The Health Works
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4 Top Tips For A Healthy Summer
A few easy tips for keeping healthy this summer
Whether you are going on holiday or not this summer, you can keep yourself healthy with the following tips.Diet
It’s a bit late to start dieting for that fetching swimsuit but keep an eye on the pitfalls of holiday overeating. It is hard when in a foreign country or visiting friends to resist all the wonderful new foods, however a few tips may help. Avoid the highs and lows of Blood Sugar imbalance by eating little and often, every 3 - 4 hours is a way of keep your Blood Sugar and therefore your general energy on an even keel. Eat a little bit of protein with each meal or snack. This doesn’t have to be meat or cheese, it could be nuts and seeds. Cut down on bread and sugar and try to fill up on fresh or dried fruit.
Exercise
One thing that may balance the extra food is extra walking or bicycling, something that is easy to do on holiday as there are so many new places to explore. 20 – 30 minutes a day at a fast pace is best. Many places hire out bikes by the hour, day or week. Make sure you get the right size frame for your height, as it could just be really hard work otherwise and very off-putting.
Sun
Many people love a suntan but beware our thinning ozone layer. A gentle glow is healthier than a full on bronzing, especially with sensitive children’s skin. It is far better to cover up with cool, loose, cotton clothing and hats than to slather yourself with chemical laden sun cream. If you have to protect because of swimming then use a good quality organic one from Neal’s Yard, Weleda or similar. If you do get sunburned there is an excellent homeopathic remedy available from Health Works called Sol that relieves very quickly.
Water
Everyone knows they should be drinking about 2 litres of water a day, but if that isn’t your tipple, how boring is that? Think of ways to make it more interesting, e.g., fill a jug with water and ice, a few slices of lemon and some mint leaves, very refreshing. Or add some elderflower cordial or lime juice. You could ring the changes with soda water to give it a bit of a zing.
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The Career Itch
A timely new book from career coach, speaker and author, Grace Owen
How are you feeling about your career? Are you overworked, stuck in a rut, confused about where you are headed or looking for that elusive work-life balance?If any of this seems familiar then you are experiencing what career coach Grace Owen calls in her new book, "The Career Itch": an inner restlessness about the direction of your career.
"The Career Itch" offers advice, encouragement and hope to the many people that are unhappy at work and explains how by paying attention to this inner restlessness you can start to take control of what you do next. The book includes client case studies and plenty of "Things for You to Do". (www.thecareeritch.co.uk). 10% of book proceeds will be given to Aids Orphans charities.
The new book focuses on the four key steps that Grace has identified based on the acronym ITCH, these are:
Identity: Knowing who you are
If you don’t know who you are, then you won’t know what you want. This first step is about discovering your personality, talents (yes, you do have some!), transferable skills and values and finding out how these relate to your career.
Thinking: Clarifying what you do next
Uncovering any limiting beliefs that may be subconsciously holding you back is essential. You can then focus on your aspirations (dream big!) and your needs (practical things like money). That will set you up to consider your options (employee, going it alone or the best of both).
Change: Making a successful transition
This can be the scariest part of the process but understanding the career itch change cycle and the feelings you are likely to experience will reassure and sustain you. Preparation and an effective exit strategy will set you on your way.
Habit: Achieving a balanced lifestyle
This is about so much more than leaving work on time, getting home to put the kids to bed or taking up a new hobby. It involves looking at your working habits in detail and putting your career into the context of your whole life.
Grace Owen, Author of the Career Itch said, “It was Millennium Eve, a few minutes to midnight and I could feel the crowd getting more excited as they started to jostle and shout. I was on a rooftop at London Bridge waiting for the fireworks to start, when the inner restlessness about my career returned. What did this feeling mean? Was it something to do with having turned 30 the year before? Maybe it was the global excitement about entering a new century that was unsettling me? I couldn’t put my finger on the growing ache but as Big Ben struck midnight, I vowed that I wouldn’t feel like this on the eve of 2001.
“The 21st century workplace offers more opportunities than ever before, which can feel overwhelming. I have spent the past 10 years working out how to recognise the career itch and what steps need to be taken to enable you to take control of your career. I have helped many people through this process and I hope that this book will help many more.”
For more information contact Karin Jones on 0203 274 0069, 07908 488 492 or email info@karinjonespr.co.uk or visit www.grace-owen.com
SPECIAL OFFER – the first 10 people to buy The Career Itch will receive a free ticket to The Vitality Show next week worth £17.50.
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Recipe of the Month
Probiotic foods and Health
The idea that probiotic foods can support health has been a feature of traditional health practices for millennia but it was the Russian biologist, longevity researcher and Nobel Prize Winner of 1908, Ilya Metchnikoff who theorized that yoghurt’s health benefits might be due to “friendly” bacteria. He believed the reason Bulgarian peasants had spectacularly long life spans, many living well past their hundredth birthday, was because they frequently consumed live yoghurt. He later identified this friendly bacterium and named it Lactobacillus bulgaricus in their honour.Since then, there’s been a considerable number of different “chummy” gut-microbes identified, and research literature is attributing specific health benefits to many of them. These include: enhancing bowel function, prevention of colon cancer, cholesterol lowering, lowering of blood pressure, improving immune function and reducing infections, reducing inflammation, improving mineral absorption, preventing growth of harmful bacteria, fighting off diseases like candida and eczema, and more.
Making your own yoghurt can be cheaper & healthier
When we think of probiotic food we immediately think of yoghurt and the myraid of probiotic drinks available. These can certainly be of help but so often they are loaded with sugars and sometimes with synthetic flavourings too. Often the numbers of bacteria in them are quite mean for what you pay. Another downside for some people may be lactose intolerance and dairy intolerance.
For people who enjoy including yoghurt I often encourage they have a go at making it themselves, it’s really easy. There are also yoghurt makers availble to make it even easier. That way you can use quality organic milk of your own choosing and your product will be practically lactose-free unlike most commercial brands
Sauerkraut Recipe
Of course yoghurts are not the only probiotic foods. Sauerkraut is another traditional European favourite, so those with a dairy intolerance need not miss out on lactobacillus containg foods. Sauerkraut, has a lot going for it. Cabbage and its juice has traditionally been used to support healing in the gut (including of ulcers) and sauerkraut or its juice taken 10 to 20 mins before eating is reputed to stimulate stomach acid production and improve digestion. Like live yoghurts, it can be used to protect & help recovery from anti-biotics, as part of a anti-candida programme or just as a part of a healthy diet.
- Put in large bowl the following:
1 finely chopped white cabbage, 2 grated carrots, tsp sea salt. - Pummel with an implement (I like to use the handle of my cleaver) and knead until it gets juicy, so that when squeezed down tightly it is covered in its own juices. (This can take about 40 minutes).
- Place a plate or saucepan on top of the cabbage mixture, of a size that leaves a small gap (about 1 cm) around its perimeter so that fermentation gases can escape from bowl.
- Place a heavy weight on top so that the cabbage stays covered in its juices. Eg. could be bricks in plastic bag, books, or a large jug of water.
- Cover with tea-towel and leave for about seven days at room temperature. (Don’t be tempted to eat before this time is up, it has less friendly bacteria at the beginning of its fermentation process, only towards the end do the friendly Lactobacillus bacteria start to flourish).
- Transfer into jar and keep in fridge. Will keep for several months.
Caution
(Sauerkraut, like most aged foods, is high in tyramines which may aggravate headaches in some susceptible people).
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Hypnobirthing Classes at Health Works
Learn how to give birth in a comfortable and relaxed way, free from fear and tension.
Hypnobirthing techniques are now being taught by Jo Redmond, Health Works director. These classes are an excellent way to learn techniques to help you eliminate the fear and tension that cause pain in birthing. If you were to google Hypnobirthing on Youtube now, you would find many film clips of women giving birth comfortably in a state of deep relaxation.In the Western world we are conditioned to approach childbirth with fear; we see many examples in films and hear many stories of women screaming in agony for hours. We also hear stories about births that became out of control and ended up with highly medicalised procedures, including Caesarians, leaving women feeling upset and let down.
Hypnobirthing teaches women easy techniques to acheive deep relaxation through self-hypnosis techniques. It also shows how partners can become valuable members of the birthing team. Both partners attend the classes and the birthing partner is an integral part of the whole programme.
Classes run on Monday evenings from 7.30 - 10pm (any woman attending our 6.30 antenatal yoga class can bring a picnic to eat at the beginning of the class). Next class dates are September 20th and 27th, October 18th and 25th. The course consists of 4 classes plus regular daily practice at home.
Cost is £295 per couple for the whole package. The package includes the Marie Mongan Hypnobirthing book, 3 CD's, extensive information pack and refreshments.
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Reiki
Reiki 1 Attunement course in Sept or Oct
Edwina Bailey is running a one day level 1 Reiki attunement course at Health Works on either 26th Sept or 31st Oct from 10 – 5pm. The course costs £100 and is accompanied by a comprehensive manual, audiotape and a meditation CD. You will receive all this before the course, enabling us to focus on the day attuning you to Reiki. By the end of the day you will be able to practice what you have learned from the material plus you will get a good understanding of the history and methods of Reiki. It is a small group class with a maximum of 6 people so you will get lots of individual attention.Edwina has been a Reiki practitioner for the past 6 years. She came across Reiki after a loss in her family that left her feeling very shocked and exhausted. She had gone to see her homeopath to get some remedies to help them as a family to cope with their grief and she offered her Reiki. She found Reiki deeply relaxing and it gave her the energy she needed to walk the road of grief without it over whelming her. She signed up for Reiki 1 the next month and instantly related to this form of healing. She has continued to use Reiki through out the last 6 years with friends, family and clients. She has not rushed through the 3 levels of Reiki; she has taken the time to absorb what she has learnt and to put it into practice. Last year she took her level 3 and now feels it is the right time for her to teach Reiki.
Reiki was developed in Japan by Mikao Usui and is a simple healing system of channelling energy through you to another person or to heal yourself. As Reiki has travelled from east to west it has changed to the needs of different cultures. Edwina teaches an eastern style Reiki more in line with the original teaching of Mikao Usui, which includes meditation and developing aspects of your intuition and spiritual self. She also believes in ongoing support for those who train with her, so she offers Reiki shares once a month. Every two months she offers one day where she gives an hour’s free session to anyone who has trained with her to develop themselves or receive a treatment on a first come first served basis.
Edwina practises and teaches holistic therapy, she has been a practitioner for 7.5 years and taught for 3 years, before this she was a youth and community worker for over 25 years. Since her mid- twenties she has worked to develop her healing skills in a variety of settings such as healing circles and individual training. She strongly believes that we all have the ability to accelerate our own healing and that of others.
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Classes Updates
Lunchtime yoga class on Wednesday.
We have many new classes at Health works and you can email us for an up to date list. Only 4 people per class as usual and only £7.50 per person.Our Bellydance class on Monday evenings proved to be so popular that we have expanded into a dance studio over the road in Hatherley Mews. Classes are now on tuesday and Thursday evenings.
2 new Pilates classes with Catarina on Saturdays at 3pm and 4pm.
A new Baby Yoga class has opened on Fridays at 2pm.
Baby Signing is taking on some new parents in September on Fridays at 10am.
New Baby Massage class on Mondays at 10am.
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New Therapist
Chloe Redmond – Indian Head Massage Therapist
Chloe has been trained in Indian Head Massage for 2 years now and specialises in providing a truly relaxing and holistic experience. She has also created a Pamper Party Package that is very popular. You can book her for a minimum of 2 hours to come to your party or event and do taster Indian Head Massages. Some people don’t like their hair being mussed up at a party so a back and shoulders massage is provided if that is the case. Chloe’s upbeat and friendly manner provides just the right tone to fit in with your special party. As a special offer, she is giving aIdeas for parties are: Hen Night, Birthday party, Christening, Baby Shower, Work event, Staff party, Leaving Do, Christmas/Eid/Diwali Party, Wedding Anniversary. Contact Chloe via Health Works to discuss your party.
Chloe’s working week is very flexible and can be booked by appointment at a time of your choice, either at the clinic or at your party or event.
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Bellydancing Classes
Internationally Trained Bellydancer Teaches Classes In Walthamstow
Chloe Redmond (as well as being a massage therapist) has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She now specialises in Bellydancing and African Tribal Dancing, both of which she teaches; Tribal Dancing in schools and day centres and Bellydancing in QKL studios in Hatherley Mews, E17.Chloe started learning Bellydancing 8 years ago after being inspired by a family friend, Natacha Atlas, World music singer and dancer. During her gap year she went to live in Cairo, Egypt and through Natacha’s contacts was able to set up intensive further training with international Bellydance experts. Through her 1 – 1 classes she learnt a variety of Egyptian dances and has fused them all to create her own unique style, which includes Tribal Bellydancing.
Apart from the obvious benefits of increased flexibility and muscle tone, Chloe’s Bellydancing classes are great fun and an excellent form of exercise. She has all the latest Arabic music and if you sign up to a set of classes you get a free CD compilation. The CD’s, along with the sparkly, jingly Bellydance hip belts are available to buy so you can practice at home and impress your family and friends!
Lessons are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7 and 8.15pm. They cost between £5 and £8 depending on whether you are a beginner or intermediate and there is an opportunity to pay a discount for a set of classes if you wish.
Chloe’s third hat is as a filmmaker and she is in Ghana at the moment making a film for an orphanage, for their fundraising programme. She will be back in late August and restarting the classes then. You can email her to request further information on chloe_redmond@hotmail.com or phone on her return 07951 984 542.
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New Therapist
New Massage Therapist, Toseki An
Toseki grew up in a Korean family in Tokyo, Japan. He is a third Generation Oriental Therapist. His grandfather and father worked as expert acupuncturists as well as oriental herbalists. As a child he hardly went to hospital as there was always a cure in the house. Toseki came to London nine years ago to study fine art. After his study he met his wife who was suffering from severe back pain. He began to get interested in natural remedies again because of her pain. He wanted to find out the reason why her back was hurting and find a cure for it. He attended several introductory courses in natural remedies and his study expanded to professional therapist level. Now his wife’s back is vastly improved and he is working as a massage therapist. Toseki trained at The City Lit and was awarded the ITEC Diploma in Holistic Massage in 2008. He has completed many other courses since then including the IBD Diploma in Deep Tissue Massage. He is a member of EMBODY and the CThA.As with many new practitioners when they start working at Health Works, Toseki would like to offer our clients a 10% discount offer throughout the next couple of months. He works on a Thursday from 10.30 til 8.30pm.
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