I am finding that there is a very confusing amount of information available online about wellness, health and diet, most of it coming from people that have absolutely no credentials or concrete evidence to support their claims. I mean I literally cannot open up YouTube without being bombarded by a massive influx of clips that claim to have the 'one true method' for supreme health, wellness, diet and fitness. Thank god I am not on social media, I can only imagine how overwhelming the material is on those platforms. 
Anyway, I have watched some of these 'miracle' videos, mainly out of sheer curiosity and so far this is what I have taken away from what I have been told (and this shit is real, people are really peddling this stuff):

• ​You should never eat carbohydrates - they will make you fat.
• You should work out twice a day for 45minutes everyday if you expect to get fit.
• You need around 12 hours of sleep a night to be properly rested.
• If you have pubic hair you are disgusting!
• Clean eating is the only way to get lean and healthy. 
• If you are serious about weight loss you need to fast.
• Exercise is better for weight loss than diet.
• You should never eat or drink sugar in any form - it's fattening and gross for your insides. 
  
• Drinking apple cider vinegar everyday will shed weight off you overnight while you sleep.
• You need to eat more potatoes - they are good for filling you up without too many calories.
• You should never eat potatoes  -  they have tonnes of calories and will make you fat.
• Doing a body wrap is the quickest way to lose weight.
• People who gain weight back after a diet have poor self control.
• You need to drink 3 litres of water a day to be properly hydrated.
• Tans are healthy, we all need a little vitamin D.
• Soy gives you breast cancer.
• The fewer calories you eat the better and days of fasting are excellent for your body.
• Avoid all fats and oils, they make you fat.
• Just detox and you'll lose all the weight you need to.
• Eat six small meals a day to lose weight. 
• Have a massive breakfast, a medium lunch and a tiny dinner everyday. 
• If you aren't sweating, you aren't working out!
• Fruit is full of sugar and will make you fat, avoid it at all costs. 
• Juicing is the best way to get skinny and stay skinny.
• Egg yolks will make you fat.
• Fill up on superfoods and you'll never have to worry about your weight again.
• Gluten free = wellness.
• Pasta makes you so fat!

I shouldn't need to go on, this is clearly all outrageously silly and dreadful advice. The bottom line of health and wellbeing is far more simple and a lot less contrived than all that bullshit. And here are 8 simple tips that do seem to make sense and work, and that I do stand behind. 
1. Eat a wide variety of foods that are as close to their natural state as possible and avoid refined or genetically modified foods.
2. Don't label foods as good or bad, just eat refined foods and sugars in very small amounts and always stop eating when you are satiated. 
3. Counting calories is pointless, not all calories are equal. Just try to opt for healthy choices 80% of the time.
4. Drink water (6 -8 glasses a day) not juice or soda. 
5. Take moderate to mild exercise daily and make sure that you move your body whenever you can. 
6. Get around 6-8 hours of quality sleep a night.
7. Stay within the recommended 10 alcoholic drinks per week is you must drink. 
8. Work on your mindset by meditating, journaling, practising mindfulness and engaging in positive relationships. 

And that's it - eight tips for staying well and being healthy. But what do I even know right? I am no expert and I have zero credentials apart from around 50 years on the clock. All that I know for sure is that I do not have any major health issues, I sleep well, love well, live well and feel amazing most of the time. I rarely get ill and when I do, I bounce back quickly. I have fabulous relationships with my family and friends, I make the best of everyday and I plan to keep on doing that until I am well into my nineties. That's really all that I have to go on.
Health and wellness looks different for everyone, for one person it could be six pack abs and a ripped body, for another it could be walking to the shop for the paper everyday. I am not going to judge anyone's ideas or ideals around this, to each their own. I also fully understand that what works for one person may not work for another and there really is no one magic formula that will work for everyone. So really the only advice that I can be 100% sure of, around any of what I have read, learned or experienced about health and wellbeing, is that that you have to be willing to question anyone that isn't a professional and you should never put your own health at risk for any fad diet or vague recommendation. Also, I do believe that eating well is a form of respect, and that you do deserve that respect for yourself and also your body.
The absolute bottom line, I believe is, to find what works for you and makes you feel good about you and gives you the best ride for your money and time; and then smash it every day and you'll be on the right track for sure!

SUPER SIZE ME 
Release Date: 2004
Rating: M
Running Time: 100 mins
Here's a way to get yourself sworn off McDonald's for the rest of your life. This controversial documentary records a month of solid junk food eating for Morgan Spurlock as he personally puts his health on the line to demonstrate the pitfalls of eating from fast food outlets.
Clearly this is an extreme way of getting across an anti fast food message, but it is riveting watching nonetheless. There is nothing truly scientific going on here, we all know that if you eat nothing but McDonald's for a month you're going to feel like crap. But Morgan's month is closely monitored by a dietitian, a practitioner, a gastroenterologist and a cardiologist, which makes the rapid demise of his health all the more prevalent and alarming. 
This documentary will leave you feeling sick to your stomach and trust me when I say that you won't be going to the drive-through window for a while after seeing it. 
FINAL SAY: No, I don't want fries with that!
3 Chilli Peppers
Note: Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! (2017) sees Morgan Spurlock opening his own fast food chicken restaurant in an attempt to explore whether fast food is actually as healthy as it now claims to be. What he discovers is not only an exploitation of the consumers belief in what they are eating, but also an exploitation of chickens and the farmers that raise them for the fast food industry. I actually enjoyed this instalment more than the first Super Size Me and found it overall a lot more alarming as well. It's a solid 3.5 Chilli Peppers documentary. ​

Authenticity is talked about a lot these days. Everyone wants to be seen as more authentic and valued for their authenticity, but no-one really talks about what it actually means to be authentic. I am going to take a deep dive into what it actually means to be authentic and how to tell if someone is actually being authentic or just being a big phoney baloney! 
First and foremost, authentic people do not try hard to be likable. Now that doesn't mean that they are aloof assholes either, but they aren't that worried about ruffling a few feathers when it comes to standing up for what is right, just or fair. They embrace making right choices and they don't crave attention or have ulterior motives when they do this, they have a 'can do' and 'will do' attitude that attracts others to them and makes them highly reliable. 
Authentic people are also good a reserving judgement on others and themselves. They accept their own flaws and faults, and those of the people around them. They will try hard to see the world through other peoples eyes and are open-minded individuals who can meet people where they are at. They are often excellent listeners and can usually see the positive and negative aspects in people and situations.
An authentic person is generally unapologetic about expressing their thoughts. Followers worry that they may lose face of favour if they speak up about what they really think, a genuine person will express their thoughts and opinions without worrying if they wont be celebrated for it. They are not trying to garner attention or brownie points and they would never be cruel, angry or derogatory in the way that they express themselves, so they have no need to worry about how they will be interpreted.  An authentic person would never express their thoughts to attack, manipulate or offend someone, they have good character and a strong sense of integrity. 
One of the other things that you will see in people of high integrity is the ability to self reflect. You have to look inside to be a genuine and authentic. Authentic people will have fewer self doubts and experience less anxiety because they are regularly looking inside and re-evaluating the landscape of their lives.  The own their choices and decisions and can stand behind their ideas and thoughts. An authentic person will not go off half cocked or shoot from the hip, they think before they act and consider the outcomes before they approach. 
Authentic people are generous in spirit. They give to others in many ways. Through resources, time and information, they willingly share in and of themselves as much as they can and enjoy doing so. They love to entertain and spoil the people they love, and they will always share whatever they have access to with others around them. They are never secretive or mean and will not need to take credit for things that they may have been involved in launching. They like to see other succeed as much as themselves and will always bolster the people around them as much as they can. 
And I know that I have covered the topic of transparency before, but authentic people are transparent, honest and empathetic. You do not need to worry about an authentic person trying to trick you, deceive you or discredit you, this not something that an authentic person would ever embark upon. Authentic people are also not arrogant or self-satisfied and they can handle criticism and confrontation with decorum and calm. They understand that things are not always about them and can step back without having to belittle or berate someone behind their back. They welcome open conversation and honest exchanges. 
It is pretty easy to spot a person who isn't really authentic. Obviously they will lack many of the qualities listed above, but they will also have a deep need to be accepted and/or revered in their lives. This will make them insecure, quick to anger and judge others and generally quite competitive. They will be problem finders, energy drainers, constant complainers and negative Nancy's. You will not feel safe with a person who is not authentic and you will definitely struggle to get to know them on a deeper level because they may often be haughty, aggressive, secretive, sallow or dismissive. 
In short, for authentic people, the integrity, reliability and transparency of their character is always going to be more important than any monetary or social status gain. They are never in it for the glory. They are focused on their goals and willingly help others to reach theirs whenever they can. They listen when others speak instead of constantly offering their judgements and opinions. They can express genuine feelings and thoughts without hurting others, they are who they are and would not have it be any other way. They are just great people to have in your life and I hope that you have some rocking authentic people in your world to help you to shine brighter every day and grow more authentic in yourself every day. 

Yesterday was Easter Monday, the easter break has officially come to an end for yet another year; well for most people anyway! I am lucky enough to be stretching my legs out, kicking back on the couch and curling up with a good book as the days grow colder and darker by the hour because it is the Autumn school holiday break. We said goodbye to daylight savings time just over a week ago but it sure does feel like the that hour of daylight has turned into three hours of darkness ever since. I don't think that the cold snap of weather has aided that very much either, because the constant drizzle and grey skies have been pretty much relentless since the school holidays started four days ago. 
But you know me, always the optimist. This hazy Autumn weather has provided me with ample time to indulge my movie loving loins, read books, journal, bake, visit family (already taken two road trips) and sip good whiskey and wine by the heater with my delightful furry friend (Salem) on my lap. Hardly challenging for me at all. Poor Craig had to return to work today, but Seth and I are definitely enjoying the fruits of freedom with Seth indulging in his love of gaming and guitar playing and me luxuriating in long meditations, yoga sessions and bubble baths. Making it work people, I'm making it work! 
Easter was actually busy with us running about from one part of the state to the other as we navigated two family Easter gatherings outside of our home. This is unusual for us, because we are are generally the entertainers of most big events out here in Enfield, but this year Zoe hosted a get together and my mum hosted one as well, so it was a bit different. I can't say that I minded not having to be the host for a change, it is nice to change things up and not have to clean up everything after the fact as well. Of course I made things to contribute to the efforts, but it was more of a sit and relax Easter this year, rather than a cook, set-up,  clean and clear up afterwards event, so no complaints from me.
Needless to say there were many treats, most of which I managed to navigate with a pretty good level of self control and decorum. I didn't scoff a whole bag of chocolate eggs or inhale any chocolate bunnies, and I actually only ate three hot cross buns for the entire season, and although I may not have lost a lot of weight this week, I didn't gain any extra back on, so I am calling that a win. It has been a bit more of a challenge to get my 10,000 steps in with the change in weather, but I haven't quit and I feel really good about that. 
Now that my kids are all grown up, there is really no need for any Easter bunny carry on or egg hunting fiascos these days. Nowadays my children get things like slippers, PJ's, books, alcohol and random other fun stuff for Easter, basically anything that I would want to get! And in between all of the celebrating and drinking, napping and indulging that the Easter season offered, we did manage to get to the cinema on Good Friday for a little cinema action to see Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and if you (like me)  enjoy fantasy/adventure movies, then I would I recommend that you catch this one on the big screen yourself too. 
Hope the Easter season was kind to you all my good readers, stay well and warm. 

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES
Release Date: 2023
Rating: M
Running Time: 134 mins
Sometimes you just want to watch a movie and have a bit of fun with it, no over-thinking or analysis required, just a 'sit back and enjoy' kind of a time. Well Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves certainly offers viewers that experience. This action adventure film, that is based on the role-play game of the same name, is a definite crowd pleaser and a well-cast slice of fantasy fun. 
A charismatic thief and a band of misfit and magical characters embark on a quest to retrieve a lost relic; and soon find themselves running into many dangers and disasters along the way.
Of course there is a quest, and magic, and adventure; what else would you expect from a Dungeons and Dragons movie? What I didn't expect was for it to be so amusing, charming and enjoyable. The visual effects are terrific, the costumes and attention to character detail are impressive and the cast are remarkably good and extremely well cast. Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez are at their best here and they are handsomely supported by an adorable Sophia Lillis, a villainous Hugh Grant and almost unrecognisably evil Daisy Head. 
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is easily as good as Guardians of the Galaxy in my mind, with less Spaceballs antics and more LOTR fantasy sprinkled in. Just have fun with it. 
FINAL SAY: This isn't some bedtime story; this is the real world!
​3.5 Chilli Peppers ​