Hi folks
this will be my last post for awhile, as i'm being admitted to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney for brain surgery tomorrow.
Yep, they've found a brain but it's faulty, so the neuro team are going to do a defrag and reboot. I have asked for an upgrade but as am going "public" - happily I might ad - will just have to take what's given. My team will be headed up by Prof Martin McGee Collette who has decades of experience so no complaints from me really as I think Australia has one of the best public systems in the sorld - still it's all bit unnerving.
So see you on the other side --- it might be awhile before my next post.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sitting Down on the Job!
As you read this, you’re probably sitting down, looking at your computer screen. In fact, if you’re like many people, you probably spend a great deal of time sitting down each day. Think about how long you spend sitting – at a desk, on the couch, in the car, at a cafe, on the bus – for a moment and make a mental note of how many hours you spend like that each day.
If you are like most of the millions of Australians who work in call centres, retail outlets or offices, you might be shocked to hear that you probably spend around 77 per cent of each day sitting down. This alarming number was revealed during a survey which was conducted by Baker IDI and the University of Sydney in 2009. Researchers found that on average, employees in these occupations who worked a normal 38 hour week spent 31 of these hours seated.
By any standards, 31 hours a week is a long time to be sedentary. Yet the really concerning fact is that a number of medical studies have found that being seated for long periods each day is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also increases the risk of death from all causes.
These findings were from an Australian study and were published in January 2010. The outcomes of the study were specifically, as follows:
* Every hour a person spends sitting, their individual risk of death (from all causes) increases by 11 per cent
* Every hour spent sitting represents an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 18 per cent
* Every hour spent sitting represents an increased risk of death from cancer by 9 per cent.
Other studies back up this research: spending most of each day sitting down has also been identified as a risk factor for obesity and diabetes. It’s easy to see the inactivity-obesity link, but researchers have uncovered other, far more complex mechanisms at play.
A number of studies have proposed that the act of sitting for a long time is worse than simply not using up energy. Scientists have found evidence to suggest that being seated for a large part of each day actually triggers the body to start doing things that are bad for us.
What has been suggested is that some muscles produce substances (such as a molecule known as lipoprotein lipase) that help us process and store fats and sugars well – but only when they are being flexed; not when they aren’t being used. The theory goes that if we sit for a long time, we don’t produce enough of these molecules. This means that not only are we not being active, but on top of that our bodies start to process the fats consumed in ineffective ways. Other research backs this up as there is an established link between low levels of lipoprotein lipase and heart disease.
Sitting down for a long time each day means hours and hours when lots of our muscles are not being used much at all.
I have to sit down for my job – what can I do?
Lots of us have jobs that involve using a computer and desk, or where we need to be seated. It’s not practical to stand up all day long, either, so what can you do to minimise the health risk that sitting down may present? Quite a bit, actually.
Here are some suggestions that even the most desk-bound among us can benefit from:
* Get up from the sitting position often. Take regular short breaks throughout each day. A few minutes every hour to have a stretch and brisk walk about will really help.
* Stand up each time you take a phone call and don’t sit down until you’ve hung up. See if you can get a long phone cord or cordless phone on your desk and walk about a bit as you talk.
* Incorporate moving about into your working day by chatting to colleagues (instead of emailing or phoning people who are in the same office), checking your pigeon hole or going down to the mail room to fetch any snail mail deliveries. Use the stairs instead of the lift.
* Use any opportunity to get up that’s available – if someone comes to your desk for a chat, stand up; instead of filling a jug with water and keeping it at your desk, get up each time you want to refill your glass and walk to the water cooler...
* Go for a walk at lunchtime or during your break. Use the time to grab a bite to eat and clear your mind with a quick walk in the fresh air.
* Stand up while you work. If you are reading something on the computer or checking emails, see if there is a space (such as a shelf) at eye height where you can rest your laptop so you can stand while you do this. You don’t have to even walk around to benefit – just stand up.
* Chat to your manager about ways you could incorporate standing up, as opposed to sitting down, into your daily work schedule. Consider using a bar or cafe style table that is designed for use while standing and have weekly meetings on your feet instead of in a chair.
* Some workplaces have fitness equipment onsite for employee use. If you work somewhere that offers this facility, be sure to use it. Read a report while walking at a slow pace on a treadmill, or even set up your laptop on it for an hour each day!
* If you have a job that means you are seated for much of the day, be creative and try and find new ways to get up on your feet as often as possible throughout the day. If you take public transport, stand up instead of taking a seat; don’t spend hours sitting or lying on the couch of an evening; and don’t come home from a long day sitting at your computer only to log on at home.
* If you are not someone who avidly exercises, perhaps consider renting or investing in a treadmill or exercise bike at home and try and spend half an hour or so morning and night slowly cycling or walking – perhaps while you watch your favourite TV show.
* Be sure to exercise each day – a long, slow walk after work may be better than half an hour of frantic running.
New research can bring us interesting new insights into how our lifestyles are potentially impacting our health, now and in the future. If you’re someone who spends a long time sitting each day, then make a few small changes to your life, for the better.
Article sourced from Australian Unity newsletter
http://au.healthinsite.net/ContentViewerPane/ContentViewerPane.aspx?cookie=10096498&Content=4320&ContentType=1
If you are like most of the millions of Australians who work in call centres, retail outlets or offices, you might be shocked to hear that you probably spend around 77 per cent of each day sitting down. This alarming number was revealed during a survey which was conducted by Baker IDI and the University of Sydney in 2009. Researchers found that on average, employees in these occupations who worked a normal 38 hour week spent 31 of these hours seated.
By any standards, 31 hours a week is a long time to be sedentary. Yet the really concerning fact is that a number of medical studies have found that being seated for long periods each day is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also increases the risk of death from all causes.
These findings were from an Australian study and were published in January 2010. The outcomes of the study were specifically, as follows:
* Every hour a person spends sitting, their individual risk of death (from all causes) increases by 11 per cent
* Every hour spent sitting represents an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 18 per cent
* Every hour spent sitting represents an increased risk of death from cancer by 9 per cent.
Other studies back up this research: spending most of each day sitting down has also been identified as a risk factor for obesity and diabetes. It’s easy to see the inactivity-obesity link, but researchers have uncovered other, far more complex mechanisms at play.
A number of studies have proposed that the act of sitting for a long time is worse than simply not using up energy. Scientists have found evidence to suggest that being seated for a large part of each day actually triggers the body to start doing things that are bad for us.
What has been suggested is that some muscles produce substances (such as a molecule known as lipoprotein lipase) that help us process and store fats and sugars well – but only when they are being flexed; not when they aren’t being used. The theory goes that if we sit for a long time, we don’t produce enough of these molecules. This means that not only are we not being active, but on top of that our bodies start to process the fats consumed in ineffective ways. Other research backs this up as there is an established link between low levels of lipoprotein lipase and heart disease.
Sitting down for a long time each day means hours and hours when lots of our muscles are not being used much at all.
I have to sit down for my job – what can I do?
Lots of us have jobs that involve using a computer and desk, or where we need to be seated. It’s not practical to stand up all day long, either, so what can you do to minimise the health risk that sitting down may present? Quite a bit, actually.
Here are some suggestions that even the most desk-bound among us can benefit from:
* Get up from the sitting position often. Take regular short breaks throughout each day. A few minutes every hour to have a stretch and brisk walk about will really help.
* Stand up each time you take a phone call and don’t sit down until you’ve hung up. See if you can get a long phone cord or cordless phone on your desk and walk about a bit as you talk.
* Incorporate moving about into your working day by chatting to colleagues (instead of emailing or phoning people who are in the same office), checking your pigeon hole or going down to the mail room to fetch any snail mail deliveries. Use the stairs instead of the lift.
* Use any opportunity to get up that’s available – if someone comes to your desk for a chat, stand up; instead of filling a jug with water and keeping it at your desk, get up each time you want to refill your glass and walk to the water cooler...
* Go for a walk at lunchtime or during your break. Use the time to grab a bite to eat and clear your mind with a quick walk in the fresh air.
* Stand up while you work. If you are reading something on the computer or checking emails, see if there is a space (such as a shelf) at eye height where you can rest your laptop so you can stand while you do this. You don’t have to even walk around to benefit – just stand up.
* Chat to your manager about ways you could incorporate standing up, as opposed to sitting down, into your daily work schedule. Consider using a bar or cafe style table that is designed for use while standing and have weekly meetings on your feet instead of in a chair.
* Some workplaces have fitness equipment onsite for employee use. If you work somewhere that offers this facility, be sure to use it. Read a report while walking at a slow pace on a treadmill, or even set up your laptop on it for an hour each day!
* If you have a job that means you are seated for much of the day, be creative and try and find new ways to get up on your feet as often as possible throughout the day. If you take public transport, stand up instead of taking a seat; don’t spend hours sitting or lying on the couch of an evening; and don’t come home from a long day sitting at your computer only to log on at home.
* If you are not someone who avidly exercises, perhaps consider renting or investing in a treadmill or exercise bike at home and try and spend half an hour or so morning and night slowly cycling or walking – perhaps while you watch your favourite TV show.
* Be sure to exercise each day – a long, slow walk after work may be better than half an hour of frantic running.
New research can bring us interesting new insights into how our lifestyles are potentially impacting our health, now and in the future. If you’re someone who spends a long time sitting each day, then make a few small changes to your life, for the better.
Article sourced from Australian Unity newsletter
http://au.healthinsite.net/ContentViewerPane/ContentViewerPane.aspx?cookie=10096498&Content=4320&ContentType=1
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Healing thyself...
With thanks for this item from Bobbe Bramson, published by Reiki Digest on 19/3/10.
I have reduced the content to change the context to a general caring for yourself, rather than Reiki self-healing. The full article can be found at: http://reikidigest.blogspot.com/2010/03/healer-heal-thyself.html
If I had to pick the one lesson that has been the most prevalent in my soul’s journey it would be this: learning how to take care of myself without guilt, without justification, without apology.
Like so many women of my generation, I was taught to sacrifice my own needs on the altar of everyone else’s, to hide my dreams deep down where they wouldn’t be found, and to tamp down the spark of my unique self lest my light offend or overwhelm those who took care of me. To protect myself I became hyper vigilant, reading facial cues from those around me to tell me when and how I should act and stifling my own self-expression. This was not an environment that fostered feelings of confidence, deservedness, or self-love. Bottom line: Take care of others first. Put thyself last.
As the black sheep of my family I took on other people’s projected hurts and adopted the errant (heir-ant) belief that if I could just fix their problems then I could finally attend to mine. I was indoctrinated early and well into patterns of self-neglect and I have spent a lifetime learning how to undo them.
I do not feel unique in this regard. In my experience many people who become healing professionals have similar stories to tell, and many are much more harrowing than mine. Let’s face it - we caretakers are great at giving-giving-giving and not so good at being on the receiving end ourselves.
My entrenched patterns reached crisis proportions in my late 40’s. I had overworked for decades in a career that I’d come to by default and didn’t enjoy, all the while pursuing fame and fortune writing songs that went against what I believed in. Almost everything I did was either fake or done for the wrong reasons and it was bleeding me dry. Still I chose to ignore the warning signs until finally my body gave up the charade and literally bled out. Surgery saved my life, but I knew that something else horrible would happen if I didn’t address the root of the problem: chronic self-neglect. I simply did not know how to listen to or serve my own needs.
What followed was a very dark night of the soul and it was my attunement to Reiki that brought back the light, a lifeline that I grabbed hold of, praying that it would bring me back to my true self: it has never let me down since. It thrills me that it is dependable beyond any measure I could fathom, infinitely available to me just for the asking. It opened a space within that would allow me to love me, wearing down the hard rock of my self-neglect and melting away my resistance to getting better, my fear of being seen and heard in the world.
I love this quote:
"The perfect man of old looked after himself first before looking to help others." (Chuang Tsu c.360BC-275BC)
While it would seem completely logical to look after our own well-being first before attending to others, most of us don’t. And it doesn’t help that we live in a culture that judges such behavior as selfish and in fact encourages overworking and busyness to the point of exhaustion.
Imagine yourself and your precious energy as a high-yielding savings account. Now imagine that every day you withdraw money from this account, but never once put in any deposits. Pretty soon the inevitable is going to occur; you go in to take out your money and, whoops, there’s not a cent left. I’m exaggerating, of course, but this is exactly what we do when we give to everyone else and don’t take the time to "make a deposit" into our own account. What does it say about us when we counsel others to take better care of themselves while not doing it for ourselves? How can we expect our clients, loved ones, and co-workers to do their healing work if we don’t?
So what is it that keeps us from making an investment of time towards our own healing? There are lots of reasons, but some common rationalizations are "I’m too busy," "I have to do these more pressing things first," "I’m tired now, I’ll do it later," "I can’t do Reiki now because (insert your own)". I think the core reason we don’t, no matter what guise it takes on, is that we don’t feel we really deserve it, or that somehow we aren’t good enough to warrant that kind of loving attention. Here is the truth: any time we give ourselves a Reiki treatment, any time we put our hands on our bodies and run the energy we are participating in a radical act of self-love.
Is it okay for us to give to ourselves so that we can feel good and be more at peace even if around us others are struggling, miserable, or have lives filled with chaos? I would advocate for its being not only okay, but imperative. It’s really very simple: The healthier we are the more we have to give. The more we use Reiki on ourselves the more ki there is flowing through us all the time and the stronger channel we become. Reiki fills in the gaps and clears the places we block our light, and when our light shines other people benefit from its clarity and warmth. The more we are "being Reiki," the more grounded and calm we can be in the midst of life’s storms.
Some of the ways to weave Reiki into your life:
Put your alarm on snooze: but don't snooze - give yourself 10 minutes of Reiki
Add intent when meditating, going for a walk, doing yoga
When in the shower give yourself a "Reiki shower"
Traffic jams, red lights, waiting in supermarket queues: it doesn't have to be a long session, just invite the Reiki in.
Want to learn Reiki? If you're in Sydney I commend to you my Reiki Master, Erica Bagshaw of The Alignment Group at North Sydney. For elsewhere contact the Australian Reiki Connection.
I have reduced the content to change the context to a general caring for yourself, rather than Reiki self-healing. The full article can be found at: http://reikidigest.blogspot.com/2010/03/healer-heal-thyself.html
If I had to pick the one lesson that has been the most prevalent in my soul’s journey it would be this: learning how to take care of myself without guilt, without justification, without apology.
Like so many women of my generation, I was taught to sacrifice my own needs on the altar of everyone else’s, to hide my dreams deep down where they wouldn’t be found, and to tamp down the spark of my unique self lest my light offend or overwhelm those who took care of me. To protect myself I became hyper vigilant, reading facial cues from those around me to tell me when and how I should act and stifling my own self-expression. This was not an environment that fostered feelings of confidence, deservedness, or self-love. Bottom line: Take care of others first. Put thyself last.
As the black sheep of my family I took on other people’s projected hurts and adopted the errant (heir-ant) belief that if I could just fix their problems then I could finally attend to mine. I was indoctrinated early and well into patterns of self-neglect and I have spent a lifetime learning how to undo them.
I do not feel unique in this regard. In my experience many people who become healing professionals have similar stories to tell, and many are much more harrowing than mine. Let’s face it - we caretakers are great at giving-giving-giving and not so good at being on the receiving end ourselves.
My entrenched patterns reached crisis proportions in my late 40’s. I had overworked for decades in a career that I’d come to by default and didn’t enjoy, all the while pursuing fame and fortune writing songs that went against what I believed in. Almost everything I did was either fake or done for the wrong reasons and it was bleeding me dry. Still I chose to ignore the warning signs until finally my body gave up the charade and literally bled out. Surgery saved my life, but I knew that something else horrible would happen if I didn’t address the root of the problem: chronic self-neglect. I simply did not know how to listen to or serve my own needs.
What followed was a very dark night of the soul and it was my attunement to Reiki that brought back the light, a lifeline that I grabbed hold of, praying that it would bring me back to my true self: it has never let me down since. It thrills me that it is dependable beyond any measure I could fathom, infinitely available to me just for the asking. It opened a space within that would allow me to love me, wearing down the hard rock of my self-neglect and melting away my resistance to getting better, my fear of being seen and heard in the world.
I love this quote:
"The perfect man of old looked after himself first before looking to help others." (Chuang Tsu c.360BC-275BC)
While it would seem completely logical to look after our own well-being first before attending to others, most of us don’t. And it doesn’t help that we live in a culture that judges such behavior as selfish and in fact encourages overworking and busyness to the point of exhaustion.
Imagine yourself and your precious energy as a high-yielding savings account. Now imagine that every day you withdraw money from this account, but never once put in any deposits. Pretty soon the inevitable is going to occur; you go in to take out your money and, whoops, there’s not a cent left. I’m exaggerating, of course, but this is exactly what we do when we give to everyone else and don’t take the time to "make a deposit" into our own account. What does it say about us when we counsel others to take better care of themselves while not doing it for ourselves? How can we expect our clients, loved ones, and co-workers to do their healing work if we don’t?
So what is it that keeps us from making an investment of time towards our own healing? There are lots of reasons, but some common rationalizations are "I’m too busy," "I have to do these more pressing things first," "I’m tired now, I’ll do it later," "I can’t do Reiki now because (insert your own)". I think the core reason we don’t, no matter what guise it takes on, is that we don’t feel we really deserve it, or that somehow we aren’t good enough to warrant that kind of loving attention. Here is the truth: any time we give ourselves a Reiki treatment, any time we put our hands on our bodies and run the energy we are participating in a radical act of self-love.
Is it okay for us to give to ourselves so that we can feel good and be more at peace even if around us others are struggling, miserable, or have lives filled with chaos? I would advocate for its being not only okay, but imperative. It’s really very simple: The healthier we are the more we have to give. The more we use Reiki on ourselves the more ki there is flowing through us all the time and the stronger channel we become. Reiki fills in the gaps and clears the places we block our light, and when our light shines other people benefit from its clarity and warmth. The more we are "being Reiki," the more grounded and calm we can be in the midst of life’s storms.
Some of the ways to weave Reiki into your life:
Put your alarm on snooze: but don't snooze - give yourself 10 minutes of Reiki
Add intent when meditating, going for a walk, doing yoga
When in the shower give yourself a "Reiki shower"
Traffic jams, red lights, waiting in supermarket queues: it doesn't have to be a long session, just invite the Reiki in.
Want to learn Reiki? If you're in Sydney I commend to you my Reiki Master, Erica Bagshaw of The Alignment Group at North Sydney. For elsewhere contact the Australian Reiki Connection.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Pets and heart health
Something that's been recognised for awhile now: that pets make people feel better.
Now there's some research that shows it goes both ways. This from the Institute of Heart Math
http://www.heartmath.org/templates/ihm/e-newsletter/2010/spring/online/pets-making-a-connection.php
Now there's some research that shows it goes both ways. This from the Institute of Heart Math
http://www.heartmath.org/templates/ihm/e-newsletter/2010/spring/online/pets-making-a-connection.php
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Siesta time!
Call it a siesta a nanna nap or a power snooze an afternoon nap is good for you!
New research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that an hour’s nap can dramatically boost and restore your brain power. Conversely, the more hours we spend awake, the more sluggish our minds become.
The hippocampus is a part of the brain that appears to be one of the most important structures for normal memory function. It is vital for making new memories. It is involved in learning new tasks. It continues to be busy during sleep when the information that you have learned during the day is altered, re-structured and strengthened. Sleep allows your brain to store this strengthened information in your memory for future use.
In the recent UC Berkeley sleep study, 39 healthy young adults were divided into two groups: nap and no-nap. At noon, all the participants were subjected to a rigorous learning task intended to tax the hippocampus, a region of the brain that helps store fact-based memories. Both groups performed at comparable levels.
At 2 p.m., the nap group took a 90-minute siesta while the no-nap group stayed awake. Later that day, at 6 p.m., participants performed a new round of learning exercises. Those who remained awake throughout the day became worse at learning. In contrast, those who napped did markedly better and actually improved in their capacity to learn.
so next time your body needs a nap - take it ... you'll be smarter for it!
New research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that an hour’s nap can dramatically boost and restore your brain power. Conversely, the more hours we spend awake, the more sluggish our minds become.
The hippocampus is a part of the brain that appears to be one of the most important structures for normal memory function. It is vital for making new memories. It is involved in learning new tasks. It continues to be busy during sleep when the information that you have learned during the day is altered, re-structured and strengthened. Sleep allows your brain to store this strengthened information in your memory for future use.
In the recent UC Berkeley sleep study, 39 healthy young adults were divided into two groups: nap and no-nap. At noon, all the participants were subjected to a rigorous learning task intended to tax the hippocampus, a region of the brain that helps store fact-based memories. Both groups performed at comparable levels.
At 2 p.m., the nap group took a 90-minute siesta while the no-nap group stayed awake. Later that day, at 6 p.m., participants performed a new round of learning exercises. Those who remained awake throughout the day became worse at learning. In contrast, those who napped did markedly better and actually improved in their capacity to learn.
so next time your body needs a nap - take it ... you'll be smarter for it!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
What Energies are in Your Body?
It's really all about choice. What we think we want in life and the life we actually live all comes down to the choices we make every moment of every day.
When we choose to put unhealthy substances or thoughts into our bodies and minds an energy shift occurs. Poor choices result in negative energies in our bodies and in turn result in disharmony. The choices we make in what we eat, drink and what we think about all have an effect on our bio-electric energy.
When we learn what is good for our energy and what is not, and then choose to put the good energy into our bodies then we are able to create change in our bodies from the inside out.
To live a life of vibrant health you need to bring into your body the energies which will restore your body to a state of optimal health: You need to create an environment where positive energy forces are in control.
Since quantum physics has proven that everything in the universe is energy and all energy has a vibrational frequency, by limiting the negative energies or vibrations in our body and increasing the positive vibrations will create and environment of healthy living.
We are made up of energy: we are more than a pile of flesh, blood and bones. This energy is part of the same energy that makes up the universe.
By aligning ourselves with this source of energy and allowing positive energies into our bodies we create a positive healthy environment. Just as when polluted places on this planet were given the time to replenish themselves, by not allowing dumping of waste in rivers and streams etc the planet has been able to repair itself and come back to a place vibrant in energy and life.
Start now to learn those things which will bring positive energies back into your life and allow the energy to permeate your body and restore yourself to vibrant health.
If you need help or direction, let me know.
Original article by Douglas Alp of MyCompleteLife.com 2006
When we choose to put unhealthy substances or thoughts into our bodies and minds an energy shift occurs. Poor choices result in negative energies in our bodies and in turn result in disharmony. The choices we make in what we eat, drink and what we think about all have an effect on our bio-electric energy.
When we learn what is good for our energy and what is not, and then choose to put the good energy into our bodies then we are able to create change in our bodies from the inside out.
To live a life of vibrant health you need to bring into your body the energies which will restore your body to a state of optimal health: You need to create an environment where positive energy forces are in control.
Since quantum physics has proven that everything in the universe is energy and all energy has a vibrational frequency, by limiting the negative energies or vibrations in our body and increasing the positive vibrations will create and environment of healthy living.
We are made up of energy: we are more than a pile of flesh, blood and bones. This energy is part of the same energy that makes up the universe.
By aligning ourselves with this source of energy and allowing positive energies into our bodies we create a positive healthy environment. Just as when polluted places on this planet were given the time to replenish themselves, by not allowing dumping of waste in rivers and streams etc the planet has been able to repair itself and come back to a place vibrant in energy and life.
Start now to learn those things which will bring positive energies back into your life and allow the energy to permeate your body and restore yourself to vibrant health.
If you need help or direction, let me know.
Original article by Douglas Alp of MyCompleteLife.com 2006
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Creating Money Out of Thin Air
Suffering post-Christmas empty-pocket syndrome ... or, like me, you always seem to be scrabbling for more? Well read on - maybe this advice from Wayne Dyer can be our new year resolution:
As my friend Ida says, "Money is Easy." Creating more income or abundance in our lives is that simple, but most of us try to make it harder or more complicated than it is.
The hardest thing about our relationship with money is giving up our idea of what that income is or where it will come from. We must focus on what it CAN BE. For example, most people would argue that they are on a fixed income and there is only so much money they receive each month. Others say their monthly paycheck is XYZ dollars and they don't want to get a second job.
In the first example above, the person has defined the boundaries of their income and they do not allow the space for other income to flow. In the second example the person has defined a limited channel of how and where the money is to appear. To create more money out of thin air we must be willing to let go of our limited thinking, remove the boundaries around our abundance and stop outlining how it is to appear in our life.
You'll notice that I am interchanging the word money, income and abundance. The first step of creating money is recognizing that money is abundance. I know you can create more abundance in your life. Sometimes that abundance appears as money that you can spend. Sometimes abundance is someone taking you to lunch or getting an unexpected rebate or discount on a purchase you made.
The following rules will help you expand your thinking and break down any boundaries that you have about money or abundance.
RULE#1
Money is energy. It follows the Laws of Nature and like the tides of the ocean it has a natural rhythm of flowing in and out. When we allow money to flow to us and not restrict or define how it is to come to us then we become the masters of abundance. We restrict the flow of abundance when we do not allow someone to take us out to lunch "Oh no, you shouldn't pay for lunch." We restrict the flow of abundance when we don't pick-up the penny that we find on the street. You ask the Universe for more abundance and it is given to you at your feet but it is beneath you to pick-up change that you find lying on the ground. [Note: When I started to pick-up money on the street the denomination and amount increased!] Or we restrict the flow of abundance with limited thinking. Every time you say I only earn XYZ dollars you are defining a boundary and limiting more abundance to flow.
RULE#2
Money is impersonal. Money is not good or evil. It has no values or beliefs except what we put on it. Money does NOT care who you are or what your background is or what your past family history was. This follows Rule#1 because money is energy and only that. It can be used for any purpose that we want. Money can be used to help people and it can be used to harm people. But how we use it or what we think about money does not change the nature of money, which is energy.
RULE#3
Money is unlimited. When we understand Rules One and Two, then money or abundance can freely flow to us as much as we will allow it. For example, in this past year there have been several natural disasters where thousands of people have lost their homes and needed help to rebuild their lives. People rallied together to help those displaced and said we need XYZ dollars. Within hours, millions of dollars poured in from all sources. Imagine and KNOW that you too can do the same. Create the need, open the energy and let the Universe provide all the good into your life.
OPENING THE FLOW
I know you can create more abundance in your life because your Being is Energy and Money is Energy. The first step is developing a relationship with money. Each night before you go to bed write in your journal at least ten things that you are grateful for. Recognize, write and give thanks for all the monies that you have. Give thanks for that person that took you out to lunch. Give thanks for Spirit, God or Universe for the money that you found on the street. Give thanks for that person that smiled at you on the bus. This simple exercise takes only ten or fifteen minutes to do. Give yourself permission to try this and see what opens and flows into your life. If you forget to write in your journal for a couple of days or week, take notice how the flow may have slowed up or stopped. Pick-up the pen and start writing again in your journal and develop a habit.
YOUR JOURNAL
As you develop this new fun habit you can begin creating new sources of income to appear. TRUST ME THIS WORKS. I found $640 in cash on the street last year! You can create what you want to appear in the future, but always write in the present tense. Remember NOT to create boundaries and remember NOT to define the outcome.
Here are examples of phrases you can write in your journal even BEFORE they appear:
I give thanks for all the unlimited income that flows in my life.
I give thanks for my new job that is financially rewarding and is a short drive from home.
I give thanks for all the monies I have.
I give thanks for the overflowing financial abundance in my life.
I am grateful to receive abundance and all the good in my life.
I am grateful for my all paid vacation to Hawaii.
I give thanks for the opportunity to be open to receive all the good in my life.
I am grateful for my health.
I am grateful for my wonderful body that functions healthy and perfectly.
I am healthy whole and complete
I am grateful for right and perfect health.
I am grateful for all the relationships in my life.
Creating more income or abundance in our life is easy. Let go of boundaries and limiting thoughts and allow all the good to flow into your life. Soon you will be telling others how to create money out of thin air. Namaste.
Copyright © 2005 Wayne McDonald. All rights reserved.
As my friend Ida says, "Money is Easy." Creating more income or abundance in our lives is that simple, but most of us try to make it harder or more complicated than it is.
The hardest thing about our relationship with money is giving up our idea of what that income is or where it will come from. We must focus on what it CAN BE. For example, most people would argue that they are on a fixed income and there is only so much money they receive each month. Others say their monthly paycheck is XYZ dollars and they don't want to get a second job.
In the first example above, the person has defined the boundaries of their income and they do not allow the space for other income to flow. In the second example the person has defined a limited channel of how and where the money is to appear. To create more money out of thin air we must be willing to let go of our limited thinking, remove the boundaries around our abundance and stop outlining how it is to appear in our life.
You'll notice that I am interchanging the word money, income and abundance. The first step of creating money is recognizing that money is abundance. I know you can create more abundance in your life. Sometimes that abundance appears as money that you can spend. Sometimes abundance is someone taking you to lunch or getting an unexpected rebate or discount on a purchase you made.
The following rules will help you expand your thinking and break down any boundaries that you have about money or abundance.
RULE#1
Money is energy. It follows the Laws of Nature and like the tides of the ocean it has a natural rhythm of flowing in and out. When we allow money to flow to us and not restrict or define how it is to come to us then we become the masters of abundance. We restrict the flow of abundance when we do not allow someone to take us out to lunch "Oh no, you shouldn't pay for lunch." We restrict the flow of abundance when we don't pick-up the penny that we find on the street. You ask the Universe for more abundance and it is given to you at your feet but it is beneath you to pick-up change that you find lying on the ground. [Note: When I started to pick-up money on the street the denomination and amount increased!] Or we restrict the flow of abundance with limited thinking. Every time you say I only earn XYZ dollars you are defining a boundary and limiting more abundance to flow.
RULE#2
Money is impersonal. Money is not good or evil. It has no values or beliefs except what we put on it. Money does NOT care who you are or what your background is or what your past family history was. This follows Rule#1 because money is energy and only that. It can be used for any purpose that we want. Money can be used to help people and it can be used to harm people. But how we use it or what we think about money does not change the nature of money, which is energy.
RULE#3
Money is unlimited. When we understand Rules One and Two, then money or abundance can freely flow to us as much as we will allow it. For example, in this past year there have been several natural disasters where thousands of people have lost their homes and needed help to rebuild their lives. People rallied together to help those displaced and said we need XYZ dollars. Within hours, millions of dollars poured in from all sources. Imagine and KNOW that you too can do the same. Create the need, open the energy and let the Universe provide all the good into your life.
OPENING THE FLOW
I know you can create more abundance in your life because your Being is Energy and Money is Energy. The first step is developing a relationship with money. Each night before you go to bed write in your journal at least ten things that you are grateful for. Recognize, write and give thanks for all the monies that you have. Give thanks for that person that took you out to lunch. Give thanks for Spirit, God or Universe for the money that you found on the street. Give thanks for that person that smiled at you on the bus. This simple exercise takes only ten or fifteen minutes to do. Give yourself permission to try this and see what opens and flows into your life. If you forget to write in your journal for a couple of days or week, take notice how the flow may have slowed up or stopped. Pick-up the pen and start writing again in your journal and develop a habit.
YOUR JOURNAL
As you develop this new fun habit you can begin creating new sources of income to appear. TRUST ME THIS WORKS. I found $640 in cash on the street last year! You can create what you want to appear in the future, but always write in the present tense. Remember NOT to create boundaries and remember NOT to define the outcome.
Here are examples of phrases you can write in your journal even BEFORE they appear:
I give thanks for all the unlimited income that flows in my life.
I give thanks for my new job that is financially rewarding and is a short drive from home.
I give thanks for all the monies I have.
I give thanks for the overflowing financial abundance in my life.
I am grateful to receive abundance and all the good in my life.
I am grateful for my all paid vacation to Hawaii.
I give thanks for the opportunity to be open to receive all the good in my life.
I am grateful for my health.
I am grateful for my wonderful body that functions healthy and perfectly.
I am healthy whole and complete
I am grateful for right and perfect health.
I am grateful for all the relationships in my life.
Creating more income or abundance in our life is easy. Let go of boundaries and limiting thoughts and allow all the good to flow into your life. Soon you will be telling others how to create money out of thin air. Namaste.
Copyright © 2005 Wayne McDonald. All rights reserved.
Monday, December 14, 2009
FINE
When you next ask someone how they are and their response is "FINE", remember this stands for:
F reaked out
I nsecure
N eurotic, &
E motional
and tread carefully!
F reaked out
I nsecure
N eurotic, &
E motional
and tread carefully!
Meniere's
An estimated 40,000 (1 in 600) Australians have Meniere’s, which is a condition in which excess fluid inm the inner ear upsets the ear’s balance and hearing mechanisms.
Symptoms include:
Vertigo – dizziness with associated loss of balance, nausea, vomiting and diarrohea;
Tinnitus – a distressing ringing, hissing or buzzing sound in the ear/s or head;
Ear Pressure – a feeling of “fullness” in the ear associated with a build up of fluid in the inner ear;
Muffled Hearing – a lost of low frequency hearing in one or both ears, making speech difficult to understand. At first hearing loss tends to fluctuate but eventually will affect all frequencies.
Stages:
1. Intermittent vertigo, often accompanied with severe vomiting. After an attach the ear returns to normal, making diagnosis difficult. Muffled hearing and tinnitus can also be experienced;
2. Vertigo continues, often preceded and accompanied by pressure in the ear/s. Episodes can last from hours up to days and tend to occur in clusters. Hearing fluctuates but doesn’t return to normal. Tinnitus increases and may become chronic;
3. There are fewer, less severe vertigo attacks. Balance is impaired resulting in some unsteadiness. Hearing loss can be severe. Tinnitus continues.
Treatments:
Although there is currently no cure for Meniere’s, some conservative treatments include:
a) Changes to diet – a low-salt diet (low in sodium) is recommended to reduce vertigo symptoms. Low sodium equates to less than 120mg per 100gr of food. Eat fresh foods and avoid processed foods. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake may also help;
b) Stress can trigger attacks. Lifestyle changes to minimise stress is a key strategy;
c) Balance therapy – doing specially designed physical exercises can help retrain the body to balance effectively;
d) Have regular chiropractic sessions to ensure joints in your skull (yes, there are a few) are correctly aligned. Acupuncture and massage can also help.
e) If the above doesn’t assist, have your GP refer you to a Neurologist specialising in Hearing & Balance for detailed testing.
For more information visit: www.menieres.org.au & www.findlowsaltfood.info
Symptoms include:
Vertigo – dizziness with associated loss of balance, nausea, vomiting and diarrohea;
Tinnitus – a distressing ringing, hissing or buzzing sound in the ear/s or head;
Ear Pressure – a feeling of “fullness” in the ear associated with a build up of fluid in the inner ear;
Muffled Hearing – a lost of low frequency hearing in one or both ears, making speech difficult to understand. At first hearing loss tends to fluctuate but eventually will affect all frequencies.
Stages:
1. Intermittent vertigo, often accompanied with severe vomiting. After an attach the ear returns to normal, making diagnosis difficult. Muffled hearing and tinnitus can also be experienced;
2. Vertigo continues, often preceded and accompanied by pressure in the ear/s. Episodes can last from hours up to days and tend to occur in clusters. Hearing fluctuates but doesn’t return to normal. Tinnitus increases and may become chronic;
3. There are fewer, less severe vertigo attacks. Balance is impaired resulting in some unsteadiness. Hearing loss can be severe. Tinnitus continues.
Treatments:
Although there is currently no cure for Meniere’s, some conservative treatments include:
a) Changes to diet – a low-salt diet (low in sodium) is recommended to reduce vertigo symptoms. Low sodium equates to less than 120mg per 100gr of food. Eat fresh foods and avoid processed foods. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake may also help;
b) Stress can trigger attacks. Lifestyle changes to minimise stress is a key strategy;
c) Balance therapy – doing specially designed physical exercises can help retrain the body to balance effectively;
d) Have regular chiropractic sessions to ensure joints in your skull (yes, there are a few) are correctly aligned. Acupuncture and massage can also help.
e) If the above doesn’t assist, have your GP refer you to a Neurologist specialising in Hearing & Balance for detailed testing.
For more information visit: www.menieres.org.au & www.findlowsaltfood.info
Monday, December 7, 2009
Cutting Cholesterol Naturally
When most people think of cholesterol, they think of the waxy fat-like substance that is found in many of the foods we eat that ends up “clogging up arteries”. Often feared, the truth is that cholesterol is needed by the body for a number of different things. For example it is used in the manufacture and maintenance of strong cell walls, it is critical for hormone and vitamin D production, it even is used to coat the nerve cells in the body. Cholesterol comprises about 25% of the brain's total mass.
In fact, our bodies produce cholesterol all by itself, all the cholesterol we need to live a healthy, happy life. Cholesterol is produced primarily by the liver, but small amounts of it are also manufactured by the cells in our bodies. This production of cholesterol by our bodies is the reason why some individuals, who consume a low cholesterol diet, still experience high cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is found in meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products.
While elevated cholesterol levels present no signs or symptoms on their own, elevated levels have been identified as a significant risk factor in health concerns such as arteriosclerosis and heart disease. Clinically, doctors recommend that blood cholesterol levels (the amount of cholesterol circulating in our blood) be no greater than 200mg/dl, with a total level of 180mg/dl being optimal.
Our total cholesterol is broken down into three separate components: HDL (high density lipoproteins), LDL (low density lipoproteins) and VLDL (very low density lipoproteins). Our HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol. It functions to remove cholesterol from the blood and blood vessel walls, where it returns it to the liver for elimination. Our LDL and VLDL cholesterol are considered to be harmful to the body, because it carries cholesterol into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, it can be deposited on the artery walls, which promotes arteriosclerosis.
Doctors are now beginning to recognise a relationship between our HDL and LDL cholesterol and many feel that this ratio may be a better indicator of our health risk than our total cholesterol numbers. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1. Regardless of your heart risk ratio, however, individuals who have a total cholesterol level of over 275mg/dl are still considered at risk for heart disease, despite high HDL levels.
Yes, there are plenty of cholesterol lowering drugs available on the market, but when Dr. Orli Etingin, Vice Chairman of Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, commenting on Lipitor at a recent discussion on women and the brain, says “This drug makes women stupid”, you’d want to pay attention and look at “natural” options first.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WELLNESS
A qualified naturopath and nutritionist can help you with your unique requirements, however, some general actions you can take include:
* Incorporate a regular exercise program into your daily routine. In addition to increasing your HDL cholesterol, thus improving your heart risk ratio, exercise helps strengthen your heart muscle, reduce your blood pressure and helps you take off a couple of kilos.
* Try a vegetarian diet. Historically, individuals who consumed a purely vegetarian diet had lower cholesterol levels.
* Reduce or eliminate foods that contain high saturated fats such as beef, pork, cheese, butter and ice cream. If eating chicken, remove the skin to additionally reduce your fat intake.
* Use olive oil instead of butter. Olive oil can help to reduce LDL cholesterol from the body. Also Guggul lipid is an herb native to India and has been used for a long time in Ayuvedic medicine to help maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
* Eating a diet high in fatty acids such as those found in fish, or supplementing with Omega 3 oil has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol and protect the heart against heart disease.
* Fibre, fibre, fibre! Eating high fibre foods such as beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. You can also supplement with other forms of soluble fibre such as psyllium, apples and oat bran.
Green tea has also been show to lower total cholesterol levels by decreasing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL.
* Lecithin enables fats, such as cholesterol, to be dispersed in water and removed from the body. This can help to prevent fatty buildup in the arteries
Vitamin C and vitamin E appear to protect LDL cholesterol from damage. Most cardiologists believe that only damaged LDL increases the risk of heart disease.
Amended article from
Author: Dr. Rita Louise, PhD & Naturopathic Physician
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2004.
In fact, our bodies produce cholesterol all by itself, all the cholesterol we need to live a healthy, happy life. Cholesterol is produced primarily by the liver, but small amounts of it are also manufactured by the cells in our bodies. This production of cholesterol by our bodies is the reason why some individuals, who consume a low cholesterol diet, still experience high cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is found in meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products.
While elevated cholesterol levels present no signs or symptoms on their own, elevated levels have been identified as a significant risk factor in health concerns such as arteriosclerosis and heart disease. Clinically, doctors recommend that blood cholesterol levels (the amount of cholesterol circulating in our blood) be no greater than 200mg/dl, with a total level of 180mg/dl being optimal.
Our total cholesterol is broken down into three separate components: HDL (high density lipoproteins), LDL (low density lipoproteins) and VLDL (very low density lipoproteins). Our HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol. It functions to remove cholesterol from the blood and blood vessel walls, where it returns it to the liver for elimination. Our LDL and VLDL cholesterol are considered to be harmful to the body, because it carries cholesterol into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, it can be deposited on the artery walls, which promotes arteriosclerosis.
Doctors are now beginning to recognise a relationship between our HDL and LDL cholesterol and many feel that this ratio may be a better indicator of our health risk than our total cholesterol numbers. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1. Regardless of your heart risk ratio, however, individuals who have a total cholesterol level of over 275mg/dl are still considered at risk for heart disease, despite high HDL levels.
Yes, there are plenty of cholesterol lowering drugs available on the market, but when Dr. Orli Etingin, Vice Chairman of Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, commenting on Lipitor at a recent discussion on women and the brain, says “This drug makes women stupid”, you’d want to pay attention and look at “natural” options first.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WELLNESS
A qualified naturopath and nutritionist can help you with your unique requirements, however, some general actions you can take include:
* Incorporate a regular exercise program into your daily routine. In addition to increasing your HDL cholesterol, thus improving your heart risk ratio, exercise helps strengthen your heart muscle, reduce your blood pressure and helps you take off a couple of kilos.
* Try a vegetarian diet. Historically, individuals who consumed a purely vegetarian diet had lower cholesterol levels.
* Reduce or eliminate foods that contain high saturated fats such as beef, pork, cheese, butter and ice cream. If eating chicken, remove the skin to additionally reduce your fat intake.
* Use olive oil instead of butter. Olive oil can help to reduce LDL cholesterol from the body. Also Guggul lipid is an herb native to India and has been used for a long time in Ayuvedic medicine to help maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
* Eating a diet high in fatty acids such as those found in fish, or supplementing with Omega 3 oil has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol and protect the heart against heart disease.
* Fibre, fibre, fibre! Eating high fibre foods such as beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. You can also supplement with other forms of soluble fibre such as psyllium, apples and oat bran.
Green tea has also been show to lower total cholesterol levels by decreasing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL.
* Lecithin enables fats, such as cholesterol, to be dispersed in water and removed from the body. This can help to prevent fatty buildup in the arteries
Vitamin C and vitamin E appear to protect LDL cholesterol from damage. Most cardiologists believe that only damaged LDL increases the risk of heart disease.
Amended article from
Author: Dr. Rita Louise, PhD & Naturopathic Physician
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2004.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Minimise Neck and Shoulder Pain without doing a thing!
Our bodies are good at doing what is tasked but loves external support to ease the load. These supports can keep the body from doing tasks that would negatively affect functionality. One simple aid is the use of a contour pillow, which provides a great support to the neck and shoulders during sleep.
Contour pillows are rounded on both sides, hence the word "contour." The rounded areas support your neck whether you sleep on your side or back (sleeping on your stomach and ‘corkscrewing’ your neck is a no-no!). By supporting your neck and removing pressure from the head and shoulders, contoured pillows help give you correct orthopaedic support and alignment, leading to a comfortable and truly rejuvenating sleep and reducing pains throughout the body.
Each person differs in terms of shape and size: Some of us have long necks, some short ones. Shoulder depth, neck shape and curve also vary. To meet these variables contour pillows come in low, medium and high profiles. As a guide:
• Low: Designed to support children from 5 years and adult back sleepers;
• Medium: Suits average physiques and those seeking a 'normal' sized pillow;
• High: Suits side sleeping, broader shouldered physiques.
Latex contour pillows are also a healthy option because bacteria and mildew can't live in the foam.
Contour pillows are rounded on both sides, hence the word "contour." The rounded areas support your neck whether you sleep on your side or back (sleeping on your stomach and ‘corkscrewing’ your neck is a no-no!). By supporting your neck and removing pressure from the head and shoulders, contoured pillows help give you correct orthopaedic support and alignment, leading to a comfortable and truly rejuvenating sleep and reducing pains throughout the body.
Each person differs in terms of shape and size: Some of us have long necks, some short ones. Shoulder depth, neck shape and curve also vary. To meet these variables contour pillows come in low, medium and high profiles. As a guide:
• Low: Designed to support children from 5 years and adult back sleepers;
• Medium: Suits average physiques and those seeking a 'normal' sized pillow;
• High: Suits side sleeping, broader shouldered physiques.
Latex contour pillows are also a healthy option because bacteria and mildew can't live in the foam.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Constipation
Embarrassing, yes, but most of us have suffered from constipation at one time or another. While constipation is not recognised as a serious disorder, people who are constipated often feel bloated, uncomfortable and even sluggish. Chronic constipation can also be compounded by hemorrhoids that form due to straining.
To understand constipation, it is important to understand how our digestive system works: When we eat, food is ground up in our mouth and stomach so it can be digested. This liquified food passes into the intestines where nutrients are extracted. It then moves on to the colon, where water is removed, allowing the stool to form. If there isn’t enough water at this extraction point the stool can become hard and difficult to pass, leaving you constipated.
There are a number of reasons why people get constipated. These most commonly include not eating enough dietary fibre, not drinking enough water, lack of exercise and plain old stress. Other causes can include ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement, food allergies that can cause the colon to contract, many prescription drugs (especially codeine) and certain neurological disorders. Constipation can also be brought on by an abuse of laxatives that over time can damage the nerve cells in the colon and interfere with its ability to work properly.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to relieve constipation naturally.
* Drink plenty of water: especially if you are taking supplemental fibre, pharmaceutical drugs or large amounts of protein (protein takes more water to digest).
* Dietary fibre holds water and help to keep the stool soft, while adds bulk help to move the stool through the colon, so consume a diet including significant amounts of both soluable and unsoluable fibre eg of lots of vegetables, whole grains, psyllium and fruits etc.
* Try eating a few prunes or drinking some prune juice. In addition to adding fibre, prunes have a mild laxative effect.
* Avoid sugar and other processed foods.
* Allergies can also be the cause of your constipation, so at your next Kinesthetic Chiropractic session be checked out for underlying issues or talk to your Naturopath & Nutritionist about an elimination diet.
* An abdominal massage or Chiropractic treatment can include colon stimulation, which may help.
* Begin a regular exercise program to help promote normal bowel movements: meditate, do yoga, go for a walk. Do things that will allow you to reduce your stress levels and relax as digestion works better when you’re relaxed.
* Take a good probiotic to help promote a healthy environment within the gut.
* Peppermint has a long history of helping relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Enjoy an uplifting cup of Peppermint herbal tea after meals.
Edited by Joanne Terrans 11/2009
Initial resource from Dr R Louise, PhD. Naturopathic Physician & Author at www.soulhealer.com
To understand constipation, it is important to understand how our digestive system works: When we eat, food is ground up in our mouth and stomach so it can be digested. This liquified food passes into the intestines where nutrients are extracted. It then moves on to the colon, where water is removed, allowing the stool to form. If there isn’t enough water at this extraction point the stool can become hard and difficult to pass, leaving you constipated.
There are a number of reasons why people get constipated. These most commonly include not eating enough dietary fibre, not drinking enough water, lack of exercise and plain old stress. Other causes can include ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement, food allergies that can cause the colon to contract, many prescription drugs (especially codeine) and certain neurological disorders. Constipation can also be brought on by an abuse of laxatives that over time can damage the nerve cells in the colon and interfere with its ability to work properly.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to relieve constipation naturally.
* Drink plenty of water: especially if you are taking supplemental fibre, pharmaceutical drugs or large amounts of protein (protein takes more water to digest).
* Dietary fibre holds water and help to keep the stool soft, while adds bulk help to move the stool through the colon, so consume a diet including significant amounts of both soluable and unsoluable fibre eg of lots of vegetables, whole grains, psyllium and fruits etc.
* Try eating a few prunes or drinking some prune juice. In addition to adding fibre, prunes have a mild laxative effect.
* Avoid sugar and other processed foods.
* Allergies can also be the cause of your constipation, so at your next Kinesthetic Chiropractic session be checked out for underlying issues or talk to your Naturopath & Nutritionist about an elimination diet.
* An abdominal massage or Chiropractic treatment can include colon stimulation, which may help.
* Begin a regular exercise program to help promote normal bowel movements: meditate, do yoga, go for a walk. Do things that will allow you to reduce your stress levels and relax as digestion works better when you’re relaxed.
* Take a good probiotic to help promote a healthy environment within the gut.
* Peppermint has a long history of helping relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Enjoy an uplifting cup of Peppermint herbal tea after meals.
Edited by Joanne Terrans 11/2009
Initial resource from Dr R Louise, PhD. Naturopathic Physician & Author at www.soulhealer.com
Monday, November 2, 2009
Hearing Aids
My part-time work, outside of massage, is in admin working for an audiologist, someone who tests, analyses and advises on your hearing. Mostly we see folk who have concerns about their hearing, need hearing tests for work, or who already have a deterioration in their hearing and, for the most part, hearing aids are the answer.
Unfortunately no technology to date is going to match the natural precision and sensitivity of the human auditory system, however hearing aids can be of immense benefit to those with hearing loss and help improve quality of life.
It is important therefore that hearing aid users develop appropriate expectations in relation to what their aids can and cannot do for them and in this regard an audiologist is the best contact. However, here's some general information:
* Hearing aids cannot restore one's hearing to normal;
* New aids will most likely require a period of adjustment & acclimatisation before maximum benefit can be achieved - patience is required as this my take weeks or a couple of months;
* The annoyance of background noise is a perennial one, particularly for first time hearing aid users who probably haven't been hearing much background noise since the onset of their hearing loss. There is, however, new technology with digital signal processing that differentiates between speech and noise, reduces amplification of noise and improves speech intelligibility. This technology is usually included in aids with directional microphones, which reduces noise from the side/back. Being directional however means the aid wearer needs to face the talker so that the microphones are facing the correct direction - bending the head down or to the side effectively moves the mic from the most advantageous position.
Also some general servicing hints I've picked up during my time with the audiologist:
* Whistling in BTE (behind the ear) aids is commonly caused by a split in the tube that links the mould in the ear and the unit behind the ear. A quick "retube" by your aid supplier will fix this;
* Whistling can also be caused when the aid is not sat fully inside the ear. This can be caused by wax deep inside the ear and a trip to the GP to clear any wax may fix the problem;
* If you have had ear surgery or a significant infection in the ear your ear canal shape may have changed affecting the fit and a new mould may be required;
* The aids can be affected by moisture, so using drying crystals occassionally or letting them sit in a dry sunny spot can help alleviate this;
* Intermittent cutting out of volume can be the battery contact - check for dust or foreign objects in the battery well.
For pensioners in Australia, you may be eligible for free hearing assessment and, if required, aids through the Office of Hearing Services, part of the Department of Health (Federal). Visit: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-hear-applic.htm
Resources:
ListenUp Issue 22 from siemens.com.au/hearing
C Whitfeld at milliAmp Hearing (Newtown, also visiting Kogarah, Randwick, Taree & Armidale). Phone 02 9565 2521
Unfortunately no technology to date is going to match the natural precision and sensitivity of the human auditory system, however hearing aids can be of immense benefit to those with hearing loss and help improve quality of life.
It is important therefore that hearing aid users develop appropriate expectations in relation to what their aids can and cannot do for them and in this regard an audiologist is the best contact. However, here's some general information:
* Hearing aids cannot restore one's hearing to normal;
* New aids will most likely require a period of adjustment & acclimatisation before maximum benefit can be achieved - patience is required as this my take weeks or a couple of months;
* The annoyance of background noise is a perennial one, particularly for first time hearing aid users who probably haven't been hearing much background noise since the onset of their hearing loss. There is, however, new technology with digital signal processing that differentiates between speech and noise, reduces amplification of noise and improves speech intelligibility. This technology is usually included in aids with directional microphones, which reduces noise from the side/back. Being directional however means the aid wearer needs to face the talker so that the microphones are facing the correct direction - bending the head down or to the side effectively moves the mic from the most advantageous position.
Also some general servicing hints I've picked up during my time with the audiologist:
* Whistling in BTE (behind the ear) aids is commonly caused by a split in the tube that links the mould in the ear and the unit behind the ear. A quick "retube" by your aid supplier will fix this;
* Whistling can also be caused when the aid is not sat fully inside the ear. This can be caused by wax deep inside the ear and a trip to the GP to clear any wax may fix the problem;
* If you have had ear surgery or a significant infection in the ear your ear canal shape may have changed affecting the fit and a new mould may be required;
* The aids can be affected by moisture, so using drying crystals occassionally or letting them sit in a dry sunny spot can help alleviate this;
* Intermittent cutting out of volume can be the battery contact - check for dust or foreign objects in the battery well.
For pensioners in Australia, you may be eligible for free hearing assessment and, if required, aids through the Office of Hearing Services, part of the Department of Health (Federal). Visit: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-hear-applic.htm
Resources:
ListenUp Issue 22 from siemens.com.au/hearing
C Whitfeld at milliAmp Hearing (Newtown, also visiting Kogarah, Randwick, Taree & Armidale). Phone 02 9565 2521
Monday, September 21, 2009
Keyboard Health Warning
Recently I turned by computer keyboard upside down (another story all together) and found the following:
HEALTH WARNING
Use of a keyboard or mouse may be linked to serious injuries or disorders.
When using a computer, as with many activities (!), you may experience occasional discomfort in your hands, arms, shoulders, neck or other parts of your body. However, if you experience symptoms such as persistent or recurring discomfort, pain, throbbing, aching, tingling, numbness, burning sensation or stiffness DO NOT IGNORE THESE WARMING SIGNS. PROMPTLY SEE A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL - even if symptoms occur when you are not working at your computer.
Symptoms such as these can be associated with painful and sometimes permanently disabling injuries or disorders of the nerved, muscles, tendons, or other parts of the body, These musculoskeletal disorders include carpal turnnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynivitis and other conditions.
The warning continues, but I'm sure you get the gist.
Now, as a massage therapist (one of the abovementioned qualified health professionals) most my patients are suffering postural stress (the balance are sports injuries), and I hear myself giving the following advice more than I would like, but for the record here are some tips:
* Limit computer-working periods to blocks of 40 minutes and definitely less than 60 minutes;
* Get up from your desk as often as you can.
You'd be surprised what a change in gravity will do. Include walking the long way to the water-cooler or bathroom; doing arm swings or shoulder rolls; NOT eating lunch at your desk (go for a walk around the block); stand up during long phone calls etc.
* Make sure you have your computer desk and chair set up correctly. If you don't have an ergonomist on hand to "fit" you check out the link on my website called "How To Sit At Your Computer".
* Get your body moving, at least 30 minutes each day, preferably at the end of your work period so you can loosen your muscles up: swing your arms when walking, do a yoga or stretch class, add a couple of laps of backstroke at the pool, shoot some hoops, try Tai Chi, whatever - just get moving!
* If you can see a deadline looming (assignments, exams, tenders, end of period reporting etc) schedule 10 minute stretch breaks into your day.
* have a remedial massage. Of course I'm going to recommend this, but if you haven't yet experienced the benefit to your muscles, it's about jolly time you did.
HEALTH WARNING
Use of a keyboard or mouse may be linked to serious injuries or disorders.
When using a computer, as with many activities (!), you may experience occasional discomfort in your hands, arms, shoulders, neck or other parts of your body. However, if you experience symptoms such as persistent or recurring discomfort, pain, throbbing, aching, tingling, numbness, burning sensation or stiffness DO NOT IGNORE THESE WARMING SIGNS. PROMPTLY SEE A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL - even if symptoms occur when you are not working at your computer.
Symptoms such as these can be associated with painful and sometimes permanently disabling injuries or disorders of the nerved, muscles, tendons, or other parts of the body, These musculoskeletal disorders include carpal turnnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynivitis and other conditions.
The warning continues, but I'm sure you get the gist.
Now, as a massage therapist (one of the abovementioned qualified health professionals) most my patients are suffering postural stress (the balance are sports injuries), and I hear myself giving the following advice more than I would like, but for the record here are some tips:
* Limit computer-working periods to blocks of 40 minutes and definitely less than 60 minutes;
* Get up from your desk as often as you can.
You'd be surprised what a change in gravity will do. Include walking the long way to the water-cooler or bathroom; doing arm swings or shoulder rolls; NOT eating lunch at your desk (go for a walk around the block); stand up during long phone calls etc.
* Make sure you have your computer desk and chair set up correctly. If you don't have an ergonomist on hand to "fit" you check out the link on my website called "How To Sit At Your Computer".
* Get your body moving, at least 30 minutes each day, preferably at the end of your work period so you can loosen your muscles up: swing your arms when walking, do a yoga or stretch class, add a couple of laps of backstroke at the pool, shoot some hoops, try Tai Chi, whatever - just get moving!
* If you can see a deadline looming (assignments, exams, tenders, end of period reporting etc) schedule 10 minute stretch breaks into your day.
* have a remedial massage. Of course I'm going to recommend this, but if you haven't yet experienced the benefit to your muscles, it's about jolly time you did.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Sailing through life
Following is somemore beautiful life philosophy:
It all began with a thought -- a thought in the mind of a 12-year-old boy, more than 40 years ago.
"I was about twelve when I decided that I wanted to build a boat and travel the world," Reiki Master Teacher Gordon Brown says, "This desire never left me." He's 54 now, and this week, after all those years, all that dreaming and all the ways the distractions of life can get in the way of those dreams, Gordon's finished boat, the Amnesty, made it into the water at last. Reporters from local Massachusetts newspapers showed up for the launch, and the next day the front page featured a photo of Gordon at the helm in a victory salute.
Victory, yes. Mission accomplished? Hardly -- this guy's just getting started. He's going for more: a victory lap around the world, accompanied by a flotilla of others who, like him, have survived cancer.
Gordon's dream-come-true reminds us that whether any of us ever takes to the high seas, whether we journey to exotic lands or spend our entire lives in one neighborhood, we all are traveling this world in a vessel of our own making.
Gordon didn't build his boat entirely from scratch -- he bought an empty hull and then spent five years building it out into a vessel worthy of circumnavigating the globe. That's kind of the way it is for all of us: at birth we start out with a vessel, our body, that isn't capable of traveling on its own. But after some time, effort, and care, we build ourselves into self-sufficient vehicles that can go just about anywhere and do just about anything we care to do.
He also didn't build the boat alone. Two years ago when he was diagnosed with cancer, Gordon nearly gave up on his dream. He put the unfinished boat up for sale, and the first potential buyer who showed up not only convinced him to keep going, he also volunteered to help.
As all sailors know, the boat may be ready at the moment, but it's going to need constant maintenance, nearly all of it preventive. The same person who built the boat, in this case, is going to have to keep rebuilding it constantly during the voyage. So, too with the rest of us and our own vessels.
Gordon's sailboat may only have needed five years to get ready for its voyage, but it's taken him an entire lifetime (so far) to prepare: not just all the years since he first got the idea as a boy, but the 12 years it took before the thought first occurred to him. And for all of us, whether we are conscious of it or not, a lifetime of experience goes into our every thought or action. And those thoughts and actions then create our future experiences. The Amnesty's voyage has barely begun, and it's going to take many more of those thoughts and actions to get her around the world and home again.
More on Gordon & Amnesty can be found at
Item sourced from The Reiki Digest
http://reikidigest.blogspot.com/2009/09/setting-sail-with-reiki.html
It all began with a thought -- a thought in the mind of a 12-year-old boy, more than 40 years ago.
"I was about twelve when I decided that I wanted to build a boat and travel the world," Reiki Master Teacher Gordon Brown says, "This desire never left me." He's 54 now, and this week, after all those years, all that dreaming and all the ways the distractions of life can get in the way of those dreams, Gordon's finished boat, the Amnesty, made it into the water at last. Reporters from local Massachusetts newspapers showed up for the launch, and the next day the front page featured a photo of Gordon at the helm in a victory salute.
Victory, yes. Mission accomplished? Hardly -- this guy's just getting started. He's going for more: a victory lap around the world, accompanied by a flotilla of others who, like him, have survived cancer.
Gordon's dream-come-true reminds us that whether any of us ever takes to the high seas, whether we journey to exotic lands or spend our entire lives in one neighborhood, we all are traveling this world in a vessel of our own making.
Gordon didn't build his boat entirely from scratch -- he bought an empty hull and then spent five years building it out into a vessel worthy of circumnavigating the globe. That's kind of the way it is for all of us: at birth we start out with a vessel, our body, that isn't capable of traveling on its own. But after some time, effort, and care, we build ourselves into self-sufficient vehicles that can go just about anywhere and do just about anything we care to do.
He also didn't build the boat alone. Two years ago when he was diagnosed with cancer, Gordon nearly gave up on his dream. He put the unfinished boat up for sale, and the first potential buyer who showed up not only convinced him to keep going, he also volunteered to help.
As all sailors know, the boat may be ready at the moment, but it's going to need constant maintenance, nearly all of it preventive. The same person who built the boat, in this case, is going to have to keep rebuilding it constantly during the voyage. So, too with the rest of us and our own vessels.
Gordon's sailboat may only have needed five years to get ready for its voyage, but it's taken him an entire lifetime (so far) to prepare: not just all the years since he first got the idea as a boy, but the 12 years it took before the thought first occurred to him. And for all of us, whether we are conscious of it or not, a lifetime of experience goes into our every thought or action. And those thoughts and actions then create our future experiences. The Amnesty's voyage has barely begun, and it's going to take many more of those thoughts and actions to get her around the world and home again.
More on Gordon & Amnesty can be found at
Item sourced from The Reiki Digest
http://reikidigest.blogspot.com/2009/09/setting-sail-with-reiki.html
Friday, September 18, 2009
Running Shoes
The Sydney Running Festival is this weekend (good luck to all of you participating and don't forget your massage next week) and the Triathlon Season is upon us, so with this in mind I thought you'd like some advice on running shoes.
This from Andrew Bull, Sports Podiatrist at Sydney Sports Med:
I’m often asked which brand is the best, and although there are some brands that “get it right” more consistently, most brands have shoes that are suitable or unsuitable for each runner. To those new to running, a podiatrist or a runners shop can help you to determine the amount of cushion or motion-control needed. However, then you need to find the right shape of shoe for your feet. This emphasizes the need to be fitted correctly by a running specific shop.
Most important is the length. Always fit your shoes after exercise and with the correct thickness of sock (and with your orthotics if you wear them). Your feet can expand quite dramatically as they impact the ground, and swell up to a full size in longer events. The usual rule is a full thumbs width from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe. If you have two different sized feet, you need to fit for the bigger one. If the difference is dramatic, there are now some websites catering to this problem. Sounds basic, but I’ve lost count how many black toenails I’ve drained after marathons and Oxfam trailwalker.
Next is forefoot width. If you have particularly wide feet, you need to look for shoes that are 2E or 4E for men, or D or 2E for women. Some brands also cater for narrow women’s feet with a 2A fitting. New Balance, ASICS & BROOKS all have shoes available in different widths.
For those needing to help reduce slippage using a heel-lock lacing technique (ask your pod or sports shop) can help to pull the heel back into the shoe.
Happy running (and don't forget to stretch)!
This from Andrew Bull, Sports Podiatrist at Sydney Sports Med:
I’m often asked which brand is the best, and although there are some brands that “get it right” more consistently, most brands have shoes that are suitable or unsuitable for each runner. To those new to running, a podiatrist or a runners shop can help you to determine the amount of cushion or motion-control needed. However, then you need to find the right shape of shoe for your feet. This emphasizes the need to be fitted correctly by a running specific shop.
Most important is the length. Always fit your shoes after exercise and with the correct thickness of sock (and with your orthotics if you wear them). Your feet can expand quite dramatically as they impact the ground, and swell up to a full size in longer events. The usual rule is a full thumbs width from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe. If you have two different sized feet, you need to fit for the bigger one. If the difference is dramatic, there are now some websites catering to this problem. Sounds basic, but I’ve lost count how many black toenails I’ve drained after marathons and Oxfam trailwalker.
Next is forefoot width. If you have particularly wide feet, you need to look for shoes that are 2E or 4E for men, or D or 2E for women. Some brands also cater for narrow women’s feet with a 2A fitting. New Balance, ASICS & BROOKS all have shoes available in different widths.
For those needing to help reduce slippage using a heel-lock lacing technique (ask your pod or sports shop) can help to pull the heel back into the shoe.
Happy running (and don't forget to stretch)!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Spring into action!
This is from the Australian Better Health Iniative 'Measure Up' and given that 50% of Australians are overweight, it's timely advice:
The smell of spring flowers, the warmer weather…. Spring is the ideal time to (re)start being physically active and to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods.
1. Spring is a perfect time to tend to your garden. Increases in daily activity can come from tasks like gardening. Gardening activities like digging, shifting soil, and mowing the lawn are great exercise. You can even grow some fruit and vegetables that contribute to eating a healthy diet!
2. Make sure you are drinking sufficient water in the warmer weather. It is easy to get dehydrated when temperatures are on the rise. Avoid sweetened drinks such as cordial, soft drink and sports drinks. If you need to add pizzazz to your water take the advice of Jack from Takura QLD by adding a few slices of fresh lime, lemon or other citrus fruit.
3. There is no excuse not to include fruit and vegetables on your shopping list in Spring! Fresh produce is ripe for the picking in Spring. Stick to in-season produce to get the best prices. Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre that are important for good health. Make eating fruit and veg fun- create a fruit salad and try a fruit you have never had before; add to your Spring BBQ by making grilled vege-kebabs, or cut fruits and vegetables into interesting shapes.
4. Get active with friends and family in outdoor springtime activities. It is always nice to share a beautiful day with somebody else. Instead of doing something that is inside and less active together choose to take a walk or a bike ride.
5. Take advantage of the nicer weather and include water based activity as part of getting physical. Go for a swim or take a water aerobics class in your local pool or head to a nearby river, lake or beach.
... remember though, when outside - slip, slop & slap!
Resource: http://www.measureup.gov.au/internet/abhi/publishing.nsf
The smell of spring flowers, the warmer weather…. Spring is the ideal time to (re)start being physically active and to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods.
1. Spring is a perfect time to tend to your garden. Increases in daily activity can come from tasks like gardening. Gardening activities like digging, shifting soil, and mowing the lawn are great exercise. You can even grow some fruit and vegetables that contribute to eating a healthy diet!
2. Make sure you are drinking sufficient water in the warmer weather. It is easy to get dehydrated when temperatures are on the rise. Avoid sweetened drinks such as cordial, soft drink and sports drinks. If you need to add pizzazz to your water take the advice of Jack from Takura QLD by adding a few slices of fresh lime, lemon or other citrus fruit.
3. There is no excuse not to include fruit and vegetables on your shopping list in Spring! Fresh produce is ripe for the picking in Spring. Stick to in-season produce to get the best prices. Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre that are important for good health. Make eating fruit and veg fun- create a fruit salad and try a fruit you have never had before; add to your Spring BBQ by making grilled vege-kebabs, or cut fruits and vegetables into interesting shapes.
4. Get active with friends and family in outdoor springtime activities. It is always nice to share a beautiful day with somebody else. Instead of doing something that is inside and less active together choose to take a walk or a bike ride.
5. Take advantage of the nicer weather and include water based activity as part of getting physical. Go for a swim or take a water aerobics class in your local pool or head to a nearby river, lake or beach.
... remember though, when outside - slip, slop & slap!
Resource: http://www.measureup.gov.au/internet/abhi/publishing.nsf
Friday, August 28, 2009
Depression Checklist
beyondblue is an Australian "national depression initiative" and this week I received in the mail a quick checklist to identify signs of depression.
Apparently over 1 million people in Australia live with depression, so the chances are we all know someone who is affected. Certainly I have several friends that have suffered varying levels of depression - lasting weeks through to 2 years.
So, if you want to check yourself, here goes:
For more than TWO weeks have you:
1. Felt sad, down or miserable most of the time?
2. Lost interest or pleasure in most of your usual activites?
If you answered 'Yes' to either of the above questions, go on to the next section (if you did NOT answer 'Yes' it is unlikely you have a depressive illness).
3. have you gained or lost weight or had a decrease or increase in appetite?
4. have you had sleep disturbance?
5. have you felt slowed down, restless or excessively busy?
6. have you felt tired or had no energy?
7. Have your felt worthless, or excessively guilty, or felt guilt about things you should not have been feeling guilty about?
8. Have you had poor concentration, or difficulties thinking, or been very indecisive?
9. Have you had recurrent thoughts of death?
Add up the number of ticks for your total score (assuming you answered 'yes' to Q 1 and/or Q2).
If you score is 4 or less it is unlikely you have a depressive illness;
If you score 5 or more you are likely to have a depressive illness and further assessment is recommended - talk to your GP, Psychologist, Counsellor other health professional or visit www.beyondblue.org.au or, in Australia, call 1300 22 4636.
With the right treatment, most people recover.
Apparently over 1 million people in Australia live with depression, so the chances are we all know someone who is affected. Certainly I have several friends that have suffered varying levels of depression - lasting weeks through to 2 years.
So, if you want to check yourself, here goes:
For more than TWO weeks have you:
1. Felt sad, down or miserable most of the time?
2. Lost interest or pleasure in most of your usual activites?
If you answered 'Yes' to either of the above questions, go on to the next section (if you did NOT answer 'Yes' it is unlikely you have a depressive illness).
3. have you gained or lost weight or had a decrease or increase in appetite?
4. have you had sleep disturbance?
5. have you felt slowed down, restless or excessively busy?
6. have you felt tired or had no energy?
7. Have your felt worthless, or excessively guilty, or felt guilt about things you should not have been feeling guilty about?
8. Have you had poor concentration, or difficulties thinking, or been very indecisive?
9. Have you had recurrent thoughts of death?
Add up the number of ticks for your total score (assuming you answered 'yes' to Q 1 and/or Q2).
If you score is 4 or less it is unlikely you have a depressive illness;
If you score 5 or more you are likely to have a depressive illness and further assessment is recommended - talk to your GP, Psychologist, Counsellor other health professional or visit www.beyondblue.org.au or, in Australia, call 1300 22 4636.
With the right treatment, most people recover.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Life guide
Just for today:
Do not anger
Do not worry
Be humble
Be honest in your work
Be compassionate to yourself and others.
The guidelines above are what Reiki practitioners try to follow every day: the Reiki precepts (as translated from the original Japanese).
You don't have to be a Reiki practitioner to follow those precepts -- they make sense for everyone.
Do not anger
Do not worry
Be humble
Be honest in your work
Be compassionate to yourself and others.
The guidelines above are what Reiki practitioners try to follow every day: the Reiki precepts (as translated from the original Japanese).
You don't have to be a Reiki practitioner to follow those precepts -- they make sense for everyone.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Easy Food
My Mum, who’s been cooking all her life, has released her first cookbook - ‘Easy Food’ that I’d like to commend to you.
It’ll make a great present for Christmas, especially for students living away from home and busy workers but, really, anyone that wants to cook at home.
This slim compilation is exactly what the title says, Easy Food. It’s for those unsure about or inexperienced with cooking; those who want a tasty meal without too much bother; those wanting to avoid ‘ready-made meals’ & take aways and those wanting to save money.
It’s in big easy to read print, with one recipe per page and pictures on the opposite page. An example of some of the recipes include:
Vegetable Frittata
Salmon and vegetables
Chicken meatballs
How to make gravy and basic sauces
Caramelised pears
Baked Custard
and, my favourite, “No Cook Double-Chocolate Squares”.
Easy Food is available internationally from www.lulu.com (type "Easy Food" into the Search field)
Or here’s the link, to cut & paste into your browser:
http://www.lulu.com/browse/search.php?search_forum=-1&search_cat=2&show_results=topics&return_chars=200&search_keywords=&keys=&header_search=true&sitesearch=lulu.com&q=&fSearch=easy+food&fSearchFamily=0&fSubmitSearch.x=14&fSubmitSearch.y=4
It’ll make a great present for Christmas, especially for students living away from home and busy workers but, really, anyone that wants to cook at home.
This slim compilation is exactly what the title says, Easy Food. It’s for those unsure about or inexperienced with cooking; those who want a tasty meal without too much bother; those wanting to avoid ‘ready-made meals’ & take aways and those wanting to save money.
It’s in big easy to read print, with one recipe per page and pictures on the opposite page. An example of some of the recipes include:
Vegetable Frittata
Salmon and vegetables
Chicken meatballs
How to make gravy and basic sauces
Caramelised pears
Baked Custard
and, my favourite, “No Cook Double-Chocolate Squares”.
Easy Food is available internationally from www.lulu.com (type "Easy Food" into the Search field)
Or here’s the link, to cut & paste into your browser:
http://www.lulu.com/browse/search.php?search_forum=-1&search_cat=2&show_results=topics&return_chars=200&search_keywords=&keys=&header_search=true&sitesearch=lulu.com&q=&fSearch=easy+food&fSearchFamily=0&fSubmitSearch.x=14&fSubmitSearch.y=4
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