2009 Drink Trends: What are the Hottest Beverages?

If you're looking for a tasty way to quench your thirst, you'll have more options than ever in 2008. Here are some of the non-alcoholic drink trends for the upcoming year. There's no doubt that when it's time to quench a raging thirst, you have more choices than ever. Years ago you may have made your selection from a limited selection of soft drinks, fruit juices, coffee, or milk. Today you have a bewildering array of energy drinks, flavored waters, vitamin waters, and tea blends at your disposal.

As if that isn't enough, new beverages are being added to store shelves every day. What are the upcoming non-alcoholic drink trends that will shape your beverage choices in 2009?

1) Soft drink consumption will decline. Soft drinks may have been the stars of the drink world in the past, but their popularity has been challenged by the ever expanding array of other available options as well negative news about their health effects. Soft drink sales remained flat from 2001 to 2006 and are projected to decline as much as one percent by 2011. It seems that consumers are looking for healthier options or maybe they're just overwhelmed by all of the other choices.

2) Tea will continue to grow in popularity. Although tea has always been the most popular drink other than water in other parts of the world, only recently has it shot to popularity in the United States. Thanks to the documented health benefits of this natural drink, sales of tea should continue to grow at a rapid pace in 2009. At one time, black tea was the only easily available option for American tea drinkers, but now you can choose from an array of flavored teas, green tea, white tea, and herbal blends. Expect to see more options for read- to-drink bottled teas in the future as consumers look for convenience.

3) Bottled waters. Despite the surprising news that many bottled waters are no more healthy than regular tap water, they continue to be a popular beverage for quenching thirst after a heated workout at the health club or an option to sip in the car on the way to work. Bottled water doesn't have to taste bland with the wide assortment of flavorings available ranging from fruit and herbal flavors to the ultra strange meat flavored water, appropriately marketed as Meat Water which comes in flavors ranging from Dirty Hot Dog to Cheese Burger. Bottled waters are even expected to outpace the growth of tea over the next few years. If you want something healthier, vitamin waters will continue to attract the interest of the thirsty, health conscious crowd looking for a nutritional boost.

4) Natural energy drinks. Although they've received some negative publicity lately due to their high caffeine content, sales of energy drinks will continue to grow. Their rate of growth may be moderated by recent consumer interest in healthier energy boosting alternatives such as the newer, all-natural, fruit based energy drinks such as Verve which have added vitamins and minerals along with green tea and phytonutrients. These energy drink alternatives appeal to consumers looking for a healthier alternative.You can also expect to see more ready-to-drink smoothie based drinks on store shelves in 2009 as well as drinkable yogurts that have added probiotics. It seems that the drink trends for 2009 will attempt to fulfill consumer's desire for healthy but tasty drink alternatives. The good news? You'll have plenty to choose from!

Source: Kristie Leong M.D

Top 10 World's Deadliest Poisons

10. Sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080)
Sodium fluoroacetate (also known as sodium monofluoroacetate, compound 1080 or 1080) is a potent metabolic poison that occurs naturally as an anti-herbivore metabolite in various plants. It works by interfering with the citric acid cycle, and is used primarily to control mammalian pests, including invasive species. The existence of this chemical was first noted in the Second World War.
Sodium fluoroacetate is used as a rodenticide. Farmers and graziers use the poison to protect pastures and crops from various herbivorous mammals. It is used in New Zealand to control the Common Brushtail Possum , while in the United States it is used to kill coyotes. Other countries using 1080 include Australia, Mexico and Israel. Western Shield is a recent project to boost populations of endangered mammals in south-west Australia. The project is to drop Sodium fluoroacetate baited meat from helicopters or light aircraft to kill predators. Wild dogs and foxes will readily eat the baited meat. Cats pose a greater difficulty as cats aren’t interested in already dead animals. Recently a pilot tried putting small sound generators inside the baits with significant positive results. However, an Australian RSPCA commissioned study criticized 1080 calling it an inhumane killer.

9. Amatoxin
Amatoxins are a subgroup of at least eight toxic compounds found in several genera of poisonous mushrooms, most notably Amanita phalloides and several other members of the genus Amanita, as well as some Conocybe, Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species.
The compounds have a similar structure, that of eight amino-acid rings; they were isolated in 1941 by Heinrich O. Wieland and Rudolf Hallermayer of the University of Munich. Of the amatoxins, α-amanitin is the chief component and along with β-amanitin is likely responsible for the toxic effects. Their major toxic mechanism is the inhibition of RNA polymerase II, a vital enzyme in the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA, and small nuclear RNA (snRNA). Without mRNA, essential protein synthesis, and hence cell metabolism, grind to a halt and the cell dies. The liver is the principal organ affected, as it is the organ which is first encountered after absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, though other organs, especially the kidneys, are susceptible. The RNA polymerase of Amanita phalloides is insensitive to the effects of amatoxins; as such, the mushroom does not poison itself.
Their swift intestinal absorption coupled with their thermostability explains why their toxic effects occur in a relatively short period of time. The most severe effects are toxic hepatitis with centrolobular necrosis and hepatic steatosis, as well as acute tubulointerstitial nephropathy, which altogether induce a severe hepatorenal syndrome (with a potentially fatal outcome). The estimated minimum lethal dose is 0.1 mg/kg or 7 mg of toxin in adults.

8. Strychnine
Strychnine is a very toxic (LD50 = 10 mg approx.), colorless crystalline alkaloid used as a pesticide, particularly for killing small vertebrates such as birds and rodents. Strychnine causes muscular convulsions and eventually death through asphyxia or sheer exhaustion. The most common source is from the seeds of the Strychnos nux vomica tree. Strychnine is one of the most bitter substances known. Its taste is detectable in concentrations as low as 1 ppm.
Strychnine acts as a blocker or antagonist at the inhibitory or strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor (GlyR), a ligand-gated chloride channel in the spinal cord and the brain.
Although it is best known as a poison, small doses of strychnine were once used in medications as a stimulant, a laxative and as a treatment for other stomach ailments. A 1934 drug guide for nurses described it as "among the most valuable and widely prescribed drugs". Strychnine's stimulant effects also led to its use historically for enhancing performance in sports. Because of its high toxicity and tendency to cause convulsions, the use of strychnine in medicine was eventually abandoned once safer alternatives became available.
The dosage for medical use was cited as between "1/60th grain–1/10th grain", which is between 1.1 milligrams and 6.4 milligrams in modern measures. Normally the maximum dosage used was 3.2 mg, half of a "full dose". A lethal dose was cited as 1/2 a grain (32 mg), but people have been known to die from as little as 5 mg of strychnine.

7. Mercury
Mercury , also called quicksilver or hydrargyrum, is a chemical element with the symbol Hg (Latinized Greek: hydrargyrum, meaning watery or liquid silver) and atomic number 80. A heavy, silvery d-block metal, mercury is one of five metals that are liquid at or near room temperature and pressure. The others are the metals caesium, francium, gallium, and rubidium, as well as the non-metalbromine. Of these, only mercury and bromine are liquids at standard conditions for temperature and pressure.
Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, manometers, sphygmomanometers, float valves, and other scientific apparatus, though concerns about the element's toxicity have led to mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers being largely phased out in clinical environments in favour of alcohol-filled, digital, or thermistor-based instruments. It remains in use in a number of other ways in scientific and scientific research applications, and in amalgam material for dental restoration. Mercury is mostly obtained by reduction from the mineral cinnabar.
Mercury occurs in deposits throughout the world and it is harmless in an insoluble form, such as mercuric sulfide, but it is poisonous in soluble forms such as mercuric chloride or methylmercury.

6. Cyanide
A cyanide is any chemical compound that contains the cyano group (C≡N), which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. In salts and solution cyanide is generally the anion CN-. Many organic compounds feature cyanide as a functional group. These are called nitriles in IUPAC nomenclature (for example, CH3CN is referred to by the names acetonitrile or ethanenitrile per IUPAC, but occasionally it is labeled using the common name methyl cyanide). The Cyanide molecule, CN, also known as the Cyano radical, is commonly produced in reactions and has been identified in interstellar space . Of the many kinds of cyanide compounds, some are gases, others are solids or liquids. Those that can release the cyanide ion CN- are highly toxic.

5. Tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin (anhydrotetrodotoxin 4-epitetrodotoxin, tetrodonic acid, TTX) is a potent neurotoxin with no known antidote, which blocks action potentials in nerves by binding to the pores of the voltage-gated, fast sodium channels in nerve cell membranes. The binding site of this toxin is located at the pore opening of the voltage-gated Na+ channel. Its name derives from Tetraodontiformes, the name of the order that includes the pufferfish, porcupinefish, ocean sunfish or mola, and triggerfish, several species of which carry the toxin. Although tetrodotoxin was discovered in these fish and found in several other animals (e.g., Blue-ringed Octopus, Rough-skinned newt), it is actually the product of certain bacteria such as Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis, certain species of Pseudomonas and Vibrio, as well as some others.
Its mechanism was discovered in the early 1960s by Toshio Narahashi working at Duke University.

4. Sarin
Sarin, also known by its NATO designation of GB, is an extremely toxic substance whose sole application is as a nerve agent. As a chemical weapon, it is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations in UN Resolution 687. Production and stockpiling of sarin was outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993.

3. Anthrax
Anthrax toxin refers to three proteins secreted by virulent strains of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. These three proteins act together in a synergistic way in which they are endocytosed and translocated into the cytoplasm of a macrophage, where it disrupts cellular signaling and induces cell death, allowing the bacteria to evade the immune system.
The disease known as anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium whose pathogenesis is primarily the result of a tripartite toxin. This toxin is composed of three proteins: the protective antigen (PA), the edema factor (EF) and the lethal factor (LF). These proteins work together to enter a cell and disrupt the signaling pathways, eventually leading to apoptosis. The molecular actions of PA, EF, and LF also provide a model biochemical system that demonstrates a variety of structure-function relationships seen in biochemistry.

2. Ricin
Ricin is a protein toxin that is extracted from the castor bean (Ricinus communis).
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives a possible minimum figure of 500 micrograms (about the size of a grain of salt) for the lethal dose of ricin in humans if exposure is from injection or inhalation.

1. Botulinum
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most poisonous naturally occurring substances, and it is the most toxic protein. Though it is highly toxic, it is used in minute doses both to treat painful muscle spasms, and as a cosmetic treatment in some parts of the world. It is sold commercially under the brand names Botox, Dysport, and Myobloc for this purpose. The terms Botox, Dysport, and Myobloc are trade names and are not used generically to describe the neurotoxins produced by C. botulinum.
credited to wikipedia

Posted by Ivica Miskovic

About Nissin Cup Noodles

TOKYO (AFP) - - Japan's Nissin Food Products Co. said Friday it was recalling half a million cups of instant noodles over fears of insecticide contamination in the latest food safety scare to rock the country's consumers.

A 67-year-old woman vomited and felt numbness on her tongue after eating Nissin's Cup Noodle this week in the Tokyo suburb of Fujisawa, the city's health office said late Thursday.
The product was made at a Nissin factory in Japan. A series of previous scares have involved food imported from China.

The health office said on inspecting the Cup Noodle they had discovered paradichlorobenzene, the key chemical in bug repellent, but no puncture or other abnormality in the cup.
Nissin was voluntarily recalling around 500,000 cups made on the same factory line the same day, a company spokesman said.

They were sold at supermarkets in Tokyo and neighbouring areas with most of them already gone from store shelves, he said. "We apologise for causing trouble to Cup Noodle lovers," Nissin president Susumu Nakagawa told reporters late Thursday.

However, he denied the possibility of contamination at the factory, saying it had never used or stored the insecticide and had seven security cameras watching manufacturing lines.
"It is unthinkable that the contamination occurred at our production lines," he said.
The noodles scare spread Friday as another company, Myojo Foods Co. of Tokyo, said it found instant noodles laced with paradichlorobenzene and naphthol, also used as bug repellent.
A man "poured in hot water and noticed chemical smells," said a health official in Yososuka, southwest of Tokyo. The man was unhurt as he did not eat the noodles.

Nissin, based in the western Japan city of Osaka, created instant ramen noodles as Japan's economy grew rapidly after World War II. Aimed at busy people on the go, it has since become a multibillion-dollar industry. Japan has been on alert after a series of health scares involving food, mostly made in China. Earlier this month one woman fell sick after eating frozen green beans imported from China, which were found to contain thousands of times the permissible level of pesticide residue.

Source: Yahoo Philippines

10 Must-try Exotic Fruits to Eat

1. Rambutan - Native to Malay Archipelago, Southeast Asia; Coming from an evergreen tree, the Rambutan fruit resembles the Lychees, have a leathery red skin and are covered with spines. Rambutan is a popular garden fruit tree and one of the most famous in Southeast Asia. The fruit is sweet and juicy, being commonly found in jams or available canned.

2. Jackfruit - Native to southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka; Jackfruit is a common fruit for Asia and Australia and considered as one of the largest tree borne fruit in the world. The juicy pulp around the seeds have a taste similar to pineapple, but milder. Apart from canned jackfruit, it is also available as sweet chips. The wood of the tree is used for making various musical instruments, while the fruit is a common ingredient for many Asian dishes.

3. Passion Fruit - Native to South America, grown in India, New Zealand, Brazil, etc.; The passion fruit has a soft, juicy interior full of seeds, being commonly found in juices to boost their flavors. There are two types of passion fruit: the golden one (maracuyá), similar to a grapefruit and the dark purple passion fruit (gulupa), comparable in terms of size with a lemon. However, the latter ones have been reported as being mildly poisonous.

4. Lychee - Native to southern China, found in India, Taiwan; Coming from an evergreen tree, the lychee or litchi are small white flesh fruits, covered in a red rind, rich in vitamin C and with a grape-like texture. The fruit has started making its appearance in markets worldwide, refrigerated or canned with its taste intact.

5. Star fruit - Native to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka; The star fruit comes from the carambola, a species of tree with pink flowers grown even in the US. The golden-yellow fruit is crunchy, sweet, with a taste of pineapples, apples and kiwis combined. There are two kinds of star fruits - acidulate and sweet, both rich in vitamin C. The fruit is particularly juice, some even making wine out of it.

6. Mangosteen - Native to the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas; The mangosteen is another evergreen tree that produces oddly shaped fruits. The fruits are purple, creamy, described as citrus with a hint of peach. It is rich in antioxidants, some scientists even suggesting it can lower risk against certain human diseases, such as cancer. There are even legends about Queen Victoria offering a reward to the one that brings her the fruit.

7. Kumquat - Native to China; The kumquats or cumquats are small edible fruits resembling oranges that grow in a tree related to the Citrus. As with most of the fruits in the Citrus family, the kumquats are eaten raw. They are often used in marmalade and jelly but also in alcoholic drinks such as liquor. The Taiwanese add it to their teas, while others boil it and use it as a remedy for sore throats.

8. Durian - Native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia; Also known as the “King of Fruits,” Durian has a very particular odor, a unique taste and is covered by a hard husk. Having a disagreeable smell, compared to skunk spray or sewage, the fruit is forbidden in hotels and public transportations in Southeast Asia. Still, the whole experience is worth it, considering the absolutely divine taste of the Durian.

9. Dragon Fruit - Native to Mexico and Central and South America; Dragon fruit, strawberry pear or pitaya is a fruit of several cactus species with a sweet delicate taste and creamy pulp. The most common dragon fruit is the red pitaya, but other varieties include the Costa Rica pataya and the yellow pataya. Juice or wine can be obtained from the fruit, while the flowers can be eaten or used for tea.

10. African cucumber - Native to Kalahari Desert, Africa; The African cucumber, horned melon or melano is a fruit that can be best described as melon with horns. It originated in the Kalahari Desert and is now present in California and New Zealand. The dark green pulp reminds one of bananas, limes, passion fruit and cucumber. It is often used for decorating food but also in smoothies and sundaes.

Source: hotelclub.com

Brain responds when women wear makeup

TOKYO (AFP) - - When a woman puts on makeup and looks in the mirror, it
is as if she is seeing a different person, Japanese scientists said
Tuesday.

Researchers who teamed up with Japan's Kanebo Cosmetics Inc. said they
found a link between makeup and human brain mechanisms.
"It's only human beings who look into a mirror every morning," brain
scientist Kenichiro Mogi told a news conference. "In addition, they
even put a makeup on."

In their study of 17 women in their 20s and early 30s, they discovered
that the human brain reacts almost as if the person is looking at a
stranger's face when seeing their own with a makeup on, Mogi said.
They believe the act of wearing makeup helps a person look at oneself
more objectively -- and therefore could serve to boost ways of
communication.

Mogi said the study could lead to the development of cosmetics that
would help women be more proactive.

"We are coming to understand how women use cosmetics as a powerful
weapon when presenting themselves and in taking a role in society,"
said Toru Matsuo, a Kanebo executive.

Mogi will present the results of the research to the Washington-based
Society for Neuroscience in November.

Source: Yahoo

Top Ten Secrets of the Healthiest People in the World

Everyone desires to be in good health. No one wants to suffer from sickness and disease. The fact is there are secrets the healthiest people in the world know that most people do not. Let's discover what the top 10 secrets are.

1. They eat organic fruits and vegetables. The healthiest people in the world eat lots of fresh, organic, and raw fruits and vegetables. They also lightly steam their vegetables if they do not eat them raw. Eating four pieces of fresh, organic fruit and two big organic salads a day would be a good start for most people. Just doing these two things can help many medical conditions.

2. They use juice machines. As most people know, the food supply is not packed with vital vitamins and minerals anymore. While organic fruits and vegetables don't have all the necessary nutrients, they do have up to ten times the needed vitamins and minerals when compared to non-organic foods. Therefore, when organic fruits and vegetables are juiced, needed vitamins, minerals, and enzymes are consumed. Drinking three to four glasses a day is best.

3. They eat lots of organic nuts and seeds.

4. They get lots of sunlight. Sunlight has enormous health benefits for the body.

5. They eat organic fruit on a daily basis. Organic apples are some of the best fruits to eat.

6. They use natural vitamin E. It is important not to use synthetic vitamin E products, but instead purchase all natural, full spectrum brands. Everyone is nutritionally deficit. Taking vitamin E can prevent heart disease and alleviate depression. They also are many other benefits as well. The bottom line is supplementing with an all natural, full spectrum vitamin E product is a must.

7. They drink "miracle" juices. There are fruits from certain parts of the world that can help heal many diseases. The fruits are typically bottled since it is difficult to buy them fresh and then juice them. These "miracle" juices are Noni, Mangosteen, Aloe Vera, and Acai Berry. These juices provide super nutrition as well as cleanse and detoxify the body.

8. They use whole food supplements. The healthiest people in the world know it is important to avoid cheap, synthetic vitamins and minerals. They realize concentrated real food has nutrients and living enzymes.

9. They use collodial daily. These supplements include spirulina, whole food herbs, dehydrated juices, chlorella, and sprouts.

10. They use oxygen water coolers. Everyone's body is deficit in oxygen. The healthiest people in the world know that increasing the amounts of oxygen in their bodies alkalizes it and creates a healthy environment where disease can't reside. A good way for people to get their needed oxygen is through an oxygenated water cooler and not by purchasing it in a store. Using oxygenated water helps people feel full of energy and vitality.

Now, everyone can be privy to the same secrets the healthiest people in the world know and use. Begin to implement at least some of these top ten secrets and become one of the healthiest people in the world.

Source: Monique Hawkins

Benefits of a Coffee Drinker

This article is the one I made for my org's site. Enjoy! =D

When I think of coffee, it reminds me of our chocolate-colored dog named Coffee. Why is he named Coffee? My mom is a heavy coffee drinker eversince she was a child. She even made me drink my first coffee with milk in a baby bottle. No wonder, she thought "Coffee" as a good name for our pet dog. Lolzzz. And, see, coffee in Tagalog is "kape" and now, a household name for our beloved site, "Broodkopi".

Coffee is such a byword for me which is a special word indeed. It is not just a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans but a toast to life as well. What can you say about the celebrations or special moments that started from just a simple cup of coffee? What about the friends we make over a cup of coffee? What about the heartwarming stories we share as we drink our coffee? Indeed, coffee is undisputable. I am not exaggerating here but I am just getting my point across that coffee is in fact, a part of our lives.

Apparently, more coffee shops are like mushrooms sprouting just around every corner of the globe. I do plan to have my own coffee shop in the future and there, celebrations and intimate moments will be shared. It is also one of the reasons that I decided to write for Broodkopi, because we always share cups with one another, just like brothers and sisters. =)

As we all know, there are some people who dislike the taste of coffee and there are some who are obviously making coffee as their water. I am a regular coffee drinker and coffee has helped me in my work especially at times when I feel like sleeping. But do not overdose or else, you will be too immuned that coffee will not be able to wake you up when you feel sleepy. For some people, drinking coffee enables them to sleep soundly.

Here are some of the coffee benefits I have compiled from friends and from the internet:

- It can enhance overall alertness of mind and body. I don't need to say more, the advertisements always say this "alertness" statement.

- It will make u feel active and less sleepy. If you feel sleepy during work, try drinking a cup of coffee. For some people, coffee serves as their sleeping drink before snoozing. As for me, there are times I drink coffee before sleeping so that I can sleep better. It has worked for me over the years. =)

- If you're stressed or in a bad mood, drinking coffee will somehow make you feel more at ease and at peace because it can boost your mood and make you feel happy. - Drinking coffee may reduce the risks of having cancer because coffee contains anti-oxidants and cancer-fighting properties. So, do you think coffee is a certified health drink? Maybe. I think so.

- It can reduce the risks for gout, gall stones, cirrhosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases.

- Someone told me that if you feel constipated, you should try drinking a cup of coffee. However, an effective way would be to eat fiber-rich foods or drink Fibrosine (or Fibermate) to enable you to defecate easily.

... and many, many more!
Whether or not coffee has antioxidants, you bet, I will still drink my daily cup of coffee. You know, drinking coffee has become a habit for many Filipinos and people around the world but for me, drinking coffee is a lifestyle.

To sum up all these thoughts, try to drink coffee every now and then and have your daily online sip at www.broodkopi.com. I'm sure our coffee will satisfy your impeccable taste, craving and urges.

For other coffee news in the future, kindly visit my blog at http://healthypeeps.blogspot.com.

My Crazy but Effective Food Routine

I am not a totally healthy individual but somehow, I managed to eat healthily. Okay, healthy eating sometimes, hahaha! Such an irony because my blog is named 'healthypeeps' yet I am not a super healthbuff who can be admired for a healthy lifestyle. Before, I have some body fat and it's kinda obvious. But now, I look like a stringbean. Hahaha! I lost lotza pounds when I started working. When I was a student, I look a lil' chubby especially my plump face. My appearance has changed a lot. Some friends and old colleagues did not recognize me. They commented a lot on how thin I am right now.

Is it because I look like a broomstick or a slender monster? I think I evolved just like the Pokemon dudes. I lost soooo much fat that fast! I don't have any diets or food deprivation schemes but I did lost 15 lbs. And, I don't even exercise that much! Blame it on my eating habits, fatigue and busy lifestyle. Yeah, I know I got a very fast metabolism which why I don't worry about fatty foods that much. Conclusion: I am underweight and overfatigue, that's why!

Around 7 - 7:30am> I do some stretching exercises then I drink lots of water after about 2-5 glasses until my stomach feels a little full. According to some research, drinking water upon waking up cleanses are system. We should not eat food right away and let the water stay for around 40 minutes to 1 hour. We can only eat after we urinate. This method flushes the toxins we have incurred the night before. If you don't feel like urinating, try drinking water some more.

8 - 9:00 am> I eat breakfast. Most of the time I eat oranges and bananas. When I feel like it, I eat rice. I don't like eating rice that much but I do eat lots of viands. Some say that's the reason why I'm sooo thin because I don't eat an ample amount of rice but my pet hamsters do. Lolz =)
*But do not eat too much oranges, it will make you acidic. I also don't take vit.C supplements unless I have colds. I still believe in the power of fruits and fruit juices.

11am> I eat chocolates and candies. I have a sweet tooth eversince I was child. No wonder I always get to have tonsilitis. I also nibble on cheese if we have a stock of it.

12:30nn - 1:30pm> I eat my lunch. Rice and viand. Lots of water. Sometimes I drink juices (strawberry or calamansi) or Enervon HP Chocolate Drink.

3:30 - 4:30pm> Snack time! I eat fruits, chocolates, donuts, yogurt and I drink buko juice. Most of the time I eat the aforementioned foods. I see to it that I drink buko juice once a week. Ya know, to maintain a healthy kidney. =)

5:30pm> I'll have another snack. Oranges or chocolates. Right now, it's Crunch Crisp and Cloud 9 bars. I drink my cup of coffee. Just 1 cup. =p

6:30 - 7pm> I drink water again and again. Water addict.

8pm - Dinner! There are times I don't eat rice. I'm not a fan of rice unless I am really hungry. I eat hamburgers, pizza or salad for dinner. Then, I'll have ice cream for dessert or a probiotic drink.

10 - 10:30pm> Before I sleep, I eat again. I eat fruits or chocolates. I have my supply of these yummy foods at home. Good thing I don't have ice cream, hahaha! I am obsessed with ice cream. Whatta yummy treat! There are also times I drink coffee if I feel sleepy at this point of time.

10:45pm> I drink water again. Sometimes, I have it magnetized. If I'm not yet sleepy, I eat oranges or bananas. There are times when I eat salt before going to sleep. Crazy, isn't it?! Before, I used to drink vitamins but now, I prefer to eat more fruits and vegetables.

11pm> Time for snooze.... Zzzzz....ü

I called my food routine crazy because that's just meeh! =) See, I have boring eating habits but I thrive on that for years already. Rotl. =D

Oh, by the way, I don't smoke but I do drink beer and wine. Let's chill out!

>HealthyPeeps<

BFAD adds 22 infant milk brands to 'black list'

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) added Wednesday 22 brands of infant milk powder to its "black list" of melamine-tainted products to avoid.
In a newspaper ad on the Philippine Star, the BFAD said this brought to 24 the number of products that consumers should avoid and report to authorities.

"Beware of these products! Alagaan ang kalusugan (Protect our health). If you see any of these products please call the BFAD (at) 8425606, 8070721, 8070725," it said in its message.
The BFAD said the 22 products were based on an advisory from the Philippine embassy in Beijing.

Last week, the BFAD found positive for melamine Greenwood Yili Fresh Milk and Mengniu Drink. The agency was expected to release the results of its further tests later Wednesday.
Citing the advisory from the Philippine embassy in Beijing, the BFAD said melamine was detected in the following brands of infant milk powder:

Sanlu (Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group Inc.); Panda Baby (Shanghai Panda Dairy Co. Ltd.); Syrutra (Syrutra International Inc.); Gucheng (Shanxi Gucheng Dairy Co. Ltd.); Hero (Jiangxi Bright & Hero Dairy C); Huimin/HMDP (Baoji Huimin Milk Co. Ltd.); Mengniu (Mengniu Dairy); Kocci (Duojiaduo Dairy Industry Tianjin Co. Ltd.); Yaahili (Guangdong Yashili Group Co. Ltd.); Nanshan Beiyi (Hunan Peiyi Dairy Co.); Heilongjiang Qining Dairy Co.); Yashili (Shanxi Yashili Dairy Co.); Jinbishi (Shenzhen Jinbishi Milk Co. Ltd.); Scient (Guangzhou Shien Dairy Co.); Jinding (Guangzhou Jinding Dairy Co.); Yili (Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co.); Ausmeadow (Ausmeadow Nutriment Co. Ltd.); Suncare (Aikeding, Qingdao Suncare Nutritional Technology Co. Ltd.); Yubao (Xi'an Baiyue Dairy Co. Ltd.); Leilei (Yantai Leilei Dairy Products Co. Ltd.); Baoanli (Shanghai Bao'anli Dairy Co. Ltd.) and Hikid (Fuding Chenguan Dairy Co. Ltd.) - GMANews.TV

Source: Yahoo Philippines

How Do You Know If You Need to Detox?

[Healthypeeps: My sister tried water detox before and she told me it made her healthier, feel good and light. My friend also tried it and he felt the same way, too.]

There are a couple of good ways to determine if your body is in need of a detox. Chances are you have noticed most of the symptoms, but either shrugged them off, or simply did not have the time in your busy schedule to remedy them. You may have even become used to them, and figured the were normal. Here are a couple of ways to know if you are in need of a good detox. How do you look and feel? Your answers to these two questions are tell tale signs of whether or not you are in need of a detox.

There are a couple of things to considering determining your answer. Are you bloated? Do you no longer sleep through the night? Are you always tired and listless? Do your eyes and skin look healthy? How often do you experience anxiety, mood swings, or even depression? Do you have frequent headache? Has your skin started to break out frequently? Do you seem to be more stressed than usual and have a very low level of focus and concentration? Do you find you have experienced frequent infections? In a word do you feel - blah?It could be that you may need to detox your system.

What is detox? Detoxification is the process by which toxic waste is flushed out of the fat tissue and organs. Just as you care for your car engine and regularly change oils and fluids, so you should with your body. Our bodies run on what we put in them. If you want optimum performance, you will need to put optimum nourishment in your body. Simply put, detoxification is the internal cleansing of your body. The way you choose to do so if up to you however; before starting a detox, check with your doctor particularly if you suffer from a serious illness. Some people use herbs and fiber supplements for toxic cleanses such as the ultimate colon and liver cleanse systems. Others do so by means of dieting and fasting, obtaining sustenance from fresh raw fruits, vegetables, herbal teas and juices. You will notice as you go through your detoxification process that you will think differently as well. Your thinking process will be much clearer. The benefits of detoxification definitely outweigh the side effects. Your body will be cleaner and your mind more focused.

Source: J. Rica Middlebrooks

Is It Starvation or Fasting?

There is a vast difference between fasting and starving. During the absence of food, the body will systematically cleanse itself of everything except vital tissue. It continually readjusts to make minimum demands on reserves. Starvation will occur only when the body is forced to use vital tissue to survive.
Humans adapt amazingly well to lack of food. A. J. Carlson, Professor of Physiology, at the University of Chicago, states that a healthy, well-nourished man can live from 50 to 75 days without food, provided he is not exposed to harsh elements or emotional stress. There are numerous examples of water fasts over the 75-day mark. Granted, 75-day water fasts are unusual, but it shows that God has wonderfully created the body to be able to live for extended periods without food.
Each extra pound of fat will supply enough calories for one day of hard, physical labor. Ten pounds of fat are equal to 35,000 calories! This is equivalent to 35 pounds of fish or 192 pounds of carrots. We carry around a supermarket of reserves capable of sustaining us for many weeks.
All living things have been given the ability to survive harsh circumstances. Organisms are able to store nutrients in the fat, blood, bone marrow and other tissues. Camels are capable of storing fat and water in their humps. Tadpoles abstain from eating when their legs are developing, subsisting on their tails, which are no longer needed. The Mexican Gila Monster stores up reserves in its tail when food is plentiful and can survive for six weeks when food is scarce. The marine iguana of the Galapagos Islands is named the Vegetarian Dragon because it lives on seaweed. It can abstain from food for over one hundred days. In the Western World, food is plentiful and rich in calories. Unless involved in strenuous exercise or famine, we do not have the opportunity to use up the excessive fat deposited around the waistline.
It will take several weeks of catabolism before the body is stripped of fat, dead and dying cells and is forced to dissolve healthy cells for calories. This is the point of starvation. If you are fasting and still have fat on your body, you have a long way to go.
Source: Internet

Top 5 Full Body Detox Tips

We all live in a contaminated world and most of us realize we could benefit from some full body detoxification. But how many of us actually have the time to do 7 day juice fasts, the money to spend on clove capsules, dandelion root, black walnut tinctures, coffee enemas, and aged garlic pills, or the energy to deal with feeling horrible for 3 days straight from detoxing too fast? The easiest, cheapest, and safest way to detox is by assisting your body in its natural detoxification processes.

Below are the 5 most effective ways to accomplish this goal.

1. Increase your Selenium- Chronic exposure to environmental toxins, including chemotherapy drugs, radiation and other toxic medicines, increases the requirement for selenium. Many of the benefits of selenium are related to its role in the production of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme is responsible for detoxification in the body and each molecule of this enzyme contains 4 atoms of selenium. Selenium supplementation has been found to protect the liver in people with alcoholic cirrhosis. Smokers, in particular, have depleted selenium levels and should make every attempt to increase the selenium in their diet.
Foods sources of selenium are the safest and most easily utilized by your body. These include: brazil nuts, broccoli, brown rice, chicken, dairy products, garlic, onions, molasses, seafood, vegetables and whole grains.

2. Add some Zinc-
Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, cigarette smoking, and air pollution) can also increase the number of these damaging particles. Free radicals are believed to contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of health problems including heart disease and cancer. Zinc can protect your body from the harmful effects of toxins by 3 separate mechanisms: The antioxidant properties of zinc can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. Zinc is a constituent of the important antioxidant enzyme Superoxide Dismutase. Zinc is needed for the proper absorption of Vitamin E (yet another important antioxidant). Food sources include: egg yolks, fish, lamb, legumes, mushrooms, pecans, oysters, poultry, soybeans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, parsley, and kelp.

3. Go natural-
Every day we choose to introduce toxic chemicals and compounds into our bodies, our cleaning supplies, lotions and shampoos, fruits and vegetables, even our medicines. Small changes in your shopping list can make a world of difference. As a rule of thumb it's best to "go natural". Try using baking soda or vinegar in place of your chemical-laden cleaning supplies. Buy organic produce whenever possible. Beware of your over-the-counter medications. Many contain unhealthy fillers, binders and flowing agents. Many antacids contain toxic aluminum. Aspirin and Ibuprofen can stress the kidneys. The absolute safest over-the-counter medications are homeopathic medicines. There are many versions of homeopathic medicines available, the least toxic of which are water-based homeopathics rather than lactose tablet or alcohol-based forms. Go to your local healthfood store or shop on the internet to stock your medicine cabinet with non-toxic homeopathic alternatives.

4. Stay hydrated-
The body's water supply is involved in nearly every bodily process, including digestion, absorption, circulation, excretion, body temperature, and nutrient transport. Help your body detox naturally by drinking enough water to allow optimal functioning of all these bodily processes. Drink at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day. Caffeine is a diuretic so if you are a moderate to heavy coffee or tea drinker you should match each cup of coffee or tea with a glass of water. If you are drinking tap water make sure to filter it. If you purchase your water then steam-distilled is best.

5. Detox homeopathically-
There are a couple of good ways to determine if your body is in need of a detox. Chances are you have noticed most of the symptoms, but either shrugged them off, or simply did not have the time in your busy schedule to remedy them. You may have even become used to them, and figured the were normal.

Here are a couple of ways to know if you are in need of a good detox. How do you look and feel? Your answers to these two questions are tell tale signs of whether or not you are in need of a detox. There are a couple of things to considering determining your answer. Are you bloated? Do you no longer sleep through the night? Are you always tired and listless? Do your eyes and skin look healthy? How often do you experience anxiety, mood swings, or even depression? Do you have frequent headache? Has your skin started to break out frequently? Do you seem to be more stressed than usual and have a very low level of focus and concentration? Do you find you have experienced frequent infections? In a word do you feel - blah?It could be that you may need to detox your system.

What is detox? Detoxification is the process by which toxic waste is flushed out of the fat tissue and organs. Just as you care for your car engine and regularly change oils and fluids, so you should with your body. Our bodies run on what we put in them. If you want optimum performance, you will need to put optimum nourishment in your body. Simply put, detoxification is the internal cleansing of your body. The way you choose to do so if up to you however; before starting a detox, check with your doctor particularly if you suffer from a serious illness. Some people use herbs and fiber supplements for toxic cleanses such as the ultimate colon and liver cleanse systems. Others do so by means of dieting and fasting, obtaining sustenance from fresh raw fruits, vegetables, herbal teas and juices. You will notice as you go through your detoxification process that you will think differently as well. Your thinking process will be much clearer. The benefits of detoxification definitely outweigh the side effects. Your body will be cleaner and your mind more focused.

Source: Nicole Evans

Foods to Avoid Cancer

Most of us know that food itself cannot be considered poisonous. Very few of us know that pleomorphic bacteria, yeast, and fungus and their toxins, which are characteristically present in stored and fermented food, are using our food chain as a Trojan Horse.The following list of foods are high in pleomorphic bacteria, yeast, fungus and mold and produce mycotoxins that have been documented to cause specific diseases and very specific organ lesions in both animals and in humans and should never be ingested and if any only in small amounts AND never cold. Most of the foods listed if cookly throughly will kill most of the fungus.

However, refrigerating them or using them cold, you are literally putting fungus into your body.

1) Pig meat including sausage, bacon, salami, and ham are full of colonized fungal and contain the fungi Aspergillus ochraceus which produces the mycotoxin Ochratoxin A which is associated with many different documented cancers.* Cooking these meats throughly kills most of the fungus, however, cold cuts will begin to grow the fungus again and after a few days the cold meats contain the fungus again.

2) Tobacco contains yeasts and sugars which ferment the tobacco into the form which reaches the human blood and tissues causing disbiosis of the blood and tissues leading to every degenerative disease known including cancer, diabetes, arthritis, etc.* Tobacco is bad regardless of how used except for when using tobacco leaves as the American Indian medicine men uses it. They use it as a poultice to draw our poisons out of the body, cure some skin infections and prevent infection from developing in cuts.

3) Mushrooms are not a vegetable but rather the fruiting body of a fungus whose major form of existence, the root-like mycelium, is hidden in the soil. This fruiting body is the means to disperse the seed-like spores of the fungus throughout the blood and tissues. For example edible mushrooms induce bladder cancer.* You should never eat raw mushrooms because of this fungus. Cooking mushrooms for a period of time until they at least change color kills most of the fungus. However, if in foods that are leftovers and refrigerated, the fungus will multiple.

4) Corn and all associated products contain over 25 different strains of fungus, all disease causing. Several cancer causing.* Corn that is cooked throughly kills most of the fungus. However, cold corn that is put into salads will multiply as the fungus grows rapidly.

5) Peanuts & Cashews contain over 27 different strains of fungus...(high levels of cancer causing fungus) Note: Jimmy Carter's family has a high incidence of cancer.* Peanuts baked in baked goods - kills most of the fungus. Peanuts are not wise to eat raw, peanut butter has been tested and different fungus strains have been found in peanut butter.

6) Barley contains the fungi Aspergillus ochraceus which produces the mycotoxin Ochratoxin A. This mycotoxin is associated with many different documented cancers.* Barley that has been cooked in soups is fine. Cooking kills most of the fungus. Cold barley for salads is deadly. Refrigerating will cause the fungus to multiply even in soups.

7) Animal meat and poultry including beef, lamb, chicken, and turkey contain the fungi Aspergillus ochraceus which produces the mycotoxin Ochratoxin A. It is associated with many different documented cancers.* You should only eat meat that has been throughly cooked so that there is not "pink" meat showing. Cooking kills most of the fungi and the body can deal with this small amount of up to 8 ounces daily of any meat. Actually, eating 8 ounces or less of any meat daily is more healthful for many reasons.

8) Alcohol including wine and especially beer contain the fungus Aspergillus ochraceus which produces the mycotoxin Ochratoxin A.* Small amounts, 1 small glass a day is fine. The body can deal with small amount of the fungus. More than 2 small glasses of wine, beer, or alcohol daily can create toxins in the body that can cause serious health problems over time. It will also depress the immune system, causing more colds and illness.

9) Dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice-cream, butter, etc. are fully colonized with fungi and contain the fungus Aspergillus ochraceus which produces the mycotoxin Ochratoxin A. These foods are also high in sugar which promotes the production of pleomorphic bacteria, yeast, and fungus. * The least of these in fungus is 1% or 2% milk. Heating cheese to be used in macaroni kills most of the fungus. Cold cheese is loaded with the fungus, especially if it has been sitting for sometime. Cottage Cheese is loaded with the fungus. The immune system of the body can handle small amounts of 1% or 2% milk and heated cheese daily. Yogurt as long as it is made from "live" cultures is fine to eat. As a matter of fact, it is "good" bacteria that actually kills the "bad" bacteria such as yeast in the body. However, eating too much can also have negative effects. Up to 6 ounces a day is fine.

10) Eggs are fully colonized with fungus and contaminated with mycotoxins.* Cooking them kills most of them. However, boiling eggs for salads is fine if used at one meal, however, refrigerated eggs or as in egg salad, the fungus begins to multiply again.

11) STORED GRAINS AND CEREALS ARE FULLY COLONIZED WITH FUNGUS AND CONTAMINATED WITH MYCOTOXINS.* As long as the grains are cooked it kills most of the fungus. Grains for spagettti or pasta are fine. Oatmeal that is cooked for cereals is fine. Oatmeal baked for cookies is fine as long as eaten within a few days. Cold grain cereals are not that good to eat because of the fungus and mycotoxins. You should never eat cold pasta salads.

12) Stored potatoes are fully colonized with fungus and contaiminated with mycotoxins.* Cooking potatoes kills most of the fungus, however refrigerating will breed the fungus back. Cold Potato salad is not healthy!

13) Sugar including honey maple syrup, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, rice syrup, barley malt etc. promtote the growth of pleomorphic bacteris, yeast, fungus, and mold and suppress the immune system response up to five hours.* Unless you use these in cooking or baking something which kills most of the fungus, it is not wise to use these as sweetners in drinks. You should avoid all fruit juices containing corn syrup as the sweetner.

14) Vinegar or apple cider vinegar acidifies the blood and tissues which promotes the production of bacteria, yeast, fungus, and mold.* However, if used in very small amounts, like a teaspoon on salads will kill any type of bacteria on the lettuce is not harmful. Avoid using vinegar to flavor meats or soups. Using Italian dressing to marinate meat is not wise.

15) Yeast in any form including Brewers Yeast.* Using the amounts needed in baking a loaf of bread is fine. The immune system can deal with small amounts. It is when you consume a number of foods daily that has yeast in it that can cause yeast infections and Candidisis Albicans.

16) Caffeine in any form acidifies the blood and tissues which promotes the production of pleomorphic baceast, fungus and mold. * Small amounts of caffeine in tea is good for the body and the immune system can deal with this. When you drink more than 2 cups of coffee a day, you are exposing yourself to large amounts of the fungus.

17) High fructose fruits acidify the blood and tissues and feed the production of pleomorphic bacteria, yeast, fungus, and mold. For example, APPLE JUICE IS CONTAMINATED WITH THE CARCINOGENIC MYCOTOXIN PATULIN WHICH IS DERIVED FROM THE FUNGUS AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH STOMACH CANCER.* I strongly suggest not drinking apple juice. Even though juices are pasteurized, heated to kill bacteria and most fungus, apple juice has the highest capability of breeding more of the fungus as it sits on the shelf. Juices that contain the least amount of fungus after sitting is cranberry, ( very good for keeping urinary tract and kidneys infections down), papaya, white or red grape and pineapple. Orange juice is fine if freshly squeezed or from a can and drank within 1-2 days.

18) Dried fish contains the Aspergillus fungus and the extracts from the dried fish contains large amounts of aflatoxin.* Cooking kills most of the fungus. Eating raw fish such as in sushi is dangerous. There have been deaths caused from eating raw fish sush as in sushi. Never eat cold or refrigerated fish. Anchovies are loaded with the fungus as well as most canned fish meats. Tuna is fine because it has low fungus which the body can deal with in small amounts. Eating tuna packed in water is the best.

19) Devitalized salt changes the negative charge on the blood cells causing them to stack or combine into symplasts which can lead to oxygen deprivation, congestion, poor circulation, stroke, and/or heart attack. * Use natural sea salt that has had iodine added is the best.

20) Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils as in margarine, shortenings and vegetable oils are altered fat substances which are known to be detrimental to health because they interfere with normal biochemical processes. These oils have been shown to increase cholesterol, decrease beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) interfere with our liver's detoxification system, and interfere with essential fatty acid function. Dr. Willett at Harvard has shown they cause a 53% increase in coronary heart disease. In September, 1998, The American Heart Association issued a health warning to avoid foods containing these oils. Diabetes type II, cell inflammation and autoimmune problems have been linked to these oils.* Read my column, Hydrogenated Oils-Silent Killers" for in depth details about these oils. Links are provided to more than 125 research studies showing the negative health effects of these oils.

Source: Internet

Reasons for sleeping and waking up early.

I just read this fact on a certain magazine... Iforgot the name of the magazine but it's in my laptop for quite some time that's why I want to share this to everyone for other people to know....This might make a difference to their health...

Happy reading!

Evening at 9 - 11pm: is the time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on health.

Evening at 11pm - 1am: is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3am: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5am: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am: detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9am: absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10am rather than no meal at all.

Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.