WW8 2023

WOMANSWAY.IE 51 Picture This Do you have photos you’d like to share? Send them to [email protected] GET IN TOUCH Find out what Woman’s Way readers have been up to recently… The mighty Cu Chulainn at Emerald Park. From: Fidelma O’Reilly, Co Meath Birdlife in Dublin. From: Eileen Walsh Family get-together for my sister’s 70th birthday party. From: Joan Poland, Co Galway A mai tai is my mai treat. From: Dianne George, Co Cork Maghera Beach, Donegal From: Lianne Shiels, Co Dublin 51 WW8 Picture this KOT2CCAMAK.indd 3 04/04/2023 19:38

PUZZLES 52 WOMANSWAY.IE 1 WHO… won Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar for his role as Don Birnam in The Lost Weekend? WHAT… two singers had UK No. 1 singles in 1957 with the song Singing The Blues? WHERE… in England is Donkey Town? WHEN… was the Texas Declaration of Independence that created the Republic of Texas? 2WHO… directed the 1965 fi lm Alphaville? WHAT… US President won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize? WHERE… in Europe is the university city of Erlangen? WHEN… did Gene Tunney become World Heavyweight Boxing Champion? RAY MILLAND; GUY MITCHELL 1 ANSWER: AND TOMMY STEELE; SURREY; 1836. JEAN-LUC GODARD; THEODORE 2 ROOSEVELT; GERMANY; 1926. THE 4 Ws I came into the spotlight after winning Channel 4’s Big Brother back in 2001. I also won the ultimate version in 2010. Away from Big Brother, I’ve appeared on a variety of celebrity reality shows, including Dancing with the Stars, where my husband Arthur is a judge. We welcomed a baby daughter via surrogate last September. I’ve recently fulfi lled a long-held ambition to present on the radio taking up the reins with my co-host Suzanne Kane on 98fm. I was born in Enniscorthy in 1988. I’m a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting and got my big break in the hit TV show Love/Hate playing Siobhan. Since then, I’ve appeared in shows like Happy Valley and Peaky Blinders. I’m currently starring in the brand-new steamy Netfl ix adaptation Josephine Hart’s 1991 novella, Damage, called Obsession. CELEB PIXELS BRIAN DOWLING, CHARLIE ANSWERS: MURPHY. PRIZE CROSSWORD 8 ACROSS: 1. COMRADESHIP (11); 9. PECULIAR (3); 10. BRINGING TO AN END (9); 11. CUBED (5); 13. FLOATING (7); 14. POEM (6); 16. NEEDLEWORK (6); 18. COCKEREL (7); 19. PRINCIPLE (5); 20. PERPETUAL (9); 21. JEER (3); 22. LIMITED (11). DOWN: 2. APPEND (3); 3. GRANT (5); 4. UNICELLULAR ORGANISM (6); 5. SUMMARY (7); 6. COPY (9); 7. NOT EASILY DESCRIBED (11); 8. INCITEMENT (11); 12. CROWD (9); 15. UNDERSTANDING (7); 17. PLATITUDE (6); 19. CLAW (5); 21. PIECE (3). QUICK CROSSWORD SOLUTION ISSUE 7 ACROSS: 1 OUST; 3 FOLLOWER; 9 PURPORT; 10 NEEDS; 11 SUBSTANTIATE; 13 THRONG; 15 SUPERB; 17 INDOCTRINATE; 20 CROSS; 21 AWAKENS; 22 STRAYING; 23 RAID. DOWN: 1 OPPOSITE; 2 SHRUB; 4 OUTING; 5 LONGITUDINAL; 6 WRESTLE; 7 RUSE; 8 CONTINUOUSLY; 12 OBSESSED; 14 RANCOUR; 16 STRAIN; 18 ARENA; 19 ACTS. ENTER TO WIN A FANTASTIC BUNDLE HOW TO ENTER Please send a picture of your completed crossword grid to [email protected] No postal entries please. The closing date for entries is April 24, 2023 This Woman's Way competition is open to anyone resident in NI and the Republic of Ireland, aged 18 and over, except employees and their families of Harmonia Publishing, its printers and anyone else connected with the competition. No purchase is necessary. We will only accept one competition entry per reader. Prizes are awarded by drawing entries after the closing date. Winners will be notifi ed by email. The editor’s decision is fi nal. One lucky reader will receive a Silcare Rose Gold Cosmetics Luxury Collection from Quinn Hair & Beauty. The bundle features a Silcare So Rose So Gold Body Cream, Silcare So Rose So Gold Hand Cream, Silcare So Rose So Gold Foot Mask, Silcare Hand Scrub, Silcare Face Cleansing Gel, Silcare Micellar Water, Silcare Body Butter and Silcare Lip Scrub. Visit quinnhairbeauty.com WORTH €50 REMEMBER WHEN? 1 • Swimmer Mark Spitz won seven Olympic gold medals • Idi Amin expelled the Asian minority from Uganda • Donny Osmond told the world about his puppy love • Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds starred in Deliverance 2 • Eminem released his album The Marshall Mathers LP • Billy Elliott was a hit at the cinema • Protesters blockaded the UK’s oil refi neries for three days • The Queen Mother celebrated her 100th birthday 1972, 2000. ANSWERS: The following events all occurred in a year in living memory. Can you guess the year? 52 WW8 Timeout KOT2CCAMAK.indd 2 04/04/2023 19:39

TIME OUT WOMANSWAY.IE 53 THE BIG QUIZ 1>> How long would it take to drive to space on a vertical road at 100km/hr? A 1 hour B 1 day C 1 month D 1 year 2>> Covid was thought to have originated from bats, but the debate was reignited when researchers found evidence it could have come from what animal instead? A Flying squirrels B Racoon dogs C Cockapoos D Angora rabbits 3>> How many Michelin-starred restaurants are there in Ireland and Northern Ireland? A 11 B 21 C 31 D 41 4>> This year marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. What date was it signed on? A April 9 B April 10 C April 11 D April 12 5>> The Hope Diamond is often associated with a curse that brings misfortune to its owners. How many carats is the impressive blue stone? A Children B Dolphins C Whales D Pensioners 13>> Paul Mescal took home a prestigious Oliver award for Best Actor for his performance in what stage play? ACat on a Hot Tin Roof B A Streetcar Named Desire CThe Glass Menagerie D Sweet Bird of Youth 14>> Who has been announced to replace Matt Lucas in the Great British Bake Off for the next series? A Oti Mabuse B Stacey Solomon C Rylan Clarke D Alison Hammond A 45.52 B 45.53 C 45.54 D 45.55 6>> Scientists apparently made a meatball using DNA of an extinct creature at the Nemo Science museum in the Netherlands. What was the animal? A Dodo B Dinosaur C Wooly Mammoth D Tasmanian Tiger 7>> Which of the following is not only the name of an animal but of a cocktail? A Screaming hairy armadillo B Chicken turtle C Barking spider D Ice cream cone worm 8>> Gaelic tradition has it that spring begins on the fi rst day of February, but what is the meteorological start of the season? A First day of March B Last day of March C First day of April D Last day of April 9>> Which of the following wildfl owers is not native to Ireland? A Bluebell B Primrose C Foxglove D Fringed Waterlily 10>> There was a collective sigh of relief when Vera Pauw announced that Irish captain Katie McCabe’s injury would not put her out for the World Cup this summer. What club does McCabe play for? A Arsenal B Liverpool C Manchester United D Everton 11>> Ed Sheeran has announced the name of his new album. What is the unusual title for this his fi fth studio album? A Add B Divide C Multiply D Subtract 12>> Authorities in Hawaii have initiated a legal case against a group of 33 swimmers who allegedly harassed a group of what? 1 A; 2 B; 3 B; 4 B; 5 A; 6 C; 7 C; 8 A; 9 ANSWERS: D; 10 A; 11 D ; 12 B; 13 A; 14 D . 3 5 7 11 12 13 14 53 WW8 Big Quiz KOT2CCAMAK.indd 3 05/04/2023 11:50

54 WOMANSWAY.IE By Prudence Wade, PA S pring has fi nally sprung, and as the days start to get longer, it’s time to think about how to switch up your cooking to suit the new season. For meat-eaters, the glut of tender lamb available is one of the best things about this time of year. Looking for inspiration on how to cook lamb this spring? This is what the professionals recommend… Moroccan inspired Andi Oliver’s go-to way to cook lamb is inspired by a trip to Morocco. “Lamb is one of my favourite cuts of meat,” says the author of The Pepperpot Diaries: Stories From My Caribbean Table. “I learned a beautiful way of cooking lamb when I was in Morocco, which is a technique where I poach it fi rst in a whole bunch of really incredible spices. Anything you like – cumin seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns, star anise, whatever you fancy. “Then when the lamb is tender, you take it out – either shoulder or leg – take it out, and add half the volume in very thinly sliced onions to the cooking liquor. Take the poached shoulder and baste it with olive oil and melted butter and put it in a very high oven – get it really crispy on the outside. “So you reduce the onion and the poaching liquor, then pour that back over the crispy lamb shoulder or leg.” LAMBSEASON Andi Oliver From crispy shoulder cuts to slow-cooked stews, top chef tips on how to cook lamb. 54 55 WW08 Food Lamb SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 05/04/2023 11:55

WOMANSWAY.IE 55 By Prudence Wade, PA FOOD Spit roast “Spring is one of my favourite seasons of the year, and I love creating delicious lamb-based dishes, incorporating seasonal fruit and vegetables to my colourful plates,” says Ioannis Grammenos, meatologist and executive chef at Heliot Steak House. If you really want to go all out this year, why not try cooking the lamb whole? “One of my all-time favourite ways to have lamb for spring is as a whole spit roast, cooked with just salt and pepper on charcoal for around six to seven hours until crispy,” says Grammenos. “This method ensures the lamb is crispy on the outside, but still full of fl avour and moist on the inside.” Grammenos uses Lumina lamb from New Zealand, and if cooking the animal whole is too much of an undertaking, he also enjoys lamb chops “marinated with fresh oregano and served with tzatziki”. Alternatively, Grammenos recommends slowcooked lamb shoulder rubbed with a mix of garlic and rosemary, or lamb meatballs mixed with fresh mint and black garlic with yoghurt raita. Slow-cooked lamb Anisa Karolia, author of The Ramadan Cookbook, recommends cooking up nihari this spring – an Indian stew cooked with lamb or beef. She says it’s a “quite soupy” dish, “that’s really nicely cooked in a slow cooker” – but if you don’t have a slow cooker, you can cook it on a low heat on the stove for a few hours. “You’ve got lots of aromatic fl avours in there, and it’s really delicious,” says Karolia. It’s often made with a specifi c nihari spice blend, featuring bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, coriander, cumin and more. WW Ioannis Grammenos Anisa Karolia Lamb nihari Lamb chops Spit-roasted lamb 54 55 WW08 Food Lamb SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 05/04/2023 11:55

56 WOMANSWAY.IE By Katie Wright, PA F ood writer Su Scott says her world started to “collapse” after giving birth to her fi rst child. “It sounds dramatic, but when my daughter was born, it was like wow, I have this child, there is a responsibility to keep this newborn alive,” she remembers, with the added pressure of being “the sole bearer of the culture as an immigrant mum”. Scott moved from Seoul to London when she was 19, and her half-Korean daughter, Kiki, is now eight. Now 42, Scott has spent most of her adult life in the UK, and she remembers: “As an immigrant living in the UK, trying to embrace the culture and immerse myself into it, I lost the sense of who I am. Having my daughter made me question my identity. “Cooking Korean food felt like the most immediate, tangible thing I could reach out to, to make some sense of who I was.” Not that it was necessarily this easy. “The whole process went on for a long time, it crept up slowly but surely,” she says. “It didn’t take me long to realise that my world was collapsing in front of me. I didn’t know how to put it together. I knew I’d have to dig deep.” Scott calls it a “hard” and “lonely” experience, but says it was “very rewarding, because you come out the other side knowing exactly who you are”. She used food as a way to reconnect with her homeland, but suggests its importance isn’t uniquely Korean. “It’s not just my culture – I think food is such an integral part of human living. What we often forget is how the small things from our ordinary days can make up such a powerful part of who we are,” she says. When embarking on this journey, there were two dishes from her childhood Scott wanted to try. “The thing I really wanted to recreate and eat was bone broth,” she says, lighting up at the memory. “When I think about my childhood, there’s this powerful moment of smell,” says Scott. “There’s this one specifi c memory of my father sourcing the good meat bones, and my mother preparing the broth for days on end. “The whole house would smell of bones. It’s not a nasty smell, but it’s not overly pleasant either. It’s the dish I absolutely hated as a child, but it’s also the one I felt so loved with.” Scott was initially too scared to make it herself – in case it tainted her memories – but now she says “it has got another story to it”, and she makes it every winter for her daughter. And no, it doesn’t taste like her mother’s – but she says KOREAN FOOD Su Scott talks about rediscovering her culture through cooking. 56-57, 59, 61 WW8 Food Su_AD2CCAM2.indd 2 03/04/2023 11:55

WOMANSWAY.IE 57 By Katie Wright, PA RECIPES Continued page 59>> that’s “a good thing in a way”. The other dish that “really connected me to the Korean food of my childhood was kimchi stew”, Scott says. She started cobbling together the ingredients for this dish without really thinking about what she was doing, and felt a “moment of euphoria” when it all came together. “This is the taste of home,” she says. “Making this dish taught me so much about how I could reconnect to my culture, my heritage and myself. “I needed to fi nd the person I was when I was in Korea, in order to make sense of who I am now, as a mother.” Korean food has more visibility on the world stage than ever before, with Scott saying: “It’s so exciting, isn’t it? I never, ever imagined that I would see a jar of kimchi in a normal supermarket. It’s amazing. “I think Korean food has still got a long way to go in the UK, though. The range is very limited.” That’s why Scott wants to highlight everyday Korean dishes in her debut cookbook, Rice Table. “When you talk about Korean food with other people, they talk about bulgogi and bibimbap. Of course, these are wonderful dishes that champion Korean cuisine, but they are only a fraction of what we offer,” she says. “I wanted to champion the daily home cooking of Korean culture. I wanted to champion all the mothers and their labours – that’s not necessarily always celebrated.” A big part of this – and what makes up the fi rst chapter in the book – is banchan culture. “It’s the small-plate dishes,” Scott explains. “When you Google ‘banchan’, a lot of websites will tell you it’s a side dish” – something that “really bugged” her. Banchan dishes in the book include tofu with buttered kimchi, stir-fried fi shcakes with green peppers, soy sauce-glazed aubergines, and spring onion pancakes. “Individually they are delicious, they each have a place in their own right. It’s a bit sad to call them side dishes, isn’t it?” KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN Serves 4 There’s a reason Korea is famous for fried chicken – this dish is crispy and moreish. “It is quite likely I’m chasing perfection that doesn’t really exist. In my vivid dreams, this fried chicken tastes intently sweet but not sickly,” says Su. “Deep nutty background sweetness lingers like an intense pull of stupid fi rst love that you Rice Table by Su Scott is published by Quadrille. Photography by Toby Scott. 56-57, 59, 61 WW8 Food Su_AD2CCAM2.indd 3 03/04/2023 11:57

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WOMANSWAY.IE 59 Continued page 61 >> fail to resist, and is only accentuated by the heat of chilli and umami salinity that hugs the fat. It’s not claggy – smothered in thick paste of gochujang – but rather softly candied, like a buttery caramel-coated popcorn. “I am unsure if such a glorious perfection of taste can be replicated. But I keep going back for more, no longer sure if I am craving the chicken or my home so many miles away.” Ingredients: For the chicken: 600g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3cm cubes 2tbsp sake 1tsp golden granulated sugar ½tsp celery salt ½tsp freshly cracked black pepper Vegetable oil, for frying For the glaze: 60g jocheong (Korean rice syrup) 2tbsp tomato ketchup (catsup) 2tbsp water 1tbsp golden granulated sugar 1tbsp soy sauce 1tbsp gochujang (Korean red chilli paste) 3 garlic cloves, minced 1tbsp vegetable oil 1tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper fl akes), ground to a fi ne powder For the batter: 50g plain fl our 70g rice fl our 20g cornfl our 150ml cold water To fi nish: Toasted white sesame seeds Method: 1 Place the chicken pieces in a mixing bowl, along with the sake, sugar, celery salt and black pepper. Massage well to combine, cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for one hour. 2 To make the glaze, combine the jocheong, ketchup, water, sugar, soy sauce, gochujang and garlic in a bowl. Mix well and set aside. 3 Remove the chicken from the fridge, so it comes back to room temperature before you cook it. 4 Put one tablespoon of vegetable oil and the gochugaru in a cold wok or sauté pan over a low heat to warm up, stirring constantly to prevent the gochugaru from burning – a fl at fl exible spatula is great for this. In a few minutes, the oil will change in colour to a deep red and the gochugaru will start to bloom. Swiftly add the glaze mixture and increase the heat to rapidly bubble for about two minutes to thicken the sauce enough to coat the back of the spoon, like a runny custard, but not yet sticky like wet glue. Remove from the heat and set aside. 5 Prepare the wet batter by combining the plain fl our, 30 grams of the rice fl our and the cornfl our. Add the water gradually to the mix and whisk to break up any lumps. 6 Toss the chicken thoroughly with the remaining 40 grams of rice fl our then add the chicken to the batter. Give it a good mix by hand. 7 Prepare a cooling rack set over a roasting tray. 8 To fry the chicken, fi ll a saucepan suitable for deep-frying with vegetable oil. It should be TOFU WITH BUTTERED KIMCHI Serves 4 A popular dish in Korea that pairs perfectly with a beer. “Dubu kimchi is made up of two parts: poached tofu and stir-fried kimchi. It is a popular dish, often served as anju, a Korean word that means ‘drinking food’,” explains Su Scott. “Soured, overripe kimchi is prized for its RECIPES deep enough to submerge the chicken pieces but only come three-quarters of the way up the pan while you are frying. Heat the oil to 160°C. Carefully lower in a few of the battered chicken pieces and fry for two to three minutes until the chicken is cooked through but only pale golden, transferring onto the cooling rack when done to allow the steam to escape. Don’t put too many pieces in at once. Continue until you have cooked all the chicken. This fi rst fry is to cook the chicken through, so it shouldn’t have too much colour. Check for doneness. 9 Once the fi rst fry is done, increase the heat to 175°C and fry for the second time for two to three minutes until they’re golden and crispy. Work in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan. When the batches are ready, transfer them onto the cooling rack, so any excess oil drains off. Don’t be tempted to sit the chicken on kitchen paper as it will just steam and lose its crispiness. 10 Put the wok or sauté pan with the sauce over a medium heat to warm up. As soon as the edges start to bubble up, toss in the fried chicken while energetically moving the pan around to glaze. In a brief moment, the sauce will coat the chicken and thicken around the crusts. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds. 56-57, 59, 61 WW8 Food Su_AD2CCAM2.indd 5 03/04/2023 11:57

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flavoursome tanginess that works perfectly in stir-fried dishes, usually paired with rich, fatty pork to dial down the complex, sour pungency with contrasting richness. The loud and bold flavour of kimchi is warmly supported by poached tofu that is welcomingly tender on the tongue.” Ingredients: 1tbsp vegetable oil ½ onion, thinly sliced 200g minced pork ½tsp freshly cracked black pepper 20g unsalted butter 2 garlic cloves, minced 350g overripe kimchi, roughly chopped 2tsp golden granulated sugar 1tbsp mirin 1½tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) 1tbsp soy sauce 200g tinned chopped tomatoes 396g block of firm tofu Sea salt flakes To finish: 1tbsp toasted sesame oil ½tsp toasted white sesame seeds 1 spring onion, thinly sliced A pinch of black sesame seeds Method: 1 Heat the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over a medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and fry for one to two minutes to soften. When the onion has collapsed and is starting to smell fragrant, add the pork and the cracked black pepper and stir frequently for about eight to 10 minutes until lightly browned, without allowing it to burn. It should be golden brown in colour with an almost sweet, caramelising smell. 2 Lower the heat and melt in the butter with the garlic, then add the kimchi, sugar, mirin and gochugaru. Give it a good stir to combine the ingredients, then sauté gently for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Make sure not to burn the gochugaru. We are not here to caramelise the kimchi, rather to soften it slowly in luscious fat. 3 After five minutes, your pan should look a little drier than when you started to fry the kimchi. Stir in the soy sauce, ensuring it is completely incorporated, before adding the tomatoes. Let it simmer for a further 10 minutes. 4 Meanwhile, bring a pan of well-salted water to the boil. Slice the tofu into two long blocks about 4cm wide. Gently drop the tofu blocks into the boiling water and poach them for five minutes over a low heat. Carefully drain the tofu and cool slightly, taking care of the hot steam. When they’re cooled down enough to handle, cut each block into 2cm thick slabs. 5 By now, the kimchi should be ready. Check the seasoning and add a pinch more salt or sugar, if necessary. To finish, stir in the sesame oil and white sesame seeds. Reserve some of the spring onion for garnish, if you like, and add the remainder. 6 To serve, transfer the sliced tofu slabs onto a serving platter or individual plates, along with the sautéed kimchi either on top or on the side. Top with the black sesame seeds and reserved spring onion. SWEET RICE DOUGHNUTS Makes about 20 golf-ball-sized pieces Dust these doughnuts with a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar. “This is a popular old-school Korean snack, which I think deserves more recognition – strangely, it is not well known outside of Korea,” says Su Scott. “This could be partly to do with the fact that, more often than not, most recipes call for ‘wet’ rice flour: freshly milled rice flour made from pre-soaked rice. “In traditional baking, wet rice flour was preferred because of its excellence in retaining moisture, resulting in more moist and chewier rice cakes that keep well. Nowadays, more recipes are being developed using dry flour for the convenience of home baking.” Ingredients: 250g glutinous rice flour 50g plain flour ½tsp baking powder ½tsp bicarbonate of soda 40g golden caster sugar ½tsp fine sea salt 30g unsalted butter, melted 80ml warm full-fat milk 150ml hot water, about 80°C Vegetable oil, for deep frying For the cinnamon sugar: 2tbsp golden caster sugar ½tsp ground cinnamon Method: 1 Sift both flours, the baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar and salt. 2 In a pourable and heatproof jug, combine the melted butter and warm milk. Stir this into the flour mix, using a wooden spoon or chopsticks. Gradually pour in the hot water and continue to mix until it resembles rough crumbs. Do this in a few stages as your flour may not need as much water, or might need a touch more, than stated here. 3 When the dough is cool enough to handle, start bringing the ingredients together by gently kneading until the dough feels supple and the surface is smooth. 4 Place the dough in a reusable plastic bag or wrap in clingfilm. Rest in the fridge for at least one hour or overnight. 5 After the dough has rested, divide it into four equal-sized portions, so you have a more manageable volume to work with. Work one piece at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered. Shape the dough roughly into a log, then divide it into five small golf-ball-sized pieces. The texture of the dough may feel unusual and a little crumbly. Don’t worry if this happens – just squeeze the dough firmly to shape. 6 Combine the sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl or a rimmed roasting pan. Have another plate or dish ready lined with kitchen paper. 7 Fill a saucepan suitable for deep frying with vegetable oil. It should be filled deep enough to submerge the dough balls but no more than three-quarters full. Heat to 160°C. If you don’t have a thermometer, a cube of bread should brown in 12 seconds. When it reaches 160°C, turn off the heat and carefully lower a few of the dough balls into the pan, making sure you don’t overcrowd the pan. Keep the heat off for two minutes. After two minutes, the dough will start to move and float a little. 8 Turn the heat back on and maintain the temperate at 160°C. Fry the dough balls for five minutes, making sure to gently push them down with a heatproof sieve or wire skimmer, as they will continuously float up. After five minutes, the doughnuts should appear golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to the plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil. Continue with the remaining dough balls. 9 When all the batches are cooked, roll them in the cinnamon sugar while hot and serve immediately. WW WOMANSWAY.IE 61 RECIPES 56-57, 59, 61 WW8 Food Su_AD2CCAM2.indd 7 03/04/2023 11:58

62 WOMANSWAY.IE By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA How to grow your own summer salads. I f the idea of foraging for fresh food fi lls you with joy, how about going one step further and building a salad with ingredients you’ve grown yourself? “Growing your own fruit and vegetables is becoming increasingly popular, with more people discovering the many benefi ts of producing your own food,” says Daniel Carruthers of Cultivar Greenhouses. Not only can growing from seed be costeffective, you’ll hopefully end up with an abundance of fresh food – even when shops are low on stock. Want to try and grow your own salads? Here’s how to get started… What to plant “If I had to name one crop I could always grow, eat, and sell, it would have to be salad crops,” says Jane Scotter, a biodynamic farmer, who grows seasonal vegetables, fruit and herbs for some of London’s top restaurants. “A high-value crop, much sought-after by restaurant customers and individuals alike,” notes Scotter, who has also just launched her fi rst online gardening course with Create Academy. She says the fl avour of the leaves, picked just before eating, is far superior to anything one can buy. “Eaten fresh captures the zest and essence of fl avour, and texture of the tender leaves.” Varieties of salad leaves There are lots of varieties of salad leaves you can grow. “For spring, I like the hot zing of the mustards, such as mizuna, mibuna, purple frills and golden frills,” says Scotter. These are all from the brassica family, and are quick to germinate and fast to grow. “I fi nd rocket to be rather overrated as a salad leaf, except when grown in the spring and autumn, while the days are warmer, but nights are still cool,” she adds. Scotter says the fl avour is much fuller, the leaves more robust and altogether quite different from summer-grown rocket, which she fi nds thin in both fl avour and substance. Fruits of the vine “Tomatoes are a fi rm favourite in most salads and, with shortages in many supermarkets at the moment, it’s a great time to start growing your own,” suggests Carruthers. With so many varieties to choose from, he suggests popular types such as Brandywine tomatoes, known for their Salad DAYS Daniel Carruthers mizuna, mibuna, purple frills and days are warmer, but nights are substance. Fruits of the vine “Tomatoes are a fi rm moment, it’s a great time to start growing your own,” suggests Carruthers. With so many varieties to choose Jane Scotter 62-63 WW8 Gardening_Salads_AD2CCAMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 14:52

WOMANSWAY.IE 63 By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA large, beefsteak-shaped fruit and delicious taste, and Tigerella – “an old faithful, which has a beautiful red and orange striped skin”. Carruthers continues: “Cucumbers are a perfect summer fruit, adding a refreshing crunch to salads. There are almost 100 different varieties, so choosing which ones to grow can be a minefi eld.” Picolino and Cucumber Goblin are smaller than more popular varieties, but they provide higher yields throughout the season – ideal for keeping your salads going over the summer, he adds. How to plant salad seeds Direct sow the seeds into clean, weed-free soil, says Scotter. “They’re not hungry feeders, so lots of fertility is not a big issue. If you don’t have a garden, fi ll a container or wooden box (with holes in the bottom for drainage) with organic compost. Fill the box at least 20cm deep with the fi ne soil. Pat down fi rmly and evenly. “Then make a small trench, about 2cm deep and 4cm wide, using your fi nger or a round-ended tool, the thickness of a marker pen,” she adds. “Aim to have seeds about 1-2cm apart. Don’t worry about being too exact, but try not over sow, as plants will grow small and not as healthily.” Cover with soil carefully and pat down fi rmly. She says to water with a watering can rose at fi rst, otherwise seeds will not be evenly moistened, plus they may fl oat away if water is added in a heavy-handed way. “If these are started early to mid-March, you should see germination within 10 days. Sow at least four lines. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and in a sunny spot outside. Your salad leaves should be ready for their fi rst harvest within three weeks,” says Scotter. “The varieties I’ve mentioned are cut-andcome-again crops – meaning you can cut at least four times from the same plant, before the leaves begin to get tough and lose fl avour.” How much to plant “As a rough guide, a metre-length strip of mustard leaves will produce about 500g over three weeks. So, if you sowed four different varieties that would be two kilos,” says Scotter. “I would expect to serve two people about 150g a serving. And when you consider the shop-bought mixes are around [€35 per] kilo, you’re not only eating the best – but at a good price, too.” WW “Cucumbers are a perfect summer fruit, adding a refreshing crunch to salads. There are almost 100 different varieties” GARDENING Mizuna Oriental salad Watering seedllings using the rose on the watering can 62-63 WW8 Gardening_Salads_AD2CCAMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 14:53

64 WOMANSWAY.IE By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA Make hay while the sun shines and get garden-ready. With the garden coming to life and a spring in your step, now’s the time to show your outdoor space a little love and affection. “Springtime is, without doubt, my favourite time of year,” says awardwinning landscaper Mark Gregory and designer of The Savills Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023. “The days are getting longer, lighter and brighter, and there’s a scent in the air that brings a smile to my face,” says Gregory. “It’s a new season, the plant world is waking up and that wakes me up. “It’s a busy time, but it’s a hopeful and exciting one, and I can’t wait to get cracking.” So, what are you waiting for? Here, experts share their top tips on the jobs to tackle in your garden now that spring is fi nally here… 1 Last chance for bare root specimens “March is the last opportunity to plant bare root shrubs and trees,” notes Gregory. “Planting bare root is a good idea, as often the root mass is greater, especially for trees, which gives them a head start over potted specimens.” He says they are also lighter, so cheaper to transport. While the absence of a plastic pot means they are better for the environment. 2 Get a head start on early veg crops “I have very clear memories of helping Grandad plant the early potatoes – now is the time to do it,” advises Gregory. “Either in trenches, if you’ve got the space, or we use the large tree and shrub pots, which are diffi cult to recycle, but perfect for a bumper crop of spuds. “The black pots soak up the spring sunshine, warming the soil, and giving the spuds a great head start.” 3 Consider not mowing your lawn As Gregory points out, when our lawns start to wake up, there’s a very real itch to get out and give them a trim. Aside from tidying up edges and reseeding bare patches, he suggests leaving lawns alone. “We’ve taken part in No Mow May for the past few years, and have witnessed fi rsthand the hugely positive effect that it’s had in our garden,” says Gregory. “Not only do I love watching the wind rippling through the grass, but the fl ood of fl owers that spring up are a feast for the Mark Gregory Jobs Make hay while the sun Spring for 6 Euphorbia characias wulfenii Take a moment to enjoy spring-fl owering bulbs 64-65 WW8 Gardening_Jobs_AD2CCAMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 14:54

GARDENING WOMANSWAY.IE 65 By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA eyes, as well as those allimportant pollinators.” 4 Give weeds a chance As the soil warms up, and the fi rst shoots of your favourite fl owers start to tentatively show themselves, Gregory says they will inevitably be joined by some less favoured companions, weeds. “As a child, I spent a lot of time on my hands and knees, earning pocket money for keeping the borders and veg patch weed-free. Now, my approach has changed. I don’t let perennial weeds take over, but I do allow some to stay. After all, I believe weeds can be the guardians of the garden, and their benefi ts outweigh their drawbacks.” In fact, Gregory is such a supporter, he’s included them in his last two Chelsea gardens, and they’ll be in The Savills Garden this year, too. 5 Design your beds and borders “Spring is the ideal time to get your beds and borders in shape for the warmer months,” says Marcus Eyles, horticultural director at Dobbies. “Once you’ve removed weeds, the next step is to trim back any winter fl owering plants, such as Cornus and Salix, where blooms have started to fade – and prune summer fl owering shrubs, such as Buddleia, Lavatera and hardy fuchsias, to allow room for new growth.” Eyles suggests pruning early spring shrubs once fl owering has fi nished, as this will keep beds and borders tidy. Wisteria can be pruned to encourage strong fl ower buds, by cutting side shoots back to just a few buds. To give your garden structure, Eyles recommends planting new container-grown shrubs, hedges, and trees in spring. You should also tend to evergreen trees, shrubs and hedges, by feeding them with a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser, lightly forked into your borders. 6 Plant bulbs for summer colour One of the most enjoyable spring gardening jobs is undoubtedly planting, says Eyles. Opt for plants that can be grown quickly in warmer soil, for earlier blooms. “Summer fl owering bulbs, such as dahlias, lilies and gladioli, can be planted in spring for a burst of colour and fragrance in the summer months,” says Eyles. “Begonia corms can also be planted in containers now for early summer colour. “Hardy annuals, such as love-in-a-mist or English marigold, can be sown directly into borders now, for a wonderful fl ower display later in the year – now is also the perfect time to plant new roses.” Eyles recommends David Austin English Roses for a blooming summer display: “Just ensure you prune existing rose bushes back hard, before the new season leaves begin to unfurl.” WW “Summer fl owering bulbs such as dahlias, lilies and gladioli, can be planted in spring for a burst of colour and fragrance in summer” Prune summer fl owering shrubs Potato Seedlings David Austin English Roses Dahlias in bloom Weeding time 64-65 WW8 Gardening_Jobs_AD2CCAMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 14:56

66 WOMANSWAY.IE By Hannah Stephenson Bees and butterfl ies always get plenty of attention in the garden – but what about the less attractive insects? Moths, beetles, hornets and ants are all important for biodiversity, insists top garden designer Tom Massey, whose Royal Entomological Society Garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show will feature a plethora of plants which act as magnets for insects. The show garden will also incorporate hard landscaping designed to be permeable and habitable to insects, including retaining walls made out of recycled materials using things like deadwood and crushed and graded construction waste. There’s a lot which gardeners will be able to take from it for inspiration, he stresses. “Gardens and gardeners can make a huge difference. There are an estimated 30 million gardeners in the UK and Ireland. That number is growing all the time, particularly after Covid. Gardeners need to be thinking about gardens as part of a wider landscape, not in isolation. “If you think putting a bug hotel on your city balcony seems like a small measure, Take inspiration from Chelsea gold medallist Tom Massey’s forthcoming bugfriendly show garden. Tom Massey Are wasps loveable? Love Take inspiration Bugs 66-67 WW8 Wildlife_Bugs_AD2CC2AMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 14:57

GARDENING WOMANSWAY.IE 67 By Hannah Stephenson A jewel wasp Meadows are a haven for insects think about 30 million people across the country doing it. It can make a massive difference to creating a network of food and habitat for insects.” He offers the following tips on gardening with insects in mind. ACCEPT LESS ATTRACTIVE INSECTS “Wasps and ants, for example, may be seen as the enemy, but they are actually really important to break down material and are a valuable food source for other important garden animals such as frogs and birds,” he notes. “People get very angry with wasps, but certain wasps are pollinators and are very important in terms of the food chain. Show an interest instead of thinking that a wasp is there just to steal your food or sting you. Examine them a bit closer and you may fi nd something that will inspire you about that insect. “Ants are really fascinating, when you see the complex network of tunnels they create. Ants clear and degrade waste material.” EMBRACE WEEDS Plants including dandelions, clover, vetch and knapweed which have historically been the gardener’s bugbear are important food sources for insects and will all feature in Massey’s show garden. “Dandelions, for example, provide one of the earliest sources of pollen and nectar and are one of the fastest developing plants in the UK, going from seed to fl owering plant in just 10 days,” he explains. CREATE A RANGE OF HABITATS Massey’s Chelsea show garden features rammed earth fl oors, log piles, rubble, bare sand and gabion walls. “Choose permeable, natural hard landscaping materials such as dry-stone walling and woven willow fences that provide crevices and gaps where insects can shelter,” he suggests. FIND CITY SOLUTIONS “Habitat loss is a big reason for insect decline. You’ve probably seen trendy bug hotels which are a playful way to have an insect habitat. They are just arrangements of materials which allow insects to crawl inside. “You could have a tiny bug hotel which might include bits of wood screwed together and some material placed inside in a creative and interesting-looking way. Stack up bug hotels on a balcony or have a few pots with plants for pollinating insects, providing some sort of green space within your plot. “Anything which is long-fl owering, such as salvias, will provide a good source of nectar and pollen for a long time. If you have a shady area, hardy geraniums can have a very long fl owering period. Geranium ‘Rozanne’, for example, fl owers from April through to November.” MIX UP YOUR URBAN POTS “If you’ve space for fi ve pots, fi ve different species of plants would be a good way to go, just to give a range of different food sources for different types of insects,” he says. USE MEADOW TURF Instead of having a neat, manicured lawn, allow an area to grow longer or use a meadow turf product to have a wildfl ower meadow with much more biodiversity which will be more benefi cial to insects, he says. STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN NATURE AND REWILDING “Everyone’s got their own threshold as to what’s acceptable. If you want tidy, neat and organised, perhaps you could have an untidier area that you can’t see from your house. It’s creatively thinking about how to design your space.” At the end of the show, Massey’s garden will be relocated to IQL Stratford next to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London where it will open to the public, and become a place for people to study insects in urban spaces. WW The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 23-27 in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London. European hornet An ant close up Ladybirds eat aphids Gabion wall in a garden 66-67 WW8 Wildlife_Bugs_AD2CC2AMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 14:58

68 WOMANSWAY.IE This on-trend beanie will take the nip out of the April morning air. Adult Double Knit Beanie Hat Knitted with Atlantic Coast Yarns Shannon DK ABBREVIATIONS st(s) stitch(es) tog together K2 knit two P2 purl two BEANIE With 4mm needles cast on 114sts and work as follows: Row 1: K2, P2 to last 2 sts K2. Row 2: P2, K2 to last 2 sts P2. Rep the last 2 rows until work measures 28cm. (Approx. 8cm of this will be folded back.) Crown Row 1: K2, work 2 tog, *work 8 sts, work 2 tog* repeat *-* to end (102sts) Row 2: And all foll. Alt rows, K all K sts, P all P sts. Row 3: Work 5 sts ,* work 2 tog, work 7 sts* to last 7 sts. Work 2tog, work 5 sts (91 sts) Row 5: Work 6 sts, *work 2tog, work 6 sts* to last 5sts, Work 2tog, work 3 sts (80 sts) Row 7: Work 3 sts, *work 2tog, work 5sts* to last 7sts, work 2tog, work 5sts (69sts) Row 8 and 10: Purl all sts. Row 9: Work 2tog, *work 4sts, work 2tog*, to last 2 sts, K2 (57 sts) Row 11: Work 2tog, *work 3sts, work 2tog* to end (45sts) Row 12: Work 2tog, *work 2sts, work 2tog* (34sts) Row 13: Work 2tog to end (17sts) Row 14: Work 2tog, 8 times, work 1 sts (9sts). Break off yarn, thread through rem sts, draw up tightly and secure. Sew up seam reversing seam for 8cm for turn up. WW beanie Spring MATERIALS REQUIRED YARN Knit using 1 x 100g skein of Shannon Cashmerino & Silk DK. Shannon DK is available in a rich palette of 12 tweedy fashion shades. Atlantic Coast Yarns is spun in Kilcar, Co Donegal. The rich shades of ACY are inspired by the natural ruggedness of the West Coast of Ireland and also by its vivid wild fl owers. NEEDLES 4mm needles. 68-69 WW8 Knitting KOT2CCAMAK.indd 2 06/04/2023 11:19

KNITTING WOMANSWAY.IE 69 68-69 WW8 Knitting KOT2CCAMAK.indd 3 06/04/2023 11:20

70 WOMANSWAY.IE ONE OF TWO GREEN ANGEL HAMPERS WORTH €250 EACH To enter, please answer the following question: WHERE ARE GREEN ANGEL PRODUCTS MADE? HOW TO ENTER Email your answer by April 24 to: [email protected] including your name, address and telephone number and labelling your mail ‘The Green Angel Competition’ This Woman's Way competition is open to anyone resident in NI and the Republic of Ireland, aged 18 and over, except employees and their families of Harmonia Publishing, its printers and anyone else connected with the competition. No purchase is necessary. We will only accept one competition entry per reader. Prizes are awarded by drawing entries after the closing date. Winners will be notifi ed by email. The editor’s decision is fi nal. Two lucky readers will get a hamper full of beauty products worth €250 each. Hand-made in Dublin, Green Angel beauty products are a blend of seaweed harvested in the west of Ireland and nurturing essential oils. The Green Angel range combines luxury with outstanding skin, body and hair care as well as beautiful candles, diffusers and other lifestyle products. Available online at greenangel.com, where regular exclusive bundle offers can be found, or in local retail stockists including pharmacies and department stores like Avoca, Dunnes Stores, Shaw’s and Kilkenny Design. Green Angel skincare is made in Rathcoole in County Dublin, and a new fl agship store and café, with the brand’s complete range of luxury skincare, haircare and homewares, is open at Kilbride in Co Wicklow, on the old N11 road at junction 18. Instagram: @GreenAngelSkin Facebook: @GreenAngelSkincareProducts COMPETITION ONE OF TWO WinGREEN ANGEL HAMPERS 70 WW08 Green Angel Comp SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 15:00

HOROSCOPES WOMANSWAY.IE 71 Find out what your horoscope has in store for you in the weeks ahead with Patrick Arundell. ARIES 21 March – 20 April A fabulous merger between the Sun and Jupiter in your sign suggests it’s time make big plans that get others talking. They may even be a tad jealous, and if so you can be sure you’re onto a good thing. It’s time to think positive, no matter how many obstacles you face or how impossible your task seems. Your courage and determination will pave the way to success. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May The emphasis on a private zone suggests that when you’re alone you’ll get inspiration and some of your best ideas. Issues you’re keen to resolve could unravel with ease, and you’ll be delighted with the creative ideas that show up. It’s also a chance to make sense of events that have occurred recently and that might need some mulling over. You’ll emerge refreshed and renewed. GEMINI 22 May – 21 June Lovely Venus moves into your sign this week and immediately aligns with volcanic Pluto in Aquarius. Your appetite for new adventures might be stronger, and if romance is involved you’ll be even happier. There can be something very compelling about one relationship, and you may be too focused on it for your own good. Try to let things follow their natural course. CANCER 22 June – 23 July The decisions you make could affect your career plans in a big way. The Sun/Jupiter merger enhances your confi dence and you’ll be ready to aim for the stars. If there’s an opportunity that calls out to you, this is the time to go for it. With Venus entering a private zone, there’s also a chance that someone may share a secret with you that changes a key issue for the better. LEO 24 July – 23 August You may be looking for something different that will shake you out of any complacency. You’ll be ready to take risks and enjoy stepping into the unknown. It’s a week of fresh experiences, if you’re open to them. There’s also the possibility of forging a tie with someone who is fascinating. Being around them could be a transformative experience in more ways than one. VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Venus moves into a highfl ying zone and aligns with underworld Pluto. You’ll have more than a passing interest in an opportunity, especially if you sense it could be lucrative. And you’ll be ready to leave your comfort zone in a fl ash if it means you’re in with a chance. Don’t attempt to manipulate the situation Virgo, as you’ll appear desperate, which isn’t a good look. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October You’ll be in an inquisitive mood as Venus your planet glides into Gemini. With Pluto in the mix, you won’t be interested in anything superfi cial. Instead, you’ll be keen to look beneath the surface to understand people’s motives and to spot their strengths and weaknesses. One person may seem to put up a brick wall. Could it be they have something they’re keen to hide? SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November A fortunate twist of fate suggests you could be in the right place at the right time to get what you want. And while it might not be earth-shattering, it can make your life easier. Regarding relationships, the Venus/Pluto alignment may be a game-changer and could see a relationship moving from platonic to intimate, or a business partnership becoming committed. SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December Luscious Venus moves into Gemini and your sector of relating, and right away forges an intense link with Pluto. You and another may hit it off because you’re both passionate about the same things. And this could lead to a bond that gets stronger as time goes by. You might also have something to celebrate or feel upbeat and ready for an adventure and a new experience. CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January While someone may be trying to give you constructive criticism, you could still take it to heart, especially if you know that it’s true. See this as an opportunity to up your game, and try not to take it personally. In addition, a delightful Sun/Jupiter tie could bring good news on the home front that can give the week ahead a special glow. If a decision is needed, trust your instincts. AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February No matter how much you have on, make time for socialising and connecting with others who lift your spirits as much as you lift theirs. There’s also the chance of a lucky break, one you should take advantage of fully. Plus, an intense encounter could transform your life. A conversation with this person might enable you to see possibilities you’d never thought of. PISCES 20 February – 20 March The more you can let go of in one area, the more you might gain in others. Venus’ angle with Pluto suggests this is a good time for releasing emotional baggage, especially if you’re thinking and worrying about an issue and it’s getting you nowhere. This is also a good week to treat yourself and others. If there’s something to celebrate, make the most of it. WW 71 WW8 Horoscopes KOT2CCAMAK.indd 3 04/04/2023 19:40

72 WOMANSWAY.IE WIN!A €125 DR. BRONNER’S HAMPER To enter, please answer the following question: WHAT DOES DR. BRONNER’S SELL? A Organic, fair trade and vegan soaps B Chemical products C Animal-tested soap HOW TO ENTER Email your answer by April 24 to: womansway@harmonia. ie including your name, address and telephone number and labelling your mail ‘The Dr. Bronner’s Heal Earth Competition’ This Woman's Way competition is open to anyone resident in NI and the Republic of Ireland, aged 18 and over, except employees and their families of Harmonia Publishing, its printers and anyone else connected with the competition. No purchase is necessary. We will only accept one competition entry per reader. Prizes are awarded by drawing entries after the closing date. Winners will be notifi ed by email. The editor’s decision is fi nal. Four lucky readers will receive a Dr. Bronner’s hamper as part of the Dr.Bronner's Heal Earth giveaway! Dr. Bronner’s is the top-selling soap in the US natural marketplace. No synthetic preservatives, detergents or foaming agents – none! Made with organic and fair trade ingredients. A customer washing with Dr. Bronner’s soap is one part of a larger cycle that starts with farmers practicing regenerative organic agriculture and ends with the soaps biodegrading back into the earth. Dr. Bronner’s has a variety of products ranging from multi-purpose soaps, hydrating body lotions, nourishing lip balms, soothing body balms, hydrating sugar soaps and allpurpose cleaners. Visit drbronner.ie and use code WAY10 for 10 per cent off. Discount code valid until April 30, 2023. COMPETITION 72 WW08 Bronner Comp SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 04/04/2023 19:43

ADVICE WOMANSWAY.IE 73 Columnist and trained counsellor Fiona Caine answers another set of reader dilemmas. Dear Fiona If you have a problem you need help with, email Fiona by writing to [email protected] for advice. All letters are treated in complete confidence and, to protect this privacy, Fiona is unable to pass on your messages to other readers. Fiona regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence. CAUGHT MUM IN BED WITH HER ‘COUSIN’ I popped in to see my mother a couple of weeks ago, to tell her about the holiday I had just booked. She’d clearly forgotten that I was coming, because I found her in the bedroom with a man I’d always assumed was her cousin. When she fi nally emerged, she was very embarrassed and made light of it all, as her ‘cousin’ got his things together and left. I was shocked and didn’t know what to say to her. In the end, we both ignored what we know had happened and I left as soon as I could. I haven’t spoken to her since, but did mention it to my brother. He told me that this has been going on for some time and was one of the reasons why he moved out into his own place as soon as he could. Thinking back on it, I now recall that this man had been around the house often when my mother was at home alone. So why on earth didn’t I realise sooner what was going on? My brother also said that he’d tried a few years back to have a quiet word about it with our father. However, he stopped caring one way or the other, when our father dismissed his worries and told him not to tell me, as I might misunderstand. Well, I don’t misunderstand. I understand all too clearly. What my mother is doing is wrong and I want her to stop. I also hate that my family has deliberately kept this secret from me. My parents have lived together all this time, and I don’t know why father seems so tolerant of what is going on. As long as this continues, I don’t want to see her again, but I can’t just shut her out of my life forever, she’s my mother and I love her. What should I do? E. J. FIONA SAYS: THERE MIGHT BE MORE TO THE STORY This is not an easy situation for you, but please try not to judge your mother too harshly at this stage, at least until you’ve got more information. It is possible that there’s a lot about this situation that you simply don’t know. For example, your parents’ marriage might have failed some time ago, but they chose to continue living together under the same roof. Alternatively, they may have adopted a non-monogamous open relationship, leaving each other free to have sexual relationships with other partners. Perhaps your mother is not getting the affection she needs from her husband and looks for it elsewhere. What is certain, is that this relationship (sexual or otherwise) has lasted for several years and is clearly not a casual one. Your father seems unwilling to discuss it and your brother is no longer interested, so the only way you can really understand what is happening here is to speak with your mother. Do you think you could do that without being angry or judgemental? You’re an adult now, and you know that things are not always what they seem. Please contact her and explain that you still love her but need to know what is going on. MY FIANCE IS SO JEALOUS AND SUSPICIOUS I love my fi ancé and am planning to get married next year. We’ve been together just over three years and in that time he has become very jealous, particularly after we started sharing a fl at four months ago. My job requires me to travel quite a bit and after each trip, he wants to know what I did, who I met, and where I was. If I don’t answer his questions with the required amount of detail, he gets angry and keeps digging. I found him going through some of my confi dential work papers last week and we had a furious row. My job is often stressful, and I am fi nding it harder and harder to cope with this after a long day. Is there anything I can do to make him feel less jealous? Or should I be concerned about getting married? P. Y. FIONA SAYS: IRRATIONAL JEALOUSY CAN BE PROBLEMATIC I think some concern is warranted. There’s probably a little rational jealousy in all relationships, but problems can arise when it moves from a healthy state to an unhealthy or irrational one. And excessive, irrational jealousy is hard to deal with, as you are fi nding, and likely to destroy even the most loving relationships. Jealousy is most often a sign of insecurity, or fear of loss. This is especially true in people who may have been hurt in a previous relationship and who now fi nd it hard to trust someone. Feelings of low selfesteem or poor self-image don't help. Perhaps the best way to deal with your fi ancé’s jealousy is to give him regular reassurance that you love him. Try not to get angry or defensive when he starts to question. Build his self-esteem with compliments, but only when appropriate. Then, as often as your work allows, keep in contact when you’re away but avoid being manipulated. Your needs are every bit as important as his, and he needs to make an effort here too. None of this will be easy and, at times, your patience is likely to be tested. WW 73 WW08 Dear Fiona SC2CC2AMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 15:02

74 WOMANSWAY.IE Family Life CLEAN UP YOUR ACT Nothing says, ‘It’s spring’ quite like a feather duster, quality polish and a whole lot of resolve. With brighter evenings and longer days, giving the interiors a facelift with a good old spring clean reeks of optimism and energy. Unlike its close relation ‘decluttering’ which even sounds like the not-this-again habitual clearing away of accumulated stuff, spring clean has a literal spring in its step. It’s imbued with happiness and daffodils, saying good riddance to cobwebs and making everything smell of lemons. There may be one problem with spring cleaning: getting everyone else in the family to share your enthusiasm. The annual spring clean is arguably more fun when it’s not left to one person. So if you want your cleaning vibe to spread, some new tactics may need to be employed. Una Rice explains how to make your spring clean a family affair. 74 75 WW08 Una Rice SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 04/04/2023 19:58

RELATIONSHIPS WOMANSWAY.IE 75 IDENTIFY WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH Not all family members are meticulous and tidy. There’s usually a mug on the kitchen surface culprit, a serial plate user and someone who leaves random stuff lying around, phone chargers, hoodies, toiletries, books and socks. Moving up a scale, there are those who fi nd it impossible to part with stuff, meaning it accumulates and becomes ‘stuff being stored’. Up a notch higher still, and that stuff being stored is often not even stored, but seems to invade spaces where there could be much more useful storage solutions happening. If you’re not careful, mess can be a pernicious thing, spilling forth into your life, making it diffi cult to fi nd things and to just relax. People sort, clean and tidy up in different ways. Knowing who you are dealing with is helpful. The person who ‘stores’ may have diffi culty parting with stuff. The person who can’t get started may simply not know where. The person who doesn’t wash crockery may need to fi nd it all used up and piled high. ASSIGN TASKS Every big plan needs a strategy and an operations manager. That might well be you, as you decide that in order for everyone to be involved in a spring clean, they should at least know what they’re doing and the desired outcome. As the idea of a spring clean is to do a deep clean, jobs can be assigned on a room-by-room basis, or task by task. Engagement may well be increased when you outline your general view of what needs to happen, so everyone’s got the gist: there’s nothing worse than running around with the vacuum cleaner and driving it under people’s feet while they read the newspaper. This is your personal invitation to get as creative as you like about assigning cleaning duties. You can shout it from the rooftop, create a task jar with the jobs each written out, or you can be super spreadsheet savvy and list the cleaning jobs, like a foreman going round a building site. Set a time for certain tasks. Your family members will defi nitely know who’s boss and that you’re determined to have everyone’s cooperation. Make sure to have everything you need for each cleaning job, and feel satisfi ed when it’s ticked off your list. ALLOCATE THE DAYS AND TIME It doesn’t have to be done in one big go. In fact spreading your spring clean over two or three weeks makes it more manageable. Breaking it up so it’s not one endless task of just general cleaning, means you can do a proper focussed clean, and get into those places that don’t see the light of day. SET THE SCENE Be spring clean ready. Make a list of what you need to target each room, from sponges and clothes to cleaners and bin bags. Set a time for certain tasks. Nicely scented eco-friendly products will make it more pleasant all round, as will a playlist of music and interesting podcasts. SORT THE HOARDERS The moment you start using the term ‘hoarders’ in your home, is the moment you may notice a shift in behaviour. No one wants to be a hoarder and calling someone out for hanging on to stuff may be the sensible thing to do. Marie Kondo may well have made the phrase, ‘Does this spark joy?’ famous. But your, ‘Why are you such a hoarder?’ may have the capacity to move someone to actually think about the impact of their stuff in a family space. BE CLEAR ON WHY There’s a host of reasons why the spring clean is important, including the idea of it being a ritual for a family, a special clean after a long dark winter. In some cultures it’s seen as the time to drive away bad energies, and if you like that idea you can really go for it, opening doors and windows and welcoming in new energies and lighting scented candles in revived spaces. Perhaps while you’re there you’ll rearrange furniture and try some Feng Shui, who knows? The great thing about spring cleaning is that once you get going, the energy gets fl owing. Finally, it’s well documented that having a clean space is good for mental health and clear thinking. WW ‘‘No one wants to be a hoarder and calling someone out for hanging on to stuff may be the sensible thing to do’’ 74 75 WW08 Una Rice SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 04/04/2023 19:58

76 WOMANSWAY.IE By Imy Brighty-Potts, PA T he joys of spring defi nitely feel like a real thing. Everything just seems more light and upbeat once the sunshine creeps in and we’re out of the depths of winter. But why do we feel so much better when spring rolls around? Is it all in our heads? “Waking up to bird song, sunshine and warmth throughout spring can be hugely uplifting, evoking the happiness, optimism and positivity that many of us struggle with in winter,” says Dr Tom MacLaren, consultant psychiatrist at Re:Cognition Health. “These months can bring lots of benefi ts to our psychological, physical and mental health.” RECONNECTING WITH NATURE The natural world starts to bloom back to life at this time of year. “Nature connectedness can help improve our mental health, with the fresh air, longer days and calmness of open spaces offering a retreat and distraction from our standard routines, being closer to greenery, gardens and parks that will provide a boost to your energy and sense of wellness,” says MacLaren. “The colourful, fragranced blossoms can also be uplifting and make us appreciate the beauty of nature.” SPRING FEVER Wellbeing Spring has sprung – but why does it make us feel so good? benefi ts to our psychological, physical from our standard routines, being closer to greenery, gardens and parks that will provide a boost to your energy and sense of wellness,” says MacLaren. “The colourful, fragranced blossoms can also be uplifting and make us appreciate the beauty of nature.” Dr Tom MacLaren 76 77 WW08 Wellbeing Opener Spring SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 15:05

JOY WOMANSWAY.IE 77 By Imy Brighty-Potts, PA GETTING OUT AND ABOUT MORE More daylight and warmer temperatures means we’re more inclined to get moving outdoors, too. “Finding the motivation to go out for a run in the cold, dark and miserable conditions of winter can be very diffi cult, but the longer, brighter days of spring afford no excuses, meaning we are more likely to be physically active,” adds MacLaren. “Walking or cycling short distances, rather than driving, becomes a joy, and just by walking outdoors, the risk of heart disease, diabetes and even depression is reduced.” PREPARE TO BLOOM Spring can also be a fabulous time to try something new, or tap back into forgotten joys. “In contrast to the inward, cocooning vibe of winter, spring carries a dynamic, outward-looking energy. This time of year is all about taking action, so go ahead and take a leap. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone – spring is prompting us to blossom, just like the trees around us,” says functional medicine health coach Suzy Glaskie, founder of Peppermint Wellness and host of the podcast Midlife Illuminated. “Take up that hobby you’ve always wanted to try but never got around to. Begin that new project you’ve been procrastinating about. Start taking small steps towards thriving… Spring offers us a fresh slate to move forward and create the life we really want. “Don’t worry if your new year’s resolutions to get healthy fell by the wayside weeks ago. The ‘New Year/New You’ mantra doesn’t align with our natural rhythm – the middle of winter is no time for us to suddenly bounce forth with an entirely new set of habits, and breaking our resolutions leaves us feeling frustrated and disheartened with ourselves. Spring is a far better time to focus on our wellbeing and start to cultivate new healthy habits that will boost our physical, emotional and mental health, and improve our self-esteem,” Glaskie adds. LET THERE BE LIGHT The joys of spring owe a lot to the increase in daylight, which can have positive effects psychologically and physically. “Watching the sunrise and changing light during the day is a great way to reset that body clock, if you have missed sleep,” adds MacLaren. “Watching the sunset is also a very beautiful and therapeutic experience, helping us unwind, relieving stress and providing us with inspiration – many authors, painters and poets have used the sunset as their muse.” The spring and summer months are also when we’re naturally able to make enough vitamin D though increased sunlight exposure (keeping sun safety in mind, of course). “Those longer and sunnier days will be topping up your vitamin D, a great boost to your immune system, which also helps keep your bones healthy,” says MacLaren. “Vitamin D defi ciency has also been linked to depression, so this sunshine vitamin is not only benefi cial for our bones but also our mood and mental health.” MORE GET-UP-AND-GO All of this can add up to a renewed sense of motivation, which can in turn bring added rewards. “It is a great time to get work done and be more productive. With the sun rising earlier, you will have more energy to meet friends, take time off, complete DIY projects and even travel. The longer day means you’ll have time to gradually wind down in the evening and even enjoy eating outdoors, socialising with friends and fi tting more into the day,” suggests MacLaren. “All this activity provides a lot more cognitive stimulation than winter. Your mind and brain will be busier processing your increased activity levels, and this boosts your memory and helps protect against conditions like dementia. “We also tend to be much more social in the warmer months, which is crucial to our mental health,” he adds. “Friendships help reduce stress and anxiety, improve self-confi dence and help reduce the risk of many health conditions including obesity and high blood pressure.” WW Longer sunnier days help top up vitamin D temperatures means we’re more inclined to get moving outdoors, our physical, emotional and mental health, and improve our self-esteem,” Glaskie adds. Suzy Glaskie 76 77 WW08 Wellbeing Opener Spring SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 15:06

78 WOMANSWAY.IE By Claire Spreadbury, PA have a safe and confi dential space to talk things through,” she says. WHAT’S IT LIKE? Trialling the experience, I walked for seven miles, talking almost constantly about one specifi c issue. For me, it was work, but you can bring anything to the table – as long as you think it’s achievable to come up with a plan and some potential outcomes within that one session. No doubt many of us have deeper issues that we know will take time to unlock and conquer, but something like work or minor home life issues can be really batted about. I found I knew a lot of the answers already. But talking about it to someone outside of your situation, who knows what questions to ask and when, and setting aside time for that whole experience does wonders. By the end of the day, I had a list of pointers, which we turned into a timeline of actions. The hardest part is following up on it all afterwards. “Coaching immersion days offer something completely different, something we all long for: time and space in beautiful nature away from the demands and pressures of day-to-day life,” notes Liebenguth. “Typically, clients bring issues such as feeling stuck in their job or feeling a lack of purpose and direction, or needing time and space to refl ect and think things through. Often, clients book an immersive coaching day when they need to come to terms with a major life change, and need support and help to take the next steps.” HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? A coaching immersion day will vary in cost depending on where you live and the overall package on offer. It can cost more than €1,000 including lunch, for example, but there are also ways to DIY your own therapy session if cost is out of the question for you. For instance, if you have a friend or colleague who is good at listening, asking questions and giving advice, you could book in your own immersive session, mapping out what you want to talk about. Book in a date, go for a big walk, listen to each other and ask questions – you’ll be amazed what you get out of it. If nothing else, it provides a safe space to chat through an issue that’s on your mind, which can only ever be a positive experience. WW Coaching – whether it’s for your working or personal life – always seems like a helpful idea. Getting advice from someone less close to any situation that might be holding you back, driving you crazy or getting you down, and who can help you get focused on fi nding a way forwards. Immersive coaching is a newly trending approach – but what does it mean, and can it really make a difference? WHAT IS IMMERSIVE COACHING? Immersive coaching involves talking to a trained coach, while immersing yourself in nature. We’ve known for some time the positive effects surrounding ourselves in nature has on the mind, but for anyone who might fi nd talking to a coach or counsellor intimidating, chatting side by side and as you trundle through green fi elds, basking in sunshine, sheltering from showers and ambling through greenery can really take the anxiety out of the situation. WHO’S IT FOR? Karen Liebenguth, a ‘green space coach’ and mindfulness expert, suggests it’s ideal for clients who might fi nd it hard to commit to regular coaching, or for clients who like having time and space over a whole day to explore one specifi c area in their life with a coach. “My immersive coaching days often attract leaders who are pressed for time and in need of a change in scenery to take a broader perspective on things, and to IMMERSIVE COACHING Claire Spreadbury tries walking and talking therapy, to see what it’s all about. 78 79 WW08 Coaching SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 15:14

WELLBEING WOMANSWAY.IE 79 78 79 WW08 Coaching SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 15:14

80 WOMANSWAY.IE By Imy Brighty-Potts, PA Menopause symptoms can affect all areas of life – including work. However, Helen Tomlinson, a menopause employment champion, said women are unlikely to take menopause leave unless there is a cultural change. Tomlinson says the introduction of menopause leave for those impacted by symptoms would be a “positive step” – but added that it may not be effective “until that culture change is really embedded.” She continued: “I think before that could come into play effectively, there needs to be more cultural focus on people feeling comfortable saying that is why they are taking that leave. Otherwise, I think there will always be the preference of taking sick leave or saying, ‘I’m taking sick leave’, rather than feeling comfortable saying, ‘I’m taking menopause leave or period management leave’, as an example.” Recent years have seen a huge shift in menopause awareness, particularly in the workplace. But as Tomlinson highlights, there is still work to be done. HOW TO START A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BOSS For those who are struggling with menopause symptoms, how do you broach the subject with your employer? “So many people are struggling with symptoms and don’t know how to broach it, MENOPAUSEAT WORK We talk to workplace menopause experts about starting a conversation with your boss. will always be the preference of taking WITH YOUR BOSS For those who are struggling with menopause symptoms, how do you broach the subject with your employer? struggling with symptoms and don’t know how to broach it, Helen Tomlinson 80 81 WW08 Menopause SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 15:16

WELLBEING WOMANSWAY.IE 81 By Imy Brighty-Potts, PA because they think it is personal, or there may be fear of judgement from raising the topic because of the negative perceptions and taboo around menopause,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace. “Symptoms we hear about most are things like hot fl ushes and achiness, but there are also really hard psychological symptoms like anxiety, worry, changes in confi dence, forgetfulness and struggles with sleeping. When you see that those affect women in the workplace, you see that it can really get in the way of your job.” Garlick acknowledges having a conversation about menopause at work may feel like new or uncomfortable territory – and it’s helpful to remember many of us are in the same boat here. “It is hard for some of us to start that conversation, but it might also be the fi rst time your line manager may have spoken about it too,” she notes. PREP AHEAD AND HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION TO HAND “Our top tip is to do your prep before going in to discuss it, fi nd out if your organisation is menopause-friendly, has held training, and has policies in place. See how they can support you. Three in 10 employers do have something in place, so do your research,” says Garlick. It might be helpful to get clear beforehand about how exactly menopause symptoms are impacting you. That way, any adjustments or solutions can be focused to your individual needs. “Keep a diary of symptoms, so you can come to understand them and how they affect you and your work,” suggests Garlick. “If you have that diary and have started to recognise patterns in how they affect you at work, say sleeplessness, it makes it easier to make suggestions – like more remote working or shift changes. “Speak to your GP so you can understand what your options are for managing these symptoms, too.” CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE Garlick suggests thinking about when you want to have this conversation, and booking it in as a meeting so you know you are ready for it when it happens. “Find the right time and place for the meeting and put it in the diary, be it in a private room or in a space you are comfortable,” she says. “Take them your prep and tell them what would help you. That will hopefully have a really positive outcome.” A LITTLE BIT OF PATIENCE MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED Changes may not be instant – but that doesn’t mean the conversation hasn’t been worthwhile. “Accept they may need to go away from the meeting and talk to someone in HR, so suggest you catch up soon in the future about workplace adjustments after that,” says Garlick. KEEP YOUR WORTH IN MIND Remember, this conversation is the mark of a change in your life – not the end of your working life. As Helen Normoyle, co-founder of My Menopause Centre, says: “Believe in yourself, and put aside any concerns that you’re ‘past it’! “As a 40 or 50-something woman, you’ve another 40- 50 per cent of your life still ahead of you, and you have the benefi t of years of work and life experience,” she adds. “Skills and experiences that are much needed in today’s workplace and in society at large.” WW “As a 40 or 50-something woman, you’ve another 40-50 per cent of your life ahead of you, and you have years of work and life experience” might also be the fi rst time your line manager may have spoken about it “Speak to your GP so you can understand what your options are for managing these symptoms, too.” CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE Garlick suggests thinking about when you want to have this Deborah Garlick Decide who you want to have the conversation with 80 81 WW08 Menopause SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 15:17

82 WOMANSWAY.IE By Abi Jackson, PA Persistent bloating is a key symptom of ovarian cancer, yet over half of women admit they’d change their diet before seeing their GP if they experienced it, a new survey has found. Only one in three say they’d contact their GP if suffering with ongoing bloating, while 55 per cent would try tweaking their diet – such as cutting out gluten or opting for probiotic yoghurts – according to the research by the charity Target Ovarian Cancer. “These fi ndings are extremely concerning and provide further evidence that there remains an awareness crisis in ovarian cancer,” says Annwen Jones, chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer – which is concerned many women may be inadvertently putting themselves at risk of delayed diagnosis. Early diagnosis can make a big difference, but currently two-thirds of women are being diagnosed late. “Target Ovarian Cancer won’t accept that women die from this cancer, not when we can do something about it right now,” says Jones. “We know that early diagnosis Health OVARIAN CANCER Experts advise on the importance of getting any symptoms properly checked. “These fi ndings are extremely concerning and provide further difference, but currently two-thirds of women are being diagnosed late. won’t accept that women die from this cancer, not when we can do something about it right now,” says Jones. “We know that early diagnosis Annwen Jones 82 83 WW08 Health Open Ovarian Cancer SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 15:19

OVARIAN CANCER WOMANSWAY.IE 83 By Abi Jackson, PA increases the chances of survival and knowing the symptoms is vital to achieving this.” GET THINGS CHECKED When bloating is so common though, how can you tell whether what you’re experiencing is normal, happening because of food and gut issues, or potentially a sign of cancer? “The term bloating is often used to describe a feeling of fullness in the tummy, which can often be associated with the lower abdomen looking swollen,” says Dr Susanna Unsworth, in-house gynaecology expert for Intimina. “Bloating is often a consequence of bowel issues, but it is also recognised as one of the potential symptoms of ovarian cancer. “Occasional bloating that resolves quickly is not usually anything to worry about. However, I would recommend discussing the symptom with your doctor if you experience any of the following: bloating symptoms that persist for more than three weeks, or frequent and recurrent episodes of bloating (occurring two to three times per week without an obvious trigger).” It’s also vital to get things checked if the bloating is happening alongside other symptoms, adds Unsworth, including: “Vomiting or a change in bowel habit (constipation or diarrhoea), abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood or mucus in the stool, abdominal or pelvic pain, or a lump/swelling that you can feel in your abdomen.” SELF-DIAGNOSING CAN BE RISKY A lot of the time, bloating won’t mean you have cancer, but it’s always best to get things properly checked. Plus, even if there is an underlying digestive issue, you may still need tests – or more specialist treatment and advice for managing symptoms. “There’s no one-size-fi tsall when it comes to bloating – there’s many causes and it’s quite complex at times,” says Dr Caitlin Hall, chief dietitian and head of clinical research at Myota. “For the most part, it’s quite normal to experience a bit of bloating and tightness after a large meal. But when bloating is unexplained, or comes with pain, nausea, diarrhoea, cramps or a lot of smelly wind, it can be quite distressing. “There are times where bloating is a sideeffect of a more serious gut condition, including colon cancer, endometriosis, or IBD (infl ammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis),” Hall adds. “If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain, long-lasting constipation or blood in your stools, make an appointment to see your doctor.” OTHER OVARIAN CANCER SYMPTOMS TO BE AWARE OF Also, severe or persistent bloating isn’t always the main symptom of ovarian cancer, so it’s helpful to be aware of all the potential signs. “Ovarian cancer has been described as a ‘silent killer’ as the symptoms can often be mild and may go unnoticed in the early stages of the disease,” says Unsworth. “By the time someone consults with a doctor, the cancer may have already become quite widespread. “However, there are some symptoms that are potential warning signs of ovarian cancer (or other cancers) that I would encourage women to get checked out.” These include: “Low abdominal/pelvic pain that does not settle within two weeks, loss of appetite or feeling full quicker, urinary symptoms (going more frequently), change in bowel habit, new back pain, unexplained weight loss, abnormal vaginal bleeding (noticing blood inbetween periods or after sex), or pain when having sex. “Other, more vague symptoms can include breathlessness or persistent fatigue,” Unsworth adds. The most important thing? If you notice any unusual changes or symptoms that are new for you or causing concern, check in with your GP – the sooner, the better. GP Dr Charlotte Badescu says: “We know that there is still work to be done in terms of raising awareness, both amongst the general public and healthcare professionals, so that we all understand the potential symptoms of ovarian cancer. “For some patients, it can be uncomfortable approaching your GP with your health concerns, but it’s so important that if you are experiencing persistent bloating, abdominal or pelvic pain, new urinary symptoms, or feeling full earlier than usual, that you make an appointment. “GPs defi nitely want to hear from you if you’re experiencing or are concerned about any of these symptoms.” WW “A lot of the time, bloating won’t mean you have cancer, but it’s always best to get things properly checked” condition, including colon cancer, These include: “Low abdominal/pelvic pain that does not settle within two weeks, loss of appetite or feeling full quicker, urinary symptoms (going more frequently), change in bowel habit, new back pain, unexplained weight loss, abnormal vaginal bleeding (noticing blood inDr Caitlin Hill Don't be afraid to consult your GP 82 83 WW08 Health Open Ovarian Cancer SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 15:19

84 WOMANSWAY.IE By Katie Wright, PA I f you’ve ever got home from a loud concert, club or sporting event and noticed a high-pitched ringing or whirring sound in your ears, you’ve experienced tinnitus. “Tinnitus is a description, not a diagnosis,” says Professor Paul O’Flynn, consultant surgeon. “While people often describe the sound as ‘ringing in the ears’, tinnitus can also present itself through other sounds including humming, buzzing, hissing, or whistling.” The sound can come and go and be present in one or both ears, and some people may also experience symptoms such as dizziness or vertigo, but it’s not necessarily the sign of a more serious problem. “Tinnitus is more frequently experienced by those who have hearing loss or other ear problems, but it can also affect people with normal hearing,” says Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at Specsavers. “It is very common and can occur at any age.” We asked experts talk through everything you need to know about the condition, including when to seek medical advice. WHAT IS TINNITUS CAUSED BY? “Often no cause for tinnitus can be identifi ed, but it can be linked to some form of hearing loss such as agerelated hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss,” O’Flynn says. In addition to short bouts “Tinnitus is more frequently experienced by those who have problems, but it can also affect is very common and can occur WHAT IS TINNITUS CAUSED BY? “Often no cause for tinnitus can be identifi ed, but it can be linked to some form of hearing loss such as agerelated hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss,” O’Flynn says. In addition to short bouts Professor Paul O'Flynn HEAR, HEAR Hearing experts advise on how to deal with irritating noises. 84 85 WW08 Health Hearing SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 15:21

HEALTH WOMANSWAY.IE 85 By Katie Wright, PA after being exposed to loud noice, other causes can include: “Anxiety, certain medications – including some chemotherapy medicines or antibiotics – and conditions such as diabetes, [high] blood pressure and thyroid disorders.” Earwax buildup, ear infections and perforated eardrums can also trigger it. “Too much earwax can block the ear canal, prevent normal hearing, disturb the eardrum and cause tinnitus,” Harrison explains. “Ear infections – often caused by trapped fl uid in the ear following a throat infection, cold, or allergies – can muffl e sounds and cause tinnitus.” WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE FOR RINGING IN THE EARS? Most people will experience tinnitus at some point and usually it fades away fairly quickly. “In some cases, though, it can be persistent, lasting for more than fi ve minutes or even continuously,” says Feraz Ashraf, audiologist from Boots Hearingcare. “This can lead to disturbed sleep and distract people from carrying out daily tasks. In this instance, it’s important that you speak to your GP to see if there is an underlying issue.” Harrison says you should speak to you doctor if the sound is pulsating or is only in one ear. “Further testing such as head imaging with MRI or CT scan may be required to identify the cause.” O’Flynn adds: “You should consult your GP if the tinnitus is making you feel anxious, coming on more regularly or getting worse.” HOW IS TINNITUS TREATED? It’s necessary to consult a professional to determine if the tinnitus is caused by an underlying medical issue. “If so, simple treatment could help, such as ear wax removal, or you may be prescribed medication if there’s an infection,” Ashraf says. If there’s no discernible cause, treatment will focus on symptom relief and management. “There are ways you can help improve your symptoms including fi nding ways to improve your sleep and avoiding triggers that make your tinnitus worse such as stress or loud noises,” says O’Flynn. “A hearing aid or tinnitus masker may be appropriate. Occasionally, sound therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) – which aims to help retrain how your brain responds to tinnitus – may be helpful.” Is it possible to prevent tinnitus? “One of the best ways to prevent the onset of tinnitus is to protect your hearing,” says Ashraf. “If you are doing something that involves exposure to loud noise, even if it’s only for a few minutes, it’s best to wear hearing protection.” Harrison advises caution when wearing headphones as well: “To stay safe, you should never listen to your music above 60 per cent volume and you should also give your ears a break every hour too.” People who work in loud environments should be particularly careful, O’Flynn says: “At all times proper ear defenders should be worn at work when advised and if exposed to recreational noise including shooting.” WW Feraz Ashraf “Ear infections – often caused by trapped fluid in the ear following a throat infection – can muffle sounds” 84 85 WW08 Health Hearing SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 15:27

86 WOMANSWAY.IE By Abi Jackson, PA Celebs Go Dating host Anna Williamson opens up about her breakdown. Talking about your mental health at work can feel extremely daunting. But TV’s Anna Williamson wants people to know, the outcome might be way more positive than you expect. “I’m proof that if you do talk about it and reach out for help, help really can come,” says the Celebs Go Dating presenter and author, who had a breakdown while at work in 2007. “I was working for ITV at the time, and I was really, really lucky – and it’s horrible to say I was lucky, but I was – that my bosses were empathetic and supportive and cared about me,” adds the mumof-two, 41, who was diagnosed with generalised anxiety and panic disorder. “That was so important in order for me to get quick help. And then I got back to work a lot quicker, because I felt supported about that process and that things would be OK for me when I got back, and that’s a huge part of it.” However, she acknowledges speaking up for yourself – especially when you’re going through a mentally challenging time – isn’t always easy. Workplace culture plays a big part in this, which is why Williamson believes “it’s important to lead from the top” when it comes to ensuring employees feel safe and supported. The media personality – who lives in the Hertfordshire countryside with husband Alex Di Pasquale and their children, Enzo, six, and Eleanora, three, and is also a celebrity ambassador for mental health charity Mind and qualifi ed coach and counsellor – is now supporting Cigna International’s 5 per cent pledge initiative, which addresses this very point. By signing up via the campaign website (pledge5percent.com), business leaders agree to dedicating 5 per cent of their working hours to mental health in the workplace. “We’re specifi cally asking the top tier of the hierarchy, senior management, FROM THE TOP Leading 86 87 WW08 Anna Williamson SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 05/04/2023 12:07

WOMANSWAY.IE 87 By Abi Jackson, PA to recognise the importance of leading from the top. I’ve actually signed up for it myself – I have a small business,” adds Williamson, explaining that when taking the pledge, companies will gain access to a range of free resources with “ideas and initiatives” they can implement. RESEARCH FINDINGS Before launching the initiative, Cigna surveyed 8,000 employees about mental wellbeing. The results suggested 88 per cent were showing signs of burnout, and almost two-thirds said they felt overwhelmed. The fi gures were even higher for younger age groups, with 96 per cent of the 18-24-year-olds polled experiencing burnout and 91 per cent describing themselves as ‘stressed’. Although the reasons for high stress and burnout can be complex and there are usually multiple factors involved, the 5 per cent pledge highlights how employers can be proactive in the role they play. “I’m so impressed that Cigna really understand the importance of mental health in the workplace, and that’s why I’m genuinely happy to be working alongside them,” says Williamson. “So, 88 per cent of employees say they’re feeling burned out and stressed, and we can do one of two things. We could ignore those statistics and just tell people to toughen up, get on with it and completely disregard those fi ndings. Or we can listen and ask: Why are employees feeling so stressed?, and most importantly as an employer, what can we do to support people better?” With work often such a big part of our lives, it makes sense that there’s an overlap with our health, and that feeling supported at work matters. As Williamson points out, though, this isn’t just about being nice. It’s good business sense, too. “Because guess what – if you have a happy, healthy workforce, they’re going to work harder for you, you’re going to have less absenteeism. By putting a spotlight on your workforce’s mental health, everybody wins,” she adds. “We spend a third of our life at work, how lovely would it be for someone to say, ‘I go to work because I love it and I feel supported’, as opposed to feeling like it’s just transactional?” Since recovering from her breakdown, Williamson has learned a lot about managing her own mental wellbeing. “I want people to learn from my mistakes. The thing is, I didn’t really know at the time, I didn’t realise the signs that I was very much spiralling towards burnout,” she shares. “I didn’t recognise that I was suffering extreme anxiety. I wasn’t sleeping well, I wasn’t eating properly, I was feeling highly stressed, and quite detached from my life in general. I was not functioning at all. I made it look like I was, to the outside world, but I wasn’t.” LIFE SKILLS Making adjustments has been “essential”, she says, explaining that taking care of her mental wellbeing means remembering to “really check in regularly with myself and my family, to make sure there is a good work-life family balance, which is really important”. She continues: “And I make sure I sleep as well as I can, I make sure I feel as good as I can – diet is so underestimated when it comes to having good mental health, the links are indisputable. And it’s important for me to stay away from alcohol and caffeine, if I’m going through a period of feeling particularly stressed about something,” adds Williamson, who also credits regular exercise as being part of her self-care toolkit. On the topic of work-life balance, she says implementing boundaries is key. “And that can be hard, particularly if you’re an entrylevel graduate. I get it – you can’t swan into your boss’s offi ce and say, ‘Hello, I’d like to set some boundaries here’. But there is a way of doing it,” Williamson adds. Again, this is why making mental wellbeing part of workplace culture is vital. “This is why we’re asking bosses to take the 5 per cent pledge,” she says. “And if you’re an employee, ask your boss to take the pledge and use it as a conversation starter.” WW For more information and to take Cigna International’s 5 per cent pledge, visit pledge5percent.com CELEBRITY properly, I was feeling highly stressed, and quite detached from my life in general. I was not functioning at all. I made it look like I was, to the outside world, but I wasn’t.” LIFE SKILLS Making adjustments has been “essential”, she says, explaining that taking care of her mental wellbeing means remembering to “really check in regularly with myself and my family, to make sure there is a good work-life family balance, which is really important”. I sleep as well as I can, I make sure I feel as good as I can – diet is so underestimated when it comes to having good mental health, the links are indisputable. And it’s important for me to stay away from alcohol and caffeine, if I’m going through a period of feeling particularly stressed about something,” adds Williamson, who also credits regular exercise as being part of her self-care toolkit. she says implementing boundaries is key. particularly if you’re an entrylevel graduate. I get it – you can’t swan into your boss’s offi ce and say, ‘Hello, I’d like to set some Leading boundaries here’. But there is a “Diet is so underestimated when it comes to having good mental health, the links are indisputable” At the press night for Sister Act! The Musical in London 86 87 WW08 Anna Williamson SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 05/04/2023 12:08

88 WOMANSWAY.IE By Abi Jackson, PA BEING Vogue 88 89 WW08 Celeb Vogue SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 01/04/2023 15:32

CELEBRITY WOMANSWAY.IE 89 By Abi Jackson, PA The podcast host, mumof-three talks about funny friends, reading and fi nding ways to relax. I f you sometimes ‘forget’ to prioritise self-care, or just fi nd it’s an effort to make it happen, you’re in good company. “I do have to force myself into it sometimes,” says Vogue Williams, when asked about her personal approach to self-care. The podcast host and media personality has three young children with husband Spencer Matthews – Theodore, four, Gigi, two, and baby Otto, who turns one next month – and agrees “100 per cent” that sometimes it’s about being a bit strategic. “But there are a few things I love doing that will actually relax me, and it’s not just when I’m unwinding,” Williams, 37, adds. “So, if I’m doing my podcast – I fi nd it very relaxing to record my podcast – but I’ll always have a candle beside me on my desk and have a really nice setup, so it’s a relaxing environment to sit and chat to my friend.” That friend is Irish comedian Joanne McNally – the pair host My Therapist Ghosted Me together, while Williams also has a podcast with her husband, called Spencer & Vogue. When she’s not working though, she says her ultimate way to switch off is curling up with a book. “That’s self-care to me. If I have a bath, I’ll always have a glass of milk and piece of chocolate or something like that, and just sit in the bath and relax, and again I’ll have my book and just chill. My self-care usually involves my book.” Bringing in some scent and ambience with a candle adds an extra layer of relaxation – which is why Williams is thrilled about her new role as Yankee Candle’s fi rst ever brand ambassador, coinciding with the launch of the new ‘Signature’ design. “It is really cool, because I love candles, I always have candles around my house. I love the smell, I love how – I don’t usually have them all lined up in the bathroom – but when people come over for dinner, I can pretend this is what I do all the time, so when they go in the bathroom, it just looks really nice!” she says with a laugh. Anyone who’s listened to her podcasts will know humour has a big role in Williams’ life. Does she credit that as playing a part in her wellbeing, too? “I don’t know if I’d credit it to that – it’s just something that’s always been in my life,” she refl ects. “I think being Irish – certainly growing up – we just always took the p*** out of each other. Not in a nasty way, just like you couldn’t get away with anything. You say a word wrong, and your friends would just slag you. “And it’s always been that way – everything is just funny and you want to laugh, and laughing will always make you feel better. So, I do spend a lot of my time laughing.” There are a lot of jokes and ribbing in Spencer & Vogue, too – is it fair to say humour plays a big role in their relationship dynamics? “Yeah, I’d say we do spend a lot of time laughing and we certainly take the p*** out of each other,” Williams agrees. “But it’s not all the time. Like, that [the podcast] is an hour-and-ahalf of our day, recording. We can’t be that full-on all the time. “But we certainly do have a dynamic where we’re just always looking to have fun, and we surround ourselves with friends who are very funny – you just have a great laugh.” Fitness and getting outdoors are also integral for the podcaster, especially when it comes to managing anxiety. “I love training, that’s really good for me. I train almost every day, I love it, but not for long periods – and some days I might just go for a long walk. I think being outside, being relaxed [is helpful]. That’s why I love running so much, because you’re not really thinking of anything except trying to get to the end of the run,” she says. “I’m a real advocate for getting out and getting moving. I don’t necessarily think you should look at training as just looking after your body – of course it’s great for your body, but it’s so good for your mind. And it’s such a nice thing to get into – once you’re into it, you love it.” Williams has previously talked about experiencing bouts of anxiety. “I’m all good with it at the moment,” she shares. “It sort of peeks its head up every so often, but I’ve got good ways of dealing with it. I fi nd not drinking too much caffeine, and not drinking too much alcohol – alcohol is the worst for me. I do still love going out the odd time, but I tend to knock it on the head for weeks on end. I’ve always been like that with alcohol, I’ve never really drank very often – I fi nd that really can make you feel quite anxious.” WW With husband Spencer Matthews at the 2023 BAFTA Film Awards 88 89 WW08 Celeb Vogue SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 01/04/2023 15:32

90 WOMANSWAY.IE WIN! A €500 VOUCHER TO SPEND AT OXENDALES To enter, please answer the following question: DOES OXENDALES SELL TRENCH COATS? HOW TO ENTER Email your answer by April 24 to: [email protected] including your name, address and telephone number and labelling your mail ‘The Oxendales Competition’ This Woman's Way competition is open to anyone resident in NI and the Republic of Ireland, aged 18 and over, except employees and their families of Harmonia Publishing, its printers and anyone else connected with the competition. No purchase is necessary. We will only accept one competition entry per reader. Prizes are awarded by drawing entries after the closing date. Winners will be notifi ed by email. The editor’s decision is fi nal. Oxendales, the popular online fashion retailer in Ireland, is giving away €500 to spend on its website, where you can fi nd a wide range of fabulous clothing, footwear and accessories for men and women. Oxendales focuses on quality and affordability, providing customers with stylish and on-trend fashion at affordable prices. The brand offers a diverse range of sizes, including plus-size options, to ensure that all customers can fi nd the perfect fi t. In addition to its clothing selection, Oxendales also offers a range of beauty products, homeware, and gifts, making it a one-stop-shop for all your fashion and lifestyle needs. All available to browse and buy on the Oxendales App or oxendales.ie. Oxendales offers tasteful transitional pieces of clothing for those cold rainy days as we move through Irish spring with its unpredictable weather. From trench coats to cardigans, midaxi skirts, tailored blazers and pants, and knits, Oxendales' options of transitional pieces are the perfect way to bundle up bright in style. Made from high-quality materials, these pieces offer both style and protection from the rain to suit any style. COMPETITION 90 WW08 Oxendales Comp SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 05/04/2023 12:17

CHARITIES WOMANSWAY.IE 91 By Astrid Madsen At Woman’s Way we’re all about the positive power of giving back. Here’s our round up of the best ways to pay it forward this fortnight. LEND A HAND Wedding Boutique SVP’s Dundalk charity shop is opening its doors as a wedding boutique on April 20, offering new and preloved wedding dresses for prices up to €300. With the wedding season about to get into full swing Vincent’s, Jocelyn Street, Dundalk, is expecting brides-to-be to travel from as far as Cork and Mayo to bag a bargain. The boutique wedding area was set up in the shop in 2019 and normally operates on an appointment only basis. It stocks around 250 wedding dresses at the one time plus outfi ts for bridesmaids, fl ower girls and dresses for other occasions such as communions. Bridal accessories such as hats, shoes and fascinators are also available. The shop welcomes donations of all of these items. Vincent’s shops are part of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) network and any surplus from their trading will help out people in need in their local communities. Visit svp.ie Cycle Challenge The Irish Hospice Foundation is organising its Cycle Challenge in Central Europe from the Czech Republic capital Prague, to Austria’s capital Vienna. You will cycle the 500km scenic route from Sunday 2 July to Saturday 8 July. The fee is €3,650 with €2,000 of that going to the Irish Hospice Foundation’s end-of-life and bereavement care. The later you book the more expensive the tour cost is likely to be, and places are limited. For more information on the itinerary and how to book your spot visit hospicefoundation.ie/cycle Channel the Dark Support the work of suicide prevention charity SOSAD Ireland by buying an anthology of short stories and poems aimed at highlighting the benefi ts of writing for mental health. Simply pre-order Volume 1 of Channel the Dark for €24.99 and Temple Dark Books will give 100 per cent of the profi ts to the charity. At the book book launch on May 27, the authors will speak about what writing Tea Party Get your kettles at the ready for Tea Day this Thursday May 4 in support of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Bryan Murray and Una Crawford O’Brien are ambassadors for the charity’s biggest and most important fundraising event of the year. Simply register on the website, host your own tea day and invite your friends, family, colleagues or neighbours to raise funds for people in your community who are living with, or caring for, a loved one with dementia. Register on alzheimer.ie GOLF CLASSIC If you’re looking for a worthy cause to sponsor, the Mater Private Network’s golf classic event is taking place on June 12, 2023 at Druid’s Glen, Co Wicklow, in support of Trócaire’s health work in Somalia. Sponsorship starts at €800 up to €2,500. Trócaire runs the main healthcare and hospital support system available to people in the Gedo region, an area similar in size to Ireland. In this region, Trócaire runs four hospitals (currently building its fi fth), fi ve health centres, three TB centres, eleven primary health units and seven mobile clinics, supporting severely malnourished children and pregnant mums. Visit trocaire.org to become a sponsor means to them and how it helps them through their darker times. Speakers include Claire Hennessy, Nicola Pierce, Oisín McGann, David Noone, and actor, writer and director Baz Black from the RTÉ drama series Kin. A free guided tour of the Martello Tour at the Millmount Museum in Drogheda will follow with a catered brunch, and a raffl e for a Mind Your Head Gift Set from the Twilight Wax Company. The event is also sponsored by McNallys Pharmacy 365, and A Token of Thought gifts and design company. Visit templedarkbooks.com/channel-the-dark and sosadireland.ie 91 WW8 Lend a Hand KOT2CCAMAK.indd 3 04/04/2023 19:59

QUICK FIRE 92 WOMANSWAY.IE By Niamh O’Reilly Wool What’s something people don’t know about you? I always wanted to work in radio as a presenter. I have no fear of talking and I’m definitely blessed with the gift of the gab. I think the radio waves got a lucky escape. Favourite way to unwind? As a mother of four and running a business, unwinding is a luxury. I used to go to the gym before it got so busy with the business. Now when I’m lucky I do a bit of knitting and listen to a good podcast or music. The gym will have to wait. What’s your morning routine like? Like most parents, it’s organised chaos in the mornings but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Getting three kids out the door at 8:15 am needs routine. The same questions are asked every morning, not to mention most mornings I can’t find the car keys. Who would be your ideal dinner guests, living or dead? My ideal dinner guest would be Mary McAleese. I would even settle for a cup of tea. I greatly admire her. She is not afraid to talk openly about her life and family and what’s important to her. She is also a fan of Donegal Yarns and wool, a woman after my own heart. Describe yourself in a hashtag. #woollycuddlymummy. According to my youngest daughter Evonne, I always wear a jumper and give the best hugs. What was your first job? After college I got a full-time job working in a residential unit for deaf children. It was a learning curve and now sign language is now my third language as my beloved is also deaf. What is one thing you still have from your childhood? I still have a little doll's dress that I knitted when I was probably about seven or eight. I remember how proud I was when I finished it. Not trying to give my age away but it’s nearly 40 years old, it goes to show the longevity natural wool has. What’s playing on your music playlist right now? Big ABBA fan, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. What makes you angry? When I walk into the kitchen it’s messy again. The bane of my life, I’m sure it is the same in every household. What’s a surprising fact about wool that people don’t know? I think a lot of people think that a wool jumper is only for the winter. Wool is great at regulating body temperature. It keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. What do you first notice about someone when you meet them? The first thing I notice is someone’s eyes. I can always tell a lot from a person from that. Apart from wool, what’s your other big passion? My other big passion is Irish Sign Language (ISL). I worked in this area with deaf children for years. I am fluent in ISL and believe every child should have the opportunity to learn. What one piece of advice would you give teenage you? I think my teenage years were very different in today’s terms. If I could give one piece of advice it would be trust your instincts. Do you have any taoos? Oh boy. Yes I do. I forget sometimes as it’s on my right shoulder and I can’t see it. It’s a blue flower with small bubbles around it with no symbolic element or meaning to it at all. In hindsight maybe I should have got two sheep and called them ewe2. It’s never too late! What will you be doing in five years? I will definitely still be doing the chaotic morning routine and getting angry over the messy kitchen. I do hope that I will still be advocating Irish wool and maybe somewhere in all that, some time to travel. What do you wish you could tell everyone? We need to revive our passion for wool. Children love new experiences, and by educating them about wool they explore it and appreciate it. WW Meath woman and mum of four Lorna McCormack believes knitting is the ultimate social healer and turned her passion into an educational project called Wool in School. Laura McCormack the Dyed in 92 WW08 Quickfire SC2AKAMAK.indd 2 03/04/2023 12:01

LIFESTYLE WOMANSWAY.IE 93 WE TRIED... Hands down, the best part was the feel and smell. Way nicer than liquid shampoo and somehow it didn’t feel as chemicalladen, although that could just be wishful thinking. For me, it was the conditioning bar that was the real star of the show. Its silky smoothness transferred to my hair like a dream, and it felt that way long after the rinse. But, if I’m honest, I can’t really say I noticed much of a difference with how my hair looked or felt afterwards. Then again, I probably should pay more attention to my locks and give it more TLC. My mane is, for better or worse, at the very bottom of my list of priorities. Giving it a proper brush is as good as it gets. MID-WAY THROUGH Even though shower gel is neat and tidy and keeps other people’s paws off your soap, in our house we’ve mostly been using soap bars. They just smell so much nicer and lather on beautifully. But as anyone familiar with soap bars will know, the whole operation can get messy. It slips and gets knocks. Bits fall off, leaving a trail of squashed blobs to slip on. The dish fills up with a slimy soapy substance. The bar quickly loses its lustre, melting away like a snowman. And naturally, with so many bars now fl oating around, confusion ensued. Which one is the soap? Am I washing myself with conditioner? The soap holder has no way of differentiating between shampoo, soap and conditioner. So yes, you do have to remember what colour the bars are. Or fi nd some way to compartmentalise. END RESULT We went through the shampoo and conditioner bars and I never bought them again, mostly because they’re not in my local supermarket. I need to go slightly further afi eld to get them, and I guess I just forgot. So back to the liquid stuff. I’ve also bought some fancy revitalising shampoo for my daughter and the hubbie has some of his own stuff too. But my son would wash his hair with a football if you told him it was soap, so I’ve at least one other convert. And because there is no time like the present, especially when you can go online, I just got a new set of shampoo and conditioner bars. One even comes with a rope in the middle. That should hopefully help differentiate it from the others. WW WHAT? Shampoo and conditioner bars look like bars of soap and are designed to replace the liquid alternative we’re all used to. Lather on your hands until it foams and it’s ready to use. Larger bars should last about twice as long as a 400ml bottle, and will usually cost a bit more than the liquid version. You’ll fi nd a shampoo bar for every hair type, from coloured to oily hair. WHY? Liquid shampoo comes in plastic packaging and is mostly made up of water. Water is not only a precious resource we tend to take for granted, it also adds to the weight of the product which translates into more packaging and emissions during transport. The plastic packaging is polluting to manufacture, clogs the oceans, and ends up in our bloodstream as microplastics. Shampoo bars also tend to have less chemicals, which go on to harm aquatic environments, than the liquid alternative. Many traditional shampoos contain microplastics for their abrasive qualities too. STARTING OUT First impressions were that the bars were intuitive to use, and came in welldesigned, guilt-alleviating cardboard packaging. The foaminess of the shampoo bar wasn’t great, but that’s probably a good thing considering the foam comes from surfactants that act as detergents. We’re all about self-care at Woman’s Way. In this issue, Astrid Madsen tried shampoo and conditioner bars. Shampoo Bars 93 WW08 We Tried SC2CCAMAK.indd 3 04/04/2023 20:00

OPINION 94 WOMANSWAY.IE By Grumpy Old Woman WHY is this a thing? GP APPOINTMENTS S omebody needs to let our GPs know that the pandemic is practically over. Having started consultations by phone when Covid struck, my doctor has fully embraced the joys of having a permanently empty waiting room. Like the rest of them, he got rid of pesky patients from the building in 2020, and three years later, seems in no hurry to welcome us back. From speaking to friends, I realise he’s not the only one. If you want my doctor to grant you fi ve minutes of his time by phone, you must be prepared to call the surgery repeatedly the second the clock strikes 8am. If you’re lucky, you’ll get through after at least half an hour of pressing redial every ten seconds. If your blood pressure wasn't high before you started, it’ll be through the roof in no time. If - oh joy - you get through, prepare to be interrogated by the receptionist. Discussing your haemorrhoids or violent diarrhoea with her is a particular fl avour of torture. Even when the practice allowed patients in the door, she seemed to take pleasure in loudly querying ailments and symptoms within earshot of the busy waiting room. Once you’ve handed over the dosh and been granted an audience, you then have to wait by the phone for the doctor to call, which could take several hours. That’s if the receptionist deems you worthy. A friend who received an alarmingly high blood pressure reading on her home monitor recently phoned because she was afraid she was about to have a heart attack or stroke. The receptionist told her that there were no more appointments for the rest of the week and she should have it checked at her local pharmacy or A & E. If you have been granted a consultation, it will be short and sweet. GPs must be delighted that they don’t have to do any of the time-consuming things they used to do, like taking pulses and blood pressure, looking in ears and down throats and listening to chests with their stethoscopes. Now that you’re not in front of them, there’s no chance to ask your doctor to look at the weird rash on your foot while you’re there about your chest infection. After we’ve had our consultations, patients at my surgery have to go there anyway to collect prescriptions and referral letters. We queue outside in the rain to suffer the indignity of giving medical details to the receptionist in front of the rest of the queue. There is nothing private about it. The problem with this system is that you don’t feel assured that you’ve had proper medical care and things can get missed by phone. I feel so sorry for elderly patients as they really need a GP to be monitoring them regularly. My father’s mobility deteriorated during the pandemic, and his doctor didn't take it seriously until he happened to see him shuffl ing into a shop close to the surgery. Unfortunately for my father, all of the other GPs in the area are closed to new patients. And unfortunately for the rest of us, our doctors have the upper hand and we just have to put up with an often thirdclass service. WW 94 WW08 Why Is This A Thing SC2CCAMAK.indd 2 05/04/2023 12:19

HITTING THE NEWS STANDS ON APRIL 24 WOMANSWAY.IE 95 MID-LIFE DATING IN OUR NEXT BUMPER ISSUE Love is in the air here at Woman's Way towers as we prepare for our fi rst ever mid-life dating special. Let's be super clear, single life is fabulous. But if you, a friend or colleague might have a sneaky interest in meeting a special somone, we've got you covered. How to meet? What to wear? Where to go? We answer all those burning questions and get the low-down from the dating frontlines. Don't miss it! FIRST DATES What's it like to go on a date for the fi rst time in ages? We sent one brave and happily single reporter to fi nd out. KISSING FROGS Yup it has to be done before the prince (or princess) comes along. Find out how to enjoy the journey. READY TO MINGLE Yes you do have something to wear and we'll show you how to dress to impress whoever you meet. OUTDOOR LIVING It's that time of year when we venture forth to enjoy the (fi ngers crossed) sunshine. BASQUE COUNTRY With a new ferry direct to Bilbao it's never been easier to explore the north of Spain. PLUS... Healthy eating tips, the latest in wellbeing and lots more... 95 WW8 Next Issue KOT3CC2AMAK.indd 3 05/04/2023 17:07

Inspired by Nature, powered by light. ™ HarvestFresh™ unique crisper drawer technology developed for Beko fridge freezers uses innovative 3 colours light technology, which cleverly mimics the 24 hours sun cycle and natural sunlight, ensuring essential vitamins in fruit and vegetables are preserved for longer. All of this so you and your family can enjoy nutritious meals and a healthier lifestyle. 12077 Beko 2020 HarvestFresh advert 207x280mm.indd 1 25/09/2020 10:49