Top Ten Health Tips

You can use this as a checklist to determine if you are on track with a healthy strategy.

If you are not incorporating all the steps then try to add an additional step into your daily regime. Focus on one step for at least two-three weeks and then once it becomes second nature to you; it's time to move on to implementing another step.

Within a year, you can achieve all the steps and monitor how you are feeling along the way. Positive progress breeds inspiration and will motivate you to achieve optimal health.

Your health is worth it!

1.) Include healthy protein with each meal to keep your blood sugar level even as well as your energy level.

2.) Monitor your sodium intake:

If you ate fairly healthy food, you would probably get between 600-1000 mg of sodium a day. American's average 4000 mg per day. Equal to 2 tablespoons of salt. So the goal is below the middle point. About 2000 (almost 1 tsp) would be just OK, less is better.

1/4 tsp salt = 600 mg sodium
1/2 tsp salt= 1200 mg sodium
1 tsp salt = 2400 mg sodium

3.) Monitor your sugar intake:

The average American eats approx. 24 lbs. of sugar a year! Hard to believe isn't it. It's just not the sugar we notice we are using, but hidden sugars in our foods such as Ketchup, jams, soups, etc.

There are 9 teaspoons of sugar in 12 ounces of soda. Plain water would be a better alternative.

Try to keep your sugar intake to 32 grams of sugar daily.

4.) Eat 5 fruits and vegetables daily.

Eat organic whenever possible to lessen the toxic load.

5.) Drink plenty of water.

6.) Limit processed or fast food intake.

7.) Read the nutritional labels on food so you are aware of the nutrients that you are consuming.

8.) Take a healthy multi-vitamin for additional support for your body.

9.) Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily in some form.

10.) Get 10 hours of sleep every day.

Author: Nancy Guberti
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Excise Tax

33 Basic Smart Shopping Tips

by Sandy Shield

Here are thirty-three basic smart shopping tips that can be used anywhere you shop. Use them to save money, and as a guide to strengthen your purchasing power.

1. Plan your spending. Avoid impulse buys.

2. Advertised items are not necessarily the cheapest.

3. Watch for unadvertised specials.

4. Remember to ask for a "raincheck" if an item is sold out.

5. To avoid crowds, do not shop after work, on paydays, or just before holidays.

6. Buy items before you run out of them. Buy at clearance, or sale price, instead of regular price when you must have the item.

7. Know the sales cycle in your area.

8. Just because an item is on sale, doesn't necessarily mean it is a good deal for your family. If you won't use it, don't buy it.

9. Due to volume discounts, larger stores are generally cheaper than smaller ones.

10. Your emotions affect your shopping. Be careful of the "I deserve it" mentality.

11. Buy at the end of the season.

12. Stock up when prices are low.

13. Try alternative shopping: Shop salvage stores, thrift stores, consignment shops, warehouse clubs, yard sales, and garage sales.

14. Remember that no particular store has the lowest price on all items.

15. Create a "shopping pool". Agree with family and friends to shop sales for each other.

16. Shop alone. Other individuals will only help fill your shopping cart.

17. Check the entire store for specials and alternatives.

18. Get to know your favorite store's employees. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

19. Know your prices, keep a price book.

20. About Prices: Compare, Compare, Compare. This is how your price book helps you.

21. Larger is not always cheaper. Smaller is not always cheaper.

22. Look at unit prices.

23. You pay more for fancy packaging. Beware.

24. Remember the "Rule of Three": If an item has three different ways it can be used, you will not be wasting your money.

25. Never pay full price.

26. Shop defensively.

27. Try store and generic brands.

28. Watch as the clerk rings up your purchases. Check your receipt.

29. Shop for gifts year round.

30. Return purchases that do not meet your expectations.

31. Complain if it is genuinely warranted.

32. Call before you go to confirm item is available.

33. If you must, leave the checkbook and credit cards at home or in the car.

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Sandy is a freelance writer and webmaster of TheFrugalShopper.com. She enjoys living the frugal life, saving money, and helping others to do the same. Subscribe to her newsletter to receive more money-saving ideas and frugal tips. Reprint permission granted with this footer included. Copyright © TheFrugalShopper.com 1999-2005.

How to Grow Your Own Kombucha Mother or SCOBY

Image via Wikipedia

Many people are interested in obtaining a Kombucha mother to start their first Kombucha brew. However, it is not easy (in some sense) because there are not that many people brewing Kombucha in Malaysia. My mother-in-law got hers from a friend of hers, thus started our family's journey to a whole new world of brewing Kombucha and Water Kefir.

Do not despair if you are not able to obtain your own Kombucha mother because there is a way to grow a new Kombucha mother easily, though it will take more than 2 weeks to form.

I have searched and found these videos which will show you the step by step method of growing a Kombucha mother.

Here's an interesting information! My friend told me that even if you do not have any starter Kombucha tea to start with, you are still able to grow a mother with just the water, sugar and tea. Maybe will try this out one day.

Please make sure that all the utensils you use are cleaned and properly sterilised before you start!

Here are the videos. Hope you enjoy them!


Warm regards,
Sany Woo

Country all set for shopping festival

TheStar Online (November 19, 2009)

PETALING JAYA: Shopping malls and retailers are all gearing up for the Malaysia Year End Sale (M-YES) — a much-anticipated celebration of shopping, dining and entertainment from Saturday to Jan 3 next year, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen.

Shopping is the second biggest share of tourist expenditures after accommodation, with its contribution of RM13,282.4mil in 2008, compared to RM12,254.6mil in 2007, being an increase of 8.4%, she said.

“The year-end excitement of school and winter holidays and festivities is clearly felt in Malaysia,” she said.

Ng added: “I believe that we are on target to reach 20 million tourist arrivals by the end of the year; final quarter events including M-YES will certainly boost our tourism revenue.

Over 44 days, M-YES brings to visitors and shoppers in Malaysia a host of events and bargains which will see some 350 retailers across the country taking part.

Among the specials awaiting shoppers to Malaysia are Privilege Cards at selected malls that entitle them to better bargains. They only need to present their passports and/or boarding passes at the customer service counters of participating malls in the Klang Valley.

Other promotions during the M-YES 2009 include the “180 Minutes Shopping Madness” at Suria KLCC where shoppers have to look out for Santarina in order to win a shopping voucher valued at RM500; and the MasterCard promotion offers a chance to win a Paris holiday with every RM500 charged to their card.

In an emergency situation, call ICE!

Today, I received an email which I would like to share with all my friends. I believe this will help raise everyones awareness of the importance of helping strangers contact your loved ones should anything happen to you.

Here is the email. Please share this message with as many friends as possible so that they are aware about the "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign!

Warm regards,
Sany Woo
-----


Dear Friends,

We are human beings. Anything can happen to us any time.

Below given mail is self explanatory.

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign

The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE."

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!

Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!

Please forward this. It won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest .

Remember:-
ICE will speak for you when you are not able to!

Sure fire sex foods

The Daili Chilli

Think you know what foods turn someone on? Do you keep a pantry full of love potions and shop for a list of foods for love which are supposedly sure to work?

Check out this list of alleged natural aphrodisiacs and see if you can tell the love potions from the love poisons.

Oysters
Oysters are a favourite among erotic foods and research now shows this shellfish to be a rich source of zinc – a mineral required for the production of testosterone. Not only the hormone behind the male sex drive, testosterone is believed to stimulate the female libido as well.

ChilliesA chilli's heat comes from "capsaicin," a chemical that stimulates our nerve endings, raising our pulse and making us sweat. Some researchers believe that eating hot foods also triggers the release of endorphins, body chemicals that gives us a natural high that is conducive to love-making.

ChocolateIn addition to the sensuous texture of melted chocolate, this quintessential lovers' gift contains a stimulant called phenylethylamine, considered by some researchers as the "love chemical" as it gives you a feeling of wellbeing and excitement that is very similar to the endorphins giving us a natural high.

Wild yamWild yam has a traditional use as an aphrodisiac and chemical analysis shows that it contains chemicals that can increase sensitivity in the genitals. It also has a reputation for inducing erotic dreams, when drunk at bedtime, although it has not been proven in clinical trials.

Ginkgo
Ginkgo is commonly used for age-related memory loss, but some have had success using it to treat sexual dysfunction; possibly by stimulating the release of nitric oxide, widening blood vessels of the genitals and erectile tissue. Ginkgo shouldn't be taken with blood-thinning drugs or by people with heart disease.

AsparagusMany foods thought to be aphrodisiacs were considered so because of their phallic shape. Asparagus however, has more than suggestive form. It is rich in vitamin E, a vitamin considered to stimulate production of our sex hormones and may be essential for a healthy sex life.

Banana
Due not only to its shape, but also its creamy, lush texture, some studies show its enzyme bromelain enhances male performance.

Caviar
It is high in zinc, which stimulates the formation of testosterone, maintaining male functionality.

Spanish fly
One of the most notorious of the modern love potions, Spanish Fly is actually quite dangerous. Made from the dried body of a special beetle, it irritates the urinary tract, sending a rush of blood to the genitals.

Champagne
Viewed as the "drink of love," moderate quantities lower inhibitions and cause a warm glow in the body.

Figs
Seasonal crops were celebrated by ancient Greeks in a frenzied copulation ritual.

Yohimbine
Yohimbine, extracted from Yohimbine bark, can facilitate erections by stimulating the nervous system and increasing blood flow to the penis. But it is not for everyone. Common side effects include increased heart rate, raised blood.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Published Nov 11 2009