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***This is a really incredible interview***

A few months ago I met with sleep expert Dr. Colin Shapiro. Before even getting into all the amazing things I learned from my meeting with Dr. Shapiro, I think it’s really important to look at his amazing pedigree.

Dr. Colin Shapiro is a professor of Psychiatry and Ophthalmology, University of Toronto, director of Neuropsychiatry at the Toronto Western Hospital, director of the Sleep & Alertness Clinic & Sleep Research Laboratory at the Toronto Western Hospital and director of the Youthdale Child & Adolescent Sleep Clinic. He’s been involved in sleep research for over 25 years. He was trained in medicine in South Africa and earned a PhD in sleep physiology at the University of Edinburgh. Dr. Shapiro has written over 200 publications in the subject of sleep, including “Fighting Fatigue and Sleepiness”, Working the Shift” and “Who needs to sleep anyway”.

I’ll be honest, I had no clue that there was such a thing as a “sleep doctor” until meeting Dr. Shapiro. It was Eleni (our resident product reviewer) who suggested that it would be a great topic to tackle for women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s who are dealing with so many changes in their lives that affect their sleeping pattern.

The reality is that without enough sleep you’ll be subject to premature aging and there are not enough anti-aging serums on the planet to help you if you are living off of three hours of sleep per night.

My discussion with Dr. Colin Shapiro was fascinating and you’ll find below all of the highlights.  Since there was so much discussed, I’ve broken things down into bullet points to make it easier for you to follow!

1) Why do you think people are sleeping fewer and fewer hours these days?

* Today, people sleep one hour less than 25 years ago!

There are many causes to this:

- People have longer commuting times to and from work – many people are now travelling 1 hour to 1 ½ hours (some travel longer) every day to their job.

- There is a greater demand placed on everyone’s time because of TV, the computer, video games and mobile phones (how many sleep with their mobile phones or BlackBerries under their pillow?).

* There was a test that ran in Mexico with kids that lived in homes that had electricity versus homes that didn’t. Kids that lived in homes that didn’t have any electricity slept more (period) because there was little distractions once the sun light went down.

2) What are the health issues for women as they age and the lack of sleep?

The immediate effects of sleep deprivation are as such:

- You’re not able to think laterally.

- Anything that is automatic to you is not an issue, but any non-automatic task will ask a lot of you and you won’t be able to deliver.

- Your driving skills are impaired.

- Your mood is affected because you become very irritable.

- You simply are not able to function very well at all.

The long-term effects that I see in my practice are related to two things:

- Shift workers are very much affected by different sleeping times.

- Childrearing and mothers are also very affected because they are the ones who usually (not always) get up in the middle of the night to attend to their kids. As they age, there is a ration of 2:1 women who deal with serious sleeping issues.

- Nuns and women who’ve never had kids don’t deal with these sleep issues.

- The reality is that sleeping issues that you had to deal with in your 20s and 30s will come to bite you in your 50s and 60s.

3) What role does stress play with sleep?

* With the latest economic meltdown, I’ve seen a number of patients who work in the financial industry and who aren’t able to sleep properly because every day they deal with people who have lost jobs, money or their homes and it’s putting a lot of pressure on them and they find themselves unable to sleep properly.

4) Can you make up for missed sleep on weekends by sleeping 12 consecutive hours?

* Yes, you can to some extent, but you can never recover fully. That said, if you feel tired all week, a few extra hours over the weekend will do your body some good.

5) Are naps a good way for making up for shorter nights?

* Naps will help your recharge your batteries. A short 20 minute nap at around 3 p.m. will do a lot for you. Our body rhythm is set on 12 hour pattern – 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. That’s why so many people feel tired in the middle of the afternoon.

6) What do think of having a room that’s appropriate for sleep?

* The equation is quite simple, the more electronic stuff you have in a room the less you’ll sleep, so having a room that has no TV, no phone, no home office, and no play station will help you sleep better.

7) Is it true that in your 60s and 70s you only need 4-5 hours of sleep?

As you age, you will experience a change in the quality of your sleep, that said, you STILL need a good 6-7 hours of sleep per night even if you are in your 60s, 70s, 80, 90s and beyond.

#8) Can you share tips to help readers improve the quality of their sleep if they are dealing with insomnia?

* Exercise is so important in helping you sleep better. A study conducted in Seattle showed that sleep has a huge impact on how deeply we sleep.

* Light therapy will also help those affected by sleep disorders.

* Sleep medication is another avenue for those who need it.

* Melatonin can also help in regulating the body clock.

* Make sure that you are NOT able to see your alarm clock because the light from the clock will impact on your sleep. You can position the alarm clock so it’s still accessible, without being able to see the light.

9) Can you give 3 simple tips to help women get a better night sleep?

>>> Dr. Shapiro offered 5 tips instead of  3!

* Maintain a regular schedule as much as possible.

* Exercise regularly.

* If you don’t feel fully refreshed by normal sleep, PLEASE consult your doctor so he/she can refer you to a specialist.

* Educate yourself on the subject … there is so much information out there.

* Make sure your room is always sleep-ready … follow the tips from questions #6!

10) Dr. Shapiro’s last words on the subject of sleep deprivation:

* Most people respond to sleep differently than other health issues and they won’t consult a medical expert. They’ll brush it under the carpet as “something that will pass”. The impairment from sleep deprivation can be as bad as other health issues.

* Kids also have sleep issues that could be related to other problems than them being finicky.

* People don’t think of consulting with a sleep doctor because of their own embarrassment and they’re afraid of being laughed at.

* One thing I should mention in closing is that accident rates DOUBLE when people involved in the accident suffer from insomnia.

* Sleeping disorders are a serious matter and if you’ve been dealing with this for a long time, you should consult with a trained physician.

You can contact Dr. Shapiro at the Toronto Western Hospital or you can also visit his site SleepOntario!

Photo of adorable baby by peasap

Wigs are an important part of the recovery for many women who lose their hair because of cancer treatments. Women have such an emotional connection to their hair, and I cannot imagine how emotionally traumatizing it must be for cancer survivors who have to deal with the reality of their hair loss.

To understand the importance of wigs in the life of many post-recovery cancer patients, I met with Michael Suba, owner of Continental Hair Salons.

Michael’s family has been in the wig business since 1964 when his parents, a couple of hairdressers, decided to ride the wave of the 60s. Now, the business is operated and managed by Michael.

Not only is Continental Hair one of first wig salons in Canada, but when Michael opened a location inside Sunnybrook Hospital 11 years ago, his salon became the first private wig salon in a public hospital in Canada. Since then, most new hospitals that have opened in recent years have a wig salon.

Why are women making the trip to Continental Hair Salons?

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* Michael’s salons might be located in only one city in Canada, but he has clients that fly from across Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and even as far away as Hong Kong to come see him. Since the salon has been in business for more than four decades, it is now recognized as the premier location for wigs and hair pieces.

* During the time I met with him, it was obvious from the discussion that cutting corners and cheap hair or cheap manufacturing were simply NOT part of his vocabulary.

* Michael also hires some of the best wig stylists in the country to help shape the wigs once his clients purchase them (I’ll be honest … I never even thought of this until Michael pointed this out).

* Michael only buys European hair. He doesn’t buy Chinese, Indonesian or Indian hair because for obvious reasons it’s much harder to die dark brown or jet black hair a lighter shade … not to mention that going blonde is almost impossible unless seriously damaging the hair.

* Michael personally visits the manufacturers that produce his wigs to ensure the quality of the product and also to make sure these are not “sweat shops”.

* The wigs at Continental Hair Salons are about $2,000-$3,000, but you will receive a few hair care treatments as part of that price and you will also be certain that you are getting a quality product that looks very “real”.

* When I was meeting with Michael a courier package arrived with hair from Japan. He had me touch it and asked me what I thought. I said it was so soft and such great quality. Then he dropped the bomb on me — he revealed this was a new line of high quality synthetic hair that a contact of his had been manufacturing in Japan. The quality was impeccable and for his clients it means they can get a high quality wig for about $1,500. Another advantage of this synthetic hair is that you can curl it, flat iron it and swim in it without any worries.

I’ve seen wigs and hair pieces in my life and in some cases, I can spot a wig or extensions with my eyes closed, but I have to say that looking and touching the hair Michael sells (even his new line of high quality synthetic hair) makes me a believer that quality is EVERYTHING when it comes to wigs!

Why do women choose to buy wigs?

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“When you buy a wig, you buy privacy! You don’t want everyone around you to know you are going through a difficult medical trauma … you don’t want to share this with the entire world. You might also not want to worry your elderly parents and you don’t want to attract other people’s fear. When people view you as ‘sick’ they also view you as being incapable.  Basically, you really don’t want to spend your day explaining your situation … that’s what a wig buys you”.

As he explained that, I could already visualize the situation in my head and it really made sense to me. You don’t want people to keep asking “Are you ok?” and you don’t want people to stare or whisper in your back … this is something that you want to deal with surrounded by your loved ones.

What are some of the prevalent myths and misconceptions about wearing wigs?

1) The most prevalent myth is that most of us can spot a wig. That is very true when talking about low quality wigs and cheap synthetic wigs, but I can assure you that the wigs at Continental Hair can fool anyone because they really are that good … all the way to the construction of bonnet where the hair is weaved … you can be standing on top of someone with Continental Hair wigs and NOT know.

2) Another misconception is that human hair is very heavy to wear. That might be true of wigs made back in the 70s, but techniques have evolved and the new generation of human hair wigs are very lightweight … in fact they are often lighter than synthetic wigs.

Wigs for kids

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Another group of kids who benefited from Michael’s generosity were kids suffering from “hyper aging”.

Michael explained what “hyper aging” looked like by giving the example of a patient of his who was 8 years old, but who had the body and system of a 90 year old.

He uses hair donations from Europe and creates “small cap wigs” for kids. The regular cost of a wig can easily reach $2,000-$3,000, but Michael sells these wigs for kids at a nominal fee of about $300.

Michael admits to being in the privacy business, not the vanity business, but from my conversation with him, I’d say that he’s in the “caring and compassion” business because that’s what really transpired from this meeting. Michael Suba genuinely cares about his clients and he really cares about the role his wigs play in their self-esteem.

For more information on Continental Hair and to find one of their two locations, visit their Web site: Continental Hair

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1) Perserverance is an ultra-moisturizing set for dry skin includes Omega 3 and Rose Hip Body Cleanser, Omega 3 and Loquat Softening Body Milk, and a votive size Amrus candle.

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2) Dedication is a firming set for all skin types that includes the Gotu Kola and Carrageen Body Cleanser, Gotu Kola and Kukui Body Lotion, and votive size Amrus candle.

3) Commitment is a healing set for all skin types that includes the Neem and Manuka Body Cleanser, Neem and Blood Orange Body Lotion, and a votive size Amrus candle.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s so important for me to support and highlight companies like Sundari who are taking part in this worthy fight!

September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. A weeks days ago, Katie Couric (from NBC), Brian Williams (from NBC) and Charles Gibson (from ABC) hosted the “Stand Up to Cancer” evening that brought out loads of Hollywood celebrities lending their voice and star power to a worthy cause.

If you missed the incredibly powerful promotional advert for the cause you can watch it below:

The reality is that very few of us will go through our lives without being affected by cancer in one way or another.

Many women who have been battling cancer for years and who have been subject to hormone pills, radiation therapy, surgery, lack of appetite and physical and emotional woes have seen the effects on their skin.

If you take hormone therapy for instance, designed to slow down the growth of tumours, it will often leave patients with blotchy red patches on their faces and dry patches along the jaw line.

The reality is that so much medical intervention when battling cancer will have a huge impact on the skin. Although most cancer survivors are internally grateful to be able to live … a number of them are also concerned about the beating their skin has taken.

Companies like Lindi Skin and Jean Cream are part of a growing market … currently there are five other brands of skincare sold at drugstores and hospital gift shops in America dedicated to cancer patients.

The “mission” of these cancer specific skincare lines is to “help individuals feel better, both physically and emotionally and gain a greater degree of control over the side effects they experience during radiation therapy and chemotherapy.”  Given that the regulations are different in Canada, I’ve not yet heard of these lines being available here.

Some dermatologists in America are skeptical about these brands targeting cancer patients and feel that their patients can get the same benefits by buying conventional skincare products sold at beauty counters, dermatology offices or drugstores.

One reason why there is such a debate around these new skincare lines for cancer survivor is price. Many of the products sold by these targeted skincare lines are more expensive than brands sold at drugstore and are comparable to many expensive skincare products sold at beauty counters of major department stores. Since Americans don’t have access to free health care and medical assistance … this means that it’s an added cost to the already monstrous cost of their cancer treatments or visits to doctors.

If you are a cancer survivor … you might want to try one product at a time from these lines designed for cancer survivors and see if you are happier with the results than you have been with your other skincare products. Perhaps, the most cautious thing to do is not buy the entire line and really go at it more carefully by trying one product at a time.

Many oncologists (doctors specializing in cancer) and dermatologists are giving greater consideration to skin issues because many new cancer drugs (called targeted therapies) are known to cause rashes so severe that some patients threaten to drop out if they are left untreated … simply because they cannot deal with seeing themselves covered with rashes.

If you are not being followed by a dermatologist … this might be a good time to find someone you feel comfortable working with and a professional who can better guide you when it comes to skincare for cancer survivors.

Photo by Tanakawho

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28481088@N00/

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Tweezerman is not the only company supporting Breast Cancer by donating proceeds from the pink products.

If you are going to restock on any products during the month of October, this might be a great opportunity for you to buy “pink”! I’ve listed a number of companies who will be thinking pink in October. I found it was important to list them because a lot of people are not aware that their October purchase can make a huge difference and have a great impact on the lives of so many women battling with breast cancer.

Buying “pink products” in support of Breast Cancer:

1) Seah HairSpa Blossom Spritz Conditioning Spray – Schwarzkopf will donate $2 to breast cancer research.

2) “Breast Cancer Ribbon” tweezer – Tweezerman will donate $1 to Rethink Breast Cancer.

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3) Pink Ribbon Love Cupcoat – Cupcoats is not an environmentally friendly solution to prevent you from getting burned from hot coffee cups, but the company will donate $2.50 to the Breast Cancer Society.

4) Lush Think Pink Bath Bomb – Lush will donate $0.50 from each purchase of their pink bath bomb.

5)  Revlon Tickled Pink Collection – Revlon will donate a portion of the proceeds of this Tickled Pink Collection. You’ll find an eye shadow palette in four colours, a lipstick in Pink Delight and a ColorStay Mineral Lipglaze.

6) Pantene Beautiful Lengths – Pantene will donate a part of their proceeds in support of the campaign, which provides real wigs to women battling with cancer.

7) Smashbox O-Gloss – Smashblox will donate ten per cent of their sales during the month of October to the Look Good Feel Better foundation.

Fresh Baked Cherry Pie Moisturizing Shampoo Body Wash – $2 will be donated from every purchase to Willow Breast Cancer Support.

9) Haircart H3000 Deluxe Ionic Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron – a portion of the net proceeds from the sales of this flat iron will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

10) Estee Lauder Pink Collections – Estee Lauder has four different “pink products” for October. You should stop by at your favourite Estee Lauder beauty counter and see which one will suit you best. You can pick and choose from: Elizabeth Hurley Lip Colour Collection, Beautiful Eau de Parfum spray, Lip Colour Collection, Perfectionist CP+ and the jewelled Pink Ribbon Pin. For each purchase, Estee Lauder will donate a portion of their proceeds to the breast cancer foundation.

11) Folgers Classic Roast Pink Can – Folgers will donate ten percent of their sales in October to the Canadian Cancer Society for breast cancer research – up to $100,000!!!

12) Foot Petals Heart TipToes – these sole rescuers will protect your feet when you’re wearing designer shoes that might look killer but that are also killer to walk in. When you buy these shoe cushions, ten per cent of your purchase will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

These are only twelve products that we were able to pick on just in time for the Breast Cancer Awareness month. If you look around stores during the month of October you might be able to spots other brands that have created products that allow them to donate money to a worthy cause. It’s also a great way for you to feel good about a purchase that you would have made anyway!

You’ll find all of these in stores, but if you’re having a hard time locating them, you can do a quick google search to find out where to buy them in your area.

You might have already started hearing the buzz around Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there might even have had a number of fundraising activities in your city.

That said, there could never be enough focus or attention on Breast Cancer Awareness Month because this disease robs too many women of their lives.

Each city in North America will have a host of fundraising events to help secure funds to save the lives of women.

There are so many ways to get involved by either lending a helping hand with your time or by donating money that will help further the cause.

When it comes to being a women and being faced with the reality of breast cancer the best prevention is to be proactive by getting the facts, getting an annual check-up, learn how to do self-examination of your breast (or ask your partner to help) and maintaining a healthy life style.

Breast Cancer Awareness month is a time to pay tribute to the many women who have passed away from the ravages of this disease, celebrate the women who have beat the cancer and who have successfully survived and to be reminded of how precious life is.

Early detection is the key to increasing survival rates

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Thanks for early detection, many women have been able to work with their doctor to combat breast cancer and they are alive today to celebrate the importance of taking proactive action when it comes to your health!

The Canadian Cancer Society has created a “Checkup Checklist” to help you reduce the risks of cancer by helping you with screening and early detection.

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1) Click here to access the “Cancer Checkup Checklist”

2) National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Early Detection Information

More information on Breast Cancer

In Canada

1) Canadian Cancer Society

2) Rethink Breast Cancer

In the U.S.

1) National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Photo of breast cancer awareness t-shirt by C.P.Storm

Photo of breast survivors by Klynslis

Black and white photo by Dave Hogg

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I found the “Yeast Infection No More” course that teaches you how to permanently cure your yeast infection, eliminate candida and get back to a more balanced inner you. The course was created by Nutritionist, Health Consultant and Researcher, Linda Allen and it’s backed by over 25,000 hours of research!!!

Allen, has been researching and studying the subject of yeast infection for 7 years because she wanted to find a long lasting and holistic cure to a problem she’s been dealing with for years (in fact, she was suffering from very severe yeast infection).

If you don’t know what you are doing when it comes to curing yeast infection, you might actually be making it worse instead of making it better.

If you are a sufferer of yeast infection or candida, you’ll want to make sure you get the proper treatment because this condition can be dangerous if left untreated.

Click here to order Yeast Infection No More

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The course “Natural Ovarian Cyst Relief Secrets” will reveal some very important ways of eliminating your ovarian cysts naturally and will also reveal a lot of the myths surrounding this condition that affects so many women.

One of the most fascinating things about this course is the fact that it actually goes into detail about the foods that you should and should not be eating if you want to control the growth of your ovarian cysts.

This is a natural approach that you can present to your doctor or naturopathic doctor and start the conversation about alternatives to helping you live cyst-free.

I included a testimonial that I found to be quite powerful:

“… This book is an absolute must for all ovarian cyst sufferers.  The natural way is so much more logical to me and works fast.  After only 11 days the pain was almost gone.  The bulge I have on my side is shrinking.  I’ve trashed all the prescription drugs I had.  How stupid was I to think conventional treatments can cure anything…using your natural system I feel like a new women. THANK YOU, I’m feeling so much better. Sheryl Woodall, Age 33, 4.2″ Cyst (Austin, TX, USA)”.

In fact, I’d encourage you to click on the link below even if you’re not ready to buy to read all of the positive testimonials Laura Hennings has received.

Click here to order Natural Ovarian Cyst Relief Secrets