This week we invite you to enjoy the ride.

You won't find many people who disagree with the truth that we are living through a particularly challenging period. The roller-coaster of financial markets is not as attractive as the ride at Ocean Park. The vegan argument is growing stronger with tainted milk, eggs and now meat.

Stress is a fact of life. Whether we are moving job or moving house or moving country or expecting a first baby, even positive change brings on uncertainty of every flavor. Mixing the ingredients of uncertain income and home and food safety creates a particularly potent cocktail.

It is what we do with stress that makes all the difference. Garbage makes an effective fertilizer for growth, when it is properly composted and applied with attention. Tension is the fuel that wins god medals and leads people to the top of their game. Health challenges always lead to a lifestyle change. A decision has to be made and it's one that is made over and over to create a new habit. Start by joining the Walk for the Harbour this Sunday.

How we manage stress makes the difference between a successful transition and a difficult one. While the temptation is powerful to escape into alcohol or work or blame, there is much to be said for the discipline of relaxation. It requires effort to shut off the news, computer, radio and phone and indulge in a creative hobby or favorite movie or good book. Exercise is a proven therapy for relieving anxiety and brings the added bonus of satisfaction. For some, a trip to the spa or a time out is just what the doctor ordered. When it all becomes a bit too much to handle on your own and your friends have enough on their own plate, a professional coach or counsellor or therapist has the tools and experience to provide that extra bit of support. It might be time to reconsider the benefits of health food or organic food at home and at a restaurant.

The good news is that, like the amusement park ride, what goes down always comes back up again.

Its up to you -- how will you enjoy the ride ?

Listen to your own heartbeat.

PS Tomorrow is the deadline to sign the HK Air Quality Standards Petition

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Promote your company or service in our popular natural guide for life in the fast lane, The Hong Kong Natural Life Directory. Unlike a read-and-tossed serial publication, this highly regarded guide is carried in handbags & briefcases, kept handy in office & kitchen drawers & on coffee tables to be used over and over again. It has become a popular reference with concierges at Hong Kong's top 5-star hotels, including the Mandarin Oriental, The Four Seasons and The Island Shangri-la. Recipients include our membership plus major corporations, relocation companies, media owners, property agencies, business associations, popular shops and bookstores. This comprehensive directory of businesses, professionals and organizations offering natural lifestyle products and services in Hong Kong includes complete contact details with a short introduction for each. It has become a handy source of reference, offering readers the opportunity to purchase products and services from a unique and valuable network of business professionals. Our rates are reasonable and exposure is high, with additional exposure on the heartbeat website in the form of a business profile page.

ENQUIRIES : Connections Unlimited T +852 8108 8297 E connect@respond123.com  [ profile page ]

[ Connections Unlimited ]

ENQUIRIES : Friends of the Harbour T +852 2845 8138 E

[ www.friendsoftheharbour.org ]

Hong Kong has commissioned consultancy company Ove Arup to investigate how the city's Air Quality Objectives should be changed and to collect public opinion on this issue before October 31. Add your voice to others who are calling on the Hong Kong government to start grading air quality with the same standards that the World Health Organisation uses and to draw up a plan with a firm timetable that will ensure that Hong Kong people can breathe clean and safe air. Since it was devised in 1987, the Hong Kong government's Air Quality Objective (AQO) has neither been reviewed nor updated to match World Health Organization standards. The AQO is used as the guideline for city planning, environmental impact assessments and is the basis of the published 'Air Pollution Index'. Only when the government revises the AQO can air quality improvement measures be brought up to date so that we have a chance at cleaning up Hong Kong's polluted air.

Sign the online petition before 31 October 2008

OSLO (Reuters Mon Oct 27, 2008) - The world could eliminate fossil fuel use by 2090 by spending trillions of dollars on a renewable energy revolution and investments would be repaid by savings in fuel costs, the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and environmental group Greenpeace said on Monday. The 210-page study is one of few reports -- even by lobby groups -- to look in detail at how energy use would have to be overhauled to meet the toughest scenarios for curbing greenhouse gases outlined by the U.N. Climate Panel. EREC represents renewable energy industries and trade and research associations in Europe. A more radical scenario could eliminate coal use by 2050 if new power generation plants shifted quickly to renewables. Solar power, biomass such as biofuels or wood, geothermal energy and wind could be the leading energies by 2090 in a shift from fossil fuels blamed by the U.N. Climate Panel for stoking global warming. The recommendations would involve big job-creating investments that could help counter the financial crisis ... read article

By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent

[ watch The Energy [R]evolution video ]

A-Z for everything natural in Hong Kong ... check it out now

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