What is Love?

"From the brain and the brain alone arise our pleasures, joys, laughter and jests, as well as our sorrows, pains and griefs" Hippocrates

Love is just all about the hormones.

It's just about the release of the chemicals

in a particular part of the brain.

It is just a stimulus, a motivation and a drive.

-author of the Precious Hearts Romances - Heart Yngrid

Freedom and Happiness

Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances - unknown

Freedom is not merely the opportunity to do as one pleases; neither is it merely the opportunity to choose berween set alternatives. Freedom is, first of all, the chance to formulate the available choices, to argue over them - and then, tha opportunity to choose. - C. Wright Mills

* "Freedom is not what we achieve from others but from our silent heart"

"Freedom means to bring love & peace everwhere"

"The actual freedom is made of noble thoughts of a man"

"Freedom spread its wings where the silence flows"

"There are no bad thoughts, where the freedom dances"

"Those who love freedom they do not invite the war"

"A man who is trapped due to fear, he can never see freedom around"

"Freedom is wonderful & beautiful"

"Freedom never put anybody in chains"

HAPPINESS IS A BLISS

happiness, is when you get a new puppy

happiness, is when you have something and you can share it with others

happiness, is making your own decisions
happiness is being proud of who you are

happiness, is glowing
happiness, is fun

happiness, is an amazing feeling
happiness, is when you smile all day

happiness, is giving someone a hug just because you can
happiness, is that light in your eyes

happiness, is what makes the world go around
happiness, is when you are with your family and friends

happiness, is when you are able to help others
happiness, is when you learn something new

source: CGCS monthly information bulletin Nov 2009

Understanding Character

A lot of times, we hear people talk about someone as a man of character. Other times. someone might described as an unreliable character. Sometines, we hear them reffered to as quite a character!

When people begin to talk to about charcter, there could be a dozen different shades to their tone. They might be sounding impressed, awed, disgusted, frightened, amused, bemused or a combination of these reactions.

What exactly is a character? The dictionary would tell you that it is, basically, an attribute or a quality that defines a person. This means that you are defined by a certain set of habits, qualities or attitudes and these form the basis upon which your character is judged.

Character can have positive or negative associations. For instance, when someone is called a man of character, the unsaid adjective is a positive one. It means that he is ethically and morally upright and can be trusted.

When someone is just a character, it means that he is unique. He could be funny,awkward, interesting or rediculous. But he has a strong distinctive personality that sets him apart dfrom others.

Every attribute of you goes into the bulding of your character.If someone were to describe YOU as a character, they would take into consideration all aspects of your personality, including your physical appearance, your social habits, your psychological reactions and other people's perception of your strenghts. In fact, the last aspect - other people's perceptions of your character - is what goes into giving your reputation, whether positive or negative.

Author Anne Zaidi. Copyright 2004. Indianchild.com

B.R.A.T. Diet

The BRAT Diet:
Indication:
Gastrointestinal distress is one of the worst health problems that anyone can suffer. The BRAT diet is often recommended as diarrhea treatment and for upset stomach accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.
The Low residue (fiber) diet is designed to avoid irritation of GI tract & to decrease bowel movements.

BRAT stands for:

B--BANANASEat bananas. Bananas are a bland fruit that can be constipating, a good thing when symptoms include diarrhea.

R--RICEEat rice. Rice is well tolerated and is likely to not cause further nausea.

A--APPLESAUCEEat applesauce. The creamy consistency of applesauce goes down easily, and the cold soothes a dry throat.

T--TOASTEat toast. Toast has been a staple of "sick diets" for years. Almost everyone likes toast, and with a bit of jelly, it adds needed calories for the patient to gain strength.

These bland, low-fiber foods are easy to digest and may help with diarrhea, and most people who have a stomach illness can tolerate them pretty well. The BRAT diet has spawned other eating regimens that have a similar effect on upset stomach. They include the BRATY diet, which stands for:
Bananas
Rice
Applesauce
Toast
Yogurt
And the BRATT diet, which stands for:
Bananas
Rice
Applesauce
Tea
Toast

Once your symptoms have subsided, you can start transitioning back to a normal diet, but you'll want to stick to a relatively bland diet for a couple of days.

What aggravates diarrhea?
Sugar, solid foods, hot drinks, cold drinks and dairy products.
Gastroenteritis=is a condition that causes irritation & inflammation of the stomach & intestines.
The infection maybe caused by bacteria or parasites in spoiled food or unclean water.Some foods may irritate your stomach & cause gastroenteritis.Lactose intolerance to dairy products is one example.


Is the BRAT Diet OK for Children?
The BRAT diet was once a staple of most pediatricians' recommendations for children with an upset stomach. The idea was that it gave the gut a chance to rest and reduced the amount of stool produced. Now experts say the BRAT diet may not be the best option for children.
Because BRAT diet foods are low in fiber, protein, and fat, the diet lacks enough nutrition to help a child's gastrointestinal tract recover. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that kids resume eating a normal, well-balanced diet appropriate for their age within 24 hours of getting sick. That diet should include a mix of fruits, vegetables, meat, yogurt, and complex carbohydrates.
Both children and adults need to drink plenty of fluids while they're sick to prevent dehydration. Water is good, but adding broth, a sports drink, or a rehydration solution such as Pedialyte can help replace lost electrolytes.

Banana= the amylase-resistant starch content in banana helps to reduce onset of peptic ulcer & non-ulcer dyspepsia that set in,on account of GI condition
Rice= is anti-secretory in nature,it supports oral rehydration & decreases stool volume.
The pectin content in apple sauce & bananas significantly decreases stool volume & arrests diarrhea.
Pectin= a natural water based substances that’s present in ripe fruit which is essential for thickening fruit preserves.You can find it in liquid & powder form.

The combination of all four components ensures that the amylase-resistant starch is split into fatty acids of shot-chain nature within colon.

Sample Menu:

Breakfast

Banana sliced
½ Applesauce


Lunch

½ cup Cooked Rice
Slice
ofLightly Buttered Toast


Dinner
Cooked Rice
Toast Slice
Banana Slice
½ cup of Applesauce

Hypoallergenic Diet

Hypoallergenic diet
Indications:
Is one formulated to avoid suspected allergens; usually used in the management of allergic skin or bowel disease.
This is a diet restricts your intake of foods causing allergic reactions in the different parts of the body such as skin,lungs,heart,stomach,eyes and others.
It eliminates foods that contain identified allergens. Allergens are substances causing allegry.
The diet depends on the person's sensitivity. Individualization is important because reaction to a certain food may vary from person to person.

FOOD ALLERGY:= is a reaction of the body’s immune system to something in a food or an ingredient in a food-usually a protein. Also called “food hypersensitivity”.

The FOOD we eat
Identifies harmful by the IMMUNE SYSTEM
That trigger the production of IgE
(to neutralize(kill) the allergen)
[IgE (Immunoglobin E) = It is responsible for triggering the most severe allergicreactions.]
IgE antibodies recognized them
And they signal your IMMUNE SYS.
To release HISTAMINE &other chemical

Histamine & other chemical= cause a range of allergic signs &symptoms .

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: ( it irritates the lining of the stomach)
1.)Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation.
2.)Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon.
***The difference between the two IBD:
In CD,the location of the inflammation may occur anywhere along the digestive tract from mouth to the anus.
In UC, the large intestine(colon) is the only site that’s affected.


SYMPTOMS :
MILD= rash, itch, watery eyes, congestion (it do not spread to other parts of the body.)
MODERATE:= itchiness, difficulty breathing, (it can spread)
SEVERE (Anaphylaxis) (life threatening) = sudden & affects the whole body.
= begin with sudden itching of the eyes or face & within minutes progress to more serious symptoms:
. varrying degrees of swelling that can make breathing & swallowing difficult
. abdominal pain=cramps=vomiting=diarrhea=mental confusion or dizziness.

Anti-Histamines are the most commonly prescribed treatment for Allergies

ESOTERIC TREATMENT FOR ALLERGIES
Urine Therapy (Increase fluid intake) is an effective treatment for some cases of Allergies (Urea =one of the main components of Urine) dissolves the “foreign” Proteins that form the Antigens that function as Allergens in Allergies patients.

Some Tips:
> Avoid the following foods known to be allergenic:
a) Poulty
b) Certain fishes as tinapa,tulingan,tambakol,shellfish.
c) Milk,eggs, and chocolates
d) Pineapple,eggplant and citrus fruits (based on some reports)
> Include vegetable dish at least twice a day.
> Remember that not all the allegies are food-induce.Have an allergy diary to help your doctor identify allergens.
> Read labels for hidden allergens.
> Be careful not to be over-restrictive.You may end up malnourished (nutrient deficent).
> Avoid coffee,tea,alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water between meals.
> Have enough rest and sleep.
> Consult an allergist.

Note: It has been observed that vegetables rank the least possible allergen sources.

Allergy Diary:
List down when and where allergic reactions take place,what allergic reactions take place,what foods and drinks are taken,what activites are engaged in at the onset of allergy.These pieces of information will make your doctor's dianosis easier.


Food Allergy Content:

Milk allergy:
is a food allergy immune adverse reaction to one or more of the proteins in cow's milk.

Chocolate Allergy:
Many reactions to chocolate are caused by an intolerance or allergy to one or more of the other ingredients or food additives in chocolate.
These include soy lecithin, milk, corn syrup, gluten, nuts, flavorings and dyes.
While they are not intentional additives, trace amounts of rat and mouse droppings, as well as cockroach and other insect parts, are occasionally found in some chocolates.

Egg Allergy:
When a person vulnerable to a protein called alpha livetin found in egg.
Egg yolk alpha-livetin (chiken serum albumin) = is a cross-reactive allergy in the bird egg syndrome.
High levels of specific IgE were found for egg yolk,egg white,livetin,hen to perum proteins & feathers.
IgE (Immunoglobin E) = It is responsible for triggering the most severe allergic reactions.

Chiken Allergy:
Chiken meat contains allergens or allergy-producing substances that are called purines.

Pineapple Allergy:
There are some substances in the pineapple that makes some people sick.
It is due to the Tyramine content of Pineapple.

Cheese Allergy:
Commonly causes Food Allergies due to the Tyramine content of Cheese.

Seafood Allergy:Some people are allergic to the Proteins present in Shellfish.

Eggplant Allergy:
There are no particular allergens to the plants; however, there are IgE-binding eggplant proteins that have been reported in cases of allergic reactions.

Shellfish Allergy:
Shellfish have an allergenic protein called tropomyosin.

Fish Allergy:
This is because of a protein (parvalbumin) that is present in many fish.


Tropomyosin is a pan-allergen (an allergen widely distributed in nature) because it is a highly conserved protein among species. Certain tropomyosins are known to cause allergies in certain people, and those who have cross-reactive allergies can get symptoms
(Tropomyosin cont.)
from a range of sources due to a common allergen found in all these sources: Shrimp, dust mites and mollusks. This common allergen is the reason why some people sensitized with mite tropomyosin could have an allergic reaction after eating seafood.


Parvalbumin is a calcium binding albumin protein with low molecular weight (typically 9-11 kDa).

Proteins: are organic substances compound of amino acids like carbohydrates.Proteins contain carbon,hydrogen & oxygen but proteins also contain nitrogen.It is the chief source of energy.

Tyramine is a common cause of Allergies (due to Tyramine stimulating the release of excessive amounts of Histamine from Mast Cells leading to Allergic reactions).


Hypoallergenic Diet
Sample Diet


Breakfast

Banana

Hypoallergenic potato burger omelet

Whole wheat bread with margarine

Unpolished rice

Soy coffee, no milk



Lunch

Tokwa adobo

Sauteed squash and string beans

Unpolished rice

Juice


Supper

Ginataang vegemeat

Unpolished rice

Watermelon

Low Fat Diet

Lowfat Diet

What it is?
A lowfat diet allows a minimal amount of dietary fat which comprises 15% of the total calorie requirement of the person.The normal fat percentage is 20 to 35% of total calorie requirement per day.
This diet is prescribed to persons with liver disorder,gallbladder problem,hyperlipidemia ( increased blood lipid level), and heart disease.This is not a NO-fat diet. A right amount of fat is important in the body's use of the fat-soluble vitamins A,D, E and K.

Some Tips:
> Avoid pork,fatty meats,animals fats, and animal skin.

> Substitute meat with fish or with legume and grain combinations.

> Eat more unrefined or unprocessed foods.

> Increase vegetable and fruit intake except avocado. Avocado is rich in fat.

> Eat fruit instead of rich cakes and sweets for dessert.

> Drink fruit juices instead of full cream milk,milk shakes,malted milk and chocolate drinks.

> Use and drink only soymilk,skim,lowfat or nonfat milk. Whole milk and full milk products such as cheese and ice cream are fat-rich.

> Boil,bake,broil as often as desired. Limit frying and sauteeing. (In a meal,you may have dried fish if the rest is cooked without fat or you may have sauteed dish with litle oil. However,the rest must be fat-free).

> Deep fry rather than fry with little oil when frying is unavoidable. In deep frying, the food absorbs less oil (when it is hot) than frying with little oil. Place fried foods over paper towels to reduce oiliness.

> Saute once in a while provided just enough oil is used to saute onion and garlic.

> Prefer plain rice over fat-rich bakery products.

> Eat regularly. A 3-meal-a-day diet is recommended. Eating between meals encourages intake of fat-rich snack foods.

> Eat a good,heavy breakfast and a light supper always.

> Minimize dining out. Commercial food preparations are generally rich in fats,salt,spices, and sugar.

> Vhoose lowfat soups like vegetable soup. Limit creamy soups. Avoid bulalo.

> Take note of salad dressing and sauces. These are usually fat-rich.

> Avoid coffee,tea,alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day between meals.

Low Fat Diet Sample Menu

Breakfast

Banana

Low fat potato-egg omelet

Whole wheat bread with jam

Unpolished rice

Soy coffee with low fat milk

Lunch

Low fat tokwa adobo

Low fat sauteed squash and string beans

Unpolished rice

Boiled or roasted nuts

Supper

Low fat vegemeat with white sauce

Unpolished rice

Fresh pineapple

Food Selection Guide

Foods Allowed

Carbohydrate-rich Foods
> All except restricted foods

Protein-rich Foods

For vegetarians
> Legume,grains,nutscooked with little or without fat
> Hard-boiled egg
Skim or nonfat milk

Note:Use a whole or evaporated cow's milk in moderation.

For non-vegetarians
> Fish without skin and fat,cooked with little or no oil

Vegetables
> All except avocado

Rich-fat Foods
> Vegetable oil in allowed amounts only (Just enough for once-in-a-while frying and sauteeing)

Soups
> Clear,fat-free lowfat soup

Beverages
> Fruit juices
> Soymilk,nonfat or skim milk

Desserts/Sweets
> Gelatin
> Fruit juices
> Dietary sherbet
> Angel cake,sponge cake,pudding made of skim milk instead of fresh or whole milk

Foods Not Allowed

Carbohydrate-rich Foods
> Rich bread with added fat

Protein-rich Foods
> Meat and poultry with visible fat
> Meat and poultry skin
> Egg (fried,omelet)
> Cream cheese
> Carabao's milk,condensed milk

Vegetables
> Buttered or creamed
> Salads with rich dressings

Fruits
> Avocado
> Salads with rich dressings

Fat-rich Foods
> Mayonnaise,butter,oil,margarine cream
> Bacon,chicharon
> Fried chips, french fries
> Other fried foods

Soups
> Cream soup
> Bulalo

Beverages
> Coffee,caffeinated,alcoholic beverages,wine
> Soda beverages as soft drinks
> Whole milk, full cream milk
> Milk shakes,chocolate drinks, malted milk

Desserts/Sweets?salad
> Rich cakes
> Pies,pastries,cookies
> Butter and cream icings
> Doughnuts,deep-fried pastries
> Yema,leche plan
> Dessert with coconut milk (ginataan,ets.)
> Salds with mayonnaise and cream

Low Salt Diet

Lowsalt Diet

What it is?
Some foods naturally contain sodium.A lowsalt diet allows the use of such foods plus not more than 1 teaspoon of salt in food preparation per day. Sodium is concentrated in the table salt (sodium chloride),vetsin (monosodium gluamate), preservatives (sodium sulfate,sodium benzoate), baking soda and baking powder (sodium bicarbonate). These items are not inclided in the 2000 mg allowance.

Some Tips:

> Limit the use of hidden sodium such as vetsin,preservatives,baking soda and powder,meat tenderizer.
> Enjoy the natural flavor of unsalted foods.
> Avoid sawsawan (sauce) and table salt. Food seasoned with a little salt is better than unseasoned food served with separate sauce.
> Eat fresh,natural food instead of processed (canned,smoked,cured) ones.
> Avoid salted fish (daing,pusit,tuyo,dilis,bagoong,patis).
> Have fresh fruits instead of baked products or dessert.
> Eat plain rice rather than pandesal,fried seasoned rice,instant rice,instant noodles and other instant cerals.
> Avoid commercial chips and crackers. They are high in salt.
> Minimize dining out,Regular commercial menus have more seasonings which are high in sodium.> Read labels.Sodium can be found in food,water,medinies,toothpaste and mouthwashes.> reduce sodium in the diet,gradually.
> Eat more fresh fruits instead of rich desserts.Avoid tea,coffee,alcoholic and carbonated beverages (softdrinks).
> Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day between meals.
> Take time to enjoy your food.

Lowsalt Diet
3-day Sample Menu

Day 1

Breakfast
6:00-7:00

Banana
Lowsalt potato-egg omelet
Whole wheat bread with jam
Unpolished rice
Soy coffee with milk

Lunch
11:45-12:15

Lowsalt tokwa adobo
Lowsalt sauteed squash and string beans
Unpolished rice
Boiled nuts (no salt added)

Supper
6:00-6:30

Lowsalt ginataang vegemeat
Unpolished rice
Fresh pineapple

Day 2

Breakfast

PapayaFried
vegetarian tocino
Boiled camote
Unpolished rice
Warm milk

Lunch

Lowsalt sweet-and-sour gluten
Lowsalt boiled camote tops
Unpolished rice
Baked or roasted nuts (no salt added)

Supper

Lowsalt sauteed mongo beans
Unpolished rice
Fruit gulaman delight

Day 3

Breakfast

Apple
Lowsalt tempura chunks
Boiled saba
Champorado
Salabat

Lunch

Lowsalt vegetarian apritada
Lowsalt boiled malunggay
Unpolished rice
Soymilk

Supper

Lowsalt chili beans
Unpolished rice
Fresh buko

Food Selection Guide

Foods Allowed:

All Fresh Foods
> Fruits
> Vegetables,salad or cooked with little salt
> Protein-rich foods cooked with little table salt

Note: Maximum allowance is 1/2 teaspoon table salt per day.

Foods Not Allowed:

Instant Foods
> Noodles,pasta,entree,cereals

Table Salt
> Iodized salt,garlic,salt,onion salt (unless computed) Sauces or Sawsawan
> Patis,toyo>Bagoong na isda,alamang sauce
>Barbecue sauce,catsup, oyster sauce

Processed,Salted,Smoked Canned Foods:
> Daing,tuyo,dilis,tinapa
> Longanisa,tocino,bacon,ham,luncheon meats (processed and cured meats
> Salted eggs
> Canned soups,packed soups
> Commercially-frozen lima beans,peas,binatog
> Pickles
> Atsara
> Cheese
> Sauerkraut

Leavening Sodium
> Baking soda,baking powder

Seasoning
> Vetsin
> Seasoning flavors like beef,chiken,shrimp,pork
> Bouillon cubes
> Liquid seasoning like "Maggi Savor"

Commercial Chips, Crackers, Salted Seeds and Nuts