travel health tips

OK, you're vaccinated, you're careful about what to eat and drink and you are doing your best to prevent insect bites. What else should you look out for?
Road traffic accidents
These are the leading cause of death in young overseas travellers, particularly when riding mopeds. Travellers should exercise particular caution when cycling or riding mopeds (always wear helmets), with safety conditions (eg seat belts) in cars, buses, trucks etc. Road accidents are 40 times more likely to happen in developing countries.
Swimming
Accidents associated with swimming are more likely to happen through swimming just after a meal; having drunk alcohol; going too far off shore; or swimming at night. In some developing countries you should have a blood test three months after swimming to check for a fresh water parasite Schistosomiasis.
Long haul flights
The risk of blood clots on long-haul flights is very small and can be minimised by moving around the aircraft cabin every one to two hours; tensing the muscles of your legs to encourage blood flow and drinking lots of non-gassy water. Taking aspirin or using flight stockings are of questionable benefit.
Sunburn
Bring total sunblock or a very high protection sunscreen. Creams with this level of protection can be difficult to find abroad. Most sunburn occurs between 10 am and 3pm and the risk is particularly high if you are out on the water, where the breeze and the rays off the water can burn you before you realise it.
Rabies
This disease is absent from Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, Australia and a few other countries. Rabies is a viral infection that circulates among warm-blooded animals. Humans get infected if the saliva of the infected animal breaks the skin barrier, after a bite or if an animal licks a cut on your skin. In countries where rabies is prevalent, be very cautious near animals. The correct kind of preventative treatment initiated within two days of exposure, or four days if vaccinated against rabies, will remove the risk of rabies developing.
If you think you have been exposed to rabies, seek medical attention at a modern clinic within two days and send an email to your travel health clinic, as they will be able to provide an opinion on whether follow-up rabies prevention treatment is warranted and what treatment you need.
The rabies vaccine given to people before travel provides only partial protection but, if exposed to the rabies virus, gives you more time to seek medical help and will make your follow-up treatment less complicated.
Altitude
At altitudes above 10,000 feet you may notice effects such as tiredness, shortness of breath, headache, nausea etc. Ask your travel health centre for detailed advice on this.

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Potato Fritters

Subrich di Patate ~ This is a recipe for potato croquettes, Italian style, that can be used on an antipasto platter, or as a tasty side dish with the main course. This is a great recipe for leftover potatoes, but it is so delicious you won’t mind cooking potatoes specifically to make these fritters. I serve this potato dish with everything from sausages to roasted chicken.
Buon Appetito!

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Roasted Potatoes, Zucchini, Onions & Pancetta

I am always looking for new, unique vegetable side dishes to go with roasted or grilled meats. When meat is on my menu, I often include oven roasted potatoes of some sort, then add another side such as sautéed leafy greens. When you stick to the same things time and time again, although delicious, it can get a tad boring. This easy vegetable side includes potatoes, zucchini, onions, garlic, and pancetta which are seasoned with fresh thyme and parsley. I love oven roasting vegetables because there is so little effort required once they are prepped and popped into the oven. An occasional toss and check, and you let the oven do the work. The only hitch in this recipe is that potatoes take much longer to cook than zucchini, but all you need to do is add the zucchini during the last 15 minutes or so.
For best results, use a waxy potato that will hold its shape and not break apart in the oven. I used a red Colfiorito potato found here in Umbria that is extremely hard for the dish in these photographs, so my cooking time was longer than usual. I usually use Yukon Gold potatoes however and find the cooking time will be shorter. Your cooking time may vary depending on your choice of potato, so just check the potatoes for doneness after 30 minutes. For recipes such as this that use pancetta, I prefer buying a slab of pancetta and cutting it into dice. If pancetta is difficult for you to find locally, you could substitute bacon.

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Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this simple cupcake

Simple, sweet, delicious and fun to make the kids. Roll your sleeves up and have some fun with this .

Ingredients

*1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
*1 (4 serving) pkg. instant pistachio pudding mix
*3/4 c. miniature semi-sweet chocolate pieces
*2/3 c. sugar
*2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
*1/2 tsp. salt
*2 beaten eggs
*1 1/4 c. milk
*1/2 c. cooking oil
*1 tsp. vanilla
*1/2 of 16 oz. can cream cheese frosting (1 c.)
green colored sugar
*1/2 c. candy-coated milk chocolate pieces
 

Method:
In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, pudding mix, chocolate pieces, sugar, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, combine eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Stir into flour mixture just until combined. Fill greased or paper bake cup lined muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Frost with cream cheese frosting; sprinkle with green sugar, then milk chocolate pieces.

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Pork chops with Guinness and onion gravy

Pork Chops with Guinness and Onion Gravy

Ingredients:

8 1 inch thick pork blade chops or sirloin chops
salt and freshly ground pepper
All purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 large onions, thinly sliced
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup (about) Guinness
1 cup (about) chicken stock
1 tablespoon (or more) coarse-grained mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons (or more) balsamic vinegar

Method:

Season pork with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, shake off excess.
Melt butter with 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Add pork in batches and brown well, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer pork to plate. Set aside.
Dredge onions in flour; shake off excess. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Season with salt. Cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring once.
Uncover and cook 4 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1/4 cup stout and 3/4 cup stock and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Return pork to skillet.
Spoon some of onions over pork. Add enough additional stout and stock to bring liquid halfway up sides of pork. Cover skillet with foil, then lid. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Turn pork over and cook until very tender, about 25 more minutes. Transfer pork and onions to platter using slotted spoon. Degrease pan juices. Boil juices until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1 tablespoon mustard. Add chopped parsley and 1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar. Taste, adding more mustard or vinegar if desired. Pour gravy over pork.
Garnish with parsley and serve.

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Chef Gilligan's country potato and cabbage soup

After a hectic Christmas and New Year where I think the whole of New York was at the W South Beach, the Gilligans are in Disney for a few days of R&R. The thing is it is as cold as a witch’s tit here, 24 degrees isn’t Florida weather at all-this most certainly wasn’t in the brochure, but hey, what are you going to do? You guys up there have it far worse than me; at least it isn’t snowing (yet!)

Well to warm us all up, I found this recipe at the hotel, the Chef was nice enough to give me the recipe on the condition that I don’t tell anyone else. So I am passing it on to hundreds of strangers sitting in bars all across New York City. So I’m a liar.

Country Potato and Cabbage Soup

From the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
4 Ounces Thick-Cut Bacon (diced)
1 Large Onion (thinly sliced)
½ Cup Dry White Wine
6 Parsley Sprigs
6 Thyme Sprigs
1 Bay Leaf
1 Pound Small Red Potatoes (thinly sliced)
1 Large Leek (thinly sliced, rinsed well)
6 Cups Chicken Stock
1 Pound Green Cabbage (finely shredded, 4 cups)
2 Stalks Celery {chopped}
2 carrots {peeled and chopped}
Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
2 Tablespoons Snipped Chives
Three 1/2 inch Thick Slices of Country Bread (cut into cubes)
2 Garlic Cloves (lightly smashed)
2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley

Method:
In a soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the bacon and cook over moderately high heat until crisp, 5 minutes. Add the onion. Celery, carrots and leek. Cook over low heat until softened, 10 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until nearly evaporated, 5 minutes.
Tie the parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs and bay leaf with strings. Add to the pot along with the potatoes and stock. Bring to a boil. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, 10 minutes. Add the cabbage. Season with salt and pepper and simmer until the cabbage is tender, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Discard the herb bundle. Stir in the chives.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the bread and garlic. Cook over moderate heat, stirring until the croutons are golden brown, 6 minutes. Discard the garlic. Season with salt and sprinkle with the parsley.

Presentation:
Ladle the soup into deep bowls. Sprinkle with the croutons and serve.

AND FINALLY …

What do Disney World & Viagra have in common?

They both make you wait an hour for a two-minute ride.

Chef Gilligan's country potato and cabbage soup

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Glazed leg of ham with Guinness and cardamom

Ingredients:

1 x 7.5kg Leg cooked Ham
2 cups Guinness
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cardamom

Method:
Peel skin off ham, leaving portion around bone. Place ham fat side up (on a rack if you have one). Pour 1 3/4 cups of stout over the ham. Bake in a moderately slow oven 160c about 2 hours, basting occasionally with stout and drippings.

Remove ham and baste with drippings. Score fat diagonally to form a diamond pattern. Mix sugar, mustard, ginger and cardamom with enough stout to moisten. Spread over ham. Increase oven temperature to hot (200c) and bake a further 35-45 minutes. Serve warm.

Serving suggestion:
Serve the ham with spiced fruits:

Drain large cans of peaches, apricots and pear halves - reserving the syrup for later. Put 10 whole cloves, 1 stick cinnamon, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 oranges sliced, in a saucepan with 1 cup of the fruit syrup. Bring to the boil then simmer for 15 minutes. Cool and chill.

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The best Irish coffee ever!

75ml/3fl oz double cream, well chilled

2 tbsps light muscovado sugar

2 tbsps whiskey

2 tbsps Baileys

2 tbsps Kahúla (coffee liqueur)

300ml/11fl oz freshly brewed piping-hot espresso coffee

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, to decorate

I've perfected this recipe over time and believe it really is the best-ever Irish coffee. Heat the glasses, if you can be bothered (to keep the coffee hot for longer), by pouring boiling water over them from a kettle and turning them carefully so that they do not crack. Or you could take glasses straight from the dishwasher while still hot. Serves two.

Place the cream in a bowl and whip lightly, then chill until needed. Heat a small, heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Sprinkle the sugar over the base of the frying pan and heat for one minute, without stirring -- the sugar will caramelise. Pour in the whiskey and quickly light with a match or flambé -- the sugar will seize and harden, but don't worry as it will melt again once the flames die down. Stir in the Baileys and Kahúla and cook over a high heat for three to four minutes until smooth, stirring constantly to help the sugar dissolve.

Divide the alcohol mixture between two hefty, thick-stemmed glasses (both about 250ml/9fl oz in capacity) then carefully pour in the coffee. Then, over the back of a metal spoon, carefully pour a layer of cream on top (the spoon trick really is worth doing as it helps prevent the cream from sinking). Add a tiny grating of nutmeg and serve at once.

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All-in-one Anti-Ageing Cream

Being an advocate of natural skincare I have certainly worked my way through a hefty number of natural moisturisers. It was time to try a new one.
Enter All-in-one Anti-Ageing Cream by Human+Kind.

This cream is designed for women who lack the time for lengthy beauty rituals. It is a multifunctional product designed to work as:

• an anti-ageing cream
• an eye cream
• a protective moisturiser
• a night cream

It evens out skin tone reduces fine lines and wrinkles, softens the skin and reduces the appearance of age spots. The cream is packed with concentrated active natural ingredients which are designed to heal and rejuvinate.It contains jojoba oil, marshmallow, onopordum, centella, rosehip oil and shea butter. It also contains achmella oleracea, which is apparently known as nature’s botox.
Results?
I have been using this cream for ten days. I’m quite impressed. Not only is this a great all rounder it also helped even my skin tone. It didn’t break me out but left my skin soft and moisturised. This one is definitely for normal to dry skin types. If you’re oily I recommended stearing clear of creams and looking at lotions, gels or serums instead.
It costs €29.95 which is a fair price for a product that contains so many good ingredients.

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Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Moisturiser: Is it Worth it?

I have mentioned Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Anti-Stress Moisturising Cream (what a mouthful) a few times on videos and M&B posts. I have re-purchased this cream 3 times. Instead of telling you that this works for me I thought I would investigate a little further.

Lancome claims that this moisturiser hydrates the skin and helps it maintain optimum moisture balance. It was designed (or marketed rather) to help skin exposed to environmental conditions that have a negative effect on the skin.
The reason I have re-purchased this product repeatedly is due to the fact that it doesn’t make my skin break out. That aside, I’m not sure that it has any other positive effects on my skin. I decided to check out the ingredients to see if there is any benefit to it at all.
According to the experts (impartial experts) this cream is very basic and ordinary. It doesn’t contain anti-oxidants which help prevent free radical damage. It doesn’t contain and SPF, this means I need to apply to creams every morning. It’s relatively unhygienic since it comes in a tub, exposing the product to bacteria on your fingers. It also exposed the product to oxygen and light which can effect the performance of certain ingredients. It’s also expensive.
A few positives are  that it is light weight and non-comodogenic which means it doesn’t block pores and this particular product is not tested on animals.
Since mentioning this product to a dermatologist and getting the inside scoop, I won’t be repurchasing. It doesn’t do what it claims. It’s a basic moisturiser and sure I can find one of those in the chemist for under €10! I’ll be looking for a product that contains SPF and antioxidants next time.

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How to: Make your own almond milk lotion

Almond milk has been used on the skin since ancient Egyptian times.  It’s  full of linoleic acids and minerals which help nourish and cleanses the skin. It leaves the skin soft and improves clarity. This is suitable for all skin types but particularly useful for those with normal to dry, dry or ageing skin.
It’s quick, easy and cheap to make. When I make a bottle of this lotion I use it twice daily for one week. I throw out the remainder after this time. I make a new bottle every 2 – 3 months and use as a treatment.
Ingredients

• 40g ground almonds (almond meal)
• 1.5 tablespoons of organic honey
• 400ml of still bottled water

Add the honey and almonds to the water. Stir until the honey has dissolved. Leave to rest for 2.5 hours. Filter and pour into a covered bottle (I once used a small airtight lunch box). Store it in the fridge.
Apply the lotion morning and evening to clean skin and let it work it’s mag

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How to Make your own Cleanser: Normal Skin

Well ladies, here’s another DIY skincare recipe that’s so easy to make and leaves your skin fresh and cleansed.
Yoghurt and strawberries are gentle cleansers, whilst lavender soothes skin.
The ingredients your need to make this gentle cleanser for Normal skin types:

• 1 Fresh Strawberry
• 1 Tablespoon plain whole-milk Yoghurt
• 1 drop Lavender essential oil

Crush the stawberry and combine the yoghurt and juice. Add the lavender and mix together well. Dampen your face with warm water and massage the mixture in for one minute. Rinse with warm water.

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Make Your Own: Warm Cuticle Oil

I am plagues by rough cuticles. I like to whip up my own oil on the weekends. Why spend money when you don’t have to!

• 60ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Lemon Essential Oil

Warm the olive oil gently until it’s warm (not hot or you’ll scald your fingers off!) Stir in the essential oils. Leave your finger tips to soak for a few minutes. If you cover the mixture when you’re finished you can reuse it a few times.

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Make you own: Aromatherapy Moisturising Oil

If you’re sick of spending your hard earned cash on expensive creams and fancy taking a stroll down the natural route I have just the thing. I made myself a batch yesterday and my skin in soaking up the goodness as we speak (while I scoff banoffee)
This recipe makes a moisturising oil for normal skin. You only need three ingredients:

• 7 drops Lavender Essential Oil (high quality)
• 3 Drops Geranium Essential Oil (High quality)
• 30ml Jojoba Oil

Jojoba mimics the skins natural oils and doesn’t leave a greasy residue whilst Lavender and Geranium soothe the skin. Pour the ingredients into a small, sterilized glass bottle. (a tincture bottle from the chemist will do fine. You can also get these on ebay)

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Make You Own Skincare: Yoghurt Hand Mask

This mask is my favourite for smooth and soft hands

• 1 Tablespoon Rolled Oats
• 1 Tablespoon Plain Full Fat Yoghurt
• 1 Teaspoon Almond Oil
• 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
• 2 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil

Use a blender or pestal and mortar to grind up the oats. Add all of the other ingredients  and mix well. Apply the mask to damp, freshly washed hands. Relax for 20 minutes. Wash it  off with warm water and finish with some moisturising cream.

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How to Make Your Own: Oatmeal Bath

This is a simple way to soothe sensitive skin. This bath is great for dry, itchy skin. It will also soothe a rash.

• 10 Drops Chamomile Essential Oil (or Lavender Essential Oil)
• 200g Rolled Oats

Use a blender to grind down the oats until they look like powder. Add them into your bath water.Add the essential oil and stir the bath water. Relax for at least 20 minutes in the bath. It’s best to avoid any other bubble bath, shower gel, shampoo and other products with chemicals as they may irritate your skin and negate the effects of the oil and oats. Pat your skin dry.
I love baths like this when it’s cold out. It feels like heaven and my skin feels so soft afterwards.
Check out more posts from this series if you are interested in making your own skincare.

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Make You Own Skincare: Body Scrub Puree

This recipe makes a rich moisturising scrub. I think it’s particularly good for dry or sensitive skin. Instead of using salts or sugar, the almonds in this scrub exfoliate the skin gently. The cucumber soothes any inflammation. All you need is

• 110g Ripe Avocado
• 40g Ground Almond
• 110g Cucumbers

Whip the advocado and cucumber together in a blender, add the almonds and smooth into a puree. Massage into damp skin to slough off any dead skin. Rinse and pat the skin dry.
I make this every once in a while whenever I fancy a gentle body exfoliator.

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Jojoba oil – Beauty benefits & uses

My skin has recently been reeping the rewards of Jojaba oil. I add a little to my soaps and my night serum. Since it’s so widely accessible I thought I’d share a little about its benefits and uses. I’m all on for affordable ways to improve  my skin.
What is Jojoba?
Jojoba is a liquid wax obtained from the seeds of a Mexican shrub. Native Americans once used it to heal wounds. Now it’s mainly used for beauty purposes.
The benefits of Jojoba

• It’s gentle and non-irritating
• The composition of Jojoba is similar to skins natural sebum so it absorbs quickly leaving no residue
• Non greasy
• Prevents the skin from becoming too oily
• Reduces sebum production which is great for acne sufferers.
• Very moisturising, improves the skins condition
• Promotes healing
• Contains antimicrobial properties which prevent the growth of many bacterias and fungus
• Allergic reaction is very rare.
• Doesn’t clog pores
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Acts as an environmental barrier for the skin
• Contains Vitamin E, B complex, chromium, zinc, iodine and copper

The uses for Jojoba

• Excellent moisturiser: Makes an excellent non-irritating moisturiser. It doesn’t evaporate like water based moisturisers. Use it alone or add to your own  moisturiser.
• Anti Acne - reduces sebum production and antibacterial
• Hair conditioner: use it on its own or mix a few drops of jojoba oil into your conditioner. It can be added to dry hair to make it shiny. Jojoba moisturises the scalp, helping prevent dandruff.
• Lip Balm: Use at night on the lips
• Make-up Remover: Doesn’t irritate or clog pores
• Treatment: For acne,sensitive skin, psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis
• Shaving: Helps prevent razor burn whilst nourishing the skin
• Soap: Use a few drops in homemade soap or add a little into a liquid soap
• Massage oil: Use a small amount, it won’t clog your pores

I picked a bottle of Jojoba from my local Natures Way shop. I recommend a certified organic variety to avoid pesticides.

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Scrub for a Blemished Back or Chest

There is nothing worse than a breakout on the delicate skin on your chest or your back. I know this a common problem but that we ladies tend not to bring it up.
I hate the idea of applying a shower gel designed for breakouts. They can dry the rest of your skin. It also means that you are using plenty of chemicals that you don’t need.
I have come across quite a few men that suffer from breakouts on their back. In my experience this tends to be diet related. One of the worst culprits are protein shakes (for men who are trying to build muscle). The body reacts to excesses of any food. The skin often breaks out when the body is trying to get rid of these excesses. In these cases you will often see boils and blind pimples that are coming from inside the body rather then a blocked pore.
If you regularly suffer from large, painful boils or acne or your back it could be down to a reaction to your skin care products. If in doubt, try organic products for a month and see if there is a difference. Many of our shower gels, shampoos and creams contain known skin irritants (used by manufacturers because they are cheap).
Here is a gentle scrub designed for your back and chest.
All you need:

• 1 handful Oatmeal
• 1 handful ground almonds
• 2 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Thyme linalol Oil

Lash it all together in a bowl and apply to damp skin. Massage well and rinse with warm water. Repeat a couple a times a weeks if you’re breaking out

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Rasberry skin brightener

This is an old favourite of mine. My friend and I used to make this when we were 14 before the kiddie disco on a Friday evening, ah the memories (at that time I took my fashion inspiration from the Spicegirls, Baby Spice to be exact).
This recipe is best suited for normal to oily skin which makes it great for  those prone to breakouts. You only need three ingredients, occasionally I have done it with only two (leaving out the essential oil). This recipe contains AHA’s and lactic acid. The AHA’s in the raspberries act as a gentle exfoliator and the lactic acid in the yoghurt (yes, that’s how we spell it this side of the Atlantic) brightens the skin.

• 2 tablespoons of plain yoghurt
• 75g raspberries
• 2 drops Sweet Orange essential oil

Mash up the raspberries or pop them into the blender. Sieve the pulp over a bowl. Add the flesh of the rasberries and the seeds into the yoghurt with 2 drops or sweet orange essential oil. Cleanse your face, apply the mixture all over, leaving the eye area clear. Put your feet up for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off with warm water and a pat with a damp muslin cloth (if you use an ordinary face cloth be very gentle). Avoid rubbing your skin dry, instead pat.

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