Savvy 'n' Sassy

MY TOP 3 MANTRAS THAT I LIVE BY – HOW THEY CHANGED MY LIFE AND CAN CHANGE YOURS TOO! A couple of years ago I was having an incredibly tough time. I was sat in Harrods having afternoon tea just before Christmas and chatting to my lovely friend Debbie about people who had wronged me and how it was affecting me. And boy, was it affecting me! That day I realised what a true friend Debbie was. SHE TOLD ME LIKE IT WAS, AND I CAN’T THANK HER ENOUGH. Her straight talking helped me get rid of the demons that had haunted me for years, even decades and has since led me to a much healthier and happier life. So, what exactly what did she say that was so powerful I took it on board and changed my life? I have personalised the words so that when I repeat them they actually relate to me! Number 1 “Only I can be responsible for my own happiness” – admittedly this sounded a little weird at first, after all, we frequently look elsewhere for happiness. Whether it’s seeking pleasu...

Shocking rise in sexually transmitted diseases in the over 50s! What you don’t know CAN hurt you! Don't be blasé! Over the last couple of decades, the medical profession has aimed their STD awareness campaigns at young people aged 16 to 25. Overall it has been successful, however, in many ways it has backfired. By constantly targeting the young there has been a dramatic rise in STDs diagnosed within the 50 to 90 age group. Should we be surprised? Probably not! Staggeringly, it’s not just the easier to treat STDs that are rising such as chlamydia diagnosis which has increased by 75% in the last ten years. Frighteningly the incidence of those over 50 seeking treatment for HIV has increased by 82% since the beginning of the 21 st century. This phenomenon has been ongoing for several years now and doesn’t look likely to stop unless we address the issue ourselves!    Why the rise? Well, there are many reasons that can be, largely, put   down to medical ...

My Heart Felt Plea to 2018 - an open letter. Dear 2018 I am writing to you in the hope that you will be a peaceful year. 2017 has been a funny one! I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Eve and making impossible to keep resolutions that are dead in the dust by February. Nor do I get hugely excited with the idea of getting dressed up to go out and drinking impossible amounts of booze assuming of course, I can get anywhere near the bar, to celebrate your arrival! I fear I am a miserable sod! The thing is, every year I truly believe that the coming year will be oh so much better than the last one. I look forward through rose tinted glasses to a life of success, (however that’s measured!) and emotional stability along with achieving the body of a goddess! Every year, the same old sh1t rears its ugly head and every year I use a ton of courage and fortitude to deal with it which let me tell you is exhausting! Of course, I don’t expect perfection, that would make me even more ...

Wishing you all love and peace this Christmas and for 2018. Women's voices have grown stronger through 2017. Let's keep the momentum going! Enjoy our out of tune singing....join our group on Facebook... ...https://www.facebook.com/janiesavvynsassy/ 

Helloooooooo and Savvy Blogmas Today is a lovely tale of the legend of the poinsettia at Christmas! Yesterday I spent a lovely hour or so wandering around a gorgeous garden centre in Surrey looking at all the Christmas decorations, trees and Christmas plants. The one thing that stood out was the dozens and dozens of bright red poinsettia in pretty pots complete with red ribbon garland for sale. I sometimes get one in at Christmas but have never really known why we see Poinsettia as a Christmas plant!   I put my detective hat on and solved the question! At the same time I have found out how to look after them in case you too are the kiss of death to plants in the home! The Poinsettia (poyn - set -ee - ah), is a native Mexican plant. It is a species of the romantically named "spurge" family! Joel Poinsett by Arthur Ide. Almost two hundred years ago it was introduced to the USA by the then US Minister to Mexico who happened to be called Joel Poinsett! See where ...

Helloooooooo! Savvy Blogmas! Day 5 So, we are starting or certainly planning to indulge ourselves and  are probably already overeating and over drinking! Today is all about sparing a thought  for those far less fortunate than ourselves . Outside of our comfortable bubble is another world, a bleak world where people are frightened, hungry and lonely .Why not make today the day you do something for  them....... You could; * pop to your local food bank, homeless or women's shelter and drop in something nice for them to enjoy this Christmas? If you are taking food make sure its non perishable and in date. * make comfort packs up which include wet wipes, new underwear, comb, dry shampoo, lip balm, sanitary protection...... Whatever you can manage will be gratefully received. * If you are having a clear out before Christmas you could take coats etc. to a local shelter.  * reserve a place for a homeless single person at Crisis. I have sever...

Helloooooooo and Merry Blogmas! Day 4 How's December treating you so far? Very good I hope! At  Savvy 'n' Sassy Towers December has brought insomnia! I seem to have reached today in a zombified state! Please someone reassure me that sleep returns at some point through this post 50 journey. Anyway. enough of me let's get on with Day 4 of a Savvy Blogmas.......... So you are probably thinking about what you are going to cook for Christmas dinner by now. You might have the same meal every year, and why not, or thinking about something different to ring the changes. Only trouble is you’ve got a vegan guest turning up and you haven’t got a clue where to start. You want to serve them delicious food and not some tasteless mushy after thought. How about trying the wonderful roasts below? I know you might think it’s a bit cliché but trust me us vegans love them, they are tasty and substantial and the left overs are great cold!  Don’t forget your guest won...