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  • Published on

    Healthy Eating!

    I was up bright and early again this morning, walking around Gran Alacant. I popped into Lidl, to pick up some healthy provisions on the way home, but lets just say they didn't have any; not what I wanted anyway!

    I was speaking to a couple of friends, whilst searching the isles, who kindly gave me advice on what to buy for my high triglycerides results. My Cholesterol was just above what it should be, but my triglycerides results were 296; they should be 149 maximum; quite concerning I have to say. I need to cut out fat. carbs and sugar, including white rice and pasta, two staples in my diet. Lidl sadly didn't have the more healthy brown variety, so it was a quick trip to Mercadona to stock up.

    In the past I have eaten as cheaply as I can, today I am buying products, according to their nutritional value; the healthier the better. Currently, I have cut out a lot of unhealthy foods from my diet, including cheese, chocolate and processed food; I have at least, started to change my eating habits.

    Naturally when I got home, I googled an appropriate diet, in order to bring down my cholesterol levels; interestingly I came across a good site, where I could measure, just how bad they are, using the charts below.
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    I was able to use this chart to calculate my risk of heart disease. The figures in the left hand column relate to HDL-Colesterol. In my case, I have a figure of 48; anything over 40 is good; really it should be over 60.  The figures along the top relate to my Cholesterol figure. Here anything under 200 is good; mine was 215. Using the columns as a guide I could see that the two together put me in the 'average risk bracket.'

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    After finding my cholesterol risk from the cholesterol chart above (total cholesterol and HDL levels),  I factored in triglycerides by finding my triglycerides number from the triglycerides chart on the left, then moving to the right of the cholesterol chart by the number of corresponding columns shown on the triglycerides chart:

    So for example, if as in my case your total cholesterol is 215 and your HDL is 48, the cholesterol chart above will intersect at “Average”.  However  if like me your triglycerides is 296, this corresponds to moving 1 column to the right of the cholesterol chart, which still results in a risk level of  “Average” when triglycerides is factored in, but only just!

    This is still far too high; I am bordering on a high risk of heart disease, so need to change my lifestyle dramatically. It is about time I tried to live a more healthy lifestyle; well I can at least try. More tests in a few months, lets hope I've made some progress!
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  • Published on

    The Streets - Margaret's Story, Part 2!

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    Margaret began to regain consciousness. Surrounded by a group of onlookers, she started to blink back to life. A well dressed gentleman, wearing an Italian suit and grey trilby, had removed the trolley from her legs, repositioning her in a more comfortable position. Kneeling down, in front of her, he made sure she was OK, using a handkerchief to wipe her forehead. A young lad, who was part of the growing crowd, pushed his way through, ducking under the man's legs, producing a bottle of still water he had purchased from Tesco Express, over the other side of the road. ‘Here lady, take a drink, you’ll feel better alright!’ he said.

    Gradually Marg lifted herself up, sitting cross legged on the side of the road, rubbing her bruised, battered and bleeding legs. “It’s OK, an ambulance will be here in a minute, they’ll take care of you, “ whispered the young boy in her ear. This wasn’t the news, Margaret wanted to hear. The last thing she needed, was a stay in Hospital and all the questions that came with it. Surrounded by people, it would be difficult for her to get away, especially with her legs throbbing. She decided to wait it out; hopefully they would just clean her up and let her go about her business. Looking downwards, the wounds looked rather superficial, nothing she hadn’t dealt with before. Breathing a sigh of relief, she took a gulp from the water bottle, so kindly given to her by her new friend.

    “What’s your name youngen?” enquired Margaret, taking another sip of water.

    “It’s Tom, Tommy Finch; I was just on my way to the park, to play football with my mates. I wanted to make sure you were OK?” he replied. Tommy had seen Marg walking up and down the road often, living in Dockside Mews, just round the corner from Tesco.

    “I’ve seen you before Tommy,’ murmured Marg, “You live down the Mews don’t ya? The same house me and my old Ma used to live in, Ooo sixty or so years ago!” she continued

    “That’s right Lady, number 64, next to Mrs Marsh; she’s been there a long time herself. Mum takes her in a bit of shopping now and again” answered Tommy, smiling at Margaret, wanting to help as best he could.

    Mrs Marsh or rather Annie Marsh was about the same age as Margaret, they had grown up together as children, going to the same school, playing in the street and enjoying an idyllic if rather challenging childhood. Life was difficult sixty years ago; Margaret was an only child, looked after solely by her Mother; her Dad had passed away suddenly from a heart attack, when she was only four years old. Margaret's Dad was a drinker, who used to work in the Docks at the end of the Mews; when he could get work that is. She often went to bed hungry; Dad spending what little he had down the Queens Head, long since gone, turned into a block of exclusive apartments; a World away from Margaret's childhood.

    “I remember Annie youngen; she was my friend, we used to play together as little girls. Her Mum used to look after us both, after school; me old Ma was working down the Co op laundry at the time, just after Da died. We needed the money youngen, things were very different back then,’ she explained.

    Margaret winced, as pain shot up her right leg. “Just a little discomfort Tommy, it will soon pass.” she said, smiling sweetly at the boy. “You should get off, and play your game of footie, you don’t want to miss that do you?”

    “Don’t worry about that Lady, I can play any old time. I’m going to run over to Mrs Marsh’s house and tell her you’re here. She’ll help, I know she will, shouted Tommy, as he turned his back, running over the other side of the road.

    Before Margaret could speak, Tommy was gone shouting ‘I’ll be back,’ in his wake. Margaret wasn’t entirely comfortable seeing Annie again. Despite their past together, there was history there, difficult times, buried deep for many years. These were not recollections she wanted to face, especially now; she had to get away quickly, Annie would not be happy to see her; this was not a time for a reunion.
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  • Published on

    Margaret's Story Part III

    Margaret's Story the-streets
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    Jerry came bounding across the road, barking loudly, jumping up into Margaret’s arms, licking her face, scratching her coat with his paws. After a few minutes of affection, he jumped on to the pavement, devouring what was left of the dog biscuits, the majority of which were strewn across the busy road. Not wanting Jerry to run further than he should, Margaret called him back, to where she was sitting. Jerry settled eagerly on her lap, burying his head into the lining of her jacket, trying to get comfortable. He was the most important thing in her life; gently a tear spilt from her eye as she squeezed her friend tightly, not wanting to let go. ‘Just you and me against the World Jerry. We’ll live to fight another day,’ she murmured in his ear!

    Margaret could see Tommy as he reappeared from the top of Dockside Mews. Lifting her head as high as she could, trying to look through the group of onlookers, she could just make out his waving hands, followed by a thumbs up. Tommy turned his back, this time waving in the opposite direction; finally he turned, facing Margaret once again, running around the corner of Tesco and across the road, still waving as he went. ‘It’s OK, it’s OK, Mrs Marsh is OK,’ he bellowed, shouting louder and louder, as he ran towards her.

    At that moment an ambulance turned into the road. The lights were flashing, but there was no sound, as the paramedics parked along side Margaret and her upturned trolley. With a sigh, she looked down, not wanting to make eye contact with the crew, as they alighted the vehicle.

    “Hello Marg, how are you?’ Said the driver, as he hopped out of the cab.

    “I’m fine thank you, just a bit of bother, you know how it is. A quick spruce up and I’ll be on me way,’ she replied, still looking at the pavement floor. If she caught his eye, he’d know she was worse than she claimed. Margaret was well known in the local area and had been picked up by the emergency services before; all of them knew her by name. Marg kind of liked the attention, especially as she had very little contact with people throughout the day. Fiercely independent, she always refused to go ‘inside,’ as she called it. At her age, she may never get out again; the streets were her domain, it’s all she knew!

    “Let me be the judge of that Marg; this is Mary, she’s new on the job today, she’ll clean you up, while I just run a few tests. Lets get you in the back of the ambulance,’ the Paramedic instructed.

    Retorting defensively, Margaret argued her corner. As a proud Eastender, it’s what she did best “What about Jerry, I can’t leave him out here on his own. I wont go unless he can sit with me,” she demanded!

    Winding his way through the crowd, Tommy reached the back of the Ambulance. "Shift, get out of my way, I need to make sure my friend is OK." he cried pushing his way to where Margaret was perched. "I look after ya dog Lady; just let them check you over; I have some news for ya." he continued.

    Marg gingerly moved her head towards Tommy, looking up towards his face. They both smiled at one another, instantly she knew it would be alright. She had no idea who this young boy was, but despite his age, she felt she could trust him. He had looked out for her, not something she was used too. The younger generation of today would have walked on by, but not Tommy!

    She picked up Jerry, ever so gently and handed him to the young lad. "You be good, you hear. Hold him tight youngen, he’s a feisty one." she warned.

    "OK, OK I will, just do as the Ambulance man wants. Jerry will be safe with me, then we can go and see Annie." Tommy replied, grinning from side to side. Margaret shook her head as she was escorted into the back of the van.

    "We’ll see youngen, we’ll see. Don’t move, stand just where you are, so I can see you," Marg said. The doors closed and the group of onlookers began to disperse. Finally just Tommy was left at the side of the road, holding Jerry close, trying to pick up the contents of Margaret’s cart. With Jerry under one arm, he used his other hand to retrieve what he could, piece by piece, placing each item neatly into the back of the trolley; Tommy just wanted to help. Margaret was his new friend and he was hers; it’s what mates do for one another! Both of them felt close, brought together through circumstances: a bond formed through adversity, another story to tell!
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  • Published on

    Stress, Worry and Anxiety!

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    It's no secret that I have had a few health issues lately; nothing serious, just typical middle aged niggles that we all get. After having a full MOT with Salvum Clinic, it was clear that one of my pressing concerns was high blood pressure. This isn't really unusual; I would have been surprised if I didn't have hypertension; after all I am overweight and approaching my 47th Birthday. I am not in the best shape physically, tend to eat what I want and don't lead a particularly healthy life. All of these factors don't bode well for long term wellbeing.

    After being prescribed blood pressure tablets and Statins, I hope my physical health will start to improve, especially now I am walking most days, have given up smoking and eat far healthier. Of course this isn't the end of the story. I suffer with anxiety and stress, more now than ever; two conditions that do not help my elevated blood pressure and something I need to overcome.

    Lately my anxiety levels have been high; I don't need a Doctor to tell me that. I tend to stress about everything and anything, something I didn't do in the past. Since Oxfam has been back on my personal agenda, I have once again become a bit of a blithering wreck; old memories have resurfaced and past difficulties have  returned to haunt me. Once again I am having to revisit a traumatic period, three years ago. It seems that my current level of stress can be traced back to locked away memories and events that haven't until now, been dealt with. The only way I can break this cycle of restlessness and uncertainty, is by finally closing this chapter in my life, something I hope will happen very soon.

    Coping with anxiety can be difficult; in the past I have relied on medication, to take the edge off the way I am feeling. Today, living in Spain, I don't really have that option; the truth is I don't want to take tablets for issues that can be overcome, through better lifestyle management. Keeping fit, walking more and facing ones fears is a great starting point. I have to accept I will always suffer with issues of 'mistrust and nervousness,' because of Oxfam, whether I pop a pill or not; there is no magic cure, or quick fix for what transpired.

    Dealing with the root cause of my problems is important. I am well aware of what makes me tick, how I come to be sat here in Spain writing this entry and those responsible for my current state of mind; I just need to face my demons!

    Since moving to Spain, I have had more anxiety than ever, mainly due to the nature of my relocation, the circumstances behind it and the processes involved in integrating into Spanish life. Despite this, I have coped very differently, compared to how I dealt with pressure in the past. In the UK, I would often lose control and rely on medication or alcohol to deal with the daily pressures of life, here I write, walk, cook or speak to those who can help. I no longer bottle up my feelings, finally learning to evaluate just what is going on, what has triggered my anxiety and how to deal with it NOW, not later.  During the past month I have been aware, that not all is well with myself, because of returning complications; I have sought necessary help accordingly; dealing with each impediment as it has arisen. Deep breaths, a detachment from the commotion swirling around me and a focus on positive thinking, has also been invaluable in steering me away from the superficial solutions, to arduous struggles.

    I still suffer from stress daily, but am managing to avoid drastic measures, overreactions and ad hoc quick fixes. I may well still be a sufferer, but I am also a coper, survivor, fighter and someone who believes in himself! It has been a long time coming, but I have finally broken the cycle of strife that dominated my life for so long!
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  • Published on

    Rab's World!

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    "Love the days when life takes you by surprise and puts a smile on your face!"
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