Struggling for Sobriety and Serenity - Author Shares the Significance of Spirituality in New Book

Alcoholism is a global issue, as families across the world find themselves reeling from the effects of the disease and struggling to find ways to save their loved ones and help break themselves from the chains of this debilitating disorder. According to a 2017 study published by JAMA Psychiatry, alcoholism in the United States rose by a shocking 49% in the first decade of the 2000s. One-in-eight American adults, or 12.7 percent of the U.S. population, now meets diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder. With such an overwhelming epidemic striking families everywhere, how can we best address the disorder and save lives?

In her new book, Sober and Pissed Off, author and recovering alcoholic Jane Zarse shares her personal story of recovery and describes how she regained her emotional sobriety after becoming a dry, miserable alcoholic. With no known cure for alcoholism, Zarse found that the only proven treatment to combat the disease was through finding her spirituality. When Zarse got tangled up emotionally, her spiritual condition suffered greatly, and when a recovering alcoholic loses serenity, sobriety is usually next. Sober and Pissed Off illustrates why sobriety is so much more than simply not drinking, and is written for the countless people in recovery who are physically sober and emotionally struggling.

“Alcoholics Anonymous’ success rate for long-term sobriety is at an all-time low- less than 10%,” says Zarse. “Less than 20% of people in treatment can even maintain sobriety for a year. As a recovering alcoholic myself, I can firmly say that the road to recovery requires more than just weekly meetings. Sober and Pissed Off takes a look at the spiritual elements required to recover not just physically, but emotionally, and begin your own personal path to healing.”

Filled with an abundance of guidance and enlightening insight, Sober and Pissed Off discusses:

• The difference between physical and emotional sobriety
• The misconception that after one quits drinking the work is over and they are immediately cured
• The importance of addressing alcoholism as a mental disorder
• The constant work required to maintain sobriety
• How addiction and relapse are two forms of self-sabotage
• The correlations between anxiety, depression and addiction

Please let me know if you would be interested in receiving a review copy of Sober and Pissed Off and/or speaking with Jane Zarse. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration!

About the Author

Jane Zarse was born and raised in Lake Forest, Illinois. She graduated from Boston University on the Dean’s list before acting in New York City and trading in Chicago. She spiraled into alcoholism before joining Alcoholics Anonymous and finding her way back. Sober and Pissed Off is the second book for Zarse. Her first book, Love and Compassion Is My Religion (A Beginner’s Book Into Spirituality), is a guide for finding one’s spiritual self. Zarse’s first book received excellent reviews and gained worldwide attention. She has built an impressive author platform with tens of thousands of people who are in recovery following her on social media and is a top 2% Twitter influencer.

Connect with Zarse on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Sober and Pissed Off is available for purchase now on Amazon.

cannabisMD Names Veteran Media Executive Michael Klein as Chief Executive Officer

Executive with Experience Across Condé Nast, Discovery, and MTV to Build New Leading Digital Media Authority on Medical Cannabis

TORONTO AND LOS ANGELES – September 11, 2018 –  cannabisMD.com, a digital media company that provides comprehensive information for consumers on the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD), today named Michael Klein as Chief Executive Officer. A veteran media executive with more than twenty years of experience including at Condé Nast Entertainment, Discovery Communications, and MTV, Klein will oversee all creative and business operations for the company, launched in April 2018 by co-founders and chairmen G. Scott Paterson and Rory Millikin.

“Michael is a seasoned expert in building and growing media companies, and his deep editorial and creative expertise will be invaluable as we focus on our mission to provide consumers the information they want in the most useful and engaging way possible,” said Paterson.

“As access to medical marijuana and CBD expands globally, we created cannabisMD to meet consumer demand for a premium, go-to destination for information on medical cannabis and CBD,” said Milikin. “We’re excited to bring this brand to market for consumers who want a trusted resource, and progressive marketers and partners seeking safe opportunities to connect with this fast-growing, premium audience.”

“We’re in the early days of an enormous cultural shift in thinking around the therapeutic and wellness benefits of medical cannabis and CBD, and a new world of consumers is looking for unbiased, quality information to help them make the right choices for their individual needs and lifestyles,” said Klein. “We want to grow cannabisMD into a one-stop destination for comprehensive information and trusted voices, presented in the most compelling ways, so consumers can be smart about determining the benefits of medical cannabis and CBD for their loved ones and themselves.”

In his role, Klein will oversee cannabisMD’s growth strategy, including the development of original written and video content—from consumer information and resources to news to scientific and academic studies to original series. Klein will also recruit a chief medical advisor and develop a monetization strategy for the company. He brings more than two decades of experience in entertainment media, having created and produced award winning original content across television and digital media for some of the most prestigious brands in the industry, including MTV, Condé Nast Entertainment, Discovery Inc, TLC, and SundanceTV.

Most recently, Klein was Executive Vice President of Original Content at MTV, where he oversaw the development and strategy for all original programming. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President, Programming and Content Strategy, at Condé Nast Entertainment, where he was part of the Senior Leadership Launch Team created to leverage the company’s assets from more than 20 iconic brands for film, TV and digital content. Klein oversaw the company’s portfolio of digital channels - including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Wired, GQ and The New Yorker.

cannabisMD is part of Miraculo Inc., a new integrated media company with plans to launch a portfolio of verticals in the cannabis space.  Klein also serves as Miraculo’s CEO.

About cannabisMD

cannabisMD is the first digital media authority for premium, relevant and trustworthy content about the potential benefits of medical cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD). The Company’s network of sites feature scientific and academic studies, videos, news, original and curated articles and discussion forums. Learn more at cannabisMD.com.

The App to Harmonize Your Hectic Lifestyle Is Now Available

TORONTO, CANADA (September 11, 2018)— Just six weeks after its immensely successful launch for iPhone that placed it in the Top 50 free games in the App Store, today #SelfCare hits the Google Playstore for Android devices.  Developed by the team at TRU LUV, #SelfCare’s playful innovations to digitally engage and personally disconnect are changing the game of mindfulness.

With our lifestyle technologies overwhelming our reality, more of us are choosing to find a rare moment to shut off with a yoga or meditation class.  #SelfCare flips the script, empowering your phone to become your tool and guide to finding quick calm any time.  As you stay in your virtual bed all day surrounded by your favorite gentle things, you select calming tasks that generate simple satisfaction and uncomplicated harmony.  Unlike traditional games that get increasingly more stressful as you progress, the #SelfCare interactions begin disorderly and awkward and become more orderly and satisfying with the simple goal of feeling better.

“We have a love-hate relationship with our phones, and often feel stressed and manipulated by them,” inform #SelfCare co-creators Eve Thomas and Brie Code.  “We want to create experiences that doesn’t waste our time and that truly leave us feeling relaxed and invigorated and more ready for life.”

Further enhancing your #SelfCare experience is the ability personalize your virtual sanctuary with unique additions contributed by guest artists working in themes of self-care, updating your space to reflect the evolution of your goals and outlook.  The more time you spend on yourself, the more self-care techniques are unlocked for a deeper and more impactful practice.  This Android release of #SelfCare coincides with the introduction of a new in-app minigame in which you tend to your bedside plant and receive its guidance.

To develop #SelfCare upon an evidence-based foundation, the team collaborated with research advisor Dr. Isabela Granic — creator of the renowned anxiety-reducing children’s game MindLight, Professor and Chair of Developmental Psychopathology at Radboud University in the Netherlands, and Director at Games for Emotional and Mental Health Lab.

Download #SelfCare on Google Playor the App Store. For more information visit TRULUV.ai.

MyCare becomes Recognized Referral Facilitator for Mayo Clinic

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Zecotek Ships Over US$225,000 of LFS Scintillation Crystals

Pregorexia and Drunkorexia

Food and Weight Obsessions Go To Dangerous New Levels 

In a society that values thinness, conditions like anorexia and bulimia cut across race, color, gender and socioeconomic constraints. They’re defined by extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, roughly 30 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their life. Two new dangerous eating disorders they are mostly being seen with millennials are “pregorexia” and “drunkorexia.” We turned to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, New York City based neuropsychologist and Teaching Faculty Member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College for some insight.

Drunkorexia: “I want to drink but I don’t want to get fat so, I won’t eat.”

While binge-drinking is in no way gender-specific, drunkorexia is a practice more common to females. This term is used to describe the unhealthy combination of extreme food restriction, bulimia and alcoholism; basically, it is a term for a female who starves herself throughout the day, then drinks to excess at night.

Those who engage in this practice rarely suffer from anorexia. This is because a female with anorexia tends to avoid alcohol consumption altogether. Even if she eats nothing during the day, the high caloric content of alcohol is too frightening. “The fear of losing control is enormous. Rigid control is essential to maintaining anorexia. Alcohol may lead to a relaxation of this rigidity and she may fall victim to the allure of food which is why anorexics avoid alcohol,” explains Dr. Hafeez.

For myriad reasons, a female with bulimia is much more likely to fall into the category of drunkorexia. “In the case of the bulimic, alcohol may play a significant role in their binge-purge cycle. In addition to eating huge quantities of food, she drinks excessively. Not only does she experience the mood-altering effects of alcohol, but also the large amount of fluid helps her in the purge process. After purging, she may drink more to sustain the high of intoxication. It’s an incredibly damaging cycle,” adds Dr. Hafeez.

The Dangers of Drunokorexia

Eating on an empty stomach will definitely increase blood alcohol concentration, simply because there is nothing there to absorb the alcohol. This increase is more likely to result in blackouts, injury, and poor decision-making. It also can result in temporary dehydration because of excessive urination and lack of thirst. Also, engaging in this behavior frequently can lead to nutritional deficiencies. These are some of the more immediate effects, but longer-term effects can include increased damage to the liver and kidneys, as well as alcohol addiction.

If you are worried that you or someone you know are suffering from drunkorexia or you know someone that is, it is important that you seek professional treatment. “We would want to work on the needs to control and escape also worthiness issues hence, the focus on thinness,” Hafeez explains.

Pregorexia: “I’m pregnant, don’t want it to show, and I absolutely cannot get fat.”

In the age of social media, it’s not so surprising that this condition exists. Pregnant millennials see celebrities their age pregnant on Instagram with their “bounce back body” in tip-top shape just weeks (or a few posts) after giving birth.

These women are so afraid of weight gain during pregnancy that they  don't adequately nourish themselves and their developing baby. “While it is not an actual diagnosis, the fear of weight-gain due to pregnancy and worse, the inability to return to the pre-baby weight, makes some expectant mother’s pregorexic and this is when some turn to strict dieting and excessive exercise,” shares Dr. Hafeez.

Not gaining enough weight when you're pregnant is dangerous. It can increase the risk of miscarriage and birth complications such as prematurity and low birth weight.

The risk of pregorexia might be higher for women who have a history of eating disorders and those who have a weak social support system.

Specific warning signs of pregorexia might include:

• Talking about the pregnancy as if it weren't real
• Heavily focusing on calorie counts
• Eating alone or skipping meals
• Exercising excessively

What happens when you don't eat enough nutritious food in pregnancy?

When you severely restrict your food intake, or binge and purge while you're pregnant, your baby will not receive the necessary nutrients it needs to develop in the womb.

Your baby may be born underweight and develop other health complications during infancy. You will also likely be fatigued. The lack of nutrients to your baby may hamper their growth and development which may later result in serious health conditions.

For some women, pregorexia may lead to a miscarriage.

Women should not be shamed for this condition; it doesn't make them bad mothers, they are fighting a battle. Instead we should talk about it more, so the disorder can be better understood and destigmatized.

WHERE TO SEEK HELP

Call a 24-hour Alcoholics Anonymous hotline: 510-839-8900

Hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237, This helpline offers support Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. EST, and Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST.

Something Fishy: 1-866-418-1207, This eating disorder helpline offers treatment referrals nationwide.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders:

1-630-577-1330 Currently serving people in the United States, the hotline operates Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. CST

About the Doctor:

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz. Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.com

Gripping Memoir Details Life Before And After Debilitating Stroke

Trevose, PA, September 10, 2018 ― For Mary Reid-Hill, the word "no” means surrender. It means life on the couch. It means dying a slow death. So never tell Mary that she can't do something. Because she'll do everything in her power to prove you wrong.

Mary entered "adulthood” with a load of problems to unpack, including a twisted, abusive childhood; a misguided teen marriage; and a cancer diagnosis at the tender age of 22. Somehow, in spite of it all, she used her skills as a visual artist to carve out a career in the male-dominated world of sign design and installation.

But life wasn't done testing her. At age 38, at the peak of her success, she suffered a major stroke which left her with essentially half her brain and body capacity. For more than 15 years, she has defied doctors, therapists, and even friends and family to stubbornly and relentlessly find her own equilibrium and happiness, "in spite of” all of her health challenges, psychological roadblocks and spiritual upheaval.

But that's just Mary.

And now, she's sharing her remarkable story in her inspirational memoir, In Spite Of . . . How I Survived Abuse, Cancer, and a Giant F@#%ing Stroke, as told to David Tabatsky—author, co-author and/or editor of more than thirty books, covering a vast range of subjects. For more information on David, please visit his website at: www.tabatsky.com.

Mary's approach is refreshingly candid and infused with humor as she chronicles a series of life events that would emotionally cripple most people, including her messed- up childhood, two bad marriages, the devastating stroke, her battles with weight and insurance companies, and the death of her husband. Through it all, her no-nonsense prose underscores why she's become a living example of what the human spirit is ultimately all about and how, in spite of it all, she's still here.

Mary was born and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and still lives there today, on the corner of Hope and Humor. For the past 17 years, Mary has been unable to hold down a job, due to a disability stemming from her stroke. However, she remains as active as possible, renovating her home, refinishing furniture and continuing her main passion––drawing. Her memoir includes 15 original drawings, some of which she created before the stroke, and several after, when she had to teach herself to draw all over again, this time with her left hand. On top of that, Mary cares for two dogs and occasionally her two closest sisters.

For more information, please visit the website at: www.inspiteof.life.

In Spite Of . . . How I Survived Abuse, Cancer, and a Giant F@#%ing Stroke
Legacy Projects
Release Date: August 2018
ISBN–13: 978-1722983352
ISBN–10: 1722983353

TRAINITRIGHT Has A Few Online Training Spots Open

Hey Guys! I have a few online training spots open for transformation, off season and prep spots now! Please kick the photo above to sign up or here. If you have any questions feel free to contact me about them.

WHAT YOU GET:

• Member’s only access private Facebook page where Alicia posts motivational things like workouts, videos, recipes and much more!
• Customized program that includes cardio, strength training, nutrition and supplementation suggestions that will all be tailored for your needs in order to reach your goal safely and efficiently.
• Workouts based on availability of your equipment and/or access to recreational facilities.
• Regular contact with your coach via email to keep you on track and accountable.
• Personalized programming based on regular review of stats and progress photos.
• Exposure on the Train It Right social media pages, with your permission.

CordovaCann Announces Letter of Intent to Acquire Ontario-Based Licensed Producer Applicant

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 5, 2018 / CordovaCann Corp. (CSE: CDVA) (OTCQB: LVRLF) ("Cordova" or the "Company"), a cannabis-focused consumer products company, announced today that it has entered into a letter of intent (the "LOI") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of 2366607 Ontario Inc. d/b/a Alterna Medicinals Canada ("Alterna") for the total purchase price of $1,693,750 Canadian dollars and 1,204,167 shares in the common stock of Cordova, contingent upon Alterna obtaining receipt of a License to Cultivate under Health Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) for Alterna's facility in Listowel, Ontario. Furthermore, Cordova has agreed to loan up to $1 million Canadian dollars to Alterna to fund the required capital expenditures to advance the application process for such License to Cultivate.

Alterna is an applicant to become a Licensed Producer under the ACMPR program and was provided a Confirmation of Readiness by Health Canada earlier this year for its 14,000 square foot leased-facility located in Listowel, Ontario. The facility has future expansion capabilities across its seven acre site.

"Expanding our cultivation capabilities into the Canadian market is an essential step in achieving our goal of capturing greater international market share," stated Mr. Taz Turner, Chairman and CEO of Cordova. "While providing access to the Canadian market is of significant importance to us, the acquisition of Alterna is also expected to provide us with the ability to distribute our branded, formulated products to international markets, furthering our mission to establish a global cannabis manufacturing and distribution platform."

The transaction as contemplated is subject to standard terms and conditions of transactions of this nature, including but not limited to the completion of satisfactory due diligence and the approval of Cordova's board of directors.

To be added to the Company's distribution list, please email cordova@kcsa.com with "Cordova" in the subject line.

About CordovaCann Corp.

CordovaCann Corp. is a Canadian-domiciled company focused on building a leading, diversified cannabis products business across multiple U.S. jurisdictions. CordovaCann primarily provides services and investment capital to the processing and production vertical markets of the cannabis industry.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and management's views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. The Company cannot provide assurances that the matters described in this press release will be successfully completed or occur. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: global economic and market conditions; the war on terrorism and the potential for war or other hostilities in other parts of the world; the availability of financing and lines of credit; successful integration of acquired or merged businesses; changes in interest rates; management's ability to forecast revenues and control expenses, especially on a quarterly basis; unexpected decline in revenues without a corresponding and timely slowdown in expense growth; the Company's ability to retain key management and employees; intense competition and the Company's ability to meet demand at competitive prices and to continue to introduce new products and new versions of existing products that keep pace with technological developments, satisfy increasingly sophisticated customer requirements and achieve market acceptance; relationships with significant suppliers and customers; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the Company's public filings on EDGAR and SEDAR. The Company undertakes no obligation to update information contained in this press release. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, please refer to the risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's EDGAR and SEDAR filings.