Posts tagged “Diet”

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It's spring cleaning time of year, your body, not your house (!)

Posted on 7th April 2021 at 07:35

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.

How old do you really think you are?

Posted on 24th March 2021 at 07:25

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.

Migraines

Posted on 10th March 2021 at 07:28

A couple of weeks’ ago we wrote about Headaches and, this week, we’re now going to look at Migraines. While they’re often through of as a “bad Headache”, there is much more to them than this, as anyone who has ever experienced one will tell you.

If you want a very simple analogy, it’s like the difference between a Cold and full blown Flu. And, yes, we know there’s a grey area between them, but it’ll still give you an idea of how different they are – in terms of symptoms, intensity, duration and, just as important, time needed to get over it.

So, let’s take a closer look.

Headaches

Posted on 24th February 2021 at 07:23

From time to time we look back at the ever growing list of our Blog posts – over 300 to date (!) – and are surprised we haven’t covered a particular topic. This week’s is a very good example of what we’re talking about, particularly as it’s something we can virtually guarantee that everyone has experienced at some time or other.

Despite this, it tends to be thought of as just “one of those things” which will usually disappear as quickly as it appeared. Although, often, it’s a gentle reminder we haven’t been looking after ourselves quite as well as we thought. Or, perhaps, have overstretched the mark.

Have you guessed what we’re talking about yet? Headaches.

Our ongoing love affair with chocolate

Posted on 27th January 2021 at 07:09

Having talked about diet a couple of weeks’ ago and why “rubbish in, rubbish out” doesn’t just apply to computers – click here if you missed it (!) – we’re going to continue on a similar theme this week. Sadly, it’s another example of our natural survival instincts inadvertently working against us. However, having said that, there can also be various emotional factors at play, such as comfort eating, even if we tend not to be aware of them.

So, what are we talking about? Our naturally sweet tooth.

Rubbish in, rubbish out doesn't only apply to computers...

Posted on 13th January 2021 at 07:08

Diet is one of those topics we come back to again and again, both here on the Blog and with Clients. What never ceases to amaze us is how little thought – or planning – seems to go into what many people are eating each day. Whether on their plates or, increasingly, on the go. And, while most people are ready to accept the maxim of “rubbish in, rubbish out” as far as their computer is concerned; for some reason this logic often doesn’t seem to stretch as far as their bodies.

Why is this?

Well, we’d love to say there was one very simple answer but, unfortunately, this isn’t the case. From our perspective there are many different factors at play accompanied by a large dose of irony. And, if that sounds a little strange, let us explain.

Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin

Posted on 16th December 2020 at 07:16

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.

Lovely local veg at their best at this time of year

Posted on 21st October 2020 at 07:06

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?

The seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness...

Posted on 7th October 2020 at 07:33

It’s amazing how the seasons suddenly seem to turn and this year is no exception. We may only be at the beginning of October, but it feels as though Autumn is well upon us, due in large part to the recent storms and torrential rainfall.

Despite the signs of the winter to come, there are still lots of local goodies to enjoy at this time of year. While the blackberries may now be over, rosehips and sloes are coming into their own, with good crops of both to be found in the hedges if you’re quick. For a reminder about their many uses, as well as the joys of foraging, click here.

However, it’s some other fruits which are at their best at this time of year that we’d like to talk about this week. They’re the ones found in just about every fruit bowl, all year round, which is probably why we take them so much for granted. But, as with any fruit in season and freshly picked, there’s nothing to beat them.

Dare we mention water?!?

Posted on 5th August 2020 at 07:30

With the recent spell of hot weather – well, hot for the UK (!) – and a repeat forecast for the end of the week, it’s easy for people to become dehydrated without even realising it. Perhaps it’s due to them not being used to hot weather and simply not recognising the warning signs. Having said that, many of the classic signs of dehydration seem so obvious – to us at least (!) – that it can sometimes be hard to understand how people don’t seem to join the dots.

So, this week, we’re going to look again at the most common signs of dehydration. And, don’t be fooled, they apply all year round, not just in the summer (!).

Let’s begin with the most obvious ones of feeling thirsty or having a dry mouth. Now you may think these are blindingly obvious but you’d be surprised.

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