Thursday, June 30, 2016

Post / Regram Your #KAVUTFAVS to Win a $100 Gift Card!




HOW TO PLAY & RULES:


● Post / Regram a Photo of your Favourite Piece from @KAVUTcom or KAVUT.com 
● Must Follow and Tag @KAVUTcom on Instagram
● Use the Official Contest Hashtag #kavutfavs
● Tell us How You Will Style Your Favourite Piece When You Wear It


The winner will be determined by the photo that receives the most likes!



Contest runs July 1st - 4th, 2016


GOOD LUCK!


Click here for a Complete List of Rules and Regulations








The KAVUT Showroom 
(102 Scollard St., Toronto)

will be CLOSED

Friday, July 1st and Saturday, July 2nd
for the long weekend


www.KAVUT.com
is OPEN 24/7!





from KAVUT - Blog http://ift.tt/296ITKd

Gifted Funds As A Down Payment Option – Mortgages

Yes, Vancouver is the most unaffordable housing market in Canada. But determined home buyers are still trying to get their foot in the door, in order to get in before it’s too late and the lowest rung on that ladder is even further out of reach.

 

The average price for all residential properties in Vancouver is $889,100 ($1.5 million if you want a detached home). And if you want to avoid paying mortgage insurance premiums, you need to come up with 20% as a down payment. For the average consumer, it’ll cost more than 20 years to come up with a down payment, according to a report by Generation Squeeze titled “CODE RED: Rethinking Canadian Housing Policy.”

 

Can’t wait that long? You’d better find some family members who are willing to contribute to your housing fund.

 

Shaun Zipursky, a broker with City Wide mortgage services in Vancouver, says that they’re seeing many more gifted funds than they have in years past, particularly for young professionals.

 

“We’re seeing a lot of clients that are coming in with massive amounts of gifts, six-figure gifts,” Zipursky says. “So families are really trying to help out in keeping their kids in the housing market in the areas that they want to be in.”

 

Showing proof and documentation of gifted funds

 

But even if you are getting a gift in order to buy a home in Vancouver, there are some things that you need to know about a gifted down payment.

The post Gifted Funds As A Down Payment Option – Mortgages appeared first on Gary Wong Realty Vancouver, BC.



from Gary Wong Realty Vancouver, BC http://ift.tt/29jwXD6

Benzos: A Dance With the Devil

benzos“It feels like I’m plugged into an electric socket and every move I make shoots voltage throughout my body. I’m nauseous and my stomach feels like it’s on fire. Of course, I can’t sleep, and I spend the whole day thinking something terrible is happening. I have to tell you, there’s no way I can live like this.”

A 63 year old librarian, Jayne, came to me 6 months into a Klonopin taper. She had long ago abandoned her original prescriber – the one who put her on Remeron and Klonopin eight years ago after she had discovered her husband’s infidelity.

“He never once told me there might be an issue with taking these meds long-term. In fact, he told me I probably needed them after I tried stopping them cold turkey and felt so sick I thought I was dying.”

When she arrived in my office, she had been using a jeweler’s scale to measure micrograms of shaved Klonopin tabs to approximate 1-2% dose decrements per month. She told me of a hell that she had never envisioned possible before her tenure in the world of psychiatry.

The dark side of pill popping

I have countless stories like this from my work with women dependent on psychiatric medications. Women started on one, maybe two medications, that turned into three, maybe five medications over years of their lives. Years that they never felt fully well for and may have even struggled through. Just a little more of this medication, maybe this new one will help, they were told. No one ever discussed with them true informed consent: risks, benefits, and alternatives, perhaps because we as clinicians are not told the full story in our training.

In fact, there’s a bill on the floor in Massachusetts that would mandate this discussion, complete with a brightly colored prescription to warn the patient that their doctor is dealing them a potentially harmful substance. Better late than never?

I remember, as an intern working in the Bellevue ICU, treating a patient who presented after having suffered a witnessed grand mal seizure in the CVS parking lot on the way to fill his Xanax prescription. He had missed one dose before heading to the store.

I never prescribed Xanax again because of this but had reassured myself that Klonopin and Ativan were safer because of longer half-lives and slower onset.

Now I suffer the poetic justice of caring for dozens of women who are moving through the birth canal of Klonopin withdrawal, and I am here to guard the gates through which more may pass.

The history of “just taking the edge off”

How did we get here? There are a reported 100 million prescriptions for benzodiazepines written annually with long-term prescriptions written for 14.7% of 18-35 year olds and 31.4% of 65-80 year olds, and with women twice as likely to be prescribed.[1]

Beginning with the glamorization of Miltown in the 1950’s, the “I don’t care” pill was a way to ease the growing awareness that the world is indeed unsafe, and that something is deeply bankrupt in the promises of burgeoning science, technology, and industrialization. Still, we sought to heal these wounds through application of more of the same mentality – one of dominance, management, and suppression of all obstacles into submission. The 1960s brought Valium, aggressively marketed to housewives for everything from their existential to quotidian angst, the first drug to gross over $100 million in sales. Then in the 1980s Xanax was offered as a cleaner Valium and rode the activating and uncomfortable side effect wave of the newer antidepressants.

The reason that conventional psychiatry – whether pharmaceutical or psychoanalytic – is powerless to substantially help the vast majority of patients is that it does not, and cannot, recognize the wrongness of the world we live in.” – Charles Eisenstein, The Ascent of Humanity

Should we be worrying?

These medications are the centerfold of our “opting out” portfolio. As our bodies, minds, and spirits became more and more separated from nature, each other, and ourselves, the worry, discomfort, and unease mounted. Now that the going has gotten very tough, we are reaching for them more than ever. Surely turning off the smoke alarm is not the best way to deal with this fire, however.

What if anxiety is telling us something. Something about the food we are eating. The water we are drinking. Something about the relationship we are in or the job we are going to every day. Something about our lack of connection and purpose.

If we medicate ourselves into submission, who and what are we serving? Survival at all costs? Are we really just here to punch the clock until we die?

But what if you’re struggling and you don’t feel like there’s room to examine and investigate.

Maybe you’ve always been a worrier, but recently, it feels like you can’t catch your breath, you can’t listen to what people are saying, and you’re crawling out of your skin. Maybe you just need to sleep. Maybe you’ve just started on an antidepressant and it’s not “working” yet. Maybe someone you love just died, you just lost a job, or your house just burned down. Maybe you were attacked, or perhaps your husband makes you feel like you’re losing your mind.

Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium spell simple relief.

Unfortunately, there’s no magic pill. Like antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics, the many invitations to the world of benzos all bring you to the same room. It’s a room that many spend years trying to escape. It’s one of dependency, depression, forgetfulness, and detachment from self.

That’s if you live to endure it.

Many celebrities have died with benzos in their blood. The Germanwings pilot took down a plane with Ativan (and Citalopram, Mirtazapine, and Zopiclone ) in his. The worst part of the attendant risks of these medications is that they stop having any predictable sedative effect after a few weeks. After that point, you’re just stuck with a monkey on your back.

The real risks

Psychiatrist Peter Breggin, MD, has devoted his career to sounding the alarm on psychotropics. He enumerates that documented risks of benzodiazepines in his paper on the subject:

  1. The primary clinical effect of inducing sedation (tranquility) or hypnosis (sleep), which is indistinguishable from a toxic effect except in degree;
  2. Cognitive dysfunction, ranging from short-term memory impairment and confusion to delirium;
  3. Disinhibition (dyscontrol) or loss of impulse control, with violence toward self or others, as well as agitation, psychosis, paranoia, and depression;
  4. Withdrawal emergent symptoms, in which the individual experiences a range of symptoms from anxiety and insomnia after routine use to psychosis and seizures after the abrupt termination of long-term, larger doses;
  5. Rebound symptoms, an aspect of withdrawal, in which the individual re-experiences pre-drug symptoms – anxiety, insomnia, or other serious emotional reactions – but more intensively than before drug treatment began. Withdrawal and rebound can take place between doses, causing anxiety and other symptoms during the routine administration of benzodiazepines, especially the short-acting ones;
  6. Dependency and abuse or addiction that range along a continuum from feeling dependent on the drug to self-destructive behavior associated with drug abuse.

He goes on to quote:

“Rail (1990) summarizes the adverse behavioral effects of the benzodiazepines as follows:

Adverse psychological effects: Benzodiazepines may cause paradoxical effects. Nitrazepam frcquently and flurazepam occasionally increase the incidence of nightmares, especially during the first week of use. Flurazepam occasionally causes garrulousness, anxiety, irritability, tachycardia, and sweating. Euphoria, restlessness, hallucinations, and hypomania behavior have been reported to occur during the use of various benzodiazepines. Antianxiety benzodiazepines have been reported to release bizarre uninhibited behavior in some users with low levels of anxiety; hostility and rage may occur in others. Paranoia, depression, and suicidal ideation occasionally also accompany the use of these agents.”

 Well, I certainly don’t remember ever being trained to have that discussion with patients I was seeking to help with their struggles during my training.

Furthermore, investigative journalist Robert Whitaker has collected data that implicates the faces of this monkey including:

  1. Benzodiazepine usage leads to a four-fold increase in depressive symptoms.[2]
  2. Patients taking high doses of benzodiazepines for long periods “perform poorly on tasks involving visual-spatial ability and sustained attention. This is consistent with deficits in posterior cortical cognitive function.”[3]
  3. Long-term benzodiazepine users are “consistently more impaired than controls across all cognitive categories,” with these deficits “moderate to large” in magnitude. The “higher the intake, dose and period of use, the greater the risk of impairment.”[4]
  4. Long-term use of benzodiazepines leads to “malaise, ill-health, and elevated scores for neuroticism.” The drugs contribute to “job loss, unemployment, and loss of work through illness.”[5]

How to kick the habit

So, let’s say you bought into the promise of these meds, survived the Russian Roulette of catastrophic adverse effects, and now you want off. The bad news is that it’s not even clear that a slow taper helps measurably ease the suffering of withdrawal, but the worse news is that an abrupt taper can be life-threatening. Sometimes, knowing what is possible helps to frame expectations and to clear space in your life for this transition. Breggin quotes:

Withdrawal can develop two to twenty days after abrupt termination of the drug, depending on the half-life of the particular benzodiazepine. First signs of withdrawal may be insomnia, anxiety, agitation, irritability, and nervousness. Persistent ringing in the ears or other abnormal sounds (tinnitus) and abnormal visual perceptions may develop. Withdrawal symptoms can progress to include abdominal cramps, muscle cramps (including persistent, severe neck pain), orthostatic hypotension with fainting, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, weight loss, trembling, fever, sweats, hyperarousal and hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli, blurred vision, “buzzing” or “electricity” sensations inside the head, confusion, depersonalization, anxiety, frightening obtrusive thoughts, obsessional states, and psychosis with hallucinations, and delirium or organic brain syndrome, as well as seizures and death (Jacobs, 1995; Nishino, Mignot, and Dement, 1995;Pecknold, Swinson, Kuch, and Lewis, 1988; Silver, Yudofsky, and Hurowitz, 1994). 

Not. Pretty.

Preparing yourself and your loved ones

Psychotropic withdrawal symptoms feel real. They feel egosyntonic, as we say in the field. They feel like your feelings, thoughts, and emotions, rather than what they can be which is the marionetting of your brain chemistry by chemical withdrawal. Ideally, work with a clinician who can reflect this back to you during the process. Make sure you surround yourself with supportive and informed energy.

Instill resiliency

I have learned the hard way that optimizing mind-body health BEFORE a taper initiation makes a world of difference. If you imagine yourself to be a bucket that is almost full, the stress of a taper is likely to cause overflow. If we can drain the bucket with lifestyle changes like those outlined in this course, first, then the taper can be a relative breeze. I enumerate these steps in A Mind of Your Own and the deeper dive, Vital Mind Reset.

There are a number of supplements that can be helpful support as well including kava which has been studied for this purpose, l-theanine, and GABA (I like pharmaGABA).

I always recommend kundalini yoga meditation for nervous system balance as well as coffee enemas for accelerated detox. Here’s a meditation for Health, Energy, and Radiance to support you daily.

Join communities

Grassroots peer support is an essential piece of this process for many. Sites like www.benzobuddies.com and www.madinamerica.com host gathering places for similarly-intentioned patients injured by psychiatry. We will be doing the same through our Vital Mind Reset course.

Through the process of my awakening to the Truth about psychiatry, I have learned to remain humble about every person’s journey. When you know better, you do better, as Maya Angelou has said, and if a challenging relationship to a pharmaceutical is a part of your path to get where you are going, then we must embrace that. For all of us, I hope that where we are going looks a whole lot like less fear and greater alignment with purpose and power than can ever be afforded by the current model of conventional medicine.

What we have to discover is that there is no safety, that seeking is painful, and that when we imagine that we have found it, we don’t like it.
― Alan W. WattsThe Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety

World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day

Each year, we honor the victims of benzodiazepine effects and their families. To those who’ve lost loved ones or personally suffered inconceivable damage as a result of taking these drugs, we pay tribute to you – and hope to raise awareness to both prescribers and patients of the unfathomable dangers involved.

The following video features the personal stories of people all around the world, who’s lives have been turned upside down by these pills.

If you know anyone who is currently suffering or is considering taking a benzodiazepine, I strongly encourage you to share this article with them. If you’ve been injured – I want you to know that you are not alone. And I wish you strength and fortitude in your journey ahead.

 

[1] http://ift.tt/1k6t9as

[2] http://ift.tt/298ibyC

[3] http://ift.tt/29dIg1T

[4] http://ift.tt/298hYLG

[5] http://ift.tt/29dIhTC

The post Benzos: A Dance With the Devil appeared first on Kelly Brogan MD.



from Kelly Brogan MD http://ift.tt/29uF3aH

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

4 Tips for Cleaning Roller Blinds

Cleaning methods for your roller blinds depend largely on the material that your blinds are made of. Here’s how to keep your roller blinds looking their best.

Image Source: Flickr

Image Source: Flickr

Below are 4 tips for cleaning roller blinds:

Checking
It is important that you follow the care instructions of the blinds, to ensure that you are washing your blinds in a way that won’t damage them.

  • If the care label indicates that you can wash the blinds (plastic/vinyl blinds), or your blinds are very dirty, you can thoroughly clean the blinds in a bathtub.
  • If the care label indicates that the roller blinds cannot be washed, you’ll need to spot clean them, meaning you’ll only clean the spots that are visibly dirty. Source: wikiHow

Removing
Remove the rolled up blind from the mounting hardware. I’m sliding a knife behind the bracket to release it. This is a Level or blind and they can be removed in a SNAP! (they’re 12 yrs old btw)
Be sure to remove the roller mechanism if you can. You want to safeguard it from the water to avoid damage. Source: SnapGuide

Vacuuming
If your roller blinds will not stand up to being washed, you’ll need to spot clean them. This is where you only clean the bits that are visibly dirty.  You can start by vacuuming your blinds as outlined above to remove most of the surface dust and dirt. Source: HomeImprovementPages

Washing
Use the brush attachment on the vacuum to gently brush over the surface and vacuum away any loose dirt, dead bugs, etc. Next, fill the bathtub about half full of warm water.
Add some laundry detergent to the water and mix together until a few suds begin to form on the surface. If the blinds are white, a small amount of bleach can be added to the water as well.
Next, carefully lay the blinds in the tub. If the blinds are long, it is okay to loosely layer them in an accordion fashion. Allow them to soak in the soapy water for a couple of hours.
Next, start at one end of the blinds and gently wipe them back and forth with a soft cloth or sponge. This will help remove any remaining dirt and/or stains. For tough stains, scrub them gently with an old toothbrush. Drain the sudsy water from the tub.
Fill with clean water and rinse the blinds. Repeat until all of the soap is removed. If soap residue remains on the blinds, it will act as a magnet quickly collecting dirt and dust.
If a partner is available to assist, the blinds can be held up and rinsed with a shower sprayer for quicker soap removal. Lay the blinds over a drying rack or outside on a clothesline until they are completely dried. Attach them back onto the roller and reinstall them over the window. Source: HowToCleanStuff

For more tips, don’t hesitate to contact us here:

Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988

The post 4 Tips for Cleaning Roller Blinds appeared first on Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters.



from Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters http://ift.tt/295QUxB

4 Tips to Intensify the Benefits of Saunas

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Saunas are used throughout the world for their health benefits. Below are some tips to intensify the benefits of saunas – read on!

2689085868_0e776fa511_z

Drink Plenty of Water
Drink 8 to 16 ounces of water before going inside the sauna room, holistic physician Lawrence Wilson recommends in “Sauna Therapy.” During the sauna bath, the body produces a therapeutic sweat that eliminates heavy metals and toxic chemicals, Wilson says. Sauna enthusiasts say that the body can lose about a pint of water during a 20-minute sauna session. Source: LiveStrong

Exercise First
Exercise prior to entering the sauna. Since the sauna promotes circulation of the flow of blood through the body, this will help you recover from joint and muscle soreness from your workout. Plan your use of the sauna on days you rest from exercise. While beneficial in conjunction with exercise, it is claimed that a session of 15-20 minutes will give you a workout equivalent to a brisk walk of 1-2 hours. This is due to an increase in your heart rate which is similar to that which occurs during a brisk walk.  Source: wikiHow

Choose the Right Temperature
The temperature you create inside the sauna is very important in achieving the most beneficial sauna session. Studies show that it’s best to heat the sauna to a temperature between 176 and 194 degrees Fahrenheit. This way, you will feel comfortable inside the sauna, you will not overwhelm your body with too much heat, and you will benefit from all the good effects of the sauna. Source: AllWomenSites

Alternate Temperatures
After about 15 minutes, you better step out of sauna room to cool down your body in air. It is better to jump into a cold pool or lake. Experts say that shocking your body with hot and cold in succession increases the effects of sauna detoxification and increase the blood circulation in your body.
You need not to get your body chilled. When you start feeling cold, you better come back to the sauna room and stay there until you start sweating again. You have to repeat this heating and cooling of your body three to four times for best results. Just be sure not to exceed 45 minutes in total in the sauna room.
When you are finished, cool yourself with fresh air, not cold water, to settle your body temperature. Take a cold bath afterwards to remove any dead skin cells. Source: StepByStep

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post 4 Tips to Intensify the Benefits of Saunas appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.



from Perfect Bath Canada http://ift.tt/294eGvk

Monday, June 27, 2016

Brookmere by Onni

The Brookmere by Onni, offers a 28 story tower that will rise above West Coquitlam.  Located at 535 North Road, Coquitlam, right in the heart of the new Burquitlam city centre. Brookmere blends Burnaby’s urban vive with the Coquitlam’s neighbourhood spirit.

Brookmere offers several amenities as well including a media room, yoga space, meeting room and 3rd floor outdoor terrace with several garden plots. The media room is a great place to watch movies or the season finale of Game of Thrones.   On the other hand, the yoga space is a great place to exercise in. You can go to the yoga room and carry out yoga to stay fit or you can simply just go there and exercise however you want to.

Another offering of Brookmere is the party room. The party room comes equipped with full kitchen and dining. The full kitchen and dining is offers you an all exclusive access to kitchen appliances. You can easily cook your favorite meals there. On the other hand, the dining is also a great place to go and sit in and have food in. Aside from these amenities, another great offering at the Brookmere is the professional equipped gym. The professional equipped gym allows you to work out the best free of charge. It lets you exercise and keep your health intact.

Brookmere starts at $269,000 and it has a total of 216 units.

brookemere4 brookemere brookemere2 brookermeretower

 

The post Brookmere by Onni appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.



from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/292UPvu

Sunday, June 26, 2016

3 Blackout Shade Options

Looking for different types of blinds available that offer the benefits of blackout blinds? Below are 3 types of blackout shades you can choose from, including: blackout rolling shades, blackout cellular shades and blackout curtains.

Image Source: Flickr

Image Source: Flickr

Blackout Roller Shades
Blackout roller blinds can be used anywhere but are especially useful in bedrooms, where those who struggle to doze off with the presence of natural light can remove this barrier to sleep. They also prevent the intrusion of car headlights and street lamps during the darker hours of the day, offering full control over the amount of illumination in the room.
Blackout blinds are also the most effective way of preventing draughts that rob rooms of heat during the winter, so can result in a warmer space and a potential saving on heating bills. But in order to achieve this, it is vital that the roller blind completely covers the window opening. Our bespoke service provides made to measure blackout roller blinds to fit all window dimensions – large or small.
These blinds are also available in a wide range of colours, allowing you to fit them in with your existing colour scheme or create a colourful feature in the window space. What’s more, they’re simple to install, making them an easy and stylish way to take control of the light levels in any room in the home. Source: DirectBlinds

Blackout Cellular Shades
It is available in a corded design that helps larger shades operate smoothly and a cordless design better suited for smaller shades. The shade comes in a variety of sizes to fit different window measurements. A durable polyester fabric resists stains and fraying. Users can raise the blinds completely for an outdoor view, and the outside color is white to coordinate with any exterior paint job. Day and night options are available with two shade linings for varying levels of opacity. Source: eBay

Blackout Curtains
Blackout drapery panels add a light-blocking application to the classic look of draperies. For the best in light blocking, you can add a blackout drape over a blackout shade to get all the benefits of multiple types of window treatments. Source: Blinds

Now that you know some options for blackout shades, it’s time to choose which best fit your home and your needs. For more information contact us now!

 

Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988

The post 3 Blackout Shade Options appeared first on Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters.



from Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters http://ift.tt/290Gq2T

Singapore American School Students Participate In MATE International ROV Competition at NASA Lab

Singapore American School has qualified for the finals of the prestigious MATE International Robotics ROV Competition held at NASA in Houston, TX. The 15th annual Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) International ROV competition takes place from June 23 to June 25, 2016 at the NASA Johnson Space Center's Neutral Buoyancy Lab.

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/28XWJzF

The Week In Review 239

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” - Dr. Seuss

Salomon X-Alp GTX

News

The OutDoor 2016 is less than three weeks away!

The Andrew Skurka designed Backcountry Quilt from Sierra Designs is now available.

It’s our duty as Americans to protect our national parks for the next hundred years.

Very awesome: Lael Wilcox wins Trans Am Bike Race 2016 in 18 days 10 minutes.

The Ultimate Weekend Warrior.

The Last Bastion of Outdoor Outlaws in the USA.

Three shirts, four pairs of trousers: Meet Japan’s ‘hardcore’ minimalists.

Are You Spending Enough Time Outside?

Sean Conway just finished the longest Triathlon, 4200 miles around Britain. Congratulations!

Big Salewa Photo Contest in which you can win a sleeping bag and tent!

Lili Marlene and misplaced nostalgia.

Discover innovative, ultralight gear from outdoor startups at Garage Grown Gear.

Just today you can get 20% off on gear from Haglöfs, Norrona, Bergans and Peak Performance at Bergfreunde.

Get 30% off on Patagonia gear at the Gear Coop.

Trip Reports

Beautiful: I am not a big wall climber.

Gerald hikes through the Drakensberge [German]

Jackie returns to Montana.

9 Tips to succeed on the PCT.

Adam leaves Alaska - I’ll miss his awesome photos.

Hiking with Lamas in the Ammergauer Alps. [German]

Fun: The art beneath the routes.

Peter enjoyed the 4th part of hos Vigu Sea Kayaking Guide Course.

With the packraft on the Tagliamento.

Backpacking Lake Aloha.

Mike hiked ths Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.

Nine days through the Blackforest. [German]

The Dirtbag Guide to Skaha.

Day 44 on the PCT.

Probably my three favourite jackets!

Gear Reviews

Big Gear Outtakes Spring edition post came out this week.

Lael’s Trans Am Gear List.

Check out Christy’s Sierra High Route Gear List.

Raf reviews the RAB Nebula Parka.

Did this article make you want to go outside? Great! Be even more inspired more and subscribe to the Newsletter and follow along on Instagram and Youtube for more outdoorsy updates!

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this article to help finance the website. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.



from Hiking in Finland http://ift.tt/28ZGRMj

Friday, June 24, 2016

Mango, Chilli & Ginger Popsicles {Vegan, No Refined Sugar}

mango-pops

It’s the end of popsicle week aaand I’m also away in Amsterdam so this’ll be a super quick post!

First of all just gotta vent my Brexit anger for a short moment and say that I’m extremely shocked at the turnout and that I was firmly in the remain camp…. Now that’s done we can talk about popsicles cos that will distract me

mango-pops-2

These sweet, sour and spicy guys are probably my favourite out of all the ones I’ve made over the past few years. The mango is bringing some fibre to the game as well as the natural sweetness so these are decidedly better for you than any kind of popsicle you’ll ever find in a supermarket. I’m also really into spicy lemonade and gingerale, hence the other ingredients.

Now the trendy thing to do here would be to add turmeric but I prefer turmeric in curry/soup instead of in drink-type things. If you want to add some though, go for it – probably about ½ a tsp would be a good starting place then taste and add more if needed!

 

Mango, Chilli & Ginger Popsicles {Vegan, No Refined Sugar}
 
Serves: 8 small or 3 to 4 large popsicles
Ingredients
  • 300g mango flesh (this was about 2 small mangoes for me)
  • ½ a thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled + grated
  • juice of 1 to 2 lemons (to taste)
  • ¼ to ½ tsp cayenne
Instructions
  1. Add the ginger and mango to a blender with the juice of 1 lemon and ¼ tsp of lemon. Blend until smooth. Taste and add more lemon juice or cayenne to your liking. Blend again then pour into popsicle moulds and freeze for at least 4 hours.

The post Mango, Chilli & Ginger Popsicles {Vegan, No Refined Sugar} appeared first on Izy Hossack - Top With Cinnamon.



from Izy Hossack – Top With Cinnamon http://ift.tt/28RvZeZ

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Gear Outtakes Spring 2016

Bite-sized gear reviews, spring edition.

Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody, Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody and Satoro AR Zip Neck LS Mens

Gear Outtakes is a seasonal collection of kit and what I think about it.

★☆☆☆ Mediocre, I wouldn’t spend money on it.

★★☆☆ Good, but there are better options.

★★★☆ Great, worth your money.

★★★★ Outstanding, the benchmark of its category.

DISCLAIMER
Some of these products have been sent to me for free by the manufacturer.

Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody

Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody

★★★★
150€, available at Amazon.com, Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit (On Offer!), Campsaver.com and REI

I have reviewed the Alpine Start Hoody before, but I felt that after another two years of intensive use it’s time to highlight once more how much I love this wind jacket. I use it almost daily, when out with the kids, cycling, and it is the first thing that I pack when I go hiking & backpacking. After so many years it is not so water-resistant anymore (even when I clean it regularly with special detergents), but it still holds the wind out like a king. There’s a little hole in the left sleeve where I was bushwhacking, its a bit dirty at the cuffs from the almost daily use, but other than that I still love this jacket heaps and I’d be my first recommendation if someone is looking for a wind jacket/ softshell. / 204 g in Size M

Arc’teryx Alpha FL Jacket

Arc'teryx Alpha FL Jacket

★★★★
350€, available at Amazon.com, Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde and Campsaver.com

The Alpha FL Jacket is an ultralight Gore-Tex Pro hardshell which is made for fast & light alpinism, and hence is great also for ultralight backpacking. Sure, there are even lighter hardshells out there, but this is such a great fitting jacket for me that I don’t think I need to continue the hunt. It takes all the abuse I throw at it - from jamming myself into a crack in the rain to hiking through the undergrowth - which I like a lot. The sleeves are a wee bit longer and so keep the hands dry when gloves stayed at home, the one pocket is again useful for some small items like my camera, and if not needed it packs down to a volume of one litre and disappears in the pack. There’s noting superfluous on this jacket, it allows me all the crazy moves I could come up with and looks good - what else do you need from a hardshell? / 270 g in Size S

Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody

Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody

★★★☆
€, available at Patagonia, Amazon.com, Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit, Campsaver.com and REI

I have used the Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody now over a year, from hiking the IAT in Ireland over ski-touring to spring and summer hikes across the globe. It’s in combination with the Alpine Start Hoody currently my most worn insulation layer, though it’s really a breathable insulation layer as it is made from Patagonia’s FullRange material (think Polartec Alpha). It’s a super-stretchy piece, not wind-resistant but in combination with a wind jacket a great layering piece. I have been sceptical about breathable insulation materials, but after a week-long autumn hike in the rain and sleet of Sweden I was convinced. It’s great to have a piece on that keeps you warm when you stop and doesn’t heat up too much when you’re moving, especially in wet and cold weather. In warmer weather (anything over 10°C for me) it’s too warm, though, and I’ll shed it as soon as I start to feel too hot. It’s not too warm on its own either, but with a wind jacket or hardshell on top it’s a good insulation piece. With four pockets it’s also good for keeping stuff close by (snacks, camera batteries and a gas canister when you get closer to camp). The shell material is pretty sensitive, though, so bushwhacking in it will destroy it in no time, as will intense rock contact. / 352 g in Size S

Arc’teryx Satoro AR Zip Neck LS

Satoro AR Zip Neck LS Mens

★★★☆
150€

The Arc’teryx Satoro AR Zip Neck LS isn’t available yet in the shops as it launches in the autumn. I was given one when I visited Arc’teryx in Vancouver for the Procline Ski Boot and Voltair Airbag Launch, and have used it ski-touring and hiking over the last six months. Made from Merino wool and a synthetic core it combines the benefits of the two materials. The baselayer has a great fit for me (as have all Arc’teryx pieces with an Athletic cut) and I like the feel of the material on the skin. It stays odour-neutral pretty long, five or six days is no problem. The little chest pocket is good for e.g. a camera battery and SD card, and the long front zipper is great to dump heat. The price is pretty steep, though. / 202 g in Size S

Black Diamond Coefficient Vest

Black Diamond Coefficient Vest

★★★☆
120€, available at Amazon.com (for $60!)

The from Coefficient Vest Black Diamond is not easily available anymore and that’s a sad thing in my opinion. For ages I have been a fan of vests, and this fleece vest is a really great layering piece in all seasons. Ski-touring in winter, hiking in spring and mountaineering & backpacking in summer, the Coefficient Vest has been a faithful companion. The Powerdry fleece ist toasty warm and wicks sweat further away to the outside, and it’s pretty warm for its weight, too. It’s a slim-fit piece that’s slightly longer so especially good in winter. / 225 g in Size S

Norrøna falketind longsleeve

Norrøna falketind longsleeve

★★★★
80€, available at Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde and Bergzeit

More of a urban outdoor piece for me is the Norrøna falketind longsleeve, a beautiful and super-comfortable longsleeve. Made of drirelease wool which is a mix of wool and Polyester it is soft on the skin, and the Polygiene finish ensures it stays odour-neutral for a while (two to three days in use, I’d say). It’s simply a pretty longsleeve that feels great to wear, and a basic for me when I’m on a business trip. / 162 g in Size S

Eagle Creek Pack-It Spectre

Eagle Creek Pack-It Spectre

★★★☆
14€ - 27€, available at Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit, Campsaver.com and REI

The Pack-It Spectre Cubes ensure everything stays orderly in my pack or duffle when I travel. Especially If I travel only with my backpack I love to take one or two of these, as I can fit all I need in them, compress the content even further and at the hotel can just pull all my clothes out in one go. The Silynlon cubes are highly-water-resistant and their different shapes and sizes mean you can get the ones that suit you best. I have a compression cube and a smaller half cube in which I can fit garments for ten days without problems (they help in packing less, but I still tend to come home with one or two shirts I didn’t wear). A useful organizing tool if you don’t want that your underwear is seen by everyone if you get something out of your backpack! / 19 g for the Half Cube, 57 g for the large Compression Cube

Marmot Mono Pant

Marmot Mono Pant

★★★★
90€, available at Bergfreunde (On Offer for 43€!) and Bergzeit

I love climbing pants because they’re comfortable and allow for freedom of movement. And if they are as comfortable and cool-looking as the Marmot Mono Pant you can’t go wrong really. The deep pockets are great for phone, wallet and keys and there’s also a brush pocket for when you’re working on your boulder project. Great for climbing and bouldering they also work very well in the city, and as my feel-good pants they have seen a lot of use during the last year. The material is breathable yet durable, and even super-hot summer days allow you to stay cool in these. The leg cuffs an be adjusted in width so you can see you’re foot placements, too. / 325 g in Size S

Arc’teryx Gamma Rock Pants

Arc'teryx Gamma Rock Pants

★★★★
150€, available at Amazon.com, Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit (On Offer!) and Campsaver.com

At the Arc’teryx Academy in Chamonix I got the Gamma Rock Pants and immediately fell in love with them. They are light, durable, comfortable, water- and wind-resistant, have two zippered pockets, allow for great freedom of movement and even have an integrated belt. I have used this on pretty much every 3-season hike and climb in the last twelve months, from climbing and Via Ferratas in the Dolomites to mountaineering in Macedonia last month and hiking in Austria. If you look for just one pant for all your activities take a good luck at these trousers, as they Rock! / 299 g in Size S

Arc’teryx A2B Chino Pants

Arc'teryx A2B Chino Pants

★★★☆
110€, available at Amazon.com, Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit, Campsaver.com and REI

Another more lifestyle oriented pair of pants, the A2B Chino Pants actually are made for the bicycle commuter. If you roll the trouser leg up reflective details appear, and the material is water-resistant. A zippered side pocket ensures something important like your phone doesn’t drop out of your pocket. The two hand pockets also are good for all the other stuff you carry along. It’s a good looking pants that is at home in the city, but thanks to the bicycle cut it also is alright for medium-length rides around town. If you need a business-like pants that also allows you to ride your bike, check this one out. / 305 g in Size S

BUFF High UV Buff

BUFF High UV Buff

★★★★
18€, available at Amazon.com, Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit, Campsaver.com and REI

The BUFF really shouldn’t need an introduction I reckon. I got the Anton Krupicka High UV Buff as I like the print of the Flatirons on it, but with hundreds of prints you will find one that suits just your taste. These are the UL multi-use items: From it’s intended use as a piece of headwear you can convert it into a pot holder, water filter and towel. It’s a super useful item, and in these sunny summer months the High UV version keeps you from burning your head. / 39 g

Arc’teryx Neutro Visor

Arc'teryx Neutro Visor

★★★★
25€, available at Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde and Bergzeit

In case a Buff and shades are not enough sun protection, then a Visor is a good way to keep the sun out of your face. The Neutro Visor from Arc’teryx is flexible, light and a nice piece for more sun protection. I can roll it up to the size of an orange if not needed and pack it away into my running short’s back pocket, and it also keeps reliably the sweat out of my eyes. / 40 g in Size S

VIVOBAREFOOT Gobi II Hopewell

VIVOBAREFOOT Gobi II Hopewell

★★★★
150€, available at Amazon.com (for $79!)

Sometimes there are occasions or seasons where trailrunners or sandals are not appropriate and I need to wear proper shoes. The Gobi II Hopewell from VIVOBAREFOOT are these shoes for me, and best of all: They are proper barefoot shoes, with a wide toe box, and medium to narrow heel, a grippy sole and they look the part. A lovely pair of shoes from the guys at VIVOBAREFOOT, sadly sold out at the moment, so if you see a pair somewhere try them on and see if they suit you. / 521 g for the pair in EU Size 42

adidas terrex X-KING

adidas terrex X-KING

★★★☆
160€, available at Amazon.com and Bergzeit

New trailrunners with an awesome sole - YEAH! The terrex X-King sport a sole from Continental, the car and bicycle tire manufacturer, and promise to give you superb grip. Well, I ran down muddy mountains in these and didn’t slip, sprinted over icy and snowy trails and walked up on rubble paths, always with great grip. The Speed Lacing is great (though I made the one shoe a wee bit too short almost) and also otherwise this trailrunning shoe with the low drop allows for a great feel on the trail. That’s thanks to the Mountain-bike-inspired “tyres for your feet” design that’s directly moulded to the upper for added stability. They’re great for hiking, too, if you’re into fast & light shoes with great grip. / 567 g for the pair in EU Size 42

Outdoor Research Seamseeker Gloves

Outdoor Research Seamseeker Gloves

★★★★
48€, available at Amazon.com, Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit (On Offer for 16€!) and at Campsaver.com

I have used the Outdoor Research Seamseeker Gloves for belaying and Via Ferrata hikes and have found them great in 3-season use. Especially on hot days in the Alps the open finger tips and breathable upper are comfortable and preferable in my opinion over a normal glove. The gel padding in the palm does run hot on long rappels, but otherwise they do their job well. Useful side effect: Hands get less dirty! / 98 g for the pair

Black Diamond Magnetron RockLock

Black Diamond Magnetron RockLock

★★★☆
25€, available at Amazon.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit, Campsaver.com and REI

I bought a pair Black Diamond Magnetron RockLock carabiners about three years ago, and both have seen constant use in that time. One is connected to my PAS (see underneath) and the other one is with my belay device. I like that they’re easy to operate in any season with one hand, with our without gloves, don’t freeze when ice climbing and are big and hence lie good in the hand. The gate opens wide for easy clipping, too. I have a bunch of HMS carabiners, but these two are my favourites for their ease of use. / 82 g

Metolius PAS 22

Metolius Alpine PAS

★★★★
50€, available at Amazon.com, Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit, Campsaver.com and REI

PAS stands for Personal Anchor Sysyem, and if you do Multi-pitch or alpine climbing then you probably know what this is. You clip into the stand (belay) with it, and the beauty of the PAS from Metolius is that the six loops all have a breaking load of 22 kN. The length is adjustable to your needs at the belay and can be long or short, and each loop having such a high breaking load means more security. It’s also light and stores compact when climbing, so for me a better system than a Daisychain or a 120 cm sling. / 76 g

Scarpa Furia

Scarpa Furia

★★★★
145€, available at Amazon.com, Backcountry.com, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit and Campsaver.com

The Furia from Scarpa is a climbing shoe for bouldering and sports climbing. I found the VIBRAM® XS Grip2 sole great for slabs and small holds alike, and friction climbing in them is a lot of fun. The toe is covered with rubber on top, too, which makes it great for toe hooks, and the heel is also covered in rubber for heel hooks. Inside it feels very comfortable and even in hot weather (25°C+ in Greece, for example) it remains comfortable. The two Velcro straps allow to adjust the shoe great to my foot, and the two straps in the back make it easy to pull the shoe on and off. It’s a more advanced shoe so beginners probably want a less aggressive shoe than this one, but if you’re climbing hard then this shoe is right for you and can help you to solve a hard boulder problem or succeed on a hard sports route. / 366 g for the Pair in Size 40

Grivel Mega K6G

Grivel Mega K6G

★★★☆
18€, available at Backcountry.com and Bergfreunde

The Twingate carabiners from Grivel are awesome, a real innovation in the climbing carabiner market. Grivel thinks they’re just as safe a a screwlock carabiner, and I think I agree. Things must be pretty dire for something to open this in a situation, but they’re easy to use with one hand (without gloves) on the other hand. I use the one I have in different situations, and Grivel suggests you could use it from building a belay to clipping into one. It’s a tad heavy for alpine use, but works well on Multipitch climbs et al. / 76 g

SCOTT Obsess ACS Sunglasses

SCOTT Obsess ACS Sunglasses

★★★☆
80€, available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

I like sunglasses and use them year-around, almost every day. The Obsess ACS from Scott I can wear without problems for 12 hours straight, so comfortable they are. Made for small to medium faces they fit me very well. The mirrored glasses in red also are surprisingly scratch-resistant and they haven’t gotten a single one in the 9+ months I now have them in use. Developed as bicycle glasses they work equally well for skiing and hiking as well as strolling through town & travelling. They’re pretty affordable, too, for such good shades. In some situations they do fog up a bit, but if I take them up it really just takes six seconds and they’re clear again. Great shades for just about any outdoor adventure. / 27 g

Montane Softflask 500 ml

Montane Softflask 500 ml

★★☆☆
25€, available at Bergfreunde

At 25€ the 500 ml Softflask is far from being a bargain. It’s also not particularly light in terms of weight-to-volume. But it’s easy and convenient to use - both for drinking as well when storing the empty bottle, as it takes up just a wee bit of space. If you need a light-ish softbottle give the Softflask a look and decide if you want one. / 30 g

Disclaimer: Some of the gear was sent for free to me. This does not influence the article as I maintain full editorial control of the content published on this site. There are affiliate links in this article. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.



from Hiking in Finland http://ift.tt/28SDeXV

3 Benefits of Pedicures

Pedicures are of great importance in the cosmetics world because of their beauty and health benefits, including: appearance, relaxation and … Continue reading

from signaturemobilespa http://ift.tt/28THV30

Top 3 Reasons to Use a Steam Shower

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Having a steam shower can be extremely beneficial, not only to your health and body, but also to the value of your home. Here are some of the top 3 reasons to use a steam shower.

DA328_combo_shower

Skin Rejuvenation
Steam Therapy keeps you glowing as warm moisture opens your pores, leaving your skin softer and more supple. Steam cleanses and nourishes the skin, leaving it with a healthy glow. It hydrates dry skin. And, hallelujah, it can also aid in the fight against cellulite while boosting your metabolism.
That daily steam indulgence is a natural detox that removes harmful impurities from your body. It can also enhance your breathing, leaving you with an improved sense of tranquility, promoting restful sleep and wellness. Source: MrSteam

Relieves Muscle Stiffness and Pain
The heat of the steam can help relax tight, sore muscles. The hot steam dilates blood vessels, improves circulation and increases blood flow to the muscles. This allows oxygen and nutrients to reach the areas where they are needed, which in turn helps loosen tight muscles and reduce pain.
The steam therapy can also help get rid of the lactic acid build-up in your muscles and thereby reduce soreness.
Steam rooms are often used after intense workouts to help relax tired and painful muscles. According to a 2001 article in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 20 minutes of moist heat is significantly more effective than 30 seconds of static stretching. Source: Youqueen

Instant Gratification
We’ve talked a lot about the tangible benefits of steam, but we can’t compile a list like this without giving credit to the actual ease, simplicity, and time commitment (or lack thereof) of steaming. Unlike so many other body/soul treatments that require extended involvement and hours of participation, just ONE steam session can inspire tremendous changes to your physical and mental well-being. And that one session can be all of 20 minutes to reinvigorate you from head-to-toe. Source: Thermasol

With an at-home steam shower, you’ll reap the benefits of all of these perks and more.  For more information, contact us now!

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post Top 3 Reasons to Use a Steam Shower appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.



from Perfect Bath Canada http://ift.tt/28QDybl

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Ready or Not, It's Wedding Season!






With summer here, wedding season is in full swing. While it may not be your special day, finding the perfect piece to complement your outfit can be stressful. Whether you are attending a casual wedding or something formal, we have some suggestions that will make heads turn.

 Just remember, don’t outshine the bride… too much.  ;)





CASUAL WEDDING

Casual weddings are huge in the summer, though finding the perfect outfit to match the dress code can be tough. Keep the outfit simple and chic with a touch of fine-playfulness such as Ruifier Emoji necklace pictured below that will sure to take it to the next level.



Ruifier Petit Lei Pendant
 

Maria Black Revier Diamond Ear Cuff




BEACH WEDDING


Beach weddings are a summer favourite. While these weddings can often be casual, we recommend to keep things light and flowy and of course have your sun-ready accessories on hand.



Ginette NY Diamond Wise Earrings
 

Adeline Cacheux Pure Circles Necklace




GARDEN WEDDING


There is nothing more romantic then being surrounded by the tranquility of nature and lush gardens. This is the chance to show off your cocktail attire with a simple yet bold accessory that will help punch up your outfit.



Mizuki White Freshwater Pearl and
Diamond Lariat Necklace


Yannis Sergakis Adornments Liens 
Yellow Gold Diamond Bracelet




BLACK TIE WEDDING


A black tie wedding is a formal event that are often a nighttime affair. Dress to impress with gowns and bling and of course we suggest to complete your look with a single stand out piece that makes a statement all on its own.



Melaine Georgacopoulos 
Sliced Pearl Bracelet


Yvonne Léon Dessous D'oreille 
5 Diamond Earring with Diamond Bee Stud




Still need help?

Do not hesitate to contact us, we would be happy to help you find
something special to help you survive this wedding season.




from KAVUT - Blog http://ift.tt/28T9SqL

Homicide and the SSRI Alibi

homicide-and-the-ssri-alibiWhat kind of a person would murder their own children? A sociopath, right? A deranged menace to society who deserves to be removed from society for life.

What if I told you that this person could be you, just one psychiatric medication prescription away from who you are today.

With a bottle of Seroquel nearby, Sofya Tsygankova, was found at the scene of her own children’s violent murder in Texas today. There is an untold story of the vast and irreversible risks of psychotropic drugs, doled out to millions, without any rigorous diagnostic procedure, any screening for risk vulnerabilities, or any true informed consent about what is known around the amplified benefits and the suppressed risks of these interventions.

We have been told a story about mental illness – that it is a likely heritable disease that strikes at some point in a patient’s life, never to be undone, requiring permanent medication treatment.

The truth is that what we are calling mental illness – from panic attacks to depression to psychosis – are symptoms of mismatch with lifestyle. These symptoms can result from physiologic imbalances (think thyroid or food intolerances), psychospiritual imbalances (think overwhelming job or abusive marriage) and are modern day syndromes that essentially invite us to revisit our day-to-day lives.

Psychiatric drugs have been exposed for their inflated claims as far as outcomes go. They don’t work the way we have been led to believe they do. They are chemicals that are habit forming, and have unpredictable risks. In fact, it is a Russian Roulette as far as the data shows, for severe and irreversible adverse effects.

One 2011 study by Lucire and Crotty examined 10 patients with variants in a drug metabolizing liver enzymes who committed homicide (primarily of children and family members) after being started on psychiatric medications. They returned to their baseline personalities after medication discontinuation highlighting the intoxication effects of these chemicals. One of these cases should have led to the ban of the entire class of medications. Unfortunately, not much has been done with this information and you probably haven’t heard a whisper about this particular paper.

You may not know that there is also a database called SSRIstories.org where these media-making cases of SSRI-induced violence and impulsivity are documented including school shootings, kamikaze plane crashes, and infanticide. You might think this is rare. You might think that these people are “mentally ill” so obviously they are on medication. The truth is that pharmaceutical companies have been working overtime to suppress a signal of harm around suicidality and violence with these psychiatric medications – coding negative outcomes in short-term trials as “emotional lability”, punting those cases to the placebo group, and otherwise discounting impulsive violence that populates the treatment arms of drug trials.

Part of the reason that you may be surprised to learn about this dark underbelly to psychiatric medication treatment is because you’ve been kept in the dark. When Andrew Thibault began to research the safety of a stimulant drug recommended to his son, he entered a rabbit hole he has yet to emerge from. After literally teaching himself code to decrypt the data on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System website, he was able to cull 2000 pediatric fatalities from psychotropic medications, 700 of which were homicides. A Freedom of Information Act and a lawsuit later, he continues to struggle with redacted and suppressed information around 47 homicides directly connected to the use of psychotropics including the murder by a 10 year old treated with Vyvanse of her infant sibling. Another case, ultimately recovered, involved statements from a 35 year old perpetrator/patient, who murdered her own daughter, as directly implicating as “When I took nortriptyline, I immediately wanted to kill myself. I’d never had thoughts like that before”.

Sometimes, when we are working with a blunt instrument, in the form of a psychotropic medication, doing something is far more dangerous than doing nothing. Robert Whitaker has demonstrated this in his analysis of long-term exposure to psychiatric medication resulting in unequivocally worse outcomes than no treatment at all.

It’s time to start taking these medications seriously and seeing them for the brain and body-altering chemicals they are.

Until we know more about whose life might be irreversibly and irrevocably altered by even a single dose of psychiatric medication, we must honor the physician’s oath to first do no harm. This looks like asking why a patient is struggling and entering with support and lifestyle changes that can offer relief within days to weeks – all without a single side effect.

The post Homicide and the SSRI Alibi appeared first on Kelly Brogan MD.



from Kelly Brogan MD http://ift.tt/28Nav2M

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

SAS Students Win Awards in 2016 National History Day Finals

This month, 14 Singapore American School students traveled to the University of Maryland, College Park in the US to compete in the National History Day finals. Each of our SAS projects competed against approximately 100 other projects from across the United States, which were the top two from each state.

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/28Lr7HN

#OutDoorFN 2016 is a go!

Just three more short weeks until the OutDoor 2016 kicks off in Friedrichshafen, and I’m already pretty psyched for my fourth visit to the trade show at Lake Constance. Read more on why this year the OutDoor is set to be even more awesome than in the previous years!

Tents!

Where to go?

I have a short list of must-visit places & companies I want to check out at the fair - from the Trend Lounge and Black Diamond over Petzl to Adidas Outdoor, as well as the usual suspects Arc’teryx, RAB and Scarpa, plus a few more. But is there a company you - yes, you reading this! - would like me to visit? With 960 exhibitors from 40 nations the list is long, so if you’re curious about a specific company why not let me know in the comments which company you think I should check out and I will swing by them at the fair to check them out & report on their kit!

Klättermusen booth

Bloggers are welcome at the OutDoor!

The best thing for me at the OutDoor has always been meeting the people: The contacts you exchange emails with at the companies and PR Agencies, meeting athletes and of course my fellow bloggers and Social Media mates. So I’m pretty excited about the OBN Blogger Base, which allows me to work & meet fellow bloggers from across the globe. Best of all: OBN organizes every day an OBN_talk where you can learn about topics which are important to us, and the Blogger Walk across the fair promises to be a good way to meet new companies, too.

If you’re an outdoor blogger you totally want to get accredited as a blogger for the fair, as it has a lot of benefits - from access to the Blogger Base to the Blogger Breakfast. And best of all: It’s free for us outdoor bloggers! Apply now for your Blogger Pass, and then comment and lets meet up at the OutDoor!

And already now and during the fair you can follow the Hashtag #OutDoorFN on Instagram and Twitter for real-time updates on the fair. I’m sure it will be super busy once the 13th of July comes around!

Vaude Citus 24 LW Backpack

Disclaimer: I am a co-founder of the Outdoor Blogger Network and am involved with the OBN activities at the fair. This does not influence the article as I maintain full editorial control of the content published on this site. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.



from Hiking in Finland http://ift.tt/28L5o8y