& More 2015
HEALTHY
at Home & on Holiday
Barbados’ best picks for eating clean,
getting fit and living well.
By Daphne Ewing-Chow
W
ith the various pollutants, stresses, toxic substances and rich
foods that are forever present in our daily lives, coupled with
an over-dependence on technology that has all but removed
the need to be physically active, we are more vulnerable than
ever before to the social, environmental and psychological factors that
threaten our health. These make us more susceptible to disease and increases our natural predisposition to genetic illnesses. For those who are
passionate about being healthy, it is more crucial than ever to take a
proactive approach to a wholesome lifestyle.
An active lifestyle is positively correlated with a healthy mind and
reduced anxiety.Sedentary people are at a higher risk for developing
problems with blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight. There
are various ways that one can get in 150
minutes of recommended moderate activity per week that do not necessarily involve visiting the gym; one can walk or run
on the South Coast boardwalk or on the
beach, swim in the ocean (the South or
West coast of Barbados are perfectly suited for long or short distance sea swims)
or take up an outdoor hobby such as
sailing, golf, tennis, cycling or even polo. For those looking for something
a little more Zen, yoga and pilates are perfect examples of mind-body
fitness, because they emphasize both physical and mental strength.They
are known to enhance strength and flexibility, reduce stress, regulate
blood pressure and assist with weight-control.
Another great way to either kick start a healthy eating/living programme or just to re-emphasize what you already do is to undertake a
retreat; they are a more expensive but popular option. When selecting a
health retreat, one should seek a program that has an integrated mindbody-nutritional approach. Some programmes are more aggressive than
others, and usually those involve intense detox, colon cleansing and juice
or water fasting, which is also a great way to give your immune system a
boost and clean out any toxins. For those who cannot afford the time or
financial commitment of a retreat or residential programme, spa visits
are a short-term and highly pleasurable and effective option. Massages,
scrubs, body wraps and facials are popular methods of detoxing the body.
The critical element of a healthy lifestyle, and more than half the battle,
is balanced, healthy nutrition. A fiber-rich, high protein diet, with plenty
of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean dairy and healthy fats is essential for
weight control and can help reduce risk factors for cardiovascular
disease, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
How foods are grown or raised can impact both health and the environment.
There is an increasing trend now around the world towards non GMO
(genetically modified) and organic products. Many people complain that
these foods are more expensive, so it is harder to maintain a healthy
lifestyle, in the face of this farmers markets have become an increasingly
popular and cost effective option - as the produce is sold directly by
the supplier to the consumer, at usually 1/10 of the price. In Barbados
there are now a wide selection of farmers markets for locally-grown organic
produce. These include Brighton Farmers
Market in Brighton, St. George (Saturday
mornings), Holders Farmers Market
at Holders House in St. James (Sunday
mornings) and Hastings Farmers Market
at Artsplash in Hastings, (Saturday
mornings). Taking it to another level,
and bringing the consumer to them rather than them going to the consumer, Archers Organics supply aquaponic produce (Aquaponic is a
food production system that combines conventional aquaculture (raising
aquatic animals such as snails, fish crayfish or prawns in tanks) with
hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment) and
Tilapia. Providing Tilapia and organic fruits, greens, vegetables and free
range eggs from Monday through Friday morning.
Whether you are trying to lose weight, a fitness enthusiast, a vegetarian,
gluten-free, an avid juicer or just enjoy a healthy lifestyle, Barbados has
a wide selection of options for you.There is simply no excuse not to stay
healthy in paradise.
The warm sun, pristine beaches, clean sparkling water, unpolluted air
and fresh produce that are available year-round in Barbados provide a
natural infrastructure for health enthusiasts. But what can we do to
proactively promote good health in our day-to-day lives?
The following are our picks for the best in healthy living in Barbados
“To keep the body
in good health is
a duty.”– Buddha
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