Zestz for LAUGHS: Good Business Idea!

Picture Credit: NYDailyNews
Submitted by SJ of Kuala Lumpur, author unknown, with apologies to Bill

Rajpat (the father): Son, I want you to marry a girl of my choice.
Son: "I will choose my own bride!!!"
Rajpat: "But the girl is Bill Gates's daughter.."
Son: "Well, in that case... Ok"


Next Rajpat approaches Bill Gates.

Rajpat: "I have a husband for your daughter...."
Bill Gates: "But my daughter is too young to marry!!!!!"
Rajpat: "But this young man is a vice-president of the World Bank."
Bill Gates: "Ah, in that case... Ok"


Finally Rajpat goes to see the president of the World Bank.

Rajpat: "I have a young man to be recommended as a vice-president.."
President: "But I already have more vice- presidents than I need!"
Rajpat: "But this young man is Bill Gates's son-in-law."
President: "Ah, in that case... Ok"

And that is how business proliferate ...........

High Triglycerides and Your Stroke Risk

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally — responsible for an estimated 17.1 million deaths worldwide ( 2004), with 5.7 million due to stroke.

Ischaemic stroke occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is obstructed. The obstruction or blockage is typically caused by the build-up of fatty deposits inside blood vessels (atherosclerosis).

Current guidelines on stroke prevention have recommendations on desirable cholesterol levels, but not on nonfasting triglycerides.

The link between high cholesterol and stroke has never actually been proven, yet giving people the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins seems to lower their stroke risk. But statins also lower triglyceride levels, suggesting that this might be the mechanism at play.

Medical evidence suggests that elevated non-fasting triglycerides are markers of elevated levels of atherogenic lipoprotein remnants [very low density lipoproteins and intermediate density lipoproteins, or bad cholesterol]

A study by researchers in Denmark revealed that increasing levels of non-fasting triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke in men and women.

The study led by Marianne Benn looked at 7,579 women and 6,372 men, all white, with measurements of nonfasting triglycerides and cholesterol at baseline in 1976–1978 who were then followed for up to 33 years. During that time, 837 women and 837 men developed ischemic stroke during follow-up, which was 100% complete.

For both men and women, stepwise increasing levels of nonfasting triglycerides were associated with increased risk of ischaemic stroke, even after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, alcohol use, lipid-lowering therapy, hormone therapy (in women) and other factors.

Increased cholesterol was not linked to an increased risk of stroke in women, though it was in men whose cholesterol was 9.00 mmol/L [34 8 mg/dL]or higher.

Based on the findings of this latest study, the authors recommend desirable levels of triglycerides at below 2.00 to 2.24 mmol/L [180 to 200 mg/dL]

You should attempt to reach this goal through lifestyle changes that include weight loss, reduction of intake of saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and alcohol, more exercise, and cessation of smoking.

If triglyceride levels are still above 2.24mmol/L [200 mg/dL] after three months your doctor may prescribe lipid-lowering medication like statins, fibrates, and niacin.

Reference:

Anette Varbo, Børge G. Nordestgaard, Anne Tybjærg-Hansen, Peter Schnohr, Gorm B. Jensen, and Marianne Benn. Non-fasting Triglycerides, Cholesterol and Stroke in the General Population. Annals of Neurology; Published Online: February 21, 2011. CLICK HERE for the abstract.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Triglycerides

Omega-3 fatty acids decrease triglyceride levels, slow growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque, and lower blood pressure (slightly).

Source: American Heart Association

Approximately 1 g per day of eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid is recommended for cardioprotection*. Higher dosages of omega-3 fatty acids are required to reduce elevated triglyceride levels (2 to 4 g per day) and to reduce morning stiffness and the number of tender joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (at least 3 g per day). Modest decreases in blood pressure occur with significantly higher dosages of omega-3 fatty acids.

Reference:

Covington MB. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Am Fam Physician. 2004 1;70(1):133-140.

* equivalent to two capsules of Abbott’s molecularly distilled “Bio-Enhanced Fish Oil Plus”, CLICK HERE for more information.

See our other posts on Omega-3

Statins and Omega-3

The Fish Oil - Styrofoam Battles

Zestz for LAUGHS - Rover

A woman goes to her boyfriend's parents' home for dinner. This is to be her first time meeting the family and she is very nervous. They all sit down and begin eating a fine meal.

The woman is beginning to feel a little discomfort, thanks to her nervousness and the broccoli casserole. The gas pains she has practically make her eyes water. Left with no other choice, she decides to relieve herself a bit and every so gently lets out a very dainty fart. It wasn't loud, but everyone at the table heard the poof.

Before she even had a chance to be embarrassed, her boyfriend's father looked over at the dog that had been snoozing under the woman's chair, and said in a rather stern voice, "Rover!".

The woman thought, "This is great! He thinks it's the dog!". A big smile came across her face. A couple of minutes later, she was beginning to feel the pain again. This time, she didn't even hesitate. She let out a much louder and longer rrrrrip.

The father again looked at the dog and yelled, "Rover!". Once again the woman smiled and thought, "Yes! This is perfect!". A few minutes later the woman had to let another rip. This time she didn't even think about it nor did she hold back. She ripped a fart so big and so loud that it made the windows vibrate.

Once again, the father looked at the dog with disgust and yelled, "Damn-it Rover get away from that woman before she shits on you!

Source: farts.typepad.com

Unofficial Sponsor: Zellox-II Double-Strenth Liquid Antacid

Zestz for LAUGHS?

Source: www.madville.com
Recommended by MH of Perth, WA

K-Y Isn't Just For The Sack

KY Jelly is marketed primarily as a "personal lubricant," used for intimate/sexual lubrication. KY Jelly heightens sexual pleasure by complementing personal moisture to help ensure lubrication and comfort during sex.

Most of K-Y's popularity over the years is due to the fact that it is water-based, and therefore water-soluble, and easier to wash off than traditional petroleum-based lubricants.

However, gels containing l-arginine or an extract from the Thai herb Butea superba are able to stimulate the body’s own intimate lubricating fluids when applied on the clitoris, CLICK HERE for page 12 of The Truth about Bananas and Orchids.

All is not lost for this external lubricant. K-Y Jelly is moving out of the bedroom and into your hair, shoes and clothing.

KY Jelly makes a great hair gel – it may give you that aura of sexuality.

Some practical everyday uses include loosening a stuck ring, loosening a zipper, polishing your shoes and leaves on plants and using it to slip on a tight latex tube top.

Other ideas include lubricating furniture bottoms when moving a heavy piece across wooden floors; substituting K-Y jelly for shaving cream and even using it to moisturize chapped lips.

Apparently, Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran suggests you dump out a whole tube or bottle of K-Y into a zipper-lock bag and freeze it. The frozen bag of goo then can be used to reduce puffiness under the eyes.

Berat Sama Dipikul, Ringan Sama Dijinjing

This Malay proverb translates as "sharing without discrimmination, the heavy and the light burden"

It is similar to the German proverb "Geteilte freude ist doppelte doppelte freude" meaning "A burden shared is like a burden halved but a joy shared is a joy doubled"

Picture: "Netting Oil Palm Fruits" by KC Khoo (email: chnuah@yahoo.com.au)

Your Child/Grandchild May Be Stressed

Hurried lifestyle and heavy academic, extracurricular load

Even kids can be stressed out, to the point that it affects their physical and psychological health.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says these are possible signs that your child is under too much stress:

• Physical complaints such as a stomach ache or headache.
• Fatigue, restlessness or agitation.
• Signs of depression, although the child is not very communicative.
• Irritability and loss of interest in favorite activities.
• Lack of interest in school, dropping grades.
• Behavioral changes such as lying, stealing, avoiding responsibilities at home or becoming more dependent on parents.

A report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says free and unstructured play is healthy and - in fact - essential for helping children reach important social, emotional, and cognitive developmental milestones as well as helping them manage stress and become resilient.

The report, "The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds," is written in defense of play and in response to forces threatening free play and unscheduled time. These forces include changes in family structure, the increasingly competitive college admissions process, and federal education policies that have led to reduced recess and physical education in many schools.

Whereas play protects children's emotional development, a loss of free time in combination with a hurried lifestyle can be a source of stress, anxiety and may even contribute to depression for many children, the AAP report states.

The report reaffirms that the most valuable and useful character traits that will prepare children for success come not from extracurricular or academic commitments, but from a firm grounding in parental love, role modeling and guidance.

Still, many parents are afraid to slow their pace for fear their children will fall behind. They feel like they are running on a treadmill, but worry they will not be acting as proper parents if they do not participate in a hurried lifestyle.

The report suggests that reduced time for physical activity may be contributing to the academic differences between boys and girls, as schools with sedentary learning styles become more difficult settings for some boys to navigate successfully.

Among the specific guidelines, the report suggests:

• Emphasizing the benefits of "true toys", such as blocks and dolls, in which children use their imagination fully over passive toys that require limited imagination;
• Supporting an appropriately challenging academic schedule for each child with a balance of extracurricular activities. This should be based on each child's unique needs and not on competitive community standards or need to gain college admissions;
• Helping parents evaluate claims by marketers and advertisers about products or interventions designed to produce "super-children;"
• Encouraging parents to understand that each young person does not need to excel in multiple areas to be considered successful or prepared to compete in the real world;
• Suggesting families choose childcare and early education programs that meet children's social and emotional developmental needs as well as academic preparedness.

The report recognizes that academic enrichment opportunities are vital for some children's ability to succeed academically, and that participation in organized activities promotes healthy youth development.

"The challenge for society, schools, and parents is to strike the balance that allows all children to reach their potential, without pushing them beyond their personal comfort limits, and while allowing them personal free time," the report states.

To help parents and teens develop resiliency and understand the role of stress in life, the AAP has created a Resiliency Web site.. This site features additional information on stress reduction and coping skills, as well as a stress management plan teens can personalize to fit their personalities and lifestyles. Visit www.aap.org/stress for more information. Picture credit. drrobyn.files

CLICK HERE: Anti-Stress Nutrition Tips by APPETON

Looking for Sex? Read All About Sex here

Everybody I know who has a dog usually calls him “Rover” or “Spot”. I call mine Sex.

Now, Sex has been very embarrassing to me.

When I went to the City Hall to renew the dog’s license, I told the clerk that I would like a license for Sex. He said, “I would like to have one too!” Then I said, “But she is a dog!” He said he didn’t care what she looked like. I said, “You don’t understand. … I have had Sex since I was nine years old.” He replied, “You must have been quite a kid.”

When I decided to get married, I told the minister that I would like to have Sex at the wedding. He told me to wait until after the wedding was over. I said, “But Sex has played a big part in my life and my whole world revolves around Sex.” He said he didn’t want to hear about my personal life and would not marry us in his church. I told him everyone would enjoy having Sex at the wedding. The next day we were married at the Justice of the Peace. My family is barred from the church from then on.

When my wife and I went on our honeymoon, I took the dog with me. When we checked into the motel, I told the clerk that I wanted a room for me and my wife and a special room for Sex. He said that every room in the motel is a place for sex. I said, “You don’t understand. … Sex keeps me awake at night.” The clerk said, “Me too!”

One day I entered Sex in a contest. But before the competition began, the dog ran away. Another contestant asked me why I was just looking around. I told him that I was going to have Sex in the contest. He said that I should have sold my own tickets. “You don’t understand,” I said, “I hoped to have Sex on TV.” He called me a show off.

When my wife and I separated, we went to court to fight for custody of the dog. I said, “Your Honor, I had Sex before I was married but Sex left me after I was married.” The Judge said, “Me too!”

Last night Sex ran off again. I spent hours looking all over for her. A cop came over and asked me what I was doing in the alley at 4 o’clock in the morning. I said, “I’m looking for Sex.” — My case comes up next Thursday.

Well now I’ve been thrown in jail, been divorced and had more damn troubles with that dog than I ever foresaw. Why just the other day when I went for my first session with the psychiatrist, she asked me, “What seems to be the trouble?” I replied, “Sex has been my best friend all my life but now it has left me for ever. I couldn’t live any longer so lonely.”

And the doctor said, “Look mister, you should understand that sex isn’t a man’s best friend: So get yourself a dog.”

This piece of double entendre humour was written in 1966 by humourist Marty Storm and was often printed in the Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren advice columns as well as emailed around and this is how it landed on my desk. Thanks Edwin.
Picture credit: superlaugh.com.

Kemampuan Brokoli Menyerang Kanser

Hidangan: Brokoli, gamat, cendawan dengan sos tiram

Kebanyakan dari anda mungkin mengambil hidangan brokoli sekurang-kurangnya sekali semasa sambutan CNY yang lepas. Anda seharusnya gembira kerana mendapat kebaikan tambahan dari brokoli.

Penelitian sebelumnya telah menunjukkan bahawa bahan yang disebut isotiosianat (atau ITC) - ditemui dalam brokoli, kubis bunga, selada air, dan sayuran lain - berfungsi untuk menghentikan pertumbuhan kanser.

Satu isotiosianat ditemui dalam brokoli adalah sulforaphane. Sulforaphane berinteraksi dengan protein yang disebut Nrf2, yang berfungsi sebagai master pengatur keseluruhan respon antioksidan dalam tubuh dan mampu menghidupkan ratusan pusat pertahanan antioksidan dan mungkin boleh mengganggu penurunan berkaitan usia dalam fungsi kekebalan tubuh. KLIK DISINI untuk laporan kami Januari 6, 2010.

Ujian tikus dengan kanser payudara menunjukkan sulphoraphane mampu 'menghalang' penukaran bahan kimia pro-karsinogen menjadi karsinogen, meningkatkan penguraiannya dalam tubuh, dan juga 'menekan' pertumbuhan sel-sel kanser. KLIK DISINI untuk laporan kami Mei 7, 2010.

Terkini, Fung-Lung Chung dan rakan-rakan melaporkan bahawa ITC semulajadi menginduksi apoptosis pada pelbagai sel kanser dengan selektif menghilangkan protein cacat (mutan) p53 dan meninggalkan yang biasa. Gen penekan tumor p53 muncul untuk memainkan peranan penting dalam menjaga sel-sel sihat dan menghalang mereka dari mula tumbuh secara abnormal yang merupakan ciri khas kanser. Ketika bermutasi, p53 tidak menawarkan perlindungan itu, dan mutasi tersebut berlaku pada setengah dari keseluruhan kanser pada manusia.

Para saintis juga menunjukkan bahawa 2,2-Diphenylethyl ITC, suatu ITC sintetik adalah salah satu yang paling ampuh mengurangkan mutan p53 dalam kajian ini dan menginduksi apoptosis kepada keluasan terbesar dalam sel mutan p53 kanser payudara.

Secara keseluruhan, kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa pengurangan mutan p53 mungkin merupakan target penting yang baru untuk khemo-pencegah kanser dan terapi oleh ITC semulajadi dan sintetik.

Rujukan jurnal:

Xiantao Wang, Anthony J. Di Pasqua, Sudha Govind, Erin McCracken, Charles Hong, Lixin Mi, Yuehua Mao, Jessie Yu-Chieh Wu, York Tomita, Jordan C. Woodrick, Robert L. Fine, Fung-Lung Chung. Selective Depletion of Mutant p53 by Cancer Chemopreventive Isothiocyanates and Their Structure−Activity Relationships. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Published online on January 11, 2011; 110111101729088 DOI: 10.1021/jm101199t

Photo Credit: My Little Rascal

Rapid Alzheimer's Test!!!!

The latest quick test for Alzheimer's.

If you are over 45 yrs old you MUST take this test.

Alzheimer's Test

How fast can you guess these words and fill-in the blanks?


1. _ _NDOM

2. F_ _K

3. P_N_S

4. PU_S_

5. S_X

6. BOO_S

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
\/

Answers:
1. RANDOM
2. FORK
3. PANTS
4. PULSE
5. SIX
6. BOOKS


You got all 6 wrong....didn't you?

You do NOT have an Alzheimer's Problem, you have a Sex Problem!!

Submitted by TG of Singapore, author unknown

Use of Alcohol-Free Antibacterial Mouth-Rinse Is Associated With Decrease in Preterm Birth

In a study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, in San Francisco, researchers will present findings that show that use of non alcohol antibacterial mouth-rinse containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) decreases the incidence of preterm birth (PTB).

“This research demonstrated that reducing the severity of periodontal disease has a direct correlation with preterm birth,” said Marjorie Jeffcoat, D.M.D., one of the study’s authors. “Preterm birth is the major cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide and still difficult to predict and prevent. So, when we found that something as simple as mouthwash could change the outcomes, we were very excited.”

The study was funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and The Procter & Gamble Company. It was a controlled blind clinical study of pregnant women at 6-20 weeks gestation with periodontal disease who refused dental care and did not have obstetric infections. Treatment was assigned to blocks of four subjects based on four strata: prior preterm birth (yes or no), and smoking (yes or no). Each block assigned three controls and one rinse subject. Of 204 subjects, 155 served as untreated controls (exposure group), and 49 (non-exposure group) received an antimicrobial CPC non alcohol mouth-rinse (Crest Pro-Health, Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio). The primary outcome was spontaneous PTB less than 35 weeks. Dental exams were performed at baseline and prior to delivery. Gestational age and weight at birth was recorded by abstractors. Groups were compared using statistical test Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Dichotomous variables were compared using the chi-square test; logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios.

There was no significant difference at baseline in smoking, prior preterm birth or alcohol consumption between groups. Maternal age was higher in the rinse group than in the control group. No adverse events were observed. The incidence of PTB less than 35 weeks was significantly lower in the subjects using the rinse compared to the controls. Gestational age and birth weight (adjusted for maternal age) were significantly higher in the rinse group.

Source: Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting press release of February 11, 2011 540-687-3360 (o) /202-374-9259 (c)

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (est. 1977) is a non-profit membership group for obstetricians/gynecologists who have additional formal education and training in maternal-fetal medicine. The society is devoted to reducing high-risk pregnancy complications by providing continuing education to its 2,000 members on the latest pregnancy assessment and treatment methods. It also serves as an advocate for improving public policy, and expanding research funding and opportunities for maternal-fetal medicine. The group hosts an annual scientific meeting in which new ideas and research in the area of maternal-fetal medicine are unveiled and discussed. For more information, visit www.smfm.org.

Alcohol-free cetylpyridinium-containing mouthwashes available at our pharmacies.

Zestz for LAUGHS : Baby Boomers' Whinge

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE

1930's 1940's, 50's, 60's and early 70's !

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese, raw egg products, loads of bacon and processed meat, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.

Then after that trauma, our baby cots were covered with bright coloured lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets or shoes, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle..

Take away food was limited to fish and chips, no pizza shops,

McDonalds , KFC, Subway or Nandos.

Even though all the shops closed at 6.00pm and didn't open on the weekends,

somehow we didn't starve to death!

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and

NO ONE actually died from this.

We could collect old drink bottles and cash them in at the corner store and buy

Toffees, Gobstoppers, Bubble Gum and some bangers to blow up frogs with.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soft drinks with sugar in it,

but we weren't overweight because......

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day,

as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of old prams and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. We built tree houses and dens and played in river beds with matchbox cars.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo Wii , X-boxes, no video games at all,

no 999 channels on SKY, no video/dvd films,

no mobile phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
Lawsuits from these accidents.

Only girls had pierced ears!

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

You could only buy Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns at Easter time...

We were given air guns and catapults for our 10th birthdays,
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!

Mum didn’t have to go to work to help dad make ends meet!

RUGBY and CRICKET had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!! Getting into the team was based on

MERIT

Our teachers used to hit us with canes and gym shoes and bully's always ruled the playground at school.

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.

They actually sided with the law!

Our parents didn't invent stupid names for their kids like 'Kiora' and 'Blade' and 'Ridge' and 'Vanilla'

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility,

and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL !

And YOU are one of them!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids,

before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.

And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.

Author Unknown
Picture Credit: bittenandbound.com

Key to Better Health Care May Be a Walk in the Park

The payoff for investing in public parks and recreation sites may be healthier, more physically fit residents and a less strained healthcare system, according to Penn State researchers.

Investments in parks and recreational services have a dramatic effect on health and fitness, say Geof Godbey, professor emeritus of leisure studies, and Andrew Mowen, associate professor of recreation and parks management.

"There is a strong relationship between how much money is spent to provide such services and the amount of physical activity that people take part in," said Godbey. "You get what you pay for."

In one study cited in the report prepared by the researchers for the National Recreation and Park Association, spending an extra $10 per person on park and recreational facilities provided more vigorous exercise for girls and better strength-building for both sexes.

"As the study points out, for just an additional $10, that money provides a significant increase in the amount of exercise you can get," said Godbey. "What would a health club provide for that same $10?"

The number of parks and playgrounds in a community can also raise the fitness level of residents. For example, one study found that there was an increase of 17 more minutes of physical activity for each park within a half mile of a home.

In addition, studies have shown that the closer parks and recreational sites are to where people live, the more people use them and the more physically active they are.

Access to public parks promotes increased physical activity for nearly all age groups. About 85 percent of middle-aged and older participants surveyed in a five-city study said they visited a local park within the last year. The same survey indicated that 40 percent of those people go to the park more than once a week, a sign that park use was embedded into their lifestyle.

"Park use becomes more deeply ingrained in users and quickly becomes part of their lives," said Godbey. "People are being active and having fun for the sake of having fun, not as a health outcome, which, to them, is just an added benefit."

Godbey said that losing access to parks might cause unhealthy behavior.

"The physical benefits of park and recreation access are sort of obvious, but we have to look at the reverse," said Godbey. "If people aren't going to parks, what would they be doing with that time? Would they be sitting around at home, drinking a few beers, eating cheese puffs, and watching reruns on television?"

Since government officials often cut park and recreation spending first, Mowen said that park and recreational professionals could use the evidence presented in this report to educate officials and residents on the relatively inexpensive health benefits provided by parks.

"Most people, especially elected officials, consider park and recreational services as an amenity or as discretionary spending," said Mowen. "These studies argue that park and recreational facilities are part of the health care system, or should be."

Source : Matt Swayne The Pennsylvania State University

FULL TEXT : The Benefits of Physical Activity Provided by Park and Recreation Services: The Scientific Evidence by Godbey G and Mowen A, National Recreation and Park Association © 2010

See our related post on Fuel for the Soul

Don't have a park in your town or the existing one needs proper maintenance, talk to your Member of Parliament today!

At the center of your being you have the answer;
you know who you are and you know what you want.
Lao Tzu

Picture Credit: KC Khoo (email: chnuah@yahoo.com.au)

Mindful Movement - Taichi/Qigong

If yoga is all the rage, can Qigong be far behind?

Sometimes called Chinese yoga, Qigong is a mind-body practice that melds slow graceful movements, mental focus and deep abdominal breathing to boost and balance a person's vital energy, or "qi".

As China's star rises in the west, devotees believe this 5,000-year-old energy cultivation system is poised to become the new kid on the block among rat racers hungry for a more serene form of fitness.

"As China becomes more of a player in the world, Chinese practice is becoming more mainstream," said Matthew Cohen, creator of the Taichi & Qi Gong Basics DVD, "just as yoga became popular when the Beatles went to India."

Cohen, an instructor at Sacred Energy Arts in Santa Monica, California, said unlike in India, yoga in the west has come to favor the athletic at the expense of the meditative.

"The world is getting more crowded, cars and computers getting faster," he said. "Qigong is about going slower, so internally you create space."

Tom Rogers, president of the Qigong Institute, a nonprofit educational organization, said Qigong is the precursor to all Chinese energy practices.

"Tai Chi is the most well known moving form of Qigong. Kung Fu is also a form of Qigong," Rogers said from his home in Los Altos, California

Rogers added that the idea of energy cultivation is foreign to westerners but common to other cultures.

"Look at e=mc2," Rogers said of Einstein's insight that matter and energy are different forms of the same thing.

"In the west we look at mass," he said. "Western physics made weapons. The east looks at energy."

The slow, spiral exercises of Qigong, such as Rolling the Ball or Wave Hands in the Cloud, require no equipment, can be done anywhere, and are easy to learn.

"I call it getting an MBA: Movement, Breathing and Awareness," Rogers said. "One is adjusting your posture so energy flow is better; two is slow, deep, abdominal breathing; three is awareness, or trying to get thoughts out of your head."

Balance, posture, breath control and relaxation are among the benefits of Qigong, according to Jessica Matthews, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise.

She said some research trials have also reported statistically significant decreases in the incidence of stroke, decreased blood pressure, and increases in bone mineral density and improved effectiveness of cancer therapy among practitioners.

"Exercise is not just about going on the treadmill or lifting weights," Matthews explained.

Rogers said as you become more adept, the benefits increase.

"Like an onion you peel the layers back and there's more and more to it: movements are more fluid, posture is better, energy is flowing, breathing is more efficient with movement," he said. "As your awareness deepens you're distracted by less and less."

He added that every chronic illness on the planet is affected by stress.

"Connect with that healer within. Turn that on," Rogers added.

Source: Reuters Life! February 7, 2011

Watch this video on the 18 movements of Tai Chi Qigong by taichi18.com:

If you live in Klang, join us every Tuesdays and Fridays, 8.30pm at the courtyard of Hin Hua Secondary School, Persiaran Raja Muda Musa, Klang. Master Ow is a very experienced and patient instructor.
CLICK HERE for directions.

Read our earlier posts on the health advantages of Taichi Qigong HERE.

Zestz for LAUGHS - Nudist Colony Rules

A man joined a very exclusive nudist colony.

On his first day he took off his clothes and started to wander around the area. A gorgeous petite blonde walked by, and the man immediately got an erection.

The woman noticed his erection, came over to him and asked, 'did you call for me?

'The man replied, 'No, what do you mean?

'She said, 'You must be new here. Let me explain. It's a rule here that if you get an erection, it implies you called for me.

'Smiling, she led him to the side of the swimming pool, laid down on a towel, eagerly pulled him to her and happily let him have his way with her.

Later, the man continued to explore the colony's facilities. He entered the sauna and as he sat down, he butt-burped*. Within seconds a huge, hairy man lumbered out of the steam room toward him.

'Did you call for me?' asked the hairy man.

'No, what do you mean?' replied the newcomer.

'You must be new.' answered the hairy man, 'It's a rule that if you butt-burp, it implies that you called for me.' The huge man easily spun him around, put him over a bench and had his way with the newcomer.

The newcomer staggered back to the colony office where he was greeted by a smiling, naked receptionist, 'May I help you?' she asked.

'Here's my membership card. You can have the key back and you can keep the $500 membership fee.'

'But, Sir,' she replied, 'you've only been here a few hours. You haven't had a chance to see all our facilities.'

'Listen lady, I'm 68 years old. I only get an erection once a month, but I butt-burp 15 times a day. I'm outta here!!!'

We are “cultured” people over here and abhor the use of certain four-letter words. Philistines can refer HERE for definition of butt burp.

Submitted by Edwin, the guy who takes good care of cars*.

Original author unknown.

Unofficially sponsored by Zellox-II

Picture Credit

* Disclaimer: Any similarity to any actual person, living or dead, or to any actual events, firms and institutions and other entities is coincidental and unintentional.

Zestz Photos - Tres Amigos Espinosa

"Tres Amigos Espinosa" by KC Khoo (email: chnuah@yahoo.com.au )

Zestz for LAUGHS? : Blessed In Aging

~Esther Mary Walker

Blessed are they who understand

My faltering step and shaking hand

Blessed, who know my ears today

Must strain to hear the things they say.

Blessed are those who seem to know

My eyes are dim and my mind is slow

Blessed are those who look away

When I spilled tea that weary day.

Blessed are they who, with cheery smile

Stopped to chat for a little while

Blessed are they who know the way

To bring back memories of yesterday.

Blessed are those who never say

“You’ve told that story twice today”

Blessed are they who make it known

That I am loved, respected and not alone.

And blessed are they who will ease the days

Of my journey home, in loving ways.

A friend of Lori and Paul Hogan (Home Instead Senior Care co-founders), Mary Maxwell was asked to give the invocation at the company’s 2009 Convention. Initially it seemed like a normal prayer, but it soon took a very funny turn. Her deadpan delivery and lines like …This is the first time I’ve ever been old… and it just sort of crept up on me … soon had the franchise owners rolling in the aisles. With the timing of a professional comedian, Mary shines a very funny light on the foibles of aging, to the delight of this audience of senior-care experts.
Watch Mary HERE

Broccoli's Cancer-Fighting Ability

Photo Credit: My Little Rascal
Many of you would have consumed this dish at least once over the festive CNY period.
You should be glad you did because of the extra goodness of broccoli.

Previous studies have shown that substances called isothiocyanates (or ITCs) -- found in broccoli, cauliflower, watercress, and other cruciferous vegetables -- appear to stop the growth of cancer.

One isothiocyanate found in broccoli is sulforaphane. Sulforaphane interacts with a protein called Nrf2, which serves as a master regulator of the body's overall antioxidant response and is capable of switching on hundreds of antioxidant defense pathways and may be able to interfere with the age-related decline in immune function. CLICK HERE for our January 6, 2010 report.

Tests mice with breast cancer suggest that sulphoraphane is able to ‘block’ the conversion of pro-carcinogen chemicals into carcinogens, enhance their breakdown in the body, and also ‘suppress’ the growth of cancerous cells. CLICK HERE for our May 7, 2010 report.

Now, Fung-Lung Chung and colleagues report that naturally occurring ITCs induce apoptosis on a variety of cancer cells by selectively removing the defective (mutant) p53 protein while apparently leaving the normal one alone. The tumor suppressor gene p53 appears to play a key role in keeping cells healthy and preventing them from starting the abnormal growth that is a hallmark of cancer. When mutated, p53 does not offer that protection, and those mutations occur in half of all human cancers.

The scientists also demonstrated that 2,2-Diphenylethyl ITC, a synthetic ITC is one of the most potent depletors of mutant p53 studies and induces apoptosis to the greatest extent in mutant p53 breast cancer cells.

Collectively, this study shows that mutant p53 depletion may be an important novel target for cancer chemoprevention and therapy by natural and synthetic ITCs.

Journal Reference:

Xiantao Wang, Anthony J. Di Pasqua, Sudha Govind, Erin McCracken, Charles Hong, Lixin Mi, Yuehua Mao, Jessie Yu-Chieh Wu, York Tomita, Jordan C. Woodrick, Robert L. Fine, Fung-Lung Chung. Selective Depletion of Mutant p53 by Cancer Chemopreventive Isothiocyanates and Their Structure−Activity Relationships. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Published online on January 11, 2011; 110111101729088 DOI: 10.1021/jm101199t

How To Grow broccoli Sprouts

John Hokins scientists led by Paul Talalay, M.D., J.J. Abel Distinguished Service Professor of Pharmacology has shown that three-day-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20 to 50 times the amount of chemoprotective compounds found in mature broccoli heads, and may offer a simple, dietary means of chemically reducing cancer risk. Read more about this discovery HERE.

Video Source: Lifeatlast.com

Zestz for LAUGHS - Reincarnation

In this year of the Rabbit, Steven T of Klang pestered us to recycle this, author unknown, "article"

A couple made a deal that whoever died first would come back and inform the other of the afterlife. After many years, the husband was the first to go, and true to his word, he made contact with his wife in a dream.

"Ah Lian... Ah Lian..." he called.

"Is that you, Beng?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. "I've come back like we agreed."

"What's it like?" Ah Lian asked.

"Well, I get up in the morning. I have sex. I have breakfast. I run around the golf course. I have sex. I bathe in the sun, and then I have sex twice. I have lunch, another romp around the golf course, then sex pretty much all afternoon. After supper, golf course again, and sex again," he said.

"Oh Beng, you surely must be in heaven!" Ah Lian exclaimed.

"Not exactly," Beng said. "I'm a rabbit on a golf course in Sg Buloh."

Picture Credit:

Picture credit: www.sinopaperart.com

After a fierce Year of the Tiger in 2010, this year brings a promise of peace in The Year of the Rabbit.

恭禧發財

May the Year of the Rabbit bring us all new hopes and the realization of many of our dreams.