Rachel Shackleton's blog

Put your hands up if you made a New Year’s resolution to lose several pounds, or to get fitter, or perhaps to cut down on sweet things?  This time of the year sees many of us going alcohol free for January, starting that diet which we have been talking about for months, and signing up for that gym membership which we leap into with enthusiasm, but interest soon dwindles when we see limited or little result.

GARLIC A COMMON HOUSEHOLD HERB

Traditionally and historically garlic is best known for its use in cooking for flavouring stews, pasta sauces etc. Eaten raw this herb strengthens the immune system, but some might say “at a price!” One such person was Thomas Nash, who once said, “Garlick maketh a man wynke, drynke, and stynke.”  (First husband of William Shakespeare’s granddaughter Elizabeth Barnard)

After being plunged into “Daylight Saving” its time to take out the candles, and bring warmth into your life with warming foods – stews, casseroles, soups as well as festive aromas.  We can also bring warmth into the long dark evenings by diffusing essential oils.  Essential oils bring natural, delicious, warming, soothing and uplifting fragrances into the home.  Combined with the flicker of candlelight and the warm glow you are set to see the long winter nights through with ease.

What are essential oils?

I recently took part in the Wantage Pilates Studio event on “Women’s Pelvic Health”.  Whilst I do not specialize in pelvic health, I was still able to contribute from the perspective of a Kinesiologist, Herbalist and Naturopath.  The title I decided on for my presentation was “Beyond Pelvic Health?”  This blog is based on the presentation I did for that event.

Thomas Dekker the actor once said, “Sleep is the golden chain that binds health and our bodies together.”