Wee wee wee all the way home ....

Recently at the gym we had a gynaecological urologist give a  talk to women of the Never2Old programme on continence issues facing many women as they age or deal with conditions that cause them. 

There are various things you can do from pelvic floor exercises, pills to surgery . Then there is also wearing continence undies to cope with the the odd untimely leaky embarrassment

Parkinson's unfortunately is one of those pesky conditions but I am not yet afflicted but wonder if the racy title black Confitex continence g-string that Eli gave me from his Fashion Week goody bag will be any good. How do I put it on? Perhaps I can wear it under my granny panties, pyjamas or nightdress and try it out! It's supposed to absorb up to 80 mls.  Fancy that! There are other more substantial versions in a pretty pink which I would probably  go for should or when the need arise. In the meantime I'll hang the g- string somewhere as a reminder to do those exercises.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/Eli-Orzessek/news/article.cfm?a_id=1001&objectid=11503914

Blackadder Blackcurrants

I was listening to a science programme on the radio last night and heard this interesting research into the beneficial effects of eating black currants of or drinking the juice  from the New Zealand Blackadder cultivar of blackcurrant has on the health of people with Parkinson's.  Apparently it prevents the oxidising effect and the production of hydrogen peroxide in the brain  which destroys the dopamine which we need for good cognitive and mood health.

It is a pity black currants don't grow in the Auckland area.  I don't think it is cold enough for them and anyway that cultivar is not yet available on the market yet so frozen berries and juice from its berries is not available either.  So far its  effects have only been tested on healthy individuals not people already suffering from Parkinson's and depression. But there is hope for the future and in the meantime I will drink the blackcurrant juice available on the market.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/201767901/berry-good-news-for-the-brain

 http://www.plantandfood.co.nz/page/news/media-release/story/nz-blackcurrants-good-for-brain/

Chocolate and other Addictions

When I mislaid my two new cakes of Whitaker's Artisan chocolate I realised my penchant for a daily dose of chocolate was actually a little more than that. It carries me through the evening and takes the place of a dose of dopamine.  I have my last dose of Sinamet at 4pm so my body is ready for another boost of something and a bit of chocolate fills the need. 

I still have to find that chocolate but in the meantime E found this sweet substitute on the Internet which fills the bill, and is easy and fussfree to make  - no egg, no butter instead oil,cocoa and peanut butter as well as the usual pantry items. I can truly say it is delicious eaten straight out of the mug or with some Greek honey yoghurt for added calories.

http://www.thenovicechefblog.com/2013/02/chocolate-peanut-butter-mug-cake/

My other addiction at present is the computer game of Haste which involves competing with somebody else to make as many words out of a grid of letters in 90 seconds. I play this game several times a day in batches of 5 so I don't waste too much time. I like to win at least one game in each five and may even stop when I have, as I seem to get that feel-good feeling that comes with success! 

Haste by Lachlan T Potts

https://appsto.re/nz/9xUVU.i

Breathing

''Went to an interesting meeting yesterday of a small group of congenial people with Parkinson's.  It was in the hall of an old church in Mt Eden and the change of suburb, the old church, St Barnabas's,  and a lovely flowering cherry outside it gave me a boost too.

The guest speaker was a very pleasant respiratory physiotherapist, Janet Rowley,who trains or retrains people to breathe properly, through the nose of course, not the mouth.  Slow breaths in, slow slightly longer breaths out with a small pause before taking your next breath in.  So breathe in for 2, out for 3, then pause slightly.

The good news is the diaphragm is not affected particularly in Parkinson's  so it is possible to keep on taking those deep nose-to-tummy, breaths which are so beneficial to our well-being and equanimity.

Got off the bus in Symonds St and went for lunch at Gina's Italian restaurant which is known for its excellent Italian cucina.  I had the express lunch $12.50 special, a steaming hot plate of spaghetti pomadora with Parmesan which was most delicious, though possibly not the best choice for a person with Parkinson's.  However being the only person in the restaurant apart from the cook and the attentive Italian waiter it was not an issue