Bee positive with ‘ASNet’ connecting and informing
Research
How can our body clock influence arthritis symptoms? Studies have shown links between the body clock and arthritis symptoms. For example, some people with rheumatoid arthritis experience a ‘daily rhythm’ where symptoms such as pain and stiffness are noticeably better or worse at certain times of the day or night. It is thought this may be connected to our body clock, but it’s not well understood how this internal clock influences rheumatoid arthritis and symptoms. Dr Julie Gibbs at the University of Manchester is exploring the links in more detail. The aim is to better target treatment and possibly develop new drugs.
Do you have any legal questions?
We are planning a Legal Clinic to run on Saturdays after our hour of coffee and chat. Please send any questions you may have to Phil at [email protected]
Our Bookings for this week
SATURDAY 6th March at 11.30 am.
Join us for a chat over a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of your own living room.If you attend regularly, please use your usual invitation from Phil. Newcomers, please email Phil on [email protected] for a link.
SATURDAY 6th March at 1.30 p.m. for an hour
Bring your IT problems to the IT CLINIC WITH OUR Bee Team of IT Experts. Details as above.
TUESDAY 9th March with Joan Faria at 2 p.m.
“Good Nutrition for Arthritis”. Joan’s subject for this week is.‘Healthy swaps for inflammatory foods’.
Please get your link for this session from Phil by emailing a request to [email protected]
THURSDAY 11th March YOGA WITH ANDY FROM 2 TO 3 P.M.
Andy tailors these sessions to suit people with arthritis. Use your usual link or if you are joining for the first time please email Phil at [email protected] to get your Zoom link.
Recipe of the week
Ratatouille
French vegetable stew, great as a main dish with rice or as a side dish with grilled meat. A good way to get some of your ‘5 a day’ fruits and vegetables.
Preparation and cooking time
(Prep time: 15 mins, Cooking time: 35 mins)
Ingredients
•2 large aubergines
•4 small courgettes
•2 red or yellow peppers
•4 large ripe tomatoes•5 tbsp olive oil
•supermarket pack or small bunch basil
•1 medium onion peeled and thinly sliced
•3 garlic cloves,peeled and crushed
•1 tbsp red wine vinegar
•1 tsp sugar (any kind)
Method
Cut 2 large aubergines in half lengthways. Place them on the board cut side down, slice in half lengthways again and then across into 1.5cm chunks. Cut the ends off 4 small courgettes, then across into 1.5cm slices. Peel 2 red or yellow peppers from stalk to bottom. Hold upright, cut around the stalk, then cut into 3 pieces. Cut away any membrane, then chop into bite-size chunks. Score a small cross on the base of each of 4 large ripe tomatoes, then put them into a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over, leave for 20 secs, then remove. Pour the water away, replace the tomatoes and cover with cold water. Leave to cool, then peel the skin away. Quarter the tomatoes, scrape away the seeds with a spoon, then roughly chop the flesh. Set a sauté pan over medium heat and when hot, pour in 2 tbsp olive oil. Brown the aubergines for 5 mins on each side until the pieces are soft. Set them aside. Fry the courgettes in another tbsp oil for 5 mins, until golden on both sides. Repeat with the peppers. Do not overcook the vegetables at this stage. Tear up the leaves from the bunch of basil and set aside. Cook 1 thinly sliced medium onion in the pan for 5 minutes. Add 3 crushed garlic cloves and fry for a further minute. Stir in 1 tbsp red wine vinegar and 1 tsp sugar, then tip in the tomatoes and half the basil. Return the vegetables to the pan with some salt and pepper and cook for 5 mins. Serve with basil.
Ian Chambers who we all know as a fellow resident of The Cranbrook Centre, published this Tweet:
-One of our oldest partners is local charity Arthritis Self-Help network @Help4Arthritis. We are delighted to produce a short series about the reality of Arthritis, first talking with 2 people diagnosed in their early 20s. A fascinating story @Joint200 #arthritis Arthritis Self-help Network
Listen to our own Joint200 members discussing their journey with arthritis. As part of our Keeping Connected project, we have worked with our local media partners East London Radio, who have produced two radio shows, speaking to Jay and Sophie, each diagnosed with Arthritis in their 20s. In the first one,they spoke about their journey to diagnosis, in the second, living with Arthritis. Links to each show can be found on ELR’s website –on this link https://eastlondonradio.org.uk/