This Months Topics:
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The New Margarine |
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The Mt. Warning Challenge |
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End of Year Clearance and Introduction To Massage Workshop |
Dear Friends,
It's been another exiting month at Scentual NRG with the first Energy Evening being held on the 12th June at the Robina Community Centre. We were absolutely overwhelmed at the response we received for this event and are planning our next "Insight Night" for Wednesday 29th August 2007. We had 98 people register for this last event and over 20 people were put on a waiting list as we were told the venue would only seat 80. The night was about sharing information on different topics such as Aromatherapy for the Home and Workplace, Finding your Soul Purpose and Instant Energy Lifting Techniques. Congratulations to the many winners of prizes given away on the night totalling over $1000. For those who attended, thank you and we hope you thoroughly enjoyed yourself!
This month we also threw ourselves into a bit of a fitness challenge. With winter upon us, it's easy to just want to curl up in bed and comfort eat to keep warm. NO, NO, not for David and I! Last Sunday we challenged ourselves to the strenuous 8.8klm return climb to the summit of Mt. Warning, inland from the beautiful town of Murwillumbah. For those of you who aren't familiar with Mt. Warning, it is a challenge used by many athletes to test their physical strength and endurance.
This is our 3rd time climbing to the summit and each time we have climbed we have sworn to be more physically prepared for the next time, but never actually are more prepared than the last time. At the start, we are all cheerful and making jokes of what lies ahead, this is short-lived.
Staring up the stairway to torture, I know what lies ahead. After climbing the first 100 steps, or so, the expletives are beginning to surface. I am also in pain, but choose to smile and keep on climbing... knowing full well that the real pain is only just beginning. Another couple of hundred steps later and we're in full sweat with our hearts and lungs working over time, even though it is a cool winter morning and the rainforest is damp from the rain the night before.
The first stage of the summit trail is the ultimate test. Beat the stairs and you'll most likely conquer the mountain. The last 2 sets of stairs appear endless; your feet feel like they're going to explode and your leg muscles are rapidly turning to jelly. If your muscles could talk, they would be screaming abuse at you.
After more than 1000 steps, with no hand rails to help, we stop for a much needed rest. We are well and truly alive. The conversation, centred on self pity, is punctuated by the gulping of breaths and moaning and groaning.
Less than halfway up I am buggered and need to stop for a rest. There is no point racing up as you will get there eventually if you take it easy and I am already dreading the return descent. By the time we near the top, my legs are at melting point.
Soon after starting again, people on their way down pass us and offer encouragement, saying that the top is only minutes away. Yeah right!
As we approach the top, I realise my stupidity at thinking I would be hot by the time I got to the top so wouldn"t need anything more than a t-shirt and shorts. The wind is cold and roaring around the summit and our friend Ann kindly offers her spare wind cheater. I rug up and start the dreaded rock climb up to the summit with only a freezing cold chain aiding in our rise to the top. The rocks are extremely slippery and that chain is extremely cold. Pleased with myself, I am proud of everyone's efforts and persistence. There are already many people at the top, all sitting around soaking up the power and energy of this fine mountain. We are surrounded by clouds. The place is totally socked in, but the achievement nonetheless feels great. The serenity, the silence, in being surrounded by clouds so high above sea level, makes it a special experience.
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Then comes the descent which you would think would be easier as it's all down hill. Well, you would think but the constant pounding and braking and concentration required to stop yourself from slipping is exhausting. My legs are aching, in particular my knees, David has raced ahead and then I see the sign that we are only half way down. It is now that I realise that I am definately going to be sore by the time I reach those 1000 or so stairs.
I take my time and we all reach the bottom and share our experiences over a hot homemade sausage roll and coffee at the local cafe.
All I can say is... what an adventure! It is hard but so worth it when you reach the summit, even if it is clouded in. You really do feel like you are on top of the world.
So I ask, what are you doing to challenge yourself this winter? How about Mt. Warning?
Regards
Duane
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The New Margarine
By Cyndi O'Meara |
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1% Trans Fats in Margarine?
During the month of May I spent my time doing some publicity around Australia for the release of the 2007 edition of Changing Habits Changing Lives. I managed to get to all mediums around the country; radio, TV, magazine and newspaper. I was asked to do a television magazine show in Brisbane and the producer asked me to buy some food that exemplifies the foods we should not eat, so I went to the grocery store (with sunglasses on) and bought margarine, chocolate muffins, dried soups etc. I decided that buying margarine with the trans fat percentages, would dramatically show some good information for television. But as I looked through all the margarines on the shelf there was not one margarine with more then 1% trans fat. I stood puzzled at the fridge wondering; how do they make oil solid at room temperature if they do not hydrogenate the oil (this is the process that produces trans fats).
I thought maybe because most of the margarines were 30% saturated fat that they were using an animal fat or coconut or palm oil, but the food label didn't suggest that.
Home to the computer I started to research what was happening and slowly the puzzle unfolded. There are three ways to solidify a liquid oil at room temperature;
1. Partial Hyrdrogenation
2. Fractionation
3. Interesterification
Since the growing knowledge that trans fats are not good for health, manufacturers of margarine and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils needed to find a substitute. Both Fractionation and Interesterification have been used in the food industry for several decades but only since the publics growing awareness of the bad affects of trans fats has there been a need to dramatically change. Most margarine manufacturers in Australia now use a combination of fractionation and interesterification, depending on the product, although some still use complete hydrogenation.
I'm always dubious about processes that change technologically, the physical and chemically properties of food, so of course I looked up the ramifications of both. I didn't find too much on fractionation except that it is a process that uses solvents in order to separate the solid and liquid fats. The solvents that are usually used are acetone and hexane, plus the oil is heated, then other processes are done to separate the solid part of the oil from the liquid part of the oil and then more is added to give it the right taste and colour.
Interesterification of oils proved to be more studied but only slightly, a very recent study found that interesterifciaton produces some molecules that are rare or nonexistent in nature. The fats known as IF's (interesterifcation fats) negatively affect LDL and HDL cholesterol although a slightly weaker impact on cholesterol as compared to trans fats.
But what was astounding was that it changed sugar metabolism and decreased insulin production. The study showed that in one month the consumption of IF's raised blood glucose from a normal level to pre-diabetic. This further elevation of blood glucose and reduction in insulin levels could be dangerous to those who are already predisposed to diabetes. Further studies are needed, but this study has raised real concerns about the use of IFs to replace trans fats, especially if they are used widely and without the knowledge of consumers.
Interesterified fats are being marketed big-time around the world as a replacement for trans fats. We made a big mistake with trans fats 40 or 50 years ago. Let's not make the same mistake now.
Don't be a consumer that becomes a guinea pig in yet another food experiment, become a powerful and conscious consumer who does not support the food manufacturers that do not support your health. Question manufacturers and don't buy anything unless it has been made by nature. Tell your friends and family about this, send this e-mail to as many people as you can. The information that I send through this newsletter is updates from the book, direct people to the book Changing Habits Changing Lives in order to create a greater awareness of the trickery and misconceptions of the food industry.
Cyndi O'Meara
About Cyndi
Not your typical nutritionist, Cyndi disagrees with low-fat, low-calorie diets, believes chocolate can be good for you and thinks cheating and eating yummy food is an important part of a well-balanced diet. Cyndi must be doing something right because she maintains a healthy weight and has never (in her whole life!) taken an antibiotic, pain-killer or any other form of medication.
Her unique, surprisingly simple and down-to-earth approach challenges and encourages others to eliminate unhealthy habits and has inspired thousands to make smarter choices about the food they choose to put into their body. By educating people on how to read food labels, why diets don’t work, and how drugs can affect your total well-being and vitality, Cyndi confronts her audiences with new truths and empowers them to make long lasting changes with simple and achievable steps on how to create healthier habits.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Nutrition from Deakin University in Victoria and the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. Cyndi also undertook postgraduate studies from RMIT Victoria in human anatomy, pathology, physiology and diplomas in diagnosis and management of health issues.
A highly successful and award-winning businesswomen, Cyndi was named Sunshine Coast Business Women of the Year in 2003. In every aspect of her life, she looks outside coventional thinking to find new ways of balancing her time with family, business and good health to create a wonderful, balanced lifestyle.
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The Missing Link Book
By Julie Kay
For those of you who missed out on last months newsletter, I spoke about a book I had read recently and how much it had changed the way I look at my life. "The Missing Link" revolves around the Physical, Mental and Spiritual Powers of Self. Usually if things aren't going the way you would have liked in your life and you seem to keep having that same fate, one of these areas of your life is out of balance. When you truly discover your missing link, you can start making powerful changes to your life.
This book is definately a must read for everyone. If you have heard of "The Secret", this book takes it to a whole new level. It's not enough to just visualise, you need to visualise and take action. ACTION being the most important!
SPECIAL OFFER for readers of our newsletter will receive a free Buddha Incense Holder with every purchase of "The Missing Link" to help you get in touch with your spiritual self plus free postage anywhere in Australia.
PRICE - $25.00 includes postage & free Buddha Incense Holder
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Dolphin Personal Massager
The Dolphin massager is a powerful yet portable massager so you can treat yourself anywhere there is a power point any time.
It has similar features as professional units like the Zen Physio but is predominantly designed for personal use.
Its vibratory action can be applied as a relaxing effleurage, or firmer for deep tissue and trigger release work.
Free spasmodic muscles, improve circulation and revive tired bodies. Anywhere any time.
PRICE - WAS $75.00 NOW $69.00 includes postage
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Deep Tissue Massage Cushion
Two internal hands consisting of six kneading fingers work in unison to give you a gentle relaxation or deep muscular manipulation session at variable speeds.
This cushion is not to be mistaken as a superficial vibrating cushion, it has a real therapeutic effect. Relax in your favourite chair or lounge, place your cushion behind the neck, then simply lean forward and let the cushion work its way down and enjoy a truly sensational massage.
Ideal to relieve tired sore muscles and break down tension and stresses that are placed on the body daily.
The cushion is suitable to massage the feet, arms, hands and legs.
Now you can end every day with a great relaxing body massage.
PRICE - WAS $185.00 NOW $109.00 includes postage
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THIS WEEKEND - DON'T MISS OUT!
Learn how to massage your friends and family to soothe their stress and tension, banish their headaches and reduce their back pain. Discover how massage assists the circulation, improves digestion, encourages the elimination of cellular waste and reduces muscular and nervous tension.
This two day workshop will provide you with all the basic skills and techniques of Swedish massage – effleurage, tapotement and petrissage – enabling you to use massage on your friends and family, to ease tension, tone and strengthen the muscles, increase vitality and improve mental and physical health.
You will be working in pairs, taking turns to massage each other, discovering how each movement should feel as well as learning correct methods and procedures.
Your investment: $130.00 per person or $110.00 per person if you bring a friend or partner
Time: Saturday and Sunday 9.00am-4.00pm
Date: 30th June and 1st July 2007
Duration: 12 hours
What to bring: Please bring along a pen and note paper. Notes, massage tables, massage oils and morning tea provided. Please wear loose comfortable clothing and bring along 4 towels and 1 hand towel
Location: 5 Jutland Place, Currumbin
Bookings are limited to 12 people!
Book Now!
Phone: 5576 5265 or book online at
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