Dandelions-2 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Imagine that your doctor tells you, on your next visit, that he has just discovered a miracle drug which, when eaten as a part of your daily diet or taken as a beverage, could, depending on the peculiarities of your body chemistry:

Lift depression; prevent or cure liver diseases; purify your blood; dissolve kidney stones; assist in weight reduction; prevent or lower high blood pressure and lower your serum cholesterol. Also at the same time, have no negative side effects and selectively act on only what ails you.

Would you want a prescription for this miracle medicine?

All this and much more have been attributed to one common plant, which is known to everyone and is everywhere.

Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce to you ‘The Dandelion’

According to the USDA Bulletin #8, “Composition of Foods” (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value.

“Gardening for Better Nutrition” ranks them, out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds and greens, as the 9th best.

According to this data, dandelions are nature’s richest green vegetable. They are a greater source of beta-carotene than carrots, a third richest source of Vitamin A within all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver.

They also are particularly rich in fibre, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a good source of protein.

In reporting these claims, however, I must add three qualifiers:

1. Unfortunately, neither herbs nor synthetic remedies work for everyone in the same way. Different bodies respond differently to medicines, and what works incredibly well for one person may not work at all, or work less well, for someone else.

2. Good health results from a combination of healthy diet and enough exercise to keep the body toned.

3. People with health problems need to seek the advice and care of a competent GP. It is important to emphasize that it is presented as information only. I am not a medical doctor, and neither advocate nor prescribe dandelions or dandelion products for use by anyone or for any ailment. Only your doctor can do that.

Thank you to the Leaf Lady

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You see, even the flowers in front of Whitehaven's Marchon Club can look nice in Spring! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Firstly let me apologies for not posting for sometime…Things have been pretty busy on planet Dawn just lately and it would seem hypocritical of me if I didn’t practice what I preach, so the need for prioritising has been essential.

Let me begin this year’s posting with what is aptly a post to commemorate this auspicious time of year known as the spring equinox March 20 – 21. This being one of my favourite times of the year and one of the prettiest seasons.

At the Spring (or Vernal) Equinox the sun rises exactly in the east, travels through the sky for 12 hours and then sets exactly in the west. So all over the world, at this special moment, day and night are of equal length hence the word equinox which means ‘equal night’. The sun’s light is pulled around the curvature of the Earth so when light breaks the horizon it is only the light and not the sun that is seen.For those who are able to catch the sun at either of those times they will see the sun for a few minutes before the sun actually rises and for a few minutes after it has set. This adds about six minutes of daylight to the average day.

To Pagans, this is the time of the ancient Anglo-Saxon Goddess of spring and dawn Eostre, who stands for new beginnings and fertility.

Many modern Wiccans and Pagans celebrate Ostara as a time of renewal and rebirth. Take some time to celebrate the new life that surrounds you in nature — walk in park, lie in the grass, hike through a forest.

As you may know, ‘Ostara’ is the first day of spring! The days are longer and starting to get warmer.
The word Ostara is just one of the names applied to the celebration of the spring equinox on March 21
Spring equinox is a time for fertility and sowing seeds, and so nature’s fertility goes a little crazy. In medieval societies in Europe, the March hare was viewed as a major fertility symbol -

The indigenous Mayan people in Central American have celebrated a spring equinox festival for ten centuries. As the sun sets on the day of the equinox on the great ceremonial pyramid, El Castillo, Mexico, its “western face…is bathed in the late afternoon sunlight.

The Mayans built the temple so that at this time, every year, the shadow going down the steps looks like the featheredserpent God going into the underworld

Watch a video:  Spring equinox

Many modern Wiccans and Pagans celebrate Ostara as a time of renewal and rebirth. Take some time to celebrate the new life that surrounds you in nature — walk in park, lie in the grass, hike through a forest.

And spring arose on the garden fair,
like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
and each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

~Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Please take some time to celebrate the new life that surrounds you in nature — take a walk in a park, lie in the grass, hike through a forest, watch and observe the new beginnings…

Experts are predicting that in 2012 there will be such a release of pent-up energy after such a long, hard winter it could produce the most spectacular spring in years…

Read more…

It certainly is a time of change and letting go of the old and welcoming in the new…

Many thanks

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‘Magical’  ‘on Earth as it is in Heaven’

When the pupil is ready the teacher appears; Throughout life we meet many teachers

Living Magically by Gill Edwards

A few years ago I was introduced to this book by a very good friend of mine – ‘Ian Brown’ (Not The Stone Roses Front man – although a spiritual lyricist if ever there was one) but one of life’s friends who have vision – a different perspective that puts the things that your thinking into some kind of rational order or coherent communication.

The Teachings;

The main ethos was about how to; Create your own heaven on earth – and learn to grow through joy… rather than struggle!

For those that are interested ‘Living Magically’ offered a magical blend of metaphysics, shamanism, psychology and spiritual awareness for everyday life.

Written in a practical, down-to-earth approach with emphasis on living with joy, creating true prosperity, fulfilling your higher purpose, freeing your soul – transforming your life -

Living Magically offers a practical wisdom that derives from the mystic heart of the world’s spiritual traditions. It encourages us to take full responsibility for our lives, to honour the Light within ourselves and others, and to create a heaven on earth.

Remembering the things that time had forgotten.

At 2.20am the morning of Saturday November 19th 2011 – A Teacher within her own right – Gill Edwards died, her family said that she had finished her mission on earth. Her Mum and her brother, Brian were with her, and her much beloved son, Kieran had been with her earlier that evening.

The family agonized about what to say to all the many thousands of people who love her and follow her work, but then Brian opened her laptop and a letter jumped out that Gill wrote to someone grieving a loss. Brian has adapted that letter, so go to the Message from Gill page here, and Gill can tell you how she would like you to think about her passing. You can also leave comments, tributes, or memories of Gill on that page.

Thank you Gill RIP.

Another great teacher;

Steve Jobs  - Apple  - “How to follow your heart instead of what other people want you to do”

Image via Wikipedia

‘Movember’ – ‘What is Prostate Cancer‘ and a ‘Moustache‘ have in common?

What is Movember?

‘Movember’ is the month formerly known as November, and from 1st – 30th November – men and women across the globe join together to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues.

In 2010, over 111,825 UK Mo Bros and Mo Sistas got on board, raising £11.7 million. As you can appreciate there are some weird and wonderful moustaches grown throughout the month –

Moustache season is about real men growing real moustaches. And talking about real issues. Face grown, hand brushed and crafted with pride.

Get involved NOW!!!
And sisters yes you too can get involved;

You can also share your mo photo’s Check out some here;

Source: Movember UK

Researchers in Canada have recently been investigating the link between Prostate cancer and the use of the contraceptive pill. This came about due to the correlation between higher statistics prostate cancer diagnosis and the increased use of the contraceptive pill over the last 40 years.

This team of researchers from used two existing sets of data to pinpoint rates of prostate cancer and associated deaths and the proportion of women using common methods of contraception for 2007.

The study highlighted that in countries around the world where the proportion of women using the contraceptive pill is higher, the rates of prostate cancer in men is higher

The research is speculative and designed to prompt further consideration of the issues. Therefore definitive conclusions cannot be drawn yet, the researchers say.

Source: The Belfast Telegraph

Thank you

Dawn Pugh

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Image by Laurabot_ via Flickr

’11:11:11′

Did you know…?

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919 – Fighting actually ceased 7 months earlier with an armistice and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

It is very likely that Veterans Day will be remembered/observed/celebrated much more than usual on November 11th, 2011.

Most predictions and opinions concerning ’11/11/11′ are based on or rooted in its mathematical uniqueness as a number.

’11*11*11‘: There are three possible scenarios:

1. Something good happens— there is absolutely no scientific basis for this belief. There are no known logical premises for this belief. The belief that something good will happen is based solely on spiritualism, faith, and/or innate optimism. This belief is not necessarily a bad thing; we don’t know everything; the probability is not zero.

2. Nothing happens— this is the most likely scenario. Just because an unusual date number sequence occurs doesn’t mean that something extraordinary will happen. Usually it’s a non-event.

3. Something bad happens— there is absolutely no scientific basis for this belief. There are no known logical premises for this belief. The belief that something bad will happen is based solely on pessimism of reality. This belief is not necessarily false; after all, something somewhere will be happening for someone. The probability is not zero

However ‘Blackjack’ players love the number 11. It usually means time to double down, but not always.

Dice players love the number 11. On the come-out roll, it’s as good as the number seven. Do not ask the crap dealers how to bet 11 the hard way…

The number 11 is a popular lottery number. This results in the per-person payouts being a little below average when eleven is one of the winning numbers.

The number 11 is a popular keno number. One wonders if the casinos and slot machine manufacturers make use of that fact…

Thank you

Dawn Pugh

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Image via Wikipedia

A ‘Smile‘ is Free – Give away one of yours today.

Our ‘Body language’ speaks volumes when we ‘smile‘ -

I think we all like to look at ‘Smiling faces’ and ‘Smiling eyes’ and I think we can all agree that we feel better if we ‘smile‘.

“Even the stimulation of emotion in the mind tends to arouse a smile” Charles Darwin

When we see others smiling or laughing it obviously arouses something in us and most of us will mirror and reciprocate, it is a very contagious act.

Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne was French neurologist, who was first to research into several facial nervous and muscular disorders.

“That’s him with his assistant in the picture – The patient doesn’t look too happy though’”

Anyway Duchenne applied electrodes for recording the path that electricity took when contracting facial muscle fibres but he was revitalized by an odd fascination: “Faradism” He had a growing interest in the application of electricity to the skin for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. By applying electricity to the skin of patients he witnessed that this caused the skin to contract and make a smile like motion.

Today ‘Faradism’ is also known as Faradic Therapy, Aversion Therapy, Faradisation, TENS Therapy and Galvanisation.

Smiling can actually make us healthier by releasing ‘Cortisol’ which is a mood enhancing hormone it also helps to reduce blood pressure. We can also look better, feel better, we’re more approachable, likeable, and competent.

A SMILE -It cost nothing, but creates much. It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give. It happens in a flash and the memory of it lasts forever. None are so rich they can get along without it and none so poor but are richer for its benefits. It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and is the countersign of friends. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and nature’s best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody till it is given away! If someone is to tired to give you a smile, leave one of yours. For, nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none to give.

I hope this helps you to understand what a simple ‘smile’ can accomplish

Thank you

Dawn Pugh

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Image by pcgn7 via Flickr

Is your ‘child behaviour’ ‘out of control‘?

Apparently a large proportion of young males are being admitted into mental health services ‘out of control’ due to computer games.

Their presenting  issues are of poor concentration, aggression, lack of communication and increased sexual activity.

A lot of these games are aimed at people 18 years old. Within these games are graphic portrayals of sex, violence and injuries, even death.

Have these children escaped into a world of fantasy in order to distract from their own lives?

This area of the brain is more evolved in humans than in any other creature. It also forms late in our development, not becoming fully active until our teenage years.

If you damage the prefrontal cortex, your senses and movements are not impaired but you change; you become more reckless, lose a sense of sequence and consequence, of narrative and of your place in these sequences.

In neurochemical terms, it is similar to gambling or taking drugs. It shows the same disregard for consequence and a confusion between reality and screen life as if you beat up an old lady on the street, recorded it with your mobile and put it on YouTube.

To be honest we do read about some indespicable events involving young people, is this how we intend to evolve?

So let me ask you who in your opinion is responsible?

Dawn Pugh

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Image via Wikipedia

‘Florida‘ ‘murder‘

James Cooper, 25, and James Kouzaris, 24, had been staying with one of the men’s extended family in Longboat Key,   ‘Florida USA‘ – a well-heeled island town known for its white sand beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Their bodies were found 12 miles away from there at 3am on Saturday, lying in the road in the Newtown district of North Sarasota, they had been shot.

Local officers said it was ‘very unusual’ to find tourists in this area. So what had taken them to this area which was notorious for its gang violence, high unemployment and social housing?

Police said they had their suspicions as to why they were there but it would be unfair to state them they added that neither of the men were in possession of drugs, but would not say whether they had cash or weapons.

Friends described them as kind and innocent people.

On April 19th 2011 a local 16-year-old boy was charged with their murder.

Always a chance was created in their memory so their deaths were not in vain, a charity aimed at helping the young and disadvantaged. Through education and experience they hope to enable youths to make better choices and turn against crime and violence. Get involved;

Do you fancy a challenge ?

Dawn Pugh

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‘To Quit’ or NOT ‘to Quit’?

Don’t Quit,

When things go wrong as they sometimes will
When the road youre trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low,and the debts are high
And you want to smile,but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must but dont quit

Life is queer with its twists and turns
As everyone of us sometimes learns
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won if he stuck it out
Dont give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far
So stick to the fight when youre hardest hit
Its when things seems worse that you must not quit.

Thanks Sally

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Can ‘Screening’ for ‘HPV Human Papilloma Virus‘ STOP ‘Cancer’ ?

Simply YES. So ‘What is cancer?’ How can I help to stop them from dying !

Opposite is a picture of what ‘cervical cancer’ can look like.

You can help stop 100′s of women dying from cancer. In a moment I will tell you how? but first let me explain…

‘HPV Human Papilloma Virus’ is a very common virus. Most women will in their lives contract ‘HPV’, in most cases it does not need treatment and the body will deal with it naturally. This infection is common amongst people who are sexually active.

‘Screening’ women for human papillomavirus (HPV), which is strongly linked to Cancer, is a must for early detection of Cervical ‘cancer’ and deaths could be radically cut if screening test were available to women as young as 20.

The NHS runs a cervical screening programme in the UK. In England and Northern Ireland, women between 25 and 64 years old are invited for screening. In Scotland, women between 20 and 60 are included in the programme, and in Wales, women between 20 and 64 are screened.

Women as young as 20 and as old as 64 are screened in America, Canada, Austrailia and Europe.

Women used to be routinely screened for cervical cancer from the age of 20 but in 2003 the government raised the age to 25 in England.

Let me just point out that certain areas of UK screen as young as 20:

• Lewisham;
• Lambeth;
• Suffolk.

This brings about a BIG question ?

There is evidence to show that even when your GP authourises a smear test the labatories take one look at the date of birth and dispose if under 25.

Latest figures though show a rise in the number of women in their 20s getting cervical cancer and Hannah Booth who was 20 when she was diagnosed is now campaigning for the screening age to be brought back down. Sign here When you’ve Signed this petition it will display a page asking for a donation…By all means if you wish, donate, but please do not feel obliged, your name will still be counted.

The reason, given by the Dept Of Health, for not doing smears under 25 is that they do more harm than good!! If this were the case, where is the harm occurring in all the other countries? And not forgetting the armed forces who incidentally are screened from age 20.

Alternatively there are over 1 million women under 25. A smear test costs £50 hence the cost of doing smears on the under 25s is £50 million –

Professor Henry Kitchener, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology at the University of Manchester and Chair of the Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening, said:

“It is important to understand that cervical screening is aimed at women without symptoms. If a woman of any age has symptoms, she should be referred to see a gynaecologist within two weeks for further investigation. Screening for women with symptoms is inappropriate and could actually delay a full and proper diagnosis.”

Cervical cancer symptoms can be;

Unusual heavy discharge. An increased vaginal discharge is also a symptom of cervical cancer. It may be foul smelling, watery, thick, or contain mucus. It varies from woman to woman. It is important to report any unusual vaginal discharge to your doctor.

Pelvic pain. Pelvic pain that is not related to the normal menstrual cycle can be a cervical cancer symptom. Many women describe them ranging from a dull ache to sharp pains that can last hours. It can be mild or severe.
Pain during urination. Bladder pain or pain during urination can be a symptom of advanced cervical cancer. This cervical cancer symptom usually occurs when cancer has spread to the bladder.

Make your own decision. If any of you are effected by this post in any shape way or form and would like to talk to a professional then please if you wish contact me…

Dawn Pugh Therapy expert

More helpful resources:

Jo’s Trust

The Jade Goody effect on Screening

Home testing By DrThom

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