2012 ~ Healthy Living

Monday, 31 December 2012

Water

Just how much water one needs? Well, according to bodyandsoul.com.au:

•Men: 2.6 litres a day – about 10 cups. •Women: 2.1 litres a day – about 8 cups. •Pregnant women: 2.3 litres a day – about 9 cups. •Boys 14-18: 1.9 litres a day – 7-8 cups. •Boys 9-13: 1.6 litres a day – about 6 cups. •Girls 14-18: 1.6 litres a day – about 6 cups. •Girls 9-13: 1.4 litres a day – 5-6 cups. •Children 4-8: 1.2 litres a day – about 5 cups. •Toddlers 1-3: 1 litre a day – about 4 cups.

We all know that water is important. For once, it hydrates us and when one is hydrated all the bodily functions are then facilitated. In as much like business card printer to businesses, it's the fuel or the start.

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M for

...magnesium. What does it do.

What is it? Magnesium is an essential mineral required by every organ in the body for a range of activities including bone, protein and fatty acid formation. It is also essential in activating vitamins B and D, relaxing muscles, regulating calcium levels and helping blood to clot and is required for the secretion of insulin. Many of us do not get enough magnesium in our diets. Adults require about 300 to 400 milligrams a day.

Where is it found?
Magnesium is found in varying levels in nuts, wholegrains, dark green vegetables, fish and meat. Rich sources include pumpkin and sunflower seeds, bran, tofu, potatoes, spinach and baked beans. The pros • Extensive research is continuing into magnesium's health benefits, but researchers believe maintaining adequate levels is beneficial in treating and managing the following conditions: asthma, diabetes, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, migraines, osteoporosis, pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension), premenstrual tension and restless leg syndrome. •Some studies indicate that magnesium deficiency increases the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis and increasing magnesium intake may prevent the bone loss that leads to osteoporosis. •Magnesium is also thought to play a role in the sleep cycle. The cons •There are no negative aspects to maintaining sufficient magnesium levels through diet or supplementation, but excessive supplementation can lead to diarrheoa and stomach upsets. •Magnesium supplements can interfere with certain medications, so check with your doctor before taking supplements. When not to take it People with kidney or heart disease should consult their doctor before taking magnesium supplements. How to take it Everyone needs to make sure they have adequate magnesium levels. See a dietitian if you think you do not get enough from your diet. Too much stress, processed food, caffeine and alcohol, or heavy periods, can lower your levels. It's relatively easy to become mildly deficient in magnesium, but simple dietary changes or supplements can restore your levels. Magnesium chloride supplements are generally considered to be the form that allow for the greatest uptake and availability. bodyandsoul.com.au
So eat up and stand like peerless mount for being healthy.

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For the Hair

Been having hair issues due to too much foreign elements on it? Here are some tips from bodyandsoul.com.au:

Problem: DIY hair colour leaves you with orange locks When turning darker shades blonde, there are several stages of lightening involved. One of these is orange. People often rinse away the formula too early when they check the strand and see the clownish colour. The solution? See a professional. “A colourist at a salon will tone the hair and colour-correct,” says Hollywood hairdresser David Babaii, who styles the strands of Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow. “Bleach is extremely damaging to the hair so you need to get moisture back into it. Use an intensive treatment and make regular use of leave-in hair oil and in future, remember that if you’re making a dramatic change, you need to see a professional.” Try: Burt’s Bees Avocado Butter Hair Treatment, $19.95, www.burtsbees.com Problem: Oily roots, dry ends As the elements dry out the ends of your hair, excessive sebum flow (due to the warm weather and perspiration) leaves your scalp an oil slick. Use a mild, balancing but hydrating shampoo and conditioner, backed up with treatments. “You need to rebalance the moisture content of your hair,” Babaii says. “Apply treatment oils to the mid-lengths and ends of hair and keep rich oil- or moisture-based products away from the roots. Get regular trims to eliminate dry, broken ends.” Try: Endota Native Mint Condition-dota and Shamperfect, $23 each, www.endota.com.au Problem: Over-processed, bleached hair Hair like this is prone to breaking, so you need to strengthen and hydrate it. Have your hairdresser cut away as much damage as possible, while maintaining a hairstyle you’re happy with. Then, put back what chemical processing has stripped out. “Use a shampoo and conditioner with nourishing ingredients,” Babaii says. “Use an intensive treatment in place of conditioner for one week. Choose one that is keratin-based for strength, but that also has moisturising benefits. “Try hair oil as a treatment. Coat dry hair and leave it overnight. In the morning, shampoo and condition as normal.” Try: David Babaii Miracle Elixir, $29.95, 1300 387 204.

But I would suggest to just wear your hair naturally and don't over style it. I think the hair with less style is the strongest and healthiest and is the best to look at. I suppose one has to find the delrin levers of being fashionable, that is cosmetics.

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Distinct Smell

I read last week that the most important essence in making the Channel No 5 perfume cause allergy to some users and there are plans to change to synthetic. Come on. I don't own one yet and I have a desire to own at least a small bottle - that's along the list to buy pet beds. :) Then came the latest advert with Brad P in it. Come on, again! Can he sell it? The brand is already known for what it is and then came the nonsense. I read the comments in the youtube video and they are hilarious. I have always been captivated by the ad though.

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Meat Loaf

Could this be it? The recipe, I mean. I have always wanted to learn to cook meat loaf but I can't find an enough to do recipe. This one looks easy enough to prepare but the downfall or my downfall is, there are so many ingredients. Sometimes, I am wondering why life can't be like maxon rtd800 at musicians friend - hummming.. :)

PAUL'S MEATLOAF & MUSHROOM SAUCE Serves 6-8 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 15 minutes Skills needed: Basic 1 tbsp olive oil 1 medium Spanish onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 eggs, beaten 1 bunch thyme leaves, chopped 3 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce 240ml cup milk 1kg ground meat (equal parts beef, pork, and veal preferred) 65g breadcrumbs 2 bunches sage, minced 1 tbsp coarse salt 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 170g streaky bacon or pancetta, thinly sliced MUSHROOM SAUCE 3 tbsp butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 6 shallots, finely chopped 6 portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced 250ml beef or chicken gravy 28g dried porcini mushrooms 50ml red wine vinegar 100g sugar 1 x 330ml bottle of stout, Amber ale or sherry Preheat the oven to 180C. Pour the oil into a saute pan and set over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a mixing bowl, stir together eggs, thyme, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and milk. Place the mince into another bowl and pour egg mixture over the meat. Add breadcrumbs, sage, onion and garlic to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Knead the meat together with the other ingredients until well blended. Transfer to a baking tray and form into a loaf. Wrap the bacon slices lengthwise over the top and tuck them under the loaf, to completely cover the meat. Bake for 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre of the loaf reads 160C. Remove from the oven and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve with mushroom sauce and mashed vegetables such as celeriac or swede To prepare the mushroom sauce: Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a saute pan, add the garlic, shallots and portobellos, and saute until soft. Bring the gravy to a boil in another saucepan, and reduce by a quarter. Remove from heat and add ground porcini. Add vinegar and sugar to the mushrooms, reduce to syrup. Add the beer, reduce. Add the gravy, place saucepan over low heat, and stir until gravy thickens. Stir in remaining butter just before serving. Read more: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/meatloaf-the-house-special/story-fneuz8wn-1226435897295#ixzz28ZLK7wdl

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Updates on Houses

Planning to sell you house or simple just to update things to make them look exciting and with life? Here are some tips from news.com.au. Certainly, the previous owner of our house did most of these and it was a quick sell for them. We instantly fall in love with the place. I'd say people into best promotional polo shirts can learn some tips from them.

2. Refresh with paint Painting the interior can lift the mood of your house and it’s inexpensive if you’re willing to do the work. If your budget allows, tackle walls yourself and get professionals in to do the ceilings, as these can be hard going on the neck. You might be able to get away with giving skirting boards, doors and window and door frames a good clean with sugar soap or a natural alternative such as washing soda. If you’re taking the DIY approach, tackle one room at a time. Choose a warm, dry day to start, move all of your furniture into the middle of the room and do the first coat in the morning. As most paint needs only a few hours between coats, you can do the second later in the day and have the room finished by the evening. Bigger rooms will take more time of course, but the one-room-at-a-time method limits disruption. 3. Update flooring Getting carpets cleaned can make a huge amount of difference to the look (and smell) of a home, so calling in the professionals is well worth considering. However, no amount of cleaning is going to lift a floor covering beyond its use-by date, so it may be time to replace what you’ve got. If floorboards are showing a little too much wear and tear, have them re-sanded, which opens up myriad options as you could have them lime washed, stained, painted or simply resealed. If you decide to rip up old carpet and find old dirty floorboards underneath, mix up a solution of boiled linseed oil, turpentine and white vinegar in equal parts and test a patch with a lint-free cloth to clean and feed the timber. If the wood looks good, you may have unearthed a gem. 9. Fit new taps If the bathroom and kitchen are basically in good shape but just in need of a little updating, look at the taps. By fitting new, good-looking, matching taps, or taps that link aesthetically, you’re bringing a sense of cohesion to the house. Good taps also suggest good plumbing. 10. Groom the garden Winter is the perfect time to pull on the garden gloves and get stuck into the back yard. After a general tidy up, look at any gaps in planting that need to be dealt with. If you’re putting the house up for sale, gather reasonably established potted plants to fill up these holes as you can take them with you when you go. Get hold of a high-pressure hose and give paths and paintwork the once-over. Clean the barbecue and give outdoor furniture a scrub and, if needed, an oil, as spring is just around the corner. Read more: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/ten-ways-to-add-value-to-your-home/story-fneuz5ql-1226440435567#ixzz28ZHhk9ca

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Savoury

This news should make critic happy. I reckon, with the bombardment of the media of all the not so happy news on people's health and weight.. one has taken notice. Some things are not as hard as rocket science and as expensive as diamond blades. Somethings are just a walk in the park if coupled with determination.

AUSTRALIANS are becoming increasingly sweet on savoury foods, with new data showing we're consuming over 25 per cent less sugar than 60 years ago. A report shows sugar consumption in 2011 was 42kg per person, down from 57kg per person in 1951 when Australia's sweet tooth was at its sweetest. The report - Sugar Consumption in Australia: A Statistical Update - also found there has been a sharp nine per cent decline since 2004 when every Australian, on average, was absorbing 46kg of sugar. The report, compiled by Green Pool, has taken all aspects of sugar consumption into account. "Our calculations... include household use, processed foods and beverages, takeaways, convenience foods and restaurant meals," Green Pool spokesman Tom McNeill said. "Imports and exports of sugar and sugar-containing manufactured foods and beverages were also assessed." The report is the first independent assessment of sugar consumption trends since the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) stopped examining the field in 1999. Read more: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health-fitness/australians-are-losing-their-sweet-tooth/story-fneuzkvr-1226488927664#ixzz28ZFlimEz

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Brown Eyed Girl

Well, mine is really more blackish but this is the closest. I don't mind the description on the latter part though. The quick on your feet is so apt. I am not bragging but I am an excellent problem solver. I like challenge. I can say I am clear headed in crisis - maybe detached unless I am into best selling audio books.

[url=http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyoureyecolorsayaboutyouquiz/results/?result=5][b]Your Brown Eyes Say You're Clever and Witty[/b][/url] [img]http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatdoesyoureyecolorsayaboutyouquiz/brown-eyes.jpg[/img] You are seen as brilliant and irreverent. You speak your mind, and people love you for it. You don't let other people see any insecurities you might have. You like to present a brave front. You are sharp as a tack and very quick on your feet. You're the first to get or tell a joke. You are also clear thinking in a crisis. You are an excellent problem solver. [url=http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyoureyecolorsayaboutyouquiz/]What Does Your Eye Color Say About You?[/url] [url=http://www.blogthings.com]Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet[/url]

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Why do I feel Cold?

.. than Mcj most of the times? So here's the reason why according to bodyandsoul.com.au.

According to many researchers, women feel the cold more than males, but their bodies are better at conserving heat when the weather turns colder. They are able to do this by shutting off blood flow to the skin and extremities to maintain their core temperature at 37 degrees. A drop below 35 degrees can cause hypothermia. As most of our biological temperature sensors are located in the skin, we feel cold if our extremities are cold, however warm our internal organs may be. Associate Professor Nigel Taylor, at the University of Wollongong's School of Health Sciences, is an expert on human temperature regulation and has studied the differences between men and women's reactions to the cold. "The main difference is the way we lay down subcutaneous fat [the layer of fat below the skin]," Associate Professor Taylor says. "An average woman will have a more even distribution of fat just below the skin surface, whereas this is thinner for guys. "This is partly because an average woman might have 20 to 25 per cent body fat, whereas an average guy might have about 15 per cent. When we get cold, we conserve heat by reducing the blood flow to the skin. "When a woman reduces the blood flow to the skin, the temperature of the skin drops as the blood has been moved below her layer of fat. "A man will tend not to experience such a big change as a female, because he doesn't have the same distribution of fat. This is why skin temperature is, on average, cooler for a woman than a man."

In my case, I am always cold. Maybe if I am active all the time.. playing music or being a dj (with musicians friend dj controller) I won't feel the cold as much. That's another story though.

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Early Birds

I can say that I am a morning person as I can't be a night owl. I am already grumpy at 10PM. But at times, waking and getting up early do not come without battles. I may be awake but I keep on hitting the snooze. Here are some tips from bodyandsoul.com.au.

Rise and shine If you're determined to be a morning person, you have to kiss the snooze button goodbye. "It's better to set your alarm for the time you really want to get out of bed," Associate Professor Kennedy says. "You need to mentally tell yourself before you go to bed, 'I have to get up at this time', rather than thinking, 'When the alarm goes off I might get up, or I might turn it down'."
It could also be worth turning up your alarm. "I usually put my alarm on loud if I have an important early start," he says. Brabon, who gets up at 4am to set up for boot camp, says early risers need to be organised. "I have all my gym clothes laid out and I make sure my lunch is ready," she says.
And she promises it does get easier. "The first two weeks are always the hardest," she admits. "But it's worth it – you're up and you're motivated to do something for yourself that puts you ahead of everybody else who is lying in bed."

And maybe reward yourself of a carrera tag heuer when you have been very good at it.

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Changes

The Tatapilla had a dental appointment last weekend and the result bothered me a bit and the recommended procedure was not to my liking that I ignored it. Instead, we are undergoing a few changes on his diet especially on sweets. You see, we have very liberal rules on food at home. We don't buy as much sweets but sometimes we indulge.
These days, the juice and any drinks he may have will not have added sugar. No lollies for several days now. And brushing peggies often. I bought him tooth mousse that we apply locally - contains vitamins that are essential to the growing teeth.
We just need to be consistent and I believe that we can counteract whatever defect his peggies now have. They might not get better but my hope is for them not to get worst either. Besides, he will be losing his milk teeth soon anyway. Hopefully, we will not be meeting somebody with jobst compression stockings in the very near future.

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Sweet and Sour

This morning, my colleague was treating us to a morning tea and asked what do we prefer, type of cake that is. I volunteered something sweet with sour note on it. See I can't have of one thing in big doses at one time. I prefer eating sweet, sour and salty then I can eat lots of each. This recipe from taste.com.au will surely light my bulb so to speak.

The classic combination of strawberries and cream in a baked pastry shell. Bon appetit! Preparation Time 785 minutes Cooking Time 18 minutes Ingredients (serves 6) 1 1/3 cups plain flour 2 tablespoons caster sugar 90g butter, chilled, chopped 1 egg 250g cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup icing sugar 1 teaspoon rum 500g small strawberries, hulled 1/4 cup strawberry jam, warmed Method Process flour, caster sugar and butter in a food processor until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add egg. Process until pastry just comes together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth. Press into a 10cm (diameter) disc. Wrap in greaseproof paper. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Place a baking tray into oven. Preheat oven and tray to 200°C. Roll out pastry on a floured surface to a 5mm-thick round. Line a 3cm deep, 19cm (base) loose-based tart pan with pastry. Refrigerate for 5 minutes. Line pastry case with baking paper. Fill with raw rice. Place onto hot baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are light golden. Remove baking paper and rice. Bake for a further 8 to 10 minutes or until pastry case is light golden. Set aside to cool. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sour cream, icing sugar and rum until smooth. Spread mixture in cold pastry case. Top with strawberries. Brush with warm jam. Cover. Refrigerate overnight. Serve.

If only, it is easy to make or a quick one. I suppose, one that is so delectable will not be that simple to make. It's not as if everything is like customized gift cards by plastic printers. Pffftttt!

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Dandruff Cure

This is indeed interesting. I reckon healthy diet will extremely help on this condition. Stress adds up to the build up of flakes on the head and any part of the body, this is based on my experience so having a stress-free life will lessen it. All those tangled cable trays have to be treated with clear mind.

Dandruff affects one in five Australians. You can't catch it from someone else, nor is it a sign of poor hygiene. It is caused by a small yeast organism, Pityrosporum ovale. This instigates an increased turnover of scalp cells, causing them to flake off. Though normally confined to the scalp, it can also occur around the eyebrows and behind the ears. Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition closely associated with dandruff. It affects the scalp and eyebrows and may even spread to the cheeks and chest. In babies, it is known as cradle cap. For both conditions, the treatment is the same. Mix 100ml coconut oil, 20 drops lemon oil, 20 drops tea tree oil, 10 drops lavender oil, five drops thyme oil and 10 drops liquid selenium (if available). Once or twice a week, massage 5ml to 10ml of the mixture into the scalp before bed and wear a scarf or cover the pillow with a towel. In the morning, wash your hair with a gentle baby shampoo and conditioner. A daily five- to 10-minute head massage will relax the scalp and improve circulation. Using the pads of all fingers, firmly press down and move in small rotating circles in a clockwise direction, moving the scalp skin and the thin layer of muscle that covers the skull. Scalp skin is no different from other skin and will benefit from a diet and supplements that support healthy skin. Increase the following: Essential fatty acids: Nuts, seeds, fish, olive oil, avocados. Beta-carotene and vitamin A: Liver, cod liver oil, broccoli, spinach, carrots, sweet potato. Zinc: Red meat, oysters, seafood, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, wholegrains. Selenium: Brazil nuts, seafood, wheat germ. Avoid fungal-promoting foods such as sugar, wine, beer, yeast spreads, grapes and melons. Eat plenty of garlic and onion. Got a question for our naturopath? Ask Mim Beim here. Find out more about Mim Beim.

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Bed Sharing

I let the Tatapilla slept with us when he was baby for exactly the reason that they want to discourage it. My feelings was, I want to see and feel my child all the time. Although that his cot was in our room, I still want to see and feel him even when I was in bed. As a new mum, despite being a deep sleeper I was able to know how he was doing at night. It made me feel at ease knowing he is okay. We didn't bother with a baby monitor or some sort of techies like headamp 6 pro. I was hands-on and very literally. I suppose, to each her own. And I have always believed, it boils down to what type of person you are that will suit you.

PARENTS who share a bed with their baby are putting their child's life in danger, with calls for an urgent review into the "inherently dangerous" practice. In an unprecedented and blunt warning to parents, Coroner John Olle yesterday said sleeping with babies was a potential death trap - yet parents every day put their child's life at risk through lack of awareness. From 2008 to 2010, suffocation from sleeping with an adult was the cause of more than half of all sudden infant deaths in NSW. In the Victorian Coroner's Court, Mr Olle investigated four cases of babies who died of SIDS - each of them having shared a bed with a parent just before or at the time of their death. "I am satisfied sharing a sleep surface with an infant is an inherently dangerous activity," Mr Olle said. "Caregiver/infant sharing of ... beds, sofas, mattresses and armchairs, increases the risk of infant death from a fatal sleep accident and may increase the risk of infant death from SIDS."

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Lamb Chops Grilled

We thought, we'd like new recipes for lamp chops, steak and pork chops instead of braised everything. This one, I have tested and the cooking time has to be upped by 3 times as we want our lamb really well done and of course tender at the same time. I found this recipe in about.com while surfing for stuff like FragranceExpress.com for perfume, etc.

This is a quick way to make delicious lamb chops. The combination of flavors will make those who don't like lamb come back for more. Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes Yield: Serves 4 Ingredients: 10 lamb rib chops 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped 1 tablespoon honey 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon dried oregano salt and pepper to taste Preparation: Place lamb chops in a shallow baking dish or resealable. Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, rosemary, honey, mustard, oregano, salt and pepper and pour over chops. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat grill. Grill chops over a medium high heat for about 5 minutes per side on until browned to desired doneness.

I'd recommend it. The herbs are really nicely blended in this.

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Brushing

Do you leave an hour before you brush after a eating? Here's why you should. Most of us brush our teeth more than the daily recommended amount, dentists warn. And it’s doing our teeth more harm than good. Brushing within half an hour of eating a meal or drinking a cup of coffee could ensure your teeth suffer worse damage. After drinking fizzy or acidic drinks, the acid burns into the enamel of your teeth – and the layer below the enamel, called "dentin". Brushing at the "wrong" time – particularly within 20 minutes of finishing a meal – can drive the acid deeper into your teeth, corroding them far faster than they would have rotted by themselves. "However, after intra-oral periods of 30 and 60 min, wear was not significantly higher than in unbrushed controls," say the researchers. "It is concluded that for protection of dentin surfaces at least 30 min should elapse before toothbrushing after an erosive attack."

I've heard this before but I was not really aware what it's all about. I suppose, you brush your teeth whenever you can and you don't have to wait for 30 minutes lapse. But if you have time to spare, better fix that flat panel TV stands and then brush peggies. source: bodyandsoul.com.au

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Eat Fiber

I am not a fan of stringy food - I just don't like the texture of the food in my mouth. The best that I can do with food rich in fibre is eat fruit and veggies. Although, I have to really force myself to eat more. These reasons are just few of them. I know there are more. For now, I'm off to make breakfast with fibre at least while thinking about that Bose PA Speakers which I really don't need.

Fibre lowers cholesterol High cholesterol levels can lead to clogged arteries and a greater risk of heart disease, which kills more than 46,000 Australians a year. Thankfully, fibre can help. "Beta-glucan, a type of soluble fibre, binds to bile acids in your small intestines," Orla Hugueniot, a nutritionist with Nutrition Australia, says. "Bile acids normally carry LDL, the bad kind of cholesterol, into your body. Beta-glucan helps the acids excrete, rather than re-entering the body." Oats and barley are rich in beta-glucan. "Increase this type of fibre and you'll quickly see an effect. Just how quickly depends on whether you're on cholesterol-lowering medication, and how much saturated fat you're having in your diet," Hugueniot says. 2 Fibre helps you lose weight Being overweight or obese dramatically increases your risk of a range of life-threatening diseases, from cancer to heart disease and diabetes. "Fibre helps with weight loss because high-fibre foods keep you fuller for longer," Hugueniot says. "You're less likely to eat energy-dense or fatty foods." Switching to high-fibre foods is also a simple way to modify your diet without having to count calories. 3 Fibre prevents and manages diabetes All types of fibre help those with diabetes (types 1 and 2) and pre-diabetes, Hugueniot says. "Soluble fibre slows down absorption of carbohydrates in the stomach, which helps regulate blood-sugar levels, a fundamental part of preventing and managing diabetes." Soluble fibre's effect on cholesterol is also useful for diabetics, as they often have higher LDL levels than non-diabetics. Insoluble fibre is also associated with controlling diabetes, but we don't know exactly why yet, Hugueniot says. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, diabetes contributes to almost 15,000 deaths in Australia a year. Diabetes can result in heart disease, circulatory problems and other health complications. 4 Fibre prevents colon cancer "Fibre increases the levels of the friendly bowel bacteria butyrate, which plays a role in preventing colon cancer," Hugueniot says. "Fibre also dilutes carcinogens and other harmful substances in our gut, and pushes them out of our body quicker, reducing our colon's exposure to them." Fibre-rich foods also tend to be high in antioxidants, which give general protection against cancer. 5 Fibre relieves constipation This isn't a life-threatening condition, but any sufferer will tell you it affects your quality of life significantly. It can also lead to more painful conditions such as haemorrhoids and diverticulitis, Hugueniot says. "It all comes back to digestion. If you have enough fibre in your diet, you'll have better overall digestive health." All types of fibre help – soluble fibre softens the stool, while insoluble fibre adds bulk. Both make bowel movements easier and more regular.

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Lemon-y

while I am at the topic of home scent and since I have ruled-out the use of scented candles, I must use home made non-toxic sorts. I know that lemon makes an excellent scent. It's just a matter of knowing how to make one. Found this simple way of making the home smell fresh from Our Red House blog.

Make a room deodoriser: Mix the juice of one lemon with 1L strong tea. Strain and store in an old spray bottle. Spray into rooms to make them smell fresh.

I have read a week ago that you can also mix the lemon juice to bicarbonate soda and store it in a container - this I presume to stop the lemon from smelling rotten. Here's more tips on how to use lemons.

Make a sweet treat: think lemon coconut slice, lemon tart, Moroccan lemon cake, lemon syrup cake, melting moments with lemon cream, lemon delicious pudding (an Aussie fave)or lemon meringue pie. Squeeze some lemon juice on fish, the only accompaniment that fresh fish needs. Preserve them: Sweet tooths will like lemon butter or curd, while savoury types may prefer to preserve them with salt the Moroccan way. Freeze the juice in ice cube trays for later use. The juice can also be used to make lemon cordial and home-made lemonade. Once the juice is frozen, the skins can be candied for use in cakes. Make a room deodoriser: Mix the juice of one lemon with 1L strong tea. Strain and store in an old spray bottle. Spray into rooms to make them smell fresh. Soak a lemon in lukewarm water. Squeeze out the skin and discard. Use as a hair rinse after shampooing. For a sore throat, make up a mixture of lemon juice, sage tea and honey and gargle before going to bed. Use half a lemon dipped in salt to clean brassware. A lemon can also be used to clean silver. A few drops of lemon juice will shine shoes.

Mind you, don't let the lemon drop on to your ipad screen while you're busy browsing and preparing for your lemon stuff. Would you need another lemon to clean it?

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Coffee?

Well, the coffee lovers will certainly rethink about their coffee consumption if this study is indeed true. I suppose there are upside and down to anything that we enjoy. And I thought, it was because of the saxophone strap or having a baby that caused mine to be the way they are. Go figure.

Coffee shrinks breasts: study Drinking just three cups of coffee a day can make women's breasts shrink, researchers say. Nearly 300 women were surveyed about their bust measurements and how many cups of coffee they drank in an average day. According to the Swedish researchers, three cups a day was enough to start making breasts shrink, with the effects increasing for every cup drunk. They said there was a clear link between drinking coffee and smaller breasts, as about half of women possessed a gene shown to link breast size to coffee intake. "Drinking coffee can have a major effect on breast size," said Helena Jernstroem, a lecturer in experimental oncology at Lund University in Sweden. "Coffee-drinking women do not have to worry their breasts will shrink to nothing overnight. They will get smaller, but the breasts aren't just going to disappear. "However, anyone who thinks they can tell which women are coffee drinkers just from their bra measurements will be disappointed. The problem is that there are two measures for a bra - the cup size and the girth - so you wouldn't be able to tell." It was not all bad news for women, as the researchers also found that regular hits of caffeine could help to cut the risk of breast cancer.

***** from taste.com.au

Happy Mother's Day

Today is my 5th Mother's Day. I am a not so maudlin type of person but I also admire and cherish this day. What I actually think is everyday should be Mother's day that's why we don't particularly celebrate occasion like this one. But I do wish some of these in the kidspot.com.au wishlist - they're not as expensive as a water fountain.

1. Vegetables as appealing as junk food Vegetables are not a sign of hate on a dinner plate. Kids, please eat them. Nothing makes a mother’s heart feel fuller than knowing a child is eating their full nutritional requirements. 2. A self-driving car Luckily Google is already on the case with inventing a driverless car. Just imagine being able to kick back in the passenger seat with a magazine and a beverage rather than yelling at the kids to be quiet and stop dropping more biscuit crumbs into the seat crevasses? 3. Full breakfast, French-style? As lovely as cold, burned sausages are for Mother’s Day breakfast, justb’s Pip Lincolne proclaims she only wants the jammy, buttery full French pastry breakfast option. And a French manicure too, please? And a French accent? French fries, even? 4. Bespoke, streamlined storage What woman with children does not sigh at the sight of streamlined storage? As Edible Garbage blogger Penny Flanagan says, “Storage has to be sleek and ‘bespoke’ so you can add quirky clutter and make everything look like a Pinterest picture “. Storage is also useful to allow mothers to delude themselves into a state of organisation. 5. A midnight sheet-changer An automatic sheet-changer should be mandatory in all households to solve those middle-of-the-night vomits, bedwetting or nappy explosions. A sheet-changer whose name isn’t mum, that is. 6. An eye in the palm of your hand Many mothers already have eyes in the back of their head, but think how useful an eye in the palm of your hand could be? You could be settling a baby over your shoulder and stretch out your hand to check if said baby is actually sleeping or about to wake up all over again. An eye in the palm of your hand would also be periscopey and perfect in the car when there is a wild rumpus in the backseat. 7. Narnia wardrobe Because who wouldn’t want a magical world of stylish clothes to appear when you open the wardrobe? Sometimes it would be nice to put on something fabulous, sneak away through the back of the wardrobe and do something wild like eat cake with a topless fella. If you can’t whip up a magic wardrobe, perhaps bake her this cake? 8. Guilt banishment Mums carry the weight of the world in their hearts. Whether they do A or do B, they will feel guilty. Even doing C will bring on the hot sweats and the ‘I should have’s. There is never a ‘right’ decision when it comes to their children … only a decision that needs revising every second or so. A guilt-free conscience really would be the gift that keeps on giving. 9. A nose-wiping machine Simply position the child’s streaming face in front of the machine, press ‘start’ and the Nose-Wiper (patent pending) does this tricky, thankless job for you. No mess, no endless hand-washing. 10. Unshared bathrooms Some alone time in the bathroom without little people pointing and asking ‘wot dat?’ would be bliss. Even an a shower long enough to conduct some maintenance – a grease and oil change if you will – where all shaveable bits can be shorn, flesh exfoliated, hair treated and entirely rinsed out and blow-dried. If you can’t rustle up any alonetime bathroom action, a holiday will suffice. 11. X-ray vision for school or kinder bags Essential for spotting notices (or mouldering food) in children’s bags whilst holding cup of coffee in one hand, tin of dog food in other and piece of Vegemite toast in mouth. Maybe a new cute coffee cup would be a good idea, too. 12. Secret hidey hole To stow favourite snacks in, because mum does get a bit tired of trying to find healthy treats the kids like (she doesn’t really ENJOY those chocolate-coated prunes hiding in the bread bin, you know?). And this secret hidey hole will not contain chocolate-flavoured worming squares, either. 13. A conversation concierge Mothers are boringly exhausted much of the time and would like someone to distill all the best things, thoughts, facts and places into bite-size pieces that can be recalled at just the right moment in an adult conversation. 14. No more degenerative disease While most mothers can cure anything with a kiss, we’re looking for that special person who can cure dementia. Kidspot’s community manager Tracy Hardy wants her mother back, please. 15. A lifetime of good hair days A space-aged pod which can fancy up hair and face in 30 seconds flat, thanks. This pod should sprout encouraging affirmations and pluck stray hairs from a chin or eyebrow. Alternatively, a Beauty Editor like Nikki Yazxhi to stow under the bed, like a tricksy trundle would work too. 16. Silence Most mothers have forgotten what it’s like. Go on, indulge her. 17. Terrariums A glass-encased indoor plant is the new millenium version of the African violet. All good mothers deserve the chance to kill house plants. 18. A zen sleep master One that wakes up and deals with the issues when a little one refuses to sleep and mum is too tired to face another broken night. 19. Mini Martha Stewart When there are not enough hours in the day, get her a Martha Stewart Mini-Me! Wind up this Mini-Martha and watch her whisk, stitch, dig and craft the bejeezus out of your home. Mini-Martha might even clean the windows. When you find this Mini-Martha, please send her to Kidspot. 20. iTechnology The Kidspot team deemed iGifts as top of their Mother’s Day wishlists this year – iPhones, iPads, iPods, iMacs and even iTunes gift cards hold more appeal than any old toaster or pair of slippers. Now there’s another iGift, the iRobot Roomba 530, a robot vacuum cleaner that scoots around the house cleaning up after messy people. Go on, tell us what you’d put on your fantasy Mother’s Day wish list? PS: Huge thanks to Pip Lincolne, Bronwyn Mandile, Ella Walsh, Linda Drummond, Rebel Wylie, Tracy Hardy and the Kidspot mothers who helped compile this list.

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Ambience

Does the ambience on the dining area affects your appetite? It surely does to me. I like a homey feel, a lived-in surrounds. Well, the food is not a question here. I like the smell of cleanical, hotel place but I still like the feel of homes.

I want a lot of space but if that is not possible, just a relaxing atmosphere is good. Currently, we don't have a patio dining table but I'll surely have one in the future when we have cleared out all the stuff in our entertainment area.

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Stretching

There's a big question of when to do stretching. Before or after the exercise. According to bodyandsoul.com.au, both can be good. Unless of course, sitting on afolding Adirondack chair is your next activity.

By Wendi Carroll "First published: April 8th, 2012" More How to avoid a sporting injury Stretch during the ad break Top five stretches Stay injury free when training 5 ways stretching benefits your health The stretch debate When is the best time to stretch? At what point in your workout will stretching your muscles benefit you the most? Stretching offers many benefits: mobility, injury prevention and stress relief to name a few. But when exercising, is it better to stretch before or after? The answer is both. Before exercise you need to warm up and dynamic stretching can be combined as part of the warm-up. The goal is to get the blood flowing and raise your body temperature a little. It's important to have your muscles, ligaments and joints experience the functional range of motion required of your sport during the warm-up. Movements such as arm circles, torso twists and hip rotations are examples of dynamic stretches. After your workout, it's time for static stretching. This is the time to relax, wind down and improve flexibility. Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds and stretch consistently to see results. Focus on breathing during the stretch, using each exhalation to go a little further. Yoga is one of the best ways to include stretching in your workout. If you don't know where to start with stretching, a personal trainer can work out a stretching plan that suits your needs. By Wendi Carroll, Fitness First instructor.

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Takeaway

Most people who are weight conscious don't each much takeway. I'd say deprive but it may sound too strong - it just applies to me anyway. I like my takeaway a lot. But according to bodyandsoul.com.au, there are takeaways that you can enjoy every week. One is pizza. Pizza is really easy to make - and you can load it up with more veggies. And one can make it while checking up steel building specials.

Four slices of pizza each week Pizza doesn’t need mountains of processed meat and cheese to taste good. Accredited Practising Dietitian Margaret Hays says homemade pizzas contain far less calories and saturated fat than takeaway versions, and are a great way to increase your vegetable and vitamin intake. “If you’ve got a breadmaker you can make your own dough,” she says. “Or just buy pizza bases or pita bread. You’ll get more fibre and B vitamins with wholemeal bases.” To make a healthy pizza, cover the base in tomato passata and sprinkle vegies like pumpkin, mushrooms, capsicum and a little cheese on top. “You don’t have to go for low fat cheese, just use half a cup of cheese on a large pizza,” Hays says. Compared to most takeaway, this recipe contains less salt and saturated fat, plus it will give you a hit of folate, vitamin A and fibre.

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Treating Head Lice

For some parents, head lice is a big problem especially for girls. For now, I can say I am lucky as my little man has not enough hair to grow lice. But I can use this advise from bodyandsoul.com.au - just like high t review can benefit many those who wants to grow muscles.

Follow these steps at the first sign of head lice. Dr Cindy Pan discusses how to detect and treat head lice. (Q) There is a head lice outbreak at my child's school. What's the best treatment? (A) First, determine whether your child or any other family members (including yourself, I'm afraid) are affected. There may be symptoms such as itchiness. However, this can take weeks to develop, so don't wait for the presence of itch to make the diagnosis. Neither can you rely on seeing little lice running around on the scalp. They are so small it is hard to see them unless you have an extremely heavy infestation. The best way to detect head lice is to saturate the hair with conditioner (any cheap, light-coloured variety will do), then meticulously comb through the hair with a good-quality, fine-toothed metal nit comb. You can buy these inexpensive combs from pharmacies. Wipe the conditioner from the comb onto white paper towel and inspect for lice or eggs. Adult lice are little dark-brown insects about two millimetres long and hatchlings are lighter brown and smaller. The eggs (known as nits) are grey-white, up to two millimetres in length and attached to the hair shaft. You need to do this in good light (ideally bright sunlight) and a magnifying glass can really help.

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Balance

Yes, that word is really elusive yet everyone values it. But how do you define balance. I reckon, to each his own. I am not an expert on this topic and my process is a work in progress, but I am at the level where I feel as a family, we are alright. My secret, everything is routine. Unplanned activities are very rare. Mcj does a lot too, I wouldn't discount him doing some checking on the weber grill sale for lots of "daddy-cooking time".

Put yourself at the top of your to-do list "If you don't take care of yourself first, you won’t be able to do a good job of taking care of everybody," says Chanler, a mother of two. She likens self-care to the oxygen mask demonstration on aeroplanes. Although it feels counterintuitive, you are instructed to strap your mask on first, before your child's. That means that if, for example, you have a choice between doing the dishes or strolling with your baby, take the walk. Block out an hour in your diary each week for yourself and arrange your own play dates with friends at least once a month, too. "Parenting can be isolating, but other mums can give you help with issues you're facing and make you realise you're not alone. Friends who don’t have kids can help you connect with a part of yourself that existed before you had a family," Chanler says. Don't be a the clean Queen Full-time working women do over 33 hours of domestic chores weekly, while their male counterparts do about 16, according to a study published in Women Don’t Ask (Bantam) by Linda Babcock, Professor of Economics at Carnegie Mellon University in the US. To end the dreaded second shift, let some of the housework slide or ask your spouse and your kids for help. Doing chores actually helps build a child’s sense of competence. And if your standards are exacting, lower them.

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Tired and with Tired Skin

Here are very good tips for tired skin:

Increase circulation

You need to boost your circulation to increase blood flow to the cells and restore your skin’s vitality. This will also help perk up your lymphatic system and flush out the fluids and toxins that are causing the dull skin and help to restore your radiance.

Start by drinking a mug of warm water with the juice of half a lemon squeezed into it. Then, before showering, try some gentle exercise that involves jumping or bouncing, such as skipping, jogging on the spot for 10 minutes, or even jumping on a mini trampoline, if you have one. This bouncing motion really helps kick your lymphatic system into gear and flush out waste.

Internal cleansing

Avoid coffee, tea and sugary soft drinks as these will all contribute to your skin looking lacklustre and fatigued. Instead, sip warm water with lemon throughout the day, or enjoy a herbal tea such as dandelion root or peppermint, which will assist with the digestive process and lead to clear skin.

Try to eat a selection of different-coloured vegetables for breakfast – grilled tomato, steamed spinach and mushrooms and a few slices of cucumber make for a healthy meal that is packed with antioxidants and nutrients.

Avoid anything that contains sugar, as it causes inflammation, which is ageing to skin and also contributes to puffiness. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of filtered water each day. At least two litres will leave your skin and eyes sparkling.
Incidental exercise

Try to walk to work or at least get off the bus a few stops earlier than your destination to increase your circulation and get some fresh air. You can take the stairs instead of the lift at work. The exercise will put the colour back in your cheeks and leave you sparkly-eyed and clear-skinned.

These simple steps are great when done religiously. I know there are many of these tips that I need to be doing myself, it needs dedication - which I haven't got. Just like a superstar yoyo, it'll be up and down for me or more my will.

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Movie Munchies

My one-and-a-half men is munching on chocolates while watching a movie. They are developing this habit of being chocoholic. If we were still dating, I wouldn't dare think of chocolate gifts for your boyfriend. I suppose chocolate is good once in a while, when you didn't have pizza for dinner.

Here's a good tip for beating that addiction from bodyandsoul.com.au.

Smart ways to eat chocolate

Limit your Easter intake. Opt for small, hollow or mini eggs. Or try a bar of chocolate. Stick to a few squares at a time, then you won’t go too far off track.
Go dark. Gradually wean your taste buds on to a darker, better quality brand of chocolate that has a high cocoa content (at least 70 per cent). Only enjoy white or milk chocolate occasionally, as they don’t have the same health benefits. Shop at health food stores for healthier, organic chocolate.
Mix it up. Drink cocoa made with skim milk. Indulge in chocolate-dipped strawberries or blueberries, and nuts such as almonds or walnuts. This way you’ll get the taste with fewer calories and fat, while also amping up the antioxidants.

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A LEADER does not need the most experience or best idea in the modern workplace, with leadership also described as taking a stand for what you believe in and generating space for people to think and act differently to create new results.

If you practise key leadership attributes in your day-to-day activities, you can make your move to the top of your food chain.

1. LISTEN

The key to getting other people to listen to you is for them to believe you are listening to them.

Altitude Performance Solutions Leadership coach Dean Evans says "truly" listening to members in your team is one of the greatest leadership skills.

"Good listeners come across as genuinely interested, empathetic and concerned to find out what's going on," he says. "All great leaders have great communication skills."

Create an environment among your colleagues in which problems can be discussed and solutions found and you will stand out from the crowd.

2. DON'T BE AN EXPERT ON EVERYTHING

Leaders often are proficient in an area but those who believe their view and opinion is the "be all and end all" soon lose the attention of the people they want to lead.

"They believe it's better to tell someone what to do or even to do it themselves than give their team the opportunity to develop their own solutions and therefore exercise their creativity," Evans says.

To take the step to be a leader, get the support of your team. Let others put forward suggestions, contribute and support them in their good ideas and they will want to support you.

3. BE CONSTRUCTIVE

Negativity breeds negativity, believes Evans. Being able to provide constructive criticism to others will paint you as someone who encourages and supports others and people will want to get behind you.

4. HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR

"People perform better when they are enjoying themselves," Evans says.

Take the lead by taking the dullness out of the work day. "This does not have to create a flippant atmosphere. Quite the contrary, it is a tenet of team-building," he says.

5. GET THE TIMING RIGHT

"Sometimes leadership may be no more than having a poignant message for a receptive audience at an opportune moment," Evans says. "The right arrow aimed at the right target at the right time.'' Influence, motivate and inspire.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/five-steps-to-become-a-leader/story-e6frfm9r-1226317628980#ixzz1qyT5huwF

I like the 1st and the 5th. Indeed being a leader one does not have to have the highest education level, the most skills or the one who knows everything. Leadership skills is quite distinct with those of geeky nature (like djarum black as of that of other smokes). Not everyone has it.

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Sugar-y

Lately, when the Tatapilla ask for some snacks and when I thought to give him the reign he would suggest sugar-y ones. I suggest the fruit them and explain the simple form of sugar that is present on the fruits. Most of the times I get my way and he'll have half an apple or a handful of grapes.

But there's a wide range of talk about sugar substitutes that are low in calories and carbo. So what are these? My cherry keyboard are all perky for this news.

from bodyandsoul.com.au

Stevia

What is it? A derivation of the Stevia rebaudiuna herb, which is native to Paraguay.

Calories: None and no carbohydrates.

Taste: It is 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. Can have a bitter after-taste but manufacturers are making it less noticeable.

Xylitol

What is it? Known as a sugar alcohol or polyol, it is a natural carbohydrate found in fibrous fruit and vegetables. Produced in the body during normal metabolism, it is commercially extracted from birch tree bark or corn cobs.

Calories: Contains between 1.9 and 2.4 calories per gram – which is 40 per cent less than sugar.

Taste: The same amount of sweetness as sugar.

Imagine if you can your favourite treats without feeling guilty?

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Yoga

I am slowly introducing myself to exercise (yep, never had a routine for one ever) and Mcj mentioned yoga to me one and I thought, I'd give it a try. When I say try, it means reading about it and familiarising myself. Although, I have tried the first yoga pose for 2 nights (and I reaped good results). So far, I have read a bit about it (just like other things, just a bit.. and maybe one to read reviews on phenteripped also. As busy as I am, I have many varied interests. As a result, I don't get to do them all, nonetheless, I have tried.

Anyway, read some tips about yoga from bodyandsoul.com.au blogger:

Tips for this week

• Where possible take full generous breaths in and out of the nose so that we slow the breath down and introduce it to the lower lobes of the lungs, energising the whole body.

• Try connecting movements with the breath. This will take some getting used to if you’re new to yoga but, like anything, it takes practice and will eventually help you flow through the sequence with ease.

• If your lower back is tender please make sure you bend your knees when folding forward and when coming back up to a standing posture switch on your core whilst keeping the knees bent.

I'd say I am having fun but since I haven't got the time to do this most days, I'm slowly getting it.

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Plants indoor

I have always wanted some plants inside the house but I live a somewhat busy and laidback lifestyle that I don't like a lot of maintenance around the house. But for those who wants some, here are some tips for bodyandsoul.com.au.

For the home

Experts recommend the hardy, low-light tolerant peace lilly for your lounge room or hallway.

"If the peace lillies are dying in your home then you shouldn't be in there either!" says building biologist Nicole Bijlsma. "It's a hard plant to kill – it just needs a little bit of water regularly. It's a hardy plant that doesn't require much but gives so much in return."

Horticulturalist Rebecca Mugridge says its lush deep green leaves make the peace lilly soothing to look at and its beautiful white flowers project a tropical oasis feel. "They can take reasonably low light levels and the soft foliage is not likely to spike anyone."

For the kitchen

Bring your kitchen garden indoors to neutralise odours and purify the air. Mugridge recommends a small pot of mint on a well-lit windowsill.

"Mint has been used for many, many years to neutralise odours. There are so many delicious mints easily available now too, even chocolate. You need to trim the plant regularly and if the light isn't quite strong enough have another two plants outside that you can rotate weekly."

I do have some plants at our backdoor entry - good luck plants, just incase and I might be able to buy gold coins at Golden Eagle. I'd want some on the front door but I haven't gotten around to it.

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While many mums and dads are actively not allowing their kids to drink strong coffee, many Aussie adolescents, and children even younger, are getting a regular caffeine fix. And that's not a good thing.

With more and more links being drawn between caffeine and addiction, sleeping problems, obesity and poor bone health, many youth health professionals are reiterating the fact that there is no reason for caffeine being in a child's diet.
Caffeine sources

The main sources of caffeine are tea, coffee, cola drinks and, increasingly, energy drinks. Australian research from 10 years ago found that 27 per cent of boys aged eight to 12 had consumed an energy drink in the two weeks before the survey.

Back then, these sugary pick-me-ups were new to the market. Today, they are everywhere.

More recent research, albeit from the caffeine-loving US, found that 75 per cent of kids aged five to 12 consumed caffeine daily, from an average of three cans of fizzy drink a day.

What these fizzy and energy drinks are doing, say these studies, is creating an unhealthy lifelong caffeine habit.

An ongoing study from the University at Buffalo found kids who drank more than the recommended amount of caffeinated drinks had an increased likelihood of poor diets, which included lots of junk food.

It's really easy for kids to get hooked to caffiene. There are so many sources that kids have access. It's really up to the parents to control or guide their kids around drinks. I understand why some kids get addicted to this substance because they are available at home and you can't blame the parents for it because hey, one should not give up this little pleasure just because you have kids. It's all about discipline and balance. Plus, when the kids get a bit older they can get mcdonalds jobs and access to coffee anyway. But I reckon, education is the best way to help our children.

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That Yummy Sausages

We eat sausages at least every week. We know that it's not really good for our health because of all the preservatives but what can I say? For one, it is easy to cook. Then, they're family favourites - yummy and can be eaten with anything.

But how much is too much? According to this article:

How much is too much?How much is too much?

So is there a safe amount of processed meat we can eat?

"Eating 50 grams once a week is probably okay. Eat it daily and you're setting yourself up for trouble," says Dr Alan Barclay, a spokesman for the Dietitians Association of Australia.

"A similar study conducted last year found a link between red and processed meats and an 18 per cent increased risk of colorectal cancer, so there is some very strong evidence." Barclay says fruit and vegies have protective factors against cancer and suggests adding lots of salad to your ham sandwich, or eating good-quality sausages with lots of vegies.

However, the best option may be to avoid these foods altogether, Barclay says.

"Cook a roast and slice up the leftovers for sandwiches. You don't have to buy cured processed meats. You're just better off not risking it."

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with less than five per cent of patients living beyond five years.

What is 50 grams of processed meat?
•One sausage
•Two medium slices of ham
•One hotdog or frankfurter
•Two medium rashers of bacon
•A 1cm thick slice of salami
•Two slices of luncheon meat

At least we don't have it everyday - as scare as log furniture in this house. This week no sausages for us.

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Aging

Up til recently, I have not considered myself as old or aging yet. I still feel the same, emotionally and mentally but physically, I have felt something different in my body but I attribute it to the amount of work I do or should I say my responsibility compared to when I was single. I have not really thought that physically I am aging.

But reading this from bodyandsoul.com.au, makes me hmmmm. My body is getting old.

Joints and back: If you're 30 to 50

What's normal: Occasional neck or back ache on waking; back stiffness after driving for more than two hours; some aching in the legs after walking for 30 minutes to an hour; needing to move around after an hour of sitting on a hard chair.

What's not: Intense pain in one or more joints after carrying shopping; difficulty or discomfort getting into a low car or out of a seat.

"Having any one of these symptoms is a sign your joints or back are suffering early signs of degenerative change," says Tim Allardyce of the British Osteopathic Association. "This may be through injury or a sedentary lifestyle. Poor posture is a contributing factor."

Memory: If you're 30 to 50

What's normal: Forgetting people's names; mislaying keys, phone or wallet.

What's not: Problems negotiating familiar places (such as regularly not being able to find your car in the car park); difficulty recognising faces, colours, shapes and words; finding you've left objects in the wrong place.

Fitness: If you're 30 to 50

What's normal: You are slightly breathless after walking up three flights of stairs.

What's not: Struggling for breath after three flights of stairs or needing to stop to complete it; headaches or dizziness. From middle age, heart muscle shrinks by an average of 0.3 grams per year. This can lead to high blood pressure and increasing breathlessness.

So far, I only feel some back pain when I wake up in the morning and after work - something to do with sitting all day infront of the computer. Nothing yet when bending on undermount stainless sinks. So, I'd say I'm getting there slowly. :)

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IF you want to reduce your household costs and greenhouse gas emissions, the key is retrofitting.
But what does this mean and how does it help?

Derek Wrigley, the author of Making Your Home Sustainable, explains:

Q: WHAT IS RETROFITTING?

A: It is a way of modifying an existing house to take advantage of the abundant natural energy which is all around us but insufficiently recognised by homeowners and, unfortunately, most builders.

A retrofitted house can produce very significant and worthwhile savings in annual running costs.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/money/cost-of-living/cut-emissions-with-home-retrofitting/story-fnagkbpv-1226266804382#ixzz1m7L1apxP

I know that retrofitting a house costs money but in the long, the saving will offset the cost. While writing this, I am making an inventory of the energy/water saving equipment we have at home. We have dual flush cistern. Our water heating system is the modern energy saving one despite it not being solar powered. Also, we have low-flow shower heads or shall I say, adjustable shower heads.

There are many ways on how to fit the house to save energy. Personally, one can live green - one which is to buy things that last like aluminum briefcase, quality clothes, etc.

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Weird Tips

.. that I also believe to be true.

These tips are from the bodyandsoul.com.au.

Keep tablets with the linen

If medication is constantly exposed to light, heat or humidity – in other words, a steamy bathroom – it could degrade faster than it should, thus reducing its potency and efficacy. Neal Patel, from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, says, "A cool, dry, dark area such as the linen closet is ideal for storing medications.'

I am doing this now. Not because I knew this but because at home, we put things where they are accessible. Plus, we have small storage space in the bathroom and down the hallway, we have a second linen closet that is just right for bathroom supplies.

Retune the radio to lose weight

Doing something different every day – even just switching radio stations – shakes us out of our routine and can help us kick bad habits, according to Professor Ben Fletcher, a psychologist at Hertfordshire University.

"Deeply engrained habits of thinking and behaviour keep us doing things that are bad for us, like smoking, eating and drinking too much or becoming stuck in negative thought patterns – all of which impacts on our health," he says. "We can make our lives much better with very small changes."

I have not listened to radio station for a long time. I've been tuning in to my CD's. Some are my favourites that I bought. I would love to have a music recorder but it's just far down on my list of things to buy.

Wash your hands after getting cash

Cleanliness tests have revealed that cash machines are as dirty, and carry the same germs, as public toilets.

When scientists took swabs from urban ATMs around the UK, they found the machines were heavily contaminated with bacteria, including those known to cause sickness and diarrhoea.

Dr Mark Fielder, a medical microbiologist at Kingston University London, says, "If people don't wash their hands properly, all sorts of organisms will be transferred to the buttons on an ATM. Just as it's important to wash your hands after using the toilet, it would be sensible to clean them after getting money out."

Yes, a must. Money has been in the hands of many and you just don't know where are those hands from.

Flush with the lid down

Microbiologist Dr Charles Gerba, from the University of Arizona, warns that you should always flush the toilet with the seat lid down. If you don't, polluted water particles float for a few hours around your bathroom before they all land, some on your toothbrush.

Dr Gerba says: "It doesn't happen all the time, but E.coli and other faecal-based bacteria really can make you ill, so unless you want to brush your teeth with what was in the toilet, close the lid."

Of course! Enough said.

*****

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