A month of more sunshine! 20th June is the longest day of 2021 with the sun shining for more than 17 hours, which is then followed by the shortest night of just 7 hours. Sunlight is essential for health and wellbeing. Benefits include vitamin D which supports bone health, lowers blood pressure, prevents disease and promotes good mental health. All that said I would be wrong not to draw your attention to the importance of skin protection from the sun to guard against premature ageing and skin cancers. It’s often not until older age that you question the choices you made historically. Getting sunburnt just once every 2 years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer. In the UK almost 9 in 10 cases of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, could be prevented through enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunbeds. It’s too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun that damages DNA in your skin cells and causes skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation found the sun causes more than 90% of the noticeable changes attributed to skin aging. So, whilst the sun has lots of mood boosting and a vitamin D benefits, you must take care in the sun. A good sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses are a real must – home or abroad. The UK sun is just as lethal, if not more than the tropical sun. I appreciate we can’t undo history, so with the skin care knowledge we have today we must be vigilant in checking any new or changes to marks or moles on the skin. Last month was skin cancer awareness month, I know our skin therapists at Rejuvenate in Kidderminster all did enhanced training for skin cancers to help support early detection during treatment. Basically, if you notice any changes in size, shape or feel of any skin markings or moles you must get them checked out by a doctor. Typically blemishes that are nothing to worry about do not change over time and are symmetrical. Early detection improves the rate of full recovery. So, if in any doubt please get yourself checked with the doctor.
It’s often hailed a hero vegetable …. It’s asparagus season and the UK produces some of the best in the world, the main reason why chefs go crazy for UK asparagus every year is due to how phenomenal the flavour is when it’s fresh. The start and end of the season shifts from year-to-year depending on weather conditions. But traditionally, the British asparagus season runs from St George’s day on the 23rd April through to Summer Solstice on the 21st June. So, you are only looking at 8 weeks of this vitamin packed tasty delicacy! We are blessed with many local farms around here that sell super fresh asparagus. British asparagus is packed full of goodness, so not only are you getting a delicious vegetable but a healthy one too. Asparagus:
• Promotes healthy bacteria in the large intestine and can help reduce bloating
• Contains vitamin K, essential for healthy blood clotting
• A rich source of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system
• A mild diuretic and is believed to help detoxify the body
Fresh asparagus I think can’t be beaten steamed for just a few minutes and served with fresh poached egg, and some salt and cracked black pepper.
A perfect poached egg is something I get asked about a lot! Without wanting to teach Granny to suck eggs (hahah!), let me share my fool proof quick and simple method for the perfect poached egg. Start with a fresh egg and vigorously boiling water. A deep (not shallow) saucepan is best and does make a difference. Put the pan of water on the hob on full heat. Once the water is bubbling, crack the egg straight in and do NOT change the full heat. Once the pan goes to bubble over pull it off the heat and let the pan rest. There will likely be a bit of excess (I affectionately refer to it as scum!) on the surface. Simply let everything settle and then remove any excess from the top and once the water settles you can check your perfect egg – it will be a tight, firm white and a runny yolk. Every time! If your yolk and white separate your eggs were likely not fresh. So the bottom line, no swirling or vinegar tricks needed – just high heat all the time, put into boiling water and pull off the pan from the heat once it looks like it’s going to boil over. No need to turn the heat down. Simple, quick and full of nutrition. A poached egg is a high-quality protein – 13 grams per 2-egg serving, to be exact. The protein in eggs is considered a complete protein, which means it includes all the amino acids you need to get from your diet. Complete protein supports muscle tissue, nourishes your skin, hair and bones, and also keeps your immune system revving to fight off infection.
Eggs are a particularly good source of vitamin A and zinc, two nutrients important for a robust immune system. At about 540 international units of vitamin A, two poached eggs provide up to 23 percent of your daily vitamin A needs. And the 1.3 milligrams of zinc covers 12 to 16 percent of your zinc requirements. You’ll also get small amounts of calcium, iron and vitamin E.
I hope the panic buying for asparagus doesn’t go as mad as toilet rolls did at the start of the pandemic, but the rush is real, we likely only have until the end of June to enjoy this hero vegetable. As for the poaching eggs simple tip – that will afford you magician status for the rest of life! Enjoy and stay safe in the sun.
Thanks for reading and if you have any questions, I am happy to answer them privately, or in the next edition. Just email me dianne@rejuvenateathypoxi.co.uk. Previous copies of my health column can be found at www.rejuvenateathypoxi.co.uk
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Best wishes, Dianne x