Everything n Anything in this world

Hepatitis B

2008-02-17T09:22:00.001+05:30

Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is thought to be the leading cause of liver cancer.
The World Health Organization estimates that hepatitis B infections lead to more than one million deaths every year.

What causes hepatitis B?

The disease is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that attacks the liver.

The virus is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids that contain blood.

This can occur through direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex, and illicit drug use.

It can also be passed from an infected woman to her new-born during the delivery process.

Does the virus always pose a health threat?

It is thought that about one in three of the world's population is infected by HBV.

However, about 50% of those who carry the virus never develop any symptoms.

About nine out of ten people infected with HBV will eventually clear the virus from their bodies. But about 5-10% of infected adults will become chronic hepatitis B carriers, often without even knowing it.

What are the symptoms?

The virus can cause a range of problems, including fever, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Chronic carriers have an increased risk of developing liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, because the hepatitis B virus steadily attacks the liver.

Chronic carriers will usually have on going inflammation of the liver and may eventually develop cirrhosis and liver cancer.

About 1% of people who are infected develop an extreme form of disease called acute fulminant hepatitis.

This condition can be fatal if not treated quickly. Sufferers may collapse with fatigue, have yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and develop swelling in their abdomen.

How is it treated?

There are several drug treatments available to treat hepatitis B.

Patients may be put on a four month course of injections of the drug interferon.

An alternative treatment is a drug called lamivudine which is taken orally once a day. Treatment is usually for one year. Sometimes lamivudine is combined with interferon.

Chronic patients may require a liver transplant.

Can it be prevented?

Yes, by the use of a safe and effective vaccine.

However, for the 400 million people world-wide who are already carriers of HBV, the vaccine is of no use.

Zeera Aloo - New Potatoes with Cumin

2007-11-15T08:28:00.000+05:30

Serving Size : 4

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 lbs new potatoes, cleaned, cooked until tender --
then peel
salt
2 1/2 tbsps vegetable oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp chili powder
3 tbsps coriander leaves -- chopped

Put oil in large frying pan and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put
in cumin seeds. Let seeds sizzle for a few seconds. Now put in potatoes.
Turn heat down to medium. Brown potatoes lightly on all sides. Turn heat
to low and ad 3/4 teaspoon salt and ground cumin, garam masala and chili
powder. Cook, stirring for a minute. Add coriander leaves and mix before
serving.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving (excluding unknown items): 84 Calories; 9g Fat (92% calories
from fat); 1g Protein; 1g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 6mg Sodium

Fruit Salad and Dip

2007-11-15T08:26:00.000+05:30

Ingredients

For salad
Use a selection of the following fruits:

blueberries
strawberries, cut into small bites
cantaloupe chunks
raspberries
peach slices
apple slices
grapes
orange or tangerine slices

For dip

2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice
honey
cinnamon

Directions

Choose fruits that are in season and wash, slice or chop, and combine in a bowl.

For about 2 1/2 cups of dip, combine plain or vanilla yogurt with orange juice. Add honey and cinnamon to taste — usually about 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. The dip can be made ahead of time.

WEST INDIAN RICE AND PEAS WITH TEMPEH

2007-11-15T08:25:00.000+05:30

Yield: 6 servings

2 c Uncooked brown rice
1/2 c Unsweetened grated coconut
2 1/2 tb Vegetable oil
4 c Water
1 c Dried black eyed peas
-(soaked for 5 hours
- at least)
3 Bay leaves
1 md Onion; chopped
3 Garlic cloves; minced
1/4 c Vegetable oil
1 sm Chile; sliced
1/2 Red or green bell pepper
8 oz Tempeh; cubed
1 pn Fennel (generous pinch)
-salt & pepper to taste
2 Scallions; chopped

Saute rice & coconut in the 2 1/2 tablespoons oil for 2-3 minutes,
stirring constantly. Add the water & cinnamon stick. Cover the pot
&
bring it to a rapid boil. Do not peek at the rice, but when the steam
starts escaping, turn the heat down. Simmer for 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the black eyed peas with the bay leaf in salted, boiling
water till tender (only takes abot 20-25 minutes). Drain them & remove
the bay leaves. Keep warm till the rice & tempeh are ready.
Saute the garlic & onion with the 1/4 cup of oil till the onions soften.
Stir in chile & bell pepper. Saute for 2 minutes. Add fennel, tempeh,
salt & pepper. Lower heat, but stir frequently til tempeh is crisp &
golden.
Combine everything, mixing together well.

8 Ways To Banish Bad Breath

2007-09-22T14:04:00.000+05:30

We've all found ourselves chatting with someone whose breath could easily wilt a flower. With more than 90 million people suffering from chronic bad breath (also called halitosis), that's a lot of wilted flowers. If you (or someone you regularly smooch) has an attack of bad breath that even Altoids won't fix, try these eight simple tips to fix the problem.

Don't let your tongue become a dirty carpet.

Bad breath often strikes when people aren't properly taking care of their oral health. The odor is usually caused by decaying food particles and bacteria in your mouth. That's why brushing and flossing your teeth is so important, but don't forget to gently brush your tongue to get rid of even more bacteria.

A clean tongue goes a long way to warding off bad breath, says Stephen Z. Wolner, a dentist in private practice in New York City. "Your tongue microscopically is like a shaggy carpet. There are millions of filaments on your tongue that trap tiny food particles and bacteria," he says. Get in the habit of regularly cleaning your tongue using a toothbrush, the edge of a spoon, or a tongue cleaner. If you have any mouth guards or oral devices, make sure to clean them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.

Mouthwash isn't a bad idea, but it's only a temporary fix. Granted, a little mouthwash comes in handy before a romantic dinner for two, but it masks the odor instead of tackling the source of your problem.

Chew gum like it's going out of style.

Believe it or not, saliva is your best weapon against bad breath. That's why dry mouth, often caused by certain medications or medical conditions, leads to odor problems. By washing away food particles and bacteria, saliva helps to eliminate odor, too.

If you're wondering why your breath stinks in the morning, it's largely because saliva production slows while you sleep, allowing particles and odor to linger longer. That's where sugarless gum comes in handy, as chewing it will stimulate saliva production. Mints, on the other hand, don't usually stimulate saliva production and only temporarily mask bad odor.

"When you chew gum it makes you salivate, and the more saliva you have in your mouth the fewer bacteria you have. It not only mechanically washes bacteria out, but we have antiseptic and enzymes in our saliva that kill bacteria," says Wolner.

While anything that makes you salivate will improve your breath, a gum that is sweetened with xylitol is your best option. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that not only increases salvation but also works to prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth.

Choose cinnamon -- it's sweeter.

A recent study of the cinnamon-flavored gum Big Red found that cinnamon might have breath-odor fighting abilities. Unlike other flavors, cinnamon is not just a cover-up, Wolner tells WebMD. In fact, he says, an ingredient in the flavoring appears to actually decrease the bacteria in your mouth. The only problem is that sugar gums are bad for your teeth, so stick to sugarless cinnamon-flavored gum instead.

Drink more water.

Wolner says the older you get the more likely you are to get dehydrated. You might not even notice you're thirsty, he says, so make drinking water a habit, because water will help keep the bacteria in your mouth to a minimum. Drinking water has a lot of health benefits, and preventing bad breath is one of them.

Rule out rare causes for bad breath.

While most bad breath can be banished with simple hygienic steps, there are times when dental or medical conditions might be the culprit. Make an appointment with your dentist if an unsavory odor takes residence in your mouth.

"If there is a persistent odor in your mouth, and you know it's not from the pasta you ate last night, see a dentist," Wolner tells WebMD. Your dentist will be able to pinpoint any cavities or decay, or even periodontal (gum) disease, that might be causing your bad breath.

Because on rare occasions bad breath can signal a larger problem, including infection, and even kidney or liver failure, you should also visit a doctor if your dentist doesn't find a cause for your bad breath problem.

Have a slice of bread.

If you're on one of the many popular low-carb diets, remember that bad breath or "ketone breath" is a potential side effect when you always have that burger sans bun. You can try different methods of masking the odor, such as gum or tart candies, but adding a few carbs to your daily diet might also do the trick.

Get a water pick.

You can't really clean your entire mouth with a toothbrush. "Using an irrigator or water pick cleans everything out around and under your gums and between your teeth," says Wolner. "If food lingers between your teeth where a toothbrush doesn't reach, it's fermenting." Next time you floss, take a whiff of your floss after you're done, and you'll have a good idea about what fermented or rotten food particles smell like.

Don't let bad breath go to your head.

If you think you have bad breath, get a second opinion. "A large proportion of people who think they're social pariahs with terrible breath don't have bad breath at all," says Wolner.

How To Tell When Your Food Is Spoiled

2007-09-09T09:23:00.000+05:30

How To Tell When Your Food Is Spoiled

Whether you are a mom who cooks for many, a bachelor who cooks on rare occasions for himself, or a new college student who for the first time has his or her own refrigerator -- you will eventually all open the fridge one day and say to yourself, "Can I eat this or will it kill me?"

Well here are some guidelines to help you get through the crisis, so you will know what to eat and what to toss.

THE GAG TEST
Anything that makes you gag is spoiled (except for leftovers from what you cooked for yourself last night).

EGGS
When something starts pecking its way out of the shell, the egg is probably past its prime.

DAIRY PRODUCTS
Milk is spoiled when it starts to look like yogurt. Yogurt is spoiled when it starts to look like cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is spoiled when it starts to look like regular cheese. Regular cheese is nothing but spoiled milk anyway and can't get any more spoiled than it is already. Cheddar cheese is spoiled when you think it is blue cheese but you realize you've never purchased that kind.

MAYONNAISE
If it makes you violently ill after you eat it, the mayonnaise is spoiled.

FROZEN FOODS
Frozen foods that have become an integral part of the defrosting problem in your freezer compartment will probably be spoiled (or wrecked anyway) by the time you pry them out with a kitchen knife.

EXPIRATION DATES
This is NOT a marketing ploy to encourage you to throw away perfectly good food so that you'll spend more on groceries. Perhaps you'd benefit by having a calendar in your kitchen.

MEAT
If opening the refrigerator door causes stray animals from a three-block radius to congregate outside your house, the meat is spoiled.

BREAD
Sesame seeds and Poppy seeds are the only officially acceptable "spots" that should be seen on the surface of any loaf of bread. Fuzzy and hairy looking white or green growth areas are a good indication that your bread has turned into a pharmaceutical laboratory experiment.

FLOUR
Flour is spoiled when it wiggles.

LETTUCE
Bibb lettuce is spoiled when you can't get it off the bottom of the vegetable crisper without Comet. Romaine lettuce is spoiled when it turns liquid. (We didn't think you needed guidance with this one)

CANNED GOODS
Any canned goods that have become the size or shape of a softball should be disposed of.
Carefully.

CARROTS
A carrot that you can tie a clove hitch in is not fresh.

RAISINS
Raisins should not be harder than your teeth.

POTATOES
If it looks like it is ready for planting, toss it.

CHIP DIP
If you can take it out of its container and bounce it on the floor, it has gone bad.

EMPTY CONTAINERS
Putting empty containers back into the refrigerator is an old trick, but it only works if you live with someone or have a maid.

UNMARKED ITEMS
You know it is well beyond prime when you're tempted to discard the Tupperware along with the food. Generally speaking, Tupperware containers should not burp when you open them.

GENERAL RULE OF THUMB
Most food cannot be kept longer than the average life span of a hamster. Keep a hamster in or nearby your refrigerator to gauge this.

LIFE'S BIGGEST PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS :

2007-09-07T08:58:00.000+05:30

LIFE'S BIGGEST PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS :

1. Tunnel Vision : The tendency to focus only on the immediate crisis or sore spot . Under stress, things look worse or more complex than they really are.

The solution
Perspective : Ask if it will matter in 6 months . Ask what else is going on? How did I create this situation and, in an ideal world, what would I like to do about it?

2. Fear : The anxiety or terror that things will go badly, that we will fail or be embarrassed.

The solution
Humor and Curiosity : Modern life has very few saber-tooth tigers . The situation is rarely life or death . Ask, What's the worst that can happen? What's the best? What can I learn? What would I do if I had no fear?

3. Confusion : The sense of being lost or unclear about our direction . The sense that we don't know our own priorities anymore.

The solution
Responsible Choices : Choose your values and priorities and set your own path . Your life is yours . Check your moral compass, pick a direction and do something extraordinary!

4. Guilt : The belief that we have hurt or failed or sinned and deserve punishment . Guilt is either accurate, because sometimes we do behave badly, or it is false and simply an illusion.

The solution
If we have transgressed, we must make restitution, ask forgiveness, learn from our error and move on . If it is false guilt, set it down as an unnecessary and irrational burden.

5. Shame : The belief that we are worth-less than others, that we have a terrible, incurable flaw . It is not that we have done something wrong (guilt), but that we are bad or wrong.

The solution
Clear, rational thinking : Everyone has behaved badly, but no one was created badly! Any flaws only serve to make you stronger, more heroic or more compassionate toward others.

6. Loneliness : The belief that no one loves us, that no one cares and we must desperately cling to anyone who finds us attractive or acceptable . This creates dependency, not intimacy.

The solution
Accurate Self-Assessment : Not everyone will love you, but many people will if they meet you, get to know you, and spend time working/playing along side you.

7. Resentment : Holding anger and refusing to move beyond real or imagined mistreatment in the past . Some people spend their whole lives as "victims", nurturing a terrible event in their past.

The solution
Let go! Life is not fair and people do not always behave well or kindly . Use your trauma to make you wise, kind, gentle, and strong . Holding anger will not work.

8. Self-Doubt : The repeated, endless questioning of your own abilities, opinions or actions . The inability to take a stand, to act boldly, or to follow-through.

The solution
Action! Think clearly, then take action and follow-through : Start small, but do it! You are the world's expert on your life! Use your wisdom to live well.

9. Stubbornness : The refusal or inability to re-assess a situation, change your mind, or admit you were wrong.

The solution
Wisdom and Humility : Only a fool stays on a course that is headed for disaster! Search for new and better information, remain flexible, open and creative . When the situation changes, adjust accordingly and set a new course.

10. Addiction : Humans become addicted to drugs, but we also become addicted to our jobs, our opinions or our lifestyle . We can be addicted to people and need them rather than love them.

The solution
Take a vacation! Periodically, walk in someone else's shoes . Break your habits, re-arrange your schedule, delegate those things that only you can do "right" . Use habits and traditions to set you free, don't let habits enslave you!

Causes of liver damage

2007-09-03T08:45:00.000+05:30

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring , and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."

Because :

Evening at 9 - 11 PM : is the time for eliminating unnecessary/toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on health.

Evening at 11pm - 1 am : is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3 am : detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning 3 - 5 am : detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.
Morning 5 - 7am : detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9 am : absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30 am , for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30 am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10 am rather than no meal at all.

Goodness - Of - Fruits

2007-09-02T20:01:00.000+05:30

Is there anything common between a fruit and our body?

Well, it may surprise you but the answer is 'yes'. Both the fruit and our body consist
of water in a large quantity. The structure of our body is such that there is almost
80% water, stored in our body. Similarly a fruit also consists of 80% water. Spend a
few minutes to think over this fact and you will yourself discover how logical it is for
the human body to consume a food that contains the same amount of water, as does
your own body. Our body requires lots of water and the only thing that meets this
requirement perfectly is a fruit. Can you name any eatable on the earth other than
a fruit that contains 80% water on average? This question is quite difficult to answer
so we can say that a fruit is a complete natural food for a human body.

Fruit is 100% cholesterol free

High cholesterol is not considered good for a healthy body. It is an interesting fact
about the fruits that they do not contain much cholesterol. However several animal
products such as meat and dairy products contain a lot of cholesterol. So either avoid
completely or reduce consumption of animal products as much as possible and make
it a habit to have at least one fruit per day.

Fruit stimulates memory

We all want to have a sharp memory, do not we? Well the fruits are helpful here also.
Another surprising and interesting fact about the fruit is that a fruit is the best fuel for
our brain. If someone consumes fruit on a regular basis then his or her brain becomes
capable of recalling information faster and more easily. May be here you came to know
something new about the fruits but it is better late than never. So just keep this in your
mind forever. Our lives have become so busy in the modern times that we hardly care
about our eating habits and most of the time in the hustle-bustle of everyday life we forget
to have proper diet also. In such case the fruit could be a real good friend who not only
cope with the extra demand of our body but also stimulate our memory and give us
energy to keep going.

Get your daily dose of fiber with fruit

A diet that contains plenty of fibers is capable of protecting us against the problems
such as corpulance, high blood pressure, and other factors that are responsible for the
increase in chances of a heart disease. The food that contains the healthy natural fibers
is the right kind of food. The fruits and the vegetables are those natural foods that are
fiber rich. In fact, the amount of fiber that we consume could prove to be more important
element than the amount of fat that we consume.

Fruit and the sunny skies

Fruit is that healthy diet which helps us fight one of the negative emotions, that is
'depression'. Just remember eating a lot of fruits could have a mysterious healing
effect on human beings. Even better option for you is that you can drink a lot of
freshly squeezed fruits, as fruit juices. Having fruit juices on a regular basis is very
good for good health. The positive effects or the results of having fruit juices may
take approximately 30 days time for you to notice.

Create a Fruit Explosion!!

In case you are not a very enthusiastic fruit eater but you want to eat more fruits,
you can begin with fruit juices. To squeeze fruits to make juices is one of the best
ways to start eating fruits, which gradually becomes a habit. And thus you can get
used to eating more and more fruits. After having fruit juices for a while, you will
notice that your appetite to eat raw fruits has increased naturally.

Aren't many fibers lost if you squeeze fruit?

Having squeezed fruits as juices is as healthy as eating a raw fruit out of your hand.
It is a common belief that some of the fruit flesh and nutrients are lost when we
squeeze the fruits but in fact it is not at all so. On the contrary this means that your
glass of any fruit juice does contain all the important and nutrient fibers that are
required for your good health. These natural fibers not only play very significant
role in preventing many diseases such as cancer but they also stimulate the digestive
system. So the simple habit of eating lots of fruits or just one fruit a day can help
you get rid of eating bran or other intestine stimulating products to stimulate your
digestive system.

Quit Smoking

2007-09-01T19:21:00.000+05:30

Preparing to Quit Smoking

People should be aware that smoking affects not only their lungs, but it is the source of number of diseases. In some health articles regarding the dangers of smoking, cigarette smokers show a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders. These include fatty build ups in their arteries, several types of cancers and chronic pulmonary and heart disease, which leads to heart attacks.
Smoking is equal to Diabetes, killing with out pain.
There are 1 billion smokers worldwide, resulting 3 million smoking related deaths per year. Deaths caused by smoking are five times higher than traffic accidents, poisoning from drugs and alcohol.
Now then Are you not afraid?. For some, these facts on the dangers of smoking can change their minds and help them quit. For those who wants to quit smoking, here are some recommendations:
01. Continue smoking as usual, don’t try to reduce the number of cigarettes you
smoke until last cigarette the night before you quit.
02. To be successful, you must stop abruptly.
03. Cutting down or changing to a milder brand just won’t work. The only way to stop
smoking is to “STOP SMOKING” .
04. Break the habit. Smoking is a habit that is closely linked to certain times and
places. If you break these habits, you can achieve. The best way to do this is to
avoid situations where you want cigarettes.
05. Pick the right day. Decide on the date you are going to stop smoking. Don’t put it
off till later, decide nowwww. There is never a perfect time to give up smoking.
06. Quit with a friend. Quitting with fellow smokers is a good idea. It will strengthen
your resolve and build your determination. Encourage a friend to quit smoking
with you.
07. tell your friends and family that you are quitting and ask for their support.
From early death, Save you , your family and your neighbourhood by quitting smoking!! Last chance to live happily.

Top 10 Foods for a Good Night's Sleep

2007-09-01T19:18:00.000+05:30

What is the secret to getting a solid 7 to 8 hours of sleep?
Head for the kitchen and enjoy one or two of these 10 foods.
They relax tense muscles, quiet buzzing minds, and/or get calming,
sleep-inducing hormones - serotonin and melatonin - flowing. Yawning yet?

Bananas. They're practically a sleeping pill in a peel. In addition to a bit of soothing melatonin and serotonin,
bananas contain magnesium, a muscle relaxant.

Chamomile tea. The reason chamomile is such a staple of bedtime tea blends is its mild sedating effect -
it's the perfect natural antidote for restless minds/bodies.

Warm milk. It's not a myth. Milk has some tryptophan - an amino acid that has a sedative - like effect -
and calcium, which helps the brain use tryptophan. Plus there's the psychological throw-back to infancy,
when a warm bottle meant "relax, everything's fine."

Honey. Drizzle a little in your warm milk or herb tea. Lots of sugar is stimulating, but a little glucose tells
your brain to turn off orexin, a recently discovered neurotransmitter that's linked to alertness.

Potatoes. A small baked spud won't overwhelm your GI tract, and it clears away acids that can interfere with
yawn-inducing tryptophan. To up the soothing effects, mash it with warm milk.

Oatmeal. Oats are a rich source of sleep - inviting melatonin, and a small bowl of warm cereal with a splash of
maple syrup is cozy - plus if you've got the munchies, it's filling too.

Almonds. A handful of these heart-healthy nuts can be snooze-inducing, as they contain both tryptophan and a
nice dose of muscle-relaxing magnesium.

Flaxseeds. When life goes awry and feeling down is keeping you up, try sprinkling 2 tablespoons of these
healthy little seeds on your bedtime oatmeal. They're rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a natural mood lifter.

Whole-wheat bread. A slice of toast with your tea and honey will release insulin, which helps tryptophan get
to your brain, where it's converted to serotonin and quietly murmurs "time to sleep."

Turkey. It's the most famous source of tryptophan, credited with all those Thanksgiving naps. But that's
actually modern folklore. Tryptophan works when your stomach's basically empty, not overstuffed, and
when there are some carbs around, not tons of protein. But put a lean slice or two on some whole-wheat
bread mid-evening, and you've got one of the best sleep inducers in your kitchen.

What if none of these foods help you get your zzz's? Check out your sleep habits with this quick RealAge
test to find out what?s keeping you up at night. http://www.realage. com/health_ guides/RLS/ intro.aspx
For an extra treat, here's the ultimate sleep-inducing snack...

Lullaby Muffins

Makes 12 low-fat muffins
Between the bananas, the whole wheat, and the honeyed touch of sweetness, these muffins are practically
an edible lullaby.

ç¾• 2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
ç¾• 1/2 teaspoon salt
ç¾• 1 tablespoon baking powder
ç¾• 2 large, very ripe bananas
ç¾• 1/3 cup applesauce
ç¾• 1/4 cup honey
ç¾• 1/2 cup milk or soymilk

Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, combine the flour (make sure it's whole-wheat pastry flour
or you'll produce golf balls, not muffins), salt, and baking powder. In a blender, puree the bananas;
add the applesauce, honey, and milk. Blend well. Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredients
and stir until just moistened. Line muffin tins with paper muffin cups, pour in batter, and bake 30 minutes
or until tops are lightly brown and slightly springy.
Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 119 calories; 1g fat; 2.5g protein; 27g carbohydrates; 10g sugars;
133mg sodium; 3g fiber; 35mg magnesium

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

2007-08-29T21:46:00.001+05:30

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level.
This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causingmalnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.
7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered, increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring , and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."

Because :

Evening at 9 - 11 PM : is the time for eliminating unnecessary/toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on health.

Evening at 11pm - 1 am : is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3 am : detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning 3 - 5 am : detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.
Morning 5 - 7am : detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9 am : absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30 am , for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30 am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10 am rather than no meal at all.

Drink - Water - Lose - Weight

2007-08-29T21:45:00.001+05:30

Just replace some of the high calorie foods you eat with fruits,
vegetables and other water dense foods that keep you just as full.

We know it sounds too good to be true, but new research conducted at Pennsylavania State University
suggests it is possible to lose weight by making small changes in your diet.

The rationale behind eating water dense foods is that whatever you eat can go out of the
system very fast. Example an apple which has 98 per cent liquid and very few calories.
A sweet of the same size will have 20 times more calories.

People tend to eat the same amount of food each day, regardless of the calories.
Adding vegetables to that pizza, lasagna or casserole will increase the food's volume and
result in fewer overall calories consumed since portion sizes tend to stay the same

Another study on obesity shows a link between lack of sleep and gaining weight --
skimping on sleep may make you vulnerable to obesity.

The finding is based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted
in the US. The study discovered that people who reported getting less than seven hours of sleep
a night were more likely to be obese on initial evaluation.

Why water is necessary

1. Our bodies contain over 70 percent water.

2. You can go longer without food than water.

3. Our bodies need a lot of water to function efficiently.

4. Water helps flush out harmful toxins and thus readies the body for fat loss.

When your body is not getting enough water

~It tries to hold on to the water it has. Since over 70 percent of our muscle is made of water,
the lack of it makes our body use the existing water for other functions, leaving you bloated.

~How do you get rid of that excess water? By drinking enough water!

Hot or cold water?

~Many experts tend to advocate cold water, because the stomach absorbs it more quickly.
They believe that cold water might enhance fat burning.

~Warm water is, however, easier to drink in large quantities and you might drink more of it
without even realising it. Do whatever suits you, here. Just drink more!

How much water?

You must drink at least seven to eight glasses (1.9 litres) of water a day.

Importance of having Breakfast

2007-08-29T21:40:00.000+05:30

Breakfast can help prevent strokes, heart attack and sudden death.
Advice on not to skip breakfast!

Healthy living for those who always skip breakfast, you should stop
that habit now! You've heard many times that "Breakfast is the
most important meal of the day." Now, recent research confirms that
one of the worst practices you can develop may be avoiding breakfast.

Why?

Because the frequency of heart attack, sudden death, and stroke peaks between
6: 00a.m. and noon, with the highest incidence being between 8: 00a.m. and
10:00a.m.What mechanism within the body could account for this significant jump
in sudden death in the early morning hours?

We may have an Answer.

Platelet, tiny elements in the blood that keep us from bleeding to Death
if we get a cut, can clump together inside our arteries due to
cholesterol or laque buildup in the artery lining. It is in the morning hours
that platelets become the most activated and tend to form these internal
blood clots at the greatest frequency.

However, eating even a very light breakfast prevents the morning
platelet activation that is associated with heart attacks and strokes.
Studies performed at Memorial University in St. Johns, Newfoundland
found that eating a light, very low-fat breakfast was critical in modifying
the morning platelet activation. Subjects in the study consumed either
low-fat or fat-free yogurt, orange juice, fruit, and a source of protein
coming from yogurt or fat-free milk. So if you skip breakfast, it's important
that you change this practice immediately in light of this research. Develop
a simple plan to eat cereal, such as oatmeal or Bran Flakes, along with six
ounces of grape juice or orange juice, and perhaps a piece of fruit. This
simple plan will keep your platelets from sticking together, keep blood clots
from forming, and perhaps head off a potential Heart Attack or stroke.
So never ever skip breakfast

36 Desi Billionaires on Forbes 2007 List

2007-08-29T08:29:00.000+05:30

The poor of India may have expressed their writ on the ballot paper but India’s super rich are emblazoned on the pages of Forbes magazine and its famed billionaire annual.

In a year the magazine declares as the best ever for the world’s uber-rich, a record 36 desi tycoons, including 14 newcomers, have made the billionaire cut in 2007.

As a result, the baton for the number of individual billionaires in Asia has passed on from Japan to India, although there is still a yawning gap in the per capita income between two countries.

Forbes notes that “After a 20-year reign, Japan is no longer Asia's top spot for billionaires: India has 36, worth a total of $191 billion, followed by Japan with 24, worth a combined $64 billion.”'

India's rich are also marching toward the top of our rankings, the magazine observes. Brothers Mukesh and Anil Ambani, who split up their family’s conglomerate in 2005, join Lakshmi Mittal, who heads the world's biggest steel company, Arcelor Mittal, among the world’s 20 wealthiest.

According to Forbes , India now has three billionaires in the Top 20, second only to the US with four. Sweden, France and Germany have two billionaires each in the Top 20.

Allowing for the expression that the rich always get richer, this has been an extraordinarily productive year for the wealthy. Strong equity markets combined with rising real estate values and commodity prices pushed up fortunes from Mumbai to Madrid, Forbes said, ending with it identifying a record 946 billionaires worldwide. Of them, 83 are women.

The number of billionaires is 19 per cent higher than last year when there were 793, and their total net worth grew 35 per cent to $3.5 trillion. There were 178 newcomers, including 19 Russians, 14 Indians, 13 Chinese and 10 Spaniards, as well as the first billionaires from Cyprus, Oman, Romania and Serbia.

Forbes identified ingenuity, not industry, as the common characteristic of the billionaires. They made money in everything from media and real estate to coffee, dumplings and ethanol. Of list members' fortunes, 60% made their money from scratch.

Two-thirds of last year's billionaires are richer. Only 17% are poorer, including 32 who fell below the billion-dollar mark. The average billionaire is 62 years old, two years younger than in 2005. This year's new billionaires are seven years younger than that.

To no one’s great surprise, Bill Gates is still the world’s wealthiest tycoon (for the 13th year in a
row) with a fortune estimated at $ 56 billion. He is followed by his friend, mentor, and bridge-playing partner Warren Buffett with has $ 52 billion.

But moving up fast in the list is Mexico’s telecom tycoon Carlos Slim Helú, whose net worth went up an astonishing $19 billion this year - the single biggest one-year gain in a decade. With a fortune estimated at $ 49 billion, he is now just $7 billion shy of Gates and $3 billion less than Buffett.

Body hacks 18 tricks to hack your body

2007-08-28T22:46:00.001+05:30

1. If your throat tickles, scratch your ear!
2. Experience supersonic hearing!
3. Overcome your most primal urge!
4. Feel no pain!
5. Clear your stuffed nose!
6. Fight fire without water!
7. Cure your toothache without opening your mouth!
8. Make burns disappear!
9. Stop the world from spinning!
10. Unstitch your side!
11. Stanch blood with a single finger!
12. Make your heart stand still!
13. Thaw your brain!
14. Prevent nearsightedness!
15. Wake the dead!
16. Impress your friends!
17. Breathe underwater!
18. Read minds!

1. If your throat tickles, scratch your ear!
“When the nerves in the ear are stimulated, it creates a reflex in the throat that can cause a muscle spasm,” says Scott Schaffer, M.D., president of an ear, nose, and throat specialty center in Gibbsboro, New Jersey. “This spasm relieves the tickle.”

2. Experience supersonic hearing!
If you're stuck chatting up a mumbler at a cocktail party, lean in with your right ear. It's better than your left at following the rapid rhythms of speech, according to researchers at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. If, on the other hand, you're trying to identify that song playing softly in the elevator, turn your left ear toward the sound. The left ear is better at picking up music tones.

3. Overcome your most primal urge!
Need to pee? No bathroom nearby? You are male? Then fantasize...
Thinking about sex preoccupies your brain, so you won't feel as much discomfort, says Larry Lipshultz, M.D., chief of male reproductive medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine.

4. Feel no pain!
German researchers have discovered that coughing during an injection can lessen the pain of the needle stick. According to Taras Usichenko, author of a study on the phenomenon, the trick causes a sudden, temporary rise in pressure in the chest and spinal canal, inhibiting the painconducting structures of the spinal cord.

5. Clear your stuffed nose!
The easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to relieve sinus pressure is to alternately thrust your tongue against the roof of your mouth, then press between your eyebrows with one finger. This causes the vomer bone, which runs through the nasal passages to the mouth, to rock back and forth, says Lisa DeStefano, D.O., an assistant professor at the Michigan State University college of osteopathic medicine. The motion loosens congestion; after 20 seconds, you'll feel your sinuses start to drain.

6. Fight fire without water!
Studies have shown that patients who sleep on their left sides are less likely to suffer from acid reflux. The esophagus and stomach connect at an angle.
When you sleep on your right, the stomach is higher than the esophagus, allowing food and stomach acid to slide up your throat. When you're on your left, the stomach is lower than the esophagus, so gravity's in your favor.

7. Cure your toothache without opening your mouth!
Just rub ice on the back of your hand, on the V-shaped webbed area between your thumb and index finger. A Canadian study found that this technique reduces toothache pain by as much as 50 percent compared with using no ice. The nerve pathways at the base of that V stimulate an area of the brain that blocks pain signals from the face and hands.

8. Make burns disappear!
When you accidentally singe your finger on the stove, clean the skin and apply light pressure with the finger pads of your unmarred hand. Ice will relieve your pain more quickly, Dr. DeStefano says, but since the natual method brings the burned skin back to a normal temperature, the skin is less likely to blister.

9. Stop the world from spinning!
One too many drinks left you dizzy? Put your hand on something stable. The part of your ear responsible for balance, the
cupula, floats in a fluid of the same density as blood.
“As alcohol dilutes blood in the cupula, the cupula becomes less dense and rises,” says Dr. Schaffer. This confuses your brain. The tactile input from a stable object gives the brain a second opinion, and you feel more in balance. Because the nerves in the hand are so sensitive, this works better than the conventional footonthefloor wisdom.

10. Unstitch your side!
If you're like most people, when you run, you exhale as your right foot hits the ground.
This puts downward pressure on your liver (which lives on your right side), which then tugs at the diaphragm and creates a side stitch, according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Men. The fix: Exhale as your left foot strikes the ground.

11. Stanch blood with a single finger!
Pinching your nose and leaning back is a great way to stop a nosebleed if you don't mind choking on your own O positive. A more civil approach: Put some cotton on your upper gums just behind that small dent below your nose and press against it, hard.
“Most bleeds come from the front of the septum, the cartilage wall that divides the nose,” says Peter Desmarais, M.D., an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Entabeni Hospital, in Durban, South Africa. “Pressing here helps stop them.”

12. Make your heart stand still!
Trying to quell firstdate jitters? Blow on your thumb. The vagus nerve, which governs heart rate, can be controlled through breathing, says Ben Abo, an emergency medical services specialist at the University of Pittsburgh. It'll get your heart rate back to normal.

13. Thaw your brain!
Too much ice-cream too fast will freeze the brains of lesser men. As for you, press your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth, covering as much as you can. “Since the nerves in the roof of your mouth get extremely cold, your body thinks your brain is freezing, too,” says Abo. “In compensating, it overheats, causing an icecream headache.” The more pressure you apply to the roof of your mouth, the faster your headache will subside.

14. Prevent nearsightedness!
Poor distance vision is rarely caused by genetics, says Anne Barber, O.D., an optometrist in Tacoma, Washington. “It's usually caused by nearpoint stress.” In other words, staring at your computer screen for too long. So flex your way to 20/20 vision. Every few hours during the day, close your eyes, tense your body, take a deep breath, and, after a few seconds, release your breath and muscles at the same time. Tightening and releasing muscles such as the biceps and glutes can trick involuntary muscles like the eyes into relaxing as well.

15. Wake the dead!
If your hand falls asleep while you're driving or sitting in an odd position, rock your head from side to side. It'll painlessly banish your pins and needles in less than a minute, says Dr. DeStefano. A tingly hand or arm is often the result of compression in the bundle of nerves in your neck; loosening your neck muscles releases the pressure. Compressed nerves lower in the body govern the feet, so don't let your sleeping dogs lie. Stand up and walk around.

16. Impress your friends!
Next time you're at a party, try this trick: Have a person hold one arm straight out to the side, palm down, and instruct him to maintain this position. Then place two fingers on his wrist and push down. He'll resist. Now have him put one foot on a surface that's a half inch higher (a few magazines) and repeat. This time his arm will cave like the French. By misaligning his hips, you've offset his spine, says Rachel Cosgrove, C.S.C.S., coowner of Results Fitness, in Santa Clarita, California. Your brain senses that the spine is vulnerable, so it shuts down the body's ability to resist.

17. Breathe underwater!
If you're dying to retrieve that quarter from the bottom of the pool, take several short breaths first essentially, hyperventilate. When you're underwater, it's not a lack of oxygen that makes you desperate for a breath; it's the buildup of carbon dioxide, which makes your blood acidic, which signals your brain that somethin' ain't right. “When you hyperventilate, the influx of oxygen lowers blood acidity,” says Jonathan Armbruster, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at Auburn University. “This tricks your brain into thinking it has more oxygen.” It'll buy you up to 10 seconds.

18. Read minds!
Your own! “If you're giving a speech the next day, review it before falling asleep,” says Candi Heimgartner, an instructor of biological sciences at the University of Idaho. Since most memory consolidation happens during sleep, anything you read right before bed is more likely to be encoded as longterm memory.

Nutrition Tips To Build Your Muscles- While Weight Lifting

2007-08-28T22:30:00.001+05:30

Looking to build mass and power? Try these weight lifting tips to add a kick to your gains.

1- Consume at least one gram of protein per pound of bodyweight each day. For example, if you weight 150 pounds, you should be eating at least 150 grams of protein each and every day.

2- Consume at least 3 to 4 grams of carbohydrates per pound of bodyweight each day. Make sure that most of these carbohydrates come from comples sources such as pasta, rice, oatmeal, potatoes and yams and fibrous veggies such as broccoli and asparagus. The only time you should be feeding your body fast acting carbs is immediately after your workouts.

3-Ingest health fats from sources such as nuts and seeds, olives, flax seed and canola oils. Reduce your intake of saturated and trans fatty acids.

4-No need to starve yourself. If you want to add muscle, you need to consume calorie dense foods such as comples carbs.

5- Your diet ratio should be 50 to 55% carbohydrates, 25 to 30% protein and 15 to 20% fat.

6- Spread your eating over a minumum of five meals per day, taking in at least 30 grams of protein per meal. By spreading out your meals in this fashion will ensure that the nutrients for the muscle building process are constantly being supplied.

7- Drink alot of water! Try drinking at least one gallon of water per day. Water is essential for building muscle.

8-Consume more calories. Eat slightly beyond the point of satiety. Remember to eat a big, healthy breakfast.

9-When boosting your caloric intake, gradually increase the amount of calories over a period of 7 to 10 days. This way, you are using the extra calories as fuel as opposed to storing it as fat. If you find yourself stuck, gradually increase the amount of calories per day.

10-Eat at least 6 times per day, counting significant snacks such as protein shakes as meals.

Use these 10 weight lifting tips to increase your size and strength.

Use the above noted weight lifting tips in your muscle building program and you should be off to a flying start. As you progress in your program, make sure to challenge yourself and change your weight lifting routine around. This will add a new angle to your training and improve the weight lifting experience.

Does Drinking Alcohol Kill Brain Cells?

2007-08-28T21:57:00.000+05:30

The idea that drinking of alcohol kills brain cells has long been promoted. Last nights debate on this topic made me curious to know the truth. Occassionally, I like to drink an 8 oz. glass of wine or sometimes add baileys to my milkshake, just to satisfy my taste buds. Am I killing my brain cells with such a less amount of alcohol?

Scientific medical research has actually demonstrated that the moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with better cognitive (thinking and reasoning) skills and memory than is abstaining from alcohol. Various studies around the world report that moderate drinking doesn’t kill brain cells but helps the brain function better into old age.

Of course, years of alcohol abuse can cause serious neurological damage, including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Harm can be done to message-carrying dendrites on neurons in the cerebellum, a part of the brain involved in learning and physical coordination. But even in such extreme cases, there’s a lack of evidence that alcohol kills brain cells.

However, new research involving rats have proved that abstinence after chronic alcohol abuse enables brains to repair themselves. In this research it was observed that during simulated alcohol “binges,” rats’ ability to create new brain cells was reduced. But after the animals no longer consumed alcohol they had a “huge burst” in new brain cell development. The study is the first to demonstrate that brain cell production can return after abstinence from alcohol abuse.

Good listeners = Better managers?

2007-08-28T21:52:00.000+05:30

The Journal of Business Communication published a recent study disclosing that good listeners hold higher-level positions and are promoted more often than those with less effective listening skills. Many executives believe listening skills are vital to the success of an organisation. Lee Iacocca, CEO of Chrysler, said that listening could make 'the difference between a mediocre company and a great company.'

Unfortunately, a number of experts note that managers and executives tend to become better talkers than listeners -- because they are used to 'being listened to'.

God gave us two ears so we could listen more and speak less. This is seldom followed and we end up spending more time speaking and much less actually learning from what was conveyed.

In our fast-moving world, it is easy to miss out on what people say. These six tips can help though.

One: Observe the listener

Psychologist Jerome Burner of New York University says that people only remember 10 per cent of what they hear, but the percentage is as high as 80 per cent if they can see the listener as well. When we are with a speaker, it important to be involved in the conversation. Concentrate on the listener's non-verbal signals, such as the body language and facial expression. When we are not with the speaker, other signals play an important role -- the speaker's pitch, intonation, tone, utterance groups and stressed words in sentences. This will help us understand the speaker's thoughts. If you are a manager, active listening is crucial. Ideally, managers should spend more than 50 per cent of their time listening to what is being said. Try not to broadcast your idea until you have heard everyone.

Two: Be attentive and avoid distractions

Most of the time, we miss out on things because we are either so pre-occupied with our thoughts or busy doing something that isn't as important as what the speaker has to say. While we are the target audience, it is discourteous not to pay attention to the speaker. Look at the speaker and keep aside everything else. Stop thinking about work, family, your partner, love life or promotions. These things happen when they have to. It might take some of us time to concentrate, but practice makes this easier. Believe that every speaker is equally important. Do not fake attention.

Three: Think, revise and stay interested

When you hear something, it's easy to revise the key words. Focus on 'content words' -- those that contain the main content of the sentence. If you have to pass on a message, make sure you understand it, personalise it and get it in action. Some messages need to be passed on verbatim. In such cases, avoid jumbling words; pass it on word for word. Demonstrate that you are interested in what a person is saying even if the delivery is monotonous or verbose. Don't let your mind wander; your focus should be your listener.

Four: Make notes

Some of us cannot afford to rely on memory, and are too lazy to pen down what we have heard. This leads to skipping important appointments, missing meetings, forgetting important date and ventures. Overall, it leads to loss. Write down what you need to communicate, to whom and by when. No reminder or note is complete without the date and time. If you have an assigned work area or cabin, use post-its with the required details. Focus on ideas, not just facts. Listening only for facts often impedes grasping the speaker's meaning.

Five: Paraphrase what the speaker says

Paraphrasing is your version of essential information or ideas uttered by the speaker and presented in a new form. This outline focuses on a single main idea. The process that is involved in paraphrasing helps us remember (what we hear) as well. It also creates trust and a speaker learns that you did grasp what he or she said. Reflecting what we hear, to each other, helps give each a chance to become aware of the different levels a speaker and listener may be at. This brings things into the open where they can be more readily resolved. Avoid rushing or interrupting the speaker. Changing the subject is often taken for lack of interest; don't change it until you are sure the conversation is over. Asking questions to clear the grey areas and to demonstrate interest could prove helpful.

Six: Do not assume

Nothing can be a bigger sin for a listener than to assume. We assume ideas, thoughts, and sometimes even facts and figures. We try to be correct all the time and that blocks learning and the influx of new ideas. Avoid jumping to conclusions and anticipate what a person is trying to say. Imagine yourself in the speaker's situation and then form a frame of mind. It shows that you welcome what the speaker has to say. Remember the old poem:

A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw, the less he spoke
The less he spoke, the more he heard
Why can't we all be like that bird?

How To Say No Without Feeling Guilty.

2007-08-28T21:51:00.000+05:30

Do you find it difficult to say no? Do you have a fear of displeasing others? Do you have trouble expressing your true feelings?

You’re not alone. If you struggle with some of these issues too, it may be helpful for you to examine your personal boundaries and determine where you can strengthen them. Simply put, personal boundaries are the limits you place between yourself and others. The stronger your boundaries, the more free you feel to express yourself.

We all have certain relationships and situations where our boundaries are stronger and certain relationships and situations where our boundaries need work. Frequently, the closer we are to someone (i.e. - romantic partners, children and parents), the harder it is to maintain strong boundaries.

Below are a few signs of weak boundaries:

- Difficulty in asking for what you want or need

- Allowing others’ opinions to determine your self- worth

- Taking things too personally

- Difficulty in standing up for yourself

- Feeling like a victim

- Feeling obligated or indebted

- Allowing others' bad moods to rub off on you

I invite you to take a look at your own life and think about where your boundaries are strong and where they need work. You can test the strength of your boundaries in various aspects of your life by asking yourself the following questions:

In this situation/relationship, "How free do I feel to express myself?" "How free do I feel to ask for what I want?"

Once you have an idea of where your boundaries need work, you can start practicing your communication techniques.

Setting boundaries is best done with a graceful or neutral tone. This will feel uncomfortable at first, but as you take care of yourself, the personal power you gain will make it easier. When setting boundaries, there is no need to justify, give excuses or over- explain your feelings. Be firm, gracious and direct. When faced with resistance, repeat your statement or request.

Below are a few neutral responses to common situations:

To set a boundary with an angry person: "You may not yell at me. If you continue, I'll have to leave the room."

To set a boundary with someone who is critical: "That is an inappropriate comment. Please stop."

To buy yourself time when making tough decisions: "I'll have to sleep on it. I have a policy of not making decisions right away."

To say no to extra commitments: "Although this organization is important to me, I can't participate now because my time is already over-committed."

To back out of a commitment: "After reviewing my schedule, I now realize that I won't be able to give this project my best attention. I'd like to help find a replacement by the end of next week.

To set a boundary with an adult child who borrows money: "I won't be lending you money anymore. I love you and you need to take responsibility for yourself."

Once you’ve tested out these neutral responses, you can craft your own responses to specific situations or relationships in your life.

Strengthening your boundaries is one of the best ways to attract new positive relationships and transform existing relationships, which will have a powerful impact in both your personal and professional life. Strong boundaries will give you the confidence to speak your truth and to choose what you want (and don’t want) in your life. What do you choose?

The Power Of Honey

2007-08-28T21:50:00.000+05:30

Honey is a sweet thick fluid prepared by the honeybees from the nectar of flowers.Nutritionally speaking,honey contains about 75-80% sugar and the rest is a mixture of water and minerals like phosphorous,calcium,magnesium,some acids and enzymes.So we see,that together with minerals,honey also gives us energy,about 300 to 320 calories per 100ml of honey.To put it simply,one tsp of honey would give us about 15 to 16 calories. The enzymes present in honey aid in digestion of food especially raw sugars and starch.The difference between the commonly used sugar and honey is that,the sugars contained in honey are in a very simple predigested form and thus are directly absorbed by our body.Whereas the normal sugar has to be broken down in our body into simpler forms to be digested and absorbed.Apart from giving nutrition,honey can be used as a sweetening agent in sweets and desserts. In addition to the excellent medicinal properties,honey is supposed to be a good thirst quencher.Arabs take honey and water across deserts.Another aspect of honey is its use in the beauty treatment.One of the most commonly used facepacks for aging skin,is a mixture of honey and cornflour and limejuice.It also acts as a good moisturiser and helps in most dry skin problems. So we see that honey is a pleasant,attractive,sweet item of food with plenty of other uses too.This does not mean that you can eat as much honey,as you like.We all know that excess of calories over and above what we require would make us fat and honey does have calories.Honey may improve your digestion but it should not be done at the cost of giving you a sweet tooth! As Medicine:

One to two tsps full of honey in a glass of hot milk is said to be a good sedative.
For children the use of honey as a general tonic has been known from time immemorial.The reason being that honey acts as a disinfectant and an antiseptic.So a judicious internal administration of honey would render the digestive system aseptic and disease-causing germs would fail to thrive.
Honey is good for sore throats,coughs and colds.An age-old cough mixture still used in many homes consists of honey and limejuice in equal parts.
Honey is also reputed to be a good stimulant for a weak heart.
As far as constipation is concerned,honey is a very popular laxative.

Eat Potatoes

2007-08-28T21:49:00.000+05:30

LONDON: Eating potatoes could have a beneficial effect on the immune system, says a study conducted by Spanish researchers.

The vegetable is considered to be rich in vitamin C, B-complex vitamins and has good doses of minerals like iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus. It has long been known that potatoes are good for bowel health.

It is believed to be good for the immune system, particularly if eaten cold or in a salad, the researchers write in Chemistry & Industry, a magazine of the Society of Chemical Industry.

The scientists carried out a study where they fed growing pigs large quantities of raw potato starch (RPS) for over 14 weeks and found that they had healthier bowels.

They also found that these pigs had decreased levels of white blood cells - such as leucocytes and lymphocytes in their blood. White blood cells are produced due to inflammation or when a person is ill to fight the disease, reports the science portal EurekAlert.

The general decrease in leucocytes observed by the researchers suggests an overall beneficial effect, according to immunology expert Lena Ohman at the Department of Internal Medicine, Göteborg University, Sweden.

Said José Francisco Pérez, the lead researcher from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona: "The use of raw potato starch in this experiment is designed to simulate the effects of a diet high in resistant starch."

Humans do not eat raw potatoes, but they do eat a lot of foods that contain resistant starch, such as cold boiled potatoes, legumes, grains, green bananas, pasta and cereals.

About 10 per cent of the starch eaten by humans is resistant starch - starch that is not digested in the small intestine and so is shunted into the large intestine where it ferments.

Starch consumption is thought to reduce the risk of large bowel cancer and may also have an effect on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The decrease in white blood cells observed is therefore interesting, and a diet of resistant starch may be worth trying in IBS patients, an expert said.

Spot The Flirt

2007-08-28T21:43:00.001+05:30

You're out at a party and you notice a man or woman glancing at you often or trying to find ways to catch your attention. Is it an indication of the fact that he or she is flirting with you? Read on…

The glance

This one is slightly tricky, just because someone is glancing at you often does not necessarily mean he or she is being flirtatious. To know whether or not the glancing is of a flirtatious variety, read other signs — is he or she smiling at you? Do they look away every time you catch them looking at you? Do they acknowledge when you catch their glance? If the answers to the above questions are yes, then the glancing is flirtatious.

Touch and tease

The first sign that someone you've just met is flirting with you is that he or she will often make it a point to touch you, while having a conversation with you. It is the most intimate form of flirting. However, you need to know the difference between a flirtatious touch and a perverse gesture.

Sexual innuendos

Another sure sign that someone is flirting with you is if he or she pays you a sexual compliment. Again, there is a difference between a compliment and a crude statement so understand the difference. When a man or woman likes you they will tend to keep the conversation slightly sexy and try to get you to flirt back as well.

Attention

If you notice that someone is trying to get your attention, it means they are probably waiting for you to notice them, which will give them a chance to take things further. So, if someone is walking past your table several times and looking at you, it only means they are trying to get you interested.

The talk

Do you know any man or woman who is always the first to initiate conversation and try to get you to talk at length about a variety of things? He or she might just be flirting with you. They do it because they like you, and so would like to find out what you like and then keep talking to you about that.

Specific questions

Another great way of telling if someone is being flirtatious is when they want to know what you like to do when you're having fun. In a way, they are checking to see if you have things in common and are compatible.

Tips For Good And Lasting Relationship

2007-08-28T19:25:00.000+05:30

There are some generalized tips on how to make good and lasting relationship.

1. Listen to your beloved.

2. Try to show tolerance and be open-minded. Avoid showing sarcasm and negativity. In general, anything that can cause you a bad mood or her bad mood should be avoided.

3. You should learn to give as well as to take - to give or take is not the answer, only a combination of the two in equal measure.

4. Try to make your partner\'s parents like you. It is very important for both of you.

5. Learn to give unconditionally. To expect always something in return is the same as paying for something.

6. Avoid being too emotional in your everyday life. It can be especially applied to males. You will have to convince your beloved that you are strong; that you are self-confident; that you know what to do; and that she can rely on your emotional strength to be a help for her.

7. Kindness, understanding, trust and consideration are the keywords in relationships. If you are only trying to derive benefit from these relationships, forget about mutual understanding.

8. In every relationship it is important to be a good and reliable friend. If you are your beloved\'s understanding friend, she/he will be grateful and rewarding.

9. Don\'t let anyone treat you abusively. Demand respect.

10. If your relationships are established, you should carry on showing your beloved that you love and appreciate him/her. It is not difficult. You can do this by little things as buying flowers and small presents from time to time.

11. Beware of possessiveness and claiming behavior. Keep in mind that your partner is as independent as you are and should never be treated as an object or possession.

12. Don\'t let other people push your buttons. Otherwise you won\'t be able to make any decision by yourself.

13. Learn to adjourn your recompense through patience, trust and understanding.

14. Try to see your partner\'s point of view. Agree to disagree.

15. Respect your partner\'s space.

Make Your Skin Smile

2007-08-28T19:22:00.000+05:30

Here are a few simple home remedies from Dr Shobha Sehgal, cosmetologist and beauty expert with VLCC Healthcare Pvt Ltd, which will help you rejuvenate and maintain your beautiful self.

1. Tropical Citrus Mask

Mix together: One ripe banana, one table spoon olive oil and one drop of orange essential oil.
Smooth over face and leave on for 15 - 20 minutes. Rinse off with tap water and smooth on a rich moisturizer.

2. Toning mask

Mix together: One egg white, one table spoon honey, few drops of orange / lemon juice and one table spoon conflour.
Clean face and apply on the face in upward strokes. Put another coat after the mixture is semi dry.
It will help in giving optimum toning and lifting.

3. Hydrating pack

Mix together: Two table spoons of wheat germ and a little bit of coconut milk.
Apply this mixture on face. It provides good hydration to the skin and also acts as a toner.

4. Summer home pack

Mix together: One table spoon Fuller’s earth (Multani mitti), one table spoon sandalwood powder and one table spoon rosewater.
Apply on face, let it dry and then wash. This pack has a cooling effect and removes blemishes and spots.

5. Aloevera Pack

Mix together: Two table spoons of aloevera gel and vitamin A and E capsules.
Massage nicely on the face. This is a nourishing and hydrating pack. Aloevera helps in retaining moisture and rejuvenates and hydrates the skin.

6. Treatment pack

Mix together: One table spoon chironji seeds, one table spoon amla juice and one table spoon honey.
Apply this mixture on face. It helps reduce pigmentation.

Herbal Skin Care Tips

2007-08-28T19:15:00.000+05:30

Here are 22 practical Herbal Tips for Skin Care from the experts! Very easy to use and effective.

1)Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.

2) Cut some beet root into small pieces and grind them. Squeeze juice from beet root and massage to your face for 5 minutes. Shower after 10 minutes with mild soap or gram flour.

3) Mix sandalwood powder with rose water and add 4 to 5 drops of milk in it and apply on to your face and body. Shower after 15 minutes with warm water.

4) Mix honey in water and drink daily in the morning to keep your skin shiny and smooth.

5) Warm honey and mix with lemon juice and apply on to face. Wash after it dry.

6) Mix Turmeric, sandal powder and olive oil and apply to body. Shower after 10 minutes.

7) Massage your skin with milk. Milk has moisturizer, it will keep your skin smooth.

8) Use humidifiers and keep room temperature moderate to keep your skin away from dryness.

9) Hot water blushes your skin and you don't feel fresh unless you have bath with little cold water. If you have shower for a longtime, dead skin will be automatically be removed. Do not rub with towel, be gentle on your skin.

10) Take food which contains more A and C vitamin.

11) Grate carrot and boil. Massage that mixture to body to get fair and smooth skin.

12) For natural bleaching: - mix milk and lemon juice. The
milk will break as soon as you mix the lemon juice in it. Use that mixture to massage on your body. It works as natural bleaching.

13) Mix turmeric and cream on the top of milk, massage that mixture to body.

14) If you go into sun your skin will lost the fair ness. To get your skin color to normal take equal quantities of cucumber juice and tomato juice and apply on to skin. Shower after 10 minutes.

15) Massage mustard oil to your skin for 5 minutes and have shower with gram flour or mild soap.

16) Mix cream on the top of milk and all-purpose flour and apply that paste on to your skin avoid eyes, eyebrows and lips. Shower after 5 minutes. This will make skin smooth.

17) Mix curds (yogurt) with wheat flour and apply to your skin and take shower after 5 minutes.

18) Grind rose petals and mix with cream on the top of milk and apply to your body. Shower after 10 minutes.

19) Scaly skin is a result of fluorine deficiency. Fluorine is the anti-resistant element of the human body, the absence of which creates problems in the blood and spleen. Since cooking and heating foods destroys fluorine, it is better to eat uncooked raw fruits and vegetables. Other foods rich in fluorine are goat milk and cheese, rye flour, avocados, sea plants and cabbage, cream whey and cottage cheese.

20) Wrinkle skin is a result of Sodium deficiency and makes skin sticky. Cucumbers are ideal for combating and preventing sodium deficiency because they are not only high in sodium, but also help in keeping the body cool, a great summer's treat.

21) Skin rashes are the result of silicon deficiency. To avoid pus and rashes, eat plenty of sprouts, alfalfa, barley, tomatoes, spinach, strawberries and figs.

22) Skin eruptions are the result of Chlorophyll. And are found in wheat grass and other green leafy vegetables.

Miracle Of Makeup

2007-08-28T19:13:00.000+05:30

10 Healthy Foods R Not So Healthy !!!

2007-08-26T14:54:00.000+05:30

Too often when you are trying to do the best for your body, you don’t take a close enough look at what you are actually eating. Minor modifications can transform most unhealthy foods into healthier counterparts. The problem is that what may seem like common sense when it comes to healthy foods could be misconceptions that you have accepted to be true.

You think you know, but you have no idea. It’s time to tap into the wisdom of an expert and shed some light on these food fallacies once and for all.

1. Olive oil: Although rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and healthier than butter and margarine, olive oil is still … oil. More is not better, especially if you’re watching your weight.

2. Honey: Sigh... how many times I have heard, "it's natural," as a reason for eating something sweet. It may be natural, but it's still sugar. There's not enough redeeming nutritional value to make it "healthy."

3. Juice: Orange juice. Apple juice. Cranberry juice. To me, juice is the quickest way to gain weight I know. It takes less than a minute for most people to drink 150 calories. Gulp. Gulp again. Watch your thighs expand.

4. Brown bread: Too vague. Think it’s healthy just because it says “brown”? It’s not. Only wholewheat counts or wholegrain - any other type has the fibre and germ and all the good nutrition removed in processing.

5. Milk: Whole milk, that is. The old dietary guidelines recommended dairy, at least three servings a day. They didn’t differentiate between semi-skimmed and skimmed milk, and the whole milk dairy that contains quite a bit of diet busting fat.

6. Cheese: Many people think that if you don’t eat meat, then you can eat cheese for your protein source. This is another quick way to overweight. Cheese, especially full-fat cheese, is full of saturated fat and calories. Compare 30 grams of whole milk mozzarella (80 calories/6 grams of fat/4 grams saturated fat) to 30 grams of turkey breast (30 calories/less than 1 gram of total fat). Treat cheese with caution.

7. Wine: It is now widely accepted that wine and alcohol in general may have some health benefits, but they end at one drink per day for women and two for men. Drink more than that, and the benefits are wiped out by increased risk for disease and addiction.

8. Fish: Most fish are very healthful - low in saturated fat and a good source of protein. But some fish are less-than-healthful in this country and world-wide because of environmental contamination. It's sad but true. Some of the fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids, like tuna, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish, also are risky because they may be high in mercury.

Farmed salmon is less healthy than wild salmon; fish caught in local waters may be contaminated with PCPs, so check with your local fish and game advisories. Good choices include fin fish like wild salmon, sole, flounder, bass and snapper. Shellfish is a good choice, as are canned sardines and mackerel; marlin, swrodfish and shark are the ones that might be high in mercury.

9. Low-fat: Just because a biscuit is “low-fat” doesn’t mean it’s healthier than the original version. In fact, low-fat biscuits contain MORE calories than the original because the manufacturer increases the sugar to make up for the flavour and texture lost with the fat. Have a biscuit if you want one. ONE is the operative word.

10. Chicken: Chicken is a very lean meat ONLY if you remove the skin and don’t fry it. I laugh when people tell me that they’re eating healthier when they go to a fast-food restaurant for a chicken burger. If they choose the Crispy Chicken sandwich at McDonald’s, for example, they get 500 calories and 23 grams of fat; compared to a plain hamburger that only has 260 calories and 9 grams of fat... almost half!