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PROUDLY SPONSORED BY “LET’S ALL DRINK TEA FOR MND
” – LILY CHEN As the Drink Tea for MND fundraising campaign gets underway this month, event ambassador Lily Chen has been encouraging as many people as possible to get involved while also sharing the story of her own experience living with Motor Neurone Disease. The native of Fujian province in China currently lives in the county Louth village of Termonfeckin, where she runs Lily’s Tea, the specialist brand she founded in 2012. “As a busy mother and the owner of our tea business, I was health conscious. Most mornings I would run a 5k on our beach. I felt invincible. One day in 2016 I noticed my left arm suddenly could not lift the cooking pot. Then in May 2019, my voice got slightly slurred. I stumbled and fell a few times when I was out running.” A series of medical tests subsequently revealed that Lily had PLS, a slowly developing form of Motor Neurone Disease. The experts couldn’t say what caused it, or how it would progress. The only thing of which they were certain is that there was no cure. Eventually, “all the natural abilities I took for granted such as swallowing, speech and mobility started weakening, like an invisible hand that is turning down my power gradually.” In the three years since her diagnosis husband Dom has been her rock, taking on all the household chores and helping run the business, while Lily says that, “as a foodie, I insist on cooking most of the time, albeit at a much slower pace. While I am not one who would fall for false hope, I have yet to find a better alternative. So we live as positively, and as normally as possible.” This effort to maintain some normality for the couple and their family includes continuing to run their business, and Lily credits Supervalu and a number of local independent retailers who have helped keep her going, saying that they have been tremendously supportive. “Thanks to them we can keep running our tea business which we enjoy doing, although it’s challenging, like every small business.” Lily has also been maintaining long distance family relationships over Zoom, but as the disease progresses that has become more difficult. “My regular online chats with my mum in China are more like a silent old film now with me doing all the nodding. Although travel will be a big challenge, I am still secretly hoping after Covid I can one day travel again to China to see my mum.” “I don’t think there is any silver lining in MND. However, it brings my friends closer. They rally around and make a routine to have tea with me regularly. I get to see them more often now than I did before, which is lovely.” Lily says that the staff of IMNDA have also been very supportive, providing practical support and assistance, as well as dropping by and sharing a laugh or two over a cuppa. With characteristic optimism Lily is encouraging people to get together this month and organise tea parties with their pals, in order to raise some much needed funds to help IMNDA continue to support those living with the disease. “So here I am, raising the teacup with a small bit of hope and loads of love. Let’s all drink tea for MND.” For details of how to get involved visit imnda.ie. Alternatively text MND to 50300 to donate €2. For more information about Lily’s gorgeous selection of award-winning leaf tea pyramids, personally selected looseleaf, and Organic Trust certified Macha Teas see Lilystea.ie @lilysteashop CHEZ MAX – WORLD’S FRENCH RESTAURANT Félicitations to hospitable restaurateur Max de Laloubie, who has been sharing delicious, homemade French fare with Dubliners at Chez Max for over seventeen years now. The bistro style restaurant was recently honoured with the award of World’s French Restaurant by the Association Française des Maîtres Restaurateurs (AFMR). The accolade pays tribute to French-speaking and Francophile restaurants who promote French gastronomy, and aims to reward sustainable catering, made using fresh produce. Chez Max is the first restaurant in Ireland to receive the prestigious new award, and only the seventh outside of France. A clearly delighted Max de Laloubie said, “It is a real honour to receive this label in recognition of our contribution to promote French gastronomy, and I’m proud to continue to.” Bravo! @chezmaxalliance GUT GOODNESS AT FAIRMENTAL Following years of experimentation around the art of fermentation, Chef Valentin Ivancenco and his wife Mihaela opened the doors of Fairmental on Dublin’s Grand Canal Street Upper last month. The couple’s healthy new food enterprise is all about the gut-brain connection and the positive effect that eating ferments have on our mental health. Their gleaming new space features a Deli, Café and Fermentation Lab, alongside a retail shop offering a nice selection of delicious Irish grown produce for sale. The Romanian chef’s carefully considered menu is firmly focused on gut health and sustainability, based on fermented plants. Diners can enjoy a wholesome Breakfast Menu served until 11am, where options include Scrambled Eggs with Irish Spiced Kraut, Rayu and Sourdough. Lunchtime sees a beautiful choice of nourishing Bowls, Broths and Wraps, including one featuring a choice of Chili Chicken or Mushroom and Tofu, accompanied by Jasmine Rice, House Ferments, Rayu and Avocado. A delicious selection of Pickle Juices and Kefirs is also available, with Kombucha made by Jam Margold and coffee by McCabes ready to go from 8am. Sit in or take out. @fairmental_ 39