Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: toxic

  • HOW TO BREAK UP WITH FRIENDS

    HOW TO BREAK UP WITH FRIENDS

    From the beginning Hannah Korrel says she has written How To Break Up with Friends from a standpoint of a light-bulb moment when she realised at the tender age of thirty years, that friendship often equated to friendsh*t and something needed to be done about what consists of modern day expectations, what is truly considered as friendship and what in reality is nothing but people using people.

    Korrel says straight up that all friendship should be based on respect; with that come some standards, some expectations and should not be a one sided relationship that generally ends in hurt feelings or worse. Blunt observations of the human in full friendship mode is examined to discover what is and what is not considered as friendship or a friend, which in many instances can be confrontational, cathartic and let’s face, it rather sad.

    As readers we are encouraged to undertake the self-reflection sections presented throughout the book to help clarify some of the friendships in your life; to discover what or rather who is a true friend or who comes into the friendsh*t category, as well as why we consider the need to have so many friends in today’s world and are prepared to accept second and third best, let alone the occasional best, to stay in a toxic relationship.

    Case studies make very interesting and introspective reading, as within the context of the stories we see ourselves reflected back and cringe with the belated benefit of hindsight. They also provide some of those illusive answers that come under the avoidance tag, of questions we hesitate to ask of ourselves because perhaps we know the answers but are not prepared to accept what is plainly writ.

    Why Do We Put Up With This Crap or chapter 6, is an edifying chapter that looks at the mindsets that say, It’ll be my turn one day, that’s just the way it is, other people have it, why not me to name just a few, of which we a have all be guilty of thinking at some time or other when in a toxic friendship or relationship.

    Hannah Korrel is at great pains to point out this is not a short course in psychology, just a blunt, observant view, laced with a sometimes black sense of humour as well a standard humour, on what is considered as friendship and how to remove yourself from a friendsh*t, without feeling buckets of guilt.

    How to Break Up With Friends also helps understand the difference between good and bad friendships and physical and emotion impact they have on our lives. As the pages are turned and facts in nature of BS Bombs are revealed it also encourages you to consider what kind of friend you are; the very best of course, as you take the Notions to Wed yourself too, to heart and learn to always consider ‘good friends are worth their weight in gold for your health and happiness’.

     

  • Low Tox Life A handbook for a healthy you and a happy planet

    Low Tox Life A handbook for a healthy you and a happy planet

    Alexx Stuart and this book are guaranteed to become your very new best friends. Why, you may well ask? Because it is filled with the most down to earth information about making a difference, not just to the way you live your life, but to the environment and to people empowerment. You are being encouraged to make critical choices about making change, and by doing so making a serious and long term difference.

    In today’s world of microscopic examination of just about everything, the constant barrage of what is and is not good for you, the environment, genetic modification, allergies, illness and so very much more, become one huge, confusing blur. For anyone who is trying to use the right products, trying to make a difference, is concerned about what they are eating or feeding their families, somewhere along the way it all becomes too hard, because what they are trying to achieve is a bar set far too high, in a world that strives for perfection.

    Stuart sets out from the beginning to debunk the myth that you as single entity, cannot make a difference to your body, to your home, what you eat and most importantly to your mental health.  The reality is, you can make a huge difference by having an honest look at what you are buying, eating and wasting.

    As with many changes in life, it took a health crisis to make Stuart take a look at what she was putting on her skin, eating and purchasing, as well as the personal and financial cost of ill health. Her Ah Ha moment arrived when she took a serious look at what was in so many of the products she was purchasing and realised she was poisoning her system with the host of unexplainable chemicals listed on the packets and containers.

    Now at the forefront of the Low Tox movement she offers basic, down to earth advice on how to make the changes required and often desired; not in one massive rebirth but by slow and easily managed steps towards a cleaner healthier you, and by association, eventually a cleaner, healthier environment.

    One of the most important points reiterated throughout the book is, take it one step at a time and by doing so success will be achievable. As she says, nothing is perfect and therefor, keeping the changes real is the secret to success. Start by replacing one product and move on. Make the big changes slowly and reap the rewards.

    As a handbook to change there are chapters devoted to skin care, the natural and healthy way to go about looking after your skin, with suggestions and recipes to try out for scrubs, moisturisers. Remember there are great alternatives to the chemical products now in use for just about everything. Food, cookware and linen, all come under scrutiny with a host of wonderful suggestions, recipes and ideas that can and will make a difference.

    ‘Greenwashing’ comes under the microscope as well. In other words don’t believe everything listed on the labels, check it out for yourself. But most importantly, you can make a difference by making choices as to what you purchase. If the product is not low tox, environmentally friendly and produced ethically, simply choose one that is, as eventually the manufacturer will get the message via their bottom line.

    The final chapter and perhaps the most significant is Low Tox Mind looking at the simple pleasures of life such as connectedness, happiness, rest, relaxation, meditation and the joy of having made beneficial changes to your lifestyle.  A word of warning is issued in the five ways not to lose your friends as you try to convince them to make healthy changes in their life, without turning into a social pariah.

    As she strongly suggests, approach the changes with a sense of excitement, knowing that by making simple changes you are not only enhancing your life, but also helping to make the future a far better place for generations to come.

    YOU have the POWER to make serious and sustainable change; YOU are being encouraged to use it!