Sunday 23 June 2013

Winter Health Basics

Here it is….my blog on Winter Health.


Now off course the information contained within is a compilation of my professional knowledge, research and personal experience which also includes family traditions.

As the cooler temperatures make their presence felt we tend to withdraw indoors as a result abandoning the ever important fresh air and sunshine enjoyed outdoors.  We tend to close the house up creating an environment for molds and stagnant air.  Be mindful to open your windows during those beautiful sunny days to allow fresh air to flow throughout your home.

Slot in some time to enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin whether it be a walk in the garden, a cuppa outside or finishing off some outdoor tasks!  Exposure to sun on the skin (not through clothing) triggers Vitamin D synthesis.  Vitamin D can also be obtained through food sources such as:-
  • Fatty fish such as Tuna, Salmon, Mackerel, swordfish and sardines
  • Oysters
  • Egg yolks
  • Cheese (however accordingly to Dr Peter J D'Adamo in his book Eat Right for(4) your Type your body has difficulty processing this food; you can research this further by clicking on the following link http://www.dadamo.com/)
  • Tofu
  • Soy Milk
  • Mushrooms
Whilst on the topic of food….being of European descent I have grown up with Garlic and Onion as part of my staple diet combined with home grown produce.  Growing your own food has many benefits:

1.       Time between harvest and consumption is minimal therefore maximising the valuable nutrients within
2.       Eating seasonal foods at their prime
3.       Knowing that what we harvest has had no pesticides sprayed on them
4.       Environmentally conscious (peace of mind):
       + Nil vehicle transit
       +  Nil storage in warehouse
       + Nil shelf time
       + Less emissions

So, if possible plant your own vegetables and reap the rewards knowing the produce you harvest are full of abundant vital nutrients and wherever possible purchase organic locally grown foods.



For some extra information on Garlic take a look at my earlier facebook posts on the 14th and 16th of March 2013 https://www.facebook.com/EssentialDifference?ref=hl

During the cooler months it is easy to drink less water and before you realise you may be suffering from loss of concentration, headaches, body stiffness, mood fluctuations and even constipation.  Lets face it we are made up of so much water.  Do your best to keep drinking water.  You could experiment with water temperature; perhaps room temperature or even warm to hot water, just like a cup of tea but without the extras.  In fact, I remember as a youngster my Great Gran-Nan drinking a cup of hot water ½ hour before consuming any food in the morning as she had digestive concerns (in particular large colon concerns).  This was suggested to her by her GP all the way back then!  She never had a problem with her colon since!!!!

As our behaviour patterns change to accommodate the winter weather, observe how your body is communicating with you…..

·         Are you becoming tired during the day?
·         Do you feel that you have less patience to cope with everyday 
      events?
·         Does your body feel stiff, especially the neck area?
·         Has your breathing changed and become shallow?
·         Are you beginning to cough?
·         Have a runny nose?
·         Producing phlegm?

To keep warm you may wear skin hugging clothes.  This can affect your Diaphragm therefore your breathing which can affect your circulation, the body’s ability to deliver nutrients to all cells and remove waste at the same time.  If your body is struggling to juggle everyday life – that is whatever you do in your day, you may feel run down; if you ignore the signs and symptoms then you become ill!  These signs could simply be:



·        That you don’t feel like eating
·         Every now and then you clear a ‘frog’ in the throat or cough
·         Struggle to drift off to sleep easily
·         Notice stiffening of the body (less drive) – ‘the seizing up effect’
·         Posture changes
·         A feeling of just wanting to hibernate!

When you notice your body responding or perhaps ‘rebelling’ – a bit like a teenager – then take action!  Action such as:-

  • Brew the juice from ½ a lemon with a teaspoon of honey in a cup of hot water and enjoy.  Or find a warming drink that will support your immunity….here’s one that I viewed on facebook recently:
  • Increase water consumption – if you find you visit the toilet regularly during the day add a squeeze of garden fresh lemon, lime or orange juice to your water.  The lemon and lime support internal PH levels, all provide great Vitamin C and by adding a ‘supplement’ such as this to your water, changing the surface tension makes it more readily available for absorption.  On the 4th of February this year I posted some further information regarding drinking lemon water....
Things to consider:-
  • Incorporate Himalayan Salt into your cooking as it contains 84 trace elements
  • Cook some good old fashioned soups, casseroles and curries – in fact don’t wait until you’re feeling    unwell!!!
  • Wherever possible use fresh herbs from the garden as they contain loads of nutrients and have been used for centuries for their medicinal qualities.  Here are some that I have in the Garden at the moment.
  • It may even be necessary to support your health with nutritional supplements until you are back at your best; however supplements are designed to support the body back to optimal health not to replace a healthy diverse diet.
  • Stretch before going to bed to ensure you have regained some alignment.

Rest, relaxation and sleep….What is your bedtime routine like?  Do you use an ipod, iphone, ipad or any other ‘techno’ devices prior to sleeping?  Do you use your mobile phone as an alarm clock?  Do you or any of your family members have broken sleep patterns?  It may be worth reviewing how many electrical devices are located around your heads resting position.  A sound sleep is essential for the body to rejuvenate and prepare for the following day.  The frequencies that many electrical devices omit interrupt the production of Melatonin produced by the pineal gland in the brain promoting sleep.  According to the Power Watch Handbook Melatonin is produced between 7 and 9 in the evening preparing the body for slumber.  Limiting your use of these appliances 2 to 3 hours prior to bed will greatly increase your ability to relax and enjoy good sleep.  Narelle says, “If you can switch your electrical appliance on or off whilst in bed then it’s generally too close”.   Take the opportunity to ask Narelle Haw Building Biologist owner of Ikoleji in Beechworth any further questions in relation to EMF’s and more: http://www.atharmony.com.au/ikoleji/ or https://www.facebook.com/Ikoleji

Whilst at the Rutherglen Country Fair over the long weekend in June, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting people who share a similar vision in health and purchased some beautiful produce from them.  One of them was:

  • Yackandandah Organics where I purchased from Gena and Steve Cavini some Kale to use in my soup and baby Beetroot which I steamed, cooled, peeled and dressed with Himalayan Salt, Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil for lunch – Yum!!  Beetroot is also great for kidney support, blood vessel dilation lowering blood pressure, contains the mineral silica which is great for calcium utilisation reducing the risk of osteoporosis, containing good levels of iron great for anaemia and fatigue.  Visit their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YackOrganics Gena and Steve are also located every second Saturday from 9 to 12 at Kinagrow 14 High Street, Yackandandah.
In fact for anyone looking for locally grown seasonal foods, herbs and produce in general then here are a few links that you can follow up:

Farmers Markets:

Also in the local area Harmony Herbs (Ute Bierbaumer & Portia Eubanks) have been selling potted and dried herbs and teas at markets and local festivals since 1999.  Portia and Ute conduct workshops at their Sandy Creek property for those wanting to know more about both growing and using herbs.  Workshops run from 10am till 4pm and includes a tour and discussion on herbs, tour of the drying shed, tea tasting, 3 course lunch using herbs followed by Herb Propogation and a take home 'starter kit'.  Contact Portia or Ute for further information on harmony_herbs@bigpond.com.au


I am sure there are many more groups, businesses, organisations and markets around the local area that I don't know about so please feel free to add them to the comments or make mention of them in my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EssentialDifference?ref=hl


The body does it's very best at every given moment with the resources available at that time...so do your best to provide the highest quality of internal and external environments so your body can be at its optimal for you to enjoy. (Rosetta Holmes)
          


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