Goals of Today (Version 01)

-- Do not tackle all my problems at once.

-- Have sufficient sleep and sleep well.

-- Eat well and eat right.

-- Have a 24-hour programme.

-- Achieve my goals for the day.

-- Not be irritated by anything, especially those beyond my control.

-- Be happy and enjoy every moment of my life.

-- Be caring, helpful, courteous and be tactful in dealing with people.

-- Strengthen my mind by learning something useful.

-- Read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

-- Have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax.

-- Spend 15 minutes alone to get a better perspective of my life.

(Version 01 Ref: G07G28)

Can I stand next to a microwave?

THE CLAIM: People shouldn't stand too close to a microwave

THE FACTS: Considering how long microwave ovens have been around, one would think that any concerns about their safety would have been resolved long ago. But many people continue to wonder whether standing next to a microwave while it's on can expose them to radiation - and if so, how much.

Although microwave ovens can in fact leak radiation, the levels that might be released are fairly minute.

According to the Centre for Devices and Radiological Health, a unit of the Food and Drug Administration, that regulates microwave oven safety, every microwave that reaches the market must meet a requirement limiting the amount of radiation it can leak in its lifetime to five milliwatts per square centimetre at roughly two inches away from the oven.

According to the centre, that is far below the levels of radiation that have been shown to harm humans.(By comparison, the most common cellphones operate at a peak power of about 1.6 watts or less, and most studies have found no evidence linking the phones to health problems.)

Manufacturers of microwave ovens are also required to line the doors of the machines with metal mesh that prevents microwaves from escaping, and to use a type of door latch that stops the production of microwaves whenever the latch is released.

Those features greatly limit exposure to levels of radiation that are already low. And since the radiation levels drop sharply with increasing distance, the levels two feet away are about one-hundredth the amount at two inches.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Proximity to a microwave oven is not dangerous.

Source: NEW YORK TIMES

One-stop organic store in Singapore heartland

By Constance Chee

I would like to share the discovery of a wonderful organic store in the heartland and my opinion on going organic.

Contrary to what people think, going organic does not mean being vegetarian or vegan. Organic produce is natural produce grown without the use of chemical pesticides, genetically modified organisms, and usually, in an eco-friendly way.

Going organic simply means consuming vegetables and fruit that have been grown organically. Rice, cereals, grains and nuts or sauces, jams or even processed food can be organic too when they contain organic ingredients.

But it is also possible to go organic and be unhealthy if you eat organic processed food, for example, organic biscuits, ice-cream and chocolate all the time and leave out the greens and fruit.

My family started including organic produce in our diets at the beginning of the year. My kids are three and five years old, so I would not risk giving them a vegetarian diet to ensure they are not missing out anything.

We first tried out Naturally Marketplace at VivoCity, but found it difficult to find everything we need for Asian cooking. Also, the organic produce was shelved together with the non-organic stuff, which made shopping there a game of hide-and-seek.

It was difficult to find a store that had everything until I discovered Taste Original at West Coast (Block 721 Clementi West Street 2, #01-122. Tel: 6872-5854), facing the West Coast Community Centre basketball court.

It is an amazing shop...I often wonder how the proprietor is able to cram everything in that space. And 95 per cent of the organic produce - both fresh and processed - from places like Australia, the United States, Egypt, Europe and Taiwan are suitable for all types of cuisine as opposed to other organic supermarkets here that often cater to the Western cuisines.
Here is a list (or rather a fraction) of what you can find there:

>>Organic red rice, brown rice, five grain rice, Basmati, beans, nuts, noodles, pasta and baking needs.
>>Plum sauce, mushroom sauce, organic vegetable seasonings and oils (olive, sesame, sunflower).
>>Herbs such as rosemary, thyme and oregano.
>>Curry powder, cumin, fennel and other spices.
>>Fruit like oranges, apples, kiwi, bananas, papayas, grapes, strawberries, persimmons and aloe vera (they also bring in seasonal fruit from Australia).
>>Vegetables like spinach, watercress, kai lan, xiao bai cai, potatoes, yams and bittergourd.
>>Mushrooms (up to four or five varieties).
>>Chinese herbs for soup such as gou qi zi and red dates.
>>Processed food like muesli, cereal, yoghurt, jam, chocolate spread, cocoa and tea.
>>Cruelty-free bacon and sausages.

They also have baby food, household items, beauty products and toiletries, and conduct cooking classes, health screenings and product demos.

For those who want to plant their own organic wheatgrass, Taste Original even sells organic fertiliser and a variety of seeds.

I hope the information that I have shared will help those hoping to find a one-stop organic shopping place.

--- by CONSTANCE CHEE published in Mind Your Body of the STraits Times dated 4 July 2007

Interactive Health Tutorials

The tutorials listed the website http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials.html are interactive health education resources from the Patient Education Institute of the National Institutes ofHealth. Using animated graphics each tutorial explains a procedure orcondition in easy-to-read language. You can also listen to the tutorial.

Diseases and Conditions

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Acne
AIDS
Allergies to Dust Mites
Alopecia
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Angina
Anthrax
Arrhythmias
Arthritis
Asthma
Atrial Fibrillation
Avian Influenza
Back Pain - How to Prevent
Bell's Palsy
Brain Cancer
Breast Cancer
Burns
Cataracts
Cerebral Palsy
Cold Sores (Herpes)
Colon Cancer
Congestive Heart Failure
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Depression
Diabetes - Eye Complications
Diabetes - Foot Care
Diabetes - Introduction
Diabetes - Meal Planning
Diverticulosis
Endometriosis
Epstein Barr (Mononucleosis)
Erectile Dysfunction
Fibromyalgia
Flashes and Floaters
Fractures and Sprains
Ganglion Cysts
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Glaucoma
Gout
Hearing Loss
Heart Attack
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypoglycemia
Incisional Hernia
Influenza
Inguinal Hernia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Kidney Failure
Kidney Stones
Leishmaniasis
Leukemia
Low Testosterone
Lung Cancer
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Macular Degeneration
Malaria
Melanoma
Meningitis
Menopause
Migraine Headache
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Sclerosis
Myasthenia Gravis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Otitis Media
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cysts
Pancreatitis
Parkinson's Disease
Pneumonia
Prostate Cancer - What Is It?
Psoriasis
Retinal Tear and Detachment
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Sarcoidosis
Scabies
Seizures and Epilepsy
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Shingles
Skin Cancer
Sleep Disorders
Smallpox
Spinal Cord Injury
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)
Tennis Elbow
Tinnitus
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Tuberculosis
Ulcerative Colitis
Umbilical Hernia
Uterine Fibroids
Varicose Veins
Vasculitis
Warts

Tests and Diagnostic Procedures
Amniocentesis
Barium Enema
Bone Densitometry
Breast Lumps - Biopsy
Bronchoscopy
Colonoscopy
Colposcopy
Coronary Angiogram and Angioplasty
CT Scan (CAT Scan)
Cystoscopy - Female
Cystoscopy - Male
Echocardiogram
Echocardiography Stress Test
IVP (Intra Venous Pyelogram)
Knee Arthroscopy
Laparoscopy
Mammogram
MRI
Myelogram
Newborn Screening
Pap Smear
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Ultrasound
Upper GI Endoscopy

Surgery and Treatment Procedures


Aorto-Bifemoral Bypass
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Carotid Endarterectomy
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chemotherapy
Cholecystectomy - Open Laparoscopic (Gallbladder Removal Surgery)
Clinical Trials
Colon Cancer Surgery
Colostomy
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
C-Section
Dilation and Curettage (D & C)
General Anesthesia
Heart Valve Replacement
Hemorrhoid Surgery
Hip Replacement
Hip Replacement - Physical Therapy
Hysterectomy
Knee Replacement
LASIK
Massage Therapy
Neurosurgery - What Is It?
Open Heart Surgery - What to Expect?
Pacemakers
Preparing for Surgery
Prostate Cancer - Radiation Therapy
Shoulder Replacement
Sinus Surgery
Stroke Rehabilitation
Thyroid Surgery
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
TURP (Prostate Surgery)
Vaginal Birth
Vasectomy

Prevention and Wellness
Back Exercises
Coumadin - Introduction
Exercising for a Healthy Heart
Managing Cholesterol
Managing Stress
Muscles
Preventing Strokes
Smoking - The Facts

Happiness (1)

Happiness is a golden key that fits all doors.