Showing all posts tagged health

In General

Adults Using Natural Supplements to Enhance Health

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

Many of you will know that I have challenged myself somewhat to go back to basics when it comes to shopping and cooking. For the main part this for budget reasons as I find it so much cheaper to shop this way and less time consuming. Of course, on top of the financial benefits the health implications are also undeniable.

Recently I’ve been asked to review nutritional supplements for children. I firmly believe that unless there is a very good reason why not that children should get all of the nutrients that they need from their meals and drinks. We eat as healthily as we can, make food fun, try new things and I actively encourage the boys to enjoy helping out in the kitchen. I really do feel that fostering a love of good wholesome food early on is important for on-going health.

Now, *climbs off soapbox*, while I am not keen on supplementing the kid’s diet with pharmaceuticals I do use them myself. Not everything can be sourced from food, certainly not everything an adult needs. I suffer with pcos and have for some time used star flower, a natural supplement to help with symptoms. I have also been known to use other supplements. One that I am strongly considering using is Pycnogenol which amongst other key benefits helps with menstrual related discomfort. This is a supplement which is produced from natural ingredients and is also known, according to scientific research to help with joint health, controlling glucose levels (another pcos related benefit for me as glucose intolerance is a risk for many women with it) and more.

Another supplement I am considering is Omega 7. One of the important benefits of boosting Omega 3 intake is that it aids the suppression of inflammatory substances. I have an ongoing neck pain issue which I believe might help with this issue.

I have many friends who use supplements such as these alongside conventional medications for problems or issues that they might have and have had some decent results myself. I am curious though, what do my readers feel about using supplements (for adults). I’m talking about using naturally sourced ingredients to boost health on a regular basis. I’d be interested to hear what if anything you all use (if that isn’t too personal !).

plantlifePhoto credit

*Written in collaboration with the mentioned business yet true to my own thoughts, feelings and experiences.

 

In Food, Reviews / Sponsored

Jenny Craig – The Beginning

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on 6 Comments

I’ve been struggling with my weight since I was 18 years old. That means I’ve spent more than a few years watching my weight go up and down and up…. its no wonder people call it the diet rollercoaster! I’ve been following the success of friend and fellow blogger Becky from Baby Budgeting who to date has lost 33lb (and looks amazing).  She’s done this via Jenny Craig and has opened my eyes to this new way of losing weight and keeping it off! 

I’ve been asked to trial the plan for a while and report my findings and (hopefully) my successes back to you. Having seen the positive effects for myself I certainly wasn’t going to turn this opportunity down. There are lots of diet fads and ‘weight loss shortcuts’ out there on the web. I wanted to avoid all of this and do something that actually works. Of course, there are some supplements that can help with weight loss, but it all starts with a good diet.

My initial thoughts on Jenny Craig was that you replaced all of your meals with their diet food and in doing so you lost weight. Sounds sensible yet there is a lot more to the plan than I originally realised including weekly phone calls from a dedicated consultant (Mine is called Miranda and is lovely! She is helpful, understanding and really listens), who talks you through your week, your concerns and your plans for the next week.

Personalised menu plans help you achieve your goals, ensure your nutritional needs are met and that you enjoy a varied, tasty and filling diet.

As you can see, along with your food you receive a menu plan which tells you which food to have but also allows you the freedom to add your own fruits, veggies, proteins, fats and starches as appropriate to ensure that all of your nutritional boxes are being ticked. Obviously today’s post is a whistle-stop tour of Jenny Craig, a brief introduction and you’ll hear a lot from me about the food and how I’m getting on (the food is spectacular by the way which I found surprising to be honest seeing as it comes from packets and tubs and what not).

I see this and think “Hmm, ok – I can manage this”
Then, using the menu I have been given, the free food allowances and what not that are available I make this and think “I can definitely cope with this! Can’t wait to see what is for tea”. (Click to enlarge).

 

So…. tomorrow is my first weigh-in after a week.

I started this journey with a weight of…….

14 Stone

And by tomorrow morning I’ll be able to see how I’ve fared after my first week weight-loss wise.
I’m quietly confident, here’s hoping I’m right!

 

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