Cindy's Healthy World

Leptospirosis

2010-08-22T21:44:00.000-07:00

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira that affects humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.

Though being recognised among the world's most common zoonoses, leptospirosis is a relatively rare bacterial infection in humans. The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin, eyes or with the mucous membranes.

Leptospirosis is transmitted by the urine of an infected animal and is contagious as long as it is still moist. Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water, or through skin contact. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person and cases of bacterial dissemination in convalescence are extremely rare in humans. Although rats, mice and moles are important primary hosts, a wide range of other mammals including dogs, deer, rabbits, hedgehogs, cows, sheep, raccoons, possums, skunks, and certain marine mammals are able to carry and transmit the disease as secondary hosts.

Leptospiral infection in humans causes a range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Leptospirosis is a biphasic disease that begins with flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, myalgias, intense headache). The first phase resolves, and the patient is briefly asymptomatic until the second phase begins. This is characterized by meningitis, liver damage (causing jaundice), and renal failure. The infection is often wrongly diagnosed due to the wide range of symptoms. This leads to a lower registered number of cases than actually exist. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rash. The symptoms in humans appear after a 4–14 day incubation period.

Rats, rats, rats!

2010-08-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

LEPTOSPIROSIS is not the only disease you can get from rats. Here are some other diseases we can also get from our rodent friends.

1. Bubonic plague

You can get bubonic plague – a disease characterised by swollen, painful lymph glands – if bitten by a rodent flea that carries a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. While modern antibiotics are effective against it, if you do not get it treated promptly, it can still cause illness and death.

2. Murine typhus

You can also get murine typhus, an illness caused by a bacterium called Rickettsia typhi, if you are bitten by an infected rodent flea or mite. According to the second home edition of the Merck Manual of Medical Information, common symptoms include fever, severe headache, a characteristic skin rash and a general feeling of illness (malaise). Modern antibiotics are also effective against this disease. However, if left untreated or treated too late, death can occur.

3. Rat-bite fever

As it name suggests, rat-bite fever is an acute illness which usually develops after having been bitten or scratched by an infected rat or other rodents (such as mice and gerbils). In Asia, it is usually caused by the bacterium Spirillum minus. According to the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, common symptoms include fever, ulceration at the rate-bite wound, swollen lymph nodes near the wound, and a distinct rash. This occurs following partial healing of the wound.

4. Salmonellosis

Rodents can also carry Salmonella, a group of bacteria that can cause diarrhoeal illness in humans, in their faeces. We can be infected if we eat foods that are contaminated with the bacteria.

Although many recover without treatment, this infection can be life-threatening, especially for infants and young children, pregnant women and their unborn babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. There is still no vaccine for this disease, but antibiotics can be prescribed to treat it. It can be prevented by washing your hands properly before preparing food or eating.

Avoid drinking fresh sugar cane juice

2010-08-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

This email was sent by a friend whose father is working with the Ministry of the Environment in S'pore.

Health News - About Sugar Cane Drinks

A friend whose father works for the government health inspection passed on his info. Their job is to inspect all hawkers, their cooked food, their store hygiene, etc. They found sugar cane juice has the highest content of bacteria among all food. In fact, it has exceeded the set limit.

Hence, these guys had to find out why. They went round all sugar cane stores and watched the way the hawkers handled their sugar cane, wash their glasses, their entire procedure. But they couldn't find the problem.

One day, they stayed till closing time and discovered some shocking facts! Whenever, the hawkers closed their stores, they would wash the floor with detergent. As we know, the
remaining sugar canes will be placed at the back of the store, vertically standing and as sugar canes are very porous, they tend to absorb whatever liquid around them. Besides the soapy water, the dirt on hawkers' boots, cats' urine, etc, will all be absorbed?? Now, whenever I
eat at a hawker centre, I would warn all my friends about this and of course I stopped drinking my favorite sugar cane juice.

A friend, who loved sugar cane juice, was pregnant. She was always drinking sugar cane juice. Anyway, one day she miscarried and the fetus was already like 6 or 7 months old,
I think. When the doctors did an autopsy to find out why all of a sudden the fetus had died inside her, they found traces of some chemical substance, which was found in cat urine... Large traces of it.

While it would not be able to harm adults, it was extremely toxic to babies, what more a fetus? So they tried to determine how this cat urine thing could have ended up in the fetus. This meant that it had to be digested by the mother, right? And the only logical conclusion they could come up with was that since these sugar cane juice stall holders just leave the canes lying around on the wet and dirty floor, it would not be impossible to think that stray cats could have peed on those sugar canes or near those sugar canes. So think carefully the next time you order that
favorite sugar cane juice!

Incredibly weird facts about the human body

2010-06-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

The Brain

Complex and poorly understood, the brain is what makes everything work properly. The body may be kept alive, but without the brain, a person can’t truly live. Here are some interesting and weird facts about the brain.

The brain doesn’t feel pain: Even though the brain processes pain signals, the brain itself does not actually feel pain.
Your brain has huge oxygen needs: Your brain requires 20 percent of the oxygen and calories your body needs — even though your brain only makes up two percent of your total body weight.
80% of the brain is water: Instead of being relatively solid, your brain 80% water. This means that it is important that you remain properly hydrated for the sake of your mind.
Your brain comes out to play at night: You’d think that your brain is more active during the day, when the rest of your body is. But it’s not. Your brain is more active when you sleep.
Your brain operates on 10 watts of power: It’s true: The amazing computational power of your brain only requires about 10 watts of power to operate.
A higher I.Q. equals more dreams: The smarter you are, the more you dream. A high I.Q. can also fight mental illness. Some people even believe they are smarter in their dreams than when they are awake.
The brain changes shapes during puberty: Your teenage years do more than just change how you feel; the very structure of your brain changes during the teen years, and it even affects impulsive, risky behavior.
Your brain can store everything: Technically, your brain has the capacity to store everything you experience, see, read or hear. However, the real issue is recall — whether you can access that information.
Information in your brain travels at different speeds: The neurons in your brain are built differently, and information travels along them at different speeds. This is why sometimes you can recall information instantly, and sometimes it takes a little longer.

Your Senses

You might be surprised at the amazing things your various senses can accomplish.

Your smell is unique: Your body odor is unique to you — unless you have an identical twin. Even babies recognize the individual scents of their mothers.
Humans use echolocation: Humans can use sound to sense objects in their area using echolocation. It is thought that those who are blind develop this ability to heightened effectiveness.
Adrenaline gives you super strength: Yes, with the proper response in certain situations, you really can lift a car.
Women smell better than men: Women are better than men at identifying smells.
Your nose remembers 50,000 scents: It is possible for your nose to identify and remember more than 50,000 smells.
Your hearing decreases when you overeat: When you eat too much food, it actually reduces your ability to hear. So consider eating healthy — and only until you are full.
Your sense of time is in your head: How you experience time is all about your perception. Some speculate that stress can help you experience time dilation. Apparently, time manipulation isn’t just for superheroes.

Reproduction

How we as a species reproduce offers all sorts of interesting weird facts. Here are some of the weirder things you might not know.

Your teeth are growing before birth: Even though it takes months after you are born to see teeth, they start growing about six months before you are born.
Babies are stronger than oxen: On a pound for pound basis, that is. For their size, babies are quite powerful and strong.
Babies always have blue eyes when they are born: Melanin and exposure to ultraviolet light are needed to bring out the true color of babies’ eyes. Until then they all have blue eyes.
Women might be intrinsically bi: There are sex studies that indicate that women might bisexual intrinsically, no matter how they class themselves, while men are usually either gay or straight.
Most men have regular erections while asleep: Every hour to hour and a half, sleeping men have erections — though they may not be aware of it.
Sex can be a pain reliever: Even though the “headache” excuse is often used to avoid sex, the truth is that intercourse can provide pain relief. Sex can also help you reduce stress.
Chocolate is better than sex: In some studies, women claim they would rather have chocolate than sex. But does it really cause orgasm? Probably not on its own.

Body Functions

The things our bodies do are often strange and sometimes gross. Here are some weird facts about the way your body functions.

Earwax is necessary: If you want healthy ears, you need some earwax in there.
Your feet can produce a pint of sweat a day: There are 500,000 (250,000 for each) sweat glands in your feet, and that can mean a great deal of stinky sweat.
Throughout your life, the amount of saliva you have could fill two swimming pools: Since saliva is a vital part of digestion, it is little surprise that your mouth makes so much of it.
A full bladder is about the size of a soft ball: When your bladder is full, holding up to 800 cc of fluid, it is large enough to be noticeable.
You probably pass gas 14 times a day: On average, you will expel flatulence several times as part of digestion.
A sneeze can exceed 100 mph: When a sneeze leaves your body, it does so at high speeds — so you should avoid suppressing it and causing damage to your body.
Coughs leave at 60 mph: A cough is much less dangerous, leaving the body at 60 mph. That’s still highway speed, though.

Musculoskeletal System

Find out what you didn’t know about your muscles and bones.

Bones can self-destruct: It is possible for your bones to destruct without enough calcium intake.
You are taller in the morning: Throughout the day, the cartilage between your bones is compressed, making you about 1 cm shorter by day’s end.
1/4 of your bones are in your feet: There are 26 bones in each foot, meaning that the 52 bones in account for 25 percent of your body’s 206 bones.
It takes more muscles to frown than to smile: Scientists can’t agree on the exact number, but more muscles are required to frown than to smile.
When you take a step, you are using up to 200 muscles: Walking uses a great deal of muscle power — especially if you take your 10,000 steps.
Your tongue is the strongest muscle in your body: Compared to its size, the tongue is the strongest muscle. But I doubt you’ll be lifting weights with it.
Bone can be stronger than steel: Once again, this is a pound for pound comparison, since steel is denser and has a higher tensile strength.

Unnecessary Body Parts

We have a number of body parts that are, well, useless. Here are some facts about the body parts we don’t actually need.

Coccyx: This collection of fused vertebrae have no purpose these days, although scientists believe it’s what’s left of the mammal tail humans used to have. It may be useless, but when you break your coccyx, it’s still painful.
Pinkie toe: There is speculation that since we no longer have to run for our dinner, and we wear sneakers, the pinkie toe’s evolutionary purpose is disappearing — and maybe the pinkie itself will go the way of the dodo.
Wisdom teeth: This third set of molars is largely useless, doing little beyond crowding the mouth and sometimes causing pain.
Vomeronasal organ: There are tiny (and useless) chemoreceptors lining the inside of the nose.
Most body hair: While facial hair serves some purposes, the hair found on the rest of body is practically useless and can be removed with few ill effects.
Female vas deferens: A cluster of dead end tubules near the ovaries are the remains of what could have turned into sperm ducts.
Male Uterus: Yeah, men have one too — sort of. The remains of this undeveloped female reproductive organ hangs on one side of the male prostate gland
Appendix: Yep, your appendix is basically useless. While it does produce some white blood cells, most people are fine with an appendectomy.

Random Weird Body Facts

Here are a few final weird facts about the human body.

Your head creates inner noises: It’s rare, but exploding head syndrome exists.
Memory is affected by body position: Where you are and how you are placed in your environment triggers memory.
You can’t tickle yourself: Go ahead. Try to tickle yourself.
Being right-handed can prolong your life: If you’re right-handed, you could live up to nine years longer than a lefty.
Only humans shed emotional tears: Every other animal that produces tears has a physiological reason for doing so.

Healthy cooking tips

2010-05-25T01:37:00.000-07:00

Healthy cooking is easy. In many cases, your favorite recipes can be modified so they offer a healthier alternative. Non-stick cookware can be used to reduce the need for cooking oil. To keep valuable nutrients, microwave or steam your vegetables instead of boiling them. Cut out salt and cut down fats.

Eating healthy food doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods and switching only to salads. Healthy cooking is easy. In many cases, your favorite recipes can be modified so they offer a healthier alternative. Non-stick cookware can be used to reduce the need for cooking oil. To keep valuable nutrients, microwave or steam your vegetables instead of boiling them.

Keep fats to a minimum
It’s a good idea to minimize ‘hidden fats’ by choosing lean meats and reduced fat dairy products. Processed foods can also have lots of hidden fats. Dietary fats are best when they come from the unrefined natural fats found in nuts, seeds, fish, soy, olives and avocado. Fat from these foods includes the essential long-chain fatty acids and this fat is accompanied by other good nutrients.

If you add fats when cooking, keep them to a minimum and use monounsaturated oils such as olive and canola oil. A little added oil can be a good thing.

At the shop
Low fat cooking begins when you are shopping:

Choose the low fat version of a food if it exists – for example milk, cheese, yoghurt, salad dressings and gravies.
Choose leaner meat cuts. If unsure, look for the Heart Foundation tick of approval.
Choose skinless chicken breasts.

General suggestions
General suggestions on healthy cooking methods include:

Steam, bake, grill, braise, boil or microwave your foods.
Modify or eliminate recipes that include butter or ask you to deep fry or saute in animal fat.
Avoid using oils and butter as lubricants. Use non-stick cookware instead.
Don’t add salt to food as it is cooking.
Remove chicken skin, which is high in fat.
Eat more fresh vegetables and legumes.
Eat more fish, which is high in protein, low in fats and loaded with essential omega-3 fatty acids.

Low fat cooking
Suggestions include:

If you need to use oil, try cooking sprays or apply oil with a pastry brush.
Cook in liquids (such as stock, wine, lemon juice, fruit juice, vinegar or water) instead of oil.
When a recipe calls for cream as a thickener, use low fat yoghurt, low fat soymilk, evaporated skim milk or cornstarch.
When browning vegetables, put them in a hot pan then spray with oil, rather than adding the oil first to the pan. This reduces the amount of oil that vegetables (such as mushrooms) can absorb during cooking.
An alternative to browning vegetables by pan-frying is to cook them first in the microwave, then crisp them under the griller for a minute or two.
When serving meat and fish, use pesto, salsas, chutneys and vinegars in place of sour creams, butter and creamy sauces.

Retaining the nutrients
Water soluble vitamins are delicate and easily destroyed during preparation and cooking. Suggestions include:

Scrub vegetables rather than peel them, as many nutrients are found close to the skin.
Microwave or steam vegetables instead of boiling them.
If you like to boil vegetables, use a small amount of water and do not over-boil them.
Include more stir-fry recipes in your diet. Stir-fried vegetables are cooked quickly to retain their crunch (and associated nutrients).

Cutting out salt
Salt is a traditional flavor enhancer, but research suggests that a high salt diet could contribute to a range of health problems including high blood pressure. Suggestions include:

Don’t automatically add salt to your food – taste it first.
Add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice close to the end of cooking time or to cooked vegetables – it can enhance flavors in the same way as salt.
Choose fresh or frozen vegetables, since canned and pickled vegetables tend to be packaged with salt.
Limit your consumption of salty processed meats such as salami, ham, corned beef, bacon, smoked salmon, frankfurters and chicken loaf.
Choose reduced salt bread and breakfast cereals. Breads and cereals are a major source of salt in the diet.
Iodised salt is best. A major dietary source of iodine is plant foods. Yet there is emerging evidence that Australian soil may be low in iodine and so plants grown in it are also low in iodine. If you eat fish regularly (at least once a week), the need for iodized salt is reduced.
Avoid salt-laden processed foods, such as flavored instant pasta or noodles, canned or dehydrated soup mixes, chips and salted nuts.
Margarine and butter contain a lot of salt but ‘no added salt’ varieties are available.
Most cheeses are very high in salt so limit your intake or choose lower salt varieties.
Reduce your use of soy sauce, tomato sauce and processed sauces and condiments (for example mayonnaise and salad dressings) because they contain high levels of salt.
Use herbs, spices, vinegar or lemon juice to add extra zing to your recipe and reduce the need for salt.

Herbs
Culinary herbs are leafy plants that add flavor and color to all types of meals. They are also rich in health-protective phyto-oestrogens (plant compounds that have some similar effects to the female hormone, oestrogen). In many cases, herbs can replace the flavor of salt and oil.

Remember:

Herbs are delicately flavored, so add them to your cooking in the last few minutes.
Dried herbs are more strongly flavored than fresh. As a general rule, one teaspoon of dried herbs equals four teaspoons of fresh.
Apart from boosting meat dishes, herbs can be added to soups, breads, mustards, salad dressings, vinegars, desserts and drinks.
Herbs such as coriander, ginger, garlic, chilli and lemongrass are especially complimentary in vegetable-based stir-fry recipes.

Sandwich suggestions
To make a sandwich even healthier:

Switch to reduced salt wholemeal or wholegrain bread – for example, some brands of soy linseed bread.
Don’t butter the bread. You won’t miss butter if your sandwich has a few tasty ingredients already.
Limit your use of spreads high in saturated fat like butter and cream cheese. Replace them with a thin spread of peanut butter or other nut spreads, hummus, low fat cheese spreads or avocado.
Choose reduced fat ingredients when you can, such as low fat cheese or mayonnaise.
Try to reduce your use of processed meats. Instead use fish such as salmon, tuna or sardines.

Other tips
Suggestions include:

Spend a little time on presentation. You are more likely to enjoy a meal if it’s visually appealing as well as tasty.
Make every meal an occasion. Set the table. Eat with your family. Give yourself the opportunity to enjoy your food without distractions like television.
Long-term deprivation, such as crash dieting, doesn’t work. Allow yourself the occasional guilt-free treat.
You are less likely to overeat if you eat slowly and savour every mouthful.

Things to remember

In many cases, favorite recipes can be modified so they offer a lower fat content.
Choose to steam, bake, grill, braise, boil or microwave your foods, rather than deep fry them.
Use non-stick cookware.
Microwave or steam your vegetables instead of boiling them to retain the nutrients.

Close the kitchen after 7pm

2010-05-10T05:18:00.000-07:00

For many dieters, that post-dinner period is the witching hour. They follow the program all day long, and watch what they eat. In fact, they've almost made it through the day when those P.M. cravings rear their ugly heads.

An hour after you've finished supper and cleaned up the kitchen, it's far too easy to sneak back into the refrigerator or pantry and fall victim to a binge. Many experts believe that those midnight snacks wreak the most havoc on our bodies.

A study conducted by Northwestern University discovered that the timing of your eating is every bit as important as what you eat. According to reports, researchers determined that mice who eat at weird hours gained twice as much weight.

One suggested theory is that the body's internal clock plays a role as to how the body uses energy. In the study two groups of mice were given high-fat diets that they consumed at different times of the waking cycle. The mice that ate at the times when they would normally be asleep actually gained twice as much weight, even though they ate the same amount of food and performed the same amount of activity as the other test group.

Although there is still more research to be done, there are steps you can take to ensure your nighttime binging is kept to a minimum. Following dinner, limit yourself to a healthy snack such as a piece of fruit or a serving of yogurt. But make it a personal rule to keep the kitchen off limits after 7 p.m. This will prevent you from engaging in senseless snacking.

Even if you have to hang a sign on the refrigerator door to serve as a reminder, do what you need to do.

Wash your hands

2010-05-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

In conjunction of the recurrent of H1N1, Malaysians are encouraged to maintain personal hygiene to prevent the spread of influenza A(H1N1).

We are advised:

Practise good hand hygiene – frequent hand-washing with soap and water, ensuring all surfaces of the hands are cleaned. Once washed, dry hands thoroughly with a clean dry towel.

Practise good cough and sneeze etiquette – cough into the crook of your elbow rather than your hands. Sneeze into a tissue to minimize hand contact, discard tissue, and wash your hands immediately.

Avoid touching mouth, nose and eyes with hands.

Use hand sanitiser if soap and water is unavailable.

Regularly disinfect all commonly touched areas, such as door knobs, taps, light switches, TV remote controls, and computer keyboards.

Seek advice from your doctor via telephone first if you are feeling unwell and displaying flu-like symptoms. Do not go to work.

Proper hygiene practices play an important role in minimizing the spread of germs and infections.

Avoid diets low in calories

2010-03-30T19:27:00.001-07:00

Common sense says that if you want to lose weight, you should lower your calorie intake.

But how low can you go? It's important to find a happy medium that will be good for your body.

Many people believe that dropping down to 800 calories or less will help shed those extra pounds. However, this type of calorie cutting is neither healthy nor sustainable. People who need to follow a low calorie diet for medical reasons should do so only under the supervision of a doctor.

Side effects of calorie-restricted diets include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea and constipation.

Add, don't subtract

2010-03-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

Instead of concentrating on cutting foods out of your diet, bring new foods to the table.

There are probably a whole slew of fruits and vegetables you've never sampled. In order to prevent yourself from feeling deprived, train yourself to look at all the foods you can eat instead of those you should stay away from. Do some research and give healthy recipes a try.

Thanks to the internet, there are thousands of diet-friendly dishes just waiting to be experienced.

Oat what a feeling

2010-03-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

There is oatmeal that is loaded with additives and preservatives and then there is the real deal.

The experts encourage you to start your morning off with a bowl of plain oat flakes.

Oats are rich in fiber and soluble fiber, making them a much-needed staple in your diet. According to the American Cancer Society, oats have plenty to offer. Reduce your risk of cancer. Lower cholesterol. Slow down the digestion of starches. Prevent heart disease. Boost your intake of Vitamin E, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium and more.

To add some flavor to your oatmeal, add milk and cinnamon or a handful of fresh fruit.

The importance of being hydrated

2010-03-15T01:43:00.000-07:00

Drink up.

Throughout your workout, your body can burn up to a liter in water. These fluids must be replaced in order to prevent dehydration.

To avoid getting heat stroke, stay hydrated. Consume a cup of water for every 15 minutes you exercise at the very least.

Experts also suggest that endurance athletes replenish their fluids with sports drinks that fuel the muscles and replace electrolytes that are lost through sweat.

Eat your big meal in the afternoon

2010-02-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

For most people, dinner is the main meal of the day. However, when you're watching your waistline, it may be a better idea to enjoy a feast in the afternoon.

Although eating lunch as a main meal is a common practice over in Europe, it's yet to catch on in the United States.

According to other cultures, eating your largest meal at lunch is beneficial because that's the time frame (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) when the body digests food the most optimally.

One dietitian swears her clients lost between five and ten pounds just by following this simple lifestyle change.

Chew, chew training

2010-02-10T01:09:00.000-08:00

Chewing your food is the first step in the all-important digestion process.

In order to digest food properly, your food must be broken down into a liquid form before it's swallowed. When you don't get the job done, large food particles that haven't been digested make an appearance in the stool.

One expert actually encouraged that individuals chew 100 times before swallowing. While you don't need to go to that great length, it is important to chew your food in the name of better digestion.

The truth about trans-fat

2010-02-04T23:18:00.000-08:00

Eliminate trans fats from your diet.

Trans fats have earned a bad reputation over the last year, and rightly so. Used to increase shelf life and flavor, trans fat is made when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil. In essence, the trans fats found in margarine, cookies, crackers and other snack foods are harmful to your health. They raise cholesterol levels which contribute to heart disease.

For a long time, trans fat levels slipped by under the radar. However, the FDA has made it a law that manufacturers must now disclose trans fat levels in the nutritional values. Although there is no recommended daily value assigned to trans fat currently, the general rule for saturated fat and cholesterol is that 5% or less is low and 20% or more is high.

A guaranteed way to drop weight

2010-01-27T00:16:00.000-08:00

Take the dog for a walk.

Dog is man's best friend, especially when you need a walking companion. Unlike people, there's little chance that your dog will ever stand you up come workout time.

A study conducted by the University of Missouri-Columbia discovered that taking the dog for a 20-minute walk, 5 days a week yielded an average loss of 14 pounds over a one-year period.

Both you and your dog will benefit from this enjoyable exercise regimen.

Don't eat from the bag

2010-01-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

Don't eat from a bowl or bag.

It's one of the fastest ways to deviate from your plan. Sitting down with a bag of chips or box of cookies encourages mindless eating.

You're more likely to keep going and going. Before you realize it, you've consumed four servings and far too many calories.

Set aside one serving size and seal your snack of choice until next time.

Chew on this slowly

2010-01-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

Savor every bite and eat slowly.

Digestion takes time. You may keep on eating because you still feel hungry. By taking it slow and steady, the body has time to realize it's full. This usually takes about 20 minutes -- so pace yourself.

Never eat while standing. Make the meal your main focus. Instead of eating at record-setting speed, take it slow.

You'll be less likely to go back for seconds when you already feel full.

Fast Facts: Time-Saving Diet Tips

2010-01-15T20:51:00.000-08:00

Pre-package your foods.

Make your healthy eating regimen convenient. Set aside some time during the week to cut up fresh vegetables and fruits. Cut up celery, carrots, apples, strawberries, grapes and other diet-friendly snacks and place them in individual bags.

When you're pressed for time, all you need to do is reach in the refrigerator and grab one of the ready-made portions.

Eat more, lose more

2010-01-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

Fill up on soups and other high energy-density foods.

Research shows that foods with high water content fill you up faster and for a longer period of times. Fruits, vegetables and broth-based soups all fit the bill.

By starting a meal off with a bowl of soup or a healthy salad, dieters reduce their overall calorie consumption for each meal.

In addition, it's possible to eat larger volumes of these foods for a smaller amount of calories.

Benefits of green tea: especially for weight loss

2010-01-14T19:16:00.000-08:00

Green tea is a type of tea made solely with the leaves of Camellia sinensis that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures in Asia from Japan to the Middle East.

Recently, it has become more widespread in the West, where black tea is traditionally consumed. Many varieties of green tea have been created in countries where it is grown. These varieties can differ substantially due to variable growing conditions, processing and harvesting time.

Major benefits of drinking green tea:

Reduce high blood pressure
Reduce blood sugar
Contain Antioxidants to remove free radicals in human body
Reduce the risk of heart diseases
Reduce the risk of stroke
Reduce the risk of blood clot
Reduce bad cholesterol in the blood
Reduce harmful effects from cigarettes smoking
Reduce arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Prevent osteoporosis
Prevent allergy, cold and flu
Keeping fluid balance
Relieve fatigue
Awakening thought (also includes concentration)
Boost your immune system
Aiding in cancer prevention and reducing tumor growth
Help with oral hygiene
Supporting liver protection
Helps with stress relief
Aid in Weight Loss by increasing the metabolism and burning calories

Drinking only a few cups of green tea can do your body very good.

Learn to say NO

2010-01-08T00:56:00.000-08:00

Learn to just say no.

Regardless of their motives, people love to push food onto others. Overcoming this obstacle can be difficult.

When Aunt Ida or Cousin Betty plead with you to try their creamy, dreamy potato casserole, you don't have the heart to refuse their offerings, especially at the risk of offending them.

There are a couple of ways to approach the situation. You can gently turn your loved one down by explaining you just had a big meal and couldn't eat another bite. Or you can sample a small bite and discreetly push the plate aside when somebody else comes along.

The most important rule of thumb is to be tactful so that you can walk away from the situation with your dignity and your waistline still intact.

Soy can save your life

2010-01-03T23:53:00.001-08:00

Reap the benefits of soy.

Soy beans contain protein and are chock full of calcium, iron, zinc, fiber, omega 3 fatty acids and other health-enhancing components. In addition to improving heart health, preventing cancer and strengthening bones, soy also lowers cholesterol.

Soy milk, soybeans, textured soy protein and tofu are all great sources of this food.

The danger of Diet Sodas

2009-12-29T03:22:00.001-08:00

Eliminate soda.

These sugar-loaded, caffeinated beverages have no nutritional value whatsoever.

A 12-ounce can of cola contains 144 calories. If you consume at least three sodas a day, that's a total of 432 calories. Even diet sodas are dangerous. Although they boast 0 calories, a recent study showed that people who consumed diet pop had a higher risk of becoming obese.

The ultimate gym motivation

2009-12-29T02:53:00.000-08:00

Keep your workout clothes by the front door if you go to a gym.

When it comes to working out, you want to have all your ducks in a row. Even the smallest convenience can quickly turn into an excuse.

Every night before you go to bed, put your workout clothes and shoes in a bag and place them by the front door.

When you go to leave for work, all you have to do is grab and go.

Drug addiction

2009-12-29T02:41:00.000-08:00

Drug addiction is a pathological or abnormal condition which arises due to frequent drug use. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behavior, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition has categorized three stages of addiction: preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect. These stages are characterized, respectively, everywhere by constant cravings and preoccupation with obtaining the substance; using more of the substance than necessary to experience the intoxicating effects; and experiencing tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and decreased motivation for normal life activities. By the American Society of Addiction Medicine definition, drug addiction differs from drug dependence and drug tolerance.

It is, both among scientists and other writers, quite usual to allow the concept of drug addiction to include persons who are not drug abusers according to the definition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The term drug addiction is then used as a category which may include the same persons who under the DSM-IV can be given the diagnosis of substance dependence or substance abuse.

Beware of the Silent Killer

2009-12-18T00:29:00.001-08:00

Eliminate sodium.

It's a proven fact that sodium contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, fluid retention and other health ailments.

Most of the sodium in our diets comes from table salt. The American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults limit their sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams a day. A quarter teaspoon of sodium contains 600 milligrams of sodium.

To avoid getting too much sodium, read labels.

The write way to lose weight

2009-12-12T01:47:00.001-08:00

Keep a food journal.

There's no better way to keep track of what you're eating than by logging it. Record every morsel that goes into your mouth. This will help you keep a tally on your caloric intake. In the event you hit a weight-loss plateau, you can look back and see what foods could be preventing you from losing.

All you need is a spiral notebook and a pen to keep tabs on your eating behaviors.

Myths & old wives’ tales about eyes

2009-12-11T22:41:00.000-08:00

MYTH:

Reading in dim or poor light is harmful to your eyes, may ruin them, or may cause you to need eyeglasses.

TRUTH:
Your eyes are not harmed by reading in dim light. They may get tired because of the extra effort it takes to see clearly, but no damage will occur.

MYTH:
Using the eyes too much for close work such as reading is the reason people need glasses (or need bifocals).

TRUTH:
There is no hard evidence that using your eyes to read, study, work, etc. will cause you to need glasses. Any nearsightedness is probably due to your heredity. If you need bifocals to see up close, blame your longevity.

MYTH:
Using your eyes too much can wear them out.

TRUTH:
Eyes are not like light bulbs! They can last your entire lifetime if they are healthy (or have conditions that are treatable). Their health has nothing to do with the number of hours you use them.

MYTH:
Holding reading material up close will damage a child's eyes.

TRUTH:
The place where reading material is held has no effect on the health of the eyes or the need for glasses. Many children find it comfortable to read close-up and their very good focusing ability makes it easy for them to do so. (Nearsighted children hold things close to their eyes because they see much better at close range. However, this does not cause nearsightedness to develop.)

MYTH:
Wearing someone else's glasses may damage your eyes.

TRUTH:
Although you may not see very well with them, no harm can come from wearing eyeglasses that are not your prescription.

MYTH:
Wearing glasses all the time will make you so dependent on them that you will see poorly without them.

TRUTH:
Wearing eyeglasses will never make your eyes worse. Some refractive errors increase as you get older. If you have been wearing glasses, they may appear to be responsible, but they are not. Also, once you have enjoyed clear vision with glasses, it may seem that your eyes are worse when you take them off.

MYTH:
If you need corrective lenses, your eyes are not healthy.

TRUTH:
The need for eyeglasses has nothing to do with the health of your eyes. You simply have a normal variation in the size, length, or shape of one or more parts of the eyeball, or some changes that occur normally with age.

MYTH:
Exercises can correct nearsightedness (myopia).

TRUTH:
There is no evidence that any type of exercise makes any difference. Some people with myopia can learn to squint their lids together, which can momentarily improve their vision enough to pass eye tests, but this will not change the myopia.

MYTH:
The wrong diet can cause you to need glasses. A good diet can do away with your need to wear glasses.

TRUTH:
There is no scientific evidence that diet plays any role in the need for glasses, nor will a change in diet or a special diet or vitamins make any difference. This myth may be based on the fact that there are a few eye diseases related to lack of vitamins or to malnutrition, especially in people who are the victims of famine or primitive conditions.

MYTH:
Eating a lot of carrots will give you good eyes and eyesight.

TRUTH:
The only basis for this myth is that carrots contain vitamin A, which, in small amounts, is necessary for the eyes to function. A normal diet contains all the vitamin A anyone needs. Too much may even be damaging to your health.

MYTH:
Daily eye exercises will keep the eye muscles in good tone.

TRUTH:
Being alive and looking around at your world is all that is necessary to keep your muscles "toned." Any extra effort is a waste of time and has no benefit.

MYTH:
If you cross your eyes on purpose, they can get stuck there.

TRUTH:
There is no way that you can make your eyes cross permanently. (So leave your kids alone when they do it to aggravate you.)

MYTH:
Surgery will not be necessary for crossed eyes or other eye muscle problems if proper exercises are done.

TRUTH:
Many eye muscle problems respond to treatment by glasses, patching and orthoptics (special eye exercises). Others can only be corrected with surgery, which is sometimes supplemented with exercises.

MYTH:
If you masturbate, you can cause a need for glasses.

TRUTH:
No, there is no way that this ridiculous myth can be true.

MYTH:
It is safe to look at an eclipse of the sun through several darkened negatives or a piece of smoked glass.

TRUTH:
It is never safe to look directly at an eclipse through any device except those scientifically designed for that purpose. Because people believe the myth, eclipses of the sun create a lot of visual loss.

MYTH:
Prolonged viewing of computer screens damages your eyes.

TRUTH:
There is no scientific evidence that any permanent damage to your eyes can occur in this way.

MYTH:
Sitting too close to the TV set is bad for your eyes. To keep from damaging your eyes, view television is a dark room with only a small lamp on top of the set.

TRUTH:
Whether the room is dark or lighted, or whether the light is in front of or behind you, is a matter of personal preference and comfort. It will not make any difference to the health of your eyes.

MYTH:
Cataracts (lens opacities) are caused by overuse of the eyes.

TRUTH:
Cataracts are usually related to age and many years of exposure to bright sunlight. They have nothing to do with how you use your eyes.

MYTH:
Cataracts can be treated with eyedrops or medication.

TRUTH:
Once a cataract has developed, there is no proven medication or eyedrop that can make it go away. The only clear-cut treatment for cataracts that require treatment (not all of them do) is surgery.

MYTH:
Cataracts are hereditary. If your mom or dad had them, you are bound to also have them.

TRUTH:
This one is mostly untrue. Although there are certain, uncommon types of cataracts that run in families, the most common type is related to age and has no predictable hereditary pattern.

MYTH:
Contact lenses can stop myopia from progressing.

TRUTH:
Because many adolescents begin wearing contact lenses around the time their myopia is stopping or slowing down anyway, there seems to be a cause-and-effect relationship. But studies have shown this is not true. There is a treatment program called orthokeratology, in which contact lenses are used to flatten cornea and thereby reduce nearsightedness; but the change is small, temporary, and in most cases does not reduce myopia enough to eliminate glasses altogether.

ABC of BMI

2009-12-10T22:26:00.000-08:00

BMI, or body mass index, is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

But just like your weight, you should not let your BMI be your only measure of fitness. Not all adults who have a healthy BMI are at their most healthy weight. They may have lots of fat but very little muscle, and some athletes encounter the opposite problem.

A BMI, however, does give many people a good idea of whether or not they are in good health condition.

The cause of yo-yo dieting

2009-12-10T19:08:00.000-08:00

Don't fall for fad diets.

When you're desperate to lose weight, it's easy to fall prey to the latest weight-loss craze. From the cabbage soup diet to the grapefruit diet, these faddish programs promise quick, easy results. Unfortunately, it's you who suffers. Although you may lose a few pounds, these plans are hardly maintainable - or healthy - in the long-term.

More often than not, you'll put the weight back on, along with some extra pounds. Stick to healthy eating and exercise for lasting results.

Green tea and stay healthy

2009-11-26T20:43:00.000-08:00

Green tea has been enjoyed for centuries in formal Chinese tea ceremonies. It has long been believed to relieve headaches and body aches, increase energy, prevent disease and aid digestion.

Many tests have been inconclusive and others are still under way, some of the health claims by green tea proponents are:

Longer life
Weight loss
Increased ability to survive after a heart attack
Antioxidants to combat free radicals
Cavity fighting
Higher metabolism, more calories burned
Cancer prevention
Lower cholesterol
Detoxification of blood
Liver function support
Bone density maintenance
Reduced inflammation
Alzheimer's prevention and treatment
Lower risk of diabetes and heart disease

Green tea contains a group of polyphenols known as catechins. The most studied and effective compound is epigallocatechin gallate, better known as EGCG. A growing number of published scientific studies propose that it does protect against cancer and heart disease and aid weight control. It is used as a fat loss aid used in some dietary supplements.

The side effects of green tea are few and mild. They are mainly due to the caffeine content, which the Buddhist monks of the 8th century discovered helped keep them awake during long meditation sessions. Actually, green tea has just enough caffeine to give you a lift, but not enough to cause nervous jitters. It would take four cups to equal the amount of caffeine in just one cup of brewed coffee. There are 8 to 20 mg. of caffeine in green tea, compared to 40 to 60 mg. in black tea and 90 to 150 mg. in coffee. The best known effects of caffeine include increased intellectual activity, improved reading speed, more energy, increased heartbeat, improved alertness, quicker reaction times and a brighter mood. Too much caffeine, on the downside, can cause insomnia, headaches, irritability and muscle tension.

Because of the caffeine content, there are some possible drug interactions. If you are taking any medicines with the ingredients codeine, ephedrine, psedoephrine, theophylline, atropine, aminophylline or warfarin you should consult with your physician and pharmacist before taking green tea products.

Green tea is available in tea bags, loose leaves, and prebrewed in bottles. It is available in caffeinated and decaffeinated varieties. There is also a product called Matcha, which is made of powdered tea leaves that are simply mixed into hot water. If you are not a fan of the flavor, it can also be found in tea blend sodas and fruit juice beverages, tablets, extracts, nutrition bars and liqueur.

Green tea contains zero calories. Just substituting it for higher calorie beverages, particularly soda, will help you reduce your overall calorie intake and help you feel full and more energetic. While nobody knows exactly how much of the active ingredient, EGCG, is necessary, most researchers agree that to reap the benefits, just three to four cups a day are all that are needed.

Don't trust the scale

2009-11-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

Weighing yourself on a scale every day can do more harm than good.

Calorie counting and constantly checking the scale usually leads to disappointment, which, in turn, leads to broken resolutions. The body fluctuates in weight as many as 3 to 5 pounds during the day. So while you're actually losing weight, you may think nothing has changed. Also, muscle is denser than fat, so while you may not see the numbers drop or in some cases see the numbers escalate, it may just be that you're gaining muscle. The best way to use the scale is moderately.

Try weighing yourself only once a week.

Grow your great body in your own backyard

2009-11-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

Stop searching for a great workout and step into your own backyard.

A day of heavy yard work will not only leave your neighbors jealous of your beautiful lawn, but also of your fit body. Mowing the lawn, raking leaves, gardening, shoveling dirt and picking weeds result in big-time calories burned.

Another great bonus of using yard work for exercise is that you simply get to enjoy the fresh air and being outdoors.

Laugh until you slim

2009-11-06T21:09:00.000-08:00

Always save room for the most enjoyable abs workout there: laughter.

Let's face it, exercise can be downright hilarious. The good news is that in order to get in shape, everyone is in the same boat. Jumping around from side to side, flexing muscles and sweating out aggression is all part of the fun. Before you get too serious lifting those heavy weights, remember to stop and have fun with your workout.

A good laugh is a great way to boost energy levels and help you release stress.

How to start your fat loss journey?

2009-10-06T23:23:00.000-07:00

How to start your fat loss journey? Many people would say it is goal setting but a goal without motivation or purpose can hardly be achieved no matter how good a goal you set.

By knowing you are on a mission to achieve something and being someone in your life, you have clear vision and are highly motivated. If you only have a goal but no a purpose, or a purpose not higher enough, you would stop in the front of obstacles. That's the one of the biggest reasons many people failed in their weight loss.

Think about something that would make you feel good or make your life better after you lose the weight. After you find them close your eyes, visualize a thinner you surrounded by the things you wanted and feel the good feelings for as long as you can. And do this visualization everyday and this feeling will companion you on your journey until you arrive the destination - you are across the finish line!

The next things are goal setting, finding a compass that can guide you in the right direction such as fat loss guidelines, tips and a good map - a fast fat loss program, then implementing the program, and getting the results -losing the weight - the fat.

Hope you find your vision before start setting the goal.

Miracle for H1N1 patient (Real Experience)

2009-10-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

Received the below email:

To all friends,

Just a small but meaningful info from me to you and your friends.

My staff was crying herself sick on Tuesday morning...was told that her son was confirmed of H1N1 in his Uni at Kangar, Perlis...worse was that when he was bedridden 2 days the warden didnt even bother to sent to hospital till his dad came fm KL and with his friends assistance brought him to GH Kangar.

No one bothered in the hospital and he was put in the normal ward for another 2 days!!! (imagine the amount of people he has infected!!) .....after 2 days and his eyes were turning yellow and saliva greenish...he was put in quarantined room...

His mom practically fainted just telling me the story.. cant do much cos she does not have enough money to go to the north with the father...

First thing we did was made her call the hospital and insist that they sent him to Sg.Buloh Hospital or any other hospital in KL since they seemed to be more alert and more equipt...they refused of course...so I sent her off to Kangar the same day to solve the problem.

Whilst this was happening, I had a call from one Ustaz who was in town to "help cure" another H1N1 child in Shah Alam....and was told this simple prescription by him.....

EAT MINIMUM 6 GREEN APPLES A DAY AND FRESH ORANGE JUICE for those with sore throat please blend the apples and keep on taking till your fever disappear and yr symptoms are gone....I cannot explain it but the child in Shah Alam was ok too after taking this tip....

my staff's son was given the apple juice for the whole day on Monday/Tuesday and he was out of the fever yesterday Wednesday... .she called me and was crying on the phone to say that her son was out of ICU and was able to eat normally...all these happened within just 4 days today (thursday 6 august)...

This is just to share with my fellow sisters and brothers and hope this small info could assist others as well, No harm in trying and anything can happen!!!!

Are you really hungry?

2009-10-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

It's not always your stomach that's giving you that hunger sign. Sometimes stress, boredom, depression or just having food nearby can make you think you're hungry.

The best way to tell the difference is to become aware of the physical signs of hunger. Physical hunger is a call by the body to fill a need for fuel. Once you eat, your hunger should go away. If it doesn't, chances are, you're dealing with emotional hunger.

Try to pay attention to what your stomach feels like when it's hungry. For example, right when you wake up in the morning. Take some time to really pay attention to that feeling. The next time you think you're hungry, remember what you felt. This will help you make healthier decisions.

Beware of fat-free trap

2009-09-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

Low-fat or fat-free make good alternatives to the full-fat versions.

However, sometimes these products contain as many or even more calories than the original product.

Before you dive into a whole box of fat-free chocolate chip cookies, make sure you read the entire label on the box. Manufactures often replace the fat in the original version with large amounts of sugar. The same rules apply to low-carbohydrate and zero-calorie foods.

Remember if it sounds too good to be true, read the label!

Detoxification

2009-09-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Detoxification is a treatment in alternative medicine which proponents claim rid the body of accumulated harmful substances that exert a negative effect on individual health.

Detox diets are dietary plans regarded as having detoxifying effects. "Detox" diets usually suggest that water, or fruits and vegetables compose a majority of one's food intake. Limiting this to unprocessed foods is often advocated. Limiting or eliminating alcohol is also a major factor, and drinking more water is similarly recommended.

Some proponents of detox diets emphasize it as a lifestyle rather than a diet. Others have touted spiritual and psychological benefits of regular detox dieting.

Beware when buying cut-fruit

2009-08-31T20:59:00.000-07:00

A 10 year old boy, had eaten pineapple about 15 days back, and fell sick, from the day he had eaten. Later when he had his health check done, doctors diagnosed that he had AIDS. His parents couldn't believe it. Then the entire family under went a check-up, none of them suffered from Aids. So the doctors checked again with the boy if he had eaten out. The boy said "yes". He had pineapple that evening. Immediately a group from Malaya Hospital went to the pineapple vendor to check. They found the pineapple seller had a cut on his finger while cutting the pineapple, his blood had spread into the fruit. When they had his blood checked, the guy was suffering from AIDS but he himself was NOT aware. Unfortunately the boy is suffering from it now.

Please take care while you eat on the road side.

Drink low-fat hi-cal milk

2009-07-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

If you drink milk, switch from whole milk to 1 percent fat.

Studies show calcium-rich dairy products can help adjust your body's fat-burning machinery and help you lose weight. But you don't need the extra fat.

If you drink 8 ounces of milk each day, and all you do is switch from whole milk to 1 percent, you'll save enough calories to lose 5 pounds in a year. That's pretty effortless.

What to eat for a slimmer tummy

2009-07-15T01:16:00.000-07:00

Researchers have found that women put on more fat around their midsection as they get older -- and if you're stressed, overweight or menopausal, your waistline is more likely to balloon. But that's not to say a poochy tummy is inevitable with age: Couple cardio and core exercises with a sensible eating plan and you can stay trim and look fab, say health experts. With these belly-friendly diet tips, you'll be empowered to beat the flab.

Up your fiber intake. A recent Danish study found that women who ate more fiber gained less weight with age, particularly around their middle, than women on low-fiber diets. So how much fiber should you aim to take? 25 to 30 grams a day, recommend experts. Good sources include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

Eat frequently. Stress causes weight gain because when you're often anxious or feeling overwhelmed, your body produces stress hormones like cortisol, which encourages the storage of fat in the abdomen. Studies have shown that hunger can trigger the same effect and send cortisol in overdrive, leading to an expanding waistline. To keep your hunger under control, eat five or six smaller meals instead of three main meals.

Cut back on salt. Sodium causes your body to retain fluids. That's why a diet high in sodium can result in a bloated stomach as well as raise your blood pressure. Stay away from high-sodium culprits such as processed and canned foods, and whenever possible add flavor to your foods with herbs and spices instead of salt.

Take it one day at a time

2009-07-14T00:20:00.000-07:00

You'll have more success long-term if you gradually replace unhealthy, high-calorie foods with healthy foods.

If you're really having trouble kicking the burger, fries and soda habit, pick just one thing at time to kick. For example, order your normal meal, but toss out the bun. Or skip the fries. Switch the soda for water. Try that for a week or two, and all of a sudden you'll find you've changed a habit and eliminated a bunch of nasty calories.

Achieve one goal, then move on to the next to establish healthy habits for life.

Correct way of cooking instant noodles

2009-06-29T21:47:00.000-07:00

The correct way to cook instant noodles without harming our bodies and health. Normally, how we cook the instant noodles is to put the noodles into a pot with water, throw in the powder and let it cook for around 3 minutes and then it's ready to eat.

This is the WRONG method of cooking the instant noodles.

By doing this, when we actually boil the ingredients in the powder, normally with MSG, it will change the molecular structures of the MSG causing it to be toxic.

The other thing that you may or may not realize is that, the noodles are coated with wax and it will take around 4 to 5 days for the body to excrete the wax after you have taken the noodles.

CORRECT METHOD :

Boil the noodles in a pot with water.
Once the noodles is cooked, take out the noodles, and throw away the water which contains wax .
Boil another pot of water till boiling and put the noodles into the hot boiling water and then shut the fire.
Only at this stage when the fire is off, and while the water is very hot, put the ingredient with the powder into the water, to make noodle soup.
However, if you need dry noodles, take out the noodles and add the ingredient with the powder and toss it to get dry noodles.

Walk or run with pedometer

2009-06-26T01:51:00.000-07:00

Pedometers are useful tools for runners who are interested in tracking how many steps they are taking each day. With a few basic calculations a pedometer can also be used to determine the distance a person is running or walking each day.

The usefulness of a pedometer is largely based on the premise that taking 10,000 steps per day will help an individual to improve his overall health and live a longer and healthier life.

Statistical data has shown most people, especially those who work at jobs which require them to be sedentary for the majority of the day, do not take enough steps each day.

The use of a pedometer can provide the user with an accurate account of the number of steps they are taking each day and can help to inspire the user to find ways to incorporate more walking or running into the day.

What is Tuberculosis?

2009-06-23T00:07:00.000-07:00

Hubby's grandpa is recently being called by the govt. clinic back for treatment after having a "spit" test. According to them, he is possible carrying TB. Before the blood test report out, they already started the treatment which include injection and medication.

I am checking out the detail about this disease and share with all of you.

Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis) is a common and often deadly infectious disease. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs (as pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, the gastrointestinal system, bones, joints, and even the skin.

Symptoms include chest pain, coughing up blood, and a productive, prolonged cough for more than three weeks. Systemic symptoms include fever, chills, night sweats, appetite loss, weight loss, pallor, and often a tendency to fatigue very easily. Infection of other organs causes a wide range of symptoms.

The diagnosis relies on radiology (commonly chest X-rays), a tuberculin skin test, blood tests, as well as microscopic examination and microbiological culture of bodily fluids.

Tuberculosis treatment is difficult and requires long courses of multiple antibiotics. Contacts are also screened and treated if necessary.

Tuberculosis is spread through the air, when people who have the disease cough, sneeze, speak or spit.

Fruit yoghurts as snack

2009-06-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

OFTEN when you are at a loss for what to have as a quick snack, chances are you would raid the refrigerator in search of something light and healthy.

Yoghurt, carrot or cucumber? Well, yoghurt would probably be the most appealing if you are watching your waistline.

Yes, fruit yoghurts are gaining popularity where chocolates and ice cream used to be snacking buddies, especially in households where good health is paramount.

It may not strike many as a great snack but those who read up medical journals or quick takes in the newspapers, magazines and even online articles would know the efficacy of yoghurt and how it helps maintain healthy flora in the gut with its friendly probiotics.

Fruit yoghurt is actually a very healthy snack and can be had for breakfast right up to supper, and in various flavours too.

The range of brands available in Malaysia is wide with a variety of foreign and local tags to choose from, and there is also a good number of flavours to select.

Natural yoghurt is available and in many forms as well, with the Swiss-style and Greek-style yoghurts being the most famous.

What is the difference between Swiss-style yoghurt and Greek-style yoghurt and how do we make the distinction?

Well, for one the original inventors of yoghurt were the Greeks, and theirs is a silky and velvety version eaten with fruit. In other words, this yoghurt is supple and not stiffened to hold its form.

On the other hand, the custard-style yoghurt that is more substantial and usually known as French or Swiss-style – or in manufacturing terms, laboratory products – is what most of us love as it is like custard with fruits suspended in it.

Deliciously sweet and creamy, this custard-like yoghurt can be had for dessert in place of cakes and flavoured further with the addition of fresh fruits in season or even berries.

One of the best selling, we feel, is peach melba – taken as an alternative to ice cream or as a yoghurt snack – it is refreshing and tasty. Delicious with a raspberry or straw-berry flavour and with bits of peach, this is actually one of the fool-proof flavours that would endear yoghurt to children and adults alike.

Other tasty flavours are strawberry, mango and kiwi fruit.

There are also variations in the way the yoghurts are presented. Some come with fruit puree, which is stirred into the yoghurt just before eating. Some use fruits which are already mixed in with the yoghurt.

For those who are on a sugar watch, the best way to enjoy good fruit yoghurt is to use natural yoghurt mixed with diabetic conserves and jam, and with added fresh fruits for flavour.

So, do try to add yoghurt to your daily meal for a healthier diet. If you do not like natural yoghurts, try the various types of fruit yoghurts available and then pick out your favourite.

Happy April Fools' Day

2009-03-31T20:42:00.001-07:00

Coke + Ajinomoto

2009-03-18T01:38:00.000-07:00

Coke + Ajinomoto can be used to rape ladies

I received a news about the recent tactic used to spike girls' drink. It is a cheap and widely used method. This method was used in Canny Ong murder. Rapist uses this method.

Coca-cola + ajinomoto/mono sodium glutamate = a medicine which will cause drowsiness and excitement in the victim..

This mixture is poisonous if used too often on the victim.

Snores kill

2009-02-07T00:56:00.000-08:00

Do your partner snores? Do you know that noise that emanates from your partner when he sleeps is not just irritating, it may be a killer. Be careful of the below symptoms for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Keep an eye on your partner is he snores at night.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), being “a clinical condition in which the upper airway collapses intermittently and repeatedly during sleep”. Being overweight or obese greatly increases one’s risk of developing OSA.

OSA is known to be as severe a risk factor as having high blood pressure and high cholesterol in causing future cardiovascular events.

Most of OSA suffers typically have loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, feelings of choking or shortness of breath at night, restless sleep, un-refreshing sleep, changes in personality (impaired concentration, anxiety, irritability, depression, forgetfulness) and nocturia (waking up to pass urine at night).

It is really dangerous to suffers from OSA. So, if you suspect either yourself or your spouse, relative, friend or lover has OSA, please ask them to seek help and help them towards a healthier future!

Eat veggies

2009-02-04T06:13:00.000-08:00

It is so easy to use a low-carbohydrate diet as an excuse for poor nutrition, low-carbohydrate food doesn't always nutritional food! Resist this temptation.

If the only vegetable you have eaten in the last 5 years has been the potato, now is a good time to begin experimenting with other vegetables. This is important for your overall health and to avoid some nasty side effects of not getting enough fiber in your diet.

If you try hard enough, you will find out which vegetables that you enjoy eating. Experiment with grilling veggies or cooking with real butter to add flavor. You can also search for new recipes through the internet or in cook books.

Remember, if you are only eating 40 grams of carbohydrate a day or less, 2 cups of plain salad greens contain only about 5 grams of carbohydrate. You have no excuse not to eat your veggies.

Veggies bring enough nutrition for a healthy life and low in carbohydrate too! Please do not miss out the veggies as your daily food!

Take a good multivitamin

2009-02-03T04:24:00.000-08:00

We can't all do it right all of the time. Even the most conscientious food combiner may miss some healthy vitamins, minerals and trace elements in their diets.

To make sure you get everything that you need, consider taking a good multivitamin.

Check with your doctor first for recommendations and you should be tested for anemia to see if you need a vitamin with iron. However, the longer you eat low-carbohydrate and the more red meat you eat, the less anemia will be a problem and you should be able to take vitamins with less iron.

Your success is totally up to you. Assuming that you are an otherwise healthy individual, your body will do its part. Just remember to adhere to the low-carb diet plan that is right for you and add some variety to your meals to help you stay faithful to your health and weight loss goals.

Larger meals early, smaller meals later

2009-02-03T02:07:00.000-08:00

Craving for delicious foods but wanting to keep the body shape? That is a way, you just need to eat larger meals early and smaller meals later to keep your body shape. It is that easy! Just remind yourself to eat larger meals early and smaller meals later, that is it!

You will surely feeling better and losing weight faster if you eat a large breakfast and eat a smaller dinner. Eat the majority of the carbohydrates earlier in the day, saving a salad and lean meat protein for dinner will do you good. Remember to eat heavy meals early, and light meals later!

Eating larger meals during the part of the day when you are most active will help you to feel satisfied throughout the day and curb cravings for unhealthy snacks. You will be able to burn off more calories during the active period of the day, and burn less calories after dinner, (the time when you were to rest and relax!). So remember to take less during dinner. Do not take in any supper as well!

Yet there is another easy way to keep your body fit, go for Marie France! But this is absolutely a expensive way. You may need to apply a payday cash loan for it!

Prepare your own food

2008-12-09T02:09:00.000-08:00

While more and more restaurants are offering low-carb friendly menu items, many of them are still not ideal low-carb fare. There are many recipes for quick and easy meals that you can prepare yourself at home. Try to do this as often as possible.

If you cook your own foods, you know exactly what the contents are and you will be able to better control for hidden sugar and otherwise processed foods.

Another benefit is the cost savings over the long run. Even if you must go to the grocery store more often, you will save a significant amount per meal as opposed to eating at restaurants and fast food establishments.

It will also be easier to maintain your diet with your own favorite fresh food selections on hand.

November flu?

2008-11-06T01:56:00.000-08:00

Most of my colleagues are having flu. Most probably it's cause by the season. The sun shines so hot in the morning, and it'll rain heavily in the evening (especially by the time we are off to home!) That's why many of us are getting flu.

So, be careful. Drink more water and bring the umbrella along in the evening!

Eat some protein each meal

2008-10-30T03:33:00.000-07:00

Eating protein helps you burn more calories.

Jeff Hample, Ph.D., R.D., a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association says that, "Protein is made up mainly of amino acids, which are harder for your body to breakdown, so you burn more calories getting rid of them."

Just think:“ Eating a protein rich snack can help you lose weight. How about a few slices of turkey or ham or some string cheese? "

Eating protein will also help you feel full so that you are less likely to crave unhealthy foods.

Drink a glass of water after each snack

2008-10-29T04:04:00.001-07:00

This will help you get in your 8 to 10 glasses of water each day but it can also have other benefits.

Feeling hungry after eating a handful or standard serving of nuts? Try drinking some water. The water will help you feel full and prevent over-indulgence.

Drinking water after a snack will also help remove the after-taste from your mouth and can help curb your desire for more.

Drink 8-10 glasses of water

2008-10-28T06:42:00.000-07:00

Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water each day helps in the process of slimming and also not to be denied, good for your health.

This may be a big problem to some of you. Water doesn't taste all that great generally because water doesn't really taste like anything! Drinking water 8 to 10 times each day gets easier the more you actually do it. It is simply a matter of conditioning your taste buds, and yourself, so that it becomes easier to do. Once you get started, you will begin to crave water.

To begin, you should drink a glass of water in the morning, before you eat. This is probably the easiest glass you will drink all day and it will help you remember to drink water all day long. Better yet, why not drinking two glasses?

If you really cannot bear the taste of water, try using a water purifying pitcher or filter. You can also add a few drops of lemon or lime to your water but not sugar or sweetener! Ice also helps.

Breakfast's important

2008-10-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Do not skip breakfast. Just go to bed a little earlier so that you can get up earlier each morning!

Breakfast is so important to your good health and to weight control. According to Dr. Barbara Rolls a professor of nutrition at Penn State University, "Your metabolism slows while you sleep, and it doesn't rev back up until you eat again."

Eating breakfast is not only good for overall weight loss, it will help you stay on track with your diet the rest of the day. You are more likely to binge on something sweet and in the bread group if you skip breakfast.

You can always keep a couple of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge or some high-fiber, low starch fruit around. If you plan to eat fruit at all during the day, breakfast is the perfect time to do it.

No plastic found in pisang goreng (fried banana)

2008-10-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR : If you love pisang goreng and have been worried due to recent news of our local fritters being coated with melted plastics and bottles, worry no more.

The Health Ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division has assured the public that their preliminary investigations have revealed no such results.

It’s director, Noraini Dato’ Mohd Othman, said samples of frying oil and fritters such as fried banana and keropok lekor, were being analysed by the Chemistry Department.

She said preliminary results showed that the plastic materials were not detected in the fritters.
“Nevertheless, more samples will be analysed especially from other States and the results would be available soon”.

On Feb 29, New Straits Times highlighted consumers’ concern in Johor Baru, alleging that big demand for fritters had caused hawkers to coat these fried snacks with plastic, creating a health scare.

E-mails had sent out warnings o people to keep away from consuming extra crispy fried snacks or chicken. The e-mails claimed that some hawkers had allegedly been seen adding plastic straws and bottles into boiling oil before frying the fritters.

The trend allegedly started in Thailand for frying ikan bilis and onions before spreading to Kedah and the rest of the country.

In a letter sent to the newspaper on March 24, a reader from Johor Baru wrote that he had witnessed the same incident at a wet market in Larkin, Johor Baru, last year.

He claimed that, despite complaining to the Johor Baru City Council, the hawker was still committing the offence.

In another letter by Consumer Association of Penang president S.M. Mohamed Idris, published on Thursday, he had called on the Health Ministry to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Weekend Mail had contacted Noraini’s department following the media reports and she said the ministry viewed these allegations seriously.

“Colorants, additives, preservatives and plasticizers in the plastic materials are very toxic and the public might be at risk if these materials are ingested. When the plastic is heated, it may melt and degrade into the frying oil, releasing all its components.

“Consumers should boycott vendors of such practices”, she said.

In general, plastics are made of long chain polymer, colorants and other additives. More additives are added to the plastic formula to control the physical properties of the plastic, she said.

“Plastic bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and plastic straws are made from a formulated blend of polypropylene, plastic resin, colorants and other additives.

“General toxicity and genotoxicity studies on PET indicated that this material does not pose a threat to human health”.

She said the ministry will step up its enforcement activities but the public should also alert the ministry through the nearest healthy authority.

WEEKEND MAIL, SATURDAY, 29th MARCH 2008 PAGE 6

8 ways to burn calories without noticing

2008-10-15T04:53:00.000-07:00

1. Take the escalator -- but climb the stairs while you ride. You'll get there faster and use your muscles while you're at it. Just 5 minutes of stair climbing burns 144 calories.

2. Instead of piling items on the stairs so you can take them upstairs at once, take them one at a time.

3. When cooling your heels while waiting in a doctor's office, drugstore, or airport, stay on your feet -- standing burns 36 more calories per hour than sitting.

4. Rake leaves instead of using a leaf blower: You'll burn 50 more calories every half hour.

5. Scrub your floors more often. Putting some elbow grease into cleaning floors is more intense than vacuuming -- and it makes your floors look better to boot.

6. Chew sugarless gum. Research has found that the action of jaw muscles alone burns about 11 calories an hour.

7. Wash your car by hand instead of taking it through the automatic carwash. You'll burn an extra 280 calories in an hour.

8. Play with kids: Impromptu games of basketball, touch football, or tag -- or just jumping rope or throwing a ball -- will help you use energy and set a good example of active play for the children. Calories burned: 80 to 137 every 10 minutes.

Ways to Walk More

2008-10-15T04:48:00.000-07:00

You exercise your hips and knees so you can walk more, without pain or exhaustion. But doctors will also tell you that the best way to walk more is to walk more. Here are 12 ideas to get you on your feet and moving:

Regulate it.
Every night, immediately after dinner, take a 20-minute stroll. Don't let the weather stop you -- that's what jackets, boots, and umbrellas are for. Indeed, there's something wonderfully refreshing and childlike about a walk in the rain or snow. Post-dinner is the perfect time for a walk. It gets you away from the television, it's when others are outside, it's a lovely time of day, and it stops you from eating more.
Divide your lunch hour in two: 30 minutes of eating, 30 minutes of walking.

Develop a habit.
Never sit while talking on the phone. Instead, walk around your home if you have a portable phone, and if not, pace back and forth. You'd be surprised how much movement you can do when you are concentrating on a conversation rather than the exertion.

Make it social.
Plan events around walking. For example, rather than meeting friends for coffee or lunch, suggest meeting at the public gardens for a stroll.

Take a commercial break.
When watching television, always get up and move about during commercials. You've seen them already, anyhow. During a single one-hour show, you can get in more than 10 minutes of activity!

Step up to it.
Take the stairs, take the stairs, take the stairs. You've heard it a million times, but if it is three flights or less, you have no excuse to take an elevator, unless your arthritis pain is truly prohibitive. In that case, take one flight of stairs instead.

Make it interesting.
For an evening's diversion, do some outdoor window-shopping. Strolling down a street of shops is great for people-watching, talking, and feeling alive.

Split your lunch.
Divide your lunch hour in two: 30 minutes of eating, 30 minutes of walking. No one needs to eat for 60 minutes. Chances are, you're just sitting and talking. Invite your lunch partner along for the stroll.

Escape the mundane.
Find a park or a wilderness area near you and commit to a nature walk a few times a week. Nothing lifts your soul as much as a good walk in the woods (or by the lake, or even in the desert).

Go postal.
Locate the outdoor mailbox closest to your home, and get in the habit of walking to it to send off your bills or letters. Maybe it'll get you to write more letters -- wonderful for your hands, even better for your friends and family.

Book yourself.
If you have little children in your life -- be they yours, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or even just neighbors -- commit to the following per year: a trip to the ball game, a trip to the circus, a trip to the zoo, a trip to the aquarium, a trip to the kids' museum. Buy the tickets long in advance, and exercise in advance so you're ready for a full day of fun.

Feel the rhythm.
Somehow, somehow, find a way to dance. Don't wait for a date or a wedding. Turn on the stereo and dance at home. Join a square-dance group or take ballroom lessons.

Make it secondhand.
Come up with a personal "instant walk" trigger. For example, anytime you become drowsy, take a five-minute walk. Or, anytime you want a snack. Or, anytime you get angry, bored, melancholy, or stressed. Walking isn't just an antidote for arthritis pain, it is a wonderful way to work out mental and emotional issues as well.

The hunger meter

2008-09-20T01:24:00.001-07:00

Before you sit down to eat, follow these simple steps.

1. Take a moment to assess your hunger.

2. Give it a rating on a scale of 0 (ravenously hungry) to 10 (Thanksgiving stuffed).

3. When your hunger is a 4, it’s time to start eating; waiting until you’re at 2 or 1 could put you at risk for overeating.

4. Start slowing down when you get to a 6 or 7 and reassess: Are you still eating to satisfy your hunger? Or are you simply munching mindlessly?

How to think yourself thin

2008-09-20T01:21:00.000-07:00

You can learn a lot by watching a 3-year-old eat. She carefully inspects her food, smelling and touching it, before cramming it into her mouth. She pushes away her plate as soon as she’s full. And she doesn’t dive face first into a bag of Oreos because she feels lonely.

In fact, 3-year-old are masters at “intuitive eating.” New research shows that the practice of mindfully listening to your body’s natural hunger cues—instead of dieting or emotionally eating—can help you lose weight and get healthier. Women who eat intuitively have lower BMIs than non intuitive eaters; they also report higher levels of appreciation for their own bodies. Other studies show that mindful eating can reduce binge eating and lower cholesterol levels and cardiovascular-disease risk.

Take fiber to lose weight

2008-09-20T01:16:00.000-07:00

Daily soluble-fiber supplements (such as Metamucil and Benefiber) may help you lose weight by curbing your hunger, according to a recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. People who took them lost an extra 9 pounds over four months. Experts say eating fiber-rich foods each day can work similar magic. A few to try:

Oatmeal (1 cup, cooked, instant or regular)
Popcorn (3 cups, air-popped or microwaved)
Edamame (1/2 cup, cooked)
Raspberries (1 cup, fresh or frozen)
Potatoes (1 medium with skin, baked or roasted)

What is physical fitness?

2008-09-20T01:05:00.000-07:00

A condition or state of being that helps you look, feel and do your best. It is the ability to do tasks full of energy, and still be able to do other things with your time, such as schoolwork and activities with family and friends. It is a basis for good health and well-being. Fitness involves performance of the heart and lungs, and the muscles of the body. Fitness can also influence how alert you are and how you feel emotionally.

Singaporean's one stop health portal

2008-09-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

Singapore's government has launch a website which act as a one stop health portal. myhealth.sg is developed by experts in weight management and fitness, health screening, mental health, and diet at Changi General Hospital.

This website is made specially for Singaporean, one will have to register and signed in to get information. To register, you will need to provide a Singapore ic number and a valid Singapore hp number. The information and services provided in this website are:

Personal health profile
Asian health benchmarks
Asian meal choices
Security & confidentiality
Supported by medical professionals

But foreigners like us can still benefit from site. It provides:

Heart disease risk calculator
Food nutrition calculator
Ideal weight calculator
Diabetes risk calculator
Waist-hip ratio calculator
Body mass index calculator

5 great reasons to get moving

2008-09-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

More energy
This one's hard to believe, but exercising will make you feel more energetic. When scientists at the University of New Orleans asked 42 volunteers to assess their mood before and after a 50-minute aerobics class, most of them said they felt less tense and less tired after breaking a sweat. In a 1997 study, researchers found that a brisk 10-minute walk gave people more energy than eating a candy bar. How can that be? Exercise boosts a hormone that increases energy. And it doesn't take more than a few workouts before strength and the lungs' capacity to provide oxygen to working muscles improve, increasing stamina -- which is enough to make anyone feel more energetic.

Less stress
Just one simple workout can ease stress and anxiety. In an experiment at Indiana University, researchers used psychological tests to gauge anxiety levels in 15 volunteers before and after a 20-minute session on an exercise cycle. The volunteers all reported feeling significantly less anxious during an hour or two after the workout. Exercise enhances the flow of brain chemicals, such as serotonin, that are related to positive mood. Because it also increases core body temperature, it can be as relaxing as a good soak in a hot tub.

A sharper mind
Exercise can even spark creativity. Researchers at England's Middlesex University tested creative thinking in a group of 63 volunteers -- once after they'd done an aerobic workout and once after they'd sat around watching a video. After the workout, volunteers in the experiment felt more positive and scored higher on creativity.

Healthier arteries
Physical activity boosts levels of high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, the so-called good cholesterol, by as much as 20 percent. HDL helps rid the body of low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, the artery-clogging kind. Studies show that HDL can even pick up cholesterol deposited in arteries and move it to where it won't do harm. Another benefit to the arteries: The level of fat particles in the blood, called triglycerides, falls by as much as 40 percent after a vigorous workout. Exercising converts triglycerides into fatty acids -- the form in which fat can be burned for energy. You burn stored fat each and every time you work out -- the key to keeping weight off. Plus you lower your level of triglycerides in the blood. And the lower your triglyceride level, studies show, the lower your risk of heart disease.

Better defenses
The moment you begin exercising, your heart starts pounding and your blood pressure surges, sweeping disease-fighting immune cells out into the blood, where they're able to detect troublemakers like cold or flu viruses. Studies show that people who exercise have 40 to 50 percent fewer sick days than their sit-around-and-do-nothing counterparts.

Lose Weight with Xenical

2008-09-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

The Xenical effectively treats people those who are overweight or obese. This will reduce your fat and you will get back into shape within a course of few months. This medicine basically belongs to the group of Lipase Inhibitors. The Xenical doesn’t suppress your appetite rather it actually targets the absorption of the dietary fat that get into your body.

These dietary fats are large molecules, which need to be broken down before they can be absorbed by the body. Lipase is basically an enzyme that breaks them down. This is where lipases play an important role in the digestion of dietary fat. When taken with a meal, Xenical gets in the way of the activity of these enzymes and allows about 30% of the fat eaten in the meal to pass through the gut undigested. Therefore, your body cannot store these excess calories as fatty tissue or use them as a source of energy. This helps you to reduce your weight by burning up fat that you are already carrying, maintain your lower weight and reduce the chances of any weight regain.

It is suggested that you should have the Xenical Capsule with a well-balanced calorie controlled diet. Foods that are high on calorie and fat will continuously keep on increasing your weight because Xenical will keep only around 30% of the fat undigested. Exercising, while having the course of Xenical reduces weight very effectively and quickly.

It is always advisable that you consult your physician before you start having any sort of medicine, so it is the same in case of Xenical tablets. Consult your physician before you start the course of Xenical tablets and mention your diet and other details like if you are allergic to something or some pancreatic problem or if you had any recent major surgery to your stomach or intestine.

Burn more calories in less time

2008-08-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

Sip green tea three times a day
A study from the University of Geneva in Switzerland found that in addition to caffeine, green tea contains catechin polyphenols, plant chemicals that may boost metabolism.

Use interval training to rev up your workout
Walk for the same amount of time at the same intensity day in and day out and your body gets as bored with your workout as you do. Throw it a curveball with interval training, which involves varying the intensity of your workout throughout your exercise session. Every five minutes into your walk, jog for one minute. Every five minutes into your bike ride, shift into a higher gear and pedal hard for a minute. If you swim, turn on the speed every other lap. You'll burn more calories in the same amount of time.

Fidget

People who drum their fingers or bounce their knees burn at least 500 calories a day! That adds up to losing a pound a week.

Keep a small squeeze ball with you and work out your hands frequently during the day
It's one of the few exercises you can do anytime. You'll build up the muscles in your hands -- and muscle, whether in your hands or legs, burns a lot of calories.

Don't starve yourself
Cutting too many calories can backfire in more ways than one. Try to subsist on morsels and your metabolism will slow so much that you'll not only stop losing weight, but you'll be lucky if you can peel yourself off the couch.

Put five rubber bands around your wrist every morning
That's how many 16-ounce bottles of water you should drink during the day to rev your metabolism, helping burn more calories. At least, that's what German researchers found when they had 14 participants drink about 17 ounces of water. The volunteers' metabolic rate -- or how quickly they burned calories -- jumped a third within 10 minutes of drinking the water and remained high for another 30 or 40 minutes. The researchers estimated that over a year, increasing your water consumption by 1.5 liters a day (about 50 ounces) would burn an extra 17,400 calories, or about five pounds' worth. Since much of the increased metabolic rate is due to the body's efforts to heat the water, make sure the water you're drinking is icy.

Exercise outside
Maybe it's the fresh air, maybe it's the sunshine, but something about exercising in the open makes you walk or run faster than doing the same exercise in the gym.

Get fit by jumping rope

2008-08-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

Jumping rope is one of the best forms of aerobic exercise. It burns a lot of calories, is easy and fun, and can be done at home without expensive equipment.

As a low-impact exercise, it won't put your knees under stress and will loosen up your shoulders.

A regular jumping rope routine will help you develop your fitness coordination and agility. It targets your calves, thighs, and buttocks. It also makes an excellent addition to a cross-training program, in which a variety of aerobic and resistance activities are combined to create a complete cardiovascular workout to achieve all-around fitness.

Buying the Right Rope

The most important thing when buying a jump rope is to make sure that it is the right length. It is usually possible to adjust the length if the rope is too long. Stand with both feet in the center of the rope and pull up the ends. The handles should reach to your armpits.

Getting Started

Jumping Basics
Wearing loose, comfortable clothing and training shoes, begin to jump. Try to keep your shoulders relaxed and your upper arms close to your body. Use your wrists, not your whole arms, to turn the rope and try to keep them as low as possible. Keep your back straight and your stomach pulled in.

Rocking Skip
This is the easiest way to jump rope, and because you are half running rather than jumping, it does not require as much energy. At first, step each time with the same foot leading, then try alternating the leading foot. To avoid strain, keep your feet within 1 inch of the ground and your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. Keep your head upright, in line with your spine.

Jumps
As your fitness level increases, begin adding jumps with both feet together. To avoid boredom, you could try some variations, such as hopping on one foot, then the other. Again, make sure you do not jump too high. If you keep your feet in fairly close contact with the ground, you will minimize the chance of strain and will more likely keep jumping for a longer time.

Introducing a Regimen
If you have not jumped rope for some time, you may find a normal training level too hard. To build up stamina, jump initially for 2 minutes, or if this is too much, for 30 to 40 jumps, and then rest for 30 seconds. Repeat twice. At each subsequent session, reduce every rest interval by 5 seconds, until you have eliminated all of them.

Starting a Regimen
You should now be ready to begin a formal training regimen, but this, too, should be introduced gradually. Start with a 3-minute jumping session once a week; then graduate to a 4-minute session twice a week; then a 5-minute session twice a week, building up to three 20-minute sessions a week.

Low calories bananas help in slimming

2008-08-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

Bananas consist of almost all vitamins and minerals human body needs. Bananas are easy to digest and absorb. Thus it is suitable for all age, from children to old folks. Bananas have immediate effect to hunger and could maintain the strength for a long time. Because it is low in calories, those who are on diet could consume without worries! Since some said bananas should not take with empty stomach, it is advised to take some food before having bananas.

Drink more milk increase chances of carrying twin babies

2008-08-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

Consume more milk related food will increase chances for a female to carry twins! A mummy who constantly drinks milk, her chances of carrying twins compared to a mummy who never drink milk will be 5 times more. Those who wanted twins, drink more milk!

Healthy juices

2008-08-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

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, nourishes 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

Hand massage

2008-08-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

Foot massage

2008-08-12T04:21:00.000-07:00

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...

My disclosure policy

2008-08-12T04:18:00.000-07:00

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

Benifits of having fruits and vegetables

2008-08-12T04:10:00.000-07:00

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
Guards against liver disease

Avocados
Battles diabetes
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
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

Heart attack symptom

2008-08-12T04:07:00.000-07:00

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.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to everyone they know, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

Drink hot tea ... not cold water

2008-08-12T04:05:00.000-07:00

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.

Drink water and stay healthy and active

2008-08-12T03:59:00.000-07:00

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 medical 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, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, 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
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.

Choice of a baby BOY or GIRL

2008-08-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

The wisdom of our ancestors!

For those planning to have a baby & those who will need to plan in future, the chart below may help you to predict the sex of your future child.

The accuracy of the chart has been proved by thousands of People and is believed to be 99 percent accurate.
Believe it or not.

WOMAN'S CONCEIVING AGE

AGE 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

MONTH

AGE 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

MONTH

EXPLANATION
You can choose for yourself whether you want a boy or a girl by following the chart. The woman's age from 18 to 45 (Chinese reckoning) is on the top line while the months Jan to Dec indicate the month when the baby is conceived. By following the chart you will be able to tell in advance whether your baby will be a boy or a girl. Thus, you can plan to have a boy or a girl.

This chart has been taken from a Royal tomb near Peking, China. The original copy is kept in the institute of Science of Peking. The accuracy of the chart has been proved by thousands of People and is believed to be 99 percent accurate. By reckoning, you follow a line drawn from the figure representing the woman's age to a line drawn from the month the baby is conceived.
For instance, if the woman is 27 years old and her baby is conceived in Month 1 (according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar), then her baby will be a girl. The chart is based on the month the baby is conceived and not on the birth of the baby, B-Male, G-Female.

Remarks: A Chinese Scientist discovered and drew this chart which was buried in a Royal tomb about 700 years ago.

Factors to decide a baby BOY or GIRL

2008-08-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

Hope it is useful for some of you in planning stage. For those of you do not have any plan in the near future, you can keep it for future reference.

Background:
Man's sperm consists of X & Y spermatozoa, X spermatozoon decides the female whereas Y is the male. Referring to these physiological properties of the spermatozoa, gynecologists set up the theory of 'Choice of a girl or a boy'.

1st factor: Food
If you want a baby girl:
Husband must eat more alkaline food, wife eats more acidic food.
If you want a baby boy:
Husband eats more acidic food, wife eats more alkaline food.

Alkaline food: vegetables, fruits, egg white, milk, algae, etc.
Acidic food: meat, seafood, etc.

2nd factor: Timing (When to do it?)
If you want a baby girl:
Frequent copulation during pre-ovulation period.
If you want a baby boy:
Copulating just before ovulation or just after ovulation.

How to confirm ovulation period:
Body temperature increases
(you may want to use SPC chart to monitor your body temperature here).

3rd factor: Penetration (How to do it?)
If you want a baby girl:
Husband to avoid deep penetration in the female vagina during copulation.
If you want a baby boy:
Deep penetration by the husband is suggested.

Reasoning:
Characteristics of X & Y spermatozoa
X: Marathon runner with good stamina
Y: Sprinter but poor stamina
So, with deep penetration, the chances for Y to reach destination will be higher.

4th factor: Stimulation
If you want a baby girl:
Wife should avoid stimulation during copulation. Secretion from female vagina becomes alkaline when stimulated, therefore this promotes the activity of Y spermatozoon.
If you want a baby boy:
Husband ejaculates after wife has been stimulated.

5 factor: Wife's Preparation
If you want a baby girl:
Rinse the vagina with solution dissolving 2 spoonfuls of white vinegar in 1 liter of water. Since an acidic condition decreases activity of Y spermatozoon.
If you want a baby boy:
Rinse the vagina with solution dissolving 2 spoonfuls of soda in 1 liter of water.

6th factor: Positioning
If you want a baby girl:
Female to be on the top position & male to be on the bottom position.
If you want a baby boy:

Male to be on the top position & female to be on the bottom position. This posture allows the Y spermatozoon to reach the destination faster.

Dieting vs. life span

2008-08-01T23:22:00.000-07:00

People in the modern used to over consumed, which is indeed unhealthy. According to the latest news, there are great relations between diet and life span. Long term of dieting shall be effectively cut down the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc.

Overweight people are not only overweight within their waist but also in the bodily organs. Fatty tissues inside the stomach and abdomen are most harmful to human body. These are also visible result of overweight.

Doctors suggest, by downsizing daily consumed calories, additional exercise, shall be able to send the scale numbers down.

Slimming down

2008-08-01T23:10:00.000-07:00

Being overweight is not only a physical problem that gives birth to different diseases related to heart and other ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. but it also leads to severe mental problems like depression and inferiority complex, which makes a person impatient and irritated. Many overweight people tend to see themselves as losers and lack confidence while doing any work. People those who want to become a policeman; a defense personal or an airhostess should have a well-toned body. If you are an obese it is not possible for you to take-up any of the above-mentioned profession, no matter how much you like the profession and sincere towards it. The primary thing that you need to have to get into such profession is a fit body.

One frustrating thing about trying to lose weight is the snail's pace at which the pounds seem to drop. Then there's the harsh reality that the more weight you lose, the harder your body fights to hold on to the calories it gets and the fewer calories it burns. That's usually about the time you hit the infamous weight-loss plateau -- and start losing steam. But what if you could turbo-charge your weight-loss efforts without a lot of sacrifice?

Still, it's important that you maintain a realistic expectation of what's considered "healthy" weight loss. About a pound or two a week is ideal; much more than that is unlikely to last long-term.

You know the drill when it comes to losing weight -- take in fewer calories, burn more calories. But you also know that most diets and quick weight-loss plans have about as much substance as a politician's campaign pledges. You're better off finding several simple things you can do on a daily basis -- along with following the cardinal rules of eating more vegetables and less fat and getting more physical activity. Together, they should send the scale numbers in the right direction: down.

Nothing else you can do for yourself has more benefits than regular exercise. Sure, exercise burns calories. And it tones muscles, tightening up arms and cinching in that waistline. Exercise can calm you down, boost energy, and even spark creativity.