Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips Part 3 England

The Great NEWS blog began a new mini series with Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips Part 1 Spain and Part 2 Ports of Call and today is Part 3 England. After noticing many disturbing trends and troubles traveling around the US and globe it seemed like a great time to blog about the obvious big challenges and offering better choices. There are many direct, indirect and subtle messages in these thought provoking posts so read carefully to enjoy an even more happy and healthy life and travels. Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips Part 3 England will summarize my trip and the trends observed and share some simple suggestions.

Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips Part 3 England will summarize my trip and the trends observed and share some simple suggestions.

My transatlantic cruise included Galveston, Texas; Nassau, Bahamas; Funchal (Madeira), Portugal; Gibraltar, UK; Alicante and Barcelona, Spain. This phase was covered in two earlier blog posts about cruising. At the end of the cruise and staying in Barcelona for several days (see Part 1 Spain) I flew to London, England for 9 days.  Be sure to see Part 2 Ports of Call also for a helpful perspective.

After arriving at London Heathrow it was a short train and tube ride to Docklands and Greenwich where the hostel was located. Immediately it seemed people were less friendly, talkative and warm than in southern Spain. Maybe it was the cooler and wetter weather that put a damper on people. Maybe it was the train and tube ride where people listened to their music devices, read the free tabloids or starred at each other without chatting or smiling much.

England is an amazing country with a lot of charm, class and culture yet many of the people seem very prim, proper and stand offish in contrast to the nice, open and warm reception in Barcelona. It is always more polite to discuss what is great about a country and the people first before discussing the many areas that can be improved.

Exciting About England

England is blessed with a great culture, history and international diversity. It is truly a cosmopolitan melting pot that represents all corners of the world. The variety of beverages, cultures, foods and tastes is absolutely amazing. In most parts of London you can find American (Standard American Diet – SAD), Asian, British, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Polish, Scandinavian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish and much more.

England is blessed with a great culture, history and international diversity. It is truly a cosmopolitan melting pot that represents all corners of the world.

The abundant rainfall, soil and topography yield an abundance of delicious and nutritious foods. Many of these foods are grown year round in some part of England or UK territories. Due to England’s great location northwest of Europe it has the right conditions to either grow, ship or trade foods with a large number of countries and regions for incredible choices and options.

England is well known for growing great berries, fruits, grains, greens, herbs, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, tubers and vegetables. In addition the country produces a lot of grass fed natural and organic animal products and wild caught fish and sea foods.

Animal products: beef, chicken, goat, lamb, pork and hare. Also cheese, dairy and eggs play a major role..

Berries: blackberry, black currant, blueberry, cranberry, dewberry, gooseberry, raspberry, red currant, strawberry,

Fish and Sea foods: clams, crabs, fish (anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines, salmon), krill, shrimp, squid and other sea foods.

Fruits: apples, apricots, cherries, grapes, medlars, peaches, pears, plums,

Grains: barley, oats, rye, sorghum, wheat

Greens: arugula, cabbage, celery, celery root, chard, collards, dandelion, fennel, kale, lettuce, (boston, endive, escarole, green leaf, iceberg, mesclun, radicchio, red leaf, romaine), spinach,

Herbs: basil, bay leaf, cilantro, garlic, mint, nettles, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme,

Legumes, beans, peas and lentils (pulses): beans (black, broad, fava, kidney, lima, navy, red, white), black eye peas, chickpeas, green beans, lentils, green peas

Melons: limited to some cantaloupe, galias, watermelon or imports

Nuts: filberts, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts,

Roots and Tubers: beets, carrots, celeriac, onions, parsnips, potatoes, radish, swedes turnips,

Seeds: hemp, linseed, rapeseed, pumpkin, sunflower

Spices: black pepper, cayenne, chilies, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, curry, paprika, pepper, red pepper, sea salt, turmeric

Vegetables: bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, okra, onions, peppers, pumpkins, squash, string beans, tomatoes,

Other food crops include corn, mushrooms and sugar beets

Excess consumption of fried foods many cooked in canola, corn or soy oil is a recipe for being sad, sick, stressed and suffering.

While most of these foods can normally be quite healthy the potatoes, sugar beets and wheat have become problematic due to the excess sugar consumption. Excess consumption of fried foods many cooked in canola, corn or soy oil is a recipe for being sad, sick, stressed and suffering. Fried foods, soy oil use and sweets are taking a toll on the population especially among the middle age and younger people. This is sad because many are addicted to fake foods robbing them of their health and wealth while preventing them from being happy and healthy.

Due to the large agriculture industry and imports the variety in England is quite good. Unfortunately food prices in the main markets in cities can be quite high. It is easy to find a good selection of fresh, healthy and nutrient dense whole foods in England at local ethnic, family and small markets. Here you will find much better choices and prices.

Beware it is just as easy to find a lot of fake, fast and junk foods in the markets and streets as well. The American fast food fad (SAD) has overtaken England and most of the people are hostage to fast food attacks. Fake, fast and junk food seems to be everywhere.

SAD, Sick and Stressed in England

Like most places in the world the Standard American Diet (SAD) has been adopted as a part of the culture. In every city it seems the big American franchises of Burger King, Coca Cola, Domino’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Subway and Starbucks are well established. Burgers, French fries and a soda are one of the top meal choices of the younger generation. Biscuit, bread, cereal, crackers, cookies, croissants, crumpets, flapjacks, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, scones, have replaced many of the traditional foods in England and the country and its people are paying a major price.

Many people are dealing with blood pressure, blood sugar, diabetes and weight gain while losing their energy, health and well being.

Many people are dealing with blood pressure, blood sugar, diabetes and weight gain while losing their energy, health and well being. Many are on tablets (medicine) as a result. Another serious concern is the rushed, stand up and walking while eating behavior that takes places throughout most of the country. It is not unusual for people to be eating food everyplace except in a relaxed state and at a normal table. Most people are not consuming adequate fresh fruits, salads and vegetables while eating too many servings of breads, cereals, pasta, pizza, potatoes, starches and sugars. When you eat early (18:00 or 19:00) it offers better digestion, biorhythms and less stress for those ready to be happy and healthy naturally.

Luckily many people in England are more active and fit than the US due to their more active lifestyle, restricted intake of SAD foods and walking more each day. With the high cost of living in England many people are struggling financially and this sometimes makes fast food appear cheaper. Unfortunately this erroneous thinking and social medicine tends to shift the burden of cost and responsibility for health to the government.

Hopefully the powers that be will wake up and reduce the appeal for fast, fake and junk foods with healthier choices. When England begins to penalize and punish the fast food promoters and promotes and subsidizes a happy, healthy and holistic eating and lifestyle they are more likely to see improved results.

Another issue is the late night alcohol, beer and wine consumption that occur late into the night.

Another issue is the late night alcohol, beer and wine consumption that occur late into the night. This late night partying affects the performance and is reducing the competitive position and productivity. Smoking is a major issue with people of all ages and many young people are starting in spite of older people quitting. As a result of poor eating habits, excess coffee and tea, lifestyle choices and too few public toilets the majority of people in England are dehydrated. This negatively impacts every area of life for a person who desires to be happy and healthy.

This Great NEWS post is the Happy Healthy Travel Tales & Tips Part 2 England. There are always simple steps and smart solutions to help anyone committed to fresh foods, holistic health and terrific travel. This post on Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips is shared to help you discover the big challenges and decide on better choices.

What is your current Gap?

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Mastery Action Plan (MAP)

What action plans will help you be even more happy and healthy at home and while traveling? What great books or websites have been helpful for you?

Call to Action

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Next week the Great NEWS blog will share:

Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips Part 4 US