#it says: •Lentils •Cornflakes •My will to live

[superfast-jellybitch]

These guys, am I right?

[restoringbalance8-blog]

Hormones. Part One.

Many of my high school years were mislead by a particular YouTuber called FreeLee the Banana Girl. Her mantra, basically, was that fat makes you fat because it is ‘fat’, and that we should all #carbthefuckup in order to lose weight. 90-95% carbs, and 5-10% fat/protein. She also said that when you're on a high carb vegan diet that you could eat as many calories you want and stay trim. 

Her toned physique caused many people to believe her theory was true. However, what she did not point out was that she was cycling almost all day and every day, and this is probably why she could eat as many carbs and calories as she wanted without gaining weight. The reality is that many people who don’t earn a living off YouTube (AKA 99.99999% of us) have sedentary lifestyles: sitting at school/university, at work, or at home. So, when I tried this carbthefuckup diet in year 11, I was hungry all the time (carbs-personally- do NOT fill me up), went to the bathroom like crazy, and I put on a lot of weight (just to the point of chubby).

When I finally realised this diet was unrealistic, I started to incorporate more fats and protein (tofu, nut butters, olive oil, beans, etc.) and I dropped the weight easily. It has taken me since year 11 (so, like 3 years) to realise that fats will NOT make you fat. It is misleading because ‘fats���and ‘fat’ share the same word. Most of us still believe that low-fat yoghurts and low-fat milks and low-fat potato chips are healthier than full fat, but this is not the case!

Here are some statistics. Since 1990, we have increased out intake of carbohydrates by 40% Since 1990, obesity has increased by 30%

Furthermore, there has been a four-fold increase in financial claims to do with psychiatric health issues since 1991. 

This is why statistics at school was important, guys. Do these statistics exhibit causation or correlation? Has the western world’s increase in carbohydrates caused an increase in obesity? Has the increase in carbohydrates (especially refined), contributed to the significant rise in mental illness? I ask you to challenge every fact I present to you in this blog post and think critically about the information you take on board. I will go into the science that made me understand and believe why fats do not make you fat, but sugar does. But, please do your own research and form your own beliefs. Yes, science is meant to be true, but it does not become REAL until you make it your own. 

The low-fat diet was really popular in the 1990s and 2000s, but is becoming less and less popular as things like avocado and nut butters have become trendy health foods. 

And, people (including me!) are now starting to realise that SUGAR is the devil, not FAT. 

I only read the following fact last week, and it has shaken me and kind of bothered me. 

40% of weight gain or loss is to do with calories. 

The rest is dependent on hormones. 

Sugar releases a hormone called insulin.

Insulin tells the brain to store energy (from calories) as fat.

Refined sugar and refined grains like cornflakes have very high glycemic indices (GI) which mean that the spike in blood sugar and insulin is very high. Fun fact... actually not that fun because cornflakes are yum... but cornflakes have a higher GI than white sugar. This means you’re better off eating a bowl of white sugar than cornflakes for breakfast :oooooo

Fat, as far as my research has shown, does not release insulin. Sure, if you eat way too many calories in nuts and avocado you will put on weight. But, if you eat blood-spiking sugar (see picture below), the brain will respond by telling your body to store the calories from both the food you have just eaten. This is why Timtams, are known as a “fat bomb”- the refined sugar spikes blood sugar causing the release of insulin, which then tells the brain to store both the calories from the sugar AND the fat from the TimTam. 

Now, please don’t let this scare you from eating carbohydrates. Don’t even let this scare you from combining fats with sugars. In fact, eating healthy fats and proteins with carbohydrates helps regulate the blood sugar spike, meaning less insulin and less fat storage. 

There are many good and very healthy carbohydrates that you should definitely eat! Especially before and after a workout or tiring day or whenever you feel like them! Some of these include:

Cold potatoes (by cooling, the potato membrane structure changes so that it doesn’t metabolise as glucose.... or something like that- I can’t really remember. All I know that cold potatoes are better than hot, so don’t fear from that cold potato salad xo) Kumara & Pumpkin and virtually any vegetable you can possibly think of Fruit- berries, apples, grapefruit, and some more all have low Glycemic Indices. But still eat that banana because bananas are yum and they have good fibre, iron and potassium. AND they’re a million times better than a caramel slice! Oats Legumes-chickpeas, lentils, etc. Brown rice (or basmati rice as a healthier white rice option). But best to eat normal white rice in MODERATION as it has a relatively high GI.

There are plenty more! But do your research and eat what feels best for you. If you are hungry 10 minutes after eating that slice of bread, then it probably spiked your blood sugar and left you feeling hungry, etc, etc. If you feel amazing and content after eating that banana, then fucking eat it! Everyone is different and has different DNA codes so it’s impossible to make a one-rule for all. Just think about how different the colours are of a black person and white person! The same internally! Bananas may love one person’s body, and not love another person’s body as much. So, pretty much, just eat what makes YOU feel good. Even though this new information has really bothered me and made me really nervous about what I’m eating and what kind of GI it has, I think at the end of the day, as long as you eat more veggies in your diet, then you’re doing amazing. There is really nothing wrong with veggies. And soak em up in some coconut cream and curry powder! Yummmm.

The main thing we should all stay away from as much as possible is refined sugar and refined grains (I’m looking at YOU Midnight Cake... with your devilish white flour and sugar...grr) Once in a while is fine, but definitely consume that tomato sauce (soooo high in sugar omg) you’re having with your kumara fries less, or that fizzy drink you’re having with your curry. 

Actually, there is a new tomato sauce by Real Foods that has no refined sugar and sweetened naturally. I am yet to buy it, but I believe it is sold at most New World’s.

Anyway, I hope this post was informative. It is in no way meant to scare you, but I personally believe knowledge is power, and the more power and control we have over our own bodies and mental health then the better our lives shall be. Knowing why our body feels a certain way after eating something, will hopefully help us lead healthier lives.

I haven’t really touched on the mental health side of things and how sugar and refined carbs could affect your wellbeing but that is another long post in itself. And I need to get some sleep soon.

My next post on hormones will be related to female hormones and how we should nourish and look after our finely tuned bodies. This is still a fairly new topic for me, but let's just say that I am currently trialling a new exercise regime. I’m like my own science experiment. Lol. I’m so nerdy. 

Thanks for reading and go hard on that coconut yoghurt and those brazil nuts!!

Much love

K

[paintedimagining]

Rules: Complete the questions and say who tagged you in the beginning. When you’re finished, tag people to do this survey. Have fun and enjoy!

Tagged by adorable @i-own-loki

1. Are you named after someone?  Yes! I am named after Emma Hamilton, Lord Nelson's mistress....yeah sounds a bit kinda dodgy,  but bear with me lol Emma was from Ness on The Wirral where I am from so she's a local lass! And to be technical, my mum was watching a repeat of the old b/w movie 'That Hamilton Women' with Vivien Leigh (her favourite actress) as Emma when she was in hospital and pregnant with me when she suddenly and unexpectedly when into early labour 3 weeks before due date so was rushed into theatre.  So I guess it was meant to be.

2. When was the last time you cried?  Friday 

3. Do you like your handwriting?  You know kinda do, when I take the time to do it properly otherwise it tends to look like a drunken spiders crawled all over the page; but arthritis in my dominant hand is making my handwriting even more rubbish

4. What is your favorite lunch meal? Not really sure as I have some ongoing issues with food, but I do love a nice soup! And a nice salad, or lentils and that kinda thing- something light for lunch. And I’m a total glutton for olives or stuffed vine leaves ooooomg 

5. Do you have kids? Nope.  Unless you count my pets lol

6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?  Lol what sort of question is that is ask something who hates themselves?

7. Do you use sarcasm?  I've a PHD in sarcasm

8. Do you still have your tonsils?  Yes

9. Would you bungee jump?  Yes! I love anything outdoorsy.

10. What is your favorite kind of cereal?  Gawd I haven't eaten cereal in years, but I guess plain old cornflakes or...OH golden grahams I just remembered existed lol or muesli....wait, does muesli count as a cereal?

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?  Nope ooops 

12. Do you think you’re a strong person?  Yes.  Except, I never thought so until recently when another remarked about how much I have gone through and endured and put up with and had to do and survived and still am, yet still here I am.

13. What is your favorite ice cream?  oooo man....erm rum & raisin I guess is my go to, but I also love pistachio

14. What is the first thing you notice about people?  Oh that's tricky...their eyes?  

15. What is the least favorite physical thing you like about yourself? You are asking me to name just ONE? Let's not open that can of triggering worms as I hate everything LOL

16. What color pants and shoes are you wearing now?  Blue and not wearing shoes because I’m a rebel lol

17. What are you listening to right now?  That bloody wood pigeon that wakes me up at 6am every morning grrr except now he has seagull backing singers lol

18. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  Blue

19. Favorite smell?  Old books, lavender, real fire, freshly baked bread and treats, wet pavements, heather

20. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?  My ISP to sort the crappiness of the connection out and the constant scam calls claiming to be from them- I’m getting them sometimes up to 7x a bloody day!

21. Favorite sport to watch?  Rugby, dancing, watersports or survival/endurance sports

22. Hair color?  Brown.  Though my mam is a red-head and in the summer my hair goes sooooo coppery.

23. Eye color?  Hazel brown

24. Do you wear contacts?  Nope, just glasses for now when I need them, but considering contacts

25. Favorite food to eat?  Oh erm anything really but its tricky question for me. I love so many and diverse things from olives to miso soup. But, even if I do say so myself I make a mean sunday roast, so maybe that, or good old fashion fish 'n' chips- and cheese 

26. Scary movies or comedy?  Both? But maybe more comedy

27. Last movie you watched? Third Star 

28. What color of shirt are you wearing?  White

29. Summer or winter?  Autumn and Spring LOL alright....winter

30. Hugs or kisses?  Both and would like more please because I'm not getting nearly enough of either, in fact none at all rn and I hate it, so if anyone is offering...

31. What book are you currently reading?  Outlander

32. Who do you miss right now?  My friends but I doubt anyone misses me, and the carefree girl I use to be

33. What is on your mouse pad?  Don't have one

34. What is the last TV program you watched?  She-Wolves: England's Early Queens on BBC 4, on Isabella and Margaret of Anjou this week. I've seen the series before but still it's fascinating

35. What is the best sound?  Rain on the window? Oh, or the rolling waves breaking on rocks

36. Rolling Stones or The Beatles?  Dude, I'm from Merseyside- if I didn't say The Beatles I'd be excommunicated lol But yeah I do genuinely love The Beatles (kinda hard not to being from here) but also love the Rolling Stones 

37. What is the furthest you have ever traveled?  Wait from where I live?  Erm, Rüthen in Germany

38. Do you have a special talent?  Erm...I can paint, and I am/was a soprano singer- do they count? 

39. Where were you born?  The Wirral, England

I mean I'm sure most have already been tagged in this so I appoligise if I tag you again, but my darlings @hacash @neon-green-bra @@mototwinkclub @cmorgana @silvertyger @iamsundayschild and anyone else that wants to join in!

[veg-doll-blog]

Why Go Vegan?

The human body is an amazing composition that many of us take for granted. Unfortunately, we do not see our bodies as temples or sanctuaries that need; protecting, encouraging, nurturing, or taking care of, to a far-enough extent. In order to respect our bodies, our fellow animals, and improve our environment, we can choose to go vegan and do wondrous things for this planet, beyond imagination. Over time, people discovered that they can eat animals and animal's produce. But also, with the help of studies and researches, we learnt that this is not the healthiest or a decent way to survive and live, as human beings need: water, fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts in order to have a healthy diet. Protein, Vitamins and Fibre are in all of these at a much higher concentrate than in any meat! Think about it: if a plant takes an amount of energy from the sun, say 1000Kj, after dying and being consumed by an animal, they receive about 10% of the original energy, so that's 100Kj of energy. And after this, when a person goes to eat the animal, they receive 10% of this amount, being 10Kj of energy. Choosing the Vegan diet has been proven to be the healthiest way for a human to live. The reason why people believe otherwise is because all of the Governments over the world only care about profit. If farmers are raking in hundreds of thousands of pounds daily just because people are buying meat every day of the year, they are initially earning lots and lots of money, and do not wish to stop being so greedy! However, if everyone in the whole world went vegan overnight, (or a week) farmers would be out of business! They would not be able to afford to feed their animals any grains, they will not be able to afford the gas machines or electric rods or anything else to harm / trap animals in. They would be forced to either free their animals, handing their land over to sanctuary companies, who would nurture the animals back to health, or let the animals they have left die, which would ultimately end their painful suffering. That's not all! After this, a chain-effect begins to fall in place; we would have the crops and land to grow foods and end world-hunger a whopping 14 times over, every year! (50,000 animals are part of the meat industry every year who are fed for up to 6 months before being sent to the slaughter houses). Also, these animals that are taken to slaughter houses by lorries wouldn't exist anymore, reducing loads of CO2 pollution in the atmosphere. The bottom line: people can free the animals who are being cruelly mistreated and taken as 'livestock', we can work together and solve world hunger, foods will be cheaper, healthier and more sustainable, and the atmosphere would be a lot cleaner, reducing the carbon footprint. Did you know, that since man started eating softer foods, (by cooking different meats) the average human - jaw's size has decreased. But having kept the same amount of teeth within the jaw, many people now need to have orthodontic treatment (braces)! A vegan lifestyle consists of being compassionate and kind to all living beings. It also improves the quality of life and supports people's energy levels. Supplements are usually advised by health stores however I find that a simple spoonful of Chia and Flax seeds a day keeps the levels of iron, magnesium and natural Omega3 at a strong level. Flax seeds are advised for: cereals, vegan yogurts, savoury muffins, and smoothies. However I introduced my first ever Flax seeds to baked beans, pasta dishes, sandwiches and sprinkled on top of substitute meats, like Linda McCartney Sausages! So what is a standard-day's diet? Breakfast: beans on toast with grated Vio-life cheese and ground flaxseed, with a glass of almond milk. Or a nice wholefood cereal, like 'Coco Pops', 'Rice Crispies' or 'Cornflakes' Lunches: a classic marmite (or homemade jam) sandwich, some fruit with a cup of tea with soya milk. / pasta / mini pizzas (Holland and Barrett / homemade) Dinners: a 'Linda McCartney Vegetarian {product}', seasoned potato wedges / pasta / onion rings / rice with a sauce or Vegetable Stir Fries / Vegetable &Lentil Soups. (Always check tomato soups for any milk contents!) Deserts: Fruity Vegan Cheese Cake / Peaches (or strawberries) and Alpro Soya Cream / Alpro deserts / Apple and Pear Crumble with Alpro Custard / Homemade Flapjacks The list of foods are endless!! Extra notes for foods: Fruits are divided into the following categories: sweet, acid, and melon. Eating melon: should be consumed alone with no other foods, if you have 2 foods and 1 is melon, eat it half hour after the first, or eat the other half an hour after the melon! Do not eat Rice With Potato! Here are some helpful guides to healthy foods & foods for easy digestion http://www.ibuzzle.com/articles/easy-to-digest-foods.html http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/digestive-health/Pages/stomach-friendly-foods.aspx http://www.mademan.com/mm/10-foods-digest-fast.html