says Jenni Woolfson, who runs Posh Fizz, a na-tionwide company that organises ladies-onlyevents. The hen party is the final kiss goodbyeto single life, says Woolfson. “It’s no longerabout going out on the razz. It’s about wantingthe women who are important to the bride tobe there, and to have at least met before thewedding, so they have something in common.Brides want hen parties that the girls will stillbe talking about on the wedding day.”Alcohol is still a factor, says Woolfson, but

the drinking’s more sophisticated. (So are thecostumes, with the ‘little black dress’ now of-

ten replacing the bunny tails and boas).“Last year, every second hen party was ask-

ing to do a master cocktail class. They won-dered if a class would be boring and stuffy, butthere’s a Tom Cruise-like waiter, who knowsall the tricks of spinning and throwing theglasses.The girls get a chance to make their own

cocktails and they have good fun trying to spinand juggle the glasses, too. We’ve also seen asurge of interest in the non-alcoholic version— because women are marrying at an olderage, or the bride is pregnant, or they’ve gottheir mums and older relatives along,” she says.Hen parties on the farm (see sidebar) are

huge this year, says Devitt. “Every secondweekend, we’ve got a hen party on a farm,even in January and February.The girls see bread being made, do flow-

er-potting, make apple punch if it’s autumn.Everybody gets into the cow-milking. Thebride’s usually a city girl who’s never been on afarm before.”Also popular, says Devitt, are burlesque par-

ties (see sidebar), where hens are taught the artof seduction, using props such as fans andfeather boas. “Think Moulin Rouge. They’retaught how to use a fan to attract a gentleman’sattention. They learn how to dance seductivelywith a feather boa, how to be sensual, how toseduce a husband on the wedding night,” shesays.Crazy Corral is also popular. “The hens dress

up in sumo-wrestling suits, do a bungee jump,and then get to go on a rodeo bull. Everybodyloves it. Girls don’t like doing stuff that willleave them with bruises afterwards. This activi-ty’s all done on inflatables,” says Devitt.Wedding planner, Rosemarie Meleady, has

seen hen parties morph in type more thanonce in the last 10 years.“They went from going out on the tear for

the night to going for weekends abroad to awhole week away in Ibiza. It all got a bitridiculous, as well as very expensive. Now, it’scome back to a quality weekend or night awayin Ireland,” she says.Another rapidly receding Celtic Tiger-era

memory is separate nights out for family andfriends. “Now, brides bring everybody togeth-er in the one party,” says Meleady. Popular henevents range from a cookery night in Bally-maloe, to a trek on a horse that’s dressed up asa princess with a crown, at Ballytramon eques-trian centre, in Co Wexford. She has also seenbelly-dancing catch on. “Any age can do it. It’sfun. It’s sexy and you can learn a routine in anhour,” she says. For many brides, the hen partyis like an old-fashioned sleep-over. “It’s achance to get all the girls together and dosomething girly, even just watching a wholeseries of Sex and the City in your hotel room,and having wine and popcorn,” she says.Hens want triple rooms or double rooms,

says Devitt, who has seen a decline in the pop-ularity of pampering weekends. “It’s not inter-active. Everybody’s in separate rooms. Youdon’t see each other until the end of the day.And if you’re going out that night, you can’thave a facial, or a back massage, if you’ve hadyour hair done.”Who pays changes from group to group. De-

vitt says the bride now tends to pay for herselfmuch more: “We’ve got three hens coming in

this weekend, each guest is paying for herselfand nobody’s paying for the bride.” With aweekend costing in the region of 150 perperson, it makes sense that everyone pays theirway.

FLOWER POWER: Lisa Roche puts the gardening tips she learnt during her hen partyto good use. Picture: Billy Higgins.

HAIRDRESSER Lisa Roche marriedelectrician Jimmy Wylie on the Costadel Sol in mid-June. Based in Beau-

mont, Dublin, the couple are in theirmid-30s and have a daughter, Holly, agedtwo.Googling hen ideas, Lisa and her best

friend came across ‘hen on a farm’, organ-ised by Treacy’s Hotel in Enniscorthy, CoWexford. “We thought, ‘let’s get messy’,”says Lisa, who hadher hen party amonth before thewedding. “I’m notreally a drinker butI’ve been at so manyhens that involveddrinking all day. Itruins the atmosphere.By 9pm, everybody’shalf-cut and going tobed.“We chose the

farm because it wasan outdoor activity,something outsideour comfort zone —I’d never been on afarm, nor had mostof the others. A lotof the girls thoughtit was a joke first. They were phoning, ask-ing ‘is this true about the farm?’

“We were told to bring our wellies so wedecided we’d all wear check shirts andcowboy hats too. There were 14 of us, allin our 30s, friends and family. When wearrived, there was a baking demonstration— baked Alaska and chocolate brownies.Then we got a hanging basket demonstra-tion. We were each given our own to fillwith clay and flowers. I was never into gar-dening but we got some good tips and

since then I’ve donea few hanging bas-kets. There was defi-nitely competitionand rivalry over theflowers.“Some of my hus-

band’s family werethere — two of hissisters — and we allgot to know eachother. Later in theevening, all the hensdressed up as police-women. I was theconvict with a balland chain. All themen we met wantedto be arrested.“The hen party

was definitely impor-tant for me — a big part of women bond-ing ahead of the big day.”

I’d never been on a farm

GIDDY UP: Lisa, her family and friends onthe hen party farm outing organised byTreacy’s Hotel in Enniscorthy.

I wanted a family affairALISON Molloy, 29, is set to marry fiancé

Dave Mulpeter, 25, in Cyprus in August.Based in Rathangan, Kildare, the couple

have their own business, hiring out marquees andbouncing castles. Their son, Charlie, is 22months.Alison’s chief bridesmaid, Annemarie, came up

with the idea of a burlesque dance class for thehen weekend. “I thought it was great. I’d heardof pole-dancing for hen parties, but not bur-lesque. I was having just family, whose agesranged from Dave’s 14-year-old niece to mymum and mum-in-law, who are both in their50s. I think pole-dancing might have been a bitmuch for them. I just wanted something thatwould be fun and would get everybody involved.“I imagined burlesque would be a lot to do

with confidence and some kind of raunchy danc-ing. I had images of corsets and feather boas andit didn’t disappoint. The girl running the classwas dressed in a corset and over-the-knee leather

boots. We wore heels so we’d feel feminine and alittle bit sexier. Otherwise, most of us wore leg-gings and t-shirts.“We learned how to walk like a model, how to

stand tall with chest and bum out and then wehad to dance for each other. We had to pretendwe had a glove on, take it off seductively, drop iton the ground, bend over and pick it up — doall that and at the same time look sexy! Every-body was saying the husband-to-be would besmiling by Monday. Any moves I learned I’ll bekeeping behind closed doors, but Dave has got asneak preview of what I learned.“I really wanted my hen party to be a family

affair, not a bunch of girls going out and gettingdrunk on the town. Dave has a big family. Mineare very close. Because we’re all going to Cyprustogether, I wanted everyone to get to know eachother so there wouldn’t be any awkward mo-ments. I think the hen will definitely have helpedwith that.”

FEATHEREDFRIENDS: AlisonMolloy of Rathangan,Co Kildare had aburlesque party forher hen celebration.Picture:Michael O'Rourke.

Cover story Hen party trends

SKY’S THE LIMIT: A hen party fun-goer takes on the high rope challenge, one of the activities open to hens at Delphi Mountain Resort


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Feelgood

CatherineShanahan

MUM’S WORLD

CatherineShanahan

MUM’S WORLD

Dr Niamh Houston is aGP with a specialinterest in integrativemedicine. If you have aquestion about your child’shealth email it [email protected] send a letter toFeelgoodIrish ExaminerCity QuarterLapps QuayCork

Dr NiamhHouston

FAMILY

NOTE: The information contained in Dr Houston’s column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor first

Medical matters

FUCK!” said the little girl whose carefullyconstructed Lego edifice had suddenlycollapsed.

I would have laughed, had the child notbeen mine. Foul-mouthed outbursts are rarelyhilarious when the blasphemer is one of yourown.We live in hope that the first curse will not

be aired beyond the walls of our own irrever-ent homes. I have no desire to exposestrangers to the shock of a two-year-old withthe tongue of a Ramsey.Like any aspect of child development, a

bent for blasphemy is best tackled throughearly intervention. Best nip it in the bud witha spell on the bold step while you still have anounce of control.Once out on the street, exposure to profan-

ities intensifies and the child, the ultimatemimic, quickly cops that most adults considera toddler cursing with gusto priceless. And sohe or she instinctively plays to the crowd.

My child made her swearing debut at thehealth clinic. On a return visit for anup-to-date assessment of her dicey walkingskills, she turned the air blue as she to-edand fro-ed between a box of Lego anda table 20 feet away where she piledcolourful plastic blocks to precariousheights.Like a Hitchcock movie, everything

on set teetered, from the child to theskyscraper, an architecturally impossiblecreation with more wobble than the BurjDubai. Feeling slightly vertiginous, Iwatched my child lurch and lunge like apint-sized drunk towards the table bearingher rickety construction. Staggering againstit to slow herself down, the table skiddedsideways, but miraculously, the fortress heldfast.Regaining her composure, the child

reached for the skyscraper, one last piece ofLego at hand. Losing her balance, she

clipped the tall steeple and the tower camecrumbling down. “Fuck!” she said as Icaught my breath and the physio smothereda laugh.“Her comprehension’s first class,” the

physio sniggered, taking the wind from mysails. “For a child slow to walk, she's notslow to talk and her two-year-old chat isquite clear.” (For good measure she followedthe eff with a “Shit!” before toppling ontothe floor).I scooped the potty-mouthed child up, to

head back to the ’hood, where cursing is allthe rage. “Her father’s a terror,” was all Icould offer, head and neck crimson withshame.By the end of the session, I had learned

my lesson, never curse in front of a child.Four-letter words are easily absorbed andspat out at inopportune times. Swearing’s acurse, nothing more, nothing less, and bestleft to chefs and fishwives.

DOUBLE BLOW: Caffeine found in coffee and tea and fizzy drinks can all aggravate tinnitus.Picture: iStock

QI AM in my 30s, and recentlydeveloped a buzzing noise inmy ears. My doctor said it wastinnitus. I don’t want to takemedication for it, if possible,

and would like to know what other treat-ments are available?

A. Tinnitus is often described by people asa ringing, swishing, buzzing or a hummingnoise, heard inside one or both ears. One ofthe most common causes of tinnitus is dam-age to the microscopic endings of the hearingnerve in the inner ear. Exposure to loud noiseis a very common cause of tinnitus, and itoften damages hearing as well. Sometimes,medications such as aspirin, NSAIDS (anti-in-flammatory drugs), certain antibiotics, anddiuretics also cause tinnitus. Fluid, infection,or disease of the middle ear bones or eardrum are other possible causes. Rarely, it canbe a symptom of more serious problems, suchas an aneurysm or a brain tumour (acoustictumour).If you notice the buzzing mainly occurs on

one side only, or you develop vertigo (loss ofbalance) or deafness — ask your doctor torefer you for an ENT assessment. All patientswith persisting, unexplained tinnitus need ahearing test (audiogram). Other tests, such asthe ABR (auditory brain stem response), CTor MRI, may be needed.In many cases, there is no specific treatment

for tinnitus. It may simply go away on itsown, or be a permanent condition that youlearn to “live with”. Some doctors haverecommended niacin, but patient’s response tothis medication is variable.Smoking and caffeine found in coffee and

fizzy drinks, can all aggravate this condition asthey tend to increase the body’s uric acid lev-els, associated with tinnitus — so, reduce oravoid these. Decrease your salt intake. Avoidaspirin, and related products, if at all possible.Tinnitus is usually more bothersome when

the surroundings are quiet, especially in bed.Background noise, such as a clock, radio, afan, or other noise, may help mask tinnitus.Small hearing-aid-like devices can also helpreduce the awareness of the tinnitus. Get ade-quate rest and avoid fatigue. A diet rich invitamins, especially the B vitamins and zinc, isbest. Foods rich in zinc include spinach,Brussel sprouts, cucumbers and asparagus, oryou can take it in supplement form. Biofeed-back can also help in reducing tinnitus. Theherbal remedy, gingko biloba, has been shownto help some people with this condition.A special form of physical therapy, known

as vestibular therapy, may help if there is abalance problem present. The vestibular sys-tem is the balance system in your inner ear,and if not functioning properly it can lead totinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, light headedness,and balance problems.Some studies have shown that patients who

receive psychological treatments, such as tin-nitus-retraining therapy, have shown marked

improvement. Counselling, of whatever type,can help lower the ear noise level that is per-ceived. Counselling will help to identify reac-tions a person might have to inner noises, andlearn how to respond differently to the stimuliof the sounds. By doing this, you can eventu-ally lessen the adverse effects your tinnitus hason you. Support and education groups can al-so help.For most people, tinnitus improves with

time. Worrying about it can lead to a viciouscircle of increasing distress and more intrusivetinnitus.

Q. My mother is 66 years old and recent-ly had a stroke. It’s a conditions that seemsto run in her family. What can I do to re-duce my own risk of stroke? Are there sup-plements that could help?A. An integrative medical approach looks atnutrition, supplements, and lifestyle factors, aswell as prescribed medication and surgery inthe prevention and treatment of stroke. Ill-nesses, such as high blood pressure, diabetes,atherosclerosis, high cholesterol levels, smok-ing and obesity are known to increase yourrisk of stroke.Atherosclerosis occurs when plaque builds

up inside your arteries and it also is a diseaseof chronic inflammation, so it is vital to havea diet free of trans-fatty acids, especially par-tially hydrogenated fats.The Mediterranean diet, consisting of lots

of fruits and vegetables (at least five portionsper day), whole grains and fish best fits what’sneeded to prevent atherosclerosis. Alcoholshould be limited to no more than two units

per day — the protective effect for strokefrom red wine is lost at higher amounts.There is no substitute for a diet rich in fruitsand vegetables, as you are also providing yourbody with plenty of antioxidants, and reduc-ing your risk of stroke, in the process.There is a lot of emphasis on cholesterol

level reduction, but it is also important tolook at a person’s homocysteine level. Homo-cysteine is an amino acid, high levels can in-dicate an increased risk of heart disease andstroke. Levels of homocysteine higher than15umol/L indicate the need for daily supple-mentation with vitamin B complex (vit B6and B12) and folate.If you are taking a statin to lower choles-

terol, take coenzyme Q10 (30 to 90mg daily)with it, also. Other supplements, such asgarlic, have known cardio-protective effects;however, don’t take either of these, orCOQ10, if prescribed the blood-thinningdrugs, such as warfarin or aspirin.Aerobic exercise for just 30 minutes most

days of the week lowers high blood pressure,high cholesterol, prevents high blood sugarlevels, as well as improving blood supply tothe brain.In obese patients, weight loss achieved by a

balanced approach that combines sensiblereduction in calorie intake with regular exer-cise (30 minutes daily) will substantially re-duce your risk of stroke. Older, at-risk adultsmay consider being screened forcarotid-artery stenosis. While you can’tchange your family history, this is only onepiece of the jigsaw that is part of yourrisk-profile for stroke.


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In the swim of things

POSTSURGERY:Scoop neckzebra printswimsuit,

35, fromMarks &Spencer.

SMALL BUST: LivebyLove funky frills bra,20, and brief, 10, from Livebylove.com

PLUS SIZE:MiraclesuitClassicSwimsuit,

205.49,fromOxendales.ie

BIG BUST: Freya Enchanted bikini top, 49,and shorts, 32, from Littlewoodsireland.ie

BODY SHAPER: Tummy control swimsuit,40, from Marks & Spencer.

HOUR GLASS:Multi-printbikini, 7,from thePenneysSwimwearCollection.

BOYISH: RedHerringliquid-filledbra, 28, andbrief, 18.50,Debenhams.

You don’t have to go to a gym to look hot in a bikini, says Deirdre Reynolds

I T MIGHT be too late to hit thegym to get a washboard stomachor lean legs, but it’s never too late

to flaunt what you’ve already got.Whether you’re a slender size eight or avoluptuous 22, we’ve got the swimwearto help you make waves by the seaside.So, if you’re heading on hols, read on todiscover how to recreate your very ownBaywatch moment.

Body dilemma: “I’ve had amastectomy”

Do: Enjoy your holiday. Losing abreast to cancer at any time is traumat-ic, but can hit home hardest whenyou’re surrounded by bikini babes. Mas-tectomy swimwear should not only bebuilt to hold a prosthetic, but make youfeel as feminine and beautiful as beforethe surgery too.Don’t: Compromise on personalstyle. Mastectomy swimwear doesn’t re-ally look any different from other types,so find one that gives you completeconfidence. Fashionable labels likeEloise, Nicola Jane and Anita are avail-able nationwide.Try: Post Surgery Scoop Neck ZebraPrint Swimsuit 35 available fromMarks & Spencer nationwide.

Body dilemma: “I’m bigger than size 18and can’t find anything that fits on the highstreet”.

Do: Resist the temptation to cover up inshorts and a t-shirt — specialist cataloguessuch as Oxendales have a great selection ofswimwear for plus-sized lovelies longing tolaze on the beach. Choose a swimsuit with ahigh percentage of Lycra or spandex tosmooth out any lumps. While a high leg willprevent the costume from cutting across atthe chunkiest part.Don’t: Necessarily pay more. While spe-cial nip/tuck swimsuits invariably cost more,there are lots of budget alternatives.Great for your shape: Miraclesuit Clas-sic Swimsuit from 205.49 or SilhouetteSwimsuit from 51.49 (up to size 32) bothavailable from Oxendales.ie.

Body dilemma: “I want to disguise mytummy/thighs/upper arms”

Do: Reach for ruching, as it concealsproblem areas without clinging. Bewareof tankinis which can ride up to revealyour stomach. If you’re really botheredby your jiggly bits, cover them up withcap sleeves, a skirted swimsuit orsarong.Don’t: Think a kaftan is your onlyoption this summer — whether a wobblytum, thighs or bingowings, there’s acrafty swimsuit outthere to tackle everybody bugaboo.Best for yourshape: To disguisetummies: check outthe Body ShaperTummy ControlSwimsuit 40 avail-able from Marks &Spencer nationwide.To disguise thighs:Beach CollectionSkirted Swimsuit 50available fromDebenhams nationwide, To disguise up-per arms: H! by Henry Holland Polka DotBody Suit 31 available from Deben-hams nationwide.

Body dilemma: “I’ve got hour-glasscurves like Scarlett Johansson”

Do: Congratulations, you’ve got one ofthe few shapes that can carry off the classicstring bikini, so work it. Be bold with printas your perfectly proportioned curves canpull it off. Too self-conscious for a bikini?Look for a waist defining swimsuit with ahigh-cut leg to show off your sexy shapeinstead.Don’t: Wear unflattering boy shorts orbig pants. Side-tie bottoms are better asthey can be adjusted for wider hips.Great for your shape: Foil multi-printbikini 7, available from Penneys nation-wide.

Body dilemma: “I’ve got a boyish fig-ure”

Do: Slim women with a rectangularfigure like supermodel Agyness Deyn canget away with itsy, bitsy bikinis. Howev-er, to create the illusion of curves, go fora long-line halterneck top with abust-boosting neckline and low-rise,side-tie bottoms that hint at child-bearinghips.Don’t: Steer clear of dark-coloured,tube-style swimsuits which diminishcurves.Great for your shape: Red HerringLiquid-filled Bra 28 and Brief 18.50available from Debenhams nationwide

Body dilemma: “My bust is big but myhips are small”

Do: To support killer cleavage by thesea, opt for swimwear that comes in actualcup sizes — especially if you’re biggerthan a D cup. Shop around for bikini topsand bottoms that are sold separately andkeep an eye for costumes with in-builtbras. Thicker, wide-set straps offer the liftyou need.Don’t: Unless you’re going for the DollyParton look, avoid bikini tops with volu-mising detail such as ruffles or beading.Great for your shape: Freya EnchantedBikini Top 49 (sizes 32D-36GG) andShorts 32 available from Littlewoodsire-land.ie.

Body dilemma: “My bust is small”

Do: Choose a bra-style bikini top with un-derwire, padding and adjustable straps toboost your bust. Flirty frills, pleats or agraphic print will add shape and volume.But if you’ve got a flat chest and a greatlower half, remember to keep it simple onbottom.Don’t: Go for a plain bandeau top or ad-justable bikini top (one where the cups arenot connected) — they will only make youappear even flatter.Great for your shape: LivebyLove FunkyFrills Bra 20 and Panty 10 available fromLivebylove.com

Beach body

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Feelgood

Roz Crowley

Tipperary Organic ChocolateTruffle Ice cream, 500ml 6.26

Made in Co Carlow, all certified organicingredients include full cream milk, canesugar, double cream, egg yolk, skimmedmilk powder, glucose, reduced fat cocoapowder, natural stabliser. The chocolatetruffle flavour here runs throughout thesmooth ice cream and it is rich andsumptuous, just as we wouldhope for in a truffle. A de-liciously rich, expensivetreat for chocolatelovers.Score: 8.5

Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food, 500ml 6.78

Originally all-American ice cream, Ben &Jerry’s is now part of the British andDutch-owned Unilever group. This brandis usually over-sweet for me, but thischocolate ice cream with marshmallows,caramel and chocolate pieces is morerich than sweet. There are plenty of hardpieces of fish-shaped dark chocolate aswell as streaks of whitemarshmallow. 22% creamis reflected in the richness,and like many other icecreams there is also con-densed skimmed milk, oil(coconut), egg yolks and lotsof sugar in the form of puresugar and of glucose. Expen-sive.Score: 8.

HB Choc Ice Ice cream, 1 litre 3.99

WITH 8% flecks of chocolate in plainvanilla ice cream, this has a light stylewhich is not too sweet. Nothing special,but with a light creaminess, fresh wholemilk is paired with reconstitutedskimmed milk, sugar, cream, glucoseand fructose syrup, cocoa butter, vari-ous stabilisers. A comfortingly familiartaste.Score: 6

Carte d’Or Chocolate Inspiration, 900ml5.18

Dark curls of chocolate are scattered ontop of swirls of dark chocolate andvanilla which look and taste lighter thanother chocolate samples. It is still quitechocolatey and will suit those who like aheavier style of ice cream. However, it’snot more calorific than most other sam-ples. The usual mix of sugar and glu-cose-fructose provides extra sweetness,but the overall effect is not cloying.Score: 6.5

Baldwin’s Farmhouse Toffee Crisp,500ml 4.95, selected SuperValus andCentras and speciality shops

Made in Knockanore, Co Waterford frommilk from their own farm, this is trace-ability at its best. Colourfully packagedin 500ml paper-based tubs, it’s madefrom full milk, cream, condensed milk,real egg yolks and a fewforms of sugar. The toffeecrisps made from puffedrice are chocolatey,crispy tiny beads withgood crunch and don’ttaste too sweet. With agood, deep flavour, it’s forrich ice cream lovers. Pricemedium to high.Score: 8

Corrin Hill Ripply Strawberry, 1 litre5.11

Deep strawberry colour throughout withstreaks of sugar-syrupy ripple. Texture islight and creamy. A pleasant, no-fuss icecream. Made in Fermoy, Co Cork.Score: 6.75

Swedish Glace Juicy Raspberry, 750ml4.19 health shops

Lactose, cholestrol and gluten free, thisiced dessert is made mainly from soyamilk, with sucrose, 14% raspberrypuree, with natural carrageenan tothicken. The vibrant colour is added towith red beet powder and it has somesalt and raspberry flavour. Sugar con-tent is high, but the overall calorie con-tent is much the same as other icecreams. Since we last tastedthis brand it has im-proved. A good, tartraspberry flavour con-trasts well with thecreamy texture. Fairprice for a specialityproduct.Score: 7.75

Food survey

Killeagh Farm Raspberry Ripple, 1 litre1.99, Aldi

Reconstituted skimmed milk powder isused here with Irish double cream,along with sugar, glucose syrup, wheypowder and 5% raspberry ripple, andvarious thickeners and stabilisers. Theresult is a good, creamy texture, with afair amount of raspberry ripple. I woulduse this for a banana split or in cones.Fair price. Madein Fermoy, CoCork.Score: 7

E ACH year we eat our waythrough an estimated 170mworth of ice cream. We like it. A

lot. Of course anything this delicious has tobe fattening. Ice cream delivers about 200calories for two heaped dessertspoons. That’s20 minutes running or cycling to work itoff. As well as that we get nasty saturated fatsand lots of sugar in various forms such asglucose and fructose, along with some salt.Sugar and fat provide flavour and also help

to lower the freezing point so that we haveinstantly usable ice cream when we take itfrom the freezer. Homemade takes longer todefrost. Both sugar and salt make us thirstywhich is why Italian cafés serve ice creamwith a glass of water. It’s a good habit to getinto to prevent dehydration.In shop-bought ice cream we usually find

mono- and di-glycerides. These are used in-stead of egg yolks (and often with them) toallow a light air distribution and a creamytexture throughout the ice cream. These arederived from fats or oils which can be ofvegetable or animal origin. Carrageenan andsodium alginate, derived from Irish moss oralgae are often used to thicken and set icecream. None of these additives are anythingto worry about as long as we don’t eat toomuch of them — they appear in many con-venience foods.

Generally, ice cream is a luxury and an ex-pensive product. When we make it ourselvesit’s far cheaper and we don’t have to add in-gredients to keep it soft, even-textured andcolourful. We don’t like, we are told bymanufacturers, slightly dull pink strawberryice cream, even though that’s the colour

fresh strawberries go if antioxidants are notused. Making our own, we ensure we knowexactly what is in it and can add much morefruit than we get in bought varieties. We canalso be a little more imaginative, adding ourown touches. The fashion for fresh herbssuch as thyme, lavender and basil has proba-

bly passed, but it was fun while it lasted.If you have rose water or orange blossom

water (from Asian stores), it is good in icecream — add to plain or fruit varieties.Crystallised ginger is delicious with choco-late. The most classic Italian ice cream ismade with a custard which is thickenedslowly over heat. The recipe here is not asrich as custard-based ice cream, but withfresh fruit makes a delicious summer treat.To make easy cheat ice cream: Whip up

some cream, add a shake of sieved icing sug-ar, some pureed strawberries, raspberries,gooseberries or blackcurrants. I add a littleblack pepper to the strawberries first to bringout the flavour, or a little balsamic vinegar isgood too. If using blackcurrants add a littlecassis liqueur if to hand. Use the pureed softfruit raw, or cook blackcurrants and goose-berries a little with some sugar to soften theskins and press through a sieve into thecream mixture. Pour into used yoghurt car-tons, which are better than large cartons fordefrosting.My latest discovery is to use silicone cake

cases, which are flexible and reusable. Avail-able in kitchen equipment shops, they makelife easy as the moulds can be dipped intowarm water to unmould easily. Buy them inpetits fours size if watching your weight.Pour in the ice cream from a jug and placeon trays in the freezer compartment of thefridge or the freezer. Cover when frozen.They are easily decorated when removedfrom the mould and look excellent toppedwith fresh or pureed fruit. Fresh fruit is alsoan excellent accompaniment to ice creamand a way of ensuring we get a few of ourfive a day fruits. Now is the time to enjoyevery bit of fresh fruit we can. As ice creamis calorific, try to stick to just one scoop.NOTE: Do not allow ice cream to defrost

if returning some to the freezer. Scoop outas quickly as possible and refreeze while stillsolid. Buy small tubs for small families soeach tub can be finished at one sitting. Tum-my troubles follow badly managed food insummer, especially ice cream.

NICE!

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Deirdre O'Flynn

MOSTLY MEN

DId you know...

Hay feverTAKE 4

Male health

14% of menfeel football ismoreimportant thantheir partnerduring theWorld CupSource: divorce-online.co.uk

Pick A Peak test toaid Arthritis Ireland

Have a little heart withNY marathon package

THIS summer has beenparticularly bad for theestimated 423,000 peo-ple affected by hayfever in Ireland. Dr JeanHolohan, CEO of theAsthma Society of Ire-land, explains: “Thecold snap in Januarydelayed the springbloom. Subsequentrains and now the cur-rent good weather havecreated the ‘perfectstorm’ in terms ofpollen and hay fever.”See www.asthmasoci-

ety.ie for more informa-tion.

OTHER REMEDIES: One ofthe best-selling remedies atNelsons Dispensary is Oculo-heel homeopathic eye drops,

10.50, which help soothe inflamedeyes. Lisa also recommends Luffa Heelnasal spray, 11.50 and drops 9.50 tohelp with runny and congested nasalpassages. Solgar Vita-min B Complex, 8.25,helps reduce nasal con-gestion, while takingfish oils helps to re-duce inflammatorysymptoms, says Lisa.For more information,contact NelsonsHomeopathic Dispen-sary, 15 Duke Street,Dublin 2 on01-6790451.

ALLERGY EASE: A new, nat-ural product available in phar-macies is Nasaleze Allergy,

8.49 for 30 days’ supply. A blendof cellulose and peppermint, Naza-leze is a natural nasal spray thatprotects against hay fever, dustmites and animal dander. It workswith the body’s defence mechanismto strengthen resistance to airborneallergens and reduce the need forrescue medication. It is non-drowsy,with relief oc-curring in min-utes, and safeto use duringpregnancy andbreast-feeding,and for chil-dren under su-pervision.

NATRUM MUR: Allergyattacks with sneezing,watery eyes, clear nasaldischarge that resem-

bles egg white. Loss of tasteand smell. The person mayhave dark circles under theeyes, be thirsty, feel withdrawnand sad, and act irritable if com-forted.Use gelsemium if you

have a tired, heavy feel-ing during allergies witha flushed face. A sensa-tion of dryness or ofswollen membranesmay be felt inside thenose. Nose may runwith irritating waterydischarge.

NATURAL RELIEF: With one infive of us suffering from hay feverat this time, homoeopath LisaO’Gorman of the Nelsons Homeo-

pathic Dispensary in Dublin recommendsusing natural products.“Pollenna is one of our biggest selling

products during the summer months,mainly because it is so effective in helpingto alleviate symptoms. It tackles sneezing,runny noses, itchy eyesand excessive mucus pro-duction, without drowsi-ness and can be given toall the family.”Nelsons Pollenna, 7.25,

contains three homoeo-pathic remedies — 6c ofAllium cepa, Euphrasiaofficinalis and Sabadillaofficinarum.

IT’S TIME forArthritis Ireland’sPick A Peak chal-lenge on July 24.How can you getinvolved? All youneed is a team offour or severalteams of four. Pickyour Peak orchoose your ownhill to climb. Regis-ter with ArthritisIreland and eachteam will pay a registrationfee of just 25 per person.Fundraise for young peopleliving with arthritis thenclimb your Peak on Saturday,

July 24, or join theArthritis Ireland hill-walking gang inclimbing the Sugar-loaf, Co Wicklow.All funds raised

will help providepeer support andinformation ses-sions on issues in-cluding work, rela-tionships, pregnan-cy and lifestyle foryoung people living

with arthritis.To get your registration

pack, call 01-6618188 orvisit us at www.arthritisire-land.ie

FANCY a marathon bite… of theBig Apple? The Irish Heart Foun-dation has urged runners andwalkers to book their place nowfor the New York City Marathon.The national charity fightingheart disease and stroke has alimited number of guaranteedplaces with a closing date on en-tries of July 30.Regarded as one

of the largestmarathons in theworld, more than37,000 runners areexpected to takepart in the ING NewYork City marathon

on Sunday, November 7. TheNew York marathon starts fromStaten Island and spans a dis-tance of 26.2 miles across all fiveof the city’s boroughs before fin-ishing in Central Park.The charity’s New York pack-

age includes: a marathon place,flights, transfers, accommoda-tion, travel insurance and a cele-

bration dinner.Contact activity

events fundraiserGráinne Kennedy,01-668 500,[email protected] or visitwww.irishheart.ie

HEART FELT: At the launch of the new Citizen CPR campaign wereCPR survivor Daniel Ross and Dr Pixie McKenna. Picture: Orla Murray /Ark Photography

Learning CPRcan save livesTHE Irish Red Cross has declared its support for

the new Citizen CPR Tips Without The Lipscampaign which was recently launched by the

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC).The goal of the campaign is to teach members of the

public how to respond if they come across an adult whohas collapsed and may be in cardiac arrest, whether it be aloved one or a stranger in a public place. The campaignaims to inform people that you don’t have to domouth-to-mouth resuscitation to save a life. Knowing thebasics of CPR can make the difference between life anddeath before emergency services arrive.

A CPR Tips Without The Lips road show will be trav-elling around Ireland throughout July to educate the pub-lic on the simple steps that can help them save a life in anemergency situation.

The campaign call to action urges people who witnessan adult suddenly collapse to:Check — Is the person unresponsive and not breathing?Call — Get someone to call 999 or 112, or call themyourself.Compress — Start compressions. Push hard and fast inthe centre of the chest. Don’t stop until help arrives.

Approximately 5,000 to 6,000 fatalities every year arethought to be as a result of sudden cardiac arrest. A newwebsite, www.citizencpr.ie, has also been launched thatwill feature an online compression-only CPR simulator

and enable people to find a CPR course in their area.“When an adult has a sudden cardiac arrest, their sur-

vival depends on immediately receiving CPR from some-one nearby,” says Dr Geoff King, Director, PHECC.“From the moment of collapse the chance of survival de-creases by 7%-10% per minute when CPR is not beingperformed. Survival rates following a sudden cardiac arrestare directly related to how quickly CPR is commenced.Irish data confirms the international evidence that if youdo not get bystander CPR you will not survive. This is amajor campaign and a lot of work has gone into spreadingthe message of Check, Call Compress”.

Even if you do not have a qualification in first aid, byremembering these simple tips you can save a life.

To learn more about first aid, see www.redcrosstrain-ing.ie; contact 1890-502502; [email protected].■ To learn more about the Citizen CPR campaign seewww.citizencpr.ie.

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Feelgood

STUFF WE LIKE

TAKE THREE

The news on ...

Emily O’Sullivan

Beauty

Colour care shampoos and conditioners

YOU’VE just got your hair freshlycoloured and you’re ready for your hols.All very well, but by the time you getback, chances are your tint will have lostthat lustrous, just-coloured look.

Aussie Colour Mate Coloured CareConditioner and Shampoo, 6.99. I’velong been a fan of the Aussie ThreeMinute Miracle Conditioner, this seemedlike an obvious choice. It’s a rich sham-poo and conditioner that has a reallylovely scent to it, and does seem todeeply condition the hair. We like.

John Frieda Sheer BlondeHighlight Activating OriginalShampoo and Conditioner,5.99. There’s a lovely feel tothis shampoo and conditioner —the shampoo even looks silky andslightly shimmery.This is a good one to go for if

your highlights are starting to feela bit dull — it peps them up andgives good hydration to the hair,but don’t expect miracles.

Pantene Pro-V ColourExpressions Shampoo andConditioner, 4.59. For high-lights, for blondes, for brunettes— you can choose what youneed from this range. It’s goodvalue and leaves the hair feelingnice and soft.

Brighter Smile Lipstick

WHAT a great idea.Lipstick that makesyour teeth lookwhiter. Genius.Clinique’s new lip-py comes incolours that flatteryour teeth andbrightens yoursmile by at leastone shade. Theshades come in avariety of formula-tions (High Impact Lip Colour, ColourSurge Butter Shine, Different Lipstick andLong Last Lipstick). All lipsticks cost 19and are available at Clinique countersnationwide.

RoC Soleil Protection + QuenchingCream for Dry Skin SPF 50, 15.95.Handbag-friendly and with a lovely texture,this sunscreen blocks over 95% of UVA andUVB rays. It’s also packed with hyaluronic

acid, which is great at keeping theskin perfectly hydrated. It’s pleasantto use and good for anyone whofinds sunscreens unpleasantly dry-ing. with a light and natural effect.

Boots Expert Dry Sham-poo, 2.99. It’s not veryglamorous, but wanderingaround with the greasiestroots imaginable isn’t par-ticularly hot either. Use talc

if you really have to (only if you’reblonde, mind), but we take refugein a dry shampoo.

No 7 Dual Protection Tinted Mois-turiser, 14.95. Containing a patentedmulti-antioxidant and an SPF 15, this lightflattering tinted moisturiser is reason-ably priced and very effective. A goodone for evening out the skin tone

MAC To The Beach Bronzing Pow-der, 23. You need a touch of glamourat festival time. Be careful to keep it incheck. Too much is tacky but a little can

lift your spirits. The bright coralcoloured bronzing compact issexy to look at and very love-ly to wear. The shimmeringbronze goes on well andgives a good glowing high-light to the skin.

Estee Lauder Bronze God-

dess Solid Perfume Pendant, 70. Per-fect — a perfume that you can wear foron-the-spot dabs to keep you feeling freshand polished throughout the day — evenif you’re mud-soaked and exhausted.

Benefit BADgal Liner, 21. We lovethis big fat pencil. It’s thick, deep blackand very cool indeed. Go for the water-proof version if you’re planning on wear-ing it for a few days. It’s tough-wearingand has a soft kohl pencil.

Olay Gentle Clean Face Wipes, from3.60. If you’re planning on your skingetting through a festival in one piece,then wipes are an essential for removingmake-up, sunscreen and mud. We likethese ones from Olay, but to be honestmost of them work pretty well short-term.

Nars The Multiple, 41. Festival make-upcan be so easy — either don’t wear any, orbring a multi-purpose product with youthat you can chuck in your bag and applyat will during the day. Nars’s product is sofamous it’s now reached legendary status— if you want a one-in-three, this is theone to go for.

How to keeplooking goodwhen showersare few and farbetween

FES

TIVA

LC

OO

L

WHETHER its Alexa Chungrocking a pale lemonplaysuit, military shirt and

espadrilles at Coachella, or Sienna Millergoing for denim cut-offs and panama-stylehat at Glastonbury, some celebrities justknow how to do festivals in style. Of course,it’s all a bit misleading, isn’t it? I mean, howhard is it to maintain a look that’s a perfectmix of scruffy chic and poised festival coolwhen you’ve access to a VIP area that givesyou the use of toilets most of us would diefor. Not to mention a helicopter to whiskyou back to a luxury hotel room.But that doesn’t have to mean the rest of us

peasants have to look like a pair of old boots.Naturally, with a festival, the first rule is sim-plicity. Not only does a “done” face lookcompletely out of place, but can youreally be bothered trying to apply foundationin a hot and sticky tent with an almightyhangover.Prep can be a good one here: give yourself

a decent fake tan (not too much or else it’llstart to go patchy half way through), and getyour eyelashes tinted so that you don’t haveto bother with mascara.If you’re looking for an edgy look then

make sure you pack in a black eyeliner —models like Alice Dellal don’t even bothertaking it off at night to make sure there’s aproper grungy edge to it in the morning thatlooks well worn, effortless and relaxed. As faras your skin is concerned, keep it as minimalas possible. A sunscreen is way moreimportant than anything else, so go for onethat’s been specially formulated for the face

in a high factor, such as RoC’s new SoleilProtection. And make sure to reapplyfrequently or else you will get burned.Next, go for either a tinted moisturiser or a

bronzer to give a sexy glow to the skin. Agood bet is going for a multiple use productsuch as Nars’s classic The Multiple. It meansyou can use it on eyes, skin and cheeks for acasual but cool bronze look. And if you’regoing to be wearing something on your lips(red lipstick still is the number one choice),then make absolutely sure that it has an SPFin it. Go out in the sun all day in a standardlipgloss and your lips will not be happy aboutit. Believe me.As far as skincare is concerned, a set of

good wipes are all you need. You can usethem for cleaning your hands (or under yourarms if needs be) and many now containmoisturising elements as well as toner andcleanser.A combination of heat and rain and general

filthiness and tents do not a good hair day

create. A hat will keep you covered up onbad hair days, as well as protect your face andhair from damaging UV rays, but it doesmean your head can get a bit sweaty, espe-cially if you’ve had it on all day. A good solu-tion is the classic festival hairstyle — the plait,which hides a myriad of sins on the hairfront. Otherwise, make sure to throw a dryshampoo into your bag — it’s a great quickfix for greasy roots when you can’t make it toa shower.Finally, while fragrance seems like the

ultimate indulgence (deodorant is essential, amassive bottle of Chanel No 5 is not), wehave found in the past that when showersbecome few and far between, a fragrancecan really pep up your mood (and mask athousand smelly sins). If you really want topush the boat out, go for a solid scent, suchas Estee Lauder’s fabulous Bronze GoddessSolid Perfume Pendant — it’s a fragrance andscent all in one. A little kitsch, but veryhandy.

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Megan Sheppard

Do you have a questionfor Megan Sheppard?Email it [email protected] send a letter toFeelgoodIrish ExaminerCity QuarterLapps QuayCork

Megan puts the spotlight on: The Feldenkrais Method

Natural health

FEELINGBENEFIT:FeldenkraisMethod isan easy wayto ease thepain ofmuscle pain.Picture: iStock

IF YOU have tried everything to easeyour back pain, muscle and joint stiff-ness, repetitive strain injury, or to cor-

rect your posture and balance, then theFeldenkrais Method may be what you arelooking for.This method, developed by Moshe

Feldenkrais (1904-1984), is very gentleand enables you to release holding pat-terns and increase flexibility and coordi-nation. By working at such a subtle level,your brain and nervous system are en-gaged to help change the way in whichyou relate to your body.Feldenkrais benefits people of all ages

and levels of mobility — from profession-al athletes through to people with severeinjury or disability.In an ATM (Awareness Through

Movement) group class, you are firstassisted in gaining a sense of awareness ofyour body before being guided through aseries of gentle floor-based movements tohelp re-integrate your movements. Yourbody organisation changes after perform-ing the series of movements to helppermanently improve posture, breathing,balance and co-ordination.The FI (Functional Integration) indi-

vidual sessions are aimed to meet specificneeds where a practitioner uses his or herhands to guide your body through aseries of subtle movements in order toprovide sensory feedback regarding theway your body is moving. Feldenkrais us-es slow and small movements to tune intothe body and enable the brain to inte-grate the lessons more effectively.

Pain, strain, stiffness, and tension arereleased through a rediscovery of thenatural movements and design of thebody. The outcomes are significant, withindividuals who have suffered fromchronic pain reporting relief after just fivelessons.Not only does it help with physical

movement, it has also been shown toimprove emotional and mental wellbeing.Feldenkrais is all about using minimum

effort to achieve maximum efficiency,with Moshe Feldenkrais’s goal being: “Tomake the impossible possible, the possibleeasy, and the easy, elegant.”

■ For more information, or to find alocal Feldenkrais practitioner, visitwww.feldenkrais.ie online.

LIQUIDWOES:Drinking lateat night canlead toincontinencebut thesource of theproblem isoften theprostategland. Picture:Getty Images

QMY 33-year-old son wets thebed after a night out drinkingno more than four or fivepints of beer. He seems to gointo a deep sleep and cannot

wake up to go to the bathroom on time.This is happening since he was in his 20s.His social life has been affected as he isreluctant to go out too often. He is avery active person who swims and runs,but is also anxious. He is not on anymedication, and is too embarrassed to goto our GP.

A. Reports have shown that most maleswill only address health problems when dis-comfort progresses to extreme pain. Thatyou are asking on behalf of your son, andthat he is too embarrassed to see the localGP, further confirms this habit among men.Often this is simply a fear of discoveringthat the diagnosis will be serious.Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for

you to highlight the fact that most maleurinary issues are linked to the health of theprostate gland. A small gland at the neck ofthe bladder which is essential to the repro-ductive process, the growth and functioningof the prostate is controlled by testosterone.It is wrapped around the urethra, the tubewhich carries urine from the bladder, this iswhy prostate problems often result in uri-nary issues.Saw palmetto (serenoa repens) is the most

well-known herbal remedy for prostatehealth, and it has been proven scientificallyto outperform many commonly prescribedprostate drugs. Pumpkin seeds are an excel-lent source of zinc and vitamin E — bothessential for the health of the male repro-ductive and urinary systems. Nature’s Wayhas developed a supplement which com-bines Saw Palmetto berries and pumpkinseed oil along with uva ursi — a herbwell-known for its affinity with the urinarytract. Saw Palmetto Complex costs 16.75for 120 capsules. (Nature’s Way 056-65896.)There are specific herbs which can help

with urinary incontinence, working to tonethe bladder and strengthen the entire uri-nary system. Agrimony, yarrow, uva ursi,gravel root, juniper berries, marshmallowroot, parsley, sumac berries, mullein andlobelia are all excellent herbs. You couldfind a herbal formulation containing manyof these herbs, have a herbalist make a cus-tomised blend, or just choose a few whichappeal.Parsley tea is simple to make since the

herb is so widespread and easy to grow.Mullein is another of my favourite com-monly found herbal remedies. Take ¼ of ateaspoon steeped in 60ml of water beforebed. You have mentioned that your son isanxious. This needs to addressed, as anxietyand bed-wetting are closely linked. Lobeliaand marshmallow are perfect herbs to con-

sider in this case.Bedwetting at any age is typically a result

of inorganic oxalic acid crystals in the uri-nary system, which happens when the mus-cle responsible for closing the bladder is mal-functioning — either relaxing involuntarily,or tightening so that the bladder cannot befully voided while awake. Eating too late atnight, constipation, poor food combining,food intolerances, or nervous conditions aretypical causes of this malfunction.Much like the treatment for snoring, a

15cm ball made of cotton strips and fastenedto the back of the pyjamas to prevent thesleeper from rolling onto their back is ofgreat help in breaking the cycle. Back sleep-ing provides a position which is conducive tothe muscle release and subsequent voiding ofthe bladder, so the discomfort of the ball inthe lower back will cause the sleeper toawaken and realise that it is time to get upand empty their bladder.Encourage your son to ask a GP or spe-

cialist to check if there are underlying healthconcerns. It is best to act early with prostateissues and rule out the question of this beinga symptom of something more serious.

Q. I am wondering what your opinion ison organic junk foods. It seems some peo-ple are so fanatical about eating organic,yet their diets are high in processed foods.Which do you think is better, organicjunk foods or conventional wholesomefoods?

A. Personally, I feel that it is more impor-tant to focus on eating whole, locally grown,

seasonal foods. Of course it is ideal if thesefoods are also organic or spray-free, but if Ihad the choice between organic manufac-tured sweets or conventional apples, I wouldchoose the apples every time.In my view, refined, processed, and pack-

aged foods are undoubtedly at the root ofour emotional, mental and physical health is-sues — creating the organic counterpart issimply giving the green light to continueeating unconsciously and feel okay about it.Organic at all costs is a case of personal

preference for most people. I certainlychoose organic over conventional produce,but my overall preference is definitely forwhole living foods over manufactured food-stuffs.

Chinese herbal patches for pain and oth-er illness

Thank you to the reader who recentlywrote to inform me that all acupuncturists inIreland use herbal patches for pain and ill-ness, alongside dried herbs, powders and pillsutilising ingredients which have been triedand tested for over 5,000 years in TraditionalChinese Medicine with a very high rate ofsuccess. This is great news for those who areinterested in using similar methods to theWei Patch technology, but prefer to supportlocal practitioners and businesses. The condi-tions treated using these patches include her-niated discs, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, chron-ic back pain, neck pain, degenerative discdisease (DDD), bone spur, stenosis, bulgingand thinning discs, cartilage injury, rheuma-toid arthritis, and pinched nerves.


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Feelgood 09-07-2010