Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tea has been drunk in China for well over 4,000 years. Legend has it that in 2737 BC, Emperor Shen-Nung drank, and enjoyed, the dark liquid that resulted when tea leaves accidentally fell into boiling water. From that royal beginning, tea drinking gradually spread around the world until it is now the most commonly drunk non-alcoholic beverage.
Tea leaves are the dried leaves of a species of Camellia (not the same species as those grown by many people in their gardens, but a close relative). There are two main types of tea - green and black. These come from the same plant, but have been treated differently: green tea is heated soon after picking and is not subjected to further processing; black tea, on the other hand, is dried and then exposed to the air before it is heated. Consequently, green and black tea differ noticeably in appearance, taste and chemical composition. Green tea is more common in Asia, while black tea is the tea of choice for most people in Western countries.
Both green and black tea contain caffeine, a drug that has a mild stimulating effect. The quantity of caffeine provided by a cup of tea depends on its strength: the stronger the 'brew', the greater the quantity of caffeine. A medium-strength cup of tea will provide about one third as much caffeine as a cup of percolated coffee, and about two thirds as much as a cup of instant coffee. Caffeine intakes that result from drinking four or five cups of tea each day are not associated with any harmful effect to health in adults. Because it is not known if caffeine is absolutely harmless to the unborn baby, pregnant and breastfeeding women should probably restrict intake of caffeine (e.g. to that provided by three or four cups of tea per day).
For several years it has been suspected that drinking tea might help protect against heart disease. One way in which tea could be protective is through the effects of 'antioxidants' - chemicals in tea that help protect blood cholesterol (among other blood components) from being oxidised. Oxidation of cholesterol turns it into a form that is strongly associated with increased risk of heart disease. This antioxidant effect of tea may also be helpful in reducing the risk of some cancers. There are other ways in which tea may be beneficial to health, too. For example, the same chemicals that appear to protect blood cholesterol also reduce the likelihood that blood will clot in the arteries of the heart (the immediate cause of most heart attacks).
The evidence, while not overwhelming, is quite strong that tea may be beneficial to health generally, and to heart health in particular. Population studies have usually shown that tea drinkers have significantly less risk of heart disease than people who do not drink tea. Of course, other factors could be important here. For example, coffee drinkers tend to smoke more than tea drinkers, so the association of tea with better health may be a statistical illusion. However, studies in test tubes have shown that several chemicals in tea will reduce the oxidation of cholesterol. Also, studies in which people drank either tea or water showed that, shortly afterwards, the tea drinkers had lower levels of oxidised cholesterol in their blood than those who drank plain water.
One question that remains to be resolved is 'what is the effect on health of adding milk to tea?' Early studies indicated that milk might interfere with the antioxidant activity of tea, but more recent results suggest that milk is unlikely to reduce the antioxidant effect of tea in the body. It appears that green tea, black tea, and black tea with milk all have similar health-promoting effects. Population studies suggest that as little as one cup of tea per day confers benefits.
One point worth noting is that drinking tea with a meal will interfere with iron intake from foods of plant origin. Unless you have a problem with too much iron in the blood (a condition known as 'haemochromatosis', which affects about one person in 300) your iron status will be better if you drink tea between meals rather than with a meal.
It is known that a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereals, and relatively low in fat (especially saturated fat), combined with a lifestyle that includes daily moderately-vigorous activity, is very likely to be health-promoting. Current evidence suggests that a 'cuppa' (or better still, several) each day may even further reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease.
Monday, November 12, 2007
- Listen to gut instincts
- Be open to new experiences
- Spend a few moments each day remembering things that went well
- Visualise being lucky before an important meeting/phonecall.
Luck is a self-fulfilling prophecy
Sunday, November 11, 2007
One of the most challenging aspects of human anatomy is that the brain is divided into two hemispheres: one devoted to rational, linear thinking, the other to imagination and intuition. The human mind, when these two areas are in balance, is both capable of tremendous creativity and the ability to realize that creativity in practical, material terms.
In most Western societies the rational aspects of mind are valued above those of intuition, thus subduing or stifling many creative ideas before they are born into imagination. Malachite and moss agate are two stones which help to rebalance the brain and mind.
Sodalite's function is different. It is especially valuable for those who find themselves in states of mental confusion, especially when these states are intensified by emotional turmoil. Very often, when our emotions are whirling about in our heads we are tempted to seize at any decision which seems to promise that it will reduce our distress. Sodalite helps us to resist such temptation.
This dark-blue stone is one of the most grounding of the blue stones, and has a natural affinity with the third eye center (between and slightly above the eyebrows). Its function is to calm the emotions and the mind and to help one view a situation and the choices which may stem from it with objectivity and detachment.
This also means that it can help to quiet any doubts you may have about your ability to make a decision, i.e., it quiets the inner critic.
In addition, it can assist in dissolving old mental, reactive patterns, helping you to realize that you don't have to do things the way you've always done them.
Sodalite is additionally helpful for reviewing a decision once it's been made, and is believed by some to help extricate people from the coils of complicated lifestyles.
If you are faced with a decision sodalite is an excellent stone to use in meditation. Place it on your forehead and contemplate the situation on which you are working. Ask for guidance in making the decision. If you feel yourself coming up with old solutions just because they're familiar release then and allow sodalite to clear the path for new ideas.
Sodalite is not one of the flashier stones; it doesn't sparkle or shine. Its energy is quiet, calm, and deep as the midnight sky.
In most Western societies the rational aspects of mind are valued above those of intuition, thus subduing or stifling many creative ideas before they are born into imagination. Malachite and moss agate are two stones which help to rebalance the brain and mind.
Sodalite's function is different. It is especially valuable for those who find themselves in states of mental confusion, especially when these states are intensified by emotional turmoil. Very often, when our emotions are whirling about in our heads we are tempted to seize at any decision which seems to promise that it will reduce our distress. Sodalite helps us to resist such temptation.
This dark-blue stone is one of the most grounding of the blue stones, and has a natural affinity with the third eye center (between and slightly above the eyebrows). Its function is to calm the emotions and the mind and to help one view a situation and the choices which may stem from it with objectivity and detachment.
This also means that it can help to quiet any doubts you may have about your ability to make a decision, i.e., it quiets the inner critic.
In addition, it can assist in dissolving old mental, reactive patterns, helping you to realize that you don't have to do things the way you've always done them.
Sodalite is additionally helpful for reviewing a decision once it's been made, and is believed by some to help extricate people from the coils of complicated lifestyles.
If you are faced with a decision sodalite is an excellent stone to use in meditation. Place it on your forehead and contemplate the situation on which you are working. Ask for guidance in making the decision. If you feel yourself coming up with old solutions just because they're familiar release then and allow sodalite to clear the path for new ideas.
Sodalite is not one of the flashier stones; it doesn't sparkle or shine. Its energy is quiet, calm, and deep as the midnight sky.
- After 1st degree Reiki, it's best to wait at least 3 months to get used to the energy before takin gthe 2nd Degree course
- To continue to the Third Degree level to become a master it is advised to leave further a year after 2nd degree.
- The reason that the attunements are done gradually is that the person being initiated would not be able to take the force of th energy they are receiving all at once
- Some reiki masters recommend that students build in a 3 day period before training during which they eat light meals and avoid alcohol.
- In the beginning, need to follow 21-30 day cleansing period where they perform a full treatment on themselves daily
21 days mirror the time Dr Usui spent fasting but also the time it takes for the enrgy to move through the chakras.
This cleansing detoxifies the body and as a result can induce mild sickness or diarrhoea, physical changes in the body and balance the mind and emotions.
- Just for today, do not worry
-wastes energy, causes tension/stress and does not achieve anything
-trust that the Universe will provide our needs if we give out clear messages
-when we worry, we forget our divine purpose and creates restrictions - Just for today, do not anger
-angry when things/pple/ourself don't live up to expectations
-getting angry is a choice and a habitual reaction
-take deep breaths, respond rationally and sympathetically - Earn your living honestly
-even simple tasks like cooking meals
-respect any job you do, consider it to be satisfying and valuable, whether paid or voluntary - Show gratitude to all living beings
-gratefulness reinforces the abundance and encourages more to flow in - Honour your parents and elders
-respect parents, elders and teachers
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tip from Bah:
yeah sure a lot of things sayang nak buang but think of the time you spend reorganizing and cleaning and packing,
Tied To Your Past
- It is ok to keep mementoes that remind you of happy times, but if you have too many, your energies will be linked too strongly to your past, preventing new things from entering your life.
- The truth is that once you have relinquished those posessions, you often don't miss them at all.
- Checklist:
-Do your possessions mainly reflect your past?
-If you gave away several objects, will it have negative effect on your life?
-Do you see hosts of memories in your rooms and realise no new ones are being created? - You may believe that your possessions are visible symbols of the person you are. But when there are so many that they dominate your home, you may be subconsciously building a memorial to your past life. But once you have started this process of release, you will not look back and new energy will come flooding into your life.
Space-clearing techniques
- Smudging
- Aromatherapy
- Clapping
- Incense
- Salt
Junk Checklist
Categorised as junk if:
-broken, cannot be fixed
-you dislike it everytime you look at it
-unwanted present
-outmoded style, doesn't fit
Not junk if:
-you look at it with love and good feelings
-something you really enjoy using
-your work is helped by it
Energise
- Mirrors lift energy and expand spaces, but used with caution, esp bedroom
can use to "double" energy. eg placed opposite dining table-"doubles" value of food on table. Mirror infront of workdesk, hahah double the workload - Windchimes, slowdown flow of chi or encourage circulation
- Crystals- strong vibrational energy, activate career area, healing, attract more energy into a room, place near computer to absorb electromagnetic stress
- Water features, aquarium, encourage money flow, place in wealth area
- Lights/candles- bring strong yang energy to stagnant areas, raise energy in fame section
- Plants- versatile fengshui cures, healthy positive energy, alleviate problem areas
- Bamboo flutes - attach to overhead beams, reduce negative impact
- Metal and electrical items enhance energy of the west
- Paired items represent togetherness and romance, strengthen existing relationship, entice new partners
- Mirrors shaped like Pa Kua, placed only outside home near front door
Source: Clearing The Clutter- 100 ways to Energize your Life, Mary Lambert
Sunday, October 7, 2007
1. Clear The Clutter
Clutter hinders creativity
eg. trying to paint a beautiful picture on a canvas that has scribbles on it
- Memorabilia- keep sampling, not all!
- Throw
-clothes you don't wear
-expired stuff - Make a
-monthly commitment- 30 mins
-daily commitment- 5 mins - 5 min rule
- File it, don't pile it!
2. Maximise Your Minutes
- Prioritise
- PDA to plan...
- Say "No"
"Yes" will bring your more friends. "No" will keep you sane. - Set time for
-clutter clearing
-DIY
-prepare meals in advance
-other money saving efforts
Realistic Planner
Arise by: _________
Pray: ______ to _____
Exercise: ____ to _____
Tasks to be completed (or started today)
- xx
- xx
- x
- (no more than 5, let's be realistic)
Chores to be done: _________
Recreation: _________________
Go to bed by: _______________---
3. Improve Your Image
Are you qualified to serve in the king's palace?
- good grammar/diction
- well groomed/poise
- knowledgable
- healthy and energetic
4. Eat Economically
- make shopping list and keep it with you
- cook in bulk- freezer bags (don't just cook, cook in bulk)
- Ask for doggie bag (makes 2 meals!)
- For family: treat yourself to eating out once a week, cook food that are normally expensive to eat out, eg pasta, korean
5. Cease comparing a.k.a Don't KUWTJ
Studies show ppl who live beneath their financial means have longer and more fulfilling lives
-> Contentment
6. Put Off Procrastination
"Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today"
Life is too short to get stuck in analysis paralysis
Get started. Everything does not have to be perfect the first time around
No "I shoulds".
7. Write Down Your Vision
- Short term goal
- Long term goal
- Save $xxxx by _____
- Buy a piano by _____
- Get a diploma by _____
- Be specific, no "someday"s
8. Pare Your Presents
What statement are ou trying to make with your gift? Living a lie by implying you can afford? To gain favour?
Simple, from the heart, DIY
If a person can't appreciate gift unless expensive, then screw that person, not worth friendship
9. Eliminate Emotional Spending
Anger
If you peel the onion of why you are angry, at the core you will find that you're angry with yourself for tolerating someone's bad behaviour, not speaking up, putting yourself at risk.
Counsel/confront yourself and forgive and understand yourself
Depression
You're not the centre of the world. Do something for someone. Take the spotlight off yourself, you'll feel better.
10. Ponder Your Purchases
No impulsive buying especially if you:
- esp if you will go back to the place again soon
- another matter if you don't go there often, then grab opportunity if you really like it, eg on vacation, different part of town, else you'll regret, "should've"
Read the fine print, consider consequences, is the offer genuine, any catch?
Any unwanted long term commitments?
Just because hot deal, clearance sale, doesn't mean you must buy. Do you need it? Will you use it?
11. Ask for What You Want
(The worst that could happen, they say NO)
Don't retreat at the first hint of resistance. Don't think you don't deserve favourable treatment
CONTENTMENT
Gratefulness diary
Count your blessings - family and friends
- necessities
-job
-occasional treats
;;
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