Violent games DO alter your brain

• First credible study of effect of violent gaming on brain
• Test group of 22 young men showed ‘clear’ differences in MRI scans after one week of gaming
• Areas effected seem to be those that control cognitive function and emotional control

Games such as Assassin’s Creed feature a huge amount of physical violence – and MRI scans demonstrate that playing such games DOES have an effect on the brain

Violent video games and other computer entertainment have long been criticised for damaging youngsters’ brain.

But activists such as Oxford Professor Baroness Greenfield have often presented little science to back up their allegations.

However, extensive research into the subject has now provided worrying results that support her claims.

‘Screen technologies cause high arousal which in turn activates the brain system’s underlying addiction,’ the neurologist said last month in an attack that accused games of causing ‘dementia’ in children.

‘This results in the attraction of yet more screen-based activity.’

And now the first genuinely scientific attempt to analyse the emotive subject has thrown up astonishing results that suggest she is right.

Differences in brain activity between young men who played violent games and ones who didn’t were visible in a randomly assigned sample in just one week.

A presentation at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America told how fMRI scans were used to analyse the effects of playing violent videogames on brain activity.

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The Inquisitive Child – a Remembrance Day poem

 

Why are they selling poppies, Mummy? Selling poppies in town today.
The poppies, child, are flowers of love. For the men who marched away.
But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy? Why not a beautiful rose?
Because my child, men fought and died in the fields where the poppies grow.
But why are the poppies so red, Mummy? Why are the poppies so red?
Red is the colour of blood, my child. The blood that our soldiers shed.
The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy. Why does it have to be black?
Black, my child, is the symbol of grief. For the men who never came back.
But why, Mummy are you crying so? Your tears are giving you pain.
My tears are my fears for you my child. For the world is forgetting again.

Author unknown

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We no longer remember World War One, yet we still mourn the loss

I find Remembrance Sunday sadder each year. It’s partly that I’m becoming sentimental – I find it increasingly difficult to recite any poetry without a catch in my voice – but it’s mainly that the fallen are now closer in age to my children than to me.

When I was a small boy, I was, as small boys are, uncomplicatedly pro-war. At around eleven or twelve, I started to read the First World War poets, but I was still mainly attracted by the heroic element in their writing: their endurance in monstrous circumstances. Later, as a teenager, I began to wrestle with the question of whether Britain ought to have become involved (probably not, I currently think, but it’s finely balanced). Now, I find the whole business almost too melancholy for words.

There was a Remembrance Service at my children’s school this morning. We sang familiar hymns and recited familiar words, and the fallen old boys were remembered by name. A small school, a long list: more than 120 fatalities. Of every nine boys who answered the call, two failed to return. In the list, I noticed what looked like two sets of three brothers: three telegrams each to two waiting mothers. Looking at the assembled children as the recital went on was almost unbearable; several parents had tears in their eyes.

One old boy of the school had returned as a teacher and then gone on to become headmaster. Almost every one of the school’s Great War casualties had been known to him either as a classmate or as a former pupil: a death, on average, every twelve days for four-and-a-quarter years. We are not made for grief on such a scale.

The teacher who delivered the address told us about something I had not heard of before. There are 53 villages in the United Kingdom known as the Thankful Villages: villages where there is no war memorial, because every one of the young men returned alive. When we think that there are more than 16,000 villages in the country, we glimpse the magnitude of the tragedy.

Tragedy is, for once, a precisely apt word, for tragedy can be felt vicariously. It’s not simply that there are almost no First World War veterans left; there are hardly any of us who remember losing friends or family in the conflagration. Others fell in later conflicts of course, and we honour them. But, as we approach the centenary of the Great War, our sorrow is second-hand.

Don’t make the mistake, though, of thinking that that makes it ersatz. As the Greek tragedians understood, our emotions can be engaged by another’s experience. The rituals of Remembrance Sunday – the silence, the prayers, Laurence Binyon’s words – were evolved to console the bereaved. A century on, they trigger, in the rest of us, catharsis, in the exact sense: a feeling of being drained and cleansed through emotional release.

The generation that mourned its sons passed; then that which mourned its comrades; then that which mourned its fathers, clinging, perhaps, to fragmentary childhood picture-memories. Then the fallen became faces in yellowing photographs. Now they are names on family trees. Soon, they will be only history. Yet we will remember them.

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Remembrance Day

In Flander’s Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flander’s fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow
In Flander’s fields.

Liet. -Col. John McCrae

Poppy

Poppy we are but children small,
We are too little to do it all.

Children you may do your part.
Love each other is how you start.
Play without fighting.
Share your games and toys.
Be kind and thoughtful,
To all girls and boys.

Remembrance Day

We wear a poppy
On Remembrance Day,
And at eleven
We stand and pray.
Wreaths are put
Upon a grave.
As we remember
Our soldiers brave.

Little Poppy

Little poppy
Given to me,
Help me keep Canada
Safe and free.

I’ll wear a little poppy,
As red as red can be,
To show that I remember
Those who fought for me.

Coming In On a Wing and a Prayer

Coming in on a wing and a prayer,
Look below there’s our field over there.
Though there’s one motor gone
We will still carry on,
Coming in on a wing and a prayer.

Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree

Don’t sit under the apple tree
With anyone else but me,
With anyone else but me,
With anyone else but me,
No no no!
Don’t sit under the apple tree
With anyone else but me,
TIll I come marching home.

There’ll be bluebirds over
The White Cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow just you wait and see.

There’ll be love and laughter
And peace ever after,
Tomorrow when the world is free.

Are You Sleeping?
(to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)

See the poppies
See the poppies
Oh so red
Oh so red
Growing on the hillside
Growing on the hillside
Soldiers lay dead
Soldiers lay dead

We remember
We remember
On this day
On this day
Soldiers on the hillside
Soldiers on the hillside 
Far away 
Far away

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Enjoy our Xmas theme

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Inside A Snow Globe

Looking out my window glass
I see a sight that will not last
Tho I am warm within my robe
T’is like I’m in a big snow globe

Out every window, I can see
Flakes of white surrounding me
Swirling, twirling, to and fro
Dance the pure white flakes of snow

They twist and turn, I feel the thrill
They’re racing towards my window sill
Mystical bits of flying fluff
My eyes just cannot get enough

As time goes on, they tire out
They flit and spin and float about
Some on roof tops, some in trees
Landing softly, where they please

Changing landscapes, creating scenes
Filled with frosted evergreens
They come to rest without a sound
A fleecy blanket on the ground

Paula Paquette

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Christmas Tree Allergies – Buy or Not to Buy

The Christmas tree is a classic staple in many American homes over the holiday season, but some people find that as soon as the tree comes home, they start sniffling and sneezing. There are a number of causes for this type of reaction, which will be discussed along with everything else you need to know about Christmas tree allergies.

REAL VERSUS FAKE CHRISTMAS TREES

Trying to decide which type of tree to get can be difficult, and it will vary based on personal preference. Each type of tree, both real and fake can aggravate allergies; it just depends upon what the individual person is allergic to.

To many people, there is nothing better than a real Christmas tree. It just captures the essence of Christmas, right down to the very scent that fills the home. However, real Christmas trees are full of different allergens. The species of tree that are used for Christmas trees contain terpenes, which have been shown to cause allergic reactions in some people. These are the compounds that give the pine trees their smell, and because of their chemical characteristics, they are often used in perfumes, cleaning supplies and solvents. These terpenes occur naturally in the tree and people are exposed to them when brought into an enclosed space, or if they touch the tree.

Even if terpenes aren’t the culprit for allergies on a real Christmas tree, mold or pollen might be. Since Christmas trees grow outside, they are exposed to all the allergens found outdoors. When people bring trees inside, they also bring in things like mold and pollen, which are extremely common allergens.  According to an article in U.S. News and World Report, when people brought Christmas trees indoors, the mold spore count in the home increased fivefold.

Unfortunately, artificial trees also contain their share of allergens. They too can harbor mold and dust after being stored in attics or damp basements all year long. They can also contain bugs and their droppings, which are also a common source of allergy irritation. In addition to this, the material that the tree is made from can be a source of the allergens. Certain plastics release chemicals into the air that can cause allergy symptoms. Any tree that has been flocked will cause allergy symptoms as well because the material used can irritate allergies.

REDUCING ALLERGENS

There are some ways to reduce the allergens associated with Christmas trees. If a real tree is chosen, the tree should be cleaned thoroughly before bringing it into the home. There are a number of ways to do this.

• First, the tree should be shaken out outdoors to remove any loose debris.
• Next a leaf blower or shop vacuum can be used to remove as many of the spores and particles.
• The tree can also be washed in a solution of water and a small amount of bleach. The bleach will kill any mold present without hurting the tree and the water will wash away any dust and debris.
• Artificial trees can be vacuumed and washed as well, but since the trees usually contain metal parts they should be dried well to prevent rust.
• When storing artificial trees, they should be sealed inside a plastic bag and then placed in a plastic storage box. Cardboard boxes or bags let dust and bugs get into the tree.
• Artificial trees should always be opened outside after being stored all year.

Of course, there are other Christmas tree alternatives that may provide relief from allergens. These include the Christmas tree made from soda cans, wood or a variety of other materials. They are also environmentally friendly because they can be recycled.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The most important thing that people can do to reduce allergy symptoms during Christmas is to make sure their tree is free from as many allergens as possible. Here is a list of treatment options that can be implemented to alleviate Christmas tree allergies:

• Treatment will vary based upon individual symptoms. Most of the time, an antihistamine allergy medication will do the best job, but they can cause drowsiness. There are some non-drowsy allergy medications that could help as well.
• If over-the-counter medications are not effective, there are a number of prescription medications that can help.
• If Christmas tree allergies are also an asthma trigger, it’s important that those who suffer from asthma consult with their doctors to be sure that they have the medication that they need to keep asthma symptoms under control. This will often include daily maintenance medication such as steroid inhalers as well as acute asthma treatments like rescue inhalers.

WARNING SIGNS

While most allergy symptoms are less than pleasant, they are typically not life threatening. If someone experiences a severe reaction, medical attention must be sought immediately. Signs of a life threatening reaction include swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing or a rash.

Christmas trees can be a source of allergy irritation, but they don’t have to be. While it’s impossible to remove all allergens, you can follow the tips provided here to reduce the amount of allergens that need to be dealt with meaning that people can keep the Christmas tree without having to worry too much about allergy symptoms.

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Shape Up For Christmas Diet

Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve are right round the corner, and you want to lose a bit of weight to make sure you’ll look your best! By following our easy, stress-free diet plan devised especially for you

you can lose 3-4lbs in just 7 days, or if you have more time, 9lbs in three weeks.

What is it?
A straightforward diet based on 1,250 calories a day, using high-fibre foods to make you feel fuller for longer and have plenty of energy. The recipes are easy and most can be made in minutes. If you slip up one day, don’t beat yourself up… just get back on track as soon as you can.

How does it work?
The 1,250 calories a day are enough to lose 3-4lbs in the first week and a steady 2-3lbs a week after that. Because we’ve chosen foods with plenty of bulk or with a reduced Glycaemic Index (GI), which release sugar slowly, you’ll feel full longer and won’t want to snack.

Who is the Shape-Up For Christmas Diet good for?
Anyone who wants a fuss-free way to lose a few pounds in the run-up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It was devised with Christmas parties in mind, but it’s a great way to lose a few pounds sensibly for any special occasion.. or just because you want to.

How to do it

It’s simplicity itself. For each week (one to three weeks, depending on how near your special occasion is) just choose one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner and one snack from those listed per day. Vegetarian options are marked with a V. Vegetarians should choose cheese made with non-animal rennet and yogurts which don’t contain gelatine. They should be marked suitable for vegetarians.
Drink at least 6-8 glasses of fluid a day, ideally water, but tea, coffee, herbal tea, diet drinks and squashes are OK too.
You should also have 275ml (9fl oz) skimmed milk in tea and coffee or to drink (this is on top of any milk in the meal and snack suggestions).
If you are still hungry, ‘free’ foods you can eat at any time are any type of raw, boiled or steamed veg (excluding potatoes and sweet potatoes) a green leaf salad dressed with lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, a bowl of fresh or frozen berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries) or fresh melon.
Check you’re getting your 5 a day. Most of the meal combinations should ensure this, but if not, add in extra fruit or veg from the free food selection above. A portion is 2-3 tablespoons of veg or a bowl of salad
Try to choose one oily fish meal (salmon or sardines) a week. It’s rich in heart-healthy omega-3s.

Breakfasts
Choose from:
One sachet of Oatso Simple porridge made up with skimmed milk. A small banana. V
1 slice of granary toast with a 200g can baked beans. V
McDonalds Egg McMuffin (not the sausage or bacon options)
Bowl (40g) of All Bran with 125ml (just over 4fl oz) skimmed milk. An apple. V
1 x 125ml low fat natural bio yogurt topped with two tablespoons of muesli and a handful of blueberries. V
Bowl (30g) of Kashi Honey wholegrain cereal with 125ml (just over 4fl
oz) skimmed milk, 1 handful of sultanas or any other dried fruit. V
1 Jordans Apple and Sultana Multigrain Bar & 250ml bottle Innocent
Blackberries & Blueberries (or Mangoes and Passion fruits) smoothie.
V
1 slice of soya and linseed bread (e.g. Vogels or Burgen) toasted,
spread thinly with low fat spread and Marmite. 1 x 175g Shape Solo
yogurt. V
1 slice of wholemeal toast spread with 1tsp low-fat spread. Serve with 1
grilled rasher of lean back bacon, two tbsp baked beans, 1 grilled
tomato and 4 grilled medium-sized mushrooms.
3 tbsp unsweetened fruit and nut muesli with 125ml (just over 4fl oz)
skimmed milk. V

Lunches
Choose from:
Bagel filled with reduced-fat cream cheese. Serve with a salad of
tinned sweetcorn, red kidney beans and cooked green beans. A 100g pot of
virtually fat-free fruit-flavoured fromage frais. V
2 taco shells filled with green leaves, tomato and peppers, 3 tbsp
canned beans and a matchbox-size lump of Cheddar cheese, grated.
Nectarine. V
Half a small can of sardines in tomato sauce on two pieces of wholemeal
toast. Handful of grapes.
1 wholemeal pitta filled with cold skinless chicken, watercress and 2
tsp low-fat mayonnaise.
Half a 600g carton New Covent Garden Carrot & Coriander soup &
1tbsp Kraft Philadelphia Light, spread between 3 cream crackers. Top
with sliced tomato. V
One 250g pack John West Tuna Light Lunch Tomato Salsa and 125g pot
Sveltesse flavoured yogurt.
Sandwich made with two slices of medium-sliced mutigrain bread spread
thinly with low fat spread and filled with lots of salad plus any of the
fillings below (follow with a piece of fruit such as an apple or pear):

Prawns
Reduced-fat cheese. V
Reduced fat hummus. V
Wafer-thin ham
Skinless chicken
Tuna in brine
A medium baked potato with any of the toppings below (follow with a piece of fruit like an apple or pear):
3tbsp baked beans. V
Handful of wafer-thin ham and two tbsp tinned pineapple chunks (in juice)
Half a can of ratatouille. V
Small pot of cottage cheese with chives, mixed with a grated carrot and chopped tomato. V

Dinners
Choose from:
Broccoli and Pine Nut Pasta, Boil 100g pasta and add 125g broccoli 5
mins before the end of the cooking time. Drain and toss in 3tsp toasted
pine nuts and 8 halved cherry tomatoes plus a tsp of olive oil. Toss
well and serve immediately. Bowl of raspberries. V
Small roast chicken breast (no skin), 2 small oil-brushed roast
potatoes (or boiled) , carrots and cauliflower. Gravy made with gravy
granules. Scoop of sorbet.
220g pack Dolmio Express Microwave Fusilli with 170g pack Dolmio Tomato
and Basil Microwave sauce. Serve with salad leaves. V
Half a 270g Pizza Express margarita pizza with salad. Plus a bowl of fresh fruit salad. V
One 100g (4oz) grilled salmon fillet, served with a small jacket potato
and green vegetables. One scoop of sorbet.
Grilled fresh sardines. Crush one clove of garlic, rub into the inner
and outer surfaces of four gutted sardines. Grill until just cooked
through. Serve with one boiled sweet potato, broccoli, and wedges of
lemon. Half a 420g tin of Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Juice.
150g (raw weight) lean rump steak grilled and served with 100g (4oz)
cooked oven chips; two tbsp each of mushrooms and onions ‘fried’ in
spray oil.
Vegetable Sweet and Sour Stir-fry. Stir-fry two large handfuls of
chopped vegetables such as onions, peppers, baby sweetcorn and mushrooms
in a tbsp of rapeseed oil. Add 3 tbsp drained pineapple chunks in
juice, half a can of canned tomatoes, squirt of tomato purée, plus white
wine vinegar and honey to taste. Bring to the boil and simmer until the
sauce has thickened. V
Prawn Kebab. Thread 150g raw king prawns onto 2 kebabs interspersed
with chopped pepper, mushroom and red onion. Spray with a little spray
oil and sprinkle with black pepper or a little mild chilli powder and
grill until cooked through (grey prawns turn pink). Follow with a Gu 50g
Cheeky Chocolate dessert.

Snacks
Choose from:
7 roasted salted or hickory smoked almonds. V
1 pot of Muller Light Cherry yogurt
2 medium apples. V
3 slices of mango (fresh or tinned and drained) with 2 slices of fat-removed Parma ham
80g pack Boots Shapers Carrot Crunchies, one apple and a handful of grapes. V
3 teaspoons of peanut butter with carrot sticks. V
4 small squares of high quality dark chocolate with 70% cocoa solids. V
50g pack Weight Watchers cheese spread & spring onion dipper
100g prawns with one tbsp low-fat thousand island dressing
Small handful of peanuts and raisins. V

Ready meals aren’t out of bounds. For an evening meal choose one
with less than 400 calories and add lots of undressed vegetables or
salad.
A bought lunch-time sandwich or salad should have no more than 300
calories. Eat with a couple of satsumas.
You can swap your daily snack for 1 x 150ml (1/4 pt) glass of red or
white wine, or two small gin and tonics (each made with 25ml (1fl oz)
gin and diet tonic)

 

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Walk like a penguin on Ice

Follow the tips below to avoid taking a nasty spill on icy sidewalks or parking lots during the winter months.

So how can you safely navigate across the ice and snow? Walk like a penguin,

• Take a lot of small, slow, shuffling steps and point your feet out slightly like a penguin. Spreading your feet while walking on ice increases your center of gravity, she says. It also helps to wear treaded boots.Be sure to bend slightly and walk flat-footed, with your weight directly over your feet as much as possible. Look ahead when you walk and extend your arms out to your sides to maintain balance. Wear warm gloves so you can keep your hands out of your pockets. That way, you can use your hands to break your fall if you do slip. It also helps to stop occasionally to break your momentum.
• If you must carry a load, try not to carry too much, or carry it in a backpack. It’s best to leave your hands and arms free to balance yourself.
• In cold temperatures, assume all wet, dark areas on pavements are slippery and icy. Dew or water vapor can freeze on cold surfaces, forming an extra-thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that can look like a wet spot on the pavement. Approach these spots with caution.
• Try to walk only in designated walkways. Shortcuts over snow piles and other frozen areas can be hazardous. If sidewalks or driveways are icy and snow-covered, however, you may need to walk along its grassy edge for better traction.
• When walking on steps, always use the hand railings and plant your feet firmly on each step.
• Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles. Use the vehicle for support.
• And last but not least, don’t rush. Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get where you want to go.

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