Seriousness is a disease that causes many ailments to put life on crutches, or on hold. Life lived with transparency and discernment is a life lived in the light of love, and just good common sense. People don’t do things contrary to their hearts feeling different about because of a fear that arises when it’s not needed. They may be vulnerable to a fearful situation of being out of their comfort zone without the ‘perceived and usually erroneous notion that they may not feel self confident to handle.
People fear love because of the perception that love brings misery. Love seems to take away freedoms, replacing life with lies, conditions, slavery, imprisonment, and infinite negatives that one has grown accustomed to but really is a sense of non freedom and slavery when love is nowhere to be found. This perception of being ‘caged’ comes with a lack of self love, and conditionalness in pursuing love with another. Love isn’t a rental! Love is unconditional, and with compassionate communication.
Love has no fear or denial, and opens itself to a non seriousness of joy and laughter. Fear of losing one’s individuality in compromise creates a sense of creating an invisible shield of protecting it. When two souls merge in higher love with no reservations and in a ‘let go’, each reaches a compassionate communication that gives the energy to the other to be their true selves. A divine merger gives up or submits individuality to form a third being called an ‘us’, but in an aware return of giving, loves the other to have their individuality also. In a sense, love takes but gives back a better you for both while giving birth to a new merger of beings in harmony for the needs and desires of the other.
Cast out fears of love, and the denial of them, and your true self to the winds! Don’t let love become a cage that causes you to exploit the other with unnecessary compromises, lies, and poisons of love that kill the energy of love, making each other a cripple. Nourish love until it become like a prayer and the ultimate experience of life. An energized focus may be needed as mankind for thousands of years has habitually exploited love and forgotten how to love with all the heart, mind, body, and soul. No conditions but for the sake of love
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Pursuit of Happiness
Keep on reaching for the stars, and believe you can do anything because you really can. No matter how down you are you can always survive. Keep on smiling and be happy, things will always get better. Keep on dreaming, no matter what you can reach the stars. Just believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything. All you need is to believe and you can do anything at all. All you need is to be happy in life and
you can do anything you want.
You have to always have to a plan to achieve your happiness. But be happy traveling to your destination as well. Patience is an attribute that is required to achieve happiness.
Thomas Jefferson mentions happiness in the declaration of Independence. In fact "The Pursuit of Happiness," is actually stated in the lead sentence. It is what its about. The whole document is how this is important it is in your whole life. No matter where you are, it is so important in living all of our lives.
Optimism is how to really live a happy life. You imagination is always helpful in this journey, it makes you feel as youthful as ever.
Home is where your heart is, no matter where you end up. If you always have a blast, no matter what happens you will live a prosperous and happy life. There are no free handout except the ones people make for them for themselves no matter where they are. Always look up and be happy for all you got always because what ever happens we all are alive. The adventure of life is as well as you make it. You always have the power to fulfill all your dreams as long as you believe in yourself.
Fortune finds you no matter where you are. Happiness is what you always are in no matter where you are and no matter what life deals you.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Easy Eco-Friendly Changes That Can Make You Happier
You don't have to be spartan to be environmentally friendly. "A lot of people are blocked from living a simple lifestyle because they think they have to live like the Amish or the Unabomber," says Knox College psychologist Tim Kasser, Ph.D. He suggests picking two things you'll try to do differently over the next 12 months, then two more the next year. "Within 10 years," he says, "You'll have changed pretty important things in your life and be living in a better way." Oberlin psychologist Cindy McPherson Frantz, Ph.D. advises making one-time, big changes, such as buying an energy-efficient car, rather than small, ongoing ones like taking daily cold showers. It "makes much more environmental impact and you don't have to suffer," she says.
The great outdoors can put a spring in your step: Research published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who walked outside felt more energetic afterwards than those who walked indoors. Exposure to nature, fresh air, sunlight and the feeling of openness may contribute to that sense of wellbeing, the scientists wrote. Hiking and bird-watching also are linked with less stress, Yale scientist Stephen Kellert wrote in his book The Biophilia Hypothesis. While there's no guarantee that being an outdoor aficionado will make you eco-friendly, it may inspire you to act environmentally responsibly, British researchers reported in 2009. Try walking, biking, or even doing a crossword puzzle outside to get a nature fix, Frantz says.
Recycle
Happy teens are green teens, Kasser found in a 2005 study. Those who recycled, reused paper and plastic and switched off unused lights were happier than kids who didn't. While this study cannot prove that those behaviors made them happy (as opposed to them acting responsibly because they were happy already), the environmentally responsible teens were less materialistic and more focused on community, relationships and personal growth -- so-called "intrinsic" values that are associated with wellbeing. Visit Earth911.com to find a recycling center near you, and e-Stewards.org for companies that have pledged not to export electronic waste to developing countries. If your office doesn't recycle, talk with your boss about starting with paper and cardboard before moving on to other materials, suggests the City of San Jose, Calif.
Buy Local
Why do you patronize your local farmer's market or mom-and-pop shop? Maybe you like the wares, but you probably also enjoy your relationship with the grower or seller. Buying local products may promote our psychological need for relatedness, Kasser says. It's also good for the environment. Compared to buying products from far away, purchasing locally can reduce your carbon footprint (the earth-warming gases your activities produce), depending on how the item is made and transported. "If we localize what can be localized instead of globalizing everything possible, that's more sustainable and better for our wellbeing because it builds that sense of connection," Kasser says. Check out localharvest.org to find sustainably grown food near you, and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies for nearby businesses striving for green.
Grow Your Own Food
Gardening can help curb erosion and using organic gardening methods prevents pesticide runoff into our waterways, according to the green consumer site ecomii. What's more, a study published in June in the Journal of Health Psychology found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol fell more after 30 minutes of gardening than they did following half an hour of reading. Kasser thinks gardening may promote our psychological need to feel capable. "Sustainability builds skills that make people feel competent at what they're trying to do, and gardening promotes more feelings of competence than buying food at the grocery store," Kasser says. Discovery Communication's Planet Green recommends saving your food scraps for composting and joining a community garden. The American Community Gardening Association has a directory of local groups.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness -- non-judgmental awareness and acceptance of what's happening in the moment -- has been shown in numerous studies to promote relaxation. In his 2005 research, Kasser found it was also linked to happiness and environmentally responsible behaviors, such as using public transportation, vegetarianism (eating meat contributes to global warming) and recycling. "Mindfulness probably contributes to sustainability by making us more aware of when we actually have enough," Kasser said. Want to get mindful? Give up 15 minutes a day at work, shopping, or in front of the TV or Internet to practice some form of mindfulness meditation, Kasser says. The Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts has more on how yoga or meditation promotes that state of mind.
Live Small
Living within your means may satisfy your need to feel financially safe -- and help the environment. "If I live in a small house that I can afford to pay off in 10 years instead of some McMansion, I'm going to feel secure because I don't have to worry about being homeless," Kasser says. "That's also a more sustainable decision." The smaller your space, the fewer materials you need to build it -- and the less energy you use to heat and cool it. Use natural materials such as stone and bamboo, and glass to give the impression of more space -- and exposure to nature, suggests greenhomebuilding.com.
Choose Simplicity
So-called "voluntary simplifiers" who intentionally downsize their lives, whether by reducing their hours at work, abandoning their car for a bicycle, or living in smaller quarters, are happier than mainstream Americans and are more likely to engage in environmentally responsible behaviors, Kasser and co-author Kirk Brown found in their 2005 study, published in Social Indicators Research. Such choices, even if they mean earning less money or losing certain conveniences, can promote satisfaction of our psychological needs, Kasser says. "It all boils down to recognizing when you have enough," he says. "That has to be the ultimate arbiter of satisfaction." If simplifying your life means clearing out knickknacks, gadgets and other clutter around the house, but you're not sure what to toss and what to keep, ask yourself: Is it functional? Is it beautiful? Is it meaningful? "If the answer to any one is yes, you keep it," Frantz said.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
How to keep your teeth
Things You’ll Need:
Straw
Toothbrush
Lemon Juice
Salt
Baking soda
Hydrogen peroxide
Strawberries
Step 1:
Limit your consumption of drinks that stain tooth enamel. A few of these include coffee, tea and red wine. If you simply can't cut back on these beverages, consider drinking them though a straw to limit the amount of liquid that actually comes in contact with teeth.
Step 2:
Brush your teeth immediately after eating, especially if eating foods that stain easily, such as berries.
Step 3:
Rub raw strawberries on your teeth, preferably pureed. There is an enzyme in strawberries that acts as a whitening agent. You'll want to brush and rinse after applying the strawberries to remove the natural sugars and acids they may leave behind.
Step 4:
Eat crunchy foods that require a lot of chewing such as carrots, celery, broccoli and apples. These foods are abrasive and will remove built up plaque, which dulls the appearance of teeth.
Step 5:
Dip your toothbrush directly into baking soda and brush. The results are worth the lousy taste.
Step 6:
Combine lemon juice and one teaspoon of salt to make a paste-like substance. Brush your teeth and rinse. Again, not so pleasant on the palate, but your teeth will thank you.
Step 7:
Use hydrogen peroxide to brush your teeth. Dip your toothbrush into a small capful of the peroxide and brush as you would with regular toothpaste, being careful not to swallow. Rinse with water.
Tips -
Consider using one of the several whitening toothpastes on the market that have all-natural ingredients. Brushing after every meal and flossing regularly are the first steps in maintaining a healthy smile.
How to Brush Teeth
Brushing twice a day is the easiest way to avoid cavities and gum disease, but are you doing it the right way?
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Go bananas!
• Bananas are packed with vitamin A. Vitamin B is also present in the form of Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Folic acid. These help in calming the nervous system.
• Bananas are a natural source of potassium and are ideal for people who are suffering from blood pressure problems.
• Bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.
• Having a banana milkshake sweetened with honey is a sureshot way of curing a hangover. The banana calms the stomach. With the help of honey, it further builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and rehydrates your system.
• Due to a high fiber content, bananas help restore a normal bowel function. They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalise movement through the digestive tract.
• Bananas are an ideal fruit to be eaten when a person is suffering from ulcers. This is due to the soft texture of the fruit which makes it easily digestible, combined with its ability to neutralise acidity.
• Bananas are also a natural source of iron. The iron found in bananas helps in the increase of haemoglobin, thus making bananas an ideal fruit for people who are suffering from anaemia.
• Bananas are also great moodenhancers. They contain an amino acid called tryptophan, which relaxes a person and helps in improving one’s mood.
• Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness in pregnant women.
Sour and good lemons
1. Lemon being a citrus fruit , fights against infection. It helps in production of WBC's and antibodies in blood which attacks the invading microorganism and prevents infection.
2. Lemon is an antioxidant which deactivates the free radicals preventing many dangerous diseases like stroke, cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
3. Lemon lowers blood pressure and increases the levels of HDL (good cholesterol) .
4. Lemon is found to be anti-carcinogenic which lower the rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer . They prevent faulty metabolism in the cell, which can predispose a cell to becoming carcinogenic. Also blocks the formation of nitrosamines in the gut.
5. Lemon juice is said to give a glow to the skin.
6. A few drops of lemon juice in hot water are believed to clear the digestive system and purify liver as well.
7. The skin of lemon dried under the sun and then ground to make powder can be applied to the hair for a few minutes before bath which relieves head ache and cools the body.
8. Applying lemon juice to acne dries the existing ones and prevents from getting more.
9. Lemon juice acts as a natural hair lightner and skin bleach which reduces the pigment melanin and prevents the risk of chemical allergic reactions which is common with hair dyes and bleaches.
10. Lemon juice is given to relieve gingivitis, stomatitis, and inflammation of the tongue.
11. Lemon juice is given to prevent common cold.
12. Lemon juice is given to prevent or treat urinary tract infection and gonorrhea.
13. Lemon juice is applied to the sites of bites and stings of certain insects to relieve its poison and pain.
14. Lemon juice relieves colic pain and gastric problems .
15. Lemon juice soothes the dry skin when applied with little glycerin.
16. Lemon juice used for marinating seafood or meat kills bacteria and other organisms present in them, thereby prevents many gastro-intestinal tract infections.
17. Lemon juice with a pinch of salt (warm) every morning lowers cholesterol levels and brings down your weight.
18. Lemon juice is the best drink to prevent dehydration and shock in case of diarrhea.
19. Lemon juice can also be used as a mouthwash. It removes plaque, whitens the teeth and strengthens the enamel.
20. A table spoon on thick lemon syrup everyday relieves asthma.
21. Lemon juice relieves chilblains and itchy skin.
22. Gargling lemon juice relieves throat infection and also used as a treatment for diphtheria.
23. Lemon juice is an excellent treatment for dandruff and greasy hair.
24. Lemon applied over the face removes wrinkles and keeps you young.
25. Lemon juice helps to prevent and cure osteoarthritis
Monday, July 26, 2010
5 Ways to Stay Young
1. Chill Out:
The brain remembers better when it’s relaxed, say researchers at the California Institute of Technology. Take a few minutes each day to breathe deeply or meditate.
2. Focus on the Future:
People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, according to a recent study. Don’t worry if your calendar isn’t overflowing with life-changing events: Setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend (and keeping it) will do.
3. Go for a Walk:
Mildly elevated glucose levels (even if you don’t have diabetes) can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories, say Columbia University researchers. Experts agree that physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal.
4. Snack on Berries:
Blueberries have compounds called anthocyanins that help communication between brain cells and appear to improve memory, says Robert Krikorian, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati.
5. Learn Something New:
Take a Spanish class online, join a knitting club or learn to play poker. A UC Irvine study found that mental stimulation limits the debilitating effects of aging on memory and the mind.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Ending The Strggle With Depression
Medical experts claim that one of the many ingredients to a healthy lifestyle is to be happy.
A person who is free from negative vibes and thoughts are the ones who rarely get depressed and stressed out.
Although it is normal for anyone to experience depression at some point in his or her life, extreme condition of anxiety depression may be detrimental to a person's perspective and approach towards life.
As defined in medical terminology, manic depression is a psychological condition that changes how a person thinks and feels in a negative way. This condition is far from the aspect of just being sad, moody, or unhappy. Serious cases of depression, when not consulted, can eventually affect a person's behavior and sense of well-being.
The following are effective treatments that can totally free an individual from depression:
1. Support and love from family and friends.
Suffering from extreme case of depression is hard for a person who doesn't have a close relative or friend to confide with. Once the condition is confirmed, it is best to seek help and support from a person who will understand and assist you through this said illness. Having someone listen to your problems, thoughts, and worries is surely one of the most recommended natural treatments of most doctors.
2. Effective and prescribed anti-depression medication.
Anti-depression medications are widely available in the worldwide market today. However, it is important not to take any medicine that is not recommended or prescribed by a doctor. Remember that there are some medications that can give adverse side-effects when not taken correctly as prescribed by a doctor.
3. Meditation and exercise.
It is proven in a number of studies that meditation and exercise have beneficial effects on depression. When a person undergoes a meditation treatment, he or she experiences complete relaxation, thus, helping him or her to view troubles and worries in a more positive way. On the other hand, exercise is a perfect treatment to help one's body and mind more focused.
4. Natural foods
Apart from taking prescribed medications by doctors, eating natural foods is also known to be an effective natural treatment for depression. Examples of natural foods are asparagus, cardamom, cashew nut, and lemon balm. These natural goodies help bring down the acidity level in the body, thus, keeping the mind relaxed and calm.
5 Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp
The brain remembers better when it’s relaxed, say researchers at the California Institute of Technology. Take a few minutes each day to breathe deeply or meditate.
2. Focus on the Future :
People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, according to a recent study. Don’t worry if your calendar isn’t overflowing with life-changing events: Setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend (and keeping it) will do.
3. Go for a Walk :
Mildly elevated glucose levels (even if you don’t have diabetes) can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories, say Columbia University researchers. Experts agree that physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal.
4. Snack on Berries :
Blueberries have compounds called anthocyanins that help communication between brain cells and appear to improve memory, says Robert Krikorian, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati.
5. Learn Something New :
Take a Spanish class online, join a knitting club or learn to play poker. A UC Irvine study found that mental stimulation limits the debilitating effects of aging on memory and the mind.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Health Benifits of Spinach
Spinach and alfalfa help stabilize blood sugar among diabetics. Make a drink by getting several handful of spinach, add 3 cups of water. Place over low heat for one hour. Then strain. Take ½ cup twice a day. Spinach and alfalfa may be served as part of the meal.
Spinach is loaded with flavonoid that functions as antioxidant and anti-cancer agent.
Spinach contains carotenoid that help fights cancer.
Spinach is a rich source of Vitamins C and A
Spinach is an anti-aging vegetable.
Spinach is a good source of Vitamin K, which aids in the formation of the blood substance required for clotting of blood.
Spinach is also helpful in the following cases ; Anemia, Tumors, Constipation, Insomnia, Obesity, Neuritis (inflammation of nerves), Nerve exhaustion, High blood pressure, Bronchitis, Colon cancer, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer, Osteoporosis, Dyspepsia (chronic indigestion) , Also helps ailment of the kidneys, bladder and liver.
Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm.
Vitamin A : 9,420 I.U.
Vitamin B : Thiamine .11 mg.;
Riboflavin : .20 mg.;
Niacin : .6 mg.
Vitamin C : 59 mg.
Good source of Vitamin k : amount undetermined.
Calcium : 81 mg
Iron : 3.0 mg.
Phosphorus : 55 mg.
Potassium : 470 mg.
Carbohydrates : 3.2 gm.
Protein : 2.3 gm.
Calories : 20
Yeremiah Hardt
yeremiah@aol.com
5 Ways to Stay Energetic Throughout the Day
Studies show that the more fit one’s body is, the more one’s brain seems to benefit. Correct breathing, healthy eating and drinking habits, healthy body, and sports affect your success as the Roman proverb says, “A sound mind in a sound body.” Therefore, it is crucial that you take care of your body and understand the benefits of health.
Follow the below steps on how to stay energetic throughout the day:
1. Breathing
You might know that breathing is indispensable for everyone, but do you know that the majority of people do not breathe correctly? Start from today to work on your breathing skills for around 15 minutes a day. Start by taking deep breaths slowly, hold the breath for 10 seconds, then release.
2. Morning exercises
Spend around 20-30 minutes of your morning moving your body. You could do aerobics, yoga, walking, running, stretching, push ups, or anything that you like doing. The important thing is to move, relax, and strengthen your body and muscles.
3. Watch your eating habits
You have to make sure that you eat healthy food that is right for you as there is no health system that is good for everyone. People who are diabetic have to avoid eating lots of sweets and people who have high cholesterol must avoid eating red meat. Consult your doctor to find what kind of food is suitable for you.
You can start your day eating fruit and avoid eating fat and oily food. Make sure that you eat salad with your meals as salad provides the body with a lot of fiber which means you could lower your cholesterol, reduce your calories among other benefits.
4. Drink lots of water and liquid
Keep a bottle of water close to you all the time and drink water as much as possible to avoid dehydration. Drinking different kinds of juices is helpful as well. Drinking lots of water and drinking liquids are the key to stay dehydrated.
5. Positive thoughts
During the day, take a few minutes to clear your head from all the negative thoughts and focus only on positive thoughts and your future goals. Taking a few a minutes every day to relax and clear you head from all the negativity can do wonders.
Always remember what Mark Twain said, “And what is a man without energy? Nothing – nothing at all.”
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The 40 Best Age-Erasing Superfoods
1. ALMONDS
2. FLAXSEEDS
3. TOMATOES
4. Sweet Potatoes
5. Spinach
6. Rosemary
7. Wild Salmon
8. Blueberries
9. GREEN TEA
10. Dark Chocolate
11. Tuna
12. Carrots
13. DRIED PRUNES
14. OATMEAL
15. Red wine
16. Yogurt
17. Avocado
18. Walnuts
19. Turmeric
20. Black Beans
21. Apples
23. Pomegranates
24. Bok Choy
26. Broccoli
27. Kiwis
28. Olive Oil
29. Leeks
30. Artichokes
31. Peppers
32. Ginger
33. Cinnamon
34. Eggs
35. Figs
37. Mushrooms
38. Pineapples
39. Fruit or vegetable juice
40. Bing Cherries
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Water
Two (02) glass of water - After waking up - Helps activate internal organs
One (01) glasses of water - 30 minutes before meal - Help digestion
One (01) glass of water - Before taking a bath - Helps lower blood pressure
One (01) glass of water - Before sleep - To avoid stroke or heart attack
Monday, June 7, 2010
COPING WITH STRESS
Author Unknown
A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.
The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.
In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."
He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."
"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."
"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can."
So, put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.
Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
1. Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
2. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
3. Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
4. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
5. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
6. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
7. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.
8. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
9. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
10. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
11. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
12. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
13. We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they have to live in the same box.
14. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Obesity: Such a Waste
The USA is one of the most obese nations. It has become this because of the work we do. Sitting on our butt is a common cause for being overweight.
We have to become a nation that make a workout part of our everyday job. When we were farmers we were never overweight because our daily jobs included a workout.
The whole world has enough food in it for all the people as well as animals and plant life. We, as a nation, as well as a planet, need to correspond to this simple concept of the energy that goes in must go out eventually. The way it goes out does not matter.
Whatever we need we get through our thoughts. This is the natural order of things, which has many names, but it all will have the same solution.
Losing weight cannot ever be a chore because than it will become work for you. Chores are never fun and you will not authentically want.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Relax
In a year, we have approximately 240 hours of lunch breaks, that's 10 whole days of free time! What are you doing for lunch?
Leave your office for 45 minutes 3 times a week.
Steer your attention away from the to-do lists, the pressures, and gently guide yourself towards your inner space.
General Important Tips for lightening dark circles
Benefits:
Above application will not only show results for removing the dark circles under the eyes but also will get rid of wrinkles under the eyes. Almond oil application as well as almond consumption is healthy for the body. Along with the above application, try to eat 10 soaked, peeled almonds daily in the morning. You will start noticing the results after about 20 days.
Friday, May 28, 2010
How to Reboot your Sleep Cycle
Who wouldn't want more sleep? We live in a 24/7 world where the work of the day doesn't have to end when it gets dark, work can start long before the sun comes up, and even when the work is done you've got a million-and-one distractions to keep you up well into the wee hours surfing, clicking, and not getting a good night's sleep. This guide aims to help get your sleep cycle back in order and start getting the rest you need.
This is a long one, so here's a quick outline if you want to jump straight to any section:
• Effects of Sleep Deprivation
• Short Term Recovery: Getting the Ship Back On Course Before It Crashes
• Long Term Recovery: Charting a Course for Pleasantville
A few things need to be said before we go any further. First, sleep deprivation isn't a badge of honor. It's a very American/Protestant Work Ethic attitude to act like being so busy and stretched thin that you must go without sleep just to get it all done is something to be proud of. If you're going to insist that abusing your body with sleep deprivation is something to be proud of and a necessary part of being a working adult, then you're not in the right frame of mind to really take this advice to heart. Going with little sleep is sometimes an unfortunate necessity, but it shouldn't be adopted as a way of life and a point of pride. (You certainly wouldn't brag to your friends how awesome you are mal-nourishing yourself.)
Second, if you read through this guide, take the advice to heart, and still see no positive change in your sleeping patterns, you may very well need to see a doctor. There are a multitude of medical reasons for why you might not be getting a good night's sleep, including things like Sleep Apnea. Conditions that interrupt your sleep slowly shave years off your life and decrease the quality of life in the ones you have left. If you suspect you have a sleep disorder talk to your doctor and go see a sleep specialist. Photo by YelloShine.
Finally, there isn't a tip in this guide I haven't personally used. Between being a student, a parent, an educator, a writer here at Lifehacker, and for one horrible year doing it all in addition to working 12 hour graveyard shifts, there isn't a whole lot about sleep deprivation and putting your "sleep life" back together that I haven't experienced. Sleep deprivation is brutal and I hope whether you've been short-changing yourself an hour of sleep a day or eight that you take something away from this guide that helps get things back on track.
Effects of Sleep Deprivation
An important part of getting your sleep schedule back under control is understanding what you're doing to yourself by not getting enough sleep. Your body is a complex machine that evolved over millions of years to the state it is in today. Our modern coffee-swilling, go-go-go, work-until-the-crack-of-dawn-and-collapse culture has only been around for the tiniest fraction of the history of the human species. We haven't adapted to less sleep, and we're likely not going to adapt any time soon. You need as much sleep today as your greatest of great grandfathers needed in 2010.
What happens when you don't get enough sleep? Everyone is familiar with the common side effects, like being tired the next day, sore muscles, and general irritability. Sleep deprivation also has a myriad of side effects you don't see as easily as yawning or a snippy attitude. Sleep deprivation increases your risk of heart disease, impairs memory retention, increases risk of diabetes and obesity (adequate sleep is required for proper glucose processing and insulin regulation), and increases risk of depression and other mental illness, the list goes on and on. Earlier this month we shared a study with you showing that sleep deprivation is similar to being outright intoxicated. Most people would frown strongly upon someone showing up to work drunk every day, but we all act like sleep deprivation is just the way it has to be.
Sleep is a critical part of your body's maintenance routine and depriving yourself of it as the same as running a machine with no down time for preventive care and repairs. You can do it but eventually something breaks and usually catastrophically.
Short Term Recovery: Getting the Ship Back On Course Before It Crashes
Let's get a big misconception out of the way. You don't have a "sleep bank". If you've gone for the last year chronically sleep deprived you don't have to refill some sort of sleep tank in your tummy in order to start feeling normal again. You can start doing things today to increase the sleep you're getting and start feeling better immediately. It will take a few weeks of consistent and restful sleep to shake the after effects of sleep deprivation but don't despair, you won't need to "sleep off" all 1,498 hours of sleep you shorted yourself over the last year. Photo by analab01.
Another misconception is the amount of sleep people require. The only person who can judge the amount of sleep you need to be happy and alert is you. Studies come out year after year saying X number of hours is the best number of hours—8 hours to feel most rested, 7 hours to live long like the Japanese, 6 hours and you'll die young—but the only expert on what is best for you is you. We'll return to the topic of how much sleep you need and how to measure it in a moment, for right now let's focus on what you can do tonight.
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene: Sleep hygiene is similar to your end-of-day personal hygiene. Just like you wash your face and brush your teeth before bed, sleep hygiene is an umbrella term that covers all the things you do leading up to sleep that help or hinder restful sleep.
Good sleep hygiene involves getting your body ready for good night's sleep and not over stimulating it. How can you practice good sleep hygiene? Start by shifting your perspective on what bedtime and sleep really are. Bedtime isn't just the point where you collapse from working hard and staying up too late, bedtime is the start of a block of time very important to your body. You need good sleep and you should treat your bedtime with proper respect.
Don't drink anything with caffeine in it after dinner. Dependent on age, gender, and other physiological factors the half-life of caffeine in the body is roughly 5-10 hours. In other words, that cup of coffee you drank at 7PM is still with you at midnight. Nicotine is another common stimulant, you should quit or make your last cigarette of the day well before bed.
Don't drink anything with alcohol in it. Alcohol is a depressant and will help you get to sleep. The problem is it depresses everything in your system including your metabolism. Alcoholics report having no dreams because alcohol disrupts REM sleep, a critical sleep phase for both brain and body health.
Step away from the screens. Exposing yourself to the glow of a screen before bed will keep you awake. Your body is hardwired to wake up when light is bright and go to sleep when it gets dark. If you shine a bright light in your face before bed you're telling your body it's time to perk up and be alert. If you absolutely must use a computer or mobile device later in the day at least turn the screen brightness way down to semi-counter the effect of the light.
Change your body temperature. Your body drops in temperature as you drift off into sleep. You can trick your body by simulating this temperature shift. In the colder months take a hot shower or bath late in the day, your body temperature will rise and then fall again as you cool off from the shower making you sleepy in the process. It's harder to do this in warmer weather, but you can substitute the hot shower with a cold one. While a cold shower seems terribly unpleasant—and trust me, it's not as fun as a hot bath on a winter night!—it will also induce a temperature swing that will make you sleepy.
Minimize external distractions. It's especially important while you're easing yourself into a new sleep routine to minimize external distractions. Have a cat that jumps on the bed at 3AM? Toss them out of the bedroom before bedtime. Neighbor starts up his diesel truck at 4AM to go to work? Wear ear plugs. Spouse gets up and turns on the lights to get dressed before you? Sleep with a sleep mask on—this one is amazingly comfy.
No napping. Later on when you've ironed out the details of your sleep cycle you may find that a power nap early in the day is great for you. Right now though we're focused on rebooting your sleep cycle. No napping. You need to go to bed at the end of the day when you are tired, not at a later time because you snuck a nap.
Purge your bedroom. No computers, no television, no balancing your checkbook in bed, no reading over those damn TPS reports, no anything but sleeping and getting it on (in whatever order works best for you). If you have a television in your bedroom and you never turn it on, don't break your back hauling it down to the basement. If you're a chronic bedroom channel-flipper however, you need to get it out of the room. Your bedroom should be a place your body associates with nothing else but sleep and sex. Photo by MJimages.
Don't torture yourself. You didn't drink any coffee, you turned off the computer at 7PM, you lugged the TV down to the basement, you put in ear plugs and pulled the shades, but it's 11PM and you're still tossing and turning. Don't torture yourself by laying in bed frustrated. Get out of bed and do something that will relax you. Don't go watch television, play video games, or anything else that will stimulate your brain into thinking it is time to wake up. Go sit in a comfortable chair and read a book for a little while. Sort through magazines you're going to toss in the recycling bin and clip out a few interesting articles. Do something low-stress and relatively boring for 20-30 minutes and then go lay down again. You don't want to get in the habit of thinking of bedtime as unpleasant and stressful.
Your initial energy should be focused on making bedtime pleasant, preparing for bedtime well before the bedtime hour, and making sure to limit stimulating activities (exercise, coffee drinking, action movie watching) to earlier in the day. You need to start doing these things right now. Reading this at 5PM after getting home from work? Put that cup of coffee down right now. Stop telling yourself you're going to get around to finally getting a good night's sleep and start getting one.
Long Term Recovery: Charting a Course for Pleasantville
Once you've started with the basics outlined above, like decreasing bedtime stimulation, it's time to get serious about the big picture of your sleep needs. Good sleep isn't accidental. Unless you're a baby fresh off the breast and passed out in a milk-coma you're responsible for your own good sleep. It might seem counter-intuitive since sleep looks like the most passive sport around, but preparation and study is key. Once you start working in our earlier tips it's time to start measuring how effective they are and ensuring you get enough sleep.
Analyze your sleep needs. Do you know how much sleep you actually need? Could you tell someone with certainty that you're happiest after 7 hours of sleep? Do you wake up when the alarm goes off or do you wake up before it and turn it off on your way out of bed? There is only one good way to find out how much sleep you need and that's going to bed earlier than you think you need to. Creep your bedtime forward by 15 minutes every few days until you start waking up on your own in the morning. When you start waking up before your alarm clock consistently—for a minimum of one week, weekends included—you've found your optimum sleep window.
Waking up shouldn't be a jarring affair that involves you smashing your fist on your alarm clock and growling. For months now I've been waking up ahead of my alarm clock and let me tell you, it feels awesome to wake up on your own and not to the sound of a buzzer. "Beating" the alarm clock every day is like a little victory right out of bed.
Obey the Routine. I can't tell you what your perfect routine is. Maybe your routine is no coffee after 3PM, dim the lights around your apartment at 7PM, and read in bed for 20 minutes at 9PM before it's lights out—or maybe it's none of those things. What is important is that you find a routine that works for your schedule and you stick to it. You might not be 7 years old anymore but your adult body appreciates a routine bedtime just as much as it did when you were a kid. Whatever routine you decide on stick with it long enough to see if it works and tweak it gently and one thing at a time if it doesn't.
Anticipate Lack of Sleep. Sometimes lack of sleep is one hundred percent unavoidable—somebody in your family gets in an accident and you're up all night at the hospital, you get snowed in at the airport and you just can't sleep well on a plastic bench, etc.—but most times we see an event coming that will cut into our sleep cycle. If you know you're going to be up late, take a power nap in the afternoon. If you're coming off a late night bender make sure to adjust your bedtime the day after to get you into bed sooner. Short term sleep deprivation can be quickly remedied with adequate rest. Don't let a wild weekend throw off your sleep schedule for the rest of the month as you stay up too late, sleep in too late, and spend two weeks slowly—if at all—recalibrating your sleep schedule.
________________________________________
You don't have to tell me how hard it is to get your sleep schedule back on track. After I got off third shift I wondered if I'd ever stop feeling like a zombie and start feeling like a normal person again. It's hard to do and easy to screw up. Take the above advice to heart though and you'll be sleeping deeply, waking refreshed, and wondering how you ever got by on caffeine and grit alone.
Health Tips
Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.
Do not take pills with COOL water.
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.
Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume.
Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night.
Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS.
Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time.
Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning.
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping.
When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.
Here are some healthy tip for your smartness & physical fitness.
Prevention is better than cure.
HEALTHY JUICES
Carrot + Ginger + Apple - Boost and cleanse our system.
Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and eliminate stomach upset and headache.
Tomato + Carrot + Apple - Improve skin complexion and eliminate bad breath.
Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk - Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat.
Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improve Skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat.
Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon - To dispel excess salts, nourish the bladder and kidney.
Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi - To improve skin complexion.
Pear & Banana - regulates sugar content.
Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango - Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and fight oxidization.
Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C + Vitamin B2 that increase cell activity and strengthen body immunity.
Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron. Improve skin complexion and metabolism.
Banana + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin with nutritious and prevent constipation
Quite interesting!
Keep Walking.....
Just to check this out......
The Organs of your body have their sensory touches at the bottom of your foot, if you massage these points you will find relief from aches and pains as you can see the heart is on the left foot.
Typically they are shown as points and arrows to show which organ it connects to.
It is indeed correct since the nerves connected to these organs terminate here.
This is covered in great details in Acupressure studies or textbooks.
God created our body so well that he thought of even this. He made us walk so that we will always be pressing these pressure points and thus keeping these organs activated at all times.
So, keep walking...
Good one.
Did You Know?
Blood type How many people have it?
O + 40 %
O - 7 %
A + 34 %
A - 6 %
B + 8 %
B - 1 %
AB + 3 %
AB - 1 %
Does Your Blood Type Reveal Your Personality?
According to a Japanese institute that does research on blood types, there are certain personality traits that seem to match up with certain blood types. How do you rate?
TYPE O You want to be a leader, and when you see something you want, you keep striving until you achieve your goal. You are a trend-setter, loyal, passionate, and self-confident. Your weaknesses include vanity and jealously and a tendency to be too competitive.
TYPE A You like harmony, peace and organization. You work well with others, and are sensitive, patient and affectionate. Among your weaknesses are stubbornness and an inability to relax.
TYPE B You're a rugged individualist, who's str aightforwa rd and likes to do things your own way. Creative and flexible, you adapt easily to any situation. But your insistence on being independent can sometimes go too far and become a weakness.
TYPE AB Cool and controlled, you're generally well liked and always put people at ease. You're a natural entertainer who's tactful and fair. But you're standoffish, blunt, and have difficulty making decisions.
MOST IMPORTANT INFO NOW:
You Can Receive
If Your Type Is O- O+ B- B+ A- A+ AB- AB+
AB+ YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
AB- YES YES YES YES
A+ YES YES YES YES
A- YES YES
B+ YES YES YES YES
B- YES YES
O+ YES YES
O- YES
KNOW ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF HAVING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Fruit Benefit Benefit Benefit Benefit Benefit apples Protects your heart prevents constipation Blocks diarrhea Improves lung capacity Cushions joints
apricots
Combats cancer Controls blood pressure Saves your eyesight Shields against Alzheimer's Slows aging process artichokes Aids digestion Lowers cholesterol Protects your heart Stabilizes blood sugar Gua rd s against liver disease avocados Battles diabetes Lowers cholesterol Helps stops str okes Controls blood pressure Smoothes skin bananas
Protects your heart Quiets a cough Strengthens bones Controls blood pressure Blocks diarrhea
beans
Prevents constipation
Helps hemorrhoids
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer Stabilizes blood sugar
beets Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer Strengthens bones
Protects your heart Aids weight loss
blueberries Combats cancer Protects your heart Stabilizes blood sugar Boosts memory Prevents constipation broccoli Strengthens bones Saves eyesight Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure cabbage Combats cancer Prevents constipation Promotes weight loss Protects your heart Helps hemorrhoids cantaloupe Saves eyesight Controls blood pressure Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Supports immune system
DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH
It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven a its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese med ical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:
Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, ga str itis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and ear nose and throat diseases.
METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth , drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water interesting
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.
The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/ reduce main diseases:
1. High Blood Pressure - 30 days
2. Gastric - 10 days
3. Diabetes - 30 days
4. Constipation - 10 days
5. Cancer - 180 days
6. TB - 90 days
7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards - daily.
This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.
It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life.
Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.
This makes sense.. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals ..not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.
It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.
Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
A serious note about heart attacks: Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.
Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.
Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.
60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.
Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tips for Running in Hot Weather
The good news is that you don't have to give up running this summer. However, you have to keep in mind that running in hot weather can be dangerous for you, unless you are properly prepared for it and follow certain precautions that will help you stay out of harm's way. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Choose Clothing Carefully: Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing will help your body breathe and cool itself down naturally. Tight clothing restricts that process and dark colors absorb the sun's light and heat. Wear synthetic fabrics (not cotton) because they will wick moisture away from your skin so cooling evaporation can occur.
2. Shower before you run: Take a cold shower or wet your hair before you run. Lowering your skin temperature before you go out can help you stand the heat a little longer. You can also pour cold water over your head while you're running.
3. Wear Sunscreen: The sun drains energy out of you especially if it is given the chance to burn you. Protect your skin with a waterproof sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15 and offers broad spectrum protection, which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Stick formulations are good for runners' faces because the sunscreen won't run into your eyes.
4. Wear Shades: Good pair of running sunglasses help protect your eyes from the sun's damaging rays. Also, wearing running sunglasses helps prevent headaches that come from squinting.
5. Get Adapted: Give your body a week or two to adapt to the heat. If hot weather starts suddenly, do shorter runs until your body adapts to the heat.
6. Run in the morning: Generally, it's cooler and less humid in the morning. And, summer air quality levels are worse late in the afternoon.
7. Drink fluids while you are running in the heat: Sweating in the heat accelerates the loss of electrolytes that need to be replenished regularly throughout your run for safety and endurance reasons. If your running time is extended beyond 30 minutes, be sure to include a drink with carbohydrates and electrolytes.
8. Avoid substances that dehydrate the body: Be sure to restrict caffeine and alcohol. Some medications, such as antihistamines, are also dehydration risks (for longer races in particular).
9. Don't Push It: Heat and humidity can be dangerous. Be aware of the signs of overheating. On a race day (or during any intense workout), take weather conditions into account. Brutal heat and humidity mean you should scale back your performance goals. Don't try to beat the heat. If you feel dizzy or if your skin feels clammy, stop and get out of the sun.
10. Stay out of cold air-conditioned rooms: If at all possible, the day before and on the morning of the race, stay out of cold rooms. The shock to the body from that really cold room to the really hot race will be less.
Just as the heat slows you down and challenges your will, rest assured that your summer time running will lead to faster times and easier runs in the fall when it is cooler.
8 Foods You should Never Buy Again
1. Bottled water.
Bottled water is a bad investment for so many reasons. It's expensive compared to what's coming out of the tap, its cost to the environment is high (it takes a lot of fossil fuel to produce and ship all those bottles), and it's not even better for your health than the stuff running down your drain!
Even taking into account the cost of filters, water from home is still much cheaper than bottled water, which can run up to $1 to $3 a pop.
If you have well water and it really does not taste good (even with help from a filter), or if you have a baby at home who is bottle-fed and needs to drink safe water, buy jugs of distilled or "nursery" water at big discount stores. They usually cost between 79 cents and 99 cents for 1 gallon (as opposed to $1.50 for 8 ounces of "designer" water). And you can reuse the jugs to store homemade iced tea, flavored waters, or, when their tops are cut off, all sorts of household odds and ends.
2. "Gourmet" frozen vegetables.
Sure, you can buy an 8-ounce packet of peas in an herbed butter sauce, but why do so when you can make your own? Just cook the peas, add a pat of butter and sprinkle on some herbs that you already have on hand. The same thing goes for carrots with dill sauce and other gourmet veggies.
3. Premium frozen fruit bars.
At nearly $2 per bar, frozen "all fruit" or "fruit and juice" bars may not be rich in calories, but they are certainly rich in price. Make your own at home — and get the flavors you want. The only equipment you need is a blender, a plastic reusable ice-pop mold (on sale at discount stores for about 99 cents each), or small paper cups and pop sticks or wooden skewers.
To make four pops, just throw 2 cups cut-up fruit, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice into a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. You might wish to add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water so the final mix is a thick slush. Pour into 4-ounce pop molds or paper cups, insert sticks, and freeze until solid.
4. Boxed rice “entree” or side-dish mixes.
These consist basically of rice, salt, and spices — yet they're priced way beyond the ingredients sold individually. Yes, there are a few flavorings included, but they're probably ones you have in your pantry already. Buy a bag of rice, measure out what you need, add your own herbs and other seasonings, and cook the rice according to package directions.
5. Energy or protein bars.
These calorie-laden bars are usually stacked at the checkout counter because they depend on impulse buyers who grab them, thinking they are more wholesome than a candy bar. Unfortunately, they can have very high fat and sugar contents and are often as caloric as a regular candy bar. They're also two to three times more expensive than a candy bar at $2 to $3 a bar. If you need a boost, a vitamin-rich piece of fruit, a yogurt, or a small handful of nuts is more satiating and less expensive!
6. Spice mixes.
Spice mixes like grill seasoning and rib rubs might seem like a good buy because they contain a lot of spices that you would have to buy individually. Well, check the label; we predict the first ingredient you will see on the package is salt, followed by the vague "herbs and spices." Look in your own pantry, and you'll probably be surprised to discover just how many herbs you already have on hand. Many cookbooks today include spice mix recipes, particularly grilling cookbooks. But the great thing about spice mixes is that you can improvise as much as you want. Make your own custom combos and save a fortune.
7. Powdered iced tea mixes or prepared flavored iced tea.
Powdered and gourmet iced teas are really a rip-off! It's much cheaper to make your own iced tea from actual (inexpensive) tea bags and keep a jug in the fridge. Plus, many mixes and preparations are loaded with high fructose corn syrup and other sugars, along with artificial flavors. So make your own, and get creative! To make 32 ounces of iced tea, it usually takes 8 bags of black tea or 10 bags of herbal, green, or white tea. Most tea-bag boxes have recipes, so just follow along. If you like your tea sweet but want to keep calories down, skip the sugar and add fruit juice instead.
8. Microwave sandwiches.
When you buy a pre-made sandwich, you're really just paying for its elaborate packaging — plus a whole lot of salt, fat, and unnecessary additives. For the average cost of one of these babies ($2.50 to $3.00 per sandwich), you could make a bigger, better, and more nutritious version yourself.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Seven Ways to Beat Stress
Here are 7 ways to beat stress, but feel free to develop your own:
1. Take a walk
Want a break from the office? Does your house feel like an insane asylum? Slip out the door and let your feet take you somewhere. Not only will walking give you the opportunity to clear your head and take a break from that hectic situation, but it's great aerobic exercise, too.
2. Call a friend
We all have someone whose voice alone perks us up. Give them a buzz, even for a few minutes. Whether with a joke or a funny story, or just by listening, they will likely put a smile on your face and calm you down. Besides, what are friends for?
3. Write in a journal
Expressing our feelings could be the best way to deal with stress. Keeping a journal is a way to capture those feelings at any moment. You don't have to worry about what others think or say, just let your pen do the work. By the time you're done, those feelings will be on their way out of your system.
4. Play a board game
Remember these? Maybe there are a dozen stashed in your closet, waiting to be dusted off. Monopoly/Business probably should be saved until you have a few hours to spare, but quick kids' games like Ludo or Snakes and Ladders are always good for a smile.
5. Work up a sweat
Have some pent up frustrations? There's no better way to get rid of them than by exercising. Pop in a workout tape, hop on your bike or grab your jump rope. You'll be too busy working up a sweat to worry about what's stressing you out. Picture the stress leaving your body through your pores.
6. Plan something fun
Is there a trip you want to take but never had time to get it together? Or a dinner you've always wanted to make? Now's the time. Not only will you take your mind off things, but you'll be spending time eagerly anticipating a great getaway or meal later. It's a win-win situation.
7. Take a hot bath
A hot bath will initially give your body a kick, which in turn will give your mind a kick too - and then it'll slow both down. Add bubbles and a few candles and you have the ultimate soothing atmosphere.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Obesity
Weight gain is an epidemic crises that's on the rise. It is so a shame, it is so simple to solve. There is really enough food for all in the world. It's a question of proper distribution.
There is so many samples given out at food courts. It is a real shame. You get an over abundance of food at restaurants. So much food is wasted it is ridiculous.
Gum Alley
Bubble Gum Alley - San Luis Obispo
Got Gum??
You can find Bubble Gum Alley in San Luis Obispo, California. It's located in the downtown of this town that's located near the coast, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both sides of the alley are covered with chewed bubblegum. A shop at the entrance to BubbleGum Alley has a gum machine where you can get your own contribution to the wall (or bring your own chewed gum with you).
The alley has been like this for years. I first walked down the alley in 1978, when I came to San Luis Obispo to go to college. It hasn't changed that much over the years except for some gum higher up on the wall than I remember. I'd assume that some of the gum must fall off after a period of time but don't know for sure.
What's interesting is to watch people's reaction to the alley. Some are disgusted, some won't walk down the alley and almost start gagging while others will spend time looking at the patterns people make with their gum.
While it may not be for everyone, you won't find anything else like it anywhere!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Fruit Benifits
FRUITS AND THEIR BENEFITS
Our body requires a variety of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, calories, fat, enzymes, trace elements, antioxidants for its metabolism and most importantly to enhance the immune system against the diseases and strengthen our body. To get the optimum health benefits, it is recommended to eat variety of fresh organic fruits to furnish our body with essential nutrients. So, here are some captivating pictures of mouth watering fresh fruits along with the information of its benefits.
Cherries:
Cherries have the highest content of iron and disease fighting antioxidants compared to other fruits. The fruits contain vitamin C and E, iron, fiber, potassium and magnesium. It is understood through the researchers from Michigan that cherries can reduce cholesterol level, insulin levels and blood sugar, besides raising the antioxidant capacity of the blood. Every 100 grams of fresh cherries have higher percentage of vitamin A which is five times more than apples and grapes and twenty fresh cherries may keep us away from depression mood.
Grapes:
According to Cancer Research Institute of London, grapes are good for women. They help them to avoid the painful wound related with breast cancer treatment.
Grapes also protect heart and blood vessels against oxidative tissue damage. Hypertension could be controlled by consuming one cup of grape juice and one cup of celery juice each with warm water three times a day for twenty days. Give a break of 5-7 days after 20 days and start the treatment freshly for another 20 days.
Oranges:
Grapefruit:
Grapefruit has lot of natural fiber and reduces the blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, insulin, cardiovascular diseases, etc. It also promotes salivary and gastric digestion, eases constipation, stimulates appetite, maintains the health of intestines, etc. Infact, this is the best fruit to protect us from diseases like dysentery, diarrhea, typhus, etc. It also induces the production of enzymes to prevent from cancer.
Patients suffering from diabetics are advised to eat three grapefruits three times everyday to improve their diabetic condition. The purple grape fruit with plenty of antioxidant compounds is recommended for great health benefits. It protects from liver and kidney disorders and also improves skin form.
Strawberries (Arbutus unedu):
Raspberries:
Raspberries are the most delicious and healthy fruit with vitamins, antioxidants, manganese and fiber. Fiber helps slow the digestive process so that we do not feel hungry quickly. Manganese is a trace mineral that helps keep our metabolic rate high, which in turn burns fat. Its seed oil has a natural sun protection factor. It contains high quantity of polyphenolic compounds and ellagic acid, which are known to restrain cancer cells. The anthocyanins present in raspberry will reduce the risk of heart disease and also delay the effects of aging.
Banana :
Apple:
Modern scientific studies discovered that an “An Apple a Day keeps the Doctor Away”. While diabetes patients are supposed to eat sour apple, people suffering from cardiovascular and obesity should eat sweet apple. Eating a ripe apple is a good remedy to cure constipation. The powerful antioxidants and anthocyanin found in red apples prevent us from cancer development and cardiovascular disease.
Blackberries:
Blueberries:
Blueberries are the finest fruits to prevent high blood pressure and weakness. The antioxidants in blueberries help us to maintain brain health, strengthen our heart, fight against cancer diseases and prevent chronic diseases related with the aging process.
Custard Apple:
Custard apple contains Vitamin C which is again an anti-oxidant and helps in neutralizing free radicals. For treating diarrhea and dysentery, custard apple can be dried, crushed and used in its unripe form. Vitamin A present in this fruit is good for eyes, hair and maintaining healthy skin. The low fat levels in this fruit also help us to prevent from heart diseases. High source of dietary fiber in custard apple also helps indigestion.
Apricot:
Apricot is a fruit that has vitamins and minerals and benefit our eyes, heart, liver, stomach, nerve and immune system. It protects our heart, stops the cough, nourishes our lungs, strengthens our body and removes skin disorder, stimulates the blood circulation which helps us with flawless and glowing skin. Eating one or two fresh apricots before the meal helps those who are suffering from constipation to digest their food. This apart, it is a good diet for people suffering from anemia, tuberculosis and asthma.
Mangoes:
Mango is the most popular and versatile fruit that comes in numerous varieties all having their own unique flavor, texture, color, and aroma. Mangoes are the good source of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and contain very few proteins, fats and calories like any other fruits.
According to Unani Medicine System the benefits of mangoes are as follows:
Vitamin C and Calcium in mango tightens the capillary vessels and prevents oder cures bleedings of inner parts. Regular consumption of mango makes the complexion fair and the skin soft and shining. Those suffering from diarrhea have to take sun dried mango leaves powder in half a teaspoon with water for 2-3 times a day. Burnt ashes of mango leaves if applied on burnt parts give quick relief. To cure fever, apply paste of mango roots on palms and soles.
It is advisable for a pregnant woman to eat one mango a day because calcium and magnesium of mango relaxes the muscles, relieves stress and prevents abortion.
Dried mango seeds are the best as toothpaste that strengthens the gums and helps in curing dental problems like foul smell.
Plums:
Plum is related to family of cherries and peaches. There are various varieties of plums throughout the world available in colors like red, purple, green, blue-black, yellow etc. Plums are the good source of vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin C, potassium and fiber. By eating plums regularly it produces more iron in the body which ultimately leads to better blood circulation thus resulting in growth of healthy tissues.
Jackfruit:
Pineapple:
Pineapple is a tropical fruit containing proteolytic enzyme bromelain helps in digestion of protein. Mainly it can prevent from forming blood clot due to its bromelain content. Fresh pineapple juice is used in removal of intestinal worms, to combat diphtheria and other infection of throat and other parts of the body. It also prevents morning sickness and constipation. Rich in Vitamin C, it protects our body from major diseases like heart disease, diabetes and various cancers. It not maintains good eye-health, it also prevents plague and keeps teeth healthy, keeps skin beautiful and helps us lose weight.
Chickoo:
Papaya:
This apart, it has bleaching properties for which it is used as an ingredient in soaps, lotions and other whitening products. This tropical fruit contains rich concentration of vitamin C which is an antioxidant that protects us from our own injured cells, skin and the entire immune system of our body.
Guava:
Watermelon:
Pears:
Among all variety of pears, the Chinese pear is said to be having more medicinal values. But even the other varieties have their own nutritional values.
Consumption of pears helps in preventing high blood pressure and stroke, lowers cholesterol levels. It prevents cancer due to high Vitamin C and copper content act as good antioxidants. A glass of pear juice reduces fever quickly. The cooling effect in pear also helps prevent throat problems.
Pomegranate:
According to studies pomegranate juice daily help support the normal blood flow to the heart due to which it reduces the risk of having heart diseases and heart attacks. The antioxidant properties in pomegranate keep away from forming bad cholesterol and also help in keeping the arteries clear of clots. It may also help reduce the risks of diabetes, cancer etc. This fruit is a good natural source of vitamins A, C, E and folic acid.
Pomegranate supports the blood by supplying it with iron which also may help protect anemia symptoms like weakness, dizziness, hear loss and exhaustion.
Muskmelon:
Muskmelon also known as cantaloupe or netted melon is a small, oval and juicy fruit originated in Middle East. This fruit is rich in carbohydrate, protein, fiber, citric acid, vitamin A, B, B3, B6 and C. It controls high blood pressure, reduce the risk of getting kidney stones, prevent cancers, cardiovascular and prevent stroke and regulate heart beat.
Star Fruit:
It is a tropical fruit that comes in two varieties. One variety is sweet, while the other is slightly sour. It is packed with vitamin C. To avoid getting cold and flu this is the best fruit to have during winters. This fruit also helps in weight loss as it is low in calories and fat. This fruit is highly recommended for people suffering from hypertension and heart problems because there is no cholesterol or sodium content in it. Star fruit is best for good health and is an anti-aging agent.
Nectarine Fruit
Peaches are in red, pink, yellow, white, or a combination of those colors. Peaches and nectarines look very similar, but they can be identified by their skin texture. Peaches are fuzzy and dull, while nectarines are smooth and shiny.
According to researchers in China men and women who consumed peaches more than two times per week had less risk of developing cancers of the mouth than those who did not eat peaches. Though low in calories peaches are the source of vitamins, minerals, fiber and arytenoids.
The fiber content in peaches acts as a mild laxative, aids digestion, and may also help fight cancer. The fruit rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C allows in cancer-fighting protect against heart disease. Peaches help ensure proper functioning of cells through iron and potassium content. It also helps protect against blindness caused by age-related macular degeneration.
Nectarine is low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol and high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium, Fiber and Niacin. The nutritional value and health benefits of nectarines help in maintaining best health and weight loss but for those who wants to gain weight shall avoid eating nectarines.
Kiwi:
Kiwi consists of vitamin A, C, E, fiber, enzymes, antioxidant, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and copper. This fruit protect us from heart disease, stroke, asthma, cancer, diabetics, and respiratory-related diseases like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. This apart, it also strengthens our body and promotes healthier immune system.
Fig:.
Fig is one of the best fruits recommended for humans. This fruit as a source of food is very good and nutritious. Figs are low in fat and high in fibre that can reduce blood cholesterol. They are rich in iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin B6. For those suffering from chronic constipation fig is the best fruit to relieve the disease. The high water content in the Fig clears the skin by acting as a cleanser.
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