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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tips For Your Home Healthy Cooking

Eating healthy is not just picking the right kind of food but also cooking them the right way. Food preparation is also important and contributes to how healthy is our diet. We often stay away from fast food and do home cooking instead, but in doing this, take time also to make sure that you get the most of your healthy food choice.

If you have been watching your diet and counting all those calories to reduce, here are some healthy cooking tips I could share that I have been doing as well.

* Choose organic. As much as possible, go for organic food, fruits and vegetables. They are not just free from pesticide residues but also contain more antioxidants than the non-organically grown ones.

*Choose your cooking oil. Olive oil or canola oil can be healthy choices, and make sure you drain excess oil in fried foods by draining it or using paper towels.

* Choose a healthy method of preparation. You can actually choose to prepare your food without draining it with its nutrients. Broiling, grilling, braising and steaming can retain the nutrients of the food. You can steam vegetables instead of boiling them to preserve its nutrients. Using non-stick pan is not just for convenience in cooking. It is also a good way to reduce the fat added to your food.

* Get rid or replace those high-fat, high-calorie ingredients. In some recipes, you can actually get rid of optional ingredients that contribute to the higher calorie content of the food. For instance, you can choose to omit frosting or you can use yogurt instead of ice cream for your desserts.

* Cook meat to its proper temperatures. This will kill harmful bacteria in the food that cause diseases. Suggested temperatures for steaks and roasts is at least 45°F, ground meat at 160°F and poultry at 165°F. Bacteria that may be spread in grinding meat can bring higher risk of food-borne diseases. You can also reheat leftovers at 165°F, and wait for the sauces and gravy to a boil if you are reheating them.

* Adding and including more fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your recipes is one of the healthy cooking tips you can never go wrong if you want to have healthy diet. Fruits are the better choices for healthy desserts. It always helps to include vegetables in your every recipe. If you don't like them whole and in big pieces, you can actually shred or chop them finely that you won't be able to notice them and put them together in your stew or soup.

* Reduce salt in your food. High sodium intake has been linked to higher risk of high blood pressure and risk of heart attack. If you are staying away from the salt-overloaded restaurant food, you can also try to reduce sodium intake by reducing salt in your home recipes. You can cut on salt and add more spices to add flavor to your recipes.

Good choice of food and starting with these healthy cooking tips and techniques, you can indeed make a difference in your diet and your health.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

5 Tips For Raw Food Transition to Improve Your Health

According to nutritional researcher Dr. Campbell at Cornell University "The vast majority of all cancers, cardiovascular diseases and other forms of degenerative illness can be prevented simply by adopting a plant-based diet." The obesity rate in the U.S. is alarming, and studies show that nearly all dieters gain their weight back within 5 years, with over 65% gaining it back within the first year. Making the transition from the Standard American Diet to a plant-based on requires both desire and effort. No matter where you're starting out, these essential traits will power your success for raw food transition:

1. Be Positive. Beginning any transition, especially raw food transition, requires an optimistic approach. Look at the benefits such as weight loss, disease prevention, mental clarity and a reduced carbon footprint. Revisit the benefits when you find yourself getting weak and focus on the one that applies to you the most.

2. Embrace Humor. Seriously folks, without a sense of humor we really do deprive ourselves in life. The average child laughs 200 times per day, while the average adult laughs only 15 times. Laughing lowers your blood pressure, reduces pain and can help lower your cholesterol. There's no doubt that challenges will come when you're making dietary changes (mental and physical) so accepting your situation with humor will help you to push past the hurdles with ease.

3. Seek Wisdom. "We learn from failure more than from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do." - [Samuel Smiles]

Wisdom can't be taught through ezines, blogs, reports or classes. From my experience there are two ways to gain wisdom: Through personal experience and through observation. To gain wisdom you must fully present yourself to the life around you. Engage and interact and see what happens. Be smart about your raw food transition, know your body and know its limitations through ease phase of your journey.

4. Be flexible. So many words can be used to describe this trait: accommodating, cooperative, willing, adaptable... being able to adjust to different situations is not only useful but very healthy. Eating a plant based diet, despite its many benefits, is still an uncommon thing in our society. What you encounter during your raw food transition may not be unique, but it may be very unique to you, (at times, even surprising). Therefore, keep an open mind and take a step back when you feel a bit overwhelmed.

5. Be Studious. Never stop learning. Just as you expand your knowledge of the world around you, you'll need to expand your knowledge of raw foods. Some ideas are to attend classes, read books, watch videos and find a mentor. You'll need to learn how to make new meals, drinks and snacks as your body adjusts, and as your taste buds develop different cravings. There are a myriad of resources to do this, both online and in stores. Find a reputable resource that provides ideas that you actually implement according to your lifestyle.

No matter where you are in your exploration of raw foods, these simple tips will help you to make the raw food transition in your own time, and with victories every step of the way.

Daily Health Tips

There is an Arabian proverb which says, he who has health has hope and he who has hope has it all. Contrary to the belief, living a healthy lifestyle is not complicated or time consuming.

Here are a few daily health tips to burn calories and stay fit while you work, play or even drive.

As you wake up sit up slowly. Do not use your hands. Straighten your legs and lean forward. You then feel a gentle stretch in your back and hamstrings. Hold; then using your abs, lower yourself flat. Rest and repeat a couple of times. This exercise strengthens the core.

This is a daily health tip which you can practice as you make your morning cup of coffee or tea. Stand sideways. Put one hand on your kitchen counter. Lift the outside leg straight out in front of you, keeping it extended. With your upper body straight, hold for a few seconds and move it to the side. Hold and extend it behind you. Repeat 5 to 10 times with each legs. This exercise tones up your outer thighs, hips and quadriceps.

Use slim milk for your coffee and tea preparation. Opt for whole grain preparations and cereals rather than instant food. Have a protein heavy meal earlier in the day as you may eat less as the day progresses. Hard boiled egg is a good choice as it makes you feel full and you will not feel tempted to snack before lunch.

Every time you apply brake while driving, squeeze your derriere, holding it for 10 seconds. You will develop buns of steel.

Snack smart by grabbing an apple. It is packed with fiber and water. So the stomach will feel full and save you a few calories which you would otherwise gain by snacking on cookies.

Whenever you converse over the phone, stand up and pace around. Walk up to a colleague who is seated farthest from you and deliver the daily messages. Take the stairs whenever possible. Carry some weight when you go on grocery shopping or running errands.

Sit in your chair with your back straight and your feet on the floor, squeeze knees together and gently bring them toward your chest. Do it a couple of times. It will strengthen your abdomen.

Start with a clear soup for lunch or dinner. You fill feel fuller and subsequently eat less. After dinner, while still sitting at the table, extend your leg out; slowly bend it up and down. Squeeze and hold in the up position for at least 5 seconds. Repeat with the other leg. It sculpts the quadriceps.

Finally, before you tuck in, lie on your back on the floor with your legs up on the edge of the bed or chair. Slowly bend your knees, lifting your hips off the floor. Hold for five seconds, relax and repeat for a few times. It firms up hamstrings and core.

The above daily health tips will help you burn the calories throughout the day. You may not even realize it until you find yourself stronger, healthier, sharper, leaner, more energetic and feeling years younger in mind, body and spirit.

Monday, September 28, 2009

How to Eat and Drink Properly?

1- Without water - only drink 10 minutes before meals or wait for about 10 minutes after meal, minimum. Why ? If you drink during meals, you are diluting your stomach juice. It will not be able to digest your food effectively. If you have gas problem, try this for a few days and see the difference. That's my first eating tip.

2- My friend, this is your second healthy eating habit. Eat your fruits before meals. Fruits are designed to be digested in your intestines, not your stomach. When we eat our fruits after meal, it is simply wasted since it will only reach the intestines after the stomach has digested our food. By the time - it is almost worthless. If you are looking for a good way to loose weight, try eating fruits before meals. It will make you feel less hungry and as a result you will eat less, but more effectively.

3- Chew until your food turn into semi-liquid. Most people just swallow food that they cannot chew. Do they think there's a giant teeth inside the stomach? Remember, the mouth is the first stage of digestion - it should make our food as tiny as possible. If you cannot chew it to small pieces, get it out of your mouth. Help your stomach .. you need a good working stomach for years, you know.

3- Get a calm, peaceful surrounding, and NEVER eat when you are sad, angry or in hurry. In other words DO NOT eat when you are stressed.

4- NEVER lie on your bed or couch during or after meals. Only eat while you are sitting. Stay "horizontal" at least 2 hours after meals, or you'll get all sorts of stomach problem, I guarantee. Yes, it's that simple - but not many knows this healthy eating habit.

5- A good eating habit must not only highlight how to eat but when to eat and when to stop. So, when should we stop?

It is advisable to stop eating when the clock says its 8 p.m. Am I crazy? No, but people who thinks that their stomach is a tireless slave are. Researched by Are Waerland in the 1940s, he said the best time for us to eat is from 12 noon to 8 p.m. That is the time when the body is ready to digest food. So if you are still hungry after 8 p.m. just eat fruits or drink fresh juices. Try this and you will see your bulging tummy disappears, your weight slowly decrease - and you'll have more energy in the morning.

6- Your last healthy tip is to drink only when you are thirsty. Let your body tell you how much water it needs. Do not drink 8 glasses a day as recommended everywhere. Why ? Because to accept the idea that everyone, in every part of the world - whether they are living under hot tropical sun or in an igloo should drink 8 glasses does not make sense. The body is smart enough to let you know if it needs water.

Too much water is bad for the body. Proof? Try watering your plant with a lot more water than necessary, everyday. What would happen? Most plants will eventually die, right? Okay, I rest my case. Remember, drink only when you are thirsty.

However, when you talk about water, there is one habit that cross my mind. The habit of drinking plain water first thing in the morning, after waking up from sleep. Not only will it flush toxins from the body, it is believed to help people suffering from intense headache, epilepsy, bronchitis, arthritis etc. If you want to feel better, try this method and make it your habit. It is recommended in a lot of health books and has been proved to be beneficial by the Japanese Medical Society. It is cheap, safe and effective.

Walking as Exercise

This is perhaps the most overlooked and neglected form of exercise. Because it sounds and look easy, most of us do not bother to walk, but prefer to sign up for expensive aerobic classes and spend a lot of time in a gym.

Walking as exercise since it costs nothing, requires no partner and expensive gadgets, but will burn nearly the same calories as jogging. It does not burden the body and if done in a calm surroundings like a park or country road will let off the tension in your mind and body.

Before you use walking as exercise

1) Make sure you do not eat an hour before going out for a walk. Digesting takes a lot of energy from the body.

If you exercise right away after eating, you are going to overburden yourself. Fruits or juices are okay since they do not tax the system as much.

2) Exercise alone will not make you healthy. No amount of walking or jogging will help the body if you do not eat properly or in love with cigarettes and alcohol. Jim Fixx, considered to be the father of running, died in his 50 s although he ran everyday. Why? Because 3 arteries from his heart were found to be severely blocked.

3) It does not really matter when you do it. Although we acknowledge that an early morning walk is better because the air is significantly fresher, for people who only have the afternoon to do it, it is okay.

4) Avoid busy roads. You need fresh air and green calming surroundings. The aim is to relax the mind as well as exercising the body. If you are taking more carbon dioxide than oxygen, you are harming your body. So, find a nice, green place.

How to do it

Actually, because the human body is designed to walk, no one should be taught how to do it. However, for walking as exercise to give more impact, this is our recommendation: -

1. Get at least 30 minutes walk everyday. Keep your pace at 3 to 5 miles an hour.

2. Vary your routes so that you are not walking on flat ground.

3. If you cannot maintain brisk pace, this is what you should do. Alternate between a 2 minutes brisk walk with a more comfortable pace for the next 2 minutes. After that 2 minutes “rest”, pick up your pace again. If you can maintain brisk walk, do it for approximately 20 minutes

Benefit of Fasting

It is interesting to note that while fasting has only been seen as religious ritual, scientific studies have also provided assurance of the benefit of fasting -- that depriving yourself from food will actually help the body.

Aesculapius of ancient Greece once said, “Instead of using medicine, fast”. Christ was said to have fasted for 40 days in meditation while Moslems all over the world are required to fast for 30 days each year during the holy month of Ramadan. We have been advised that when we are sick, it is best to eat so that we’ll be able to keep up the strength. Actually, nothing is further than the truth. If a sick person actually fast, more energy will be available to help combat sickness because the body is relieved from the labor of digesting foods.

The energy required for digesting food is so great, we have been advised to avoid swimming after eating or else we'll have cramps in the water. Another example is during festivals like Thanksgiving where people eat like there's no tomorrow. After a huge amount of food, do you feel energized or tired? If you eat heavily before sleep you will also wake up feeling tired. The reason is simple. Digesting food requires tremendous energy.

When you fast the freed energy can then be directed towards the elimination of toxic in the body. Unfortunately only animals and babies retain their natural instinct when sick and refuse food.

Research on Benefit of Fasting / Food Deprivation

Dr. Ray Walford, a famous UCLA researcher said, “Undernutrition is thus far the only method we know of that consistently retards the aging process and extends the maximum life span of warm blooded animals. These studies are undoubtedly applicable to human because it works in every species studied so far.” The studies have also concluded that restricting food to the body will improve the immune system and slow down the body’s physiological deterioration.

Fasting principally is a method of giving the digestive system a day off so that the process of healing can take place.

Naturopaths recommend fasting for a day in a month, even for healthy people. Moslems are advised to fast twice a week in conjunction to obligatory 30 days fasting period in a year. Medical studies after medical studies have shown that to surest way to increase the life span is by cutting down the amount of food eaten.

A study at Cornell University by Dr. Clive McCay is an example. He took laboratory rats and cut the rat’s food intake by half. It doubled their life span. Another study at the University of Texas involving three groups of rats is also interesting to note. One group eats as much as it wants, a second has its food intake cut by more than half, and the third eats as much as it wants but it’s protein intake was cut in half. A fascinating thing happened. After more than 2 years, only 13 % of the rats in the first group are still alive. Of the second group which has its food intake cut by more than half, 97 % are still alive. The third group sees only half remaining.

The message is simple. Eat less. Live longer. Take care of your stomach and it will take care of you.


Saturday, September 26, 2009

Cantaloupes or Yellow Lemon Juice



Cantaloupes or Yellow Lemon are highly nutritious and relatively low calorie, they have tons of Vitamins A and C. Enjoy this melon cooler!!! This drinking can make you better from fever !!!

Ingredients
- 3-4 ripe cantaloupes (yellow melon)
- 1 tablespoon suger
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1 cup boiled water
- 1/2 teaspoon pinch salt

Directions
- Peel and seed cantaloupes and cut into 2-inch chunks.
- Mix all of the ingredients in the blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add pinch of salt - as your taste.
- Chill until ready to serve.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Bad Breath and Dental Care

Bad breath is really bad news for everyone, but it can be addressed through expert dental care to alleviate the causes of the bad breath and restore clean, fresh smelling breath. Most of the time, bad breath is the result of bacteria inside the mouth, the throat, or even deeper down into the digestive system. Once the offensive smelling bacteria is dealt with effectively and eliminated, it cancels out the cause of the bad breath and remedies the problem.

Often times these areas of bacteria will accumulate where food has been trapped in between the teeth, or they will be found in the back of the tongue where it may be harder to reach when cleansing the mouth. In many cultures people not only use a toothbrush and dental floss, but they also use a dental hygiene implement known as a tongue scraper. The typical tongue scraper is made of plastic or metal and it is shaped like a horseshoe. You rub it along the tongue to scrape off food residue that accumulates as a film on the surface of the tongue. Then you rinse off and clean the scraper tool, wash out the mouth, and freshen the mouth with a dentist-recommended mouthwash. Using a tongue scraper removes much of the hard to get residue from the mouth, and that can help to get rid of bad breath. If you have problems with bad breath your dentist may recommend that you use a tongue scraper in addition to your normal toothbrush routine.

Food can also get stuck along the gum line, where the teeth and the gums meet. This is especially true in the back of the mouth where it is difficult to brush or floss, but determined flossing can usually get back into these hard to reach spots. If the floss you are using is not getting the job done, have your dentist recommend other types of floss. There are ribbon flosses, thinner flosses, and floss that is attached to special little tools to help you reach tricky crevices. You can also use other dental instruments available for home use, such as mirrors, picks, and probes; and your dentist can help you by explaining which products are best for your particular needs.

Dental health care is the key to curing bad breath, and most of the time instances of bad smelling breath can be directly traced back to a lack of proper oral hygiene. Your dentist may recommend a change in diet if you eat lots of especially pungent foods like onions and garlic. She or he may find that the cause of the bad breath is related to alcohol consumption or use of tobacco products like cigarettes or chewing tobacco. Or the dentist may discover a diseased tooth or an infection in the gums. In some cased the dentist will discover that the source of the problem is in another part of the body and is caused by a different type of illness, and he or she will refer you to an appropriate medical doctor for treatment.

But in most cases the dentist can alleviate foul breath by helping you maintain your teeth through regular brushing and flossing and routine visits to the dentist a couple of times per year.

Body Detox Methods

Having a cleaner and healthier body sure does give a person more opportunities for a longer and better life. Through a full body detox, a person is subjected to the elimination of the harmful toxic substances one can get from various foods, drinks, skin care products, and pollution. The kidneys, the liver, intestines, lymph, lungs and skin are the places in the body where the detoxification occurs. Through detoxification, most of the toxins that are stored in body fats are also removed. As the popularity of detoxification grew, various methods were discovered for a full body detox. Some can have a body detox diet following a body detox recipe in line with rigorous exercise to those who want to do it the cheaper way or a body detox wrap.

Here are the types of body detox programs you can try:

Juice Fasting

By the word juice itself, this kind of fasting refers to the drinking of vegetable and fruit juices to help in the detoxification process. Here, it is important to remove certain food in your diet such as red meat. Actually, in juice fasting, you should not eat any solid food, most especially cooked ones and animal products. Juice fasting results to a dramatic loss of body fat that eventually leads to an increase in metabolism and a better digestion, where the absorption of nutrients will improve unquestionably.

Herbal Detox

This kind of body detox program comes in the form of powders, pills or tea. Because of the vast selection of herbs found everywhere, you may pick the wrong type of herb for the organ you want to detoxify that would lead to side effects. That is why, there are specific types of herbs that are helpful for particular body part. For example, the Dandelion root and birch leaves are good for the cleansing of the liver, while cayenne, sage and ginger are used to cleanse the kidneys.

Detox Bath and Sauna

When you sweat, you are already shedding off those harmful toxins in your body. That is why exercise or physical activity is essential in living a healthy life. But if you’re not up to jogging or lifting those barbells, then you can try a detox bath or a sauna. In a detox bath, you should soak yourself in water with baking soda or sea salt. You soak for 15-20 minutes and scrub your skin gently with natural soap and a natural fiber cloth. The darkness of the water indicates you are eliminating the toxins from your body.

Bowel Cleansing

Eating high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, high-fiber cereals or having a gentle natural laxative are ways to cleanse your bowel. In addition, if you practice to eat raw fruits and vegetables you are accumulating enzymes that are potent and multipurpose detoxifiers, not to mention, vitamins that naturally have antioxidants in them.

Probiotics

Yogurt is the best source of what they call the “good bacteria”. If you want to detoxify, then you should look for yogurts that have the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus and the Bifido bacteria. These will defend your body from the unhealthy bacteria, eliminate toxic chemicals and still provide nutrients.

Body wrap detox

Sea clay is used in a body wrap detox. The sea clay compresses the soft tissues of the skin when it enters your pores until it reaches the toxins that are found in the skin. As this happens, the repositioning of the body fats’ cells also occurs, which consequently helps in the elimination of the toxins.

Keeping Your Teeth Their Whitest

A great smile is usually defined by bright, white teeth, and keeping teeth their whitest does not have to be difficult but it will reward you with healthier teeth, a more attractive smile, and the feelings of confidence that come with knowing you look great. Of course the first and most crucial step toward whiter teeth is daily dental care and diligent oral hygiene. Without proper brushing and flossing, even the whitest teeth will soon become dull and dingy and may even be attacked by decay and infection. To properly maintain a bright smile and the whitest possible teeth, always brush with a dentist-recommended brush and floss regularly, following up with a mouthwash that will help to control not only bad breath but also harmful and potentially decay-inducing bacteria.

Keeping up with those twice a year dentist visits is also key, because without professional cleaning there is no way to maintain a perfectly white and sparkling set of teeth. The dentist can remove stubborn stains and scrape off any potentially dangerous accumulation of plaque that threatens the health of your tooth enamel, and will also check the gums to make sure they do not foster any infectious bacteria that could damage your teeth and make them less bright.

You can also consult with your dentist regarding more advanced ways to whiten the teeth. Today there are almost countless varieties of ways to whiten teeth, and some of them can be done in quick and easy do-it-yourself steps at home. There are gels you can put on the teeth, there are special whitening toothpastes, and there are even toothpastes designed to use after you have your teeth whitened, to keep them white and reduce any sensations of discomfort or sensitivity. The dentist may be able to provide you, for example, with little trays of tooth whitening chemicals that are especially mixed to help you go through various staging of whitening without causing the teeth to become too fragile, frail, or sensitive. Most whitening agents contain chemicals that etch the surface of the tooth to remove discoloration, and these ingredients can be very strong and acidic. But the dentist knows how to dilute them and combine them in such a way that you do not run the risk of over-whitening your teeth to the point that you lose precious and protective layers of tooth enamel.

But many people prefer to have their teeth whitened in the dentist chair, and some of the most dramatic results – for the absolute whitest teeth – can be achieved with the help of a skillful cosmetic dentist who knows how to whiten teeth for the ultimate great smile. Dentists can use a wide range of techniques and processes to turn even the most dull looking teeth sparkly white, in an amazingly short amount of time. Just ask your dentist to explain to you the various options available to you in terms of tooth whitening. You can choose a plan that works for you and is affordable, and soon you will have the whitest teeth – and be able to keep them whiter and better looking for years to come.

Fast Food, dangerous?

Nowadays you can find fast food in any place, at airports, inside stores, into the corner of your street, highway rest stips, and even in hospital cafeterias. But do you know for real what is the cost of eating that kind of food? Altought we never do this, we should take a look at the nutritional information of the food we order, once you feel that arteries begin to get hard and our clothes become to tight, is time to stop and prevent.
Still, every day, about one quarter of adults in America, eat at fast foods restaurants, is cheap, tasty and convenient, and for sure kids love it, because of the high marketing in toys that these restaurants have for them, so if they don't consume, they will surely ask for mom or daddy to go there. Thanks to this unhealthy food consume, more than half of adults in North America and one-quarter of its children are overweight or obese, double the rate of a generation ago.

We are full of this restaurants, being the most famous Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King and McDonalds. McDonalds is the largest source of these potentially fatal fries. McDonalds understands that food is a cultural issue and it spends more than half a billion dollars a year promoting the McDonalds culture of eating. That culture is even penetrating public schools, places where children should be learning to make healthy lifestyle choices. Fast-food chains are now contracting with public schools to provide unhealthy, trans fat-laden lunches for our children.

Just for getting an idea, a Big Mac without cheese od 215 grs, has 576 calories, the third part you should eat during the day. And a Big Mac with cheese of 258 grs, has 704 calories, almost the half of the calories yo should take during a normal day!

Apart from the large ingest of bad calories, having this kind of food daily or several times a week, you can loose your daily energy without noticing, you will feel heavier, thirstier, because of the tons of salt they use for preparing it, and with no gain of doing any physical exercise. This will produce the increase in your colesterol levels, and of course you won't be healthy at all.

Every excess is bad, you may eat everything, but always in small portions, or just 1 or 2 times a month. If you feel that you just can't stop eating fast food, then don't, just try to have less food every time you visit the restaurant, or try to change it by a nice salad with burguer or grill chicken, in sometime before, and without noticing you won't feel for more of this big macs and fried potatoes.

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Chinese Medicine - migraine

In Chinese medicine it is your chi or bio-energy that is responsible for everything that occurs in the body. Western medicine has dismissed this idea and far too simplistic, always opting to choose the extremely complex over the simple. But this is really a very dangerous mindset because you can be just as blinded to the truth if your mindset is always looking for complex answers. The same holds true when only looking for simple answers too.

In Chinese medicine, anytime you experience;
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
These are characteristics of "ascending fire chi" rising up to the head. Recall from above that "Recent PET scans have demonstrated the aura to coincide with spreading cortical depression after an episode of greatly increased blood flow (up to 300% higher than normal)." In Chinese medicine there is an old axiom that states "chi is the commander of blood, but blood is the mother of chi. This means that wherever chi goes, the blood will follow." There have been many experiments done that show that if a person thinks about their feet; blood flow to the feet actually increases. If they think about their head, the blood flow to the head also increases.

Naturally such studies are rarely if ever are published in the western media since western medicine really doesn't want people to know that they can use their mind and thoughts to help alleviate their chronic illnesses that bring is so much revenue for doctors and drug companies alike.

This ascending fire chi is the true cause of serious headaches such as migraines and many other associate illnesses of excess fire energy that are so common today in the western world. Recall that nausea, dizziness (vertigo) and vomiting are also a main symptoms reported by many migraine sufferers over the centuries. This is in perfect accord with ancient Chinese medical theory of "ascending fire chi". When chi rises to the head, the blood naturally follows. Often this intensifies the symptoms due to the expansion of blood vessels in the brain caused by the presence of increased blood flow.

So what is causing this "ascending fire chi" to rise up to the head? There can be many causes but they all have one thing in common, they are all reflective in one or more of the four main characteristics of chi, those are the;
  1. Flow
  2. Strength
  3. Balance
  4. Purity
These are the four main chi characteristics in the body. When anyone or more of these "chi symptoms" are present, symptoms and disease will be manifest in the body to some degree. Energy may be in disharmony for weeks, months or years before any physical manifestations of symptoms arise. Chinese pulse diagnosis is fantastic at detecting these energy deficiencies and imbalances sometimes decades in advance when done by a skilled master healer. This is something else that is also laughed at in western medical circles.

Chemicals in foods such as MSG, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, various preservatives, artificial sweeteners and just about anything else artificial can causes excess fire chi to be generated in the body. If the kidneys (which control water functions of the body) are not strong enough or compromised in some way, they will not be able to balance out this excess fire chi and this energy can than ascend to the head uncontrollably. Where this chi goes, the blood will follow often resulting in the physical manifestation of the main migraine symptoms of pain, nausea, dizziness and vomiting, sometimes accompanied by "aura".

Excess fire chi rising to the head would certainly cause this "aura" that patients of describe preceding an attack. This aura can take place sometimes up to an hour or more before an attack of migraine. Visual aura is the most common of the neurological events. There is a disturbance of vision consisting usually of unformed flashes of white and/or black or rarely of multicolored lights (photopsia) or forma¬tions of dazzling zigzag lines. Sometimes auditory or olfactory hallucinations occur during this aura phase too.

These are all signs and symptoms of the ascending fire chi rising to the head, overloading the various senses and the brain itself, resulting in the various hallucinations and other symptoms that are regularly reported by migraine sufferers.

In advanced Chinese meditation, these same signs often accompany someone who is on the verge of attaining what's called a "Major breakthrough" in the meditative practice. In this case the symptoms are not a cause for alarm but celebration. That's because in this case they are a major sign that the practitioner has succeeded in leading huge amounts of chi to the brain, thus energizing the brain to a far higher level which is a major factor in enlightenment, increased mental power, wisdom and longevity. There is no pain or discomfort in a person who attains this level, but amazing joy, peace, happiness and significantly increased physical strength, endurance, immunity and longevity.

Methods to Cool the Fire

The triggers listed above can lead to a weakening of the kidneys and thus an associated increase in fire chi in the body. The heart is the fire organ of the body and even in western medicine it's known that the kidneys often play a role in people who suffer from various severe heart conditions, though they do not understand the exact mechanism behind this cause they reject the Chinese explanations of chi and chi theory as stated here.

Any illness severe enough to cause major symptoms in the body will always have part or all of it's root cause in the kidneys and kidney chi. The kidneys are your main organs that determine overall life force, sexual health, energy, and longevity. This is why Chinese medicine places such great emphasis on strengthening the kidneys. This is not only a factor in prevention of disease but in curing as well.

Here are several methods that are known to help cool down the fire chi in the body and greatly help reduce the frequency, severity or totally eliminate migraine headaches from occurring in the future.

1)Avoid fire inducing foods; Foods such as red meat, pork, processed foods, spices, alcohol, soda, refined sodium and sugars and all other refined foods should all be greatly cut down or eliminated from the diet as much as possible. These foods are very common in the western world and it's no coincidence that the majority of diseases were seeing in the west are diseases of excess fire energy and energy deficiency too. Processed foods are virtually dead in terms of their life energies.

2)Eat cooling (yin) foods from nature such as vegetables, fruits, wild fish, organic meats, whole grain breads and all other foods that are as minimally processed as possible; This also includes reading those labels to make sure that there are no chemicals in those foods at all.

3)Practice meditation 20-30 minutes per day to calm the mind and help cool down the fire energies of the body; Chinese meditations which focus on the "dan tien" area just below the navel are particularly helpful as that are is the seat of "water energies" in the body and can greatly help to not only cool the fire energies down, but strengthen the kidneys themselves.

4)Practice deep abdominal breathing several times per day; Breathing is another method that is used in Chinese medicine and martial arts to help not only cool down the fire during training or a battle, but to help increase endurance, health and longevity too. Breathing is one of the fastest and most effective methods of cooling down the fire. Practicing breath holding for 3-5 seconds every few breaths can go a long way to keeping the fire energies of the body in check.

5)Take herbs such as Ginger, Feverfew and Ginkgo Biloba; One case report suggested success using 4–6 grams per day of powdered ginger for migraines and the nausea that accompanies them.28 Ginger may also be taken as a tincture in the amount of 1.5–3 ml three times daily. Ginkgo biloba extract may also help because it reduces the formation of a substance known as platelet-activating factor which may contribute to migraines. Although Ginger is classified as a warming herb, in this case it helps to strengthen the water energies of the kidneys. The kidneys then have increased water energies to cool the fire of the body. This is a classic example of the "mother-son" law of Chinese medicine at work. Ginger is also excellent for the dizziness than often accompanies migraine headaches as well.

6)Use acupuncture and acupressure points to help balance chi flow; Acupressure points such as connecting valleys which is located on the webbing between the thumb and forefinger of both hands is known to be effective at relieving mild to moderate headaches and migraines. Press on this point with moderate pressure for 30-60 seconds of each hand. There are also points at the base of the back of the skull where the bone goes into the softer tissue of the neck that can be extremely effective at not only alleviating migraine attacks, but have been known to cure some cases of chronic migraines with only one application.

The exact location of these points is difficult to describe in words, but a general massaging of the lower part of the skull where the two thick chords of the neck disappear into the skull while looking down at the ground can often be just as effective as acupressure at relieving headache pain many cases.

7)Drink more water; Chronic dehydration is another major cause of headaches and in fact many other major illnesses were seeing today. Soda and coffee and even many teas do not count as drinking water. Water itself is pure, helps to ease the strain on the kidneys which again increases the strength of their control over the fire energies of the body. Not to mention water physically helps to purify the bloodstream, flushes out toxins and can help keep the blood thinner and flowing more smoothly throughout the system. This results in less strain on the heart and since the heart is the fire organ of the body that means less fire energies will be generated.

Also be sure to clean up your diet adding as much natural raw or at least lightly cooked foods to your diet as possible, avoiding chemicals and chemical triggers, reducing stress and exercising as much as possible as well as getting a good nights sleep. Slow motion exercises like Tai Chii and "The eight pieces of brocade" can strengthen the overall energy of the body and have a strong calming effect on all the organs of the body. This is especially true of the mind and can greatly help to reduce or eliminate migraine headaches.

Seven Techniques for Overcoming Migraine Headaches

In Chinese medicine it is your chi or bio-energy that is responsible for everything that occurs in the body. Western medicine has dismissed this idea and far too simplistic, always opting to choose the extremely complex over the simple. But this is really a very dangerous mindset because you can be just as blinded to the truth if your mindset is always looking for complex answers. The same holds true when only looking for simple answers too.

In Chinese medicine, anytime you experience;

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
These are characteristics of "ascending fire chi" rising up to the head. Recall from above that "Recent PET scans have demonstrated the aura to coincide with spreading cortical depression after an episode of greatly increased blood flow (up to 300% higher than normal)." In Chinese medicine there is an old axiom that states "chi is the commander of blood, but blood is the mother of chi. This means that wherever chi goes, the blood will follow." There have been many experiments done that show that if a person thinks about their feet; blood flow to the feet actually increases. If they think about their head, the blood flow to the head also increases.

Naturally such studies are rarely if ever are published in the western media since western medicine really doesn't want people to know that they can use their mind and thoughts to help alleviate their chronic illnesses that bring is so much revenue for doctors and drug companies alike.

This ascending fire chi is the true cause of serious headaches such as migraines and many other associate illnesses of excess fire energy that are so common today in the western world. Recall that nausea, dizziness (vertigo) and vomiting are also a main symptoms reported by many migraine sufferers over the centuries. This is in perfect accord with ancient Chinese medical theory of "ascending fire chi". When chi rises to the head, the blood naturally follows. Often this intensifies the symptoms due to the expansion of blood vessels in the brain caused by the presence of increased blood flow.

So what is causing this "ascending fire chi" to rise up to the head? There can be many causes but they all have one thing in common, they are all reflective in one or more of the four main characteristics of chi, those are the;
  1. Flow
  2. Strength
  3. Balance
  4. Purity
These are the four main chi characteristics in the body. When anyone or more of these "chi symptoms" are present, symptoms and disease will be manifest in the body to some degree. Energy may be in disharmony for weeks, months or years before any physical manifestations of symptoms arise. Chinese pulse diagnosis is fantastic at detecting these energy deficiencies and imbalances sometimes decades in advance when done by a skilled master healer. This is something else that is also laughed at in western medical circles.

Chemicals in foods such as MSG, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, various preservatives, artificial sweeteners and just about anything else artificial can causes excess fire chi to be generated in the body. If the kidneys (which control water functions of the body) are not strong enough or compromised in some way, they will not be able to balance out this excess fire chi and this energy can than ascend to the head uncontrollably. Where this chi goes, the blood will follow often resulting in the physical manifestation of the main migraine symptoms of pain, nausea, dizziness and vomiting, sometimes accompanied by "aura".

Excess fire chi rising to the head would certainly cause this "aura" that patients of describe preceding an attack. This aura can take place sometimes up to an hour or more before an attack of migraine. Visual aura is the most common of the neurological events. There is a disturbance of vision consisting usually of unformed flashes of white and/or black or rarely of multicolored lights (photopsia) or forma¬tions of dazzling zigzag lines. Sometimes auditory or olfactory hallucinations occur during this aura phase too.

These are all signs and symptoms of the ascending fire chi rising to the head, overloading the various senses and the brain itself, resulting in the various hallucinations and other symptoms that are regularly reported by migraine sufferers.

In advanced Chinese meditation, these same signs often accompany someone who is on the verge of attaining what's called a "Major breakthrough" in the meditative practice. In this case the symptoms are not a cause for alarm but celebration. That's because in this case they are a major sign that the practitioner has succeeded in leading huge amounts of chi to the brain, thus energizing the brain to a far higher level which is a major factor in enlightenment, increased mental power, wisdom and longevity. There is no pain or discomfort in a person who attains this level, but amazing joy, peace, happiness and significantly increased physical strength, endurance, immunity and longevity.

Methods to Cool the Fire

The triggers listed above can lead to a weakening of the kidneys and thus an associated increase in fire chi in the body. The heart is the fire organ of the body and even in western medicine it's known that the kidneys often play a role in people who suffer from various severe heart conditions, though they do not understand the exact mechanism behind this cause they reject the Chinese explanations of chi and chi theory as stated here.

Any illness severe enough to cause major symptoms in the body will always have part or all of it's root cause in the kidneys and kidney chi. The kidneys are your main organs that determine overall life force, sexual health, energy, and longevity. This is why Chinese medicine places such great emphasis on strengthening the kidneys. This is not only a factor in prevention of disease but in curing as well.

Here are several methods that are known to help cool down the fire chi in the body and greatly help reduce the frequency, severity or totally eliminate migraine headaches from occurring in the future.

1)Avoid fire inducing foods; Foods such as red meat, pork, processed foods, spices, alcohol, soda, refined sodium and sugars and all other refined foods should all be greatly cut down or eliminated from the diet as much as possible. These foods are very common in the western world and it's no coincidence that the majority of diseases were seeing in the west are diseases of excess fire energy and energy deficiency too. Processed foods are virtually dead in terms of their life energies.

2)Eat cooling (yin) foods from nature such as vegetables, fruits, wild fish, organic meats, whole grain breads and all other foods that are as minimally processed as possible; This also includes reading those labels to make sure that there are no chemicals in those foods at all.

3)Practice meditation 20-30 minutes per day to calm the mind and help cool down the fire energies of the body; Chinese meditations which focus on the "dan tien" area just below the navel are particularly helpful as that are is the seat of "water energies" in the body and can greatly help to not only cool the fire energies down, but strengthen the kidneys themselves.

4)Practice deep abdominal breathing several times per day; Breathing is another method that is used in Chinese medicine and martial arts to help not only cool down the fire during training or a battle, but to help increase endurance, health and longevity too. Breathing is one of the fastest and most effective methods of cooling down the fire. Practicing breath holding for 3-5 seconds every few breaths can go a long way to keeping the fire energies of the body in check.

5)Take herbs such as Ginger, Feverfew and Ginkgo Biloba; One case report suggested success using 4–6 grams per day of powdered ginger for migraines and the nausea that accompanies them.28 Ginger may also be taken as a tincture in the amount of 1.5–3 ml three times daily. Ginkgo biloba extract may also help because it reduces the formation of a substance known as platelet-activating factor which may contribute to migraines. Although Ginger is classified as a warming herb, in this case it helps to strengthen the water energies of the kidneys. The kidneys then have increased water energies to cool the fire of the body. This is a classic example of the "mother-son" law of Chinese medicine at work. Ginger is also excellent for the dizziness than often accompanies migraine headaches as well.

6)Use acupuncture and acupressure points to help balance chi flow; Acupressure points such as connecting valleys which is located on the webbing between the thumb and forefinger of both hands is known to be effective at relieving mild to moderate headaches and migraines. Press on this point with moderate pressure for 30-60 seconds of each hand. There are also points at the base of the back of the skull where the bone goes into the softer tissue of the neck that can be extremely effective at not only alleviating migraine attacks, but have been known to cure some cases of chronic migraines with only one application.

The exact location of these points is difficult to describe in words, but a general massaging of the lower part of the skull where the two thick chords of the neck disappear into the skull while looking down at the ground can often be just as effective as acupressure at relieving headache pain many cases.

7)Drink more water; Chronic dehydration is another major cause of headaches and in fact many other major illnesses were seeing today. Soda and coffee and even many teas do not count as drinking water. Water itself is pure, helps to ease the strain on the kidneys which again increases the strength of their control over the fire energies of the body. Not to mention water physically helps to purify the bloodstream, flushes out toxins and can help keep the blood thinner and flowing more smoothly throughout the system. This results in less strain on the heart and since the heart is the fire organ of the body that means less fire energies will be generated.

Also be sure to clean up your diet adding as much natural raw or at least lightly cooked foods to your diet as possible, avoiding chemicals and chemical triggers, reducing stress and exercising as much as possible as well as getting a good nights sleep. Slow motion exercises like Tai Chi and "The eight pieces of brocade" can strengthen the overall energy of the body and have a strong calming effect on all the organs of the body. This is especially true of the mind and can greatly help to reduce or eliminate migraine headaches.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Healthiest Dessert


Healthy Ice Cream

Ingredients:

  • 4 bananas
  • Ice cubes
  • Water




Preparation:

Chop the bananas into thick slices, put them together in a plastic bag and put them into the freezer till them get totally frozen.

After that put all the frozen banana slices into the blender, and time by time incorporate water, blend it slowly till it gets to mousse, if needed, add some ice cubes.

If you like you can also blend all the mixture with some light fresh milk.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Why Is it Important to Drink Water?


The human body is approximately 60 percent water. Water is necessary for survival. Without water, all major bodily systems slowly shut down. Even slight levels of dehydration can cause headache's, fatigue and lack of concentration. As your body loses water through breathing, perspiring and urinating, the water must be replaced through food and drink.

  1. Water is the most important substance to the human body. Water helps dissolve minerals and nutrients helping the body to absorb them. Water also carries oxygen to cells and tissues. Water regulates the body's temperature through perspiration, moistens tissues such as eyes, ears, nose, throat and skin. Chronic dehydration can lead to premature aging since the body will pull moisture from the skin for other bodily functions such as flushing toxins from the body through the liver and kidneys. Water keeps organs healthy and eases their function and provides lubrication for joints. Every system in the body needs water for healthy function.
  2. Signs of Dehydration

  3. Even a 1 percent water loss can lead to dehydration. One of the first signs of dehydration is thirst. Drinking a glass of water at the first signs of thirst can ward off dehydration. Often, people mistake thirst for hunger, so drink a glass of water before snacking. Other signs of dehydration include fatigue, muscle aches, dizziness and feeling light headed. Another sign of dehydration is dark urine. When a person is healthy and hydrated, urine is nearly colorless and odorless.
  4. How the Body Loses Water

  5. The body loses approximately 8 cups of water each day through normal bodily functions. This amount is even higher for people who are active each day, live in hot climates or simply perspire heavily. The average adult loses about 6 cups of water each day through urine. Another 2 to 3 cups are lost through sweating and breathing. This water loss is the body's way of flushing toxins out of the body, and keeping the body at a necessary temperature.
  6. Water in Beverages

  7. The easiest and most obvious way to replenish water is by drinking 8 cups of water. This is the replacement method and ensures that a person is getting enough water each day. But not all water from the body has to come from drinking plain water. Juice, milk, coffee and tea all contain water. They body pulls the necessary water from these fluids to continue to replenish itself.
  8. Water in Foods

  9. Another way to increase water intake is by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables are very high in water content, some are up to 99 percent water. Cooking vegetables reduces the water content. A mixed salad is a great way to increase water content in the body since lettuce is made up of nearly 90 percent water, cucumbers, tomatoes and apples are all 90 to 100 percent water.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Chill out with aromatherapy




Aromatherapy is something that has been used for years and years as a means to not only relax a person’s body but also relax their mind and spiritually put them in a better place. Naturally, when you are stressed out, dump some lavender into bathtub, take a book in there and instantly, the lavender smell melts away your bad day, all of your stress will gone with the wind!

Aromatherapy is something that you can use in many different ways and massage is one of them. Many massage therapists actually use scents in their massage oil so they can calm their patients down even more and truly put them at ease – also, the essential oils that are in aromatherapy oils are excellent for your skin.

Another thing that you can do is use aromatherapy as your perfume – essential oils can be rubbed on your pressure points and they will admit from your pores all day and keep you calm!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Prevent ageing with your diet

Did you know that if you follow up some basic rules in your daily diet, you may be able to soft some "time prints" in your body?


1.- Have milky products like milk, cheese and yogurts, and also fish. These have vitamins and minerals, specially effective in the prevention of osteoporosis.

2.- Milky products, tuna and salmon, cereals, liver and vegetables, are ideal food to counteract arthritis.

3.- For maintaining your skin elasticity, is properly needed to drink a lot of water, fruit juice, to have wheat seeds, soy, vegetables and fruits.

4.- Protein food lile meat and lentils stimulates the production of neurons in our brain, which make faster all mental processes.


5.- Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, are excellent for protecting the immune system of possible weakening.

6.- The best way to detox is to inclued in your diet, mineral water, natural fruit juices, fibers, vegetables, fresh fruits, and cereals.


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Types Of Ear Infection And Home Remedies

There are three main types of ear infections – infections of the outer ear (and the ear canal), known as otitis externa, infections of the middle ear, known as otitis media, and infections of the inner ear, known as otitis interna or labyrinthitis. These three infections are very different from each other and have different symptoms. The treatment too is of course different for each type of ear infection.

Infections of the outer ear are colloquially known as “swimmer’s ear”, and are often contracted from swimming in water containing certain bacteria or fungi. However, these infections can also develop under any conditions in which humidity is high and hygiene is deficient, especially if there are breaks in the skin of the ear. This kind of ear infection can be quite painful, but it is actually the least dangerous, as it is mainly an infection of the skin, and does not really affect the most important parts of the ear. Treatment is also usually quite simple – keeping the ear clean and dry, and completely avoiding moisture for a few days is usually enough to clear up the infection. You can swab the ear with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water, or you can simply use an over the counter solution. Burrow’s solution also works well at treating infections of the outer ear. However, if you are not sure about exactly what infection you are suffering from, it is better to consult a doctor. Middle ear infections can also affect the outer ear if there is drainage, and the treatments described may clear up the symptoms while allowing the actual infection to worsen inside the ear.

The middle ear is the area between the ear drum and the inner ear, and infections in this part of the ear also tend to be painful. These infections are quite common among small children, usually as an accompaniment to a common cold. Sometimes these infections clear up within a day or two, and all that is needed is a few home remedies to ease the pain till then. The pain is often the result of a blockage of the Eustachian tubes, and this is usually quite easily remedied by chewing gum. Apart from this, a warm compress will also help, and better still, putting a few drops of warm oil into the ear. If the infection lasts for longer than two days, you should visit a doctor, as proper medical treatment may be needed.

Infections of the inner ear are quite serious, with extreme symptoms such as vertigo and nausea. There is no home treatment for these infections, and it is important to consult a doctor at the earliest.

Hair Loss Vitamins For Female

Baldness is one of the most typical issues, and also the most tough to tackle. Alopecia in girls has been assigned to many factors until now : stress, absence of iron or anemia, condition of the scalp, condition of crucial internal organs like the kidneys, liver, thyroid etc, emotional disturbances, menstrual issues, sickness or shortage of necessary vitamins and other nutriments in the body and so on. Hence it is effective in stopping breakage and split ends.

Vitamin C is present in good quantities in Citrus fruits, strawberries, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and most dark green veg. A dose of 60 mg is recommended for good health. Vitamin B1 or Thiamine aids in protein building and therefore makes the hair healthy, giving it volume, shine and a good texture. This is made sure by providing nourishment to the scalp. Other vitamins that help to stop alopecia in girls are : other Vitamin B-complex vitamins like Biotin, Inositol, Niacin and vitamin E. Minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium are also efficacious in stopping baldness.

The commonest food-based sources of these vitamins are : citrus fruits, green veggies, fruits like pineapple, strawberries, kiwi, potatoes, green peppers, plant oils, soybean, raw seeds, dried beans, wheat germ oil, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, eggs, liver, rice, milk, fish, turkey, chicken and red beef.

Other products revealed to be efficient in combating alopecia are Saw Palmetto, nettle root, pumpkin, gotu kola, eleuthero, Uva-Ursi, Muria Puama and others. There are hundreds of products in the market today that guarantee to stop hair loss. These products are often prescribed by professionals though some over the counter drugs are also available. There are corporations that specialize completely in the production of baldness drugs. Info about these products is available online on the sites of these firms. It’s way better to consult a physician to grasp the precise reason for baldness before using any of these products.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Causes For Low Platelet Count


Platelets are a kind of blood cells produced by the bone marrow that are responsible for blood clotting. In normal conditions, every milliliter of blood contains anywhere between 150,000 to 400,000 platelets. The normal life-span of a platelet cell is roughly 10 days, after which period the old cells are replaced with newer ones. However, sometimes the platelets get destroyed or used up faster or are not produced in sufficient numbers, leading to a drastic reduction in the platelet count in the bloodstream.

This condition, medically referred to as thrombocytopenia, manifests itself through symptoms akin to anemia. The most common symptom of this condition is prolonged bleeding and slow blood clotting in minor wounds and bruises. In addition, blood may ooze out of gums and the nose without any external injury. It is also common to experience unusually heavy menstrual flows and to pass blood in urine and stools. In case these symptoms turn serious, you should immediately consult a doctor to prevent complications caused by excessive bleeding. In such cases, intravenous blood transfusion or immunoglobulin injections are recommended as treatments.


How To Increase Platelet Count

However, there are a few home remedies that you may find useful in preventing and treating low platelet count in blood. You should include drumsticks, fenugreek leaves, citrus fruits, green gram, eggs and liver in your diet, as these boost blood cell production. You must stay away from foods containing saturated fats and alcohol, as these affect the functioning of the liver adversely and may worsen the condition.

It has also been found that vitamin K plays a crucial role in the production of platelets, so you should consume natural sources of this essential nutrient to maintain a healthy level of blood cells in your body. Leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage and broccoli, and fruits like bananas, oranges, grapes and blueberries are rich sources of this vitamin. In addition, you should also consume a healthy amount of milk and dairy products every day, as they are natural sources of calcium, which is essential to keep the bone marrow in good health and thereby ensure adequate production of platelets. By way of precautionary measures, you should also avoid active sports that involve the risk of injury, as this exposes you to the danger to bleeding profusely from even minor cuts and wounds. You should also opt for antibiotic courses prescribed by a doctor if the condition is caused by some internal infection.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Tips on getting enough exercise

Establishing and maintaining a healthy habits improves quality of life, and taking good care of yourself will bring both physical and mental benefits. It is also important to see a physician and a dentist at least once a year for a check-up. A physical exam, and the lab tests that go along with it, allows a health professional to monitor things like cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and ensure that any minor problems do not develop into life-threatening diseases.

Getting enough exercise is a challenge for most of us. The American Cancer Society recommends 30 minutes of moderate activity 7 days a week.

Aerobics:

Here are some ideas to get you started.

  1. Take a family walk around the neighborhood after dinner. Younger children may want to bike or go by scooter.
  2. Go for a stroll on your lunch break.
  3. Wash your car. You'll save money and get those arms moving. Or you can do yard work or clean the house!
  4. Take a friend dancing.
  5. Walking.
  6. Ride your bike.
  7. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
  8. Park farther away from the grocery store or shopping mall entrance.
  9. Play active games with your children, like freeze tag or jump rope.
  10. Visit a local park or arboretum.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

7 ways to keep your weight down during the festive seasons

The festive season has arrived again as it inevitably does each year. Once again we are all faced with the difficult prospect of managing our weight during this jolly season. Unless you have will power of steel, forget about losing weight for the next five weeks. You know the season will be filled with a plethora of delicious foods, tasty treats, and holiday cocktails. Trying to lose weight during this time will only frustrate you. Instead, concentrate your efforts on preventing weight gain and maintaining your current weight.

Since gaining weight is almost as difficult as losing weight, maintaining your weight and avoiding weight gain for the next five weeks is feasible. Remember you have to consumer 3500 extra calories to gain one pound of fat. So as long as you don’t overindulge, you should be able to come out of the holiday season a lot poorer but carrying the same weight as you were when the season began. Just keep in mind a few simple rules to help you.

1. Everything in moderation. Keep your serving sizes small. Dinners do not need to grow in size just because you have company or are company. It is not rude to eat normal size portions. It is okay to taste a dessert. Again just keep your serving size small.

2. Fill up on fiber. Fiber helps you feel full longer. It also helps you avoid cravings and overindulging. Before you go to an evening gathering that doesn’t include dinner, eat a dinner packed with foods rich in fiber. And if you are going to a dinner, eat a high fiber snack before going.

3. Decide before you arrive. Don’t wait until you are faced with the abundance of irresistible treats how much you should eat or drink. Once you see the available snacks, your eyes and not your brain will decide. Know before you arrive how much you can reasonable allow yourself without overindulging.

4. Stick to one high calorie drink or food. Do not pack your body with a substantial number of empty calories. Only accept one high calorie item. If the drinks being served are rich and creamy, chances are they have more calories than you can really afford. If you choose the drink as your high calorie item, stick to only one. All your other drinks should be low calorie. Think water or diet.

5. Stay far away from the food. Don’t plant yourself within easy reach of the food. Easy snacking will keep you adding food to your plate. It is easier to limit what you eat when you must make an effort to get it.

6. Don’t stay long. If you know you won’t be able to hold up against temptation, limit the time you spend at the celebration. The less time you have access to the extra treats, the better.

7. Stick to a regular exercise routine. The holidays are extremely busy and stressful. Even the most faithful exercisers tend to put exercise on the back burner. Burning calories regularly will help keep your weight down. And if you overindulge, you can burn the calories with a little extra time exercising.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Stress and Anxiety

It Is normal for every person to experience anxiety attacks, especially during stressful situations and traumatic events In life. As health experts say, anxiety Is a typical response of a person's body that signals possible dangers ahead. However, when anxiety becomes extreme to the point that It prevents a person from living the normal life that he Intends to have, that person may possibly be suffering from anxiety disorder.

Defining An Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder Is generally a term that covers different types of extreme pathological phobia, fear, and anxiety. A person suffering from an anxiety disorder may experience abnormal feelings of anxiety even without knowing the cause or they may also have Intense and sudden panic attacks. The attacks may be In the form of unwanted obsessions or compulsions and uncommon social Inhibitions.

Even though anxiety disorders have different forms, they are all the same In one thing – extreme and persistent worrying or fear. This condition becomes alarming as the Intensity and frequency of the said responses can disrupt or undermine a person's everyday routine and productivity.

Below are the three characteristics of anxiety disorders:

1. Consistent, all-consuming, and continuous.

2. Interferes social Interactions and activities.

3. Causes emotional withdrawal and Isolation.

Enumerating The Factors Leading To Anxiety Disorders

There are a number of factors that can lead to the development of anxiety disorders. These factors are categorized according to personality, environmental, hereditary and brain chemistry.

1. Personality

According to medical studies, differences In personality can significantly affect the development of anxiety disorder In a person. It Is common In people with extreme anxiety condition to view the people and environment around them as threatening. People suffering from anxiety disorders also have Inferiority complex, thinking and believing that they are powerless towards other people or situations.

2. Environmental

The environment Is also a very strong contributing factor In the development of anxiety disorders In people. Traumatic situations such as separation of parents, death, weak support system as well as conflicts with family members and friends can definitely lead to abnormal anxiety condition.

3. Hereditary

Studies proved that anxiety disorders are also hereditary. This means that these psychological conditions run In the family. Those who are found to be suffering from anxiety disorders have family members who are also experiencing extreme anxiety conditions or mood disorders. Recent studies also claimed that there are certain generic factors (such as vulnerability to stress) that contribute to a person’s susceptibility to anxiety disorders.

4. Brain chemistry

The occurrence of Imbalances on a human brain’s neurotransmitters can also lead to the further development of anxiety disorders. As such, the medications commonly given by doctor or health practitioners are meant to readjust the chemical Imbalance In the brain.

Apart from the four main factors enumerated above, chief life stressors such as marital problems and financial difficulties can also trigger the development of an anxiety disorder.

However, It Is Important to remember that anxiety disorders cannot be triggered by only one cause or factor. The life stressors and the four main contributors to anxiety disorders are oftentimes Interrelated.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Tips on how to Quit Smoking


ONE: overload on facts

It’s no secret that smoking is bad for us, but if you’re like most smokers, you avoid looking at the destruction smoking causes. Inform yourself and read everything you can find about smoking. It will help you start to make the psychological shift necessary to quit smoking.

Two: healthy eating

When you first stop smoking, it throws your body into shock. You’ll find that it’s easier to cope with the discomforts of nicotine withdrawal if you eat right, and you’ll cut down weight gain due to quitting.

Three: make time to exercise

If you already have a daily exercise regimen, great! If not, start. Pick something you enjoy, and you’ll be more inclined to stay with it. Try a half hour of exercise every day. Walking is a great way to exercise and it’s a quick fix for the urge to smoke.

Four: drink more water

Water will help to flush toxins out of your body, and fight the craving to smoke. When you’re well-hydrated, you’ll feel better all together, which is a plus when you’re going through nicotine withdrawal.

Five: control the cravings

It would be a good idea to consider using nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches or chewing gum, especially for people who smoke heavily or who need the extra help. Also there are medications available by prescription, such as bupropion (brand name Zyban) that can help you quit by reducing withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. Ask your doctor what would be the best treatment for you.

Six: get support

Having others who are interested in your success is very important. Nowadays, there are groups you can join online, your close friend and especially supported from your family members.

Seven: rest more

Eight: one day at a time

Your dedication to quit smoking is established one day at a time. Every day you are smoke free makes you stronger, and stronger.

Nine: watch what you drink

You might also want to cut down on coffee intake as you will absorb more caffeine when there is no nicotine in your system. Feeling jittery will not help your plan to quit. It will also be best to avoid alcohol as most people find it hard to resist smoking when they drink.

Ten: be prepared

Plan ahead for situations in which you are likely to be tempted to smoke, such as parties, drinking or going out for coffee.

Eleven: don’t give up

If you find you are losing the motivation to quit, remind yourself of the countless medical and financial benefits of quitting! For example, 12 months after quitting, the risk of heart disease is reduced to nearly half that of a smoker’s.

Twelve: be done with it

Throw away all cigarettes, ashtrays, lighters and anything else that might remind you of smoking. Wash your clothes, bedding and clean your car to remove the smell of smoke.

Quit Smoking medications so you don’t go at it alone

There are two medications on the market that do not contain nicotine and are clinically proven to help smokers quit smoking for good. I suggest visiting a doctor to see if Zyban or Chantix are right for you, and if they approve of the medication you can always from a pharmacy nearby you.

Last but not least, be happy always.....

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