Jenna Wolfe breastfeeds one-month-old baby Harper at a toy shop, an Apple store and a glitzy hotel to test public reactions

Breastfeeding in public is a point of contention these days, one which new mom Jenna Wolfe decided to address with a social experiment.

The Today show host, who gave birth to her daughter Harper Estelle last month, took the newborn on a trip around New York City with a hidden camera to see how people would react to her nursing in public places.

From toy store FAO Schwartz to the very glitzy Plaza Hotel, Jenna met with little disapproval - with the exception of the Apple store, where an employee kindly told her there was a 'more private' room to go to if she wanted. 

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Social experiment: Jenna, who gave birth to her daughter Harper Estelle last month, took the newborn on a trip around New York City to see how people would react to her nursing in public places

Slightly awkward: 'When I first started. . . I felt like i was doing something wrong,' she said of her breastfeeding trip to toy store FAO Shwartz (pictured)

She acquiesced and followed the employee to a different room, noting that it felt 'unnatural' to be singled out in such a way.

Jenna - who announced her pregnancy in March at the same time as revealing she was engaged to her long-term partner Stephanie Gosk - came back from maternity leave for the segment, which she said was 'a very important topic' to her.

She explained that a survey of 10,000 mothers found that nine per cent see public breastfeeding as 'embarrassing'.

 

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Another nine per cent view it as 'empowering', while 38per cent said they see it as a 'non-issue'.

In her own experiment, she did experience a slight awkwardness to begin with. 'When I first started. . . I felt like i was doing something wrong,' she said of her breastfeeding trip to FAO Shwartz.

'You feel ashamed and embarrassed. But the more you do it, the more comfortable you feel.'

WATCH: Jenna Wolfe tries breastfeeding in public

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Getting adjusted: 'You feel ashamed and embarrassed. But the more you do it, the more comfortable you feel,' she explained

Important activity: 'Before I had a child I had no idea breastfeeding could be such an emotional topic,' she said

Staff at the Plaza Hotel were nonplussed by her activities, and Jenna successfully nursed baby Harper in a fancy department store without trouble or interruption.

But even though Jenna didn't experience any major problems during her experiment, she discovered many women do. 

'If I've learned anything so far, it's that it's not always easy. Most of us moms are just doing our best'

 

In the segment, the host also talked to a group of mothers about the issues they've faced.

'I was once asked to stop breastfeeding while I was in a bank,' recounted one woman. 'For someone to come over and actually say, "Can you not do that here?" It felt uncomfortable.'

And when Jenna asked the mothers what breastfeeding meant to them, there were mixed emotions.

Two of the moms said the first word that comes to mind 'nurturing' and two more said 'connection,' but another admitted it was 'difficult'.

In it together: While her circumstances may be somewhat different to some moms, Jenna says she experiences the same issues when it comes to breastfeeding

Uncomfortable: The only point where she was singled out was in the Apple store, where an employee kindly told her there was a 'more private' room to go to if she wanted

New mom: Jenna - who is engaged to partner Stephanie Gosk - underwent artificial insemination with an anonymous donor earlier this year, and gave birth to baby Harper on August 21

Difficult situations: One of the mothers she spoke to in the segment recounted: 'I was once asked to stop breastfeeding while I was in a bank. It felt uncomfortable'

'I am breastfeeding, but what I discovered was that it wasn't natural for me,' said one mom.

Another admitted: 'I knew that I wasn't good at getting him to latch on and it was just stressful.'

'You feel embarrassed at first. But the more you do it, the more comfortable you feel'

Jenna underwent artificial insemination with an anonymous donor earlier this year, and gave birth to baby Harper on August 21.

While her circumstances may be different to some moms, Jenna says she experiences the same issues when it comes to breastfeeding.

'Before I had a child I had no idea breastfeeding could be such an emotional topic,' she said.

'If I've learned anything so far, it's that it's not always easy. Most of us moms are just doing our best.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2433617/Jenna-Wolfe-breastfeeds-month-old-baby-Harper-toy-shop-Apple-store-glitzy-hotel-test-public-reactions.html#ixzz2gKBtE1cC 
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Move over, coconut water! Nutrient-rich aloe vera juice tipped to be the season's hottest health drink

Packed with vitamins and minerals

Aids digestion and rids toxins

Health benefits date back to Egyptian times when it was used as herbal medicine

With its health benefits and celebrity fans, super-hydrating coconut water is the must-have drink of 2013.

But hot on its heels is mineral-rich aloe vera juice. Market trend predictors are singing the praises of nutrient-packed, cholesterol-lowering aloe vera-based drinks.

The latest must-sip claims to aid weight loss, digestion, immune function, and even ease general discomfort.

Move over, coconut water! With its cocktail of vitamins and minerals, aloe vera juice is tipped to be the season's hottest health trend

Aloe Vera contains a multitude of vitamins including A, C, E, folic acid, B1, B2, B3, B6 and is one of the few plants that contains vitamin B12, which helps with brain and nervous system function.

It is also mineral-rich, containing calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, sodium, iron, and potassium, as well as being packed with amino and fatty acids - all helpful in beating indigestion. 

 

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Much like super food favourites chia seeds and seaweed, aloe vera is a gelatinous plant food and well-known adaptogen, which boosts the body’s natural ability to resist illness and also eliminates toxins.

Nutritionist Madeleine Shaw, who works with Millie Mackintosh, said: 'Aloe Vera is amazing if you have any suggestive discomfort. It is very soothing for the internals and helps beat the bloat.'

The plant juice, which is sold in health stores such as the Nutri Centre and Holland and Barrett, has traditionally been used to treat burns and psoriasis.

However, information regarding its use dates back nearly 5,000 years to early Egyptian times, when it was cited as being a powerful herbal medicine.

Multi-use: The plant juice has traditionally been used to treat skin conditions but now people are starting to catch on to the benefits of drinking it 

Shona Wilkinson, Head Nutritionist at The Nutri Centre, said: 'Most people are aware of the benefits of aloe vera applied topically for sunburn but the benefits are far more wide than just that - especially when taken internally.

'Drinking aloe vera replenishes your body naturally with a huge range of nutrients. It contains approximately 200 active components including - vitamins A, B1,B2,B6, B12, C, E, folic acid and Niacin.

'Many people take aloe vera to help with digestion but it is also taken for good immunity, cleansing and good skin health.  

'Aloe vera is often used to help with the symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome and has also been shown to be helpful for conditions such as acid reflux.

'Overall its a great all rounder, jam packed full of nutrients!'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2431575/Move-coconut-water-Aloe-Vera-juice-tipped-seasons-hottest-health-drink.html#ixzz2gIuBL5ZP 
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New breast cancer jab could slash hours spent in hospital and help save the NHS millions

Current treatment, injecting Herceptin via a drip, takes up to 90 minutes per session for about a year

The new jab is effective within five minutes

Experts have branded the method a revolution for the 44,000 British women diagnosed with breast cancer each year

Revolution: New treatment is effective within five minutes, compared to current 90-minute drug

A new injection for breast cancer patients could dramatically cut the time they spend in hospital and save the NHS millions, say experts.

Sufferers are currently given regular infusions of the drug Herceptin via a drip – an ordeal lasting between 30 and 90 minutes – for just over a year in most cases.

But the jab delivers the substance in only five minutes.

NHS England has approved the speedier method for widespread use from today, which not only frees up time for patients but will increase capacity in hospital chemotherapy suites.

Patients require an average of 18 Herceptin doses – one every three weeks – meaning the jab could spare them up to 25 hours in hospital over the course of their treatment.

Herceptin was the first targeted drug for breast cancer. 

It was designed for women with HER2-positive tumours, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease, affecting around one quarter of the 44,000 British women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Before the health service rationing body allowed widespread use in 2006, there were high-profile battles by patients to win NHS funding for the drug.

The then health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, ordered a fast-track approval process for Herceptin, which led to  it being used up to three years earlier than scheduled.

The new jab heralds another revolution in treatment, say experts, with trial data suggesting it works as well as, or even marginally better than, the time-consuming infusions.

A trial of almost 600 women living with the early stages of HER2-positive breast cancer compared standard infusion with a five-minute injection into the fatty layer of tissue under the skin.

 

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The tumour was completely eliminated in 45 per cent of women who received the injectable form, compared to 41 per cent of women who had the infusion.

The quicker way of delivering Herceptin was authorised for use in the UK by the European Medicines Agency.

It has been endorsed by NHS England, the national commissioning body for treatments, which clears the way for hospitals to adopt it. Scotland and Wales are likely to make similar decisions.

As well as shortening each hospital visit, the jab means the invasive tube, or cannula, used during infusions would no longer need to be inserted every three weeks.

Quality of life improved: Current treatment is gruelling and vigorous. The new jab is hailed as a revolution

A study found nine out of ten patients preferred the injected version of Herceptin versus the intravenous method.

In addition to the advantages to patients, the NHS could profit from savings valued at more than £20million, says manufacturer Roche.

Although the drug costs the same in both forms – £1,200 for each treatment – savings are made in nurses’ time spent preparing and administering the drug for intravenous use.

Pearl Lowe, 43, fashion designer and her model daughter Daisy Lowe, 24, are among hundreds of celebrities trying to raise money to further research for breast cancer treatment

Professor Lesley Fallowfield, of the University of Sussex, said: ‘Time is precious to women with breast cancer, far too precious to be waiting around in busy chemotherapy centres.

‘If subcutaneous delivery of Herceptin were to replace intravenous administration in the NHS then patients would spend less time in hospital and more time getting on with their lives. If this method is adopted in the NHS then the quality of life of women with HER2-positive breast cancer could be dramatically improved.’

Dr Mark Verrill, consultant medical oncologist, at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, said the jab might eventually be adapted for use by women at home.

He said the existing infusion treatment is ‘quite invasive’, adding: ‘We can now give Herceptin by a five-minute subcutaneous injection – it’s much quicker and simpler … As well as the advantage for patients, subcutaneous Herceptin frees capacity on busy chemotherapy day units.

‘It lends itself to administration in the community, resonating with the … drive for treatment closer to home.’

Sally Greenbrook, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: ‘This is a good example of how research can make improvements to patients’ quality of life as well saving considerable time and money for the NHS.’

Mia Rosenblatt, of Breast Cancer Campaign said the injection had ‘the convenience of patients in mind’ and would ‘save them considerable treatment time’.

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2430245/New-breast-cancer-jab-slash-hours-spent-hospital-help-save-NHS-millions.html#ixzz2gItfFggh 
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The 13 most jawdropping bits from Melissa Gorga's controversial new book

WWW.HEALTHYBARN.COM

When we got our first look at "Real Housewife of New Jersey"Melissa Gorga's how-to book, "Love Italian Style: The Secrets of My Hot and Happy Marriage" back in March, we wondered if Gorga's advice on marriage would be controversial. While Gorta touted a philosophy of treating her hubby like a King, she also made mention of "the four tenets to a happy marriage...: respect, honesty, loyalty, and passion." That seemed promising! Right? Not so much.

Bing: More on Melissa Gorga

Gorga's book is all about her marriage and love life with husband Joe Gorga, and it seems that the two have some, ahem, unique views on the way a "modern" (read: not very modern) coupling should work. The book has already drawn heat from a number of publications, and Jezebel has led the charge, thanks to a massive batch of excerpts they published yesterday that are, in the most gracious of terms possible, definitely controversial.

Bing: More on 'Love Italian Style'

Give the Jezebel piece a read when you get a chance, but if you're in a pinch, here are the 13 tidbits from the book that had us going cross-eyed and yelling expletives in the safety of our own home. No, we're not fans of the Gorgas' brand of marriage - are you?

1. "Men, I know you think your woman isn't the type who wants to be taken. But trust me, she is. Every girl wants to get her hair pulled once in a while. If your wife says "no," turn her around, and rip her clothes off. She wants to be dominated."

2. "[A] woman needs to keep herself in shape. She has to be seductive. She must be willing to try new things for her husband's pleasure and her own. And, most important, she has to be available for sex."

3. "Even when I'm exhausted and not really in the mood, if it means a lot to Joe that we connect physically, I'll say, 'I'm not so into it tonight, but let's go.' If it's a hard 'no,' I try to be nice about it. Don't swat him away, or say with a tone, 'Leave me alone!' Eventually he will leave you alone at more than you wish he would."

4. "The way I see it, if a wife is a puttana, her husband will never feel the urge to go outside the marriage to actual whores, or strip clubs."

5. "His style was to make corrections and to teach me from the beginning days of our marriage exactly how he envisioned our life together."

6. "If I ran out to CVS and he came home from work to an empty house, he didn't like it. He'd call me and say, 'I don't care if you're out all day long. But I don't want to come home to an empty house.'"

7. "It's my job to clean up spilled milk. I just do it."

8. "In our marriage, Joe is always the man, doing masculine things. I'm the woman, and I do the female things, including housework."

9. "Girls don't poop. Me, never have. Never will. It just doesn't happen. Or, that's what Joe thinks! We've been married for nine years, and he has never once seen or smelled my business. How have I pulled this off? I don't do it when he's around or awake."

10. "I also aspire to be eye candy for my husband."

11. "Joe never wears a wedding band. Joe has really chubby fingers (he will tell you so, too), and he thinks that a ring is the most uncomfortable thing ever. It used to bother me, but now I just tell myself that a wedding band is more of a chick magnet."

12. "Listen, we all love to hang out with our single friends. Who's more fun? But, let's call a spade a spade. You can't make a habit of it when you are married."

13. "If he gets one ounce of flack from me, he flips a switch and goes off."

"Love Italian Style" is available now...if you're into that sort of thing.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star and her husband Joe have finalized the sale of their mansion in Montville Township, receiving their asking price of $3.8 million for a property that includes six bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

The couple and its kids are on the way to Franklin Lakes now, where they plan to build their dream home and rent a house in the meantime.

- See more at: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/stars/melissa-gorga/#sthash.ArtUripb.dpuf

Women shouldn't drive because it damages their ovaries and pelvis, warns Saudi sheikh

Sheikh Salah al-Luhaydan said if woman drove they would damage their pelvis and their children could suffer 'clinical disorders'

In 2011 Muslim scholars said a relaxation of the ban would see both men and women turn to homosexuality and pornography

Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia 

Some defy the law - with one taking to the roads for four days continuously to protest for greater women's rights in the country

A Saudi sheikh has warned women that driving could affect their ovaries and pelvises.

Women are currently banned from driving in Saudi Arabia and many have protested against the statute. 

However, Sheikh Salah al-Luhaydan has warned them that their health could be at risk if they get behind the wheel.

A sheikh has warned Saudi women - who are currently not allowed to drive in the country - that getting behind the wheel could damage their ovaries and pelvis

Sheikh Salah al-Luhaydan also claimed children of women drivers are born with 'disorders of varying degrees'

He told Saudi news website sabq.org: '[Driving] could have a reverse physiological impact. 

'Physiological science and functional medicine studied this side [and found] that it automatically affects ovaries and rolls up the pelvis. 

'This is why we find for women who continuously drive cars their children are born with clinical disorders of varying degrees.' 

 

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The comments come two years after a ‘scientific’ report claimed that relaxing the ban would also see more Saudis - both men and women - turn to homosexuality and pornography.

The startling conclusions were drawn in 2011 at the Majlis al-Ifta’ al-A’ala, Saudi Arabia’s highest religious council, working in conjunction with Kamal Subhi, a former professor at the King Fahd University.

In 2011 a report claimed that relaxing the ban on women driving would also see more Saudis - both men and women - turn to homosexuality and pornography

Their report assessed the possible impact of repealing the ban in Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world where women are not allowed behind the wheel.

It was delivered to all 150 members of the Shura Council, the country’s legislative body.

The report warned that allowing women to drive would ‘provoke a surge in prostitution, pornography, homosexuality and divorce’.

Within ten years of the ban being lifted, the report’s authors claimed, there would be ‘no more virgins’ in the Islamic kingdom.

And it pointed out ‘moral decline’ could already be seen in other Muslim countries where women are allowed to drive.

Several women protestors have defied the law and got behind the wheel, with many facing punishment as a consequence

In the report Professor Subhi described sitting in a coffee shop in an unnamed Arab state.

‘All the women were looking at me,’ he wrote. ‘One made a gesture that made it clear she was available... this is what happens when women are allowed to drive.’

Women in Saudi Arabia have not been permitted to drive since the establishment of the state in 1932.

Hundreds of women have protested against the law - with several facing punishment after the got behind the wheel.

SAUDI AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS

Gender roles in Saudi society come from Sharia - Islamic law - and tribal culture. The law is followed strictly throughout the country, but many issues regarding gender equality revolve around culture, not religion. 

In 2009 the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report ranked Saudi Arabia 130th out of 134 countries for gender parity.

Under Saudi law, all females must have a male guardian, typically a father, brother or husband who has rights over many aspects of the woman's life.

Women were previously forbidden from voting or being elected to political office, but women will be able to vote and run in the 2015 local elections, as well as be appointed to the Consultative Assembly.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving.

Shaima Jastaniya, 34, was sentenced to 10 lashes with a whip after being caught driving in Jeddah in 2011.

Another woman was stopped by a police patrol after driving six miles to collect her husband near their home in the town of Buraida. 

As her 'legal guardian' her husband had to sign a declaration that he would not let his wife drive again.

One woman took to the roads for four days non-stop in an act of frustrated defiance.

Housewife and mother Najla al-Hariri drove around the streets of the Red Sea city of Jeddah back in 2011 'to defend her belief that Saudi women should be allowed to drive.'

She said: 'I don't fear being arrested because I am setting an example that my daughter and her friends are proud of.'

She added that it was ridiculous she is not allowed to drive in her own country, despite the fact that she is an experienced driver, having driven for five years in Egypt and another five years in Lebanon.

At the time the mother was also offering driving lessons to women.

However, the protests sometimes end in tragedy.

A young woman driver and three of her passengers were killed after she defied the kingdom’s ban on women motorists.

The woman, who was in her 20s, had been driving a 4X4 with nine girlfriends on Saturday night in the capital, Riyadh, in an open area often used by young men in car races.

Four of the women were killed when the vehicle overturned. The remaining six were injured and taken to a nearby hospital

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2436607/Women-shouldnt-drive-damages-ovaries-pelvis-warns-Saudi-sheikh.html#ixzz2gFDs5v75 
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