New Zealand Part One: Auckland
Auckland is as you might expect the largest city in an island nation sandwiched between the South Pacific islands and Australia. With about 1.3 million, out of about four million for the entire country, Auckland is what I expected: a bit laid back, a bit isolated, somewhat homogenous, and overall, clean, pretty and pleasant. On the plane, a native told me about the country, the Maori history and slang. I learned how to start to differentiate Australian and Kiwi accents, what the natural resources (natural gas, sheep, meat) are and how many Kiwis think. After a few days, I started to wonder ...
Iowa Next For Medical Marijuana?
An editorial in Iowa’s Quad City Times documented that Iowa Pharmacy Board voted unanimously that marijuana has medicinal properties and would benefit Iowans the way it does in the 14 states where medical marijuana is legal. The vote came after four public forums, which were precipitated by an American Civil Liberties lawsuit that urged public discussion of the matter, after the board declined to consider medical marijuana use in 2008. While there was concern that unregulated medical marijuana could surface in illicit drug trade, the board, which includes five pharmacists and one public member, all supported the use for medical purposes. The ...
The New Dairy Alternative: Hemp’s Future
A milk alternative hardly seems cause for protest or legislation but in the case of hemp, all of the above are justified. One might liken the resource as a criminal put in jail without a fair trial, convicted with DNA evidence, for the natural resource has the potential to be as successful as bamboo when it comes to sustainable resources used for food and textiles, as well as its potential as a source of biofuel energy. Trendcetera spoke to Christina Volgyesi, vice president of marketing and co-founder of Oregon-based hemp food company, Living Harvest, about hemp ice cream, farming legislation and Living ...
Skin Care Gratification: A Study in Patience & Vanity
Skincare is the perfect example of the modern consumer's lack of patience and eternal quest for instant gratification. In reality, no product heals infections overnight, eliminates lines completely or quells blemishes in a matter of days. There are some services, however, that either provide an instant glow or with ongoing use, plumper, calmer skin. Among these are the oxygen facial, something I experienced thanks to Aussie luxury skincare brand Intraceuticals. Started by serial entrepreneur Anthony McMahon, the brand fits in both the science-based and luxury skincare categories, and caters to a variety of concerns from lines associated with aging, to blemishes ...
Paints & Potions
Swiss, Aussie Companies To Certify Aboriginal Ingredients Fair TradeSwiss company Cosmetochem is planning to get two ingredients from Aboriginal crops...
Nature’s Gate Parent Files For Chapter 11
The parent company for Nature’s Gate and direct sales company, Arbonne International,...
Skincare is the perfect example of the modern consumer’s lack of patience and...
Fashion Week is upon us and yet we are still struggling to make ends meet, even those...
Many designers are inspired by African cultures but Rachel Roy is helping to create...
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Nutri-Life
Fibromyalgia Patients Considering Pot As PainkillerSome Fibromyalgia patients are looking to marijuana as a means to treating pain,...
A milk alternative hardly seems cause for protest or legislation but in the case...
Ben & Jerry’s has just given us one more reason to indulge in our favorite...
Starbucks, home of the dark roast and the key to regularity, most of all, The Third...
Supermarket company Fairway is reportedly negotiating a lease to open another location...
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Current Events
Are Our Cell Phones Made of Conflict Metals?Human rights campaigners are demanding that technology companies be honest with customers regarding the origin of metals in their products, reports The Ecologist. According to Global Witness, militia groups in the Republic of Congo control most of the mineral trade. The trade includes tin and gold, which is ultimately manufactured in mobile phones.... [Read more of this review]
S. Dakota May Put Medical Marijuana On Ballot
South Dakota is among a handful of states that might be the 15th state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. According to KSFY, the South Dakota Coalition for Compassion collected twice the signatures they needed to get state election officials to consider putting the issue on the ballot for the November election. Supporters mention its use for... [Read more of this review]
An editorial in Iowa’s Quad City Times documented that Iowa Pharmacy Board voted unanimously that marijuana has medicinal properties and would benefit Iowans the way it does in the 14 states where medical marijuana is legal. The vote came after four public forums, which were precipitated by an American Civil Liberties lawsuit that urged public discussion... [Read more of this review]
Military Stages A Coup In Niger
The military has overthrown the government of Niger, an African nation located north of Nigeria and sandwiched between Mali and Chad. According to Reuters, the junta staged a coup d’etat to push out President Mamadou Tandja. On state radio, this statement was announced: “The president of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy also... [Read more of this review]
Iran: “A Military Dictatorship?”
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that Iran is becoming a military dictatorship, according to BBC News. She said this while touring the region as she spoke to students at a local university. Sources say Clinton was there to help Saudi Arabia persuade China to stand against Iran’s nuclear objective. According to Clinton, Iran’s... [Read more of this review]
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