Grant Tait has a brilliant new book out – a light hearted and clever read, aimed at all those who have ever had to deal with managers who can’t make decisions.

Tait has had a successful careerfor 25 years despite working with no-decision managers. He has gone on to write a blog on how to work with them and has just released his book ‘How to Become a No-Decision Manager,’  a light-hearted story educating his readers in the valuable lessons he has learned.

When writing the book, Grant came up with two subtitles: Become an enlightened subordinate working for a no decisions boss, putting the reader in a subordinate’s shoes explaining how to work happily with a no-decision manager and still have a career. In the second subtitle: Manage a team of no decision managers, he shows how to detect them while managing them, to keep subordinates from leaving.

The book focuses on analysing the inner workings of managers who avoid decision making at every possible turn. He discusses how these kinds of managers can make life difficult for subordinates and are capable of destroying a business.

Grant teaches the reader the common behaviours and tactics these managers use to dodge making decisions and how to detect and even effectively work with them. He has identified 15 different tactics, to which  all no decision managers adhere .

Using  his experience working as a manager across many organisations, Tait’s expertise has gone on to help many others discover what traits these people have. He has also written humorous articles about the workings of multinational organisations often written anonymously to protect his job or under the pseudonym Grant Petrie.

‘I am hoping that my book helps many learn how to identify a no-decision manager and learn the different positive ways to work with them. I’m pleased to share my knowledge of how they survive in organisations and how to detect them.’

To find out more: https://nodecisionmanager.co.uk/

Do you ever stare at the last dregs of wax in a beautifully presented candle and wonder what to do with the lovely holder? Some are works of art, aren’t they? I’ve converted glass ones into drinking glasses before, but they’re never quite right and, it pains me to say, sometimes I’ve simply thrown them away.

That’s why I was thrilled to try the wax refill kit from Constant Candle Co founded by Rachael Clark and Nicky Hoad. Next time you finish a candle I recommend you replace it with one of their kits – they are just great fun, easy to do and you get a great new candle.

The new wax (which smells amazing) arrives in a cardboard tub, together with a new wick and a wooden spatula with a hole in it. Just take the lid off the tub and pop the whole thing in the microwave for between one and two minutes, use a drop of the melted wax to stick down the new wick in your (cleaned) old holder, then pour the remaining wax in, using the hole in the spatula to keep the wick in place, and leave the wax to set. That’s it, a new candle, which took ten minutes and lots of fun to make – and with no mess either.

And what a fabulous candle. The wax is made from rapeseed and soy oils, not paraffin. Paraffin wax can emit toxins which can aggravate lung disease such as asthma and may even cause cancer, so best avoided.

If you’re not a hoarder like me, and don’t happen to have a supply of previously loved candle holders, Constant Candle Co have thought of this too with a lovely set of ceramic ones available, created by Somerset Ceramics Artist Bridget Hemmings.

The website has really useful candle advice too. I was particularly interested in Memory Burn (no, I’d not heard of it either – it’s when the candle burns deeper in the centre than around the edges). Simply light your candle for long enough to melt the wax right to the edge each time and it won’t happen. 

And while on their website, check out their full range of scents for their wax refill kits, created from essential oils, spices, flowers and fruit. At just £15 for a wax refill kit you get a high quality sustainable new candle – what’s not to like?

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

I’m a great believer in ‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food’.

As a doctor I strongly recommend seeking medical help and using modern medicines when needed, I’ve known too many tragic consequences when people haven’t. However preventing illness with healthy lifestyle is equally important and nature has provided wonderful plants and herbs to help us. Tea has natural anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and other healthy properties so why not enjoy delicious teas every day and feel better too?

Quality and freshness are important though. An aged bag of builder’s tea from a supermarket bargain basket may not be the all-powerful elixir we envisage.

So this is why I’m excited about VAHDAM® 100% Pure Indian Teas. The founder, Bala Sarda, is a fourth generation tea exporter who was concerned that most tea passes through multiple middlemen, thus losing freshness and potency along the way. So now he procures his teas from plantations and farmers within days of harvest, then ships directly around the world. He also donates 1% of revenues towards educating the farmers’ children.

Can you taste the difference? A resounding YES. I was delighted to sample a collection of VAHDAM® teas and I’m sipping India’s Original Masala Chai Tea as I type. As soon as I opened the resealable pack the aroma of fresh spices hit me – cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and black tea. Following the helpful instructions for a perfect cuppa I waited for it to brew for three minutes, and I wasn’t disappointed. Beautiful aroma, smooth and calming, I could feel wellness pervading me, and as I sipped, layers of flavour bathed my tongue. Just relaxing and enjoying this very special tea was a mini-meditation.

I really can’t wait to try all the samples – green and white teas from the Himalayas, second flush black teas from Assam and Darjeeling and fabulous tea and spice blends too. Next on my list is Turmeric Spiced Herbal Tea Tisane, with cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cardamom black pepper, lemongrass and bergamot – caffeine-free it’s great for bedtime.

Already a favourite of Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey and Mariah Carey, these teas are a must try.

And if you’re looking for a present for someone special, check out their beautifully presented gift sets.

VAHDAM® India products can be bought online at www.vahdamteas.com and from Amazon – treat yourself, you won’t regret it.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Right at the beginning of this series we spoke about the attitudes of mindfulness & the importance of kindful acceptance.

As we start to meditate & practice mindfulness we become more aware of our thoughts, feelings, emotions & behaviours & we may not always like what we discover. Sometimes it feels like the meditation or the mindfulness is highlighting all our perceived ‘failings’.  The stillness & the silence seems to amplify what is inside, as though meditation & mindfulness have shone a light on what we may not want to see – this is the work that needs to be done. But instead of beating ourselves up, judging, criticising if we can choose to accept whatever we discover, this creates space to do the work & heal.

Acceptance is a practice in itself & is really closely interlinked with forgiveness, letting go & compassion. Indeed, once we learn to let go, practice compassion & forgiveness we inevitably find acceptance slots into place too.

Acceptance isn’t a passive giving up or giving in. It doesn’t mean we have to like want or support whatever it is we are choosing to accept. It means we are choosing to make space for it without layering on judgment or criticism, shame or beating you selves up. We all experience pain, it is a part of life. The suffering comes when we try to resist the pain, fight against it. When we choose to accept whatever has happened we reduce the suffering.

We have a phrase in the spiritual community what you resist persists, what you accept dissipates. If we push something away, try & brush it away, resist it, the Universe will keep giving us the same lesson until we learn it & will make it increasingly uncomfortable in order that we make the decision to embrace the lesson. By choosing to accept a person, relationship or situation, our past, emotional or physical pain we are making an active decision to create space for healing by letting go & whilst it can be difficult at first, the more you practice acceptance the more you forge those neurons in your brain, making it easier to do next time.

Acceptance doesn’t mean that you are giving up, it often creates the space to do the work & change. Change is a process. It starts with awareness, progresses through acceptance into change. For example, I went through a really acrimonious divorce (is there any other kind?) & I had a terrible relationship with my ex-husband. But as soon as I accepted him for who he is, accepting he is unlikely to ever change, our dynamic changed. I accept him for who he is. We will never be best friends but we can civil & amicable for the kids now.

Same with my mother who is a challenging personality shall we say & I have had a difficult history with her. But again as soon as I accepted that she is who she is, our relationship is the healthiest it has ever been. Adding kindful to the idea of acceptance is simply a reminder that this is a conscious choice we are making in a kindful way. It takes all the angst of ‘having to’ accept away.

Choosing acceptance is a beautiful gift which makes life flow with more grace & ease. The more you do it the easier it becomes & the easier & more fun life becomes too. And the more you will find yourself channelling self-acceptance which is the most powerful of tools.

Let me sum up by leaving you with the serenity prayer:

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change

Courage to change the things I can

And wisdom to know the difference

This week’s meditation is a coping breathing space meditation – it helps us to reflect on our difficulties by asking questions of our self to move into a place to kindful acceptance . To obtain your copy email Alex at alex@alexbannard.com quoting FROSTCBS.

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for almost a decade, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a more mindful way of living & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices for a happier & healthier way of being.

If you would like more information on how to practice mindfulness, meditation & yoga message her at alex@alexbannard.com.

For free resources check out her Facebook group: Mindfulness & Yoga for Self-Care, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulnessYoga4Relationships

Alternatively please check out her website: alexbannard.com

Williams Handbaked are as busy as ever, in fact  busier as they are expanding almost weekly but still have the time to share news of other entrepreneurs with us.

Williams tell us that they wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for their wonderful stockists across the UK. ‘To launch our series of posts focusing on these stockists, we visited Honeywell’s Farm Shop in Woodplumpton, a few miles from our bakery in Preston. Honeywell’s was one of our very first stockists, and they still stock our biscuits and cakes today.’

Honeywell’s began life in 1970 as a small farm and butchery founded by brothers John and Anthony Gornall. They started their business by selling home-reared pork from their garage, quickly moving the operation to their barn for extra space. Following continued success, the Gornalls eventually built their own farm shop on Eaves Lane, Woodplumpton.

Honeywell’s have since opened butcheries in Barton Grange Garden Centre near Garstang, Preston and Bents Garden Centre near Warrington.

Williams caught  up with Sue Gornall, one of the directors and wife of Anthony, along with her daughter Liz, who works as a buyer and head of marketing and learned that Sue had been working in Honeywell’s since 1972 and Liz for as long as she could remember.

For Sue her favourite part of the job is chatting to customers, and regulars, or welcoming new people. It’s great to make everyone welcome, and that includes our staff too. It’s so important that they are happy.
 

When asked about Honeywell’s ethos Sue continued that it was always about selling meat from their own farm as well as neighbouring farms they know and trust. This ethos has translated into other lines they have sourced. Cheeses, bakery products are local, and chamioned. ‘We love promoting local artisan business and building lasting relationships with their suppliers. ‘

All this of chimes absolutely with Williams Homebaked, which our editor’s family use regularly, even though the granny of them, our editor,  really shouldn’t because she’s on a diet, or so she says.

 Williams Handbaked:   https://www.williamshandbaked.co.uk/   @williamsbaked

Honeywell’s Farm Shop, Eaves Lane, Woodplumpton, Preston. PR4 0BH.
Open 7 days a week. Tel: 01772 690271
Website: honeywellfarmshop.com
Facebook / Instagram: @honeywellfarmshop

In Thirsk Market on a Saturday I found Jo Mcauley’s stall Muddy Puddles with a variety of dog accessories  but best of all were  the Ancol cool coats. What a great idea, I could have done with one myself as the sun beat down.

I persuaded Jo to give Frost Magazine readers a demonstration….

First a bucket of water, dip in the coat which is made from polyester and cotton material, and retains moisture for hours, what’s more, it’s  quickly re-activated. Useful too is that these coats are anti-bacterial and machine washable.

Make sure it is good and wet, then lift, and squeeze out some of the water, and apply (as it were).  in other words find your dog and slip on the coat, doing it up as you would most other dog coats.

One grateful dog continued on its walk thankful for Jo’es administrations. Jo is enthusiastic and excited about her new venture.  A dog owner herself she has her finger on the pulse for your ‘best friend’s’ needs. So take a look at at her stall, everything one could need in the way of accessories. Thankfully,  Jo is also happy to fulfil mail orders.

Go to Jo’s facebook page to learn more, and chat to Jo. Or make your way to Thirsk Market on a Saturday, which is a great placeay.  https://www.facebook.com/MuddyPuddlesThirsk

Rat Run by Caro Ramsay is Joffe’s Book of the Week and it’s a belter of a crime thriller for you to get stuck into right this minute.Out now at 99P What a page turning, nail biting novel. You have been warned – so no hiding behind the sofa…  In August 1992, a mother and her two young sons were brutally hacked to death in the woods behind their home. The neighbour, Andrew Gyle, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Now, twenty-three years later, a sinkhole emerges in the garden of the murdered family. In the wreckage, a grisly discovery is made. Andrew Gyle always maintained his innocence. What if he really didn’t do it?

Constable goes to Market by Nichols Rhea  £1.99p/$2.99c

I have to admit, this is one of my favourites ( I like familiar characters so a delight to read this): It is Market day in Ashfordly which comes but once a week — and that’s more than enough for Constable Nick. Every Friday, traders and punters flock to the cobbled marketplace, eager to snag a bargain. Too bad the place is a magnet for pickpockets, carousers and troublemakers of every description.

Can Nick keep the peace and save a proud tradition?

The Missing Girls by Brian Battison 99p/99c Three girls go missing, two are found dead only one escapes.  Ashworth must stop the killer before anyone else suffers. This is a a complex mystery that will have you turning the pages until the stunning conclusion.

Hdden Rainbows. by Faith Martin writinga s Maxine Barry £1.99 $2.99

Persis Canfield-Hope follows in her grandmother’s footsteps crossing the Australian continent by train. and this is what drew me, as I love Western Australia with a passion, that included the whole of Australia. But back to Hidden Rainbows: It’s on board that she happens upon, and not by chance, the charming Dane Culver. He believes Persis has his family’s prize possession, the Iris Stone.   Yet Dane can’t keep his eyes off Persis, she’s unlike anyone he’s ever met. How far will Dane go to retrieve what’s rightfully his?

And while on the subject of books we should applaud the brilliant Joy Ellis _  and Marshlight – for reaching  #1 in the Bookseller’s Bookstat eBook top 10 chart!

The Bookseller writes: ‘Joy Ellis’ Marshlight (Joffe) illuminated the Bookstat number one spot for the week ending 10th July, with the fourth Detective Matt Ballard title debuting at the top.’

Joffe says: Thank you so much to everyone at the Bookseller for the great write-up. We’re so proud of our brilliant Joy – congratulations from us all!

If you’ve yet to get your hands on Marshlight, grab your copy today for only 99p / 99c.

You can discover more books published by Joffe here

Last week the National Food Strategy reported serious concerns over the very high sugar and salt content of the UK diet. Many of us are unaware of the sometimes scary amounts of hidden sugars in pre-produced foods – even some savoury foods. As a doctor this worries me, because, not only does this risk life-changing illness such as heart disease, cancer and type II diabetes, but the steep yo-yoing in our blood sugars makes us crave even more sugar – and so it spirals down, with weight gain, fatigue, and ill health. Depressing?

The good news is we don’t have to relinquish pleasure to eat healthily. With a few surprisingly small tweaks we can enjoy tasty and honest food, which makes us feel good – not bloated and sleepy.

This is why I’m passionate about companies like Lizi’s. Mick and Lizi – a married pair of science enthusiasts, organic farmers and country bed-and-breakfast owners, decided to use their knowledge to create high quality, tasty and satisfying cereals. They now have a fabulous range of granolas and mueslis, always from natural ingredients – mainly oats, nuts and seeds, but with numerous natural flavour combinations suitable for all ages, diets and lifestyles. Their current range includes High Protein, Digestive Health and Low Sugar options.

The key feature of all Lizi’s cereals is their low Glycaemic Load (GL). I’ve explained Glycaemic Load before – basically low GL foods release sugar slowly into our blood stream, which is very important for all the reasons I’ve discussed.

Unfortunately, over many years, the food industry has accustomed us to higher and higher sugar contents. If you’ve ever stopped eating sweet things for a few weeks and then gone back to them, you’ll have noticed how unbearably over-sweet they taste. Our bodies simply become desensitised to the unnaturally high levels of sugar in so many processed foods today.

Companies like Lizi’s have proved that you don’t need excessive sugar to make something taste great, and their new Lizi’s Low Sugar Maple & Pecan Granola is a good example. A combination including wholegrain oat flakes, pecan nuts, almond pieces, walnut pieces, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, coconut, chicory fibre, and of course maple syrup – enough to make it delicious but without the over sweetness of less-healthy cereals.

For the full range, take a look at Lizi’s website, or you can buy their products at Ocado and Amazon.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.