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Is It Safe to Use Marijuana Vaporizers?

In the vaping community, a lot more uproar surrounds nicotine vaping than cannabis vaping. Not many organizations are quick to conduct the necessary studies required to determine the safety levels of using weed vape pens.

If you are on the verge of switching to vapes from the traditional “roll it, then toke it” way, then below are some facts that you need to know.

The Theory Surrounding Cannabis Vaping

Theoretically, pot vaping using a high quality weed vape pen canada, for example, is safer than regular smoking. Because marijuana vaporizers are engineered to deliver tetrahydrocannabinol without exposing the user to dangerous compounds, the vapor that one inhales should have fewer contagions than a regular joint.

Unlike with nicotine vape use, this isn’t concrete evidence, and you do require verification to support this assumption. Nonetheless, it is vital to take note of this and not ignore the rationale surrounding vaping instead of puffing to minimize health complications.

The Risks of Smoking Cannabis

Unlike tobacco smoking and nicotine vaping, with marijuana, it would take a while before facing serious health risks.Smoking pot is partially linked with respiratory effects. However, when it comes to the evidence, it is either inconsistent or lacking.

For instance, majority of the studies conducted cannot find any connections between marijuana use and the build-up of lung cancer. On the other hand, some studies do find a connection, even though its smaller than that of smoking cigarettes.

From my observation, I’d say that in moderation,the risks are not as high for marijuana smokers as that of cigarette users. Nonetheless, there’s still a risk, and more studies need to expound better on this issue. The potential benefits of vaping marijuana are higher if you mix the weed with tobacco. On this e cigarette store, you can find various types of vape pens to that can accommodate a mix of the two.

Is Vaping Safe or Not?

By now, you already know that there’s no solid evidence to determine how safe or harmful vaping weed is. However, that should not mean that we can just assume everything and buy any vape pen or any marijuana extract without caution.When you look at areas like Oregon, private investigations have exposed that weed products available to retail customers contain some levels of dangerous pesticides that are used during plant growth.

In addition to that, the manufacturing process of different marijuana oils present several challenges. For example, for raw hemp flower to be turned to a vaporizable form, some of the plant’s chemical compounds need to be extracted. For this extraction to happen, a widely-used technique was running butane over the weed in an airtight pipe. Despite this, the challenge is that after purification procedures, residues of the butane end up in the final product and studies have shown this.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the decision is yours whether to use vaporizers or not because even regular smoking of joints has a possibility of causing health issues in the future. I’d advise making sure that the extracts you buy are from organic plants and have lab test results as well to show what you are inhaling.

Regarding The type of vape pen to use, avoid the use of plastic vape pens. Plastic vaporizers are known to produce chemicals with unknown risks when heating up.

Until some detailed research is done, for now, you will need to conduct individual research to determine which method of getting high suits you best.

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East Londons Most Instagrammable Spots

If you find yourself in any of these East Londons Most Instagrammable Spots and you’re not Instagramming it, your phone must be dead. While the trendsetting East End may have lost its rougher edge in recent years, here at House of Coco, East London’s enduringly cool creative hub still has our heart. Set against a backdrop of street art, scandi-chic coffee shops, and unique independent stores – why not take inspiration from the artistic scene for your Instagram, with #TeamCoco’s guide to the most Instagrammable spots in East London……

Palm Vaults

This pretty-as-can-be cafe is more vintage Miami than Hackney – and we’re crazy about it. Think palm print wallpaper, pastel pink hues, and sumptuous velvet armchairs. Potted palms and a cascade of hanging baskets make for a trendy, tropical vibe while a zero laptop policy creates an animated atmosphere. A plant-based seasonal menu offers avo-toast and acai bowls aplenty, while candy-coloured red velvet lattes complete the perfect Insta-shot. Major #brunchgoals.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXxnnVtDqHg/?taken-by=palmvaults

The Barge House

Three words. Breakfast IN bread. That’s all you need to know about The Barge House – a local haunt overlooking Regent’s Canal between Haggerston and Hoxton. At weekends only, they serve up scooped-out sourdough loaves, stuffed with everything from your standard full English to smoked salmon – topped with some serious #yolkporn. #TeamCoco’s favourite cure if you’ve overindulged the night before.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb7mHQCh0hT/?taken-at=450317421

Prick

Only in East London would you find a boutique dedicated to cacti and succulents. Inspired by a visit to Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, Gynelle Leon, owner of the brilliantly named Dalston store sources the most unusual and exotic cacti and succulents from across the UK and Europe – selling over 150 species. If you’re a fellow fan of the humble cactus and want to up your home’s Instagram game, we’d recommend heading over to Kingsland Road, sharp.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIPSmicgh8g/?taken-by=prickldn

Fournier Street

Add a vintage-inspired edge to your Instagram with a stroll around one of Spitalfield’s most sought-after streets. Formerly dilapidated, Fournier Street is now home to some of the city’s most immaculate Georgian mansions. Although restored, the street’s historical architecture is as impressive as ever, with exposed brickwork, fantastic facades, painted doors, and elegant sash windows – the perfect backdrop to any Insta-shot. Don’t forget to snap a shot of 11 and a half Fournier Street, if you can find it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdyMi6XHRRB/?taken-at=232041160

Netil 360

You might easily miss this East London hangout’s unassuming entrance, but hidden atop Hackney’s Netil House lies hipster hotspot Netil 360. Overlooking London Fields, this versatile space is open from April and attracts a creative crowd from day to night – with a laid-back lounge vibe, co-working cabins, yoga classes, cinema screenings, and a cafe. Pull up a deck chair and indulge in some seriously Instagrammable views of East London’s skyline.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcPfq3qHu6g/?taken-at=945815257

Barbican Conservatory

Hidden in the heart of the city’s concrete jungle, lies one of a botanical variety – an Instagrammers oasis within the brutalist walls of The Barbican building. London’s second-largest, the Barbican Conservatory is a lost world of exotic plants, towering palms, and encroaching ivy. It may only be open on selected Sundays and bank holidays, but is free and serves afternoon tea on Sundays (bottomless prosecco optional, but highly recommended – just be sure to book in advance).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfpEtA4l66P/?taken-at=1017898322

God’s Own Junkyard

There’s no better place to brighten up your grid than this psychedelic slice of Las Vegas out east in Walthamstow. The largest of its kind in Europe, Gods Own Junkyard is a warehouse wonderland showcasing light artist Chris Bracey’s collection of new, retro, and salvaged neon signs – which began with Soho sex shops and have since featured in films like Eyes Wide Shut. Open Friday and Saturday, entry is free.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJnStM5Db2S/?taken-by=godsownjunkyard

Shoreditch Street Art

For all its gentrification, London’s East End is still the home of counterculture – which is why you’ll find some of the city’s best street art here. From Chance Street’s kaleidoscopic colours to Fashion Street’s whimsical murals – a dash down any of Shoreditch’s side streets will turn up alternative artists, from the instantly recognisable Banksy to Eine’s colourful letters and Loretto’s satirical pieces. The art is ever-changing, so join a free tour if you want some insightful information for your captions.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfTZZS0lm3l/?taken-at=136217060398838

Beigel Bake

It’s hard to walk down Brick Lane without being beckoned into this East London institution by a waft of their delicious dough. Harder still when they’re open 24/7 – which incidentally, also makes this the place for late-night Shoreditch party-goers looking for sustenance (prepare for an eclectic crowd). Opened in 1974, while this deli’s old-school, no-frills approach may be bemoaned by some, their rainbow bagels are just what your Instagram ordered.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKVkIldBeyt/?tagged=beigelbake

Columbia Road Flower Market

Every Sunday, this East London road is transformed into an oasis of flowers with everything from potted chilli plants to plumes of peonies spilling over the stalls. Open from 8 am, our advice is to beat the crowds and go early or for closing, if you’re after the best deals. While the market itself may get busy, you can always retreat into the independent shops behind the stalls, which sell an Insta-worthy array of goods, from cupcakes to vintage fashion finds.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfpt6qEB63P/?taken-at=227833687

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Vegan Eats Post-Veganuary in London

So you did Veganuary – congratulations. But are you looking for vegan eats?

Honestly, it’s admirable to successfully commit to no meat, dairy and animal products for the month. Did you find it easier than you thought you would? Did you actually enjoy eating more vegetables and plant-based foods? Did you even feel healthier for it? Whatever your reasons for doing Veganuary, however you felt from it, if you’re looking to continue eating vegan, I’ve got you on this. Discover all of these vegan food spots in London!

The Gate

Hammersmith, Islington, St. John’s Wood

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6zxbyXgFZM/

If you’re looking for a vegan restaurant set up post-January, look no further than The Gate. A vegetarian veteran in the London food business, The Gate has not only served green dishes since it opened 30 years ago, but it is now almost entirely vegan. Think leek and carmelised onion tart; courgette, pumpkin and cauliflower gyoza and aubergine schnitzel. Vegan pancakes and a vegan alternative to the Full English make appearances on the brunch menu and there’s even a fully dedicated vegan supper club menu. Featuring five courses, it even includes paired vegan wines.

Arancini Brothers

Dalston, Ely’s Yard (food truck), Kentish Town, Maltby St, Old St

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6NUS2PHfAI/

Vegan eats don’t get much better than vegan arancini balls. Big Dave and Little Dave met in Australia, learning how to make the popular risotto balls from Sicilian chefs in Melbourne. Arancini Brothers now has five locations across London and as of December 2018, their risotto balls are 100 per cent vegan (and wheat free, in case anyone wanted to know). Not only are the arancini balls delicious (go for the loaded kind, with aubergine and spicy sauces) but the salad wraps and burgers (featuring vegan chorizo) are tasty too. My favourite? The butternut squash, for sure.

Halo Burger

Brixton, Shoreditch

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ECCkYprT6/

If you’re continuing being vegan after Veganuary, we have to sort you out with a go-to burger spot. Halo Burger is the UK’s first 100 per cent plant-based burger joint and uses Beyond Meat for its patties. With a newly-opened branch in the heart of Shoreditch, you can now get your vegan burger fix in East London too. Halo Burger’s quarter pounder with cheese uses 99 per cent less water, 93 per cent less land, 90 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and 46 per cent less energy than the average beef burger – how’s that for a clear conscience?

Pied a Terre

Fitzrovia

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6C9Mk9jb2L/

London is certainly not short of fast food vegan spots or vegan cafés so it’s great to show the finer dining style restaurants that are vegan (or mostly so) too. Pied a Terre is not fully vegan but it does offer its guests a competitive number of vegan dishes on its menu and has done so for a while now. The Michelin-starred restaurant has a separate vegan (and vegetarian) menu which offers dishes such as carrot velouté with ginger and pickled celery; spelt risotto with coconut and saffron and lime sorbet. Vegan options are available as both à la carte and a tasting menu.

Crudo Cevicheria

35 Riding House St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7EA

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6-f9H8nvxX/

Crudo (meaning raw) opened its ceviche shop late last year. The healthy fast food eatery offers diners a range of ceviche bowls, as well as ‘create your own’ options. Veganuary saw Crudo welcome a vegan bowl to the menu – with chickpeas, quinoa, rocoto (peppers), avocado, sweet potato, crispy onion and cassava chips. The option was so popular – between vegans and meat-eaters alike – that the restaurant opted to keep it on the menu for good!

Redemption Bar

Covent Garden, Notting Hill, Shoreditch

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7-z1sjBV3r/

This trendy vegan, sugar-free and wheat free restaurant definitely had to make it on the vegan London list. Post-Veganuary, this micro-chain is a great place to continue your plant-based eating. With dishes such as BBQ kimchi slaw baps; wild mushroom and squash risotto and plant-based mozzarella melts, you’ll soon forget about meat and fish dishes. If you’re a fan of tempeh (Indonesian fermented soy beans in cake-like form), make sure to try the T.L.T; a sandwich/burger situation that will keep you full all day long.

Kalifornia Kitchen

Fitzrovia, Fulham

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5IzDWjpZRj/

Don’t shoot the writer but I prefer Kalifornia Kitchen to the popular by Chloe as far as Instagrammable vegan restaurants go in London. If you enjoyed Veganuary and staying plant-based is your goal, Kalifornia Kitchen is your one-stop vegan shop. Popular plates include the rainbow beetroot carpaccio, buckwheat and banana pancakes with coconut yoghurt and jackfruit tacos. You can get your fill of burgers too – but the restaurant vowed not to be ‘another fast food vegan eatery’ and prides itself on serving healthy dishes. It’s single use plastic-free too!

Genesis

Shoreditch

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7bS3rWJCMw/

If you love London’s vegan street eats but the cold weather is getting to you, Genesis is the café for you. Completely vegan, favourite dishes include fried avocado and jackfruit hoisin tacos – as well as the growing-in-popularity seitan pulled pork. Seitan chicken curry and roasted cauliflower bowls are other popular plant-based meals. Don’t skip out on the desserts either – the ice cream (made from cashews and coconut) is on point.

Farmacy

Notting Hill

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5zi-Mgn-3_/

I couldn’t do a vegan restaurants in London round up without including Farmacy – a restaurant which focuses on the connection food has with our bodies. Pro-organic and byodynamic farming, the restaurant’s earth bowls are my go-tos (think spiced buckwheat, daikon kimchee and sumac-roasted aubergine). Tofu Pad Thai and a no-beef burger are also favourites on the menu that promotes plant-based, healthy eating.

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Designer Spotlight : Seneca Jewellery

Designer Sarah Jane Bourque’s foundation is her unyielding commitment to excellence forged over 24 years as a professional designer.

Here, she chats to us at House of Coco and tells us more about her journey…

When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?
I launched Seneca Jewellery in the fall of 2017. Previously, I was the designer for my former jewellery brand for 15 years. I sold the business to start and grow our family. During that time I thought a lot about my future. I couldn’t stop thinking about what I would create if I were to start another collection and that is how Seneca emerged.

What’s your background?
I studied fashion design at SCAD in Savannah, Georgia and at Woodbury University in Los Angeles; after graduating cum laude, I entered into an emersion program, where I studied haute couture in Paris. I then moved to New York City and was a luxury handbag designer for Barry Kieselstein-Cord. It was there that I was drawn into the magical world of jewellery. My mother was also a jewellery designer who definitely influenced my path as well. Following several wonderful years, I scratched an itch and moved to the desert southwest (Phoenix, Arizona) to start my own jewellery collection — Saint by Sarah Jane. Saint became a national brand for over 12 years and was sold at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales. It was a fun ride!

How many people are involved in the company and what are their roles?
I am the sole owner and creative director of Seneca Jewellery. I work with top-notch, local artisans and jewellers to create my pieces. As a startup business, I think it is very important that I understand and know how to do every aspect of the business from the accounting, inventory, stone purchasing, designing, marketing, PR and forecasting. Over time, I may loosen the reigns, but for now I do not want to have any potential blind spots.

If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently?
Nothing that I can think of — perhaps because 12 years at my previous company taught me so much about how to execute and what mistakes to avoid. Also, luckily, I am surrounded by some sharp people who are not afraid to give me their opinion when asked.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced since you started the company?
The hardest challenge is conveying the how well made the pieces are made – the quality craftsmanship of the collection; trying to build customers’ trust and assure them that the images they are seeing on the website are just as nice and in many cases nicer in person. For now, I embrace the challenge and enjoy the freedom to design for my customers, while not being beholden to corporate America.

Tell us one fact about you that people wouldn’t know?
I walk 12 miles in the morning, 5 days a week.

2019 is almost here, where do you plan on taking the brand?
I have three main goals this year: 1) continue to build out the collections 2) increase my private clientele with custom pieces and 3) gain more brand recognition.

To date, what has been the highlight since launching?
British Vogue’s and Tatler’s interest in featuring my collections. Also, seeing how proud my children are of me.

Which city do you feel most at home in, London, Paris or New York?
Paris. I have so many happy memories there from school and work trips.

Three beauty products you can’t leave the house without?
Dr. Hauschka’s Eye Balm, IS Clinical Pro Heal Serum and Precious Nature Oil for my hair.

Style means….?
So many things! Style is your mood, your essence, who you are and sometimes who you want to be or what you want to say. The way you dress and carry yourself is your calling card through life. At this stage in my life, style is about dressing to suit my lifestyle. My lifestyle is very active and casual, so I really enjoy simple dressing with pops of luxury.

Best thing about London to you?
The people, I loved the people!

Statement shoe or statement bag?
Statement handbag, but I don’t think I should have to choose!

If you had to, what piece of clothing from your wardrobe would you wear every day?
A white t-shirt.

Favourite love song?
“Let’s Stay Together,” Al Green

Best place for a coffee?
Home ☺

Most memorable piece of advice given to you?
You can’t change someone. You can only change yourself.

Guilty pleasure?
20 minute naps.

If you could spent 24 hours in anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to go somewhere in Asia. Perhaps Japan. The Japanese culture intrigues me.

In the future, how do you plan on expanding the company?
One happy customer at a time! As my customer base continues to expand, I will continually re-assess Seneca Jewellery’s growth, with quality and craftsmanship being non-negotiable.

Find out more…

https://senecajewelry.com

Instagram: @senecajewelry

Twitter: @senecajewelry

Facebook:Seneca Jewelry

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Girlbosses of Great Britain : From Overalls to Overall Success with Amanda Marshall at 3 Donkeys

Amanda Marshall is the founder of 3 Donkeys, a company that she runs whilst juggling life as a mother to 5 children. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty, literally, and the company was born out of a frustration with the lack of products on the market for women who work hard in farms and stables.

She carried out market research and had numerous conversations with other females that she knew in similar working environments – farming, equestrian, dog walking, gardening – even painters & decorators. It soon became clear there was a gap in the market – and demand was high and that is when she decided to launch 3 Donkeys.

So, in 2017, she set about designing a coverall that was totally practical, adaptable, and versatile, looked good and kept her clean too. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Here, Amanda tells us more about animals being her therapy, her plans for the future and more…

Q) Tell us about the journey that lead to you launching 3 Donkeys

My 3 Donkeys journey started shortly after the birth of my 3rd child Roberta in April 2007. Alongside my rather eclectic mix of animals (horses, alpacas, donkeys, to name a few) I had a small flock of Shetland sheep and during lambing I practically lived in coveralls, they were the conventional men’s all-in-ones. It was a constant struggle to remove them in a hurry and they were the worst fitting clothes I have ever worn. I looked for a women’s alternative and could only find a slightly better fitting version of the men. This however did not solve the ‘removing in a hurry’ issue. It was at that point that my design first, popped into my head. However, family life got in the way and my design was put to the back of my mind for another day.

Fast forward to 2017 and I started to notice more women asking on social media about a ‘true alternative’ to men’s coveralls. After extensive searching on the internet both nationally and globally, it soon became apparent that no one had produced one. I asked as many women as I dared without releasing exactly what I had planned and with the help of a some amazing friends and a few skype meetings between Devon and Australia, my design was a reality and ready for the legal journey of registering etc and the task of thinking of a name started in Ernest. Anyway with the rejected name pile growing and no obvious name jumping out at me, the same friend who helped on the skype callssaw a post on my personal Facebook profile of my donkeys Teabag, Woolley and Dave running off (in the opposite direction that I wanted!) and messaged me with, ‘what about 3 Donkeys?’.

It immediately clicked for me because we are a family business and although only Teabag and Dave are related (mother and son) , the 3 Donkeys are like a family unit. Donkeys are also known for being doggedly hardworking, like our coveralls.

2017 and 2018 saw many prototypes during development for trials. It was made harder because of the fact that it was a completely new concept for coveralls, with the full length waist zip allowing for not only easy removal but being able to wear the jacket and trousers independently and the fact that I wanted to be able to zip them together when wearing them. They were trialled extensively by women not only in farming, but at stable yards, competitions, dog walkers and gardening. I finally had a coverall which was functional, versatile and feminine.

Q) Talk us through an average day in your life…

An average day in my life starts with 3 school runs. I have 5 children ranging from 6-year-old twin boys, 2 daughters (12 &16) and my oldest son who is 18 (and about to start his university journey). Followed by posting stories on our social media profiles. I am very fortunate that I have lovely friends who help me with my animals, which allows me to concentrate on 3 Donkeys. Mornings are generally spent catching up with emails, discussing what is on the daily to do list with my parents who are also an integral part of the business, this mostly fuelled by cups of Tea. I usually head into my shed or 3DHQ as my children named it, in the afternoon sorting out stock, packing orders and jotting down new ideas. The afternoon school runs often come around far too quickly followed by sorting out supper and helping with homework. Sitting around the kitchen table to eat is one of my favourite times of the day as I love to hear what everyone has been up to.

Q) Do you plan on expanding the range in the future?

I currently have tall and petite versions of the classic in development with the hope to release them a little later this year.

Q) Your business was founded because you couldn’t find this product on the market. What research did you. Do before launching?

I spent time researching in shops (mainly agricultural and equestrian), extensively online both on uk sites and global ones and the uk intellectual property office. I also asked many women who use coveralls, finding out what would be on their coveralls Wishlist.

Q) Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

There are so many things that I would do differently now, however at the time I knew nothing about the industry or indeed the process and started my manufacturing journey visiting Manchester and many of thefabric manufacturers there, which fortunately led onto meeting our pattern cutter and in turn our coverall manufacturer.

Q) Being eco-friendly and sustainability is important to you, can you tell us more about your mission…

I really believe that we all have a duty to be as eco-friendly as possible. With this in mind our packaging is plastic free and reusable, recyclable or compostable. Our coveralls are all made in Britain using the best materials possible – for example our Dartmoor coveralls are made from 100% Ventile® weatherproof cotton and are made to last, thus reducing our fashion footprint.

Q) Who is your ideal customer?

Our ideal customer is someone who has the desire to keep their clothes clean and dry but not compromise on quality, style or femininity, at work or leisure.

Q) Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

I love to travel and one day I hope to see more of America and visit a rodeo along the way.

Q) What does self-care mean to you?

I have found starting 3 Donkeys® to be a real emotional rollercoaster, especially with my lack of business knowledge and starting from the bottom. I am very fortunate that I can go and spend time with my horse Tia and labradoodle Hattie when I need some Me time, to relax and refocus. Animals really are the best therapy.

Q) What quote do you like to read when you’re lacking motivation?

The quote I often tell myself is ‘If you opt for a safe life, you will never know what it’s like to win’ by Sir Richard Branson. It always helps spur me on when I need a little motivation.

Q) What are your plans for the brand in 2020?

My main goal for 3 Donkeys® during 2020 is for our brand awareness to continue growing as it has done, I always have so many ideas of new design features and materials to use which will come along as we grow. I really am excited for what this year holds.

Find out more about Amanda and 3 Donkeys…

Our website www.3donkeys.co.uk and across our social media pages @3donkeysclothing.

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Lifestyle

Who’s at Risk of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue symptoms, or CFS, is characterized by extreme tiredness that cannot be relieved by resting or cannot be explained by any underlying medical condition. In the United States, the illness affects an estimated 836,000 to 2.5 million people – about 90% of them have not been diagnosed.

Chronic fatigue can significantly affect the day-to-day function of individuals who have it. At least one in four people who suffer from CFS become bed- or house-bound for long periods of time, keeping them from attending school or securing employment during their illness.

Fortunately, there are facilities that offer treatment for chronic fatigue within Salt Lake City if you are in Utah. Most people, especially children and young adults, get better over time after treatment. Many of them even make a full recovery. To this day, the cause of chronic fatigue is still unknown, but some people are more likely to suffer from it than others. Here are the known risk factors of CFS:

Potential Triggers

Among people who have chronic fatigue, the syndrome often began following a viral infection like glandular fever or bacterial infection like pneumonia. To many, even after the flu-like symptoms of an infection have subsided, they felt like their body never recovered. However, CFS is not an effect of infections. There is evidence that suggests that illness is an autoimmune condition. When a person has chronic fatigue, their immune system is at work for long periods of time, attacking particular tissues in the body.

Age, Sex, Race

CFS is also more common among women than men. A woman is diagnosed twice as often than men, but that may be because women are more likely to report their symptoms to a general practitioner. Although the illness can strike anyone, regardless of age, chronic fatigue is also more commonly experienced by people who are 15 years old and older. Federal authorities in the United States estimate that one to eight of every 1,000 Americans above the age of 18 have CFS. This is more common among African-Americans and Latintos, but less common among Asian-Americans.

Childhood Trauma

Previous studies have linked childhood trauma to a higher risk of CFS. In one study, over 100 individuals, 43 of whom had been diagnosed with CFS, took a test that assessed for the five types of childhood trauma: emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and emotional and physical neglect. For each type of childhood trauma, the risk of CFS increased by 77%. Those who had been diagnosed with CFS had a higher overall trauma score. While not all CFS sufferers had experienced childhood trauma, those who did also have worse symptoms.

Another study involving 237 adults, half of whom had CFS, also reported a history of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse during childhood. The study found that those who had a history of childhood trauma are six times more likely to develop chronic fatigue syndrome later in life.

Genes andOther Conditions

CFS is not contagious, but it can be passed on from parent to child. According to several studies, the genes responsible for activating the immune system are more likely to be turned on among those who have chronic fatigue syndrome, even if there is no threat present. Several health conditions are also associated with CFS. People with major depression, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel symptoms, interstitial cystitis, chronic tension headache have also reported experiencing CFS.

Chronic fatigue disorder is still pretty much a mystery, but it can be combated. After diagnosis, your medical practitioner might refer you to medication to decrease symptoms or cognitive behavioral therapy to help you overcome the illness.

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Argentina

Best Summer Wines for You

Its summer, it’s hot, and you want to go to the beach and have a nice splash in the sea. Meanwhile, some of us would prefer staying indoors since not every one of us like soaking in the hot and fiery sun. Both would be much more enjoyable with a nice glass of wine in hand, sipping the heat away with our favorite beverage. Most people would opt rosé over red since the weather is starting to heat up, which is understandable.

There is this notion that red wines are more suitable to drink in winter which is understandable. However, if red is your all-time favorite, you shouldn’t choose other wines since there are red wines that are suitable for the summer heat.

In reality, even in summer, as opposed to what a lot of people say, red wines have traits that are suitable even in the hot weather. Red wines are best when chilled at the right temperature, which is excellent if you want to ease the humidity of the air. Along with low tannin and alcohol levels, you could surely indulge a little bit more without getting wasted and missing out on all the fun in the sun.

But still, choosing the best wine would be bothersome and exhausting, after all, there are a lot of them out there, so here are a few suggestions for you to try in Sokolin’s Wine Rating.

Barbera

With black cherry flavors with peppery-licorice flavors, along with a zesty finish, this wine is perfect for outside dining in a summer evening. This wine is also ideal for those people who don’t like fruity wines with a jammy texture.

Beaujolais

Sipping this wine delight is a wonder to behold as its taste would make you think of blueberries, violet atmosphere, with a little bit of loamy sand, enough to make you feel of a luscious garden of berries. Along with an excellent taste and aroma, it could also come as affordable as the average price for a bottle is $20.

Cinsault

Imagine someone throwing in a bunch of red berries in a blender; the outcome would be a red and fruity flavor and texture. The taste of this wine is acidic with a floral aroma that could counter its boisterous cherry flavor.

Frappato

This wine is a real masterpiece that came from Sicily, and still, it is underappreciated. The flavor is a mixture of candied oranges and raspberries with a low tannin level for easy drinking. This wine is a perfect pair for relaxing after having a fun time under the sun.

Nerello Mascalese

Another Sicilian treat with a lot of fruitiness and gritty texture, like the volcano where its grapes grow. This enjoyable delight has a severe tone into it, full with sour cherries, currants, and wild strawberries, this wine would surely be an adventure for you.

Gamay

Typically made from Burgundy, this French wine is used for a well-known autumn wine that is Beaujolais Nouveau. Gamay is light to drink, and it appeals to a lot of aromas such as cherries, black peppercorns, and dried fruit.

Tempranillo

This wine was made from a grape that was once commonly thought as a relative of pinot noir grape. This wonderful grape is often included in the mixture to create Rioja. When used solely to create wine, it produces lean wines and light. Cerro Anon Reserva and Rodei Tinto Rioja are great examples of wine made from the Tempranillo grape.

Nebbiolo

This intensely aromatic wine is created from a wine that is almost exclusively grown in the Piedmont region in Italy. The grape is used to create wines that are rich in flavor and taste like Barolo and also used to create lighter ones with big fruity flavors and spiciness.

Party Malbec

Made by an Argentinian winemaker Matias Riccitelli, this excellent wine was made with an unoaked style that emphasized on violet floral fragrance and black cherry flavors that is perfect with every meal with red meat in it. Summer is no excuse in missing out on the red meats, and what would possibly be a great companion in eating meats but having a great wine of Party Malbec in your glass after an exhausting but fun time on the beach with your friends and family.

Takeaway

Summer is a season of fun and adventure under the hot sun. After all the tiring activities like swimming in the sea, barbecue, road trips or even sunbathing, it would be nice if you have an excellent wineglass in your hand filled with your preferred red wine. Choosing the right wine would require you to do a lot of research and experimentation but at the end of the day, finishing a blissful day filled with fun with a perfect wine in your hands is the best.

Author Bio

Scarlett Wells is a freelance writer and wine enthusiast. She is an active critique examining all levels of wine types so she can produce reviews and articles that will help guide every consumer in selecting the right kind of wine to drink. Aside from that, she wrote a lot of blogs maximizing the real usage of wines. In her free time, she readsa lot about food and beverage pairing in order to help her become an effective mentor inspiring everyone to maintain a fit and fab lifestyle.

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Fashion

Designer Spotlight : Anne Poon

Anne Poon’s jewellery presents the concept for how to integrate the new and old materials with a refreshing & simplistic design approach. It is not just about making new beautiful things with new materials, it is more about going back to the wild vintage stores, old bead stores and reviving these forgettable, discontinued but treasurable gems. Simply because for one reason: they arouse imaginations. They deserve better, and she wants to bring these inspirations back to life.

Here, she tells us more…

When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?
I don’t remember exactly when- I just started making jewellery back in 2005 as an outlet to unleash my creativity- at some point I designed so much that I just decided to launch a website to share my passion. And then the response was good and that encouraged me to keep going.

Whats your background?
My background is in Architecture and I am still practicing as an architectural designer. My past experiences have involved different building types, from high rise tower, hotel, villa to now single family custom home. Somehow it seems very different from jewellery design but indeed it shares some similarities, like understanding human scale, proportions, texture and aesthetics. It strikes a very good balance to me.

How many people are involved in the company and what are their roles?
There is no one else- I play every role from design, sourcing, making, styling, photographing, marketing and the packaging. I learn a great deal from every single aspect and I strongly believe this is very important for a designer to understand this entire process. But of course I really hope someday I don’t have to do them all!

If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently?
I would have started my business without a full time job. Though I am still treating my business like a hobby, I have no regrets on that and intend to keep that vibe going. Or else I won’t be able to stay true to myself.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced since you started the company?
A few…I suck at marketing; this is the biggest challenge to me, I just have a super thin skin. I constantly have to remind myself from switching a designer position to a business woman position.

Tell us one fact about you that people wouldn’t know?
can’t wear my earrings cos I don’t have my ears pierced anymore. They were pierced when I was a kid and found they were super annoying from not getting infected. From time to time, people always have the same reaction when they discover I don’t have my ears pierced.

To date, what has been the highlight since launching?
The highlight has been invited to a jewellery exhibition show in Milan this February and also being interviewed by House of Coco Magazine! The Milan show was a three days exhibition with other 120 designers from everywhere in the world. It was very touching when you see your works being seriously treated like an art work in the gallery. That moment I dropped a tear and thought ‘wow, look at what you did.’

Which city do you feel most at home in, London, Paris or New York?
I don’t think I have spent enough time in the above cities to make that call, though I always crave to go back to know better. A homey feeling is another story. Besides my origin, Hong Kong, I would say San Francisco (currently my residence) feels mostly my home.

Three beauty products you can’t leave the house without?
Powder Blush, eyebrow brush and eye cream.

Style means….?
Style means just being yourself, I also feel to stay true and be able to understand yourself is very important.

Best thing about London to you?
The art & the history, AND Alexander McQueen.

Statement shoe or statement bag?
Neither, I care more a jewellery piece than bags or shoes. Sometimes I feel like I am a dude who just wants to walk out the house with an iphone and a credit card.

If you had to, what piece of clothing from your wardrobe would you wear everyday?
Jumpsuit, that’s a no brainer.

Favourite love song?
Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. It is not really a love song, but I switch my favourite love song all the time.

Best place for a coffee?
The best coffee will take place at my good friend’s place or just home-made by my hubby.

Most memorable piece of advice given to you?
Don’t listen to people’s advices; all you need to listen is your heart.

Guilty pleasure?
Spend an afternoon on a stack of art/fashion/design magazines, complement with a giant bag of the Japanese Calbee BBQ potato chips, just lie on my couch and do nothing else.

In future, how do you plan on expanding the company?
Since I suck so much in marketing & business development, I need to either find a business partner or beat myself up to work on it.

Find out more…

Website: www.annepoon.com

Instagram: @capoon

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France

5 Tips to a Successful Fasnacht in Basel Switzerland

If you tend to associate the word ‘carnival’ with warm weather, palm trees, and Caribbean islands, it’s time to consider a few other options, especially if you happen to live in Europe. Every year, Basel welcomes over 100,000 tourists to Fasnacht in Basel Switzerland – Europe’s largest (historically) Protestant carnival. #TeamCoco’s travel and food writer, Eulanda Osagiede is sharing why Basel’s Fasnacht may be one of the few cold-weather carnivals to get you booking your ticket today.

Basel is located near the German border of Switzerland, hence their use of Swiss German as the national language. However, using English or French will serve visitors to the city sufficiently.

Fasnacht runs for three consecutive days the week after Ash Wednesday, commencing with the spectacular Morgensteich; where the lights of the city are replaced by the glow of beautifully designed lanterns. Thousands of masked performers carry these lanterns through the streets of Basel at the command of drum majors.

This year’s Fasnacht will be held the 3-5 March, so wrap up, put on your dancing shoes….better yet, your wellies since it’s likely to snow or rain.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most of Fasnacht:

1. Embrace the Confetti

Mounds of festive and colourful bits of paper are everywhere. In local tradition, the maskers that man the floats will shower onlookers with flowers, sweets, and plenty of confetti.

However, it’s not only thrown from floats, children and adults of all ages will surprise an unsuspecting onlooker with a generous handful on top of their head, or down the back of their jacket if they don’t move quickly enough.

It’s difficult to avoid, so don’t attempt to, because your efforts to do so will be laughable at most– trust me. When I returned home from three days of celebrations, my husband helped pick varying sizes of colourful bits from my hair for two days straight. I could have been a revamp of a life-sized 80’s doll. Push her button and confetti shoots from her head.

2. Learn to Dance in the Dark

If you’re attending Morgenstreich at 4 am on Monday (which I highly suggest you do), get ready to move your feet quickly as small processional groups (known as cliques) seemingly appear out of thin air throughout the alleys, passageways, and streets in the city.

It will be your job to move out of the way, so be ready with a few twirls here and there. You could be standing still in a passageway, mesmerised by one large group marching through the streets in their cliques, and the very next minute, you’re quickly moving out of the way for several small groups coming your way in varying directions. Brush off those moves, and get comfortable with dancing in the dark.

Make sure to have your cameras sans flash, as it distracts the masked performers.

3. Know Your Left from Your Right

One fascinating aspect of Fasnacht is the array of heavily satirised political messages displayed on floats, props, and lanterns.

Even if you’re not fluent in the Basel dialect that most Fasnacht signage is written in, it’s quite easy to ascertain the humour, irony, and sometimes parody behind the messages.

Left or right? It doesn’t matter, every side has a place in Fasnacht’s parodical spectrum. After seeing lanterns with caricaturistic representations of Brexit and the American presidential election, you wonder if your own home country should adopt the approach of some of the biting wit of Fasnacht.

4. Eat All the Food

Basel’s primary food culture is a distinct fusion of Swiss, German, and French influences. Traditional Fasnacht specialities include Basler flour soup, cheese & onion tarts, Basler Leckerli (gingerbread style biscuits), and the thumb-length, hazelnut-filled sweets known as Mässmogge.

Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the abundance of raclette, fondue and rostis. However, if you prefer to start your Basel journey with a coffee, head to the Instagram-worthy Cafe Fruhling in Kleinbasel, after starting your day indulging in a lush breakfast spread at Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel.

5. Stay Outside of the City Centre

That is if you want to get some sleep. If you roll with the ‘no sleep’ crowd, you’ll be in perfect company. I stayed at Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel, which was a ten-minute tram ride away from the city centre.

Although the majority of footfall happens nearer to Marktplatz in the city centre, I often found myself woken up to piccolo and drum music throughout the early hours of the morning.

I couldn’t help but groggily laugh every time it happened, however, not everyone may find it so pleasant. The Fasnacht musicians practice year-round in preparation for the festivities, so it’s safe to say, don’t come to Fasnacht if you’re not ready to hear a vibrant mix of piccolo, drum, and occasional Gugge (brass band) music for a consecutive seventy-two hours.

Discover more about Switzerland’s allure in this captivating article on Switzerland’s divine beauty.

Three Best Days of the Year?

Fasnacht is a riot of colour, textures, sounds, and beaming spirits. Despite its marked difference from warm weather carnivals and festivals of a similar nature, Fasnacht has its unique place among the brood due to its creative mix of history, humour, and satirical connection to current global events.

No wonder Baslers hail Fasnacht as “die drei scheenste dääg” (the three best days of the year). Like all carnivals around the world, Fasnacht is a beautiful celebration of local culture and community– a festivity that we can all raise our glasses to.

Three-night stay in Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel begins at £350. For more information visit www.swissotel.com/hotels/basel. Before booking accommodation, ask your hotel if they are along the parade route if you’re concerned about undisturbed sleep.

Direct flights from London to Basel on Easyjet start at £42. For more information head to www.basel.com

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Boss Boys

#BossBoy Interview with Robin Waite Talking All Things Coaching and Beyond

Robin Waite is a Business coach who flips the script, one that doesn’t fit in to the slick, sharp suited, maybe a little flash stereotypical coach box.

That’s not his style.

He believes that what you say is more important than how you dress – and he’s more interested in delivering real results than impressing you with his image. It was this ethos that made him stand out to us here at House of Coco and we had to go along to find out more. His coaching approach is different as he combines creativity with logical, analytical and objective thinking to help you see your business in a fresh light. To us, Robin sounds like a breath of fresh air. Here’s what we chatted about…

Tell us about the journey you had which lead to you becoming a coach?
I originally trained as a systems analyst but saw an opportunity to start up my own marketing agency in 2004. We grew that business through the recession up until 2016 when I fell out of love with the business. I ended up having a breakdown and needed a shift in direction. It was during that period and the birth of my second daughter, Sophie, that I took 3 months off, spoke to several mentors and founded my coaching practice, Fearless Business. I recognised so many “symptoms” in other business owners that I had experienced in myself during my marketing agency days that I realised I could help other people avoid the burn out I’d experienced by getting more focused on product, pricing and sales.

People hiring coaches is still quite a new thing in the UK, unlike the US, for anyone on the fence, what advice would you give for anyone thinking about hiring you?
Whether it’s me or another coach, it’s worthwhile taking the time to do your due diligence. The coaching industry is totally unregulated in the UK, and so the market is filled with sharks. If you’re looking for a coach, ask for references, look at their qualifications and/or experience, what industries they’ve worked within, the results they get with their existing clients and how generous they are with the value they offer.

Personally, I’ve invested £10,000s into my own coaches and mentors. I can safely say that this investment in education is one of the best I’ve ever made.

What does 2020 look like for you?
We’ll be expanding the Fearless Business coaching team and scale the Accelerator program up to enrol 10+ students per month. We’ve niched down quite heavily on who we want to help so having a selection process for clients means that we get the best results for those who successfully apply.

For me personally, enrolling more coaches means I can step back from day-to-day delivery and focus on business growth and development, and take a bit of time out to go surfing.

Looking back on your career, is there anything you would have done differently?
I wish I’d started my first business sooner. When I finished A-Levels in 2000 starting a business was alien and I didn’t know what else to do aside from go to University. That ended up being quite costly financially and I feel I missed the dot com boom. However, we did ride the crest of the wave when we did finally set the agency up in 2004 during my final year at Uni.

I’d strongly encourage anyone in school, leaving school or considering Uni to think about starting up their own business. There’s no better time than now!

I certainly don’t regret selling my agency but at the time it was the right thing to do, in handing it over to someone who had the energy to take it on and grow it again.

Personally, I am always trying to encourage people to earn beach money where they don’t just exchange time for money. How do you advise people on this?
We encourage our clients to charge based on outcomes and results, no matter what they do. In short, you need to be able to work out the return on investment that your clients will get through working with you and charge accordingly. Unfortunately, most people fear rejection, and so they force their conversion rates up by dropping their prices. This means they end up on the “sales cycle of doom” – too many clients and not earning enough money. A good conversion rate is 1 in 5 up to 1 in 3, any higher than 30% and you are likely pricing yourself too cheaply.

However most small business owners struggle to articulate their value. Which means they don’t know how to explain their offer which means they struggle to sell their products/services. So we encourage/help our clients to refine their offer/product, increase their prices and sell “packages” instead of hours and finally nail down their sales process.

You have a 12 week accelerator programme that has helped people get amazing results. Who is this suited to?
The Fearless Business Accelerator is designed for anyone who sells a time-for-money service, but more specifically coaches, consultants and freelancers. Provided they are already getting leads in their business we teach our students how to maximise those opportunities when they pop up.

What advice would you give for any aspiring coaches out there?
It’s called a coaching “practice” for a reason, so you need to just start coaching and get practice. We always recommend new coaches run their first three clients for free in exchange for testimonials, case studies, and reviews. It also means the pressure is off financially on both parties and allows the budding coach to grow as a coach, work out their own style and understand who they can help and the sort of results their clients can expect.

From there, then refine your coaching programme, introduce a starter package (focussed on the transformation and outcome) and then start learning sales. You should be a sponge about all things sales!

You offer a free discovery call, what are you looking for when you have your initial chats?
We are looking for prospects who are passionate about what they do, we look at how much determination they’ve got to achieve their own goals. We are NOT interested in people who are looking for silver bullet marketing tactics, quick wins or for Fearless Business to get them clients. That’s not what we do. When we enrol a client they understand that they are investing in their education as a coach around growing a successful coaching practice. Education which they can’t un-learn, hence why it is an investment of both time and money.

If you weren’t a coach, what do you think you would be doing?
I can’t imagine doing anything else other than coaching! I’ve got plans to write a couple more books, so when I’m not growing Fearless Business I’m either writing, surfing or cycling or spending time with my girls.

Find out more…

You can find out more about me personally at https://robinwaite.com or we’ve got a ton of free resources available at https://fearless.biz – If you’d like a free copy of Robin’s bestselling book, Take Your Shot, you can head on over to https://fearless.biz/tyspromo/ and apply for your copy. In the UK we’ll send you a paperback, if you’re overseas you’ll be able to get a PDF download of the book.

We’ve got a great FB community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnlineBizStartup/

And if LinkedIn is your thing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinmwaite/

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