I'm a really big fan of Prof Tim Noakes. That he subscribes to my way of seeing things is a good start. Lately though he's been exceptionally good for my business! With him getting everyone Banting (the term used to describe a high fat, low carb diet - get a copy of "The Real Meal Revolution"), I am now - dear reader - perceived in my nutritional work as MODERATE, nearly conservative! Oh joy! Whereas previously I was considered by some as "out there" in my expectations of humankind … [Read more...] about Banting or bust?
Health
Free Breast Course for Nurses
Port Elizabeth’s nursing professionals – community nurses, midwives, nurse trainers and hospital nurses – have a fantastic opportunity to develop clinical skills in breast care and the nursing management of breast problems. And thanks to sponsors Netcare, Carecross and Pathcare, the Breast Course for Nurses (BCN) is absolutely FREE. Cape breast-cancer surgeon Dr Jenny Edge has run this training course for some years in Cape Town, and is now bringing it to Port Elizabeth. The BCN has … [Read more...] about Free Breast Course for Nurses
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 6
“The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn but to unlearn” – Gloria Steinem The previous post in this series dealt with unrealistic expectations, the gradual isolation of the abusive relationship, and the effects of emotional instability. The story of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp shows how these patterns can play out and how each partner contributes to them and responds to them. As Steinem says, we have learned these ways of being; we weren’t born knowing them and … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 6
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 5
“There may be in the cup, A spider steep’d, and one may drink, depart, and yet partake no venom, for his knowledge is not infected….I have drunk, and seen the spider”. (Shakespeare: A Winter’s Tale. Leontes falsely believes his wife is unfaithful; in reality, his distorted jealousy is the spider’s venom in their love). The previous post looked at controlling behaviour which makes space in a relationship for abuse to become the norm. Part 5 focuses on unrealistic expectations, emotional … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 5
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 4
“I’m a reflection of the community“ - Tupac Shakur “What does not kill me, makes me stronger” – Nietsche Following Part 3 of this series on intimate-partner violence, Part 4 looks at controlling – those words and actions which keep the partner in line, often in an increasingly narrow ‘zone of approval’ as time goes on. The controlling partner is always positioned as the one with the power (even if, in reality, this is not the case and both of them know it deep down). Although each … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 4
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 3
“Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together”. (Robert Browning: My Last Duchess). Browning’s poem is a chilling account of a husband’s jealous rage in retrospect. The widowed Duke is showing the poet a portrait of his late wife that he keeps behind a curtain and expressing satisfaction that she’s now in her place – completely reduced to a piece of property. Never again will any … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 3
Have your hair done when you not there
“People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know, I’m never there.” ? Dolly Parton When we think of wigs, the picture coming to mind might be something that screams “Diva”. As Dolly herself often says “it takes a lot of money to look this cheap!”Patients undergoing chemotherapy face a dilemma: whether to “go bald” and brave it out with caps and scarves, or cover up with a wig.Tracey Gervais (Wigs@Hair@Tracey’s, Amble In Centre, Main Road, Walmer) understands that helping a … [Read more...] about Have your hair done when you not there
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 2
“These violent delights have violent ends, And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which as they kiss consume…”(Shakespeare’s Friar Lawrence unsuccessfully advises Romeo to take it slow). This series is an attempt to explore the story of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp from the perspective of intimate-partner violence, reflected in the published words of witnesses to their relationship. Although we don’t know how it ended between them emotionally – a matter currently disputed in … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 2
When did we stop caring?
On Friday we had the baby and family expo at Kings Court Mall and there I was promoting pregnancy yoga. I had some of my yoga mats on display and someone who claimed to do yoga came up to enquire about the price of the mats. The mats sell for R500. A lady, quite indignantly, asked why the mat was ‘so expensive’. In short: the mat is much cheaper than what you would pay in shops or online and there are a number of reasons why it’s a wonderful yoga mat, but when I got to the part that one of the … [Read more...] about When did we stop caring?
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 1
“I understand a fury in your words, but not your words…” (Shakespeare’s Desdemona, femicide victim). “These girls ain’t loyal”. (Singer and woman abuser Chris Brown defines ‘showbiz’ women) Intimate-partner violence. How can those words go together? How does the scene of love become a death chamber? As the traumatic story of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp unfolds in a glare of publicity, there are many questions. Some may never be answered. But as we try to understand this very South … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 1
Yoga No-No’s (warning – read only with a sense of humour)
Yoga is an ever growing trend and with that comes an interesting addition to the existing yogic culture. Yogi’s aspire to being open and accepting, non-judgmental and kind . That is what the practice through the body ultimately try to teach us, but let’s be real….we’re just human. There are certain things going on in yoga classes these days that are simply unbearable and its time to name them with the hope of eradicating them altogether. So yes – Yoga is about acceptance and non-attachment – and … [Read more...] about Yoga No-No’s (warning – read only with a sense of humour)
How many daily bowel movements are optimal?
There seems to be a fair amount of controversy around detoxification protocols and whether or not they're necessary or even safe. While it might be true that too much has been made of them being the answer to everything health-wise, it's also true that we are exposed to many more toxins in our modern world, than in previous times. Couple this with very poor eating, drinking and lifestyle habits, and there seems to be a need for supporting overworked detoxification organs such as the liver, … [Read more...] about How many daily bowel movements are optimal?
What do you practice when you practice yoga?
While I appreciate the fact that most people who come to yoga, do so for reasons related to fitness, strength building, improving flexibility, and sometimes relaxation, I always think it so important to emphasize that the physical aspect of yoga is really just a very small part of the practice. I know – its GREAT to feel the physical changes in your body when you practice yoga regularly. Who doesn’t love to lose weight, see their body getting stronger, toned, more supple and not to mention being … [Read more...] about What do you practice when you practice yoga?
Have you ever been bullied for being fat?
Kids can be so cruel. It's one of those things that 'everyone knows'... even children with life-threatening allergies are often threatened by bullies, who pretend the allergen is hidden in the classroom or has been in the child's lunchbox. If anyone challenges this ignorant and reckless behaviour, they'll get the bully's stock response: "it was only a joke". Why can't you take a joke, lethal-allergy kid? It only goes to show how some people will smell out another person's vulnerability and … [Read more...] about Have you ever been bullied for being fat?
The story of the water babes
Let me introduce myself. I'm what some might refer to as a molecule of water. I prefer to think of myself as a massive, unfulfilled storehouse of potential energy (I'm not given to grandiosity!). I lie around a lot, dreaming of making it big - thinking about all the fabulous reactions I could cause inside a body (frankly, I'll take any body at this point, though my preference is for one of those standy-up, 2-legged/2-armed jobbies that call themselves human). Ah, just imagine... I'm in a … [Read more...] about The story of the water babes
