Whatever the answer is, I do feel strongly that it should be a question, and I'm not sure that it is. Certainly I don't feel it's an informed choice. This is an area where I feel the current system falls down. I don't want anyone to feel a pressure either way, I wish they get to decide, based on an informed choice. That they read around the issue, because it's clear to me that there is an issue. There is a huge elephant in the room.

To be fair, I feel cautious putting this out there. But having shared a controversial post on my work Facebook page, which a friend had asked for research based work as a result of, I responded and mentioned I'd delete the post as stirring things really isn't my modus operandi.

But concerned I may have hit delete too fast, and also aware that others may be interested, I thought I'd share a few mentions here.

Have a read of Trevor Gunn's work (if you can get along to his day on vaccines via the Nutritional Healing Foundation in Manchester I recommend it - I found it illuminating and one of the best I've been to on the topic - as a biochemist with a keen interest in natural health he's extensively delved into the topic and been in contact with many organisations working with this in a conventional line of research as well as other bodies). 

Viera Schreibner, though an older text, was recommended to me when I was making personal decisions and needing resources to investigate further. There are some fascinating studies discussed and referenced.

It may be worth a watch of the Sacrificial Virgins series - many have spoken of it highly, and it has recently won awards.

A GP recently recommended I watch The Truth About Vaccines which takes studies from around the world when I was chatting to him about issues around vaccination. I've still not seen it yet I'm afraid - have struggled with the viewing times. It's on my to watch list.

Vaxxed is interesting though too controversial for others. Andy Wakefield's work still fascinates me and is still ongoing.

Isaac Golden - I'm intrigued by his work - on a different slant and on a more personal level, the CEASE therapy work, showing children reversing symptoms of autism (often after detoxing from the vaccines that parents witnessed changes after) is pretty fascinating to me. I don't think that vaccines are 'responsible' for autism. I think in some cases they may tip an overwhelmed system into shutting down. I think there are many causes, it's not a simple issue.

There's loads out there to read - Trevor (who's researched this work for many years) has plenty of references to direct you further should you be interested. 

I don't doubt conventional medicine is lifesaving and don't want to be without it. I would love to see more integration, and definitely am not suggesting an either or approach. I just think that this area is not given consideration to - people are shepherded down a route that they are told is for their benefit and in the meantime chronic health issues appear to be rising, asthma, eczema, autoimmune illnesses, cancers appear to be on the increase. 

I don't think this choice is easy. I also have struggled to find safe trials around injecting children with multiple vaccines at the same time. I think the trial may be going on as I type. And from preliminary results I'm seeing, I think it's a little terrifying. I hope I am wrong, would love to be disproved.

I wanted to share J.B. Handley's article for those interested. And find myself unable to - too much animal research in there for me and I can't bear the fact that we're doing this to other species for us to be able to answer these questions. Google it if you want to read it.

Lastly, I am in little doubt that homeopathy along with other CAM modalities has much to offer to a struggling system. I am heartened to see improvements in children who (according to their parents, and their video evidence) have changed following routine injections. But to see them improve using this impossible therapy. It makes my heart sing. Can we help everyone? I don't know the answer - I see a few. My clinic is not predominantly with this work, but as a general practice type clinic, I work with it, yes. Colleagues I hear of many successful cases from, and I'll leave you with these happy stories.

I think that'll do for now, there are, as ever, two sides to every argument, but I don't think one side is being heard and hopefully there's a small amount of information to explore should this be an area of interest.

I may not have done it without the bet. I've had a year off alcohol before but over the year I had 4 glasses of something bubbly. Which was near as dammit a year off. But having started actively not drinking before Christmas, I had a sip of red wine, which on conversing with my daughter meant I'd consumed alcohol and had to re-start my challenge. On a whim I accepted the challenge. 'I bet you can't do a whole year mum'... Well...

Tomorrow, the 27th March 2018 is a year since that conversation. I did it. We did have some kefir but I'm not counting that ;) Fermented foods are good for the gut health after all.

I thought I might share something profound but then remembered it was me, it was late, it had been a long (and productive day) so just a few things I'll mention.

It's easier than you may think. I've had a lot of fun. And felt much better on a morning than if I had been drinking the night before. I've danced. I've enjoyed all these things just as much as if I'd had a drink or two. Sometimes I've gone home because I was tired and perhaps in the past I'd have stayed out. I've felt emotions clearer. I've enjoyed life more (that came out without me thinking about it... hmmm will muse over that one later). I've (this one was a bit of a shock, especially in places with freely flowing alcohol) not missed it. I like it. I like it a lot.

Maybe it's not forever, maybe it is. But I like it and for today that's good.

​With love, Em x

I'd love to know what you think about this one as I feel like I've stumbled onto something that so many of us (myself included) forgot, and that's having a time of remembrance in popular culture around the world. I've just written this lovely flowing blog - added a serene picture and my text has been wiped.

Not to read too much into that, I thought I'd share a couple of thoughts again, keeping it short and sweet. 

That's really the essence of it. Have we overcomplicated life? Have we been striving for more and more and actually getting less and less.

I've spent 15 years learning and working with a beautiful truth, that of less is more. And whilst I feel I've embraced it with a view to homeopathy and healthcare, even spilling over into other areas​ of my life - 6 months eating raw foods, 5 years eating predominantly a whole food, plant based, minimally processed diet, maybe I've not taken it to be the universal truth that I wonder it may be.

So I'm playing with it more now. I think, I really do, that maybe embracing a less is more philosophy could reduce this chronic stress burden we seem to be carrying around, reduce some of the anxiety and depression in our society, and improve happiness and wellbeing. Apt for International Day of Happiness today.

Love to know what you think...