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Painting the town – January 2014 Edition of E-spoons

Posted by Dr Sandy on in E-spoons | 67 Views | Leave a response

PAINTING THE TOWN… 

Pink – could your fat cells be turning you into half a man ? Hope you remembered to pay cash for your cookies and approached those holiday buffets sagaciously, so you have avoided being MORE MAN at the end of silly season. Remember nights on the town should ideally happen in ONE LOCATION and be caffeine free, because caffeine can be the ultimate party killjoy. And after a night on the town, it will take some time, for your brain to wind down, but when you finally fall a sleep, your brain will be able to dispatch the cleaning crew. In this edition we get a little nostalgic as we review the highlights of the blog for 2013.  HAPPY NEW YEAR, hope 2014 is a year in which you enjoy BETTER BODY CHEMISTRY.

The E-spoons E-zine is a monthly compilation of stories appearing on Better Body Chemistry blog.  The stories are based on the latest science tit bits and will help you become a little healthier, wealthier and wiser by explaining the why.  As a friend of Spoonful of Science you have been included on our mailing list – should you wish to unsubscribe follow the link at the bottom of the E-zine.

Reading on line is exhausting so if you would prefer to read your copy of E-spoons in the loo –  download the pdf here.

Could your fat cells be turning you into half a man ?  (video)

Every man’s goal…………. is to be THE ALPHA MALE.  The objective, which is hard wired into the male brain – is out-and-out control  and as an added bonus, to get the girl.    Some men are born with a genetic “advantage”, allowing them to rule many castles, but healthy doses of testosterone, ensure every man is at least king of his own castle.

But biology conspires against castle domination.

It’s called GETTING OLD.  But, old age is not the only threat to castle domination – unfortunately,  having a big belly, is a fast way to being dethroned.

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Click on the picture to watch the video.
Return to Table of Contents

 img-3
Feeling fatigued, frumpy, fed-up ?  Complete a body audit to discover how small lifestyle changes can improve your health, so you create BETTER BODY CHEMISTRY.
To book your body audit, drop me an e-mail at drsandy@spoonfulofscience.com

Pay cash to avoid cookies taking advantage of you

credit card shoppingA trip to the grocery store is like walking through the valley of temptation, you’re tempted by hundreds of items, that are NOT, on your shopping list.

You know you shouldn’t but… the unhealthy snacks call out “TAKE ME HOME”, as you stroll up and down the various aisles.

You TRY to RESIST.

But resistance is futile….

Psychology and biology conspire against you.  Nine times out of ten – you give in, adding “JUNK” to your shopping basket or trolley. And once the item it homeward bound, you will consume it, sooner or later.  If you’re like me, it is SOONER, sometimes before you’ve actually left the parking lot.

But you can resist…   all you need to do, is when you get to the till, pay CASH.   Read why cash is king when it comes to Taming your sugar gremlin.

Need more help, keeping your sugar gremlin under wraps ?  Sign up for our free e-course, which will equip you to Trick or Treat your sugar gremlin.
Return to Table of Contents

A buffet doesn’t have to be fattening if you approach is sagaciously

Looking at the buffet tableIt’s eating season….

Clubs, companies and cool people, are celebrating the Christmas season / end of the calendar year,  with special outings, which typically include food, usually lots of it.

Usually served in the form of, a buffet. The value of a buffet is you get to CHOOSE. But YOU might not be CHOOSING quite as much as YOU thought.

Your choices are being ordered

 Not by the borg or anything.  Turns out, the order the food is served in, determines what you spoon on your plate.   Read more ….The foods you see first, shape you dining experience, because you spoon a hefty portion of these foods on your plate, to get things started.  You then pick and choose other items that “work” with these foods.  As the plate fills up, the amount of “free space” on your plate is seriously diminished, so you skip the items at the end of the food line.

Does it matter ?   If you’re “watching what you eat” – you bet.   Take back control –  START where you want to begin, don’t FOLLOW the herd.
Return to Table of Contents

Why partying in more than one place doesn’t increase the FUN

Bottles fightingYou’re ready for a night on the town… a little eating, a little drinking, a little dancing – FUN, FUN, FUN.  To optimize your body chemistry, try to have ALL the FUN in one location.

Two plus location parties are trouble with a capital T.

Not in the KNOW ?   A two location party begins somewhere “NEUTRAL” – typically in a not so happening place.   Someone’s garage, the park or even the car.  The point of the exercise is to get IN THE MOOD for the REAL party.

The quickest way to get IN THE MOOD, is to embark on a little pre-partying alcohol consumption i.e. to enjoy a few alcoholic beverages, quick, quick.

The pre-drink / frontload

Potentially a smart move, especially if drinking at THE REAL PARTY is likely to be “challenging”.  And it can be….

The two biggest challenges

  • Economics – happening locations charge more for a beer, than the local liquor store
  • Access – if you’re underage, buying a beer can be a major hassle. As I said…… potentially a SMART MOVE – party optimization !  Hang on a minute,  is it REALLY  a smart move ?  Maybe not.
It turns out, pre-party drinking,  results in much more alcohol being consumed,  typically double the amount ends up being consumed.   Read more ….

PARTY SAFE.  Party in one location.
Return to Table of Contents

Caffeine is the ultimate party killjoy (video)
Click on the image to watch the video

 img-7

Return to Table of Contents

What you’re up to before bed impacts the quality of your sleep

too much partyYou’ve been out P-A-R-T-Y-I-N-G.

The definition of PARTYING I am using  is quite broad –  it could be a rock “n roll concert or a quiet dinner with friends.  The point – you went out, had a stimulating time and it is now WAY PAST your normal bedtime.

You’re tired.  Seriously tired.  But… when you climb into bed, despite being sleep deprived, you find yourself unable to fall asleep.

You’re TIRED & WIRED.

NOTE : This contrasts with the situation when you are on the other end of the PARTY going experience.  The hapless mom, waiting for Suzie to come home.  You’re just TIRED.  And you’re fighting sleep..  Keeping your eyes open is a serious strain.

The tired but wired effect is biochemical…. click here to learn more. It’s Mother Nature’s “gift” to ensure we don’t SLEEP through “danger”.

Your brain WILL need time to “let go” if you do something STIMULATING late at night.  It’s BIOLOGY
Return to Table of Contents

Struggling to find a memory ?  Maybe your brain just needs a clean up  (video)
The business world needs a little down time, to clean up, so the bottom line thrives. But clean ups can be a little inconvenient.  So our preference is for clean ups to happen in the background, which is why big corporates and big cities clean up, after hours.

So does your brain….

Watch the video to learn more about how to deploy your brain’s clean up crew.

 img-9

Return to Table of Contents

Let a little nostalgia tint your view of the world
As you join with friends and family to celebrate the passing of 2013 singing…

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?

Take heed, not to forget the past…………..   A little wistful thinking is able to brighten the future.  Click here to read more.

Time for a little blog nostalgia…..here are my top five health tips from 2013 …….

img-10

Fat people aren’t lazy they just have very busy friends Germ free milk is not good medicine Are today’s kids too clean for their own good The advice to avoid fish during pregnancy is a little fishy Squelching the fire of indigestion is burning your bones

Each post is illustrated with a cartoon custom drawn by my right hand man, Guy Alain Ngangob.  Alain has the ability to capture my ideas and then take them to the next level.   Here are MY favourites…

img-11
Could your sperm be carrying the mark of the beast ? Spritzing with deodorant may not be necessary Going to the movies can boost your academic performance The voice left standing wins the should I eat it debate Swaddle up but leave those hips swinging

PS.  Alain has just graduated with a degree in Biotechnology – he is looking for a job in a lab.  If you can help, drop him an e-mail.

Hope you have a fantastic 2014 and you achieve BETTER BODY CHEMISTRY.

Keen to start the New Year off on a healthy note ?   Sign up for the free e-course 31 Days to Better Body Chemistry.
Return to Table of Contents

Other stories from the blog this month…………..

  • Those weekend beers are making you insulin resistant
  • Use body chemistry to improve your wheeling and dealing

Thank you for taking the time to read the e-zine. I love hearing from readers, so drop me an e-mail to let me know which story you enjoyed the most,  did you learn something new or do you have a different perspective.   

Did you enjoy the E-zine ?   Forward the E-zine to a friend or

Next month we will be ALL FIRED UP.  Look out for the next edition of E-spoons in your inbox on 5 February 2014 (the first Wednesday of the month).

Yours scientifically

Dr Sandy 
Phone :       +27 (0)11 452 2207 
Cell :           083 262 5023

E-mail :       drsandy@spoonfulofscience.com

The cartoons were drawn by Guy Alain Ngangob – drop him an e-mail if you need a cartoon or two. If you want to access the science articles used to compile the newsletter, visit the relevant pages on the blog and follow the link.

Copyright © 2013 by Sandra Evans.  YOU ARE WELCOME TO COPY the e-Zine’s contents for use in your own  newsletter, company or club publication, BLOG or website.  Please give proper credit and a link back to https://www.betterbodychemistry.com.

Disclaimer : The e-zine is provided as a service.  Dr Sandy’s reports and opinions are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe.  For your specific diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.

Posted in E-spoons | Tagged E-spoons, Painting the town

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There is still time to catch my session and tune into all the other amazing presentations happening inside the Bloom & Be Summit. Its a free virtual Self-Care Experience for anyone who wants growth, joy, and intentional living…but doesn’t resonate with hustle culture or rigid routines. This experience is about small, meaningful shifts that expand your capacity…not overwhelm it. NOTE : You don’t have to watch everything. You don’t have to change everything. You’re allowed to move gently. If you’re ready for self-care that meets you where you are, Bloom + Be might be exactly what you need. Join us March 24–26 (🔗in-bio) #BloomAndBeSummit #SweetDreams #NightRoutine #BedtimeRitual #SelfCareSummit #RestfulSleep #GentleLiving #FireflyKisses #WindDown #DeepSleep
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If you’ve been craving self-care that actually supports your real life…this is for you. Bloom + Be: A Gentle Self-Care Experience is a free, 3-day virtual self-care event happening March 24-26, created for creative, kindhearted women who want more joy, clarity, and momentum…without hustle culture or pressure. This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about caring for your mind, body, and energy in ways that help you feel lighter and more connected to yourself. Come exactly as you are. Take what helps. Leave the rest. Free tickets are available now (🔗in-bio) #BloomAndBe #BloomAndBeSummit #SleepBetter #FallAsleepFast #SleepScience #MindBodySoul #SlowLiving #NourishYourself #HolisticWellness
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Everyone fears sugar spikes… but almost no one realises sugar crashes shake your blood vessels too. Inside your bloodstream, stability matters more than perfection. Agent Vaso is the quiet operator keeping your flow steady — until things drop faster than he can respond. If you want more molecule-level stories that help you understand what’s actually happening in your body, follow along. This is the biology no one ever teaches you. #sugarcrash #hypoglycemia #bloodflow #endothelium #vascularhealth #bloodvessels #healthyflow #glucoselevels #glycemicvariability #betterbodychemistry #betterbodychemisty
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If you enjoy understanding your chemistry instead of guessing, come hang out in my world. 👉 Follow @betterbodychemistry 👉 Join my weekly email list - you will find the link in my bio #nocturia #nighttimepee #sleephealth #hearthealth #fluidretention #metabolichealth #insulinresistance #betterbodychemistry #scienceexplained #healthscience #overactivebladder #sleepbetter #agingwell
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I’ve spent a long time trying to figure out how to explain what I actually do in a way that feels honest — not salesy, not dramatic, and not simplified to the point of being wrong.

What I finally landed on is something I call Unlocking Better Body Chemistry.

It’s not a program or a protocol.
It’s a way of looking at health problems — especially metabolic ones — that focuses on why things aren’t responding, instead of just chasing symptoms.

Most people I talk to are already doing a lot of “right” things.
They’re just doing them without a clear understanding of how their own body is functioning.

This framework is how I make sense of bloodwork, symptoms, and context together — and how I help people stop guessing about what actually matters.

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If you’re curious, you can read it here. (link in first comment)

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I’ve spent a long time trying to figure out how to explain what I actually do in a way that feels honest — not salesy, not dramatic, and not simplified to the point of being wrong. What I finally landed on is something I call Unlocking Better Body Chemistry. It’s not a program or a protocol. It’s a way of looking at health problems — especially metabolic ones — that focuses on why things aren’t responding, instead of just chasing symptoms. Most people I talk to are already doing a lot of “right” things. They’re just doing them without a clear understanding of how their own body is functioning. This framework is how I make sense of bloodwork, symptoms, and context together — and how I help people stop guessing about what actually matters. I’ve put it all into a page so it’s clear, grounded, and easy to read. If you’re curious, you can read it here. (link in first comment) #signatureframework #metabolichealth #healthframework #healthwithoutthehype
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If your liver folded watching this — you’re exactly who I talk to every week. Not your standard eat less and move more advice. Not wellness fluff. Biochemistry. Join the Better Body Chemistry list. 📩 Link in bio. #fattyliver #insulinresistance #metabolichealth #alcoholandhealth #metabolicstress #insulinresistant #metabolichealthtips #NAFLD #betterbodychemistry
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Your body isn’t misbehaving.
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When those clocks drift, everything feels “off,” and people blame willpower instead of timing.
If you want science that explains your biology (not wellness slogans), link in bio to join my email list

#circadianrhythm #molecularclock #CLOCK #BMAL #PER #CRY #circadianbiology #bodyclock #metabolism #timing #BetterBodyChemistry
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Your body isn’t misbehaving. Its clocks are out of sync. Every cell runs a molecular timekeeper — CLOCK, BMAL, PER and CRY — driving your energy, appetite, sleep pressure and mood. When those clocks drift, everything feels “off,” and people blame willpower instead of timing. If you want science that explains your biology (not wellness slogans), link in bio to join my email list #circadianrhythm #molecularclock #CLOCK #BMAL #PER #CRY #circadianbiology #bodyclock #metabolism #timing #BetterBodyChemistry
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