Women & Health

One ELLE of a deal

2005-05-24T01:39:00.000+01:00

Labels for less retailer TK Maxx has teamed up with ELLE, the world’s biggest-selling fashion magazine, to give one lucky reader the chance to become a TK Maxx fashion buyer.

Fashion buying is a notoriously difficult career to get into and the six month internship offered through the TK Maxx ELLE Buying School will give the winner a flying start. As well as a proper salary and six months hands on experience, TK Maxx will also be giving the winner the chance to work with the ELLE editorial team to compile the ultimate insider’s guide to savvy shopping. A 20 page booklet bound with the December issue of ELLE, this buyer’s bible will reveal the tricks of the trade employed by top fashion buyers, stylists and editors when buying.

Search for the fashion buyer

The search for the fashion buyer that launches in the June issue of ELLE (on sale 6th May) is the first of several insertions in the magazine that will also track the progress of the winner during their fashion buying internship. The TK Maxx buying job pertains to be the most exciting retail experience out there. In addition to having a genuine eye for fashion, making quick decisions, and spending thousands of pounds with confidence, the TK Maxx buyer also needs to be a brilliant negotiator. It’s the skill of the TK Maxx buyers that helps them deliver fantastic brands and labels at up to 60% less than recommended retail prices.

A dream career

Deborah Dolce, TK Maxx: “We are really excited about the opportunity to bring an ELLE reader into the business. Opportunistic buying is a difficult skill to master but is the key to the success of TK Maxx. We will be offering an experience that is unmatched by other fashion buying jobs out there and it will be great to see what this new talent will bring to TK Maxx”.

Lara Wilkins, Publisher of ELLE magazine added: “TK Maxx offers great value for money for ELLE’s discerning audience who love putting together an individual look. To be able to offer the chance of becoming a buyer and help influence individual style among fashion consumers is a dream career for one lucky ELLE reader.”

Entries to the competition must be received by 3rd June.

BARBIE® LOVES BENETTON

2005-05-23T18:40:00.000+01:00

Barbie® loves Benetton

Mattel and Benetton Group today announced a world-wide exclusive partnership, valid until December 31st 2006. Bringing together two of the world’s best known fashion brands, this partnership will create Barbie® loves Benetton a stylish girls fashion collection that capitalises on the Barbie® brand status and Benetton’s expertise as leading fashion company.

With the Barbie® brand essence of aspirational fashion, fun and friendship and Benetton’s unique style, the collaboration is a natural fit and has led to the creation of Barbie® loves Benetton, an inspired girls’ fashion range. The range features four contemporary looks from the worlds leading style capitals - London, Paris, New York and Stockholm. The collection also includes four special Barbie® loves Benetton dolls that take their inspiration from the real girl fashion range.

Silvano Cassano, CEO of Benetton Group states, “The agreement between Mattel and Benetton Group, and two of the fashion world’s strongest brands Barbie® and United Colors of Benetton, highlights both Groups’ strong attention to the market, their international vision and the capacity to aggregate values and innovative ideas in product and distribution. Benetton Group sees co-branding with partners of a global level as strong business opportunities and this agreement with Mattel is, I believe, the best example.”

Matt Bousquette, President of Mattel Brands, explains: “This is a fantastic partnership for Barbie® and Benetton. For the first time, Barbie® will be seen simultaneously in Benetton windows throughout the world and this will enable us to reach girls in a unique new way. We are delighted that the Barbie® brand’s fantastic fashion heritage has helped to create such an inspiring collection. We have been fortunate to work with some of the world’s leading fashion design houses and so the opportunity to work with such a well-established high street favourite is very exciting for us. Both our organisations share the same core values as young, fashionable and fun brands that offer the consumer quality products.”

A new unique new collection

The Barbie® loves Benetton collection, with over 50 garments and accessories, will be available in United Colors of Benetton stores from September 15th with the London and Paris collections; from October 13th with New York and Stockholm. Special edition Barbie® loves Benetton dolls will be available alongside fashions in Benetton stores and also in major toy retailers. In December, the range continues with a special festive Benetton collection, accompanied by a unique Barbie® doll exuding the holiday spirit.

About Mattel

Mattel, Inc. is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever created. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Rescue Heroes®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.

About Benetton Group

Today, the Benetton Group is present in 120 countries around the world. Its core business is clothing: a group with a strong Italian character whose style, quality and passion are clearly seen in its brands: the casual United Colors of Benetton, fashion oriented Sisley, Playlife leisurewear and Killer Loop streetwear. The Group produces around 110 million garments every year. Its retail network of 5,000 contemporary stores around the world, offers high quality customer services and generates a total turnover of approximately 1.7 billion euro.

Illuminating Faith: Art & Culture from the Middle East

2005-05-06T22:54:00.000+01:00

A rare opportunity to see items drawn from Birmingham University and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s Middle Eastern collections, which represent the Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths.

Collection

The Mingana collection of ancient manuscripts and Birmingham’s collection of textiles, dress and ceramics are displayed, originating from Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Egypt and the Arabian peninsula, and spanning the 9th to 19th centuries. An ambitious events programme expanding the themes of the exhibition is being staged across several venues in Birmingham between December 2004 and August 2005.

Listing

Dates: 12 February 2005 - 19 June 2005

Admission: Free

Venue: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery,

Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH,

West Midlands, England

Tel: 0121 689 7125

Email: abbas@mimar.org.uk

A passion for fashion

2005-05-06T22:12:00.000+01:00

Extended due to popularity, the exhibition A passion for fashion showcases star items from the Lotherton costume collection. It presents costume and fashion plates from the extraordinary collection of Kenneth Sanderson, a Leeds collection.

A passion for fashion

Dates: 01 March 2005 - 01 October 2005

Venue: Lotherton Hall, Lotherton Lane, Aberford, Leeds, LS25 3EB, West Yorkshire, England

Admission: Free on admission to the house.

Adults £3:50 Child £1:50 Concession £1:00.

Type of Event: Exhibition

More venue information

Lotherton Hall is a beautiful country house surrounded by historic gardens. Formerly the home of the Gascoigne family, it evokes a world of high Edwardian living. The house contains rich collections of paintings, sculpture, furniture, silver, ceramics, silver, jewellery, Oriential art and costume. The estate also has a deer park and a bird garden with rare and endangered species.

Old fashion

2005-05-06T02:27:00.000+01:00

Burton Manor provides women an opportunity to know how people approached the evolution of fashion, changing from the rigid formality of the Edwardian style to a more enjoyable way of 'wearing'.

Old fashion

Laura Tessari is having a 10:00 to 5:00 lecture Old Fashion on 7 May 2005. Participants will have the occasion to walk through the costume , the history and the mood of an era looking how changes in technology, leisure, work, home life have contribute to lifestyle trends which influence the clothes women wear.

A discussion section will run after the lecture. Everyone interested in fashion and costume history are welcomed. The course fee is £40.00 payable when enrolling for course.

Burton Manor

Burton Manor is one of the country's leading short term residential colleges for adults, offering an extensive programme of adult education, is a centre for management development and a valuable training venue for many public and private sector organizations.

Burton Manor, The Village,
Burton, Neston,
Cheshire CH64 5SJ
Tel: 0151 336 5172 Fax: 0151 336 6586
Email: enquiry@burtonmanor.com

Re-fashion exhibition

2005-05-05T23:29:00.000+01:00

In a move away from recent fashion exhibitions Sally Lai and Amechi Ihenacho, designer and fashion co-ordinator from Chinese Arts centre are interested in unearthing and revealing something of the creative process behind designer’s work as oppose to purely presenting finished garments.

With the focus on process, the exhibition’s ideas include ethereal environments created with vintage Victoriana, incorporating sound and moving image, a digital message in a bottle of inspiration, cultural references, an exhaustive definition of ‘Here and Now’, ready-made sculptures wrapped in signature fabrics and suspended patterns.

Workshops and talks

The Re-fashion exhibition opens from 6 May to 17 July 2005 at the Chinese Arts Centre Manchester.

26 May, designers Julian Roberts and Sophie Cheung are leading a discussion focusing on their work and professional practice. The talk will also look at issues relating to the inspiration, commission and installation of the works.
28 May, artist Nina Chua in her workshop 'Bring-along-old-clothes' day is teaching you how to transform the old clothes into something new.
2 June, Paula Orrell, Lecturer in Fashion Curation at London College of Fashion, is hosting a talk detailing the history of fashion curation and the designer as curator. The talk aims to highlight wider issues surrounding the fashion industry and the relationships between fashion and contemporary visual arts.

Listings information

Chinese Arts Centre, Market Buildings,

Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1EU

+44 (0)161 832 7271

Mon-Sat 10am – 6pm

Sun 11am - 4pm

Fashion fringe

2005-05-04T00:36:00.000+01:00

Fashion fringe is a search to find the talented designer in UK. 2005 is the second year of fashion fringe. Created in 2004, the challenge is to re-invigorate the fashion industry in this country
Fashion fringe is now open for all British residents. Applicants have to hand in a collection of drawing of Spring / Summer 2005. The deadline this year is 25th May 2005.

Fashion fringe is a nine months project. Ten semi-finalists will be invited down to London and interviewed by a panel of fashion industry professionals. The four lucky finalists will be announced at the end of June. They will then spend the next two months in London working on their collection.

Fashion fringe will provide them with funds, studio spaces and technical assistant to create a collection which will be shown during the London fashion week at September. And finally the winners will receive 10000 pounds cash and business support. The Fashion fringe roadshow is hosted by the fashion mecca Harvey Nichols. It took place in five major cities in UK including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh and Dublin.

In the Birmingham stop on 3rd May, Colin McDowell, the creative director of Fashion fringe and Julien MacDonald, fashion designer have talked about their stories and encouraged all potential designers to apply for the Fashion fringe.

“You have to work very hard. Producing your unique product and make everyone knows you and recognizes you. Once the celebrities dress your designs, everyone will buy it. And the business will pay you top price and you can have your celebrity life. Thousands of students graduate every year but not everyone could go to Royal college of Art and work for Chanel like me” MacDonald said.

McDowell added, “We are looking for people who have “fire” inside their heart. You have to be ambitious, not just want to be the member of design team of Topshop or Marks & Spencer. Once you are success, your designs will be shown in Vogue and all magazines in the world”.

Log Book

2005-03-18T06:35:00.000Z

Weblog writing is a very interesting activity. I started to write a blog when I was doing my A level course in Hong Kong. That was a personal blog about my school life, my friends, my family and my thoughts towards the current issues.

This weblog "Women & Health" is the first one that I write in a specialized area. When writing the stories, I found that there is loads of information on my topic on the internet. Once I read an article, some related websites are linked and I could search more information easily. For example, when I wrote the story colour therapy, I found plenty of information on alternative treatment that finally formed another story. Also, almost all websites I visited (the organizations) has Email update service. Information on events, news, products, interviews etc. are easily obtainable.

At first, I intended not to write anymore after the submission of the assignment 1. But I found it really inspiring to write some articles of my interested area. And the blog could be formed a personal portfolio after I graduate next year, it may help me to show my ability as well as my enthusiasm to the potential employers. So I decided to write it continuously. I know I am a “last minute” person that I finished the writing very lately. But I will try my best to improve my time management skill. I hope this weblog would encourage me to do so.

LinkaGoGo

2005-03-18T05:41:00.000Z

The Directed Study for Week3 was "compiling a contacts & favourites file online". It was the first time I added all related bookmarks together. I used LinkaGoGo to record them and I could browse it in alphabet order. I found this idea is really useful since all contacts are well organized now. 33 links on the topic “Women & Health” are added and most stories in my blog are based on these sources.

I tried to use the links on the Week3 handout but I found them are not as useful as I expected. Maybe it is because those links are more academic style but my specialized area is more “lifestyle”.

Below is the list of my sources so far.

100% Health for life - http://www.patrickholford.com
4 Woman - http://www.4woman.gov
BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk
BBC Women's Health - http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/womens_health
Birmingham City Council Health - http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=3338&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=144
BMC Women Health - http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcwomenshealth
British Meditation Society - http://fp.osteopath.plus.com/bms
Colour Therapy - http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com
Complete Health Care Centre - http://www.completehealthcare.co.uk/index.htm
Cosmopolitan UK - http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk
E Women - http://www.e-women.com
Easy Organics - http://www.easyorganics.co.uk
EDIE - http://www.edie.net
Health News UK - http://www.health-news.co.uk/index.htm
Health on the net - http://www.hon.ch/home.html
I Village - http://www.ivillage.co.uk
International Women's Day - http://www.internationalwomensday.com
Japanese Green Tea - http://www.japanesetea.co.uk/index.htm
Look fantastic - http://www.lookfantastic.com
Love the planet - http://www.lovetheplanet.co.uk
Netdoctor UK - http://www.netdoctor.co.uk
NHS Direct - http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Press Association - http://www.pa.press.net/index.php
Rights of women - http://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk
The Prince of Wales's Foundation for Integrated Health - http://www.fihealth.org.uk
TheSite Org - http://www.thesite.org
UK netguide Health & Fitness - http://www.uknetguide.co.uk/Health_and_Fitness
Virgin Active - http://www.virginactive.co.uk
Women Health Today - http://www.womenshealthtoday.org
Women's Aid - http://www.womensaid.org.uk/index.htm
Women's Health London- http://www.womenshealthlondon.org.uk/index.html
World Health Organization - http://www.who.int/en
Worldwide health - http://uk.worldwidehealth.com/Home/index.php

Safest cosmetic

2005-03-18T04:22:00.000Z

New "use-by" information covering long-lasting beauty creams, suntan lotion and shampoo became compulsory in March 2005. In addition, compulsory labelling of 26 potentially allergenic substances used as perfume and aromatic ingredients in cosmetics came into force as well. "Consumers get clear information about the product they buy and use, and the EU cosmetics industry benefits from coherent rules, as the new labelling is uniformly implemented in the single market". said European Commission Vice-President Gunter Verheaugen.

Consumers generally welcome the new policy because it helps them to buy cosmetics “safely”. However, some people said that it is not safe enough. The safest cosmetic is the natural cosmetic. Laura McComiskie from Love the Planet said, "It is commonplace for cosmetic companies to advertise the fact that their products are not tested on animals and we should by now all be aware of the positive aspects of this. Moreover, the natural cosmetic companies should ensure that raw materials which have been obtained from animal sources are not used in the products. Slaughterhouse by-products such as gelatine are frequently used in the cosmetics industry, yet there are vegetable based alternatives which are just as effective. It is also important to avoid products which contain ingredients derived from the petroleum industry. Mineral oil acts as a barrier on the surface of the skin, blocking pores and suppressing normal skin functions."

Love The Planet, produces a full range of hair and beauty products for planet friendly people. All products including cleaner, eye gel, shampoo, and cleaning pad, etc. are hand made using only natural raw materials from sustainable sources.

Alternative Health

2005-03-18T02:56:00.000Z

“Officialdom may be wary of alternative treatments, but there has been a boom in the number of people happy to try complimentary medicines like homeopathy and acupuncture. Britons spend more than £350 million a year on natural remedies” Reported by UK netguide.

According to The Complete Health Care Centre, Finance houses Chase Manhattan and UPS Asset Management have been offering staff complementary therapies over the past five years, including acupuncture. aromatherapy and shiatsu massage, reflexology and osteopathy. The Body Shop, Arcadia (owners of Warehouse, Top Shop and Wallis), Virgin Records and major international hotel groups such as the Intercontinenta, are some of the big names that now provide staff with free and subsidised on-site treatments, from phisontherapy to shoulder massage.

Almost 50 per cent of the population has tried osteopathy, acupuncture or herbal health remedies. But do the alternative treatments really work? Or just a fashion? the Government is investing over a million pounds on researching alternative health remedies because of public pressure to have them made available on the NHS. But more studies are needed to know for sure whether alternative treatments are help.

The Gym

2005-03-18T02:26:00.000Z

TheSite Org stated that the beauty of a gym workout is that you can tailor your training according to your needs. If you want to focus on developing a washboard stomach that's fine: stick to the weights room. Alternatively, you might have a broader aim, such as getting into shape with a regular cardiovascular routine, in which case head for the running machine. All gyms offer a range of different equipment, along with trained staff to help you work out how to make the most of it all. You may even find swimming pools and saunas, as well as organised classes so you can perspire with like-minded people.

Also, gym could be the least time consuming sport for the busy modern people. Virgin Active set up the City Club, dedicated to people who have a mission for getting fit at an affordable price with little time on their hands. The club is street wise, funky and convenient for busy city workers. An adult only gym packed full of the latest equipment and classes to die for, they are a new concept on the traditional city club, which is so often full of garish neon lighting with changing rooms suffering the aroma of smelly socks.

Most City Council in UK provides gym facility for citizen in a comparative low price. For example, Pulse Point Gyms in Birmingham are designed to appeal to a whole range of fitness levels. All ages and abilities are welcome from the complete beginner to the serious athlete. One session costs £3.8 only.

Good Mood Food

2005-03-18T01:59:00.000Z

Scoffing chocolate and cake is a common reaction to stress and bad moods. Yet sugary comfort foods can actually leave you feeling worse. Research has found that healthy foods such as fruit, oily fish and vegetables help your body cope with stress and therefore have a better effect on your mood.

High levels of stress take its toll on your immune system and your general health. 'Sadness, anger, worry, fear and shock release hormones into the body which tax the liver,' says nutritionist Dr Gillian McKeith. Stress also depletes stores of vitamin C. Not only is vitamin C essential for your immune system, but it aids the absorption of iron and magnesium - the minerals that control activity of all muscles, including the heart.

TheSite Org recommended women to keep junk food to a minimum, because highly processed foods are often low in essential vitamins and minerals, which are needed to keep the nervous system in tip-top condition. Eat leafy green veg, meat, fortified breakfast cereal, marmite, and wholemeal bread for vitamins B and meat, green veg (such as peas and spinach), pulses, and eggs for iron. Avoid caffeine in the evenings and watch the alcohol intake.

A healthy, balanced diet is one of the basic foundations of general well being, and should protect you from nutritional deficiencies that can leave you feeling irritable, washed out, or really down.

Japanese green tea

2005-03-18T00:34:00.000Z

Japanese green tea cultivation in Shizuoka dates back to the late 19th century. Green tea is mainly grown on plateaus and sloping fields. It contains natural ingredients that are good for your health.

Green tea is considered as one of the three major non-alcoholic beverages in the world. Although there are no definite records about when and how green tea was first brought to Japan, it is believed that Buddhist priests from China and India, and Japanese envoys dispatched to China brought green tea to Japan in the 8th century.

According to Mount Fuji, drinking green tea has loads of health benefits. It helps to prevent cancer, restricts the increase of blood cholesterol, controls high blood pressure, lowers the blood sugar level, suppresses ageing, refreshes the body and deters food poisoning.

I-Beauty introduced the refreshing green tea facemask that could be remove the toxins from your skin, as well as leaving it silky smooth. Mix three tablespoons of mayonnaise with one heaped teaspoon of organic Himalayan green tea leaves. Apply evenly to the face, avoiding the delicate eye area, and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off, then dry and moisturise your face. Several more beauty tips with green tea could be found in I-Beauty.

It's Hard to Quit

2005-03-18T00:02:00.000Z

Womens Health Today reported that tobacco use has dire effects on a woman's health. The 4,000 chemicals and gases contained in cigarette smoke can wreak havoc on a woman's reproductive system, pregnancy, and hormonal status. Cigarette smoking is associated with cervical cancer, breast cancer, oral cavity diseases/dental problems, infertility, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, underweight babies, growth retardation, infant behavioral disorders, and crib death (sudden infant death syndrome-SIDS).

Nicotine addiction is a brain disease. Nicotine enters the bloodstream within seconds of inhaling from a cigarette. The nicotine alters the release of chemicals in the brain that stimulate pleasurable feelings. The brain comes to rely on nicotine to maintain these rewarding feelings because the brain can no longer produce the pleasure chemicals naturally without the artificial stimulation of nicotine.

While there is no magic bullet to assist with quitting smoking there are a number of approaches, including a variety of medications that can help with the physical addiction to nicotine. Talk with your health care provider or a smoking cessation counselor to help you determine which medication, if any, would be best for you.

Useful links:
4 woman - The US National Women's Health Information Center

Smoking - Quiting information

Tobacco Cessation Program - Help tobacco users kick the habit

Exercising during pregnancy

2005-03-17T23:49:00.000Z

Report in the Health On the Net Foundation stated that it was imperative, the thinking went that the mom-to-be do nothing to risk her baby's development. Today, doctors say not only is it OK to exercise, but women should stay active as a way to ensure a smoother, healthier pregnancy and delivery, while possibly reducing the risk of gestational diabetes.

Dr. Mary Jo O'Sullivan, a gynecologist and professor emeritus at the University of Miami in Florida, said that in the past, "women were catered to when they became pregnant," because it was assumed physical activity would harm the fetus.

"In a basically healthy woman, a moderate exercise program does not seem to have a significant impact on the pregnancy as far as the fetus is concerned," she said.

Karen Fehr, division chairwoman of health and exercise science at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, added, "Exercising helps women to have the energy levels and endurance to maintain strength during the changes in the body due to pregnancy."

Dr Philip Owen, a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist in UK, suggested that swimming is both gentle and effective. If you haven't swum regularly before, you should start by swimming slowly for just 5 to 10 minutes on the first three occasions. You can gradually increase this time to 20 minutes at normal pace, two to three times a week. Don't swim in water that is too warm - the water temperature should be between 18 and 25°C. Using steam rooms and hot tubs is not advised. This includes saunas - don’t be tempted to use these as they can affect blood pressure as well as the body’s fluid balance. A brisk walk for 30 minutes two to three times a week is also an effective way of keeping fit. More information is avaliable at Netdoctor.

BMC Women's Health

2005-03-17T21:34:00.000Z

BMC Women's Health is an Open Access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of the prevention, diagnosis and management of gynaecological, fertility, and breast disorders, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology. The journal is one of the publication of BioMed Central.

Publication of research articles by BMC Women's Health is dependent primarily on their validity and coherence, as judged by peer reviewers, who are also asked whether the writing is comprehensible and how interesting they consider the article to be. BMC Women's Health offers a very fast publication schedule whilst maintaining rigorous peer review; all articles must be submitted online, and peer review is managed fully electronically.

The current issue, BMC Women's Health, Volume 5 2005 contains articles on the topic of breast cancer. Related articles in different issues could be obtained from the links provided at the end of the articles. This is a medical professional website, topics are very specific and not easy to understand. But it is very useful for viewer who aimed to seek specific information or for education.

Antidote to judgement

2005-03-17T21:22:00.000Z

Sit down, relax and close your eyes. Put your attention inside your body. "See" inside yourself. What's happening? This week, E women talks about a common mistake of women, judging!

Every woman judge, judge their partner, their kids, their friends, their colleagues, and everything. How do women cope with this bad habit? E women suggested a positive way for women to face their challenges, meditation.

Try the Ocean. During your meditation practices your mind will become relaxed, fully aware and profoundly silent. In this awareness a thought will arise, like a wave forming on the surface of the ocean. The ocean and wave may appear like two separate entities but in reality they are only one. The ocean does not increase nor decrease as a result of the wave. Similarly, the mind remains unaffected by the production of thoughts, provided that you have not tried to "grasp" or follow them, but just let them be. Keep the mind relaxed in the present.

Want more? Visit the British Meditation Society website and be Relax!

Colour therapy

2005-03-17T18:15:00.000Z

Colour therapy is an ancient art of non-intrusive vibrational healing, which introduces the optimum balance of colour energies into the human organism to promote the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Light is the purest healing force on this planet. The different colours we see in the world around us are the result of the eye perceiving light vibrating at different frequencies. Because light has a frequency, it can be assumed that light of different colours have different frequencies. When we are exposed to a particular colour light, the light flows through our eyes and triggers hormone production, which influences our entire complex biochemical system, which has effect on our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Color Therapy Association offers one day Colour Workshops every Saturday to explain Colour Therapy, how the use of Colour in everyday life can benefit health and well-being, and how colour is used by Colour Therapists as a healing method and its relevance on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels of healing. The workshop costs £40 including refreshments, workshop booklet and printed handouts. Contact Valerie Logan-Clarke on 01243 585609 for more information.

Women's Aid

2005-03-17T14:24:00.000Z

Women's Aid Federation of England (Women's Aid) is the national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. It co-ordinates and supports an England-wide network of over 300 local projects, providing over 500 refuges, helplines, outreach services and advice centres.

Women's Aid was set up and is run by women. They have almost 30 years experience of working with survivors of domestic violence. Their approach is: to believe women and children and to make their safety a priority, to support and empower women to take control of their own lives, to recognise and care for the needs of children affected by violence, to challenge the disadvantage and social exclusion which results from domestic violence and to support and reflect diversity and promote equality of opportunity.

The website provides comprehensive information on the demestic violence topic. Journalists could subscribe its email updates for news, events, campaigns, etc.

Silent Violence

2005-03-16T23:34:00.000Z

The World Healthh Organization defines "violence against women" as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.

Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson said: "Domestic violence is a key issue for the public health agenda. The fact that domestic violence often starts or escalates during pregnancy and is associated with increases in rates of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature birth, foetal injury and foetal death makes for stark reading."

BBC Crime Support Advise for You stated that there are many women who remain in violent relationships because they don't acknowledge what is happening to them. It's not easy coming to terms with the fact that their partners are violent toward them, and it's not unusual for the abused partner to minimise, or even justify what is happening to them.

It is not their fault that they are being abused. Nobody deserves to be assaulted, least of all by a partner who is supposed to be part of a caring relationship. Women often blame themselves because that is what they are told by the abuser, but that is just their way of justifying what they are doing to you. Women should always remember that being assaulted is wrong.

It is very easy to say that the victims must find help, but that is exactly what they should do. It might not be easy to talk to someone about what is happening, but they must. Either confide in a friend or call one of the support groups to talk to someone who can offer emotional support and also practical help.

Useful Links:
Women's Aid - Offers support and refuge for women and children affected by domestic violence.
Rights of Women - A charity providing free legal advice by telephone to women in England and Wales.

Baby on board

2005-03-10T00:13:00.000Z

A "Baby on board" badge would be offered to pregnant women in London Underground. The company is hatching a plan to encourage Tube passengers to give up their seats to mothers-to-be without being asked. Opinions on a new badge proudly declaring that the wearer has a “Baby on Board” are being tested at International Women’s Day 2005 events and at the Capital Woman conference in London. If the idea proves popular, the badges will be offered to all pregnant Tube passengers.

However, women in this country tend not to support this idea. BBC has interviewed several women and they said that the badge idea will only bring embarrassment to the women, and the public will be less courteous since giving a seat should be started by initiative but not the sign.

"Just because I've got grey hair doesn't mean I'm a fogey. Please don't offer me a seat, it will make me think that I look really old."

"I'm only too happy to do the decent thing, but we're all adult enough nowadays to ask politely if we want something."

It's a nice idea, but it won't make any difference. I am a disabled woman - fairly obviously disabled as I am still quite young and walk with a stick - and I regularly have to ask / beg people to get up on tubes and trains. If a stick doesn't automatically get someone to offer you a seat, why would a badge?! - Nichola, West Sussex

While on a tube train in Tokyo, I stood up to offer my seat to a heavily pregnant lady. She blushed and declined, by which time a businessman had already sat down in my place. I was later informed by my host that I had committed a faux pas as men always take priority over women. - Mark Esdale , Bridge, Canterbury, UK

Women's health London

2005-03-08T23:47:00.000Z

Women's Health is a national voluntary organisation and is independent of the NHS and private companies. Women's Health provides health information on gynaecological health issues such as heavy bleeding, fibroids, hysterectomy, the menopause and HRT, pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian problems.

Women's Health produces health information booklets, a series of fully illustrated booklets for women with learning disabilities, and a quarterly newsletter. Factual information is based on studies published in medical journals. All booklets are reviewed by a medical advisory panel, selected specialists, and users. Online booklets on these topics are available in its website: Abortion and unplanned pregnancy, Cervical screening, DES, Heavy bleeding, Fibroids, Hormone replacement therapy, Hysterectomy, Menstrual cycle,The Menopause, Prementrual Syndrome, Overian problems, Pelvic inflammatory disease, Pelvic organ proplapse and Thrush.

Women's health

2005-03-08T23:00:00.000Z

In the BBC website, there is a directory for different topics. When you click on Health you would find the section Women's Health. There are plenty of useful information and advice on the most common health issues affecting women today, including breast cancer, eating disorders and weight control.

The web page divided into 6 sections which are Your Body, Your Mind, Health Issue, Wellbeing, Reproductive Health and Sexual Health.

Moreover, links of some related websites are included in the bottom of the page including the NHS Direct Online. But most of the information provided is aimed at promoting the BBC TV and Radio programs on this topic. So the readers should be careful of the advice given because it maybe bised.

EDIE

2005-02-21T16:10:00.000Z

EDIE is an environmental monitoring organization in UK. Its website contains news, hot job, new products information, upcoming events and courses and magazines links about environment issues.

It has a searching function and the result shows comprehensive information. For example, I typed GM food in the search box and the results showed 20 pieces of news, 15 related suppliers information, 15 library articles, 3 events, 1 training opportunity and 15 products.

Moreover, it provides email alerts for users. Every week, emails on the topics environment & business, pollution monitoring & control, contaminated land, water & wastewater, waste recycling and climate change & energy will be sent to subscribers.

This website enabled me to access many useful materials on the topic about Health. I could obtain statistics, background and future information and the expert opinion about my specializing area "Women & Health". I have signed up as a member and look forward to write story with this source.

http://www.edie.net

Have your say

2005-02-09T01:12:00.000Z

BBC news provides a forum for readers to discuss any issue that they are interested. Readers can create a new forum with their interested topic. The response rate is high and the content is interesting. The opinion is rather informal and personal. However, the website only shows the selected comments. It is not comprehensive and maybe biased.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2804227.stm

For example, the issue of Nepal government contains comments from all around the world, from UK, US, Canada, Nepal to Japan. It can be concluded that the people from Nepal are more negative but trustful. In my opinion, this type of discussion forum is solely for expressing opinion. It has little help to the issue. Government and politicians would not concern or even read it. It just for attracting readers to browse the website.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4245833.stm

Bird Flu

2005-02-07T22:31:00.000Z

The Guardian unlimited is a complementary news websites, it's 'interactive' section provides comprehensive information for each stories. The story I read is 'Bird Flu'. It contains photos, maps, animations, text and some related articles at last. It used the narrated slideshows storytelling forms. I like the slide 'What is it' most, it has some animation about the medical information that is easy to understand. It gives the readers with little medical background knowledge a very clear picture about this topic.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/flash/0,5860,1131346,00.html