During most elections before only men got all the attention. However,  this year for the  first time in the American history, a mother of five children, a ”hockey Mom,” Sarah Palin became a Republican Vice President nominee and  got all attention in the world. 

Several other dynamic women appeared on the podiums and television. They initiated a powerful talk about the challenges and problems facing working and stay-at-home Moms. They discussed  important life issues that women are interested today.

Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama, Jill Biden shared with public their unique personal stories and views. But no one of them struck a chord better with everyday women as a female political candidate, Sarah Palin. She is tough and dedicated to being a leader at home, in Washington and abroad, as media commented. (more…)

The investigation in the ongoing milk powder scandal in China continues. According to the latest evidence, melamine was intentionally added (in lab tests) to boost the protein content of milk product used to make formula for infants and other dairy products. Did Chinese scientists know that a compound they created and tested can cause kidney failure and kidney stones if digested in large quantities?

In the meantime, we read and hear there are new findings of the melamine-tainted products. As was reported by The Local News agency in Germany, the first melamine contaminated food products have been discovered across Germany for the first time.

At an Asian markets in Stuttgart, in Karlsruhe, Goppingen and Cottbus the tainted Chinese “White Rabbit” brand soft milk candies were first found. Analysis showed that the candies contain only trace elements of the substance that sickened more than 50,000 children and has killed four babies in China last month. Food regulation officials in Germany adviced people do not eat “White Rabbit”candies because milk is listed as one of the main ingredients.

This bonbon is just one of the 31 milk products containing traces of the chemical that can cause kidney stones. Good news, it has been recalled worldwide. According to news agency AFP, the Chinese government has assured consumers that all contaminated products were packaged before September 14, and anything produced after this date is pure. (more…)

                                                                             One of the many grateful customers wrote these words of admiration to the largest maker of hand-crafted American-made Teddy Bears, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Very nice! The teddy bears have been in existence and consumption for over 100 years. Many companies make them and will continue to do that, because people still don’t get tired of the teddy bears. On contrary, they buy more and more. How could you not love these beautiful hand-made creatures?  Some customers are so happy with teddy bears that  they even “cry with happiness” (from another testimonial) for getting a “Get Well” teddy bear, for example.  I only don’t understand, why they have to cry? Just laugh and smile and you’ll live longer!

                                                              Located in the pictoresque area of Green Mountains, Lake Champlain and the Andirondacks in Shelburne, Vermont, this company, starting with its building, is full of color, creativity and activity. More than 20 years the factory there are producing thousands and thousands of teddy bears for all ocassions in our life: for Birthday, “Get Well,” New Baby, Love, for Him, for Her, for Mom, for Grandma, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, Sports Bears, Health and Hope, and many other.  If you you are not sure which one to choose, call a Bear Counselor at 1-800-829-Bear.

 I did research the company’s website trying to locate “the cuttest teddy bears I have ever seen,” and finally I found. The Fall Trend No. 1 in Teddy Bears’ Trade.  Vermont company is selling political bears: Palin and McCain, Obama and Biden. One of our readers send me a helpful tip: ”Palin and Biden teddies (guess which costs more)?” Thank you.  I thought they should be priced the same… (more…)

So many beautiful names

Mother Nature, the biggest in the world manufacturer of natural medications, is winning the competition with creative minds of the pharmaceutical companies. Theophrastus, Greek philosopher and a student of Aristotle and Dioscorides (circa 372-287 B.C.) wrote Medicinal Matters, in which he prescribed the experiences of ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians and the use of 600 plants or herbs. His book was translated into Latin with the name Materia Medica and served as a guide to doctors and pharmacists for fifteen centuries. From that time Latin names of herbs have become well known and used throughout European countries and almost everywhere in the world. Names of herbs, trees and other plants mentioned in Materia Medica are inimitable in its beauty. They don’t confuse people,  sound or look similar, and have different spelling.  What is a problem with names of the drugs produced today by pharmaceutical companies?  Why they are so confusing not only to patients, but to the doctors too?

Recently I spoke with Mary, 84 years old woman,  one of my neighbors. She suffers from arthritis pains, especially during night time. She told me that doctor prescribed her Celebrex.  Suddenly she said, ” I am not sure if I’ll start taking Celexa because it’s a very strong drug.”

“Mary, I am getting confused. Did your doctor prescribed to you Celebrex or Celexa?” I asked her. “I don’t think he gave you prescriptions for both medications.” Mary looked at me and continued, “What is the difference? I think it’s the same medication.”

“Of course, it is not the same medication, dear.”  (more…)

Amber Smith, Health and Fitness editor of the Post-Standard newspaper in Syracuse, New York, recently posted an interesting article in her blog. It is called “Fair Food: Step up and Match the Calories to the Fair Food.” She writes that for many of us the State Fair is about food, and gives as an example, the New York State Fair. She also created a quiz to the readers to check what they know about the nutritional difference between the meals they eat at the Fair. I am sure, a lot of people who are concerned with a healthy lifestyle, know the nutritional difference between beef hamburger and  steamed veggies.  Some they will eat hamburger instead of green salad anyway.

I asked one young women at the State Fair in Florida why she did not buy any meals with fruits and vegetables, but instead ordered a big, fat hamburger. She answered, “Because hamburger is  a real food. My body craves to have it! I am not worried if I’ll gain a little weight?! At least I don’t feel hungry.” She not alone, unfortunately. 

Did you see the crowds of people visiting State Fairs around the country?  State Fairs are organized for families and children to have good time, to feel community spirit and eat there well. Who can blame people for that?  Tons of fried, baked, cooked and whipped fat foods are traditionally displayed and offered for your enjoyment.  Do you know how many calories you load into your body when you eat a hot dog, grilled Italian pork or chicken sausage; the cornbeef sandwich or a smoked turkey leg? Some people do calculate these calories. Some don’t bother because they just got tired of crunching these numbers instead of having fun during the weekend. (more…)

People and Nature

 by Svetlana Konnikova

HealthNewsDigest.com ((North Andover, Massachusetts) recently published an article “Tips for Trading Out Conventional Products for Natural Medicines.” As more and more Americans turn to “greener” options to meet their family needs, the article states, they should not forget to take a closer look in their medicine cabinets. Is it a discovery or just a statement? If you have any minor health problem, don’t you look at first in your medicine cabinets to find some helpful medicine before you rush to your doctor? Of course, you do. It’s important to have there right stuff.

I thought our ancestors have been looking for “greener” options many centuries before that. No doubts, many common natural medicines can replace the older, more conventional versions and provide you with an option of a natural and effective treatment. I am not sure you can find many of them in your medicine cabinet. Do your own research, pre-planning stock there your chosen natural medicines or make them yourself.

Open your medicine cabinet. Take a closer look. What do you have inside? Probably you have many common medicines and a set of the First Aid too. According to the above mentioned article, you should “replace the older more conventional versions with many common medicines.”

It was also suggested that one proven alternative is homeopathy to turn to “greener” options. Is it a safe and affordable method to the relief of common problems without worry of side-effects? Are they organic, 100 % natural? For many years various explanations have been proposed as to how homeopathy might work. However, none of these explanations have been scientifically verified. Do you know what homeopathy is all about and what it can do for you? (more…)

Mama’s Home Remedies has been nominated in Health/Wellness and Multicultural Non-Fiction categories for the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

Vividly descriptive and nurturing, this ultimate natural home remedies book will help you change the way you live and think about life’s dilemma–how to improve and maintain your health and happiness for many years to come. Colorfully written with all-inclusive artist’s palette, Mama’s Home Remedies presents to the reader a spectacular kaleidoscopic tapestry woven of centuries-old herbal remedies, timeless techniques and concepts, intellectual rigor and joyfully recounted anecdotes and folk tales, women’s wisdom, family values and traditions, artistically rendered illustrations and an abundance of humor–all that we hold sacred in life.

Many years ago Mama would gather “the girls” (medical professionals like she was) for tea each Friday in her fragrant, blossoming garden in Moldova. Under a canopy of trees filled with birdsong they’d strengthen their bond of friendship and share stories of the success they’d achieved using natural remedies to treat and heal their patients and neighbors. As each woman recounted her experience, Mama’s daughter, 12 year-old Svetlana, sat attentively on a bench recording in her journal “recipes” for teas, tinctures, infusions and poultices.

Mama’s Home Remedies is a collection of the abundant knowledge of natural health and healing that the young Svetlana garnered in Mama’s tea garden, interwined with her Grandmother’s fairy tales, family vignettes, legends and herbal lore. Filled with easy-to-make, natural healing recipes for common ailments and illnesses–such as allergies, headaches, stress, fatigue, insomnia, asthma, and respiratory problems–this all-encompassing guide to wellness offers a holistic approach that blends alternative treatments with folklore, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality to foster optimal health and joyful living.

The Indie Book Awards Contest was established to recognize and honor the most exceptional independently published books in 70 different categories for the year and is presented by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group in cooperation with Marilyn Allen of Allen O’Shea Literary Agency in New York.

According to Catherine Goulet, Awards Administrator, along with the other Finalists, author Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN achievement will be published at www.IndieBookAwards.com

Mama’s Home Remedies is listed as a Finalist in the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards catalog which will be distributed at Book Expo America in Los Angeles later this month.

Contact us at info@aurorapublishers.com for a sample copy or Press Kit. Complete information is available in downloadable Press Kit in the Media Room at www.aurorapublishers.com

Today you can read thousands of Health News and other  articles about the  flu and colds that make people really sick. How these articles resolve our health problems? We learn that this week,  44 states reported widespread flu activity, up from 31 last week, and US flu season is getting worse. However, vaccine only protects 40 percent of circulating flu bugs. It means that vaccine has been performed poorly. Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed last week that the flu shot is a good match for only 40 percent of this years’s flu viruses.Let’s we’ll compare this statement with some statements from another research. If you will read an article “Study Shows Why the Flu Likes Winter” (by Gina Kolata, New York Times, December 5, 2007) about the study conducted by flu researchers in New York, you will learn that the infection spreads primarily in the winter months. This study states, it has to do with the virus itself and the exact conditions for much of the flu season: cold and dry air where virus is more stable and stays there (in the air) longer.Researchers in New York believe they have solved one of the great mysteries of the flu. Again how this statement can help us if we are already sick or can get sick sooner or later? Dr. Peter Palese, the lead author of the flu study, professor and chairman of the microbiology department at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York does not suggest staying in a greenhouse all winter to avoid the flu. He suggests the best strategy is a flu shot. What about recent statistics from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention that “…the flu shot is a good match for only 40 percent of this year’s flu viruses?” Definitely in 2008 we should examine closely what is our best strategy. A flu shot or some natural alternatives? (more…)

 

Mama’s Home Remedies book was featured in the Winter 2008 issue of Balance Magazine, page 66, READERS’ CHOICE

This magazine is published in South Florida by The Work-Life Balance Institute for Women whose mission is helping other women to find balance in personal and professional life. We hope this book will help many of you in your personal growth.  Discover time-tested secrets of love, kindness, good health, happiness and the pleasures of natural living!

“Packed with nearly 800 remedies and recipes, motivational mottoes, inspirational advice and useful tips, this book provides centuries of healthy wisdom from the personal observations, experiences and life philosophies of several generations of women in one family. This information is presented in an easy-to-read and implement style that even beginners can use to treat common illnesses–including insomnia, digestive complaints, headaches and respiratory problems. It also offers a compilation of natural recipes that can cure a range of ailments.”– Balance Magazine, January 2008, Page 66: Health * Wealth * Happiness, Readers’ Choice