Here's some interesting information breastfeeding and the prevention of asthma and wheezing in children:
BMC Pediatrics 2007, 7:39doi:10.1186/1471-2431-7-39
Published: 28 November 2007
Abstract (provisional)
Background
The question of the protective effect of breastfeeding on development of asthma has raised substantial interest, but the scientific evidence of the optimal duration of breastfeeding is controversial.
Methods
The authors elaborated the optimal duration of breastfeeding with respect to the risk of asthma primarily, and secondarily to the risk of persistent wheezing, cough and phlegm in school age in a population-based cohort study with the baseline in 1991 and follow-up in 1997. The study population comprised 1984 children aged 7 to 14 years at the end of the follow-up (follow-up rate 77). Information on breastfeeding was based on the baseline survey and information on the health outcomes at the follow-up.
Results
There was a U-shaped relation between breastfeeding and the outcomes with the lowest risk with breastfeeding from four to nine months for asthma and seven to nine months for persistent wheezing, cough and phlegm.
Conclusions
Our results suggest a U shape relation between duration of breastfeeding and risk of asthma with an optimal duration of 4 to 6 months. A true concave relation would explain the inconsistent results from the previous studies.
You can check out the full article here.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Credit Card Scams
not strictly within the remit of this blog, but thought I should publicise this email I got from a friend:
This one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U with all the
information, except the one piece they want.
Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.
This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard".
The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London ?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?" You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works the caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card." He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers
that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your
card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £497.99 was charged to our card.
Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening .
Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.
This one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U with all the
information, except the one piece they want.
Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.
This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard".
The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London ?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?" You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works the caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card." He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers
that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your
card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £497.99 was charged to our card.
Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening .
Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Animal Acupuncture
Here's some interesting info on animal acupuncture:
Acupuncture in Animals—How Is it Different from Human Use?
The principles underlying the use of acupuncture to treat pain and other medical ailments in humans are essentially the same in animals, but the practice of veterinary acupuncture is quite different and less well-defined due to the physiological differences among animal species and the changing views on how acupuncture works, according to a report in a recent issue (Volume 13, Number 5) of Alternative and Complementary Therapies, a publication of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
The paper is available free online
Narda Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, Shipley Professor in Complementary and Alternative Medicine at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins, describes the application of acupuncture techniques in various animal species in the paper entitled, “Veterinary Acupuncture: An Ancient Tradition for Modern Times.”
Several safe and effective methods of acupuncture stimulation in animals exist to treat conditions such as back pain, non-surgical lameness and colic in horses, reproductive problems in cows, neurologic injury and arthritis in dogs, and sinusitis in snakes. These techniques include dry needling, in which a thin sterile needle is inserted at an acupuncture point.
Moxibustion involves the heating of acupuncture points using a smoldering herb wrapped in wax paper. In electroacupuncture, the needle is attached to an electrical lead to enable the delivery of an electrical stimulus to the acupuncture point.
With regard to the technique known as “gold bead implantation,” which is sometimes used to treat hip dysplasia in dogs, Robinson says that “gold bead implantation is an ineffective and possibly harmful technique that warrants serious re-evaluation.”
Robinson also presents some of the challenges associated with transposing acupuncture points used in humans to animal species. Identifying appropriate placement points along the back is complicated by the varying numbers of vertebrae both between and within animal species. Humans have 12 thoracic vertebrae, whereas horses have 18, for example.
In those animal species with tails, the tail contains nerve and vascular structures that may be appropriate stimulation sites for treating disorders such as back pain or fecal incontinence. Similarly, the hand, which contains one of the strongest acupuncture points in the human body—the point Hegu or LI4, does not have a transposable counterpart in animal physiology that would allow veterinarians to translate acupuncture points used in humans directly to animal species.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies provides the latest information on evaluating alternative therapies and integrating them into everyday clinical practice. Topics include integrative medicine; botanical medicine; acupuncture and Chinese medicine; vitamins and supplements; nutrition and diet; holistic medicine; mind-body medicine; ayurveda, traditional medicine, homeopathy and naturopathy; yoga and bodywork; and massage therapies.
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Medical Acupuncture, Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, and Journal of Women’s Health. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry’s most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm’s 60 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available at www.liebertpub.com
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.140 Huguenot St., New Rochelle, NY 10801www.liebertpub.com Phone (914) 740-2100(800) M-LIEBERTFax (914) 740-2101
Acupuncture in Animals—How Is it Different from Human Use?
The principles underlying the use of acupuncture to treat pain and other medical ailments in humans are essentially the same in animals, but the practice of veterinary acupuncture is quite different and less well-defined due to the physiological differences among animal species and the changing views on how acupuncture works, according to a report in a recent issue (Volume 13, Number 5) of Alternative and Complementary Therapies, a publication of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
The paper is available free online
Narda Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, Shipley Professor in Complementary and Alternative Medicine at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins, describes the application of acupuncture techniques in various animal species in the paper entitled, “Veterinary Acupuncture: An Ancient Tradition for Modern Times.”
Several safe and effective methods of acupuncture stimulation in animals exist to treat conditions such as back pain, non-surgical lameness and colic in horses, reproductive problems in cows, neurologic injury and arthritis in dogs, and sinusitis in snakes. These techniques include dry needling, in which a thin sterile needle is inserted at an acupuncture point.
Moxibustion involves the heating of acupuncture points using a smoldering herb wrapped in wax paper. In electroacupuncture, the needle is attached to an electrical lead to enable the delivery of an electrical stimulus to the acupuncture point.
With regard to the technique known as “gold bead implantation,” which is sometimes used to treat hip dysplasia in dogs, Robinson says that “gold bead implantation is an ineffective and possibly harmful technique that warrants serious re-evaluation.”
Robinson also presents some of the challenges associated with transposing acupuncture points used in humans to animal species. Identifying appropriate placement points along the back is complicated by the varying numbers of vertebrae both between and within animal species. Humans have 12 thoracic vertebrae, whereas horses have 18, for example.
In those animal species with tails, the tail contains nerve and vascular structures that may be appropriate stimulation sites for treating disorders such as back pain or fecal incontinence. Similarly, the hand, which contains one of the strongest acupuncture points in the human body—the point Hegu or LI4, does not have a transposable counterpart in animal physiology that would allow veterinarians to translate acupuncture points used in humans directly to animal species.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies provides the latest information on evaluating alternative therapies and integrating them into everyday clinical practice. Topics include integrative medicine; botanical medicine; acupuncture and Chinese medicine; vitamins and supplements; nutrition and diet; holistic medicine; mind-body medicine; ayurveda, traditional medicine, homeopathy and naturopathy; yoga and bodywork; and massage therapies.
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Medical Acupuncture, Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, and Journal of Women’s Health. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry’s most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm’s 60 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available at www.liebertpub.com
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.140 Huguenot St., New Rochelle, NY 10801www.liebertpub.com Phone (914) 740-2100(800) M-LIEBERTFax (914) 740-2101
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Calm Babies
last night I was watching Dragons Den on TV and a would-be entrepreneur was showing her baby clothes range worn by mothers and carers to stimulate and interact with the baby.
We seem to have moved a long way from the idea of putting the baby out in the garden in the pram and leaving it alone for a long time to a beleif that constant stimualtion is needed for young children to develop.
Toys are getting bigger, brighter and noisier but is this what babies need all the time. I beleive strongly that babies need some down time (just like the rest of us) just to be quiet and to be. This is crucial to their development too. Our modern world is full of stimultion - let's moderate its impact on the very young.
Coincidentally yesterday I was adding all the combination Indigo essences to our online Health shop. They can safely be used with young babies as well as older children to help them be happier, calmer and more at peace with themselves and their world. isn't that what we ant for them and for ourselves?
We seem to have moved a long way from the idea of putting the baby out in the garden in the pram and leaving it alone for a long time to a beleif that constant stimualtion is needed for young children to develop.
Toys are getting bigger, brighter and noisier but is this what babies need all the time. I beleive strongly that babies need some down time (just like the rest of us) just to be quiet and to be. This is crucial to their development too. Our modern world is full of stimultion - let's moderate its impact on the very young.
Coincidentally yesterday I was adding all the combination Indigo essences to our online Health shop. They can safely be used with young babies as well as older children to help them be happier, calmer and more at peace with themselves and their world. isn't that what we ant for them and for ourselves?
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Use Sound For Good Health
I've just published an article on sound therapy by Lyz Cooper on our Health site. It's very well written and includes some self-help tips. Here's one:
"An easy way to begin working with sound is to start with your own voice. Unless there is a physiological or neurological imbalance, everyone has a voice. For a quick pick me try a quick boost of ‘sonic caffeine’ first thing in the morning. A few minutes of toning a high pitched ‘EEEE’ will stimulate the mental level and leave you feeling tingly and ready for a wonderful day. You can also use this method if you are studying for an examination or about to give a presentation."
How about "sonic hot chocolate"? Read the full article and learn more about sound therapy and more self-help tips too.
"An easy way to begin working with sound is to start with your own voice. Unless there is a physiological or neurological imbalance, everyone has a voice. For a quick pick me try a quick boost of ‘sonic caffeine’ first thing in the morning. A few minutes of toning a high pitched ‘EEEE’ will stimulate the mental level and leave you feeling tingly and ready for a wonderful day. You can also use this method if you are studying for an examination or about to give a presentation."
How about "sonic hot chocolate"? Read the full article and learn more about sound therapy and more self-help tips too.
Monday, November 19, 2007
World Toilet Day
Today is World Toilet Day, WaterAid has marked the date with the launch of a report; 'The State of the World's Toilets'. While most people avoid the subject WaterAid are embracing the opportunity to get the world talking about toilets - the good, the bad and the ugly.
WaterAid's report covers every aspect of the humble yet vital toilet from silly facts like: women are more apt to be grabbers and wadders of toilet paper, whereas men are more likely to be folders, to the world's greatest toilet 'a sleek, tankless, one-piece toilet with integrated washlet seat'. There's also a brief history of the Great British toilet and a description of the worst toilet in the world!
"Toilets are a taboo subject, but we cannot and we must not ignore the global crisis in sanitation, diarrhoeal diseases are the second biggest killer of children in the world. Simply providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education could save 5000 children's lives every day. Governments must act now to prioritise sanitation provision for the world's poorest people." Oliver Cumming, WaterAid Sanitation and Environment Policy Officer.
'The State of the World's Toilets' ranks the worst countries in the world for sanitation provision, with 40% of the world's population lacking somewhere safe to go to the toilet the list is long and made up of some of the poorest countries in the world.
Download the full The State of the World's Toilets report ( PDF 491Kb)
You can also buy a toilet to help someone who doesn't have access to good sanitation.
WaterAid's report covers every aspect of the humble yet vital toilet from silly facts like: women are more apt to be grabbers and wadders of toilet paper, whereas men are more likely to be folders, to the world's greatest toilet 'a sleek, tankless, one-piece toilet with integrated washlet seat'. There's also a brief history of the Great British toilet and a description of the worst toilet in the world!
"Toilets are a taboo subject, but we cannot and we must not ignore the global crisis in sanitation, diarrhoeal diseases are the second biggest killer of children in the world. Simply providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education could save 5000 children's lives every day. Governments must act now to prioritise sanitation provision for the world's poorest people." Oliver Cumming, WaterAid Sanitation and Environment Policy Officer.
'The State of the World's Toilets' ranks the worst countries in the world for sanitation provision, with 40% of the world's population lacking somewhere safe to go to the toilet the list is long and made up of some of the poorest countries in the world.
Download the full The State of the World's Toilets report ( PDF 491Kb)
You can also buy a toilet to help someone who doesn't have access to good sanitation.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Zinc - How Do You Know If You Need It?
One in three people in the UK fail to consume sufficient zinc in their diet. This is a truly horrendous statistic as zinc is necessary for the body to manufacture enzymes. Enzymes are vitally important to a healthy body. Deficiency symptoms include red, greasy skin on face; skin problems; poor hair growth; dandruff; night blindness; brittle nails; white spots on nails and persistent leg ulcers & pressure sores.
Zinc is a particularly important mineral for teenage boys and can often help with that teenage nightmare – acne.
So how do you know if you are short of zinc? If you’ve got an appalling diet you might just want to buy a high quality zinc supplement, but if you’re uncertain there’s a very simple test to show if you’re short of zinc. You taste a liquid solution of zinc and the taste you experience will show if you need to take a zinc supplement or up your intake of zinc rich foods (e.g. seeds, walnuts, lentils and whole grains).
Zinc is a particularly important mineral for teenage boys and can often help with that teenage nightmare – acne.
So how do you know if you are short of zinc? If you’ve got an appalling diet you might just want to buy a high quality zinc supplement, but if you’re uncertain there’s a very simple test to show if you’re short of zinc. You taste a liquid solution of zinc and the taste you experience will show if you need to take a zinc supplement or up your intake of zinc rich foods (e.g. seeds, walnuts, lentils and whole grains).
Vegetarian Thanksgiving.
I have been a vegetarian many years so I really like the work of the US Cancer Project which is encouraging people to adopt a vegetarian life style for health reasons.
With Thanksgiving coming up they've put together lots of recipes that are both healthy and delicious. Here's an example of one of their recipes:
No-Meat Loaf Makes 1 loaf (about 12 slices)
Serve this great-tasting loaf with Mushroom Gravy for a hearty meal that’s sure to please. A food processor makes it easy to make the bread crumbs (or you can purchase already-prepared bread crumbs) and to finely chop the walnuts and vegetables.
1 1/4 cups quick-cooking or regular rolled oats
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs, preferably whole-wheat (2–3 slices bread)
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 14-ounce package Lightlife Gimme Lean Ground Beef Style meat substitute, other ground beef-style meat substitute, or 2 cups cooked bulgur
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce1 cup plain tomato sauce, or 1 cup of crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons stone-ground or Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
vegetable oil spray
1/2 cup ketchup or barbeque sauce (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.
Use a food processor to finely chop walnuts, onion, celery, carrot, and green bell pepper.
Combine all ingredients except vegetable oil spray and ketchup or barbeque sauce in a large bowl.
Stir with a large spoon or knead by hand until well-mixed, about 1 minute.
Press into a vegetable oil sprayed 5"×9" loaf pan or similar baking dish.
Top with ketchup or barbeque sauce, if using.
Bake 60 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Per slice:
104 calories
2.6 g fat
0.3 g saturated fat
22% calories from fat
0 mg cholesterol
8.2 g protein
13.9 g carbohydrate
2.7 g sugar
2.5 g fiber
418 mg sodium
37 mg calcium
1.7 mg iron
5.9 mg vitamin C
463 mcg beta-carotene
0.6 mg vitamin E
Recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.
You can find more vegetarian thanksgiving recipes on their web site.
We also have more vegetarian thanksgiving recipes on the Health And Goodness web site.
With Thanksgiving coming up they've put together lots of recipes that are both healthy and delicious. Here's an example of one of their recipes:
No-Meat Loaf Makes 1 loaf (about 12 slices)
Serve this great-tasting loaf with Mushroom Gravy for a hearty meal that’s sure to please. A food processor makes it easy to make the bread crumbs (or you can purchase already-prepared bread crumbs) and to finely chop the walnuts and vegetables.
1 1/4 cups quick-cooking or regular rolled oats
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs, preferably whole-wheat (2–3 slices bread)
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 14-ounce package Lightlife Gimme Lean Ground Beef Style meat substitute, other ground beef-style meat substitute, or 2 cups cooked bulgur
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce1 cup plain tomato sauce, or 1 cup of crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons stone-ground or Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
vegetable oil spray
1/2 cup ketchup or barbeque sauce (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.
Use a food processor to finely chop walnuts, onion, celery, carrot, and green bell pepper.
Combine all ingredients except vegetable oil spray and ketchup or barbeque sauce in a large bowl.
Stir with a large spoon or knead by hand until well-mixed, about 1 minute.
Press into a vegetable oil sprayed 5"×9" loaf pan or similar baking dish.
Top with ketchup or barbeque sauce, if using.
Bake 60 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Per slice:
104 calories
2.6 g fat
0.3 g saturated fat
22% calories from fat
0 mg cholesterol
8.2 g protein
13.9 g carbohydrate
2.7 g sugar
2.5 g fiber
418 mg sodium
37 mg calcium
1.7 mg iron
5.9 mg vitamin C
463 mcg beta-carotene
0.6 mg vitamin E
Recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.
You can find more vegetarian thanksgiving recipes on their web site.
We also have more vegetarian thanksgiving recipes on the Health And Goodness web site.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Help With Stress
One of our customers sent me this email today:
"I bought Ginkgo off you recently and was wanting to also get a multi vitamin - they all seam to have the common stuff that I think you get in a daily diet but wanted to know if you have anything with a bit extra. No reason as im not run down but I have a very busy lifestyle and want to stay on form."
This was my reply:
"Rather than going for a multivit in your situation I'd probably go for the stress pack."
A lot of people are confused by nutritional supplements so I've started putting together packs - so far I've done insomnia, skin, digestion, arthritis and stress - specific nutritional supplements that work together and have been shown by research to benefit a particular problem. The packs have two advantages - the supplements are pre-chosen for you and also you save 10% on the price you'd pay if you bought these individually.
"I bought Ginkgo off you recently and was wanting to also get a multi vitamin - they all seam to have the common stuff that I think you get in a daily diet but wanted to know if you have anything with a bit extra. No reason as im not run down but I have a very busy lifestyle and want to stay on form."
This was my reply:
"Rather than going for a multivit in your situation I'd probably go for the stress pack."
A lot of people are confused by nutritional supplements so I've started putting together packs - so far I've done insomnia, skin, digestion, arthritis and stress - specific nutritional supplements that work together and have been shown by research to benefit a particular problem. The packs have two advantages - the supplements are pre-chosen for you and also you save 10% on the price you'd pay if you bought these individually.
homeopathy for child birth
every time we get an order for the homeopathic childbirth kit in our online store I get a warm glow knowing that some baby (and mother) somewhere is going to get off to a good start in life.
The remedies included are:
Aconite 200
Hypericum 200
Arnica 200
Ipecac 200
Bellis-p 200
Kali carb 200
Calendula 200
Kali phos 200
Carbo veg 200
Phytolacca 200
Caulophyllum 200
Pulsatilla 200
Chamomilla 200
Secale 200
Cimicifuga 200
Sepia Gelsemium 200
Staphisagria 200
it comes with a little booklet expalining how and when to use the remedies.
People sometimes uy them as gifts for pregnant friends and many pregant women buy them for themselves.
The remedies included are:
Aconite 200
Hypericum 200
Arnica 200
Ipecac 200
Bellis-p 200
Kali carb 200
Calendula 200
Kali phos 200
Carbo veg 200
Phytolacca 200
Caulophyllum 200
Pulsatilla 200
Chamomilla 200
Secale 200
Cimicifuga 200
Sepia Gelsemium 200
Staphisagria 200
it comes with a little booklet expalining how and when to use the remedies.
People sometimes uy them as gifts for pregnant friends and many pregant women buy them for themselves.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Give A Computer Get A Computer
I'm not in North America, but a North American colleague sent this to me:
Give One Get One
Between November 12 and November 26, OLPC is offering a Give One Get One program in North America. This is the first time the revolutionary XO laptop has been made available to the general public. For a donation of $399, one XO laptop will be sent to empower a child in a developing nation and one will be sent to the child in your life in recognition of your contribution. $200 of your donation is tax-deductible (your $399 donation minus the fair market value of the XO laptop you will be receiving).
For all U.S. donors who participate in the Give One Get One program, T-Mobile is offering one year of complimentary HotSpot access. Find out more.
Please be aware that we will make every effort to deliver the XO laptops by the holidays, but quantities are limited. Early purchasers have the best chance of receiving their XO laptops in time for the holidays, but we cannot guarantee timing
Give One Get One
Between November 12 and November 26, OLPC is offering a Give One Get One program in North America. This is the first time the revolutionary XO laptop has been made available to the general public. For a donation of $399, one XO laptop will be sent to empower a child in a developing nation and one will be sent to the child in your life in recognition of your contribution. $200 of your donation is tax-deductible (your $399 donation minus the fair market value of the XO laptop you will be receiving).
For all U.S. donors who participate in the Give One Get One program, T-Mobile is offering one year of complimentary HotSpot access. Find out more.
Please be aware that we will make every effort to deliver the XO laptops by the holidays, but quantities are limited. Early purchasers have the best chance of receiving their XO laptops in time for the holidays, but we cannot guarantee timing
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Sugar
I had a visitor yesterday who apologised profusely for wanting sugar in his coffee. He said: "Knowing what you do, I know you won't approve." It reminded me of when my children were young and we went to another mum's house. There were lots of mums there and everyone was offered cake except me. I commented on this and she said: "Oh, I know how interetsed you are in health and that stuff so I didn't think you'd want cake."
It's interesting that people think I never eat cake or take sugar because I'm interested in health, but I believe strongly that a healthy person can eat cake and have some sugar - not all the time, but occasionally, and it's no big deal. If you can only stay healthy by avoiding lots of things all the time and following a strict regime, you are not truly healthy. We have evolved to live in an imperfect world (may be not as imperfect as it is!!), so it should be possible to do all sorts of things in moderation.
It's interesting that people think I never eat cake or take sugar because I'm interested in health, but I believe strongly that a healthy person can eat cake and have some sugar - not all the time, but occasionally, and it's no big deal. If you can only stay healthy by avoiding lots of things all the time and following a strict regime, you are not truly healthy. We have evolved to live in an imperfect world (may be not as imperfect as it is!!), so it should be possible to do all sorts of things in moderation.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Weight Loss programme
I've added a new product and a new section to our online store.
The newest product is WeightLess, a thermogenic supplement, packed with nutrients to help stimulate a sluggish metabolism and low energy levels. They are particularly suitable for people who are not able to lose body fat even when following a low calorie diet.
The capsules contain caffeine, green tea extract, yerba mate, guarana, vitamin B6, Siberian ginseng, betaine HCL, apple cider vinegar, chromium polynicotinate, iodine and more.
Earlier this week a friend who has been taking these capsules told me (without prompting):
"My sweet tooth is practically non-existent... I've saved a fortune on not buying junk food .. and I've lost 6 lbs."
At this stage she had been taking the capsules for less than two weeks.
Weight loss is a big health issue for a lot of people, so we are pricing these capsules at a lot less than directly comparable products.
In this online section of our shop we also have a Weight Loss self-hypnosis CD so you can tackle weight loss from a psychological standpoint, and other products that can help you lose weight in a healthy and sustained way.
A recent study that you may have read about shows how important weight is in a cancer prevention programme. Being at a sensible weight is important for self esteem and health, so here are some products that can help you along the way.
All our products come with a 60-day money-back guarantee (excluding shipping) – so even if you’ve taken all the capsules you can still get your money back if you’re dissatisfied.
The newest product is WeightLess, a thermogenic supplement, packed with nutrients to help stimulate a sluggish metabolism and low energy levels. They are particularly suitable for people who are not able to lose body fat even when following a low calorie diet.
The capsules contain caffeine, green tea extract, yerba mate, guarana, vitamin B6, Siberian ginseng, betaine HCL, apple cider vinegar, chromium polynicotinate, iodine and more.
Earlier this week a friend who has been taking these capsules told me (without prompting):
"My sweet tooth is practically non-existent... I've saved a fortune on not buying junk food .. and I've lost 6 lbs."
At this stage she had been taking the capsules for less than two weeks.
Weight loss is a big health issue for a lot of people, so we are pricing these capsules at a lot less than directly comparable products.
In this online section of our shop we also have a Weight Loss self-hypnosis CD so you can tackle weight loss from a psychological standpoint, and other products that can help you lose weight in a healthy and sustained way.
A recent study that you may have read about shows how important weight is in a cancer prevention programme. Being at a sensible weight is important for self esteem and health, so here are some products that can help you along the way.
All our products come with a 60-day money-back guarantee (excluding shipping) – so even if you’ve taken all the capsules you can still get your money back if you’re dissatisfied.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Why buy from us?
I'm always tinkering with our online health store, and over the last few days I've been thinking about why people should buy from us. These are the reasons I immediately thought of:
Buy from us because:
Buy from us because:
- Our company is based on ethical principles - offering well-researched information and products. We were ethical long before that word became fashionable in a business context.
- We offer a 60-day money back guarantee on all our products, including the supplements (excluding shipping charges). Even if you are down to the last tablet in the pot, you can still send it back for a complete refund.
- Although this online store is relatively new, I have been in business since 1982, offering health advice and help through my therapy practice.
- All our nutritional products are suitable for vegetarians and most are also suitable for vegans. I have been a vegetarian for over 30 years, and am a member of the UK Vegetarian Society.
- We do not make extravagant claims for the products we sell. I hate the hype I meet on many sites, raising unrealistic hopes or insulting your intelligence. We build trust in our site through the advice, the products, our refund policy and the service we offer, so that you want to come back to the site again and again.
- Many sites rely on barely-legal 'special offers' to generate sales. We do make special offers from time to time, but these are always genuine, and are often designed to introduce you to a new product. Fundamentally I believe in always offering effective products that don't rip anyone off.
- Your credit card information is safe with us; we follow good practice in keeping your details safe.
- Your privacy is guaranteed. We do not sell, give away or exchange your details.
- We donate at least 12% of our profits to charity, currently including WaterAid and the Maun Homeopathy project.
- We bank with the Co-Operative Bank, a bank with a clear ethical investment policy on oppressive regimes, the arms trade, the tobacco industry, animal welfare, etc.
So, now you know some of the reasons shopping with us makes sense.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Choose How You Are
I regularly get an email newsletter from Robert Middleton. He writes well - here's a piece out of his latest ezine that I particularly liked:
This Monday morning I woke up with a huge pile of things on my
plate. Not only did I have the eZine to write, but my in-progress
projects include writing an online marketing software program,
gearing up for my next Certification Program, giving feedback to
my Marketing Coaches and creating a big fundraising event for a
non-profit organization (Room to Read).
What I noticed, before even getting out of bed, was that I was
gearing up to BE overwhelmed. I also remembered that when I'm
overwhelmed, I either start procrastinating, stuck in not knowing
what to do first, or I go into "stressed-out panic mode."
I also remembered that both of these options were not very
effective in handling overwhelm. So I asked myself, "If I couldn't
be overwhelmed, who would I be?" The answer came quickly: "I'd
be calm, focused and fearless."
I clearly saw that if I was calm, focused and fearless, I'd look at all
the things I had on my plate, do a little planning and prioritizing
and then do one thing at a time. And then I asked myself, "Who
am I going to choose to Be? Overwhelmed, or calm, focused and
fearless?"
By Robert Middleton of Action Plan Marketing. Please visit
Robert's web site at www.actionplan.com for additional
marketing articles and resources on marketing for professional
service businesses.
This Monday morning I woke up with a huge pile of things on my
plate. Not only did I have the eZine to write, but my in-progress
projects include writing an online marketing software program,
gearing up for my next Certification Program, giving feedback to
my Marketing Coaches and creating a big fundraising event for a
non-profit organization (Room to Read).
What I noticed, before even getting out of bed, was that I was
gearing up to BE overwhelmed. I also remembered that when I'm
overwhelmed, I either start procrastinating, stuck in not knowing
what to do first, or I go into "stressed-out panic mode."
I also remembered that both of these options were not very
effective in handling overwhelm. So I asked myself, "If I couldn't
be overwhelmed, who would I be?" The answer came quickly: "I'd
be calm, focused and fearless."
I clearly saw that if I was calm, focused and fearless, I'd look at all
the things I had on my plate, do a little planning and prioritizing
and then do one thing at a time. And then I asked myself, "Who
am I going to choose to Be? Overwhelmed, or calm, focused and
fearless?"
By Robert Middleton of Action Plan Marketing. Please visit
Robert's web site at www.actionplan.com for additional
marketing articles and resources on marketing for professional
service businesses.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Geopathic Stress Book
It's interesting to see that someone is selling my original book on ebay with a 'buy it now' price of US Dollars 88!
It's cheaper and makes more sense to buy my latest version of this book - enlarged with lots of new material. You can buy it from many booksellers or direct from my health web site.
It's cheaper and makes more sense to buy my latest version of this book - enlarged with lots of new material. You can buy it from many booksellers or direct from my health web site.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Battle Of Ideas
I really enjoyed attending the Battle Of Ideas weekend, although by the end of the weekend I felt like my brain had been removed, whizzed in a liquidiser and then poured back into my head!
There were lots of great discussions and provocative things said. I particularly enjoyed the debates on obesity, the resurrection of religion, Darwin and Intelligent Design, the politics of climate change.
The debate I didn’t enjoy was: CAM: junk science or genuine alternative. When I saw the line up, I realised immediately that complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) had no real champion in the speakers. Professor Edzard Ernst who is the Laing Chair of Complementary Medicine, University of Exeter And Plymouth, was one of the speakers. At first sight this seems like a voice for the CAM community, but professor Ernst seems to be wedded to the double blind placebo trial as the only way of accessing information. I have written on my web site for therapists about why I feel this has profound flaws for understanding CAM. My concerns were confirmed when I listened to the speakers who presented a caricature of the typical CAM client as the neurotic worried-well. When there was a chance for the audience to speak I got a chance to say I didn’t recognise this typical client and that when I’d been a therapist I’d seen (and helped) people with eczema, asthma, epilepsy, arthritis and more, and these people certainly couldn’t in any way be characterised as the worried well. Unfortunately many of the speakers from the floor spoke against CAM. I felt very disheartened but cheered myself up with the thought that a few years ago there wouldn’t have even been a debate on CAM, as it wouldn’t have been seen as a significant enough phenomenon to be worth having a debate on.
The really outstanding debate for me was entitled: “My brain made me do it: biology and freedom”. Lucid, elegant arguments from a lawyer, neuroscientists and professors of geriatric medicine and sociology. It was enthralling to listen to, and the questions and comments from the audience posed more ideas. No conclusions were drawn, but that is the nature of this event – you are presented with well argued, opposing views and left to draw your own conclusion.
I shall certainly be booking for next year’s Battle of Ideas.
There were lots of great discussions and provocative things said. I particularly enjoyed the debates on obesity, the resurrection of religion, Darwin and Intelligent Design, the politics of climate change.
The debate I didn’t enjoy was: CAM: junk science or genuine alternative. When I saw the line up, I realised immediately that complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) had no real champion in the speakers. Professor Edzard Ernst who is the Laing Chair of Complementary Medicine, University of Exeter And Plymouth, was one of the speakers. At first sight this seems like a voice for the CAM community, but professor Ernst seems to be wedded to the double blind placebo trial as the only way of accessing information. I have written on my web site for therapists about why I feel this has profound flaws for understanding CAM. My concerns were confirmed when I listened to the speakers who presented a caricature of the typical CAM client as the neurotic worried-well. When there was a chance for the audience to speak I got a chance to say I didn’t recognise this typical client and that when I’d been a therapist I’d seen (and helped) people with eczema, asthma, epilepsy, arthritis and more, and these people certainly couldn’t in any way be characterised as the worried well. Unfortunately many of the speakers from the floor spoke against CAM. I felt very disheartened but cheered myself up with the thought that a few years ago there wouldn’t have even been a debate on CAM, as it wouldn’t have been seen as a significant enough phenomenon to be worth having a debate on.
The really outstanding debate for me was entitled: “My brain made me do it: biology and freedom”. Lucid, elegant arguments from a lawyer, neuroscientists and professors of geriatric medicine and sociology. It was enthralling to listen to, and the questions and comments from the audience posed more ideas. No conclusions were drawn, but that is the nature of this event – you are presented with well argued, opposing views and left to draw your own conclusion.
I shall certainly be booking for next year’s Battle of Ideas.
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