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Laughing is good for your health. There is a veritable roll call of measurable benefits to be gained from having a giggle, such as…

♥ Reduction of stress hormones, increase in feel-good hormones like endorphins
♥ Physical & emotional release
♥ Workout for the heart & internal organs
♥ Distraction from problems
♥ Connection with others

With this in mind and on the hunt for something different to do on a Friday night with a friend, I stumbled across Friday Night Stand Up @ Lazy Susans Comedy Den, at The Brisbane.

I’d never been to The Brisbane before and found it to be a delightful and elegantly styled ‘pub’ / venue. The Comedy Den is located upstairs (you just have to traverse what must be the steepest staircase in all of Perth to reach it!)

We were seated in a really cute room reminiscent of Seinfeld, as I and other audience members noted and at 8.30pm the acts started. There were three comedians & a host (who was also, surprise surprise, a comedian!)

Here are my thoughts about the evening in general: I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!

It was the best night out I’ve had in ages, my cheeks were hurting from laughing so much. All of the comedians were fantastic and I would honestly recommend it to EVERYONE I know. The performers vary from week to week, some of them are Perth based and others are touring acts. All are designed to get you chortling, which they do!

I should note that there were plenty of swear words, politically incorrect jokes and references to sex, so if this offends, it’s probably best to give this comedy night a miss.

Friday Night Standup costs $18 (you can book at BOCS or tickets on the door if there are any left) and it went for a little over two hours. Well worth the money and I left with a huge smile and, I’m sure, plenty of endorphins racing around my body!

Lazy Susans Comedy Den runs comedy nights Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday! So you have no excuse not to get some humour & good health into your week!

I’m not sure who Lazy Susan actually is, but she’s 130% onto a winner.

Upstairs @ the Brisbane Hotel
Cnr Brisbane & Beaufort St
Highgate Perth, WA 6003

Email: solongley@yahoo.com

Tel: (08) 9328 2543

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Virtual Reality Therapy (photo supplied by Vision Counselling)

Always up for something new in the quest for stress reduction and wellbeing, a few weeks ago I decided to take part in some Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT). It sounded pretty “space age” and my initial thoughts drifted to popping on some goggles and talking to a robot therapist who would then magically remove all stress from my life.

While only half of my dream bubble came true (I’ll have to find a robot therapist ELSEWHERE!), I was quite delighted by my VRT experience and will explain my findings to you below, cos that’s what I’m here for!

I chose the Stress Reduction VRT, they also have one to assist with quitting smoking.

♥ The therapist, Katie Larkin, explained the whole process thoroughly, I signed some forms to indicate I didn’t have any conditions that may make VRT inappropriate, for example, it is not recommended for severely claustrophobic individuals, although I have to note that I am slightly claustrophobic, however was completely fine during the session.

♥ Seated in a very comfy chair with my legs up and cushions to snuggle into, I put on the VR goggles & headphones. The video started and I was transported to a world where there are gardens, monks, flowing rivers, birds and a tale being narrated about all of the above…

♥ After a while, some hypnotic spirals start integrating into the visual track, after this it gets a little hazy but I’ll do my best to remember!

♥ I’m asked to imagine leaving my body, and am now without the constraints of time & distance (so says my narrator!), so I travel to Northern China to meet with the monks in their garden & monastery.

♥ Travelling across space & time was my favourite part of the whole experience, I was really in the moment and it just felt really ‘right’ and possible, as peculiar as that may sound. In my semi-hypnotised state, I spent some time with the monks reflecting, breathing and being.

♥ I don’t really remember the point where I had to come back to full consciousness, but I definitely didn’t want to go to work afterwards! I felt very calm, relaxed and like I could possibly go to sleep again right then and there!

Overall it was a very positive experience that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend, however at $100 for an hour session it is expensive. That said it is a therapy generally used in conjunction with counseling to address issues on a conscious level as well as subconscious (VRT), so I would suggest it to be suitable for those who are struggling with issues such as stress management, depression & anxiety, or trying to break habits, such as smoking.

Alternatively, if you have money to spare & are keen to try different forms of relaxation then definitely give this a whirl! A course of 4-6 is recommended to see longer lasting benefits.

Therapist: Katie Larkin
Location: Vision Counselling

Vivacious Living Centre
Upper Floor
9 Riseley Square
Applecross WA 6153
Perth, Western Australia

Phone: 0424 298 005
Email: visioncounselling@live.com.au
Website: http://www.visioncounselling.com.au

Be well,

xoxo

♥

Taking the Blah Out of Your Blahniks

As I gaze adoringly at a pair of emerald green Louboutin pumps with that cheeky, unmistakeable red under sole, deep down, I know that this is an unrequited love. We are not to be, those green pumps and I. But it’s not the price tag that amounts to the GDP of a small African nation, which gives me pause. It’s the heels. They’re not even really that high but I just know the consequences of flirting with these beauties will be severe.

Now I confess that I am often the first to put fashion way before comfort. I will suffer through wayward corsetry boning digging into my skin all night, just so my waist is that little bit flatter. I will wear a Nancy Gantz a size smaller, rendering me incapable of breathing, as long as all the wobbly bits are kept in place. I have even been known to tear off supportive strapping around a shoulder injury, because it didn’t look right under a dress. But I think my feet have finally cured me of my vanity.

Disturbingly, a puffy lump and some rather alarming broken capillaries have appeared on the inside of my ankle, accompanied by sharp pain through my heel.

I hobbled off to see my lovely podiatrist at Centrepod Podiatry in Mount Lawley.

A podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower limbs (http://www.podiatrywa.com.au/index.php). They must hold tertiary qualifications and be registered with their state registration boards in order to practice.

The first thing you should know about podiatrists is that they have very cool chairs.

Like dentists chairs but that go up… way up… (and without the lights and perky dental assistants). Positioned on aforementioned chair, my podiatrist examined my feet, twisting them, pressing on them and treating them with all the intrigue of a spy novel. Then he had me do a few movements, such as standing on one foot, raising and lowering, then feet apart and so on. Hmmmm…. I got an inkling that serious biomechanics are involved in manoeuvring us human beings from point A to point B.

After a bit more pressing and some frowning, the podiatrist solemnly announced that I had tibial posterior tendonitis (http://www.podantics.com.au/posterior-tibial-tendon-dysfunction.html ). This is caused when the tendon of the foot that runs into the calf and supports the arch, is overused and start to weaken. The result is the foot begins to pronate, or roll inward.

The problem is partly due to, you guessed it, ill-fitting shoes. And in summer the problem gets worse. All those cute little strappy numbers lack sufficient instep support, so the muscles and tendons of your foot have to work double-time to hold your feet, ankles and ultimately, knees, in place. Boring and unfashionable, I know, but true… And ultimately, very painful.

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Treatment would involve trips to the physio for ultrasound, cold packs, anti-inflammatories and mojitos. (OK, that last bit was self-prescribed but you have to admit, it’s still a good idea). Prevention was orthotic footwear. When I bemoaned the unsightly state of most orthotic footwear, Podiatrist astutely noted “You’re just thinking about fashion now”. Damn straight, sweetie; that’s all I think about. He shrugged nonchalantly and said “Well, they’re your feet”.

And so they are. They deserve better. I then knew it was time; I wanted to make it up to my feet – to show them I was really committed and that I would no longer betray them with footwear that required scaffolding or that had more straps than backstage at a Victoria’s Secret show. I’ve reassessed my footwear and I’m thinking carefully each day about what shoes I can wear that will adequately support my instep. I invested in top-quality trainers so I can exercise pain-free, and make my calves and ankles stronger so my feet don’t have to work so hard. I’m even down to colour-coordinating my wardrobe with my growing range of Birkenstocks.

Three sessions of physio later, all that weird swelling has gone down and my feet, whilst not completely pain-free, are more mobile and well, happier. I think our relationship has begun to “heel”. (OK, groan if you must).

This whole experience has given me a new appreciation for my feet, not to mention being dazzled by my podiatrist’s metatarsal magnificence. Feet are incredibly intricate structures but every day, we take for granted all the stretching, stabilising and weight-bearing our maligned tootsies do. And it’s all down to podiatrists to understand and repair them when things go wrong. That’s no mean feet. (OK, I’m done with the foot jokes now).

Stuff Your Feet Will Love:

Feldene Gel 50g (Anti-inflammatory gel for strains and tendonitis)
$16.99

Eulactol Heel Balm (Gold) 120ml (ointment for cracked or dry heels)
$19.95

Birkenstocks Sandals and Shoes (funky footwear that support your feet in the right places)
$120.00

Mizuno “Nirvana” trainers (designed for the pronating foot and providing instep support)
$269.95

Pedicure with paraffin wax (as part of the pedicure, your feet are coated in warm paraffin; it’s very hydrating and ultra-relaxing!)
$60.00 – $80.00

Prices are approximate and may vary between retailers, sizes and styles.

Beaufort Physio and Centrepod Podiatry

777 Beaufort St (corner of Third Ave), Mount Lawley.

Phone: (08) 9473 1155

Prices

$59.00 for a standard podiatry consultation. Services may be claimable through private health insurance, through some government concessions or through certain Medicare rebates (on referral from a General Practitioner). Check with the podiatry clinic to see if you are eligible for private or public rebates.

Opening Hours

Open Monday to Saturday; by appointment only.

Article by Bron, whose feet now like her a whole lot more.

Without good health nothing else matters. Join super nutrition expert David Wolfe with Celebrity Raw Food Chef Bruce Horowitz as they delve into what matters most – what we put in our mouths!

David’s approach to wellness includes superfoods, superherbs and organic raw foods among other top protocols. Wolfe states, “Consumers today are aware of some of the basics of good nutrition but have not been exposed to the newest findings or they don’t know how to incorporate them into their daily lives. I help solve people’s challenges with the overload of health information available to them today. I cut through the clutter and deliver the most important information in bite sizes. ”

David’s lecture will be held in the Kim Beazley Lecture Theatre at Murdoch University, at $50 per ticket, on Thursday February 25, at 6:30pm.

This is pretty much unmissable stuff for anyone interested in health, food, nutrition or sustainable living!!

You can learn more about David at: http://www.davidwolfe.com/about/ or on the Australia tour website and booking: http://davidwolfeaustraliantour.com/

See you there!

Be well,

xoxo

Diet by D’Zyne

It’s often thought that dietitians are for those people who already have a health problem. Seeing a dietitian for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity or being underweight is common because it can be a way to manage, change or prevent a condition without the use of medication.

However it’s not just the unwell that can make the most of dietitians. Seeing a dietitian can greatly improve your general well-being. As Jo-Anne Dembo, Accredited Practicing Dietitian from DIET BY D’ZYNE says

“Your body is like a car, and if you try to use cheap oil as fuel, then your car is not going to work efficiently.”

The same goes for your body, you have to make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs to work properly and look after itself. If you don’t feed your body the right foods, it can rebel against you. You might not see the effects immediately but you will in the end.

The simplest way to improve your diet, is to pick good foods, fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, foods with a low fat content and your proteins too, eat small meals and eat often. A little of everything and not too much of anything. If you’re eating well and are doing a regular amount of physical activity (don’t chicken out, work up a sweat) then you are allowed to treat yourself occasionally. Whether your treat is some chocolate or a small plate of pasta is up to you.

Don’t get your hopes up though, just because you’re seeing a dietitian doesn’t mean change will be easy! There’s no secret pill and you won’t walk out having lost 10 kilos, you have to do as you’re told. That being said, they won’t cut out all the things you like, leaving you with carrot sticks for every meal. Small changes can make a big difference and it’s not as hard as you might think.

To touch on the vegetarian, vegan and raw diets, if you’re thinking about changing to one of these or have already, it would be good to see a dietitian. To live a healthy life, you do need to make sure you are getting enough of all the essential vitamins & minerals. If you’re not eating correctly you can miss out on these, but this goes for everyone and is possibly even more relevant to those who don’t eat many fruit and vegetables. Remember, a healthy well balanced diet is just the start, if your focus is on a lifestyle approach, you will see results. To get the most out of your life and your body it’s a great idea to see an Accredited Practicing Dietitian.

Changing your diet, while simple, can pre-empt health issues for the long term and also make you feel wonderful in the short term. Changing to a healthier diet can have different effects on people, you could get more energy during the day, you could lose weight and your skin could clear up. So not only will you start feeling better, you’ll start looking better too.

If your family has a history of health issues, looking at diet early on can delay or lessen the effects of those.

To find a consulting Accredited Practicing Dietition, check out the DAA home page http://www.daa.asn.au, call 1800 812 942 or search the Yellow Pages.

E: nationaloffice@daa.asn.au

(There is a search function on the website to find dietitians in your area!)

Article by Liv Bambola!

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There’s not too much more relaxing than a nice hot bath. Despite the fact that it has reached over 40 here in the past few days, I found myself craving one. LUCKY FOR ME, Today was a delightful 28 degrees & a soak was on the cards!

I’ve long been a fan of Epsom salts (otherwise known as Magnesium Sulfate), you know, that weird box of crystals in the dark blue box with white writing that exists in the back of the laundry cupboard? Maybe this is just in my house…!

Well, I’ve recently discovered that this curious box contains a great stress relieving treat. Magnesium has long been known to reduce aches & pains by relaxing the muscles & blood vessels in the body (WHO KNEW?). The reduction in stress / anxiety come from these same benefits, relaxed muscles = relaxed mind.

Apparently a very high proportion of us are deficient in magnesium, which is a mineral that helps control high blood pressure, relaxation & helps the blood circulate smoothly! For more info on this super important little morsel, check out the WH Foods website & find out what you can munch on to get more! One of my favourite sites for sure!

So, I’m making these a part of my weekly routine. Once or twice a week, an epsom bath for me! I find that with a cupful of salts & a nice long soak, a wave of calm washes over me.

Apparently epsom salts are also good for the garden in some way according to my Mother, so you can go wild getting dirty with seedlings, worms & Magnesium Sulfate, then wash it all away with the same box of joy! I’m no gardener I’m afraid so take no responsibility for any withered blooms!

Have you ever had an epsom salt bath? Ever even HEARD of epsom salts? Leave a comment!

Be well,

xoxo