December 2016nikkenergy ~ it's all just energy

Wednesday, 21 December 2016

Happy Solstice 2016

Nicki Edgell Wednesday, December 21, 2016 nutrition

Happy Solstice and festive holidays to you... read more on what the Solstice means and my top tips for reducing stress so that you can stay healthy and happy and enjoy some festive indulgence.

Happy Solstice and festive holidays to you

This is the time - RIGHT NOW at the Solstice… to stop the world and allow your body and your mind to recover fully from a busy hectic year. If you can it's a time to allow your energy to wind down and go inward for a day or two, allowing time to really think through what you want the next year to look like. You might choose to make a vision board of images/words that sum up what you'd like 2017 to bring. I'll be doing just that.

Setting the intentions for the new year is a very powerful thing and unlike new year's resolutions will energetically follow you through the year to help manifest what you would love.

I'd love to share with you some thoughts and tips for reducing the stress and enjoying the indulgence during your festive days ahead so that you can stay well and happy.

The Christmas Meal

The sheer thought of Christmas lunches and dinners make some people think of overindulgence and expanding waistlines. However when you focus on the nourishing aspects of the festive meals ahead you’ll realise that they have a wealth of therapeutic properties. Here are my top 5 foods that I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Turkey!

Turkey is a rich source of the essential amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, is often described as the “happy neurotransmitter”. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a popular type of anti-depressant drugs that block the recycling of serotonin so more of it stays active. This brings a feeling of well-being and reduces feelings of worry, anxiety and depression. Serotonin that has come naturally from food also has similar effects on mood, as well as on satiety – the “feeling full factor” – and sleep quality.

Turkey is also a really good source of protein which helps keep your blood sugar levels stable.

So, if you’d like to avoid succumbing to cravings for Christmas pudding, a generous portion of turkey, followed by a little break before deciding on whether you’re having dessert, could help.

Lovely roasted parsnips

Tryptophan requires the presence of a carbohydrate in order for it to travel across the blood brain barrier, the protective immune layer that keeps our brain safe from invasion by bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. as well as toxins. Parsnips provide a source of carbohydrate that’s mostly soluble fibre which is pre-biotic by nature, i.e. it feeds the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. These bugs produce a number of natural molecules. Some of them, known as short-chain fatty acids, have protective effects and anti-inflammatory properties. (For example, butyrate – a fatty molecule also present in butter).

Sprouts?

The nutrients in sprouts and similar vegetables like cabbage can help reduce the risk of some cancers. In particular isothiocyanates, that help cells metabolise toxins. Detoxification is a function that takes place 24/7 in every cell of our bodies and some natural compounds like those in sprouts, can help us promote cellular health.

If you prefer red cabbage, you can give the sprouts a miss. The flavonoids in red cabbage are known to stimulate the production of nitric oxide, a natural muscle relaxant particularly in the blood vessels. This can help blood pressure go down.

Stuffing

Use chestnuts, rich in fibre,vitamin B6 and folate; two of the key nutrients for heart and brain health. They’re delicious roasted too. They could also be the perfect alternative to a sugary Christmas dessert... a few roasted chestnuts with a little dark chocolate melted on top may be the perfect solution.

70% +

High cocoa chocolate, with a minimum of 70% cocoa mass, is a good source of magnesium and contains a variety of flavonols believed to support good cardiovascular health. They also seem to have a positive effect on cholesterol balancing.

So my message is: enjoy and indulge in your Christmas meal! It's a special meal and a time for celebration and togetherness. With togetherness in mind my top tip for reducing stress around cooking and the day itself is to cook the turkey the day before! Controversial but tried and tested and works fabulously to free up the oven and your time on the 25th. You can also carve and make the gravy and parcel up with a little gravy in an oven proof dish ready to pop back in the oven 40 mins before the veg are ready. The other thing I love to do is to get the whole family (including relatives who might be staying) to sit around the dining table the day before and all share in preparing the vegetables. It's a very sociable thing to do and makes everyone feel involved in creating the feast.

So rest assured that by choosing the right amounts of the right foods you are nourishing your body and promoting health to ensure you have a fabulous New Year.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful festive season and look forward to a happy 2017.

Nicki

If you would like to book in to see me I'll be back working on the 4th January. Feel free to leave a message by email nicki@nutritionandhealing.co.uk or telephone (07786405366)

Tuesday, 13 December 2016

Magnetic Shampoo? Have Nikken Gone Too Far this Time?

Nicki Edgell Tuesday, December 13, 2016 magnets, skincare, triphase

Animal Magnetism

Pioneering Japanese wellness company Nikken have long been at the cutting edge of magnetic therapy ever since they invented magnetic insoles back in 1975. Subsequently magnetic beds, bracelets and seat covers followed a natural progression and all seemed perfectly sensible. Magnetised water through their unique Pimag Waterfall system was a little more left field but still rooted in good science. But now this? How can you have a magnetic shampoo? What does it mean? What does it do? Will paperclips attach to your hair? Have the research and development team really lost their marbles (or ball bearings) this time?

Jack Black becomes magnetized in the movie Be Kind Rewind

The new Triphase Shampoo and Conditioner released this month won't of course permanently magnetize your head (although magnetic stimulation to any parts of your body can have positive health benefits). The magnetic properties in these hair care products refer to iron oxide particles that carry a magnetic charge. These magnetic particles provide mechanical stimulation and movement in the shampoo and conditioner to help provide a long lasting deep clean.

"True Elements TriPhase Hair Care is unique - there is no other shampoo or conditioner in the marketplace with Nikken TriPhase Technology."

Both products also employ far-infrared and negative ion technologies (hence the patented Triphase® designation) which combine to create a well-being environment that helps your body relax and recharge.

Does it Work?

Well, it's new to the market but early indications have been impressive with reports of exceptional growth, extra long lasting shine, and even that sense of well-being and clear headedness. It also only needs a teaspoon per wash and will keep your hair clean longer than normal shampoos allowing longer gaps between washes.

"I was a bit nervous about this product being too heavy for my hair, which is average thickness, but I have a lot of it. Also, it’s a natural product which means it’s a little thicker than usual and you might need to use a little more than usual. But WOW! This stuff is amazing. My hair is soft and shiny and looks really good. But the most interesting thing about this shampoo/conditioner duo, and this is going to sound a little crazy, was that I felt like it cleared my mind. I don’t know how else to explain the feeling. I simply feel noticeably better. When I get out of the shower, I feel more clear headed and this feeling carries throughout the day." Mark

"The new true elements shampoo and conditioner is AMAZING. 4 INCHES & MY hair is healthier than it has ever been." Hailee

"Finally, a natural, organic shampoo that helps the hair be stronger, grow faster and help the scalp!" Tina

"I guess you can say my hair is the oily type... or it least it was. I've been using the new True Elements TriPhase shampoo and condition from Nikken (with magnetic particles, far-infrared & negative ions) for a little over one week, now. Well guess what? When I brushed my hair this morning, there was no greasiness!" Eileen

Features

Magnetic particles provide mechanical stimulation and movement in the shampoo and conditioner to help provide a long lasting deep clean.

Far-Infrared Technology absorbs energy and reflects it in the far-infrared spectrum for a gentle, natural and warm energy that helps nourish and condition the scalp and hair

Negative ions collide with oxygen and water to produce a negative electric charge that emits healthy bio-energy to help create the ideal environment for a healthy scalp.

Formulated for all hair types (dry, normal, oily, chemically-treated, color-enhanced) to help maintain healthy scalp and hair.

Contains quality, natural ingredients, such as Aloe Leaf Extract, Bentonite, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, Copper Gluconate, Peppermint Oil and Germanium that work together to clean, moisturize, condition, help treat the scalp and stimulate hair growth, and help promote antibacterial, anti-free radical activities.

Copper gluconate is known for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Dermatologists have found that copper is a cofactor required for healthy skin growth, including the skin cells in hair follicles. Research shows that copper helps condition the scalp and combat hair loss.

Bentonite works like a magnet that bonds to contaminants and helps eliminate them from the hair and scalp.

Does not contain harsh and/or harmful ingredients, such as sulfates, parabens and PEGS, which can strip hair of its natural oils, damage the scalp’s protective barrier, promote the growth of microbes and irritate the skin.

Animal Testing Free.

INGREDIENTS: Water (Aqua), Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Bentonite, Xanthan Gum, Glycol Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Panthenol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint Oil), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Lactic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Propagermanium, Copper Gluconate, Iron Oxide (C1 77491)

Please feel free to contact me for further information:
nicki@nikkenergy.com

(0044)7786 405366

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