Happy New Year(2010:), Happy New Decade!

As a former emotional overeater / binger I must remember:

'Remember that it takes about three days for food to be converted into adipose fat, so as long as you cut back a bit the next day, nothing bad will happen.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1239555/Cant-face-New-Year-diet-This-mother-set-lose-weight-hypnosis--results-mesmerising.html#ixzz0bHAHrhPn

Despite being a challenging year and decade one managed to complete 3 months of Tibetan Rites and basic asanas - roll on 2010 / new decade!

Namaste all:)

xoxoxoxo

Respect Life!

1, Go vegetarian

2, Only buy what you really need ie food etc.(limits food waste etc., thus limiting greenhouse gas emissions)

3. Be a more mindful and savvy consumer!:)

Ethical Consumerism at it's best!

Beat the crowds and shop with Peopletree for all your ethically-sourced togs. Sale now on! www.peopletree.co.uk

Green Knickers anyone?!

Today is the last day to purchase some bloomin' lovely ecologically-sound silky-tie hemp pants down to £10(so so darn comfy too:0)!

Tip!

Do a google search and type in 'greenknickers.org promo code' for an extra discount.

Merry Christmas, Everyone

Love Food, Hate Waste!

By Francesca Angelina(ES today:)

A free feast made from six tonnes of misshapen fruit and veg that would otherwise have been thrown out will be offered to 5,000 people in Trafalgar Square.

Curry and smoothies will be served at Feeding The 5,000 on Wednesday from nnoon to 14:00, to highlight food waste. Farms, packers and markets have given fresh produce to the event, organised by author, Tristram Stuart with Save the Children, ActionAid, This is Rubbish and Fairshare. Chefs including Masterchef winner, Thomasina Miers will give lessons in using leftovers.

Rosie Boycott, chairwoman of the London Food Board, said: 'It will bring to life the idea that every morsel is too good to waste.' Britain Wastes £12billion of foods and drink a year. Up to 40% of farmer's crops are rejected for cosmetic reasons.

See you there!

Christmas Angels!

Check out: www.dailymail.co.uk for adorable snaps of incredibly-cute 20 month year old Nahla and her incredibly-beautiful mom, Halle!

Namaste:)

oops(correction)!

47% of Britons do not feel that Global warming and climate change is man-made.

Appoligies!

Age of Stupid(Being mindful:)!

I am aghast at the shocking statistical fact that 47% of Britons feel that destructive human behaviour is not a contributor to man-made environmental degradation. In the wealthy nations, such as the U.K.; people exploit natural resources on a huge scale and a huge cost to the planet / natural world and people with the lowest carbon footprint. Individuals are driven by status, big profits and a insatiable greed for speeding for the sake of it. This has got to stop now if we have any chance of conserving life here on Earth. We, the human have to live consciously and mindfully(think as if you are securing your children and your grand children's future:) and 'be the change we wish to see in the world' aka setting an example!

Climate Change Cost Lives ACT NOW(Be the Change You wish to see in the World)!!!

As Global citizens, we are facing a huge humanitarian crisis that affects us all. Rising sea levels, droughts and floods are hitting the very poorest nations(Often with the lowest carbon footprint)hard. Forcing these poorest nations further into poverty. We in the rich Western nations must commit a fair and safe deal / future for all, hence the Copenhagen summit in December.

Let's all work together and sort it out Now!

Here's a template letter to get things moving:

Dear...................................MP,(find your MP at:www.parliament.uk)

As a Global citizen I'm concerned about climate change and it's devastating impacts on vulnerable communities across the world.

The UN talks in Copenhagen this December must address this injustice by agreeing a strong and fair deal that protects poor people.

But, I am worried that the deal could fail because of a lack of political leadership and desire of world leaders to commit what's needed to tackle climate change. If what is agreed in Copenhagen doesn't protect the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, then it is not a good deal.

Please pass my message on to the Prime Minister urging him to show world-class leadership and secure a climate deal that:

*Commits developed countries to cut emissions by at least 40% by 2020(on 1990 levels) with at least three-quarters of the cuts being made domestically.

*Provides developing countries with at least $150 billion of public funding annually foe adaptation to climate change, clean development and addressing deforestation.

Thank-you

Yours sincerely,

.................................

Just think if we ALL put pen to paper! Climate Change cost lives act now!

Conscious living......

If you are a user of plastic bags, disposable nappies / diapers / sanpro, please be aware that these items out up in seas, rivers and beaches(Polluting them and killing wild life) . Sea mammals often mistake them for food and are killed as a result of our idle carelessness.

Conscious living........................

When we live consciously and support those that support us and the earth everything works. It's the universal law of supply and demand!

A certain burger chain feeds on an individual's addiction with chemicalised / heavily processed 'food' putting profits before people at a huge cost to us all. In Brazil / South America their cutting down precious acres and acres of vast Rainforest's landscape to grow animal fodder(Soy to feed cattle for all the hamburger chains). All in all this action contributes to widespread pollution, thus global warming and climate change. One easy and best solutions to help save our future would be to convert to a vegetarian lifestyle. By giving these burger chains your repeated custom you are actively supporting and encouraging the destruction of the rainforests and ultimately the Earth.

Corrections Oops!

I meant oil-pulling and not toothpulling as previousely stated.

And the company was www.bishopstontrading.co.uk

Really useful resource page aka conscious living

We are fortunate to live in a democratic society where we can choose where we live, what we wear and what to buy. As a powerful consumer,one chooses to support good small / moderately-sized businesses that supports people and planet(I've been doing this for so long it's habitual:).

Here's some really good resources that I endorse:

Oliva Soap Pure olive oil soap(just saponified olive oil and mineral salts) so pure it's biodegradable(thus it's suitable for sensitive / facial skin and new-born babies, unlike a certain well-known baby range full of petrochemicals)! For a good natural moisturiser, you can't beat pure coconut oil(makes a great conditioner and pre-shave treatment too:); after all your skin is the largest organ - you are what you absorb!

www.pinkrobin.co.uk sells some lovely organic cotton san pro, maternity and first period kids(An ideal gift for a young girl especially as it comes with an ecologically-sound jute storage bag and thought:).Like the ubiquitous plastic bags(sea mammals often mistake them for food)disposable san pro and nappies / diapers end up in rivers and beaches too.

Pure sesame oil(not the toasted brown oil)is a great pre-cleansing body treatment(massage some in prior to showering)and shower as usual for super soft and clarifying treatment! Sesame oil is a great oil for teeth-pulling too(more on this later:).

Tom's of Maine is a great naturally-sourced toothpaste!

Tip! Explore your area to find some lovely independent shops(service with a genuine smile:)

For ecologically-sound attire: try braintree.hemp.co.uk(based in Camden, London or mail-order), peopletree.co.uk and bishopstowntrading.co.uk shops around the South West and mail order. Tip: you can get some great handwoven cotton(made with love:)in some lovely natural colours from India at very reasonable prices per metre for the creative seamstress amongst us!

Baking pwd / soda make a great deodoriser(in addition with a few drops of pure lavender essential oil inside the container)is ideal as a pre-vacuuming treatment. Just shake and vac!

Useful free resources onthe net I love include:

www.walkit.com

www.mysupermarket.co.uk

One was doing so well and...........................

Back to the theme of nurture, I've been reading lovely texts(Sons of the Buddha), eating a nourishingly-alkaline millet porridge(millet, soaked almonds and banana:), meditating and what did hubby have in the freezer for me to get my mitts on that brings out the Satan / glutton aspect? those awful frozen potato chips that's what.
Having discovered a ecologically-sound and simple / sustainable lifestyle in my youth one knows what suits their constitution best. Being a sensitive and emotional type I guess hard habits and addictions are hard to break. I won't beat myself up about it, let's just say I had a word in his ear about being supportive and sensitive! Apart from this slight hiccup I'm feeling great!

Being the change you wish to see in the World(Making a difference:)

The Great Persuasion mass lobby, 16-18 October


With autumn approaching the school bell will be ringing in Westminster, calling MPs back to the cut and thrust of political life - so let’s get together and say what we want from them this term.

On the weekend of the 16-18 October, Oxfam is teaming up with loads of other development and climate organisations to take part in ‘The Great Persuasion’. This is a mass lobby event that will see hundreds of MPs and election candidates visited by their constituents to talk about poverty and climate change.

We know that the thought of visiting a member of parliament to discuss these important issues may seem a little daunting, but we can assure you that a bit of enthusiasm is all you need. (And you can take lots of friends too!)

This mass lobby is being made all the more exciting, as it’s part of the annual worldwide event, ‘Stand Up and Take Action’ that coincides with International Poverty Day on the 17th October. Last year over 100 million people were involved and this year will be no different.

To be one of those 100 million all you need to do is:

Contact your MP and at least one parliamentary candidate in your constituency, either by visiting them, writing to them, telephoning them, emailing them, or inviting them to a meeting on 16-18 October.
Let them know how important it is to get a fair and safe deal on climate change
Give them a copy of the International Development manifesto, and get them to send a copy to their Party’s manifesto team.
All the details and information you need are in the Great Persuasion toolkit

You may find that other activists from different organisations are also planning to meet their MP. If you hear about this then do join forces with them to present a united front. It would be great if you could also let Oxfam London and SE know what you are planning - email kawright@oxfam.org.uk. Good luck!

Source: Oxfam UK

Being the change you wish to see in the World!

Given the challenges we, humans collectively face on the planet right now. We all need to take swift action as a matter of urgency to secure our children's future and that of future generations. Simple changes like limiting food waste is a start(Landfill space is running out), thus contributes to noxious gases ie methane into the atmosphere and this creates the greenhouse effect in global warming and climate change. An alternative is to compost all your organic waste instead(Vegetable peelings, teabags, egg shells etc.). We have to accept limitations and cannot go on expanding and consuming eternally in order to protect and conserve life. Here on Earth We are all interconnected to the source. Our future is at stake!

Living simply ie consuming less, going veggie,meditating, avoiding those unnecessary flights and lobbying your local MP really can make a difference to saving our future here on Earth.

And for the activists amongst us I can't highly recommend Oxfam's media shaker workshop enough(It's free:)for invaluable tips to campaign for a healthy and safer environment for us all(You meet lovely inspiring people just like you:0). If you are based in the South-East contact Lucy today!

Climate Change The Facts - Time for action we're all in this together

What is climate change? The Earth's climate has always varied, so the term climate change is now generally used to describe the changes caused by human activity - specifically, greenhouse emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane, which build up in the atmosphere and trap heat. Is it the same as global warming? As human activity increases the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere far beyond their natural levels, much more heat is trapped. Hence, the term climate change is often used interchangeably with global warming. Can it be explained by natural causes? Measurements at the Earth's surface show that average temperatures have risen by some 0.4C since the 1970s. Scientists are confident this change can be blamed on human emissions because the increase is too big to be explained by natural causes. Although natural factors such as changes in the sun and large volcanic eruptions are known to have warmed and cooled the planet in the past, these effects are not powerful enough to explain the rapid warming seen recently. Only an increased greenhouse effect caused by higher amounts of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere can explain it. What is the main greenhouse gas? Water vapour in the atmosphere produces the strongest greenhouse effect, but it has been in balance for millions of years. Human emissions, though relatively small, tip that balance. Carbon dioxide is the chief greenhouse gas produced by human activity. It is produced when we burn fossil fuels: oil, gas and coal. The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is measured in parts per million (ppm). Before the industrial revolution, the carbon dioxide level was about 280ppm. It is now 386ppm and rising by 2-3ppm each year. When other greenhouse gases such as methane are included, the total level in the atmosphere, known as the carbon dioxide equivalent, is closer to 440ppm. What future temperature rise is expected? Scientists say continued emissions will cause the planet to heat up further. To work out how much, they use computer models based on the programs used to predict the weather. These models are not perfect, and struggle to simulate some features of the climate system such as clouds. To get around this, the scientists run many different versions and pool the results. The computer models predict that if emissions continue to rise at the present rate, average temperatures will most likely increase by 4C by 2100. There are uncertainties, though - for example, the planet's oceans, forests and soils could release their massive stocks of carbon as the world warms, leading to much greater temperature rises than human emissions alone would cause. Why are warmer temperatures bad? Most plants and animals have evolved to live in a fairly narrow ecological niche. Some will move to find their desired conditions, others will be able to adapt. Those that cannot move or adapt will perish. Some animals, such as the polar bear, have nowhere to move to. A warmer climate will affect agriculture and water availability. Increased temperatures are also expected to limit rainfall in some regions and bring more extreme weather events such as storms to others. Sea levels will rise - gradually at first as the extra warmth works its way into the oceans and makes them expand; more quickly if the gigantic ice sheets in Greenland and west Antarctica start to break up. How can we tackle global warming? Scientists say the only realistic way at present is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. How to do that - and where - is a political hot potato. Because it takes time for the heat to build up in the atmosphere, and because carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, there is a lag in the system, which means the effect of any changes will not be felt for decades. Put bluntly, we are headed for about another 0.5C of warming whatever we do. What are the Kyoto protocol and the Copenhagen climate talks? The world's only existing treaty to limit emissions, the Kyoto protocol, has had limited success, and expires in 2012. Politicians are working to develop a replacement that would include countries excluded from Kyoto, such as China, and those that refused to join, such as the US. From December 7, environment ministers and officials will meet in Copenhagen to thrash out a successor to Kyoto. The two week event is being seen by many environmentalists as a crucial diplomatic opportunity to create an international agreement on meaningful cuts in emissions that will prevent the worst consequences of climate change. Can renewable energy help? The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that we already have most of the technology we need to bring down emissions significantly. These include renewable energy sources such as windmills, geothermal and solar panels, as well as more efficient cars and power stations. What about carbon trading? Carbon trading is a market mechanism to achieve cuts in emissions. Countries or groups of countries (such as the EU) first agree a cap or maximum emissions level. Individual companies are then either given or must purchase carbon credits - the right to emit a certain amount of CO2. If they exceed their allowance they must purchase permits from another company that has company that has fallen short of its cap. If the cost of buying carbon credits is high enough it incentivises companies to invest in measures to reduce their emissions. To date, the EU's emissions trading scheme has been heavily criticised for failing to reduce emissions. In the first phase, the number of permits issued was too high, sending the carbon price crashing and so removing any incentive for companies to spend money reducing their emissions. The environmentalist James Lovelock has branded Europe's carbon trading scheme a "scam". What about carbon offsetting? Offsetting is controversial because some people see it as an excuse not to change our behaviour. There are also concerns about whether it delivers the promised savings, as much of the market is unregulated. What about storing the CO2 underground or blocking the sun? One technology that would allow us to continue burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil without increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere is carbon capture and storage (CCS). This involves extracting CO2 at power stations then pumping it underground. Critics argue the technology will prove expensive and is several years away from being proven. A more drastic approach is so-called geo-engineering. These are major technological fixes such as seeding clouds to bounce some of the sun's radiation back into space or stimulating the growth of algae in the oceans to soak up CO2. These are much more speculative, but Barack Obama's scientific adviser, John Holdren, has said that he is open to even these drastic measures. If you have any questions about this email, please contact the guardian.co.uk user help desk: userhelp@guardian.co.uk. guardian.co.uk Copyright (c) Guardian News and Media Limited. 2009Registered in England and Wales No. 908396Registered office: Number 1 Scott Place, Manchester M3 3GG Please consider the environment before printing this email.------------------------------------------------------------------Visit source:guardian.co.uk - the UK's most popular newspaper websitehttp://guardian.co.uk http://observer.co.uk

Nature / Nurture

Instead of a whole overwhelming list of goals, nurture will be a theme to base my entire existence around. With a long history of chronic self-esteem issues(I'm not knocking my folks etc., they did their best)I thought it would be a good idea to really nurture from within. I haven't been looking after myself lately, so what better place to start!

Heart-felt Codolences to cinematic artist Patrick Swayze's wife, Lisa and family

I'm quite sad and shocked to here that this charismatic performer lost his fight for life today. Sad day for the film industry and creative artists everywhere. Sad day for us all. He played a nice guy(Dirty Dancing and Ghost:)on screen and comes across as a gentleman in real-life(Married to his childhood sweetheart, Lisa for years:).

My thoughts are with his wife, Lisa and loved-ones.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Special thoughts to the family and friends of the flamboyant TV chef, Keith Floyd. He was quite a TV personality!

Again so young, it is no age to pass away.

xoxoxoxoxo

Copy Cats!

I recently discovered that my favourite baby name of *ALL TIME(It's Olivia:)tops the recent surveyed poll in Blighty in 2009. I take it as a sign I have good taste and attune with the majority of the maternal British mother!

* My baby name(For a girl:0) of choice for many years now:)

Why Olivia?

Quite simply, extending the olive branch is the traditional sign of peace and friendship. It is also quite an elegant name too - I love it:)

My daughter's names would be: Olivia, Jasmine, Alessandra(Jasmine the Hypnotic and delightfully fragranced flowers and Alex translating into defender of mankind and once again one has loved the name for decades:)

My son would be: Oliver, Justin, Alessandro, Matthew, Albie / Alby / Alban / Alben........... on those lines!

Hurray It's September!

Pinch punch first of the month!

I do love the ninth month of the year and how auspicious is this year going?! what with the ninth day of September 2009 ie 9/09/09 only days away(Yes, I'm a big fan of numerology:)

How exciting indeed!

Blessings / Namaste:)

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Says it all really...................................................

Half of GPs refuse swine flu vaccine over testing fears of the GPs surveyed, almost a third thought the swine flu vaccine had not been tested enough.

Up to half of family doctors do not want to be vaccinated against swine flu.
GPs will be first in the line for the jabs when they become available but many will decline, even though they will be offering the vaccine to their patients.
More than two thirds of those who will turn the jab down believe it has not been tested enough. Most also believe the flu has turned out to be so mild in the vast majority of cases that the vaccine is not needed.
Last night Government experts criticised GPs who decide not to have the jab, saying they will put vulnerable patients needlessly at risk.
A week ago, a poll of nurses showed that a third would turn down the opportunity of being vaccinated against swine flu.
News that medics are unconvinced by the need for a vaccine will cause grave concern to patients who will be invited for the jab over the next few months.
A poll of doctors for Pulse magazine found that 49 per cent would reject the vaccine with 9 per cent undecided.
A separate survey for GP magazine found that 29 per cent would definitely opt out of having the jab, while a further 29 per cent were unsure. Just 41 per cent said they would definitely have the jab.
Of those who said they did not want to jab, 71 per cent said it was because of safety concerns.
Richard Hoey, editor of Pulse, said: 'The medical profession has yet to be convinced by the Government's whole approach to swine flu, with most GPs now feeling that the Department of Health overreacted in its policy on blanket use of Tamiflu.
'Inevitably, that has coloured feelings about the planned immunisation campaign.
'The view among many doctors is that the Government hasn't yet made its case for why such a huge vaccination programme needs to be rushed in for what seems to be an unusually mild illness.'
But Professor David Salisbury, the Department of Health's director of immunisation, told GP magazine that frontline health workers had a duty to themselves regarding vaccination.
'They have a duty to their patients not to infect their patients and they have a duty to their families,' he said.
The Pulse survey questioned 15 doctors, while GP spoke to 216.
The poll raised further questions over the Government's planned mass vaccination programme. The jab, currently being processed, will be fast tracked and will not be fully tested before it is administered to patients.
There are also concerns the jab can spark cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome, which can lead to paralysis and even death.
A mass swine flu vaccination programme in the U.S. in 1976 caused far more deaths than the disease it was designed to combat, and the Health Protection Agency watchdog has asked doctors to look out for cases of GBS when the vaccinations begin.
Earlier this month, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson announced that the jab will be given to people in high-risk groups, such as those with asthma or diabetes, as well as health workers such as GPs and nurses.
Some 14million people will be covered by the first wave of the vaccination programme, with everyone else following over the next few months.
The BMA is still negotiating with doctors over how they should be paid to give out the jabs. The union is demanding £7 for every injection.
A spokesman for the BMA said: 'The new vaccine has been thoroughly tested and we believe it should provide good protection against swine flu.
'It is important that doctors are among the first to be offered the vaccine as it will not only protect them but the patients they care for.

However, doctors like all individuals have the right to decide whether they are vaccinated or not.'


Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208716/Half-GPs-refuse-swine-flu-vaccine-testing-fears.html#ixzz0PmRlG9K5

Smocking Time!

1951, the average British woman's waist has increased by six inches, and fashion - designer and High Street - has reflected this with the rise and rise of the smock top and other loose-fitting items that are, as Jane de Teliga politely puts it, 'very handy for the podgy'(Nice). I on the other hand tend to disagree with this magazine editor's(typical journalist)opinion and love the smock! Being a passionate culture vulture myself one does like to take an interest in the visual arts and fashion so forth is included. Fashion is fun and frivolous art form after all! I love the forgiving shape(It's so nice when you have put on a few pounds, bloated or even pregnant to have a lovely relaxed and comfortable garment to wear; heterosexual males may disagree on this one, but this chick purely dresses for herself and herself alone and one just happens to prefer loose-fitting clothes to tight-fitting ones alas Mrs. Beckham) and comfort factor(I guess it's a innate maternal thing in me). They may be out of Vogue, but who cares(Fashion victim I am not).

Wise words from a very wise source, yes the Yogi does it again................and again!

Creating Happiness
by Paramhansa Yogananda
East-West, 1933 and 1932

If you want to be loved, start loving others who need your love. If you expect others to be honest with you, then start by being honest yourself. If you do not want others to be wicked, then you must cease to be evil yourself. If you want others to sympathize with you, start showing sympathy to those around you. If you want to be respected, you must learn to be respectful to everyone, both young and old. If you want a display of peace from others, you must be peaceful yourself. If you want others to be religious, start being spiritual yourself. Remember, whatever you want others to be, first be that yourself; then you will find others responding in like manner to you.
It is easy to wish that others would behave perfectly toward you, and it is easy to see their faults, but it is very difficult to conduct yourself properly and to consider your own faults. If you can remember to behave rightly, others will try to follow your example. If you can find your own faults without developing an inferiority complex, and can keep busy correcting yourself, then you will be using your time more profitably than if you spent it in just wishing others to be better. Your good example will do more to change others than your wishing, your holy wrath, or your words.

The more you improve yourself, the more you will elevate others around you. The self-improving man is the increasingly happy man. The happier you become, the happier will be the people around you.

Stagnant people are unhappy. Extremely ignorant people scarcely know how it feels to either be happy or unhappy. They are unfeeling, like the stones. It is better to be unhappy about your own ignorance than to die happily with it. Wherever you are, remain awake and alive with your thought, perception, and intuition, ever ready, like a good photographer, to take pictures of exemplary conduct and to ignore bad behavior. Your highest happiness lies in your being ever ready in desiring to learn and to behave properly.

If you have given up hope of ever being happy, cheer up. Never lose hope. Your soul, being the reflection of the ever-joyous Spirit, is, in essence, happiness itself. If you keep the eyes of your concentration closed, you cannot see the sun of happiness burning within your bosom; but no matter how tightly you close the eyes of your attention, it nevertheless remains a fact that the happiness rays are ever trying to pierce the closed doors of your mind. Open the portals of calmness, and you will find a sudden burst of the bright Sun of Joy right from within yourself.

The joyous rays of the soul can be perceived if you interiorize your attention. This can be done by using the architect of your mind to enjoy the beautiful scenery of thoughts in the invisible, tangible Kingdom within you. Do not search for happiness only in beautiful clothes, clean houses, delicious dinners, and soft cushions and chairs. These will imprison your happiness behind the bars of externality or outwardness. Rather, in the airplane of your visualization, glide over the vast tracts of Fancy, beholding the limitless empire of thoughts. There behold the mountain ranges of unbroken, lofty, spiritual aspiration, for improving yourself and others.

Glide over the deep valleys of Universal Sympathy. Fly over the geysers of enthusiasm, and the Niagara Falls of perpetual wisdom, plunging down the hoary crags of your Soul’s peace. Soar over the endless river of intuitive perception to the Kingdom of His Omnipresence. There, in His Mansion of Bliss, drink from His fountain of Whispering Wisdom and quench the thirst of your desires. Dine with Him on the fruits of Divine Love in the Banquet Hall of Eternity. If you have made up your mind to find joy within yourself, sooner or later you will find it. Seek it now, daily, by steady, deep, and deeper meditation within, and you will surely find everlasting happiness. Make a steady effort to go within, and you will find your greatest happiness there.

http://www.ananda. it/en/yogananda/ articles/ py

Toxic Chemicals in Skincare / Beauty Preparations

The ones to look out for!









Parabens (Found in cancer tumors), Petro-Chemicals (Strip the skin of its own natural oils), Synthetic Perfumes (The biggest cause of allergies) NB: The naturally occurring derivatives of essential oils have the same name as the synthetic fragrance i.e Limonene. None of our products contain synthetic fragrances.

Mineral Oils (Blocks the pores), Harsh Chemicals (Damaging to the body), Propylene Glycols (Better known as "Anti-Freeze"!), Synthetic Alcohols (Damaging and drying to the skin), Ingredients Tested on Animals (Not necessary).

DEA/MEA/TEA: Known to cause allergic reactions, irritate the eyes and dry the hair and the skin.

Petrolatum: Also know as liquid Vaseline, paraffinum liquidum and baby oil. Strips the natural oils from the skin causing chapping, dryness and premature ageing. Prevents elimination of toxins.

Alchol or Isopropyl: A poisonous solvent found in colour rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after shave lotions and fragrances. Dries skin and hair, creating cracks and fissures in the skin.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES): Strong detergent found in shampoos, hair conditioners, toothpastes, body washes, which can cause eye irritation, skin rashes and hair loss(Commonly used as a engine / car degreaser)

Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Parabens: Food grade preservatives used to extend a product's shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Considered highly toxic and have been found in cancer tumours. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions.

Artificial Fragrance or Parfum (Not to be confused with natural fragrance from essential oils): Usually petroleum based. Can cause headaches, dizziness, rashes, respiratory problems, skin irritation and multiple chemical sensitivity.

Propylene Glycol: A wetting agent and solvent used in hair care products, deodorants and after shave. It is also one of the main ingredients in anti-freeze and brake fluid.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): A caustic, used to dissolve grease. It is found in most skin cleansers as well as in oven cleaners.

Imidazolidinyl Urea: Formaldehyde forming preservative which can weaken the immune system.

It is worth mentioning that not all chemicals are bad for you as mentioned by one of the UK's most respected cosmetologist's and MD of UK based organic beauty company Essentially Yours.

"Is there such a thing as a 100 % natural product...

Well unless you take a cucumber from the ground and rub it on your face
(not hugely beneficial so don’t waste your cucumber) it’s not going to be 100% natural.
The breaking down of any plant will involve chemical processing so it's about which method is used and what chemicals are used to create the raw material that's then used in the finished product...

Not all chemicals are bad for us...

What a diseased ridden lot we would all be

Sad!

Being a highly sensitive individual there is one thing alone that's stopping me from achieving my dreams, goals and ultimately spiritual growth. I take things to heart and recall what ? and ? and ? have said / done to me for dear life! I do tend to live in the past and it's destroying one's soul, thus robbing us of a quality of life. How SAD am I?!!! Is this a cry for help?

Blessngs / Namaste!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

What shall I wear Today aka Dressing For Fun / Having fun with clothes?!!!

I agree with these tips as seen on the msn website!




Saving your nicest clothes and jewellery only for special occasions
Maybe you think it’s too fancy for every day. Or it was so expensive that you feel like it should be reserved only for a big night out. But that’s a very old-fashioned approach to fashion. Dresses, embellished tops, fabulous high heels and great jewellery can—and should—be worked into your everyday wardrobe. You don’t need to look as if you’re on your way to a cocktail party, however. Pair the dressy piece with something more casual (the embellished top with jeans, the dress with boots) for a modern daytime mix. “Fashion is supposed to be fun!” says Shayne. “And there’s nothing fun about having great clothes in your closet that you rarely wear.

Symptoms and causes of Miscarriage

It's often not clear why a miscarriage occurs, but in many cases it is believed that a fetus is aborted because it is not developing normally. This is thought to be a chance event and is usually not due to a defect in either parent. Several factors can contribute to abnormal fetal development, including:


abnormalities in the father's sperm or in the mother's egg
disease in the mother, such as rubella (German measles), severe heart or kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease
abnormalities in the uterus
the mother's use of certain drugs
the mother's exposure to toxic substances or certain environmental pollutants(That's interesting, if not making me a little paranoid and obsessive as they're ie toxins everywhere from the air that you breath to the water you drink).

Although women often worry that severe emotional trauma or stress or simply falling can cause a miscarriage, this is rarely--if ever--the case. That's true for automobile accidents, too.

The symptoms of a miscarriage are vaginal bleeding (from a few drops to a heavy flow) and uterine cramps (either dull and constant or sharp and intermittent) in the lower abdomen or back. The bleeding can start suddenly or follow a brownish discharge. A solid clot of material or tissue may pass from the vagina. If possible, this should be saved for the doctor, who may be able to examine it and confirm that a miscarriage has occurred. A miscarriage can either be complete, when the uterus expels all the tissue, or incomplete, when some tissue remains inside the uterus.

Giving Credit Where It's due!

I was discussing with a friend recently on how the NHS is highly depended on overseas nurses and how this ailing and much needed under-resourced service would be on it's knees without them. Little did I know we would both soon be under their highly-professional care!

I found myself gushing out vast / copious amounts of blood(clot included) combined this with acute lower abdominal pain. I was completely whacked! These lovely caring and compassionate health care professionals do not bat an eyelid and really deserve recognition for their selfless dedicated vocation(I miscarried at 11 weeks).

Namaste!

xoxoxox

Help! What's going on down there???

As a female in her late thirties(long-term forever broody one:)I recently experienced some unsettling pelvic pain(Lower abdominal)and vaginal bleeding after 11 weeks free of menstrual bleeding(never ever missed one for 2.5 decades prior to this). Can anyone enlighten me?! I'm not currently registered with a medical doctor.

Thanks in advance:)

Namaste:)

xoxoxoxoxox

If you ever........

........find yourself in South East Asia ie Thailand and the like do get adventurous and try the extraordinarily yummy and delectable freeze-dried mangosteen(your taste buds are in seriously for a treat here:). Unlike the typical range of dried fruit available on the Western marketplace today this has a lovely subtle sweetness(I generally find dried fruit far too concentrated for my palate and naturally prefer water-based fresh fruit:) that is crispy on the outside and literately melts in the mouth! The best thing to come out of a packet ever and a taste sensation not to be missed for sure! It has won numerous export awards and the Thai PM's award too. Yes, I'm lovin' Fruit king's Mangostein!!!

It comes in individual 30g vacuum packets so treat your spouse, kids and grand kids today:)

In the UK I've noticed funkyraw.com and fresh network uk stock them, but do a google search as I'm sure some wonderful *Australasian importers in the know will stock this quite delightful queen of fruit.

* Africa / Americas or anywhere

That's it folks just doing my bit for supporting good products businesses wherever they are!

Namaste:)

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Happy Birthday You!

May you be filled with love, light, health and abundant blessings today and everyday!

Namaste:)

xoxoxoxoxoxox

I'm lovin' ................

.........food for free!

Had a lovely brunch of fresh* apples from the apple tree from next door's vacant garden(Bliss from a tree:). It sure beats the supermarket's 'fresh' produce!

* As one has discovered apples purchased from a supermarket are anything but fresh.

Namaste:)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Oopps!

If I inspired you to make your own healthy and delicious culinary creations the additional serving of a nourishing and delicious cold-pressed oil is helpful! Hemp and flax(aka linseed:) would be great for the omega 3 EFAs.

Live Curry Anyone?!!!

Referring to the DIY home remedies recipes in the previous post. Peppermint essential oil may be a little overpowering, Geranium or Rose absolute / Otto would balance things out to give this delightful spray an additional mind, body and soul boost(Geranium is a great balancing oil and perfect for all face / body care preparations:). By all means feel free to experiment!

When I prepare food I tend to intuitively guess amounts etc. , thus I don't tend to follow recipes(Have the fun:)this dish is no exception.

Experimental 'live' vegetable curry dish as tested by Vijay who loves it as much as I do(And I love my curries and hot 'n' spicy too:)!

Chickpea sprouts
Red onions(raw)
Carrot(raw)
Tomato(raw)
Fresh ginger
Little Garlic
Chili Pwd / Turmeric / cumin / Coriander / Himalayan rock salt AKA Cilantro etc.
Raw sweet pointed cabbage to serve(Great tasting curry base:)

Process ginger, garlic into a paste, add rest of spices / carrots / tomatoes / sprouted chickpeas(Try to keep the latter a chunky consistency for texture:)

Serve on the sweet cabbage leaves(Can use any leafy green:) and enjoy!

The beauty of this basic recipe is that it can be adapted to tastes as no dish is the same and therefore it's the creator's unique recipe!

As with all curries it tastes wonderful the next day too:)

Namaste!