The weather is warming up and the garden is springing to life again. Our little Magnolia, above, opened it's buds in the last couple of days and looks glorious. Here you can see the winter cover is still on the pool but as there is now real warmth in the sun, it can't be long before it comes off. My favourite tulips are not yet open but the daffodils are finally out.
Another plant I'm very fond of is this little Contorted Hazelnut tree - it looks beautiful all winter long too, an added bonus!
I've always wanted to grow my own herbs and as of this week, I now have my own little patch (planted in a large trough). I've got thyme, sage, rosemary and bay, seen here, as well as lemon thyme, chives, oregano and two types of parsley!The garden isn't the only thing springing to life though. After my two bouts of migraines and the sinusitis recently, I've had a radical 'spring clean' of my diet (as well as the kitchen cupboards!) and it's been nothing short of miraculous. I've got my energy back, the brain fog has cleared, and with another 2-3lbs, I'll be back to my 'normal' weight - the weight I was all through my 20's and 30's. I really can't believe how fast the change has been. It's similar to an Atkins diet (cutting out most carbs and sugars) but this time cutting out yeast, cheese, anything fermented and anything that may harbour molds too (like peanuts, black tea, ground black pepper for example). It's sounds limited but boy, does it make food shopping a breeze! With a few exceptions I can get everything I need in the meat, fish and veg section - and it's surprising, even shocking, how much space all the processed foods take up in the supermarkets!
Eating only natural food, I know from years of not eating wheat, makes eating out or eating when travelling very difficult. That, I think, says a lot about the state of our diets. I won't force mine on anyone, but it's up to us to be aware of what the food industry is doing to us because they sure aren't going to tell us! I was in a chemist yesterday, walking through the 'health food' section, and spotted loads of stuff containing aspartame. Not only is the food industry adding a load of nasty stuff to our food, but it's claiming it has health benefits! Buyer beware, as they say. I'm looking forward to getting my flavours from my new little herb garden!
10 comments:
Great news, Felicity! I have a good idea of exactly how good you now feel. And I envy you. Unfortunately I don't seem to have the self-discipline these days.
Spring is springing up at your house. That blossom is gorgeous. Are you going to draw it?? Please do.
We also have a difficult time with our diets since my son is severely allergic to milk proteins and casein. Before that, I had no idea they use milk derivatives as preservatives in poultry and beef. Even caramel coloring or other natural or artificial flavorings often contain milk derivatives and aren't even listed. I hear your frustration and totally get it. I recently nearly yelled at a pharmacist for not catching a milk derivative in my son's antibiotic. And it's all new for doctors too. They have no training in nutrition and food! Unfortunatley, You really end up being your own doctor when it comes to food allergies.
That's great news about your migrains and sinusitis, Felicity! Changing our diets really makes a difference doesn't it? I have now swithched from milk and dairy to soy products and I feel better for it.
Your Magnolia is already in bloom? Wow!! It's lovely, too. 'Ours', that is - the one in front of our building is still in bud stage but I'm hoping it will blossom soon. They don't last very long once they do bloom, though.
I go through periods of studying labels, but basically am fortunate enough not to have to worry too much - I enjoy cooking and make most of my meals from scratch.
So I'd missed the transition food processors had made in adding soy to almost everything. I only became aware of it when shopping for company. My goddaughter was on some medication that reacted badly to soy, so I was being careful to have plenty in the house that she could eat. I had no idea what I challenge I was up against. I found soy in bread, crackers, mayonnaise, canned soup, even broth granules. I didn't research to find out why soy is being added to everything. I suppose for most people, soy sounds like a very healthy additive. But in my goddaughter's case, mixing soy with her medicine could have been deadly.
WOW, FELICITY!!! CONGRATS ON THE DIET, THE DAYS OF NO MIGRAINES, AND GLORIOUS, GLORIOUS PHOTOS!! You'll LOVE using those herbs .....! Don't forget to dry them for use in the winter or transfer some to a windowsill garden ...
CONGRATS, HON!!!!
Your garden photos are wonderful - I also wait for the Magnolias to burst into flower every year. Yay! It's been about a week I think. Next step on the way to summer is wisteria...
I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling better, Felicity. I follow a similar diet (although a bit les strict I think) and I can't say enough about it. Unfortunately, a French person that doesn't eat bread isn't really a French person anymore, so no one here is very interested.
So glad you're feeling better and that spring has arrived for you!
Felicity - I've followed that diet before and it is really great. I'm a great believer in "we are what we eat"
The only thing to watch out for now are the things they feed to animals. I'm eating organic more and more.
Thanks everyone! Isn't it interesting how so many of us know someone who has problems with food (or have them ourselves)? I swear that wasn't the case only 2-3 decades ago.
Katherine, I'm beginning to buy organic more and more too. Doesn't seem such a luxury as it once was, more a necessity!
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