Are you nuts about nuts ….plus exercise without the boredom!
Are you going crackers over nuts? Do you eat them, do you not eat them? Are they fattening? With the Christmas season coming up, I am sure you’ll be at parties, buying nibbles at the supermarket and possibly over indulging! Well……
It is true, nuts do contain fats. That is why ‘common knowledge’ says they are bad for you. But this is simply not true. The fat in natural (non heat treated) nuts are good for you as they are the fats your body naturally needs. Every nerve in your body is laminated by fats and you need to eat the fats to ensure this maintains itself. The fats need to be natural and not heat treated just like the ones found in nuts so rest assured they are good.
Not only are the fats good but nuts also contain potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, zinc, vitamin E, selenium, copper, calcium and thiamine and as there are a huge variety of nuts, you can get a variety of vitamins and minerals from them.
In a study done at Loma Linda University, results showed that people who ate nuts five times a week had around a 50% reduction in the risk of heart attack. Nuts may also help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and also fight some forms of cancer.
HOWEVER, heat treated nuts such as roasted, general commercial salted nuts and dry roasted are not good. They are ok to have on occasions for a treat but not as a healthy snack. When fat is heat treated it changes the molecular properties of them and that is when they become bad for your body. Some heat treated fats look like plastic under the microscope. Because the body does not recognise the fat any more it is processed like a toxin and the body has to store it in a fat cell.
Finally be mindful that nuts can be moreish. Just be careful that you don’t eat the whole bag before you realise. Enjoy in moderation and remember heat treated nuts are a treat.
I hope that helps!
This month, I’m sure you’ll be discussing with your relatives, friends, partners etc about keeping fit in 2012. It’s a discussion that ALWAYS starts in December and ends by mid January. Some people hate the gym, hate the thought of exercise but want to do “something”. Here are a few ideas of alternatives to the usual exercising…..sit back and have a read!
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and fun-filled Christmas with all the best for 2012!
Tripods at Dawn
Tripods at Dawn Photography Holiday to Southwest America
Walking doesn’t just have to be an aimless amble around a dreary, miserable and boring route. How many of you are budding photographers, either beginning your hobby or have been doing this for some time. Why not put on your walking boots and join the Tripods at Dawn photographers for a not to be missed, once in a lifetime, spectacular 12-day adventure exploring the Southwest USA.
Taking you on a circular route, beginning and ending in Las Vegas, through Nevada, Arizona and Utah, you will be able photograph the awe-inspiring sights and scenery along the way. Although this isn’t a walking holiday, it is amazing how much ground you will cover so get fit and enjoy yourself at the same time. Walking to and from locations and seeking out creative compositions, you will follow in the footsteps of well-developed trails. We do say that a moderate level of fitness is required on this superb trip as you will be carrying your kit of course!
Capture the magic of National Parks, iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. From one of the seven wonders of the natural world, The Grand Canyon, to the incredible rock formations of Antelope Canyon (Upper and Lower), the stunning view of the Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend, the beautiful sandstone formations at Lake Powell, the canyons, monoliths and arches within Zion National Park, view the beautiful scenery from a boat trip and see the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip from a helicopter! How could you possibly turn this down!
For more information and to book your place, please visit www.tripodsatdawn.com and get in contact with the extremely talented Tripods at Dawn Photographers.
Places are limited to 8 people, so book asap! Cost: £2,750 including single occupancy hotel accommodation but excluding return flights to Las Vegas. But special discount of 10% applies if you book before 31/12/11
Jonathan - A Professional for the Professionals
In a world of hustle and bustle and never having time to sit down, making time to have your hair done not only gives you time to relax and chatter, but makes you feel good too! The weather is so dreary at this time of year, it’s easy to have drenched hair when you’re dashing around and I don’t know about you, but it then starts to look drab and lanky.
Jonathan Parker, owner of Jonathan in Birmingham City Centre is an expert in helping clients get a style/cut that suits them, advising on colour to highlight and enhance, and a specialist in repair work - of cuts and colours bringing out the best creating an image for them which they know suits them and looks good. This is pure 1-1 time - no queues, just Jonathan working with to achieve a look that makes the best of your hair, your face shape and lifestyle. Appointments are available 6 days a week, with early and late appointments available on request. Jonathan is currently offering a discount as well, do drop him a line. I highly recommend him!
First Floor Burlington Court, 18 Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, B2 4JD
0121 643 9264, jonathanparker911@gmail.com
Dancing
Think of exercise, and you probably think of either those people you see out jogging in all weather, head down against the rain, hair plastered to their head, mud-spattered trainers; or your mind conjures up an image of the gym with all the terror of unflattering lycra, and an hour spent cycling on a bike that doesn’t go anywhere.
Just imagine if you could dress up in your best clothes and high-heeled shoes before heading off for an hour long workout? I do that all the time because my exercise of choice is ballroom and Latin dancing. That may sound rather sedate, but only if you’ve never tried it. I remember taking a boyfriend to a dance class once: he was a rugby player and keen canoeist, and scoffed at the idea of ballroom dancing being a way to keep fit. After a three minute quickstep he was gasping for breath and begging to be allowed to sit down! Obviously some dances are faster than others, and jive, quickstep and cha cha will burn off the calories quicker than say a waltz, but the slower dances need a lot of control, so you gain strength and flexibility too. There are dance classes all over the country for all levels, but if you live in the Birmingham area I particularly recommend Mandy Daniels at www.letsdance.org.uk
Ghost Walking
There are a number of evening and weekend walking tours taking place in and around Birmingham throughout the year, such as ghost walks, city sightseeing walks, and themed tours. You can discover more about Birmingham’s canals, entertainment venues, heroes, villains and Jewellery Quarter. The walks vary in length, but work out at an average of around 2 miles altogether, normally with no more than a few minutes’ of walking at a time without a stop. People of all ages and fitness levels generally cope with no problems at all. You don’t need to be a visitor to the city –in fact many of the people who join the tours are local people who want to do something a bit different.
For anyone who feels they need to be more active but hates the idea of the conventional gym, sport or activities, a walking tour could be just the thing. You get your body moving in the fresh air, and don’t even notice that it is exercise. If you think you’d like to join one of the walks then contact Blue Badge Guide Ian Braisby Ian@midlandsdiscoverytours.co.uk or visit the Midlands Discovery Tours website for more information.
