Breaking The Silence

Become A Medical Assistant

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:14:00 +0000

As nurses, we strive to become good advocates to our clients and patients. We handle them with utmost compassion and give them the best quality of care. But still, we must know where are capacity is. We need to collaborate with health team members and ask for assistance from designated medical personnel to complete our tasks and carry out quality health care to our patients.

Medical Assistants are one of many important members of the health team and one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. Job opportunities for medical assistants are very excellent especially for individuals with formal medical training.

So if you are one of those individuals seeking for a rewarding career as a Certified Medical Assistant, at St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants they strive hard to help you achieve your career goal of becoming a Medical Assistant. A medical assistant certificate can mean greater career opportunity, faster promotion, and higher income. Their program makes a medical assistant education very affordable and yet completely flexible to suit your personal needs.

You can now become a Medical Assistant in just 6-8 weeks at this prestigious medical assistant school that's affordable, convenient and accredited. Apply online now and be a part of St.Augustine School of Medical Assistants.

Marriage...What's in it for you?

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:04:00 +0000

Greetings Silence Breakers! Just using my spare time have been very busy the couple of weeks. I've just finished and passed my IV therapy training and I must say that inserting an intravenous needle (a catheter inside a vein or blood vessel) is not a very pleasing experience. =)

Since June is coined as the month we're many knots are tied, here's a story to those who are married, not married and soon to be married.

MARRIAGE

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her

hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate

quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let

her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic

calmly.

She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me

softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away

the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we

didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find

out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a

satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her

anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which

stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my

company.

She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who

had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt

sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take

back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly

in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was

actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me

for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing

something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep

and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew.

When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just

did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't

want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce.

She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal

a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a

month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked

me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.

She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her

out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was

going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her

odd request.

I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions. She laughed

loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she

has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce

intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the

first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is

holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From

the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten

meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't

tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put

her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove

alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned

on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that

I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she

was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair

was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I

wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of

intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her

life to me.

On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of

intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became

easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday

workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a

few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my

dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so

thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness

in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry

mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an

essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer

and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I

might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms,

walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her

hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly;

it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I

held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to

school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life

lacked intimacy.

I drove to office... jumped out of the car swiftly without

locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...

I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I

do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do

you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I

said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she

and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love

each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home

on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.

Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then

slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove

away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers

for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled

and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a

relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the

bank, blah..blah..blah. These create an environment conducive for

happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be

your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that

build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!

Unemployed Graduate

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:59:00 +0000

Greetings to all Silence Breakers! I haven't really updated my blog for a while still busy on reviewing for the exams. Good thing is my application for NCLEX has already been recieved by the state that I've applied to. I do need to be patient though because the processing time might take 3-4 months or more.

Anyways, I'm still unemployed as of now, well considering that I am a part time blogger. =) So for now let me leave you with an inspirational story of an unemployed graduate who earns more from giving.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into their sockets.

With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin.

The young graduate said to them "you need the prayer more than I do".

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 mil lion dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.

This is what the note said: "You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin" Signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30

A New Use for Botox

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:50:00 +0000

Botox is one of the anti-aging solutions that have been the current craze among people today. Botox involves injecting of very tiny amount of purified protein into specific muscles to treat and improve lines, wrinkles, furrows and crow's feet associated with facial expression.

But researchers have found a new purpose for the anti-aging injectable and it's not just for your granny's wrinkles. A teenager was suffering from hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating and even with constant use of antiperspirants and deodorants couldn't curb to his dilemma. His doctor suggested Botox injections, explaining that Botulinum toxin A has been successfully used to reduce excessive sweating.

In another case four years ago, a doctor injected Botox to paralyse the salivary glands of a 39-week-old child who was literally drowning in his own spit. Within ten days, excess secretions dried up, and the child was able to leave the hospital safe and sound. Studies have also revealed that Botox can also alleviate migraine headaches. Other newfound uses under study include treatments for overreactive bladders and tinnitus or ths sudden ringing inside the ears. So next time, don't assume your friend's Botox injections are for his wrinkles.

Laughing a total body workout!

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:14:00 +0000

Laughter is an expression of joy. It is a physiological response to humor. Humor researcher Peter Derks describes laughter as a "really automatic, quick, type of behavior. In fact, how quickly our brain recognizes the incongruity that lies at the heart of most humor and attaches an abstract meaning to it determines whether we laugh." Seriously now, many researchers believe that the purpose of laughter is related to making and strengthening human connections. Laughter occurs when people are comfortable with one another and when they feel open and free. The more laughter there is, the more bonding within the group. This feedback, combined with the common desire not to be singled out from the group, may be another reason why laughter is often contagious.

Laughing was long known to be helpful to those coping with major illnesses and the stress of life's problems. But researchers are now saying that laughter can do a lot more - it can basically bring balance to all the components of the immune system, which helps us fight off diseases. Laughter reduces levels of certain stress hormones. It provides a safety valve that shuts off the flow of stress hormones and the fight-or-flight compounds that swing into action into our bodies when we experience stress, anger or hostility.

What may surprise you even more is the fact that researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Blood pressure is lowered, and there is an increase in vascular blood flow and in the oxygenation of blood, which furthers assists healing. Laughter also provides your diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles a workout. That's why you often feel exhausted after a long bout of laughter. Laughing can be a total body workout!

And the winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:02:00 +0000

Congratulations to Don of Rants of A Loony Toon!!! You are the lucky blogger who won my first ever Entrecard contest! I will be sending you 1500 Entrecard credits and a one month free ad space on my blog. Thank you again to all those who participated! Thanks also to random.org and Saphrym for his expertise in making my logo and for his support!

Watch out for more contests that I will be making in the near future!

Ends Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:51:00 +0000

Greetings fellow bloggers and silence breakers everywhere! My first Entrecard contest will be ending tonight and I would like to give my heartfelt gratitude to those who participated in the contest. I know there's always a first time for everyone, and even though only a few bloggers entered my contest, I'm still grateful to everyone who supported my contest and for sharing their time and efforts to help me in this contest. As my gift I will be giving 150 ECs to those who joined as a consolation prize and 1500 ECs (as promised) to the winner of my Entrecard contest! So with out further ado, here are the official bloggers who have qualified for my contest:

Brenda of meowlicious.blogspot.com
Devon of codingcollege.com
Don of rants of a loony toon
Mrs. Hannigan of mrshannigan.blogspot.com
Ukion of Detector

Another warm thank you for all Entrecard bloggers who have dropped their cards and advertised on my blog! Thank you so much and may we continue to break the silence!!!

Summer Lovin'

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:38:00 +0000

It’s summer or haven’t you noticed it yet? See how people seem more relaxed and easygoing during this season? Less traffic, no school anymore (yey!), bright colors, endless sunny days and the perfect time to soak some heat!

So take advantage of the lazy summer days to renew and refreshen your ties with family and friends starting with these “beat-the-heat” tips:

Reminisce and Reunite. Here’s your chance to rekindle and get together with old childhood friends and schoolmates. Round up the ol’ gang and have a reunion! It doesn’t have to be expensive – you can whip up your regular siesta or afternoon snacks and bring back memories over a refreshing glass of iced tea, fruit shakes or even your favorite soda and ice cream!

Make new friends. No one can have too many friends I must say. So why stop making new friends? Put a genuine and pleasing smile on your face and strike up a conversation with the person sitting beside you in the bus, MRT or even you’re the cute girl standing next to you in the elevator. Better yet, forge new friendships with people around your neighborhood. It doesn’t hurt to be sociable.

Be something new! Reinvent yourself. It could be just a new haircut you’ve long been planning for or indulging in a new hobby, or doing some help with your community or a chosen charity. Befriend the orphans or even the elderly. Be a role model and enjoy the deep joys of finding a new you.

Be thankful. Start out with a journal or prayer as a way of saying gratitude. Start out small – begin by writing what happened during your day and be thankful for it, whether big or small. Do this before going to bed and chances are, you’ll sleep way better. Make this a habit to remind yourself of just how much there is to be thankful for.

I'm back...Sorry for being so silent. Happy Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:25:00 +0000

Forgive me for being too silent this past week. It's due to the reason that I got my laptop reformatted due to some programs going haywire due to the vast array of viruses and evil worms scattered almost everywhere in the net and in my laptop nonetheless.

Fortunately, my files were not deleted and backed up but still some programs were needed to be reinstalled especially my most trusted antivirus program (not going to tell due to copyright reasons heehee). The advantage is that my laptop has been running pretty fast lately and my internet connection has also been going in hyperspeed(?) and I've been quite saintly this holy week.

Now that Easter's here and my laptop having a "rebirth", another thing has changed and it's my Entrecard logo, courtesy of the great and famous blogger Saphrym.

Somehow being missing in action for a week has its perks. So I'm back to blogging and hopefully my laptop doesn't go Coup D' Etat on me again!

Happy Easter and have a great week Silence Breakers!

Pacquiao Vs. Marquez: Business Finished

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:38:00 +0000

Filipinos, Mexicans and even Americans joined for one of the biggest and probably the historic clash of the two most fiercest and bravest fighters to ever step foot in a boxing ring. The much anticipated match for the WBC Super featherweight championship between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez, which ended in a questionable and disappointing draw four years ago, was ready to be served in one of the prestigious casinos in the world at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Manny Pacquiao was the so-called "Fist of the Masses" in the Philippines and Marquez, a future Mexican hall of famer, came in with their game faces on. And as the bell signifying the first round rang, people expected it to be a heart-racing and entertaining experience. And both fighters were not willing to disappoint the thousands of fans and spectators watching around the world.

Both men were playing mindgames with each other, measuring every move and calculating every punch. Marquez seemed to have the upper hand at the first round, but in the closing seconds of the 3rd round, Pacquiao surprised Marquez and everyone watching with a clean left hook. Marquez was knocked off his feet and the crowd was ecstatic. Most people believed that this match would have ended right there. But Marquez was not most people, he got up and fought with sheer guts.

Round after round, they exchanged big blows and countered each others punches. Pacquiao had gotten a cut over and under his right eye and Marquez bled on his left eyebrow. Both men were bloodied and bruised, but no one seemed to give up. They seized to fall down and give up and eventually continued on up to the 12th round. After the smoke cleared and the dust settled, it seemed that the match was going to end by the scorecards.

As the scores were being announced in the capacity crowd, Pacquiao, went over to Marquez's corner and in a sportsmanlike manner shook his hand and his crew. And when the final scores were over and a split decision was made, no one was more surprised than Pacquiao himself when his name was called as the new and first Asian to ever win the WBC Super featherweight title. The Filipinos and supporters of the Pacman were overjoyed, jeering and enthusiastically shouting his name. Making our kababayans proud and unite again for a very historic day.

Fighting Fatigue

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:22:00 +0000

DO you seem to run out of energy by mid-afternoon? Here are some quick easy things that could help you stay refreshed, alert and focused:

Get some fresh air. Go outside and breathe deeply, be sure you're free from smoke and gas fumes.

Take a walk, or get some other form of activity during your lunch break.

Rehydrate yourself. Have a drink of water. Dehydration can leave you feeling sluggish and lazy.

Choose your food wisely. High carb and high fat meals are a no-no. Eating too much food can leave you feeling sleepy.

Have a snack. Having hyperglycemia or low blood sugar can contribute to a lack of energy and difficulty concentrating.

My chance to be $100 richer!

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:26:00 +0000

Someday I dream to be a millionaire...(ok, ok I know it sounds insane, but it doesn't hurt to dream!) That millionaire thing...it might be a couple of years or decades from now, but I have to start sometime right? As a part time blogger for just few months (seems like an eternity), I've been trying to gain some fame (and cash) yet sadly I've never reached that pinnacle of greatness or whatever you guys call it. So as I've been dropping Entrecards like a rabbit on laxatives, I came upon a sign, a premonition perhaps, from jasonboom.com : Benjamin Franklin with a red big "WIN THIS" slapped on his round, bald face! By golly, 100 smackers!!! Now my hopes of being a millionaire might have been dwindling, but this seems like the start of my "monetary" adventures. I know that joining this contest, I've got a $100 to 1 chance of winning, yet it seems I'm feeling Ben Franklin saying "Go join the contest and maybe you could tell your grandkids you've won something in your life!".

Now, before losing my sanity, here's Ben Franklin again saying:

If any of you are interested to join, I've made things easier for you (how thoughtful of me)! Get a chance to WIN THIS at www.jasonboom.com

And check out the big dogs supporting this contest:

Guilty Pleasures aren't that bad.

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:04:00 +0000

Chocolates earned its bad reputation because it tastes good, but your favorite guilty pleasure isn't all that bad. In fact, chocolates have beneficial antioxidants called flavonoids that can help reduce the negative effects of "bad" cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Recent studies even claim that it can lower your blood pressure and reduce the growth of cancer cells! An added study made by Athens Medical School in Greece shows that chocolate positively affects the endothelial cells in the walls of the blood vessels, an overall indication of the health of the cardiovascular system. Their study also showed that cells were able to successfully regulate the flexibility of the vessel and influence blood clotting.

But like any other food, it's in the amount of chocolates you eat the will determine if the "sinful" stuff will harm or benefit you. Eating them is no foolproof way to prevent heart disease and cancer; on the contrary, they can lead to weight gain which is bad for your heart.

Well, so much for chocolates.

My first ever...contest!

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:05:00 +0000

Hello Silence Breakers and bloggers all over! Here it is! My very first contest! As my way of celebrating for having passed my Nursing Licensure exam, I'm giving away 1500 Entrecard credits for one lucky blogger! And if that doesn't entice you, I'm also rewarding that blogger with a one month Ad space on this blog. may it be a part of my blog roll or a 125x125 adspace, or both!

So without further ado, here are the mechanics for my "virginal" contest:

Subscribe to my feed through email and get 3 entries.
Choose any post, excluding this one, and blog about it. Constructive and negative criticisms are always welcome. And don't forget to include a link to my site Breaking The Silence. And don't forget to include a link for this contest too. For this effort, your entitled to 15 entries.
Just by dropping on my Entrecard entitles you to 3 entries.
Finally leave a simple yet meaningful comment below to tell me what you have done and be sure to include a working link to your site. This also gives you 1 entry!

That simple! And you have a shot in winning my contest! The winner will be randomly drawn and announced after one (1) month, April 9, 2008, so that you could continue to accumulate more and more entries. So what are you waiting for, 1500 EC credits can really boost up your blog and even make you one step closer to achieving the top spot at Entrecard.

P.S. As an added bonus I'll mark as a favorite on Technorati the winner and maybe if you find my blog likeable you could do the same too. =)

Thank you and keep on Breaking the Silence!

Kids Smarter Than Parents

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:44:00 +0000

The next time your kids tells you something that contradicts what you remember believe them.
Researchers have discovered that small children have better memories than their parents. In a memory recognition test, they discovered that a five year-old could beat most adults. Researchers attribute this to adults knowing too much. The study involved 77 young children and 71 college students. They were sown pictures of animals but were not told what they were being tested for. The Ohio State University found that the children, with an average age of five, had a 31 percent accuracy regarding the animal pictures they saw. The adults registered a measly seven percent!

Vladimir Sloutsky, who led the study, explained that this was because children used similarity-based induction. When shown pictures of an animal, they took careful notice if it was close to the original cat. Adults, on the other hand, used category-based induction. Once they saw that the picture was of a cat, they no longer paid attention to the details. "When people use category information, they will filter out unrelated information," Sloutsky quoted. He added "The adults didn't care about a specific cat - all they wanted to know was whether the animal was a cat or not."

Just goes to show that adults aren't much of a keen observer and impatient! So glad I'm still a kid at heart! hehe!

Thanks Google!

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 04:23:00 +0000

Finally my Google Adsense PIN has come! After a month (or more) of waiting, my Adsense PIN has arrived and I'm so happy 'coz finally I'll get paid (yeah!!!). Thanks Google!

One more thing, I'm still planning my Entrecard contest so better watch out for it! I'll make it worth your while (I hope!). Have a great week Silence Breakers!

Filipino Song sung American Style!

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 02:27:00 +0000

I wonder if he understands what he's saying!

The number 22720

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:42:00 +0000

Finally after 2 agonizing months of waiting...I'm an RN!!! Yeah, I've passed my Philippine Nurses' Licensure Exam (NLE) and it feels so good to have passed it! I couldn't sleep for almost 3 nights and now that the results have been released, I could finally sleep peacefully and soundly. I wasn't expecting the results to come out today but hearing some rumors made me all feeling cold all over, like I was being dipped in ice cream haha! But at about 230 PM (Manila time), together with my girl, surfed the net and searched for our names!

Lo and behold, numbers 22720 and 23216! It was like winning the lottery! We could stop smiling and laughing like a children being given free ice cream cones on a warm sunny day. We kept on shouting "We're RNs!" and we just couldn't stop!

It was like a high that you could never describe. We're all so thankful to God who is always good indeed and all of this success wouldn't have been met without the support of our parents, family, friends, teachers, school and most of all God!

And to all Silence Breakers, thank you for somehow inspiring me by visiting (btw, highest number of visitors happened today) and leaving great comments on my simple blog! I'm planning to run a contest this following week so keep posted for this!!! Again, we thank you so much!!! Keep on Breaking the Silence!!!

Oats' Secret to Health

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:58:00 +0000

There's more to oatmeal than just a hot bowl of hearty breakfast. In recent years, oats have been recognized for providing a wide range of important health benefits -- from preventing simple constipation to helping the body avert serious illnesses such as heart disease.

Despite its health benefits, oats have a humble origin which dates back to Germany in 1000 B.C. But its popularity did not spread across Europe readily. This was due in part to its bland taste and the commonly held view that it was "a food more suited for animals." In the mid 1980s, with much scientific research to establish its health benefits especially in heart disease prevention, oats' contribution was recognized.

Oats are great source of dietary fiber,particularly soluble fiber, which breaks down as it passes through the digestive tract. This turns into a thick, viscous gel that traps bad cholesterol (LDL) without lowering good cholesterol (HDL). With its role in cholesterol reduction, oats, when combined witha diet low in saturated fat, have been found to help reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Besides helping prevent heart diseases, oats also benefit diabetics. The soluble fiber in oats traps carbohydrates and slows down digestion and absorption, thereby preventing wide swings in blood sugar level. With its, high fiber content, oats also helkp prevent and alleviate constipation as they keep bowel movement regular. By adding bulk to stool, the fiber in oats hastens the passage in fecal material to the gut.

The soluble fiber in oats can alsobe considered beneficial in weight control as it delays stomach emptying, making one feel full for a longer period of time, thus preventing frequent snacking. Aside from dietary fiber, oats also contain important vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B1 and B6 that are vital in helping achieve general health.

Down with the flu

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:03:00 +0000

Forgive me Silence Breakers for not updating this site for quite a while it's coz I'm not feeling well, I've been down with the flu and I've been coughing a lot for the past week. Although I was sneezing and wheezing my nose out, I did have a simple and memorable Valentine's. Unfortunately my girl also got the sniffles (I think from me) and so I had to take care of her too. It's been a very cold week and the weather was really not helping us to get better. I tried drinking lots of water but it just made me pee a lot. haha. So far, I'm feeling "bloggy" so here's my newest post. Well, Valentine's has passed but I just wanted to share some real facts about this romantic season.

Hearts

Hearts are a symbol of love. When someone gives you his or her heart, it means the person is giving his whole self. Thus, a heart pierced by Cupid's arrow has become a symbol of Valentine's Day.

Cupid

According to Roman mythology, anyone hit by Cupid's arrow falls in love the first person he or she sees. The naughty son of Venus, the Goddess of Love, is known as Eros, son of Aphrodite, in Greek mythology.

Why the color Red?

Red is an emotionally intense color that stimulates hearts to beat faster and hastens breathing. Wearing red makes you noticeable and look heavier.

Color of Roses

Roses are known as the queen of flowers and symbolize love and forgiveness. In some cultures, the color of roses convey certain meanings.

Red is for Love and Passion
Yellow means Friendship, Joy, Gladness and Freedom
Black says Farewell or Mourning
Pink or Peach conveys Gratitude, Appreciation, Admiration or Sympathy
White emphasizes True Love, Reverence, Purity or Secrecy

So you wanna impress your lady?

If you want to impress (and surprise) your loved one, this is the flower to give. It's called the Rafflesia Arnoldii, this rare bloom is found in rain forests of Indonesia, can grow up to a meter across and weigh up to 11 kilos. It has no visible leaves, stems, or roots and lives as a parasite on a certain wild vine. It takes months for its bud to bloom and its blossom lasts only for a few days. When in bloom, it emits a malodorous scent similar to rotting meat. While this smell attracts insects that pollinate the plant, your Valentine might not appreciate the stench! So my advice? Stick to roses!

Saphrym's Losing Weight For Nearly Nothing

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:44:00 +0000

Are you one of those people who have tried almost anything to lose weight or trying to keep it down to a minimum? Getting frustrated from using almost all diet fad books from Atkins to South Beach?

Well, Saphrym has blogged his first weight loss article entitled Losing Weight Costs Money and he does make a pretty convincing and ironic point that losing weight is not that expensive as many people think. As I was reading through his blog, I've realized that losing those unwanted flab is really being able to gain control of your behavior and attitude towards the food you ingest and your eating habits. Modifying your behavior towards food is a vital principle to be successful in your efforts to control your weight. So how do you modify your behavior? Well you need a pen or pencil and a notebook! Take down every instance of food intake daily -- even if its just a piece of gum or candy, a snack, a soda or a bite of your favorite "guilty pleasure".

Saphrym has emphasized this by writing down his daily food intake in his Diet Diary and I'm very impressed to note that he never lies to his loyal readers (I'm one of 'em). Like in one instance where he has ate something like a quarter pounder burger or even just his favorite dessert. It's a hidden fact that most diets fail because they do not change a person's eating habits. Once the dieter feels deprived he will eventually gorge up on the foods he mussed and end up heavier than before. Saphrym's discipline to lose weight is very appealing and inspiring to most dieters and I applaud him for that! (clap!clap!clap!)

Like most dieters, they tend to reward themselves after losing weight by eating a lot of their favorite foods. You should consider rewarding yourself with other non-food incentives like -- taking a walk in the park, pampering yourself at your favorite spa! Just like Saphrym's reward -- by giving out contests such as the one he is currently having found at Win $250 and 1000 EC points in which the winner will be drawn on February 27!

So why not start now, go to Saphrym and gain control of over your attitude and behavior over food and finally reveal a healthier, slimmer, fitter and even "richer" you!

Kick That Soda Habit

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:37:00 +0000

If you knew and understood what every bottle or can of soft drink contains, you'd think twice about drinking so much of it. Sodas are packed with sugars and acid that are harmful to your teeth and may cause dental decay. An average can of soft drink contains approximately 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar, carbonic or phosphoric acid, and as much as 55 milligrams of caffeine depending on what brand you drink.

Aside from being bad for your oral health, soft drinks are full of calories and empty on nutrients. And even if you go for the diet drinks that are supposed to be sugar-free, they still have the same acids on their regular versions, and some studies have said artificial sweeteners in these "diet or no sugar" drinks are carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

Instead of going for soft drinks, opt for the healthier choice like fresh fruit juices, dairy drinks like milk or yogurt drink, or just plain water.

Revitalizing with Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:14:00 +0000

For caffeine lovers out there, here are new findings that will inspire you to drink more of your favorite cup.

A new study published in the magazine Neurology found that women age 65 or older who drank more than three cups of coffee per day (or the caffeine equivalent in tea) had 33 percent less decline in memory over time than women who only drank one cup or less of coffee or tea per day.

Another study conducted on mice by Rutgers University found that the combination of exercise and caffeine increases the body's ability to combat precancerous cells damaged by the sun's ultraviolet rays. Caffeine intake alone helped destroy these cells, so did doing exercise alone. But combining the two activities resulted in significant protection.

A third study found that little as 100 milligrams of caffeine - found in just a cup of coffee - can improve the athletic performance of dedicated exercisers. (Casual exercisers didn't experience the same boost). Researchers theorized it may be because caffeine signals the muscles to ignore fatigue and contract differently.

Keeping Fit on a Budget

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:13:00 +0000

Whoever said physical fitness can only be achieved by enrolling at an upscale gym or boxing classes? Think out of the "fitness fad" box and you'll be amazed to discover how many of our daily, routine tasks can help us keep fit in a fun and inexpensive way. Here are some useful tips:

HAVE A TV WORK OUT!
That's right - just tune in an exercise channel on TV and have a blast doing the latest "dancercise" work out. Enjoy this convenient and hassle-free way of keeping fit in your own home.

EQUIP YOURSELF, THE CHEAP WAY
Once you've decided to work out at home, you'll need some exercise equipment. This doesn't mean you'll have to invest and shell out a big sum of money for equipment. Canvas for second-hand weights, dumbells, tread mill, etc. Chances are, a couple of friends have the very things you are looking for. Who knows maybe they'll give those untouched unused practically new equipment for free?

WALK THAT STRETCH
If you drive to work, try parking at a place some distance away from your building or if you take a bus, get off at the bus stop a few meters away. Walking this distance will invigorate you and jumpstart your hectic day at work.

CLIMB THE STAIRWAY TO HEALTH
In this day and age of high rise buildings and skyscrapers, this may be an insanely impractical idea -- use the stairs! Your office may be located just in the second or third floor so you have no excuse to -- use the stairs! So what if your office is all the way up the 50th floor? Try getting off at the 48th or 47th or even the 45th floor. Then you know what to do -- use the stairs!

Start Your Meal Right With Soup

noreply@blogger.com (by krrey_boo17) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:53:00 +0000

Having a dilemma on how to control your appetite? Start your meals right with soup.

According to a study made by Pennsylvania State University those who fill their stomachs with soup at the start of a meal eat less overall.

Researchers gave low-calorie soup made of chicken broth, broccoli, potato, cauliflower, carrots and butter to 60 normal-weight men and women once a week for five weeks. Diners were found to eat 20 percent less when they had both soup and lunch.

According to Dr. Barbara Rolls, who is the Guthrie Chair of Nutrition at the University, said, "Consuming a first-course low-calorie soup, in a variety of forms, can help with managing weight. This strategy allows people to get an extra course meal, while eating fewer total calories."

Charu Dua, chief dietician of Max Superspecialty Hospital, however added, "Attention must be given that corn flour and milk not added to the soup which immediately takes the calories to 100-150. Cream of chicken or spinach soup have nearly 200 calories.