Restless Legs Syndrome - Very Cool Video!

Had to add this short addition to our blog as we think this is Ooo!

Do you suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome or know someone that does? Sometimes called 'Childrens Legs' it affects millions of people in the UK. This clever ad designed to bring attention to the disorder is brilliant. Guaranteed you'll love it.

Take a look.... http://www.leeanddan.com/restlesslegs.html

Are Our Children Suffering From 'Nature Deficit Disorder' ?..

We have ADD, ADHD and now we have NDD. Yes we now have Nature Deficit Disorder. Not a scientific medical term but a term introduced to highlight a cause and possible therapy to many disorders diagnosed in children today. Having read a little about this assigned disorder and thought about how children live today i actually think there is some truth in it.

I for one, now in my mid 30's, spent my childhood tromping through the great outdoors getting muddy, playing in trees and enjoying outdoor sports. It made me appreciate my immediate environment, helped keep me healthy and taught me valuable lessons about nature hands on. Now all grown up i look around at kids today and realise, sadly, how much things have changed.

Today’s kids are more likely to know about global environmental perils, that they are told about, than physically experiencing the wonders of the outdoors within a short distance of their homes which creates a deeper and lasting understanding. They completely understand Tomb Raider, Need For Speed and other far more complicated video games but have no familiarity with lifeforms they might find crawling around on the ground in their gardens, or with the processes of nature.

Not only is being outdoors FUN and many of us so called 'Baby Boomers' can vouch for that, but there are also huge benfits to be gained that kids now are lacking and in some cases are suffering because of it. They are 'estranged' from the natural world and missing an important part of healthy human development which may be at least partially to blame for the seemingly epidemic cases of obesity, depression, and learning and behavior disorders in children today.

Our brains are naturally set up for a nature-oriented existence that has been innate in all of us for thousands of years. The brain is strong and flexible, so a majority of kids adapt fairly well to today’s overstimulating environment. But the rest don’t. Perhaps increasing childrens exposure to nature-based activities and education may provide at least a partial remedy for these conditions which blight modern, western societies. Many parents are happy for a quick fix in the shape of a pill without exploring alternatives, some try everything and still have to go with the chemicals but many don't even want to try. The answer to their problems may be a step outside the back door. A FREE therapy for ADD/ADHD!

Today our kids’ access to (and motivation toward) nature-based activities is in much shorter supply. The disappearance of open spaces, the rise of 'Cyber Entertainments', the increase of safety concerns, the introduction of longer school hours and busy, two-wage-earner family lifestyles are all obstacles. However, with a little effort even at weekends to get outside away from the games, the tv, the junk food every child can enjoy what nature intended. They will become more environmentally aware, more appreciative of looking after their environment and it may even be a Great Therapy for helping with little Johnnys problems.

This is one case when perhaps we should follow the Americans. A 'Back To Nature' Movement is blooming across the nation funded by private and public services. So to make 'Nature Deficit Disorder' a thing of the past, before it becomes a formal diagnosis, we should all go outside. Even if it means rain and mud, it's fun and it's healthy and if you want everyone to sleep soundly there's no better remedy.

HAVE FUN!

Top British Icons (or things that we associate with being a very British affair)

On a complete aside we need to GIVE IT UP for Luciana who flew to Number 2!, YES Number 2 in the UK charts with her collaboration with Bodyrox. Thanks to everyone who showed their support by buying the superb single and requesting the airplay. Looking forward to her next punk edged offering to mainstream music!

Seeing as the Queen gave her speech about Britain this week and Lucianas artwork pays homage to Icons of our time we thought that we would delve into constructing a list of the British icons of all time. We all know what it means to be British and there are some things that exclusively belong to us. It can be anything, breathing or otherwise as long as it is BRITISH and it is an icon. So here goes, a few at a time and if you have any to add just post us a comment.

1. The Monarchy - (yes i know other countries have monarchies but ours is steeped in history and there is no other monarchy like it. The Royal Family add historical Britishness to Britain)
2. Fish & Chips - (Can't beat it. If you allow yourself 1 'cheap night' every week (by that we mean going away from normal healthy stuff) then battered cod, chips, mushy peas and ketchup has to be eaten).
3. The Bowler Hat - (conjures up an instant image of Britishness)
4. Cricket - (Originally a VERY British affair now every other countries poached it and are thrashing us)
5. Tea - (The good old British cuppa. Battles were won and lost around a cup of tea. If you didn't already know here's how to make a proper cup of tea - To make a proper cup of tea, you need a china or earthenware teapot; fill the kettle with freshly-drawn water and bring it to the boil. WARM THE POT by pouring in some of the boiling water, swishing it around then emptying it again. Purists will insist on loose tea but good quality teabags are acceptable - the traditional "one for each person and one for the pot" will stain your cups for life! I prefer mine a bit less violent - about 3 spoons (or bags) between four people. Bring the water back to boil and pour it onto the tea immediately. Leave the tea to brew/mash/stand - depending on where you live - for about five minutes. Gently give it a stir and leave for another minute for the tea leaves to settle again, then pour it out - but put the milk in the cup first! If you use loose tea, you might want to use a tea-strainer ( a sort of mini-sieve designed for just that purpose.) Add sugar to taste, and drink and enjoy!)
6. The British Bobby - (Love 'em or hate 'em this is one of Britains most associated icons. A worthy, respected type of copper in the days when you could leave your doors open but the governments insistence on keeping this 'symbol of britishness' in modern day policing is increasingly ineffective against the changing face of crime, legislation and society)
7. English Pubs - (There is no other pub anywhere else in the world that can match the feel of a real English Pub. They don't need descriptions as if you have ever been in any of the many great ones all you have to do is close your eyes and imagine it. If they're not in England they're not an English Pub!)
8. 'Rule Brittania' - (James Thompson and Thomas Arne immortalised the woman that is Brittania in this rousing national song of strength and unity still sung with passion today)
9. The Carry On Movies - (Fabulous! Everything about it oozed British comedy and satire. Nowhere else in the world has one cast, (Hattie Jakes, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Williams, Sid James et al) made so many classic comedy films)
10. James Bond - (On the subject of movies... Only a Brit could ever play James Bond. My favourite? Sean Connery)
11. The Crossword - (Where else can you go in the world an see the population of the trains of a morning with their heads bowed trying to write answers to cryptic questions in a host of tiny little boxes. It makes you feel good if you completely finish onw though! The first Crossword appeared in the Manchester Guardian in 1929 & The Times followed suit in 1930)
12. The Red Telephone Box - (Only a few remain today but this classically British sight could be found on almost every street. Often mistaken for urinals by some passing gents, which gave them a familiar odour, they also became infamous for the place to find yourself a Raunchy Rachel or a Bouncing Betty amongst the many calling cards wallpapering the insides)
13. The Spitfire - (The plane that helped to win the war. Only a couple remain of this beautiful British aircraft. It's familiar sound can still be heard at airshows or if you're lucky and you happen to be in the area you could sometimes see one being flown near Nuffield airfield in Surrey)
14. The Mini - (Now this little pocket rocket had to be included somewhere. Not the hybrid Anglo-German model that graces the market today (although it is rather nice and very quick) but the basic, drafty, tiny original car that was epitomised in films such as The Italian Job. Nothing lokks as good with a Union Jack paint job!)
15, The Routemaster Bus - (A Big Red Double Decker, which swayed on the corners and had a Bus Conductor. Now even i remember going in a version of one of these. Ding! Ding! tickets please. "I'll get you Blakey!")
16. Wimbledon - (I love Wimbledon and it is Absolutely a completely British event. No other Tennis tournament, no matter how big, has the same pedigree and clas as Wimbledon. Played at the Lawn Tennis Club Of Great Britain this is the most prestigious, all grass Grand Slam tournament in the world. In fact it is THE most prestigious Grand Slam tournament in the world. Every player in the world wants to play at wimbledon, wants to win at Wimbledon. It is the ultimate Tennis Title. Where else can you eat strawberries and sip champagne and watch a bloody good day of tennis)
17. Rowing - (But only the kind of rowing accompanied by a Cox. Henley and The Annual boat Race is an excuse for the British to be British from head to foot).
18. The BBC - (The British Broadcasting Company, even the name has to be said with Britishness. From wartime speeches to the Blue Planet they have been making unforgettable television since the invention of television. In fact when you think of TV you think of the BBC. Oh, and they make Great Radio to.)
19. Baked Beans - (Heinz 57 because there are 57 varieties! We all ate them and most of us love them wither hot on buttered toast, inside a jacket spud or cold straight from the tin. They may make us a little bit windy and they have to be Heinz)
20. The Black Cab - (Still a familiar site in London with cabbies who know the streets like the backs of their hands. Did you know that cabs used to be horsedrawn and the law still states that they must carry a bail of hay (for the horses or if you fancy a munch...) They also have the turning circle of a horse and cart as oppose to normal cars which have the turning circle of the QE2 in comparison, able to swing around on a sixpence)

Well that's all for today, there are SO many and we don't have time to list them all today but we'll be back. Perhaps we'll broach another countries icons next time.