The end

As you’ve probably noticed, this blog isn’t being updated anymore, but I’m keeping it online as an archive.

I’m now online at www.michelleg.com.au where I write about digital content.

Thanks for stopping by

Yours ‘really naturally’,

Michelle

 

 

Being healthy isn’t always cheap

Next time you head to the supermarket, be aware that the cheapest option is not necessarily going to be good for your health.

A New Zealand study revealed that products put on special in four supermarkets in a one-month period were rarely the healthiest.

Cheap unhealthy drinks dominated healthy, reduced-fat milk drinks and were also sold at larger discounts.

The study has prompted the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) to call for supermarkets to reconsider the products they put on special.

Eating and drinking habits were influenced by price, the DAA chief executive said.

Supermarkets should instead promote healthier foods and drinks with less sugar and saturated fats.

It’s a small step in tackling the growing obesity epidemic, but one in the right direction at that.

For more info:  stuff.co.nz

Contact lens improves eyesight in world-first study

Australian scientists have found a way to restore sight with a simple contact lens.

Researchers at the University of New South Wales performed a world-first transplant on patients with damaged corneas.

They took cells from the patients’ eyes and cultured them inside a contact lens which was then stuck onto a damaged cornea for around 10 days.

The researchers said the procedure could be done in any laboratory and shows promise for developing countries where blinding eye conditions are widespread

More info at ABC

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea – tomorrow

Tomorrow is the 16th annual Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.

This is one of the Cancer Council’s leading fundraising events and is widely successful. The fact that the morning tea has raised over $60 million for cancer research, prevention and treatment is proof enough.

If you don’t have time to organise a tea you can donate directly via the website.

Or if you’re busy on the morning of Thursday 28 may you can still host a fundraising event any time during the months of May and June.

It’s easy to organise – all you need to do is choose a location, invite some friends and encourage them to make a donation. Simple!

http://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/

Blackmores Sydney Running Festival now open

Entries are now open for the annual Blackmores Sydney Running Festival which will take place on Sunday 20 September 2009.

There are options for a marathon, half-marathon, 9km bridge run or walk and 4.5km bridge run or walk.

It’s a fantastic way to get out there and raise some money for a worthy cause with some friends. Running across the Sydney harbour bridge with thousands of others is a surreal experience and definitely something everyone should try once in their lives!

Find out more and sign up online here!

Japanese live longer

The World Health Organisation (WHO) released its latest health statistics and some interesting results came to the fore with regards to life expectancy.

Japan heads the list with average life expectancy at around 86 years, with San Marino in Europe not far behind at 81 years.

On the other end of the spectrum, Sierra Leone has a life expectancy of just 39 years for men.

There was promising news, though, with mortality rates for young children dropping 27 per cent since 1990, and WHO’s director of statistics Ties Boerma attributed this to improved healthcare in the areas of malaria, diarrhoea and sanitation.

Some other progress includes:

- Some 27% fewer children died before their fifth birthday in 2007 than in 1990.

- Maternal mortality has barely changed since 1990.

- 27 countries reported a reduction of up to 50% in the number of malaria cases between 1990 and 2006.

- The number of people with access to safe drinking-water rose from 4.1 billion in 1990 to 5.7 billion in 2006.

Visit http://www.who.int for more details

It’s snowtime!

With only a few weeks until the opening weekends of many ski resorts across New Zealand and Australia, snowfalls are already showing signs of what’s to come this winter. And it’s looking good, folks! 

SMH reports that Queenstown has received up to 100cm of snow in some resorts already.

Snow fell as early as March in some Aussie resorts, and Victorian resorts Mt Hotham and Falls Creek continued to receive falls up to 20cm throughout April.

All signs are pointing to a great season ahead for ANZ snow-enthusiasts.

My advice? Book your trip soon!

Sunspot cure could be plant-based

A natural plant-based gel could be the closest we’ve come yet to finding a cure for skin cancer.

Scientists in Queensland are currently investigating an ‘old wives’ take’ that claims the gel, PEP-005, can eradicate sunspots after just two days.

The gel comes from a plant Euphorbia peplus, and sap from this plant is already used as a natural remedy to treat other skin conditions.

Manufacturers of the gel hope it could be available as early as 2011 to help curb serious cancers.

In the meantime, don’t forget your sunscreen!

image from wikimedia

Botox prevents wrinkles and, for actors, jobs

Botox is preventing stars from expressing emotion on screen, and as a result directors and casting agents are now opting for the natural look.

image credit here

One of Australia’s best-known casting agents, Faith Martin, told ABC’s PM that in some cases Botox is so noticeable that almost the person’s standard appearance has changed completely.

‘I think there would be directors and producers in the industry who would prefer the natural face and expression of an actor and would be concerned that if they put that person on screen, the audience is looking at them going, “Oh my god, they look weird”,’ she said.

Martin Scorsese being quoted as saying there’s nobody left in Hollywood who can “do anger” anymore.

Warner Brothers increased staff in England and Canada, where Botox is not as prevalent.

Botox works by paralysing nerves, so natural facial expressions like scouring, smirking and even smiling are affected.

It prevents actors and actresses from actually doing their job.

Quite the irony, really!

Clinically proven, but according to who?

It’s been a long time coming, but the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is cracking down on the multitude of anti-ageing creams that bear the markers ‘clinically proven’ and ‘scientifically tested’.

The TGA now says creams bearing these slogans “should not even be contemplated unless unequivocally supported by robustly designed, published, peer-reviewed clinical trials which have been conducted upon the actual product being advertised or an identical formulation (as a minimum)” (source link).

In simple terms, this means that we will probably see a decline in the amount of ‘anti-ageing’ creams on store shelves, but with greater transparency all round, consumers will be in a better position to buy something that actually does what it claims to do. If you’re into that kind of thing, that is.

You see, beauty products that have a real ‘anti-ageing’ effect are generally either available only on prescription or involve expensive surgery.

It is a bit of a myth that one can waltz into a shop and buy a cream for as little as $35 that will stop the emergence of wrinkles altogether.

Creams and moisturizers help to hydrate the skin and keep a youthful appearance, all of which is great, but marketing spins that allege their products to do anything more are usually just taking advantage of unwitting consumers.

Enjoy your cream, ladies, but know its limitations!