All Good Things Issue 13
Heart & BP issues after second COVID jab + Coconut Caramel Chia Pudding + Virgin Cucumber Crush + Foot Therapy
ISSUE 13 / AUG 15, 2021Â Â
Good Morning ...
A big hello to all my new subscribers! Welcome and I hope you enjoy my weekend "All Good Things" newsletter where I share glimpses/snippets/stories from my food-filled life in Sydney, Australia and things I am buying, using, loving, reading, watching and exploring. (The Meal Prep newsletter goes out every Thursday, so you will be getting that later in
Today, I want to tell you about a strange thing that happened recently after I got my second Pfizer jab on June 26th, 2021 in the hope that it may help some of you to be watchful for symptoms going forward. My second jab was non-eventful, a regular sore arm for the first two days followed by bad headaches on and off for two weeks. Nothing major! But then in week 3 after the jab, I found that my heart would randomly beat fast during the day and sometimes at night when I was sleeping on my side, I found it hard to breathe easily. A little worried and also curious, I started monitoring my blood pressure and discovered to my alarm that it was high.
It must be noted here that I have never had high blood pressure and have had yearly checkups for the past 5 years or so (I will be 44 next week), my most recent checkup was less than a year ago. But, I was also mindful of the fact that we have been through a lot in the past two years (I have been through a lot of stress due to what happened with Nick and my body could possibly be holding on to a lot of stress and trauma). But because the pressure wasn't crazy high, I decided to monitor it twice a day for a week and take some necessary steps to help the outcome. I started walking twice a day, really upped my water intake, started taking these fish oil tablets twice a day, cut back my coffee from 3 to 1-2 cups and reduced sodium in my diet and started practicing deep breaths. I also spoke to my GP.Â
A random article on the internet led me to more documentation and content that indicated that the second jab of Pfizer might cause mild-severe cases of pericarditis. Although a higher blood pressure wasn't one of the causes, shortness of breath while lying down and racing heartbeat were two of the symptoms. Three weeks after I discovered that my blood pressure was high (to give you an indication - it was 145/90 when I started recording it), it is almost back to normal. I do not know whether this was a result of the second jab or a cumulative effect of everything. But I wanted to share this story with you in the hopes that you will record your blood pressure before going for your jabs (just to be safe!) and if you aren't able to get to your doctors/GPs for a regular annual checkup, getting a simple blood pressure monitor on Amazon and checking your blood pressure (again, just to be safe!) might not be a bad idea, seeing how much stress and anxiety we are all dealing with on a day to day basis.
And now, on a lighter note - Spring is definitely in the air. The birds are everywhere! We have a couple of King Parrots that come and hang out on the gum tree in our backyard. They are the most beautiful fiery red colour and seem very much in love. My Meyer lemons have completely ripened but I still haven't harvested them because I just love seeing them dangling off the wiry branches. Found another great reading nook under the wattles where sunlight plays peekaboo. Just lovely! The Easter island head sculptures in the garden act as a great teacup holder, when I am enjoying a cuppa and soaking in the sun.
Olive, our beautiful Barnvelder chicken is the flightiest of our brood. But this time around, I managed to get some lovely pictures of her using my Canon zoom lens. This nifty lens also helped me capture that glorious sunset across the road from us and a truly Australiana shot of a white cockatoo sitting on cable at dusk just inches above a native Banksia tree that is covered in seed pods that look like nests with eggs in them. And finally some biscuits and our favourite slogan mugs in a quiet corner of my kitchen.
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It is amazing how we need to be reminded of small things to do for our physical and mental health. There aren't hard to do, but because we are bogged down by so much stuff (both tangible and conceptual) that we often forget to do them. This is something new I have started doing and it has added immense value to my life, so I thought I will share. When I find a piece of information that is profound and valuable, I file it in one place so I can go through them all whenever I need to. I also have a daily Manifesto, a mantra that I repeat to myself. It could be as simple as remembering to drink water throughout the day or to have a hot shower. But by telling myself that and being mindful of it, I remember to do it and it becomes a slow, steady, daily habit. This in turn has started making really positive changes in my physical and mental health. Here is today's thought and manifesto >>
Food For Thought »
" Our feet have around 7000 nerve endings per foot! The nerves as a result connect to pretty much every part of our body. The pores in the soles of our feet are larger than the rest of the body as well and more likely to absorb things better. Applying magnesium oil to the soles of the feet before going to bed is like sending a relaxation signal throughout our body. The magnesium bypasses the digestive system, getting absorbed directly into our cells and bloodstream, leading to stress reduction and muscle relaxation."
Today » I will find a patch of grass and walk barefoot on it, feeling the blades of the grass under my soles. I will look up every chance I get, see the sky, the clouds, the trees and stretch my neck in its natural curve as I do that. I will drink more water and try and eat an apple every day this week.
COCONUT CARAMEL CHIA PUDDING
The easiest, best, lightest and most delicious Chia Pudding recipe you will ever make! This Vegan Coconut Caramel Chia Pudding only has 6 ingredients and tastes like salted caramel. Absolutely yummy! This mix-and-make dessert comes together in less than 5 minutes and always has the perfect chia pudding consistency. Can be topped with all kinds of good things.
Lately, we have been incorporating chia seeds in our daily meals. Chia seeds pack a punch when it comes to protein, iron, potassium, magnesium, folate and protein. They are very rich in fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. With more folate than spinach, more potassium than bananas, more Omega-3 fatty acids than salmon and more calcium than milk, chia seeds are great for heart, brain, oral, skin and digestive health. A true powerhouse of an ingredient. And chia pudding is the best way to enjoy them!
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We love ours as is, just good old coconut caramel chia pudding goodness. But we also often top it with berries and granola for breakfast. It makes for a super nutritious light snack.
On my Cooking Wishlist this week
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Katrina's Roast Potatoes seasoned like Barbecue Shapes! Yum!
And more potato goodness with this Chinese Spicy Potato Salad!
I can vouch for these Vegan Chilli Garlic Potatoes! Absolutely delicious.
Saffron Roasted Peppers And Tomatoes With Crispy Chickpeas & Labneh
This great Vegetarian Poke Bowl!
Zucchini Pizza? Yes!
Saffron Roasted Peppers And Tomatoes With Crispy Chickpeas & Labneh
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A bunch of nice new things to read (from top to bottom)
1. Get Started With Gouache - Emma Block
2. Lankan Filling StationÂ
3. SonnyÂ
4. The Joy Of Watercolor - Emma Block
5. Every Night Of The Week - Lucy Tweed
6. Galah Issue 3Â
Trying (source - IMDB)
With the strange state of the world for the past 2 years, lockdowns, reduced movements, working from home, needing comfort in food - it all leads to a slow decline in fitness and health. Whether it is physical or mental, we have to make more of an effort to look after ourselves and our families. Candid blog posts like Ree Drummond's (ace food blogger and food personality - The Pioneer Woman) recent weight loss journey of 43lbs is inspiring. As a 52-year old woman who loves food and calls herself an avoider of exercise, she focused on eating better (more protein people!), walking and exercising every day, cutting out alcohol and building muscle by lifting weights and rowing, she pulled off this incredible feat. Lots of good tips here!
We recently started watching Trying, an Apple TV show based in London and starring Rafe Spall (Timothy Spall's son) and Esther Smith. It is a sweet, heartwarming story of a couple who are trying to have a baby/adopt. The lead characters are interesting, funny in an understated way, instantly likeable and very real.
How nice would it be to fill a basin with some warm water, add some essential oils, forage in the garden for some flowers/petals and add them to this foot bath? Then to sit and soak your tired feet in it with a nice book in hand. Bliss!
I get asked a lot about the square glass containers I use in my meal preps (especially the little ones I use for Hummus Pots), they are all from IKEA.
Donna Hay is doing free cooking classes for kids online. The next one is on 19th August!
If you are in Sydney, you can order Finish At Home Meals from Sydney's top restaurants on Providoor.
And with that, I sign off and wish you a good one! Until Next Weekend :)
Virgin Cucumber Crush
Makes – 1
*
4oz (120ml) cucumber purée
1oz (30ml) Lime Juice
1oz (30ml) Elderflower cordial
sparkling water
1/2 cup ice
lime wedge, to serve
*Â
Place ice cubes in 350ml tumbler.
Pour cucumber purée, lime juice and elderflower cordial over the ice. Mix well.
Top with sparkling water and garnish with lime wedge.
(Add 1oz (30ml) vodka or gin for a cocktail version. Make cucumber purée by blending a whole cucumber and half cup water in a Nutribullet or blender)Â
I have limited copies of my cookbook Tasty Express - a labour of love filled with over 100 of our family's most tried and tested and exciting 30-minute recipes inspired by street foods of the world. Mostly Vegetarian recipes that go from breakfast to quick dinners in a heartbeat. They make great gifts for you or a friend!
