Simple Pleasures, Everyday Joie de Vivre.

Photo by Headway on Unsplash Everybody (unless you are disabled) uses their hands for work, chores and hobbies. But sometimes the activity takes it's toll and you can get RSI, Arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome amongst other illnesses of the joints and tendons. In these cases it can become very painful to use your hands. This can be frustrating and disappointing in life. Thankfully there are some things you can do that can prevent and repair damage to your hands.  Basin. If your hands are sore and you need some relief fill a basin with hot water and dunk your hands in it for a minute. Then fill the basin up with cold water and dunk your hands in it for a minute. Repeat a few times.  Fish oil Fish oil is often recommended for joint problems. If you don't eat fish you can try vegan omega three capsules.  Curcumin I can personally testify that curcumin is excellent for your joints. It's also meant to be a super-food that helps you to feel young and well.  Pliers You c...

  Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash Are you an exasperated Mum, a workaholic or do you just neglect to take care of yourself? Do you just need to relax some? It might be a good idea to spend half an hour a day doing self-care. Following are many ideas to help you to include some self-care into your life.  Do Aroma-therapy: make some perfume, deodorant cologne or spray freshener. Or use a diffuser, or an oil burner. Here is my article on aroma-therapy here.  Take a nap:  Lie down for half an hour. Try not to think of what you should be doing and try to get the most out of your rest by just switching off for a while.  Read something inspiring:  There's nothing like a good book to blow away the cobwebs. Whether you prefer fiction, reference or motivational literature, reading is guaranteed to teach you something new and give you new perspectives and ideas.  Do affirmations:  Train your sub-conscious mind with positive affirmations. You can find af...

Photo by CDC on Unsplash Looking after your gut health is the latest news in health science right now. The gut contains bacteria and micro-organisms in the gut which are known as the gut microbiome. The microbiome helps you to digest food and bring nutrients to the rest of the body.  Looking after your gut  fixes tummy bugs, reflux, indigestion, bowel problems, other stomach-related problems and can even link to your brain. So I have decided to collate a list of substances that will aid in the health of your gut.  Yakult and Yoghurt Yakult is a Japanese fermented milk which has good bacteria, which is helpful to the gut. Yoghurt as you know is also helpful to the health of the gut.  Fermented milks contain helpful probiotics which promote good bacteria in the gut.  Prebiotic bread Improves the levels of probiotics in the gut, resulting in the aid of many physical problems such as bowel problems, obesity and diarrhea.  Grains Contain fiber and many nutrient...

  Photo by volant on Unsplash Disclaimer Aromatherapy is a popular hobby around the world. It is sometimes recognised in mainstream medicine. Aromatherapy is a complimentary application only. Check for allergies by placing a little of your mixture on your wrist before use. Do not use the oils neat. The oils are pure and they must be mixed in a certain ratio with a carrier oil or water. Use at your own risk. The author takes no responsibility to reactions of any kind occurring to the body or mind during use of essential oils. If using an oil burner or scented candle be careful with the flame. If unsure please check with your doctor. Make sure you buy your oils pure from a reputable vendor.  Aroma-Therapy Did you know that aroma-therapy is recognised by modern medicine. Well it is, and it's a lovely thing to do. Engaging the senses is awesome and here are ways to experiment with your sense of smell: There are many types of essential oils within this article containing some of m...

 Yoga Definition yoga or   Yo·ga [  yoh -g uh  ] SHOW IPA noun a school of Hindu philosophy advocating and prescribing a course of physical and mental disciplines for attaining liberation from the material world and union of the self with the  Supreme Being  or ultimate principle. any or all of the methods or disciplines prescribed in the Hindu philosophical school of yoga, especially a series of postures and breathing exercises practiced to achieve tranquility, control of the body and mind, etc. union of the self with the  Supreme Being  or ultimate principle. About Yoga The practice of yoga began in ancient India,. Yoga means to yoke, and it can mean to unite with God or to unite with the self. Yoga didn't enter into the Western world until the early 20th Century. But these days yoga is very popular throughout the western world. There are about a dozen different forms of the discipline of yoga and you can read about that here:  Types of Yog...

The bloody dishes! For years I struggled with this hang-up about doing the dishes. They don't bring me joy. What a headache! Lying on the couch in a state of inertia, knowing that there were dishes to be done and not being able to. It got on top of me. I did usually do them, at least I tried. At some stage I stopped using soap, I felt that with a scourer it was unnecessary, and that it was cheaper and more environmentally friendly. My dishes were always smudged though. It took me ages to work out that soap was helpful in doing the dishes. It's cleaner too, I'm so messy that I have to clean the house every morning.  Almost every night I would bail on the dishes and plan to do them in the mornings. I guess washing the dishes really only takes about 10 minutes. Tea-towels are nice but basically I would leave them to drain. With the dishes you can easily apply the Pareto principle, where 80% of the outcome depends on 20% of the causes. The parable being that If the kitchen is d...