#annetidote

Speak out, hide not thy thoughts. - Homer (not Simpson)

[annetidote1]

Did you know that sweet potatoes contain Vitamin D which is critical for immune system and overall health?

Both a vitamin and a hormone, vitamin D is made in our bodies as a result of getting adequate sunlight. You may have heard about seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, as it is also called), which is linked to inadequate sunlight and therefore may cause a vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency. Vitamin D plays an important role in our energy levels, moods, and helps to build healthy bones, heart, nerves, skin, and teeth, and it supports the thyroid gland.

Important to know is that since December 1, 2010 the Ministry of Health in Ontario or OHIP no longer cover blood tests to test Vitamin D levels. See article below: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/changes/docs/MOH_Vitamin_D_FAQ.pdf

[all-about-male-privilege]

Don’t tell thin women to eat a cheeseburger. Don’t tell fat women to put down the fork. Don’t tell underweight men to bulk up. Don’t tell women with facial hair to wax, don’t tell uncircumcised men they’re gross, don’t tell muscular women to go easy on the dead-lift, don’t tell dark-skinned women to bleach their vaginas, don’t tell black women to relax their hair, don’t tell flat-chested women to get breast implants, don’t tell “apple-shaped” women what’s “flattering,” don’t tell mothers to hide their stretch marks, and don’t tell people whose toes you don’t approve of not to wear flip-flops. And so on, etc, etc, in every iteration until the mountains crumble to the sea. Basically, just go ahead and CEASE telling other human beings what they “should” and “shouldn’t” do with their bodies unless a) you are their doctor, or b) SOMEBODY GODDAMN ASKED YOU.

Thin Women: I’ve Got Your Back. Could You Get Mine? - Lindy West (via sakuracity)

This whole piece really spoke to me.

(via alycetrelawny)

[annetidote1]

[annetidote1]

[annetidote1]

[annetidote1]

I found the most apt quote for my painted piece (of course it's RUMI)!  In December 2012, I had the opportunity to paint my heart out at 4 Cats Art Studio with some friends. An after-hours creation, a few days after painting this I took a good look at it while in the presence of my ex-beau. We agreed that it was a rendition of my life's adventures; a very subconscious summary of my life to date.

I recall: Upon putting the brush to canvas, I had the blue part on top. Not even 2 minutes into the painting, I flipped it over on my easel.  Envisioning blue waters instead of sky, the pink was birthed from within too. Only in hindsight did I discover what I had painted. That pink is a close relative to the Afghan skies I beheld while over seas; the blue was the water I yearned for after spending days, weeks and months without immersion in water. 

Do you believe in Art Therapy? 

If so, check out TATI, the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. http://www.tati.on.ca/ circa 1968. Tuition in 15k$ but imagine taking this course...!

[annetidote1]

Have a great Sunday and be "easy like Sunday morning"! - Lionel Ritchie

[annetidote1]

Do you know your Chinese Zodiac animal? I'm born in the year of the Dog. Traits - reliable, prowess, brave, inner power WOOF.

[annetidote1]

After Easter I went shopping at my favorite drugmart, Shoppers. There I thought I scored. What usually sells for 8.99$ was on sale (forget for how much but I remember thinking "what a deal!"), The Aroma Therapy Calm shown above. Little did I know the next few weeks I would battle puffy eyes and never-experienced-before allergies, including itchy skin, itchy eyes with rash :( 

Well, I just solved the case. The timelines of my laundry-spurts, use of new sheets/pillow cases and general irritability have been horrible and of course, traced to Fleecy! After folding my amazingly fresh laundry, even my  treatment (Doctor prescribed me Protopic ointment to apply 2 times a day) is not effective. I've developed allergies I never had to ingredients that we use with children...Are you allergic to anything NEW?

Testing, testing...

I am going to re-wash my clothes, sheets and towels.See what happens! If not, to a dermatologist I go! In the meantime, #LearnShareGrow below...

According to the Evironmental Health Association of Ontario, the health risks associated with the use of fabric softener sheets are BRUTAL.

Chemical Ingredients in Fabric Softeners/Dryer Sheets:

Alpha-Terpineol: "Causes CNS disorders. Highly irritating to mucous membranes. Aspiration into lungs can produce pneumonitis or fatal edema. Lesser exposures can cause decreased circulation, headache, depression of CNS and/or respiratory function, ataxia (loss of muscle coordination), behavioral changes. Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact."

Benzyl Acetate: "Carcinogenic. Vapors irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough. In mice, pancreatic cancer, hyperanemia of the lungs. Can be absorbed through skin causing systemic effects. Do not flush to sewer system."

Benzyl Alcohol: "Associated with CNS disorders. Irritating to upper respiratory tract. Can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sudden drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, death due to respiratory failure."

Camphor: On E.P.A.'s Hazardous Waste list. "Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do not breathe vapours. Inhalation can be fatal. Properties: anesthetic, neurotoxic, carcinogenic. Chronic effects of exposure may include liver and/or kidney damage. Medical conditions aggravated by exposure. Kidney disorders, liver disorders, heart disorders, skin disorders, allergic or respiratory conditions. May cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract, loss of consciousness. Conditions to avoid: heat".

Ethyl Acetate: On EPA.'s Hazardous Waste list. "Narcotic, may cause headache, narcosis, stupour. Irritating to eyes and respiratory tract. May cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys. Wash thoroughly after handling."

Limonene: "Prevent contact with skin or eyes. Properties: irritant, sensitizer, carcinogenic. Always wash thoroughly after using, especially before eating, drinking, applying cosmetics. Do not inhale."

Linalool: "Narcotic. Associated with CNS disorders and respiratory disturbances. Attracts bees. In animal testing: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression, depressed heart activity, development of respiratory disturbances leading to death."

Pentane: "Danger: Harmful if inhaled. Inhalation of vapor may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Contact can cause eye or skin irritation."

Source: http://www.ehaontario.ca/help-with.htm

[annetidote1]

[annetidote1]

Live your passions!

[sierrafitarchive]

[annetidote1]

SO MUCH FUN! Have you ever discovered the treats inside 2 Kinder Eggs using a GoPro?  We have! Watch as we discover 2 gem "sorpresas". GET THIS: Kinder Surprise Eggs have a history (circa 1973 Italy made by Ferrero then Germany and post-2004 Luxembourg influence...) and are illegal in the United States.The 1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act bans "the sale of any candy that has imbedded in it a toy or trinket." - Wikipedia  #learnsharegrow Easel in the background was made for me by Rob Lloyd and Brian Bishop, my late friend, artist and carpenter who I worked with and met in Kandahar Afghanistan. #RIPBrianBishop on Twitter. Happy Egg Hunting to all! Music from http://youtu.be/Df8y6uj6xVI Cover Stage 6 theme from Nintendo's Bomberman 64: The Second Attack, released in 1999.

[you-behind-the-mask-blog]

[annetidote1]

THIS IS SERIOUS!!!

Insufficient care for Canadian contractors who came back from war. Troop ceiling did not include Canadian civilians offered 6 month contract after contract with SNC Lavalin PAE who won the Department of National Defences’ Canadian Forces Contractors Augmentation Program (CANCAP). Morale workers "Serving Those Who Serve" with the CF Personnel Support Agency spent a max of 6 months, troops 8 months...some CANCAPers spent 4 consecutive years in theater with NO approval from the House of Commons! We slipped through the cracks...< /p>

On March 7, I lost my great friend Brian George Bishop. Canada lost a proud and honourable man. Nanaimo BC lost its no.1 home town boy. He battled PTSD after spending 3 years in Kandahar working to keep Canadian soldiers safe and comfortable.

How long can a human spend in a war zone, under military law and inhumane conditions without post-deployment psychological assessment or health care??? Sadly, the answer is: 6 months…over and over again. How are we dealing now? Not so good...3 months of insurance upon return from theater was NOT insufficient to address the social behaviours learned living on an airfield!

Please follow @4BishPTSD and tag #RIPBrianBishop #ptsdawareness

[annetidote1]

SERIOUSLY AWESOME. Plants with advice.

Ace Ventura: Why do you care about Snowflake? Do you know him? Does he call you at home? Do you have a dorsal fin? To train ze dolphin you must zink like ze dolphin! You must be getting inside ze dolphin's head. I am saying to Snowflake, "Akay!... Akay Akay Akay?" und he is saying "AKay Akay!" und he is up on ze tail "Eeeeeeeeee!" und you can quote him!

[annetidote1]

I have not felt this in a while. I have been diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which I highly believe was inspired by the Visalus Vi-Shake mix I was taking and promoting at the time the onset of my symptoms began. More on this to come! I see my family doc on Monday for more information then an endocrinologist at the University of Ottawa on April 15. I would be lying if I said I am not stressed but I do want to be negative about this. I will gladly #learnsharegrow because as a future holistic health coach this will better equip me to help other women on a quest for getting fitter, changing their lifestyles and most importantly, managing nutrition to prevent and remedy illnesses caused by our fast-food and seemingly safe diets of soy protein... For now all I can say is: SOY sucks! Say "NO" to Vi-Shakes by Visalus as I believe they have adversely affected my sleep patterns, my mental, reproductive and digestive health since August 2011 but more prominently from August 1 to October 30, 2012 during the Challenge I documented. See YouTube: MsAnnesChallenge. Why take a chance??? Soy can cause an overdose of estrogen leading to PCOS which is a leader in illnesses that cause infertility in women....! #annetidote