Posts tagged “Health”

Are plant based "milks" really the healthy option?

Posted on 2nd October 2024 at 07:55

It’s interesting how the same topics seem to come up again and again with Clients – and how these usually coincide with a high profile marketing campaign for the latest “health” product… This certainly applies to the one we’d like to talk about today.

Having said that, with concerns about cows milk, coupled with a huge increase in so called “plant based” foods – as well as those badged as “Vegetarian” or “Vegan” – it’s really not surprising that plant based milks have become so popular in recent years. You’ll probably have noticed them during your regular trip to the local supermarket. Perhaps even wondered why they seem to take up more shelf space than regular cows’ milk.

Autumn has arrived...

Posted on 18th September 2024 at 09:56

With a distinctly autumnal feeling in the air for the last few days, coupled with the schools having gone back and nights becoming darker – many apologies, we know everyone would prefer to ignore the last one (!) – it’s time for our usual turn of the seasons blog post. The one looking ahead – we were going to use looking forward, but that really doesn’t reflect how most people feel about this time of year (!) – to the cooler months…

Looking back over the posts we’ve done in previous years, there’s really very little we can add. While we appreciate it’s not what people want to hear, there is no quick fix or miracle cure guaranteed to produce a bug free Winter. Or a happy, healthy, life for that matter. And you might like to read those couple of sentences over a few times before going any further, to let this very simple truth sink in…

Pre prepared fruit - and veg too (!) - convenience at a price?

Posted on 4th September 2024 at 07:31

It often amazes us how quickly a new product or, just as often, a repackaged one becomes a stable of people’s lives. Often without them realising it. It’s suddenly there on the shelves – and everyone else seems to be buying it – so they do too, without stopping to think whether it’s a good choice. Or, at least, a good choice for them (!). And this applies not only to their weekly food shop, but what they pick up on the go, perhaps from the local convenience store or petrol station at lunchtime or on their way home.

It’s one of these modern conveniences we’d like to talk about today. Pre prepared fruit. And, while we’re focussing on fruit, the same comments apply to pre prepared veg and salad too.

A cautionary tale and one not yet consigned to history, lead poisoning

Posted on 21st August 2024 at 08:01

Mention lead poisoning and two pictures probably spring to mind.

The lead water pipes found in Victorian houses, seen as cutting edge technology at the time (!), bringing fresh water directly into people’s home.

4 Star leaded petrol, used for many years to fuel cars and lorries and only phased out relatively recently.

With both now being firmly consigned to history, it’s easy to think of lead poisoning as being a thing of the past but, sadly, this isn’t quite the case. Its use goes back much, much, further than these relatively modern examples.

Amazing Aloe Vera

Posted on 7th August 2024 at 08:13

Aloe Vera is one of those plants with a myriad of different uses. Not only is it safe to use both internally and externally, but it’s also a good natured – and almost indestructible (!) – house plant.

A tropical plant found in Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and America it’s estimated there are more than 400 different varieties in the wild.

So, what makes it so useful?

One of Granny's favourites, Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted on 24th July 2024 at 07:53

It’s been a while since we’ve put one of the old fashioned remedies under the spotlight, to see whether it really does live up to the hype or is just another old wives tale that’s proving hard to shake. Some are quite well known, others less so, although that doesn’t always reflect how well – or not – they live up to received wisdom…

Food, why timing is everything...

Posted on 17th July 2024 at 07:08

We often talk about what to eat – and what is best minimised or avoided (!) – but less so about when to eat. While it may seem like a secondary consideration, timing does play an important part. Not only in how the food we eat is digested but, just as important, what then happens to it.

If you stop and think about it, food is simply a fuel. We may think of it in other terms – something we like or don’t like, perhaps as a treat or pick me up – but to our bodies it’s just fuel. This is why having a “proper” breakfast is so important. It puts fuel in our tanks for the day ahead and, more importantly, is burned up in the process.

Think before you tattoo...

Posted on 3rd July 2024 at 07:35

Over the last few years, tattoos have become increasingly popular, with it estimated that one person in five – 20% – of people in the UK has one, or more (!). Not surprisingly, for young adults, the figure is much higher. One person in three or 33%.

Despite their permanent nature, the main concerns all seem to relate to the process of having the tattoo done. There are no prizes for guessing that the amount of pain which may be involved comes top of the list (!), followed by the hygiene / cleanliness of the Tattoo Parlour.

Interestingly, few people seem to consider what the process of tattooing actually involves. Perhaps, like any operation, they’d prefer not to know the gory details (!). Or, ask the question of what makes a tattoo permanent or what the ink may contain.

Coming to your plates soon, the next food fashion...

Posted on 19th June 2024 at 06:58

It’s easy to forget that EVERY aspect of our lives these days is affected by the latest fashions, not just the clothes we wear. And, while we may not want to admit it, it’s often driven more by financial considerations – profits – than anything else…

One aspect of this, that’s become increasingly obvious over the last few years, can be seen at your local supermarket or convenience shop. The huge increase in ready meals and processed foods badged as being “plant based”, “Vegetarian” or “Vegan.”

Time off for good behaviour, yes really (!)

Posted on 20th May 2024 at 09:49

A couple of days earlier than usual – just to confuse everyone (!) – a quick reminder that we’re going to take a short break from our weekly blog posts, back as usual on Wednesday 12th June.

However, with nearly 500 posts on our blog page, there are still plenty to choose from in the meantime!

So, why not play “lucky dip” and choose a month to have a look at?

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