How to optimise your environment to help fertility

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Aidan

We are becoming more aware of our impact upon the environment but seldom think how this affects our fertility. We spoke to Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto to ask him how we can optimise our environment to help our fertility. Here are his top 5 tips:

Reduce your exposure to chemicals

Our bodies are surrounded by numerous chemicals from fragrances in soaps, shampoos and perfumes to make-up and cleaning products, as well as nail polish that act like oestrogens.

Unknowingly, we are overdosing on these chemicals, which cause irregular hormone levels in men and women causing infertility. It’s better to limit the amount of chemicals in your home and in your body.

Know your plastics

The use of plastics is a growing problem, not only for the environment but also for male and female fertility as they too can act like oestrogens. There are many things you can do to limit your exposure to plastics.

Keep all plastic containers out of the heat and sun as these can cause the chemicals within them to be released into your food and fluids.
Always try to buy foods that are not prepacked in plastic and use paper bags instead.
Don’t reuse clear plastic water and soft drink bottles.
Don’t use cling film. Use wax paper or parchment paper to cover your food.
Store food in glass, ceramic or stainless-steel containers.
Don’t cook food or put hot food into polystyrene.
Don’t heat foods in plastic containers.

Air conditioning

Air conditioning can make you feel cold which weakens the body, as it needs to use up energy to keep you warm. The coldness also causes blood flow to slow down and this affects the regulation of fertility hormones which are moved around in the blood.

Whilst on the other hand, if the air conditioning is set at a high temperature it can cause irregular thyroid function, excessive sweating, agitation and irritability which can affect the menstrual cycle.

Reducing your exposure to air pollution

It’s less well known that air pollution affects fertility. Exposure to air pollution can reduce the number of eggs a woman has.

Avoid walking next to busy roads, standing at junctions, using the underground system or breathing in any type of smoke (cigarette, BBQs, fires). If you can’t avoid being exposed to air pollution, you can protect yourself in two ways:

Wear an air pollution mask.
Change your car for one that is more environmentally friendly, i.e. one without a diesel engine.

Reducing your exposure to 5G

We are now all being bombarded with 5G.

Research has shown a correlation between increased mobile phone use and reduced male fertility.

In women, mobile phones can affect thyroid function, causing irregular levels of thyroid stimulating hormone, which may also lead to infertility.

You can protect yourself from EMWs by either reducing your use of gadgets that emit EMWs or by neutralising them with semi-precious stones such as tourmaline.

Article by Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist in London, author of My Fertility Guide: How to get pregnant naturally, out now, priced £13.49. Also available in Kindle and as an audiobook. www.attiliodalberto.com

GUAVA AND GOLD: PERFECT CHRISTMAS STOCKING-FILLER reviewed by Mary Cooper – splish splosh

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Margaret Graham

Last week I went for a walk. Halfway through it started to spot with rain, by the end it was bouncing off the paths. We splashed through streams, jumped over newly forming rivers and tried not to slip on the carpet of sodden leaves. With my unsuitable trainers acting as sponges, I couldn’t have been wetter or colder.

When I got home I went straight up to run a bath.

Shivering, I peeled off my sodden clothes then reached for the tall, slim bottle of my new coco and cherimoya bath and shower gel by Guava & Gold.

I poured a generous amount under the running tap then sank slowly into the luxuriously scented water.

Closing my eyes I was instantly transported to sunnier climes; the delicate aroma of coconut with undertones of cherimoya and bergamot assailed my senses as the cold wet walk became a distant memory.

I now use this wonderful product each morning, its rich velvety lather leaves my skin soft and fragrant, and me positive and relaxed.

I read somewhere that the cherimoya fruit is grown in tropical regions throughout the world and pollination has to be done by hand. This takes extra time and effort but, in my opinion, it is so worth it.

Guava and Gold have many more products which are available to buy online, and with their reputation of having a ’ strong commitment to sustainable development’ and prices from just £20 they are a must for any Christmas stocking.

https://www.guavaandgold.com

Michael Rowan learns about Things That Art, a book by Lochlann Jain

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Margaret Graham

William Hogarth and Salvador Dali are two of my favourite artists. I like them because of their attention to detail and the way they challenge the viewer to look again, to see more and of course to think about what it is that we are seeing. I can now add Lochlann Jain to my list.

Lochlaan’s latest book ‘Things That Art’ plays with art and words and is a graphic menagerie of enchanting curiosity.

Lochlann is a British academic and Professor of Anthropology at Stanford University and Global Health and Social Medicine at Kings College London and has studied art at the Slade (London) and at the San Francisco Art Institute.

In a world where people are desperate to seek clarity – whether it’s gender and sexuality, politics and religion, or simply how we go about making choices at the supermarket – we are subconsciously categorising all the time. While categories may appear to bring objects and ideas together, in many cases they are dividing society and nations.

Things That Art: is a playful book of original drawings that explore the possibilities and pitfalls of categories turning categories on their head to show their wonderfully multi-faceted and often irreverent meanings, from words we use to demean other people, to soften the blow of death, to describe the uncanny functions of our body parts.

Things That Art combines linguistics and art to create an inquisitive pool of new categories that may have never crossed your mind until now.

It targets subjectivity. We, the viewer, want there to be as story, but there isn’t one, throwing this ‘comic form’ into sharp relief.

Through humorous, relevant and undeniably unusual illustrations, Lochlann Jain, urges readers to delve deep into their imagination, to question why we categorise things the way we do. Amusing and whimsical possibly, but anything but shallow.

Categories have their uses: they need us, and we need them. Defined as a framing device for a set of things with shared characteristics, categories order things and perceptions.

Ever wondered about the relationship between an onion and body mass index? After reading this book I can pretty much guarantee that you will in the future.

‘Things That Art’ is deceptively simple and yet curiously complex, consider the title and you will immediately identify a number of ways that it can be interpreted.

This book is one that you may well pick up from a coffee table with the intention of flicking through it but I suspect hat its very depth, nuance, delight, and surprise will capture your attention and more importantly, keep you thinking.

Things That Art would make a great gift for any and all lovers of graphic art, people interested in art and anyone who likes their art to challenge them and make them think.

This and other events can be visited please check out https://www.kcl.ac.uk/events/things-that-art-exhibition-launch-panel

‘Things That Art’ University of Toronto Press |HARDBACK | £20.99 |NON-FICTION

www.lochlannjain.org

Travel thoughts: Christmas markets

Posted on November 20, 2019 by sam stone

I lived in France for ten years where the Christmas hype started much later and was much more low key. So for me, the Christmas markets signify the beginning of the festive period. Being cocooned by the closeness of the beautifully decorated stalls, almost suffocated by the homely aroma of vin chaud and heartened by the promise of melted cheese on bread, was an event worth attending even if I didn’t have a shopping agenda.

A tradition which originated in Germany in the late middle ages to mark the four weeks of Advent, the popularity of the Christmas market soon filtered through Europe to Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain. Surprisingly, even though local markets have occupied a place on the town squares of England for many years, the extravagant English Christmas fayres of the past didn’t return to our cities until the 1990s. Banned by the puritan leaders of Cromwell’s reign for being, an icon of a wasteful festival that threatened Christian beliefs and encouraged immoral activities, Christmas markets in all their glory took a long time to re-emerge. Festive products and foodstuffs eventually found their way back onto the English market stalls in the Victorian era. And thankfully now the dedicated Christmas markets of the past are once again popping up all over the country offering an abundance of tempting treats handmade gifts and a chance to meet the maker.

More popular than ever, festive markets are now regular events in the larger cities of Scotland (Edinburgh & Glasgow), Wales (Cardiff ) and England (London, Manchester, Leeds & Birmingham). Smaller towns and country estates have also eagerly adopted the unique yuletide shopping opportunity. York, Bath and Blenheim Palace are amongst the most popular heritage sites to make use of their elegant architecture as backdrops for complex projections, spectacular light manifestations and laser displays to wow the shoppers as they browse the stalls for festive goodies.

The best Christmas markets still take place within the leading countries of Europe. Cultural styles dominate the handcrafted objects on sale, varying the design of the jewellery, ceramics, and toys from region to region. The geographical differences don’t stop there, the choirs, the minstrels and vibrancy of the dancers who entertain the crowds all vary dramatically too.

Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Nuremberg still attract the highest numbers of visitors every year and are the biggest Christmas markets. Hot Bratwurst and gallons of beer are amongst the tempting treats at the german street stalls. Further east, roasted hams and hot sugar-coated cake entices shoppers to the markets in Prague. In Bologna, it’s festive nougat made with almonds and honey that is a winner with the crowds. However diverse the flavours may be, there is always one tempting aroma that dominates – roasted chestnuts. And just writing about it is putting me in the festive mood, which reminds me, I must buy some more cinnamon!

Festive Cocktail Guide Vol. 3 ft Black Cow Vodka

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Kesh

Here’s one for the vodka fans, presenting Black Cow Vodka; the only vodka in the world to be made entirely from grass-grazed cows milk. The result is a definitive and distinctive smooth, creamy vodka. Turns out Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka is a product of dairy farmer Jason Barber who along with Paul Archard wanted to create something from the left over milk when making cheese. This is a truly unique product and we think that this is the perfect vodka to serve up this Christmas. It’s rich, smooth and extra luxurious.

There are a number of cocktails that the smoothness of Black Cow compliment well but we highly recommend;

Black Cow; Espresso Martini

50ml Black Cow Vodka

40ml Fresh espresso, cooled

15ml Organic Maple Syrup

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.

Shake well an double strain into a Martini glass.

Garnish with three coffee beans.

https://www.blackcow.co.uk

Michael Rowan says ‘chin chin’ as he tries to master his Christmas Shopping challenges with the help of the Master of Malt

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Margaret Graham

I make no apologies for admitting that when it comes to the spirits of Christmas, I quite often make a bee line for Master of Malt, who have been named On line Retailer of the Year at Icons of Gin for the second year in a row, just one of several awards.

Master of Malt have now carried out some research into some of our Christmas drinking habits and the results are surprising, or maybe they’re not.

Champagne and Christmas seem natural bedfellows and Master of Malt sell more than 5 times of this festive fizz than in any other month of the year.

Keeping with the Christmas theme it seems that Master of Malt Customers still love snowballs at Christmas, not those icy white spheres but rather the classic cocktail made with lemonade, lime juice and the Dutch egg -based liqueur, Advocaat. Sales of Advocaat are 10 times that of a typical month according to Master of Malt.

Along with the wide range of quality Whisky and Gin gifts I was delighted by the tasting set ‘Drinks by the Dram’ which is an interesting tasting set of your favourite tipple containing 3 x 3 cl bottles of the spirit of your choice together with tasting notes. This would make an ideal gift for someone who wishes to experiment, before committing to more expensive spirits or who simply likes to try a range of a particular spirit. Master of Malt have a wide range of Tasting Sets starting from £23.00 right up to £274.00 (the latter in case any of my family are reading this and are feeling particularly generous)

Finally for those of you (surely it can’t just be me?) who always leave at least one present until the very last minute Master of Malt may be able to come to the rescue with their gift vouchers which never expire and even accrue 5% interest per year (trackable in real time) and refunds are always available.

For more information: Master of Malt

Are you ready for a Tiny Adventure? Tiny Castles by Dixe Wills

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Tracy Baines

When I was a child my parents had a copy of the AA Book of the Road. A big beige book covered with a black plastic protective jacket. Oh, what treasures it held. When we went out on journeys the book went with us, and I would sit on the back seat poring over the pages. What wonders there were to be found out and about in the UK. Who knew? Not I. Within its hardback covers lay undiscovered worlds, secret places, forts, rivers, museums … I loved the drawings, the facts and figures, the sense that there was an adventure around every corner.

So I was delighted to discover Tiny Castles by Dixe Wills. It’s an entertaining look at some of the UK’s more modest fortified buildings – from Henry VIII’s beautifully preserved St Mawes Castle in Cornwall to Cubbie Roo’s Castle in Orkney – built by a Norse chieftain – many of these tiny fortresses occupy a unique place in history. In one case at least, the castle is the size of an average semi-detached house.Often the scene of unspeakable violence and treachery, these diminutive strongholds are now, for the most part, peaceful and serene places to explore.

Divided into three sections covering England, Scotland and Wales, Dixe Wills takes us on a tour of 60 of the countries loveliest and quirkiest strongholds. The writing is amusing and accessible, no long drawn-out text to bore the reader, just small and perfectly proportioned descriptions.

And these Tiny Castles are not crumbling ruins, but relatively complete castles with enough features intact to explore and enjoy, from Cromwell Castle (the smallest) to Castell Coch (a fairytale folly built on the remains of a much older castle) to Crichton Castle (fantastic for children).

You’ll find not only the location and grid reference but when to visit, what the admission fee is (if any), public transport and website details. Beautifully presented with lots of great photos … I feel a Tiny Adventure awaits.

Published by AA Media Limited Hardback £16.99

About the author

Dixe Wills is the author of numerous books about Britain’s lesser-known, quirkier side, including Tiny Islands, Tiny Stations, Tiny Churches and Tiny Campsites and the critically acclaimed but shamefully underbought The Z to Z of Great Britain, published in 2005 and still considered the go-to work on places in Britain that start with the final letter of the alphabet.

Dixe lives in Sussex and is a former member of Hartfield FC, where he played a largely anonymous midfield role alongside his more talented older brother.

Frost Loves Gola Shoes

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Catherine Balavage

It can be hard to be a mother and be fashionable sometimes. The school run is a rush and sleep deprivation makes everything one hundred times harder. Despite the snark mums sometimes have towards them, it is much easier to be fashionable if you have a uniform. Mine is standard: trainers, jeans and a T shirt. Add on a jumper if cold. It cuts down on life admin and just makes life so much easier. Things can get a bit staid however. Enter Gola trainers. These Gola Classics Orchid II shimmer in particular are so sexy and simple, yet, glamorous. I love them. They add a bit of oomph to your outfit with no effort required. See? Being fashionable may not be that hard after all.

Get yours here: https://www.gola.co.uk

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle