|
I have a confession to make. I have become addicted to Jakemans peppermints! I have a packet in the car and in my desk drawer and I keep on eating them. Shocking!
I first discovered them years ago when I had a really bad cough and they really helped me as they are menthol, but sadly that experience was enough for me to get hooked.
Now, there are plenty of bits of my body that are far from ideal but one thing I do have is good teeth. My mother put it down to her taking a spoonful of olive oil every day during her pregnancy. I only have a few fillings and while I go to the dentist every six months for my regular check-ups I haven’t had anything ‘done’ for over 10 years. So, imagine my shock when a few weeks ago I felt what can only be described as a dull toothache on my lower right jaw. Chewing on that side was painful and I knew I had to make an appointment to get it looked at.
Off I went and the dentist, Miss Butters, enquired as to the problem. Like a naughty schoolgirl I confessed that I had been chomping too many Jakemans and I thought I had ‘done something’ to one of my teeth! I eagerly added that now, I have totally stopped eating them! Miss Butters was amused at my embarrassment!
An X-ray confirmed that I had caused some damage to a filling and she would have to re-do it in a couple of weeks’ time. In the meantime, she gave me some super-sonic fluoride toothpaste - Colgate Duraphat 5000 – and told me to not only clean my teeth with it but put a little of the neat toothpaste on the offending tooth at bedtime until my appointment. Apparently, the extra fluoride would seep into the old filling in my painful tooth and make it more comfortable. And it worked. So now I have had a new filling and I am waiting to see if that has done the job. If not, it is goodbye tooth!
Apart from helping us to eat, teeth play an important role in our overall facial appearance. They can affect our confidence, particularly when we smile, so we should take every care to look after them – says she, the now EX-sweet eater!
It’s interesting to realise that most people look at our mouth rather than our eyes when they are chatting to us. This is particularly true as we get older, because it helps them to hear what we are saying. Subconscious lip reading helps us to understand the conversation better, particularly if we find ourselves in a noisy environment. When we realise this, it highlights the importance of the appearance of our teeth.
Just as our face is unique, so are our teeth. How our teeth end up in adulthood is dependent on many things including our upbringing, of course, but also our general health and lifestyle. Some are naturally straight and others appear crooked. Thankfully, today we live in a time when, if we wish, we can choose to have our teeth straightened – even with invisible braces which are a far cry from the ugly metal braces of years gone by.
Teeth are porous and can become stained over time, particularly after many years of drinking black coffee, tea, red wine or smoking. But today we can buy tooth-whitening toothpaste or have them professionally whitened, if it is felt necessary. Knowing that I was writing about teeth, I asked my dentist about teeth whitening. She told me that there were various products available but the one she recommends allows the patient to be in control of how white they wish their teeth to be. That sounds like a very sensible solution and if ever I decided that my teeth needed whitening, I would go for that method rather than aiming for dazzling white!
On the more serious side, of course, tooth decay can be a big problem. Tooth decay is caused by the destruction of tooth tissue by acids made by the bacteria in dental plaque. Dental plaque is a film that constantly forms on the teeth, and each time we have sugary foods and drinks, the bacteria in the plaque produces acid that attaches to our teeth. The problem is that if we eat or drink sugary foods throughout the day, (I’m feeling very guilty now) it creates ‘acid attacks’ which can lead to tooth decay and this can eventually lead to holes (cavities) in our teeth, possibly leading to infection if not treated. This is why teeth can become very painful and in worse cases, need extracting.
Of course, we can do so much to prevent this problem. Cleaning our teeth properly every day, ideally after every meal, and flossing daily too is an important first step. But eating a healthy diet, avoiding high sugar foods and drinks is also critical to the health of our teeth.
Hopefully, I have learned my lesson!
|
|
Serves 4
Per serving: 77 calories, 0.5% fat (excluding accompaniments)
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
1 small butternut squash
115g fresh young carrots, washed and sliced
2 medium onions, chopped
1-2 tsps medium curry powder (eg tandoori mix)
1.2 litres (2 pints) vegetable stock (use 2 stock-pots)
2 bay leaves (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For serving
1 tbsp 0% fat Greek yogurt or sprinkle with chopped parsley
- Preheat a large non-stick frying pan and spray with Fry-Light rapeseed oil.
- Cut the squash in half lengthways and remove the seeds with a spoon and discard. Using a sharp vegetable knife, peel away the thick skin and cut the flesh into chunks.
- Place the squash and the other vegetables in the hot pan and dry-fry for 4 - 5 minutes, until they soften and start to colour.
- Stir in the curry powder and cook out for 1 minute keeping the mixture moving to prevent it catching on the bottom of the pan. Add freshly ground black pepper.
- If you have a soup-maker, place the semi-cooked vegetables, the bay leaves and the stock all in together and cook for 20 minutes. Alternatively, place all the vegetables in a large saucepan and pour in the vegetable stock, stirring continuously, then add the bay leaves (if using) and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly then remove the bay leaves. If using a soup-maker, pulse for 30 seconds, rest and repeat. Alternatively, place mixture in a liquidiser and liquidise until smooth.
- Check the seasoning and add more freshly ground black pepper if needed.
- Serve with a swirl of Greek yogurt if desired.
|
|
|
 We always try to answer our reader's questions and this week Katherine asked: I've made a large batch of soup with beans and veg, but as I'm trying to lose weight how do I measure what should be a "portion"?
Rosemary replied: The easiest way is to use my Portion Pots - two red Portion Pots is the perfect serving of soup with half a slice of bread.
|
|
Fun, Facts & Fitness from Mary Morris MSc.
This week I am simply going to list my Top Ten Tips for getting fit and then staying fit. Many of them do not require you to do them every day, but at intervals throughout your week, and then you will have it covered. Some are simply done as part of your daily activity and should not be thought of as 'exercise', but if done regularly they will hopefully become a daily habit. Then you will have all you need to be in the best of physical health - our constant aim!
TIP 1 - WALK, WALK, WALK!
You will be familiar with our constant reminder to take a daily walk but this hopefully goes further. At every opportunity it is hoped you will get up and walk anywhere and everywhere! In the office, for instance, hopefully you relish the opportunity to leave your desk, or if you are just about to get behind the wheel of your car, you might think to use your legs rather than petrol! There are many instances throughout our day when we can walk more!
TIP 2 - A STRONG UPPER BODY
This is not about shapely arms (although it’s nice to have them!) but is simply about the ability to get up and down from the floor. The muscles we use in a press-up are exactly those needed to push ourselves back up from the floor. Getting down and playing with young grandchildren comes to mind as well as that difficult scenario of having a fall! If you are not confident about getting up and down watch the video Getting Safely On and Off the Floor.
TIP 3 - BOOST YOUR BALANCE!
Now, this really is the sort of fitness training that can be done anywhere and at any time. Simply standing on one leg for a minimum of 20 seconds, up to an impressive 30 seconds, on each leg is our aim. Do it every time you boil a kettle! But we also have a very comprehensive set of Balance Exercises on the website to give you the full works!
TIP 4 - KEEP A STRONG 'CORE'
The muscles that make up the core are those that give you a deep inner strength and should not be underestimated. A strong core transforms our figure and protects our back. The core muscles lie in the trunk of the body encompassing not only the abdominals but all the muscles around our spine and shoulders that hold us upright and in a good posture. Pilates covers it all, so if you already do it then keep doing it, or try Ballet where you automatically engage your core to balance. I always say that if you walk a lot and do Pilates or Ballet you have a great core combo!
TIP 5 - GET OUT OF BREATH
This is not about going for a run (I wish!) but just about a 'once a day' burst of energy that leaves us fairly breathless. Much research has gone into the health benefits of a short-duration, but intense, activity that makes us breathe to the bottom of our lungs. Going upstairs 3 - 5 times consecutively is a good example, or finding one decent incline on a walk.
TIP 6 - KEEP A STRONG PELVIC FLOOR
Now this really is an area we can exercise regularly and nobody needs to know! The technique is known as Kegel exercises and they are for all age groups, and both men and women should be doing them. We demonstrate these Pelvic Floor Exercises on the website. Practice them regularly – anywhere – anytime! As I sit here writing this it has reminded me to do them!
TIP 7 - MOVE YOUR JOINTS
The old saying that if you 'don't use it, you’ll lose it' applies perfectly to the movement of all our major joints - as well as our muscles. Many of our major joints are lubricated by an oily substance called synovial fluid, but it is only 'activated' if we move our joints. Sitting at a computer all day can 'fix' our shoulders in a poor position so mobilising them every hour helps prevent the inevitable stiffening. Doing a 'cat' stretch on hands and knees (on a bed if you can’t manage to get on the floor easily) ensures mobility of the spine. Using stairs will keep the hips and knees mobile.
TIP 8 - MOVE YOUR MICRO-JOINTS
I feel it is necessary to separate the importance of the small joints from the other more obvious larger ones. The hands and feet can be a big problem if they have become very stiff, making movement difficult. Doing The Hand Dance on the website along with The Foot Workout ensures all the mobility you need. Try to do them often.
TIP 9 - STRETCH REGULARLY
This is probably the most under-used of all the disciplines that make up the 'fitness' of the body yet in just a few of minutes we can stretch the entire body. Stretching ensures a good range of movement (ROM) in all our joints as it takes us beyond the normal range. Follow the Whole Body Stretch Programme on the website and every time you go for a walk remember to do the Post Walk Stretches to stretch out the legs.
TIP 10 - LEARN TO RELAX
I admit that we don't think of relaxing as an 'exercise' – but I believe that you can train your body to relax. By going through a set of muscle-relaxing moves, particularly centred around our breathing, we can learn to control tension in the body and create a feeling of calm. This may follow through into better sleep and help you cope with stress much more effectively.
|
|
|
This Week's Fitness Challenge
- On your daily 30+ minute walks add in some 'tummy pull-ins' for your core and move those wrists and fingers, using your micro- joints. The pelvic floor could be given a workout too... so many possibilities!
- Make it a rule this week to do 10 press-ups at least once every day either leaning against a table-top or on the floor. If you need to you can bend your knees (place them further back from the hips). Choose the version that’s challenging but not too tough!
- Alternate this week between a strength workout and a stretch workout. Try to fit in two of each.
|
|
|
Did you know... 
While nobody actively likes going to the dentist we really have never had it so good!
There is evidence of dentistry, including filled teeth which have been found, dating back thousands of years but it wasn't until the 1700s that it became a recognised 'profession' and in those days you would have been more likely to go to the local blacksmith for help in removing your painful teeth than stand any chance of anyone else fixing them. If you had the money false teeth were extremely common. Ivory and porcelain were popular materials for making a set of false teeth– but nothing could beat genuine human teeth! It was common practice to pay people for their teeth and at a time when poverty was common, a penny a tooth was a tempting offer for many paupers!
In the 1800s things started to improve with the discovery of the anesthetic effects of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The first dental schools in London opened in 1859, and in 1871 the foot treadle-operated drill was invented. The British Dentists Act of 1878 and the 1879 Dentists Register limited the title of "dentist" and "dental surgeon" to qualified and registered practitioners. However, anyone could still legally describe themselves as a "dental expert" or "dental consultant" and set up shop. The practice of dentistry in the UK only became fully regulated with the 1921 Dentists Act, which required the registration of anyone offering the service.
 In 1948, with the introduction of the National Health Service, dentistry became widely available to all, and 1958 saw the introduction of fluoride toothpaste. Flouride was also introduced into the national water supply in 1985.
These days, the best modern preventative and proactive dentistry is about fending off any impending issues before they become painful but for some of us memories of the dreaded "School Dentist" will forever cloud our judgement!
|
|
|
And finally...
I hope you will enjoy trying Mary’s Top Ten Tips and feel the difference between the various types of exercises she has suggested. When we are exercising it is good to ‘listen’ to our body to try to understand what exercise is doing what. We should be able to feel what it’s doing. The great news is that every time we exercise, no matter what activity it is, we are helping our body to be stronger and more mobile and that keeps us feeling fitter – and younger!
Have a great week.
With love and best wishes,
Rosemary Conley CBE DL
|
|
LIVE LONGER | LIVE HEALTHIER | LIVE HAPPIER
|
|
|
|
