That’s Cystic Fibrosis, commonly known as CF. Last Saturday I attended an event in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. It was the 14th Annual 65 Roses Gala held at the Pan Pacific Hotel. The theme was Oh, what-a-night and it was!
Sisters
An all-around great evening met with reception champagne cocktail or pomegranate martini while busy perusing all the silent auction items, then delicious 3 course dinner with free flowing wine (supplied by Okanagan Crush Pad), live auction bidding and finally dancing to the excellent live band – SideOne.
But there was more to this evening. The intention was to raise awareness for a life threatening disease affecting children and adults to which there is no cure. Also I have a personal connection as a good friend of mine has CF. So I just wanted to let you know about it because it is not so prevalent as Cancer – something we’re all too familiar with. It is a terrible and fatal genetic disease.
People with CF spend the equivalent of four months of full time work every year on life-sustaining therapies. Despite this intensive work to stay well, less than half are expected to reach middle age. I’m happy to report that my friend has reached middle age, looks good and is doing well.
Cystic fibrosis causes various effects on the body, but mainly affects the digestive system and lungs. The degree of cystic fibrosis involvement differs from person to person. However, the persistence and ongoing infection in the lungs, with destruction of lungs and loss of lung function, eventually causes death in the majority of people who have cystic fibrosis.
Typical complications are difficulty in digesting fats and proteins; vitamin deficiencies due to loss of pancreatic enzymes; and progressive loss of lung function.
Since the first 65 Roses Gala in 2001, the Gala has raised over $2.5 million to fund research and clinical care here in B.C. and across Canada. CF Canada supports the transplant center at Vancouver General Hospital, one of only five centers in Canada. A double lung transplant is “THE ONLY OPTION” (can you imagine?) for many people with end stage CF. It is not a cure; it buys time and it is not available to all. Can you even imagine? They can always use more support in their desire to find a cure.
CAUSES OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that occurs when a child inherits two abnormal genes, one from each parent. Approximately, one in 25 Canadians carry an abnormal version of the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis. Carriers do not have cystic fibrosis, nor do they exhibit any of the symptoms of the disease.
When two parents who are carriers have a child, there is a 25 percent chance that the child will be born with cystic fibrosis; there is also a 50 percent chance that the child will be a carrier; and a 25 percent chance that the child will neither be a carrier nor have cystic fibrosis.
SYMPTOMS OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Cystic fibrosis is a multi-system disorder that produces a variety of symptoms including:
Persistent cough with productive thick mucous
Wheezing and shortness of breath
Frequent chest infections, which may include pneumonia
Bowel disturbances, such as intestinal obstruction
Weight loss or failure to gain weight despite possible increased appetite
Kiehl’s on Robson St., Vancouver draws inspiration from Kiehl’s New York east village roots as an old–world neighborhood apothecary developed by innovative pharmacists and herbologists.
Kiehl’s has an unorthodox marketing approach, exceptionally large male clientele base (they have a section dedicated to men) and its products’ simple and straightforward packaging.
I remember visiting the original location in New York (they have a Norman Rockwell Holiday Window) where I bought my first bottle of ultra-facial moisturizer and recently on Robson I sampled the new multi-corrective cream. L O V E at first sample!
There’s something else I like about Kiehl’s besides their skincare products:
In 2010, Kiehl’s introduced the Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR, an annual, week-long motorcycle ride through major U.S. cities that includes multiple high-profile events at Kiehl’s stores along the way to raise consumer and media awareness about amfAR and the fight against AIDS. In the last four years, LifeRide has raised over $400,000 for amfAR.
Super Multi-Corrective Cream Key Ingredients:
Jasmonic Acid
Inspired by “signal molecules” secreted by plants that begins a self-repair process – corrects wrinkles and fine lines, loss of suppleness and elasticity. Beech Tree Extract
Sugar extracted from Beech Tree which helps improve skins overall firmness.
Fragmented Hyaluronic Acid
A power booster, discovered to enhance Jasmonic Acid’s efficacy, super charging the improvement in skin elasticity and smoothness.
To compliment the new “Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs” exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art, which opened October 12th, here are some Fall/Winter 2014 looks that evoke some of the artist’s most famous works.The masterful combination of contrast, line and color that Matisse was able to create with scissors is no doubt something that fashion designers today strive for as they cut their garments.
Perhaps these images will inspire you so much that you’ll want to go at your clothes with a pair of scissors…“Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs,” is on view at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City October 12, 2014 through February 8,2015
Maybe a scarf or t-shirt but not the whole shebang for me. How about you?
You know that saying…is the glass half empty or half full? By now we all say “half full” even if we really see is as “half empty.” We know better. But here’s another test. This one by a doctor (Dr. David Rosen to be exact) who specializes in stress management.
Today in terrorist times we should strive to develop the fighter pilot’s philosophy of “a wealth of optimism and a want of fear.” I’m sure they would all pass this test:
So here goes; TAKE A LOOK at these letters:
“OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE”
If you decipher the letters to read “opportunity is now here” you will survive disastrous times. But you flunk the test if you read “opportunity is no where.”
But lighten up, it doesn’t mean your life will end soon……just that you are not as optimistic, or a fighter pilot.
I like this
Source for test: W. Gifford-Jones, MD (from the book – What I Learned as a Medical Journalist)
Botox for Depression – has it been in our face all this time?
Photo: Ben Hassett
A swipe of lipstick can put a smile on your face, but when it comes to beating true depression, beauty products usually don’t do the trick. Well maybe very temporarily.
Enter Botox, the forehead-smoothing toxin that can erase fine lines, stop sweating, and even squelch migraines – a true multi-tasker. It turns out that a vial may have the power to make you happier – and not just because your wrinkles have disappeared.
In a recent study associated with Georgetown University that involved using Botox for depression, one participant who ended up getting botox (not the placebo), described feeling something she could describe only with a word that might seem impossible to anyone living under a cloak of despair: “lighthearted.”
Of the 74 people in the study – half were given Botox and the other half were given saline placebo injections in the “frown” muscles between their eyebrows. Six weeks later, 52 percent of patients who’d been injected with Botox felt significantly better, compared with just 15 percent who didn’t get the real stuff.
The notion that a grin or a grimace can actually influence your emotions is nothing new, says Maryland dermatologic surgeon Eric Finzi, a co-author of the Georgetown study and author of the 2013 book: The Face of Emotion: How Botox Affects Our Mood and Relationships.
Charles Darwin theorized that our facial expressions don’t just telegraph happy or sad to the world but that they can also create and enhance those emotions.
People suffering from serious depression shouldn’t toss their meds and abandon therapy just yet, says New York psychiatrist and dermatologist Amy Wechsler. “Depression has always been something that’s best treated by a range of things, and I think this may well be a powerful tool in our arsenal,” says Wechsler.
For the millions who suffer from depression, this could be the biggest thing since Prozac, not to mention a lifesaver, says Finzi.
To that end, Botox’s parent company, Allergen, is currently in Phase II clinical trials for its use in treating major depressive disorder in women. Botox is predicted to become standard treatment for depression in the future.
In short, if you can’t frown, you can’t feel down.
Have any of you tried Botox? I have yet to try it not done so and am trying hard to avoid it by trying to keep healthy and happy.
How does a girl-on-the-go get aGlamorous Glow? I will tell you….
GLAMGLOW was originally designed for exclusive professional backstage use in Hollywood. In 2011, GLAMGLOW became available to consumers worldwide and is now known for fast-acting and innovative mud treatments with patent-pending formulas and high-end technology to deliver instant, visible results.
I tried GLAMGLOW BRIGHTMUD EYE treatment which is a 3 minute instant eye treatment and found it very refreshing as well as hydrating and softening. It claims to minimize puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines while brightening and hydrating the eyes. It worked but I can’t tell you how long exactly it lasted.
It’s the world’s first tap-on-wipe-off eye product designed to work for Hollywood actors in just a few minutes, just before going in front of a camera on-set. So it would work for just before going on a date then??
The package contains 12 ChromeCells and each one provides a single treatment for both eyes.
Aside from the claims and everything else, the packaging will certainly get your attention.
It’s evening or not, you’re at home or not, it’s cold outside, you’re ready to relax, to be warm, comfy, cosy, and unwind in a pair of snuggly PJ’s. Don’t you?
These luxe and loungy choices makes looking chic so easy, you could do it in your sleep.
TopShop
THE PAJAMA PARTY!
This photo (from Olivia von Halle’s latest lookbook) makes me want to put on some girly pajamas, invite my best girlfriends over, pop some champagne, and frolic in the British countryside.
Photo by Grace Atwood via [StripesandSequins]That last part might not be so realistic, but seriously… how dreamy is this image!? The pajamas made of 100% silk, were inspired by Coco Chanel’s lounging pajamas and designed to be something glamorous enough to have a gin & tonic in before bed… a girl after my own heart.
You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for casual style…even at home or at bedtime.
This healthy low-calorie, high-protein dish is simply delish!It makes a great lunch but can easily suffice as a side salad for dinner (especially with salmon or chicken). Serves 4. It’s only 330 calories per serving.
Ingredients:
Extra-Firm Tofu
Quinoa
2 Carrots
Red Cabbage
Frozen Edamame
Green Onion
Cilantro
Sauce:
Lime juice (from ½ a lime)
Natural Peanut Butter
*Tamari (or low-sodium soy sauce)
Honey
Grated Ginger
2 Garlic Cloves
Hot Chili Flakes
Sesame Seeds
Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spray with oil. Arrange half of a 350g package of extra-firm tofu (patted dry and cut into 3/4 in. cubes) on prepared sheet. Bake in centre of oven until tofu is golden brown – about 20 minutes. Transer to a rack and cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Cook ¾ cup rinsed quinoa in a medium saucepan according to package directions. Scoop quinoa into large bowl to cool completely, about 30 minutes. You can also make this in advance, like a day or two ahead.
Whisk 2 Tbsp. lime juice (half of a regular size lime) with 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter, 1 Tbsp. water, 1 Tbsp. Tamari, 2 tsp. honey, 2 tsp. finely grated ginger, 1 or 2 minced garlic cloves and ½ – 1 tsp. hot red chili flakes in a small bowl. Set aside.
Stir 2 coarsely grated carrots into cooled quinoa along with 1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage, 1 cup thawed frozen edamame, 1 thinly sliced green onion, ½ cup chopped cilantro, 4 tsp. toasted sesame seeds and cooled tofu. Drizzle with dressing, then toss to coat.
Serve cold or at room temperature.
Do you know the difference between Tamari & Soy?
Even though both sauces are similar in color and flavor, there are actually a number of differences between the two. While both soy sauce and tamari are byproducts of fermented soybeans, the main difference between the two is the presence of wheat. Many recipes that call for soy sauce often include a note to substitute tamari in its place to make the recipe gluten-free.
Tamari: Little to no wheat (always double-check if avoiding gluten)
Soy Sauce: Includes wheat (not gluten-free)
Other Differences – Soy sauce and its many forms are found widely throughout Asia, but tamari is specifically a Japanese form of soy sauce, traditionally made as a byproduct of miso paste. The differences in production give each sauce its own unique flavor. Tamari has a darker color and richer flavor than the common Chinese soy sauce you may be more familiar with. It also tastes more balanced and less salty than the sometimes harsh bite of soy sauce, which makes it great for dipping.
Instead of keeping one or the other in your cupboard, consider stocking up on both sauces and experimenting with them in dishes that call for soy.
I’m not usually into all-inclusive vacations but I think I can resort to this. My brother and his girlfriend just got back from Le blanc spa resort in Cancun and by what they described and by the looks of these photos it makes me want to jump on a plane right now. In actuality I will be heading on a plane soon enough to go to a different part of Mexico but I know I won’t be getting my own private butler there. More on this later.
Le blanc spa resort is aluxurious environment with an all white décor to match the all white sandy beaches. It is an adults-only all-inclusive nestled along the sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean. It is apparently a world onto itself.
The staff is trained to serve you and make you feel that this is not your typical resort. Service is professional, prompt and polite. The staff looks as good as they are (I read this) and the private butler is a real plus! The dining is fine world class. The rooms are clean with private Jacuzzi and French balcony with views of lagoon and resort or common areas. The spa is a sanctuary. They have an amazing fitness facility which also offers yoga & pilates.
It comes highly recommended by some very picky people. It seems like a dream vacation. And what about that butler?
![Photo by Grace Atwood via [StripesandSequins]](https://girlwhowouldbeking.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/lounge4.png)
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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