When you walk into a health food shop it either seems like a magical cove full of treats (if you already know your way around) or an alien place full of strange products which at first glance may seem over priced and a little confusing. When you first start on the road to health/recovery or maintenance it can be overwhelming to know where to start. If you are thinking of making some lifestyle changes for you and your family here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Herbal Tea:
Caffeine is an important part of many peoples mornings and some use it throughout the day to get a lift. Herbal teas avoid the energy slumps that caffeine tends to bring so cutting back to 1 caffeinated drink a day and choosing herbal teas the rest of the day may be a good idea. There are many to choose from and they all have different health benefits. Start with something simple like chamomile or peppermint and experiment as you build a collection.
2. Natural (free from) Shampoo and Conditioner:
Keeping things natural is a way of life and a good place to start is by choosing hair products without any added nasties (SLS, pthalates, parabens, synthetic fragrances). They are surprisingly good and it feels great to know that you are avoiding putting chemical products through your hair and over your body. Many of these chemicals are known endocrine disruptors so are best avoided.
3. Nuts and Seeds:
By far the best range of nuts and seeds are found in your local health food shop. High in 'good' fats and a great source of protein, nuts and seeds make part of any balanced diet. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are a great start and walnuts, brazils and almonds are also lovely nutritious nut choices.
4. Superfood Powders:
These may be particularly helpful for people who are always on the go. Alkalising green powders such as wheatgrass, barley grass and spirulina are easy to use and great to start the day with.
5. Chemical Free House Products:
It makes sense to try and keep our planet as clean as our body so choosing non-chemical house and laundry products are a great choice. Your local health food shop is the best place to source these products and they work much better than you might think! It is not necessary to use harsh chemicals which enter our daily home environment and our bodies.
Caffeine gets many of us through the day and certainly most of us going in the morning, but is it as helpful as it seems? Most of us have heard that caffeine is bad for us but most people don't know why. The odd cup with a friend in the afternoon or a morning pick me up is not going to be the end of us, but continual caffeine consumption throughout the day could wreak havoc with our bodies. As with all things, balance is the key, and always choose organic tea and coffee where possible.
Here are my 5 top reasons for avoiding caffeine.
1. STRESS: It is a stimulant so it mimics the stress response and releases stress hormones into the system. This may make you feel awake, but it will also give you racing thoughts, a thumping heart rate and could make you feel anxious or stressed. This adrenaline high leaves us feeling deflated and low afterwards.
2. WEIGHT GAIN: Because caffeine releases the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol into the body it puts our body into the sympathetic (fight or flight) mode of our nervous system. This means that our body releases insulin and glucose into the system so we can run from the threat! when we have nothing to run from, this energy gets stored as abdominal fat!
3. IBS or INDIGESTION: When our body is in the sympathetic mode of the nervous system we stop producing digestive enzymes as the body prioritises energy for escaping the threat. This means any food eaten when the body has caffeine in it will not be fully absorbed, leaving us robbed of vital nutrients.
4. DEHYDRATION: Caffeine has a diuretic affect on the body so it makes us urinate more frequently. Unless we are having a recommended 2 litres of water a day, we may be losing fluid from having caffeine as a substitute for hydrating fluids.
5. CHEMICAL SHAKES: There are lots of chemicals used on tea and coffee crops and as we dry and infuse them in high quantities for one cup, the load of chemicals is high. This can lead to shaking and feeling low on energy as our liver tries to process the toxins in the blood.
So, think carefully next time you reach for your third cup of coffee... your body will be screaming out for glass of water and some nourishing wholefoods instead.
Are you a tea lover? Read this related post: http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/wonder-of-tea.html
Josie
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In a perfect world none of us would need to supplement our diets. We would be eating fresh produce grown ourselves or found in nature. The soils would be mineral rich, free of chemicals and our lives would be stress free.
However, in the real world, where most of us live, things are not quite so ideal. The soils our foods are mass produced in are mineral depleted. The crops are sprayed with hundreds of different chemical combinations and our days are full of mineral leeching stressful situations.
In the everyday world, supplementation is vital for a full nutritional profile. All our body's biochemical pathways are dependent on the right amounts of certain minerals and vitamins to be completed. Without these ideal conditions healing is slow, immune strength is compromised, energy levels are low and brain function is far from optimal.
So, unless you are extremely careful with your diet and aware of where to find and harvest the right types of fresh produce, it is likely you are mineral or vitamin deficient. Therefore it makes sense to supplement your diet as insurance, to make sure your body is functioning as it should be.
It may be a good idea to start with a multi-vitamin by a good brand, I like Lamberts or Solgar. Also, a Vitamin c supplement is often a good choice on top of this as Vitamin C is responsible for over 300 biochemical pathways and is therefore essential for so many functions.
Ask in your local health food shop for advice as many minerals and vitamins deplete one another or release synergistically, so as with pharmaceutical medication take care and seek advice.
There is no harm in taking supplements, but choose wisely, spend a little more and always research contraindications with any pharmaceutical medications or supplements you are already taking.
Josie
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Almost every girl I know has suffered from a bout of mild or severe cystitis as some stage in their life. Men can get it too but it is much less common. Here is some more information and my TOP TEN TIPS for healing it.
What is Cystitis?
Cystitis is an infection or irritation which causes inflammation of the lining of the bladder. It causes a burning/stinging feeling during urination, a throbbing sensation and cloudy or bloody urine. It can be very uncomfortable and sometimes very painful. It is often referred to as 'honeymooners' cystitis as it often comes with the onset of a new relationship or in the 'good old days' directly after marriage.
It occurs when vaginal bacteria or bacteria which has been introduced to the vagina enters the urethra and gets forced higher than usual. This can aggravate the bladder lining and cause irritation or infection. It can either cause a gentle discomfort which passes in a day or in some cases severe pain and bleeding which lasts for an extended period, sometimes with fever and weakness.
What to do if you think you have cystitis?
1. Cranberry extract: This can help to ease the symptoms and clear the bladder, avoid sweet cranberry juices which usually have very little cranberry in them and buy a cranberry extract from your health food shop.
2. D-Mannose: This is an excellent remedy, it is a monosaccharide which comes from tree bark and many sufferers have instant relief with this supplement. This is very popular with frequent sufferers. Again, you can find this in your health food shop.
3. Drink lots of fluid: This helps to clear the bladder and will relieve symptoms. Choose water or herbal teas rather than sweet juices which will raise your blood sugar and are not suitable to drink all day.
4. Vitamin C: Any infection in the body will heal more quickly if you boost your body's detoxification abilities. Vitamin C will help your immune system and give you a chance of healing faster.
5. Empty your bladder after intercourse: This flushes the urethra and can prevent bacteria from causing problems.
6. Eat Well. Anything will heal more quickly if you eat lots of whole foods and have a full profile of vitamins and minerals. Although you may feel like reaching for sugar or ''stodgy' foods when you feel in pain, they will not help you get better.
7. Rest. Your body cannot heal if you continue to race around. Take time to rest and relax and if you are in pain then be as calm as possible.
8. Hot Water Bottle: If you are in the acute stage and are suffering a lot then a hot water bottle can help to soothe the pain by relaxing the throbbing contractions that can sometimes occur.
9. Salt Water Bath: A bath with natural rock sea salt can ease the pain with the soothing warm water and sterilise and clean the area at the same time. This often gives instant relief.
10. Antibiotics? If the infection is very bad and none of these remedies work then you may choose to take antibiotics prescribed by your GP. They can be effective on some very resistant infections, but should only be used as a last resort as they negatively impact your body's flora and can lead to other problems such as thrush. If you suffer from frequent infections then finding a natural method that works for you is vital to avoid the damage of regular antibiotic use.
I hope this helps, always try to go the natural route.
Josie.
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