Yum yum

This just in...

Prolonging life and preventing serious illness.

The British Medical Journal has recently published a study that has looked at the effects of adherence to a Mediterranean diet which consists primarily of vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals, fish and a moderate intake of red wine. Other features of a Mediterranean diet include the use of olive oil as the only source of fat and low consumption of red meats. 12 studies with a total of 1,574,299 subjects were looked at, the subjects were followed from between 3 and eighteen years.
The study found that greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with -

a reduced risk (9%) of mortality from any cause.
a reduced risk (9%) of mortality from heart disease
a reduced risk (6%) of mortality from cancer
a reduction (13%) in the incidence of Parkinson's disease
a reduction (13%) in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease
These figures are impressive, the study notes that most of the world's major medical bodies strongly promote the adoption of a Mediterranean diet in order to reduce the risk of disease but also points out that adherence in recent years has actually reduced even in those countries bordering the Mediteranean sea. This is attribiuted to the increased popularity of supermarkets and fast food outlets in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Greece has the highest incidence of obesity in Euope (26.2%).
An American study, also reported in the BMJ, found that "most deaths during 24 years of follow-up in middle aged women could have been avoided by a combination of not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity and a healthy diet". Given that the number of people who are overweight or obese in the UK is increasing it would seem that the NHS should redouble its efforts to get the healthy lifestyle message across.

Thought bubble

I snapped this (to me, at any rate) amusing shop sign at Alicante Airport.

As you can see, Jordan is not very approving. I wonder what he's thinking...

A. Really mother, HOW juvenile!
B. For goodness' sake woman, I need a hamburger. NOW!
C. You are just so, like, REALLY embarrassing...

Eye Tests

I had one yesterday and discovered that as well as Posterior Vitreous Detachment, myopia, astigmatism and cataracts, that my sight has improved from - 13 to -11. Woo hoo! This being a cause for celebration, I treated myself to some Vivienne Westwood frames.

They also took a photo of my retinas which told me rather more than I wanted to know.

Come and join...

...my new FaceBook group : Don't Upset The Normals

You know you want to...

Collaboration

It's been in my mind for some while that Jordan and I should collaborate on a story book together that could be enjoyed by and relevant to students with learning disabilities and their neurotypical peers of all ages.

Jordan has been talking about living on his own in the forest so I thought an adventure story that could also be seen as a metaphor for independence would be the way to go.

ME: So, you're in the forest and you feel thirsty. Where would you get a drink?

J: From the river! (accompanied by a roll of the eyes).

ME: What happens if you get hungry?

J: Don't eat leaves. Kick a tree and an apple will fall into your hand.

ME: Good answer! Where will you sleep when you get tired?

J: Behind the tree. (Demonstrates snoring technique).

As you can see it's still in the planning and development stage. We're off to Spain soon so we'll kick an outline into place there.

P-A-R-T-Y? Because he's gotta...

We spent the weekend in Halifax at a friend's thirtieth birthday. Jordan did what he always does, which is to sit and watch it all going on around him. What with the flashing lights and loud music, I think he does well to do this for a boy with autism. One half pint of Foster's and a request for his fave tune (Hey Baby by DJ Otzi since you ask) and my boy threw walking aids and caution to the wind and took the floor in fine style. He stuck it out for three songs before heat exhaustion threatened. A BIG step forward in every sense.

BEER AND WEAPONS

Two new, ahem, developments. Jordan wants to wear armour and wield a sword. Yes that's right, a sword. Armour I can handle but weapons I'm not so sure about. For a start, we live in Peckham which has all sorts of knife issues. Not that I'd let Jordan loose outside with a sword you understand, it's just that they aren't toys (which I can't make him understand) and it's practically guaranteed that it would be my eye on the tip of it in the event of an accident. So, Jordan's going around singing 'If I only had a sword..." to the tune of 'If I only had a heart..." from The Wizard of Oz.
In other news, Jordan has tasted beer and likes it! Well, he is 17. He got very giggly and slid off the swivel chair.