THEGAYUK

Category: Lifestyle

  • Top 12 Tips To Get A Bargain At A Christmas Market

    More people than ever are considering taking a trip to a Christmas market in Europe this year, perhaps buoyed by the current strength of the Pound against the Euro, now offering £1 = 1.2465 Euros compared to £1 = 1.1588 Euros this time last year.

    While some stall holders will take cards, in most instances cash is king, offering opportunities for buyers to barter and haggle. Leading travel money provider ICE – International Currency Exchange is reminding travellers to request low denomination notes when ordering their currency to maximise the chances of some good old fashioned haggling and reduce the risk of theft in busy markets, by taking a pin-protected prepaid currency card.

    Koko Sarkari, COO of ICE said,

    “There are around 100 Christmas Markets in Germany alone, 25 in France, 20 in Belgium and 18 in Italy so there’s no shortage of magical places to visit this November and December. And if you fancy some haggling, you’ll need some cash to show the stall holder you mean business. But don’t be tempted to take all your spending money in cash – that could be asking for trouble. Load some money onto a prepaid currency card such as the ICE Travellers Cashcard and then withdraw what you need at ATMs and to pay for meals out and larger purchases in shops. Unlike a credit card, if a prepaid card is lost or stolen, only the amount on the card is at risk. One of the key benefits of the ICE Travellers Cashcard is that it comes with a free back up card which can be activated through one call to our team.”

     

    Top 12 Haggling Tips

    1. Do your research and shop around – make sure you know the types of crafts and products on offer and what they should cost

     

    2. Understand the exchange rate – make sure you know how much sterling is worth

     

    3. Don’t flash too much cash – take smaller denominations

     

    4. Learn the lingo – it’s much harder to negotiate in a foreign language so try to learn a few choice words – it may help the vendor to warm to you and lower the price

     

    5. Every city has its key take-home souvenir – ask the locals who does the best or cheapest souvenir

     

    6. Set a budget and don’t be tempted to exceed it

     

    7. Don’t haggle too soon

     

    8. Make sure you’re in control of the situation and lead the negotiation

     

    9. Offer half of the stated price as your first bid

     

    10. Stand your ground

     

    11. Get the vendor to include something extra for no additional cost

     

    12. NEVER tell them your budget

  • Male Motorists Hit Hard With Car Insurance Rises

    Premiums for male motorists have risen by almost double that of females compared to this time last year.

    • – Car insurance premium prices up in Q3 2014 vs Q3 2013 – first year on year rise since 2011 peak

    • – MoneySuperMarket urges drivers to compare insurers to find the best deal for them

    Male motorists have been hit the hardest by rising car insurance prices, as year-on-year their premiums have increased by 3.2 percent, almost double the 1.8 percent increase for women, according to the latest analysis from MoneySuperMarket.

    The UK’s number one comparison site analysed 55 million car insurance quotes run on the site between April 2010 and September 2014, and found the average premium for male drivers has increased £14 from £425 in Q3 2013, to £439 on average this year. This compares to a £6 increase for women, with cover now costing £360, up from £354.

    This is despite the ECJ gender neutral ruling coming into force in December 2012. This prevents insurers charging men and women different amounts purely on the basis of their gender.

    Overall, car insurance premiums are up across the board when looking at Q3 premiums for all drivers, over the last three years. Premiums were flying high in Q3 2011, with a peak average price of £512 a year. This fell steadily – dropping to £456 on average in Q3 2012, and bottoming out at a wallet-friendly £394 in Q3 2013. This year has sadly seen the first premium price increase for all drivers, with overall premiums rising to £401 for annual cover at the end of September.

    Kevin Pratt, Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket said,

    “Premium prices do fluctuate, and while we’ve been in a deflationary market for car cover for the last few years, costs are now creeping back up. What is surprising is that, despite the fact that gender neutral pricing has been in place in the car insurance market for several years, it turns out that men are still paying more. Insurers look at a wide range of factors when calculating premiums, such as postcode, profession, make of vehicle, driving history and points on a licence. Clearly, for whatever reasons, men are registering higher when it comes to insurer risk profiling, and they’re paying more than women as a result.

    “For car insurance, the key message is always to keep an eye on your renewal premium, and always to shop around and seek out the best possible deal for your circumstances. With premium prices currently trending upwards, it is even more important to make sure you aren’t paying over the odds on your renewal.”

  • RECIPE | Beef Chilli with Black Rice

    You will have to trust me on the Chinese five spice. It complements the smoky fiery flavour of the beef chilli perfectly. This is probably one of my favourite’s to make, my friends love my chilli. You can reduce the cooking time by adding less of the stock but I prefer a long, long cook for this.

    Serves 4-6 people
    Prep 10 mins
    Cook 1-2 hours

    If I’m doing this for a crowd I serve a Scotch Bonnet chilli pepper on the side to see who’s man enough to give one a go! If you are going to do this, please remind your guests that the Scotch Bonnet ranks in category 4 on the scoville heat measure, and is of similar heat to a habanero, jamaican hot pepper, and the not so comfortingly named, Fatalii. Have plain yogurt / milk on standby!

    BLACK RICE- Where has black rice been all my life? After trying this for the first time only recently I can honestly say I will never eat a bowl of the white stuff ever again! A spoonful of black rice contains more antioxidants than that of blueberries. The anthocyanin antioxidants within the rice are linked with memory improvement, protection against heart disease and even cancer. Black rice is a fantastic source of Iron and also vitamin E. I decided to serve my devilish beef chilli with black rice to give a gothic, unusual and nutritious edge to the dish. Black rice is not just for show, it’s so good for you!

    BEEF- Around 85g of beef provides you with the following of your daily requirements; 50% protein, 39% zinc, 37% B12, 24% selenium, 20% phosphorous, 18% niacin, 16% B6, 14% iron, 12% riboflavin. ( SOURCE: http://www.beef.org/udocs/Beef%20Bytes%20Health.pdf )

    KIDNEY BEANS- 177g of kidney beans will provide you with the following of your daily requirements; 57% folate, 45% fibre, 42% copper (great for the immune system), 38% manganese (good for bone production & skin integrity), 34% phosphorous (another one for bones but also digestion), 30% protein, 23% B1, 21% iron.

    The kidney bean is a good source of cholesterol-lowering fibre, along with many other beans. When beans are combined with whole grain rice, the kidney beans provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. Kidney beans can also increase your energy by replenishing iron stores. (SOURCE: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=87)

    REDUCED SALT & SUGAR BAKED BEANS – It’s this kind of cheap, easily accessible food that we can utilise for our health without having to import a wonder herb or grain from the Amazon. Baked beans can help towards achieving 7-a-day along with great fibre and protein benefits. Lycopene within the tomato sauce is a powerful antioxidant that has shown to help prevent heart disease and prostate cancer. (SOURCE ; http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-nutrition-of-baked-beans.html )

    Ingredients.
    1 dried chipotle chilli, rehydrated, de-seeded and chopped finely
    1 ham stock cube, made up with 500ml hot water
    2 tsp Chinese five spice
    1 400g can kidney beans in a chilli sauce
    1 400g can organic chopped tomatoes
    1 230g can reduced sugar & salt baked beans
    2 onions, chopped roughly
    60g smoked chorizo, skin removed and sliced into rounds
    1 tbsp carotino oil (or any other healthy cooking oil of your choice)

    75g black rice, per person.

    Method.
    1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onions over a medium heat for 10 minutes until they are translucent.

    2. Add in the beef, Chinese five spice, chorizo, chipotle and cook until the meat is no longer pink.

    3. Tip in the tomatoes, mix and let them cook out for a couple of minutes.

    4. Add both kidney and baked beans to the pan, along with the stock.

    5. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer for 1-2 hours dependant on how much stock you want to use. I use all the stock and simmer for 1.5.

    6. Start cooking your rice in boiling water half an hour before you want to serve.

  • RECIPE | Devilled Eggs with Smoked Bacon

    These cute n creepy hors d’oeuvres’ will definitely put smiles on your guest’s faces. Simple, inexpensive, and being fun to make add to the delight of this dish. The classic flavour combination of egg and bacon brought into the realm of a dinner party by adding whole grain mustard, spring onions and black olive. You could do a half n half batch by adding some cayenne pepper on top of some of the eggs for variety.

    Serves 8 (as canapés)
    Prep 30 mins
    Cook 10 mins (egg and bacon)

    The recipes suits 8 people for canapés (1 egg each), but you may want to make more as they’re one bite wonders and extremely more-ish. In the event of leftovers, you’ve already got breakfast sorted!

    EGGS – 1 egg provides the following of your recommended daily intake; 22% selenium (selenium deficiency, which some people who are HIV positive may have, has implications on immune function, depression, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypothyroidism, infertility in males), 15% B2, 9% phosphorous (bones & teeth, digestion, hormones), 9% B12, 7% B5, 6% vitamin A, 5% folate. Although eggs are high in cholesterol they do not adversely affect blood cholesterol. In fact, eggs help raise the “good” cholesterol, HDL. Eggs are also a fab source of protein containing all the essential amino acids in right doses. (SOURCE: http://authoritynutrition.com/10-proven-health-benefits-of-eggs/ )

    Ingredients.
    80g light mayo
    8 eggs, hard boiled and halved
    3 rashers smoked bacon, cooked until crispy and finely chopped
    2 spring onions, finely sliced
    1 tsp wholegrain mustard
    small bowlful of black olives

    Method.
    1. Carefully scoop the hard-boiled yolks out of the egg halves. I found it easiest to loosen one edge of the yolk with a teaspoon and the whole yolk would follow.

    2. In a bowl, mash together with a fork the; yolks, mayo, bacon, spring onions, wholegrain mustard and a little black pepper.

    3. Scoop your fluffy egg and bacon mix back into the hollow of the egg halves. You could also pipe the mix back into the hollows if you’re feeling pedantic about presentation.
    4. At this point you have now made devilled eggs and they can be served straight away or kept in the fridge for a few hours until required.

    optional

    5. To add a Halloween twist and make them into spider eggs, have your bowlful of black olives and your chopping board out and slice whole olives into halves to create the bodies of the spider. Slice small lengths of olives to create the legs. I found it easiest to place the spider legs on top of the eggs, and then place the spider body on top of the legs to complete the look.

  • RECIPE | Pumpkin Soup

    I find the process of hollowing out a pumpkin quite tedious, so the last thing I want to be doing afterwards is chopping other vegetables to go in a soup that will just be blended anyway. Take the pressure off and keep this super simple (and cheap!) by using a frozen vegetable mix of carrots, onion, and celery. By using ham stock your tapping into the bacon / pumpkin squash classic flavour combo but saving pennies & calories too by not using any actual meat. This recipe showcases how simplicity really can bring out the best in flavours.

    Serves 4 (can be frozen)

    Prep 15 mins
    Cook 30 mins

    Starter / Inexpensive / Quick & Easy / Antioxidant Rich

    PUMPKIN – 100g of flesh is only 26 calories. Pumpkin is also recommended by dieticians in cholesterol management and for weight loss programs. Also in 100g of pumpkin flesh comes around 246% of your recommended intake of vitamin A. Pumpkins, like carrots contain carotenes and anti-oxidants that help promote good eye sight. B-complex vitamins are also abundant in the pumpkin; folate, niacin, B-6, B-5.

    Ingredients.
    450-500g pumpkin flesh (save the seeds and roast them for 10-15 minutes, lovely!)
    250g frozen vegetables (carrot, onion, celery)
    1000ml hot water
    2 ham stock cubes
    1 birds eye chilli

    Method.
    1. Heat a large saucepan and place the frozen vegetables in for 5 mins to defrost and soften.
    2. Add the pumpkin, chilli, hot water, and stock cubes and bring to the boil.
    3. Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
    4. Take off the heat and use a hand blender to blend until smooth.
    5. Serve with freshly grated nutmeg, smoked paprika and some pumpkin seeds scattered on top.

  • RECIPE: Chicken Coal

    Nuggets. Notoriously loved. Notoriously unhealthy. Not these!

    CREDIT: Jordan Lohan

    (more…)

  • RECIPE | Posh Cod & Chips

    Serves 4 | Prep 20 minutes | Cook 20 minutes

    B12 BOOSTER / Anti-Oxidant Rich

    I am not normally one to go for fish, I have a strange fear of the sea that extends to fish being on plates. However, this is not fishy in the slightest and I found myself sharing the last fish parcel with a friend the first time I made it. I served mine with sweet potato chips, and had a pot of the left over pesto on the side (like a more refined version of mushy peas, perhaps), and had a posh fish and chips night.

    COD- For every 113g of cod you eat, you are receiving the following of the recommended daily intake; 109% B12, 88% iodine (great anti-oxidant stimulant, thus boosting the immune system), 57% selenium (HIV can deplete someone’s antioxidant / selenium resources so Cod makes a great natural way of boosting levels back up), 55% phosphorous, 42% protein, 21% choline (liver protector)- to name the highest. (SOURCE : http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=133 ).

    INGREDIENTS.

    One batch of artichoke & pistachio pesto

    4 pieces of cod (either fillet or tail-end will work)

    12 slices of pancetta

    few springs of thyme, leaves removed

    Olive oil
    METHOD.

    Preheat your oven to 220c / 200c (fan) / Gas Mark 7

     

    1. If you are using a fillet, then using a sharp knife make an incision in it’s thickest part and slice horizontally to create a pocket (just as if you were stuffing a chicken breast), and stuff with a tablespoon or so of the pesto.
    2. If you are using the tail end (this is what I used) then have where the skin used to be side up, place a tablespoon or so of the pesto on the fish and fold one half of the fish on top of itself sandwiching the pesto.
    3. Wrap each now stuffed fish in 2-3 slices of pancetta (depends how big your slices are) and place in an oven-proof baking dish.
    4. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle a few thyme leaves on top.
    5. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
    6. Remove from the oven, at this point you could choose to pan fry the fish parcels in order to get a bit of crisp on the outside.
    7. Serve with a pot of remaining pesto on the side, or alternatively keep leftover pesto in the fridge to use with pasta the following day.

  • RECIPE | Rustic Smoked Bacon, Goats Cheese, & Beetroot Tart

    Serves 4 (as a starter) | Prep 1 hour (you can reduce by buying pre-cooked beetroot in natural juices) | Cook 30 mins

    Starter / Vegetarian (without bacon)

    By calling this rustic, it means I’m able to be slap dash with the presentation of the pastry and not be sorry ’bout it. Scarred by how pedantic the process can be to create the flakiest puff in my chef’s course, I now opt for a ready made, ready rolled pastry. The smoked bacon in this tart makes it something different from the normal goats cheese & beetroot combo. For vegetarians that are fond of this combination, just omit the bacon, it’s a lovely dish either way.

    This would go nicely with Griddled Romaine Lettuce Hearts

    BEETROOT- Beetroot are high in potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamin A, B6, C, folic acid and anti-oxidants. (SOURCE http://www.webmd.boots.com/healthy-eating/guide/beetroot-benefits ) The nitrates in beetroot help lower blood pressure and may help heart disease. Also, beets contain boron which is good for sexual stamina and all-round energy levels! (SOURCE http://www.undergroundhealth.com/12-healthiest-foods-on-earth/ )

    Ingredients.

    1 sheet ready made / rolled puff pastry

    2-3 small beetroot

    1 egg

    100ml cream

    150g soft goats cheese

    nutmeg, a small grating

    1 tsp thyme leaves, finely chopped

    80g smoked bacon lardons (optional)

     

    Method.

    Preheat your oven to 210c / 190c (fan) / Gas Mark 6

     

    1. Peel the beetroot and drizzle in oil, wrapping in individual foil wraps and roasting in the oven for an hour or until tender when pierced with a knife.
    2. Dry fry the bacon pieces until crisp and set aside on kitchen towel to soak up any excess oils.
    3. Make the filling by whisking together the egg, goats cheese, nutmeg and thyme leaves.
    4. Slowly incorporate the cream a little at a time whilst whisking.
    5. With your ready rolled pastry sheet, keeping the pastry on the grease proof paper, transfer to a large baking sheet.
    6. Begin to roll up the edges so that you are creating a tall enough wall to accommodate your filling. Seal down edges with a little water.
    7. Pour the filling into the pastry case. Slice the beetroot thinly and lay on top of the filling. Be careful not to make the filling flow over the pastry wall. Scatter the bacon lardons on top.
    8. Bake in the oven for anything up to 30 minutes (depends on your oven) . Your filling should be set, and the edges of the pastry golden.
    9. Remove and leave to stand for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
  • FOOD: The Power Of Plant, Healing HIV

    FOOD: The Power Of Plant, Healing HIV

    The Power Of Plant, Healing HIV

    By no means am I suggesting medication be swapped in favour of natural remedies, and whenever incorporating a supplement or out of the ordinary addition to your diet, you should always seek medical advice in the first instance.

    After recently being diagnosed HIV myself, and try as I might, as I’m sure some HIV-positive people may be able to relate to when they first found out, I could not find the wonder drug online to cure me! I’m assuming this was my denial stage. After re-assessing and implementing a new diet, I started delving into plants and herbs that had undergone testing and scientific research that provided some promising results.

    The more I looked, the more evidence I came across not only from clinical trials but professional herbalists, ancient practices of medicine, even biblical references. It would seem that the plant world does have some interesting attributes in helping to strengthen our immune system, and dis-encouraging the growth of the HIV-1 virus within the body. A lot of the evidence found to support anti-HIV activity also shows anti-cancer activity too.

    The following plants/herbs/spices are readily available and would not only benefit people that are HIV positive but could be used within any diet/regime for general and specific health issues. It is not suggested that you take it upon yourself to incorporate any of the following before seeking advice/approval from your GP / Nurse / or nutritionist (especially if you are on any medication as certain plants have been known to interfere or react with meds). Some of the studies carried out have been done so via test tube so it is unclear how reactive the plant is in the human body.

    If you are considering discussing the possibility of incorporating supplements with a professional, then it’s best to ensure you initially bring it back to basics and ensure you have a healthy diet and are eating the right foods for your body. Spirulina and pomegranates will do nothing for you if you’re a chicken nugget and chocolate fiend.

    Herbalists can help treat a huge range of health issues; immune system issues, allergies, autoimmune conditions, energy, stamina, fatigue, emotional health, hormonal health, fertility, digestion, nutrition, skin, heart & circulation, and joints & bones. To find a herbalist near you, click here.

    MANGOSTEEN

    (Queen of the tropical fruits) Historically used in folk medicine, this fruit is thought to have come from South East Asia. The entire fruit (rind, flesh, leaves, bark) contain Xanthones, which have; anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, to name a few. A study which took place showed that xanthone mangostin, derived from the mangosteen inhibited the replication cycle of HIV. (SOURCEhttp://www.gayprideband.com/Mangosteen%20Studies%20PDF.pdf

    BITTER MELON (wild cucumber)

    An unusual vegetable-fruit used as a healing aid for intestinal or stomach disorders (ulcers, colitis, constipation, worms). Bitter melon has also proved successful for people suffering with; psoriasis, liver disease, kidney stones, and diabetes. MAP-30, a plant protein within the veggie-fruit has been found to fight against the HIV virus. (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7665070

    HYSSOP

    In Greek, this word means ‘Holy Herb’. In fact, it is so holy it’s mentioned ten times in the Old Testament, being used to purify sacred areas and cleanse leprosy sufferers. Hyssop is an immune system strengthener and blood nourisher. The crude extracts of dried out Hyssop Officinalis leaves showed potent antiviral qualities and anti-HIV activity. (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7665070)

    OLIVE LEAF EXTRACTION

    Olive leaf is simply the leaves from an olive tree. With an antioxidant level doubling that of green tea extract, and 400% higher than vitamin C, no wonder the olive tree was referred to as “the tree of life” in the Bible. The real treasure within the extract lies within its Oleuropein, that contains; anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. The extract is used for blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease, ulcers, diabetes, cancer, HIV, and much more. Studies found that the Oleuropein prevents acute infection and replication of the HIV virus.

    (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12878215
    BLACK SEED EXTRACT (Nigella Sativa)
    I recognised this immediately as an avid Nigella Lawson fan, she uses these seeds in one of her recipes. The seed has been used in medicines for thousands of years and was also reported to have been found in King Tut’s tomb. Used to encourage healing headaches, toothaches, digestive issues, haemorrhoids, respitorary issues, lowering blood pressure, treating cancer, and boosting the immune system. I read somewhere that the only thing black seeds cannot cure is death.
    Interestingly, one of the studies that were carried out on an HIV patient induced a sero-reversion (tested negative for HIV), and remained at healthy CD4 counts 24 months after the experiment.(SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24311845

    SPIRULINA

    For some reason, I don’t have the capacity to say this word correctly the first time I go to say it. Spirulina is a high-protein “super food” which is formed from a blue-green alga. Rich in vitamins; A, B1, B6, B12, C, along with proteins and minerals. Spirulina has been found to inhibit the replication of HIV in the blood. Available in most health food stores, I have personally started to incorporate this into my diet.

    (SOURCE:http://journals.lww.com/jaids/Abstract/1998/05010/Inhibition_of_HIV_1_Replication_by_an_Aqueous.2.aspx

    NEEM LEAF EXTRACT

    The neem plant is native to India and it’s surrounding regions. The entire plant can be used in medicine and has been done so, especially within traditional medicines such as Ayurveda, to treat malaria, cancer, skin diseases, and diabetes to name a few. With research into it’s benefits to people with HIV, the results concluded a significant influence on CD4 cells.

    (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17667213

    LICORICE

    No introduction necessary. Personally, I cannot stand the stuff! However, as a supplement for someone with HIV, it could potentially slow the activation of any dormant immune cells, which would prevent the virus from replicating within the blood. Liquorice root contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the part that helps prevent replication. Liquorice root is also full of many anti-depressant qualities and could be used as an alternative to St. John’s Wort. Large quantities are not advised (no more than 7g a day) as it may have implications with testosterone in the body.

    (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12679601

    SUMAC (Rhus chinensis)

    Sumac fruits are ground into a red powder, used widely to spice dishes in the Middle East. It has a lemony flavour to it and is often used in hummus. Research has shown that compounds within sumac have anti-HIV activity and would be a useful medicinal plant for HIV patients. Sumac is also a wonderful antioxidant.

    (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16368204

    SCHISANDRA

    From East Asia, this “five flavour fruit”, would traditionally be used in Chinese medicine to fight infection, help sufferers of insomnia, and promote healthy skin. Schisandra contains anti-aging properties and has also been used to normalise blood sugar/pressure, whilst boosting your immune system. The fruit has had great results for treating liver disease/hepatitis. China developed a liver-protecting drug titled DBD which is made from compounds within the fruit. The fruit contains lingnans, and it is these that have demonstrated anti-HIV virus activity.

    (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19413342

    ROOIBOS LEAVES (redbush)

    I love this tea. I probably drink about 10 cups a day. A study shows a polysaccharide within rooibois leaves has strong anti-HIV properties. They concluded the polysaccharide plays a big part in the mechanism for the virus binding itself to T Cells, and the prevention of that. It is unclear whether this can be achieved by just drinking the tea, however. On the plus side the polyphenols within the tea help to ease headaches, allergies, bone weakness, asthma, eczema, stomach cramps, and also boost your immune system!

    (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9058964

    ELDERBERRY

    Massive antioxidant qualities within the elderberry. Its juice was actually used to combat a flu epidemic in Panama, 1995. Elderberries help the immune system’s response to when it is under attack or low and is also rich in vitamins A,B,C. The experiment that took place showed that flavanoid compounds in elderberries blocked HIV-1 entry.

    (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19641233

    ASTRAGALUS

    The root of this herb is used to treat anaemia, kidney disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies and HIV. Researchers claim that the herb increases the T-cell count within the body, making this a good immunity booster. Herbalists have used this herb in their medicines for years. Andrew Weil, author of “Spontaneous Healing”- which is an amazing book by the way- has used astragalus with his clients that are HIV positive.

    (SOURCE:http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_astragalus_telomere_1667_15595.shtml
    Annoyingly, I cannot stand any of the following as they are all type of mushroom. If you are like me, then they are available in tinctures, capsules, and other complexes. But again, consult your doctor first. Certain types of mushroom have had amazing coverage on their antioxidant and health promoting properties. A lot of research has gone into their impact on cancer, along with HIV.

    MAITAKE (the dancing mushroom) Maitake, or “the miracle mushroom” have been eaten in Asia for years. As a medicine, it has been used for in the treatment of cancer, hepatitis, diabetes, high cholesterol and HIV. Polysaccharides and beta glucans within the mushroom aid the immune system and promote T-Cells.

    (SOURCE: http://doctorschar.com/archives/maitake-and-hiv-infection/

    CHAGA

    This mushroom is one of the highest antioxidants in the world. It has also been publicised previously about its health benefits with cancer. Chaga mushrooms have been useful in treating over 40 conditions. For extensive information on the Chaga mushroom read here:http://www.chagamountain.com/health-benefits.html

    REISHI

    You probably won’t ever see this kind of mushroom in a kitchen. They are bitter and hard. In medicine, they like the Chaga mushrooms are an amazing antioxidant and free radical fighter. Reishi mushrooms are also considered to be beneficial to those suffering from cancer, as they may suppress tumour growth. Reishi mushrooms have also been used with respiratory issues, such as asthma, as they appear to have a healing effect on the lungs. (SOURCE:http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-reishi-mushrooms.html )

    An experiment showed that the reishi mushroom did, in fact, contain compounds that would help inhibit the HIV virus (SOURCE:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22347784 )

    SHIITAKE

    We may recognise this mushroom the most from our love and knowledge of eastern food. This mushroom is a fantastic source of iron. The shiitake has been documented to provide immune support, protection against rheumatoid arthritis (RA), have cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits, (SOURCEhttp://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=122&tname=foodspice ) and test tube studies showed that lignins within the shiitake prevented HIV cells from attacking the needed T-cells. (SOURCEhttp://www.fungihealth.com/shiitake-mushroom-against-aids )

    POMEGRANATE

    Obviously, we are going to see a lot of vitamin C in the pomegranate, with that a high level of anti-oxidants, in fact, more so than the almighty acai berry or green tea. Pomegranates do wonders for your skin. Not only can pomegranates help a dry type skin, but they can also help soothe outbreaks on more oily/combo type skin. This vibrant fruit promotes skin regeneration and can help slow the ageing process on our skin. For the rest of our body pomegranates can help; cardiovascular health, bone quality (from the vitamin K), aid digestion, treat anaemia (pomegranates are also high in iron) and have found to contain a property that helps lose weight. Research with pomegranates and cancer has suggested that they could help treat prostate and breast cancer. (source:http://www.med-health.net/Benefits-Of-Pomegranate.html )

    An experiment that took place using pomegranate juice showed that it may help in blocking the HIV virus from binding to T-cells. (SOURCEhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16387698 )

    NATIONAL HIV TESTING WEEK IS 22nd-30th NOVEMBER

  • GARDEN | October Top Tips

    The month of ghosts and ghouls! The weather is turning and Autumn is in the air. Your garden will be changing a lot this month as the leaves begin to fall, but don’t despair! Summer may be over but now we can all look forward to chunky knitwear, bonfires and warm spiced rum (at least that’s what we’re into at our house!). (more…)

  • Is sugar the modern addiction?

    Sugar. It’s the latest in a continuing circle of foodstuffs to be condemned.

    You’ve probably heard about Dr Robert Lustig’s diatribe against it, at least in passing. It seems like common sense. We all know too many sweets or fizzy drinks are bad for you, but is it really as bad as he says? Isn’t it just about moderation?

    In his book, Fat Chance: ‘The Hidden Truth About Sugar, Obesity and Disease’, Dr Lustig claims that we have underestimated the dangers of sugar. It is not just an unhealthy additive, but an addictive substance on a par with tobacco, alcohol and cocaine. The symptoms of withdrawal can be just as strong, which is why that diet can be so hard to keep up. It’s a relatively recent problem, he says, ironically caused by our own discoveries about health.

    As we realised the dangers of excessive fat consumption, food producers started to create foods with less fat. But in doing so, they had to add sugar to keep it tasting good. The more sugar they added, the more we bought their foods, and so added sugar became profitable, not just a necessary replacement for the fat. And that’s why those same producers will fight so hard to tell you that a little is ok, and that you don’t need to cut it out completely – because they will lose profits if we avoid their sugary foods.

    While you can’t argue with his basic premise, this is all starting to sound a bit conspiracy heavy though, isn’t it? Well, so did the tobacco story, but now the truth is out that the conspiracy really did exist. I’m not paranoid – they really are out to get me!

    Certainly, there are plenty of stories out there that give anecdotal weight to his argument. There’s Michelle Allen, 47, who weighed over 26 stone at her heaviest and was a size 32. She was addicted to cake and claims to have spent £87,360 over 30 years before changing her ways. She’s now lost an impressive 17 stone and has dropped to a size 12. And Denise, who shared her story on this blog about weight loss, saying ‘The most interesting thing I’ve discovered is that in giving up sugar and starch, the “emotional eating” went with it. Speaking strictly for myself, I have concluded that it was not emotional eating, it was addiction, a very physical addiction to sugar and starch. Because it went away when I quit eating them.’

    But David Katz, Director of Yale Prevention Research Centre, calls for a little calm on the matter, and says it’s unhelpful to demonise sugar like this. Of course too much is bad for you, he says in a rebuttal to Dr Lustig’s book, that’s what excess means. Anything to excess is harmful. But he says there’s a reason we crave sugar, and just because we see withdrawal symptoms doesn’t mean something is bad for you. The reason drugs are addictive is because they fool the body’s natural reward system, but that reward system operates the same way for things that we need. That’s why we’ve developed it. You’d expect to see withdrawal symptoms from giving up water, but you wouldn’t conclude that we should do that. Equally, drinking water to excess can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, vomiting and even death.

    Perhaps they’re both right – sometimes it takes a shocking exaggeration to bump us out of bad habits, so Dr Lustig’s attitude may be what we need right now. Long term, though David Katz advocates normal common sense. He still warns against processed foods with added sugars, but thinks naturally occurring sugars shouldn’t be avoided. Eat fresh, mostly plants and moderate your quantities. And that seems to be the answer to most of these ‘health scares’. Learn to recognise your unhealthy habits, and adapt to that simple rule of thumb and you can’t go far wrong.

    If you think sugar is the ultimate evil, or you just need to cut down on your intake, we can help. All our food is super fresh. We use no refined or added sugar whatsoever. So if you’re trying to wean yourself off gradually, or want to go cold turkey, we can tailor your diet plan specifically to your needs and personal taste.

    Contact us 7 days per week on 020 86269360 between 9.00am and 21.00pm or via www.totaldietfood.com
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