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Written by Tony @ The Car Clinic
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Monday, 15 March 2010 14:54 |
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Launched in1958 the Trabant has been
credited by historians as a key leading to the downfall of
communism. Produced by the East German automaker VEB
Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau, it was created by the
regime and following the footsteps of predecessors Henry Ford,
Austin and Ferdinand Porsche, as an inexpensive car for the people,
but its poor performance, dirty engine, odd interior and the
extremely long time it took to get one, often years not months,
only showed how centralized planning didn't work. Despite all this,
it had a 30-year production run with more than 3 million made.
Medieval German translates “Trabant” as a foot soldier or personal
guard, in Latin it means "traveller", the name was inspired by the
Soviet Sputnik and are often referred to as the Trabbi or Trabi. It
was the most common vehicle in East Germany, and was also
exported to countries both inside and outside the communist bloc.
The main selling point was that it had room for four adults and
luggage in a compact, light and durable shell. Despite its mediocre
performance and smoky two-stroke engine, the car is regarded
with derisive affection as a symbol of the failed former East
Germany and the fall of communism. For advocates of capitalism
it is often cited as an example of the disadvantages of centralized
planning as even refuelling the car required lifting the bonnet,
filling the tank with gasoline (only 6.5 gallons), then adding twostroke
oil and shaking it back and forth to mix. It was in production
without any significant changes for nearly 30 years with 3,096,099
Trabants produced in total.
Since it could take years for a Trabant to be delivered from the
time it was ordered, people who finally got one were very careful
with it and usually became skilful in maintaining and repairing it.
The lifespan of an average Trabant was 28 years. Used Trabants
would often fetch a higher price than new ones, as the former were
available immediately, while the latter had the aforementioned
waiting period, the longest wait recorded being ten years.
There were two principal variants of the Trabant, the Trabant
500, also known as the Trabant P 50, produced 1957-1963, and
the Trabant 601 or Trabant P 60 series, produced from 1963 to 1991,
which had a 1.1L VW engine introduced in 1990. The engine for
both the Trabant 500 and original 601 was a small two-stroke
engine with two cylinders, giving the vehicle to say the least, a
modest performance. At the end of production in 1989 it delivered
26 horsepower from a 600 cc displacement. The car took 21 seconds
from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) and the top speed was 112 km/h (70
mph). There were two main problems with the engine: the smoky
exhaust and the pollution it produced. Nine times the amount of
hydrocarbons and five times the carbon monoxide emissions of the
average European car of 2007. The fuel consumption was 7L/100
km (40 mpg)
In August 2009 it was announced that a new Trabant powered
by an electric engine will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show
with production starting if investment can be secured. The Trabant’s
designer Gustav Trabant is survived by his wife, Greta, and his son
and daughter, Robert and Mildred Trabant. The Trabants eventually
left Germany and relocated in the United States. |
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Written by Clare Gale
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Monday, 15 March 2010 13:45 |
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While many of us who have been facing the dark
and cold days of winter are looking forward to
the spring thaw, for allergy sufferers the change
in season comes with additional misery when the
pollen count begins to rise and hay fever takes
hold.
About 25 percent of the population suffers
from allergies, especially during the spring when
tree, grass and flower pollens, mold and other
particles are all carried in the air. It's important to
note that all allergies, whether they occur only in
the spring or year-round, are a reflection of an
impaired immune system.
While an immune reaction to a foreign
invader, such as a fever to kill a virus, is a sign of a
healthy immune system, when you have a strong
reaction to a whiff of grass or flower pollen your
immune system is over reacting. Symptoms
range from itchy eyes and throat, sneezing, runny
nose, sinus congestion, asthma, post-nasal drip,
headaches, foggy thinking, fatigue and even
diarrhoea. Many of these symptoms make up
what is known as allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.
You may be tempted to take an over-thecounter
antihistamine, decongestant or other
drug to get rid of allergy symptoms, but there are
other more healthy options that will address not
only the symptoms but also the underlying
cause.
Strengthen the Immune System
Strengthening the immune system is an
important step. Ideally, you should work on
having a healthy immune system well before
spring comes around so you'll be ready for allergy
season.
So how do you build up your immune
system? Eliminating sugars and grains from your
diet can help. Additionally, obtaining enough
sleep and exercise.
Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids
The essential fatty acids found in fish oil can
reduce both allergic and inflammatory response.
Consider Food and Chemical Sensitivities
If you tend to have allergies year-round with
increased symptoms around springtime you may
be suffering from a food or chemical sensitivity. If
you think a food allergy may be partly to blame
you could have a sensitivity test to determine
exactly what you are reacting badly to.
Chemical sensitivities can result if your body is
sensitive to any number of toxins such as
pesticides, synthetic paint or building materials,
cosmetics, plastics and many more.
Avoiding foods that can exacerbate your
symptoms can also help too. Foods rich in natural
histamine like red wine and pork can add fuel to
the fire when you do not make sufficient
histamine naturally to prevent your symptoms
taking a hold.
There are some great natural supplements
that can eliminate or reduce your reaction to
pollens, dust, animals, chemicals and more. When
you know what you are reacting to, a remedy can
be prepared that works along the lines of..if you
were to take a child for vaccination against
chicken pox, they would be given some of the
virus to boost the bodies immune system. The
remedy that is made for you will consist of natural
supplements to boost your immune system,
reduce the symptoms and also contain the
resonance of the very triggers that are the cause
of your suffering. Statistically this can reduce or
eliminate suffering for up to 85% of people.
For more information or advice on this or any
other health issue, call the Natural Health
Centre on 966 717 164. |
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Written by Fiona Harlowe
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Monday, 15 March 2010 13:17 |
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How Not to Buy “Anti-Aging” Products Yet Get Younger Looking Skin!
Wrinkles, altered pigmentation, loss of skintone, we all experience these changes
as our skin ages. But how can we successfully reduce them and ensure that our
skin is healthy, glowing and gorgeous?
Professional skincare treatments are here to give our skin powerful and targeted
workouts whilst we lie back unwind and relax. Your professional skincare therapist
can also educate you on authentic and genuine ways to achieve optimum skin
health.
Two Phased Approach to Achieving Optimum Skin Health
The most successful way to achieving the very best kin you can have is through a
two phased approach: A customised product and skincare routine prescription
combined with professional skincare treatments.
The beauty industry is one of the most unregulated industries in world, and
with 450 million baby boomers worldwide, it should come as no surprise that the
skincare industry dedicates a lot of effort and attention to products that will appeal
to those experiencing the symptoms of aging skin like wrinkles, altered pigmentation
and lack of skin tone. However, most of the products on the market are positioned
as “anti-aging”, promising to minimise and even erase our wrinkles.
Are we Being Misled by the Skincare Industry?
But are we, as consumers, being misled? The answer is most definitely yes, and
I really am horrified at by some of the claims brands, including the large, major
brands, actually get away with.
By prying on our hopes for younger looking skin products are proported to
effectively offer us miracles in a bottle, box, tube or tub. Using significantly younger
and heavily airbrushed or cosmetically altered models we are drawn into the
seductive illusion of elongated or easily returned youth. And our quest for eternal
youth gets us parting with large amounts of money every year. But how much
improvement are we really seeing on our skin as a result this expenditure? Or are
we just being conned by clever marketing campaigns. Not only are these false
promises and mirages designed to get us to part with our hard earned cash, when
you self select your “anti-aging” products you may be unknowingly contributing
more damage to your skin.
Stronger is not Always Better
These “anti-aging” products, even the expensive, well known brands can contain
fragrance and perfume, artificial colours and dyes which will increase skin
sensitivity and dehydration which is already apparent in our skin due to
environmental assault and the stresses of our everyday lives.
Some products encourage us to harshly exfoliate our skin or lead us into buying
abrasive exfoliating pumices and pads which we can unwittingly over use or use
on skin that is unable to cope with a harsh physical exfoliant.
Glycolic peels can be brought in Boots, but unless you are a trained
skincare therapist do you really know if it is actually good for your skin
or how many times you should use it in a week for your own skin, rather
just the general guidelines on the instruction manual which cannot possibly
know the ins and outs of your ever fluctuating skin? How much physical
(sloughing) exfoliation can ours varied and different skins take before we end up
actually stimulating the premature aging process due to over sensitisation.
You see stronger is not always better. It is always advisable to ask the advice
of a qualified and professional skincare therapist. Don’t harm your skin, come for
a free consultation today and find our exactly what level of exfoliation is good for
your skin.
Get Educated
As we as consumers become more and more savvy, so the skincare industry is
adjusting its advertising, latching onto a few topical phrases and changing their
marketing tack in line with our focus. The way to wade your way through this
quagmire of misinformation and cleverly seductive advertising is to get educated.
Do you know what type of skin you have? What conditions on your skin need
addressing? What ingredients you should be looking out for in your products?
What skincare routine would be best for your individual skin? How can we know
what products will work on improving our skin? ...Well, the easiest thing to do is
to go and ask your skincare therapist for their professional, trained and up-to-date
advice.
Get educated, get to know your skin and get empowered.
Get AGE Smart
Dermalogica´s AGE Smart products and treatments are designed by The
International Dermal Institute and contain high levels of antioxidant vitamins to focus
specifically on age PREVENTION. AGE Smart products provide a comprehensive
system that actually combats the CAUSES of skin aging.
AGE Smart by Dermalogica is not an “anti-aging” line. It is, instead, a results
driven system that specifically works to control the biochemical reactions that lead
to skin aging.
Skin aging is a natural process and commonly accounts for 10% of the aging
we see on our skin. However, premature aging is not a natural process and
accounts for a massive 90% of skin aging.
In other words 90% of the aging we see on our skin is preventable!
Dermalgoica´s AGE Smart not only improves the health, and therefore, the
look of the skin, it also controls the biochemical reactions deep in the skin, rather
than just treating what is visible. And that is really makes it stand out from the
crowd.
You can get immediate results from a professional AGE Smart skincare
treatment. Even a one off treatment can give you firmer, smoother, more nourished
and regenerated skin, all whilst controlling the biochemical triggers that lead to skin
aging. Potent vitamin, hydroxyl and salicylic acid exfoliation resurfaces and
retexturises the skin with maximum strength exfoliation for your skin. A nourishing
cocktail of healing vitamins, botanical extracts and conditioning agents help soothe
and restore optimal skin health. Energising massage techniques release tension in
facial muscles. You are guaranteed an improvement in your skin health and,
therefore, the look and feel of your skin.
To encourage you to improve your skin health and get professional advice on
your skin, really seeing and feeling a difference in your skin, there is an offer on AGE
Smart professional treatments with me until the end of April 2010.
Book your AGE Smart treatment with me, professional Skincare Expert, Fiona
Harlowe, and receive a 20% discount: usually €60.00!
Get healthier skin now and book early to ensure disappointment.
Call Fiona Harlowe, Skincare Expert at Vanilla,
Villamartin Plaza on 966 765 616!
Fiona Harlowe is known as the “skin doctor”. She specialises in acne,
rosacea, hyper-pigmentation and aging skin conditions to regular
complexion perfecting using a combination of high tech
equipment, peptide packed products containing active plant
extracts and holistic techniques.
Fiona Harlowe is a Skincare Expert & Laser Therapist who always
gives free consultations. Fiona is one of the leading, authorised
Dermalogica stockists on the Costa Blanca and is based at
Vanilla, Villamartin. Call for your free consultation today
on 96 676 5616 or 678 836 961. |
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Written by The CoastRider
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Monday, 11 January 2010 20:45 |
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Last Updated on Monday, 15 March 2010 15:04 |
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