“It’s not a diet”, I smiled, lining up the spark to further inflame my colleague’s casual indignation at the thought of any diet, let alone this new fad. “It’s a lifestyle”. He turned away, spluttering his displeasure, much to my amusement. And it’s true. I’m not on a diet whose sole, or even primary benefit […]
Entries Tagged as 'health'
I am not a geek (but I’m open to persuasion)
March 14th, 2011 · 6 Comments · biking, health, things to do with the kids, walking
Some are born to geekdom, others have to work at it. Despite writing software and wearing glasses, I assure you that I fall into the latter category. Here’s some proof. Until I had Oliver to encourage me I had only watched the first Star Wars movie. And I never watched Star Trek after the first […]
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Anti-Bullying week: The Big March
November 15th, 2010 · No Comments · health, parenting, school
To mark the start of anti-bullying week, The Big March is the world’s first virtual protest march for children’s rights. The march is headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. An offline Deputation with children and the families of the victims of bullying will then take place with the Deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg on Wednesday 17th […]
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Apple-picking (2010)
November 14th, 2010 · No Comments · education, food, health, laughter, lucy, oliver, photo, video
Last year’s apple-picking trip to my Dad’s house was much earlier than this year’s. I was wondering whether our 6 week delay would mean that the birds would have plundered them all by now, but no, there was a good crop left to be had. Both kids helped with the harvest: Oliver shaking branches and […]
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Daddy used to be a veggie
November 12th, 2010 · 6 Comments · food, health, lucy, oliver, politics
This is going to be a long post, but as it has taken me nearly 3 decades to come to the point where it has to be written, I’m hoping you’ll bear with me. I stopped eating meat just before Christmas 1982. I recall it clearly, not least through the memory of my Mum’s dismayed […]
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Oh Nora!
November 6th, 2010 · 1 Comment · hair, health, illness
When I went to school a nurse would visit. She would check us all for nits. Or fleas if you prefer. I don’t recall anything of what was done afterwards were the little creatures to be found, all I recall is what we called the kind lady who visited us and inspected our scalps: “Nitty […]
Tags:NaBloPoMo
5 Steps to Greater Wellbeing
October 27th, 2010 · 2 Comments · health
I just came across these “5 Steps to Greater Wellbeing” on the BBC website, offered by Dr Peter Kinderman, Professor of Clinical Psychology. I know from perosnal experience that all five of the suggestions are activities that could easily start to take a back-seat when you have children. Conversely, there are definitely ways to make […]
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A little monkey business
October 17th, 2010 · 4 Comments · boys, health, oliver, play, things to do with the kids
It seems that starting school has made leisure time feel as precious to Oliver as it does to me. Every Friday evening he asks me “what are going to do tomorrow”? And despite his frequent daytime requests to watch “just a little bit” more TV, on the rare days we do allow him to stay […]
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A polite request
August 19th, 2010 · 1 Comment · charity, health, illness
1. Head over to here to read a brief post that will explain why I’m asking you to… 2. …vote here. Daily. To cure a disease with just one click. (One vote per day per person is permitted.) Thank you.
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Operation complete
August 18th, 2010 · 4 Comments · health, hearing, illness, julien, medical, oliver, photo
Today, a mere17 months after first consulting a doctor regarding Oliver’s hearing, he underwent surgery to insert grommets in both ears. Oliver and I were up at 6.30am prompt and given that he wasn’t allowed any food or drink from the midnight just passed, it wasn’t too difficult for us to get ready and be […]
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