Sugar, I’m having a hot flush!

Hot flush

Today I want to talk about hot flashes or flushes as we say in Blighty. Something else like female hair loss that is often sighted as another sign of peri -menopause or early menopause, but is it?

My Mother will tell you that the worst part of menopause is the flushes which boil up and overtake your body like a possessive demon. This is what makes you lash out, swear and throw things, apparently, I was sure this is the same as what happens to me at P.M.T time.

I am actually not very good with heat anyway, I tend to get panicky and cry a lot because I just can’t function, I get brain fog, sickness, headaches or sometimes I just pass out!

Discovering my Candida Dysbiosis, was like having all my prayers answered in one go. Even going on the initial elimination diet (no wheat, gluten, dairy or sugar) unveiled so much. When I do have the odd intake of sugar, I can instantly feel it surging through my body, flushing my face, making me dizzy and of course sending my temperature soaring.

I totally agree with recent news pieces about the dangers and over consumption of sugar, I think it has a lot more to answer for than just obesity and premature aging. I know this through my own ‘experiments’ with it. Much as I love it I know it to be the food of all evil, I used to think that was tomatoes!

But when I am being really good and eating (and drinking) really clean, I do not suffer from any of these things but best of all no hot flushes! And because I am not overloading on carbs, chocolate and other unnecessary ‘comfort’ foods (sugar) at period time, I do not try to kill anyone or jump out of any windows.

What do you mean you can see my scalp?

It is one of the most debilitating, self esteem shaking, scary things that can happen to a woman. It’s clipping the wings of a beautiful peacock or shaving a Crufts winning red setter. What am I talking about?? Being a woman and losing your hair, that’s what.

There are many different reasons that this may happen to you and most are not obvious.
Chemotherapy, the most common question asked by women is not about the drugs but ‘will I loose my hair?’.
Aging, it is widely believed that we all start losing our hair as we get older, but this could be as a result of many things like hormonal changes. Loss of estrogen leaves DHT, the testosterone derived hormone that produces hair growth, uncontrolled and therefore an imbalance occurs. The androgens (male hormones) get the edge.
It could be any number of physical or mental illnesses, stress, anxiety and depression, hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disease (Alopecia or Lupus).
It could be the medications you take or the contraceptives you use.
Maybe it is a family pattern or even the natural structure of your hair shafts & follicles or even excessive styling, whatever it is it is, it is soul destroying.
Make sure that the first thing you do when you notice it is to go to your GP and get some blood tests done, just incase it is an illness that needs treating, when you’ve ruled out these things you can stop stressing and find a treatment that works for you.

It was my then boyfriend that uttered those words to me (must be eight years ago) ‘I can really see your scalp’, needless to say he is now an ex! I had left my marriage and was being bullied by the MD at work, so to say I was a bit stressed would be an understatement. I was crestfallen, I had always been known for my perfect, shiny, well looked after barnet.
I went to my GP and asked lots of questions, not to be given many answers I have to admit. My contraceptive pill was changed and blood tests taken, coming back with no evidence to any kind of illness. So I went on a mission to cure my increasing shiny scalp. I tried every pill, lotion & potion available, I spent a small fortune, I had to I was going bald!
My prayers we finally answered about a year ago when I started using Arbonne. The magic combination of FC5 shampoo & conditioner and a once a week scalp revitalising treatment, to make sure I wasn’t dreaming I got my Aunt (who had Chemotherapy fifteen years ago) to try it too. We both had new hair, little fluffy baby hairs on the hairline and padding out the scalp! Even my Mum, who has over the years over processed her hair so to speak (bleaching, backcombing, bad hairspray, heat), uses it all of the time and her hair is the best condition it has ever been in and so full she doesn’t need to backcomb anymore!
The products are clean and pure, no nasty chemicals and the scalp treatment has peppermint and horsetail extract that tingles and revitalises your scalp and hair follicles.
I also got my hairdresser to put really choppy layers into my bob, which gives the illusion of fuller hair but regular cutting also encourages the growth of the new hair. I also find that colouring (lighter that your own shade is best) helps too. I do not put lots of chemical laden creams, mousses, gels etc in my hair (it only weighs it down to be honest) I give a quick spritz of Colorlast serum after drying and maybe Colourlast hairspray (which smells deliciously fruity) and go.
My hair will never be the same as it was when I had an inch and a half thick plait running down my back but it is full, shiny and healthy again, and that is my hair not my scalp!
And even if I’m having a bad hair day, yes we all still have them, I can use it as a great excuse to wear a fabulous hat!

It’s good to be a lemon in the morning.

Have I mentioned I’m going back to full time employment next week?

As a run up to that momentous event I’m going crazy trying to organise all of my blogs, newsletters, social media posts etc for Hat Attic and plan menus (we are fussy, clean eaters) and sort out running a home! This is where I thank goodness I do not have children.

I thought I’d share with you the one part of my life I have off pat already, my morning routine.

I wake up at 7am, when G gets up for work and as we live in a bedsit I stay in bed (don’t want to get in the way) and I do my meditation which involves my gratitude list (literally a list of all of the things, events, people I am grateful for), positive affirmations and my to do list for the day.

Then I have a big mug of fresh lemon and ginger in hot water. This is one of the best treats you can give yourself as apart from the fact that it is a great internal cleanser, it’s great for digestion, the immune system, hydration and energy, skin rejuvenation and weight loss, to name but a few reasons, the antitoxidants not only combat anti-aging but help reduce the risk of many types of cancer.

Then it’s time for a bit of a stretch (planks and bridges), I do a lot of walking so it’s just basic exercise at this point.

Followed by my breakfast of protein shake and vitamins, shower, face, clothes ( sorted out the night before), TA DAH! ready to face the day!

How to take off nineteen years.

According to the Wiifit I am 26 years old and a friend I haven’t seen for 25 years tells me I haven’t changed a bit, so how have I done it, I hear you ask? After the last few years of drama and depression it’s a mystery.

Just over a year ago I was introduced, by my chiropractioner, to a fantastic clean, pure, botanical company called Arbonne.

Like most people I was skeptical at first, until I did some research and tested the products myself. My Mums’ breast cancer made me realise that there has to be a connection with what we ingest, whether orally or topically, and cancer. So the fact that all of Arbonnes products are botanically based with no nasties like parabens or man made fragrance, really appealed to me. Have you thought about the fact that whatever you put on your skin, shower gel, body lotion even shampoo gets into your system, into your blood, and if it’s not pure and natural it can be doing all sorts of harm internally.

Parabens, that’s been a buzz word for a while now, did you know they are a mineral oil, a derivative of petrol! Most cosmetics and beauty products use parabens for bulking up, then they add some chemical perfume and then you put this petrol and chemical mix on your face!

I decided to become an Independent Consultant for Arbonne, ie. I sell their products but it is my own part of the business, to sell in my way for my reasons. I sell it because I love the purity and green philosophy and I know that it is not harming me, my friends & family or the planet. Also I love the fact that it works, it actually does what it says on the bottle!

I have tried and tested most of the products in the catalogue, I can’t sell them if I don’t have personal experience. My favourite is the RE9 anti-aging skincare range, apart from the fact that it does anti-age you it smells beautiful and makes you feel good, so you do have a natural glow. My Mum tells me she ‘can’t live without it’ and her skin has never felt so good or got so many compliments, my Mum is 70.

If you want full, bouncing, shiny hair I recommend the FC5  shampoo and conditioner and the thermal fusion scalp revitaliser (once a week), this combination has helped me with the battle against badly thinning hair (depression, candida dysbiosis), and an aunt with post chemotherapy regrowth.

A  friend who has been plagued with nasty psoriasis, has this summer been able to wear short sleeved tops and skirts for the first time in years. She has used a combination of the baby ABC body wash, with the ABC body lotion mixed with a couple of drops of FC5 oil, twice a day. She had tried everything off the shelves and prescribed but nothing was able to help.

And another friend, who is a model and beauty queen, swears by the protein shakes to give her the kick she needs during the day and to help her loose a centimeter here and there. She loves the flavour & texture and the fact that they (you have two during the day) keep her full until her proper nutritional dinner.

These are just a few of the successes I have had with Arbonne and I would love to hear your experiences too.

It is ever so simple, log on to : http://leciafinch.arbonne.com/ and treat yourself to something that is doing us all good, especially you. There are many benefits to joining as a Preferred client, 20% discount and lots of other offers and deals but you can also become a Consultant like me and run your own business, earn a bit of extra cash (who doesn’t need that?) and feel the content knowing you are helping to save the planet and the people that live on it.

The penny has dropped!

It’s only taken 45 years 9 months!

When I was five I wanted to be a fashion designer, twelve, a textile designer, at nineteen I had to go into what I knew, fashion shop manager. So you can see I have always been a dedicated follower of fashion in one way or another.

From managing a shop in the Fulham Road, being an assistant manager of a very fancy designer shop in Knightsbridge and a concession manager in a department store I made it into said department stores buying office. I was to spend the next seventeen years dedicating my life to learning, striving and battling bullying to climb the career ladder, I was going to get my buyership even if it killed me, and it damned near did!

The MD that was bullying me died and suddenly it was all change, in with the new out with the old. Suddenly we started seeing members of our beloved ‘family’ disappearing, my turn came suddenly in October 2013, just after my 44th birthday.

I was thrown into major depression, anxiety and panic attacks, nervous breakdown country.

In the last year and nine months with very close monitoring by my brilliant GP (when I actually can get an appointment), C.B.T , my amazing counsellor and my love of reading and learning, I have managed to pull myself out of the abyss and make the improvements I feel comfortable with.

I have decided that I don’t have to meet other peoples approval by dressing, acting and being a certain way, I wear what I like, because it suits me, it’s my look. I have always refused to be anybody’s little ‘fashionista’ but even more so now, I don’t have that sort of precious attitude. I love my family, friends and the planet we all live on, I want to live as cleanly and quietly as possible, that includes my diet, skincare and all other products that I need to use. I prefer to use alternative or holistic medicines as far as I can (I find diet has a lot to do with that) and most unlike anyone in my ‘sector’ I do not want to be seen as judgmental. I have never been a materialistic sort of girl, despite my job, so to go to work and not have major responsibilities and just be able to bring in enough to pay the rent and put food on the table is enough for me. My fabulous website, that has been created purely to help people (like me now!) who have no spare time to be messing about looking all over town for that perfect gift or classic accessory, will provide me with a bit of extra, to be able to treat myself now and then.

The penny has dropped, I am now my own woman, who is practicing emotional detachment, mindful meditations, eating and living cleanly. I am happy, healthy and looking forward to living my carefree, comfortable life in my way with my nearest and dearest.

Freedom of speech not to preach.

We are very lucky, at the moment, to live in a country where we have the freedom of speech and within reason, the choice to live as we please (this of course has to be within our means). I totally appreciate this until some people choose to take this one step further and start preaching or forcing their choices down your throat.

I started to think about this when I felt really quite offended by a friends status on Facebook, on the subject of the benefits of being child free. I, just like my friend, am a child free woman, I made that choice many years ago but, a bit like not eating meat I do not enforce these choices on other people. Over my 45 years I have heard them all, ‘never say never’, ‘you will change your mind, ‘It’s different when they are your own’ and the majority of women telling me I was selfish and it was unnatural blah, blah, blah. I choose not to have children for my own reasons, I have never felt maternal, I had a career, I was never with the right guy at the right time the list is endless, but all perfectly viable reasons for not bringing a baby into this world under my guidance! But I would never be anything but supportive of those who choose to have children. Just like the non- meat eating thing, that is again my choice, I’ve never really liked it, I am a lazy eater and have grown to really not relish the thought of it. But again it is not my place to dictate to other people what they want to put in their mouths.

We are all given the opportunity to make these informed, educated decisions and as individuals can do as we please. But that does not give us the right to force our choices down other peoples throats.

Which brings me back nicely to the offensive comment, it wasn’t the posted article ’12 reasons why being child free rocks’ it was actually being told   “Should be 13 reasons, with number one being – not having to put up with a whining, crying, ugly, annoying, smelly thing.”  As I have mentioned I am not a mother but I do have three very beautiful, treasured nieces and would hate to think that anyone could see them as that. Children are very special gifts and their innocence and wonderful wide eyed view of the world is infectious and should be respected for what it is. I often think if only we could stay like that, what a much nicer world this would be to live in.

Remember you are lucky to have the freedom of speech, but do not cross the lines into preaching and offending people by pushing your opinions at people, especially on a subject that is so subjective and human.

Diamonds are a girls best friend.

Last night, despite the fact that I felt really stressed and uncomfortable with my back pain (that’s another story altogether) I went to see Mr Neil Diamond (otherwise known as my Dad!). As I’ve have mentioned before I do have periods of depression and anxiety and have to do a lot of work, practicing mindfulness, detachment and meditation daily. I have always loved music and it is key part of my practice, I love going to concerts and clubs and just losing myself in it.

Neil Diamond was on fire last night, I have seen him several times over the years and can honestly say I have never been disappointed, he is the best showman ever. Last night this unstoppable 74 year old sang for two hours and fifteen minutes, non stop, literally the soundtrack of my life. I made two new friends Stuart and Laura from Chester and despite our various injuries, we danced ourselves silly, relaxed and had a ball.

My point in this is, that whilst we spend the bulk of our working years striving for perfection and battling to the top rung of the career ladder, many of us forget to relax and actually enjoy the life we have been given to live. I have, as you know been there and done that and learnt a very hard lesson when it was all taken away. I have learnt and more importantly decided, in the last year and ten months, that I am now going to live and enjoy my life. I don’t need the responsibility, stress and ‘glamour’ of being at the top, I want to sleep at night. I don’t want my anxiety levels going through the top of my head, I don’t want panic attacks, I don’t want to be crying with fear and frustration, working myself into an early grave for other people who just sit back and expect it, then can wipe you out over night.

Here is my plan:

I go to work, do my thing, put money in the till, I come home.

I then work, for myself, on my own business Hat Attic where I know I am providing a service, making life easier, saving time and energy for others looking for beautiful, exclusive goodies for themselves and others.

I spend time with my friends and family, I go out dancing, go to exhibitions, the theatre, cinema, everything and anything I want to do.

I get to sleep soundly, carry on learning to cook, study my nutrition and skincare and so much more.

And most importantly get to dance and sing around my flat to Neil Diamond with a happy heart.

# 24 A year in Arbonne.

A year ago I became an Independant Consultant for a beauty, health and wellbeing company called Arbonne.
I was having a very hard time, having lost my job and direction in life. I can honestly say that being involved in the business and using the products has helped me greatly. Having hit rock bottom my skin was grey and lifeless, thin and sad hair and yoyo weight issues due to depression, eating disorders and medication.
The first product I used was the RE9 anti-aging skin collection, cleanser, toner, eye cream, serum, moisturiser and night cream. I laughed when I read ‘shows visable difference within 24 hours’ , but it really does and a year later my skin is better than ever and shows no signs of the trauma I have been through.
I swear by the Intelligence thermal fusion hair & scalp revitaliser, when used in conjunction with the FC5 shampoo and conditioner. It has helped boost the growth and texture of my hair so it now looks quite ‘normal’. My Mother uses it, after years of back combing and bleaching her hair is now soft, shiney and better than ever. It has also helped my Aunt after Chemotherapy to boost the regrowth.
As a self confessed ice cream addict I generally have one of the chocolate protein shakes, blended with lots of ice and cold water everyday. There is the minimum of sugar but all of the vitamins and protein that I need for the day, so much better than a carton of Ben & Jerrys.
Also living in a sun starved country, we are all deficient in vitamin D so I get mine from the Vitamin D with B12 spray, just three sprays on the tongue every morning and I’m done ( it tastes yummy too).
All of this and more from a range of products that are pure, safe and beneficial. Arbonne products are botanical, vegan certified and green in substance and packaging. In this age of free radicals and harmful chemicals I feel confident that I am not doing myself, family or friends harm by reccommending Arbonne.
Please feel free to contact me directly or check my Arbonne page http://leciafinch.arbonne.com/ I am happy to answer any questions or meet you for a consultation. Maybe you might want to join me in the business!

#23 What happened to respect?

I just need to get something off my chest.

This is a tale about my evening with Seasick Steve.

Before going to the Hammersmith Eventim (the odeon to most of us!) we went for a quick bite in the pub. As my boyfriend sat down a guy from the adjacent table plonked an empty (beer filled) tray on the table we were taking. The group of guys ( and one girl) grew whilst my boyfriend was at the bar ordering. One person asked if they could take the spare chair nearest to them, fine, I don’t need it. Then the tray ‘abandoner’ just came over, to the other side of the table, and just picked up my boyfriends chair! No hello, may I, nothing! I told him the chair was taken, he just looked at me like I was filth so I repeated that the seat was taken, but that he could have his tray back. I was then told ” don’t give me your attitude, it’s not necessary” , excuse me? Rude?

Now I am a 45 year old woman (not that I look it ), old enough to be his mother, I don’t think that behaviour is acceptable. For two pins I would have smashed his beer sodden tray over his stupid head, but I was not prepared to stoop to his level or risk ending up in hospital

Then during Seasick Steve’s show  there was a gang of about six lads near us, who were very drunk and were shouting very loudly throughout, this seems to be standard behavior. I was quite shocked and upset by hearing one of them shouting “And who is this c**t”  at a young girl that Steve had pulled out of the audience to sing to.

Now I would not say I am a raging Feminist, I agree that we need equality in many areas but I do not think that common decency should still be applied. What has happened to make young males feel that they can treat people in this manner. I am not saying that some young women behave any better, I’m just going by my evenings experience.

Where has this disrespectful attitude come from? Their parents (my generation) ? It’s disgusting, it makes me want to stay indoors away from harm, I don’t like the attitude, language, behavior.

That’s all I have to say, I just needed to say something.

I don’t know what we can do about it, or indeed whose job it is to do it, but it makes me very sad and scared for our world.