Stevie’s Blog

Today (20th Jan 2025) is Blue Monday, no this isn’t some discount shopping day, although it does get used to commercial advantage. Blue Monday is the most miserable day of the year.

Blue Monday is considered the “most depressing day of the year,” typically falling on the third Monday of January. The concept originated in 2005 as part of a marketing campaign by a travel company, claiming to calculate the date using a pseudo-scientific formula.

The formula factored in variables such as:

• Weather conditions (cold and dark in many places).
• Debt levels (post-holiday expenses).
• Time since Christmas (and the end of holiday festivities).
• Failed New Year’s resolutions (leading to feelings of disappointment).
• Low motivational levels and a general sense of needing change.

While popular in culture, it is not based on actual science and is widely criticised by psychologists and scientists. Depression and sadness are complex issues that cannot be reduced to a single day or formula.

Despite its dubious origins, Blue Monday has become an opportunity for discussions about mental health and self-care, with organisations often using the day to raise awareness.

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As mentioned in my previous audio blog, I’ve come up with a logo to represent me and this blog.

I kinda like it, thoughts?

I never expected to be writing a blog like this, but here we are.

I’m well aware that I’m not at my fittest and could do with a little bit of weight, but as I’m hard to weigh as I need scales I can sit / roll on.

As part of my new wheelchair purchase, they offered to weigh me, I did hesitate, but it made sense to find out. I’m not going to give any details, but I’m now conscious I need to rein it in a little bit.

My current plan is to change my eating habits slightly, cut out bread, chocolate, breakfast pastries etc. Nothing to drastic.

I’m looking for things I can replace breakfast with and if I really need to snack something healthier than chocolate, biscuits etc.

Let’s start with Nākd bars. AI says

Nākd raw fruit bars are snack bars made primarily from raw fruits, nuts, and sometimes flavours or spices. They do not contain added sugars, syrups, or artificial flavours, and are often gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan

Nākd produce 15 flavoured bars, I’ve scored the 6 I’ve tried from least favourite to most favourite:-

• Berry Delight I doubt mind the taste of this one. But I hate the tiny crunchy seeds in raspberries, this bar has the raspberry seeds, it’s a no from me

• Peanut Delight I’m not usually a fan of peanut based things. I don’t like peanut butter and I’d never choose a snickers. But this is actually alright

• Blueberry Muffin A light touch of blueberry. A decent choice.

• Cocoa Delight its a chocolate delight. What more could you want? Middle of the pack

• Salted Caramel this one is definitely my favourite. Pretty tasty

• Cocoa Orange This one made a last minute climb to the top of the list. It’s not Terry’s Chocolate Orange. But it’s certainly orangey. My favourite Nākd bar so far!

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