Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Sustainable Food and Energy at the Eden Project, Bodelva. Video Blog.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sprouting or green potatoes are toxic to humans.
As a student it always seemed a little cavalier to chop up a sprouted potato and eat it anyway. As a poor university undergraduate consuming foods which were a 'little off' was a respected and expected part of student life. As my knowledge grows however, 'the 5 second rule' and a few other mouldy consumptions now appear rather foolish.
When a potato goes green it is starting to sprout. It is about to grow and turn into a potato plant, given a little time and love. This is a good time to plant the potato or throw it into the compost. But why?
When a potato starts to sprout it produces toxic substances called 'glycoalkaloids' which develop into a highly poisonous chemical called 'solanine'. The potato produces these chemicals to protect it from hungry predators which may want to eat it before it has time to grow up and make babies. This is a rather fabulous natural phenomenon and nature is full of them. However, it seems that humans have lost some or all of their intuitive senses and see no problem with gobbling down sprouted potatoes to save a couple of quid (or I did anyway).
The potato is part of the nightshade family of vegetables including tomatoes, peppers and aubergines which all produce alkaloids which can be harmful to the body in large amounts (this is not to say you should avoid these foods as they are full of wonderful nutrients too, but be aware that in large amounts they may not be good for certain individuals, especially for people with arthritis or inflammatory pain conditions). Consuming 'glycoalkaloids' from sprouted potatoes can cause vomiting, tongue paralysis,cramps and spasms, pupil dilation, diarrhoea or giddiness.
Store potatoes in a cool, dark place to avoid them turning green. Then you can enjoy a lovely baked potato without fear of being poisoned by it!
Worth knowing.
Josie Was this useful? Like My facebook page... :)
When a potato goes green it is starting to sprout. It is about to grow and turn into a potato plant, given a little time and love. This is a good time to plant the potato or throw it into the compost. But why?
When a potato starts to sprout it produces toxic substances called 'glycoalkaloids' which develop into a highly poisonous chemical called 'solanine'. The potato produces these chemicals to protect it from hungry predators which may want to eat it before it has time to grow up and make babies. This is a rather fabulous natural phenomenon and nature is full of them. However, it seems that humans have lost some or all of their intuitive senses and see no problem with gobbling down sprouted potatoes to save a couple of quid (or I did anyway).
The potato is part of the nightshade family of vegetables including tomatoes, peppers and aubergines which all produce alkaloids which can be harmful to the body in large amounts (this is not to say you should avoid these foods as they are full of wonderful nutrients too, but be aware that in large amounts they may not be good for certain individuals, especially for people with arthritis or inflammatory pain conditions). Consuming 'glycoalkaloids' from sprouted potatoes can cause vomiting, tongue paralysis,cramps and spasms, pupil dilation, diarrhoea or giddiness.
Store potatoes in a cool, dark place to avoid them turning green. Then you can enjoy a lovely baked potato without fear of being poisoned by it!
Worth knowing.
Josie Was this useful? Like My facebook page... :)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Exercise for stress reduction.
When most of us think of exercise it is a tool for shifting those extra pounds which gently snuck on when we were not looking. It is a chore, a bother and sometimes feels expensive - especially when you start to look at gym memberships and the price of a pair of Running shoes these days. But for stress management?
Most of us don't realise how wonderful exercise is for stress reduction and mental wellbeing. A good workout whether in the form of a swim, a brisk walk or a gym workout, is a brilliant way to make life feel more manageable. It releases wonderful endorphins which make us feel content and in control - even if it is just for a short while. The benefits of a toned body and increased energy make it a more preferable option to smoking or drinking as a way to reduce stress. These only add to the stress the body is under and further deplete it of vital nutrients it needs to manage the stress.
When our bodies become stressed our heart rates rise, we start to produce adrenaline and cortisol and a feeling of rising panic in our emotions occurs as a response. Our body does now know the difference between a real threat (an angry leopard) or something which is making us feel agitated (irrational work colleague). The stress hormones which are produced to make us run away from the angry leopard, simply build up and sit there as we ponder the irrational work colleague. Our adrenals are overworked, our bodies release sugar into the blood stream for quick action (stored as abdonimal fat when we don't use it) and our breathing becomes shallow.
A good workout at the end of the day or before work can make all the difference. It puts us in a completely different mindset and creates a feeling of wellbeing as we burn off that excess energy and adrenaline. Follow that with a good nutritious salad with salmon for dinner and a superfood powder such as spirulina and your body will be feeling so good that the annoying work colleague will be a distant memory.
Be good to your body and your mind will smile in response.
Josie.
Was this useful? Like My facebook page... :)
Most of us don't realise how wonderful exercise is for stress reduction and mental wellbeing. A good workout whether in the form of a swim, a brisk walk or a gym workout, is a brilliant way to make life feel more manageable. It releases wonderful endorphins which make us feel content and in control - even if it is just for a short while. The benefits of a toned body and increased energy make it a more preferable option to smoking or drinking as a way to reduce stress. These only add to the stress the body is under and further deplete it of vital nutrients it needs to manage the stress.
When our bodies become stressed our heart rates rise, we start to produce adrenaline and cortisol and a feeling of rising panic in our emotions occurs as a response. Our body does now know the difference between a real threat (an angry leopard) or something which is making us feel agitated (irrational work colleague). The stress hormones which are produced to make us run away from the angry leopard, simply build up and sit there as we ponder the irrational work colleague. Our adrenals are overworked, our bodies release sugar into the blood stream for quick action (stored as abdonimal fat when we don't use it) and our breathing becomes shallow.
A good workout at the end of the day or before work can make all the difference. It puts us in a completely different mindset and creates a feeling of wellbeing as we burn off that excess energy and adrenaline. Follow that with a good nutritious salad with salmon for dinner and a superfood powder such as spirulina and your body will be feeling so good that the annoying work colleague will be a distant memory.
Be good to your body and your mind will smile in response.
Josie.
Was this useful? Like My facebook page... :)
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
7 Day Detox Review
I have been working on Koh Samui for 3 years, leading hundreds of fasters through the good the bad and the ugly of bodies and detoxification. Before returning to the UK and making a new start on old soils, I decided to do a cleanse. What better time to do a detoxification programme than at a transition in my path?
This was my fourth detox on Koh Samui and the first few days were fantastically easy. I was rather pleased about my ability to slip so easily into a diet of clay shakes and vegetable juices (no solid food is eaten during a fast, only shakes and juices). My energy was high, I was swimming and walking in the sunshine and feeling rather wholesome and bionic.
However, on day four of my seven day detox I suffered from a pretty nasty night. I had a high fever, cramping and felt like I was probably going to perish in my wooden hut with nobody for company but the gecko in the corner of the room. My body felt weak and I started to feel sorry for myself. These are the times when we need to trust the process of detoxing and know that our body is doing something magical and getting rid of all the stored toxins and rubbish that it no longer needs. After holding hands with many a detoxer over the years I could suddenly relate to that need to have a spa manager and detox specialist at hand.
This only happens rarely during a detox (with more mild reactions such as headache being common) but considering I had just been through a very stressful period it is likely I was releasing more rubbish that I had realised.
On waking things seemed a little rosier and my detox reaction seemed a distant memory in the morning sun. I was swimming once again and my memories of constant toilet visits were a vague memory. I had turned a corner. When we are detoxing our body has the time to rid the tissues and organs of old stored stress, toxins and unwanted by-products. Unfortunately we sometimes need to experience these as they leave the body. Although I knew this, in the dead of night I felt rather vulnerable.
There were moments when my energy levels were lower, I felt fatigued and a little bit weak. There were times when conversation was tiring and I wanted to retreat to my room. However these were only fleeting and smiles and a good level of energy and mental clarity always followed.
The following days were much brighter, a new sense of clarity appeared and I could happily spend time meditating, doing yoga and generally thinking positively about my body and health free of the fog of daily life and mealtimes. With my eyes clear, my skin glowing and my mind feeling cleansed I was ready to return home.
After leading hundreds of fasters through detoxification over the last few years it was a total pleasure to spend that time taking care of my own body and mind in Thailand’s fasting capital, Koh Samui.
So do I still recommend detox? Most definitely.
I am now back in the UK and am available for one on one nutritional consultations and detox advice.
Josie Was this useful? Like My facebook page... :)
This was my fourth detox on Koh Samui and the first few days were fantastically easy. I was rather pleased about my ability to slip so easily into a diet of clay shakes and vegetable juices (no solid food is eaten during a fast, only shakes and juices). My energy was high, I was swimming and walking in the sunshine and feeling rather wholesome and bionic.
However, on day four of my seven day detox I suffered from a pretty nasty night. I had a high fever, cramping and felt like I was probably going to perish in my wooden hut with nobody for company but the gecko in the corner of the room. My body felt weak and I started to feel sorry for myself. These are the times when we need to trust the process of detoxing and know that our body is doing something magical and getting rid of all the stored toxins and rubbish that it no longer needs. After holding hands with many a detoxer over the years I could suddenly relate to that need to have a spa manager and detox specialist at hand.
This only happens rarely during a detox (with more mild reactions such as headache being common) but considering I had just been through a very stressful period it is likely I was releasing more rubbish that I had realised.
On waking things seemed a little rosier and my detox reaction seemed a distant memory in the morning sun. I was swimming once again and my memories of constant toilet visits were a vague memory. I had turned a corner. When we are detoxing our body has the time to rid the tissues and organs of old stored stress, toxins and unwanted by-products. Unfortunately we sometimes need to experience these as they leave the body. Although I knew this, in the dead of night I felt rather vulnerable.
There were moments when my energy levels were lower, I felt fatigued and a little bit weak. There were times when conversation was tiring and I wanted to retreat to my room. However these were only fleeting and smiles and a good level of energy and mental clarity always followed.
The following days were much brighter, a new sense of clarity appeared and I could happily spend time meditating, doing yoga and generally thinking positively about my body and health free of the fog of daily life and mealtimes. With my eyes clear, my skin glowing and my mind feeling cleansed I was ready to return home.
After leading hundreds of fasters through detoxification over the last few years it was a total pleasure to spend that time taking care of my own body and mind in Thailand’s fasting capital, Koh Samui.
So do I still recommend detox? Most definitely.
I am now back in the UK and am available for one on one nutritional consultations and detox advice.
Josie Was this useful? Like My facebook page... :)
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