SAMUDRA ROHANI

RAMADHAN KAREEM

2011-07-31T20:55:00.001+08:00

To all Muslim readers, Happy Ramadhan

Varicose Vein and Spider Vein Prevention

2011-02-14T12:38:00.001+08:00

Since the causes are still undetermined, prevention of varicose veins is debatable. However, below are some tips that may help in the prevention of varicose veins and spider veins:

Elevate your legs when possible, keeping your feet positioned higher than heart level.
Exercise daily. Walking, climbing stairs, cycling and swimming keep your calf muscles in motion to activate the calf muscle pump. This reduces pooling and pressure in the veins.
Move your legs frequently. Flexing your ankles periodically will pump the blood out of your legs (simulating walking). During periods of prolonged sitting or standing, flex your ankles 10 times and repeat this every 10 minutes. Try to avoid sitting for extended periods throughout your day.
Support compression hose. These provide external graduated counter-pressure to aid in venous blood flow to the heart. They reduce pooling and pressure in the veins. They also may reduce the risk of forming a deep vein blood clot. Consider wearing them during long plane or car rides.
Maintain your ideal body weight to reduce excess pressure on your legs.
Avoid prolonged sitting and standing. On long car or plane trips activate your calf muscle pump by moving your feet up and down frequently as described above. You should also consider stopping for short walks every few hours.
Avoid excessive heat on your legs, such as hot tubs and hot baths. Heat will tend to increase vein distention and lead to more pooling of blood.

In case a vein ruptures and starts to bleed it is advisable to immediately elevate your leg and compress the area. Contact your physician or seek emergency medical care immediately.

Cause of Varicose and Spider Veins

The below factors may play a part in the development of varicose and spider veins:

Heredity - There is a significant relationship between heredity and the development of varicose veins and spider veins.
Age - The development of varicose veins and spider veins may occur at any age but usually occurs between the ages of 18 and 35 years, and peaks between 50 and 60 years.
Gender – Females are affected approximately four to one to males.
Pregnancy – Pregnancy is a common factor contributing to the formation of varicose and spider veins. The most important factor is circulating hormones that weaken vein walls. There is also a significant increase in the blood volume during pregnancy. This tends to distend veins, causing valve dysfunction which leads to blood pooling in the veins. Additionally, later in pregnancy, the enlarged uterus can compress veins, causing higher vein pressure leading to dilated veins. Varicose veins that form during pregnancy may spontaneously improve or even disappear a few months after delivery.
Lifestyle/Occupation - People who are involved with prolonged sitting or standing in their daily activities have an increased risk of developing varicose veins. Thus, the weight of the blood continuously pressing against the closed valves causes them to fail, leading to distention in the veins.

Lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of varicose and spider veins are:

Prolonged standing or sitting
Binding clothing
Chronic constipation
Birth control pills/estrogen replacement therapy
High-heeled shoes
Menstrual cycle
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Number of pregnancies
Westernized population
Heat

@http://www.veindirectory.org/content/prevention.asp

These are some images of Spider Vein and Varicose Vein,(warning: this pics for info only not for the faint heart or anyone under 21 years,hehe..)
http://www.medicinenet.com/spider_and_varicose_veins_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qs6iWSGzZE

Didn't know it could caused alot of discomfort,pain which can lead to complication if not given treatment. Hmmm..need to check wether got any...

Happy New Year 2011 everyone!

2011-01-12T00:42:00.002+08:00

Hehe.. sorry it's a little late wishing for new year,its still January though, better late than never..he...peace peeps.
Of late my craze for crocheting is still building up, now I'm doing the first simple crochet shawl for myself, have been wanting to do it for ages, never had the courage though, probably caused of the length of the shawl, made me felt like ages to finish one,hehe..so 2011 I'm building better courage, must try to finish this piece before doing the next one( didn't know it's so 'contagious' hiii...)

Baby beanie crochet hat

2010-12-08T00:27:00.001+08:00

Okay peeps, this is my latest craze...baby beanies

Crochet Baby Beanie Cap - Half-Double Crochet

Size G Crochet Hook
3-ply baby weight yarn

Written By Teresa Richardson

CH 3
Round 1: Ch 2, 11 HDC in loop, do not join. (12 HDC)

Round 2: 2 HDC in-between each HDC; (24 HDC) mark beginning stitch with marker.

Round 3: 1 HDC in-between next st, 2 HDC(HDC INC) in-between next st; (36 HDC)

Round 4: 1 HDC in-between ea HDC around to beg marker.

Round 5: 1 HDC in-between each of the next 2 st's, HDC INC in next st; continue around to beg marker.

Roound 6-21: HDC in-between each HDC around to desired length of cap.

Round 3: 1 HDC in-between next st, 2 HDC(HDC INC) in-between next st; (36 HDC)

Round 4: 1 HDC in-between ea HDC around to beg marker.

Round 5: 1 HDC in-between each of the next 2 st's, HDC INC in next st; continue around to beg marker.

Roound 6-21: HDC in-between each HDC around to desired length of cap.

Alternative Treatments for High Cholesterol

2010-11-07T14:11:00.001+08:00

here are alternative treatments for lowering cholesterol naturally. But before you add any supplement or alternative therapy to your diet, talk to your doctor. Some supplements may interact with other medication you may be taking or have dangerous side effects.

Supplements for Lowering Cholesterol

Some of the herbal and nutritional supplements said to lower cholesterol include:

Garlic: According to some studies, garlic may decrease blood levels of total cholesterol by a few percentage points. Other studies, however, suggest that it may not be as beneficial as once thought. It may also have significant side effects and/or interactions with certain medications. Garlic may prolong bleeding and blood clotting time, so garlic and garlic supplements should not be consumed prior to surgery and should not be taken with blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin).
Guggulipid: Guggulipid is the gum resin of the mukul myrrh tree. In clinical studies performed in India, guggulipid significantly reduced blood levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The enthusiasm for using guggulipid as a cholesterol-lowering herbal agent, however, diminished after the publication of negative results from a clinical trial in the U.S. Further research is necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of this herb.
Red Yeast Rice: Red yeast rice has been found to lower cholesterol in studies and was previously found in the over-the-counter supplement Cholestin. However, in 2001, FDA took Cholestin off the shelf because it contained lovastatin, a compound found in the cholesterol prescription medication Mevacor. Reformulated "Cholestin" no longer contains red yeast rice. Other red yeast rice-containing supplements currently available in U.S. contain very small amounts of lovastatin. Their effectiveness is questionable.
Policosanol: Produced from sugar cane, policosanol was found to be effective in lowering LDL cholesterol in several trials. Most policosanol supplements found in the U.S., including the reformulated Cholestin, contain policosanol extracted from beeswax and not the sugar cane policosanol. There is no evidence that policosanol extracted from beeswax can lower cholesterol. Additional studies on sugar cane policosanol are needed to determine its effectiveness in lowering cholesterol.
Other herbal products: The results of several studies suggest fenugreek seeds and leaves, artichoke leaf extract, yarrow, and holy basil all may help lower cholesterol. These and other commonly used herbs and spices -- including ginger, turmeric, and rosemary -- are being investigated for their potential beneficial effects relating to coronary disease prevention.

Dietary Approaches to Lowering Cholesterol

Increased consumption of dietary fiber, soy foods, and plant compounds similar to cholesterol (plant stanols and sterols) can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol.

Fiber: Only plant foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, unrefined grains) contain dietary fiber. The soluble fiber found in foods such as oat bran, barley, psyllium seeds, flax seed meal, apples, citrus fruits, lentils and beans are particularly effective in lowering cholesterol.
Soybeans: Substituting soybeans or soy protein for other proteins have been shown to prevent coronary heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Soy protein is present in tofu, tempeh, soy milk, soy yogurt, edamame, soy nuts, and many other food products made from soybeans.
Phytosterols: Phytosterols (plant sterol and stanol esters) are compounds found in small amounts in foods such as whole grains as well as in many vegetables, fruits, and vegetable oils. They decrease LDL cholesterol, mostly by interfering with the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. Phytosterols can be found in spreads (like the cholesterol-lowering margarines Benecol, Promise, Smart Balance, and Take Control), dressings for salads, and dietary supplements. Additional phytosterol-fortified foods include Minute Maid Heart Wise orange juice, Nature Valley Healthy Heart chewy granola bars, CocoVia chocolates, Rice Dream Heartwise rice drink, and Lifetime low-fat cheese.
Dietary fiber, soybeans, and phytosterols decrease cholesterol levels by different mechanisms. Therefore, it is not surprising that the combined dietary intake of these foods and other plant substances, along with a low intake of saturated fats, is more effective at reducing cholesterol levels than each individual substance alone.
Including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet may also help lower cholesterol. Aim for at least two servings of fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, and sardines per week. Other dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flax seed and walnuts.
Omega-3 fatty acids: These essential fatty acids have a favorable effect on cholesterol. Supplement sources include fish oil capsules, flaxseed and flax seed oil. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the rate at which the liver produces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. They have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, decrease the growth of plaque in the arteries, and aid in thinning blood. If you are considering taking omega-3 fatty acids, you should first discuss with your doctor if omega-3 fatty acid supplements are right for you (especially if you are currently taking blood-thinning medication).

Avoid partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated vegetable oils. These man-made oils are sources of trans fatty acids known to increase LDL cholesterol. They lower heart-protecting HDL (good) cholesterol and increase the inflammatory response in the body. You can now find trans fats listed on the Nutrition Facts panel of packaged foods. Minimize consumption of trans fatty acid-containing food.
If a plant-based, low-fat diet alone is not effective at reducing cholesterol levels, such a diet should be combined with cholesterol-lowering medications.

@http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/high_cholesterol_alternative-therapies

Craft Projects

2010-11-01T16:57:00.000+08:00

Been ages didnt blog here since June,okay today..since school holiday is just round the corner, it would be fun to try out this projects with kids, frens..Actually lately, Ive been very interested with recyled thingy..actually didnt know what to do with some of these materials, of course some hv been donated and sold to the 'rag and bone' man but still have some excessive materials, well am looking at all the denim recycled projects..very interesting.. how much you can do with them..its just depend on your creativity, guessed thats my immersed hobby for now, but today I had stumbled this simple project for kids..(not only kids..Im enjoying it too..hehe..) Happy trying!

5 Common Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

2010-06-13T13:26:00.001+08:00

Symptoms

The type and severity of symptoms experienced by a person with Parkinson's disease vary with each individual and the stage of Parkinson's disease. Symptoms that develop in the early stages of the disease in one person may not develop until later-or not at all-in another person.
The most common symptoms include:

Tremor, or shaking, often in a hand, arm, or leg. Tremor caused by Parkinson's disease occurs when the person is awake and sitting or standing still (resting tremor) and subsides when the person moves the affected body part.
Stiff muscles (rigidity) and aching muscles. One of the most common early signs of Parkinson's disease is a reduced arm swing on one side when the person is walking that is caused by rigid muscles. Rigidity can also affect the muscles of the legs, face, neck, or other parts of the body and may cause muscles to feel tired and achy.
Slow, limited movement (bradykinesia), especially when the person tries to move from a resting position. For instance, it may be difficult to get out of a chair or turn over in bed.
Weakness of face and throat muscles. Talking and swallowing may become more difficult, and the person may choke, cough, or drool. Speech becomes softer and monotonous. Loss of movement in the muscles in the face can cause a fixed, vacant facial expression, often called the "Parkinson's mask."
Difficulty with walking (gait disturbance) and balance (postural instability). A person with Parkinson's disease is likely to take small steps and shuffle with his or her feet close together, bend forward slightly at the waist (stooped posture), and have trouble turning around. Balance and posture problems may result in frequent falls. However, these problems usually do not develop until later in the course of the disease.

Tremor is often the first symptom that people with Parkinson's disease or their family members notice. Initially, the tremor may appear in just one arm or leg or only on one side of the body. The tremor also may affect the chin, lips, and tongue. As the disease progresses, the tremor may spread to both sides of the body, although in some cases the tremor remains on just one side.
Emotional and physical stress tend to make the tremor more noticeable. Sleep, complete relaxation, and intentional movement or action usually reduce or stop the tremor.
Although tremor is one of the most common signs of Parkinson's disease, not everyone with tremor has Parkinson's disease. Unlike tremor caused by Parkinson's disease, tremor caused by other conditions gets better when your arm or hand is not moving and gets worse when you try to move it. The most common cause of non-Parkinson's tremor is essential tremor, a treatable condition that is often wrongly diagnosed as Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's Disease: Exercise and Parkinson's Disease

Because Parkinson's disease affects your ability to move, exercise helps to keep muscles strong and improve flexibility and mobility. Exercise will not stop Parkinson’s disease from progressing; but, it will improve your balance and it can prevent joint stiffening.

You should check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Your doctor may make recommendations about:

The types of exercise best suited to you and those which you should avoid
The intensity of the workout (how hard you should be working)
The duration of your workout and any physical limitations
Referrals to other professionals, such as a physical therapist who can help you create your own personal exercise program

The type of exercise that works best for you depends on your symptoms, fitness level, and overall health. Generally, exercises that stretch the limbs through the full range of motion are encouraged.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when exercising.

Always warm-up before beginning your exercise routine and cool down at the end.
If you plan to workout for 30 minutes, start with 10-minute sessions and work your way up.
Exercise your facial muscles, jaw, and voice when possible: Sing or read aloud, exaggerating your lip movements. Make faces in the mirror. Chew food vigorously.
Try water exercise, such as aquarobics. These are often easier on the joints and require less balance.
Work out in a safe environment; avoid slippery floors, poor lighting, throw rugs, and other potential dangers.
If you have difficulty balancing, exercise within reach of a grab bar or rail. If you have trouble standing or getting up, try exercising in bed rather than on the floor or an exercise mat.
If at any time you feel sick or you begin to hurt, stop.
Select a hobby or activity you enjoy and stick with it. Some suggestions include: Gardening; Walking; Swimming; Water aerobics; Yoga; Tai chi.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Neuroscience

Common Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease:-

VITAMIN E

Other Names:

All Rac-Alpha-Tocopherol, Alpha-Tocopherol, Alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, d-Alpha-Tocopherol, d-alpha Tocopherol, d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, d-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acid Succinate, d-Alpha Tocotrienol, dl-Alpha-Tocopherol, d-Beta-Tocopherol, d-Delta-Tocopherol, d-Gamma-Tocopherol, d-Gamma Tocotrienol, Fat-Soluble Vitamin, Mixed Tocopherols, RRR-Alpha-Tocopherol, Tocopherol, Mixed Tocotrienols, Tocotrienol, Beta-Tocopherol, Delta-Tocopherol, Gamma-Tocopherol, Alpha Tocotrienol, Beta Tocotrienol, Delta Tocotrienol, Gamma Tocotrienol, Palm Tocotrienols, Tocopherol Acetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocotrienols, Vitamin E Acetate, Vitamin E Succinate.

Vitamin E is a vitamin that dissolves in fat. It is found in many foods including vegetable oils, cereals, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and wheat germ oil. It is also available as a supplement.

Vitamin E is used for treating vitamin E deficiency, which is rare, but can occur in people with certain genetic disorders and in very low-weight premature infants.

Some people use vitamin E for treating and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels including hardening of the arteries, heart attack, chest pain, leg pain due to blocked arteries, and high blood pressure.

Vitamin E is also used for treating diabetes and its complications. It is used for preventing cancer, particularly lung and oral cancer in smokers; colorectal cancer and polyps; and gastric, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.

Some people use vitamin E for diseases of the brain and nervous system including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, Parkinson’s disease, night cramps, restless leg syndrome, and for epilepsy, along with other medications. Vitamin E is also used for Huntington’s chorea, and other disorders involving nerves and muscles.

Women use vitamin E for preventing complications in late pregnancy due to high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), painful periods, menopausal syndrome, hot flashes associated with breast cancer, and breast cysts.

Sometimes vitamin E is used to lessen the harmful effects of medical treatments such as dialysis and radiation. It is also used to reduce unwanted side effects of drugs such as hair loss in people taking doxorubicin and lung damage in people taking amiodarone.

Vitamin E is sometimes used for improving physical endurance, increasing energy, reducing muscle damage after exercise, and improving muscle strength.

Vitamin E is also used for cataracts, asthma, respiratory infections, skin disorders, aging skin, sunburns, cystic fibrosis, infertility, impotence, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), peptic ulcers, for certain inherited diseases and to prevent allergies.

Some people apply vitamin E to their skin to keep it from aging and to protect against the skin effects of chemicals used for cancer therapy (chemotherapy).

The American Heart Association recommends obtaining antioxidants, including vitamin E, by eating a well-balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains rather than from supplements until more is known about the risks and benefits of taking supplements.

How does it work?

Vitamin E is an important vitamin required for the proper function of many organs in the body. It is also an antioxidant. This means it helps to slow down processes that damage cells.

GREEN TEA

Other Names:

Camellia sinensis, Camellia thea, Camellia theifera, EGCG, Epigallo Catechin Gallate, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Green Sencha Tea, Green Tea Extract, Green Tea Polyphenolic Fraction, GTP, GTPF, Japanese Tea, Kunecatechins, Poly E, Polyphenon E, Tea, Tea Extract, Tea Green, Thea bohea, Thea sinensis, Thea viridis, Yame Green Tea, Yame Tea. Green tea is a product made from the Camellia sinensis plant. It can be prepared as a beverage, which can have some health effects. Or an “extract” can be made from the leaves to use as medicine.

Green tea is used to improve mental alertness and thinking.

It is also used for weight loss and to treat stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, bone loss (osteoporosis), and solid tumor cancers.

Some people use green tea to prevent various cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, solid tumor cancers and skin cancer related to exposure to sunlight. Some women use green tea to fight human papilloma virus (HPV), which can cause genital warts, the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia), and cervical cancer.

Green tea is also used for Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, diabetes, low blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), dental cavities (caries), kidney stones, and skin damage.

Instead of drinking green tea, some people apply green tea bags to their skin to soothe sunburn and prevent skin cancer due to sun exposure. Green tea bags are also used to decrease puffiness under the eyes, as a compress for tired eyes or headache, and to stop gums from bleeding after a tooth is pulled.

Green tea in candy is used for gum disease.

Green tea is used in an ointment for genital warts. Do not confuse green tea with oolong tea or black tea. Oolong tea and black tea are made from the same plant leaves used to make green tea, but they are prepared differently and have different medicinal effects. Green tea is not fermented at all. Oolong tea is partially fermented, and black tea is fully fermented.

How does it work?

The useful parts of green tea are the leaf bud, leaf, and stem. Green tea is not fermented and is produced by steaming fresh leaves at high temperatures. During this process, it is able to maintain important molecules called polyphenols, which seem to be responsible for many of the benefits of green tea.

Polyphenols might be able to prevent inflammation and swelling, protect cartilage between the bones, and lessen joint degeneration. They also seem to be able to fight human papilloma virus (HPV) infections and reduce the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia). Research cannot yet explain how this works.

Green tea contains 2% to 4% caffeine, which affects thinking and alertness, increases urine output, and may improve the function of brain messengers important in Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine is thought to stimulate the nervous system, heart, and muscles by increasing the release of certain chemicals in the brain called “neurotransmitters.”

Antioxidants and other substances in green tea might help protect the heart and blood vessels.

GREEN TEA Uses & Effectiveness

Likely Effective for:

Genital warts. A specific green tea extract ointment (Veregen, Bradley Pharmaceuticals) is FDA-approved for treating genital warts.
Increasing mental alertness, due to the caffeine content of green tea.

Possibly Effective for:

Preventing dizziness upon standing up (orthostatic hypotension) in older people.
Preventing bladder, esophageal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. Women who regularly drink tea, including green tea or black tea, appear to have a significantly lower risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to women who never or seldom drink tea. In one study, women who drank 2 or more cups of green tea each day had a 46% lower risk of getting ovarian cancer than women who didn’t drink green tea.
Reducing the risk or delaying the onset of Parkinson’s disease. Drinking one to four cups of green tea daily seems to provide the most protection against developing Parkinson’s.
Low blood pressure. Green tea might help in elderly people who have low blood pressure after eating.
Decreasing high levels of fat, like cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood (hyperlipidemia).
Reducing abnormal development and growth of cells of the cervix (cervical dysplasia) caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.

Possibly Ineffective for:

Preventing colon cancer.

Insufficient Evidence for:

Weight loss. Taking a specific green tea extract (EGCG) seems to help moderately overweight people lose weight. But green tea doesn’t help people keep the weight off.
High blood pressure. Some research shows that drinking green tea regularly seems to lower the chance of getting high blood pressure. But not all research agrees.
Stroke prevention. According to a large study done in Japan, drinking 3 cups of green tea per day seems to significantly lower the risk of having a stroke, compared to drinking one cup or no tea. Women seem to benefit more than men.
Weak bones (osteoporosis). Population research suggests that drinking green tea for 10 years is associated with stronger bones.
Type 2 diabetes. Drinking green tea may help prevent diabetes. Research suggests that Japanese adults who drink 6 or more cups per day of green tea have a 33% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who drink one cup per day or less. This is especially true for women.
Breast cancer. Green tea does not seem to prevent breast cancer in Asian populations. However, in Asian-American populations, some evidence suggests that drinking green tea might reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Most research on green tea for breast cancer has been in Asian populations. The effect of green tea on breast cancer risk in Western populations is less clear.
Gum disease (gingivitis). Chewing candy that contains green tea extract seems to control plaque build-up on the teeth and reduce gum swelling.
Prostate cancer. Chinese men who drink more green tea seem to have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. The more tea they drink, the more their risk drops.
Diarrhea.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Heart disease prevention.
Kidney stones.
Lung cancer.
Stomach cancer.
Skin cancer.
Dental cavities.
Other conditions.

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that results from degeneration of neurons (nerve cells) in a region of the brain that controls movement. This degeneration creates a shortage of the brain-signaling chemical (neurotransmitter) known as dopamine, causing the impaired movements that characterize the disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?

Often, the first symptom of Parkinson's disease is tremor (trembling or shaking) of a limb, especially when the body is at rest. The tremor often begins on one side of the body, frequently in one hand. Other common symptoms include slow movement (bradykinesia), an inability to move (akinesia), rigid limbs, a shuffling gait, and a stooped posture. People with Parkinson's disease often show reduced facial expressions and speak in a soft voice. Occasionally, the disease also causes depression, personality changes, dementia, sleep disturbances, speech impairments, or sexual difficulties. The severity of Parkinson's symptoms tends to worsen over time.

What Causes Parkinson's Disease?

Although there are many theories about the cause of Parkinson's disease, none has ever been proved. Recent studies of twins and families with Parkinson's have suggested that some people have an inherited susceptibility to the disease that may be influenced by environmental factors. The strong familial inheritance of the chromosome 4 gene is the first evidence that a gene alteration alone may lead to Parkinson's disease in some people. About 15% to 25% of people with Parkinson's report having a relative with the disease.

What Treatments Are Available?

There is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Many patients are only mildly affected and need no treatment for several years after the initial diagnosis. When symptoms grow severe, doctors usually prescribe levodopa (L-dopa), which helps replace the brain's dopamine. Sometimes doctors prescribe other drugs that affect dopamine levels in the brain.
Usually, patients are given levodopa combined with carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain. Nerve cells can use levodopa to make dopamine and replenish the brain's dwindling supply. Although levodopa helps at least three-quarters of parkinsonian cases, not all symptoms respond equally to the drug. Bradykinesia and rigidity respond best, while tremor may be only marginally reduced. Problems with balance and other symptoms may not be alleviated at all. Anticholinergics may help control tremor and rigidity.
Other drugs, such as bromocriptine, pergolide, pramipexole, and ropinirole, mimic the role of dopamine in the brain, causing the neurons to react as they would to dopamine. An antiviral drug, amantadine, also appears to reduce symptoms. In May 2006, the FDA approved rasagiline to be used along with levodopa for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease or as a single-drug treatment for early Parkinson's disease.
In some cases, surgery may be appropriate if the disease doesn't respond to drugs. In patients who are very severely affected, a kind of brain surgery known as pallidotomy has reportedly been effective in reducing symptoms. A therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS) has now been approved by the FDA. In DBS, electrodes are implanted into the brain and connected to a small electrical device called a pulse generator that can be externally programmed. DBS can reduce the need for levodopa and related drugs, which in turn decreases the involuntary movements called dyskinesias that are a common side effect of levodopa. It also helps to alleviate fluctuations of symptoms and to reduce tremors, slowness of movements, and gait problems. DBS requires careful programming of the stimulator device in order to work correctly.

source @webmd.com/parkinsons-parkinsons-disease

P.S. Im sure going to include vitamin E & Green tea in my daily supplement, as the saying goes "Prevention is better than cure!"

Toy Story 3 Trailer

2010-06-09T13:22:00.002+08:00

The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favourite gang of toy characters in TOY STORY 3. Woody and Buzz have accepted that their owner Andy would grow up someday, but what happens when that day arrives?

Synopsis:
In the third instalment, Andy is preparing to depart for college, leaving his loyal toys troubled about their uncertain future. Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Amdt, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings.

My favourite scenes....
Ken was smitten when he met Barbie..

The Great Escape is another scene whereby everyone was so excited during their escaping episode lead by character Buzz Lightyear....

Last but not least, I love this three cute characters Huggin' Bear (Mr.Cool) , Buttercup and Twitch, they are so adorable.

So peeps lets “Catch Toy Story 3 Movie starting from 17th June 2010 and join the official Facebook and Twitter page!”

A new leisure destination in the north?

2010-05-25T01:02:00.012+08:00

Artist impression of Woodlands Waterfront

(very long jetty, good for fishing activities eh?)

The park is located on former warehouse docks. The 400m jetty that served the area has been refurbished and is now one of the longest coastal jetties in Singapore. (Like our other jetties, this will probably eventually become crowded with recreational fishermen).

Phase one of Woodlands Waterfront Park & Promenade opens

Woodlands Waterfront, a new leisure destination in the north, attracted some 2,500 people when it opened its first phase .
One of the attractions there is a playground with a two-storey Skywalk for children and youth.

The park, which will open in three phases, was designed with community-based events in mind. It will be built at a cost of $19 million.

"The project was actually planned in close collaboration with grassroots … and many of the facilities that we have provided were for community purposes," said Mr Ler Seng Ann, group director for Conservation and Development Services of the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

The park, which overlooks the Straits of Johor, will also feature a refurbished 400-metre jetty - a reminder that the park used to be occupied by warehouses.

When fully completed by the end of the year, the remaining six hectares will include a Cantilevered Promenade, nature area, trails and green spaces.

source@ChannelNewsAsiaToday

THE Woodlands coast took its most significant step yet in its transformation from sleepy industrial area to bustling waterfront promenade.
Once occupied by warehouses, the waterfront now boasts a modern park with highlights such as a 400m-long jetty - the longest in Singapore - and a playground equipped with a two-storey-high 'sky walk'.

Since its a new opening, did not get much story about this place, seems that I have go to the place for further information. Okay folks I will update my posting in the near future..hehe..hmmmm.. by the way how to get there eh?
If anyone wants to go there by public transport, so far there is only one bus( bus no 856 from Yishun Bus Interchange- opp Yishun MRT) that stop at Admiralty Park bus stop number B47011
(its a long.... ride though from housing estates to the industrial estates)or you can take bus no. 856 from Sembawang MRT station,cross over to@Canberra Rd, Blk 502a, bus stop no:B58119

Mapfrm bus stop 856 @Admiralty Rd West

source@wildshoresof spore

Phase 2 will feature, among other things, nature trails and a 700m promenade which overhangs the sea. It is scheduled for completion at the end of the year.

When fully completed, the entire Woodlands Waterfront will be a 1.5km long waterfront promenade, which includes a 9-hectare coastal park. It will also be linked to Admiralty Park and the park connector along Woodlands Centre Road and Admiralty Road West in future.

It's great to introduce more ordinary people to their coastlines. Indeed, besides providing much needed recreational space for residents in the area, the thinking behind the Park was to highlight the fact that "Singapore is an island, surrounded by water on all sides" and to allow residents "a good view of Johor Baru, our closest neighbour".

P.S. Okay folks, who says Singapore is only an urban jungle? We still have 'Ulu' places to discover for adventures,this place is one of the 'Ulu' & Lim Chu Kang area too and some other places, we just need to open our eyes to see the 'real' thing..hehe..till then.

Olive oil, virgin or pure?

2010-05-24T12:53:00.004+08:00

Olive oil's health benefits

The greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat is olive oil, and it is a prime component of the Mediterranean Diet. Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is - freshly pressed from the fruit.

The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. (1-3) No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil -mainly oleic acid.
Olive oil is very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil's protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally than prescribed drugs. Consequently, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.

Olive oil and heart disease

Studies have shown that people who consumed 25 milliliters (mL) - about 2 tablespoons - of virgin olive oil daily for 1 week showed less oxidation of LDL cholesterol and higher levels of antioxidant compounds, particularly phenols, in the blood.(4)
But while all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.
Olive oil is clearly one of the good oils, one of the healing fats. Most people do quite well with it since it does not upset the critical omega 6 to omega 3 ratio and most of the fatty acids in olive oil are actually an omega-9 oil which is monounsaturated.

Olive oil and colon cancer

Spanish researchers suggest that including olive oil in your diet may also offer benefits in terms of colon cancer prevention (5). Their study results showed that rats fed diet supplemented with olive oil had a lower risk of colon cancer than those fed safflower oil-supplemented diets. In fact, the rats that received olive oil had colon cancer rates almost as low as those fed fish oil, which several studies have already linked to a reduction in colon cancer risk.

Types of olive oil

Generally, olive oil is extracted by pressing or crushing olives. Olive oil comes in different varieties, depending on the amount of processing involved. Varieties include:

Extra virgin - considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.
Virgin - from the second pressing.
Pure - undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.
Extra light - undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour.

When buying olive oil you will want to obtain a high quality EXTRA VIRGIN oil. The oil that comes from the first "pressing" of the olive, is extracted without using heat (a cold press) or chemicals, and has no "off" flavors is awarded "extra virgin" status. The less the olive oil is handled, the closer to its natural state, the better the oil. If the olive oil meets all the criteria, it can be designated as "extra virgin".
What is pure and light olive oil? "Pure" olive oil is made by adding a little extra virgin olive oil to refined olive oil. It is a lesser grade oil that is also labeled as just "olive oil" in the U.S.
"Light" olive oil is a marketing concept and not a classification of olive oil grades. It is completely unregulated by any certification organizations and therefore has no real precedent to what its content should be. Sometimes, the olive oil is cut with other vegetable oils.

How to care for your olive oil

Resist the temptation to place your beautiful bottle of olive oil on the windowsill. Light and heat are the #1 enemy of oil. Keep olive oil in a cool and dark place, tightly sealed. Oxygen promotes rancidity. Olive oil is like other oils and can easily go rancid when exposed to air, light or high temperatures.
You can of course buy extra virgin olive oil in any grocery store. A good source on the internet for extra virgin olive oil is here.

Olive oil versus canola oil

Do not fall into the hype which is put out by traditional medicine regarding the promotion of canola oil (rapeseed) as superior due to its concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids. Olive oil is far superior and has been around for thousands of years. Canola oil is a relatively recent development and the original crops were unfit for human consumption due to their high content of a dangerous fatty acid called euric acid.
If the taste of olive oil is a problem, or if you are frying or sautéing food, then you should consider coconut oil. Many nutritionally misinformed people would consider this unwise due to coconut oil's nearly exclusive content of saturated fat. However, this is just not the case. Because it has mostly saturated fat, it is much less dangerous to heat. The heat will not tend to cause the oil to transition into dangerous trans fatty acids.

source@http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/olive-oil.htm

The Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Fats that Prevents Heart Disease and Lowers Cholesterol

The benefits of olive oil will not be reaped on a low fat diet. This is because it contains a range of nutrients and antioxidants that are crucial to health and help prevent degenerative diseases.

The Monounsaturated Fat that Prevents Cardiovascular Disease

Professor Francisco Grande Covian, a specialist in diet and nutrition states, “The lowest rates of death from coronary heart disease are currently recorded in the countries where olive oil is virtually the only fat consumed.”
Olive oil, as well as other healthy oils, prevents platelet aggregation in the blood and the formation of cholesterol lumps on the arterial wall (atheromas), which could eventually lead to heart disease and strokes.

About the Goodness Within Olive Oil

The oil contains Vitamin A, E and K. Vitamin E cannot be absorbed without an oil carrier, which the olive provides. Phenols and oleocanthal act as an anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant and gives the olive oil that slightly bitter taste. Squalene and chlorophyll conditions the skin, promotes healing and keeps the joints healthy.

The Best Quality Olive Oil to Buy

Not every olive oil has the same quality. Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil is far superior to the refined version. “Virgin” means that the oil has been treated by hand only, and no chemicals have been involved. “Cold pressed” means that the oil has been extracted from the olive fruit without heating.

The benefits of olive oil will not be reaped on a low fat diet. This is because it contains a range of nutrients and antioxidants that are crucial to health and help prevent degenerative diseases.

The Monounsaturated Fat that Prevents Cardiovascular Disease

Read more at Suite101: The Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Fats that Prevents Heart Disease and Lowers Cholesterol http://proteins-carb-fats.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_benefits_of_extra_virgin_olive_oil#ixzz0ooraVaTB

p.s. hmm..definitely I will go for extra virgin olive oil, how about you?

Common symptoms of problem with thyroid

2010-04-05T14:22:00.001+08:00

due to low thyroid or hypothyroidism are:

• Fatigue and weakness • Low basal temperature ( cold intolerance) • Dry and coarse skin • Hair loss • Cold hands and feet • Weight gain • Insomnia • Constipation • Depression • Poor memory, forgetfulness, dementia • Nervousness and tremors • Immune system problems • Heavy menstrual periods

Hypothyroidism is a disorder that occurs when the thyroid system is underactive, meaning that the thyroid gland makes less thyroid hormone than the body needs perhaps because you are not eating enough food or are eating an imbalanced diet.

Symptoms of thyroid problem affect many people.
The function of the thyroid gland is to regulate the speed of the body's metabolism. In other words, this gland converts the food we eat into energy for the body.
When this gland is not operating properly, it causes all kinds of symptoms of thyroid problem described below, and it does not convert the food we eat into energy.

The thyroid gland makes two hormones, thyroxine-T4 (with four iodines) and triiodothyronine T3 (with three iodines). T4 blood levels are higher than those of T3, but T3 is four times more potent. Normally the body converts T4 to T3 as needed.

Hypothyroid people are more susceptible to infections, heart disease and cancer. The cause of heart disease is not animal fats and cholesterol but rather excess consumption of vegetable oils, hydrogenated fats, too many refined carbohydrates like white flours and sugar, deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, deficiency of vitamin C and E.

The best way to improve thyroid function is by taking vitamin B6 and B12 and using natural sea salt, because it is a good source of iodine. Also, avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies, try to eliminate processed foods and refined carbohydrates.

Symptoms of thyroid problems and this thyroid disorder occur in one of two ways:

1) The thyroid gland itself no longer is producing enough hormone.
2) The liver, kidney and other tissues do not properly convert the output of the thyroid gland to the active form of thyroid hormone that works in the body’s cells.

According to Dr. John R. Lee( John R. Lee, M.D. was an international authority and pioneer in the use of natural progesterone cream and natural hormone balance.), estrogen dominance inhibits thyroid activity, stress, toxins, nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalance, depletion of follicles and contraceptive pills are the major causes of thyroid dysfunction.

Progesterone is the hormone that helps the thyroid have a normal activity.
Medications that may weaken the thyroid include Premarin and Provera, two synthetic, chemicalized hormone products that are commonly prescribed as hormone replacement therapy for perimenopause, menopausal and postmenopausal women. Birth control pills are also harmful to the thyroid.
Remember that too much estrogen is not good for the thyroid, because it inhibits the gland's activity. Estrogen and progesterone have opposing actions in the body, and in this case, only progesterone can help the thyroid.

source:http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/thyroid.html

As age is catching up , Im becoming more health freak, any signs of sickness makes me go gaga with supplements and natural remedies and consuming more veggies and fruits but then I realised that you have to 'balance' everything,be it , food intake or spiritually balance and nevertheless of course some exercises.
Hmmm...okay folks lets eat right, feel right meaning less carbo intake more balance diet, learn to relax a bit and more flexiblity towards life no matter how demanding life can be. Lets inhale and exhale...hmmm( I supposed most of us didnt have time to breath right...hehe :D)Even if you are perfectionist(emmm.. good and not so good..)the good thing, you got everything done well, the not so good are -you stressed yourself and people around you..(hmmm...think hard..okay..inhale and exhale...ahhh..I feel better now and my mind is clearer so to speak...hehe..) Actually breathing exercise is good to alleviate stress.
Okay folks Im going to the pharmacy..hehe...you know...get some vitamins..maybe B6, B12,E,sea salts, creams and to the grocery store for my veggies :-D

My Lion City Latest Attractions

2010-03-10T13:42:00.007+08:00

Universal Studios Singapore was finally opened Sunday, Feb 14th, but only for a "sneak-preview"! In theme park world there was "Grand Openings" or "soft-openings", thanks to Universal there is now the "sneak preview" days! In addition to this the Resorts World Sentosa Casino was opened also on Sunday Feb 14th. Frankly, they've found a smart answer to the problem: how to open a theme park not totally operational during Asia biggest holiday when we need people in a casino which is ready for opening?

The opening of its four hotels: Crockfords Tower; Hotel Michael; Festive Hotel; and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore. Its shopping and dining promenade, FestiveWalk, soft-opened on 30 Jan 2010.

This next picture show the grand entrance of the park.

Let's enter the Hollywood area. On the picture below the camera is looking towards the entrance you saw in the previous picture.

A panoramic view of Hollywood Blvd, the entrance of the park is on the right.

Exiting the Hollywood Blvd, on the center of the picture. On the right the Madagascar land, where the big ship is, on the left looking towards New York Streets.

The Brown Derby shop where guests will find great headwear is located on the right when you exit Hollywood. The big building structure behind it is 1500 seats Pantages Hollywood Theater fully equipped to host major Broadway musicals. Guests will watch the Universal Monsters Revue with a rock and roll style.

On the picture below it's Universal Singapore Central Plaza, with the Mel's drive-In restaurant on the right. You can see Ancient Egypt and Sci-Fi City lands on the other side of the lagoon.

Another exterior view of the Mel's Drive-In.

These vintage cars are parked in front of the Mel's Drive-In restaurant.

next pictures were shoot inside the Mel's Drive-In

Located on the left when you exit Hollywood is the Madagascar land, with this huge tree.

Welcome to Madagascar! Here is a picture of the entrance of the land.

But if you turn on the right when you'll exit Hollywood you'll enter the New York Streets area.

This next panoramic show the other side of the New York Street. As usual with Universal the quality of the sets is stunning.

Always in New York, the facade of the Palace Theater.

the highly detailed sets of New York streets.

Let's move to Sci-Fi City, the next land. It's here where guests will be able to ride the giant Battlestar Galactica Dueling Coaster. Here are three different pics of it, the first one also showing the entrance of the ride.

the "tea cup style" Accelerator ride.

Ancient Egypt land, where Universal Creatives built a gorgeous decor!

Ancient Egypt, by night

Another area of the land with the giant Anubis statues and the Lost World land in the background.

Right at the border of Ancient Egypt and The Lost World.

Let's move to The Lost World, home of Jurassic Park raft ride. On this first picture, the entrance to Ancient Egypt is on the left and the Discovery Food Court in the background, inspired by Jurassic Park's Discovery Center.

by night

A Lost World area for young kids: the Raptor Nest.

Far Far Away land

the entrance of the Lost World land.

picture of the "Far Far away" "Shrek" castle.

On the picture below the New York area is on the left (with a bit of the dueling coaster), the Hollywood area in the center and the Enchanted Airways coaster of Far Far Away land on the right.

by night

Far Far Away Land and the Shrek Castle!

Nevertheless it will be fun to go with the kids, sharing their love ,excitement and laughters ( perhaps its cheaper to go Gentings..ehk?(no offence intended)but frankly it's cheaper probably due to exchange rates too, hmmm..may be..okay I shall compare the excitement that they have to offer, one of these days..hehe.. :D)

source@disneyandmore.blogspot.com

for further info with video you can view @http://www.screamscape.com/html/universal_studios_singapore.htm

International Women's Day 2010

2010-03-05T22:12:00.004+08:00

Wishing all Women, Happy Womens Day!

International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

Like the wiseman says if there is no past there is no future...

The hands that Rock the cradle can Rock the World!..hehehe :) I mean...

"The hands that rock the cradle, rule the world".

"The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world."

- W. S. Ross (quotes)

It is saying that women are important because of their roles as mothers, shaping the lives of their children.

by Mr. Rogers

With innate strength to bear and rear the future of society womankind has always set the precedence of maintaining as the leader of the choir. They stand in the ranks orchestrating...

by Isaac Amani

THE INVINCIBLE QUEEN

Not just from the cradle but her influence upon the unborn begins from the moment of conception. That fertilized life within begins to take upon both the mother's..

by Peggy Molloy

Intelligent, socially well-positioned women have always ruled the world, they do so now, and will continue in the future. Look at Cleopatra, or Antigone,...these women were brave and and outspoken, and didn't make a big deal about it.

by Rosemary Redfern

The hand that rocks the cradle has influence in strange ways. Assuming this is a mother, most women want the best for their baby. However this can become a mixed blessing through a number of factors.

International Women's Day may be a day of global celebration but there is no room for complacency as women continue to face inequity on many fronts.( Okay, cheers! to women power :) )

Okay, every women and every country have their own stories to tell, but am sure glad to be in this part of the world, whereby women are blessed and being appreciated( mostly) and given equal rights in their merits to pursue their endeavours.(hmmm..no offence intended this what Ive perceived)

Anyhow I wished for all women today and ever, be postive and progressive in their future endeavours ,I believed we can make it happen, to make the world a better place to live in, big Cheers to all!

DRIVE LEISURELY IN TEMASEK

2010-03-01T16:32:00.008+08:00

Yishun Dam is located near Yishun Avenue 1; 0.5 kilometre away from Seletar Club Road; 0.5 kilometre away from S1; 0.7 kilometre away from West Camp Road; 0.8 kilometre away from West Camp Road; Yishun Dam is geographically located at latitude (1.4239 degrees) 1° 25' 26" North of the Equator and longitude (103.8599 degrees) 103° 51' 35" East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of Singapore or JB.

Feast your eyes people, these are places in Singapore, really, usually people will go driving leisurely with family or friends to this places:-

(1) YISHUN DAM

Fisherman at Yishun?

(2) LIM CHU KANG
Lim Chu Kang: Nature Reserves, Farms and Cemeteries
Lets moved over to our next destination, that will be LIM CHU KANG..the road name itself gives us eerie ideas.. people would figure out the long lonely road like "ulu place'( deserted area) where you could find graveyards and boring farms, I guessed you right most of us would think that way unless we explore the actual place, surprisingly you can find no doubt serenity and peaceful and out of the concrete jungle so to say..hehe..okay lets see some surprising pictures at these places.

History

Lim Chu Kang began as a village that was founded in the early 1900s by Neo Tiew, an immigrant from China. He became a headman of Ama Keng Village, which is the area we now identify as Lim Chu Kang. Upon his founding of the village, Neo Tiew set up the Kay Wah School, which is now known as Qihua Primary. He also commissioned the building of Kay Wah Temple, which is still standing today.

The area is an important one in World War 2 history. Located in northwest Singapore, Lim Chu Kang is close to the Causeway, the route that the Japanese took to enter the island in 1942. This was unexpected as the British anticipated that the Japanese would arrive from the island's southern tip rather than the northern one. Thus, some of the fiercest battles occurred around the Lim Chu Kang area, resulting in some 40 000 deaths. Today, as you enter the Boy Scouts Camp in Lim Chu Kang, you will see a plaque recounting the history of the area and commemorating the soldiers. This lesson from history is also one of the reasons why there is a highly guarded military base in the Lim Chu Kang area.

What To Do

This district is one of the few places in Singapore that practices ecotourism. Abundant with nature, Lim Chu Kang is an excellent place to enjoy scenery in a rustic environment. Here are some places to visit:

Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve

Lim Chu Kang Jetty

Farms

Other than this, there are many campsites in Lim Chu Kang, e.g., the Girl Guides' Camp Site, the Boy Scouts' Camp Site and the army campsite. There are also cemeteries undertaking the burial of people of the Christian, Muslim, Chinese, Bahai, Jewish, Ahmaddiya Jama'at, Parsi and Lawn faiths.

Many people thought that Singapore is all about tall skyscapers, modern city and nothing else. This is not entirely true as many parts of Singapore in the north still preserve the rural lifestyle, and one of them is the Lim Chu Kang area.

Things to Do in Lim Chu Kang

What to do while traveling in Lim Chu Kang.

Quill Farm

Hay Dairies Goat Farm, Singapore

Goat Farm

There is a popular goat farm in Lim Chu Kang area called Hay Dairies, which produces goat's milk to supply in the local market. Like most of other farms, this farm is open to visitors and more information is at http://www.haydairies.com.sg

Farm Visits

The farm is open daily (Monday-Sunday) from 9am to 4pm. Milking demonstrations is from 9am to 11am, and so visitors are encouraged to come in the morning. Please take note that visitors are only allowed to view the milking demonstrations (strictly no hands-on are allowed).

Individual or small families (less than 10 people) are allowed to visit the farm without any charges or bookings. For group visits with more than 10 people in a chartered coach, it is compulsory to make a prior booking with us and the below "Special Excursion Package" charges will apply:

Educational Tour of $3.21 (Including 7% GST) / person: Includes a 200-ml bottle of milk, a souvenir with Hay Dairies logo and an estimated 30 minutes of orientation briefing.
More details on the tour packages can be found here. Interested visitors can fill up the tour form and fax it to us at (65) 6794 1580. Please confirm your visit by phone at least one month in advance.

The Kelongs, Fish Farm

Tropical Aquarium Fish Farms
Keeping tropical fishes is the No. 1 hobby in Singapore, and the island is one of the top exporters of tropical freshwater aquarium fishes in the world. There are many of these fish farms in Lim Chu Kanf, the most famous being the Qianhu Aquarium who are opened to visitors everyday.

Traditional Vegetable Farms

Hydrophonic farm

Orchid Farms

Orchid is the national flowers of Singapore, and there are some orchid farms in Lim Chu Kang as well as other areas north of Singapore. They are worth visiting.

Lim Chu Kang Jetty

Lim Chu Kang Jetty located end of Lim Chu Kang Road. The jetty is for offshore kellong (fishing traps) and several fish farms to transfer caged culture fish to lorries on the mainland.

The locations related to Lim Chu Kang Jetty are represented by the flight path Superman would take between two points and may not be nearest by road. For example, Lim Chu Kang Jetty is located 0.1 kilometre from Police Coast Guard Lim Chu Kang Base. Lim Chu Kang Jetty is located 0.2 kilometre from Lim Chu Kang Bus Terminal. Lim Chu Kang Jetty is located 1 kilometre from Boat Launch Slipway. Lim Chu Kang Jetty is located 1.1 kilometre from Girl Guides Camp. Lim Chu Kang Jetty is located 1.3 kilometre from MOE Jalan Bahtera Adventure Centre.

Wahh..I didn't know there's so much to find in Lim Chu kang thought would write a brief one apparently it seems endless , anyhow I shall continue about other parts of Singapore next time, so..
How to go to Lim Chu Kang Jetty? take MRT to CCK MRT station .. then take 175 all the way to the end... till then.

PAST REMNANTS

2010-02-28T16:23:00.003+08:00

remnants

"Good morning yesterday, You wake up and time has slipped away. Suddenly it's hard to find, the memories you left behind, Remember, do you remember?" - Paul Anka, Times of Your Life

Etymology: Middle English, contraction of remenant, from Anglo-French remanant, from present participle of remaindre to remain — more at remain

Date: 14th century

1 a : a usually small part, member, or trace remaining b : a small surviving group —often used in plural
2 : an unsold or unused end of piece goods

1. Something left over; a remainder.

2. A piece of fabric remaining after the rest has been used or sold.

3. A surviving trace or vestige: a remnant of his past glory.

4. A small surviving group of people. Often used in the plural.

Well peeps, when I saw this segments about a 'kampung house' still existed till today , I was so fascinated to compile this information just for my references, which I took some of the pictures from another sources in the net, and would like to search for the places personally.Okay enough said ,so here are some of the pictures, I guessed some enthusiast of the remnants of the past has seen it too.

3 Bedok Avenue is the exact house that I saw in one of the tv programme segment ,tracing the past...but unfortunately they did not take the interior picture, but it will be more interesting though,hmm..I must keep on tracing, who knows someone really got the interior picture taken,hehe..still looking for it..:(

source@http://www.clubsnap.com
3 Bedok Avenue

This little house is very well maintained, even has air-con!
The house is beside a dilapidated old colonial villa, No. 1 Bedok Avenue.

Jalan Haji Alias

A single kampong house at Jalan Haji Alias, beside Masjid Al-Huda in Bukit Timah off Sixth Avenue

Remanants of the past:

Two kampong houses at Joo Chiat Place...

Big kampong house with no land at Still Place

Kampong Lorong Buang Kok
Kathib Bongsu
Kampong Ubin
Kampong Melayu (P. Ubin)

Anywhere else?

It shld be Khatib Bongsu??

lets see whats in Khatib Bongsu (embarassingly, this is my 1st time I've discovered this name or probably I used to pass the place zillion times but unnotice of the existance, I used to frequent Yishun and Khatib area, how can I missed this..hmmm..okay lets find out more about this place.

http://www.edu-sg.org/default.asp?id=2&loc_id=4&cat_id=17

Khatib Bongsu is located in the Northern shore of Singapore Island, adjoining Yishun public housing estate. The area is about 65 ha and comprises of an inland river estuary (Sungei Khatib Bongsu) with mangroves and mudflats. This area used to be mixed Chinese and Malay kampongs encroached with fruit orchards, rubber plantations, fish and prawn farms, and coconut groves to the site periphery.

It is accessible by two old disused roads known as Lorong Mayang and Lorong Akar linked to Yishun Ave 6. The abandoned fruit orchards and grasslands habitats provide refuge to many garden and countyside birds and its flora consists of mixed mangroves and secondary forests. More than 90 species of birds are recorded here.

This is perhaps the last abode of "old Singapore" in existence. A Chinese temple and former heronry used to be the focal point for devotees as well as birders and nature lovers during the weekends. The rough and dwindling terrains attract Mountain bikers too frequent this area. On the North-Eastern shore is the Lower Seletar Reservoir and Seletar River which is dammed and is a scenic point to look at the Straits of Johor in the evening for joggers and sunset lovers.

source@http://mantamola.blogspot.com/2007/04/last-train-to-khatib-bongsu.html

Signboards of "Protected Area" has been put up at every entry point. Looks like the closure is almost certain.

The demolition work was in progress when we visited the place this morning.(2007)

We also witnessed the tearing down of another kampong house. Kind of sad actually when you think about it actually. Many of the resdents are quite old and they have lived here for many years, and now, they have to move to some where else. Definitely won't be easy for them to get use to their new environment.

Another fish farm was still operating when we're there, though we knew its fate was already sealed as well. Soon, the residents will have to leave and the buildings will be demolished.

Okay, peeps, the verdict of this Khatib Bongsu, I think I knew where was this place, yes I did passed by zillion of time but didnt' know what was called and it was replaced with 'Bottle Tree Park' definately no kampung at all,hmmm... let see some pictures of the new replacement( I think my topic today has gone astray...where's my kampung???...nvm we side track abit okay)

@http://www.myonlinetour.com/poi/bottletreepark/index.htm

This is the famous 'bottle tree'

But do not be confused and mistaken, there is another 'bottle tree ' at Sembawang, they called it 'bottle tree village'

The rustic village located in an idyllic and serene corner of beautiful Sembawang.

Want to go back in time and immerse yourself in a world of tranquility? Embark on the journey to Sembawang Eating House (Halal Restaurant), Bottle Tree Village and you will come across the Preserved Heritage ‘Last Malay Kampong’ Mosque.

Okay people, I will end this search for time being with the bottle tree village, can you believed until today I have not been to this place but I've been to the other bottle tree park at Khatib though, hmm..must find someone to bring me there.

The Downtown Breakfast Set Makes Mornings Modular

2010-02-24T23:08:00.003+08:00

Ignore the fact that there's no room for bread or utensils, and for a moment, appreciate the efficiency of this compact lithium ion-powered coffee maker, milk frother and toaster—no bigger than a large cereal box.

You done? OK, now we can speculate that building the frother into the coffee maker might save space—and the coffee maker's heating element could double to toast the bread while saving energy.

And as long as we're on the topic, who wants to hold a breakfast tray that's 66% dedicated to beverages with—and this is the kicker—no juice involved?

You almost had me, studioMEM. My sledgehammer was this close to walloping my breakfast bar and murdering any hope for a satisfying start to my day...the ramifications of which I'm only starting to grasp, even weeks later. [studioMEM via YankoDesign]

Peeps..this is one compact items that I put on my wish list, love to have it hmmm....

@Mark Wilson, the author of this post, at mark@gizmodo.com.

5 Things That Will Make E-Readers Better in 2010

2010-02-24T22:59:00.002+08:00

By Priya Ganapati,Feb 2010

Apple has put the pressure on e-book readers with its forthcoming iPad tablet. But Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Sony aren’t taking it lying down. Color, touchscreens and improved black-and-white displays are some of the innovations that consumers can expect to see in electronic-reading gadgets this year.

“E-readers today are where the pre-iPod MP3 players were,” says Robert Brunner, founder of Ammunition, a design firm that worked on Barnes & Noble’s Nook. “It’s still very early and development is just beginning to ramp up.”

Since the launch of Amazon’s Kindle in 2007, e-readers have become a fast-growing category of consumer electronics products. But with the entry of the iPad, the e-reader market is at a crossroads. With its 9.7-inch color LCD screen, the iPad supports not just movies and web surfing, but also has an e-reading feature. Apple will also begin selling e-books for the iPad through its iTunes store.

But e-reader enthusiasts say that dedicated digital reading devices will continue to thrive despite competition from Apple.

Let’s take a look at five technologies that e-reader makers are betting on to keep their products relevant.

TOUCH

Better touchscreen and multi-touch could improve user interface in e-readers.

Touchscreens have been pivotal to the recent success of smartphones, so it is no surprise that e-reader manufacturers are looking at ways to bring the technology to their devices.

Unlike phones, e-readers are used primarily to consume content, which makes touch-based interaction a perfect fit. Flipping a page, clicking on a link or highlighting a paragraph is easier using simple touch-based gestures.

But touch on e-readers today is where it was on smartphones before the arrival of the iPhone: It’s primitive, not widely used and full of compromises. For instance, the resistive touchscreen on Sony’s e-reader does not offer the smooth, fast response that the capacitive touchscreen of an iPhone or a Motorola Droid can.

Adding a touch-sensitive upper layer to a screen also dims the display slightly, a real problem with the already low contrast ratio of E Ink screens.

I WISH YOU ENOUGH

2010-02-03T23:28:00.005+08:00

Email from a dear friend for sharing...

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

He then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.
* Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE.....

To all my friends and loved ones, I WISH YOU ENOUGH.

To All Readers,Season Greetings & Happy New Year!

2009-12-29T11:20:00.002+08:00

sorry unable to upload any pics...:(

TO ALL MUSLIM READERS HAPPY EID ADHA

2009-11-24T23:45:00.001+08:00

Random Touch (Touch & go)

2009-11-18T13:05:00.004+08:00

Well it has been quite awhile I did not blogged, I meant really blogging...hehe..what am I blabbering..duh! Anyhow today is just 'touch & go' blogging...hihi...Actually don't know what I am so busy about.....alot of things happening ,one after another I guessed..probably..trying to fit in with the society/ies...hmmm..it can be quite tiring though....( meaning one occassion after another to

attend..cheh....sounded liked business women ehk...or maybe tiny teeny -weeny- one hehe..)

After the busiest period during festive season one after another....now I'm more busy preparing

for next event in January, I guessed some of you might have known it.

Okay I really got to go my next appointment is in an hour, got to get ready and do all the

necessary norms before going out, till next a bit free time to blog again...ciao..

Random Acts of Kindness Day

2009-11-16T12:00:00.003+08:00

Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day Every Day

"Appreciation can make a day - even change a life, Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary."

Margaret Cousins

Someone once said, "The greatest need of every human being is the need for appreciation."

I don't know if it's the greatest need, but it's definitely up there. Saying, "Thank you" is a way to appreciate someone. And how easy is it to do? It really doesn't cost you anything in any way . . . but it can make a world of difference to another person.

Random Acts of Kindness: Say Thank You

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation lists upcoming holiday dates as:

World Kindness Day: November 13, 2009
World Kindness Week: November 9-15, 2009
Random Acts of Kindness Week: February 15-21, 2010

thank you!

source: Rocket Moms lens

WORLD KINDNESS DAY!

2009-11-13T12:14:00.006+08:00

World Kindness Day^®

The date decreed for World Kindness Day is 13^th November. This was the opening day of the first World Kindness Movement^® conference held at Tokyo in 1998, and the 35^thanniversary of the Small Kindness Movement of Japan, which brought the signatories of the ‘declaration of kindness’ of the World Kindness Movement together in 1997.

The purpose of World Kindness Day is to look beyond ourselves, beyond the boundaries of our country, beyond our culture, our race, our religion; and realise we are citizens of the world. As world citizens we have a commonality, and must realise that if progress is to be made in human relations and endeavours, if we are to achieve the goal of peaceful coexistence, we must focus on what we have in common. When we find likenesses we begin to experience empathy, and in such a state we can fully relate to that person or those people. While we may think of people from other cultures as being ‘different’ when we compare them with our own customs and beliefs, it doesn’t mean that we are any better than they are. When we become friends with someone from a different culture we discover that despite some obvious differences, there are many similarities.

Sometimes knowledge is passed on to us about different races, different cultures, that has become distorted, and we build up a false, negative impression of these people. It is only when we get to know such people that we realise it is a lie.

Another form of separation is in those people who fail to let go of transgressions that have occurred in the past. This also applies to some groups, where bitterness from many hundreds of years ago has been passed down though generations, and hatred becomes a normal reaction to thoughts of, or association with, the other group of people. The recent genocide in Europe is a tragic example of this. There is a need to let go of past transgressions if we are to live in peace. While we cannot change the past, we can ensure such things never happen again.

If we were to ask ourselves on a regular basis, "Is what I am involved in at this moment promoting joining or separation?", it would remind us of our commitment to kindness. All it requires is remembering. If our memory is not the best, small signs can be created and posted about the home and work environment. Simple solutions are workable solutions. Simple solutions to promote joining, working away at our goal for world peace with little acts of kindness, helping to break down the walls that separate races, religions, cultures. Helping our global brothers and sisters.

We can be co-creators of a better world, and we can have a positive effect on world peace, when we bring order into our lives. Be what you want the world to be. Is that difficult? Only if you think it is! When we accept the reality that we can create positive change, we move beyond ourselves, our limitations, our doubts, and realise our infinite power. Anthropologist Margaret Mead said, Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

As mentioned before, as individuals we seem to have a habit of labelling some things as ‘too hard,’ without giving more than a moments consideration as to whether we might be able to achieve such a thing. To achieve something, all that is usually required is the application of a little persistence (for example, when we were learning to walk). Persistence is a magical thing.

Calvin Coolidge had the following to say about persistence. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. We make an agreement with ourselves to keep working away at whatever it is we wish to achieve, little by little. By chipping away, like a sculptor at their block of marble, it is only a matter of time before we have given form to our thought. Such results are within the grasp of everyone – young and old, rich and needy, educated and uneducated, employed and unemployed or retired. People like you and me, carrying out small acts of kindness, making the world a better place.

We may be proud of our country, but if we think of ourselves as citizens of a country, it can become easy to distance ourselves from the misery taking place in other parts of the world. The basic principle of kindness is in joining, in acknowledging that we have a connection with every living thing on this wonderful planet of ours. As our kind acts and deeds bring greater kindness to the world, the barriers of separation will begin to crumble, bringing a rainbow of understanding and happiness to the people of the world.

World Kindness Day is the beginning of a global reaction to the exploitation of our human and natural resources. It could be said that the slogan for World Kindness Day might well be "Healing the World!" – and in doing so, there is the possibility of creating something so intrinsically good and wholesome, that the beneficial effects could be virtually endless.

It has been suggested that the Cosmos flower be adopted as a symbol of World Kindness Day. The Cosmos is an annual with Daisy-like flowers, and many colours are available.

source: www.kindness.com.au/ world_kindness_day.htm

On World Kindnessday Day, I wish that Life always reaches out to you in many unexpexted kind and generous ways.

Beautiful,Naturally

2009-11-08T16:29:00.002+08:00

Learn their beauty recipes using pearl powder, yogurt and tumeric, all concocted with ancient wisdom.

1. Pearl Powder Face Mask

(Use weekly)

Ingredients
Hydrolised pearl powder
Honey
Oat meal

Method
Mix honey and oat meal with pearl powder

Application
Apply to face and leave for 20 to 30 minutes.
Rinse off.

2. Henna & Yoghurt Hair Conditioning Mask

(Use two to three times weekly)

Ingredients
One teaspoon henna powder
(use only non-colouring henna)
Hot water
Yoghurt

Method
Add hot water to the henna.
Stir and leave for 30 minutes.
Add the yoghurt and mix into a
smooth paste.
Leave aside for 3 to 5 hours.

Application
Wet Hair,
Apply sweet almond oil on hair with a bit of essential oil.
Apply henna/yoghurt mask to scalp.
Roll up hair with pin of shower cap and leave for half an hour.
Rinse off, (you do not need to put any more conditioner).

3. Tumeric & Wild Pepper Tea

Ingredients
One piece of tumeric medium old. Leave skin on and cut into pieces
2 pieces of rock sugar
Wild pepper leaves

Method
Boil water in a clay pot and add tumeric.
Add the rock sugar.
Boil for 20 mins, add 5 wild pepper leaves.
Stir and cover for another few minutes.

Application
Drink either hot or cold

4. Tumeric Juice

(Drink once a week)

Ingredients
Old turmeric
Salt
Water

Method
Soak the turmeric in water for about a minute.
Add one teaspoon water, a pinch of salt and blend.

Note
Put on gloves when handling turmeric or stains will be difficult to remove.

5. Ginger Massage

(Drink once a week)

Ingredients
Old ginger and old turmeric

Method
Pound and mix thoroughly.
Put mixture into a piece of square cloth.
Steam for 1 hour.

Application
Massage from top to bottom in one direction.
Do not shower for at least 2 hours.

source:www.channelnewsasia.com/beautiful/ep3.htm#rec1

StressWatch tells you its time to relax

2009-10-19T14:18:00.002+08:00

StressWatch hmmm..very useful though , specially for people with hypertension..they be more alert ha..hehe..

My source called the StressWatch “the mood ring of the 21st century”, but all I can say about it is that someone should have invented it a long time ago.

After all, we live in an age where people wake up at ungodly hours, go to demeaning jobs, come home to face family issues, and barely have time to wind down before they go to sleep. In short, we live in age where everyone is under stress. And if that doesn’t stress you out, then you don’t need the StressWatch.

As you can see from the pic, there is a black bar graph to show your stress levels. The blues and greens that you see there means that you are mellow, but pink, red or orange means you’re one stressed out fellow. I am going to assume that it reads your pulse, sweat from your wrist, or something.

Not only that, it can also tell the time. So that way you can get to your next appointment, so that you can always stay ahead and…I suppose that deadlines are the source of our stress, isn’t it? Just breathe deep and think calming thoughts to get back into the safe zone.

Well, this device is merely concept as now, but it deserves to be made reality. I could use a little reduced stress now.

The Itch Stopper uses electronic energy

2009-10-19T14:09:00.000+08:00

think going to love this gadget..save the trouble of scratching..hehehe...

Depsite how small misquito bites happen to be, they still are quite capable of making you crazy. Not to mention all of the other rashes and things that make you itch. Anything that has that itchy effect has a way of making your day a little more irritating. Well instead of picking up a cream that barely works, you can try out a different method. This Itch Stopper is electronic and won’t leave you with a gooey mess that seems to always rub off on your clothing.

It is said to stop itching entirely by producing mild electronic energy. That energy destroys the toxins beneath the skin and stops histamine release. All of that making it so that you won’t be quite so itchy. It’s of course FDA approved and will not cause any DNA damage or skin cancer. For something this good it is going to cost you a little extra, but thankfully not too much extra. You can purchase the Itch Stopper for $59.95 through Amazon.

Source: CraziestGadgets

Smart Measure Cup, sure come in handy,loves this..

2009-09-11T11:24:00.001+08:00

The Smart Measure Cup gets really precise, measuring volume exactly and displaying the unit on the LCD screen attached to the handle. So you no longer have to place the measuring cup on top of the fridge or stoop down like a someone suffering from a case of the rickets to make sure you have an accurate measurement.

Designed by Ryan Eder & Chris Daniels, a pair of our friends at Yanko Design and manufactured by Taylor Kitchenware, the Smart Measure Cup does unit conversions, can be pre-set for recipe amounts which will “beep” once you reach them, and the built in cup can be removed for easy cleaning to keep the LCD safe from getting wet.
No word on how much the Smart Measure Cup will cost, but it should be available in the fall, making it an ideal holiday gift for the foodie in your life.
Hat Tip – The Giz

Digital BBQ Tongs anyone??

2009-09-11T11:16:00.002+08:00

Just when you thought that a rudimentary device could not get “techno-fied”, along comes the Digital BBQ Tongs.

The Digital BBQ Tongs are more than just ordinary barbecue tongs with a LED display, but they have special sensors in the tips to detect the meat’s temperature. So in case you are wondering if the burgers or chicken really are cooked all the way through, just listen to the tongs.

Yes, these tongs will actually tell you, with an chimed alarm, when the meat is done. In fact, it has seven preset meat types and one custom setting. No more eating undercooked food and risking terrifying health problems ever again!

Not only does it come with a backlit LCD display, but it also has an LED flashlight for times when…actually, I can’t think of a time when you would use the LED flashlight. I mean, if you are barbecuing at night, then move your grill underneath the porch light! At least the LED flashlight might give you that extra light if it is needed.

If you like the concept behind the Digital BBQ Tongs, and want one of your own, feel free to go to the Taylor Gifts site and lay down $40. By the way, it comes with the 3 AAA batteries that power it.

Source

Measuring Pours

2009-09-11T11:12:00.000+08:00

Measuring Pours let get rid of measuring cups

If you’re one that prefers to keep your measuring precise and very carefully double check it every single time. It becomes a task that seems to take far longer than it really should. Well instead of setting down the measuring cup so you can crouch down at eye level to make sure it’s right, you could use these. They will make it so that you don’t have to do more than make sure you’ve grabbed the right tool and pour. They will only allow as much as you need to be poured out.

These little spouts go on the end of a bottle and range in all kinds of sizes. They offer a total of five different sizes. There’s the teaspoon pour, the tablespoon, 1 ounce, 2 ounce and then a free-flowing pour. Since the sizes aren’t broken down into half a teaspoon or a quarter of a tablespoon, you’ll still need to have a lot of measuring cups around. However, it’ll at least speed up some measurements for you. The seals will fit on bottlenecks with sizes ranging from ¾ inch on up to 1 inch. You can purchase a set of three for $16.50 (teaspoon, tablespoon and ounce pours included) or individually for$5.95.

Source: Gearfuse

Eating smart: A keystep towards healthy eating

2009-09-03T17:02:00.001+08:00

Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”. It's not just what you eat, but how you eat. Paying attention to what you eat and choosing foods that are both nourishing and enjoyable helps support an overall healthy diet.

Take time to chew your food: Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of what is in our mouths. Reconnect with the joy of eating.
Avoid stress while eating: When we are stressed, our digestion can be compromised, causing problems like colitis and heartburn. Avoid eating while working, driving, arguing, or watching TV (especially disturbing programs or the news). Try taking some deep breaths prior to beginning your meal, or light candles and play soothing music to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Listen to your body: Ask yourself if you are really hungry. You may really be thirsty, so try drinking a glass of water first. During a meal, stop eating before you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly. Eating just enough to satisfy your hunger will help you remain alert, relaxed and feeling your best, rather than stuffing yourself into a “food coma”!
Eat early, eat often: Starting your day with a healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, and eating the majority of your daily caloric allotment early in the day gives your body time to work those calories off. Also, eating small, healthy meals throughout the day, rather than the standard three large meals, can help keep your metabolism going and ward off snack attacks.

Healthy eating simplified

Despite what certain fad diets would have you believe, we all need a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to sustain a healthy body. But what exactly does that mean? What are good carb, protein, and fat choices for developing your own healthy eating plan? Below you will find more details on each of these topics.

source:www.helpguide.org

HAPPY TEACHERS DAY!

2009-09-01T17:07:00.002+08:00

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." - William Arthur Ward

PECANS

2009-08-26T13:08:00.005+08:00

Pecan - With Husk

The green, outer husk of the pecan splits into four places, releasing a single large, one-seeded nut.

Pecan - Without Husk

Pecan shells are brown and shiny, almost perfectly oval, and around 1 inch long. Thin stripes run the length of the shell.

Pecan - Without Shell

Pecan kernels are medium brown with a white flesh. They have a lobed and wrinkled shape. Pecans can be confused with walnuts, but walnuts are generally more lobed and wing-shaped.

Pecan - Tree

Pecan trees grow 70 to 100 feet in height with a spread of 40 to 75 feet.

Pecan - Leaf

Pecan leaves are pinnately compound and arranged alternately along the stem. Each leaf is composed of 11 to 17 leaflets.

Each leaflet has a toothed margin and reaches 4 to 7 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. The tip of each leaflet curves slightly downward, giving it a hooked appearance.

The pecan is the Texas state tree, being native to about 150 counties and capable of growing and producing in all Texas counties. The tree is popular for landscaping and as a source of nuts.

Pecans are native to river and creek bottoms, the soils of which are deep, fertile and well-drained and have substantial water-holding capacity. Pecans require at least 3 feet of well-drained soil above the minimum depth of the water table to develop a strong root system. Pecans planted on shallow soils having poor internal drainage never develop into large, productive trees.

Pecans develop into large trees with massive root systems, and should be planted at least 35 feet apart. Trees planted too close develop poor health, have unattractive shapes and, as crowding occurs, nut production and quality are poor. Moisture and air cannot reach roots under concrete, so plant trees at least 15 feet from driveways or foundations.

Pecan Pralines are sweet and creamy, with lots of crisp pecan pieces!

Did you know that April 14 is National Pecan Day? It’s true! In fact, there’s much to admire about this special nut, such as how a pecan-enriched diet can effectively lower cholesterol levels by nearly 6%. Or, that the pecan is the only tree-grown nut indigenous to North America. Plus, consider this impressive fact: Pecan oil is the second healthiest type of oil on the market—only taking a backseat to the olive variety. However, even considering all its health benefits, we still think the best quality of the little pecan is its crunchy texture and buttery flavor.

Pecans...most of us in Asia had never seen pecans tree and before it was processed, amazingly this tasty beautiful nuts has its own story, so I had gathered some info from the internet till I forgotten this pictures came from..hehehe...anyhow just for my viewing and others who never know...:)

Facts on Our Favorite Nuts

They’re nutritious, delicious in just about any dish and are plentiful all year round.

Cultivation region: Georgia, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma
Grown on: A deciduous tree
Health benefits: Protein, unsaturated fats and antioxidants
Calories per serving (1/4 cup): 198
Storage: Shelled pecans can be kept in the refrigerator for 9 months, the freezer for 2 years, and will stay fresh for 2 months after removed from storage. (Airtight jars are the best refrigerator storing method, and sealed ziptop bags are best for freezer storage.) In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months.
Favorite pairings: Citrus salads, desserts

Eat Healthier

2009-08-21T12:31:00.001+08:00

Tips to A Healthier Me

Eat raw veggies or fruit before each meal.

Having some raw veggies or fruit before you eat stimulates digestive enzyme, provides your body with raw power and nutrients and cuts down on cravings. Easy to digest veggies will provide your cells with instant nutrients and make them happy. When you give your cells what they need and they are satisfied, they won't scream out for more. Snacking on some red peppers, celery and carrots while you make dinner will give your brain a little bit of glucose to help you focus and feel calm. This is helpful if you find that you are often reaching the point of being "starving" by dinner time. If you have a snack of raw veggies then when you have your dinner you will be able to eat it slower because your blood sugar levels will be normalized and your brain will be fueled. The brains primary fuel is glucose so that bit of sugar from a carrot, a sliced raw beet or an apple will stop the brain fog.

If plain raw veggies seem too boring you can add a bit of hummus or tzatziki, or some healthy dressing. You can get recipes for these ideas and more here. Try a bit of almond butter on sliced apples or pears. Wrap a piece of raw organic cheese in a leaf of Swiss chard.

Put this tip into action this week and feel the difference it makes. You will be encouraged to eat less and eat better by simply adding more raw veggies to your diet.

Happy thoughts and good eats!

source:blog.ahealthierme.ca

My NDP new craze?

2009-08-16T18:19:00.012+08:00

Surpisingly grew by dozens..

one of my favourite pieces

These are some of my brooches that I've made

More brooches

Have been busy lately,hehe..doing all these above..without realising that it's almost two weeks I did not blogged(ohh when was the last time ehh hmm maybe 3 weeks ago,hmm I'm hooked with this felt craze lately.. hairpins ga-gas...since NDP, ahhh it's too late to wish everyone Happy National Day(anyhow in my heart I had made my wishes and do you Singaporean made your pledge,mmmm...yes of course I did mine. We just proud to be Singaporean don't we?)

Thought I would like to try one or two (felt craft) caused they looked very cute without realising it , (I was so engrossed) the number had grew more than expected can you believed its more than a dozen..hahaha..

These are other things that made me soo busy.... in August,

Love basket full of strawberries for my niece engagement Jilbab made for my cousin Peachy colour 'baju kurung' made for this festive season for my daughter

hmm...anyway I liked being busy.

End of this month and the following month will be more busy with fasting,praying,baking,cooking,spring cleaning, lots of cooking,eating,visiting...endless and (the never ending chores)

(Hari Raya..that's Muslims Festive season,after fasting month, called Ramadhan will follow with month of Shawal means celebrations after completions of a month fasting. Generally we adorned with nice new pretty cloths and go visiting our relatives near and far (which we don't usually visit them but we make a point to strengthen the relationship during this festive season by forgiving each other and say prayers and giving hari raya small token of gift, a packet of money to childrens and old people as act of generosity which being practise during this season (that is why children can't wait for Shawal caused their pockets will be fulled, speaking through experienced,hehehe..when we were young, we were so eager to wait for Ramadan and Shawal, meaning we would enjoy more festive food and more pocket money..hehehe..)

Modern Insanity:

2009-07-31T14:54:00.003+08:00

Modern Insanity: What Really Makes Us Crazy

By Robin Nixon, Special to LiveScience

posted: 29 July 2009 06:24 am ET

Last month, researchers found that schizophrenics were more likely to have been subjected to influenza in the womb than healthy individuals. Other common experiences can also drive away our wits, long after we are out of diapers.

In fact, the typical American lifestyle teems with risk factors for mental illness, says Stephen Ilardi, a psychologist at the University of Kansas and author of "The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs" (DeCapo Press, 2009). But we can protect ourselves by adopting the habits of our distant ancestors, he said.

"In modern life, our environment is continually activating the brain's stress response," Ilardi said, bombarded as we are by email, tragic news and interpersonal demands. Certain circuits in the brain react to stress as if it is an infection, triggering social withdrawal, inflammation and potentially leading to brain damage in areas such as the hippocampus, the frontal cortex and the basal ganglia, Ilardi said.

In many mental disorders, "inflammation is a big culprit," Ilardi said.

In short bouts, inflammation is the body's way of protecting itself. But if prolonged, it can take a tremendous toll. Like heart disease and insulin resistance, mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, autism, anxiety and bipolar disorder have all been linked to inflammation. And the prevalence of many of these illnesses has increased in lockstep with modernization, Ilardi said.

The relative sanity of our distant ancestors should not imply they led stress-free lives. Hunting dangerous game does not exactly instill Zen-like breaths. But "our remote ancestors had many factors woven into the fabric of their lives that turned off the brain's stress response," — habits that in most developed countries have fallen out of fashion, Ilardi said.

For example, if met with an impediment on a path to some succulent boar, hunter-gatherers may have vented their frustration by, say, heaving a boulder out of the way. Physical exertion holds up a potent stop sign to the stress-inflammation circuitry, Ilardi said. But today, an urban dweller stuck in traffic can do little but stew.

Many mental illnesses are recognized as a problem with brain chemistry, and therefore treated chemically with medication. But behavior also alters brain chemistry. Several primitive habits, researchers have found, may check the stress response and prevent it from making our brains sick. A program developed by Ilardi and colleagues — that helps individuals adopt the habits of
cool, collected cavemen — is proving more effective in treating mental illnesses than conventional medication.

For primal protection from modern insanity, try to:

Balance your Omegas

The ideal balance between Omega 6 and Omega 3 fats is one-to-one. In the typical American diet, the ratio is closer to 16-to-one, largely due to the modern tendency of feeding livestock grains instead of grass. Compounds derived from Omega 6 fats encourage inflammation, cross the blood-brain barrier and can trigger depressive responses, Ilardi said. Omega 3 fats, found in salmon, walnuts and flaxseeds, are anti-inflammatory and can help break the stress-inflammation cycle.

Get more Zzzzs

A century ago, Americans were averaging nine hours of sleep every night. These days, according to the National Sleep Foundation, many people get less than seven, a trend that has been linked to an overall decline in mental health. Strive to get 8 to10 hours of sleep each night to help your brain and body fully recuperate.

Seek social support

While our distant ancestors likely enjoyed being the best at something, say the best gooseberry spotter among their community of 50 to 100 individuals, in "today's global village of 6.5 billion people, nobody is the best at anything," Ilardi said. Finding a niche in a subset community may dissuade this inevitable ego knocker as well as provide other mental health goodies, such as halting rumination.

Interrupt circle-think

Focusing on a problem or discomfort can be adaptive; it helps us find solutions. But when we become fixated, the repetitive stress can erode our ability to rebound. Rumination, Ilardi says, is particularly common when we're alone, a state familiar to many inhabitants of developed countries. In contrast, our ancient ancestors rarely went solo. Having company or partaking in engaging activities can stop ruminative thoughts in their tracks.

Walk it off

Organic food not healthier

2009-07-31T14:48:00.001+08:00

Organic food not healthier, study finds

Thu Jul 30, 1:38 pm ET

LONDON (Reuters) – Organic food has no nutritional or health benefits over conventionally produced food, according to a major study published on Wednesday.

Its conclusions were challenged by organic food campaigners.

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said consumers paid higher prices for organic food in part because of its perceived health benefits, creating a global organic market worth an estimated $48 billion in 2007.

A systematic review of 162 scientific papers published in the scientific literature over the last 50 years, however, found there was no significant difference.

"A small number of differences in nutrient content were found to exist between organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs, but these are unlikely to be of any public health relevance," said Alan Dangour, one of the report's authors.

"Our review indicates that there is currently no evidence to support the selection of organically over conventionally produced foods on the basis of nutritional superiority."

The results of research, which was commissioned by the British government's Food Standards Agency, were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Peter Melchett, policy director of Britain's Soil Association, which promotes organic farming, said he was disappointed by the conclusions reached by the study's authors.

He criticized the methodology of the study, which he said had led researchers to reject some clear nutritional benefits as "not important."

Melchett also pointed out there was not sufficient research to assess the long-term effects of pesticides on human health.

Sales of organic food have fallen in some markets, including Britain, as recession has led consumers to cut back on purchases.

The Soil Association said in April that growth in sales of organic products in Britain slowed to just 1.7 percent in 2008, well below the average annual growth rate of 26 percent over the last decade, following a plunge in demand at the end of the year.

($1=.6107 Pound)

(Reporting by Ben Hirschler; editing by Matthew Jones)

What is EQ and Why Should You Care?

2009-07-25T20:19:00.002+08:00

July 23rd, 2009 by Margaret Meloni

EQ is the acronym for Emotional Intelligence. So not only do you and I have an IQ
(Intelligence Quotient), we also have emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is not about traditional intelligence. It is about our ability to handle ourselves and others. It is all about our ability to get along with others and build relationships.

The concept of EQ became popularized by Daniel Goleman in 1995. His book (also called Emotional Intelligence), helped us to understand that it is not just technical and analytical abilities that make a successful leader. IQ is not the only predictor of your success, a high IQ is not a guarantee of career success. You do need your technical abilities, your competencies at a specific skill or within a specific subject matter, but to thrive you need your ability to get along with other people. The most successful leaders also have a high degree of emotional intelligence. And here is the great news; EQ (unlike IQ) can be developed.

Emotional intelligence: “the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and action.” - Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer.

“The abilities to recognize and regulate emotions in ourselves and others” – Daniel Goleman and Gary Cherniss.

Why should you care about your EQ? Perhaps you will humor me by reading just one more quote:

“75% of careers are derailed for reasons related to emotional competencies, including inability to handle interpersonal problems; unsatisfactory team leadership during times of difficulty or conflict; or inability to adapt to change or elicit trust.” — The Center for Creative Leadership, 1994

So 75% of careers derail for reasons that relate to something that we can all work on and improve? Of course you care!

What makes up EQ? There are five components:

Self-Awareness – A person who is self-aware understands their own moods and emotions and also how those moods and emotions may impact others.

Self-Regulation – Someone who exhibits self-regulation thinks before they act. Remember that person you worked for? The one who used to get red in the face, yell and scream and throw notebooks across the room? They were not exhibiting self-regulation at all.

Motivation – If you love to work and it is not just for money or for status; if you have a strong drive to achieve; then you know about motivation.

Empathy – The empathetic individual is able to understand the emotions of others and also learns to treat them as they wish to be treated.

Social Skill – Do you know someone who is able to meet new people and immediately develop a rapport with them? It is likely that they are very accomplished in the area of social skill.

Why don’t we take a moment and examine someone who is working on their self-awareness and their self-regulation:

“Do you think you could stop surfing the web long enough to get me a latte? I would hate to think your horoscope for the day includes bad customer service.” For some reason, snapping at the coffee house barista made Jane feel just a bit better. Jane slammed some money on the counter and waited for her coffee. When it was ready she picked it up and marched out of the coffee house, letting the door close in the face of the person walking out behind her.

Wow in the above scenario Jane is definitely not being self-aware and definitely not exhibiting self-regulation.

If Jane came back to the coffee house after she verbally abused the barista and apologized, she would be exhibiting one of the behaviors associated with trustworthiness. Trustworthiness is considered to be a competency of self-regulation; a behavior that is associated with this competency is the ability to admit our own mistakes.

In this version of Jane and the coffee house, we see self-awareness and self-regulation:

Jane took a deep breath as she opened the door to the coffee house. She knew that she was tired and really on edge. Jane also knew that when she was tired she had a tendency to be impatient and say things she would later regret. With this thought in mind, Jane approached the counter, smiled and said, “Excuse me; I would like to order a latte please.”

Because Jane is aware of how she behaves when she is tired, she is also able to exercise self-control. She is able to manage her impulses and disruptive emotions, she remains composed and positive. She takes a deep breath, thinks before she speaks and does not allow herself to behave badly. She does not need to go back to the coffee house and apologize because she was able to self-regulate.

Self-awareness and self-regulation are the foundation upon which you build and strengthen your emotional intelligence. Think about it, in order to regulate your behavior you must become aware of your behavior and what causes or triggers that behavior. When you become aware, you can begin to manage yourself and to stop yourself from snapping at coffee house baristas (or your co-workers or your friends or family).

To develop self-awareness you need to learn to objectively observe yourself. This means you are keeping an eye out for situations where you felt negative emotions. This is a good start. An even better start is to recognize those negative emotions and then the behaviors that you exhibit when you are experiencing these emotions. A very helpful tool to support you in this process is journaling. Consider keeping a journal that helps you track when you act in a way that you later regret and what you were feeling at the time. This journal is your first line of defense to building your self-awareness and your self-regulation.

Remember that EQ can be developed and developing your EQ is a journey. By reading this article and becoming familiar with the concept of EQ, you have just taken the first step.

source:pickthebrain.com

Don't Eat Late Night To Loss Weight

2009-07-24T13:51:00.003+08:00

You want to lose weight and looking for techniques that can help you for weight loss. Just think for a while before spending huge income of the weight loss scams and be realistic and adopt the right way to reduce your weight.

The concept of not eating to grow is not a bad approach because skipping meals is the basis of the weight ... And yes, that's how we grow and we adopt bad health habits.

The question you must ask is: What foods should I avoid eating in quantity in the evening so as not to grow?

In general, if you want to lose weight at the approach of the summer to wear the bathing suit of your dreams, you must focus on protein, vegetables and avoid excessive consumption of carbohydrates.

For example: A lean meat with vegetables, will benefit a plate of pasta at the carbonate raw egg with his right

A tomato mozzarella salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar will be your ally in weight loss while eggs mimosa makes huge damage in your program forweight loss.

Reduce your consumption of white bread, rice, pasta and other starchy foods in the evening if you really want to lose weight. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and lean meats and you lose weight safelyand quickly.

source:http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles

I'M CONFUSED....

2009-07-17T12:38:00.001+08:00

Bike-Car looks pretty zoned out
this strange looking Bike-Car from Italy that looks as though it was conjured from the very same mind that thought up of the fictional Frankenstein? Clearly the designer was confused enough that he could not make up his mind as to design a motorbike or a car, ending up with this weird amalgamation. Hopefully there will be a detached version of this in the future, letting the bike disconnect from the car segment whenever one is faced with a traffic jam.

Once in a while comes a vehicle that will stop traffic, and most of the times these comprise of some hot-blooded supercar from a respected marquee. Well, how about this strange looking Bike-Car from Italy that looks as though it was conjured from the very same mind that thought up of the fictional Frankenstein? Clearly the designer was confused enough that he could not make up his mind as to design a motorbike or a car, ending up with this weird amalgamation. Hopefully there will be a detached version of this in the future, letting the bike disconnect from the car segment whenever one is faced with a traffic jam. Of course, you’d best put in enough coins for the “car” in the parking meter unless you want to be greeted by a parking ticket when you return.
Source: TRFJ

Never have to miss my favourite show..

2009-07-17T12:30:00.004+08:00

Seura The One HDTV on a Mirror
July 16th, 2009 by Mark R

That last time we reported on Seura, they were working on putting custom LED lighting on mirrors, and they have advanced to LCD TVs.

The television is a 19-inch 1080p with a 16:9 widescren ratio. With this TV is a ATSC/NTSC tuner, an HDMI input, a PC input, plus a waterproof remote control in case you decide to hang this in the bathroom.

I’m sure you are quite aware that this isn’t the first time that we have reported on mirrors with LCDs. The Fendi Casa Mirror comes in varying sizes, and Majestic Mirrored TVs could easily make their mark on hotel rooms.

I believe that it was Dr. Seuss who said that “nobody can resist a mirror”. Nobody, especially Seura, can resist putting an LCD TV on a mirror, apparently. Are we looking at a future that looks back at us with a television?

Yeah, I just had to say that, but are we a society so addicted to TV that we need to be constantly watching it while in the bathroom? If so, why stop there? We’ve already seen the Maitre Mirror, a touchscreen mirror with a built-in radio, clock, MP3 player, and even a barometer.

As it is the Seura mirror can be purchased at the HGTV site for a price of about $3,500. If we are looking for a future of mirrored LCDs, then they had better be less expensive.
Source

Six Criteria for Hijab

2009-07-12T19:03:00.003+08:00

Six Criteria for Hijab

Islam expects women to maintain their status by following Allah's rules designed for their advantage. Hijab is one such rule.

According to the Qur'an and Sunnah, there are basically six criteria for observing hijab:

1. It is obligatory for males to cover at least from the navel to the knees. For women, it is obligatory to cover the complete body except the face and the hands up to the wrist. If they wish to, they can cover even these parts of the body. Some scholars insist that the face and the hands are part of the obligatory extent of hijab, especially if temptation (fitna) is feared in times and places where Islamic rules are not prevalent or if security is scarce. All the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women:

2. The clothes should be loose and should not reveal the figure.

3. The clothes should not be transparent or see-through.

4. The clothes should not be so glamorous as to attract attention.

5. The clothes should not resemble those of the opposite sex.

6. The clothes should not resemble those of the unbelievers, that is, clothes that identify or are symbols of the unbelievers' religions.

Hijab Includes Conduct Complete hijab, besides the six criteria of clothing,

also includes the moral conduct, behavior, attitude, and intention of the individual.

A person only fulfilling the criteria of hijab of the clothes is observing hijab in a limited sense. Hijab of the clothes should be accompanied by hijab of the eyes, the heart, the thought, and the intention. It also includes the way a person walks, talks, and behaves. Therefore, the hypocritical use of hijab is not a good example of Muslim conduct.

Hijab Prevents Molestation The Qur'an says that hijab enables women to be recognized as modest women and this will also protect them from being molested. Suppose there is a hooligan who is waiting to tease a girl. Whom will he tease? a girl wearing hijab, or one wearing a mini skirt or shorts?

Hijab does not degrade a woman but uplifts a woman and protects her modesty and chastity.
Lifting the Veil Will Not Uplift Women Woman's liberalization mostly disguises exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation of her honor.

Non-Muslim societies claim to have uplifted women via allowing them to expose their bodies, but on the contrary, this has actually degraded them to mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketers, hidden behind the colorful screen of "art" and "culture." Muslim women should be well aware of these facts.

They should be aware that hijab protects them from evil glances and evil desires of those who are sick in the heart, as described in the Qur'an.

Muslim women must adhere to Allah's rules and not be persuaded or tempted by the media that opposes hijab or belittles its significance, as those who spread these ideas only desire evil for her.

The Qur'an warns by saying what means:
*{But the wish of those who follow their lusts is that you should deviate away [from the right path], -far, far away}* (An-Nisaa' 4:27).

source: zaharuddin.net

Have a beautiful Sunday...stay beautiful always!

2009-07-12T13:29:00.000+08:00

WATER VS CUPS

2009-07-10T13:12:00.001+08:00

A group of working adults got together to visit their University lecturer. The lecturer was happy to see them. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. The Lecturer just smiled and went to the kitchen to get an assortment of cups - some porcelain, some in plastic, some in glass, some plain looking and some looked rather expensive and exquisite. The Lecturer offered his former students the cups to get drinks for themselves. When all the students had a cup in hand with water, the lecturer spoke: "If you noticed, all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal that you only want the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. What all you wanted was water, not the cup, but we unconsciously went for the better cups." "Just like in life, if Happiness is Water, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold/maintain Happiness in Life." "If we only concentrate on the cups, we won't have time to enjoy/taste the water in it."

Be Inspired: A Weed and A Blind

2009-07-10T12:52:00.003+08:00

Be Inspired!

http://www.iluvislam.com/

oleh: deynarashid

This is a story that I received from a friend. A very short yet inspiring story. Allah's Hidayah is always there, around us. It comes in all sorts of forms. It's either we are aware of it or we simply take advantage on it.

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, for the world was intent on dragging me down. And if that weren’t enough to ruin my day, a young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me with his head tilted down and said with great excitement, “Look what I found!” In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, with it’s petals all worn, not enough rain, or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise, “It sure smells pretty and it’s beautiful, too. That’s why I picked it; here it’s for you.” The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, “Just what I need.” But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, he held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time that weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind. I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun as I thanked him for picking the very best one. You’re welcome, he smiled, and then ran off to play, unaware of the impact he’d had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight? Perhaps from his heart, he’d been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see the problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that’s mine. And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose and breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose. And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand about to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.

Stranger In The Dark

2009-07-07T13:45:00.002+08:00

www.iLuvislam.com
Muslim Brother*
pOsted by : suhana_nur
editOr : mawaryangtinggi

A few months before I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer, and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the world a few months later.
As I grew up, I never questioned his place in our family. In my young mind, each member had a special niche. My brother, Bilal, five years my senior, was my example. Fatimah, my younger sister, gave me an opportunity to play big brother’ and develop the art of teasing. My parents were complementary instructors - Mom taught me to love the word of Allah, and Dad taught me to obey it. But the stranger was our storyteller. He could weave the most fascinating tales. Adventures, mysteries, and comedies were daily conversations. He could hold our whole family spell-bound for hours each evening.
If I wanted to know about politics, history, or science, he knew it. He knew about the past, understood the present, and seemingly could predict the future. The pictures he could draw were so life like that I would often laugh or cry as I watched. He was like a friend to the whole family. He took Dad, Bilal, and me to our first major league baseball game.
He was always encouraging us to see the movies and he even made arrangements to introduce us to several movie stars. The stranger was an incessant talker. Dad didn’t seem to mind but sometimes Mom would quietly get up while the rest of us were enthralled with one of his stories of faraway places, go to her room, and read her Qur’an and pray. I wonder now if she ever prayed that the stranger would leave.
You see, my dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions. But this stranger never felt an obligation to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our house - not for some of us, from our friends, or adults. Our longtime visitor, however, used occasional four letter words that turned my ears and made Dad squirm.
To my knowledge, the stranger was never confronted. My dad was a teetotaler who didn’t permit alcohol in his home, as good Muslims should. But the stranger felt like we needed exposure and enlightened us to other ways of life. He offered us beer and other alcoholic beverages often. He made cigarettes look tasty, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (probably too much, too freely) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.
I know now that the stranger influenced my early concepts of the man-woman relationship. As I look back, I believe it was the grace of Allah that the stranger did not influence us more. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents. Yet, he was seldom rebuked and never asked to leave. More than thirty years have passed since the stranger moved in with the young family on Wangee Road.
He is not nearly so intriguing to my Dad as he was in those early years. But if I were to walk into my parents’ den today, you would still see him sitting over in a corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures… His name you ask? We called him TV.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die in the state of righteousness.
"O Allah, let our last days be the best days of our life and our last deeds be the best deeds, and let the best day be the day we meet You." (Surah Al- Imran Ayat 193)

[Written by a Muslim brother, for a nationwide essay competition in Canada. Needless to say, he took the first prize]

4 Exercises to Sharpen Your Brain

2009-06-28T13:00:00.004+08:00

By Dr. Maoshing Ni - Posted on Fri, Jun 19, 2009

Think of your brain as a muscle:

It gets stronger with exercise. Your everyday mental tasks are like walking, but how about a real workout? Try these simple exercises to boost your brain power and clear away the fog of forgetfulness.

1. Use your non-dominant hand

Tackling new tasks improves brain capacity in younger people and has a restorative effect on mental faculties that are declining. Boost your brain power right now by performing everyday activities with your non-dominant hand. If you're right-handed, use your left hand to eat, drink, comb your hair, and brush your teeth. Try writing your name with your non-dominant hand or put your mouse pad on the other side of the keyboard.

Why does this work?

The human brain starts declining after the age of 30 especially in women with each successive pregnancy. By exercising your brain through the use of non-dominant hand, you are stimulating the opposite side of the brain and activating blood flow, which slows down the brain aging process and improves mental capacity.

Evidence from functional brain imaging shows that the process of neuroplasticity -- the brain's natural ability to form new connections -- can be enhanced by studying new things, especially hand-eye coordinated exercises like developing the use of your non-dominant hand and practicing visualization meditation. For an effective guided visualization that will also increase your years, check out Meditations to Live to Be 100.

Stimulating communication between the two hemispheres even helps physical balance. Mind-body exercises like tai chi coach people to use the right and left side of the body equally. Try switching it up in sports. For instance, in tennis, switch the racquet to your non-dominant side and play.

2. Work out your brain

You have to use it or lose it! You can work out your mind just like you work out your body. Mental exercises that will keep your brain fit include doing crossword puzzles, playing chess, or memorizing names, shopping lists, and phone numbers. When I was a young boy, to keep my brain function strong, my father had me memorize Tang Dynasty poetry. Every day I had to memorize a new poem and recite it back. Learn the words to a poem or a new song and repeat them back from memory. Set aside the calculator and add manually instead. Keep challenging yourself with tasks that are new to you.

Whatever mental exercise you choose, the key to success is to practice every day at the same time; you are developing and activating new neural pathways, and consistent cycles will keep the brain on track.

3. Move your fingers to improve your brain

Many people marvel that Asian children seem so intelligent. It could be because they use their fingers more frequently. They eat with chopsticks and at one time, they used to compute with an abacus in school. In fact, some studies have been done with children who use an abacus daily, and findings show that engaging the fingers stimulates nerve endings that go directly to the brain, increasing circulation. Take advantage of this by practicing motor activities that use your fingertips, like crocheting, knitting, and other arts and crafts where you are manipulating small parts. Try playing the piano or a stringed instrument.

Here is an exercise you can do anywhere, at any time. Put one finger on top of the one next to it, then try to stack the next finger on top of that. Or hold a pencil or pen between your index and middle fingers, roll it over until it's balanced between the middle and ring fingers, then again to between the ring finger and pinky. This exercise has a beneficial impact on brain health for anyone at any age, but especially for people in their 40s, 50s and beyond -- when signs of brain aging starts to set in.

Why does this work?

A map of the brain shows that the nerve endings on your fingertips correspond to more areas of the brain than any other body area, except perhaps the tongue and lips.

Therefore, finger exercise and movements can be useful in stimulating the neurons in the brain.

The National Institute of Mental Health conducted experiments that showed finger exercises enlarged the capacity of the participants' brains, increased connections between neurons, forged new neural pathways, and increased circulation to the brain areas. The researchers concluded that finger exercise contributed significantly to brain plasticity, the ability of the brain to renew itself. Increased circulation means more oxygen and nutrients for the brain cells and decreased waste products that clog up the brain.

4. Stimulate brain acuity with self-massage

To improve concentration and memory try this self-massage that stimulates two easy-to-find acupressure points on your neck at the base of the skull. Cross your hands behind you with the palms cradling the back of your head, your thumbs in the grooves on each side of your neck, and your index fingers crossing one another below the skull, just above the thumbs. Sit in a chair, lean your head back, and let it rest against the pressure of your thumbs and index fingers. Slowly inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth, letting your whole body relax. Do this for three to five minutes. You'll increase blood flow to the brain and at the same time relax the neck muscles, which often tense up in response to stress, constricting blood vessels in the area.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

--Dr. Mao

5 Secrets to Preserve Your Eyesight

2009-06-28T12:29:00.003+08:00

By Dr. Maoshing Ni -

Posted on Wed, Jun 03, 2009

More than ever we are using our eyes to stare at small type and images on computer screens, televisions, and cellphones—a modern trend that leads to eye fatigue and an increase in age-related eye problems. But diminished eyesight does not have to be an inevitable part of living long. Use these 5 secrets to promote and preserve the health of your eyes.

1. A juice to brighten your eyesight

An age-old Chinese folk remedy for clearing the vision is a blended juice made from celery, peppermint, and Chinese parsley. Research has caught up with this wisdom, and we now know that luteolin, an antioxidant bioflavonoid found in these three ingredients, has been found to provide the best protection of cell DNA from radiation. Some evidence shows that luteolin helps protect the eye from UV radiation damage, as well as from glycation, a process in which sticky sugar molecules bind up protein, potentially damaging the retina. Luteolin also promotes healthy blood sugar levels and regulates insulin sensitivity. Blend together celery, peppermint, and Chinese parsley in a blender with a little water or a juicer. Drink this fresh juice daily to see well into the future!

2. Eat for eye health

Let nature help you maintain vision health with its bounty of beneficial foods for eyesight. Spinach is full of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that protect your retina from the macular degeneration that comes with age. Don't forget: fat increases lutein absorption, so remember to sauté your spinach in a little olive oil. (More leafy greens for a long life.) Other lutein and zeaxanthin vegetables include spinach, kale, turnip greens, collards, mustard greens, squash, green peas, broccoli, pumpkin, and corn. Chlorophyll-rich algae like spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae possess nutrients that are beneficial for the eyes. Carrots, loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene, are also a great help to your eyes. Bilberry, a cousin of blueberry, boosts blood flow to eye nerves and is also rich in antioxidants. Goji berry is used to strengthen the eyesight, so snack on them in between meals.

3. Stay hydrated

Proper hydration is essential for good eye function. So drink filtered water regularly to stay hydrated. A slow and regular intake of water creates a constant supply of water to lubricate and nourish our eyes. Drink 8 glasses of water every day.

4. Eye exercises to fight floaters

These simple exercises improve and maintain good vision and may also get rid of those pesky floaters in your eyes.

Rub your palms together to create heat, and then place them against your eyes for five seconds. Repeat this three times.

Roll your eyes in circles, starting at the top and slowly circling 10 times clockwise and 10 times counterclockwise.

Hold a pen at arm's length, focus your eyes on it, and slowly bring the pen closer until it's about six inches away from your nose. Then slowly move it back, keeping your eyes focused on the pen, 10 times in all.

Using your thumb knuckles, massage your temples in small circles, 20 times in one direction and 20 in the other. Repeat the same actions above the mid-point of the eyebrows at the forehead, then below the eyes on both sides of the bridge of the nose.

Take a nap on the job! Put your head back, close your eyes, and relax for three minutes.

After a month you will notice an improvement in vision and a decrease in floaters.

Try to do these exercises first thing in the morning, just before bed, or whenever your eyes feel tired, like after computer use.

Make sure your hands are clean and that you are relaxed. The key to progress is daily practice, so make it a habit! Additionally, take care of your eyes by wearing UV-protective sunglasses.

5. Instant eye remedies

Try these dietary and herbal remedies for overall eye health:

To nourish your eyes, follow Popeye's lead.

Boil 4 ounces of fresh spinach in 4 cups of water. Drink this spinach tea daily to give vital nourishment to your eyes.
Grape seed extract (OPC) and bilberry extracts contain potent antioxidants for eye health.
Taking ginkgo on a daily basis has been shown to improve circulation to the eyes. Find it in a health food store.
When your eyes feel tired, lie down and place slices of cucumber on your eyelids to soothe the eyes and restore moisture.
As a general rule of thumb, eye exams should be done once every 2 to 4 years for everyone under age 40 and once every 2 years after. This way, you can detect issues before they become severe.

I hope these help you maintain good vision well into your golden years!

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

--Dr. Mao

The Wooden Bowl

2009-06-25T12:36:00.003+08:00

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson.

The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.

When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.

'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.

Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.

He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,

'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. ' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Prophet Mohamed (pbuh) said: "A parent is the best of the gates of Paradise; so if you wish, keep to the gate, or lose it."
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4928. Narrated byAbud Darda "

source:islamicinformation.net

Trip to Terengganu Jun 2009

2009-06-16T12:23:00.026+08:00

These are the sceneries as we were passing along the way to our hotel.

Sorry people, have been trying to upload my pictures for the past few days apparently there's problems with my windows lappy keep running around to another sites,hmm..very frustrating..
:-( my Mac was down too, the charger melted ( can you believed that..well still awaiting for the new package to arrive from Hong Kong, I'm more comfortable using my Mac , anyhow today it seems to be quite okay for my window lappy, finally managed to see my blogs )

Well, folks the places we went has not much changes though except for the latest icon, such as Crystal Mosque and the Islamic Grandeur( actually replicas of 21 famous mosque all over the world) my favourite replica was the Dome of the rock, imagine if you got to see the real thing,(some of you might have been there,insyaAllah one day I will be there)

Crystal Mosque is located at Taman Tamadun Islam of Pulau Wan Man. The direction is to drive along to Losong, you will pass by the museum and drive straight to Taman Tamadun Islam. The mosque is located at the end of the road.

The Crystal Mosque.

Crystal Chandelier(the huge crystal lamp, which the mosque got its name ), hanging in the middle of the hall.

replica of the Dome of the Rock (one of my favourite monuments)

Sorry folks when I was almost done with my stories suddenly my computer got disconnected that is why my story was hanging, tried several times and keep on crushing (when will I get my Mac again...still waiting for the package...ahhh.. its getting on my nerve..but anyhow must continue with my 'anger management' control)meanwhile you just watch some of the slides that I had managed to upload.

Arfa batik/silk

Today, had no choice, got to do something with my windows or else it keep on crushing,had download antivirus and power optimizer and speed-up free, at least 55%,finally can upload more pics now.Pray hope will manage to finish my blog by today,hehe..

Okay, lets rolling..Lake Kenyir or Kenyir Lake is the biggest man-made lake in Southeast Asia. Covered by more than 340 islands spread out in water catchments area of 38000 hectares. The biggest island would be estimated as big as Singapore(wahh..I would definately get lost in this jungle). And Kenyir Lake got her name from one of the river known as Kenyir River but now the river is beneath the lake when Kenyir Lake almost filled by the rainfall and surrounding water sources.

Back to the history, this area had been listed as a centre of civilization in the era of Neolithic. Some artifact had been uncovered by a group of archeologists in 1956 and 1970’s. Such artifacts were kitchen utensil, axes and tools dating back in Neolithic era. It is believed that during that era this place was known as one of the business activity centres.

Standing about 138 meters above sea level, the lake is surrounding by rich and valuable fauna. Oil palm estates are planted to the north and northeast. Whereas in the north is Hulu Telemong Forest Reserve and in the south is Hulu Terengganu Forest Reserve. This leads to the National Park. It is surrounded by tropical forest with rich heritage of flora from a beautiful exotic orchid to the majestic high trees in this place. You can found thriving meranti, resak, neram, kapur, several rattan species, keruing and many more. Not only that, the journey to Terengganu’s National Park also passes the lake with the beautiful tree trunks on the surface of it. They look like a harmony finger tries to touch the sky.

The lake is known as a unique tourist destination for its beautiful tropical forest and widely known for its valuable wood species, plants, animals, birds and insects. It is believed that Kenyir area is the home for more than 8000 species of flowers, 2500 species of plants and trees, 800 species of orchids, 300 species of fungus and many fauna still untouched and need to explore and study.

Okay,I think it's enough promoting Kenyir Lake, somehow it's a brief knowledge even I had never thought of it till I blog a little about this place, it's quite interesting though for natures lover, to explore further ( I guessed too quiet a place makes my mind wondering and my imagination starts running wild..)

This boat station, for us to go across to the other island for herbal farm( all good things in life, meaning for herbal products, can be found on the island.

This is the entrance to the herbal farms.

Okay, I have to stop here (it's getting tedious) caused still got some problem with my comp, unable to finish the story anyway I will end the story that everyone was very eager to board the boat as we were the last people on the island and we reached the mainland at about 6.30pm and we headed to our next destination (wondering why on earth...) to the next jungle to see waterfall..(so to speak) and reached at about 7.30pm plus..( with very dimly litted street,I guessed you will be wondering too just liked the local people and the rangers, 2 buses load with singaporeans..what are they doing at this hour? )Hmm...I end the story by letting you think...but don't let your imagination run too wild,okay..

(some our passengers went down just to relax or 'smogging' but the passengers from the other bus went down to the jungle entrance)trying hard to take some pictures in the dark(OMG) but was asked to leave by the rangers (hmm..can't imagined how....), anyhow I will tell you the verdict, everyone reached Singapore safely(thank God!)
Probably I should have rename my trip as my misadventure in Terengganu...hehe...(no offence intended)

A Simple, Sticky Secret for Motivating Yourself

2009-06-04T21:35:00.002+08:00

by Adam Appleson

Have you ever had one of those days where it feels tough just to get out of bed? Now if you’re reading Pick the Brain, it’s a safe bet you already have goals in place, and you’re probably fairly motivated. But still, you are draaaaaaaagging.

You get up, head over to the kitchen counter and grab a cup of coffee because you just needed a bit more sleep before the alarm went off. You accidentally pour too much milk into your cereal and you wonder how you’re going to summon the motivation and energy you need for the day.

The phone rings. It’s your boss telling you he’ll need you to stay over a bit today because the project is running behind schedule. You notice a note from your spouse telling you they’ll be home late and won’t have time to make dinner so “if you could just pick up something from the store on your way home since you’re coming home early today, that would be great.”

You’re tempted to call in sick. Better yet, you’re tempted to get into your car and keep driving until you find the nearest beach so you can surf the day away just like you did in college.

The Trick Is To Have the System In Place Before You Need It

Now let’s assume you already have a big goal or dream you’re working on. It’s something that’s so meaningful to you, you are able to stay motivated on most days. However, today is just one of those days where you could use an extra boost because the waves of the real-world are crashing down on you. Don’t worry, because you’ve already done the following to prepare for just such an occasion.

It’s the simple, sticky secret I talked about. Are you ready? Got a pen? Got some Post-it notes or paper? The secret is this: go find at least 3 inspirational quotations that resonate with you and write them down, one per Post-it note or sheet of paper. Use the sheets of paper if you’d like to write bigger and see it at a distance. Post or tape them in locations where you know you’ll see them in the morning. Ideally, they’d be in places where you can reflect on them while you’re doing something, such as eating breakfast. Perhaps you want to put one in your daily planner so when you flip it open, you can get an extra shot of motivation.

For instance, I have a quote posted near my computer which is where I do a lot of my work. If I feel I need a little motivational boost, I can look up and immediately read something inspiring. The quote I have is one Christopher Reeve posted on the wall in his exercise room as he did physical therapy to recover from the horse riding accident that left him with a broken neck. It reads:

“For everyone who thought I couldn’t do it, for everyone who thought I shouldn’t do it, for everyone who said, ‘It’s impossible,’ see you at the finish line.”

Here are some other favorite quotes that can help keep you on purpose:

1. Never work just for money or for power. They won’t save your soul or help you sleep at night. (Marian Wright Edelman)

2. Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action. (Benjamin Disraeli)

3. Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. (George Seaton)

4. The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. (Nelson Mandela)

5. Wherever you go, go with all your heart. (Confucius)

In terms of focusing my productive powers, I find it helps to use inspirational quotations from people that I know have gone through hard times. That’s why I like the quote from Christopher Reeve’s exercise room above. I use it to remind myself that if someone who lost the use of his legs can still get up and stay committed to his goals, then as someone who still has good health, I have no excuses left.

So get committed. Post some inspirational quotes up on your wall to inspire you. It’s a sticky secret that will help you succeed.

source:http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/motivation/

Relaxation Techniques

2009-06-04T21:23:00.000+08:00

7 Powerful Relaxation Techniques
by Tejvan Pettinger Print This Post

The stress of modern life can make real relaxation an elusive dream. Yet there is no reason life has to be filled with anxiety and stress. If you take some time to learn the art of relaxation, you can easily rediscover the enjoyment in life. The secret of relaxation is a controlled state of mind. For example, you could spend a whole hour in a health spa; but, if you spend the whole time worrying about what will happen tomorrow, how can you relax?
Relaxation Techniques
1. Now is the only Time that is important - How often do we find ourselves worrying about the future? Anxiety about the future takes up a significant portion of our thoughts. But, to be honest, worrying about the future doesn’t help in any way. If you always live in the past or future you will never be able to relax. To be in a state of relaxation means living only in the present moment.

2. Your environment Matters - Where you spend time has a subtle influence over your state of mind. Consciously we may not be always aware of this; however, you will notice that in some rooms it’s easier to relax and be at peace. Look at your room; if you see piles of clutter these will act as constant reminders of things you need to do.
These constant subconscious reminders are a heavy weight on the mind. If you tidy up the room and create a pleasant environment, it will make a big difference to your state of mind and enable you to relax. Don’t be reluctant to spend a bit of money on things like air-freshners and flowers. Spend time tidying up your living/work environment. Its essential to relaxation and will also make you more productive.

3. Meditation - During meditation we actively make time to silence the mind and bring to the fore a real feeling of relaxation. Meditation helps because we learn to control the relentless flow of thoughts. During meditation, the aim is to keep the mind still; this brings clarity and inner peace. This is the best type of relaxation because we become free from the relentless worries and anxieties of our own making. Find time to meditate for 10 or 15 minutes each day; through meditation we can easily detach ourselves from the pressures of the world.

4. Productivity not Procrastination - Relaxation doesn’t have to mean spending all day on a beach doing nothing. We need to learn how to relax, even in the midst of our daily activities. Prioritise the things that you need to do. If you do things systematically, one at a time, you will feel less stressed and get things done quickly. It’s when we try to do several things at once that we put ourselves under great pressure — this struggle which makes relaxation impossible. Don’t make life hard for yourself. Do one thing at a time and enjoy doing it. When you’ve completed your necessary work, then you have the reward of pleasing yourself without a guilty conscience.

5. Do Not Depend on the Opinions of Others - How much do you depend on the opinion of others? When we worry what people may think or say, we place a burden on our mind. Subconsciously we work towards trying to please others. However, when we have this state of mind it becomes impossible to relax. No matter what we do or say, there will always be someone who manages to criticise or find fault. Therefore, we should develop an attitude of detachment to both praise and criticism.

This doesn’t mean we’re indifferent to the views of others; it just means we won’t allow ourselves to lose our inner peace because of their opinions. This piece of advice isn’t easy to implement but over time we can gradually give less importance to the views of others. Relaxation can only occur if we aren’t constantly thinking about what others are saying and doing.

6. Time to Yourself - Don’t allow yourself to always be at the beck and call of work and other people — make time for yourself. If you are harassed by constant email and phone enquiries, take evasive action. Only take calls and answer emails at certain times of the day. It’s unlikely that your availability, 24 hours a day, is indispensable. When we allow pressures to build up, relaxation becomes very difficult. But, if you really try hard, you should be able to reduce the demands placed on your time and energy.

7. A change is as good as a rest - Life should not be a constantly repeating soap opera. If you find yourself stuck in the same routine, do something completely different. For example, if you spend all your evenings watching rubbish on TV or surfing the internet, you will not get a feeling of real relaxation. Go for a walk or do some sporting activity. The change of scene and activity will help you relax and get away from the monotony and frustration of daily activity.
Relaxation is as simple as gentle Breathing

If you feel stressed take a few moments out. Just watch and be aware of your breathing. Breathe naturally and gently; this will have a very powerful, calming influence on your mind. When you breathe in, feel that you are breathing in inner peace. When you breathe out, feel you are exhaling all your anxieties and worries. Relaxation can be this simple - it doesn’t have to be complicated at all.

Tejvan Pettinger is a member of the Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre. He lives in Oxford where he works as a teacher. He also offers mediation classes as a community service and updates a blog at Sri Chinmoy Inspiration a collection of articles on meditation and self improvement.
Photo by: Tejvan Pettinger

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