Top tips from the Healthy Supplies team for a happier, healthier you
Here at Healthy Supplies, we like to keep a close eye on developments from the world of nutrition, and the latest health research on various foods and the ways they affect the human body. We’ve done the investigation so you don’t have to!
The Covid pandemic has brought home to everyone that mental health is just as important for our wellbeing as physical health, and opened our eyes about how closely the two are intertwined. It’s a struggle for everyone to maintain health and happiness sometimes, but there are a few things the team members here do that we’ve found work wonders for us, and we’d like to share a few of these with you!
Agata Rosinska, Company Director
I try to drink at least 2 litres of water per day, and start the day off by drinking warm water. Why warm? Mostly to support the metabolism, and apparently it’s better for your skin, although I can’t prove that! I also do plenty of yoga – I find it very challenging (in a good way) and it makes me feel happy, and my body feels stronger. I also listen to travel-themed audiobooks at bedtime. I really miss travelling, so when I’m listening to the ones that take you through different countries, it makes me feel like I’m travelling! It also helps me slow down my thoughts and calm my mind. Snack-wise, I love healthy nuts like Pecans and Cashews – I make sure to eat a handful of nuts per day, usually at breakfast. Finally, I add a teaspoon of Acai Berry Powder to my smoothie or porridge. It’s a great source of antioxidants!
Dimitris Samantzopoulos, Director
Every morning, I have an intense 10-minute workout, and I combine this with a smoothie to top up with protein and other nutrients. I love my smoothies – pretty much everything goes into them. Lots of Freeze-Dried Fruit and Freeze-Dried Vegetables, and I always make sure to add some kind of Superfood Powder. I also meditate for ten minutes, which provides focus and calm. I love the antioxidant hit from Matcha Tea, and I love a bit of aromatotherapy, so I make sure I always have a good stash of essential oils.
Brendan Fernandes, Software Developer
Organic Apple Pieces help me to avoid eating sweets. As well as being sweet (of course), they are really tasty, and very filling, which really helps me reduce the urge to eat more. They’re also full of fibre, which helps everything keep ticking over. A generous handful is all I need to satiate those evening hunger pangs. I have a fitness regime too where basically I just run a mile as fast as I can – I’ve got it down to under 9 minutes now. I’ve also stopped worrying about weight so much, and concentrate on fitness (and eating healthily). I’m chubby, but physically quite fit. I reckon if there was a “Fat Olympics”, I’d be a front-runner!
Tina Manahai-Mahai, Managing Director
Instead of buying processed goods or ready meals, I much prefer cooking everything from scratch. This way I can control salt and sugar levels a lot better. It’s crazy how much extra salt and sugar is added to pre-packaged foods! Cooking from scratch makes me more conscious of what I am putting into my body. Instead of salt, I tend to season with the Sussex Wholefoods herbs and spices range, which helps me add amazing flavours and variety to my dishes. I love the Freeze-Dried Dill, and I tend to use the Garlic Granules in everything – so tasty! I also try and ensure I eat enough fibre. I love adding Pulses to my dishes, which are very tasty, and help me feel fuller for longer.
I try not to drink my calories when I can help it. Instead I have lovely herbal teas. Our Milk Oolong Green Tea is great because it has a really creamy flavour! If I’m trying to cut back on my caffeine intake, I enjoy having a mug of caffeine-free herbal tea. My favourites recently are Pukka’s ‘Feel New’ tea or Tranquility Tea by Dr Stuart’s. I get my all important endorphin boost from doing online spin classes – they have really helped me mentally and physically through lockdown!
Dom Martin, Proofreader and Fact-Checker
For the last couple of years I’ve follow a routine of intermittent fasting with a diet based entirely on whole foods, and it’s had spectacular results for my health and happiness. It’s extremely important for me still to allow myself ‘treats’, but instead of processed junk packed with nasty stuff, I now have a handful of Pistachio Nuts or Black Mulberries instead. I’ve also been investigating supplements and am really excited by – and impressed with – medicinal plants such as Bacopa Monnieri (which studies have shown boosts brain function and reduce anxiety) and Ginkgo Biloba. I also drink two or three pots of antioxidant-packed Jasmine Pearls green tea every day – it tastes wonderful, is excellent for the heart and brain, and makes me feel zippy and alert! I take time to stretch out in the sun whenever the British weather allows. Relaxation is very important, and sunshine is great for Vitamin D production. Finally, it might sound hokey, but talking with friends, family and lovers, and telling them they’re special – and hearing it back – is the best tonic there is.