Practical Health Concern's                                                       

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What Would You Like to Get Tattooed?
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Hey everybody, Nando here again speaking my mind about tattoos again...for those of you who remember the last little bit about getting deals on tattoos, there is another growing epidemic. Tattoo art was something that started as a holistic form of medicine.It was utilized in most countries as a form of healing, performed by shaman who's job was to alleviate ailments by way of the tattoo. For a time it was even used to mark the criminal elements of society, the root meaning of the word "stigma" even means to mark the body. Thousands of years later the tattoo has come to mean something entirely different. Thanks to the infamous Captain Cook, the tattoo was introduced to relatively modern man, to which tattoos took on more of a symbolic meaning. This transition is still taking place as modern man is still trying to find a place among it's ranks to fit meaning into their tattoo...while for some it has become a purely decorative form. As it stands, the tattoo now stands as an announcement of individuality and freedom from the ties of everyday life such as politics, war, and other vices humans constantly find themselves in. It is ushering a new era of self resolved thinkers and admirals for future free thinking people. But if this is the case, why then are so many people so seemly unprepared to choose what they want on their bodies. Why then, in a society where our bodies are the ONLY thing we can justify for ourselves and make choices on about ourselves, when asked by a tattoo artist what one wants for a tattoo, the most popular response is "I don't know, what do you think?"?? Doesn't any know what they want for themselves anymore??

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By Nando from Ghostline Ink
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How To Get a Cheap Tattoo

How To Get a Cheap Tattoo This document was created to ensure that you save yourself from humiliation when asking for a deal on a tattoo. The first rule to getting a deal on a tattoo is to look for someone who doesn't take their art or their job seriously. Usually you look for people working from their houses, garages,etc. These guys can save you a bundle since they don't have to pay the additional rent for the shop, permits, and of course the ever essential sterile materials. These are costly items and should only be utilized when sterility and health are an issue. If you don't give a damn about these issues, then you are well on your way to saving big money on that tattoo you always wanted. There is also the issue of skill. Turning a tattoo machine into a tool of art requires years of dedication and the yearning to be an accomplished artist. Without these things, you may end up with some pretty rude looking crap, which is why looking for the ones who employ mediocre skills is essential in finding that cheap tattoo. Another helpful hint is looking for a lonely and/or desperate artist. Girls, this means you'll have to utilize your looks or "availability" to your advantage. Using the promise of sex or something close to sex can help you land a great deal with artists who got into the business entirely to use girls like you. If none of these demands meet criteria that you are willing to cope with, then it's best to save your money and get a meaningful piece of art and find that artist who does what he does out of sheer love for the art and respect for the business. Deals and hook-ups only go to those people that never need to ask for one.

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By Nando from Ghostline Ink
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Myths, Misunderstandings, and Morals of Tattoos

Whether you’ve had tattoos, thought about them, or even work as a tattoo artist, you have more than likely heard your share of tall tales involving tattoos. I think it’s high time we settle those myths and help out those who need the facts. First, some of the myths about tattoos that need to be dispelled are the requirements to getting tattooed. Aftercare – This is a hotly debated issue, and has several disagreements between shops and even between artist at the same shop. Taking care of a tattoo is simple work. The first thing is to keep it clean. A tattoo is a glorified abrasion, and should be, for the most part, taken care in the same way. Many times you will hear to leave the bandage the artist puts on your for hours or even an entire day. Some have even suggested leaving it on for a whole week! The truth is, after about an hour the tattoo doesn’t need one. Paper bandages just stick to it creating more toxicity with every piece of paper that sticks to it. Plastic bandages create heat and moisture that actually inhibit the growth of bacteria! Obviously this is not going to help your tattoo. Cleaning it is of utmost importance. What you use is anything that is antibacterial, and non-fragranced. Fragrances added to the soap utilize alcohol because it evaporates quickly, releasing the fragrance into the air, alcohol will dry out the skin keeping the bodies natural antigens to do their work. Bar soaps are also discouraged since they use animal fats and waxes that may cause build up, keeping the fresh tattoo from a ready source of oxygen. Oxygen breaks down collagen, creating new skin that is just as good as the old skin. Keeping the healing skin from oxygen allows it to build up and becomes scar tissue that is hardened and tough. This makes touch ups less successful since the skin is no longer a susceptible medium for the pigments to adhere to. For this reason it is recommended you keep from submerging a tattoo under water for extended periods of time. This bit of advice has lead to misunderstandings in most aftercare. Showers ARE acceptable and in fact are a great way to help heal a tattoo, and are just great for overall hygiene. It is, although, not recommended that you take a bath or go swimming or take a dip in the jacuzzi for the simple fact that it will cut off the tattoos source of oxygen. Not to mention that public waterholes have a lot of bacteria an such to content with, and do so with chemicals that you don’t want on your tattoo. Several ointments, creams, and lotions are available for applying to fresh ink. What to use depends on your preferences especially when allergies are involved. Some key points to remember are that fragrances require added alcohol. Applying too much can, again, cut off the supply of oxygen to the healing skin, and can also attract dust and dirt to stick to the surface, so it is recommended you put on only a light layer, working it into the skin. Washing between applications will keep dirt that may have been stuck to the surface from entering the new tattoo. I usually recommend three applications a day. Age – Age is of critical concern mostly because of local laws. Each area has regulations set in place requiring the client be a certain age to receive a tattoo. 18 is the usual age because at 18 you are considered an adult. Tattooing under age with a parent or legal guardian giving permission to the artist is not uncommon, but by no means a right to every individual. The artist has the right to turn down anyone they feel is not a viable client and that may involve many factors that should be discussed with the artist as each has their own guidelines for tattooing under age. Alcohol – For many first timers and even some veteran collectors, getting drunk or hitting the bottle is considered to be a great way to take the edge off before getting through with a session. Some even say that getting drunk before or after a tattoo will cause the ink to “bleed” out as the alcohol thins the blood. While alcohol does thin the blood, it takes a while for this to happen, so this will take effect more greatly if you have been drinking the night before and have not re-hydrated yourself or have eaten anything prior to the tattoo session. Drinking afterwards will not affect the tattoo in any harmful way either. Just because drinking right before doesn’t affect the blood as much, doesn’t mean that getting a few drinks before a tattoo is recommended either, your imparity will affect your ability to work with the artist, as this is a tandem activity. I can’t speak for other artists, but I can safely say that I do not like to deal with drunken clients while working on a tattoo. Best bet is to stay well fed and well hydrated and you will increase your chances of getting a top rate tattoo. Bartering – This is a long standing tradition that, I imagine, goes back as far as tattooing itself, when local tribes people bartered with the shaman the price of a protective tattoo. For some reason in it’s long history, it had retained a bit, usually with beginning tattoo artists because they had to find practice anywhere it could be found, unfortunately sticking with them long into their careers. Truth be told, asking for deals or trades is up to the artist themselves. But be warned, asking them is sometimes a deal killer, as it undermines the skill and ability of the artist. Keep in mind that this is a case by case scenario and should always be dealt with tact and professionalism. Designs – Knowing what you want before coming in means you’ll be happier with what you get. Even coming in with an idea of what you want, communicating is that much more important. When an artist is faced with “I don’t know, what do you think?”, you are left with less of what you want, and more of what you get. While for some that is the traditional approach to getting tattooed, a growing trend in customized tattoos really requires some homework to be done by the client so as to give the artist a direction. Yes, they are the artists, but without direction all you’ll really get is a permanent sticker that reads “I had the chance to get a really cool tattoo, but all I got was THIS tattoo” Drugs – Getting loaded is most definitely not the best way to get tattooed. So, as for the question of using any street drugs before or during a session, the answer is most definitely not. As for over-the-counter, prescribed pain killers, or muscle relaxers, it depends. Keep in mind some of them are blood thinners and have the same affect as alcohol, although much faster. If you are unsure what you are thinking of using is a blood thinner, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Inks – For many years, tattoos were thought to fade and the black in was thought to actually be blue or a blue/green. The truth is that color does not fade, in fact tattoos of any color do not fade, but rather their inks or the technical ability of the artist is inferior. Many of the colors used today are of much higher quality than they used to be. The use of ink, first of all, is no more. These days pigments are used. What’s the difference? Inks are water based, and thereby are inducted by the body because we ourselves are up to 80% water. What happens then is the black ink that was the tattoo leaves a stain, instead of the color itself, leaving you with a bluish, greenish excuse for a tattoo. Pigments are microscopic balls of the color itself which embed themselves into the dermis, that area between the epidermis (the part that flakes off) and subcutaneous (the layer keeping your skin and fatty tissues separate) tissues. Red has been thought to fade, and for a time it did. Red used to be extracted from shellfish and is a water based color, hence the fading, and would also cause irritation in those allergic to shellfish or iodine. This is no longer the case, all new colors are regulated for safe use on skin. Pain – This is another hotly debated subject in tattooing. Pain is definitely a factor in getting tattooed. How you personally deal with pain is a much bigger factor though. Where you get tattooed and the size of the piece, are also factors. There are several abstract variables involved, and asking others won’t give you a usable comparison either. Many clients tend to choose the size and location according to what the perceived pain may be like, but what does that give you? A tattoo you would have liked better somewhere else at a size that doesn’t quite do it justice, all this AFTER you may have found out it was not as bad as you thought it was going to be. Best advice is, if you want it there, and you want it that big, do it there, and do it that big. Passing Out / Fainting – Many people have asked about the possibility of passing out or fainting during a tattoo. Well, it is very possible. There are ways to prevent this though, since they are usually brought on by a list of things that contribute to the overall experience. Coming for your tattoo de-hydrated, hungry, tired, stressed recovering from serious injuries, or any combination of these will definitely contribute to the possibility of a black out. Other than that, most people do just fine. Scars – Tattooing over scars can be a delicate issue. Many things have to be considered when it comes to tattooing over scar tissue. Much of it has to be matched with the artists ability. For this reason it is best to find an artist that is both knowledgeable with scar tissue and has had the chance to asses your scar(s) in person prior to making arrangements for your tattoo. This includes working over existing tattoos.

 

By Nando from Ghostline Ink

 

 

 

Interview With Sweatshop Union

Is there a story behind your newest album Water Street, how does it differ from previous albums? Water Street is the name of the street we recorded the album on. It's in the historic Gastown district in Vancouver. The album is different in that it's a more deliberate pace, a little slower and more intense. Darker, but in a fly way. As far as the content, I feel like it is our most honest album to date. More personal, less general. How has performing changed for Sweatshop Union over the years with a growing fanbase? Well, we barely ever get nervous now, and we have enough experience that it would take a lot of stuff going wrong to throw us off. Performing is second nature to us now, and we learned to take everything in stride. We are demanding with the audience, but it's only because we are very demanding of ourselves too. We know we could all be doing it better, harder, clearer. What has been one of your most memorable performances and why? Tough question. It's a toss-up between swimming at the lake as soon as we got offstage at the Nakusp festival this year, doing Seattle Hempfest and sharing the stage with Snoop Dogg. I don't know. There's been too many. You're described as a very socially concious group, is there any area in particular in our modern day Canadian society that requires special attention? I would say look at the legislation being passed right under our noses that is starting to take everything away that made Canada cool. Then look at your realistic options for not letting it happen. Then look at how silly we look. Have you noticed any effects on the music side of things caused by the current economic situation and what challenges has Sweatshop Union faced because of it? Everyone is talking about a recession, and I guess you can see some signs of it, but you can't let it faze you. Sometimes less people come out to shows, or they come but they don't buy as much merch or beer. But by and large people have an innate need to socialize with others, so they don't stay at home too long. Money isn't everything. How do you feel about President Obama coming into office? He is the same as all the others, but at a more poignant time in human history. Watch what he does, not what he says. You have two Juno Awards under your belts, will you be attending the award ceremony this year? What new artists are you most excited about? We did not attend, I think we were out on the road. But honestly if I had been in town, I don't think I woulda gone. Well, maybe. How do you feel about the Canadian music scene, particularly in western Canada? It is what it is, everyone is working on music and trying to get paid. More people are touring more often now, connecting themselves with the rest of the world through actual contact, not just the internet or the local areas. that's good. What are your biggest musical influences and why? We are all into many different styles of music, and many of us collect records. So it's pretty hard to really run down a list. My personal biggest influences are as diverse as early 90's hip-hop, blues, Ali Farka Toure, James Brown, Little Dragon, Hindu religious songs, J Dilla and Slum Village, Otis Redding, Al Green, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Samba, Dancehall, indigenous music from around the world and classical Persian music. Tell me about your contest going on for fans to have you play at a venue of their choice in 2010: Well, you can download a kit from our website and you can print out posters and help promote one of our shows in your area (or an area of your choice). The person that sends us the most pics of posters they've put up gets in the show free and we usually give them some presents too. So it's not that they get to pick what venue we are playing, it's they get to choose what show they want to get into by helping promote.

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Author Rikki Maccuish
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Naturalpathical Healing & Natural Health​
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A natural way to a healthier you By Rikki Maccuish For thousands of years ancient civilizations relied on nature and their own bodies to help fight illness and disease. So why is it now we rely so heavily on over the counter pharmaceuticals and strategic marketing to decide what will and will not keep us healthy? Pharmaceuticals are a billion dollar industry. Every day we are bombarded with commercials and advertisements promoting the use of the newest day and night cold medicine, flu vaccines, heart burn pills and so much more. We rush out to buy and it does seem to work, for a while anyways. Traditional Chinese medicine has been healing people for hundreds of years by focusing on the human body and natural ways to heal it. Through the use of plants, herbs, natural extracts and an in-depth analysis of the body these medical practitioners were able to not only help one feel better but also help the ailed learn how to keep healthy and aware of their physical state in the long term. As Dr. Ray Lendvai, the medical director at Vital Path Health Centre in Vernon, says there’s a difference between treating symptoms and actually curing the problem. “It’s symptomatic treatment versus lifestyle changes,” he says of the difference between pharmaceutical and natural medicine. “We’re helping to treat and also to educate people from the prevention aspect.” Lendvai, who studied naturopathic medicine and homeopathy in Canada and India, says the turn to natural healing is becoming more prevalent. More and more educated people, and especially young families are walking through his doors looking for a better way to look after themselves. He attributes it to the availability of information via the Internet, awareness and also to the fact that people just aren’t seeing enough results from over the counter prescriptions and pharmaceuticals. “The main reason is more awareness, people are looking into it more,” he says including that since the medical system is overloaded they don’t necessarily have the time to provide premium service to every patient. “If people were getting the perfect treatment they wouldn’t look elsewhere.” There are many options to look at when looking for a natural, long term treatment. Besides traditional Chinese medicine many naturopathic and homeopathic facilities like Vital Path Health Centre offer treatments like acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional and lifestyle counselling and more. These forms of therapy may mean more commitment and time on your end but will likely pay off in the long run, helping to create a healthier you without the side effects of mainstream medicine. Natural medicine can help to treat everything from arthritis to the common cold and flu. Alexa Monahan, one of the owners of Nature’s Fare, a retailer of natural health products, says some of the most common products sold through her stores are supplements for stress, joint care, heart health, immune system boosters and weight loss support. She notes there are many benefits to natural health products. “They treat the causes of illness and disease rather than covering up the symptoms, prevent illness and maintain overall immunity by keeping the body balanced and supporting the body’s natural systems as well as increasing overall vitality, energy and positivity,” she says. These types of products also carry near zero risk, being mostly plant-based and naturally sources. Deaths have never occurred in Canada due to natural health products, and very few negative side effects have ever been recorded. As products are naturally based, bodies can recognize substances and use them instead of trying to reject them. They also don’t contain preservatives, such as thimerosol a mercury containing preservative found in multi-dose shots of the H1N1 vaccine, or additives. Take a conscious moment next time you’re feeling under the weather. Before going for the quick fix night time cold medicine consider a visit to your local homeopath, naturopath or natural product retailer. Monahan recommends a number of natural products proven very effective in hindering nasty bugs including oil of oregano, Echinacea, garlic, herbal teas and every day foods like garlic and mushrooms. “Mushrooms are very powerful immune boosters,” she says. Some naturopathic medical centres like Dr. Lendvai’s Vital Path also offer natural flu shots. One shot annually— it can also be taken orally, can help you to fight viruses year-round. Lendvai makes many recommendations people can take part of every day for optimal health. “There are a few key things,” he says. “Make sure whatever you put into your body supports your health, include protein in every meal, exercise, get proper sleep, and work on prevention, such as a cleanse once in a while.” He also suggests working on reducing stress in your life. Practices like meditation, breathing exercises, or even physical activity can do wonders for your mind and emotions. Stress is a common factor in many illnesses and by curbing it you not only feel better emotionally but physically. Next time you’re not feeling 100 per cent, consider a visit to your local natural health clinic or store and try it for yourself. You can make confident choices, and as Monahan believes, do what’s best for you. “I know I’m doing what is best for my body and making a difference for our planet,” she says. Author Rikki Maccuish

Holistic Nutrition
Posted by illa.cipher@gmail.com on December 18, 2011 at 12:10 AM  comments (0)
If I told you that you could improve your health by drinking more water, would you? If I told you that eating more fresh fruit and vegetables would increase your nutrient and fibre intake, thereby lowering your chances of manifesting dis-ease in the body, would you? The reasons why we don’t make these choices goes beyond these very simple questions and deeper into the basic social structure we live within. We live in a society that disconnects us from a sustainable and holistic connection to our basic shared values and essential human needs. Perceived lack of time, information overload, and deceptive advertising are a few of the factors affecting our ability to make decisions that lead to optimal health. Why don’t we appreciate something that is so necessary to our lives? The preparation of food is often seen as a burden in an already busy schedule. This perception reflects our disconnection from food, and the land that provides this basic need. The good news is, the solution to the alienation you may be feeling from your food is closer then you may know. A few simple changes in your life, especially in your mind, can lead you back to regard food with the respect it deserves. Instead of seeing making dinner as a distraction from your social life, you can invite a friend over to be a part of the preparation and sharing of food. Spending part of a day at a local farmers market can be an educational and eye-opening experience. It’s a chance to talk with people who spend their days producing the food you eat. Another engaging and surprisingly simple option is to try your hand at gardening. This past summer I planted my very first garden. It was quickly followed by my second and third garden. As I ran out of garden space and plant pots, I sought out other people’s dirt to plant. I even invested $15 in a community gardens plot to give my remaining zucchini and tomato plants a place to call home. Tasting the quality in the produce and feeling the satisfaction of having a part in the process was like nothing I had ever experienced. I planted the seeds, watered every day or two, and watched life unfold before my eyes! These are a few simple examples of ways to introduce more healthy foods into your life. These ideas go beyond our basic understanding of nutrition, recognizing that food does more than feed our bodies; Food connects us to culture, to the land we live upon, and to ourselves. We all have a relationship with food which has an impact on the level of nutrition we provide to our bodies. Ask your self, “What does food mean to me?” and begin your journey back to understanding and knowing food as it, and we, were meant to be. A self-proclaimed food inspirationalist, Lynda has studied professional cooking, is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner and currently works as the Chef at the Rawdezvous Café where she teaches raw food preparation.

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Author : Lynda Vanden

 

Living Within Our Reflection: The Human Dream

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Take a look at your surroundings. All you see around you was once only an idea, just electrical signals firing within the brain. It was mans love for his ideas that fuelled his quest into materializing them. This drive to create is innate within every human and, collectively, is responsible for the world we live in today. Since the discovery of fire, ideas have been manifested into reality at an infinitesimal rate; we seem only restricted by our technological prowess and the power of our imaginations. If we only scroll back a century ago sport cars, skyscrapers, and space travel were only fantasies. Now look at the heights humanity has attained. We have recently entered an age of information where anyone with internet access, a phone, or a library card can peruse through billions upon billions of documents. We have finally reached a point in our evolutionary development where anything that was once considered impossible is now seen as only a matter of time before actualizing. We are truly living in some of the most exciting times we as a species have ever encountered.

So we have all of this intelligence available yet there is still starvation, war, and poverty in the world. How can this be? How can it be that with so much abundance and technological sophistication there are still those suffering? There is no quick and easy answer to this question or it would have been resolved already, but I believe if we travel back to the dawn of mankind we might uncover some clues.

In the beginning, mans intellect was based on instinct, like every other animal, and because he was directed by nature he lived in complete harmony with it. As man evolved he gained the ability to self reflect. This ability to self reflect was a double-edged sword; it simultaneously kicked us out of the Garden of Eden, nature’s nursery if you will, and gave rise to humanity’s technological development, also known as the domestication of nature to human will. Like an elementary school child leaving our parents for the first day to go through the trials and tribulations of school life we knew not what lay before us and because of that ever present unknown we were scared. We made friends, we made enemies, and we created a variety of technological toys to enable us a better chance at survival. Sure enough, battles arose for the toys, its blueprints, and its produce. Tribes with the most sophisticated toys had better chances of living and proliferated in number; tribes with lower technological capabilities were seen as inferior and subsequently taken over by the larger tribes. This hierarchical bullying has carried on since the first bone club to the latest space satellite.

In today’s world, the majority of modern man lives in a toxic, artificial bubble of reality where most have lost sight of where everything that composes their life actually derives from: the Earth. Our bodies, our food, our shelter, our amusements all derive from this planet that most hardly take note of and some even shun. The child’s play of the past persists to this day because instead of acknowledging the axiom that we all have to share this planet, we still choose to quarrel about our differences and our egomaniacal desires. We have created so many memes to differentiate people we’ve lost sight of the similarities between us all. Humanity is still caught and fascinated with the material realm and hasn’t figured out yet that it is from the mental plane that all these fantastic experiences, inventions, and stories arise. The physical world does not exist without consciousness to perceive, create, and analyse it and the perception of reality one experiences is based on the information one is primed with ergo it only take a shift of perception from Fear, differentness, to Love, sameness, to begin to experience a new slant on life.

 

By Jonathon .A UBC-O ​ student