Feminarum issue 3 (variant 1)

FEMINARUM Issue 3 December 2013

Meet Jax ParrowInside the Christmas issue of this magazine...

For women by women...

We also have articles about the history of mince pies and the Christmas pudding. Also inside is some recipes for alternate Christmas food along with all the normal articles in this issue. Photo by Gary Benwell

Content pa! 3-5 Editors page

6-7 Make up article by Sarah Pearce.

8-9 Preloved article by Helen Wright

10-11 History of the Mince Pie. 12-13 Coeliac Article by Helen

Wright.

15 Ravens Diary

16-17 Interview with Simon about being Jax Parrow.

18-19 Interview with Sharon Ayling.

20-21 Gallery of Guys

22-21 Doña Gabriel interview 24-25 Traditions of the Christmas

pudding.

26-27 Fitness tips for Christmas.

28-29 Bright lights article. 30-31 Xbox one review. 32-33 Simons hair care. 34-35 Izzi's kitchen. 36-37 A review of the I-phone 5S.

2 • FEMINARUM Magazine •

Editor In Chief, Helen Wright.

Associate Editor, Casey Kingsland.

Contributing Writers, Darren Essex, Sharon Ayling, Sarah Pearce.

Contributing Writers, Simon Oliver, Gemma Cullan, Ian Philips. Janus designs.

Graphic Artist, Helen Wright

Circulation Officer, Helen Wright

Sales Officer, Helen Wright Pictures by Double 8

FROM THE EDITOR

As always, I want to say a very festive Thank You to everyone who has looked at the magazine and also those who have contributed this month. Our regular contributors are fabulous in giving their time to provide this magazine with some top quality articles.

I am always amazed when I look at the articles when they come through to me. And I hope that the readers enjoy the content we provide. The idea was originally to have the magazine for women by women and that is and will always be the motto of this magazine.

We wanted to provide you with something festive and fun for our first Christmas bumper issue. In the future, we will be providing a bumper issue both in the Summer and also in the Winter.

In the New Year we will be looking to start selling advertising space to businesses who want to reach out to our ever widening faithful monthly readers.

The response from the readers and the Facebook page was better then I could ever have imagined and myself and the team will be looking at other avenues of advertising in the new year. (I am thinking maybe radio and possibly TV...)

So enjoy the magazine this month and we will always welcome your comments and suggestions on the magazine..

As always you can send everything to me on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Feminarum

From myself and the team here at FEMIMARUM, have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year...

Helen Wright.

FEMINARUM Magazine • • 3

#e fir$ few mon%s of feminarum...

The magazine has been such a great success and we are all so excited about the future...

A Complete Surprise... The whole idea behind the magazine was born because I wanted to read a proper magazine with articles and not advertising. The first and second issues were a great success and better then

anyone could have predicted.

"Everyone who works with me on the magazine really helps by contributing something either humorous or informative..."

(Helen Wright, Chief Editor....)



" The Doctor Who issue was such a great success. And in the New year we will be looking to sell advertising space and also do a paid subscription with lots of added features for the subscribers. This money will go towards paying those people who have regular contributed their time and effort into writing for the magazine."

Helen Wright..

The magazine has been doing so well and everyone who works with me have been wonderful as they have put their time and efforts or free into producing something which looks really professional.

We have big plans for the magazine and hope that the readers will be part of this. As always we will be putting things onto the Facebook page to give people a chance to have their say.

Unlike most magazine, we really welcome people's ideas and comments. I am happy to take articles from anyone who has someth ing they th ink the readers would be interested in.

That can range from real life stories to advice.

We welcome women who run their own business and believe that society needs good female r o l e m o d e l s . W e d o n ' t discriminate against the guys and also welcome their stories and input as well.

So if there is anyone out there who wants to talk about their business or hobby, then get in contact with me via the FB link. This will always been found at the back of the magazine.

In the New Year, we will be looking to sell advertising space with maybe charging a yearly subscription for the magazine.

We understand that there is a recession and money is tight so we won't be charging a fortune and I feel that the people who have been writ ing for the magazine month after month, deserve something for their dedication. I want people to feel that their work is appreciated. This magazine has a wonderful team that makes it possible to produce this publication.

Helen Wright. Chief Editor.


Make - up Feel beautiful this Christmas with Sarah Pearce...

FEMINARUM• 7

L o o k a n d f e e l gorgeous this party season You've found the perfect party dress, invested in a ‘to die for’ gorgeous pair of party shoes and now you're thinking about that all-important party make-up look.

Make sure you turn heads for all the right reasons this festive season with my top party make-up tips and buys.

From a mascara that's foolproof (and waterproof !) to the no-fuss bronzer or highlighter that you can't live without, I’ve made a list of some of my favourite products you need in your beauty bag to make getting ready a breeze this party season ....

And remember, don't just stick to the same old party look, build your confidence and try something new. Get ready to look and feel fabulous this party season...

Some of my favourite products this season include ....

YSL Touche Éclat Foundation - The legendary under eye concealer and highlighter, Touche Éclat is now a foundation too. It brightens and illuminates to perk up dull skin while providing just the right amount of coverage. A must for any make-up bag, and it’s available in 22 different shades.

Mac Fix+ - Dewy skin can be really tricky to get right. Luckily all you need for this is the Mac Fix+ spritz. Apply after your base for a lovely glowing finish that won't go anywhere and will last even after hours of partying.

No7 Stay Perfect Smoothing Eyeshadow – This soft mousse-like cream glides on for a luminous sheer veil of continuous colour. It doesn’t crease or fade, and makes a fantastic base to then add eye shadow to increase the depth of colour. It’s available in 6 gorgeous shades. My favourites are bronze and iridescent purple.

Bobbi Brown Long Lasting Cream Shadow - Whether for a hint of definition or to make a dramatic style statement, nothing makes more impact than a smoky black eye liner (I love this look – especially with a bit of glitter for an evening look). For the best eye line draw the thickest part of the line directly above the pupil, then use what's left on the brush to wing up a fine line at the corners. If you want to try

an eyeliner other than black, why not try Bobbi Brown Long Lasting Cream Shadow in Antique Gold – beautiful.

Clarins Rouge Prodige in Tender Rose - if you're going for a smoky, sultry eye, then it’s best to wear this with a beautiful nude or pink lip. Clarins Rouge Prodige in Tender Rose is a gorgeous colour, and has a slight vintage feel as well.

Barry M Lip Gloss - Shimmering, sparkling and solid colour lip glosses are a must for party make-up. This formula provides long-lasting wear without being sticky and they are all infused with an irresistible scent, they literally smell good enough to eat. A soft wand applicator ensures they glide on easily to the shape of your lips.

My favourite to go with a smoky eye is shade 10 Bronze shimmer (and it tastes of toffee)

Superdrug Clarity Shine Control Papers - I love these papers particularly for nights out and holidays. They are fantastic for use on normal or oily skin, and are easier to take on a night out than a bronzer compact or powder. They absorb any excess oil on the skin so help remove shine and they fit in any handbag- an essential for a night out.

I hope this list helps you prep for your party nights out ... and if you have any specific questions then please let us know.

• Next month i’ll be covering ... Vintage hair and make-

up looks – how to achieve the ‘Audrey Hepburn’ makeover

Model Chanelle – AJS Photographic 2013 – Hair and make-up by me)

Preloved by kids.. Holly's shop for quality kids clothes.. Holly Dowling Jones runs a shop in Chichester selling good second hand children's clothes from newborn to 7 years.

8 • FEMINARUM Magazine.

Holly first started Preloved by kids due to the fact that people had been giv ing her c lothes when her daughter was born. Unfortunately Holly did not like pink so she decided to sell some of the items on on eBay.

After having some success, she spoke to some mums and they gave her clothes to sell on their behalf. Networking on Facebook, she managed to gain 100 likes which she thought was amazing.

The whole situation with stock was beginning to grow and it was taking over her flat. Her workplace in Chichester gave her a small section to sell some of her things in and this went really well but one day she had to make a decision.

She decided to look for her own shop as things were progressing really well. In September of 2013, Holly found that the selling was taking off but advertising without a premise was an issue. Holly began by looking around Chichester and finally she came across a shop that

had once been a tattoo and tanning parlour. She really liked the space and after meeting he owner and putting in an offer to the estate agent, it was finally a place she could sell her clothes from. It took 3 weeks to paint the interior as it was a very interesting shade of orange.

The local Observer were very interested in her story and came round and interviewed her on several occasions.

"Holly is happy to chat to all the customers and gives everyone the best service she can. Everyone who comes into the shop gets chatting to her. It's not difficult to do in such a friendly environment..."

FEMINARUM Magazine • 9

Now Holly and Preloved by Kids have 800 likes on Facebook. I asked Holly want she had planned for 2014.

She explained that she wanted to change and refine the interior of the shop as there are some areas that she wants to improve. It was clear from talking to Holly that in the long term she wanted to franchise her main business as she'd recently bought up a local clothing company and is looking to expand with this brand also.

Her company also works with a local women's shelter donating stock for those children who are in need of clothing.

Holly said that she really enjoyed the fact that being her own boss enabled her to create a balance between work and home life. Although the downside is that she gets no sick pay or paid holiday. But from my conversation with

Holly, I don't think she really minds. There is something wonderful about being your own boss.....

You can find Preloved by kids at 5 Jays walk in off St Martins Square in Chichester. Or contact Holly on [email protected]

(Pictures by Double 8)

The favourite pie.. The earliest mince pies were known as mutton pies, Shid pies and Christmas pies. The ingredients were a mixture of minced meat, suet, a range of fruits and spices like cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.

There are several ideas concerning the origins of the pie we know today. Some say that it came from the Middle East. The spices that are used are native and traditionally used in the various countries found in this geographic location.

The other idea is that it was a tradition based on a Roman custom associated with the festival of Saturnalia. This was a pagan festival to celebrate the midwinter.Some theories for the contents of the pie believe that the idea was to use 13 ingredients to represent Christ and the 12 apostles.

English tradition demands that the mince meat mixture should be stirred in a clockwise direction. Anti clockwise would bring bad luck for the new year.

During the Stuart and the Georgian times, mince pies were seen as a status symbol of wealth in society.

It was also during the year of 1657 at the end of Cromwell's reign that the Puritans abolished any celebrations associated with Christmas. It was seen as a pagan and it became illegal to eat mince pies during he festive season.

After 1660 the law was disregarded and since then the law itself has never actually been repealed. So it's technically still illegal today by law to eat mince pies at Christmas!!The little pie has been very popular right through the Victorian era to the present day.

The Humble history of the mince pie...

The origins of the mince pies....


Everyone has a

favourite mince pie

from the traditional

to the iced top pies.

There is an annual Big Eat mince pie competition held at Wookey Hole in Sommerset each November. The record for the most mince pies eaten is 46 in 10 minutes.

"In 2011 the Bakers Gregg's sold 7.5 million mince pies"

(George, Collin (11 Jan 12) "Booming Mince pies and coffee sales boots Gregg's. netbusiness.co.uk

Photos by Double 8

FEMINARUM Magazine • 11

Coeliac disease and a personal story.... Kim Smith contacted me as she wanted people to read about the day her husband was diagnosed with this disease.


When my husband Bobby was diagnosed with Coeliac disease he was only 50 years old. It completely changed his life dramatically. He is 72 now and the last 22 years have not been very easy.

He had always been very fit and having been a publican always had a pint in his hand. It first became clear that something was not right when we were on holiday in Acapulco. Bobby developed sickness and diarrhoea and his finger joints and ankles began to swell up. After we got home, it was clear that the symptoms were getting worst. He went to see his Doctor who in turn sent him to see a specialist. In the meantime whilst we were waiting for an appointment, the weight dropped off Bobby and the other symptoms continued.

When we saw the specialist, they did a biopsy, taking a piece of his intestine as a sample. When the results came back, it was clear from the diagnoses that he was suffering from Coeliac Disease.

We had never heard of it and so the specialist referred us to a dietician to get some advice. My husband was told that he would have to cut all the foods he was currently eating out of his diet. Bobby was naturally devastated and we were told that anything with gluten in it was no no.

The supermarkets are stocking specific foods that are gluten free. Photos by Double 8

"It changed my husbands life forever. He had to watch everything he ate"


We joined The Coeliac Society and they sent me a list of foods that did not contained gluten and also some very helpful information about the disease itself. His diet meant cooking very bland foods but recently the supermarkets have been stocking food items that are gluten free. My husband has five brother and two sisters and he is the only one who has this disease and it appeared so suddenly.

Coeliac Disease these days is much easier to manage as there is more known about it and a lot of information you can gain from the internet.

The supermarkets are selling gluten free foods that are tasty and good to eat.

Although it is becoming more common, the medical professionals still can not say for sure what causes this particular disease to develop in people. If you want to know more please see the websites below for information.

www.coeliac.org.uk

www.celiacsociety.com

14 • FEMINARUM Magazine • Image provided by Raven Lily.

Raven's Diary for Christmas..


It seems with Christmas mere weeks away, my attention has been looking to the future,

New Year, New Start and all that.

Not only have I been mentally clearing my head, but also physically, everything is getting a good

root through. My laptop came under the scrutiny of my spring clean and wiped out all those

lingering files, fragments and everything else clogging it up.

I rolled up my sleeves and started to attack the bedroom, ended up donating to charity all those

unread or unloved books, keeping a select few that I go back to every now and then. Stock piles of

DVD’s and CD’s went too. Hopefully someone can get some joy out of them. I have a lot more stuff

to get through, but I can come back to that later.

I ended up slinging everything into a huge Donation bag (I literally filled it to the brim, it was heavy

believe me)

I then hit the paperwork, first was getting everything together necessary for my house move, and

emailing it all over to the Estate Agents.

Next on the Agenda was my Magazine called Merciless Beauty (an Arts Magazine, check it out, you

will love it) I tied up all the loose ends on the 2nd issue, compressed the huge file to make it small

enough to get ready for Publication, and had it checked over one last time by a Writer friend of

mine, who gave it the thumbs up (cheers Ray!)

I was already well and truly on my way to getting everything ship shape, but with my Modelling

bookings looming in January, I turned my attention to myself and how I look.

To be frank, I had let myself go a little bit, skin in a shocking state, hair looking a bit lank, my next

step was to empty my purse on some good quality products to get me looking, feeling and smelling

fabulous.

Also invested in some good make up brushes (makes a difference ladies, you can take my word for

it)

My son seems to be noticing the difference, and being extra cuddly recently, which is always good

for a mum’s soul. But before I can wind things down for the big day itself, there are plenty of

Christmas activities to be getting involved with, like the markets and the trips to see Santa (I shall

be asking for a new man in my life. Anyone out there want to help me out?)

Amongst all of this, I have been taking advantage of the gorgeous winter colours and honing my

Photography skills:

My interview with Simon Steadman who is a Captain Jack Entertainer for parties and events.. I asked him a few questions about what he does...

FEMINARUM magazine 16

Jax Parrow Q : W h y d i d y o u c h o o s e t o impersonate jack sparrow? '...the original, the only, Captain A: Well, whats not to love about the enigmatic and charming captain? It all started around 6 years ago when in a drunken stupor I decided I needed a different kind of costume for a Halloween party, instead of the usual ghost or vampire. I have been told in the past I slightly r e s e m b l e d J o h n n y D e p p , personally I think i look nothing like him, wish I did! but I got best costume, and it kind of escalated from there, and 18 months later i had something like a decent outfit, and could mimic the personality and voice of the captain, and began getting my face on the carnival circuit. Aside from all else I have a bloody good laugh while performing, and I am always amazed at just how much mischief it is possible to achieve while 'being Jack'.

1.

FEMINARUM Magazine • •17

Q: Where do you get your pieces from for your costume? '' A: Amazing as it may seem there are sellers out there offering costume parts, but like all costuming its all ridiculously expensive! so I decided (after sampling some of the less than perfect items) to create my own, that way I would be satisfied with how it looked and how close to the screen used costume it was. to date i have created.....suede leather bucket topped boots, drop front linen breeches, frock coat, 2 leather waist belts (buckles supplied for me), a leather baldric sword belt, sword scabbard, human hair wig with dreadlocks and all 'trinkets' included in it, the famous compass and also restored an original 1840 percussion lock pistol to pristine condition.

2.

Q: What is the worst bit about what you do? A: Hmmm, that is quite a difficult question to ask! after a lot of consideration i can only think of one slightly irritating aspect. The time it takes to get ready for an event, this may be partly my own fault due to the fact I am a bugger for attention to detail! everything has to be perfect and 100% correct every time! But aside from that I really can't think of any downsides to what I do.

3.

Q: What is the strangest thing that has happen to you dressed as Jack? A: A few of these are a little too rude for print!! I'll just say that mostly they involved a promiscuous lady and something involving 'leaving just the sword and boots on' I'll leave the rest to your imagination! ha!One of the more unusual things I have done is a full 20 minute conversation with a remote controlled R2D2 droid from Star Wars which cannot talk but makes squeaks and bleeps! Another odd experience, at the Bournemouth Air Show, was wading into the sea to steal a small boat selling ice cream, the young girl behind the wheel was a little taken aback, but went along with it. Also I had the experience of being given a 'booty dance' by a chap dressed as a mermaid! Most things take a turn for the bizarre, but that's not a bad thing it just makes it all the more fun to do.

4.

Q: What do your friends and family think about what you do? A: My family have known for years that I'm a bit of an extrovert so they were not surprised really, and they are all secretly proud of what I do. When it comes to friends the reactions range from being in awe that I have the guts to go out in public dressed that way, to a small amount of jealousy that I have such an interesting 'hobby' Photos by Gary Benwell

5.

Sharon Ayling Skin treatments. Sharon will be writing a regular slot in the magazine. She will talking about the therapies she provides and the story behind the application of each particular therapy itself.


I have always been passionate about skin care and make-up since I was 14 years of age. I remember writing an essay on how spots develops in the skin on a over head projector for a school assignment. I can recall being fascinated on how a pustule can quickly develop in the hair follicle and how the hair on our skin have the ability to stand on end due to a small muscle the “arrector pili muscle”. Funny what sticks in our memory! That passion has never left me and I am always eager to learn new techniques on skin care and how to keep skin looking and feeling clear and healthy. Now I am a busy mum of two teenagers and juggling a good work/ home balance, I still have skincare concerns. Breakout can be triggered by many causes;- lifestyle, stress, diet hormone imbalance, and incorrect product usage can trigger off breakout episodes and/or cause a reaction on the skin. It is imperative at the start of any treatment to fill out a consultation form to ensure the therapist has a good insight and understanding to what a client has been doing to their skin. The skin is the largest organ in the body and shows “no mercy” when something is not quite balanced in the body’s system. The one thing that I love about my job as a skincare beauty therapist is using the dermalogica face mapping concept! The Face mapping concept divides the face into 14 zones. Each zone has its own specific skincare concern and is related to a part of the

body this allows me to analysis the skin under a magnifying lamp to ensure the client receives the best from their skincare treatment. With the count down to Christmas every member of the family is eager to make sure their skin is in a healthy condition. With the use of regular skincare products and professional facials this can be achieved. The Dermalogica skincare products constitute of several segmented lines, depending on your skin care concerns, This can be addressed to ensure you receive the best from your treatment every time you visit your skincare therapist! I run a peaceful practise from my home or if you prefer, I can come to your home using my mobile service. After your consultation and skincare analysis you can relax in a “pod” of tranquillity. All skincare treatments consist of hand, head or foot massage with a treatment oil that is laced with essential oils. Combine this with a symphony of relaxation musical notes designed to drift you off on a “carefree stress relief” mission you are sure to leave feeling re -charged, re -freshed and most of all re-connected with yourself and ready to continue the day on a positive,focused step.

I will hopefully be trying some of the therapies out and giving the readers my verdict on them...should be very interesting....

FEMINARUM Magazine • •19

Sharon will be happy to answer any questions you have on the subject of therapies. Please contact h e r v i a o u r F B o r alternately you can contact Sharon on her website below.

Book up and save on a skincare treatment follow the link www.female-focus.co.uk or check out my face book page and leave me a comment and together we can focus on a positive start to healthy complexion.

Gallery of Guys

Our Gallery of gorgeous guys is smaller so we can put more articles in for Christmas.Photo by Becky Moyce

20 • FEINARUM Magazine

Gallery of Guys.

Our gallery of guys has become very popular and we have had a lot of women contact me saying that it was great to see this in a magazine.

I spent a long time looking at all types of m a g a z i n e s b e f o r e p u t t i n g t o g e t h e r FEMINARUM and the Gallery was always going to be included because there was no other magazine really doing this.

All the guys who send us the images are credited and so are the photographers. We are always looking for guys to go in our gallery so if you know anyone or you want to send some images in to be published in the magazine, then please Facebook me and we will take a look at them.

Not a single person has said that it is a sexist thing to put in a magazine. I have however had some men object and say how shallow women are. Needless to say, they were very quickly silenced as I point out and ask why men need women in bikinis to sell phones or gadgets.....

This is not a feminist magazine but we are all writing articles for women in this publication.

We are proud to include the images of gorgeous guys in our magazine. Nobody is being exploited or demeaned in any way.

(Picture on this page is Darren Essex who writes our monthly exercise article. Photographer is Matt Marsh.)

Pictures on the previous pages by photographer

Becky Moyce, Marcus 99 and Penny Hardie.


Dona Gab"el.. I interviewed Doña and asked her about being a model and a choreographer....

My name is Dona Gabriel and I am a Professional Model, Dancer and Choreographer. I come from the beautiful island of Cyprus which is situated in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. The last three years I live and work in the United Kingdom. I have done many fashion shows, TV commercials, photo shoots for designers both in Cyprus and the United Kingdom. Some of my recent collaborations include a photo shoot for Hire a Sari, TV Commercial for Cytamobile – Vodafone, Larnaca Fashion Day.

.

22 FEMINARUM Magazine •

What got you started in modelling?

Ase Sandnes, a well-known fashion designer from Norway, strongly believed that I was a talented teenager and she gave me my first job as a model. After that although she was trying to make me realise that I can become a Professional Model, I had to leave for my studies. I was studying Dance/Choreography and at the same time I was attending a second University where I was studying Primary Education. Thus, I didn’t have enough time to build up a modelling career. After my studies I came in the United Kingdom, where I continued with Modelling.

What you enjoy most about it?

I love modelling because it makes me feel alive and it makes me feel myself! I also adore modelling because it is

a form of art and I am generally an artist. Last but not least, modelling highlights the feminine beauty in all its glory and that it is one of the most important aspects I appreciate in modelling.

What you hate about it?

The modelling industry can be too harsh sometimes. I don’t like the bad competition between models (and especially female models) and I hate the fact that instead of trying to help each other some models try to destroy their colleagues.

What is the best thing you have done?

I feel that I have done quite a few very good collaborations during my modelling career. One of the best experiences I had as a model was my participation in the TV Commercial for Cytamobile Vodafone with Madison

Agency. Another very good experience I had was my collaboration with Hire Sari recently in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, I enjoyed very much the Fashion Shows I participated in during Summer time in my home country Cyprus. And of course my collaboration with Feminarium Magazine was absolutely fantastic.

Photos by Stavri Pidia


"The modelling agency can be too harsh sometimes"

Traditional puddings are normally made 5 weeks before Christmas..

24 FEMINARUM Magazine •


It has it's origins in the Middle Ages and was known as Plumb or Christmas pudding. It's normal ingredients are, dried fruit, egg, suet and molasses. It is flavoured with spices like, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. It is hen left for a month or a year.

The Christmas pudding is thought to have started as "Frumptey" in the Middle Ages. It was a soup like dish eaten before the whole festivities would begin.

Popular theory says it was first eaten in the Medieval period but it is actually documented in the 17th century. It may have also been a way to preserve foods from the 15th century onwards.

Traditional puddings were normally made 5 weeks before Christmas. It was traditional for everyone in the household to stir the mixture and make a wish.

It was known as Stir up Sunday and small sliver tokens were also added to the mixture. Wishbones for luck, thimbles for thrift and pennies for good fortune.

It was decorated with Holly and brandy and then lit. The brandy represented the passion and flame of Christ's passion. The Holly is thought to represent the Crown of Thorns. In the Middle Ages, Holly was believed to bring good luck and often found growing near the doorway of homes.

In 1843 Charles Dickens included this wonderful festive tradition in his wonderful book, "A Christmas Carol"

"In half a minute, Mrs Cratchit entered- flushed but smiling proudly, with the pudding like a speckled cannon ball, so hard and firm. Blazing in half of a half quarter of ignited brandy and be lighted with Christmas Holly on the top." (A Christmas Carol, 1843)

It has become a favourite and tradition pudding at Christmas although recently it has been seen a stodgy and unhealthy. It would be terrible to lose a pudding with such a wonderful checkered history......

(Photo by Double 8)

The tradition of the Christmas Pudding The story behind the pudding itself....

Fitness tips for Christmas. By Darren Essex (Personal trainer and Fitness Model)


7 Fitness Tips For The Christmas Period

By Darren Essex (Personal Trainer & Fitness Model)

1. Get your day off to a perfect start

Short winter days can make us sluggish and we need breakfast to give us an extra energy boost that will set us up for the day. Porridge oats are perfect for releasing energy throughout your morning and can be mixed with water or skimmed milk. Fruit can be added as a natural sweetener as well as honey. Try

grating an apple into the oats before you cook them and then swirl cinnamon and honey through as you serve.

2. Eat your vegetables

Autumn brings an abundance of vegetables which are all low in calories and extremely healthy. Some good examples a re ; sprouts , broccoli, cauliflower and there are so many types of squash to choose from which are all high in dietary fibre, which can help your digestion and weight loss.

3. Exercise regularly

I love that crisp autumn air. Long walks kicking up the fallen leaves (think about how much more your leg muscles have to work) or bicycle rides. Also try to do your exercise in the daylight hours or better still at the start of your day. If you wait until it is dark, you may lose your motivation.


4. Food is not love

Many people tend to relate food and eating with love. You cannot change the others, but you can change your own attitude. Refusing seconds of Granny’s turkey does not mean you don’t love her. If she is hurt because you normally stuff yourself and this year you’re not doing her food “justice”, just say that you are stuffed but will have more later. Take control of your life, others will have to take control of their own.

5. Alcohol

If you enjoy wine, beer or other drinks containing alcohol, just slow down and cut back. Try slipping in a glass of water between drinks. Drinks containing alcohol do nothing for you nutritionally, but they do have a lot of calories. Having just a few drinks with friends can give you more calories than a McDonalds Big Mac and you also probably be consuming these drinks whilst eating a meal or snacking also so just be aware.

6. Water

Drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated. If you do drink alcohol, remember to alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water and please don’t drink on an empty stomach. Best to have a healthy snack before you go to the party as it will also prevent you from snacking on unhealthy party food. Dandelion tea is a great herbal tea to drink throughout the days when you know you’re going to be out and about, partying and drinking alcohol at night, as it helps to detoxify the liver.

7. Relaxation

As much as Christmas is a lovely time to catch up with all your friends and family, remember to take some time out for you. Take a few moments in the day to practice meditation or stress-relieving breathing techniques. We’re conditioned to think that Christmas is all about giving, so how about taking the time to give to yourself as well this year.

We all get caught up in the bright lights and fun of Christmas but we all have to remember that it is perhaps the best time to thank friends and family who have supported you throughout the year.... It's a time to stop and think about people who are less fortunate then ourselves. Every year myself and my family make up boxes which contain items that children who are struggling can at least believe in the spirit of the season. So write all your cards and send your love to family and associates and enjoy the festivities but spare a thought for those who will struggle to see the bright lights on the Christmas tree or smile in seeing their presents... Do something for someone else this Christmas and make someone smile and be filled with the festive cheer that we love so much during this time of the year.....

There are many charities that would love your help and support and your children's schools are always trying to raise money so maybe you should get involved in the activities that will be coming up during this wonderful Christmas... Helen Wright..(Chief Editor of FEMINARUM) (Photo by Double 8)

Bright lights and charity Reflections of the spirit of Christmas....



"Christmas is all about charity and doing something

for others..get involved in some

charity events this festive season."

XBOX ONE Review by Steve of Janus designs.


Christmas wish lists over the last few years have always seemed to have consoles and games at the top of the lists, and this year more so then ever with the release of the Next Generation of Games Consoles from Microsoft and Sony.

Feminarum managed to pick up Microsofts new Xbox One on launch day. It's undeniably a cool piece of tech. But is it worth your hard earned cash this Holiday Season.

The first thing you notice about the Xbox one when you get it out of its Dark black box is how big the console actually is. It's more akin to a video recorder from the 80's then cutting edge games machine in looks. But in your TV cabinet amongst your other AV equipment, it actually fits in very well with its mixture of shiny black and matte plastic.

When you first switch the console on you are greeted with a short setup procedure and a download over the internet, which is necessary for your Xbox One to do pretty much anything.

Once up and running you a presented with a tile based desktop, which will be familiar to anyone whose used a Windows 8 PC lately. The main Home Screen shows the latest app running in a large tile and all your most recent apps positioned around it. Move to the left and another screen is showed which allows you to pin your favourite apps and games for quick and easy access. Move to the right and you will see

The new Xbox one controller is a great upgrade from the well loved Xbox 360 edition.

"Of course though, the main thing you will be buying these new consoles for is the games."


The overall interface is quick and easy to use and the Kinnect functionality, that allows you to use your voice to do things like turning your Xbox One on or off, or starting a game or app, truly feels like the future is here now. Unfortunately though, there are some things that just don't feel right, such as not being able to see how much battery charge is left on your controller. Although these things can be addressed in a future update, it is a shame they aren't available from the beginning.

One thing that's was touted from the beginning, and actually works well, is integration with your current tv provider. If you have Sky or Virgin TV, you can simply plug your box into the Xbox One and access TV by saying "Watch TV". You can even play a game and watch TV at the same time. A gimmick for sure, but something that could have potential in the future. Along with Apps for Netflix, Lovefilm and various catchup TV services, the Xbox One is truly a multimedia powerhouse.

Of course though, the main thing you'll probably be buying these new consoles for is the games, and the Xbox One is a highly capable gaming machine. The launch games are mostly sequels to well established franchises like Call of Duty, FIFA and Forza, but they don't disappoint. The graphics are now more like a high end PC. The main downside though is the games are about £10 more

expensive then current generation games, at £54 a game. This we think is quite expensive and, more then ever, you will be choosing what games you want carefully. Top this with the fact you'll need a £39 yearly subscription to Xbox Live to play online, and the costs soon add up.

So, do we think the Xbox One deserves a place under your TV this Xmas?

If you love new technology and games, and like the idea of your TV, social media and games system being integrated, then probably the answer is yes.. However, if you are happy with your current console or you aren't tempted with the small amount of games available at the moment, then we would probably advise you to wait 6 months until the bugs are ironed out and more games are available.

Whatever one of the new consoles you choose, you can be assured that gaming has reached a bright new level. Enjoy your gaming entertaining this Xmas.

This is a first in a series of Tech reviews for Femimarum. If there's anything you'd like reviewed in future issues please let us know by emailing [email protected]

Simon Oliver's hair care..



Its that time of year! Christmas is almost upon us an our hair is in need of extra care due to this cold weather. Last months issue we mentioned a product which is a treatment to help nourish the hair and keep it feeling soft and supple over this frosty time. I hope you have all found one and got used to a routine! If not there is still time! Feel free to email me with ideas of what other treatments there are out there, the one i had suggested was just one a lot of people had favoured. If you have any products you would like me to review please send me a message with the brand name and I'll look into it for you and let you know how it goes. Product of the month: A new(ish) shampoo and conditioner that has come to my attention is a brand named 'Pureology'. It is an all round good shampoo that covers all aspects of what someone could wish for! colour safe? yes sulphate free? yes organic? yes vegan? yes It is a brilliant range where it even has some specific needs for the hair, such as if you need some more moisture, there is a moisture range, more volume there is a volume range and so on. It is a brilliant collection that i have grown to love. The shampoo and conditioner is a little pricey but you would spend that little extra for organic food, so why not for your hair? My favourite thing over all about this product is that it keeps the colour in! and this is the time of year where you loose the colour due to harsh weather conditions but with a bottle of this you'll have no problem looking fresh all winter long.

By Isabelle Atunrase 34 • FEMINARUM Magazine •

Izzi's Christmas recipe Parsnip and chestnut Loaf. Ingredients: 6 parsnips Handful of chestnuts Cranberries 4 teaspoon of butter 175gms of caster sugar 3 chopped onions and 3 leaves of sage 100 grams of breadcrumbs 1 egg 1 teaspoon of honey.

Melt the butter, add onions and cook gently for 10 minutes. Add the sage leaves and t ip into a mixing bowl.

Pulse the chestnuts and add to the mixture. Now add the breadcrumbs , beat the eggs and add those too along with a pinch if salt and pepper.

1.


Tip the cranberries and sugar into a pan and s i m m e r f o r 8 - 1 0 m i n u t e s . K e e p t h e mixture bubbling till sticky and then put to one side. Grease a loaf tin.

2. Bring the pan with salt water to the boil. Throw in some of the parsnips and boil for 3 minutes. Cut up the parsnips and fit them into the tin. Any leftover parsnip can be added to the nut mix.

3.

Heat your oven to 180C and coat the parsnips add to the tin. Top with 1/3 of the mixture and pat it down well. Spread 1/3 of the cranberry mixture and pat it down well again.

Then add some more of the nut mixture and push it down into the tin. Cover and chill for a while and then covered in foil, cook in the oven for 1 hour.

4.

Loosen around the edges of your tin with your loaf in it. Turn it out and place it on a plate and serve with the rest of the cranberry mixture.

5.

A review of Apples new Phone by Janus design for FEMINARUM....


IPHONE 5S

A Feminarum Review of Apples New Baby It Seems that every year, that gorgeous state of the art phone you purchased the year before is out of date and no longer desirable. Companies like Apple and Samsung tempt you with their latest and greatest offerings, and this year is no different with the release of Apples new flagship, The iPhone 5S.

On first look you'd be forgiven for thinking that the iPhone 5S is exactly the same as the iPhone 5, and from a looks point of view you'd be right. However, Apple is working on the idea of ‘If it isn't Broke, Don’t fix it’, and to be honest, it would be difficult to produce a better built phone then the iPhone 5. But looks are only part of the equation, and Apple have packed the new 5s with loads of improvements and upgrades to tempt you wallet or purse this xmas time.

First and for most the 4” IPS Screen stays the same size and resolution as before. Its probably one of the best screens on a phone, and the clarity, colour and viewing angles are excellent. Its easy to hold in the hand, and although not as large as some of the other smartphones out there, it is definitely pocketable.

The big techie thing this year (apart from the first 64bit Processor on a phone) is the Fingerprint Sensor in the Home Button. After a short setup procedure, which records up to 5 fingerprints, you can then unlock your phone by touching the home button, and even pay for items on the

iTunes, App and iBooks stores with your fingerprint. Although this may sound gimmicky, you will soon find yourself trying to unlock other phones with your fingerprint, as it is extremely accurate and a surprisingly useful feature.

Apples iPhone’s have always been known for their great camera abilities and this years model gets a nice upgrade. Although it still sports a 8mp Camera, the sensor is 15% bigger, which means larger pixels. Simply put this means more light per pixel, which means better low light performance. Add in a new aperture of f/2.2 and the iPhone 5S is more then capable of capturing more detail in low light situations, such as a party or nightclub/pub. Add a new dual LED True Tone flash (One white and one Amber LED), that analyses the scene, using the phones image processor, and works out the colour temperature and fires the flash as needed. This means more natural skin tones and better colour reproduction, even in low light. To be honest we found that pictures taken with the flash were some of the best we’d seen from a phone.

The Camera can capture images and add on the fly colour changes to your photos for B&W, Sepia, Instant, Chrome etc. The Panoramic mode is very clever and guides you through panning the phone to take the perfect panoramic photo.

The Video Camera has even been beefed up with anti shake and even a very clever slo-mo feature. Once you've taken the video in slo-mo mode it allows you to select the section you want in slow motion, something a lot of other manufacturers don’t offer.

" Of course the new phone comes with the new version of Apples iOS 7."


Of Course the new phone comes with a new version of Apples iOS operating system, iOS 7. This has been designed from the ground up, and although it looks pretty similar for iPhone users, it is brighter, faster and easier to use then ever before. Aside from the pretty animations and 3D effect of the wallpaper behind the icons, there have been some noticeable usability improvements. The Notification Centre (accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen), now shows much more information and you can sort it to show all your items, only the missed ones, or only calendar entries etc for the current day.

A nice new addition is the Control Centre (accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen). This gives you quick access to settings

for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Airplane mode, brightness etc, and also to your camera, clock, calculator and even a handy torch.

The iPhone 5S then is a fast, smooth, and powerful smart phone, and in our opinion, one of the best on the market. With its blindingly fast 64bit A7 Processor (with motion sensing M7 Processor), and the smooth iOS 7 functionality, this is a hard phone not to recommend. If you already own an iPhone 5, then theres probably not much new here to convince you to upgrade, especially as a lot of the functionality is available via the free iOS 7 update. However if you are in the market for a new Smartphone, you owe it yourself to look at the iPhone 5S… Its definitely the best iPhone Apple have ever made.

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Feminarum issue 3 (variant 1)