I was diagnosed

with breast cancer early June and have had a mastectomy, reconstruction and am now commencing a course of chemotherapy for the next six months. Two weeks ago I had Plan A and Plan B in place, Plan B in the event the cancer had metastasised, in other words incurable.  It has been a life changing few weeks facing the possibility of an earlier end to my time on this earth. I then learned I am one of the incredibly fortunate women to have the cancer remain localised and removed. The care I am receiving under our health system can not be faulted.

When I read the following report written by RNZ's Ruth Hill it was heartbreaking to think of the many women going through this terrible trial with such a depressing outcome.  There may be some of you reading this in this situation and it makes me feel ashamed that this should be allowed to happen in this country. 

New Zealand Falling Behind in Breast Cancer Treatment - Ruth Hill, Reporter RNZ,  8 September...

What Does Your Future Look Like? Hands up those who have been struggling with this question. What do you want to do with the rest of your life.

Is it time to look at what we are being charged for food grown and produced in NZ? 

Should there be a cap on the markup that NZ producers can charge for their product to the NZ consumer.

There has been much in the news lately about the cost of butter, and dairy in general on the local market.  Fonterra’s justification for the cost just doesn’t wash with me. 

Over recent years the amount of food my dollar can buy had dropped drastically, it’s no wonder so many families are suffering and having to rely on food banks. The health of many families is suffering because they cannot afford to buy real food, relying on cheaper processed products.

We produce some of the best dairy products in the word, grow wonderful fruit and vegetables and honey, and we produce some of the best beef and lamb.  The best of these products are exported overseas, and it appears we see just ‘seconds' on our shelves and pay well over the odds for the food produced in NZ.

One way or another, via subsidies, concessio...

Dark chocolate is good for you

The idea that younger people are smarter and savvier than their older counterparts is inaccurate!
 

Scientists have discovered that despite a few short-term memory glitches and a slower processing speed, our mental capacity doesn’t even reach its full potential until midlife. They are learning that the brain continues to change and grow throughout life. One key area of growth is the accumulation of white matter in the sophisticated thinking centres of the brain (which peaks around 50). Because of these two factors, Boomer women can manage information better, analyse facts better and generate meanings that were entirely beyond them when they were younger.

Of course, the most important difference between older and younger brains is also the easiest to overlook: older brains have learned more than young ones. They’ve been around the block a lot more times, seen the world, made mistakes, made discoveries, managed recoveries and made amends.

Says George Bartzokis, UCLA neurologist:

“In midlife...