May 2016 Extra

On May 23^rd Crantock Memory Café welcomed Dr. Richard Greenwood, a retired physician and diabetes specialist (who is also our treasurer) who gave a talk on diet.  Richard’s subject was “We are what we eat”.

He listed the various components of food: carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals and then looked in more detail at sugar and its significance for health. Glucose is our bodies’ essential energy source, especially for the brain. It is pleasant to eat, but too much can lead to obesity and diabetes, whilst too little can cause faintness and even collapse. The body can adjust itself to variations in intake unless an individual suffers from diabetes, which is due to a lack of, or a resistance to the hormone insulin which is necessary for glucose assimilation.

Type 2 diabetes, the commonest sort, is mostly caused by overweight due to over eating and insufficient exercise although there is often a genetic component as well. Initially attention to diet usually improves the condition. Interestingly, during and after the Second World War, the period of food rationing was associated with a marked fall in cases.  Since then, numbers have increased dramatically in the UK and other developed and developing countries and this is making major demands on health services.

Richard also talked briefly about the health problems caused by too much cholesterol and salt. The general public is confused by frequent changes in medical advice and media stories. He advised ‘moderation in all things’ and to avoid special or fad diets unless there is a medical need.

Guests and volunteers then enjoyed tea and moderate amounts of excellent home made cakes. The afternoon concluded with an entertaining game of Musical Bingo.

Our next meeting will be on June 6^th when the theme will be Classic Cars with the chance to meet some owners and examine their cherished motors. 

May 2016

Tails were wagging on the afternoon of Monday 9^th May when the Memory Cafe hosted a visit from the ‘Dogtastic Dog Obedience Team’. The five dogs – Megan, Gizmo, Delphi, Anya and Hudson were introduced by their owners who explained that the group got together after attending dog obedience classes six years ago, and continued to meet and work together twice a week. They have twice performed at Crufts, and regularly visit local agricultural shows and residential homes.

The canine visitors were an instant hit with everyone – they were very friendly and well behaved, and we were all really impressed with their demonstration. Performed to music, the dogs and their owners put on a wonderful display of control and obedience using hoops and mats, and were obviously keen to show off their skills. The demonstration concluded with ‘musical mats’ which they really seemed to enjoy – Megan, a working farm dog, insisted on creeping in towards the mat in the centre of the room before the music had stopped to ensure she kept her place in the game!

Whilst our visitors enjoyed a well deserved bowl of water and some dog treats, thanks were given to their handlers before we all tucked into a welcome cup of tea and our usual delicious selection of cakes. There was a chance to chat, meet the dogs and their owners and to have a go at some dog and cat themed puzzles and quizzes before everyone enjoyed a game of ‘Dog Bingo’. Sweet were on offer for those who completed a line or got a full house, the only proviso being that you had to ‘woof’ to let everyone know you were due a prize!

What a great afternoon – we hope the ‘Dogtastic Team’ enjoyed it as much as we did and that they’ll come back to see us again before too long. Meanwhile, we look forward to Memory Cafe Extra on May 23^rd when Dr Richard Greenwood will be giving an illustrated talk on ‘You are what you eat’ (does this mean that all Memory Cafe members will turn into pieces of cake?!).