Reading and eBooks and Books, Oh, My!

I have never had any problems with my eyes at all. I know I’ve used them more often than not because I love to read and using the computer. The thing is, I also have a collection of ebooks and I just can’t resist reading them too. You know how it is, if you’re a bookworm, you always would devour any written word in any form and have them at your disposal.

Lately however, my eyes have been bothering me and even though I’ve used eye drops and limited my time to reading books and not ebooks, I still get this little twinge now and then. Oh, I hope I won’t start wearing eyeglasses! I dread the thought of even wearing one. It’s not because it’s not fashionable and all but to me, it’s a testament that I haven’t been taking care of my eyes as well as I should. For more information, head over to The Clark Howard Show.

Sure, I love eating squash and a little bit of carrots but I know that it’s not enough. I need more time to rest them and I know I should stay away from staring at the screen twenty-four-seven!

I know I shouldn’t but I went ahead and downloaded a few ebooks and I am psyched about them. With my studies also underway, it is quite inevitable for me to avoid reading altogether.

Like this article? Add me

Read more...

La.Pi.S: Colorful

I know I'm late but I just wanted to share with you my fruit and veggie basket. No, it's not a gift, I just arranged them haphazardly in the basket so that I can take a photo.

I'm not much of a fruit and veggie lover but I have enthusiastically embraced fruits and veggies in my diet in my quest to eat healthy and lose weight. I know I keep on yakking about losing weight but I have made baby steps towards that goal.









Like this article? Add me

Read more...

Apodysophilia

Apodysophilia or exhibitionism, also known as Lady Godiva Syndrome is a psychological disorder that involves "the need and pattern of behavior involving the exposure of parts of the body to another person with a tendency toward an extravagant, usually at least partially sexually inspired behavior to attract the attention of another in an open display of bare "private parts" — i.e., parts of the human body which would otherwise be left covered under clothing in nearly all other cultural circumstances."

Most of you might have known that I have been a victim of exhibitionism. A few weeks ago while I was getting the mail, a neighbor (who lives a few doors down from us) clear his throat and when I looked over, he was in his birthday suit with his front door open. A friend of mine told me that it is normal because I am in the United States. But that is wrong. Even in this sexually free culture, showing yourself naked to other people is NOT NORMAL.

Back in school, we learned that there are different mental disorders that are sexual in nature. Most of you are probably more familiar with sadism, masochism, bestiality and others however, this form of disorder is quite common and in some cases, harmless. Take mooning and flashing, for instance, most teens love to flash or moon just for the heck of it. In most cases, it is not wrong to do so but you must not cross the line and offend other people.

Exhibitionism only becomes a threat when that person would do anything in his power to gain a persons attention that he/she thinks is entitled to but does not get in other aspects of his/her life.

We reported this incident to the apartment manager and he said that he would look into it. A few days later, we learned that other tenants have also seen him in the nude in broad daylight! Our manager saw this as a sign and informed the person responsible for this despicable act. It is indeed despicable because there are kids as young as 4 years old who live in the apartment complex and they might see him in all his naked glory.

Yesterday, his wife came in and apologized for his behavior and told us that she asked him to leave. She was appalled by what her husband did and didn't want their son exposed to such displays.

Like this article? Add me

Read more...

Health Watch: Carpal Tunnel Relief

A lot of people nowadays are glued to computers. Whether at work or at home, most of us are using them and if taken out of our lives, they create a void. Some even declare that they cannot live without a computer.

Because of the advancement in technology, using a computer is unavoidable. However, with new technology come new diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome. A carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition wherein our median nerve is compressed at our wrist and can cause excruciating pain, muscle weakness in our hand and forearm, or tingling of the arm (referred to as paresthesias).
Because of these symptoms, many people have difficulties in typing and/or writing. Using your hands would become a burden to you and would result to your declining performance in work and at home.

There are a lot of medications that can be used to tread this syndrome. Some suggest that aspirin, ibuprofen, both anti-inflammatory medications can help ease the swelling which causes the pain. Unfortunately, long term use of anti-inflammatory medications can cause gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding. These medications have also been linked to cause heart complications.

There is a new product on the market and it’s called the IMAK Smart Glove that can provide carpal tunnel relief. This lovely glove can be used to ease the pain and help reduce the inflammation in your writs! There is no need to use medications for a long period of time. You just slip this glove on, and you’re ready to go!

Like this article? Add me

Read more...

Health: Monthly Cycles = Stem C'elle

Stem cells are found in most multi-cellular beings. These cells have the ability to renew themselves through the process called mitosis. Mitosis is the multiplication of eukaryotic cells which in turn form two daughter cells. I know I’m getting scientific here, but I cannot help it. I guess I was just programmed this way. Just so you know mitosis is the process in which our cells divide and form into new cells, in the case of injuries.
Stem cells have garnered a lot of interest these past few years due to the theory that these cells can be cultured into specialized cells with certain characteristics that are quite similar to various human tissues; a discovery that gives hope to people who are in need of these tissues.
I have recently chanced upon a website that talked about C'elle, an innovative service that provides women with a chance to preserve their stem cells that are harvested from a woman’s menstrual flow during her monthly cycle.

About the Science of C’elle’s innovative service can be found on their website celle.com where they talk about the unique properties of menstrual stem cells. They add that these cells have the same characteristics with that of our bone marrow (which is usually where stem cells are harvested).
For more information about C’elle’s services visit the C'elle Client Testimonial page.

Like this article? Add me

Read more...

Health: Walk for a Cause

The Notebook is one popular novel that integrates Alzheimer’s Disease, a condition that Allie is going through. Perhaps only a few people are aware that Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia, and is a degenerative and terminal condition that has no known cure. Degenerative means that as the years go by, the condition will only worsen without any chances of healing. We generally relate Alzheimer’s to forgetfulness in people ages 65 and up but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Alzheimer’s can also have an early onset, which means that a small percentage of younger people have been affected by this condition.
Although she was not diagnosed, my great grandmother showed signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. She died at the age of 92 years old without us knowing whether she was suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Today, a lot of people are said to have Alzheimer’s disease but only a few are aware of it. The Alzheimer’s Association is holding an Alzheimer's Memory Walk to help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease. Interested in being a team leader or even a participant? Then walk for a cause during the Alzheimer's Memory Walk.

Make lasting memories, and walk for a cause!

Like this article? Add me

Read more...

Tags & Memes: Breast Cancer Awareness

Mommy Ruby tagged me a week ago and I forgot about it!
Here's my take on Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast. Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer (10.4% of all cancer incidence, both sexes counted) and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. Worldwide, breast cancer is by far the most common cancer amongst women, with an incidence rate more than twice that of colorectal cancer and cervical cancer and about three times that of lung cancer. However breast cancer mortality worldwide is just 25% greater than that of lung cancer in women. In 2005, breast cancer caused 502,000 deaths worldwide (7% of cancer deaths; almost 1% of all deaths). The number of cases worldwide has significantly increased since the 1970s, a phenomenon partly blamed on modern lifestyles in the Western world.
Breast cancer has becoming increasing high in incidence in recent years and it does good to increase our knowledge about this condition. Remember, women have an increased risk to breast cancer than men, so ladies, be informed!

Help spread awareness. You can help the lives of many women by spreading the word about The Breast Cancer Site. If The Breast Cancer Site receives 8 million clicks on the pink button in June, their premier sponsor -Bare Necessities- will donate $10,000 for more free mammograms. CLICK the pink button today!

I'm tagging anyone reading this post! Women please help spread awareness!


Like this article? Add me

Read more...

This is a No Smoking Area

You think using lights gives you less damage? Well, think again!

CIGARETTES ARE BAD PERIOD

I found this image while Googling the post I made about smoking.

Read more...

Insomnia

Good morning blogosphere! It's been quite a loooong night for me. It seems that I was in a bout of insomnia!

Wikipedia writes that "Insomnia is a sleeping disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Insomniacs have been known to complain about being unable to close their eyes or "rest their mind" for more than a few minutes at a time."
Ahhh well, technically it's not insomnia per se but I just had a hard time sleeping last night. i don't experience bouts of sleeplessness often but when I do, it's tossing and turning for me. Not to mention all those thoughts waltzing about my brain...it's enough to drive me nuts, I tell you. NUTS!
So before I lose my mind and do any deranged rantings (hehehe), I'd like to share to you what I do when I experience sleeplessness. Because this is not a disorder, I discourage taking of sleep aid medications. These medications are highly addictive and would cause you to be dependent on them.
Here are a few tips that have worked wonders for me.

1. Read a good book - or a really boring one. Reading before bed makes my eyes tired and is guaranteed to make me feel sleepy after reading a few pages or so. I do have problems with a good book, though. Sometimes I get too wrapped up in the plot that I actually forget to sleep! Which brings me to another tactic that I thought tried: reading a really boring book. Textbooks and such are bound to get you to sleep. Believe me, I know. This tactic really works wonders.
2. Drink a warm glass of milk. Some people swear that they get sleepy drinking milk. I like mine fresh (well, not that fresh) and I just warm it over a stove or a microwave if you have one. One or two glasses should do the trick.
3. Make up a story in your head. This is contrary to what the experts have said. In my readings, they have stated that if you want to sleep, you must clear your mind before doing so. Unfortunately, that doesn't work for me. I like to dream up make believe stories with me being the heroine. It's so childish, I know but it keeps me entertained and I sleep before I even get to think up and ending!
4. Watch a really boring movie. This is stupid but it still works! I was even mildly interested in viewing Schinler's List but fell asleep halfway through the movie just because I was bored. I know, this is a good movie but it really bored me to sleep. Watching the news, errmm the boring parts, that is, works well. Although if you get interested, you watch it and there goes sleep.
5. If all else fails then there must be something wrong. Talk to your doctor ASAP before you go nuts!

Hope this helps...or not. Sure did wonders for me!

Read more...

What's in a Smoke?

I've been after my hubby and my father quitting cigarette smoking for what seems like years! They still don't listen. I am thinking of printing this picture of the constituents of cigarettes. Take a good look at it and tell me if it is healthy?

What are cigarettes? Cigarettes are manufactured out of cured and finely cut tobacco leaves and reconstituted tobacco, combined with other additives, then rolled or stuffed into a paper-wrapped cylinder. Hmmm seems pretty harmless, don't you think? I mean, cigarettes come from plants so they must be healthy, right? WRONG! It is the added chemicals to cigarettes that make them toxic.

Cigarettes are proven to be highly addictive, as well as a cause of multiple types of cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, circulatory disease, birth defects (which include mental and physical disability) and emphysema.

Read more...

Dopamine: The Secret to Addiction

Have you been wondering why people get hooked on cigarettes, durgs, and other substances even if they know that it is really bad for their health? And no matter how they try to stop they can't seem to stay away from it? It's because of our brain's pleasure center, the hypothalamus.

We all know that the hypothalamus controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, anger, and our circadian rhythm. The hypothalamus also releases the neurohormone dopamine which is generally responsible for our pleasure seeking behaviors.
According to Wikipedia, "dopamine is commonly associated with the pleasure system of the brain, providing feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate a person proactively to perform certain activities. Dopamine is released by naturally rewarding experiences such as food, sex, some drugs, and neutral stimuli that become associated with them. This theory is often discussed in terms of drugs such as cocaine, nicotine, and amphetamines, which seem to directly or indirectly lead to an increase of dopamine in these areas, and in relation to neurobiological theories of chemical addiction.” This basically answers why people succumb to different forms of addiction.
Based on my readings and what I have learned in school, our body needs dopamine. When dopamine levels increase significantly, our pleasure seeking behaviors are triggered causing us to act upon and fulfill our pleasures and/or desires. Let's take cigarette smoking, for example. Our body produces enough dopamine for it to be used by our body. Monoamine Oxidase B (MAO B) regulates the production of dopamine in our body. However, when a person smokes, MAO B is inhibited which results in a significant increase in our body's dopamine levels. When the dopamine levels are increased, there would be increased stimulation leading to pleasure. This explains why the more a person smokes, the more pleasure is derived from it. However, a decrease in our body's dopamine levels cause Parkinson's Disease. For those of you who don't know, Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease characterized by muscle rigidity, tremors, slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia) and, in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement (akinesia). A very popular person currently suffering from this condition is Michael J. Fox.
Remember, our body is a homeostatic system. This means that it must always be in balance, just like yin and yang. If our body is not balanced, then our our body cannot function to it's utmost level of functioning.

Read more...