Nice to see you!

Three major events occurred for me last year (2010), all in the space of about 2 weeks. I turned 50. The following day I got married. Two weeks later, my oldest daughter became pregnant with her first child and my first grandchild.

Most middle-aged people will tell you that in their minds, they still feel 20 something. It's the same for me.

Wasn't it only yesterday that I was planning a night out with guys from the surf club? That gorgeous new perm. Flaired, cuffed denims and the red t-shirt with the off-the-shoulder frill. Corked platform wedgies. **sigh**

Suddenly I'm looking in the mirror and wondering how 30 years can flash by so damned quickly!

So here I am in cyberspace, sharing my genuine shock and horror with anyone who'll listen and maybe I'll even meet some other over 50s who find themselves in the same predicament!

Welcome to my dilemna!!

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Chew Tail

The link between toxic oils, sugar and heart disease (click here)

It's been a lazy and quiet day in our house as we avoided the Easter fishing crowds.

So I've been browsing through some of my photos from last year ... (the first one he is chewing his tail!)






I think I'll try to get out and about with my camera next week, after the tourists have left town. I feel like I need to let some creative juices flow!

Nite all.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Laughable Advice

Honestly, what hope is there? Scrambled eggs is a good idea, the rest is all kinds of wrong and will only contribute to malnutrition!! The other good piece of advice in this media release is to try a hearty rabbit stew or ragout ... but only if you are game????? Seriously????!!

MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 25 March 2015
Dietitians approve chocolate this Easter – for malnourished older Australians

The call comes as latest figures reveal malnutrition affects up to 1.7 million older Australians.

Dietitians Association of Australia Spokesperson Milena Katz said these figures are shocking in a developed country like Australia, but not surprising.

“Malnutrition is often overlooked or forgotten in the community, in aged care facilities and in hospitals, but can have a real impact on quality of life. It’s linked with decreased immune function, poor wound healing, muscle wasting and lethargy. So we need to take steps to reduce this terrible problem.

She said a third of hospitalised Australians aged 65 years and older are overtly malnourished, with a further 50 per cent at a high risk of malnutrition, while in the wider community, the condition affects almost one in 10 older Australians with another 40 per cent considered at high risk.

A decrease in muscle mass affects strength and ability to function independently. Getting enough protein and energy, or kilojoules, each day can help reduce muscle wastage,”

In a bid to help curb high rates of malnutrition among older Australians, dietitians have given the green light this Easter to spoil loved ones who may need a few extra kilojoules.

“Dietitians and other health professionals are working on many levels to address malnutrition, such as through screening programs.

“But with Easter just around the corner, it’s timely to remind families and friends that higher-kilojoule foods, like hot chocolate or hot cross buns with spread are ok choices for those either malnourished or at risk,” said Ms Katz.

So try these Easter treats for loved ones who need building up:
said Ms Katz.

Hot chocolate made with full-cream milk (and if you like, a scoop of milk powder added in)
‘Easter’ eggs - scrambled (with cheese added), fried or boiled, on toast spread with margarine
Hot cross buns with margarine, jam and cream
Good-quality chocolate Easter treats
And if you’re really game, try a hearty rabbit stew or ragu!

Ms Katz said an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) can help identify people who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and work with them and their families to make sure they get the advice and support they need.

Note to Editors: The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is the professional body representing dietitians nationally. Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government, Medicare, the Department of Veteran Affairs and most private health funds as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia. For more information visit www.daa.asn.au. For the Media section on the DAA website contains DAA’s media releases and position on topical nutrition issues in the media.

Just when I feel like the correct information is getting out there .. something like this pops up and makes me forehead slap myself.

Anyway, don't get me started :)

Nite all

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Capturing my Interest

I searched for days to find this show, so that I could watch it while it was being aired last night, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

Luckily, one of my facebook friends found it and shared the link today.

'Catalyst' is one of my favourite shows for getting some real and honest information. They look for the truth for the common people, rather than the truth attached to big corporation advertising dollars.

So here is the link if you're interested in information regarding the chemicals to which we and our children are exposed on a daily basis and how we are being affected.

Today, Adoring Husband and I had a movie date and saw "What We Did On Our Holiday". It is one of the best movies I've seen for a long time and we absolutely loved it.

Unfortunately, it was funny enough that the audience laughter drowned out substantial sections of the dialogue, so I'm going to buy it when it's available on dvd so that I can see (and hear) the entire movie.

I believe that today was the final showing at the cinema, so hopefully, it won't be long before it's available to buy on dvd.

After the movie we went to lunch at the 'Wild Lotus Restaurant' on the Esplanade. It was recommended to me by Mardi and she was spot on.

The Lunch Menu

The food was great and the atmosphere inside the restaurant was very calming and comfortable. I had slow roasted pork belly and AH had seafood medley. I think the Wild Lotus will become one of our favourite lunch haunts.

Just have to add that the waiter (who I am led to believe, is also the owner) was very easy on the eye .. a nice bonus :)

It's been a very dull, grey, rainy day. Great for movie dates and great because we need the rain as well as the drop in temperature. March was officially declared our hottest March in history!

All the tourists are now arriving for the Easter break, during which time we have a huge fishing competition, that (I think) triples our population for a 4 day period.

It is our intention (as it is every Easter), to hibernate and avoid the crowds.

Nite all.  

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

I Am Shocked.

I am currently scouring through the website of Dieticians Association Australia.

%DI is based on the recommended amounts of energy and nutrients needed for an average adult diet to meet their nutritional needs. The percentages are calculated based on the following figures:

Nutrient Reference Value used in %DI

Nutrient                  Average adult requirements

Energy                     8700kJ

Protein                     50g

Fat                           70g

Sat fatty acids          24g

Carbohydrates         310g

Sodium                    <2,300mg

Sugars                      90g

Dietary fibre            30g

8700kJ is equal to 2080 calories (for those of us who still count calories and can't convert from kilojoules)

Quite frankly, I am shocked at the recommendations for sugars (90g = 22 teaspoons!!!) PER DAY!!

310g of carbohydrates????? There are 28 grams of carbs in 2 slices of brown bread, so by the dietary guidelines you can have 20 slices of bread per day and still have carbs left over.

Accredited Practising Dieticians are directed to this site for guidelines when planning diets for their clients and customers.

Is it any wonder that we are such an overweight and obese nation.

I keep returning to this page to double check that I'm reading it correctly. I am in shock!

I watched an interview with a scientist by the name of Mat Lalonde from the Harvard University. He has a PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

He has recently completed studies to determine the most nutrient dense foods per 100g serving.

He determined that liver and heart were the most nutrient dense protein, along with bacon (he was very surprised by how nutritious bacon was). Seafood, especially oysters and clams. Leafy greens such as kale, spinach and chard and lastly eggs.

Per 100g serving, those foods provided the most 'essential nutrients'.

The top performing fruits were olives, avocado and coconuts which contained the most fat soluble vitamins.

He stated that where the governments provide dietary guidelines, the recommended daily allowance is only what will help you survive, or exist, NOT what will help you thrive.

Cooking your food loses a little of the nutrient value, but it also breaks down the plant fibre which makes it easier to absorb the nutrients, so it's better for you than raw foods. The human body struggles to absorb the nutrients from raw foods and they also make you lose muscle mass, rather than fat, which makes them less healthy. 

Legumes (peas, lentils, peanuts) have fewer nutrients and are more difficult to digest.

He said that because of various 'agendas' (govt, corporate and agricultural) less than 10% of research results reach the public or health professionals. 

Harvard research shows that corn, soy and wheat have the least value in the food chain and are not good for us, but governments subsidise growers, who provide to the big companies who create the processed foods and that is why processed foods are much cheaper in the supermarkets and in take away food chains.

Some of his recent studies have shown that what we eat effects the next generation, so our children not only inherit our genetics, but also our epigenetics (past traumas, fitness levels, exposure to toxins and chemicals, and our diets) and our gut microbiota, which can determine all types of disease and illness in our child's future.

Luckily for my generation and older, while we were having children, our diets were relatively healthy because except for fish and chips on Friday nights, fast food and junk food was non existent. Our diets were full of fresh produce.

Unfortunately, for our children, their diets are vastly different so there are many factors effecting the health of our grandchildren and great grandchildren, which in turn will effect future generations. So unless we self educate and learn to research for ourselves, instead of listening to the misinformed professionals of today, the news is not good for our future.

Finally, the words that I hear most often and which literally feel like a knife to my heart are "Oh well, I'm too old to change now, it's too late for me."

It's never too late. Almost every health story that I've listened to in the last week, could be, at the very least, improved considerably, if not fixed completely, with a change in diet.

Anyway, my biggest challenge in life is learning to zip my lip unless asked lol but oh my how difficult that is for me! 

This morning while I was out photographing the sunrise, I ran into a lady who I haven't seen for at least a year or more and she asked me about my studies. She then asked me a specific question about health .. WELL .. the floodgates opened and I could feel my words gushing out of my mouth at a mile a minute! I knew that my time was limited and I wanted to tell her everything!! I think I scared her .. but that's nothing unusual. I think I scare a lot of people lol.

Speaking of sunrise, this was it ...


I was awake seeing Adoring Husband off for his trip to Brisvegas this morning, so I thought I would take advantage of the morning and catch the sunrise.

It was pretty spectacular colour, but I wish I had a more attractive scene to go with it.

Nite all.   


Monday, March 30, 2015

Challenged

My day has been challenging.

That is .. it's been a challenge to find the motivation to get off my butt and actually 'do' something!

I had a nice ride this morning and saw my boys at the Seat of Knowledge, checked the mail, came home, decided what to have for dinner tonight, got organised for my hair appointment, spent 40 minutes having a conditioning treatment, trim and blow dry and then came home to plonk myself on the couch for an afternoon of mind numbing nothingness.

I've just edited a couple of photos from my time on the Sunny Coast.



That's it!

My day in a nutshell.

Nite all.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Great Song with Meaning

This is a great song, with meaning, that I thought you would enjoy too.



I didn't edit my photos today.

Two football matches and the cricket World Cup Finals .. so I was otherwise engaged!

I got 10 litres of chicken bone broth stored and frozen today :)

That's about the extent of my productivity.

I've got big plans for getting 'stuff' done tomorrow morning and in the afternoon, I have a hair appointment.

I really have to plan my week and get everything done on the 'to do' list that's been floating around in my head for the past 3 months. Study will consume my time again soon and I want to start the next semester guilt free.

On that note, I'm off to bed for another early night. I slept solidly for nine hours last night. Not even a pee break! Very restful.

Too much information? lol

Nite all.