How Healthy is your COFFEE?

What is better to begin the day with a fresh cup of coffee in the morning? Whether at home or whilst on the move or at work.

In the past, doctors told us to reduce consumption of drinks containing high caffeine leve. Nowadays, researches found that 1-2 cups of coffee a day is actually good to health. Coffee can lower the risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and colon cancer, also can lift your mood and treat headaches, and lower your risk of cavities.

According to Harvard Medical Research, a few cups a day—coffee is a safe beverage that may even offer some health benefits.

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is an alkaloid that acts as a stimulant and a mild diuretic. Caffeine is called guaranine when found in guarana, mateine when found in mate, and theine when found in tea; all of these names are synonyms for the same chemical compound.

Caffeine has the effect of temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. Humans have been consuming plants containing caffeine since the beginning of time — it occurs naturally in many plants besides coffee and tea, even though coffee and tea get the most publicity for it.

Caffeine is added to soft drinks, especially cola-type soft drinks. I won't go into detail about it since I could spend a day on that topic alone.

Despite the negativity surrounding caffeine, caffeine continues to play a vital role in the health of people all around the world. Again, it's a topic all in itself and I won't go into detail here.

Antioxidants and Flavonoids

Both coffee and tea are high in antioxidants. An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells.

Flavonoids are known as antioxidants, but they have other significant properties that I can't explain without writing a textbook or plagiarizing someone else. Green tea is higher in flavonoids than other teas, and the amount of flavonoids in coffee is questionable depending on what kind of coffee we're dealing with.

Health Benefits

Antioxidants have been proven to have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties. Only a small amount of flavonoids are required, as antioxidants, to show immediate health benefits.

It makes sense to include coffee and tea, if you don't dislike the taste, as part of your diet. It's not known if caffeine-free versions are as effective as those containing caffeine, but it's worth trying if you're on a caffeine-restrictive diet.

Green tea has been called the green tea fat burner recently because of what it does to your metabolism and the anti-fat and anti-carcinogenic effects it has on your system.

Do you eat Petai (Smelly Bean)?

ADVICE FROM UKM MEDICAL DOCTOR

Little did you know ........ after reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at petai in the same way again!

Petai contains three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose. Combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.. No wonder petai is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way petai can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating petai. This is because petai contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS (premenstrual syndrome):
Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anaemia:
High in iron, petai can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power :
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating petai at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Understand that bananas contain lot of potassium too so eat more banana... Just look at those monkeys, they are really active, alert, smart and cunning too!!

Constipation:

High in fiber, including petai in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a petai milkshake, sweetened with honey. The petai calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating petai for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness :
Snacking on petai between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites :
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of the petai skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation..

Nerves:
Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight:
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
Petai is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control :
Many other cultures see petai as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Holland, for example, pregnant women eat petai to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affecti ve Disorder (SAD):
Petai can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking:
Petai can also help people trying to give up smoking.. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium petai snack.

Strokes:
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine" eating petai as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%".

Warts:
Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of petai and place it on the wart.. Carefully hold the petai in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, as you can see, petai really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals... It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A Petai a day keeps the doctor away".

The BANANAS with dark patches on yellow skin...

The fully ripe banana produces a substance called TNF which has the ability to combat abnormal cells.

So don't be surprised very soon the shop will go out of stock for bananas.

As the banana ripens, it develops dark spots or patches on the skin. The more dark patches it has, the higher will be its' immunity enhancement quality.

Hence the Japanese love bananas for a good reason.

According to a Japanese scientific research, banana contains TNF which has anti-cancer properties. The degree of anti-cancer effect corresponds to the degree of ripeness of the fruit, ie the riper the banana, the better the anti-cancer quality.

In an animal experiment carried out by a professor in Tokyo U comparing the various health benefits of different fruits,using banana, grape, apple, water melon, pineapple, pear and persimmon, it was found that banana gave the best results. It increased the number of white blood cells, enhanced the immunity of the body and produced anti-cancer
substance TNF.

The recommendation is to eat 1 to 2 banana a day to increase your body immunity to diseases like cold, flu and others.

According to the Japanese professor, yellow skin bananas with dark spots on it are 8 times more effective in enhancing the property of white blood cells than the green skin version.

梳頭有大學問

每天梳頭是一件極為重要的事。為什麼古人總是說要天天梳頭？因為梳頭實際上就是在梳經絡。

有人說梳頭多了，容易損傷毛囊，那咱們把指甲剪平了，用10個手指肚來梳，這樣怎麼梳都損傷不了毛囊，而且還很有力量。您看頭的側面全是膽經，有20多個穴位，您都不用找，就這麼一梳，哪塊有點疼，就證明哪塊有阻塞，您就反復地揉它，不知道那個穴叫什麼名字沒關係。因為您一梳頭，膽經上的20多個穴位就全部“一網打盡”了。

開始梳頭的時候，您會發現，長期頭痛或者膽囊不好、有乳腺增生這些膽經阻塞方面問題的人，頭上一定有相應的阻滯點。經絡是連著的，下面有堵的地方，它上面也堵。所以您這麼一梳，就會發覺某處有疼的地方，用大拇指一點一揉，會發現些結節、疙瘩的東西，這時，您一定要把這個東西揉開了。

每天梳頭多長時間為好呢？堅持每天300次就非常好了。有人說我有的是時間，梳3000次怎麼樣？那當然更好。頭不怕多梳，您就記住，梳頭好處大了。頭為諸陽之會，所有的氣血都是奔著頭上來的，頭就怕堵住了，一堵住什麼心血管疾病、腦梗塞之類的問題就全來了。您把頭一梳，頭部一清爽，這些問題就全解決了。所以梳頭是能消百病的妙法。

有人說：“我不敢梳頭，因為頭髮本來就少，還老掉”。我說：“越是這樣的人，越得多梳。為什麼？您別怕掉頭發，因為，凡是用手指肚一梳就掉的頭髮，它根本就是在頭上面浮擱著呢！您不動它，睡覺起來後也是一床，您不如乾脆先給它弄下來就完了，剩下的頭髮就個個都是精英了。這就跟種花似的，您得把那些枯葉剪下去，別讓它也跟著一塊吸收營養，最後剩下的那些才是茁壯的。”

還有的人說：“我也不敢梳頭，我一梳頭就白花花的跟下雪似的，全是頭皮屑，沒法梳。”他覺得越梳頭皮屑越多。其實，如果能堅持每天梳頭至少300次，連著梳1周，您再梳的時候就會發現已經沒什麼“雪花”了，而且梳完以後會看到滿手都是油污汙的。這說明您把堵塞在毛孔上的這些黑油（中醫講的濕氣、痰濁）給梳出來了，這樣當然就不長頭皮屑了。

梳頭不但可以治療脫髮，還能治療白髮和頭髮無光澤。當頭髮濃密起來後，就證明您的氣血越來越足，肝腎的功能提高了。另外，有的時候我們想補補肝、補補腎，但往往直接補不到，效力達不到這個地方，怎麼辦呢？“諸病於內，必形於外”，人體的?堶惟M外面是有通路的。誰是它的通路？頭部就是它的通路。您經常梳梳頭，就跟肝腎通上了。人不可能頭髮很濃密而肝腎卻很弱，這是絕不可能的。頭髮濃密了，肝腎的功能也就提高了，這是一體的兩面，只要提高一方面，另一方面就提高了。

梳頭時，除了頭兩側，正面也要全梳。頭的正面是膀胱經，是專門抵禦風寒的。有的人經常容易感冒，就是風寒老進來的原因。您把膀胱經多梳梳，就不容易患感冒了。還有的人總覺得頭暈，腦供血不足，什麼原因？是督脈堵塞住了。督脈這條中間線，下至尾骨，與腎經相通，上行巔頂百會穴，如果時時保持通暢的話，不但您不會得老年癡呆，而且會越梳越精神。

所以梳頭應該把頭部全梳一遍，每天梳得越多越好。

別小看梳頭這個動作，靠它就能打通人體的很多經絡，是屬於給身體打地基的。當打通經絡後，再集中看看哪個穴位有問題，特意去揉一揉，這就是為身體添磚加瓦了。

高血壓 無聲殺手出擊

(星島日報 報道)高血壓，被稱為都市人「沉默的殺手」，乃引致多項頑疾的風險因素，可誘發心臟病、中風及腎衰竭，殺人於無形。據調查顯示，七十五歲人士患高血壓率高達七成以上，且近年更有年輕化趨勢。要預防高血壓侵襲，便要跟從以下指引，從改善日常生活習慣手。

三十歲現高血壓

根據世界生組織指引，高血壓的定義為上壓持續高於140mmHg，以及下壓高於90mmHg，而上壓維持於120mmHg及下壓80mmHg則屬正常。心臟專科醫生梁偉宣表示，高血壓成因不明，只有小部分是因為身體病患，如內分泌失調、腎病、心臟病、荷爾蒙失調和某些藥物的副作用（如類固醇、避孕藥）而引致。至於肥胖、家族成員曾罹患高血壓、吸煙、酗酒、缺乏運動、經常進食高鹽分和高脂肪的食物，以及精神常處於緊張狀態，都是患上高血壓的高危因素。梁醫生表示，隨港人生活及飲食愈來愈西化，高血壓患者的年齡有年輕化趨勢，部分三十歲年輕一族已出現高血壓。

易致其他嚴重疾病

「大部分患者沒有明顯病徵，只有部分人會出現頭痛、頭暈、氣促、視力出現問題，不少人經過身體檢查才被診斷出來。」梁醫生表示，高血壓影響心臟、腦血管及腎臟健康；長時間處於高血壓狀況，會導致心臟心肌肥厚、心臟衰弱、血管硬化而引發冠心病，同時亦會誘發中風、腎衰竭，以及視網膜病變等。他說：「高血壓病者患上這些嚴重疾病的風險至少高於常人兩倍。」建議於三十五歲後，有上述高危因素人士，應定期量度血壓，及早監察及預防病變發生。

一旦證實患上高血壓，便要依靠藥物控制血壓水平。梁醫生表示，現時降血壓藥物共有五種，包括利尿劑、血管緊張素轉化抑制劑（ACEI）、血管緊張素受體阻滯劑（ARB）、?袌受體阻斷劑及鈣通道阻滯劑，醫生會根據病人的情況選用合適的藥物。

低鹽飲食預防良方

要預防高血壓，低鹽飲食、適量運動，以及控制體重最為重要。米施洛營養護康中心註冊營養師李偉萍指出，成人每日應攝取少於2,400毫克鈉質（分量相等於一茶匙鹽），每餐不要使用多於三分一茶匙鹽或半茶匙豉油，烹調煮食以清淡為主。此外，醬料亦含高鈉質，日常應減少使用味精、豆豉及雞精等調味料，多選用天然調味品，如薑、蒜、胡椒及八角等，減少攝取鹽分。煲湯時，可以蝦米、冬菇等食材作湯底，取代雞精及味精。她又指出，大家應少吃油炸食品，烹調時選擇新鮮食物，減少使用醬料。

上班族經常出外飲食，食肆高鹽高脂肪的烹調方法，都市人難以逃避。李偉萍建議大家出外用膳，可多選一些少醬汁的菜，或要求汁和飯分開，自行調校汁料分量。另謹記均衡飲食，選擇有肉有菜的菜式，如番茄肉片飯、西芹雞柳飯等，避免飲用加入味精的湯，同時，可考慮光顧較少使用鹽煮食的食肆，如日式壽司店、三文治店，或粥麵店等。

小心高鹽食物

1. 罐頭類食物，如午餐肉、沙甸魚等。

2. 經醃製食物，如腸仔、火腿、臘味、鹹蛋及榨菜等。

3. 涼果類，如話梅、陳皮等。

4. 加入了鹽分的果仁，如花生、腰果。

5. 油炸零食，如薯片及蝦條等。

健康營養素

除了低鹽飲食外，多攝取鉀質、鈣質及鎂質，均有助控制血壓水平：

鉀質

好處：有助身體排出多餘鈉質，避免因過量鈉質積聚而引起高血壓。

食物來源：一般新鮮蔬菜及水果，如薯仔、菠菜、西蘭花、香蕉及番石榴等。

鈣質

好處：鈣質不足可誘發高血壓，每日攝取足夠鈣質有助預防高血壓。

食物來源：奶類及奶製品，如高鈣脫脂奶等。

鎂質

好處：有助防止血管收窄。

食物來源：一般肉類，如雞肉、牛肉及豬肉等，以及果仁類食品。

坊間降血壓方法正讀

1. 黑朱古力助降血壓？

美國 有醫學研究報告指出，黑朱古力有助降低血壓。李偉萍指出，黑朱古力的可可豆成分高，具有抗氧化功效，且有助紓緩血管擴張，對心臟健康有益。可是，部分高血壓患者乃肥胖所致，而朱古力卡路里含量高，建議最好以減肥方法來控制血壓，而不應單以進食朱古力來降血壓。

2. 降壓茶功效大？

坊間有利用中藥成分製成的茶類飲品，聲稱可有效降血壓。李偉萍表示綠茶等淡茶類飲品，視作清水飲用未嘗不可，但未有證據顯示可助降血壓；高血壓患者亦不宜飲用濃茶，否則有可能引致心跳加速，令血壓上升。

3. 高血壓必須服藥？

不少年輕高血壓患者因認為降血壓藥需要服食一世，而不願服藥，希望以改善飲食來控制。梁醫生解釋，高血壓分不同程度，如嚴重者必須依靠藥物控制，而絕大部分患者服用一段時間後停服，血壓很容易回升，只有一至兩成患者可依靠改變生活習慣來控制。另外，如屬高血壓前期者（即處於正常血壓與高血壓之間水平），則不用立即服藥，可從改變生活習慣手，並密切監察血壓指數。

■梁偉宣醫生表示，高血壓無明顯病徵，卻是多種嚴重疾病的高危因素，是都市人的無形殺手。

■定期量度血壓可及早察覺及接受治療，減低出現心臟疾病及腦中風的機會。

■高血壓影響心臟健康，可誘發血管硬化造成冠心病。

■營養師李偉萍表示，每人每日不應攝取多於一茶匙鹽分。

■以天然調味取代高鈉質的調味料，自可減少患上高血壓的風險。

薑的新魅力

薑獨來獨往東西方數千年，從食用到藥用，魅力始終不減。 但你可知道，家家戶戶廚房中不難找到的生薑，是天然的抗噁心藥？

暈吐得臟腑移位，吃暈車藥又覺得昏昏沉沉，會暈車的人都很苦惱：「不知道怎樣才能讓自己舒服一點？」暈機、暈車本來也是茱蒂．史蒂芬斯生活的一部份，比較幸運的是，有人跟她提到薑。

她第一次嘗試是在起飛前半小時，效果卻不可思議：「真的很管用，我一點也不覺得不舒服、焦慮或噁心。」藉著服用薑膠囊，1994年春天，茱蒂和會暈車的孫女潔西卡，終於可以一起搭飛機，享有一趟舒服、不難過的旅行。

薑根，更精確地說，薑的地下莖，從久遠以前，已被中國、印度和其他亞洲國家用來減輕噁心、幫助消化。

如果你的體質會暈機、暈船、暈車，現在該優先選擇的藥物，不見得非化學藥品不選，可以在出發前半小時左右，喝些薑湯。「薑是你在哪兒都能找到的，已知最安全、最古老、最有效的抗噁心藥，」《神奇的天然藥物》作者珍恩．卡柏爾說。

天然的抗嘔藥

醫藥界一片「復古」的草本研究風潮中，現代西醫早就開始對薑另眼相看。1982年英國的醫學雜誌《刺胳針》率先刊載猶他州心理學家丹尼爾．毛瑞的研究報告。

他發現，假如預先給研究對像 1000mg的薑粉，然後叫他們坐傾斜的旋轉椅，與吃安慰劑的人相比較，服薑的人比較不會噁心。後來，另一項對80位丹麥海軍候補軍官的試驗也顯示，
比起服用安慰劑的人，在大浪襲擊前半小時服用薑膠囊（大約半茶匙的碎薑）的那些人，薑壓制住72％的人的噁心感，其中約38％的人覺得「受到薑的保護」，這保護性長達4小時。

因此，在德國，薑是對抗因交通工具所造成噁心問題的天然武器；丹麥政府則證明薑可做為「風濕和旅行時的止嘔藥」，每年大約賣出1400萬的膠囊；英國人也把薑視為一種成藥。

國防醫學院航太醫學所的研究也初步證實，乾生薑磨粉服用，可經由胃黏膜吸收，直接可以抑制胃蠕動的頻率與振幅，紓解胃部的不適感。

傳統醫學裡，生薑早就是嘔家聖藥，長庚醫院中醫部藥局主任楊榮季則指出，因為它可減緩腸胃的蠕動及收縮。

抵擋害喜
因為抗噁、止嘔，薑可說是女性的親密夥伴。在歐美，已經有些專家或產科醫師，會向孕婦推薦，用一點點薑去抵擋害喜現象，而且不會影響胎兒。

李小姐懷孕頭三個月，看到食物就噁心，卻惟獨能吃任何有薑片煮的排骨湯、酸菜鴨湯，
「薑的微辣香氣，讓我好舒服，」她說。

連許多女性在月事期間會有的嘔吐現象或寒性體質的經痛，台北市立中醫院內科部主任鄭振鴻也說，聽聽老阿嬤的意見，以乾薑煮紅糖水，喝下去就會舒服些。

薑裡具抗噁心的成分究竟是什麼？很難確定。只知道從薑根分離出的生薑醇(gingerols)和薑烯酚(shogaols)，在動物實驗中，的確有止吐效應。

根據國防醫學院的觀察、檢驗，乾薑細粉對血壓、心跳、呼吸量、腦波等中樞神經並沒有影響，
重要的是，它幾乎全在消化道起作用。

所以，對一些人而言，薑比其他止噁藥理想，主要就因薑對消化系統起作用，而不是腦部中樞神經，不會有惱人的昏昏欲睡、耳鳴、神經緊張等副作用。

藥用之外，薑是廚房裡不可缺的大師，扮演「食物的香水」的角色。它的芳香成分具有調味和促進食慾的作用。覺得料理不足以人垂涎時，加點薑末，食物就能搖身一變。

食物的香水

另外，傳統中醫理論裡，食物分寒、涼、溫、熱的性質，料理時加性溫的生薑，可降低食物的寒涼性。振興復健醫學中心營養師謝宜芳指出，臨床上，薑有消除脹氣、紓解消化不良的功效，
食用生冷、魚、肉等食物，生薑去腥、解毒、又助消化，是不錯的配角。

不過，台北醫學院生藥學研究所所長楊玲玲提醒，薑吃多了傷眼力，還是適量就好。《本草》已說明，雖然「薑久服通神明，生者尤佳」，但是，多吃就「少志，少智，傷心氣。」

蘇東坡因為所貶的惠州之地，正好是盛產薑的地方。所以很懂得薑的好。
喜歡美食的蘇東坡,發明東坡羹，用雙層鍋同時煮飯和菜湯，下層煮湯，用甘藍、蘿蔔、油菜和薺菜，再加薑和生米，煮開後再將飯層擱在上面，使香氣和蒸氣均勻透入四方。

煮魚的時候， 東坡先生先用冷水洗淨，再抹一層鹽，塞入甘藍嫩心於魚腹，加菊花煎熬，秘訣在半熟時加幾片薑，再灑酒和醃蘿蔔，最後加些橘皮，趁熱上餐桌，清香四溢。

蘇東坡如此，世世代代的中國料理也傳承，想想看，如果中國菜限制用薑，會減色幾分？薑一切開就有香氣，來源就在於成分中的揮發油類，辣味成分則為姜辣素。

薑的年齡不同，姜辣素所含比例也不一樣，導致生薑和乾薑吃起來味道有異。

生薑效用偏重在發汗、止嘔和解毒，烘乾或曬乾的乾薑則在溫中袪裡寒。夏季盛產的子薑，則是生薑的嫩芽，適合切絲生食。

幾千年來，世界各地人類的文明進展中，都會妙用生薑，解決生活上的不適，包括：

■驅寒
離島駐兵，部隊中常分配有薑糖，為驅風散寒，以免因為常待在濕氣重的坑道裡，造成以後的風濕痛。爬山時建議吃點薑糖，一則補充糖分，做為能量的來源，一則也因為薑能散寒驅邪氣。楊玲玲教授指出，生薑可以刺激周邊循環，對循環不良、凍瘡、抽筋、痙攣時有用，發燒時也有排汗作用。黃色薑皮，味辛、性涼，有利尿消腫功能。

■預防感冒
印度人傳統上把薑片浸在蜂蜜裡，供喉嚨痛時食用。中國人一向也知道，淋雨後以薑湯服下，一來加強心臟跳動，血流加快，以保持身體溫度，能促使毛孔張開，去風邪，預防感冒。

■止痛
鮮薑汁可對付胃潰瘍、十二指腸潰瘍患者的食後疼痛，但不能根治。

■止偏頭痛
丹麥有研究發現，薑能減輕關節炎的症狀，且有助防止偏頭痛。楊玲玲教授則建議，把薑母切片，在烤箱中烤熱或放於平底鍋中烘烤後，熱貼於太陽穴或關節疼痛處，則薑中的精油成分會隨熱滲入皮下組織，減輕疼痛，並促進關節腫痛消失。

長相樸拙的薑，真是人類生活中不可或缺的好朋友。

枸杞+紅棗 = 肝的救星!!!!!

上班泡一壺就可以喝一整天囉~
女生要多喝，喝 完就會粉粉的唷~

保護您的肝，天然的紅棗最好！【摘錄自康健雜誌第16期】
最近醫藥研究所的最新答案就是吃大棗，也就是國人常吃的藥膳材料紅棗與黑棗。
　
國人長期以來一直有B型肝炎罹患率增加的情形，其他如肝硬化、肝癌的症狀也常發生，因此各種的保肝藥物或是一些來路不明的保 肝產品非常的多，造成許多不良的副作用產生而危害人體健康。
　
有鑑於此，醫藥研究所研究員林雲蓮鼓勵大家可 以在日常多吃一些天然的紅棗來保肝。因為根據她最新的研究發現，紅棗、黑棗內 含有三帖類化合物的成分，

可抑制肝炎病毒的活性，其中又以紅棗抑制B型肝炎病毒活性的作用比黑棗佳，所以對於患有慢性肝炎帶原的病患，除了要定期由專業的醫師診療外，可於日常再配 合吃紅棗來保肝。
　
光田醫院內科主任柯萬盛醫師指出，台灣成年人每五人之中就有一人是Ｂ型肝炎帶原者，而成年人正值擔負家庭 及社會的重擔，但因慢性Ｂ型肝炎帶原者有免疫的缺陷，所以在生活起居上應 要比正常人有更多的休息。
　
枸杞+紅棗(量隨你抓，但煮過會比用泡的效果好!!)
　
枸杞最適合用來消除疲勞

枸杞能預防動脈硬化及防止老化;還具有溫暖身體的作用。驚人的療效令人讚歎！枸杞是一種具有強韌生命力及精力的植物，非常適合用來消除疲勞。它能夠促 進血液循環、防止動脈硬化、還可預防肝臟內脂肪的囤積;再加上枸杞內所含有的 各種維他命、必須胺基酸及亞麻油酸全面性地的運作，更可以促進體內的新陳 代謝，也能夠防止老化。

枸杞可分為三個部分來使用：枸杞葉可用來泡「枸杞茶」 飲用; 紅色果實「枸杞子」可用於做菜或泡茶;枸杞根又稱為「地骨皮」，一般 當作藥材使用，因此，實在稱得上是物盡其用。而且長期食用枸杞或飲用枸杞茶，也不會有副作用。

它的藥效十分廣泛，具有解熱、治療糖尿病、止咳化痰等療效，而將枸杞根煎煮後飲 用，能夠降血壓。至於枸杞茶則具有治療體質虛寒、性冷感、健胃、肝腎疾病、肺 結核、便祕、失眠、低血壓、貧血、各種眼疾、掉髮、口腔炎、護膚等各種效果。但是，由於枸杞溫熱身體的效果相當強，患有高血壓、性情太過急躁的人或平 日大量攝取肉類導致面泛紅光的老饕們最好不要食用。
相反地，若是體質虛弱、常感冒、抵抗力差的人最好每天食用。

紅棗保護肝臟經常熬夜的朋友要多多服用哦！小小一顆紅棗，功效卻很強。紅棗不僅營養非常豐富，而且還 能保護肝臟。在平時的養生中，善用紅棗，對身體的助益很大。

草藥書籍「本經」中記載到，紅棗味甘性溫、歸脾胃經，有補中益氣、養血安神、 緩和藥性的功能﹔ 而現代的藥理學則發現，紅棗含有蛋白質、脂肪、醣類、有機酸、維生素Ａ、維生素Ｃ、微量鈣多種氨基酸等豐富的營養成份。現代的藥理學同時還發現，紅棗能提高體內單核---吞噬細胞系統的吞噬功能，有保護肝臟，增強體力的作用。這個發現和中醫用紅棗組方「養肝湯」來養肝排毒的方法不謀而合。

醫星球醫星顧問莊淑旂博士大力推薦剖腹產的婦女產前應喝養肝湯，她認為剖腹產的婦女，喝養肝湯不僅可以排解麻藥的毒性，保護肝臟，減輕手術後的 疼痛，而養肝湯的作法：紅棗七顆洗淨，每顆以小刀劃出直紋幫助養分溢出，然後用滾水兩百八十西西加蓋，浸泡八個小時以上，接著再加蓋隔水蒸一個小時即成。

紅棗有如此奇妙之功效，同時又物美價廉，民眾應該多加利用

Length of Meditation

Yogic science says that there are specific lengths of time needed for certain desired effects during meditation. Most meditations are done for 11 or 31 minutes.

3 minutes of meditation affects the electromagnetic field, the circulation and stability of the blood.

11 minutes of meditation begins to change the nerves and the glandular system.

22 minutes of meditation balances the three minds, and they begin to work together.

31 minutes of meditation allows glands, breath, and concentration to affect all the cells ad rhythms of the body. It lets the psyche of the meditation affect the 3 gunas, all 31 tattvas, and all layers of the mind’s projections.

62 minutes changes the gray matter in the brain. The subconscious “shadow mind” and the outer projection are integrated.

2.5 hours changes the psyche in its co-relation with the surrounding magnetic field so that the subconscious mind is held firmly in the new pattern by the surrounding universal mind.
Meditation Sadhana

“There are two guiding instincts in man. He is either improving his future or blocking his future improvement. If you are conscious of this, and have an honest and sincere urge to improve the future, you will always have promoting habits. If you cannot care for God, at least care for the future.”

– Yogi Bhajan

To master the effects of a meditation, practice it as a sadhana, a daily discipline. This will develop a life-promoting habit. Habit controls us so much that it is said that we can actually change our destiny by changing our habits. According to yogic science, the human mind works in cycles. We can use various cycles to help replace unwanted patterns of behavior (mental or emotional habits), with new, more positive ones. One commits to a particular meditation or kriya for a specific time:

It takes 40 days to change a habit.
It takes 90 days to confirm the habit.
In 120 days, the new habit is who you are.
In 1,000 days, you have mastered the new habit.

The duration of 40 days of practice lets the meditation provoke your subconscious to release any thoughts and emotional patterns that hinder you. A good meditation will break your old patterns, put in a seed for a new pattern, and clear the subconscious. Try to meditate at the same time each day. It is helpful to keep a journal of your daily practice.

From The Aquarian Teacher Page 136

Pineal Gland – the Spiritual ‘Third Eye’

Biologically as well as spiritually, the gland’s significance is due to its function as a neurohormone secretor as well as its ability to receive and send subtle energy electromagnetic waves.

Our pineal gland is our bodily transformative device for recognizing subtle energies and making them accessible for/to our conscious mind. Its state of health/wellbeing is a basic condition
for our ability to adapt to increasingly higher frequencies of cosmic radiation.

pinealgland.pdf
"the ruler of holistic health" written by Animee Lange

檸檬養腎法

善用檸檬，對腎臟尤其好處多多，同時還可強化肝臟：

1.溫檸檬汁保養腎臟　
每日起床後鮮榨一個檸檬，加入一杯200CC溫開水調和（可加少許天然海鹽、口感更 滑潤順口），空腹慢慢喝下，可以清潔腎臟，也可通大小便。

2.檸檬汁排腎結石　
將12個新鮮檸檬榨汁（要喝之前再榨汁、現榨現喝），加入適量溫開水　調和（可加少許天然海鹽、口感更滑潤順口），連續喝七天（一天一打檸檬喝7天、其餘飲食照舊）。細小的砂石就會由尿道排出。排出的時候，會有刺痛的感覺；如果腎結石很大，已經造成發炎疼痛，可以喝小紅莓汁來消炎止痛。

腎臟是身體新陳代謝、排除廢物、排毒的重要器官。全身的血液每小時經過腎臟二十次，血液裡新陳代謝的廢物透過腎臟過濾變成尿、排出體外。腎臟功能失調會引起腰酸背痛、水腫、血液中有尿毒、高血壓、尿道發炎、疲倦、失眠、耳鳴、脫髮、視力模糊、反應遲鈍、情緒低落、恐懼。

任何進入身體的飲料、食物、空氣和情緒壓力所產生的毒素都會經過腎臟，如果污染物質太多，造成腎臟負擔太重，短期也許會出現阻塞、發炎現象，長期則有結石、功能衰退、血液不乾淨等各種毛病，最嚴重情況要靠人工洗腎清除血液污染，不然會有生命危險。

腎的日常保養
「預防勝於治療」。注意保健，避免對腎臟的傷害才是上上之策。造成腎臟失調的主要原因有下：

1. 食用過多的動物夆玟J白質食物，產生過多尿酸，讓腎臟工作過量。
   
2. 工作過勞，壓力太大，沒有充分的休閒。
   
3. 服用西藥，如消炎止痛藥、抗生素等。
   
4. 環境污染：水源、土壤、空氣、噪音。
   
5. 飲用酒、咖啡、汽水、冰冷飲料過多。
   
6. 潮濕寒冷的天氣。

要保護腎臟就要減少以上的傷害，多喝水，多吃/喝漿果類--如草莓、蔓越莓（cranberry小紅莓）、藍莓、覆盆子（raspberry）、西瓜、檸檬等水果/汁，攝取植物性蛋白質，規律運動，清淡的天然飲食，充分的休息，開朗的心情，避免腰部受寒，常用手擦熱按摩腰部，達到強腎的功效。

Instant hands-free Reiki self-care

Most of us are way too busy these days, with packed schedules, hectic commutes, and obligations in all directions. But every one of us has time for a little Reiki self-care now and then during our busy days.

Here are 10 ways to give yourself an instant energy shift with Reiki in complete privacy, even in public.

TheReikiDigest.pdf

More articles at thereikidigest.com

貴價中藥材替代食法

一些價格廉宜，但功效與珍貴中藥材相若的替代品，以其作日常保健湯水。

不少人也知道，貴價的燕窩，其功效其實跟雪耳很相近。

貴藥材 冬蟲夏草
動輒數千元一的冬蟲夏草，傳統上與人參和鹿茸並列為三大補品。清朝的《本草備要》指出，「冬蟲夏草，甘平，補肺益腎、止咳化痰、止勞咳。」黃醫師表示，性溫的冬蟲夏草對肺、腎有益，主要應用於哮喘、鼻敏感及肺部等病症，對腎虛、腰痛、陽痿等亦有幫助。作為食療之用，一般每次用四至五條已足夠。

中價代用品 海馬
售價約九十元一的海馬，其功效跟冬蟲夏草類似，具溫腎壯陽、定咳喘等作用。海馬更可降膽固醇，但較蟲草溫燥，若有輕微燥熱人士食用，會有口乾舌燥等熱氣徵狀。

平價代用品 淮山
只需數元一的淮山，同樣對肺、腎有益。雖然淮山療效全面，但其藥性相對較弱。

平價代用品 杞子
同樣僅需數元一的杞子，亦可滋補肝腎，治療腎虛、眼澀等問題。

貴藥材靈芝孢子
靈芝可補五臟，亦可提高人體免疫力，對鼻敏感、心血管問題，以至消化道等問題也有幫助。雖然靈芝只售十多元一，但現時坊間出售的破壁靈芝孢子產品，據稱功效較靈芝顯著，故售價動輒過千元一瓶。

平價代用品 冬菇
售八元至十多元一的冬菇，雖然功效不及靈芝全面，但對防治心血管問題亦有一定幫助。

平價代用品 猴頭菇
跟靈芝和冬菇同屬菌類的猴頭菇，約售五元一，其對通血管、降血壓具療效。

貴藥材 人參
人參是傳統三大補品之一，以高麗參為例，售價約四千元（三十支/盒）。這種名貴藥材，有大補元氣之功效，有助生津、補氣。黃醫師指出，人參適合年老體虛人士，一般用三至四錢切片燉煮已足夠。不過，肝火盛、高血壓等人士卻不宜服用。

中價代用品 西洋參
每約一百五十元的西洋參，具有滋陰、補氣及調肺等作用，但性質偏寒涼。

平價代用品 黨參
只需約二十五元一的黨參，同樣可益氣、健脾、生津，其功效跟人參最接近。

貴藥材 鹿茸
鹿茸含有豐富蛋白質 ，切片的鹿茸一般要售數百元一。黃醫師指，這種可補腎壯陽、養血、強健筋骨的藥材，較適合體質虛寒人士服用。

平價代用品 杜仲
只需約七元一的杜仲，同樣具有補腎、壯腰骨的功效。用以煲湯，亦有助降血壓。

平價代用品 巴戟天
每僅售六元的巴戟天，亦可補腎強筋骨，對治療風濕亦有作用。

貴藥材 燕窩
千多元一的燕窩，除了滋補養顏功效，黃醫師表示其對肺陰不足、乾咳無痰等問題亦有幫助。用作食療，每次約兩錢左右分量已足夠。

平價代用品 雪耳
約十元一的雪耳，同樣有滋陰、清肺、養顏作用。跟燕窩一樣，其性質偏涼。

平價代用品 雪蛤膏
近二百元一的雪蛤膏，有潤肺、補肝腎的作用。除了用來煲湯，亦可作為糖水的用料。

The Four Treasures of Food

The four treasures of food that shouldn't be wasted when eating.

When eating certain food, there are certain parts which seemingly are useless and should be thrown away. In reality, their nutritional value could be higher than the food itself.

Fish Eyes

Fish eyes, especially mackerel family, contains rich quantity of DHA and EPA which are very rare unsaturated fatty acid. The most beneficial property of these natural substances is their ability to stimulate human brain cells, improve memory and thinking power, and also very helpful in preventing memory decline, high cholesterol and hypertension diseases. The common notion suggested is that eating certain animal parts would strengthen similar body parts of ours, and this has been proven correct by clinical experiments where fish eyes are concerned: they can help to reduce the deterioration of eyesight.

Fibres of orange or grapefruit peels

When eating oranges or grapefruits, after removing the peel, do not remove all the fibres that cover the fruits. In fact, the fibres contained a vitamin which helps to maintain the elasticity and density of the artery wall, which in turn reduces the danger of bleeding especially in the fine arteries. Hypertension patients usually have problem of brain haemorrage while diabetic patients have retina haemorrage. For people with tendency to bleed, especially old people with tendency of artery hardening, eating fibres of oranges and grapefruit peels is particularly helpful.

Bones

The nutritional value of bones are higher than that of the meat. Comparing the nutritional values of Pork bones and pork, the bones contain far more protein, iron, sodium and calories than meat. Bones contain 23% more protein than milk powder, 61% more than beef, three times as much as pork and more than double that of eggs. It has abundance of essential minerals that humans require, like vitamins A, B1 and B2 that are useful for slowing aging. The best part is, when boiled in soup, these nutritions become more readily absorbed by human body than plant-based food.

Chili Leaves

Chili leaves contains complete range of amino acid almost 4 times compared to the chili fruits. It also contains more than double what chili fruits have of which are anti-cancerous substance. On top of that, chili leaves are rich in calcium, beta carotene, various vitamins and other nutrients. Eating a suitable quantity of chili leaves enhances secretion of digestive juices, improves appetite and are good for indigestions, gastric and stomach discomfort. Regular intake of chili leaves also help in warming body, strengthen liver, improve eyesight, reduce weight and improve beauty. Chili leaves is tasty and can either be cooked alone, frying with meat or making soup.

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins

Bottled water in your car is very dangerous!

On the Ellen show, Sheryl Crow said this is what caused her breast cancer. It has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels of dioxin in breast cancer tissue.

Sheryl Crow's oncologist told her: women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car. The heat reacts with the chemicals in the plastic of the bottle which releases dioxin into the water. Dioxin is a toxin increasingly found in breast cancer tissue. So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car. Pass this on to all the women in your life.

This information is the kind we need to know that just might save us! Use a stainless steel canteen or a glass bottle instead of plastic!

Army Medical Center ..
No plastic containers in microwave.
No water bottles in freezer
No plastic wrap in microwave.

A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic Bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat,=2 0and plastic releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food.. You get the same results, only without the dioxin .

So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran wrap, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

Vegetable Art (3)

I would really love to eat vegetables if they come in such nice way. Try with your kids!

Vegetable Art (2)

See? Vegetables not neccessary to be boring! :)

Art of Vegetable

I think these are great :)
Even vegetables can be interesting.....

RSPCA - Animal Rescue - Please do it!

Hi, animal lovers!

This is pretty simple - Please tell ten friends to each tell a further ten today!

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily so they can meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (about 15 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals for free'. This doesn't cost you a thing.

Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

Here's the web site! Please pass it along to people you know.
www.theanimalrescuesite.com

Vitamin C Overdose

"Excess of anything is bad." This includes Vitamin C. Nowadays, vitamin pills are recommended for a supplement by many media and doctors office, TV ad, print ad, eadio, magazine edvertorials... However, overdose of Vitamin C beyond recommended limits may cause lots of problem.

What Will Happen if Vitamin C Overdose?
Overdose of Vitamin C beyond recommended limits may cause stomachaches and diarrhea. Even though the body would only use as much as it needs of the vitamin, it can hinder metabolic activities in the body. More seriously, it can reduce the bodies level of copper, an essential nutrient. If a person already has an iron abundance disorder, even small doses of Vitamin C can cause severe health risks as Vitamin C increases iron absorption into the system. In Pregnant women it can actually cause infants to develop rebound scurvy when born. Elder people also need to be very cautious with the amount of Vitamin C they take, as they are more prone to develop a toxicity level in the kidneys, resulting in very serious medical issues. The same results of interference with functioning of certain medications are true with patients who have diabetes or high blood pressure. There is also research linking Vitamin C overdoes over long periods of time that will lend a patient to be at a higher risk for cancer.

How Much Vitamin C Can We Take per Day?
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Vitamin C in nonsmoking adults is 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men. For smokers, the RDAs are 110 mg per day for women and 125 mg per day for men. Anything over 200 mg is more than enough to maximize the levels of plasma and lymphocytes.

There are times when a body does require additional amounts of Vitamin C. For example, if you are under any type of environmental stress such as a trauma, fever, or any kind of infection. Anything over 500 mg, even with any of the above mentioned environmental factors, will reach any person's maximum saturation rate. Vitamin C is a water - soluble protein and in normal conditions, anything in excess is excreted by the body. When it is not excreted it will cause diarrhea, gas, and stomach cramps at the very least. Other effects can be severe cramps, nausea, and risks for kidney stones.

When Do I Take More Vitamin C?
Higher levels of Vitamin C are needed when under environmental stress such as trauma, fever or infection. Full saturation is reached with daily intakes of 200-500 mg per day (in 2-3 divided doses). This is a water-soluble protein, and anything in excess is excreted by the body. Vitamin C Overdose can cause diarrhea, gas, or stomach upset. Other side effects could be stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea, and an increased risk of developing kidney stones. Large amounts of Vitamin C reduce body levels of copper, an essential nutrient. People with iron overload diseases must avoid Vitamin C Overdose, as it increases iron absorption. Special medical advice must be taken by individuals who have kidney stones. If a pregnant mother takes 6,000 mg of Vitamin C, the baby may develop rebound scurvy due to a sudden drop in daily intake. Hemochromatosis patients should not take Vitamin C due to enhanced accumulation of non-heme iron in the presence of this vitamin.

Raw Food Diet

What is the Raw Food Diet?

The raw food diet is a diet based on unprocessed and uncooked plant foods, and often organic foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, grains, beans, nuts, dried fruit, and seaweed, sushi. If 75-100% of a person's total food consumption is raw food, he/she is considered a raw foodist or living foodist.

Some raw foodists only eat raw plant foods, but other raw foodists emphasize raw meat and other raw animal products. Depending on the type of lifestyle and results desired, raw food diets may include a selectıon of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds (including sprouted whole grains such as gaba rice), eggs, fish (such as sashimi), meat (such as carpaccio), and non-pasteurized/non-homogenized dairy products (such as raw milk, raw cheese and raw yogurt). Raw foodists can be divided between those that advocate raw vegetarianism or raw veganism, those that advocate a raw omnivorous diet, and those that advocate a diet of only raw animal foods (carnivorous).


What are the Benefits of the Raw Food Diet?

Heating food above 116 degrees F is believed to destroy enzymes in food that can assist in the digestion and absorption of food. Cooking is also thought to diminish the nutritional value and "life force" of food.

Adherents of raw foodism believe that consumption of uncooked foods and prevents and/or heals many forms of sickness and chronic diseases. Some medical studies have indicated that different forms of raw food diets may lead to various health problems, while other studies have shown positive health outcomes with such diets.

Proponents of the raw food diet believe it has numerous health benefits, including:

* Increased energy
* Improved skin appearance
* Better digestion
* Weight loss
* Reduced risk of heart disease

The raw food diet contains fewer trans fats and saturated fat than the typical Western diet. It is also low in sodium and high in potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber and health-promoting plant chemicals called phytochemicals.

These properties are associated with a reduced risk of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. For example, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consumption of a raw food diet lowered plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.

What can I eat?

Unprocessed, preferably organic, whole foods such as:
* Fresh fruits and vegetables
* Nuts
* Seeds
* Beans
* Grains
* Legumes
* Dried fruit
* Seaweed
* Unprocessed organic or natural foods
* Freshly juiced fruit and vegetables
* Purified water
* Young coconut milk

At least 75% of food consumed should not be heated over 116 degrees F.

What cooking techniques are used?

Specific cooking techniques make foods more digestible and add variety to the diet, including:
* Sprouting seeds, grains, and beans
* Juicing fruit and vegetables
* Soaking nuts and dried fruit
* Blending
* Dehydrating food

What equipment can I use?
* A dehydrator, a piece of equipment that blows air through food at a temperature of less than 116 degrees F.
* A good-quality juice extractor for juicing fruit and vegetables
* A blender, food processor, or chopper to save time
* Large glass containers to soak and sprout seeds, grains, and beans
* Mason jars for storing sprouts and other food

Side Effects
Some people experience a detoxification reaction when they start the raw food diet, especially if their previous diet was rich in meat, sugar, and caffeine. Mild headaches, nausea, and cravings can occur but usually last for several days.

Precautions
The raw food diet may not be appropriate for certain people, such as:
* Children
* Pregnant or nursing women
* People with anemia
* People at risk for osteoporosis - A Washington University study found that people following a raw food diet had lower bone mass. Bone turnover rates, however, were similar to the group that ate a standard American diet.

TYPES OF FAITH

THE BRILLIANT MIND vs the PROFESSOR

An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the
Problem Science has with GOD , the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his New
Christian Students to stand and . . .

Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, you Believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD Good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of Cancer even though he prayed to GOD to
heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD
didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent )

Professor : You can't answer, can you ? Let's start again, Young
fella. Is GOD Good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : From . . . GOD . . .
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?

(Student did not answer)

Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these
terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who created them ?

(Student had no answer)

Professor : Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and
observe the world around you. Tell me, son . . . Have you ever seen
GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever felt your GOD , tasted your GOD , smelt your
GOD ? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol,
science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor : Yes, faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn't..

(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events )

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat,
mega Heat, white Heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have
anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no
heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing
as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat.
We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of
heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the Lecture Theatre )

Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor : Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of
something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light,
flashing light . . but if you have no light constantly, you have
nothing and its called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't.
If it is, were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't
you?

Professor : So what is the point you are making, Young Man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your Philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue
there is life and then there is death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You
are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can
measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses
electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully
understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be
ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell
me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a
monkey?

Professor : If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process,
yes, of course, I do.

Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where
the argument was going )

Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at
work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor,
are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a
preacher?

(The class was in uproar )

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?

(The class broke out into laughter )

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's
brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? . . .
No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules
of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, Science says that you
have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust
your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face
unfathomable)

Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student : That is it sir . . . exactly ! The link between MAN & GOD is
FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

That student was Albert Einstein.

Whole Foods vs. Processed Foods

Whole foods are those that are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and refined as little as possible before being consumed. They typically do not contain added ingredients, such as sugar, salt, or fat. Thus, the World's Healthiest Foods!

The term "Whole foods" is often confused with "Organic food" (i.e., organically-grown food) but whole foods are not necessarily organic, nor are organic foods necessarily whole, although they do share a number of traits, such as an avoidance of chemically-assisted agricultural techniques. Because of the lack of basic processing, many whole foods have a very short shelf life and are not easily sold outside of farmers' markets.

Examples of whole foods include unpolished grains; fruits and vegetables; unprocessed meat, poultry, and fish; and non-homogenized milk.

There are several ways to meet the body's needs with respect to whole foods. One way is to consume a variety of fresh raw fruits and vegetables every day.

"Diets rich in whole and unrefined foods, like whole grains, dark green and yellow/orange-fleshed vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, contain high concentrations of antioxidant phenolics, fibers and numerous other phytochemicals that may be protective against chronic diseases.

Many of our common foods are processed foods, and some processed foods are less nutritious than the original whole foods from which they came. Processed foods usually have sugar, salt, or fat added to them, and fiber taken out of them.

Making the transition to a whole food diet or raw food lifestyle helps in maintaining a strong and health body, a stress-free mind and a positive spirituality within this mixed up world. Today, 97% of all health disorders can be traced to a faulty nutrition and diet. It has been observed that Asian (East) civilizations suffer least from bowel problems, constipation, indigestion and other food related disorders such as obesity. Do you know why? Because they follow the philosophy of cooking and eating real whole food fresh from the market!

The key to true health is to have a balanced wholefoods diet. A balanced diet ensures that all the faculties of digestion work smoothly – absorption, assimilation and elimination. A balanced whole foods diet ensures a healthy you!!

Junk Food

Here is a list of JUNK Food you should avoid, they're not good for your body and will only create sickness!

French fries
This is a deep fried product, which contains large amount of oil and made from potatoes.
* French fries have 43% energy from fat.
* A baked potato only has 1% energy from fat.
Substitution: Baked or mashed potatoes

Deep-fried drumstick
Though it contains abundant protein, it contains large amount of fat after deep-frying.
Substitute: Steamed drumstick or soy sauce drumstick (with skin removed).

Sausage
Sausages contain a large amount of energy (76% of energy) from invisible fat and salt. We should eat these less frequently than unprocessed lean meats.
Substitution: Fresh or frozen unprocessed lean meat.

Dry salted vegetables
Due to their high salt content, these should also be categorized into the 4th level of the pyramid.
Substitution: Fresh vegetables or vegetables cooked in only a little oil.

Cream cake
It is high in calories because it has a large amount of sugar, butter and cream added during the cooking process, and it has no fiber.
Substitution: Soda crackers, whole-wheat biscuits or plain cake made with less oil and fat.

Soft drinks
Though soft drinks contain water and can partially or briefly relieve our thirst, their high sugar content gives us 'empty calories' with no other nutrients. So, we should only drink these very seldom.
Substitution: Water, low-sugar soymilk, pure fruit juice, low- or nonfat plain milk.

Instant noodles
These are high in calories because they contain a large amount of invisible fat and are always eaten with soup that is high in salt and MSG. So, we should eat these seldom.
Substitution: Fresh noodles, egg noodles, vermicelli or spaghetti.

Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Water

This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but also about Heart Attacks .

The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
Common Symptoms Of Heart Attack...
A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting . Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line .

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.

When The Time You Stop Smoking

within 20 minutes...
your blood pressure, heartbeat, and body temperature will get back to normal.

within 8 hours...
concentration of carbon monoxide in your blood reduce, and oxygen level will get back to normal.

within 24 hours...
lower chance of heart attack, your nerves system, taste and smell's sensitivity will get back to normal.

within 72 hours...
increase lung function

within 2 weeks to 3 months...
increase boold circulation and lung function for 30%

within 1-9 months...
reduce lung disease. Obvious improvement on coughing, tiredness, and choking.

within 5 years...
reduce probability of lung cancer from 137:100,000 to 72:100,000

within 10 years...
lung cancer probability reduced to 12:100,000. almost reaching the non-smokers rate of lung cancer. Other cancer probability will also reduced.

HEALTHY JUICES

Carrot + Ginger + Apple - Boost and cleanse our system.

Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and eliminate stomach upset and headache.

Tomato + Carrot + Apple -Improve skin complexion and eliminate bad breath.

Bitter gou rd + Apple + Milk - Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat.

Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improve Skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat.

Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon -To dispel excess salts, nourishes the bladder and kidney.

Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi -To improve skin complexion.

Pear & Banana - regulates sugar content.

Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango -Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and fight oxidization.

Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C + Vitamin B2 that increase cell activity and str engthen body immunity.

Papaya + Pineapple + Milk -Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron. Improve skin complexion and metabolism.

Banana + Pineapple + Milk -Rich in vitamin with nutritious and prevent constipation

Blood Clots/Stroke indicator: Tongue

Blood Clots/Stroke -they now have a fourth indicator, the tongue.


STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters.... S.T.R.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes..

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally . He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i..e. It is sunny out today.)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven a its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese med ical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, ga str itis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and men str ual diso rd ers, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT

1. As you wake up in the morningbefore brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water.....interesting

2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes

3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours

5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:

1. High Blood Pressure - 30 days

2. Ga str ic - 10 days

3. Diabetes - 30 days

4. Constipation - 10 days

5. Cancer - 180 days

6. TB - 90 days

7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwa rd s - daily.

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.

It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life.

Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.

This makes sense .. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.

It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed . It will slow down the digestion.

Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

Does Your Blood Type Reveal Your Personality?

Accord ing to a Japanese institute that does research on blood types, there are certain personality traits that seem to match up with certain blood types. How do you rate?

TYPE O

You want to be a leader, and when you see something you want, you keep striving until you achieve your goal. You are a trend-setter, loyal, passionate, and self-confident. Your weaknesses include vanity and jealously and a tendency to be too competitive.

TYPE A

You like harmony, peace and organization. You work well with others, and are sensitive, patient and affectionate. Among your weaknesses are stubbornness and an inability to relax.

TYPE B

You're a rugged individualist, who's str aightforwa rd and likes to do things your own way. Creative and flexible, you adapt easily to any situation. But your insistence on being independent can sometimes go too far and become a weakness.

TYPE AB

Cool and controlled, you're generally well liked and always put people at ease. You're a natural entertainer who's tactful and fair. But you're standoffish, blunt, and have difficulty making decisions.

Blood type

Did You Know how many people have your blood type?

O + 40 %
O - 7 %

A + 34 %
A - 6 %

B + 8 %
B - 1 %

AB + 3 %
AB - 1 %

Keep Walking Everyday!

The Organs of your body have their sensory touches at the bottom of your foot, if you massage these points you will find relief from aches and pains as you can see the heart is on the left foot.

Typically they are shown as points and arrows to show which organ it connects to.

It is indeed correct since the nerves connected to these organs terminate here.

This is covered in great details in Acupressure studies or textbooks.

God created our body so well that he thought of even this. He made us walk so that we will always be pressing these pressure points and thus keeping these organs activated at all times.

So, keep walking...