Good Health Good Future

Archive for February, 2011

1. Don’t begrudge spending money on your own comfort, health and quality of life. You deserve it!

AND FOR THE OVER-60′S -

The government’s annual fuel allowance of £200 is meant to be used for our warmth and comfort, and to ease the worry of the increased heating bill.

The Winter Fuel Payments Help line is 0845 9 151515

If you are receiving a disability or income-related benefit, you may be able to claim a grant of up to £2,500 for insulation and heating improvements. Call Home Energy Efficiency Scheme 0800 952 0600.

If you receive disability and income-related benefits you can claim Cold Weather Payments if the temperature falls below 00 C for 7 consecutive days.

There is also the Staywarm scheme. For a fixed charge you can use as much gas or electricity as you need. 0800 1 694 694

Finally, if you are unable to pay your winter fuel bill, in the first instance contact your supplier explaining your problem and informing them that you are a pensioner. Good news worth remembering, is that electricity companies and British Gas have a policy of not disconnecting pensioners between 1 October and 31 March – so keep warm and don’t panic.

AND DO YOU NEED REMINDING – DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY AND HEALTH ON CIGARETTES.

RESEARCHERS TELL US THAT THE AVERAGE BRITISH SMOKER WILL SPEND £91,832.43 ON CIGARETTES IN A LIFETIME.

(Now, I’ve never smoked so I wonder what happened to my £91,OOO?)

2. Keep your mind active, crosswords, sudoka, hobbies, etc. NEVER STOP LEARNING. If you have an interested mind, people are more likely to enjoy your company and be interested in you.

3. Keep your body active. As the saying goes, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it

Walk in the fresh air if possible. If you enjoy company while you are walking then join a rambling group. (Often ‘rambling clubs’ for the retired are more socially inclined ‘ambling clubs’). Gardening combines the benefits of fresh air, exercise and the results can give you immeasurable pleasure. Dancing; particularly formation or line dancing exercises the memory also. Swimming, is a particularly good exercise for all parts of the body with the added advantage that the water is supporting you and therefore there is no weight on the joints.

4. Feed your body with the correct foods. You wouldn’t expect your car to work efficiently if you fed it the incorrect fuel. So feed your body with nutritious foods that contain the necessary vitamins and minerals in order for it to return optimum performance. With winter approaching we need to build up our immune system, so in addition to a well balanced diet of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and nourishing protein (laced with the benefits of virgin olive oil and garlic), we should add a few supplements to help us on our way. In addition to a good multi-vitamin tablet, you’ll probably benefit from extra Vitamin C, Echinacea, EPA fish oils, selenium, ginko biloba to aid circulation, particularly to the extremities, and glucosomine to help with those aching joints.

Don’t forget your flu jab and the jab against pneumonia for the over 70′s.

There is also really excellent news on the common cold front. At long last there appears to be something that stops a cold developing. Vicks First Defence is a spray that you use at the first sign of a cold and it stops the cold virus in its tracks. This miracle goes on sale during October 05.

5. Socialise. Possibly I don’t have to remind you about this as the majority of retired folk I meet complain that they are busier now than ever they were, that there are not enough hours in the day, and they wonder how they ever found time to go to work.

There are so many clubs and groups to join. To name a few popular ones, U3A (University of the Third Age) for both sexes and with interesting speakers, and offering numerous sub sections for specific group interests and hobbies, Women’s Institute, (has gained a new image after the film Calendar Girls), Townswomen’s Guild, Gardening Clubs, Art Clubs, etc., and many clubs aimed specifically at the retired.

If transport is a problem, remember most local authorities offer free or reduced bus fares for senior citizens and travel tokens for the disabled. There is a Senior Railcard for reduced train fares for the over 60′s. National Express have a Routesixty Scheme which enables over 60′s to travel nationwide very cheaply (Tel 08705 808080). Also, occasionally, National Express offer their ‘go anywhere for £5 scheme’.

If you have difficulty in getting around the town, then there is Shopmobility where you can hire mobility scooters (various models and sizes available) and electric and manual wheelchairs. Shopmobility is usually manned by helpers who will be only too pleased to instruct and allow you to practice before you are let loose on the town. Also there is the added advantage that there is usually a free car park attached to Shopmobility for clients’ convenience. If you have difficulty in using public transport, often local authorities provide a ‘dial-a-ride’ service from your home to the shopping centre.

Well, whatever you do – ENJOY IT! We were always told that laughter is the best medicine and now we know it to be true – it raises the serotonin levels in the brain and gives you that ‘feel good’ factor.

Visit Mabels?Maintaining Bygone Times, containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ – You will learn about the best tips, latest news & advice to improve your health, fitness, finances & retirement as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit, leisure & lifestyle, mobility & helpful organisations to make the most out of life and much, much more to benefit “Your Quality of Life”.

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Most of us are interested in living as long as we can, and at the same time increasing the quality of our lives. There are lots of methods that claim to help prolong life, but the most reliable way of increasing your lifespan is without a doubt, healthy living. Here our a few suggestions on how to have a healthier life.

Sleep! The benefits of proper sleep have often been researched, studied and reported. We are all different, but our need for adequate sleep is basically the same. Despite many people thinking they can get along with less sleep than others, this lack of sleep adds up and is linked to many health issues and their consequences. The average person needs about eight hours of sleep per night, although the timing and quality of such sleep also plays an important role.

Exercise! Keeping your body in shape is a sure way to increase your overall health, stay in shape, and consequentially reduce health risks associated to being overweight. An hour of daily exercise is recommended, but if your schedule doesn’t allow it, try to fit in at least four hours per week.

Eat right! To a certain extent, you are what you eat! Choosing what you eat carefully and avoiding fatty foods will help prevent health risks. Maintaining a balanced diet is vital to a healthy lifestyle. Plan healthy meals and avoid unnecessary snacking in between.

Relax! Stress is a very common word these days! The pace of our lives is constantly increasing and it is highly important that we find ways to reduce the stress levels that are built up daily. Find what works for you, whether it’s a hot bath, a night out with friends, or a walk down a deserted beach; getting rid of stress is crucial to your health.

Love! Believe it or not, love is linked to health. Those who love are less prone to several diseases and health problems. Whether you love a companion, your kids, grandkids, friends or a pet, it truly is the thought that counts when it comes to feelings of love.

Don’t smoke and try to avoid hanging around smokers. The negative consequences of cigarettes are well known be most of us. If you are a smoker, do your best to quit, and avoid hanging around friends who smoke.

Alcohol! Although a small amount of wine daily can be beneficial to your health, too much alcohol can have the opposite effect and drastic consequences. Moderation is the key.

Sunscreen! The sun is directly linked to aging, wearing protective clothing and adequate sunscreen when outdoors is extremely important. A glamorous tan may look good for a while, but the lack of one can help you live a lot longer.

Water! Drinking enough water is vital to staying healthy and to keep your body in running order. The quality of the water you drink is also very important.

Be happy! Happiness is vital to your health. A negative or bitter outlook on life is linked to several diseases. By thinking happy thoughts and wishing others well, we can help keep a positive mindset and be cheerful despite the adversities that constantly threaten to bring us down.

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Science now confirms chocolate is healthy. Medical doctors are proving that chocolate is healthy through clinical trials and research. The word is spreading; from radio, to television, to Internet, doctors now confirm that chocolate has numerous health benefits both physically and emotionally. So how do we know which chocolate is truly healthy and good for us? Here are some healthy chocolate tips to help you find the chocolate that is right for you.

More and more people today are drawn to eating chocolate for health benefits. With nine out of ten people who love chocolate and one out of two of them eating it every day, this is indeed good news. What do we want to look for in a healthy chocolate? First of all, the more unprocessed cocoa powder a chocolate contains, the more flavanoids (plant based antioxidants) are present.

It is best to look for a chocolate with at least 70% unprocessed cocoa. Secondly, it should be a raw food chocolate. When chocolate is heated above one hundred degrees Fahrenheit the majority of the nutritional properties in the antioxidants are destroyed, leaving it devoid of the precious nutrients sought after in the first place. Seek to find a chocolate that has low-glycemic sweeteners, such as raw sugar cane, as opposed to refined sugar. Low glycemic chocolates are diabetic friendly and don’t leave you feeling “crashed”, due to high blood sugar spikes associated with refined sugars.

Not all chocolate is created equal. Another important point to consider when choosing a healthy chocolate is the ORAC rating. ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity, which is a measurement of the antioxidants ability to eradicate disease-causing agents (free radicals). Some chocolate producers have ORAC ratings on their products, guaranteeing the antioxidant effectiveness. A company called Brunswick Labs tests antioxidants on a variety of foods, including chocolate, giving them a certified score. The higher the ORAC score the more antioxidants a food contains, thus healthier for the body.

Not all dark chocolate is healthy for the body. Many people believe that if a chocolate has a high percentage of dark chocolate that it is automatically high in antioxidants. However, most chocolate is dutched (alkalized, to modify flavor and color) and roasted during processing. Dutching and heating destroys the antioxidants and their capacity to eradicate free radicals. It is also common for dark chocolate to be filled with refined sugars, caffeine, waxes, and unhealthy fillers, which are all well known for contributing to adverse health effects.

Chocolate that is considered healthy has certain characteristics. One should consider where the cocoa beans come from. Cocoa beans harvested in more rugged, harsh conditions are more potent and richer in polyphenols (antioxidants). It is also important to know what the growing conditions are and what types of farms the beans are grown on. Cocoa trees that are grown next to other fruit trees often produce milder beans.

A natural, privately controlled setting is best at producing beans without use of pesticides. Another point to consider is fillers and fats. Chocolate rich in healthy fats such as cocoa butter and omega fatty acids are beneficial to the body. Avoid chocolate with milk fats or hydrogenated oils….bad fats. It is also of great importance to know that Not all chocolate contains caffeine, though caffeine is often associated with chocolate, it is not a naturally occurring ingredient. Caffeine is usually added to commercial chocolates.

Eating the right chocolate on a steady basis can be a great benefit to your health. Knowing the ingredients, processing methods, ORAC ratings, and growing conditions can enhance your choices and experiences with chocolate.

The bottom line; yes you CAN have your chocolate and EAT it too!

Contact Bradley and Theresa Smith to learn more about healthy chocolate at http://www.thechocolateoracle.com

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