How things change. A few years ago, Vitamin D was only mentioned in connection with helping maintain healthy bones. Although, as an aside, this is still the case on NHS Direct when we googled it a few days ago… 

 

Moving swiftly on (!), the good news is that the message is finally getting out that Vitamin D does so much more than help support healthy bones. In fact, it’s increasingly becoming clear that it’s just as important as Vitamin C in supporting the Immune System. And much more besides. There’s also been some interesting recent research in connection with the current madness – as well as to winter bugs in general – showing just how important it is. Not only in helping reduce susceptibility, but also in improving the outcome, should the worst happen. More about this later. 

We often talk about the modern obsession with communication and its unintended – and unanticipated – consequences. Peer pressure. Knee jerk reactions, often on the flimsiest of information. Opinions and hearsay dressed up as facts. The increasing polarisation of different points of view, leading to a belligerent “I’m right, everyone else is wrong.” And much more besides. 

 

With pressure coming in from every side, it’s little wonder that simply saying “I don’t know” has become such a difficult thing to say. And it doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s on the smallest – and least important – matter or something much larger or more complicated. 

 

Why is this? 

Every year about this time – give or take a week or two depending on the weather (!) – we have a flurry of calls from Clients with Sciatica. It’s a topic we’ve written about before and can be found here. 

 

It’s always a sign that Autumn has arrived, with its cooler and damper weather; often with a nippy north or easterly wind thrown in for good measure. Not surprisingly, this unwelcome trio is guaranteed to stir up any muscular or skeletal problems; although Sciatica always seems to be top of the list, quickly followed by Arthritis and Rheumatism. 

It’s often said that a little gossip helps the world go round. Whether at home, work or within the family; talking about other people seems to be one of our favourite pastimes. And it’s not just about people we know – or know of – but also those in the public eye, even though we’ve never met them and are unlikely to do so. 

 

Regardless of who we’re talking about, there seems to be something irresistible about unearthing another person’s secrets. Even better, if we’re the first one to do so and pass them on, particularly if they’re less than positive. If not downright malicious, perhaps, driven by the green eyed monster… 

 

Increasingly, it’s fuelled by social media which, sadly, encourages knee jerk reactions. The repeating of information without stopping for a moment to consider its accuracy, let alone the ramifications for the person concerned. Or ourselves. And aided in no small part by our old friend, peer pressure. More about this in a moment. 

 

So, why do we gossip and can it really be a positive thing as some Psychologists suggest? 

Although it underpins every blog post we write – and everything we do – it’s been a while since we’ve talked specifically about the miracle that is the human body. Our first – and life long – home. And we bet you’ve never thought about your body in that way before! 

 

Despite all of this, it’s the one thing we take completely for granted. Well, until something goes “wrong” and we can’t do all the things we want to….. 

 

While we may like to think – particularly in this technological age – that scientists understand exactly how the human body works, this is far from the case. Let alone have a solution for every “problem” which may occur. 

With all the madness ratchetting up yet again, whether it’s “Pandemic the sequel” or the ongoing saga of the American election – and that’s all we’re going to say on either of those contentious topics (!) – it’s all too easy to be swept away by it all. Finding ourselves trapped in a quagmire of “doom, gloom and despondency” before even realising what’s happening. 

 

So, it seemed like a good time for a quick reminder that how we feel is a choice that each one of us makes, every moment of every day. And, just in case you missed it, we’re going to repeat the most important word in that last sentence. CHOICE. Yes, it is! 

Once again, we have a number of very similar conversations with Clients to thank for the inspiration for this week’s blog post. And, as so often is the case, this is all that’s needed for us to take the hint and put pen to paper. Or, more accurately, fingers to keyboard! 

 

While it may be stating the blindingly obvious – well, to us at least (!) – as the title to this week’s post says, the recipe for each child – and person – is different. Put another way, there’s never been anyone quite like us before and never will be again; which is quite an awe inspiring thought! 

 

And we’re not just talking about physical appearances, which are really only the tip of the iceberg. Rather, ALL the things that make each one of us UNIQUE. 

There are some words which give us away without us ever realising it. We’ve talked about some of them before. Hope. Believe. Try. And many more besides. 

 

They’re all words where we think we’re saying one thing, but the meaning – and intention underpinning them – is very different. It means we’re sending out mixed messages – both to ourselves and those around us – without ever realising it. Even worse, they’re words we use many times a day, usually without giving them a second thought. 

 

The words we’d like to focus on today are often referred to as “good intention” words which, to us, describes them very well. Although, ironically, they usually reflect what someone else thinks – or intends – we should do, rather than us! 

Having waxed lyrical about the joys of apples and pears a couple of weeks ago, this week we’re going to look at some of the veg which are at their best right now. And for the next few months too. True, they’re not as exotic as some of the other produce you can find at your local supermarket, but they provide just the right mix of nutrients needed during the colder months of the year. 

 

So, without further ado, let’s start with one group of veg that doesn’t have the best PR. They’re seen as rather dull and boring, not helped by the traditional tendency of overcooking them. Well, let’s be honest, boiling them for hours until they resemble a grey green sludge in the bottom of the saucepan. In fact there used to be a standing joke that one of them should be put on to boil in November to be ready for a certain day in December… 

 

Have you guessed what we’re talking about yet? 

With everyone still being swept away by the ongoing madness at the moment – “Pandemic the sequel” aka “the new abnormal” – this week we felt it was time for something completely different. 

 

So, we’re going to follow on from last week’s beautiful poem by John Keats, with another one that perfectly sums up the qualities needed to ride the very strange times we’re living in. It may have been written over a hundred years ago but is still as true today as it was then. Here it is: