Something2Share

Don't Waste That Lemon Peel

2011-10-29T20:14:00.004+08:00

Recieved this forwarded email from a friend. The article apparently is written by Junji Takano* Surya.
I'm sure you know how nutritious a lemon is. But you may only know how to
use it as a simple seasoning, as most people do, and not as a side dish. You
think that only the squished juice from lemon is used, while the lemon peel
is thrown away. Yes, you think that you only need that sour, citrus taste of
the lemon's juice, is that right?

However, we found out that many professionals in restaurants and eateries
are using or consuming the entire lemon and nothing is wasted.

How can you use the whole lemon without waste? Simple...place the lemon in
the freezer section of your refrigerator. Once the lemon is frozen, get your
grater, and shred the whole lemon (no need to peel it) and sprinkle it on
top of your foods.

Sprinkle it to your whisky, wine, vegetable salad, ice cream, vegetable
soup, chicken soup, curry soup, noodles, spaghetti sauce, rice, sushi, meat
loaf, sausage, fish dishes, and ramen. It doesn't matter whether it's a
Chinese dish, Italian dish, French dish, African, Indian, Japanese, Korean,
or Latin American dishes, you just name it.

All of these foods will unexpectedly have wonderful taste, something that
you may have never tasted before in your life. You don't believe me? Just
try it and you will agree with me. Everything will certainly taste great!
Most likely, if you hear the word lemon, you only think of lemon juice and
vitamin C. Not anymore. Now that you've learned this lemon secret, you can
use lemon even in instant cup noodles.

What's the major advantage of using the whole lemon other than
preventing waste and adding new taste to your dishes?

Well, you see lemon peels contain as much as 5 to 10 times more vitamins
than the lemon juice itself. And yes, that's what you've been wasting. But
from now on, by following this simple procedure of freezing the whole lemon,
then grating it on top of your dishes, you can consume all of those
nutrients and get even healthier.

The lemon peel is good in making you slim if you are a fat person, or makes
you healthy fat if you are skinny.

It's also good that lemon peels are health rejuvenators in eradicating toxic elements in the body.

Place your lemon in your freezer, and then grate it on your meal time every
day. It is a key to make your foods tastier and you get to live healthier
and longer! That's the lemon secret!

Instead of Send This Article To Your Friends, I like to share with you in my blog. Hope you like it.

5 Powerful Foods that Lower Your Blood Pressure

2011-10-18T20:33:00.001+08:00

Below are 5 powerful foods that could help you lower your blood pressure levels:

1. Artichokes

The use of artichokes has been implicated in the lowering of cholesterol levels in the blood. Since hypercholesterolemia is one of the risk factors for high blood pressure, this information is actually good news. Three clinical trials conducted separately by Dr. Barbara Wider supports this fact. In Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews’ October 2009 issue, where the result of the study was published, it was shown that patients who were diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia and given Artichoke leaf extract exhibited a decrease in their blood cholesterol levels.

Artichokes taste amazing steamed (generally steam for about 1 hour) and then dip each piece into a mixture of olive oil, grass-fed butter, and garlic. Delicious!

2. Bananas

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine says that incorporating bananas in your day-to-day meals can actually cut stroke-related deaths by as much as 40 percent. A 1997 study at Johns Hopkins University recommended eating at least five bananas daily to achieve the desired effect, and that is to lower elevated blood pressure levels. However, a study conducted by Indian researchers at the Kasturba medical college revealed that people who eat two bananas a day, for one whole week, can lower their blood pressure levels by 10 percent.

Bananas are rich in potassium, which is responsible for the proper functioning of the heart. It works with sodium to maintain balance of the body’s fluids, which is an important factor in the regulation of blood pressure.

3. Beets

A research study conducted by scientists from Barts and The London School Medicine revealed that simply drinking one 500 ml glass of beetroot juice each day can produce astounding health benefits, especially to the heart.

Beetroot juice has been found to lower high blood pressure levels. Professors Amrita Ahluwalia and Ben Benjamin, from the William Harvey Research Institute and Peninsula Medical Center, respectively, led the research efforts, which revealed that the consumption of dietary nitrate that is found in beetroot has BP-lowering effects in as fast as 1 hour after ingestion, with the effect lasting for up to 24 hours. The result of the study was published in the March 2008 issue of Hypertension.

You can try beetroot juice, or also try baked beets sliced on salads or as a side dish to dinner.

4. Cocoa

A study conducted by researchers from Germany’s University Hospital of Cologne revealed that cocoa can significantly lower high blood pressure levels. Study results were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The beneficial heart effects of cocoa are attributed to its flavonoid content, specifically procyanids.

Because cocoa is most commonly found in chocolate, people falsely assume that eating a lot of chocolate could be good for the health. Keep in mind that cocoa in chocolates have undergone a lot of processing, and it has been mixed with loads of sugar, so this is not totally healthy. The best way to take advantage of the health benefits offered by cocoa is to choose raw cacao – it is good for the heart, the brain and the liver. Raw cacao nibs go great in smoothies! Also use organic cocoa powder in smoothies or homemade hot cocoa sweetened with stevia instead of sugar.

5. Garlic

Researchers from South Australia’s University of Adelaide have conducted studies, which provide solid proof that the consumption of garlic can indeed help lower elevated blood pressure levels. Garlic supplements in powder form were given and results revealed that it produced a reduction in systolic blood pressure. Garlic has been known all over the world as a very important herb, especially with its heart-protecting capabilities. It helps lower blood cholesterol levels and prevents blood from forming clots (which could lead to heart attack and stroke).

Furthermore, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal has published the results of a laboratory test showing how garlic juice can lead to a decrease in blood pressure levels. Eating the equivalent of 2 cloves of garlic each day can significantly contribute to the health of the heart.

A MIRACLE DRINK?

2011-10-07T17:06:00.003+08:00

They call it a "Miracle Drink" - a juice combined of one beet root, one carrot and an apple blended together. Just wash and cut them into pieces with skin on, and then blend them in the juicer. Drink the juice immediately.

The best time to drink is recommended in the morning with an empty stomach, an hour before breakfast. If you like it, prepare another glass and drink it before 5pm.

If you have constipation problem, it may help to detoxify and assist bowel movement.

The person who shared his experience said that his bowel movement improved a lot and he could go to toilet everyday. He also mentioned that his domestic helper whose hands used to be cold became warm again after drinking the juice for some time.

It is claimed that this "Miracle Drink" will be effective for many ailments but what I am most interested is that it helps to strengthen immune system. Prevention is always better than cure!

Perhaps someone can give a better explanation on its nutrition and medical value.

Anyway, if you like to drink juice, why not give it a try?

I just started today.

Oil palm seeds to cost 30pc more

2011-09-06T12:43:00.001+08:00

The increase is due to the recent hike in labour wages and foreign worker levy, fertiliser cost, electricity tariff and packaging material cost, says a director of Applied Agricultural Resources

Sungai Buloh: The price of oil palm seeds, now at RM1.85 each, will be raised by 30 per cent to RM2.35 starting January next year.

Business Times also understands that the higher grade semi-clonal seeds will be priced 45 per cent more at RM2.70.

"Over the years, we have invested heavily in oil palm breeding. This has enabled us to improve the seeds for higher yields. Most of the major seed producers in the country have also made similar price increases for 2012. It has been RM1.85 per seed since 2007," said Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn Bhd's (AAR) director of research Dr Kee Khan Kiang.

AAR, which advises more than 350,000ha of oil palm and rubber estates in Malaysia and Indonesia, is an associate company of Boustead Holdings Bhd and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, two highly successful public-listed companies.

Kee, in an interview at his office, said the decision to raise the price of oil palm seeds was due to cost rises.

"With the recent hike in labour wages and foreign worker levy, fertiliser cost, electricity tariff and packaging material cost, we have no choice, but to raise seed pricings," he said.

This is because starting this month, plantation firms will pay a minimum wage of RM650 per month to plantation workers, with an additional productivity-linked RM200 incentive.

It is estimated that this 10 per cent wage hike for employees would cost the industry an additional RM300 million per year. The arrears of wages and ex-gratia payment would further incur an additional RM364 million.

On the whole, the implementation of this new wage and extra remuneration will double Malayan Agricultural Producers Association (Mapa) members' oil palm production costs to RM2.2 billion from RM1.1 billion. AAR's parent companies are Mapa members.

"We've tried to absorb these costs, but at the same time, we need to take care of our shareholders' interest," he added.

To add salt to the wound, the Home Ministry has increased overall foreign worker levy by RM50, meaning employers in the plantation industry need to pay a higher levy of RM590 per worker.

"Whatever that is impacting plantation companies has a chain reaction on seed producers like us. We're equally hurt by these inflated costs," said Kee.

Major seed producers like Felda Agricultural Services Sdn Bhd, Sime Darby Seeds & Agricultural Services Sdn Bhd and AAR will, therefore, be facing burgeoning labour cost.

Since 1986, AAR has been one of the 10 licensed seed producers in the country, contributing to the replanting of unproductive trees so as to raise the national oil palm yield.

According to Malaysian Palm Oil Board, some 40 million germinated seeds have already been planted by farmers in the first seven months of this year.

Most of the replanting of old trees have been carried out in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia while new plantings are undertaken in Sarawak.

For this year, Kee said, AAR is hoping to sell 8.5 million oil palm seeds this year, having sold 7.2 million last year.

"We already have confirmed bookings for 8.6 million seeds in hand with deposits paid. Orders are still pouring in, but unfortunately, we cannot meet the demand for this year," he said.

Red wine and onions (Citrus Punch)

2011-08-31T16:43:00.003+08:00

According to a wine retailer, "Onions, when soaked in red wine, can help curing common diseases." (such as aching knees, poor eye sight, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, frequent urination, sleeplessness, etc.)

His recipe is very simple, as below.

Materials:

• 2 Onions
• Red wine -500 ml

(A bottle of wine, usually 750 ml, will need 3 onions)

Preparations:

1. Wash onions, remove outside peels; slice each onion into 8 equal parts
2. Put cut onions in to a jar, pour wine into the jar
3. Seal the jar, place jar in a cool temperature area for 7 or 8 days
4. Separate wine and onion in different containers and put in refrigerator

Usage:

1. Drink a glass of the wine (50 ml) each time (20 ml for elders)
2. Drink one or two times a day
4. Better eat the soaked onion slices
5. For those who can’t drink, add twice amount of water boil it 5 minutes to drink
6. For those who like it sweet, add a small amount of honey

According to the person who shared this recipe via email, his wife does not need to go to bathroom in the middle of the night as before after drinking such wine for a few weeks.

I think there is no harm to try if you like to drink wine. If it works on you, please share it with others.

It seems that this red wine treatment is quite popular in Japan.

Doc: Papaya leaves can cure dengue

2011-08-31T16:02:00.002+08:00

Good news to be shared.......(as reported in thestar online)

KUALA LUMPUR: Papaya leaves and pegaga (centella asiatica) juice are a possible cure for dengue fever, a recent study revealed.

It has been reported that many people consume papaya leaves or pegaga juice to increase their platelet count after they contract dengue fever.

A recent study, conducted by a group of researchers from local and foreign universities, indicated that the powder from papaya leaves has substances responsible for the release and/or production of thrombocytes (platelets).

The study was initiated and led by Dr S. Kathiresan of AIMST University.

Green remedy: Researchers find the powder from papaya leaves contains substances that promote the production of platelets.

Dr Kathiresan said the leaves of papaya fruit were high in complex vitamins that might help bone marrow to rapidly increase blood platelet production.

“Dengue fever continues to be a major health threat to Malaysia after its first reported outbreak in 1902.

“The dengue virus’ main effect is on platelet production. Normally, a platelet in our body lasts for about five to 10 days and the body replenishes them when required,” he told Bernama.

“This virus destroys the body’s capacity to produce new platelets (during the period the virus is effective). The platelet count for a normal person varies from 150,000 to 250,000 per micro litre of blood. On becoming infected, a patient’s platelet count starts falling.

“A platelet count below 100,000 per microlitre is alarming – immediate medical attention is required. A platelet count below 50,000 can be fatal,” he added.

A fall in the platelet count prevents formation of clots and this leads to haemorrhaging, which results in both internal and external bleeding.

Once such bleeding starts, the situation is almost irreversible, he said.

Dr Kathiresan noted that interest in the papaya began with a simple experiment with papaya leaves which were ground and administered to mice.

The platelet counts before, and 72 hours after dosing, revealed they were significantly higher.

The six-month study, titled Thrombocyte counts in mice after the administration of papaya leaf suspension, published in October 2009, was funded by AIMST University and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Dr Kathiresan was assisted in the study by Dr Surash Ramanathan, Dr Sharif M. Mansor and Dr Mas Rosemal M.H. Haris of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, and Walther H. Wernsdorfer of Medical University of Vienna, Austria. — Bernama

LIME - Traditional Cure for Diabetes

2011-08-22T08:27:00.003+08:00

Read about this in a forwarded email. A patient of diabetes tried this and got himself cured. As the ingredients are all natural, I think there's no harm at all to have a try and do spread this to your friends or whoever wish to try it.

Here's the Recipe :

Steam 4 limes (green lime) together with 1 chicken without head and tail), cut limes into half, add some salts and water level just to cover the chicken.

Drink it as a soup and eat the chicken for supper.

That patient took it 4 times and went for a medical check up. Surprisingly, the doctor advised the patient to stop Diabetes medication as the blood sugar plunged to below the standard count. From then on he did constant blood check and it was normal. So for prevention, sometimes he still has it once in a while.

If you try and it works for you, praise God. Then share it with others.

For Heart Vein Opening

2011-01-17T14:32:00.004+08:00

This is circulated in internet.

It's about natural therapy for opening the veins of the heart.

Believe it or not? No harm in trying.

LEMON JUICE 1 cup
GINGER JUICE 1 cup
GARLIC JUICE 1 cup
APPLE JUICE 1 cup

Mix all above and boil on low heat, approximately half an hour, when

it becomes 3 cups, take off stove and let cool. After cooling, mix 3
cups of natural honey and keep it in bottle.

Every morning before breakfast use one table spoon regularly. Your

blockage of Veins will open.

Fate or Stupidity

2011-01-13T04:24:00.000+08:00

Good advice to young men? Just wonder....

If your father is a poor man,
it is your fate but,
if your father-in-law is a poor man,
it's your stupidity.

Miracle Drink

2011-01-11T17:23:00.004+08:00

Believe it or not. The so called miracle drink is a combination of one potato,one carrot and one apple to make the JUICE!

Wash them, cut into pieces with the skin on and put them into the juicer for juicing. And then drink the juice immediately. Add some lime or lemon for more refreshing taste.

Accordingly, this Miracle Drink will be effective for the following ailments:

1. Prevent cancer cells to develop. It will restrain cancer cells to grow.

2. Prevent liver, kidney, pancreas decease and it can cure ulcer as well.

3. Strengthen the lung, prevent heart attack and high blood pressure.

4. Strengthen the immune system.

5. Good for the eyesight, eliminate red and tired eyes or dry eyes.

6. Help to eliminate pain from physical training, muscle ache.

7. Detoxify, assist bowel movement, eliminate constipation. Therefore it will make skin healthy and solve your acne problem.

8. Improve bad breath due to indigestion, throat infection.

9. Lessen menstrual pain.

10. Assist Hay Fever Sufferer from Hay Fever attack.

There is absolutely no side effect.

Highly nutritious and easily absorbs!

Very effective if you need to loose weight.

You will notice your immune system will improve after taking the miracle drink for 2 week.

WHEN TO DRINK IT:

Drink it first thing in the morning with an empty stomach.

After 1 hour, you can eat breakfast.

For fast results, drink 2 times a day, in the morning & before 5pm.

Kidney Cleansing

2011-01-10T14:09:00.002+08:00

Believe it or not. A cheaper way to clean our kidneys with parsley.

1) Go to market to buy a bundle of parsley.

2) Cut into small pieces.

3) Boil with water in a pot for about 10 minutes.

4) Let it cool down, filter it and then pour into a clean bottle.

5) Keep inside refrigerator.

6) Drink a glass daily.

All salt and other accumulated poison will come out from our kidneys by urination.

Parsley is known as BEST cleansing treatment for kidneys. It's cheap and a natural way for kidney cleansing!

Try it and share your experience with friends.

Simple Way To Kill Mosquitoes

2011-01-10T13:38:00.005+08:00

Received a forwarded email talking about a new tip to kill mosquitoes. It seems the tip was given during a recent gardening forum.

All we have to do is to get a white dinner plate. Put some water on the plate and add a few drops of lemon dish wash.

Set the dish on our porch, patio, picnic table, park bench, or other outdoor area.

Apparently, the mosquitoes will flock to it, and then drop dead shortly after drinking the lemon dish wash mixture, usually within about 10 feet of the plate.

Let try to find out. If it works, do share with others.

Live to be 80 ??

2010-02-21T14:06:00.003+08:00

Like to share the forwarded JOKE with you guys, especially the Senior Citizens.

I recently turned 65 and had to choose a new primary care physician
for my Medicare program.

After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, he said I was doing "fairly
well" for my age.

A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him,
"Do you think I will live to be 80?"

He asked: Do you smoke tobacco or drink alcoholic beverages?"

Oh no," I replied. "I don't do drugs, either."

"Do you have many friends and entertain frequently?"

"I said, "No, I usually stay home and keep to myself".

"Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?"

I said, "No, my other doctor said that all red meat is unhealthy!"

"Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing,
hiking, or bicycling?"

"No, I don't," I said.

"Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?"

"No," I said. "I don't do any of those things."

He looked at me and said, "Then why would you want to live to 80?

SOMETHING2SHARE :

You may take it as a JOKE.

Live your life without too worrying of "cannot do this, cannot do that, cannot eat this, cannot eat that, etc".

It's no harm of "doing a bit of this, doing a bit of that, eating a bit of this and eating a bit of that, etc."

Eat less, walk more.

Give more, take less.

Keep fit and stay healthy.

Be lucky go easy type like Bob Hope and you can live to be over 80.
(Bob Hope died at age 100!)

From Tension to Medication?

2010-01-04T18:47:00.006+08:00

Saw this at Yap's Clinic while waiting to be called into Dr. Yap's room for consultation. Went to see the doctor for medication but not because of Tension.

Perhaps you have read this before, but have you really been thinking about it?

The Moment you are in Tension
You will lose your Attention
Then you are in total Confusion
And you will feel Irritation
Then you will spoil personal Relation
Ultimately, you won't get Co - Operation
Then you will turn things into Complication
Then your blood pressure may raise Caution
And you may have to take Medication

Instead, understand the Situation
And try to think about the Solution
Many problems will be solved by Discussion
This will work out better in your Profession
Don't think it's my free Suggestion
It's only for your Prevention
If you understand my Intention
You will never come again to Tension

Something2Share:

If you cannot get along with others as you tend to be more emotional upset, do not expect others to work hand in hand with you.

Are you just pointing fingers to others and putting blame on them whereas by right you should be accountable though you are not directly responsible? Are you really confused of Responsibility with Accountability?

As a "Leader", are you not supposed to earn the respect from others rather than to demand from them?

Have you not learned to solve your problems at site? Yes, go to the site to understand the situation, have a discussion, surely there is always a solution to every problem.

If you learn to control your emotion, keep calm and play it cool, then you are able to release your tension. That's stress management! Do you think you still need medication because of tnesion?

Think about it, my firends.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

2009-12-31T17:50:00.004+08:00

Wishing you a New Year filled with good health, new hope and new beginnings!

May year 2010 open up for you more opportunities, lead you onto the path of continued success, happiness and prosperity!

May this year be filled with happiness,
that your days be filled with joy,
that your hearts may be full of peace
and your lives full of love.

May your families and you be blessed this 2010.

Something2Share: BENEFITS OF EATING LADY'S FINGER (OKRA)

2009-09-17T06:54:00.000+08:00

Something2Share: BENEFITS OF EATING LADY'S FINGER (OKRA)

Buah Tampoi, Exotic Wild Jungle Fruit.

2009-08-01T18:56:00.006+08:00

Yesterday on my way back from Muadzam Shah, Pahang, I saw this orang Asli man selling petai and this exotic wild fruit, buah tampoi, at the roadside. He was selling the jungle fruits at RM5.00/bundle. I have never tasted it before. He gave me one fruit to eat trying its taste . It was easy to open and unlike mangosteen, there was no juice coming out from the skin when squeezed to open. Its flesh was transparent white and tasted a bit sweet and little sour. I don't know how true it is, but he told me that the wild tampoi trees in the jungle only bear fruits in 5-7 years! So I decided to buy a bundle. I also bought 2 bundle of petai and 3 piece chempedak from him. The petai was sold at RM3.00/bundle and I paid RM5.00 for the cempedak. It was, indeed, a fruitful day for me!

Later my son-in-law from Kuching, Joshua Goh, told me that buah tampoi (Baccaurea spp.) had been planted commercially in Sarawak in recent years. Its flesh of the variety there is transparent yellow in colour.

The main causes of liver damage

2009-07-22T08:31:00.002+08:00

This message has been circulated in the internet for quite some time. If you are health conscious, read on and you may have to change your eating habits and adopt a good daily lifestyle. Do not over-burden your liver! Take good care of it. Stay healthy, my friends.

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4.. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

Something2Share:

Planters used to sleep early in order to wake up early for conducting “Muster Call” so that plantation workers are sent to the fields in early morning, A good habit is to drink a glass of warm water after wake up and surely after that will have to urinate in the morning. I think no planters ever skip breakfast for they need to eat like a king in the morning to have more energy walking in the fields.

Beside olive oil, planters should support and consume Carotino (red palm oil), a healthy cooking oil. Although it appears red in colour, but after cooking, it’s golden in colour. Oil palm is a golden crop afterall !

Healthy Foods for a Healthy Body !

2009-07-11T09:26:00.008+08:00

The following healthy foods have been recommended for a healthy body.

Just want to share with you hoping that you will also have something to share.

BROCCOLI – CANCER

Close-up, the tiny green tips on a broccoli head look like hundreds of cancer cells. Now scientists know this disease-busting veg can play a crucial role in preventing the disease. Last year, a team of researchers at the US National Cancer Institute found just a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 per cent. In Britain, prostate cancer kills one man every hour.

MUSHROOM – EAR

Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles the shape of the human ear.And guess what?Adding it to your cooking could actually improve your hearing. That’s because mushrooms are one of the few foods in our diet that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.

GINGER – STOMACH

Root ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets, often looks just like the stomach. So it’s interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness. But the benefits could go much further.Tests on mice at the University of Minnesota found injecting the chemical that gives ginger its flavour slowed down the growth rate of bowel tumours.

BANANA (SMILE) – DEPRESSION

Cheer yourself up and put a smile on your face by eating a banana. The popular fruit contains a protein called tryptophan. Once it has been digested, tryptophan then gets converted in a chemical neurotransmitter called serotonin. This is one of the most important mood-regulating chemicals in the brain and most anti-depressant drugs work by adjusting levels of serotonin production. Higher levels are associated with better moods.

CHEESE – BONES

A nice ‘holey’ cheese, like Emmenthal, is not just good for your bones, it even resembles their internal structure. And like most cheeses, it is a rich source of calcium, a vital ingredient for strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Together with another mineral called phosphate, it provides the main strength in bones but also helps to ‘power’ muscles. Getting enough calcium in the diet during childhood is crucial for strong bones. A study at Columbia University in New York showed teens who increased calcium intake from 800mg a day to 1200mg – equal to an extra two slices of cheddar - boosted their bone density by six per cent.

BEANSPROUTS – SPERM

The stir-fry favourite bears an uncanny resemblance to the images we see of ‘swimming’ sperm trying to fertilise an egg. And research from the US suggests they could play an important part in boosting male fertility. A study at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio showed that to make healthy sperm in large quantities, the body needs a good supply of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells against damage by harmful molecules called free radicals. Just half a cup of bean sprouts provides 16 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C for a man. It’s not just dad but baby too who could benefit. Bean sprouts are packed with folate, a vitamin that prevents neural tube defects, where the baby is born with a damaged brain or spine.

GRAPES – LUNGS

OUR lungs are made up of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny bunches of tissue called alveoli. These structures, which resemble bunches of grapes, allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. One reason that very premature babies struggle to survive is that these alveoli do not begin to form until week 23 or 24 of pregnancy. A diet high in fresh fruit, such as grapes, has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appears to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy.

TOMATO – HEART

A TOMATO is red and usually has four chambers, just like our heart. Tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene, a plant chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease and several cancers. The Women’s Health Study — an American research programme which tracks the health of 40,000 women — found women with the highest blood levels of lycopene had 30 per cent less heart disease than women who had very little lycopene. Lab experiments have also shown that lycopene helps counter the effect of unhealthy LDL cholesterol. One Canadian study, published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine, said there was “convincing evidence’ that lycopene prevented coronary heart disease.

WALNUT – BRAIN

THE gnarled folds of a walnut mimic the appearance of a human brain - and provide a clue to the benefits. Walnuts are the only nuts which contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. They may also help head off dementia. An American study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found walnuts reversed some signs of brain ageing in rats.

Buah Kedondong

2009-07-10T08:52:00.003+08:00

Kedondong or kedongdong, one of tropical fruits, is a kind of greenish yellow, fibrous, sour, plum like fruit also known as Hog plum but also called as Tahitian apple. It’s scientific name is Spondias dulcis. In Sinhalese it is called Ambarella, and it is simplified and commonly called as Ampula or Ambra in Panang. In Sabah, it is of course also known as Kedondong.

Interestingly, Kedondong belongs to the same family as the mangoes. Apparently, it was introduced from the Pacific Island to Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. It is fairly common but grown mainly as individual tree in the rural areas. It grows mainly to a height of 10-20 meters, and fruits all the year round. The flowers are tiny and greenish white in colour, grouped together as a panicle.

The fruits are bright green, on ripening turning yellowish with a lot of grayish brown freckles. Each fruits is about 7.5-10 cm long by 2.5-3.7 cm wide. It is eaten as and a fresh fruit or pickled. The flesh is white and crunchy when immature, becomes fibrous on ripening.

Kedondong has a single seed and contents of lots of fiber with many stiff filaments . The fruit can be eaten raw; the flesh is crunchy and a little sour.

In Indonesia and Malaysia, the fruit is cut into few piece and often eaten with sticky black prawn paste or “hay-ko” in Hokkien. It is also used as an ingredient in rojak (mixed fruits with sweet and hot sauce) and it is sometimes eaten cooked. It may also be juiced, and goes then under the popular name “Ampula” juice in Malaysia, particularly in Penang and the northern states. Penang is famous for its pickled nutmeg, mangoes, guava and papaya pickles. Kedondong is also equally delicious as pickles.

“

EATING BY YOUR BLOOD TYPE

2009-07-01T09:00:00.005+08:00

Introduced by Peter D'Adamo, the Blood Type Diet is based on the assumption that everyone is an individual. And who are we to argue? Logically, just because we share the same row and column in the BMI chart, it shouldn't define the way our dietary habits are. The Blood Type Diet makes interesting claims that people fare better (which includes weight management) when their diet is tailored to their specific blood type.

TYPE A: Individuals who fall under the Type A blood group should basically stick to fruits and vegetable. Their blood types is generally thicker than other blood types, and possess a sensitive immune system. These individuals should not consume (or should reduce intake) dairy products, animal fats and meats. They are also at a heightened risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

TYPE B: Type B blood groupers should consumer a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy and meat. However, they should try to refrain from chicken, and increase intake of red meat such as duck and beef. Unlike the other blood types, Type B individuals have the best chance of bypassing or overcoming everyday types of diseases, as well as heart disease and cancer.

TYPE AB: For Type AB individuals, intake of a mostly vegetarian diet is recommended. And only on rare occasions should they indulge in some fish, meat (not chicken) and dairy.

TYPE O: Those that fall under the Type O blood type should basically stick to a high protein diet, low carbs, as well as a balanced intake of fruits and vegetables. However, food foes for Type Os include most grain food such as corn and wheat germ. They should also try to avoid dairy products. Type O types are commonly affected with hypothyroidism, high stomach acid (leading to ulcers), and thinner blood with greater resistance to blood clotting.

Something2sgare:

Useful information. No harm in trying. Eat right to stay healthy.

I am of Type B blood group. So now I know chicken is no good for me.

I and Nara used to stop by Skudai to eat our lunch with duck meat almost every Saturdays after office hour on our way back to Segamat many years ago. I was then with JCC in JB.

Beef noodle is also my favourite. Never missed beef rendang and beef curry whenever having meal in a hotel cafe.

Cheese is also my favourite but not butter and milk. Now I may have to drink more milk. I like fruits and vegetables too. Will stick to more balanced diet as suggested.

How about you, my friends?

The Holy Alphabet

2009-05-28T20:11:00.003+08:00

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known!
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God! most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory....where none are ever sad!

"I am too blessed to be stressed!"

The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.

Something2Share:

God is GREAT! All the times!

Read 'The Holy Alphabet' over and over again, for everyday is a blessing from God.

10 Foods You Don't Have to Buy Organic

2009-05-25T19:59:00.004+08:00

These Fruits and Vegetables Don't Hold on to So Many Pesticides, So You Can Save Your Organic Dollars for the Ones That Do.

Asparagus

Asparagus face fewer threats from pests such as insects or disease, so fewer pesticides need to be used.

Choose: Look for firm spears with bright green or purplish compact tips. Plan on a 1/2 pound per person, and for more uniform cooking, select spears of a similar thickness. Store in the refrigerator vegetable crisper and give them a good rinse before using (even if you're going to boil them).

Avocados

Avocados have thick skins that protect the fruit from pesticide build-up.

Choose: Look for avocados that are still somewhat unripe and firm to the squeeze; they'll ripen nicely on your kitchen counter in a couple of days. Store at room temperature. Although you'll be using only the meat of the avocado, it's always a good idea to rinse them before you slice them open.

Bananas

Pesticide residue remains on the banana peel, which isn't eaten.

Choose: There are basically 3 stages to a ripening banana. You'll want to choose them according to how you're going to use them. Chosen green, where the peel is pale yellow and the tips are green, their taste will be somewhat tart. These work best for frying or baking in a pie. Chosen at their next stage of ripeness, where the peel is mostly all yellow, the pulp will still be firm but their starch content will have started to turn to sugar. These also work well in pies and tarts. In the last stage of ripeness, the skins will show signs of brown spots with the peel a deeper yellow color. This is when they're sweetest and work well mashed and added to baked goods like banana bread recipes. Store at room temperature. If they're unripe, you can place them in a brown paper bag to ripen. Give the bananas a quick rinse and dry before you peel them.

Broccoli

Conventional broccoli doesn't retain so many pesticides because the crop faces fewer pest threats, which means less spraying.

Choose: Look for tightly bunched flower buds on the broccoli stalks that are immature. In other words, try not to buy them if their little yellow flowers have opened. Color-wise, the broccoli should be deep green and the stalks should be firm and not rubbery. Before use, wash in a cool water bath and change the water a couple of times in the process. Store in the refrigerator crisper.

Cabbage

Cabbage doesn't hold on to so many pesticides because a ton of spraying isn't required to grow it.

Choose: Look for cabbage heads whose leaves are tight and be sure the head is heavy for its type, and firm. For most cabbage varieties, you'll want to make sure the outer leaves are shiny and crisp. Savoy is the exception to this rule, as it forms a looser head and the leaves grow crinkly naturally. You'll want to avoid any with leaves that show signs of yellowing. Bok choy should have deep green leaves with their stems a crisp-looking white. Discard the outer leaves of a cabbage before using. You can wash and spin most cabbage leaves just like you do salad greens. Store in the refrigerator crisper.

Kiwi Fruit

Kiwi peel provides a barrier from pesticides. Give them a rinse before cutting.

Choose: Here's where your nose plays an important part when choosing fresh fruit. Sniff out kiwis that smell good. They should be plump and yield to a squeeze like that of a ripe pear. Steer clear from those with moist areas on their surface or any skin bruising. If unripe kiwi are all that are available, simply take them home and place them in a paper bag at room temperature with other fruits that need more time, such as bananas or pears. Store in the refrigerator crisper.

Mango

Sweet mango flesh is protected by its thick skin from pesticides. Still, you'll want to rinse under water before cutting open.

Choose: Depending on the variety of melon, look for those that are bright in color such as red, yellow, or orange. It should have a distinctive "fruity" smell. If there's no ripe-fruit aroma, steer clear. Mangoes should be slightly firm but yield to your touch somewhat -- the softer the mango, usually the sweeter it is. If the mango is too soft, there's a good chance that it will be rotten inside. Store in the refrigerator crisper.

Onions

Onions don't see as many pest threats, which means less pesticide spraying.

Choose: Look for onions that are firm, have a distinctive "oniony" smell that's not overpowering, and show no visible signs of damage or soft spots. Store in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator.

Papaya

Pesticide residue stays on papaya skin, but be sure to give them a wash before slicing open.

Choose: Papaya colors usually range between yellow and green. Look for those that are slightly soft and show no signs of bruising or appear shriveled. If they're not fully ripened, you can toss them in the brown bag along with your unripened kiwi fruit, peaches, and pears. Once they're ripened, store in the refrigerator crisper.

Pineapples

You won't be eating the tough pineapple skin, which protects the fruit from pesticide residue. As with all your produce, you should rinse the pineapple before cutting.

Choose: Although tempting, this is one fruit that you won't want to choose if it has a strong, sweet smell. This usually means that the pineapple is overripe and has even begun to ferment. Like all other fruits, avoid any that have soft spots, and in the case of pineapples, damage to the rind. Store in the refrigerator crisper.

Something2Share:

I reckon these are favourite fruits and vegies for most of us if not all and we eat them very often if not everyday. With the information given, why spend more buying the organic ones?

Tips to ward off dementia (cognitive and intellectual deterioration)

2009-05-07T15:52:00.003+08:00

Implementation of some of these ideas may help!

To help ward off dementia, train your brain. Timing is everything, comedians say.

It's also important when it comes to taking care of your brain. Yet most of us start worrying about dementia after retirement - and that may be too little, too late.

Experts say that if you really want to ward off dementia, you need to start taking care of your brain in your 30s and 40s - or even earlier.

"More and more research is suggesting that lifestyle is very important to your brain's health," says Dr. Paul Nussbaum, a neuropsychologist and an adjunct associate professor at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. "If you want to live a long, healthy life, then many of us need to start as early as we can."

So what can you do to beef up your brain - and possibly ward off dementia? Nussbaum, who recently gave a speech on the topic for the Winter Park (Fla.) Health Foundation, offers 20 tips that may help.

1. Join clubs or organizations that need volunteers. If you start volunteering now, you won't feel lost and unneeded after you retire.

2. Develop a hobby or two. Hobbies help you develop a robust brain because you're trying something new and complex.

3. Practice writing with your nondominant hand several minutes every day.
This will exercise the opposite side of your brain and fire up those neurons.

4. Take dance lessons. In a study of nearly 500 people, dancing was the only regular physical activity associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The people who danced three or four times a week showed 76 percent less incidence of dementia than those who danced only once a week or not at all.

5. Need a hobby? Start gardening. Researchers in New Zealand found that, of 1,000 people, those who gardened regularly were less likely to suffer from dementia. Not only does gardening reduce stress, but gardeners use their brains to plan gardens; they use visual and spatial reasoning to lay out a garden.

6. Buy a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day. Walking daily can reduce the risk of dementia because cardiovascular health is important to maintain blood flow to the brain.

7. Read and write daily. Reading stimulates a wide variety of brain areas that process and store information. Likewise, writing (not copying) stimulates many areas of the brain as well.

8. Start knitting. Using both hands works both sides of your brain. And it's a stress reducer...

9. Learn a new language. Whether it's a foreign language or sign language, you are working your brain by making it go back and forth between one language and the other. A researcher in England found that being bilingual seemed to delay symptoms of Alzheimer's disease for four years. (And some research suggests that the earlier a child learns sign language, the higher his IQ - and people with high IQs are less likely to have dementia. So start them early.)

10. Play board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly. Not only are you taxing your brain, you're socializing too. (Playing solo games, such as solitaire or online computer brain games can be helpful, but Nussbaum prefers games that encourage you to socialize too.)

11. Take classes throughout your lifetime. Learning produces structural and chemical changes in the brain, and education appears to help people live longer. Brain researchers have found that people with advanced degrees live longer - and if they do have Alzheimer's it often becomes apparent only in the very later stages of the disease.

12. Listen to classical music. A growing volume of research suggests that music may hard wire the brain, building links between the two hemispheres. Any kind of music may work, but there's some research that shows positive effects for classical music, though researchers don't understand why.

13 Learn a musical instrument. It may be harder than it was when you were a kid, but you'll be developing a dormant part of your brain.

14. Travel. When you travel (whether it's to a distant vacation spot or on a different route across town), you're forcing your brain to navigate a new and complex environment. A study of London taxi drivers found experienced drivers had larger brains because they have to store lots of information about locations and how to navigate there.

15. Pray. Daily prayer appears to help your immune system. And people
who attend a formal worship service regularly live longer and report happier, healthier lives.

16. Learn to meditate. It's important for your brain that you learn to shut out the stresses of everyday life.

17. Get enough sleep. Studies have shown a link between interrupted sleep and dementia.

18. Eat more foods containing omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon, sardines, tuna, ocean trout, mackerel or herring, plus walnuts (which are higher in omega 3s than salmon) and flaxseed. Flaxseed oil, cod liver oil and walnut oil are good sources too...

19. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables mop up some of the damage caused by free radicals, one of the leading killers of brain cells.

20. Eat at least one meal a day with family and friends. You’ll slow down, socialize, and research shows you'll eat healthier food than if you ate alone or on the go.

Something2share:

The tips are useful and many of them have been known to us for years. Question is how many of them are we practising daily to train our brains and ward off dementia? As for me, just 8 out of 20. What about you, my friends? It's still not too late to implement more of these ideas. Don't you agree?

Beating The A (H1N1) Flu

2009-05-06T07:39:00.004+08:00

Adapted from Beating The Flu: The Natural Prescription for Surviving Pandemic Influenza and Bird Flu, by J.E. Williams, O.M.D. (Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc., 2006).

Feed a fever, starve a cold. Or is it the other way around? Maybe both! Foods not only nourish and sustain our bodies, but are also rich in compounds that prevent disease and fight infection. This list of common kitchen herbs used to spice up foods are an excellent and all-natural way to treat common ailments, and they also have flu-fighting properties.

Try one of these spices and feel better soon!

Anise: Aids in digestion and helps stop coughing.

Basil: Helps clear head congestion during a cold.

Cardamom: Helps digestion of dairy products and soothes the stomach to treat indigestion.

Cilantro: Helps prevent food poisoning and removes mercury from the body. Cilantro is the name of the young green leaves of the coriander plant.

Fennel: Controls bad breath and, when chewed after spicy meals, masks the odor of garlic and onions.

Oregano: A favorite in Mediterranean cooking, oregano has powerful infection-fighting properties.

Peppermint: Stops intestinal gas, calms indigestion, controls nausea, and sweetens the breath.
Parsley: Promotes urinary flow and provides antioxidants.

Rosemary: A powerful antioxidant, rosemary also had microbe-fighting properties, and it helps calms nerves.

Sage: Treats the congestion and stuffiness associated with colds, clears headaches, and kills parasites, bacteria, and yeasts. Sage oil may improve memory.

Thyme: Well known as a natural antibiotic, it kills parasites and yeast. It can also soothe the chest and halt coughing.

Turmeric: The main ingredient in curry, turmeric adds zest and color to foods. It’s cancer fighting and lowers unfavorable bacteria in the gut that cause gas and bloating. It has anti-inflammatory properties.

Something2share:

A write up in a local Chinese newspaper suggested drinking a glass of honey plus 5 drops of Propolis in the morning able to strengthen our immune system to fight against A (H1N1) Flu. Why not give it a try?

Soursop, the exotic fruit

2009-05-03T19:37:00.006+08:00

I begin to like soursop juice when I was introduced to Juiz Sirsak in Jambi, Indonesia, when I was there as an expatriate planter from 2004 -2007. Then I was transferred to Medan in 2008. To me the soursop juice tasted good the 1st time I drank it pure without ice. Of course, my Indonesian friends prefer to drink it with sugar with ice.

Then I started buying the fruit every now and then from the supermarket and blending my own soursop juice. I could not finish all and I kept the balance in the refrigerator. I also liked to eat it raw. Soursop fruit is heart-shaped with a rough green skin with soft fleshy spines. When it is eaten fresh it has a creamy, sweet flavor similar to that of durian and its relative, the custard apple. Wow! The flesh, separated into segments containing 50 - 100 indigestible black seeds, is very juicy and slightly acid, and produces a rich creamy juice which is very refreshing. The seeds are quite a nuisance when trying to separate them from the flesh.

In Indonesia, soursop is called 'Sirsak' which is derived from the Dutch 'zuur zak' meaning sour sack. Soursop is also common ingredient for making fresh fruit juices that are sold at most of street food vendors and restaurants or Rumah Makan. Then I remember back home in Malaysia soursop is known as ‘Ang Mo Liulian’ in Hokkien and ‘Durian Belanda’ in Malay. But in the past, somehow we seldom like to eat soursop fruit; or rather it is being ignored and disliked by most of us. In Thailand, it is called ‘Thu-rian-khaek’ and in Philippines, it is called ‘Guayabano’ in Tagalog.

It seems that now soursop juice is a popular beverage throughout Southeast Asia and is available canned or bottled. Throughout much of Central and South America, soursop is processed into excellent ice creams, sherbets and beverages. In these countries, sweet varieties of the fruit are often eaten raw, and used for dessert.

Now you know that soursop is a very exotic fruit, I bet you will like to taste it. Nutritionally, the fruit is high in carbohydrates, particularly fructose. The fruit also contains significant amounts of vitamins C, B1, and B2. Accordingly, the fruit, seeds, and leaves have a number of herbal medicinal uses among indigenous peoples of regions where the plant is common.

PETAI, THE STINK BEANS

2009-04-18T08:22:00.004+08:00

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. Understand that bananas contain lot of potassium too so eat more banana. Just look at those monkeys, they are really active, alert, smart and cunny too!!

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:
Studies at the 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.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) :
Petai can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking:
Petai can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high - potassium petai snack.

Strokes:
According to research in 'The New England Journal of Medicine, ' eating petai as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%'.

Warts:
Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of petai and place it on the wart. Carefully hold the petai in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, as you can see, petai really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So may be its time to change that well - known phrase so that we say, 'A Petai a day keeps the doctor away'.

Something2Share:

I like to eat petai beans, whether raw, or the "sampal petai", although it gives a pungent smell during urination. It contains certain amino acids that give a strong smell to one's urine, an effect that can be noticed up to two days after consumption. Once you acquire the taste, you begin to like it. That's why petai is so popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, southern Thailand, Burma and even northeastern India.

It seems that petai is also good for diabetes patients.

SANDAKAN: UNFORGETTABLE "LITTLE HONG KONG"

2009-03-13T12:33:00.007+08:00

I like Sandakan after my transfer to Morisem Estate in December 1988. The out-going Manager, Saw See Hong, picked me up from Sandakan airport on 8 December 1988. That was my first trip to Sabah, the Land Below The Wind, in East Malaysia. I was surprised when I was told that Sandakan was once nick-named “Little Hong Kong”. The common Chinese dialect in this town is Hakka and not Cantonese and it seems that over 98% of the Chinese Malaysians in Sabah speak Hakka dialect. Later, my Sandakan friends explained to me that many of the earlier Chinese settlers actually came to Sandakan from Guangdong Province via Hong Kong. Anyway, I felt at home in Sandakan and it was easy for me to make new friends since I am also a Hakka. My late father came from Da Bu in Guangdong Province and settled down in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, West Malaysia.

To get into Morisem Estate, we had to travel to Sukau, a small village by the bank of Kinabatangan River. Then we had to cross the river on a barge towed by the company’s tugboat, powered by a 200HP Yanmar engine. We called it "Morisem Ferry". In the late 1980s, the road conditions from Sandakan to Sukau after the Mile 32 Check Point used to be very bad after rains, being muddy, soggy and very slippery for vehicles to travel even after engaging the 4WD (four wheels drive). Most stretches along the main trunk road were not tarred but only surfaced with round river pebbles. That’s why we preferred to stay back in the estate most weekends during the monsoon seasons.

Travelling along the Kinabatangan River on "Morisem Ferry" particularly in the very late afternoons was always full of anticipation and eagerness as well as excitement when we were lucky to see the long- nosed Proboscis monkeys on trees of the mangroves near the river banks. With a big dangling bulbous nose and its pot-belly and sitting on a branch with its long tail (about the same length as its body) hanging down, from far it was previously mistaken as a “Dutchman”, thus it was called ‘monyet Blenda’ in Bahasa Indonesia/Malaysia. Nevertheless, the official Indonesian name for “Dutch monkey” is Bakantan.

It was David Soo who took me to Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary located at the center of the mangrove forest along the coastal land near Kampong Samawang within an oil palm estate to have a close watch of the Proboscis monkeys swinging and leaping from tree to tree during the feeding time. I was in Sandakan to visit his workshop installing HIAB crane to farm tractor. My 2nd trip to the sanctuary was accompanied by Mr. Lee Min Khin when we travelled to Sandakan one early Sunday morning after completed my visit to the plantation he managed.

We were so amazed when one local staff told us that there were at least 3 groups of Proboscis monkeys in the sanctuary. “That’s Romeo,” he pointed to a big adult male accompanied by a bunch of females and the young ones having small upturned noses. “Caesar’s there,” he showed us another adult male among other group of females and juveniles. Then he told us that the latecomers were all males forming the bachelor group before acquiring their own harems. He carried on telling us that a ‘challenger’ would emerge from the bachelors to fight the adult male. If it lost the fight, it would go back to the bachelor group but if it won the fight, it would replace the loser as ‘alpha male’. The poor loser had to leave to somewhere secluded and isolate itself and would never show up again.

One day Simon, our trainee Assistant in Morisem Estate, found a strayed young orangutan in his division at the jungle edge boundary. After nourishing it for few days, I told him to surrender it to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre located within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, about 25 kilometers west of Sandakan. When my family visited me during the school holidays in 1990, I brought them to the orangutan sanctuary in Sepilok. My wife and my young children were overjoyed with lot of laughter seeing the playful orangutans swing in from the jungle trees on to the feed platform during the feeding time. In this rehabilitation centre the young orangutans, mainly orphaned, are raised and trained for survival in the wild environment and will be eventually released back to the jungle when ready. It has become one of Sabah's top tourist attractions.

There was on occasion I saw an elephant crossing the logging track in front of us. At that time I was travelling in the vehicle of another planter, Chin Teng Nam. He quickly stopped his vehicle and turned off the engine. Since it was still quite a distance away, he did not want the running engine sound to disturb it or draw its attention. The big mammal flapping its ears and swiveling its trunk from side to side, turned its head towards the direction of the vehicle, hesitated for awhile, then walked slowly across the road into the jungle. However, I had never seen the elephants swimming across the Kinabatangan River, as told to us by Orang Sungai friends in Sukau. Nevertheless, there was a newspaper write up in Daily Express published on January 26, 2006, “Due to barriers formed by large rivers, large water channels, oil palm plantations and villages, the forests downstream of the Sandakan-Lahad Datu highway are divided into 15 fragmented patches. Borneo Pygmy elephants can only move between these patches by swimming across rivers, and walking through plantations and villages.” As a matter of interest to all, I have downloaded a photo of the ‘swimming elephants’ from the internet.

Not far from Sukau are the Gomantong Caves famous for bird’s nests. There are two caves, the Black Cave known as Simud Hitam Cave producing black bird’s nests and the White Cave known as Simud Puteh Cave producing the more valuable white bird’s nests. Besides swiftlets, bats are also among the resident creatures of the caves. Other birds such as serpent eagles, bat hawks and kingfishers can be seen outside the caves. One day I and Wong Tan Ho, our provision shop operator in Morisem Estate, went to have a look inside the Black Cave accompanied by our Sukau police chief. As we stepped into the cave, it was dark and smelly inside, and the entire floor of the cave was covered with guano of 3 – 4 meters deep. What amazed us was the erected long rattan ladders with poles and hanging ropes to collect the bird’s nests built by swiftlets right on top of the cave. We could imagine that the licensed harvesters of bird’s nests were highly skilled climbers and well rewarded for their hard earned take home pay.

Traditionally, Sandakan’s economy was heavily dependent on export of tropical timber. However, the once dominant timber industry is currently relatively small with increasing depletion of the natural forests and ecological efforts to save remaining natural rainforest areas. I used to see tugboats towing hundreds of timber logs tied to one and other floating above the water surface and also tugboats towing huge stockpile of timber logs on large barges along the Kinabatangan River going downstream towards the direction to Sandakan port.

Apparently Sandakan has become the top palm oil producer in Sabah and I am proud that I was one of the many planters working in the Kinabatangan areas in the late 80s. I also went back as a Planting Controller for plantation visits every now and then in 1995/2003. Over the years the well developed oil palm plantations and the palm oil mills belonged to IOI, IJM, PPB, and others big plantation companies have played the important role in bringing good revenues and enormous development to Sandakan. Those days the road condition was very bad and used to become soggy, wet and very slippery during the rainy seasons. Due to the frequent of vehicles bogged down on soft muddy road, the lorries carrying FFB (Fresh Fruit Bunches of oil palm) to palm oil mills left early in the mornings and returned to the plantations late in the evenings. That’s why we used to complain, “It’s not the distance that counts but the time of travelling that matters because of the very bad road condition.” I remember the road to Sukau was only surfaced with river pebbles and full of potholes and even sink holes here and there along the way. In those days CPO was also transported by specially fabricated barges along the Kinabatangan River.

I love the seafood in Sandakan and I remember there were so many eating places in this town. Most seafood restaurants were built on stilts and extend out to the sea. For seafood steamboat, we preferred Trig Hill Restaurant built on hill top, overlooking Sandakan town. We were able to have night view of Sandakan harbour and felt the cool air while eating the steamy seafood and drinking cold beer in the open air. To me, the best place to eat seafood Dim Sum（点心） was in Palm Garden, Hotel Sandakan. For breakfast, we could find many varieties of hawker’s foods in the old Fat Cat ‘makan’ shop located in Bandar Nam Tung, particularly the seafood noodles in preference of either, mee （麵），beehun （米粉） or hor fun （河粉）served with large tiger prawns, squid and shellfish. I also liked the Penang Char Kuey Teow （炒粿条）with fresh prawns. I even told the hawker why not change the name to Sandakan Char Kuey Teow? We also had buk kut teh（肉骨茶） in Bandar Nam Tung. There was one restaurant in Bandar Ramai Ramai specially cooked yellow wine chicken（黄酒鸡） for us on special request. The English Tea House (near the Rotary's Observation Pavilion) built on hill high above Sandakan should be the right place for afternoon tea, having time to relax and chatting with friends while looking over Sandakan town and the ocean.

My only regret was missing the chance to visit the Turtle Island, famously known as Pulau Siligan, to watch turtles lay eggs. I shall visit Sandakan again and this time will surely make a trip there.

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJEdjmIJ7yQ to watch and listen to this Sabah Hakka song. You'll like it.

SEGAMAT: HOMETOWN OF MY CHILDREN

2009-03-08T21:05:00.003+08:00

When I started my planter career in Pukin Estate, Keratong, Pahang on 18 July 1978, I and my wife decided to make Segamat our home base for our family. We rented a wooden house in Fong Jang Park, Jalan Buloh Kasap. My eldest daughter was then less than 2 years old. Our other 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, were born in Segamat in 1979, 1980, 1982 and 1984 respectively. To my children, Segamat is their hometown where they had grew up and received their primary and secondary education. There are also quite of number of planters and palm oil mill engineers who have settled down in Segamat and brought up their children here.

At one time, the timber industry was the main contributor of Segamat’s economy. The traffic was usually slowed down because of many timber trucks passing through the town to various nearby timber saw mills. However, the glamour faded in the 1980s as the timber business wrapped up. Nowadays, the traffic is slowed down by lorries transporting oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) to various palm oil mills and tankers carrying crude palm oil (CPO) to the oil refineries in Pasir Gudang. There are many oil palm and rubber estates belonged to big plantation companies within the District of Segamat and also in nearby Keratong, Pahang. Just to name a few, they are IOI (ex-Dunlop), Sime Darby (ex-Golden Hope & ex-Guthrie), KLK, Ajijaya (ex-Socfin), Felda, Risda, etc. Agricultural commodities have now become the main contributors to Segamat's economy. The plantation owners and smallholders were ‘laughing to the banks’ when the prices of oil palm and rubber skyrocketed to the peak before the global economy tsunami beginning in September 2008.

When I was transferred to Segamat Estate from Swee Lam Estate in July 1992, my wife agreed with me to move our family from our house in Taman Indah, Bukit Siput to the Manager’s Bungalow. We stayed there for only one and a half year until I was told to move again to Regent Estate in Gemencheh, Negeri Sembilan, in January 1994. I believe it was quite an experience to my children and full of sweet memories for them staying in the estate. Nevertheless, they did come to visit and stay with me in other estates during the school holidays.

The Rock Garden has been the main recreational park in Segamat. We used to bring our children there when they were kids and had many photos taken in the garden in the good old days. When I came out from the estate during weekends, I used to jog there many years ago but now I prefer to go for morning walk on the green, green grass of the golf course in Segamat Country Club since I returned from Indonesia not long ago.

There is a popular legend telling how Segamat got its name. In around 1511 Bendahara Tepok of Malacca and his troops were retreating to Johor to escape the Portuguese invasion. While stopping and resting by a river in the area, he took a sip of the crystal clear water from the river which meandered through Rantau Panjang, a settlement north of old Johor. "Segar amat (so refreshing)," he exclaimed. From then on the river was known as Sungai Segamat, and subsequently Segamat replaced Rantau Panjang as the new name of town. However, the river water is muddy nowadays due to frequent flooding and erosion of the river banks during rainy seasons.

The Segamat River flows within the District of Segamat and also flows through Segamat town center. There is a concrete bridge built some 100 years ago linking Bandar Atas, the old town of segamat and Bandar Seberang, the new town center located at the other side across Segamat River. Most of the supermarkets, shopping centers, banks, hotels and new housing estates are found in the new town across the bridge. In 2001, the construction of a second bridge funded by private developers was completed to reduce congestion at the main bridge and to ease the heavy traffic. There is also a railway bridge running parallel to the main bridge across Segamat River.

Segamat had experienced floods during the 1950s, 1984 but the worst shocking flood happened suddenly in December 2006, despite better town planning and irrigation by the authorities. At that time, I was still working as expatriate planter in Jambi, Indonesia, and my wife told me over the phone that our house in Taman Indah, Bukit Siput, was safe and spared by flood, so was the opposite Segamat Baru. We moved to Taman Indah in March 1983 after we bought the house there.

As reported, among the most badly affected areas are Taman Segar and Kampong Abdullah, the shop houses near the second bridge and the town areas across the main bridge. From what I had read, this was due to a sudden overflowing of the Segamat River at an unimaginable speed and unexpectedly, many places were flooded in just a couple of hours. Those affected Segamatians were left hopeless, unable to save their belongings, trapped in their houses and some even had to climb up to the house roof in order to be rescued. Most of the trapped flood victims suffered without tap water or electricity for days. All roads out of town were cut off and both route to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru were badly flooded too. Both concrete bridges were submerged by rising water.

There was talk among the Segamat folks that it might have been caused by improper release of water from the upstream Bekok Dam. Nevertheless, Typhoon Utor was blamed for causing massive floods in southern Peninsular Malaysia on 18 December 2006, bringing heavy rainfall of up to 350mm with 24 hours.

Because of its location, the only set back of Segamat town is quite far off from North-South Highway. To go to Johor Baru, we have to drive to Yong Peng, about an hour journey, to exit into the highway. Whereas going to Kuala Lumpur, we drive either to Tangkak, also about an hour journey, or to Simpang Ampat near Tamping, about 1 ½ hour journey, to get into the highway.

Segamat is well known for its delicious durians, such as D1, D2, D24, D101, XO, Golden Phoenix, Red Prawn, Mao Shan Wang etc besides the good types kampung durians. Segamat durians are so famous that many travellers from near and far especially the Singaporeans usually drop by Segamat during the fruiting seasons. No wonder the recent slogan used to attract tourists to Segamat is Nikmatkan Keenakan Raja Segala Buah - ‘Durian Segamat’ (Enjoy the Delicious King of All Fruits - ‘Segamat Durians’). During each fruiting season, there will be many durian stalls sprouting along the roadsides near the junction turning to Tun Razak Highway which links Segamat town to the southern part of Pahang right up to Kuantan.

For those frequent visitors to Segamat as well as the locals who prefer eating out not in the restaurants, they know where to find the local foods and delicacies such as CHONG YIK KEE wanton mee, NAN YANG coffee and toast with butter and kaya (coconut-egg jam), NAM KWANG fragrant iced barley drink, YEO’S bah kut teh (pork bone tea soup), KAMPUNG TENGAH Chinese roti canai & TONG YUEN dim sum, SELVAM BANANA LEAF nasi bryani & roti canai,SANTHA CURRY HOUSE thosai & poori, WARUNG KG JAWA soto mee & nasi tempe and WARUNG USOP KETONG mee rebus. There are also open air food courts such as HOLLAND VILLAGE,GREENLAND, HAPPYLAND and NEWTURN where the customers can choose and order their favourite hawker’s foods.

Well, Segamat is not a big town where one can get to places within 15 minutes even though there are quite a number of traffic lights put up at various junctions along the main trunk road. Once settled down here, it’s not easy for us to move out again. Unlike the youngsters, obviously we, the senior citizens, have adapted ourselves well in Segamat and feel comfortably to stay on to enjoy our retirement life here.

DIY Mosquito Trap (Dengue/Chikungunya /Malaria Prevention)

2009-03-03T10:46:00.006+08:00

This simple but ingenious method was devised by a class of clever kids at Yong-An elementary school in Taipei, Taiwan (with the help of their teacher, Hsu Jia-chang [徐佳璋]).

You can do it yourself (DIY) to make the mosquito trap as illustrated in the pictures. It’s so simple, with just a mix of water, brown sugar and yeast. Then you can start fighting/avoiding the spreading of Dengue fever, Chikungunya and Malaria diseases by mosquitoes at home.

Materials used :
A 2 litre empty plastic bottle (CocaCola/Pepsi/7Up or other brand).

50 g of coarse sugar (like rock sugar etc., not the fine granulated stuff.)

1 g yeast powder/ granules.

A thermometer, a measuring cup, a craft knife & black paper.

Step 1 :
Cut a 2 litre empty plastic bottle into 2 halves/portions.

Step 2 :
Dissolve 50g brown sugar in 200ml hot water. Let it cool down to ~40 degF.

Step 3 :
Pour the cold sugar water into the lower cut portion of the bottle. Add 1g yeast power to react gradually with the sugar. Carbon dioxide (CO2) will form (This will attract the mosquitos).

Step 4 :
Place the upper cut portion of the bottle upside down like a funnel into the lower portion of the bottle. Ensure it is tight fit so that CO2 produced will only be coming out of the hole.

Step 5 :
Wrap the whole bottle with black paper to make it dark inside. Place it in a dark, preferrably humid corner of a room in your house.

Tips :
After 2 weeks you will be surprised by the number of dead mosquitos in your trap. Replace the sugar water and yeast every 2 weeks.

Something2Share :

Give it a try and see how it goes. Then share your experiences with others.

KUALA LIPIS: MY HOMETOWN

2009-02-28T20:39:00.007+08:00

I love Kuala Lipis because it’s my hometown. This is where I grew up and full of many, many past and unforgettable sweet memories of my childhood and schooling days.

My late father’s shop was ‘Bakauwali Tailor’ (百嘉洋服), a very unique name suggested to him by his Malay and Indian friends. Loh Sow Hiang was a professional cutter and employed 6 -8 tailors in his shop. In 1986, he surrendered back the shop to the owner and together with my late mother, moved to Kuala Lumpur and stayed with my younger brother, Kong Fatt and family. At the time, I had settled my family in Segamat, Johor, since I was then working in Mekassar Estate in Keratong, Pahang. The shop was located on Main Street, No. 63, and since then it had been converted to ‘Low Kuan Restaurant’ operated by Peter Kuan, the son-in-law of the shop owner.

We used to refer Kuala Lipis as small K.L. and as time went by, many Lipisians had settled down in Kuala Lumpur, the big K.L. In our younger days, when we took a bus to Kuala Lumpur, the journey took more than three hours as the road from Raub to the Gap was very winding all the way up and then from the Gap winding all the way down to Kuala Kubu Bahru. I remember my late mother used to ask when she looked over the bus window,” How come there is a road down the hill slope?” The journey continued from there passing through Rawang town before reaching Kuala Lumpur. When my wife travelled the long winding journey for the first time, she vomited several times. Later on, we preferred to travel to K.L. via Bentong way after we owned a car. The journey was less winding than the Gap route.

Many of my friends in Segamat have never heard of hometown. When I told them I came from Kuala Lipis, they always mistook it as Kuala Pilah in Negeri Sembilan. Then I told them to look it up in the map, “Kuala Lipis is actually located right at the center in Peninsular Malaysia”. If you don’t believe me, please make a trip to Kuala Lipis and you will find the “0” milestone near the Post Office.

I also told them that “Kuala Lipis has the biggest ‘Round About’ in the country”. I and my old buddies, especially Tan Jing Ming, a retired headmaster still residing in Kuala Lipis, used to walk around from Main Street（大街）to Jelai Street（下街）and back to Main Street in circles mainly in the evenings on weekend and we ended up at ‘Charlie’s stall’ along the Cross Street (横街) for drinks.

Kuala Lipis, situated at the confluence of two rivers, namely Lipis River and Jelai River, was the former capital of Pahang for 57 years from 1898 until 27th August 1955, when Kuantan was picked as the new capital. The visitors can still find some grand colonial buildings, such as the imposing District Offices and the Clifford School, the Pahang Club and the British Residency house on top of a hill, now the Kuala Lipis Rest House.

As young boys, we used to take bath in Jelai River, where we learned how to swim the river-type freestyle swimming by turning our heads left and right above the water. Along the river bank of Jelai River, there were many floating houses built on bamboo raft or “rumah rakit”, once the famous landmark of Kuala Lipis. I was told that these “rakit” houses along the river bank had been washed away during the great flood in 2000 and since then had been relocated quite a distance downstream.

In 1953 I started my primary education in Chung Hwa Chinese School (立卑中华小学) located in Batu Kurap, and in June 1955 we moved to the new school building on a hill top when I was in Standard Four. Those days I used to walk more than a mile to school and carried along the text books, exercise books, pencils and ruler etc in a rattan busket as ‘school bag’. Of course, I did not walk alone. Liew Chow Kong who stayed at next door was my usual walking partner. At times we would pop into a bus for a ride so that we would not be late to school. Nonetheless, we would rather save the money, about 10 cents per trip, for a bowl of ‘Ah Chong Ko Men’ (阿章哥麵), the Hakka Mee.

When I joined the Romoved Class in Clifford Secondary School in 1959, my father bought me a bicycle and from then onwards I cycled to school together with other schoolmates. At that time, my English was not good, so was my Malay. My dad had to send me for tuition classes to catch up. My Malay tuitor was Encik Solong, the captain of ‘Balai Bomba’, and he treated me as one of his children. He even taught me how to read some basic Jawi. I completed my Senior Cambridge (Form 5) in 1964. In those days, students of all races (Malays, Chinese and Indians) mixed well in classes and played well in extra curriculum activities. I still kept a photo taken in the studio with my classmates, Nazri Yahya and Muthusamy. I remember Nazri became a teacher and Muthusamy worked in Police Station. Unfortunately, we had lost contact with each other.

When we were young kids, going to old ‘Paradise Theater” to watch cinema movies was a big event for us. It was initially located in Jelai Street and later it was shifted to its new building just outside the town before crossing the railway line, opposite the old ‘Home Guard House’.

Unlike the kids today playing computer games, our childhood games were playing marbles, throwing a tennis ball to knock down a standing brick from a distance, jumping on blocks drawn on cement floor, catching ‘fighting’ spiders usually kept inside a match box, catching ‘fighting’ fishes in small streams, catching grasshoppers to feed the black and white bird known as ‘Oriental magpie Robin’ kept in cage, so on and so forth.

The last trip I went back to my hometown was in 2003 when I was visiting plantations in Sri Jaya. Taking the opportunity, I left early on a Sunday morning with two estate managers, Khoo Wan Hoo and Tan Guang Hui, taking a short cut route to Jerantut from the back exit of the plantation. Then we took the new road to Kuala Lipis via Mela. Once in the town, I met up and shaked hand with so many old faces including old friends of my late father. After all, Kuala Lipis was a small town and somehow everybody knew each other though might not be well acquainted. On the way back we followed Ng Swee Pen to his plantation, Budu Estate, and later we had durians in Benta before we returned to Sri Jaya via Jerantut.

Perhaps I will be able to write more tales of Kuala Lipis when I make a trip back in near future.

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6MW_C9ldis & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id_95xprGIk & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAYBHzj3hnE to watch and listen to Paul Anka singing 'MY HOMETOWN' in YouTube.

I HOPE YOU SING: IT'S NOW OR NEVER

2009-02-22T18:52:00.004+08:00

'It’s Now or Never': This is one of my favorite songs sung by Elvis Presley. When I bought the SP (Single Play) record way back to my schooling days in Clifford School, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia, my old buddy Tan Jing Ming used to request me playing this song over and over again in my late father’s shop (Bakauwali Tailor) after we were back from school. Well, I don’t have Elvis Presley’s voice but I did sing this song quite often during karaoke sessions with my ex-colleagues after ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. And I enjoyed singing this song together with Pak Ferry.

In plantation management, at times we have to make decision on the spot as we need to solve problems on site. Just like this Elvis’ song, we got to make decision ‘It’s Now or Never' as we have always been reminded, ‘A decision made is better than no decision made’. Since we are in top management, we cannot be indecisive at all. We have to make a wise decision at the right time. And the right time is NOW because ‘Tomorrow will be too late'.

Append below is Elvis Presley lyrics ‘It’s Now or Never’. Relax and sing along, my friends.

It's now or never, come hold me tight

Kiss me my darling, be mine tonight

Tomorrow will be too late,

It's now or never, my love won't wait.

When I first saw you, with your smile so tender

My heart was captured, my soul surrendered

I'd spend a lifetime, waiting for the right time

Now that your near, the time is here at last.

It's now or never, come hold me tight

Kiss me my darling, be mine tonight

Tomorrow will be too late,

It's now or never, my love won't wait.

Just like a willow, we would cry an ocean

If we lost true love, and sweet devotion

Your lips excite me, let your arms invite me

For who knows when, we'll meet again this way

It's now or never, come hold me tight

Kiss me my darling, be mine tonight

Tomorrow will be too late,

It's now or never, my love won't wait.

It's now or never, my love won't wait

It's now or never, my love won't wait.

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtFN6YQOhj0 to watch and listen to Elvis Presley singing 'It's Now or Never’ on YouTube.

THE FABULOUS BLUE DIAMONDS

2009-02-18T13:44:00.003+08:00

When I asked some of my Indonesian colleagues (below age of 50) in Medan about the Blue Diamonds, they did not know who they were. When I showed them the Blue Diamonds singing ‘Ramona’ on the You Tube, they were surprised that the Blue Diamonds were Indonesian brothers. Oh Yes. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, Ruud de Wolff (born May 12 1941) and Riem de Wolff (born April 15, 1953) and their parents migrated to Holland in 1949. Over there their singing talents were discovered by Phillips, the Dutch recording company.

I am sure my old buddy, Tan Jing Ming, remembers that I did buy a LP record of the Blue Diamonds and we never felt tired of listening to their songs such as ‘Ramona’, ‘Little Ship”, ‘Stairway To Heaven’, ‘Down By The Riverside’, Cathy’s Clown’, ‘Till I Kissed You’, ‘All Of Me’, ‘Oh Carol’, and others in the album. Thanks to You Tube, we are now able to watch and listen to them over and over again. Listening to the Blue Diamonds every now and then brings back sweet memories of my childhood days in the early 60’s in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia.

Called the ‘Dutch Everly Brothers’, the Blue Diamonds covered many Everly Brothers songs, but they had a unique style of their own and their vocal harmony was among the best for male vocal duets. Besides their singing talents, these two brothers were also accomplished guitarists. They became really famous in 1960 with an up tempo version of a musical song 'Ramona,' a song originally written for the 1928 movie 'Ramona.' Hence, they established their name not only in Netherlands but all over the rest of the world. They were also highly popular in South-east Asia and the Far East because of their part Asian descent. In the 60’s, they toured all over Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and many other countries.

The fabulous Blue Diamonds had no more hits after 1971 but they performed until 2000. Their last performance was November, 2000. In December 2000, Ruud died at the age of 59. After his elder brother’s death, Riem wanted to stop performing. Later realizing what 40 years of Blue Diamonds meant for many people and fans, Riem changed his mind and became a solo artist. And together with his son Steffen he founded The New Diamonds.

During that time, I had also bought a EP record of Anneka Gnoloh, another Indonesian singer who and her family had resettled in Holland in 1949. Surely Jing Ming also remembers the song “Boeroeng Kaka” sung by her. Now we can listen to her as well on You Tube.

Click on and watch the Blue Diamonds singing ‘Ramona” on the You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElHHM9QGOMs.

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEi4577ByjY and listen to Anneka Gronloh singing ‘Boeroeng Kaka’ (Burung Kaka Tua).

10 WORKING TIPS IN 2009

2009-02-15T20:54:00.002+08:00

Something2Share:

1) Do not get into trouble

Always look before you leap. Think first before you speak or do something that may get yourself into unnecessary troubles.

2) Aim for greater heights

There is always a purpose in life. Don’t be just good. Try to be better. Aim for the best. If you wish to be successful in life, aim for greater heights. See you at the top.

3) Stay focused on your job

Do not divert your attention. Stay focused and be concentrated in what you are doing. It’s best to solve problems one at a time so as to get the job done.

4) Exercise to maintain good health

Spend sometime everyday to exercise in order to keep your body in motion. That’s the basic requirement to keep fit and stay healthy.

5) Practice team work

Even a general can’t win a war without soldiers. Always work as a team. A good leader will not claim credit because it’s team effort that makes it.

6) Rely on your trusted partner to watch your back, take your time trusting others

The working relationship is based on trust. Of course, you must have honesty and integrity in you in order to be trusted.

7) Save for rainy days

Save at least 10% of your monthly salary. If you have not saved enough, you may not survive in any financial crisis.

8) Rest and relax

Don’t become a workaholic. Work smart. To manage stress, you must have time to rest and relax.

9) Always smile when your boss is around.

That’s the basic work ethics. Why feel worried and show sad face to your boss when he is around? Put on your smiling face and your boss will surely feel good about it.

10) Nothing is impossible

When you watch the movie “Mission Impossible”, do not be surprised that the mission becomes possible at the end of the show. If you think it’s possible, it’s possible! Nothing is impossible, right?

HOW TO LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE

2009-02-14T09:46:00.004+08:00

Append below are good tips from a forward email on how to live a healthy life.

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about

Something2Share:

Remember “HEALTH is WEALTH.” Only remain healthy that you can enjoy your wealth because “WELLNESS is HAPPINESS.” If you fall sick in any one day in 365 days of the year, you’ll feel miserable on that day. Therefore, eat right and change to a new healthy life style. Throw away any bad hobbies and habits that will have ill effect on your health.

Always be POSITIVE, and then you are able to face the CHANGE. Be satisfied with what you already have. Accept what is yours is yours! It is more blessed to GIVE than to RECEIVE. So is to FORGIVE than to HATE. Speak good words to encourage, to motivate and to praise another person rather than using words that hurt and condemn others.

Spend quality time with your family whenever you can. Always remind yourself that the very fact that you’re working so hard everyday is not for yourself but for your family. In fact, we used to joke among ourselves,” Our children are our bosses!”

Don’t be SELFISH! Always share good things with friends and others. Pass the useful information around because you care. CARING is SHARING!

Always give thank with a grateful heart when you wake up in the mornings since “Everyday is a blessing from GOD.” Be HAPPY and keep SMILING. Have a nice day.

CLIFF RICHARD AND THE SHADOWS - BRITISH LEGEND

2009-02-09T08:31:00.005+08:00

When Cliff Richard and The Shadows came to Malaysia in 1961, I and Tan Jing Ming took a bus to Kuala Lumpur to watch their first live performance show at the Stadium Merdeka. The bus ride from Kuala Lipis via Kuala Kubu to KL took us more than 3 hours. I was then a Form 2 student of Clifford School, Kuala Lipis, and Jing Ming was one year my senior. Besides Elvis Presley, both of us were also the faithful fans of Cliff Richard and The Shadows.

I remember that the stadium was packed with a capacity crowd on that night and we could only watch the live concert from a far corner. Wow! We were sooooooo thrilled and terribly excited watching Cliff Richards singing our favourite songs such as Move it, Travellin’ Light, Living Doll, Please Don’t Tease etc and The Shallows playing Apache, Kon-Tiki etc in persons on stage. That’s the greatest experience once in a life time for us, the 2 young ones from a small town in Pahang!

For those too young to have admired the fame of Cliff Richard, he is recognized as an accomplished singer internationally with a genuine feel for the music. Also he is once hailed as the 'British Elvis' and still happy with his Bachelor Boy image, he remains as British’s biggest evergreen star of British pop. Nonetheless, Cliff Richard is gifted with a golden voice and, today at age 68, he still retains his boyish good looks. He is, in fact, a well-known English singer, songwriter, actor and also an entrepreneur. He once said, “When I use music on stage, the prime directive is to entertain the public, so it is different.”

Cliff Richard was born in Lucknow, British India on October 14, 1940 as Harry Rodger Webb (his real name), in Lucknow, British India. In 1947, his family moved to Britain. He was the first British rock star to be so honoured and knighted by the Queen on October 25, 1995, thus became Sir Cliff Richard.

Sir Cliff made his name performing with his backup band The Shadows and dominated the British popular music scene in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The Shadows continued to appear and record with Cliff Richard and wrote many of his hits. They enjoyed success with hits such as Move It, Summer Holiday and The Young Ones but split in 1968. Since then Cliff Richard had built up his solo career but later reunited with The Shadows for a string of concerts in 1978, 1984 and 1990. In fact, The Shadows also appeared with Cliff Richard in both the films that I had watched in my younger days, i.e. The Young Ones and Summer Holiday. In actual fact, Sir Cliff remains the only UK artist ever to have a single in the Top 10 in six consecutive decades. No wonder he once said, “I'm always hoping that the longer I can perform I can win some more people over and my career continues to go on.”

In 1966, Cliff Richard became a "born-again" Christian. He declared, “We need to be adopted by God through Jesus - that was what happened to me, and that's what changed my life so that now, I can see that my career can be part of a calling.” He continued to say, “When I became a Christian my confidence grew.” And he also proudly testified, “It is important to have a circle of Christian friends, which I do have.”

Cliff Richard, being a fan of Elvis Presley, had admitted, “Elvis was my idol from the beginning and even today when I’m alone I’ll often put on the King Creole album. He’s produced the most exciting pop music sounds of all time”. But Cliff Richard’s biggest regret was not taking the opportunity to meet Elvis Presley when he had the chance because he felt that Elvis was too fat at that time. He thought he would get another chance in future when Elvis became thinner. That’s what Cliff Richard had to say about it, “The big regret is when I had the chance to meet him in America, I chose not to because he was grotesquely overweight. I’d rather have the magnificent Elvis that everybody knows and loves. If we wait long enough, he does movies and he goes on these fantastic diets, then we can have a picture of me with my idol looking like my idol. Now I really regret it. I’d rather have met him overweight than never.”

Cliff Richard once made a statement, “I'm very grateful because my fans are very loyal.” Here is good news to all his loyal fans. Cliff Richard and The Shadows (Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett) have planned to reunite for an arena tour in autumn 2009 (September/October) to celebrate their 50th anniversary, namely the Golden Anniversary concert tour of the UK.

“It is almost certainly going to be the last time we will all perform together. We just wanted to get together and just do one last goodbye for all the fans,” said Sir Cliff Richard.

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNufA_ZUQOo to watch and listen to Cliff Richard sing 'The Young Ones' on YouTube.

ELVIS PRESLEY: THE LEGEND

2009-02-04T13:53:00.007+08:00

Tan Jing Ming, my old buddy in Kuala Lipis, my hometown, sent me a sms yesterday:” How about an Elvis article after the good one on Bob Hope?” Well, both of us were faithful fans of Elvis Presley since our schooling days in Clifford School. As for me, I even used Elvis Loh as my nick name to look for pen pals in the popular “Movies News” magazine. Those were our young golden days!

For those too young to have experienced Elvis Presley in his prime, he is remembered by his fans as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll” or “The King.” But Elvis once said,” I am not the King. Jesus Christ is the King. I'm just an entertainer.” He was a born again Christian who loved to sing gospel music.

Elvis Presley, born on January 8, 1935, was an American singer, actor and musician. His life was a classic American success story. “I want to entertain people. That's my whole life. To my last breath,” that’s what Elvis said.

Elvis was so alive in live performances. No wonder he once spoke out, “A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage. It's my favorite part of the business - live concerts.” He was just good because: “Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess.” Yet Elvis respected his mother: “I wiggle my shoulders, I shake my legs, I walk up and down the stage, I hop around on one foot. But I never bump and grind. Why? That's vulgar! I'd never do anything vulgar before an audience. My mother would never allow it.”

Visiting Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, was indeed an opportunity for us once in a lifetime. I was there with my wife and our two children (Sue Jen and James Wen Min). After attending Sue Jen’s graduation day in University of Arkansas at Little Rock, our eldest daughter’s boy friend (Joshua Goh Chon Siew, now her husband) drove us there on December 21, 2002.

Graceland was opened to fans and tourists in 1982. It seemed that the spirit and taste of Elvis Presley infused every part of Graceland. We had to buy tickets (about USD 25.00 per adult) to enter the mansion where we could see and view Elvis' living room, music room, his parents' bedroom, the dining room, kitchen, TV room, pool room, and jungle den in the main house. Elvis’ racquetball court and original business office behind Graceland Mansion were also opened to tourists.

During the Graceland tour our greatest excitement was viewing the extensive collection of Elvis Presley's leather and lamé stage costumes and Elvis’ trophy building, which housed his collection of gold records and awards. Career mementos, jewelry, photographs, and other Elvis memorabilia were also on exhibit. The tour ended when we came out to the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family were buried.

Elvis died at age of 42 on August 16, 1977 at his home Graceland in Memphis. His tombstone gave his name as "Elvis Aaron Presley", whereas he was in fact named "Elvis Aron Presley". Although this fueled conspiracy theories that he had faked his death, it was generally believed he changed his middle name so it would be the same as the Biblical Aaron.

Elvis is a legend. The sun never sets on a legend. For the past 32 years after Elvis’ death, the “The King of Rock 'n' Roll” lives on for millions of fans of all ages!

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpzV_0l5ILI to watch and listen to Elvis Presley singing 'Jailhouse Rock' on YouTube.

DENGUE FEVER & PAPAYA LEAF JUICE

2009-02-01T23:09:00.006+08:00

I wish to share the following information regarding Dengue Fever & Papaya Leaf Juice that I have gathered from the internet and a forwarded email.

Dengue fever is caused by a virus that is being transmitted through the bites of infective female Aedes mosquitoes. This virus is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. There must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway. However, presently there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat dengue caused by the virus.

It seems that dengue strikes people with low levels of immunity. The body contains two types of blood cells: red and white. White blood cells help to fight off illnesses. Dengue fever decreases the amount of white blood cells, thus exposing the patient to illness.

Some of the symptoms of dengue fever are: very high fever, nausea, headache, rash and dangerously low blood platelets count.

Dengue starts with chills, headache, pain upon moving the eyes, and low backache. Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness. The temperature rises quickly as high as 104° F (40° C), with relative low heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure (hypotension). The eyes become reddened. A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin are often swollen.

Fever and other signs of dengue last for 2 - 4 days, followed by rapid drop in temperature (defervescence) with profuse sweating. This precedes a period with normal temperature and a sense of well-being that lasts about a day. A second rapid rise in temperature follows. A characteristic rash appears along with the fever and spreads from the extremities to cover the entire body except the face. The palms and soles may be bright red and swollen.

Appropriate medical care frequently saves the lives of patients with the more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever. There is no specific treatment for classic dengue fever, and most people recover within 2 weeks. To help with recovery, health care experts recommend:

1) Getting plenty of bed rest.

2) Drinking lots of fluids for adequate hydration.

3) Taking medicine to reduce fever/severe headache and joint/muscle pain but Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided as these drugs may worsen the bleeding tendency associated with some of these infections.

4) A platelet transfusion is indicated in rare cases if the platelets level drops significantly (below 20,000) or if there are significant bleeding.

The emails speculating the goodness of papaya leaf juice for curing dengue fever suggested to take 2 tablespoon papaya leaf juice per serving once a day, prepared from using 4 pieces papaya leaf (without stem or sap) after cleaning, pound and squeeze with filter cloth. Someone suggested to juice the leaves using a gear juicer or blend the leaves using a food processor/blender, and then put them in a filter cloth to squeeze out the juice. Do not boil or cook or rinse with hot water, otherwise it will loose its strength. Its taste is horribly bitter and may have to swallow it as if drinking 王老吉 'Won Low Kat'.

Although there may be no scientific proof of this recommendation, but papaya leaf is known to contain very high amounts of vitamins A, C, E, K, B Complex and especially high in B17 (laetrile, which is used for the treatment of cancer). Moreover, papaya leaf juice is believed to increase the number of white blood cells in the body

We have also come across online postings about the use of papaya leaf juice helping dengue patients to increase the platelets count dramatically and later overcome the fever.

“Two of my friends were admitted to the hospital last year and we helped out by making for them, fresh juice from papaya leaves. After taking the papaya leaf juice, their blood platelets count increased rapidly and they were out of the hospital within days. One of them reported their platelets count at a dangerous level of only 8 (normal count is 150 and above). One week after she was discharged, her platelets count shot up to above 300.”

Such discussions on internet or circulation through emails may not be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. However, there is no harm of taking papaya leaf juice after a dengue patient has seen a doctor, and has been advised to have adequate rest and drink lot of water and fluids, whether hospitalized or not.

It's great if such natural cure could help to ease the sufferings of dengue patients. Who knows this might make naturopathy a little more popular as currently it seems that there is no cure for the dreaded dengue reaching epidemic proportions.

But one thing is sure; the only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is to combat the disease-carrying Aedes mosquitoes, by eradicating all possible breeding sites.

A BLESSED JOYFUL LUNAR NEW YEAR (农历新年快乐)

2009-01-25T23:00:00.008+08:00

WISHING ALL OUR CHINESE FRIENDS, ESPECIALLY THE CHINESE CHRISTIANS (BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST), A BLESSED CHINESE NEW YEAR. WITH JESUS' BLESSINGS, MAY THIS YEAR OF OX BRING LOVE, PEACE, PROSPERITY, HEALTH, JOY AND HAPPINESS TO ALL OF US. AMIN.

Let Us Be Like "Bob Hope"

2009-01-25T00:03:00.005+08:00

For those of you too young to remember Bob Hope, ask your Grandparents!!! And thanks for the memories...

ON TURNING 70: Bob Hope said,” You still chase women, but only downhill".

ON TURNING 80: Bob Hope said,” That’s the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing."

ON TURNING 90: Bob Hope said,” You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake."

ON TURNING 100: Bob Hope said," I don't feel old. In fact I don't feel anything until noon . Then it's time for my nap."

Something2Share:

During one morning walk in Segamat Country Club together with Tan TP and Liew PY, I asked them whether they knew at what age Bob Hope passed away and they seemed not to remember. I told them Bob Hope went to heaven at the age of 100.

On hearing that, both of them immediately said they wanted to be like "Bob Hope." I told them, “No problem as long as we keep on walking every morning and having cheerful hearts and also bringing laughter to others.” From that morning onward, we started to greet each other as “Bob Hope”. How amazing it is of the hope from Bob Hope for us, the senior citizens, who wish to live longer!

Well, Bob Hope was an English-born American comedian and actor. He was born on May 29, 1903 and was best known as “The comedian who entertained GIs.” Throughout his career, he was honored for his humanitarian work. The Guinness Book of World Records called Bob Hope the most honored entertainer in the world.

Bob Hope passed away on July 7, 2003 at the remarkable age of 100. Conquering stage, movies, radio, and television, Bob Hope was -- and remains -- an American comedy institution.

Here are some of Bob Hope’s quotes that I wish to share with you :

“Middle age is when you still believe you'll feel better in the morning.”

"Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle."

“I'll tell 'ya’ how to stay young: Hang around with older people.”

“I’m so old, they’ve canceled my blood type”

“A sense of humor is good for you. Have you ever heard of a laughing hyena with heart burn?”

“I have seen what a laugh can do. It can transform almost unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful.”

“He (Vincent Price) always loved a good joke. Moreover, he was kind enough to laugh at jokes that weren’t so good.”

“A lot of people think that Bing (Crosby) was a loner, but Bing was a very loyal friend.”

“I've always been in the right place and time. Of course, I steered myself there.”

“I don't know if the presidential candidates are running for the White House or Animal House.”

“No one party can fool all of the people all of the time; that's why we have two parties.”

GOD BLESS EVERYONE

Give me a sense of humor. Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And pass it on to other folks.

The Goodness of Dragon Fruit (火龍果/龍珠果)

2009-01-23T22:55:00.002+08:00

Since coming back for retirement from Indonesia, I used to follow my wife to “Pasar Malam” in Taman Bukit Baru, not far from Taman Indah where we stay, on Thursday evenings. Both the two “taman” are in Bukit Siput, Segamat, Johor.

My wife goes there mainly for buying vegetables, whereas I just look around while walking and stopping from one stall to another. Then on one evening I found these Dragon Fruit in one fruit stall and I was told that the fruit was grown organically. The selling price is at RM6.00 per kilo.

The Dragon Fruit appears bright pink in colour and has an ovoid shape, but I prefer to choose the fairly round shape, and with very prominent ‘scales’ around it.

Accordingly, dragon fruit is of cactus family, a beautiful fruit grown in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Israel.

There are 3 different varieties of dragon fruit:

1. Hylocereus undatus – pink skin and white flesh

2. Hylocereus polyrhizus – pink skin and red flesh

3. Selenicereus megalanthus – yellow skin and white flesh

Dragon fruit tastes sweet but not thick, with light fragrance and crunchy, and with a flavor that's like a cross between kiwi and pear. Thus, it is also known as the ‘strawberry pear’, ‘pitaya’ or ‘pitahaya’. In Chinese, dragon fruit is called huǒ lóng guǒ 火龍果 "fire dragon fruit" and lóng zhū guǒ 龍珠果"dragon pearl fruit".

The dragon fruit I bought is of pink skin and red flash which I prefer and is popular in Malaysia. We don’t eat the skin of dragon fruit, just the flash is edible. Using a sharp knife, I cut the fruit straight down the middle into 2 halves. Inside the flesh there are tiny black edible seeds, just like the kiwi fruit. Then I use a spoon to scoope out the flesh. The taste is just wonderful, especially we have kept the dragon fruit overnight in air refrigerator.

Other recommended ways of eating dragon fruit are within ice cream, or turn it into a drink by putting the flesh through a juicer. It is a good material of beverage, may be processed to be all kind of drinks or it can be fermented into a wine.

Dragon fruit is a great healthy fruit to eat, and its nutritional benefits are numerous. It is low in calories, rich in fibre and having high nutrients and minerals, including Vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, and also rich in phytoalbumins which have antioxidant properties. It has been reported that antioxidants prevent the formation of cancer-causing free radicals. Dragon Fruit can be used as cosmetic and health material, with functions of improving eyesight and preventing hypertension.

Other benefits:

1. The dragon fruit helps the digestive process.

2. The dragon fruit helps prevent colon cancer and diabetes.

3. The dragon fruit helps to neutralize toxic substances such as heavy metal, reduce cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

4. Consumed regularly the dragon fruit can help against asthma and cough.

5. In Taiwan, diabetics use the fruit as a food substitute for rice and as a fiber rich part of the diet.

6. Dragon fruit absorbs CO2 at night and releases oxygen to purify the air.

I am sure you are just like me, once you have tasted it you will fall in love with eating Dragon Fruit everyday!

Prostate Enlargement

2009-01-17T13:55:00.007+08:00

I wish to share the above illustrations which I have downloaded from internet search so that we are able to visualize the impact of enlarged prostate putting pressure on the urethra thus causing urination and bladder problems. When Dr. C.S. Loh, the Urologist, told me that my prostate enlargement was 3 times its original size, I could imagine that it had grown from the size of a walnut to more than the size of a golf ball.

Accordingly, as the prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the sex gland to press against the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose. The bladder wall becomes thicker and irritable. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination. Eventually, the bladder weakens and loses the ability to empty itself, so some of the urine remains in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and partial emptying of the bladder cause many of the problems associated with enlarged prostate, often called BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).

Studies done on animals have suggested that BPH may occur because the higher amount of estrogen within the gland increases the activity of substances that promote cell growth. Some research has indicated that older men continue to produce and accumulate high levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the prostate. This accumulation of DHT, a substance derived from testosterone in the prostate, may encourage the growth of cells. Scientists have also noted that men who do not produce DHT do not develop BPH.

I am now on the recovery stage after green light laser surgery at Gleneagles Intan Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, on 15 December 2008. I used to have 5 – 6 times urination at night before the surgery. Now it has been reduced to 1 – 2 times and I can sleep quite well without frequent interruption.

My next appointment with the Urologist will be on 23 February 2009. I was told by Dr. C.S. Loh that a test will be carried out to detect PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) and also to repeat a uroflow test to measure my urine flow and volume.

I am anxious to find out whether my prostate has shrunken over a period of 9 weeks after the laser surgery thus allowing the urine to flow more freely. More important to me is that my bladder will be able to empty the urine completely.

The Longevity Diet (By Matt McMillen)

2009-01-11T21:35:00.005+08:00

The fountain of youth has yet to be found, bottled, and sold for $3.99 at Whole Foods. But that doesn't mean the secret to living a long, healthy life can't be bought at the supermarket.

"By eating right, you maximize the probability that you won't develop conditions like diabetes or Alzheimer's," says James Joseph, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.

Beyond choosing the best foods, new and intriguing evidence shows that eating less — less than you probably think — can reduce the toll time takes on your body.

Follow the following 7 no-fail food rules and you'll have the best possible chance of blowing out 100 candles on your birthday cake.

RULE 1: Go For Color

The biggest anti-aging breakthrough in recent history comes from new discoveries about the power of antioxidants. As the cells in our bodies metabolize oxygen, unstable molecules called free radicals form. These cause cell damage that has been linked to age-related illnesses like Alzheimer's and heart disease. Many scientists think that all symptoms of aging are the direct result of free radicals attacking our cells.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing them from doing any damage — and thereby slowing the aging process.

"Antioxidants can even reverse damage to our cells," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. While there's ongoing debate about how many of the large variety of food-derived antioxidants our bodies can actually use and how efficiently we can use them, a convincing pile of research points to a strong connection between foods loaded with antioxidants and a longer, healthier life.

Berries have tons of antioxidants, and according to Dr. Joseph's research, they help maintain cognitive and motor functioning as we age. Pomegranates have been found to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

And results recently published in the British Journal of Cancer show that broccoli and brussels sprouts contain compounds that help prevent breast cancer.

RULE 2: Rely On Real Food, Not Supplements

Case in point: the massive Iowa Women's Health Study. Researchers found that among the 34,492 women participating in the study, those who ate foods rich in vitamin E, such as nuts, lessened their chances of suffering a stroke. Vitamin E supplements, on the other hand, provided no protection.

Natural foods contain "thousands of compounds that interact in complex ways, and if you take one out, there's no predicting how it will function on its own," said Frank Hu, Ph.D., associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. He pointed out that large-scale trials of individual antioxidant supplements have been largely disappointing.

RULE 3: Avoid Processed Foods

Processed foods — those full of preservatives, chemicals, and added colors — simply aren't as nutritious. And every time you eat a highly processed food, you're bypassing another food that actually can help delay the effects of aging.

The classic example is whole-wheat bread versus white bread. Whole wheat is proven to fight heart disease, thanks to its abundance of fiber and other nutrients. White bread isn't. "Many nutrients are taken out during processing, and few are put back," says Lisa Hark, Ph.D., R.D., director of nutrition education at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Your body also typically digests whole food more slowly than processed food, which keeps blood sugar and insulin levels from fluctuating rapidly. "In the long term, this may help you avoid diabetes," Dr. Hu said. And because whole foods pack fewer calories per gram, they ward off weight-related illnesses like heart disease and stroke.

RULE 4: Don't Be Afraid Of (Good) Fats

Fat is not a four-letter word. "Unsaturated fats from vegetable oils, nuts, avocados, and fish improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood lipids," Dr. Hu says. That translates into lower risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Healthy fats help make the Mediterranean-style diet — consisting mostly of vegetables, nuts, beans, olive oil, and fish — so superior. The Harvard School of Public Health and University of Athens Medical School found that this type of diet reduces the risk of death from heart disease and cancer by 25 percent. And a recent Columbia University Medical Center study reported that it can lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 40 percent.

Treating yourself to salmon and other fish that deliver omega-3 fatty acids two to four times a week, along with a small handful of nuts a day, may reduce your risk of heart disease by 30 percent and lower your cholesterol as well, according to research from Harvard.

Your looks will benefit too: Early evidence suggests that omega-3s will have your grandkids crooning, "Grandma, what soft, wrinkle-free skin you have!"

RULE 5: Sip Red Wine

Another revelation of the Harvard/Athens study was the benefits of red wine. Drinking one glass a day, four to five times a week (preferably with a meal), has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. Part of the credit goes to the alcohol, which helps soothe inflamed arteries. But specific to red wine — especially pinot noir — are antioxidants called flavonoids which are particularly good free-radical fighters.

Consuming wine conservatively (pace yourselves, people) will help you reap all the heart-healthy benefits, but you should go easier on the bottle as you age: Alcohol consumption has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

RULE 6: Guzzle Green Tea

Packed with powerful antioxidants — this time called catechins — green tea may be the single most life-prolonging substance you can put in your cup. A mug a day will decrease your chance of developing high blood pressure by 46 percent. (A good thing, since 35 million women are currently hypertensive.) Drink more and reduce your risk by 65 percent.

Enough studies have shown green tea's ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells that the National Cancer Institute is conducting trials on both a tea-based pill and a topical ointment to treat cancerous skin growths.

RULE 7: Eat Less

Want proof that staying slim is linked to a longer, more enjoyable life? Just look around: The 90-somethings running after their grandkids on the beach or dancing at weddings aren't the overweight ones.

Science backs this up. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that women who stayed closest to their weight at 18 — yes, 18 — throughout their lives had a 66 percent lower risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and gallstones compared with women who put on 11 to 22 pounds by middle age. Another study found that women who gained 60 pounds after age 18 were up to three times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Of course, as we age, extra pounds seem to materialize out of nowhere. "If you keep the physical activity the same and food the same, you will put on a pound or two a year," says Walter Willett, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the lead researchers of the study. Thanks to a natural decrease in hormones that help maintain muscle mass, "those muscles shrink, you burn less energy, and you accumulate fat," he says. There's a two-part solution. First, start weight training, if you don't already, and keep it up through the years to retain calorie-burning muscles.

And, more important, start cutting calories — while keeping nutrients. In 2004, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis reported that people who consistently ate 10 to 25 percent fewer calories than the average American, while still keeping a balanced diet, had remarkably low blood pressure and low levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides — too much of which can spell "heart attack." Reduced calorie intake has also been linked to lower risk of cancer and Alzheimer's.

The National Academy of Science has several theories about why eating less makes such a difference. While we often strive to boost our metabolism to stay slim, some researchers believe we need to do the opposite to live longer: A low-cal diet slows your metabolism, and a slow metabolism produces fewer free radicals. When you eat less, you also produce less glucose, which has been linked to cell damage. And low-calorie diets reduce your body's core temperature and its response to insulin, both of which may increase longevity in humans.

Okay. If you start skipping snacks, how many years will you add to your life? Doctors aren't sure — but studies have shown that calorie-restricted rats live 30 percent longer than rats that eat normally.

This rule is the toughest one of all to follow. But if it makes you feel better, Sergei Romashkan, M.D., Ph.D., chief of clinical trials at the National Institute of Aging, says that eating 25 percent less than usual caused very little crankiness in his study subjects. "Our participants were quite happy and full," he says.

Something2Share:

Since coming back to Segamat, I have missed my steamed salmon with sliced ginger, garlic and onion. plus a little olive oil and fish sauce because there is no fresh salmon to be found in the local supermarkets. I used to buy fresh salmon from Carrefour, Medan, before coming back for retirement since end of November 2008.

I am now taking 1 - 2 slices of whole wheat bread for my breakfast and I prefer steamed than toasted. I take it with a small piece of cheese and a half-boiled "ayam kampung" egg. My drink is now organic rolled oats added with a teaspoon of honey but without sugar. Occassionally I drink black coffee without sugar with friends when we meet at local kopitiam.

I like banana and papaya. Orange is also my favourite. My fruit juice is a mixed concoction of green apple, green pepper, celery, bitter gourd and English gourd. For a change, then I will juice carrot mixed with tomato.

I am not a regular green tea drinker. I may have to start soon and also begin to sip red wine with meals.

It's good to eat less. As Chinese, we have been told to eat up to 70% full only in order to stay healthy. Well, it's easy said than followed the rule. Anyway, if we choose to eat less meat and less rice but consume more fruits and vegetables, then the chances of over-eating is less.

Health is wealth and wellness is happiness. So my friends, do eat right and eat less.

Driving Tips

2009-01-08T20:12:00.006+08:00

Open the car doors and wind down the car windows before driving.
Bukalah pintu mobil dan turunkan kaca jendelanya sebelum Anda mengemudi.
開車前請先開窗和門

All car users beware: According to research done by a University of California, USA, the car dashboard, sofa, and air freshener will emit Benzene, a cancer causing toxin.
Semua pengguna mobil harus hati-hati : Menurut penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Universitas California, USA, dasbord mobil, sofa, dan penyegar atau pengharum akan mengeluarkan bensin, racun penyebab penyakit kanker.
開車的民眾要注意，根據美國加州大學的研究發現，汽車的儀表板、沙發、內裝和芳香劑，會揮發致癌物質「苯」。

In addition to causing cancer, Benzene also poisons your bones, causes anemia, and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, thus increasing the risk of cancer. It may also cause miscarriage.
Disamping penyebab penyakit kanker, bensin juga meracuni tulang Anda, menyebabkan kurang darah atau anemia dan mengurangi sel-sel darah putih. Penyerapan yang lebih lama akan mengakibatkan penyakit leukimia, dan akhirnya meningkatkan resiko penyakit kanker. Dan juga dapat mengakibatkan keguguran.
苯類化合物是很強的致癌物質，也是很強的骨髓毒性物質，它會造成一般人的貧血或者是白血球稀少，長期暴露的話，得到白血病，就是血癌的風險大為增加，有些孕婦還會因此流產。

Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft. A car parked indoors with the windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F for an hour or so, the Benzene level will go up to 2000-4000 mg, about 40 times above the acceptable level. The people inside the car will inevitably inhale an excess amount of Benzene.
Ambang batas bensin yang dapat diterima didalam ruangan adalah 50 mg per sq.ft. Sebuah mobil diparkir di dalam ruangan dengan pintu tertutup akan mengandung 400-800 mg bensin.Jika diparkir diluar ruangan dibawah sinar matahari diatas temperatur 60 derajat Farenheit selama lebih kurang 1 jam maka bensin akan meningkat hingga 2000-4000 mg , atau 40 kali dari ambang batas yang dapat diterima. Orang dalam mobil pasti menghirup banyak kelebihan bensin.
和室內每立方公尺苯的正常標準值50微克相比，室溫下的密閉汽車裡含有400到800微克的苯，如果在太陽下曝曬1小時，溫度超過攝氏60度，苯含量更高達2千到4千微克，是正常標準的40倍以上，開車族不能倖免吸入過量的苯。

It is recommended that if you have parked your car under the sun for more or less an hour, you should open the car windows and doors to have sufficient time allowing the toxic air to come out before you get into the car. Benzene is a toxin that affects the kidney and liver very badly. It is very difficult for the body to expel it.
Disarankan jika Anda telah memarkirkan mobil Anda dibawah sinar matahari selama lebih kurang 1 jam , bukalah kaca jendela dan pintu mobil selama beberapa waktu agar udara yang mengandung racun terbuang sebelum Anda masuk ke dalam mobil. Bensin adalah racun yang mengakibatkan ginjal dan liver teracuni. Sangat sulit tubuh kita untuk membuang racun tersebut.
林口長庚毒物科主任林杰樑：你的愛車停在太陽底下超過１個鐘頭，甚至不需要１個鐘頭的時候，你要去開車的時候，你要切記，一定要把窗戶搖開把門打開，讓這些有毒氣體揮散掉以後，你才能夠開車。」醫師指出，「苯」屬於肝腎代謝的有毒化學物質，人體很難自然排出。

You are hereby cautiously reminded to open your car windows and doors as well before driving.

Anda dengan ini diingatkan agar berhati-hati supaya membuka pintu mobil dan turunkan kaca jendelanya sebelum Anda mengemudi.
只能提醒民眾在開車前請先開窗。

Elusive Mangosteen

2009-01-05T13:37:00.004+08:00

The above photo of "Shady Mangosteen" by Uthala Malar was downloaded from thestar online. It appeared that only the "Queen of fruit" deserved the shading protection of a tiny umbrella!

My friends, do you know how much is the cost of a mangosteen fruit in New York?

In an article written by Patrick Temple-West on March 05, 2008, entitled "Tropical sweetness: harnessing the elusive mangosteen", it was sold for US$ 3.99 each at Kings Supermarkets Inc., New York. For that price, people in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand are able to buy a bagful of mangosteen fruit. But before 2007, the USDA banned the import of mangosteen fruit because of risks associated with Asian fruit flies that could infect U.S. citrus crops. Accordingly, the ban was lifted in October 2007 and the first fruits were shipped in April 2008.

Mangosteen is also not cheap in Japan and other places in the world where they can't grow mangosteen trees. Nevertheless, for those people living outside Southeast Asia who have once eaten mangosteen fruit, they know that the "Queen of fruit" has long been prized for its medicinal properties as well as its delicious taste.

Before You're Too Old

2009-01-02T15:44:00.005+08:00

Another year has passed
And we're all a little older.

Last summer felt hotter

And winter seems much colder.

I rack my brain for happy thoughts,

To put down on my pad,

But lots of things, That come to mind

Just make me kind of sad.

There was a time not long ago

When life was quite a blast.

Now I fully understand

About 'Living in the Past'.

We used to go to friends homes,

Baseball games and lunches.

Now we go to therapy, to hospitals,

And after-funeral brunches.

We used to have hangovers,

From parties that were gay.

Now we suffer body aches

And sleep the night away.

We used to go out dining,

And couldn't get our fill.

Now we ask for doggie bags,

Come home and take a pill.

We used to travel often

To places near and far.

Now we get backaches

From riding in the car.

We used to go out shopping

For new clothing at the Mall

But, now we never bother...

All the sizes are too small.

That, my friend is how life is,

And now my tale is told.

So, enjoy each day and live it up...

Before you're too old!

Something2Share:

I begin to enjoy my retirement for the 1st month in December 2008. At least I am now stress-free from work related problems. Moreover, now I have time catching up with old friends and making new friends.

All these while, I had been working in places far away from Segamat, especially the the past 5 years in Indonesia. I seldom had time for my family, let alone my friends in Segamat, Johor Baru and other places in Malaysia.

I really appreciate my old friend from Sydney, David Vun Thien Ngan, who charted a taxi to visit us in Segamat on 21 December 2008 with his wife and 2 children. They put up 2 nights in Johor Baru before they continued their vacation trip to China. Now they are back in Kota Kinabalu to visit their relatives. They will be in Kuala Lumpur on 10 January 2009 for a couple of days. I intend to meet them again before they return to Australia. The last time we met up was October 2005 when we were in Sydney.

Another year (2008) had passed as we celebrated the count down of the coming of 2009, am I a little older? I wish all my friends a year wiser and in good health! I just met my ex-Chief Clerk of Segamat Estate, Pathma, last evening. He is now operating a small sundry shop in Taman Bukit Baru, Bukit Siput. He told me that "he is now 71 years old." We had a good laugh when I told him that he should feel 17 as "I am feeling 26 in heart." We had a good working relationship when I was Manager for Segamat Estate in 1992/1993.

Now I can have regular exercise, going for morning walk on the green green grass of the golf course in Segamat Country Club, and to breathe in more fresh air. One day a Mr.Tan told us that "the golfers normally have to shout Balls before they tee off so that no body will walk into the fairway and being hit by a flying golf ball." On hearing that, I suggested that "why not we also shout after taking a deep breath to blow out the air in our lungs since we are earlier than the golfers? " He agreed and from that day onward, we also have our lung exercise as well and we can feel sweat flowing down from our foreheads after shouting for 3 times.

How true it is that we should "enjoy each day and live it up!" When we realize that everyday is a blessing from GOD, then we won't have anything to worry about as we grow a little older.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

2009-01-01T14:14:00.003+08:00

Just want to share some of the New Year SMS and emails received from friends:

"For the world you are someone, but for someone you are the world. Life can give you hundred reasons to cry, but you can give life a thousand reasons to "SMILE". May this coming 2009 bring you and your loved ones good Health, Happiness, Peace, Joy and all things you wish for. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009."

"Health is wealth. Do take care of the heart. Go for more greens, stay healthy, be happy, stay focus and appreciate our current blessings and thank GOD. Wishing you and family a blessed and HAPPY NEW YEAR."

"A relaxed mind, a peaceful soul, a joyful spirit, a healthy body and a heart full of LOVE. All of these are my prayers and wishes for you. HAPPY NEW YEAR."

"Fresh Year. Fresh Hopes. Fresh Efforts. May 2009 delight you with Health, Happiness, Success and Joy. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!"

"HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009! May your family and your goodself be blessed with Happiness, Joy, Good Health, Prosperity and Love all year round in the year 2009."

"May Joy, Love & Peace be with you and your family! Good health and more success for 2009!"

"HAPPY NEW YEAR! FAITH makes all things possible. HOPE makes all things work, and LOVE makes all things beautiful. PRAYER makes all things happen. May you have them all. HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2009."

"2009 is at your doorstep. Remember, LIFE is short. Break the rules. FORGIVE and FORGET quickly. LAUGH uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile."

"Today is 1st day of 2009. I take time to thank the people who touched my life. Thoughtful friends who have shown concern and make life more meaningful.THANK YOU. May GOD continues to give you blessings, happiness and good health. Have a prosperous year 2009."

"To make a hundred friends is not a miracle. The miracle is to make a friend still be a friend for a hundred years. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!"

"Disregarding the pathetic crisis that you read in the news daily, we hope that this email may bring much joy to your hearts. This is Wishing you a Happy and Blessed New Year - a Year of Great Opportunity for 2009. May you achieve those that you hope to achieve, and succeed in those that you want to succeed."

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009 TO EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY TO ALL MY FRIENDS, OLD AND NEW, MALE AND FEMALE, YOUNG AND OLD, FAR AND NEAR, ALWAYS BEING THOUGHTFUL, UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTIVE. THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FIRNEDS.

LET EVERYDAY IN 2009 IS A BLESSING TO ALL OF US.

PRAISE THE LORD and GOD BLESS YOU!

The Pericarp of Mangosteen

2008-12-31T16:32:00.004+08:00

Append below more information from internet search on the nutritional values of mangosteen:

The mangosteen pericarp, about a half-centimeter thick, is green when unripe, then dark purple when ripe. That’s why it is also called “The Purple Mangosteen”.

When we eat mangosteen, we hold the fruit in both hands. The mangosteen pericarp looks tough and hardy, but is quite easy to open. What we do is using our thumbs to press on it gently and twist a little bit with our left hand turning anti-clockwise and our right hand turning clockwise until the pericarp cracks into two halves exposing the edible white flashy pulp which is sweet, juicy and delicious in taste. After eating, we will spit out the seeds and throw away the inedible pericarp without knowing that it is of highly nutritional values and benefits.

Accordingly, Asian Health Practitioners have long made use of mangosteen pericarp for a myriad of nutritional uses. The Southeast Asian people have been using the mangosteen fruit, especially the pericarp, to treat infections, reduce pain or control fever, and also treat various other illness and sickness.

Not surprisingly, dried mangosteen fruits have been shipped from Singapore to Calcutta and to China for medicinal use. The sliced and dried mangosteen pericarp, available in most Chinese drug stores, is powdered and administered to overcome dysentery. Made into an ointment, it is applied on eczema and other skin disorders.

It seems that mangosteen pericarp can absorb fats. Yesterday after a morning walk on part of golf course in Segamat Country Club, we sat down at the club house to chat while reading the newspaper. A Mr. Seow told us that his mum used to cook meat soup for her children and normally it turned out to be quite oily on the top layer of the boiled soup. When she added a few slices of mangosteen pericarp, somehow the meat soup was less oily as if the top layer of fat had been absorbed. He also said that boiling the mangosteen pericarp in water and then drink it would help to relief diarrheas and lower cholesterol.

As reported, the medicinal properties of the mangosteen fruit are derived mainly from its pericarp where powerful antioxidants (xanthones) are highly concentrated. The pericarp also contains a large number of biologically active substances, such as that of vitamins, catechins, polysaccharides, and stilbenes.

We have read that the presence of free radicals in our bodies has become the greatest threat to our overall health. They are able to attack each cell in the human body thousands of times per day, weakening it and making it susceptible to sickness and disease. Nevertheless, the rich antioxidants (xanthones) in the mangosteen pericarp, when consumed in the form of whole fruit mangosteen juice, are able to scavenge and neutralize the free radicals throughout our bodies. Apparently, it is highly effective in boosting weak immune systems.

[For information on original whole fruit mangosteen juice, click and visit http://www.myxango.com.my/jamesloh]

Goodness of Mangosteen

2008-12-26T09:44:00.006+08:00

I wish to share more information on the goodness of mangosteen.

Mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana), a tropical fruit grown in Southeast Asia countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, consists of a thick dark purple smooth rind known as pericarp and 4 – 8 triangular segment of snow-white, sofe flesh knows as pulp. It has been proclaimed by many as the best among all tropical fruit, popularly known as “Queen of Fruit”.

The mangosteen fruit is rich in vitamins such as B1, B2 & C and contains minerals like calcium, potassium, sodium and iron. However, the standout feature of this fruit is the presence of a high concentration of xanthones, a class of plant derived nutrients or "phytonutrients".

According to numerous scientific studies, xanthones are found to exhibit strong antioxidant activity to enhance and support the immune system in our bodies. Of the more than 200 known xanthones that are found in the plant kingdom, more than 40 are found in mangosteen. Amazingly, the most concentrated source of xanthones are found in the pericarp (rind) of the mangosteen fruit.

We can read about many benefits of xanthones by internet search. Interestingly, I come to know that xanthones serve an important purpose by fighting free radicals. It seem s that free radicals seek to attain atomic stability by acquiring an electron from the cells in the human body; thereby, causing irreversible oxidation of the cells. Nevertheless, xanthones have an antioxidant effect and they counter the deleterious effects of free radicals thus protecting the biological cells in our bodies.

I have also read about the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test showing that mangosteen juice is 20-30 times more effective than other fruits and vegetables in absorbing free radicals.

Just like many of my friends in Malaysia and Indonesia, I really enjoy the delicious taste of mangosteen fruit but we can only eat the fruit pulp. We have been throwing away the pericarp and the seeds which are the main source of xanothones. Moreover, mangosteen is not available throughout the year except during the fruiting season.

In today’s health concerns especially for senior citizens (the ageing parents, uncles and aunties), wellness is true happiness to them. I strongly believe that precaution of sickness is much better than daily medication.

I am now a senior citizen too, just retired from working in Indonesia. When I am asked of my age, I used to tell people, “I am 26”.

Yesterday, we had a fellowship breakfast after the church service at Chrisma Assembly, Segamat, on Christmas day. I was introduced to a church member and he told me that he was 46 years old. Jokingly, I told him that, “I am also 46”, as I was born in 1946. To be a young old man is better than an old young man. Don't you agree? Hahaha....

Praise the Lord that as we grow older, age is no more our main concern. Most important is that we must always feel young in our hearts and we are still fit to go for brisk walking, jogging, running, swimming, cycling, playing games and doing other forms of light exercises.

After knowing the goodness that mangosteen fruit can offer, it will be good that we can drink mangosteen juice daily as nutritional supplement to keep us staying healthy.

(For information on original whole fruit mangosteen juice, click and visit http://www.myxango.com.my/jamesloh)

Enlarged Postrate Treatment & Prostate Surgery Using Green Laser Light

2008-12-21T22:23:00.019+08:00

If you are a male touching 60, here is something to watch out for. It is estimated that 85 per cent of all persons over the age of 60 years have enlargement of the prostate, a part of the normal process of ageing.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that lies at the base of the bladder, where urine is stored, surrounding the urethra, the tube that passes urine from the bladder out of the body. It is a part of the male reproductive system and has a tendency to enlarge with the passage of years. When it does enlarge, the condition is called ‘Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia,’ (BPH)

BPH is very common and often exists with few or no symptoms. However as the prostate surrounds the urethra, enlargement can squeeze the urethra making it difficult to pass urine. The other symptoms include: Weak flow of urine, need to strain to pass urine, not being able to empty the bladder completely, so needing to use the toilet more often both day and night.

My prostate enlargement was detected on Dec 4, 2007 when I went for a complete medical checkup at Health Scan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The results showed that my prostate gland was enlarged, measruring 6.18 x 5.07 x 5.22 cm. The Primary Care Physician suggested to me to see a Urologist for prostatism. My doctor in Segamat prescribed me Hythrin 2mg to be taken before retiring in bed. However, I got to wake up 3 - 4 times during the night to urine.

Then I was advised to take Saw Palmotte & pumpkin seeds regularly to stop the enlargement.

Accordingly, pumpkin seeds contain a lot of phytosterols. Phytosterols is an ideal natural prostate treatment because it happens to be a compound which has properties that actually help shrink the prostate and is good for general prostate health.

Patients with BPH may need removal of the enlarged part of the prostate by surgical methods. It is normally the best long-term solution for some patients with BPH. This surgery only removes the portion of the prostate gland that is pressing against the urethra tube. The rest of the gland is left intact as well as the outside capsule.

My delay to see the Urologist was partly due to work commitment in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test was done to monitor my prostate's condition. The total PSA was 0.9 NG/ML within 0.0 - 4.0 range. My doctor told me that I was safe, there was no prostate cancer. This is the one I was really worried about.

It seems that adequate, even abundant, nutrients strengthen the body's immune system and prevent cancer. As mentioned by reaseach papers, optimum prostate health requires vitamin C and zinc in particular. Recently, a prostate cancer patient in Johor Baru testified that he had taken the whole fruit mangosteen juice for a period of 6 months and the usual check up every 3 months showed great improvement. He felt that the mangosteen juice helped him fight and win over cancer. He said,"My prostate & urinary tract is healthier and better than ever before!" (For information on mangosteen juice, click & visit http://www.myxango.com.my/jamesloh/)

When I finally retired and returned to Segamat, Johor, Malaysia at month-end of November 2008, I made an appointment to consult the Urologist in Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur on 11 December. The Urologist told me after examination that my prostate enlargement was 3 times the original size and he told me that the choice was mine. I can opt for medication but I will still have to bear the urination problems that I am facing, such as incomplete urination, frequent urination during daytime when working in air-cond room or travelling in an air-cond car while outside temperature is cold especially on raining days.

So I had decided to go ahead for the prostate surgery using green laser light, so called Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate (PVP) instead of conventional Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP).

Accordingly, PVP technique is particularly suited to those large prostates rich in blood vessels which are prone to brisk bleeding during conventional TURP. With PVP using laser green light, it can remove the obstructing prostate tissue instananoeusly with minimal bleeding and discomfort. The GreenLight PV surgical laser system delivers laser light pulses through a specially designed fiber optic delivery device that is inserted through a standard cystoscope. The light pulses are directed towards the prostate tissue. The laser quickly vaporizes and removes the prostatic obstruction without significant bleeding. The surgery was very low risk.

It was carried on 0n 15 December afternoon and it was over slightly more than half an hour. I was discharged the following day.

I was told that post-operative side effects, if any, would be minimal and transient. I feel quite a relief after the surgery as I only wake up 1 - 2 times during the night for urination.

Patients usually feel well within several days of the surgery, but full recovery can take several weeks. Some blood in the urine is common during the recovery process. This is harmless, and rarely requires treatment.

An appointment has been fixed on 23 December for the follow up check by the Urologist. I am hoping for a speedy recovery.

Prostate Check & 7 Prostate Symptoms Which You Should Watch For

2008-12-19T22:27:00.008+08:00

The vast majority of men will develop prostate problems of some description as they get older, with the first signs of trouble appearing for a few men at about the age of 50, or possibly slightly earlier. By the age of 60 about half of all men will be experiencing prostate symptoms and this figure will have increased to about ninety percent by the age of 80.

For most men prostate symptoms will be fairly mild and, because most of us begin to develop a range of medical problems at this point in our lives, it is not uncommon for men to simply ignore prostate symptoms as nothing more than a normal part ageing. As many prostate problems are not serious, and the symptoms can often be very mild, this is not necessarily a problem and you can live with many prostate problems quite happily and without them doing you any real harm.

However, not all prostate problems are harmless and if your particular prostate problem happens to be prostate cancer and you ignore it then it could quite easily start to spread and eventually kill you. Indeed, ignoring prostate symptoms is the main reason why prostate cancer represents the second highest cause of cancer death in the United States.

There are many different symptoms which might point to a developing prostate problem and one difficulty we have in recognizing the cause of these symptoms is that they are often symptoms which could arise for many different reasons. However, if symptoms are not being caused by prostate problems then they will often to be short lived (stemming from a bacterial infection for example) and will disappear in a matter of days without the need for treatment. However, where symptoms stay with you, or appear on a regular basis, then there it is likely that they are being caused by a problem with the prostate gland.

Common symptoms include:

1. Difficulty beginning urination and the need to strain in order to start urination.

2. A loss of strength in the flow of urine.

3. A flow of urine which tends to stop and start.

4. A feeling that you need to urinate even after you’ve just been to the bathroom.

5. A need to visit the bathroom urgently and problems in 'waiting'.

6. The need to visit the bathroom more frequently and, in particular, to get up to visit the bathroom during the night.

7. A tendency to dribble urine for a while after you have finished in the bathroom.

These symptoms indicate that prostate problems may be developing and although, in most cases, such problems will not be serious but this is not always the case.

Accordingly, as soon as these symptoms appear, you should consult your doctor (an Urologist)who will be able to tell you exactly what the problem is and how to treat it. More importantly, if the problem does turn out to be prostate cancer, he can recommend treatment while the problem is in its early stages and can be relatively easily treated and, hopefully, eliminated altogether.

Mangosteen Is Good For You

2008-12-17T18:16:00.005+08:00

One early morning as I was doing the regular brisk walking at Segamat Country Club, my friend LPY joined in. While walking, he noticed that I could not catch up his pace due to my pain in my left knee and also pain on my right leg. Then he started talking about the mangosteen juice and he told me that one of his friends who had the same problems as mine somehow recovered after drinking the mangosteen juice. This prompted me to search for more information on mangosteen from the internet. I am more interested on the bnefits of mangosteen, whether it can enhance our immune system and slow down our aging process.

I remember that my late parents used to tell me to eat the mangosteen fruits after eating durian. Durian has been referred to “King of the fruits” while mangosteen has been know as “Queen of the fruits". There were few mangosteen trees planted in the compound of the manager’s bungalow in Regent Estate, Gemencheh, Negeri Sembilan, when I managed the estate from January 1994 to June 1995. My family and my staff used to enjoy eating the mangosteen fruits during the fruiting season. We had the fun to choose and pick the fruits we liked from the trees to taste the juicy flesh of the fruits. It was so delicious!

Accordingly, mangosteen fruits can strengthen the immune system of our bodies because of the presence of more than 40 different Xanthones, the phytonutrients. This may help to fight infections and also protect against certain diseases (such as arthritis, moderate asthma, diabetes, prostate cancer and heart disease). Mangosteen fruit is also a rich source of antioxidants; well-known to delay aging process. Other research reports also showed that the mangosteen fruit contains many natural supplements and vitamins.

No wonder we always feel more energetic and rejuvenated after eating mangosteen fruits regularly. All in all, mangosteen is good for you!

(For information on mangosteen juice, click and visit http://www.myxango.com.my/jamesloh )

THE 80/20 RULE IN RELATIONSHIPS

2008-12-13T14:28:00.004+08:00

A very valuable lesson to learn ...
Interesting quote from the movie 'Why did I get married?'

In most cases, especially in relationships, you will only get 80% of what you NEED and you will hardly get the other 20% that you WANT in your relationship. There is always another person (man or women) that you will meet and that will offer you the other 20% which is lacking in your relationship that you WANT And believe me, 20% looks really good when you are not getting it at all in your current relationship.

But the problem is that you will always be tempted to leave that good 80% that you know you have, thinking that you will get something better with the other 20% that you WANT. But as reality has proven, in most cases, you will always end up with having the 20% that you WANT and loosing the 80% that you really NEED and that you already had.

Be careful in deciding between what you WANT and NEED in your life.

Adultery happens when you start looking for what you don't have. 'Wow, this girl in my office is a real looker. But it's not her Wynona Rider features that got me. I'm crazy about her because she's also understanding, intelligent, tender - so many things that my spouse is not'

Somewhere along the way, you'll find a woman or a man who will be more charming or sensitive. More alluring. More thoughtful. Richer. Have greater sex appeal. And you will find a woman or man who will need you and pursue you and go loco over you more than your spouse ever did.

Because no wife or husband is perfect. Because a spouse will only have 80% of what you're looking for. So adultery takes place when a husband or wife looks for the missing 20%. Let's say your wife is melancholic by nature. You may find yourself drawn to the pretty clerk who has a cherry laugh no matter what she says: 'I broke my arm yesterday, Hahahaha . . ..'

Or because your wife is a homebody in slippers and pajamas, smelling of garlic and fish oil, you may fall for a fresh-smelling young sales representative that visits your office in a sharp black blazer, high heels, and a red pencil-cut skirt. Or because your husband is the quiet type, your heart may skip a beat when you meet an old college flame who has the makings of a talk show host.

But wait! That's only 20% of what you don't have.
Don't throw away the 80% that you already have!

That's not all. Add to your spouse's 80% the 100% that represents all the years that you have been with each other. The storms you have weathered together. The unforgettable moments of sadness and joy as a couple. The many adjustments you have made to love the other. The wealth of memories that you've accumulated as lovers.

Adultery happens when you start looking for what you don't have.

But faithfulness happens when you start thanking God for what you already have.

But I'm not just talking about marriage.
I'm talking about life!

About your jobs.
About your friends.
About your children.
About your lifestyles.

Are you like the economy airline passenger that perennially peeks through the door of the first class cabin, obsessed with what he's missing? 'They have got more leg room! Oh my, their food is served in porcelain! Wow, their seats recline at an 80% angle and they've got personal videos!'

I guarantee you'll be miserable for the entire trip! Don't live your life like that. Forget about what the world says is first class. Do you know that there are many first class passengers who are miserable in first class -- because they are not riding in a private Lear Jet?

The main message?

If you start appreciating what you have right now, wherever you are, you are first class!

Something2Share:

I wish to share this write up forwarded from a friend.
It’s an important message for us:

Be thankful of what you have. Don’t try to look for the little that you don’t have and ended up losing of what you already have. Learn to be satisfied and be contented. Always be happy of what you can afford to possess and then you won’t feel uncomfortable and upset of what you can’t afford to pay.

How true it is that “If you start appreciating what you have right now, wherever you are, you are first class!”

OKRA - GOOD FOR DIABETIC (TREATMENT SUGAR LEVEL)

2008-12-08T14:38:00.005+08:00

Got this write up forwarded to me by a friend. Please read and pass on to your friends and relatives who are diabetic. I believe it’s worth trying. Make it your favourite drink.
Last month in one of TV program I learned of a treatment of Sugar Level (Diabetes). Since I am diabetic, I tried it and it was very useful and my Sugar Level is in control now. In fact I have already reduced my medicine.

Take two pieces of Lady’s Finger (Okra) or known as Bhindi in South Asia and remove/cut both ends of each piece. Also put a small cut in the middle and put these two pieces in glass of water. Cover the glass and keep it at room temperature during night. Early morning, before breakfast simply remove two pieces of Lady’s Finger (Okra) from the glass and drink that water.

Keep doing it on daily basis. Within two weeks, you will see remarkable results in reduction of your SUGAR.

My sister has got rid of her diabetes. She was on Insulin for a few years, but after taking the Lady’s Finger (Okra) every morning for a few months, she has stopped Insulin but continues to take the Lady’s Finger (Okra) every day. But she chops the Lady’s Finger (Okra) into fine pieces in the night, adds the water and drinks it all up the next morning.

Please try it as it will not do you any harm even if it does not do much good to you, but you have to keep taking it for a few months before you can see results, as most cases might be chronic.

Something2share:

After reading it, I searched the internet to check on more information relating to the claim of Lady’s Finger (Okra) for treatment of sugar level. It is called bendi in Bahasa Malaysia. I wish to share the relevant information that I have found in various websites:

Okra is good for preventing diabetes. Okra is good in normalizing the blood sugar and cholesterol level. A person started eating 6 pieces Lady’s Finger (Okra) and within 2 months, his blood sugar has dropped from 135 to 98.

The mucilage and superior fiber found in Okra helps to stabilize blood sugar by curbing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract. In India, okra has been used successfully in experimental blood plasma replacements. - Sylvia W. Zook, PhD. (Nutritionist)

Many natural foods also help with blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes. These include sage, buckwheat, Okra, peas, brewer's yeast, fenugreek seeds, and broccoli and other greens. These foods help because they are high in fiber. Certain herbs also reportedly help, including hawthorn, nettle, ginger, ginseng, and garlic. – Milos pesic

BENEFITS OF EATING LADY'S FINGER (OKRA)

2008-12-08T08:40:00.004+08:00

A person, suffering from constipation for the past 20 years and recently from acid reflux, started eating 6 pieces of “Lady’s Finger” or Okra within the last 2 months. Since then, he has not taken any other medication. Now, his blood sugar has dropped from 135 to 98 and his cholesterol and acid reflux are also under control.

According to Ms. Sylvia Zook PhD (Nutritionist) of University of Illinois, Okra has several benefits:

1) The superior fiber found in Okra helps to stabilize blood sugar by curbing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.

2) Okra's mucilage binds cholesterol and bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the filtering liver.

3) Okra helps lubricate the large intestines due to its bulk laxative qualities. The Okra fiber absorbs water and ensures bulk in stools. This helps prevent and improve constipation. Unlike harsh wheat bran, which can irritate or injure the intestinal tract, Okra's mucilage soothes, and Okra facilitates elimination more comfortably by its slippery characteristic. Okra binds excess cholesterol and toxins (in bile acids). These, if not evacuated, will cause numerous health problems. Okra also assures easy passage out of waste from the body. Okra is completely non-toxic, non-habit forming, has no adverse side effects, is full of nutrients, and is economically within reach of most unlike the OTC drugs.

4) Okra fiber is excellent for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics). This contributes to the health of the intestinal tract. These are similar to the ones proliferate by the yoghurt in the small intestine and helps biosynthesis of Vitamin B complex.

5) Okra is good for summer heat treatment. Okra is a supreme vegetable for those feeling weak, exhausted, and suffering from depression.

6) Okra is used for healing ulcers and to keep joints limber. It helps to neutralize acids, being very alkaline, and provides a temporary protective coating for the digestive tract.

7) Okra treats lung inflammation, sore throat, and irritable bowel.

8) In India, Okra has been used successfully in experimental blood plasma replacements. To retain most of Okra's nutrients and self-digesting enzymes, it should be cooked as little as possible, e.g. with low heat or lightly steamed. Some eat it raw.

Other benefits reported:

Okra is an ideal vegetable for weight loss and is storehouse of health benefits provided it is cooked over low flame to retain its properties. This also to ensure that the invaluable mucilage contained in it is not lost to high heat.

For adding bounce your hair, boil horizontally sliced Okra till the brew become maximally slimy. Cool it and add a few droops of lemon and use this as the last rinse and see your hair spring back to youthfulness and jump.

Okra is an excellent laxative treats irritable bowels, heals ulcers and sooths the gastrointestinal track.

Protein and oil contained in the seeds of Okra serves as the source of first-rate vegetable protein. It is enriched with amino acids on the likes of tryptophan, cystine and other sulfur amino acids.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. This anti-inflammatory activity may curtail the development of asthma symptoms. A large preliminary study has shown that young children with asthma experience significantly less wheezing if they eat a diet high in fruits rich in vitamin C. 1/2 cup of cooked Okra contains over 13 mg of vitamin C.

Diets high in insoluble fiber, such as those containing Okra, are associated with protection against heart disease in both men and women.

The insoluble fiber found in Okra helps to keep the intestinal tract healthy, decreasing the risk of some forms of cancer, especially colon-rectal cancer.

Eating plenty of flavonoid and vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables such as Okra helps to support the structure of capillaries.

1/2 cup of cooked Okra contains 460 IU of vitamin A. Some studies have reported that eating more foods rich in beta-carotene or vitamin A was associated with a lower risk of cataracts.

A study (JAMA July 23, 2003) showed that consuming a "dietary portfolio" of vegetarian foods lowered cholesterol nearly as well as the prescription drug lovastatin (Mevacor). The diet was rich in soluble fiber from oats, barley, psyllium, eggplant and Okra. It used soy substitutes instead of meat and milk and included almonds and cholesterol-lowering margarine every day.

A controlled trial showed that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables containing folic acid, beta-carotene, and vitamin C effectively lowered homocysteine levels. Healthy people were assigned to either a diet containing a pound of fruits and vegetables per day, or to a diet containing 3 1/2 ounces (99g) of fruits and vegetables per day. After four weeks, those eating the higher amount of fruits and vegetables had an 11 percent lower homocysteine level compared to those eating the lower amount of fruits and vegetables. Okra is a storehouse of vitamins (A, B6 & C) and folic acid.

Something2share:

If you like to eat Lady’s Finger (Okra), and if you have constipation problem, then give it a try. Eating 6 pieces of Lady’s Finger (Okra) everyday for 2 months is certainly good for you.

I prefer to steam the fresh young pods of Lady’s Finger (Okra). I also like to put them in boiling water for few minutes and then take them out and cool them on a plate before eating. Taste good (being soft and tender) by adding a little olive oil and soy sauce.

There are many ways of cooking Lady’s Finger (Okra), such as fried with dried shrimp or ikan bilis with belacan (Malaysian shrimp paste) and added some red chilies. My wife likes to prepare yong tau foo (酿豆腐) with Lady’s Finger (Okra) as well, besides using bean curd (tau foo), bitter gourd, brinjal (eggplant) and chilies. When she cooks curry fish head or tom yam fish head, she always adds more Lady’s Finger (Okra) because her children including me, her hubby, like eating Lady’s Finger (Okra).

If you are like my old friend, Tan Jing Ming, loves woking (i.e. cooking)in the kitchen besides walking and talking, then go search the net for many Okra Recipes. Enjoy your delicious dishes and stay healthy.

BREATHING THERAPY (HEADACHE & TIREDNESS) 呼吸治療法（頭痛及疲倦）TERAPI DENGAN PERNAFASAN (KEPALA SAKIT & KELELAHAN)

2008-12-07T12:47:00.006+08:00

Our noses have left and right nostrils. Are these nostrils having the same function for inhaling (breathe in) and exhaling (breathe out)?
我們有左邊、右邊鼻孔，吸氣、吐氣時有沒有一樣？
Kita meiliki hidung berlubang disebelah kiri dan disebelah kanan, apakah fungsinya sama untuk menghirup dan membuang nafas?

Actually it’s not the same and we can feel the difference. Accordingly, the right side represents the sun and the left side represents the moon.
其實不一樣，可以感覺不一樣；右邊等於是太陽的意思，左邊等於是月亮.
Sebenarnya fungsinya tidak sama dan dapat kita rasakan bedanya; sebelah kanan mewakili matahari (mengeluarkan panas) dan sebelah kiri mewakili bulan ( mengeluarkan dingin).

When having headache, try to close your right nostril and use your left nostril to do breathing for about 5 min. The headache will be gone.
平常頭痛時可以用手把右邊鼻孔關起來，只用左邊鼻孔吸氣、吐氣，約五分鐘，頭痛就好了。
Jika sakit kepala, cobalah menutup lubang hidung sebelah kanan dan bernafaslah melalui hidung sebelah kiri dan lakukan kira-kira 5 menit, sakit kepala akan sembuh.

If you feel too tired, do it the opposite way. Close your left nostril and breathe through your right nostril. After a while, you will feel refresh again.
如果疲倦、累了，相反的關起左邊的鼻孔，只用右邊吸氣、吐氣，不用多久，馬上精神好起了。
Jika Anda merasa lelah, lakukan bolak-balik. Tutup lubang hidung sebelah kiri dan bernafaslah melalui hidung sebelah kanan. Tak lama kemudian, Anda akan merasakan segar kembali.

Because the right side belongs to heat, so it gets hot easily. The left side gets cold easily.
因為右邊屬於火氣，比較會熱，左邊比較會涼。
Sebab lubang hidung sebelah kanan mengeluarkan panas, sehingga gampang sekali panas, Lubang hidung sebelah kiri mengeluarkan dingin..

Women breathe mainly with their left nostril, so they get calm down easily.
女生大部分吸氣、吐氣在左邊，所以心比較會涼快。
Perempuan bernafas lebih dengan hidung sebelah kiri, sehingga hatinya gampang sekali dingin.

Men breathe mostly with their right nostril, so they get angry easily.
男生大部分吸氣、吐氣在右邊，所以他們比較會生氣。
Laki-laki bernafas lebih dengan hidung sebelah kanan, sehingga gampang sekali marah.

When we wake up, do we notice which nostril breathes faster? Is it the left side or the right side?
我們起床時，可以注意哪邊吸氣、吐氣比較快？左邊或右邊？
Apakah Anda ada memperhatikan pada saat bangun, lubang hidung sebelah mana yang bernafas lebih cepat ? Sebelah kiri atau kanan ?

If the left nostril breathes faster, you will feel very tired. Close your left nostril and use your right nostril for breathing and you will get refresh quickly.
如果左邊比較快，覺得提不起精神，可以關起左邊鼻孔，用右邊呼吸，很快的精神會好起來。
Jika lubang hidung sebelah kiri bernafas lebih cepat, Anda akan merasa sangat lelah. Tutuplah lubang hidung sebelah kiri dan gunakan lubang hidung sebelah kanan untuk bernafas, Anda akan merasa segar kembali dengan cepat.

You can teach your kids about it. The effect of breathing therapy is much better for adults.
這也可以教給小孩，大人用更好。如果你有警覺心的話，速度更快。
Cara tersebut boleh diajarkan kepada anak-anak, tetapi efeknya akan lebih baik diterapkan kepada orang dewasa.

I used to have painful headache. When consulted a doctor, he told me jokingly," You will be all right if you get married!" The doctor did not bullshit me as he had his theory and supported with testimony.
以前我曾經頭痛，痛得非常厲害，去看醫生，醫生說 "你去結婚就好了!" 醫生說得沒錯，他有理論根據。
Saya biasanya merasakan sakit kepala, dan rasanya nyeri. Kemudian saya berobat ke dokter dan beliau mengatakan ,”Anda akan sembuh jika berumah tangga!” Dokter itu tidak bicara omong kosong. Apa yang dia sampaikan didukung dengan teori dan kesaksian.

During that time, I used to have headache every night and I was not able to study. I took medicine but I was not cured.
當時每天晚上都頭痛，沒有辦法看書，有吃藥，也不是辦法。
Pada saat itu, setiap malam saya merasakan sakit kepala dan tidak dapat belajar. Saya makan obat, tetapi tidak dapat sembuh..

One night as I sat down to medidate, I closed my right nostril and breathed with my left nostril. In less than a week, it seemed that my headache problem had left me! I continued doing it for about a month and since then there was no recurrence of headache in me.
有一天晚上靜坐，關起右鼻孔呼吸，這樣子做，不到一個禮拜，頭痛好了！持續做了一個月，從那天晚上到現在，一次也沒有頭痛過。
Pada suatu malam. saya duduk bersemedi dan menutup lubang hidung sebelah kanan dan bernafas dengan lubang hidung sebelah kiri. Dalam kurang dari satu minggu, sakit kepala saya sembuh. Saya teruskan melakukannya selama 1 bulan, sejak malam itu sampai sekarang , sakit kepala saya tidak kambuh lagi.

This is my own experience. I used to tell others who also suffer headache to try this method as it was effective for me. It also works for those who have tried as well. This is a natural therapy, unlike taking medicines for a long time may have side effect. So, why don't you try it out?
這是我自己親身經驗過，每一次我告訴別人，你們頭痛的話，試試看，因為我的身體有效果，很多人試過也有效果。這是一種自然的處理，不像吃藥會有副作用，為什麼不用呢？
Ini adalah yang saya alami sendiri. Saya beritahukan kepada orang lain, jika sakit kepala, boleh mencoba cara tersebut, sebab sangat efektif buat saya. Banyak orang pun telah mencoba dan berhasil. Ini adalah terapi alami, tidak seperti memakan obat dalam jangka panjang akan ada efek sampingnya. Jadi kenapa Anda tidak mencobanya ?

Practice the correct ways of breathing (breathe in and breathe out) and your body will be in a very relaxing condition.
經常清楚的吸氣、吐氣，身體會覺非常輕鬆。
Selalulah mecoba terapi perrnafasan ini, tubuh Anda akan merasa sangat tenang sekali (rileks).

Something2share:

The Indonesian version was translated by Efendi Doloksaribu, my ex-colleague in Sawit Mas Group. We feel that we should also share this important information of Breathing Therapy to some of our Indonesian friends who do not read English and Chinese.

The English version has been edited for better understanding.

When I joined the local Gym Club in Segamat about a week ago after my return from Indonesia for retirement, I was taught by instructors, Sam and Peter Tan, to do the Qigong breathing, i.e. to breathe in air into the stomach (abdomen) through the nose until it expands out like a balloon. Then hold the breath in for a moment, and then breathe out the air slowly through the nose and not through the mouth. I was told to repeat this breathing exercise for 10 times or practice it for about 5 minutes. While doing it, I was reminded to relax my face and my mind but concentrate on my breathing. I find that with more air breathe in (i.e. more oxygen supply), it helps to increase my energy and reduce tension.

Dear GOD, I Beg You!

2008-11-27T14:22:00.005+08:00

Feeling at a loss with what to do with an irritating and unjust BOSS?

Unfair, unjust, always picking on you - well the list may be too long...?

This prayer may be of HELP to you.

Something2share:

GOD, if you give me the power, I'll hug him and say THANK YOU!

FRESH INGREDIENTS: Healing and cleansing with barley

2008-11-25T12:25:00.003+08:00

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

EU KHAW writes :-

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 3 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 & fry onions. Add carrots & celery, then the barley & fry for 3 minutes.

3. Add chicken stock, pepper & roasted garlic, simmer over low heat for at least 1 hour, or until barley is soft.

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

Something2share:

Barley with lime is my favourite drink (No ice and no sugar).

A Cancer Killer in Your Kitchen

2008-10-29T14:26:00.005+08:00

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 tumors 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 flavor and a powerful anti-cancer kick. I highly recommend that you try it.

Something2Share:

In October 2001, we went back to Da Bu (my late father's birthplace) in Guangdong Province, China. After travelling for long hour from Xiamen, we arrived our aunty's house quite late in the night and we were feeling cold. Luckily for us, the boiled ginger drink had been prepared for us to warm up our body temperature upon our arrival.

In fact, I do boil smashed ginger with brown sugar or gula Melaka whenever I feel my stomach is bloated with "wind". I have also tried to replace the brown sugar with honey. Sometime I also add in pumpkin slices and taste good.

One day in March 2008 as we decided to travel to Aceh at night, we decided to stop at a place near Bastagi for "bandrek", a traditional beverage boiled with ginger (jahe in Bahasa Indonesia) and other ingredients such as cinammon, cloves, lemon grass, chillies and palm sugar, to warm ourselves during the cold night. This was the first time I tasted it and I started to search for it in Medan. It seems that "bandrek" with or without milk can reduce fatigue, reduce "wind" in the stomach, decrease joint pain from arthritis, prevent and cure rhumatism and control poor dietary habits. It also has a healing effect on sore throat.

I come to understand that ginger drink in Phillipines is known as "salabat".

In Malaysia, we used to enjoy drinking ginger tea or teh halia tarik in mamak stalls.

Do go for ginger drink and make it your favourite drink now knowing that it has a powerful anti-cancer kick!

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins

2008-10-22T16:38:00.003+08:00

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's amino's or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intes tina l tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk, cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties.Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic build up.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiving and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Something2share:

This is an excellent article on cancer. Please pass it on to your loved one and friends.

Change our lifestyles and eating habits.

"Prevention is always better than cure !"

MM Lee says rethinking of global financial system needed

2008-10-17T16:49:00.003+08:00

Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said when the current financial crisis is over; there will be a rethinking of the international financial system.

In the next 10 to 30 years, the Indian and Chinese currencies may also have to be figured into the equation.

Mr. Lee was speaking on Friday at a dialogue session that was part of the Global Indian Diaspora Conference held in Singapore.

He said: "You will have to factor in over the next 10, 20
years; India will be playing a bigger role. The Rupee will become an important world currency as the Indian community grows so will the Chinese Yuan or Renminbi.

"All these will have to be factored into the global financial system. I see that this has to be an inevitable trend - as the economy of the world, the central gravity, shifts from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

"It may take 10, 20, 30 years. Definitely by 20 years, 30 years, China will equal the US in total GDP. India will be bigger than any European country."

Something2share:

We shall know by then, sir?

For the moment, just tighten our belts.

One thing keeps puzzling us: Why is that when Wall Street tumbled, USD went up!

THE RIGHT APPROACH TO FIGHT CANCER

2008-10-14T10:29:00.005+08:00

Under weakly alkaline condition, cancerous cells are not able to grow, or even to survive.
在弱鹼性體質的狀態下，癌細胞是無法生長、甚至是無法生存的。
Dalam kondisi darah dengan pH basah, sel kanker tak bisa bertumbuh, atau pun berkembang.

These are real cases which are very important. Please read patiently and pass this on. Even if you had read it, you should read it again, especially the list of acidic and alkaline food stuff. It’s best to read it several times and remember them. Please read this article in full patience. It helps to improve and maintain your health.
實案例，很重要，請耐心看完，請轉寄哦! 即使看過了還是要再看，尤其下面的酸鹼性食物最好多看幾次，就可以記住了。請耐心看完這篇文章，對自身健康很有幫助。
Ada beberapa kasus yang terjadi dan sangat penting. Mohon baca dengan sabar dan sampaikan kasus tersebut kepada orang lain. Jika Anda sudah membaca, ulangi baca kembali, terutama menu berkaitan dengan makanan yang ber pH asam dan ber pH basah. Bacalah beberapa kali supaya bisa mengingat menu makanan tersebut. Sekali lagi mohon baca dengan penuh sabar. Ini sangat bermanfaat untuk kesehatan Anda sendiri dan juga keluarga.

About 30 years ago, a Mr. Zhang who worked in the Public Sales Department of a Taipei Brewery, sat for Overseas Study Selection Examination, and passed with flying colours. Before leaving, unfortunately, the medical examination at a public hospital discovered that he had a tumour growth in his lung about the size of a child's fist. Thus, he was not able to make the overseas trip for further study.
三十多年前有一位服務於公賣局台北啤酒廠的張先生，參加該啤酒場選派技術人員到國外深造的考試，以優異的成績及格。在出國前經某公立醫院體檢發現，罹患有像小孩拳頭大小的肺部腫瘤，因而不能出國。
30 tahun yang lalu, Pak Zhang berkerja di Departemen Penjualan Umum, PT Taipei Brewery. Beliau telah mengikuti Ujian Seleksi untuk melanjutkan sekolah di luar negeri, dan beliau lulus dengan nilai tertinggi. Kasihan, sebelum beliau berangkat dilakukan pemeriksaan kesehatannya di rumah sakit umum dan ditemukan tumor ganas di dalam paru-parunya, sebesar kepalan tangan seorang anak. Dengan demikian, harapan melanjutkan pelajarannya di luar negeri pupus.

Mr. Zhang was very disappointed. He had the feeling that the diagnosis could be wrong. So he went for a 2nd check-up in another hospital but the result confirmed that there was no error in the previous diagnosis. The young Mr. Zhang was in great despair after the confirmation. He made several calls to Mr. Wei, his old classmate who was the Mayor’s secretary of Huangsun County, Taidong County Government.
張先生非常失望之餘，一直懷疑診斷有誤；於是再到另一家醫院檢查，結果還是證實原來的診斷並無錯誤。當時年輕力壯的張先生得到這樣的絕症，在人生絕望之餘，多次打電話給當時任職台東縣政府黃順興縣長機要秘書的魏姓同學。
Pak Zhang merasa sangat kecewa. Dia menduga bahwa hasil pemeriksaan itu mungkin bisa salah. Jadi dia lalu pergi ke rumah sakit lain untuk memeriksakan kembali tetapi hasil pemeriksaan kali ini pun positif juga. Maka Pak Zhang, yang masih muda, putus harapan setelah dikonfirmasi bahwa dia benar-benar terkena penyakit kanker paru-paru. Dia pun menelpon beberapa kali kepada Pak Wei, teman sekelasnya, yang bertugas sebagai sekretaris Walikota Daerah Huangsun, Pemerintah Wilayah Taidong.

On hearing the sad news, Mr. Wei rushed to Taipei to see Mr. Zhang on Sunday. Mr. Zhang briefed Mr. Wei in detail about his despair and pessimism, and entrusted his friend regarding his affairs after his death. It happened that Mr. Wei was a good friend of Dr Lu Geling, who in 1949-55 was in charge of the Maijie Hospital, and was a researcher and specialist in cancer.
魏姓同學便利用星期日趕到台北和張先生見面，張先生向魏同學詳述相關絕望的詳情和悲觀感受，並請位同學協助其後事，恰逢魏同學與前任馬偕醫院院長1949－55年專精於癌症臨床研究的呂革令博士係知交好友。
Setelah mendengar berita sedih dari Pak Zhang, kemudian Pak Wei pun langsung berangkat ke Taipei pada hari minggu menemuinya. Pak Zhang, dengan putus harapan dan sangat pessimis, memberitahukan Pak Wei hal penyakit yang buruk itu dengan panjang lebar, dan meminta temannya membantu mengurus hal-hal pribadinya jika dia meninggal dunia. Pak Wei lalu teringat teman baiknya, Dr. Lu, yang memimpin Rumah Sakit Maijie pada tahun 1949-55. Beliau adalah seorang peneliti dan spesialis penyakit kanker.

He suggested to Mr. Zhang to seek Dr Lu’s treatment immediately. Mr. Zhang initially refused to consult doctor anymore as the result might add further misery to him. But Mr. Wei said that he had called Dr Lu and made an appointment with him. So Mr. Zhang felt obligated and went with Mr. Wei to meet Dr Lu.
當即建議前往訪求呂博士醫治，起初張先生說不願再看醫生，以免徒增傷悲；但魏同學說先前已以電話請教過呂博士並安排好時間，張先生只好偕同前往呂博士住處造訪。
Dia minta Pak Zhang menjumpai Dr. Lu untuk perobatan dengan segera. Pada awalnya Pak Zhang tidak mau berkonsultasi dengan doctor lagi karena hasil pemeriksaan baru akan menambah kesengsaraan untuknya. Tetapi kata Pak Wei sudah buat janji dengan Dr. Lu. Jadi Pak Zhang pun merasa wajib menemui Dr. Lu didampingi Pak Wei.

When meeting Mr. Zhang, Dr Lu said: " Mr. Wei is my best friend and he has introduced you to me. We are fated to know each other. Let me ask you do you know why is that cancer is referred to as terminal illness?” Both Mr. Zhang and Mr. Wei did not know how to answer.
呂博士和張先生見面就說：「魏先生是我的好友，介紹你和我認識是我們緣份，感謝。我請教你：『癌為什麼叫絕症，你可知道嗎？』張先生和魏先生都不知道如何作答。」
Waktu bertemu, Dr. Lu berkata,”Pak Wei adalah teman baik saya. Boleh dikatakan perkenalan ini merupakan satu pertemuan yang sangat baik. Saya mau bertanya kenapa penyakit kanker adalah yang mematikan?” Pak Zhang dan Pak Wei tidak bisa menjawab.

Dr Lu explained: " There are only 2 approaches so far to treat cancer today. The 1st is to destroy the source of the disease. The 2nd is to increase the immunity to fight the disease. But the strange thing is that, whether we use Cobalt 60 or other drugs to destroy the cancerous cells, before they are killed, the good cells are destroyed first. On the other hand, no matter what nutrients or supplements we use, before the good cells have a chance to absorb them, the cancer cells have taken them up. This simply speeds up the growth of cancer. Therefore, both approaches are doomed to fail, that is why cancer is terminal."
呂博士又說：「人類醫治癌症到目前為止只有兩條路，第一條路是消滅病源，第二條路是增加抵抗力。但很奇怪的是，癌無論用鈷60或其他藥物去消滅癌細胞，可是癌細胞還沒被消滅，好的細胞卻先被殺死。另無論用什麼營養、補藥，好的細胞還未吸收，癌細胞卻先吸收、讓癌長得更快；因此可說上述兩條路都行不通、所以叫絕症。」
Dr. Lu menjelaskan,” Sampai saat ini cumah ada 2 cara digunakan untuk mengobati penyakit kanker. Yang pertama harus menghilangkan bibit penyakit kanker. Yang kedua meningkatkan kekebalan tubuh terhadap penyakit kanker. Nah, walaupun Cobalt 60 atau obat-obatan lain digunakan, yang mengherankan sekali, sel kanker belum bisa dimatikan, tetapi yang telah dimatikan adalah sel yang sehat. Juga apa pun bahan gizi atau suplemen yang dimakan, sel kanker dengan cepat mengabsorsi gizi atau suplemen tersebut sebelum sel sehat mengabsorsinya. Ini mengakibatkan sel kanker berkembang cepat dalam tubuh. Dengan demikian, boleh dikatakan kedua cara pengobatan ini akan gagal dan menyebabkan kematian.”

Dr Lu continues: "Human beings are the most intelligent creatures and they had successfully put men on the moon. But why there is no one ever questioned the above 2 approaches for cancer treatment which lead to ultimate death, and try to look for a 3rd approach? When I was conducting clinical research in Majie Hospital, I had many opportunities to work with many colleagues who had assisted me in the hospital. I found out that the blood tests of cancer patients showed 100% acidic results.
呂博士又說：「人類的聰明連登陸月球也都已經成功，但為什麼沒有人去懷疑上述兩條治癌的路是在鑽牛角尖，另外找第三條路？我以往在馬偕醫院做癌症临床實驗，並得院內各部同仁協助的機會，我發現癌症病人血液檢查的結果百分之百都是酸性反應。
Dr. Lu meneruskan,”Manusia adalah makhluk yang paling cerdas dan telah sukses mengantar angkasawan ke bulan. Kenapa tidak ada seorang pun yang bertanya kedua cara pengobatan penyakit kanker tersebut yang gagal dan menyebabkan kematian dan tidak mengusahakan dengan cara pengobatan yang ke3? Waktu saya buat penelitian klinis di Rumah Sakit Majie, ada banyak kesempatan untuk saya berkerja sama dengan kolega yang sering membantu saya. Pendapat saya dari hasil pemeriksaan tersebut bahwa darah pasien kanker menujukkan 100% pHnya asam.

Those Buddhist monks and nuns who are long term vegetarians and live very close to Nature, their blood are prevalently weakly alkaline and none of them has yet been detected of any cancer illness. Therefore, I can boldly concluded that under weakly alkaline condition, cancerous cells are not able to grow, or even to survive.
長期素食、且生活接近自然的佛寺僧尼，由於體質都偏屬優質弱鹼性，所以尚沒有發現罹患癌症的病例。因此我大膽的斷定在弱鹼性體質的狀態下，癌細胞是無法生長、甚至是無法生存的。
Ternyata rahib dan nun budda yang tinggal dilingkungan alam dan hanya makan sayur selama hidupnya, darah mereka rata-rata dalam kondisi darah ber pH basah yang rendah dan tidak ada satu pun diantara mereka dideteksi penyakit kanker. Dengan demikian, saya berani berpendapat dalam kondisi darah ber pH basah yang rendah, sel kanker tidak akan bertumbuh atau pun berkembang.

Mr. Zhang, I would suggest that starting from now you must reduce your intake of the acidic meaty dishes. Consume more alkaline food. Also you can take green algae and soup made from water chestnuts with skin. Modify your physical condition, and try seriously to have a regular life style which is close to Nature. If you live for another 5 years, you should have no further problem. Best of luck.”
張先生我建議你從現在起少吃酸性的葷食類，多吃鹼性食物，另外可吃綠藻和帶殼菱角湯，改變你的體質，並勵行接近自然的良好生活規律；如果五年內不死、你就沒問題了，祝福你。」
Pak Zhang, saya sarankan bahwa mulai sekarang kamu mengurangi makanan daging dan mengkonsumsi makanan sayur-sayuran. Kamu bisa makan ganggang hijau dan sup kenari. Mengubah kondisi tubuh dan mencoba serius cara hidup didalam lingkungan alam. Jika kamu akan hidup dalam 5 tahun ini, kamu sudah aman. Kamu akan bernasib baik.”

Mr. Zhang followed Dr Lu's suggestion and was serious in changing his eating habits. Every day, he ate green algae, drank chestnut soup, became optimistic and did an appropriate amount of exercise. One year later, he went back to the same public hospital for a check up. It was found that the tumour not only did not increase in size, but was also skrinking. It’s a miracle to the hospital staff who examined him. Five years later, the tumour had shrunk to almost disappearing stage. Now after almost 40 years, Mr. Zhang's health is totally normal, and is living a very pleasant life.
張先生依照呂博士的建議，認真改變吃的習慣，每天又吃綠藻、喝菱角湯，樂觀加上每天適當的運動，一年後再到同一公立醫院檢查結果，發現腫瘤不但沒有長大、反而已呈現萎縮狀態，遂令醫院檢查人員驚為奇蹟，五年後竟完全處於萎縮、至近於消失狀態。經過了將近四十年歲月，現在張先生的健康情況完全正常，生活起居甚為愉快。
Pak Zhang mengikuti nasehat Dr. Lu dengan serius untuk merubah kebiasaan pola makan. Setiap hari dia makan ganggang hijau, minum sup kenari dan membuat dia optimis melakukan olahraga yang cukup. Satu tahun kemudian, dia melakukan pemeriksaan kesehatannya di rumah sakit yang sama. Dari hasil pemeriksaan menunjukkan bahwa tumor kanker tidak bertambah besar tetapi semakin mengecil. Ini adalah satu keajaiban untuk staff rumah sakit yang memeriksa dia. Lima tahun kemudian, tumor kanker hampir hilang seluruhnya. Sekarang sudah hampir 40 tahun, kesehatan Pak Zhang benar-benar sudah normal dan kehidupannya sangat menyenangkan.

After Mr. Zhang’s case, a Mr. Chen Tianshou, who was previously Head of the General Administration of the Taidong Provincial Hospital, was also diagnosed with lung cancer. When Mr. Wei knew about it, he told Mr. Chen what Mr. Zhang had gone through. Mr. Chen started to follow Dr Lu’s recommendation of changing his physical condition. Just like the case of Mr. Zhang, he was able to recover fully from the cancer.
繼張先生之後，有位前台東省立醫院總務課長陳添壽先生，同樣得到肺癌；魏先生得知後將張先生的經過轉告陳添壽先生，陳先生乃依照呂博士的建議進行改變體質，結果與張先生同樣癒癌症。
Setelah kasus Pak Zhang, Pak Chen Tianshou, seorang mantan Kapala Admintrasi Umum di Rumah Sakit Provinsi Taidong, juga didiagnosa terkena penyakit kanker paru-paru. Saat diketahui Pak Wei, dia menceritakan kepada Pak Chen apa yang terjadi kepada Pak Zhang. Pak Chen pun mengikuti rekomendasi Dr. Lu untuk merubah pola makan sama seperti yang dilakukan oleh Pak Zhang. Dan akhirnya, Pak Chen pun sembuh dari penyakit kanker.

At that time, Dr. Lu and his family had migrated to the United States. When he returned to Taiwan and met up with Mr. Wei, he was told of the 2 cases of Mr. Zhang and Mr. Chen. Mr. Wei suggested that let both of them make detailed briefings in person, so that Dr. Lu could publish a report on this self-curing method.
那時呂博士全家已移民美國，事後呂博士回來台灣再與魏先生見面時，魏先生將張先生和陳先生的經過告訴呂博士，並提議由他們倆位親自向呂博士陳述，請呂博士發表其改變體質之自療成果報告。
Pada saat itu, Dr. Lu dan keluarganya sudah migrasi ke Amerika. Waktu dia pulang ke Taiwan dan bertemu Pak Wei, diberitahkan kabar kesembuhan Pak Zhang dan Pak Chen. Pak Wei mengusulkan kepada Dr. Lu supaya Pak Zhang dan Pak Chen melapor sendiri tentang kesembuhannya. Diharap Dr. Lu bisa menerbitkan satu pelaporan mengenai metode penyembuhan penyakit kanker dengan merubah pola makan.

Dr Lu very humbly replied: 'I am too old and I do not have any clinical records of the cases. Please tell your friends and relatives, if they agree, please continue and spread the words to others”
呂博士謙虛地回答說：我年事已大，且沒有臨床紀錄不能做為成果。請魏先生轉告親友，如果友人認同的話，請他們繼續做體驗並廣為宣導。
Dengan rendah hati, Dr. Lu menjawab,” Saya sudah usia tua dan tidak ada catatan klinis dua kasus ini. Beritahukan aja kepada teman-teman dan pamili, dan jika mereka setuju, mereka dapat menyampaikan juga kepada orang lain."

One should take care of oneself and also should be caring about others. 85% of cancer patients are having acidic condition in their physical bodies.
關心自己也要關心別人，85﹪癌症病患屬於酸性體質。
Siapa pun harus menjaga sendiri kesehatannya dan juga mau peduli dengan kesehatan orang lain. Sebanyak 85% pasien penyakit kanker, darahnya menunjukkan ber pH asam yang tinggi didalam tubuhnya.

Blood of healthy persons is weakly alkaline in nature, with a pH of about 7.35 to 7.45.
健康人的血液是成弱鹼性的，約是pH7.35〜7.45左右。
Darah orang sehat dinyatakan dangan ber pH basah yang rendah, yiaitu pHnya 7.35 – 7.45.

Babies' blood is also weakly alkaline.
嬰兒也是屬於弱鹼性的體質。
Darah bayi juga begitu, dalam kondisi ber pH basah yang rendah.

As adults age, their bloods become more acidic in nature.
成長期的成人有體質酸化的現象。
Dengan bertambahnya usia, maka orang dewasa darahnya menjadi lebih ber pH asam tinggi secara alami.

According to a study of body fluid of 600 cancer patients, 85% of the patients are in acidic physical condition. Therefore, how to maintain the weakly alkaline nature of our body is the 1st step from keeping oneself from illness.
根據一項六百位癌症病人體液分佈的研究，顯示85﹪癌症病患屬於酸性體質。因此，如何使體質維持在弱鹼性就是遠離疾病的第一步。
Menurut penelitian yang dilakukan terhadap sample darah 600 orang pasien penyakit kanker , sebanyak 85% diantara mereka menunjukkan ber pH asam yang tinggi. Bagaimana menjaga darah yang ber pH basah rendah adalah langkah yang pertama untuk menghindari penyakit kanker.

Acidic physical condition manifests itself in following ways:
酸性體質的生理表徵:
Kondisi darah ber pH asam mengambarkan hal-hal berikut:

1. Skin without luster.
1.皮膚無光澤。
1. Kulit tidak bersinar.

2. Athlete's foot.
2.香港腳。
2. Penyakit kaki karena kutu air.

3. Feeling tired even after a little exercise, and feeling sleepy the moment one gets into a bus.
3.稍做運動即感疲勞，一上公車便想睡覺。
3. Cepat merasa lelah setelah olahraga ringan dan mengantuk setelah naik bis.

4. Easily out of breathe after going up and down the stairs.
4.上下樓梯容易氣喘。
4. Setelah naik turun tangga terengah-engah.

5. Fat and with lower stomach protruding,
5.肥胖、下腹突出。
5. Gemuk dengan perut buncit.

6. Move slowly and movement lethargic.
6.步伐緩慢、動作遲緩。
6. Lamban bergerak dan lesu.

Why does the body physical condition turn acidic?
為什麼會形成酸性體質？
Mengapa kondisi darah dalam tubuh bisa berubah menjadi ber pH asam?

1. Excessive intake of dairy acidic food.
1.過度攝取乳酸性食品。
1. Terlalu banyak meminum susu dan memakan mentega dan keju.

a) Meats, dairy products, eggs, beef, ham, etc are acidic food
a）肉類、乳酪製品與蛋、牛肉、火腿等皆屬於酸性食品。
a) Daging, makanan seperti susu, mentega, keju, telur, daging sapi, daging babi asin, dll adalah makanan yang ber pH asam.

b) Taking too much acidic food will cause the blood to become acidic and viscous, difficult to flow to the end of blood vessels, leading to cold feet or knee, stiff shoulders and insomnia.
b）攝取過量的酸性食品血液會傾向酸性而變黏稠，不易流到細血管的末稍，而易造成手腳或膝蓋的冷寒症，以及肩膀僵硬和失眠等。
b) Terlalu banyak makanan ber pH asam akan menyebabkan pH darah asam dan kental, sehingga peredaran darah tidak lancar ke ujung pembuluh darah , mengakibatkan kaki/lutut dingin, bahu berat dan susah tidur.

c) For those who are young and strong, it’s alright to consume suitable quantity of meats, but for older people, vegetables or small fishes are the more suitable diet.
c）年輕力壯時吃適量的肉類是對的，但老年人則以蔬菜或小魚為宜。
c) Untuk orang-orang muda boleh mengkomsumsi daging dengan porsi yang wajar tetapi untuk orang-orang tua, agar mengkomsumsi sayur-sayuran dan ikan dengan porsi kecil.

2. Any irregularity in the pace of life will cause the body physical condition to become acidic.
2.生活步調失常會造成酸性體質。
2. Kehidupan tidak teratur menyebabkan kondisi pisik tubuh dengan darah ber pH Asam.

a) Irregular pace in life will lead to mental and physical stress
a）生活步調失常會造成精神與肉體的壓力。
a) Kehidupan tidak teratur menyebabkan tekanan terhadap pisik dan mental.

b) According to statistics, people who sleep late are more likely to have cancer than normal persons, by as much as 5 times.
b）據統計，晚睡者罹患癌症的機率比正常人高出五倍。
b) Menurut statistik, orang yang terlambat tidur kemungkinannya mengalami penyakit kanker 5 kali lebih besar dibanding dengan orang yang tidur tepat waktu.

c) Human beings originally lead a life with regular tempo in this world. It’s not possible to store up sleep or food and not possible to live a healthy life by mixing up days and nights.
c）人類本來就活在節奏的世界裡，無法事先儲備睡眠或飲食，也不能日夜顛倒。
c) Manusia pada dasarnya adalah hidup secara teratur di dunia ini. Tidak boleh mengakumulasi tidur dalam waktu yang lama dan memakan makanan dalam jumlah yang banyak dan tidak mungkin hidup menantang ritme alam.

d) Human organs are controlled by the autonomic nerves. During day time it is mainly sympathetic nerves activities, and at night it is mainly the parasympathetic nerves which are functioning. If this order is disturbed and reversed, then will encounter all sorts of sicklnesses.
d）人體內臟受自律神經控制，白天主要是交感神經活動，晚上則由副交感神經工作，若使其錯亂及倒置，就亦百病滋生。
c) Organ-organ dalam tubuh manusia dikontrol oleh syaraf autonomi. Pada siang hari adalah aktivitas utama dari syaraf simpatik dan pada waktu malam hanya syaraf para-simpatik yang berfungsi. Jika aturan ini terganggu dan diputarbalikkan, maka akan menghadapi semua jenis penyakit.

3. Over tensed becoming emotional.
3.情緒過於緊張。
3. Tensi naik mengakibatkan emosi.

a) Social stresses in view of civilized society.
a）文明社會會造成的壓力。
a) Tekanan sosial.

b) Job related or mental stresses.
b）工作上或精神上的壓力。
b) Tekanan mental atau yang berkaitan dengan pekerjaan.

c) For a person suffering mental stress, a temporary release of stress may lead to death. This is known as the syndrome of imperfect adrenal cortex function.
c）當一個人承受精神壓力後，一旦緊張鬆弛，時會造成猝死，稱為潛在性副腎皮質機能不全症。
c) Untuk orang yang menderita tekanan mental, kemungkinan bisa mengakibatkan kematian. Ini adalah sindrom fungsi korteks adrenalin tidak sempurna.

4. Physical Stress.
4.肉體的緊張。
4. Tekanan pisik.

a) Before any operation it would be necessary to check whether the renal cortex does function normally. If the adrenal cortex is lacking, or if the stress imposed by the operation exceeded the ability of adrenal cortex to cope, it could lead to death or other adverse impacts.
a）動手術之前應先檢查腎上腺皮質機能是否正常。如果副腎皮質機能較差，或手術壓力遠超過副腎調整功能，則可能造成病人死亡或其他不良影響。
a) Sebelum operasi, perlu memeriksa apakah korteks ginjal berfungsi secara normal. Jika korteks adrenalin bocor atau tekanan yang diakibatkan oleh operasi melebihi kemampuan korteks adrenalin maka akan mengakibatkan kematian atau dampak yang berlawanan.

b) If the patient's face is puffy, it would be necessary to ask for the detailed patient's medical history and medication status. For patients taking adrenal cortical hormone, extra care should be exercised when acupuncture treatment is given.
b）若發現病患臉部浮腫，需詳加詢問病史及服藥狀況，為長期服用腎上腺皮質賀爾蒙者，施以針灸要特別注意反應。
b) Jika muka pasien gembung, perlu menanyakan secara rinci kepada pasien riwayat penyakitnya dan status pengobatannya. Untuk pasien yang dalam pengobatan hormon korteks adrenalin, perawatan ekstra perlu diperhatikan ketika menjalani perawatan akupungtur.

c) Avoid stress due to physical labour or excessive exercise, or playing card games and driving through out the night etc.
c）勞動或運動過度，通宵打牌、開車等壓力都應盡量避免。
c) Menghidari tekanan oleh karena terlalu capek bekerja atau berolahraga, atau pun bermain judi dan menyetir sepanjang malam, dll.

Appendix: Acidity/alkalinity of Common food stuff
附錄：常見食物的酸鹼性
Lampiran: Bahan makanan yang ber pH asam/basah

1. Strongly acidic food: egg yolk, cheese, cake baked with white sugar or persimmon, mullet fish roe, dried cod, etc.
1強酸性食品：蛋黃、乳酪、白糖做的西點或柿子、烏魚子、柴魚等。
1. Makanan yang ber pH asam tinggi: kuning telur, keju, roti manis, telur ikan, minyak ikan, dll.

2. Mildly acidic food: ham, bacon, chicken meat, squid, pork, eel, beef, bread, wheat, butter, horse meat.
2.中酸性食品：火腿、培根、雞肉、鮪魚、豬肉、鰻魚、牛肉、麵包、小麥、奶油、馬肉等。
2. Makanan yang ber pH asam sedang: daging (paha) babi yang diasinkan (ham), daging babi yang diasin dan dikukus (bacon), daging ayam, ikan cumi-cumi, daging babi, belut, daging sapi, roti, gandum, mentiga, daging kuda.

3. Weakly acidic food: white rice, peanut, beer, alcohol, fried tofu, sea weeds, clam, octopus, catfish, etc.
3.弱酸性食品：白米、落花生、啤酒、酒、油炸豆腐、海苔、文蛤、章魚、泥鰍。
3. Makanan yang ber pH asam rendah: nasi putih, kacang, bir, alkohol, tahu goreng, rumput laut, remis besar (kerang), ikan gurita, ikan janggut (berkumis), etc.

4. Weakly alkaline food: red bean, radish, apple, cabbage, onion, tofu etc.
4.弱鹼性食品：紅豆、蘿蔔、蘋果、甘藍菜、洋蔥、豆腐等。
4. Makanan yang ber pH basah rendah: kacang merah, lobak, apel, sayur kubis atau kol, bawang, tahu, dll.

5. Mildly alkaline food: dried radish, soya bean, carrot, tomato, banana, orange, pumpkin, strawberry, egg white, dried plum, lemon, spinach, etc.
5.中鹼性食品：蘿蔔乾、大豆、紅蘿蔔、蕃茄、香蕉、橘子、南瓜、草莓、蛋白、梅乾、檸檬、菠菜等。
5. Makanan yang ber pH basah sedang: lobak kering, kacang kedele, wartel, tomat, pisang, jeruk, labu, buah delima, putih telur, prem kering, jeruk limun,bayam, etc

6. Strongly alkaline food: grape, tea leave, wine, kelp sprout, kelp, etc. Especially natural green algae which contain rich quantity of chlorophyl are very good alkaline health food, but avoid drinking tea in excess, and it’s best to drink in the mornings.
6. 強鹼性食品：葡萄、茶葉、葡萄酒、海帶芽、海帶等。尤其是天然綠藻富含葉綠
素，是不錯的鹼性健康食品，而茶類不宜過量，最佳飲用時間為早上。
6. Makanan yang ber pH basah tinggi: buah anggur, daun teh, minuman anggur, taoge laut, ganggang laut, dll. Khususnya jenis ganggang hijau mengandung banyak zat hijau daun (chlorophyl) sebagai makan kesehatan yang sangat baik dan ber pH basah tinggi. Jangan terlalu banyak minum teh tetapi sebaiknya minumlah teh pada pagi hari.

It’s a Blessing to you if you pass this on! Thank you. Good Bless You!
轉寄亦是一種福報! 謝謝。神祝福你！
Adalah menjadi berkat bagi Anda jika menyampaikan atau mengirimkan artikel ini kepada teman-teman, pamili, sanak saudara dan siapa saja. Terima kasih dan Tuhan memberkati Anda!

I Hope You Sing - You've Got A Friend

2008-10-13T12:23:00.005+08:00

These few days as I travelled from Jl. Kartini (where I stay in Medan) to Tembung (where I work) in the early mornings and back from office after working hours in late afternoons, the familiar song “You’ve Got A friend” was on the air every now and then as my driver tuned on the car radio. Suddenly it seems that the Medanese (listeners of English songs) are fanatical and passionate of this beautiful song originally sung by Carole King.

This reminded me the 1st time I heard of this song was when I'd enrolled myself into Wye College, University of London, in Kent County, England in the Fall Semester of 1971/1972. There were only 6 of us, all foreign students, attending the M.Sc. course in Applied Plant Sciences. Beside me from Malaysia, there were one from Thailand, one from Egypt, one from Nigeria and two from Ethiopia. I was staying in the “Old Flying Horse” hostel. There were another three Malaysian students but doing different courses. Coincidently, there were three other Thai students too. Since we were of small number, we got quite close together and became friends. But the one most close to me was Richard Yip from Hong Kong. He was on OGS’s scholarship (OGS: On Government Service) whereas I was on MAPA’s scholarship. (MAPA: Mama & Papa).

Once Richard Yip got acquainted with me, as I could speak Cantonese dialect, we started to cook and share our foods for dinners. It was quite convenient for us since he had brought along a rice cooker and he could afford to travel to London more often than me during weekends. Thus, he did the buying of most food stuff and ingredients from the grocery shops in Chinatown. I did more cooking than him and he used to wash the plates and bowls after meals. But he was only in Wye College for a semester. Soon he returned to Hong Kong to resume his duty as Senior Agriculture Officer.

True enough for us that we had come a long way to a foreign country to further our studies and we wanted more friends to keep us company and care after each other. We spent about a year in Wye College, and then we were parted and returned to our home countries after completed our courses and obtained our degrees. Even though our time of togetherness was short, but I had treasured the friendship we had in Wye College. These friends had indeed added sweet memories and richness to my life.

Coming back to Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend”, I liked it because the lyrics were so meaningful and touching. A true friend will never hesitate to tell you, “I’ll be there for you.” Now will you be there when your friend is down with troubles and needs a helping hand?

I wish to share the lyrics with you and I hope you sing along:

When you're down and troubled

and you need a helping hand

and nothing, whoa nothing is going right.

Close your eyes and think of me

and soon I will be there

to brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,

and you know wherever I am

I'll come running, oh yeah baby

to see you again.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall,

all you got to do is call

and I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You've got a friend.

If the sky above you

should turn dark and full of clouds

and that old north wind should begin to blow

Keep your head together and call my name out loud

and soon I will be knocking upon your door.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am

I'll come running to see you again.

Winter, spring, summer or fall

all you got to do is call

and I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?

People can be so cold.

They'll hurt you and desert you.

Well they'll take your soul if you let them.

Oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am

I'll come running to see you again.

Oh babe, don't you know that,

Winter spring summer or fall,

Hey now, all you've got to do is call.

Lord, I'll be there,

yes I will. You've got a friend.

You've got a friend.

Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.

You've got a friend.

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_L4epGowZU to watch and listen to Carol King singing 'You've Got A Friend' on YouTube.