Fighting Obesity - an AYURVEDIC way

Definition of Obesity

Excess amount of body fat is Obesity.

Excess weight of muscles, bone, fat and water in the body (like body builders and athletes) is Overweight.

Over weighted persons are at increased health risk than normal persons. They are more prone to chronic diseases like heart diseases, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and few types of cancers.

An obese topless man on a motorcycle. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Is fat necessary to our body? 

Certain amount of body fat does the following function

1.      Heat insulation.

2.      Absorption of shock.

3.      Storage of energy. Etc.

Ayurveda describes the functions of body fat as

“Medaha sneha swedaudhrudatwam pushtim asthyancha”

This means in normal conditions the body fat keeps the body moisturized , causes sweating , gives energy to body (by storing energy) and  nourishes bones. (By protecting them from shock)

Distribution of fat 

Women have more body fat than men. In women usually the fat accumulates around hips giving them a pear shape. In men it accumulates around belly giving them an apple shape. The obesity related problems start when fat accumulates around waist.

In ayurveda the distribution of fat is described as follows.

Medastu sarvabhutaanamudarenvasthi thishtathi |

Ata evodare vriddhihi prayo medaswino bhavet ||

Fat gets deposited in and around belly in all living beings. It is also present in bone. Hence when a person becomes obese his stomach bulges out.

And also the characters of an obese person are described as

"Medo mamsa ativriddhatvaachalasphigudarastanaha"

Which means the hips, belly and breasts of an obese person sag and sagged parts flap as that person moves. An obese person will not be active.

Causes of Obesity

When a person consumes more calories than he burns then the excess calories get stored in the form of fat causing obesity.

1. Genetic factors–Obesity tends to run in families. If parents are fat then the offspring also show a tendency to accumulate fat. Even the diet and lifestyle habits which are practiced in family also contribute to obesity.

2. Environment. – A person’s eating habits and the level of physical activities a person has also contribute for excess deposition of fat. When a person eats food containing more calories and has a sedentary work then the calories consumed are more than calories burnt. The excess amount calories are stored as fat.

3. Psychological disturbances.- There is a tendency to over eat in response to negative emotions like boredom, sadness or anger. This leads to obesity.

4. Binge eating disorder.

5. Diseases and conditions like Hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, Depression, and certain neurological problems lead to overeating which in turn leads to accumulation of fat.

6. Medicines such as steroids and some antidepressants may cause weight gain.

Causes of obesity according to Ayurveda

The causes of obesity are very clearly explained in ayurveda. The following  reasons which are mentioned in ayurveda increase the deposition of fat.

Avayamadivaaswapnashleshmalaaaharasevinaha |

Madhuroannarasaha prayaha snehamedhovivardhati ||

According to ayurveda the causes of obesity are defined as :

1. Avyayama : Not exerting physically

2. Divaswapna: Sleeping in afternoon.

3. Shleshmala Ahara Vihara : The diet and life styles which increase Kapha

4. Madhura Annaha : Consuming sweetened foods .

Health risks due to Obesity 

Obesity leads to the following problems.

1. Type-2 diabetes

2. Heart disease.

3. High Blood pressure.

4. Stroke

5. Few types of Cancers

6. Gall stones

7. Liver diseases

8. Osteo arthritis.

9. Gout

10. Infertility

11. Irregular menstruation in women.

According to Ayurveda the obese persons are more prone to the following diseases.

1. Diabetes.

2. Kidney related problems.

3. Hepatitis.

4. Low libido.

5. Low energy levels.

6. Skin problems.

7. Fistula

8. Piles.

9. Filariasis . etc

Tips to reduce Obesity 

1. Determine with the help of your physician how much weight has to be reduced.

2. Set several short term realistic goals .

3. Reward yourself each time you make progress (Not food items)

4. Even small weight losses have shown to be beneficial.

5. Make gradual changes in eating habits.

6. You will lose weight when you burn more calories than you consume. Hence eating less and being more active help in losing weight.

7. Sound eating habits keep you out of putting on weight.

8. Stay motivated to lose weight.

9. Slow weight loss is the safest and most effective. ( one to one and half pound per week).

10. Gradual weight loss, promote long term loss of body fat.

11. A person who is moderately active needs daily, 33 calories per kg of body weight to maintain his weight .

12. Reducing calories intake by 300 per day and increasing the physical activity to burn 200 calories per day results in weight loss of 400 Gms per week.

13. To satisfy basic nutritional needs eat a variety of foods every day. Choose from each of the five food groups milk, meat, fruit, vegetable and cereals. Balanced food plans  encourage making wise choices about everyday food choices. This type of diet helps  to stay at your proper weight for life.

14. Allow for an occasional treat.

15. Evaluate your eating pattern.

16. Try to cut down on foods high in fats and sugar.

17. Most successful weight – loss plans stress on reduction in both calories and the amount of fat eaten

Physical activity:

1. Determine the type of physical activity that suits your life style.

2. Regular aerobic exercise like brisk walking, jogging or swimming, is a key factor in achieving permanent weight loss and improving health

3. Health experts recommend exercising 30 minutes or more on all, days of the week for maximum benefits. The exercises should be moderately vigorous to be most effective but not exhausting.

4. Incorporate few simple measures to burn calories effectively. Like- taking an after dinner walk, using stairs instead of escalators or elevators, parking the car farther away to have a longer walk etc.

5. Exercises also improve sense of well being ,decreases stress and decreases appetite in some.

Ayurvedic tips to reduce Obesity 

Numerous tips to reduce obesity have been mentioned in ayurveda. The following ayurvedic tips help you to reduce the obesity.

1. Very good exercises. Exercises like brisk walking, jogging, playing out door games etc help to reduce weight.

2. Physical and mental exertion. Exerting physically like doing house hold works, walking to distant places to bring groceries, vegetables etc, walking long distances to bring the child back from school, walking to working place, climbing stairs etc are types of physical exertion. Exerting physically as much as you can help to burn more calories. Mental exertion like worrying or involving in finding solutions to problems  also restrict food consumption in some and there by reduces the intake of calories .

3. Having sex frequently is also a good physical exertion.

4. Consumption of honey. This is advisable for non diabetic patients. Consuming  2 tea spoon of honey with a glass of herbal tea which includes weight reducing herbs help a lot in weight reduction. Honey along with these herbs scrapes and dissolves  the Kapha and medha (body fat).

5. Sleeping for less hours. Avoiding sleeping in afternoons help to increase the burning of calories. This avoids slowing of  basal metabolic rate.

6. Avoiding the food and beverages which increase kapha  and medha. The foods which increase kapha and medha are sweets, sweetened drinks , large quantities of carbohydrates and oily food.

7. Consuming wheat products than rice products help to reduce obesity.

8. Using Green gram and horse gram help in reduction of kapha and medha.

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Origins, BABYLONIANS

The Babylonians are generally acknowledged to have originated the practice and science of astrology. Their astrological charts enabled them to predict the recurrence of seasons and certain celestial events. So, in the beginning and for more than 2,000 years, astrology and astronomy were the same science.

Babylonian astrology was introduced to the Greeks early in the 4th century BCE and, through the studies of Plato, Aristotle, and others, astrology came to be highly regarded as a science. It was soon embraced by the Romans (the Roman names for the zodiacal signs are still used today) and the Arabs and later spread throughout the entire world.

The Ishtar Gate refers to Ishtar previously known as Innana (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While earliest astrology was used to bring a sense of order out of apparent chaos, it was soon employed to predict weather patterns, primarily for agricultural purposes. It was eventually widened to include forecasts of natural disasters, war and other events in the affecting the human condition. Once success in these fields was established, it was a natural evolution for astrology to be used as a means for advising for kings and emperors and, in time, the population at large.

The zodiac (which is derived from the Greek word meaning circle of animals) is believed to have developed in ancient Egypt and later adopted by the Babylonians. Early astrologers knew it took twelve lunar cycles (i.e., months) for the sun to return to its original position. They then identified twelve constellations that they observed were linked to the progression of the seasons and assigned them names of certain animals and persons (in Babylonia, for example, the rainy season was found to occur when the sun was in a particular constellation which was then named Aquarius, or water bearer).

Around the year 2000 BCE, Babylonian astrologers believed that the sun, moon, and the five planets known at that time (Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus) possessed distinct powers. Mars, for example, appeared to be red and was associated with aggression and war.

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AROMATHERAPY and Low Female Libido - 5 Essential Ways

First of all let's look at aromatherapy in a close way. Aromatherapy and low libido is related and it the former that is used to heal the later. Aromatherapy is popular each day and it is used in addition to some oils and aromatic plants to improve health and mood. Aromatherapy method has been used for many centuries now and even the most known historical figure Cleopatra is known to be an essential seductress due to the way she used her aromatherapy knowledge.

Aromatic candle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The hypoactive sexual desire disorder or the low libido is more common in women than men and studies are showing that some causes of decreased libido is stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue and hormones. These signs can be treated by the use of aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy and low female libido can be treated by the use of today's libido boosting aromatherapy. It is true that aromatherapy can set up someone's mood and behavior towards sex and intimacy. Thee are different essential oils to use in aromatherapy to reduce stress, fatigue, anxiety and increase nitric acid that is essential in blood circulation in the body which also reaches the sexual organs. The blood flow also reaches the brain and triggers the erotic centers hence increasing sex drive.

Essential oils to use in aromatherapy and low female libido:

• Angelica is a most useful and stimulating oil that is also use by the libido depleted women who are also in their menopause stages, anemia or heavy and painful periods
• The aromatherapists also use ambrette, benzoin and cumin in dealing with sensual and sexual drive increase
• The Clary-sage warms the body while encouraging vitality and creativity as well as mace and nutmeg not forgetting patchouli
• The use of black pepper, cardamom, ginger and cinnamon are used to provide scent and endurance as well as warmth and should be used prior to love making
• When one is anxious, lacks mood, confidence ad is restless the following oils are effective in aromatherapy and low female libido. Geranium, rose, Ylang-ylang and jasmine. They boost sex drive by stimulating the release of pheromones and also fight frigidity and impotence. They can elevate libido hence promote compassion and love hence the drive for love making

These oils used in aromatherapy and low female libido should be used when they are diluted first. Then they are applied on the skin directly depending on the type of the oil used. One can also use a cloth or cotton woo and pour few drops before holding it near the nose for inhalation or steam inhalation can also be used. Some people will use the aromatherapy and low female libido oils in water especially in the bath tub.

Article Directory: EzineArticles

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ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES - Why The Silence?

If there are alternative medicines and natural treatments that really work, why don't we hear more about them? I don't think there are many true conspiracies around, but this is one of those areas that makes me wonder. The movement between government posts and positions in the pharmaceutical corporations is well documented. This easy movement between the boardrooms and the FDA and other agencies certainly leaves room for abuse and "back door agreements."

Supari Palm or Betelnut Areca catechu.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

More often than not, though, there is just a conspiracy-of-common-interest that prevents safe alternative medicines from coming to market, or from becoming widely known. For example, drug companies don't want the competition of safe alternatives to their drugs. Meanwhile, it is politically safer for the FDA to not allow a product, because if they approve something and it causes any problems, they get the blame. This is a convenient coinciding of interests.

Also, natural products, like silymarin (Milk Thistle Extract), which is used all over Europe to treat poisonings and to protect the liver, are legal here, but not well known. This is because, as a natural product, there is no way to patent it. Without being able to exclude others from selling it, no company can afford to spend the millions it would take to get it approved as a medicine here.

A natural product also can't be marketed heavily. Imagine if a large company spent millions to promote a medicinal herb. As soon as they got the public's attention, all the smaller companies could undercut them on the price, since they spent nothing on marketing, and a plant product is usually the same no matter what the name on the label. No company wants to spend big money on a product they don't have an exclusive right too.

When a plant isn't approved as a natural treatment, there are no pharmaceutical reps out there educating doctors about it (Didn't you know that's how doctors keep educated?). In addition, even if a doctor has read about a useful plant, he is more likely to face a malpractice suit for an allergic reaction to an alternative medicine than from killing someone with a "standard and accepted" treatment. Which do you think he'll recommend?

Companies face the same issues of liability. In addition, the companies are limited in what they can say about these natural products. This is why you can look all over the box that some plant medicines come in, and never once see a mention of what it is for. It is tough to learn about these natural treatments, isn't it?

In other words, if you want to know about alternative medicines and medical treatment, you have to look outside the mainstream for your information. You have to read the magazines that cover these alternatives, and sometimes, when it is safe, you have to even experiment a little on yourself.

As for my own approach, I like to see that there is actually some real research that demonstrates a benefit. Anecdotal evidence doesn't mean much. People get better all the time, and credit whatever they happened to be using at the time. On the other hand, if it is inexpensive and safe, like eating blueberries to improve vision, I'll try almost anything once.

Do natural treatments work? Sometimes. I have twice removed skin growths from my face that may have even been pre-cancerous. They were there for many years, yet it took just weeks to make them disappear using a simple and cheap natural product. I have also witnessed the fastest healing of a cut (on my foot) that I've ever seen, after applying a common plant to it. Some alternative medicines really do work.

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DHYANA YOGA (meditation) for soul awakening.

Meditation (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A human life is a priceless gift of God. The Lord does not have a greater gift than this to give his beloved creatures. Its specialties and potentials are so extraordinary that its results can only amaze us. This gift has been given to us to fulfill divine goals.  But it is our ill-fate that we have forgotten our divine nature, God’s gift and the goal/ importance of a human life. Neither do we know our divine potential, nor the Lord’s goal, wisdom or meditation. We are straying far away in this dark, gloomy world.  This forgetfulness is strange.  People generally forget objects and also what they have read, heard etc. A person whom we had known in the past is now a stranger for us, since we have forgotten him. But it is rare to find a person who forgets himself.  We think ourselves to be a body with name and form. We desire what our mind desires, we look upon the body’s needs as our own need.

The body and mind are the 2 wheels of the chariot of our life. But we have totally forgotten that we are the soul and not the body.  No doubt we hear time and again that the body is different from the soul.  But it is very rare that someone actually experiences this fact. And even if we experience it, it is in a very hazy manner.  If we understand true reality and the difference between the life-force and peripherals that manifests in our consciousness, we will give prime importance to soul well-being.  We would give only that much importance to material objects as is required.  Today we are walking with feet devoid of shoes and decorate our cars with frills of gold. We are dying of hunger and give clarified butter to vehicles. “We” means the soul and vehicle means body or mind.  The Lord is serving his servants. It is indeed strange that he has forgotten his responsibility.

                                                                                                                                               ATTAINING THE SOUL’S GOAL

The goal of life is to attain self-fulfillment. This self-fulfilled state can only be at the level of divinity. In order to attain God, the mind should get concentrated on him.  Before constructing important buildings, their maps, plans and models are designed.  An engineer, architect etc. will build buildings based on these models.  An image of God with his qualities, activities and nature is carried out for the purpose of meditation. As a result one experiences nearness, oneness and a sense of merging of God.  This is the true nature of meditation.

The goal of true meditation is to regain our lost memory regarding our real nature.  If someone happens to regain it, it is definitely akin to a man coming out of a very scary dream. It is only then that one experiences a condition akin to a child being lost in a massive crowd or like that of a man who has lost the memory of his identity.  Those undergoing such anguish, experience a great loss and they hurt their near and dear ones. Since we have lost our memory (that we are the mighty soul and not the body), our condition is as demeaning as a baby lion being brought up in a family of goats.  As a result we are giving pain to our true nature, which is divinity.

The goal of Yoga of meditation is to overcome loss of memory i.e. to awaken to the fact that we are the soul and not the body. In that one remembers God and one experiences one’s soul nature.  The memory of the union of a living being (Jiva) and God (Brahman) is re-activated and one experiences, that this very Divine Power contact was broken by us, is in reality our Divine Mother and Benefactor.  Not only this but like the proverbial wish-fulfilling cow (Kamadhenu), it is so powerful that by drinking its nectarine milk, we attain divinity. By sitting in the shade of a wish-fulfilling  tree (Kalpavriksha) one can attain anything. After contacting, coming close to that Divine Centre, one does not lack anything and thus we can overcome all types of poverty.  Thus Yoga of Meditation helps us attain this goal.

CONCENTRATION

It is not something great to attain Divine Powers. It should be protected from any type of wastage and should never be misused. The benefits of attaining Divine Powers are encountered when they are gathered in a safe place and that they are utilized only for sacred tasks.

As a result of heat, a lot of water of the oceans gets converted to steam.  So much steams rises into the atmosphere from cooking gas, fire etc. All this goes in waste.  But in an engine, a little bit of water is converted to steam. This steam is not allowed to stray in the atmosphere and is in fact collected in a tank. Later its energy flow passes out of a small hole and reaches the piston. As a result of this small process, the engine of a train starts functioning. Not only does it move but it runs at a great speed. Its movement is so powerful that it tugs alongwith it many other compartments  at a high speed.

If tons of gun powder are spread out on the ground and lit with a match-stick, it will show a little light for a flash of a moment and then get burnt to ashes.  This is a total wastage and is of no use to us. But if it is enclosed in a small area of a gun and by pressing the trigger a little, sparks of fire touch the gunpowder, this infinitesimal gunpowder gives amazing results. The bullet runs at a mammoth speed to its target.  Wherever it lands, it topples that object. One can thus clearly note the difference between just lighting up tons of gunpowder with a matchstick and on the other hand, lighting up a minute amount of gun powder in a gun.

The rays of sun light are scattered all over the earth.  Daily the sun rises and then sets in the evening.  This sunlight can give only a little heat and light to us. But if a few sunrays are concentrated on paper using a special lens, the paper starts burning. If it is thrown in a huge jungle, a forest fire ensues which destroys that entire area to ashes.

During Draupadi’s Swayamvar (choosing you own groom), the condition for getting married to her was that the prospective bridegroom should pierce the eye of a bird placed at a distance with an arrow. Dronacharya was helping his students to master this art. Before his students aimed an arrow, Dronacharya would ask them as to what they were seeing.  On an average the students would say that are seeing a bird on the tree. As a result Dronacharya would declare that such students would never succeed.  When it was Arjun’s turn, he answered that I can only see the bird’s eye and nothing else. Thus Dronacharya declared that Arjun would definitely succeed.  Truly at the Swayamvara ceremony of Draupadi, Arjun pierced the eye of the bird with one single arrow and thus got married to Draupadi.

It is said that a flying creature called a buzzing bee catches hold of a caterpillar and continues to buzz in front of it. As a result of continuously hearing the buzz of the bee and visualizing the bee’s form, the mental state of the caterpillar becomes that of a bee.  The caterpillar starts thinking itself to be a buzzing bee.  As a result the body of the caterpillar takes the shape of a buzzing bee instead of a grown up butterfly.  Zoologists may doubt this but it is a definite fact that whenever man concentrates/ focuses his mind on a particular name and form, his mind too takes up the name, form and characteristics of that object. As a result of focusing her mind on beauty and youth, a prostitute regains her beauty to a great extent at an advanced age too.  On the other hand, many young men and women look aged because their minds are all the time thinking of hardships and dire circumstances. All this   is a result of focusing one’s mind on a particular good/ bad thought.  This could be intentional or unintentional.

Spiritual concentration means to stop the mind from straying away from its center and that after focusing one’s Divine Powers at one central focal point, one should utilize the same for sacred endeavors only.  This is called control of mind or focusing of the psyche in spiritual texts. A lot of discussion takes place regarding Yoga of Meditation.  It should be surmised as an art of concentrating one’s mind.  When we hear about it, its success seems mediocre but in reality, it is a great achievement.  When one masters this art, man by focusing his scattered conscious energy in one place, utilizes it for some sacred purpose and thus attains amazing success.

Water is filled in dams. But when it is ejected from a small opening, a stream of it flows at break neck speed because of water pressure generated by the dam. This flow has extraordinary energy. Its influence aids the movement of wheels of many machines and as a result these machines start moving.  The construction of huge electric powerhouses takes place near gigantic dams.  It is very expensive to generate electricity using engines and machines but hydroelectricity is cheaply operated near dams.  Near smaller waterfalls, you have water mills.  The resultant energy is not due to the stream of water but it is due to its concentration. By focusing a widespread area in a smaller area, you generate power.

The aim of Yoga of Meditation is to concentrate mental thought scattering in one small area of thought.  The more an individual succeeds in concentrating his mind, the more his psyche will radiate with power.  Like an arrow of word, it is easy for him to attain his goal.  If spirituality is his aim, he will advance spiritually and his psyche will radiate with Ridhi-Sidhi or what are called Divine Powers.  If the aim is material progress, we will attain this goal too.  In whichever appropriate direction this energy is used, it will reap good dividends.

Concentration/ focusing means overcoming the wasteful scattering of the thought waves of our mind.  By obstructing the water flow of a small stream, a dam is created and thus a small pond, lake is created.  Then artificial streams are created from this lake which give water to far off arid regions.  If this stream were not converted into a dam, it would have lashed at the shores and caused wasteful flooding in surrounding regions.  This would lead to material destruction in that region. One should not look upon the thought flow in our mind as less important when compared to a hydroelectricity generator. The power of an electricity powerhouse is limited and can transmit electricity to a very limited region in its vicinity.  But this cannot be said about the mind.  Its potential of today can be augmented infinite fold in the future.  Its area of influence which is today limited to the family and friends will in future encompass the entire world.

Generally people of great authority like scientists, philosophers, artists, scholars, sculptors, authors, managers, leaders etc are like ordinary laymen. Their body is very ordinary and their minds lack a magical wand. Whatever difference one perceives in them alongwith the miracle of their greatness, is a result of their inner special qualities which in turn are related to the focusing capacity of their mind and their steadfastness in reaching the desired goal. Everybody possesses infinite amount of intellectual energy.  To the extent that weak brained individuals too have a lot of radiance.  The difference only is this that some have activated this radiance and the rest have not done so.  Even a very wise person is like a dead corpse when he is in deep sleep.  But on waking up, he manifests his intellectual brilliance.  This holds true for the brain too.  Due to certain circumstances, the intellectual powers of some people remains latent and thus look weak intellectually. But if their intellect is activated with effort, not only will they be as brilliant as other wise people but sometimes they will march ahead of them too.

Everyone knows that many threads unite together to form a strong rope and many broomsticks join together to form a broom.  Many drops of water constitute a jugful of water.  This example is given to accept the fact that by obstructing the wayward scattering of the intellect, one can focus/ concentrate one’s thought waves at a focal point.  One can easily understand that wayward scattering of thoughts in various directions diminishes our mental prowess and that if these thoughts are concentrated at one single point, it will give us miraculous mental strength.

By advancing mental concentration, great scientists, Yogis, philosophers etc. enter the deep ocean called the mind and thus collect priceless jewels.  Those who just float on the surface of the sea, attain nothing but those who dive deep into it, attain priceless materials. Superficial thinking is like a wayward blade of grass moving aimlessly here and there.  On the other hand focusing one’s thought waves at a single point in the psyche via meditation gives miraculous results.

HOME ENERGY Consumption

5 Ways to Cut Down Your Home Energy Consumption

If you have been receiving high electric bill month after month, then be alarmed. You might be using your appliances more what your require them.

Normally, a regular American household would consume between $1500 and $2000 on electric bills alone. If you happen to fall between these figures, then you can consider yourself as a regular homeowner that uses electricity that is not really needed. Why? One reason: You don’t need to spend as much as $2000 a year for energy. And you don’t even have to spend more than that either. You see, a regular household that spends at this amount often wastes power and of course money. And with an increased electric rate, the bills will go even higher.

Vintage Picture of Honeywell's iconic model T87 thermostat, also called "The Round".
There is one of these in the Smithsonian. Classic 20th-century Americana.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Want to do some changes?

Then, here are the things you should know. The 5 ways to cut down your home energy consumption:

1.  The thermostat control

When you want your room to be super cool because you are sweating from the inside, you simple don’t turn the thermostat super low. Remember this: the thermostat will not run as quickly as you want. It will run on the same level all throughout until it reaches the temperature you set. So whether you gradually switch your thermostat low or instantly set it on its lowest, you will receive the same result. The main difference is, you only spend more energy when you think you can get your room to cool quickly if you set your thermostat low.

Think of it this way: You are driving at 5mph when you suddenly shift to 5th gear. What you will get? More pressure on the pedal with lesser speed gained. In other words, you waste so much gas but do not instant speed.

Also, to further cut down your electric bill, you can set the thermostat several degrees lower when you are out or when you sleep.

2.  Several small consumptions add up

Your iPod charger, cellphone charger, and other chargers that are plugged 24/7 can cost you additional digits on your electric bill. This also goes to your night-lights that are switched on all day, all night. Also, your digital clocks and pots that are plugged since brought to the house consume high home energy. The computer monitor that is left on the whole day adds up to your electric bill. All these contribute to the cost you pay for your electric bill. Imagine this: these things that you think do not contribute so much adds 5% on your electric bill.

3.  The cool way

You don’t need a warm water to wash your clothes. Oh, you think that warm water kills germs on your clothes. Well, you don’t need them. Settle for cold water. You can save as much as 90% on your washing machine’s electric consumption of you don’t use water heater.

4.  Sealing the leaks

Leaks can come from doors, sills, windows, cracks on the walls, and joints. And making sure that these leaks are given proper attention would yield to saving in the long run. Make sure that your doors are closed properly. If there are spaces, seal them. This goes with all the doors from garage doors, exterior doors, operable windows, to door of the attic. Use sealants such as weather strippers. Windows should also be free from leaks. Cover them with plastic coating so that the heat will be contained inside your home. Cracks on the walls should also be sealed. Regular sealants will instantly do the jobs. The reason for doing this is that you need to keep the heat contained inside your home so that the heating system would not need to do extra work due to heat loss from these leaks.

5.  Keep them small

If you are dinning alone and would want to warm up left over straight from your fridge, do not use large pots or ovens. Instead, settle for small pots and microwave. Small pots require less heat while microware has use lesser power than oven. Small burner instead of large burner is more ideal in preparing meals for two reason: one, it consumes less electricity, and two, it your air conditioning would not work double time cooling down the room. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, you can save from 30 to 40% on energy cost if you follow these ways.

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How Does ALOE VERA Juice Help With Constipation?

Aloe vera (in house, Belgium)
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aloe vera is known to be a very popular remedy for lots of diseases. It has also been proven to be effective in curing constipation. The juice that comes from the herb leaf is a good tool to help relax the muscles in the digestive tract. This will help to regulate the movement of the stomach and the rest of the digestive system. It is pretty understandable how aloe vera juice helps with constipation because of the many benefits we get from the herb. 

It helps promote regular bowel movements which in turn will relief constipation problems. It also has big effects in the colon. When the colon is always cleansed, the bowel movement will regulate and perform well in the flushing of toxins out of the body. These toxins are actually what cause the constipation.

When there are no bowel and toxins left inside the body, you will always be free of constipation. That is what the aloe vera juice does. It has enzymes that restore the healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. That way, there would be a balance against the bad bacteria that are ruining the movement inside the stomach and the intestines.

There are also findings of how aloe vera juice helps with constipation by healing the damaged walls inside the digestive system. Due to the toxins that are trapped inside, the cell walls are being damaged. If we take aloe vera juice regularly, it will be cured effectively. The antifungal and antibacterial compounds in the herb help treat the damaged areas inside the digestive system. This will help regulate all the movements inside.

To make the aloe vera juice, mix in pure aloe vera gels. You can get these directly from the herb plant. Just cut the leaves open and then take the inside part. Add water to the gel. You can also add some other ingredients like honey to smoothen the taste. By drinking this juice twice each day for about 16 days, you will sure to ease the problems of constipation.

The methods of how aloe vera juice helps with constipation have been used for centuries. Even the Egyptians have used it for the treatment of lots of health problems including constipation. The herb is such a wondrous natural medicine for lots of health problems. What makes it a very efficient healer is that it does not have any side effects. It is a very mild herb that will heal any problem without leaving any damage to the cells.

You also do not have to worry for any damage in the digestive system. It will actually heal all the damaged parts due to the toxins that are trapped inside. After drinking the juice, you will feel healed and cleaned all over.

Click here to see Top Rated Colon Cleanse Products and read more about Aloe Vera Colon Cleanse. Article Directory: EzineArticles

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Should I Worry about Getting ACUPUNCTURE

Basic Acupuncture. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's natural for a person to worry about something that they are not informed about.  One thing that many people are nervous over is their first acupuncture treatment, especially if they have preconceived ideas about the practice that are inaccurate.  Let's talk a little bit about acupuncture, where it came from and what you can expect from your visit to the acupuncturist.

Acupuncture is actually in ancient Chinese medical treatment in which small needles are inserted into specific areas of the body in order to promote a flow of energy throughout our body.  This energy, known as Chi is important to keep balanced in order to maintain proper health.  By manipulating the flow of Chi in our system, we are helping ourselves to maintain this balance and to enjoy the overall health benefits that come as a result.

The insertion of the needles is relatively painless and is typically totally painless.  Many people experience either in exhilaration or relaxation whenever the needles are inserted.  They are so thin, much thinner than the typical needles that you see at the doctors office that they don't cause the pain that is typically associated with doctors and needles.  Once inserted in the body, they may be manipulated in one way or another or perhaps even heated in order to help with the flow of energy.

Your first visit to the acupuncturist may not actually include any needles at all.  Your doctor will want to take the time to get to know you and to understand your particular circumstances so that he can treat you in the proper way.  It will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have on your mind, most of which I'm sure that he has heard and can answer quite easily.

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Acupuncture is used for dozens of different problems that people are experiencing from flatulence to severe pain management.  Anything that has to do with the natural flow of energy in our body and our overall natural health can be maintained or enhanced through the use of acupuncture.  Although it is not a total treatment unto itself, as many acupuncturist will actually also put you on a health regime, it can help individuals in many cases to overcome problems that medical science is unable to handle.  So don't be nervous about your trip to the acupuncturist, be optimistic.

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About Adult ACNE

Acne (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Acne is often thought of as a teenage dilemma, and while it is true that acne appears most often during the teenage years, it is arguably just as true that there are a growing number of individuals that suffer from adult acne. 

Adults in their twenties, all the way up to their fifties can still experience acne flare-ups.  And adult acne can have just as many negative effects on a person as teenage acne.  Possibly even more so, as the stress of career and family adds to the strain of living with an unsightly skin problem.

Mental stress can be one of the major causes of acne in adults.  It is not a surprise in the slightest that women are often more likely to suffer from adult acne than men, as it has been shown that women have much more stress in their day to day lifestyle, not to mention that they are prone to hormonal imbalances, especially during times such as their menstrual cycle and pregnancy.  Just as in teens, hormones play an important factor in the onset and exacerbation of adult acne.

The environmental factors that surround a person, paired with the individual's lifestyle can also play a huge role in the appearance of adult acne.  An improper diet or behaviors such as smoking and drinking affect the skin's condition and resistance to acne, as well as other diseases.

Prevention is the only obvious way to go when dealing with adult acne. A proper diet, paired with plenty of water and rest is a good start.  Trying to relieve stress and maintaining proper skin care and hygiene can also help to prevent acne from occurring.

But what about the pimples that you may already have?  There are many treatments available for people who have adult acne.  

Anti-acne medications, certain skin care products, and even laser surgery are just a few of the many treatments available for acne on the market today.  Visiting a qualified doctor or dermatologist is the only way to determine how severe your acne really is and to find the proper treament available for you.

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BIKRAM YOGA is not hot

Bikram Yoga is widely known as the hot yoga. It was also called the Bikram Method Yoga. As a matter of fact Bikram Choudhury was the founder of Bikram Yoga, but with time numerous wrong styles of spelling bikram yoga got to be used: bickram yoga,  bikhram yoga, bikrahm yoga, bikrham yoga,  bikrum yoga.

Bikram Choudhury at a book signing. 

Bikram Choudhury (born 1946) is a multi-millionaire 

Indian yoga guru and the founder of Bikram Yoga, (

Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was Bikram Choudhury, that gave yoga solutions to some of modern medical problems. He was the founder and a yoga practician. He evolved Bikram Yoga after he had an injury in a weightlifting accident. He was so tenacious that he had picked up some healing benefits in using some yoga exercises. A lot of people have evidenced the benefits of Bikram Yoga so the exercise was communicated and numerous people proceeded to practice it. There are some people who do not believe in the benefits of Bikram Yoga. Bikram Choudhury developed Bikram Yoga with the assistance of some scientists. While Bikram was on his research at Tokyo University, he brought out that the healing operation takes place when all the body systems are serving well, are conditioned and robust. If the body is weak, employing the yoga practice and healing method will be difficult to obtain.

The scientists from the University of Tokyo University Hospital showed that Bikram Yoga has medical benefits. Some of its benefits include the reviving of tissues and helps in curing chronic ailments. The findings and benefits were submitted at the International Medical Conference in the year 1972. It was expressed that Bikram Yoga has the aptitude to shape the body internally.

Bikram has come up with twenty-six posture exercises which are to be applied every day. In doing so, treatment in the body can be easily obtained. Bikram or hot yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a heated room, which is usually preserved at a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Some poses are collected with the combination of the western and eastern disciplines in Yoga which focuses on the stretching of the muscles, tendons, organs, nerves, glands and ligaments.

So, there are many reasons why you should exercise Bikram Yoga. The rewards of Bikram Yoga can completely modify your life. It's amazing how Yoga can trigger off your life and shift your positions.

In order to be successful with the healing process of  Bikram Yoga, you require attachment in doing it. The positions and hot air replenishes the cells with flushing toxins in our body. It also oxygenates blood throughout our body maintaining it clean and healthy.

Anyone who wishes to do yoga can use Bikram Yoga. It chooses no age at all. This type of yoga works with balancing, stretching and creating pressure which is all done at a same time to keep a good blood flow to all the parts of the body. So next time when you don’t know if it is bickram yoga, bikhram yoga, bikrahm yoga, bikrham yoga, or bikrum yoga, just say hot yoga.

The writer  Wayne Cameron is really interested in subjects associated to Yoga poses. Working on his Yoga writings on Bikram Yoga the columnist confirmed his deep knowledge on the topic. Article Directory: Article Dashboard

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DEMON POSSESSION is it Real or Just a Mental Disorder

Jesus drives out a demon or unclean spiri
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just about everyone these days has heard about ' demon possession ', it was made a household name by the 1973 movie ' The Exorcist ', and again it has become popular after the 2005 movie ' The Exorcism Of Emily Rose '. To myself and thousands of others, we have known and believed in demon possession for a long time from another source, the Holy Bible. The Bible written in sections or books, some more than a couple thousand years ago, tells us all we need to know about demon possession and that it is a very real condition.

In this day and age, when you mention demons or demon possession, most folks laugh or joke about it. Do these same folks laugh and joke about the Holy Bible ? To laugh and joke about the belief of demons and demon possession, is the same as laughing and joking about the Holy Bible and the word of God. If you are a true Christian and you believe in the Holy Bible as being the divinely inspired word of God, then you should have no doubts about the existence of demons and demon possession.

What are demons ? Demons are supernatural beings with great power and knowledge, their knowledge comes from not just their high intelligence, but the fact that they have been alive since before the earth was created. They are often called or known as ' fallen angels ', in fact that is exactly what they are. When satan rebelled against God, he along with his followers, (1/3 rd of the angels of heaven), were cast out of the Third Heaven, where God's throne and the actual city or place called Heaven currently exists. These ex-angels, now called ' demons ', were banished forever from the 3rd heaven where they once worshipped God and his son Jesus. Now for thousands of years, they have been condemned to live in what is called heavens 1 and 2, this area encompasses the planet earth, the sky above it, the stars, planets and the solar systems beyond it.

Demons are usually invisible in their natural state to the human eye, but they can take on any solid form they wish, and then we can see them. Demons can appear as wips of what looks like smoke, lasting only a few seconds, or at other times they look like fleeting shadows, often seen out of the corners of the eyes. They can take on any shape they choose, even an animal, they can appear solid or transparent and ghost-like.

What does the Bible tell us about demons and some of their abilities:

1. Demons seem to desire a body to possess or use as a host, like a parasite. It could be that when they were cast down from Heaven that they were changed into another form, or they just have a strong desire to control and cause as much trouble to humans as they possibly can. In ' Mark 5:12 ', when Jesus was exorcising demons from a possessed man, the demons spoke to Jesus and begged him, saying: ' Send us among the herd of pigs; allow us to go into them '.

2. Demons have great strength. In ' Luke 8:29 ', a man was possessed by demons, and while possessed he was able to break chains easily, the demons also made the man want to dwell among graves and lonely places.

3. The demons are responsible for many of the diseases and illnesses that people have. In ' Luke 11:14 ' , a man that had been mute and unable to speak, became able to speak normaly when Jesus removed a demon from him.

What are some causes of  demon possession ? Sin. yes, sin is the cause or thing that leads to someone being controlled and ultimately possessed by demonic forces:

1. Abuse - Some folks claim they were abused as children, and this has brought them under the control of demons.

2. Occult Activity - Reading and trying spells and other things in occult books.

3. Spirit communication - Using an ouija board, channeling, or automatic writing, is an open door to demon possession.

4. Astrology and Fortune Telling - Using ones horoscope or visiting a fortune teller to know the future is wrong according to the bible, clearly a warning that demonic forces are involved with it.

5. Music and Movies - Movies and music can be fun and inspirational, but most of the movies today are very sinful. Todays movies are full of such sinful things as sexual encounters that are out of marriage or with the same sex, cussing or using Jesus's name in vain, and there are numerous movies these days that show or try to let us think that dabbling with spells, sorcery and witchcraft are ok, when the Bible clearly says that any witchcraft or sorcery is wrong and can open the door to demon forces.

6. Sexual perversions - Pornography is very addicitve and often leads to more and more perverted sexual desires, such as same sex encounters and sex with animals which is growing more and more in todays perverted world, all of which is evil and wrong according to the Bible and Jesus. Demons can use these filthy and perverted desires to weaken our wills and mental states, until we allow them to enter us, and possess us.

There are many other activites and things that can ultimately lead to someone becoming possessed and controlled by demon forces, but the main cause is sin.

There are a lot of folks that say demon possession is just symptoms of either a mental illness or some other medical condition, or sickness. This can be true at times when the person does have a medical problem, but in a true case of demon possession, there will be signs or activity that NO sickness or disease can manifest, such as:

1. Knowledge of future events and hidden things - Demon possessed people have been known to gain a sudden knowledge about things that was never shared with others, or to even reveal future events that come true.

2. Superhuman strength - Possessed individuals have been known to break ropes, chains and other restraints with ease, and it often takes up to 4 full grown men to hold a demon possessed child down.

3. Speaking in unknown or strange languages - Demon possessed inviduals who have no prior knowledge of foreign languages have been known to start taking fluently in strange languages or foreign tongues, such as Aramaic, Latin and other languages.

4. Levitation and Psychic Powers - Demon possessed individuals have been known to levitate and hover in the air in front of other witnesses, or cause objects in the room to move by themselves.

5. Smells - Often in the presence of a demon possessed individual the surrounding air will become so horriblly smelling that folks will get sick, the smell has been described as the smell of cancer or death, or even sulphur.

6. Reaction to Holy relics or sacred items - Demon possessed individuals have been known to fear or even react violently to crosses, bible reading, holy water or other sacred relics and symbols. In one case of demon possession in pennsylvania in the early 1980s a young man, who was possessed had his head covered with a sack, so he could not see. He held his hands behind his back and a few different items were placed in his hands, when a cross was dropped into his hand, it burned his skin and became hot to others that touched it.

The best way to avoid demon activity and possession in your life is to avoid sin as much as possible. Read your bible as often as you can, go to a nice bible believing church, and most importantly, accept Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour, repent of your sins, and try not to sin like you did before your conversion.

As we are now living in what I call the ' End Times ', we will be seeing and hearing a lot more news about possession and demon activity. If you would like to know a lot more about the ' End Times ', and read some great Christian articles on such subjects as 'Being Saved, Armageddon, The Rapture, and much more, visit the website: ' Signs Of The End Times '

By Robert W. Benjamin - Copyright © 2006 Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970s-80s. RB59 Software http://www.rb59.com/software Article Directory: EzineArticles

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