Kokova Magazine

June is flying by, and warmer days seem here to stay. Whether you are planning a weekend trip, prepping for a BBQ, or just looking to beat the heat, now is the perfect time to make the most of the season.

Travel Plans:
As it is our anniversary next week, Andy and I are planning a night away, and looking for cooler options in the South-East. London is a favourite, but it seems somewhere near the sea may suit us better. Brighton is our closest beach and is within easy reach, so we can leave the car at home and take the train. Paddling on the beach in the heat may just cool us down. Before then, we are heading into the City this week for the UK's first Longevity Show, taking place this Friday and Saturday at Tobacco Docks. The festival aims at helping visitors discover what really works for living healthier, longer.

Later in September, we are heading out to the Isle of Wight for a few days and taking the Wightlink ferry crossing. We are looking forward to exploring the island, especially checking out the Isle of Wight fudge and other island-based businesses. By December, we will have a longer holiday planned to celebrate my Christmas Eve birthday, which is slowly becoming a New Year's escape.

Food and Drink:
We are still very focused on flavour and taste combinations rather than big plates. Swapping the lemon for pineapple on our fish dinner this week was an interesting change. As members of the 'pineapple on pizza' club, we were intrigued to see how well it paired with fish. The jury is undecided.

Contrasting flavours or oddly paired ingredients are on the menu, alongside new flavour combinations. When chocolatier Paul A Young paired chocolate and Marmite in a brownie, we knew there were more odd couples to explore. Good Phats are on our radar too - and we are a little obsessed with how great their Avocado Oil works in the kitchen. A compressed-air spray over a pump-action ensures consistent flow during use.

Lifestyle:
I suffer from Sjogren's, so dry eyes are a daily issue, and the heat doesn't help. Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) is common as we age and can increase the number of eye floaters. The onset of all this sunshine certainly reminds me they are there, so, in the hope of avoiding invasive solutions, a small study on the connection between floater reduction and pineapple merits a closer look. However, our ophthalmic optician is always the first port of call for any eye issues.

Skincare will continue to be a hot topic this summer, as we take a closer look at skinpen microneedling, hydra facials, and rosacea treatments. Skin barrier repair has been paramount before starting any new treatments.

Menopause and female hormones remain at the top of our list, especially while "Invisible Woman Syndrome" still exists. Many women feel they become invisible after 50 and get lost in the system. However, other women experience this ageing phase as a liberating release from objectification, and stop minding other people's opinions.

Competitions
We have a great competition running for the next week, and there is still time to enter for a chance to win a Jana Reinhardt Shell Charm Necklace. Our Lost Sheep Coffee competition drew a great audience and high entries. This month's competition has also surpassed our expectations for entries, and we look forward to adding more prize competition for July.

Whatever the summer means for you, we hope you stay cool in this current heatwave. While many people enjoy warmer summer weather, it can make some people unwell due to overheating, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.

Gov.UK advises: -

• If you are going to do a physical activity, plan to do it during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the early morning or the evening
• Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake
• Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
• Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
• Try to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11 am and 3 pm when UV levels are highest
• If you are going out during this time, cover up with suitable clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen liberally and reapply frequently