How Does Smoking Effect Conception & Fertility

Women smokers who try for a baby may take up to two months longer to conceive than non-smokers, doctors say.

Women have a 40% lower chance of getting pregnant if they smoke, according to a report published today by the British Medical Association (BMA). Smoking and passive smoking was also responsible for up to 5,000 miscarriages and 120,000 cases of male impotence in men aged between 30 and 50 every year, said the report, Smoking and Reproductive Life, by the BMA's board of science and tobacco control resource centre.

The 70-page report also pointed to new evidence that smoking increased the chances of foetal malformation such as cleft lip and palate.

cleft lip ovulation

Mr. Munafo stressed that smoking made conception harder for all women. It is not clear how smoking damages women's fertility, but it may affect the release of an egg before fertilisation or the quality of the eggs.

Meanwhile, scientists suspect that smoking may increase a man's risk of infertility because it causes several changes in the male reproductive system that may interfere with its normal functioning.

Toxic substances from cigarette smoke have been found in the semen (the fluid that contains the sperm) of smokers; they make their way there from the smoker's bloodstream. These toxic substances may damage the sperm. As a result, smokers have fewer sperm than non-smokers do, and their sperm are more likely to be abnormal. Smoking may also modify the levels of reproductive hormones in men.

Normal & abnormal sperms

If a couple is having infertility problems and the man is a smoker, doctors usually advise the man to quit smoking, since this might increase the couple's chances of having a baby. Quitting smoking is actually a good idea for any man who wants to become a father, even if the man doesn't have infertility problems. Smoking by parents is bad for the health of their children. And of course, parents who smoke are harming their own health as well.

Why smoking is bad for you

Smoking causes cancer, heart disease and chronic lung disease. Smoking is the biggest avoidable risk factor for cancer. It causes nine out of ten cases of lung cancer. Smoking is also a risk factor for cancer of the bladder, kidney, cervix, throat (pharynx and larynx), mouth, oesophagus (foodpipe), pancreas and stomach and for some types of leukaemia (cancer of the blood).
lung cancer smoker's lung mouth cancer

How does smoking cause cancer?
Cigarette smoke is packed full of roughly 4000 compounds, many of which are toxic and can cause damage to our cells. Some are carcinogenic (cancer-causing). The three main ingredients of cigarette smoke are:
-- NICOTINE
-- CARBON MONOXIDE
-- TAR

NICOTINE is not carcinogenic. It doesn't cause cancer. But it is a highly addictive and very fast-acting drug. Once inhaled, nicotine reaches the brain in less than 15 seconds. Most smokers are addicted to nicotine and crave cigarettes to feed their addiction. This is the key ingredient that keeps people buying cigarettes and keeps the tobacco companies in business.

CARBON MONOXIDE is a tasteless, odourless poisonous gas. It is taken up by the bloodstream quickly and impairs the smoker's breathing. The gas is also emitted by car exhausts, faulty boilers and fires and is very dangerous in badly ventilated spaces. Inhaling too much carbon monoxide causes coma and death by asphyxiation.

TAR is a substance made up of various chemicals, many of which are known to cause cancer. Around 70 per cent of the tar in cigarettes is deposited in the smoker's lungs.

Other harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke include:
-- ACETONE, more commonly used in nail polish remover
-- AMMONIA, used in the dry cleaning industry
-- ARSENIC, a deadly poison used in pest control and insecticides
-- BENZENE, a cancer-causing agent used in the production of fuel and chemicals
-- CADMIUM, a very poisonous chemical that can cause liver, kidney and brain damage, used in batteries
-- FORMALDEHYDE, a known carcinogen used to preserve dead bodies

PASSIVE SMOKING
Smoking doesn't just harm the smoker. It can also cause disease and death among people exposed to the smoke. Passive smoking is particularly harmful to babies and children whose parents smoke in the home. Passive smoking may also cause miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, cot death, 'glue' ear, asthma and other respiratory problems.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
Tobacco smoking has no safe level of use. It is the only consumer product that kills a high proportion of those who use it in the way intended by the manufacturers. Overall, one in two smokers (smoking 20 per day from age 18) will die from their habit, half of them in middle age. The risk of getting lung cancer from smoking
-- is directly related to the number of cigarettes smoked. The higher the consumption, the higher the risk.
-- is highly dependent on how long a person has smoked. So smoking 1 packet a day for 40 years is much more hazardous than smoking 2 packets a day for 20 years.
-- is drastically reduced by quitting. Smokers who stop before the age of 35 have a life expectancy not significantly different from non-smokers. Even stopping in middle age has great benefits.
-- is halved by staying off cigarettes for ten years. The longer you don't smoke, the more you lower your risk.

GIVING UP
It is never too late to quit smoking, although the sooner you quit the greater the long-term benefits for your health. There are also instant benefits to be had from giving up smoking, like improvements in your breathing. Also, your sense of smell and taste will improve and skin problems may clear up.

Reduce LDL Naturally

LDL can be reduced by:

* Non-wheat fibers─Ground flaxseed is by far the best. This combination of protein, fibers, and healthy oils with no digestible carbohydrates can reduce LDL cholesterol 20-30 mg/dl. Another good non-wheat fiber is oat bran, with twice the beta glucan (fiber) content compared to oatmeal. Use it just like flaxseed as a hot cereal, etc. Use it as a hot cereal or added to other foods, such as chilis, yogurt, oatmeal, etc. 2-3 tbsp per day is the desired quantity for both.

flaxseed


* Raw nuts─Best are the fiber-coated nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts. Raw pistachios (tough to find; try Trader Joe's) are another good choice. Benefits begin at ¼ cup per day or more. Nuts, provided they are raw (and not "honey roasted," "party mix," "beer nuts," mixed nuts roasted in hydrogenated oils, etc.) do not cause weight gain, contrary to popular advice. They can be eaten in unlimited quantities.


almonds walnuts pecans hazelnuts

* Elimination of wheat, cornstarch, and sugary snacks─Because over 70% of adults now have small LDL particles triggered by these foods, elimination leads to a dramatic reduction of both small LDL and total LDL. However, this strategy works only if a substantial proportion (>30%) of LDL particles are small. (This requires a test called "lipoprotein analysis.")


* Flavonoids─These are the brightly-colored components of foods that confer many of the wonderful health properties of vegetables and fruits. The most prominent LDL-reducing effects have been shown for dark chocolate (preferably 70% cocoa or greater) and brewed green tea (brewed only; never instant or pre-mixed bottles). Dark chocolate, 40 grams (approximately 2 inches square) or several cups green tea per day are required for full effect.


* Vitamin D─Restoration of vitamin D levels to normal can yield reductions in LDL of 10-20 mg/dl.

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Together..we make a difference

Meaningful story..3

PERSONAL PERCEPTION

Different people have different perception. One man's meat could be another man's poison.

A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home, a boy commented, "Very stupid. Why neither of them ride on the donkey? "

Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, "The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?" Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey.

Further on the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, "How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman."The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey.

Then, they met a young man. He commented, "Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you." Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders.It seems to be the only choice left.

Later, on a near row bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river.

You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you.

Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.

Thus, do not be too bothered by others words if our conscience is clear..

Meaningful story..2

NO POINTING FINGERS

A man asked his father-in-law, "Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me your secret?"

The father-in-law answered in a smile, "Never criticize your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than you.

"We all look forward to being loved and respected. Many people are afraid of losing face. Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at. This is the start of a war.



We should always remember that when we point one finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves.

If we forgive the others, others will ignore our mistake too.

Meaningful story..1

TRUST is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation.

A telephone operator told me that one day she received a phone call. She answered, "Public Utilities Board." There was silence. She repeated, "PUB." There was still no answer. When she was going to cut off the line, she Heard a lady's voice, "Oh, so this is PUB. Sorry, I got the number from my Husband's pocket but I do not know whose number it is."

Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just "hello" instead of "PUB".

The recipe for the Cabbage Soup Diet

<< At first glance, the recipe can be considered a very simple one. And it is. It was designed to minimize carbohydrates as well as caloric intake. Although some people comment on the Cabbage Soup Diet as merely losing water weight as opposed to true fat loss, the soup can be effective if it is only done the right way.
The recipe for the Cabbage Soup Diet is as follows:
- 6 large green onions
- 2 green peppers
- 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
- 3 Carrots
- 1 Container (10 oz. or so) Mushrooms
- 1 bunch of celery
- half a head of cabbage
- 1 package Lipton soup mix
- 1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)
- 1 48oz can V8 juice (optional)

Cooking the Soup:
The soup is prepared by cutting the vegetables into tiny pieces. Place them in a pot and boil with the onion mix soup as the liquid base. V8 juice is also recommended. After boiling, let it simmer for a few minutes. You can let the vegetables simmer until tender but if you want it chunky, you have the option of turning the heat after a few minutes. Some people have made different varieties of the soup, giving an Indian twist to the dish by adding curry. Some people also place different herbs like parsley or sage to give it aromatic flavor.

The 7-Day Diet Plan

First Day
The first day is reserved for fruits. Any kind of fruit can be eaten, except bananas. The dieter can have as much as soup as he or she wants together with the fruit. On the first day, water is the preferred drink although cranberry juice and plain tea (without any kind of sweetener) are also allowed.

Second Day
On the second day, vegetables are the food of choice. You can eat them raw or cooked with no calorie or carbohydrate content. The diet restricts vegetables like beans, corn and peas. The diet suggests taking in as much cabbage soup as the dieter can muster. For dinner, the dieter is allowed one baked potato with little butter. However, the dieter is not allowed any kind of fruit on the second day.

Third Day
The third day is the merging of days one and two. The dieter can have as much fruit and vegetables as well as the cabbage soup on this day. However, he or she is not allowed a baked potato.

Fourth Day
The dieter can eat as many as eight bananas today as well as milk (should be skimmed). The cabbage soup is still the main course however for all three of the day's meals.

Fifth Day
Beef is introduced on this day but only up to ten to twenty ounces and raw tomatoes can be eaten but it should not exceed six tomatoes in all. Drink as much as eight glasses of water today. The cabbage soup intake can be reduced to only once a day.

Sixth Day
The dieter can eat as much beef and vegetables today. And your cabbage soup intake can be only once a day.

Seventh Day
On this day, brown rice is the first truly carbohydrate-rich food that can be taken by the dieter. The soup should still be taken once a day and fruit juices and vegetables are also advised to be part of the diet today.

Author is an online medical researcher and webmaster of Cabbage Soup Diet. You might be interested in "Cooking the Cabbage Properly" and "Some Cabbage Facts and Stories".
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=W._Darren >>

For those Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2, may have a try on this recipe. You may lose 2-3kg in 1 week. However, please don't use it continuously for too many time. Weight lose more than 5kg in 1 or 2 weeks is an unhealthy sign.

Small farewell party for Jasmine

ha..whose legs?

See, I have so many works yet to finish..they somemore "kacau" me..

Health benefits of Grapes

Today im going to share the positive effect of grapes to our body's health. The sharing is inspired by a seedless and juicy grape shared by Hsia Koon during the tea break time. =)

Grapes is a small round or oval fruit, some grapes are seedless. Grapes is a rich source of flavonoids, this gives the gives the vibrant purplish color to grapes , grape juice and red wine, the stronger the color, the higher the flavonoid content.

Nutritive Values of Grapes : Per 100 gm.

Vitamin A : 80 I.U.
Vitamin B : Thiamine .06 mg.;
Vitamin c : 4 mg.
Calcium : 17 gm.
Phosphorus : 21 mg.
Fat : 1.4 gm.
Carbohydrates : 14.9 gm.
Protein : 1.4 gm.
Calories : 70

Health Benefits of Grapes:

Good blood and body builder, it is also a quick source of energy. Grape juice is easily assimilated and called the "nectar of the gods". It is indicated in cases of constipation, gout, rheumatism, skin and liver disorders. This alkaline fruit (also called "the queen of fruits") helps greatly to decrease the acidity of the uric acid and lends itself further in aiding the elimination of the acid from the system, thus benefiting the kidneys greatly.

Studies shown that grape juice, red wines and raisin tea showed strong antiviral activity against poliovirus, herpes simplex virus. Helps reduce platelet clumping and harmful blood clots.

什么性格得什么病：性格与疾病对应关系 天天养生堂

什么样的性格得什么样的病。也许你会觉得这不可思议，但据英国《每日邮报》6月23日报道，新的研究表明，性格特征的重要性超乎想象，对一个人将来的健康状况起到关键作用。 人们一直认为，一个人如果表现为充满敌意、争强好胜、缺乏耐心的A型性格，更容易得心脏病。
但是最近研究人员发现，从胃溃疡、病毒感染到老年痴呆症，各种疾病都与性格特征存在着千丝万缕的联系。以下是专家们列出的11种性格特征与各种疾病的对应关系，看看你该预防哪种疾病吧！

冲动型：最容易得的疾病是胃溃疡。芬兰职业保健研究所的研究人员对4000人的调查发现，冲动型性格的人得胃溃疡的风险比其他人高2.4倍。

兴高采烈型：加州大学的一项研究结果令人瞠目结舌———兴高采烈的欢乐型性格的人更容易短命。一种理论解释是，这种人低估生活风险，突发事件一旦出现，他们更可能手足无措。

焦虑型：焦虑紊乱症会使你患高血压的风险增加3倍。美国北亚利桑那大学的一项研究发现，这可能与应激激素有关。另外，患恐高症等恐惧性焦虑症的女性，得心脏病、高血压和高血脂的风险更大。

攻击型：英国苏格兰一项研究及美国一项研究发现，攻击型人群更容易发生慢性炎症与动脉粥样硬化，进而增加心脏病风险。另外，患周期性抑郁症的风险也更大。

害羞型：美国加州大学研究发现，羞于社交的人更容易发生病毒感染。

乐观型：加州大学研究发现，与常人相比，乐观的人平均寿命长7.5岁。乐天派心理压力小，较少发生器质性病变和慢性疼痛。

忧伤型：这种性格的人容易发生情感问题，但他们却抑制自己的情感，因而容易得癌症和心脏病。哈佛大学研究发现，忧伤型性格的人因冠心病死亡的几率更高。

尽责型：加州大学研究发现，这种人善于规避风险，更能保持健康行为，因而更长寿。英国诺丁汉大学研究发现，这种人更能保持健康的血压和血脂。

神经质型：加州大学研究发现，这种人易得哮喘、头痛、胃溃疡和心脏病。
外向型：意大利米兰大学研究发现，这种人与乐天派很相似，心脏病发病率较常人低15%，不容易发生感染，病后康复更快。但是日本山形大学医学院研究发现，这种人比神经质型的人更容易发生肥胖。

悲观型：这种性格向来被认为最不利健康。与乐观型相比，悲观型的早亡风险高19%。美国研究人员发现，这种人日后容易发生帕金森综合征。

Coffee 'raises miscarriage risk'

Pregnant women should consider avoiding caffeine, say researchers who found even moderate consumption in early pregnancy raises the miscarriage risk.

Currently, the Food Standards Agency sets an upper limit during pregnancy of 300mg - or four cups of coffee a day.

But an American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology study found more than 200mg of caffeine a day doubled the risk compared to abstainers.

300 mg of caffeine is roughly equivalent to:

• Four average cups or three average mugs of instant coffee
  

• Three average cups of brewed coffee
  

• Six average cups of tea
  

• Eight cans of regular cola drinks
  

• Four cans of so-called "energy" drinks
  

• 400g (eight standard 50g bars) of normal chocolate
  

Caffeine content in a cup of tea or coffee varies by different brands and brewing methods

For women who drank more than 200mg, the risk increased to 25%. Pat O'Brien, consultant obstetrician and spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said based on the findings he would now be advising women in their first 12 weeks of pregnancy to abstain from caffeine altogether.

"The first 12 weeks is a very vulnerable time for the baby. It's when most miscarriages occur," he explained.

He said most women in early pregnancy went off the taste of caffeinated drinks anyway and so should not find abstaining from them too difficult.

But he said it was unclear whether pregnant women needed to avoid caffeine in later pregnancy.

In the nutshells, Women probably should consider stopping caffeine consumption during pregnancy.

edited by jasmine

Better than CURE

Healthy living switches off genes that promote cancer


THAT a healthy way of life can prevent cancer is well known. It is also becoming clear that clean living can help those who already have tumours to survive, and may even prevent the disease from coming back. A number of studies have shown these effects in breast cancer and colon cancer. But how they work at a molecular level remains a mystery.

One person keen to know what is going on is Dean Ornish of the University of California, San Francisco. Besides his academic job, he is the founding president of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, a charitable foundation based in Sausalito, California—and, as he freely admits in the interests of full disclosure, an author of general-interest books on preventive medicine and a consultant for large food companies on how to make “more healthful foods”. He was also one of the first to show scientifically that healthy living (a low-fat vegetarian diet, plenty of exercise and—of course—no smoking) can not merely stop, but also reverse the progress of coronary heart disease. He and his colleagues therefore decided to look at gene activity in a group of people with cancer who had chosen to change their ways rather than undergo medical treatment, to see if that would illuminate the nature of the health-giving processes in question.

The team chose men with prostate cancer for their study. They picked this cancer because it is slow-growing. When such a cancer has been diagnosed early, doing nothing is a reasonable alternative to the trauma of surgery, radiation or hormone therapy. Dr Ornish enrolled 30 such early-stage patients into a programme of “comprehensive lifestyle changes”. These included a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet, stress management, moderate exercise and plenty of “psychosocial group support”. Patients’ prostates were sampled at the start of the study, and then three months later to see what had changed.

For a gene to do its work, it has to be transcribed into a molecular messenger. This messenger, a molecule of a substance called RNA, carries instructions to the protein-making parts of a cell, telling them what to make. The more RNA messengers that have been transcribed from a gene, the more active that gene is assumed to be. Count the shifting number of messengers, then, and you can see the effects on the genes of a course of treatment. And that, using so-called gene-chip technology, is what Dr Ornish did.

He and his colleagues found that after three months, the activity of more than 500 genes was altered in the prostate in a way that might be expected to help fight cancer. The good life turned off tumour-promoting genes (known as oncogenes)—including several that are the target of efforts to develop anti-cancer drugs. Meanwhile, disease-preventing genes, including one for a protein that may help the immune system to recognise tumour cells, were switched on. Exactly how changes in lifestyle have this effect on the genes is unclear. But the study suggests the process reaches deep into the body’s molecular biology.

Before anyone rushes out for a quick glass of wheatgrass juice, though, there are a few caveats. First, 30 patients is quite a small sample, so the results should be treated cautiously. Second, there was no control group. Though a “before and after” comparison like this does have some value, it is better to conduct a study in which half the participants do not receive the treatment under test, and then compare the two halves.

Nevertheless, the results are intriguing. As far as Dr Ornish is concerned, the message is that it is wrong to be nihilistic about cancer and assume that nothing can be done because “it is in the genes”. As for how much prevention is necessary, he says his earlier work showed a correlation between the degree to which patients adhere to the kind of changes he proposes and the level of improvement they make. “It is”, he adds, “all in my book.”

How smoking affects your skin ...

 One of the effects of smoking on the skin is premature aging. Smoking causes the blood vessels in your skin to narrow. This decreases the blood flow to your skin and makes it difficult for your body to deliver the oxygen and vital nutrients that your skin needs to stay healthy. Under these deprived conditions, collagen and elastin become damaged - these fibers give your skin its strength and elasticity. Over time, the cumulative effects of inhaling cigarette smoke can produce discoloration, sagging and wrinkling of the skin. The damage is not just limited to your face, smoking can also accelerate the aging process on the skin in other areas of your body. Talk to your doctor if you need help to quit smoking.

Do you have uneven skin tone?

 

Discolorations of the skin are very common and are mostly caused by dryness or irritation, and the cumulative effects of the sun and wind over time. The differences in your skin tone can usually be covered up with make-up, such as foundations and concealers. If you're considering a targeted treatment approach, depigmenting agents such as glycolic acid, kojic acid, glucosamine and hydroquinone can help. For example, studies have shown that glucosamine can penetrate the top 10 layers of the skin and help to reverse the appearance of past damage, such as age spots, liver spots, and freckles. Regular sunscreen use or application of a daily minimum SPF15 moisturizer can help to limit the formation of further discoloration. During the summer, try using a light moisturizing lotion that provides broad spectrum UV protection to guard against both sunburn and sun damage to your skin.

令「飛機場」第二度發育

令「飛機場」第二度發育！還在為自己“未發育”的胸部愁斷腸？常常在角落裡暗自嘆息為什麼別人就可以擁有驕人的胸前曲線，而自己卻早早地被貼上了“太平公主”、“飛機場”之類的惡搞標簽？有這些煩惱的女士們，趕緊停止自怨自哀吧，與其有時間去抱怨，何不多花點時間在後天的補救上面！ 看看我們即將為你介紹的關於完美罩杯的6個關鍵詞：食療、按摩、內衣、簡單操、坐姿和小動作……請先不要被這一連串的複雜名詞所嚇到，運用到實踐中，你將會發現它們其實都是一些日常生活中稍加注意便可以做到的小Case。所謂小兵立大功，只要你持之以恆，擁有完美罩杯就絕對不是一件難事。
關鍵詞1：食療 女人乳房的發育與食物有著莫大的關係。 現代醫學早就証明，女人乳房的發育與食物有著莫大的關係。要知道，乳房是富於脂肪的腺體組織，除了部分人群由於先天遺傳和自身內分泌的關係導致乳房發育會較同齡人更為迅速外，要想後天加強乳房的發育，多吃一些有利於刺激內分泌的食物就顯得尤為重要。 蔬菜類： 花菜、胡蘿蔔、核桃、卷心菜，都是上佳的豐胸蔬菜，它們豐富的維生素含量可以有效促進雌性激素的分泌，以便達到乳房生長的目的。當然還有各位都再熟悉不過的木瓜+牛奶了，將牛奶倒入掏空的木瓜內蒸熟後食用，既簡單又神奇哦。 肉類： 富含蛋白質的瘦肉和雞蛋也是不可或卻的美胸勝品。如果你對以上食物不感興趣的話，那我們還有一個簡單的方法：用輕榨的優質橄欖油代替平時使用的食用油，菜品不變，依然是你喜愛的口味。 膠原蛋白類： 膠原蛋白不僅對於美容有著極好的口碑，在豐胸成果上也不容小視。富含膠原蛋白的雞皮、魚皮、肘子絕對是有著驚人說服力的豐胸上品，不要因為擔心它們的脂肪含量而因噎廢食，比起傲人的曲線，那上升的一點點腰圍是很值得奉獻的。

關鍵詞2：按摩 這裡不得不提一下許多明星都大力推薦的噴頭刺激法，每天堅持在淋浴的過程中借用噴頭的水力對兩邊乳房進行按摩(夏天可以嘗試冷熱交替)，刺激胸部組織的血液循環，每天幾分鐘，曲線便不知不覺豐滿。 還有就是臨睡前的按摩也很重要，塗抹適量的胸部乳液(普通身體乳液也可以)于手心，從乳房中心位置以畫圈的形式向上按摩至鎖骨位置,然後再把範圍擴大到乳房周圍繼續做螺旋狀按摩。每個動作重複10次，直到胸部感覺隱約發熱為止。這樣不僅可以有效促進胸部血液循環，還可以改善乳房外擴和下垂的現象。 養成按摩習慣的另一個好處是可以時時保障乳房健康，用手心全面接觸乳房外側，然後集中用力由外往內輕揉的動作可以達到淋巴排毒的作用。也可以讓你在按摩乳房的同時隨時檢查自己乳房是否有異物感。記住，乳腺癌現在已經不是中年人的專利了，對於乳腺癌每個女孩都應該從現在開始保持極高的警惕！
關鍵詞3：內衣 胸部並沒有屬於自己的肌肉組織，所以要想它看起來挺拔美觀那就需要借用外力的幫助了。還好，人類是最聰明的動物，胸罩絕對算的上是人類史上最偉大發明之一。但是小心哦，選擇胸罩可是一門大學問，不是我危言聳聽，如果做出了錯誤的選擇，胸罩分分鐘變“凶兆”！ NO：過於緊身的內衣 想想自己是否有過在青春期的時候因為害羞便選擇緊身的內衣來“遮擋”日漸發育的乳房的經歷。殊不知就是這一舉動為後來胸部的正常發育種下了苦果。長期穿著過緊的內衣會導致胸部扁平，發育不良。即便是已經發育成熟的胸部，過於緊身的內衣依然不利于胸部的正常“呼吸”。 YES：盡量選擇有集中功能的合身內衣 一定要根據自己的罩杯選擇合適的內衣，集中功能為首選。女士們一定會疑惑，那到底怎樣判斷內衣是否合適？別著急，我們告訴你一個正確的方法：戴上胸罩後，把肩帶松開，如果胸罩依然緊貼沒有松掉的跡象，那就說明你選擇了一款合適的內衣，反之則不然。此外，集中功能的內衣能夠幫助你從年輕時就塑造良好的胸部形狀，迷人的胸部曲線並不是光以尺寸為衡量的，集中型內衣不僅可以有效防止胸部的下垂和外擴，還能將兩側的副乳收入罩杯中增加胸部的分量，一舉兩得。從現在開始去找一款適合自己的內衣吧，從內衣入手改變胸部曲線，久而久之，你會發現自己的胸部出現了可喜的變化，到時候可千萬不要太激動哦！
關鍵詞4：簡單操 簡單操，顧名思義，就是一些相當之簡單方便的小運動。你已經想到了嗎?沒錯，就是著名的擴胸運動。只不過我們這裡介紹的會在原有的基礎上加一點點小東東，效果卻會更加的明顯哦！ 道具一：礦泉水 你只需在空閒的時候，左右手各握一瓶未開封的礦泉水，由小幅度開始循序漸進的做擴胸運動直到雙手張開至最大幅度為止，來回重複15次。怎麼樣，果然夠簡單吧！ 道具二：任意桌子 無論是書桌、餐桌，甚至是櫥櫃、洗衣機旁邊，都可以完成這套簡單操。背對桌子將雙手反扣在桌沿上，下蹲，起立，10個回合一組做三組，不久你就會發現討厭的副乳不見了，而胸部線條也神奇地上升了幾個厘米哦！ 道具三：雙手 用雙手做道具，聽起來很奇怪吧？其實只是需要盤腿坐正，雙手合十，與雙肘在一個水平線，兩手用力互相推，這個操來源於瑜伽，可以有效矯正胸部的外擴，讓乳房更加結實。
關鍵詞5：姿勢儀態 站如松，坐如鐘，幾千年的古訓必然凝結著祖宗們幾千年的經驗和道理。 平日姿勢正確與否對於胸部的線條是起著舉足輕重的作用的。挺胸收腹並不是專業舞蹈中才需要的標準動作，彎背含胸的習慣卻是最容易忽略的罩杯凶手，養成時刻收腹挺胸的習慣首先從視覺上便能讓你UP一個罩杯，另外對於胸腔骨骼的發育也很重要，所以，從現在開始，不論罩杯是否滿意，先讓自己做一個昂頭挺胸的健康女人吧！


關鍵詞6：小動作 簡單、不累，才有可能被廣大愛美又怕累的姐妹們長時間的堅持下來。所以，學會以下的小動作可是非常有必要的，讓它們慢慢變成生活中的小習慣，簡簡單單，罩杯UP起來！ 小動作1：經常深呼吸 深呼吸的動作不僅可以增強肺部的功能，對整個胸腔肌肉骨骼的發育也有著不可忽視的功效。累了、鬱悶的時候來幾次深呼吸還可以舒緩神經，放鬆心情。
小動作2：雙手抱頭 坐著站著的時候，都可以嘗試將雙手抱在腦後，繃住一段時間，或者左右90度旋轉身體，其實就是一個簡約版的擴胸運動啦。
小動作3：雙手合十 上面的簡單操有提到，雙手合十這個動作來自于瑜伽動作，但是因為簡單，所以將它也推薦到小動作裡面來。無論站著或者坐著的時候，雙手合十，與肘同高，左右旋轉身體，真的可以起到緊致胸部的效果。

Saving money on drugs

As a consequence of the increase in the global petrol price, our nation’s petrol price also committing with the global trend. Inflation that in rise had no doubt burdened the living of all of us. However we do not want to compromise with the quality of life we are leading now.

It’s natural to search for ways to cut costs. Aside from adapting frugal living, there is one way that we can cut our monthly expenses by more than a quarter, which is saving money on drugs. This can especially applied for those who are on medication or in long term treatment of multiple medicines.

How can I save money on drugs?
Following your doctor’s orders is getting more expensive all the time. From 1997 to 2004, what Americans spent on prescription drugs more than doubled, form $429 to $1,037 per person. Fortunately, there are several ways to save money on medicine without putting your health at risk. Here are some of the major ones:

Ask your doctor about generics
Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts at a fraction of the price. A simple switch could cut your bill by 20 to 60 percent. Unfortunately, not every drug has a generic equivalent. In addition, some doctors prefer to stick to brand names in cases out of habit. However, generic drugs are safe and effective for most conditions.

Apply for drug discount card if there is any
Different plans have different pricing structures based on the discounts each program has negotiated for its card holders. If you aren’t sure what will cost the east, ask your pharmacist for help.

Shop around
The prices of prescription drugs and over-the counter drugs can vary wildly from one pharmacy to the next. Shop around and compare the price before the purchase. Over the time, you will be surprised how much you have saved.

Buy in bulk
If certain drug is part f your daily routine, you might be able to save money by purchasing more than a month’s worth of medications and supplies (if your health plan allow it). Keep in mind that some drugs don’t keep well. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before stocking up, and take the expiration dates on your medicine seriously.

Consider mail order
Mail-order and internet pharmacies are inexpensive, convenient, and can help you save money on drugs. Logic explanations are internet pharmacies will free or charge less on the rental, utilities and labor expenses unlike the conventional retail drugstore. But take the normal precautions: Make sure the pharmacy is licensed; don’t order medication without a prescription; and stay away from foreign companies. Medicines manufactured in other countries are not FDA-approved and bringing foreign pills in to the country or having them delivered to your house is technically illegal.

Check your insurance
Many private insurance plans will cover part or all of the cost of medications. Be aware the most plans have a list of ‘approved’ drugs that they will cover. If the drug you take isn’t on the list, ask your doctor if you can switch to one that is. Your doctor can consult with plan’s representatives about why you need to make the switch.

Take your medicine properly
If you skip doses or otherwise stray from schedule, your disease could worsen, potentially leading to even more prescriptions and more expenses. Mismanaged medication can even cause permanent damage. And that’s a price no one wants to pay.

Wish the saving tips on drugs above have some healing effects on your wallets.

Remember to smile =)

References:
http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/medsaving

Editted by Jasmine Yap

FREE BE T-shirt & Hepatitis B Vaccination!!!

Is it true?=)

AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart ~ ( Jan 20 - Feb 18 )
Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotion al. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.

PISCES - The Dreamer ~ ( Feb 19 - Mar 20 )
Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't like details. Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Un selfish.Good kisser. Beautiful.

ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19 )
Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.

TAURUS - The Enduring One ~ ( April 20 - May 20th )
Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings who are stable and sec u re in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts.Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice . Loving and kind. Loves hard - passionate. Express themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous.

GEMINI - The Chatterbox ~ ( May 21 - June 20 )
Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic. Adaptable but needs to express themselves. Argumentative and outspoken. Likes change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent. Beautiful physically and mentally.

CANCER - The Protector ~ (June 21 - July 22 )
Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.

LEO - The Boss ~ ( July 23 - Aug 22 )
Very organi z ed. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Likes boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leo's. Attractive.

VIRGO - The Perfectionist ~ Dominant ~ ( Aug 23 - Sept 22)
In relationships, very conservative. Always wants the last word. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very f us sy. Often shy. Pessimistic.

LIBRA - The Harmonizer ( Sept 23 - Oct 22 )
Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible.

SCORPIO - The Intense One ~ Very Energetic ~ (Oct 23 - Nov 21 )
Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long Relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.

SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One ~ (Nov 22 - Dec 21 )
Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome ). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and out going . Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Beautiful inside and out

CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter ~ ( Dec 22 - Jan 19 )
Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they want.

In and Out of GeorgeTown

George Town, named by the British after King George III, is Penang capital city. The government centre and its financial heart, George Town is an interesting and bustling city with modern high rise buildings, cathedrals, mosques, government offices, temples, bazaars, shops and cafes. A myriad of delights, George Town is very compact ? the older part of the city is a labyrinth of narrow lanes and alleyways, which makes it a pleasure to walk and sight-see.
Indeed, walking is highly recommended ? a leisurely stroll will enable one to slowly drink in the many details that would otherwise be lost in a hurried tour. If walking is considered tiring, try a ride on the old but exciting trishaw.

Clock Tower, Pesiaran King Edward

The clock tower was presented to Penang by local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
It towers 60 feet in high ? one foot for each year of Her Majesty's reign. The Queen had died by the time the clock tower was finally completed in 1920.

Esplanade

Next to Fort Cornwallis is the Esplanade, a popular waterfront promenade which stretches from the hawker stalls at one end to the clock tower at the other. Central in the Esplanade is the Padang, a huge square of town green.
Standing proudly beside is the City Hall, a stately colonial building which is a fine example of British palladian architecture featuring magnificent Corinthian columns and huge windows. It was once the seat of local government.

Fort Cornwallis, Padang Kota Lama

Fort Cornwallis is situated at the spot where Captain Francis Light was supposed to have landed in 1786. Originally a wooden structure, the fort was rebuilt between 1808 and 1810 with convict labour. It was named after Charles Marquis Cornwallis, a distinguished Governor General of India, and designed to protect the harbour from possible French attacks.
Today, much of the old fort remains, but its precincts have been converted into a public park and an open air theater. It is still guarded by old cannons, which were retrieved by the British from pirates who had captured them from the Johore Sultanate. The most famous of the cannons is Seri Rambai, which dates back to 1613. Local beliefs have it that childless women can become fertile by placing flowers in the barrel of the cannon and offering special prayers.

P. Ramlee's Birthplace & Gallery, Jalan P. Ramlee

P. Ramlee's house is located at Lot 2180, Jalan P. Ramlee, Penang. P. Ramlee was born in this house which was built in 1926 by his father and uncle, Rejab bih Hussein. The house was twice renovated by the latter ? once during the Japanese Occupation and the other in 1948.
The national Archives accquired the house and carried out restoration works in 1991. The original form of the house is still intact. Today, a small gallery stands next to Ramlee's birthplace, displaying memorabilia of all kinds.

Penang Museum and Art Gallery, Lebuh Farquhar

Located at Lebuh Farquhar, the Penang Museum and Art Gallery is one of the most popular attractions in Malaysia. The building which houses the museum was built in 1821 and was formerly the Penang Free School. It showcases old photographs, maps, charts, historical relics, paintings of early Penang, all of which provide an insight to Penang's history.

War Museum, Batu Maung

If you want to know what life was like in Penang during wartime, you'll find some of the answers at the Penang War Museum. Housed in what was once a British fort built during World War II, the museum is the only one of its kind in the country.

洗手間裡的晚宴

有一位 女傭 ，住在主人家附近一片破舊平房中的一間。
她是單親母親，獨自帶一個四歲的男孩。
每天她早早幫主人收拾完畢，然後返回自己的家。
主人也曾留她住下，卻總是被她拒絕。
因為她是女傭，她非常自卑。
那天主人要請很多客人吃飯。客人們個個光彩照人。
主人對女傭說，今天您能不能辛苦一點兒晚一些回家。
女傭說當然可以，不過我兒子見不到我會害怕的。
主人說，那您把他也帶過來吧。
女傭急匆匆回家，拉了自己的兒子往主人家趕去。
兒子問，我們要去哪裡？
女傭說，帶你參加一個晚宴。
四歲的兒子， 並不知道自己的母親是一位傭人………
女傭有些不安。
到處都是客人，她的兒子無處可藏。
她不想讓兒子破壞聚會的快樂氣氛。
更不想讓年幼的兒子知道主人和傭人的區別，富有和貧窮的區別。
後來她把兒子關進了主人的洗手間。
主人的豪宅有兩個洗手間，一個主人用，一個客人用。
她看看兒子，指指洗手間裏的馬桶。
這是單獨給你準備的房間，她說，這是一個凳子。
然後她再指指大理石的洗漱台，這是一張桌子。
她從懷裏掏出兩根香腸，放進一個盤子裏。
這是屬於你的，母親說，現在晚宴開始了。
盤子是從主人的廚房裏拿來的。
香腸是她在回家的路上買的，她已經很久沒有給自己的兒子買過香腸了。
女傭說這些時，努力抑制著淚水。
男孩在貧困中長大，他從沒見過這麼豪華的房子，更沒有見過洗手間。
他不認識抽水馬桶，不認識漂亮的大理石洗漱台。
他聞著洗滌液和香皂的香氣，幸福得不能自拔。
他坐在地上，將盤子放在馬桶蓋上。
他盯著盤子裏的香腸和麵包，為自己唱起快樂的歌。
晚宴開始的時候，主人突然想起女傭的兒子。
他去廚房問女傭，女傭說她也不知道，也許是跑出去玩了吧。
主人看女傭躲閃著的目光，就在房子裏靜靜地尋找。
終於，他順著歌聲找到了洗手間裏的男孩。
那時男孩正將一塊香腸放進嘴裏。
他楞住了，他問，你躲在這裏幹什麼？
男孩說，我是來這裏參加晚宴的，現在我正在吃晚餐。
他問，你知道你是在什麼地方嗎？
男孩說，我當然知道，這是晚宴的主人單獨為我準備的房間。
他說，是你媽媽這樣告訴你的吧？
男孩說，是的，其實不用媽媽說，我也知道，晚宴的主人一定會為我準備最好的房間。
不過，男孩指了指盤子裏的香腸，我希望能有個人陪我吃這些東西。
主人的鼻子有些發酸，用不著再問，他已經明白了眼前的一切。
他默默走回餐桌前，對所有的客人說，
對不起，今天我不能陪你們共進晚餐了，我得陪一位特殊的客人。
然後，他從餐桌上端走兩個盤子。
他來到洗手間的門口，禮貌地敲門。
得到男孩的允許後，他推開門，把兩個盤子放到馬桶蓋上。
他說，這麼好的房間，當然不能讓你一個人獨享，我們將一起共進晚餐。
那天他和男孩聊了很多。
他讓男孩堅信，洗手間是整棟房子裏最好的房間。
他們在洗手間裏吃了很多東西，唱了很多歌。
不斷有客人敲門進來，他們向主人和男孩問好，
他們遞給男孩美味的蘋果汁和烤成金黃的美食。
他們露出誇張和羡慕的表情，
後來他們乾脆一起擠到小小的洗手間裏，給男孩唱起了歌。
每個人都很認真，沒有一個人認為這是一場鬧劇。
多年後男孩長大了。
他有了自己的公司，有了附帶兩個洗手間的房子。
他步入上流社會，成為富人。
每年他都拿出很大一筆錢救助一些窮人，
可是他從不舉行捐贈儀式，更不讓那些窮人知道他的名字。
有朋友問及理由，
他說，我始終記得許多年前，
有一天，有一位富人，有很多人，
小心地維繫了一個四歲男孩的自尊

PLACING PENANG ON UNESCO'S WORLD HERITAGE LIST

The World Heritage Convention defines "cultural heritage" as a monument, group of buildings or site of historical, aesthetic, archaeological, scientific, ethnological or anthropological value. Georgetown in Penang surely falls well within this definition as Georgetown has a group of buildings that are steep in history, beautiful and reflect more than a century of culture unique to this Pearl of the Orient.


I am not specifically referring to "famous landmarks" like the Khoo Kongsi, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Assumption Cathedral, Kapitan Keling Mosque etc etc. I am talking about Georgetown's rows and rows of pre-war "shophouses" where generations of Penangites have lived in and conducted business as well. These shophouses and their occupants truly reflect a significant part of Penang's history and in my view, without them, Penang would have lost a great part of its charm.


An American magazine, "Utne Reader", in a recent article about Penang says, "This port on the Straits of Malacca shows that booming cities can compete in the world economy without sacrificing their soul. Penang feels far more relaxed than most Asian cities and looks much the way it did decades ago, with bustling marketplaces and winding streets lined by traditional "shophouses". Once common throughout Southeast Asia, this appealing architectural style incorporates housing above a first-floor storefront, fostering both commerce and lively street life". For illustration they commissioned me to take the pic below.






From the above pic, you can see that the upstairs of such shophouses are living quarters while business is done downstairs and in this case, business spills on to the road with other street vendors setting up their stalls in this "morning street market".