Wealden Wellbeing

Bless You!

With nearly 18 million of us suffering from it in the UK alone, hay fever seems never ending for those itching and snuffling throughout summer. But what are the options for treatment? We talk to three holistic health experts to get their advice on some natural remedies...

The team at Helios Tunbridge Wells...

What is Homeopathy and how does it work?

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that uses minute doses of substances, usually from plant or mineral origin, prepared to traditional methods. The word Homeopathy comes from the Greek words and means similar suffering. This refers to the central philosophy that a substance which can produce symptoms in a healthy person can, in homeopathic dose, cure those symptoms in a sick person. For example a person suffering from typical hay fever symptoms of streaming and irritated eyes and nose might be given a remedy prepared from an onion.

Can homeopathy help with the symptoms of hay fever?

We receive many telephone calls and enquiries in the pharmacy asking for help with hay fever. There are many remedies that might help with hay fever symptoms but in order for homeopathy to be effective it is important to match the person’s symptoms as closely as possible to the remedy picture or for very severe, long standing problems have an in-depth consultation with a homeopath. 

Are there particular homeopathic remedies you would recommend for the condition?

Two of the most commonly prescribed remedies for typical symptoms of irritated eyes and nose, sneezing etc are Mixed Pollens and Grasses, which contain pollens from grasses, trees, shrubs and flowers and a combination of three remedies Euphrasia, Allium Cepa and Sabadilla.

To find out more about Helios Homeopathy visit their shop and clinic at 97 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, call 01892 537254 or see www.helios.co.uk.

Health coach and personal trainer, Sophie Pattihis

Are there foods hay fever sufferers should avoid when pollen counts are high? 

Allergic reactions, like hay fever, are not just inconvenient symptoms to be suppressed, but a valuable signal from the body that it is struggling with stress, acidity and inflammation caused by diet, lifestyle and gene expression. based on each client’s bio-individuality – the vital key to being able to ‘eat yourself out of ’ any inflammatory state. There are certain foods that commonly trigger inflammation such as processed wheat and dairy, refined sugar, animal protein and alcohol.

Are there any foods that will help alleviate symptoms? 

Yes! Salads, smoothies, juices and stir fries are the way to re-balance naturally. Raw, organic veg, fruits, nuts and seeds are rich in the anti-oxidant vitamin C and flavonoids, a group of plant pigments with natural anti-histamine properties. Examples of great options are dark green vegetables like spinach, broccoli and kale and orange and red foods such as tomatoes, beetroot and berries. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts are also beneficial.

Do you recommend any specific supplements – vitamins and minerals – that will help? 

Rather than ‘supplements’, I have my top three bio-available foods that the body can easily recognise and use immediately. Wheatgrass powder fortifies the blood, is antiinflammatory and is the best source of living chlorophyll. Raw honey and bee pollen contain quercertin, another anti inflammatory compound that’s great for the immune system and Omega 3 fish oil is an effective antioxidant. 

See Sophie’s website for health coaching appointments, inspiration and recipes galore: www.thefeelingway.com

Healer and author, with a special interest in plants, Anna Parkinson

When using herbs medicinally, would you recommend taking them in tincture, tea or tablet form? 

I would recommend a tincture or a tea over tablets because I like to use herbs as fresh as possible. Making a tea with fresh herbs is so easy: pour hot water over a small handful of leaves and leave it covered to steep for 15 minutes before drinking. A tincture is made from the essence extracted in alcohol, also easy to take as drops in water. 

Are there any herbs which are of particular benefit to hay fever sufferers? 

Nettle tea, made as above, will clear the liver and it’s delicious if made from fresh leaves. Rosemary tea clears and dries nasal passages, and sage tea will do the same for throat and chest. My personal favourite for itchy eyes are eye-drops made from distilled loosestrife root, Lythrum salicaria, a 17th century recipe that is fantastic for any eye problem. A witch hazel eye bath is also good. Eyebright is commonly recommended also.

Can I grow any of these herbs in my garden?

Plants have such a varied and wonderful interaction with us that many plants will treat the same ailment, but personally I think the best ones to use are the ones you can obtain closest to home. Many of the most effective herbs, like loosestrife, grow wild in the countryside around you. Anyone can grow sage, rosemary and thyme in a pot and these will serve you all through the year, for coughs and chest infections in the winter and hay fever in the summer.

Anna is the author of ‘Nature’s Alchemist: John Parkinson, herbalist to Charles I’, and
'Change your Mind, Heal your Body’. For more about Anna see www.annaparkinson.com. For appointments call 0781 806 1605

Wealden Wellbeing

 Big Calm

How can we strengthen the connection between mind and body? WT explores the spiritual side to meditation in celebration of our countdown the the Midsummer Fair and Priceless People Wellbeing Festival 2015...

We have the pleasure of introducing Rev. Peter Owen-Jones. As well as being the Vicar of Firle, Peter is a writer, celebrated inspirational public speaker and has, over the last 8 years presented award winning documentaries for the BBC including Around the World in 80 Faiths and Extreme Pilgrim. His new book Pathlands is out now, and documents 21 circular walks that span the length and breadth of the breathtaking British Isles. We're thrilled to announce that this will be the topic of his talk when he makes his appearance at the Wealden Times Midsummer Fair and Priceless People Wellbeing Festival in June.

 

What is the difference between meditation and prayer?
 
Meditation is time set aside to encounter your own stillness, while prayer, which leads to stillness, is generally directed and responsive, Prayer is a journey into the nature of God and a conscious encounter with our eternal nature, meditation immerses us in it.

Does the Christian church have a history of meditation?
 
Church history isn’t earthed in meditation but Father Bede Griffith, a Christian Priest and writer living in India in the 20th century, encouraged Christians to meditate. The practice of ‘centring’ prayer which is beginning to be introduced into Christian churches is similar to meditation. We sit in silence and empty ourselves of all thought, and, like meditation, it takes both practice and discipline.

How does Christian meditation differ from meditation within the Eastern religious traditions?
 
There are many different forms of meditation contained within Eastern traditions and all meditation practice is bound up with the setting, the time and the willingness of the participant to ‘let go’ of the hard ropes of reality. To distinguish between Christian and Buddhist meditation is like trying to distinguish between to identical sheets of glass.

Is the current interest in meditation having an impact within the Anglican church ?
 
We now live in a time of spiritual renaissance, an evolution of many religious practices is slowly coagulating into the emerging ethics of a new humanity. You might find a sense of this right out on the edges of Anglicanism but they are far from the centre which sees its role as defender of faith. The osmosis taking place on the edges is both revealing and exciting. 


 

Peter's book Pathlands will be available to buy from the Priceless People Wellbeing tent on Saturday 6th June. For more information and tickets visit our website...We look forward to seeing you there!

May's Wealden Wellbeing

  Flexible Health  

Just what is it about yoga that makes it so popular? Julie Simpson speaks to three experts in the field about the mind and body benefits of practicing this ancient discipline...

Kat Farrants
Yoga Entrepreneur
Is yoga a religious practice? 
To me, no. If people want it to be religious, then it can be. Yoga is movement with intent and if people want that intention to be directed towards spiritual awakening of whatever religion, then that’s great. I practice yoga with the intent of listening and being present, to myself, to others. This is something that I try to do both on and off the mat. Yoga has its background in the Hindu tradition, but it can be moulded to suit modern lives. 


What are the health benefits of yoga? 
So many! Being ‘present’ takes the awareness into the present moment which reduces stress. Taking deep breaths also reduces stress and is beneficial for the lungs and cells of the body. Keeping the body moving is so good, when most of us spend our days sitting in front of a screen. I see yoga as moving consciously and breathing deeply, both helpful when dealing with tricky everyday situations. 


Why has a practice from ancient Indian become so popular in the modern world? 
Because it is a series of practices which really work! In times when we are expected to be multi-tasking and always ready to answer calls and emails, it’s great to have a practice which can give you peace of mind. And in a society where we sit a lot, it’s lovely to be able to move more in all directions, even when there’s not much time. 

Kat is founder of Movement for Modern Life, an online yoga company which brings together the very best teachers from the UK and internationally. This is yoga Anytime. Any where. Any wear. Accessed from laptops, smart phones or by plugging the computer into the TV, the best teachers will come to you. Classes range from 5 minutes to 90 minutes of challenging yoga. www.movementformodernlife.com

Lucy McNeill
Yoga Teacher
Do you have to be flexible to join a yoga class? 
Yoga is about so much more than flexibility and the flexible people can be the most vulnerable to injury, especially if they are competitive! Flexibility is a reward of practicing yoga and so too is increased strength, stamina, body awareness and mental clarity. Even more importantly Yoga teaches us to breathe well, to calm the mind and to find more balance in our daily lives.


How do I find a yoga class that suits my needs?
Do your research into teachers and studios, ask around and visit a class with an open mind, if you don’t like it try another teacher, no one will be offended. It is so important to find a teacher you connect with and trust remembering that not everyone practices Yoga for the same reasons. You need
to feel confident that the teacher will help you to explore your own body and mind in a safe and welcoming atmosphere. No ego, just a deep-seated desire to help you on your journey, with Yoga and your teacher as a guide.


How often do I need to practice yoga to see the benefits?
Once a week is not enough, although better than nothing at all! The body forgets easily and so, 2 well–spaced classes a week is a great way to feel the advantages quite quickly. If your schedule allows, try for 3 classes a week. Be realistic, no-one needs to be getting stressed out trying to fit in a yoga class! Perhaps, take in a live class twice a week to be sure you are on the right track with alignment and understanding and supplement with on-line videos.


Lucy McNeill is a yoga teacher and founder of Flow, a new yoga studio and treatment room in Tunbridge Wells for yoga, osteopathy, acupuncture, Shiatsu, massage, therapies and health. www.flowtunbridgewells.com

Cathy-Mae Karelse
Yoga therapist and Auyervedic practitioner
What is Yoga Therapy?
It’s not unusual for us to feel out of sorts occasionally. Commonly our bodies find ways to
rebalance when the disturbances are shortlived. But at other times, particularly in the case of stress-induced conditions, we live with chronic dis-ease of the body, mind and heart. Yoga therapy works with the whole person: it takes account of bodily sensations, emotions, mental patterning and spiritual life. It draws upon the ancient practices of yoga and Ayurveda as well as mindfulness using postures, breathwork and various skills to restore well being. 


Is it only suitable for experienced yogis? 
Everyone is able to benefit from yoga therapy. A good yoga therapist designs programmes suitable to the needs of an individual; it is patient-centred rather than disease-oriented. Through a process of interaction (some discussion and short practices), the ‘client’ usually leaves with guidelines and/or a ‘practice’ to implement to foster symptomatic relief while working to dislodge root cause.


What kind of conditions benefit from Yoga therapy?
It’s tempting to say that all conditions can be improved through yoga therapy as healing resides on the rapport between the ‘client’ and therapist rather than the condition itself. That said, there is a growing evidence base showing improvement in conditions like asthma, diabetes, arthritis, depression, anxiety, stress-related disorders, cardio-vascular and trauma-related disorders. 


Cathy-Mae will be joining us at Wealden Times Midsummer Fair. Alongside her role training yoga teachers and yoga therapists as well as teaching Ayurveda, mindfulness and mindfulness trainers, Cathy-Mae has a Wellness Practice offering various consultations. She is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Westminster and is currently studying for PhD at the School of African and Oriental studies based around meditation and mindfulness. Visit www. cathymae.com or www.clearmindinstitute.com



Wealden Times Midsummer Fair & Priceless People Wellbeing Festival sponsored by Benenden Hospital & Benenden Health runs from 4-6 June at Hole Park, Rolvenden. To book your tickets visit www.wealdentimes.co.uk/events

WT's Take Five

  WT's Top Five Eat Green Recipes  

As part of the weekly countdown to the Midsummer Fair and Priceless People Wellbeing Festival this year, we're focusing on all things nutritious and delicious. So here are 5 of our favourite recipes so far and a cheeky ticket discount code for our lucky foodie readers, so you can come along for just £6.50!

1. WT's Helen recently purchased a Nutri Ninja and is having endless fun inventing new recipes for smoothies, soups, dips and dressings. Here's one of them...

The Blossom Blend...

What you'll need:

● spinach ● half an avocado ● 1 lime ● fresh ginger ● mint leaves ● 1 small pear ● cucumber ● chia seeds ●

● Slice up the avocado, cucumber and pear into smaller pieces and place in the blender along with the spinach

● Using a tea spoon, scrape off the peel of the ginger root and cut into chunks

● Squeeze in the lime juice and pop in the mint leaves and finally add a tablespoon of chia seeds

● Add the desired amount of water and wizz away until smooth and creamy

2. Over the last few years ethnobotanist James Wong's scientific and labour saving approach to edible gardening has garnered critical acclaim, landing him his own BBC series Grow Your Own Drugs and publishing contracts for numerous books. WT is delighted to announce that James Will be appearing at Wealden Times Midsummer Fair this June where he will be talking about his brand new book Grow For Flavour, sharing tips and tricks to supercharge the flavour of homegrown harvests. Here is one of our favourites, also featured in the April issue...

Roasted Beetroot and Lentil Salad...

What you'll need:

● 1kg small 'Detroit Dark Red' and 'Burpees Golden' beetroots, peeled ● 1 red onion ● 1 tbsp honey ● 2 tbsp unfiltered olive oil ● 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar ● salt and pepper ● 250g precooked beluga lentils ● 1 handful of beet leaves ● juice and rind of 1 orange ● a few sprigs of mint and dill ● 100ml creme fraiche ● 

● Cut the beetroot and onion into quarters. Arrange in a roasting tin and drizzle over the honey, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Do not toss them together as the red beets will stain the yellow ones. Season with salt and pepper. 

● Roast the beetroot in a preheated 200 ˚C / gas mark 6 oven for 45 minutes until tender

● Spoon the lentils onto a plate and arrange the beet leaves around them. Top with the roasted beetroot, drizzle with the orange juice and scatter over the herbs and orange rind

● Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche and extra oil and vinegar. This salad is a match made in heaven with goats cheese or grilled mackerel. 

3. Yoga and nutrition teacher Julie Montagu is on a mission to prove that absolutely anyone can revolutionise their diet to take a giant leap towards long-lasting health. Known as the Flexi Floodie, Julie’s workable approach to incorporating nutrient-rich superfoods into manageable meals has led her to produce her first cookery book Superfoods which showcases nourishing dishes made with unrefined, wholesome ingredients to boost energy levels, lower cholesterol and balance blood sugar levels. Julie will be explaining how

to super-charge your lifestyle to eradicate the bad and introduce the good at this June’s Wealden Times Midsummer Fair’s Priceless People Wellbeing Festival on Friday 5 June.

Coconut and Almond Quinoa with Stewed Plums...

What you'll need:

● 170g quinoi ● 600ml coconut milk (or any plant based milk) ● 2tsp ground cinnamon ● 1tsp vanilla extract ● 4tbsp almond butter (or any other nut butter) ● 6 medium plums ● 100g coconut palm sugar ● 240ml water ● 1 cinnamon stick ● raw honey for drizzling ● desiccated coconut for sprinkling ● 

● Combine the quinoa and coconut milk together in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the cinnamon and vanilla extract, cover and simmer on a low heat for 15-20 minutes

● Meanwhile, make the stewed plums. Cut the plums in half, remove the pits, them cut the plum halves into chunks. Combine the coconut palm sugar, 240ml water and cinnamon stick in a saucepan over a medium to high heat and bring to the boil. Add the plums and continue to cook until the plums are tender. Once tender, use a fork to slightly mash. 

● Once the quinoa is cooked but still a bit runny, put it in 4 bowls and stir in 1 tablespoon of almond butter per bowl. Top with the stewed plums, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of desiccated coconut. 

4. Self confessed chocoholic, Davina McCall has documented how she has banished processed sugar from her life. Her 5 weeks to sugar free book offers tips and sumptuous recipe ideas that are easy and approachable, even with a busy household! Davina has become one of Britain's most recognisable faces and has now sold over 1.5 million copies of her chart topping workout DVDs and raised over 2.6 million for sport relief! Davina will also be appearing at the Midsummer Fair and Priceless People Wellbeing festival to talk about her sugar free journey and offer advice.



Bean Salad

What you'll need:

● 400g green beans ● 400g can of borlotti or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed ● 200g cherry tomatoes, halved ● 1 small red onion, diced ● half a cucumber, diced ● juice of half lemon ● 2 tbsp olive oil ● half tsp mustard ● half tsp honey ● handful of fresh basil leaves ● parmesan cheese shavings ● 

● Bring a saucepan of water to the boil, add the green beans and cook them for 3 minutes. Drain and refresh them under cold water

● Put the green beans, canned beans, tomatoes, red onion and cucumber in a bowl and mix them together. Whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, mustard and honey in a small jug and pour this over the salad

● Scatter over some basil leaves and shavings of Parmesan cheese just before serving



5. WT reader Stéphanie Castelain loves this salad because of the beautiful combination of green and yellow, two wonderful colours that nature can offer us. The crisp, roasted almonds mix well with the tenderness of the broccoli.  The calendula petals add the sunshine touch to the lovely flavour  of the brown basmati rice and fresh goat cheese. See more of her recipes on her blog www.lecomptoirdestephanie.com



Popcorn Salad

What you'll need:

● 1 cup of brown basmati rice ● about 200g of broccoli (only the heads) ● 30g of chopped almonds ● 60g of fresh goat cheese  1 head of a calendula flower ● 1 lemon ● olive oil ● coconut oil ● mustard ● salt ● pepper ●

● Prepare the rice by cooking it following the given instructions on the package (typically you have to wash it first and then cook it for about 40 min).

● Wash carefully the broccoli and steam them for a couple of minutes (10-15 min).

● Heat a pan on a medium heat and add a teaspoon of coconut oil. When the oil is melted add the almonds and roast them until golden brown. Set aside. 

● When the rice is cooked, drain it, rinse it. Once cooled, put it in a dish and add the broccoli. 

● Add in to the dish the fresh goat cheese that you have either diced or crumbled. (I served it aside as my son doesn’t like it) Top the mix with the roasted almonds and dress with the calendula petals.

● Next, prepare the seasoning by mixing 5 table spoons of lemon juice, 8 table spoons of olive oil, one teaspoon of mustard, salt and pepper. Add the seasoning to the salad.


"You will have a wonderful dish with green from Nature and some sunshine rays. Ideal to lift up your mind and spirit."

See below for an exclusive foodie discount code!

Priceless People Wellbeing Festival: Thursday 4th June, Friday 5th June and

Saturday 6th June at Hole Park, Rolvenden, Kent TN17_4JB 9am–4.30pm

Tickets: Advance booking: £7.50* On the gate: £8.50 Exclusive 3- Day Pass: £17

Online Tickets: www.wealdentimes.co.uk/events. Ticket hotline: 01580_713915**

For further information contact Georgina Toynbee and Helen Barton on 01580_714705

*Advance booking price available until 31/05/2015 **Tickets purchased via phone will incur a 50p admin fee

Exclusive Foodie Discount Code - fbloggers15
(ends 30/04/15)

Wealden Wellbeing

  The Pursuit of Happiness  

Is it possible to ever be truly content with ourselves and lead the carefree life we've always dreamed of? WT chats happiness and wellbeing with three of the speakers at this June's Wealden Times Midsummer Fair Priceless People Wellbeing Festival...

Joe Hoare

Joe is a laughter and wellness coach. He helps people access their zest for life so they experience life to their full potential. He works with various organisations, teams and individuals, to energise, inspire and connect. Joe also runs courses to teach people how to use these skills themselves, both personally and professionally, to become more optimistic, mindful and resilient. Visit www.joehoare.co.uk

 What is laughing yoga?

The basis of laughter yoga is that laughter is highly beneficial for us physically, emotionally and psychologically. Laughter yoga and my own brand nls: natural laughter skills promote laughter exercises as a practice, in the same way yoga and ante-natal breathing techniques are practices. It can be done both in groups and individually, indoors and outdoors. It is a powerful and effective way of generating mood-enhancing hormones without adverse side effects. 

What are the benefits of laughing yoga?

The benefits are enormous. It’s a cardiovascular and pulmonary workout, ie good for your heart & lungs. It’s a natural de-stressor, it’s physically relaxing and it boosts the immune system. It aids with type 2 diabetes and even eczema. It helps people connect, communicate better, and improves morale. It can train us to become more optimistic, mindful and resilient people. 

 Does laughter make you happy?

Laughter practices can help us become happier. The 19^th century American psychologist William James observed ‘We don’t laugh because we’re happy, we’re happy because we laugh.’ It is definitely true that laughter practices can help us become happier. The documentary ‘The Best Medicine’, on vimeo on laughter practices shows how these practices help someone cope with their tumour. Visit www.bristollaughterclub.com

Sadhguru, The Isha Foundation

The Isha foundation is an international non profit organisation, run by over 2 million volunteers worldwide, headquartered at the Isha Yoga Centre in Southern India. Alongside the various courses they run, designed to increase physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, they implement large scale human service programs, offering medical care and community rehabilitation for rural villages in India, and massive public reforestation projects. Isha was founded by Sadhguru, a yogi and contemporary, prominent spiritual leader.

             Isha offers its participants the opportunity to achieve physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Is wellbeing essential to happiness?

      Different people have different ideas of wellbeing, but everyone is seeking wellbeing. So wellbeing or when we really feel well in our lives is when you are very happy. Even if you are medically ill, today if you are very happy, still there is an experience of wellbeing within you. So when you say I am in pursuit of wellbeing, in one way you are in pursuit of happiness.

      Yoga is at the heart of your philosophy, how can it improve wellbeing?

      As there is a science and technology for external wellbeing, there is also one for inner wellbeing. Yoga is an inner technology. When I say yoga, don’t think in terms of impossible physical postures. This is a deeper understanding of your own body, mind and energy, and about creating an inner situation where you are naturally joyful and peaceful. If you just make your life energies function in a certain way, you are peaceful and joyful by your own nature.

      Are your principles and teachings consistent with finding happiness in the modern world?

      

      Unfortunately, people have created a situation where their happiness depends on external factors that are never going to be completely in your control. True fulfilment and wellbeing won’t happen by fixing this. As there is way of engineering the outside the way we want it, there is also a whole inner engineering technology. Through this, peace, joyfulness and an inner balance are attained so that life is not a pursuit of happiness but an expression of joyfulness.

  

Suzy Greaves

Alongside her role as Editor of Psychologies, Suzy is a writer, journalist, author and business owner, She was previously Health Editor for OK! Magazine and New Woman and also worked as a freelance health journalist for monthly glossies. In 2007 she became a life coach, founding The Big Leap Coaching Co.

Why are you so passionate about happiness?

When I was a teenager, I lost my parents to cancer so I learned there is a lot about life that you can't control. But you can control the way you react to it. That decision is the difference between a happy life and a miserable one. I believe that -with support - we can find a way back to happiness and don't have to be defined by our past. There is always a way out of the darkness.

What is a Happiness Club?

We've joined forces with charity Action for Happiness and we are encouraging our readers to create a ‘happiness club’ once a month in their own homes where you can tune in to what lights you up and discuss how you can put happiness – ours and other people’s – at the heart of your life philosophy. It’s about working together and being the change we want to see in the world.

How do I get involved?

Invite people you like or you’d like to know better, arrange a date and time suitable for all of you and arrive having read the article in Psychologies (It should take around 90 minutes to host a session but allow more if you want to chat afterwards.) The host reads out the ‘Happiness Club’ Psychologies article to the group and then you discuss the five questions set by Action for Happiness and commit to one ‘action’  a day, week or month. Take it in turns to host and register your happiness club at www.psychologies.co.uk/happiness-club-registration

We're very excited here at WT to announce that Joe, Suzy and members from the Isha Foundation will be appearing and speaking for us at the Priceless People Wellbeing Festival in June. So hold on tight for more information and get your tickets from our website now for a discounted price!

www.wealdentimes.co.uk/events