Energy Efficient Houses Linked To Asthma
I found this research on the Exeter University web site, after seeing a report in today’s Sunday Times.
Very Interesting!
The Power Of Check-Lists
The most interesting article in The Times yesterday was entitled How A Checklist Saved A Little Girls Life. It starts like this.
A simple procedure borrowed from the airline industry and a bit of humility has ensured many more patients survive
It is powerful stuff and I hope every doctor and health administrator reads it. But I doubt they will, as what does the aviation industry know about medicine?
The author of the article Atul Gawande is giving the Reith Lectures this year. I shall be listening.
How To Be Scientifically-Correct For A Greener And Better World
Matt Ridley’s article about eco-toffs got me thinking. So if I was the world dictator, what would I recommend as a greener lifestyle that was scientifically-correct and hopefully gave you benefits as well!
Cook From Scratch
I have a list of quick delicious nutritious recipes, that I can cook from a series of staples kept in my fridge and store cupboard. I also experiment.
One thing I don’t use is a freezer, except to store frozen peas, although with some dishes I make enough for two and put the one in the fridge for a couple of days later.
Don’t Live In Two Houses
I’ve lived in two houses twice in my life. Once we lived between London and Suffolk and at another we had a second house in Antibes.
Never again! It’s just so much hassle and eventually C and myself got fed up with it all.
So either rent the second house or sell it and invest the money. Any income could be used to have holidays in your favourite hotels!
Don’t Smoke
I look forward to the day, when you don’t see any signs of this filthy habit.
I feel very strongly about this, as our longest son died in part because he smoked.
Don’t Use Lifts For A Couple Of Floors Unless Someone Younger Than You Is Also Riding
We’re all lazy and climbing a few stairs is a good exercise.
But do use a lift, when a lazy soul is using it. And make them feel guilty about their lack of exercise.
Feed Your Mind
Nothing improves your inner self, than seeing exciting events or places you’ve not seen before.I travel a lot and even when I’m at home, I use my Freedom Pass to explore new places in London and the area around.
Go Gluten-Free
I have to be gluten-free as I’m coeliac. But it is a diet choice with a bonus. According to Nottingham University, those on a gluten-free diet are 25% less likely to get cancer.
Invest In Peer-To-Peer Lending
Choose a reputable peer-to-peer lender with the right rate and risk profile for you. Not only will you be getting a better rate on your savings, but you’ll be lending money to individuals and businesses at a rate less than the banks. You’ll also be giving that wunch of bankers a good kicking.
Keep Your Body At Its Ideal Weight And Fitness
I am virtually the same size as I was when I left University in 1968. One doctor told me that the main reason, I recovered from the serious stroke so quickly, was because of the good state of my body.
Smart Meters and Thermostats
I have smart thermostats for my heating that I can set precisely, but despite trying hard, I haven’t managed to get a smart meter fitted for either gas or electricity yet, so I can see my usage on my computer.
Think Seriously About Your Car Usage
Too many households have car ownership that is poorly matched to their needs.
I for example, don’t have a licence any more and don’t have a car. My eyesight is getting better and I suspect that in a year or so, I could get my licence back with ease. But I don’t want the hassle of car ownership, especially as I have so many bus routes everywhere.
My son has also decided he doesn’t need a car and if he wants one for a few hours, he uses something like a Zip-car.
A friend too, had their car stolen and hasn’t replaced it.
So as a car costs several thousand a year to own and run, are your current car arrangements the best and most capital efficient?
In many cases the answer is no!
Traditional Terry Nappies
C and I were very keen on these, especially if they’re paired with a nappy service, which takes away the dirty ones and then delivers the freshly-laundered ones. I can still see C burying her face in the clean nappies and luxuriating at the experience. I have heard mothers of my generation, say that their babies almost begged to be put back in a cloth nappy when they were put in a disposable one.
I’ve also seen in the sewers how many disposable nappies end up there, before being sent to landfill.
We shouldn’t force parents to use traditional nappies by increasing taxes on the disposable ones, as there are people, who for various reasons have to use disposable ones. But we should get the water companies and councils to encourage traditional ones, as they are the major commercial beneficiaries of such a product.
I wonder if I can still fold and fit a traditional nappy.
Use Contract Cleaners
I have a three-bedroomed house and I use contract cleaners, who send two girls once a week for two hours, at a price comparable with what I’d pay for a lady to do say a whole morning.
But the big advantage of this type of cleaning, is that I don’t have to have any cleaning equipment or materials.
So other than food, I have to buy very little in the supermarket. I think it’s just soap, washing-up liquid and washing tablets for clothes.
Walk In Cities
Cities are very interesting places to walk, as there is always something to see and you might just find a nice cafe for a coffee or see a jumper that goes with your favourite trousers or skirt.
Cities should encourage walking by putting up maps and information.
Would This Help People Stop Smoking?
On my bus this morning a young lady was reading a book called How To Stop Smoking.
As I got out I wished her the best of luck. She smiled back and said it was difficult.
So did my encouragement help?
I don’t and never will know! But just as women, who are pregnant often wear a badge saying Baby On Board, would it help to give up smoking, if you wore a badge saying I’m Trying To Give Up.
Perhaps others would offer words of encouragement that helped.
A Cure For Obesity
There was a discussion on BBC Radio 5 yesterday about the link between obesity and lack of exercise. So I texted in my four pennyworth.
I’m going away for a few days, so I cleared up the junk mail in my hall. There was enough from fast food restaurants to heat my house for a couple of days. Perhaps if you’re obese you could be sentenced to delivering these leaflets, as the exercise might help.
The program liked it and read it out.
But on a serious note, should it be made illegal for fast food companies to distribute leaflets through peoples doors without a paid-off licence.
Perhaps someone should be paid to distribute simple recipes through the doors.
How many people receiving a very tasty and healthy recipe from say Sainsburys, would actually buy the food and cook it?
I’ve lived with only two women for most of my life; my mother and my wife. Neither were innovative cooks and often we ate the same food in rotation. As an example, I can’t remember either finding a recipe in the paper or seeing it on the television and then cooking it.
I may lack cooking skills, but I am not unadventurous, so if I see a simple recipe, I’ll often buy the ingredients and cook it.
Perhaps to improve the food in this country, we all need to be less afraid of experimenting.
Last night I cooked this simple fish recipe from Mary Berry. Tonight, I’ll cook a sausage and bean casserole from Lyndsey Bareham in The Times. This gives me two portions, one for tonight and one for the fridge. As I’m going away tomorrow until Friday, the second portion will be there ready when I return late on Friday, if I need it.
The Properties Of Turmeric
I’ve often thought that curries seem to perk me up and I posted about it two years ago.
Now there’s this report from Germany, entitled Brain Repair May Be Boosted By Curry Spice. Here’s a flavour.
A spice commonly found in curries may boost the brain’s ability to heal itself, according to a report in the journal Stem Cell Research and Therapy.
The German study suggests a compound found in turmeric could encourage the growth of nerve cells thought to be part of the brain’s repair kit.
I think, I’m off for a curry tonight!
A Robust View On Homeopathy In The Times
Professor Michael Baum is an amazing doctor and surgeon, who I have had the pleasure of meeting.
In The Times today, he has a letter published about accreditation of homoeopaths to the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA).
He writes this memorable sentence.
From now on they will be able to check if their homoeopathic doctor is a fully trained quack or simply someone masquerading as a quack.
I do not believe in anything that can’t be scientifically proven by rigorous methods. The three at the top of my list are religion, homoeopathy and many of the zanier and animal-unfriendly aspects of Chinese medicine.
To Live A Long Life Keep Your Waistline At Half Your Height
This is the headline of an article in the Sunday Times reporting on a study from the City University.
I’m 1.71 tall and my waist is about 80 centimetres. Although I have no proof, I think I’m the same size, as when I left Liverpool University in 1968.
So I think I qualify.
But then so did C and our youngest son and both are not here now!
Two personal stories would appear to support the research.
One of my father’s heroes as he saw him box, was the incomparable Ted “Kid” Lewis. The Aldgate Sphinx was probably a similar size naturally to both my father and myself, although towards the end of his boxing career, he fought and won at light-heavyweight. But he lived until he was 75.
I also used to live in Newmarket and knew several retired jockeys well past sixty. Many were still trim and seemed to be pursuing a very active live. Someone should research the health and life of jockeys!
For these reasons, I intend to stay this size for the rest of my life. Especially, as it’s so much cheaper, as I don’t have to keep buying new clothes.
Does The NHS Need Physician Associates?
There have been reports about using these in the NHS over the last few days. One article in the Independent is entitled, NHS patients to be seen by doctors on the cheap. It starts with.
Patients will increasingly be seen by “physician associates” rather than doctors under Government plans despite fears they are “doctors on the cheap”, according to a report.
I have seen a lot of doctors and hospitals over the last ten years, what with the death of my wife and son to cancer and my stroke. What is different now, to what I remember of the NHS in the 1960s and 1970s, is that nurses now play a larger role.
Does anybody bother?
Some might, but I’ve never heard anybody complain, that the nurse did a job, that a doctor might have not delegated forty years ago.
So when it comes to physician associates, I have an open mind.
Or I did until I read the letters page of The Times today, where four serious letters from eminent medical professionals were very much supportive of physician associates.
Now I’ve changed my open mind to one that is totally in favour!
Two Coeliacs At The Football
At the football last night, the stand wasn’t full and we could sit where we liked.
I ended up sitting next to this guy about my age and as one does we got talking.
It turned out he was another coeliac, who like me bad been diagnosed in later life. In his case, it had been twelve years ago at Ipswich hospital.
We swapped stories about bread and recipes, but what surprised me was that he’d never seen or heard of Nakd bars. So I gave him a piece of my half-time snack. Quite a few of my non-gluten-free friends in London eat them, as they tick so many boxes and they are pretty easy to find in most supermarkets.
