More sweets

Never Ending!

Last week I spoke about the never ending supplies of sweets after Christmas which we have to munch through.  It is not too bad. They seem to disappear slowly but surely. I do like sweets but I know that a few people don't. 

There was a girl I grew up with and she never had sweets and still doesn't like them. Even as a child she'd rather suck a tube of tomato puree than have a bar of chocolate. She would get jars of gherkins and pickled beetroot and would sit on the steps and eat them with her fingers. She always offered some to me as well but I declined. Gherkins, pickled beetroot and a suck out of a tube of tomato puree didn't seem quite attractive to me. A piece of chocolate had a better ring, and taste, for me. 

My cousins were similar. They did eat some sweet stuff but when I came to stay in Summer I would find the Christmas sweets under the bed of one of my cousins. I think she was hiding them there. When I asked her why, she said that she didn't like it and that her brother still had his as well. The little basket was still full of chocolate and ginger bread and she kindly offered for me to have as much as I liked but it was not very nice anymore. I tried it. Even I didn't like that stuff anymore.

I was a child who had her sweets at Christmas Eve and by Boxing Day even the fruit and nuts were gone. Sometimes I felt really bad after all the sweet stuff. I can remember a birthday party of a class mate when I was 9. I had so much cake that I couldn't go to school the next day because I felt so sick. 

It would have been nice if my mother would have known about Homoeopathy but she didn't. There is a Homoeopathic medicine which could have remedied my need for sweets and the ill effects of it. I'm talking about Argentum- nitricum and one of its key notes. But I have to remind you that Homoeopathy is a very individual medicine and that this might not be the right remedy to help you, so no self medication please. If you have the same problem as I had as a child give me a ring on 07813 195468 to book an appointment. Looking forward to hear from you. 

Roll on

 Fatty New Year

Christmas is gone. The New Year celebrations are gone. The New Year is starting to get older. People have already stopped wishing each other a "Happy New Year". The thing which is not gone, at least in our house, is the food. We are still eating mince pies, cranberry sauce and lebkuchen, well, not all together in one go, but I hope you'll get my drift. There is still a lot of Christmas stuff in the shops, mostly at a tempting reduced price. 

We had too much, too much fat, too much sugar, too much salt, and we had it far too early and for far too long. I don't know about you but I cannot wait to have the first mince pie of the year. According to tradition you should have the first mince pie at the first of December and do a wish and then you should eat ONE every day during December for the wish to be granted. Well, most of the time it was not just one mince pie for me. I usually cannot stop and so I have two most of the time. They are particularly nice warm with brandy butter. My excuse is that there will be no more mince pies for another year because this is still a rare item which is not on the shelf all year round. So it is now or never. Well, at least till the next season. 

Don't we all think that we will lead a healthier life after Christmas? Eat more greens, fruit, vegetables and a lot less sweet stuff? I definitely do, every time but come January, the sweet stuff has not miraculously disappeared. It is still there, lurking in the cupboard, hiding in the freezer, lingering in the fridge, and calling out loudly. I do hate food waste, so I will not throw anything away but even chocolate doesn't keep forever. So it will be eaten, even after Christmas, even after every New Years resolution. But what kind of effect does it have on the body? The nice bit of chocolate which melts in the mouth? How does the saying go? "Five minutes on the lips, forever on the hips"?

I'm not only talking about the weight gain over the festive season. There are other health risks involved in a high calorie diet. High blood pressure, diabetes, chronic fatigue are all mainly results of a diet of too much of the wrong thing. 

So what is there to do? Well, maybe next time we could buy less, share more with other people but I find that a bit unfair. Why inflict the unhealthy food on other people? It is tricky if you got sweets as a present from a loved one because you have everything and do not need more stuff. Maybe you can make it last till Easter (and avoid the same problem by a strict "Not Buy Sweets" policy). Maybe you will still get some sweets as a present, but one year I ended up with not having a single Easter egg at all. Take your chance if you don't mind eating chocolate which is a bit white. 

There is also the option to use Homoeopathy to undo the damage the high living has done to you. There are at least two remedies to help you getting over the bad effects of sugar on your body, particularly if you craved it. There are also organ support remedies which can help your liver to get over the shock of having to work so hard. It goes without saying that this is not for self medication. So give me a call and we can work together to find out what you are needing. I have the time to listen to all you have to say, my initial appointments are seldom shorter than two (2) hours. Give me a call on 07813 195468 and take caring for yourself into your own hands.

Sweets for my sweet

Thank you

New Year-New Chance

So now we have a new year and this means we have a new chance. A new chance to become rich and if not rich then at least have a bit more money. A new chance for a better job which is more fun, a new chance to find happiness, to find the love of your life, if you haven't got that yet. There is also a new chance for peace on Earth. 

There is always a chance to have something better, greater and more of it. But there is also a chance of loss, pain and a horrible chance that something bad might happen that will change our lives forever. Nobody can know the future and what might be happening. That is the reason why we wish ourselves and other people a happy new year. 

In Germany we have the tradition to eat Sauerkraut on New Years Eve or New Years Day. That is supposed to bring in more money in the new year. I always do that but I'm not sure if it worked, because I always could do with more money. And who cannot? I'm still not where I want to be, I'm still looking for more of everything. Does that mean that I'm not old yet or does it mean that I'm just ungrateful? 

I know that I have real issues with being grateful. Instead of being grateful for what I have I always want a better, bigger house, an orchard, a bigger garden, chickens, a pig, yeah, and more money. Do you know that feeling? 

I have to remind myself that I'm a lucky person who has a lot. I have food on my plate whenever I'm hungry and a roof over my head in all weathers. I can sleep in a warm, clean bed and when I'm cold there is always an extra jumper, a blanket and a hot water bottle. I know that a lot of people are not as lucky as I am. 

I was in Bath the other day and I have seen the people living on the road, sleeping in doorways on a cold December morning whereas I was heading to have breakfast in a warm, cosey place. Putting a coin in their paper cup is not a solution to their problem I know that, but I still sometimes do it. 

Gratefulness must be something you can learn I suppose and I really want to learn it. I think that I might get better at it but there is still that little nagging voice at the back of my head asking: "Why not have it all? You won't get it if you demand nothing". Is that true? 

Something I do know I'm eternally grateful for is learning about Homoeopathy. That was one of the best things which happened to me in my life. It gave me a tool to help myself and others in the most important topic of somebodies life, HEALTH! 

So, for here and now: "Thank you to Homoeopathy and to YOU for reading my blog about it.  HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Photograph by Roger Giraud-Saunders.

Happy New Year

Have A Happy New Year

It is not only that Christmas with all its glory is over. No, there is a whole new year looming over us. I don't know about you, but I always feel very sad about that. I don't really know why, because I feel sad even if it was not a particularly good year. Maybe it is because another year of my life is gone, something nobody can bring back. 

Keeping in mind that time is only an extension of space, I try to concentrate on the positive things the New Year might bring. And of course, there will be lots of New Years Resolutions. One year I made the pledge to buy a new item of clothing for myself each month. I think I got to March till I couldn't be bothered anymore. I think that there are more important things in life, like looking after your health and taking it into your own hands. 

So why not make the pledge to be healthier in the coming year? Have a little walk every day, come rain or shine? Eat more fruit and vegetables? Take up a new sport? Why not make the pledge to try Homoeopathy? 

Homoeopathy is a natural system of medicine which is free of side effects and not addictive. Minute doses of substances derived from minerals and the animal and plant kingdom are used to stimulate the healing process within the body. It is safe for people of all ages including babies, and even for pregnant women. Homoeopathy works by supporting the immune system to restore itself to complete health. No long waits for getting your prescription, and Homoeopathy is sustainable medicine without any negative impact on the environment.

I feel so fortunate to have this tool to help people with all their health issues. Homoeopathy has always an answer, there is nothing you can not treat with Homoeopathy. Of course, you have to have the right remedy. Although I've been a qualified Homoeopath for 12 years, there's always more to learn about Homoeopathy. My pledge for next year is to learn even more to be the best I can be for you. Let me help you on your path to health in the new year. If you want to give it a go, contact me on 07813 195468. Looking forward to hear from you and have a happy start to the new year.

A new year is like the foggy path into the unknown.

It's Christmas again

 

Christmas Is Here

When I was a child Christmas was the highlight of the year. All that waiting and hoping, the baking of Christmas cookies, and the decorating of the tree. It was so lovely and exciting , and then when Christmas was there, it was so lovely to go to church in the dark and sing the carols. At home we stood in front of the closed living room door, which was our Christmas room, and had to have a pee before my mother would unlock the door. In the sitting room my mother lit the candles on the tree and we would go in and sing our carols around the tree, not trying to turn around to peep for our pile of presents. I can remember one Christmas my aunt gave me three big bars of marzipan, and I ate them all in one go. I felt slightly sick afterwards, and it took a long time before I tucked into marzipan again.

When the festive season arrives, it is easy to overindulge in food and alcohol. Now that being together with friends and family, we might be particularly inclined to party hard. Lots of us also might end up with too much food on our hands because we went over the top to make sure that we have all we think we might need to have a good time together. You might be able to freeze some of it.  But if you overindulge or damage has already been done, Homoeopathy can help with the consequences. 

Nux-vomica is a good remedy for overindulgence, and gives relief very quickly. Homoeopathy can also help with overeating, comfort eating and stress eating in challenging situations but don't forget that Homoeopathy is a very individual medicine. So if one remedy doesn't work for you come and see me because you might need something else out of the over 3500 remedies Homoeopathy has to offer. 

Contact me on 07813 195468 to book an appointment. 

The Wait

I'm Waiting

I'm waiting. At the moment I'm waiting for Christmas. I'm waiting for the family to come for the visit. Thinking about waiting, it seems to be my default mode. I must admit, I'm not very good at waiting. Nevertheless I do it because most of the time I have no choice.

I'm usually waiting for the weekend to come, for the next holidays, for the delivery man with my parcel to arrive. I'm waiting to be called back, I'm waiting for the rain to cease, for the storm to be over. I'm waiting for the cake to bake, for the potatoes to cook and for the freezer to defrost. I waited for my children, one was actually 10 days late, I have been waiting so many times for my husband to appear. I have been waiting for letters, now it is more waiting for emails. Oh, and do you know the anxious waiting for the workmen to come? It is always a gamble if they appear... or not. 

When I was 16 I thought that I have to wait to be 18 to do what I want and stop waiting.  Well, that was not true. I'm still waiting a lot. 

It was the same with Homoeopathy. When I first heard about Homoeopathy I wanted to wait till I was really ill. When I was really ill I went to see a doctor who was working with Homoeopathy. I was waiting in the waiting room but not for as long as it normally took to see a health professional. That was one thing: I didn't have to wait for the result in Homoeopathy.  After I tried Homoeopathy I couldn't understand why I was waiting so long to try it. So what are YOU  waiting for? Try Homoeopathy and give me a call on 07813 195468. 

In the bleak midwinter

In The Bleak Midwinter!

I know it is not really cold but still, it is unpleasant because when it is wet it feels a lot colder. There is a flower still blossoming in the bleak midwinter and the name of the flower is Jasmin. The homoeopathic remedy Gelsemium is made out of this flower and isn't it strange that this remedy is particularly good against colds?

Being one of the homoeopathic polycrests, which means that it is a remedy with a very wide range of action, it can do more than just relieve the symptoms of a cold. It is also good against left sided headaches where indicated and anticipation anxiety in certain cases.

I love this remedy and I use it quite a lot. If you want to know a bit more get in contact. Please remember that I have studied 5 years with the British School of Homoeopathy and I'm still learning, so self prescribing has its limitations in Homoeopathy. Give me a call on 07813 195468 to book an appointment. 

Advent

The First Of Advent 

I cannot believe it. Today is the first Advent again. Where has the time gone? It will be Christmas in less than a month. There is always so much to do before Christmas and the expectations will run high. Everybody wants Christmas to be a nice time with the family without fights and disappointments. It starts now. Is my wreath ready? Do I have most of the presents? Do we need new lights for the tree? What will we eat? Do we need special food because somebody is allergic or intolerant? Oh, and is there an Advent Calendar?  This can be very exhausting. When all the focus is on getting ready for Christmas, and having a wonderful time, we forget the fact that a week after the Christmas festivities the year is gone. I find that so scary. 

There is always the question if it was a good year or a bad year, are we happy that this one is gone? And more to the point: What will the next year bring? There can be quite a lot of fear involved while thinking about the future. 

So what happened to the "most wonderful time of the year"? Do we really try to do better than last year and have more fun instead of all the stress? There was a time when I was regularly ill on Christmas Eve and the following days, sometimes even being unable to eat for several days. It was almost as if now that my body could relax it was giving up, after all those weeks of hard work. It doesn't happen anymore, but not because I have less work and stress. It doesn't happen anymore thanks to Homoeopathy. I can now deal better with stress and work and on top of that, Homoeopathy helps me to nip colds and coughs in the bud. Want to give it a go and make the first Advent your first Adventure with Homoeopathy. Looking forward to guide you along. 

It is getting colder

 

Don't Let The Cold Get To You

It is getting colder and we had the first frosty mornings last week. You can hear the first coughs in the shops when you do your Christmas shopping and you might hope that you stay healthy for Christmas. Well, there are a few things you can do to stay on top. 

First I always recommend my cold water treatments. After you've had your shower, turn the tap to cold and rinse your legs, left one first from the toes upwards and then the right one. Do the same with the arms, left one first fingertips to shoulder, and then the right one. The last thing you give a cold rinse to should be your face. Eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables can help to keep you healthy as well. Having a brisk stroll in the fresh air whatever the weather is also good for the immune system and helps to fend off the winter blues. My first aid remedy after getting wet and cold, is always having a hot bath. When everything else fails, there is always Homoeopathy to help. 

I've already had some emergency calls for help and I'm glad to say that Homoeopathy was able to help. There are a few first aid remedies you can try before you give me a call. The remedy I would recommend after getting cold in a westerly wind is Aconite. Another good one after you have been getting cold in drafty rooms or streets, is Allium cepa.  Arsenicum album is a good remedy to nip a cold in the bud when you got cold on a foggy, damp day. For light sniffles and colds which develop slowly, Gelsemium is perfect. Please don't forget that there are limitations for self treatment and that Homoeopathy is a very individual medicine. So please let me know when you don't get any better and need my help. Contact me on 07813 195468 for further information or to book an appointment. Looking forward to hear from you.

Photograph by Roger Giraud-Saunders

It is time to remember

 We Shall Not Forget

The year has passed so quickly and now it is November again. November with the Remembrance Day when we will remember all those people who lost their lives in conflicts. Even though the war which should have ended all wars is over for 106 years, there was another war only 21 years later. I still can remember my mother telling me about her childhood during the Second World War. They were stories about fear, pain and suffering. Even though so many people suffered so much, there are still wars and conflicts today. People are still suffering.  It is time that we learnt to solve conflicts without anybody getting hurt.

November is the month when we remember not only the victims of wars, but also all people who have passed away, the same year and earlier. In Germany we used to visit the graveyards on the first Sunday in November. November is a month of grieving. People who have lost somebody dear to them might feel it particularly acutely when the skies are grey and the afternoons are cold and dark.

Homoeopathy can help in situations like that. Homoeopathy has almost as many remedies for different sorts of grief as there are words for snow in the Inuit language. There is a remedy for the grief when somebody has lost a very young child. There is a remedy for old grief and for the grief for the loss of a spouse. There is also the "funeral" remedy which helps to contain the raw grief of a recently bereaved person without taking it away. 

There is a remedy for grief about the earth and nature, the loss of natural spaces, and grief from a very young age. Another remedy deals with ailments from grief, and if somebody has never been well after the loss of a dear person. There is even a remedy for people who grieve not the loss of a person but the loss of their job, their property, their status or a limb.

Homoeopathy can help you to get over this essential but debilitating feeling. You don't have to bear your grief any longer all on your own. If you want to know a bit more about Homoeopathy and how it can help you, please get in contact on 07813 195468.