I’ve crossed paths with Pamela Flood a number of times over the years and always walked away impressed. The former model and TV presenter is naturally beautiful but more than that, she radiates warmth, fun and down-to-earth approachability. In many interviews that she has given over the years, she speaks honestly and passionately about whatever is going on in her life, including the challenges that she and husband Ronan Ryan faced when launching their restaurant Counter Culture in Dublin’s Powerscourt Town Centre. The couple are celebrating their birth of their little girl Gracie and both Mum and daughter launched Aldi’s latest Baby and Toddler Event which is currently running across the country. I think Pamela is a wonderful example of how hard-working, busy mums try to juggle it all in a positive way and was delighted to get the chance to talk to her more about that for RTÉ LifeStyle.
Congrats on the arrival of Baby Gracie from us all in RTÉ LifeStyle! She is only 7 weeks old – how is life and how is she settling in with all of the family?
Life is very busy but we're all loving it. The only thing we can't get a handle on yet is getting all the little people to bed at a reasonable hour! Sometimes we get it right but most times we don't. Gracie has a little cry most nights for maybe an hour or so when she's winding down and it’s pretty hard to get a two- and four-year-old [namely Elsie and Harrison] to sleep when they can hear that. Otherwise it’s just peachy - her siblings are just mad about her and I feel like the cat who got the cream!
We are getting plenty of sleep considering there’s a newborn in the house but there are plenty of night-time interruptions from the other pair. We'll get there eventually but in truth I'm in no hurry for these days to pass. I feel so lucky right now.
The Aldi Baby & Toddler Event launch is a lovely one for you both to do together – was it an obvious one for you?
I guess it was - I've never been more in Mammy mode than I am right now. Funny enough I was just looking at the event on a Facebook post the day before I got the call and I was thinking I must get there early to nab one of those buggies’s for the car! I’m a big fan of their baby stuff anyway, their nappies are fab!
As a girlie aside, the Aldi Caviar skin care range sells out time and time again – are you a fan?
I'd love to say I am but I never got there in time! I follow quite a few beauty bloggers and most of them rave about it so I will get my hands on it one of these days. I love my creams and lotions!
Do you think too that it will be a lovely thing to show her pictures in the future of you both at the launch in your own family restaurant, when she was so gorgeous and tiny?
Absolutely. It was definitely one of my motives in involving her. I'm just mad about the pics and we'll have them forever now. It’s wonderful to capture her at such a magical time.
Pamela, I’m not going to lie to you, looking at these pictures - it’s depressing! You look beautiful, healthy, happy, radiant, naturally stunning – and you’re 44 and have just had a baby. Please tell us how?! Any advice?
First of all thank you so much, I really appreciate those kind words. I am feeling very good, a little tired but otherwise great. Two years ago I started training with the BodyByrne gym on Clarendon Street. I got properly fit and my whole diet had an overhaul thanks to Paul and Amanda in there. I think I put myself in a very good place regarding getting pregnant and having an enjoyable healthy pregnancy as I continued training right up to the last few weeks.
Also having opened Counter Culture with Ronan last year, healthy food is intrinsic in our lives now and that makes a huge difference to how your body deals with everything that comes its way.
I really feel that now more than ever I’m reaping the rewards of taking care of myself. I am a total convert by the way - my old lifestyle would put the worst offenders to shame!
You gave up smoking a few years ago, what advice do you have on that and do you feel that it impacted on your skin?
I tried almost everything - books, seminars, hypnosis and they all worked for only a short while. In the end I came to the realisation that the only person I should be listening to about this is myself so I decided to go with my own version and just went cold turkey with a lot of internal pep talks. That’s what worked for me. So glad to be free of them. And yes absolutely it had an effect on my skin. I look at my cousins of a similar age who never smoked and their skin is amazing - mine is so obviously drier and needs a lot of TLC.
What are your favourite baby gadgets that you’d be lost without?
Couldn't be without the baby monitor. The only way Gracie will get a proper nap is if I put her upstairs away from the action (noise) and it would be pretty hard to hear her cry out without it!
Do you find it tough going this time around? You mentioned in previous interviews that you had some wonderful life experiences when you were younger and were happier to have children slightly later in your life but do you find it harder on your body/energy levels? Or is being slightly older and wiser a big help?
I think you get out of your body what you put in to it and now that I’m 'mostly' healthy with everyday choices I think my body functions far better than it did 10 or even 15 years ago. I love feeling fit and strong and my babies make me strive to be healthy every day.
Also I hear a lot of older mothers say that they have more patience as they get older - I'll definitely testify to that - the patience that I have now just wasn't there when I was younger.
Given the style of food in Counter Culture do you feel stronger and healthier all around, better able to tackle the daily demands of being a working mum?
I really do. I try to replicate the food at home and I do fall short on flavour but at least we're all getting the goodness. It's still a real treat for me to go into Counter Culture and eat as it doesn't happen nearly enough at the moment. Whenever I’m in town though I'll always do a 'drive-by' and grab some take away from there. As I said already you get out of your body what you put in to it.
Healthy lifestyle, healthy body.
If you were to give three simple but effective lifestyle/food changes advice to people, what would they be?
First and foremost - if you're a smoker - stop right now. It will be the smartest thing you ever do.
Next, get some exercise; try everything until you find something that you like. Regular exercise will help you mentally and well as the obvious physical benefits.
And in particular for any women trying for a baby – it’s good to know that exercise regulates your hormones which is essential to make the magic happen!
Lastly give up processed food as much as you can. There are so many hidden ingredients/additives that do not contribute to a healthy body. Fresh is always best.
You have spoken openly about the tough times you and your husband have come through business wise – making you stronger than ever. You must have received wonderful feedback from people who are grateful for your honesty, warmth and strength? You are good role models, as a couple who are hard-workers, grafters who put family first and face things together.
Yes there have been a lot of really lovely and supportive comments from people over the last 6 months or so about this. There are so many people out there who've been through the mill financially and are still fighting to come out the other side like ourselves but it’s all about remaining positive, putting a plan in place and just going for it.
You also have to appreciate what you have and not focus too much on what you've lost. We feel so lucky to have our lovely family and that is what money can't buy. Everything else can always be worked on, money can be earned again and we've the rest of our lives to do that. Every phase in life is exactly that - just a phase.
The Aldi Baby & Toddler Event is taking place in all 122 Aldi stores nationwide.
