Issue 172

Be Kind To Yourself This Festive Season: by Tracey Stranger!

Overindulgence looms closer as the festive season is almost upon us. Road rage and shopping frenzies surround us, it's like a hurricane has just hit town. It will pass, it does every year. Emotionally it can be increased intensity of anger, frustration, loneliness, sadness but are you over that and want something different?

Instead of looking outward at the chaos, look within. Emotionally indulge in love, nurture and nourishment for yourself. When you are happy with yourself you will be able to cope better. Even the Dalai Lama says "Be Kind Whenever Possible. It is always possible."

That starts with being kind to yourself. Apply the simple ABC taken from my new book How To Overcome Stress Naturally with a foreword by HH Dalai Lama:

Step A - Accept the situation you are in & Accept yourself. Love yourself! Be Kind to yourself.
Step B - Breathe - take a long slow deep breath in, breathe out and relax. Chill out! Let go.
Step C - Change your Perception, Change your Thoughts, Change your Ideas, even Change your Friends! Meet new inspiring people that can help change your life for the better. In Chapter 8 Pat Mesiti says …as the saying goes, "if you want to fly with the eagles, don't hang out with the turkeys".

Do you want to have fun, laugh, start getting fit, eat healthier, enjoy more time with your friends, make more money, be inspired, hang out with eagles? Think Big, Dream Big and start making small steps. It all starts with the mindset. Decide today. Start changing your thoughts today, right now. Don't choose to be stressed, choose to be creative & compassionate! Now!

Note: HH The Dalai Lama is in Australia December 1st -10th. Our Future - Who is Responsible? Visit www.dalailamainaustralia.org for details

My How To Overcome Stress Naturally book shows you how to take control of your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing in simple step-by-step practical ways before stress gets a hold of you in a downward spiral. Every page bursts with wisdom, hope and inspiration plus a 20 page Natural Health Resource Directory.

Special My Health Specials/Naturally Happy offer visit http://www.HowToOvercomeStressNaturally.com/blog/ Special Offer bonus mp3 inspirational story how to overcome depression and mp3 introduction to meditation.

 

 

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Green Is The New Black: By Ananda Mahony ND from Vitale Natural!

Walk down the personal care isle of the supermarket isles and you might see 3 or 4 hair products with "organic" or "natural" ingredients or branded with an organic sounding name. Take a closer look at the label and you will soon realize that underneath the feel good name these products are still made of synthetic cleansers, include artificial fragrances and are chock full of preservatives. True to label claim there may be ½ a percent of an organic essential oil or herbal extract but is this what we really expect as consumers when we read "organic" or "natural" on the label of a product? Practices such as these are known as greenwashing. To be more specific, when a company or organization misleads consumers by claiming have green practices or sell green products without actually having any or limited basis for this claim, this is known as greenwashing.

From a consumer perspective, green is the new black. Companies are jumping on the green bandwagon in an effort to appear more ecologically sound and in many instances, those behind the marketing claims really are making an effort to minimize their impact on the environment. However, in other cases, it is all just a marketing ploy to get consumers on side. In skincare, the issue becomes even more blurred and there are many companies taking advantage of an industry-wide lack of clarity. In the skincare industry Greenwashing can occur in a number of different ways.

1. Using a single environmental claim suggesting that the product is greener than it actually is eg. A shampoo that claims to contain no Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS) but uses alternative foaming agents such as Ammonium Laurel Sulphate, which have the same risks associated with their use.

2. Having no proof - for example personal care products that claim to that they are "fair trade" without any certification or evidence. Whiel the certificatio nmay not necessarily be on the lable, upon request from the manufacturer or supplier you should receive evidence of fair trade status.

3. Lack of definition - using terms such as "green" or "natural" without actually outlining what that means. Australia has no set guidelines here, so there is alot of confusion as to what is considered "natural skin care". Again if in doubt, ask the manufacturer or supplier what their guidelines are for making a "natural" label claim.

4. Make "green" claims that are irrelevant. The claim might be truthful, but is also unimportant, eg CFC-free shaving creams. Given that the use of CFC (cholorflurocarbons) has been banned for some time, this claims is considered irrelevant.

5. Outright fibbing about a "green" claim, eg. A product that claims to be "certified organic" when there is no such certification. In many cases the claim isn't so blatant. eg. A certain well known company offers 'a truly organic experience', but also uses SLS, propylene glycol and D&C red dyes in their products, which are not organic. This in not to say that the product doesn't include some organic ingredients but to the consumer, the assumption is that the product is truly organic. As a consumer how do work your way through the fog of marketing greenwash? Firstly, read the labels and full ingredient listing of the products you choose to determine the products full worth. If you are unsure about an ingredient, ask the supplier or seller. Once you know you can make an informed choice about the products you use.

Secondly look for evidence of certification. In Australia, unlike "natural" status we have strict guidelines about "organic" status. If a product claims to be "certified organic" ensure the appropriate certification logo is on the label eg products bearing the logos of Australian Certified Organic (ACO) or the The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture of Australia (NASAA).

Many skin care manufacturers claim that a product is organic or natural without certification but you want to know that the claim is made with integrity. For example, a manufacturer including water when claiming a product is 99% organic when in fact this is a misleading claim. Water does not contribute to the organic status of a skin care product and so should not be included in the percentage claim. If a product claims to be organic, as opposed to certified organic, ask the supplier or manufacture what this means. Green marketing is a powerful tool of communication for both buyers and sellers. More and more consumers expect to see evidence of a commitment to the environment from manufacturers and the green dollar spend is increasing as a result. If a product isn't green, natural or organic, that's ok but truth in advertising is fundamental to the ongoing growth of the green industry. Without it, consumer cynicism and apathy creep in and we will lose the potential for not just greener products but also a greener earth.

Green isn't the only colour that suffers mistreatment at the hands of marketing companies. The list of pink ribbon products promoting Breast Cancer Awareness grows every year including skin care, teddy bears, household appliances and the list goes on, with many companies pinning on the pink ribbon in an attempt to raise their profile by associating with a good cause. However, the Breast Cancer Action group urges people to "think before they pink". This group asks consumers to ask critical questions before buying on the basis of pink ribbon status.

The first question is how much money from the purchase actually goes towards breast cancer? If the amount is minimal, and you are really concerned about breast cancer, ask yourself if you would be better off actually donating money directly to your local or national breast cancer group.

Is there a maximum amount that the company will actually donate? Presumably buying pink ribbon goods after this amount has been reached will not be donated and so you may actually not be supporting breast cancer after all.

Which breast cancer organisation does the money go to and is it one that you support yourself? If not, again perhaps a direct donation is preferable. If you want to ensure that the money you give is reaching the people who need it the most, take a moment to find out where the money actually goes and if the organisation is actually already well funded or not.

Finally, can the company assure you that the pink ribbon product being promoting is not actually contributing to the breast cancer epidemic. With skin care this is a critical consideration as there is growing research that some of the chemical ingredients included in products may actually increase the risk of developing cancer. Some examples include parabens and phthalates which recent studies indicate may be linked to cancer development. Others include formaldehyde, coal tar and talc. It is not enough for cosmetic companies to claim that they won't be absorbed because we know that they are with recent research showing evidence of parabens in human breast cancer tissue (Darbre et al. 2004).

Arguments stating that the quantities of harmful chemicals found in skin care are so small they won't have an effect do not wash either. In groups such as children and developing teens, even miniscule quantities may have serious consequences. In addition, most women use numerous personal care items every day making adding to the accumulation of chemicals building up in our bodies.

The above gives serious pause for thought about choosing to buy some "pink ribbon" products particularly in the case of skin care, where the risk is not just that money may be misdirected but rather that the product itself may be the problem.

Green and pinkwashing are issues we now commonly face as consumers however, a little curiosity and some well asked questions will help you to work your way through the marketing maze. Some other useful resources include:

http://www.safecosmetics.org References: 1. Darbre, P. D., Aljarrah, A., Miller, W. R., Coldham, N. G., Sauer, M. J., and Pope, G. S., "Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumors," Journal of Applied Toxicology, Jan 2004: (24): 5-13.

Author: Ananda Mahony ND. Ananda is a naturopath and skin specialist. She owns Vitale Natural, an organic skin care store and beauty salon in Paddington, Brisbane. www.vitalenatural.com.au

83 Latrobe Terrace (at Sowelu) Paddington

(07) 3367 3233

 

 

 

 

The Problem With Excess Weight: by Kathleen Murphy ND From Healthwise!

THE PROBLEM WITH EXCESS WEIGHT

ustralia is currently the second-most obese nation in the world. As our waist-lines expand, so too do our list of ills and ailments. Not only do excess kilos inhibit our physical mobility, reducing our exercise and respiratory capacity, affecting our feeling of self-worth, they can also contribute to more serious health complications over time. Obesity is linked to heart disease, diabetes, metabolic abnormalities and some cancers - the longer we allow ourselves to carry this burden, the greater the risk of disease and future damage.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

Establishing good eating habits and a regular exercising routine are both key elements in the maintenance of a healthy weight - leaving you looking good, feeling good and preventing the development of chronic diseases.

Losing weight can be hard work; and the discipline required, particularly when you're starting out, can be a big challenge on your own. This is why beginning the process with someone else, having them monitor and encourage you along the way, can help you stick to your plan - improving your health and your life with it.

Self-acceptance is another, very important, factor in feeling good. Learning to accept your body, your strengths and your limitations, enables you to understand what does and doesn't work for you and how best you can maintain optimal health in the long term.

Ultimately, prevention is the solution - by keeping your weight in a healthy range, eating well, staying active and living life to the full, you can create for yourself a brighter, lighter future.

CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY


There are many reasons why it can be hard to start, and stay, on a path that will ultimately benefit our health:
You may be addicted to eating, not allowing yourself enough time to tune into what your body needs and wants
You may eat poorly out of habit, or just because food is there
You may eat when trying to solve a problem, fill in a gap, or put off doing something you'd rather avoid
You may make poor choices, simply because you haven't been educated as to what other, better, options there may be available
You may be afraid of changing what you already know

DIET DETAILS

The Healthwise weight loss program is a monitored, 5 week program, based on a modified diet designed to promote the fat-burning capacity of the body and boost energy production. The program is monitored at all stages by a qualified practitioner, who will explain the diet in full and be happy to answer any questions you may have. Throughout the program we provide ongoing support, as each week you will meet with your practitioner to monitor your progress, allowing time to discuss any queries, challenges or discoveries. At the end of the 5 weeks, dependant on your progress and overall health, a maintenance program will be developed with you and your practitioner, in order to keep you looking and feeling your best.

THE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

No meal replacements - you still eat real food, every day
A diverse variety of tasty and fulfilling meal options
Your progress monitored by a qualified health professional
Other health conditions can be assessed and treated by our qualified naturopath, keeping you feeling and looking great
Instigate long-term changes improving your diet, lifestyle and wellbeing ABOUT US

HealthWise is one of the Brisbane CBD's longest practicing full-time natural medicine clinics. The clinic is a peaceful haven located conveniently in Brisbane's medical specialist area. Our practitioners are passionately committed to improving our patients' health and wellbeing through diet, lifestyle, acupuncture and herbal medicine.

07 3839 1077 5th Floor Morris Towers 149 Wickham Terrace

www.healthwiseclinic.com.au


Feeling Stuck? Free Yourself With Mind Mapping: By Sue Lester NLP Practitioner - Coach - Trainer!

"Feeling Stuck? Free Yourself With Mind Mapping" (c) Sue Lester Feeling stuck is actually a good thing. It means you had the sense to stop. You realised (at some level) you needed to stop and work out better options for yourself. So let go of that negative feeling and thank yourself for your good sense. Now you can get excited! You are now on the path to more interesting, creative and exciting options - should you choose to take the steps forward! It's always a choice - you can stay in the fog of 'I can't. What if it doesn't work? I'm too busy.', or take a step or two out of the fog into the sunshine of 'I can. What if it does work! How great will that feel?'

All you need to start is an A4 piece of paper and a pen. If you can manage a chart size paper and lots of colourful felt pens even better! The decision to concentrate is more important than a quiet place - I've mind mapped on a commuter train - but the door closed and telephone off help. Mind Mapping is an easy way to tap into your unconscious mind, to follow thought patterns which are helping or hindering you. You can release lots of creative ideas, reinforce what you are doing right in your life, and identify underlying thoughts or beliefs which are holding you back from feeling the way you want.

Choose the area you feel most stuck in, e.g. conception, pregnancy, a relationship, career, weight, finances, social life, work project etc. If you feel it's your whole life, be kind to yourself and choose one area in which change would have the most impact overall, knowing all aspects of our lives are intertwined. Know you can mind map as many areas as you wish, it's just more effective if you complete one small area rather than get overwhelmed and give up on the lot.

Draw a small oval in the centre of your paper and write your chosen area inside. By the time you complete your mind map it will look like an overgrown fern garden. For each major sub-area draw a long tentacle from the oval out towards the edge of the page. For example, if I was feeling stuck in my marriage I might draw (different colours is great) and label a tentacle for Me, 'His Name', Work, Sex, Relatives, Children, Social.

I would then choose one tentacle to start with, and for each main area of it, I would draw and label a branch, and every little thought related to it gets a labelled twig. So if I started with Work, my first thought on Work as related to Marriage (my 'Stuck' area) might be His Work (branch), long hours (smaller branch), no time with kids (twig), no time for me (twig), I'm lonely (smaller twig) etc. When I'd finished exploring His Work, including the positives too, I might start another branch for My Work, then explore how that impacts on our marriage.

The key is to allow the words and thoughts to flow without getting caught up in the 'right' way to do this. It's your garden. If you get an "Ah-Ha" thought, something significant or new, circle it in a bright colour so you can consider it later. By the time you finish you will have gained clarity and have identified more options for yourself, some which will appeal more than others. Whether you choose to act, with or without help, is now up to you.

If you'd like to tap into the powerful tools of NLP to help you clear your path so you can move forward easily, particularly from pregnancy into parenting, feel free to call me to discuss your needs.

Sue Lester BA DipTeach Master Practitioner of NLP, Hypnosis. Results Coach. Ph 07 3103 2679 or 0428 128 679. www.growingcontent.com.au

 


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Short and Sweet:Garbanzo Bean Salad!

 

Garbanzo Bean Salad

One can Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup minced red onion 1 cup minced green, red or yellow peppers (or use all three!) 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves 1 small bunch of rocket (washed & ready to go)

DRESSING: 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano flakes Salt & pepper to taste Add first four ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl, stir with whisk and pour over beans, onion, pepper and parsley mixture. Let chill in refrigerator for several hours.

MassAttack

Laughter is the best medicine!

A man rushed into the doctors office and shouted "Doctor! I think I'm shrinking"! The Doctor Calmy responded, Now, settle down sir. You'll just have to be a little patient"

.Quote of the week!

"Happiness is mostly a byproduct of doing what makes us feel fulfilled." -- Benjamin Spock, Pediatrician

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When you or someone you care for has been diagnosed with a serious illness, or if you are grieving the loss of someone you loved, call us. We can help. We offer strategies and choices for the seriously ill and those who care for them to help you get more out of life despite your illness or your loss. All Life Goes On counsellors have either faced death or cared for someone who did. All of us are highly trained, and have a level of empathy, experience and understanding that will be of genuine help.

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BACK ISSUES OF NATURALLY HAPPY

In the next issue of "Naturally Happy"

 

  • Osteopathy!
  • Pro-active Physiotherapy!
  • Pranic Healing!
  • Vitale
  • Xmas Ideas !
  • nourished.com.au!
  • Short and sweet!
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My Health Specials provides this information for your personal education and enrichment. Information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Nor should the information replace the advice of your health care practitioner. Always seek professional advice if suffering an illness. My Health Specials Pty Ltd and all parties involved in the conception, production, ongoing maintenance and operation of Naturally Happy accept no liability and no responsibility for any damage whatsoever arising from or in connection to your use or operation of the website or information contained in this e-magazine.