Swine Flu

What is a virus anyway?
Most people don't really know what's meant by the term 'virus'. Generally, they believe it to be a 'germ' that sneaks into the bloodstream to make you unwell. But that's not even close to the truth. Put VERY simply, a virus is not a living thing at all. It's a tiny particle of inert genetic material.
Transferred by touch or through the air, this particle enters your body through the mouth, nose or eyes. Inside, it takes over a living cell, by instructing it to 'clone' the virus. When the overloaded cell finally bursts, it scatters the virus particles and they begin to multiply.
Natural antibodies, generated by your immune system, flood to defend their territory. It becomes a battle of speed and strength. That's why it's so vital to do all you can to strengthen your body's natural guard against all viral invaders.
A good organic based diet, lots of fresh air, water and exercise, and certified organic probiotic superfoods like MiVitality In-Liven and Fast-Tract give your system the defence boost that can make all the difference.

Probiotics valuable in defeating disease
Did you know that 85% of your body's immunity against flu and other seasonal 'bugs' lies in your gut?
That's especially important now that Swine Flu – a variant of the old Influenza A – has struck. Whether or not it takes hold in your family depends on how many 'good' bacteria you can summon to fight off the 'bad' invaders.
Certified organic In-Liven probiotic superfood and Fast-Tract gluten-free probiotic liquid were developed over 25 years to help boost the body's defences against seasonal viral diseases.

And since that includes Swine Flu, can you really afford not to take them?

Children's Bath Products Contain Chemicals

Children's Bath Products Contain Chemicals Linked To Cancer Says Campaign Group written by Medical News Today

13 Mar 2009

A US campaign group found that most of the children's bath products they tested were contaminated with two chemicals linked to cancer and skin allergies and they were not listed on the product label because they are byproducts of manufacturing and not ingredients as such.

In a report released on 12 March, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) describe how they commissioned lab tests that found that 61 per cent of the children's shampoos, lotions, soaps and other personal care products they tested contained the chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.

According to the CSC report, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers these two chemicals to be "probable carcinogens".

"This report is the first to document the widespread contamination of children's products with formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane," said the CSC.

CSC is a coalition of non profit groups concerned about health and environment and its members include public health, religious, women's and consumer organizations. The CSC wants the personal care products industry to stop using chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health concerns and replace them with safe alternatives.

The CSC and the Environmental Working Group sent samples of popular children's bath products to an independent laboratory in Petaluma, California, called Analytical Sciences.

The CSC said they chose products containing ingredients that are commonly associated with 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde contamination.

The lab tests found that the products they tested were commonly contaminated with one or the other chemical, and sometimes both.

Of the 48 baby and child personal care products tested for 1,4-dioxane, which ironically is a byproduct of ethoxylation, a chemical process for making petroleum-based ingredients gentler on the skin, 32 (67 per cent) were found to contain the chemical.

28 products were tested for 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde. Of these, 17 (61 per cent) contained both chemicals and 23 (82 per cent) contained formaldehyde. Formaldehyde builds up in product containers as the preservatives break down.

Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are not regulated, said the CSC, who reported that while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety of personal care products in the US it does not have the authority to "ensure they are actually safe".

"The FDA cannot require companies to test products for safety before they are sold, does not systematically review the safety of ingredients and does not set limits for common, harmful contaminants in products," said the executive summary.

Manufacturers are also not required by law to list contaminants on product labels, so consumers have no way of knowing if they are buying products containing toxic contaminants, said the CSC.

According to the EPA, 1,4-dioxane is a probable carcinogen, report the authors, who also cite the Consumer Product Safety commission's view of the chemical's safety:

"The presence of 1,4-dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern."

1,4-dioxane is not intended as an ingredient of the care products, it is a byproduct of the ethoxylation process that uses ethylene oxide to make the ingredients.

According to the CSC report:

"Manufacturers can easily remove the toxic byproduct, but are not required by law to do so."

Although listed as a probable carcinogen by the EPA, the risk of formaldehyde causing cancer by being absorbed through the skin is not well understood, said the CSC report, although it is known to trigger skin reactions in adults and children who are sensitive to the chemical.

Dermatologists recommend that children don't come into contact with products containing formaldehyde, which contaminates personal care products because certain preservatives, such as Quaternium-15, release it gradually and it accumulates in the product container.
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If you would like to find alternative, made in Australia, natural, organic, certified organic products for your child/ren and the rest of the family then please click here.

Education system 'marginalises talented'

Is our education system failing us? Sir Ken Robinson, a British education and creativity expert, believes it is.

Follow this link to view Part 1 and Part 2 will be available to view tomorrow or tonight on ABC's 7.30 Report.

Watch the video you won't regret it!

Hobart Homeschool Training Course

Sue Rumsley is a long term, experienced home educating Mum of 10 children, during the course of her recent, very successful and extremely informative Homeschool Training Day in Launceston early this year, she shared many little gems and effective teaching methods with her audience.

Now Sue is offering a great opportunity on the 14th & 15th of July 2009, a two day workshop in Hobart (Bellerive)

The workshop will be filmed for the purpose of making an educational DVD to allow more accessibility to this insightful information to more people.

This course is FREE to attend, there are only 30 places available, by invitation only and attendance is subject to conditions. Bookings will close 1 week before the event.

If you would like more information or for bookings please contact Sue Rumsley direct by email on straitgate@activ8.net.au or by phone on (03) 6254 6191.

Change to Coffee & Chat

Unfortunately only 2 of us turned up today at the Coffee & Chat, so I've decided to change it to every 2nd month at least during Winter and then to be reviewed during Spring/Summer.

Many thanks :)

Coffee & Chat Reminder

Hello all,

Hope you are all well and keeping warm. The weather has certainly cooled off :)

A quick reminder that our next Coffee & Chat will be held this week on Thursday, 7th May 2009. Details on sidebar.

Hope to see you there :D

Ciao

Meet & Hear Jeannette Rowe

Join Jeannette Rowe for a special story and drawing time session. Her new baby book series Baby Boo Buggy Books to be released late March! Jeannette is ABC Books bestselling author.

Jeannette will be holding two sessions, one for children - A Special Story & Drawing Time with Jeannette Rowe, and one for adults - The Power of Pictures: How to engage children in drawing and communicating through images.

Special Story & Drawing Time with Jeannette Rowe
View the flyer for location & booking details [PDF 107KB]

Jeannette will introduce & show her work in a way young children can understand. To engage the children further, she will draw for them and play drawing games.

For children aged 3-7 years and their parents or carers - playgroups, prep classes and child care groups welcome.

The Power of Pictures: How to engage children in drawing and communicating through images
View the flyer for location & booking details [PDF 107KB]

Children learn through all their senses. A picture inspires a whole new series of conversations, information sharing, and learning. In our increasingly visually driven society, the ability to create and interpret imagery is as imperative as the abilities to read and write and to listen and speak. Most importantly it's fun - sharing a picture book with a young child brings joy to both child and adult. Join best selling children's author, Jeannette Rowe, in an interactive session and discover the power of pictures.

For child care workers, library staff, maternal and child health nurses, speech pathologists, parents, grandparents and the general public.

*Please note: This session is not appropriate for children.