Holidays! Holidays! Holidays! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Family gatherings are all out for Holidays! The gifts, the parties, beers and all foods! But its a no no no for me to really weigh much for the season. But its family time for everyone, so here are some tips for you to put control.
-- Have a seat during meals: Eating while seated at a table with nice plates and utensils can lead you to consume about a third less than if you munch on the fly. Eat more slowly, so you have time to notice when your body sends the all-full signal.
-- Sniff out peppermint: People who regularly smelled peppermint ate 23 percent fewer calories per week. Pop a piece of sugarless mint gum or sip some peppermint tea and take a whiff to outsmart a craving.
-- Pack a snack with protein: Try a small container of nonfat plain yogurt or a lowfat string cheese to stave off hunger. Exercisers who had two glasses of skim milk right after toning and another two an hour later lost 2 pounds of fat in 12 weeks. (They lost four times more fat than those who drank soymilk -- holy cow!)
-- Spoon up a satisfying soup: Filling up on a minestrone or another healthy soup can help you eat less of your entree. More of a chowder fan? People who indulged in a fat-based soup before a pizza dinner ate 20 percent less overall than those who had a broth-based soup with the same calories.
-- Spice things up: Preparing your meals with garlic and pepper may prevent overeating. Overweight people who added zero-calorie spices to their dishes dropped an average of 30 pounds in six months, compared with 2 pounds in the control group.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
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The secret to a healthy life is a healthy lifestyle!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Prevent Holiday Weight Gain, Thanksgiving to New Years Day!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Fight sunburn this summer!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Ginseng as treatment for Tpe II Diabetes and sexual dysfunctions in men!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
The perfect diet for you!
When you worry on how to lose weight without spending much effort, here's what you need to know:
1. a 15 minute walk from your workplace to other places won't hurt your feet too much, instead of ridin' a car/motorcycle or taxi
2. 15 minutes of standing after eating wont give you a tummy ache
3. a lesser amount of carbohydrates wont starve you
4. a clean and healthy lifestyle will boost your energy and self-esteem; practice drinking moderately and quit smoking
If you wanna be fit and be beautiful, control and limitation will do the trick.
What to do when rabies attacks..??????
If a dog has bitten you and you ain't sure if that dog has had an anti-rabies vaccine, here's what you need to do:
1. ask somebody to secure the dog, lock the dog in a secured place; make sure he cannot come out
2. wash the wound with soap and water
3. go to the nearest health facility IMMEDIATELY
4. watch out for signs of hydrophobia (fear of water), fever, chills, excessive salivation and unusual behavior.
Friday, March 21, 2008
scented candles for aroma therapy
Scented candles can be used for relaxation, also for aroma therapy.
There are a lot of brands, colors, scents and sizes.
Find time to lit a candle and relax.
ON DIET? SAY NO TO BEER!
Beer contains a lot of calories and carbohydrates, plus alcohol. So, if you are health conscious and very particular with your body, DRINK MODERATELY!Friday, February 8, 2008
Happy food! I love chocolates!!
Chocolate can affect the brain by causing the release of certain neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the molecules that transmit signals between neurons. The amounts of particular neurotransmitters we have at any given time can have a great impact on our mood. Happy neurotransmitters such as endorphins and other opiates can help to reduce stress and lead to feelings of euphoria. As connections between neurons, they are released from the pre-synaptic membrane and travel across the synaptic clef to react with receptors in the post-synaptic membrane. Receptors are specified to react with particular molecules which can trigger different responses in the connected neurons. The proper neurotransmitter can trigger certain emotions.
So when you feel depressed, grab a choco!!
Monday, February 4, 2008
What to do when your bone starts to aged? Fight Osteoporosis!
ALteRnaTivE TrEaTMEnt..
FOOD MILLIGRAMS OF CALCIUM
Whole milk, 8 oz. ...................................291
1% milk, protein fortified, 8 oz. ................349
Nonfat dry milk, 1/4 cup dry ....................377
Yogurt, plain, low-fat, 8 oz. .....................414
Yogurt, plain, nonfat, 8 oz. ......................452
Cheese, cheddar, 1 oz. ..........................204
Cheese, cottage, creamed, 4 oz. .............68
Cheese, goat, hard, 1 oz. .......................254
Cheese, goat, semi-soft, 1 oz. ................84
Cheese, feta, 1 oz. ................................140
Cheese, mozzarella, part skim, 1 oz. ......183
Cheese, muenster, 1 oz. ........................203
Collard greens, frozen, cooked, 1 cup ......357
Kale, frozen, cooked, 1 cup ....................179
Broccoli, cooked, chopped, 1 cup ............178
Chard, cooked, chopped, 1 cup ...............102
Mustard greens, cooked, chopped, 1 cup ..50
Spinach, frozen, cooked, 1 cup ................278
Calcium-enriched orange juice, 8 oz. .........225
Salmon, canned, with bones, 3 oz. ...........203
Sardines, with bones, 31/4 oz. .................351
Oysters, 1 cup .......................................111
NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
- Increase foods containing calcium, including nonfat or ]ow4at dairy products. You can add dry, powdered milk to certain recipes -- puddings, meat loafs, muffins, and baked goods--to boost calcium content.
- Reduce your protein intake (limit to 6 ounces dally) and your salt intake (avoid the salt shaker and use spaffngly in cookJng).
- Eliminate caffeine, sugar, and alcohol from your diet.
- Stop smoking
- Adopt a program of regular exercise.
IN ADDITION TO YOUR DALLY SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE:
- Calcium: 1,200 mg. of calcium citrate at bedtime.
- Magnesium: 400 mg. daily.
- Boron: 2 mg. daily.
- A good multiple vitamin that will provide 400 I.U. of vitamin D.
IN ADDITION: There is a new drug that's being used to treat osteoporosis, though it hasn't been approved by the FDA for that purpose (it has been approved to treat another bone disorder). The drug is called Etidronate, and it's taken in conjunction with calcium. If 3,our problem with osteoporosis is severe, discuss this drug with your doctor.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Managing Menopausal Symptoms . . How to deal with it?
Managing Menopausal Symptoms
At some point in every woman's life, her hormone production drops below the level required to continue her periods. Some women welcome the end to monthly bleeding, bloating, and inconvenience. But others find that menopause affects:- their sex life,
- triggers mood swings,
- causes debilitating hot flashes,
- or even takes them down the road to bone and heart problems.
If menopause happens suddenly (caused by breast cancer treatment), leading to uncomfortable side effects and even dashed hopes of having a baby, it can feel like a disease even worse than breast cancer. It's these menopausal changes that may interfere most with day-to-day quality of life.
There are different kinds of menopause. If you have breast cancer, it is important to understand which kind of menopause you may be experiencing:
- natural menopause, a normal part of the aging process
- medical or surgical menopause that is the result of chemotherapy or ovary removal
- "cold turkey" menopause that is the result of being taken off menopausal hormone therapy after you were diagnosed with breast cancer.
But the good news is that there are ways to manage symptoms and live more comfortably with menopause.
You can do many things to help ease your way through menopause. Lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, smoking cessation, attitude) may be just as important and effective as medications in helping you feel better and live longer.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
MUSIC THERAPY
Important Music Therapists and writers on Music Therapy
- Juliette Alvin
- Kenneth Bruscia
- Leslie Bunt
- Rajasree Mukherjee - see Rajasree
- Paul Nordoff - see Nordoff-Robbins
- Mercedes Pavlicevic
- Mary Priestley
- Clive Robbins - see Nordoff-Robbins
- Celine Dewy
- E. Thayer Gaston
- Michael H. Thaut
- Concetta M. Tomaino - see Institute for Music and Neurologic Function
- Lisa Summer
- Helen Bonny
- Olav Skille
- Tony Wigram
- Jeff Engel
- Brinjulf Stige
- Amelia Oldfield
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Having problems with tooth decay??..
How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay?
An overview of tooth decay and how fluoride can help you prevent cavities.
What is tooth decay?
Tooth enamel is hard yet porous. Plaque on the surface of your teeth can produce acids that seep into the pores (rods) of the enamel and break down its internal structure. This process, call demineralization, can create weak spot on the surface of the tooth that may become a cavity if left untreated.
Decay often begins on biting surfaces, between the teeth, on exposed roots, and around existing fillings.
Untreated, decay spreads into the tooth and can destroy the tooth structure.
Decay enters and infects the pulp.
The Role of Fluoride
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel and speeding up the remineralization process. The new enamel crystals that form are harder, larger, and more resistant to acid.
Treating and preventing tooth decay
Common sources of fluoride are fluoridated drinking water, toothpaste, and mouth rinse. Inform your dentist if your drinking water is not fluoridated. He or she may recommend that you use high-concentration fluoride gels, mouth rinses, drops, or tablets.
To help strengthen weak spots and exposed roots and prevent the early stages of tooth decay, brush regularly with a fluoridated toothpaste like Crest Cavity Protection. In one study, patients using Crest Cavity Protection developed 41% fewer cavities than patients using a toothpaste without fluoride.
Daily brushing with Crest Cavity Protection, as well as regular flossing and professional cleanings, will help prevent cavities and preserve your oral health.
Cosmetics for beauty enhancement...
DO YOU HAVE ALL THESE STUFFS TO BE BEAUTIFUL??
Lips: Lip gloss · Lip plumper · Lipstick
Face: Concealer · Foundation · Face powder · Rouge
Eyes: Eye liner · Eye shadow · Kohl · Mascara
Nails: Nail polish
Other: Moisturizer · Anti-aging cream · Body powder · Cold cream · Cotton pad
Cultural: Bindi · Sindoor · Thanaka
Ingredients: International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients · List of ingredients
Related: Advertising · Beauty salon · Cosmetology · History
Major brands: Artistry · Clinique · CoverGirl · Estée Lauder · Lancôme · L’Oréal · Maybelline · Revlon · Burt's Bees
Monday, January 7, 2008
Protect yourself! KRAV MAGA Self-defense training lessons..
Intense Self-Defense Training Creates Surprising Fitness Results
Krav Maga, the Israeli martial arts practice, is taught with exacting intensity by New York Head Instructor Rhon Mizrachi. Training in Krav Maga can cause one to reconsider the meaning and importance of fitness.
Do you have what it takes to be a STD candidate?
The following section discusses the eight most common STDs in North America, grouped by symptoms. Information on other sexually related diseases can be found in "Curing Vaginal Infections" and "The Persistent Threat of AIDS." The first group discussed here, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), syphilis, and chancroid, is characterized primarily by lumps, bumps, and sores. The second group, chlamydia and gonorrhea, is characterized mainly by vaginal discharge. The last section covers pubic lice and scabies, the hallmark of which is itching. Each disease has more than one symptom, but this arrangement will get you started. You can also check for additional details in the box on "Matching Your Symptoms to an STD."
Matching Your Symptoms to an STD
It is important for your doctor to know as much as possible about your condition, since, if you have an STD, you will want it to be properly diagnosed. Check the following chart and read the matching sections on the infection you think you might have. Then give your doctor as many specifics as you can.
If you've noticed:
Fever -----> Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
Flu-like symptoms -----> Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Syphilis
Hair loss -----> Syphilis
Itching or tingling in the genital area -----> Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Herpes
Simplex Virus (HSV) -----> Pubic lice, Scabies
Itching on the body -----> Pubic lice, Scabies
Lower abdominal or rectal pain -----> Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
Painful urination -----> Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
Rash -----> Syphilis Gonorrhea Scabies
Sore vulva ----> Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Gonorrhea
Sores or blisters -----> Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Syphilis Chancroid
Swollen glands -----> Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Syphilis Chancroid
Unusual vaginal bleeding -----> Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
Vaginal discharge -----> Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
Warts or other growths -----> Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Last Updated: January 1, 2003
2007 Thomson Healthcare. All Rights Reserved.
Do you have an obese child? Do something now!
Childhood obesity is a growing concern for parents as well as healthcare professionals. The prevalence of obesity among children in the United States increased by 100 percent between 1980 and the mid-1990s. Being overweight brings serious health concerns for children including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and orthopedic problems, such as increased stress on joints. Self-esteem also often decreases when children are overweight.
Why are more children overweight?
Genetic factors play a role in a child's risk of being overweight, but obesity rates have tripled in the past 30 years, while genes have not changed. That means that the recent widespread obesity problem is primarily caused by environmental factors.
In other words, says David Ludwig, MD, PhD, director of the Optimal Weight for Life program at Children's Hospital Boston, genes are not the problem for the vast majority of people. Instead, two-thirds of obesity would vanish, he says, if society could revert back to the way it did certain things 40 years ago. Environmental factors that have changed since then include:
*What we're eating
*How active we are
*Our family structure
"Parents can think back to their childhood to what they ate and what they did for activities," Dr. Ludwig says. "In many cases, it is vastly different than what many families eat and do today."
What We're Eating
Fast food
In the 1950s, people ate fast food maybe once a month on special occasions or as a treat. Now, most children in the United States have fast food at least once a week and it's served in enormous portion sizes. Fast food has a tremendous number of calories per bite, and no fiber, so it can be chewed easily and consumed quickly before the body has time to register that the calories are coming in. By the time the body registers that it is full, too many calories have already been consumed.
"Fast is not best when it comes to eating," says Dr. Ludwig. "The focus should instead be on quality."
Typical fast food meals are high in refined starch and added sugar. They also have a high glycemic index, which refers to the rise in blood glucose that occurs after a person eats foods containing carbohydrates. High glycemic diets have been associated with an increase in insulin levels and may contribute to excessive weight gain. Some studies have shown that high glycemic load meals increase hunger and make a person want to eat more throughout the day.
To help prevent becoming overweight, children should eat less fast food, says Dr. Ludwig. Overall, they should eat less refined grains and concentrated sugars, and more low glycemic index foods–fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, unprocessed grains, adequate protein and healthful oils such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, and omega 3 fats–which leave a person feeling filled longer.
Even schools may be contributing to the problem of obesity by including fast food in their lunch menus and having soft drink machines on campus for students.
Soft Drinks
Soft drinks are another likely reason for increased childhood obesity. In the 1950s, children had three cups of milk for every one cup of soda. Now that has reversed, says Dr. Ludwig. Most children in the United States have three cups of soda for every one cup of milk.
Similar to eating calorie-laden fast food, when a person drinks soda–which is 100 percent sugar–it may escape the body's regulating methods.
One study found that every additional serving of soda per day increased a child's odds of becoming obese by 1.6 times.
"We've cut back on fats, but we've replaced them with refined starches and sugars. So this makes our blood sugar go way up and then crash, and then we want to eat again," Dr. Ludwig says. "We're always craving sweets because we're lacking real nutritious foods."
How Active We Are
Instead of playing outside, children are watching a massive amount of television, which is clearly linked to obesity, Dr Ludwig says. And while children are watching television, they are:
*Not exercising
*Eating junk food
*Being inundated with advertisements for some of the unhealthiest foods.
"Parents' efforts to teach their children to eat healthy are being undermined by the television," Dr. Ludwig says. "Television typically advertises some of the worst kinds of foods for you
Children and teenagers who watch several hours of television a day have less opportunity to develop the athletic skills and love of physical activity, which can make exercise and staying physically fit enjoyable as they grow into adulthood. Unfortunately, many schools are cutting back on physical activity and physical education programs. This gives children even less opportunity to get exercise, become more confident in their athletic abilities, and develop an interest in sports or in being active.
The Family Structure
The third contributing factor to the obesity epidemic in the United States, according to Dr. Ludwig, is that there's too much stress on families these days. "Everybody is working too hard and too long to support an increasingly materialistic lifestyle and parents aren't spending time with their kids, teaching them good nutrition or being active with them."
Forty years ago, families cooked dinner and sat and ate it together on a regular basis. Too often now, dinner is grabbed from a fast food restaurant and eaten on the go.
It's important to set a good example for your children by being active yourself and planning family activities such as biking, hiking, running, walking, swimming or skating.
"There's no alternative to a parent cooking a dinner and eating it together with his or her children, and taking them outside to play," Dr. Ludwig says. "The answer to the obesity problem is very simple. We need to return to more traditional ways of eating, exercising and being with our families."
Source: David Ludwig, MD, PhD, director of the Optimal Weight for Life program at Children's Hospital Boston.
Last Updated: 07/30/04
2007 Children's Hospital Boston . All rights reserved.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Warm up moves before getting started with your daily routine exercises..
I. Calf Correct Foot Position
Foot alignment should be shoulder width apart, you can confirm this by standing either side of a straight line on the floor.
When you take your rear foot back, it should not cross or move away from the midline, your foot should be pointing forward with your heel either flat on the floor, or raised if aiming to develop the stretch.
Your front leg should bend so that when you look down over your knee, you can see the tip of your toes. Lean forward aiming to keep a straight line with your heel, hip and head.
II. Soleus
1. Stand with both feet flat on the floor, pointing forward, half a stride apart.
2. Keeping your back straight, with your hands on your hips, exhale and lower yourself down, resting your bodyweight on the rear foot.
III. Normal Stretch
1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, one foot extended half a step forward.
2. Keeping the front leg straight, bend your rear leg, resting both hands on the bent thigh.
3. Slowly exhale, aiming to tilt both buttocks upward, keeping the front leg straight, and both feet flat on the floor, pointing forward.
4. Inhale slowly, and relax from the stretch. Repeat the stretch again, this time beginning with the toes of the front foot raised toward the ceiling, but keeping the heel on the floor.
IV. Quadriceps Standing
1. Stand holding onto a secure object, or have one hand raised out to the side for balance.
2. Raise one heel up toward your buttocks, and grasp hold of your foot, with one hand.
3. Inhale, slowly pulling your heel to your buttock while gradually pushing your pelvis forward.
4. Aim to keep both knees together, having a slight bend in the supporting leg.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
How to Do Sit Ups....
Doing sit-ups is a quick way to get stronger abdominal muscles. However, they must be done properly to avoid any possibility of injury to your spine and the neck and head muscles. In addition, sit-ups are about using the abdominal region (the abs). Therefore, close attention must be paid to ensuring that you are not compensating by using other parts of your body to perform as sit-up, as this will diminish the effectiveness of the sit-up and may cause injury to your body. It is not as harsh as it sounds - always, always focus on the abs and you are most of the way there.
1. Lie down on the floor. Have your knees bent and the balls of your feet and heels placed flat on the ground.
2. Place your hands behind the lobes of your ears, or even hold your ears. Avoid grabbing the back of your head or neck, as this may cause injury down the road if you pull too hard or in the wrong direction. You can also cross your arms across your chest and touch your shoulders.
3. Tighten your abdominal muscles by drawing in your belly button to your spine.
4. Keeping your heels on the ground and your toes flat to the ground, slowly lift your head first, followed by your shoulder blades. Focus your eyes on your bent knees, all the while contracting the abdominal muscles. Pull up from the floor about half way.
5. Hold the position for a second. Slowly bring the torso back to the floor but try to keep it slightly elevated off the ground. This means not to place your back flat to the ground but to keep a slight, yet relaxed, arch.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for the remainder of the exercise. Only do two to three if you are a beginner and slowly build up the amount over time, as your strength increases.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Helping the elderly...
The older ones... let's help them be healthy. Let the old ones be creative in any way they want to. Let them socialize with other people to keep their self-esteem and outlook positive.
Baby Swimming is healthy for the kids.. What do you think are its benefits??
The benefits of "baby-friendly", infant/toddler swimming are unique, uplifting and contribute to the positive development of the whole child. Through the soothing medium of water, we are able to tap into the child's potential, both within and without.
Researchers have documented that the stimulating effect of child-paced infant/toddler swimming lessons has the potential to increase intelligence, concentration, alertness, and perceptual abilities. Improvement in social, emotional and physical development has also been published. Of course, the manifestation of such inspired cognitive, personal and motor development takes time, patience and repetition. I have personally observed this phenomena and have confirmed this with other veteran instructors, especially in children who started lessons prior to12 months old, but it’s never too late to receive these unique and subtle benefits of infant-toddler swimming. These babies eventually become extremely peaceful and relaxed in the water.
