Menopause Symptoms Report

Aromatherapy for Oral Hygiene

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:08:45 PDT

Clove bud essential oil is used for the symptomatic relief of toothache: the oil is applied directly without pressure on the carious tooth with a small piece of cotton. It is also extensively used as a major component in preparations for the treatment of postextraction alveolitis (dry socket) and in dental cements and fillings.

Myrrh is reported to have astringent properties on mucous membranes as well as antimicrobial activities in vitro. It is used as an astringent in certain mouthwashes and gargles. Traditionally it has been used for bad breath, weak gums, gingivitis and loose teeth.

Encyclopedia of Common Natural IngredientsUsed in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics - Leung and Foster.

Other essential oils that have been used in this field include Ammi Visnaga, traditionally the plant has been used as toothpicks; Cardamom Ancient Egyptians used to chew on this to whiten their teeth and freshen their breath; Cinnamon for periodontal disease; Mastic combined with Myrrh for periodontal disease or combined with Spikenard as a tooth whitener; Tea Tree as a germicidal.

Vinegar has been used for dental hygiene for many years and has been found to be helpful in reducing bacterial plaque. You can use vinegar diluted down 1:1 with water or unsweetened Cranberry Juice as your mouthwash base and as with any mouthwash just swirl around and spit out. Don't swallow. Essential oils or hydrosols can certainly be used effectively in mouthwashesIf you choose to use essential oils as part of a mouth wash routine make sure that they are in a low dilution and don't swallow.

Oral Care Blend
First make up the blend and store in a dark bottle
5 parts tea tree
1 part cardamon
1 part clove
1 part fennel
1 part myrrh
1 part peppermint

Store in a dark bottle.

Add 1 drop of the blend to a glass of water, swirl around your mouth, and spit out. Don't swallow.

For more informationon aromatherapy contact
Beverley Hawkins
West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy
http://www.westcoastaromatherapy.com http://www.wciablog.com/http://www.deltamassagetherapy.com/

Dealing with Anxiety Attacks

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:27:48 PDT

If you have ever had a panic attack, you know that these are absolutely without a doubt no fun. In fact, they can make you feel as if you are about to die and you have no idea what is happening.

Even if you have gone through a string of them, you may still have no idea that one is coming on. Once you have had one, dealing with panic attacks is not going to be easy, but if you pay attention, there are some things you can do when you feel another coming up - once you realize you are prone to them, of course.

Before you get begin dealing with panic attacks, you have to know what they are. There are many definitions, but one way you can look at it is rather simple and can be helpful when you feel another one forming. Your body is having a physical reaction to an irrational fear that is overcoming your mind. You may know your fear is irrational, but that does not stop it from happening. That does not make you crazy either, as some people fear. If you understand that when dealing with panic attacks, you can get them to stop much more quickly, or you can stop them from happening all together.

You have to think about triggers when you are dealing with panic attacks. There is always something that triggers you to have one, but you may not know what that is and why it bothers you so much. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to write down where you are, what you were thinking, what you saw, and how you felt right before you had your attack. If you do this for a few times, you are going to find dealing with panic attacks is easier. You will be able to go back through your notes and pick out what was constant with each one.

I know that dealing with panic attacks is hard because I have gone through periods of them twice in my life. The first was life circumstances as a whole, which I got over by making some changes, and the other was one specific thing that happened. Each time when I got to the root of why they were happening, dealing with panic attacks was much easier. I knew what triggered them and how the early physical feelings were going to affect me. I haven’t stopped them, but they do not scare me as much because I know why they are happening.

You can do the above to help with handling panic attacks, but you may not be able to stop them on your own. You may need help, and that is okay. Even when you are sure that you know why you are having them, and you can predict when they are going to happen, you may not be able to stop them and you may not handle them as well as you wish you could. They can be downright frightening, even when you know what they are. Don’t be afraid to get some books to help you out, or to find a good doctor that might know about dealing with panic attacks and what you can help you right away.

Pure Intimacy wins best small business at the WEBAs

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:33:55 PDT

Women in Ethical Business Awards say Yes to changing women’s lives from the inside

The women behind the world’s purest intimate lubricants are celebrating this week, having won a prestigious award recognising true entrepreneurs who are blazing a trail for doing business in a way that benefits people and the environment.

Yes Pure Intimacy founders Sarah Brooks and Susi Lennox received the winning prize in the Small Business category at the Triodos Women in Ethical Business Awards (WEBA) in association with The Times. The Awards celebrate the best of ethical business and the inspiring women driving it.

Sarah and Susi set up Yes Pure Intimacy to create the world’s purest intimate lubricants and moisturisers using pioneering plant-based formulations. They have been responsible for every aspect of the company’s operation, from designing and formulating the products to handling marketing and sales.

Sarah and Susi said “We are euphoric about winning this high profile WEBA, sponsored by Ecover. It justifies our commitment to not compromising our ethics, will make a real difference to our business and confirms the importance of our mission to ‘change the world from the inside’.”

Yes lubricants have helped to restore the sex lives of thousands of women whose bodies stopped responding in the way they used to as a result of hormonal changes related to menopause, stress, pregnancy, medication or one of many other causes.

Susi continues: “This national award endorses our achievement in dignifying and elevating the category of intimate lubricants. It will help to raise awareness of Yes Pure Intimacy and empower women to make choices about using organic plant based products, rather than those containing synthetic chemicals, skin irritants and hormones. The heartfelt and moving feedback we receive from our customers across the world, confirms that we are putting the smile back on their faces, and improving the quality of their intimate lives.”

In today’s challenging economic climate, this inspirational business is expanding: Yes Pure Intimacy now exports to more than 44 countries, including 200 stores in Australia and New Zealand. They are breaking new ground in Japan where Yes will be the first product of its type to be made available in five star hotels.

Yes Pure Intimacy is also enjoying increased success closer to home, where products are stocked by independent pharmacies and health food stores, including Holland & Barrett, Whole Foods Market and Fresh & Wild, and can also be bought directly from the website at http://www.yesyesyes.org/.

Sue Cooper from Triodos Bank added, “We are delighted to reward the hard work of the remarkable women behind Yes Pure Intimacy. Everyone profits from the work of Yes and the other inspiring enterprises highlighted through the Awards, because they’re as focused on their impact on people and the planet as the money they make”.

Drug Free Alternative for Menopause Symptom Relief

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:31:15 PDT

A growing number of women are taking responsibility for their health during menopause in a DRUG FREE and NATURAL way that does not involve taking prescription drugs for something that is perfectly normal and natural in a woman’s life.

LadyCare is a discreet, but powerful, non-invasive magnetic device that simply attaches to the front of your under garment. Its patented static magnetic technology is backed by an Extensive National Consumer Surveys and years of successful use by over 250,000 women across the world in countries like Great Britain, Ireland, France, Norway, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, USA and many more. It is available in many pharmacies plus….Harrods of London.

LadyCare is believed to stimulate blood flow – thereby improving the body's ability to self heal and restore natural hormone balance.

Users of LadyCare have reported:
Less hot flashes
Decrease in night sweats
Weight loss
Reduced bloating
More restful sleep
Improved confidence
Increased energy
Enhanced libido

“Most symptoms were reduced and the results were significant. There is no doubt that menopause can be a challenging time both psychologically and physically for many women. I would be bold enough to say that the LadyCare device referenced here, may prove to be one of the greatest natural solutions for the alleviation of menopause symptoms”.

Dr Nyjon Eccles BSc MBBS MRCP PhD. Harley Street, London.

* Harley Street enjoys a worldwide reputation as a center for private medical excellence and technological advancement.

http://www.ladycareusa.com/images/reduction.gif

http://www.ladycareusa.com/

Caring for Elderly Parents

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:32:43 PDT

It can be a rewarding mission, a two-way street filled with joy!

When your parents grow old and are no longer able to adequately take care of themselves, there are a number of ways to deal with this natural development of aging. Too often, their grown children opt for a nursing home solution, even when they know their parents would prefer to stay in their own home, or perhaps move in with you. It's easy to rationalize this choice. Some kids of aging parents feel they're not qualified to give the proper time and care required in caring for elderly parents. Others feel that such an arrangement will eventually result in discordant relations among family members, or that their own hectic schedules will become unmanageably disrupted. What most people in this position fail to realize is that, instead of being a burden, caring for elderly parents can be a wonderful blessing.

Many children of the elderly also end up feeling guilty, believing they just don't really want to provide the necessary care. In fact, it's usually more a case of feeling fearful. After all, your parents raised and nurtured you until adulthood, continuing to provide support, good advice, a shoulder to cry on and sharing the good times long after you were out of the nest. Now, it's your turn to give some of that nurturing back.

If you feel beset by fears of caring for elderly parents, which is typically the basis of any reluctance to take on this responsibility, here are a few facts you should know.

First, as for being able to provide competent care, there are many avenues by which you can become educated in care giving for the elderly. Your first stop should be at your parent's doctors office. Make an appointment to discuss the sort of care the doctor feels your parent needs. Ask about community-sponsored classes in care giving as well as caregiver support groups. Such venues can boost your confidence tremendously and acquaint you with common problems encountered in a care giving environment. You might also investigate online support groups and forums which focus on caring for elderly parents. You'll learn everything you need to competently and compassionately provide care for seniors.

If you fear that having your parent move in with you will disrupt your family life, schedule and activities, think again. Elderly people still enjoy their privacy, too and likely have a circle of friends they remain in contact with and arrange outings, visits and activities on a regular basis. They want to maintain an independent life of their own as well. It's just that, at this point in their life, they need to rely on you to do certain tasks they're no longer capable of performing for themselves. Perhaps you need to remind them to take medications, drive them to doctor's appointments, or help them in and out of the bath.

One most important element of caring for elderly parents is giving them a sense of a warm and loving environment. Sitting with the family at dinner helps ward off loneliness, creating a sense of belonging, which a nursing home, no matter how lovely, simply doesn't provide. Remember how enjoyable it was for you, as a child, to share conversation and laughter around the kitchen table? Don't make the mistake of thinking that your parents have now outgrown this simple pleasure.

When you are caring for elderly parents, you'll soon see that the arrangement is a two-way street. You'll derive as much pleasure as they, recalling times past, reviving old, but pleasant memories. You may also be surprised to learn about your parents' younger years, events and thoughts they never previously discussed. Indeed, you may find their lives to be fascinating, in a way you never imagined, when your Mom was always busy cooking, cleaning, helping you with your homework and dispensing love galore. Dad might have been always working, but also managed to squeeze in a ball game and grill your dates for suitability.

Caring for elderly parents is a wonderful opportunity for you to get to know your parents in a fuller, richer way. Embrace this blessing! The rewards may well astonish you.

Smart choices for a colesterol reducing diet

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:28:26 PDT

We all know that too-high cholesterol levels spells trouble for your heart health, especially during menopause. If your doctor has advised you of a high cholesterol condition, it's wise to take immediate steps to bring those numbers down. While there are cholesterol lowering medications you can take, there's so much you can do to accomplish your objective through dietary changes.

Here are some of the best cholesterol reducing foods, herbs and spices to work into your cholesterol reducing diet program. Including plentiful amounts of these foods and nutrients can whip those numbers into shape within as little as three months. These healthy dietary inclusions also offer an array of other benefits to your general health. Let's take a look.

Garlic is a top notch ingredient for any cholesterol reducing diet program.

Many studies have found garlic equally effective in reducing cholesterol readings, when compared with pharmaceutical medications. Garlic also lowers your blood pressure, is an anti-cancer agent and effectively wards off colds and flus by enhancing your immune system response. Garlic is also a natural antibiotic, proven effective against 27 specific pathogens, including streptococcus. Douse your salads and entrees with garlic and save some cash on the meds!

An apple or two a day is another smart choice for your cholesterol reducing diet plan. While lowering cholesterol, they're loaded with vitamin A, warding off cancer and those nasty colds. Replace that candy bar with an apple for a healthful snack.

When you make salads, use raw spinach instead of lettuce. Packed with antioxidants and fiber, you'll reduce your risk of cancer while getting those cholesterol numbers down. Fresh spinach is most effective. You can add a side of lightly steamed spinach as a side dish to an entree of cold water fish, such as salmon, for a power dinner of a cholesterol reducing diet menu. A sprinkling of garlic in your meal certainly doesn't hurt!

Dress that salad with olive oil. Olive oil dissolves cholesterol deposits and is certainly an essential in any cholesterol reducing diet program. Don't forget the garlic! Incidentally, olive oil is good for your nerves and digestion.

Make broccoli a frequent snack or side dish. Pair raw broccoli florets with a spinach dip and eat to your heart's content. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, you can protect your body from cancer while simultaneously reducing cholesterol. Broccoli is a great food for diabetics, regulating blood sugar levels.

Soy products significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels. Try substituting a glass of soy milk for your afternoon soda. Tofu is a chameleon food, taking on the flavor of any food or broth it accompanies. Soak some sliced, extra firm tofu in chicken broth and fry lightly. Combine in a chef's salad of spinach, garlic and mushrooms for a tasty treat and a premium cholesterol reducing diet dish. Soy is an undisputed anti-cancer agent as well.

Speaking of mushrooms, Shiitake mushrooms are a powerful addition to your cholesterol reducing diet plan. Available fresh or dried, not only do they reduce your cholesterol, but simultaneously reduce HBP and reduce your risk of cancer.
Make cold water fish a regular part of your cholesterol reducing diet.

Salmon, halibut, sea bass and tuna are all high in the Omega-3 fatty acids. While improving your cholesterol readings, you're decreasing cardiovascular risks, such as heart attacks by a whopping 50%!Explore curry recipes. Turmeric is the main ingredient, a spice which lowers cholesterol, aids digestion, reduces blood sugar levels, as well as your risk of cancer. If you suffer from arthritis, turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

It's interesting to note that foods which regulate cholesterol levels are most often potent anti-cancer agents. These foods are also easily combined into tasty recipes that make it easy to create a cholesterol reducing diet plan that's a pleasure to consume. Go for it!

Testosterone and Women

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:48:07 PDT

Review study shows many benefits and few risks with a commonsense approach to testosterone replacement for women.

Although sex drive or libido in women is multi-faceted, it’s often closely tied to testosterone levels, and a new review study from researchers at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, published in the journal Maturitas, shows that testosterone replacement can bring many health benefits and few risks.

Women with low testosterone often have little or no desire to have sex. Using testosterone replacement therapy may seem like an obvious solution, but some doctors and researchers have been concerned that supplemental testosterone may convert to estrogen and thus create an increased risk of breast and uterine (endometrial) cancers. There has also been concern that testosterone replacement may increase a woman’s risk of heart disease, because men have a higher overall risk for heart disease than women do.

Read more

Try Hormone Free Replens Vaginal Moisturizer

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:31:50 PDT

One of the most common symptoms of peri-menopause or menopause is feminine dryness. When estrogen levels decrease, the amount of vaginal lubrication naturally produced in the body also drops. Lower estrogen levels lead to a thinner, less elastic and more fragile vaginal lining.

Whether mild or severe, it can be painful, cause constant discomfort and become severe if left untreated.Hormone replacement therapy is most often recommended for those undergoing menopause, but because most vaginal preparations are absorbed into the bloodstream, some women have concerns about the safety of estrogen and prefer alternative solutions.

And, studies show that many of the women taking oral hormone therapy report that they sometimes still suffer from vaginal dryness. Women’s bodies change as they age, but one thing stays the same: sensitive vaginal areas must be kept moisturized to stay pliable, elastic and healthy.

However, the Women’s Health Initiative study found that women taking a combination of estrogen and progestin had a higher risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots than women on a placebo. But, there are non-prescription approaches to help reduce dryness.

Learn more about Replens

Take up walking for weight loss

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:09:58 PDT

Take up walking for weight loss as a pleasurable, effective adjunct to your diet plan

Anyone who wants to lose weight knows that exercise goes hand in hand with your goal. Sure, you can lose weight strictly by dieting and cutting your calories. However, if you don't incorporate a regular exercise program into your diet plan, by the time you've lost the pounds, you'll surely notice an unsightly lack of tone in a variety of places. Arms, legs and your waistline will be smaller, but skin hanging off your body in a wrinkly mess is not what you want. Without exercise, it will also take longer to reach your goal. You'll also lose out on the benefits to your cardiovascular system.

So many dieters are adverse to the idea of exercise. Even though you may realize that a sedentary lifestyle contributed to your weight gain, you shouldn't think of exercise as a torment. It's easy to make excuses for why you can't take up some form of exercise. You don't have time. You don't like workouts. On and on. Walking for weight loss can work for any dieter.

Did you know that walking for just 15 minutes, twice a day, can burn 400-500 calories and provide significant health benefits, particularly with your cardiovascular health? Not to mention that you'll be toning muscles all along the way. Weight loss experts generally agree that walking for weight loss, just 4-5 days a week, provides you all of these health benefits. This also means that your 1800 calorie diet is effectively now a 1300-1400 calorie diet. Walking for weight loss is a winner!

There are so many missed opportunities that will allow you to fulfill your exercise program. If you've been leading a sedentary lifestyle, you probably have just not given much thought to these opportunities. We are all so used to driving everywhere, but with the price of gas a current concern, it's far easier and economical to take short walks, save some gas money and get into shape, all at the same time.

For example, let's say you need a quart of milk from the corner store, just a couple of blocks away. Instead of driving, walk! Going to visit your neighbor, just a short distance away? Walk! Take the stairs at work, instead of the elevator. Drive to the park and take a 15-30 minute walk. While getting your exercise, you also have a chance to enjoy the scenery. Take your dog for a walk. Go to the mall and walk from one end to the other and back. You don't need to spend money, just window shop if you like. If you're accustomed to driving to pick the kids up from school, consider walking if it's not far away. This is a good way to get them in the habit of walking, too.

It's easy to see how there are dozens of opportunities for you to implement your walking for weight loss program. In fact, it's a good idea to make a list of such activities. Don't use inclement weather as an excuse. Just use an indoor venue, such as the mall, an art museum or a large city library.

Almost anyone can make use of the walking for weight loss concept. You can start out walking slowly, as necessary, and build up steam over a period of weeks. You'll get in shape in no time and reach your weight loss goal in less time.

Scientific studies show that magnesium supplements can reverse arthritis and osteoporosis!

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:48:10 PDT

If you suffer from osteoarthritis, you know how painful, swollen joints can put a damper on everyday activities. Osteoarthritis is characterized as a general wearing out of the joints, due to wear and tear. It is distinguished from rheumatoid arthritis, which is a systemic condition.

While there are medications to slow the progress of rheumatoid arthritis, there are none available today for osteoarthritis. Your physician may simply prescribe pain medication to deal with the pain and leave it at that. As anyone with osteoarthritis knows, taking pain pills on an ongoing basis is no way to live.

However, many recent studies irrefutably demonstrate that magnesium supplements can not only reverse bone loss, but can actually rebuild your bone tissue. When magnesium supplements, in a 2:3 balanced ratio of calcium-magnesium are taken, bone density has increased by up to a startling 11% in just nine months!

Osteoarthritis is just the beginning. Osteoporosis is the next phase, where bone and joint tissue deteriorate, eventually resulting in fractures of bones and frequently, hip joints.

At first glance, it may seem reasonable that, as we age, conditions such as osteoarthritis are to be expected. The fact is that, as we age, certain nutrients are not as readily absorbed. Magnesium is just one of these. Magnesium deficiency effectively disables the hormone calcitonin, resulting in calcium being deposited in soft tissue and not into your bones.

Diet has much to do with osteoarthritis. Eating foods rich in calcium produces strong bones, right? To a point. You must also balance your calcium intake with magnesium in sufficient amounts. Otherwise, excess calcium stimulates the hormone , parathyroid (PTH), which tells the body to pull calcium out of your bones and deposit the excess in soft tissues. This process is also implicated in arteriosclerosis. Magnesium supplements restore a balanced hormone response, and thus, bone loss.

Let's look at the diets in several areas of the world and compare the rates of arthritis and osteoporosis to prove the case for magnesium supplements as a natural remedy.

The typical South African diet supplies a healthy 2:3 ratio of calcium to magnesium and these people have one of the lowest rates of arthritis and osteoporosis. The typical American diet, rich in calcium, is typically in a 10:1 calcium-magnesium ratio and we have one of the highest rates of osteoporosis and arthritis in the world! In Asian and African cultures, these conditions are relatively unknown. The bottom line is that when calcium intake is high and magnesium intake is low, these debilitating conditions are rampant.

What's the answer? Decreasing your calcium intake and taking a daily magnesium supplement of at least 600mg, can produce dramatic results, in just nine months.

If you suffer from osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or both, talk to your physician and see if magnesium supplements aren't a valuable remedy that gets you off those pain pills soon! Bring this info with you!

Read this if you are Dating Online! New Background Check Website Provides Nationwide Criminal Checks to the Online Dating Industry

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:46:41 PDT

SweetheartChecks.com makes it possible for women and men to easily discover if their potential date has a criminal history.

United States of America - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – May 20, 2009 – SweetheartChecks.com was created to assist both women and men in protecting themselves from potentially dangerous situations while using online dating websites. Now consumers can research a person’s criminal history in the United States with complete anonymity, including whether their subject is a registered sex offender.

Cathy Taylor, President of SweetheartChecks.com talks about why she started this new service, “Online dating brings new and higher levels of risk to the world of romance. I think knowing the truth about a person upfront is the best way to protect yourself; especially in these difficult economic times. Some women still want to believe that nothing bad will ever happen to them. I’ve been involved in the background check industry for 30 years now, and I can tell you this idea is naive. People regularly lie about who they really are – especially when their background includes jail time or a sex offender conviction.”

According to Jupiter Research, the U.S. online dating market will reach $932 million in 2011. In 2006, PEW statistics reported over 10 million users who were currently single and seeking romantic partners online. 26% of American adults, approximately 53 million people, say they know someone who has gone on a date with a person they met through a dating website. 57% of internet users surveyed agree that many people who use online dating services lie about their marital status.

Taylor continues, “Trusting someone new always carries risks including meeting at unknown restaurants or darkened movie theaters. Why would anyone put themselves in that situation in this day and age without first checking to see if the person has a criminal history? It just doesn’t make any sense. But there is a part of us, particularly women, who still want to look the other way and hope for the best. A friend of mine is marrying a man she met on Match.com next week, and I had to convince her to run the criminal check because she didn’t want to hear any bad news. Denial is a powerful detractor.”

But online background checks aren’t without controversy. In 2005, Michigan proposed a new bill that would require Internet dating companies to conduct background checks on users. Under the legislation, online dating services would have to warn site members about safe dating practices as well as define the limitations of background checks.

Taylor responds to allegations that online checks aren’t reliable, “The critics are absolutely right. There is no universal database that contains all criminal records for the U.S. I wrote an article about the limitations of online databases awhile back which people can read by going to the articles section of our website. The bottom line is consumers need to know that these checks are not 100% because not all criminal information is available in one database or online. There is human error involved and technology limitations, and because of increasing privacy restrictions, researchers continue to lose access to more identifiers on public records making it harder to get accurate data.

“Keeping that in mind,” Taylor continues, “I am confidant that the SweetheartChecks.com search is the most trustworthy single-source, online criminal database check available on the market today. We will also add additional services in the future as we identity their value as well as determine if they meet our quality standards. One thing we do that other companies don’t, is to educate our users about the limitations of online databases so users can make an informed decision before spending hard-earned money.

We also educate people about public records researching regarding other things such as marital status. We began with this criminal search that includes registered sex offenders so that users can get their feet wet for a nominal fee. All the consumer needs to complete this search is a full name and optionally, a date of birth. We make it so easy and affordable that consumers don’t have to depend on their online matchmaker for criminal checks, and dating websites don’t have to provide services they don’t have any experience in.”

Stop Drinking Alcohol

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:44:28 PDT

Whatever people tell you, alcohol is one of the most addictive drugs ever invented, and possibly the most dangerous. Alcohol abuse has been a problem for practically as long as alcohol has been around, and it is a worse problem than with any other drug.

Many people struggle in vain for years to stop drinking alcohol, even as the drug destroys their bodies and minds. Drinking rehab is much more popular than any other sort of drug rehab program, and it will only keep growing.

In my particular case, my problem drinking was related to drug control. Originally, I used to smoke pot, but it was much easier to get wasted on alcohol.

I don't blame the drug policy for my alcohol addiction, but I do see it as a contributing factor. If alcohol is the only way you can get legally, than people who are prone to alcoholism are much more likely to get addicted to it instead of using safer alternatives.

There is more to it than that, however. Otherwise, I could have managed to stop drinking alcohol much sooner. In some ways, I'm a pretty straight edge, repressed sort of guy. I have to have my emotions tightly under control at all times, and I think the stress of this attitude contributed to my drinking problems. I would be a different person when I was drunk – uninhibited, reckless, and free.

It gave me an excuse to live out fantasies that I had always had – the ones I couldn't usually admit to myself. Suddenly, I was a daring, fun and carefree guy. The drinks I had took me away from the worries of daily problems. Once I started, I never wanted to stop drinking alcohol.

My friends never did an invention for me. In my case, I realized that I had a problem on my own, but I refused to enroll in 12 step program. I didn't think that I would need help to stop drinking alcohol. I figured that I could do it all on my own through my own willpower. Unfortunately, that is not how it works. There are very few alcoholics who can stop drinking alcohol through sheer force of will alone. When alcoholics quit, it is usually because they have found the right friends to give them the right help.

The 12 step rehabilitation program I went through is actually pretty new one. I'm an atheist, and I didn't like how most alcohol abuse recovery programs rely and faith in God to get you through it. I was sure that I could stop drinking alcohol through a combination of willpower and a community that supported my decision to stay clean and sober.

It turns out that I was right. Whatever your beliefs are, you can find a way to overcome addiction if that is what you want. It just takes an iron will and some good friends.

Living longer makes preventing wrinkles more important than ever!

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:58:51 PDT

Any woman will tell you that preventing wrinkles is a primary beauty objective! Now that our life expectancy is going up, we certainly don't want to look like we're 90 by the time we're 70!

Today, with global warming making our skin more vulnerable to the harmful UV rays, along with environmental pollution which damages skin, everyone should start taking steps in preventing wrinkles, sooner rather than later. Women aren't the only ones who worry. Men, too, are now paying closer attention to the appearance of the dreaded wrinkles, probably due to the life expectancy factor.

Just twenty years ago, young women were not into skin and wrinkle reducing creams. Their still young and fresh looking skin was just fine, with nary a wrinkle to be seen. While Mom or Grandma might occasionally give a pep talk on 'taking care of your skin', girls considered face creams to be for 'old ladies' and spent their money on clothes and shoes instead. It was only for the 40+ set. Today, preventing wrinkles is a hot topic if you're over 20!

Part of taking good care of your skin is a good cleaning regimen. Young people can accomplish this with a non-drying soap, such as glycerine, followed by a toner to close the pores and a light application of face cream, preferably one that combines a sunscreen with the face cream in a single product. If you're going to be in the sun for any length of time, always use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.

Preventing wrinkles means preventing dry skin. Over time, everyone's skin loses its elasticity and starts to sag, dry – and wrinkle. Collagen is what makes your skin elastic and vibrant. In this case, preventing wrinkles is best accomplished through good eating habits. When you're young, it seems that poor dietary habits don't make any difference in your skin's appearance. You look in the mirror and see not a single wrinkle. However, if your eating habits are poor, you'll start finding wrinkles at an earlier age. Once they show up, it's much harder to get rid of them, or even slow the inevitable progression.

Those fresh fruits and veggies are important components for good skin and preventing wrinkles. The 'good skin' vitamins are A, C, E and zinc, so load up on foods which are nutrient dense with these vitamins. However, many vitamins and enzymes are dependent on other nutrients to do their work. For example, did you know that zinc, a trace mineral, is found in virtually every cell in your body? So in addition to making sure you get your 'good skin' nutrients, eat a well balanced diet. It pays off handsomely. By the time you're older, say, 40, you and everyone else will notice the difference in your still lovely skin.

If you smoke, quit! Perhaps more than any other single factor, smoking ages your skin prematurely, no question about it.

Here's a little known fact, but easily proven. If you use makeup and foundation products daily, you will develop wrinkles at an earlier age. Here's the proof: ever notice how TV anchors seem to age prematurely? They must wear foundation and makeup every day, for the benefit of the cameras. They also sit under hot lights for hours at a time. The result? By the time they're 40, they can be out of a job, simply because they look 'too old'. Beyond preventing wrinkles, they've got to resort to plastic surgery, collagen implants or Botox treatments. I say, no thank you!

I recently went grocery shopping with a friend. She's an advocate of healthy eating, never wears makeup and doesn't smoke. As we checked out with our purchases, the checker carded her for a bottle of wine in her basket. My friend was just three weeks shy of her 60th birthday and has about three gray hairs. Her mouth fell open. “You're kidding, right?” The checker apologized, saying she was required, by state law, to ask for ID of anyone who appeared to be under 40! My friend had been earlier bemoaning to me the fact that this 60th birthday was just around the corner. So there's the proof of the pudding. Preventing wrinkles can be done. This birthday girl was happy and shocked for weeks. That 60th birthday was much less painful!

Sex and the Menopause

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:18:31 PDT

Referred to in hushed tones as “the change” or dismissed as little more than a series of hot flushes, even in today’s liberal society the very word menopause is still somewhat taboo. Menopausal and post-menopausal women, their loved ones and even GPs are still reluctant to discuss the effects it can have on women’s love lives.

New survey results [i] published recently in Menopause International*, however, reveal a genuine and pressing need to raise awareness of issues around the menopause and to banish misconceptions based on the cliché that women at certain stages of life would happily forsake sex for a nice cup of tea.

The survey of 2,527 peri- and post-menopausal women – conducted by the physician-led site https://mail.hostedexchange.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.menopausematters.co.uk and now promoted by pure intimacy experts Yes (http://www.yestointimacy.com/) – showed that 84 per cent of these felt that an active sex life was important: In other words, women who are going or have gone through the menopause still want to make love with their partners as much as they ever did.

Summer Sleeping Survival Tips

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:34:56 PDT

When the mercury rises, sleeping can get a little sticky. Lesley Hatfield, founder of NiteSweatz, has these tips for keeping cool and catching more Z’s.“Tossing and turning can make a person feel even hotter.

The trick is to wear sleepwear that wicks moisture away from the body, so sleep is not disrupted by feeling uncomfortable,” explains Hatfield.Tips· Take a cool shower before getting in to bed· Sleep with a window open, fan on or air conditioning·

Wear NiteSweatz – a line of thermo-regulating apparel designed to keep women comfy and cool as temperatures rise due to situations such as pregnancy, nursing women, chemotherapy patients, premenopausal and menopausal women, those with auto immune disorders on medications that cause night sweats, people on anti depressants, obese women suffering from increased body temperature and just hot sleepers.· Sleep in a spread eagle position to promote air circulation · For extreme cases, take a soft ice pack to bed and chill pillowcase

NiteSweatz: http://www.nitesweatz.com/ 800-611-0069.

Publisher's Note: I have a pair of these pjs and they are fantastic! If you have night sweats, wearing these to bed will help you.

Easy Relaxation Tips for Busy Women

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:26:53 PDT

It seems like there is no rest of the weary. And, the weary person is usually mom. Moms take care of hearth and home, but who takes care of her? If you are a busy mom, learn to value yourself as a person and schedule personal time.

Personal time is a right of being a person. Each of us has the capacity to nurture others but that type of care takes its toll.
A car is filled with gas to make it run. Eventually the gas runs out and your car won’t move unless the car is replenished with fuel. The same goes for you. Emotional issues can develop when you don’t take the time to take care of your emotional well-being, not to mention the physical results of emotional neglect.

Mom time refuels the tank so that you can give to your family as well as yourself in equal measure. Don’t be ashamed to sit for fifteen minutes doing nothing. In the springtime, relaxing in a hammock under a tree is the perfect getaway from the pressures of the day. Reading a book for 30 minutes can also seem like heaven to many moms.

Here are a few tips to help you fit in much needed “mom” time:
1. Get up early if you have to. When you have kids, the day begins at a hurried pace. Once you hit the ground running, there is no stopping you. Waking 30 minutes to an hour ahead of time means quiet solitude to drink your coffee, read a book, meditate or listen to music.

2. Turn ordinary experiences into major events. When you take a bath, add candles, bubble bath, quiet music and/or an inflatable bath pillow. Your regular bath has now become a spa level experience. If you watch a movie, turn out the lights, pop a bag of microwave popcorn and curl up on the couch.

3. Ask your significant other for help. Kids love their mothers but time spent with dad is important too. Let them bond with dad while you go shopping for a new outfit or root around in the garden. Since the time is yours, do whatever you like.

4. Use the Boy Scout motto. Always be prepared and you can spend more time in a relaxed mode. Fix lunches the night before. Iron clothes for the next day and place backpacks by the front door so kids can grab them on their way out. The fewer things you have to do throughout the day, the calmer you will be with your family and not experience burnout.

5. Take exercise breaks. When you get a few minutes the last thing you want to do is exercise but getting a little physical activity in your day has far-reaching implications. Exercise helps you to think clearly and stretches the muscles. Also, stress will drain away as powerful endorphins are released into your system. Do jumping jacks during a television commercial or jog to the bus stop to pick up the kids.

6. Laugh at regular intervals. Keep a funny calendar cube on your desk or subscribe to a daily joke site. Laughing releases stress and can lift your spirits significantly. It also keeps the abs tight.

Moms, take care of you. Your family would miss you if you were not around to love and care for them. You owe it to yourself and you deserve a break from the daily hustle and bustle.

How to Overcome Emotional Eating

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:28:33 PDT

Eating is a part of life. Your body gets its nutrients from food. Sometimes we can go overboard with our eating habits and it can result in gaining weight. One issue with food is emotional eating.

The problem of emotional eating may end with the scale but it begins in the mind. Stress takes its toll on your life. When your defenses are compromised your health takes a hit and so do your emotions.
Everyone has good days and bad days. How we deal with the bad ones brings emotional eating into play. You look for comfort for your hurts. People who turn to food for comfort find a coping mechanism that won’t judge them, hurt them or tell them “no.” To complicate the issue, eating pleasurable foods can stimulate the release of endorphins just like exercise. So, after you eat, you feel better.

Emotional eaters use food to relieve stress. They hide behind the food instead of seeking solutions to the problems. This is not uncommon when the stressor is something horrible such as physical abuse or a death.

But, how do you know you are using food in this way? The first sign is obvious. You will gain weight if you eat too much. In light of the weight gain, examine other areas of your life:

* Have you been under stress lately at work or at home?* Has anything traumatic happened in the last year?* Are you dealing with a problem but haven’t found a solution?

Answering “yes” to any of these questions could mean that you are an emotional eater. You eat but you are not necessarily hungry at the time. The foods that you choose are what we term “comfort foods”:

* High fat foods like French fries, fried foods* High carb foods like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes* Sugary foods like ice cream, donuts, cookies, cake
There is help for emotional eaters. The first step is recognizing that you have a problem. You’ll experience feelings of helplessness and guilt. The guilt is over potentially ruining your health and the helplessness lies in the fact that you don’t see a way out.

Secondly, seek counseling. There are many types of counselors out there that can meet your need. Emotional eating has nothing to do with dieting or changing your eating habits but gaining control over your emotions.

A counselor might suggest things like visualization, practicing problem solving skills, relaxation techniques and family support. Visualization helps you to see your problems in a realistic way and not blown out of proportion. You will also learn to see food as nutrition for the body and not an emotional crutch.

Thirdly, your family can learn your triggers for stress and be on the lookout for changes in your eating habits. They can help you be aware of the foods you are eating, assist you in making healthy food choices and exercise along with you. Proper diet and exercise increases immunity, blood flow and positive thinking. Yoga enhances the mind/body connection so you don’t eat when you aren’t hungry.

Finding new ways to solve your problems and deal with stress will push food out of the equation. You’ll feel good about finding solutions which will replace the dependence on food.

My Living Will

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:54:54 PDT

I, _______________, being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means. ..............

Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of pinhead politicians who couldn't pass ninth grade biology if their lives depended on it, or lawyers/doctors interested in simply running up the bills.

If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to ask for at least one of the following:

Glass of wine

Chocolate

Margarita

Martini

Cold Beer

Chocolate

Chicken fried steak

Cream gravy

Sex

Mexican food

Chocolate

French fries

Chocolate

Pizza

Sex

Ice cream

Cup of tea

Chocolate

Sex

Chocolate

It should be presumed that I won't ever get better.

When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my appointed person and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes, let the 'fat lady sing,' and call it a day!

Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh at Mid-Life

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:14:40 PDT

Mid-life is when the growth of hair on our legs slows down. This gives us plenty of time to care for our newly acquired mustache.

In mid-life women no longer have upper arms, we have wing spans.

We are no longer women in sleeveless shirts, we are flying squirrels in drag.

Mid-life is when you can stand naked in front of a mirror and you can see your rear without turning around.

Mid-life is when you go for a mammogram and you realize that this is the only time someone will ask you to appear topless.

Mid-life is when you want to grab every firm young lovely in a tube top and scream, 'Listen honey, even the Roman empire fell and those will too'

Mid-life brings wisdom to know that life throws us curves and we're sitting on our biggest ones.

Mid-life is when you look at your know-it-all, cellphone-wearing teenager and think: 'For this I have stretch marks?'

In mid-life your memory starts to go. In fact the only thing we can retain is water.

Mid-life means that your Body By Jake now includes Legs By Rand McNally -- more red and blue lines than an accurately scaled map of Wisconsin .

Mid-life means that you become more reflective . . . You start pondering the 'big' questions. What is life? Why am I here? How much Healthy Choice ice cream can I eat before it's no longer a healthy choice?

But mid-life also brings with it an appreciation for what is important. We realize that breasts sag, hips expand and chins double, but our loved ones make the journey worthwhile. Would any of you trade the knowledge that you have now, for the body you had way back when? Maybe our bodies simply have to expand to hold all the wisdom and love we've acquired. That's my philosophy and I'm sticking to it!

10 Tips to Fix Those BLUES

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:38:32 PDT

by Parul Dube, R.D

A tricky phase in every womans life, as menopausal symptoms manifest in funny ways, from hot flushes to nausea to irritable mood swings. But life can be a little better if you incorporate these tips in your daily routine
Imagine going through all this, just because oestrogen suddenly decides to retire! Shouldn't the body synthesise a stand by, some other hormone to represent oestrogen?

Well, unfortunately for us ladies, there is no such option. We just have to face the inevitable and pray that we don't land up strangling our loved ones! Hang on, life is not all that gloomy as it's made out to be, and can be brighter if you incorporate these foods and exercise tips in your daily routine.

So here goes, ten basic tips to your menopausal fix.

Eat more tofu and soy

Soy may give relief from hot flashes, although that benefit is still being debated by researchers. However, we do know that soy may help protect our heart and arteries by lowering bad cholesterol. Many studies have suggested that this occurs because we substitute soy for meats and animal fat in our diet. So give it a try!

Eat more fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables offer many health benefits — fibre, vitamins, minerals and naturally low-fat. But there are also many menopausal reasons to eat these foods. Plants have chemicals that help protect our bodies' health and well-being. Phytoestrogens are particular plant chemicals that are very similar in structure to estrogen, and may act as weak estrogen in our bodies.

Phytoestrogens may trick your body into thinking it has more estrogen than it really does -- potentially diminishing some of the discomforts caused by lower estrogen levels during menopause.

Eat legumes more often

Legumes are a nutritionally efficient food because they offer so many health benefits in one little package. They're good sources of many vitamins and minerals, including calcium, folic acid and vitamin B-6. And they are a low-fat source of protein. Luckily legumes are ubiquitous in all Indian meals. Eat more of the right fats Yes, it is important to avoid eating a diet that is high in fat, especially saturated fat. High-fat foods are usually high in calories and low in nutrients, exactly the opposite of what a woman in or past menopause needs.

But it's even more important to get the right fats in your diet -- fats that may protect against heart disease and cancer.Research indicates the right fats are omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts, flaxseeds, fish, olive oil and canola oil. The wrong fats are saturated fats and trans fatty acids found in baked foods from what you get at your local bakery to packaged cookies, chips, and crackers.

Choose your beverages wisely

What you choose to quench your thirst can either rob your body of important nutrients or add them. Most people believe we should drink eight glasses of water a day, but few of us do. Water helps keep our kidneys flushed.On the other hand caffeine is a diuretic, which means it forces our kidneys to get rid of more water than they should. This can encourage dehydration. Caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages such as soft drinks also don't do your bones any favours. Some lower the amount of calcium your body takes in from food, and others increase the amount of calcium your body loses through the kidneys.Try drinking a glass of juice each day instead.

Be a grazer not a gorger

Many women eat their largest meal of the day at the end of the day -- dinner. And many women eat light during the day when our body needs fuel the most -- breakfast and lunch. When you do this, your body is more likely to store much of those calories as body fat because your body is metabolising all those dinner calories at a time you are burning the fewest calories — when you're asleep. There are many reasons to become a grazer: Studies have shown that people who eat small, frequent meals throughout the day tend to consume fewer calories and fat grams at the end of the day. Here's another potential weight-loss payoff: You burn more calories metabolising food when you spread it throughout the day. Grazing also prevents tiredness brought on by drops in blood glucose, and it's easier on your stomach.

Eat calcium-rich food every day

Calcium is essential to a woman's health as she ages. Most women should get at least 1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium from food. But what if you don't like milk? Here are some alternative suggestions that may appeal to you:Make your oatmeal or hot cereal with water instead of milk. Order a decaf latte with low-fat or non-fat milk. Drink a cup of chocolate soy milk each day. Take a vitamin mineral supplement that contains 100 per cent of the daily value for vitamin D and 25 per cent of the daily value for calcium. Eat broccoli, a leafy green vegetable, or beans. Try some great-tasting low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, or cheese.

Avoid high-fat, high-sugar foods

At this time in your life, preventing weight gain is important. Now, more than ever, women need to minimise extra calories, especially from high-fat, high-sugar foods that don't offer a bounty of nutrients. We addressed fats in Step 4. There are equally valuable reasons to know your sugar.

Add flaxseed to your diet

Flaxseed is just now being studied in humans, mostly for its cholesterol-lowering benefits and tumour-reducing properties with some types of cancers. We know that flaxseed is an extraordinary source of the phytoestrogen lignans, containing 75 to 800 times as much as other plant sources. It's also packed with the plant form of omega-3 fatty acids, called alpha-linolenic acid. The omega-3s in flaxseed may help prevent blood clots that might lead to heart attacks. But some people are highly allergic to flaxseed.

Exercise, exercise, exercise

Exercise isn't a food, but it is tied into your diet. There are so many benefits of exercise during menopause that it deserves to be included in these 10 important steps. Exercising during menopause will help decrease blood cholesterol levels, decrease bone loss, improve your ability to deal with stress, improve circulation, improve heart function and improve your body's ability to use oxygen and nutrients. Make exercise a priority and a habit.

The author is a dietitian and a member, Health Professions Council, UK.
published in the http://www.deccanherald.com/

Menopause Timing can Affect Parkinsons Risk

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:34:36 PDT

According to the latest research, women who count more years between their first period and menopause actually have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. These findings which appeared in a USA Today article by Mary Brophy Marcus, will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 61st annual meeting in Seattle in April.

This research indicates that longer exposure to the body's own hormones may indeed help protect the brain cells which are affected by Parkinson's disease. The author of the study is Rachel Saunders-Pullman of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.

Be a Healthy Woman: Gary Null on Hormone Replacement Therapy

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:39:14 PDT

Nothing illustrates the problem with medication better than the debacle related to hormone replace therapy (HRT). In the 1990s, many doctors began prescribing HRT to help prevent heart disease in women. A Harvard study of about 46,000 female nurses had found that those who had taken HRT had a lower incidence of heart disease by up to 50 percent.

However, when that study was more fully investigated, it turned out that the women with lower rates of heart disease were actually women who were healthier in general.

Compared to the group who were supposed to have a greater incidence of heart disease, they were wealthier, more likely to exercise, and had better diets; fewer of them had diabetes, and they smoked less. The women who didn’t take HRT were more likely to have diabetes, smoked, were poorer, and didn’t visit their doctors. Also not reported in the study was the fact that the women who took HRT had a 50 percent increase in strokes. This, then, was a flawed, biased study.

“The rationale for giving HRT to postmenopausal women was that when you arrive at menopause, your risk of getting heart disease or stroke will skyrocket and, therefore, you need protection,” says Dr. Sherrill Sellman, a naturopath, psychotherapist, and author of the best-selling book Hormone Heresy. But, she says, studies from reputable researchers showed that this was a myth. There was no rapid increase of heart disease in postmenopausal women.

There was simply a rise in heart disease as women move on in life in general. The doctors who pushed HRT as a preventive for women’s heart disease seemed not to take into account the fact that men also have a higher incidence of heart disease as they age.

Studies began to come in challenging the theory that hormone replacement therapy was beneficial to the heart. A study published in 2001 found that post-menopausal women with heart problems who took hormone supplements for less than one year actually had a greater risk of another heart attack or death from heart disease than women who were not on HRT.

An earlier study, sponsored by Ayerst, the company that manufactured the number-one replacement estrogen, Premarin, yielded similar results. Dr. Sellman explains, “They gave half the women hormone replacement therapy and the other half a placebo. After five years, they discovered that in the first year of treatment, the women taking the HRT had a 50 percent increase in heart attacks. Over the five years, the risk decreased.

The conclusion was that women who already had heart conditions got no overall benefit from HRT. But this glossed over the horrible fact that HRT increased heart problems the first year. What was more, women taking it had three times as many blood clots in the legs than women taking the placebo. There was also an increase in gallbladder disease.”

In 2001, the American Heart Association finally took heed of the growing scientific evidence and shifted its stance, advising against the use of hormone replacement therapy to prevent heart disease in women. And, in 2003, a major government trial, known as the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), definitively linked the long-term use of combined estrogen and progestin as menopausal hormone therapy to an increased risk of heart disease, as well as stroke and breast cancer.

As described in a 2007 press release issued by the National Institutes of Health, “both the estrogen plus progestin and estrogen-alone trials of the WHI were stopped early because of increased health risks and the failure to prevent heart disease. Specifically, the estrogen plus progestin trial was stopped after 5.6 years because of an increased risk of breast cancer and because overall risks, including increased risks for heart attack, stroke, and blood clots, outnumbered benefits. The estrogen-alone study was stopped after 6.8 years because of an increased risk of stroke and no reduction in risk of CHD [coronary heart disease]. The estrogen-alone study also found an increased risk of blood clots.” The findings suggested that risk due to hormones may differ depending on age or years since menopause.

The solution here is to work with a complementary medical physician until your heart health is restored. In some cases, medication may be needed long term, even for a lifetime, but no one can fail to benefit from improving lifestyle and diet.

For more information on how you can be a healthy woman—and more of Gary Null’s challenges to the medical powers-that-be—order your copy of Be a Healthy Woman now from Seven Stories Press.

Leading Anti-Aging Site Focuses on Menopause, Andropause and Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:16:00 PDT

BodyLogicMD, the leader in natural bioidentical hormone therapy unveils its newly updated and redesigned website http://www.bodylogicmd.com/. With over 150,000 monthly visitors, it is the #1 anti-aging website and the 19,000th most visited website in the world.

The updated site now has more than twice the amount of information about perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause, andropause (the male menopause), adrenal fatigue, thyroid treatments and the entire medical field of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). “Oprah’s recent show about hormone imbalance, BHRT and other treatment options created a shockwave that drove an incredible number of visitors to our site – and the numbers keep growing,” says Jill Swartz, Vice President of Marketing for BodyLogicMD.
“The Internet has become a vital tool for people to explore and research health and aging issues, as well as their options. We are dedicated to provide the most comprehensive information on bioidentical hormones, BHRT and related issues to our patients and new visitors. Our revamped site truly upholds the BodyLogicMD mission to help men and women take control of the aging process through a combination of fitness, nutrition and bioidentical hormone therapies – instead of suffering through the symptoms of aging as a necessary part of growing old.”

Bodylogicmd.com provides a wealth of knowledge about all things related to aging and bioidentical hormones, as well as the multitude of options available to manage them. The interactive site also features ample video offerings that highlight BodyLogicMD expert physicians discussing symptoms and treatment options, and RSS feeds with up-to-the-minute updates on current events and anti-aging industry news. By late spring the site will offer a “live chat” feature as the next interactive tool. Not limited to the extensive experience and training of the BodyLogicMD doctors, bodylogicmd.com links to outside sources and sites, news articles, and recent studies and reports to keep visitors up to date on the latest in BHRT.

“More and more women experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, mood swings, weight gain and low libido, as well as men who are concerned about weight gain, lost libido, fatigue, stress, waning energy and lost muscle mass, have come to rely on bodylogicmd.com as their resource for expert information and are turning to it every day,” says Swartz. “Their needs will continue to drive the content of our site – and our desire to be of service.”

About BodyLogicMDFounded in 2003, BodyLogicMD currently has 23 locations nationwide each with highly trained, physician-owned practices specializing in natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy integrated with fitness and nutrition for men and women suffering from hormonal imbalance, menopause, and andropause.

BodyLogicMD is currently featured as an expert resource on Oprah.com; Suzanne Somers’ latest book Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness lists BodyLogicMD as an expert source and her book Ageless, The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones dedicates an entire chapter to BodyLogicMD; and Business Week’s March 2006 cover story features the BodyLogicMD business story. For more information and to find the BodyLogicMD location nearest you visit: http://www.bodylogicmd.com/.

Feeling HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:18:31 PDT

Introducing a New and Improved Way to Embrace Those Hot Flashes…

There used to be a time, when HOT was considered COOL. – But, for today’s menopausal women, Not-So-Hot is exactly what we’re looking for. Imagine going through a meal with friends WITHOUT having a hot flash, or having coffee with the girls and not having to worry the hot coffee is going to make it worse. Let’s face it – the beads of sweat are embarrassing.

Thanks to two very smart and very HOT ladies, there may not be a cure to the hot flashes, but there certainly is a trendy answer… Not-So-Hot Flash Fans are true to their name. They provide cooling comfort in a flash. Now, that’s the kind of flash we’re looking for!

These nylon, aerodynamically efficient fans fold up small in a stylish pouch to fit in a purse or back pocket. When a hot flash hits, these fans pop out for immediate use, and once the "not so hot," is achieved, they are as easily refolded and stored away for next time. No one wants to suffer hot flashes, and some women suffer more than others. With Not-So-Hot flash fans, these moments can pass more comfortably, and most importantly, more fashionably.

Available in 6 different styles, these Not-So-Hot Flash Fans are sure to match every outfit. – and it will be very easy to keep your cool.

Visit http://www.not-so-hot.com/ now.

Interveiw with Lesley Hatfield, Founder of Nitesweatz

creativecommunications@cox.net (Creative Communications) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:38:33 PDT

Please briefly describe your product and what you’re offering to consumers

Nitesweatz is a moisture wicking, thermo-regulating line of sleepwear and apparel designed to comfort women during life changing conditions that contribute to increased perspiration such as menopause, pregnancy and chemotherapy. The styles are designed to keep our consumers comfy and cool as temperatures rise due to hot flashes, night sweats or any other contributing factor.

Where is your business based (city, state)?
Atlanta, Georgia

What year was it started in?
2004

What was the inspiration for your business?
My inspiration for NiteSweatz came on a spring day when I was a personal trainer. I was running with a female client of mine and she just couldn’t get going that day, I asked her what the problem was and she said she was so tired as she woke up three times the night before and had to change her clothes because she was suffering so badly from night sweats. She had begun the joy of menopause.

Off the cuff I said, “Why don’t you try sleeping in your running clothes, (a-ha moment), better yet, I wonder if there is a sleepwear company making pajamas from the same moisture wicking technology as we run in. We could start our own company, call it NiteSweatz, spell it with a “Z,” it will be a great play on words because they will be so comfortable it will be like coming home and putting on your sweats.”

What was your thought process behind the idea? How did you turn it from an idea into reality?

I had been an Exercise Physiologist for 11 years, and understood performance fabrics, I knew how technology had revolutionized exercise, no one worked out in plain old cotton T-shirts any more, and I felt that this type of fabrication would be ideal for women suffering from night sweats. The internet was instrumental in my research first to find out if there was anyone else out there with this idea, to trademark the name, research fabric and mills.

The closets of my very fashionable mom, aunt and clients were also a source of research, I asked every woman I knew what she liked and disliked about her pajamas and began to create styles that would appeal to these ladies. It took about a year from conception to market. I launched at the Atlanta Apparel Mart in April of 2004

What makes your product stand out from other products in the marketplace?
We strive to make our products functional yet fashionable. We believe that just because you are hot at night doesn’t mean you can’t look HOT at night. We offer a large variety of comfortable, stylish and yes a little bit sexy garments that can transition from the board room to the bed room to fit into the busy lifestyle of our customer. We not only have sleepwear, we have daywear, travel essentials, pillowcases and continue to grow with the suggestions we hear from our loyal NiteSweatz clients.

What has been the most rewarding aspect so far?

The most rewarding aspect for me is knowing that we have been able to comfort thousands of women across the country during a very uncomfortable time of their lives. This isn’t the invention of electricity, but when you read the testimonials that we get every single day from satisfied, well rested, happy consumers you know you are doing something right and that feels great!

What’s the appropriate age range for consumers buying this product?
The original intent of NiteSweatz was the menopausal baby boomer, however we quickly determined that our products were appealing to women of all ages.

Publisher's Note: This company sent me samples of these clothes and they are exactly what they claim. You put them on and feel immediately more cool. They are also extremely comfortable - so if you have night sweats, don't hesitate to give them a try. go to www.nitesweatz.com