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Breakfast bonus

Without doubt, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it’s also the most neglected meal.

Without doubt, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it’s also the most neglected meal. Nearly half of young adults regularly skip breakfast and over 10% report rarely or never eating it. If you sometimes enjoy a sleep in more than a bowl of muesli or simply down a coffee on the way to work, these impressive breakfast bonuses should find you setting the alarm clock a little earlier. Energy to get up and go Breakfast is vital to “break the fast” from the overnight slumber and provide fuel to get going in the morning. A healthy, balanced breakfast can provide a sustained release of energy to keep you charged well into the day, by regulating blood sugar levels and reducing fatigue. Nutrition to the max The right choices at breakfast can maximise your nutrition status. Research has shown that people who eat breakfast are more likely to eat more dietary fibre and less fat; achieve the recommended dietary intake of essential vitamins and minerals and have overall better eating habits than people who skip. A weight off your mind Eating breakfast can help people stay in shape. In fact missing breakfast has been associated with being overweight. Research confirms that breakfast eaters of all ages are more likely to be in the healthy weight range. Mood boost Breakfast can also put you in the right frame of mind. Choosing a breakfast with adequate carbohydrate content is associated with a more positive mood, feelings of calmness and less stress. Mind power Research has shown that eating breakfast can have significant effects on learning, particularly memory tasks such as memory recall. Children who breakfast have better concentration, are more likely to be receptive to learning in the schoolroom and perform better at creativity tasks.

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Psoriasis

Psoriasis

By Annette Campbell

Geoff Graham was thrilled when the natural cream he developed eased the pain of his baby son’s eczema. He was delighted when it also helped his own battle with the frustrating skin condition. And now, he is over the moon that it’s helping hundreds of thousands of others.

On May 17, 2004, Woman’s Day magazine ran a story about Geoff and his creation. The phones have hardly stopped ringing since.

“The feedback has been phenomenal,” he says. “It’s obviously something people need and if I can help, then that’s brilliant. Especially because I know exactly the kind of discomfort people are living with.”

Geoff, now 35, was born with eczema and at only three-months old had one of the worst cases of the condition reported at the time. Over the years he tried all sorts of lotions and potions, but nothing gave him long-term relief.

When his son Ryan was born, it broke Geoff’s heart to see that he had it too.

“I said to my wife, Shannon, ‘I’ve got to do something about this, for Ryan’,” he recalls.

This determined duo read all they could about skin and skin problems, especially psoriasis and eczema. They spoke with doctors and dermatologists and came up with their own “recipe” for a soothing cream.

Geoff put aside his plans to become a commercial pilot and they ploughed their cash savings — about $14,000 — into starting their business.

“The essential ingredients we decided on were Manuka honey, as it kills bacteria on skin; emu oil because it’s full of vitamins E and A; and the herbal extracts calendula, gotu kola and propolis because of their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties,” Geoff explains.

Friends and relatives tried it first and the feedback was so positive that they went ahead with plans for mass-production. Now Graham’s Natural Alternatives boasts a range of 10 products for sensitive skin including bath oil, soap, shampoo, conditioner and a liquid called Mega Oil. They are also in the process of launching a natural treatment for head lice for people with sensitive skin.

Geoff and Ryan, who is now seven, both continue to take the Mega Oil complex every day to maintain their healthy skin. And apart from his own physical relief, Geoff is thrilled that he is now providing a solution for so many others.

“It’s an absolutely amazing feeling,” he says.

Graham’s Natural Alternatives are available in all health food shops and some pharmacies nationally. For more information phone (07) 5596 1708 or visit their website:

www.eczema-psoriasis.com

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I met my partner through a sexy magazine

Eight years ago my long-term boyfriend and I broke up under amicable circumstances. He seemed to move right on to a new relationship but I sat around the house wondering how I was ever going to meet anyone new.

At the age of 40 I felt I was past my prime and I didn’t have any clues about where I could go to meet eligible, single men. I wasn’t interested in going to nightclubs or wine bars. All my friends were married so I had no-one to go out with, even if I had somewhere to go.

Saturday nights passed uneventfully while I watched television at home. I started to fear that I was going to be companionless for the rest of my life. It hadn’t occurred to me that a great number of single people are quite happy living by themselves, leaving it to fate to meet the right person one day. I wasn’t used to being by myself and I decided to do something about it.

It started with a fairly innocent advertisement in the local newspaper. I did get some replies but I didn’t seem to click with anybody. I was also quite surprised that a large number of the respondents admitted they were married and that they were looking for a diversion. I was rather downhearted by this turn of events and decided that the competition in lonely hearts columns was too great.

I mentioned my dilemma to a male friend who showed me a sex magazine that he purchased regularly. He suggested that I answer one of the personal advertisements in that. I was quite shocked by his suggestion and also by the type of personal ads featured in the magazine. It certainly seemed to cater to every sort of weird taste.

I was too scared to answer any of the ads that I saw so I decided to bite the bullet and put in my own. I was curious to see what would happen. If I didn’t like a reply, I didn’t have to answer.

My ad said I was “a 35-year-old, ready for anything”. I certainly received a lot of replies — about 30. I was surprised by the very polite and respectful letters. Some of the photos also looked quite interesting. Suddenly I felt the thrill of adventure!

I excluded all the replies that obviously came from married men and then I replied to the most appealing letters from the rest. I never once felt that I was doing anything dangerous. When I met the respondents they always acted absolutely normal in every way.

I met five men in total. After first meeting in a coffee shop we would decide if we wanted to meet again. All of them were very sexy company but I was back to square one — without a partner. Then the final letter arrived.

It was quite a funny letter and I liked the look of the man in the photo. He said that he was separated from his wife and was looking for company as he never went out. I replied and he invited me to dinner in a restaurant.

From the first moment I met him I felt comfortable with him. He was the same age as me (40, not 35!) and we had the same interests and outlook on life. In fact we were perfect for each other! Within a month we had moved in together and we have lived together ever since.

Although some would feel that our meeting was not auspicious, I would have to say that I couldn’t hope to meet a more faithful partner. He is the most attentive man I have ever met. The only problem is that I tend to flinch when anyone asks me how we met. I usually mumble something about meeting him at a party and then change the subject!

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Socialise your dog

Question:

Socialise your dog off the lead as much as possible. This is getting easier and easier, with more safe, off-lead parks being made available.

Answer:

Dogs can’t interact with each other the way they like to when they’re on a lead and even really placid dogs can get over-excited if they can’t engage with a new friend the way they like to.

If dogs are allowed to do their thing in a safe, controlled environment as often as possible, then they’ll generally be much more responsive when you need them to be. Melanie, Armidale.

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Noisy cat

Question:

After neighbours complained, we have been trying to keep our 14-year-old Burmese cat inside at night. He has everything he needs but he still miaows all night until we let him out at 5am. Is he too old to change his ways? Julie, Pelican Waters, Qld

Answer:

Cats are by nature more active at night, and a 14-year-old cat that has previously been able to roam all night long is not going to take too kindly to being locked up. But he’ll have to get used to it! It will just take some time and patience.

What you can’t do is go to him or let him out while he’s miaowing. This tells him that if he miaows, he gets what he wants. Kick him out during the day so he tires himself out a bit and don’t feed him until you call him in at night. He should come because he’ll be hungry and after dinner he should relax a bit.

If he has everything he needs (litter tray, food, water and a warm bed), you don’t need to worry — it’s now just a battle of wills. Let him out in the morning but only when he is quiet. A few nights of not getting up to go to him at all should cure him of his early morning miaowing for good.

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I stripped my way through uni

My main ambition in life is to become a TV newsreader or presenter — maybe the next Sandra Sully or Catriona Rowntree. I’m dedicated to achieving my goals.

I recently graduated from Griffith University in Brisbane after completing an art and communications course. And what an eventful four years I had! I was forced to lead a double life, my day-to-day activities clouded in secrecy.

As a single, cash-strapped student I had to earn several hundred dollars a week to pay for my tuition, rent, food, transport and clothes. I’d left home at 16 and from that day had been proudly independent.

There wasn’t enough money in stacking grocery shelves or washing dishes to support me, so I made the decision to put my best assets to use. I’m quite attractive and have a good sense of fun, and I’m not afraid to try something new … so I decided to take up stripping.

I was 19 and in my first year of study when I began. Having worked on the door of a nightclub that held weekly amateur strip nights, I already had an insight into the industry. I registered as a freelance stripper with an agency and got myself an ABN number to make sure it was all professional.

I’ll never forget my first night. I had to strip at a private party and had major butterflies in my stomach, but when my chosen AC/DC song came on, I soon got into the swing of things. The cheers of the crowd made me even more relaxed and confident. It was a hugely exhilarating experience and the money was great.

On a good week I’d make up to $1500, which meant I could afford a one-bedroom apartment and a car. It was more money than I could have hoped for, and it paid the bills while I studied hard.

By day I was the quiet, learned scholar, and by night I was shedding my clothes at corporate functions, bucks’ nights and birthday bashes while most of my fellow students were tucked into bed.

I wasn’t at all ashamed of showing off my body, but I was terrified someone would recognise me and spread the word at uni. I still find it amazing that in my four years of study I stripped hundreds of times, yet no-one recognised me. Or perhaps they didn’t mention it.

My family knew of my after-hours job and were fine about it, but I told only one friend. I was worried about being put down. However, I think it’s honourable to work for money rather than live on welfare.

I graduated two months ago and I’m busy looking for my break into TV or print media. Maybe my story might inspire someone to give me a chance!

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Bad perm

Question:

I had a disastrous perm and it’s left my hair incredibly dry and frizzy. What can I do?

Anon, via e-mail.

Answer:

Next time you decide to have a perm, ensure your hair is in top condition, as dry, porous hair can become coarse and brittle.

However, to rescue a bad perm I suggest you have two centimetres cut off each layer, followed by an intensive salon treatment that uses a steamer to allow penetration of the cuticle layer. Then buy a shampoo and conditioner for dry and damaged hair. Pantene have a range for dry, damaged hair.

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Eating disorders

Eating disorders

By Annette Campbell

Tracie Fielding never used to like what she saw in the mirror.

The now 17-year-old from the western suburbs of Brisbane, QLD, remembers running to her room and crying after being called “hippo” by her brother, when she weighed 57kg at the age of 10.

As a young teen she was painfully aware that the boys preferred to stare at her “gorgeous” friends. So, at the ripe-old age of 14, she decided that she had to do something about her weight.

She tried a few diets that didn’t work, and then started jogging on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day. This soon became 30 minutes twice a day and then Tracie was jogging for up to 60 minutes, twice a day. At the same time, she was eating less and less.

Within only a few months Tracie had lost loads of weight – and was firmly in the grip of an eating disorder.

“I was so ecstatic with the results that I thought if I ate anything and then didn’t workout afterwards, the weight would simply pile back on,” she says.

During a routine appointment, the local G.P. noticed straight away how skinny Tracie had become.

“I was 169cm tall and weighed 55kg,” Tracie recalls. “The doctor explained I should be at least 60kg, and warned me that unless I put on weight, I would end up being sick. But of course I didn’t listen. I still thought I was too fat.”

So Tracie continued eating only an apple and yoghurt for breakfast, an apple for lunch and nothing for dinner. And she was still exercising for two hours every day.

It was only when she saw herself in some family photos, that Tracie suddenly, truly understood how sick she was.

“I was at my lowest weight of 49kg and I knew that I had to do something,” she says. “So I went to see the guidance counsellor at school, broke down crying and told her everything. That afternoon mum and I talked and cried and I made her a promise that I was going to get better.”

From that day, Tracie cut-down the amount of exercise she was doing and made a determined effort to eat more and more each day.

Now she weighs a much healthier 60kg, is happier than ever and is keen to help others battling with eating disorders.

“I used to think that to be skinny was to be beautiful and that everyone will notice you…I was wrong,” she says. “And for others going through what I went through – don’t judge yourself from the outside but look at yourself from the inside because that’s where the true beauty is.”

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Foundation

Question:

I want to know how to apply my foundation so I get a polished clear skin. I always find that after applying it I end up looking older and more lined. Sue, via email.

Answer:

Apply your foundation with a damp, flat synthetic sponge starting down the centre of the face and blending outwards. This ensure there is no foundation build-up around the hairline.

Avoid applying foundation around the eye area if you have a few lines as this will only accentuate them. Avoid powder as well.

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Allergic to cats

Question:

I have a five-year-old cat and a boyfriend who is allergic to cats. He itches, has trouble breathing and can’t stay over because I share my bed with my cat. Please help – giving up either is not an option. Frustrated, Waramanga ACT

Answer:

If you want your man to stay over, you will have to make the bedroom off limits to the cat, which it will get used to.

Regular vacuuming and grooming puss to remove loose hair may help but the allergy is to the cat dander, which will be floating through the air as well as everywhere else.

Your boyfriend can speak to his doctor about desensitising vaccinations, use anti-histamines and handle the cat minimally – making sure he washes his hands well afterwards (and doesn’t rub his eyes).

It is a common problem, but with a bit of compromise you can have harmony without getting rid of either of the two men in your life!

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