Health and Wellbeing evening in Trim tomorrow

An enjoyable evening out which might give you some fresh ideas and food for thought takes place in Trim,  on Thursday 3rd December.

TV chef Brian McDermott; independent dietitian Paula Mee who has worked with TV3 (Doctors in the House) and RTÉ (Health Squad); psychologist Shane Martin; public health expert Professor Pat Wall (UDC); and Rose of Tralee Elysha Brennan will provide an evening of entertainment and insights at the Knightsbrook Hotel.

The Health & Wellbeing evening is organised by the National Dairy Council and Avonmore, so that all proceeds from ticket sales and a raffle on the evening will go to charities Aoibheann’s Pink Tie (Children’s Cancer Charity) and The Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue & Recovery Service. Local artist Brendan Smith will be master of ceremonies for the evening, which starts at 8pm (doors open from 7.30pm).

It’s a date to mark in the diary and tickets (€15) can be booked in advance by calling either Denis O’Sullivan (086-8197405) or Eamonn McEnteggart (087-9474619).

Caroline O’Donovan, Nutritionist in the NDC who is on the organising team, says it’s a great opportunity to hear directly from experts familiar with Irish health and dietary trends; and to get useful insights and ideas which we may not otherwise think about, packaged in an entertaining night out.

CULINARY TIPS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

Brian McDermott is a resident chef on RTÉ’s Today Show, has presented his own weekly cookery slot on BBC Radio Foyle and is a regular contributor to many national events and press titles. He has been cooking professionally for over 25 years and also runs his own cookery school in Moville, Inishowen, Co. Donegal.

Brian's fun, educational and interactive cookery demonstrations and classes are changing the way people engage with food. With the countdown to Christmas his cookery tips in Trim might provide some inspiration for the festive season.

Brian is passionate about using local produce and making each creation full of flavour using ‘honest’ ingredients. “Cooking with Irish dairy produce is a true joy for me – their versatility and flavour can really bring dishes to life. The festive season is a perfect opportunity to introduce a dairy twist into your menu,” says Brian.

Brian will be joined by2015 Rose of Tralee for the cookery demonstration, Elysha Brennan. Elysha is from Bettystown and is a second year medical student in the Royal College of Surgeons Dublin. Elysha has also volunteered for the Irish Cancer Society and plans to partake in a volunteer mission with a local parish in Lourdes.

GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT

One of Ireland’s leading independent dietitians, who is also a well-known TV and media commentator, will be in Trim to share her thoughts on ‘Mindful Eating’, exploring how we think about food and our approach to achieving a healthy, balanced diet.

Paula Mee was a presenter of RTÉ TV’s Health Squad programme which ran for six series until 2006. She is the consultant dietitian in the production team for the new TV3 series Doctors in the House. Paula currently writes for the Irish Times Health Supplement on Tuesdays and also runs a dietetic clinic in Medfit Proactive Healthcare in Blackrock, Dublin.

HARNESSING STRENGTH & WELLBEING

“Life is an imperfect journey and learning to be more resilient can help to harness strength during challenging times,” explains Shane Martin. “There will always be setbacks and misfortunes but science has uncovered specific traits that are linked to better outcomes during those testing times. Resilience is the ability to adapt to the challenges of life. It can help us to bouncing back rather than falling apart.”

Shane Martin is a psychologist dedicated to teaching the very best self-help psychology to empower people to enhance the quality of their lives. His ‘Moodwatchers’ self-help psychology course has been delivered at community venues throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. He has been a keynote speaker at numerous national and international conferences on a range of topics around empowerment, recovery and happiness. Shane will also be joined on stage by Professor Pat Wall, Professor of Public Health in UCD's School of Public Health, to discuss the specific challenges faced by those in the rural Ireland setting.

GOOD CAUSES

All proceeds from ticket sales and a raffle on the evening will go to local charities Aoibheann’s Pink Tie (Children’s Cancer Charity) and The Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue & Recovery Service.

Aoibheann’s Pink Tie offers practical, emotional and financial support to the families of children diagnosed with cancer and who are attending St John’s Oncology Ward in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital. Aoibheann’s Pink Tie’s mission is to develop, coordinate and expand the supports available to families of children battling cancer in Ireland, with their vision a future where Aoibheann’s Pink Tie and society in general, will embrace the particular needs of children (and their families) during their battle with cancer, providing the supports to allow the family to focus on their wellbeing, their support of each other, and the treatment and recovery of their child.

Based in Drogheda,  and established in 1974, the Boyne Fishermen's Rescue & Recovery Service – a voluntary search and rescue group - provides 24/7 emergency rescue services along the River Boyne as well as underwater search teams nationwide. In the past year alone they have attended 14 searches in the rivers and lakes of Ireland which have brought them from counties Down, Fermanagh, Galway, Cavan, Leitrim, Mayo, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Kildare, Dublin, Meath Westmeath and Louth - recovering nine people from the waterways in this time. In recent years the Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service has been a linked resource to the National Ambulance Service as the community first responders for the Drogheda area.