My mum is currently selling the family home in Sarasota, Florida and its a beautiful house in a beautiful location. 20 minutes to the white sandy beach, 20 minutes from I75 the main highway to get to Tampa and Orlando.
Check out her home and pool and detailed panoramic pictures that allow you to look inside.
I've just been Blog tagged!!! scary I know!! by www.leawoodward.com; a savy internet business and marketing Coach for the health and wellness industry. She got me into this blogging business.... Anyway, she has asked me to list my top 5 successes to date, and it's really fun and rewarding thing to do as it makes you sit up and say wow look what I have achieved!! so here goes in no particular order........
We are always striving for the next thing, the next success, the next way we can improve ourselves, so this small but effective exercise allows us to quantify our accomplishments and pat ourselves on the back..... good on you Sam!....... now try and find 5 other people you know who have a Blog to Blog Tag!!!
Can I put websites?? Just gotta go and find some.....
I suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) for 15 years and I look back at those years of shame and social exclusion I endured, as no one dared (certainly not me) discuss the personal agony they suffered with their bowels. I suffered in silence and really thought there was no way out of the misery. Fortunately today with advanced diagnostic testing I have been able to establish what was causing so many of my symptoms and want to share with all those people who continue to suffer in silence that there is a way out.
Continue reading "How I got rid of chronic IBS after 15 years of suffering" »
So when you feel as passionately as I do about your health and your work, you expect the whole world to feel the same and take whatever steps and pay whatever costs to sort their health out as they know, like I do, that their health is the most important commodity that they share with their family!
Funny how it doesn't work like this!
I noticed a huge difference in the British approach to health on this last trip. I saw people with chronic health conditions, or far from healthy lifestyles stuck in a rut eating incorrectly or suffering unnecessarily with aches and pains. Unfortunately, people have learnt to accept that their less than adequate health is part of life and something to plod along with rather then do whatever it takes to get better.
Somebody told me recently that perhaps targeting the UK with my preventative health care approach would not be as lucrative as the US. Something I had not considered before this visit.
I certainly believe that the difference in the UK and US approach to health is that, for years, we Brits have not had to take responsibility for our own health. Having a predominantly free health service, we can safely put the onus and trust into someone else, namely the NHS. However, when you have to pay for your health care such as in the States, the public has to take more of an interest of how they are going to pay and who to choose as a health care provider. In addition, as North Americans are becoming more aware of the benefits of preventative health care they are prepared to invest time and money into looking after themselves NOW in order to promote a longer and healthier life.
I’m not saying that the UK is not ready for this approach, we have certainly caught up in recent years and the UK has a wealth of health resources and alternative means for the public to try, but I feel that we are behind as we still believe that spending money on our health as a preventative means before anything serious happens is an extra financial burden.
To me I can’t think of anything more interesting than establishing what is going on inside my body to help understand the reason for years of ill health and prevent disease. For example, if I were to find out that I am pre-diabetic or that my liver is not functioning correctly, this is, in my opinion, pretty much saving my life and most importantly preventing me from spending time & money in and out of hospital suffering from a disease in my later years.
I am confident that Functional Medicine will be common practice and weekend national newspaper middle spreads will regularly focus on the importance of natural preventative health. I just hope that those of you reading this now will have been in contact with me and will be able to write beautiful testimonials at how you now lead a life full of health, vitality and happiness.
Here is to the future of Functional Medicine!
So what's new? Well I have been working hard on my new website and folks, I feel confident enough to say that we are almost there! Wow, its exciting! I hope you find it interesting and if you see anything that needs editing I'd really appreciate your comments. You can find a link on the top right hand corner which will take you to the new website. ENJOY!
So what else is new?
Well my fiance, Rob and I have finally set a date to tie the knot! wow, how exciting is that! Can't believe it is actually happening. We've set a date for next March in Bahrain. I've also found a LOVELY location which is the Novotel Beach Resort. Its a really beautiful location.
It's interesting, some women have dreamt about their white wedding all their lives. I know I haven't, but having enjoyed being a bridesmaid for three of my best mates in the last couple of years, I know I do want to go ahead with a reception etc. Although, traditional stuff won't be going ahead like personalised items, speeches or even a cake! It will just be a great get together with friends and family. The fact that many of our friends and family will be coming from the UK and US will mean so much to us that we will get to spend a fun week together. Anyway, here is to a year of planning!
You know I look back in my last couple of years, and I have to say what a transformation I have made in my health. It's not a plug, (these will follow;-)) but these nutrition protocols really work. I've got my family and fiance taking part and its exciting to know that they will benefit so much too. I used to wake up and feel a knot in my stomach and feel anxious about how the day was going to pan out (due to IBS and anxiety). Today, I wake up looking forward to the day and hardly feel my stomach talking to me. You know it just takes small steps to make the changes and then before you know it you and your family notice changes in your health.
What else? Rob and I go to the UK for our annual vacation in two weeks, will be good to get back to the UK and see what we left behind! I hear you are having great weather! Looking forward to England in the summer though, cant beat it.
Well that's all for now, I am off to bed as I have an early Pilates class tomorrow.
Have a healthy and happy weekend
Just a quick note to say that I am back online. Having an online business requires one very important tool; 24 hour access to the computer! So when my beloved laptop is sent to the States for repair an emergency back up plan is required! A back up lap top! I was joking when I asked in my previous blog entry " Do we have to own two laptops in each household?". I was advised to go ahead and purchase a back up laptop for preparation for any future inconveniences! Has anyone else had this happen?
Fortunately, with the current exchange rate here in Saudi, I was able to get one for a good price.
So back to business, hope to hear from you all soon.
Have a healthy and happy day
We are supposed to be living in a modern advanced technological world. Things are done so much faster and we are now able to communicate with the rest of the world and run our small empires "ON LINE". We don't need to leave the comfort of our homes and life has become "easier" thanks to modern technology.
In My opinion, this is not the case! we rely so much now on communication that should we suffer from a technical fault our whole "system" breaks down. Can you imagine living in a world without a cell phone or emails!
Well unfortunately, this is my current state!.
A week ago now, my beloved HP laptop went blank, "just like that"! Great I thought! (with a few extra words for effect.)
I'm in Saudi and I bought my computer in the States. They are asking me to send my computer back there to be fixed!. But I have a business to run and rely implicitly on communicating with the rest of the world!! Do we have to own two laptops in each household to prevent this sort of thing happening in the future?
Apparently its the mother board! the mother what? I don't need this! I am about to start an on-line course! What about my clients? Frustrations Frustrations!
Anyway guys, this is to let you know the status, I have to send my laptop to the states to be fixed!!!! I'll be asking for a replacement but I'm not holding my breath.
You can now understand why I'll be away for a couple of days, weeks????
Internet cafes here I come and thanks to my friend for lending me her computer today!
Firstly, apologies for allowing so much time passing between now and my last entry. I seem to have suffered from 'blogger's block'. You'd think I'd have endless stories to share, but due to confidentiality I have decided not to 'spill the beans' about living here - just yet!
So I have decided to share with you a particular health lifestyle concern for Expats. If you have a queasy stomach at present, now may not be the right time to read on......... I'll keep it as clean as possible.
If you read my 'ABOUT ME story you will know that I used to live in Bahrain over twenty years ago. I went to school and swam for the Bahrain School Swim team. We had loads of fun, especially my mum and step dad Bob (RIP) who lived the expat dream! parties, socializing and tax free haven.
Some years passed and I was diagnosed with IBS and the treatment back then was to eat more fibre and go onto antidepressants!!! Fortunately, I did not go down that route and it has taken me, and modern science, 20 years to finally get rid of my IBS and for preventative health practitioners to finally be able to help sufferers like me.
Did you know that 80/90% of us have a dysbiosis of the gut? or put another way a foreign body that should not be in our digestive system in the first place. In my case, I've had a parasite since my childhood picked up from my time in Bahrain! First of all when we think of a parasite, we think of disgusting long worms that may be eating away your insides and we imagine that we pick these blighters from the sub continent from drinking the water. Well this is very true, however, we now have become such an integrated planet that the 'parasites' have their own transport system and unfortunately, we don't have immigration check points to man the parasitic borders.
For expats living in the Gulf, our socializing means that we eat out alot, and we are fortunate to experience cuisines from around the globe. Unfortunately, hygiene standards may not be enforced and our parasite friends pass from food being handled in unhygienic environments or unsanitised water.
If we look after ourselves and ensure we are eating organic food full of essential nutrients then as a result our strong immune systems would be able to ward off any unwelcome parasite (not always the case). However, for the majority of us Organic food is still perceived as 'an expensive luxury' and even if we do want to opt for organic foods we are limited to suppliers. In addition, the Expat lifestyle is a 'Work Hard, Play Hard' haven and our immune systems don't have the time to recuperate and heal, and most importantly ward off parasites.
In addition, a secondary problem to cohabiting a parasite is a yeast overgrowth, and so people s's digestive systems may be under constant pressure to work efficiently. The yeast overgrowth may also lead to sugar cravings and once sugar is absorbed it only exacerbates the condition. Alcohol drinkers be ware!
As I experienced, people can go undiagnosed for years and are told to increase fibre or eat more fruit and raw veg ( haven for parasites) which lead to chronic unpleasant digestive issues.
IBS symptoms may be overlooked and our digestive systems get progressively worse and may lead to 'Leaky gut syndrome'.
Fortunately, I came across the Functional Medicine lab tests that as a result I incorporate into my business. The lab report pointed out which exact parasite I had and was also able to confirm I had a yeast overgrowth - hence my sugar cravings!! Within 6 months my parasite and yeast overgrowth had gone!!! I still cant believe its gone as I write this! just looking back at all the uncomfortable pain and discomfort and such a strong desire to 'find the answer'. I tried diets, stress reduction techniques, and even CBT therapy as IBS suffers are often told "its all in the head!"
If you are an Expat, just take a look at your lifestyle and be more choosy about where you eat - I know the shwarmas from Shwarma alley were a hit, but it is now somewhere I choose NOT to go. The one thing is after I eradicated my parasite, it doesn't mean that I wont catch another one. I just have to be more vigil to the foods that I eat and maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep my immune system strong.
If you suffer from the following symptoms you may too have a parasite or yeast overgrowth;
Its OK, I can empathize and best of all I can help! If your symptoms are affecting your daily life and you would like to see how a programme can help you, then please contact me for your 15 minute complimentary chat.
You don't need to live in silence with your symptoms!
Have a great weekend to all our Expats especially in the Gulf!
The secret to skiing; in my opinion! (Pls note: second time ever skiing!)
Yes.. After having one of the best holidays with my fiancé and 2 other couples in Chatel, France last year, I was excited about this years’ holiday in Megeve, France. Only this time was with Royalty, which I thought was bound to be an adventure.
Fortunately, only 10 days prior to this trip, Rob and I experienced the Dubai ski slope and we had a great day; him on his snow board and me "avec le skis". After a successful day, almost mastering parallel turns, I decided to categorize my level at a beginner/intermediate; great practice before the real thing.
As you can imagine, the family that I work for, have had their chalet for years and this is a regular annual trip. So, being the "health professional" that I am, I proudly said "yes, I can ski!” as I felt confident after my practice run and I had not yet fallen neither on my first trip nor in Dubai.
We picked up our skis at the ski shop, and when asked, I confidently said "ah, yes I'm intermediate thank you" Needless to say, the French ski shop assistant looked me up and down in a French sort of way saying to himself” Weee shaul zeee!".
The set up was that each of the princesses and princes had their own instructor, I needless to say did not, but as the family was late in rising every day, I managed to get one of the instructors to take me out on my own.
The first day on the slopes I had a quick hour with Marie-Ellen; she instructed me on pole planting and leaning forward. Ok! So armed with my newly found skills, I continued on my own in the afternoon and managed two runs down a red, blue and green. It was more difficult than I had imagined as there had hardly been any snow in the prior few days. But it felt great and I really enjoyed the day.
There was a short snow fall on the second day, and as I was skiing on my own I kept to the same route as the first day. I felt good and picked up my confidence. The afternoon came and I joined the party of skiers including 5 advanced skiers and their instructors. Having had a good morning, I politely made it known to the instructors to kindly inform me should they be choosing a black, but that I would be ok on any other run.
The first run was excellent, a new blue and I managed to keep up with the party, considering I was a novice. One of the princesses congratulated me and said that I was doing so well and couldn’t believe it was my second ever time skiing. I thought “thank god I’m having a good day, seeing as I’m the health Coach.”
We stopped off for lunch, met up with the brother and his friends (all experienced skiers) and enjoyed good French food with beautiful views of Mont Blanc. It was about 4pm and we started to wrap up in preparation for the last run of the day.
I started off first as I was the slowest. Needless to say, as we were now joined by the boys and their instructors and it was the last run of the day, everyone shot past me and soon I was on my own, the last one of the pack and conscious that it was getting darker, quiet and icy.
I immediately felt very alone, and scared and completely lost my nerve, with what had seemed like a relatively easy green soon turned into an ice capped, bald patched death run. I finally experienced my first fall and really hurt my knee as I had fallen onto my ski. I winced and felt tears fill my eyes: “I’m stranded, no mobile, last one on the slopes and I’ve just broken my knee cap!”
Well I hadn’t really broken my knee cap and so fumbled around trying to put my ski back on trying to hold back the tears. Irrational thoughts of being stuck overnight kept entering my head. No! I stubbornly fought on and managed to get my ski back on, but it was too late I had lost my confidence and completely lost ability to communicate with my legs. In an attempt to regain my snow plough, I again fell on the ice only 50 metres from the previous fall. Oh god, I hate skiing!!! I did eventually make it back but feeling very sorry for myself retired early.
Its amazing how this experience affected my trip as the following day I had to completely miss out as my knee was so sore. And so when I returned to skiing, I felt so out of touch and like a beginner. It was a horrible feeling and I really thought I would never regain my confidence to get on the slopes again.
Needless to say, the following day after another lesson with Marie – Ellen I regained communication with my legs and had three great more days on the piste.
What I learnt from the whole experience, and believe the secret to skiing is that it’s all about “CONFIDENCE” and “BELIEVING IN YOURSELF”. Once I had doubted my ability and was uncertain of the environment around me, the previous green slope that I was used to became in my mind an unachievable death trap. By not believing in myself had an amazing affect on my mind and I lacked the ability to communicate with my legs. It made me feel like I was a different person. Yet once I started to affirm my capabilities and feel good about my skiing, I was able to ‘climb any mountain!”
If we could take this advice in everyday life, it would help us achieve and enjoy so much more in life. If you start to believe in yourself it’s amazing to think what mountains you could climb!
Go on! try taking small steps and soon you will be climbing Everest!
Hi, I'm Samantha, I'm a Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach and I'm passionate about helping clients achieve optimum health .
This is my BLOG where I share my stories, opinions & health advice related to my International Health Coaching business and personal life as a British Expat in Bahrain.
I run a Phone Based Functional Medicine Practice and help clients Worldwide alleviate common symptoms such as fatigue, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders and depression.
Using a range of diagnostic lab tests to identify the root cause of your symptoms; I design personalised nutrition & supplementation programmes to help bring you back to optimal health.
I also work as a Personal Trainer & Corrective Exercise Coach based in Bahrain.
If you would like to find out more about my approach, Sign Up for your complimentary chat.
