STRESS RELIEF

Sometimes we don't just need stress relief, but fast and easy relief.

A complicated relaxation technique or elaborate meditative practice would be just one more thing to be anxious about.

Here are ten much simpler solutions. Try them out, and keep in mind which ones work best for you, so you can use them regularly.

1. Deep breathing.

Try six or seven deep breaths through your nose, with your eyes closed. Pay attention only to your breathing while doing this. This is "mini-meditation," and possibly one the most effective of these stress relief techniques.

2. Interrupt you normal routines.

Talk to the crazy lady in the park, or eat your lunch outside. Doing anything that breaks you out of your habitual patterns can often relieve stress.

3. Give someone a hug.

Of course, giving a hug means getting one, and as long as it's from somebody you don't mind hugging, this can immediately reduce your level of stress.

4. Watch your mind.

Notice mental irritants lurking just below the surface and resolve them. Make the call that's on your mind, put things on a list so you can drop them, and generally let go of non-essential thoughts. Practice this mindfulness exercise, and it may become one of your favorite stress relief techniques.

5. Take a hot shower.

This relaxes your muscles, and any break from more stressful activities can help too. Some find that an alternating hot and cold shower is even more relaxing, but be careful with this one if you have a weak heart. I personally find this a good one.

6. Put on some relaxing music.
Have your favorite relaxation CDs in the car, in your office, or wherever you'll need them most.
7. Laugh at something.
Experience shows that this helps you relax, right? Find the person who knows all the best jokes, or look for something funny in front of you. Or join the laughter club.
8. Take a walk.
Walking is one of the best stress relief techniques if you have at least ten minutes. It is even better if you can find a pretty place to walk.
9. Get out of the room for a while.
Sometimes the things in the room or related to the room are triggering your stressful thoughts. Try getting out for a little while.
10. Have a cup of chamomile tea.
Chamomile seems to have a calming effect on the nerves, although any hot tea without caffeine may help relieve stress.

Of course, it might be nice if you can change yourself, so you're naturally more relaxed all of the time. Why not start with one or two of the fast and easy stress relief techniques above?

CANCER HEALER

I would like to share this article I received in my mail.

I find it very good and may even save lives.

NATURAL HEALER

How Dr Wu rid himself of cancer with a vegetarian diet

By: ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA

Published: 7/05/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: Mylife

At the age of 30, Chinese doctor Tom Wu was diagnosed with advanced stages of lung cancer, and was told he had only a few months to live.
However, Dr Wu, who recently spoke with Mylife, has already reached 70years old, and to our surprise, he still looks like a young and healthy man in his 50s.
Not only has he survived, but the doctor has maintained a healthy life. The cancer is all gone, and he said he's never caught a cold or other illnessfor 40 years. He has stopped going for blood tests.
"My body and feelings tell me I'm well, that I'm truly in good health,"says Dr Wu.
His secret lies in the power of natural healing. Dr Wu always says that no wonder drug can cure diseases. But our own internal healing power, our immune system, can. And what can strengthen our immune system are simple foods from Mother Nature, and a healthy lifestyle. In his view, diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease can be overcome by changing the diet.
Dr Wu says people get sick because they eat the wrong foods. Fried food, for example, causes blockage in the arteries, bad circulation, cholesterol, and heart disease.
"Instead of taking a cholesterol lowering drug, I would urge them to stop eating greasy food. My suggestion is to eat clean food, which is high in phytochemicals," he says.
Phytochemicals are natural cleansing agents that will help rid plaque from your arteries. They come from natural foods such as vegetables, fruits with their seeds,and common garden herbs. Phytochemicals will nourish the body's cells so they can fight against any foreign substances that invade your body.
Dr Wu's outstanding contributions to the development of natural medicine earned him the "World Famous Doctor Award" from the UN in 2001, and the "Best Wellness Doctor of the World" award from India's World Wellness Open University in March.
The secrets of how he won the fight against lung cancer and maintains a healthy body are revealed in his first book, Dr Wu's Principle of Natural Cures,which has recently been translated from its original Chinese version into a Thai edition, Thammachart Chuay Chewit, published by Nanmee booksPublications. It was launched in Thailand in March.
Dr Wu says what's written in the book is unique and easy to understand because "the author is both the doctor and the patient himself". All the ideas and guidelines suggested in the book come from his own experience as well as what he has learned from his patients.
Dr Wu turns to natural medicine.
Dr Wu had first studied Western medicine in France, and then furthered his education in alternative therapy, earning a doctorate degree.
The turning point arrived when he was diagnosed with lung cancer at the ageof 30. Modern medicine gave him no hope; it was too latet o remove the damaged parts of the lung. The cancer had already spread to other organs, and the doctor told him he had only a few months left.
In his despair, Dr Wu picked up the Bible and prayed to God. Then the Bible fell to the floor, and he read the page it opened to carefully. The chapter talked about the days God created the Earth and everything needed for human beings. Then he created Adam and Eve, and told both of them that plants, vegetables and seeded fruits growing on Earth have been provided for them to eat.
"I thought about what I had eaten in the past - meat, fish, fried and grilled food, sweet cake, but God simply wanted us to eat vegetables and sour fruits. I was confused and doubted whether I would become weak if I ate too many vegetables and less meat," says Dr Wu.
Yet he decided to follow the Bible's guidance. He ate a lot of vegetables and fruits, drank clean water, and completely adjusted his lifestyle -his sleeping, breathing and exercise habits.
Nine months later, he went for a check-up, and surprisingly no cancer cellswere detected.
He advised people in his family and in the neighbourhood about his discovery, and studied natural medicine until he received a doctorate degree in naturopathy and nutrition from the US.
Dr Wu has been a frequent speaker at worldwide forums, spreading hisknowledge on natural cures and the use of organic food. He advises people to use the most simple foods in the most natural way inorder to fight illnesses and maintain good health.
Dr Wu's secrets to good healthPublished: 7/05/2009 at 12:00 AMNewspaper section: Mylife
The human body has the power to heal itself. The immune system has aself-defence mechanism to block and destroy bacteria or viruses that invade our bodies, while the self-healing mechanism will get us back on the road to recovery. When you have a cold and take medicine, the medication may kill the virus but your immune system will not fully function, and its efficiency will decrease. Asa result, your body will be more vulnerable to germs.
Dr Wu's principle is to strengthen the immune system, and avoid medicationas much as possible. In his book, he offers the following guidelines to good health:

1. Have at least three bowel movements a day.
Other health experts may advise one bowel movement a day, but Dr Wu says that's not enough. You need three to four bowel movements a day in order to excrete all the accumulated faeces from your intestine. Your liver will not be overburdened and it also helps reduce cholesterol in your body.

2. Drink at least three glasses of fruit or vegetable smoothies each day.
This is a way to ingest enough phytochemicals to strengthen the body'scells and immune system. Use not only the flesh, but also the skin and seeds of fruits and vegetables to make smoothies, as they are rich in phytochemicals.
Most of the fruit seeds have small amounts of cyanide which kill bacteria and viruses without damaging the body.
Actually the recommended smoothie diet is six glasses a day, two in the morning, one before lunch, two more in the afternoon, and one more before dinner. However, if that's too much, you may start with three glasses a day. Use a high powered blender (at least three horsepower) as it can release phytochemicals from the fibre. It's best to choose sour fruits like green or red apples, grapes, pineapples, kiwi and lime.

3. Sunbathe 30 minutes daily.
We often hear that the Sun's UV rays will damage our skin, and many people apply sunblock before going out.
But Dr Wu says the opposite. He says the UV rays will help convert cholesterol underneath the skin into vitamin A which helps moisten the skin and prevent skin cancer, and also vitamin D that helps prevent colds, osteoporosis, and certain kinds of cancer.
"Therefore, use the Sun. Expose yourself to sunlight about one-half hour a day, at noon or another appropriate time based on your local climate. The Sun will make you healthier," says Dr Wu.

4. Exercise 30 minutes a day.
Don't exercise for more than 30 minutes. If you go beyond that, your body will be overworked.
"If you do it more than half an hour, that will become labour, not exercise. Your heart and your body will be working too hard," he says.

5. Shower with hot, then cold water.
Try an alternating cold and hot water shower: Three minutes of hot waterfollowed by 30 seconds of cold water, then repeat twice more.
This process will bring a rush of blood and energy to your body. It helps increase your immune system, blood circulation, and metabolism.

6. Drink a lot of water, in the correct way.
How much water you need to drink each day depends on your specific situation. If your office is air-conditioned, drinking six glasses of water a day is enough. If your work involves lots of walking, you have to drink 8-10 glasses aday. If you work under the hot sun, then 10-12 glasses of water are required.
The way you drink is also important. The correct way is to sip it little by little, to give your body cells time to absorb the water. If you drink the whole glass down at once, your cells can't absorb it all, and the water will be excreted as urine.

7. Eat according to your blood type.
Your blood type determines what you should eat. Eating the wrong foods will make you sick.
People with blood type O have to eat a certain amount of meat. If they eat only vegetables for a long time, their body won't absorb all the substances they need to strengthen their immune system. The recommended diet for this group is 75% vegetables, 10% fruits, 10% meat, seafood and goat's milk (avoid cow'smilk), and 5% grains.
People with blood type A, however should avoid milk and meat, while increasing grains and fruits.
People with blood type B should also avoid meat, while those with bloodtype AB should avoid chicken and beef.

8. Eat according to your biological clock.
Every human being has a biological clock that tells us when to eat, sleep, and wake up. If you don't follow your biological clock, the organs will lose their balance. Toxins and wastes won't be excreted from your body, and soon you'll get sick.
According to Dr Wu, the biological clock is divided into three phases.
From 4am to noon is the time for bowel movements, so in the morning you should eat foods with lots of fibre. Fruit and vegetable smoothies are recommended.
From noon to 8pm, your body will absorb food so lunch is the most important meal. A vegetable salad with grains is recommended.
Fish or boiled eggs can be added to your lunch. Avoid meat at dinner as the amino acids in the meat will disturb your sleep. Try to finish dinner by 6pm.
From 8pm to 4am, the nutrients and energy from food will be distributed throughout your body organs. The golden time for your sleep is between 10pm and 2am, as your immune and self-healing system will function at its best.

SMART HINTS

Here are some smart hints to try out when you need it.

Fixing greasy hair
Sprinkle some talcum powder onto your palm and smear it lightly with the other palm (catching some powder on the fingers) so you get a uniform layer of powder. Run fingers through hair, starting from the scalp. Don't overdo it as you may end up with dusty-looking hair. You can do this when you are in a hurry and do not have time to wash your hair and you dont like to go out with greasy hair.I do it during my confinement days when we are not suppose to wash our hair for a whole month. (This was practice by the chinese in olden days, I don't think the modern chinese practice this nowadays).




Fixing a headache
Wrap a hot damp towel around your neck, forehaed and shoulder. If heat does not work try cold pack instead. then drink a cup of warm chamomile tea. It will take the headache away.
















Wear cotton gloves
Wear a pair of cotton gloves under your rubber ones when doing heavy wash-up with hot water. that way, you won't feel the heat on your skin. It is alos good iadea for gardening as cotton gloves absorb perspiration.

STRESS = BAD SKIN

When we are stressed, we binge. I for one will look for food to fill my stomach when I am stressed. I ussually gain weight when I am stressed. So if you must stuff your your stomach to feel better, opt for food rich in tryptophan, as these help produce serotonin in the brain, a hormone that lightens your mood. The great news, chocolate is on the list. Also high in tryptophan are bananas and milk.

How we feel on the inside could be affecting how we look on the outside.

Stress, depression and anxiety increase our skin, hair or nail problems.

Stress can manifest itself on one's appearance in many ways, but primarily by making the skin more sensitive and more reactive.

Stress has been shown been shown to impair skin barrier function and dehydrate the skin — allowing more irritants, allergens, and infectious agents to penetrate the skin and cause problems.

Patients under stress also tend to neglect or abuse their skin. They often lack the energy and motivation to adhere to their skin care regimens, and there also might be signs of stress-related behaviors — such as scratching, pulling or rubbing — that can exacerbate problems.

When dermatologists treat both the skin and stress, the skin often clears more quickly and completely as the influences of stress are diminished. This, in turn, can help decrease a patient's overall anxiety level, and the patient may start to feel better about how they look and how they feel emotionally.

So try to relax to enjoy beautiful skin.

If you are stress try to enjoy some relaxing music or do some light excercise.

BEAUTY SLEEP

Here are some tips to get the best sleep for your skin.

Sleep on your back.

Some like to sleep pressing their face on the pillow...i.e. sleeping on your stomach. I like sleeping on my side, changing between left and right. How about you? Pressing your face on a pillow creates fold lines that eventually become permanent. Spending time on your back also helps counter the effects of gravity that accumulate during the day. So change your sleeping habit if dont want folds on your face.

Sleep like the above lady....so comfortable.

Sleep hydrated

Most, if not all of us, sleep in air-conditioned rooms and spend most of our day in air-conditioned offices and the result is very thirsty dry skin.

So if possible sleep with a humidifier - it helps avoid moisture loss from skin while you sleep.

If you dont have a humidifier, put a bowl of water next to your bed.

Moisture after bathing

Apply moisturiser to your skin after bath. This will seal in the moisture that your skin has absorbed from your shower.

Its not that difficult right?

Sleep right....sleep tight!!!

7 ALL-ROUND GREAT SKIN FOODS

These are the 7 great foods for our skin.

If you want to have great, smooth looking skin , take the following food.

Garlic is rich in sulphur-containing amino acids, which are vital in the formation of keratin, collagen and elastin for youthful looking skin. (For those who don't like the smell of garlic, you can take garlic supplement. Its not expensive. Amway Nutrilite Herbal Garlic come with licorice. A bottle of 150 tablest cost around RM38.00)

Brazil nuts are full of selenium - an antioxidant that neutralises toxins and prevent wrinkles.

Nobody likes wrinkles right ;-( so eat more brazil nuts.

Cherries are an excellent fruit for clearing up your skin, as it contains vitamins A, B and zinc and magnesium. :-) I loves cherries.

Grapefruit and melons act as cleansers in the body, flushing out unwanted wastes that would otherwise fester into skin ailments.

Brown rice contains lots of amino acids used in reparing skin cells. (I like Eco brown rice)

Brocolli and other vegetables high in fibre, such as bright green lettuce and watercress, keep your intestines healthy so that unwanted wastes are quickly removed.

Eggs are rich in Vitamins, which promotes healthy blood circulation to give skin a radiant glow and prevent dryness.

So you see its not that difficult to have great looking skin.

As we age, we age gracefully.

FRUIT JUICE

How many glasses of water do we need in a day?. The recomended is 8 glasses. Its not easy to drink 8 glasses cos water is tasteless and to get it all down can be chore.
As an alternative, choose fruit juices which won't just make up your water quota, but pump you full of nutrients too.
Here is a list of fruits and their water content, but remember to take it natural and unsweetened.

* Watermelon 95%
* Tomato 93%
* Orange 88%
* Pineapple 85%
* Apple 85%

For fruit juice recipes go to : www.fruitjuicefacts.org

HUG SOMEONE!

Most people like to be hug like my daughter Iris...hugging is actually a show of affection. But some people have goose pimples when you hug her....like my niece Lena. Whe Iris try to hug her she will get ready to run her distance.

Relieving stress can be as simple as hugging someone. A cuddle releases the hormone oxytocin, and lowers stress hormones, cortisol and norepinephrine. Less stress, fewer zips. Go grap someone.

Give someone a hug. Of course, giving a hug means getting one, and as long as it's from somebody you don't mind hugging, this can immediately reduce your level of stress.

It's wondrous what a hug can do.
A hug can cheer you when you're blue
A hug can say, "I love you so,"
Or, "I hate to see you go."
A hug is "Welcome back again."
And "Great to see you! Where 'er you been?"
A hug can soothe a small child's pain
And bring a rainbow after rain.
The hug, there's just no doubt about it --
We scarcely could survive without it!
A hug delights and warms and charms;
It must be why God gave us arms
Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,
Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers;
And chances are your favorite aunts
love them more than potted plants.
Kittens crave them, puppies love them,
Heads of states are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier
And make your travel so much merrier.
No need to fret about your store of 'em;
The more you give, the more there are of 'em.
So stretch those arms without delay
And give someone a hug today!

What a hug means to you.

"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.

Hugging is all natural: it is organic, naturally sweet, it has no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, and is 100% wholesome.

Hugging is practically perfect: there are no movable parts, no batteries to replace, no periodic check-ups, has low energy consumption, high energy yield, is inflation-proof, non-fattening, has no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, is theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting, and is, of course, fully refundable."

-- Sharon Lindsey --
SO GIVE ALL YOUR LOVED ONES A HUG TODAY!!!!

ON CANCER : John Hopkins statements‏

This information is a good reminder to all of us.
I received it in my email and find it very informative and would like to share with those who have not read it.

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY' IS THE KEY WORD) AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHN HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .


Cancer Update from John Hopkins

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9 When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts)and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence,Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.


CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL , U S

1. No plastic containers in micro.

2. No water bottles in freezer.

3. No plastic wrap in microwave.


Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well.

Dioxin chemicals 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, Dr. 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, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the bo! dy. 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, 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.

So value your health and take good care of it.

GOODNESS OF TOMATOES

As I mentioned earlier tomato is one of my favourite vegetable. Ya, talking about vegetables....is tomato a fruit or a vegetable. I am sure its a vegetable. One day I came across a forum that debate whether tomato is a vegetable or fruits..What do you all think?
I drink tomato juice every morning, cos its the season now... I think, cos its so cheap. I bought it a Tesco. Its only 99cents a kilo. Cheap isn't it. I used to buy 1 pack of about 20 medium red juicy ones that cost me around 2 dollars. Its cheap and good. I mixed it with carrot and green apple and it taste good.
Another way of eating it is to cut into slices, sprinkle with some sugar and add a few drop of soya sauce. Leave it in the fridge for a few hours, then take out and eat it....so delicious. Or you can put it in salads.

Why are tomatoes so good:

* Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and A along with folate, potassium, fibre and proteins.

* They are also one of the important source for antioxidants which play an important role in preventing diseases and keeping us healthy.

* Drinking tomato juice regularly keeps the bacterias and viruses away from your body.

* Tomatoes have a nourishing effect on our skin and also act as a sunscreen naturally.

* Tomatoes also have cardiovascular benefits and it also pumps the level of HDL cholesterol which is a good cholesterol in our body.

* Tomatoes have wonderful anti-aging qualities. Lycopene and beta carotene present in them are the anti-aging components.

My latest slogan : A tomato a day keeps the doctor away.

So eat healthy and stay happy.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR DEPRESSION

A few days back I wrote about Depression and its causes.
Today I will share about herbal remedies for treating depression.
Off course taking herbal stuff is better than drugs as they have no side effect.

This was quoted by a mother who treated her daughter's depression with herbs.

"Prescription drugs for depression can be dangerous. I have known of many times that these types of medicines have back-fired, and made the person MORE depressed. My daughter was one of them. At 19 years old, she was taking Lexapro for depression. After about a month on the drug, she was more depressed than ever, and we had to take her off of the medication.

We decided to try herbal remedies, and see if this would help. To our surprise, the herbal supplement worked, and within a few weeks she was back to her old self - happy, outgoing and upbeat."

I have personally tried Lexapro,Zoloft and Prozac. But all these have very bad side effect. I felt nausea, giddiness and dry mouth after taking it.The side effect was so unbearable that I had to stop taking it. But I found Effexor to be the most suitable for me. Since I discovered that herbal remedies can treat depression I am going to try it and share with others.

Using herbs for depression is something you may want to try if you or someone you love is dealing with depression. I know myself how hard it is to come out of a depressed state, and the feeling that it is the end of the world when you feel this way.
Herbs are very effective in treating depression, and cause no side effects in most people.
The most effective ingredients you will find in herbal remedies are St. John's Wort and Passion Flower. These ingredients have been clinically proven to work, and one of the products that worked extremely well is an herbal supplement called MindSoothe.

MindSoothe is an all natural product that will work to restore your mood to normal, give you an uplifted feeling and help you feel motivated again.
MindSoothe helps lessen feelings of the blues, supports health and emotional wellness, and also helps women with mood swings and PMS symptoms. Herbal remedies for depression work well, and many contain an ingredient called St. John's Wort. This ingredient has been traditionally used for centuries to support balanced mood and safely maintain mental wellness and equilibrium.

Passion Flower is another of the herbs for depression found in MindSoothe. Passion Flower has active ingredients which include flavonoids, cyanogenic glycosides, alkaloids and saparin. Like St John’s Wort, Passiflora has also stood up well to clinical studies which support its traditional usage as a soothing and moderating herb.

You can find this in Pharmacy where they sell herbal stuffs.

Try it and free yourselves from all the unecessary discomfort and worries.

HYPPERTENSION

Esther, this is for you.
Esther was complaining about having her bp going up to 160....that is high indeed.
I think it is due to her stress. So I went and do some research about hypertension and this is what I discovered.
Causes and remedies of hypertension.
Another word commonly used for hypertension is high blood pressure.
It is very common and affects most people in their forties and fifties.
Some had it even earlier. I suffered from hypertension in my thirties and have been on medication since then. I know that taking drug is not good and have been trying to find out other natural remedies.
Hypertension is an under-diagnosed condition because it causes damage to the body with no symptoms or only mild symptoms. It has been called a "silent killer" for this reason.
Many people are unaware they have hypertension until it is accidentally found at a doctor visit or they develop complications of hypertension.
Most common symptoms are:
* Headache
* Dizziness
* Confusion
* Increase sweating
* Nausea
* Flushed face
* Blurred vission
* Anxiety
* Shortness of breath

So check if you have any of these symptoms mentioned above.

I was told that with a diagnosis of hypertension, it is important to consider whether there is an underlying condition. There are other medical conditions that may possibly cause hypertension.
An underlying condition is a second condition that you may have in addition to the first diagnosed condition, and this underlying condition is believed to cause the first condition. In this case, the underlying condition is the true primary condition, since it occurred first, and the originally diagnosed condition is actually called the "secondary" condition.
The underlying condition has the first disease as one of its symptoms or complications.
Natural Remedies
Natural high blood pressure remedies such as diet, exercise, herbal supplements and other methods actually treat the cause of your condition. They can extend your life, and also help improve other conditions you may have such as high cholesterol and diabetes. You can see already that using natural remedies is indeed the answer.
Many drugs are synthetic, and they can suck the nutrients right out of your body. They mask the cause of the problem, instead of correcting it.
Most of us know that a few lifestyle changes will help control hypertension. Some of these include not smoking or drinking heavily, getting enough sleep, controlling stress and improving our diets. But there are also some common household items that help reduce your blood pressure dramatically as well.
Give it a try.

Here are a few high blood pressure remedies.

* Chocolate (Yes, chocolate!)

* How the RIGHT kind of alcohol can have a positive effect on your heart and blood pressure

* Nuts - Another great boon to blood pressure health

* A "secret" herb can help reduce hypertension very effectively. Will find out the names of the secret herbs.

Prescription drugs can also damage the organs in your body, such as your liver. Treating the problem naturally is not only cost effective, it is healthier. Don't use synthetic drugs unless absolutely necessary.
Here is a list of herbs for high blood pressure that you may want to consider:

* Garlic
* Hibiscus Flower Powder
* Hawthorne Berry
* Buchu Leaves
* Dandelion Root
* Juniper Berry
* Green Tea

There are also vitamins and minerals that work to control high blood pressure. Some of these include vitamin B-6, B-12, Niacin, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Calcium Carbonate.

So go for natural remedies instead of drugs.
Have a healthy lifestyle.....Be Happy Always!!!!

PLASTIC BOTTLES CAUSE CANCER

Don't keep plastic bottled water in your car.
Bottled water in your car is very dangerous to women.
This is how Sheryl Crow got breast cancer.
She was on the Ellen show and said this same exact thing.
This has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels in breast cancer, especially in Australia.
A friend whose mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Doctor told her: women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.
The doctor said that the heat and the plastic of the bottle have certain chemicals that can lead to breast cancer.
So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.
This information is the kind we need to know and be aware of and it just might save lives.
The heat causes toxins from the plastic to leak into the water and they have found these toxins in breast tissue.
Use a stainless steel Can or a glass bottle when you can!!!
Its better to take precaution, so spread this info. to all your friends.

ASPIRIN FOR HEART ATTACK

I received this information in my mail today and thought it would be good to share this as it can happen to any one of us or help us save lives.

Keep aspirin by your bedside.
There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm.

One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.

Note: There may be no pain in the chest during a heart attack.

We often hear of people dying in their sleep. The reason is majority of these people (about 60%) who had an heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep..

If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water.

Afterwards

- phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by

- say "heart attack!"

- say that you have taken 2 aspirins.

- take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and...

~ do NOT lie down ~

Do share this information with family and friends as lives may be saved.

DEPRESSION

Depression is a common problem in today's world and continues to be a major cause of personal suffering and lost of productivity. Many people suffering from depresssion do not seek professional help as they fail to recongnise that they are depressed or are too shameful to seek help.
Stress in today's world also can lead to depression.I went through it before and would like others to know that early treatment can cure your depression. There is nothing wrong in seeking professional help like all other sickness. We all have our ups and down days. No matter how low we fall there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
The following are my findings about depression.
Causes of depression
Depression has no single cause; often, it results from a combination of things. You may have no idea why depression has struck you.
Whatever its cause, depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance of a type of chemical that carries signals in your brain and nerves. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters.
Some of the more common factors involved in depression are:
• Family history. Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations. My sister and I have it, so I can say it may run in my family.
• Trauma and stress. Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.
• Pessimistic personality. People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by low-level depression (called dysthymia).
• Physical conditions. Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.
• Other psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and (especially) substance abuse often appear along with depression.
Causes of Depression
* You feel miserable and sad.
* You feel exhausted a lot of the time with no energy .
* You feel as if even the smallest tasks are sometimes impossible.
* You seldom enjoy the things that you used to enjoy.
* You feel very anxious sometimes.
* You don't want to see people or are scared to be left alone.
* You find it difficult to think clearly.
* You feel like a failure and/or feel guilty a lot of the time.
* You feel a burden to others.
* You sometimes feel that life isn't worth living.
* You can see no future. There is a loss of hope.
* You feel irritable or angry more than usual.
* You feel you have no confidence.
* You have difficulty sleeping or wake up very early in the morning and can't sleep again.
* You may have physical aches and pains which appear to have no physical cause, such as back pain.

Here are 2 recipes I found in a book by Dr Sandra Cabot for treating depression with fruit juice.
Give it a try.

No. 1
6 strawberries or a bunch of grapes
1 cup chopped brocilli
1 carrot
6 string beans
2 lettuce leaves
Wash, trim and chop and pass through a juicer.

No. 2
2 large spinah leaves
2 stems celery
2-3 lettuce leaves
1 cup meddium beetroot & tops
1 cup grapes or 1 medium carrot
1 tomato
A dash of Tabasco sause (optional)
Wash, trim and chop and process through a juicer.
Approx. 1/2 litre can be taken daily.

Depression has afflicted man for hundreds of years. King David had some very depressing times in his life. He wrote in Psalm 31:9,10:

"Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak."
We are very fortunate to live in a time where there is help for depression. Less than a hundred years ago people with depression, and other forms of mental illness, would be hidden away by family members or committed to insane assylums to live out the remainder of their lives. I thank God that is no longer the case.

THREE C' s

What does the 3 C's stands in your life?
Some will say their 3 "C" stand for Condo, car, career or whatever.
But what I am saying here is the 3 C's stands for:
Challenge: People see change as a chance to grow.

Control: People who believe they can change their lives for the better and act on it. Rather than focusing on what’s outside their control, they concentrate on things they can influence.

Commitment: People that are passionate about their pursuits and see life as having meaning and purpose.

We are all face with adversities in our life at one time or another.
These are the secrets of those who thrive on adversity.
From what I read, according to resiliency experts Suzanne Kobasa and Salvatore Maddi they have found that those who thrive best in adversity all believe in the three C’s:
This story was shared by Suzanne Kobasa.
Diane is a blind-from-birth woman who’s had her share of tough times. Her husband, who’d been supporting her, died suddenly. She then got a job for the first time in her life, only to be laid off when the economy took its nosedive.
Developing bounce-back qualities with the three C’s can give you an enormous advantage right now. Research shows that resilient folks are more likely to be kept on staff during downsizing, more likely to get hired, more likely to learn new skills when their job is eliminated, better able to help their families and communities through hard times, and less likely to get ill under stress.
She asked Diane about the three C’s when she came to see her. She’d been living on her own in the house she’d owned with her husband, despite her parents begging her to move in with them, so she had the challenge part down. As for control, without a job Diane, nevertheless, thought of a way to support herself. “I live in a big house near a university,” she said. “I could rent rooms to graduate students.” And when I asked about her passions, she revealed that she cared deeply about helping young people with disabilities use new technologies. She’s now looking for work in that field. Despite her difficult circumstances, Diane’s using the tools of resilience to move forward.


The three C’s can help you find balance in difficult times. Here, some questions to make sure you’ve got them by your side.

Consider the challenge. “How could what I’m going through be a growth opportunity?” If you don’t have an immediate answer, work toward it by focusing on the small stuff first. If, say, you lost your job, think about how you finally have more time to see friends.

Take control. “What can I control? What can I do to feel more in control?” Remember Diane—she took in boarders while looking for work.

Make a commitment. “What gives me meaning and purpose, and how can I get involved?” If you love animals, volunteer at an animal-rescue center. When you get in touch with what you truly care about, you feel better about yourself and live a happier life—no matter what else is going on around you.

So what is your 3 C's????

GOODNESS OF GREEN TEA

I have always like green tea. Drinking green tea is very relaxing.
There are lots of benefit drinking green tea. Green tea is filled with inflammation-fighting antioxidants. The Japanese have been drinking it for ages....see how healthy they are.
Sip at least three big mugs of green tea every day for an antioxidant boost.
Studies says that drinking green tea may reduce your risk of skin cancer.
How do you take your green tea?
Its best taken if you add a generous squeeze of citrus juice—like lemon, lime, or orange—the tea’s antioxidants get a boost of staying power, so they remain in and benefit the body longer, rather than being digested quickly and having much of the goodness go down the drain.
So remember the next time you drink green tea, squeese some lemon juice and the taste is better too.
After drinking your tea dont throw away the tea bags.
Keep them in the fridge. It can be use for treating puffiness of your eyes.
This is how you do it.
Put the chill damp tea bag on your eyes for 10-15 mins, you will feel a great relief.
as the green tea contains tannins, which act as an astringent when applied to skin and can help reduce puffiness.
You can also drink a blend of green and black tea, also known as oolong tea to boost metabolism and loose weight.
Green tea can also be used as a first aid fix.
Says Leah Sherman, a naturopathic physician in Portland, Oregon.
"Treat minor scrapes, bug bites, and sunburn with green tea, which contains tannins that act as a natural antiseptic and relieve itching and swelling. Just apply cooled tea with a cotton ball".
This one I like:
In a British study, people who drank black tea four times a day for six weeks calmed down more quickly in stressful situations than those who didn’t drink tea. Black, green, and oolong teas all contain theanine, an amino acid that helps the brain and body relax.
So next time instead of drinking coffee opt for tea instead.
Happy drinking.

VEGGIE-MIGHT!!!

Our mothers used to tell us to eat veggies because its good for us.
Well....she is right!!!. Veggies are very importat for our body.
Here is a look at the goodness of some of the veggies I like.

Carrots (which happens to be my favourite)
Carrots contains Vit. C, folic acid, Carotenes, potassiun and fibre.
Carrots are a very good source of three major minerals: Calcium, Phosphorus and magnesium.They work together to build strong bones and a healthy nervous system.
Carrots are the best vegetable source of vitamin A.
Freshly extracted carrot juice is one of the best natural medicines available for preventions from colds and viruses. Whenever you see the chance to have some cool carrot juice, take it and you will promote your natural resistance to germs and infection.
Remember our mothers used to say that eating carrots helps us see in the dark. Night blindness can be caused by lack of beta carotene and carrots has lots of it.

Broccoli
Broccoli contains Vit. C, folic acid, beta carotene, calcium, potassium, sodium and iron. Because of its high contents of anti oxidants and fibre broccoli purifies and stimulates our liver, which strengthens our body's immune system.
Preventing a build up of texins internally produces results that can be seen on the outside, such as smooth, radiant skin which everyone of us would love to have.
Broccoli caontains Vit. B2 which is required for strong, healthy growth of our hair, skin and nails.
Broccoli contains high levels of iron and beta carotene, that combines with Vit. C helps our body absorb iron into our bloodstream.

Beetroot
Beetroot contains Vit. A and C, folate, calcium, iron and fibre.
Drinking beet root juice every day can help reduce one’s blood pressure.
Beet root has natural property of cleaning the kidneys and gall bladder. The potassium present in it helps in providing nourishment to the body for daily functions while chlorine organically cleans the liver and kidney. In addition, it has positive effects on one’s digestive system as it helps in the treatment of digestive disorders and problems like jaundice, nausea and vomiting due to dysentery or diarrhea. Beet root combined with carrot juice can prove extremely beneficial in building the red corpuscles thereby helping in treating low vitality and anemia. Being an excellent solvent for inorganic calcium deposits, beet juice helps in the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. It is also extremely beneficial for women as it aids in the regulation of menstruation.

Onions
Onions contains Vit. B6, c and E, folica acid,calcium and potassium.
There is no kitchen without onions, with its pungent appetizing smell in the air, and the taste of onion filling out the flavours of any Asian cuisine
Oinons are best known as a cold remedy, and they boast many other health-boosting properties. Onions are natural detoxifier and can strenghten our immune system, promoting shiny hair, strong, pink nails and smooth glowing skin. The natural antiseptic and antibiotic properties of onions help repair tissue and cell damage of our skin and prevent against premature aging.

Capsicum
Capsicum caontains Vit. C, E, folate, carotenes, capsaicin nd potassium.
Rich in carotenoids and vit. C, a mediun sized capsicum provides morethan 3 times the recommended daily intake of Vit. c. they have a high water content and useful for keeping the skin and nails hydrated. Yellow capsicum coantian lutein, which helps maintain healthy vision, especially at night.

Asparagus
I l-o-v-e asparagus. It’s one of my favorite vegetables.
It contains vitamins K, C and A, as well as folate.
Traditional Chinese herbalists have used asparagus for thousands of years to treat maladies, including such widely disparate ailments as arthritis and infertility.
If you tend to suffer from bloating during your mentstrual cycle, try eating asparagus in your meals around 10 days before your period is due. The beta carotene present heleps prevent dry, rough cand scaly skin. It is also beneficial if you are prone to balckheads and balckheads. Beta carotene is a great nail strengthener and helps add moisture to dry hair.

Tomato
Tomatoes contains Vit. C and E, beta carotene and lycopene.
A ripe juicy tomato helps to hydrate the skin and lubricate the digestive system. Tomatoes can provide around 40% of adult recomemended daily intake of Vit. C. This vitamin, along with its fellow antioxidant vit. E also present in tomatoes helps protect the skin and other tissue against free radicals. The bright red pigment in tomatoes is called lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
Note: i\If your hair has turned slighty green from the effects of chlorine in the water after swimming, apply a mask of tomato sauce to reduce the unsightly shade.

Mushroom
Mushroom contains Vi. B3, B5, biotin,d-fraction, folate,lentinen, copper, iron and potassium.
There are around 38,000 types of mushroom but not all are edible. those that can be eaten are full of goodness and have health giving properties.Mushroom contains B vitamin biotin, which helps to increase energy levels, alliviate muscle pain and repair dry scaly skin.Mushroom contain copper which heps strength the immune system, and play a major part inblood and bone development. The phytonutrient lentinan found in mushrooms may help suppress tumour growth.

So eat more veggies everyday....good for your health.

BENEFIT OF CARDIO EXCERCISES

What is the best cardio exercise?

There is no "best" cardio exercise. You can do anything that gets your heart rate up.

If you like to go outdoors, consider fast-paced walks, running, cycling etc. For those who like the gym treadmills, elliptical trainers and stationary bikes could be the choice. If you prefer to stay at home you can jump rope, dance or start kick boxing.

You get the picture. Do something you enjoy, something you would not mind doing at least three times a week. Most importantly choose an exercise that fits your fitness level. Sure, running burns more calories than walking, but if running wipes you out after a half mile or bothers your knees, you're better off walking.

Switch from exercise to exercise if you need to keep yourself from getting bored and your body from getting used to one activity.

Start doing cardio exercises for at least 40 minutes to an hour a day 3-6 times a week. If you are a beginner, start a slower pace and slowly increase your workout time.

The benefits of cardio exercises
You burn calories and lose weight
Cardio exercises make your heart stronger so that it doesn't
have to work as hard to pump blood
Doing cardio helps reduce risk of heart attack,
high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes
Cardio increases your lung capacity
Cardio Exercises help you sleep better
It makes you feel good
It helps reduce stress
Sample cardio exercise that you can try right now
Try this exercise to really get your heart rate up.

1. Start by jogging 5 minutes to warm up.
2. Sprint for 2 minutes
3. Slow down to a comfortable jogging pace for 5 minutes
4. Sprint for 2 minutes
5. Go back to jogging for 5 minutes

Repeat as many times as you can and don't forget to cool down in the end.

BEST EXERCISE FOR A FLAT STOMACH

As we aged, the fat in our tummy gets thicker and thicker. I have tried to watch my diet and do some excercises but the most difficult part is to get a flat tummy.I may loose some weight but not the fat on the tummy. Sometimes we yearn to wear some tight fitting dresses and ouchh!!! look at the tummy. We get put off.How I envy people with flat stomach....but just think how much effort they put in to get the result. (As the saying goes...No pain no gain)
So I do some read up and find some suggestion from expert here.
Hope to share this with friends who are facing the same problem as myself.

As advised by fitness expert the best exercise you can do for your stomach is jogging, or any other cardio exercises like walking or swimming.
Exercising all of your body and burning fat all over combined with a proper diet is the key to achieving a flat stomach.

Start by walking or jogging 3-4 times a week to increase your heart rate and boost your metabolism. By boosting your metabolism you burn excess calories and eliminate fat all over your body. You can also go swimming or dancing instead if you prefer.
If you would like to have a flat stomach you should do cardio exercises.. Cardio exercises raise your heart rate and boost your metabolism (for up to 24 hours! - after a good workout), but the most important benefit of cardio exercises is that they burn fat, stomach fat included.

When you do cardio exercises your body burns calories all over, and that is exactly what you need to get rid of the belly fat layer that covers your stomach.

Burning fat with cardio exercises, eating healthy, and doing a few abdominal exercises to tone your stomach muscles is the best way to get a beautiful flat stomach.

Start doing cardio exercises for at least 40 minutes to an hour a day 3-6 times a week. If you are a beginner, start a slower pace and slowly increase your workout time.

So friends.....here is to a flat tummy.

TIPS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR NECK

We do not pay much attention to our neck. Most of us pay more attention to our face and neglect our neck.
A neglected neck can reveal the real age of a well treated face, so its important to pay as much attention to this area as we do to our face.

The truth about our necks is that our necks our vulnerable to age lines, unwanted folds and double chins and some triple chins.(mine double going to triple) Even the most brilliant makeup techniques cannot disquise them.
Daily care is a must; thorough cleansing and mask are essential to maintain a healthy and radiant looking neck.
Our neck are prone to sagging so beside neck exercises,we need to apply firming products to firm the skin around the neck.

Here are some tips to achieving a graceful neck:

Hold your head up. It improves posture and is good for the neck.(I do it esp. when taking photographs as not to show my double/triple chin)

Sleep without a pillow or a flat one as it helps in preventing double chin.

Before taking your bath, take a minute or two to massage the neck area with downward strokes using one hand following the other. Use any skin oil or cream.

Apply lemon tumeric paste on the neck to eliminate the colour difference between the face and the neck.

When applying facial mask, dont forget to apply to the neck as well.

SIGNS TO SHOW IF ARE YOU HEALTHY

HEALTH IS WEALTH SO IF YOU'RE HEALTHY THEN YOU'RE WEALTHY.
These are 8 signs to tell if your body is in good shape and what to do if they are not.

HEALTHY SKIN
Healthy skin is pale pink and free from dryness and skin disorders. Look out for changes in skin colour or texture.
Yellow discolouration of skin is a sign of liver disease, while pigmentation changes are the result of too much sun exposure.
Use sunscreen daily to prevent ageing, pigmentation and skin cancer.
Cut down on caffeinated drinks and drink at least 2 litres of water daily.

BRIGHT, CLEAR EYES
Dark pupil with a bright, clear and transparent cornea.
eyes should not be red, painful or swollen. Red, painful, teary and swollen eyes may be due to allergy or infection.
A white cornea indicates lacl of vitamin.
A bulging eyes are a symptoms of thyroid disorder and if the white turn yellow it could point to liver or gall bladder disease.
Protect your eyes from smoke, dust and UV rays by wearing protective shields.
eyes may become dry due to air-conditioning and prlonged use of the computer.

PINK TONGUE
Tongue should be pale pink. A whitish pale tongue indicate low levels of vital energy and blood. A redder than normal tongue points to the presence of heat, and teeth marks around the edges of a plump tongue means an overactive spleen.Take iron supplement for deficiency in blood or iron rich food such as liver. Drink more water if you are heaty.

PINK GUMS
You should have glossy gums that have a light red tinge.Red and swollen gums are linked to indigestion or other digestive disorders.It can also be a sign of gum disease, as this causes bacterial to flow down the throat.
Bleeding or rotting gumsmcan be a sign of serious flu, virus or bacterial infections.
Avoid acidic foods such as oranges and pinapples.
People with gum disease tend also to have a higher risk of heart disease.

SHINY HAIR
You should have shiny, smooth and vibrant hair. Hair loss or changes in hair calibre or increased fragility may be signs of internal disease such as thyroid imbalace.
Cut down on frequent bleaching and colouring as it may be hard on your hair and your hari may even break off near the scalp.
Healthy humans loses about 100 strands of hair per day so anything more than that could be a warning sign.
See a doctor if your hair drop excesssively.

FEELING HUNGRY
Feeling hungry is a good sign because you tend to lose your appetite when you're sick. But frequent hunger pangs may be a sign of stomach ulcer especially if the hunger pangs are painful.It can also mean an overproduction of acid by the stomach resulting is gastric or bacterial infection. Sometimes it may signify psychological problems.Taking antacid will help but consult a doctor if it is associated with anaemia, problems swallowing, weight loss or bleeding thru vomitting or stools.
Have meals with adequate fibre to fill you up.

CURVY HIP
Yes, curvy hips are sign that you are in good shape. Hips the like of Jenniffer Lopez
hehe!! sexy hips. A surgeon recomends a waist-to-hip ratio of below 0.8 (divide your waist measurement in inches by hip measurement to get this figure) this figure is a rough measurement of fat distribution. A higher ration means increased rick of heart disease. Fat around the waist pose more health risks.

So friends go thru all the signs and see how healthy your are.

TIPS ON BUILDING HOPE

This is dedicated to myself who at time feel very down, to my sister Molly and all friends who need a lift in life once in a while. The following tips was taken from the "theStar" a couple of weeks back....so those who missed it, copy and paste it somewhere where you can see it daily.

• Feel good about yourself

• Be positive and focus on the positive aspects

• Avoid seeking self-pity and sympathy

• Display a brave front and don't slouch

• Groom yourself decently and love yourself

• Identify your successes and celebrate them

• Be in the company of successful and positive people

• Believe in yourself and your confidence will grow

• Dress in cheerful colours to enhance your self esteem

• Avoid events that dampen your mood and feelings

• Smile more often and accept compliments gracefully

• Start each day with hope and self-assurance

• Keep your inner voice poistive and remove self doubt

• Stop worrying and change the way you perceive yourself

• Don't allow external situations to disturb your focus and goals

• Be appreciative with what you have, because insecurity ruins confidence

• Tell yourself you are creative, strong, smart, beautiful and talented until you believe it.

Don' give up hope....life is precious...there is light at the end of the tunnel no matter how down you are.