Foods mentioned in The Holy Quran

Believers in the Qur'an should include the foods mentioned in The Holy Quran into their daily diet patterns to stay fit and healthy. There has to be some very special importance in these foods if Allah chose to mention them in His Holy Book. Many scientific studies had confirmed that the best types of foods are the foods that Allah Had created in this nature, especially fruits, cereals and meat.

The Holy Qur’ân also offers useful tips regarding a balanced diet, a diet which contains the useful ingredients required for the growth, strengthening and repairing of the human body. These ingredients include animal protein, fat, calcium, iron, salts, etc.

The foods mentioned in Quran:

Water (mentioned 100+ times)

Milk (2)

Honey (2)

Wine that exists in Paradise (2)

Olive oil (1)

Plants                                                                                      

1. Dates (22)
2. Fruit (14)
3. Grapes (11)
4. Grains in general (7)
5. Olives (6 or 7)
6. Buckthorn (4)
7. Pomegranate (3)
8. Mustard seed (2)
9. Onion (1)
10. Herbs, beans and vegetables (1)
11. Cucumbers (1)
12. Garlic or wheat (1)
13. Lentil (1)                                                 
14. Gourd (1)
15. Banana (1)
16. Herbage, or Abb (1)
17. Fig (1)

Animals with halal meat

1. Cattle (34)
2. Birds in general (18)
3. Camels (11)
4. Calves (10)
5. Cows (9)
6. Sheep (8)
7. Seafood (5)
8. Quails (3)
9. Goats (1)
10. Hoopoes (1)
11. Meat in general (1)

Meat and Poultry: Muslims are permitted to eat meats and fish, but they are not permitted to eat certain meats and certain seafood.
Firstly, Muslims are only permitted to eat halal meats. Halal is a term that means "lawful," but when applied to food, it means the animal had to be slaughtered with the term, "In the name of God" recited over the animal beforehand. There is also a very specific method in which the animal must be slaughtered before it is deemed "halal".
Secondly, Muslims are not permitted to eat meat that has been dead already -- meaning it wasn't slaughtered -- animal blood, any form of pork, or any carnivorous animal.

The foods mentioned in the Quran: olive, fig, dates, grapes, pomegranate, honey etc, all ensure you emotional stability and make your immune system more resistant to diseases, especially heart and cancer diseases.
And the Quran emphasizes the importance of eating natural foods. Analysis of various verses from the Holy Qur'an clearly show that the foods spoken about in it, will fulfil one's daily protein, carbohydrate, fat and vitamin requirements.                      

Qur'anic verses speak about the importance of, among other things:
meat (6 : 118) dates (6 : 141) milk (16 : 66) olives (wat-Teen) pomegranates (6 : 141) figs (wat-Teen) fish (16 : 14) honey, etc.

Other than Qur'anic verses, muslims have the authentic Sunnah of Prophet (PBUH) which also testifies to the importance of a balanced diet. The fact that Prophet would at times eat cucumber together with dates in order to balance the opposing hot and cold effects in these foods is a proof of this.

As Islam is heavily influenced by the cultures that reside in the Muslim world, many of meals in muslim families are traditional despite of the fact that they prefer to include the foods mentioned in Quran and Hadith to their diet.

More links for useful information:

* 'Quranic food' pdf

Good postures vs bad posture

Poor posture looks bad – slouching conveys a lack of interest, energy and vitality. Most people know that we should practice good posture, but did you know that having good posture can actually help you get in shape and live a healthier lifestyle?
Practicing good posture allows your bones, ligaments, and muscles to align properly. This leads to better productivity and more energy. For kids it is vital that they learn good posture from a young age. Trying to fix bad posture is not difficult from early age.


Health effects of poor posture:

• Suffering from chronic pain in the hands, neck and shoulders
•  Repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome 
• Poor posture is unhealthy – bad habits can cause problems with joints, muscles, the spine and internal organs.
• Poor posture can also cause bones to grow abnormally.                 

Good posture

• Good Posture ensures that the least strain is placed on muscles and ligaments. Having good posture prevents muscle fatigue and backaches, decreases wear on joints, ligaments, and bones, and contribute to a good appearance.
• Good posture facilitates breathing. It naturally enables you to breathe properly. If you breathe properly, your body circulation will improve. Your metabolism will speed up, your body’s energy creating capacity is greater and your body is able to eliminate free radicals and waste materials fast. 
• Good posture increases your concentration and thinking ability. When you are breathing properly, you increase your thinking ability too. Remember that our brain requires 20% of oxygen to do its job properly. Thus, our brain functions efficiently when we observe good posture. 
• Good posture improves your image. Observe people who have good postures. They look good. They look smarter and attractive. They feel confident and give out a certain appeal and aura around them.                                                                     
• Your posture reflects your self confidence. If you lack self confidence, you are not healthy emotionally. Good posture makes you feel good about yourself. 
• Good posture also makes you avoid health complications. A bad posture results in several complications over time, such as increased risks of slipped disc, back aches, back pain, pressure inside your chest, poor blood circulation. 

 Does posture really matter? 
"Yes," says Jeffrey Bergin Dean of Clinics at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard. "Many children are suffering from chronic pain in the hands, neck and shoulders, as well as repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Many of these ailments can be prevented and eliminated with proper attention to posture, correct backpack use and attention to how and how long children sit at computer stations. "Poor posture can also cause bones to grow abnormally.

Good posture ensures that the least strain is placed on muscles and ligaments. According to Spine Universe.com having good posture prevents muscle fatigue and backaches, decreases wear on joints, ligaments, and bones, and contributes to a good appearance.

 Deborah Saint-Phard, a physiatrist at CU Sports Medicine says good posture is crucial for optimal performance in sports. "Oftentimes, I'll walk into a room and see teenage kids slumped over, with rounded shoulders and head slumped over. They'll have shoulder pains (when they) play tennis," she says. Saint-Phard says poor posture is exacerbated by weak back muscles that are elongated and stretched out.

She says children can learn good posture in a positive way. "I counsel my (5-year-old daughter): 'Sit up proud. Be proud of who you are.'" she says.

More links:

Read more :How teachers can teach children good posture?
 * 'Parenting good posture' 
* 'Stand tall'

* Good posture vital for kids and teens

* Good posture (pdf)

Balanced diet according to The Holy Quran and islam

Islam teaches to adopt the balanced diet which can help a Muslim stay healthy. Islam emphasizes that people should eat a balance diet. A balanced diet comprises of protein, carbohydrate, fat and vitamin in Islam.

Balanced diet means getting the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and for supporting normal growth and development. Following a balanced diet is important to keep our body healthy and fit.

In Holy Quran, we can find the divine order for people to eat the lawful foods which Allah, (the Almighty) Had created for them. He says:
"O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that we have provided you with, and be grateful to Allâh, if it is indeed He Whom you worship" (172: Al Baqara).
Therefore, the scientists confirm that the best type of food is what we find ready in the nature before the human hand poison it!                                            

Importance of balanced diet in Islam 
Islam itself is a balanced way of life that is pure from all forms of excesses. A balanced diet fits beautifully into the balanced teachings of Islam.The Islamic way of life is a natural lifestyle suited to the temperament of mankind at large. Islam is opposed to extremes in the physical as well as spiritual matters of life

Islam always promotes the middle path and this Ummah(muslims) has been declared in the Holy Qur'an as being 'the nation of the middle path'. So long as Muslims adhere to this general principle of Islam in every matter of their lives, they can look forward to not only good physical health but even an excellent mental, psychological and spiritual state of well being, by the Will of Allah.

A Balanced Diet
Importance of balanced diet or healthy food is clear when we see that “food” has been mentioned in 108 verses of the Holy Quran.
The Qur’ân has not restricted itself in merely mentioning the permissible and impermissible foods but goes to the extent of giving useful tips regarding a balanced diet, a diet which contains most if not all the useful ingredients required for the growth, strengthening and repairing of the human body. These ingredients include animal protein, fat, calcium, iron, salts, etc. The most balanced diets consist of meat, fish, fresh milk, cheese and fruit. Both direct and indirect references have been made regarding the afore mentioned.

The reference regarding the importance of meat protein in the human diet is given in the following verse:

“And the cattle, He has created them for you, in them there is warmth (clothing) and numerous benefits, and of them you eat.”(16:5) In this verse special reference has been given to the importance of eating despite having said, “…numerous benefits…”. 

Reference regarding other types of meat has also been given such as the meat of fowls in the following verse:
 “And the flesh of fowls that they desire.”(56:21)

Fish has always been considered as a food of very high protein and is very important for human consumption. Allah says:
 “And from them both (fresh and salt water) you eat fresh tender meat (fish).”(35:12)
 The usefulness of fresh milk is stressed in these words:
 “And verily in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from between excretion and blood, pure milk, palatable to the drinkers.”(16:66)

The benefits of fruits as good nourishment can be understood from this verse:
 “And from the fruits of date palms and grapes, you desire strong drink and a goodly provision.”(16:67)

Similarly there are verses which cover the whole range of fruits, salads, and vegetables which also play an important role in a nutritious, balanced diet:
 “It is He who sends down rain from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date palm and its spate come clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when then begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof.” (6:99)

Islam, being a complete religion, also teaches and advises the believer as to what the best method of eating is. The believers are advised to be moderate in every aspect of life. Direct reference has been made in the Noble Qur’ân regarding moderation in eating and drinking.
 “And eat and drink, but waste not in extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not those who waste in extravagance.”(7:31) 
 Muslims follow a specific diet in accordance to their holy book.
One of the main principles of good health is a Quran Food balanced diet.

1. Eating slowly is recommended for health. 
2. Eat together and not separately 
3. Eat something to keep you going from the Quran food menu ( Important )

Useful links:
* Quranic food, a list of the foods mentioned in the Quran

House cleaning tools to make your job easier

A clean house and environment contributes to the health, wellness and happiness of residents. You can keep your house clean and sparkling by maintaining a regular and scheduled plan.
There are a variety of first-time tasks that require extra time and effort. And for this job done you need a helping hand.


I always had a middle aged maid to clean my house but after her sickness I could not arrange to hire a new one. One of my close friend suggested me to contact "Maid Service Rockville MD" as she was lucky to get a professional but hard working maid due to that agency. By the time I was searching the net to get tips and ideas to clean my house properly and in a short time. There were many practical and useful tips which I want to share with my readers.

What you need to start cleaning your house?
There’s a big difference between “old” dirt and “new” dirt. If we don’t get rid of the old dirt, no matter how hard we try, simply removing new dirt isn’t going to make your home sparkling.

To start cleaning old or new dust you need cleaning tools or accessories.
You may keep a house cleaning kit which may contain a bucket, a plastic caddy, a box or whip yourself up a housekeeping apron to stick everything in. Using an apron is especially helpful when decluttering at the same time you’re cleaning since you can free up an arm to cart around an empty box to fill up from room to room.

You kit should hold these items:                                                    

• Small Spray Bottle of Plain Water
• Rubber Gloves
• Clean Rags – I love old terry towel rags
• Feather or Rag Duster
• Window  and Glass Cleaner Spray Bottle
• Nylon Scrubbie or scrub pad
•  Small plastic tube of Baking Soda– (as a gentle abrasive) 
• A small plastic container of softscrub
• Tube of Toothpaste–it’s an amazing spot and mark remover .
• Toothbrush–for scrubbing in tiny places. 
• Detailing Brushes.
• Plastic Bags – To collect bits and bobs to throw out 
• Sponge

Tips source: 'Tipnutcom'

I have collected these tools myself to do the cleaning job properly. And I am happy to say that set of these cleaning tools is enough to keep the house in sparkling condition. 

History of the holy zamzam water

The holy water zamzam is very special for muslims. The history of this amazing natural water is also interesting. This post helps you learn about history of this holy water zamzam.

The holy Zamzam water is linked to some of the most important personalities in world history: the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them) and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), as well as Ismail's mother Hajira (may Allah be pleased with her).

 According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) rebuilt the Bait-ul-Allah (House of Allah) at the site of the well, a building which had been originally constructed by Prophet Adam (a.s.), and today is called the Kaaba (Qiblah), a building towards which all Muslims around the world face in prayer, five times each day.

All traditions agree that Allah (SWT) created the well to provide Hajira, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), and her baby Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him) with water in the hot, dry valley they were in, around the year 2000 BC. Centuries ago, Bibi Hajra A.S. searched desperately for water in the hills of Saffa and Marwa to give to her newly born son Hazrat Ismail A.S. As she ran from one place to another in search of water, her child rubbed his feet against the sand. A pool of water surfaced, and by the grace of Allah Ta'ala, shaped itself into a well which came to be called Zamzam water.        

Zamzam well is located approximately 20 meters east of the Kaaba. Zamzam well is located in Makkah, which is the heart of the Hajj pilgrimage. Zamzam well is 35 meters deep and topped by an elegant dome. The miracle water of Zamzam is still flowing until today.



The Well of Zamzam is a well located within the Masjid al Haram in Makkah, 20 meters east of the Kaaba, the holiest place in Islam.

Useful links:

* The chemical analysis of zamzam water

* The holy water of zamzam

Health effects of a poor or bad posture

Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture involves training your body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement or weight-bearing activities.

Poor posture can easily become second nature, causing or aggravating episodes of back pain and damaging spinal structures. Back pain may be the result of poor ergonomics and posture if the back pain is worse at certain times of day or week (such as after a long day of sitting in an office chair in front of a computer, but not during the weekends); pain that starts in the neck and moves downwards into the upper back, lower back and extremities; pain that goes away after switching positions while sitting or standing; sudden back pain that is experienced with a new job, a new office chair, or a new car; and/or back pain that comes and goes for months.

Health effects of bad or poor posture:                            

• With bad posture, your rib cage starts pressing down on the major organs – giving them less space to function. 
• Your waistline gains a few inches because of that And you lose a few inches from your height 
• Your stomach will jut out and dieting won’t help 
• You’ll suffer from back aches which won’t go away easily 
• Flexibility is reduced and one shoulder tends to be higher than the other 
• You’ll become injury prone because of poor posture. According to some science, bad posture also leads to having more negative thoughts. 
• Worst of all, you’ll never feel fresh and rested even after you wake up from a good nights sleep

How does posture affect health? 

Deborah Saint-Phard, a physiatrist at CU Sports Medicine, says the most common complaints among the people she sees are back, neck and shoulder pain, all of which can relate to posture. "Posture is all I talk about," she says. "It's very important." Saint-Phard says good posture is crucial for optimal performance in sports. "Oftentimes, I'll walk into a room and see teenage kids slumped over, with rounded shoulders and head slumped over. They'll have shoulder pains (when they) play tennis," she says.
Saint-Phard says poor posture is exacerbated by weak back muscles that are elongated and stretched out.

Douglas Wisoff, a Boulder physical therapist says: posture also can affect breathing. "If your shoulders are rounded and chest back, the result is that the chest cavity is smaller. ... You're talking about ventilation being quite a bit less. Then you have ... lower energy levels. Because your ventilation is so compromised, you get used to those lower energy levels. It has (an effect on) clarity, ability to focus, ability to concentrate, ability to excel in sports." Wisoff says stress can be a big contributor to poor posture.

Useful links:

* http://radiantrunning.com/article_stand_tall.html

* Health Problems Leading to Bad Posture

* 7 EFFECTS OF POOR POSTURE

What is a good posture?

Posture comes from a combination of good muscle control, strength, and self-confidence.
Posture can be defined as the way in which you carry yourself or the position of your limbs in regard to the remainder of your body.

To maintain good posture, you want to be aware of how you sit, stand, and walk to ensure your back is healthy and free of pain. Poor posture can be caused by a number of factors. Obesity, pregnancy, weak muscles, high-heeled shoes, poor working environment, and laziness are a few contributing factors to poor posture.                                  

Maintaining a good posture takes a conscious effort, much like any other habit. If you do something often enough, even standing or sitting straight with your stomach sucked in, it will become second nature and you won’t have to think about it. Besides getting rid of back pain, having proper posture can also affect the other joints in our bodies. If you slouch while seated, your back, knees, and neck may hurt. If you let your posture go while driving, it could actually be a contributing factor to an accident because you won’t be able to see properly out the rearview or side mirrors.

Your back is the workhorse of the body. Not only is it involved in nearly every movement we make, it is central to balance and keeping our head on straight, so to speak. Backaches and injuries are some of the most common complaints when people visit doctors or when they call in sick. If back pain is causing you problems, you’ll want to discuss it with your doctor. They may recommend a physical therapist or medication. You may also want to consult a chiropractor to help you correct bad posture. Take time to be aware of how you stand, walk, sit, and lift. If you relax too much you may get lazy and begin slouching instead of keeping your spine straight and stomach pulled in. Keeping your posture intact helps strengthen the muscles along the spine and can help reduce or eliminate back pain.



What is a good posture?

Posture is how a person holds their body when not only standing but when sitting or laying down. It requires a person to balance their muscle along their spine, have good muscle flexibility, and normal motion in the joints. Those who have good posture are aware of their posture and correct it when wrong. Posture comes from a combination of good muscle control, strength, and self-confidence. Those with good posture walk and sit with their back straight, shoulders back, and head high.

Douglas Wisoff, a Boulder physical therapis says: Reducing stress and ramping up physical activity can both help improve posture, he says. For those with very poor posture, he suggests seeing a professional for advice. "The mistake that people make is that they force themselves into a new position, rather than relax into a new position," he says. "(Improving posture) might require some good instruction. Forcing it creates that very tight military posture that you see. Basically you lay a whole new set of tensions on top of your old tensions. In the future, that causes problems."

Useful links:

* Posture for a Healthy Back

Ongoing learning process and brain stimulation

Ongoing learning process can keep your brain alive and stimulated. We know that brain stimulation means 'good brain health'.  Learning process can cause the birth of new brain cells, so to keep our brain healthy we should stay focused on learning at any age.

"The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live." ~Mortimer Adler 

Learning is acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. But can process of learning at any age can keep the brain sharp?
Let's learn how learning can enhance brain development and keep us mentally fit!
What is learning?

Learning is acquiring information or ‘knowing a lot’.

Learning as memorising. Learning is storing information that can be reproduced.

Learning as acquiring facts, skills, and methods that can be retained and used as necessary, etc etc.

 Scientists now believe that “learning” can actually cause the birth of new brain cells. In recent animal studies, researchers have found that there was a direct relationship between “learning” and the survival rate of newly-birthed brain cells. When researchers taught certain rodents a wide-variety of cognitive tasks which involved a wide-range of brain areas – scientists found that the more the animal “learned” – the more new neurons were able to survive in the hippocampus. Scientists have made it clear that “learning” can increase the presence of new neurons in the brain. Brain cells that are born in the hippocampus, which normally die off, are literally “rescued” by “learning” experiences. There is still plenty of research being conducted in this area and not all sources agree. However, your best bet is to keep your brain power boosted and your mind sharp. Always try to learn something new!

You can stimulate your brainactively taking part in problem-solving activities or learning games and use your memory. Just as physical activity keeps your body strong, mental activity keeps your mind sharp and agile. The more we think, the better our brains function - regardless of age. Without something to keep us mentally charged, our brains, like unused muscles, can atrophy, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities.
A study conducted by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, found that mentally active seniors reduced their risk of dementia by as much as 75 percent, compared to those who do not stimulate their minds. Researchers from the Princeton University found that simple cognitive stimulation such as Bingo can be of great value to the daily management of Alzheimer's patients.
Few proverbs and quotations about 'learning'

Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will. ~Vernon Howard

Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before. ~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” ~Henry Ford

Related:4mind4life.com 
First published on 'factoidz':How Process of Learning Can Keep Our Brain Sharp?

Get relief from aching legs and sleep tight with easy acupressure therapy

Tired, aching or heavy legs is a common symptom and complaint. You may get a good night sleep using a simple acupressure tool for few minutes before going to bed.

The tingling, aching, and itching of restless legs syndrome is usually worse at night and can prevent you and your partner from getting the sleep you need. Aching legs at night can cause serious discomfort and can give you sleepless nights for a prolonged period.

In recent years, experts have discovered better ways to manage and relieve symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS).

Get relief from aching legs with acupressure therapy:
The best home and natural remedy which I use to get relief from leg ache is use of acupressure tool which is called 'foot roller'. The foot roller I personally use is made of wood.
Getting self acupressure therapy with this foot roller is easy and effective.

How to use foot roller?
Press your foot over the Wooden Foot Roller for 5-10 minutes on a daily basis to warm your leg and see instant relief from a variety of problems

This treatment is both convenient and pain free, and there are NO side affects. To begin with you may experience a slight tingling sensation. This is because the skin on the soles and palms of your feet and hands are sensitive. This sensation will soon pass but if you prefer, you could wear socks on your feet to reduce this sensation.
SOLES OF FEET: - Roll each foot, at a time, on the roller while seated on a chair or sofa. Each foot is to be rolled, for a maximum of five minutes, beginning from the tips of the toes to end of the heel. Medium pressure is to be exerted while rolling.
PALMS OF HANDS: - Hold the roller in both hands so that the pointed tips on the roller presses along the whole of the palms and fingers. Press intermittently on the roller for a maximum of two minutes only.Both these exercises can be repeated three or four times daily. It should not be used within one hour of taking meals nor, on the feet, whilst you are standing. You should continue to use the roller daily even if the pain has subsided.

Call your health care provider if:
The painful leg is swollen or red

You have a fever

Your pain gets worse when you walk or exercise and improves with rest

You are on medications that may be causing leg pain. DO NOT stop taking or change any of your medicines without talking to your doctor.

Medical treatment, healthy lifestyle changes, and even simple stretches and home remedies can help you quiet your restless legs and enjoy a refreshing night’s sleep. 

More online links:

* Technique: How to get a good night's sleep

* How to Sleep Better

Acupressure therapy to improve short term memory

Short-term memory is also known as active or primary memory. Anxiety, stress, food intolerances, headaches, and plain old lack of sleep cause short-term forgetfulness while life-changing events such as strokes, dementia, toxicity, and head injuries lead to chronic memory loss.
Scientific research results show that  most of us can sharpen our minds with proven, do-it-yourself strategies.
Acupressure therapy can help you improve your memory. It is one of those alternative therapies which can be adopted without any risk of side effects.

There are many things that disrupt your conscious processing of new memories. For example, if you can't absorb new information properly, then you have no hope of remembering it later. It's quite normal to forget things committed to recent memory, like what you had for breakfast or where you put your keys. This is a sign of aging, and its the biggest cause of short term memory loss.

For short-term memory’ during exams. activating (St-36) just before breakfast has given good results according to a few parents.



       Acupressure therapy for short term memory improvement ­:

St-36:

It is one of the most important and commonly used acupressure points. It is also called Three Mile Points and is used to boost overall immunity and vitality.
Location: Four finger widths below the kneecap, one finger width to the outside of the shinbone. If you are on the correct spot, a muscle should flex as you move your foot up and down.
GB-41 (Gall Bladder 41): This point is useful for migraine type headaches located in the temple region or behind the eyes.
Location: It is located on the foot in the space between the 4th and 5th toes. If you flex your foot you will see a tendon running across this space. GB 41 is located on the side of the tendon closest to the ankle.

LI-1: Great Esteem (Liver 1) Location: On the big toe, at the bottom corner of the nail at the side of the other toes.
Effects: Assertiveness, discerning when to go along with others and when to assert oneself. Self-esteem.

TW-10 for Consciousness.
Gallbladder 14: Use this point when you lose your train of thought, when you're trying to remember a name, or when you can't find your keys. You'll be surprised at how effective it is.

To find this point, feel for the slight depression in the bone about a thumb's width above the eyebrow. The point is directly above the center of the eye.

GB 14 is located above the center of your eye, one finger’s width above your eyebrows. Use only very light touch on these points. You can use one hand to hold these points by placing your thumb on one side and your middle fingertip on the other side of your forehead. Apply a very gentle touch, as you breathe slowly and deeply for a couple of minutes. Use acupressure simultaneously on both the left and right side of your head.

Enjoy the experience of clearing your mind. Clear negative patterns to release stress and increase your overall happiness! ~ Michael Reed Gach, Ph.
The rule with acupressure is if a point is tender, it will probably benefit from being pressed. Next time it should be less tender as progressively the energy clears. However some points are far more sensitive than others - S36 for example is nearly always a little bit tender, even in healthy people.
Related: http://acupressureclub.org/

* Using acupressure points in the ear lobes, this quick and easy exercise improves poor memory, lack of concentration, clumsiness and emotional instability.

Useful links:
* Memory imporvement tips and techniques 

* Short Term Memory Test

* How To Improve Your Short Term Memory Learning and Memory

* Acupressure For Memory And Concentration Improvement

How to Manage Your Menopause Symptoms with Acupressure Therapy?

Acupressure therapy offers faster and more lasting results to manage early, premature or post menopause symptoms. You can reduce your menopause symptoms and menopause anxiety effectively with the acupressure therapy.

The menopause transition, and postmenopause itself is not a disease state or a disorder.  It is a natural life change. The transition itself has a variable degree of effects: it can be a difficult time of life for some women, less so for others. Even though menopause is a "natural" process, over 85% of women have "problems" with it. Specific areas of concern are the risks and symptoms associated with a decrease in estrogen levels. Risks include osteoporosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, while the symptoms can include hot flashes, moodiness, depression, vaginal dryness, loss of sexual drive, lack of mental clarity, and thinning hair.
Acupressure therapy have been proven to relieve many of the menopausal symptoms such as:

• Hot flashes
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Nausea

Acupressure points to help manange menopausal symptoms:
K 1: At the base of the ball of the feet, between the two pads
K 27: In the hollow below the collarbone next to the breast bone

GB 20: Below the base of the skull, in the hollows 2 to 3 inches apart.
LI 4: In the webbing between the thumb and index finger at the highest spot of the muscle when the thumb and index finger are brought close together. This is a forbidden point during pregnancy.
CV 17: On the center of the breast bone, three thumb widths up from the base of the bone.
GV 24.5: Directly between the eyebrows, on the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the forehead.
GV 20: On the crown of the head in an indentation or "soft spot" between the cranial bones. To find, follow the line from the back of the ears to the top of the head.
To use these points, press with firm pressure and hold each point for 1 minute. You can use all of these points, or only some of them, but hold each for a full minute, and many of the menopause symptoms will lessen over time.


More Acupressure points to relieve menopause symptoms.
Treat the points for two minutes eac, every other day.


a) Using your thumb or fingertip, apply pressure with a firm circling motion to the acupressure point that is half a thumb-width above the wrist crease, on the little-finger side of the forearm.
b) Apply firm stationary pressure using your thumb to the acupressure point that is a thumb-width below the tip of the inside ankle bone.


Recommended and proven ways to help the body move gracefully through menopause are with energy work, nutrition and herbal or natural therapies. This combination can help address many of the symptoms and risks associated with menopause.
Important! Always consult your doctor before trying these or any home remedies. "Natural" does not mean it is safe for everybody.

YouTube video about menopause acupoints:


First published at 'factoidz'
Useful links:
*Menopause & Accupressure

How Food Dyes Effect Child Behavior and How to Manage It?

Do you know that food color or dyes are resposible for hyperactivity, ADD/ADHD and related behavioural problems?These dyes—petrochemicals, mostly—are often used to simulate the presence of healthy, colorful fruits and vegetables. Artificial colors or food dyes make the presentation attractive but these preservatives or food colours are not safe for children. Our children are addicted to chocolates, candies and similar stuff which may cause disruptive behaviour, restlessness and lack of concentration.

Children with (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder )ADHD often have strong sugar cravings, and this has contributed to the belief that sugar and candy consumption can cause hyperactive behavior. Ingredients in nonchocolate candy (sugar, artificial food colors), components in chocolate candy (sugar, artificial food colors in coatings, caffeine), and chocolate itself have been investigated for any adverse effects on behavior. New research has shown that commonly used food dyes, such as Yellow 5, Red 40, and six others, are linked to hyperactivity, impulsivity, learning difficulties, and Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder in many children. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of these dyes, many of which are already being phased out in Europe.


Hyperactivity is a general term used to describe behavioural difficulties affecting learning, memory, movement, language, emotional responses and sleep patterns. ADHD is more than just hyperactive behaviour. Research funded by the FSA has suggested that consumption of mixes of certain artificial food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate could be linked to increased hyperactivity in some children.


How to manage it?
If your child shows signs of hyperactivity, or if on the basis of this information you have concerns, you might choose to avoid giving your child food and drinks containing the following artificial colours:

• sunset yellow FCF (E110)                                                                      
• quinoline yellow (E104)
• carmoisine (E122)
• allura red (E129)
• tartrazine (E102)
• ponceau 4R (E124)

These colours are used in a wide range of foods that tend to be brightly coloured, including some soft drinks, sweets, cakes and ice cream. Parents may wish to check the labels of brightly coloured foods if they want to avoid certain colours.


For details: FSA advice to parents on food colours and hyperactivity


Useful links:


* Download FREE 20 page PDF report:  "A Parent's Guide to Diet,ADHD & Behaviour"


* Food colours are linked with hyperactivity of your child


* Foods containing artificial food dyes must have warning label in Europe


* Hyperactivity: The Food Additives Argument

Menopausal Symptoms and Natural Remedies

More and more women, every day, are turning to natural alternative treatments to treat the symptoms they experience during menopause. Natural treatment options can provide options for menopausal women so they can reduce menopausal symptoms such as weight gain, hot flashes/flushes, night sweats, decreased libido and mood swings. The use of natural alternatives or complementary therapies is a popular choice for the management of menopausal symptoms.
Complementary and alternative therapies for menopause are medical treatments that are considered nontraditional. They include dietary and herbal supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage therapy, biofeedback, homeopathy, and eating certain foods that are thought to prevent disease or heal. Alternative treatments are often used alone, while complementary treatments are alternative treatments that are used in combination with traditional treatments, such as drug treatments or surgery. While menopause is a completely natural process, it can be quite distressing at the time for some women.


The reduction in estrogen, testosterone and progesterone hormones that occurs is responsible for the unpleasant symptoms commonly associated with menopause and although the process can last anywhere from 7-10 years on average, there are ways to ensure that they can be controlled and not result in total misery. Natural therapies for the management of menopausal symptoms such as weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats, decreased libido are proven effective.


Few alternative and Natural therapies: 
Phytoestrogens: Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that are similar in chemical makeup to the female sex hormone oestrogen, but much lower in strength. They act at the oestrogen receptor sites in a woman’s body, which may reduce menopausal symptoms in some women. Isoflavones, is a type of phytoestrogen found in soybeans, has received special attention for its ability to lessen the severity of hot flashes and night sweats.
One study found that symptoms were alleviated by approximately 50%, and supplementation with isoflavones improved symptoms in menopausal women experiencing hot flashes. Guggelsterones, green tea and bioperine: These key ingredients have been shown to maximize weight reduction and maintain weight loss on a long-term basis. Herbal remedies: Many all natural ingredients have been shown to decrease the intensity and frequency of hot flashes. The benefits of black cohosh reduce hot flashes and night sweats due to its estrogenic effects.
Other herbal remedies for hot flashes include licorice root, chaste berry, dong quai, motherwort, and red clover extract. 


Vitamin and mineral supplements: Vitamins and minerals can help replenish substances that become depleted as a result of hot flashes, and can help women manage the most common symptom of menopause. Taking B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C is important to replace lost nutrients, while vitamin E supplementation is linked with an overall reduction in hot flashes. 
Calcium and Vitamin D: These are key vitamins and minerals that have been proven effective in preventing and treating bone loss and osteoporosis in post menopausal women. They are essential in decreasing the risk of primary fractures. 
Related: www.consumerhealthanswers.com
Remember: It is important to understand that with any therapy, natural or pharmaceutical, careful review of potential side effects should
 be undertaken together with your health practitioner before use.


First published at 'factoidz'



Useful links:
* Natural Menopause 8 Natural Alternatives to Reduce the Symptoms of Menopause