Health Matters with Michaela

07/08/2025

The humble Elderberry:

Our hedgerows are literally dripping with free healthy berries full of healthy properties.
Elderberries have amongst others antioxidant,anti inflammatory and immune boosting qualities.
**** Don’t eat raw and they can cause an upset stomach****
However try making into a syrup which you can store for the winter months.
Elderberry syrup:

10 elderberry heads (washed and berries separated with a fork)
2 cm piece of fresh ginger chopped
2 crushed Star anise or cloves
I stick of cinnamon
Zest and juice of 1 lemon.
1 kg natural brown sugar
1140 ml water.

Simmer all ingredients (except sugar)for 30 minutes in a large heavy pan. Strain with a sieve and return liquid to pan. Add sugar and simmer until dissolved. Simmer for a further 20-30 minutes until resembling a syrupy consistency.
Cool and decant into clean, labeled jars. Store in fridge.
Delicious over yogurt, porridge, ice cream or just take for medicinal purposes to ward off colds. 1 teaspoon 3 x daily.

13/05/2025

Immune boosting Nettle Soup:

Full of antioxidants and vitamins this soup is ‘cheap as chips’ and easy to make.
May is a season of unfurling leaves and fresh greens so get out there and start foraging.

Ingredients:

Oil or butter
One large chopped onion
3 small potatoes
1 pint of stock
6-7 nettle heads(avoid verges 🐕 and wear gloves)
Cream/yogurt(optional)
Season to taste.

07/05/2025

I found this podcast about protein and fibre really informative.

Podcast Episode · The Dr Louise Newson Podcast · 06/05/2025 · 27m

20/01/2025

Declutter for health:

We all feel challenged at this time of year with the cold, grey days of January seeming to stretch on forever.

So it’s more important than ever to get our physical space in order so we can come home to an orderly and uncluttered space. This can also have a positive effect on our mental and physical health by keeping us motivated and focused on our goals.

I have recently been reading Marie Kondo’s book on the subject. In her work with clients, she has witnessed the positive effects of clearing unwanted clutter on confidence levels and weight loss.

Hoarding has been recognized as a mental health condition and you should speak to your health professional to get help with this. There may be underlying issues which have not been dealt with.

With numerous charities (if you wish to donate)and businesses willing to buy books, cds, dvds, clothes etc you could even make a tidy profit. That should put a January smile on your face 😃






https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Azabvxrnx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

16/01/2025

https://youtu.be/X9_QO1Opnl4?si=1ps9vLdbaM4rEGAA
This speaks for itself.

90% of nursing staff say patient safety is being compromised in new RCN report.

20/12/2024

Question:
Can Christmas dinner be healthy? 🤔

06/12/2024

🔥Fire Cider🔥

With the festive party season in full swing our immune systems can come under attack from stress,lack of sleep and being more social in confined spaces. At this time of year we want to enjoy the sparkle and be at our best.
I follow an amazing lady on YouTube ‘Ali lives well on less’ who gave me this recipe to try.
It’s full of known anti inflammatory,antibacterial ingredients with vitamin C and will blow your head off!! 😅
At the first sign of a sniffle or sore throat just take a dessert spoonful. I use a mini glass tumbler.

INGREDIENTS:

3 RED CHILLI PEPPERS 🌶️
1 RED ONION 🧅
1 WHOLE HEAD OF GARLIC 🧄
2 UNWAXED LEMONS 🍋
2 INCH PIECE OF GINGER 🫚
ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
MANUKA HONEY 🍯

METHOD:
Chop and slice all ingredients **except honey** and place in a clean storage container. Pour over the apple cider vinegar to the top of the jar. Label,date and store for 6 weeks (I just left mine on a storage shelf to remind me to stir it occasionally)
After 6 weeks all the ingredients will have infused nicely and be ready to decant.
Sieve into a jug and pour in the honey. I used a whole jar! Stir to combine.
Pour into clean glass jars/bottles and store in the fridge.
Apologies this is too late for Christmas but you could have it for January.
🙏Please share 🙏

23/11/2024

💰Food inflation 💰

Some useful stats I came across a couple of days ago. No wonder we’re all feeling the pinch 😳
It’s more important than ever to shop smart and practice bulk batch cooking.
I’ll be off to buy more beans,tinned tomatoes and peanut butter 🥜

18/11/2024

🤔 Getting ahead 🤔

Love a ‘fluid day’ at the weekend in the the kitchen prepping for the the busy weeks ahead,interspersed with Netflix catch up 🎥

Slow cooker chickpea and spinach curry(3 portions for the freezer with 10 minute prep time)
Sourdough bread(this has become a household staple and is very easy to do)
Whiskey tea loaf
* I’ll be doing a piece on Sourdough at a later date.

14/11/2024

🍆🥔🥕 Gut Health 🥑🍒🥦

Also known as the gut microbiome,a healthy gut plays an important part in our overall health. We have trillions of bacteria living inside the gut,and like a finger print no 2 people have the same microbiome.

The gut is responsible for a healthy immune system,
absorption of nutrients and making vitamins K and B, processing fibre and protecting the body from pathogens.
A healthy microbiome can protect us from deceases such as type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease,celiac disease,arthritis,eczema and psoriasis and even depression.
Some drugs and antibiotics can have an adverse effect on our gut bacteria.

* Never stop prescription drugs without seeking medical advice first.

What can we do?

Avoid/reduce ultra processed foods.
Increase fibre intake.
Reduce sugar.
Increase your variety of vegetables and fruits(eat the rainbow)
Introduce live cultured foods such as sourdough bread, kimchi, sauerkraut and kefir yogurt.
Eat as diverse a diet as possible.
Leave a-few hours gap between meals.
🥑🍒🍊🍎🍌🍓🍑🥦🥒🥕🌽🥔🍆🥗

06/11/2024

One of my first few attempts at Sourdough bread 🍞
In my next post I will be discussing the benefits of a healthy gut microbiome.