I received a copy of this book for review, read on to see my experience.
#BookReview All in Your Head: What happens when your doctor doesn’t believe you? by Marcus Sedgwick
My Review of “All in Your Head”
This book was a delightful read! I was not expecting the author to correlate chronic illness with famous authors pre-21st Century, but that’s what he did, and it worked. He also interviewed people from different countries that live with chronic illness, and in some cases have even separated themselves from society in order to better manage their condition. I have a rare congenital disorder and was eager to read this book because I have been there with doctors, and I know how it feels to be treated like a hypochondriac when you are truly suffering. Whatever your experience with illness, I recommend that you read this book. It is both entertaining and informative, and it left me feeling a lot less lonely than I did before.
About the Book
All In Your Head is about what happens when your doctor doesn’t believe that you’re ill. When they think you are imagining a serious ailment, or worse, faking it.
It’s the story of the stigma that goes with invisible illness, and of the strange places that chronic illness takes you. It’s the tale of bizarre treatments, and above all, the damage that’s created through other peoples’ doubts and indifference.
Yet, there is an epidemic of undiagnosed, hard-to-explain, and misunderstood illnesses in today’s world, with new illnesses such as long-COVID steadily emerging. It is often up to individuals to drive their own search for recognition and a diagnosis, a task that can prove challenging due to establishment scepticism and disinterest.
With honesty, and at times, dark humour, All In Your Head – from multiple award-winning author Marcus Sedgwick – explores how four simple words can make you question your sense of reality.
Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you buy books using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen and small, independent publishers!
I received the Resilience Alchemy card deck and guidebook for review. Read on to see my experience of working with this card deck.
#ProductReview Resilience Alchemy Tarot Cards
My Review
These cards are a delight to work with! They look beautiful, with pretty jewel colours that emit a gentle, loving energy. They are simple in design, and the card stock is substantial, making you want to touch and hold the cards. I used the guide book to decide on what kind of card reading to perform, and I used guidance from “The Overlook” card which suggested questions I could ask of the other cards for guidance on my situation. The reading that followed made a lot of sense, and you can see it another blog post before Christmas. I genuinely loved this card deck and I can see the connection to traditional Tarot cards in the way that they are grouped and ordered. If you are a little nervous about Tarot cards but want to explore the field of esoteric guidance, Resilience Alchemy is the card deck for you.
About Resilience Alchemy Card Deck & Book
A grounded yet enchanted, whimsical yet practical deck and guidebook set designed to offer support and guidance to anyone seeking to live an empowered, creative, and resilient life, from celebrated cut-paper artist Maude White.
Resilience Alchemy operates under a simple principle: In order to feel healthy and fulfilled, we might sometimes wish to rearrange and rethink certain aspects of our lives. Resilience Alchemy provides us with a toolset of ideas to help us do this rearranging and rethinking. Through the arrangement and combination of the cards in this deck, the alchemy of the system occurs. Each card is specially designed and chosen to help us in unique and innovative ways.
Whenever you find yourself unsure, expanding, struggling, or needing to ask tough questions, Resilience Alchemy is here to help you generate new answers and find innovative and empowering avenues forward in your life.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you buy books using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen and small, independent publishers!
I received a copy of this book for review, read on to see my experience.
The Queen of Wands: The Story of Pamela Colman Smith, the author behind the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
My Review for The Queen of Wands: The Story of Pamela Colman Smith, the Artist Behind the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck by Cat Willett
I loved reading this book, and the artwork is beautiful! I had not heard of Pamela Colman Smith before, and while I have worked with the Rider-Waite (Smith) Tarot for years, I never stopped to think about who designed and created the images on the Tarot cards. This book provided a colourful history of a woman who should be more widely known to students of both art and culture. The hardback version of the book would make a delightful gift and should lead to lively conversation about Pamela and the life she lived.
About the Book
Discover the life, work, and magic of Pamela Colman Smith, the visionary artist behind the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Deck, the most popular and renowned divination deck in the world.
With rich imagery, stunning colours, and an iconic place in the realm of divination, the Rider-Waite Tarot is perhaps the best-known deck in the world. Seasoned readers and fledgling diviners alike turn to these cards in search of inspiration, understanding, and even a hint at the future. But the story of their origin is less well known, with their brilliant creator’s name stripped away from them for decades. Now, for the first time, mystics, art-lovers, and fortune-tellers will uncover the magical story of Pamela Coleman Smith, rendered in full-colour illustrations by artist Cat Willett, and inspired by the work of Pamela herself.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you buy books using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen and small, independent publishers!
My daughters were excited to receive a Geomag Mechanics Challenge Strike game for review recently.
Here’s what they thought of it:
Geomag Mechanics Challenge Strike Game Toy Review
ToyReview: Geomag Mechanics Challenge Strike
E (age 11) – I like this game a lot, but I did get a bit cross when I was building it. Dad had to help me finish off when I couldn’t get the moving parts to stay in place. I love Geomag sets because they are fun to build, and you can play with them for ages.
G (age 9) –I like science and I like this toy because it got me to work with things that move, and it was fun building it so that we could play the game.
What Mum thought of the toy
This game looks fun and it kept my children entertained for a few hours on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Our cat also enjoyed playing with the moving parts, and it was cute watching her bat the magnets and make them swing round. If you enjoy family board games but want to try something a bit different, this is an ideal gift for Christmas that the whole family can enjoy.
About the Product
The Geomag (779) Mechanics Challenge Strike is available from Coolshop for £49.
Learning about the amazing world of magnets and mechanical construction with a super fun game in the Geomag Mechanics Challenge Strike! Build the construction first, and then be ready for hours of fun either alone or in competition with others, where precision, timing and dexterity are the key to victory. With as many as 185 individual parts, both the construction itself and the subsequent gaming experience are challenging and educational for everyone involved. For 1-4 players. From 7 years.
Product Review
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Note: I received the product in return for an honest review. This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!
Raising awareness about diabetes, World Diabetes Day, has rapidly grown to become an internationally acclaimed occasion. Proudly spreading the message around the world, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) plays a fundamental role in raising awareness for the condition that affects so many.
In this article we discuss symptoms of diabetes that affect many people but that can be managed with the right treatment and support.
World Diabetes Day with Oxford Online Pharmacy
World Diabetes Month: 5 Health Concerns That Affect Diabetic People
1. Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, otherwise known as ED, is a common concern among male diabetics. It is known that up to 75% of men suffering from diabetes will experience some degree of erectile dysfunction during their lifetime. Moreover, as men with diabetes age, the chances of experiencing erectile dysfunction significantly increase. There are treatment options available for erectile dysfunction that can help manage the condition more effectively.
2. Anxiety
The fear-consumed condition, known as anxiety, commonly causes discomforting and stressful emotions. The symptoms of anxiety can have a serious effect on a sufferer’s daily activities, as diabetics are 20% more likely to experience anxiety than those who are not diabetic. Having been diagnosed with diabetes, anxiety can develop in many ways. However, many diabetics may feel anxious about how their health condition will be received by others, even those closest to them. There are lots of treatment options available to manage anxiety, including medication that is available without prescription.
3. Depression
One of the least discussed symptoms of living with diabetes as a chronic health condition is a depression. Just like diabetes, the signs and signals for depression are extremely vague. However, diabetics are 3 times more likely to suffer from depression. Whether you are a diabetic, a family member of a diabetic or friend to a sufferer, you should be aware of the number of symptoms that may signal depression. Common symptoms include persistent sadness, anxiety, apathy, hopelessness, insomnia, weight change or negativity. Sometimes you can relieve symptoms of depression by boosting your intake of essential minerals and nutrients.
4. Excessive Female Facial Hair
Unwanted female facial hair may be a sensitive subject for the individual concerned. Different types of diabetes can increase the development of masculine hormones and therefore male characteristics, such as excessive facial hair. Female facial hair is not a serious health concern, however, for aesthetic reasons it can cause distress. A consultation with a pharmacist could help you to find suitable treatment options to relieve these unwanted symptoms.
5. Binge Eating
Binge eating is known as a type of eating disorder. This type of eating disorder compels individuals to overeat, leaving them powerless to be able to control their intake of food. Binge eating can result as glucose levels rise and fall. Therefore, when a diabetic’s blood sugar level rises, there is often not enough insulin in the blood to control the levels, leaving the sufferer feeling tired and hungry. This results in the desire to eat again, leading to a binge. Some people find that weight loss pills could help manage binge eating but remember to consult your pharmacist or local health specialist for qualified support.
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Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!
If you want a happy dog, then you need to take care of its health. A dog, like a human, has special needs and requirements that need to be met in order to live a healthy life. If you do not take care of these things, your dog can get ill, become listless and depressed, and even need medical help. Obviously, you will want to avoid this, and vets bills are not cheap either, as if you needed more incentive.
So, let’s take a look at some ways you can protect your dog’s health.
One of the first things you need to do is register with a vet. It is worth speaking to the vet and finding out about any special requirements and medicines your particular barren might need. All dogs are different, and just because you have had a dog before in past does not mean that you know how to look after this one.
Vaccinations
A puppy, like a baby, needs vaccinations to protect it from common illnesses. The last thing you want is for your fur baby to come down with a preventable illness. Additionally, there are other medications that you will regularly need, like flea and worm medications. You will probably need some tick ointment too, especially if you go walking a lot in the countryside where there is long grass. So be aware, Some ticks carry terrible diseases like Lyme disease. So be careful.
Training
Properly training a dog is very important for its health. First, if you don’t train a dog, it can run out into the roads or disappear off when you are out and about. It may become hazardous to other people, and in a worst-case scenario, it may bite a child and have to get put down. An untrained dog is likely to be unruly and get overexcited, meaning it can smash its legs and shoulders when it excitedly enters and exits a car. Over time an untrained dog who does this will develop joint issues like arthritis and become hobbled up with pain. You must train your dog, and to do it effectively, it has to be started while it is a puppy. So, go to obedience school if you have to. An obedient dog will have a better life at the end of the day.
Nutrition
Dogs need good food, and despite what you may believe, they are not wholly meat eaters. They are, in fact, omnivores. They require a diet full of meat and vegetables. You may need to look up the best variation of diet for your dog or speak to your vet, but they need a vast range of minerals and vitamins, just like we do. When it comes to food, it is worth checking the labels type ensures that the largest ingredient in the food is meat and not some meat substitute, as protein is essential. Also, be careful not to give them too many treats and avoid giving them human food entirely. Some foods are particularly bad for dogs and can make them quite ill. If you get their food right, they will be healthier with a shinier coat and stronger teeth, among other things. So, do a little research and discover just what exactly is the best diet for them.
Exercise
Again, just like us, dogs need exercise. A simple walk around the block twice a day may not cut it either. Some dogs, especially Border Collies, need a minimum of two hours of exercise a day. That means going to a field and throwing a ball, so it can run. Walks are essential not only to keep dogs fit but they can explore their world and experience scents and sights that they are not used to. At the weekends, when you have a bit more time, take them out somewhere that they have never been before. A fit dog is a happy and healthy dog.
Grooming
Dogs need to be groomed a lot, too, so it is well worth getting a dog grooming kit. You will need to brush their fur once a day for some breeds. Again check the recommendations for your breed of dog to ensure you have got it right. Brushing their fur not only stops their fur from getting matted, but it can brush out parasites and other things lurking in the fur. It also stimulated the skin and removed dead skin cells. Blood rushes to the surface, cleaning and bringing nutrients to the skin’s surface too.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
I received a copy of this book for review, read on to see my experience.
#BookTalk The Hero of our Story by Edwin Faust
My Reviewof “The Hero of Our Story: A Commentary on Ramana Maharshi’s Vision of Reality”
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review, and while I thought it sounded interesting from the blurb, I found it a little underwhelming to read. It didn’t help that it discusses an old text that I have not read or even heard of before, but as I went along, I did find myself contemplating the questions that were asked in the book. This is more of a book for philosophers, but I did find some relevance to my interests along the idea of mind, body spirit. Not a favourite, but it was only a short book and didn’t take long to read.
About the Book
When we know who we truly are, rather than who we take ourselves to be, we will realize that we are indeed the hero of our story and that we need not look to others or the world to find our heart’s desire. The Hero of Our Story is intended to be a simple and accessible entry point for those interested in Ramana and the teachings of Vedanta — one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. A commentary on Ramana’s Sat Darshanam, each of the 42 verses from the text is presented and followed by commentary and discussion by the author.
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Note: I received the product in return for an honest review. This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!
I received the Drinkmate countertop soda maker for review, read on to see what I thought of the product.
Drinkmate Countertop Collection
My Reviewof Drinkmate
I have always wanted one of these, although I admit I hadn’t heard of Drinkmate in the UK until the company contacted me about providing a review. I knew of the other famous branded soda maker that was popular during my childhood in the 1980s, but my parents weren’t keen on fizzy drinks, so they were a rare treat.
Anyway, I received the Drinkmate soda maker with a CO2 cylinder and my younger daughter was immediately interested in the science of how it worked, since science is her favourite subject at school. She also loves fizzy drinks, so we knew she would love this product. We made our first fizzy drink using orange squash and tap water, nice and simple, and it made a very tasty fizzy orange drink for us. Then we tried it with apple & blackcurrant squash and my husband especially liked that variety. We decided to use the soda maker to create a spooky Halloween punch for our Halloween party at home, and it went down a treat!
I highly recommend the Drinkmate if you like gadgets and you like fizzy drinks. My children and I are having lots of fun mixing different flavours and colours and taste-testing our creations. Our Royal Red Drinkmate machine sits nicely in a corner of the kitchen looking sleek and stylish, and it is very easy and quick to use. One of my friends has a soda maker and they drink a lot of simple fizzy water, saving a fortune on buying the premade bottled stuff. I like a bit of flavour to my drinks but am reducing my caffeine intake, so I like to experiment with juices of different varieties. This product is a winner for our family!
About the Product
Carbonate your drinks at home with the Drinkmate countertop soda maker. Water, juices, iced tea or coffee, wine, cocktails, mocktails, and even flat soda or beer- the Drinkmate OmniFizz can add sparkle to all of them! Available in a variety of stylish colours and kits to suit your needs.
Free shipping on orders of £80+ (Mainland UK only)
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Note: I received the product in return for an honest review. This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!
I received a copy of this book for review, and since I am a Reiki Master Practitioner and Teacher, I was keen to read it.
See my review below.
Mindfulness Meditation and the Art of Reiki by Steve Gooch
My Review
As a qualified Reiki Master Practitioner and Teacher in the Japanese tradition, everything that the author discussed in his book made sense. He sounded a lot like my reiki teacher, and it was refreshing to learn insights about how we work with reiki energy in mindfulness and meditation practice, and how beliefs about reiki have changed over time.
For me, reiki is something that we learn to consciously feel, not something we switch on and off, and that is what is explained in this book. The author draws comparisons with Buddhism and ancient energy healing systems, and everything is well-referenced and supported so we can continue to explore the themes of mindfulness, meditation, and reiki practice.
About the Book
Beyond the concept of energy healing, the system of Reiki was engineered as a powerful spiritual development practice built on the bedrock of mindfulness meditation. Unpacking the esoteric Buddhist heart of the practice, this book will guide you to a more fulfilling, healthy and spiritually dynamic life by showing you how to approach the system from a mindfulness perspective. New information and insights into the methods, mechanics and philosophy of Reiki make this an essential read for anyone interested in the system’s original purpose.
As Reiki comes under increasing scrutiny over its health-supportive characteristics, now is the time to shine a light on its symbiotic relationship with mindfulness practice in helping to alleviate the suffering of the human condition.
Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you buy books using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen and small, independent publishers!
Accidents can arise just about anywhere and at any time, so you must be prepared should they happen. Whether it’s a cut, a burn or something a bit more serious, having a first aid kit can be the difference between a little and a lot of pain.
First Aid Kit healthcare supplies at Oxford Online Pharmacy
Here are some items we think you need in your first aid kit:
Antihistamine tablets to reduce swelling or symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Antiseptic cream to treat a wound.
Painkillers such as Nuromol 24 Tablets to limit the feeling of pain.
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Special Offer Discount Codes with trusted affiliate partners at SpookyMrsGreen.com.
Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!