febfast

I have decided to participate in febfast this year, and maybe every year from now on in. I think it is a great idea, it brings alcohol awareness to our society, it gives your liver a rest, it's a great cause for people receiving and those doing. Bring it on I say. If my donations can help someone in need I am happy to promote myself and this cause to try and get as many donations as possible. As some of you may know, I have a new baby so I am not drinking everyday but nor do I when I don't have a newborn, so it may not seem like a great challenge for me but it is a great cause. 

Once upon a time I did drink everyday and with that I spent a lot of money on drinks, so I ask you to donate the amount of a drink that you would buy me. Be it $8 for a glass of pinot, $7.50 for an Asahi, $3.50 for a pot. C'mon buy me a drink and support those affected by alcohol or drug problems.

If you don't know what febfast is, it is abstaining from alcohol for one month and raising funds for people with drug and alcohol related problems. Some of the charities where your donations will go are 

• YSAS in Vic
• Mater Health Services in Qld
• The Ted Noffs Foundation in NSW and ACT
• Bushmob in the NT 
• Mission Australia in SA and Tassie
• Holyoake in WA and 
• The Australian Drug Foundation nationwide

Donate to febfast Fiona Hogan Team

If you are also participating in febfast, here are some tips for making it easy:

• Consider taking a herbal support such as St Mary’s thistle, it's a great liver restorative.
• Take a quality vitamin B complex daily.
• Drink at least two litres of water a day and assist flushing those toxins.
• Drink chlorophyll everyday, it's another great cleanser.
• Try black Dandelion root tea, it will help your liver detox.
• Walk or move for at least 20 mins a day.
• Hide all the alcohol in your house.
• Meet friends and walk, a bike ride or do a movie instead of meeting at the bar.
• Take a good anti-oxidant which may include Vitamins A, C & E and Minerals zinc, selenium, calcium and magnesium.
• Enlist the help of a trained practitioner to support you and prescribe therapeutic doses.

A perfect snack -Day #2 blog writing challenge

Image Pintrest

• Almonds are full of minerals including Magnesium and Calcium, which are needed for strong bones
• Also they are loaded with Zinc, which is needed for a healthy immune system
• A handful of Almonds are high in protein and fibre and will keep the afternoon munchies at bay
• Almonds are rich in antioxidants, eat them with their skins on and double the antioxidant intake
• They are rich in healthy unsaturated healthy fats and Vitamin E both are beneficial in protecting against Cardiovascular disease.

Eating for two?

mage pintrest

Lately I am speaking with more and more women who are claiming that they are adding over 20 kilos to their weight during pregnancy. I am finding this concerning as physiologically this is unnecessary; a pregnant woman should gain between 10-13 kilos during pregnancy.

When pregnant, a woman should concentrate on increasing her nutrient intake, rather than her kilojoule intake. This means forget the excuse of eating for two concentrate on diet quality rather than quantity. Continue and maintain your normal healthy diet – it doesn’t mean your growing baby needs cream buns, extra slices of choccie cake, double burgers with extra chips!

To maintain a healthy normal weight range you will only have greater benefits at the end of your pregnancy including feeling good as a new mum when you slip back into your pre-pregnancy clothes faster.
To get the best from your pregnancy and give your baby the best start to life seek advice from a Naturopath or Health professional and be advised of therapeutic doses and remedies.

Tips to prevent excessive weight gain:

• Concentrate on diet quality rather than quantity.
• Avoid the ‘eating for two’ syndrome this will lead to unnecessary weight gain.
• A healthy pregnancy only requires approx an extra 850–1,100 kilojoules a day this is equivalent to a glass of milk or a sandwich! However you will need to increase your kilojoule intake if you are breastfeeding – still best to consume wholefoods rather than those cream cakes.
• Accommodate cravings, but don’t let them replace more nutritious foods.
• Keep physically active. If you exercise regularly there is no reason to stop your current exercise regime. Healthy body, Healthy mind, Healthy baby.
• Nutrient requirements before and during pregnancy should include Folate, Iron, Zinc, EFA, Calcium and Iodine.
• Drink plenty of fluids that means water!
• Avoid alcohol, it is unknown what the ‘safe’ limit of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is and it’s recommended not to drink at all.
• Do not smoke – both direct and passive smoking are associated with growth retardation, increased risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, placental complications and low birth weight – making it a great one to avoid!

Be good to yourself and enjoy growing your baby. 

Beans, Beans make you…………

Pulses and Legumes are an important part of a healthy diet for meat eaters and vegetarians. Here's some info about beans!

CHICKPEAS - contain saponins, a group of SUPER-NUTRIENTS that act as ANTIOXIDANTS. A good source of FIBRE - 42% of our daily intake in ONE CUP. Add them to your salad today.

GREEN PEAS – are a great source of VITAMIN C, 1 cup provides about 23mg. And this helps the IRON in the peas to be absorbed by our body.

LENTILS – are an excellent source of PROTEIN when combined with rice or wholegrains they are high in FIBRE, which makes them a good protector against bowel cancer. Lentils are an important source of B vitamins, especially B3, which is essential for both a healthy nervous system and digestive system. They are high in iron, zinc and calcium and are a good replacement for red meat. GO LENTILS.

RED KIDNEY BEANS - are a very good source of FOLATE, which assists our nervous system, they are also high in dietary FIBRE and manganese. Red kidney beans are a good source of protein, thiamin (vitamin B1), phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium and vitamin K.

SOYA BEANS - contain all of the essential amino acids making it a (near) complete PROTEIN. Also they contain ISOFLAVONES, which are good for BONE HEALTH

The Benefits of Oysters

People either love or hate oysters. I am an oyster lover.

I have loved them since I was a child and my dad would open them on the rocks and we'd walk with the waves washing around us and eat them. I loved the taste, that hard to describe metallic, salty, rich flavour, I loved the texture, I loved the whole experience. Now as an adult I can easily sit and eat a dozen natural oysters (or more) in one sitting – YUM and this summer I did.

The best thing about oysters is their goodness. They are known to provide an abundance of vitamins and minerals, packed into a high-protein, low-fat, and low-cholesterol package, this makes them sound like the perfect food. They also have a high vibrational energy too – this is because they are often shucked then eaten, it is as fresh as eating vegetables straight from your garden!

The Health Benefits of Oysters:

High in Zinc

Oysters are commonly known as a rich source of Zinc in fact they are one of the most concentrated natural zinc sources.

Zinc plays an important role in wound healing and in maintaining a strong and healthy immune system, and helps regulate ones taste and smell senses. Zinc is also an important mineral required for the production of testosterone.

Zinc deficiencies can result in symptoms such as decreased wound healing, weakened immune system, poor appetite, slow growth of hair, skin and nails, loss of hair, impaired senses of taste and smell and more frequent infections. Eat an oyster and feel stronger!

High in Protein

Oysters are a good source of protein, on average six oysters can contain about six grams of protein. The protein found in oysters is high in quality and is easy to digest.  

Protein helps build and repair tissues and muscle it aids growth within our complex make-up. So do yourself a favor and eat some protein, complement of half a dozen oysters

Possible Aphrodisiac

Oysters have often been called aphrodisiacs! They are rich in specific amino acids that are known to increase the levels of sex hormones and of course high in zinc which aids in the production of testosterone!

It is believed that if food resembles an organ or body part then it is beneficial to it.  Taking on this theory, aphrodisiacs are those that resembled sexual organs. Oysters have a clear resemblance of a female vagina and food that in some way looked like vaginas were reputed as being aphrodisiacs, making oysters a possible aphrodisiac!

Good Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Oysters are a good source of Vitamins including Vitamins A and B12 and rich in minerals such as Calcium and Iron.

The Vitamin A can help improve your eyesight.

The B12 will give you energy and help with brain function, helping your mood.

Calcium is good for your bones and the Iron helps your blood form and transport.

Nutritional Highlights of Oysters

Oysters raw, (6 medium):
Calories: 57
 Protein: 5.9g
 Carbohydrate: 3.3g
Total Fat: 2.1g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Zinc (76mcg), and Vitamin B12 (16.3mcg)