When Jodie and Paris Welton started to experience unpleasant peri- and post-menopausal symptoms, they decided to explore a number of plant-based supplements which might help. Thrilled with their success they decided to share, and Adaptogenic Apothecary was born. Working with a medicinal herbalist they have developed various formulations aimed at women’s health issues, including Freedom, to help menopausal symptoms.

Freedom contains Lion’s Mane, and Ashwagandha both of which are believed to improve anxiety, together with a number of other plant extracts including cacao, rosehip and cinnamon.

Menopause can affect different women in different ways – some sail through without a problem, many of us are not so lucky. Thankfully the medical profession are much more switched on to this these days, and there are some excellent menopause clinics which offer a diverse range of therapies to deal with whatever symptoms an individual is experiencing.

I do believe herbal treatments have an important role to play in managing some menopausal symptoms and Adaptogenic Apothecary use good quality ingredients and have clearly put a lot of thought into their products. If you suffer from the symptoms they list on their website it may well be worth giving their products a try.

Freedom can be purchased from the Adaptogenic Apothecary website on special offer at £36 for a month’s supply.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Frost Magazine can’t believe it is so long since Margaret Graham became over excited when asked to cut the ribbon at the opening of the wonderful Columbia Community Association Centre. Fortunately she managed to behave which was as well as her mum, Annie – Stan Newsome’s sister, sitting up on her cloud would have caused a roll of thunder.

Frost Magazine have so missed sharing the exploits of the indomitable Marion and Red Shoes Bob as they guided the renovations over the last 18 months of blood sweat and tears, laughter and chat, so  Margaret has nudged Marion into bringing us all up to date. As we have come to expect, the CCA has been busy busy busy. New events have been organised, new external programmes have been welcomed, and of course there has been an autumn influx of the fabulous creative sessions.

Gentle Yoga has been a great success, and has spiralled beyond belief, three sessions are now in progress. Guess what, the CCA now also has a HATHA energetic session. When asked, Marion confessed she had not yet had time to attend, but Margaret wonders if the word ‘energetic’ might have caused her to pause. Who can blame the woman. Heavens, she rushes around such a lot as it is, probably, dare one say, yelling, ‘Keep up,Bob.’

The fabulous  dancers continue to win competition after competition but ‘Boy do they practice, no school holidays for them, they practiced every Wednesday for 9am till 3pm, dancing their little hearts out,’ said Marion.

Cultural creatives are back for ten weeks, the cakes still keep coming and Phil from Di’s Diner thinks our new treasurer Trish works better after one of his freshly made fruit scones, strangely enough, she tends to agree with him. This sets her up for the digital training she delivers to the community users on a Friday morning before our coffee morning gets underway.

Maralyn                                    Edith                                    Denise and Trish

Bob has had a bit of respite due to the rain or should that read monsoon weather in respect to the plants in the  garden? A garden which is in full bloom, by the way, and looking gorgeous.

Louise, ceo of Gentoo (on the right above)  visited on September 19th with a photographer to take photos with Julie of Equans (on the left, Marion who so loves a camera, and Dianne, the chair of CCA in the middle, and of course a few of the lovely users.

Wednesday 20^th 6.30pm the CCA had a new evening event, Pie and Pea supper, with mushy peas of course, along with a quiz Marion devised and kept under lock and key until the day. There were 3 hand made Belgium chocolates for the winning team. Tickets went like wildfire and all 30 were sold. Marion is looking at a Halloween evening next, car park will be adapted to house all broom sticks.

Marion said, ‘Utility services never fail to amaze, in September 2022 we had a gas meter in the kitchen removed by SSC, all great, yesterday, we had a visit from the gas board to check if the gas had been turned off on the outside pipe. It appears that the Council own the pipe inside, but British Gas are in control of the external pipe. We are so delighted that we did not have a leak as I don’t think after 12 months, I would be writing this as we would possibly have been a misty memory

Food hampers are being made to raffle on Coffee Mornings with proceeds going to the Macmillan Cancer Support and Phil is the first winner. As always, Graham and Christine Thirlaway are donating so much food for this and the CCA is enormously grateful.

The next Coffee morning is scheduled for Friday 29^th. You can scan the bar code to donate, every penny makes a difference and is much appreciated.

Marion has the last word (as she so often does, and we love it)’There is always so much to say, we love sharing our stories with all the readers of Frost Magazine and I do hope we can continue to do so from time to time. We intend to start our Reminiscence sessions very soon and hope to share our stories of growing up in our wonderful Brady Square.’

Margaret will be there for some of the sessions, by hook or by crook. She can’t wait.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

My older grandson has reached the age where he seems to suck up information like a souped-up vacuum cleaner.  In fact it’s a struggle to keep up with him, and now his younger brother is biting at his heels so I’m really starting to feel like the feeble old grandma of fairy tales, and they’re only seven and four years old – where will it end?

I gave them a challenging construction toy one week and within a few hours they’d not only mastered it but found it ‘too easy Grandma’. So how to stay one step ahead?

Well thank goodness for Geomag – a simple but very clever toy concept based on magnets, which is geared to all age groups from pre-school to teenagers. For the younger ones there’s the Magicube series – using magnetic cubes to build, and also to make simple words. Then there’s the magnetic rod construction kits – including multicoloured, glow-in-the-dark and glitter-covered rods which are just great for all kids and introduce them to magnetic polarities in a natural way through play. These sets are a brilliant buy, as you can add to them and it’s so easy to build ambitious but stable structures just using the magnetic rods and the bases.

However I’ve now discovered the next level – the Mechanics Gravity range – and I just love them. They really take educational toys to a new fun level, and importantly the 130 piece Loops and Turns set has kept my eldest grandson totally quiet for two hours and counting. I even managed a cup of tea and a little daytime TV (oops did I really share that out loud?)

You can construct all sorts of circuits, and then set off metal balls to career through them, powered just by magnetic force – no worries that a flat battery will unexpectedly end your child’s fun. Geomag provide clear instructions to help your child build amazing structures, and as they gain more experience they can experiment with their own designs too. It’s a fabulous preparation for developing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) skills through play.

Geomag Mechanics Gravity Loops and Turns set is available from ToysRUs for £36.99 and it really is a great longterm investment. And when your child’s in bed, it’s actually a lot of fun for adults too.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I should begin this review by confessing that I am in love with Tracklement’s Rhubarb and Ginger Chutney – see my earlier review: https://www.frostmagazine.com/2023/07/michael-rowan-feels-the-heat-with-the-latest-offering-from-tracklements-httpswww-tracklements-co-uk/

When reviewing, prior positive knowledge of the producer can work both ways: I knew before I tasted Special Edition English Hedgerow Chutney that I already love one of their chutneys so was already leaning favourably towards their Vegan and Gluten Free Special Edition English Hedgerow Chutney, but had they maintained the quality of their Rhubarb and Ginger Chutney? Or was I to be doomed to disappointment? Cast down? In the dumps? So many questions…

In my opinion there is something about chutney that epitomises autumn and though I am partial to a dollop on a piece of cheese or as a straight accompaniment to a good salad (and occasionally just a teaspoon straight from the jar strictly for the purposes of this review – and no I never double dip), it has to be the right chutney. So is the Vegan and Gluten Free English Edition Hedgerow Chutney the right one?

Time to stop worrying, because, packed as it is with juicy damsons grown in Worcestershire, tangy Bramley apples from Kent and blackberries from Scotland, and then beautifully balanced with a careful blend of subtle spices including ginger and nutmeg for an aromatic warmth – how could it not be utterly delicious.

Tracklements advise that we try it on the side of cheeseboards and cold cuts, with smoked fish, pork chops, roast chicken or turkey. 

They also say that it’s  a great addition for breakfast – simply mix with Greek yoghurt for a sweet treat on top of muesli – and even pudding; warm through and pour over ice cream or add a spoonful of brandy for a pancake topping.

It is never to early to begin preparing for Christmas, so it won’t be long before I am submitting my order for both this Special Edition English Hedgerow Chutney and also the Rhubarb and Ginger Chutney.

Thinking about it the Special English Edition Hedgerow Chutney would also be a great Christmas present for friends who are Vegan or Gluten intolerant.

I should also point out that the packaging is environmentally friendly; everything can be composted or recycled.

We’re in September, and I am already thinking about how this would work on Boxing Day Lunch

RRP £3.75 for 190g from fine food delis and farm shops nationwide and online at www.tracklements.co.uk.

Images: courtesy of tracklements.co.uk

It was an absolute pleasure to talk to the director of Eco Land Clearing of Margaret River (and environs), in Western Australia, after Frost Magazine became aware of this sustainable eco land clearing enterprise – and even more of a pleasure to award it the Frost Magazine Eco Award 2023.

Margaret River is a beautiful area of Western Australia, south of Perth. When I stayed there too many years ago researching my first bestseller,  Canopy of Silence,  there were forests with gums, karri and jarrah trees, wonderful surf, wineries, not to mention fire breaks. All these still exist and one day I will return because I love it, and frankly the Margaret River wine is ambrosia. (I fear the Australians keep it for themselves, as I seldom see it here – how mean is that.)

                      Before clearing                                                         After

So, trees and wineries, fire breaks … Surf takes care of itself, but what about clearing  land-bound areas of its inflammable bush – after all fire is an ever present risk in the heat of Australia. This year in particular fire is something that has come to the forefront of our minds as the media brought news of conflagrations in most land masses. So what can be done to reduce this risk?

Eco Land Clearing – vegetation management – is what ‘can be done’: ‘Our way of working is still a relatively new idea in Western Australia, ‘  director Neil Coffey explained to Frost Magazine. ‘But with bush fire issues becoming more of a danger, this environmentally friendly method is increasingly the preferred method of clearance, and certainly it is for us. You see, we mulch, rather than burn the removed bush and shrubs. Our business comprises a CAT299 posi track machine with a Fecon mulching head attachment to mulch vegetation to the point where it breaks down into the soil, thereby improving the soil quality, rather than sending such an important addition up in smoke, not only wasting a soil  asset but spreading the risk of fire.’

                                       Before                                                                After

                                   The resulting mulch returned to the soil – not burned

Neil Coffey added: ‘Let’s face it, the soil needs all the help it can get to bulk up, and provide a nutritious base for well controlled flora and fauna. The machinery is used for BAL (bushfire attack level) compliance work designed to ensure all fire hazard is at safe levels, especially around homes.’

                          Before                                                         After

‘To this end we operate near properties, not only for their protection from fire, but also to improve the views and access, and let’s not forget fence lines and wineries, where we remove vegetation close to the vines, Vegetation that has  the potential to create fire hazards,and, additionally, to accomodate pests. Again, all that is removed is mulched back into the earth. You see, our committment is to sustainability, day in and day out. It seems clear to us that there is no time to lose.‘

                   Before                                                                     After

The above images show old vines pulled out with an excavator and left neatly insitu for Eco Land Clearing to mulch. Over time, after it has broken down enough, the winery turns it back into the soil and then plants new vines.

The above image is of clearing around vines (left) for pest control which gives the birds longer to travel without cover so reduces the damage caused to crops.

Neil Coffey added, ‘Eco Land Clearing generally only clear smaller vegetation such as regrowth trees and undergrowth bush as well, of course, as non natives. We leave behind all the established trees and plants as well as protected species. We also work in with Flora and Fauna specialists to ensure we have minimal impact on animals and their habitats. This requires pre-work inspections and spotting during the process on some jobs.‘

You can understand why Frost Magazine is proud to highlight this proactive eco business – Eco Land Clearing with its committment to the land, and to award it our Eco Award 2023 and wish it all the luck in the world. Keep up the good work.

For Further Information:

+61 458 980 700

Admin@ecolandclearing.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/ecolandclear

ecolandclearing.com.au

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I’ve been feeling a bit tired recently. Maybe it was chugging up Bulgarian mountains, or maybe the intensive dance camp in Poland? Or (surely not?) maybe I’m just not as young as I was?

Whatever the case, I feel the need for a reset and nutrition is a good place to start. There are different views on nutritional supplements and few would disagree that a good balanced healthy diet is non-negotiable. But is there a place for supplements too? Yes, I believe so. Most good fitness trainers subscribe to the 80% nutrition:20% exercise rule and if you’re trying to build muscle, adequate proteins are important. Of course you can simply eat a protein-rich diet but a well-formulated protein powder contains optimal elements for muscle development. However a word of caution, all protein powders are by no means equal, so it’s important to buy from a knowledgeable and experienced company.

That’s why I like the British sports company, Sci-Mx. Their experienced nutritionists use high-quality ingredients to create a range of products designed for differing needs– from bulking muscle, reducing body fat to peaking sports performance. They cater for athletes, but also everyday folk too. Importantly Sci-Mx products are low in sugar wherever possible, which singles them out from other makes.

Many protein powders are based on whey (milk protein), and Sci-Mx offer a range of these. However I’m particularly interested in their Ultra Plant Protein (£21.99). For vegans or for people with a milk allergy, it’s a no-brainer, but, and it’s just my view, I prefer not to load my body with large quantitites of milk protein. Ultra Plant Protein is made from a balanced blend of non-GMO proteins including hydrolysed pea protein, pea protein isolate and rice protein – what’s clever is that the hydrolysed pea protein is rapidly digestible, and the shakes also contain nutrients to support post- workout recovery. I love this protein shake – it’s easy to mix and tasted good – salted caramel and peanut flavour – what’s not to like? It really packs the punch on the protein front with 34g per 2-scoop serving – nearly twice as much as a normal protein bar – in fact I used just one scoop, but it’s a personal choice, and sugar is just 0.9g per serving.

The other Sci-Mx product which I wanted to road-test was Xplode Pre-workout (£15.99) which promised to ignite my energy levels, keep me focussed, and support endurance too – I sure need a piece of this, particularly during my dance competitions where I have to keep dancing with grace, pazazz and a big smile, sometimes way past my bed-time (yes I do mean 9pm these days). It’s a mixture of amino acids, caffeine (equivalent to two and a half cups of coffee), black pepper, magnesium and B vitamins. I tried the tropical fruit flavour – very tasty and citrusy, and I definitely felt the energy kick. It’s for use on training days, so not every day, but I’ll be taking a premixed bottle along to my next competition.

So these were my choices, but we’re all different and Sci-Mx have a very comprehensive range on their website. I would definitely recommend them if you’re looking for workout supplements.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

As many parents know, one of the biggest challenges we face when travelling with our adorable offspring is keeping their minds engaged in some form of activity or other in order to avoid the dreaded drone of ‘I’m bored’ coming from the backseat of the car. After all playing games such as ‘I Spy’ can only go so far. Fear not for I have a number of solutions for you that will keep everyone entertained, not only on the journey, but once you have reached your destination. So buckle up, as we are ready to lift off.

First up we have Travel Tension – £12.99 Amazon. This one quickly became a favourite in our household, it is simple yet very effective:  included are a small timer, coloured counters, a large number of up to date questions, all of which are neatly packed away in a container that doubes up as a cardholder for the game.

How do you play ? It‘s very simple , you will need at least 2 players or teams, each team or player takes a turn picking a card from the deck, asking the opposition the question – the team or player has until the timer runs out to name as many answers as possible. When they call out a correct answer the player holding the card deck simply pushes down the corresponding snap button. When the timer runs out, depending on how many correct answers were given, a coloured counter is issued. We have adapted this during car journeys, so that the timer and counters were not included and we simply took turns answering and asking the questions.

We really enjoyed this game as it was easy to use, compact and really got us thinking.

The next item on our agenda is Pop Culture Game, @ £7 from Kikkerland. We found this one to be more family friendly as there were questions that my parents knew the answers to, questions to which I knew the answers, and some that my children knew. This game consists of a pack of cards with pop culture questions on them and multiple choice answers. neatly stored in a small pink tin, no extra pieces involved just the cards, proving to be simple yet very effective.

This game is great to keep in the car, your handbag etc. or it can be used in a group setting, perhaps as you are all sitting around the table and enjoying some down time after a chaotic day.

Geomag Glow @ £19 from Amazon & Geomag Super Colour @ £29.99 from Toys R Us were the next to be ‘tested’, I am putting these two together as the only thing that separates them is the colour of the magnetic poles. The glow version consisted of ‘glow in the dark magnetic rods’ whereas the the super colour version has red, orange, green and blue magnetic rods. They are both a fun way to learn about magnets and ,with the help of the instructions provided, adults and children alike can have lots of fun creating structures. Each set comes with 2 bases to start building on as well as metal balls to connect the magnetic rods to each other. This is an enjoyable alternative to screen time.

I personally love the fact that everything in theses sets are made from 100% recycled materials. Additionally the rods and spheres are stored in small boxes.

Last but by no means least is the Catchphrase Card Game @ £12.99 from Amazon. I have always been a huge fan of the TV game show and when your’e watching it at home the answers seem so obvious but when you’re playing the game – not quite so much. This card game is for at least 3 players and you can decide on how many rounds you would like to play. Included are 123 playing cards, plus a reveal sleeve which is used for the bonus catchphrase if you do not wish to scan the QR code and see the animation online. From personal experience I would reccomend this game for ages 12 and over. My children aged 8 and 9 struggled wth this. Yes, they did get a few answers but when I played with other family members it was more easy going. The rules are simple: simply say what you see. Perfect for those miserable rainy days or a family night in, fun and laughter is gaurenteed.

I hope that this Travel Games guide helps you and your families when you next embark on a journey. Without a doubt there will still be complaints from the backseat about their never ending hunger and thirst or the need to use the loo despite the fact that you told them to go before you left.  At this moment in time I have nothing to help you with those issues but at least with these Travel Games no one will complain of boredom.