Ganoderma/Reishi- Why I’m drinking it, why YOU might want to use it and what its supposed to do for you

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Ganoderma – why I’m drinking it

Why YOU might want to use it and

What its supposed to do for you

Cup of coffee from the top looking down

Over the last couple of years and covid lockdown in particular, I’ve gained a little weight and some of this was because at the beginning of lockdown I came down with something. Not sure if it was COVID, or pneumonia  or just a plain chest infection, (no testing available at that time), but whatever it was, for someone who rarely gets ill, it was horrendous and left me weak and unable to walk even to the top of the street!

Building back fitness

So the following months after “recovering” I have had to recover my fitness my health and start right from scratch!

I also got myself checked out and was told there were a couple of other issues that this illness and the weight had affected.

So, I started off by walking to the top of the road and back. Keeping my chest warm. It felt pathetic but they say a journey starts with a single step and in this instance, that was most definitely and literally the case. I progressed to round the small block, round the little block and then a few times and eventually I got back to walking for over an hour.

However, the weight never dropped back off, a tiny bit lower a tiny bit higher and my sleep became seriously disrupted and my stress levels shot through the roof.

I’m a very calm person, know how to deal with stresses and lockdown seemed to be piling these on. The lack of sleep didn’t help, as it was hard to function well on 2 to 4 hours sleep. 😦

Coffee containing Ganoderma / Reishi

Coffee cup on coffee beans in the shape of a heart

Then I came across a coffee (and tea) containing the super food Ganoderma/Reishi. I looked up what it was supposed to do. It claims to do a number of things but amongst these many many claims and testimonials it seemed to be very helpful towards sleep, cortisol/stress/anxiety and liver function. The coffee is not acidic and is apparently alkaline and for sure, the coffee and the green tea don’t give me heartburn (unlike my usual pod coffee). It taste great and does help with some of the things it claims to. I’m not a doctor, so I can only give you my own experience, but so far so good.

Heres a short video on the benefits of the mushroom itself.

A nutritionist speaks about benefits related to weight loss

in this clip below

I will keep updating this particular blog post, as I want to see if it helps with my weight, liver count, potential pre-diabetes, sleep, anxiety, stress and overall general health.

Let me know in the comments whether you have used Ganoderma/Reishi , either in coffee, tea or on its own as a supplement and if you’ve had good experiences with it, particularly if its helped with the issues mentioned above.

Jo Tricker Healthy Living Lady

NB This post is NOT sponsored or affiliated.

 

Product review – Sukrin Gold stevia

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Are you wanting a little sweetness but trying to avoid sugar? Try Sukrin Gold.

I was speaking to a nutritionist friend of mine about avoiding sugar and how Stevia doesn’t seem to affect blood sugars and has low carbs… so it’s good if you are doing low carb, keto or diabetic. I have heard of lots of different types of ways you can use Stevia, the drops fascinated me, but I haven’t tried them yet. But I wanted something that could be measured in the same kind of way.

So he told me about Sukrin gold. There are a few different types, and I have tried the white one too. that tastes fine, is a little more powdery. the gold version though is like adding brown sugar. It looks like brown sugar in the packet and behaves similar too.

So I ordered it (small pack to try) from amazon. It wasn’t cheap but I don’t use much sugar, so it was fine. I think if you use a lot of sugar and are going to replace it, you may want to buy in bulk as that would be cheaper than the smaller packs. If you want to try it the smaller bag (for someone who doesn’t use a lot of sugar was fine, and its sealable so it doesn’t go hard and stays fresh/moist.

What did I like about Sukrin Gold?

The thing I liked about it the most was that you really do use the same levels. It is much sweeter than sugar in my opinion, but sugar is so bad for your health generally that for me, it is the best option.

If you normally hate sweeteners, this is one to try. Even on amazon reviews there are loads of people who like the product for its taste and ease of use and I agree.

If you’re on any kind of weight loss or sugar restriction because of diabetes or weight training etc, this doesn’t seem to have any negative impact on that. A lot of the Stevia products leave a “cool” feeling on your tongue. This does, but not to the same extent. It feels like it evaporates. In texture it reminded me of brown sugar in some ways.

A couple of ways I’m going to try it next is in coconut yoghurt and on pancakes with some lemon juice… to see if if is ok as a substitute for that. Not sure if it will thicken things like sugar does yet either (like jam consistency).

Overall, if you don’t use too much sugar this is great, the taste (for me and many others) seems to match brown sugar, but it is very pricey.

Jo Tricker Healthy Living Lady

NB This is NOT a paid promotion. I genuinely use this product.

Additional comment. I tried in the coconut yoghurt and it was really nice. On pancakes though it wasn’t the same as sugar and that “cool” feeling is much more noticeable. It didn’t give that syrupy feel that lemon and sugar does.

What happened when I took 2 Garcinia each day for 3 days?

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What happened when I took 2 Garcinia each day for 3 days


Following my previous post on taking a small amount of Garcinia, I decided to take Garcinia each day for 3 days and find out what the results were. I took two tablets at breakfast time. I changed nothing else in my diet at all, just ate normally and healthily. Id dint do any extra exercise. In fact for that period of time, other than walking I did not “formal” exercise at all.

What were my results? On the first day I actually felt a little hungrier taking them, I’m not sure that it was because I started my day earlier and drank a lot of water to take them. The tablets were quite large and difficult to get done as I am not keen on taking tablets. The second day I took the two tablets with carbonated water, much much easier to take and I found myself not feeling so hungry. I had no other effects. I have heart issues (it races sometimes) and I had no issues with that at all either. Day three pretty standard. I felt less hungry in general but I continued to eat in my normal way. The results were quite good and different to what I expected. I had not eaten less than normal. I ended up feeling less hungry and thinking about food less generally during the day two and three. On weight in I had lost around 1.2kg which is about 2 ½ – 3 lbs so considering this was only three days and only taking two tablets each morning I was surprised (and pleased). I didn’t dehydrate so don’t believe its water weight. I was still eating carbs. I felt slimmer (less bloated maybe).

What is Garcinia then and why do I think it worked?

Garcinia is a tropical fruit (known as Malabar Tamarind). This interested me as Tamarind is a very sweet fruit that you put in curries etc to give it a sweet taste. Apparently the weight reducing active ingredient is HCA (Hydroxycitric acid). (I originally thought it was Synephrine, but that’s from bitter oranges – Seville). So the HCA is also supposed to be good for blood sugars and cholesterol. I have genetically high cholesterol but I did not check before hand to see what my levels were before and afterwards, so I cannot comment on that. I may do it again and see 1. If I have the same results and 2. If my cholesterol goes down significantly. The HCA is supposed to work by boosting fat burning and reducing appetite. It certainly did the latter, I am not sure if it did the first, but my body fat did drop by about 1% on my body fat scales. So that seems to add up. My results were better than before and from what I’ve read (studies etc). It seems that’s quite a common theme, losing about 2lbs more than control groups. The question in my mind as I only took it for those three days, is can I repeat the results if I do it again. Watch this space. I may have another update soon and give it a try.

 

Jo Tricker Healthy Living Lady

Superfoods what are they and why eat them?

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Superfoods have become a buzzword in recent years, and for good reason. These foods are packed with nutrients that can help improve our health and well-being. But what exactly are superfoods, and why are they so good for us? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these nutrient powerhouses and the potential pitfalls to watch out for.

A rainbow heart of fruit and vegetables of vivid and beautiful colours

What are Superfoods?

Superfoods are foods that are rich in nutrients and are believed to provide numerous health benefits. These foods are typically plant-based, but some animal-based foods can also be considered superfoods. Some examples of superfoods include:

  1. Berries – Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are all rich in antioxidants, which can help protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals.

  1. Leafy Greens – Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard are all excellent sources of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and fiber.

  1. Nuts and Seeds – Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are all rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber.

Salmon – This fatty fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Turmeric – This spice is rich in curcumin, a compound that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

turmeric benefits drinking turmeric tea image of raw and ground fresh turmeric

Why Are Superfoods So Good For Us?

Superfoods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help prevent a range of health problems. For example, eating a diet rich in superfoods can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. These foods are also great for boosting our energy levels, improving our mood, and reducing inflammation in the body.

In addition to their health benefits, superfoods are also typically low in calories, making them a great choice for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. By incorporating these nutrient-packed foods into our diet, we can nourish our bodies and improve our overall health and well-being.

Pitfalls to Look Out For

While superfoods can be incredibly beneficial for our health, it’s important to approach them with caution. Here are some potential pitfalls to watch out for:

  1. Price – Superfoods can be expensive, and it’s not always feasible to incorporate them into our diet on a regular basis. However, it’s worth noting that many superfoods are also available in frozen or canned form, which can be a more affordable option.
  2. Hype – It’s important to remember that superfoods are not a magic cure-all. While they can be beneficial for our health, they are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
  3. Overconsumption – While superfoods can be great for our health, it’s important not to overdo it. Eating too much of a certain food, even if it’s a superfood, can lead to nutrient imbalances and other health problems.
  4. Exclusion of Other Foods – It’s important to remember that superfoods should be part of a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. Focusing solely on superfoods can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health problems.

In conclusion, superfoods are a great way to boost our health and well-being. By incorporating these nutrient-packed foods into our diet, we can nourish our bodies and improve our overall health. However, it’s important to approach superfoods with caution and to remember that they are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

I’ve used a lot of superfoods in the past, varying kinds and supplements. I’ll be highlighting some of these in future posts. What I’ve used, why, how they’ve helped, if they’ve helped and more. Some Ive used to test out and some because they’ve been recommended by a functional medicine doctor or general practitioner.

As the famous quote by Michael Pollan goes, “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” 

Jo Tricker Healthy Living Lady

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10 flat belly tips

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10 Flat Belly Tips and some bonuses!

1. Belly fat is one of the most dangerous types of fat you can have on your body

Having excess fat around your waistline is linked with an increased risk of a number of ailments including:

  • Sleep disorders
  • Depression
  • Cancers
  • Heart disease

and of course diabetes and obesity.

Continue reading 10 flat belly tips

Lose fat around my knees

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Lose fat around my knees, and waist and …

So…. I am fast approaching 50, yes 50 and I don’t look a day older than 49 haha. Over the past year I seem to have had a little weight creep up on me and it’s simply down to less exercise and sitting around a lot more than usual. I noticed at first that my knees were getting chubbier and I wanted to lose weight around my knees, and my waist. I’ve started on a couple of things to see what I could do to slim down before the big day.

Continue reading Lose fat around my knees

Eating Healthy on a low budget

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Eating Healthy on a low budget

Eating Healthy on Low Budget

Eating healthy with little money is not as difficult as it is daunting. There are many ways to save money whilst buying and cooking food. You hear people saying that eating fruit and vegetables can be expensive and if you shop poorly this can be the case.

There are a few ways to save money depending on whether you shop weekly or monthly.

Continue reading Eating Healthy on a low budget

Aloe Vera Extract

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Aloe Vera extract

aloegelorange

 

One of the biggest changes in my life was discovering aloe vera gel drink. A friend of mine recommended it to me as I had suffered from IBS for my whole life and we were speaking about it one day. Prior to drinking the aloe I was on 8 imodium a day just to be able to walk 1.5km. At the time, the daily trip for the school run took me via 4 toilets and I would dread the ring of the railway crossing, which meant there was a delay in reaching the second toilet. Not knowing if I could make the next leg of the journey was a daily nightmare and one I would not want to repeat.

Continue reading Aloe Vera Extract

Drinking Turmeric Powder and adding it to food – benefits

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The Amazing Benefits of Turmeric

turmeric benefits drinking turmeric tea

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric grows in the forests of South and Southeast Asia. It’s one of the key ingredients in Southeast Asian cuisines. I am pretty sure to most of us turmeric is just like any other spice out there but that’s because you aren’t aware of the wonders this magical spice can do, besides it’s culinary uses like adding a tad bit of yellow color and taste to your food. Mostly it is used in savory dishes but some cakes require a little turmeric powder as well. Turmeric without a doubt is the most effective nutritional supplement in existence. Turmeric possesses bioactive compounds that have powerful medicinal properties. These compounds are known as curcuminoids, the essential of which is curcumin (only 3% available). It is the main active ingredient in turmeric and is a vital anti-oxidant that has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.

Continue reading Drinking Turmeric Powder and adding it to food – benefits