The SAS PTA elementary book fair will be held from November 30 through December 2 from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the elementary library. Click title to volunteer.
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Monday, October 31, 2016
2015-16 Annual Report
The year's report reflects many of the events and milestones, key academic indicators, new programs and instructional strategies in each division, the way that we steward our finances, and much more.
from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/2eu8sU8
from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/2eu8sU8
Digital Citizenship Week
Digital Citizenship Week is here! Your child will have the opportunity to engage in activities that promote the use of technology safely, responsibly, and respectfully.
from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/2dXg6KI
from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/2dXg6KI
Active Parenting Workshop Registration
Active Parenting is a six part program where each session builds on the previous workshop, facilitated by the elementary kindergarten to grade three school counselors.
from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/2eu9Rdi
from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/2eu9Rdi
Gear of the Year 2016: DPS Wailer Tour1 Skis
Winter is coming. And that means I’ll again step into the bindings of my DPS Wailer Tour1 Skis, skin up a fine mountain, put down my heel and flow through the pow!
Picking my Gear of the Year isn’t easy: There’s a lot of equipment that comes over my table (happily a lot less this year) and while that alone isn’t what makes it hard, it’s those favourites which I have used for many years which make it difficult, as these favourites are always strong contenders for my Gear of the Year Award. But while I really love my Luna Sandals it is my DPS Wailer Tour1 Skis which I chose this year, because of two reasons: 1. They allow me to be more in the mountains and 2. They’re some of the lightest ski-touring skis on the market.
These skis (as well as the bindings, skins and boots) have accompanied me to Canada, South Tyrol, Austria, Finnish Lapland, Switzerland and Norway and I have stood almost 30 days on them. Thirty days in the wintery mountains, that’s pretty sweet in my book. Simply because in my book a day spent in the mountains is a day well spent. And if I can be active, skin up a mountain with good friends, smile together at the summit and then put down my heel to carve a fine line into the fresh powder, well, I can imagine few things which would be better in winter & which make me so happy.
I was skiing with my brother in South Tyrol and we went on a ski-tour while it was dumping snow. We were the only ones out that day, and as we reached that cabin down there, sat down in it and drunk some hot tea, we didn’t care that the summit would be some other 20 minutes of skining further up the mountain. We sat there, sweaty, smiling, munching a chocolate bar, and looking forward to ski down through that fresh powder.
I Switzerland Anselm, Willi and me wanted to complete the Graubünden Haute Route but conditions conspired against us. While this winter wasn’t particularly good the week we were in Switzerland the Avalanche Danger was so high that we weren’t able to do the complete Haute Route. That didn’t hinder us from having a grand time in the Swiss Mountains, staying with some fantastic hut wardens, skiing some great lines and feeling happy while standing on our skis.
The DPS Wailer Tour1 Skis are award winning skis which are Made in Utah, USA. They’re ultralight at 1.410 g per ski and 184 cm length, which is great when you’re having days with lots of ascent - the low weight is very energy saving. You’ll float through powder with a smile on your face and will be happy on spring crust - through stay off-piste as that’s the one thing they don’t really like (and weren’t made for). But powder, well, you’ll surf through it, make ace turns and throw up some cold smoke that you wish will never end.
So, that possibility - to surf through a meter of fresh snow and then skin back up to take a 2nd run - that’s why I love my DPS Wailer Tour1 Skis and that’s why they are my Gear of the Year. I’m sure they will allow me to collect a lot more of fine winter mountain skiing memories, and for that I am grateful.
If you want to experience the mountains in winter and float through the powder, buy a pair at evo, Backcountry.com, REI or Bergzeit.
Disclaimer: The skis were sent to me for free and DPS asked me to have fun with them. This did 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.
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Hawthorne by Pennyfarthing
Pennyfarthing Homes brings a stunning new development to Vancouver’s West side. This amazing development will consist of 1-3 bedroom residences ranging from 680 sq ft to 1,433 sq ft over 7 storeys.
The Hawthorne is situated next to the lovely Queen Elizabeth park and just a short walk along Cambie will bring you to the Oakridge mall where you will satisfy all you shopping and dinning needs.
Pricing has not yet been determined. Please register and join our VIP list to be one of the first to receive information
The post Hawthorne by Pennyfarthing appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.
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Sunday, October 30, 2016
The Week In Review 253
“The wonderful things in life are the things you do, not the things you have.” ― Reinhold Messner
The Pleasure and Pain of the Climbing Life.
New lens family for the new era – interviewing Dr. Michael Pollmann from ZEISS.
I’ve been lying to all of you.
Important read for bloggers: Your Body Text Is Too Small.
Awesome: The world’s largest Protected Marine Area will be created in the Antarctic. [German]
Ron looks at the Original MLD TrailStar vs. a Copy from China.
Pa’lante Packs is a new cottage and their Simple Pack is now available.
Nice article about the Innsbruck Nature Film Festival. [German]
PWR: An ecosystem of outdoor products using one power source.
Find out what are Andrew Skurka’s favorite backpacking blogs and websites.
10 Learnings from 10 Years of Brain Pickings.
Win an Geocaching-Guide book.
Listen in to the Adventure Photography Podcast.
Save 55% on the Black Diamond CoEfficient Hoody.
Be quick: 25% Off New Clothing & Gear from Marmot - 48 Hours Only!
Trip Reports
On foot and packraft through Siberia. [Spanish]
Frida enjoyed her trip to Svalbard.
Into The Mountains - Dolomites Vlog Day 2.
Join Mike on the Nootka Trail.
Trail Running Ticino’s Monte Zucchero.
Kathrin hikes on the South West Coast Path through Southern England.
A plea for more autumn hikes. [German]
Backpacking Photos from Wild Basin, Rocky Mountain National Park.
Exploring the Estonian Taiga by bike.
Paulina spends a Weekend of Trad Leads.
Zion Rambling: You win some, You lose some.
Stefanie takes you through Spain’s Sierra Nevada. [German]
A weekend with The Junior Sherpa.
Meeting a Brown Bear on the Via Dinarica. [German]
The ten prettiest photos of Marika’s Nordkalottleden hike. [Finnish]
Gear Reviews
The best backpacking & climbing camera? In my opinion the Sony RX100 IV.
Suunto Spartan Ultra In-Depth Review.
A look at the Porcelain Rocket Albert.
From the AT to the PCT: Shifting Gear.
A comprehensive John Muir Trail Food And Resupply Guide.
Gear doesn’t always work as advertized: Montane Air Jacket.
Jake reviews the Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite Rain Gear.
If you enjoyed this post and would like more, why not support me with a coffee or two? I work Full-Time on Hiking in Finland to bring you inspiring trip reports, in-depth gear reviews and the latest news from the outdoors. You also could subscribe to the rarer-than-ever Newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Youtube for more outdoorsy updates!
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this article to help finance the website. Additionally the Packrafting Store supported this post, too. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.
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Friday, October 28, 2016
Hawthorne by Pennyfarthing – An Elite Collection of 44 Luxury Cambie Condos
At a Glance
- 7-storey residential concrete building
- 44 1- to 3-bedroom condominiums
- 3 levels of underground parking
- prime Queen Elizabeth Park location
- minutes from Oakridge Centre shopping
- easy access to Canada Line
- goal of LEED gold rating
Above All Else
Pennyfarthing Homes rises to new heights on Vancouver’s West Side with the introduction of Hawthorne, an elite collection of 1- to 3-bedroom residences adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Park on Cambie Street. Hawthorne redefines modern luxury living through progressive architecture, finely crafted interiors, and exceptionally sized floor plans. Rising seven storeys, above all else, Hawthorne will be home to a limited few.
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Find Out About New Presales & Get Access to VIP Openings & Special Promotions!
Hawthorne’s superb Westside location provides you with convenient access to all your daily needs. Just a short walk along Cambie at Oakridge, find grocery shopping at Kin’s Farmers Market and Safeway, banks, a pharmacy, post office, public library, telecom providers, medical centre, cafes, restaurants, Hudson’s Bay department store, home decor stores, travel agencies, boutique shopping, and specialty shops. For your recreational needs, there’s skating, swimming, and a gym at Hillcrest Community Centre. Steps away at Queen Elizabeth Park, enjoy a stroll through its lush gardens, exercise your pet at the dog park, play a game of tennis, or hit the links for a round of golf. At Hawthorne, live the high life.
Pricing for Hawthorne
As this project is in pre-construction, Pennyfarthing has not yet released pricing information. However, given the success of Pennyfarthing’s other Cambie Corridor projects, we expect Hawthorne will sell out quickly. Don’t miss out! Sign up to our VIP list above.
Floor Plans for Hawthorne
Final floor plans have not yet been made public. Nevertheless, we know there will be a family-friendly mix of 11 1-bedroom, 21 2-bedroom, and 12 3-bedroom homes. Ground floor residences will all have private patios and the three top floor homes have private rooftop decks. Average home sizes range from 680 to 1,433 sq ft.
Amenities at Hawthorne
Residents will have shared use of a ground floor amenity room with a patio, small kitchen, and washroom. There will also be a shared rooftop deck.
Parking and Storage
Hawthorne will offer three levels of underground parking accessed from the lane. There will be 51 vehicle spaces with two handicapped spots and space for 61 bicycles with 11 lockers and 12 vertical stalls. Thirty-four homes will have in-suite storage, while 13 will have in-room storage.
Maintenance Fees at Hawthorne
Will be released with pricing information.
Developer Team for Hawthorne
Since its formation in 1980, Pennyfarthing Homes has fulfilled the home ownership dreams of nearly 3,000 home buyers throughout the Lower Mainland, Washington State, and California, all the while setting exacting standards of integrity, reliability and professionalism. Following on Bennington House and Grayson, this is Pennyfarthing’s third development in the Cambie Corridor.
To design Hawthorne, Pennyfarthing has chosen Shift Architecture. Shift is a high-performance practice with a track record of respected, inspired projects throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. With proven expertise in multi-family housing, Shift boasts a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, healthcare, and mixed-use developments. Renowned for its collaborative design process, Shift’s team of core personnel draws upon a deep collective well of experience spanning decades.
Cristina Oberti, a respected interior designer whose name is well-known in Vancouver, will be applying her extensive knowledge and systematic design process to create a unified look and coherent design for Hawthorne that conveys a unique and coherent, yet stylish message.
Expected Completion for Hawthorne
To be announced. Sales start in early 2017.
Are you interested in learning more about other homes in the Cambie Corridor, Kerrisdale, or Southeast False Creek?
Check out these great Cambie Corridor Presales!
The post Hawthorne by Pennyfarthing – An Elite Collection of 44 Luxury Cambie Condos appeared first on Mike Stewart Real Estate Specialist 604-763-3136.
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Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park – Spacious Cambie Corridor Presale Luxury Condos
Pure West Property Investment in partnership with GBL Architects is proud to bring you their new Luxury Development Contessa located in the very popular cambie corridor. This stunning development will feature a six-storey mid-rise building which will include 18 1-bedroom, 19 2-bedroom, and eight 3-bedroom condominiums. Sizes will range from 608 to 1,177 sq ft. There will also be 3 lane way townhouses. Located on the corner of West 37th enjoy the stunning views of Queen Elizabeth park and withing close proximity you will also have great shopping and dining options.
Be apart of an Amazing community and register now for more information and pricing.
The post Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park – Spacious Cambie Corridor Presale Luxury Condos appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.
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School Finance 605: Student Demographics Part 2
School Finance 605
Student Demographics, Part 2
Several weeks ago, we shared demographic information about where SAS students come from (read Finance 603 here). We now move on to information about why SAS families are in Singapore, how long students stay at SAS, and where our families live.
What brings SAS families to Singapore?
Most SAS students are here because of a parent’s job. This year, 50% of SAS parents’ jobs are in one of three sectors: 25% in finance, 15% in manufacturing (semiconductors, electronics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals), and 10% in information, communication, and technology. Another three sectors account for around 7% each: oil, gas, and energy; consumer goods; and professional services (accounting, consulting, law, relocation, and outsourcing). Compared to last year, slightly more parents now work in finance, while 2% fewer work in manufacturing. The other sectors, including oil, gas, and energy, have remained constant since last year.
Other sectors employing over 3% of SAS parents include SAS itself, government (including the U.S. embassy and navy), and higher education. Smaller numbers work in trade, shipping and logistics, hotels and entertainment, nonprofits, healthcare, property and architecture, food and beverage, and mining. Around 5% of SAS parents provided no data on employment, while 0.1% reported themselves self-employed.
How long do students stay at SAS?
The total time the average student spends at SAS, meaning the tenure of students who are leaving (including graduating seniors), was 4.5 years in June 2016. If we turn to the average tenure for current SAS students (assuming they stay through the current school year), we see this remains at 3.9 years. This number factors in our youngest students, who "bring down" the average because, of course, they can only have been enrolled at the school as long as there have been grades to serve them; a preschool student, for example, can only have been here one year.
Average years of enrollment
Looking at current students’ tenure by grade level, it is not surprising that tenure increases each year in the lower grades, hitting the overall average at grade 6. Middle and high school students’ tenures continue to rise, spiking to 6.5 years in grade 12. This indicates that many families make special efforts to keep their children at SAS through the socially and academically critical years before graduation. Currently, 7% of our total enrollment has attended SAS for ten or more years.
Average years of enrollment by grade
One interesting subset of SAS students that stays significantly longer than average is our group of Student Pass (SP) holders. These children, who make up 11% of SAS students, hold SPs instead of dependent passes, for three main reasons: they have come to Singapore primarily to go to SAS; they are staying here to continue at SAS after a parent’s job has moved on; or they are the children of Permanent Residents who do not themselves have PR status. Many students on SPs live here with one parent, or with a guardian. Current SP students’ average tenure at SAS stands at 6 years, compared with 3.9 years for all students, indicating that this group is particularly committed to remaining at SAS.
Student pass holders, 2016-17
How many students who started at SAS with my child will graduate with him?
Children who enter SAS in the younger grades will see many of their friends move away as they get older, but a few friends will remain right through to graduation day. This year, out of our senior class of 285, we have 23 students (8%) who started here in either the Early Childhood Center or kindergarten: three who enrolled in preschool, seven in pre-kindergarten, and 12 in kindergarten. A further 15 arrived in first grade and 24 in second grade, so over one-fifth of this year’s graduates will have been at SAS for ten years or more.
Of course, the later a student enters SAS, the more friends he will have who have been here the same amount of time or longer. And there is a positive aspect to our student body’s fluidity: many SAS students find that they become skilled at making new friends and more open, flexible and resilient as they go through life.
Where do SAS students live?
Our students live all over Singapore, with the largest concentration of SAS families in the area bounded by the PIE, CTE, AYE, and Clementi Road. This area includes neighborhoods near roads such as Bukit Timah, Dunearn, Newton, Stevens, Orchard, Tanglin, Grange, Holland, and River Valley, as well as the areas surrounding the American Club. The Woodlands neighborhood is also popular with SAS families, accounting for around 450 students. This number has declined since last year, and at 11% of students is lower than most people assume. Other areas with notable concentrations of SAS families include Sembawang, Upper Bukit Timah, Yio Chu Kang, Ang Mo Kio, the ECP and West Coast Highway areas, and Sentosa.
2016-17 distribution of SAS families in Singapore
Each dot indicates a house, condo, or apartment building housing at least one SAS student
We hope that this article helps you more fully understand this year’s SAS community. As always, we welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions for future articles. Please send them to William Scarborough, Chief Financial Officer, at wscarborough@sas.edu.sg. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Thursday, October 27, 2016
True Intimacy
A guide to discussing sex and sexuality with your significant other
by: Laura Bradley
Our past experiences around sex contribute … Read the rest
The post True Intimacy appeared first on Steadfast Counselling.
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Macklemore: Drug Dealer
Artists are like our canaries in the coal mine. They dare to feel. They need to expand. Create. Share. In so many ways, our culture has no room for this. We put these artists in boxes, on stages, constrain them, commoditize them. And these are the ones that are in touch with their gift. Then there are countless others who are struggling through dead-end, soulless jobs because they haven’t even met their artistic heart yet. They don’t even know that they are artists. They are square pegs in the round hole of this society. These people struggle and suffer. They are offered ways to restrict the range of their humanity. Antidepressants, anxiolytics, even antipsychotics. They whip their systems into conformity with stimulants. But are these medications really different than street drugs? Aren’t they habit-forming chemicals inducing an unpredictable chemical effect?
Are doctors, most unwittingly, becoming drug dealers?
Listen to this artist speak to truth on the subject.
We are waking up. There is no magic pill. No quick fix. And we need our artists healed and whole to show us the way to a world of beauty and heart.
The post Macklemore: Drug Dealer appeared first on Kelly Brogan MD.
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Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park – Spacious Cambie Corridor Presale Luxury Condos
At a Glance
- exceptional Cambie Corridor location
- 3 laneway townhouses
- 45 1- to 3-bedroom condominiums
- short walk to Queen Elizabeth Park
- upscale Oakridge Centre shopping
- Signature BC Liquor Store
- Hillcrest Community Centre
- Canada Line rapid transit station
Spacious Luxury on the Westside
Pure West Property Investments, in partnership with GBL Architects, bring you Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park, the latest luxury development in the hot Cambie Corridor district. With roomy condominium and townhouse residences ranging from one to three bedrooms, Contessa is ideally suited to families that appreciate the advantages and conveniences of modern urban living. Nearby schools, recreation, and shopping mean you can enjoy a healthier lifestyle from walking and cycling to meet your everyday needs.
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Find Out About New Presales & Get Access to VIP Openings & Special Promotions!
Situated on the corner of West 37th Avenue and Cambie Street, Contessa’s outstanding location allows you to easily enjoy the lush beauty of Queen Elizabeth Park’s manicured gardens and its numerous leisure activities, such as golf, disc golf, tennis, lawn bowling, and tai chi; or bring your children to Hillcrest Community Centre for baseball, skating, soccer, swimming, and more! Just two blocks away, take care of your grocery shopping at Kin’s Farmers Market and Safeway in Oakridge Centre, then stop off on the way home at Vancouver’s largest Signature BC Liquor Store for the perfect wine to pair with dinner. For endless shopping and dining options, the Oakridge Canada Line station is your express ticket to Vancouver city centre and downtown Richmond. At Contessa, experience the quality of life from human-centred urban design.
Pricing for Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park
Pure West Property has not yet published pricing information. We recommend interested buyers sign up to our VIP list above to ensure priority notification of new developments. We expect Contessa to be very attractive with buyers due to its liveability and prime location.
Floor Plans for Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park
As this project is in pre-construction, floor plans have not yet been released. However, we do know there will be three laneway townhomes with private patios, courtyard main entrances, and rooftop terraces with green privacy buffers. The six-storey mid-rise consists of 18 1-bedroom, 19 2-bedroom, and eight 3-bedroom condominiums. A variety of expansive floor plans, with or without dens, range from 608 to 1,177 sq ft. Ground floor homes each have their own private, landscaped patios, while top floor homes have individual rooftop terraces.
Amenities at Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park
Contessa residents will enjoy a lushly-landscaped outdoor plaza with shaded seating and a children’s play area. At the southern end are community plots for urban agriculture that take advantage of exposure to the sun. A shared rooftop patio offers a warming fire pit with comfortable lounge seating and a communal dining area with all the necessary outdoor cooking amenities.
Parking and Storage
Contessa will provide residents with 51 vehicle stalls and 60 bicycle lockers in two levels of underground parking. Bicycle racks in front of the main building entrance will also be available to visitors. Each townhouse will have its own private underground parking space with direct entry into each residence. Most homes have in-suite storage; five have their own secure storage in the parkade.
Maintenance Fees at Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park
Will be included with pricing information when available.
Developer Team for Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park
Pure West Property Investments chose acclaimed GBL Architects to design Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park. GBL is a progressive Vancouver-based firm of 38 architects, project managers and technicians with a 25-year reputation of providing a full range of architectural services to the private and public sector. GBL design with the belief that form plays a vital role in defining experience through an ever-changing dynamic between sculptural artistry and social responsibility. No stranger to the Cambie Corridor, GBL’s other projects in the neighbourhood include Homei Properties’ Henry at 5389 Cambie, Transca Development’s Primrose, and The Regent at 523 West King Edward.
Expected Completion for Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park
To be determined.
Are you interested in learning more about other homes in the Cambie Corridor, Mount Pleasant, or Kerrisdale?
Check out these great Cambie Corridor Presales!
The post Contessa at Queen Elizabeth Park – Spacious Cambie Corridor Presale Luxury Condos appeared first on Mike Stewart Real Estate Specialist 604-763-3136.
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Wednesday, October 26, 2016
5 tips to stay fit for the holidays
Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com
With the Holiday season just around the corner, it can be difficult to stay fit for the holidays when you want to bake with the grand kids or attend your friend’s annual Friends giving dinner.
The good news is that media’s claim that people tend to gain 5 pounds around the holidays isn’t true. The average weight gain is actually 1 pound, according to the US National Library of Medicine.
Your Health Mate family understands the importance of enjoying the holidays and maintaining a healthy mind and body. Whether it’s 1 pound or 5, we know the importance of maintaining your health and fitness routine, all year round.
Our top 5 natural tips to stay fit for the holidays!
1. Embrace the staycation
If you find yourself indoors to keep out the cold or you can’t bring yourself to drive to the gym, there are still ways you can keep moving! YouTube offers numerous fitness videos for free, such as Yoga With Adrienne. There are even apps that give you structured workouts like Nike Training Club and you can track your performance on the go or in the comfort of your own home.
2. Hydrate!
You’ll hear it over and over but hydration is essential to optimum health. According to the Institute of Medicine, about 75% of the American population suffer from chronic dehydration. So remember to get your daily dose of water and stay rejuvenated!
3. Fun holiday activities
Sign up for a fun holiday activity like the local turkey trot to stay motivated throughout the holiday season. Invite some family along and inspire each other on your wellness journeys!
4. Make holiday errands a workout
Have a long list of shopping or errands to get through this season? Go to your local outlet or shopping mall and slip on your comfy workout shoes. There’s nothing better than keeping your body fit and finishing your to do list at the same time.
5. Infrared sauna heat therapy
Paired with a healthy diet and exercise routine, infrared heat will increase detoxification and burn anywhere from 400-600 calories in just one 30 minute session. With a warm and relaxing infrared sauna session, you’ll gain a positive mood and help burn some extra weight lingering from holiday treats. View our infrared heat saunas to see which Sauna is meant for you!
We hope these natural tips will guide you on your health and fitness journey this holiday season and savor the special moments (and treats) that the holidays have to offer.
Here at Perfectbath we aspire to come along side you and help you reach your fitness and wellness goals with rejuvenating infrared sauna heat therapy.
Contributed by: Aaron Gruenke foremost sauna expert and author.
The post 5 tips to stay fit for the holidays appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.
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Reassembling Our Hormonal Puzzle
Somewhere along the way, this conversation amongst women vanished, leaving us confused, overwhelmed and in fear of our own cycles, fertility and bodies. Many of us turn our hormones over to prescription birth control (myself included for nearly a decade). We’ve willingly relinquished our birthright of knowledge, and I believe women are suffering because of it.
Our hormones are not simply about reproduction, but rather play a significant role in our systemic health and wellbeing. Below, I’ll illustrate six key benefits for reconnecting to our hormonal physiology. From there, we’ll dive into my time-tested road map for balancing hormones naturally. We owe it to ourselves, and certainly to our next generation of daughters to reignite this conversation, and return the power of women’s health to its rightful owner — women.
Beyond Pregnancy
Female fertility is not just about reproduction – though the nuts and bolts of it look that way. Every month menstruating women ovulate, and every month the lining is shed if that oocyte was not fertilized. Within this endocrine dance, our hormones are interplaying in a unique exchange of energy. There is yin and yang, estrogen and progesterone, a dynamic interplay of masculine and feminine energies. In fact, post-menopausal women still have a cyclic energetic rhythm to tap into, even though monthly menstruation has ceased.
Being born a woman is truly a divine blessing because of our dynamic endocrine system. Our hormones offer us a multitude of benefits when we are willing to dial in, such as:
- Holistic Health: Our hormones can alert us to a potential systemic imbalance, which can then be addressed before too much time has passed. The Thyroid, Adrenal, Digestive and Metabolic systems are intricately linked to a woman’s hormonal cycle.
- Life Balance: Draw on energetic strengths from each phase of the menstrual cycle: Inward Reflection (menstruation); Extrovert and Social Activism (ovulation), Increased Intuition and Creativity (post ovulation).
- Fertility Knowledge: Plan to achieve or prevent pregnancy on your timeline — confidently.
- Inform Habits: Make optimum choices for exercise, nutrition and rest in alignment with your cycle phase and physiology.
- Enhanced Creativity: Our reproductive anatomy is associated with the 2nd Chakra – which represents creative expression, and moves us forward in our life with purpose.
- Access Intuition: Readily access your innate knowing to make decisions about your life and health from a place of strength.
Understanding this unique range of abilities, let’s explore four tools for every woman’s health quest.
Balancing Your Hormones — Naturally
According to Chinese Medicine, the only symptom of menstruation should be bleeding. The mood-swings, acne, intense cramping, breast tenderness, back pain and headaches are not “normal”. Can you imagine? They are symptoms of imbalance and should be addressed.
In health, our hormones cascade one to the other in perfect symmetry – just as our heart beats rhythmically. The body is insanely wise. When we become participants in our innate hormonal landscape, the internal and external confidence we gain is profound.
Here is my go-to map for female endocrine re-alignment:
- Strengthen Digestion: Improve nutrient assimilation and absorption, and make a direct impact on the endocrine system. Fermented foods, cooked foods and collagen are crucial.
- Amplify Nutrition: Our hormones thrive on key nutrients for optimum functioning – specifically nutrient dense fats, proteins, vitamin A from orange-colored vegetables and vitamins D and K from rich sources, like liver.
- Get Still: Meditate Daily — find a practice that works for you, cut out the noise and tune in to the wisdom of your body.
- Find Your Formula: Carefully prescribed herbal remedies offer swift and effective relief for women — here are a few of my favorites: Chastetree Berry for irregular ovulation; Rhemannia for fatigue; Turmeric for cramping; and Milky Oats for increasing female libido.
Always Remember — Your Body Knows How to Heal
Life (and health) moves forward in its own best interest for survival – down to a cellular level. Our bodies are incredibly wise and deserve our trust. When you step in the ring with your own hormonal physiology, you become a constant participant. Not simply when a symptom arises, or you need a prescription refill – but daily. No doctor or practitioner can offer you that.
When tuning in to the wisdom of your hormonal milieu, the volume increases with the frequency of engagement and this connection strengthens. Your confidence in your health (and life) amplifies and you can make choices about your healthcare from a position of strength. As women, we have an awesome opportunity to engage with a dynamic cascade of physiology because of our hormones — and it begins with you.
Erin Borbet MSTOM, L.Ac, Doula
With a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine and Board Certification in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Erin helps women transform their health from the comfort of their own homes. Her studies in Costa Rica, Peru, China and Tibet built the foundation for her successful acupuncture and herbal practice in Midtown Manhattan. After serving New Yorkers for nearly a decade, Erin now works remotely with women using customized herbal formulas, nutrition and intuitive life coaching. Send an email, visit her website, sign up for Erin’s newsletter — and, for a more personal look, check out Instagram.
The post Reassembling Our Hormonal Puzzle appeared first on Kelly Brogan MD.
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What’s the Harm in Taking an Antidepressant?
I imagined my audience would be wondering as much as I arrived to an unseasonably chilly day at King’s College in London. I was there to share what I have learned about the medications that I so dutifully and faithfully prescribed during the early part of my career, and also about the deep potential for healing depression in simple, safe ways, according to the latest science.
The day before my flight, I had received an email from a man who I would choose to invite on stage with me that day. His name is David Carmichael and he wrote:
“I took the life of my 11-year-old son Ian on July 31, 2004 in a Paxil-induced state of psychosis and was charged with first degree murder. I was judged to be “not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder” in September 2005 and received an absolute discharge from the forensic psychiatric system (in Ontario, Canada) in December 2009. I’ve been off all prescription drugs since September 2010. Prior to our family tragedy, I was a physical active sports consultant with no history of violence or mental illness.”
He told an audience of clinicians and patients, that day, about how it is that a normal citizen, prescribed a seemingly safe medication for work-related stress, goes on to commit a heinous act of violence against his beloved child. This academic classroom was heaving with grief when he finished his description of events.
This must be rare, right? Totally anomalous?
Wrong.
It has become my contention that the Russian Roulette that is played with each new prescription of psychotropic medication violates the physician’s most primal tenet – first do no harm – and does so in the absence of anything approximating informed consent.
Violence as a Side Effect?
Thankfully, we are often given multiple chances to wake up to a greater truth. It’s becoming easier than ever. With grassroots platforms like madinamerica.com, the information is out there, when you are ready to look beyond main stream media to what the real victims are claiming.
The truth about antidepressants and violence is also in the most recently published literature, including a critical review, hot off the press, by Carvalho et al where the authors dive into the research on the supposed safety of SSRIs and SNRIs. In this document, they present an evidence-based horror menagerie of ways in which a simple antidepressant can derail your life if it doesn’t take it. Leaving patients with new medical diagnoses, antidepressants prescribed often for difficult transitions in life like divorces and deaths, carry documented risks that your doctor cannot possibly tell you about because if they knew of them, they would put down their prescription pad immediately.
Let’s take a tour. Neatly summarized here, the adverse effects of antidepressants can sound like that droning voice in TV ads that we are inured to because we have been told these “side effects are rare, and outweighed by the benefits.”
But the benefits are shockingly limited so, let’s take a closer look at those side effects…
The Risks That Made Me Quit Prescribing
Having always represented antidepressants as safe and effective to my patients, I put down my prescription pad after learning 3 facts about psychiatric medications:
- They result in worse long-term outcomes [1]
- They are debilitatingly habit forming [2] [3] [4]
- They cause unpredictable violence [5] [6]
These insights were apparently just the tip of the iceberg. Several years into the horror stories of patient experiences and new relationships with grassroots activists, I am left wondering. What on earth are these meds? How could biochemistry have ever manifested molecules capable of derailing, distorting, and suppressing the human experience to this extent?
With more unknowns than knowns at this point, the signal of harm is growing and patient alignment with this model of care, diminishing.
I pulled some choice phrases from the paper for your further enlightenment below but suffice it to say that many of these side effects are major gamechanging problems if not life-ending tragedies that render the placebo-level performance of these medications totally unacceptable.
Gut disturbance: “Some of the most frequently reported side effects associated with the use of SSRIs and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) include nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, GI bleeding and abdominal pain.”
Liver toxicity: “Two main mechanisms may be involved in antidepressant- induced liver toxicity, namely a metabolic component and/or an immuno-allergic pathway. A hypersensitivity syndrome with fever and rash as clinical manifestations, as well as with autoantibodies and eosinophilia, and a short latency period (1–6 weeks) point to a predominantly immunoallergic pathophysiological mechanism, whereas a lack of hypersensitivity syndrome and a longer latency period (i.e. 1 month to 1 year) points to an idiosyncratic metabolic mechanism.”
Weight gain: “Notwithstanding the complexity of the clinical scenario, compelling evidence indicates that the use of most antidepressants may increase weight in a significant proportion of patients.”
Heart problems: “SSRIs and SNRIs may promote a decrement in heart rate variability (HRV). Although the impact of the effects of antidepressants on HRV remains to be established, data indicate that a lower HRV is a significant predictor of incident cardiovascular events.”
Urinary problems: “SSRIs can cause urinary retention by acting on central micturition pathways. Serotonin may increase the central sympathetic outflow leading to urinary storage, and at the same time inhibits parasympathetic flow, which affects voiding.”
Sexual dysfunction: “…a significant body of data shows that antidepressants may differentially affect sexual function in multiple aspects, leading to reductions in libido, arousal dysfunction (erection in males and vaginal lubrication in females) and orgasmic dysfunctions.”
Salt imbalance: “The mechanisms of SSRI-induced hyponatremia remain incompletely elucidated, but these agents can act by either increasing the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or increasing the sensitivity to ADH resulting in a clinical picture similar to the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of ADH.”
Osteoporosis/Bone weakening: “The use of SSRIs has been associated with a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and a consistent higher risk of fractures.”
Bleeding: “All serotonergic antidepressants have been associated with an increased risk of bleeding. The most likely mechanism responsible for these adverse reactions is a reduction of serotonin reuptake by platelets, although other mechanisms have also been implicated.”
Nervous system dysfunction: “All kinds of EPS [extrapyramidal symptoms] are seen in patients taking antidepressants, but akathisia appears to be the most common presentation followed by dystonic reactions, parkinsonian movements and tardive dyskinesia…Headache was one of the most common side effects associated with the use of antidepressants in a large retrospective cohort of adolescents and adults.”
Sweating: “Most studies indicate that approximately 10% of patients on SSRIs may develop excessive sweating, although the incidence may be higher for paroxetine.”
Sleep disturbances: “The SSRIs and venlafaxine are associated with increased REM sleep latency and a reduction in the overall time spent in the REM phase while sleeping.”
Mood changes: “Many patients taking SSRIs have reported experiencing emotional blunting. They often describe their emotions as being ‘damped down’ or ‘toned down’, while some patients refer to a feeling of being in ‘limbo’ and just ‘not caring’ about issues that were significant to them before…Furthermore, an activation syndrome in which patients taking antidepressants may experience anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness and impulsivity in the first 3 months of treatment may ensue.”
Suicidality: “The incidence of suicide and attempted suicide has been a frequently underreported adverse outcome across antidepressant RCTs.”
Overdose toxicity: “Patients with MDD are at increased risk of suicide and overdosing of prescribed medications is a common method used to attempted suicide.”
Withdrawal Syndrome: “These symptoms include flu-like symptoms, tremors, tachycardia, shock-like sensations, paresthesia, myalgia, tinnitus, neuralgia, ataxia, vertigo, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbances, vivid dreams, nausea vomiting, diarrhea, worsening anxiety and mood Instability.”
Eye disease: “A subset of patients taking SSRIs reports nonspecific visual disturbances…SSRIs may increase intraocular pressure and lead to the emergence of angle-closure glaucoma…A nested case-control study found a higher likelihood of cataracts after exposure to newer generation antidepressants.”
Hormonal imbalance: “Long-standing increases in peripheral prolactin levels are occasionally observed in patients using ADs, including SSRIs [208] ; hyperprolactinemia may have deleterious health consequences (e.g. a decrease in BMD [bone mineral density] and hypogonadism).”
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding risk: “Most of the data describing the presence of birth defects associated with SSRI use have been based on observational studies and drug registries. Therefore, the clinical significance of these data is questionable.”
Cancer risk: “Preclinical studies have found that antidepressants can increase the growth of fibrosarcomas and melanomas, and may also promote mammary carcinogenesis.”
Whew! Now that’s depressing. And why don’t you know about these? Because your doctor doesn’t. I recently learned of a patient who was prescribed an antidepressant simultaneous to an antibiotic “just in case the antibiotic caused depression or mood changes”. We are trained to treat these medications as a “why not” application of pharmacology, and the truth is that, as the authors state:
…the history of toxicology reminds us vividly of the lag that often occurs between the first approval of a drug for use in humans and the recognition of certain adverse events from that drug.”
Taking these risks seems all the more unecessary with the robust outcomes of lifestyle medicine – multimodal, multi-tier interventions that are low cost, immediately available, and side effect free. As the authors conclude:
The findings of this review suggest that long-term treatment with new generation ADs should be avoided if alternative treatments are available.”
I would have to agree and affirm that these “alternative” treatments are indeed available. These treatments offer not only resolution of symptoms and elimination/avoidance of meds, but an entirely new experience of self. This is not about getting “back to normal,” it’s about integration, evolution, and vitality. I’ve been working for several years to make self-healing toolkits available to everyone considering an antidepressant or looking to come off of one for less than the price of one doctor visit. Check it out!
[1] http://ift.tt/2eSXvLL
[2] http://ift.tt/2ewTYGd
[3] http://ift.tt/1OHl8Gc
[4] http://ift.tt/1m5GBwm
[5] http://ift.tt/28Nav2M
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[2] http://ift.tt/2ewTYGd
[3] http://ift.tt/1OHl8Gc
[4] http://ift.tt/1m5GBwm
[5] http://ift.tt/28Nav2M
The post What’s the Harm in Taking an Antidepressant? appeared first on Kelly Brogan MD.
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Tuesday, October 25, 2016
3 Picture Window Decorating Tips
A picture window is a type of window with a single pane of glass which usually does not open. It doesn’t provide ventilation, but it is designed to provide a great outdoor view in the living room where it’s commonly placed. Know how to decorate this type of window by checking out the tips below!
Image Source: Flickr
Blinds
Because they were built into post-war homes, which were predominantly modern in style, blinds suit them particularly well. Depending on the width of the window and the look you want, you might want to use one large blind or multiple blinds side by side.
Cellular and Venetian blinds are typically easier to fit on these large windows than softer blinds like Roman shades. You can find blinds for them by searching for “large window blinds” in addition to “picture window blinds.” Source: DIYNetwork
Valances
To allow light in and still be able to showcase a great view, try a valance. When you measure for the height it will be, add more inches if you can to mount it closer to the ceiling so the windows look taller. Valances should cover any blinds or shades you may want to add underneath. You do not need to spend a lot on the blind or shade underneath your valance, because it won’t show when not in use. Source: Houzz
Framing Architecture
The physical structure of the window may also affect the window coverings you have room to mount. For example, a roller shade requires at least two inches of frame clearance for an inside-mounted system. Low-profile shades, such as pleated or honeycomb may need as little as one inch of clearance for mounting. Window-opening devices, such as handles and cranks, can also affect your available shade choices. If your picture window is a single pane of glass and is over eight feet wide, it may require a custom-made shade, further limiting your choices either through design or budget constraints. Custom-made fabric window shades, such as Roman shades, can be made for oversized windows. Source: SFGate
To learn about more window treatment ideas for your picture window, feel free to contact us!
Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988
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How to Keep Your Whirlpool Tub Clean
Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com
A whirlpool bathtub is a great addition to your home. It provides numerous benefits and it can be something to look forward to at the end of a long, tiring day. To maximize the experience, keep your tub at its best by following these useful cleaning tips:
- Following the manufacturer’s recommendations in avoiding oil-based soaps, bubble bath soaps, and bath and mineral salts is an important part of preventative maintenance. Avoiding these products will eliminate potential pump issues and ensure that an excessive amount of residue is not sticking to the interior walls of the piping. Depending on its use, a whirlpool tub’s circulation system should be flushed of residue accumulation on a monthly or bi-monthly basis or, if possible, after each use. Source: Buildipedia
- Before cleaning your jets for the first time, check the manufacturer’s manual. Some manufacturers recommend closing the air controls, while others recommend leaving them open during cleaning, and certain manufacturers recommend specific cleansers for their tubs. Source: ApartmentTherapy
- Once a month — or more often for tubs that get a lot of use — you should also remove any accumulation of bath residue (from body oils, dirt, soaps, shampoos, lotions) from the whirlpool system. First, fill the bath with hot water (up to 140° F) and add 4 tablespoons to 1/4 cup of a low-foaming disinfectant (such as powdered dishwasher detergent). Some manufacturers suggest adding 1/2 cup of household bleach. Turn off the air induction and run the water jets for 10 to 15 minutes. Then drain the bath and refill with cold water only. Run the whirlpool for 10 to 15 minutes, then drain again. There are also commercial cleaning products made specifically to do this job. Source: GoodHousekeeping
- Residue accumulation or scale deposits may persist on the interior walls of the piping, even after cleaning. You should consider having the whirlpool tub cleaned professionally on a yearly basis. A professional cleaner should flush, descale, and disinfect a whirlpool circulation system. Source: Knoji
Planning on getting a new whirlpool tub? It would be our pleasure to assist you with finding the perfect one for your home. Contact us!
Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com
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The City of Lougheed
After years of planning, like Brentwood Mall before it, Lougheed Shopping Centre is about to go through a $7 Billion major rejuvenation and expansion. Over the next 20 years, the 40 acres in this prime Burnaby location bordering Coquitlam (effectively known as Burquitlam) will soon be home to 23 new towers in a master planned community which includes thousands of new homes, as well as over 300 new shops, and restaurants.
The Residents will be able to enjoy and experience a unique lifestyle within a community designed for livability. The carefully designed streets will consist of lush green walkable boulevards, endless supply of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Each neighbourhood to be phased into the development will be offer a unique character added into the previous neighbourhoods charm, as well as continue the pedestrian friends streets, plazas and storefronts. Tower 1, Neighbourhood 1 will consist of the first 500 units sold
•$7-billion master planned community
•23 towers at centre of Metro Vancouver
•300+ new shops and restaurants
•The Millennium and future Evergreen SkyTrain Lines—directly on site
•8 minute drive to Simon Fraser University
The post The City of Lougheed appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.
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The #1 Reason You Can’t Sell Your Product Or Service
Ever wonder why you can’t sell your product or service?
Wondering which training program or seminar would help?
Wanna learn the world’s simplest way to improve your sales ability?
Let’s start with the problem that is hindering your ability to sell.
YOU DON’T TRULY BELIEVE IN YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE
If you did, it’d show through how you speak and how you act. The charisma and passion would show. But most people don’t show passion when they are trying to sell a product. Most people aren’t even sure about the product themselves and so it shows.
You say,
But Gary, I do believe in my product…
Ok, maybe you do believe in your product but for some reason you’re not able to convey your passion to the other person. Why is that?
Maybe you believe in the product but you don’t believe in yourself which is the bigger problem.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
I’m a Christian and I believe that you were created by God. I believe God sees greatness in every one of us. I don’t believe God thinks we’re meant to be in inferior. I’m not saying that you’re supposed to be suddenly competent in anything you touch.
The post The #1 Reason You Can’t Sell Your Product Or Service appeared first on Gary Wong Realty Vancouver, BC.
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