A holiday to make you more beautiful

For those of you who like to think ahead, why not start planning now for a ‘detox’ holiday in 2009! I recommend adventure travel on an African safari with plenty of opportunity for exercise in unpolluted fresh air, and lots of relaxation in between walks in the bush and game drives. It’s good for the body and good for the soul – the ideal rejuvenation. I find that Zambia offers a lot of choice for tourists, and because it’s not that well-known you’re never crowded out. There’s even beach if you want it – this is the edge of Lake Bangweulu in the Eastern Central area of Zambia….

Alternative Water?

Today thankfully Anglian Water lifted its ban on drinking unboiled tap water for all customers in Northamptonshire affected by the inconvenience caused by cryptosporidium in the water supply. Tap water in that area is officially clear of the bug. But it has again raised concerns in people’s minds about the quality of tap water. At the same time those of us who buy bottled water are being labelled as ‘eco-criminals’. Water is heavy and large quantities of fuel are used to transport it, and also to make the packaging. So I have a proposal. We have alternative therapy, alternative education, alternative music ……  Why not alternative water? America is often two steps ahead of us trend-wise. So what’s happening on the other side of the pond? In Los Angeles apparently everybody fills up on tap water and orders it in restaurants. In Chicago there’s a tax on mineral water. In New York the mayor has called on citizens to boycott bottles. Are we lagging behind in this country? What’s the problem? I believe the problem is that people don’t want to risk drinking tap water. And despite the famous Panorama water testing experiment, I for one do not like the tap water taste. What is my alternative water? It’s simple really. It’s tap water treated at point-of-use, in the kitchen or in the workplace. No environmental issue. No taste issue. No health issue (it kills the cryptsporidium bug outright). Just good clean eco-friendly delicious Alternative Water! Hmmmmmm I love it! 

Julia Rosamund Brown

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More Water Features

Preliminary data indicates that the Cryptosporidium oocysts found at the Pitsford Water Treatment Works near Northampton are a type which results in low infectivity to man and the risk is therefore significantly reduced.  That’s a relief to everyone. However it does not help us feel less vulnerable, less exposed to potentially harmful living ‘things’ that could show up in our tap water, apparently at any time.

What a pity we have to drink the stuff at all! But we do. The jury has been out for a while on how much. But according to an article published today in a Special Report distributed by the Daily Telegraph, drinking 8 – 10 glasses of water a day can make an enormous difference to our health. It quotes Pamela Taylor, chief executive of industry lobbyist organisation Water UK, as saying that we now have the clearest evidence that water is a really powerful health drink. And this is especially true for older people. In fact, according to Baroness Greengross, founder of Action on Elder Abuse, not introducing minimum standards of hydration in hospitals and care homes could be seen as neglect. Apparently the thirst sensation decreases as you get older and so it’s good to remind elderly people of their hydration needs.

For details of the water treatment system I recommend, do get in touch. With one of these state-of-the-art purifiers installed in your kitchen you can confidently drink plenty of great-tasting water and you’ll be encouraging your family to experience the health benefit!

 

Julia Rosamund Brown

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Northampton Tap Water Crisis – the aftermath

Yesterday Anglian Water announced that it would lift the ‘boil notice’ for 60 per cent or more of the 108,000 homes affected, by the end of this week. The company has identified the source of the cryptosporidium protozoa found at the Pitsford treatment plant and are now ensuring that traces of the bug are removed from the water already in the distribution network. I understand the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) will be carrying out an investigation. 

By coincidence the same DWI recently commissioned some research by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. It revealed that pharmaceuticals are finding their way into our water supply despite extensive purification treatments used by water companies like Anglian Water. Trace levels of bleomycin, a cancer chemotherapy drug, and diazepam, a sedative, were found during tests on drinking water. Andrew Johnson, the scientist who led the study, said: “There is not evidence to show that drinking water treatment removes all these drugs, so while we are not wanting to alarm people, it would be foolish to assume there is no risk.”

A separate study by environmental scientists has also warned that toxic chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer patients are being washed into Britain’s rivers.And in America a vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million people, a recent Associated Press investigation has shown.

Meanwhile the plastic bottle mountain in the Northampton area is expected to grow (see picture). Not too green….

All this makes me even more sure than I already was that the domestic water treatment system we supply is the best solution to the drinking water issues we are now facing. Email us or give us a call on 01733 242756 to place your order.

 

Julia Rosamund Brown

P.S If you think you’re safe buying bottled water, you may have to think again! Natural Resources Defense Council, an American environmental action group, have found that chemicals called phthalates, which are known to disrupt testosterone and other hormones, can leach into bottled water over time. One study found that water that had been stored for 10 weeks in plastic and in glass bottles contained phthalates, suggesting that the chemicals could be coming from the plastic cap or liner. Although there are regulatory standards limiting phthalates in tap water, there are no legal limits for phthalates in bottled water — the bottled water industry waged a successful campaign opposing the USA’s FDA proposal to set a legal limit for these chemicals.

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Northampton Tap Water Crisis – UV treatment clears the bug!

Latest news on what’s happening in the Northampton area of the UK, currently dealing with a ban on the use of tap water for drinking. The ban is a result of the discovery of cryptosporidium parasites in the water at the Pitsford reservoir nearby. Interestingly Anglian Water are installing ultra-violet treatment to kill the bug. As I mentioned in my previous blog, the kitchen water treatment system I supply uses a combination of carbon block filter and UV lamp. The UV light destroys parasites such as cryptosporidium. So by installing our system (a simple process) you can get back to normal within a couple of weeks and never have to worry again about these kind of bugs getting into your water. Find out more or phone 01733242756 to order.

Unfortunately it is still going to take weeks rather than days, in all probability, before things get back to normal. Meanwhile Anglian Water delivered 69,000 bottles of water over the weekend to vulnerable customers including hospitals, nursing homes and some schools. And the Co-operative has delivered a massive 75,000 litres of bottled water to Northamptonshire to help meet demand during the water crisis. Customers will be restricted to 10 litres each until the crisis has been resolved.

The most common question being asked is ‘Can I use the dishwasher?’ The answer apparently is yes, if you put it on a hot wash. The second most asked question has been about hand-washing dishes. Anglian Water have advised people to wash the dishes as normal then douse them with boiling water as they stand on the drainer.

Julia Rosamund Brown

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Northampton Tap Water Crisis and our on-counter Water Treatment System

Now that it’s summer everyone should be drinking more water than usual to replace water lost in perspiration. Not a good time for Anglian Water scientists to discover cryptosporidium in the public water supply during a routine test at Pitsford Water Treatment Works this Tuesday. To their credit they quickly announced the problem and are working hard to resolve the issue. But it may take weeks to sort it out. Anglian Water have urged the 250,000 or so affected people in Northampton, Daventry and the west of the county to boil all their drinking water rather than panic buy bottled water at the shops. Dozens of schools sent pupils home on Wednesday. But Anglian Water has promised to deliver bottled supplies to them so they should be re-opening. Anglian Water has not yet found out how the cryptosporidium parasite got into the water supply. Read more here:-

http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Water-crisis-clockwatch-How-the.4220470.jp

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/water-crisis/Tap-water-alert-Anglian-Water.4221771.jp

Cryptosporidium parasites do not often get into the public water supply in the UK. But when it happens it can be devastating to those whose homes are affected. Just last year in June there was another such incident affecting an estimated 15,040 people in North Walsham, Norfolk for 11 days. Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite (a tiny organism) that causes an infection called cryptosporidiosis. The most common symptom is watery diarrhoea, which can range from mild to severe. Cryptosporidiosis is most common in children aged between 1 and 5 years, but it can affect anyone. People with weak immune systems are likely to be most seriously affected. There is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis. Most people with a healthy immune system will recover within one month. It is important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. That of course is a problem if the water supply has caused the infection in the first place. Thankfully so far there have been no reported cases of cryptosporidiosis in the Northampton area.

There was concern in 2005 about the increase in cases of human cryptosporidiosis in England and Wales that had been reported to the Health Protection Agency. It is not unusual for there to be a rise in the number of reported human cases during autumn. But in 2005 it was higher than usual and this led to the setting up of several outbreak control teams in parts of South England and North Wales. Cryptosporidium is found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with infected human or animal faeces. Transmission may occur through animal-to-human or human-to-human contact, by consuming contaminated water or food, or by swimming in contaminated water (for example in lakes or rivers). In 2005 precautionary advice to boil water was given to consumers.

I’ve already blogged about the importance of drinking clean water for your health and general well being (Water is life…). What’s really interesting is that the water treatment system we recommend and supply has not only a carbon block filter but also ultraviolet lamp technology. And ultraviolet light destroys the Cryptosporidium parasite! So if you’re in one of the affected areas in Northamptonshire, we can help you get through this difficult time by supplying you with a simply-installed system that will protect you from Cryptosporidium. You won’t have to boil your water! Get the details or browse our website.

Let’s hope and pray this crisis is quickly resolved, with no cryptosporidiosis outbreak.

Julia Rosamund Brown

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HOW TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT your health

If you recognise that vibrant health means looking your best and reducing the risk of illness, you may need a CRASH COURSE on how to achieve optimal health and vitality. It needn’t be complicated. In fact you could make a good start by taking just 4 simple steps to make it happen. Can you cope with that?  Great! Here we go…

STEP 1 – DRINK WATER – How hard is that? Pure water is one of the simplest remedies you could offer your body because it improves your health, your fitness, and even how you look. See my earlier blog on this – ‘Water is Life. So better read on…’. I’m happy to recommend the brilliant point-of-use kitchen counter system that I use. It converts ordinary tap water into great tasting quality water – just check our website for more information.

STEP 2 – OUT WITH THE TRASH – Sort out your nutrient intake by reducing fatty, sugary fast foods and eating more fresh and whole foods. Macro and micronutrients are the raw materials your body needs to give you abounding energy. Feed your body with the right stuff. Nutrients can work alone but each does depend on others to be most effective. Quality carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. You know what’s good for you. Just do it!

STEP 3 – TAKE SUPPLEMENTS – Find a good brand of food supplements, made from organically grown food concentrates if at all possible. If you don’t know where to look, do get in touch to find out about the brand we recommend.  Although we may make every effort to eat a balanced diet, science shows that nowadays, despite the best possible efforts, we can’t always get everything our bodies need from food alone, unless it is completely balanced – no refined foods, no takeaway, no excess sugars. Unfortunately these days our food tends to be overly processed, hormone-pumped, artificially coloured, full of enhanced flavours, high in sugar and very low in fibre. So supplementing with the right vitamins and minerals is a key component of achieving optimal health.

STEP 4 – EXERCISE – groan!!!!!! But actually it makes you feel GOOD! Exercise and improved fitness will perk up your mood, combat chronic diseases, strengthen your heart and lungs, manage your weight, promote better sleep and even improve your sex life. So it’s worth it. I go for walks and use a Billy Blank’s Tae Bo video as it’s easy (kind of), quick, I can do it whenever I can fit it in and I don’t have to spend time and money going to the gym.

That’s D for DRINK WATER

O for OUT WITH THE TRASH

T for TAKE SUPPLEMENTS

E for EXERCISE

DOTE – dote on yourself a bit and feel great this summer!

Julia Rosamund Brown

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Simply Radiant Skin – C

In the last 2 blogs I talked about checking the appearance of your skin, skin types and identifying the products you need. Today we’re focusing on how to use skincare products correctly, to achieve simply radiant skin…

C is for CARE
Once you have the RIGHT skin care products, here are the steps for your daily skincare routine. Be sure to follow them twice a day, every day – when you wake up and before you go to bed:

1. Cleanse
This is the most important rule of skin care. Cleansers deep clean gently to help your skin breathe. They remove make-up, excess oil, dirt, bacteria and the effects of pollution. Use a disposable pad. 

Not all products are created equal. Bear in mind that the best formula is one suited specifically to your skin, designed to gently remove debris, without stripping away vital moisture. After cleansing, your face should feel fresh, not tight!

2. Tone
Tone your skin after you have cleansed to remove any traces of dirt and make-up that you may have missed with the cleanser. Again use a disposable pad. You’ll be amazed how much more dirt your toner will remove!

Your toning formula should be soothing and hydrating. It will also return your skin to its natural pH level and prepare your skin for step three.

3. Treat
Now it’s time to zero in on your skin’s special needs such as addressing fine lines, sun damage, blemishes

or uneven skin tone. Your treatment session should brighten, soothe, smooth and refine.

4. Moisturise and protect
It’s important to complete your twice-daily routine with an infusion of refreshing moisture. The right moisturising formula will naturally plump up thirsty cells and make your skin glow with radiance.

There are also moisturisers available that will form an invisible barrier, to prevent vital moisture from escaping and keep damaging environmental stressors from penetrating. A good quality moisturiser will contain broad spectrum sun protection so you can avoid both UVB and UVA sun rays.

And that’s it! So decide on where you’re going to buy your skincare products, get yourself the cleanser, toner, treatments and moisturisers suitable for your skin, and use them daily. That’s the recipe for a simply radiant skin. It needs some work but with diligence you can achieve the results you want.

If you still feel overwhelmed, check out our web site apbGLOBAL and get in touch. I am happy to help.

Julia Rosamund Brown

 

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Simply Radiant Skin – B

Once you’ve checked the condition of your skin, you’re ready to identify your skin type. You’ll then know which skincare products are just what your skin needs. Taking out the guesswork has a huge impact on the results you can achieve!

B is for Basic Skin Type 
Most people have either normal-to-dry or normal-to-oily skin but skin types can be divided into several broad categories:

Normal-to-dry skin
• Skin appears taut, fragile and dull with fine pores
• Dry flaking and fine lines may occur sooner due to the skin’s dryness
• Blemishes are rare

Normal-to-oily skin
• Skin has an oily sheen
• Skin has visible and enlarged pores
• Since skin is oilier fine lines are fewer
• Blemishes are common

Combination Skin
A combination of both oily and dry skin. Usually there is a greasy centre panel, consisting of nose, forehead and chin, and a dry panel consisting of cheeks, mouth and the areas around the eyes. Skin should be treated as if it were two different skin types – it has a dry section and an oily section with different needs.

Sensitive Skin
This is not officially a skin type, rather a skin condition that requires special skin care solutions. If you have sensitive skin, oily and dry characteristics become a secondary concern. Sensitive skin can be easily irritated and may suffer from stinging, itching, redness and blotchiness.

Quality skin care ranges will accommodate your particular needs. Choose fragrance-free and SPF-free products that use natural ingredients.

Other factors to consider
Your skin’s needs will change due to natural ageing, change of seasons, your health and lifestyle. As your skin matures it may become dryer, demanding more moisture rich systems.

The seasons also affect your skin particularly in climates like the UK. Your skin may be oilier in summer (use an oil control system) and dryer in the winter (use a moisture rich system). How your health and lifestyle affects your skin will be discussed in a blog coming soon!

To help you understand your skin type you can have skin analysis sessions at good beauty salons or you can buy DIY test kits. Contact apbGLOBAL for more information on this. You can also register as a customer to learn all about the products we know and love.

Julia Rosamund Brown

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Simply Radiant Skin – A

It is said that 60% of women use the wrong skincare products. That means that YOU are more likely to be using the wrong skincare products than you are using the right ones! So, to get your skin noticeably radiant, first evaluate your skin type:

A is for Appearance 
Examine your clean face in good lighting. Start with the T-Zone – the T-shaped region of the face which includes the forehead, nose and chin. Then look at the cheek and eye areas. Take your time and look at texture, pore size, blemishes, and fine lines. Often the skin in the T-Zone is different from the skin in the cheek and eye area – it is usually (but not always) somewhat oilier than the rest of the face. Once you’ve establsihed the condition of your skin, you’re ready to move on to the next step towards a simply radiant skin!

Register as a customer for free to access the range of skincare products that apbGLOBAL recommends and markets.

Julia Rosamund Brown

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