How greens may protect the heart

Researchers have discovered a possible reason why green vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower are good for the heart.

Their work suggests a chemical found in the vegetables can boost a natural defence mechanism to protect arteries from disease.

The Imperial College London team hope their work could lead to new dietary treatments to prevent heart problems.

Making Water Clean off Oil

A new development will make removing oil from surfaces as easy as rinsing them with water. American researchers have created a polymer that when coated onto surfaces will enable oil to be simply washed off with water. The new coating can be applied to plastics, glass and several other surfaces.

The project's lead researcher Professor Jeffrey Youngblood said about the new technology: "You add water, and the oil just comes right off like magic."

"These are eco-friendly coatings - environmentally 'green' in the sense that they eliminate the need for harsh detergents and solvents in settings ranging from home kitchens to industrial machine shops that must contend with heavy oil spills."

Big Companies Take Over Organics

With the massive boom going on in organic produce, most of the large companies are trying to cash in. Last year the US organic foods market alone was worth $24 billion. Large household names such as Kellogg are doing their best to buy up the smaller organic farms and organic food companies.

At the same time as trying to sweep up the organic produce companies, the larger multi nationals are not letting on that they are the owners. One organic food company owner says he got an offer from every food producer in the US for his company, Eden Foods Inc. The founder and chairman, Michael Potter said "Every food company you have ever heard of has tried to buy this company. Not most of them. Every one of them."

But Potter believes that selling his company would be like selling out what organics stands for. He explained how so many of the small organic food producers have been bought out and now the brand is being promoted as 'local' or 'home farm' produce when in fact it is now part of the huge conglomerate machine in which many of the 'organic' ingredients are being severely watered down to reduce costs.

with thanks to bbc.co.uk and healthypages.co.uk for these items

Most courses in our Autumn schedule are now either under way or sold out. The only Courses & Workshops with spaces still available are shown below.

To obtain one of the remaining places, please send cheque (payable to Equilibrium) to:
Equilibrium Health Centre
16 Station Street
Lewes
East Sussex BN7 2DB

Next month we'll be announcing early booking for our 2010 courses starting in January.

• Tai Chi with Horses 11.00am Mon 5 Oct
• Natal Hypnotherapy Birth Preparation 7.30pm Thurs 8 Oct
• Reiki Level 2 Certificated Course Sun 11 + 18 Oct
• Yoga for Pregnancy 6.00pm Fri 23 Oct
• Natal Hypnotherapy Birth Preparation 7.30pm Thurs 12 Nov
• Pregnancy Yoga 4.00pm - Every Monday
• Pregnancy Yoga 6.00pm - Every Monday
• Feldenkrais 9.00am - Every Saturday

Would you like more info on other events and courses? To check future courses & events, please click here.

Since last year, we have been developing a partnership with Headway Hurstwood Park Acquired Brain Injury day centre near Newick.

Some of our therapists work there each week, more have recently expressed an interest, and we are in ongoing discussions with staff about other ways in which complementary therapies can be helpful for people suffering the effects of brain injury from accidents, tumours or strokes - which often include memory loss, speech difficulties and problems with balance.

On Saturday 31st Oct there is an opportunity for all readers to come and meet our therapists at Headway, to see first-hand what goes on there, to have a Cranio-Sacral treatment or experience a Pilates or Feldenkrais class in a relaxed and informal setting.

There's a Yard Sale too (you can even book your own stall for just £8 if you have anything to sell - it's a great way to recycle cleared items and earn yourself some pocket money...)

There will be tea and hot snacks too. So please join us on Saturday 31st Oct from 10.00am to 3.00pm at Headway Hurstwood Park, Jackies Lane, Newick BN8 4QX.

Hope to see you there!

Massage can be given using deep or light pressure, depending on your preference.

It helps to relieve muscular tightness, general stiffness and it keeps muscles flexible and toned. Massage can be used as a stress management aid or for therapeutic purposes.

We offer a wide range of different bodyworks at Equilibrium. It's what we specialise in! Please click the one that interests you for a full explanation of how the treatment works, when it's available and how much it costs:

Aromatherapy, Ayurvedic Massage, Baby Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Holistic Full Body Massage (sometimes also called Swedish or Therapuetic Massage), Hot Stone Massage, Indian Head Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Sports Massage, Shiatsu, Structural Massage (sometimes also called Remedial Massage) and Thai Yoga Massage.

Free Podcasts available now from Equilibrium & Alternatives

Listen and download a free mp3 to listen to ways in which Hypnotherapy can help you lose weight, stay calm and/or give up smoking. We also have a new free podcast on Natal Hypnotherapy Birth Preparation.

Click for Equilibrium free podcasts

Alternatives also have some great free podcasts. Speakers featured include:

• Marianne Williamson
• Brandon Bays
• William Bloom
• Andrew Cohen
• Debbie Ford
• Martha Beck
• Nick Williams
• Malcolm Stern & more

Click for Alternatives free podcasts

Eva Weaver - Coach, Art Therapist, Artist and Shamanic Practitioner

Creativity is our birthright - like breathing and eating it is essential for our wellbeing, for our spirit, soul and even for our bodies. Creativity is not a luxury, but a source that lies at the innermost core of our being! Cut off from this vital source we might feel listless, bored or restless, lack meaning, direction and aliveness. Yes, creativity is that essential!

Like an underground river that flows beneath our feet, creativity is always present whether we are aware of it or not; and available for us to tap into and feed from - if we chose to.
continued..

Why pay £5 an hour in Cafe Nero?

Don't forget - we have a wireless network installed, which is completely free of charge for all our clients. So while you are waiting for your appointment you can send emails from your laptop, log on to the internet and surf to your heart's content without running up a phone bill.

Shamanic Creativity Retreat for Women with Eva Weaver

30th Oct -1st Nov 09 Samhain/ Halloween, Tilton House, Firle

An exciting space to dive fully into the centre of your creativity through the ancient practice of the shamanic journey, fire-ritual, mask, writing, nature-work and movement!

Working with the energy of this special time this retreat aims to:

• strengthen the connection to your creative power;
• sensitively work with possible obstacles and hesitations;
• explore tools to ground creativity in our daily lives;
• make space to honour, celebrate and affirm your unique creative expressions within a circle of women.

"The future belongs
to those who believe
in the beauty of their dreams."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Win a £50 Photography Voucher with Peter Arciero in our October quiz. In addition Peter will make a £10 donation to the Rockinghorse Children's Charity on your behalf

Peter Arciero is a creative photographer with a unique style and an artistic and compassionate approach to his work. Portraits can be taken at a favourite location allowing you to have a very personal feel to your images. A cosy studio is also available for the very young.

Rockinghorse Children's Charity is an independent charity dedicated to making life better for children in hospital. Rockinghorse receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of the community to make possible its valuable work.

A hospital stay can be a daunting prospect for anyone, but Rockinghorse believes that no child should be afraid to go into hospital. For over 40 years Rockinghorse has been making children's health facilities in Sussex more comfortable, welcoming and a lot less frightening.

They do this by:

• Providing children's wards with TVs and games
• Providing cutting edge equipment that hospitals cannot afford, which reduce surgery time and allow for less invasive methods
• Redecorating children's facilities to make them more welcoming and homely environments

To win your free £50 Gift Voucher, and a donation to the Rockinghorse, simply answer the easy question below -

Q. How many days a week is Acupuncture available at Equilibrium?

Entry closes at 5.00pm on Saturday 31st October. The winner will be notified by email within 7 days. Good luck!

Look out for another competition in next month's newsletter and you could win another fabulous prize!

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