An apple a day  

With the proven anti-cancer benefits of certain foods, it makes sense to pay attention to what we put into our bodies.

• Cruciferous Vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower are packed with indoles, which lower your breast cancer risk and boost the action of cancer-fighting enzymes. Red cabbage and beetroot have the highest levels of anti-cancer flavonoids.
• Citrus Fruits like orange, lime and grapefruit. Monoterpenes in these tangy fruit remove carcinogens from the body. Grapefruit may stop the growth of breast cancer.
• Spinach. Eat at least two servings of spinach a week to keep lung or breast cancer away.
• Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Mango, Papaya. These yellow and orange coloured fruit and vegetables are high in beta carotene, a protective biochemical that is potent against cancer.
• Garlic, Onion, Leeks, Chives. They contain allium compounds that strengthen the immune system; also stop carcinogens from overpowering healthy cells.
• Tofu And Soya Bean Products. Eat these regularly cut your risk of breast and prostate cancer.

~ article from 'Simply Her'

All mushrooms contain the antioxidant ergothioneine, which helps lower risk of illnesses like cancer. Some contain as much as 40 times more ergothioneine than in wheat germ - previously considered the best source.
- article from Women's Weekly

I never liked mushrooms. My daughter, Haneesa ate mushrooms for the first time when she went for an excursion to mushroom farm when she was in Nursery (4 yrs old) and she loved it! Sadly, I never cooked mushrooms. So when i order pizza and it has mushrooms in it, i would pick it out and pass it to her. My first girl, Haseena, loves it too...so does my boy, Raziq...and my hubby too.
Good for them..should start cooking it. Anyways, sometime back as i was walking back from my daughter's school i came across a tiny bunch of yellow mushrooms growing under a tree. I found out that it's called "Leucocoprinus bimbaumii" and it's probably poisonous. Wish i could see some growing again but unfortunately never saw it again.

- read more about mushrooms at mushroomexpert.com

Labels: food

1. GET MOVING - Stress raises your levels of adrenalin - the "fight for flight" hormone. Burn it off with a 15-minute walk.
2. LIGHTEN UP - If you feel heavy-hearted, do something light - listen to soothing music, watch a funny movie or have five minutes of deep belly laughs.
3. JUICE UP - Fresh juices perk you up with vitamins plus natural glucose. Try six stalks of celery (a natural tranquiliser) plus 20 white seedless grapes, a bunch of watercress and ice cubes. Too much work? Buy 100% Apple Cranberry juice in a pack easily available in stores. Apples are good for the heart and help lower cholesterol levels, while cranberry cleans your urinary tract.
4. SUPPLEMENT - A balanced diet is best - but sometimes you're too busy. For an Asian slant on supplements, try cracked Lindzhi spores, an all-round tonic. Or try Q10, which supports the immune system and relieves fatigue by helping convert fat into energy. Find Q10 in sardines, mackerel, peanuts and meat.
5. TRY QI BREATHING

• Inhale slowly and deeply through your nostrils.
• Pause Hold the breath for another eight seconds by tucking your chin in to "lock" your throat shut.
• Exhale by relaxing your chin. Keep your tongue pressed to the roof of your mouth. Slowly breathe out through your nose.
• Pause Tuck your chin in again. Pause for a few seconds. Repeat the breathing cycle for 10 minutes.

- article from Singapore's Women's Weekly

Labels: body and soul

Toxins reportedly come from the air we breathe, the food, water and drugs we consume or from products rubbed into skin or used on hair.
According to many naturopaths and medical doctors, a toxic body can be the root to many chronic and degenerative diseases. These include inflammation, autoimmune disorders, allergic conditions, kidney and gall stones, digestive abnormalities, skin disorders and even cancer, reports Sue Davis, health & vitality manager for Chiva Som International Resort.
Sally Mathrick a naturopath, recommends a moderate detox at home, particularly for those who regularly smoke, drink or have a high sugar diet.
She says that toxicity occurs from poor eating habits, excessive intake of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. All of this coupled with stress, living in a polluted environment and minimal physical activity can contribute to a clogged system.
Ms Mathrick says doing nothing gives the body time to repair. Ideally, you will begin eliminating all processed foods, fatty foods, carbonated drinks, sugar and dairy from your diet a week earlier. Say goodbye to your morning espresso and stock up on herbal teas and purified water. Increasing your intake of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables, and juices would give the body support in cleansing, adds Ms Mathrick.

Start the day with dry skin brushing that will speed up the detoxification process through the skin followed by a salt scrubs and Epsom bath. Cold showers are good for boosting circulation and will give you extra energy. Ultimately, though, you're bound to want to sleep a lot so it's a good time to relax and do nothing.
Afterwards, expect to feel so rejuvenated you may want to eliminate old habits forever. Once you've had a taste of what it's like to live life with better energy, clearer thinking and more happiness you may want to make detox a regular ritual.

3-day detox programme

Begin the day with a glass of warm lemon water (half lemon squeezed into purified/boiled warm water) or 1 tsp apple cider vinegar diluted in warm water.

Dry brush the skin with a natural loofah in upwards strokes towards the heart.

Spend 30 minutes walking or doing gentle yoga stretches to awaken the body and mind (twisting postures help squeeze toxins out of the kidneys). Deep full breathing allows the lungs to expel excess waste.

Breakfast - start the day with a fruit salad mixed with nuts, seeds and flax seed. Before lunch and dinner, sip half a cup of warm water with 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar to improve digestion. A mixed raw food salad with seeds and nuts is recommended for lunch. For dinner, a plate of lightly blanched or steamed greens. For meat eaters, steamed fish is recommended.

Hydration - the key is to drink 10 glasses of warm water slowly throughout the day.

The best shot of life is wheatgrass that can easily be grown at home. It helps clean the blood and is reportedly equivalent to 4kg of fresh green vegetables. You can arrange delivery from your local organic store or grow this easily at home on your kitchen shelf.

Home spa recipes

Daily dry skin brushing followed by a salt scrub is beneficial for detoxifying the skin. You can buy a salt scrub at natural health stores or make it yourself from the following recipes.

Scrub recipes

Sea kelp & salt scrub

Ingredients:
2 tbsp fine sea salt
1 tbsp kelp powder
1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
1 1/2 tbsp sweet almond oil
1 tsp spirulina powder
4 drops each grapefruit, lemon, cypress and peppermint essential oils

Method
Mix all the ingredients together well. Step into the shower and massage the blend into your skin starting with the feet and working your way up. Turn on the shower and repeat the scrub all over the body by scooping water into your hands and massaging until the salt granuals have disappeared.

Thai salt & herb scrub

Ingredients:
1/4 cup (60g) fine sea salt
3 drops lime, 3 drops ginger and 2 drops lemongrass essential oils
1 heaped tsp fresh lemongrass chopped finely
1/4 cup (50ml) coconut oil

Method
Blend all ingredients into a smooth paste, then use circular movements to rub the entire body before rinsing off in the bath or shower.

~ article by Judy Chapman from The Business Times

Labels: body and soul

Did you know that the scientic name for cocoa tree is Theobroma cacao and the word "Theobroma" is Latin for "food of the gods."
Chocolates...yummy...chocolates. I just love dark chocolates, they are slightly bitter and much better than milk chocolate as i find most milk chocolate too sweet. I guess it's because more sugar is added than milk.
Moreover, dark chocolate has fewer calories than milk chocolate and it has more than twice anti-oxidant properties than milk chocolate. This means that it can protect the heart and arteries from oxidative damage. However, adding milk to chocolate may cancel out these health benefits.
Chocolate and cocoa butter contain two main saturated fats (palmitic and stearic acids) and one mono-unsaturated fat (oleic acid). Unlike other saturated fats, stearic acid is a neutral fat and does not appear to raise bad cholesterol (LDL). Oleic acid is the same type of fat in olive oil and may actually raise good cholesterol levels (HDL).
Scientists found the key ingredient, theobromine, is nearly a third more effective in stopping persistent coughs than the leading medicine codeine but it only works for certain types of coughs.
Researchers found that a chemical, "catechins" (polyphenolic substances, an anti-oxidant) found in chocolate are believed to protect against heart disease, some cancer and decreasing the effects of aging on the brain. So eating products that contain them could have health benefits. Up till now tea was thought to contain the largest amount of catechins but the new research indicates that dark chocolates has four times as many. The chemical called phenols found in chocolate, reduces the presence of free radicals that damage cells and DNA, carrying diseases.
Great news for moms-to-be...scientists in Finland say eating chocolate during pregnancy may make happier, livelier babies. This is derived after a test done on 300 pregnant women.
However, chocolate is high in calories and eating too much can therefore make you put on some pounds, increasing risk of heart disease. Well, too much of anything is bad, just have to make sure it is moderately consumed.
At the end of the day, eating chocolates makes me happy and i believe it does reduces my stress level.

Read out more about Chocolates in CHOCOLATE HEALTH FACTS if you want to find the answers for these questions...
Does chocolate cause cavities?
Will I live longer if I eat chocolate?
Does chocolate cause acne?
Will eating chocolate make me fat?

Labels: food

The citric acid in lemon acts as a natural astringent and antiseptic, helping to balance skin's pH by countering acidity, making it ideal for acne-prone or oily skin. It also works as a very mild natural bleach, brightening dull skin and lightening pigment spots. But beware, skin can get sunburned more easily when you use fruit acids, so apply sunscreen.
Lemons can help cleanse the body of toxins (to soothe indigestion) or strengthen the immune system - drinking lemon juice when you have the flu halts the progress of infection because of its antibacterial benefits. The zesty scent of lemon helps ease anxiety, promote mental clarity and decisiveness. Place a few lemon essential oils drops in our burner if you're feeling stressed.
Home Remedy ~ To treat dandruff, mix a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with warm olive oil and gently rub into scalp. Shampoo and rinse out well after 15 minutes.
Tip ~ To help remove blemishes, rub a slice of lemon on your face and leave overnight, rinsing off in the morning.

- article taken from 'Simply Her'

So glad that i got this blissful product with my cousin's help.
It was during the Women's Fair 2006. My cuz/sis-in-law, Yas, went to Marina Square Central Atrium on Nov 3rd around 10+am to queue up to subscribe 'Simply Her' magazine and to get fabulous gifts. She called me and convinced me to subscribe the magazine. Thanks to Yas, for S$84, i received a Happy Bag for $3, tea 6 piece pouch set worth $106.40 and English Floral Luxury Hatbox from Crabtree & Evelyn worth $125. Apart from 'Women's Weekly', 'Better Homes & Gardens', 'Woman's Day', i have added 'Simply Her' magazine as my favorites. Received my January issue, two weeks ago and it's Simply Wonderful! The articles are interesting, worth reading, worth buying!