What can I say... It is COLD right now!

We have been in a major deep freeze for the last 3-1/2 weeks, as I am sure you have been too (going by the news broadcasts).

I am talking about sub zero temperatures where I live (-40oC today!)

Waking up this morning under my nice thick goose down comforter, I looked out the window and all I saw was darkness! Winter can be very depressing, mostly due to the long hours of darkeness.

In North America, it is estimated that 50 to 60 percent of the population is affected by winter depression. There is a broad spectrum of symptoms that arise, from a change in sleep patterns and weight gain, to overwhelming suicidal thoughts and the unfortunate results. Think of it this way - fully half of the people you know are somewhat depressed in the wintertime!

Wintertime depression is very common in those parts somewhat north (or south) of the equator. People who live near the equator have a very low incidence of winter depression. Why? Simple. They live where there are enough daylight hours to avoid triggering the hormone imbalance that causes depression. Now, please note that I did not say that people near the equator spend more time sunbathing than northerners. It doesn't matter that they have a better tan. Rather, it is the length of the day that matters.

Again, it is the length of the day, not the weather! This fact about winter depression is what gave rise to the name Seasonal Affective Disorder. People who live in northern climes suffer because of the seasonally shortened days. Just as trees lose their leaves when the days shorten, people lose their happiness. People who live where the days shorten seasonally are victims of the brain's chemical reaction to lesser hours of daylight.

So, understanding that it is not your fault, what can you do?

First, start right now on a plan to extend the hours of daylight in your day by using light therapy. Light therapy is the most effective depression treatment known. All you need is a small bank of lights and the time to sit near them for a couple of hours each day.

The lights are the easy part. Get the cheapest fixture you can find that will hold four foot long fluorescent bulbs. Mine has four bulbs. Buy the best 'grow' lights. The kind that is best for plants. They are the closest match to the spectrum of sunlight. Do not use standard fluorescent bulbs. They are too green and will actually drain the energy out of you.

Research has shown that the best time to treat your winter depression with light therapy is early in the morning. It is best to make it your first task of the day. As well, this will give you some quiet time alone to read some uplifting material. It never hurts to get some positive input!

Reduce your stress by sticking to a daily routine. Get to bed on time so you can do your light therapy in the morning. Try to avoid annoying people. Get to work early and plan your day. Make a list of things to do and check them off as you accomplish them. Save the challenging projects for when you are not fighting your winter depression.

Next, decide that the weather will not affect your mood. You can't change the weather, so why be upset by it? If the weather is bad, allow a little extra time to get to work. It's simple, isn't it? Accept it and move on.

Then, improve your health. Eat a little less. Eat healthier foods. Exercise a little. Go for a walk. Did you know that it is nearly impossible to think bad thoughts while walking briskly? Drink water! The vitamin that people lack the most is plain old water.

Last, don't give up on yourself. If you feel bad, yell for help! Talk to someone. Those closest to you need to know how you are feeling. Tell them. If you can't talk to your family or a friend, go see your doctor. Go to a walk in clinic and see a nurse, a psychologist - somebody! And please, except if you are completely overwhelmed, do not take antidepressant medication. Yes, they will help if you are suicidal, but the long term side affects of these mind altering substances are extreme and not good for your overall health.

In summary, here are the seven things you can do now to overcome your winter depression:

1) Make or buy a light box. Use it in the morning. One to two hours every day.

2) Reduce your stress by having a daily routine.

3) Get enough sleep. Go to bed early so you can get up early and sunbathe in front of your lights.

4) Decide that the weather will not affect your mood.

5) Eat healthy. Get some exercise. Drink lots of water.

6) Talk about how you feel. Remember, 50% of people feel like you do, to one extent or another.

7) No matter how bad it gets, hang on! It will get better.

Sincerely,

-Darren Salkeld
Editor, Healthy Living - It's YOUR Choice!

Ok, with the holidays now at our feet, don't let the festivness get the best of you... I mean, you don't want that "Holiday Bulge" at your feet, now do you!?

Think of this what you will, but I just recently came off of a 50 pound 'extra' bulge myself and have never felt better! How did I do it? Well, it all has to do with eating right and exercising!

Yes, I know you have heard that time and time again, but there is NO miracle pill... No matter what anybody says. I actually followed the Body-for-Life plan to a *T* to lose my weight. Since them, I have been living a whole new lifestyle!

My friend Sean Nalewanyj has created an amazing new book where he takes the Body-for-Life plan and super charged the workout routines... So if you want to take off the weight, BFL will teach you how and if you want to put on the muscle, Sean's program will accelerate it BIG TIME!

Take a look for yourself here:

http://www.bodyforlifesuccess.com

What is even better, Sean has told me that he is going to personally consult every single person FREE of charge one-on-one that reads his new book! WOW, when I was doing the BFL program, I had to pay for my training even through I am Sean's friend. No big deal, I would have paid a hundred times the amount I was charged just to get in shape and feel great.

Look, really great personal trainers are very few and far between to come across, and now I am handing you mine just for reading through his new book, he will give you unlimited 100% personal access to him!

Look, you don't have to pack on the muscle, get yourself a training routine for the new year and get in shape... 12-weeks and you are brand new again! I know, I myself followed Sean's workout plan in combination with the eating methods of the Body-for-Life program and lost a 50 pounds in less than 12 weeks!!

I have never felt better!

http://www.bodyforlifesuccess.com

Think about it NOW... Don't fall prey to the over-eating that plauges so many during the holiday season.

Do you find it almost impossible to stay conscious and contentious about weight and nutrition during the holidays? Of course you do. More than half of all Americans are overweight. All American's are in this together.

You can take heart from a new government study which shows most Americans gain about a pound over the holiday. You're not alone. The study shows that during the holiday period, for the people in the study, two main things influenced the holiday weight gain: level of hunger and level of activity. Those who reported being less active or more hungry had the greatest weight gain.

If you can stay focused on dealing with just those two things, you'll probably win.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of weight gain," according to Dr. Samuel Klein. He is Director of the Center for Human Nutrition as Washington University in St. Louis, MO. "Preventing the increase in weight is a lot easier and better than actually gaining weight and then trying to get it off again."

The answer is simple. Eat less and exercise more.

The good news is that most of the people overestimate how much they had gained. Fewer than 10% gain 5 pounds or over.

The bad news is that although the one pound gained seems like a small amount, that weight WAS NOT LOST during the rest of the year and those single pounds accumulate over the years and add up to obesity.

10 Tips to Avoid the Holiday Bulge [and my *inner* thoughts for you]!

Here are some helpful hints and tips put together by me and Sean of http://www.bodyforlifesuccess.com to help you avoid the tiny little weight issues you face during this joyous season...

[Along with the thoughts which I am pretty sure are going through your head as you listen to me happily chirping out my advice... You
will find these *thought's* in the square brackets... Remember, I WAS there too, so I know!]


1)."You SHOULD stay active. The best thing for you to do is to stick to your regular schedule and routine."

[Routine? What routine?? My family doesn't have no stinking routine in November and December. I don't have no stinking time for any regular yoga classes, workouts at the gym, long dog walks, etc. Because in addition to shopping, home decorating cooking, and entertaining... I have to take every one of the kids to EXTRA practices and activity for school concerts and freaking fund raisers! I am far too ACTIVE already to think of *staying active*.]


2). "Don't let yourself get hungry. Don't arrive at the party starving. Be sure you eat your normal, healthy meals, especially breakfast. A protein rich breakfast "resets" the body and starts it off not hungry. Don't starve yourself, thinking you can "save up" calories. Fill up before the big holiday feasts with healthy vegetable snacks."

[Normal? There ain't no stinking "normal" in November and December, and I am not sure that I ever have time for normal, healthy meals ALL the time. I've got a life to run too! Besides, the appetizer platters are always full of God's own Cheese Puffs and Ruffles with sour cream/onion dip, Brie on sourdough and 80 plates of cookies and bowls of peanut M&Ms on every available surface!]


3) "How can you keep the pounds off at calorie rich parties? Stay away from the food! Literally ... stay on the other side of the room from the buffet table or appetizers tray.

[Ya, you like this one, don't you!? You'll just go plant yourself in the bathroom and lock the door. Maybe you can find a place under the pile of coats in the back bedroom. A nap sounds nice... Sounds funny, but that is what I used to think... Just know, *Being festive doesn't have to mean overindulging*.]


4). "Wear clothes which are slightly tight and your favorites. You'll think twice about the third helping if you can't let your belt out a notch. Always remember there's about 8 pounds between pants/dress sizes."

[What skinny sadist came up with this bright idea? I bet you have an eating disorder! Well, actuall, I know this becauase I just lost 50 pounds by eating healthy and excersising!]


5). "Portion size is the real secret. Keep salad portions large and all other portions extra small. When it comes to sweets, think quality, not availability. Just because the candy corn is there doesn't mean you have to eat it. Don't be afraid to cut off "just a bite" of a high calorie treat. Put the rest back on the serving tray. If you're the host or hostess, pre-cut high calorie items into tiny portions to help your friends. Just a bite may be plenty to satisfy you.

[Just a bite! Just a bite? I am stressed to the max and darn it, I DESERVE that candy treat... and a WHOLE one at that! Heck, I am double stressed, so I double deserve this candy...]


6). "You don't need to be stressed. Take Time for You. Sit down and slip your shoes off... Get a massage if you feel like it!"

[Don't you know I am facing a month and a half on shopping overdrive and the only place to sit down is at the mall's fast-food court? McDonald's doesn't have a massage spa. If I slip my shoes off, I'll NEVER get them back on again, you fool.]


7). "Keep up your food diary ... every day of the holiday ... it will help you pinpoint your special weaknesses. Just one 150 calorie chocolate chip cookie each day will add up to an extra pound in only 3 weeks."


[I can't even find my food diary in this chaos house. And, I really needed the information on the cookies. Thank you very much. I just ate three, and I don't need any food diary to pinpoint that little weakness :) ]


8). "Only eat things you really want and care about. So what if your neighbor brought okra au gratin everyone's raving about? Use that space on your plate for a homemade roll, hot from the oven. Put real butter on it. Life is choices. Treat yourself to what you want and LEAVE THE REST IN THE SERVING DISH."

[Good advice. How thankful do you think I'd be after a feast of Brussels sprouts and tofu salad while the rest are passing the yams, potatoes and gravy to Aunt Lucille? I bet you're glad you got granddad's wiry build instead of those wonderful wide childbearing hips from grandma's "peasant" stock!]


9). Drink water instead of alcohol which has empty calories and lowers will power. Avoid sugary sodas which throw your metabolism into pendulum swings.

[You didn't mention eggnog. Eggnog is OK, then, right?]


10). "Don't eat while you cook. Those little "tastes" can turn into 1000 calories before you've blinked."

[I just spent 304 hours in the kitchen, cooking. I HAVE to taste everything before I serve it, or they'll hate it and won't love my cooking anymore. And besides, cookie dough doesn't have any calories, does it?]


Well, that's all 10 pieces of holiday advice. Here's just one parting thought which usually goes through people's mind's during the holidays...

[Santa's fat and everybody loves him! The baby Jesus is fat, too. The turkey is so fat it can hardly stand up! Nobody buys a skinny Christmas tree, do they?]

Get a grip... Get a healthy life... Have a HAPPY holiday!

Learn how to maximize your workouts, take control of your life and get your own personal trainer at:

http://www.bodyforlifesuccess.com


Sincerely,

-Darren Salkeld
Editor, Healthy Living - It's YOUR Choice!

Scotia Bank presents the 21st annual 92 CITI FM *Bed-In*, December 13th-15th, 2006 at the Forks Market right here in Winnipeg!



Once again, 92 CITI FM announcers will be broadcasting live from their Bed-In location at the Forks Market in beautiful downtown Winnipeg from 5:30 am to 10 pm daily in an effort to collect new unwrapped toys and cash donations for the Salvation Army.

Northern Goose Down is proud to donate the 800 fill power goose down comforter, goose down pillows and the goose down mattress topper for this event (valued at over $1,200) which will be auctioned off in an effort to raise even more money for the Salvation Army!

You can listen live to the 92 CITI FM announcers at www.92citifm.ca

Here are a couple pictures from the event shortly after Tom & Joe had me and Shohn live on their morning show from the Bed-In fund raising event.

---

In addition to the $1,200 worth of bedding supplied for the event to be auctioned off, Northern Goose Down has donated 2 additional goose down comforters and 6 goose down pillows for the 92 crew to give away as they felt they wanted.

Northern Goose is also holding a mini online auction of our own, right here at http://www.northerngoose.com/92citifm where we are going to give away another FIVE goose down comforters to the highest bidders.

Bids start at $250 and 100% of those proceeds will go to the Salvation Army through 92 CITI FM on Wednesday, December 20th!

If you would like to support the Salvation Army in 2006, please place your bid on the goose down comforter... If you are the high bidder, you get a choice of what you want (Full, Queen or King)!!

Your bids are not offers to donate anything, we will only collect the money from you if you are a successful bidder, so go ahead, bid now, bid hard, bid strong... It is for a great cause!

Sincerely,

Darren Salkeld, President
Northern Goose Down Inc.
Rocan International, Inc.

Have you been feeling extremely tired lately? Are your muscles sore and are you lacking energy for the activities you love? Do you or your mate seem moody, crying for no reason and unmotivated?

With the holidays approaching ever so fast, I decided to write a short article about stress. If you are not feeling it yet, just wait, it is bound to sneak up on you. That is why I want you to be prepared when it hits!

While we commonly complain of stress headaches, sore backs and a lack of sleep these can all be signs of overstress and can interfere with our quality of life and enjoyment. What can you do if you or a family member is overstressed?

WHAT MAKES YOU OVERSTRESSED?

The key to understanding overstress is not merely a list of sources of stress; it is how we are personally coping with these sources.

What would seem to be manageable stress to one person may be overstress to another. Some researchers suggest that our ability to handle life's stresses may have as much to do with our inherited tolerance as with our lifestyle. What is crucial though is identifying the symptoms of overstress and learning to adapt our lifestyle to reduce stress.

While we may all have different tolerances for stress it is also true that certain lifestyles or changes in lifestyle can lead to overstress - marriage, divorce, death of a loved one, job change, job loss or debts are all major stresses.

Other factors such as allergies, shift work, strained relationships and too much work are also stresses that in combination can add up to overstress.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M OVERSTRESSED?

While scientifically overstress leads to a series of chemical imbalances in our system, it is most easily recognized by the symptoms of these imbalances: fatigue due to lack of restful sleep, sore muscles due to a lower pain tolerance and a negative mood due to a lack of energy and 'feel good' chemicals in our system.

If you don't think that you've been feeling the physical effects of overstress perhaps you should look at your lifestyle. Are you handling fatigue with caffeine and sugar? Are alcohol or drugs helping you sleep or providing you a 'feel good' high? Are you relying on the adrenaline of working too much for the positive energy your body and mind needs?

HOW DO I HANDLE OVERSTRESS?

The first step in handling overstress is to recognize your tolerance. Since everyone has a different level only you can start reading your body's signals and responding to them.

Lessening your burdens by simplifying your life may just mean saying no to some extracurricular activities or may mean a complete change in occupation or lifestyle. If you are anticipating a large change in your life such as a new baby or moving to a new home, perhaps you need to remove other obligations to make room for these changes.

Exercising at least 20 minutes three times per week and reducing or eliminating crutches such as alcohol, caffeine, sugar or drugs will also help the body find balance.

We are living in a world that encourages highly driven, 'type-A' personalities. For the good or bad we are not all made equal and to lead the most contented life it is important to set limits for ourselves based on our personal abilities. Having a low tolerance for stress is no more a fault than needing glasses or being shorter than average - it does however require us to accommodate our tolerance and take on only as much as our bodies can adequately handle.

Learning our stress tolerance and responding accordingly can change our entire outlook on life. By regularly taking stock of your stress level and making the necessary changes you will find yourself enjoying life more than you thought possible.

Of course, one sure fire way to release the stress from you is a great night of sleep. Be sure to consider Mother Nature's own best *natural* stress relief... Pure, Canadian snow white goose down!

http://www.down-feather-bedding.com


Sincerely,

-Darren Salkeld
Editor, Healthy Living - It's YOUR Choice!

Ok folks, I have posted the overstock goose down comforter sets on my website for you to claim if you are in need a of an amazing high quality king size goose down ensemble set!

I have also posted them on eBay if you want to try and save a couple hundred bucks from my already insane 65% off price, you can place a bid!

You will know my listing, as it looks similar to my website. Go to the goose down clearance page here:

http://www.down-feather-bedding.com/special/rci-clearance.php

Or you can check out one of the ebay listings right here!

I hope to be shipping one of these amazing sets to you soon!

Regards,

Darren Salkeld, President
Northern Goose Down Inc.

Some of this post is controversial, but I wanted to bring it to your attention so you can make your own 'informed' desision on hand-harvested goose down.

Some people say it is better, others say avoid it! What do I say?

Well, read on and find out...

Firstly, when I see people trying to pawn off goose down products and 'claim' that they are of such great quality, that's one thing, good luck to them and all I can say is "Buyer Beware!" Make sure you know the source of the supplier before you purchase any goose down product.

Now, I don't normally go on rants like this one I am starting, but it gets me upset when people go and directly post a blatant 'bash' so they can sound knowledgeable in an attempt to sell their 'mass produced' down filled drop-ship items...

Here, let me explain, because right now you are probably thinking, "What in the heck are you babbling about Darren?"

Well, it all started this week when...

My factory over ran a shipment of high quality goose down comforters, featherbeds and pillows for some beautiful winter lodges in our area. So, I decided that I would entertain the idea of putting the overstock goose down items on eBay and really blow them out fast.

As I am relatively new to the eBay selling thing, I wanted to see what others were doing and I went on to read various descriptions that were posted in a 'Down Comforters' section of eBay.

I saw this one comforter listed and what upsets me, is when people put descriptions up trying to talk like they know all the ins and outs of the goose down industry, but end up confusing the buyer even more.

This particular goose down comforter was totally endorsing 'hand-harvested' goose down, which if you know me at all, I am 110% against hand-harvesting!

The listing I am talking about made the following blatant statements (and I quote):

"Filled with luxurious hand-harvested Hungarian white goose down."
{my comments: Were the birds ALIVE?}

"LFGD does not kill their birds for down and feather."
{my comments: Ok, previous question answered, then what do you do with the birds when they are bald?}

"LFGD company uses only large cluster hand harvested down and feather without any injury (proven by the veterinary and hygiene institute) to their birds."
{my comments: How do you not injure something when you pluck it ALIVE? This is total B**l S**t and a RED FLAG to stay away}

"Their down is not a by-product of the food industry."
{my comments: Obviously, we established that when you balded out the goose and set him free again without his protective coating}

Let me make something very clear here:

There are only a small handful of 'big' players in the goose down industry. We are all a pretty tight niche group of business people... Kind of like the internet marketing guru's of this day and age.

Hand-Harvesting Goose (and Duck) down is highly, highly frowned upon in our goose down industry group. For someone to splash the quotes I listed above on the internet and try to win over the un-educated consumer is what upsets me.

Not only is hand-harvested goose down frowned upon, it is actually banned in most countries around the world.

Why, you ask?

Well, hand harvesting was (and still is according to this particular eBay seller) a method used to collect goose down in various parts of the world. This method involves taking live geese & ducks (yes, I said LIVE) and then pulling the feathers and down off of them by hand (ala the name 'hand-harvested goose down')

Does hand-harvesting hurt the live goose or duck?

YES, absolutely it does! How would you like having the hair pulled out of your head, or worse yet, your fingernails pulled out while you were being restrained?

Ya, I didn't think you would like it... Neither would I!

Some years ago already, a video was released that an amateur videographer shot over in Hungary (or Poland – I can't quite remember) of this 'live hand harvesting' of goose down. It was pretty graphic in nature and showed the poor geese walking around bald and some actually with blood showing... Urrrrggg, just the thought of it, really pisses me off that someone could do that to a goose!

Now, if you have been a long time member of my site, or if you have just come to know me, you will know that Northern Goose is the only Federally licensed goose processing plant in Canada.

It is regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the United States Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) and also the European Union Directorate General (EU-DG).

Yes, Northern Goose IS a food processing plant. It has been for over 30 years now and we process all of the geese from Western Canada intended for the world food market. All birds are processed in our state of the art, completely hygienic, federal government regulated facility.

The goose down & feathers are moved simultaneously to the feather factory via underground piping. To the best of my knowledge, Northern Goose is the only place in North America (and possibly the world) where goose down is processed with federal government inspectors present every single day to ensure quality and humane treatment.

Another amazing fact about the goose: Not one piece goes to waste.

So yes, the food industry is priority at Northern Goose and the feathers are a by-product, not the other way around.

I am very proud to say that there has never been even one ounce of 'hand-harvested' goose down in the Northern Goose factories.

Northern Goose Down is widely recognized as the #1 goose down around the world!

There are limited quantities of it available each year and when it is gone, it is gone. We do not out source any materials. That is one of the reasons that makes our goose down so valuble.

If you didn't get enough here, I have a lot of great information on my home page at:

http://www.down-feather-bedding.com

Wishing you massive success in your quest for the best night of rest!

Darren Salkeld, President
Northern Goose Down Inc.
Rocan International, Inc.

P.S. About my overstock of high quality goose down items, I am still exploring the eBay thing for now. I will post my decision here in about a week or so of what I decide to do with them. Right now there is a few mountain lodges in the Banff, AB talking to me about getting them... Stay tuned!

I just stumbled across a really cool site that I loved and think you will really like it too.

It's at http://www.123giftforme.com


They are giving you hundreds of cool gifts for just $1.23, yeah just a buck.

When I first heard about it they had 253 gifts for you. Now, in just a few days it is already over 271 gifts and it keeps growing.

It is like an early Christmas!

I liked it so much, I even dontated gifts for them to give away to all of their members.

Happy Gift Getting!

Darren Salkeld, President
Northern Goose Down Inc.
Rocan International, Inc.


P.S. Let me know if you see it when you become a member.

http://www.123giftforme.com

I woke up this morning and looked out the window of my home here in sunny Manitoba, Canada to see a fresh blanket of *the white stuff* on the ground.

Yes, we got a blast of old man winter, yet AGIAN last night!

All-be-it that it is nice and sunny today, it is VERY cold out there...

Winter is a wonderful time of the year - holidays, warm fires, crisp air, and for many, fresh fallen snow.

Bur the colder temperature and lower humidity affect the condition of your skin and hair.

Inside of your home, it is pretty easy to protect yourself from the harsh elements of the long winter months... Outside is a different game all together!

Here are some suggestions for protecting your skin and hair from the dammaging cold temperature, low humidity and unbearable wind chills!


TIP #1:

The skin on your hands is thinner than in other areas of your body, and it needs extra protection and care. Make sure that after washing your hands you dry thoroughly and use a good hand cream. Wearing gloves outdoors will also protect them and keep your skin soft.


TIP #2:

Elbows, knees, and feet are completely covered in the winter months, and usually forgotten until spring. Clothing and boots can cause friction that creates a buildup of thick skin. A good scrubbing with a natural lofah sponge, followed by a rich cream will remove any problems here.


TIP #3:

Sun protection is very important in the winter months, just as it is year-round. Many people forget to use sunscreen, but sun reflects off snow and ice, and you can actually get double the sun exposure.


TIP #4:

Protect your lips with a good lip balm, and avoid licking your lips as much as possible, since that will cause your lips to crack and chap. If you get a bad case of chapped or cracked lips, use some Vaseline Intensive care before bed, and you should be good to go in the morning.


TIP #5:

Winter winds and low humidity are also hard on your hair, and using a rich, deep hair conditioner is important to restore moisture to your hair.


TIP #6:

One way to keep your skin in great shape is getting a massage. You don't have to go to a specialist for this: just get out your favorite massage oil and ask a family member to give you a quick massage. Then relax and enjoy the experience and the benefits.


Here are some of the best *natural* beauty ingredients available for winter skin and hair care:


Baking Soda:

Can be used as a deodorant, bath powder, or tooth whitener. Mixed with water, it helps remove residues from hairstyling products, making your hair clean and shiny.


Beans:

Finely ground until powder-like, beans make a great cleanser for your face and body: just add the powdered beans to your favorite cleanser and massage into damp skin. Dry beans are rich in protein, potassium and iron, all good ingredients for healthy skin.


Citrus Fruit:

Contains citric acid, which kills bacteria on the skin. Also, the fresh scent is a known energizer. Rinse your hair with lemon juice mixed with water when you hair is dull and tired.


Maple Syrup:

Can be used as a facial mask, or hair conditioner, and it's one of the best natural moisturizers. For best results, make sure you look for syrup marked 100% pure.


Tea Tree Oil:

This oil has very powerful antibacterial and antiviral qualities, and it's easily absorbed by the skin.


Enjoy your beautiful skin and hair this coming winter!

Sincerely,

-Darren Salkeld
Editor, Healthy Living - It's YOUR Choice!

Sleep apnea is described as the pausing of breathing during the night-time while a person is sleeping. This is a problem that can occur over and over during the night. There are many warnings to alert a person that they may have sleep apnea.

Some basic understanding about sleep apnea will help a person to better understand the problem as well as help them find a way to treat it. One sign of sleep apnea is loud snoring. This is an indication of breathing problems or blocked air passages. The cessation of breathing or even choking spells in the middle of the night is also a warning sign of sleep apnea.

For more severe cases, a person can choke during their sleep many times in the night. This will cause the person to loose sleep and not feel as rested in the morning as they would like. Many people are faced with being tired during the day and may even have trouble concentrating.

Another warning sign and basic piece of information for sleep apnea is going to the bathroom more frequently during the night. There are a lot of people that have problems staying focused at work because they are up and down all night long. For others, driving is dangerous because they are so sleep deprived that they cannot keep their eyes open long enough to drive safely.

The following information should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

Mood swings are another basic sign of sleep apnea. Many people that do not get the rest that their body requires will find that they have terrible mood swings. They will get irritated more easily and may also have hard time getting along with others.

Having a decrease in a person's sex drive is also another sign of sleep apnea. They will not have the energy to even think about being intimate let alone performing. This can cause stress in a relationship as well.

Many people will also have headaches and body aches when they awake after a night of interrupted sleep. They will be so stressed that they cannot even think straight and this will be a sign of a sleep apnea. When person wakes with a sore or dry throat, this may indicate to them that they are having a sleeping problem.

If a person has one or more of these symptoms, they should consider seeing a doctor to find out more. They may be suffering from this condition needlessly when there is treatment available.


Sincerely,

-Darren Salkeld
Editor, Healthy Living - It's YOUR Choice!

Experts estimate that half of chronic snorers over 40 have episodes of obstructive apnea, when flabby soft tissues at the base of the tongue and throat block all air flow. For the person with apnea, its as if someone sticks a giant cork in his throat as many as 300 times a night. Some people stop breathing for as long as a minute, and each year many apnea sufferers die of cardiac arrest in the night...

You can tell if your mate or close family member has sleep apnea by their irregular snoring. There are lots of sharp snorts and gasps. It is labored, at times explosive, and in severe cases its just as bad no matter what the sleeping position.

To confirm whether a person has apnea requires an overnight sleep study, performed at a sleep disorder clinic. Called polysomnography, a sleep study records heartbeat, along with eye, chest, and leg movements while the snoozing patient is hooked up to a series of electrodes. Most health plans require a sleep study, showing apnea or another underlying medical condition, before they'll cover costs of surgery and other treatments for snoring.

Untreated, apnea can contribute to high blood pressure, enlargement of the heart, and increased risk of stroke. And because their sleep is so tormented, apnea sufferers are
perpetually fatigued. An estimated 20% have had car accidents as a result of falling asleep at the wheel. All in all, experts say, 20 million Americans have apnea but do not know it.

If you or your mates snoring is fairly low on the Richter scale and is not causing any clear or present danger to your marriage, surgery should only be considered as a last resort.

Before considering the surgical route, try my "FIVE FREE Tips to Gain Back Your Precious Sleep Hours Lost Due To Snoring, Apnea, and Sleep Disorders!"

1. Develop a daily exercise regimen

Make sure you stick with it... Your exercise program is the number one tool that will keep you sane throughout that hectic day!

By firming up, you'll cut down on fatty throat deposits, which can contribute to snoring.

2. Sleep on your side of stomach

Sleeping on your back is the position in which your tongue is most likely to slide toward the throat and block air flow. Sleeping on your side or stomach will reduce this chance and allow normal air passages for you to breathe at night.

If you have trouble staying off your back, try sewing a tennis ball into the back pocket of your pajama bottoms.

3. Try wearing a jaw-retainer

A good quality, custom fitted jaw-retainer device, which resembles dental bite plates, is designed to keep your airway open by holding the entire lower jaw forward.

These are helpful in about a third of all sleep sufferers, particularly those with small lower jaws, deep palates, or short necks.

4. Tilt your bed

Try tilting your bed. You can use bricks or wood block, so that the head board end is raised approximately four inches. If your snoring is aggravated by congestion or the position of the tongue, this will help keep your airway open.

5. Use a decongestant pill or spray

If you have allergies or a cold, you might want to try nasal dilator strips that fit across the bridge of the nose like a band aid, pulling the nasal passages up and open or even a econgestant such as a pill or spray.

You can purchase these in packages of ten and if you can't find them stocked in your local drug store, ask your local pharmacist about ordering some for you.

Be sure to consult with your physician before attempting to try anything that you are unsure of.

Final thoughts

The surgical route should be your LAST resort! Make sure you try my "FIVE FREE Tips to Gain Back Your Precious Sleep Hours Lost Due To Snoring, Apnea, and Sleep Disorders before going down that road.

Also, something that you should remember to keep in mind at all times...

Avoid alcohol and tranquilizers within four hours of bedtime and sleeping pills altogether; all three tend to relax the muscles of the soft palate, thus causing so much noise and commotion.

Sincerely,

Darren Salkeld
Editor, Healthy Living - It's YOUR Choice!

Hello everybody... Welcome to my "Healthy Living - It's Your Choice!" blog and newsletter archive!

I plan to publish my newsletters in this area as well as other great tips and tricks for improving the health and wellbeing for your whole family!

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Anyway, lets get right to it, I am going to publish my first newsletter issue right now!

Enjoy,



Darren Salkeld, President
Rocan International, Inc.