Lifestylesideasmanagement

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Truths about egg yolks

2008-11-03T08:26:00.005+08:00

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

2008-09-22T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-09-19T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-09-18T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-09-17T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-09-16T08:00:00.001+08:00

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?

2008-09-15T08:00:00.002+08:00

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?

2008-09-15T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-09-14T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-08-29T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-08-28T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-08-27T08:00:00.000+08:00

Lifestyles Ideas Management - 8 Ways

2008-08-26T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-08-25T08:00:00.001+08:00

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

2008-08-24T18:41:00.001+08:00

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 ...

2008-08-16T09:01:00.001+08:00

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 ...

2008-08-16T08:56:00.000+08:00

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 ...

2008-08-15T08:53:00.001+08:00

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 ...

2008-08-14T08:44:00.001+08:00

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 ...

2008-08-13T08:36:00.004+08:00

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

2008-07-29T08:00:00.001+08:00

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Wash your Greens

2008-07-28T08:00:00.000+08:00

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.....

2008-07-27T21:35:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-25T08:00:00.001+08:00

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

2008-07-24T08:00:00.002+08:00

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

2008-07-23T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-22T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-21T08:00:00.000+08:00

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........

2008-07-20T19:09:00.001+08:00

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

2008-07-17T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-16T08:45:00.003+08:00

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

2008-07-14T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-13T08:00:00.001+08:00

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

2008-07-12T20:00:00.001+08:00

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

2008-07-11T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-10T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-09T08:00:00.000+08:00

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?

2008-07-08T08:00:00.002+08:00

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

2008-07-07T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-06T08:00:00.001+08:00

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

2008-07-05T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-04T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-03T08:00:00.003+08:00

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

2008-07-02T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-07-01T08:00:00.000+08:00

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!

2008-06-30T08:00:00.002+08:00

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

2008-06-29T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-28T08:00:00.001+08:00

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

2008-06-27T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-26T08:00:00.001+08:00

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

2008-06-25T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-24T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-23T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-22T08:00:00.001+08:00

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

2008-06-21T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-20T08:00:00.001+08:00

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

2008-06-19T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-18T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-17T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-16T08:00:00.003+08:00

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

2008-06-15T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-06-14T08:00:00.000+08:00

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

Lifestyles Ideas Management - About Kiwi

2008-06-13T08:00:00.003+08:00

Kiwi fruit is always associate with New Zealand as most people perceive, but it will be a surprise to most people that kiwi has its origins in China’s Yangtze River valley. The fruit has been around for over 700 years and was a favorite in the courts of the great Khans. No wonder they were known as Chinese gooseberries till the 1960s.
In the early 1900s, New Zealand missionaries took the seeds home where the plant was named for the indigenous bird. Plants were later sent to the US, Italy, South Africa and Chile. There are 400 varieties of kiwi fruit.

The kiwi fruit’s black seeds can be crushed to produce kiwi fruit oil which is very rich in Alfa-Linoleic Acid (an important omega-3 essential fatty acid) as mentioned in kiwi-fruit.info. This kiwi fruit is high in the antioxidant vitamin C and is good source of fibre, vitamin E and potassium. It is fat-free, sodium-free and cholesterol-free says www.foodreference.com. Kiwifruit contains an enzyme called Actinidin, it can also be used as a natural meat tenderizer. Just cut one in half and rub the fruit over the meat, or peel and mash with a fork then spread it on meat surface. Stand for 10 to 15 minutes or longer. One cup (about 180g) of the fruit contains 108 calories.
Most of the kiwi fruit in Singapore is either too ripe or never get to ripe, so we put them in the blender to crushed them juice which served as a sauce over chicken and pork dishes.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - A responsible drinker

2008-06-12T08:00:00.000+08:00

Please keep these rules in mind to avoid over-indulgence, band after effects or the danger of becoming addicted in the long term.

It is common to see youngsters drinking in the Pub after a hard day’s work and getting drunk and suffering a hangover coming in the office the next morning.
Drinking is an over-indulgence activity and most of them are addicted in no time.
Drinking should be at your own pace. One way to get out of the binge drinking behaviour is to not try to keep with other drinkers. It is not drinking but drowning.
Avoid eating salty foods or snacks as this will encourage you to drink more quickly. Limit yourself by setting and stick to them for example, having no more than two drinks during the whole evening, this can correct binge drinking behavior. Drink water or other non-alcoholic beverages in between cocktails or beers. This will slow down your rate of alcohol consumption, as well as make you feel fuller faster. Set regular “non-alcohol” days during the week and stick to them. Do not allow your drink to be filled up as you may lose track of how much alcohol you have consuming. Instead, finish a drink slowly and with food. Take along a non-drinking buddy or a non-binge drinker as having like-minded company helps in resisting pressure to join in.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - The Poor Rich

2008-06-11T08:00:00.000+08:00

Does it matter that your neighbor earns more than you? Yes it does as the problem we face today in our society is that the balance of our lives can all too easily become shifted too much towards the acquiring of positional goods, salaries, houses and cars. We assume that getting a pay rise, or moving into a new apartment, or trading up to a better care will bring us increased levels of happiness and satisfaction.
We work longer hours, earn more and spend more, more and consume more. We tend to compare ourselves with others on things like salary, house and a car.

There are people who complained that the demands of working full-time and looking after a family left her feeling stressed out and exhausted. She often talked about retiring and going on part-time. Since her husband earned a good salary and she could have afforded to do so. Then, an opportunity came with a part-time job available near her home. To my surprise she did not apply for it – she had decided to build an extension to her house and needed to work full-time in order to pay for it. It seemed to me that she had traded quality of life for a double-glazing. It is a trap that we can all easily fall into.

We just like to keep up with the Joneses.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Live Longer

2008-06-10T08:00:00.001+08:00

We can add a few more years just by following a few simple rules, an article in Men’s health magazine.
Choose salad over soup – eating just one cup of raw vegetables daily can add two years to your life. Raw is better because cooking can deplete up to 30 percent of the antioxidants in vegetables. Exercise to rid of excess fat as fats raises your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke and colon cancer. There’s no way out but to exercise.
Go nuts – researcher discovered that those who snacked on nuts five days a week lived 2.9 years longer. Choose your nuts wisely, though. Researchers found that those who have a wide network of friends had the longest lease on life. Friendship provides more protection than peril. So stay in touch with your old friends. And it is never too late to make new friends. There is life after retirement; people with a positive outlook on ageing process lived more than seven years longer than those who felt doomed to deteriorating mental and physical health.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Osteoporosis

2008-06-09T19:05:00.000+08:00

I heard from my sister in law an incident of a lady of thirty years of age who was working under contract employment in the bank. After working for a couple of days, she tripped and fell over the carpet and cannot move her whole body. This little fall caused her bones to break and fracture and it was so painful that she screamed and groaned in pain. The ambulance came and they have to slowly and fractionally remove her into the stretcher. She suffered from
Osteoporosis a form of bone loss whereby the deterioration of the micro-architecture of the bone is so rapid that the bone’s density is reduced. Mid to moderate bone loss is called osteoporosis. Women begin to lose bone mass in their late thirties while men only start to do so in their late forties. Women who suffer from early menopause, have a family history of osteoporosis, smoke or drink heavily, lack of calcium or exercise or are underweight are most at risk, When bones are weakened by osteoporosis they become more susceptible to fractures.
The risk of wrist fractures climbs steadily for a woman above 55 and spine and hip fractures are more common in women 65 years and above. The chance of an elderly person suffering a second fracture increased exponentially after the first. The risk is four times higher in someone who has already sustained a spine fracture compared to someone who has never had such an injury. A fracture can kill and elderly people die within the first year of a hip fracture as there’s a reduction in the quality of life of an elderly person as he may not be able to move freely or may become bedridden. The maxim our bones stand on is “use it or lose it”. Bones respond to the demands we place on them so weight-bearing exercises like running, hiking or walking helps a lot.

The formula involves subtracting one’s weight in kilograms from one’s age in years.
If you get a number less than zero, you are at low risk of osteoporosis. If you get a number between zero and 20, you are at moderate risk. If your resultant figure is more than 20, your are at high risk and should see a doctor soon. Osteoporosis is a preventable condition.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Nosebleed

2008-06-08T08:00:00.000+08:00

The claim – Tilt your head back to treat a nosebleed
That is what most people claim to know how to stop a nose bleed; lean back and apply pressure to the nose area. Medical experts say that what most people know about nose bleed is wrong. Tilting the head back is improper first aid and can create complication by allowing blood to flow into the esophagus (breathing tube). This will choke the esophagus and cause blood to travel to the stomach and possibly leading to vomiting and irritation. The best method is to sit down and lean forward by keeping your head above your heart which lessens the bleeding. The leaning forward movement helps to drain the blood from the nose and keep it from the esophagus.
In order to stop bleeding by using your thumb and index finger to squeeze the soft tissue just below the bridge of your nose for 5 ~ 10 minutes. A cold compress or ice pack placed across the bridge of the nose can also help. If all these two methods fails and the bleeding lasts for more than 20 minutes or the nose bleed was caused by a blow to the head, seek medical attention immediately.

My most terrible nosebleed happened long ago while I am about ten years old, the bleeding happened while I was sleeping and the whole pillow was stained heavy in red. This happened because I ate one big durian fruit during the evening. My father bought the whole basket from the wholesaler at a low price. And each one of us have one fruit to ourselves. Then did I knew that I cannot eat too many durian fruit at one sitting.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Building Solid Bones

2008-06-07T08:00:00.000+08:00

Are your bones like solid bricks which can ensure a strong foundation?
The three little pigs fable tale, you will know not to make a house of sticks or straws.
For strong healthy bones, you need lot of calcium for the building of solid bones, plenty of exercise and sunshine. Our skin makes Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight and Vitamin D is required for the absorption of calcium. And if calcium is the source of building solid bones then eating the right types of food is important. If you do not have enough food for your body it is not likely to build muscle and bone. Bone mass and strength is related to a child’s growth. If the nutrition is poor, the child is most likely to be skinny and small for his age. His bones will be thin and poorly built and it’s likely that he will suffer osteoporosis in future. In puberty, bones grow very fast and keep doing so until 30 years of age. After that it starts to drop off.

Foods that are high in calcium are diary products like milk, cheese and yogurt as well as fish like salmon, herring and trout. Calcium can also be obtained from other sources like green leafy vegetables, ikan bilis and tofu.

Regular exercise is also the way to make your bones stronger. Bones are like your muscles or brain. If you do not exercise them, it does not matter how much nutrition you give them, they will not get stronger. Weight bearing exercises is good for building stronger bones, like running, brisk walking and cycling.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Brain Food

2008-06-06T08:00:00.000+08:00

Many studies are going on to find out whether some food can improve your memory.
Vitamin C
This antioxidant plays a key role in maintaining healthy nerve cells in the brain and other parts of the body. It is found in oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, cabbage, red peppers and potatoes.

Vitamin E
It can reduce oxidative damage to tissue caused by free radicals. A rich diet in Vitamin E can protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin E deficiency is believed to be linked to poor performance on memory tests. It can be found in broccoli, mangoes, avocado, almonds, sunflower seeds, peanuts and Brazil nuts.

Folate
New research suggests that if can stave off age-related memory loss, as well as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. But keep in mind that folate is lost when you keep fresh produce for too long. Also steam or stir-fry vegetables as folate is lost if you cook them in water. It is found in broccoli, leafy green vegetables, liver, oranges, grains and legumes.

Zinc
A regular intake of this mineral will maintain proper nerve cell functioning. A low zinc intake is linked to an onset of dementia and memory problems. It is found in barley, wheat, beef, lamb, chicken, oysters and crabs.

Flavonoids
Its antioxidant properties are believed to protect against, and even reverse, some age-related memory loss. This is done by preventing degenerative free radical damage and by improving blood circulation. It is found in oranges, apples, broccoli, carrots, onions, tomatoes, chocolate and soybeans.

Iron
A deficiency in iron has been shown to be linked to short-term memory loss. Iron helps to build brain neurotransmitter activity. It is found in beef, lamb, clams, crab, prawns, pumpkin seeds, tofu and prunes.

Omega-3 fatty acids
These protect nerve cell membranes in the brain. Proper nerve functioning has a direct impact on mental functions. It is found in salmon, tuna and trout.

Gingko Biloba
It is believed that gingko antioxidant properties like Vitamin C and E, helped to cleanse the body of damaging free radicals caused by ageing, smoking and pollution among other things.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Daughter fails math's exam, Dad gets jail

2008-06-05T08:00:00.001+08:00

As a father to a young daughter, that headline in a recent article in Today caught my attention. Apparently a father in Ohio who has been ordered by a judge to keep a close eye on his daughter’s education has been jailed after she failed a mathematics examination. He was sentenced to 180 days in prison for “contribution to the delinquency of a minor.”

His daughter, now 18, had a history of school truancy (“You take her to school and she would go out the other door”) and a judge warned her father to make sure she passed her General Education Development tests. Her family said that she passed four of the five parts except for maths, which she has failed several times. The judge’s ruling seemed particularly harsh to the father because, even though he had sole custody of his daughter, she was living with her mother at the time.

”It was my wrong doing, not his. He should not have to go to jail for something I did,” said the daughter, who has an 18-month-old daughter. She described the ruling as “ridiculously wrong.”
The father is appealing and his daughter has promised to retake her tests. The judge has said that if she passes, her father could be freed early. Court officials said that the severity of punishment was rare and reserved for extreme cases where court orders were not met.

When I read the article, I agreed totally with what the daughter said, i.e. that the ruling was ridiculously wrong. What if, instead of appealing, the father willingly goes to prison until his daughter gets her math’s right? But that does not sound like a right thing to do.

I know of one Father who did just that and for an offence much worse than failing in mathematics. Written by Pastor Richard Lim.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Strawberries

2008-06-04T08:35:00.000+08:00

What’s shaped like a heart, look nice and good to eat and is good for health?
Strawberries say an article on health website webMD.com.
This little berry can protect your heart, increase HDL (good) cholesterol, lower your blood pressure and guard against cancer. It is also packed with vitamins and fiber and contains very high level of antioxidant known as polyphenols.
Strawberries are sodium cholesterol and fat free, a good source of manganese and potassium and a low-calorie food that is rich in antioxidant. Just one serving – about eight strawberries provides most vitamin C than an orange.
This member of the rose family is not technically a fruit or a berry but the enlarge receptacle of the flower. Strawberries first cultivated in ancient Rome are now the most popular berry fruit in the world. They do not ripen once they are picked so buy the ones that are a deep red, firm and plump. Some people regard them as an aphrodisiac so they could be good for your heart in more way than one.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Shattered Lives

2008-06-03T08:00:00.001+08:00

Those survivors of the Myanmar cyclone and the Sichuan earthquake face long term emotional anguish for a long time. They may lose a family member, a friend or their livelihood and are left with shattered lives that cannot be rebuilt with financial aid. The grief of the natural disaster is different from other types of grief. While the death of a parent from old age or disease may seem “natural” order of life but earthquakes and tsunamis go against the “natural order” of things. They create situations where a parent will have to bury a child, or where entire villages are wiped out. The sudden and unexpected nature of a natural disaster will also affect the grieving process.

Five stages of grief:
Survivors of a natural disaster may also go through a “cycle of grief” which according in Swiss psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross who developed the theory takes five stages:
Denial – refusing to accept what has happened.
Anger – bitterness that life has been unfair
Bargaining – survivors hope and seek in vain to reverse what has happened.
Depression – This stage is characterized by despondence and perhaps passivity when life has become meaningless for the survivor.
Acceptance – last stage of the cycle where the survivor is ready and actively involved in moving on to the next stage of his life.

But although most people go through the five stage of grief but some people may go through them in a different order, or not at all.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Truths about Lung Cancer

2008-06-02T08:00:00.002+08:00

According to the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (www.lungcancercoalition.org)
Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in the world – causing more deaths than breast and prostate cancers combined
Every 30 seconds someone in the world dies of lung cancer
About 40 percent of smokers who start smoking in their early teens and who continue to smoke risk early death from lung cancer.
Only one in 10 people with lung cancer live for more than five years after diagnosis.
Women smokers are twice as likely to develop lung cancer as male smokers. And even women whoa re non-smokers have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than men.

That reminds me of my father who picked up smoking at seventeen years of age and married at 27 with my mother, a non-smoker. All their years of marriage, father tried so hard to quit smoking with mother helping out by nagging each time he smoked. She would nag at the number of packs he smoked a day. Somehow, the nagging failed and mother started to steal a few sticks from each newly open pack which father will leave on the table. She would stuff the sticks all over the place, in the living room drawer, in the kitchen and anywhere she thought it was difficult for father to find it. Father will buy new pack and as time goes by, he will always put the pack near to him. These goes on until my father was 70 years old, one day he decided to quit just like that. He went for walk and sleep early in the evening. The quitting was successful alas! Five years later, he complained of chest pain and all kind of pains which was indescribable. It takes awhile for father to agree on a body check at the local hospital. He stayed there for first week with various tests, blood, urine and stool. I went daily to check with the doctor for any results but each time I did not get to see the house doctor. Well, after all no news was good news to me. Then the second week, I saw my father and how have he aged so fast just one week stay in the hospital. I took an off day just to make sure that I can get to meet the ward doctor. Later, the doctor told me that his left lungs has collapse and the right lung was just as bad, in short he just have a few days left.
My father asked me what the doctor says and I mumbled that he was doing well and if he took his medicine regularly he should be able to go home soon. But that was a big lie, I knew my father well enough as he was afraid of dying. That evening I did not know how I managed to arrive home by the MRT. My eyes were swelled with tears along the whole journey and I think a lot of commuter was looking at me during the train journey. But I was too sad.
When I reached home, it was so difficult to relate the bad news to my siblings especially my mum. But I did. Then the next day I went to the office and signed on for one week leave just to spent time with my father in the hospital. I went early before the doctor rounds at 8:00 am sat there without talking much. Even when my father was alive, we did not talked much other than the usual conversations. But this time my father will asked lot of questions like “please help to take care of your mother” ”asked her not to brew any traditional Chinese medicine”.
He will always ask me to go home early as it was late in the evening. Then one afternoon he told me to pray for him. He wished for peace in his heart as he mentioned that night time was the most torturous hour for him. I asked him whether he was willing to believe in Jesus as He can give him peace. He told me to take charge of his funeral wake and his cremation arrangement.
He believed in Jesus and there was peace throughout the time until he passed away peacefully at evening. His greatest wish which he requested for me to pray was that he will not suffered pain and truly he did not suffered pain at all. Even till the last minute of breath, he felt breathless and he left and slept forever.

For two years, our family (most of us who was close to him) went through the five stages of grief, denial, depression and later acceptance. After his funeral I changed my job as it was too much for me to cope and needed time to grieve through the “first loss”.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - About Watermelon

2008-06-01T08:00:00.003+08:00

Watermelon is not a fruit but a vegetable and is of the same family as the cucumbers, pumpkin and squash. They were first harvested in Egypt about 5,000 years ago and now grown in 100 countries, says www.fabulousfoods.com
There are more than 50 varieties. Most have red flesh but there are orange and yellow-fleshed varieties according to www.foodreference.com.
Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin A, C and B6. It is also rich in potassium extremely low in sodium and contains fiber and practically no fat.
This famous thirst quencher is 92 percent water and 8 per cent sugar.
Every part of the watermelon is edible, even the seeds and the rinds which are often pickled, fried as in Chinese cuisine (Shanghainese).

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Traditional Chinese Food

2008-05-31T08:00:00.001+08:00

Cordyceps
Believed to benefit respiratory, glandular, and circulatory and immune systems. Similar to ginseng it is said to energies the body and help maintain proper blood viscosity. It increases levels of natural produced antioxidants.
Some people can have an allergic reaction to it. Pregnant or lactating women should consult their doctor before taking it. Usually used in combination with other herbs for soups. You can add a few sticks to chicken or fish porridge.

Ginger
Believed to aid digestion by increasing the production of digestive fluids and saliva. Its therapeutic properties stimulate blood circulation, removing toxins from the body and cleansing the bowels and kidneys. Ginger is believed to help break fevers by warming the body and increasing perspiration. There is no known side effect. To make ginger tea, add boiling water to ginger, honey and cinnamon. Or add to food or soups.

American Ginseng
Believed to lower cholesterol, increase energy levels, balance the metabolism and stimulate the immune system. It increases oxygenation of the cells and tissues stimulating the regeneration of damaged cells. The cooling and anti-flammatory properties found in wild American ginseng may also be used to help reduce fevers and relieve respiratory problems including dry coughing and wheezing. Korean ginseng is slightly more heaty.
Avoid drinking in a concentrated form daily. Your body could become too heaty, leading to sore throats or nose bleeds. Can be brewed into a tea or soup.

Red Dates
Believed to boost immunity as it contains phyto-isoflavin, an antioxidant.
There is no side effect and can be eaten raw. To make red date tea, put five to 10 dates in hot water and cover for 30 minutes before drinking.

Lingzhi
Believed to promote cell growth, blood circulation and overall immunity. It increases the amount of super-oxidant dehydrogenize which helps in eliminating free radicals in the body. Those who are allergic to it might get a rashness or dryness in the mouth.
Prepare as a tea by mixing two or three slices with red dates and wolfberry seeds. Cover for half an hour before drinking.

Green bean soup
Believed to counter excessive heatiness by cooling down the body.
It is also a plant source of protein. The phytochemicals in the beans are antioxidants that boost the immune system. Eating too much fiber can lead to constipation or diarrhea. So limit your intake to two or three servings a day. Boil green beans in hot water until they become soft. Add rock sugar, brown sugar or normal refined sugar to taste. You can also add sago pearls for smoother texture. Finish off with a drizzle of coconut milk.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Natural Remedies

2008-05-30T08:00:00.003+08:00

Western Herbs Echinacea
Believed to stimulate the production of white blood cells. Its natural anti-viral and anti-flammatory properties to help prevent common colds and flu’s, and to reduce inflammation caused by respiratory problems, bronchitis and strep throat.
Contain iron, iodine, copper, potassium, sulphur, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C, Echinacea also contains polysaccharides. These resemble bacteria which make the healthy white blood cells attack bacterial invaders.
Can cause nausea in high doses, s stick to the dosage on labels.
Echinacea comes in tablet or liquid form, also known as a tincture. You can also boil the root and make it into a tea. These can be bought at health food shops.

Garlic
Believed to improve circulation and help to prevent cardiovascular disease. It can fight colds and bacteria, lower cholesterol and treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. Rich in potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin C.
Should be avoided by people with irritable gut and breastfeeding mothers as it can cause colic in babies. Garlic comes in tablet form, raw or in food. You should mix a few cloves of crushed garlic in hot water, honey and lemon. This is good for getting rid of phlegm.

Onion
Believed to have similar immune boosting properties as garlic but not as potent.
Too much onion can caused flatulence and bad breath.
Onion comes in food or as syrup, to make the syrup, chop onions and place in a bowl. Cover with honey and leave to stand for three to four hours. Strain the juice. Take three to four tablespoons a day.

Myrrh
Believed to stimulate the growth of white blood cells to boost immunity.
Pregnant women should avoid it as it can stimulate contractions in the uterus.
Use a tincture (or liquid form) to gargle when you have a sore throat or a cold.

Shitake mushrooms
Believed to stimulate the production and function of leucocytes which are immune cells. No known side effects of toxicity.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Asian Spices

2008-05-29T08:55:00.000+08:00

Cumin
Believed to act as a cooling spice which aids digestion and helps flush toxin out of the body. Sprinkle ground, dry-roasted cumin on fresh yogurt and add salt to taste. Or blends a 50 -50 mixture of yogurt and water with ground, dry-roasted cumin and salt to make lassi. This Indian drink is good for digestion.

Turmeric
Believed to detoxify the liver, balance cholesterol levels, fight allergies, stimulate digestion and boost immunity. It contains the flavanoid curcumin which is known to have anti-flammatory properties. Can stain fabrics and other materials so handle with care.
Add to white rice or potatoes for color. Or flavor potatoes by mixing half a teaspoon or turmeric with half a teaspoon of cumin seeds, half a teaspoon of sweet paprika, with a tablespoon of ghee (clarified butter) or vegetable oil. Remove from heat as the spices start to release their aroma, stir in a cup of diced boiled potatoes. Add salt to taste and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

Fennel
Believed to aid digestion.
In India, eating a few fennel seeds after a meal is a common practice.
Ground fennel can be added to sauces. The seed can also be sautéed in ghee and added to vegetable dishes. Sauté turmeric, ground cumin, ground ginger and ground fennel in ghee, blend cashews in water to make a watery paste and add to the spices to simmer-cook into a sauce for vegetables. Fennel seeds and also be baked into cookies and muffins.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Eat Right

2008-05-28T08:45:00.000+08:00

Eat right is the most basic way to build up your immune system. Malnutrition leads to a weaken immune system which leads to illness. An immune system diet is no different from the normal balance meal that you should have every day.
A simple guide is the health diet pyramid, four basic groups that one need for a healthy diet in order of importance.

Rice, noodles, bread and potatoes are good sources of carbohydrates and dietary fiber provide the base of a person’s diet and should be eaten most.
Next comes fruit and vegetables, followed by meat, fish, and cheese and bean products.
Fats, oil, salt and sugar which are at the top of the pyramid should be eaten least.
Scientists have found that micronutrients like vitamins, minerals and phytochemical also play a role in enhancing the immune system. For example, Vitamin E, beta-carotene and Vitamin C are antioxidants that can prevent free radical damage to cells.

Here’s food guide to help you eat your way to a strong immunity.
Garlic stimulates the immune system to increase the activity of white blood cells that fight foreign organisms. Use liberally in your food.

Mushrooms contain some immune enhancing properties, for example the Reishi mushroom is used by some in Japan to treat cancer, and however more conclusive studies need to be done.

Ginger enhances circulation and a good circulation always helps to fight off any infections.

Tomatoes
Immune booster – LYCOPENE – this nutrient is a potent free-radical fighter.
In study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition volunteers who ate a tomato rich diet for three weeks sustained 38 percent less free radical damage to their infection fighting white blood cells, than they did during a three week tomato free diet.
However, tomatoes have to be cooked in order to release lycopene. Otherwise, raw tomatoes are a good source of Vitamin C.

Grapefruit, Asparagus, Avocados
An important immune system protectant, immune booster: GLUTATHIONE
The higher your glutathione level, the less illness and disease you’re likely to have.
It defends white blood cells against free-radical damage. It also stimulates the immune system to release macrophages. These immune cells conduct search-and-destroy missions against foreign invaders in the body.

Oysters, shellfish, meat, fish, poultry, milk and milk products, cheese, liver, whole grains, beans, nuts, fortified breakfast cereals enhance resistance to infection and restores a flagging immunity. Immune booster: Zinc.

Yellow, orange, red and green fruit and vegetables, like peppers, carrots, citrus fruit, squash, tomatoes, green vegetables. Immune booster : Carotenoids.
These enhance the immune system’s response to disease.

Most animal products, except milk, oysters, liver, kidney, chocolate, nuts, cereal grains, dried legumes, dried fruits. Immune booster: Copper
Too little copper has been linked to an increase susceptibility to infections.

Yoghurt
Immune booster: Probiotics
These healthy bacteria can be found in your gastrointestinal tract. They push out unwanted bugs such as staphylococcus and Candida albicans.
They manufacture Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) which is the most important B vitamin for immune function. They also increase levels of interferon, one of the most powerful immune-enhancing hormones in your body.
Research has shown that individuals who ate two cups of yoghurt a day had 25 percent fewer colds than non-yoghurt eaters. In fact, eating tow cups of yoghurt daily for four months resulted in a four-fold increase in the body’s immune system protection.
The protection lasted for two months after the yoghurt-eating ended.
Choose plain unsweetened yoghurt with live culture for a better effect.

Milk, eggs, liver, darkly colored fruits and vegetables
Immune booster: Vitamin A
It enhances white blood cell function and resistance to infection and cancer-causing carcinogens. It also helps to maintain skin and mucus membrane defenses to infection.

Meat, salmon, tuna, whole grain products (especially wheat), vegetables, nuts, beans
Immune booster: Vitamin B6
Not enough B6 can lead to decreased white blood cell response and shrinkage of the critical immune system organ, the thymus, a gland just above the heart which plays an important role in the development of the immune response. People who diet often are especially prone to Vitamin B6 deficiency.

Fish, milk and milk products (e.g. Cheese), eggs, liver and kidney, fortified breakfast cereals.
Immune booster: Vitamin B12
This promotes cell growth

Fruit and vegetables, especially citrus fruit, berries, tomatoes, leafy vegetables and the cabbage family
Immune booster: Vitamin C
This enhances immunity and wound-healing. It also protects against cancer, heart disease and oxidative damage.

Wheat germ and sunflower oils, almonds, grain
Immune booster: Vitamin E
It protects against cancer, heart disease, diabetic retinopathy, kidney disease and oxidative damage. But take care not to overdose on Vitamin E as it can lower one’s resistance to infection.

Brazil nuts, walnuts, seafood, kidney, liver, meat, poultry, garlic, asparagus
Immune booster: Selenium
It boosts the activity of white blood cells, and strengthens your resistance against infection. In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, a daily intake of just 100 micrograms of selenium (the amount in one Brazil nut) reduced the risk of respiratory infections in elderly volunteers over a two year period. It outperformed other antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Health benefits of eating fruits of different colors

2008-05-27T08:00:00.001+08:00

Yellow fruits are rich in Vitamin C.
Their pulp is good source of bioflavonoid, which can help to neutralize cancer-causing substances. Color therapists say yellow foods are foods associated with the sun, and can raise one’s spirits and boost optimism.
Eat: Bananas, grapefruit, pineapples, melons, lemons.

Red fruits contain beta-carotene, the plant versior of Vitamin A. Fruits with a higher level of beta-carotene are redder in color. Color therapists say red fruits have a warming and energizing quality.
Eat: Watermelons, cranberries, raspberries, red apples, red cherries, red plums, strawberries, tomatoes.

Green fruits are the most vital of all fruits and must be included in most meals, say scientists. They contain chemicals that protect one against bacteria, thus reducing the risks of food poisoning and tumors. They are recommended for a healthy heart, low blood pressure and soothing the nerves.
Eat: Starfruit, avocados, green grapes, kiwi fruit, limes.

Orange fruits are rich in beta-carotene. It is seen by color therapists as the color of creation and is linked to mind and ideas.
Eat: jackfruit, mangoes, apricots, oranges, nectarines

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Turmeric

2008-05-26T08:00:00.001+08:00

Tumeric is the new miracle spice.
Amyloid plaques- the abnormal build-up of a protein fragment known as beta amyloids – are responsible for memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have found that curcumin, the part of turmeric that gives it its distinctive yellow color, stops the accumulation of beta amyloids that build up the brains of sufferers. Besides that, the spice also blocks the plaques from developing in the first place.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Stay bubbly with shark cartilage

2008-05-25T08:00:00.001+08:00

In his book, Cookery around the World; Guangzhou, Fujian and Taiwan, author Thomas Gwinner notes that the Chinese in other province like to say of the Cantonese: “they eat everything on tow legs except people, everything on four legs except tables and everything with wings except airplanes.” In that spirit, here are five such exotic soups you may want to try though not all the concoctions below are peculiar to Guangzhou (the Cantonese province):

Cartilage of Shark with panax Ginseng and pitose antler
This milky broth is said to retard the aging process, fortify the immune system and boost energy levels, thus sharpening one’s senses. As the Chinese believe that eating certain animal parts benefits one’s corresponding parts, shark cartilage is also said to strengthen one’s bones and tendons.
Sip it at: Imperial Herbal Restaurant famous for exotic fare like scorpions on toast – claims to be the only one whipping up the brew. I tasted scorpion on toast, there is no taste and the scorpion was very crunchy, though it is tasteless.

Many Treasure Soup
This mother of all herbal soup bursts with an assorted of medicinal goodies including dang gui (Chinese angelica root), dan shen (labiatae root), chuan xiong (umbelliferae root) and fu ling (Indian bread or Virginia truffle) All these herbs are geared towards enriching blood improving blood circulation and banishing anaemia. This powerhouse of nourishment is thus prescribed for women recovering from miscarriages.
Sip it at: Home. Get a good Chinese medical hall herbalist to do up this herbal bundle for you to boil.

Lingzhi and Lean Pork Soup
This Chinese regard port as a ‘yin” or cooling food. At the same time, they tout lingzhi, a mountainous mushroom as a palliative for jangled nerves. Combine the two and you get a Smokey-flavored broth which cures insomnia.

Lingzhi, Longan and Lotus Flower Seed soup
Referred to simply as lingzhi tang (Mandarin for lingzhi – or spiritual mushroom soup.
It is as its name, a concoction of lingzhi, dried longans, Indian lotus flower seeds and dang shen (Chilean bellflower root), all simmered in chicken stock. Drink it to relieve stress.
Sip it at: Home. Get a good Chinese medical hall herbalist to do up this herbal bundle for you to boil.

Notoginseng with wolfberries
Bitter notoginseng promotes blood circulation, helps in clotting blood and it also an organic painkiller. It is best prepared with sweet vision-sharpening wolfberries in chicken stock.
Sip it at: Imperial Herbal Restaurant

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Black Chicken Soup (Hei Ji Tang)

2008-05-24T08:00:00.000+08:00

Black Chicken Soup which is called in Chinese Hei Ji Tang is said to warm and strengthen one’s constitution by improving blood circulation and relieving stress. It is also said to improve one’s complexion. Sweetish with a slightly bitter aftertaste, the mellow broth is heady nourishment thanks to the properties of natural medicinal bounties
from nature. There are quite a few variations, so no two black chicken soups are identical. Still the one deconstructed from the Imperial Herbal Restaurant version is a fair representative version.

Yuan Wu (dried longan)
A blood enricher, it aids digestion and is a mild sedative
Lian Zi (Indian lotus seeds)
It has an astringent effect, which helps the body’s organ retain moisture. Also good for treating insomniacs and women who have excessive white vaginal discharge.
Gou Qi Zi (boxthorn fruit, also known as wolfberries)
It improves eyesight, nourishes sperm and is an effective treatment for mild diabetes.
He Shou Wu (Chinese corn bind or buckwheat rhizome)
It lowers blood pressure and prevents hardening of the veins and arteries. It also prevents the graying of hair.
Dang Shen (Chilean bellflower root)
It combats fatigue, strengthens the immune system, alleviates breathlessness and settles a dyspeptic tummy.
Hei Ji (black chicken pieces)
Get past its coal black color and chew on its lean flesh which helps keep you toasty inside.
Yi Mi (pearl barley)
Also called Job’s tears, it is a diuretic known for its cooling properties.
Huang Jing (monk’s pepper root)
It boosts energy levels, lower blood pressure and lubricates the lungs.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Guavas

2008-05-23T08:00:00.000+08:00

Guava believed to have originated either in Southern Mexico or Brazil. It has been cultivated since about 1,000 BC and was a favorite of the Aztec and Incas stated by www.foodreference.com. The level of Vitamin C in the edible rind of the guava is five times higher than that of an orange according to www.bellybytes.com.
This tropical fruit is also a good source of fibre (about 70 times more than can be foung in an orange). And it contains calcium, potassium and iron. An average size guava is 10 times vitamin than a lemon stated by www.juicing-for-health.com There are about 150 different varieties of guava. A medium size one contains about 25 calories.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - HFMD

2008-05-22T08:00:00.002+08:00

HFMD is an illness caused by intestinal viruses, the more common strains being Coxsackle virus and Enterovirus 71.
Symptoms are:
Fever for two to three days
Sore throat and runny nose
Rash (flat or raised red spots, some with blisters) on the palms of hands, soles of feet, or buttocks
Mouth ulcers
Poor appetite
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Tiredness and weakness

Both adults and children can be affected, but children particularly those under the age of five, are most susceptible.
There is no specific treatment is available except medication to relieve the symptoms of the disease.
Most cases are mild. Occasionally, serious complications involving the nervous system, heart and brain can occur, which may lead to death.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Plastic tubes became prostitutes

2008-05-21T08:00:00.001+08:00

In the Jackie Chan movie Shanghai Knights, a leading supporting actress said “abundant” when she meant “abandon”. Then there’s the ad on TV where a hunk flexes his biceps, triceps and quadriceps pointing here and there and saying, among other things: The badroom is over there!”
A radio ads where the advertiser thanks you for all your years of dedicated and faithful patronage. “ Thank you for your lawyer support,” the ad says. The advertiser that you have supported loyalty is not a law firm. The Jim Croce’s “I’ll have to say I love you in a song” that a restaurant played them from a CD. “Every time I tried to tear you the words just came out wrong,” you can hear the female singer trying to tell you.
A few mispronunciations here and there give us a good laugh now and then at some else’s expense. A classic example Lianhe Wanbao reported on Saturday that a woman made a call in response to a job ad. The person who picked up the phone at the other end told her the job involved “plastic tubes” What she heard, instead, was “prostitutes”.
Adapted from Roland Kow.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - What is a Stroke?

2008-05-20T08:00:00.000+08:00

There are two types of stroke.
One is caused by blockage in a blood vessel, so that blood cannot flow to the part of the brain that the vessel supplies. The other is when a blood vessel within the brain bursts, causing blood to leak inside the brain.

Most hemorrhagic strokes are spontaneous, meaning there are no underlying causes, such as tumors or blood abnormalities. It often happens in older people due to degenerative changes in blood vessels. In people in their 40s to 60s, the most common cause is high blood pressure.

Effects can vary. If the bleeding is in the bran stem, the damage can be serious. If the stroke is in the left side of the brain, the person could be paralyzed on the right of the body and also have problems communicating with others as speech is controlled in the left brain. This can be very disabling. If the stroke is in the right side of the brain, language ability most probably would not be affected. Another factor is the size of the blood clot. A big blood clot will do more harm. Swelling around the blood clot usually gets worse in the first 24 to 48 hours. Blood clots can threaten life by exerting so much pressure that the rest of the brain is also affected.

Sometimes, to save a life, doctors operate to remove the blood clot.
If the clot is not so big and the rest of the brain is less affected, doctors use medication to bring down the swelling in the brain. If one waits long enough, all blood clots disappear. The problem is that one could die before a clot disappears. Typically it takes five to seven days before a clot subsides significantly. If a patient is quite stable after three to five days, he will probably remain so because swelling and bleeding are worst in the first two days. Doctors will have to first treat the complications of the stroke, of which a chest infection is the most common. Such patients often lie in bed and do not cough or breathe deeply enough. Secretions from the lungs are not cleared and they get a chest infection. As the blood clot disappears and the pressure on the surrounding brain drops, the brain will begin to recover. Once the danger period has passed, the patient will require intensive rehabilitation. It takes time and patience. Dr Alvin Hong, consultant neurosurgeon at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre and Gleneagles Medical Centre

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Live Life to the Fullest

2008-05-19T08:00:00.001+08:00

I came into the office early today and stumbled upon a piece of paper folded into a long strip on the desk next to me. I found this article and it is interesting enough to post it on my blog.
This is one man lifestyle ideas management of living life to the fullest as he shared in a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, the second richest man who has donated US$31 billion to charity. Here are some interesting aspect of his life:
He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started to late!
He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.
He still lives in the same small 3 bedroom house in mid town Omaha, that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or fence.
He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him. He never travels by private jet although he owns the world's largest private jet company. His company, Berkshire Hathaway owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these company. giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis.

He has given his CEO only two rules.
Rule number 1: do not lose any of your shareholder's money
Rule number 2: do not forget rule number 1

He does not socialise with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch television.
Bill Gates, the world's richest man met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with him. So he have scheduled his meeting for only half an hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of him.
He does not carry a cell phone nor has a computer on his desk.
His advice to young people:
Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself and remember:
Money does not create man but it is man who created money
Live your life as simple as you are
Don't do what other says, just listen to them and do what you feel good
Don't go for brand name; just wear those things in which you feel comfortable
Don't waste your money on unnecessary things; just spend on them who really in need rather
After all it's your life then why give chance to others to rule our life

Guess who is this man?

Lifestyles Ideas Management - The Rich and Famous

2008-05-18T08:00:00.000+08:00

The making of The World is on a piece of exclusive real estate located 4km off the coast of Dubai. The design is the map of Earth at size 931ha (twice the size of Sentosa Island in Singapore), This piece of real estate is reclamation of 320 million cubic m of sand dredged from the sea, plus 34 billion kg of rocks to construct 27km of breakwater. The period of reclamation is about five years and the total new coastline is 232km.

The types of real estate will be private homes, estate homes, luxury resorts and community islands, plus retail and dinning options. Half of the total islands has been sold and each island from 73.5 million dirham (S$28 million) to 183.6 million dirham. Each island is about an average size of about 300,000 square feet, about 10m between each island. The three transportation vehicle is helicopter, seaplanes and boats and journey to and from the mainland takes about 10 to 15 minutes each way. In the pipelines, a centralized system to provide water, power and sewage disposal.
Source: www.theworld.ae.nakheel.

The Palm island paradise is shape of a palm tree consisting of a trunk, a crown with 16 fronds, and a surrounding crescent island that forms an 11 km long breakwater. The size of the palm island is about 560ha (equivalent to over 600 football fields) under reclamation of 94 million cubic m of sand and 7 billion kg of rocks. The coastline is 78km and reclaimed over the period of five years. The types of real estate are villas, garden homes, canal cover town homes and shoreline apartment building. There are over 5,500 residential properties and price at 4.4 million of dirham (S$1.6 million) for three bedroom sea view apartments of 15 million dirham for double storey four bedroom villas. The facilities available are beaches, marinas, themed parks, 30 hotels, restaurants, cafes and retail outlets. Transportation is car and boat. The interesting Eco features are two F-100 Super Sabre fighter jets have been stripped and sunk near The Palm Jumeriah to create an artificial reef which intended to encourage marine life.
The coming up feature is a 5,4km long monorail is being built on the island, which will transport 2,000 to 3,000 people to and from the island every hour. Source Nakheel, Edward Sand Towers.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Food Old Days

2008-05-17T08:00:00.000+08:00

Remember the dried bean noodles from the 1960, it was flattish about 3mm wide and coated with a kind of white powder and the name is called “tau chiam” in Hokkien dialect. Tau chiam are flat noodles made from a combination of wheat flour and powdered dried soybeans. They have a characteristically beanie aroma, mild, slightly salty flavor and delight smooth texture. They are great for any soup noodle dish and perhaps even better at picking up sauces and condiments in dry noodle dish. I’d wager they could be used quite successfully in lieu of pasta too. Unfortunately, I am slightly younger than the original tau chiam noodles. I don’t have a taste memory of them. However, questions of authenticity aside, the bean noodles that are available nowadays are still quite tasty. A quick trawl of Chinatown turned up three brands: Sing Long, Sun Shun Fuk and Sun Brand. Look for these in supermarkets selling groceries from Malaysia (such as Sheng Siong) or China (Yue Hwa Chinese Emporium). The fettuccine-like noodles vary in width from about 3 to 5mm and are quite fragile. Cook them in boiling water for six to eight minutes, until al dente and slippery firm.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Mashed Potato

2008-05-16T08:00:00.000+08:00

Mashed potato works a certain magic in baked breads, giving them a soft even crumb that is light and moist. Yeast has a special affinity for both cooked potato and the water it was cooked in. I love to add both to bread dough, and if the dough is a sweet one – for cinnamon rolls, for example – use sweet potato. Potato dough ferments slight faster and keeps well once it is baked. To add, spud to your favorite plain brand recipe, simply peel, cube and boil a potato until soft. Drain it, reserving the water, and mash the potato.
Use the cooled cooking water in place of the liquid in your recipe and simply stir the mash potato with the other ingredient. You may need to add a little more flour to balance the added moisture in the mashed potato. Let the dough stand, covered for 20 minutes between the initial mixing and kneading – this helps to even out its texture. And let t rise at cool room temperature, covered, then bake as usual.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Fresh is best for Mushrooms

2008-05-15T08:00:00.003+08:00

Loose mushrooms of any kind are best kept in a brown paper bag, its mouth loosely sealed by crumpling or folding over, in the main refrigerator compartment. A fridge vegetable drawer is typically too humid for mushrooms, which turn slimy as a result. If you have plastic or cardboard trays of mushrooms wrapped in plastic wrap, remove the wrap and place the tray in a brown paper bag before storing as above. When shopping, avoid mushrooms with condensation and soft spots. If condensation forms on the mushrooms by the time you get them home, blot them dry with paper towels before bagging them. Finally remember that fresh produce ought to be used as quickly as possible while it is still in peak condition. Once picked, most vegetables and fruit can only decrease in quality and flavour.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - About Onions

2008-05-14T08:00:00.003+08:00

Onions provide health-promoting phytochemicals as well as nutrients. They contain quercetin, a flavonoid (a type of antioxidant compound) which helps eliminate free radicals in the body. Tea and apples contain quercetin and absorption of quercetin from onions is twice that from tea and more than three times that from apples.
Numerous studies have shown quercetin to have beneficial effects against many diseases and disorders, including cataracts, cardiovascular disease as well as cancer of the breast, ovaries, gastric, lung and bladder mentioned in www.onions-usa.org.
Onions may also have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels and are believed to prevent the biochemical chain of events that leads to asthma and inflammatory reactions from www.health.learninginfo.org/onion-nutrition.htm. Onions are a source of vitamin C, potassium dietary fiber and folic acid. They also contain calcium and iron and have high protein content, are low in sodium and contain no fat. Why do onions make you cry? When you slice an onion, you break open a number of onion cells and a series of rapid chemical happen. The reaction release sulphur which irritates our eyes. Some cooks say that chilling an onion for 30 minutes before peeling I will prevent teary eyes. Wash under the running tap for awhile makes slicing an onion easily without tearing. This is true as I tried before by putting onion in the fridge to peel them later. I will use onions in potatoes patties, onion soup, chicken soup, brown gravy for steak, onion to fried with noodles. Onion for every dishes I could think of, especially the white onions which is sweeter than the red ones.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Seizure

2008-05-13T08:00:00.001+08:00

I once witnessed a seizure in school when suddenly my Chinese teacher stood still with white foam in his mouth. He was shaking all over and then fainted in front of the class. We ran as fast as we could to call for the principal and staff carried him to the sick bay. Then, did I know that this is called epilepsy and during that time I heard stories about him not wanting to marry because he has this fits which occurred quite regularly.

The old wives tales of holding the spoon and try to force the spoon to the victim’s mouth to keep them from biting their own tongue. Good Samaritans mean well but this holding spoon is an ill-advised thing to do, a harmful, wrong and potentially injurious one.
One of the myths is people having seizures might swallow their tongue which is impossible. In the human mouth, a small piece of tissue called the frenulum linguae which sit behind the teeth and under the tongue keep the tongue in place, even during a seizure. Good Samaritans witness a seizure often reach for a wallet, a spoon or a dirty object to stick in the person’s mouth much to the chagrin of epilepsy patients.
When you put something in the mouth you end up cutting someone’s gums or injuring the teeth. The best way to help an epilepsy patient is to roll the person on one side to drain fluids from the mouth, cushion the head to prevent cranial injuries and seek medical help if necessary. Never place an object in a person’s mouth during a seizure.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Soya

2008-05-12T08:00:00.003+08:00

All girls out there beware of SOYA....

*Soya/Tofu lovers*
ONE WOMAN'S STORY ON SOYA... All Males-PLEASE pass this info to ALL your
female friends... It may save their lives!

This is my true story, nothing altered.
These are facts, as they relate to my experience, my opinions based on what I have read and felt. I am relating them to warn other young health-conscious women who are unwittingly harming themselves.

In 1989, I graduated from high school in Texas and couldn't wait to hit the big college city. One of the changes I wanted to make was to eat healthier. Once I moved to health conscious Austin, Texas, I began to fortify my body with the best and healthiest foods I could find.

Tofu was the main ingredient in every healthy dish and I bought Soya milk almost every
day used it for everything from cereal to smoothies or just to drink for a quick snack.
I bought Soya muffins, miso soup with tofu, soybeans, soybean, sprouts, etc.
All the literature in all the health and fitness magazines said that Soya protected
you against everything from heart disease to breast cancer.

It was the magical is flavones, the estrogen-like hormones that all worked
to help you stay young and healthy. I looked great, I was working out all the time, but
my menstrual cycle was off. At 20, I started taking birth control pills to regulate my
menstrual cycle.

In addition to this I began to suffer from painful periods. I began to get
puffy; it was as though I was losing my muscle tone. I began to suffer from depression and
getting hot flashes... I mistook all this for PMS since my periods were irregular. By
the time I was 25, my periods were so bad, I couldn't walk. The birth control pills never
made them regular or less painful so I decided to stop taking them.

I went on like this for another two years until I realized my pain wasn't
normal. At 27, my gynecologist found two cysts in my uterus. Both were the size of tennis
balls. I went through surgery to have them removed and thank God they were benign. The
gynecologist told me to go back on birth control pills. I didn't. In 1998, he discovered
a lump in my breast. Again, I went through surgery and again it was benign. In
November 2000 my glands swelled up and my gums became inflamed.
Thinking I had a tooth infection I went to the dentist who told me that teeth were not the problem.

After a dose of antibiotics the swelling still did not go down.

At this point I could feel a tiny nodule on the right side of my neck. I
told my mother I had thyroid trouble. She thought I was being silly. No one in the family
suffered from thyroid trouble. Going on a hunch I saw a specialist who diagnosed me
with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. After a series of tests he told me it was
cancer. My fiancé and I sat stunned. We were not prepared and I was so scared. We
scheduled surgery right away.

The specialist told us that it would only be after the operation that a
pathologist would be able to tell us for sure if it was cancer. They found a tumor at my
right lobe composed of irregular cells and another smaller tumor growing on the
left, so the entire thyroid was removed. They told me that after undergoing
radioactive iodine I would be safe and assured me that I could live a long life.

After treatment I began to search for the cause of all t! These problems.
I never once thought it could be the entire Soya I had consumed for nearly ten years.
After all, Soya is healthy. I came upon a web page that linked thyroid problems to
Soya intake and the conspiracy of Soya marketed as a by-product of the vegetable oil
industry. This was insane; after all, the health and fitness magazines had said
nothing about Soya being harmful.

I visited an herbalist who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1985. She informed me
that Soya was the culprit. She had a hysterectomy due to cysts and other uterine
problems. A few months later another acquaintance that had consumed Soya came
down with thyroid cancer.

A girl in England I met through the Internet in a thyroid cancer forum had just
undergone surgery and she was only 19. What was going on? Breast cancer is linked
to estrogen. What mimics estrogen in the female body, SOYA!

But I never suspected Soya because until now I never once found a single
article that stated Soya could be dangerous. Women who took Soya prior to thyroid
problems will continue to take it after if they are not aware of what Soya actually
does, what it contains and how it reacts in the female body. I think this is the reason
that women with thyroid cancer often develop breast cancer later.

My co-worker is big into Soya and I see her losing hair and gaining weight
despite a walking workout during her break and after work, and apples and oranges
for lunch. She just had cysts removed from her uterus too. I warned her to stay off
Soya. I referred her to websites but until it is on the evening news on all four
networks, women will suffer. Since the thyroidectomy, I do not touch Soya, have! Not
for two years.

Dear readers,
Please use my story in any way you can. There are so many young girls who
are consuming Soya because they think they are taking care of themselves, and
women taking Soya because they want to be healthy. It is so unfair that the
information about the dangers of Soya isn't more widely circulated. It is sad.
There are many out there who feel this way and it is a terrible blow when
you realize you are not as healthy as you thought and that the information that
you depended on was wrong.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Aha! Life

2008-05-11T08:00:00.003+08:00

This is a wonderful email which was forward by a friend and this is an interesting articles for reading on our lifestyles perception.

When I was in my younger days,
I weighed a few pounds less;
I needn't hold my tummy in
to wear a belted dress.
But now that I am older,
I've set my body free;
there's comfort of elastic
where once my waist would be.
Inventor of those high-heeled shoes
my feet have not forgiven;
I have to wear a nine now,
but used to wear a seven.
And how about those blasted tights --
They're sized by weight, you see,
so how come when I put them on
the crotch is at my knee?
I need to wear these glasses
as the print's been getting smaller;
and it wasn't very long ago
I know that I was taller.
Though my hair has turned to gray
and my skin no longer fits,
on the inside, I'm the same old me,
the outside's changed a bit.
But, on a positive note...
I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things:
a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life.'
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life just being a doormat.
You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,
I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Please send this to five phenomenal women today. If you do, something good will happen........... You will boost another woman's self-esteem.
If you do not ...the elastic will break and your knickers will fall down around your ankles. :)

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Smell perfume

2008-05-10T08:00:00.003+08:00

This is an email which was sent by my friend and I thought it will do good
to post this information for reading.

It was about 3 weeks ago, I was at the Shell station getting diesel. It
was about 11:30pm. 2 men and 2 women in a car approached me.
The man that was driving asked me 'What kind of perfume do you wear?'
I was a bit confused and I asked him 'Why?' He said 'We are selling some
name brand perfumes, at cheap prices.' I said I had no money. He then
reached out of the car and handed me paper that was laminated; it had many
perfumes on it. I looked quickly at it and gave it back.
I said, "I have no money."

He said it is OK; we take cheques, cash or credit cards. Then the
people in the car began to laugh. I just got in my car and said no thanks.
Then I received this e-mail yesterday and it sent chills up my spine.
Please read this. It is not joke. Here is the e-mail I was sent:

Dear Friends:

I know not all of you are women that I am sending this to, but I am
hoping you will share this with your wives, daughters, mother, sisters, etc.
Our world seems to be getting crazier by the day. Pipe bombs in mailboxes
and sickening people in parking lots with perfume. Be careful.

Two males who asked what kind of perfume I was wearing approached me yesterday afternoon around 3:30pm in a car park. Then they asked if
I'd like to sample some fabulous scent they were willing to sell me at a
very reasonable rate.

I probably would have agreed had I not received an e-mail some weeks
ago warning of a 'Want to smell this neat perfume?’ scam. Someone walks up to
you at the malls or in parking lots and asking you to SNIFF PERFUME that
they are selling at a cheap price. THIS IS NOT PERFUME...IT IS ETHER! When
you sniff it, you'll pass out. They'll take your wallet, your valuables and
heaven knows what else!

The men continued to stand between parked cars, I guess to wait for
someone else to hit on. I stopped a lady going towards them, pointing at
them and told her about how I was sent an email at work.

If it were not for this e-mail, I probably would have sniffed the
'perfume' but thanks to the generosity of an e-mailing friend, I was spared
whatever might have happened to me. I wanted to do the same for you.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - What happens during a stroke?

2008-05-09T08:00:00.005+08:00

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is block by a clot, narrowed by fatty deposits or has burst. When this happens, the part of the brain deprived of blood and oxygen starts to die leading to a loss of functions. At 43 this wife and mum fought for 12 years to regain the ability to think and communicate as well as the use of her limbs. She could not recognize or respond to relatives. Visitors were met with one of two responses: a blank stare or a hysterical giggle. Her children, two boys then aged 14 and 8 and a girl aged nine wept every day because they missed their mother. Her husband who is now in his 50s, the idea that he would lose his life companion was unbearable. Overnight, he was left with the multiple responsibilities of spending time with his wife at the hospital, taking care of the children and going to work. He remembers weeping profusely at the hospital’s café which the waitress looked on, puzzled. “I told her my laksa dish was very hot and it had made me cry.” He said.

She began speech therapy, physiotherapy and psychiatric counseling. She had to relearn her ABC’s and simple arithmetic all over again. She could barely articulate words “yes” and “no”. Even when she uttered them it was often out of place. She would often cry out in frustration. She was unable to walk for a year and almost five years later, she found it difficult to construct sentences would say “yes” to everything.

12 years later, nobody can tell that she suffered a stroke except for a slight limp when she walks. When I think about my 18th floor neighbor that one time slim girl who suffered from a stroke, now should have been about 6 years ago. She still walks with difficulties and finds it difficult to speak one sentence. Her eyes tell me one thing: It is the physical suffering of losing the ability to walk normally and the loss of ability to communicate normally. Her self esteem is minus zero and I empathize my neighbor. Her elderly parents will have to struggle and look after her but what will happens if her parents are no longer with her?

Lifestyles Ideas Management - Water myths

2008-05-08T08:00:00.004+08:00

Do a search on Google on the word “water” and there are so much health lore lurking on the Internet and other mass media. It is hard to separate fact from friction. Dr Stanley Liew, consultant endocrinologist at Raffles Hospital, said “Drinking cold water may burn some calories but this is usually not significant enough to have any effect on body weight. Drinking cold water should not affect the womb unless one drinks a huge amount of cold water causing hypothermia or water intoxication which is harmful to your body as a whole and not specifically the womb.” It is not true that drinking mineral water exclusively will help one attain good skin. Good skin is attained through a healthy diet, exercise and adequate hydration. Drinking enough fluids help to improve blood circulation and in the effective removal of toxins. The best beverages that meet hydration needs are water, milk, 100 percent fruit juices and caffeine free tea or coffee. Drinking one large glass of water first thing in the morning is what you can do although most doctors would not recommend it. It is more of a lifestyles ideas management preference and it jump start your body by helping to flush your kidneys and rid your body of toxic substances. It is important to replenish lost body fluid immediately after exercise to prevent progressive dehydration. For short duration, low intensity exercise like a half-hour walk, drinking water is sufficient to replenish lost fluids. But if you are engaging in a long duration high intensity workout like wakeboarding or swimming for more than an hour, sports drinks would be a better choice. Ideally, fluids taken after exercise should not contain caffeine and alcohol as they exert a diuretic effect on the body thus increasing urine production.

Water is the most important component of the skin as the skin is the largest organ in the body. A hydrated skin looks better – it looks smooth and clear. It also functions better as it preserves the skin barrier function, prevents loss of nutrients from the skin and prevents entry of bacterial or toxic substances into the skin. Moisturizing is the most important beauty routine and most moisturizer contains humectants and emollients such as hyaluronate and glycerin that help to retain water and smooth the skin. Moisturizing can work to retain water and smooth the skin but they cannot replace drinking enough water.

Lifestyles Ideas Management - No Fear when old

2008-05-07T08:00:00.001+08:00

This is a short sharing by a 57 year old woman who preferred to live a simple and less complicated life. She returned to Singapore seven years ago and accepted employment very quickly in a junior position with low pay. Life was going to be easy. No demanding or challenging work, she thought. From the first day at work, life presented a lot of challenges and demands. She was totally demoralized during the first formal meeting with the immediate superior when she spoke of older workers as being slow. Her opinion was influenced and derived from the perception that younger colleagues were faster and better at using computers. Initially she felt demoralized at being labeled “old” but after awhile she got over it and still work in the same organization. Most of her younger colleagues left the organization for better salary. While she find work a sense of value and participation, on a not so good day she do feel psychological affected by what the immediate superior think. After all, older employees are already discriminated from lesser contributions from employee although they took on the same amount of tasks as their younger counterparts. Older does not mean old, from her personal perspective, older means wiser. Younger people and organization should give due consideration to those growing older by not making life any tougher. It is indeed unfortunate that there is still a mindset that older worker are not as productive as young ones. Despite of all the talk about employing older workers, we are not acknowledging that often older worker have an added value that is often lacking in young ones. We tend to ignore that experience often counts a lot more than more qualifications. There is also a lack of differentiation between unskilled and skilled workers, skilled work tend to provide more in terms of quality. It is possible for older people who retired from work and feel unproductive and marginalized in a society like Singapore that extols excellence and productivity. As we grow older, there is a need to focus on the life beyond the physical and material, between living well and living with wealth.