Category Archives: Health

Strong Female Character

It’s my stop on the blog tour for Strong Female Character by comedian Fern Brady, known for her recent Taskmaster appearance and no-nonsense Scottish humour. She has written an open and honest memoir about growing up and not knowing she is autistic but knowing she is very different from others. She is kicked out ofContinue reading “Strong Female Character”

Are we doing those who are sensitive a disservice?

It’s my stop on the Blog Tour for Sensitive by Hannah Jane Walker. Here is some of the book’s info: Hannah Jane Walker is a very sensitive person, along with at least a fifth of the population. Like many, she was conditioned to believe this was a weakness and a trait that she should tryContinue reading “Are we doing those who are sensitive a disservice?”

Changing my relationship with food

I have suffered from IBS for years. I have tried acupuncture, seen nutritionists and been on a low FODMAP exclusion and reintroduction diet via a dietician. Nothing really worked, and the list of food I am triggered by has got longer every year. So, for the last six weeks, I have been persevering with theContinue reading “Changing my relationship with food”

A no-holds-barred extreme health memoir

Life & Death Decisions by Dr Lachlan McIver packs a punch and gets a five-star rating from me. It gave me everything I want from a memoir, containing jaw-dropping stories, a reminder of human resilience and fragility and a warning about the very real consequences of climate change. The medical challenges Lachlan has faced asContinue reading “A no-holds-barred extreme health memoir”

I am a bit of a fainter

Warning: does include mention of dentists, injections & blood tests. A couple of weeks ago, I fainted in the dentist’s chair after watching a huge needle approach. I closed my eyes, felt it go into my gum, and started to feel weird. I signalled to the dentist to stop, and she put the chair up.Continue reading “I am a bit of a fainter”

Travelling with IBS

I’ve just had the best weekend in Amsterdam. I wanted to go to Floriade, a horticultural expo which only runs once every ten years. It was stunning, and I combined it with a family sightseeing weekend. It was my first trip back to Holland since a three-day school excursion to Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands.Continue reading “Travelling with IBS”

A reminder to be kind, always

I’ve read many books this month (July 22), giving the majority a five-star rating. What links them is their exploration of relationships. How we are treated as children, as adults, and then as we deteriorate with age can profoundly impact the quality of our lives. In these books, there are horrific acts, humour, kind deedsContinue reading “A reminder to be kind, always”

Are we ever ‘fixed’?

I’m just one of the many writers who has penned a memoir saying something like, hey, I had something terrible happen to me but I’m ok now and you can be too. The reality is that none of us is ever completely fixed are we? Granted those writers who are in remission from cancer orContinue reading “Are we ever ‘fixed’?”

May reads – taking me from Louisiana to The Lake District

I increasingly find myself drawn to non-fiction these days. I love learning from the experiences of others and there is always space on the bookshelf or in the e-book library for another health or nature memoir! I was pleased to fit in a Stephen King book this month. I have his Stephen King On WritingContinue reading “May reads – taking me from Louisiana to The Lake District”