Friday, October 26, 2007

Lightning struck again - All Blacks crash out of the Rugby World Cup once again...


Well lightning struck again recently. The undoubted form and class rugby team of recent years failed at the World Rugby Cup. And brought down in a French ambush once again. What happened?

The All Blacks can beat any team in the world in a series, but in one off sudden death games it gets unstuck.It wins Southern Hemisphere Tri Nations Tournaments nearly every year. The same with The Bledisloe Cup matches against Australia. It thrashed the Lions at home a couple of years ago. It won a grand slam against the Home Nations last year.This year?

Let me tell you that Graham Henry got his own way as coach of the All Blacks and the NZRFU spent 50 million NZ dollars trying to win the RWC.

The All Blacks played wonderful rugby for three years and developed some wonderful players. Henry almost had two players in every position, except he never replaced Tana Umaga at outside centre, and used the world's potentially best fullback,Mils Muliaina, at centre when the other players failed for one reason or other, mostly through injuries.

Graham Henry's reconditioning programme, which saw 22 of the best All Blacks taken out of Super 14 for eight weeks, resulted in the AB's being underdone and injury prone at the business end of the world cup.The South Africans had the right programme, won the Super 14 without the AB's, beat England and won the world cup.Good on them!

Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw, the two best rugby players in world rugby during the last two years, went into the quarter finals against France with injuries that prevented them from lasting the game out. There were other AB's with injuries. Henry wanted and maintained he had two players in every position. There was no back up open side flanker to McCaw,only utility flanker Masoe; and Nick Evans followed Dan Carter to the stands with an injury too!

There are people who want Henry retained as coach. He is a very good coach, but maintained everything he had done was to win the RWC. He was a failure and should fall on his sword.The All Blacks have to have a new coach for the next world cup at home in New Zealand in 2011.The last time they won was at home at the inaugural world cup, where they were light years ahead of the opposition, including beaten finalists, France.

Four more years. congratulations to South Africa and England, special mention to Argentina, and Le Bleus!

The Writers Lounge

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

A Parliamentary punch up outside in the lobby...


In the red corner, Sports Minister, Trevor Mallard; in the blue corner National Party back bencher, Tau Henare:

Two New Zealand MP's punch it out in the lobby, while their colleagues discuss the affairs of the nation.

Parliamentary television showed two MP's leaving the House, and a few minutes later one returned pointing at his face,and continued deep in conversation with an opposition party leader.

The other, a Government Minister, returned even later, gathered his papers and left.

The parliamentary scrap started through typical bad mouthing between members - this time comments about the Minister's failed marriage. He childishly stepped the opposition member outside, where he punched him three times, and was himself grabbed about his throat by Tau Henare. There have been claims that Henare actually grabbed Mallard by the tie first. But that doesn't excuse the crude behaviour of parliamentarians.

He later appeared on television news and apologised for his immature and disgusting behaviour, more common on the streets outside hotel bars in the early hours of the morning.

With a Government Cabinet reshuffle due in a matter of only days, he may well have done his future some significant harm. PM Helen Clark doesn't suffer fools gladly.

The Writers Lounge

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Labour Day isn't valued much in New Zealand these days...


Today is Labour Day here in New Zealand. But in 2007 it is a meaningless celebration. Since the right wing National Party implemented their fascist piece of industrial legislation back in 1991, the Employment Contracts Act, workers in this country have been treated more as a commodity than a valued part of their companies' workforces.

It was a different story back in the Wellington colony of New Zealand in 1840. A carpenter, Samuel Parnell convinced fellow tradesmen that there should be eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation and eight hours for sleep. His resolution was supported by his fellow workers, and fifty years later a parade was held in the streets of the colony to support his EIGHT HOUR day. The Government of the day legislated for a public holiday. This had become a reality by the end of the century.

This holiday was 'Mondayised' for the fourth Monday of October every year. There is a suburb in Auckland, Parnell, named after the working activist.

The present Labour Party, which has led the present government for eight years now, and was born on the backs of working trade unionists in the early part of the 20th Century, has really only modified the worst aspects of the Employment Contracts Act. They owe the workers of this country a huge debt for their continuing support, and have the ability to revive the original meaning of Labour Day. Have they the nous to do so?

The Writers Lounge

Friday, October 12, 2007

Glyconutrients for Health & Wellness - October Newsletter 2007...


Glyconutrients

For Health & Wellness



October Newsletter 2007

To all our new and old friends – Well it’s another month down and one, dare I say it, closer to Christmas yet again. Well, that was a bit naughty, however come December “GMP’s” (Good Manufacturing Practises) and “Safety Standards” will be law in the USA for supplements. This law has just passed through it’s final stages and will be the required law come December this year; this is the start of what will be required globally with supplements. Mannatech has for the last 6 years had all these requirements in place, the majority (over 95% of them) of all other supplement manufacturers have NOT and their choices are comply or close.

Over the past 5 years Mannatech has spent 20 million dollars on scientific research validating “glyconutrients” and many of those studies are being repeated by medical universities and contract agencies to validate them, or have written them up for publication in medical and scientific journals.

Mannatech’s current scientific focus is in the proper function and structure of the cell and how glyconutrients totally work within the body and this research will show just how VITAL taking glyconutrients are in all areas of your health now, and as we age, no matter what age we are, babies to seniors, no matter what challenges us.

We don’t have to wait for all the science to be proven over and over, we just have to take them for long enough in the high enough quantities and give our bodies time to do what it was designed to do “heal, repair, defend itself”.



To patent anything they have to be “new” and unobvious” and I think most of us were a little sceptical when we first learnt of glyconutrients and that’s OK, as throughout history this has been normal for most things new, as anything different to the norm was viewed with scepticism. It is amusing when you look back over history and read about people like Marconi and how he was committed to a mental asylum when he first told people about electricity; today we take it for granted.

5 – 10 years from now glyconutrients will be in almost every home and will be part of the norm.

Just think JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) was against taking vitamins and mineral supplementation right up until 2002 and now they recommend that we do supplement - changes can and do take time.



Today “Glyconutrient” technology is still fairly new and the extensive worldwide research in this area makes it harder for our company to fly under the radar and must have some rival supplement companies, or pharmaceutical companies, a little nervous. There have always been natural supplement products that have been helpful to our health, however, “glyconutrients” are “VITAL” to our health and what we will see, from as early as 2010, glyconutrient “Wellness” products from Mannatech, where you can target an individuals supplementation needs and there will be a greater focus on prevention.



Most of what we put in the newsletters does not come from Mannatech, but from news articles sent in by you guys, or what we pick up via the media. It is then compiled and sent on to our Associates in USA, Canada, UK, Australia and NZ.

What is clear from the information we receive is that what is happening here is also happening in most other countries. This may help you when someone says, “Your science is too new,” or “But I eat real healthy,” or “but I exercise ( whatever ) and don’t need to supplement.” YEAH! RIGHT. I must confess I thought some of that.

Like this from Canada which appeared in The Globe, The Mail and on CTV News recently.

(abridged) Dr Bulford Mason a biochemical nutritionist says “When I hear people (healthcare community) say: You can get all the nutrients you need from food. I ask them: Where is there a shred of evidence that is true? No matter how well we eat, it’s not possible to get adequate nutrition”. We need nutrient dense foods, but the reality is that we are not getting them. Vital vitamins and minerals have dramatically declined in most popular foods including potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, apples. The story is similar for 25 fruits and vegetables that were analysed by government researchers in 1951, 1972, & 1999. Almost 80% of foods tested showed drops in calcium, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine and niacin. Potatoes for example lost 100% vitamin A, 57% vitamin C and iron, 28% of calcium, 50% riboflavin and 18% thiamine. The biggest loser was Broccoli a food that epitomizes the dictates of healthy eating, all 7 of it’s measurable nutrients declined. The cause is modern farming methods, green harvesting, long haul transportation, cool storage and crop breeding are all contributing to the drop in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The results were almost identical to similar research conducted in the US and Britain. We are eating fruits and veges somewhere between rock hard and rotten, not sun, or vine ripened.



Dr Nugent’s continued from last month

We should encourage everyone to be proactive and not reactive when it comes to “Wellness”, as this waiting until we are sick and then looking for a quick fix isn’t working and never will. Unfortunately most of us do wait and we will have some residual carry-over from that approach, however, the earlier we intervene, or the younger we start supplementing, the better the outcome.

According to the World Health Organisation there are over 40 NEW diseases today that we didn’t have, or know about, just a generation ago. With man clearing forests in parts of the world we are seeing new infections we have never seen before, through insect bites and the likes, and NO treatments for them.

Some of the things our doctor may not know, that may cause or exacerbate degenerative disease;-

Aspirin depletes - foliate, vitamin C and zinc

Oral contraceptives deplete – foliate, vitamin B6

Corticosteroids deplete – calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, B6, C,D,K & zinc

Antibiotics deplete – foliate, vitamin B2, K – increases your chances of developing Asthma

Glucophage depletes – vitamin B12, drains energy

Dr Nugent suggested that current medical intervention has us dying longer NOT living longer.



We are part of the “Wellness Revolution” - this revolution like all others will not be lead by regulators, politicians or the likes, but by people like YOU and I making healthy choices.



The Optimal Skin Care Range – The skin is the largest organ of your body. Like the lungs, the skin “breathes” in and out, taking in nutrients and releasing toxins. You may have noticed a trend in the pharmaceutical industry in which more and more prescriptions are being offered in a “patch” or gel form. That is because research shows that introducing substances through the skin is an effective and steady way to get needed medicines directly into the bloodstream. That’s great news when it comes to medicines, but what does that mean to us about skin care? It means that we have to ask two important questions about the products we choose to use to enhance our skin: what’s in it? And is it helpful or harmful? What you put on your body will end up in your body. If you are not using the Optimal Skin Care products, do check them out on the site below.

To view information on the products www.revolutionaryskincare.info





It’s time to ditch our drug habits continued from last month

Throughout human history the leading causes of death have been infection and trauma. Modern medicine has scored significant victories against both, and the major causes of ill health and death are now chronic degenerative diseases, such as coronary artery disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, macular degeneration, cataract and cancer.

Drugs can alleviate symptoms of these diseases, but they do little to alter the underlying disease, which usually continues to deteriorate. Based on the idea of the "magic bullet", developed in the 19th century by the founders of pharmacology such as Robert Koch and Paul Ehrlich, most drugs are designed to block a single step in the complex process leading to the symptoms of illness; a strategy which rarely cures, and is often associated with unpleasant side-effects. Modern medicine is generally practised as crisis management: wait until the diagnosis, then start treatment. But by the time symptoms of these diseases appear, damage has already been done to the body that drugs cannot address. The chronic degenerative diseases - like coronary artery disease and Alzheimer's - have a long latency period before symptoms appear and a diagnosis is made. It follows that the majority of apparently healthy people are "pre-ill". In their bodies are the seeds of the illness which will one day become overt and perhaps kill them.

But are such conditions inevitably degenerative? A truly preventive medicine that focused on the pre-ill, analysing the metabolic errors which lead to clinical illness might be able to correct them before the first symptom appears. Genetic risk factors are known for all the chronic degenerative diseases, and are important to the individuals who possess them. At the population level, however, migration studies confirm that these illnesses are linked for the most part to lifestyle factors- exercise, smoking and nutrition. Nutrition is the easiest of these to change, and the most versatile tool for affecting the metabolic changes needed to tilt the balance away from disease (a point made by the recent World Health Organisation report Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases).



Micronutrient (glyconutrient) depletion. A New Generation of Malnutrition, we consume fewer micronutrients. Most processed food is depleted in micronutrients, and more processed food is being eaten than ever before. Malnutrition is found in developing countries, however a new study shows malnutrition is the major cause of poor health in all developed countries and usually combined with caloric excess. This malnutrition worsens when few micronutrient (glyconutrient) groups are ingested.

However, the pharmaceutical model has also created an unhealthy dependency culture, in which relatively few of us take responsibility for maintaining our own health. Instead, we have handed over this responsibility to health professionals who know very little about health maintenance, or disease prevention. They are taught only how to manage disease, or rather the very late stages of disease, when it becomes symptomatic. We have many palliative drugs, and many ways of suppressing the symptoms of illness, but hardly any cures. When the pharmaceutical industry was founded on the "magic bullets" of Koch and Ehrlich, it started in the wrong place. It should have followed Pasteur who, towards the end of his career, came to the realisation that le terrain (our internal physiology) was all-important.

Nevertheless, pharmaco-nutritional programs are poised to do for degenerative diseases what antibiotics did for infectious illnesses, and the potential health-care cost savings are enormous. The social implications of the prospective changes in public morbidity and mortality, which may represent as many as 25 additional years of healthy middle and old age, will be even more significant.

Not A One Nutrient Solution . . . you need all 8 glyconutrients for good health, and longevity.

Accordingly, a comprehensive and universal program of micronutrient (glyconutrient) support is probably the most cost-effective and safest way of improving general health.

We May Need Far-Sighted Politicians,

In an experiment in Japan and Finland, where instead of drugs, patients nutrition was improved, their health improved dramatically and the costs of treating them fell by in excess of 30%. There are some forces on the side of pharmaco-nutrition. These include the manufacturering of the functional foods and functional food formatted supplements that will make major contributions to public health. It could also come to include some far-sighted politicians who grasp that the next wave of health care will be food, and the point of delivery will shift from the pharmacy.



EFA’s or Omega3 fish oils.. We are often asked what other things outside of improving our diet, glyconutrients, exercise, increasing our intake of water and rest, can we do to gain greater wellness. We mostly recommend EFA’s which help in the fight and prevention of disease. Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) are part of the “Wellness” puzzle, especially during winter, or when sunshine is less, so this is when you should increase their intake. The medical profession is increasingly recognising the benefits and are aware of the imbalance of the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio within most people and the impact that this has on heart disease, cancers, depression, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, diabetes, hyperactivity and ability to concentrate. EFA’s help pregnant women avoid premature births, low birth weights and many other complications.

Our EFA has a higher DHA to EPA ratio than many others on the market. 200 $ 17.60

500 $ 43.00

1000 $ 85.60

Anyone who wishes to purchase them please contact either

Murray & Lyn Bland broughton1@xtra.co.nz Ph 03 302 6678

Or Allan & Barbara allara@xtra.co.nz Ph 03 231 3146



Laughter the best medicine

There once was a blind man who decided to visit Texas. When he arrived on the plane he felt the seats and said, “Wow, these seats are big!” The person next to him answered, “Everything is big in Texas”. When he finally arrived in Texas, he decided to visit a bar. He ordered a beer and got a mug placed between his hands. He exclaimed, “Wow these mugs are big!” The bartender replied, “Everything is big in Texas”. After a couple of beers the blind man asked where the bathroom was located. The bartender replied, “Second door to the right” The blind man headed for the bathroom, but accidentally tripped over and skipped the second door. Instead, he entered the third door which lead to the swimming pool and fell into the pool by accident. Scared to death, the blind man started shouting, “Don’t flush, don’t flush!”



Your thought for the month



Scepticism, is slow suicide Ralph Waldo Emerson



He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.

Arabian Proverb



That’s it for another month; keep well and take your glyco’s!



Good Health,

Allan & Barbara Henry



Lifestyle Choices

“why not get the most out of life”



P.O. Box 553, Invercargill, New Zealand

115 Froggat Road, Longbush RD1, Invercargill

Phone: (03) 231-3146 ~ Fax: (03) 231-3146 ~ Email: allara@xtra.co.nz

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Who is going to be elected in Lower Hutt on Saturday...


Who is going to be elected in Lower Hutt on Saturday? The incumbent, David Ogden,city councillor, Ray Wallace or the well known footballer and commentator,Ken Laban for mayor? Who is going to be elected for council, regional council or health boards?

The best candidates may not be elected in any of the categories because apathetic Lower Hutt residents may not get out and do their civil duty - to vote!

I have witnessed many good left of centre candidates failing to get elected because of voter apathy. I hope the same doesn't happen this time. 'Ken Laban' must be one of the best candidates and persons to stand for the mayoralty for many a year. He could become our first mayor of Polynesian extraction as well.

If you happen to read this before voting day, make sure you have sent your voting papers in. You can vote for whoever you wish, but voter apathy is the arch enemy of democracy. So tell your family, friends and acquaintences to get your votes in. The deadline is noon on this Saturday!

JUST MAKE SURE YOU VOTE BEFORE NOON ON SATURDAY:

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Our special needs grandson's difficult journey to adulthood


We have been raising our special needs grandson for eight and a half years now, since he was eight years old. He has had severe learning and behavioural problems. He was brought to us by our national welfare agency - CYFS - for an emergency placement with us.

Nobody would listen to us about his condition, despite being assessed by his paediatrician at the age of six years. He was assessed with ADHD and comorbid conditions of conduct disorder and oppositional defiance, a minor intellectual handicap which was enough to, according to his doctor, knock him off balance, and severe learning difficulties. He was prescribed, and used Ritalin until he was 14 years old. He cannot read and write at the age of 16 years. His numeracy is much better than his literacy.

He was finally suspended from school at the age of 15 years. He showed aggressiveness - he was physically prevented from leaving a room and reacted accordingly. He was actually a victim of the professional arrogance of senior teachers, a rigid educational system and a reluctance of politicians to grant an increase in the educational vote to special education in New Zealand.

He and school are finally parted now- senior teachers woud never accept what we told them in relation to his learning and his behaviour. They claimed he was fully responsible for his actions, - and I knew he wasn't! However his teachers aides were more sympathetc and helpful, but of course could never directly challenge the authority of the senior teachers.

Early in 2006 he suffered a psychotic episode and wound up in an adolescent psychiatric unit for four weeks. Naturally I won't discuss the reasons why here, but he has been on medication ever since. It has been reduced to a very low dosage, and his ADHD symptoms, which had been suppessed by his medication, have returned, but not to the levels of his younger years. His medication should be permanently stopped in a few months providing there is no relapse.

We now have a young man of 16 years, going on 17 years to help onto his next stage in life. We won't be handicapped by arrogant senior teachers or other know-all's impedng his progress.

After a number of meetings in recent months with various health, welfare and community agencies, our opinions and beliefs have been vindicated, and we can now move forward knowing we all sing from the same song sheet. This can be only good for the young man in question, our grandson.

Since I originally wrote this post on another site, our grandson has had another psychotic relapse and is a very, very ill young man. We wanted him admitted to the youth centre at Rangatahi, but sadly he had to spend two unfortunate weeks at the adult mental health unit at Hutt Hospital. He is getting the best possible treatment at Rangatahi now, and undoubtably will be there for number of weeks.

He has been home again for some time and is being treated by a local doctor and support group. We anticipate a better deal all round. An official complaint has been lodged against Hutt Valley health's CAFS Department.