Finally, after four years, I've done it! I have finally finished my degree, a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy! I have made so many friends, learnt so many things, and even self-published a book and started this blog! Years of studying nutrition, herbal medicine, biology, chemistry, clinical skills and practical training will soon pay off even more for me.
So what am I going to do? I'm going to Europe for a month's holiday next Saturday first, partly to see if I would like to work there or at least have a deeper involvement with the world of health on the continent. Then, it's time to begin the task of setting up clinical practice, which takes time as I first need my transcript to update my association membership, in order to get my insurance and health fund access. I need an account with pathology labs, a dispensary, furniture and a clinic room too. Then there's marketing, I am thankful for all my views and followers but I need better search rankings and visibility, especially here in Australia!
I would love to be antiaging and longevity royalty someday. I am looking at starting a line of skincare products and/or writing more books and even courses. I will probably do clinical practice part time to accommodate these. I want to have a balance between work and fun, so I can travel, dance, be with friends etc....you probably don't know that I am a semi professional belly dancer in a troupe! We are the Stars of the Sahara, and becoming more well-known on the Gold Coast. Will I even be able to combine my two passions, using dance or music as therapy? Who knows. I have my role models: that is you, my dance teacher; Angela Counsel; Kathy Wong (Moeloco flip flops); Dr Ursula Jacob; Dr Thomas Vogl; David McLelland and all of my teachers and other friends I have not listed behind me (even the chiropractor I had for over a year, an upstanding example of work/life balance). No one I studied with or under can get too far away from me, all us naturopaths know each other anyway.
My book is sold here: www.lulu.com/spotlight/alexandra_preston/
My Facebook page: www.facebook.com/springchickenhealth/
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Saturday, 4 June 2016
Friday, 15 January 2016
Many Things Can Be Superfoods
This was my first ever paid article back in 2014! Don't worry, there's no copyright attached. Obviously, since then I figured out how to add hyperlinks to text.
References
The “buy local” food movement has grown in recent years, and
so has awareness of the benefits of eating seasonally. However, those wishing
to add a hit of fresh superfoods to their diet do not have to compromise on
buying local with exotic or out of season produce, which is often expensive and
may have travelled thousands of kilometres. Many traditional autumn favourites
– or spring and summer for those of us in the Southern hemisphere – have
superfood status that is much deserving of recognition.
Apples
With dozens of varieties available, the humble apple has
long been a staple. The apple’s reputation as an effective doctor-repellent is
indeed true, with the consumption of at least one apple a day being associated
with protection against lung and colon cancers; cardiovascular disease;
diabetes; asthma and pulmonary dysfunction1. Higher doses of pectin,
which is found in apples, have even been shown to reduce levels of the
radioactive isotope Cesium-137 in the organs of children affected by the
Chernobyl incident2. Besides pectin, the apple’s ability to protect
against degenerative diseases and aging are also attributed to the presence of
vitamin C and various polyphenols3.
Cranberries
This tart little fruit is not only associated with
Thanksgiving in North America, but is also widely known for its ability to
prevent the recurrence of urinary tract infections4. In addition,
research has found that daily consumption of cranberry juice protects against
cardiovascular disease by mechanisms such as preventing the oxidation of LDL
cholesterol and reducing platelet aggregation5. Cranberry juice also
improves vascular function in people with coronary heart disease, reducing
vascular stiffness6.
Kale
Kale is one of the most popular superfoods, due to its high
vitamin and mineral content, as well as containing over 20 phenolic compounds7.
In comparison with the poor availability of calcium in spinach, calcium from
kale has excellent absorbability8. Kale has also been shown to
reduce glaucoma risk, improve blood lipid profiles and may promote
detoxification and reduce prostate cancer risk9.
Turnips
A root vegetable with a long storage life, turnips are rich
in many nutrients such as fibre and vitamin K, providing 600% of the US
recommended intake of vitamin K per cup. Studies have shown that vitamin K has
the ability to protect against fractures independently of bone mineral density,
and protects against coronary heart disease10. Also, fibre is known
to help prevent and treat digestive conditions such as constipation and diverticular
disease, benefits cardiovascular health and may even help prevent diabetes11.
Cherries (Australia)
Cherries are one of the many fruits now coming into season
here in Australia. These contain the antioxidant compounds known as
anthocyanins, which also have anti-inflammatory properties through the
cyclo-oxygenase pathway12. While this research was in vitro,
multiple human studies have shown that cherries, both sweet and tart, do indeed
have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may prevent gout attacks13.
Blueberries
Another fruit that is generally in season during the
Australian summer, blueberries are also rich in anthocyanins. Research has
found that daily consumption of this fruit increases natural killer cell
counts, as well as reducing oxidative stress and inflammation14. The
antioxidant properties of blueberries were reflected in other research, of over
93,000 women from the Nurses’ Health Study, where three or more servings of
blueberries each week were found to reduce the risk of heart attack in women by
one third15.
Strawberries
Botanically a dry fruit known as an achene, strawberries are
yet another Australian summer fruit. These so-called “berries” have been shown
to protect LDL cholesterol against oxidative damage, as well as lowering LDL
cholesterol levels, thereby being protective against atherosclerosis16.
Strawberries may also help prevent cancer; however, organically grown
strawberries have stronger cancer-fighting properties than strawberries grown
conventionally17.
Mangoes
Native to India, the mango is one of the most popular summer
fruits in Australia. Mangoes are high in vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids,
and together these can provide protection against both water and fat-soluble
free radicals. In fact, the juice has often been used as a restorative tonic
and a treatment for heat stroke, and the fruit may have anticancer,
cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, anti-bone
resorption and immunomodulatory abilities18.
Friday, 6 November 2015
Live on Fiverr!
I am now on Fiverr for editing of Health Science assignments and professional articles on natural health! My gig for ghostwriting natural health articles and books will be up soon :-)
I am really looking forward to earning more than just enough to get me out of the pocket money-zone, being my own boss is what is best for me.....and probably the vast majority of people! According to Self Determination Theory, the three universal needs are Autonomy, Competency and Relatedness. A teacher I had in my first year of university was really into it, and then I found that it is not the only area of psychology that acknowledges the fact that we all need to be in control over our lives. Actually when another first year subject went through the major psychological schools of thought, they seemed to be on one evolutionary line towards Self Determination Theory. Sure working for someone else is better than nothing, but it is less secure and autonomous.
My username is AlexandraSpring so my URL is:
https://www.fiverr.com/alexandraspring/
I am really looking forward to earning more than just enough to get me out of the pocket money-zone, being my own boss is what is best for me.....and probably the vast majority of people! According to Self Determination Theory, the three universal needs are Autonomy, Competency and Relatedness. A teacher I had in my first year of university was really into it, and then I found that it is not the only area of psychology that acknowledges the fact that we all need to be in control over our lives. Actually when another first year subject went through the major psychological schools of thought, they seemed to be on one evolutionary line towards Self Determination Theory. Sure working for someone else is better than nothing, but it is less secure and autonomous.
My username is AlexandraSpring so my URL is:
https://www.fiverr.com/alexandraspring/
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