Come with me?

I've been pretty quiet on the posting front huh!!! (unacceptable..haha) I am however posting on another blogging site and if you want to read more, (yeah, there is more) you can find me here - 

http://goalgrabber.wordpress.com/

:) 

Thanks! 

Fruit for thought.

So Fruit!!!! We have always been told thats its so good for us, our mothers tell us, our grandmothers tell and and the Doctor tells us! Do we ever really listen though? 
Well, I've always been a fruit lover, I loved it when I was told to eat fruit - gave me more reason to eat more! So with this fruit addiction of mine, I was doing some research and a friend emailed me something really interesting, so thought that it would be better to share what she sent. Blew me away and open up so much more understanding! 
Have added my thought in BLUE. 


This is what she sent me :- 

Thanks for the email on fruits and juices. It is one of the strategies to heal cancer. As of late, my success rate in curing cancer is about 80%. Cancer patients shouldn't die. The cure for cancer is already found. It is whether you believe it or not. I am sorry for the hundreds of cancer patients who die under the conventional treatments. Very few can live for 5 years under the conventional treatments and most live for only about 2 to 3 years. The conventional treatments do not make any difference because most cancer patients also live for about 2 to 3 years without undergoing any treatment. It is difficult to cure those cancer patients who have undergone chemo and radiotherapy as their cells are toxic and weak. When there is a relapse, the cancer will spread very fast as the resistance is poor.

Thanks and God bless.
Dr Stephen Mak


 *EATING FRUIT...*


We all think eating fruits means just buying fruit, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and *when* to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruit?

*IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUIT AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUIT SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.**
*
If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities. 
*
FRUIT IS A MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.* Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil...- well that might explain the stomach aches we have after having fruit after a meal!!! 

So please eat your fruit on an *empty* *stomach* or before your meals! You have heard people complaining ~ every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc ~ actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat! - Being on a Greek Island, and seeing how they eat and live, I noticed that after I read this, 85% (or more) of the people eat lots of fruit after a meal. Not so good is it! Noticed that they get rowdy and uncomfortable shortly after, and I always thought that they had ants in their pants, well this now explains a little the fidgeting and growling tummy I can hear from across the room! 

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes....all these will *NOT* happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.- That was a big problem solver for me - as I've had dark circles under my eyes most of my life, and I have never known why, I'm not entirely sure that this is the main reason, but perhaps its had a small percentage in it! I'm so tired of being judged because of my dark eyes, so maybe this will eliminate some of the darkness. I know that there are so many other people with dark circles under their eyes, so maybe with this information, it can totally solve their dark eye problem! 

There is no such thing as some fruits like orange and lemon being acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruit, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight. - Wow, Beauty treatments without having to go to a Salon for the day? Live longer? more energy and normal weight? seems all worth it to me! Anyway, if that fruit was not offered to you at the end of the meal, would you have it? No, because you are actually full after the meal that you just ate, and because you were offered the fruit, you're eyes have seen it, the message has already been sent to your brain that you are not full enough and that you need the fruit, so you have it. Leaving you with tummy cramps!! So not worth it, eating the fruit after the meal.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only *fresh* fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.- Totally understandable! 

*But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice*. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

*KIWI:* Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange. - Love Kiwi. A Kiwi and Strawberry smoothie is divine! 

*APPLE:* An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke. - Will never forget that saying, my Grandmother aways used to say it to me! So with every apple that comes with its goodness, it comes with the good advise of a deeply loved Grandmother.

*STRAWBERRY:* Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals. - OK, this is NO EXCUSE to get the cream out and sit there dipping the Strawberry in cream!! NO! Keep the cream and sugar away and eat the Strawberry as is!!! Sweet taste of heaven! 
*
ORANGE :* Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer. - Colon Cancer is one of the most severe Cancers today, so ward it off with those juicy oranges! - Will also quench your thirst! So Two benefits in this one! 

*WATERMELON:* Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene ~ the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C &  potassium. - Watermelon has a high sugar content, so as much as you love it, don't have too much. 

*GUAVA & PAPAYA:* Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content.. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes. - Explains why mothers give their babies Guava! Here I thought that mothers were just giving their baby some good vitamins, meanwhile they were preventing some other issues! 

*Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer!* Can u believe this?? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal. - This was a huge shock for me, as I love having a meal with a glass of cold water! Often had a stomach ache after eating, and well now this has cleared all confusion! I certainly won't be drinking cold water with a meal again! I remember my Grandmother used to have a mug of warm water after food, but I never asked why, I just always thought that was something she did! Well now I know she was more clever than I thought. 

A serious note about heart attacks HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!) Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive. - Any kind of pain should not be ignored. My Father had a heart attack last year (2009) and the symptoms were that of indigestion, we were lucky to get him to hospital in time. A number of years ago my Mother had chest pain and pain down the left arm,we never took any chances and got an ambulance, turned out to be something else, but at least we got it checked. It’s just to easy to be unnoticed and not taken seriously, so please, any pain in the upper body, get it checked out. Rather be sure! My mother was embarrassed that after calling the ambulance out, it turned out to be something else, but at least we knew she was ok! Don't worry what the Doctors, paramedics or whoever else will think about you. Your health IS important! 

Omega Rich Salmon.

                    As promised,a tasty, healthy Omega rich recipe to go with the Omega 3 post!

        

                                                    Sesame-Crusted Salmon Salad.

Ingredients.

4 Salmon fillets 

2 Tbls Honey

1 Tbls Lemon fresh Lemon juice

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1/2 cup Black Sesame seeds

Fresh Rocket Leaves (or any other Green you wish to use)

1/2 Red or Green Pepper (capsicum)

1/2 Cucumber

1/2 cup Walnuts

1 cup Cherry Tomatoes.

Directions.

1. Wash Rocket leaves, slice peppers (capsicum) and cucumber thinly and mix gently with the rocket leaves and cherry tomatoes. (lightly dress with some lemon juice if you wish to). set aside. 

2. Mix Honey and lemon juice. - Making sure that its not to thin!

3. Brush the Honey lemon mix over the fillets of Salmon.

4. Season Fillets with salt and black pepper.

5. In a separate plate spread the sesame seeds equally, coating the Fillets with the Sesame seeds.

6.In a hot pan, fry fillets in 2 Tbls oil (pref olive oil or flaxseed oil). Fry for 2-3 mins on each side.

7. Remove from pan and allow to sit to cool slightly. (about 1 minute)

8. Divide salad equally between the four plates, and place fillet on each salad mound.

9. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

10. Enjoy.

if you want more dressing - use Lemon juice with some Flaxseed oil or Olive Oil!

(This is a light and healthy salad so the heavy, creamy high fat dressings are not an option and should never be!) Some Balsamic Vinegar goes wonders! :)

Banana business.

This one is for the monkeys!!! - aka - Banana addicts! actually, more so for the seldom banana eaters!

After the post on ''Fruit for thought'' a good family friend sent me an email all about this monkeys treat, and honestly I was surprised by what this fruit is packet with!

Bananas Contain three natural sugars - Sucrose, Fructose and Glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout -explains the good boost of energy I had at gym last week! . No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain Tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into Serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. So much safer than those Anit-depressants the doctors prescribe to us. If enough of this fruit is eaten than it will totally prevent depression, so therefore prescriptions wouldn't be needed! 

PMS:
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. - I can't help but think, that Doctors clearly know that there is something other than medication that will ''help'' us, but because with getting us to take medication they are making a buck, as at the end of the day are they actually thinking about us? our health? I find it hard to believe they are! If they were, wouldn't they send us to the fruit store rather than the pharmacy? Says so right here, a simple banana can ward off the mood swings! Im not just talking about medication for PMS, its medication in general!

Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia. - This was great for me to discover. Once a year I always made sure that I donated blood, till the day they said I can't as they thought I might be Anemic - results came back saying I was. Was scary to be honest, as no one really explained Anemia to me prior. Hardest part was that I would not be able to donate blood until I was no long Anemic. Medication didn't seem to help! 

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. 

Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.


Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. 

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancertryptophan.

Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. 


Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills.- I'de rather go natural than take medication that is full of other stuff that we don't know about! When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

When I think of bananas how ever, I always remember that childhood T.V program - 'Bananas in pyjamas'! Wait for it, I feel a song coming up :-


Bananas in pyjamas are coming down the stairs,
Bananas in pyjamas are coming down in pairs,
Bananas in pyjamas are chasing teddy bears,
'cos on Tuesdays they all try to catch them unawares!

One more thing - Dry out some bananas and snack on that. :)

Whats up with that?

We spend hours at the gym, sweating it, lifting the weights, running the treadmill, and whatever else we do to fight the pounds off! We watch what we eat (well some of us!) and still nothing seems to be happening, apart from the fact jeans feel as though they are getting tighter instead of looser! Goals then seem to become further and further out of focus and far from achievable.

Trust me; I’ve been dumpy most of life so know the feeling of seeing those dreaded numbers on the scale week after week! The thing is, oh yes there is something that can be done. Just like when we learnt to read, write, walk, talk… (and eat), we can certainly teach our bodies to catch a grip and start to work with us and NOT against us. We first need to understand our bodies, how it all works together!So after getting discouraged seeing that sickening digit on the scale, I just had to do some research, and try to understand this all! Was it my thyroid that had been the wall blocking me from reaching my goal weight all this time? It could be! Is it all in my genes? Maybe, but I rather not blame the genes when I know that genes are not entirely to blame, ok so it may have a small contribution to the extra weight – but all to blame? No I don’t think so! Maybe, it’s my metabolism that needs readjusting?

Let’s talk about the thyroid. What’s that you ask? (No it can’t be eaten)! The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland that is at the base if the front of the neck, which produces chemicals called hormones. These hormones control how fast the body uses up energy, help control body temperature, influence heart rate and regulate production of Protein!

We could have Hypothyroidism, or Hyperthyroidism, but let’s cover Hypothyroidism for now. Hypothyroidism –aka – an underactive Thyroid! Not the only reason to for continued weight gain, but if the needle on the scale climbs up 5-10 pounds, Hypothyroidism could be playing a role in this chase! Let’s understand this Hypothyroidism a little deeper…well at least understand the 5-10 pound weight gain! (as we know the reason to the other pounds hanging on..too much eating and to little gym!) Hypothyroidism is when your body is lacking certain hormones that the Thyroid is meant to be producing. The thyroids main purpose is to maintain our bodies’ metabolism, so when the Thyroid is underactive the glands are inflamed therefore the thyroid can’t produce enough of the hormones to keep the metabolism in good working order! Resulting in a slow metabolism, which means it takes longer to burn the calories that have been consume, resulting in the weight gain! The good news is that it can be treated, with synthetic thyroid hormones! Again, Hypothyroidism is not all to blame here. We need to put some effort into getting that scale needle down, just taking the medication to treat the underactive Thyroid wont lose the weight for you, it will certainly whip the thyroid into order but is not the miracle worker. So the calorie intake will still need to be minded with a watchful eye, and with a good amount of exercise, body weight can be easily maintained! Some symptoms to look out for are – brittle hair and nails, pale and dry skin, puffy face, muscle aches and stiffness, depression, fatigue and a tendency to feel the cold.

So what about Hyperthyroidism then? Yes, that’s right; it’s the total opposite of Hypothyroidism! It’s OVER-ACTIVE. It’s doing everything that the underactive Thyroid is NOT doing. So in this case its OVER working, producing more hormones, thus speeding up the metabolism, and because the metabolism rate is so high it uses the fat as energy, so the fat doesn’t get the chance to attach itself to the hip, bum, tummy – or wherever else it likes to take up residence! Since the metabolism is faster, appetite is increased, so here an increase in calories would be needed – to keep the metabolism and body going. In some cases weight is not lost, its more maintained, sometimes weight can be put on…all depends on how much the calorie intake has been increased! This is also treatable, and so any substantial weight lost is regained once treated! In this case after treatment lower calorie intake again, watching what is eaten whilst keeping a good exercise schedule going!Some of the symptoms to look out for are: heart palpitations, heat intolerance, nervousness, insomnia, fast heart rate, warm moist skin, trembling hands, hair loss and staring gaze.


Bodies can be rather complicated!!! But if they are understood and treated right, well then not only will we live longer and be healthier but we will also be happier and have a spring in our step!

Some advice – get that Thyroid checked out anyway…just to be on the safe side of life!!

There is such a thing as GOOD fat!

Lets talk FAT… gasp, did I just say fat? You bet it did! But these FATS are GOOD fats. Healthy fats that should be our friends and not our foe! Its Omega -3 fatty acids!

Omega-3 is absolutely essential for our health, as great as our bodies may be, our bodies can’t produce this fatty acid, so it’s important to consume the foods that contain this wonder working fatty acid. No I don’t mean go and grab a tub of margarine and sit there eating it spoon by spoon..HAHA! This fatty acid is extremely healthy and exceptionally beneficial to our bodies and tasty (well to some of us anyway). Fish such as Salmon, Tuna, Halibut, and Sardines contain the highest amount of Omega-3, other foods are walnuts, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, butternuts and soybean, even algae contains omega-3! Mmm, tasty! Salmon salad? Well turns out to be more than just a meal!

This super fatty acid is a wonder worker, plays an important role in our brain function…(got to eat more fish then). More on the brain, there is a high concentration of Omega 3 in the brain which helps with memory, performance, and behavioral function. If not enough Omega 3 is consumed while pregnant the baby may be at risk of developing nerve and vision problems later on in life, so even more reason to eat more of this Omega 3 fatty acid. This fatty acid also reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and even arthritis. Wow, a healthy heart, healthy body and a healthy mind.

It’s important to have Omega 3 to balance the Omega 6 fatty acid. While Omega 6 tends to promote inflammation, Omega 3 works to reduce it. A typical diet tends to contain 15-25 times more Omega 6 then Omega 3. So you see why its so important to eat the foods that contain this super fatty acid?

Some of us don’t eat fish, so nothing to worry about, taking supplements will still provide the fatty acid, just make sure that if we aren’t eating fish we are at least taking those supplements!Would be best to consult your doctor first so see which supplement would be appropriate.

Dry and itchy skin, fatigue, memory loss, mood swings and poor circulation are some of the symptoms of Omega 3 deficiency. Getting a general check up at the doctor is highly suggested!

So here’s to heart healthy meals! I think this means a good recipe with fish is in order? Ok coming up! PS – when having breakfast in the morning, have some flaxseeds in your porridge, this is tasty and well, turns out to be more beneficial! – if not having porridge try drizzling flaxseed oil over a salad!

Finding YOUR-self!

YOU are absolutely perfect the way you are, YES you read right I said YOU ARE perfect!

I was thinking the other day how some of us believe that we are not good enough. I find it sad that so many people in this wide wonderful world, think they need to be someone else, someone prettier, someone thinner and someone better, to be accepted and to fit in. They believe that if they become that someone they will find happiness.
So many people (kids and adults) are so desperate to be anybody but themselves! They focus so much on being that somebody else they lose the true and real focus on who they REALLY are, who they really are deep down inside. It seems easier to be 'somebody else', instead of finding out who they are, what their values are, what their beliefs are, so they settle for less and focus is put onto being that 'somebody else', that somebody that they believe is better and will get them accepted into society.
They don't realize that in the midst of all this 'pretending', they are rejecting ourselves - actually WE are the only ones who can make OURSELVES happy and feel accepted and loved!

So I guess that is where it all starts, love - SELF-love! If you don't accept and love YOURSELF first, there is no way that someone can love and accept you, and you cant love and accept someone else. There comes a point in life that we have to learn to love ourselves, for who we are. No, self-approval and self-acceptance is not an ego trip, but its reaching maturity, gratitude and love - SELF-LOVE!

When we are happy with ourselves and accept ourselves for who we really are, our true colors show, this is when we find true acceptance. There is no point in fighting for acceptance by others when everyone is 'faking' who they really are!

Don' get me wrong I am not judging or criticizing here, I am just trying to motizate that we all let our true colors shine through, for us to love and accept ourselves for who we really are!
When our decisions and behavior are the reflection of our deep values, that is when we will begin to live a meaningful life, and our need to be accepted falls away, because we have found acceptance and love from within.

We are all unique and special, come on admit it, how boring would it be if we were all the same?

There is so much pressure on kids to be accepted, to be someone else, to be popular, or to bethe bully at school, thus forcing the child to lose perspective with their true identity. Even then they aren't accepted at times, and they are left feeling lost and rejected, and sadly sometimes look suicide as the answer. (And we wonder why there are so many teen suicides). If only someone could have loved and accepted them for who they really are. So while we can, lets make a difference, let us love and accept the young, show they that they can let their true colors shine. Lets prevent teen suicide, and all the heartache and pain!! 

Dedicated to all the readers - TRUE COLORS - by Phil Collins! :)