Health Kick: The truth about mobile phones?

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I just watched a rather scary documentary about the possible effects of electromagnetic radiation on our bodies and the world around us. The collapse of bee colonies, an increase in cancers and diseases and a whole host of other negative trends have been linked to an ever-increasing number of mobile phones, wireless telephones and the phone masts which now seem to be popping up everywhere (you can check out your home town's mast count here).

Here are a few interesting things I learnt from this documentary:

• Everything in the world has a natural electromagnetic frequency and it just so happens that a human's frequency is exactly the same as the Earth's natural frequency. Coincidence? I think not!
• Melatonin is our most powerful antioxidant which is produced at night when we sleep. Even a tiny bit of light can stop the production process and leave our melatonin levels looking less than satisfactory. I think I'll start wearing my eye mask while sleeping now...
• Living near a phone mast appears to highly increase your chances of developing cancer as a small town found out to their horror. 
• Mobile phone radiation levels are tested by using an 'average size' model skull, which does not take into account the effect on a 9 year-olds brain which is now the average age a child gains their first phone.
• Many of the reports and research carried out on harmful effects of radiation from mobile phones are being funded by the telecommunications industry themselves. Scientists feel pressure to conform to their employer's wishes and so many of these results can not be completely trusted. 

One thing that is crystal clear is that much more research needs to be done into the harmful effects our modern technology is having on the natural world and the ways in which we can cut down or altogether stop these effects. 

You HAVE to watch this! I'd love to hear what you think.

Hannah xo

Graze!

Hello folks!

I recently had a free box of Graze and I just had to subscribe! I don't know about you but I love receiving treats through the post so the Graze boxes are right up my street :) Every week I get four surprise little boxes of treaty goodness. They have a large selection of like EVERYTHING from scrumptious flapjacks, delicious little cakes, dried fruit and nut mixes right up to little breadsticks and dips and now popcorn! Yum! If you don't like the look of something, you can 'bin' it or if you can't get enough of something, 'love' it to receive it regularly.

Here's my box for this week :)

I have several free vouchers to give away (UK only I'm afraid!). If you'd like to give Graze a go, email me with your name and address at thoseluckystarsuk@gmail.com and I'll send one on to you :)

Hannah xo

Linked Up!

Here are a few links I've been loving lately. I seem to be getting more and more interested in natural products, health and sustainable living (thank you Mrs. Kingsolver!).

Do you know what is lurking in your sun lotion? Eek!

Are your favourite cosmetics comprimising your health? Check the EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to find out! I was shocked to see the database's conclusion on my current foundation, maybe that's why my skin is constantly breaking out?

I'm a vegetarian but I don't necessarily believe that everyone should be a vegetarian. I think we should treat animals as kindly as possible and use sustainable organic farming methods. There are too many cruel practices in the world and I hope that the situation improves and quickly. I'm working my way through this eco veg living bible, I imagine it will open my eyes even further to what is really going on in our world.

Hannah xo

Health Kick: Hot Lemon Water

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Lately I've been hearing many positive things about having a cup of hot water and a slice of lemon first thing in the morning. So, I decided to try it for myself and build it into my daily morning routine! This sounds easy, except the first thing I crave in the morning is a cup of tea and a spoonful of sugar... And as I'm usually not really awake at that point, I have a hard time reaching for anything other than the teabags. So I decided to list the benefits I've heard about here, hopefully they'll creep into my subconsciousness :)

• Lemons are packed with vitamin C, which just so happens to be one of the first casualties of stress. Hot lemon water will help build up those C levels again ready for whatever the day decides to throw at you. 
• Vitamin C also boosts your immune system, helping you to ward off cold and flu. 
• Lemons contain potassium, important in controlling blood pressure and encouraging brain and nerve function. 
• Pectin fibre helps fight hunger cravings, aiding in weight loss. Lemons are full of it. 
• Vitamin C has skin-cleansing properties and is said to decrease wrinkles and blemishes. It also clears toxins from the blood. In fact, lemon juice can be directly applied to scars to reduce their appearance. 
• Helps cleanse the body of unwanted materials and aids the liver in making bile which is needed for digestion. 
• Lemons help to balance the body's overall acidity, they are very much an alkaline fruit.
• It is a breath freshener and can help in relieving tooth ache and gum disease.
• It will save you from drinking at least one cup of coffee each day ;)
• .... And it helps remove coffee stains from mugs!

And so I have stated my case in favour of hot water and lemon! However, there is one thing to be weary of when starting this new routine of mine... Lemon juice is very good at eroding tooth enamel so it is very important that you brush your teeth after drinking your lemon!

So boil your water, slice a lemon and squeeze the slice into your mug. Drop the slice in and fill with hot water and voila! You have yourself a great kick-start for the day :)

Hannah xo

Running for Beginners: Week 1

Today I decided to get out of bed on this rain-soaked day and start a 5K running program for complete beginners. I do NO exercise currently, and I'd like to be healthier so why not!

For my first day, I had to do 4 minutes of brisk walking followed by 1 minute of running and repeat this 4 times for a 20-minute workout (not forgetting to stretch beforehand and afterwards!). I wasn't sure how I'd handle it as I usually feel out of breath just walking up the stairs, but I managed it easily and I even feel good about it! I used Map My Run to total up my route and I ran/walked 1.5 miles. I'm going to try skipping the rest of the first week and go straight to the second week of goals as I didn't feel challenged enough today.

Day off tomorrow and then back to it on Wednesday! You should come join me ;)

Hannah xo