Yesterday I went to the Festival of Well being in London. This was the third annual event staged by the Resurgence and Ecologist - The Resurgence Trust. If you have never come across them -check out www.resurgence.org.
With 15 superb speakers and artists, it was no wonder we came away with a lightness and sense of positivity. Great to hear of all the positive projects that are going on up and down the country,especially right now in a world that looks so grim,cruel and intolerant.
It seems our sense of well being comes from a greater sense of fairness between us and where the rich/poor divide is the greatest, the sense of well being is low. It seems we don't feel great by having lots of stuff, if those around us are not in the same situation. So stuff doesn't make us happy - phew! can someone please tell those that produce it by the tonne using up the resources future generations might like to have a taste of. I was so happy the other day, to see a small shop that repairs things - hoovers,irons, all manner of electrical goods. Not only is it great we still have people who have skills that can repairs things, we are not all in to the throw away culture and buy new. The planned obsolescence of so many electrical goods can be beaten! Mark Golding from Oxfam highlighted this inequality aspect that blights all our sense of well being
Our connection with nature was also widely spoken about. That wonderful activist, Vandana Shiva and Monty Don,both spoke eloquently on the importance of soil and seed and how it continually heals us and nourishes us as long as we don't use the chemicals of war on it. Nature needs no assistance from Monsanto - she has managed just fine before they arrived on the scene. Nature knows how to adapt the seed to cope with the environment. She doesn't set out to exploit and copyright nor does she make us pay for the water that drops freely. Monsanto on the other hand might just like to try and I'm sure others out there would consider it also. If we face a water shortage, then fracking must be one of the biggest waste of water with other effects we can only anticipate.
Sense of community and conversing with each other also featured high as essential for well being. Here we had Leo Johnson,co founder of sustainable finance ltd, speak of the venture he embarked on getting to know his neighbours after being forced to slow his pace down due to in jury. Suddenly he found himself speaking to people in his street and the next thing, there they are helping in the grape supplies and wine making escapade that united the road he lived in. How many of us know our neighbours. Apparently we have a better chance of this if we live on a quiet cul de sac as opposed to a major road.
Roman Krznaric author of the Empathy Revolution, a book that is designed to start a 'global explosion of empathic thinking and action' Isn't that just what we need right now. Projects he mentioned included babies helping school children learn empathy. I'm sure we could ramp up the empathy.
With Dame Carol Black discussing the importance of your job. Those who are doing a job they love but also feel they have autonomy within that job have a greater sense of well being. The job doesn't necessarily have to be a high flying career of a job,but the person doing it must feel valued and listened to. So Dame Carol's job is to look at well being in the workplace. Needless to say, those that work for themselves have greater job satisfaction even though they don't have the paid holidays, sick leave, etc etc, they have that all important sense of autonomy.
With Rupert Sheldrake adding his unique stance to the day and reminding us that science has a place but that we need science to be open and 'new science' not just the dogmas it has built itself around.
Topped off with Friends of the Earth reminding us that we can't keep taking from it at the rate we are for short term gain. As Craig Bennett said, Friends of the Earth are often accused of standing in the way of progress, but is it progress to see over half the worlds species disappear, terrains and habitats vanish. Minerals that have taken 1000's of years to form- gone! Polluted seas and rivers, retreating glaciers. Does that sound like progress?
The heart warming 'Action for Happiness' speaker,Mark Williamson, enlightened the audience on some of the initiative going on to promote goodness and happiness. So badly needed in society today where a media feed on misery and worse case scenarios. You could be forgiven for living in fear as that is what our current system generates and how much better it is if we can resist buying into fear.
With heart felt poetry from Pascale Petit and the beautiful voice of Brina, It was a day that raised the soul.
If the names above are new to you, google them and see for yourselves the people out there trying hard to make a better, fairer,just and kinder world. We can all start in a small way, just by speaking to a stranger at the bus stop and getting to know those nearest us. Looking at the job you do and see where you get your enjoyment from or how it can be made better.
The world we live in we have created - keep doing what we do and we keep the status quo - improve what we do and we could all be living a happier,contented life.
Satish Kumar, editor in chief of Resurgence and Ecologist magazine, is a true inspiration. Once a Janus monk that walked the world with nothing other than the human kindness he met on route, his gentle wisdom, humanity and sense of fun exude from him. His address to the audience was serene.
Again,if you have never read his works or know of him, then change that.
It was lovely to see all ages, race, creed, socio-economic groups all coming together to share a day of well being.
Sunday, 12 October 2014
Thursday, 28 August 2014
MMR Vaccine problems. Dr Wakefield's response and Why is the reporting left to the alternative media?
In a world where the reporting of news is 24/7 it seems that nothing is left unreported or commented on. But when the media chooses a black out or is 'asked' to have a black out, the news is what's not been reported and why......often far more relevant to us all.
Natural news is one of the few alternative media channels that have been reporting on the whistle blower from the CDC on the correlation between autism and the MMR vaccine.
The problem with organisations that partake in cover-ups to protect big business - organisations that are there to protect the public, the public should query what else they cover up.
If someone tells you a lie, you rarely trust what they say after...when that someone is an organisation that is there to protect its citizens health, well that's a problem....
Watch the story unfold via the Natural News Website.
Natural news is one of the few alternative media channels that have been reporting on the whistle blower from the CDC on the correlation between autism and the MMR vaccine.
The problem with organisations that partake in cover-ups to protect big business - organisations that are there to protect the public, the public should query what else they cover up.
If someone tells you a lie, you rarely trust what they say after...when that someone is an organisation that is there to protect its citizens health, well that's a problem....
Watch the story unfold via the Natural News Website.
http://www.naturalnews.com/046628_CDC_whistleblower_media_conspiracy_vaccine_makers.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/
http://www.naturalnews.com/
The health of children are at stake here and that should be news worthy!
Saturday, 16 August 2014
August's Newsletter from CiCHealth
Hi Everyone
Hope you are all enjoying the summer. The weather is certainly erratic and having checked it on the BBC weather site for last Wednesday - on the North Norfolk coast, It declared it to be a bright sunny day......oh if only....indeed it started as a clear blue sky as we left Cley and began our walk along the Blakeney Spit, but within 20mins we were walking into a gale and torrential rain,undeterred, we persisted through and within 10mins the sky had cleared and bright sunshine returned, only for it to do it all over again.
2 drenchings later we were back in beautiful sunshine, fully dried off and more than rewarded with the sight of seals on the beach and bopping along in the sea,following those of us that were mad enough to walk through the rain......us and 2 others.
I though I would share with you a recent radio 4 programme - Inside Health. Ever wondered about the conflict of interest your doctor faces as he/she reaches for the prescription pad, then this programme and the following 2 might be of interest to you.
I'm always surprised that in this day and age how many people hand their health totally over to the doctor and do exactly as they are told,rather than take it as an opinion. When you sit in the consultancy room and watch a doctor google your symptoms it starts to get a bit worrying.
worth a listen if you haven't heard it.
Here is the link......
Inside Health Radio 4 Dr Mark Porter Conflicted Medicine: Pharmaceuticals
There is a very interesting event coming up in London hosted by Resurgence
Resurgence Festival of Wellbeing
The shift from economic growth to growth in wellbeing
Sat 11 Oct 2014 • 10:00-18:00
Some great speakers including Satish Kumar, ecologist and editor of Resurgence magazine. Vandana Shiva, Environment and health activist and Dr Rupert Sheldrake, Biologist and Author, to name a few. For a full list here is the link......
The cost of the day is just £45 and given the quality of the speakers, that is a bargain!
My ticket is booked for this one and perhaps see you there. All good CPD points.
.................
We are also looking ahead to workshops and events in the coming year.
We are very keen to invite back Patricia Peat from Cancer Options. As those of you that attended her last talk know, her depth of knowledge on the subject of cancer and the current thinking and successful treatment methods is second to none.
We are hoping to fix a date during this coming Autumn so we'll keep you posted.
.....................
There is a new Arnica group that is developing in Cambridge. Arnica helps support parents who are against the current stance on vaccination and often in need of support in their decision to go against the system and who need information on how to manage child hood illnesses.
We will let you know of meeting times and dates for this group and helping to spread the word on it would be good. It is all about choice and knowledge. Knowledge hopefully makes for informed choice and Arnica is there is help with that.
Don't forget to keep an eye on the local FHT website, Abington Barns website and Inspire Online, Great talks and events coming along under those umbrellas also.
.......................
This just popped into my email
A link for an e-book on GMO free shopping in the UK. It has taken the guys at the Therapy Team a while to compile this and could well be worth the small fee of £3.06 (if you have a kindle) and are keen not to support the GM industry.
Enjoy the rest of a good summer.
Sarah and on behalf of Maddy
Friday, 18 July 2014
Statins...another big push!
Statins hit the news again on both sides of the pond. Here in the UK we have the headline
'Statins: Millions more to get drugs in controversial plans'
Doctors have been told to offer millions more people the cholesterol lowering drug. As many as 4 in 10 adults could be given statins...just in case!
want to read the whole story.....http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28352290
I've written my view on statins many times, so rather than repeat myself take a look at the suggested clips and before you jump at the chance of taking a statin, be your own doctor and do your research. What's really in it for you if you take statins, What can you do yourself and what is really in it for big pharma - follow the money!
If your body developed high cholesterol through lifestyle, then change it, if it developed high cholesterol because you lacked statins....well you have one unusual body there....We don't develop a headache through lack of paracetamol and would you take a couple of those a day just in case and run the risk of stomach ulcers,probably not, but you might avoid things you know give you headaches. That principle can be applied to cholesterol. Before you decide if cholesterol is your friend or foe,watch Statin Nation, you can sometimes get to view it free on line somewhere or the website is http://www.statinnation.net/
Over in US yesterday, NBC ran a story on the harmful effects of Niacin, a vitamin that is prescribed there to lower LDL and raise HDL. Declaring that Niacin is causing heart problems......Well there is a story that made no sense.....and of course the minute you look behind the headlines, and look at the study, it shows that they didn't look at Niacin as just Niacin, it was an extending release niacin, not the over the counter version we can all buy, and in the trial it was being used alongside a drug. NBC just forgot to mention that bit.
Given the drug companies can advertise their pills on national TV in the US, again, it's a follow the money job.
It is absolutely right that when you really want to know something, go to the source. Look at the study, not the reporting of the study with the bias attached. Look at the studies on Niacin and it's excellent safety record and than look at the side effects of statins.
You wonder what the point of news is when it is an inaccurate medley of what exactly? because it is hardly facts.
Not sure what you should do? At the end of day, it is your body that the medicine goes into, your body that has to deal with it....Statins verses lifestyle......Once you see how statins work, you get an idea that they just might cause you the very problem they are being used to treat, so get informed before you make your decision.
Doctors know what drug companies tell them, that can be based on 'cherry picked' studies and if you have put a drug through costly trials,you are going to want to claw that money back, then we come to ethics over profit and that is often a debate that ethics might not do so well in.
Want to know the truth about Niacin, real Niacin, go to the source. Here is the best retort to the NBC news report.
Many doctors are calling for all studies on drugs to be published so they too can be better informed on what they tell patients. It is with big pharma and their big bucks that the problem lays.
So who really is behind these two transatlantic stories.
I think currently 2 trials have to show that the drug works better than a placebo,even if another 8 show it doesn't. That is kind of worth remembering for any drug you have to take. Risk V Benefit, Ethics V Profit.....you decide.
Monday, 30 June 2014
TTIP - Info from the World Development Movement
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Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Unfair Pressure on Parents that Choose not to Vaccinate
Given that the history of vaccines is debatable at best, it is not unreasonable for parents to opt out of having their children vaccinated. This is a personal choice and one that shouldn't be questioned.
How then is it that those parents that have decided not to vaccinate are made to feel like bad parents? The question of whether a child has been vaccinated or not is an invasion of privacy - your medical details, of which treatment and prevention are part of that, are private, so schools, nurseries,clubs etc have no right asking.
How, as adults, would we like to questioned by employers as to whether we have had our smear test or mammogram, both are held up as preventative procedures and quite rightly private matters.
May be we women too will find ourselves forced into taking these tests or we might not get a job, just as some places start excluding children for not being vaccinated. Forced to subject the breasts to unnecessary radiation to conform...what kind of world would that be....well the kind of world that tries social pressure on parents to vaccinate their children...we are there already,and we need to stop it.
Choices on health and the non judgemental attitude towards parents is where we ought to be. It is not a given that a vaccine will protect you.
Whether a child has had a vaccine or not is not indicative of not contracting the illness or that the vaccine was successful. In fact to know if the vaccine was successful, a follow up test would be needed to see if the antibodies were there and even then, how long is that the case in artificial immunity....so the question of vaccinated or not is redundant.
It is a question that is used to pressure parents to conform...well if your child is vaccinated, you must be so sure that they are protected, so nothing to fear from the un-vaccinated then. In fact the un-vaccinated should perhaps steer clear of the vaccinated as they now have the potential for the illness as we see outbreaks of the illness in the vaccinated.
So if a child ends up in the GP surgery or A & E and whether the ill health is related to an illness associated with a vaccine or not, it matters not a jot if the child has had the vaccine or not, the child needs help and that it the bottom line.
What if a child has been vaccinated and they still contract measles etc, what would the then doctor or nurse have to say about that?? If the child presents with an illness that is nothing to do with vaccines, then the question is even more irrelevant, but it seems to get asked.
May be if you are the parent of an un-vaccinated child and you ever have to present your child to a doctor or A&E and are asked if your child has been vaccinated....turn the tables and ask them straight away 'why? do you think this is vaccine damage or reaction?'
Make a different assumption to their questions..one of whether the illness in children is vaccine related!
Given most children are vaccinated, it seems odd that the focus is on those that are not and finding out if vaccines have been had.....
If you are the parent of an un-vaccinated child, then Arnica UK is there to help support you in your choice,but perhaps you need to think ahead of what you might say if asked. It is in the face of medics that parents feel the most pressure and that is no way to be making any decision on health. To feel bullied into it or pressured into it,is coercion and that is wrong.
How then is it that those parents that have decided not to vaccinate are made to feel like bad parents? The question of whether a child has been vaccinated or not is an invasion of privacy - your medical details, of which treatment and prevention are part of that, are private, so schools, nurseries,clubs etc have no right asking.
How, as adults, would we like to questioned by employers as to whether we have had our smear test or mammogram, both are held up as preventative procedures and quite rightly private matters.
May be we women too will find ourselves forced into taking these tests or we might not get a job, just as some places start excluding children for not being vaccinated. Forced to subject the breasts to unnecessary radiation to conform...what kind of world would that be....well the kind of world that tries social pressure on parents to vaccinate their children...we are there already,and we need to stop it.
Choices on health and the non judgemental attitude towards parents is where we ought to be. It is not a given that a vaccine will protect you.
Whether a child has had a vaccine or not is not indicative of not contracting the illness or that the vaccine was successful. In fact to know if the vaccine was successful, a follow up test would be needed to see if the antibodies were there and even then, how long is that the case in artificial immunity....so the question of vaccinated or not is redundant.
It is a question that is used to pressure parents to conform...well if your child is vaccinated, you must be so sure that they are protected, so nothing to fear from the un-vaccinated then. In fact the un-vaccinated should perhaps steer clear of the vaccinated as they now have the potential for the illness as we see outbreaks of the illness in the vaccinated.
So if a child ends up in the GP surgery or A & E and whether the ill health is related to an illness associated with a vaccine or not, it matters not a jot if the child has had the vaccine or not, the child needs help and that it the bottom line.
What if a child has been vaccinated and they still contract measles etc, what would the then doctor or nurse have to say about that?? If the child presents with an illness that is nothing to do with vaccines, then the question is even more irrelevant, but it seems to get asked.
May be if you are the parent of an un-vaccinated child and you ever have to present your child to a doctor or A&E and are asked if your child has been vaccinated....turn the tables and ask them straight away 'why? do you think this is vaccine damage or reaction?'
Make a different assumption to their questions..one of whether the illness in children is vaccine related!
Given most children are vaccinated, it seems odd that the focus is on those that are not and finding out if vaccines have been had.....
If you are the parent of an un-vaccinated child, then Arnica UK is there to help support you in your choice,but perhaps you need to think ahead of what you might say if asked. It is in the face of medics that parents feel the most pressure and that is no way to be making any decision on health. To feel bullied into it or pressured into it,is coercion and that is wrong.
Sunday, 22 June 2014
June newsletter from CHI / CiChealth
Hi Everyone
Such a beautiful sunny day and Maddy and I got some miles in the boots this afternoon. But unlike Daisy dog, who after her morning walk retreated under the bushes, we decided a cup of tea was more appropriate.
A weekend back I was in Exeter for part of the three day Back2health conference on cancer. As always, at these events, top quality speakers offering sound advice backed up with experience and expertise. A great reminder what a complex disease it is and that how crucial it is to not be rail roaded into a decision on the treatment until you know what is out there, what is working and who your experts are.
What it always brings home to me on hearing just what other countries are doing, is how very backward and second rate our service and medical options are in this field. Yes there are always successes but the choice is so limited and with better choice comes better chances for more.
Despite the billions spent,i see a rise of 70% in skin cancer and liver cancer was announced today......These are not just due to living longer, these are appearing in younger people and as much as many of us don't want to change the way we live, I'm pretty sure we would like to reduce the risk of dying in this manner.
Some of the speakers were filmed and the guy filming them is hoping to get 'Oasis TV' a channel on health, up and running on the internet.
Dr Rosie Daniel and Barbara Wren were brilliant speakers, emphasis on what the patient wants first and foremost along with supportive techniques to health. We don't always need a sledgehammer approach,even if the illness seems so big. It would be good to see subtle ways offered as the viable and effective option they can be.
I couldn't be there for the whole 3 days sadly,but Patricia Peat spoke and I know many of you attended her talk here last year.....We are looking to invite her back - so watch this space. The info is forever updating with Patricia and if you work with anyone going through cancer, then her talk i'm sure would be invaluable. The feed back from all those that attended last year was all positive.
With so much emphasis on the paleo diet these days, this little video clip is a good reminder of the benefits of it but also that one way doesn't suit all. Plus a reminder that it's not just swapping carbs for meat.
There is an new therapist who is in the market for a couch, if you have one you are thinking of selling, please contact her by email... shaninemartin@gmail.com
Information from Graham Blakely, many of you will know Graham and his wealth of experience and knowledge. He has put together a 2 day workshop on Trigger point therapy. At this stage he wants to know who might be interested and if so, drop us a line and he'll sort a venue and dates.
All tools in the tool kit as they say.
This Tuesday at Thierrys clinic,116 Ramsden Square,Cambridge 4-6pm is the Arnica meeting. If you would like to come along, drop us a line. A support group for parents looking at a non vaccine approach and the support that is needed for that. Again,if you have clients that have that dilemma, then please come along yourself and/or let your clients know about it.
You will also see with this email are details of a Yes to Life event on breast cancer. I have to say that these events just get better and better. The last one on prostate cancer was excellently attended and the speakers are the very best. such is the quality of these events,speakers approach them.
Dr Contreras is a real headline grabber in this field and what a good opportunity for gaining knowledge and CPD
I would be very surprised if we all are not in contact in some form with someone that is going through this.
So hopefully see you there. It looks like from Cambridge, head to Kings Cross and then pick up the underground.
Or driving to the Blackhorse carpark in Walthamstow ( top of the M11 from here....costs just a few £'s to park and the tube station is directly opposite.
Not sure just how powerful nutrition is and the role of mitrochondria in the body, this TedX talk by Dr Terry Wahls who had an aggressive form of MS, cured herself with nutrition.
Being therapist, i don't need to tell you how wonderful our bodies are.....but aren't they! - when given the right circumstances and the intelligence of such people as this doctor to look for it outside of their known boxes.
This coming Saturday 28th - Grantchester Tea Gardens 10-12 The Cambridge School of Philosophy will hold its 2nd summer lecture entitled.. Protecting Your Heart
‘Growing old’ is a challenge that we will all face at some time (hopefully). Developing a philosophical attitude as we grow older can help to address that challenge. This talk will develop that theme.
Speaker: Richard Edmunds free to attend, but now a charge for parking.
Enjoy!
Keep us posted with anything that you think is worth sharing, courses, workshops, events, awareness etc.....that way we all get a chance to share opportunities and that's what it's all about.
Sarah & Maddy
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