We have a standing joke in our family that everything is multi functional. And if you know anyone who uses a walking stick, you’ll know exactly what we mean! Not only is the stick used for its intended purpose, but many others too, with an incredible amount of ingenuity thrown in for good measure… 

 

However, this adage applies equally to all those “treasures” found at the back of our kitchen cupboards and it’s one of these we’d like to talk about today. We can virtually guarantee it’s in most homes, even if it hasn’t seen the light of day for a while… 

 

What are we talking about?  

 

Bicarb of Soda or, if you’d prefer its full name, Sodium Bicarbonate. You may also know it as Baking Soda or Baking Powder. Although we should say that, strictly, these are a little different to Bicarb of Soda, with additional substances being added to them to make them more stable; so giving more consistent results as well as a longer shelf life. 

It’s been a while – 2016, to be precise – since we’ve devoted an entire blog post to the “one eyed monster” or, as we heard it described recently, the “idiot box”… 

 

While it may not have taken centre stage for a while, it has been mentioned in passing on a number of occasions in our posts. The main reason for this is that it still seems to be the primary source of information for many people. Dare we even say the majority of people. This always strikes us as rather strange, given how easy it is to obtain information these days, not least with a little googling. Even more so as it usually results in a much more rounded picture of whatever topic you’re interested in, as well as being more convenient – and quicker (!) – too. 

We often talk about the joys of seasonal eating. Enjoying whatever foods are in season right now, however short their season may be. Not only does it mean we’re eating foods when they’re at their natural best – both in terms of flavour and nutrients – but it’s an easy way to eat local, avoiding the dreaded food miles. 

 

We’ve all learnt about this the hard way. Succumbing to those perfect looking out of season fruit and vegetables found in the supermarkets during the Winter, flown in from the other side of the world for our delectation. And then bitterly disappointed to find they’re nothing like those grown locally and enjoyed at their natural time of year… Strawberries are a prime example of this which, sadly, most of us have fallen for at some time or other… 

It’s one of those expressions we’re all familiar with, which hides some of those emotions we don’t like to admit to. Let alone talk about.  

 

Envy, jealousy, greed, covetousness, spite. 

 

But have you ever wondered where does it come from? 

 

Well, if like us you suspected Shakespeare, you’d be right. Othello to be precise: 

 

“Beware, my Lord, of jealousy 

It is the green eyed monster that doth mock 

The meat it feeds on” 

 

But why, you may ask, is the monster green eyed? 

Over the years we’ve noticed that the mention of “First Aid” – whether doing it yourself or being on the receiving end of an over enthusiastic, but well meaning, person (!) – seems to strike terror into the hearts of many people. Perhaps it sounds too “medical” or complicated. Or requiring lots of equipment and supplies. Thankfully, neither is the case. 

 

It’s usually just a matter of using whatever’s to hand – and not necessarily from a well stocked first aid box – coupled with a little common sense. Although, as one Client rather ruefully put it, the later can sometimes be in rather short supply… 

A few weeks ago we took a quick trip down memory lane thanks to a song by “Fun Boy Three with Bananarama”. If you’d like another dose of nostalgia, here’s the link. 

 

As the song so beautifully put it, “It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it, that’s what gets results.” In other words, it’s not about WHAT we do, but HOW we do it, that’s the most important thing. So, the energy and intention behind whatever we’re doing, rather than the thing itself. 

 

For some reason, we often seem to miss this. Tending to focus on the visible end result – the action – rather than the energy and intention driving it. 

 

Which, if you stop to think about it, is rather backwards thinking. Why? 

Over the years we’ve noticed that this time of year sees a resurgence in the making – and breaking (!) – of many health related resolutions. True, it’s not as popular a time as at New Year, but the changing of the clocks to British Summertime always seems to give people a push in that direction. Perhaps it’s the prospect of warmer weather and lighter nights, waking people up from their winter hibernation. Or, maybe, the peeling off of some of the layers of winter clothing that have been hiding a multitude of sins for the last few months. And we’ll leave the rest to your imagination… 

 

Whatever the reason, this time of year always marks an upsurge in the number of people deciding to kick start their health programmes for the warmer months ahead. And an easy way to get things moving – literally (!) is the traditional spring clean. Or detox, if you prefer. 

It’s often said that imagination is one of our greatest gifts. The one which sets us apart from all the other life forms sharing this beautiful planet with us. However, like all gifts, it’s a two edged sword and can be used for good or ill. To help us or harm us. To speed us on our way, or to hold us back; if not send us in completely the wrong direction. 

 

Regardless of how we choose to use it – and, yes, it is a choice; more about this in a minute – imagination is the spark that sets EVERYTHING in our lives in motion. And you may want to read that last bit again. Let it sink in. Imagination really is the spark that sets EVERYTHING in motion. 

And, yes, it is one of those slightly trick questions designed to get you thinking! So, if you’re ready, here we go. 

 

Allowing for a little natural reticence (!), we all know exactly how old we are. Well, more accurately, we know how many years – and in some cases days, weeks and months (!) – since the day we were born. Despite our bodies having changed in many ways since that time – not least in “growing up” and then later in “ageing” – we see them as solid and permanent. 

 

However – and this is what we were hinting at with the title of this week’s blog post – is this really the case? That our bodies are as constant as we like to think they are. The simple answer is no. 

If these words sound familiar, they are. Well, if you were a teenager – or around them (!) – in the early 1980’s. 1982 to be precise. They come from a song by “Fun Boy Three with Bananarama” which, apparently, took its inspiration – and quite a few of the lines (!) – from an Ella Fitzgerald song of 1939. If you’d like a trip down memory lane here’s the link. And, that’s probably more than enough pop trivia for one blog post. Let alone slightly scary reminders of “Top of the Pops” and 1980’s fashions… 

 

So, before we get completely side tracked, what were we going to talk about this week?