Elephants and Feng Shui

Nine ways the elephant can be used in a home:
1. Bringing good luck into the home — Place a statue of an elephant, or a pair of elephants, at the front door facing inward to signal good luck and blessings entering the home.
2. Protection— Place an elephant or pair of elephants facing outward to protect the home and to prevent the loss of chi from the home.
3. Promote love and fidelity – Display an elephant or a pair of elephants in the bedroom to promote love and faithfulness between a couple..
4. Bonding between mother and child – Place a statue of a mother elephant and her baby, a symbol of the love and bonding between a mother and her children, in your Family or Children section to strengthen the bond.
5. Fertility – Place an elephant statue beside the bed or place a pair, one on either side of the bedroom door, to welcome in “infant” energy.
6. Knowledge and academic success – Place a statue in your child’s bedroom, on his or her desk, or wherever s/he does homework.  The elephant is a symbol of knowledge and academic success.
7. Energize the Career area – Place an elephant near the door or the Career area to symbolize wisdom and power.
8. Work success – Place an elephant near the front door or the door of the office to attract power and to protect the person from bad energy in the office.
9. Good management – Place an elephant on your work desk facing out to symbolize intelligent leadership, poise under pressure, and cautiousness.
 –Gabriele Amersbach, Lucky Path Feng Shui

http://luckypath-fengshui.com

Facts about soaps

Many different oils, fats and butters are used in the manufacture of soap. These “fats” have different beneficial fatty acids that contribute to the properties of the soap. For example; olive oil contains mainly oleic acid that produces small, mild and creamy bubbles, coconut oil contains nearly 50% lauric acid which makes big, fat, open, fluffy bubbles and sunflower oil contains mainly linoleic acid which produces big, open conditioning bubbles. So the skill of the soapmaker comes into practice with the combining of various oils and fats in the correct proportions that will produce the best lather possible but keep the soap gentle and mild while leaving a nice soothing after-feel on the skin [not the squeaky clean, feeling tight and rough as some soaps do].

Soap removes grease and dirt from the skin because some of its components are surfactants (surface-active agents). Surfactants have a molecular structure that acts as a connecting link between water and the dirt. This loosens the particles of dirt, stale make-up, grease etc. from the skin. One end of the molecule is hydrophilic (attracted to water), and the other is hydrophobic (attracted to substances that are not water soluble).

So, soap is a very effective cleanser, but it is much more! Some ingredients that you see on many popular soaps do not have any beneficial effects for the skin, in fact, they can cause problems such as allergies for many users e.g. perfume - you will see this on most soap ingredients listing. This is a man-made chemical fragrance, simply an aroma that has no therapeutic qualities and can be toxic and irritating for many skin types. In fact, over 70% of women claim to suffer from sensitive skin at some time in their life for various reasons. Therefore the most important thing about our soaps is that they contain NO artificial, chemical fragrances, only aromatherapy quality essential oils that do have beneficial therapeutic properties for the skin. In fact, all essential oils are gently antiseptic in their action and many are corrective for different skin problems, especially when there is an imbalance i.e. overly dry or overly greasy. We use a generous amount of essential oils in all our products that not only smell delicious but have a positive effect for the skin.

http://www.gswoa.com/index.php/pages/goodsoapworks-facts-about-soap.html 

Health benefits of okra

1) Colon Cancer: -

By cleaning out the intestinal tract, Lady Finger is able to improve colon health by allowing the organ to work at a higher rate of efficiency and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

2) Diabetes: -

The presence of Eugenol helps fight against diabetes. The fiber also helps stabilize blood sugar level by delaying sugar absorption from the intestines.

3) Constipation: -

Okra or lady finger is one of the best vegetable sources of dietary fiber essential for the digestive system. Dietary fibers in okra help prevent and relieve constipation problem. The soluble fiber in okra absorbs water and adds bulk to the stool thus preventing constipation.

4) Prevents Anemia: -

The iron content of lady finger forms hemoglobin in the blood and prevents anemia. Vitamin K helps in blood coagulation.

5) Weight Loss: -

The dietary fibers contained in this lady finger vegetable are best for people who are in their weight loss diet programs. Ladies finger contains no calories, hence are great for weight loss.

6) Heart Disease: -

Soluble fiber in lady finger or okra helps to lower serum cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease. Eating okra is the effective control of the body’s high cholesterol level. Okra is also high in pectin that helps in lowering high blood cholesterol by altering the production of bile in the intestines.

7) Hair Problems: -

Okra or lady finger can also help bring your hair back to its original state, free from dandruffs. For bouncy hair, boil water with horizontally cut okra, strain on cooling, squeeze half a lemon and use as a hair rinse. Experts say that it can even rid of lice also.

8) Improve Immune System: -

The high Vitamin C content in Ladies finger helps fight cold and cough by improving healthy immune system. The Vitamin C and many essential minerals like magnesium, manganese, calcium and iron in Lady Finger fights against harmful free radicals and promotes healthy immune system.

9) Improve Eyesight: -

Vitamin A and beta carotene found in lady finger are essential nutrients for maintaining good eyesight. In addition, these essential nutrients also help prevents eye related diseases such as cataracts. The Vitamin A promotes health of the eyes and protects against age related eye disorders.

10) Fetus Development: -

The high amount of folate contained in the lady finger or okra is beneficial for the fetus during pregnancy. Folate is an essential nutrient which improves the development of the fetus brain. The high amount of folic acid in lady finger or okra plays an important role in the neural tube formation of the fetus throughout fourth to twelve weeks of pregnancy.

http://www.mediherbsolution.com/

 

How to get rid of rats

Health benefits of Pineapple

Health benefits of Pineapple fruit

• Fresh pineapple is low in calories. Nonetheless, ii is a storehouse of several unique health promoting compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
• 100 g fruit provides just about 50 calories equivalent to that of apples. Its flesh contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; however, it is rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber like pectin.
  
• Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation.
  
• Fresh pineapple is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin C. 100 g fruit contains 47.8 or 80% of this vitamin. Vitamin C is required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
  
• It also contains small amount Vitamin A (provides 58 IU per 100 g) and beta-carotene levels. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes, skin and essential for vision. Studies have suggested that consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps the human body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
  
• In addition, this fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and minerals like copper, manganese and potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Copper is a helpful cofactor for red blood cell synthesis. Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger.
  
  
  http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/pineapple.html

Fasting

Fasting

During the month of Ramadan leading up to Hari Raya, it is mandatory for Muslims to fast. All Muslims except the young, old or infirm must fast. They do not eat or drink anything from dawn until dusk. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of their God, Allah, and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

In Malaysia, ‘Ramadan bazaars‘ are held in many areas around the country, where all sorts of food and kuih — traditional Malay delicacies — are sold for breaking fast or buka puasa. Many hotels and restaurants offer exorbitant Ramadan buffets during this time.

http://explorer.justenglish.com

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a painful condition that causes the fingers or thumb to catch or lock when bent. In the thumb its called trigger thumb.
Trigger finger happens when tendons in the finger or thumb become inflamed. Tendons are tough bands of tissue that connect muscles and bones. Together, the tendons and muscles in the hands and arms bend and straighten the fingers and thumbs.
A tendon usually glides easily through the tissue that covers it (called a sheath) because of a lubricating membrane surrounding the joint called the synovium. Sometimes a tendon may become inflamed and swollen. When this happens, bending the finger or thumb can pull the inflamed tendon through a narrowed tendon sheath, making it snap or pop.

What Causes Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger can be caused by a repeated movement or forceful use of the finger or thumb. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and diabetes also can cause trigger finger. So can grasping something, such as a power tool, with a firm grip for a long time.

Who Gets Trigger Finger?

Farmers, industrial workers, and musicians often get trigger finger since they repeat finger and thumb movements a lot. Even smokers can get trigger thumb from repeated use of a lighter, for example. Trigger finger is more common in women than men and tends to happen most often in people who are 40 to 60 years old.

http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/trigger-finger