SILLY SEASON CELEBRATIONS

The Festive season is a wonderful time of the year and should be enjoyed. When you are celebrating the festive season, attending parties and catching up with loved ones, over indulging is normally part of the package. There is no harm in enjoying your favourite treats, but we need to monitor what we have so we can enjoy ourselves without suffering from our indulgences.

Food Choices

Have something healthy to eat before you go out, to line your stomach. This way you will be able to handle your alcohol more effectively.

If you eat a meal with fat, protein and carbohydrates in it, you will absorb alcohol three times slower than on an empty stomach. Alcohol is absorbed more rapidly in the small intestine than the stomach, so the longer you can keep alcohol in the stomach the slower your blood alcohol levels will rise. Foods that contain fats, slow your stomach emptying. Have a meal containing some form of good fat. Choose foods such as fish, olives, foods cooked with olive oil, hummus, avocado and raw nuts.

It is amazing what we expect our bodies to digest in one day! The average traditional Christmas dinner clocks in at approximately 12,500 kilojoules, well above the 6000 kilojoules to 8000 kilojoules that's recommended per day on most weight-loss plans. Our livers work overtime at Christmas. Try having slightly smaller portions, and remember to chew your food really well, this is the first stage of the digestive process, and can make things go down a lot easier.

Choose Your Drinks Wisely

Alcohol 'switches off' the hormone that helps the body retain water. This results in dehydration and headaches. Loss of body water stimulates thirst which encourages more drinking. The only fluid that will relieve dehydration is water. Prevent dehydration by drinking water or mineral water in between alcoholic drinks. When you get home drink plenty of water before going to bed and on waking to lessen hangover symptoms caused from dehydration.

Avoid sugary, high calorie alcoholic drinks and mixers. Go for mineral water with your favourite spirit with some fresh lime or lemon. Having a big sugar rush the previous night will send your sugar levels soaring in the immediate term. However, these will plummet overnight, leaving you feeling exhausted, dizzy and flat in the morning.

Alcohol Free Day

When we drink it leads to appetite stimulation, so we tend to eat the wrong foods, we also consume the excess calories in the alcohol. Alcohol free days are a way of managing your calories while giving your body a chance to recover between celebrations.

Supplements

Antioxidants are important to help fight the cellular damage alcohol consumption can cause. Take St Mary’s Thistle and Vitamin B complex to support the liver during heavy drinking periods. Foods to enjoy which support liver function include artichoke, beetroot, liquorice root and dandelion tea and turmeric root.

Sleep

Late nights feature throughout the Christmas/New Year period. Try to get adequate sleep especially on the nights you don’t go out. Sleep ins and siestas are highly recommended to top up on late nights.

Exercise

Your regular exercise routine can be really challenging over the holiday period. If possible, go for a walk around the block or play some backyard cricket in between feasting. A short burst of physical activity will boost your metabolism and work off a few extra Christmas calories.

Don’t forget the golden word ‘self-control’.

Make a New Years resolution to love yourself and respect your body.

Enjoy the Festive Season and stay safe.

Disclaimer: This blog is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Seek the advice of a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE BENEFITS

“The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years.” - Deepak Chopra

When we are enjoying good health, we tend to take it for granted and not focus on looking after ourselves. If you were to become sick tomorrow, would you rely on the wisdom of conventional doctors or the wisdom of the ages? A lot of people will visit a Dr who they hope will have a magical “quick fix” cure. Yet many illnesses can be treated without potentially dangerous drugs and treatments that often have side affects.

A non invasive holistic approach to health encourages input as well as responsibility from the patient. It is the health practitioner’s responsibility to help provide the knowledge necessary for the individual to assist in their wellness. You then work together as a team to create the most effective treatment plan. This means you have control over your own health.

The body is a natural healer, able to heal itself and to exist in perfect health. The problem is most of us eat and drink the wrong things which poison our bodies with toxins that make us ill. Holistic healthcare supports and promotes the body’s natural healing process, leading to the highest state of wellness.

The benefits of holistic medicine start with an emphasis on wellness. This preventive approach is proactive, whereas traditional medicine is reactive, addressing only symptoms after damage has occurred. A holistic approach to wellness looks beyond symptoms and includes treatments known to support energetic living and a strong immune system.

Today we see millions of people preferring a cup of camomile tea rather than reaching for a sleeping tablet; they are more inclined to try meditation rather than risk becoming addicted to stress relieving drugs.

The biggest benefit from eating healthy foods is that you will have a strong immunity system allowing you to enjoy life without illness. It also means you maintain your weight, giving you more energy to exercise.

More health benefits include –

. Increase energy levels

. Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke

. Improves cholesterol levels

. Reduce blood pressure

. Aid digestion

. Reduce risk of diabetes

. Control weight and prevent obesity

. Decrease stress and anxiety

. Reduce risk of osteoporosis

Eating a healthy, well balanced diet coupled with physical activity is the best way to enjoy a healthy life. When we look good, we feel good; this in turn gives us the confidence to achieve the things we desire in life.

Benefits of Giving up Smoking

Our bodies have amazing recuperative powers; it is NEVER too late to give up smoking. Not smoking for a day is all it takes to reduce your statistical chances of suffering a heart attack and improve your chances of surviving one.

From 1 month to 9 months after you have ceased smoking you will experience less coughing, wheezing, sinus congestion and shortness of breath. One year without smoking, means the risk of coronary heart disease is now approximately half that of a smoker. After 5 years of not smoking, the average smoker will have decreased their lung cancer death rate by almost half. The risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat or oesophagus will now be half that of a smoker.

Benefits from taking Supplements

In today’s busy lifestyles, many people do not eat the recommended variety of fresh foods thereby missing important nutrients in their diets. In order for the human body to function effectively, it needs a daily supply of important vitamins and minerals. Supplements help you overcome nutritional deficiencies. We need all the nutrients in their proper amounts for optimum health.

There are some nutrients that may be difficult to get in food in adequate amounts and therefore may need to be taken as a supplement by certain people, for example, folic acid for women during the first three months of pregnancy.

In general, a good daily multivitamin/mineral supplement improves your overall bodily functioning and boosts both your physical and mental health and well-being.

Disclaimer: This article is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Seek the advice of a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

MODERN MEDICINE v NATURAL REMEDIES

Modern medicine has been around just over 100 years.  Alternative remedies such as Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine have been around a few thousand years.  Homeopathy has been around over 200 years and Chiropractic and Naturopathic medicine have been around over 100 years. People have used herbs and dietary remedies since the beginning of recorded history.

Modern medicine is a system in which medically trained doctors treat symptoms rather than understanding and treating the actual cause.  They treat symptoms, diseases or injuries using synthetic drugs, radiation, or surgery. Very little is done to investigate, discover and understand the reason what has caused the problem.  This system may also be referred to as allopathic medicine, modern medicine, main stream medicine, orthodox medicine, traditional medicine and conventional medicine.

Drugs are chemicals that are not part of the body’s evolution and operate on the body essentially as foreign matter.  Development in modern medicine has not ensured a healthy lifestyle.  As a part of the hectic culture, we have resigned to the belief in instant results. We expect a quick relief for our suffering, without realizing the hazards of over-medication. We must remind ourselves that a pill for every ailment is not a solution to our health problems.

If conventional medicine was the answer to health problems, why are there so many diseases that weren’t around years ago and why are so many people dying from devastating illnesses? 

The financial value to the manufacturer’s lies in the fact that drugs are not naturally occurring substances but invented.  Being invented means they can be patented. The owner of the patent can market the drug at a high price. Vitamins on the other hand, occur in nature and cannot be patented, so anyone can produce and market them.  That means the pricing must be competitive.

Alternative medicine is the natural treatment of disease that was used in ancient times long before conventional medicine was ever introduced. There are many different types of alternative remedies, some are - Chinese Medicine, Herbalism, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Chiropractic, Ayurveda, Hypnosis, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Aromatherapy, Nutritional Medicine and many other natural therapies that have proved to support the natural healing of the body with excellent results.

Alternative remedies practitioners tend to look at the whole person when making treatment decisions. They take great pains to figure out how one symptom or body system affects another. This type of medicine is a medicine of health and focuses on maintaining that health before it reaches the point of dysfunction.

Common Principles of Alternative Therapies

Although there are different alternative therapies with varying beliefs and techniques, there are common principles under which they are all operating:

1. The body can heal itself naturally and remain stable
2. Health problems can be contributed to factors of mind, body and emotions
3. It is more important to get to the root cause of an illness and treat the whole person than to concentrate upon symptoms only
4. A person can contribute to his own healing if he pays more attention to his health
5. The same method of treatment cannot be suitable for everyone since each person is unique in his physical, mental, and spiritual build. This is why two persons may be diagnosed with the same disease and the same level of illness, and one survives and the other succumbs. Your mind can work wonders

Alternative medicine puts much emphasis upon the prevention of disease and seeks to treat the whole person so as to strengthen the immune system to bring about a sustained healing.

Today’s healthcare is the use of both traditional and alternative healthcare. The challenge is often to decide when one form of medical expertise should be used over another one. If someone is in a life threatening accident the traditional approach is often used first and then alternative healthcare is applied in the roll of vitamins, herbs, diet, etc. The blend of these two disciplines should make healthcare much more effective in the coming years.

Conventional medicine certainly has its place in our society. Trust in your body to cure itself given the necessary ingredients. Build up your immune system so you won't get sick. Concentrate on staying healthy. Think intelligently before taking ANY made man drug, think about what you're putting into your body. Don't let some self-serving doctor decide what is best for you, your better, then that. Lastly, indulge yourself in nutritious foods and find a reputable natural supplement company and begin a program that will ensure that your body (immune system) is working optimally.

Disclaimer: This article is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Seek the advice of a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

WHAT IS HOLISTIC HEALTH?

Do you value your health? When you are unwell, do you go to the Dr or do you look at your diet and lifestyle? Often when we are sick, we are rundown, eating on the run, not exercising and not looking after ourselves. Tablets prescribed by a Dr often only work in the short term. If we don’t change our lifestyle, we end up sick again. Our bodies were never meant to ingest so many chemicals and toxic substances. These days’ chemicals are in the medicines we take, the food we eat, the water we drink, cleaning products and the list goes on. This also has a major affect on our health.

The definition of holistic health may encompass many different elements depending on which field of thought you are dealing with. Holistic health seeks to achieve balance and harmony and to promote well being buy using a natural alternative approach to managing your health and lifestyle. It takes into consideration various aspects of our life including body, mind and spirit, through diet, exercise and a happy positive outlook on life.

Our bodies are constantly working to maintain good health. A holistic approach encourages the individual to take responsibility for self care and educate themselves about their health. The fastest way to restore wellness is to stop putting into the body the things that have caused the physical problem to develop in the first place, then give the body the nutrients it needs to repair and rebuild itself.

The most obvious choices people make each day is what they consume, either physically or mentally. The cells in a person's body are constantly being replaced. New cells are built from what is available. Harmful substances or lack of needed building blocks in the body can result in imperfect cells, unable to do what is required to keep that person healthy. Similarly, on the non-physical level, a person's mental attitudes are "built" from what they see and hear.

To enjoy optimal health, eat a variety of good healthy unprocessed foods every day. Buy organic if possible or farmers markets have great quality produce also. Avoid fried foods and take away foods, the over use of sugar, salt and caffeine. Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast, keep treats to a minimum and watch portion sizes. Drink 8 glasses of pure water every day.

Give up smoking.

Get active, make it a habit. Choose something you enjoy and find an exercise buddy, someone to keep you honest.

Take good quality vitamin and mineral supplements if you are run down or need a boost.

It’s important to take time out to relax, especially if you are in a stressful job or going through a stressful time in your life. Have a bath, go for a walk in nature, spend time with loved ones, read a book, mediate or go to the movies.

Make sure you get 7-8 hrs of sleep every night. Long term sleep deprivation can have significant physical consequences and has been linked to a range of problems including hormone disturbances, depression, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Some experts believe that long-term sleep deprivation can accelerate ageing.

This is just the basics of leading a holistic lifestyle. Health is not taught in the schools and colleges, therefore it is up so us to learn how best to maintain our bodies. We are here to help educate and provide what you need for a happy healthy lifestyle. Small, easy changes are the best way to start. By making these changes now you can enjoy life to the full and influence those you love.

Disclaimer: This article is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Seek the advice of a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF A CUP OF TEA

Black, green, white, and oolong teas derive their leaves from a warm-weather evergreen tree known as Camellia sinensis.  Tea contains high levels of antioxidants, some of which are called polyphenols, flavonoids, and catechins, all of which take on the “free radicals” in the body and prevent them from harming the healthy cells.  The more processing tea leaves undergo, the darker they will turn. Green tea and white tea are the least processed tea.  White tea is derived from the young new leaves from the Camellia plant in early spring.  These young leaves contain no chlorophyll, so they are silvery white. Black and oolong teas are partially dried, crushed and fermented.  

  

Higher quality teas may have more antioxidants than lower quality teas.  Tea has less caffeine than coffee and helps to keep you hydrated. 

 

Herbal tea is not true tea as tea is not included in the ingredients.  The ingredients may include dried leaves, pieces of ripe fruit, flowers, grasses, nuts, barks, seeds or other botanicals that give them their taste.  Herbal teas can be calming and relaxing, energizing, or soothing, and may be targeted at skin conditions, stomach complaints, breathing difficulties, cold symptoms, and many other medical issues. Many people enjoy herbal tea as an alternative to regular tea, as it is caffeine free and it does not have the tannins which can make true tea bitter.

Chai, is an Indian word for tea, is a soothing alternative to coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos because of its rich, sweet flavor, velvety consistency and enticing aroma.  This ancient blend is made with brewed black tea, milk, honey, and a unique combination of spices that vary based on the specific recipe. Spices typically include cinnamon, cloves, fennel, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom.

Tea is a healthy beverage offering many health benefits (if you skip the cream and sugar). Brew your tea for at least 3 - 5 minutes to bring out the beneficial polyphenols. Enjoy the aroma of tea!

Beware of bottled tea beverages, which are little more than sugar drinks.  Chai tea often comes in the form of sugary syrups or powders and have no health benefits.


Disclaimer: This article is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Seek the advice of a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

JORGE CRUISE'S FILM - DEATH BY SUGAR

Just hoping this link will work, if not just cut and paste.  Its a brief but interesting look at what happens to our blood when we eat sugar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPa7fV1a8gg

Disclaimer: This article is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Seek the advice of a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

SMOOTHIE - FOR A TROUBLED MIND

This smoothie is packed with stress busting B vitamins and folic acid.  Bananas are rich in potassium which the body digests quickly.  Dates and apricots provide an instant burst of energy, making you feel more alert and able to handle difficult situations.

Recipe -

2 bananas

2 dates

2 dried apricots

3/4 cup natural bio-yoghurt

Whizz all the ingredients in a blender until smooth and drink immediately.

Disclaimer: This blog is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Seek the advice of a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

WELCOME TO MY "HOT CHILLI WOMAN" BLOG

Welcome to my blog, Hot Chilli Woman.  This name was given to me by a good friend because of my love of Hot Chilli. 

  

I have a great passion for natural health.  I believe in "self care", taking responsibility for your own health through eating!  And I LOVE food.  Good natural food from Mother Nature.  Not chemical laden artificial food with no life force.  

I was born on a farm on the East Coast of Tasmania.  All our food was grown naturally, there was no such thing as "organic" in those days.  But thats what we were eating.  For the first 10 years of my life this was my lifestyle.  Drought hit and my parents sold the farm and we shifted to Launceston.

I now live on the sunny Gold Coast.  In my life I have never had illness apart from colds.  I believe those days on the farm gave me the building blocks that has allowed me to live a healthy life.

Have I been perfect all my life, the answer is no.  I have toyed with being Vegetarian several times.

This blog is about my journey to being a Vegetarian, or even a Vegan.  Can the farm girl in me do that, when I was bought up to eat meat and 3 veg?

I hope that what I have to say can inspire you to educate yourself and enjoy a healthy way of life.

Disclaimer: This blog is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Seek the advice of a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.