Frost’s Editor Writes Wedding Planning Book: The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Aidan

Getting married and feeling daunted? Our editor, Catherine Balavage, has written an excellent wedding planning book. It covers very aspect of getting married from engagement to the honeymoon. This is Catherine’s second book, the first one was about acting and was very well-received.

The book is available in print, ebook and Kindle. The Kindle version is only £2.99. It is also a perfect gift for anyone who wants a wedding book for Christmas.

Buy The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity here.

What Your Bridesmaids Really Think About Your Wedding

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Frostie

Frost was quite surprised at the results of a survey done by Vashi.com They surveyed 1,000 bridesmaids to spill the beans on what really goes on behind the scenes. The results are in and you wouldn’t believe what it reveals.

Seven out of ten bridesmaids say they have been forced to wear an unflattering dress to make the bride look prettier!

Unfortunately, it looks like Bridezilla isn’t too thoughtful when it comes to how she treats her closest friends on the wedding day.

72% of respondents felt they’d been lumbered with a questionable outfit. Yikes.

More than a fifth (22%) of bridesmaids insisted on altering their outfit before participating in the wedding.

One third of the bridesmaids surveyed were given a choice in deciding what they’d wear on the big day.

43% of bridesmaids admitted to going to a wedding that was a ‘bit naff’ (lacking taste/style), with only 9% of them envying the bride on her big day.

A third (37%) revealed that they had been at a wedding where they felt the bride and groom were mismatched and should not be tying the knot.

More than half (54%) explained that they had been a bridesmaid at a wedding where they were delighted that they were not marrying the groom themselves!

A fifth (20%) have actually picked up a new man at a wedding where they were bridesmaid!

6% have secretly fancied the groom

3% admitted to being romantically involved with the groom before he met his bride.

Celebrity jeweller and founder of Vashi.com, Vashi Dominguez says, “”We’ve all looked at wedding photos and thought, ‘What are the bridesmaids wearing!?’ Well, now we know the answer. In seven out of ten cases, the bridesmaids are convinced they’ve been lumbered with a dress to make the bride look prettier. I’m sure most brides do not see it that way. They’d say they chose bridesmaid dresses that went well with the wedding dress! The solution is for everyone to relax – no bridezillas or bridesmaidzillas required. Brides should enjoy the process and involve their bridesmaids more in choosing their outfits.”

If you are getting married then get your hands on a copy of The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity. It has great advice on planning your perfect wedding and is written by our editor, Catherine Balavage. It is also available in Ebook format and is a great guide for wedding planning.

Help with Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Frostie

Pregnancy is a life changing, joyous, emotional and exciting journey for most women. However, approximately two-thirds of women experience back pain and almost one-fifth experience pelvic pain during pregnancy. This pain often increases with advancing pregnancy, interfering with daily activities, work and sleep. Fortunately this condition is treatable, it is important to seek treatment sooner rather than later. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is key to successful resolution of symptoms.

The hormones released during pregnancy to prepare a women’s body to grow a baby and give birth, soften and relax the soft tissues of the body (eg. muscles, ligaments). This increased softening increases your joints’ range which means that they do not receive the same protection from the ligaments as before. It is this, coupled with the weight of your growing uterus that may cause backache or sciatica.

Symptoms of back pain and PGP

Back pain can be felt in the upper, middle or lower back. It is probably most commonly felt in the low back during pregnancy and can vary from an occasional ache to a constant sharp or nagging pain in any of these areas.

Pain in the pelvis is described as pelvic girdle pain (PGP), used to be known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), but this implied that only the pubic bone was involved, which is often not the case.

A range of symptoms can be described as PGP and they vary in intensity from woman to woman and even pregnancy to pregnancy.

The main symptom is pain;

pain over the pubic bone at the front in the centre
pain across one or both sides of your lower back
difficulty and/or pain walking, waddling gait
clicking or grinding in the pelvis with movement
pain when weight bearingWomen may experience pain anywhere in the pelvis or into the front of the thighs. These symptoms tend to increase and intensify with walking, standing, sitting, moving the legs apart, standing on one leg (think getting dressed into socks, underwear), climbing stairs and turning over in bed. Symptoms vary from mild to more severe needing support with crutches or a wheelchair.What causes back pain or PGP? For most women PGP is a mechanical problem; there is often asymmetry in the pelvis, with one joint becoming stiffer or more mobile than the others. It is more common in women with a previous history of PGP/low back pain. In approximately 9% of women with PGP the cause is purely hormonal and this tends not to respond to treatment.

When might back pain or PGP start?
it can start at any stage of the pregnancy, it may come on gradually or start quite suddenly. Sometimes symptoms will disappear or improve with rest.

How do I know if I have PGP?

Diagnosis of this painful condition is based on the location of the pain and by taking a careful history of your symptoms.

Will back pain or PGP affect my baby?

No, it will not affect your baby. However, it is important, however that the midwives caring for you are aware that you have back or pelvic girdle pain.

What can I do about PGP?
It is important to remember that whilst PGP is common, it is not normal, but is treatable;l Often resolving within a few treatments. Firstly, tell your midwife, or whoever is responsible for your antenatal care, and then seek treatment sooner rather than later. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is key to successful resolution of symptoms.

Meanwhile plan your day carefully, avoiding too many trips upstairs, remain active with the limits of your pain, avoiding activities that increase your discomfort. Rest is important, rest more frequently, try sitting for activities that normally require standing ie ironing. Try sleeping with a pillow between the legs, or use the pregnancy cushion known as ‘dream genie’.

What can I do about back pain?

Seek treatment sooner rather than later. Try to find a McTimoney Chiropractor who is experienced in treating women during pregnancy and ask them for a few safe exercises you can perform at home. Wearing support tights or a belly band can often give enough support and relief without having to resort to an actual back or belly belt. Try sleeping with a pillow between the legs or under the legs in early pregnancy when you may still be sleeping on your back.

A multi faceted approach is need to treating both conditions. After taking your medical history and examining your back and pelvis, treatment takes the form of gentle mobilization of the pelvis and spine where appropriate and sometimes acupuncture or soft tissue mobilization. This should be followed by gentle exercises and ergonomic advice. The McTimoney approach is gentle and safe for both mother and baby.

In one study, women receiving chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had twenty-four per cent shorter labour times and subjects giving birth for the second or third time reported thirty-nine per cent shorter labour times. In another study, the need for analgesics was reduced by fifty per cent in the patients who received adjustments. In addition eight-four per cent of women report relief of back pain during pregnancy with chiropractic care.

Finally, if you are experiencing back or pelvic pain, McTimoney Chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective way to relieve your symptoms, preparing you for the exciting journey of pregnancy and childbirth.

Article credit: Penny Henderson DC MSc MMCA FRCC
Chiropractor and Medical Acupuncturist

Active Chiropractic Clinic
Lister Surgery, 8 The Parade, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3QP
and Quennevais Parade, St Brelade, Jersey, JE3 8FX

Tel: 01534 617987
Web: www.activechiropracticjersey.co.uk

References

Interventions for preventing and treating pelvic and back pain in pregnancy Pennick et al 2007.Cochrane Review.

Pelvic Girdle Pain and Low Back Pain in Pregnancy: A Review.
Era Vermani, FRCA*; Rajnish Mittal, FRCS†; Andrew Weeks, MRCOG

European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. European Spine Journal. June 2008, Volume 17, Issue 6 pp 794-819

Vleeming A, Albert H.,Ostgaard C., Sturesson B,. Stuge B
Rosenberg Stacey Dr., Natural Pregnancy, Natural Baby.2008. GibsonsChiropractic.com

Henderson C., Macdonald S., Mayes’ Midwifery, A textbook for Midwives.,Thirteenth edition., 2004.,Bailliere Tindall

www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk

Struggling To Get Pregnant? Losing Weight Will Help

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Frostie

One of the many reasons that women, and occasionally men, come to see me for weight loss advice is because they want to start a family, but are struggling. Did you know that obesity is a major cause of difficulty getting pregnant – and can increase the risk of miscarriage or problems during pregnancy and childbirth? In fact, there is a significantly greater risk of diabetes during pregnancy if you are overweight – and this can affect the future health of your child as well as you.

Research evidence shows that being overweight can contribute to period problems, hormonal imbalances, lack of ovulation, resistance to fertility treatment and therefore fertility problems particularly in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

There is a higher risk of miscarriage, higher risk of abnormalities of the baby as well as still birth in women who are overweight. The pregnant overweight mother is also at higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and difficult or complicated delivery of the baby by Caesarean or forceps.

Some women end up seeking help with IVF (in-vitro fertilization) or other forms of fertility treatment, but this isn’t usually funded unless women are below a BMI of 30 or under the age of 40 – which is why I get women coming to me for weight-loss surgery. They are desperate, the clock is ticking, and they can’t seem to lose weight on their own. It’s sad to see, and the stress of it all doesn’t help fertility in the slightest!

Interestingly it’s not all about the woman’s weight. In men, being obese can cause the following problems: reduced semen volume, a reduced sperm count and increased sperm DNA damage. Losing weight will improve these parameters.

So, if you are thinking of starting a family, it is a great incentive for both you and your partner to lose weight. But you have to make sure you do it in a way that is good for you. Fad dieting which will starve your body of essential nutrients which, for women, is just at the time when you and your unborn child need them most. In fact, some studies suggest that a mother’s diet, even BEFORE she actually gets pregnant, can affect the health of her child. So instead of crash dieting, treat your body with the care and respect it deserves – after all, you’ll be relying on your body to create a healthy new life within it. Fill it with the most nutritious food you can find, keep active to ensure you are as fit as you can be – and not only will you be rewarded with a slimmer healthier body but you will find it easier to get pregnant too.

By Dr Sally Norton – UK leading NHS weight loss surgeon & consultant

Sarah Parish on Acting: It Can Turn You Into a Monster

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

Sarah Parish has given a rather excellent interview to the Radio Times. Here are some of my favourite quotes from it.

On starting acting: “I had no confidence. I think because I started so low. I had quite low expectations. I felt one step behind, and it’s always been, ‘I can’t believe they actually chose me’. I went for small parts because I thought that was probably the only thing I would get. I never auditioned for leads. I just assumed I wouldn’t get them.” That is said with so much self-parody that I feel like I’m allowed to ask: “Do you think you missed out because of that?” Huge eyebrows: “Well… ya think? But you live the life you’ve lived, don’t you? I didn’t have that God-given confidence you get from going to a public school and going to Rada. I went to a comprehensive and felt lucky if I got a job in the chorus. But the upside is I was never disappointed.”

If the industry has gotten better for women in the past 20 years: “I did hear something alarming the other day, I bumped into a friend at an audition, another girl my age. I asked if she was still doing this show – I can’t tell you what it is – and she said, ‘No, it was cancelled. The reason they gave was that they already had a female-driven programme.’ Wow. Because you can’t have two female-led dramas on telly. How awful would that be! So we’re still not there. I don’t know if we’ll ever be equal. We’ve still got an old-fashioned way of receiving female characters. They’ve got to be the wife, or they’ve got to be nuts.”

On the charity she and her husband, James Murray, set up; the Murray Parish Trust: “It’s in memory of Ella-Jayne, our first daughter.” [She died of congenital heart failure at eight months old] “It’s a terrifying and traumatic time [when your child is ill], you just want to be there all the time. They really, really need this hospital. The accommodation they’ve got for parents at the moment is so sad. £70 million it’s going to cost. Our charity is the little Jack Russell that goes down the hole and scoops everybody out. The big money willcome in afterwards.”

Second daughter Nell gets in the way of her career: “My agent will say, Darling, you’ve got to do a play’. I don’t want to do a play. Why do I have to do a play? You have to go off and do your time in a play to remind a certain genre of people that you’re still an actor. It’s a ball ache. I don’t want to have to leave my daughter and go to London every night.”

On pilot season: “If there was a little room you could go in beforehand where you checked in your dignity, your soul and your pride, that would be fine. But unfortunately you have to go into pilot season as a whole person. Every day you drive around with your clothes in the back of the car, you sit in rooms full of people as sad and as desperate as you are, with so much make-up on they could sink the Titanic, tiny little thin people. Sometimes casting directors might look at you, sometimes they might be on the phone, sometimes they’ll talk over you. And more often than not, you’ll hear nothing. I have got jobs out of it before, but it’s just not worth it. We tape all our [audition] stuff in our garden shed, now. Having a shed in our back garden has made us a lot of money, me and Jim.”

On the pressure on men: “You have to have a six pack, you have to have a pair of glutes, you have to wax your chest. You have to sign a contract saying you will show your bum. You see these poor guys right before a scene, doing press-ups, when they should be thinking about their character. That’s what we’ve come to expect from men on screen now. It’ll be from up there [she gestures to some nameless authority]. Hot, young people with perfect bodies. That’s what people want to see. And of course it actually isn’t what people want to see. I want to see interesting faces. I want to see different bodies. I want to see people I can relate to. There’s nothing attractive about knowing a man has been flexing in front of a mirror five minutes before a scene. When did that become sexy? And I don’t want to see a woman looking starved to death. When did that become sexy? These are first world problems, It’s very easy as an actor to live in a bubble and think that life is about acting, and of course it’s not. It can turn you into a bit of a monster.”

Isn’t she awesome? I think so.

If you are an actor then check out my book How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. It is available in print and in all eBook formats on both Smashwords and Amazon.

Remescar Review

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Frostie

Scars and stretch marks can really get you down. We should all love our flaws but sometimes it is not easy, especially when in a prominent or inconvenient place. We reviewed Remescar and Remescar Stretch Marks to see if they made a difference.

Remescar says it is a clinically proven treatment that offers a completely new approach and remarkable results in treating new and old scars.

Remescar stretch marks is an innovative silicone based cream which improves and corrects all types of stretch marks.

A clinical study performed by an independent laboratory showed that it reduces up to 50% of stretch marks severity on stomach, hips and legs in just 28 days!*

By releasing a long lasting and thin silicone barrier it will not only cover the affected skin but also protect the skin and moderate inflammation. It will lead to an excellent integration of the cream into the skin as well. In addition, the moisturizing and reconstructive ingredients will generate immediate and long term hydration of the skin, and optimize the skin’s natural moisture balance.

Thanks to these properties and to its medical device technology, Remescar stretch marks will also reinforce and visually improve the skin surface.

Features
Silicone based cream for the treatment and prevention of stretch marks

Medical Device Technology
Treats existing stretch marks
Reduces up to 50% of stretch marks severity in just 28 days
Prevents new stretch marks
Silicone film treatment
Immediate and long term hydration
Visually improves the skin surface
Makes the skin stronger and more resistant
With skin reconstructive properties

Does it work? Yes, it gives a genuine improvement. Stretch Marks look much better and do fade, it also seems to stop new ones appearing.

Remescar Silicone Stretch Marks Scar Cream is available here.

Remescar is an easy to use silicone stick designed for scar care. Remescar releases a transparent, thin and silicone base film which creates an ideal healing protective barrier. This helps to maintain the skin’s moisture balance, while aiding the healing of scar tissues resulting from surgery, burns, injuries, acne and stretch marks.

Use Remescar to reduce a scar’s length and height, to soften and flatten the scar tissues, to restore the skin to a more normal colour and texture and to relieve burning, tingling and itching sensations.

Remescar combines the best of both the medical and cosmetic worlds.

The easy to use silicone stick leaves behind an invisible, transparent thin film which creates an optimal protective barrier for the scar to heal and helps to maintain the skin’s moisture balance.

The patented composition of Remescar is based on 3 ingredients that are clinically proven to have a beneficial effect on scars:

The silicone film shield hydrates, protects and restores the upper layer of the skin and stimulates collagen production. It increases the scar elasticity and reduces the redness and itching.
β-glucan has strong calming, protective, and hydrating properties. Besides these properties, it’s an excellent film former. The combination of β-glucan with polymeric film formers such as PVP (Polyvinyl pyrrolidone) and PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol) help to accelerate the wound healing process.
Besides the film formation, which is the first and most important action of Remescar, it also contains strong UV filters. It is widely known that scars need to be protected from UV radiation. That is why Remescar incorporates powerful UV-A and UV-B filters.
Features
Remescar reduces new and old scars.
It smoothens and softens the scar tissues.
It helps to restore the skin to a normal color and texture.
It relieves burning, tingling and itching sensations.
It’s a convenient and easy to use stick applicator.
It’s for all areas of the face and the body.
It’s invisible upon application and can even be worn under make up.

Does it work? So far we think so. It has made a visible difference to skin. We will continue to use and give an update in a few months.

Remescar Silicone Scar Stick is available here.

Triskele Books | Self Publishing

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Margaret Graham

Triskele Books is an author collective, a group of five writers from three countries who edit, proof, consult, advise, co-promote and market their books on a shared platform. Each works as an independent entity but all benefit from mutual support. From time to time they also take on associates who fit the Triskele ethos.

Between them, they have now published seventeen novels and offer advice on the process via The Triskele Trail, a warts-and-all story of how they made some mistakes and some smart decisions, discovered opportunities, found friends and dodged predators in the independent publishing jungle.

They have an informative blog, including a Toolbox with practical advice, a Bookclub with reviews and author interviews, and a Writers’ Services section, showcasing approved providers.

Core members are Gillian Hamer, JJ Marsh, Liza Perrat, JD Smith and Catriona Troth. Current associates are JW Hicks and Barbara Scott Emmett.

This autumn Triskele Books celebrates five new releases:

Crimson Shore by Gillian Hamer

A half-naked woman dead in a ditch. A disappearing pathologist. A teenager run off the road. For a peaceful island, Anglesey is experiencing abnormal levels of crime. What’s the connection? Crimson Shore is the first novel in The Gold Detectives series set along the North Wales coast.

Rats by JW Hicks

In one world she is Bitch Singer—fighting a dictator, guerrilla style. In another, she is Dorrie Hart, housewife and mother—carer to a speech-impaired child. Which world is real, which life is true? And why does she wake each morning crying for a lost lover—a lover she is determined to find?

Cold Pressed by JJ Marsh

When an elderly British tourist falls to her death from a Santorini cliff, one witness claims it was no accident. Hellenic Police ask for international assistance from DI Beatrice Stubbs. As she tracks the killer from the Cyclades to the Dodecanese, Beatrice discovers two surprising things. One is a fifty-year old secret. The other is her inconstant heart.

Delirium: The Rimbaud Delusion by Barbara Scott Emmett

“How many times had I dreamt of coming across the yellowing manuscript of La Chasse Spirituelle? Inside an old book on a stall in Paris, perhaps. Or in the attic of some befriended ancient…” The intoxicating hunt for a lost poem by Rimbaud.

The Fate of an Emperor – Overlord II by JD Smith

My name is Zabdas: a brother, protector, soldier and sacrifice. I am a defender of Syria. I shall tell you the story of my beloved Zenobia: fearless woman, determined wife, Warrior Queen of Palmyra …

Crushed between two warring empires, Zenobia and Zabdas are ordered on another mission, deep into enemy ranks, to deliver terms to the King of the Persians, and pray they will not be flayed alive.

But all is not what is seems. More than one person is intent on betrayal …

Triskele Books will be launching these five titles at Barton’s Bookshop in Leatherhead on 15^th November. The following day, they will co-hosting the Indie Author Fair at the Chorleywood Lit Fest.

Blast Away Mould Review

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Frostie

Mould can be a huge problem in Britain. With the damp conditions and rain making the problem a lot worse. We reviewed new Blast Away Mould from Kilrock to see if it works. It says it removes unsightly black mould and stains on seals, tiles and grout lines. We were impressed when we used it. There was definitely a noticeable difference. The brush on gel is very handy and this is professional quality stuff. We would use it again.

Banish black mould and mildew from your home and garden with new professional strength Blast Away Mould from Kilrock.

There’s nothing more unsightly than hard-to-shift black mould in your bathroom, shower and sink. Now, however, there’s a solution – new Blast Away Mould effectively removes mould, mildew and algae stains from tiles, silicone sealants and grout lines.

Available as a Spray, for larger wall and tiled areas, or as a concentrated Brush-on Gel, Blast Away Mould accurately targets areas of mould build-up and is ideal for use on edges and corners of showers, baths and sinks. Both products are also suitable for outside use to clean plastic furniture, pots, ornaments, walls and balconies.

Simply apply Blast Away Mould to affected areas and leave to work for up to 30 minutes, then rinse the treated area and wipe with a cloth. Blast Away Mould works a treat on even the most stubborn stains around the bath or shower. Unpleasant black mould on sealant is particularly hard to shift but Blast Away Mould will see it off.

Blast Away Mould is available as a Trigger Spray (500ml) or Brush-on Gel (250ml). RSP: £3.99 from robertdyas.co.uk, homebase.co.uk, independent hardware stores and at johnlewis.com or eBay.co.uk

Contains a bleaching action. Not suitable for enamel, marble, wood or granite.

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