Benefits of regular exercise

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that all people regularly do activities that address each component of overall fitness: cardiovascular endurance through aerobic activity, strength through weight training, and flexibility achieved through stretching. Each of these types of exercise can improve our sense of psychological well-being. However, because the most profound effects on mental health are derived through aerobic activity, it is the major focus.

Tell us what you want — and the cheapest dinner in town (with wine)

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

Many restaurant owners are busy designing new menus, special offers, early birds, etc. However I would like to ask you the readers what you would like to see from our eateries in Galway, and what matters to you and your family when eating out. I will publish the most popular requests in a future article and the restaurant proprietors can take it from there. Send me an e-mail, [email protected] with your comments, don’t agonise over it, just tell me the first one, two, or three things that come to mind or things that are most important to you when eating out. For example: types of food, pricing, parking, opening hours, service, food and wine matching dishes, special gourmet dinners, etc.

Alternative cookery classes at Ard Bia

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

IN MARCH Ard Bia Nimmo’s will be hosting organic cookery classes, creative workshops, wine tasting, and a new knitting series.

Value for money in Busy Bees

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

Parents can enjoy great value for money in Busy Bees activity centre in Oranmore, so there’s no need for children to miss out on playtime.

The latest fashions at your fingertips

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

In recent years online shopping has become something of a phenomenon with any retailers worth their salt offering customers the chance to sit in the luxury of their own home and buy what they want at the click of a button.

Forget Me Not at Belladonna Bridal

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

Belladonna has been hosting some wonderful designer weekends over the past two months, and next Friday and Saturday the company will host a weekend not to be missed with Forget Me Not Designs.

Galway personal trainer expands her business

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

One of Galway’s leading personal trainers is busy expanding her business, proving that people are still keen to invest in their health and well-being despite the economic downturn.

Thirty years of Renmore fun and entertainment

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

In the 1970s Renmore was a fast growing suburb with many young families moving in. There were very few facilities in the area at the time. The school assembly hall was the only social centre and it was there, in the tiny kitchen, that Sean O’Malley suggested to his team mates in the local badminton club they might consider having a parish pantomime. They agreed. A group was formed and they drew up a mission statement — “To foster, encourage and assist theatrical, cultural, and artistic activities in the Renmore community, but also throughout Galway and its environs, and in so doing, to assist whatever charitable causes are deemed appropriate by the committee.”

Russia had its eye on Galway

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

If anyone thought that all a country need do to preserve its freedom when its neighbours are at war is to proclaim its neutrality, then they have only to look hard at what happened to several European countries at the beginning of World War II. Ladies and gentleman of the whinge brigade, neutrality isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

Ireland declared its neutrality at the outbreak of World War II, but even so, that was no guarantee that Ireland would escape the war. But thanks to the clever manoeuvrings by the de Valera government, when all Europe was in flames, by making some realistic compromises along the way, Ireland managed to do so. One of our compromises was robust support for the Allies. Although Britain and America demanded more from Ireland (such as access to our ports to relieve British convoys from a cruel war in the Atlantic), there was significant co-operation between our two countries to calm Allied nerves, and get us safely through an immensely difficult period. Part of our co-operating included the exchange of information and views between the British and Irish secret services. By adopting ‘emergency powers’ the Irish Government had no qualms interning IRA German sympathisers, German spies and pilots, whereas Allied pilots were repatriated through Northern Ireland. Strict newspaper and radio censorship kept war information out of reach, not only from Seán Citizen, but from the number of Irish people who thought it no harm at all if Britain got a good hiding.

Artisan Restaurant, Quay Street

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

If you enjoy great food and have not yet discovered the treasures awaiting you at the relatively new Artisan Restaurant in Quay Street, then you have a real treat in store for yourself. It is located upstairs over Tigh Neachtain’s pub where Ard Bia was located before its move to the Spanish Arch. The restaurant is run by Matt Skeffington who does the job of maitre d’ in a pretty cool and efficient style. The kitchen is run by head chef Sylvain Gatay, and he has produced a menu which is quite wide ranging and with regional French flavours to many of the dishes on offer. The restaurant is not large so booking is recommended at weekends. The food is brilliant and the atmosphere perhaps could best be described as cool, lively, and happy.

Get ready for Pancake Tuesday

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Twenty five per cent more Tesco Ireland customers choose to buy milk, flour, and eggs to make their own pancakes rather than buy convenience pancake products, a survey by the supermarket chain has revealed.

It’s no wonder, given that any number of delicious home-made pancakes can be made using these three ingredients, and the result is far tastier than the just-add-water variety available in supermarkets.

Home expressions

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Consumers’ increasing interior design confidence and personal tastes make any style fashionable for 2009. From sleek, glamorous, leather suites and corner units to fabulous floral and print fabric suites, home décor is now geared more towards self expression and glamorous living experiences.

Trendy neutral colours

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Neutral usually means without colour. Neutral colours such as beige, ivory, taupe, black, grey, and white appear to be without colour, yet they often have undertones of colour. Be aware of these undertones as you match colours or choose paint. For example, beige might have an undertone of pink, tan, or gold. White might be slightly ivory, yellow, bluish, or peachy.

Style Counsel

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Q: I am finding it difficult to find trousers to suit me. I am not very bottom heavy, but I have put on some weight on my stomach and find it hard to disguise this. Have you any suggestions for some trousers I could wear to work?

Enjoy the ultimate hair salon experience

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Everyone must cut back on non-essential treats during a recession, but come boom or bust hair will need cutting and styling, and hairdressing is holdings its own despite the downturn. What’s more, a visit to a salon now offers the perfect chance to treat yourself without feeling overindulgent.

Let some brightness into your home

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

From its world of mirrors Collection by Panfili is now running a free delivery and professional hanging service with every mirror purchased, offering a great opportunity to brighten up your home.

Hair removal doesn’t have to be the pits

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

I have to admit that the thoughts of going for potentially painful/stingy laser treatment on my underarms on a Saturday didn’t have me jumping for joy, however, for the prize of being hair-free I’d walk to the moon and back if I had to.

Style Counsel

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

Q: I would like to treat my girlfriend to some sexy lingerie for Valentine’s Day. What do you suggest I get her?

Conlon’s Oyster Bar and fresh fish in Ballybane

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

During the summer of 2008, Conlon’s Seafood Restaurant moved to its new premises, a few doors away in Eglinton Street. As you enter the new restaurant, there is a gorgeous art deco feel and the off white decor and furnishings add to a sense of openness. They have several different menus, a great value lunch menu offering a choice of five or six main courses for €9.90, eg, seafood risotto with salad and garlic bread, grilled fresh plaice with creamed potato and vegetable, and good old fashioned fish and chips.

Quality Irish lamb from farm foods direct

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

Everyone is looking for value for money at the moment. Farm Foods Direct in Tuam can offer exactly that. Dedicated to producing and supplying quality free range lamb and beef direct from the farm, Farm Foods Direct lamb and beef is excellent value compared to supermarket prices. Buy direct from the farm — not only do you save money but you get quality Irish food products produced locally fresh from our farm and help support local farmers.

Farm Fresh Foods is now taking orders for spring lamb. You can buy a half lamb or a whole lamb. A half lamb weighs approximately 10kg and a full lamb weighs approximately 20kg and contains four half legs, two shanks, lamb stew, and approximately 70 lamb chops/cutlets from rack, shoulder, and loin.

E-paper

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