Alex Mayer, Fundraising Manager for the British Heart Foundation in Suffolk, said:

“Everyone at the British Heart Foundation wishes Brian the best of luck in this fundraising cycle ride. At the moment, there’s no cure for a broken heart. Once your heart muscle is damaged by a heart attack, it can never fully recover. But there is hope. The money Brian raises for the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal will be spent on ground breaking research that could literally ‘mend broken hearts’ in as little as ten years time.

“Please consider sponsoring Brian – your support can give hope to hundreds of thousands of people across the UK.”
 
You can sponsor Brian Rowson online at: www.justgiving.com/Brian-H-F-Rowson

Editor, Third Age.

The 15 adult community learning (ACL) partnerships across Wales provide lifelong learning for older leaners in the community. But, because the emphasis is on developing skills for employment, this does not suit much older learners, who are more interested in enrichment activities at their stage of life.  These activities could be courses in hobby or craft skills or courses that help them to live a healthy life and maintain their wellbeing.

Ann Keane, Chief Inspector said, “Adult community learning partnerships have played an important role in supporting unemployed older learners between 50 and 65 years old find work by helping them to build their confidence, improve their skills and find employment.

However, there are not enough learning opportunities for learners who are over the age of employment. These much older learners want to carry on learning because it helps them to stay active and independent and enables them to get together regularly with other members of the local community.

It is vital that the ACL partnerships review and broaden the range of courses on offer particularly for those over 70 years old, in order to encourage these much older learners to continue learning in the community.”
   
Estyn also found failures in collaboration between education, health and social services to support wellbeing into old age and an absence of a clear strategy by Welsh Government departments and local authorities to meet the needs of a growing older population.

In its report, the inspectorate outlines a series of recommendations such as calls for ACL partnerships to review the type of courses on offer and how they assess the achievements of older learners. Local authorities are urged to ensure that local service boards improve their use of the ACL partnership in delivering lifelong learning and joined up services for older people.

The Welsh Government is encouraged to improve joint working across departments and gather and assess data more effectively. 

The inspectorate has included a number of case studies in the appendices of the report which showcase a number of successful projects which are being run by ACL partnerships across Wales. 

For further information, please visit www.estyn.gov.uk.

Editor, Third Age.

1. Crocosmia
Crocosmia is part of the Iris family, and grows from an underground corm, which serves as a storage organ. This means that once planted in your garden you can enjoy them again next spring. Crocosmias are charming and colourful plants which are available in shades of red, yellow and orange. One plant has several flowers, and they will have the most dramatic effect on your garden if you grow several Crocosmias in one large patch. They are perfect at adding vibrant colour to your garden, and you could always create one patch of yellow Crocosmia, one of red and of orange for a vibrant and welcoming effect. 

2. Lilium (Lilly)
Lilies are among some of the most popular flowers. They are ideal for a vibrant garden and highly popular for special occasions such as summer weddings. They are available in a wide variety of colours and styles, including orange, red, yellow, white, and pink. They prefer to start and sometimes even remain in pots, but you can plant them as they are in your garden providing you plant them near a border, as they prefer a tighter enclosure for their roots. Lilies need to be sown now, as they bloom early summer. Depending on the weather you can expect them to bloom mid-June to early July. Each plant should give you several flowers. Some of the most popular types of Lilies are the Tiger Lily, African Queen, Regale and Apollo. Unlike the Crocosmia, Lilies should be spread out when you plant them in the garden, as they are a very dominating feature both visually and soil nutrition-wise, and a selection of different colours in your garden contrasting with existing colours will help these Lilies really stand out, making them highly enjoyable.  But beware, as Lilies can be highly temperamental. They need a lot of minerals so avoid putting them next to other dominating plants such as evergreens, as these will take away the nutrients of the soil.
 
3. Primula
Primula or as they are more colloquially known Primroses are a very popular option for spring gardens, as they are charming little spring plants with lots of colour, and come in such a variation of looks and sizes. The colours include purple, yellow, red, pink and white, and the different types of primroses include Candelabra, Veris (cowslip), Florindae, and Vulgaris (referred to as the common Primrose). These flowers are currently in bloom, so no need to sew their seeds in your potting shed, as you can purchase them from your local garden centre and plant them straight into your garden to provide some colour until your sown plants are ready to be added.

This article was written by Sarah Oxley, garden and flower enthusiast, on behalf of Tiger Sheds, manufacturers of garden sheds and potting sheds.

Photo references:
1. Crocosmia- Crinklecrankle.com (Creative Commons Flrickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/garden_and_landscape_design_products/3429163564/sizes/m/in/photostream/)
2. Lillium- négFoto (Creative commons Flicrk.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/negfoto/4664640780/sizes/m/in/photostream/)
3. Primula- Vilseskogen (Creative Commons Flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vilseskogen/6957939713/sizes/m/in/photostream/)

Here, Sicily holidays specialist Think Sicily has picked some of the best walking spots in the region, as well as some ideal times of year for hiking there.

Mount Etna
No trip to Sicily would be complete without taking in the imposing sight of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano at 3,323m and the region’s most prominent landmark. The Parco Natural dell’Etna covers around 590 sq km with a varied natural environment. There are several routes to the top and hiking enthusiasts can spend days trekking around the 165km circumference of the mountain.

A popular option with many is to head to the summit craters of Etna from Rifugio Sapienza. From here you can hike up along the 4WD tracks, get in a 4WD minivan or take the cable car to Torre del Filosofo and walk on to the summit from there via a number of two to four hour routes.

The most extensive trek is the high trail, which takes three days to walk the wooded slopes of Etna, between 1300m and 1800m from Rifugio Brunek to Rifugio Sapienza.

Aeolian Islands
Another great option for volcano walking are the Aeolian Islands, all of which are either dormant or active volcanoes. Two of particular interest for walkers are Vulcano and Stromboli.

Vulcano is easily attempted without a guide and trails are marked fairly clearly. From the summit visitors can peer over a ledge down 50m to the bottom of the main crater, now lying dormant. 

Stromboli sees an average of two major explosions a year and is best attempted with a guide. After a five hour hike to the summit walkers can gasp at the dramatic sight of molten rock belching from fissures in the rock. Some tours allow visitors to reach the summit as night falls, the best way to truly appreciate this stunning pyrotechnical display, but hikers on these trips need to be prepared to descend in the dark.

Be aware that both Stromboli and Etna are active volcano’s, so make sure to seek advice and up-to-the minute information before tackling routes on either of these.

The Nebrodi Nature Reserve
The Nebrodi Nature Reserve, in the north east of Sicily offers a diversity of landforms, rich vegetation and wetlands with lush forests, green pastures, quiet lakes and bubbling streams. The landscape here is hugely different from the image of dry and sun-scorched Sicily and has led to the area being termed ‘an island within an island’.

Hiking trails lead through the Nebrodi Park from west to east, taking in, amongst others, the largest remaining beech forest in Europe complete with a wonderful lake circuit. The forested peaks are scattered with charming hilltop towns, all of which make excellent bases for hikes.

The best way to enjoy Nebrodi is to take a few days of carefree exploring, as an unassuming-looking path can provide a route to a beautiful wood or lake and a seemingly simple village might hide a fantastic church or a wonderful trattoria.

Zingaro
The Zingaro Nature Reserve in the north-west is an excellent walking destination if you want to combine hikes with a swim, as it takes in beautiful stretches of coastline filled with coves and well-planned walking trails. As Italy’s first nature reserve, a trip to Lo Zingaro can reward visitors with glimpses of rare birds and unique flora, as well as some of the most beautiful scenery in Sicily.

There are two entrances to the park, from San Vito Lo Capo in the west and from Scopello in the east, and a walk from one to the other takes around four hours along this rugged and beautiful coastline. Between the two lies a variety of virtually deserted coves and beaches with crystal clear water.

Best time to go
Summers in Sicily are hot, peaking at around 35°C in August, so be aware that walking at this time of year requires careful precautions. Take plenty of water, protect yourself from the sun and try not to hike during the hottest times of day. One of the most ideal times for hiking the region is spring, with warm days, gentle breezes and rich landscapes with blooming flowers. Autumn also offers excellent hiking conditions, with warm coastlines and cooler inland temperatures, but with stunning gold and bronze contrasting scenery and the much-anticipated grape harvests taking place. 

When hiking mountainous regions or volcanic slopes, be aware that temperatures can be much colder at higher altitudes and peaks can be covered in snow, so be prepared to face varying climates on a single walk.

Who to go with
Villas in Sicily specialist Think Sicily can arrange for anyone staying at one of their villas to have the services of professional guides who can provide fascinating insights into the various regions, as well as years of experience on the best walking routes and safety advice. See www.thinksicily.com for more information.

Deborah Simpson Boston for Third Age.

Three celebrity mums who have faced the great ‘eat your greens debacle’ themselves are actress, TV presenter and winner of Masterchef 2007, Nadia Sawalha, food writer, broadcaster and leading children’s cookery expert Beverley Glock and designer and chef, Sophie Conran. They have each provided a personal favourite family recipe with bellaverde® as a key ingredient and which their children genuinely enjoy eating, making mealtimes a pleasure and not a battleground. Nadia has supplied a satisfying pasta bake recipe in which the sweet flavour of the bellaverde® marries beautifully with the salmon, Beverley has provided the recipe for some mouth-watering fajitas in which the sweetness and crunch of the bellaverde® complements the tang of the lime juice and softness of the wraps perfectly while Sophie has developed a warming, filling Chicken One Pot which is fresh and healthy, bursting with gorgeous flavours.

Nadia sums up the appeal of bellaverde®: “Ahh how I love beautiful bellaverde® broccoli – it only takes three minutes to cook and in fact it’s so sweet I often munch on it raw!  My little girls love it because ‘it’s like little trees mama’ and they never turn their noses up at it like they can do with more bitter varieties.”

This is a core difference for bellaverde® – it really is noticeably sweeter than other broccolis.  The young shoots are hand picked after just 10 days of growth and have a delicate, clean, fresh sweet taste, quite unlike any other broccoli. But people who dislike broccoli aren’t just being fussy eaters.  Twenty-five per cent of the population have more taste receptors on their tongues than the rest of us and are known as ‘super tasters.’  They are genetically pre-disposed to pick up on the bitter taste of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables and to dislike them.  The most famous broccoli hater was George Bush Senior who banned it from the White House. Perhaps bellaverde® could win his vote!

Bellaverde® is Italian for “beautiful green” which describes the vibrant green hue of this long stemmed variety. It is also a true pure broccoli, rather than a cross with another vegetable, and therefore has all the health boosting superfood qualities of a traditional broccoli. It is high in Vitamin C, fibre and the B vitamin folate as well as being a source of potassium. 

Bellaverde® takes just three minutes to cook with nothing being wasted and an 80g serving counts as one of your 5-a-day,containing just 26 kcals.

Beverley Glock adds her support: “Bellaverde® broccoli is a green veg with a difference – it’s sweet, even the stem is sweet and you can eat the whole lot, no wastage at all. A delicious way to encourage children to eat their greens.”

Why not see if it works for your little darlings and give these recipes from the bellaverde® Family Favourites Collection a go:

Nadia Sawalha’s Beautiful Bellaverde® Broccoli Bake

Prep: 15 mins Cook: 50-60 mins Serves 6

Per Serving: 478 calories, 29g protein, 47.8g carbohydrate, 20.3g fat, 8.06g saturated fat, 3.46g fibre, 1.36g salt

300g penne pasta
200g Bellaverde® broccoli
2 skinless salmon steaks weighing 175g each
450ml milk
3 rashers of smoked back bacon, chopped
25g butter
4tbsp plain flour
25g grated Parmesan
zest of 1 lemon
6 sun dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
a handful of chopped parsley
8-10 basil leaves
50g grated cheddar
season with salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 200oC/Fan 180oC/400oF/Gas Mark 6. Cook the pasta a in a large pan of boiling salted water for 10-12mins or according to packet instructions. Steam the broccoli until just tender about 4 mins.

2. Cook the salmon: place the fillets in a non-stick frying pan, cover with the milk and slowly bring to the boil. Simmer for 8 mins or until the fish has turned opaque. Use a fish slice to transfer the salmon to a plate, reserve the milk.

3. Rinse out the pan, add the bacon and saute for 5 mins or until crispy, set aside. Melt the butter in the same pan and then add the flour and whisk until smooth. Slowly add the reserved milk whisking the whole time, bring to the boil, then simmer for 1 minute.

4. Remove the sauce from the heat, stir in the parmesan, lemon zest and sun dried tomatoes. Flake the salmon. Season to taste.

5. Drain the pasta, return to the pan, then add the salmon, bellaverde® broccoli, herbs, bacon and cheese sauce and mix it well. Spoon into a 1.7ltr shallow ovenproof dish, sprinkle over the grated cheddar and bake for 25-30min or until golden and crisp on top.

Sophie Conran’s One pot Chicken with Bellaverde® Broccoli and Lemon zest

“Bellaverde® broccoli is quite delicious. It differs from regular broccoli in that it is long-stemmed, more tender and sweeter. It is always my preference to use it in my recipes and my family love it.”

Prep: 15mins Cook: 1 hr 15mins Serves 8

Per Serving: 589 calories, 46.4g protein, 9.0g carbohydrate, 41.1g fat, 12.0g saturated fat, 2.7g fibre, 0.88g salt

Counts as 1 of your 5-a-day

A glug of olive oil
8 fat, or 16 small chicken thighs
a knob of butter
2 onions, peeled and sliced
½ tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp each of ground cinnamon, cumin and coriander
a walnut-sized piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
3 fat cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 (400g) can of chickpeas, drained
700ml good chicken stock
200g sweet stem, Bellaverde® broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces.
grated zest of 1 lemon
Season with salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 180oC/Fan 160oC/350oF/Gas 4.

2. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over a medium to high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and brown on both sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.

3. Dollop the butter and onions into the pot and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until soft. Sprinkle in all the spices, the ginger, garlic, a little salt, and a really good grind of pepper. Stir through and gently fry for a further 1 min, before adding the chickpeas and stock, and returning the chicken to the pot. Pop into the oven for an hour.

4. Meanwhile bring a pot of salted water to the boil, add the bellaverde® broccoli and simmer for 4 minutes, drain and set aside. Remove the pot of chicken from the oven and stir in the lemon zest and the cooked bellaverde® broccoli and heat through. Season to taste and serve with basmati rice and a dollop of yoghurt on the side.

Beverley Glock’s Fajitas with Bellaverde® Broccoli and Homemade Tortilla Wraps

These Mexican wraps are versatile, healthy and easy to prepare. If you don’t have any wraps then you can make them yourself using the recipe below, or serve the fajita filling with noodles, rice or as a filling for baked potatoes.  If you’re making this for younger children then omit the chilli powder and serve with chilli sauce or chopped fresh red chilli on the side so your family can adjust the chilli heat to their own tastes.  The bellaverde® broccoli works really well as it cooks quickly, adds sweetness and a deep vibrant green which complements the different coloured peppers and help the dish come alive on the plate. The chicken can be substituted with steak for beef fajitas or a drained 400g tin of chickpeas for vegetarian fajitas.

Prep: 10 mins Cook: 10-15mins Serves 4

Per Serving (with pre-made tortillas) 404 calories, 43.1g protein, 38.2g carbohydrate, 9.9g fat, 1.7g saturated fat, 5.4g fibre, 0.80g salt

Counts as 3 of your 5-a-day

Fajita Ingredients:
1 tbsp sunflower oil
4 chicken breast fillets, skinned
200g Bellaverde® broccoli
2 small red onions
1 red pepper
1 orange pepper
1 yellow pepper
2 large, flat mushrooms
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp each ground mild paprika
1/2 tsp mild chilli powder (omit if required)
2 limes
Guacamole, soured cream and grated cheese to serve
Season with salt and pepper to taste

1. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil add the bellaverde® broccoli and cook uncovered for 3 mins. Drain well.

2. Thinly slice the chicken and finely slice the onions, peppers and mushrooms.

3. Heat the oil in the frying pan or wok, when hot, add the sliced chicken and stir fry over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes until just coloured.

4. Add the onions and peppers and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the chicken is just cooked and the vegetables are starting to soften, add the mushrooms and stir fry for 2 minutes.

5. Add the garlic and spices and cook for 30 seconds more. Squeeze 1 of the limes into the frying pan/wok and season with a little salt and pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute. Remove from heat and serve with warmed tortilla wraps.

6. To make up a fajita place a spoonful each of guacamole and soured cream in the middle of each wrap followed by a large spoonful of chicken mixture (there should be enough of this for 2 fajitas each), lay a spear of Bellaverde® broccoli down the centre, sprinkle over some grated cheese, squeeze lime juice over the top, roll up and eat warm.

Tortilla Ingredients:

Prep: 10 mins + kneading

Cook: 15-20 mins

Makes 8 tortillas

If you don’t have any tortilla wraps these are quick and easy to make, you can use wholemeal flour instead of plain flour to make them healthier or use half wholemeal and half plain flour.

350g plain flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4tsp salt
75g white vegetable fat
200-250ml warm water

1. Place the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl and stir to mix. Cut the white vegetable fat into small cubes and rub it into the flour until it looks like breadcrumbs.

2. Add the warm water steadily, mixing with a round bladed knife until a pliable dough is formed. Add more warm water if needed.

3. Knead the dough on a clean, floured work surface for 5 minutes until it is elastic.

4. Divide into 8 pieces, cover with clear film until you are ready to roll them to prevent them drying out. On a well floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough ball into a circle, cover with clear film again to stop them drying out.

5. Warm a dry, heavy frying pan or griddle and cook each tortilla for 1 minute on each side until the surface starts to bubble and has turned a light golden colour.

6. Wrap the tortillas in a clean tea towel to keep warm and pliable until you are ready to eat them.

Guacamole

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: none

Serves 4

This homemade guacamole is very easy to make, make sure you use ripe avocados.

2 ripe avocados
1 lime
salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Halve the avocados, remove the stone and scoop the flesh into a bowl, mash with a fork to the consistency you prefer. If you like chunky guacamole leave some lumps, if you prefer it smooth then mash for longer.

2. Halve the limes and squeeze the lime juice over the mashed avocados and stir to gently mix season with a little salt and plenty of ground black pepper. Serve with fajitas.

For other inspiring recipe ideas in our Family Favourites Collection and to find out more about bellaverde®, visit www.bellaverde.co.uk.  Bellaverde® is available in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and through Ocado.

Lucy Hancock for Third Age.

Not to be outdone, Great British brand Belvoir Fruit Farms, and maker of the ‘original’ elderflower cordial product, is rising to the occasion with the launch of some lovely new additions to its range of soft drinks that look set to become real winners. Like all Belvoir products, they are made using only the finest, freshest ingredients with no artificial flavours, sweeteners, colours or preservatives, so if you’re planning a party to mark either national event this summer, these should be right up your street as naturally delicious refreshment. 

Belvoir English Apple Pressé (75cl & 25cl)

This simple blend of real pressed apple juice (not concentrate) from Cox and Discovery apples grown in the orchards of Herefordshire mixed with lightly sparkling Belvoir spring water results in a crisp, scented and refreshing taste that is sheer bliss. Perfect as a delicious soft drink, this pressé is the ideal accompaniment to food. It works on all the senses conjuring up images of an English orchard, apples dappled in sunlight, ripe and waiting to fall…..

Belvoir Lemonade (with a hint of orange blossom) (75cl & 25c )

Quench your thirst with this quirky twist on an old classic – it’s lemonade but not as we know it! Handmade on the Farm with freshly squeezed lemons and bubbling carbonated Belvoir spring water, there’s an added aromatic hint of orange blossom that gives an extra special zing and unexpected floral dimension to the taste. This lemonade is simply mouth watering on its own or equally delicious as a long drink for summer afternoons mixed with vodka or gin. Forget the Pimms – Bring out the Belvoir!

Belvoir Ginger Beer (75cl & 25cl)

No Great British event would be complete without lashings of Ginger Beer and with street parties planned up and down the country, Belvoir has produced its own version of this national favourite. Made by cooking fresh root ginger to release its fiery kick and blended with lots of lemon juice for refreshment and gently sparkling Belvoir spring water, this is perfect served chilled over ice but it’s simply spiffing as a mixer with vodka and a slice of lime for a Moscow Mule or with whisky as a Whisky Mac!

Belvoir Organic Lemon Cordial (50cl)

This drink is simplicity at its best – made to a homemade recipe using only real pressed organic lemon juice, organic sugar and water for the most delicious and intensely zesty taste. It’s just perfect as a drink diluted with still or fizzy water but it’s also ideal to pep up a gin or vodka and tonic and even to give lemony puddings a little more zing.  Can you feel your mouth watering yet?

Belvoir Raspberry & Lemon Cordial (50cl)

Summer in a bottle! Handmade on the farm with real pressed raspberries and blended with freshly squeezed lemon juice, mixed with still or sparkling water, this is the ideal drink for quaffing on a balmy summer’s day as the bees buzz lazily by. It’s also great as the basis for a fruity cocktail or why not try adding a splash to a fruity summer pudding?

So, make sure you’re on sparkling form this summer with Belvoir and serve up any of these naturally delicious drinks – whichever you choose you’ll be onto a winner!

The complete Belvoir Fruit Farms range comprises 12 cordial varieties, 10 Pressés and 5 Fruit Crush drinks including organic and non organic. All are hand produced on the family farm in the beautiful Vale of Belvoir in Lincolnshire and are available from leading supermarkets, delicatessens, food halls, farm shops or via the website www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk.  Prices start from £3.09 on cordials and £2.29 on 75cl pressés. 

Becky Johnston for Third Age.

Unlike dishes cooked by other methods, soups retain large amounts of vital vitamins and minerals and provide us with plenty of water to keep the body hydrated.

Soups as healing remedies have been used by people, including the Chinese, for centuries. Stock and broth were given routinely for most illnesses and beef tea was an ancient British remedy. These were nutritious and easy to digest, providing the invalid with essential fluids and minerals without adding strain on the digestive system.

Delicious soups can be made to treat many minor ailments. They are quick, easy to make and can be made in bulk and frozen. Below are some popular and tasty soup recipes that can also be used for specific problems.

Tomato, Garlic and Herb Soup
This soup contains lots of nutrient rich ingredients that are good for immunity, fighting infections and easing congestion. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an anti-oxidant, and Vitamin C, which boost immunity and contain natural sugars (glucose and fructose) which may help with fatigue and restoring vitality. Tomatoes also stimulate the liver, improving removal of toxins and the seeds provide a good source of protein.

The anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects of garlic make it a common ingredient in healing soups and remedies. Adding herbs such as warming basil and oregano are beneficial as they contain essential oils which also fight infection and ease congestion.

To make the soup:
2lbs of ripe tomatoes
1 large onion (chopped finely)
2 tins of plum tomatoes
½ pint of vegetable stock (approx)
1-2 cloves of garlic (chopped finely)
1 large carrot (sliced)
1 teaspoon of fresh or dried basil
1 teaspoon of fresh or dried oregano
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of cream/crème fraiche

Wash and quarter the tomatoes and add to a saucepan. Gently fry the onion, half the garlic and carrot until soft and add to the tomatoes. Add enough stock to just cover the ingredients, along with the herbs and remaining garlic.

Simmer very gently, stirring occasionally until tomatoes are soft. Liquidise with a hand blender and sieve to remove tomato peels.

Add cream, season well and reheat. A little parmesan cheese may be added to flavour.

Serve with hot, garlic bread.

The recipes for the soups can be modified by adding ingredients to suit particular ailments or your own personal tastes. Other ingredients which are beneficial and can be added to soups are:

• Parsley (rich in Vitamin C and boosts immunity).
• Parsnips (rich in many vitamins including Vitamin C and folic acid).
• Mushrooms (contain proteins, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, antibiotics and
  antioxidants). Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, which appears to stimulate the immune system and help fight infection. They have been used by the Chinese and Japanese to treat colds and flu for centuries.

Warming ingredients can be added for conditions that are exacerbated by cold, such as osteoarthritis, poor circulation and muscular aches and pains. Try adding small amounts of ginger root, turmeric and chillies to your soups to bring relief.

Article by Julie Burke
SPA.ITEC.Cert.Ed for Third Age.

Member of the Complementary Therapists Association
www.merrymeetcottage.weebly.com

Other Healing Winter Soups:
Pumpkin & Carrot Soup
Chicken Soup
Onion Soup
Beetroot Soup

Susie McKay is the Waterfront Manager at Mark Warner’s Lakitira resort in Kos Greece and heads up the sailing courses. As specialists in family holidays, Mark Warner is devoted to safety in all of their activities and Susie has kindly shared her top ten tips for a sailing holiday. 

Top tips for a sailing holiday:

1.       Wherever you sail before heading out on the water for the first time, be sure to ask the locals for advice on the best spots before setting off.

2.       If you plan to sail quite far, be sure to phone ahead and check that the wind is going to be good for a day’s sailing. You don’t want to look forward to a day on the water, then turn up to the beach where there is no wind!

3.       Be sure to check whether or not you need to get a permit to launch from the beach you plan to visit, as you will find that some places require you to pay a fee.  The fee is to help with the upkeep of the area, especially if there is a car parking space, launching ramp and bins etc. The permitted areas not only make it easy for you to access the water but are also there to minimise the effect on the local wildlife.

4.       If you are transporting your kit to your destination my top tip is to get it all out and check you have it all first before starting to rig, the last thing you want to do is to rig up your sail and then realise that you left the equipment you need for connecting the board to the sail at home.

5.       Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. More importantly, give them a call as soon as you are back on dry land so they don’t send out the coast guard for you.

6.       Even on a hot summer’s day, it can be cold if you are in and out the water, so make sure you pack plenty of warm clothes and always carry a little snack and drink.

7.       If you are heading out to a hot climate and are learning to sail or windsurf for the first time, the most common injury from wearing shorts and scrambling around in boats and on boards, is grazed knees. I have spotted many guests on returning holidays arrive with some knee pads, which is highly recommended!

8.       Whether in a hot or cold climate, the reflection of the sun on the water means you burn more quickly so a hat is recommended. Hopefully you will have some nice wind, so get a hat with a draw string or go for a cap. Both can be fitted with a short leash that clips to your buoyancy aid meaning that even if it flips off your head, you won’t lose it.

9.       For those with really small kids or grandchildren, the all-in-one sun suits are great for summer sailing in hot climates. There are also some great kids’ poncho towels that have a hood, brilliant for when they come off the water.

10.   If you felt inspired by your sailing holiday and are looking for a place to sail in the UK, my best advice is to get onto the RYA website where they will tell you your nearest centre. This way you can get out on the water in the sound knowledge that you will be looked after by fully qualified instructors and safety boat drivers.

Mark Warner offers a range of sailing holidays with Royal Yachting Association (RYA) courses, including free group sailing clinics, at resorts in Greece, Corsica, Sardinia and Turkey. Families can also take advantage of their complimentary childcare facilities for kids from 4 months to 17 years. Visit www.markwarner.co.uk for more information.

Laura Wilkins for Third Age.

However, not all women can be blessed with a big bust, a tiny waist and silky smooth hips, and so M&S is offering quick lingerie fixes to help ladies transform their figure and give the illusion of a much sought-after hourglass silhouette.

Apple to hourglass

Apple shaped ladies are likely to have a good bust and legs, but with weight stored around the tummy – so all that’s needed is some crafty waist synching.

Essential lingerie piece: M&S Body Solutions Firm Control Waist Sculpt™ Cincher

This cincher creates a fashionable hourglass silhouette with its panel design, shaping the tummy and waist whilst still allowing women to wear their own lingerie.

Pear to hourglass

Pear-shaped ladies tend to have fairly bighips or thighs with a slimmer top half and a pretty flat tummy. So, it’s important to draw as much attention as possible to the waist and boost the cleavage.

Essential lingerie piece: M&S 2 Sizes Bigger Push-Up Bra

This lightweight push-up bra is designed for maximum impact and will doubtlessly draw the eye to the upper body. The clever padding gives the appearance of a cleavage 2 cup sizes larger and the bra can been worn with the straps at the back for an extra cleavage boost.

Strawberry to hourglass

Those with an inverted triangle, or strawberry, body shape will probably have big boobs and/or broad shoulders with a narrow waist and hips. When trying to achieve the perfect hourglass illusion there’s not too much work to do; it’s all about adding shape to those slim hips.

Essential lingerie piece: M&SBody Solutions Waist Sculpt™ Slip Firm Control

This waist slip is a practical essential that strawberries shouldn’t be without. It’s perfect for enhancing the look of dresses and skirts and adding volume to the lower body.

Rectangle to hourglass

Rectangle-shaped ladieswill be fairly straight up and down, and the stark opposite to an hourglass, making this the trickiest transformation of all! That’s not to say that it’s impossible though.

Essential lingerie piece: M&S Body Solutions Bonded Waist Sculpt™ Body Firm Control

This firm control body gently shapes a rectangle figure all over for a smoother, sleeker silhouette. Its padded cups will add curves to the top half, so that all that’s needed is a full-skirted to dress to bulk out the bottom half.

And for the natural hourglasses:

Real hourglasses will have a similarly sized bust and hips, with a much smaller, defined waist. This figure needs making the most of with vintage-style lingerie from the original hourglass era.

Essential lingerie piece: Autograph Rose Lace Padded Longline Bra

Elegant and feminine, this longline bra has a rose lace design which shows off an hourglass to its full potential. Gentle padding and underwiring give a flattering uplifted shape resulting in sophisticated, modern glamour.

Sophie Coley for Third Age.

Unlike dishes cooked by other methods, soups retain large amounts of vital vitamins and minerals and provide us with plenty of water to keep the body hydrated.

Soups as healing remedies have been used by people, including the Chinese, for centuries. Stock and broth were given routinely for most illnesses and beef tea was an ancient British remedy. These were nutritious and easy to digest, providing the invalid with essential fluids and minerals without adding strain on the digestive system.

Delicious soups can be made to treat many minor ailments. They are quick, easy to make and can be made in bulk and frozen. Below are some popular and tasty soup recipes that can also be used for specific problems.

Onion Soup
Onions are effective flu-fighters as they are a good source of vitamin C and Vitamin B-complex. They are also rich in quercetin, an antioxidant, and folic acid. Research has shown that quercetin has anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and may possibly help prevent cancer.

To make the soup:
4-6 large onions (chopped)
1-2 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 ½ pints of chicken or vegetable stock
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 bay leaf
¼ tsp dried thyme
2 oz grated Gruyere cheese
Salt and black pepper

Gently fry the onion and garlic until soft. Add the stock, bay leaf and herbs and simmer gently for about 30 minutes, until onions are soft.

Add the cheese and serve hot with toasted, cheesy granary rolls.

The recipes for the soups can be modified by adding ingredients to suit particular ailments or your own personal tastes. Other ingredients which are beneficial and can be added to soups are:

• Parsley (rich in Vitamin C and boosts immunity).
• Parsnips (rich in many vitamins including Vitamin C and folic acid).
• Mushrooms (contain proteins, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, antibiotics and
  antioxidants). Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, which appears to stimulate the immune system and help fight infection. They have been used by the Chinese and Japanese to treat colds and flu for centuries.

Warming ingredients can be added for conditions that are exacerbated by cold, such as osteoarthritis, poor circulation and muscular aches and pains. Try adding small amounts of ginger root, turmeric and chillies to your soups to bring relief.

Article by Julie Burke
SPA.ITEC.Cert.Ed for Third Age.

Member of the Complementary Therapists Association
www.merrymeetcottage.weebly.com

Other Healing Winter Soups:
Pumpkin & Carrot Soup
Chicken Soup
Tomato, Garlic & Herb Soup
Beetroot Soup