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Surviving the winter and darkness of Sweden II

Wed, 11/18/2009 - 21:36  Tags:

The last week has been classic November weather here in Stockholm, and in much of the country.

Just a week ago I was scuffing through the piles of leaves on the ground, kicking them up as I walked along with my kids. They were golden yellow and had that lovely crunchy sound under your feet as you walked. That was then.  Since then we've suffered daily from something ranging from a mist, to drizzle, to tonight's constant downpour.

Rain. Dark. Grey. Wet. An absent sun. November.

They are the words on everyones lips at the moment, and everyone's facebook status's. The leaves are now trodden on and mashed together, clumps on the footpath that are slippery and have completely lost their "fun factor".

I feel like a nasty mother waking my children, in what feels like the dead of the night each morning and I have to remind myself that it is a necessity, and that I am not torturing them for the fun of it. We walk to and from school in the dark and they are ready for dinner by 4.30pm, simply because it feels so late. "Why is it so dark mummy" they each ask, wanting an explanation, struggling to understand. I wish I had a good answer for them.

So to combat the darkness I set up the timer on a lamp last night, which promted me to add a few more items to last week's list:

14. Put timers on your lights so they turn on just before/after your alarm goes off in the morning and     just before you get home from work/school.

15. Go to the local pool, it is great to get about in your swimsuit/bathers and be reminded of the warmer weather. It is also nice to have a few less clothes on for a change.

16. Make the most of any sauna at the gym, the pool or anywhere you can access one. The heat is great in the winter, it gets right in under the skin and makes me feel like I am somewhere else for a few precious moments, or as long as I can stand it. Again it is nice to have a lot less clothes on.

17. Change the colour theme in your home. Stay a way from the cool, dark colours and go for white. If you ever wondered why so many Swedish homes are spartan white then one November here will convince you it is the right way to go - but add some warmth with splashes of bright colours - reds, yellows and oranges are great at this time of year.

18. I've said it before, I say it again - have parties! It is great to be able to keep drinks and food outside, it's like having an extra fridge.

If however, you are struggling with the darkness, rest assured that our rate of loss of light has slowed down. We are now only losing about 4 minutes a day, that's 28 minutes this week. And with about a month to go until the Winter Solice, when the days start getting longer again, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's just a very long November tunnel...

Hang in there....

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Surviving the winter and the darkness of Sweden

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 22:52  Tags:

It struck me today how hard the darkness and the cold weather is on children, how hard it is on all of us.

The kids start school at 8.15 - 8.30am and while it is currently still light, it won’t be long before we will be watching the sun rise on our way to school in the mornings.
 
My kids are picked up most days by 3.30pm and by the time we walk and get the train we are usually home by 4pm. It is well and truly dark by then in November and the cold, biting wind that rips through the naked trees or the rain that pelts down only make it all the less charming. These late afternoons are often filled with tears, tantrums and tiredness….
 
The lack of light plays its toll on our bodies and our minds, depleting our supply of vitamins and minerals, as well as the joy that the sun and daylight bring. Everyone looks pale, dark around the eyes and complains of being so much more tired than usual. We get coughs and colds, flu’s and stomach bugs. The immune system is weakened and skin starts to get dry and itchy.
 
November is without doubt the toughest month of the year. Not only is it getting darker each day but also because the days are so grey. I heard the expression “greylight” today, someone asked how many hours of greylight we have in Sweden at the moment. It pretty much sums things up.
 
Come December we have Christmas to think about and plan for. And we have lights: advent candles, Lucia, stars in windows and Christmas tree lights to brighten up our life and lift our spirits.
In January the temperature drops and the snow comes to most of the country. We ski, we ice-skate, we walk and the days are longer.
 
February often brings us longer sunnier days, fabulous for spending out on the slopes, the tracks, the rinks or the lakes. And it’s a good thing too because by February the battery is almost completely depleted of energy.
 
November is grey and dull.
 
The optimists amongst us tell us it is a great time of the year. Time to come inside and light candles, drink hot chocolate, read, watch movies or curl up by the fire if you are lucky enough. It’s so mysigt (cosy) they say.
 
But how do the rest of us survive the long, darkest, coldest part of the year?
 
Here’s my list:

  1. Light therapy. You can buy sunlights at well-stocked appliance stores or online. There are also a few around the country and light therapy centres around the country. Search on ljusterapi + café or + center or + behandling.
     
  2. Escape to a warmer, sunnier place sometime over the winter. If you can’t manage that plan some sort of holiday, or weekend away. Go to the snow, go to another city, go the country. Spend the weekend on one of the cruise ships wandering around without a jacket and gloves! It is fantastic how much a change of scenery lifts our spirits even when the weather is at its worst.

  3. Vitamin supplements – available from health food stores (häslokost butiker), online or bring your favorite kind with you.

  4. Fish oil (fiskolja) – it is fantastic and really boosts the kids’ immune systems. They are less susceptible and if they get something they are not sick as long. A worthwhile investment for all the family and vegetarian alternatives exist such as flax seed oil.

  5. Evening primrose oil - winter is hard on skin and the colder it gets the dryer my skin gets until my fingers are like sandpaper with cracks at the end of them. No amount of hand cream helps. The only cure is nattljusoljataken orally, daily.

  6. Eat well. Nothing will bring you down as far and as fast as a poor diet. Lots of fruit and vegetables, and warming nutritious meals. Great time for curries and any other spicy food to warm you from the inside.

  7. Sleep well. Sleep deprivation does terrible things to us at the best of times. You will need to be regularly getting enough sleep to keep your energy levels up. Make sure the kids get enough rest too. Earlier to bed rather than later.
     
  8. Plan lots of events well in advance. Go to the theatre, movies, museums or anything else that is around. Meet friends there. Plan dinner parties with friends where you play games or just curl up by the fire and talk.

  9. Take a course, join a club. Be active.

  10. Have rituals and celebrate the seasons with Halloween, All Saints Day, First Advent and anything else that comes along. Make them your own celebrations; make up your own celebrations. They brighten life up and they mark the time.

  11. Make the most of the sun as soon as you see it, because you never know when it will be back again. Any indoor activities can wait until another time, another day. If the sun is shining go outdoors.

  12. Learn from the kids – Swedish kids are used to being out all year round and want to go out no matter what the weather. “There is no such thing as bad weather only unsuitable clothing” is a famous Swedish saying that is fitting for this time of year. Force yourself to get out regularly, rug up and be suitably dressed. Take up an outdoor sport – it will make a huge difference to your ability to enjoy this long season.

  13. Know that this too will come to an end and keep an eye on the daylight hours. Know that you will rejoice like never before when the sun, the daylight, the birds, the flowers and the leaves return to us. Winter here gives you a whole new appreciation for the rebirth of nature, the survival of the species. To see bulbs pop up through the snow, buds appear on dormant trees and to hear the chirping from the early morning to the late hour brings joy, and gratefulness. And sighs of great relief.
 
Good luck this winter.
 

 

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The anti-food additives wave has finally hit Sweden

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 12:22  Tags:

I remember being a kid, a teenager more likely when a book was released about food additives, what they are and what to avoid. And I remember someone in my family buying it, and the revelation of what was actually in our food. It was not a pleasant experience.

We were fast to become aware of not using MSG, and made sure it was not in our Chinese food when we ordered. In some parts of the world we’ve become so incredibly aware of the use of MSG that a stranger stated, when I asked about it in a Chinese restaurant, -oh no, none of the Chinese restaurants in Canada use MSG anymore.

When I first came to Sweden I found myself researching the subject and to my astonishment struggled to find a Swedish word for MSG. When I asked my local Chinese or Thai restaurant they didn’t have a clue what I was talking about and I found almost no reference to it on the internet.

That was up until a couple of years ago, up until my friend Mats-Eric Nilsson came onto the scene. And I say my friend, not because I know him, but because I’m so glad someone has finally brought this discussion into the spotlight.

Being an avid SvD reader I often see his name in print, as he has produced countless articles over the years, many of which have discussed food addtives and local produce. So when a friend told me she’d bought his book Hemliga Kocken (The secret chef) I was both surprised, and not. I wasn’t surprised he had published a book, but I was surprised that it had taken this long. The book is written as a user's guide to what really is in the food we buy and eat.

Perhaps it was that book that came out when I was a teen, perhaps it is simply my natural green, pure and simple inclination and my awareness of health issues. For whatever reason, I have always read the labels, and in more recent years, bought as much organic produce as possible, to avoid the nasties. In the early days people thought me strange, now days many are singing my tune – even the most unlikely of people.

It seems my experience reflects the greater population, and I was thrilled to read an article in SvD saying that the discussion has indeed changed our buying habits. It also seems that the Coop Report, released this week, a study of the buying habits of almost 44 000 members, outlines exactly how much things have changed. Apparently:
  • 80 percent say they have been affected by recent discussions about additives in food.
  • 75 percent of consumers say the ingredients lists on products are unclear.
  • 70 percent often or always look at the country where the item was produced.
  • 85 percent buy local to contribute to a better climate and to transport resources.
  • 79 percent buy local to support local producers.
  • 17 percent do not eat homemade food daily.
  • 35 percent decide what they will have for dinner when they go into the grocery store.
Mats-Eric Nilsson – influencing consumers, producers & suppliers
A man who may well go down in history as one of the greatest influences on Swedish food and beverage consumption. Any wonder he was recently awarded with a Knowledge Award for A Unique Personal Achievement. After being handed an ice cream/popsicle in 2002 this journalist’s quick glance at the ingredients was life-changing. It ignited his research, his desire to get to the bottom of the subject and to disclose the lies and the deception in the food and beverage industry, on behalf of the consumer.

From journalist to author, to public speaker, Mats-Eric and his team have now launched a new label, Äkta Vara (pure product). This label, launched in mid October, is a guarantee that the product is free from additives. While it has not been without criticism and questions of intent and benefit, the label is independent and aims to make it easier for the consumer to choose. Not everyone has the time or the energy to stop and look at and understand the product labels.

While Mats-Eric might be largely responsible for brewing up a storm in the Swedish food and beverage industry, as well as consumption behaviour, the all-essential question is, will the discussion die out here as quickly as it has elsewhere?
 
That book from the 80s was the first of many, and when I did a little research I found many interest groups around the world working to increase awareness about food additives. Yet things haven’t changed all that much in terms of consumption or production. Pick up any savoury snack food and you will find MSG listed as one of the ingredients – seems like what is not ok in Chinese food is perfectly acceptable in snack foods and many other processed products.

Nevertheless the additives revolution seems to be having far more impact here than it did in Australia in the 80s. Some 60 000 hard copies of Hemliga Kocken have been sold so far, 15 000 pocket versions sold the first week it was released, and 30 000 people have signed a petition demanding locally produced food in schools – according to an article published 12 months ago!

There is no doubt it is an international trend, driven by another foodie Jamie Oliver in the UK, but there are a couple of things that suggest that this trend will stick, in Sweden at least. The Swedes have long been health conscious and environmental awareness is much higher here than it is in other parts of the world. Add to that the fact that there has never been the range of processed food available here, not compared to the supermarkets I go to in Australia and Canada. They are much larger and have far more processed food in their range. What was once a point of frustration for this newcomer to Sweden, is now one of the joys of living here.



Äkta Vara – because real food is so much better than synthetic, for all involved!
 
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VAB, swine flu and the Swedish medical system

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 12:32  Tags:

I have a sick boy. He lay on the couch for two days with a temperature, dozing on and off, watching tv and hardly eating a morsel. Monday, day 1, he was a bit sniffly and complained every now and again of a sore throat and sore ears, only later to announce when questioned that No, they didn't hurt. His main symtoms have been tiredness and a fever.

Then on Wednesday he fell asleep under the kitchen table just after 5pm and slept through to the next morning. Thursday he slept for almost 3 hours during the day and was still tired. So today, Friday I decided that perhaps I'd better ring the doctor and get him checked out - perhaps it isn't just a virus but something more serious.

To get a doctor's appointment on the day you need to ring the nurse at the local clinic and she calls you back - which they did after almost an hour. I outlined his symtoms and she asked what it was I was wanting(!) Of course I was wanting to make an appointment for him to be checked out. She then went through a questionnaire that she had in front of her and clearly it was a "swine flu screening questionnaire". They don't want anyone in there who has shown swine flu syptoms in the last 7 days, she informed me. She would leave a message for the doctor to ring me back sometime today.

Sweden is reaching the peak for the outbreak of Swine Flu, according to an article today in The Local, and the government hope to vaccinate some 90% of the population. Ever since it was announced that the vaccine would be freely available to all I've been pondering this attempt to thwart a local pandemic and I can only put it down to the cost of VAB and sickness benefits.

VAB stands for Vård Av Barn - or child care - the type of caring for a child when they are sick, the type of caring I've been doing this week. You see the government pays me 80% of my salary up to a certain amount when I am "vabbing" or caring for my sick child. They pay it every day I am at home with my child and there is no need for a doctor's certificate unless they are off for longer than a week. Their only demand is an explanation and a signed document from school or daycare saying that the child has been away. And there is no limit to how many days a year a child can be off sick. It must cost the state an absolute fortune. Compare that to a system where the parent gets nothing for staying home with a sick child - how sick must a kid be then to justify a day without pay?

Adults also get sickness benefits. The first day off is without benefits but after that they receive 80% of their salary. A doctor's certificate is needed after a week and again there is no limit on the number of sick days a person can have off in a year, although questions do get asked after a while.

We have a long winter in this country and for six months of the year viruses run rampant and both kids and adults are regularly at home with colds, coughs and flus. If the swine flu hits Sweden like they are anticipating it will it will without doubt lead to a serious budget blow-out. Add that to the already high unemployment levels (also get 80% of salary with exceptions) and the Swedish economy is going to take quite a beating!

No wonder the Swedish government is both willing and hoping to vaccinate 90% of the population - I just wonder how anyone will get a doctor's certificate when the doctors clearly don't want anything to do with those of us who are sick!

More information available in English from Försäkringskassan http://www.forsakringskassan.se/sprak/eng

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Barnvagnsrullet - a terrible long weekend saved by a sunny cycling Sunday

Sun, 05/24/2009 - 21:24  Tags:

After being stuck at home with a sick child all week, and another who had to be home because of logistical issues (1+1= 2 bickering kids), I was oh so grateful to get out today, head into town and get some exercise.

Kieran has strep throat - a first for us although an apparently common childhood sickness. It also meant that we were in quarantine once we got the diagnosis - two days of antibiotics to kill off the bacteria that had infested this throat and ears - and that was after he had been at home on the couch for 3 days! Mum wondered what that was called in Aussieland and I'm still not sure - perhaps we just never got it as kids. Still, she was glad that the doc didn't give antibiotics for a virus - little does she know that docs NEVER give antibiotics here unless they have to, and NEVER for a virus - only for bacterial infections!! Many complain about how hard it is to get the GPs to write prescriptions, and even then they are pretty mild doses - not a bad thing if you ask me.

So, 5 days later, a little boy who is revived and full of energy - sick of lying around and ready to have fun. And a big sister who had also been home because of logistical issues who was absolutely bored. Add to that a man who is in the busy period of his year and who is even less keen than usual to leave the cave and go on adventures.

Just to spice things up a bit none of our friends wanted to come out and play this weekend, they were all busy with their lives - lives that didn't include us(!) - hear the indignation in my voice? ;-)

AND if that wasn't bad enough one of my closest friends broke the news to me of her inevitable departure......

Luckily we got out on the bikes today and saved the weekend. Feeling ridiculous I put on suncream this morning and packed our raincoats along with our picnic and off we went. With Kieran on the back of Ty's bike and Makaila in the chariot towed by me we headed through town and over to Gärdet to Barnvagnsrullet.

Barnvagnsrullet is a family day organised in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö and sponsored by Metro. The sponsoring was so good in fact that the little gocarts, the facepainting, and the novelty balloons were all free if you could endure the long queue. There were also a few sponsors giving out free stuff and a quiz walk (tipspromenad) with prizes being lotted out to those with correct answers. It was a fun, festive kind of atmosphere and the kids enjoyed watching the facepainting, paddling in the water and hanging out at the TomTits stand. Makaila had a turn at the gocarts and we ate our lunch listening to the music and watching all the activities.

 

The kids swapped spots for the journey home which meant Kieran could nap in the chariot while Makaila got a faster ride. And she wants to know why I get upset when her father rides his bike without any hands!! Sure its fun but not with my daughter on the back!

I do love riding the bikes into town - there is a lot happening, a lot to see as we rode along the waterfront the kids saw boats & ferries, ducks, dogs, people walking, kids playing, trains, trams, buses and all the other things that interest little kids. There is always a chance a crazy person will step out in front of you so being in the driver's seat you need to stay focused. Saying that we almost only rode on bike paths in and back and any pedestrian crossings are clearly marked so you can be ready to brake, just in case. You see so much more on a bike, you smell it, you feel a part of it. Bicycles and Stockholm are a fantastic combination.

We only did a 20km round trip but there are several hills and a big bridge to be encountered along the way, so my legs are feeling it tonight - that best kind of tiredness. And I am so glad I put on the sunscreen, Ty is looking very red here beside me....

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