Monthly Archives: November 2015

November 27th, 2015
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Treating Diabetes Naturally With Hydrogen Water, Carotenoids And Lutein

More than 20% of population diabetic by 2020?

According to the National Diabetes Registry Report Vol. 1 2009-2012 published by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, the prevalence of diabetes among adults in Malaysia is expected to rise to 21.6% by 2020. This is just over one fifth of the population who will be afflicted. Many people assume that if they are diagnosed with Diabetes, that they can just go on medication and keep it under control. However, there are issues that many are not aware of. Diabetes means that your body no longer heals itself at the same rate a normal person does. A simple wound that a normal person would brush off will heal much slower for a diabetic and is more prone to infection or worsening. This makes any minor injury an issue, and makes any form of surgery an issue for those affected. Add to this a lifetime of taking medication, and in many cases, increasing dosage over the years, and it is not something that many would welcome as a permanent part of their life. And lets not even talk about the possibility of amputation.

It is possible to protect yourself against this disease and even to fight it with Super Lutein and Izumio. A number of diabetics who consume the products have already reported good results, with some going off medication completely. But why just take my word for it, when there are independent studies that prove the beneficial effects of lutein, carotenoids and hydrogen on diabetes. The links below will show you that. And as a bonus it also helps to regulate cholesterol.

Satisfy yourself that this is real by reading the links or sending in your queries to me at shireenyong@gmail.com.  Then get in touch and let us move forward together in good health.

Have a great weekend everyone!  Your health is your true wealth 🙂

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/82/3/685.abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19083400

 

For those of you who missed out on my earlier posts on what Izumio and Super Lutein are and how they can help to ease a host of ailments, you can click on the following links to read:

Hydrogen (H2) as a potent antioxidant and exhibits anti-inflammatory and potentially anticancer-like activities (from US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health)

Izumio Hydrogen Water and Super Lutein

Izumio and Incontinence

 Super Lutein

Day 18 On Izumio For Incontinence

Symptoms of A Body Detox

Day 20 On Izumio Hydrogen Water For Incontinence

IZUMIO – Antioxidant Hydrogen Water

Hydrogen Water Facts

Super Lutein Goodness

Dangers of Eczema Steroid Creams

Super Lutein and Izumio Hydrogen Water For Glaucoma

Effectiveness of Hydrogen Rich Water on Metabolic Syndrome (Diabetes and Obesity) – From US National Library of Medicine,

GENERATING PASSIVE INCOME FROM NATURALLY PLUS

GENERAL WELL-BEING WITH IZUMIO HYDROGEN WATER – TESTIMONIAL

TREATING PARKINSON’S AND ALZHEIMER’S WITH HYDROGEN WATER

EARNING PASSIVE INCOME

TREATING ECZEMA NATURALLY WITH IZUMIO HYDROGEN WATER AND SUPER LUTEIN – TESTIMONIAL

Super Lutein For Osteoarthritis – Testimonial

Treating Eczema Naturally

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Izumio Hydrogen Water and Super Lutein
November 26th, 2015
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Propolis Health Benefits

Bees make more than honey. They also make gunk called propolis. And this “bee glue” is a powerful health balm. In fact, studies show it has anti-cancer properties.

I swear by propolis to treat throat infections and phlegm. It works all the time for my entire family. It takes away my sore throat so effectively any time I feel a tickle and why one of the primary health benefits of propolis stated by long term users is as a cold and flu tonic!

Whenever anyone in the family is down with a throat infection, all I have to do is to prepare a Manuka honey UMF 10+ drink (1 teaspoon) and drip in 3-4 drops of propolis from the dropperful into the drink and serve this powerful concoction to the one who’s down with a strep throat two to three times in a day. Within three days of gulping down this concoction, healing will be seen.

Propolis works effectively to bring down tooth ache and sore gums. My mum and relatives swear by this.

Below is my precious stash of bee propolis that I bought from New Zealand last year.   One is propolis throat spray and the other is propolis extract. The latter is the potent one.

 

Propolis throat spray will be handy when we are on the go.   For long haul flights, I put a bottle of propolis throat spray in my handbag. The soothing eucalyptus and mint flavor freshens up my breath besides keeping a throat infection at bay.

Propolis.jpg

Propolis (Pro-before, Polis-city = defense of the city), is the resinous substance that bees gather from the leaf buds of trees and certain vegetables.

The bee gathers this and transforms it in order to disinfect the beehive, seal cracks, build panels, as well as using it as a microbiocidal agent, disinfectant and also for embalming intruders otherwise difficult to expel due to their size.

Propolis, thus, is directly responsible for guaranteeing the asepsis of the beehives, locations prone to developing viruses and bacteria, given their conditions of temperature and humidity.

Dr. Seema Patel of the Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Research Center, San Diego State University conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on propolis and cancer. Dr. Patel found laboratory and animal studies supporting propolis efficacy against cancers of the:

Brain
Pancreas
Head and neck
Kidney and bladder
Skin
Prostate
Breast
Colon
Liver
Blood
Propolis contains as many as 300 active compounds. These components were found to fight cancer in a variety of ways including:

Preventing the growth of new blood vessels to feed cancer cells (anti-angiogenesis)
Preventing the spread or metastasis of cancer from one organ to another
Halting cancer cell division
Inducing apoptosis or programmed cell death

Health Benefits Of Propolis

1. Propolis Kills Bacteria
One study investigated the anti-bacterial capabilities of bee propolis in the mouth and more specifically with regards to root canals.

The researchers compared propolis with calcium hydroxide, which apparently is a very effective anti-microbial, and found that it is significantly more powerful than the calcium at eliminating certain germs.

Propolis has traditionally been used to kill colds and flu so this study clearly shows that it has powerful bacteria killing properties throughout the body.

2. Propolis Lowers Blood Pressure

3. Propolis Helps Treat Bone Diseases

4. Propolis Boosts Prostate Cancer Cell Death
Scientists examined the cancer killing effects of propolis tincture on two common types of prostate cancer in the lab.

They concluded that propolis tincture markedly improved cell death in prostate cancer cells and suggested the significant role of propolis in chemoprevention of prostate cancer.

5. Propolis Kills Colon Cancer Cells
The scientists then tested propolis against colon cancer cells. They found that it caused the cancer cells to die by necrosis, which means that it interrupted the blood supply to the cell and caused just the local cancer cells to die and NOT healthy, living cells.

6. Propolis May Help Treat Food Poisoning

7. Propolis Protects Injured Teeth

8. Propolis an Effective Treatment for Warts

Warning:

If you have an allergy to honey or bees, you will also have a reaction to products containing propolis. Propolis may also cause its own allergic reaction when used for a long period of time. Talk to your doctor before adding propolis to your treatment plan, especially if you have existing allergies or asthma.

 

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Interesting Information, Nutritional Information On Food
November 25th, 2015
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Meatless Fried Rice

These days, I try to reduce the consumption of meat, especially red meat and instead, increase our intake of vegetables. I dish up a veggie dish everyday. On busy days when I do not have the time to cook our vegetables, I serve everyone raw veggies – cucumbers,  tomatoes, capsicums, carrots, celery and salad leaves.  I buy organic vegetables most of the time.  Steamed sweet corns, Edamame beans and sweet potatoes are our favorites too.

 

Today I whipped these up for dinner:

Meatless fried rice with sides of kimchi and organic orange cherry tomatoes.  I used low GI Basmati rice.

Chicken bones and anchovies soup with lots of carrots, organic tomatoes, organic siew pak choy  and  fish balls.  Fish balls are an occasional sinful treat.

 

My meatless fried rice composed of sweet corn kernels, scallions, 4 eggs, julienned carrots, garlic, pepper, organic soy sauce and overnight Basmati rice (cooked with pandan leaves, lemon grass and ginger).

My meatless fried rice would have tasted even yummier had I added one whole big onion but I was tied down with work today and didn’t have ample time to prep the onions.  Last week, I cooked another style of meatless fried rice which composed of  Bombay onions, chopped garlic, scallions and the kids loved it.  I discovered that the secret to aromatic and yummy fried rice is to add lots and lots of onions.  Onions are naturally sweet and full of flavors.

For those of you trying to cut down on the consumption of meat for better health, do give this meatless fried low GI rice a try. It’s seriously yummy  and easy to prepare.

 

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Healthy Food, Homecooked Food
November 21st, 2015
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Savory Oatmeal Porridge & Health Benefits Of Oats

Today being a Saturday and a day where my kitchen is closed, I felt lazy to whip up a ‘proper’ lunch. Our 2 older girls have followed their grand-aunt to the shopping mall. Since it’s just Cass and me, I decided to cook a fuss-free savory meat-free oatmeal porridge.  This used to be my mum’s healthy instant meal for me too when I was growing up and I loved this comfort food.

 

My meat-free savoury oatmeal porridge ingredients:
5 tablespoons of oats. I used organic instant oats. If you like it thicker, add more oats. I like mine thin.
1 egg
A pinch of salt
A few shakes of ground pepper
A few shakes of organic soy sauce
A few shakes of Japanese flavored seaweed mix
A few shakes of sesame seed oil

Directions:
Boil water in saucepan
Add in oats and stir. Be sure you are at the stove to watch the flame as the oats mixture will bubble up and spew up foam from the pot if the flame is too big.
Add in egg and stir well
Add seasoning.

 

I like mine with a piece of spicy fu yue or fermented tofu to give it an extra kick!

This fuss-free and no-frills  savory oatmeal porridge requires only 10 mins of prep time. If you like it to be more ‘fanciful’, you can throw in some minced meat, salted duck’s eggs, chopped carrots, scallions, fish slices or anything of your choice. It would be even tastier if you fry some garlic or onions to flavor this bowl of oats porridge.

10 Reasons Why I Love Oatmeal:

1. Low calorie food; stops cravings.
A cup is only 130 calories! It also stays in your stomach longer, making you feel full longer. You will have less hunger and cravings.

2. Provides high levels of fiber, low levels of fat, and high levels of protein.
It’s on the short list for the highest protein levels of any grain.

3. Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces risk of diabetes (type 2)

4. Removes your bad cholesterol (without affecting your good cholesterol).
Many studies have shown that the unique fiber in oatmeal called beta-glucan, has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels

oatmeal mask

5. Gluten-free safe.

6. Contains lignans which protect against heart disease and cancer.
Oatmeal, like many whole grains, contains plant lignans, which are converted by intestinal flora into mammalian lignans. One lignan, called enterolactone, is thought to protect against breast and other hormone-dependent cancers as well as heart disease.

7. Contains unique antioxidants beneficial for heart disease.
A study at Tufts University shows that the unique antioxidants in oatmeal called called avenanthramides, help prevent free radicals from damaging LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

8. Protects against heart failure.
A Harvard study on 21,000 participants over 19 years found that men who enjoyed a daily morning bowl of whole grain (but not refined) cereal had a 29 percent lower risk of heart failure.

9. Enhances immune response to disease. The unique fiber in oatmeal called beta-gluten also has been shown to help neutrophils travel to the site of an infection more quickly and it also enhances their ability to eliminate the bacteria they find there

10. It tastes good!
All oats whether in flakes or groats form have gone through a heat process which gives them their rich nutty flavor. This keeps them from spoiling. They have also been hulled. This process does not strip away all the bran and germ allowing them to retain a concentrated source of fiber and nutrients .

 

 

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Homecooked Food, Nutritional Information On Food
November 14th, 2015
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Red Beans Health Benefits

Being a tad anemic from heavy menstruation caused by a fibroid in my uterus, I am now increasing my iron intake from red beans and spinach. I used to stuff myself with red meat like beef and pork  until I read that high intake of meat, especially red meat takes a toll on our kidneys and liver. Plus too much of red meat may increase our risk to cancer. Red meat from mammals and duck are not recommended for those with fibroids. These foods are likely to be high in added hormones, including estrogen.

Red beans are a healthy alternative to red meat.  Red beans are high in protein, fiber and iron.

I cook a big pot of red beans mixed with mung beans once or twice in a month to pump up my iron, protein and folic acid reserves.

My red bean and mung bean sweet dessert, mildly sweetened with granulated palm sugar and flavored with screwpine leaves.  It would taste even better if fresh coconut milk is added.

I soak my beans overnight to de-gas the beans as well as to remove toxins from the beans. I don’t fancy holy smoke choking everyone  at home after eating those beans 😀   The beans are cooked in the slow cooker on high overnight for at least 9 hours.

What’s The Skinny On Red Beans?

1) Beans are loaded with nutrients that our bodies crave:
B Vitamins: are necessary for healthy brain and nerve cells, for normal functioning of the skin, nerves and digestive system.

Calcium: for strong bones and teeth and to help keep the body more alkaline, rather than acidic.

Potassium: helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

Folate: a B vitamin that our bodies don’t produce yet dry beans are our single best source of this important vitamin which helps protect against heart disease and cancer.

2) Red beans are really, really frugal. A big bag of red beans (non-organic)  only costs a few Ringgit.

3) Those on a low carb high protein diet can skip the meat and indulge in red beans.  Red beans are a good plant-based source of protein, low in fat, low in GI and high in fiber while meat has no fiber.   One cup of red beans provides more than two egg’s worth of protein.

4) Red beans are  good for your memory :  source of thiamine (vitamin B1), red bean consumption stimulates attention and memory, is particularly beneficial during periods of intellectual overloaded, eliminate insomnia, combat depression, fatigue and anxiety and lowers Alzheimer’s risks

5) For better heart health: The soluble fiber in red beans helps to reduce cholesterol levels, while the folate helps to lower levels of homocysteine, a compound associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

6) Ease muscle cramping: With more magnesium and calcium than a sports drink and more potassium than a large banana, red beans are loaded with electrolytes to help prevent or relieve muscle cramping.

7) Beans are versatile – it’s impossible to even guess how many bean recipes exist on this planet! One thing is for sure – the number is in the hundreds of thousands and most likely the millions. If I assigned you the task of listing 100 different bean recipes, you could certainly do it!

 

 

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Uncategorized
November 12th, 2015
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Organic Candy Drops

I shudder when my kids bring home sweets, candies and junk food from school. These snacks always go to our part-time helper, the guards at our condo or straight to the bin.  Well, I do allow some allowances, only on ‘healthy’ sinful snacks by buying only non-GMO chips, organic chips and chips made with minimal ingredients and food additives.

I was sweetly delighted when I spotted a good range of organic sweets from a supermarket recently.

The price of each bag of candy drop is  5-6 times more than the price of non-organic ones.  But it’s ok. It’s the quality that counts (and not quantity) and I really do not mind spending a little more on organic products.

Our girls always pester me to buy them candies but I hardly ever give in. It’s their father who always gives in! Now, I can offer them these candies.

How I miss A&W root beer and now it’s available in YumEarth Organics candy drops. I wanted to get a bag for the kids but they didn’t like root beer.

They chose a bag of fruit candy drops.

I was happy to note that no high fructose corn syrup is used to process these candies.  Almost every ingredient is organic.

 

Sugar has been repeatedly demonized by some health experts as if it were the monolithic cause of insulin resistance, obesity and tooth decay. There’s always something wrong with generalizations such as this as it is an unfair act to lynch the good with the bad. Not all sugars are evil, the same way that not all saturated fats are bad.

In terms of availability, versatility, convenience, texture, price, eco-friendliness, and nutrition the best substitute for the ubiquitous white sugar is perhaps organic cane sugar.

Organic cane sugar is unrefined sugar minus the cancer-causing and environmentally damaging pesticides present in conventionally grown sugarcane.

Compared to white sugar, organic cane sugar has the full-bodied taste of sugarcane and is much less processed, retaining a lot of the nutrients present in cane juice. Unrefined cane sugar contains 17 amino acids, 11 minerals, and 6 vitamins, including antioxidants that may help reverse oxidative damage. It is made up of sucrose, fructose, and glucose.

Table sugar is just sucrose and calories, plus traces of chemicals utilized in the refining process such as lime, sulphur dioxide, and phosphoric acid. Organic cane sugar is not like brown sugar, which is white sugar with molasses thrown back in.

Even good sugars should be consumed within healthy limits. While organic cane sugar is much better than white and brown sugar it would be a very prudent move to consume it in conservative amounts.

Though there is a bag of candies in the kitchen counter now (which is rare), the kids are not binging on them. They know their limits and they know that sugar is bad and too much of it can cause diabetes, obesity and cancer. I’m glad that our kids are not addicted to junk food and sugar. But still, I know I should not totally ban them from access as they may rebel out of frustration and curiosity one day and binge to their hearts’ content on junk food. I certainly wouldn’t want this to happen.

 

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Organic Food, Snacks
November 7th, 2015
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Anxiety Causes Wind / Gas

The past 1 week has been a week filled with stress and anxiety.

Cass was hospitalized for UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) but was on home leave. Hubby had to drive us to the hospital for her antibiotic jabs three times a day at 9am, 4pm and 11pm. It was a week filled with whirlwind events, anxiety, worries, lots of mad rush, lack of sleep and stress. Because of the urgency of her admission, the timing of her jabs and the tests ordered by the doctor, I had skipped meals and meals off my regular hours.

And the result?

BAD.   A big bloated gassy stomach. And I have been in pain caused by the trapped wind in the stomach.  Double whammy!

It’s true that when it rains, it pours real heavily!  It always appears that when the dark cloud is hovering above you, it would stay on and rain on you till you drown.  I am anxiously awaiting the rainbow and light at the end of the tunnel now.

When you know you have anxiety, there are many symptoms you expect. You expect to feel very tense. You expect to have a lot of nervous thoughts and actions. You expect a rapid heartbeat, nausea, and shaking. But you may not expect that anxiety can cause gas problems. Not only can anxiety lead to gas problems/bloating – the gas problems themselves can actually lead to symptoms that cause further anxiety.  While being gassy is generally nothing to worry about, recognizing the cause of your gas problems is important for ensuring you’re not overwhelmed by your anxiety symptoms.

It is hard to pinpoint the exact cause of your gas without tests, but it is very likely to be caused by any or all of the following:

  • Air Swallowing – During anxiety attacks, it’s not uncommon to start swallowing too much air. You’re not necessarily doing this intentionally – you may simply be swallowing saliva and swallow air as a result, or you may simply be breathing too quickly and some air is going down the wrong tube – but once the air is inside your body, it starts to cause pressure and needs to be released.
  • Oxygen Release – Similarly, those with anxiety and panic attacks are more likely to suffer from hyperventilation. Hyperventilation is when there is too much oxygen in your blood. Eventually that oxygen needs to be dispelled, and gas may be the result.
  • Digestion Issues- Anxiety causes stress on your gastrointestinal system. That stress may cause you to stop processing food efficiently, often processing it too quickly or too slowly. That can cause the bacteria in your body to produce excess gas, which leads to bloating. Irritable bowel syndrome may also be caused by or aggravated by anxiety, and this too can lead to similar gas issues.

No only is the wind trapped in my stomach, it is also trapped in my breasts!! It is agony and the pain is very sharp at times and feels as if a knife is stabbing my breast from the inside!

 

 

Natural Remedies to Expel Gas/Wind:

1) Drink some peppermint tea

2) Let them loose. If you have the urge to release the wind, do not resist it. Just find a place in private and do yourself a favor.

3) Ginger is tummy tamer.  Make yourself a cup of ginger tea.

4) Drink chamomile tea.

5)  Eat pumpkin. Eat approximately 1 cup of pumpkin with your meal to ward off gas. You can have it baked, steamed, or broiled, or whip up a recipe all your own.

6) Chew food thoroughly.

7) Drink warm lemon water.

8) Massage tummy.  Whenever my kids and I have gas in my stomach, I use my most trusted Melaleuca oil to massage our tummies. It works most of the time instantly.  The sound of the gas being released like a deflated balloon is music to my ears and big relief in my tummy.

9) Avoid gas-causing foods.

10) I find that exercising (light jogging and swimming) helps. You can try yoga too.

There are many other natural remedies for relieving gas. You can google search for one that best fits you.

 

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Health Issues
November 6th, 2015
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Staying Safe Brings Challenges

There are many challenges to staying safe on the road. When drivers think of their safety on the highway, they often focus on the maintenance of their vehicle. Vehicle maintenance is important, but there are also other challenges to staying safe while driving. These challenges are especially present for drivers who operate large vehicles.

Weather Conditions
Weather can play a major part in staying safe while driving. Snow and ice can be difficult to drive through, but many times these conditions are unavoidable. Heavy rain can also cause traffic accidents. It is important that drivers make sure their windshield wipers, headlights and blinkers are working well. It is important for drivers to check the weather forecast before traveling so they can prepare for the conditions that they will encounter.

Fatigue
Another challenge that drivers face is fatigue. Fatigue can cause drivers to make poor decisions. For example, a driver who is experiencing fatigue may make unsafe lane changes. These unsafe choices put other drivers on the road at risk of becoming involved in an accident.
There are a few ways that drivers can avoid fatigue and reduce the risk of causing an accident. Drivers can try to eat a balanced diet. Diets that provide vital nutrients will give drivers the energy that is needed to stay alert. Drinking water can also help with reducing fatigue.

Health Evaluation
Drivers should regularly meet with their doctor to have their health evaluated. CMV driver sleep apnea is a condition that can bring danger to anyone who is traveling. It is important for all drivers to make sure that they are rested and alert enough to operate a vehicle. Medical professionals can advise drivers on potential health risks that they should be aware of before driving.

These tips should help drivers avoid putting themselves and others in danger. It can be tempting to continue driving while tired, but gaining a few extra miles is not worth the risk. Distracted or tired drivers can be more likely to cause accidents. Staying alert and avoiding fatigue are essential steps for staying safe on the road.

 

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