Surgu Moldable glue
Photo: inhabitat.com 
We CAN all do it
For anyone with children on the Autism Spectrum living near Wexford, Cottage Autism Newtork (CAN) hosts many different events that parents, kids or the whole family can attend.
Over the next few weeks they have coding classes, teen bowling, soccer, brick play time and more. There are also some coffee mornings for parents to meet and chat. Most of these events are cheaper than €10, even for non-members. CAN is a charity and voluntarily run organisation that “aims to improve the quality of life of families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder by providing support, promoting equality and inclusion as well as raising awareness in the community by being a voice for our members”.
These kids of activity can be great for socialising for parents and kids alike. They also help develop practical skills and can get families together for some good old fashioned fun.
Sugru, the mouldable glue
From the London based company, Sugru is a mouldable glue. Starting at €8.99 for three pieces and going up to €16 for around eight pieces it’s not terribly expensive and very useful. One of the big draws is how you can safely mould it around the end of an intact wire to stop it from wearing (iPhone users will know the struggle). It holds well, stays flexible, is waterproof and heat and cold resistant to pretty extreme temperatures.
It was invented by the Kilkenny native Jane Ní Dhulchaointigh. She came up with the idea while studying for her MA in product design in the Royal College of Art. She decided that instead of making more products she wanted people to be able to fix or improve the things they already had.
Good gut health goes a long way
A recent report has found that eating a ‘Mediterranean diet’ for a year can promote gut bacteria linked to ‘healthy ageing’ in elderly people. It was published in Gut; an online journal by British Medical Journal (BMJ). Researchers suggest it could slow the advance of frailty and the mental decline.
Previous research has shown that a poor or restrictive diet, common among the elderly – especially those in care – reduces the types and range of bacteria (microbiome) in the gut and which helps speed up oncoming frailty.
People on the Mediterranean diet that had a positive change in their gut indicated so with reduced frailty; in walking speed and hand grip strength, and improved brain function, such as memory. The diet also reduces the production of potentially harmful inflammatory chemicals.
These changes were mostly driven by what we already know is good; an increase in dietary fibre and associated vitamins and minerals. In particular, C, B6, B9, copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and magnesium.
