Nicola’s Rant (only because she cares not that she is a whingeing pom!)

I am a big fan of awareness. Ignorance is not bliss and I believe knowledge is power.

A few things about people maintenance!

Yes, we could get knocked down by a bus, and there again we could live a long and happy healthy life just like Dorothy our eldest member who is 97 this year in September and is in remarkable good shape. There again my mum, who died so young and I truly believe, her unhealthy lifestyle contributed to her poor health.

We held an event this week called Food & Facebook that yep, we hear all day long the perils of our poor diets and the nightmare Facebook stories but what do we do to change?

The useful information provided by Tegan and Nina highlighted how busy we are as a society. We don’t have time to grow our own food, keep chickens and graze our own cattle in the garden. We don’t have time to sit down with the kids while they are on their computers, we are far too busy to take a look at what’s really going on in our day to day. We are women who just get on and do, and just get as many tasks completed each day. I’m sure this all sounds too familiar for most of you???

During our discussions at this event, we all agreed it is hard to go from where we are today to an overnight lettuce leaf and gym junkie. Not realistic. Nor can we become an IT guru instantly to keep our kids cyber safe.

It’s about awareness, that’s all. If we are aware and reminded we can and do change things. We are all striving for better and for more.

Going back to Dorothy, her health really is astonishing. We often discuss this and I have had many chats about her diet. The easiest way to describe it is, in Dorothy’s earlier years, her dinner was pretty much grazing outside and then delivered to her plate. Shopping was grown and bought locally, people shopped daily and the food was used and eaten instantly. Additives weren’t even invented back in her day. In our foods today, we eat petrol in so many additives, MSG is nicely hidden in too many foods thanks to the Australian labelling laws. Do your own research on MSG and the links to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s to name a few. Most adult illnesses are related to food and lifestyles of our younger years and what are we feeding our kids of today? Do we really know?

On Today’s Breakfast show this week, a study was carried out on 2000 children regarding the consumption of fizzy drinks. Of the study a high percentage of those who drank them showed signs through their retina of cardio vascular disease….nice!

Have a read of your labels for a couple of points Additives to look out for
Hydronated soy – is like a glue.
Search You Tube how it is made
-320 antioxidant is an additive that is banned all around the world except Australia and NZ
171 – titanium dioxide – titanium I thought should be on a rocket!
282 – links to learning difficulties
202 – links to eczema and asthma

At a regular kids party today children will consume over 65 food additives of which 32 are banned in other countries.

For an additive free kids party but still with all the treats check out www.additivefreekids.com.au

I really could have written so much about this topic, as I am really passionate about a healthy diet for a healthy life. I am bucking the trend in my family of a poor lifestyle, as I want to grow old and healthy like my mentor Dorothy.

Onto Cyber Safety. I am personally attached to this issue as I am working with an amazing lady to help get this important message out to schools.

Back in the day when I was at school where calculators weren’t allowed in exams and a mobile phone when I was a teenager was the size of a briefcase, the only bullying I was aware of came in the format of some pushing and shoving in the playground. Yes there were some extreme cases but when you got home you were in a safe haven.

Fast-forward 20 years and the bullying continues on a different scale, which can now be carried out 24/7, therefore home not providing the safety net as before.

Kids are growing up with technology and have access to their friends, and enemies for that matter continuously. What is deemed as a silly comment on a Facebook wall can turn into a heartbroken teenager with a stigma attached to them as someone played a joke! There is also the matter of the digital footprint that is left for future employers to check out as well as possible evidence in some extreme cases.

Kids are less likely to tell their parents or teachers if they are being bullied via phone or internet (normally social media). Why? Because they are worried their electronic gadgets will be confiscated to remedy the problem. They are dealing with the torment of bullying through stress and illness rather than ‘dob in’ their bully.

Then there is grooming, the parties being advertised on facebook, sharing of passwords, stealing of the top of the range items and the list goes on. We don’t want to live a life of being overly protective. After all we learn so much from some of our uncomfortable experiences but it comes back to awareness.

Nina shared a few helpful tips to keep your kids cyber safe

• Use the parental lock so your child can only access their computer at set times

• Know your children’s passwords

• Avoid children conducting their computer studies/work in the privacy of their own room. You will be amazed at how much you observe just by glancing at what they are doing when they are beavering away at the kitchen table

• Encourage children to talk

If you would like to know more about the amazing initiative Nina is rolling out to Perth schools please contact Space Safe

In the near future Nina will be running workshops for parents too to learn some of the tricks of the trade.

We have a couple of events in May.

Visions Boarding – Only 10 spots left
Pink List Business Buzz –a monthly business connecting breakfast.

For more information on this blog please do not hesitate to contact Nicola Weaver

Tracey Jewel Goddess in A Bottle
Tegan Benful Additive Free Kids
Nina Hobson  Space Safe P:1800 637 434

An interesting training I was listening to today said the rest of the year will look like the start of the year unless you change! For things to change, you have to change!

This year is the Chinese year of the water dragon –

The year 2012 is the year of the Water Dragon. From the reading of the stars and element relationships in the paht chee chart, this year is going to be a transformational life changing year! Generally, there are more goodies in store for you in the year 2012 than 2011. It’s a good year to improve oneself, take calculated investment risks and to build wealth. The year 2012 holds much promise and may be a major transition in your life. Whether it turns out extremely good, or really bad, will depend on how you ride the mighty Water Dragon! Article from www.fengshuimall.com

Talking of dragons check out Travel with Me’s Dragon Boat Race at the end of this article!

Who came along to Wine Nibbles and Psychics this month (March 2012)? What a wonderful evening. Annette certainly provided some interesting readings for the audience huh?  The Blues Singer, animals, mums and relatives past came along for the ride…albeit in spirit!

The Inspiration Factory provided a wonderful venue with the added bonus of the shop being open just for us!

We launched 3 new businesses for The Pink List being:

Gillian Gallagher – I was lucky enough to wear 2 of her fabulous dresses that evening. The black dress I would never have picked for myself, but once on, I just loved how it felt and looked. Provide Gillian with your Membership Number to receive a 10% discount on her WA weather suited clothing. I wore Audrey and Frida on the night! Check them out for yourself. http://www.gilliangallagher.com.au/product_range/

Wills 4 Women – We do not like to think of our own mortality, right? As we all believe that all that stuff will take care of itself. WRONG!

As most of you know, The Pink Book Club began after my mum passed away. My mum was an accountant and her job was to help others with their finances, so you would have thought she would have had her own ship in order.

Nope!

When she died her estate was not in order, houses and cars were in her name only, an endowment policy in an ex business partner’s name from 12 years previous, it was all a mess. Not only were we grieving we had the added heartache of sorting out her financial matters with great difficulty I may add. If you do not have a will…get one!

It is one of those jobs to get out of the way and not worry about it anymore. Don’t leave up to those who are left behind. Again we have an offer for our members a 10% discount plus go into a draw for a movie night for 4 with popcorn when you provide them with your PBC number. http://www.wills4women.com.au/

Who likes Melbourne Cup Day? I do!!

I popped into The Stockade on Barrack Street and wow what a treat. I knew it was there on the corner, I have driven past it a thousand times and thought it was for blokes or country and western fans. I was wrong. They have the most amazing selection of hats and fascinators plus a great selection of women’s clothing. 3 of the young ladies who work there, Asha, Charly and Andrea joined us at Wine Nibbles and Psychics. The described each of their outfits and detailed how us women can be fitted for ‘our curves’ when it come to jeans….I never knew that! They shared with us they enjoy working at Stockade as it is like a family and your certainly feel that when you go in there. So, we are in hot discussions to get us a VIP event there in April or May just in time to get kitted out for the cooler weather…if it ever arrives! http://www.stockadestore.com.au/

So back to our friendly dragon of change –

We have had a few years of constant change in The Pink Club as we grew and stretched to accommodate the many marvelous women who have joined us. I won’t deny it is hard to meet the needs of so

The change this year will focus on our Pink List Businesses. We all like to support and help others and that is why we have modeled The Pink List to support women in small business. Plus, why wouldn’t you want to support your local women in business? We aim to expand the list and work with all of these passionate women in organising events with them offering their products and services to you. For example, wardrobe makeovers with skin care and accessories, finance and fun to manage your budget to buy more shoes! Eating well and good living plus holiday’s and goddess like activites to name a few. Not forgetting our role in communities by giving a little helping hand. We have such a huge resource pool available in The Pink List that this WILL be the best year ever for The Pink Book Club.

The Pink Book Club’s mission is to provide opportunities for women, wherever they are, to have space and connections to have some ‘me time!’

The Pink Book Club has come to realise that there are many women in need of social connections and some all so important ‘me time’. We offer this through a variety of different activities, ranging from inspirational talks from everyday women to creative and social events to take a bit of ‘time out’ from our ever so busy lives!

We are passionate about our place in the community and have had the privilege of aligning some of our work with a number of small local businesses. We were inspired by this amazing group of women, plus we felt that their values were in line with ours for supporting women to feel their best. 2012 IS going to be a bumper year for The Pink List and The Pink Book Club!

Stay tuned, check out our facebook page and website calendar to see what’s in store.

Pink Wishes

Nicola

DRAGON BOATING

I am sure you have all seen footage of some serious teams furiously paddling in their boats with the big Dragon head at the front, or maybe you have even participated in this before? How about having a go and let’s get out on our beautiful river while the weather is so perfect. Join Travel with Me as we put two teams together for some fun at Maylands Sport and Rec club. Don’t worry if you have no idea what to do as that puts you in the same boat (pun intended) as the rest of us J This is going to be a fabulous day as we will finish with a sausage sizzle and have a laugh about our adventure, who knows you may even want to take this up as a full time sport. We need 2 teams so secure your spot quickly, we will have a prize draw on the day for a FREE ticket to our next event which is a wine blending class with lunch and wine at Jane Brook Winery in May. See full details for our Dragon boating Day