My Grandparents Died of Diabetes...

Which health issue or physical feature runs through your family? Are you obese like your parents and cousins? Do all the girls have mustache? Is white hair already appearing at a young age?

Even if my mom is old in age and independent, I saw her cry during the burial of my grandfather. Love and sorrow is definitely beyond intellect, ability, and experience.

From both father and mother side, all my grandparents died of diabetes. We can say, it's definitely in bloodline.


Now, let's try to make things simple...

I have been health conscious since my college years. I try to avoid sugar as much as possible. If water is available, I won't take softdrinks nor artificial juices. Actually, I drink softdrinks in less than 5X a year. Even candies are a no-no to me if other food choices are available. I'm very, very cautious and even targeting zero hard and softdrink intake. 

Although one thing that I cannot stop myself with is rice, as the Filipino staple food. Actually, chocolates are also difficult for me to resist ^_^. Like what I heard from Bro. Eli, rice is the most delicious food, because even if you eat it everyday, you won't have enough of it.


After I learned that dark (not black, that's different) chocolates are good for the body, I discovered that my taste buds prefer it more than milk chocolates, choco wafers and varieties with caramel. I truly love it's slight bitter taste.

Some beverages and other commercial food products that claim to have zero sugar uses aspartame instead, an artificial sweetener that is actually carcinogenic! So which one do you choose, diabetes or cancer? Stevia and honey are still the best natural sweeteners and are also becoming more common nowadays.

I'm really experiencing it: I feel no urge in the sight of softdrinks, artificial juices and chocolates with sugar. I'm not craving for it. I make it a point to always read the product labels of ingredients.

Water tastes a lot better for me, although it has no taste at all. Something to thank for.

What food is forbidden for you to take, and what have you done to fight the temptation? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments section below.


The above post is brought to you by Jezreel Magbanua, who enjoys helping people MAKING things SIMPLE. Click here to get to know Jezreel Magbanua better. Thanks and GOD bless!!!

The Most Relaxing Tune???

Do you just let time take away your sorrows?

I was feeling depressed from our last basketball game. I was not able to do my best.

So I searched the web for anything enlightening.

Then I came across this stuff.


Now, let's try to make things simple...

Any search engine will tell you that this is indeed the most relaxing tune EVER.

Check it out. 

Well, it helped me quite a bit. Better try listening to it yourself, and be the judge.

Check out also the 10 most relaxing songs below.

1. Marconi Union - Weightless
2. Airstream - Electra
3. DJ Shah - Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)
4. Enya - Watermark
5. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing
6. Barcelona - Please Don't Go
7. All Saints - Pure Shores
8. Adelev - Someone Like You
9. Mozart - Canzonetta Sull'aria
10. Cafe Del Mar - We Can Fly
[SOURCE: www.telegraph.co.uk]

What songs or tunes make you feel relaxed? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments section below.


The above post is brought to you by Jezreel Magbanua, who loves helping people MAKING things SIMPLE. Click here to get to know Jezreel Magbanua better. Thanks and GOD bless!!!

The Secret of Dieting & Food Fasting

Do you recognize this feeling?

Hands are shaking.

Always staring on the clock.

Vision starts to become cloudy.

Hearing fades.

Chills like fever.

The surroundings is starting to consume your being. And it's your tummy crying for help.

I have experienced it so many times. 

Dieting, skipping meals, working lunch, getting caught in heavy traffic during dinner time, fasting: anyone who doesn't dread it?

Now, let's try to make things simple...

Sleepiness passes by. So is hunger. This I first learned also from Bro. Eli. Even the lust of the flesh can come to pass. Just try to ignore it (easy to say, though ^_^ ). Think of it as hunger. Both are urges that are part of human nature, which is definitely NOT beyond our control.

Pain of that urge to eat is just temporary and lasts short. The next few days, you won't feel it much. That's the secret of dieting and fasting.

Although it may be a daunting task to do a 40-day fast (like what they do in Biblical times) in our times, it's still possible. The reason for that difficulty is the pollution and stress surrounding us, unlike doing it high up in the mountains.

It is not true that stomach ulcers is an effect of frequently skipping meals. Rather, it is caused by an acidic digestive system. The cure for this is by eating cabbage or drinking cabbage juice. Prevention is by consuming alkaline foods, especially raw fruits and veggies, and avoiding much cooked food. Cooking makes your food acidic.

You'll reap the benefits after that fasting. Your digestive tract muscles get rest, and your body will have more energy to cleanse itself and do maintenance. The energy you use for digestion is used by your body for other functions. So fasting is also a form of cleansing, especially, water fasting, wherein you only take water for some time, no food at all, not even candies or gums.

The main reason your belly bulges or sags out is because of overwork. Give it time to relax, and you'll see your abs coming out the closet, a smaller waistline and your navel hiding in. Doing core exercises ALONE won't really do the trick, even how hard you do crunches and sit ups. Even your tummy wants to rest.

So the next time you try to fast, don't be terrified as you start to feel getting sick. Just keep yourself busy so you won't mind it. And if you see that you really cannot take the pain, take some water; that is, do water fasting. 

The health effects are priceless. Cleaner system, and a sexier you.

Are you willing to start fasting or dieting from now on? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments section below.


The above post is brought to you by Jezreel Magbanua, who loves helping people MAKING things SIMPLE. Click here to get to know Jezreel Magbanua better. Thanks and GOD bless!!!

Love Your Toilet Bowl

Are you experiencing difficult bowel movements? I do, sometimes.

I made it a habit to do so before I take a bath, so I feel completely clean. The problem is that if I eat too much meat, I'm having a hard time pushing it off my system.

Insoluble fiber cleans our gut and soluble fiber scrubs our bloody veins. So fiber really is definitely an important part of our daily diet.

But if you take too much carbs (rice, corn, sweet potato, etc.), your stomach gets so full, you can't take more fruits and veggies in. Also, the correct timing for taking in fruits is either 30 minutes before meals or 2 hrs after, so as not to have "opposing" enzymes during digestion, or you'll end up bloated with unpleasant smelling fireworks show behind...


Now, let's try to make things simple...

It's quite difficult, or better say,  unconventional, to have a daily diet of fruits and veggies to meet your fiber needs. Filipinos are raised in a diet of rice and viand. Even more, prices of those stuffs are always going up.

        

    

Include psyllium husk in your drinks, anytime you want! Of course, if you are new in this, start with small amounts then gradually increase intake.

The first time I tried this, I feel pounds being removed inside me. You will see the difference when your intestines get cleaned by those fiber scrubbers. Even your skin will glow and your face will get smooth! It is proven that if your middle section is clean, most diseases, including pimples and bad breath or halitosis, can be removed. It's a good detoxifier.

Take note that it's still best to get your daily dose of fiber from fruits and veggies, in order to get bonus nutrients. And the best way to have them regularly is to plant them in your available lot. See one of my backyard plants here.

Psyllium husk is available in raw or capsule forms. Choose whichever is convenient for you.

Do you think taking more fiber will improve your well-being? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments section below.


The above post is brought to you by Jezreel Magbanua, who loves helping people MAKING things SIMPLE. Click here to get to know Jezreel Magbanua better. Thanks and GOD bless!!!

I Plant My Medicine

Disease means cash out of the pocket, isn't it?

Never did I hear that prices of pharmaceutical drugs went down. The dilemma is, more and more people get sick, and new forms of diseases are sprouting like mushrooms in our backyard. Healthy lifestyle is difficult to achieve as the Filipino diet is more inclined to rice and meat; a sad reality for a known agricultural country.

Now, let's try to make things simple...

Have you heard about Ashitaba plant?

Originating from Japan, this plant is now starting to get popular because of the amazing and so many health benefits without those tedious and complicated preparations. Just get a leaf, wash n your faucet, then eat it! And amazingly, it tastes like guava fruit.

There are two variants of this plant, and unfortunately, the original Japan ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) is so rare in the Philippines. Mostly, you will find Gynura procumbens, characterized by smooth leaf profile and greener in color. Angelica keiskei has ridged leaves and secretes yellow sap when stem is cut. Also, it grows new leaf the next day after you remove one, that's why it's called "Tomorrow's leaf". It's very easy to plant and will cost you around PhP50 to buy a plant as big as in the pictures below.

Ashitaba plants in our frontyard

 

     Gynura Procumbens

MORE INFO can be found here.

BENEFITS:
-immune system stimulation
-promotes healthy function of the stomach and intestines, anti-viral and anti-bacterial activity
-reduces inflammation
-help cleanse the blood
-regulate blood sugar levels (anti-diabetic action)
-promote healthy cholesterol levels (decreasing unhealthy LDL cholesterol)
-stimulates the production of Nerve growth Factor (NGF) FOR EXCELLENT NERVE FUNCTION
-suppresses cell growth abnormalities such as tumors (as seen in cancer)
-helps decreases high blood pressure
-removes  toxic wastes from the body,aids natural sleep cycles
-improves visual acuity and provides peri-menopausal relief
-an interesting side benefit many users of ashitaba have reported their skin feels smoother and much healthier

HISTORY
Tomorrow's Leaf was discovered in Hachijo Island (Japan). The plant grows richly in great abundance. Once you pick one today, tomorrow you will see it start to grow a new life. An 80-year old medical doctor who was suffering in his last stage of lung cancer found this plant during his trip to Hachijo Island. He became curious with the leaf until he picked some, ate it and noticed that the leaf gave him great improvement in his health until he was finally cured.
He did deep research and discovered that the leaf has abundant organic elements. He wrote all the data of his research including his experience with Tomorrow's Leaf. He found out also the value of the leaf – as herbal medicine, that can cure a lot of other illness. It is also being used in different varieties of daily food preparations.

INDICATION
Lungs / Cough / Asthma / Digestive System / Intestine / Kidney / Kidney Stones / Urinary Tract Bleeding / Liver / Gall Bladder / Hepatitis / Gall Bladder Stones / Help Suppress Growth of Cancer Cells / Hemorrhoids / Constipation / Diarrhea / Vomiting / Blood Poisoning / Septicemia / Fertility Problems / More Balanced Blood Cells / Help in Recovery of Bone Injuries / External Wounds / Skin Allergy / Rheumatism / High Cholesterol Levels / High-Low Blood Pressure / Diabetes.

PREPARATION:
For Prevention:
Option 1: use 1 or 2 fresh leaves, wash with salt water, rinse with clean water, chew the leaves and drink water
Option 2: use 1 or 2 fresh leaves, wash with salt water, rinse with clean water, cut in small pieces, add to fruit juice. Drink a cup of it 1 to 2 times a day
Option 3: for dry leaves, boil in water, drink 1 cup size 3 times a day. Leaves can be eaten after boiling
For Curing: 
Use 4 leaves and follow same procedures as above. Note: do not drink any tea after taking the leaf. Allow 4 hours.

Tea Preparation
Brew tea with fresh or dried ashitaba leaves, flowers and stems. To use fresh plant material, chop it into small pieces and then place one to two tablespoons of this material into a teacup. Then pour boiling water over it and allow it to steep for five to 10 minutes before you drink it. To use dried plant material, use only one teaspoon of the plant per cup. Steep in the same way as for fresh tea.

What medicinal plants have you tried to be effective against various ailments? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments section below.



The above post is brought to you by Jezreel Magbanua, who loves helping people MAKING things SIMPLE. Click here to get to know Jezreel Magbanua better. Thanks and GOD bless!!!

Health Seminar Online

Diseases are becoming more common nowadays, right? 

Like what we say in Tagalog, "Mahirap magkasakit." (It's hard to get sick).

It's difficult to rely on conventional medicine as, for all we know, pharmaceutical drugs have their side effects because they are synthetically-made. Aside from this, microbes also develop immunity against antibiotics.

Alternative medicine is worth giving a try, but there are various "alternatives" out there and it might be difficult to study them one-by-one and even try them one-by-one.


Now, let's try to make things simple...

Mr. Raffy Villanueva is one of the trusted expert when it comes to organic and raw food diet, and he also has a wide experience when it comes to various alternative medical methodologies. He regularly conducts health webinars that focuses more on prevention, rather than cure, and using natural techniques to inform the public of ways to avoid huge hospital bills, careless quack doctors and painful surgical procedures.

You can get to watch his online seminars on the Health Webinar Live FB page. Video lectures are regularly updated and discusses severe illnesses like cancer, psoriasis, diabetes, heart diseases, etc.

Below is a sample Q&A session recorded last 05 February, 2013.

The main point in everything is, prevention is a whole lot better than cure.

Which do you prefer, conventional or alternative medicine? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments section below.


The above post is brought to you by Jezreel Magbanua, who loves helping people MAKING things SIMPLE. Click here to get to know Jezreel Magbanua better. Thanks and GOD bless!!!

Dictionary In a Click

Do you always encounter peculiar or unknown words while surfing the internet?

If you're like me, I'm not so fluent with the English language. So I always need to have a dictionary, either the usual thick book by Mr. Webster or through my mobile phone, beside me every time I'm searching for various things online. 


Now, let's try to make things simple...

Why not try using Google Dictionary? Just a double-click is enough to give you the definitions of the word you want to understand. So easy! Your reference is right before your eyes, in your desktop!

This can also be a replacement for your heavy hardbound, and an online translator, too. You can download the app here.

How do you increase your vocabulary? Do you think this app will be of great help? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments section below.


The above post is brought to you by Jezreel Magbanua, who loves helping people MAKING things SIMPLE. Click here to get to know Jezreel Magbanua better. Thanks and GOD bless!!!

Dengue Gone Overnight

How do you feel when you are in a hospital? Personally, I don't feel good.

For the first time in my life, I was confined due to a deadly disease last year. 

Basically, dengue is a disease caused by mosquito bites wherein platelets count is affected. I stayed 4 days in my house, in which fever was recurring on the third day, so my parents took the caution to have my blood tested for platelets count. We already suspected that it's really dengue, so we tried the tawa-tawa plant ( I don't know the English counterpart; just heard this from others) made into tea. But nothing improved in me. 

After the figures seem going down, I was rushed for to the nearby hospital. I don't like being confined as it entails much expense and I don't feel comfortable seeing suffering patients.

There is no specific medication given to dengue patients except hydration and medicine for upset stomach, which is also a symptom of the said disease. But after 3 days stay, my platelets count dived down to 43, which is very a very alarming figure. Good thing that no hemorrhage is taking place.  


Now, let's try to make things simple...

We followed the advice of a sister-in-faith to try papaya leaf juice. Luckily, I have a juicer that can easily and effectively extract the medicine I need.

           

And the miracle happened! Just overnight, the platelet count reached 90! So we continued juicing some more leaves. I can only take 2 tablespoon of the said extraction because it is SOOOOOOO bitter. Fortunately, I later found out that the said dosage is just right, according to my internet research.

The next day, the figures shoot up to 210! Then my doctor advised that I can be released that day from confinement. Honestly, I didn't inform my doctor about the herbal treatment (.^_^.) Thank GOD the worst did not happen.

Please take note that this article is based on my personal experience and it is strongly advised that any patient must seek expert medical advice first on any medication, as symptoms might have variation, that is, case-to-case basis.

How did you handle it when you had dengue fever? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments section below.


The above post is brought to you by Jezreel Magbanua, who loves helping people MAKING things SIMPLE. Click here to get to know Jezreel Magbanua better. Thanks and GOD bless!!!