Category Archives: Health

Living with Alzheimers – His hand in mine by Chris Suich

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his hand in mine by chris suich

I first remember Bob reaching for my hand when we worked together and we were the best of friends. We were stood together at the left hand side of the chairs in the Pier theatre. The lights had dipped and the show had just started. I don’t remember why it happened but I do remember thinking things would never be the same again. We had always got on well, laughed and joked around. He knew he wanted to marry me more or less instantly. It took me a little longer! In later life he always told me that and he remembers the moment he first clapped eyes on me. I was being interviewed for the job by someone else and he walked into the office to get something from a filing cabinet. But when he tentatively held my hand that evening , briefly, for just a few seconds I knew there was a new intimacy between us. A new connection. A connection that would last.

We have had a lifetime of holding hands.

Bob was always a gentleman. He was the type of man who opened car doors for me or carried my shopping or suitcases. We walked together in the countryside and in towns always holding hands!

I remember the long labour of our first baby and he stayed at the side of my bed holding my hand for hours trying his best to support and help me.

There is something reassuring and comforting when his hand is in mine. I miss it and so does he.

Latterly Bob suffered with severe anxiety and was prone to shaking episodes. I walked around the house with him holding his hand for hours until these shakes subdued. He wanted to hold my hand as he went to sleep and it helped him, soothed and comforted his fevered thoughts. I miss his hand in mine!

It is the saddest part of Bob being in care that we are not permitted to hold hands.

I have seen him in the flesh as it were, just 3 times in the garden. We are 6 months into this now.

The rules are 2 metres away, 30 minutes for once a week. It feels like we are criminals. Bob does not understand why I cannot touch him. He reaches for me. He tries to stand in his wheelchair. The care worker tries to tell him not to, as he might ‘tumble’. But he is valiantly trying to bear his weight and walk to me arms outstretched . Desperate for that contact. Me too. He tries several times and in the end he holds his hands like a handshake and kisses his own hands , the nearest he can get to kissing my hands. It is harrowing to watch. He sometimes says ‘it’s no good’ or he beckons me to him ‘come’ but I cannot comfort him. He sometimes tells me he loves me and my heart soars – he hasn’t forgotten me!

I have tried everything to persuade the powers that be to let me hold his hands. I have weekly covid 19 tests, all negative, I am willing to be wrapped in PPE , gloves, apron, and mask. I will sit out in the open where there is plenty of air circulating. I will do anything to give him this small comfort in his latter stages of Alzheimer’s. The July 2020 government guidance has changed. There is a realisation that Alzheimer and dementia patients need this type of contact. But it is a discretionary measure.

I know Covid 19 is here for a long time and we need to be safe. I don’t shop in supermarkets, I live on my own, I haven’t travelled very far. I have to keep myself safe as I have an 87 year old Mum to keep an eye on. I have taken advice and with the measures I am taking I would be mitigating any risk to give Covid 19 to Bob. or anyone else!

I wonder if I will ever hold his hands again. There must be so many who are suffering I have been told when he is dying I will be given that discretion. Am I supposed to be grateful for that?

Joe Wicks’ Guide to Staying Healthy, this Summer

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Wondering how to keep up your healthy new habits as lockdown rules begin to ease, Joe Wicks aka The Body Coach has shared his top tips on keeping a healthy mind and body – plus 4 tasty recipes! 

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The tips accompany a new study by food box company Gousto which reveals that 58% of Brits have made a more conscious effort to get active during lockdown. 

“The nation’s PE teacher”, Joe Wicks has put together 8 of his top tips to make it easier to stay healthy and motivated at home, plus four new healthy eating recipes!

Gousto’s recent study on lockdown habits in Britain reveals: 

  • A quarter of Brits have formed new positive habits
  • 95% of those are aiming to sustain their new habits after lockdown 
  • Cooking fresh food at home tops the list of new habits that are here to stay
  • Research by Gousto discovered over 25% of Brits will continue working out at home, rather than pay for a gym membership 

 

8 Tips For Staying Healthy This Summer From Joe Wicks

 

It’s an uncertain time for everyone at the moment, so it can be really difficult to put your mental and physical well being first. My top tips for you this summer are all about making long-term lifestyle changes.

 

There are loads of amazing activities people have been getting involved in during the lockdown with more people cooking and walking than ever before… and there’s no reason why this should change. If you’re someone who’s struggled to find a healthy balance during this time, I hope these tips will get you going!

 

Give them a go and they’ll transform how healthy you are and how you feel physically and mentally.

 

Make the most of your home

You don’t need a gym or lots of equipment to get fit and healthy. Lots of people have been getting creative and finding space at home for exercise. I’ve always believed in the power of home workouts because it’s so much easier to maintain a daily routine when you’re exercising on your own terms. I’m a big fan of HIIT training and you can do it anywhere; at home, in the garden or even in the park. 

 

Rise and shine

I love to exercise first thing in the morning, it wakes me up, boosts my energy and sets me up to win the day. It’s also a perfect way to make the most of the longer days. Plan your workouts in advance and try and stick to them like appointments you can’t miss.  If you can’t train in the morning, that’s fine, it’s all about finding what works for you. Remember, whatever time of day you exercise, it’s going to make you feel awesome physically and mentally.

 

Keep cooking

Cooking at home with fresh ingredients means you know what’s going into your food. You can have loads of fun experimenting with different recipes and that’s one of the things I love about Gousto. You have 50 recipes at your fingertips every week, including four from my new Lean in 15 range. The new recipes combine high carb, post workout recipes with low carb recipes for less active days, so there’s always a banging, balanced recipe to try. 

 

Make exercise fun

Exercise should be fun, not something you dread. We’ve all found new ways to workout during lockdown and most don’t need equipment, or even much time. Put some fun into your routine: do a HIIT workout in the front room, walk a new route, offer to walk a neighbour’s dog or go for a run with someone from your household. It doesn’t matter what exercise you do, find something you enjoy and you’ll find it much easier to stick to.  

 

Get some fresh air

I love getting outside and going for a long walk in the summer. We’re all finding a new appreciation for getting outside, so try to keep that going as we get back to normal. Get out into the garden or find a local, quiet space to do your workout. If you’re not feeling a heavy workout every day, a light walk and some fresh air will still make you feel great.

 

Don’t fear the carbs

Carbs give you energy, help your brain function and give your muscles fuel to recover after a workout. Carbs are not the enemy, so don’t be afraid of them, I like to refuel with a high carb meal after a workout. Try my Creamy Chickpea Curry Loaded Sweet Potato recipe after you exercise. On days that you’re not as active,  give my lower carb recipes a go, like my Cheesy Pizza Topped Chicken With Mixed Salad. Both recipes are part of my new Lean in 15 range with Gousto.

 

Find a balance

Cutting any food group or depriving yourself of the foods that you love is not sustainable. If you make balanced food choices most of the time and stay active, you absolutely shouldn’t feel guilty about treating yourself to an indulgent meal or a delicious dessert.

 

Make the time

So many people are super busy at the moment, juggling home working, childcare, home schooling and other responsibilities. Other people are finding they have more time on their hands than ever before. As our routines change all over again, it’s important to make time to look after yourself. Quick daily workouts and easy home cooking are a great place to start. 

 

No matter what pressures you’re feeling during this time, be healthy on your terms. Find exercises that get you up in the morning, food that you’re excited to eat and make goals that work around your lifestyle. 

 

4 Healthy Eating Recipes, From Joe Wicks & Gousto’s Lean in 15 range

Cheesy Pizza-Topped Chicken with Mixed Salad (Low Carb)

“You’ll get that cheesy tomato pizza goodness by topping British chicken breast with rich tomato sauce and melty mozzarella. Serve it with a creamy dressed side salad!” – Joe Wicks.

pizza recipe

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1 shallot

1/2 cucumber

1 mozzarella ball (125g)

125g cherry tomatoes

50g baby leaf salad

1 tsp dried oregano

5g basil

15ml white wine vinegar 

32g tomato paste

30ml mayonnaise

2 British chicken breast fillets

 

Method 

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C (fan)/ 425°F/ Gas 7. Add the chicken breasts to a baking tray (use tin foil to avoid mess!)

Step 2: Peel and finely chop (or grate) the garlic. Combine the tomato paste, chopped garlic and a pinch of the dried oregano with 1 tbsp [2 tbsp] water and a pinch of salt – this is your pizza sauce.

Step 3: Drain and pat the mozzarella dry with kitchen paper. Tear the drained mozzarella into rough, bite-sized pieces Tear the basil leaves roughly.

Step 4: Spread the pizza sauce over the chicken breasts. Top with the torn mozzarella. Sprinkle over the torn basil leaves

Step 5: Put the tray in the oven for 15-20 min or until the chicken is cooked through (no pink meat!) and the mozzarella is melted and golden.

Step 6: Whilst the chicken is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes in half. Slice the cucumber finely, and peel and slice the shallot[s] as finely as you can. Then add the chopped cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber and sliced shallot to a large bowl with the baby leaf salad and give it a gentle mix up – this is your mixed salad.

Step 7: Combine the mayonnaise, white wine vinegar and remaining dried oregano with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper – this is your creamy dressing.

Step 8: Serve the cheesy pizza-topped chicken with the mixed salad to the side. Drizzle the creamy dressing all over the salad. Winner!

 

Creamy Chickpea Curry Loaded Sweet Potato (Carb Refuel)

“Creamy, coconutty chickpea curry tastes so good piled into a baked sweet potato. Top it off with cashews, red chillies and a sprinkle of coriander for plant-based, Indian fusion at it’s best!” – Joe Wicks.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1 brown onion

1 red chilli

1 lime

1 garlic clove

15g fresh root ginger

25g cashew nuts

5g coriander

120g baby leaf spinach

1 tbsp korma curry powder

1/2 Knorr vegetable stock cube 

2 medium sweet potatoes

16g tomato paste

25g solid coconut cream

1 can of chickpeas (400g)

 

Method

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C (fan)/ 425°F/ Gas 7. Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork, then cook in the microwave for 5-7 min or until slightly softened. Transfer the sweet potatoes to a baking tray with a drizzle of vegetable oil and a generous pinch of salt then put the tray in the oven and cook for 12-15 min or until the skin is crispy.

Step 2: Meanwhile, boil half a kettle. Peel and finely chop the brown onion, ginger and garlic.

Step 3: Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with 1 tbsp [2 tbsp] vegetable oil over a medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 4-6 min or until softened. Then add the chopped ginger, chopped garlic and korma curry powder, and cook for 1-2 more minutes.

Step 4: Whilst the onion is softening, dissolve 1/2 Knorr vegetable stock cube and the coconut cream in 200ml boiled water. Add the tomato paste and stir it all together – this is your coconut stock.

Step 5: Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then add the coconut stock and drained chickpeas to your pan and cook for 4-5 min or until the sauce has thickened.

Step 6: Meanwhile, wash the spinach, then add it to a colander and pour boiled water all over it so that it starts to wilt. Rinse the wilted spinach under the cold tap until it’s cool, then squeeze as much water out of it as you can.

Step 7: Once the curry has thickened, add the wilted spinach and the juice of 1/2 lime – this is your chickpea curry.

Step 8: Once the potatoes are cooked, add the cashew nuts to the tray and return it to the oven for a further 2-3 min or until the cashews are golden and toasted.

Top tip! Watch them like a hawk so they don’t burn.

Step 9: Slice the red chilli[es] into rounds. Chop the coriander roughly, including the stalks and cut the remaining lime into wedges.

Step 10: Cut the sweet potatoes in half, lengthways, and fill with the chickpea curry. Garnish with the chilli rounds, chopped coriander, toasted cashew nuts and a lime wedge – bosh!

 

Spicy Chicken Chilli with Feta & Avocado (Carb Refuel)

“This fiery chilli is absolutely banging! You’ll shred spiced chicken and stir it into a smoky chipotle chilli sauce with creamy black beans. Serve it with a feta and avo salsa and brown rice. Hot stuff!” – Joe Wicks.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1 lime

1 garlic clove

1 spring onion

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes

100g brown rice

20g chipotle paste

1 avocado

30g Greek feta cheese

32g tomato paste 

1 can of black beans

2 British chicken breast fillets

 

Method 

Step 1: Boil half a kettle. Meanwhile, rinse the brown rice, add it to a pot with plenty of cold water and bring to the boil over a high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 15-20 min or until it’s tender with a slight bite. Once the rice is cooked, drain, return it to the pot and keep covered until serving

Step 2: Add the smoked paprika and ground cumin to a plate with a pinch of salt and 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix it all up, then add the chicken breasts and turn until well coated.

Step 3: Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick, with a matching lid) over a high heat with 1/2 tbsp [1 tbsp] vegetable oil. Once hot, add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 3 min on each side or until browned

Step 4: Whilst the chicken is browning, peel and finely chop (or grate) the garlic. Dissolve the tomato paste in 200ml boiled water and add the chipotle paste (can’t handle the heat? Use half!) – this is your chipotle stock.

Step 5: Drain and rinse the black beans. Once the chicken has browned, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chipotle stock, drained black beans and chilli flakes and bring to the boil. Then cook, covered, for a further 12-15 min or until the chicken is cooked through (no pink meat!) and the sauce has thickened.

Step 6: Cut the avocado in half lengthways, around the stone, remove the flesh and dice roughly. Trim, then slice the spring onion and crumble the feta into large pieces. Cut the lime in half.

Step 7: Combine the chopped avocado, crumbled feta and sliced spring onion in a small bowl with the juice of 1/2 lime and stir it all together – this is your feta & avocado salsa. Cut the remaining lime into wedges

Step 8: Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a clean board and pull and shred apart using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce and give everything a good mix up – this is your chicken chilli.

Step 9: Serve the chicken chilli with the brown rice and feta & avocado salsa to the side. Bangin’!

 

Miso Tofu with Stir-Fried Ginger Greens (Low Carb)

“I’ve packed heaps of flavour into protein-packed tofu with this super easy miso mirin glaze that’s full of umami. For lean, low-carb satisfaction, serve it with ginger and garlic stir-fried greens.” – Joe Wicks.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1 garlic clove

15g fresh root ginger

8g soy sauce

2 tbsp white miso paste

200g pak choi

150g spring greens

280g plain tofu

15ml mirin 

5g black sesame seed

80g blanched edamame beans

 

Method

Step 1: Boil half a kettle. Drain the tofu and pat it dry with kitchen paper, then cut the tofu into cubes.

Step 2: Rip the leaves off the spring greens, discard the tough stalks, then layer the leaves over each other, roll them up and slice into thin strips.

Step 3: Cut the pak choi in half, separating the white bases and green tops. Then cut the white bases into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Put the edamame beans in a bowl and cover with boiled water.

Step 5: Add the miso paste and mirin to a small bowl with 1 tbsp vegetable oil and mix until smooth – this is your miso glaze.

Step 6: Peel and finely slice (don’t chop!) the garlic and peel and finely chop the ginger into batons.

Step 7: Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with 1 tbsp vegetable oil over a high heat. Once hot, add the tofu cubes and cook for 5-6 min or until browned all over and starting to crisp

Step 8: Meanwhile, heat a separate wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with 1 tbsp vegetable oil over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shredded spring greens and pak choi bases and cook for 2-3 min or until starting to wilt.

Step 9: Drain, then add the edamame beans, pak choi tops and chopped ginger and garlic to the greens and cook for a further 2-3 min or until fragrant and everything is tender with a bite.

Step 10: Add the soy sauce and give everything a good mix up – these are your stir-fried ginger greens.

Step 11: Once the tofu is golden, add the miso glaze and cook for 2-3 min or until the sauce has coated the tofu and starting to caramelise.

Step 12: Sprinkle over the black sesame seeds and serve the miso tofu with the stir-fried ginger greens to the side. Get in!

 

The first-ever probiotic to offer proven weight loss: ProVen Probiotic

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pro ven, probiotics , shapeliness,

I reviewed the brand new ‘ShapeLine’ probiotic from Pro-Ven probiotics  to see if the hype is real. Here is what they say:

REVEALED: FIRST EVER PROBIOTIC TO OFFER PROVEN WEIGHT LOSS

It’s a new and exciting era for probiotic supplements. The brand new ‘ShapeLine’ probiotic from Pro-Ven probiotics has proven to reduce weight, waist circumference and BMI in the largest clinical study of its kind. Participants of all ages saw a reduction after taking one capsule every day, for six months. The results are even more impressive as participants were not placed on made no changes made no changes were a mixture of a calorie controlled to lifestyle to exercise regimes ages and gender diet indicating that all of the weight reduction benefits were as a result of the probiotic!

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To dismiss any likelihood that this was a ‘one-off’ finding, the researchers repeated the study with the same target group of people over 45 years of age and have found even more impressive results

The two studies show…

Weight loss of between Reduction in waist Reduction in BMI 3 and 7lbs circumference of 1-2 cm 1-4%

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Results were most significant for the following groups…

50+

An average weight loss of 4-5lbs and 2% reduction in BMI page1image47035904

HIGHER CHOLESTEROL

An average weight loss of 5lbs

50+ PLUS

HIGHER CHOLESTEROL

Aa significant reduction in cholesterol levels average weight loss of 7lbs.

Alongside impressive weight management results, the ShapeLine study also found impressive wellness benefits, which include…

A 40% reduction in A 30% reduction coughs and colds in headaches

Improved energy Improved mood

The new Pro-Ven ShapeLine is perfect for…

Women trying to shift the stubborn ‘muffin top’ and men looking to reduce their spare tyre anyone wanting to achieve weight loss in a healthy and sustained way

Those looking to maintain a healthy weight or prevent rebound weight gain those looking to reduce their high cholesterol

Anyone invested in their overall health, looking to improve their gut health those suffering from headaches, cold and flu, lack of energy or lack of mood.

So what did I think? They work. They really do. I did lose weight and my stomach was the flattest it has ever been. I felt better in other ways too. I will definitely buy these and use them again and again. I am sold . They are available from Amazon here. 

Living with Alzheimer’s – My Lockdown Sadness by Chris Suich

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Tomorrow I am going to see Bob in the garden of his care home. He went into full time care 131 days ago – three days after lockdown was declared. From a full-time ‘on watch’ and caring role to the silence and loneliness of an empty house was unbearable. Worst of all, for most of the time I have only been able to wave to him from the road and look up to him at the first floor window.  The ache in my heart was real and I asked my eldest son if I was ill.

My stomach lurched at the thought of relinquishing his care to strangers. They would never look after him like I do. The cajoling and the patience needed. I knew his ways!  I wasn’t even sure I could manage to sleep on my own after having Bob’s hand in mine for so long. Even at night time he wanted the reassurance of holding hands. But I was so exhausted; I couldn’t do another day.

I knew it was getting close as I had been up every night but one for three weeks and the day times were not easy either. Bob was having night terrors; he was terrified and agitated, screaming that I was killing him or he was dying, or I was dying. He would get aggressive and squeeze my arms sometimes bruising me. Such a gentle man but his face in such anguish, it was very frightening. I managed to see our Dementia doctor and we doubled the Respiridon in the morning and the Tramazodone at night. Even that didn’t work, such was his fevered brain. My goodness, how strong must his anxiety be?  He wouldn’t settle and I ended up getting up with him and the daily start to the morning routine settled him. It was often 5am or earlier.

When Bob went into the home I was still working –  in school three days at first, then from home: preparing education health care plans, organising Annual Reviews, ringing parents and writing risk assessments for those front line workers’ children who could attend school. It was important work and I wanted to do a good job.

My primary concern was Bob but there were always other things to worry about, such is life. Our youngest got stuck in Australia on his year travelling.  He eventually found a job with his London company in an office in Sydney for 2 years. Another hurdle overcome. Of course Bob would want him to take the opportunity and live his life. But packing up his boxes of clothes for the courier was a little sad.

I also  felt constant concern for our son Joe who was working long shifts on the front line in infectious diseases dealing with the Covid 19 cases. It just seemed a constant worry.

At first Bob went into the care home on ‘Respite.’ It was the same place he went to on day care on Tuesdays when I was teaching or if I went for a little walking break. They told me a bed had become available on the Dementia wing. I thought it was what he already knew and would settle better there than a new care home. I knew some of the staff from when I picked him up. It was familiar for both of us. It cost £800 a week for Respite but three days later it had gone up by almost £50 a week. I was desperate and I thought we would get support from social services eventually as we were well below the £23,500 threshold.

During this time I was supported by two amazing women who had been with me on this journey: the dementia nurse who knew us well and the Admiral nurse, a specialist Alzheimer nurse.

Our boys were fully supportive and said I could have done no more. However my journey to get funding was a very different matter. Covid 19 did not help me as it was much slower to get help from the relevant services.

After a difficult fight for part funding for continuing healthcare from the NHS (which I won after doing a lot of research and reading their own legal documents) and after completing a favourable checklist with the Dementia nurse. I then endured a 3 hour panel meeting where I had to argue virtually every domain to get the rating that truly reflected Bob’s condition. It was challenging and difficult and a real endurance test (which I was determined to win for Bob) where the agenda was set at the start to minimise every aspect of his condition in order to make sure he didn’t get the funding for having oversight of nursing care  – which he clearly needed. The newly appointed social worker agreed he was eligible and she supported us in the meeting.

How on earth do other exhausted carers fight for their loved ones like I did? Most people don’t have the stamina.

I had made it my project. I went through 250 pages of Bob’s medical records and highlighted the evidence for the 12 domains, his care home notes for the last week before the meeting (I’d asked for them all), his consultant letters, my diary, the hospital discharge letters etc. I studied the law and I knew what was likely to happen. It is notoriously difficult to get this funding but I knew Bob would meet the severe criteria for several domains that were irrefutable – cognition, mobility and possibly behaviour and psychological /emotional well being.

Why did I bother?

Because it was the right thing to do and Bob deserved the right care. He had worked hard all his life and never asked for anything  – now he was at his most vulnerable.

I sent off all the intrusive evidence to Serco:  our bank statements, Bob’s pension statements, copies of our house deeds, our bills, outgoings. It was exhausting. But we then got some part funding from adult social care and this was then backdated to 14 th May but paid directly to the care home.

It was now July and I had paid the Respite costs of almost £850 each week up to the end of June. I was bleeding money. The care home needed a  further £248 a week third party top up as the contract of ‘respite’ had changed to ‘long term care’ from 14 th May. I couldn’t afford it and so decided to move Bob to another home.

I have visited twice a week since this began, sometimes a lot more and now we are able to meet in the beautiful grounds of the home. Bob’s health has declined. He cannot understand why I was not inside with him holding his hand in the days during lockdown. He scratched the glass or tried to put his fingers through the gap in the window to touch my fingertips. He kissed the pictures in the memory book I gave him and he repeated the children’s names over and over and called for them.

It is heart -breaking. He cannot walk or weight bear and is usually sat in a chair or in the wheelchair I bought for him. He doesn’t ask for the toilet anymore. His hair is long, no hairdressers allowed.

My darling Bob is a shell of what he once was but sometimes his face lights up when he remembers me and for those minutes it is worth it. My love for him is endless. I know somewhere deep inside him he remembers me. Sometimes he says ‘ she’s lovely’ or he tries to kiss me by mouthing kisses. I am filled with a strange mixture of terror and anticipation when I go to see him. My stomach rolls at what I might see and how he might be. All I know is I have to see him in order to settle myself. Then I try to get on with my life for the next few days until I am pulled back to him. My Bob.

 

Saalt menstrual cups review

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Anyone who reads Frost regularly will know that I care about the environment and I am always trying to lower my carbon footprint. My period is not environmentally friendly. I struggle with this and have even bought environmentally friendly pads and cotton tampons. I want a more permanent solution so I was excited to try the Saalt menstrual cup. I have seen them in shops but I was a cynical. I have a heavy period and  I was not sure whether or not they worked.

Now the review! First, always sterilise it first and make sure it is cleaned regularly. The cup comes with instructions. It is fiddly to put it in the first time but you soon get used to it. I worried that it would be hard but it is not. It is not uncomfortable either. You forget that it is there.

Taking it out is fiddly the first time but everything becomes easy quickly. I cannot recommend this cup more. It holds a huge amount and I had no leakage. It is also comfortable and easy to use. Great for the environment and for your pocket. It lasts up to ten years and you can wear it all day or night. It is odour free, which is more than I can say for some other period products, and non-toxic. It has no BPA, no latex and no chemicals. I cannot recommend it more.

saalt period cup, menstrual cup, period cup, environment,

  • Reliable: wear up to 12 hours
  • Comfortable: soft silicone moulds to your shape
  • Natural: naturally non-toxic and odour free. Maintains the body’s natural Ph
  • A cup for every ‘body’: Saalt cups in two firmnesses (Saalt Cup/Saalt Soft) and two sizes (small/regular) – a perfect fit for all!
  • Rounded Cuff: reinforces the seal to prevent leaks
  • Soft Grip Hold: helps you get a grip on the cup/ get a grip on life 😉
  • Soft Flex System: easy removal and comfort

Saalt cups are available at Feelunique.com, Amazon and Saaltco.com.

 

periods, what your period is trying to tell you, saalt, menstrating cup,

Easy Ways To Cook Vegetables. How to Get Your 5-a-Day.

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Getting our 5-a-day is hard. Or at least, I have often found it so. It is easy to grab a piece of fruit but eating vegetables requires more effort. At least that is what it feels like sometimes. Since lockdown it has been harder to get some foods. We have had a weekly delivery of fruit and veg. There are a number of companies that do this.

It has set a challenge to use everything up as I refuse to have food waste. This has always been the case but even more so now. I will be sharing tips on the coming weeks but here is what I am doing at the moment.

Every few days I make a a huge salad or a traybake of roasted vegetables. This does as a lunch for a few days and also a side for supper. It is very easy to do. Sure there is a lot of chopping, and my children are usually trying to get my attention, but because you only have to do it every three days it is not that bad.

Salad potatoes can be boiled for 15 minutes. I add rosemary or parsley to them.
potatoes with herbs, cooking vegetables, how to cook potatoes,

Cauliflower can be boiled in 15 minutes. Carrots take 5 minutes. I add as many herbs and spices to the various vegetables as possible. A lot of  fruit and veg boxes come with a bag of fresh herbs. You might also have some in your cupboard. Five spice anyone?

Aubergine can be roasted for 20 minutes in the oven. I tend to add olive oil and salt and pepper. It tastes delicious. You can also pan fry it. Beetroot is great baked in the oven for 45 minutes. You can even bake it whole. Add olive oil and wrap in foil. I tend to cook things at 180. The roast vegetables can be added to the salad and vice versa. I love adding fruit to veg. Oranges go great with aubergine. It is a lot of work cooking and, lets be honest, tedious, but when you make a lot you only have to do it every three days. That is for a family of four.

Eating raw food is great and retains nutrients. I find raw cabbage tastes amazing and has a satisfying texture. I have a large Mason Cash baking bowl which I make a huge salad in. There was one week where we did not get a fruit and veg box and my husband and I really noticed the difference to our health. A plant based diet is the easiest way to great health.

In the evenings and weekends I write in the kitchen while my husband looks after the kids. I am right near the fridge which is not good, but instead of snacking on unhealthy foods I just dip into my huge bowl of salad. Try it, put all of your favourite fruit and veg in a big bowl and pick at it when you are hungry. It will change your life and your health.

Please share any cooking tips or recipes with me. Lots of love and stay safe, Catherine xx.

 

 

Coronavirus SARS-COV-2 Health Advice From GPDQ’s Dr Gero Baiarda

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NHS GP Dr Gero Baiarda is one of the hundreds of GPs currently on-call at GPDQ – the UK’s leading GP-on-demand service. Dr Baiarda has myth-busted 10 common beliefs associated with the SARS-COV-2:

The virus is a living organism that we can kill. It is not alive. It is a protein chain of RNA within a protective layer of fat. Since the virus is a protein super molecule rather than a living organism, you cannot kill it. It will, however, decay spontaneously given enough time. The time it takes to break down depends on the environmental temperature, humidity and type of material upon which it settles.

People are most contagious before they even know they have the virus. This is untrue. Infected cells are invaded and destroyed by the virus, allowing millions of new viruses to burst forth and be shed on surfaces or passed to other people. Spread is most effective, therefore, in coughed droplets. Patients who are asymptomatic can, however, pass on the virus as soon as they are infected.

SARS-COV-2 is a hardy virus. It isn’t. SARS-COV-2 is surprisingly fragile. The only protection it has is a thin outer layer of lipid or fat. That is why any soap or detergent (both of which break down fat) will destroy it – even washing up liquid works well. By dissolving the external lipid layer of the virus, the virus is rendered completely inert and unable to penetrate human cells. Hence why washing hands often with soap and water is so important.

If delivery drivers wear gloves, they won’t spread it. This is wrong. Every item that a gloved hand touches can then be contaminated. According to a recent study from the New England Journal of Medicine, the virus can live up to eight hours on cardboard. To stay safe, the best advice is not to touch the parcel until ideally the following day.

The virus can’t be passed on by food. It can be transferred easily. If someone who has the virus on their hands touches food, it is very likely to become contaminated for many hours. To denature and inactivate the virus, food should either be washed or cooked at 65 degrees celsius at least for 4 minutes or more.

Alcohol-based sanitizer with a 60 percent alcohol concentration is as effective as washing your hands in soap and water. Wrong. Squirting a little bit of alcohol gel on your palms and rubbing them together is not effective. You need to cover the entire surface of both hands including fingers and thumbs, but this should be done only after the hands are free of any residues – such as after sneezing. The small nozzle on bottles of sanitizer are part of the problem, as people assume a small amount is ample.

Drinking alcohol will prevent people getting the virus. This is not true. The only alcohol that will help to prevent the spread of the SARS-COV-2 is that in hand sanitizer. This is only for external use, and even then, it is only effective if it has a concentration of 60 percent or above, if you use enough, and in the right way.

Moisturising hands after washing reduces cleanliness. Incorrect. Moisturizing the skin is very important. The virus can lodge itself in damaged skin on your hands cracked by repeated washing, so it’s important to try to avoid this. Keeping fingernails short will reduce the risk of sheltering and passing on the virus too.

Washing hands isn’t as important when self-isolating, as you’re all virus-free. Wrong. If there are any external items (shopping / deliveries / post etc) entering your home, hand washing remains important. Every time you wash your hands you will break the chain of infection. If in doubt, give them a wash! Do this for at least 20 seconds with warm, soapy water and if you have paper towels that you can throw away, this is better than using a communal towel. If using towels, dedicate one to each person in the house, keep them separate, and wash them daily.

Vinegar is good for keeping bathrooms and kitchens free of the virus. Incorrect. Vinegar will not work against SARS-COV-2 and is not advised. The cleaning of bathrooms, kitchens and surfaces is still best carried out with hot water from the tap and a surface detergent as you have always done. If you have a case of SARS-COV-2 in your house and want to disinfect common areas, you can use a dilution of household bleach or hydrogen peroxide – this is a mild antiseptic.