Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
21 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR MIND SHARP: Brain Exercise Link
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My memory . . . Oh my memory. How can I improve it. I have found when I am under alot of stress it is really bad and I have forgot things from the past from stresses back then. Here's some interesting stuff for those who are having these same issues or that may know someone who is struggling with their memory. . .
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Brain function starts to decline in your mid-20s -- but you can fight back. Follow these suggestions to help keep your mind in tip-top shape.
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From the mid-20s, brain function starts to decline, although you may not notice the effects until decades later. When synapses -- the connections between the ends of nerve cells -- aren't switched on regularly, the brain finds it harder to store and retrieve information. However bad your memory is now, mental aerobics, good nutrition and moderate physical activity can elevate mental acuity and memory skills.
1. Cook with sage:
Sage is traditionally associated with improving memory. Research has shown that people who take sage oil in capsule form before memory tests perform better than those who take a placebo. The purple variety is best -- use it to flavour roasts and sauces or make a cup of surprisingly drinkable tea.
2. Take ginkgo:
The herb ginkgo biloba has earned its reputation as a brain tonic because it has a beneficial effect on the peripheral blood circulation, improving blood supply to the brain. (It helps with piles and varicose veins for the same reason.) Gingko is prescribed to dementia patients in France and Germany. Take as an herbal extract or tincture as prescribed by your herbalist or following instructions on the pack. Avoid if taking other medication.
3. Switch hands:
Use your “wrong” hand to manipulate the mouse, brush teeth and hair and open doors. This expands the circuits in the part of the brain that processes that hand.
4. Find everyday mental challenges:
Get into the habit of attempting a crossword or Sudoku most days. One study found that people who complete a crossword four times a week seemed to have 47 per cent lowered risk of dementia.
5. Rearrange familiar objects:
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Move objects you habitually reach for without thinking in the morning: alarm clock, toothbrush, cutlery, breakfast cereal. This forces your brain to shift into gear early on and may make mornings more wakeful.
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6. Become a lifelong student:
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Continuing study through each new decade keeps the brain performing in a youthful way. Study the Bible. Read a book that challenges you to think and use your imagination. Write articles requiring study & research on a blog/website. Book an adult education course (to maintain interest make it a subject you feel passionate about), join a book group or local history society, a choir with a challenging and changing repertoire or try something practical such as car maintenance. The social aspect is important: socializing with others keeps the memory sharp and brain agile.
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7. Learn a language
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Enroll in a language school or invest in a course to follow in the car or on the train. Learning languages stimulates the frontal lobes, the part of the brain that most often fades over the years. Book a holiday in a country that speaks the language and start buying local newspapers two weeks before you go. With a dictionary, pick through the weather report, arts reviews etc.
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8. Enjoy family and friends:
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Make time most days to enjoy the company of friends and family. In a study of older people at the University of California, those with most emotional support from a strong social network were more likely to retain memory, abstract thinking and language skills -- even if those relationships were testing!
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9. Use stimulating aromas:
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Perfume various times of day with different aromas to establish associations that trigger new neural pathways. Scent the car with two drops of essential oil of basil. Follow your morning shower with distinctly scented body oil.
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10. Holiday senses:
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Choose a novel scented soap for weekends away. This will stimulate your memory when you use it again as it reminds you of the holiday.
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11. Eat greens:
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Consume foods containing plant antioxidants, such as spinach and blueberries. An American study suggests this reverses mental decline as we age. Plants also rich in folate have more pluses: researchers found older men who ate more folate-rich leafy greens and citrus fruit had significantly less age-related decline in memory and brain function over three years than those whose diets were low in folate.
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12. Dine on fish:
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Eating fish at least once a week can slow the rate of cognitive decline in older people by up to 13 per cent per year reports one study. Other research suggests omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish are vital for the functioning of brain-cell receptors. Eat different varieties -- mackerel, sardines and organically farmed trout -- two or three times a week.
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13. Include iron:
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Anemia may cloud the memory with age (iron helps transport oxygen to the brain). Make sure you eat red meat, poultry, fish and eggs, and if vegetarian, plenty of pulses, nuts, seeds and whole grains, dark leafy greens, apricots and dark chocolate. For maximum absorption, accompany with a source of vitamin C, such as freshly squeezed orange juice, and the B vitamins found in yeast extract.
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14. Zinc for thinking:
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Zinc helps us think (find it in meat, poultry, fish, nuts, seeds, whole grains and onions). Absorption is blocked by a large intake of iron.
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15. Care about choline:
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In a study of adults over 50, a five-week supplement of choline halved memory lapse. This mineral aids the absorption and use of good fats, vital for cell membranes, and helps the body use a neurotransmitter that transmits signals across nerve endings. Add meat, nuts and eggs into your diet daily.
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16. Try stimulating teas:
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Incorporate new herbal teas into your day. Lemon balm seems to help the brain store and retrieve information; green and black teas are associated with preventing memory loss with age. Peppermint tea stimulates the brain, promoting concentration and alertness.
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17. Unplug the phone:
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The constant ping of emails and interruption of phone calls can cause IQ to drop by 10 points, found a study commissioned by Hewlett-Packard, leading to loss of concentration and problem-solving skills. Unplug the phone and resist the temptation to check e-mails for two-hour runs when you need to achieve results. Get up and walk across the office to talk to people instead, which also counts towards your daily activity quotient.
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18. Play games:
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Games which force you to think ahead, plan alternative strategies and pre-guess others' moves are very valuable. Games that advance spatial awareness (useful for reading maps) include chess and draughts.
19. Problem-solving walks:
Get outdoors for a walk to raise circulation to the brain when you have a problem. Switch off from the problem at hand and turn your focus to your surroundings with your nose, ears and sense of touch. Walk backward and sideways to forge new circuits in the brain. After 15 minutes, start your return journey. Now ponder potential solutions.
20. Mall strolling:
Research with older adults shows that brisk walking in indoor malls is a valuable addition to the 30 minutes a day exercise rule. See if a mall near you runs a walking scheme for year-round sociable and safe activity.
21. Use your mind:
Be creative in art and different hobbies/activities.
10 SECRETS OF LONGEVITY: Canadian Living Link
To live a longer life, it not only means giving your burdens to Jesus who will help you deal with stresses but it also means taking care of your body by eating right. Most of us have heard: "You are what you eat". I believe this is true. Now it is just a matter of disciplining ourselves to eat better.
Re eating foods, to help us have longer and perhaps a better quality of life, here is some pointers I got from MSN.
1. Weekday vegetarian, weekend carnivore:
Vegetarians generally suffer fewer degenerative diseases and cancers than their carnivore cousins. It's been estimated that a third of all cancer patients developed their disease as a result of insufficient whole plant fibre in their diets. However, you don't have to give up meat entirely to enjoy longevity -- limiting your intake or eating meat only on weekends is a perfectly balanced and healthy approach.
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2. Stay alive; Stop eating dead foods:
Ever wonder what Wonder Bread is really made of, or how many miles that head of limp lettuce has traveled? There's nothing like fresh, whole, organic foods to maintain your health and well-being. Farm-fresh produce and meats go directly from the source to your table, leaving little time in between for nutrients to be lost. Many foods at your supermarket have been picked or slaughtered weeks or even months before they make it onto the shelf. These items are preserved by nitrogen or other artificial means, making them appear fresh. Moreover, foods treated with pesticides and artificial fertilizers have lower nutritional value than foods grown organically. (Oh I wish I could have a big garden!! I have been buying this bread that is made with sprouted multi grains. It is expensive but, in the past I was told that sprouted grains have the nutrients equalling freshly picked ones so it is probably one of the better breads)
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3. Ginger gives you snap:
Best known in the West for its anti nausea properties, ginger has probably been in the longest continuous use of any botanical remedy in the world. The Chinese use it for both medicinal and culinary purposes, frequently in cooking seafood, since it acts as a detoxifier to prevent seafood poisoning. Besides its popular application for digestive distress, ginger has been found to contain geraniol, which may be a potent cancer fighter. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve pain, prevent blood clots, and inhibit the onset of migraine headaches. Since ancient times, Chinese physicians have regularly consumed ginger tea to keep their vitality fired up. (I have also heard it is good as a tea at night when you have a bad cough - Just put about an inch of peeled and sliced ginger in a cup of water and boil. Add honey to taste and enjoy. You could also add some orange peel/lemon peel to the water.)
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4. Brown rice for long life:
White rice begins as brown rice. Once the outer coating of rice bran is hulled off, however, not a lot of nutrients remain. A thousand years ago, Chinese physicians discovered that eating only refined white rice, devoid of the B vitamins in the bran, led to beriberi, a deficiency in thiamine (B1). Modern research has identified a wealth of nutrients in the bran coating of brown rice. It is remarkably effective in lowering high blood sugar and therefore serves as an excellent food for diabetics. Rice bran contains more than 70 antioxidants, including the well-known age fighters vitamin E, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10), proanthocyanidins, and inositol hexaphosphate (IP6). It is no wonder that rural farmers in Asia, who eat brown rice because white rice is too expensive, live longer and develop fewer health problems than their city-dwelling counterparts, who eat mostly white rice. (I need to get brown rice when I am finished with my white or if I don't enjoy just brown maybe I can mix the two)
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5. Eat your sea vegetables:
Seaweed and marine algae are vegetables from the sea that have long been considered to possess powers to prolong life, prevent disease, and impart beauty and health. Common types of seaweed include nori (sushi wrap), kombu, kelp, dulce, and Irish moss. Containing more calcium than milk, more iron than beef, and more protein than eggs, seaweed is also a rich source of micro nutrients. Traditionally, its healing properties are said to include shrinking goiters, dissolving tumors and cysts, detoxifying heavy metals, reducing water retention, and aiding in weight loss. So eat your sea vegetables! They have more concentrated nutrition than vegetables grown on land. (I wander if this would make a good seasoning if it was dried. I would just grind up the seaweed and shake some in soups, stews, veggies or maybe different meats.)
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6. Password to a treasure of health:
Open sesame!The most common oil consumed by Chinese centenarians, sesame oil is enjoyed for its refined, nutty flavour but possesses therapeutic properties as well. Chinese medicine lists sesame as a kidney and liver tonic, a blood builder, and a bowel protector and regulator. Sesame is rich in phytic acid, an antioxidant that may prevent cancer. The oil of one variety, lignan sesamin, was found to drastically reduce cholesterol levels in the liver and bloodstream of rats. To enhance flavours and improve health, sprinkle sesame seeds and oil in your food regularly. (Tahini is sesame butter which can be used to replace peanut butter and I believe can be used for this dip that people from the middle east use for their breads and such. I can't think of the name of it, but; it has tahini, garlic, lemon and a little cayenne pepper. Could someone tell me what it is called and maybe give me a recipe)
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7. The ultimate longevity food:
In Asia, mushrooms are favoured for both their taste and their therapeutic value. Chinese legend is filled with stories of those who discovered the 1,000-year-old mushroom and became immortal. An underground stalactite cave museum outside of Kungming, China, displays a reishi or ganoderma mushroom that measures 4 feet in diameter and is estimated to be about 800 years old! There are more than 100,000 varieties of mushrooms, about 700 of them edible. Many mushrooms, particularly shiitake, maitake, reishi, and wood ear, have superb anti-aging properties. Depending on the type, they may contain polysaccharides, sterols, coumarin, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that boost immune function, lower bad cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, and protect the body from virus and cancer. And you don't have to dig for them in the mountains any longer -- they're readily available in your local health or specialty food store. (I must go to the health food store or to a Chinese market or something.)
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8. Sea salt for essential minerals:
Before we were born, we spent nine months in a bath of amniotic fluid resembling the primordial saltwater from which life arose. No wonder the human body contains fluids closely resembling the composition of the ocean. Sea salt contains nearly 60 trace minerals essential for the formation of vitamins, enzymes, and proteins that keep our bodies going. Salt aids in general detoxification, and its alkaline quality helps balance the overly acidic pH environments that breed degenerative and cancerous conditions. Common table salt, however, is refined to nothing but sodium chloride and is devoid of all other essential minerals. I suggest using only unrefined sea salt such as that found in the salt beds of Brittany, which has a slightly grey hue. Of course, salt is to be used only in moderation, especially for those with hypertension. It is also important to balance salt intake with potassium to ensure proper nerve and muscle function; potassium-rich foods include leafy vegetables, soy, whole grains, potatoes, bananas, and most fruits. (I found some nice iodized sea salt in the health food store. We need some iodine for a healthy thyroid.)
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9. You eat naturally -- does your food?:
Conventional meat, poultry and dairy products contain high amounts of pesticides, hormones and antibiotic drugs that are harmful to your health. Add the risk that your meat comes from diseased animals raised in stressful, inhumane conditions, and you have a good case for converting to vegetarianism. Commercial feed for animals is full of growth-stimulating hormones, colouring agents, pesticides and drugs. And that's not all -- of the 140,000 tons of poultry condemned annually as unfit to eat, mainly due to cancer, a considerable amount is processed into animal feed! More than 40 per cent of antibiotics produced in the United States is used as animal-feed additives. The ecological result, after we urinate and defecate the antibiotics, is the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains that can sicken or kill us. Whenever possible, buy only organic and free-range animals for your health, peace of mind and well-being. (While a vegetarian diet isn't for everyone, Dr. Ni explains how going partially meat-free can improve your health.) (I wish I knew a farmer or some Hutterites that sold good meat. Thank God for his blessings on our food. Is this what Jesus was talking about: "We can eat any deadly thing and it shall not harm us".)
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10. Sugar's side effects aren't so sweet:
The average American consumes nearly 240 pounds of sugar per year. Most of the excess sugar is stored as fat in your body, which elevates cancer risk and can suppress your immune function. When study subjects were given sugar, their white blood cell count decreased significantly for several hours afterward. This held true for a variety of types of sugar, including fructose, glucose, honey and orange juice. In another study, rats fed a high-sugar diet had a substantially elevated rate of breast cancer compared to rats on a normal diet. To live long, draw sweetness from other aspects of your life. (I'm sorry. I guess I'm one of the guilty ones re sugar but, I am cutting back and eating healthier sugars. I've been using pure cane sugar and rogers cane syrup when I need some sweetener. That cane syrup is sure good on ice-cream.)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
GOD WON'T ASK: Link to Stacie-lynne's blog
(This copy was Originally called "15 Things God Won't Ask".)
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God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
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God won't ask the square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
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God won't ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.
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God won't ask about your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed.
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God won't ask how many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life.
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God won't ask what your highest salary was, but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.
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God won't ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.
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God won't ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.
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God won't ask what your job title was, but will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
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God won't ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.
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God won't ask how many friends you had, but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.
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God won't ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.
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God won't ask what neighborhood you lived in, but will ask how you treated your neighbors.
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God won't ask about the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character.
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God won't ask how many times your deeds matched your words, but will ask how many times it didn't.
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009
BARBEQUING + Link
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How to make your BBQ healthier
By Dr. Joey Shulman (canadianliving.com)
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We help you Gear up for barbecue season with barbecue safety and nutrition tips.
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After a long, hard winter it is finally here! Barbecue season is back with a vengeance. From the smell of burgers cooking to the sizzle of vegetables grilling, Canadians are thrilled to be cooking outdoors once again.
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When it comes to being barbecue-savvy, there are a few key pointers that will help keep your cooked food healthy and safe while you enjoy delicious and nutritious foods.
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When the temperature rises and raw meats enter the picture, food safety is always a concern. In order to enjoy a healthy barbecue season and avoid any food-borne illness, consider some of the safety tips below.
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Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling food.
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Rinse fresh fish, meats and poultry in cool water to remove any potentially harmful bacteria that may have collected in their packaging. The #1 risk of food poisoning when barbecuing is from raw and undercooked meat.
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Be sure to cook chicken, burgers, hot dogs and kabobs until they’re hot all the way through, the meat is no longer pink and juices run clear. Do not cook them until they are charred and black. Charred or black meat may contain cancer-causing substances.
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Keep raw and cooked meats separate from each other, as raw meat can contaminate the cooked meat. To prevent cross contamination, wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat, use separate utensils for raw and cooked meat, never put cooked food back on the same plate that held raw food and don't add sauce or marinade to cooked food if it has already been used with raw meat – reserve some marinade for basting.
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Research shows that high temperature charcoal grilling of foods that contain fat and protein, including barbecue favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken, can lead to the production of cancer-causing chemicals, called heterocyclic amines (HAs), in the smoke. To minimize the risk, you can precook foods and finish them off on the grill; less time spent on the grill means fewer cancer-causing agents in the meats. Also, choose leaner cuts of meat and trim the fat off because oil and fats often spark smoke (full of cancer-causing substances).
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Keep food covered whenever possible to protect it from insects, birds and pets, which can carry bugs.
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Throw food out if it has been sitting out for more than one or two hours. Perishable food is susceptible to bacteria growth.
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Healthy BBQ ideas
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While some people equate barbecue season with an expanding waist line, this is not necessarily so. In fact, the barbecue can be one of the most powerful weight loss tools you have to loss those extra pounds. How so you ask? Simply refer to the healthy barbecue tips below and enjoy!
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When selecting your meats, make sure to choose meats that are labeled "lean" or "extra lean".
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Barbecuing vegetables are a tasty way to get some colour and nutrients into your diet. Simply brush the vegetables with olive oil and your favourite seasoning, wrap in tin foil and place on the grill, vegetable kabobs are the perfect outdoor menu option that can be served as appetizers. Try kabobs with peppers, mushrooms, onions or other vegetables of your choice.
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Limit fatty, processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs and sausages. These meats are high in saturated fats, are pro-inflammatory and can be a contributing factor in excess weight gain, high cholesterol and heart disease. For a good hot dog substitute, opt for chicken, turkey or soy hot dogs which are lower in saturated fat and total fat in comparison to pork or beef. You could also look for "lean" beef hot dogs.
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When eating your favorite patty from the barbecue (salmon, turkey, chicken, veggie or lean beef), eat it with a whole grain bun. Whole grain breads and buns are lower on the glycemic index, higher in fibre and just as delicious as their white counterparts.
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Nutritional facts about your favourite condiments and barbecued foods:
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Item..........................................Calories......Sugar (g).......Fat (g)
Ketchup (1 tsp.) ............................20 .............5 ...............0
Relish (1 tsp.) ...............................15 .............4 ...............0
Mustard (1 tsp.) .............................0 ..............0 ...............0
Mayonnaise (1 tsp.) .....................100 .............1 ..............11
Light mayonnaise (1 tsp.) ..............30 ..............3 ...............2
Light BBQ sauce (1 tsp.) ................9 .............2.2 ............0.1
1 beef patty .................................340 .............3 ..............27
1 veggie patty ..............................106 ............0.7 ............2.8
1 hot dog .....................................181 .............1 .............15
1 veggie hot dog ............................70 ..............1 .............3.5
Macaroni salad (1/2 cup) ...............158 ............19 ..............8
Potato salad (1/2 cup) ...................220 ............19 ............15
Creamy coleslaw (1/2 cup) ............130 .............15 .............7
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Wishing you a healthy and happy summer!
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Monday, July 13, 2009
FUNNY ISN'T IT?
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This post was in J Thomas Plumleys Blog and was written and recited by Ben Stein on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors were Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against.
That's what they are: Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it, it shows that we are all brothers and Sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manager scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away...
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?
I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew we
nt to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?' In light of recent events... terrorists attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare
(she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained "she didn't want prayer in our schools," and we said "OK".. Then someone said "you better not read The Bible in school." The Bible says thou shalt no
t kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said "OK." Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said "we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem" (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said "an expert should know what he's talking about. "And we said "OK."
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with '
WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then w
onder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process. . . . don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein
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