There's a lot of wisdom in this week's Heyday Friday newsletter
from a clutch of very wise and wonderful women. And, er... me.
What could you do in just a minute that would improve your health?
No idea? Well, you’ll be delighted to know this week’s blog has not just one, but ten health-boosting tips, each of which can be done in less than 60 seconds.
I’m not one for either faddy or fussy when it comes to health and wellbeing, and I can promise you every one of the suggestions in the blog is a) founded on research and data, and b) something I’ve tried and do regularly.
Naturally you can only find out the ten things are by reading the blog, but it takes only a second to do that. All you have to do is CLICK HERE Here’s a clue to one of them in the meantime.
Something that doesn’t feature on the list but which has been proven to make you more alert, help your brain function more effectively, enhance your memory and boost your immunity, is a nap.
Of course the reason a nap doesn’t qualify for THIS WEEK’S BLOG is that it lasts longer than a minute. But did you know what the proven optimum time is for a nap? Or what the best conditions are for taking one that will be as restorative as possible? You can find out all that information and more by CLICKING HERE.
As it happens, next Monday (March 13th) is National Napping Day. Who knew. But what I certainly do know is that earlier this week it was International Women’s Day. So in celebration of that, here are some
WORDS OF WISDOM
from one of my personal wise-woman heroines, the magnificent Maya Angelou
I’m on a bit of a wise-woman roll now, so I’ve turned to another of my, this time eco- wisdom, gurus, Nancy Birtwhistle, for this
SMART SAVE TIP OF THE WEEK
Wet wipes are scurrilously bad for the environment. Not only does each of the single use wipes end up in landfill - if it hasn’t been idiotically flushed down the toilet, in which case it’s likely to find a final resting place in some grotesquely enormous fatberg - but so does their plastic packaging.
Nancy to the rescue with this splendidly simple, environment friendly, reusable alternative.
Cut any cotton fabric - an old t-shirt is great because it doesn’t fray and is a bit stretchy - into wipe size squares.
Dampen the clothes you’ve cut with water and wring out well.
Soak them in a mixture of 20ml aloe vera gel (that’s the cleansing and moisturising ingredient) 120ml boiled, cooled water, 30ml surgical spirit (the anti-bacterial cleansing bit, though you can leave this out if you prefer your wipes not to be anti-bac) and 2-3 drops of your choice of essential oil (also optional, but it makes them smell nice).
Wring them out again, but lightly this time, then pack them into an airtight box with a tightly sealing lid and keep to hand with a plastic bag nearby (ideally inside the box with the wipes) to put the used ones in (which can, of course be used again once they’ve been washed out).
THIS WEEK I’VE BEEN…….READING
There’s a super smart heroine in Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. And a lot of whip-smart dialogue, especially between her and the main male character.
I always enjoy a book that gives me an insight into a culture and a world I know nothing about (THIS BLOG is a review of a book that does just that), and whilst Tomorrow… is set in America, a country I’m more than familiar with, its subject matter is video gaming and creating, about which I know, or rather knew, nothing at all. And which turns out to be far more fascinating than I could have imagined.
Sadie and Sam meet and bond over their love of gaming when they are children. He is in hospital as a result of a catastrophic car accident which will leave him with a permanent disability and she is visiting her sick sister.
Bumping into each other over a decade later they begin a collaboration that will lead them to success and stardom, but bring betrayal, bitterness and heartache in its wake.
Dazzling and intricate as the games that Sadie and Sam devise, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a beautifully and cleverly written, sweeping story - it spans thirty years - about deep, loving male-female friendship which, whilst never quite romantic, is rooted in shared passion and devotion and characterised by fierce arguments and estrangements. It’s about our desire for connection, our need to be loved, and the chance to start afresh.
Of course you can be wise and funny at the same time. And this week’s
FRIDAY FUNNY
comes courtesy of a woman who was very definitely both those things. The brilliant, and brilliantly witty, screenwriter and author Nora Ephron
Thank you for all your positive responses to this new look, new platform newsletter. I’m glad you like it. It was also incredibly heartening to hear from so many of you that you would be willing to contribute towards it in the future.
What a lovely bunch you are!
Not wanting to disappoint Nora, I’m signing off to cook my supper. See you next week.
Diane x