Lifestyles Ideas Management - Truths about egg yolks

Whenever I lunches with my brother and sister-in-law, they will threw away their egg yolks and eat the whites only, because the yolks is full of cholesterol.
I am not quite too sure about this cholesterol "thing" and a good friend sent me this email on egg yolks. Anyway, I love to eat egg yolk, but not too many at a time.

Many people throw away the egg yolk because they think that's where all the nasty fat and cholesterol is'. This is a perfect example of how confused most people are about nutrition.

In a world full of misinformation, somehow most people now mistakenly think that the egg yolk is the worst part of the egg, when in fact, the YOLK IS THE HEALTHIEST PART OF THE EGG!

By throwing out the yolk and only eating egg whites, you're essentially throwing out the most nutrient dense, antioxidant-rich, vitamin and mineral loaded portion of the egg. The yolks contain so many B-vitamins,trace minerals, vitamin A, folate, choline, lutein, and other powerful nutrients... it's not even worth trying to list them all.

In fact, the egg whites are almost devoid of nutrition compared to the yolk. Even the protein in egg whites isn't as powerful without the yolks to balance out the amino acid profile and make the protein more bio-available. Not to even mention that the egg yolks from free range chickens are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Yolks contain more than 90% of the calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, thiamine, B6, folate, and B12, and panthothenic acid of the egg. In addition, the yolks contain all of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in the egg, as well as all of the essential fatty acids.

And now the common objection I get all the time when I say that the yolks are the most nutritious part of the egg...'But I heard that whole eggs will skyrocket my cholesterol through the roof .' No, this is FALSE!

First of all, when you eat a food that contains a high amount of dietary cholesterol such as eggs, your body down-regulates it's internal production of cholesterol to balance things out. On the other hand, if you don't eat enough cholesterol, your body simply produces more since cholesterol has tons of important functions in the body.

And here's where it gets even more interesting...There are indications that eating whole eggs actually raises your good HDL cholesterol to a higher degree than LDL cholesterol, thereby improving your overall cholesterol ratio and blood chemistry.

And 3rd... high cholesterol is NOT a disease! Heart disease is a disease...but high cholesterol is NOT.

You can read the following article about why trying to attack cholesterol is a mistake, and what the REAL deadly risk factors actually are...



So I hope we've established that whole eggs are not some evil food that will wreck your body... instead whole eggs are FAR superior to egg whites.

Also, your normal supermarket eggs coming from mass factory farming just don't compare nutritionally with organic free range eggs from healthy chickens that are allowed to roam freely and eat a more natural diet.

I recently compared eggs I bought at the grocery store with a batch of eggs I got at a farm stand where the chickens were free roaming and healthy. Most people don't realize that there's a major difference because they've never bought real eggs from healthy chickens... The eggs from the grocery store had pale yellow yolks. On the other hand, the healthier free range eggs had deep orange colored yolks indicating much higher nutrition levels and carotenoids.

So next time a health or fitness professional tells you that egg whites are superior, you can quietly ignore their advice knowing that you understand the REAL deal about egg yolks.

One more thing about eggs... I read a study recently that compared groups of people that ate egg breakfasts vs groups of people that ate cereal or bagel based breakfasts. The results of the study showed that the egg eaters lost or maintained a healthier body weight, while the cereal/bagel eaters gained weight.

It was hypothesized that the egg eaters actually ate less calories during the remainder of the day because their appetite was more satisfied compared to the cereal/bagel eaters who would have been more prone to wild blood sugar swings and food cravings.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Prevention of Goitre

Goitre is defined as the enlargement of the thyroid gland which is located in the lower part of the neck. The gland as a left and right lobe connected by a bridge called the isthmus. The condition may appear in the form of a diffuse enlargement where the whole gland, including both lobes, is enlarged. Occasionally, however, only a single nodule is affected. Diffuse enlargement may be due to many reason, one being puberty. For some patients, it can be due to certain factors stimulating the whole gland to be more active and enlarged. The result is an over-production of the thyroid hormone, causing symptoms such as palpitations, anxiety, loss of weight and increased appetite.
A lack of iodine in the patient’s diet may be a factor too but this extremely uncommon nowadays because of the amount of iodine required daily by each person is very small and can be obtained from the salt used by cooking.
If the goiter is due to a single nodule, there may be a small possibility of caner.
The chances of cancer are higher if the nodule is large and increasing in size or is associated with symptoms such as a change in one’s voice or difficulty in swallowing.
You should visit a specialist to ascertain if you have goiter so that treatment can be given accordingly.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Positive side of things

A farmer’s donkey fell into a well.
The animal cried while the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided that the animal was too old and the well needed to be covered up anyway. He asked his neighbors to help him shovel dirt into the well.
Upon realizing what was happening, the donkey wailed horribly. Then, to everyone’s surprise, it quietened down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked into the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit its back, the donkey would shake it off and take a step up. This continued as more and more dirt was shoveled into the well.
Finally, to everyone’s amazement, the donkey stepped over the edge of the well and trotted off happily.
Life is going to shovel all kinds of dirt on you and me.
Each of our troubles represents a stepping stone. The trick to getting out of a deep hole is to look on the positive side of things: never give up, shake off the dirt, and take a step up.
Happy climbing!

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Hand Hygiene

Lifestyles Ideas Management – Hand hygiene

Can you get sick by visiting a hospital patient?
It is not any more risky than visiting friends to school, going to the gym or just going about one’s daily business, said Dr Brian S Koll , chief of infection control at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan.
In most cases, what you should do inside the hospital for protection against infection is the same as what you should do on the outside.
Hand hygiene means washing hands before and after the visit with soap and water or with an alcohol-based gel. Common sense should prevail, Dr Koll added.
Do not touch a dressing on the leg or arm. Do not touch any discharges or anything else that you would not normally touch.
We think of hospitals as dirty places, but we do not live in a clean world.
Buses are dirty; the subway is dirty. Hospital visitors need to be reminded that it is okay to hug you loved one. He said.
The patient also need protection; he warned “Don’t visit when you are sick, when you have a cold, a cough, an open skin lesion or a rash.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Grains

Whole grains are credited with protecting against stroke, heart disease and colon cancer, assisting in obesity control and lowering blood pressure among other thing.
Whole grains include the unrefined grains of barley, buckwheat, corn millet, brown rice, oats, sorghum, wheat, wild rice and even popcorn.
The Mayo clinic promotes it as a healthy food choice and suggests the following ways to make it part of your diet:

Look for the word “whole” on the packaging and ingredient list on off the shelf food products making sure that whole grains are the first few items listed.
Start the day off with breakfast that includes whole grains – bran, shredded wheat or oatmeal cereals.
Substitute whole grain flour for all purpose flour when baking
Make sandwiches using wholegrain breads and use brown rice and whole wheat pasta for cooking.
Add wild rice or barley to soups, stews or salads
Include whole grains such as cooked brown rice or wholegrain bread crumbs to complement minced meat and give it to extra body.
Substitute dry bread crumbs with rolled oats or bran flakes in recipes.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Cinnamon

Some very commonly dried herbs and spices may help block the inflammation believed to drive diabetes and other chronic diseases conducted by researchers from the University of Georgia. The extracted from 24 common herbs and spices and found that many contained many high levels of inflammation –inhibiting antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols, WebMD reported.
Researches James L Hargrove commented on the better off if we used less salt and pepper and focused more on herbs and spices.
Liberal use of cinnamon in breakfast oatmeal or herbs and spices in spaghetti sauce could be a huge health boosters. Ground cloves had the most inflammation-calming polyphenols of any of the spice and herb extracts. Cinnamon came in second, but because it is used more in cooking and in larger amount than ground cloves.
The benefits of cinnamon is lowering blood sugar is already known and has prompted many diabetics to take cinnamon supplements but scientist have mixed reactions about this information.
Herbs and spices are powerful sources of antioxidants and anti-flammatory agents,
the testing showed that oregano, marjoram and sage followed by thyme, Italian seasonings, tarragon, mint and rosemary had the highest polyphenol levels.
Black pepper had the lowest polyphenol content of any of the tested herbs and spices.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Are you a happy shopper?

The way you shop and buy the things could be an indicator of whether you are a happy person. The happiest shoppers aren’t those who bag the best bargains or the big spenders who bag the best items or even the penny-pinchers who have a hard time opening their wallets. A survey was carried out with 329 college students in New York and the results showed four shopping personalities:

Big spenders
Buy everything full price and buy only the best

Value seekers
Seek bargaining on nice things

Non-spenders
Don’t spend much and don’t want to

Experiencers
Spend freely on experiences such as good food or travel, but are not materialistic.

Conclusion:
Experiencers are the happiest while big spenders are the least happy with most credit card debt.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Good or bad?

When it comes to soya beans, tons and tons of studies being published on the effects of soya beans on human health in the last few years, it has been both celebrated and vilified.

Reduced breast cancer risk
A recent study found that eating a serving of soya bean curd or drinking a glass of milk every day reduces the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women.

Male fertility unaffected
Recent reports claiming that eating half a serving of soya-based foods a day could lower a man’s sperm count. Soya food intake was unrelated to sperm quality and male fertility
review from the Soy food Association of North America. Instead, obesity may be a cause for the low sperm concentration found in the men with high soya intakes.

Increased risk of gout and kidney stones
Soya contains oxalates which cannot be absorbed by the body and are excreted only through urine. Oxalates bind to calcium to form kidney stones which can block the urinary system. Gout is caused by the build up of uric acid in the blood stream, which occurs when the body breaks down substances called purines, found in foods like liver, soya beans, tofu and meat. Doctors recommended that those with kidney problems to take less of these soya products, as oxalates may increase the risk of developing kidney stones.
Soya is not the culprit; it is the total intake of purines including those from protein foods like meats, milk, seafood and organ meats.

Good for the heart
Soya can lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Soya protein helps to reduce the LDL (or bad) cholesterol. The presence of soluble fiber in soya also helps to reduce cholesterol in the blood.

Higher risk of memory loss
From the recent study released suggested that eating high levels of some soya products – including tofu may raise the risk of memory loss. Tofu is made from coagulants including salts and acids which could be contributory factors to memory loss. However, further studies are needed.

Post-menopausal women reap benefits
Soya intake helps to prevent bone loss in post-menopausal women but doe not improve hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms.
People of all ages, races and both genders benefit from eating soya. However, most studies that indicate the benefits of soya were skewed towards post-menopausal women in terms of lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and breast cancer risk.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Steaming for a healthier diet

Do you know that steaming your food helps to seal in nutrients that are usually lost through regular cooking methods like frying?

Steaming is a traditional cooking method that is ideal for today’s trend toward healthy eating as very little or no oil is used. It has great advantages over other cooking method as a far higher level of nutrients, vitamins and minerals is retained.
Compared to boiling, steaming results in more nutritious food particular vegetables, as
fewer nutrients are destroyed and leached away in the water.
For broccoli, 2 times of the nutrients are retained as compared to conventional method of cooking. What’s more steaming is simple and enhances the food’s natural flavor.

All sorts of food can be steamed, including all kinds of seafood, vegetables and even chicken. The fresher the ingredient, the better they are for steaming. Most people have the mindset that steamed foods are bland compared to stir-fry and deep-friend alternatives.
I am a vegetable lover and when the greens turn out, crunchy, nutritious and so irresistible.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Acne myths

The dos and don’ts of squeeze out blackheads, pimples and whiteheads guide:
Facials
Regular salon treatment helps by controlling sebum production, healing existing acne scars and minimizing pores. For instance microdermabrasion and mild chemical peels can help to unclog pores.
Depressed scars however are harder to improve and requires stronger laser done by doctor.
Blotting
Whether you blot or not, the body will still produce oil in the skin.
It’s not scientifically proven that blotting frequently encourages more oil to be produced. It is all right to blot.
Extraction
Extracting pimples is a no-no as the pressure applied to the skin may extend inflammation to other areas of the skin.
Washing
It depends on what washing cream you use.
If you have a lot of whitehead and blackheads, choose something which contains alpha hydroxyl acid (AHAs). If you have inflamed acne with bumpy skin, use a cleanser which can kill the bacteria. Simple washing twice a day is more than enough. Over-washing in fact can worsen acne.
Tanning
Tanning only masks acne by evening out the skin color temporarily. Skin may become dry and irritated after a tan which can prompt an acne outbreak.
Certain foods
There is no peculiar instance in individual cases of eating certain foods like chocolate or peanuts cause an acne outbreak. Test yourself. If you get a breakout 10 times out of 10 when you eat a certain item, cut it out.
Stress
Stress can worsen acne through the release of increased levels of hormones which form the adrenal glands which in turn over-stimulate the oil glands.
Make-up
It was best to stick with established brands if you have acne.
If you have make-up on, it is important to thoroughly remove it later as mark-up can clog pores. The more mark-up to cover it up, the more they blocks the pores.
If you have to wear make-up, don’t wear it for prolonged periods.
Large pores
An enlarged pore generally mean the person is susceptible to oily skin conditions and is prone to acne outbreaks. People who have acne tend to have large pores so the condition goes hand in hand.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Beetroot

Since the two months ago, we started drinking ABC fruit juice, A for apple, B for beetroot and C for carrot. It is a good combination of three fruits into one and the color of the juice is of course stained red. It goes well with crushed ice and the taste is not too bad
except the tongue stained red.

Many people hate it because they “stain” the rest of the food on their plates.
Researchers, however are now singing the praised of beets –or beetroot as we call it here in Singapore.
Beetroot is identified it as a nutritional powerhouse, high in folate, manganese and potassium, reported the New York Times. Don’t chop off and toss away the greens. They bring an additional set of nutrients to your dish, most notably beta-carotene, vitamin C, iron and calcium.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Positive side of things

A farmer’s donkey fell into a well.
The animal cried while the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided that the animal was too old and the well needed to be covered up anyway. He asked his neighbors to help him shovel dirt into the well.
Upon realizing what was happening, the donkey wailed horribly. Then, to everyone’s surprise, it quietened down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked into the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit its back, the donkey would shake it off and take a step up. This continued as more and more dirt was shoveled into the well.
Finally, to everyone’s amazement, the donkey stepped over the edge of the well and trotted off happily.
Life is going to shovel all kinds of dirt on you and me.
Each of our troubles represents a stepping stone. The trick to getting out of a deep hole is to look on the positive side of things: never give up, shake off the dirt, and take a step up.
Happy climbing!

Lifestyles Ideas Management - 8 Ways

Do regular aerobic exercise such as swimming.
They will increase the strength and flexibility of the back muscles.
When lifting something heavy, hold it close to your body, keep your back straight and bend at the knees. This reduces the strain on your back.
For pregnant women, try to squat instead of bending. The body’s centre of gravity is then less likely to shift, putting less stress on the back.
Let your hands rest for 15 minutes after 90 minutes of repetitive movement such as typing or playing racquet games. This decreases the inflammation of the muscles attached to the elbow.
Eat food containing calcium such as bean curd, eggs and milk. Calcium helps to strengthen the bones.
Get out in the sun.
Exposure to sunlight allows the skin to manufacture natural Vitamin D which allows calcium in the gut to be absorbed.
Quite smoking which lowers the level of oestrogen, a hormone that retains calcium in bones.
Avoid lifting a child with one arm from the wrist only. It could result in partial dislocation of the elbow joint.
August 6, 2008 The Straits Times

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Bad fats come in many disguises

Saturated and trans fats raise the level of bad cholesterol in your body, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. So the next time you eat, choose a meal with less of these fats.
Types of fat
Saturated fat
Animal fat e.g. fatty meat, skin of poultry, lard
High-fat dairy products e.g. full cream milk, butter, ghee
Dishes containing coconut milk or coconut cream
Deep-fried food
Food prepared with palm-based vegetable oil

Health Effects
Raises “bad” cholesterol levels in the body
Increases the risk of heart disease and stroke

Trans fat
Pastries and cakes
Deep fried food
Cookies and biscuits
Products containing vegetable shortening and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils ( as stated in the ingredient list on food labels)
Food high in trans fat often contains high amounts of saturated fat.

Health Effects
Raises “bad” cholesterol and lowers “good” cholesterol levels in the body
Increases the risk of heart disease and stroke

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Hand Hygiene

Can you get sick by visiting a hospital patient?
It is not any more risky than visiting friends to school, going to the gym or just going about one’s daily business, said Dr Brian S Koll , chief of infection control at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan.
In most cases, what you should do inside the hospital for protection against infection is the same as what you should do on the outside.
Hand hygiene means washing hands before and after the visit with soap and water or with an alcohol-based gel. Common sense should prevail, Dr Koll added.
Do not touch a dressing on the leg or arm. Do not touch any discharges or anything else that you would not normally touch.
We think of hospitals as dirty places, but we do not live in a clean world.
Buses are dirty; the subway is dirty. Hospital visitors need to be reminded that it is okay to hug you loved one. He said.
The patient also need protection; he warned “Don’t visit when you are sick, when you have a cold, a cough, an open skin lesion or a rash.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - What should women know about ...

HPV Vaccine Plus Screening:
What Women Should Know

THE FUTURE OF CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION
With the introduction of the first HPV vaccine, the dream of eliminating cervical cancer is increasingly within reach. Cervical cancer is the only type of cancer for which there is one, specific cause – certain, “high-risk” types of HPV, or human papillomavirus. HPV is a very common, sexually transmitted virus that normally doesn’t cause any problems. But in some women, the infection stays active long enough to cause abnormal cells to form, which can then develop into cervical cancer. With the HPV test, women at high risk can be identified and monitored carefully. And now, the new vaccine (called Gardasil®) allows many HPV infections to be prevented from occurring in the first place.

However, even with the vaccine, women still need a regular Pap and – depending on their age – the HPV test. That’s because:

o The vaccine cannot protect everyone. To be fully effective, the vaccine should be given before a woman’s first sexual experience – in other words, before she may be exposed to HPV. Thus, the ideal time to get the vaccine is during adolescence. That means that for the vast majority of women today, and for many in the future, regular screening is their first and primary weapon against cervical cancer.

o The protection offered by the vaccine is incomplete. There are roughly 13 types of the HPV virus that can cause cervical cancer. The vaccine is designed to target just two “high-risk” types of the virus, which are responsible for 70 percent of all cervical cancers. However, that means it cannot protect women against the remaining 30 percent of cervical cancers that are caused by other “high-risk” types of HPV.

o There are a lot of unknowns. For example, it is not known whether a “booster” vaccine shot will be needed later in life to ensure continued protection.


Thus, both vaccination and screening are essential tools in the fight against cervical cancer. These general recommendations are emerging from the experts:

CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION GUIDELINES*

Adolescent girls
Individuals most likely to benefit from the HPV vaccine are young girls/adolescents who have not yet had their first sexual experience. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine for use in girls age 9 to 26, and the American Cancer Society recommends it for routine use in girls age 11 to 12.

Women younger than 30 years
Women should start getting an annual Pap test about three years after they have sexual intercourse for the first time, or by age 21 -- whichever comes first. If the lab cannot be sure whether a woman’s Pap result is normal or abnormal, an HPV test also is recommended.

In addition, some women may choose to get the HPV vaccine. However, the benefit has not been proven in women who are sexually active, since they may already have been exposed to the two types of “high-risk” HPV the vaccines protect against.

Women age 30 or older
This is the age group most at risk of developing cervical cancer. Thus, screening with both the Pap and the HPV test offers extra peace of mind. If the results of both the HPV and Pap test are normal, the HPV test only needs to be repeated once every three years. That’s because the risk of missing a woman at risk when both tests are normal is just one in a thousand.

A note about men: Males get HPV too and can pass the virus to women. However, there is currently no approved HPV test for men. There also are currently no data demonstrating that an HPV vaccine can protect boys or men from HPV-related health problems (such as cancer of the penis, which is rare), or that it can prevent transmission of the virus to women.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - What should women know about ...

The High-Risk HPV Test:

A Breakthrough in Cervical Cancer Screening
· In a Pap test, a laboratory technician visually examines a sample of cervical cells under a microscope to look for abnormal changes. Thus, the findings – no matter what type is used – are inexact, and are subject to human error and interpretation.
· The Digene® HPV Test (the only such test approved by the FDA) uses advanced molecular technology to detect the DNA (genetic material) of 13 high-risk types of HPV, the virus shown to actually cause virtually all cases of cervical cancer.
· The test is done at the same time as the Pap, so women don’t need to do anything more than ask for it.
· The Digene HPV Test is based on proprietary “Hybrid Capture” technology, which combines two innovations from the rapidly evolving field of life sciences – DNA/RNA probes and monoclonal antibodies – to allow rapid, standardized gene testing in virtually any laboratory setting.

· The Digene HPV Test was first approved in 1999 for follow-up evaluation in women of all ages whose Pap results are uncertain – typically referred to as “ASC-US” (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance).
· In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Digene HPV Test for cervical cancer screening, in conjunction with a Pap, in women age 30 and older.
· Use of HPV testing for routine screening is recognized in guidelines issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Cancer Society and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.
· The majority of insurance companies cover the HPV test for routine screening.
· By combining the HPV and Pap tests, the ability to identify women at risk for cervical cancer is increased to virtually 100 percent.1
· In one study, Digene’s HPV test identified 100 percent of the women with advanced cervical disease (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] grades 2 and 3), compared to only 58 percent identified by the conventional Pap and 84 percent by the newer, “liquid-based” Pap.2
· In study to study, the sensitivity of Digene’s HPV test consistently exceeds the Pap.3
For more information, visit www.thehpvtest.com

J Cuzick, A Szarewski, H Cubie, G Hulman et al, “Management of Women Who Test Positive for High-Risk Types of Human Papillomavirus: The Hart Study.” The Lancet 2003 362: 1871-1876.

2 Clavel C, Masure M, Bory JP, Putaud I, Mangeonjean C, Lorenzato F et al. Human papillomavirus Testing in Primary Screening for the Detection of High-Grade Cervical Lesions: A Study of 7932 Women. Br J Cancer 2001; 89(12): 1616-1623.

3 Lorincz A, Richart R. Human Papillomavirus DNA Testing as an Adjunct to Cytology in Cervical Screening Programs. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2003; 127: 959-968.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - What should women know about ...

Digene's molecular diagnostic tests, such as the Digene® HPV Test , are based on the company’s proprietary “Hybrid Capture” technology. The technology uses “probes” that specifically target the DNA of certain bacteria or viruses such as HPV, chlamydia and gonorrhea.

If the bacteria or virus is present in the sample of cells being examined, the probes “hybridize” (bind) to it. The resulting “hybrids” (target DNA bound by the probe) are then “captured” to allow detection through a process called “signal amplification.”

In this process, special antibodies and enzymes are added to the cell sample. When they come into contact with the captured hybrids, light is emitted, which can be measured by a computerized laboratory instrument called a luminometer.
With the Digene HPV Test, if the presence of HPV DNA is detected at significant levels, the patient is considered at risk of cervical cancer and in need of additional monitoring by a physician or nurse. If HPV DNA is not detected, the patient can be reassured that she is not currently at risk of cervical cancer.

Overview of how Hybrid Capture technology works:
Step 1:
Probes find the DNA of targeted bacteria and viruses such as HPV, chlamydia or gonorrhea, if present, and bind to it -- forming a "hybrid" (the probe plus the strand of target DNA).


Step 2:
Special biological chemicals (called antibodies) coat the inside of the testing container and “capture” only the hybrids.


Step 3:
Different antibodies (which produce light in the presence of hybrids) are then added. These bind to the hybrids, resulting in the emission of light that is measured by a specialized laboratory instrument called a luminometer. Using the luminometer, the presence or absence of target DNA is determined from the results of this "chemiluminescent" reaction. The amount of light detected is proportional to the amount of target DNA present in the sample.

For information, visit www.theHPVtest.com

Lifestyles Ideas Management - What should women know about ...

From: http://theHPVtest.com
HPV Uncovered
· HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus.
· There are approximately 100 strains of HPV.
· Many women can fight off the infection, but in some, HPV lingers and causes abnormal cells to form, which then can develop into cervical cancer.
· Digene’s HPV Test detects the DNA of 13 high-risk types of HPV.

Cervical Cancer and HPV
· Cervical cancer is the only cancer for which there is a specific cause – high-risk” strains of HPV.
· HPV is responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer.
· Women age 30 and over are at the greatest risk for developing cervical cancer.
· The HPV test allows women at high risk for cervical cancer to be identified and monitored carefully.

HPV test v. Pap Test
· Women should receive a Pap test three years after sexual intercourse or by age 21.
· Pap tests are subject to human error because a lab technician manually examines cervical cell samples.
· The HPV test is recommended if a Pap comes back inconclusive or abnormal.
· The HPV Test is FDA approved for women age 30 and over.
· Virtually 100 percent of all cervical cancer cases are detected by combining the HPV and Pap tests.
· The HPV test is done at the same time as the Pap, so women don’t need to do anything more than ask for it.
· Majority of insurance companies cover the HPV test for routine screening.
· If the results of the HPV and Pap are normal, the HPV test only needs to be repeated once every three years.

HPV Vaccine, Gardasil
· The vaccine protects women against two high risk type of HPV; there are 13 strains that cause cervical cancer.
· To be fully effective, the vaccine should be administered before a women’s first sexual experience.
· The vaccine is approved for girls ages 9 to 26.
· Even with Gardasil, women still need a regular Pap, and depending on their age, the HPV test.
· It is unknown if a “booster” vaccine will be needed later in life to ensure continued protection.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - What should women know about ...

A letter from a new friend:
Hi Anne,

I hope you are doing well.
I came across your blog today and noticed your June 27th post concerning cervical cancer. I also think that it is important for women to have the most information possible about this disease that is highly preventable.
I am currently working with the digene HPV Test and was hoping to send you more information for inclusion on your blog. I know you are located in Singapore, however the information would be highly valuable for your American readers.

The digene HPV Test is the only FDA approved HPV test in the United States.
The test is approved for use in women age 30 and older in conjunction with a Pap. The test is meant to provide the best assurance (when used in conjunction with a Pap smear) of finding cervical disease before it becomes cancer.
The test is not mandatory, and only recommended if a Pap smear comes back inconclusive. I've spoken with many bloggers and online contacts, and it is my understanding that women just don't know about the test. I was hoping that you would be willing to help spread awareness through an article or link on your blog.

You can collect more information about our test on our Web site, HPV and Cervical Cancer-The digene HPV Test.
I can also provide you with cervical cancer survivor stories, fact sheets, etc. for publication on your site. Please let me know if you're interested.
I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for spreading the word about important health concerns on your blog!

Best,
Valarie
Valarie Bastek | New Media Specialist
*@*@*@*@*#*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@

This is a great pleasure for me to spread the word about important health concerns on my blog. thanks Valarie!..

· Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb), which opens into the vagina.

· The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006, about 9,700 women in the United States will develop cervical cancer and about 3,700 will die from it.

· Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer that strikes women — behind only breast cancer.1

· The human papillomavirus, also called HPV, is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is estimated that 80 percent of women will have one or more types of the virus at some time by the age of 50.2

· There are more than 100 types of HPV. Of these, about 15 high-risk types are known to cause virtually all cases of cervical cancer. Two of these types (16 and 18) are believed to cause 70 percent of these cases.3

· Although HPV is very common, cervical cancer is not. In most cases, the body's immune system fights off or suppresses the virus before it causes cancer or any other problems. It's only when high-risk types of HPV persist that the risk of developing dysplasia (pre-cancerous cells) and cervical cancer increases significantly.

· There is evidence that other factors may increase the risk of cervical cancer when combined with HPV, including smoking and illnesses that reduce the body's ability to fight off infections (such as HIV/AIDS).

· HPV cannot be treated, which makes early detection essential.

· A Pap test, the only detection method for nearly 60 years, fails to identify between 15 percent and 49 percent of women with abnormal cells before they become invasive cervical cancer.4

· A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that one-third of all cervical cancer cases can be attributed to Pap test detection failure.

· The Digene® HPV Test was approved by the FDA in 2003 for cervical cancer screening, in conjunction with the Pap, for women age 30 or older (those most at risk for cervical cancer). With this combination approach, the ability to identify women at risk is nearly 100 percent5 – thus allowing treatment if necessary before abnormal cell changes become more serious.

· A comprehensive approach that combines HPV and Pap testing with the new vaccine that prevents infection with two high-risk types of HPV could make cervical cancer the first malignancy that is actually eliminated.

· Girls and young women who are not yet sexually active will benefit most from the new HPV vaccine. However, because the vaccine, approved for girls and women age 9 to 26, targets just two of more than a dozen types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, that protection won’t be complete without regular screening.

For more information, visit http://www.theHPVtest.com
1 World Health Organization, November 2, 2005, http://www.who.int/vaccine_research/diseases/hpv/en.

2 ”Consumer/Patient Fact Sheet,” American Social Health Association, National HPV & Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center, 1999.

3 Harper, Diane et al, “Efficacy of Bivalent L1 Virus-Like Particle Vaccine in Prevention of Infection with HPV Types 16 and 18 in Young Women: A Randomised Controlled Trial.” The Lancet 2004 364: 1757 – 1765.

4 Clavel C. Masure M, Bory JP, Putaud I, Mangeonjean C, Lorenzato F et al. “Human Papillomavirus Testing in Primary Screening for the Detection of High-Grade Cervical Lesions: A Study of 7932 Women.” Br J Cancer 2001; 89(12): 1616-1623.

5 J Cuzick, A Szarewski, H Cubie, G Hulman et al, “Management of Women Who Test Positive for High-Risk Types of Human Papillomavirus: The Hart Study.” The Lancet 2003 362: 1871-1876.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Prevention of Goitre

Goitre is defined as the enlargement of the thyroid gland which is located in the lower part of the neck. The gland as a left and right lobe connected by a bridge called the isthmus. The condition may appear in the form of a diffuse enlargement where the whole gland, including both lobes, is enlarged. Occasionally, however, only a single nodule is affected. Diffuse enlargement may be due to many reason, one being puberty. For some patients, it can be due to certain factors stimulating the whole gland to be more active and enlarged. The result is an over-production of the thyroid hormone, causing symptoms such as palpitations, anxiety, loss of weight and increased appetite.
A lack of iodine in the patient’s diet may be a factor too but this extremely uncommon nowadays because of the amount of iodine required daily by each person is very small and can be obtained from the salt used by cooking.
If the goiter is due to a single nodule, there may be a small possibility of caner.
The chances of cancer are higher if the nodule is large and increasing in size or is associated with symptoms such as a change in one’s voice or difficulty in swallowing.
You should visit a specialist to ascertain if you have goiter so that treatment can be given accordingly.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Wash your Greens

It is good practice to wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating them. Washing fruits removes dirt, as well as some pesticides on the surface and stem.
There is not need to soak the fruit; just rinse it before preparing it and eating it.

As for vegetables, a combination of soaking and rinsing will remove both dirt and pesticides. The websites of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), www.ava.gov.sg has a section on food safety education which gives details on the proper way to clean foods.. You should give vegetables a quick rinse first followed by a 15 minutes soak and a final rinse to remove dirt and pesticides residue effectively.
Most fruits and vegetables sold in Singapore are imported and measures in place to ensure that imported and locally produced vegetables and fruits meet the pesticide safety standards.
If you are still worried about the amount of pesticides on fresh fruits and vegetables, consider buying those grown organically. Vitamins, like vitamin C can be lost when the cut fruits and vegetables are exposed to air or light.
Water-soluble vitamins are lost when the greens are cut into smaller pieces and soaked in water. It is best to eat the fruits as soon as it is cut. For vegetables, do not soak them too long and cut them only after they are soaked.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Let the peace of Christ.....

An old story which comes from the Salvation Army in the last century tells of a strong-willed woman who has been named “Warrior Brown” because of her fiery temper. She was often belligerent and became enraged whenever she got drunk.
Then one day she was converted.
Her entire life was wonderfully changed by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. At an open air meeting a week later, she told everyone what Jesus had done for her. Suddenly a scoffer threw a potato at her, causing a stinging bruise.
Had she not been converted, she would have lashed out at the man furiously. God’s grace, however, had made such a profound change in her conduct that she quickly picked up the potato and put it in her pocket without saying a word.
No more was heard of the incident until the time of the “harvest festival” months later. Then the dear lady who had been known as “Warrior Brown” brought as her offering a sack of potatoes. She explained that after the open-air meeting she had cup up and planted the “insulting potato” and what she was now presenting to the Lord was “the incense”. Warrior Brown has allowed “the peace of Christ” to govern her life.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had this to say about those who pursue peace: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matt 5:9) Colossians reminds us that “as members of one body we are called to peace.” Helping people find peace whether by bringing people into a relationship with God or by bringing people together marks us out as a “son of God” or a “daughter of God”. We can do nothing more God-like than to bring peace to those separated from God and from each other. May the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi inspire us as we seek to live out our divine calling and splendor:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where
There is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
From Bethany EFC Focus 27 July 2008

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Scented Leaves

The southern Indians must have their curry leaves, the Chinese spring their onions, but it is in Malay, Indonesian and Thai cooking that we experience the pleasures of a wide spectrum of scented leaves. The use of the right herbs is imperative if you want authentic tastes. Trouble is you need only a little each time which means you end up with left-overs and herbs do not keep well. Addressing myself to these problems, I spent a good while finding out how to preserve herbs. One of the best ways to prolong the life of herbs is to wrap them up in paper towels and store the bundles in air-tight plastic containers at the bottom of the refrigerator. The herbs keep well this way for up to three weeks. You can also use those wonder bags newly developed by the Japanese. Made of green plastic with very fine ground stone embedded in their sides, these bags allow ethylene gas to escape. This is the gas that vegetable matter naturally exudes which accelerates ripening and then rotting. Herbs stored in these special bags can keep almost garden fresh for a fortnight or more. You can buy these bags at many supermarkets.
A neat way to store curry leaves is to pluck the leaves from the stalks and set these in a bowl of melted ghee. You just use the herb ghee to fry your curry spices as usual. By Margaret Chan

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Go Bananas

Banana Cake is easy to make and delicious.
Bananas are rich in B group, vitamins, a good source of fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. They also contain plenty of carbohydrates, the body’s main source of energy and are easy to digest. But for a cook, there are many more possibilities.
They are good in cakes, breads, muffins, or whipped up in a smoothie. For dessert, chop them into a fruit salad or you can have them grilled.
But it’s handy fact that when bananas lose their appeal raw, they are just right for a cake.
What you need for this are over-ripe bananas. That’s when their skin turns a duller yellow and becomes covered with brown spots. Such bananas, when mashed, do best in cakes and breads. Often when I buy bananas, a couple turn brown before they are eaten or cooked. If there’s no time to turn them into a cake, I slip them into a plastic bag and place them in the freezer until I need them for baking. They will keep frozen for about six months. For an indulgent dessert, try baking bananas in the oven after sprinkling with grated palm sugar or honey. Add a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg or coat with toasted shredded coconut. Serve with a dollop of yogurt, cream or ice cream.

Banana Cake

130g butter
200g caster sugar
2 eggs
1 cup ripe mashed bananas (about two large bananas)
250g plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of sode
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
120ml buttermilk
120g chopped walnuts (optional)

Method
Preheat oven to 180 degree C
Grease 1 20cm baking tin and line with baking paper
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and creamy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the mashed bananas (add a little flour
if the little flour if the mixture starts to curdle)
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon together into a bowl.
Then fold in the mixture along with the buttermilk and walnuts if you are using them
Turn the mixture into the baking pan and bake for around 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the cake comes out clean.
Turn out onto a rack and allow to cool
Either dust the top with icing sugar or top with lemon icing

Lemon Icing (optional)
1 cup icing sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp butter
Boiling water

Put icing sugar, lemon juice and butter into a small bowl
Add a tiny amount of boiling water – just enough to soften the butter
Mix ingredients till smooth and of a even consistency for spreading.
Add a little more water if mixture is too thick and more icing sugar if too runny
Spread even over the top of the cake.
By cynlow@sph.com.sg

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Andrew Murray's Four Truths

South Africa pastor Andrew Murray once faced a terrible crisis.
Gathering himself into his study, he sat along while, quietly, prayerfully, thoughtfully. His mind flew at last to his Lord Jesus and picking up his pen, he wrote these words in his journal:

First, He brought me here;
It is by His well that I am in this strait place;
In that fact I will rest.
Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child.
Then, He will make the trail a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last, in His good time He can bring me out again – how and when he knows.

Let me say I am here:
By God’s appointment
In His keeping
Under His training
For His time

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Wasabi

Powdered wasabi in a tin or wasabi paste in a tube aren’t the real thing. They are made with Western horseradish plus food coloring.
True wasabi toot is finicky to grow and process, requiring very clean water.
This means that growers make much ado about their precious crop, which is generally available at local Japanese supermarkets only as seasonal and expensive fresh whole root. It also means that only the most expensive sushi bars will serve you real, grate-it-yourself wasabi. All other establishments here and in Japan rely on the car more economical but far more sledgehammer to the sinuses colored horseradish.
Mustard, wasabi and horseradish are all members of the Brassica plant family. They all get their pungency from compounds called isothiocyanates that are formed when the relevant parts of the plants are bruised, heated or hydrated. Flavor-wise, they are not truly interchangeable. Wasabi has the most subtle character, combining sweet, floral nuances of aroma with a clean, biting heat. It is unquestionably best eaten raw and freshly grated because it loses vibrancy quickly as it stands. Serve it with compatible ingredients such as seafood and young vegetables. Mustard seeds have many different faces. They can be “popped” in hot cooking oil for a nutty warmth, pressed to release their own sharply pungent, heady oil or ground with vinegar, wine, water or other liquids to yield condiments of widely varying intensity.
For marinades, choose a strong mustard condiment, like English mustard or Japanese Karashi mustard, or make your own with mustard powder and cold water.
Horseradish root, like wasabi should be grated and eaten right away. It gets bitter and loses heat and complexity as it stands through mixing it with an acidic ingredient like vinegar slows this down somewhat.
It has a fierce, throat tickling heat that best partners other assertive flavors such as red meat and oily fish. Ask The Foodie Chris Tan.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Good potatoes

Good potatoes should be dry, firm and devoid of sprouts and bruises.
Avoid potatoes that are damp, feel soft or have discolored patches. Store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from light. Put them in a box or basket with air holes and store the box in a pantry, for examples.
Never keep them in the fridge as chilling them alters their texture and increases their sugar content, which makes them denser and darker after cooking. Only wash potatoes immediately before use. Spuds that are exposed to light develop green areas. These are tinted by harmless chlorophyll, but may also contain increased amounts of a bitter-tasting glycoal-kaloid compound called solanine, which is toxic in quantity. So if a potato has only small shoots and slightly green bits, and is otherwise still firm, just carve out the shoots and green flesh, wash the rest of the potatoes well and cook it as you wish.
If the potato feels flabby and shriveled, is blatantly green and as large shoots, throw it away. As for mash: The flesh of a potato is composed of tiny cells filled with starch molecules. A fluffy-textured potato’s cells separate easily when cooked, while those of a waxy potato stick together.
So the first rule of marsh is to choose a fluffy potato, such as a russet or s Yukon gold.
Next, you want to cook the spud until its cells swell up evenly and separate, without absorbing excess water.
The best way to do this is to steam the peeled, cut-up potatoes slowly until they are soft. Then, when you mash them, do so gently and tenderly by hand.
If you use a food processor, or attack them overzealously with a masher, you break too many cells open, releasing too much starch, resulting in a bowl of glue.
The best tool for mashing spuds is a potato ricer. This looks like a giant garlic press and is named because of the holes through which it presses the cooked potatoes are about the size of rice grains.
A ricer breaks up the potato flesh without traumatizing it.
The last step before you pig out is to gently whisk ample quantities of hot cream or milk and butter into the riced potato. Ask The Foodie Chris Tan.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - "Since then........

Colossians 3:1 is a significant qualifier which the chapter begins before it goes on to show us how, having been set free we can now live a new life in Christ. God’s purpose for us has always been in that sequence: redemption, righteousness, worship.
We cannot be righteous until we are first redeemed. We cannot worship until we are redeemed and righteous. God followed that sequence in Israel’s history. God delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. Then he gave them the Law at Mt. Sinai to point them to righteousness. After which he gave them the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle. If we have righteousness without redemption, our worship would become drudgery. If we have redemption without righteousness, we would make a mockery out of our worship. Anytime worship has lost its worth weariness will set in and a sense of futility of life will take over. A collapsed worship will bring about greater barrenness leading to greater weariness. Perhaps that’s the reason why we seek after novelty after novelty in our worship today. But somewhere in the midst of that ceremony and ritual, the purpose of God communing with us becomes lost.
Archbishop William Temple has given what I consider the most beautiful definition of the intent of worship: “Worship is the submission of all our nature holiness, nourishing of mind by His truth, purifying of imagination by His beauty, and opening of the heart to His love and submission of will to His purpose. All this gathered up in adoration is the greatest expressions of which we are capable.”
“In short, worship is,” as Ravi Zacharias puts it, “what binds all of life together and gives it a single focus. Conscience, Mind, Imagination, Heart, Will. All knit together in worship, for here love, reverence, sacrifice, motive, truth and obedience are harnessed before the one who made us, who alone can bring unity in the diversity with which he has fashioned us.”

Lifestyles Ideas Management - No stomach

What is the fifth and seventh most common cancer in men and women respectively?
Stomach cancer as reported from 2001 to 2005 from Singapore Cancer Registry).
It is the abnormal cells in the internal lining of the stomach that caused this disease.
There is no single known cause but the cancer is triggered by a cocktail of environmental and genetic factors. The bacteria called Helicobacter pylori is an important co-factor in chronic infection of the stomach.
The risk group will be a history of chronic stomach ulcers, a family history of cancer of the gut or excessive smoking and drinking.

Symptoms of stomach cancer include dyspepsia (discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen), indigestion, bloating, vomiting and heartburn.
The stomach is mainly for grinding food and for minor initial digestion. Main digestion and absorption take place in the small intestine. Digestion and absorption are still possible with cautious intake of food.

A gastroscopy is the current best method to detect stomach cancer. The five minute procedure costs between $200 and $700. The procedure involves inserting a fiber optic tube through the nose or mouth into the stomach to allow the doctor to observe the digestive tract’s inner lining.

Treatment includes surgery and chemotherapy. If the tumor is large, parts or whole stomach may be removed. Can a person survive without a stomach?
Late symptoms may include the vomiting of blood, passing of black stools and weight loss. If you are experiencing any such gut symptoms for more than a month should consult a doctor immediately.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Keep focus

I just realised that I could wear some of my skirts but just couldn't zip up, very anxious of my waist getting thicker and my size of clothing need to be up size to 14 of which can only be found in those European departmental stores. So I have decided to stick to an daily exercise program. This may help me firm my some of my thigh, waist and arm. I am putting a dateline of three months to see myself wear those skirts and zipping up in styles.

My appetite have been very good all the times. The only time I do not eat well is when I am sick or having a flu. It been quite a while that I did not have a flu not that I am a healthy person. I love fried stuffs, anything that is crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Kentucky fried chicken is one of my favorite meal, most of the fast foods. After eating these fast foods, I will felt guilty and started to exercise just to rid of the guiltiness. It is difficult to keep mind over matters when I tried so hard to eat healthy and keep to the routine of healthy lifestyles. It is sheer determination and will power.

My daily exercise routine after dinner is to walk briskly for 15 minutes and 20 minutes on some exercising machine. After that have a shower and brush my teeth and then eat fruits before going to bed. But the trouble start, when in the course of eating fruits I start to snack on nuts and crackers.

It is practically impossible to resist snacking which I have been doing since young and to give up snack is to give up favorite things in life.
It is a sweet and crispy struggle which I need to make a good choice.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Common Labels

Antioxidants and free radicals
Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals, cell damaging chemicals that are produced during normal human functions such as digestion and breathing. Experts believe the damage from free radicals is a factor in the development of conditions such as cancer and blood vessel disease.
It is reported that cancer prevention is based on several factors, and is not just about eating more fruits that contain antioxidants.

Phytochemicals
The term “phyto” is a Greek word meaning plant.
Phytochemicals are chemical compounds derived from plants and fruits
The most recognizable phytochemicals are carotenoids – the red, orange and yellow pigments found in fruits and vegetables such as carrots. It is recommended that you try to include as many colorful fruits and vegetables in your diet as you can. These natural color pigments supply different phtyochemicals to benefit your health.

Xanthones
It is found in plant food, xanthones are chemical compounds that contain antioxidants. They are said to help maintain intestinal health, prevent inflammation and strengthen the immune system. In mangosteens, the hull, bark and root are reported to have xanthone compounds – you will not eat as much xanthones by eating just the white meat of the fruit.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Overly processed fruits

Fruit bars
It contain large amounts of added sugar
Water-soluble vitamins can be destroyed during processing

Juices
They do not have most of the fibre that is available in real fruit.
Unless the juice is freshly squeezed and drunk immediately, a good percentage of the vitamins can oxidize and will not be able to serve their purpose

Dried fruit
The fibre is still present but water soluble vitamins can be destroyed during processing

Water fortified with fruit essence
They may have a little vitamin C, potassium and sodium but can contain added sugar and flavorings

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Super Fruits

Ten fruits classified under "super" labels:

Pomegranate
Another name for Pomegranate is Granada.
It has around 600 seeds that can range from white to deep red
This fruit is native to the Mediterranean Middle East
Some studies suggest that the juice may contain almost three times the total antioxidants
in green tea and red wine

Kiwi
Another name for Kiwi is Chinese gooseberry
Its flesh can be bright green or golden
It can be grown in most temperate climates with adequate summer heat
A single kiwi is said to supply more than the normal daily adult requirement of vitamin C

Mangosteen
Another name for Mangosteen is Manggis
It has a sweet sour white flesh
Mangosteen is found primarily in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia
Its rind contains xanthones which are said to neutralize free radicals

Goji
Another name is Wolfberry
Red berries that are usually found dried
The fruit is grown in China, Mongolia and the Himalayas in Tibet
It contains carotenoids that act as antioxidants to protect the retina of the eye

Cranberry
Another name for Cranberry is Mossberry and fenberry
Berries is about 6 to 8mm in size, turn deep red when ripe
A major commercial crop in United States and Canada
It is used to prevent or treat urinary tract infections

Noni
Another name is cheese fruit, ach, mengkudu
The fruit is oval shaped and prickly
The fruit is native to South East Asia but now grows in India and Pacific islands
The juice is used to be able to reduce high blood pressure and relieve arthritic pain as it contains a high level of antioxidants

Avocado
Another name is Palta, abacate
The fruit is egg shaped, green brown on the outside and green yellow on the inside
It has a long history of being cultivated in Central and South America
It contains healthy monounsaturated fat which has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Seabuckthorn
Another name is Sandthorn, seaberry
The fruit is soft and juicy orange berries, 6 to 9 mm in diameter
The fruit is natuve to Europe and Asia
The fruit is said to boost the immune system as it is rich in vitamin C

Blueberry
Another name is Bleuet
The fruit Indigo berries 5 to 16mm in diameter
The fruit is native to North America but also grown in Australia, New Zealand and South American countries
It is supposed to be an anti-ageing superstar that is loaded with antioxidants to improve
Vision and brain function

Acai
Another name is cabbage palm berry
A dark blue berry that is similar in size to a grape
It is grown in South American rainforests
It claims to have twice the antioxidants found in blueberries, as well as omega fatty acids, protein and fibre.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Eat these

Beets
Beets is red spinach and they are rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters.
Eat it fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power

Cabbage
Load with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to boost cancer-fighting enzymes.
Eat it as coleslaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.

Cinnamon
May help to control blood sugar and cholesterol.
Eat it as sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal.

Pomegranate juice
Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded with antioxidants

Dried plums
They are really prunes but they are packed with antioxidants
Eat it wrapped in prosciutto and backed

Pumpkin seeds
The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium: high levels of the mineral and associated with lower risk of early death.
Eat as roasted snack or sprinkled on salad.

Sardines
They are high in omega-3s contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They contain iron,magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins
Eat plain mixed with salad on toast or mashed with onions as a spread.

Turmeric
The superstars of spices may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties
Eat with scrambled eggs or in any vegetable dish.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - First Aid Kit

The kit should have:
A glass or electronic thermometer
A small flashlight
Cotton swabs and a bottle of antiseptic solution
Antibiotic or antiseptic ointment for wounds
Gauze
Bandage scissors
Instant hot and cold compresses
Saline Solution for rinsing eyes and wounds
Tweezers
Simple medication such as paracetamol, charcoal pills, antacids and cough mixtures
Emergency telephone numbers
Latex or vinyl gloves
An insulating blanket for an emergency when a victim develops hypothermia (low body temperature)
Paper and pencil
Drinking cup
Safety pins
Information on first aid

To personalize the first-aid for your family, suggests putting these items as well
For asthmatics, keep an extra salbutamol inhaler such as ventolin
For history of ischaemic heart problem, Glyceryl Trinitrate tables should be included
For families that include diabetics, keep glucose tablets in case of hypoglycemia which is a state of low blood sugar level.
For those with type 1 diabetes, ensure that the first-aid kit has insulin injections for cases of hyperglycemia crisis which is a state of dangerously high blood sugar level.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Ice

Some claim that ice is good for a skin burn
A batch of ice is perfect remedy for a sunburn but home remedies that seem like helpful and common sense but it can only help soothe some initial pain but it will slow the healing process.

In various study easing burns with ice cubes for 10 minutes with other remedies and found that ice caused “the most severe damage”. Using an ice cube immediately after injury is harmful in some instances.
According to the Mayo Clinic, putting ice on a burn can cause frostbite and damage the skin. For better results, run cool water over the area and take a pain reliever. Then cover the area with gauze but no ointment. No further treatment is needed.
Never use ice to soothe a burn.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Is your home safe for your child?

Your home may not be safe for your child and it can be dangerous place for your kids.
There are many accidents at home involving children including falls from chairs or tables and falls related to use of baby walkers and sarong cradles. Child-proofing your homes are the best ways to prevent injuries and teaching children about safety and responsible behavior is also necessary.

Kitchen
Keep floor free of grease, water and soap
Use back stove burners or stove guards when cooling and keep handles of pots and pans containing hot liquids facing inwards.
Household cleaners like bleach and sharp objects like knives should be kept in locked cupboard or away within reach from children.

Bathroom
Toilet-seat covers should be set down to prevent toddlers from falling in head first and drowning.
Standing water in bathtubs and buckets even if only 2cm deep is dangerous for unattended children.

Bedroom
Do not give babies soft pillows, toys or bolsters as they may bury their heads in them and suffocate. Avoid sarong cradles as they can head injuries to babies when the sarong is violently shaken.
Improperly secured or when the baby falls out
Poorly secured cot sides or mattresses that are too high may lead to babies falling out of the cot.

Pool
Children below five should be constantly under adult’s supervision that should accompany the child into the water and remain within arm’s reach at all times.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - World of Darkness

Sometimes, I wonder how I am going to cope with light if I suddenly lose my eyesight. How will I cope with the daily chores of moving around and live in the world of darkness. I often forget one important part of my body – my eyes. At times I take for granted on my pair of eyes which have allowed me to see the beautiful glory of the creation.
All my family members are myopic except my parents with perfect vision. We do not know why but it is a consolation that we are not born with weak eyes, but somewhere along the way, we lose our sights reading in dim light and laying down reading which our favorite posture in reading was.

The fact that age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly in the developed world. Cataract surgery on the other hand can help those with poor vision regain their vision. Cataract operations are one of the common operations performed every year. Melanoma a type of skin cancer that can develop around eyelids and the sensitive skin around the eye.
The best way to protect our eyes against the sun is to wear the correct type of sunglasses when you are outside. The harshest sunlight between 10 am and 4pm. Do you bit to help yourself safe and protect against the sun.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Harsh Rays

Protection from ultraviolet (UV) light is essential for healthy eyes. We should choose sunglasses that offer over 90 percent UV protection.
Recently I visit an eye-care professional who test my shades using a UV transmission meter. UV coatings are usually colorless. Treated clear lenses with no color-tint, can still be UV light blockers. Different tints work better in different environments and the color choose are a matter of personal taste. The eye care professional preferred me to use brown lens for normal everyday use. These colors reduce glare without distorting colors too much.

Price
Even sunglasses from designer brands may not offer 100 per cent V protection. Sunglasses of reputable brands that are manufactured in Europe, US and Australia as these counties have strict safety standards. And don’t believe everything you read: Just because glasses have a sticker claiming UV protection does not meant it is true at times.

The styles that wrap all around the temples are best to prevent eye strain as they prevent light from entering from the sides. It is also important to choose frames that allow lens to sit comfortably in front of the eyes.
Polarizing lens can reduce the glare from reflective surfaces such as water, snows and road. They are suitable for those who enjoying fishing, skiing and sailing.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Health is wealth

The Roman poet Virgil famously said that health is the greatest wealth, We all knows that too well, but we still put top priority on our wealth and not health. Good health is something worth keeping and working for. Faced with rising costs on everything we buy and spent, it is best for us to keep away from sickness as consulting a doctor can be very expensive these days. Let strive to keep ourselves healthy starting today by getting into an exercises routine, instead of taking a bus to the subway, simply brisk walk to the subway and enjoy the walk. My colleagues and I would walk to the subway and along the way we enjoyed talking with each other and looking in front of us are rows and rows of evergreen trees that have their roots firmly planted deep under the pavement. The only thing that is not so pleasant is the presence of bird droppings from the black birds that congregate at those spreading branches. Little white and black droppings that dried up on the pavement and I have this terrible feeling that I am breathing in the dust and the virus from the droppings. Nothing can be done by the authorities as the problem is not a simple one. If we get rid of the old trees, we will lose the beautiful shade and destroy the habitat of the some birds. I can only try best not to step on the droppings as I walk, this is the only solution perhaps.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Body Odor

Some people have such strong and pungent body odor in the early morning when all of us need to rush for the one bus to take us to the nearest subway. Somehow when you brush against someone standing next to you, the strong pungent body odor can deter you from taking the same bus with this person. Sometimes, I wonder why this person did not take a good morning wake up shower and keep himself refreshingly clean and smell good. I love to stand next to a person who smells nice, the smell of after-shave lotion, sandalwood soap, the nice smell of the cinnabar soap, any smell except the strong pungent body odor. I noticed early in the morning, one of my neighbor who always took the same lift with me, shabbily dressed and smell horrible. He probably did not brushed his teeth since he thought brushing teeth takes place once a day, he did not showered as his hair looked very oily and sticky. I tried holding my breath the minute he stepped in on the eighteen floor and did not breathe until the lift opened at first floor. He probably knew it but he could not care less about what I thought of him. The odor simply stick to him and he is oblivious and he probably like the smell and live with it. Only once in awhile, he looked spick and span, probably he could not stand his own smell once in awhile or someone may have passed a terrible comment. Anyway, he is a bachelor and it is good for him otherwise his wife could have probably left him.

The weather have been very warm lately and having a terrible body odor is understandable but personal hygiene is important. It show how much you love yourself. I like to smell good all the times especially the smell of ocean, lemon and citrus fruit.
Portuguese researchers recently infuse a wool polyester blend material with limonene, a lemon scent chemical. Then they tested the fragrance’s staying power though dry cleaning and being flexed, rubbed, stretched and jostled by an abrasion machine.
The fabric lost 97 percent of limonene after five dry cleaning cycles. It also lost up to 60 percent of its scent in the abrasion machine. Lemon-scented clothes may be the way to beat the body odor reported WebMD. Good for my neighbor and me!

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Getting Children to eat greens

Here are pointers from veteran food behavior researcher Leann Birch of Pennsylvania State University.

Be persistent
Kid needs a repeated exposures to food to develop taste to them.
Set a good example – You need to let them see you eating greens and liking it.
Be matter of fact – Parents appearing shocked when kids eat the vegetables on their plate and making comments “ That’s amazing. I can’t believe you ate that.” Kid feels like they did something weird.
Do not punish kid – Chastising them for not eating greens or finishing their vegetables reinforces a negative association with vegetables.
Don’t offer rewards
Giving kids treats for finishing vegetables makes them believe that vegetables must be endured and not enjoyed.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Home remedies

Ear Candling
This is done by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. The smoke that flows through the ear canal is supposed to create suction that will help remove the wax and dirt in the ear. Avoid this: Our ears are designed to be self-cleansing. Inserting buds or ear candle comes in the ear often led to complications like ear infections

Treating acne with toothpaste
Avoid this: Toothpaste not only possibly worsens the acne; it can also cause irritation or burn the surrounding area. Some toothpaste contains high amounts of hydrogen peroxide and can therefore burn the skin.

Cutting off finger warts
Avoid this: There have been many cases where people cut their finger warts and end up getting an infection because the blade or instrument used was dirty. If the cut it too deep, it could cause damage to the skin.

Butter to treat a burn
Avoid this: If the burn is deep, using butter will cause an infection. Butter is not sterile and the skin has already lost its protective function due to the burn. When butter is placed on a defenseless wound, it can introduce bacteria.
The alternatives: If the burn is mild, you can use cold water to reduce the thermal injury.
The use of ice water will constrict blood circulation. If a blister is present, prick it to remove the fluid but keep the skin intact. Using a wet compress afterwards can help to suck up excess fluids.

Using fingers to extricate a fish bone stuck in the throat
Avoid this: Don’t use your fingers to remove the bone as you risk pushing the fish bone even further down the throat and your fingernails may punch the tissue lining of your throat. The alternatives: Go to the doctor immediately because complications usually arise when patients take too long to get medical help. The situation may become even more severe when the bone is stuck near the oesophagus because there are many vital organs below it.

Piercing eye styes with a needle
Avoid this: Styes on the eyelids are very close to the eyeballs. You may advertently injure your eyeball with the use of a sharp needle so near the eye. The alternatives: Soak a clean towel in boiled water and use it to compress the stye. This helps to improve blood circulation and softens the stye. You can also apply antiseptic eye cream on the stye.

Alcohol on teething baby’s gums
Avoid this: Alcohol has the same effect on babies as it has on adults. It can cause a burning sensation. Also some people may put the wrong type of alcohol on the gums.
While whiskey, wine and brandy are made from ethanol and are fit for human consumption, rubbing alcohol and methylated spirits contain menthylated alcohol which can cause blindness and is not for human consumption. The alternatives: Offer the baby something to bite on such as a teething ring which can help relieve the pain.

Home colon cleansing
Avoid this: Many people do it for detoxification but it is not recommend because there are no recognizable benefits. Detoxification takes place largely in the liver and kidneys, the colon is purely a digestive track. It is more important to maintain a healthy diet consisting of a rich supply of antioxidants normally found in fresh fruits and vegetables as even with detoxification, toxins still remain in our bodies.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Go for bananas

Bananas are rich in B group vitamins, a good source of fibre, vitamin C,magnesium and potassium. They contain plenty of carbohydrates, the body’s main source of energy and are easy to digest. Bananas are good for cakes, breads, muffins, or whipped up in a smoothie. For dessert, chop them into a fruit salad or you can have them grilled. The best thing is to eat them straight which I always do, but one thing which I dislike to most is to find bananas covered with brown spots and over-ripe. Nobody will eat them so it is best to make them into delicious bananas cakes. Over-ripe bananas are good for cakes and breads, if there is not time to turn them into cakes or bread, slip them into the freeze until you need them for baking. They can be frozen for about six months.
For a good dessert, try baking the bananas in the oven after sprinkling with grated palm sugar or honey. Add a touch of shredded coconut. Serve with a dollop of yogurt, cream or ice cream.

Banana Cake
130 g butter
2002 caster sugar
2 eggs
1 cup ripe mashed bananas (about two large bananas)
250g plain flour
1 tsp basking powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
120ml buttermilk
120g chopped walnuts (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 180 deg C
Grease 1 20 cm baking tin and line with baking paper
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and creamy
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the mashed bananas
(Add a little flour if the mixture starts to curdle)
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon together into a bowl
Then fold in to the mixture along with the buttermilk and the walnuts if you are using them. Turn the mixture into the baking pan and bake around 45 minutes or until a skewer
Inserted in the cake comes out clean.
Turn out onto a rack and allow to cool.
Either dust the top with icing sugar or top with lemon icing.

Lemon icing (optional)
1 cup icing sugar
2 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs butter
Boiling water

Put icing sugar, lemon juice and butter into a small bowl
Add a tiny amount of boiling water – just enough to soften the butter
Mix ingredients till smooth and of a even consistency for spreading.
Add a little more water if mixture is too thick and more icing sugar if too runny.
Spread evenly over the top of the cake.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Abundant Life Christian!

Self-sufficiency
The human pride in his own ability to get things done prevents him from relating to God. Such pride prevents God from sending us, enabling us and empowering us to do His will. Missing out on the abundant life!

Exposing the Heart
Jeremiah 17:9 “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?’ It is sad thing to lose sight of how evil our hearts can be
It is wise to pause constantly to evaluate and return back to God’s way. God can use a broken heart for His glory. The beginning of an abundant life!

God sufficiency
Knowing that God is the source and resource of our life
Living by that knowledge gives abundant life!

God’s desire through Jesus Christ is to give us abundant life!

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Drink Wine

The latest study on red wine as a weapon against obesity.
Resveratrol, a compound present in grapes and red wine appears to inhibit the development of fat cells and have other anti-obesity properties. Resveratrol
Prevented the pre-fat cells from converting into mature fat cells; they also hindered the fat storage in the cells. The compound reduced production of certain cytokines, substances that may be linked to the development of obesity-related disorders like diabetes and clogged coronary arteries. Resveratrol also stimulated the formation of a protein called adiponectin. The substance known to decrease risks of heart attack is diminished by obesity. The study support the idea that drinking a small amount of alcohol each day – no more than one to two servings – is better for you than not drinking, but the findings don’t apply to everyone. Even small amounts can increase risks for certain health worries, like breast and colon cancer. Although those risks are generally offset by the extra heart benefits, some people may decide it is not worth it. The New York Times

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Some eye problems

Just that afternoon, one of our church friends, David was sharing on cataracts on one of his eyes. He mentioned that the doctor recommended stronger glasses for reading. And I thought that was funny remarks from a doctor. He should at least recommend a follow up on his eye and not to mention a surgery to remove the clouding. His mother passed a remark that surgery is so expensive these days and told him to opt out for surgery. That is a strange remark from a doting mother perhaps thought that a slip in the surgery will lead to blindness.
I just read an article on UV rays that have been linked to the following eye ailments:

Pterygium
Growth of tissue on the surface of the eye
Redness and feeling of having a foreign body in the eye
Who it affects: More common in tropical climates and among those aged between 20 and 40.
How it is treated: Steroid eye drops and surgery

Macular degeneration
Deterioration of the sensitive retina centre
Some patients have no symptoms, others many experience a blind spot or patch of blurred vision. Who it affects: elderly
Laser treatment can only prevent further damage but not correct the problem.

Cataracts
Clouding of the eye’s lens
Blurring of vision that cannot be corrected by glasses, dull colors, halos around lights.
Who it affects: elderly
Stronger glasses, artificial tears, tinted lenses and cataract surgery

Melanoma
A dangerous form of skin cancer
Moles that is irregular in color or shape
Who it affects: Risk is higher for those with family history and with increased sun exposure. Can be surgically removed; best if detected early.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Cervical Cancer

About 70 percent of woman still do not know about the cause of cervical cancer despite extensive public education on the disease. The study showed that not only did the women not know that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) was the cause of cervical cancer but that 70 percent of them still thought that the use of condoms during sex could protect them from the cancer. Many though that HPV was a virus causing ulcers, sores and blisters but not cancer and thought that it were contracted from toilet seats.
However, good news is that more women are willing to be educated about cervical cancer and to go for a pap test and to consider vaccination as well. Every week, one woman dies of this cervical cancer, but this is preventable through vaccination and early detection. Women should be screened three years after their first sexual activity and go for regular pap tests. Even those who ceased sexual activity may still be at risk.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - About eggplant

The eggplant is also known as aubergine, melanzana garden egg or brinjal. These comes in a variety of shapes and sizes – white, green, yellowish, purple or purple-black. It is actually a fruit – a berry and part of the nightshade family includes potatoes and tomatoes. Eggplants originated in India and have been cultivated there, in China and neighbouring counties since pre-historic times according to foodreference.com.

Eggplant are very perishable and becomes bitter with age and should be stored in a cool dry place and used within the same day or next day after purchase. Store in plastic bags if refrigerator as stated bellybytes.com. They are low in calories and fat. Eggplant is a nutrient dense food which will help you feel full. They contain in almost no calories, one cup cubed about 80g has just 20 calories.
Eggplant is a good source of dietary fibre, potassium, manganese, copper and thiamin (Vitamin B1). It is also a good source of Vitamin B6, folate, magnesium and niacin and contain phytonutrients (organic compound of plants thought to promote health).

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Breathe to get smarter

A study has shown that breathing activity not only reduces stress, it may also make you smarter. Daily practice of breathing thickened the parts of the brain’s cerebral cortex responsible for memory, decision making and attention. And in another study by the University of Kentucky, test subjects were divided into three groups and each told to breathe, sleep or watch TV as a way to rejuvenate their minds. Those who do the breathing activity did the best in psychomotor vigilance tests that required them to hit a button whenever a light flashed on a screen. So the next time you feel your brain crashing, close your eyes, visualize a scenic place in your mind, slow your breathing and relax for 20 minutes.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Mind your Diet

You can eat your way to a sharper healthier brain.
Fill your supermarket basket with oily fish like Salmon, sardine, herring and mackerel are some of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids – the main constituent of cell membranes in the brain. A research study has confirmed a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids promoted less mental decline in ageing patients. A diet lacking in this essential brain nutrient could weaken the brain and leave it vulnerable to disease. Vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts and flax.
American mustard and Indian curies are rich in turmeric, the spice that gives them their yellow color. This relative of ginger is being studied for its potentially potent medical benefits. It is believed that turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties which may help ward off Alzheimer’s disease. India has the world’s lowest rate of Alzheimer’s and experts believe turmeric could be a factor.
Gingko biloba and ginseng supplements is popularly used to enhance one’s memory and has been found to improve microcirculation in the brain, thus helping to reduce our risk of Alzheimer’s. Ginseng boosts alertness, clarity and reduces fatigue. New studies help protect the brain from breaking down as a person ages.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Heart

The average adult heart is about the size of a clenched fist and weighs about 300g.
Heart disease is the world’s number one killer and in Singapore one in three die from heart disease and stroke.
Here’s how you can reduce your chances of decreasing your blood cholesterol by 10 percent and reduce your risk of heart disease by 20 to 40 percent. Cut out unhealthy fats and offal from your diet. Quit smoking for two year and your risk of heart disease becomes comparable to that of a non-smoker. Prepare your vegetable sticks and chomp on one whenever the urge to light up hits you. Drop your blood pressure by 5mmHg and your heart disease risk goes by 20 percent. Ask for fries unsalted.
Healthy lifestyles ideas of food do not have to be hard to swallow.
Cinnamon and cloves – your spice cupboard could hold the key to a healthy heart. Studies have shown that cinnamon and cloves improves insulin function and help lower cholesterol and triglycerides by up to 30 percent. Just add a pinch of cinnamon powder to your yoghurt or coffee. Coffee had a 24 percent lower risk of dying of heart disease, however drinking too much caffeine can make you nervous so try to restrict your coffee to three cups a day. Opt for something healthy in the morning, milk and cereal. Breakfast eaters consume few calories and less saturated fat and cholesterol than non-breakfast eaters. It is also believed that the lack of calcium in your diet can contribute to the buildup of artery clogging plaque.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - How to make them work better

The liver and the kidneys are the organs responsible for expelling toxins that result from the body’s metabolism. Here are some ways you can help them.
A diet rich is salt strains the kidney.
Go easy with dips, ketchup and gravy!
Drinking too little fluid concentrates urine, increasing the risk of mineral salts forming stones and interrupting the filtering mechanisms. Drink to liters of water daily to reduce the risk of urinary infections. Reduce foods likely to stimulate kidney stones, such as red meats, seafood, spinach, rhubarb and chocolate. Get a hepatitis vaccine or an immunoglobulin shot to prevent hepatitis A or B. Drink alcohol in moderation. Eating a high protein diet puts a strain on liver as can the regular use of headache remedies and antibiotics. Most medications are metabolized or eliminated by the liver and some of them may even cause liver injury in susceptible individuals.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Not giving up on life

No matter what happen, do not give up on life.
It happened again many times when we heard news about people found dead after having jumped from a block of flats, or jumped on the passing train track. The statistics of suicide rate stand one a day. While walking to lunch with my colleagues, we saw a very angry faced woman walking toward our direction. She must have been very stressed up with problems on her mind. We are all living a stressed up life here in Singapore so we should be more concerned about people in distress, to offer a helping hand to explore ways for living with stress of life. Suicide is an easy way out of everything but need not be the only way out from our daily problems.

We must acknowledge that this is an imperfect world and problems are part and parcel of life. We must expect disruptions in life and learn to come in terms with problems as we face them. We must come to prepare to expect the unexpected since we can never predict when problems will come our way. We can learn to equip ourselves to respond to distressing incidents as well being informed of the possible impact of unfortunate events so that we can heal from them. We can learn problem solving strategies by being open to reaching out for help from family, friends and other social support groups. We learn to be resilient by building on the conviction that problems need not destroy our belief in the value of life and our right to live, learning the meaning of suffering. We must always remember that help is always available and there is no shame asking for help. Nobody will laugh at us when we are helpless unless we choose to be prideful. There are professionals who can offer a listening ear, an assessment to our problem situation and offer problem solving solution.

It is easy say than done as some may say. But to give up on life without trying to work out the problem and choose the easy way out is hurting yourself and others.
Suicide is not the only way out, help is near and what matters is the will to live no matter how bad the situation is at this moment.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - About Papaya

The Papaya or paw paw is believed to be southern Mexican and Central American in origin and now grows in all tropical and subtropical countries as the plant need warmth around the year. These trees may be male, female and bisexual says www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/papaya.html.

Papayas are the only natural source of papain, an effective natural digestive aid,which breaks down protein and cleanses the digestive track. This means less food settles into the metabolism and becomes fat.

In additional to aiding in digestion, papaya are rich in Vitamin C, folate and potassium. They are also good sources of fibre, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, the eye saving carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, and lycopene according to health.learninginfo.org.
They have 33 percent more Vitamin C and 50 percent more potassium than oranges and have fewer calories. They have 13 times more Vitamin C and more than twice the potassium of apples says health.learninginfo.org.
Slightly green papayas ripen quickly at room temperature, especially if placed in a paper bag. Once they’ve turned from green to yellow you can store the ripen fruit in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week, but it is best to use them without a day or two, says www.foodreference.com

Lifestyles Ideas Management - In Season fruit

Persimmon, generally a winter fruit but persimmons from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are currently available. The ones from Down Under and New Zealand tend to be larger and crunchier, while South African ones are smaller with a more intense orange color.
Berries are one of the best things to eat. The market is now flooded with blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. They are juicy and flavorful.
Kiwi known from their high Vitamin C content, there are two varieties of kiwi fruit – green and golden. While green kiwis from New Zealand will continue into December, the golden variety will end by October. These are generally sweeter and less tangy then green ones which are also cultivated in China.
Stone fruit are cherries, apricots, nectarines, white peaches, donut peaches, plums – you name it, there is stone fruit everywhere in the market. Most of the fruits in the supermarkets are from California. The stone fruit season is very short and will end next month. The Australian season will begin in December and last through March.
Tamarillo is native to South America, but many fruits in supermarkets now are from New Zealand. This season fruit will end next week.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Cellar Tips

If you are planning to turn a room into a cellar, consult a sommelier (a french word for a wine steward) or interior designer first. Here are some tips from the experts:-

Temperature
Cooling system set at between 12 and 15 degree C with a humidity of 50 to 60 percent

Door
Insulated and sealed to maintain low temperatures and humidity. Glass doors must be double-paned.

Walls, Ceiling and floor
Lined with insulation such as polyurethane, a hard sponge like material to minimize heat or cold transfer, ensure constant temperature and humidity constant.

Lighting
Use incandescent lights. A cellar should be dim. Ultraviolet light will damage wine, breaking down the organic compounds which contribute to its aroma and flavor.

Storage
Lie bottle horizontally so wine is in contact with the cork. If the cork dries up, air will come in contact with the wine, turning it into vinegar.

Maintenance
Service cooling system such as an air-conditioner unit.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Coffee forgiveness

Ivo Markovic, a Franciscan monk from Bosnia, was caught in the whirlwind of war in the mid-1990s in which the Croats, Bosnian and Serbs were fighting each other with blood. Bosnians had massacred twenty one men from Susanj, the village in which Markovic was born. Nine of them were members of his family – all feeble senior citizens, innocent of any crimes, and the youngest of whom was his seventy one years old father.
Three years after the massacre, Markovic visited Susanj. Occupying the house in which his brother used to live was a fierce Muslim woman. He was warned not to go there because she brandished a rifle to protect her new home.
He went anyway. As he approached the house she was waiting for him, cigarette in her mouth and rifle cocked. She barked:” Go away, or I will shoot you.” “No, you won’t shoot me,” said Markovic in a gentle but firm voice, “You will make a cup of coffee for me.” She stared at him for a while and then slowly put the rifle down and went to the kitchen. Taking the last bit of coffee she had, she mixed in some already used grounds to make enough coffee for two cups. And they, deadly enemies began to talk as they partook in the ancient ritual of hospitality: drinking coffee together. She told him of her loneliness, of the home she had lost, of the son who never returned from the battlefield. When Markovic returned a month later she told him: “I rejoice at seeing you as much as if my son had returned home.”
Did they talk about forgiveness?
I don’t know. And in a sense, it doesn’t matter.
He, the victim came to her asking for hospitality in his brother’s home, which she unrightfully possessed. And she responded. Though she greeted him with a rifle, she gave him a gift and came to rejoice at this presence. The humble, tenuous beginnings of a journey toward embrace were enacted through a ritual of coffee drinking. If the journey continues, it will lead through the difficult terrain of forgiveness. Anyone care for a cup of coffee?

Lifestyles Ideas Management - The Lighthouse

Sometimes we are sad and broken hearted
And our pain’s so hard to bare.
We may feel our life is shattered
With pieces strewn here and there.

We may feel our lifeboat’s sinking
In the storm that’s raging high
We may rah out for safety
And find there’s nothing nigh.

Christ is our lighthouse
With its lights shinning bright
S to Him just throw your anchor
And He will fight your fight.

He will fight your battle
And calm your greatest fear
Tell Him of your sorrows.
And He’ll wipe away your tears
By Myrtle Poor

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Natural Pain Killers

If you suffer from aches and pains – from headaches to joint pains – there are foods you can eat them which may help. This is because most aches and pains are caused by inflammation. This is the body’s way of telling you that something is out of balance by triggering pain, redness or swelling. The average person takes over 300 painkiller drugs each year. The trouble with painkillers is that they can damage the gut and increasing the risk of food allergy. They also do not deal with the underlying cause which for headaches and joint aches can be spinal misalignment. The possibility that allergies may be contributing to your joint aches or other chronic conditions is well worth investigating. A study based on interviewing 5,000 people who had an allergy test from York test laboratories found that an impressive 76 percent of those patients who rigorously followed their allergen free diet as determined by a pin-prick blood test had a noticeable improvement in their condition, with two in three feeling better within three weeks.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Where Vitamins are found

Vitamin C
Fresh fruit or pure juice from fruit such as orange, kiwi and honeydew

Vitamin A, E, K and folic acid
Dark green leafy vegetables or red/orange vegetables or fruit such as spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomato, papaya and mango

Thiamine and riboflavin
Cereal or grain products (preferably containing unrefined riboflavin) such as brown rice, oats, barley, breakfast, cereals, muesli and wholemeal bread or biscuits.

Vitamin B
Meat, fish, chicken, liver, egg , milk or cheese. Beans and bean products such as bean curd, fermented soya beans, baked beans, chickpeas or dahl.

Vitamin A, D and riboflavin
Milk and diary products

Vitamin E
Oil, margarine, nuts and seeds