As
a healthy pastime gardening is now more fashionable
than ever.
Thanks to makeover programmes it appears that more
young people than ever are getting the gardening bug.
Not only does it provide as good a workout as the
gym, experts believe its wonderfully healthy for the
mind too - watching things grow brings out caring,
nurturing side and apparently heightens our senses.
And there is something really satisfying in this fast-paced
world in growing one's own fruit or vegetables.
If you only have a small plot why not create a scented
haven for yourself by choosing plants that have wonderful
perfume, so that even the shortest spell of relaxation
can be fully enjoyed.
To
enjoy a scented garden plant -
Chocolate Cosmos
- yes, a plant that truly does smell of chocolate.
A lovely rich brown in colour it even looks like chocolate.
Jasmine or Honeysuckle
- both will climb happily up a wall to waft in beautiful
scent each time the window is opened.
Lavender - long
since a favourite in cottage gardens, experts extol
its virtues as a natural sleep remedy when flowers
are put under the pillow.
Herbs - probably
the most pungent of plants most herbs are fantastically
easy to grow and of course have the added health benefit
or being edible.
Lemon - scented
verbena has an absolutely wonderful aroma, my personal
favourite for adding to the bath water for a fantastic,
zingy pick-me-up.
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In
summer
most people start to feel a little less stressed
than they do in the dark, winter months. Sunshine
helps us to feel more cheerful, therefore allowing
us to view our worries in better perspective
and the lighter nights allow us greater freedom
to spread tasks a little more easily.
Experts have even measured a lowering of blood
pressure by a simple barefoot walk on the lawn.
Apparently it lowers blood pressure by around
6 per cent and heart rate by around 8 per cent.
So at the end of a busy day go for a stroll
barefoot on the grass - if you don't have any,
then make the effort now and again to escape
to the local park.
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Despite
its bad press,
researchers say we are still eating up to
58 per cent more salt per day than we really
need.
Salt greatly increases the risk of high blood
pressure and can lead to heart disease so
before you reach for the condiment set, try
to limit yourself on your intake.
If there are certain foods that you cannot
enjoy without salt then only use it on that
part of your meal.
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Never
salt vegetables twice - in cooking then again
at the table, and if possible leave it out altogether.
And it may not just be the obvious salting of
food that's to blame - salt turns up in all
kinds of convenience foods, even biscuits, so
try to become more aware of how much you are
really consuming - if you're cooking a ready
meal for instance it will almost certainly have
already been salted so don't be tempted to add
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Most
of us are guilty
of reaching for quick - fix foods when were
in need of energy - often sugary, sweet treats
that provide a short surge of energy but are
soon spent. Whenever possible, though, it's
far better to reach for something that will
release sugar slowly into the bloodstream continuing
to provide us with energy for a sustained amount
of time.
Nuts and seeds are excellent energy givers and
are quick and easy to carry around with us during
the day. As the brain depends almost exclusively
on sugar for its fuel these types of snack foods
can also help with concentration levels during
the working day. Footballers have long since
relied on pasta based meals before a game to
provide energy and stamina but the whole-wheat
types are the most efficient at continuous energy
delivery. |
Low blood sugar can also lead us to feel miserable
and lethargic so if you need to boost your mood, eat
turkey, wheat germ or avocados - all good at providing
tryptophanan amino acid that prompts production of
serotonin, known to elevate the mood.
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