Statins – To Take Or Not To Take!

shutterstock_199332014The Statins debate is alive and kicking, with the hotly debated question should they be prescribed to even more people? Do they make enough of a difference, do the side effects outweigh the benefits or are they being overprescribed as an extra layer of protection that many people just don’t need. And why is it that many GP’s and medical professionals claim that they themselves wouldn’t take them?

So why would you be offered statins? If your LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) is raised, if you have any heart complaints or your family history points to a risk in you developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years then you would likely be prescribed statins. So far so good…

The problem is that in the UK statins are the most commonly prescribed medicine in and the percentage of people they are doled out to is increasing 30% year on year. The National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines used to recommended that statins were prescribed if a person’s risk of heart disease was greater than 20% over 10 years. But they are now considering that this figure should be lowered to 10%, which would capture many more patients (potentially healthy people) in the net.

In many cases statins are no longer under patent, meaning cheap generic drugs can now be produced, it is probably no coincidence then that the NHS in parts feels it is cheaper to put patients on long term use of statins to prevent more costly cardiovascular intervention care down the line. But does that make it right for the patient? Not all leading Doctors agree!

All medical professionals do seem to agree that if a person has had some sort of cardiac event such as a stroke or heart attack, then taking statins is essential in preventing a second event.

But things become controversial when people are prescribed the medicine as prevention, on the basis that they have a 10% chance of a cardiac episode in the next 10 years. The risk is calculated based on things like a history of smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, having a close relative (a parent or sibling) who has had a heart attack and high cholesterol – but it is not an exact science. On this basis the new NICE guidelines would suggest most people over 50 would need to be on statins.

The other area of concerns for experts is side effects, many patients complain of muscle pain, insomnia, fatigue and gut problems to name a few…The existence of side effects is not surprisingly strongly denied by the manufacturers. But patients and some medical professionals remain unconvinced. They are left wondering in low risk patients whether the side effects are worth putting up with for the small potential benefit in health.

The last area of concern is just how much difference taking statins for life will make in a relatively healthy person. Dr Briffa, someone who actively debates the use of statins shares these statistics in one of his blog posts:

“Data shows that in primary prevention, 300 people will need to be treated with statins for a year to prevent one heart attack. So, if someone were to come off their statins for a year, the risk of them having a heart attack as a result are actually tiny (about one third of one per cent). Even if we multiply this figure over several years, the risk still remains very low.

In individuals with a prior history of heart attack or stroke ‘secondary prevention’, the benefits of statins are greater. In this context, for example, statins do reduce the relative risk of death (particularly from heart attack). However, again, this benefit needs to be taken in the context of underlying risk. The data show that if 200 people were to be treated with statins for a year about one person would be spared a heart attack. If 100 people were treated, only about one life would be saved over the next five years.

Taking all benefits into consideration, over five years of treatment, 96 per cent of people would not benefit at all.”

If you are struggling with side effects from taking statins or are just looking for ways to reduce your cholesterol naturally then here are some ideas:

It is thought that people may experience muscle weakness, aching and fatigue as statins switch off production of co-enzyme Q10, which is essential for the energy production in muscle cells. Some people replace this lost co-enzyme with a Q10 supplement.

Oxidised cholesterol is the main issue, if you are overweight then getting to a lower BMI will help as will increasing your activity levels, but it is also essential that you increase the amount of fresh vegetables and fruit that you eat. These are packed full off antioxidants which help prevent the oxidation of circulating cholesterol.

Some other supplements may also be helpful – garlic tablets can reduce hardening and furring of arteries, Omega 3 fish oils can increase good cholesterol (HDL) at the same time as lower bad cholesterol (LDL), artichoke extracts have a similar effect by blocking the synthesis of excess cholesterol in the liver.

Lastly some people benefit by adding in plant sterols, which closely resemble cholesterol, it works by blocking absorption of dietary cholesterol. Plant sterols are what are found in the high street products such as Benecol and Flora pro.active.

This article is just a perspective and does not constitute medical advice. Do not come off any medications without speaking to your GP.

The New Pension Rules

shutterstock_103079882There is no way to dress up pensions, let’s face it – it’s not a sexy topic! But none the less we all need to get to grips with the new pension rules and what they mean for our financial future. So we try to sort some of the facts from fiction that have been reported so far.

• Many people believe that everyone reaching retirement age from 2016 will automatically get the £155 pension. In fact you will need to have 35 qualifying years (up from 30), and people that have contracted out during their lifetime by saving in to final salary schemes will get less. The good news is that as I write this the Government is putting the final touches on an intelligent calculator that will be able to forecast your future pension : https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-statement

• Annuities have garnered a bad reputation of late, not least because of poor performance during the recession, with low interest rates playing a huge role. But for some people they will still be the right choice to provide a guaranteed income throughout retirement – so do your homework. Rules that come in to play during April 2015 will mean we have more choice, especially regarding small pots of money. If your various pensions add up to less that £30k (previously £18,000), then you will be able to take it all as a lump sum and invest as you please. This still needs serious thought as only the first 25% will be tax free.

• There has been a lot of talk about free financial advice from April 2015, but remember there is a lot of difference between guidance and advice. Many companies will begin to offer online tools for financial planning. In reality you can rarely beat face to face advice. It may pay to budget for around £450 for advice – this would pay for a good 3 hour appointment with a specialist who could truly advise on what’s best for you. Try a website like www.unbiased.co.uk to find an Independent Financial Advisor.

• Auto-enrolment will not solve all of our pension’s woes. Employers have been working on enrolling staff in to company pension schemes. But there are people that slip through the net – those earning less that £10,000, self-employed, or those that work for small companies that have not yet had to start a scheme. Contributions will rise by 2018 – employees will pay 4%, employers will pay 3%, 1% will be tax relief (at 20%), but even this might not be enough to secure your future – depending on your age and any other long-term saving plans you have in place. Wherever possible – top up your scheme.

• If you are married – make sure you both pension plan. Many people have got caught out when the husband has bought a single life annuity – because it provides a higher income, only to find out the pension plan dies with them, often leaving the widow in financial dire straits.

• If you are in position of not needing your pension straight away, then you can defer payments. From April 2016 deferment will not be as generous – 1% for every 10 weeks (currently 1% for every 5 weeks). Whilst not as generous if you are still employed and especially if you are a 40% tax payer – then this may be a good option.

Many of us have dreams of what our retirement might look like, to put things in to perspective. To retire on an income of £1,000 a month – you would need to have a pot of £231,500 at current annuity rates!

Spiritual Insects & Animals and their Meanings

shutterstock_142246639Many people believe in the spirit of insects and animals and have faith that they have all got a meaning behind them. These species can provide comfort and guidance so that folk can take the right direction or make the right decisions in their lives.
I have compiled just a handful of insects and animals that may be of interest to you; you can use this as a guide to create your own unique spiritual totem pole to refer to in times of need:

ANT
These insects show that you are being very methodical and organised. You are planning events in your life and want to strive to be a strong provider for your family and others that need your help. You are a person that has determination along with discipline and patience and these qualities prove that you aim to succeed in whatever you do in life.

BEE
If you dream of bees this shows that you are going through a busy period in your life. It also means that you are a communicator and that there are events in your life that need to be addressed and decisions have to be made. You would make a good counsellor and problem solver and you have the ability to inspire people or encourage others to go on with their hopes and aspirations. ‘Bee people’ are good at taking orders and so there could be something in your life that you have to put back into some order; either that or you have to be strict with yourself i.e. if you were dieting or having to stick to a regime. So for things to change you have to be determined to keep pushing ahead.

BUTTERFLY
This represents the meaning of new life, it could literally mean a new baby or that you are entering into a new career etc. This could also prove that your life could be changing emotionally and spiritually – you are enhancing these areas of your life. Butterflies show change through their own metamorphoses from caterpillar to butterfly and therefore if you dream of them be ready and prepared for big changes. If you dream of a butterfly around somebody else then the changes will be apparent for them.

SPIDER
“As the web that we shall weave so shall we succeed.” I have always associated spiders with success and the choices we have to make and the direction we feel we have to go. I believe also that when you see or dream of spiders that money will come to you, that you are destined to come into or make a nice sum of money. The spider is the natural dream catcher of life so be careful of what you dream for – because it just might come true! If you dream that a spider is wrapping you in its web then you need to be cautious of somebody who may want to trap you or a situation where you feel trapped and need to break free.

LADYBIRD
This is the cupid of life. It is believed that the ladybird will direct you to the person that is right for you, and the number of spots shown on the back of the ladybird indicates how many months will pass before meeting that special person. Ladybirds also represent luck, so if one lands on you you will be in line for some good luck or that your life is going to change for the better. This small creature is also very protective of its family so whatever transpires in your life will also affect those close to you and that good luck can transcend to those people also.

GRASSHOPPER
The meaning of this insect represents your abilities and your artistic nature. The colour of the grasshopper is also significant because it indicates a fresh start, going into a new adventure and being able to adapt and blend in with your new environment. In Japan the grasshopper is a good luck symbol and many used to keep them in cages and release them on behalf of a person who needed a new direction or meaning in their life. The grasshopper will give inspiration to many people who have either a musical talent or who have an artist’s eye. So if you dream of this insect then you will be given encouragement to follow through with your dreams of becoming what you want to be, so don’t hold back – go for it.

HEDGHOG
These cute little animals are the fertility of life and also stand for Mother Nature, because their bellies are so close to the earth. If you dream of hedgehogs or keep seeing them where ever you go then this is an indication that you need some form of energy or vitality. This little sole provides intuition, psychic ability and prophetic visions or dreams. It is a nocturnal animal, so it will disclose the secrets of the night. In other words you may be given signs or secrets of another person in your insights but you will be protected spiritually, think of the spikes a hedgehog has – these protect it, and so shall you be.

ELEPHANT
If elephants are your spiritual animal this can show that your personality represents you as being honourable, patient, strong and steady. They also show that the person can be blessed to bring good fortune to others. An elephant is one creature that is very spiritual and has proven that they have insight by the way they are very protective of their own and can anticipate danger before it happens. If you dream of an elephant protecting its young then be warned that there could be danger or a situation you may be encountering that needs to be addressed. Dreaming of riding an elephant could suggest that you are going to have to lead your family or those close to you or even in a business through a difficult situation and that those people will depend on you to get them through. (Elephants are regarded as one of nature’s natural mothers and born leaders).

FALCOLN
The Falcon is presumed to have high vision meaning that it soars higher than most birds of its kind and can predict things before they happen. This bird of prey has demonstrated to have a higher knowledge and wisdom beyond most creatures and its mythical heritage amongst the Indians shows that they are very well thought of in the eternal life. So if you are going through a dilemma in life and you dream of the falcon then you are being given the knowledge in how to handle the problem set in front of you. The falcon is a thinker and a spiritual guardian and will enable you to resolve the outcome of the position you are experiencing. The falcon is known as having visionary power, insight and prophecy and also of freedom to be able to fly free and get answers for you and those around you.

RAT
Eeeek! – Some people find rats very offensive – however they are resourceful, adaptable and are super aware. Believe it or not they are exceptionally clean. People who are drawn to rats or mice are believed to have more about them than they are given credit for and can be very misunderstood. Rats will gather and help to find and provide for others but if crossed will turn and will disregard a person’s feelings. Most rats need company but if found to be a loner be careful because they can be devious and underhand. If you dream of a group of rats you need to take help from others but if you dream of a lone rat watch out for someone you trust turning on you. If you are dreaming that you are the lone rat you could be being forced or pushed out of a situation, so try and find either new friends or a new social scene.

HORSE
Horses are seen as power and strength, poise of grace and beauty. Furthermore some people in their cultures believe horses represent the four elements – earth, wind, fire and water. They are in addition seen as being mythical along with the unicorn. If you dream of a horse and you are riding it then this will indicate that you are going to conquer and be successful in a business or project that you are undertaking… but if you are falling from a horse you are failing at something and need to keep your nerve. Seeing a horse in a dream with reins or being tied up will signify that you are feeling restricted and need to break free. On the whole a horse will lead and guide you and those around you into a strong lucrative partnership that will not dissolve, and will have a special bond for a very long time. This leads me to believe that if you dream of riding a horse with someone you love that this person is to be recognised as being your soul-mate.

CAT
There are a lot of people who are very attracted to cats of all types. If you are one of these people then you represent being clever, intuitive, supernatural and mysterious but also secretive. If you are dreaming of a cat, there will definitely be changes ahead – a fresh start, or a long overdue situation that needs to addressed! If a black cat comes into your path this can indicate that there is good fortune coming your way, or that you have been wishing for something. If when dreaming of a cat you also see a figure or a shadow of a person, this could be a warning to be aware and to distance yourself from that person or state of affairs. If you dream of a wild cat this may mean that you will be drawn in to doing things in a very different way than normal. If you see a cat in a loving mood this could mean that your comforts and needs are going to be met.

DOG
Straight away dogs represent the symbol of loyalty and the saying “man’s best friend.” If you are a dog lover then this shows that you can be a very good and loyal friend to others. You look out for people and try to warn them of any danger that they may be going in to and so you jump to protect them. Dogs show love unconditionally, even when being ill-treated they will stay in the hope that things will change. On the other hand though, when a dog’s trust is broken it can take forever for them to trust again. So if you dream of a dog, check your surroundings and the people in it before giving your trust in the future, in addition if you are in a relationship that you do not feel is going well check that your future should be with that person – or do you need to rethink?

There are many insects and animals in the world to choose from but those that choose us either in life or by dreams indicates that there is a reason for this or behind the dream.

Look around and before you dismiss or swat that creature ask yourself why you have come into confrontation with them. There could definitely be a message there, so be more aware of the world or dream you are in.

From this try and pick your totem that most suits you and see what the future is holding for you.

This Is Where I Leave You

8151T3gZFOLThis Is Where I Leave You is a film out in UK cinemas on 24th October 2014; it is an adaptation of a book of the same name by international best-selling author Jonathan Tropper.

Jonathan has written six novels: Plan B, The Book of Joe, Everything Changes, How to Talk to a Widower, This Is Where I Leave You and One Last Thing Before I Go. This Is Where I Leave You has been developed by Warner Bros. Studios and One Last Thing Before I Go will follow as a movie, it is currently being adapted for Paramount.

Jonathan’s books deal with very serious tragic life issues, but the humour is found in the situations, making them both funny and highly accessible to all. Jonathan say’s “that’s how life really is. No matter what you’re going through, there’s comedy to be found. And if you ignore the comedy, then life is just one long funeral. I’m the guy who laughs at a funeral and cries at American Express commercials. You have to be open to the full spectrum of emotional responses. So I try to write books that convey that range. I want you to be moved, maybe to tears, but also to laugh your ass off.”

Jonathan writes character driven novels, the people are three dimensional – flawed, interesting and occasionally over the top. This is probably why Hollywood has been so attracted to his books to turn in to movies, and also why the studios have not had any trouble in recruiting top actors. This is certainly the case with ‘This Is Where I Leave You’, that has Jason Bateman (cover star), Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Connie Britton and Dax Shepard to name a few…

The book/movie is about a family coming together to grieve the passing of their Father. The patriarchs dying request is that all of his family – wife and children should meet at the family house for a week following the funeral. This marks the first occasion where the whole family has been together in quite some time and the week quickly spins out of control.

Firstly Judd’s wife is noticeably absent, owing to her fourteen month affair with Judd’s boss! Judd spends the week attempting to assess how he got to where he his, a week before he had a wife, a house and a job all that he loved and now – nothing!

Judd tries hard to not get sucked in to the family madness, but secrets are revealed, old grudges resurface and passions are awakened which make it impossible. The result is an emotional rollercoaster that takes a look at marriage, divorce, love, family. It is riotously funny in parts whilst it explores the ties that bind us (whether we like them or not).

Publishers Weekly said about the book:

Tropper returns with a snappy and heartfelt family drama/belated coming-of-age story. Judd’s wife, Jen, has left him for his boss, a Howard Stern-like radio personality, but it is the death of his father and the week of sitting shivah with his enjoyably dysfunctional family that motivates him.

Jen’s announcement of her pregnancy – doubly tragic because of a previous miscarriage – is followed by the dramas of Judd’s siblings: his sister, Wendy, is stuck in an emotionless marriage; brother Paul – always Judd’s defender – and his wife struggle with infertility; and the charming youngest, Phillip, attempts a grown-up relationship that only highlights his rakishness.

Presided over by their mother, a celebrated parenting expert despite her children’s difficulties, the mourning period brings each of the family members to unexpected epiphanies about their own lives and each other. The family’s interactions are sharp, raw and often laugh-out-loud funny, and Judd’s narration is unflinching, occasionally lewd and very keen.

Tropper strikes an excellent balance between the family history and its present-day fallout, proving his ability to create touchingly human characters and a deliciously page-turning story.

Shawn Levy directed the film and said that they did not go looking for, or push for the big laughs; they played the emotions in an authentic way and trusted that the comedy would play through. Above all the reality of the feelings needed to come across.

The main characters shared the same sentiment. Tina Fey who plays Wendy said “When you see it, and like the book, there are moments that are very funny and moments that, as in the book, will move you to tears…real life is never just serious. People cope through humour, so it’s a really good example, in Jonathan’s writing, of an integration of real life.”

“Bateman (who plays Judd) said such a character is right in his wheelhouse. If I do anything funny, it usually lives pretty close to drama anyway, I’m not a particularly skilled guy at big broad humour, as I prefer to play in the middle of the two genres. I enjoy playing characters that can do that, they can just back and forth between something humorous and something heartbreaking.”

Magic in the Moonlight

magic_in_the_moonlight_new_posterMagic in the Moonlight is the latest Woody Allen film; the film follows a Chinese conjurer: Wei Ling Soo, who is a magician, one of the finest of his generation. However in actual fact Wei Ling Soo is just a persona, really he is an ego-centric Englishman called Stanley Crawford who is played by Colin Firth. To the delight of his audiences his act lets him make an elephant disappear, saw a women in half and more…But despite his magical tendencies he has no time for anything other-worldly, and has a great disdain for spiritualists and mediums.

It is for this reason that his friend and fellow illusionist tasks him with going to the Catledge family mansion in the Côte d’Azur in order to expose an aspiring clairvoyant Sophie Baker as a fraud (played by our cover star Emma Stone).

Grace Catledge has invited Sophie to the mansion in order that she contact her late husband. Sophie manages to catch the attention and affections of Grace’s son Brice. But the question is whether the conceited and arrogant magician will feel the allure of the up and coming psychic as well.

Certainly Stanley’s arrival at the mansion is a catalyst for a series of magical and mysterious events! In fact the whole film is a comic tale of magic, mayhem and mystery…

I don’t want to spoil the film by telling you too much of the plot, or whether Sophie turns out to be a fraud or the real deal. But Emma Stone who plays Sophie certainly made her feelings clear about the psychic world during a recent interview on The David Letterman Show:

Emma Stone believes she has encountered the spirit of her late Grandfather, the 25 year old told the chat show host that rather than scaring her, her Grandfather reminds her of his presence by leaving her coins for her to find around the house.

“There’s a long family history with quarters. My grandfather leaves quarters.”

Later in the interview, Letterman revealed he would be inclined to believe the occurrences if they could be proved scientifically, asking, “What makes you think – what tangible information makes you think that it is from granddad?”

“That’s the joy of it.” Emma explained “It’s not a logical thing; it’s magical. It’s like ectoplasm. It’s a milky substance…That indicates someone has been there.”

“It’s such a long story that you’d have to go to commercial five times, and roll to a clip and then come back, and I’d still be telling the story. But it’s him,” she insists. “It’s absolutely him.”

Letterman then went on to explain his own experiences with the paranormal, as Emma agreed “I love this so much. I mean, I really do. I think we should all open our minds and our hearts to magic.”

Colin Firth was also recently interviewed by the Mirror, and answered the following questions in relation to this film, his next project and working with Emma Stone:

After the darkness of Railway Man (war film) and Before I Go To Sleep (psychological thriller) were you keen to do a comedy?

“I often choose my films on the basis of how I’m feeling and what my mood is at the time. Making a film like Magic In The Moonlight is a bit of a romp. We worked in the most beautiful setting imaginable [the Cote d’Azur], you work relatively short hours with Woody Allen who likes to finish work before dinner, and you almost feel like you’re on a paid holiday”.

Do you take your work home with you?

“Although I take work seriously, I try to approach the profession in a light-hearted way. I’ve always tried to enjoy it without letting it invade my life. Although with Magic In The Moonlight there was very little strain in terms of the work, but that was not the case when I did Railway Man which was very dark and it leaves its mark on you”.

How was working with Emma Stone?

“She was a pure delight. Emma has a very sweet and engaging personality. She’s also a gifted actress and can throw herself into a character with the kind of assurance and command that’s impressive”.

Working as a spiritual medium all over the country

JohnI had already started hearing things as a youngster, but my first experience of seeing spirit or spirit energy as some people call it was when I was 19 years old. I was in the middle of a field with no houses nearby and no noise, when I saw an image of an elderly lady as clear as anything, but then quick as a flash she disappeared just out of sight. I thought it was my eyes, but found out three days later that the lady had passed over two days earlier to the spirit world, and that she used to walk her dogs in the field that I had been in.

When I was 30 I had a near death experience leaving me paralysed for over 3 months. It wasn’t until I was in the intensive care unit of my local hospital that I saw a nun, I was in and out of sleep but I looked up and saw this nun, and I thought that I had died…But when I looked up again she had gone, and I didn’t think anything more of it!

It wasn’t until much later in my life that I found out that this lady was my healing guide, I have only met her once and have never seen her again, but I know that she works alongside me.

Working as a spiritual medium all over the country and abroad, has brought me so much pleasure, knowing that I can bring people closer to their loved ones that have departed to the spirit world. It has not only bought happiness, but has assisted me and given me more knowledge so that I can guide others to move on when the time comes.

Listening to people has been a learning experience; this in part is why I became a spiritual minister – doing funerals and weddings, not only for spiritual people but for other people as well, which I really enjoy. I also teach others what I have learnt from my teachers by holding workshops and running a spiritual centre.

I will always remember what someone told me, a long time ago:
We are conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments, but great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one, people may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

My life outside spirit work revolves around looking after my dog and parrot who are both rescued; and raising money for animal charities which is another passion of mine.

John (PIN: 5152)

The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

81ZultmqXDL__SL1500_If you are looking for a great read, then try Jojo’s Moyes new book – The One Plus One.

Jojo was a journalist for 10 years, 9 of those were spent at the Independent, but since 2002 she has been writing novels. Her first book was Sheltering Rain and she has gone on to write eleven more…She has won the Romantic Novelist’s Award twice and the book before her latest ‘Me Before You’ has sold over 3 million copies and has been nominated for Book of the Year at the UK Galaxy Book Awards.

People are so engaged with her stories because as opposed to just being your run of the mill chick-lit, Jojo writes about ordinary people struggling with ordinary things, and her audience therefore relate to the characters.

The World Book Night Book Club wrote the following about ‘The One Plus One’: I want you to read this book, indeed to read all of Jojo Moyes’ books, because they tell truths about modern life. If you’re a sentient, empathic, living, breathing human I would urge you to give it a go.

So what is the book about?

One single mum
With two jobs and two children, Jess Thomas does her best day after day. But it’s hard on your own. And sometimes you take risks you shouldn’t. Because you have to…

One chaotic family
Jess’s gifted, quirky daughter Tanzie is brilliant with numbers, but without a helping hand she’ll never get the chance to shine. And Nicky, Jess’s teenage stepson, can’t fight the bullies alone. Sometimes Jess feels like they’re sinking…

One handsome stranger
Into their lives comes Ed Nicholls, a man whose life is in chaos, and who is running from a deeply uncertain future. But he has time on his hands. He knows what it’s like to be lonely. And he wants to help…

One unexpected love story
The One Plus One is a captivating and unconventional romance about two lost souls meeting in the most unlikely circumstances.

Is there such a thing as an Amicable Divorce?

shutterstock_75733573Gwyneth Paltrow, can have a marmite affect in regards to how people feel about her, ‘love her’ or ‘hate her’! This was never more true than when she wrote on her Goop site that her husband Chris Martin – lead singer in Coldplay and she were ‘Consciously Uncoupling.’

The world press mocked their choice of expression for stating that they were consciously uncoupling as opposed to just separating or divorcing, but you have to ask yourself with children involved, is it such a bad idea to try and take a more spiritual approach to divorcing, to keep things amicable and even stay friends?

Many of us are no longer surprised when the latest Hollywood star couple announce that their ‘happy ever after’ has come to an end, but Chris and Gwyneth are hardly leaders of the pack when it comes to amicable separations:

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, made a point of embracing a friendship following their split and this was extended to new partners as they came along, their blended families even holidayed together.

Courteney Cox and David Arquette separated in 2010; at first David was very vocal on the topic, whilst Courteney maintained a very dignified silence. But their joint goal was to remain friends so they could provide stability for their daughter Coco and could co-parent effectively. They were married for over 10 years and they were both satisfied that they had tried hard, but they were just different people wanting different things. They separated in 2010 and even then did not rush things, not divorcing until May 13. Courteney recently said “When you love someone, you want them to be happy, even if it’s not with you.”

Marriage statistics from the ONS bear out the point that often people just grow apart, and that it is not necessarily one big thing that splits people up. In fact only one in seven divorces is sited as being because of adultery. But sadly 42% of marriages will end in divorce, in 2012 in England and Wales that translated to 13 divorces being granted an hour…Compared to 20 years ago, divorce rates are actually falling, splits are most likely to happen between the 4th and 8th year of marriage. 48% of people divorcing will have at least one child at home under the age of 16 so you can see how important it is to remain civil. Although the general trend of divorcing is falling, there is one area that is bucking the trend – the over 60’s. There is a 73% increase since 1991 of men over the age of 60 getting divorced, and the stats are similar for women.

Times have changed, and there are many reasons now thought to contribute to a high rate of divorce in the 60+ age group. People now live longer, once they have raised their children there is still lots of time left to enjoy retirement and they don’t want to do it with someone they no longer love or have anything in common with. Women now work more and so are more likely to have the resources to start again. The stigma surrounding divorce is no longer so strong and with the rise of internet dating, people believe they may meet someone new.

Another couple that have split quite recently and have treated the experience as a positive opportunity to change, grow and learn new roles within a partnerships is Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom. They were together for six years, and have both spoken lovingly about each other post-split. Miranda said “Well, we are very good. We speak every day. We’re really close, we’re going to be a family for ever and we do really love one another.”

Despite these celebrities seemingly having everything – luxury lifestyles, dream job, money etc, they are only human and sometimes the complications of their careers – too much time apart contributes to the breakdown of a relationship.

Despite these celebrities uncoupling in a conscious manner, there are times when divorce is just too painful and difficult for us to be oh so rational. So if you are separating from a partner or going through a divorce then get in touch with us today. At Psychic Sight we have many empathetic readers, some of whom will have gone through divorces of their own that can guide you during this difficult time. There is no reason why you cannot go on to have a happy and fulfilled future.

Sugar v Fat

I-Quit-SugarIf you regularly read a paper or magazines you will know that there is a rumbling in the diet world, we have long be told that fat was the demon in our diet and that to be slim, a healthy weight and fight off diseases we must cut down how much fat we consume, particularly saturated fat.

But now, there is new argument in town that states actually sugar is the enemy and that all of those low fat products we have been eating to keep us healthy have actually been making us fatter!

Easter has just gone, and maybe you indulged in just a bit too much chocolate? And of course with two bank holidays in May, wedding season and summer holidays will be just around the corner, so now is the time that many of us think about losing a few pounds as we shed a few layers of clothing… But you would be right to be confused about just what advice to follow.

Dr Robert Lustig is an American Doctor; he has spent the past sixteen years treating childhood obesity and studying the effects of sugar on the central nervous system and metabolism. He has written a book called: Fat Chance: The Hidden Truth About Sugar, Obesity and Disease.

Dr Robert Lustig believes that sugar is toxic, addictive and everywhere, he knows it is difficult to consider a life that is sugar free, but the diets of processed foods that developed nations are feeding themselves is chronically expanding our waistlines and is soaring levels of diabetes and other serious obesity related illnesses.

In his book he explores the following:

• Why conventional low-fat weight loss advice won’t work: not every calorie is the same, and skipping lunch doesn’t mean it is okay to eat dessert
• Why too much sugar can cause serious illness even if you are not overweight
• How the food industry is filling our diets with hidden sugars – and which foods you must cut out to avoid them
•How governments are complacent about, and even complicit in, exacerbating our food debacle

The World Health Organisation seems to agree that sugar is a problem, and has just slashed its recommend daily intake of sugar in half to around 6 teaspoon per day. The WHO limits apply to all ‘free’ sugar, which is sugar that is added to foods by the manufacturer, plus that naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juices.

Of course it is easy to see this as just one more fad making the rounds, in 2013 variations on fasting diets have proved very popular and is look set to continue in 2014. In many women’s magazines or health publications the virtues of the latest celebrity diet plan are often listed in detail. One such diet is the Paleo diet, sometimes known as the Caveman plan. Our cover star is one such advocate, Jessica Biel (married to Justin Timberlake), obviously needs to keep in shape for her career as an actress, signer and model. She has said that she does all her own cooking at home using fresh fish or lean meat like chicken and vegetables. “Eating Paleo just leans you down and slims you up and takes that little layer of fat and water-weight right off your body”. Essentially Paleo followers eat lean protein, vegetables, seafood, nuts & seeds and healthy fats.

There are plenty of other celebrity followers of a Paleo or similar diet lifestyles, such as Miley Cyrus, Megan Fox, Tom Jones, Jack Osbourne, Uma Thurman, Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow and Matthew McCaughey to name but a few…

Whilst a Paleo type diet may address many of the problems concerning high sugar consumption, it is perhaps too expensive and extreme for most of us, with Nutritionists concerned about the amount of food groups that are excluded. Which is perhaps why books like ‘I Quit Sugar’ by Sarah Wilson are proving so popular.

Sarah is Australian and is a journalist, in 2011 she started a 2 week experiment to quit sugar, her health and wellbeing were impacted so positively in such a short time that she kept going.

The thing is that Sarah did not outwardly look like someone who ate a lot of sugar, she thought she was making good food choices, but even with things like fruit, dried fruit, honey, dark chocolate etc. – the amounts per day soon built up. On working it out a conservative day would see her consume 25 teaspoons of sugar, and that is probably similar for many of us.

Sarah wrote the book ‘I Quit Sugar’ which was published in the UK earlier this year, which is an 8 week detox guide to gradually quitting sugar. The book comes complete with lots of recipes including desserts, snacks, kid’s meals etc.

If you think sugar might be a problem in your diet, why not take Sarah’s test:
Time to quit? You decide!

♥ Do you get an energy slump in the afternoon?
♥ Do you need something sweet after meals?
♥ Does your stomach get bloated after eating?
♥ Are you unable to eat just one piece of cake and walk away?
♥ Are you ‘podgy’ around the middle, perhaps even slim everywhere else?
♥ Do you often feel unclear? That you’re not always sharp and on-form?

Realistically we all know that we have to move more and eat less, but new research is beginning to show that not all calories are created equally, and that the old virtue of cut back by 3500 calories equates to losing a pound of fat may not be so simple for all of us. If you are struggling with weight loss, it might be time to check with your Doctor and look at your sugar intake!

Relationship Alchemy

shutterstock_26495758I have been reading a fascinating text called The Book of Alchemy by Francis Melville, I thought I would share some interesting extracts about The Great Work on the topic of Separation.

“The Great Work or Opus Magnum, is the term used by alchemists to describe the conscious effort to achieve the highest state of purity. The term is applied to both the Outer Work, the perfection of the Philosopher’s Stone, and to the Inner Work, the achievement of divine consciousness. In order to proceed along this path, the initiate must understand, intellectually at first, the nature of cosmic reality”.

Hermes: Thrice Greatest, Hermes or Hermes Trismegistus is considered to have been an early link to divine illuminated adepts such as Moses, Enoch, Plato and Pythagoras. He was a legendary genius of alchemy.

Legend says that Hermes carried a plain wand, one day he came across two snakes that were fighting. He used his wand to separate the snakes, surprisingly following his actions the snakes acted harmoniously and coiled themselves around the wand – forming a caduceus.

The lesson in this legend is that we can identify with the Hermes within ourselves and become reconciled:

Imagine “A man and a woman are in conflict. The man defends himself with sword and shield, while the woman has an eagle on her arm, ready to fly at the man. Hermes separates the polarized couple, armed with a caduceus in each hand, reminding them that they are both responsible for reconciling the polarities within themselves”.

When our souls and spirits are not in harmony a separation occurs. Rather than using the man’s sword or the woman’s eagle as weapons against each other, we must instead see that both symbols represent the element of air which corresponds to breathing, intellect and cognitive imagination. We must harness these elements and use them to resolve our conflicts, so that we can come back together intertwined as a caduceus.

Psychic Sight have many specialist love and relationship readers; take a look at our professional psychics website page for detailed descriptions to help you choose: http://www.psychicsight.com/psychic-readers

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