Category: Health

Fee Writes

Health

The Gym Experience

How old am I? Too old for the gym experience? NEVER! In saying that, I never thought I’d be crossing over into the gym world.

It’s gym time! Early morning. Well, not that early; I don’t do ‘early’ any more. But by 8 am (or near enough), I’m at the gym. As a gold card-carrying member, I only have between 8 and 3 pm to do my thing.

So 8 am it is.

It’s a great way to start the day.

I never thought I’d become a ‘gym bunny’, but here I am, working out to build up my strength and do a bit of toning on the side.

Midway through last year, I came to the sad conclusion that my body was starting to give up. I already knew that if I leaned over, my face fell off, and that gravity was playing havoc with the boobs and bum. As for the wrinkles – well, I know I’ll be old soon enough, and then they will fit my age!

But it was my strength I worried more about.

Back in the day, I used to get plenty of exercise as a therapist. I stood most of the day, working out, pummelling a person’s tired muscles to get them to relax. At other times I waxed and scrubbed bodies to get them looking their best or gently massaged faces with creams and lotions.

By the end of the day, I was tired, but it was a good tired. I felt invigorated.

Then I left that world, and over the years, my lifestyle got more and more sedentary with computer work.

But a gym? The last experience I had became boring really quickly, and then there was the cost. Besides, I just couldn’t compete with the lycra-wearing, toned babes and the ripped trainers whose pestering did my head in.

Then, simply walking in and hearing the grunts and groans from the howlers, as they strained under a heavy barbell was also not appealing to my sensitive ears.

So when I decided that I would have to do something serious to shape up before I slope off this mortal coil, I decided that I’d put my nose into a few gyms.

As soon as I’d see the ‘model’ using their phone, especially taking selfies, I would cross that gym off the list. Then there were the ones that have the loud music pumping throughout, making me feel like I’m in the mosh-pit of some rock concert.

Imagine my delight when I walked into the BayFit gym. The very first thing I saw were oldies – people like me in shorts and t-shirts. All shapes and sizes. Sure there were some younger ones, but it seems like everyone was there for the same reason – to get fit and not be prima-donnas.

And another plus? No mirrors! Well, there’s one, but it’s discreet, and I forget it’s there.

Taking the ball from the hands to the feet without touching the floor and
straightening out each time… closest thing I get to sweating!

Along with my membership, I have access to the pools, the classes and a trainer every so often. So, here I am, a gym bunny, and I love it.

Do you go to the gym?

STAY IN THE LOOP

Fee Writes

Is Nicotine Good For You?

So what do you think about the title?

Is Nicotine Good For You?

Bet you never thought the Healthy Vegan would come out with something like that did you? Well, sit tight, I’m about to tell you all about what I’ve just discovered.

Back in the 60’s when the tobacco companies were trying to stop the Surgeon General’s warning going onto the packets, they came up with some really ludicrous arguments including that smoking was good for you.

They claimed that smoking stopped Parkinson’s Disease something the was poohooed and totally dismissed as being a huge ploy on the part of the cigarette companies.

Now comes the weird part. Over 5 dozen studies since the 70s have indeed shown that tobacco smoking does in fact lower the chances of Parkinson’s Disease quite dramatically.

But don’t go thinking that I’m about to take up and start waving the flag for cigarettes – not at all. We all know that smoking is linked to lung disease and emphysema in fact 80 – 90% of lung cancers in the USA are caused by smoking.

Not only that, but there is a right toxic mix in the cigarette with over 7,000 chemicals are added to the tobacco!!!!

So the researchers decided to find out why and it seems that it is the actual nicotine in the tobacco plant that is the beneficial part. Tobacco comes from the Nightshade plant family and so does Bell peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.

Wouldn’t it be much nicer to introduce peppers into your diet – having them a bit more often? Let’s face it, you can’t go past a gorgeous red Bell pepper filled with a plant protein like lentils or quinoa and baked. Then pour over a nice tomato sauce add some gorgeous fresh dark greens like kale and spinach and you’ve got a bang up nutritious meal.

Honestly, I learn something new every day!

Fee Writes

Environment | Health | Rants | WTF

Clean Water Plans for New Zealand?

Last week the Minister for the Environment put forward the Clean Water Plans for New Zealand.

What a joke that was!

The plan is to have 90% of rivers and lakes swimmable by 2040. That’s gone up by 10 years. From my understanding it was going to be cleaning them up by 2030, but now, again, the goal posts have been shifted.
Well, Massey University freshwater ecologist Dr Mike Joy says the Government is “trying to pull a swifty” with its new swimmable waterways plan.

You see it’s all about how much E-coli (and other stuff) is in the water. This is how I understand it:

540 E.coli/100mls of water gives the swimmer a 1 in 20 chance of getting sick. However, the Ministry of Health recommendation is 260 E.coli/100mls of water and that’s what it used to be. That would equate to 1 in 1000 chance of getting sick.

Big damn difference – again, shifting the goal posts.

read: Unswimmable Lagoon Now Swimmable

The problem is that the Government wants to intensify the dairy industry, meaning, more cows per herd and more dairy farms. Although I have no idea why – with the downturn of dairy and the rise of plant milks, dairy is definitely on the way out (albeit slowly).

The only good thing they announced was that all farmed waterways were to be fenced… however, yes, there’s a ‘BUT’ to this. – doesn’t have to be done till 2040!!!! How much damage can be done till then????
Besides with cows in paddocks, they’re still weeing and poohing and that eventually gets into the water table.

And one last thing he said? Don’t go swimming if there’s been a decent amount of rain. Instead of cleaning the water…..

“a big rainfall event that brings all the crap in.” – Nick Smith

If you want to find out more, head over to Stuff News “The New Swimmable Fresh Water Target”

What’s the water like in your neck of the woods?

Fee Writes

Health | Random

Lots Of “New”

Welcome, dear Reader, to another instalment of “Where’s Fee” … no, I’m not putting “Wally”.

As I mentioned in the previous post – A Change of Scenery – I’m in Devonport Road. What I failed to give you in that post was a couple of images of the beautiful outlook I now have.

It’s different to where my usual digs are, as it’s on the other side of the causeway so I now get the opposite view.

As the weather improves, I will try and take more photos. Not that I’m the best photographer in the world, got friends who are waaaaaayyyyy better than me.

If you’re wondering why I have put the featured image as being a simple Smoothie, well, let me tell you, folks, this is such a big step for me. Yes, I’ve had an odd smoothie in my day, but, to be honest, never really got into them.

Until…..

I went to stay with my friend, Caitlin – have mentioned that in the Change of Scenery post – well my friend, Caitlin, is an amazing woman. She has her own website, written a book and has a Sacred Soul Healing group that I’m finding really helpful. I’m not too much into the Woo Woo, but this shit is good. Anyhoo, this amazing lady also knows a thing or two about health.

She makes her own kombucha, look it up if you don’t know what it is, always jars of stuff on her bench fermenting away… even makes her own ointment. So when she made me this smoothie full of healthy goodness, I was hooked.

Bought me some Nettle and steeped my own tea …. used that as the liquid part. Not something I’d recommend drinking on its own tastes like grass clippings, but in the smoothie with the banana, mixed berries and pineapple it was yum. In this brew, I forgot to put in the turmeric but will next time.

So the healthy me has also started to meditate each morning, which I have to admit seems to be keeping me calm….er.

One never knows, one could actually get attached to this lifestyle.

Ending with one more “view”

Fee Writes

Food | Health | WTF

Really? Bacon is Good For You?

Now I’m probably going to upset a few people … I know many of my friends love bacon. But there’s a difference between saying you like eating bacon to saying that it’s healthy.

So here’s the deal:

I came across a post the other day which declared that bacon was good for you, in fact it said it was a “Miracle” Food

8 Reasons were given.

With the World Health Organisation coming out last year saying that processed meats rank alongside smoking as a cancer cause, I thought this wee article on the bacon interesting enough to have a read.

So what are the 8 reasons?

Well the first 5 are plainly just “clutching at straws” type of reasons:

1. Good for a hangover
2. Has a “seducing smell”
3. Fights bad breath
4. Improves the taste of everything
5. It will make you feel good.

By this time I thought, perhaps the whole article was just a send-up. But then I read the next 3 reasons and realized that it was a genuine piece.

Here are the final three with my comments below each one.

6. It helps your memory.
In this it talks about bacon being rich in choline. Well, my dear reader, maybe it is, but so are collard greens, Brussels sprouts, Broccoli, Swiss chard, Cauliflower and Asparagus.

7. It’s healthy for your heart.
This one caused me to chuckle and say out loud “really? ya think?”. Their reasoning is that it has Omega-3 fatty acids, but the fact that bacon is considered a processed food and it contains so much animal fats along with preservatives, I beg to argue that it’s not a heart-healthy food at all.
Best source of Omega-3 in a plant based version is flaxseed. See my Nutritional Book for more.

8. It’s good for your muscles.
Really what this is saying is that it has protein and protein is a muscle builder. Hahaha – protein is in so many foods that are way healthier – try nuts and seeds, tofu and tempeh, quinoa and beans and legumes. You sure don’t need bacon to become a muscle iron man or woman!!!

Aside from the fact that it is totally cruel to animals – it is NOT healthy!!! And that’s the part that annoys me, when it is advertised as being a health food. Keep eating it if you want, but at least take the time to know exactly what you are eating. If it’s a home cure then maybe it’s okay (personally wouldn’t risk it), but if it’s store bought, then reconsider.

So how many of you agree …. disagree …. Please let me know below in the comments.

Source: 8 Reasons Bacon Is Miracle Food

Thanks for dropping by, my name is Fee O’Shea. I’m a mother and grandma, an author and an Improver. I’ve got a resource website to help peeps go plant-based, I’ve scribbled six books centred around veganism, and have helped others write and publish their own stories.
But this blog is for my thoughts, my rants, raves, reviews and things that have grabbed my attention. From politics to social media to beauty, health and the environment. Fee’s Ramblings Over Coffee is written to bring you a smile or get you thinking. Enjoy.

Category: Health

The Gym Experience

How old am I? Too old for the gym experience? NEVER! In saying that, I never thought I’d be crossing over into the gym world.

Is Nicotine Good For You?

Is Nicotine Good For You?

Clean Water Plans for New Zealand?

Last week the Minister for the Environment put forward the Clean Water Plans for New Zealand.

Lots Of “New”

Welcome, dear Reader, to another instalment of “Where’s Fee” … no, I’m not putting “Wally”.

Really? Bacon is Good For You?

Now I’m probably going to upset a few people … I know many of my friends love bacon. But there’s a difference between saying you like eating bacon to saying that it’s healthy.

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