We’re often asked where we get the inspiration for the topics we write about each week in this blog. Well, the answer is twofold and quite simple. 

 

Some of the time inspiration comes from one of the many articles we’ve seen on the various channels and blogs we subscribe to or from a “proper” ink on paper book. Old fashioned, we know, but there’s nothing quite like sitting down in a comfy chair with your favourite beverage and an interesting book. 

With soaring levels of Type II Diabetes over recent years, it’s not surprising we’ve written about Diabetes several times before in this blog. You can find our posts here, here and here. 

 

The good – and potentially bad (!) – news about Type II Diabetes is that it’s a Lifestyle Condition. In other words, it’s the result of poor lifestyle choices being made over a long period of time. And we would emphasise the last few words. Over a long period of time. The effects of poor lifestyle choices cast a very long shadow, with the seeds usually being sown many years – or decades – before… 

Beginnings and endings are part of the great circle of life. Well, beginnings, middles and ends. The circle completes and starts again. 

 

While we tend to only remember the big circles – whether they’re welcome or not – they happen every day, in many different ways, whether we’re aware of them or not. Big and small. Part of our regular routine or completely unexpected. Long anticipated and hoped for or a bolt from the blue. Our heart’s desire or greatest nightmare. 

Calories – and calorie counting – have been the mainstay of weight loss regimes for many years, regardless of how they’re packaged or marketed. Or which celebrity is endorsing them (!). 

 

The logic is quite simple. We all know it by heart, it goes like this: 

 

Excess calories = weight gain. 

 

Therefore fewer calories = weight loss. 

 

Which naturally leads on to the “more is better” approach. Or, more accurately, “less is better” one (!). 

 

In other words, the more controlled and restricted the diet is, the fewer calories are consumed and the greater – and quicker – the weight loss. Well, in theory (!). Which means we can then go back to eating the foods we really want to. 

It’s something we all do automatically – and unconsciously – from time to time. Usually when one of our buttons are being pressed or our emotions threaten to overwhelm us, both positively and less so (!). Often a couple of deep breaths – or counting to 10 – are all that’s needed. A potential downward spiral is averted and everyone concerned lives to fight another day. Well, hopefully, not fight but you know what we mean… 

 

So why are deep breaths so powerful and often save the day? 

Go into any shop selling food – or, more often, food like products rather than real food (!) – and you’re virtually guaranteed to go past a shelf of energy drinks on your way to the till. Or, all too often, conveniently placed within easy reach along with other sugary snacks as you wait for your turn to pay. 

 

Marketed as a quick and easy way to boost energy levels, sales have rocketed in the last few years, with no end in sight. Along with a take away coffee and sugary snack, they’re used by many people to kick start their day instead of breakfast. Or, in the evening, with alcohol to keep going late into the night. And, while we’ve all seen the short term effects of both approaches – although, hopefully, not directly from personal experience (!) – very little thought seems to be given to the long term consequences… 

With the relentless pace of modern life, it’s easy to lose track of ourselves. To be so focussed on the physical world “out there”, we forget who we really are “in here.” 

 

So, this week, a little reminder we’re so much more than what’s “out there.”  

A couple of weeks ago we waxed lyrical about the joys – and simplicity – of eating with the seasons. Even better, how easy it is to grow things at home, to enjoy straight from your garden or kitchen windowsill. Yes really! If you missed it, click here. 

 

While people tend to think about all things salad, particularly at this time of year, herbs are just as easy to grow. Even better, you’ll often find pots of them at your local supermarket, if you don’t want to wait (!) or grow your own from seed. Not only do they taste great – and are nothing like their dried counterparts – but have a host of health benefits too. 

 

So, this week, we’re going to take a quick look at three herbs which are used in most kitchens – at some time at least – and are easy to grow. Parsley. Mint. Basil. 

We have a very good friend to thank for the inspiration for this week’s blog post – she knows who she is (!). She has a great gift for making seemingly innocuous statements – or asking simple questions – which are then guaranteed to get you thinking. And this is a great example of one of them. 

 

It all started with her making a very simple observation. That people seem to be very good at saying “no” but seem to find it much harder to say “yes”. And it doesn’t seem to matter what it is. For some reason, our automatic reflex response seems to be “no.” Why is this? 

 

Well, we’d say there are many reasons for this – probably as many as there are people (!) – but a big one is that we prefer to stick with the routine and predictable. Know what’s likely to happen rather than stepping outside our comfort zone. 

With the recent bout of warm weather, we were very tempted to write about one of our pet subjects this week. And there are no prizes for guessing what it is. Water and the importance of keeping properly hydrated all year round (!). Not just when the weather is hot, although it’s much easier to take the hint at this time of year… 

 

To us it’s very obvious but, from the calls we get from Clients, it seems the message still isn’t getting through. If you need a quick reminder about the importance of water, as well as the signs you may be dehydrated, click here. 

 

Following on from this is a very common sign of dehydration which also features regularly in calls from Clients at this time of year. Cramp, particularly those excruciating leg cramps which always seem to come on in the middle of the night. Again, if you need a quick reminder, click here. 

 

Which neatly brings us on to what we’d like to talk about today. True, it’s another of our pet subjects but, as always, there is method in our madness. Yes, really!