Today is World Health Day! and in the current COVID-19 carnage, taking a moment for our health has never been more important.

April has a plethora of active, health promoting and mindful awareness days, including community garden week (this week) with the entire month dedicated to Bowel Cancer and IBS awareness (irritable bowel syndrome) and Stress awareness in the UK as well as a whole month where the United States want to Move More.

There are many more we could mention, so why do I mention these?

Well they are all digestion, stress and energy related. I personally have stress induced IBS from years of over working and ‘surviving’ on what ever food and beverages happened to come my way. My body and soul gave me a wake up call, I both needed and was not prepared for. It was around 5 years ago (maybe more) and I was flying all over the world, barely sleeping and working relentless days. I loved it, but I was fast running out of foods I was physically able to eat without being in agonising pain.

So I started to listen to my body and learn more and more about foods and how they work with me and how I feel about them …. oh yes … lots of feelings!

The importance of giving your body what it needs is life changing, small things like your brain telling you - you’re hungry, when in actual fact you’re thirsty …. the ‘I need carbs’ when really you need two eggs scrambled.

There were at this point, and still are, two key people in my life that changed my (notoriously bad) relationship with food, one was Claire Desroches, and the other was my Uncle Billy who owns a fruit and veg stall, Just William in Jersey Market.

Claire is a multi-sporting, nutritional, rehab, sports massage goddess. Claire and I used to train at Hooks Gym, and it was relentless. We Loved It! Class after class, run after cycle after weights and so I was swept up in the tidal wave of athletes that told me I needed the steaks and the carbs and the protein shakes and the supplements … so when Claire sat me down and offered me some help, I thought …why not!

She introduced me to a food diary - a concept of self and actual accountability I still live by, and also the notion of being a high performing olympic athlete on a vegan, wheat free diet …. WHAT?!?

It might not seem so bizarre now, but even three to four years ago, we didn’t have the free from, vegan, wheat free alternatives we have now. So I adapted my diet, lifestyle and mind set to learn an entirely new world of dietary alternatives. It changed my life.

I then started discussing fresh food, options and alternatives with my Uncle Billy who owns and runs Just William in the Jersey Market, Billy is a walking encyclopaedia, a fountain of knowledge and enthusiasm when it comes to fresh fruit and veg. His passion when he starts talking about all the new produce he has found for the shop, ever striving, ever learning, it’s an inspirational energy to be around. If you’re ever on the island- pop in for a chat.

I started to ‘hang out’ at the Jersey Market more and more and took my camera, with my new and unbridled love for all things fresh. This passion and personal growth journey took me to all the market stalls in London, chatting to the owners and exploring new ways to give my body and soul what it needed.

When I started this Journey, I was a steaming hot mess (inside and out) but over two years, my skin cleared up, my mind was clearer, my hair grew, stoped falling out and was … actually healthy, my body was feeling more productive, I was awake at 6am and ready to start the day.

The importance of your health has never been more important than it is right now. Wit h this horrific Virus on the loose and millions of people suddenly changing their routings, adapting to new stresses and pressures, many of which are out of their control. Spending time investing in our body, mind and soul is crucial.

Here is a challenge - every day for April, do these four simple things:

Eat : something that your body will thank you for

Drink : replace a couple of your usually go-to drinks for water

Breathe : for five minutes, breathe in for the count of five and out for the count of five and let your mind clear

Move : Outside in the fresh air (hang your head out of the window if you have to) and do a bit of stretching (anything)

All the markets and stalls in London are still open (operating a 2m distance policy) so please, go and support your local businesses and talk to them about their fruit and veg and try something new.