Free Waste Disposal in Carndonagh

Charlie from Recycling in Donegal sent us this:

There will be Free Collection of Household Hazardous Waste  on Saturday 12th June from 9am - 12pm in the Carndonagh Public Service Centre Car Park and from 2pm - 5pm in the Letterkenny Public Service Centre Car Park for such as old paints, waste medicines, pesticides, old cleaning agents, weed killer etc. See attached advertising. Donegal County Council organises this collection twice per year.

5 MINUTES WITH - RAY DOHERTY

Ray Doherty lives in Greencastle with his wife Fiona and two children Charlie and Alfie. Ray was number 13 out of a family of 19 children (11 sisters and 8 brothers). His parents, Mary Francis and father Harry (the greaser) had all of the boys sleeping in a mobile home in the garden whilst the sisters got the house, before they moved into a larger home in Moville. Ray’s father was the manager of Fingal Clothing in Moville and in 1999 he (Harry) set up Moville Clothing, following in a long family tradition of tailoring. Ray and his brother Hillary now look after the business that produces clothing that is sought after all over the world. They have a website www.movilleclothing.com where you can check out their fabulous range of clothing. They also have a shop on the premises, which is just up from the Co-op in Moville. Open 5 days a week. You can contact him on (074) 9385882


What music are you listening to at the moment?
I like U2, they have been around a long time and made some great music. My brother Colm put me onto Johnny Cash a couple of years ago; his CD’s get played a lot. My wife likes him too.

What are you reading at the moment?
I look through newspapers when I get the time. If I am away on holiday I will read a good autobiography. Roy Keane’s, just called Keane, Sir Alex Ferguson who called his “This is the One. There are a lot of U2 books out but I enjoyed the one written by Lola Cashman titled “Inside the zoo with U2” It’s a real fly on the wall documentation of life on the road with the band.

What was your favourite childhood game?
Playing army with my mates, especially Damien McLaughlin (Ballyfaddy) We would build dens and camped out in the summer for weeks.
Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I went to see I am Legend starring Will Smith who is the only survivor after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters. He struggles valiantly to find a cure….. It was scary and good at the same time

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I’ll turn to the sports pages. I am a big Manchester United fan and like to keep up to date how they are doing.
What would you never throw away?
I have a pair of scissors that have been used in the family for generations, my father, his father and his father They were all tailors.
Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Mickey Pat McLaughlin, a good friend of mine started crying one night and telling me I was his best ever friend. This was only about four years ago….he had had a few at the time….

Favourite TV programme?
I enjoy Born Survivor on the Discovery channel with Edward Michael 'Bear' Grylls. Grylls is a British adventurer, writer and television presenter. He is one of the youngest people to climb Mount Everest, doing so at age 23.
Favourite meal?
Lamb chops, potatoes and baked beans. My mother made it when we were young and it was delicious….my wife now does it well too…..

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
To be in the army. I joined the F.C.A reserve army when I was old enough and stayed for five years until I was seventeen. I got involved with other things like working in the factory so gave it up. I still think it’s a great thing to do when you are young.

Where was your best holiday and what made it special?
Four years ago I went to Kenya with Fiona for our honeymoon. We were there for three fabulous weeks on safari. We have a reminder of the time as most of it is on DVD.
What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Bear Grylls, although dinner would be a bit dodgy, seeing what he eats. Anthony Hopkins would be another guest. He is a great actor. I was really taken by Aidan Quinn when he came to the factory to buy clothes. He would make a very amiable dinner guest.
What do you do for a special treat?
Fiona and I go out for a meal. I particularly enjoy The Exchange in Derry.
Favourite animal?
The German Shepherd dog. We used to have one called Ben. I find them obedient, intelligent and affectionate
Biggest thrill?
My name was pulled out to go on Winning Streak in 1998. I won ten and a half thousand, not bad for one day’s work….
What was the best present you ever got?
My baby boy Charlie three and a half years ago and Alfie, my other boy just over a year ago….

What was the last thing you bought just for yourself?
I was on holiday in Majorca three years ago and treated myself to a G-Shock watch.
What charities do you support?
I support the Foyle Hospice, it’s a really beneficial cause and I also donate clothes to a Romanian charity that go to a children’s orphanage.

The world’s most irritating/most useful invention?
Light bulbs are the most useful, they have lengthened our days considerably. Like most people the mobile phone is up there on top of the most irritating list. Everyone knows where you are, there’s no escape.
Favourite past-time?
Playing football and gardening. I play with a group of friends and have a kick about, nothing serious. I am thinking about growing some vegetables this year, I’ll have to start soon though to catch the season. My father has a great greenhouse where he grows his tomatoes.
Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
I am very happy with now……
What do you have for breakfast?
A bowl of porridge, a cup of tea and a slice of Daniel Doherty’s wholemeal bread with knob of Kerrygold butter on top and raspberry jam.
Do you have a favourite cartoon character?
It has to be Popeye. He has a unique way of opening cans of spinach.
What was your first paid job?
I worked at the Welcome Inn bar on the Malin Road under Audrey and Joe Bredan. I was there part time and was paid 35 punts.
Best/worst household task?
The best is cleaning the toilets and the worst is taking the ashes out. I came from a big family and we were all well trained with every aspect of domesticity.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
When paying for something, always use someone else’s money. I was told that ages ago, it works for some people but not for others. You have to shop wisely and know what you are buying… and be able to repay the loan of course….
Personal philosophy?
My mother and father are great role models for all of us and they told me to always be good to people and look after people who can’t look after themselves. Live life to be a good example to others.

5 MINUTES WITH - EDEL BURNS

Edel Burns lives in Carndonagh is a qualified chef and has been working in the catering industry for the last twenty-five years. Originally from Swords, Edel moved to Donegal when she was 19 and has also spent time in Newry, Spain and Scotland, where her fiancé Robert hails from. Edel and her brother run their business supplying schools around the peninsula with packed lunches. They also hire out chocolate fountains for weddings and parties. The hours are long in the careering business but Edel wouldn't have it any other way, as she loves what she does. Edel is also available for catering for special events. For more information call her on 086 865 9708


What music are you listening to at the moment?
I'm listening to Lady Gaga, Poker Face and BelX1. Everyone says that I have a terrible taste in music, but what's wrong with liking pop music that 10 year olds enjoy?

What book are you reading?
I am reading an old Jeremy Clarkson book - The World According to Clarkson…. again. They are mostly articles from his newspaper column… I think he's great

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I went to see a film called Valkyrie, which is based on actual events about a plot to assassinate Hitler during the height of WWII. I enjoyed the film and though that Tom Cruise was very good playing Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I am hooked on Suduko so that's the page I always go to. I also have a Suduko book in my bag for the quieter moments in the day…

What would you never throw away?
I am very much a hoarder and I have loads of stuff lying around. I haven't thrown anything away for years and I have boxes that have been sealed up and I don't know what's in them. One day I will have a clear out.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Like most of us I would suspect, I have too many to recall.

Favourite TV programme?
It has to be Top Gear with the lads; Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. I also enjoy a good Kerry GAA match if Top Gear isn't on Dave and I will always watch Moto GP… Rossi Rules….

Favourite meal?
Just give me a cheese and tomato sandwich.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I had two plans. One was to work in Dublin airport as most people I knew worked there, coming from Swords. I didn't mind what I would do. We used to come to Donegal for holidays and I loved it so wanted to come and live and work here….At least plan worked out...

Where was your best holiday and what made it special?
I spent four great summers in Rannafast Gaeltacht College. There were up to seven hundred of us , a lot of us from Inishowen. It was great fun. I loved it there.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
The Italian professional motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi for the craic. He is one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time, with 8 Grand Prix World Championships to his name. Clarkson for the controversy and the Kerry GAA team to do the washing up..

What do you do for a special treat?
Hug the television remote control.

Biggest Challenge?
Getting to work at 4am- five days a week.

What was the best present you ever got?
I got hand made thank-you cards from some of the children we supplied lunches to. It was so unexpected and it was better than winning the lotto, we have them pride of place on the walls.

What was the last thing you bought just for yourself?
Wedding shoes. I am getting married to Robert in July, so I have to prepare.

The world's most irritating/most useful invention?
The most useful is the computer- the most irritating has to be a bad can opener. I have a really good battery one and I like it so much people get them as presents.

Favourite past-time?
Sleeping.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The Second World War. There was so much going off. I would have loved to have seen the dogfights.

What do you have for breakfast?
Nothing. I am usually up and running to work. Anyway, who wants breakfast at 3:30 in the morning…

Do you have a favourite cartoon character?
Calvin and Hobbes the comic strip written and illustrated by Bill Watterson is my favourite. It, follows the s antics of Calvin, an imaginative six-year old boy, and Hobbes, his energetic stuffed tiger.

What was your first paid job?
I was a lounge girl in a small hotel in Dublin(waiting tables). I worked Friday-Saturday and sometimes Sundays.

Best/worst household task?
Best: Cooking of course
Worst: Cleaning.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
When we finished college we were told "Now you begin to learn."

Personal philosophy?
It's a long road with no turn….

5 MINUTES WITH - FRANKIE VELDMAN

Frankie Veldman is originally from Letterkenny and has spent the last 14 years offshore working on Oilrigs. He started at the bottom as a labourer and moved up to the pipe deck before trying a hand at the drill floor. Frankie then studied Health and Safety in his time off and completed a Health and Safety Course in Aberdeen University. After stints working as a Safety Coach and advisor for a drilling company Frankie was offered a contract offshore on a fleet of Offshore Flotels (accommodation Barges), where he was responsible for the health and safety of 580 staff. Frankie has worked out of Ireland, UK, Holland, Denmark, and Norway and was onboard the Sedco 711 when they first discovered gas in the Corrib field back in 1999. In June last year Frankie came home full-time and set up a training centre to cater for personnel wishing to seek employment in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry. With all the doom and gloom in the country at the moment Frankie feels that the best way forward is training and has opened up the Feidhm Mara Teoranta Training Centre. The future plans for the centre will be to run more and more offshore courses so personnel will not have to leave the country to do these. Frankie feels, that this will benefit the county as a whole and put Donegal firmly on the map up there along with Aberdeen, Huston, and Dubai.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
I am not listening to anything as the phones are constantly ringing….I like most kinds of music and I suppose in my younger days I liked AC/DC a lot. I would loved to have gotten tickets for the concert this year in Ireland but unfortunately they sold out very quickly.

What book are you reading?
I don’t really have much time on my hands these days to read books. I can tell you the last book I read was Roy Keane’s. I read it 3 times, I enjoyed it that much. It’s the first thing I pack in my suitcase before I go on holiday.

What was your favourite childhood game?
If you are talking about board games then it would have to be Escape from Colditz. I remember my mum bought it at the market in Strabane many years ago for a pound. Ours disappeared and I remember looking for it in many game shops over the years and could never find it. Then one day offshore in the games room and snooker hall I spotted a familiar box….You now know what I was playing for the rest of my offshore hitch.

Have you been to the cinema recently?
Yes. The last film I saw was James Bond Quantum of Solace. I suppose it was fine. I would like to have seen more of the Aston Martin DB9 though.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
It has got to be the sports pages first.

What would you never throw away?
The telephone numbers of good-looking girls. (Laughing).

Most embarrassing moment.
Getting off on the wrong oil-rig. I had to listen to that for years from the crews I work with.

Favourite TV programme?
I like comedy on TV and my favourite is Father Ted. I have the DVD box collection and my favourite two favourite episodes are a Song for Europe where they sing about My Lovely Horse. (I am humming it to myself just now LOL) and the book signing episode where Mrs Doyle swears a lot at Father Ted. Brilliant

What job did I want to do when I was a child?
Well my father spent 25 years of his life Offshore and I always wanted to be a sailor, just like my Dad. I got my childhood wish 15 years ago but on an oil rig and not a supply boat. So in a way I have followed my father’s footsteps.

What was my best holiday and what made it special?
My best holiday was in 2002 where I went to the World Cup in Japan and Korea. I travelled with my younger brother Dennis and Brendan Dunnion from Letterkenny. Things that made it special for me was sitting next to Packie Bonner all night in the team’s hotel. I was starving, as I am a very fussy eater and said this to Packie. He popped up to his room and landed back with a box of Tayto Cheese and Onion crisps. No doubt Dennis, Brendan, and I ate most of them. Later in the night he gave me his Irish training jersey.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Firstly I would have invite Jamie Oliver. He would do the cooking. If Pope John Paul were still alive he would be top of the guest list as he could say the grace and have good stories to tell. I think there might be a seat for JR Ewing (Larry Hagman, Dallas) just for a few pointers. Shaun Gallagher would also be there I think he is doing a brilliant job rallying all over the world and putting Donegal on the Map. It would be good to have chat with him. Elvis would be there for a few tunes and I suppose one of the Pussycat Dolls for dessert….. I would have an Irish polititan to do the cleaning up but I’m not certain who would be the best person for the job….

What do you do for a special treat?
Well, with working offshore I have plenty of time off, so treats are always on the menu. I like going to the Indian restaurants and other activities include swimming with sharks and rally school. For a special treat I like going to the hairdressers…….

Favourite animal
Dog.

Biggest Thrill?
Being on an oil rig on a little ledge throwing in drill pipe to the travelling blocks. This means that you are standing 90 feet up in the air on a bit of metal, throwing things.

Biggest Challenge?
That would have to be getting the training centre up and running. Our backs were put to the walls more times than enough but we have come through. I have been working solidly on this project for the last 10 months. (It has not been easy)

What was the best present you ever got?
My dad is a dab hand at the carpentry work and one time he made me a 3 foot model of an oil rig. I still remember to this day pushing toys around the decks of it. I don’t think it was a present for a special occasion though.

What was the last thing you bought yourself?
I honestly can’t remember it’s been that long since I treated myself to a new pair of jeans or trainers. If it’s any item, then that would have to be a litre of milk.

What charities do you support?
I sponsor Whales and Dolphins and receive an update on my Dolphin in the Moray Firth Scotland.

The world’s most Irritating Invention/Most useful Invention?
Most irritating would have to be the mobile phone especially if you are sitting on a train and you want some chill time.
The most useful invention would have to be the Iron Roughneck. The Iron Roughneck is a robot, which is used for making up drill pipe on the rig floor. When it breaks down you know you are in for a hard shift ahead. It’s a Roughneck’s best friend and it is always the first piece of machinery you should check before your shift.

Favourite pastime?
I used to swim a lot but have not had the chance recently.

What do you have for breakfast?
That depends, mostly 2 cups of coffee. When I get up in the morning the last thing on my mind is breakfast and it is about lunchtime before I even think about food. Maybe once a month I might have a big fry.

What was your first job?
My first job was selling the Donegal Democrat on a Thursday afternoon after school. I would get 1p per paper I sold. I usually ended up selling 40 of them. I would normally pocket a pound for the evening’s work that is including tips.

Best/Worst household chore?
I do not really mind any chores about the house. I live alone and am quite a tidy person so there are not many chores to be done.

What is the best advice you have been given?
My dad told me before I went offshore for the first time that, any job I do make sure you do it to a standard you would expect if you were inspecting the job yourself. I have never had anyone over the past 14 offshore years complain about my work.

Personal Philosophy?
I suppose it would be Live Life to The Pepsi Max. That reminded me of a storm we had on a rig west of Shetland back in 1999 or 1998 Hurricane Mitch. They asked for volunteers to go down to the spider deck to unlatch the Blow-Out Preventer as the weather was seriously rough. My pal Craig from Aberdeen and I headed down. We were frightened as there were big waves hitting the underside of the rig. It was the time the Pepsi Max ads were on telly and we just kept say Pepsi Max to each other

5 MINUTES WITH - MAGRETH MCGILL

Magreth McGill was born in New South Wales, Australia, and married a Derry man who has ties to St Johnson. He convinced Magreth to make the move to Inishowen and she has never looked back. Since arriving in Donegal, Magreth has been busy, setting up her ionised water business venture -Microwater Ltd with her partners Sharon McGilloway and Robbie Henry. Their bottled water, inishOH! can be found around local shops and they also provide a water cooler service to local businesses. Magreth is a great believer in sustainability and not only believes in supplying locally and employing locally but the company also supports local charities with five cent from every bottle going to health and children’s charities. The company are re-building their premises at MicroWater in Burt after a serious fire. Margreth would like to thank all of the people of Burt, who have been extremely supportive and Margreth is very proud to be a part of their community. They hope that MicroWater will be up and running in the very near future.

Magreth had two children. Her 26-year-old son Michael, who she loves dearly, is, in her words “in Australia doing what all young men do” Magreth hopes he will come over for a visit soon and fall in love with Ireland as she has done. Her daughter Helene, was tragically killed in a car accident in 2001. She was 21 years old. As Magreth says “ It isn’t easy to come to terms with, and is still hard even now. I think about her every day, but I have good memories and I try to focus on them.”


What music are you listening to at the moment?
I listen to the radio a lot and enjoy a very varied list of music from Beethoven, The Beatles, Bee Gees, Pink Floyd (especially Dark Side of the Moon) and Santana. I also enjoy Motown and the likes of Diana Ross,

What book are you reading?
The Rise and Rise of Kerry Packer. It’s a biography about the Australian Media Magnate Kerry Packer.

What was your favourite childhood game?
Monopoly. I was good at the buying and selling and collecting rent, even though the friend I played with liked to cheat

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
Not recently, but the last film I saw was really good, but I can’t remember the name of it!

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
It’s usually the front page of the local paper to see what is going on in the area.

What would you never throw away?
My record collection and photos.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
When I met Prime Minister John Howard shortly after he came to power, I said something to him that made everyone including me blush. He had already tried for two previous elections to become Prime Minister and when on the third attempt he was successful, I wanted to let him know that I had been in his corner for a long time….. My words came out “Congratulations John, I’ve been rooting for you for years!”

Favourite TV programme?
Lost, what can I say; I love the way it shifts from past, present and future. You have to watch carefully not to miss any clues, and remember what has happened to understand where it is going. The concept is interesting and futuristic. The actors are a good mix, and you can't help but love them all.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be a nurse. I always wanted to help people who were not well, for whatever reason. I personally had a childhood illness at age 12, which is maybe what motivated me. I endured 3 months in bed with Hep A and then 2 years of recovery afterwards which was plagued with associated illnesses. When someone is ill they can't help themselves and they don't often have the understanding of what made them sick. I actually did start my nursing career but this was cut short due to things that happened within the hospital that I worked at in Australia, it was a geriatric hospital and some of the nurses were very cruel and hurt the patients, I complained but was told to put up with it. I couldn't agree and was forced to leave. I have always had an interest in the human body and how it works. My father who was a medic during WWII was stationed in Indonesia for five year. As I grew up he was still always interested in health and wellbeing. This must have rubbed off.

Where was your best holiday and what made it special?
The island of Morea in Tahiti. It was glorious. I just rested and enjoyed the time out without the trappings of the shopping trips.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Sharon Osborne – because I think she would be interesting to listen to.

What do you do for a special treat?
Go shopping. I always love buying kitchen things, or hardware and tools for projects. Clothing is only a thing I like to shop for when I have to.

Favourite animal?
My pet Shih Tzu, Miescha.

Biggest thrill?
Rollercoaster at age 16. Never went on another one again…..

Biggest Challenge?
Raising my children.

What was the best present you ever got?
I got a foot spa, which was a thank you from my children for all the running around I did for them.

What was the last thing you bought just for yourself?
I bought myself some New Ugg Boots. Anything to keep my feet warm in this cold weather.

Do you feel the inishOH! water is beneficial to your health?
Yes. After 9 years I still drink only alkaline ionised water and my own health is excellent (for a 51 year old woman). In fact I was recently very ill with carbon monoxide poisoning through my gas fire and blocked chimney, probably the reason for surviving was the water! long story....

What charity do you support?
Cancer Research

The world’s most irritating/most useful invention?
Most Useful must be the Internet. Most irritating, the phone

Favourite past-time?
I love reading and try to sit down with a book as often as I can.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The 1700’s when they knew how to dress well.

What do you have for breakfast?
Something simple like Weetabix or oatmeal porridge.

What was your first paid job?
Packing strawberries in punnets. I did this during school break, for a farmer friend of my fathers - I was paid $1 per hour, which was .50c more per hour than my first real paid job!

Best/worst household chore?
Worst - Cleaning the fireplace…., Best – Cooking and baking. I love experimenting with food. If I get a notion to try a different culture, such as Indian or Italian - I will cook in that style for weeks or months until I can do it without the books, or become an expert. I love to bake cakes and slices.... my present favourite is banana cake and cheesecake.

What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
Best – to believe in myself – Worst – I never listened to the worst advice!

Personal philosophy?
Never burn bridges; you never know when you will need them again.

5 MINUTES WITH - CLARE BARR

Clare Barr from Buncrana is an enthusiastic Pilates Instructor. Fourteen years ago, Clare did a Health and Fitness course in Dublin and began to teach aerobics. Seven years later, she discovered Pilates, and found it a brilliant and beneficial exercise.

Pilates works on many levels, improving breathing and posture, strengthening core muscles and keeping the body balanced. When you are born the body is straight and aligned but as the years go by the body’s posture changes because of injuries and general use. Pilates is a simple way of exercising and you don’t realise that you are getting so many benefits from the classes. Clare feels very lucky that Buncrana has two leisure centres and a health centre with a wide selection of classes available. She also feels with all the wonderful walks and beautiful hills to climb all over Inishowen, as well as the other facilities available, we have no excuse for not getting out there and doing some form of exercise. Clare is running courses in both Buncrana and Carndonagh regularly and if you want to find out more you can call her on 074 9362723



What music are you listening to at the moment?
I listen to anything from Abba to ZZ Top. As long as it’s good….

What book are you reading?
I devour books and make great use of the local library in Buncrana. I read between 4 and 5 books a month. I have just finished ‘The Brass Verdict’ by Michael Connelly and have stared ‘The Bodies Left Behind’ by Jeffery Deaver.

What was your favourite childhood game?
My childhood memories were of us always being outside playing form morning until night. The weather was never an issue. I enjoyed it all but the best had to be when we went to the beach in the summer catching shrimps at the springboard on the shorefront and building sandcastles in the Ladies Bay.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
Going to the cinema is a favourite midweek treat for me. The last film I saw was Australia. I thought it was fantastic. It’s a very uplifting film with Nicole Kidman as strong as ever.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I always read the front page first – start at the beginning, as they say.

What would you never throw away?
Photographs of my family.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I had never tried Karaoke before, but one evening while on holiday in Tenerife (after a little Dutch courage) I started singing a Tina Turner song, helped by my 8 year old daughter. It was a disaster and the more we sang, the worse we got…

Favourite TV programme?
I am a huge fan of Inspector Morse, 24, A Touch of Frost and most thrillers. I love listening to the music channels whilst doing the housework.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
A ballet dancer for a while and then a member of Pans People (the dancers on Top of the Pops)!

Where was your best holiday and what made it special?
Our family holiday in Disney World, a few years ago now. Seeing the expressions on the faces of my children, Sean, Michael and Kate, when they encountered the world of getting their picture taken with Mickey and Minnie mouse. Or was it driving through California in a big white Cadillac?

What do you do for a special treat?
Get dressed up (love that) go to the Beach House on the pier in Buncrana or The Tavern for a meal and finish the night in the Drift Inn listening to the Mystery Shoppers or enjoying (listening to) the Karaoke… I definitely won’t be singing….

Favourite animal?
We have always had dogs in our family since I was a child. I love them. I think it’s healthy for children to get used to dogs – caring for them and feeding them.

Biggest thrill?
It has to be the birth of my children. Sean, Michael and Kate. My grandchildren Brionan, James and wee baby Belle. Also having my wonderful husband Brian and my lovely daughter-in-law Hilary. As you get older you realise how important your family is.

Biggest Challenge?
About 5 years ago I had severe arthritis in my hip and I needed a replacement operation. My hip had originally been dislocated when I was born. At the time I thought I would never be able to exercise again – never mind teach. I really thought I would have to change career again and give up something that I loved. But the operation was a complete success and less than five months after the operation I was teaching again.

What was the best present you ever got?
On the morning of my 50th birthday I was whisked off to Nice for a surprise holiday. It was kept secret right until the last minute.

What was the last thing you bought just for yourself?
A dress for €15 euro in the sale in Jay Bee’s of Carndonagh – I love a bargain!

What charities do you support?
The St Vincent de Paul and Concern.

Favourite past-time?
Exercising, walking, reading and dancing.

What do you have for breakfast?
Fresh fruit, tea and brown bread with marmalade.

What was your first paid job?
Working for my father in the Plaza Ballroom in Buncrana. My sisters and I always had to work from an early age and it didn’t do us any harm at all even though we might not have liked it much at the time.

Best/worst household chore?
The best would be cooking and the worst would be cleaning windows.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Live each day to the full.

Personal philosophy?
Treat others as you would like to be treated.

WORLD HEART DAY 2008

“It’s never too early, or never too late to start looking after your heart” Shahryar Sheikh, President of the World Heart Foundation.

The Irish Heart Foundation recommends that: “children and young people should aim to participate in activity of at least moderate intensity for one hour every day”

Be a role model. Children learn by watching what their parents do. Show your child that you enjoy and value activity by taking part yourself - even simple things like walking short journeys instead of using the car can have a big influence.


WORLD HEART DAY 2008



KNOW YOUR RISK
World Heart Day is the most successful international campaign against heart disease and stroke. The World Heart Federation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, created the annual campaign in the year 2000 to increase public awareness of the growing threat of heart disease and stroke. This year the World Heart Day is on Sunday the 28th of September and their message is: “Know Your Risk!" The aim is to let the public find out what they can do to reduce their risk to the disease.


POSITIVE MESSAGE
Heart disease and stroke is the world’s largest killer, claiming 17.5 million lives a year. The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable and that simple, affordable steps can be taken to reduce the major risk factors.

The message of World Heart Day is a positive one and emphasizes the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle to leading a better, longer life.

LOOK AFTER YOUR HEART

Healthy eating
The key to healthy eating is to eat a wide variety of foods. Using the Food Pyramid as a guide will help make sure you get all the vitamins, minerals and goodness you need.

Get active
Regular physical activity is one of the main factors that reduces your risk of heart attack, along with not smoking and having a healthy level of blood pressure and cholesterol. Being active is the one factor that you can influence and change yourself without medication or treatment, and usually with very little cost. All it takes is about 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days, such as brisk walking, swimming or dancing. You can include household tasks such as cleaning the house and gardening.

Stopping smoking
You know the dangers and can feel it destroying your health.

Weight loss and heart disease

Being overweight means that your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. This extra pressure can cause wear and tear on your heart and blood-vessel system. Many people who are overweight for a long time develop high blood pressure or diabetes.

High blood pressure

A person with high blood pressure feels well, looks well and rarely has any symptoms. However, high blood pressure makes the heart and arteries work harder, causing damage over the years.
Watching your cholesterol level Having high cholesterol levels in your blood is one of the risk factors, which increases your chances of getting heart disease. One of the best ways to prevent heart disease is to keep your cholesterol at a healthy level.

Stress and the heart

If you feel stressed, your blood will produce more hormones. Although they are useful in small amounts, too many of these hormones, continuously and over time, can damage your arteries and may lead to high blood pressure.

Only you can change the way you react to stress.

DID YOU KNOW?

Approximately 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease. The largest number of these deaths are caused by heart attack (5,000).

There are over 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette. Once you stop smoking your health improves immediately and you begin to reduce your risk of heart disease.

A recent Irish survey showed that: 34% of men and women had high blood pressure but were not on medication to control it. 18% were on medication but their blood pressure was still high. Only 40% of Irish men and women over the age of 45 had normal blood pressure levels.

By 2025 it is estimated that 1.5 billion people, that’s one in three people around the world could have high blood pressure if preventative steps are not taken soon.

High blood pressure rarely causes any outward symptoms.

You can get your blood pressure checked at your local medical centre.

TOP TIPS

I turned into one of those people that you cross the road to avoid last week. I wanted to get some ideas for cleaning tips so members of the public have been stopped in the street to see if they have any ideas that we haven’t heard. I had a list of some that were totally unsuitable for printing but I think some of them are worth mentioning, so here goes.

NEW TOP TIP IDEAS

If you don’t have a paper shredder to get rid of your private papers here is a tip. Fill a bowl with warm soapy water and soak the documents for an hour. Press the paper into a brick shape or a ball. They will not be able to pull apart and cannot be read. If you want to take it a stage further then put the bricks or balls somewhere where they can dry out. They can be used as fuel on the open fire.

Clean gold rings. Put some lipstick on a cloth and rub for a sparkling shine. Do not use on rings with crevices though or you will have difficulty getting it off.

Stale crusts of bread cut into cubes then baked make great dog biscuits.

Small burn marks on the carpet can be removed by rubbing the area with a slice of raw potato.

Keep an old toothbrush near the sink for cleaning graters, blenders and whisks etc.

COOKING TIP
Grate courgettes and carrots into your spaghetti bolognaise sauces. They add flavour and your kids will never tell the difference.

Soak smelly feet in a bowl of green tea or tomato juice for ten minutes. The pong will disappear.

Household.

WOOL CARE

The three enemies of wool are heat, rubbing and wet. Careful washing is actually better for woollen clothes than dry cleaning, and better for the planet too. For good results dissolve pure soap in hot water and add enough cold to get the temperature down to below body temperature. Soak the pullover for about ten minutes and then press it to the bottom of the basin until it is clean. Putting a teaspoon full of natural glycerine in the final rinse will leave the wool feeling soft and fluffy. It is important to get the water out of the wool as soon as possible. The wool spin on the washer should sort that out. When it is as dry as possible the jumper can be hung outside on the line to dry. One method of hanging the garment is to pass a pair of tights through the sleeves and secure them to the line. The other method is to put a shirt inside the jumper as if you were wearing it and fasten the sleeves to the line. It’s important to dry the jumper without it resting on any sharp edges or being supported by pegs as this can put the garment out of shape.

When it comes to ironing a wool jumper, the less it is pressed the better. If you do have to do this, put a cloth between the jumper and the iron, this will reduce the risk of damage. Keep the iron on a low temperature as well.

Household.

HOME AND OFFICE CLEANING TIPS

Your computer and keyboard are like magnets to dust in the home. There are some solvent based cleaners on the market but if you want a cheap and natural solution to the grime that collects on the machine then look no further than the kitchen cupboard. Have you guessed what it is… yes it’s that wonderful liquid again… vinegar!

Cleaning your computer mouse

Before I start though you must be very careful when using liquids near electrical devices. If you are in any doubt then leave well alone!Green Cleaning tips..

When your computer mouse gets dirty and picks up dust, it becomes hard to manipulate.

Vinegar comes to the rescue yet again.


Simply mix half vinegar and half water and use that. Remove the ball and wipe clean with the solution. Dry thoroughly with a soft, lint-free towel. Dip a cotton swab into the solution, squeeze until nearly dry and wipe the inside the mouse, removing dust or dirt particles. Use a wrung out cloth to wash the outside of the mouse.

Clean home equipment
Dip a cloth into a mixture of ½ vinegar and ½ water and wring out. Wash down the outside of your computer, printer and other pieces of equipment. Never use a spray bottle for this job. Use a nearly dry cotton swab dipped in the mixture to clean the keyboard.

Clean scissors
Wipe the blades of your scissors down frequently with a cloth dipped in full strength vinegar to keep them clean and glue free.

Thin glue
Add a drop or two of vinegar to the old bottle of glue and shake. Keeping adding vinegar drop by drop until the glue returns to the proper consistency.

Discover the tips to get your office sparkling...

Household.

HAND WASHING

Last week I mentioned the fact that we are a nation of shopaholics and fizzy drink fanatics. This week we have been reminded that we are also a nation of people that don’t wash our hands properly. This might not come as a surprise to parents. As many have long suspected, kids really are strangers to soap. A survey by the food and drink federation has found almost half do not always wash their hands after they have been to the toilet at school or before eating, putting them at risk of food poisoning.


The most common reasons for not washing their hands were not having time, because the toilets were dirty or simply because they forgot.

The survey of over 500 teenagers aged 11 to 19 by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) found 40% of those who do always wash their hands don't always use soap.

Three quarters say they dry their hands on their clothes if in a hurry.

But the FDF warns 1,000 times as many germs are spread from damp hands than dry.



Over half the teenagers surveyed said they did not always wash their hands before eating lunch at school But many teenagers did know the rules about when they should wash their hands. Two thirds knew they should wash them after going to the toilet, and 41% that they should have clean hands before preparing food. But only a quarter knew they should wash their hands after touching raw meat and before touching other foods or utensils. Just one in three knew it was important to wash their hands after touching pets because they could harbour germs. This habit of poor hygiene generally carries on to adulthood.



HANDWASHING

Typically, people carry between 10,000 and 10 million bacteria on each hand. I was visiting a hospital recently where they have introduced alcohol washes at every ward door. These are supposed to kill off the deadly viruses that are around but they have been met with mixed feelings, as they don’t seem to kill of the viruses that are infesting hospitals.

Washing hands with soap and water is still best, but what kind of soap should you use? Most people are turning to antibacterial soaps but they too have their problems

Seven years ago, only a few dozen products containing antibacterial agents were being marketed for the home. Now more than 700 are available. We are being bombarded with ads for cleansers, soaps, toothbrushes, dishwashing detergents, and hand lotions, all containing antibacterial agents to kill off the “Superbugs” Germs have become the buzzword for a danger people want to eliminate from their surroundings. In response to these messages, we are buying antibacterial products because we think these offer health protection for our families. Among the newer products in the antibacterial craze are antibacterial window cleaner and antibacterial chopsticks. Antibacterial agents are now in plastic food storage containers in England. In Italy, antibacterial products are touted in public laundries. In America you can purchase a mattress completely impregnated with an antibacterial agent (so they will be here soon!). Whole bathrooms and bedrooms can be outfitted with products containing triclosan (a common antibacterial agent), including pillows, sheets, towels, and slippers. Antibacterial soaps are not only easier to locate than they were just a few years ago, in some cases, they are difficult to avoid. It's almost impossible to find non-antibacterial products in today's supermarkets and shops. Over 70 percent of the liquid soap you can buy now is labeled antibacterial.


While those selling the stuff would like us to believe that these products will reduce our chances of getting sick, whether or not that is the case is still in question. One test was carried out recently where chosen households were randomly assigned to use cleaning, laundry and hand washing products that contained antibacterial ingredients, or identical-looking products that did not have antibacterial ingredients.... At the end of 48 weeks, there was essentially no difference between the two groups in the seven infectious disease symptoms surveyed, including runny nose, cough, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea. Doctors are particularly concerned that antibacterial soaps could be contributing to the growing problem of drug resistant bacteria. This may be because it is killing the weakest bacteria, leaving the tougher, hard-to-kill strains dominant. Overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of new bacterial strains that are largely untreatable because they are resistant to existing drugs.

The simple solution then is not to use antibacterial cleaners as a substitute for slapdash hand washing. Thorough washing in the cracks and crevices of the hand with natural soap will do a far better job!

Household,environmental.

COOKER CARE

Dear Ian.
I read your article about solar cookers. It was interesting but I have just got a normal gas cooker. I have a job on keeping it clean, have you any suggestions” GF. Derry

Reply
Your gas cooker is probably the most frequently used appliance in your kitchen and therefore the most important. The time you spend caring for it correctly is well worthwhile. Gas cookers have few moving parts and when kept clean will operate trouble-free. The trick to maintaining a gas cooker is to clean it often, before grease or burnt food particles begin to build up. Ensure that any spillage is cleaned immediately, as food spills that reach into the stove and clog the pilot light burners, or settle in the main burners and clog the gas outlet holes, will cause the stove to operate erratically.

Enamel areas
Wipe over while still warm with a damp, soapy cloth.
Dry with a soft cloth.
Always wipe spills as soon as safely possible, so they do not dry or cook on, remembering to turn off the gas flame first.

Use bicarbonate of soda remove stubborn marks and avoid scouring pads or powder, which can scratch enamels. Adverts on the TV show chemical cleaners fighting grease. There is a time delay of a few minutes to let the product soak into the mess. If you use water it does just the same job, is far cheaper and better for the environment!

Control panel
Wipe over and occasionally remove and wash knobs.
Wipe off any build up on the panel.

Burners
For day to day cleaning, wipe over the burners after each use.
Aluminium should be rubbed over with soapy steel wool pads.
Brass and stainless steel should be washed in hot, soapy water.
Always rinse and dry well.
Light burners to check they have been put on correctly.

Pan supports or trivets
Wash in hot, soapy water.
If they are very greasy soak in a solution of one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda to 4.5 litres of very hot water.

Grill
Remove grill tray.
Wash tray in hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry well.
Wipe out grill compartment with a warm, soapy cloth.
Clean racks as for oven shelves.

Oven
There are two types of finishes-enamel and catalytic (self-cleaning). The catalytic surface is specially treated so it requires care when using (see manufacturer's instructions).
It is easier to clean the oven while it is still warm, but not hot.

Remove shelves and other moveable parts and wash in a hot water detergent solution.
Wipe over oven shelves, occasionally rubbing with a soapy fine steel-wool pad, make sure it doesn’t fetch off any protective coatings though. Rinse.

Glass areas
Clean over with a hot, soapy cloth - remember most oven doors lift off for easy cleaning.
Avoid soaking glass doors as it may damage the insulation.

It's the only E-Book like it online.....The Green Clean book

Household.

VERSITILE VINEGAR

VINEGAR. NATURES SECRET WEAPON

We have mentioned vinegar time and time again as a versatile cleaner. This wonder liquid is in most kitchens and it usually only graces a salad dressing or a plate of chips. I have set myself a target of two minutes to have a brainstorm to think up of as many ways as possible (in no particular order) that vinegar can be used for around the home and as a traditional remedy to ease the aches and pains of everyday life. Here goes…

Polish the chrome on your car. Vinegar is a great chrome cleaner, look around your kitchen too and have a go at getting the grime off any chrome-plated surface.

Cleans and disinfects work surfaces, mirrors and glass. Mix a few caps full of vinegar to the water when you are cleaning the windows and work surfaces. Use it neat on kitchen surfaces.

Sooth tired and aching feet. Put some vinegar in a bucket of warm water and get soaking those feet after a hard days work.

Repair scratches in wood. Put some neat on a soft cloth and rub gently on the scratches.

Stop hiccups. My lad swears by this, just swallow a teaspoon full and your hiccups will disappear in an instant!

Whitens whites in the washing machine and brightens colours. Add some to the washing cycle, you will find that the vinegar also fades sweat stains.
More natural cleaning ideas...

Lifts painful corns and calluses. Regular applications of vinegar will dry up these irritations.

Clears embarrassing dandruff. Add vinegar to your rinse and rub well into the scalp. It’s a lot cheaper than the harsh chemicals you buy and will be far less irritating to your skin.

Eases the pain of insect bites. Dab some neat vinegar on the bites and this will relieve the itching.

Relieves coughs and tickly throats. Mix the vinegar with honey to make it more palatable. This will help to relieve sore throats too.

Lift stains from carpets. The vinegar is particularly effective when removing ink stains. Test on a small area first.

Sooth painful sunburn.

Clean brass, copper and pewter. Be very careful as the vinegar could dissolve layers of metal plate (it is an acid after all!) Leave any valuables and family heirlooms to be cleaned to the professionals

Banish unpleasant odours. Put some in a glass and leave near the offending pong.

Dissolves chewing gum. It works well if the gum gets stuck in your hair as well. Phew! As we are on the subject of chewing gum, there are a few other suggestions in the next article........

Household.

WINDOW CLEANING

Most of the products on the market for cleaning windows are very powerful, considering the simplicity of the job, to get the glass clean. You might like to know that when you buy the products, the spray ones in particular, they contain mostly water. A vast majority of products contain large amounts of water, as it is a cheap bulking agent. (Bulking agents are found in other products too, especially the food industry -salt and sugar being the favourites, -think how your rasher of bacon shrinks when you fry it up). Back to windows, the spray type containers, whether they are aerosol or pump action are used at very close range to the face, inevitably you inhale a small proportion the contents. Some of the ingredients can be very irritating to the lungs. Apart from harsh solvents there is a chemical called ammonia that will irritate people with asthma. Don’t spray them near children, people or the elderly as they will be more sensitive the irritations.

If you have no choice but to use these products then choose the pump action ones in preference to the aerosol ones. The aerosol ones contain propellants that are highly flammable, damaging to the environment as well as your health.

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?
Consumer research has found that water is the beat cleaner for windows. The statistics found that it was better at getting the grime off the glass than 60 per cent of the glass cleaning products on the market. Home made concoctions also came higher in the list and of course they are a fraction of the cost of the commercial brands.

Get the right tools for the job before you start cleaning. I usually use a lint free cloth, or muslin squares. We have the liners left from when nappies were used in the house, they are very good for the windows. This material is effective to get a shine after cleaning. Newspaper is another alternative for getting a shine; try not to use paper towels, as they are an expensive, wasteful method of cleaning.

GLASS CLEANER METHOD 1
Get hold of some plain club soda from the shop and put it into a spray bottle. People swear by this method and it appears to work because it contains a product called sodium citrate, which acts like a water softener and helps in the cleaning process. It is good for lightly soiled glass. The only disadvantage is that it doesn’t dry as fast as the shop bought products so you can go and put the kettle on and have a brew whilst it dries a bit.

GLASS CLEANING METHOD 2
Mix equal amounts of water and distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. Not only does the vinegar cut through the grease of fingerprints, it also acts as a room deodoriser.

GLASS CLEANING METHOD 3
If you would like a cleaner that foams to show where you have been on the window then here is a simple recipe.
½ teaspoon full of liquid soap
3 tablespoons full of white vinegar
2 cups of water

Put the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. This mixture will clean the dirtiest windows and it can also be used as a light, all-purpose cleaner for around the house.

More natural cleaning tips....

WINDSCREENS
It is very important that the glass in a car windscreen is kept clean at all times. Some of the additives that can be added to the water to clean the windows can be very harmful to health and the environment. A lot of them contain solvents such as ethylene glycol, which can cause blindness and damage to internal organs. Try to choose the ones that are detergent based. Treat them carefully as you would any poisonous substance.

Household.

TOP (AND NOT SO TOP) TIPS

We have been building up a selection of some rather strange suggestions for cleaning and handy tips. Most of them seem so unusual that the chances are you might never ever have to use them. We thought that they needed a mention though. Some of them probably haven’t stood the test of time though, such as putting your cucumber in a glass of water with a lump of charcoal in it. If the water is changed daily it will stay fresh for ages. Thank heavens fridges were invented!

SOME USEFUL IDEAS
There are some ideas that might be useful though, like the tip about a wobbly table leg (thank you E. from Illies). If your table legs wobble then get some wood glue and sawdust. Mix them together and put it on a piece of paper. Push this under the leg that wobbles and press down until it is firm. When the mixture has dried the table won’t need the old beer mat underneath the leg any more.

BATTERIES
If you find that your batteries are fading fast ant the shop is shut then try warming them up. This will help you get the last bit of energy out. (This idea reminds me of the story I once heard about the woman who took three-foot strides to save shoe leather! But thanks anyway Mr D. from Burt).

DRIPLESS DRIPS
Put a slightly damp cloth on a tray when you are serving your friends drinks. This stops the glasses from moving around and soaks up the spills.

SOME LESS THAN USEFUL IDEAS
Where do some people get their ideas? Some of these ideas are pretty wacky, even dangerous. I haven’t printed the one about the best way to siphon petrol from a car, as I don’t think that it is a very good idea Mr. B. from Carndonagh (I don’t want to be putting suggestions into people’s minds -especially when it’s your neighbours car)!

BOILING MILK
One tip was to put a teaspoon in a pan of milk to stop it boiling over. This idea does NOT work and it took me an hour to clean the cooker top! Neither does brushing around the top of the pan with glycerine Ms R. from Clonbeg.

FLEAS
Someone stopped me in the street the other day and said that applying paraffin, or paraffin and milk to a dog’s coat got will get rid of fleas. This might be the case, but it will probably get rid of the dog too! Paraffin is poisonous to animals and should never be used on them.

BUTTER
Here’s one you will never do. It was said that if you wanted to refresh rancid butter then add sweet milk, this will make the butter sweet again…. it doesn’t, anyway, what is rancid butter? All I can say to that one Shaun from Malin is put your butter in the fridge!

AN APPLE AS A TOOTHBRUSH?
We had a suggestion that eating an apple last thing at night before bedtime cleans the teeth. We hate to contradict but it does exactly the opposite. It leaves the teeth bathing in acid all night, which eats into the enamel of the teeth. It might keep the doctor away but it will mean more work for the dentists.

WHISKEY
It has been said that the darker the whiskey, the stronger it is. After much experimenting…hic…I can tell you it isn’t true. The darker the colour just means that more caramel has been added to colour the drink.

That’s about all from the world of useless ideas. There are a lot of old ideas floating around that can be dangerous or just plain daft. If you have any more of them please let me know!

Household.

VACUUM

I spent a day of my life sorting out my vacuum cleaner this week. Our old faithful Vax wet and dry machine was turning out to be a two-person affair. Julie pushed the cleaning head along the carpet whilst I stood behind holding the cable in just the right position so the electricity could flow.


In my wisdom I thought it time to venture out to buy a new model. After traipsing the shops for an eternity I settled on a large supermarket brand 1600-watt bagless cyclonic model that was being offered for sale at a reasonable price. I didn’t make the decision based purely on the price though. I checked that there was little to drop off it and that the cable retracted like the box said it would, all of the usual things we do when making a decision to part with our money. 1600 watts sounded decent as well so I expected it to suck up the carpets when it was switched on after I got it home. Suck up the carpets it did, all for about ten seconds.

After that the bagless wonder just clogged up as the tiniest bit of fluff was blocking up the mountain of filters it had to get past. After running it for two minutes the suction had all but gone and the overheating light came on. Why put an overheating light on anyway? All it does is remind you that the design is rubbish and you wasted your money buying the thing. I decided to do the right thing and pulled out the old faithful Vax cutting off six feet of cable. I have spent 2 euro on a new filter and it’s as good as new. It won’t stop the landfills from filling up though because the new vacuum is destined to go there when I take it back to the shop, no one in their right mind would want to keep it, it’s rubbish.

If the Vax packs up for good I will do a bit of market research first. The internet is a great resource for this. I checked for people’s comments about the 1600 bagless cyclonic wonder and surprise surprise most of the comments were similar to mine. I also found that the space aged design of Dyson isn’t going down too well either with a lot of people complaining that they are too fiddly and expensive to run. Top of the list for customer satisfaction though is the Henry vacuum. These are widely used in business premises and customers love the smiley face on the front. I think I will put one on the front of my revamped Vax. Now where did I leave my marker pen?

Household,Environmental.

HOUSEHOLD TIPS

We’ve been wading through the e-mails this week at Clean and Green this week. We thought that this weeks ideas could come straight from people who have great environmentally friendly cleaning tips. There were some that were totally unsuitable for publication though. Whilst I’m on the subject; No, Ms. B. from Moville, we don’t think that shaving your cat is a good long-term solution for keeping animal hairs off the settee. We would recommend brushing it once in a while instead and invest in a vacuum cleaner.

Here are a few interesting ideas from around the peninsula: (Most of these are untested at the C+ G centre, so proceed with caution!)

Burning potato peelings on the fire keeps the chimney clean.

If you have a microwave, put some rice into a cotton sock and cook for a minute or so. Use it as a hot compress for aching limbs and sinus headaches.

When cleaning vinyl upholstery, use a strong solution of cider vinegar, then rinse and dry well.


Stain removal ideas.

Ballpoint: As soon as this happens, sponge with methylated spirits, and then flush with cold water.

Blood: Soak in cold, salted water for 10 minutes and then wash with soap. For really stubborn stains, apply a mixture of cornflower or talcum powder mixed with water. Allow to dry then brush off.

Coffee: Wash out with cool water then vinegar and rinse. Or mix egg yolk with lukewarm water and rub on the stain.

Glue: Many glue stains can be removed by dabbing with eucalyptus oil.

Some ideas from days gone by.

Sheets were given a new lease of life when cut in two; the unworn sides were then sewn back together. When these wore out they were cut up and used as napkins. Then eventually they would be used for cleaning cloths.

Flour bags were sewn together to make handy sheets –not the modern paper ones!

Shoppers went to the bakery with a pillowcase in which to bring home the bread.

Dry cleaning clothes is hard on the material. Chemicals used in this process are harmful to the environment. In days gone by the clothes were washed in lukewarm water then hung up to dry without wringing.

A goose wing (detached from the goose of course!) was great for dusting- they were free from chemicals too!

Greaseproof paper was used to wrap food. This worked just as well as harmful tin foil or clingfilm.

Although we endeavour to test all the ideas in this article, we ask you to practice with caution.

Test on a small area first.

Household.

ALTERNATIVES TO TOXIC CHEMICALS

Toxic chemicals are all around us. Not just the visible ones such as tobacco smoke and exhaust fumes, but hundreds of chemicals that go unseen. Carpets and upholstery, industrial glues, paints, cleaning products and even perfumes have ingredients that can harm our immune systems. There are ways in which you can cut down on the contact from toxic chemicals. One example is to make your own surface cleaner (Tea tree and lemon essential oil mixed in water for example) and to go for natural air fresheners instead of chemical ones.

When you cut out chemicals from the house you might feel an improvement in the air quality straight away. Other effects are more subtle. It might be a month or two before you realise that you don’t have an afternoon headache or your complexion has cleared up or you can breath easier. Within six months you might find that you react very strongly to the smell of chemical cleaners. Just like perfume we eventually can’t smell it if we are in contact with it for a long period, our bodies become resistant to the odour. You will also find that your nose will be able to detect the nice smells again like fresh flowers and home cooking. This will make you realise how much your sense of smell is dulled by household chemicals.

When certain chemicals are no longer poisoning your system you might find that you become aware of certain foods or smells that make you feel ill. Heed the warnings and cut these out of your diet completely. This is the start of the detoxification process.

DETOXIFICATION
During the period of detoxification you need to follow your bodies needs. You might find that you are more tired than usual. Sleep is when your body does its essential maintenance work, so go to bed earlier for a while. Here are some other ways of helping your body.

Change your diet. This doesn’t have to be too drastic. Go for organic fruit and vegetables. A diet low in saturated fat will help to keep toxins from building up in the body. Go for oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, trout, salmon and herring. These contain essential fatty acids that fight the effects of chemical exposure on the body.

Exercise. Choose two or three activities that you enjoy and work these into your schedule each week. Anything that makes you sweat is particularly useful for boosting metabolism and helping the release of toxins through the skin.

Stress relief. The state of your body often reflects the state of your mind. Too much stress will depletes the body of nutrients needed to fight the effects of pollution. Choose activities that get you totally absorbed and allow you to switch off completely for a while. Yoga and meditation can be very relaxing and the deep breathing that is involved will promote the release of toxins via the lungs.

Hydrotherapy. Water in all its states helps to purify the body. Try relaxing in a bath with cider vinegar, epsom salts or sea salt added to the water. These will stimulate the skin to release toxins. If you belong to a health club have a steam sauna and a massage would also be a very good idea!

Plants. Common houseplants can help to remove toxins from indoor air. The most effective ones are aloe vera, English ivy, spider plants, peace lilies, philodendrons, bamboo plants, chrysanthemums and daisies. Each has been shown to remove harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene and xylene from the air.

SHOPPING
When you shop for cleaning products look out for the ones with the least amount of chemicals present in the list of ingredients. This won’t guarantee that the product doesn’t have harmful irritants in them but it will go some way to relieving the symptoms of industrial poisoning.

FRESH AIR
Here’s an alternative air freshener idea to get you started on the road to a chemical free environment. Mix a 200g box of baking soda with 10-15 drops of you favourite essential oils. Put into a cardboard box, which you can decorate if you wish, or a small dish. Put out of the way and let it get rid of most of the household pongs.

Environmental.

PEARLY WHITES

Ian
My teeth are all discoloured. Are the teeth whitening products on the market effective? RB by e-mail

Reply
There seems to be a lot of products on the market that claim to give you a set of pearly whites. Everywhere you look there are advertisements sporting someone with a huge mouthful of blindingly white teeth. And all of them have smiles so huge and laser-white that you almost have to wear sunglasses to look at them. The passion for having the whitest teeth possible is a popular obsession for millions of people the world over. People wanting to make their smile as bright as a white sheet have many options available to them for doing just that. This obsession can even turn people into what some dentists call “whitening junkies” or “bleach-orexics”—those who just can’t seem to reach the ultimate nirvana of shimmering whiteness that they’re hoping to achieve.
Most of the over the counter products contain bleaching and oxidising agents to whiten the teeth. The side effects of too much bleaching can include gum irritation and damage, and can leave teeth extremely sensitive and blotchy. Whitening products work only on the natural tooth; crowns and cavities cannot be whitened, which can leave your mouth looking like a graveyard of different coloured teeth.

Dentists usually advise patients to have a checkup before beginning any teeth-whitening procedure using over-the-counter products. Such at-home treatments can contain ingredients that are too acidic, and they can slowly erode the enamel of the teeth, although the risk for permanent damage is said to be relatively small. If the treatment begins to do damage, the person will usually just stop, but some harm may have already occurred, particularly to gums.

If you are really insistent on trying to achieve the dazzling white smile of a Hollywood star, you should remember that most celebrities have veneers over their teeth, and veneers do not require whitening (average cost in Ireland is €780 per tooth!). And of course celebrities have access to a smile-enhancing advantage that most average consumers don’t have access to—a digital airbrush!

The natural way to whiten teeth
If you like the idea of whitening your teeth and would like to do things naturally then there are other ways. Try cleaning your teeth with baking soda for a start; this will get rid of some of the staining.
To keep teeth bright and prevent yellowing, you need to remove the staining bacteria. This is exactly what happens when you chew certain foods that produce a high salivary flow. So, take a bite out of celery, carrots, cauliflower, and cucumbers. Another benefit of eating these is that the fibre in some of these foods physically works to clean teeth and remove bacteria.Watch out for dark foods and beverages. Anything that can stain a white T-shirt can stain your teeth too. That means most varieties of berries, as well as soy sauce, red wine, many fruit juices, coffee, tea, and cola drinks. You don’t have to avoid them altogether, but immediately after indulging, rinse out your mouth with water, chew gum, or brush your teeth. Keep in mind that citrus fruits contain acid that can cause enamel to deteriorate over time.

Household.

TALCUM POWDER

I was a bit under the weather a few days ago and took to the settee for a bit of rest and relaxation. I must confess to watching a bit of daytime television whilst I was laid up (purely in the name of research of course). I couldn’t believe the amount of adverts that were shown for cleaning products. There were adverts for washing powder, spray cleaners, air fresheners, fabric softeners and later in the day the adverts became more sophisticated and moved more towards body products to get your skin and hair all smooth and smelling like a summer breeze, (or is that fabric softener, I can’t remember, it’s a bit of a blur). Most of the products have the same ingredients in them so perhaps you could use hair conditioner as a fabric softener!!!

READERS QUESTIONS
We have had a few e-mails concerning last week’s comments on antiperspirants.

Q I use an antiperspirant that looks like a piece of rock crystal. These are made of natural materials aren’t they?

A. These Rock Crystals are made out of mineral salts, which is a natural product. The added ingredients in these though can contain the harmful aluminium metal. When you are buying this product choose the ones that clearly list the ingredients, avoiding any with aluminium. Make sure all the ingredients are natural. Avoid any with ingredients that are unclear.

Q I use talcum powder as an underarm deodorant and to dry my baby’s bottom, surely this is safe?

A. Talcum powder or magnesium silicate, to give it it’s chemical name, is made up of finely ground particles of stone. As this is mined from the ground it can be contaminated with other substances. For example, there have been reports of Asbestos being found in talc. One thing about talc, the dust can settle in the lungs and cause breathing difficulty and asthma. Be careful about leaving talc lying about –toddlers can wreak havoc if they find the container and although throwing it about may be fun for them, it may not be so good for their little lungs. As with all products, its best to use in moderation. When you have the time let your baby’s bottom dry naturally in the air.

Here is an easy and cheap alternative for you to try:Mix one part baking soda with eight parts of cornstarch. Mix in a blender and put in eight or so drops of your favourite essential oil. Store in an airtight container or shaker for future use. You will find that the bathroom doesn’t get covered in powder and you can breath more easily!

Household.