Answers to Many Why's of Life Part 2

1. What's the feeling of staring at something for so long but it is still unfamiliar?



"Jamais Vu" or the reverse of Deja vu is a temporary sensation in which familiar situations and objects seem new and strange. This is according to UK researchers that is exists and can induced.



2. Myth: I am too old to donate organs

Facts: People of all ages can donate organs and tissue. Physical condition, not age, is the important factor in determining if organs can be used.

3. Lactose Intolerance is the ability to break down the sugar(lactose) found in milk.
Cow's milk allergy is caused by a specific reaction to the proteins found in milk.

4. The Human foot has 26 bones, 107 ligaments, 33 joints, and more than 250,000 sweat glands.

REGULAR RUNNING: Anti Ageing Exercises

Old age is emminent for all of us...we will deny, fight and even prevent it for as long as we can.

Here are some exercises to prevent anti-ageing:

Regular running may help prevent disability and early death from cancer, , neurological disease, or infections. This is according to the study made by Stanford University School of Medicine. Researchers tracked 1000 runners and non-runners over age 50. After 19 years, 34 percent of non-runners had died, but only 15 percent of the runners had.

What else we need to know:

Warm up and warm down: Warm up first even for a gentle run to achieve a certain level of joint mobility and avoid injuries. Warming down will also help cut down stiffness.

Run tall and breath deeply: Try to get in the habit of running with a straight back to minimize pressure on your diaphragn. Take a deep breath, lift your whole upper body and then hold that position as you run.

Running Time: Only run for as long as you can do so in the correct style. Ass soon as your form gets sloppy, pact it in for a another day.

Pandemic Flu: Swine Influenza Virus

Swine flu is common, it often infects people who have been in contact with pigs. There have been cases, where the disease was spread from one person to another. Symptoms include fever, disorientation, stiffness of the joints, vomiting, and loss of consciousness ending in death.

It is now a pandemic flu because as of April 26, 2009, 22 students from New Zealand were suspected to have the flu like symptoms after their trip to Mexico. In Mexico, there are almost 1000 cases of swine flu in humans and more than 80 deaths in connection with these virus. In Southwestern United States and Kansas, there are 11 laboratory confirmed cases and also several suspected cases in New York Metropolitan area. This was confirmed by the World Health Organization. There are also five cases in Canada, three in Nova Scotia.

As of today, classes were suspended or cancelled in most schools in United States due to possible exposure to swine flu.

Here in the Philippines there are no cases yet of this but according to the news, they advised the public to take precautions by always washing hands, avoid crowded places and if there are symptoms of flu consult the doctor immediately.

5 Superstar Herbs You Can't Live Without

Every good chef knows these herbs, but even ordinary housewife can do wonders in the kitchen by using these herbs. Aside from culinary boosters it can also be used as medicine.

Thyme for a change! Try using it on souffles to seafood. It add flavors and fragrances to make a meal irresistible.

Mint. No more pesticides. Keep your home free from ants with mint.

Garlic. An infection fighter aside from lowering the blood cholesterol.

Lavender. It can lift your spirits and calm you when your stressed.

Basil. Turn basic dishes into taste pleaser.

J and J from China FREE from Carcinogens

The State Food and Drug Administration in Beijing said Saturday that Johnson and Johnson baby products made in China does not contain potential carcinogens as alleged by an activist group.

It states on their web site that the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration found no contamination by formaldehyde, or 1,4-dioxane, in 33 products — including 14 bath or sanitary-related items — sold by the company's Shanghai branch.

"The State Food and Drug Administration will continue to closely monitor the situation and do testing in a timely manner," it said. Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo and other products were among dozens from different manufacturers listed in a March 12 report by US-based health and environmental activist group Campaign for Safe Cosmetics as containing formaldehyde, or 1,4-dioxane.

Johnsons and Johnsons has baby products that are tested for years by most moms around the world.

First Aid Kit Checklist

First Aid Kit is a must have in homes and while traveling especially if you have a child.

First-aid kit Checklist

1. Prescription medications.
Also bring a copy of the prescriptions and your doctor's phone number, just in case, but bear in mind that some pharmacies accept only local prescriptions. Include a medicine dropper or oral syringe as well.
2. Thermometer.
You'll probably want a digital rectal thermometer for an infant and a digital oral thermometer for an older child.
3. Baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
For lowering fever and easing pain
4. Liquid soap.
Get the gel kind that doesn't require water. Useful for cleaning up scrapes as well as messy diaper changes when your child has diarrhea.
5. Antibiotic ointment.
To help heal cuts and scrapes and keep them from becoming infected
6. Sterile bandages.
You may also include sterile gauze pads to clean up scrapes and staunch bleeding.
7. Tweezers.
For removing splinters or ticks
8. Sunscreen and lip protection with SPF 15 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection.
For use on babies 6 months and older, and in small amounts (on the face and back of the hands) in babies under 6 months.
9. Insect repellentUse 5-10% DEET for babies, 25% for adults.
10. Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream.
To soothe insect bites, rashes, and sunburn.
11. Cold pack.
To reduce swelling from bumps, bites, and minor burns. Get the kind you just squeeze to start the cooling reaction.
12. First aid pocket guideTry Janet Zand's Parent's Guide to Medical Emergencies.

Optional items
1. Electrolyte replacement solution. Helps prevent diarrhea-related dehydration; some brands are made just for babies.

Thirst Quenchers for the Summer

Tropical Black Punch
A thirst-quenching cold coffee concoction with citrus notes

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Nestle Premium Squeeze, Mango Juice
3/4 cup Nestle Premium Squeeze, Orange Juice
1 tbsp Nescafe Classic
2 tbsp Calamansi juice
2 tbsp sugar

Procedure:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a glass. Mix completely until fully incorporated.
2. Add ice if desired before serving.



Choco Mango Cups

Ingredients:
8 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted
2 pieces medium size ripe mango, peeled
1 tbsp lime juice
1 250ml Nestle All Purpose Cream
2 tbsp unflavored gelatin
2 tbsp cold water
1/4 cup hot water

Procedure:
1. Lime macaroon tins with paper cups. Spoon 1 tbsp of melted chocolate around base and sides of paper cups. Set aside to set in the refrigerator.

2. Puree mangoes. Add lime juice and Nestle All Purpose Cream.

3. Sprinkle gelatin in cold water to bloom, then dissolve in hot water.

4. Whisk prepared gelatin into the mango mixture. Spoon into set chocolate cups, Chill for at least 2 hours or until firm.



Cool Orange Slush
Citrus icy milk drink that tastes like ice cream - a great way to get your kids to drink more milk!


Ingredients:
1/2 cup NIDO Full Cream Milk

1/4 cup powdered orange juice

2 cups watercrushed ice


Procedure:
1. Combine NIDO Full Cream Milk, orange juice, and water inblender. Whip for about 2 minutes or until frothy.

2. Pour over crushed ice in chilled glasses.

How to Beat the Summer Heat?

March is the start of summer months in the Philippines and during this time people go to beaches, malls, and out of town to lessen the effect of summer heat.

There are other ways to keep your cool as you take advantage of the clear days that come with the summer months. Here are some ways to keep yourself refreshed:

1. Hydrate. Drink plenty of water! Always drink water even if your not thirsty to replenish the fluid you lose when you sweat.

2. Feast on "cooling" foods. Vegetables and fruits are sweeter during summer months plus they contain almost 90% water.

3. Spritz around. Always carry a small spritzer filled with cold water wherever you go. Sprinkle a little mist on your wrist, face or neck when it gets too hot. It will constantly cool you off!

4. Wear loose-fitting clothes. Loose fitting clothes allows air to circulate, keeping you fresher and definitely less sweaty.

5. Slather on Sunscreen. Use a sunblock with an SPF factor of 15 or higher and prevent the harmful UVA and UVB rays from damaging your skin and causing dryness and premature wrinkles.

6. Wear sunglasses. Ultraviolet rays can also be harmful to the eyes and affect vision, so the eyes need equal protection.

Have an enjoyable summer with your family, friends and love ones...

7 Practices to Love your Body

7 Practices to Love your Body

How do you create a healthy body and a healthy body image? Self-care is the catalyst to change. Love in action, it transforms body, mind, and spirit. The same habits that help you create a positive body image also help you eliminate self-destructive behaviors like overeating, dieting, and food addiction.

7 Self-Care Practices for Loving Your Body:

1. Nurturing.
Rest your body when it’s tired; feed it when it’s hungry; stop eating when you’re full. Likewise, feed your spirit with solitude, friendship, loving relationships, and joy -- healthy forms of nurturing -- so that you aren’t comforting yourself with destructive nurturing.

2. Grounding.

Balance nurturing with loving discipline. Ground yourself with structure, routines and healthy habits. Sometimes loving ourselves means setting boundaries and saying, “No.”

3. Authenticity.

Be honest and real: use your body to express your personality and personal style. Likewise, don't use your body to voice what you need to speak up for in your life. Find ways to express yourself without turning to your body, your appearance, or food.

4. Compassion.

The media triggers a negative body image in women because it creates unrealistic, perfectionist expectations. Compassion is creating realistic expectations for your body, accepting the ebb and flow of our health and appearance. Likewise, replace your inner critic -- “I’m such a fat cow” -- with a gentle, nurturing inner voice.

5. Trust.

Health, beauty and our bodies are dynamic, ever changing. Self-care is not about following a check list or overcontrol. Rather, learn to trust yourself about what to eat and how to care for your body as your needs or circumstances change.

6. Openheartedness.

Let yourself be beautiful; enjoy feeling feminine, pretty, and sexy. Likewise, let other women be beautiful, too; life's not a beauty pageant. Instead of feeling threatened by other women, embrace them with an open heart, giving them the same acceptance that you give yourself.

7. Grace.

Feed your spirit. Embrace your body as a unique expression of your divinity. Connect your beauty with your spirituality, making loving your body a spiritual practice.

EAT Your Heart Out! 10 Tips on Freedom of Eating

Would you like to find peace from emotional eating? Are you happy with the food you choose to eat? Even if you are not perfect with your food choices, do you feel free to make your own selection of food?

Here are 10 tips that can help us overcome overeating:

1. Embrace your stuff.
Overeating, food addiction and a negative body image are some of your life issues. Embrace them.


2. Unravel your overeating hairball.
Food is the cure, your attempt to care for yourself, albeit in a harmful way.

3. Ask for help.
There is a world of help out there: so many fabulous authors and books. I believe we live in a benevolent universe, and that if you ask for help, all kinds of resources will come to your aid. Read. Join a support group. Reach out to others.While you’re at it, ask other women for help, too.


4. You are not your thoughts.
If your mind tells you you’re fat, you don’t have to believe it. If your mind tells you that you can’t live without a cookie, you don’t have to believe it, either. A thought is just a thought. It doesn’t mean it’s true.


5. Examine your fear.
Try this exercise: Put your hand on your heart, close your eyes, and breathe deeply for several breaths. Now ask yourself these questions: What would I do if I was not afraid? What am I afraid of? Where do I feel fear in my body? I’ve asked myself these questions consistently for a couple years, and have been amazed at the answers.


6. Accept your limitations.
All choices have consequences.

7. Plan for your success.
Success is a commitment.


8. Start where you are.
You can start over, at any time. Forgive yourself and move forward, instead of trying to solve yesterday's problems with unkindness, such as trying not to eat in order to "make up" for the previous day's binge.


9. Practice exquisite self care.
Pamper yourself like a queen. Buy yourself flowers. Groom yourself impeccably. Paint your nails. Do whatever makes your heart sing, but do it regularly. Feed your spirit with self care, and your body’s hungers won’t be so demanding.



10. Eat.
You can't fight biology. You are an animal: you have to eat. Our bodies need healthy fuel. Undereating feels terrible; it's been likened to breathing through a straw. At some point, your body will need to take a deep breath.
The irony is that by feeding yourself regularly and by removing your addictive foods you will be less inclined to overeat. And guess what? You’ll probably lose weight: the natural, organic consequence of self-care.

Symptoms of a Heart Stroke

Four Symptoms of a Heart Stroke/Blood Clot

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

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

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.

T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today)

R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

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

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

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue..

If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.

Remember the first three letters...STR it can save lives!!!

9 Key Symptoms of Stress

The symptoms of stress are hard to miss, but sometimes we tend to forget. Here to remind us to take things easy for us to avoid the repurcussions of stress.

The following nine key physical warning signs are among the first ones you’ll encounter at times of great stress, and when you do, do yourself a favor and heed their loud and clear message: slow down – if you want to stay healthy, sane, and effective, that is.
1. Is your mouth dry or do you have a lump in your throat?

It may be a cliché, but it’s a cliché for a reason: when you’re stressed, your mouth becomes really dry. And a dry mouth makes it difficult to swallow anything but liquids. It’s even bad for your teeth.

2. Are you bothered by a pain in the neck?

Tense, tight muscles, especially neck and shoulder muscles are another important warning sign. To some of us it may seem like those painfully tense muscles are a permanent condition. They don’t have to be.

3. Do you get a lot of headaches lately?

While headaches can have a variety of causes, there’s one particular kind that’s aptly named “tension headache.” If the onset of your headaches correlate with periods of intense stress, you know what to do.

4. Do you have numbness & tingling in limbs?

5. Are you tired all the time?

Do you find you don’t want to get out of bed in the morning? Chronic fatigue, exhaustion, and low energy are the inevitable result of excess stress for prolonged periods of time.

6. have trouble falling asleep or sleeping long enough?

Once again, this could be a sign of too much stress. And since sleep is so crucial for recovery, stress-induced insomnia often starts a vicious cycle.

7. Are you overweight?

Especially with fat primarily accumulating on the belly? For the longest time, people used to think that stress causes weight loss, not weight gain. That may be true for some, but most of us tend to put on the pounds. Cortisol, the stress hormone, literally causes the body to accumulate the wobbly stuff right up front and center and makes it almost impossible to take it back off.

8. Do you have heartburn, hyperacidity, GERD, or indigestion?

Maybe what you need is not another dose of antacids but a massage and a nice hot bath, not necessarily in that order. And a day off.

9. Do you get sick a lot?

When someone sneezes in the office, are you the first to catch it? Do you have allergies or skin rashes? These are all signs that your immune system has begun to suffer. It’s time to take a legal U-turn.

How many of the above do you have? One? Slow down and take more breaks. Three? You’re definitely in the danger zone. All seven? Red zone alert!

Have a stress free day!!!

GERD-Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease

GERD-Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease
It can be caused by the reflux of acidic stomach juices. When we always feel chest pains, heartburn, abdominal pains and acid reflux which severe enough, we maybe experiencing GERD. These symptoms indicates that there is an excessive exposure of acid in the oesophagus which may lead to long-term consequenses like "inflammation and narrowing of the food passage(gullet). Another is Barrett's transformation of the lining of the lower food passage, which increses the risk of cancer.

Some of the prevention are the following: Have a regular mealtimes, if possible don't skip meals; Avoid overeating and eating close to bedtime; Avoid smoking; Take alcohol in moderation; Maitaining a healthy bodyweight; and if possible avoid or minimize stress.

The Best Foods for those with Diabetes

There is a growing percentage of people who are now suffering from diabetes. They have to follow a strict diet to control the level of sugar in their blood.

Here are some vegetables that can help in treating diabetes and do not taste awful.

1. French bean aka kidney bean is one of the most frequently vegetable used in the whole world. They are high on Carbohydrates and fiber.

"A great remedy for diabetes is the bean decoction. You need 60 grams of fresh bean pods, weighed after removing their seeds, you boil the pads for four hours on a slow fire in four liters of water, then you strain this decoction through fine muslin cloth and then you let it rest for eight hours. During the day it is recommended that you drink one glass of this decoction every two hours for a period of 4 to 8 weeks. You must prepare this decoction every day and drink it fresh, because it looses its medicinal properties after 24 hours."

2. A combination of Juice extracted from the French beans and the juice of Brussels sprout. These stimulates the production of insulin.

3. Lettuce can be used freely by diabetics as it contains 3% or less of carbohydrates.

4. Tomato.It is very useful for those who want to lose weight, is low in carbohydrates too and it is said to control the level of sugar in the urine.

5. Soya Beans.They are rich in quality proteins and fat, and poor in starch. Studies performed since 1910 on soya beans have proved the utility of this vegetable in reducing the quality of urinary sugar in diabetes patients.

6. Onion. It can be eaten raw or cooked and can lower the blood sugar level in diabetes and the greater the dose, the faster the blood response.

"In the 1960's scientists discovered anti-diabetic compounds in onion, similar to the anti-diabetic pharmaceuticals that are used in stimulating insulin synthesis and release: allyl, propyl, disulphide and allicin."

An equilibrate diet, based on vegetables, fruit and juices, and with less fats and sweets, associated with an active lifestyle, quitting smoking, self measuring the level of sugar in the blood and losing weight could control the diabetes and allow the patients to live a normal life. The support of the immediate family can also help a great deal to those suffering from diabetes.

Excerpt from an article of Brian Jones

The 5 Dirtiest Foods

According to Sarah Jio of Glamour Magazine there are Five Dirtiest Foods.

These includes the following:

1. Eggs because of salmonella that can causes diseases or even death.

2. Peaches due to pesticides put in them to prevent blemishes.

3. Pre Packaged Salad Mixes because of pathogens that may still be in them.

4. Melons because of salmonella and shigella." Scrub your melons with a little mild dish soap and warm water before slicing."

5. Scallions blamed for several recent outbreaks of Hepatitis A, and other bugs like the parasite Cryptosporidium, Shigella and Salmonella.

She said we don't have to be afraid of what we eat, just be careful in the preparations and always practise good hygiene and everything. The rest of the story is here...
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/the-5-dirtiest-foods-327375

May these article be helpful specially for us new mothers because as much as possible we want to protect our family from diseases from foods.

Why People Yawn?

An article by Jennifer Viegas, in Discovery News entitles "The Yawn Explained: It Cools Your Brain"

She said if your head is overheated, there's a good chance you'll yawn soon. A new study say's that the primary purpose of yawning is to control brain temperature.
These solves the mysteries of yawning, such as why it's most commonly done just before and after sleeping, why certain diseases lead to excessive yawning, and why breathing through the nose and cooling off the forehead often stop yawning.
"The key yawn instigator appears to be brain temperature.
"Brains are like computers," Andrew Gallup, a researcher in the Department of Biology at Binghamton University who led the study, told Discovery News. "They operate most efficiently when cool, and physical adaptations have evolved to allow maximum cooling of the brain."

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/12/15/yawn-brain-head.html

Gallup and his colleagues Michael Miller and Anne Clark analyzed yawning in parakeets as representative vertebrates because the birds have relatively large brains, live wild in Australia, which is subject to frequent temperature swings, and, most importantly, do not engage in contagious yawning, as humans and some other animals do.
Contagious yawning is thought to be an evolved mechanism for keeping groups alert so they "remain vigilant against danger," Gallup said.

"For instance, yawning should not occur when ambient temperatures exceed body temperature, as taking a deep inhalation of warm air would be counterproductive. In addition, yawning when it is extremely cold may be maladaptive, as this may send unusually cold air to the brain, which may produce a thermal shock."

"If air in the atmosphere is cooler than brain and body temperatures, taking it in quickly cools facial blood that, in turn, cools the brain and may even alter blood flow. Prior studies reveal yawning leads to a heightened state of arousal, so a morning yawn may function somewhat like a cup of coffee in providing a jolt of energy.
"The new findings also explain why tired individuals often yawn, since both exhaustion and sleep deprivation have been shown to increase deep brain temperatures, again prompting a yawn-driven cool down. Yawning additionally appears to facilitate transitional states of the brain, such as going from sleep to waking periods. "
"It is interesting to note that instances of excessive yawning in humans may be indicative of brain cooling problems," Gallup, Jr., told Discovery News, pointing out that patients with multiple sclerosis often experience bouts of excessive yawning "and MS involves thermoregulatory dysfunction."
"Bouts of excessive yawning often precede the onset of seizures in epileptic patients, and predict the onset of headaches in people who suffer from migraines," he added.
In the future, researchers may focus more on brain temperature and its role in diseases and their symptoms. But the new study on yawning changes the popular notion that yawns are mere signs of boredom.
On the contrary, as Gallup said, "yawning more accurately reflects a mechanism that maintains attention, and therefore should be looked at as a compliment!"