Women Blog

Anne Diamond Calls for Volunteers to Play Bejeweled Twist and put a New Weight Loss Theory to the Test

When broadcaster and health campaigner Anne Diamond reviewed some videogames earlier this year, her damnation was so scathing that it overshadowed The Byron Review, a major government-commissioned report on the subject.

Fast forward eight months and the leading health campaigner is now working with researchers to test a theory that certain casual games may actually help weight loss and she’s recruiting volunteers for a clinical trial to put the theory to the test.

This study was prompted by work already undertaken in the U.S. by East Carolina University research published in May 2008 which showed casual videogames relieved stress [see the following for more information http://www.ecu.edu/cs-admin/news/releases/2008/4/ecupopcapstudy04282008.cfm].

“Of course, we are not talking about the kinds of violent games I reviewed earlier in the year, and which caused such a stir in the gaming world” Diamond comments. “We’re looking at casual videogames. Research suggests that, unlike the violent and adrenalin-fuelled titles I reviewed, certain “casual” games can reduce stress levels, enhance mood, and even reduce depression. What’s more, they could actually help with weight loss - a subject very close to my heart. The theory is that playing casual games like PopCap.co.uk’s Bejeweled Twist for a few minutes, say at lunchtime, or at a stressful time of day, can provide a simple distraction from food cravings, helping dieters remain focussed, de-stress them and lift their mood - very important features in weight loss… So naturally, I wanted to know more.”

Respected dietician and nutritionist, Nigel Denby, who will conduct the research throughout January 2009 added: “Beating cravings and ‘grazing’ are two of the most challenging aspects of dieting for many people and January 1st is traditionally when many people embark on a diet. The majority have fallen off the wagon within three weeks. We’ve therefore decided to make this trial a real torture test and see if Bejeweled Twist can help New Year dieters achieve their goals.”

Cathy Orr of PopCap.co.uk, the company behind Bejeweled Twist and whose games were used in the clinical trials in the US said, “We are delighted Anne is involved in the new trial. We are just beginning to understand some of the positive health benefits casual games can have and we hope that we can find some good news for the millions of dieters in the UK.”

Dieters who wish to participate in the trial should visit http://www.popcap.co.uk to try out Bejeweled Twist and sign up for the study. The research will take place throughout January 2009.

Anne Diamond added: “Losing and managing weight is a struggle - some experts say that 12.8 million Brits are on a diet at any one time and all my research shows that it is a life sentence, and people need to develop strategies to stop snacking or comfort eating. Anything that can help make dieting even a little bit easier and less stressful is a positive development and playing casual games is something that anyone can do, any time, anywhere.”

Bejeweled is the most popular casual game franchise of the 21st century, with more than 350 million copies downloaded and over 25 million units sold. Bejeweled Twist is the first new Bejeweled title in almost four years.

A group of highly experienced female financial gurus have launched an online ‘help-site’ and forum aimed specifically at women having trouble managing their finances.

Debt Divas has been set up by female financial experts Melanie Giles, Melanie Nicholas, Susan Clay, Suzanne Stocker and Vanessa Phillips and encourages women, who are traditionally reluctant to own up to their personal debt problems, to talk, share and discuss how to resolve their finance worries. The site provides a combination of professional advice, hints, tips and case studies along with a ‘Debt Analyser’ and a ‘Girl Chat’ forum facility.

According to a report by the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, women account for more than half of their client base (almost 60%) and women are also more likely to have home credit, store card and catalogue debt than men. Women are also more likely than men to keep their debt problems secret. Forty percent of female CCCS clients hide their debt problems from their partners, compared to 34 percent of men.*

Melanie Giles, who heads up the Debt Divas team is one of a very small number of female insolvency practitioners in the UK and along with her female colleagues, who are all debt experts, hopes the website will offer a much needed open forum for women in financial trouble, who want to seek help and support whilst retaining anonymity.

“As a group of female finance practitioners we were all finding that a large proportion of the calls we were receiving from potential new clients were from women,” says Melanie Giles.

“Many women with debt problems get into trouble because they are more likely to be single parents, working part-time or caring for relatives, often earning less than men. Women also often borrow from high interest sources and then feel embarrassed about admitting that they are not managing their finances.”

“A ‘help-site’ with an active online community forum that offers advice, tips and guidance from peers, experts with a uniquely ‘female’ view and anyone with an interest, was seen as the best way to offer a truly relevant and practical service to as many women as possible,” added Debt Diva Susan Clay.

The site offers news, features, guidance and opinion and actively encourages participation from members when it comes to offering examples of what has and hasn’t worked for them.

Sections on the ‘help-site’ include general debt solutions, case studies and success stories as well as extensive resources on Debt and Health, Debt and Family, Debt and Workplace Issues including budget busting recipes, how to look good on a budget and much more.

“With Christmas looming and all of the financial implications that come with the festive season, we hope members and future members of the site will band together and come up with some really useful tips,” added Melanie Giles.

“The site offers up-to-date professional advice and guidance but the Debt Divas community is also very much about women helping each other. And we’re pretty good at that!”

For further details visit http://www.debtdivas.co.uk .

* Centre for Credit Counseling Statistical Yearbook 2007

Santa Claus Allows Families to Keep the Spirit of the Christmas Season Despite Tight Spending

While families are trying to make wiser spending choices this season, that doesn’t mean that Santa Claus will be put on the back burner. With parents opting to spend only where it counts and make sure they are getting the most bang for their buck, they are being selective with gift purchases, and are putting a focus on traditions that will make the most impact on their families’ Christmas memories.

One company that specializes in making sure that children receive a memorable visit with Santa Claus is SantaSpeaking.com, which provides personalized phone calls to children from Santa. SantaSpeaking.com’s early season figures show a 46% increase in scheduled visits over 2007, illustrating families’ commitment to keeping the tradition of Santa Claus alive.

“Parents can do much to scale back their Christmas, but children will still expect Santa to come. The anticipation of his arrival is part of the magic of their holiday, and a special visit with Santa just adds to that,” says Anne Gaskell, founder of SantaSpeaking.com. “We weren’t sure what to expect in terms of volume this year because of such gloomy forecasts, but we’re surprised to see the spike in orders so early in the season.”

Scott Williams, VP of Emisare Inc., a relationship and branding firm in Greensboro, NC, says, “Families will use this time to focus on what’s important, keeping their traditions intact and strengthening the message of Christmas. Celebrating Santa Claus offers parents the opportunity to stress valuable lessons like being kind, considerate, helpful and to show appreciation for what you do have, at a time where indulgent spending may not be an option for families.”

And so while there may be fewer presents under the tree this year, families are counting on Santa to still bring cheer and warm, fuzzy memories at a time where families really need it. Keeping family traditions like Santa Claus alive — when little on the news seems bright — may just lend optimism to Christmas where pessimism was forecasted.

SantaSpeaking.com was founded in 2004 by two moms in the midwest who aim to brighten other families’ Christmas through the magic of Santa Claus. SantaSpeaking.com provides personalized phone calls to children from Santa Claus, offering a recording of the conversation after the call is made as a keepsake to parents. Cost of calls and recordings range from $21.95 - $49.95.

I apologize for not being able to post regularly as I’m on a family vacation with my family for the next couple of weeks. Though it’s been a little tiring for us - waking up a little earlier and handling the travel demands of my preschooler, everything has been great and we are enjoying ourselves.

Tokyo and Osaka are great cities to visit and though many friends were puzzled on why I had chosen these two busy cities for a family vacation, I have not regretted a bit. The Japanese have a very rich heritage and culture and I have to commend them for their hardworking and meticulous characteristics. They work hard and relax well at the end of a long day - enjoying a drink in the sake bar or joining wine of the month club for a little social networking. They are people who know how to enjoy the little pleasures when it comes to festive and a time out session. In a fast moving city like tokyo or osaka, it may seem great for people who can work from home since property is scarce and very expensive. But I definitely have lots to learn from the hardworking japanese and also their efficiency and constant strive towards high standards.

The National Crime Prevention Council says travel safety has taken on a new meaning during these tough economic times. The organization best known for its icon, McGruff the Crime Dog, says opportunistic thieves may be looking for unprotected homes or pre-occupied travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday.

NCPC suggests following these safety tips to avoid problems during the start of the busiest travel season of the year.

Safety begins at home

• Make sure your house looks “lived-in” when you are away. Lock all doors and windows, and set household lights (inside and out) on timers.
• Trim your hedges and bushes so thieves do not have a place to hide out.
• Have a neighbor park a car in your driveway to make it appear as if someone is home.
• Invest in an alarm. An alarm system controls access points to your home and lets you know if someone has invaded your space.
• Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to watch your house and pick up your mail and newspapers while you are away.
• File a “travel plan.” Let someone know where you are going, the route you plan to take, and when you plan to arrive. If you deviate from that plan, let someone know.

Watch out for clever criminals

• Do not stop if your car is bumped from behind or if someone says there is something wrong with your car. Go to a service station or a well-lit, populated area and call for help.
• Fill the gas tank before dark and lock your car doors, and roll up your windows if you step away from the car for any reason.
• Never leave items of value such as cell phones, cameras, jewelry, or other expensive belongings visible in your car. Lock them in your trunk or take them with you.

Safety away from home

• Carry money separately from credit cards. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
• If you choose to shop on Black Friday, do not overburden yourself with packages to avoid being an easy target.
• Stick to well-lighted and well-traveled streets at all times.
• Select ATM machines in visible, well-lighted locations.
• Do not leave valuables in your hotel room. Most hotels have safes for guest use.
• Keep your hotel room door locked, even when you are inside.

National Crime Prevention Council

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is a private, nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to be the nation’s leader in helping people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime. NCPC manages public service advertising under the National Citizens’ Crime Prevention Campaign — symbolized by McGruff the Crime Dog(R) and his “Take A Bite Out Of Crime(R)” slogan — and acts as secretariat for the Crime Prevention Coalition of America, more than 400 national, federal, state, and local organizations representing thousands of constituents who are committed to preventing crime. NCPC is funded through a variety of government agencies, corporate and private foundations, and donations from private individuals. For more information on crime prevention issues, visit www.ncpc.org.

Game Crazy Helps Parents Pick the Perfect Video Games for Kids

Parents will be tested this year in their pursuit of the perfect video game-related gifts. According to the 2008 Game Crazy Holiday Gift Tracker, a nationwide survey of kids and parents, a whopping 96 percent of kids have a gaming system, and 90 percent of kids are planning to ask for at least one game this year, up from 80 percent in 2007. With video games topping kids’ wish lists, Game Crazy wants to help parents save time and money, pick the perfect gift and facilitate family fun.

“We went straight to the source for the second year in a row to find out what video games kids want and what they think their parents will actually buy them this holiday season,” said Wes Sand, senior vice president at Game Crazy. “The difference this year is that we also polled parents to determine their thoughts regarding video game gifting. The results show that video games are hotter than ever, and Game Crazy is here to be the resource for gift-givers and to help them avoid disappointment when the presents are opened.”

Giving Parents the Gift of Time and Money This Holiday Season

With 91 percent of parents planning to give their kids a video game this holiday season, it’s important to remember that purchasing the wrong video game - or the right game for the wrong system - can be disappointing. More than one-third of kids who have received the wrong game in the past say they just kept it, while another one-third asked their parents to go back and return the game - wasting time and money. In a time when wallets are already being squeezed, it benefits parents to get the right game, for the right system, from the beginning.

“More than half of kids told us they get bored of their games in less than 5 months, but still keep them around collecting dust,” explained Sand. “We encourage parents to bring used games into Game Crazy where they can trade them in for another game.”

Parents can also save by purchasing a used game at Game Crazy for a discounted price. When buying a used game, parents have the option to ‘try before they buy’ so they can be confident the game is right for their child and in good condition.

Using Gaming as a Family Activity

Video games can make for great bonding time, bringing families together for some good, old-fashioned fun. In fact, 54 percent of parents polled said they plan to play video games with their kids over board games, card games and other activities.

Giving the perfect game can go a long way, as kids will go to great lengths to get a game they want. Forty-five percent of kids said they would either do household chores for two months or teach siblings to play a game in return for their video game of choice.

Helping Parents Pick the Perfect Game

Game Crazy went straight to the source and uncovered what games and systems kids want most this holiday season:

• Some of the most popular games for holiday 2008 are in the Action, Music and Racing genres.

• Guitar Hero World Tour, Rock Band II, Mario Kart and Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party II are expected to be among this year’s hottest-selling titles.

• Kids even know what they want to get Santa this year. More than one-third of kids say they would give Santa and Mrs. Claus a Wii Fit - probably to work off the extra holiday cookies!

Additional Buying Tips

To help parents this holiday season, the video game experts at Game Crazy offer these tips for choosing great video game gifts.

• Parents should consider gaming accessories as gifts too. A rechargeable battery pack is the most vital accessory according to tweens and teens, followed closely by a guitar and racing wheel.

• Always ask kids for a wish list. Eighty-four percent of parents polled said they plan to ask their kids for a wish list to ensure they purchase the proper game. Game Crazy also created a video game wish list that will be available at www.gamecrazy.com. Kids can complete it online and email it to a parent or they can print it and fill it out by hand.

• Look for Game Crazy’s free “Parent’s Guide to Game Buying” brochure, which contains helpful tips for purchasing video game titles and systems. The brochure will be available at all Game Crazy retail locations or can be downloaded at www.gamecrazy.com.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

The Game Crazy survey was conducted online August 17-31, 2008, by Weekly Reader Research. One thousand U.S. male and female participants, ages 8-17, were recruited from Weekly Reader Research’s INSIDERS survey research community. Random sampling procedures were employed to ensure the respondents accurately reflect the nation’s 42.7 million 8-17 year olds in terms of age, race/ethnicity, gender and census region. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence interval.

Game Crazy

Game Crazy(R) (www.gamecrazy.com) is the nation’s second largest specialty game retailer with more than 560 locations across the country. Hollywood Entertainment of Wilsonville, Oregon, was acquired in 2005 by Movie Gallery, Inc. and operates Game Crazy. Movie Gallery, Inc. is the second largest North American home entertainment specialty retailer with more than 3,300 stores located in all 50 U.S. states and Canada.

Local Medical Device Company Welcomes Kristin Shumpert to America’s City of Lights … After Changing her Life with Technology

“Thanks to NMT, all of my wishes are coming true,” says Kristin Shumpert, who is traveling from Oak Ridge, Tennessee this week to experience the lights, sounds and excitement of Las Vegas … and to meet the people who “saved my life.” Until recently, the prospect of spending time far from home held little interest to the young woman who suffers from a devastating disorder that affects her ability to regulate thirst or sense when its time to use the ladies’ room.

At the age of 18, Kristin, now 23, underwent surgery on a benign brain tumor, resulting in the removal of her pituitary gland. No larger than the size of a pea and found at the base of the brain, the pituitary gland secretes a hormone known as vasopressin that triggers the kidneys to regulate normal storage and release of bodily fluids. As a consequence of the surgery, Kristin developed Diabetes Insipidus (DI), a type of diabetes much different from the kind brought on by too much sugar in the blood.

Prior to being diagnosed with the condition, Kristin would complain to her mother that she felt like she could not quench her intense thirst, despite drinking an extraordinary amount of fluids. To complicate matters, she had lost the ability to recognize when her body was overhydrated and when it was time to urinate. To treat Kristin, her doctors prescribed nasal vasopressin, which immediately triggers her body to release the fluids. However, not knowing how to regulate her hydration levels, Kristin was often left confused and ultimately found it difficult to stray far from home. “It was dreadfully debilitating and seriously impacted the quality of my life.”

If water intake is seriously impaired, there is a grave risk of severe dehydration that could lead to serious brain damage or even death. On the other hand, overhydration, also referred to as water intoxication, can result in digestive problems, behavioral changes, brain damage, seizures or coma.

Kristin’s mother, Jody Shumpert, works at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities, a consortium of 99 doctoral-granting academic institutions. Earlier this year, Jody read an article regarding Oak Ridge National Laboratories’ (ORNL) research collaboration with Noninvasive Medical Technologies, Inc. (NMT), a Las Vegas-based medical device company pioneering highly advanced, award-winning medical assessment and communications solutions for military and civilian medical use. Aiming to improve the odds for people medically at risk from dehydration or congestive heart failure, ORNL and NMT were actively engaged in improving and miniaturizing NMT’s proprietary, patented ZOE(TM), an FDA-approved noninvasive medical device that monitors a person’s fluid status using bioimpedence. Curious, Jody contacted ORNL to inquire whether or not this technology could potentially help Kristin monitor her hydration levels. After being redirected to NMT’s Chief Operating Officer Ann McCaughan, Jody believed she had found a potential savior for her daughter.

A registered nurse recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts in Cardiac Home Care, McCaughan oversees NMT’s product design and development efforts and has largely been responsible for spearheading the conceptualization and commercialization of the ZOE. After speaking with Jody and learning more about Kristin’s medical condition, McCaughan immediately tasked Carolyn Humphrey, a clinical consultant to NMT, to direct a study to determine whether the ZOE could prove effective for Kristin.

NMT sent Kristin a ZOE fluid status monitor and several sets of electrodes required to measure her hydration levels. Under Humphrey’s direction, she was taught how to self-monitor her “Zo” readings. (Zo, or “Z naught,” is a metric that has been used for years in cardioplethsmograph technology to determine hydration in human subjects.) A series of monitoring days were established, initially beginning in two to three day segments for consistent measuring purposes. There was a need for flexibility in the data collection schedule since Kristin’s DI treatment plan was still being established by her physicians. Moreover, because her brain tumor had reappeared, requiring her to undergo radiation therapy several months before commencing the NMT study, it was essential that she be closely monitored to ensure that the timing of her medications were accurately determined.

Keeping a detailed daily journal, Kristin tracked her fluid intake, when she felt thirsty, the level of her fullness, her physical symptoms and each time she took her nasal vasopressin within a 24-hour period. Through regular conversations with Humphrey, trends emerged from the data that helped to empower Kristin with crucial insight helping her to recognize when to stop drinking fluids (even though she was thirsty) and when to administer her nasal vasopressin to signal her body to urinate. Kristin notes, “With the ability to confidently and objectively measure what’s going on inside me, it is no longer a guessing game. NMT has given me back control of my life!”

Ronald McCaughan, Chairman and CEO of NMT, noted, “NMT has achieved notable advancements in the field of noninvasive hemodynamic assessment and monitoring — advancements some have described as innovative and, even, truly extraordinary. Still others have suggested that our cutting edge product research and development efforts are producing disruptive technologies that will indeed redefine the standard of medical care in our industry. But, it is when we meet people like Kristin that we fully appreciate that the work we are accomplishing at NMT is without question of profound importance.”

In addition to reassuming control over her body, Kristin has long wished to vacation in Las Vegas. NMT made that wish come true, too. The Company has arranged for Kristin and her mother Jody to arrive at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport tomorrow afternoon and be transported to the luxurious Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, where, as NMT’s guests, mother and daughter will be treated to the hotel’s AAA Four Diamond hospitality and a taste of all the excitement and entertainment that has made Las Vegas a destination of choice.

On Monday, Kristin and Jody will arrive at NMT’s offices, where they will be granted a personal tour of the facilities and meet all of the people who have worked so hard to make the ZOE possible. “Having the chance to personally meet Kristin and her mother is a gift to the entire NMT team. It is thrilling to know that it is because of our efforts that someone so young and full of vital energy can now truly enjoy everything that life has to offer her,” added Ann McCaughan. “This is a proud moment for NMT — and a wish that has come true for us.”

Source: Noninvasive Medical Technologies, Inc.

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. Cooked Brown Rice
2 c. Grated Carrot
6 tbsp Minced Green Onion and Tops
1/2 c. Grated Hoop or Farmer Cheese
3 Fertile Eggs
1/4 c. Minced Parsley
1 tsp. Leaf Marjoram

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

This is a very light meal, but hearty enough for a main dish. It is economical and low in calories.
1. Take 1 cup of cooked short grain brown rice and mix with onions, grated carrots, grated low fat style cheese and spices.
2. Beat eggs and mix into mixture.
3. Pour into a shallow baking dish and bake in a 350 pre-heated oven for 30-35 minutes.

This makes 6 servings.

Received via e-mail from Luiza. Thanks a lot!

Every female has pondered the age-old holiday dilemma — finding the perfect gift for every guy in her life. Since 1982, the gift gurus at Wireless, a catalog for curious minds, have offered gifts that are the antithesis of the traditional tie.

“The trick to selecting the best guy gift is to consider the undeniable fact that all guys are kids,” said John Ollmann, chief gift guru at Wireless. “Guys want something to play with, something that will make them laugh, something that their friends will think is cool.”

Tap into his inner child. “Think of past holidays. What were the biggest hits for the guys in your family? Likely, a toy,” said Ollmann. Pick Classic Movie Monster Bobbleheads or the Star Wars Lego Pen Set, which make a perfect stocking stuffer.

Make him laugh. Help him relive the groundbreaking humor of this year’s Mark Twain Award recipient, George Carlin, with a collection of his countercultural comedy CDs and DVDs. If he’s a fan of the Ministry of Silly Walks, he’ll want every single episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus on DVD or CDs of Bill Cosby’s hilarious stand-up 60’s comedy.

Applaud his geeky-ness. Does your favorite guy tick with a love of clocks and watches? Math Pop Quiz Wall Clock, Spinning Roulette Watch, Square Root Watch, and Animated Train Pocket Watch are unique takes on the more traditional gift.

Celebrate his Fan-aticism. Sports phenoms will cheer when they unwrap a true-size Baseball Bat Pepper Grinder, Opening Day Collectible Baseballs, NFL Neon Football Helmet, or The Code, a book of baseball’s unwritten rules.

Acknowledge his space. Every man needs a place where he can be himself. The Man Cave sign is a fun substitute for “No girls allowed,” or present him with a personalized Harley-Davidson Outdoor Sign (must be ordered by December 10 for Christmas delivery), or Wrench Ware utensil set delivered in a rugged toolbox-style ABS case.

“And after you’ve taken care of all the guys on your list,” said Ollmann, “Reward yourself with the apropos Wonder Woman Cuff Bracelet, because you are one.”

Consumers can shop online at www.thewirelesscatalog.com (800-669-9999) through noon on December 23, requesting next day service, to receive gifts by Christmas (December 18 for Hanukkah).

The Wireless Catalog is a brand of Universal Screen Arts Company.

This week has been another crazy one as I prepare for our yearly family vacation. The week started off with DH in a bible school camp with more than 60 kids in his class and it’s also school hols for Clayton, which means I’m full time babysitting.

I managed to complete 85% of my wedding site and that’s when I realized that I shouldn’t be in a hurry as that will add up my stress levels. It’s work that weeks before our family vacation, DH got our health insurance and medical insurance in place so my responsibility is to get all the flight booking and hotel accommodation settled. Working from home does give me the flexibility to plan and schedule but once it’s school holidays, my time goes topsy turvy - it is challenging! Therefore, we work at home mothers are so thankful to God for educators, teachers, child minders and baby sitters. For without this dedicated group of wonderful people, it is just so hard to work from home with full concentration and the peace of mind.

We will be off for three weeks but I’ll steal time to keep the posting going… the weekends are here again!