Holistic Path

High in fibre, barley is also a kidney cleanser.. Better yet, regular intake of it helps prevent heart disease.

BARLEY water was always a regular drink when we were still living at home.
Whenever we had to go for a medical exam that included a urine test, my
mum would make us drink barley water a day before it to make sure we got a
positive result!

My mother was a wise woman. I later found out from an Australian
naturopath that barley is known to be a kidney cleanser, and he happily
downed glasses of it at a meal we had in a coffeeshop here.

Barley is good for your intestinal health too. Try to eat the barley
grains you find in your drink or sweet broth with fu chook (beancurd skin)
and ginkgo nuts.

It's high in fibre which feeds the friendly bacteria in the colon and
helps speed up the transit of fecal matter in it. In this way it helps
prevent haemorrhoids and colon cancer.

The propionic acid and beta glucan from barley's insoluble fibre also help
lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of gallstones.

Eating barley regularly is a preventive step against heart disease as,
besides the fibre content, it is also high in niacin, a B vitamin good for
lowering cholesterol.

Diabetics should eat more barley as the fibre will prevent blood sugar
levels from rising too high. It also provides relief from constipation or
diarrhoea for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Barley is rich in selenium which prevents cancer and relieves symptoms of
asthma and arthritis. It is a good source of manganese, copper and phosphorous.

Malt sugar comes from sprouted barley which, when fermented, is an ingredient in beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Barley, whose Latin name is Hordeum vulgare, has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years.

Since ancient times, barley has been used for healing purposes and has
been known to the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Athletes in
Greece and Rome in those days were known to eat barley bread to give them
strength.

Besides the usual things we do with barley, I enjoy having it in a western
soup. The larger pearl barley is used and I love the sticky bite of it.

Here's a recipe for barley soup:

Barley soup with roasted garlic

1 cup pearl barley

5 cloves whole garlic, roasted

2 litres chicken stock, steeped from 1?chicken breasts simmered in three
litres water

2 tbsps vegetable oil

2 large onions, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

150g turkey ham, cut up

1 tsp ground white pepper

1 tsps sea salt or to taste

1 tbsp chopped parsley

Method

1. Wash barley and soak it in a bowl of water for three hours. Drain.

2. Heat oil in pan and fry onions. Add carrots and celery, then the barley and fry for three minutes.

3. Add chicken stock, pepper and roasted garlic and simmer over low heat
for at least an hour, or until barley is soft.

4. Add salt to taste and serve the soup garnished with chopped parsley.

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/slideshow1_ss_repair_20071116_350/17

If something has a value to it, then treat it in that way. And what happens is many people get caught holding onto memory stuff or I-might-need-it-one-day stuff," Peter says. "And if you don't create the life you want, if you don't create the home you want, who will? And that's what this comes down to. [Oprah] keeps saying, live your best life. But it's also about, create your best life. I think that's what we've seen here. And that's the lesson for everyone. Stuff has a promise. But go for life. Don't go for the stuff."

http://zenhabits.net/2007/01/zen-mind-how-to-declutter/

A Cancer Killer in your Kitchen

By John Susan Saradon.

The powerful healing effects of ginger have been well documented. It's a proven remedy for upset stomach. Reams of studies show that it inhibits inflamation. And there is substantial evidence that it fights cancer, too.

For instance, a recent University of Michigan study showed that when ginger was added to ovarian cancer cells in the laboratory, it caused the cancer cells to self-destruct (a process known as 'apoptosis').

In a separate study at the University of Minnesota, researchers injected colon cancer cells into mice that were bred to have no immune system.Half of these mice were routinely fed gingerol, the main active component in ginger. The researchers found that the mice that were fed gingerol lived longer, their tumours were smaller, and the cancer did not spread as widely as in the control group.

With all these health benefits, you should be using ginger as often as you can. The best way I've found to get a healthy serving of ginger is to juice it. Two or three days a week, I juice an apple or two, some carrots, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and a big piece of ginger root. The ginger gives the drink a great flavour and a powerful anti-cancer kick. I highly recommend that you try it.

ADVICE FROM UKM MEDICAL DOCTOR Little* did you know ...... after
reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at * petai * in the same way again!
* Petai * contains three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose.
Combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial
boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai
provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder
petai is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But
energy isn't the only way petai can help us keep fit. It can also
help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and
conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. * Depression: *
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering
from depression, many felt much better after eating petai. This is
because petai contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body
converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood
and generally make you feel happier. * PMS(premenstrual syndrome): *
Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood
glucose levels, which can affect your mood. * Anaemia: *
High in iron, petai can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the
blood and so helps in cases of anaemia. * * *Blood Pressure: *
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in
salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US
Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make
official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood
pressure and stroke. * * *
Brain Power : *
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through
their exams this year by eating petai at breakfast, break, and lunch
in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the
potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
* * *
Constipation: *
High in fiber, including petai in the diet can help restore normal
bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to
laxatives. * * *
Hangovers: *
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a petai
milkshake, sweetened with honey. The petai calms the stomach and, with
the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the
milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. *
Heartburn: *
Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from
heartburn, try eating petai for soothing relief. * * *
Morning Sickness * :
Snacking on petai between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up
and avoid morning sickness. * * *
Mosquito bites * :
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected
area with the inside of the petai skin. Many people find it amazingly
successful at reducing swelling and irritation. * * *
Nerves: *
Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. * * *
Overweight: (*obesity)
Studies at the 'urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags' /> Institute of Psychology
in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food
like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients,
researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure
jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings,
we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high
carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. * * *
Ulcers: *
Petai is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because
of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can
be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes
over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the
stomach. * * *
Temperature control * :
Many other cultures see petai as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both
the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In
holland, for example, pregnant women eat petai to ensure their baby is
born with a cool temperature. * * *

The Healthy Varieties of Herbal Teas

Aromatic and chock full of amazing health benefits, herbal teas are made from various leaves, roots, bark, or flowers. Here are just a few:

• Ginger: Soothes the digestive system and keeps your energy fired up
• Chamomile: Settles the stomach and is calming and soothing for the nervous system
• Peppermint: Increases healthy gastric secretions, relaxes the intestines, and settles the stomach
• Dandelion: Detoxifies and supports healthy liver functions
• Valerian: A natural herbal substitute for sleeping pills

Date updated: December 14, 2006

Content provided by Cleveland Clinic Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude -- from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Burnout can occur when caregivers don't get the help they need or if they try to do more than they are able -- either physically or financially. Caregivers who are "burned out" may experience fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression. Many caregivers also feel guilty if they spend time on themselves rather than on their ill or elderly loved ones.What are the symptoms of caregiver burnout?The symptoms of caregiver burnout are similar to the symptoms of stress and depression. They include:

• Withdrawal from friends, family, and other loved ones
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Feeling blue, irritable, hopeless, and helpless
• Changes in appetite, weight, or both
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Getting sick more often
• Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person for whom you are caring
• Emotional and physical exhaustion
• Irritability

What causes caregiver burnout?Caregivers often are so busy caring for others that they tend to neglect their own emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The demands on a caregiver's body, mind, and emotions can easily seem overwhelming, leading to fatigue and hopelessness -- and, ultimately, burnout. Other factors that can lead to caregiver burnout include:

• Role confusion -- Many people are confused when thrust into the role of caregiver. It can be difficult for a person to separate her role as caregiver from her role as spouse, lover, child, friend, etc.
• Unrealistic expectations -- Many caregivers expect their involvement to have a positive effect on the health and happiness of the patient. This may be unrealistic for patients suffering from a progressive disease, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
• Lack of control -- Many caregivers become frustrated by a lack of money, resources, and skills to effectively plan, manage, and organize their loved one's care.
• Unreasonable demands -- Some caregivers place unreasonable burdens upon themselves, in part because they see providing care as their exclusive responsibility. Some family members such as siblings, adult children, or the patient himself/herself may place unreasonable demands on the caregiver. These individuals also may disregard their own responsibilities and place burdens on the person identified as primary caregiver.
• Other factors -- Many caregivers cannot recognize when they are suffering burnout and eventually get to the point where they cannot function effectively. They may even become sick themselves.

How can I prevent burnout?Here are some steps you can take to help prevent caregiver burnout:

• Find someone you trust -- such as a friend, co-worker, or neighbor -- to talk to about your feelings and frustrations.
• Set realistic goals, accept that you may need help with caregiving, and turn to others for help with some tasks. Local organizations or places or worship may provide support groups (either in person or online) for caregivers or family members of those suffering from diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer's. These organizations may also provide respite care to allow the caregiver to have time away from the patient.
• Take advantage of respite care services. Respite care provides a temporary break for caregivers. This can range from a few hours of in-home care to a short stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
• Be realistic about your loved one's disease, especially if it is a progressive disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. Acknowledge that there may come a time when the patient requires nursing services or assisted living outside the family home.
• Don't forget about yourself because you're too busy caring for someone else. Set aside time for yourself, even if it's just an hour or two. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury. It is an absolute necessity for caregivers.
• Talk to a professional. Most therapists, social workers, and clergy members are trained to counsel individuals dealing with a wide range of physical and emotional issues.
  Know your limits and be honest with yourself about your personal situation. Recognize and accept your potential for caregiver burnout.
• Educate yourself. The more you know about the illness, the more effective you will be in caring for the person with the illness.
• Develop new tools for coping. Remember to lighten up and accentuate the positive. Use humor to help deal with everyday stresses.
• Stay healthy by eating right and getting plenty of exercise and sleep.
• Accept your feelings. Having negative feelings -- such as frustration or anger -- about your responsibilities or the person for whom you are caring is normal. It does not mean you are a bad person or a bad caregiver.
• Join a caregiver support group. Sharing your feelings and experiences with others in the same situation can help you manage stress, locate helpful resources, and reduce feelings of frustration and isolation.