Staff Maim Lab Mice with Ballpoints – Times Online

This article about the mistreatment of  lab mice from the Times Online was so disturbing, I knew I would not be able to handle the video.

The poor animals are suffering mainly to develop a competitor for Botox. Does this make any sense at all?

Apparently, the vet in charge of overseeing the test animals is a shareholder in the company.

I hope everyone, including  those of you outside the UK, will fire off an email of protest to Wickham Laboratories as I did. 

 Staff maim lab mice with ballpoints – Times Online.

Pain Lessens When Tai Chi is Included in Knee Exercises For Osteoarthritis

A new study proves pain lessens when tai chi is included in knee exercises for osteoarthritis and it improves function!

Researchers from the Tufts University School of Medicine followed 40 people with knee osteoarthritis. Their average age was 65.

Half the group participated in one hour long, twice weekly tai chi classes for 3 months. They were also asked to practice tai chi, which is a Chinese martial art, at home for 20 minutes a day.

The other group received information on osteoarthritis including information on diet and nutrition while attending one hour long, twice weekly sessions. They also practiced full body stretching exercises and were asked to stretch for 20 minutes a day at home.

At the end of the study, the tai chi group saw a substantial drop in knee pain compared to the other group. The tai chi group also experienced improvements in function, depression and health.

The authors note that though the exact mechanisms are not known for how tai chi may improve knee osteoarthritis, “synergy between its physical and mental components likely plays a major role. First, tai chi may enhance cardiovascular benefits, muscular strength, balance, coordination, and physical function. All of these are thought to be able to reduce joint pain.”

The results of the study showing pain lessens when tai chi is included in knee exercises for osteoarthritis is in the November issue of the journal Arthritis Care & Research.

Nostalgic Necco Candy Wafer Flavors Go All Natural

That’s right! The nostalgic Necco candy wafer flavors have gone all natural. Beet juice, purple cabbage, cocoa powder and turmeric are some of the natural ingredients now in the new wafers.

I had mixed emotions when I heard this news. I grew up with Necco wafers as millions of others did. Why change a good thing?

Apparently, the 162 year old New England Confectionary Company made the change in difference to the trend toward all natural products. Jackie Hague, the company’s vice president for marketing said prices will stay the same and consumers will notice little difference in taste, while the natural colors will give the candy a more muted, pastel appearance.

However, we will no longer see the green wafer since it was too hard to duplicate in the all natural process.

The new wafers are being phased into retail stores before Halloween and after Halloween.

This is one boomer who is anxious to do her own taste test. Necco candy wafer flavors may be all natural and I can live without the green ones but the gray ones better still taste the same!

Candy you ate as a kid® in assortments by decade. Fresh candy from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s… still available after all these years.

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