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How tucking your trousers into your socks can prevent illness
3rd July 2009
• How we can eat better through 'wrong' foods
• How tucking your trousers into your socks can
prevent illness
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Here's a tip for any would-be assassins that want to
finish me off without fear of getting caught...
Just tell me the government has done something
sensible while I'm eating breakfast, and I'll choke to
death.
That's what happened on Wednesday at any rate.
Although on second thoughts it might have been the
news that Man City had offered a footballer
£200,000 a week. I'd be happy to play for £200 a
week, plus a half time pie.
Anyway, I digress...
How we can eat better through 'wrong' foods
The news that had me gasping for air was this: the
European commission has ditched its stupid 20-year
old rule that vegetables must be perfectly formed in
every way.
In the old days, vegetables were ruled with an iron
hand. No lumps, no bumps, no wonky bits. (That
would have ruled me out if I'd been born a
vegetable!).
They had to meet strict measurements, had to weigh
specific amounts, had to have the correct level of
sheen, had to go to the right schools, had to know the
royal family... it was ridiculous.
But now, at last, the EU commission has seen sense
and ripped up their own stupid laws, in an attempt to
get more people eating fresh vegetables.
The idea is simple; with more produce allowed onto
the market, the prices will fall, encouraging more
people to buy. And retailers are happy to go along
with this idea, saying that the price of misshapen
vegetables will be about 40% cheaper than a perfect
specimen.
So that's one less obstacle in front of parents trying
to feed their families their 5-a-day.
Because as we've seen over the past few weeks, it's
becoming increasingly difficult to get the right level
of nutrition into our bodies on a regular basis - even
if we're trying our best to eat local, eat organic and
eat a wide variety of fresh fruit and veg.
So, for once, three cheers for the EU for making the
right decision. Even if it was only to scrap a
ridiculous decision they made 20 years ago.
Talking of ridiculous decisions...
Fed up with me sulkily walking ten paces behind her,
hands wedged into pockets, kicking a coke can along
the road, Lara decided to jettison me on her latest
shopping trip.
Instead, she took the kids and disappeared towards
Broadmead (our local shopping centre) to kit them
out with some new summer gear. We're off camping
in five weeks time, and need to get some suitable
clothing and equipment.
Like a tent, perhaps?
See, I'm a natural.
Anyway, while they were out, I decided to do a bit of
my own shopping online. As a result, four loud new
shirts and a compass that lights up AND tells you the
weather are winging their way to me as we speak.
Plus, while I was online, I did a bit of research into
the do's and don'ts of spending a lot of time outside.
Here's what I found... |
How tucking your trousers into your socks can
prevent illness
- - Be prepared for exposure to more sunlight...
camping out is bound to mean more time
outdoors, which means you need to be extra
careful when it comes to protecting yourself from
too much sunlight - especially children.
Children's sweat glands aren't fully developed
until they hit adolescence, which basically means
they're cooling system isn't working properly. So
to help them avoid over-heating, try and go on
any long works in the morning or early evening -
and make sure they're always covered in light
clothing, including a hat.
- - Tuck your trousers into your socks when you're
hiking... this will help prevent nasty little ticks
from scurrying up your trouser legs and giving
you a bite. Ticks can carry a whole load of nasty
infections, including Lyme disease, which can
attack the nervous system and the heart.
- - Pack some tea tree oil... this natural marvel will
help ease small insect bites and scratches, and
can calm down allergic reactions caused by
plants - even poison ivy according to some
sources. However, poison ivy (along with poison
oak and poison sumac) can cause extreme
swelling in some people. So if anyone in your
party has a severe allergic reaction, don't rely on
the oil - go and get medical help immediately!
- - An ancient Red Indian remedy... many people
swear by jewel weed when it comes to tackling
stinging nettles and poison ivy. It grows wild,
often around nettles, and has yellow or orange
flowers. The stem contains a sticky fluid that will
dry out the rash.
- - Rhubarb rhubarb... I usually prefer mine with
custard, but apparently oils in the stem can ease
the itching caused by allergic plant reaction.
Okay, that's it for today. Even though I have all my
children standing in a line, fanning me with huge
pieces of card, it's just too hot.
Actually, my 'lazy' children are out in the garden,
setting up the tent as a practice run, selfishly leaving
me on my own to fan myself.
I don't know... the youth of today. I blame the
parents.
I'll be back on Sunday, with my tips, news and ideas
to help you enjoy the good life! |
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