Category: latest news

1. 100 ways to give yourself a break

   Posted on 4:47pm Thursday 11th Oct 2012

   There are many ways to give yourself a break and there are many types of break you can benefit from. here are some ideas:

   • Physical Break
   • Mental Break
   • Emotional Break
   • Responsibility Break
   • Technology Break
   • Health and Well Being Break

   We thought we would give you the opportunity to come up with some great ideas for giving yourself a break - any kind of break.  We're aiming to get at least 100 ideas and the most creative, enjoyable and accessible idea will get a prize.  So too will the 100th suggestion. Responses to a suggestions i.e. support for will influence the judging so feel free to comment on posted suggestions.

   Just a sentence will do or if you have a heart warming story that illustrates your suggestion go for that too. 

   We're eager ready and waiting so go ahead and share your knowledge.  Only we will know your email address which we will need in case you win and we do monitor all responses to prevent unwanted spammers.

   Get a prize for the best suggestion (add as many as you like) and a prize for the 100th suggestion too.

   First choice goes to the best suggestion.  Closing date - halloween!  Prizes to choose from  include:

   • A Laughter Workshop for you and up to 10 friends (T & C apply)
   • Your choice from a selection of books
   • An Aqua Detox
   • A tootsie Treats foot spa and electronic infra red massage

2. Flu Jab Dilema

   Posted on 10:51am Friday 21st Sep 2012

   Readers Questions
   

    Q.  Having been persuaded to have my very first Flu jab back in November 2011, which included the H1N1 (swine flu) also a seperate Pneumonia jab as well, I seem to have contracted one virus after another, which i never seem to have got before. Makes me wonder if my immune system has took a knock after having this vaccination. <more>
   We recently got back from a long distance coach tour and 'guess what? 'I came down with an evil chest infection coupled with a horrible deep tickly cough which has not only kept me wake several nights, but given me a sore chest, and painful back and stomach muscles. Currently on antibiotics which is clearing it slowly "i think",
   Is this common and what can I do to rebuild my immunity?? 'Think i might give the annual flu jab a miss this year though !
   A.  You are not alone and whilst there is no official acknowledgement of side effects from the jabs, the number of people who have said similar things to yourself is convincing.
   There is a very good article about those pesky little viruses  you are attempting to protect yourself from here and whilst you are on the site you could browse through some of the other related articles listed on the health articles page.  To rebuild or strengthen your immunity common sense prevails.  Eat right and live right, exercise, get plenty of sleep.  Unfortunately natural approaches to health do not have the speed of reaction that pharmaceuticals have but then again you do avoid the possibility of nasty side effects.  Supplements are a must for self help when you are under par but it can be like pouring water down the toilet if you do not take care when selecting the right ones for you.  Read our outlines on a selection of supplements in this and the next few newsletters and they may help.

   The jab certainly protects you from some strains of flu, it's therefore a personal decision as to whether you want to go ahead or not.  You should have a frank and detailed conversation with your doctor before going ahead with any treatment.  Ask what the possible side effects are and don't be fobbed off and ask what the cosequences of not hacing the recommended treatment are.  You are entittled to this and most progressive docotrs would welcome your interest

   Please let us know about your experiences of flu jabs.  Have they helped, have you had side effects?
   

   
   

3. GMO shocking news

   Posted on 10:36am Friday 21st Sep 2012

   The lastest news on GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms - that's food on the supermarket shelves) has some shocking but well predicted news. You may remember the protests over introducing GMO farms to the UK many years ago.  The government of the time wouldn't listen to the people, whose main concerns were that there was no research on the effects of long term consumption of GMO foods and that through natural processes the GMO could not be contained and would contaminate other crops.i.e. insects, wind animals etc.  Well here the evidence seems to show that those concerns were well founded.  I wonder what was so compellingthat the government was willing to go against public wishes and support the US in this?
   After monitring rats, fed exclusively on GMO corn for their lifetime, the results show an overwhelmingly significant increase in fatal tumours.
   It reported, "Scientists found that rats exposed to even the smallest amounts, developed mammary tumors and severe liver and kidney damage as early as four months in males, and seven months for females."
   The report seems to centre on Corn crops grown in the USA but which you a can be sure are included in your cornflakes, tinned, fresh and frozen corn, corn wraps and anything else containing non organic corn.
   But we know that corn was /is not the only GMO crop on the market.  It is said to be almost impossible to get wheat that is not genetically modified, unless it is organic, so that includes bread, pastry, sauces and many other things that have a wheat content.

   Rats are used in these experiements because they are most reflective of humans in their reactions.

   Some are calling it the thalidamide of the decade.

   Here are some links for more information - there are disturbing pictured of rats with large tumours on most of them.
   The report
   http://www.naturalnews.com
   Daily Mail
   The Grocer

   What do you think?

4. How To Prevent Kidney Stones

   Posted on 8:18am Monday 9th Apr 2012

   Kidney stones are a really painful experience so best to avoid if possible.  A study of almost 80,000 women found  that too much refined salt, not enough calcium* and not enough water increased the risk of kidney stones.

   Kidney Stones are developed by susbtances in the urine that can cause crystals (remember the experiments when you were a child - grow your own crystals, taken to a whole new level).  Water can dilute these substances and resist the formation.

   Many have linked too much calcium with kidney stones but the opposite has shown to be true.

   Those with high intake of salt were shown to have the highest chance of developing the stones.  Some of the biggest sources of sodium include fast food, processed meats and canned foods. So people prone to kidney stones need to become good label-readers and be careful when eating out.

   Similarly, the group who drank the most fluid had a 20-percent lower risk of kidney stones than women with lowest intakes. Average water intake was about one and a half liters per day.

   If you are not sure if you are drinking enough pure water a good test is the colour of your urine.  Ideally it should be a pale straw colour, though certain foods will colour your urine and some supplements if absorbed properly will also darken your urine.  Beetroot makes urine red and vit b sups turn it a dark yellow for instance.  However, generally if your urine is dark you need to drink more water.

   More sodium, meanwhile, meant a higher risk. The one-fifth of women with the saltiest diets were 61 percent more likely to develop stones than the fifth with the lowest sodium intake.

   LESS DAIRY, MORE STONES?

   As for calcium,  it's important for everyone -- but particularly older women -- to be aware that cutting out dairy foods may actually contribute to kidney stones.

   *Calcium supplements are different, and it may be because they provide a large, isolated dose of the mineral.

   People prone to stones should be "cautious" about calcium supplements,  But if a woman is on calcium to protect her bones, she should talk to her doctor about whether she can stick with it.  Calcium supplements should be prescribe by your nutritionist and a manageable doseage agreed.  Some tend to over react and take them like smarties.

   source Reuters

    

5. Ellesmere Retreat May 2011

   Posted on 7:59am Monday 9th May 2011

   We have just returned from a fantastic weekend at our first retreat in Ellesmere, Shropshire,  We got excellent feedback without exception and from seasoned retreaters.  What we liked most was getting to better know the Yogis who have been regularly coming to our classes, some for several years.  Some people have never met as they attend different classes.  It was also lovely to see how easy it was for everyone to integrate into the group.  We were really impressed by the openess and friendliness of all participants.

   On the first evening we took an orienteering stroll around the 10 acres of grounds which led us through woodland, kitchen and herb gardens, the sunken garden and the lawns.

   Here are some of the pictures:

   Yoga on the lawn

   

   

   It was undescribably  exhilerating to experience yoga on the lawn surrounded by a backdrop of nature.

   Taking a break in the conservatory

   

   
   

   Casual breaks in the sunny conservatory with fantasic views over the grounds.

   Walking the labyrinth.

   

   

   

   

   Walking the labyrith was inspiring for all those who tried it.  You can even catch someone taking a swing while they wait their turn if you look closely.

   Activities were almost continuous throughout the day and although people were encouraged to do their own thing most were up for the pre-breakfast yoga sessions and then joined in with all the planned activties throughout the weekend.  There was lots of room for choices and some took advantage of this with individual sessions in addition to the group sessions.

   We had coaching and hypnotherapy sessions in the library on the first floor (fantasic views from the bay window),  nutrition groups in the lounge and our light bonding activity sessions in the lounge too.

   Our laughter workshop was held on the old tennis court lawn, just next to the labyrinth and beyond that was the sunken garden where we intended to hold a meditation session but didn't manage to dodge the rain. The laughter workshop was a great stretch of the comfort zones leaving participants feeling empowered and liberated.

   Yoga sessions were also held indoors and the Yin before bedtime ensured that everyone retired relaxed and ready for sleep.

6. Gm Foods - The Battles is still on.

   Posted on 9:57am Monday 18th Oct 2010

   The public furror about GM Foods has lessen but the battle has not been won.  After the previous US government supported the introduction of GM crops and despite huge public opinion our government of the time didn't listen but went ahead to support their chum, we have been eating genetically modified food.

   No-one knows what the long term effects are!  We the British were the first to protest  and we did have a small impact in a worthless attempt to contain the GM Farms (what no weather or wild life!). 

   We are also in danger of becoming immune to the very drugs that were over-prescribed to help us fight virus.   Are we assisting the virus with GM foods?
   

   Watch this video and see what you think.  Pass it onto your concerned friends.  Write thoughts on the comments option of this blog..  We need to start taking more interest in what we are being 'fed'.