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Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness
Health & Wellness

 

 

Home Remedy: Relieve Menstrual Cramps

This home remedy provides prompt relief without side effects: Ginger Tea with Brown Sugar. It's easy, effective, and natural. It works for me!

Ginger tea with brown sugar is widely used by Chinese women to relieve menstrual cramps. Ginger is a natural pain killer and it helps blood circulation. Ginger tea with honey is also a natural remedy for flu and cold. However, for menstrual pain relief, brown sugar is essential because it is less processed and thus preserves more nutrients, including minerals to tranquilize the nervous system and thus to relieve pain. The combination of ginger tea and brown sugar not only relives cramps but also helps the body to clear waste due to menstrual bleeding.

It is recommended to consume this tea for at least twice (250ml each time) daily or anytime whenever cramps are felt during period.

Ingredients:

 
1 inch of old ginger
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
5 cups of water

Directions:

 
1. Peel ginger and smash it slightly.
2. In a shallow pit, bring water to simmer (not boiled) and add the smashed ginger.
3. Reduce heat and simmer with cover for 20 minutes.
4. Add brown sugar and gently stir to dissolve.
5. Strain and serve hot.

More info about ginger:

 
Ginger, a gentle stimulant, stimulates the production of digestive fluids which help to break down food and prevent fermentation and the formation of gas.

Ginger tea, enjoyable at any time, is useful in cases of cold or flu. A cup of ginger tea combined with a tablespoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon is excellent. Ginger increases circulation and acts as a diaphoretic to produce perspiration. Both of these actions help to speed the removal of toxins from the body.

Ginger is helpful for congestion in the reproductive system. As it assists circulation, it helps to relieve blockages in the pelvic area and, with its antispasmodic properties, relaxes muscles and alleviates menstrual cramping. Drinking ginger tea has been used to remedy suppressed menstruation. It produces a feeling of warmth which is very comforting in this condition. 


Other ideas about relieving menstrual cramps: 

1. Avoid cold food and drink, such as ice cream and cold beverages during period because they trigger menstrual pain.

2. Swimming is one of the least stressful and most helpful, of exercises that can be done. Exercising releases endorphins, which are your bodies own natural painkiller.

3. Put heat to where it hurts. Use a hot water bottle or heating pad on your abdomen or lower back. Heat increases blood flow and circulation to your uterus and may help reduce cramping.

4. Calcium aids in relief from cramps. Between 800mg and 1,300mg a day for mild to severe cramps.

5. Keeping active, even by just moving around can help you take take your mind off cramps all together.

6. Drinking tea, warm milk and chocolate have always been considered strong associates to comfort.

7. Curling up in a ball always helps. Sit back so that your bottom rests on your heels, bend forward and rest your chest on your thighs, and wrap your arms around your knees. Breath normal for a few minutes, or as long as comfortable.

8. Honey has natural pain relievers and when a few large spoonfuls are added to some hot water, it can help bring relief.

9. Take a warm, relaxing bath to help relieve muscles and cramps. Add into a bath of warm water, one cup of sea salt and one cup of baking soda. Soak in mixture for around twenty minutes.


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Child abductors are monsters in disguise!

I just watched a tense Korean docudrama featuring an unsolved child abduction-murder case in 1991 - Voice of a Murderer.

The unfortunate child should be 27 years old in July 2008 if he was still alive. He died in 1991, a month before he could celebrate his 10th birthday.

What happened in Korea 17 years ago also happened in Malaysia. Check this website and you'll know what I mean.

Check the right panel of the website and you will see shocking news. Nurin, 9, was found dead, Sharlinie, 5, is still missing, and Asmawi, 11, is missing as well. My God...

For Sharlinie: THOSE WITH INFORMATION ON SHARLINIE'S WHERABOUTS, OR ON THE SUSPECT, CONTACT RAKANCOP AT 03-21159999 OR TOLL FREE LINE NO: 1-800-88-LINI.

For Asmawi: Call Brickfields District Police Headquarters at 03-22744465 for any information.

Yes, I know that these are not uncommon scenarios. I believe the abduction rate is way higher in the Western countries. So, why the fuss about all these 3 Malaysian kids?

It's not the matter of the cases themselves, it's the matter of knowing that these monsters in disguise are prowling around and no one is safe anymore! Child abductors should be denied their rights to stay alive. Forgive me for saying this although I know that no one has the right to take away one's life regardless of what they've done. Imagine the agony and exasperation that the unfortunate kids' parents and siblings have to go through! Can these merciless abductors fathom the pain, agony, and eternal heartache of those who missed their loved ones? I doubt so.

I HATE criminals - murderers, abductors, rapers, snatch thieves, robbers, etc. They got nothing better to do, is it? If I ever lay my hands upon one, I'll gouge his eyes off his eye sockets! Grrrrr!

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Nokia 6120 Classic

One of my friends plans to get a Nokia 6120 Classic. I believe it'd be a very good choice.


Check out its specs.

It's an affordable 3G phone with a 2.0 megapixel camera. I guess I'll get one soon as well :D
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Mushrooms!

I LOVE mushrooms!! Found some interesting stuff about mushrooms, I mean edible mushrooms.

Chinese Mushroom (a.k.a Shiitake Mushroom, Chinese Black Mushroom and Forest Mushroom), not to be confused with European dried mushrooms, are the most widely used mushrooms in Chinese cooking and are grown chiefly in China and Japan. Their fleshy caps are dense and their stems are tough yet can be used for flavoring before being discarded. Shiitakes have a pleasant flavor and absorb the taste of other ingredients. They are often sold dried and can be kept for up to a year. Rinse well and soak in hot water for at least 30 minutes before using. The water then can be strained and used to add flavor to stock.

Agaricus Mushrooms are lump, dome-shaped mushrooms, ranging in size from small (button mushrooms) to big. This widely cultivated and consumed mushroom have a mild and earthy flavor. Their color ranges from white to pale brown and their caps should be firm and evenly colored.
Straw Mushrooms, also known as paddy-straw mushrooms and grass mushrooms are cultivated on straw that has been used on a paddy. These grayish brown fungi are long with a conical cap over a bulbous stem, and have a mild flavor that makes a nice addition to Chinese dishes. They can be found fresh in specialty produce markets but are more readily available canned.

Wood Ear Fungi is a popular ingredient in Szechuan cooking. It is also known as the tree ear, Jew's ear or cloud ear mushroom because of its flat earlike shape. Its translucent brownish beige flesh is gelatinous but firm, crunchy, and relatively tasteless. They absorb the liquid in which they are cooked and take on the taste of the other ingredients. Wood ears are often sold fresh in Asian specialty food stores. They are also available dried. Store fresh wood ears unwashed in the refrigerator. Although they can be kept for up to a month, it is best to use them within a week. To use fresh wood ears for cooking, Wash the fungi quickly in cold water and remove the sticky parts. As for dried wood ears, soak them in warm water for ten minutes. Drain, change the water, and let them soak for a 10 to 15 minutes or until soft. They will expand up to five times their initial dried size. Rinse off any dirt carefully.


Snow Fungus, also known as white tree ear fungus, silver fungus, and silver ear is quite similar to wood ear fungi but it is white in color and almost transparent. Good-quality snow fungus has a pale and yellowish-white color. It is often used in soups and desserts and is believed to improve the complexion.

Enoki Mushrooms, also called golden needles mushroom are small white mushrooms that grow in clumps with long, thin stems topped with a tiny white cap and a mild, almost fruity flavor. They have a crisp, crunchy texture when fresh, but tend to become tough when heated. They are also known as velvet stem/shank, snow puff, and golden mushrooms. The enoki mushroom is highly esteemed in Asia and figures prominently in various Chinese dishes.

Oyster Mushrooms are fan-shaped mushrooms with white flesh and a gray to brown exterior. This soft, moist fungus has a peppery, robust flavor when eaten raw and is often used in salads. The flavor softens when cooked, thus a nice addition to casseroles, soups or stir-fried dishes.

Recipes:

Bamboo Shoot with Mushrooms
(Serves 4 to 6)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 can bamboo shoots, drained and sliced
12 Chinese dried mushrooms, soaked in cold water for 30 minutes, drained and chopped
2 tbsps. rice wine or dry sherry
4 tbsps. soy sauce
1 tbs. sugar
1 cup water

Directions:
1. Heat wok over moderate high heat for 30 seconds.
2. Add cooking oil, bamboo shoot and mushrooms; stir fry for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the remaining ingredients and reduce heat to low.
4. Cover the wok and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Serve at once.

Straw Mushrooms with Broccoli
(
Serves 2)
Ingredients:
200g fresh broccoli

Seasoning sauce:
2 cups good stock
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. rice wine
1 tsp. corn starch blended with water
Salt and pepper
1 can straw mushrooms, drained

Directions:
1. Cut broccoli into small florets and blanch in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain well.
2. Boil the seasoning sauce, thicken with corn starch paste.
3. Add straw mushrooms and broccoli, bring back to boil and serve.

Sweet and Sour Vegetarian Dish
Ingredients:

3 medium tomatoes
1 medium carrot
1 can baby corn
50g French beans
50g white fungi
1 tsp minced garlic
2 slices ginger

Seasoning:
2 tbsps Zhenjiang vinegar
2 tbsps ketchup
2 tbsps sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup water

Sauce:
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp water

Directions:
1. Skin and seed tomato. Cut each into 4 quarters.
2. Peel and shred carrot. Wash and set aside baby corns.
3. Soak white fungi until soft, wash and cook with ginger for 5 minutes. Remove and drain.
4. Trim French beans. Section and fry with 1 tbsp oil until green and dish up.
5. Stir fry minced garlic with 1 tbsp of oil until fragrant. Add carrot, baby corn, white fungi and seasoning.
6. Simmer for about 15 minutes. Put in tomatoes and French beans.
7. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Stir in sauce.
8. Dish up and serve.

Snow Fungi Sweet Soup (Dessert)
(Serves 6 )
Ingredients:
50g snow fungi
3 cups water Some rock sugar
1 can fruits

Directions:
1. Soak snow fungi in hot water for 30 minutes. Rinse well, cut away and discard any hard or discolored pieces.

2. Put snow fungi in a bowl with the water and sugar and steam for an hour.
3. Leave to cool, then place in the refrigerator to chill.
4. Before serving, strain the canned fruits and mix with the fungi.

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Chocolate Banana Cake

Lately I've baked chocolate banana cakes at my best friend's place. The first time was in February, I think. The second time was yesterday. Both results were YUMMY! Although not as good as bakery's but the satisfaction of seeing the batter became a hot, steamy, and delicious cake was just too hard to contain :) Let alone sinking your teeth into it!

Chocolate Banana Cake
Ingredients:
 
250g baking flour

200g sugar (I prefer brown sugar)
30g cocoa powder (I use Van Houten brand, tin)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
80g walnuts, coarsely chopped
100g white chocolate chips
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
120g butter, melted and cooled
4 ripe bananas, pureed
1 tsp vanilla essence

How to Bake:

 
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and place the oven rack in the middle.


2. Butter a baking tray, preferably round. Set aside.

3. Whisk baking flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a big basin. Set aside.

4. Combine banana puree, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla essence in a bowl and pour into the basin in step 3. Stir until the batter becomes thick and sticky.

5. Add walnuts and chocolate chips. Mix again.

6. Pour into the baking tray. Smooth the batter evenly until it covers the whole tray.

7. Put the tray into the pre-heated oven and bake until cake has risen. This will take 40-50 minutes.

8. Insert a fork into the center. If it comes out clean, it is cooked.

9. Take out the tray and leave it to cool at room temperature.

10. Before serving, remove the cake from the tray. Serve warm or at room temperature.

VOILA!!

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The Difference Between Science and God

"Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ."

The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir, " the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"

"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"

"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"

"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" The professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"

"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student : "From...God..."

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"

"Yes."

"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."

Without allowing the student to answer, the professor continues: "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student: "Yes."

"So who created them?"

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. "Who created them?"

There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.

"Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"

The student's voice is confident: "Yes, professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"

"No sir. I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"

"No, sir, I have not."

"Have you ever actually felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."

"Yet you still believe in him?"

"Yes."

"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of his own.

"Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"

"Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.

"You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can heat up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees. Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it. Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter.

"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. ~ C. S. Lewis

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I'm glad they stay that way...

I just put this sentence up - MSN: There are many unanswered questions and I'm glad they stay that way.

I saw something that reminded me of my late father. Haizzz...
Question: Why is it there?
Answer: Nil.

I "attacked" the piano with STUPID love songs from Fish Leong, Jolin Tsai, Joi Tsai, and Michael Wong. Sorry for the word "stupid". The songs are great albeit my mood @_@
Question: Why that kind of songs?
Answer: Nil.

I accidentally read a blog post and got to know that the bastard got girlfriend already!
Question: Huh? What's wrong with that?
Answer: Nil.

I SMSed: R u still alive? Got shot back with: Babi, u still alive? LOL! (Note: Babi is pig.)
Question: Why got this kind of insensitive person in this world, or worse, region?
Answer: Nil.

I'll still say: I'm glad they stay that way.

@_@
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约好的以后 (蔡淳佳)



我看见风在你头上留下小树叶
忍不住抚你白发容颜
你疼我眼角慢慢生起美丽的线
大树下抱我的肩

我看见真看见
这些熟悉的画面
当我说你曾笑我想太远

我看见才看见
永远永远都很远
当你说很抱歉

说好谁都不回头
我真的就不再回头
让你偶尔问起我
听说我再没有哭过
一个人向前走
走到约好的以后
能这样就够
你真的幸福
我知道就足够

我看见真看见
这些熟悉的画面
当我说你曾笑我想太远

我看见才看见
永远永远都很远
当你说很抱歉
说好谁都不回头
我真的就不再回头
让你偶尔问起我
听说我再没有哭过

一个人向前走
走到约好的以后
能这样就够
你真的幸福
我知道就足够

说好谁都不回头
我真的就不再回头
让你偶尔问起我
听说我再没有哭过
一个人向前走
走到约好的以后
能这样就够
你真的幸福
我知道就足够

Great song!
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Earth Hour 2008

Earth Hour

Are you in?

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好好爱她 (蔡淳佳)


你总是一通电话 我就陪你熬着夜
知心好友的定位 我想我们都了解
虽然我无法解释 事后为什么流泪
至少你要的安慰 我没有少给一些

好好爱她 我祝福她
不要像我那样勇敢
把一份爱 藏的太深
不见底 伤心不说话

好好爱她 我羡慕她
可以让你这样牵挂 为爱幸福
不是要握在手中 才能珍惜她

因为她他醉过好几遍
因为她失痛的那几夜
我都这样陪在你身边
不后悔的陪在你身边
想念好久的蓝天 一直躲着不见面
我忍住辛酸 再见
祝你们快乐过每一天

好好爱她 我祝福她
不要像我那样勇敢
把一份爱藏的太深
不见底 伤心不说话

好好爱她 我羡慕她
可以让你这样牵挂 原来幸福
不是要握在手中
才能开出最美丽的花

好好爱她 (我祝福他)
我拥有他 (我拥有他)
(把一份爱藏的太深 不见底 伤心不说话)

伤心不说话 我羡慕她
可以让你这样牵挂
原来幸福
不是要握在手中 才能开出那最美丽的花

好好的爱她

想念好久的蓝天 一直躲着不见面
我忍住辛酸 再见
祝你们快乐过每一天 爱每一天
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As the days go by...

I'm not into photography. I don't like studio or "photo-shopped" photos. So, I only snap photos that I know will have memorable value... at least for myself. I don't have a sophisticated digital camera with the latest technology to capture the best moments but one thing I have - my heart. And of course, my camera phone.

White Orchids

Purple Wildflower


Cameron Highlands, Tea Farm


Dusk

Dawn

Clouds
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Pantai & Penyu (The Beach & The Turtles)

I like beaches, especially at dusk.

Remember how the clouds are so eerily beautiful when the sun is "sinking" into the horizon? Ahh... The golden, warm rays of the sun... and the gentle and cool sea breeze...

Melancholic...

Pantai Balok, Kuantan, Pahang

Pantai Rantau Abang, Terengganu

The turtles at one of the sanctuaries along east-coast Terengganu.


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My cats & bunnies...

Aren't these bunnies cute?
Sad thing is, they are no longer around. May the three of them rest in peace. T_T





This is my cousin's cat. She's VERY ROUND & FLUFFY.
Look at her tail :)



Ahh... Here's my cat.
She has this stern look but she's really adorable :)




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