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bought the wrong curtain

April 4, 2012 Leave a Comment

Like I said we are not yet done fixing the house. There is still a lot of things to do including choosing the best curtain. Actually, our room has a huge window, from ceiling to floor. We miscalculated it and bought the wrong curtain, which is just half way. Yep, it did not fit the entire window; one fourth of it is still open. But, we can’t return it because we already throw the receipt. So, all we can do is to purchase the right one.

The thing is finding that type of curtain is quite difficult. Plus, we don’t have the luxury of time to roam around. My option is online shopping at upholstery fabric at FabricOnTheNet.net. It’s the leading online source of discounted home décor fabric and trim. All fabrics and trims are first quality and are stored in a smoke-free environment. Plus, they offer the kind of design that matches my sheets.

I hope this time, I’ll get to pick the accurate measurement for my curtain.

Filed Under: family & home, ramblings

Effective Way to Avoid Travel Insomnia

March 6, 2012

Now you are finally ensconced in your hotel room and as night wears on and darkness descends, you become aware of all the invading noises and cracks of light that play havoc with your time to rest.  Too boot, you are likely dealing with jet lag and the effects of crossing multiple time zones.  We all know this throws of four circadian rhythm.

Here is how to make the best of a trip and get the best sleep possible.  It is generally wise to plan ahead.  In terms of dealing with the time zone change and the effects on your circadian rhythm, it is always best to take two to three nights ahead of flying and start going to bed in the time zone you are headed to.  In other words, you are attempting to reset your biological clock, so that when you arrive at your destination you are already sleeping and waking in a new zone.  Few actually do this, but if you are alight, sensitive sleeper, it’s always best to adapt ahead of time.  It will save you much grief on the other end.

If you find that challenging to do, start your pre-sleep routine just that much earlier.  Begin your meditation and relaxation pre-bed routine one half hour earlier the first night and then an hour ahead the next night.  Remember to adjust your morning rising time to accommodate the challenges of arrival, particularly if traveling eastward.  The reverse is true for traveling westward – stay up later – get up later.  It’s always easier traveling west than east.

If space allow, pack your own pillow. Recognizing the comfort of your own things while in a hotel room helps to encourage your on-going restfulness. Sleep tight while traveling.

Filed Under: health first, leisure tips, recreation

Soy can help you Lose Weight?

February 16, 2012

The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. This nutritional powerhouse has stayed under wraps for too long. Apart from being the only vegetable protein with all 22 amino acids essential for our health and well being, the humble soybean has many other virtues including an excellent foundation for fast, safe weight loss program.

According to Dr David Heber in “The LA Shape Diet” women who are on a weight loss program, need about 100 grams of protein per day to fight against hunger and to build their best personal lean muscle shape whilst still losing weight. Without the appropriate level of proteins in a low calorie diet, people and women in particular, risk losing 1 pound of muscle for every 4 pounds of weight lost!

Dr Heber recommends soy-protein shakes or soy-protein fruit smoothies as a safe and healthy way to achieve fast and permanent weight loss. Apart from the wonderful health advantages of soy, this a safe protein source without the unwanted cholesterol and saturated fats that accompany animal protein sources and sabotage low calorie weight loss programs.

Read on to discover some other wonderful benefits of this incredible this food source.

  1. Soy contains health enhancing isoflavones. Isoflavones are compounds found only in plants which have strong antioxidant properties. hese compounds repair, and help prevent damage to cells caused by pollution, sunlight, and normal body processes. Free radicals can easily cause harm to the immune system, whose cells divide often. They may also be responsible for some of the changes of aging.
  2. Reduce risk of heart disease. Soy’s protein and isoflavones lower LDL cholesterol and decrease blood clotting, which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. In one study, people who drank a “milk shake” containing 25g of soy protein for nine weeks experienced, on average, a 5% reduction in LDL cholesterol. And people with the highest LDL levels experienced a 11% drop. (For each 10% to 15% drop in the LDL level, the risk of a heart attack decreases 20% to 25%).
  3. Protection against cancer. Soy’s soluble fiber protects the body from many digestive related cancers, such as colon and rectal cancer. While its isoflavones may protect the body from many hormone related cancers, like breast, endometrial (uterine) and prostate cancer. Isoflavones act against cancer cells in a way similar to many common cancer-treating drugs.
  4. Counter the effects of endometriosis. The isoflavones in soy products may help to offset the action of the body’s natural estrogen, which is often responsible for instigating the monthly pain, heavy bleeding and other symptoms of endometriosis.
  5. Protect against prostate problems. Eating soy products may protect against enlargement of the male prostate gland. The size of the prostate gland tends to increase with age, causing various types of urinary difficulties, including frequent nighttime awakenings.
  6. Guard against osteoporosis. Soy’s protein enhances the body’s ability to retain and better absorb calcium in the bones, while its isoflavones slow bone loss and inhibit bone breakdown, which helps prevent osteoporosis. There is evidence to suggest that isoflavones may also assist in creating new bone.
  7. Control symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Soy’s isoflavones help the body regulate estrogen when this hormone is declining or fluctuating, which helps alleviate many menopausal and PMS symptoms. Research has shown that soy isoflavones can reduce menopausal hot flushes in women.
  8. Help control diabetic conditions and kidney disease. Soy’s protein and soluble fiber help regulate glucose levels and kidney filtration, which helps control diabetic conditions and kidney disease.

What an incredible little bean!

Filed Under: family & home, health first

needing a vanity set

February 7, 2012

Time passes quickly. It feels like I just first started my job, but hey it’s been two months since I joined the company. For all I know, I’m enjoying every minute of it probably because I’ve been a loner for almost three years. Having people around again, after that long is somewhat exciting and refreshing. My colleagues always noticed that I’m happy every day that I go to work. Well, I’m just hoping that it will continue for a long time.

Anyway, now that I’m going to the office and always applying make-up on, I would need to have a bedroom vanity set. I need to have a table where I can put every beauty product that I’m using daily, which will make easier for me to access anything I need.

Although hubby isn’t here yet, I already do the honor of checking vanity sets for women. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind because he knows how badly I need it. But, the purchase will need to wait for him. I’ll just window shop and probably select few choices and have him assess it too. It would be better if both of us agreed on any items inside the house.

Filed Under: family & home, lifeStyle, ramblings

V’gifts for hubby

January 24, 2012

Mmm… Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I’m sure everyone is preparing the gifts they want to give to their special someone, just like me. Good thing I have the perfect timing now that hubby is not around. He is currently miles away from here and will be coming back probably by Saturday. So, I have ample time to look for the perfect gift without him knowing it. It’s quite difficult to secretly search for a gift when he is around.

Last year, I bought him some sweets, which he really adores. Now, I will also give him sweets, but will add other items. I’ve been checking the gourmet gifts of Sharies Berries. I’m one of their fans who adore the sweet stuff they offer. So, if you are looking for gift ideas for your boyfriend, you can also check their website and find out for yourself. They offer hand-selected gourmet snacks namely chocolate strawberries, cool cookies, delicious cakes and much more. Find a Valentine’s Day gift for him – under $50 – to surprise him without breaking the bank.

Filed Under: family & home, ramblings

Fruits Making you FAT?

January 22, 2012

It is pretty obvious to everyone that when you want to lose weight you watch your sugar intact, right? Well, there is a reason why fruits are called, “nature’s candy”. In fact, you need realize that a glass of orange juice is just about the same as a glass of soda.

Fruits are loaded with sugar, fructose to be exact. This why athletes use them during endurance for energy, and why people suffering from hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, use them to raise there blood sugar when needed.

That is where one of the problems is. Fruits are carbohydrates. Never eat a carbohydrate by itself. This is basically all sugar. When you eat a carbohydrate by itself there is a sudden increase in sugar in the body. This causes the body to release insulin. However, the body releases too much insulin because it thinks more sugar is coming. The insulin basically grabs the sugar/carbohydrate and stores it to fat for use at some other time. Since your body released too much insulin there is not enough sugar to support the brain function. That is why you feel tired or sluggish. So you’re fatter and dumber. So, if you are going to eat a carbohydrate, eat some protein with it, it will slow the release of the sugar.

That glass of orange juice in the morning, the banana and apple for snakes, and the fruit salad for lunch, might actually be what is stopping you from losing the weight.

Filed Under: health first, household tips

how to safely enjoy the sun

October 11, 2011

We can’t deny the fact that sunbathing is an integral and much loved part of most people’s holiday but recent reports of over exposure to the sun causing skin cancer have made many people wary of spending too much time in the sun. However, paradoxically the over use of sun screens can actually have health problems in itself and under exposure to the sun can also be detrimental to our wellbeing.

Too much high factor sun block can delay sunburn, which is of course an important reminder that you have had too much sun, and in addition it can block the bodies manufacture of vitamin D which in itself helps to protect us from skin, breast and prostate cancer and is invaluable for boosting the immune system in general. Vitamin D also offers us protection against osteoporosis and sunlight can, believe it or not, play a part in lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

As mentioned sunlight is important for the production of vitamin D, it also plays a role in the production of melatonin which controls our sleep patterns amongst other things, so a lack of sunlight can lead to insomnia. Melatonin also plays an important part in building a healthy immune system and can help protect against cancer. Serotonin, the good mood hormone, is likewise produced in the body in the presence of sunlight. So in order to be able to enjoy the sun when on holiday follow these practical guidelines to safe sunbathing:

  • Avoid exposure during the midday hours and don’t stay in it for too long if it is very fierce.
  • Choose a sun cream with added vitamins and minerals, apply it 30-60 minutes before exposure and re-apply often. Added nutrients which have been found to be of particular benefit are vitamins C and E along with the minerals selenium and zinc.
  • Take supplements such as vitamins C,D,E and Beta-carotene and the minerals selenium, calcium and zinc. These will give your sunscreen a boost and help to prevent skin damage.
  • Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and veg. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, flavenoids and carotenoids, all of which are essential for a healthy skin and are good healing agents too.
  • Drink green tea, this has recently been found to be of benefit to prevent burning if drunk whilst sunbathing, it can also be soothing if applied topically to sunburn.

If after all your efforts at safe sunbathing you still end up sun burn there are a few natural remedies that may help: [Read more...]

Filed Under: health first, leisure tips, recreation

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