Wonderful Water

IF YOU DON’T DRINK AT LEAST 8 GLASSES OF WATER A DAY, YOUR BRAIN WILL DRY UP!

A dramatic statement but there is some truth in it.

Water is needed to combat the effects of dehydration from perspiration, breathing and excretion.  It flushes out and carries out the waste matter from the body’s cells.  Lack of water causes a build up of waste matter, which can lead to exhaustion.  Water also plays a large part in our temperature control system.

A lack of water can cause constipation, as the gut is starved of water.  This leads to bowel dysfunction.  Our kidneys filter out impurities from the blood and a lack of water means the urine is too highly concentrated and it will become dark yellow.  This may cause kidney stones to develop, urinary tract infections and other bladder problems.

THE COLOUR OF URINE SHOULD BE VERY PALE YELLOW – CHECK THAT YOU ARE DRINKING ENOUGH WATER!

De-hydration can cause symptoms such as back pain migraines/headaches, light-headedness, loss of concentration and fatigue. Water can also act as natural pick-me-up.  If you drink a large glass of water, instead of a caffeinated drink, you will be amazed at how much energy you’ll have!

TOP TIPS

Drink room temperature water as it more easily absorbed and used by your body.

Drink bottled or filtered water as it contains fewer impurities such as chlorine and fluoride.

Drink a minimum of 1.5-2 litres of water per day, more if the weather is hot or you are doing strenuous exercise.  Larger people need more water.

Keep a small bottle of water with you to stay hydrated at all times.  Schools now encourage pupils to bring in their own water bottles.

TOP FACTS

Remember tea, coffee, alcohol and some soft drinks actually cause you to lose water.

Caffeine not only causes chemical dependency but it is also a diuretic. which means it pulls water out of your body.

Water suppresses the appetite and helps the body metabolise stored fat and reduces fat deposits, which is an important factor in helping people to permanently lose weight.

Weight loss can lead to ‘sagging skin’.  Water helps to plump up the skin and leave it clear and healthy.

Aspartame

Many of us buy sugar free and “diet” options of soft drinks, desserts and chewing gums believing them to be less fattening, better for our teeth and healthier for us and our children. But what are the true costs of these artificial sweetener-laden products on our health?

Artificial sweetener, ASPARTAME or E951, is a chemical that has been used in the food industry since 1981, and so one would assume it is a safe sugar substitute with no side effects. However, unlike natural occurring sugars the body treats Aspartame as a toxin and breaks it down differently.

Aspartame has a toxic link to 3 chemicals; aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol (wood alcohol). In combination these chemicals trigger a reaction in brain chemistry that can over stimulate the nerve cells causing all manner of health problems and cell death! What is particularly disturbing is the reaction of the body to Wood Alcohol: It is broken down into a liquid solution to produce Formaldehyde.

Sodium Metabisulfite Is used as a food additive, mainly as a preservative and is sometimes identified as E number E223. It may cause allergic reactions in those sensitive to sulfites. It is also present in dilutable squashes and in candy bars.  It is commonly used in home brewing.

Aspartame is listed as causing, FATIGUE, HEADACHES, BLURRED VISION, BLINDNESS, PALPITATIONS, DIZZINESS, HEARING LOSS, SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS, MOOD CHANGES, SEIZURES, JOINT PAIN, NAUSEA, VERTIGO, TINNITUS, IRRITABILITY, DISORIENTATION, MUSCLE SPASM and is known to have triggered off MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, PARKINSON’S, ALZHEIMER’S  and BRAIN TUMOURS. 

Ultimately: Balanced nutrition and adequate hydration are vital components of good health. Eating a wide variety of fresh foods and avoiding artificial chemicals (of all kinds) in our diet (eat organic if possible) and by drinking 1 ½ to 2 litres of filtered water every day we give our bodies the essential ingredients for health, growth and repair. 

Travelling Light with Kids

With summer holidays just around the bend now is the time to start thinking about getting the suitcases out and putting aside the clothes and other holiday essentials for your trip. Now is usually the time when we start to wonder how everything will fit in the suitcase with the addition of your child’s favourite toy or the new cuddly they can’t sleep without. Below are some hints and tips to help you pack the essentials and not the kitchen sink as well.

Suitcases:

Suitcase selection - Choose carefully, use the lightest case possible that has wheels, hard cases can sometimes weigh a lot even before you start to fill them.

Two cases are better than one – If possible take two light cases rather than one, so

you can distribute the weigh more evenly.

Push, don’t pull – Many wheeled cases encourage you to pull them behind you, but

 this causes the upper body and spine to twist. Instead, push the case in front of you.

Kids Toys:

Bring a friend along – A home favourite either teddy bear, dolly or cuddly toy can provide comfort to your little one especially when sleeping in a strange bed or even flying for the first time.

Family Adventure – Take a couple of crayons and some sheets of paper to record all your travels, this can be a great way to keep your precious ones occupied while you relax a little.

Sea, Sand and Sun Safety:

Sun Protection – You don’t need numerous bottles of sun block/cream. Take one bottle of SPF 30 for adults and SPF 50 for kids and buy a new bottle out there - buying a cream the locals use is often cheaper on holiday than buying before you go, it also reduces weight in your case.

Beach Fun – Sand is a great and natural exfoliant especially for your feet, so walking along the water’s edge is great exercise and a secret beauty cheat.

Unlike most sun beds sand can be shaped to add support where you need it while relaxing.

Building sandcastles – Just like gardening remember your posture to avoid those past issues popping up and dampening your holiday.

Early Start, Leaving Late – Avoid that harassed feeling by starting your final holiday prep the day before you leave, pack the car the night before, set your alarm 20minutes earlier, and leave feeling calm and relaxed.

Flight Pillows – Long haul flights can be a pain in the neck (Literally). Travel pillows can provide support for your head and neck allowing you to relax and start your holiday off on a flying start.

SUNSHINE FOR YOUR SKELETON!

With the summer months, and hopefully, the sunshine upon us we should all take time to relax and “catch a few rays”. Not to top up our tans, but because sunshine is good for the health of our minds and bodies.

During winter as many as 500,000 of us are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the UK. It is caused by lack of sunlight which affects the brains chemistry, causing symptoms such as fatigue, depression, weight gain, loss of appetite, excessive sleeping, reduction in libido and a craving for starchy foods.

However during the summer our increased exposure to Ultra Violet light or sunlight can banish these symptoms as our brain releases natural “feel good” hormones.

Sunlight is also necessary for the production of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is formed in the skin (which we tend to expose more of when it’s sunny) and is vital for the metabolism of calcium. The efficient absorption of the calcium from our diet (think green, leafy salads!) is vital for the prevention of rickets and osteoporosis (bone thinning) and the growth of strong, healthy bones.

SUNSHINE SAFETY.

Most of us are aware that over exposure to the sun, particularly around midday can be hazardous to our health. So don’t spoil your enjoyment of the fresh air, sunshine and BBQ weather by putting your self at risk of sunburn, sunstroke and of course, over time, skin cancer. Follow these simple and sensible steps;

1. Slip on a tee shirt even if it’s hot – shoulders around the collarbone have thin skin that burns.
2. Protect yourself from sunstroke by wearing a hat.
3. Wear sun cream with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply regularly.
4. Avoid the full glare of the midday sun.
5. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. No, that does not include beer and cocktails!

THE BOTTOM LINE: Take advantage of the sunshine to make your body feel and function better. Most of us find it easier to get some fresh air and  exercise in the good weather, even if it’s just going for a walk each day or bit of gardening. Take some time to relax and unwind, everybody needs some “me time”. Also make the most of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables; it is the salad season after all! 

'The Big Feast' continues

“There are so many different ones you can choose

With plenty of fruit you cannot lose,

The natural vitamins that they provide

Will help you feel amazing on the inside.”

Opening the cupboard, and pulling out a parsnip

“With rule number Three let us now equip.”

Sammy Seahorse explained “load up with vegetables,

For you’ll find they provide a multitude of minerals.”

“There are so many fun veggies for you to eat,

Kale, spinach and carrots: oh Oscar, what a treat!

 The iron they provide, to name one of so many,

Helps you to stay strong, not tired and like jelly.”

Oscar smiled away for now he began to see

How important fruit and veg was to stay healthy

What would be next he wondered, wide-eyed?

For Rule number four Olga Urchin stood by his side:

“Don’t eat lots of junk”, as told sternly by Olga:

“Avoid all those chips and that fast food burger

There are so many nasties they pack in and hide

They may look good but what’s really inside?”

The next instalment of The Big Feast!

I hope you have all had a great Easter, as promised, here is the next instalment of Oscar!

“Let me introduce you Oscar to good basic Nutrition,”

Follow me closely, look hard and listen.

Your body needs food to heal, grow, and survive

The choice is yours if you want to thrive”

“Do you want to do lots of exciting things. like running and jumping,  

Laughing, playing with friends, reading and swimming?

So come with me now and we can investigate food,

Some helpers we need; now where is the brood?”

Sidney Starfish appeared on Oscars Shoulder,

“Rule number one is drinking plenty of water.”

Known as H-2-O is great for hydration,

And very important for our brains to function.”

“Lack of water can cause your head to ache,

Your breath to smell and your knees to quake.”

So drink plenty of water Oscar, don’t stop

And very soon in the class you’ll be top.”

Drinking his water Oscar admitted it felt good,

He knew he must drink more, yes he should.

“Rule number two,” Emily Eel did say

Peeling a banana as she slid his way

“Eat plenty of fruit Oscar, different ones too,

Apples, pears and oranges are all great for you.

Oscar Ocean and The Big Feast- Special Treat

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

As a special treat and a thank you to you all I will be releasing a preview of 'Oscar Ocean and The Big Feast' over the next few days in short snippets. So for those of you who can't wait here is the first section...

At breakfast Oscar simply shook his head

For mum had made muesli and Smoothie instead

"Eat up now Oscar and start this way,

 For you see breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

"I don’t like that" Oscar did say, pushing his plate firmly away

‘‘Can’t I have chocolate cereals, toast and then play?’’

But mum was not listening; she was out in the hall

Busying and bustling, getting ready for pre-school

Wise young Sammy, in his big Chef hat:

“Come on Now Oscar, none of that,

If you want to grow big and wise and strong,

Nutrition is important all day long.”

To Oscar it all sounded dull and boring

But a glass of Smoothie Sammy was pouring.

“Packed full of vitamins, protein and water

Energy this will give you, so you can be smarter.”

Stay tuned for the next instalment.