Wednesday 26 April 2017

Another Diploma? Sano School of Culinary Medicine




For as long as I can remember I have wanted to combine my love of science with my passion for nutrition and health.

Studying dentistry is obviously a very demanding occupation. After qualifying a few years ago, I continued to further my education by completing several dental courses, a PG Cert last year, a diploma this year and now an MSc.

I therefore haven't really had the time, money or motivation to be studying anything else amongst working full time, trying to keep fit and eat well.. until now.

I have looked into studying nutrition and/or fitness for a couple of years, however, many courses required a lot of time to attend various lectures and seminars and were also extremely costly. Furthermore, I struggled to find a course that was completely suited to me and geared towards my learning goals.

I didn't want to be taught the basics of nutrition. I didn't even really want to be a nutritionist. I just wanted to get a greater understanding of how the science behind the food we put into our bodies can affect our health. And of course, in this day and age with so much litigation around, I wanted to have the peace of mind that any opinion I give will soon be backed up by a much greater understanding of nutrition. This is when I discovered the diploma in Applied Nutrition at Sano School of Culinary Medicine.



Several aspects of this course were absolute musts for me:

ACCREDITED
Sano is accredited by the FNTP and a member of the CMA. All modules you complete and all assignments submitted are marked by qualified nutritional therapists.

RELEVANT
All the information provided by Sano is evidence based and up to date. They provide the latest research surrounding nutritional science, which prompts you to apply it to your day to day lifestyle in a bid to make healthier choices.

AFFORDABLE
Having spent thousands on education over the last few years and knowing I have got another few thousand to spend on my masters, cost was a huge factor for me. IMO, Sano provides such an affordable diploma for what you get out of it.

ONLINE
I don't have the time or want to put in the time travelling to study again. I have done that and am continuing to do that enough already! Online means it's there for you as and when you're ready to learn. Because it's something I'm so passionate about doing, I actually find myself wanting to sit down and do some studying in an evening. It's enjoyable to be able to dip in and out of it with no time frames or deadlines pressurising me to do so.



How am I finding it so far?

I've just completed the first module, which was Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome. I won't lie, as someone who has studied science for a long time (I sometimes think too long), it does go back to the very basics. It's like being in a GCSE or A-Level biology class. Learning about cells and metabolic pathways again. Learning about the origins of different diseases.

However, it's actually things I haven't thought about for years! It's written in a very simplistic manner because it's designed for people of all backgrounds with varying levels of knowledge. So for me, it's really easy to breeze through and has proven to be very easy going, enjoyable learning! It's exactly the thing I was looking for - easily applicable science to every day nutritional problems and understanding what we can do about it through food.

At the end of the module you have to design menus specific to the module theory, detailing how it relates to the management and prevention of the particular disease discussed. I find this so enjoyable and interesting and it's amazing to finally be combining my two passions!



So in essence, I am loving my experience of the diploma in Applied Nutrition so far. Sano have been kind enough to allow my readers to receive a discount if they also sign up to the diploma by using the code jessstudent at the checkout.

Once I've completed the diploma, I'll be sure to feed back to you on how I've found it. I can't promise time frames for this - as I said I'll be doing it as and when I can! But I'm excited to finally have a qualification in something I love doing and look forward to sharing the journey with you.

Jess x

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Friday 7 April 2017

What we've been waiting for - More Yoga hits south London



For all of us south London folk, we've got used to the trek to west or east London for fitness classes. So when More Yoga hosted the opening of their new Brixton branch on 1st April I was so excited to check it out and finally not have to travel more than 15 minutes to get to it (vs an hour to get to east or west..!)



I first tried More Yoga at their Old Street branch and absolutely loved it. However, distance was such an issue so I knew it wouldn't be something I could routinely do. Now that they have a Brixton studio so close to me I don't really have an excuse not to go!

This is one of their biggest studios too (see last photo) so it'll be nice to practice in such an open area, rather than being crammed into a basement like lots of other smaller yoga studios I've tried.

The launch was amazing and a great opportunity to try out the new class and sample some of the goodies they had on offer, including delicious juices and vegan chickpea crisps - I am still waiting for the day that I am able to eat just one bag of Hippeas and one bag only! They're far too moreish..


Unfortunately, I couldn't partake in the yoga itself, but once I'm training again I'm excited to go back! I did come away with probably the most epic goodie bag of all time though.


This included some of the bits pictured below. Bar the edible items (which obviously I love - goes without saying really), I thought the block set was super cool. It contains a block, mini foam roller and trigger point massage ball all in one! The foam roller and massage ball fit inside the block itself and literally weigh nothing because it's all made of foam. I feel like I'll be packing this in my away bag on every holiday now! I'm such a cool kid..

The goodie bag also included a top and leggings from More Yoga's new sponsor, Proskins. They have several different ranges but we got to experience some of the 'Slim' range. I had not tried Proskins before but their Slim kit has some incredible benefits:
  1. It's all black - major plus for me..! There is some detailing down the side too, which is so beaut
  2. Compression - improves circulation and muscle support
  3. Regulates body temperature - keeps you at 37C (uhh literally sounds like MAGIC?!)
  4. Antibacterial and moisture management - wicks sweat away to keep you cool and dry 
  5. Anti- cellulite - this is probably one of their best features. After all, what woman would say no to that?! The Proskins contain caffeine, vitamin E, ceramides, retinol and aloe vera. Combined with their compression technology, this has made them clinically proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Ah-mazing!
Basically, I'm going to start living in my Proskins and I'll be a cellulite free size 0 in no time. Jk jk. Defo jk. BUT I am stoked to try these out so huge thank you to More Yoga and Proskins for those.



I'm super excited to get back into yoga again and I know we all say 'must do more yoga'.. But somehow another year seems to pass where I'm yet to get into downward dog and still as flexible as a plank of wood. 

More Yoga will also be opening a branch in Clapham Junction in July. I'm sure that'll be just as promising and again, so accessible for those living south of the river.

So any fellow south Londoners (or any Londoners!) that want to try More Yoga out - holla at me and we can start releasing our inner yogis together!

Jess x
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