My Headlines

Sunday, March 28, 2010

US billionaire supports Aquino

Philippines - Filipino-born New York-based philanthropist and industrialist Loida Nicolas Lewis has been urging Filipinos in the United States to donate funds for the candidacy of Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III and his running mate Manuel Roxas II.

She strongly believes that Aquino is incorruptible so she led the fund-raising in the US to boost the campaign of the top LP bets. Lewis, a billionaire, a lawyer by profession and the chair-person and chief executive officer of TLC Beatrice said that Aquino is beyond corruption and is "the best person who can lead the country forward." She gave an inspirational message during the Rotary International District 3860 event in the US.

"Eloquence can be thought. Skill can be learned. But honesty and integrity is your character. It is in your DNA. It is built within you. Aquino's character is impeccable. Lewis said.

She has organized the US Pinoys for Aquino-Roxas Movement and being the treasurer of the group, she personally talked to over a thousand of Filipinos in the United States asking them to give funds for the tandem. Aquino has no money and we should help him and Cebuanos should vote for him considering Cebu is the new leader in this country and has the capability to make change by voting through their conscience.

Lewis was likewise alarmed by the reports that the first time poll automation in the country may suffer a lot of glitches especially that Smartmatic has been rejected by the US Congress. So alarmed that she had a talked with the US secretary State Hillary Clinton 2 weeks ago and requested to US foreign observers to the Philippines during the election day. Maybe Jimmy Carter [former US president] will be in the country, she said in the press conference.

Lewis added that the coming election is really a battle of good and evil as this is now the chance for the nation to move forward and "be a nation that we can truly be proud of". She likewise hit Nacionalista Party standard bearer Manuel Villar, a self-made billionaire, and asked the people to investigate his background and how he got his wealth. "People should investigate and there you will see how he acquired his wealth. It's HORRIBLE.

BE aware, Lewis is the wife of the late Reginald Lewis who acquired Beatrice International in Dec 1987 in a $985 million leverage buyout, creating the largest African-American company in the US. She is also the chairman and CEO of TLC Beatrice[China], Limited, a Cayman company which operates retail convenience stores in five major cities in China and TLC Beatrice Foods [Philippines] which operates a fresh meat processing plant.

Friday, March 26, 2010

CHINA faces diabetes epidemic

The study published in The New England Journal of Medicine estimates that more than 92 million men and women are living with diabetes in China, or almost 1 in 10 adults in the world's largest population. Given it's large population, China bear a higher diabetes-related burden than any other country.

The report said another 148.2 million were considered to be pre-diabetic, or showing early symptoms of developing diabetes, a condition that could lead to cardiovascular disease, China's leading cause of death. It said that effects associated with rapid pace of growth and change in the world's third largest economy were a factor.

The ageing of the population, urbanization, nutritional changes, and decreasing levels of physical activity, with a consequent epidemic of obesity, have probably contributed to the rapid increase in levels of diabetes in China, the report said. The study was based on a sample of more than 46.000 adults aged 20 years or older from 14 provinces and municipalities which the authors said was representative of the entire population.

The report said 9.7% of the adult population, accounting for more than 50 million men and 42 million women, lived with diabetes while pre-diabetes affected 15.5% or 76 million men and 72 million women.

Broader SMILE, longer life

Researchers in Michigan studied 230 photographs of US major league baseball players who started playing before 1950 and grouped them according to their smiles. The players were rated as "no smile"if they were just looking deadpan at the camera; as "partial smile"if only the muscles around the mouth were involved in their grin; or as "full smile"if the mouth and eyes were smiling and the cheeks were both raised.

The players pictures were taken from the 1952 Baseball Register, a listing of professionals that is packed with statistics such as year of birth, body mass index, marital status,, and career length, which reflects physical fitness. The wealth of statistics allowed the researchers to control for other factors that could affect lifespan.

Of the players who had died as of June 1 last year, those in the no-smile category lived for an average of 72.9 years, those with partial-smiles - just the mouth involved- died at age 75, while the full-smile players lived to the ripe old age of 79.9 on average, the study showed.

The extent that smile intensity reflects an underlying emotional disposition, the results of this study is congruent with those of other studies demonstrating that emotions have a positive relationship with mental health, physical health, and longevity, the study says.

It was unclear, the authors said, if the baseball players had smiled spontaneously or if their grins were produced under order from a photographer. But in any case, the fewer individuals had full smiles - 23 - than partial or no smiles (64 and 63 respectively) which indicated to the researchers that even if smiles were produced on request, their intensity reflected the player's general underlying disposition.

Be aware, if you want to live a long happy life, grin in a way that gives your crow's feet.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

HEAT STROKE

The Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against prolonged exposure to sunlight this summer or risk suffering from heat stroke. A person may suffer from heat stroke when exposed to sunlight between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you can not avoid going out during 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. better bring umbrella or anything that can protect you from sunlight.

A person suffering from heat stroke could die if not treated immediately. Symptoms include a high body temperature. It is similar to cardiac arrest. We should not let ourselves experience heat stroke, especially the elders. The thermo regulation of the body changes as you grow older so you can hardly notice that your temperature is going up. We must drink water particularly when perspiring heavily.

We have to replace the water that our body loses when perspiring. If you are perspiring and your skin is already hot, that means that you are already developing heat stroke. A person showing initial signs of heat stroke should be soaked in water as first aid to cool down blood circulation.

Be aware, heat stroke is characterized by high body temperature, rapid pulse, absence of sweating, difficulty in breathing, hallucination and disorientation among others,

The Healing Power of Herbal Tea II

Tea combinations to help you heal:

Warming tea for cold hands and feet.
For a warming tea from head to toe, make cinnamon and clove tea by putting 2 cinnamon sticks and 1 teaspoon of cloves in 3 cups of water and boil for 15 minutes. Strain and drink 3 cups each day. Drink 1 cup in the evenings to warm your insides, which encourages a good nights sleep. Especially blended Winter Tea makes use of herbs that expel cold while warming and tonifying your kidneys.

Pore-opening tea for combating a cold.
This is a traditional Chinese remedy for a "wind cold" which usually occurs during seasonal changes and is often a result of exposure to drafts. this early stage, Chinese medicine suggests that perspiration is helpful in removing the pathogens from the skin.
Boil 1 chopped garlic clove, 3 slices of ginger, 1 chopped scallion, some basil and a pinch of cinnamon in 24 ounces of water for 5 minutes. Drink the tea hot and go to bed. Cover up and prepare to sweat. Sweating open the pores, releasing trapped pathogens from the skin. Drink at least 3 cups of tea daily until symptoms subside.

Allertness-Enhancing Tea.
Studies have found that compounds in everyday herbs and spices can increase mental function and physical vitality. All these herbs and spices contains volatile oils that stimulate your senses and increase alertness: dill, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, sage, bay, peppermint, ginger, garlic, parsly, cinnamon, onion, chives, garlic and leek. Make a tea from any combination and drink whenever you need a pick-me-up.

Herbal Hearing Aid Tea.
Make a hearing aid tea by boiling together for 15 minutes: 4 cups of water, 1 heaping tablespoon each of oregano, cilantro, rosemary and sage, combined with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and 3 slices of fresh ginger. Drink 3 cups a day for three weeks and hear the difference.

Stomach-Settling Tea.
Ginger has been shown to soothe the digestive lining and balance gastric juices. Make ginger tea by slicing fresh ginger root into 2-inch long slices and boiling in one cup of water for five minutes. Strain out the ginger and sip the tea slowly. Drink ginger tea as often as you need to settle your stomach and keep nausea away.

Be aware, tea is specially combined to detoxify, calm nerves, clear the mind, balance emotion and ease digestion.

The Healing Power of Herbal Tea I

Technically speaking, tea is the dried and processed leaves of Camellia sinensis and includes four main varieties: Black, Oolong, Green and White tea.

Black tea- produced when tea leaves undergo an oxidizing process that turns the leaves black, has
the strongest flavor and the highest content of caffeine-about 1/3 caffeine you would get
from the same cup of coffee.
Oolong tea- is slightly less oxidized and has less caffeine.
Green tea- is steamed, rolled and dried immediately after harvest, which halts the oxidation
process, allowing the leaves to retain their green color.
White tea- undergoes the least processing - the young tea buds are picked and then air dried.

Green tea from Camellia sinensis.
Experts believe that flavonoids are the key health-promoting -ingredient in tea. These polyphenol antioxidants are present in many foods and plants, including tea leaves, and have been foun to help prevent cell damage. Recent research suggests that tea may protect against heart disease and many types of cancer.

Herbal tea.
Herbal tea is not really tea at all, but actually an infusion or tisane made from various leaves, flowers, fruit or herbs. Herbal tea is sometimes enjoyed for its delicious taste and many times enjoyed for its medicinal properties.

Lemon Verbena herbal tea.
While real "tea" boasts many healthy benefits, a major pro to herbal tea is that it is caffeine-
free. Also you can tailor your tea to your needs by selecting herbs and plants that address the health issue you want to target.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Women on the pill may live longer

Women who took the birth control pill beginning in the late 1960's lived longer than those never on the pill, a new study says. British researchers observed more than 46,000 women for nearly four decades from 1968. They compared the number of deaths in women on the pill to those who never took it.

In the study, women on the pill generally took it for almost four years. Experts concluded the pill cut women's risk of dying from bowel cancer by 38% and from any other diseases by about 12%

Slightly higher death rates were found among women under 30 on the pill but that began to be reversed by age 50. Doctors are not sure exactly why the pill may lower death rates. It contains synthetic hormones to suppress ovulation, which may have some role in preventing certain diseases.

Previous studies have found the pill does not raise the risk of dying. It also may protect against ovarian and endometrial cancer, but slightly increase the chances of breast and cervical cancer. It may also be that women on the pill are somehow healthier than those that aren't.

Because the study only observed women on the pill compared with those who weren't, researchers weren't able to make any hypotheses about cause and effect.

Be aware, in the longer term, the health benefits of the contraceptive pill outweigh any risks, Richard Anderson, a gynecologist at the University of Edinburgh said.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

BREAST CANCER is no respecter of sex, age

Dr. Joseph Cordero, an associate consultant in general surgery of Makati Medical Center, told that not only women but also men can get it even at young age of 10 or at old age of 80, although there is predominance of more mature women who develop the disease. One gets breast cancer from even ordinary causes like hormonal imbalance which might occur in women after their period or from simple radiation or over exposure of the sun,

Hereditary also comes into play because one can get breast cancer from the mother or father who had cancer, with figures showing 10% getting it this way. That is why those who might get it from heredity are advised to have medical breast examination early.

But there is no need for unnecessary worry because breast cancer, which is defined as cells which have gone berserk and refuse to die, is curable at the early stage. It is recommended for women to look for lumps in their breast a week after their monthly period or to undergo mammography once, if not twice a year.

Be aware, to women who suspect to have a lump in their breast, Cordero's prescription is:
'Get married and have children to have hormonal balance." And for those who need operation, need not worry about body aesthetic because it is no longer the whole breast but only the affected portion that is removed, he said.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Lessons learned from dogs

Dogs are faithful friends. They are not so concerned with how much money you're making or how much you have accomplished in life. Unlike some people who have not been faithful. When you have something of use to them, they are good to you. But the moment you need them, they drop you like a hot potato.

Learn the value of faithfulness. Do not abuse a person's friendship.

Lessons we can learn from dogs if they were to be our teacher:

- When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Let fresh air and wind in your face be pure ecstasy.
- When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
- Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
- Take naps.
- Stretch upon rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you're happy, dance around and wiggle your entire body.
- No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt or pout. . .
run right back and make friends.
- Delight in the simple joy of a good walk.
- Eat with enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
- Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close and nuzzle them gently.

Dogs succumb to depression when they are mishandled, ignored or left unloved. So we need to treat them well. But dogs takes away our depression.

Be aware, constant stress and anxiety leads to defective eyesight and tooth decay. Constant stress and anxiety blurs the vision and cause dryness of the mouth, leading to tooth decay. Maybe this is the reason you don't see dogs wearing eyeglasses and dentures, because they seem to know how to deal with stress.

NEW $100: Ben's facelift to be revealed

Washington (AP) Aiming to stay a step ahead of counterfeiters, the government is planning a new design for the $100 bill that will be unveiled next month, the Treasury Department said Friday.

Wraps will come off the face lift for Benjamin Franklin at an April 21 ceremony in the ornate Cash Room at the department, the site of Ulysses Grant's first inaugural ball in 1869. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will do the honors.

The government says its decision on redesigning currency are guided by assessments of counter feiting threats, from digital technology or old-fashioned printing presses.

The C-note - the highest value of all US bills - circulates widely around the globe.

Be aware, the unveiling of the new design is the first step in a global campaign by the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve Board and the Secret Service to inform users of the bill of the changes before it starts circulating, Treasury said in a news release.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

10 DONT'S from your Child

1. DON'T spoil me
- I know quite well that I ought not to have all that I ask for. I am only testing you.

2. DON'T be afraid to be firm with me.
- I prefer it; it makes me feel more secure.

3. DON'T let me form bad habits.
- I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.

4. DON'T correct me infront of people, if you can help it in private.
- I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me.

5. DON'T protect me from consequences.
- I need to learn the painful way sometimes.

6. DON'T nag.
- If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.

7. DON'T forget that I can not explain myself as well as I should like.
- That is why I am not always accurate.

8. DON'T be inconsistent.
- That to me confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.

9. DON'T put me off when I ask question.
- If you do, you will find that I stop asking you and seek my information elsewhere.

10. DON'T forget that I can't thrive without lots of understanding and love.
- But I do not need to tell you. Do I?

Be aware, children are a blessing. They belong to God and should be recognized for their inestimable worth and dignity - not for what they produce and accomplish, but for who they are as God's own handiwork.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Nutritious Malunggay STALKS

More often than not, when we refer to malunggay (moringa oleifera) we only mean the leaves or immature greed pods which we use for cooking and other nutritional and medicinal purposes. Leaf stalks are often thrown away. But did you know that the stalks is just as nutritious as the leaves?

The stalks like the malunggay leaves contain substantial amounts of valuable macro and micro-nutrients. In terms of macro-nutrients, potassium (K) is highest in malunggay stalks. Ten kilograms (kg) of dried malunggay stalks contain 293 grams (g) of potassium. Other macro-nutrients present are : calcium 191g/10kg, nitrogen 185g/10kg, chloride 65g/10kg, sulfur 45g/10kg and sodium 7g/10kg.

In terms of micro-nutrients, the stalk is rich in iron, boron, zinc, manganese and copper. Ten kilos of dried malunggay stalks contain 436 milligrams (mg) of iron, 170mg of boron, 112mg of zinc, 1oomg of manganese, and 37mg of copper.

Be aware, malunggay has been well recognized as a practical and highly nutritional plant and food source and yet vital information on its macro- and micro-nutrient contents is scarcely found and identified.