Honey – ‘A sweet, sticky yellowish-brown fluid made by bees and other insects from nectar collected from flowers’ (Oxford English Dictionary)
Health benefits
Honey has been used as a food source and for its healing properties since ancient times. In its raw state* researchers have confirmed its truly amazing anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory abilities.
Honey is naturally moisturising, contains amino acids and can be used direct on burns, or to help minimise scarring. This makes it an ideal and common ingredient for all kinds of medicines and cosmetics.
Manuka Honey
We are often asked what is the difference between our local honey and Manuka honey (apart from the cost!). Manuka honey is derived from the nectar of New Zealand’s native Manuka bush (Leptospermum Scoparium), the same family as the tea tree plant; Myrtaceae. This fact alone makes it more potent than regular honey with its high levels of a naturally occurring compound called Methylgoxal (MG). The quantities of MG are measured by the UMF scale.
What is UMF?
It is very common to see a sticker on Manuka honey indicating the UMF level. Over 20 years ago, Dr Peter Molan of Waikato University in New Zealand discovered that in some strains of Manuka honey there was a special ingredient with exceptional anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. At the time, although he could measure the amount of anti-bacterial/anti-fungal activity in the honey, he did not know what the specific compound was.
So, he named it Unique Manuka Factor, or (UMF), and he developed a scale from 0 to about 20 to help quantify how much UMF is present in a specific batch of Manuka honey. Any Manuka honey above a UMF of 16 is considered to have high levels of anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity.
Other uses
Local honey may also be a useful hay-fever remedy. Eating honey made from the pollens local to you can help alleviate hay-fever symptoms. Although research does not support this, many people swear by it.
It’s delicious on bread, ice cream, pancakes, in yoghurts, salad dressings etc, etc!
*not the processed squeezy bottled honey found in supermarkets
I borrowed this from Suma, our wonderful wholesaler ..! (thanks guys)
As well as being a versatile store cupboard staple, tahini is a great source of protein, calcium and B vitamins and a useful ingredient in vegan recipes. So dig that half empty jar of tahini from the back of your fridge and use it to create these mouth-watering taste sensations. Who said anything about hummus?
Use it as a marinade
Rub tahini and a bit of smoked paprika onto tofu steaks or chunky veg before grilling or frying. Scatter over some sesame seeds for added crunch.
In coleslaw
Liven up coleslaw with a dressing of tahini, yoghurt and lime juice in place of the reliable-yet-somewhat-predictable mayo option.
Alternative to pesto
Want a fresh take on pesto? Put a big bunch of basil in the food processor with a heaped teaspoon of tahini, garlic clove, the zest and juice of a lemon and plenty of olive oil.
Baba ganoush
By far the most delicious use of an aubergine ever … blister the whole aubergine over a gas hob until the skin is blackened then roast it until tender. Once cooled, scoop out the aubergine flesh and blend it with garlic, lemon, tahini and oil. Serve with warm pitta and try not to eat the whole lot in one go!
On roasted cauliflower
If you usually have your cauliflower boiled – try it roasted. You’ll never look back. Toss raw cauliflower in tahini, cumin and lemon juice before popping it in the oven until browned and lovely.
Cucumber yoghurt dip
Tahini, cucumber and yoghurt are a match made in heaven, especially if you throw in some chopped parsley or mint as well.
Take mash to the next level
Swirl tahini, olive oil, a bit of nutmeg and seasoning into mashed potatoes or other root veg for a richer, nuttier mash experience.
Simple salad dressing
One part dark tahini works well for this with two parts water, a good squeeze of lemon and some toasted cumin seeds. Oh and some salad.
Posh dipping sauce
Whizz tahini, crushed garlic, a dash of white wine vinegar and water in a blender. Serve it with a whole head of cooked globe artichoke for a classy dinner party starter.
Speedy noodle dinner
Speedy supper needed? Toss some cooked noodles in a wok with tahini, sweet chilli sauce, frozen peas and a splash of water, then garnish with fresh coriander. Ten minutes from start to finish. Not including the washing up.
What is hypnotherapy?
People often misunderstand hypnotherapy, they worry that it’s like stage hypnosis and think they’ll be unaware and out of control. In fact the reverse is true. You’re more aware and more alert in trance than in normal consciousness.
It’s about creating altered states, and we go into altered states all the time. You go into an altered state every time you get mad at the kids, or when you do a crossword. We switch from one programmed state to another all the time we are awake.
Hypnosis is about teaching you how to control those states at will so that you can choose how you respond to a situation.
Why try hypnotherapy?
Imagine being able to change your feelings at will. Imagine for example a time when you feel overwhelmed by all the things you have to do, you feel panicky, worried and stressed – not a good time to be making decisions about life. And then imagine the same situation but you’re calm and peaceful, alert yet relaxed. Totally different feeling isn’t it?
Can hypnosis create change?
With hypnosis, you can put yourself into a state of tranquility and happiness.
In this state, which we call trance, you make better decisions, feel happier and create better health. When you’re in control of your state of mind you do everything better. In fact you can create a state of mind for each and every area of your life. You can be calm and relaxed when you visit the doctor to have your blood pressure checked, you can be happy and confident when you have to give a speech, you can be open and receptive when you have to learn something, and most importantly you can learn and model yourself on other people when you want to learn a new skill, or release a phobia or habit.
Hypnotherapy makes it easy with no-nonsense.
Julian Foulkes DABCH MCAHyp uses Advanced Hypnotherapy in his consultations, and is offering a free 15 minute hypnotherapy assessment at the Green Parrot Clinic. Call 01760 724704 to make an appointment.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. There are 3.2 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 630,000 people who have the condition, but don’t know it.
How does this affect the feet?
Diabetes causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels, playing havoc with blood flow to your extremities. As your feet don’t receive as much blood, the nerve endings can be affected with reduced sensitivity, so you don’t get the usual pain and discomfort warning signs telling you that something is wrong. Feet heal slowly so sores and fissures can become infected and even gangrenous if not treated in time.
What can you do to help?
Other than maintaining your blood sugars, pay extra special care with your feet. Keep them clean and dry. If they tend to get a little sweaty, change your socks regularly and wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe. If your feet tend to be on the dry side, moisturise using a cream free from lanolin, added fragrances and any of the additives that can sometimes irritate the skin. Be aware and reduce the risk of injury. Avoid anything that might squash or reduce blood flow to your feet, such as uncomfortable shoes or sitting with your legs crossed.
Finally make sure you have your feet checked regularly by a foot health professional; a chiropodist, foot health practitioner or diabetic nurse. That way you can catch problems before they develop further. For more information www.diabetes.org.uk.
Sarah Clears DipCFHP, MPSPract, Foot Health Practitioner, is available every Monday at The Clinic at the Green Parrot, £22 a treatment. Call 01760 724704 to book your appointment.
Too often we see people waddle, stagger or limp into our store with an ache or pain in some part of their anatomy. Often they have been living with the pain for weeks, months or even years!
Where do they go for help?
For many it’s a visit to their GP followed by prescriptions for painkillers or anti-inflammatories. Temporary relief can be achieved, but very often the underlying cause will be lurking, until the next time they bend to pick up the cat or over stretch for the chocolate biscuits at the back of the cupboard. Then it’s back down to the surgery …
Is there an alternative?
For the majority of us our first port of call for a painful tooth is the dentist. Isn’t it?
And first port of call for a painful back, shoulder, neck, hip, knee (you get the idea) should be an osteopath.
Why an osteopath?
The musculoskeletal system is the osteopath’s bread and butter, as is teeth to the dentist. It is what they are trained for, identifying and finding the route cause of a problem.
Spending a little time and money on seeing the right expert is worth its weight in gold. Less time off work, more time being active. Less pain, better mobility. It makes sense.
Maria Gillam and Maura Prior are available for Osteopathic treatments Monday to Thursday at the Green Parrot. 01760 724704 for details or appointments.
Usually, when we get to late July, most hay-fever sufferers are getting some relief from their troubles. Not everyone of course, but those Spring and early-Summer pollens seem to have lost their strength sparing many their snuffly sneezing noses, thick heads and itchy eyes.
Just last week though we’ve seen a raft of people with late hay-fever symptoms, much continuous sneezing, heavy heads and extreme tiredness and lethargy. Check out the homeopathic match for these and you’ll see Gelsemium (Yellow Jasmine) comes about as close as possible. In most cases it has brought relief if repeated often.
Gelsemium is most often considered to treat fluey and fever problems, but it is a big hay-fever remedy, often overlooked. Watery discharges and doesn’t wish to be spoken to. Eyelids heavy, blurred vision, serous inflammation and over-whelming tiredness. Constant sneezing, with fullness at the root of the nose with watery excoriating discharge. Acute coryza and a sensation hot water flowing from the nostrils. Face – hot heavy and flushed.
Julian Foulkes – MCPH MGH RSHom
Homoeopath
“Our actions are defined by our respect for nature and serve the good of our customers, employees and partners.”
There are very few large producers within our sector (organic, sustainable, ethical, fair-trade etc) that truly practice what they preach. What they say is on the box, isn’t necessarily so and a few choice words on the packaging can lead customers up the wrong, non-organic garden path! So when we were invited to visit Weleda’s UK head office in Ilkeston, we jumped at it and were blown away by their passion and dedication to the company’s sustainable values.
Weleda founded in 1921 in Switzerland, by Austrian philosopher and founder of Anthroposophy, Rudolph Steiner. All products are made from sourcing ethical and sustainable ingredients; many are grown in their own organic gardens. Their products are created by doctors and pharmacists and are free from synthetic preservatives, colours and mineral oil derivatives, and ingredients are 100% natural with 78% biodynamic or organic. In over 90 years they have never tested on animals.
To this day the company’s values have not changed. Operating in 50 countries, over five continents, each set up is run the same;working in harmony for the benefit of the earth.
Our day in Ilkeston started with a tour of the thirteen acres, biodynamic working farm, a mile and a half up the road from their offices. It is the most beautiful, tranquil place with wild grasses, woodland, flower meadows, herb and flower beds, bee hives and compost heaps, all buzzing with the local insect population.
Michael, Head Gardener for thirty years and recently retired, walked us round explaining the Steiner values and biodynamic methods that were put in place back in the 1920s and still followed today. What an amazing man! We could have listened to him all day; did you know that rubbing your teeth with wild strawberries make them whiter (haven’t tried it myself yet, but wild strawberries are going in the allotment next year!).
We finished off our tour of the gardens with making calendula herbal tincture. Claire, Head Gardener, explained each step of production, from cultivation through to harvesting and processing. It was fascinating to hear how they formulate products with the perfect balance of ingredients grown with total respect for nature as originally intended, while following our modern-day strict pharmaceutical standards.
Then it was back to HQ for lunch! What can I say, local food produced by local people. Fabulous.
The afternoon was rounded off with sampling creams, lotions and oils all made from the plants or flowers we had seen that morning. Julian was convinced we all came away looking ten years younger!
A fascinating day all round, and so refreshing to see a company, through the eyes and enthusiasm of its staff, working to its original concept and not compromising the environment in order to reach it’s aims, rather instead adding value to it. Weleda’s strap-line says it all:
‘In harmony with nature and the human being’
Magic.
Ps More photos taken from the day are stored on our Facebook page.
Coconut oil has been getting all the press recently – it’s delicious and nutritious, full of good fats and fantastic for your hair and skin. However, another ‘superfood’, usually linked with bad fats, high calories and tooth decay, is equally full of nutritional value, flavour and is as versatile as coconut oil in it’s raw form. Welcome to the humble cacao bean.
Did you know raw (unroasted) cacao powder contains about seven times more antioxidants than plain chocolate and has about a third more nutrients than cocoa powder (which has been roasted)? It’s also high in magnesium (good for healthy hearts, nerves, muscles and energy) and sulphur (helps to keep hair, skin, bone, cartilage and tendons strong and healthy).
The fats in cacao are heart-protecting which has a natural effect on cholesterol, and contains only traceable amounts of caffeine. If you’re sensitive to caffeine then limit your intake of cacao as it does also contain the stimulant theobromine (theobromine is about one tenth the strength of caffeine so has a much milder effect on the body. However, it does still stimulate mental and physical energy).
Where does it come from? Cacao powder is the result of milling raw cacao beans (from the cacao tree) at low temperature to protect the nutrients and flavour. Nothing else is added. Look out for organic and fairtrade brands such as The Raw Chocolate Company, or Creative Nature’s organic cacao powder.
So if you fancy giving cacao powder a try, here is a great recipe to start with, provided by Nutritionalist and star of our Healthy Cooking seminars, Orit Kent.
Chocoberry Power Shake
Crammed with nutrients, this delicious energy shake will refresh and energise! The coconut water is naturally sweet and hydrating whilst the berries are packed with antioxidants and adds much colour. Easy, quick and great for a warm sunny day!
Ingredients:
250g frozen or fresh organic summer berries
300 ml coconut water
250ml organic oat milk
2 heaped tbsp organic raw cacao powder
1 – 2 tbsp organic agave syrup (start with 1 and add more to taste)
Method:
Tip the above into a blender/mixer and whiz up until smooth and frothy. For increased energy and nutrition you can also add to the mix ½ tsp maca powder and 1 tbsp nut butter of your choice (almond/pumpkin/cashew/tahini).
NB: Maca has a sharp flavour and gives a strong energy boost so go easy at first and check the flavour!
And if you would like to know the nutritional benefits of all the other ingredients in our Chocoberry Power Shake, read on …
Summer berries have a low GL, they’re high in fibre and contain vitamins and minerals the body needs to function normally. One cup of strawberries contains over 100 milligrams of vitamin C, almost as much as a glass of fresh orange juice. They also have a bit of calcium, magnesium, folate and potassium. All berries contain phytochemicals and flavonoids that may help to prevent some forms of cancer, and blueberries and raspberries also contain lutein, which is important for healthy eyes.
Coconut water is incredibly healthy and one of the best drinks to hydrate the body. Besides helping to remove toxins and aiding digestion, coconuts have amazing anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
Oat milk is a tasty vegan alternative to dairy, and is also nutritious. Western herbalists recommend oat milk as a tonic for the nervous system. It’s very low in fat and lactose free, just a cup of oat milk contains 36% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium. It also contains 10% of the RDA for vitamin A, which is twice as much as cow’s milk. If you suffer from anemia and are looking for vegan options for iron, one serving of oat milk contains 10% RDA.
And finally, you can use cacao powder in a wide variety of recipes, for drinks, cakes, tarts, sauces and of course chocolate sweets!
Baby Reflex is a lovely way to nurture your baby with loving touch.
Reflexology is an ancient therapy used to promote relaxation, good health, and feelings of well being, by connecting to reflex points on the feet and hands. Baby reflex is specially adapted reflexology for young babies applied by the parent to the babies feet. Mothers who have used Baby Reflex techniques have found that they were able to sooth and calm their babies, and that their sleep patterns improved. More importantly babies seem to love it , often falling asleep, and once they become accustomed to it offering their feet when they wish to receive it .
How is it taught?
Baby Reflex is taught in 3 weekly x I hour workshops which are themed
1 feeding/digesting
2 sleeping/comforting
3 well being
Why is it themed?
Teaching parents in bite sized chunks allows them to absorb the information in easily remembered themed sessions.
Why would parents choose Baby Reflex?
Many parents have tried or heard of the many benefits of reflexology. With the modern climate of parents seeking alternatives : Baby Reflex offers the benefits of a safe , non invasive , drug free natural therapy.
What is the difference between baby massage and Baby Reflex?
Baby Reflex is portable, there is no requirement to remove clothes and in fact can be enjoyed anywhere .
Who can demonstrate Baby Reflex?
Only qualified reflexologists and appropriately qualified Health Professionals .
Classes are held by Suzanne Howlett who is a qualified reflexologist and member of the AOR ( Association of reflexologists ) and is a recognised teacher with Baby Reflex
www.babyreflex.co.uk .
We all know that healthy eating is important. Whether we do it or not is another thing entirely.
It’s all well and good knowing what to buy, but a lot of us aren’t always sure what to do with the ingredients once we have them. How do you make vegetables and fruit not only look appealing and taste fantastic, but do so without compromising on the health benefits that you need from them?
We have teamed up with expert nutritionist, Orit Kent to bring you cooking workshops that will not only show you how to keep your cooking healthy, but by focusing each session on a different key subject, aim to help you eat to treat different ailments that you may be suffering from.
Each session starts with an introduction, providing you with knowledge and practical tips on the chosen subject, and follows on with a cooking demonstration, where a few dishes will be prepared in order to help you implement the theory into practicality. There are chances to taste test the food that has been prepared and nutritional notes and recipes can be obtained as well.
Join up now and come along to one of these fascinating classes to get your cooking on the right path, with sessions run every Thursday from 11:00 am till 13:00 pm and cost just £22 per person, per session. Due to the popularity of this course, and with limited placements available, early booking is advised.
Next available workshop:
Hopefully we’re not speaking too soon, but Spring does now actually seem to be heroically trying to make itself visible to us through the mist and murk of another decidedly chilly winter. In our still damp fields, hedgerows and gardens, daffodils and snowdrops are beginning to appear, pretty promises of the warmer weather that is hopefully soon to come. And here at Green Parrot Swaffham, we’re as ready as ever to do all we can to ensure you’re ready to enjoy the (with any luck) balmy days of the new season in the best possible health.
Looking around, there’s never been more information available on how we can all eat in ways that maintain or improve our health. Food based programmes abound on radio, television and even the internet. For smartphone users, foodie apps are among the most popular available for download. There seems to be a new celebrity chef on the scene with every week that passes. Not to mention the government’s increasing inclination to advise us on what should – and should not – be on our plates.
With Easter just around the corner and the holiday season looming large, the media is filled with diets and eating plans on how to lose weight, drop a dress (or trouser) size, achieve that trim and toned beach body (whether you’re intending to hit the coast this year or not). Some of these calorie cutting schemes are new, others reworked versions of diets that have been around for many years. But what we’re about here at Green Parrot is absolutely not food fads and weight loss shortcuts – on the contrary, our team is committed is to help you help your body towards radiant health through a lifestyle based on properly balanced nutrition.
Which is why we offer such a comprehensive, carefully thought through range of multi vitamins, minerals and other beneficial food supplements, along with an ever expanding selection of beautifully fresh, organically produced local produce. In addition, our professional eye is constantly scanning the nutritional horizon for new and better ways we can serve our customers’ specialised dietary needs.
Next time you’re in our friendly Swaffham store – or clicking through our website at www.green-parrot.co.uk – you’ll see that we have the entire vitamin alphabet in stock – vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K. Multivitamins, too. Plus Amino Acids, Antioxidants and Botanicals. Herbal remedies aplenty, together with a variety of food supplements. And if you need any guidance on where they all come from, how they all work, how to choose the most appropriate of for your needs and get the best from them, every member of our team is experienced and qualified to give you the constructive, impartial advice you need to make the right choice.
As well as our multitude of vitamins, minerals and food supplements, we’re also delighted to be able to offer Nutrition Therapy & Allergy Testing, made possible by our own long established and nationally acclaimed expert on these matters, Lorna Edge DNN MFNTP. Nutrition Therapy is defined as the application of nutritional and dietary science to promote excellent health and help prevent disease. Lorna would be pleased to talk to you about a wide variety of symptoms that may be troubling you and which you suspect may be related to food. She has successfully treated numerous such patients/clients(?), as well as many suffering from unexplained anxiety or behavioural disorders which have turned out to be food-related.
So, as the temperature from your winter ailments becomes an unpleasant memory, to be replaced by what we all optimistically hope will be the welcome heat of spring and summer, do join us at the Green Parrot, either by visiting our Swaffham store (where there’s free parking outside and always a warm welcome inside) or www.green-parrot.co.uk. And let us help you take control of your health for spring and beyond.
Our brand new website has gone! Now with our new online store so you can order from us easily!