Issue 88

10 Excellent Reasons to go all Natural with your Skin Care: with Vitale!

10 excellent reasons to go "all natural" with your skin care The term "natural" is somewhat misleading with regard to use in cosmetics. Manufacturers can add 1% of a natural ingredient to a synthetic and call a product natural. This is called "greenwashing" and such products aren't considered natural at all. So what do you look for to get the REAL benefits from truly natural products?

1. Truly natural products contain no synthetic ingredients such as artificial colours or fragrances. Artificial fragrances are amongst the most irritating ingredient in skin care with the ability to cause or significantly contribute to irritating skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, rashes and hives. You will notice the difference in your skin when you avoid such ingredients.

2. Natural products contain no potentially harmful ingredients such as petrochemicals, mineral oils, sodium lauryl sulphate and propolene glycol. According to Skin Deep, an Environmental Working Group in the US, many of the synthetic ingredients used (in the US and Australia) in everyday skin care are potentially toxic to humans.

3. Natural skin care is formulated to support the healthy functioning of our skin from within and without. Humans absorb up to 60% of any substance applied to our skin. It has been calculated that the average women can absorb up to 2kg of different chemicals through their skin each year. By using natural products you ensure that what you are absorbing is benefiting your skin and body, promoting radiance and health.

4. Natural cosmetics are more active. Excluding water, often contain up to 95% active ingredients rather than 5% active ingredients in a 95% inert (non-active) base as in many of everyday personal care products and cosmetics. You will notice a difference when you use natural products. Your skin will look and feel radiant, naturally.

5. Wholly natural products are not tested on animals.

6. Many of the suppliers of natural skin care are local and cottage industries. Buying these products supports sustainable manufacturing processes, the ability to maintain quality control by hand making small quantities in order to provide fresh product, small business enterprise and local communities.

7. Using toxic or not natural products could mean we could be absorbing potentially toxic ingredients which our bodies will then have to break down, detoxify and excrete. This puts an extra burden of toxicity on the body and is of particular concern for young babies and children whose organs of elimination are not fully developed. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that over 850 chemicals used in skin care products and cosmetics are known to be toxic. Reduce your toxic burden by using whole, unrefined natural products.

8. Natural products are environmentally friendly. Recent studies have shown that the chemicals and toxins found in most skin care products have a harmful effect on the environment as well as they take longer to break down than whole, unrefined ingredients.

9. Natural skin & body care products often contain nutrients, including naturally occurring antioxidants, amino acids, botanical extracts, pure essential oils and essential fatty acids in their holistic form which is more compatible with our skin and bodies. This includes natural anti-ageing nutrients such as grape seed (rich in phytochemicals that support the skin), rose hip oil (rich in vitamin C), Carrot oil (rich in vitamin A), pumpkin seed oil (rich in zinc), olive oil (rich in squalene) to name but a few. These ingredients promote healthy skin by nourishing from the outside in.

10. Value for money. Natural products are often cheaper than synthetic products as they don't have to compete in the hyped brand focused market. You are also paying for active rather than inert ingredients. When considering the benefits available form natural skin care the value of natural products outweighs anything else on the market.

With over 15 different pure, natural & organic ranges, plus a range of beauty services, Vitale has all the answers for your skin care needs.

" Enjoy radiant skin with personalised service to assist you in choosing products that best suit your skin
" Increase the benefits of your skin care through customised anti-ageing skin care prescriptions
" Naturopathic advice for healing problem skin with Ananda Mahony ND, Brisbane's Holistic Skin Care Expert
" Relax and indulge in 100% natural beauty therapy & chemical-free waxing " Support your skin and the environment by using only 100% natural & ethical products `

Visit the Vitale website to sign up to the FREE monthly e-newsletter which includes special promotions and informative articles to help you look and feel your best.

You can also shop online now to experience Vitale's natural skin care at www.vitalenatural.com.au or contact Vitale directly to find out more on 07 3367 3233.

 

LA Weight Loss is not a "Diet": it's a Lifestyle Programme!

LA Weight Loss is Different

We live in an increasingly obese world and this is one of the reasons that hardly a week goes by without the latest new diet being featured in our media.

Unfortunately, many of these diets and gimmicks have left clients with disappointment and failure and sometimes even health threatening outcomes.

LA Weight Loss is not a "diet". It is a lifestyle programme. You learn how to eat to lose weight and most importantly; you will learn how to keep it off.

At the core of the programme is a healthy balance of real foods combined with one on one counselling. This is an important combination that has been consistently proven to work by the millions of LA Weight Loss success stories.

Losing weight with LA Weight Loss is safe. You will lose weight without harming your body which can sometimes occur with diets that eliminate entire groups of foods or nutrients.

And with individual counselling, your particular needs are addressed three times a week by your counsellor. This is more than any other weight loss organisation provides.

And it is one important reason why LA Weight Loss is different.

INTRODUCTORY OFFER

6 WEEKS FREE*
Call Today 1800 252 050 ( mention myhealthspecials.com.au) *Some conditions apply

click the below link for your closest LA Weight Loss Centre

Albany Creek 1800 25 20 50

Capalaba 1800 25 20 50

Cooparoo 1800 25 20 50

Darra 1800 25 20 50

Lutwyche 1800 25 20 50

Springwood 1800 25 20 50

Toowong 1800 25 20 50



 

 

Portrait of a Medicinal Herb 'St Johns Wort': By Miriam Young!


With so much media hype it seems appropriate that the first herb I profile in Portrait of a Medicinal Herb should be St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Doctors in Germany are prescribing more St John's Wort than any other anti-depressant drug including Prozac. In fact "The Natural Prozac" is a term that St John's Wort is increasingly becoming known by. Yet scientists are already beginning work to develop a synthetic version of St John's Wort. Believing that the herb may cause some orthodox drugs to be broken down by the liver too quickly to be effective, scientists are attempting to synthesise a drug with similar anti-depressant activity to St John's Wort, without interfering with other medication a patient may be taking.

So scientists go in search of THE active constituent in St John's Wort responsible for the anti-depressant activity. This reductionist one-dimensional approach totally misunderstands what herbal medicine is all about. The whole plant is the therapeutic agent, with it's thousands of active constituents, leading to a synergistic effect. Not to mention the herb's vital force and energetic make-up. In all her perfection, the Earthly Mother has created plants to heal humanity. If we are to reduce plants to chemicals that have biological actions, then are we also saying that human beings are as well only biochemical? Each of us has an energy body; a vibrational make-up as do the medicinal plants that heal us. Their vibrational nature rebalances and heals a person physiologically, emotionally and spiritually.

Science on the other hand can be useful in proving the effectiveness of herbal medicine. In one clinical trial on 1757 outpatients, hypericum extracts were shown to be much more effective than placebo (an inactive preparation) for the treatment of mild to moderately severe depressive disorders. No adverse mental or physical effects have been found with St John's Wort. St John's Wort however is not recommended in severe depression with psychosis or where there is a risk of suicide. St John's Wort must be taken everyday for at least 4 weeks for the antidepressant activity to be given a good chance to take effect.

Hypericum extract when used in the treatment of anxiety (in a clinical trial) was found to be more effective than benzodiazepine, diazepam. Along side light therapy, St John's wort has also demonstrated its' usefulness in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Research is looking promising as far as using St John's Wort as an anti-tumour agent in the treatment of cancer.

St John's Wort also has significant antiviral activity against enveloped viruses. Enveloped viruses Include HIV, influenza, cytomegalo-virus, cold sores, herpes genitalis, shingles, glandular fever, chicken pox and viral hepatitis.

Traditionally St John's Wort has been used to treat the nervous system including nervous tension where there is menopausal anxiety and hysteria. It has been used for neuralgia, sciatica and disorders of the spine.

The infused oil is used topically (externally) in Aromatherapy to treat mild burns, bruises, haemorrhoids, varicose veins, wounds, sores and ulcers. External use of St John's Wort infused oil increases photosensitivity, so it should not be used prior to going into the sun for extended periods.

St John's Wort is named after John the Baptist. In Europe the flower blooms on/around the anniversary of his birthday, 24th June and the red sap in the stems; leaves and flowers traditionally represent the blood of John the Baptist when he was beheaded.

Like thousands of other Herbalists, I have used St John's Wort with many clients on orthodox medications with absolutely no side affects. In fact, along side counselling, I have found St John's Wort extremely effective where a client wishes to reduce their level of anti-depressant medication and go for a more naturalistic approach. I have also used St John's Wort successfully in treating chronic fatigue patients where there has been a history of viral infections.

Reference: "Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy", Simon Mills & Kerry Bone

Copyright: Miriam Young

INTRODUCTORY OFFER

$10 off your initial consultation!

clickhere for details 07 3279 4816 located in Sinnamon Park

www.detox4life.com.au

Dr Patch Adams Called to Administer Joy In Brisbane: with the Empowerment Institute!

 

At a time when Australia is supposedly at its financially wealthiest according to Treasurer Peter Costello, who recently proclaimed the Commonwealth as debt-free, thoughts turn to the state of the nation in terms of individual and workplace happiness.

It is ironic that in our first world country we owe nothing overseas, but what do we now owe to ourselves, each other and our workplaces? Are we really happy?

Many Australians feel that the political system has let them down, and that governments are not responding to their real concerns. We seem to have lost sight of a vision for a better society and to have entrusted our future to wherever the market takes us.

We now know a great deal about the factors that enhance our wellbeing and those that diminish it. Increasingly the negatives seem to outweigh the positives, despite our affluence.

Australians are three times richer than their parents and grandparents were in the 1950s, but they are no happier. Despite the evidence of a decline in national wellbeing, governments continue to put economic interests first. The obsession with economic growth means other things that could improve our wellbeing are sacrificed.

There is widespread community concern that the values of the market-individualism, selfishness, materialism, competition-are driving out the more desirable values of trust, self-restraint, mutual respect and generosity.

So, how far are we really along in the wellbeing scale? What makes for true happiness, if it is not "affluenza"?

Here are some sobering figures in our culture that seems to increasingly drink or take drugs to blot out reality to try to find happiness.

Depression currently causes over six million working days to be lost each year according to Beyond Blue, a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia.

Individual depression now starts as young as early youth (roughly age 14.5) if not childhood, as opposed to our late thirties some 30 years ago - a Martin Seligman (American father of Positive Psychology) statistic in his book Authentic Happiness.

It has been estimated that 6.4 million Australian adults - almost half the adult population - accessed the Internet during 2005. Reportedly, more Internet users search the Web for information on depression than any other health condition.

It is estimated that 200 million scripts for anti-depressant medication are written in Australia yearly.

Further, the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse is at alarming societal levels, not only in younger age groups, but increasingly as a choice for celebrities, the upwardly mobile, and the weekend consumer as well as the weekday have-or-want-to's.

So, how happy are we? Will outside pleasures ever fill up the "holes in our souls," as Dr Phil of Oprah fame, describes it.

How do we find real joy in life and work, and how does it start?

According to Dr Patch Adams, clown and humanitarian - it is a choice that you make. And he is coming to Australia in October to tell us also about the how's, when's, where's and why's.

Hunter "Patch" Adams has been a physician for nearly 30 years, but he has been a clown for almost 40. He is a social activist, and Founder and Director of the Gesundheit Institute, a holistic medical community that has provided free medical care to thousands of patients since it began in 1971. Patch travels the world presenting at a staggering amount of places every year, as well as fulfilling his altruistic activities. For more info see www.patchadams.org

His message, that he brings at last to Brisbane, is how to make the conscious choice everyday of "Living with Joy in Life and Work ".

Thousands have seen the movie "Patch Adams." This is your chance to get up close and personal with one of the greatest altruists and social justice entrepreneurs of our time and learn what it takes to live a personally and professionally happier life.

Seats are limted, please book early to ensure your seat online at www.empowermentinstitute.com.au

Patch set new standards for the event as a speaker. He was mind blowing and raised the event to new heights. His presentation was entirely relevant to the audience.

- Graham Anderson, Saxton Management Group Pty Ltd, Australia Spoke to Australian Professional Pharmacy Association Conference

Behind his clown-like persona lies a great deal of wisdom, and it often falls to the court jester to speak the truth that those in power need to hear. Bernie Siegel, M.D.

For more information, please contact Susan Welch, Director of the Empowerment Institute www.empowermentinstitute.com.au 073268 1036 or 0413651643 susan@empowermentinstitute.com.au

This event proudly supports Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Research Foundation, and Sids And Kids Queensland.

Susan Welch is Laughter Therapist and an Authentic Happiness Coach in the new Positive Psychology. She has been a pioneer of the Happiness movement in this country for the past 4 years, working with over 15,000 people in health, mental health, aged care, hospitals, schools, disability, corporate and government arenas. The evolution of this grass roots social justice movement has seen her evolve her work to the Empowerment Institute, a boutique bureau providing information, speakers, trainers, coaches and events for personal and professional development. EI offers solutions in health, wealth and happiness!

PATCH ADAMS Living with Joy in Life and Work OCTOBER 17, 7.30pm sharp MERCURE HOTEL NORTH QUAY BRISBANE Earlybirds Main Lecture

Earlybirds Main Lecture $125.00 (including 10 % tax) Main lecture tickets valued at $165, buy early and save $40!

 

 

 

Amazing Introductory Offers:For Natural Health, Fitness & Beauty Businesses!

Check out these great offers from South East Qld's finest health and beauty businesses! - simply click the link,

Bodycentral( Teneriffe): * Body Polish + Brazilian + Tan for just $99 (Sun, Mon & Tues only) * 20% discount manicure, pedicure and waxing treatments (Sun to Fri before 5.30pm) * Quote monthly web special when making your booking.. conditions apply !(mention myhealthspecials.com.au when booking)

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Brisbane LiveWell Clinic(Wavell Heights)$100 gift voucher for our acupuncture, massage and spa service. Simply log on to the clinic website www.brisbanelivewellclinic.com.au Go to the “ read me first “ menu and do a Metabolic subtype assessment. The report of the assessment be sent with the $100 gift voucher. ( mention myhealthspecials.com.au)

Fit Minds and Bodies(Brisbane ) “One free group network session or 10% off our normal package rates”.(mention myhealthspecials when booking)

Acupuncture on Florence(Teneriffe)- 15% off your first initial consultation! (Mention myhealthspecials.com.au)

 

Nourished.com.au:Natural Health, Wellness and Lifestyle!

Nutrition for Making Babies ? By Joanne Hay

Often I am asked about this particular topic, most recently by a new friend planning to conceive soon. I have many years of experience with dietary experimentation while pregnant, birthing and breast feeding, some experiments less successful than others. Luckily I discovered the world of native nutrition during my 3rd pregnancy, and following the lead of my ancestors, I was able to turn around the health issues that had plagued me. I even improved my skin, hair, muscle definition and sexual desire (common complaints of breastfeeding women). (more…)

 

Brought to you by www.nourished.com.au

Short and Sweet: Blue and Walnut Terrine with Apple Balsamic Salad!

makes: 4-6

Ingredients

200g Australian Blue Cheese 100g Australian block cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup finely chopped chives 1/3 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped freshly ground black pepper, to taste Apple Balsamic Salad 2 teaspoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons wholegrain mustard 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar salt and pepper, to taste 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced baguette slices, for serving

Method

1. Puree the blue and cream cheese in a food processor. Fold through the chives and walnuts. Season with pepper. 2. Spoon the mixture into a 9cm x 10cm bar tin lined with plastic wrap. Fold the plastic wrap over the top of the terrine and press lightly. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. 3. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, balsamic vinegar and season to taste. Pour over apples and toss well. Unmould the terrine and cut into thick slices. Serve with apple salad and baguette slices

Brought to you by www.dairyaustralia.com.au

Laughter is the best medicine!

The questions below about Australia are from potential visitors. They were posted on an Australian Tourism website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials, who obviously have a sense of humour...

Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? (UK).

A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)

A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)

A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.

Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Australia? (Sweden)

A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay? (UK)

A: What did your last slave die of?

Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)

A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)

A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)

A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)

A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? ( UK)

A: You are a British politician, right?

Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)

A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)

A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget it's name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)

A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)

A: No, WE don't stink.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia? (USA)

A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)

A: Only at Christmas.

Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help? (USA)

A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)

A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

 

 

Quote of the week!


“Progress begins with the belief that what is necessary is possible.”

Norman Cousins, editor, writer

For a Good Cause: Why support Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week?

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week 2006 6 to 13 August 2006 - By making a donation, registering an event or placing posters and information at your school or business during Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, you will help fund vital services provided by the League and build inclusive communities for people with a disability. Schools and other interested parties may also access a downloadable Colouring Page to use for colouring-in competitions. For more information, phone 1800 819 086

http://www.cplqld.org.au/

In the next issue of "Naturally Happy"

  • Bodysync!
  • Health & Harmony College!
  • Vandenberg Natural Therapies!
  • Natural Health Clinics!
  • Introductory Offers!
  • 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.