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SPRING 2009 `3 2012 A whole new world ECKHART TOLLE Exclusive Interview by Niamh Hooper THEGOOD LIFE 2.0 A sustainable upgrade for the 21st Century

WWW.POSITIVELIFE.IE TOSUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.POSITIVELIFE.IE ONLY `10 FOR THE YEAR ALUXURYWEEKENDFORTWOATTEMPLE COUNTRY RETREATANDSPA www.templespa.ie APLACEONA DEEPAK CHOPRA CERTIFIED MEDITATION COURSE www.innerbliss.ie A BEAUTIFULHISANDHERS MASSAGEATOSCAILTIN DUBLIN www.oscailt.com AND YOU CAN WIN

4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 Contents Spring Vibes Astrology - Understanding the Gods in the skies Sara Bird - Where are you right now? Spirituality and the City Positive Personality - Sara Mackenzie Marco Hasbun - Neural Stimulation CNM - The Behaviour of Change 7RQ\:DOVK5ROÀQJ%DODQFH\RXU%RG\ Eckhart Tolle - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW by Niamh Hooper 2012 - A whole new world Davie Philip - The Good Life 2.0 Isabel O’Brien - A new concept in Make-Up Positively Newsworthy Siobhan Guthrie and Kieran Haughey - Client Attracting Secrets The Apple Farm - A juicy business opportunity Joerg Mueller - Turn over a new Tea leaf Sharon Baverstock - Cherry good for you ICIM - The truth about Fat Spring Recipes Mind Body Spirit - Preview Yorktest - Homocysteine Health 20 Publisher PC Media paulpositivelife@gmail.com Editorial Patrick Bridgeman patrickpositivelife@gmail.com Design Bronco Design e.broncodesign@gmail.com Advertising Paul Congdon paulpositivelife@gmail.com 0861579518 Please use the information provided in this publication as a recommendation only to better mental and physical health. We strongly advise you to consult your doctor regarding health concerns that you may have. The views expressed by contributors and advisors do not necessarily represent the views of the publication’s staff. www.positivelife.ie “ SPRING IS NATURESWAY OF SAYING, LETS PARTY ”. ROBIN WILLIAMS Positive edit FOCUS. What are you doing with your focus? It’s one of our most powerful tools,as whatever we place our attention on becomes real in our experience. So join me and the team at Positive Life as we intensify the focus on the positive. We welcome a whole host of positive guests, Eckhart Tolle and his inspirationalwords, Patrick Bridgeman as he invites us to create a whole new world, and Davie Philip on a new sustainable way of life. Our regulars include Spring Vibes, Positively Newsworthy and, of course, Spirituality and the City. Newcomers include our Astrology section in which we check in on the planet’smood.On the health side, ﬁnd out the health giving properties of cherry juice, apple juice and tea, and getyour taste buds ﬂowing with our new recipe page. Next stop summer. PAUL CONGDON

Spring MANDALA PAINTING WORKSHOPS Kaplan Aspect School, Exchange St. Lower, Essex Quay, D8 Mandala painting provides a unique op- portunity to learn how to create your own mandala through the symmetric repetition of forms and to paint it with watercolours, as well as to enjoy a supportive, meditative space where your creativity can ﬂow freely. The technique is accessible to everyone as it’ s not necessary to know how to paint. Mandala painting workshop - March 7th and 8th 10am – 5pm Â180 excl. materials Mandala painting day - March 22nd 10am – 5pm Â75 Mandala painting course - April 5th, 26th, May 3rdÂ250 excl. materials For more info contact Francesca on 0851302999 or francesca@cultivate.ie info: www.mandalaom.com THIS ANALOG LIFE Wednesday 29th April from 7.30pm - 9.30 pm at Ballsbridge Inn (formerly Jurys) D4 In this talk, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Professor Emeritus University of Massachusetts Me- dical School, will advocate that mindfulness is not only relevant to the struggles we ﬁnd ourselves in, but uniquely valuable for the embodiment of balance, well-being, and wisdom in our lives. Mindfulness practice cultivates intimacy with one’s own mind and body, and through that, self-understan- ding, healing, and transformation. Â50 For more info www.seminars.ie ENERGY MASTER RATU BAGUS – VISIT TO DUBLIN May 14th from 7 – 9pm at the Baldoyle Com- munity Centre, Baldoyle Rd, Dublin 13 Born with the ability to transmit pure light/ energy, Ratu teaches Bio-Energy medita- tion, which enables us to raise our vibration, clearing ‘stuck’ energy in our system, lea- ding to increased levels of vitality, health, emotional and spiritual well-being . Register your attendance by contacting Sharon before May 1st on 0852816575 or sharon_miller@live.ie For more info visit www.ratubagus.com EATING DISORDER RESOURCE CENTRE OF IRELAND Tuesday 19th & Wednesday 20th May 2009 in All Hallows conference centre Dublin The Eating Disorder Resource Centre of Ireland is privileged to host a 2-Day Works- hop presented by Professor Chris Fairburn. A must for all health care professionals trea- ting eating disorders. Further information, contact Suzanne on 053 9130506 or 0872056560 or info@eatingdisorders.ie GET THE LIFE YOU WANT Monday 25th May from 7.00 pm - 9.30 pm at Concert Hall, RDS, Dublin 4 Get the Life You Want is Richard Bandler at his best, sharing his remarkable insights, his controversial signature wit, and more than thirty-ﬁve time-tested NLP techniques that will bring about quick and lasting change in every area of your life, from breaking free of toxic or non-productive relationships, to delivering business presentations without a knot in your stomach, to quitting smoking for good. Â55 For more info www.seminars.ie ANGEL LIGHT CREATIONS Friday 27th & Sunday 29th March, 7pm-10pm at Oscailt, 8 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4 Janine Thorp will be holding a workshop in- troducing people to working with universal energies and how to have clear 2-way com- munication with them. We can consciously work with these energies for any project we choose, and this teamwork can bring us a huge amount of additional input that otherwise we may not have clear access to. They can help us to bring balance, momen- tum and light-energy so that our projects can move forward aligned with Source. The skills introduced here can be used for any project you’d like to have help with, inclu- ding your health, business, art, or even an unknown project, that you would like to take on under the inspiration and guidan- ce of your soul and the universal energies that are your helpers. Â100 (Â50 payable in advance) For more info www.angellightcreations.com or 0879806280 vibes “THE DAY THE LORD CREATED HOPE WAS PROBABLY THE SAME DAY HE CREATED SPRING.” BERN WILLIAMS

LEARN HOW TO LIVE THE GOOD LIFE Monday July 20th to Friday July 24th at The Organic Centre Rossinver The most complete course ever, with ses- sions on growing vegetables organically, growing and using herbs, growing fruit for the home, making yoghurt and soft chee- ses, baking and cooking with wholemeal, and storing and preserving, complemented with an introduction to yoga and relaxation techniques, a lecture on sustainable buil- ding, a seaweed walk on a local beach and a visit to a local organic farm. Empowering, entertaining and a lot of fun! The Grass Roof Café at The Organic Centre will cater for breakfast, a tasty vegetarian lunch and dinner every day. Detailed programme and accommodation list on request. Â700 for 5 days. For further details contact The Organic Centre on 071 9854338 or email to info@theorganiccentre.ie or www.theorganiccentre.ie BUDDHABAG MEETING Most Thursdays from 8pm in Oscailt, 8 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4. The Law of Attraction, The Power of Now, Reiki, Shamanism, or Spiritual Cinema. You name it, it’s probably been experien- ced and discussed at one of these weekly gatherings. Open-minded individuals lounging on bean bags (or up on their feet during the more movement-based workshops) exploring all that the worlds of Body, Mind and Spirit have to offer. One highlight of the Spring schedule is Dawn Cartwright‘s Tantra workshop on April 30th. She’s an amazing teacher coming all the way from Santa Monica. Â10 For more info www.buddhabag.org TEA GARDEN 7 Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1 The Tea Garden is a unique place of relaxa- tion, where you can enjoy a cup of tea with your friends away from the hustle and bustle of busy days in the city centre. The staff love to share their knowledge of tea with you, the plant that has amazed and fascinated the whole world for thousands of years. Be sure to try the Lung Ching (Dragon’s Well) tea. It’s healing properties are legendary. For more info www.tea-garden.eu GROWGREEN SOLUTIONS Grow Green Products is a wholly Irish owned waste minimisation and waste recycling company based in Gorey, County Wexford, Ireland. Their latest domestic product, “The Little Pig” (brother of the “Big Pig” composter), will compost household food waste and garden waste up to 1.25kg per day. Plenty to use on all the plants and vegetables you may like to plant this spring. For more info www.growgreensolutions.com PSYCHO-PHYSIO SCAN AND THERAPY Having difﬁculty having health problems diagnosed? Tired of taking drugs for your ailments? The Psycho-Physio System based on the unique Virtual Scanning technology provides fast, comprehensive assessment and corrective treatment for a wide range of functional and pathological disorders of the body’s organs and systems by regulating brain function. Psycho-Physio Therapy sti- mulates the body’s natural processes which regulate our health i.e. of compensation and repair - rather than suppressing symptoms like conventional medicine. The therapy uses a revolutionary form of colour and vi- sual stimulation. For more info www.virtualtherapyclinic.com SOOTHE SENSITIVE SKIN When exposed to environmental change, stress, or improper skin care, highly sensitive skin can often react by becoming irritated, blotchy or red and can feel excessively tight and uncomfortable. To minimise the risk of an allergic reaction, highly sensitive skin re- quires an intelligent, balanced hygiene and care program. Logona Free products give sensitive skin the delicate care it needs. For more info www.bpure.ie INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL CARE CONFERENCE 2009 27th and 28th April in the Europe Hotel, Killarney Compassion and presence: spiritual care for the living and dying. This ground-breaking conference will ask: What is authentic spi- ritual care and what beneﬁts can it bring to health care professionals and those in their care? Jon Kabat-Zinn will be at both days of the conference and will present on “Enhan- cing the ‘Caring’ in Health Care and Medi- cine: The Art and the Science of Compas- sion, Kindness and Mindfulness” For more info www.spiritualcareconference. com POSITIVE PUBLICATIONS Positive Life sends out a free monthly e-newsletter to our readers with updates, news, competitions, etc. - all extra stuff that you cannot ﬁnd in our magazine or on our website. If you’d like to be in the positive loop and have “Positive Vibes” sent straight to your inbox every month, or to have “Positive Life” magazine delivered direct to your doorstep 4 times a year for only Â10, or both, visit www.positivelife.ie/subscribe 5

THERE is a lot of interest at the moment in the astrological transits of 2012, particularly as they coincide with the ending of the Mayan calen- dar. As a Psychological Astrologer, one of my roles is to enable indivi- duals to understand the planetary energies that are coming together in the sky over the next four years so that we can work with them in a creative and constructive manner. The manifestations of actual events will be dependant on the choices and decisions of each and every one of us as we are all deeply intercon- nected yet fundamentally individual. Our birth chart is a snapshot of the arrangement of planets in the sky at the moment of our birth. Hence they are individual to everyone and eve- rything born at that same moment in time. As the planets continue on their journey around the Sun, they form different conﬁgurations in the sky affecting all of us on a collective and individual level. The transper- sonal planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, which are further away from Earth, move very slowly around the sun.Hence, when they link up with each other in the sky they stay in those positions for several years, af- fecting all of us during that period of time. The personal planets such as Mercury, Venus and Mars are closer to earth and visible to the naked eye. They move quite fast and their energies impinge on us for a shorter period of time. The transits affect all of us on two levels: On a collective level, as the ener- gies come together in a variety of aspects/relationships, blending or challenging each other depending on the nature of the planet or god as well as the signs the planets are in. The sign the planet is in describes the manner in which the energy is expressed. For example: the planet Pluto, which is about transformation and regeneration has recently moved into the sign of Capricorn. As a col- lective we are experiencing funda- mental upheaval and transformation (Pluto) in the structures (Capricorn) of our society. On a personal level, the energies of the transit impinge directly on us when the planets land on sensitive points in our birth chart such as our Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter or Saturn, or the angles of our birth chart. In doing so they awaken that particular area of our life and we are invited to cross the threshold door into discovering more about our true nature. For example: for anyone with Venus in the early degrees of the sign of Capricorn, the planet Pluto will be sitting on your Venus right now. Hence the collective experience of transformation and regeneration will impinge on you in a personal way in the area of what you value and ﬁnd beautiful, as well as how you relate. To read the EXTENDED VERSION of this article, including an introduction to the planets Neptune,Chiron and Jupiter as they join forces in Aqua- rius, and a list of Margaret’s upcoming workshops, visit www.positivelife.ie Margaret Gray MSW Dip. Psychological Astrology Tel. 085 8144135 (Ireland) 808 782 7953 (Hawaii) Website: www.astrologypsychological.com Margaret@astrologypsychological. com Margaret Gray is a professional Psychological Astrologer with a consultation practice in Ireland, Hawaii and California. She teaches internationally on behalf of the CPA worldwide and independently. Margaret is also the book reviewer for the ISAR journal and a member of the APAI, ISAR and the Astrology Association. In Ireland Margaret is based at Oscailt integrative Health Centre. Copyright of Margaret Gray February 2009 No part of this can be reproduced without her written permission. 6 Understanding the Gods in the Skies

HELPING YOU HEAL YOURSELF NATURALLY Optimize your HEALTH through Body Awareness using Food and Lifestyle changes For a private consultation, body treatments, ayurveda courses or workshops contact EDIE O’REILLY www.ayurvedaireland.ie 087 6506513 Pure Essentials introduces a New Ayurvedic inspired marma therapy concept for spas, Day spas and holistic centres-achieve ultimate health by revitalisation and healing of the body, mind and soul, with authentic herbal nutrient oils, face and body products. (experience available in top spas) Indulge in unique signature therapies of massages, Himalayan clay detox wraps,body and AYUR facial treatments by Amar gill, qualiﬁed therapist with 28 years experience. Start your journey with our traditional remedies to awaken the senses with FOREST ESSENTIALS. (Ayurvedic& organic blends).Therapies soon available at SAYA- 12 (basement) morehampton Road, Donnybrook Dub 4. for appointmentcall 0861214400 or Email Pure Essentials Sole distributor of Forest Essentials Unit J7 ,Greenogue Business Park Rathcoole, Co Dublin Tel : #353 1 4937606 - Fax: 353 1 4937606 email: amar@pure-essentials.net Pure Essentials Leaders inCoach Trainingand PersonalDevelopment Diploma CourseinPersonaland Business Coaching Nationwide, starting every Autumn and Spring Workshops – Personal Development, Life & Career Coaching – individuals, couples, groupsand teams Facilitation – groups, teams, meetings Spiritual Retreats– Nationwide FETAC Level 6 Component Award inCoaching – ongoingworkshops Advanced Trainingfor Coaches Executive, Career, Relationships Call 1850 200591for brochures and more information visit us atwww.ili.ieoremail usatinfo@ili.ie

DID you know that, on a forty-minute car journey, we only pay attention to our driving for two minutes. For the other 38 minutes, we’re usually thinking about where we should be, what we have to do, what the person walking down the street is wearing.It goes on and on. Isn’t it scary that we drive every day so completely unaware of our driving, and what’s more, so does everybody else! So how can we come to be actively more present in our lives and, even more critical- ly, why is it important to be present in the ﬁrst place? Surely it can be much nicer, at times, to be in daydream mode, miles away from our cares and our worries? Well, the answer to that question is that we spend much of our day either thinking about past events or worrying about future events (which may never happen). This takes us away from being present and allows our energy to ﬂow away from our core. We are born with 100% energy availa- ble to us, but as we grow older, we can spend around 35% of our time engaged in thinking back to the past, and the same amount speculating on the future. This leaves us with only about 30% of our ove- rall energy to work with in the moment – nowhere near enough to make the most of our day-to-day lives. The good news is that there is so much written about the topic of being present, that we should all be able to go and get the information to help us. The bad news is that even if we get our hands on the infor- mation, we rarely stay present enough to take in what we are reading. We need to take back control of our ener- gy by being in the present and working on all the thoughts and feelings that limit us and take that attention away. Thankfully, there are several practical ways in which we can help ourselves: •Practice mindfulness in our daily lives. Start the day with a Centering breathing meditation. Sit for 10 minutes in the morning and follow your breath, in and out, letting your thoughts come and go. •Every time you’re stuck at a red light, turn a negative into a positive by treating it as thirty seconds of being present. •When you ﬁnd yourself feeling overwhel- med, stop and ask what you can do to help yourself, right then and there. It could be as simple as making yourself a drink, pho- ning a good friend for a chat or doing the one job that will make a difference right now. •If you’re falling prey to a negative thou- ght, always follow on with a positive one. For example, “This is one of the most stressful days I’ve ever had...but it won’t continue forever and tomorrow is going to be better.” •Use simple Energy Psychology techni- ques which help rid yourself of memo- ries and emotions that no longer serve you. As a simple example, in moments of serious stress, just tap the tops of your ﬁngers with your thumb. It brings you immediately into the present and calms you instantly. •Take responsibility for your words when you communicate and don’t get caught up in being judgmental or critical of others. Sarah Bird is a Personal Development Consul- tant and a leading practitioner of Energy Psy- chology Techniques and Non-violent Communi- cation. For information on consultations and workshops, log onto www.sarahbird.ie 8 Where are you right now? “AWAKEN TO THE MYSTERY OF BEING HERE, AND ENTER THE QUIET IMMENSITY OF YOUR OWN PRESENCE.” JOHN O’DONOHUE

If panic, phobias or stress are holding you back in your life, your career or your relationships, it’s now time to move on to the life you truly want to lead. Using the very latest energy psychology techniques, I can remove the blocks to your energy system that are causing these conditions. The techniques are quick and easy to use, and research shows them as having a 95% success rate, whether for improving corporate performance, in your sporting life or within your personal life. You can live the life you want, without fear, without panic and without debilitating levels of stress. Make a start towards it today by contacting me on 087 219 3343sarah@sarahbird.iewww.sarahbird.ie SARAH BIRD Personal Development Consultantand Energy Psychologist EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF PANIC, PHOBIAS and STRESS www.mrbeesmanuka.com 25+ arriving soon

GINEVRAAREStudent Maybe it’s normal, feeling a little out of place when you ﬁrst have to deal with a completely new environment. But what happens when, walking for the ﬁrst time around the streets of the city you’ve just arrived in that same morning, you can only feel at ease, at home, like that’s the place for you? And when, after a week, you’ve already got a job and made friends with your workmates, feeling like you’ve known them all your life, like they were part of the same soul family? It’s what happened to me two years ago when I transferred to Dublin. I couldn’t help but sense the breath of the city eve- rywhere, its deepest intimate soul, that was telling me, “You can do it, because everything is possible”. TINOCURIONE Life Energy Coach Within the landscape of our modern day urban environment is where I ﬁnd my true Spirituality. Too often, I have seen and continue to see gurus, shamans and “divine” celebrities who are actually foreign to our cities, but to whom peo- ple ﬂock because they believe that they possess some kind of Spirituality that can- not be found within our cityscapes. I disagree. Living in these urban sur- roundings for many years now has shown me that true Spirituality can only really be understood from the present moment within the present environment, and not from the past histories of foreign lands. My Spirit moves through the streets of Ireland’s cities, interacting with people, buildings, plants, animals and the terrain upon which I walk. My Spirit deﬁnes, shapes and reshapes these urban realities and the experiences that evolve from these interactions are what form my Spirituality. www.tino.buddhabag.org THOMASO’DUFFYLifeCoach In Dublin’s Fair City, where the girls are so pretty, there is sheer spiritual awesomeness available to those who sincerely seek to make the craic even mightier. Dublin is a city where things happen with their own rhythm, where you are likely to bump into friends wherever you go, and where there is great art, music and many opportunities to enjoy exploring enlightenment. My favourite spiritual aspects of Dublin are the many marvellous people I’ve come to know. I’ve met many diverse and gentle folk from all corners of the World, and they’ve introduced me to many practices and rituals I’ve come to value, from tea ceremonies to unusual forms of healing. I also enjoy the inner adventures I get to share with my wonderful friends. Someti- mes these happen in meditation groups like BuddhaBag, or sometimes when great DJs summon party spirits and I can’t help but dance. www.LifeChanging.ie Spiritualityand the City 10

11 WENDYFITZPATRICK5HÁH[RORJLVW When I walked out my front door this morning, the weather was perfect... the temperature, the air, it was just lovely and I believe it was lovely just for me :) I love living in the city and being spiritual. The oppor- tunities are endless if you just open your heart and mind to what’s for you and let the universe give you what you really want. Its easy to just be yourself and feel free, and yeah it can get hectic at times, but all that seems to dissolve around me if I keep my own equilibrium. I think one of the most precious things you can give someone is your time and there are so many like-minded people here to share beautiful times with over one too many cups of tea. Love is everywhere in the city and if you’re willing to experience it, it really is the answer :) SHINGOTANAKA0XVLFLDQ Everything starts with wishing. If you don’t wish, the city’s not going to help you. The city is just the city. But if you wish something, the city is going to help you, deﬁ- nitely, somehow. Serendipity is not luck, its ability. When I was living in Dublin, I wished to do music activities, to enjoy the music, so I went to lots of festivals, and because I was dancing, it was easy to make friends and now I am playing music in Leitrim. You have to take action. If you are sleeping on the couch and something happens in the city related to you or to your wish, you won’t notice it. If I didn’t go to those festivals then I couldn’t meet those friends and I wouldn’t have found the place to make music. Wish, take action, notice, enjoy and appreciate. www.myspace.com/tanakashingo SUNDARAO’HIGGINS&RVWXPH'HVLJQHU In the past two years, I’ve lived in three different cities; Galway, Melbourne and Dublin. A lot of people said I was mad to go to Melbourne with just Â200 and a place to stay for a week, but of course, when I got there, I met the coo- lest, kindest people in the most random of places and got a job within two weeks. It really makes me realise that there are no strangers in a city, or anywhere really. It takes one second to make a friend, to make a connection, and that feeling of fear and danger that can be propagated by the media around big cities is really unnecessary. Cities can reﬂect the best and the worst of the human condition. Its about humanity and everything that it can teach us on a personal level. The more we can learn about ourselves from our experiences with others, the more we can give out and share and vice versa.

When I started out on the path to getting well, I had no idea that I would have to walk the path on my own. I wasn’t getting the answers I needed from conventional doctors, to the point where I had to give up my chefﬁng career after 2 and a half years. Then, after reading many books and spending many ni- ghts on the internet, I ﬁgured out that one of my problems was that my adrenal glands were shot. The adrenal glands are the stress glands attached to your kidneys, and if you don’t treat them ﬁrst, the thy- roid hormone is going to make you feel worse. The positive part of my jour- ney began when I discovered Maca in the summer of 2004. I was in a health store in New York just before I came home to Ireland. They told me that it was for hormone balance, so it was really great for any endocrine problems. It was being used by people with under-active thyroids, and women going through meno- pause, instead of HRT. It was one of the biggest things to hit the health market in New York in a very long time. When I got home, I spent a few weeks weaning myself off the anti-depressant. I felt terri- ble, I couldn’t walk straight, I couldn’t relax. My partner had to take care of everything for those 6 weeks; and then I was ﬁne, except I started having terrible PMT, which I‘d never had before. After one more trip to a doctor who couldn’t give me the answers I needed, he suggested I try my local health store. That’s when I remembe- red about Maca. But, when I went up there, they’d never heard of it, so I called my friend in New York and got her to send me over a bottle of it. Then, literally a month later, I had no PMT. I was delighted. Then, another month later, I had a 28-day cycle, which I’d never had before in my life. This really made me take notice, so I star- ted to research Maca and what was in it that was making my system work so well. Initially, I was only taking 1gm a day, and I read that if you took more of it, you could actually nourish your adrenals back. And after about 2 months on that higher dose, I was ready to go back to full-time work. Once I started to be well, I just felt compelled to get this out there for people. I had no idea of what it would actually take to get it known, to get it di- rectly from Peru, to get organic certiﬁcation, to get it into the shop and then to get it off the shelf into the person’s pocket. It’s a major project. I took a “Start your own bu- siness” FAS course in Summer 2005 and it was late in 2006 by the time I had product on the shelf. In between, I had lots of success stories with Maca. As far as my business now, the more I focus on Peru and the more I focus on health, the more well I’m getting and the more I’m helping people. For more information about the full range of Sara’s Choice pro- ducts and the remarkable health beneﬁts associated with their use, check out www.saraschoice.com YOU can’t learn enough about health. I qualiﬁed out of the French culinary institute in New York in 2000. I was on my feet 16 hours a day and I was under a lot of physical stress, but I was really enjoying it because I loved what I was doing. However, I was feeling tremendous fatigue. It took two years for me to get a proper diagnosis, all the while being told, “Oh you‘re depressed. You need an anti-depressant.” It just didn’t add up that the reason I felt like there were weights in my legs was because I was depressed. Eventually, I had a second thyroid-blood test that came back abnormal and I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. It’s an auto- immune condition where your thyroid production is being attacked by your own body. I got on a thyroid replacement hormone thinking I would ﬁnally get my life back, but that’s not what happened. 12 POSITIVE PERSONALITYSara Mackenzie

POTATO DAY MARCH 15TH A Selection of Organic Centre Courses Spring-Summer 2009 Growing Fruit- Spring Workshop March 14th Gardening in Small Spaces and Small Urban Gardens- March 28th Grains Breads and Sourdoughs- March 28th Organic Gardening in Schools-revised March 29th Advanced Gardening-Soil Fertility- April 5th Grow Your Own Food-Organic Gardening for Beginners- April 18th Cooking and Healing with Wholefood- April 18th Grow Organic Cook Organic- May 2nd Growing Herbs-an Introduction- May 9th Introduction to Vegan Cooking- May 10th Creating Your Own Piece of Paradise-Garden Design- May 17th Keeping Poultry- May 23rd Introduction to Botanical Illustration- May 30th & 31st Producing Cut Herbs and Salad Bags for Sale- June 6th Herbs for Life-Using Herbs Medicinally- June 13th Storing and Preserving Vegetables and Fruit- June13th Reedbed Systems- June 14th New course and training programme and seed catalogue 2009 out now! For dates, bookings and more information on the above and all other courses call 071-9854338 - e-mail: info@theorganiccentre.ie - www.theorganiccentre.ie TheOrganiccentre Promoting Organic Growing and Sustainable Living ROSSINVER, CO. LEITRIM

DOES stress, anxiety, depres- sion and illness rule your life? Does the news ﬁll you with fear and hopelessness? Does the chaos of society seem to be leading to madness? All these factors can affect our wellbeing and, speciﬁcally, the Nervous System. If we allow stress, anger and fear into our lives, they will weaken the Immune System. With our defences down, we are vulnerable to viruses and illnesses. Also, the pollution that exists today, the toxins in the food some of us are eating, trans- genic vegetables and fruits, an unbalanced diet without the necessary nutrients for the body, and viruses among other things, go directly into the Blood stream. These fac- tors may hinder you from li- ving a truly healthy life. Neural Stimulation, a tech- nique that is being used in hospitals, schools, and ofﬁces around the world, can be an answer. By the conscious use of the hands and only ﬁve minutes a day, it works directly on strengthening the nervous and immune systems and regulating the blood. WHAT IS NEURAL STIMULATION? NeuralStimulation is a bionatural self-trea- ting technique developed by natural ob- servation. It assists in restoring the body’s balance of energy, by stimulating speciﬁc points of the body, and is complementary to traditional medicine. WHAT CAN BE TREATED WITH NEURALSTIMULATION? It can help with the overall wellbeing of the individual, from ﬁghting stress, anxiety and depression, to helping people quit smoking or drugs. It has been used suc- cessfully to help heal disease and chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes and AIDS. HOW DOES NEURAL STIMULATION WORK? The functions of the human body are controlled by the central nervous system which consists of a complex network of connections between neurons. The neu- rons are interconnected by extensions that allow the transmission of electrical and chemical signals from one neuron to ano- ther. If the neural transmission of signals does not occur properly, or is interrupted, the functions of the body will be affected. Symptoms of health problems may appear. NeuralStimulation acts directly upon the main nervous centres restoring connec- tions and improving the transmission of si- gnals between neurons. It helps restore the balance of the organs and systems which are all directly connected with the nervous centres. WHO CAN LEARN THE TECHNIQUE? The technique can be learned by anyone who wants to improve himself and help others. Neural Stimulation is being practi- ced by people of all walks of life in already 20 countries around the world. Manos sin Fronteras, a non-proﬁt organization com- mitted to improve the quality of life and to support the right to a healthy life, has been promoting the knowledge of the technique for about 20 years. There is no magic wand to solve all our problems, but Neural Stimulation offers a practical tool that can help us to be in charge of our lives and to live it with joy and hope! The course will be offered for the ﬁrst time in Dublin on Saturday, 25th of April, from 15:00 to 17:00 and Sunday, 26th of April, from 9:30 to 13:00. Free treatments will be offered on Friday, 24th of April, from 19:00 to 22:00. There will also be an in- troductory talk a the Buddha Bag Meeting on April 23rd. The sessions will be held at Oscailt Integrative Health and Therapy Center, 8 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Tel 016603872, or log on to www.oscailt.com For inscriptions and further information please contact Marco Hasbun marcohasbun@yahoo.com or visit our websitewww.manossinfronteras.org14 NEURAL STIMULATION THE KEY TO WELLBEING IS IN YOUR HANDS!

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ON the campaign trail last February, Barack Obama spoke on the issue of change: ‘Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek’. So often, we want to make changes in our lives in relation to health and lifestyle. We usually know what makes us feel good and what changes we would love to make. Yet often, despite all our good intentions, we cannot effect change. Why? What are the most common barriers to change? The most common barriers to change are shared amongst us all: 1Too much stress in our lives. 2 Lack of practice in positive and empowering coping mechanisms. 3 Poor work/life balance, failure to identify our deepest needs. 4 Habitual patterns of emotional response that sabotage us. 5 Lack of belief in our ability to change. 6 Poor goal setting. 7 Lack of support. 8A negative self-repeating script. Amongst the tools I would advocate that we all carry in our toolboxes are coping mechanisms such as: the AAABC model below, addressing our work-live balance, using Bach ﬂower remedies, learning to be a witness to our thoughts through meditation and visualisation. When we train Naturopaths and Nutritional therapists at the CNM, we train students in nutrition, herbs, TCM, exercise, tissue salts, Bach ﬂower remedies, hydrotherapy and more, but we also train them to be able to help others to change. When we can each identify our individual barriers to change and have a toolbox of skills to help us, we can make incredible changes in our lives. COPING MODELS If stress is preventing you from making positive change, it is time to learn new coping mechanisms. Identify what your main stressors are, identify your response to stress, use the AAABC model of coping. When you have identiﬁed each stressor put it in one of the following boxes: A- Can be altered A- Can be avoided A- Accept it. Even identifying what can be altered or avoided and what needs our acceptance is very powerful. Then B- build resistance to the stressor. This is very personal to each of us, it can include increasing social support, exercising more, making time for sleep or deep relaxation, increasing nutrient dense foods, exploring new hobbies or passions, setting goals and plans to help us. Finally, C- Change our perceptions or viewpoints. WORK- LIFE BALANCE If a poor work-life balance is your major barrier to change then make a pie chart. Use the following headings, sleep, household, work, travel to and from work, family and friends, leisure/ﬁtness/hobbies, community involvement. What does your chart look like? How much time is spent Change The Behaviour of

in work and commuting and household duties and how much time is spent with family and friends enjoying free time? Have you time for your passions, time to dream? What is your ideal work-life balance? What changes could you make in the short or long-term to have the balance you would like? If our work-life balance is good, change is immeasurably easier in our lives, so this is often a good place to start change. BACHFLOWERREMEDIES Sometimes we fail to identify what we really need, it could be the need for control, competence, more intimacy in our lives, or the need for emotional expression. Sometimes we engage in habitual patterns of behaviour that sabotage our ability to make changes in our lives. We train our naturopaths in Bach ﬂower remedies to help dissolve these patterns. Centaury is brilliant for the person who puts everybody else’s emotional needs before their own. Agrimony helps the person who might drink quite a lot socially and is the life and soul of the party but is masking a lot of inner worries. Oak soothes the person who strives too much and forgets sometimes just to be. Larch is great when our self- esteem is low and Gorse is good when we are in despair. Use your Bach ﬂower remedies to help yourself change. INNER CRITIC One of the biggest barriers to positive change in our lives is the inner voice that tells us we can’t, the inner voice that undermines our deepest strengths and abilities, this is often called the inner critic. Being aware of this inner critic and cultivating a new voice that highlights how wonderful we are with all our ﬂaws is really important. This takes time and practice, meditation can be a wonderful way to become more conscious and aware of the inner voice. VISUALISATION Visualisation is a powerful tool to effect change. It is the conscious and deliberate use of imagery to change and improve your life and health. When we program the desired outcomes into our mental computer, the subconscious will help ﬁnd the information and means, and will help carry out the steps necessary to achieve the desired outcome. PET scans show that mental rehearsal of an action actually activates the part of the brain responsible for the formulations of the appropriate motor programs. In other words, if you want to make a change, visualise yourself performing that change in advance and it will be much easier to make that change. Now is a great time to decide what changes you would like to make for health and wellbeing, identify what stops you making those changes, and take out your toolbox! Avril Ivory is a naturopath and health psychologist. She is the Dean of the College of Naturopathic Medicine in Ireland. CNM is shortly hosting their Spring Seminar on the evening of 26th March 2009 in Grifﬁth College. Gosia Desmond (B.Sc. Nut. M.A) will address the role of diet and lifestyle in cancer prevention and survival. For more information or to book a place, please contact dublininfo@naturopathy-ireland.com or 01-2353094. Cost Â15 17

The name Rolﬁng® originated from its creator Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Dr. Rolf was, in many respects, a remarkable woman. She received her doctorate in biological chemistry in 1920, after which she worked for the Rockerfeller Institute for 12 years; a major achievement for a woman in the 1920’s. Rolf had an inquisitive and inquiring mind and she could have made a mark in any ﬁeld of her choosing. Her inquiry into the structure and alignment of humans came from personal health problems, as she suffered from spinal arthritis. This inquiry led to an investigation of Osteopathy, Yoga, Alexander Technique and Gestalt Therapy, which lead to the work that became know as Structural Integration or Rolﬁng. Dr. Rolf was especially attracted to Yoga because of its theories aimed at evoking human potential. She spent the latter part of her life developing the Rolﬁng technique, training students in the work, and she eventually formed the Rolf Institute in Boulder Colorado, which now has ofﬁces around the world. Rolfng is a scientiﬁcally validated body therapy. The stress of our day-to-day lives, injuries, the pull of gravity and the so-called ageing process can drag the body out of alignment. Rolﬁng addresses this misalignment and balances the body. It does this by working on the underlying causes of tension and pain, not just the symptoms. By lengthening and releasing the connective tissue (fascia, muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc.) Rolﬁng works to establish changes in the body’s overall structure and sculpt it into a pain-free and more efﬁcient working unit. A traditional Rolﬁng process is conducted over a series of ten carefully crafted sessions. There are basic guidelines and landmarks that every Rolfer follows in each of the sessions, while at the same time each session is created for the needs of the individual. After completing the Rolﬁng process, people can experience beneﬁts such as better posture, more energy and release from chronic pain. Rolﬁng is for everybody, for people from all walks of life, especially those looking for a healthier lifestyle. A couple of years ago I left a stressful IT job to study Yoga in India. During intensive Yoga practice I really hurt my lower back. I went to see a chiropractor who made me aware of something very interesting. It was actually my bad posture that was putting strain on my back which was the root of my back problems and they recommended that I see a Rolfer. After I went through the Rolﬁng process I instantly knew that I had found something that I could really develop a passion for and thus decided to become a Rolfer. To put the spring back in your step and get a sense of space in your body, and to find out more about Rolfing visit www.DublinRolfing.com or www.RolfIreland.com and contact a Rolfer today. Balance your Body 18 When the body gets working appropriately, the force of JUDYLW\FDQÁRZWKURXJK 7KHQVSRQWDQHRXVO\WKHERG\ KHDOVLWVHOIµDr. Ida P. Rolf 5ROÀQJ %\7RQ\:DOVK&HUWLÀHG5ROIHU

Rebirthing Breathwork – Deeksha Rebirthing breathwork infuses the body with the natural vital prana/chi/life-force energy that is organic to all deep healing. The combination of breath and awareness activates the body’s own natural healing rhythms, facilitating physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Deeksha A deeksha is the transfer of divine energy through the crown chakra, with the intention of the advancement of consciousness. Deeksha is included in all Rebirthing sessions and events. Private One-to-One Sessions Groups Workshops Sinead Clancy – 0872190324 www.rebirthingbreath.com Psycho-Social Aromatherapy Mary GrantSRN MEd. IFPA UKCP presents her Anam Chara Coaching Programme (Dublin, 1976) IFPA accredited Practitioner / and Post-Graduate Training Programmes Wellness ProgrammeResilient Leaders Programme Lifespring Retreats at Mind, Body, Spirit Festival, RDS,March 14-17:Stand just inside entrance, to right Find out about our exciting new cross-border initiatives, our links with businesses and voluntary groups, our multi-disciplinary team which can come to where you are For Further Information on our 2009 programme, throughout Ireland, Contact: Lifespring Centre 164, Cliftonville Road, Belfast BT14 6LB Tel: Belfast (028) 048 90 753658 Email: lifespringhealth@btconnect.com www.Lifespring-Ireland.com

EckhaTolle Charisma is a curious thing – magnetic, inspiring, unforgettable. In today’s world, an obvious holder of that certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ is Barack Obama; a not-so- obvious one is a little Yoda- type character with a shining presence and a soft snorting chuckle who also casts a spell wherever he speaks. Organisers say his Irish talk to an audience of over 1,000 could have sold out three times over, he was in such big demand. And since then, so impressed was Oprah by him that they did a 10-week webcast class together, tuned in to by millions. A spiritual guide of our time, Eckhart Tolle is a master at getting people to see how often they spend their lives ricocheting from thoughts of the past to plans for the future without stopping to embrace that thing called the present. As he puts it: “There is only one moment and it’s always now”. At 60, Tolle has a gift of reducing life’s complications to more digestible bite-size morsels - which probably goes a long way to explain why his bookThe Power of Now has been translated into over 30 languages. But it wasn’t always that way. Born in the village of Lunen in Germany, Tolle’s upbringing wasn’t conventional. At 13, he left school rather than study things he didn’t enjoy. And when his parents divorced, he went to live with his father in Alicante, Spain where his ﬁrst jobs included being a tour guide and translating restaurant menus. At 18, he moved to England, studied for his O and A Levels at night and went on to graduate from the University of London with a ﬁrst class degree in languages and literature. Throughout, he was driven by the need to succeed, while vacillating between anxiety and suicidal depression. “I felt lonely and not good enough, I wasn’t good at relating to the opposite sex and was worried about not ﬁtting in.” Then at 29, this all changed. “One night, my unhappy self dissolved and the next day I woke up totally at peace. Externally nothing had changed, yet everything had,” he smiles. “In the middle of the night I was woken up with a dreadful anxiety and I thought ‘I can’t live with myself any longer.’ It was as if there were two of me – the ‘I’ and this ‘self” that I cannot live with. As I looked at the structure of the sentence it produced a dizziness, a vertigo – in that moment something was dying. I didn’t know what was happening at the time but now I realise it was my unhappy, mental, ego-created self dying, and the ‘I’ is consciousness itself.” Some time after this “inner transformation”, Tolle changed his ﬁrst name from Ulrich to Eckhart following a dream in which he saw books lying around. On the cover of one was the name Eckhart and he knew he had written it. By coincidence, he bumped into an acquaintance, a psychic, a few days later who, for no apparent reason, called him Eckhart! Having become a completely different person he was ready to relinquish the name Ulrich and the unhappy energy the name held for him. Although Tolle’s own awakening happened overnight, for most the Interview By Niamh Hooper

rt shift from being anxious or depressed to being totally at peace – which he describes as the disintegration of the ego – is a more gradual process. On the road to freedom, he believes, the ﬁrst step is realising that the voice talking in your head is not you. “When you learn to disidentify with these thoughts in your head, the consciousness that arises is a deeper awareness, a deeper connection with a timeless essence.” Today the life of this former recluse is utterly transformed as he travels the world sharing the joy of living in the present moment and how that might best be achieved. “As you wake up, life loses its seriousness and heaviness. When the ego no longer has you in its grip, life is more playful and full of laughter,” he says, a ray of sunshine packaged in an unusual- looking man dressed in an earthy toned checked shirt, buttoned-up cardigan and cords. This lightness, dry humour and how at ease he is with himself leaves an indelible impression. The author of three books -The Power of Now,Stillness Speaks and his latest A New Earth – it has to be said Tolle is the most unlikely of public speakers. Rather than actively engaging his audience by pacing up and down a stage, he is primly tucked into a big armchair. His quiet slow delivery of 21

speech punctuated only by his unusual little soft snorting chuckle. An infectious chuckle that’s heard far more than expected in both public talks and this rare interview. And as for what he is going to speak about, he never knows ahead of time - instead he lets it arise in the moment. All these things considered, it shouldn’t really work, but it does. It may have something to do with the fact that while the content of Tolle’s books is serious, the man is anything but. He did enough of it in the past, he laughs. Whether on stage or on a one- to-one, Tolle’s conversation ﬂows ﬂuidly from one idea into another without a hiccup. The answer to one question can cover many areas. Like, for example, when addressing just how practical it is to always be in the present moment if a person needs to make fundamental life changes: “On the simplest level when driving from point A to point B, many people get stressed because they project themselves forward in their mind to where they need or want to be. All the intervening time of travelling is spent in a state of stress, anxiety, impatience or anger because they are not fully present where they are,” he says. “When it becomes a mental pattern as it does for most people, wherever you are you are never fully there because when you get to point B you’re already projecting where you want to be next. If you reduce all that there ever is - which is now - to a means to an end then the whole quality of your life deteriorates and becomes dysfunctional.” (He does however talk of the importance of ‘clock time’. “You can use your mind if you want to creatively imagine where you want to go. You focus your mind to see how can I get from here to there and what steps do I need to take. This is the use of time on a practical level and we can’t do without that.”) Bringing it back to the person who is not happy with what they are doing, he advises them to be very careful not to generate resistance to the present moment. “While knowing you want something better for yourself, you can still, for that moment, internally accept this is how it is at this moment. In other words, you don’t generate negativity, opposition or unhappiness inside yourself and you do not ﬁght life. The action generated from this place is far more powerful because it is not contaminated with negativity. “For example, if you are angry about being poor, you might get rich because you work very hard and want to prove to the world that you can make it. But, even if you do get rich, you won’t be happy because the whole action will have been generated out of anger. You can also take the step from being poor to rich by not accepting ‘I’m poor’, because that is just a story, but by accepting ‘I have very little in my bank account’. Many people who have practiced this have told me their life changed the moment they no longer face the present moment from a place of opposition, of resistance. It doesn’t mean you get stuck with where you are, in fact change is easier when, ﬁrst of all, there is an inner state of ease at what is and there is a ﬂow and acceptance,” he says. A wordy reply perhaps, but gold dust. Asked if he had only one piece of advice to dispense what would it be, his answer is simple: Make the present moment into your friend. “Whatever stands in your way is the way. If you can welcome the form your life takes at this moment, the entire structure of ‘should’ goes out the window. And the miracle is when you totally accept the form of this moment, it changes for the better.” “Even better”, he suggests, “accept this moment as if you had chosen it. How would you approach this unpleasant person or situation if you had chosen it to be this way? You would be in alignment. What if I’d asked this person to be difﬁcult just to give me some practice. Everything becomes practice. You would see every condition in your life now as happening to help you transcend the condition. Transcendence is an inner phenomenon and goes beyond conditions. Who you are is not touched by conditions”. “After all, in the end”, he says, “your life only amounts to a two inch dash. All your striving to achieve, the struggle and the searching for the perfect partner, ideal career and dream life is encapsulated in a two inch dash between your date of birth and your date of death on your grave stone. Contained therein are the dilemmas of a person’s entire life”. Scary but true. EckhartTolle’s latest book, A New Earth is published by Penguin. His talk in Ireland was presented by Seminars.ie. CDs & DVDs by Eckhart Tolle are available to order online at www.eckharttolle.eu 22

www.theragem.com UK +44 (0)870 609 4583 Ireland +353 (0)53 923 5712 A relaxing, pain-free therapy to restore balance and health Using a combination of electronically stimulated crystals, light and colour therapy, the Theragem releases healing energy to the body’s energy ﬁeld to: • relieve pain and discomfort • boost localized healing and regeneration • shift negative mood • correct imbalances that have caused illness • Treatment sets off a cascade effect of positive healing which continues deep within the body at a cellular level after the treatment. • Light and portable • Easy to set up, maintain and use • Crystal light therapy (dielectric resonance) – • proven to be effective with many different disorders • • Suitable for home users and therapists • • Optional certiﬁed training available • Medica Health Ltd is a supplier of leading-edge healing equipment. Proﬁts go to its parent companyThe Sanctuary of Healing, which is a registered charity. Blending ancient wisdom with modern technology REF: MHPL006 For our FREE information pack, including ‘The Missing Link: The Human Assemblage Point’, contact us:THERAGEM Blending ancient wisdom with modern technology www.medicahealth.org

2012 A whole new world

There is a lot of speculation about what will happen on the planet in the year 2012. In his book, Secrets of the Light, Dannion Brinkley claims that “by the year 2012, humanity will experience unprecedented mental and spiritual transformations, coin- ciding precisely with the Earth’s passage through great physical upheaval.” From my own research into the subject, amid the speculation, I have found some facts. There exists a Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar, used by the ancient Mayan civilisation, which counts down a period of 13 b’ak’tuns, or 394 solar years. This calendar will ﬁnish it’s 144,000 day cycle on December 20th, 2012. Then, as the Winter Solstice Sun rises on Decem- ber 21st, a major astronomical alignment will take place between the planet Earth, our Sun and the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy. What’s happening is that after 13,000 years of our sun pointing towards the Southern Hemisphere of the Galaxy, it is shifting through the Galactic Equator to face into the Northern Hemisphere. John Major Jenkins, author of the book Galactic Alignment, says that there are distinct ﬁeld effects in the two different hemispheres, like the way that hurricanes spin counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere of our planet and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. So, apart from the visual phenomenon of being able to see the universe from a whole new perspective, we may experience actual physical shifts on our planet and in our solar system. He goes on to add that this is a 36 year process which actually began in 1980, so we are already in this era of great change; the era of 2012. There is a lot of information out there for us to peruse, accept, denounce, be amazed by and laugh at, but the one thread that binds it all together is the belief that, by December 21st 2012, the world as we now know it will cease to exist. So, what is this “world as we know it”? Well, that depends on your point of view. Some people look around and see a world in turmoil, on the brink of physical, social and economic collapse. Others look around and see a peaceful world, with individu- als and groups dedicated to improving the physical, social and energetic well-being of the planet and its many inhabitants. Some see both, co-existing in a universe of dual- ity. There are at least as many different versions of our world as there are people to perceive it. And what does “ceasing to exist” mean? Will our planet be destroyed by an increase in natural and man-made disasters? Will humankind have evolved spiritually to a point so far beyond our present way of treating each other and the planet, that the life we now live seems like a distant dream? I believe that we get to choose which direction we’re heading in individu- ally, and that the ﬁnal outcome will be de- pendant on what decision the majority of individuals make over the next few years. It’s safe to say that our actions in the world are determined by our perceptions of the world. For example, if your car broke down in the middle of nowhere and someone wandering by came over to you, you would probably behave differently towards them if you thought that they were planning to hurt you, than if you thought that they were trying to help you. Become aware of how you see the world, and how it relates to your behaviour to- wards others and towards the planet itself. I believe that this is one of the keys to unlocking a brighter future for yourself and for the entire global family. Sharron Rose, visionary ﬁlmmaker of 2012: The Odyssey, says that we need to move from a society of domination to a so- ciety of partnership. Jacque Fresco, found- er of The Venus Project, agrees, adding that we need to move from a monetary-based economy to a resource-based economy, where scientists, not politicians or ﬁnancial institutions, lead the way. Ash Matthews, one of Ireland’s leading Shamans, says that we need to bring the brilliance of our mind to our heart centre, so that great technolog- ical advances can be made for the beneﬁt of all mankind, in harmony with nature. Mother Earth naturally provides all of the resources we need to live happy healthy lives, and the human species already has enough technological know-how to utilise these resources, creating clean water, food, clothing, shelter, electricity, transport, edu- cation, healthcare and leisure activities for everyone on the planet, while at the same time, nurturing every plant and animal spe- cies that we share this world with. So, why isn’t that the reality we now live in? The documentary Zeitgeist: Addendum introduced me to the notion that a handful of Financial Institutions, with the ability to create money out of thin air, have control over people and countries through a never- ending system of Debt Repayment, giving them a monopoly on the world’s resources. Which means that they greatly impact on the advancement of technology, the direc- tion of those advancements and people’s access to the resulting improvements. And since we are all creatures of habit, and a ﬁ- nancial institutions’ habit is to make Proﬁt, it seems unlikely that they would willingly share all that they ‘own‘ free of charge. It’s strange that money rules the world when you examine it a little more closely. For example, money has no nutritional value, but food does; and food does not need money to grow, only sunlight and water, which Mother Earth provides for free. Notes and Coins do not provide adequate shelter from the elements, but wood from sustainable forests and recycled materials can be used to provide housing for everyone on the planet. Also, money does not generate electricity, but the sun, wind, tides and geothermal activity can provide enough renewable, ecologically friendly energy for the entire human race’s every need forever. None of them charge for their participation in the process, and none of the technology used to harvest these renewable sources of energy requires money to work either. Likewise, we humans are not coin-oper- ated. We do not need money to smile at a friend or to shake hands with a stranger; to give our children good advice or to tell our parents how much we love them; to help a community build a school or to teach a class in it. Love is free and, unlike money, the more you share it with others the more of it you create for yourself. My good friend Ash Matthews reminded me that Ireland was once the land of Saints and scholars, known to others as the Land of Light. The Celtic Tiger brought a differ- ent energy to visit for a while, and although some now miss it, others see this change as a blessing. A chance for us to spend more quality time with our loved ones, to delve into the bountiful creative pool that Ireland is famous for, to rediscover what truly mat- ters in life and to live it. I hope and I believe that we’re moving from a society of domination to a society of partnership, from a monetary-based economy to a resource-based economy, from a fascination with purely material gain to a fascinating union of the spiritual and material. Basically, from Fear to Love. I see the silver-lining in the clouds and know that if enough of us shift our perception and actions from those based in Fear to those based in Love, we can reach the critical mass needed to tip the balance of power on the planet and to create paradise on planet Earth by the year 2012. For further information about The Venus Project, log onto www.thevenusproject.com or watch Zeitgeist: Addendum (for free) on www.zeitgeistmovie.com 25 By Patrick Bridgeman

WEB 2.0 is the term that has come to signify the new upgraded internet, which is community based, interactive and user-driven. What I want to explo- re in this article is a ‘Good Life 2.0’ - an upgrade for the 21st century of the ideas of the 1970’s self- sufﬁciency movement. Do you remember The Good Life, the TV show that ran from 1975 to 78? It was one of Britain’s favourite sit-coms, which popularised the notion of getting out of the rat race and being self-sufﬁcient. In some ways, it probably did more to put people off even trying. Tom and Barbara, Richard Briers’ and Felicity Kendal’s characters converted their suburban garden into a farm, kept pigs and chickens, and grew their own food. On one memorable occasion they even converted their car to run on methane, which kept on breaking down. In a light-hearted way, they showed how hard it was, and is, to be different to those around you, and the kind of courage it takes to be so. The ﬁrst series was launched just after the ﬁrst oil shock and amid one of the UK’s worst economic downturns. It was based on the writings of John Seymour, the father of self-sufﬁciency. His books give a comprehensive introduction to the ‘Good Life’, covering everything from growing your own crops, animal husbandry, wine making, bee keeping, building, renewable energy, and much more. Seymour gained considerable experience living a self- sufﬁcient life, ﬁrst in Suffolk, then Pembrokeshire, and then in Ireland, where he established the School of Self-Sufﬁciency in Co. Wexford. He also travelled around the world and wrote and made ﬁlms exposing the unsustainability of the global industrial food system. Sadly, on the 14th of September 2004, John Seymour passed away at the ripe old age of 90. Over the last ﬁve years of his life, I had an oppor- tunity to spend time with John. We campaigned together to stop the planting of genetically enginee- red sugar beet, which culminated with seven of us in a New Ross court-house. But that’s another story. Surprisingly, John once told me that he actually was wrong about self-sufﬁciency. He explained that it is too hard for one family to try to provide everything for themselves. Co-sufﬁciency, or community-sufﬁciency, is what he said we needed. Seymour predicted that we would need self-reliant, local communities, that can share the work and provide the social relationships essential for facing an uncertain future. If Tom and Margo of The Good Life were striving to be self-sufﬁcient in these times, they would probably join their local Transition Town group and build food and energy resilience with their neighbours. They might, if they were more ambitious, move to an Eco-Village. That’s ‘The Good Life 2.0’, and that’s what I plan to do. This year, I am moving to ‘The Village’, the sustainable community extending the town of Cloughjordan in North Tipperary. The 132 houses will be ecologically built with community facilities set amid an edi- ble landscape in which we will soon be harvesting fruit, nuts, berries, herbs and vegetables. The village will provide an unprece- dented focal point for ecological and sustainable education both nationally and internationally. As a living community it will use renewable energy, increase local food production and provide local jobs. Recently, we started Ireland’s ﬁrst community-owned farm and received funding for a green enterprise centre. The Village will be a vital resource for those seeking to build sustainable communities and make the transition to local resilience. The Good Life 2.0. By Davie Philip The Village www.thevillage.ie Davie Philip is the Education Manager at the Cultivate Centre for sustainable living and learning in Dublin. He was a founding member of Sustainable Projects Ireland LTD, the company behind the sustainable commu- nity project in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary. He coordinates the Transition Town Network in Ireland and has just completed ten short TV shows on the importance of community. Email: davie@cultivate.ie The Good Life 2.0 26

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For ten years I sought a skincare that could heal my problematic skin. Needless to say, when our skin isn’t looking good, most of us try to hide it under heavy makeup. I found it tough having to endure the breakouts as an adult, especially when there was no acne during my teen years. I became aware of our skin’s ability to rebel against everyday chemicals found all around us. Switching to natural/homemade products was my ﬁrst step, and then I discovered powdered mineral makeup. • I never enjoyed the conventional foundations. The thought of my skin smothered under it, and the time spent blending it for a discrete ﬁnish were completely unappealing to me. However…the powered minerals were so messy!! The dust literally went everywhere, and I lost count of how many jars I spoiled when they were accidentally dropped. This eventually discouraged me from bothering with makeup at all. • Later, when I developed rosacea, it became apparent I needed more active ingredients in both my skincare and makeup. Luckily, in 2004, I found MyChelle Dermaceuticals. My skin started to heal progressively through the speciﬁc programs and I enjoyed MyChelle’s yummy shimmer sticks, an innovative touch of colour that has been the starting point of the revolutionary MyChelle Natural Minerals™. Now it is a pleasure to wear makeup! • From the most effective and natural skincare products to the new mineral makeup, I have my own personal love story with each of the 100 products available. • MyChelle Minerals™ offers a solutions-oriented approach to existing mineral makeup choices and enables a more even coverage, while leaving a matte ﬁnish without the skin drying normally associated with powder mineral makeup. What’s more, MyChelle Minerals unique applicator withstands the rigors of everyday travel. This easy-to-use stick is completely new to the mineral makeup revolution and it will change the perception of what mineral makeup is. • The mineral makeup is created without using water, which keeps it clean and free of bacteria. This new technique allows MyChelle to be free of chemical preservatives typically found in conventional makeup. Yet, the shelf life is 2 years, just like any other product. Furthermore, MyChelle uses only natural ingredients, which are ideal for those with sensitive skin and acne. • My favourite product in this line is the Cream Foundation, with a sheer matte coverage to naturally reﬁne the skin’s appearance for a beautiful, polished, ﬁnished look that is light, fresh and resists fading. The Concealer offers superior coverage that blends easily to erase dark circles, blemishes and uneven pigmentation. I ﬁnd the Blush Stick altogether versatile, for a warm touch of colour in cheeks, eyes and lips. Though it is hard to resist the Eye Shimmers’ shades or the very gorgeous Little Kisses, with a natural see-through colour performance that I have never experienced before. Finally, the Lip Gloss is a moisturizing, plumping lip gloss designed to be worn alone or layered over Little Kisses. The Lip Gloss has been proven to increase the lip’s volume and decrease furrows around the lips by 40% over the course of 30 days. These glosses use all natural ingredients with none of the chemicals or petroleum adhesives commonly found A new concept in makeup even in so-called “natural” lip gloss. • MyChelle Dermaceuticals offers a full line of cleansers, serum treatments, toners, nourishing creams, sun protection, intensive treatments, mineral makeup and a line of men’s products. Each product is formulated with superior ingredients with the right molecular structure (chirally correct) to ensure proper absorption and effectiveness. All MyChelle formulas are free of artiﬁcial colouring agents, parabens and fragrances. MyChelle promotes the idea of safer natural products for the natural products industry, while at the same time, the company works to educate the public on the dangers of the overuse of oestrogens in today’s skincare products. • MyChelle complete lines can be found at www.skinassure.com and selected health stores and spas. Customer Service and Trade Enquiries: 0404 49840 – 085 105 4240 28 Isabel O’Brien

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Positively Newsworthy POZNAN CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT There were many positives about the Poznan meeting: it was held in a former So- viet era barracks converted into a massive conference area, stimulated by a variety of events, presentations and exhibits. There was a massive hangar devoted to 118 industry exhibits of post-carbon technolo- gies – everything from windmills to a disco where dancers pounding the ﬂoor gene- rate electricity! There were also over 300 workshops and presentations about climate change by many of the ﬁnest world experts on these issues! In fact, I learnt more about these issues in 2 weeks than any student could from several, expensive 3-year uni- versity courses. 2009 has to be a year of mobilization the like of which has never been seen on the planet. Few observing the bleary-eyed bu- reaucrats walking the halls in Poznan and listening to their hedged-about statements, would disagree with one young commenta- tor: “If the fate of the planet is in the hands 30

EL SISTEMA SCHEME ISMUSIC TO THEIR EARS A revolutionary music project developed in Venezuela more than 30 years ago, is now being trialled in Scotland. Maestro José Antonio Abreu’s El Sistema network of youth orchestras has transformed the lives of an estimated quarter of a million underprivileged children living in South America’s barrios. Now, for the ﬁrst time outside his native country, José Abreu’s methods are being used in the deprived Raploch estate of Stirling. “The experience in Venezuela is that the structure of the symphony orchestra offers a chance for everyone to play their part, be challenged and learn together,” said Dr Richard Holloway, Chair of Sistema Scotland. “It’s an activity which touches the entire community. Everyone is welcomed, accepted and contributes.” The power of music and playing as an ensemble, helps children to improve their skills and attainment. It also encourages communities to feel a greater sense of cohesion and mutual respect. “Both adults and kids work as hard as they can,” said George Anderson, Big Noise orchestra spokesman. “No effort is spared. If any kid wants to play in the orchestra, our music teachers will do their utmost to make it possible for them and to make it fun. In the ‘Take a Musician Home’ project, our teachers will go to a child’s home, take tea and cakes and per- form for their family. All our children are really positive and excited by the whole project... They are learning to be good citizens through music.” Contact:www.makeabignoise.org.uk andwww.inharmonyengland.com Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise orchestra launch concert. Photos: © Peter Sandground of these guys, we may as well not get up in the morning.” But – of course – our fate is not in the hands of those guys. It is in our hands! The Youth Delegation in Poznan led the way: in between their jokey and ir- reverent Fossil of The Day Award and ‘Yvo da Bear’ video. They got 80 governments to sign up to a deﬁning resolution: “The survival of all countries and all people must be assured!” For further information unfccc.int/2860.php www.ukyd.org by David Woollcombe SONGS FOR SURVIVAL Bruce Parry, star of the groundbreaking BBC series Tribe and Amazon, has teamed up with some of the music world’s biggest names to create a fundraising album for Survival International – the human rights organisation for tribal peoples. Bruce, who has spent years immersing himself in some of the most remote tribal cultures on our planet, said: “I’ve got so much from my time with tribal people that I really wanted to do something for them in return. So, bringing together this fantastic group of musicians seemed a perfect way of doing just that. It’s been really wonder- ful to see how they’ve been inspired by some of the incredible tribal music that we’ve recorded.” Bruce has worked with music producer Martin Terefe on the album, which also features artists such as Will.i.am – Black Eyed Peas, Yusuf Islam, Johnny Borrell – Razorlight, KT Tunstall, Hot Chip and Mike Oldﬁeld. Every track is exclusive and has been written especially. Songs for Survival is a double album. The ﬁrst CD, entitled Amazon, features songs inspired by issues affecting tribal people and our planet. The second CD, Tribe, is a collection of dance and experimental songs by the Go! Team, Hot Chip, Blue States, Roger Sanchez and more. All of the tracks are written around ﬁeld recordings made by Bruce, when he lived with the indigenous tribes during the making of the series – drumming from Babongo initiation ceremonies in Gabon; war chants from the Kombai of Papua New Guinea; reed playing from the Penan in the rainforests of Borneo and hymns from the island tribe of Anuta, in the Solomon islands. ‘Bruce Parry Presents Amazon Tribe: Songs for Survival’ – a double album released by Kensaltown Records, is available from Amazon, price £7.98 All proﬁts go to Survival International Contact: www.amazon.co.uk A DELICIOUS DEAL OF A MEAL The team here at Positive Life magazine recently went for a belated Christmas dinner in Oliver‘s Eatery at Vaughans Eagle House, Terenure. While organising the night out, Paul told me that the head chef of the restaurant he chose had received a Michelin Star. This evoked, in my mind, images of posh, rich people eating the highest quality food. On the way there, Paul told me it was in a pub. This evoked a whole other set of images in my mind. It wasn‘t until I got there and experienced how these two could combine so perfectly that I realised what a blessing Oliver‘s Eatery truly is. Recently opened by Olivier Quenet, formerly of Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud and one of the people behind La Maison des Gourmets in Castle Market. He main- tains that he is determined to show Irish people that they can eat well from local produce at modest prices (all meat here is sourced from organic butcher, Danny O’Toole, whose premises is just across the road). The menu features what could be called high quality good old fashioned dishes, which makes perfect sense when you consider indulging in Michelin Star Pub Food. “Good raw materials being subjected to sensitive, skilled cooking.” As luck would have it, we were joined by our Graphic Designer’s friend Conrad, Olivier’s right hand chef. He provided us with great insight into the menu. Then, after a delicious dinner, when Paul and I set our sights on the Chocolate Fondant, only to be politely told that there were none left, Conrad went so far as to run off to the kitchen and bake us some from scratch. A memorable and enjoyable night, and with a satisfying food menu ranging from Â4 to Â14.50, the price is right! For more reviews, maps and menus www.oliverseatery.ie By Patrick Bridgeman

I have to be honest, when people talk about being a complementary practitioner, rarely do they consider themselves to be in business. Let’s face it, as practitioners, we are dri- ven more by helping others than making millions. In fact, we’ll often hear “money’s not important”, especially when it comes to deciding what you’ll charge! Isn’t it true that when we started our holistic training we never really thought we’d need to know how to market oursel- ves, how to place an advert, how to start running our practice like a business? Sure wouldn’t clients just love what we did, and keep coming back? And our business would easily “grow” by word of mouth. If we are just really good at what we do, then we wouldn’t have to worry about all the yucky “big business” stuff. For most of us, there is a real calling to help as many people as we can. And that’s the catch 22 – can I give up my “proper job” to dedicate myself to full time practice in the therapy that I love? Because to take that big step from part time to full time, we need to have a steady stream of clients already seeking our servi- ces. And many practitioners struggle to ﬁnd an easy way to do this on a consistent basis. So why it is that so many GREAT prac- titioners struggle to grow their practice and eventually give up? At the end of the day, all we want to do is treat more people. But by not knowing how to market your practice and treat it in a more business-like manner, growth is more difﬁcult. All businesses need customers. Favourable word of mouth is just one way (albeit a very nice way) to get more customers. And it needs to be nurtu- red with our 3-step system! Is it your dream, like so many practitio- ners, to go full time? Why is it that for 80% of practitioners this may never be a reality? For some time now, I’ve wanted to help CLIENT ATTRACTING SECRETS OFFER YOU SIMPLE GOALS. TO GET MORE CLIENTS, MAKE MORE MONEY AND HAVE MORE TIME OFF TO ENJOY IT ALL! practitioners build their practice by get- ting more clients. I’ve been running my own clinic and holistic school for over 10 years and learned a thing or two about what works and what doesn’t. This is the year that I’ve ﬁnally found a way to fulﬁl this dream. With the magic of the internet and the wide reaching possi- bilities it allows, I’ve set up a site specially to support holistic practitioners like you, called ClientAttractingSecrets.com. This site is dedicated to helping you with the tools you’ll need to build your practice. And more than tools, we’ll help you to think differently about your practice. Your clients will thank you for it! Some of the things planned (as well as the usual helpful tips and advice to implement immediately): •we will be holding master classes on how to write your brochure •what to charge for your treatments •how to ensure you always have clients. •and much much more So, if you are interested in making more money from your practice, but confused as to where to begin, join me, Siobhan Guthrie, and Kieran Haughey at clientattractingsecrets.com and order your FREE copy of our CD “the 11 biggest mista- kes that practitioners make when promoting their practice … and how YOU can avoid them”.3 32 By Siobhan Guthrie

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THE Apple Farm in Tipperary was set up in 1968 when William and Ali Traas moved fromHolland to grow apples. At that time a lot of Dutch farmers left Holland, as there was not enough land to farm. In the early years in Ireland, the family grew many crops, including ﬁelds of ﬂowe- ring tulips and vegetables such as peas and brassicas. However, the ﬂavour of the apples here was spectacular, and the farm came to specialise in fruits such as apples, pears, plums, strawberries, raspberries and cherries, most of which are sold directly from a shop on the farm. When Con Traas took over the farm in the 1990’s, he began making apple juice, which became an instant success, thanks to the unusual collection of apple varieties from around the World that were grown on the farm. The juice won awards on a regu- lar basis, including the Bridgestone Award, which has recently been received again for 2009, the best European juice in the UK National Fruit Show competition, and a Blas na hEireann silver medal just last Oc- tober. Con has for a long time been interested in traditional and natural medicines, and he had often been asked by farm shop custo- mers why he did not make a cider vinegar from his apple juice. So about ten years ago he began on the slow process. Cider vine- gar takes a long time to make and mature, and Con’s oldest stocks have been ageing in oak barrels for the last eight years. “It’s worth the wait” says Con, “when you see the quality of the end product.” “Cider vinegar has been recommended sinceHippocrates used it, and probably for much longer” continues Con, “It has antibiotic properties and is also said to ease arthritic pains, along with many other beneﬁcial properties. I have horse trainers and dairy farmers who come to buy it in bulk as they really ﬁnd it beneﬁcial for the health of their animals.” The good news about the health-promo- ting effects of Con’s produce does not stop with the cider vinegar however. According to a study published in the latest January 2009 edition of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, two glasses of apple juice each day can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Thomas B. Shea, PhD, of the Center for Cellular Neurobiology & Neurodege- neration Research, University of Massa- chusetts-Lowell, and his research team carried out a number of laboratory studies demonstrating that drinking apple juice helped mice perform better than normal in maze trials, and prevented the decline in performance that was otherwise observed as these mice aged. In the most recent study, Shea and his team demonstrated that mice receiving the human equivalent of 2 glasses of ap- ple juice per day for 1 month produced less of a small protein fragment, called “beta- amyloid” that is responsible for forming the “senile plaques” that are commonly found in brains of individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Shea commented that “These ﬁn- dings suggest that regular consumption of apple juice can not only help to keep one’s mind functioning at its best, but may also be able to delay key aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and augment therapeutic approa- ches.” Since this study was publicised on Sky News, Con says the response has been unbelievable, and that his juice sales have almost doubled. He says he is delighted as it will enable him to expand and provide more secure local employment, both in growing the apples and making the juice. The shop at The Apple Farm is open all year round 7 days a week from 8am to 6pm. The farm is located on the main N24 (Limerick/Waterford road) between Cahir (6km) and Clonmel (9km). Juices, jams and cider vinegar are available to buy online at www.theapplefarm.com and in selected retail outlets. Phone 052 744 1459 34 Juicy Business A OPPORTUNITY

Calm Natural Limited 235 Old Marylebone Rd London NW1 5QT Feel Good – Live Well Natural Calm is the Best Selling Magnesium Supplement US SPINS data 2008 Magnesium is Necessary for over 350 Body Processes Low Cost of Powder High Bioavailability of Liquid Available at Local Health Stores or Call 01 526 27 05 For more product information, visit www.naturalcalm.eu Karmine Cider Vinegar FOLLOWING IN THE TRADITION OF NATURAL HEALING USED BY HIPPOCRATES AS A NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC AND HEALING AGENT IN 400 BC. RECOMMENDED EVER SINCE AS ASSISTING WITH ARTHRITIS, ASTHMA, ECZEMA, FATIGUE, HEADACHES, SORE THROAT ETC. SCIENTIFICALLY DEMONSTRATED TO THIN THE BLOOD AND REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE. KARMINE CIDER VINEGAR IS MADE ON OUR FARM IN IRELAND USING HOMEGROWN APPLES AND NATURAL PROBIOTIC CULTURES. Ask for it in your health store. Available in 330ml & 750ml bottles, and in bulk. Karmine Fruit Juices, Moorstown, Cahir, Co. Tipperary 052 744 1459 www.theapplefarm.com email con@theapplefarm.com JJO JJO Bmmfshz!Uftujoh! Sfjlj!!Bnbutv! !Obuvspqbuiz!'!!Ifscbm!Nfejdjof!!Dpvotfmmjoh!!FGU!! Izqopuifsbqz!!Sfàfypmphz Effq!Ujttvf!Nbttbhf!!Nfejvntijq!'!Sfbejoht!! Dsbojp.Tbdsbm!Uifsbqz!!Joejbo!Ifbe!Nbttbhf The Wellspring is a new health store featuring all the best in Vitamins, organic foods, beauty products and sports nutrition and providing a wide range of knowlegeable advice for all your health needs. Uif!Xfmmtqsjoh!Ifbmui!'!Ovusjujpo!Tupsf!'!Uifsbqz!Dmjojd!Ñ!7B!Vqqfs!Ftnpoe!Tu/! Hpsfz/!Qipof;!164:532118!!!!Fnbjm;!xfmmtqsjohhpsfzAhnbjm/dpn IFBMUI!TUPSF Our new upstairs therapy centre features a wide range of complimentary therapies, right in the heart of Gorey. Come in and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and new products at The Wellspring, Esmond St. Gorey! Opx!bu!ofx!mpdbujpo;7B!Ftnpoe!Tu/!Hpsfz! )cftjef!pme!qsfnjtft* April 20th 09

TEA is the second most drunk beverage, after water in, the world. Wars have been fought over tea, and tea was the tipping point for the American War of Independence (The Boston Tea Party). It is strongly embedded in the Irish culture. In fact, Ireland has the highest per head consumption of tea in Europe. Nowadays tea is regarded as a commodity product. Yet, what always surprises me is how little really is known about quality tea. I hope this article will shed some light on the forgotten treasures tea has to offer. TEA CLASSIFICATION/ PICK YOUR TEA First of all, it is important to know the different types of tea that are available. These also have different health attributes attached to them. All teas (except the herbal teas which are often referred to as tisanes or infusions) come from the same plant: Camellia Sinensis. This plant originally only grew in China and was smuggled out by Japanese Monks in the 15th century. After many failed attempts by the English to do the same, a botanist discovered a similar plant growing in the tropics (in this case India), which he called Camellia Assamica. Shortly after, the Camel- lia Assamica plant could be grown in tropical climates which facilitated world-wide trade (China had closed itself to all foreign trade). SO WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES? The difference of all traditional teas lies in the different degree of fermentation. WHITE TEA White Tea is considered the healthiest of all teas with the highest content of anti-oxidants and lowest content of caffeine. It is unfermented and air-dried straight after hand-pick- ing. It is called White Tea because it has white, hairy leaves. The best qualities of white tea only contain the unopened bud. GREEN TEA Many varieties, and also methods of preparation exist, but they all have one thing in common: Green Teas are unfermented which results in high anti-oxidant, vitamin & mineral content. Higher grade green teas also only contain the undamaged whole leaf. Green Teas make a fabulous pick me up and are good for detox- ing. OOLONG Oolong is a semi-fermented tea which places it between green and black tea. Recently promoted in the West by Celebrities for weight-loss, Oolong is considered a rejuvena- tion tea in China. The fermentation ranges from 30% (Formosa Oolongs, which are closer to green tea ) to 80% (Shui Xian, which are closer to Black Teas). Also known as the ‘Cham- pagne of Teas’. BLACK TEAS Fully fermented, they were origi- nally invented by a Chinese Trader to preserve the tea on its voyage to Europe. Black Tea consumption only constitutes 1% of tea consumption in China... We mainly consume the tropical Assam (grown in Asia & Africa), and Darjeeling (same plant but special growth conditions in the Indian District of Darjeeling make this tea special). PU-ERH TEA Pu-Erh has a category on its own, since it is a post-fermented tea. This means certain bacteria are added after the leaf is fermented. These bacteria are similar to pro-biotics and help the breakdown of fat in the digestive tract. Alongside Pu-Erh’s energising qualities, it is a valuable aid for weight-loss and lowering cholesterol levels. HERBAL TEAS Generally caffeine free, herbal teas can be made up of any plant-material on this planet. Solaris Herbal Teas are delicious hand-blended mixes targeting speciﬁc body systems and complaints. Herbal infusions are ideal for boosting your system with easily absorbed minerals and make the perfect addition to your Spring Detox regime. To ﬁnd out more, just use our tea selector on our website to ﬁnd speciﬁc teas for speciﬁc conditions. Turn over a new Tea leaf

Tea ﬂavonoids may lower the risk of certain cancers by inhibiting the oxidative changes in DNA from free radicals and some carcinogens. Tea may also promote programmed cell death, or apoptosis, and inhibit the rate of cell division, thereby decreasing the growth of abnormal cells. Tea-drinking has been associated with oral health and bone health. Compounds in tea other than ﬂavonoids have been shown to support the human immune system. For a more in-depth read on clinical trials and health beneﬁts go to www.solaristea.com where we have compiled a wealth of up to date research on tea. SOCIAL A cup of tea represents more than the health beneﬁt alone. Tea has been of major social importance in many cultures around the world. Offering tea to a visitor, friends, or in meetings, tea is a universal gesture of goodwill and hospitality. Tea represents communication and feeling at ease with your surroun- dings. This aspect was developed to a painstakingly exact ritual in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, but can be found in every household on this planet drinking tea. Solaris Flowering Teas are a celebration of this tradition. When steeped in hot water, the ﬂower buds slowly blossom into breathtaking displays. Requiring no tea bag or strainer, Flowering Teas are environ- mentally kind as well as easy to serve. For tea connoisseurs and beginners alike, Flowering Teas make unforget- table gifts. An extraordinary sensual experience! Solaris Tea’s are sold in Health Food Stores & Deli’s nationwide. The teas can also be ordered online on www.solaristea.com Solaris Botanicals, a Galway-based Organic Tea company specialises in blending internationally award- winning organic Speciality and Herbal Teas. The Solaris Tea range has won 6 Great Taste Awards in 2 years and was awarded Best Irish Organic Grocery Product in 2007 & 2008. Joerg Mueller, founder of the company is a Medical Herbalist and Master Tea Blender. QUALITY Very important for buying the right teas is the quality grading aspect of teas. Let me get this straight from the beginning: if you are drinking tea for its health beneﬁts, whole- leaf teas are the only choice. Once the tea leaf is cut or bruised (i.e. for fermentation) it oxidises, thus looses anti-oxidants. This means anti-oxi- dant content is highest in this order: White Tea > Green Tea > Oolong > Black Teas For ordinary Tea bags, low grade tea fannings (dust) is used which are almost devoid of anti-oxidants. Expressed more positively: Whole-leaf Teas contain on average 95% more anti-oxidants than Tea Bag Teas (except where these contain only whole leaf tea, such as in Silken Tea Bags). Generally Tea is graded into 10 grades: 1st grade, 2nd grade... Fan- nings, which are the lowest grade. Another important factor in the quality is the picking time. The best teas are picked in spring time, which is the ﬁrst harvest (there can be up to 4 harvests a year, each one resulting in a lower quality), also called 1st ﬂush or spring ﬂush tea. HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA The health beneﬁts of tea have been well documented and to date up to 2000 clinical trials were conducted on this topic. The main ﬁndings are as follows: The antioxidant properties of tea ﬂavonoids play a role in: reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by decreasing lipid oxidation, reducing the instances of heart attacks and stroke, and beneﬁcially impact blood vessel function, an important indicator of cardiovascular health. 37 By Jorg Muller

JOHN Carey, a man who lives and brea- thes his nutritional cherry juice product, CherryActive, believes it literally cured him of his crippling gout. John had always enjoyed a healthy, ﬁt li- festyle and, like many young people, took his health very much for granted. But ten years ago, aged only 28, he woke one day with an excruciating pain in his right toe, which was horribly swollen. The GP conﬁrmed that John was displaying the classic symptoms of gout. He was for- ced to shelve his training as a competitive black belt at judo and as a marathon run- ner, and for the next few years continued to suffer a series of bouts of gout. Gout is a form of arthritis caused by a build up of uric acid in the blood stream. It is characterised by excruciating, sudden, unexpected burning pain, as well as swel- ling, redness, warmth and stiffness in the affected joint. It occurs more commonly in men in their toes, but can appear in other parts of the body. John was given prescriptive medicines that he was told to take for the rest of his life. Conscious that these medicines would have long-term side-effects, especially de- pression, John relentlessly searched for a more natural solution to manage his condi- tion. On a business trip to America, John had another attack that left him unable to walk. A colleague told him about the health pro- perties of Montmorency cherries, only grown in northern US states. Willing to try anything, John ordered several bottles of the Montmorency cherry juice. After drinking the juice for a week, the pain in his toes had distinctly receded. John has continued drinking it ever since and, apart from a few ‘twinges’ in his toes, he has not experienced any more gout attacks. So delighted was John with his new-found cure, he was anxious to let other fellow sufferers know about it and so changed his career path as a ﬁnance and leasing specia- list to concentrate on marketing the cherry product from his home in the UK. Utilising the resources of the farmer in the US whom he has partnered with, John set up CherryActive in January 2006 to spread the word about this amazing fruit. Made purely from 100% Montmorency cherries, CherryActive is sold as a Concentrate and Capsules. On-going scientiﬁc research studies from the world’s most highly respected research centres is unveiling the powerful, health- promoting qualities of Montmorency cherry compounds, which have a rich source of potent, natural antioxidants that are highly effective in killing the harmful free radi- cals which occur in the body through the process of oxidation. Results from these studies suggest that regular consumption of CherryActive may help to maintain: • Healthy joints • Normal uric acid levels •A healthy cardiovascular system •Regular sleep patters •Muscle strength recovery A recent ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) study measured the antioxidant levels in food and revealed that CherryAc- tive has an amazing ORAC score of 8,260 per 30ml (compared with a ‘normal’ level of 1,790 for fruit and vegetables), equiva- lent to having 23 portions of fruit and veg a day! As well as its health-giving properties, the power of the red CherryActive juice drink and capsules is also being recognised as the secret natural ingredient and ma- jor contributor to muscle recovery in the sports world, which is a fundamental key to achieving sports competitive success. Andrea Cullen, Consultant Nutritional Therapist to Irish Athletes, says: “Nutri- tion plays a vital role in the health, well- being and performance of an athlete. That is why I value CherryActive and have in- cluded the concentrate drink into our ath- letes’ daily diet and supplement regime.” For more information visit: www.cherryactive.co.uk 38 Cherry Good For You!

Reasons to be Cherryful! CherryActive Concentrate and Capsules are made from carefully selected Montmorency cherries, a rich source of potent antioxidants. Research studies suggest that consumption of Montmorency cherry compounds may help maintain healthy muscles and joints and support healthy sleep patterns. CherryActive Concentrate’s super-powerful antioxidant will count towards your ﬁve-a-day fruit and veg target too! Simply dilute with water to make a delicious cherry juice, or add to your favourite fruit juice, smoothie or to natural yoghurt! CherryActive Capsules are a convenient altenative if you are travelling, are tight for space or are sensitive to fruit juices. CherryActive capsules contain pure Montmorency cherry powder, with no ﬁllers or other additives, in a 100% vegetarian shell. Winner of Best Product – Supplements and Remedies, Natural Trade Show 2007. No added sugars, preservatives or other additives. CherryActive – the secret ingredient for a healthier lifestyle Available to purchase direct from : www.cherryactive.co.uk or from your local independent health store Eliminate theFearofFlying @ THE EFT CLINIC DUBLIN ´()7RIIHUVJUHDWKHDOLQJEHQHÀWVµ'HHSDN&KRSUD Contact Dr. Anthony Sharkey: www.eft-clinic-dublin.com or 086 2543 762 • IS TAKING A SIMPLE BUSINESS FLIGHT EVEN TO THE UK A LIVING NIGHTMARE FOR YOU? • IS YOUR FEAR OFFLYING STOPPING YOU FROM TAKING MEANINGFUL HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR CLOSEFAMILY ANDFRIENDS? •DO YOUR WANT TO STOP BEING AN “AIRPLANE PHOBI&µ$1'ENJOY A FLIGHT WITHOUT NAUSEA OR WHITE KNUCKLES. “It was a lovely trip! My husband couldn’t believe it” ...I enjoyed the food, the music the movie and the view!....It’s really unbelievable!” A Canadian EFT Client after just one EFT session - previous to this she had been nauseated for 3 weeks in anticipation of the plane journey " !# $ ! ! " ! #

INtoday’s fat-phobic culture, an important message has been lost: ‘Fat is essential to life’. Despite the advent of the low-fat diet revolution over 20 years ago, obesity rates are on the increase and eating less fat has in fact made us fatter! Saturated fats are found mainly in animal products. Although they have important roles in the body such as protecting our internal organs and transporting fat soluble vitamins, over consump- tion can raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol that increases the risk of coronary heart disease. However, small amounts are great for using in high heat cooking (baking, roasting etc), as they are not easily damaged by heat. Unsaturated fat raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol that can help to pre- vent against coronary heart disease. A subclass of unsaturated fats called the essential omega 3 and omega 6 fats cannot be manufactured in the body and therefore must be taken in the diet. They are the building blocks for hormones which balance many important reactions governing everything from how we sleep to how our blood clots. The best sources of Omega 3 fats are fatty ﬁsh such as salmon, herring and sardines, ﬂax seeds (and oil), walnuts and seaweed. Omega 6 fats are high in vegetable oils, meat and chicken. A heal- thy balance of Omega 3s and Omega 6s are the key to consuming the essential fats, and together they have demonstrated impressive results in the treatment of learning difﬁculties, depression and ADHD, whilst helping reduce the severity of aller- gies, asthma, eczema and hormonal imbalances. Trans fats are synthetic fats created by ‘hydroge- nating’ vegetable oils. This gives the oil a longer shelf life which is very good for food manufacturers but bad for you. Trans fats raise LDL and lower HDL cholesterol, are carcinogenic and have no health beneﬁts. Unfortunately they can easily be at high levels within most people’s diets as they are used in the manufacture of margarine, biscuits, fried foods and baked goods. Trans fats are thought to be so damaging to health that many countries have banned their use and others have made it mandatory to label foods that contain ‘hydrogena- ted’ trans fats. This is not the case in Ireland. GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT Foods to include: 2-3 portions of oily ﬁsh per week. 1-2 handfuls of nuts and seeds per day. Oils: 1-2 tablespoons per day. Seaweed is great sprinkled on salads, stir fries or soups. High omega 3 eggs. Coconut oil for high heat cooking. Foods to reduce or avoid: Limit red meat to 2 or 3 portions per week. Choose butter over margarine. Nearly all pre-packed food contains ‘hydrogena- ted fats’. Throw away any vegetable oil fats that have not been refrigerated or are not in a dark glass bottle as these may have turned into trans fats. Do not cook at high temperatures. SUPPLEMENTING WITH OMEGA 3 AND OMEGA 6 The average Western diet provides enough Omega 6 fats, therefore it is more important to supplement with Omega 3 fats. Vegetable oils provide omega 3 in the form of -linoleic acid. Not everybody is as efﬁcient at converting this -linoleic acid to the more active forms of Omega 3; EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA(docosahexaenoic acid). Fish oils provide good levels of these EPA and DHA fats as the ﬁsh have already converted the -linoleic acid to the active form. When choosing a supplement it is important to note that you often get what you pay for. Cheaper Omega 3 supplements often contain little, if any, EPA and DHA. A good target for mental well- being and performance is 1000mg per day so to get this amount; you may well need to take more than the manufacturer’s suggested dose. Supple- ments come in the form of capsules and oil. Ask your pharmacist or health store assistant how the oil is sourced and prepared so that you can make your preferred choice. Here are some examples: 3Eskimo-3 capsules provide 240mg EPA, 160mg of DHA. 2 capsules of Eye-Q provides 186mg EPA, 58mg DHA and 20mg GLA. 1 capsule of MorEPA provides 580mg EPA, 80mg of DHA. ICIM teaches certiﬁcate and diploma courses in Nu- trition and Nutritional Therapeutics. See our website www.icim-ireland.net or call 090 974 9929 for more details. By Anneliese Dressel 40 fataaTHETRUTHABOUT

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“SPRING BOOST” WHEATGRASS JUICE SHOT QUINOA TABOULI (SERVES 4) 1 cup raw quinoa, yields 2 cups 1½ cups water 2 tomatoes, diced ½ cucumber, diced Bunch of parsley Mint 1-2 scallions 1 clove garlic, minced Juice of ½ lemon and zest is optional 2-3 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper Directions: Wash and rinse quinoa in water. Combine quinoa, water and pinch of salt in a pot, cover with lid and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15- 20 minutes. Finely chop; mint, parsley and scallions. Allow quinoa to cool, then combine all ﬁnely chopped salad ingre- dients in a bowl and toss gently together. Whisk the oil, lemon, salt and pepper together. Stir into Tabouli, adjust ﬂavours and season to taste. Dorene Palmer runs cookery classes in Dublin and Kilcoole. Contact her at 0857062039/01 2842590 or email palmerdee@gmail.com Tabouli is a Middle Eastern dish traditionally using couscous. Here, Dorene Palmer, CEO of Divine Foods, uses quinoa, an ancient South American grain. Packed with protein, calcium and free from gluten, it is light and easy to digest. Heaven and Earth are offering heavenly 1- and 3-day retreats: alk- alinising and energising Juice Days, with a spa treatment to aid detoxing, cleansing and renewal. Contact them at 01 284 3333 or see our websitewww.heavenandearth.ie “SPRING BLUSH” 1 small beetroot 1/2 cucumber 1 small carrot Directions for both juices: 1.Remove the top from vegetables and scrub using water and a stiff vegetable brush to remove any dirt. 2.Peel or wash the cucumber. If the cucumber is waxed then remove the wax by peeling it. 3.Cut the vegetables to ﬁt your juicer. 4.Juice and serve immediately Wheatgrass is a complete food, full of B vitamins, phytonutrients, and is rich in chlorophyll. It aids liver detoxing, colon cleansing and strong bo- nes. One week and your skin will look glowing and you will feel great! Purchase 1-2 trays of wheatgrass or grow your own! Get an electric- or hand-wheatgrass juicer and away you go with one shot every morning on an empty stomach. Last thing at night too is a bonus. “ALKALINIZING GREEN JUICE” 1/2 large cucumber 2-3 celery stalks 1/4 apple Thin slice of root ginger or slice of fennel bulb According to traditional health practices, in Spring, the life force in your body is moving from the quiet water/kidney energy of winter to the wood/liver energy of spring. Thus juicing is a wonderful way to start Spring, with a juice day or even three days to cleanse and eliminate the acidic wastes of our rich diet. Even without taking on a fast day, raw vegetable and fruit juices are a great way to maximize energy and ﬁll your being with vital enzymes and photochemicals. Here, Mary Berkery, CEO of Heaven and Earth Day Spa, shares her favourite combinations. Spring Recipes Spring is in the air, a new beginning, a time to shrug off the excesses of winter and get ready for Summer. There is a natural urge to lighten our diet, get up early with the sunrise and be more active. All of this is in preparation to help our energy rise up just like the sap in the trees for the more active and energetic days ahead. 42

4HIS

THE Mind Body Spirit Festival is a unique day out, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the world of complementary health, holistic therapies and natural healing techniques, with over 200 exhibits. This extensive programme which includes demonstrations and more than 120 free lectures, performances and workshops, makes the festival a great day out for everyone and paves the way for alternative approaches to lifestyle development. Here at Positive Life, our own experience of past festivals has been life-changing, with new insights being discovered, new friendships being forged and new healing techniques being tried and tested, sometimes with amazing results. Some things work for some people and others for others, and we advise you to trust your intuition when looking at what will work for you. Visitors to the Mind Body Spirit Festival will have the opportunity to participate in both traditional and innovative healing practices for mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing, in an environment promoting positive living and self-discovery. It’s Ireland’s largest gathering of natural, complementary healthcare practitioners and organizations, with contributions from major International and Irish presenters. FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS: •Barbara MeikleJohn-Free: The Highland Seer, medium, singer and drummer. (U.K)www.spiritvisions.co.uk •Dr Donn Brennan: Ayurveda. Meaning knowledge of life, this is a prevention orientated time tested and holistic health system, fully recognized by the World Health Organisation. •Shiatsu Society:www.healthyway.ie •Jason Chan: Inﬁnite Tai Chi, Inﬁnite Chi Kung, and Ling Chi Healing. The most inspirational person of 2007 (U.K) www.lightfoundation.co.uk •Seamus Byrne: The Singing Monk www.brotherseamus.com •Elizabeth Whiter: The Animal Healer (U.K)www.healinganimals.org •Heidi Sawyer: Natural Psychic, Author and Director of Psychic Development. (U.K). •Stephanie King: Life Coach and Author. (U.K)www.channelledbyspirit.com •Julie Williams: Quantum Healing Trainer andHolistic Therapist. (U.S.A) www.integrative-wellness.org •The Bio-Energy School of Ireland: www.thebioenergyschooloﬁreland.com •Tui Na Medical Massage in Ireland: www.tuinaireland.ie •Vedic Art:www.angeljosie.kipertech.com •Madeleine Doherty: Musician, composer and colour practitioner. Has recorded for radio & television in Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium and America. www.madeleinedoherty.ie •Kinesiology:www.kinesiology.ie •Yoga Therapy Ireland: www.yogatherapyireland.com •SHUMEI UK: Japanese Healing Art www.shumei.org •The College of Naturopathic Medicine: www.naturopathy.ie •Anni Watson: Melody Crystals. •Eddie O’Neill: Recreational Drum Circle www.bang-a-bongo.com •Paul Curtain: Tibetan Singing Bowls Vibrational Healingwww.lifevibes.ie •Reiki Federation of Ireland: www.reikifederationireland.com •Pia Von Prondzynski: The Kryon school www.kryonschool.com •Maeve Newe: Senior Management Training Consultant •Ki Health: A unique healing, which boosts the energy of the whole body, restoring immunity and vitality. www.kihealth.org •Sample Tasters of: Chiropractic, Iridology, Reiki, Bio-Energy, Kinesiology, Shiatsu, Massage, and Aura -Soma Date: Bank Holiday Weekend – March 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th 2009 Time: 11am – 7pm Saturday, Sunday & Monday 11am – 6pm Bank Holiday Tuesday Venue: RDS Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Industries Hall at Anglesea Road entrance. Admission:Â12 Further Information: Louis O’Sullivan, Organiser. 01-2859294 - abc21@eircom. net - www.mindbodyspirit.ie Also this year: Mind Body Spirit & Yoga Festival 24, 25, 26 October 2009. IRISH INTERNATIONALMind Body Spirit Festival 44

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WE are all becoming more aware to the importance of being health conscious, and feel the effects of our modern day lifesty- les which include convenience foods and little or no exercise. The media are making us more aware of the importance of eating a balanced diet, full of fresh fruit and vegetables, and how we should try to avoid foods high in sugar, fat and salt. Smoking is completely out of the question, and drinking alcohol should only be done in moderation. If we follow these guidelines we will be more likely to live longer healthier lives. However, we could still fall prey to certain diseases. A good indicator of which is a substance called Homocysteine. The Homocysteine test from YORKTEST Laboratories helps identify if you have a raised level of Homocysteine in your blood. THE FACTS ABOUT HOMOCYSTEINE Homocysteine is a naturally occurring sulphur containing amino acid. It is involved in essential chemical pathways in the body and an increasing number of medical experts are saying that raised levels in the blood may be as, or more, important than raised levels of cholesterol. Many factors are thought to raise levels of Homocysteine. Among them are poor diet - leading to low levels of vitamins B6 and B12, poor lifestyle, especially smoking and high alcohol intake, some prescription drugs, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and poor thyroid function. Normal levels in- crease with age and higher levels are more common in men than women. As with cholesterol, family history and genetic make up can play a part in causing raised levels as can obesity and lack of exercise. WHAT EFFECT DOES HOMOCYSTEINE HAVE ON YOUR BODY High levels of Homocysteine cause damage to the wall of the arteries. This increases the risk of coronary heart disease and strokes. People at high risk include people with a poor diet, lack of regular exercise, who are overweight, suffer from diabetes, smokers and those that consume excess amounts of coffee or alcohol. Even people with an active, healthy lifestyle may still be at risk, if there is a family history of high levels of Homocysteine or disease. Levels of Homocysteine can increase with age, oestrogen deﬁciency and with some long term medications, including corticosteroids and some cancer treatment drugs. Strict vegetarians and vegans may also be at risk and people that suffer from stress can suffer too. Whatever the state of your health a Homocysteine test can help you to assess what your risk might be – allowing you Homocysteine Health to take action to reduce that risk and give you peace of mind for the future. There are always people who are at high risk and low risk, but the only way to ﬁnd out deﬁnitively is to have a Homocysteine test. HOW DO YOU TAKE THE TEST? The YORKTEST Homocysteine Test is a simple ﬁnger prick blood test that can be taken from the comfort of your own home for as little as Â99. Taking the test is simple; ﬁrstly, it is a fasting sample and needs to be done ﬁrst thing on a Monday morning. To start, wash your hands in warm to hot water to encourage good blood circulation, then prick your ﬁnger using the lancet provided and put a couple of drops of blood onto the Plasma Separator; about 4 or 5 drops. This card has been specially designed to separate the plasma from the blood. Following the instructions enclosed in the kit complete the test as directed. You then post your sample back to our laboratory for testing using a pre-paid envelope enclosed. Your results will then be sent out to you within 15 working days. We do advise that you monitor your Homocysteine levels after taking vitamin supplements and we advise to retest after three months. The Homocysteine Test can then be taken as part of your annual health check. WHAT DO I DO IF MY HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS ARE HIGH? It is possible to reduce high levels of Homocysteine in less than 3 months if you are careful and eat the correct nutrients. For more information or to order a Homocysteine test kit simply contact YORKTEST on 01 2022701 or order online at www.yorktest.ie 46

Homocysteine a route to good heart health 01 20 22 701Call now for a FREE consultation or visit yorktest.ie