How to change your life to boost your fertility

I am very lucky that despite having many digestive issues, I haven't had heartburn.  However, I am aware as we go into the holiday sesaon, when people go on holiday their diets change so your chances of getting heartburn increases. Heartburn, which is a symptom of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid moves up into your esophagus. It can bring a lot of discomfort to those who experience it. It may also come with other symptoms, such as sore throat, long-term cough and voice hoarseness. 1. Use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) While this is not recommended as a regular solution, it may come in handy whenever you're experiencing extreme pain due to heartburn. Simply dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in one-half cup of water and drink it. This will help neutralize stomach acid and ease the burning sensation heartburn brings. 2. Chamomile Tea Try drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime, and see if it can help alleviate heartburn. Chamomile can help soothe inflammation and help you sleep better. References https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314932.php https://www.spandidos-publications.com/mmr/3/6/895

In my introduction on natural sugars, I listed a variety of foods that can be added when cooking as a natural sweetner,  this would always be my preference.  I know there are times when we need a natural alternative to white sugar, previously I listed my thumbs down list of alternatives, so here is my thumbs up list. Maple Syrup Made from the sap of maple trees.  It contains 34 beneficial compounds including antioxidants, anti-inflamatories, zinc and magnesium.  It doesn't cause problems in the digestive tract so its ok for IBS sufferers.  Its a good natural sweetner when baking or as a substitute for honey. Palm Sugar A traditional Ayurvedic ingredient containing B vitamins that has a low gycaemic index (40) so is suitable for diabetics.  A good alternative to sugar in cooking, baking and in drinks. Barley Malt Extract/Syrup Its an unrefined natural sweetner derived from sprouted, dried, booked and reduced barley malt, which contains some minerals and vitamins. A good choice as a natural sweetner with almost no fructose or sucrose but can give a malty taste. Brown rice Malt/Syrup This contains maltotriose, maltose and glucose cheaper versions use enzymes to turn the starches into sugar while others use sprouted grains that realse enzymes which is better.  It doesn't contain fructose.  It can add a little crunch to baked and cooked products so is good in crumbles, flapjacks or granolas. Stevia Derived from the leaves of a plant from South America with the same name.  300 times sweeter than sugar (sucrose) but with a slightly bitter after taste.  Avoid products which aren't 100% stevia.  Use in moderation as it primes the body for a certain amount of calories for sweetness, so may increase appetite. Whole Cane Sugar A naturally unrefined form of whole sugar that is absorbed more slowly into the blood stream.  It can be difficult to find. Coconut (Palm) Sugar also known as Coconut Nectar or Blossom Syrup Rich in B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc , 17 amino acids, short-chain fatty acis and antioxidants.  It contains inulin which is a prebotic which feeds the benefical bacteria in our gut.  However, there are mixed opinions on its sustainability.  It is said to taste like brown sugar. Yacon Syrup From the yacon or peruvian ground apple.  It tastes like a cross between an apple and pear.  It contains good amounts of vitamins and minerals plus a prebiotic.  It may not be suitable for people with IBS due to its high FOS (fructooligosaccharide) content.  It is suitable for diabetics.  Use instead of liquid sweeteners like honey and also in baking. References Alternatives to Sugar by Dr M Glenville (Lifestyles Press, 2016).  

In general in life I am very self-motivated, which is essential when you are self-employed.  However this is the time of year of my annual bout of procrastination kicks in.  Each year I promise myself its going to be different, I will fill out my tax form early and every year, like ground hog day, I leave it as late as possible.  So this year I decided to research options for helping me tackle my procrastination around doing my accounts and filling out my tax form. I read the reason most people procrastinate is that they consider the task unpleasant or boring or they associate unpleasant feelings with the task.  To me this is blatantly obvious as no on every puts of anything they enjoy.  For me tax forms manage to be both unpleasant and boring.  So I decided that this year I would try a new approach to tackle my procrastination. Firstly I decided to focus on the end goal.  As filling out a tax form leaves me cold, I decided that focusing on the fine for not doing it on time would motivate me, after all my money is on line.  As in life I tend to prefer more positive options, I decided to pencil in a treat for myself when I finished, so I am going to arrange a girlie lunch for a specific date so I have something positive to look forward to. In the past I have dedicate one sold lump of time to doing my accounts and tax form and plodded through it.  This year I decide that I would split it down into little chunks as this should help me do it with a smile on her face. In addition some experts recommend roping a friend so that you have a buddy to help motivate you and also making a public commitment to completing something helps motivate you.  So this is my public commitment. So now its just a case of taking the first step and staring.