A DIABETIC Diet for Vegetarians

Testing the blood glucose level yourself
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are a vegetarian who has been diagnosed with diabetes, you can still maintain your diabetic diet.  In some cases a vegetarian diet may be a healthy way to keep your blood glucose levels stable - that is if you are eating lean high-quality proteins and are following other rules for eating as a diabetic.

As a lot of vegans and vegetarians eat a larger amount of fruits and vegetables in a day than a non-vegetarian and their fiber intake is much higher too.  An increased amount of fiber in a diabetic’s diet can help blood sugars because it slows down the process of the body digesting carbohydrates.  A vegetarian’s diet is usually lower in cholesterol as well and it can help ward off cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and strokes.

If you are diabetic and are considering a switch to a diabetic diet some of the benefits you might derive include a higher rate of weight loss and better blood sugar readings.  This is dependant on the types of vegetarian meals you choose as some meatless meals can be just as fattening as ones that contain meat.

Speak to your doctor and dietician before making the switch.  You will need information on how to transition yourself to your new diet.  You will also get a list of meat alternatives you should eat in order to get enough protein in a day.  These can include tofu, nuts, eggs, and seeds.

As with any change, once your switch to a vegetarian diet give yourself and your body time to adjust.  There are many recipes and ideas for vegetarian dishes and you will find a lot of variety and flexibility in the meals that you prepare.  Check your blood sugars frequently to make sure your blood glucose levels remain stable during the change.

Become Your Own RELAXATION Expert

Meditation has been practiced around the world for thousands of years. It is a techiniqe used to quiet the mind and body, and release stress. It can also bring focus and clarity, and often, after meditating, problems that you have been struggling with, miraculously become solved. Meditation has also been known to inspire people to write, and to spur lucrative business ideas, as your subconscious comes to light.  

One simple form of meditation, requires you to sit in a quiet room, either on a pillow, or cross-legged on the floor, or in a comfortable chair, making sure your spine is straight. It is advised that you use the same place every day. It is also suggested that you personalize your spot, by beautifying it with candles, flowers, and pictures of the people that you love.

   

 The idea is to sit quietly, with your eyes closed, and focus on a point inside of your forehead. Try not to think of anything in particular, but don't try 'not' to think either, allowing your mind to become calm, and peaceful. If you find that your mind is 'chattering', don't try to control it, just let it finish what it is that it is working on, it will eventually quiet down. It is also recommended for beginners to begin with ten to twenty minute sessions, each day. After awhile of doing this, you will start to feel deep relaxation and joy during these sessions.

   

 The first step to this self-hypnosis is to sit in a quiet, comfortable spot, making sure you are facing a wall about eight feet away from you. Pick a spot or object on that wall, and make that spot or object your focal point. Looking at your focal point, begin counting backwards from 100, one number for each breath you exhale. As you do this, imagine yourself floating, and feeling very relaxed. You will begin to  feel your eyelids getting heavy, and may begin to blink. Let your eyes slowly close, and as you continue to count backwards, imagine yourself as limp as a ragdoll, totally relaxed, and floating in a safe and comfprtable place. Stop counting, and just float in your space. If any disturbing thoughts should come while in your space, just let them flow out again, and allow yourself to continue to feel safe and relaxed. This technique can help you to cope with stress, and discharge the tension that accumulates during stressful situations. 

   

When you are ready to come out of this self-hypnosis, you can either let yourself drift off to sleep, or you can count from one to three and exit. First, count one, and get yourself ready to exit. At two, take a deep breath, and hold for a few seconds. At three, exhale and open your eyes slowly. As you open your eyes, continue to hold on to that relaxed and comfortable feeling.

   

 You may then want to increase the length of your sessions to thirty minutes, or maybe even an hour. In our highly active lifestyles of today, it is imperative that we include a brief time for meditation in our daily schedule. For more self-help techniques and tips, please visit my website.

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REIKI and Anemia

Reiki is another form of alternative medicine. Although it can cure certain illnesses, one that has never been thoroughly studied in humans is anemia.

Anemia is a common blood disorder and this happens when the person's red blood cells are below normal. This often leads to other health problems like fatigue and stress that affects the body's other organs.

Flickr Photo by maxrempel

Until such time that there is scientific proof that it can help patients who are suffering from anemia, Reiki should not be recommended or even attempted. The person should seek the help of a medical professional and then work with what is available.

But if Reiki cannot be used to treat those suffering from anemia, where can it be used? This technique has been known to energize the body and relieve it from stress, prevent physical disorders, maintain a balanced state of health as well as minimize a sense of helplessness when faced with a daunting situation. It can be used anywhere and at anytime that may also be used on plants and animals.

The medical community for its part has only done a few tests to check on Reiki's effectiveness. For instance, a random test shows that it has an adverse effect on the nervous system as it can lower one's blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.

Another suggests it can help the person fight the symptoms of depression. There was also a report stating that Reiki can aid in patients who are in stroke recovery since positive effects on both energy and mood have been noted.

The nice thing about Reiki is that it is completely safe. The patient does not have to be injected or required to swallow anything. He or she will just have to sit still and just relax while the practitioner puts the hand over the body.

It should also be pointed out that it does not attack the disease but rather supports the person experiencing the disease to encourage him or her to fight it in order to once again have a state of balance.

For those that want to try it, they can do so as long as they use their common sense. If the doctor tells them that they have to take certain medication, it is best that they do follow it and they use alternative forms of medicine like Reiki to help them out.

This is after it has been pointed out that doctors have taken interest with Reiki and other forms of complementary and alternative medicine or CAM which is already taught in most US medical schools.

Despite the lack of tests, some doctors also insist patients to try it out since these are low risk practices that do not have adverse side effects.

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The difference between conventional medicine and Reiki is the approach. The traditional way focuses on detection on treatment while the other sees it from a holistic, whole person approach that extends way beyond the person's pathophysiology.

Is one better than the other? That is really hard to tell. So until such time that Reiki can cure anemia and any other disorder, patients and their loved ones are advised to approach this situation the conventional way given that this the most logical choice.

Just remember that there is nothing wrong thinking outside the box because you might just get lucky and find a cure.

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4 Home Remedies to cure ACNE

A severe case of cystic acne. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Acne is cured by acne medication, right?  The answer is:  when you have acne, it is not always advisable to head on to the nearest drugstore and buy acne medication.

Store-bought acne products aren't usually the best choice, as they can contain various chemicals that may only irritate the skin.  Since skin differs from person to person, there is never any guarantee that an acne product that worked for your friend would work for you.  In fact, your friend's acne medication may even be detrimental to your skin's integrity, and might cause a new break-out.

The chemicals found in artificial acne products, even those that purport to make your acne disappear in a matter of days, are often too strong that in the long run, they will only be harmful to your skin and cause excessive dryness.  Some acne medication will even make you dependent so you would have a breakout each time you attempt to stop using it.

Indeed, there are times when it's better to just opt for acne home remedies.  They may take longer to take effect, but at least you will not have to suffer from any hidden long-term effects.  Using acne home remedies is also much more affordable than using those acne products, which usually come with exorbitant prices.

Acne home remedy #1:  Tea Tree Oil

The use of tea tree oil in treating acne has always been rather popular.  Tea tree oil contains terpinen-4-ol which makes it a good anti-bacterial agent.  Applied on your skin, specifically on the lesions caused by acne, tea tree oil can kill the bacteria Propionibacterium Acnes.

Remember, however, that if you're going to use tea tree oil on your acne lesions, dilute the tea tree oil first in water before applying it topically.

Acne home remedy #2:  Honey

Another acne home remedy with anti-bacterial properties is honey.  Honey is most commonly used for the treatment of colds, but few people know that it may also be used to treat acne.  All you need to do is to apply a film of honey on your face, let it settle and then rinse it off thoroughly.  You only have to do this once or twice a week.  Honey is an all-natural acne remedy, so you will not have to worry about irritation.

Acne home remedy #3:  Kombucha Tea

Kombucha tea is another popular natural treatment for acne.  Drinking one glass of Kombucha tea a day can really improve your skin's immune system.  Since this particular tea has antibacterial properties, it can also kill the infection in the red and inflamed pustules that are caused by acne.

What's great about Kombucha tea is that it's not just recommended for treating acne, but also for treating various other conditions.  You're guaranteed to live a healthier life if you take Kombucha Tea everyday.

Acne home remedy #4:  Facial Steam

Another good home remedy for acne is facial steam.  All you need to do is to mix 2 to 4 tablespoons of dry herbs and 2 quarts of water in a pot.  You can use herbs like lavender, red clover and strawberry.  Personally, I prefer lavender since it has antibacterial properties and can stimulate the growth of healthy cells.

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Allow the mixture in the pot to steam and then sit at a comfortable distance from the steam.  Immerse your face in the steam for fifteen minutes.  The heat will open up your pores and facilitate the removal of oil and bacteria.

When you're done with your facial steam acne remedy, pat your face with cool water to close up the pores and then pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Getting Acne Clear is no longer a pipe dream or reserved for those that can afford the latest laser surgery treatments. Use the four remedies in this article, and you could also clear your acne for good.

Martin Chambers has put together a complimentary report on curing acne that will help you to get acne clear. To download this report instantly visit http://www.b5acnesecrets.com Article Directory: Article Dashboard

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Your Best Life Awaits You, Be Involved in Scripture MEDITATION Now

Are you not satisfied with your present life? Are you dreaming that someday you will be able to live a rewarding life? Perhaps you're aspiring for a stronger marriage or a better job, gratifying relationships, and a happier family life; whatever your wishes and intentions are, all those things are realizable.

Most people would write down their dreams and goals hoping that someday all their dreams will eventually come true. Although all those things are important, it's not easy to pursue such dreams. This is because your everyday life is always crowded with routine demands from work, family, community, and etc. Oftentimes, you focus on other priorities and that's why you can't easily break away from all those things.

Scriptures AS (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you want to experience and break out and see what God has intended for you, it's really very simple. Try reading the scriptures and you can learn a lot. In fact there's the so-called scripture meditation. You can even find sites about it and by reading the scriptures or the Holy Bible you can greatly improve your way of life.

You can learn a lot from the scriptures. A simple verse from the bible can give a lot of meaning, and by meditating on it you can actually apply the words from the bible into real life situations.

Take for example Proverbs 12:11; it's about food and fantasies. Many people are easily tempted of fantasies because real life is sometimes uninteresting. The verse is indeed true and is applicable to real life. If only a person works faithfully on his land, then he will have food for his table. Whereas, persons who chase their unending fantasies and don’t plant crops, then they have nothing to harvest.

The important point in that verse is that people should stick to reality, and that each person should take risks not blindly. There are risks involved when you're pursuing your dreams, and if you lack knowledge, in can be very expensive in life's terms.

Different religions have different beliefs, but one thing that's common among them is that they trust one God although the name varies from one religion to another. They also have different bibles where the scriptures are written. These things are considered as food for the soul, and so one must not forget to live by what the scriptures say in order to live the best days of his life.

Power of Meditation

If you want, you can join certain organizations that read the scriptures, and reflect on them. By meditating on the scriptures, you will understand what God has planned for you. Your mind will be clearer and you can set your priorities straight. No more dreaming because you now know ways to achieve such dreams through God. If you only focus on your dreams and live by what the scriptures say, then perhaps you can have a rewarding and fruitful life. The best times of your life are waiting for you.

So don’t be left behind. Many people are also into scripture meditation. Try to find someone who can help you out. It's never too late, and who knows, the best times are just around the corner waiting for you. You have to start meditation now, and don’t postpone it for tomorrow.

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MARTIAL ARTS and Childhood ADHD: Overcoming Symptoms

Hapkido holds many throwing techniques in
common with judo.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The symptoms of ADHD can be devastating for children.  It is especially hard for school-age children who feel isolated and don’t know how to express what they are feeling.  They can become quickly behind academically and socially, which leads to lack of self-confidence and depression.  Symptoms of childhood ADHD can include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.  One way parents are helping their children is by having them train martial arts.  It is a great way to alleviate these symptoms and overcome the stress they cause.

THE SYMPTOMS

1. Inattention.

The first symptom of childhood ADHD is the inability to focus and lack of attention.  This includes not being able to follow through on tasks, not being able to focus on what other people are saying and not being able to organize thoughts, tasks and activities.

2. Hyperactivity.

The second symptom of childhood ADHD is hyperactivity.  Children who suffer from this symptom feel the need to fidget with their hands and feet.  They also tend to get up out of their seat often (even when it’s not an appropriate time) or simply feel an urge to move around.  They also tend to talk excessively and are always “on the go”.

3. Impulsivity.

The third symptom of childhood ADHD is impulsivity.  Children who have difficulty waiting their turns, who often interrupt and who answer questions before they’ve been completed may suffer from this symptom.

THE “TREATMENT”

Training martial arts may help alleviate many symptoms of ADHD.  Through martial arts children learn physical and mental self-control through practice and self-discipline.  This ability to control their body also helps them to discipline their mind.  These two skills feed off of one another and carry over to other parts of your life.  The more they learn to control their body, the more they can control their mind.   The more they can control their mind, the more they’ll be able to control their body.  This control carries over to other parts of their life as well:  Once they can control their body while training, they’ll be able to start controlling their urges to move and fidget.  The same goes for their mind.  As they become more self-disciplined, they’ll be able to concentrate and focus on their daily activities, school and relationships.

Even if your child hasn’t been officially diagnosed with ADHD, they may suffer from some or even many of the symptoms.  If so, you owe it to yourself to start alleviating the stress in their life.  The self-discipline and self-awareness needed to train martial arts helps you stay in control of your environment and life.  The best place to find these skills is at a fine martial arts school.  Why not give it a try?  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  To make it even easier, I’ll help you get started.  Just contact me and I’ll send you my free report on how to pick a martial arts school.

If you are interested in learning more about how martial arts can help you and your children, please contact one of my three locations in Bellevue, Lynnwood or Kent, Washington at 800-508-6141 or martialadvice@hotmail.com to set up a free 2 week trail orientation. Also, please see our web page at www.kungfutemple.com Sincerely, Robert Jones 6th Degree Black Belt Owner, the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts

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What Is BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Historically, persons with bipolar disorder may have been called simply moody or even insane at times.  Later, the diagnosis was called manic-depression.  While this term is still sometimes used, the generally accepted term is "bipolar disorder". 

Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night. Oil on canvas, 73×92 cm, 28¾×36¼ in. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The two major phases of bipolar disorder are mania and depression.  There are other facets of the illness, but they are all aspects of the two.  Bipolar disorder is found equally in men and women.  About 1 percent of the population can be found to have bipolar disorder.

Mania can be further divided into two categories: hypomania and full-blown mania.  Hypomania is simply a state of intense energy and often high productivity.  Those who never go beyond this point in bipolar disorder can be great salesmen or high-powered businessmen.  The problem is that, for many, full-blown mania is just around the corner.

Full-blown mania tends to have more devastating effects on the person with bipolar disorder.  The activity becomes so intense that ventures are undertaken with no actual potential for success, although the person with bipolar disorder cannot see that fact.

There is no consideration for the consequences of actions.  Money may be spent which is needed for basic needs.  Checks may be written when there is no money in the account.  People with bipolar disorder are also often overly generous and give away things that they highly treasure or cannot afford to give away.  They tend to regret these gifts later.

The manic state in those with bipolar disorder can be characterized, too, by a gregariousness that is beyond the ordinary out-going person's.  This can lead to, among other things, sexual exploits that will cause unwanted results such as pregnancies, disease, or damage to relationships.

The manic phase of bipolar disorder can lead into a period of psychosis.  This is marked by bizarre thoughts, such as delusions,  or hallucinations.  When in a state like this, people with bipolar disorder cannot protect themselves from hazards in their environments because they no longer know what is real.

Usually with mania, eventually there comes depression.  The person with bipolar disorder may retreat into seclusion, may even go to bed for days.  Sleeping, appetite, and energy level will all be effected.

The gravest danger for the person with bipolar disorder is suicide.  All threats should be taken seriously, of course.  However, during the depression phase of bipolar disorder they should be especially guarded against.

There has also been a tern for those who abuse drugs and alcohol to help them cope with bipolar disorder.  This is called "dual diagnosis". It occurs especially in adults and teenagers.  These addictions further complicate both the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder.  However, it seems to go along with the disease in many instances.

People with bipolar disorder have a wide variety of problems to manage.  The reason for optimism is that many have found ways, through medication, therapy, routines, and other methods, to have some degree of control.

People have been having problems such as these for centuries.  It is just in modern times that there has been adequate help for the condition.  The name for bipolar disorder is newer than the disease, but whatever you call it, its effects can range from the difficult to the deadly.  Treatment can be crucial.

CELTIC LETTERING - The Ogham

Some unique symbols of Celtic origin are found in ogham inscriptions. Ogham is used to represent the old Irish language. It is also referred to as the “Celtic Tree Alphabet” which is based on a high medieval tradition that ascribes the names of trees to individual letters.

The Origin of Ogham

Today only about 400 ogham inscriptions survive and these are found on stone monuments found in both Ireland and Britain stretching from the south of Ireland across into south Wales as well as south eastern Ireland, western Scotland and around the Devon and Cornwall border in England. The majority of the inscriptions bear personal names. The origin of the word ogham is not clear but one possible explanation comes from the Irish og-úaim which means ‘point seam’ and refers to the seam that is made by the point of a sharp weapon.

Ogham stone, Irish National Heritage Park  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
 Text reads BIVAIDONAS MAQI MUCOI CUNAVA[LI], or in English, "Of Bivaidonas, son of the tribe Cunava[li]"

The creation date for ogham is after the 4th century. Classical inscriptions etched in stone around the Irish sea have been found dating back to the 5th or 6th century. It is assumed that there were writings on wood and other perishable materials, but none have stood the test of time and so this cannot be authenticated.

It is clear however that the ogham alphabet was modeled on a different script and there are those who consider it to be a cipher of its template script. There are a large number of scholars who consider this template as being the Latin alphabet, but others favor the Greek alphabet. However, the origin of Runic (ogham runes) can explain the presence of the “H” and “Z” letters which are not used in Irish as well as the consonantal variants of “U” vs. “W” which are unknown in either Latin or Greek writings. The Latin alphabet is a favorite contender as being the origin of this script because it was around in the 4th century while the runes were not widely spread at that time.

The ogham symbols found on stone inscriptions in Ireland and Wales are considered Primitive Irish and the transition to Old Irish only takes place in around the 6th century and since ogham inscriptions consist almost exclusively of personal names and marks that may or may not have depicted land ownership, the linguistic information that may have been seen from this Primitive Irish period is restricted to phonological developments.

Non-monumental uses

It is presumed that early ogham was used for short messages on wood or metal in order to relay messages or stake ownership of the object that was inscribed.

These messages may have been cryptic but some were also used for magical purposes, there is also evidence that ogham was used to keep records or to make lists such as business transactions or genealogies and still more evidence exists that ogham may have been used for finger and hand signals.

Later on ogham ceased to be used for practical use but it has retained its place and is used by Gaelic scholars as the basis of grammar as well as the rules of poetry. Until modern times, the Latin alphabet was taught using letter names derived from ogham and that were borrowed from the Beith-Luis-Nin along with the medieval association of each letter to a different tree.

Ogham Letters

Ogham letter names are interpreted as the names of trees or scrubs in both the Auraicept na n-Éces (‘The Scholars’ Primer’) and In Lebor Ogaim (‘The Ogam Tract’) and were first discussed in 1685 by Roderic O’Flaherty, but he took them at face value.

The Auraicept gives a short phrase for each letter that traditionally accompanies each letter name, it further explains their meanings and identifies the tree or plant that is linked to each letter. Out of the twenty primary letters what have tree names only five are considered comprehensible in the Auraicept.

This ancient Tree alphabet dates back to the Old Irish period around the 10th century and it also post dates the Primitive Irish period too. Its origin is possibly due to the letters being called ‘feda’ or trees or ‘nin’ meaning forking branches because of their shapes. Some of the words were indeed named after trees while some other letter names fell out of use as independent words and were then free to be claimed as Old Gaelic tree names.

By Tim Lazaro Tim Lazaro is a Celtic Symbols enthusiast. For more great tips and advice on Symbols of Celtic [http://www.allaboutcelticsymbols.com] origin, visit [http://www.allaboutcelticsymbols.com].Article Source: EzineArticles

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Are There Any Medical Benefits From HYPNOSIS?

Logo of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We've examined the benefits of hypnosis as a tool for self improvement. How we can attach it to the Law of Attraction and make the acquisition of our desires even more powerful. But there's another facet we haven't yet examined, and that's in the field of medicine.

Here, too, we find enormous benefits may be obtained. Among the many medical conditions for which it's used are the following.

Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hypertension, General Pain Relief, Panic and Anxiety Disorders, Asthma, Insomnia, Enuresis and Diabetes II. There are many others, but even this short list gives you some idea of the vast scope of its usage.

Fibromyalgia is a singularly nasty disease. You hurt all over, feel physically exhausted, have widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons as well as multiple points on your body which are tender, or hurt at the touch.

Until fairly recently, if you went to the doctor, you'd be told that he or she could find nothing wrong with you. This, in turn, proved terribly distressing. Of course something was wrong with you. Why in the world couldn't they see it?

It occurs in about 2% of the population of this country, and is far more prevalent in women than in men. It was found that when sufferers of this disease were put on a 12 week course of hypnotherapy, they showed infinitely better abilities with pain management, waking fatigue, sleep patterns and overall health than those receiving physical therapy alone. This from the Journal of Rheumatology.

The British Journal of Medicine reported similarly optimistic results with those suffering from Asthma. A six year period showed that 173 patients suffering from Asthma were taught to use self-hypnosis. Of these, 82% were either much improved, or enjoyed total remission.

Enuresis results were, apparently, even better. This is a condition where you suffer an incontinence of urine.

Research is being undertaken by Elvira V. Lang, MD and Naomi M Halsey into the benefits of hypnosis for patients receiving invasive medical procedures. As can well be imagined, they are often under considerable distress during these times.

Therefore, they're being trained in the techniques of self-hypnosis. Their main area of study is in those patients undergoing fibroid, renal and hepatic tumor removal. It seems that their results show that these patients are displaying considerably less psychological and physical distress and will learn coping skills that will help them in the future.

Have you ever felt 'sick and tired?' Then think how invigorating it must be when, under a trance, this feeling departs from you. A few more sessions and no more 'sick and tired' feelings.

A step up from there, and patients are taught how to release endorphins or serotonin into their systems, thereby learning to control their own minds.

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These, then, are just a few of the ways hypnosis is assisting in curative medicine. From being an obscure music hall trick a century ago, it now appears it's at the forefront of science.

Then again, we've all heard of instances where the mind has had a direct bearing on healing. This, too, was considered rubbish by the scientific community and not too long ago, either.

Now, the more that people understand hypnosis, the longer grows the list of benefits.

Mike Bond, telling us about the Benefits of Hypnosis in respect of physical illnesses and medical conditions. You can learn so much more about Hypnosis and the Law of Attraction by visiting his Website at Wealthy Old Man. His site has been completely redesigned and is now far easier to negotiate.

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Immediate STROKE DIAGNOSIS Critical for Recovery

A right MCA artery stroke. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Every minute, someone in the United States has a stroke. Of the 700,000 victims each year, one-third die, and another third suffer permanent paralysis, loss of speech or memory lapses. 

The best way to minimize the effects of a stroke is to know the warning signs so the stroke victim can get immediate treatment. Warning signs include sudden weakness or numbness, specifically on one side of the body; dizziness or loss of coordination; sudden headache or nausea; confusion or difficulty speaking; and vision loss.

Are you at risk for a stroke? Making healthy lifestyle changes, like lowering blood pressure and not smoking, can help reduce your risk of stroke. Other risk factors include:

* Age. Chances of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after age 55.

* Gender. More women die of strokes than men.

* Race and heredity. Chances of stroke are greater with a family history of stroke. African-Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk for stroke than Caucasians.

* Sickle cell anemia. Sickled red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body's tissues and organs. They also can stick to the walls of the blood vessels, which can block arteries to the brain, causing a stroke.

Upon experiencing stroke symptoms, individuals should immediately seek medical attention. Patients attended to within hours of a stroke have a much higher chance of effectively being diagnosed and treated.

Hospitals and trauma centers are equipped with sophisticated medical imaging equipment, like Toshiba's Aquilion line of computed tomography scanners and the new Vantage magnetic resonance imaging system, which can help to quickly and accurately diagnose a stroke and assist in the proper treatment plan.

With this new equipment, physicians are able to locate and view the blockage in the arteries and then determine whether the treatment should be invasive or noninvasive. Typically, the location of the blockage dictates the course of treatment.

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About JUDO Uniforms

Since it was created in 1882 by Kano Jigoro of Japan, Judo has become one of the most popular martial arts in the world. It is quite a rigorous and physically demanding sport, appearing in several major international sports competitions. As a result, when partaking in judo training, it is important that a high quality judo uniform, or gi in Japanese, be worn to avoid tearing and damage.

These two judo practitioners are wearing judogi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Judo uniforms are generally constructed out of 100% cotton, bleached white. Cotton is the best choice for breathability. Care should be taken when laundering, as most judo uniforms are not pre-shrunken and will shrink up to a full size from excess heat. Therefore, washing in cool water and air drying is highly recommended to avoid shrinkage.

There are three pieces to the judo uniform: the jacket, the belt, and the pants. The jacket is quilted with a thick pliable collar and wide sleeves. Two short splits are on either side of the hip, which are reinforced with extra cloth. The jacket is secured with a belt, coloured according to level, wrapped tightly around the body and knotted. The pants feature an elasticized drawstring waist with wide legs to allow for movement. In areas where there may be a lot of friction or stress from pulling, reinforcement at the seams and additional padding is vital to prevent damage. These include the shoulders, collar, knees, and crotch of the pants.

The cloth for gi's comes in a variety of weights and textures. For training purposes, judo uniforms are made out of single weave cloth. The appropriate weight for a Judoka (Judo practitioner) is measured in ounces or grams, and depends on their ability and age. Usually, beginners at a younger age opt for lighter weights while older advanced students and instructors choose heavier ones. Weights can vary from 7 ounces or 198.44 grams to 40.57 ounces or 1150 grams.

For competitions, double weave cloth is ideal for judo uniforms, making them thicker and heavier. Judo uniforms for competition use tend to be more durable, and as a result, much more expensive than single weave. While training judo uniforms come in white, competition level uniforms also come in blue.

Higher quality judo uniforms should not weigh down the practitioner and restrict their movement. They should fit loosely and comfortably on the body.

Make your Closet Easily Accessible

Picture of inside a closet (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Okay, you've finally reached your breaking point.  The stack of handbags and purses on the top of the closet shelf toppled over on top of you again, not to mention the mountain of shoes you trip over every time you have to get something out of the closet. You're at your wits end about what to do, and haven't a clue where to start. You've got to figure out a workable, affordable solution and make your closet more user-friendly.  Try some of these simple tools to help you get your closet space under control. 

A double hanging rod is a simple addition and gives you double the hanging space.  It simply hangs from your existing rod.  You can also hang sweater or shoe bags from your existing rod to store sweaters, purses and handbags, hats, and other accessories and place them within easy reach.  There are also several clever options for storage that hangs from the top of your closet door.  

Take a stroll down your favorite discount store's home organization aisles.  You'll find many clever ideas for affordable storage.  Sturdy bins and colorful baskets can be an easy and affordable addition to your closet, and make the job of maintaining it a snap. 

And since you've most likely got a sizable investment in your wardrobe, it makes sense to do your part to care for your garments properly.  Place coats, suits, furs, formals, and other expensive items in protective storage bags. Invest in some good, strong wooden hangers.  Protect these items by having them properly cleaned before storing, and enclose in zip-up hanging bags. 

Wooden clothing hangers are much better for your clothes.  They're durable and long-lasting, too. Depending on the size of your wardrobe, it might be expensive to replace them all at once, so you might want to consider replacing them gradually. 

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How INSULIN Affects Us?

The glycemic index helps us to understand which foods are best and worst for controlling our blood glucose levels.

Idealized curves of human blood glucose and insulin concentrations during the course of a day containing three meals; in addition, effect of sugar-rich meal is highlighted;
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As we have seen, when blood glucose levels get too high, insulin is released into the bloodstream by the pancreas to help disperse the glucose. The insulin transports the glucose to cells needing extra energy. The cells have "insulin receptors" positioned so that insulin can bind to them, facilitating glucose entry and utilization in the cells. Once inside the cells, the glucose is burned to produce heat and adenosine triphosyphate, (ATP) a molecule that stores and releases energy as required by the cell.

When cells become less sensitive to the effects of insulin, they accept less glucose, so more glucose than usual remains in the bloodstream. Result? The pancreas over-compensates by working harder and releasing even more insulin.

The combination of insulin-insensitivity and insulin over-production typically leads to one of two results:

Either, the pancreas gets worn out and insulin production slows down to abnormally low levels. Result? We develop type 2 diabetes. (About 30 percent of cases)

Or, the insulin-resistant patient doesn't develop diabetes (because the pancreas continues to produce sufficient insulin) but, instead, contracts hyperinsulinism (abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood), which can cause chronic obesity as well as high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol, heart disease, and possibly some cancers.

Low GI Foods Cause Lower Insulin Levels

This is why experts are beginning to recognize the health advantages of following a low GI diet. Because lower GI foods are converted into glucose much more slowly, causing less insulin to be produced.

This is not the last word on this subject, by any means. Research into insulin insensitivity and the relationship between insulin levels and obesity is ongoing. However, the overconsumption of high-GI foods (and high-fat fast-food) is a major cause of concern.

The new carbohydrate-classification system known as the Glycemic Index rates the carbohydrate quality in foods according to its immediate effect on blood glucose level. Thus carbs that break down quickly into glucose during digestion, causing a rapid rise in glucose levels, have a High GI value. Those carbs that break down more slowly, are given an Intermediate or Low GI value.

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FENG SHUI In The Garden

A garden can benefit from feng shui and even help change the energy in your home. A properly arranged garden can be a place to be uplifted and energized and also soothed and relaxed.

This balance is very necessary but is easy to accomplish by using various plants, flowers, and decorations.

The best place to have an entrance to your garden is facing South. The garden will get the maximum amount of sun exposure. You should also use an arch or open space instead of a closed gate.

There aren't any specific plants you are supposed to use but you should maintain a good balance between colors. Since hotter and brighter colors increase your energy, you should have them separated from your cooler and mellower colors which will relax you.

One of the hardest things to do in a garden is avoid clutter but this is a must in feng shui. When you first plant, everything is pretty small and your garden may look a little barren.

This is just fine. You want to make sure that each plant has its own space so you don't end up with a cluttered jungle.

It's easy and fun to incorporate the five feng shui elements into your garden. A birdbath can cover water, some lights or torches are fire, and for earth, clay pots and small boulders work wonders.

As far as paths in your garden go, you should avoid straight paths and instead opt for curvy, leisurely

paths made from rounded tiles. Avoid edges whenever possible in your paths.

Getting the Body Back to Work: Tuina and CHINESE MEDICINE

Jar of dried, gutted sea cucumbers
at a Traditional Chinese medicine emporium
in Yokohama, Japan.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If your body is out of sync with what it is supposed to be doing, it can cause endless amounts of problems.  You may feel tired all of the time, or restless.  For no apparent reason, you may get headaches or feel nauseous during the day.  Beyond this, you can catch the viruses and colds going around all of the time.  

According to Chinese medicine, this simply means that your flow of energy is off.  If this is the case, and you want to find an alternative method to getting back in touch with what your body needs, you don’t have to look any further than Chinese medicine.  One of the methods that can be used for Chinese medicine is Tuina, also known as Oriental bodywork therapy.  

Tuina originated in 1700 BC in order to help with children’s diseases that were directly related to the muscles and skeletal system of children.  The concept of Tuina was also developed for help with digestion for adults.  After the year 600, the concept of Tuina was considered to be an art, and was banished by the government.  It wasn’t until the beginning of the Communist regime in the 1960s that it became popular again as a method for medical arts.  

Tuina is like a combination of acupuncture and a massage.  A practitioner will work on changing the flow of your energy in your body by using various hand techniques.  The hand techniques will first be used in order to massage the tissues and muscles of your body.  Afterward, specific points, also used for acupuncture will be focused on.  This added pressure is known to change the flow of Qi.  After this, the practitioner will focus on realignment of the bones, skeletal structure and ligaments in order to realign them.  

Beyond these basic techniques, practitioners may also choose to combine herbs, salves and ointments to enhance the Tuina.  This will help to completely shift all levels of the energy systems that are in your body, allowing you to become more generated, balanced and healthy.  

If you are looking for an alternative method to get to the depths of your health, Tuina is the method you will want to look into.  This particular method is known to heal those that use it on all levels, with a combination of Chinese medicine techniques that are popular.  By doing this, there is the ability for those using it to change their energy flow into better health.   

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The Basics Requirement Of CANDLE MAKING

Before electricity was discovered and before light bulbs were invented, candles were the main source of illumination inside a building.  This makes candle making a very necessary art.  But even though electric light bulbs are now the main source of light everywhere, candles remain popular because they add to indoor surroundings a touch of coziness and romance in the atmosphere.

Learning candle making as a hobby has its own appeal and popularity primarily because there is nothing more satisfactory than being able to create something useful with one's own hands.  Candle making can also be a good source of secondary income if one becomes a master of it.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many types of candles that you can learn to make with candle making.  The most popular type of candles are called tapers or dinner candles, the long and slender candles that are supposed to be held in place by candlesticks.

The pillar candle is a candle that can stand on its own, with a base that measures three inches or so in diameter.  Pillar candles are also called column candles and they come in various shapes.

A jar candle is another popular candle that is made when the wax is poured into a glass container that is designed to resist the heat of the candle it contains as it burns.  Jar candles are also referred to as filled candles.

If you are interested in candle making, what materials should you invest in?  Contrary to what you may think, the art of candle making does not require a lot of investment.  Most of the time, the necessary materials such as the boilers and the molds can be easily substituted for materials readily available in your own kitchen or garage.

For candle making, you would need the following materials:

• The paraffin wax, which is the basic ingredient for candle making, as well as the wick.  If you want to experiment with colors and scents, you can also get dyes and fragrance oils or essential oils.

• A double boiler for heating your wax.  A double boiler is a pan inside a pan.  The outer pan is for heating water while the inner pan serves to hold the wax being melted.  Also, a stove for heating your wax.

• A thermometer for gauging the temperature of your wax.  You would need to use a thermometer that is specially designed for candle making because the ordinary household thermometers do not have as high a range.

• A scale, a ladle and a measuring cup.  A scale will help you measure the amount of wax you would need to heat for your candles while the ladle is for getting the wax out of its boiler.  The measuring cup is for pouring wax into molds – it is safer and easier to do than simply pouring the contents of the boiler into the mold.

• Candle molds and mold seal.  The candle molds are for shaping your candles and they come in different shapes, sizes and materials.  The cheapest candle molds are made of plastic, but they are not that durable and they cannot withstand too much heat.  The best candle molds are those made of metal.  The mold seal, on the other hand, prevents the wax from pouring out of the mold.

• A blow torch or heat gun is for melting away imperfections on the surface of your finished candles.

Always remember that safety is paramount in candle making.  Be cautious about the materials you are handling and always keep the area where you make your candles clean.

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