Wednesday, October 31, 2007

cancer & weight link

Watch weight to cut cancer risk: study
People should aim to be as lean as possible without becoming underweight if they want to cut their risk of cancer, a major international study said.
In what it claims is the largest ever investigation into lifestyle and cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund says body fat and obesity are more closely linked to the disease than previously thought.
The study recommends avoiding adult weight gain, steering clear of sugary drinks and alcohol, not eating processed meats like bacon or ham and limiting red meat consumption to cut the risk of cancer.
Report project director Martin Wiseman said the advice was the best possible based on all the scientific research completed to date.
"This report is a real milestone in the fight against cancer because its recommendations represent the most definitive advice on preventing cancer that has ever been available anywhere in the world," Professor Wiseman said.
"These recommendations are not based on one study but are based on 7,000."
A panel analysed 7,000 cancer studies from around the world dating back to the 1960s.
Sir Michael Marmot, who chaired the panel, said people should aim to be as lean as possible within the healthy range.
"This might sound difficult, but this is what the science is telling us more clearly than ever before," he said.
"The fact is that putting on weight can increase your cancer risk, even if you are still within the healthy range.
"So the best advice for cancer prevention is to avoid weight gain, and if you are already overweight then you should aim to lose weight."
People with a Body Mass Index (BMI), a calculation which takes into account height and weight, of between 18.5 and 25, are deemed to be within a healthy weight range.
The study says their risk increases as they head towards the 25 mark, however, and recommends people try to be as close to the lower end as possible.
Two-thirds of cancer cases are not thought to be related to lifestyle.
But the report said there was "convincing" evidence that body fat played a key role in the development of cancers of the colon and breast - some of the most common forms of the disease.
The report also links the kind of food consumed to cancers, especially colorectal ones.
In particular, researchers say people should stop eating processed meats and limit the consumption of red meat to 500g a week.
They also say alcohol should be avoided to cut the risk of cancer, but accept that drinking small amounts could help protect against other diseases.
No more than two drinks a day for a man, and no more than one for a woman were suggested.
Sugary drinks should be avoided because they promote weight gain, and fruit juice consumption should also be reduced, according to the study.
The report also urges breastfeeding to protect against cancer, arguing it may reduce breast cancer in the mother and prevent obesity in the child, although this has not been proven.
Source: AAP

Monday, October 29, 2007

Hectic times

Well, life's been busy busy busy... no time for reading or writing blogs! But this came in my inbox today... and it's worth a post:

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Thank god it's Friday

...especially since it's the last Friday I need to be at work for a whole blessed week! Yay.
Still, it means next week will be filled with horseing, playing with the dogue, painting the house, exercising and making bubbly stuff at home...more hubble bubble toil & trouble. I want to make things similar to the Lush bubble bars.... watch this space ;-)

If you hear on the news of any explosions happening in Wollongong, well, maybe it's just me and a bad experiment.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

More Equine influenza ranting

Okay, to whoever out there that's listening... this has gone on for more than long enough. People are losing their income, losing their jobs, losing their horses all because the DPI completely bungled the whole handling of this outbreak from the start.

We are not the first country to suffer from EI - but it's the first time we have - so why didn't the powers that be call in overseas assistance in best practice for containment and eradication? Why did they foolishly think that a 'containment' plan by isolation would work in this country?

Did they tell all the ducks, deer, cockatoos etc that hang around picking up scraps of feed from infected snotty nosed horses that they should ensure they disinfect themselves before heading off to the neighbouring properties to do the same, or to swim in the dam where other horses may drink? Possibly not.

Only high value horses and those few that are in the miniscule 'buffer' zones are being vaccinated - well, sorry you d!ckheads but my horse is pretty valuable to me - even though in the eyes of the government he's expendable, along with all the little lives already lost, and the mares that have gone into premature labour only to lose their foals that they have been carrying for 11 months. Oh, and what about the people that have to fork out for all the bute, the decongestant and antibiotic drugs for their horses at around $200 a pop? All because the Government FAILED in its duty of care to ensure adequate procedures were being constantly carried out at the AQIS facility at Eastern Creek!!!

THIS IS CRIMINAL. WAKE UP DPI, WAKE UP GOVERNMENT, THIS WILL BE AN ELECTION ISSUE....

aaah. okay, off my soapbox for now.


Lucky I went kickboxing last night - this could have been much worse ;-)

Monday, October 08, 2007

Gotta love that sweat!

Last night's kickboxing class was really hard. Our instructor, Rosanna Lavelle is fighting on 19 October, and she's a third dan black belt... so I think she's currently in hard training mode... so, consequently are we ! I was literally dripping at the end of the class, so all in all, well worth it!

Got in another Afterburn training session this morning, again only 2 sets, but managed to fit it in after my 20 minute terror/terrier walk.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Shark or dolphin?

Well, I cannot wait until daylight saving kicks in - I wake up in a panic at 5am thinking I've slept in at the moment...only to find I could safely sleep for at least 45 minutes more...

Anyhow, we went down the beach this morning, Tamsin and I - and down the Northern end of the beach I looked out at the waves and just saw this fin cutting the surface and disappearing again. Just one, lone fin.

I am thinking more shark than dolphin. Didn't see any other fins, and ... it didn't really look dolphin fin-ish...

Glad I'm not swimming down there today :-)

Off to kickboxing tonight - it's great resuming some semblance of a normal routine again. I am such a creature of routine and habit - as sound as that sounds, but I absolutely detest having my routine mucked around and not being able to do all that I had planned in a week. Makes for one cranky Caroline!

After feeling dizzy all last week, my left gland has been swollen and that side of my throat kinda scratchy... I'm thinking must be a bit of an ear infection from the cold residue - courtesy of my deviated septum thanks to faceplanting off a horse many moons ago.

blind english referees?

Okay, here is a quick world cup rant.

Firstly...how on earth did England beat Australia in the rugby??? I have this thing against English rugby. They turn it into soccer with an oval ball. Guys, you're meant to run with the ball and score tries... not just rely on one player to boot the ball over the goal posts.

Secondly... well, I knew my beloved All Blacks would choke...just not this soon..and not to FRANCE. FRANCE of all countries...!!! Sacre bleu!
But - at least it's mainly down to the blind ENGLISH referee allowing a forward pass which then became the winning try.
Hmmm.

I hereby renounce my English citizenship.

Um. Go Fiji.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Aaaah sunshine

It never ceases to amaze me how much happier and brighter I always feel when the day dawns and it is bright sunshine & blue blue skies...
but then it hits me that I have to spend the entire day stuck in an office.
Oh well, c'est la vie! Missed a call from Fernwood at Woonona yesterday, but they didn't leave a message so I don't know who to call back.. I hate that. Hopefully they'll call back today and hopefully it will be to say yes, I can do my 20 hrs practical there. Don't want much do I?!

Went for a jog on the beach this morning with the little chunky monkey... actually managed to tire her out, so she didn't need an additional play with the ball afterwards. We just jogged both lengths , so about 1.6 km.

Tomorrow is supposed to be HOT HOT HOT and windy - mmm coupled with bored school kids on holidays tends to = bushfires.

Was going to go to Ikea to get some bits and pieces to make our spare bedroom into a big walk in wardrobe, but..think I might wait until it's not going to be so hot. The last thing I want to do is have to go out West to my horse in the early afternoon when it will be at it's hottest and windiest.

So...my plan is: get up, take the chunky one down the beach for a quick run, come home, do an Afterburn workout, shower, breakfast up to the horse to check wound and temperature & snot free zones.

Enjoy the warmth for the rest of the day.. maybe do some housepainting. Then my sister and her partner are over for barbeque dinner.

Then Sunday I actually need to make some peppermint & lavender foot cream for an order for a lady at work... best get in and do some hubble bubble toil & trouble!! Need to make more soap too in time for Christmas - it takes a month to cure, but it's better if you leave it longer to really get nice and hard, otherwise too fresh and it lasts 5 minutes.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Kickboxing & Beach

Okay, I am officially tired..
I went to kickboxing last night - and it was stifling in there given it got to 35 degrees here yesterday. Luckily we had a nice cool change come through around 8pm, but this morning when I got up at 5.15am it was pretty cool.
Did our beach workout again this morning, similar to last week's but instead of soft sand runs all the time (we only did one) we did lots of hard sand sprints in between our boxing, kickboxing & abwork.
We're out to lunch today for one of the girl's birthdays at work - so off to Vietnamese - at leat we can have a good healthy option for a lunch out!

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

A new bright & sunny day!!!

Well, woke up this morning literally stumbling out of bed all dizzy.... interesting head spins!
I have emailed the NSW Kennel Council or Dogs NSW whatever they're called now to complain about the unethical behaviour shown by one of their registered breeders. I have written to said breeder complaining that she broke a contract and acted in an unethical abhorrent manner after we had invested so much, personally, financially, and all of our time wasted - let's face it, I don't have a lot of spare time to waste another 12 hours of my weekends on visiting a dog that isn't going to be mine.
Blah.
Anyhow
onwards and upwards.
Rosa is now Tamsin Starburst - yes, it started out as a joke name, but it kinda suits .... and she comes to it...
We are finding out so much about this poor little chunky monkey. I found a tattoo in her ear the other day which according to my vet means that she has been through the RSPCA or another rescue organisation when she was desexed - they do it so that they don't open them up again if they return to them.
She's afraid of men - sometimes.
We went out to dinner with friends on Saturday night, and when I opened the door I heard a 'thud'. As I walked into the house she rounded the corner and saw me - straight away her tail rammed between her legs and her ears went flat back and she made this mewling sound - she had been up on the bench and thought she was going to get belted. Well. Yes. I am a sucker and you can't chastise a dog when it's after the fact, ie she wasn't caught in the act of being on the bench. Not that I would do anything other than make a loud noise. So, of course when I saw/heard the fear in her, I melted into a gooey pile of slush and gave her welcome home cuddles. The last thing I want or need is for her to feel anything other than totally safe and secure in our home. Poor little angel, I feel she must have suffered a few beltings in her time and she's not a bad dog - just a little misunderstood.
There is much work to be done with her, so not having the puppy coming home so soon is probably a godsend for us - we can really focus on training/socialisation with her until she feels totally safe.

But back to this morning - what a hot day we are going to have! 32 degrees, but WINDY. Tamsin and I went for a run down the beach and had a lovely time splashing through the water.
AND I get to go back to kickboxing tonight - which should be HARD work I am sure.

Monday, October 01, 2007

Equine Influenza

warning..rant about to happen.



It's now been 6 weeks since the first outbreak of this EI epidemic. Only now have horses started receiving vaccinations - but who's been getting them? Geez predominantly racehorses, so that racing can go on - the mighty punter will prevail to ensure the government stops losing more money out of gambling coffers...



The information from the DPI is frankly scant and inaccurate - you try and keep as updated as possible, but they don't report the real truths - the amount of horses that are dying from secondary complications, things like colic and pneumonia. Mares are aborting foals, foals are dying. And who has to foot the bill for all of the treatment? the hapless owners. As if we don't have enough vet bills to contend with on a regular basis.



Now I just sit and wait until my horse gets EI which should be..ooh, roughly in the next few weeks given the rapid spread - it's marching southwards, and gee, we just happened to sit in the shire above the buffer zone. Not that the buffer zone is much of a buffer zone - 300 horses near Mittagong - out of how many thousands.. like that's going to stop any spread further South? Doh.

stop lurking..


Unethical behaviour

I rang our ridgeback breeder on Friday to see how 'our' little boy was going and to organise pickup for next weekend. I was abruptly spoken to, and asked 'had I not received her letter?', to which I replied 'no'.. she then informed me that she had bad news, that she had decided to keep the puppy and she had returned our deposit moneys in this letter.
Now, if this is how registered breeders treat people, then they certainly give backyard breeders a better name...
I was so upset. I emailed another breeder who had said she was mating her bitch just around the time we had been offered our pup. This other breeder said she wasn't surprised as the breeder had done the same thing to her 6 years ago, so she said obviously nothing much has changed in that time!!!
I think I'll report her to the kennel council for this - it really is not on - to take a deposit and allow someone to travel 8 hours visiting the puppy in the belief they would be taking this puppy home in 8 weeks is just inexcusable.
Grrrrrrrrr.