Frank’s Photo Challenge – Water

Tags

Albert Square, beautiful skin, bowels, circulation, DIgestion, fountain, Manchester, memory, travel, Tuesday Photo Challenge, Water

This week’s photo challenge from Frank (Dutch Goes The Photo) is WATER
https://dutchgoesthephoto.net/2017/09/05/tuesday-photo-challenge-water/

Water is one of my favourite topics, and I thought I’d take this opportunity to remind you of some good reasons to drink it 🙂

Sadly the chaps in the photos seem to be doing quite the opposite!! Obviously too much chlorine in their water !!! 🙂

10 good reasons to drink WATER

🙂 Your cells are made up of 70 – 80% water, so it makes them happier.
🙂 Happy healthy cells = Happy healthy YOU.
🙂 Clearer thinking, 🙂 better focus, 🙂 better memory
🙂 Smoother, more comfortable digestion
🙂 More fluid movements (and no we aren’t talking digestion again) – this time it’s healthy joints!!
🙂 Clearer, healthier, more handsome / beautiful skin
🙂 Happier waterworks and kidneys
🙂 Better circulation, so that oxygen and nutrients reach those faraway bits like your fingertips and tootsies, not to mention all the cells in between, making them happy (See above!)!
🙂 Healthier lungs and breathing
🙂 A more fluid lymph system which means a stronger immune system to help avoid those pesky colds etc
🙂 More energy – YAY!!

So go on ………. You know you want to …………… have a glass or two of water

Fountain, Albert Square, Manchester

Fountain, Albert Square, Manchester

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Domestic Demon #1 – CHLORINE

Tags

chloramine, chlorine, chloroform, DBP, disinfection by-product, dry hair, dry skin, sensitive skin, THM, Trihalomethane, Water

The serious health risks of chlorinated water for drinking and bathing.

Many years ago, when I first started out, I used to write a regular article entitled “Domestic Demons”. I felt that the time was right for me to resurrect this.
A domestic demon is something which is lurking around your home and not serving your health in any way, shape or form, and in fact could be doing quite a lot of harm to you and your family.

The first Domestic Demon under my spotlight is CHLORINE.

A few years back, I remember a fellow Mancunian questioning why my mother had a water filter. Surely Manchester water was one of the cleanest, he said. The thing is, there is CLEAN and then there is CLEAN.

For many decades, we have been brainwashed into thinking that everything needs to be sanitised to within an inch of its life, to prevent attack from bacteria and germs. We therefore fill our homes with a plethora of anti-bacterial soaps, germ-killing toiletries and household cleaners to arm ourselves against these invisible enemies. This is the first sort of “CLEAN” – the sanitised, chemical-laden sort, which is what the most people identify as healthy!

The other sort of “CLEAN” is my sort of clean, and means natural and untarnished, without a trace of man-made chemicals.

Chlorine plays a big part in our modern sanitised world. It’s used in our water supply as well as being added to swimming pools. Its purpose is to kill or inactivate harmful microorganisms, such as those which cause typhoid, dysentery, cholera and giardiasis.
Our water travels miles of pipes to reach our homes, It is recycled round and round, to and from each of our households, so you can imagine how much treatment is necessary. The mind boggles!!!

We have come a long way since the days of water-borne diseases, thanks to water sanitation, but modern water treatment comes with its own problems too, and may be contributing heavily to many of the modern diseases.

The Serious Health Risks associated with Chlorine.

Chlorine (and in some cases chloramine as well) is used as a disinfectant in our water supply. The trouble is that it combines with organic compounds in the water to form toxic compounds known as disinfection by-pTHroducts (DBPs), the most prevalent being Trihalomethanes (THMs). Chloroform is a common THM. Long-term exposure to these chlorination compounds have been linked to a higher risk of certain cancers, including bladder and colon, as well as reproductive problems.

In swimming pools, Chlorine reacts with organic matter such as sweat and urine to form more chloramines!!

Chlorine kills bad bacteria (let’s face it that is why it is used in the first place!) so it should be no surprise to learn that it also strips our gut of its good bacteria. As 80% of our immunity resides in our gut, this is bad news indeed, not only for our immune and digestive systems, but for our health in general, which relies heavily on both these systems working optimally.

It also creates free radicals and destroys Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Free radicals can cause havoc anywhere in the body, causing cellular damage, inflammation (including arteries and joints – think cardiovascular disease and arthritis), amongst others.

Chlorine also strips sebum, a natural oil found in our hair and skin. Sebum is a lubricator, so too much chlorine can leave both hair and skin dry. Sebum also helps to maintain the correct pH balance of the skin, and acts as a protective barrier. When chlorine depletes the sebum, our skin is left more sensitive, and more vulnerable to bacterial infection. Chlorine also contributes to premature signs of aging over time.

When we think about chlorine in water, we tend to focus on our drinking water, but surprisingly we are exposed to far more whilst bathing or swimming in public baths!! Apparently, absorption of chlorine during a 10-minute shower is greater than the amount in 8 glasses of the same water! SCARY-ISSIMO!!

Read on ………

When we drink a glass of tap water, our digestive tract and kidneys can to a certain extent do some partial filtering (although it would be far better if they weren’t put under so much stress). Taking a warm shower or bath, however, opens us up to a whole new level of exposure to chlorine.
Warm / hot water transforms our skin into a sponge; it opens the pores, thus increasing absorption via the skin. Chlorine vapours in steam are also easily inhaled and enter our bloodstream. A double whammy!!
Chlorine is a known strong irritant to sensitive tissue, such as the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs (think asthma).

So, taking a shower becomes quite a health hazard, as well as drying out your skin and hair, and aging you to boot.

What can you do?

Get savvy!! Do your research.

Filter your water – for drinking AND bathing.

I recommend Nikken filters: The Waterfall and portable Water Bottle (for drinking) and the Ultra Shower for bathing. Have a look at my HEALTHY WATER page on my website.

Sources
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/02/05/tap-water-toxins-is-your-water-trying-to-kill-you.aspx
http://www.livestrong.com/article/268100-how-to-remove-chlorine-from-the-hair-body/
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/08/15/chlorine-is-toxic-what-you-need-to-know-about-chlorine-your-health/
https://chansonalkalinewater.com/report-on-chlorine-and-fluoride/
https://www.wddty.com/magazine/2004/february/chlorine-on-tap-dont-drink-it.html
http://www.foodrenegade.com/chlorinated-showers-baths-kill-gut-flora/
https://envirowatchrangitikei.wordpress.com/2017/08/17/women-with-breast-cancer-have-50-60-higher-levels-of-chlorination-byproducts-in-their-breast-tissue-than-women-without-breast-cancer-thanks-to-our-authorities/

 

 

Blossoming Health this spring

Tags

detox, equinox, liver detox, lymph, skin brushing, spirng, spring cleaning, Spring Equinox, spring greens, Water

Springtime is such an optimistic time. How can we not be hopeful when surrounded by cheerful yellow flowers?!!!

For me, the spring equinox is the real start to the new year, when we can plan and put into action all those creative ideas and projects dreamt up during the quiet reflective winter just past.

It seems that almost overnight, we are surrounded by buds on trees, spring flowers, and animals waking up to a new year, all tapping into Mother Nature’s increasing energy.

Our cells respond to this too. Even if we look after ourselves, it’s difficult sometimes not to feel the shift in energy at equinox, when our cells can start a bit of a spring clean. I had a bit of a tickly throat for a couple of days, probably not helped by the chill wind which seems to have accompanied the change in season.

Spring-cleaning isn’t confined to the cells, either. I’ve suddenly found the energy to prune down a ridiculously large collection of online photos, and more surprisingly actually have done a spot of spring-cleaning around the house (shock horror!!). At some level, we all pick up on the spring energy!!

So, what can we do to enjoy the best health this spring?

We need to support our cells as they adjust to the new spring energy and onwards into summer.

This means feeding them a nutrient-dense and water-rich diet, as well as facilitating their detox and the flow of toxins through and, ultimately, out of the body.

For this we need to support the lymph, blood, liver and bowels, which all play a key role.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), spring is the season for the liver, when it comes into its own, so it’s good to give this some extra TLC.

• Exercise. This facilitates the movement of our lymph and circulation systems. It helps to deliver nutrients and oxygen to each cell. Try a brisk walk each day.
• Skin brushing can support a gentle detox by removing dead skin cells and stimulating the lymph.
• Water. Continue to drink plenty of water, as this helps the cells to spring clean more effectively.
• Eat your spring greens. Lightly steamed, popped into a green smoothie or into a soup, absorb that wonderful energy and mineral-fest provided by Nature’s greens.
• Milk Thistle. Taking a course of Milk Thistle tincture is a good way to support the liver at this time.
• Nettle Tea The humble nettle is a powerhouse of a herb. It’s a good blood tonic / cleanser. I make a tea out of dried herbs and drink some every day.
• Bowel Health Drinking plenty of water, eating lots of fruit and veg to provide fibre, and exercising all help to maintain good bowel health. Ideally, we should have three bowel motions a day, but at the very least, one.

 

A few extras

• Dress appropriately. The week leading up to spring blessed us with some beautifully sunny and warm days. I still wore my hat and scarf, but I noticed a lot of people in town, dressed for summer. There is wisdom behind the old saying “Cast not a clout, ‘til May is out”. This week, people are back to dressing as if for an Antarctic Expedition!! We need to adjust to seasonal changes slowly, especially as our weather is far from predictable!
• Creative projects. Spring is the ideal time to put a creative project into action. It’s a great way to relax, express yourself, and it’s a rare chance for some much-needed ME-time.
• Commit to a healthier you. Start TODAY, not tomorrow, not this weekend, or next week. TODAY. Commit to BLOSSOMING this year like your favourite flower.

 

 

 

Healthy Elephant Wisdom #1,2,3

Tags

eating healthily, elephants, greens, healthy snacks, living in the now, Water, water-drinking

Just a little summary from Herb and Ginger, so far

Please see LIVING IN THE NOW, WATER DRINKING, EATING HEALTHILY

More to come in the next few weeks …………….. watch this space 🙂

Healthy Elephant Wisdom #2

Tags

elephant, Herb and Ginger, tap water, Water, water filter, water-drinking

Here are a few more tips on how to get healthy pachyderm-style – from my elephants, Herb and Ginger.

Herb’s and Ginger’s tips on Water drinking 

An elephant drinks 200 litres of water a day. (For those of you like me with a pre-decimal head, that’s about 50 gallons!! Wow!!)

Do not try this at home (unless you are a fellow elephant).

A human adult should aim at 2 litres daily, give or take.

Spread this throughout the day.

Don’t guzzle it all down in one go at say 10pm when you realise you haven’t had your daily quota. It’s dangerous!

Builder’s tea, coffee, alcohol and sodas do not count. These are in fact diuretics which take water away from each of your cells, rather than replenishing them with the hydration that your cells desperately need and probably long for.

Water underpins the structure and functioning of every single cell, so it pays to start drinking more water each day.

Still water is best. Fizzy can destabilise bone chemistry.

Filtered water is even better.

Tap water contains lots of nasties. You want to replenish your cells, not burden them with yet more toxicity.

Get the water habit.

Start today.  

Be wise like an elephant.     

Herb and Ginger xx

 

Monday Inspiration – Small steps lead to big changes

Tags

health, journey, Lao-tzu, Lao-tzu quote, single step, walk, Water

For good health, we need to make small daily choices.

Just taking one small step TODAY on your health journey can help lead to more vibrant health. Your journey may be short or it may be long, but don’t worry about that now. Just choose that first step and believe that the journey is worth taking.

That step can be

• A pint of water introduced into your busy daily schedule
• A 10-minute walk around the block each lunchtime
• An earlier bedtime several times a week
• An exploratory visit to your health store
• Experimenting with a new healthy recipe
• Spending 15 minutes of quiet time each day reading something inspirational
• And so on ………

Small steps added gradually can build up into something bigger and better. They can help you to achieve your potential and to enjoy more vibrant health.

What small step will YOU take TODAY?

Do let me know …… write your comment below 🙂

Panda Regularity – why bowel health is SO IMPORTANT

Tags

Bowel health, constipation, DIgestion, fibre, hydration, panda, probiotics, Water

A few years ago there was an article in the papers which caught my eye, mainly because it was accompanied by a cute picture of pandas, but also, with my naturopathic hat on, it was talking about bowels! In particular it was reporting on how panda poo contains potent bacteria capable of breaking down tough plant material, essential for extracting ethanol, which can be used as a biofuel. What struck me most was that the average adult panda chomps its way through about 11 kg of bamboo shoots a day (not a very balanced diet) and wait for it ………….. can poo up to 40 times!!! Wow !!!

At the time of reading I was suffering with a temporary (though it didn’t feel it at the time) bout of traveller’s constipation – so my immediate thought was “LUCKY PANDAS”!!

Feeling sluggish, headachy and generally out of sorts with my lack of panda-regularity, it got me thinking about just how incredibly important our bowels are for health, so I penned a few thoughts  on healthy human digestion, in particular bowel. which I have shared below.

Don’t be shy ……. and read on!!

Naturopathically speaking, we are constipated if we don’t have 3 good well-formed bowel motions a day. Yes, you read that correctly – THREE!! Just count your blessings that you aren’t a panda!!  A* for anyone who achieves that; B++ for the once-a-dayers and a “come to my office” for everyone else!!

When our cells cleanse, the toxins discarded take a circuitous route, ending up in the colon, before being escorted via the stools off our premises for good. The colon is therefore a temporary holding dock, with the emphasis on temporary. If the stools are allowed to linger a little too long, toxins can literally recycle via the bloodstream. Not only does this rather defeat the object but you can auto-toxicate, leading to all sorts of symptoms, such as headaches, joint aches, skin rashes, feeling under the weather, even depression. It can also irritate the colon itself, setting the scene for more digestive problems.

So what do we need to make things work a little more smoothly?

Four things: hydration; bulk; good muscle tone; and a healthy environment in our digestive tract.

• Hydration is a fairly easy one. Bottom line (sorry – no pun intended) – we need to drink water regularly (4 pints spread throughout the day), and try to avoid drinks such as coffee and tea which are diuretics and serve only to take water away from us. Eating water-rich foods also helps. Fruit, vegetables and soups all belong to this category. Dry foods, however, draw on our water reserves. So, if you are starting your day with toast (very dry) and coffee (strong diuretic), you are not doing your colon any favours!!
• Bulk = fibre, found in whole foods, fruit and vegetables. This helps to sweep the colon clean (it draws up toxins as it goes) as well as gives the colon muscles something to work against …… which leads onto ………….
• Good muscle tone. The old adage “use it or lose it” applies just as much to the colon as to anywhere else in the body. We need to exercise it every day to keep it in tip-top condition. Fibre is of great importance; also exercise. A good brisk walk can help tone the colon. I often find that if I am more sedentary than usual, even for a day or two, my bowels can become sluggish. Never rely on laxatives, as these just make the colon lazy.
• Healthy Environment – we provide this through drinking water and eating healthily. Good bacteria (probiotics) also give us a helping hand. These little fellows support our whole digestive tract, aiding digestion as well as keeping bad bacteria at bay. Adding in some good bacteria as well as cleaning up your diet can really help with regularity. Note that when buying supplements, it is better to buy a combined pre- and pro-biotic. The Pre- provides the food for the pro. Also, there is no point in throwing supplements in if you don’t change your diet!! We need a nice healthy environment in our digestive tract for the good bacteria to THRIVE in! J

Hopefully this has given you a few helpful hints to achieving an A* colon.  If digestion is a problem for you, I would recommend you seeking the advice of a practitioner, who can help tailor your diet to improve your bowel health as well as digestion in particular.

 

4 simple tips for helping with anxiety

Tags

anxiety, Bach Flower Essences, deep breathing, rescue remedy, Water

Swans at Meadowbank, Dorking.

Anxiety can hit the calmest of us when we are faced with particular situations. For some, however, it can be a regular occurrence, and it can easily spiral out of control. It’s a complex issue, but below are 4 simple tips to help when you feel anxiety brewing up.

TIP 1: Counting 5-4-3-2-1

I found this useful tip on Facebook. When feeling anxious, try to do the following.

Notice (and name in your head)

• 5 things which you can see (e.g. the mug of tea on the table; the fold of your skirt; the colour/pattern of the carpet; the clouds in the sky; the details of a poster)
• 4 things which you can touch (e.g. your fingertips; the fabric of your scarf; some nearby foliage; the chair you are sitting on)
• 3 things which you can hear (e.g. distant traffic; a bird in the garden; someone talking)
• 2 things which you can smell (e.g. fragrance in the garden; kitchen smell)
• 1 thing that you can taste (e.g. after taste of a recent meal; saltiness of your lips)

In anxiety you can lose your grounding, which contributes to a feeling of insecurity. This exercise helps to ground you and bring you to the present moment. It helps to take the focus off the anxiety and onto your immediate surroundings.

This could also be used to guide a friend through an anxious spell.

TIP 2: Your friend – Water and some salty support

In an emergency, drinking a glass of warm or room temperature water can also help bring a sense of calmness.

If you are prone to anxiety, it’s a good idea to drink water regularly throughout the day (and ditch the stimulants such as coffee, alcohol, sodas and tea).

Anxiety hits the adrenals and kidneys big time, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine are linked to the taste of salt. A small pinch of natural salt (Himalayan is good) is a nice addition to your emergency glass of water, and indeed, your daily diet, in order to support the kidneys.

TIP 3: Nature and Flower Essences

I feel that anxiety can happen when we lose our connection to nature. One great way to calm ourselves is take a walk in natural surroundings (find a tree and hug it – go on – try it). Sadly, we can’t always escape when we wish. Taking a few drops / sprays of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy can provide us with some much needed natural energy in order to bring a sense of calmness.

TIP 4: And breeeeeeeeathe

Very few of us breathe properly anyway but when anxiety kicks in, we tend to take more shallow breaths which can make matters worse. If possible, focusing on our breath and taking a few deep breaths can help.

If you are prone to anxiety (or even not), the above are all useful exercises to practise regularly, even when feeling fine, so that you can more naturally tune into them when you feel the need.

Sign up for regular healthy inspirations: send your name and email to judithreidnutrition@gmail.com

A refreshing healthy drink for a hot summer’s day

Tags

alkalising, bioflavonoids, lemon, lemon and lime, lime, summer, Vitamin C, Water

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We’ve had a few scorching hot days recently and with the promise of a few more (hopefully), it’s well worth remembering to keep up your quota of water.

I love my filtered water, and really appreciate its fresh taste, especially on a hot summer’s day, but recently, I came across a recipe for a lemon and lime drink, and am now hooked!

I’ve added a smidgeon of raw honey to sweeten it, but I can imagine it would still be too tart for some palates, so it’s worth experimenting. Watering it down works well to bring the sharpness down a few pegs too!!

Use organic and unwaxed lemons and limes to ensure you get the highest nutrient value but the lowest toxicity count with each sip!

As you are using the whole fruit, you need a blender with a bit of a “bite” to cut through the rind and pith. I chopped both the lemon and lime into very small chunks to give even my Vitamix a helping hand.

Citrus fruit gives you a boost of Vitamin C with accompanying anti-inflammatory bioflavonoids, most of which can be found in the pith. These include rutin (strengthens capillaries), quercitin (prevents the release of histamine) and hesperidin (also strengthens capillaries and useful for varicose veins).

Another great benefit is that both lemons and limes are incredibly alkalising! (If you accidentally squeeze some juice in your eye, boy, you know about it, but when digested, both fruits become alkalising.) This lemon and lime drink therefore helps to hydrate and alkalise! That’s two big ticks for our health!

Please note that the rind also contains oxalates which can reduce absorption of calcium, and if eaten a lot can also contribute to kidney and gall stones, so if worried about this, peel the fruit first, leaving just the pith. With everything, moderation is key!!    

Lemon and Lime Drink

• 1 litre water
• 1 lemon chopped into small chunks
• 1 lime chopped into small chunks
• 1 tablespoon raw honey

• Whiz in a blender until broken down and frothed up!
• May need a smidgeon more honey for those who prefer things a bit sweeter.
• Sieve out the pithy bits.
• If preferred, can water down a little so that it isn’t as sharp.

Serve on a hot summer’s day 🙂 🙂

Cellular Talk-Talk: What would your cells like this Christmas?

Tags

Nikken, Water, water filter

Nikken Pimag Waterfall

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