A Government Lie. A Woman's Secret. A story that must be told. MISS EVERS' BOYS

A must - see movie based on a true to life story of a brave, dedicated, and strong willed nurse who faces an ethical dilemma in human experimentation. This does not only portray medical controversies but shows the large disparity between races that often results to injustice.

Myths vs. Realities

10 Common Health Myths

Not so long ago, I used to believe on the same health beliefs we commonly hear from our mom and dads and even our late grandparents. With all due respect, I count them helpful as I came to discover the truth about health and the real score of its implication. It is my desire to share some of the things I learned in nursing school to which I hope we all would benefit from this day on.

False Myth # 1. You can have appendicitis if you jump and exercise right after meals.

               

As a child, I often hear my mom saying I should not play after eating because of the chance of having appendicitis. That scares me because my Dad had appendectomy too. As I grew up and decided to pursue a nursing career, I learned that an inflammation of the appendix is not caused by this old belief. Rather it is caused by invasion of bacteria, obstruction of stool or foreign body within the appendix itself, and genetics in some cases. Hence, the lesson of the story is to do the right prevention such as to eat plenty of dark leafy vegetables, consume more whole grain products and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

False Myth #2.  Eating sour foods should be avoided because it will cause pain while you are menstruating. 

Alright this sounds like a feminine issue but I am pretty sure that men heard this belief too. In the past, I tried to avoid these foods but now I am an active fruit seeker to which most have sour taste.  When a woman is menstruating, she loses an average of ¼ cup of blood and some iron contents are also eliminated.  Those who lose more often feel weak and fainting. It is advised then that women consume more iron rich foods. For it to be utilized in the body, its absorption can perfectly occur by eating adequate amount of Vitamin C. Hurray girls! Having a glass of juice would save you at all.

False Myth #3.  Strange food cravings of a pregnant woman would make her baby look like these cravings.

Ask any woman who had been pregnant if she associated her babies physically to the foods she ate before. My mother used to tell us that she usually craves for java plum or “duhat” while she carries my eldest brother. It turned that he appeared slightly dark in complexion and she associated it with the fruit. My second brother, on the other hand, has fair complexion to which she remembered that jicama or “singkamas” was her favorite fruit. 

The truth is genetics is the sole factor that influence the physical attributes of a person. Certain genes from the mother or father or their respective family trees determine how their children would look or act like. Foods are not responsible to such appearance although they play a crucial role in a child’s growth and development. 

False Myth #4. The remedy for dog and snakebite is the "cut and suck" method and tying of the affected area.

This old folklore is still practiced today but according to research it aggravates the victim's condition. This will not prevent the spread of venom to the entire body. The first home remedy is to wash it with running water and soap. You may flush it with betadine or hydrogen peroxide then secure a clean dressing. For safety purposes, it is best to bring the victim at the nearest hospital as quickly as possible.

False Myth #5.  Carrying spoils a baby.

I heard stories that some mothers are warned not to carry their babies frequently because it would spoil them at an early age. Wrong notion. During infancy, trust is something that babies need to be provided for. They are in constant look for comfort, security, and closeness  to a new world they are facing. At this age, they cannot reason out so there is no worry of spoiling them. As they move down to another stage of their lives, their needs will eventually change and new demands arise. They will only become a baby once so don't miss the opportunity to hold and cuddle them, making them feel that they are loved and accepted.

Lady J's Challenge: Spread these truths to your friends and neighbors and together let us build a conscious and healthy world! ^_^,

Have the right views!

To be continued...

Sleep tight tonight

IT'S ONLY A DREAM...
Have you ever experienced at one point wherein you are in the middle of a great dream and suddenly for some reason you are awakened? Not a good feeling right? Today I am going to write about the human sleeping cycle, its types and stages, and from there explain how dreams take place during our reduced consciousness. But before that, let me give an accurate definition of sleep. 

Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or lacking consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. It helps in conserving energy yet decreases metabolism at about 5 - 10%. (www.wikipedia.com)  According to studies, it takes at least one third of our lives or 25 years in doing this very routine activity.  Here are some cute pictures of people having a sound sleep.                                                                                
                                                          
                                                          

Normal sleep has two definite phases: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. They both occur at about 90 minute interval in a cyclical process.

It is during the REM sleep phase where most of our dreams are recalled. In children, they have fewer REM sleep periods and have longer stage 3 and 4 NREM sleep. Older adults, on the other hand, have lesser stage 3 and 4 NREM sleep and have more waking periods. 

During REM sleep, it is difficult to arouse a person and becomes longer in the process. If then aroused, he or she may recall an animated and bizarre dream. Unpleasant dreams or nightmares, however occur in NREM sleep. The same happens on sleep walking among children. 

To end this up, here are practical ways to promote a good sleep:

1. Sleep at a specific time at night and arise at a specific hour in the morning. This conditions the mind and body to anticipate sleep and waking.

2. Remember grandma's old time remedy. Drink warm milk before bedtime.

3. Perform your own bedtime rituals such as night shower, read a book, or listen to music before  sleep. In doing so, you are unwinding mentally.

4. Eliminate loud noises and destructive sounds.

5. Avoid caffeinated foods and drinks 6 hours before bedtime.

6. Avoid heavy meals or strenous exercise before sleep. Indigestion can interrupt sleep.

Sweet dreams! Have a sound sleep!

Care for your brain

12 RANDOM FOODS TO OPTIMIZE YOUR BRAIN
Don't let stress and toxins eat your brain! 

The human brain has its amazing and extraordinary function that comes all thoughts, judgment, memories, and behaviors. It has a unique role of receiving and interpreting stimuli, not to mention its subdivisions which are responsible for effective usage of language, movements, vision, hearing and balance, human senses, consciousness etc. The brain's physiology is truly matchless to any famous invention or even rising innovation that this world can offer. Indeed, it is only the mighty hand of God that made this breakthrough possible.

Just like any part of the human body, the brain has natural defenses against foreign substances to prevent health related problems. And for it to function well, it needs constant supply of blood and adequate nourishment from food supplies. Here are some of the foods that can optimize and increase your brain function:

1. Egg yolk

     It has choline property which is responsible for brain development and function. The amount of cholesterol is about 200 to 250 mg. so a person can adjust his egg intake from other sources as well.

FUN TRIVIA: 
1. It is rare, but not unusual, for a young hen to produce an egg with no                         yolk at all.
2. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the record for throwing a fresh egg without breaking it is 317 feet, 10 inches.

2. Yellowfin tuna or other fish sources

         It has a rich source of omega- 3 fatty acids that can enhance learning capacities, boost energy, improve problem-solving skills, and smooth communication between brain cells. 

FUN TRIVIA: 
1. The yellowfin is a member of the mackerel family and the most brilliantly colored of the tunas.
2. Their age can be determined by counting the rings that develop in the otoliths (inner ear bones).

3. Strawberries

               One study shows that strawberry- eaters have higher learning capacities and better motor skills than non- eaters. Notably, it is of great help to people of various ages to have better memory recall.

FUN TRIVIA: 

1. Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.

2.There is a museum in Belgium just for strawberries.

3. Folk lore states that if you split a double strawberry in half and share it with the  opposite sex, you’ll soon fall in love

4. Chocolates

            It is a common belief that chocolates are beneficial to brain and can enhance one's mood. Endorphins released can improve focus and concentration. Dark chocolate has flovanols which boost blood supply to the brain and help improve cognitive skills. Milk chocolate can improve verbal and visual memory; boost impulse control and reaction time.

FUN TRIVIA:
1. In Hershey, PA, the street lights on the main street are all shaped like Hershey kisses.
2.The country that consumes the most chocolate per person per year is Switzerland.
3. Chocolate can be lethal to dogs.

5. Soy

         Soy is rich in choline, lecithin and isoflavones. Lecithin prevents deposits of plaques in the brain while isoflavones improve cognitive function, category fluency, logical memory, spatial cognition and memory recall.

FUN TRIVIA: 
1. Tofu is commonly called meat without bones.
                         

           

6. Green Tea

            It is the best bet to a good and relaxed mental condition and can keep one's wits sharpened and even combat mental fatigue.

FUN TRIVIA:
1. Lu Dong, a Daoist priest was inspired by a poem Chajing that he decided to spend his entire life looking for the perfect tea preparation.

7. Whole grain products

            It has a soothing effect to the brain. This would include whole grain breads, cereals, brown rice and oatmeal. They are better choices than white breads, pastries and pasta due to its possible lethargic effect.

FUN TRIVIA: 
1. January is also an oatmeal month.
2. Astronauts from Apollo 11 boosted their brain power while in space with a cereal breakfast.

8. Dark leafy vegetables

             It is a high caloric food yet a very smart choice of food because of its nutritive value. They can help retain memory and even boost brain power.

FUN TRIVIA:  
1. In 1929 Popeye the spinach loving sailor first appeared in the comic strip 'Thimble Theatre.' Elzie Segar created Popeye.

9. Nuts and seeds

              Often called the brain foods because of its rich source in Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, folate, Omega 3-6 fatty acids and antioxidants. All contributes to the slow aging, improve mental condition and brain development. It is an excellent source of nourishment to the brain

FUN TRIVIA: 
1.Two peanut farmers have been elected President of the United States: Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter.

10. Iron rich foods

                Since iron carries oxygen in hemoglobin, it is essential for brain nourishment and its normal functioning. Iron plays its role to metabolism and use of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They affect mood, attentiveness and calmness. 


FUN TRIVIA: 
1. Most food folklore suggests that New Year's celebrations should include pork and sauerkraut to ensure good luck in the coming year. 
2.The  beefiest day of the year is consumed on Memorial Day.

         

11. Calcium rich foods

                Foods rich in calcium can be effective tranquilizer. It releases serotonin which has a calming effect and helps prevent anxiety. Ideal consumption is more than 1000 mg per day for all its other health purposes. 

FUN TRIVIA: 

1. Turophilia is a love of or obsession with cheese.

2. A giant wheel of Cheddar cheese was given to Queen Victoria (1837-1901) for a wedding gift. It weighed over 1,000 pounds.  

12. Sweet potatoes

                 It is packed with carotenoids which give its tint of rich orange color. Carotenoids act as antioxidants which prevent inflammation or protect cells from damage. It aids in the formation of Vitamin A, which is important in helping to bring new neurons together and form new connections from nerve impulses. 

FUN TRIVIA: 

1. The Tater Day Festival, one of the few festivals devoted to sweet potatoes, is held in Benton, Kentucky annually.
2. The Spanish who brought sweet potatoes back from the West Indies called them by their native name batatas. 

And lastly, never forget to consume 8-10 glasses of water to combat dehydration. It prevents the release of cortisol which shrinks dendrites, the branches of the brain that store information. 

Have a healthy brain!