Jackie's home and health tips

Six exercises to relieve sciatica back pain

2020-11-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

Sciatica

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Knee to opposite shoulder

Figure-4 Stretch

Knee to chest

Posterior pelvic tilt

Press-up / cobra with elbow on floor (without pushing up)

Pres-up extension / upward facing dog (legs and pelvis off the floor)

Vegan pesto pasta

2019-04-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Pasta
1 pack seitan
2 cups fresh basil
1/3 cup olive oil
1 cup walnuts (or pine nuts)
5 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

1) Cook pasta in boiling water. Stop cooking 2-3 minutes early, drain and put aside. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water.

2) Cut seitan into small pieces.

3) Blend all other ingredients in the blender.

4) Put enough pesto sauce in the pot, add pasta water so it is a creamy consistency. Add seitan to heat thoroughly, 2mins. Add desire amount of pasta, mix and serve.

Add cherry or grape tomato if you like in step 4.

Vegan Tequilla Lime Chick'n Pasta

2019-04-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

1 cup fresh cilantro (finely chopped)
2 tbsp garlic (finely chopped)
2 jalapeno pepper (finely chopped) (take out seeds for milder taste)
1 cup tequilla
4 limes (juice)
1 cube vegetable stock
1 can of coconut milk
2 tbsp soy sauce or liquid amino (optional)
1 pack seitan (cut to small pieces)
1/2 onion (cut into strips)
1/4 each color bell pepper (cut into strips)
1 box of Pasta
4 tbsp cooking or olive oil

To reduce the number of pots and dishes, it will take longer but there will be less to clean afterwards. Do the prep work (washing and cutting) when you are boiling water/pasta. I will often use the bowls I will serve pasta to hold the prep food.

1) Pasta - get whatever you want. It doesn't matter. If you like your pasta al dente, stop the cooking 2-3 minutes early. Drain and put aside, the pasta will continue to cook. Save at least 1 cup of the pasta water for later if needed.

2) Onion and bell pepper - use 2 tbsp oil to stir fry until your desired cookness, put aside

3) Use 2 tbsp oil to sautee garlic, cilantro and jalapeno pepper for 2 minutes. Add tequilla and lime juice, cook for 5 mins until the alcohol has evaporated. Add coconut milk, vegetable cube and bring the liquid to a boil, turn down the heat and allow to simmer for 10 mins.

4) Turn to medium heat and add seitan to the sauce to cook for 2 mins until hot, add cooked vegetables. Add pasta, mix and taste. Add liquid amino if needed, serve pasta.

Feel free to adjust the ingredient portion to your liking. Use other kinds of vegetables like mushroom, zucchini, spinach or kale.

Make long airplane ride more comfortable

2018-07-07T13:16:00.002-07:00

There are the things I do to make a long airplane ride a bit more comfortable. I bring the following items with me:

(1) plastic bags - I use the small clear trash liner that comes in a roll so I fold them neatly to fit in the hanging organizer and it takes up no space at all, but grocery bags will do too.

(2) S-hooks - I usually don't need them now that I have the hanging organizer but in case you have the first row you may need them so you can hang things off the front pocket. They are small enough to bring and very helpful when you do need them.

(3) wet nap or baby wipe or pretty much any anti-bacteria wipes will do. If you have the big value pack cleaning wipe at home, just grab a few and put them in ziplock bag to take with you.

(4) hanging organizer - I bought this one but pretty much any hanging organizer will do. Just try to get a soft one that you can fold and put away easily when you don't need it.

Trash Bag on seat back coat hook

It is very handy when you have trash you want to get rid of and a flight attendant is not nearby to take the trash from you. Do you know there are coat hooks on the side of the back seat? There should be 2 coat hooks on each side of the middle seat, and one for the seat on the isle or window. I use that to hang a plastic bag for trash. On some flight that comes with a blanket in a plastic bag, if the bag is heavy duty enough, like the ones I have seen on Eva air, I would carefully ripped open the bag from the top and reuse that as a plastic trash bag.

No more using seat back pockets

Do you know how much germs are on the airplane? Especially the seat back pocket where people put all sorts of stuff including tissues after blowing their nose. Ever since I found out how gross the seat back pockets are, I don't touch anything in there. That's why I bought this hanging organizer with velcro strap so I can strap to the "arms" of the fold down tray table. And it hold a bunch of other stuff like your glasses, cell phone, headphone, water bottle, hand lotion, paper napkins, tissue and any other knick knacks you have.
It depends on your flight attendants but some may not let you put the organizer on before take off. The good thing is this one I have I can unhook the straps so I don't have to take the velcro straps off the tray arms.

Sanitize

I don't like to use hand sanitizer. I feel like there is still chemical on my hand and it just doesn't feel clean to me. Plus my hand will get dirty again if I touch something this is not clean. I find it best to take the wet wipe and wipe off the screen, tray table and arm rest. Basically everything that I think I will touch are then somewhat sanitized. If you don't have any, go to the bathroom and grab a bunch of the paper napkins and add water. It won't sanitize but at least get rid of any greasy spots and food particles on the surface.

Quickly extend soon to expire United Airline Mileage Plus Points

2017-01-19T09:28:00.002-08:00

I have only 2200 points in my United Airlines Mileage Plus account and they were going to expire in a month. The only reason I was aware of it was I got the magazine subscription with points in the mail. I didn't want to waste my points and I also don't need any magazines. Turns out I can quickly extend my points for another 18 months by use the Mileage Plus X app on my phone!

Basically you buy these gift card through the app to use them. I was going to buy an Amazon gift card for $20 but turns out for Amazon has only predefined amount starting at $25. When I log in to my account, I see exactly the point balance and the expiration. After I bought the amazon gift card, I added it to my amazon account right away and the amount deposited there. I forgot to check my mileage plus expiration until a couple days later but voila my points expiration has been extended for another 18 months.

Stress management - Don't Stress, Cheer Up

2015-10-09T12:03:00.002-07:00

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?'..... she fooled them all... "How heavy is this glass of water?", she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night... pick them up tomorrow.

Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax, pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it and the now 'supposed' stress that you've conquered!"

Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today. It was I, your friend!

*Save the earth..... It's the only planet with chocolate !*

The Best Age-Erasing Superfoods

2014-07-29T03:48:00.000-07:00

Almonds

These energy-rich snacks lower bad cholesterol, thanks to plant sterols, and benefit diabetics by lowering blood sugar. They’re also rich in amino acids, which bolster testosterone levels and muscle growth. Almonds are also stuffed with vitamin E, which helps defend against sun damage. In a study, volunteers who consumed 14 milligrams of the vitamin (about 20 almonds) per day and then were exposed to UV light burned less than those who took none. And because vitamin E is an antioxidant, it also works to keep your arteries free of dangerous free radicals. Low levels of vitamin E are also associated with poor memory performance and cognitive decline, says dietitian Sari Greaves of New York Presbyterian Hospital–Cornell.

Flaxseeds

Rich in protein and fiber, these little seeds offer a payload of omega-3 fatty acids, which erase spots and iron out fine lines in the skin. The British Journal of Nutrition reported that participants in one study who downed about half a teaspoon of omega-3s daily in 6 weeks experienced significantly less irritation and redness, along with better-hydrated skin. A recent study of people with high cholesterol (greater than 240 mg/dL) compared statin treatment with eating 20 grams of flaxseed a day. After 60 days, those eating flaxseed did just as well as those on statins. Try sprinkling ground flaxseed on oatmeal, yogurt, and salads.

Tomatoes

There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: red are the best, because they’re packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene; and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it’s easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, and help eliminate skin-aging free radicals caused by ultraviolet rays. “Cooked tomatoes and tomato paste work best,” says celebrity trainer Gunnar Petersen.

Sweet Potatoes

Often confused with yams, these tubers are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. In addition to countering the effects of secondhand smoke and preventing diabetes, sweet potatoes contain glutathione, an antioxidant that can enhance nutrient metabolism and immune- system health, as well as protect against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, HIV, cancer, heart attack, and stroke. What’s more, they’re also loaded with vitamin C, which smoothes out wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen. A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that volunteers who consumed 4 milligrams of C (about half a small sweet potato) daily for 3 years decreased the appearance of wrinkles by 11 percent.

Spinach

It may be green and leafy, but spinach—a renowned muscle builder—is also the ultimate man food. The heart-health equivalent of a first- ballot Hall of Famer, spinach is replete with the essential minerals potassium and magnesium, and it’s one of the top sources of lutein, an antioxidant that may help prevent clogged arteries. Plus its vitamins and nutrients can bolster bone-mineral density, attack prostate cancer cells, reduce the risk of skin tumors, fight colon cancer, and, last but not least, increase blood flow to the penis. “Popeye was on to something,” says Susan Bowerman, assistant director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Rosemary

The carnosic acid found in this spice has been shown to reduce stroke risk in mice by 40 percent, according to a study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry. Carnosic acid appears to set off a process that shields brain cells from free-radical damage, which can worsen the effects of a stroke. It can also protect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and the general effects of aging.

Blueberries

“This potent little fruit can help prevent a range of diseases from cancer to heart disease,” says Ryan Andrews, the director of research at Precision Nutrition, in Toronto, Canada. Think of blueberries as anti-rust for your gray matter, too. Besides being rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, they’re also packed with antioxidants—only açai, an Amazonian berry, contains more— that neutralize the free radicals that cause neuronal misfires. Eat a cup a day, and opt for wild blueberries whenever possible, as they contain 26 percent more antioxidants than cultivated varieties.

Green Tea

Green tea releases catechin, an antioxidant with proven anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Research found that drinking 2 to 6 cups a day not only helps prevent skin cancer but might also reverse the effects of sun damage by neutralizing the changes that appear in sun- exposed skin. Other studies show that green tea—infused with another antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)—can boost your cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of most types of cancer.

Dark Chocolate

Flavonoids, a natural nutrient in cocoa, improve blood flow in the brain, which helps boost cognitive function. Plus dark chocolate contains a tannin called procyanidin, which is also found in red wine, that can keep your arteries flexible and your blood pressure low. It helps on the outside, too. In a study from the Journal of Nutrition, women who drank cocoa fortified with a chocolate bar’s worth of flavonols had better skin texture and stronger resistance to UV rays than those who drank significantly fewer flavonols. Indulge in 1 ounce a day to get all the benefits, says dietitian Sari Greaves of New York Presbyterian Hospital–Cornell.

Carrots

Think of carrots as orange wonder wands— good for the eyeballs, and good for clearing up breakouts. No magic here, though, just plenty of vitamin A, which prevents overproduction of cells in the skin’s outer layer. That means fewer dead cells to combine with sebum and clog pores. They’re also spiked with carotenoids— fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as a reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dried Plums

Also known as prunes, these dark shrivelers are rich in copper and boron, both of which can help prevent osteoporosis. “They also contain a fiber called inulin, which, when broken down by intestinal bacteria, makes for a more acidic environment in the digestive tract,” says Bowerman. “That, in turn, facilitates calcium absorption.”

Whole Grains

Whole grains—oatmeal, wheat flour, barley, brown rice—are high in fiber, which calms inflamed tissues while keeping the heart strong, the colon healthy, and the brain fueled. Whole grains can be loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because they can pack as much as 10 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving, they also deliver steady muscle-building energy. But not all breads and crackers advertised as “whole grain” are the real deal. “Read the label,” says Lynn Grieger, an online health, food, and fitness coach. “Those that aren’t whole grain can be high in fat, which increases inflammation.”

Red Wine

Swimming in resveratrol—a natural compound that lowers LDL, raises HDL, and prevents blood clots—red wine can truly be a lifesaver. A recent review in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, for instance, suggests that resveratrol may prevent or delay the onset of chronic disease. But limit your intake to two drinks a day. According to a study of 6,000 patients in the Journal of the American Medical Association, you’re 97 percent more likely to reach your 85th birthday if you keep your daily alcohol consumption to fewer than three drinks. Vin rouge is also a rich source of flavonoids, antioxidants that help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart, and may make you less likely to die of cardiovascular disease, according to Japanese researchers.

Avocado

Chock full of monounsaturated fat, avocados deliver a double-barreled blast to LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). They are also rich in folate, a water-soluble B vitamin that helps lower the levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can hinder the flow of blood through blood vessels. Eat a 1/4 cup twice a week, says Greaves.

Walnuts

Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle- building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts—about 1 ounce, or seven nuts—is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack.

Turmeric

Curcumin, the polyphenol that gives turmeric its tang and yellow hue, has anticancer properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and tumor-fighting activities known in nutrition- speak as anti-angiogenesis. Researchers at UCLA have also found that it helps deter the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, tiny blockages that may cause Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric’s prevalence in India, the researchers suggest, may help explain why so few of the country’s senior citizens have the disease, whereas the statistic is close to 13 percent in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. One tip: Pair it with pepper in curries. “Adding black pepper to turmeric or turmeric-spiced food enhances curcumin’s bioavailability by 1,000 times, due to black pepper’s hot property called piperine,” says nutritionist Stacy Kennedy of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Black Beans

People who eat one 3-ounce serving of black beans a day decrease their risk of heart attack by 38 percent, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition. And while other beans are also good for your heart, none can boost your brainpower like black beans. That’s because they’re full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. They’re also packed with superstar nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, folate, magnesium, B vitamins, potassium, and fiber.

Apples

An apple a day reduces swelling of all kinds, thanks to quercetin, a flavonoid also found in the skin of red onions. Quercetin reduces the risk of allergies, heart attack, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and prostate and lung cancers. If given the choice, opt for Red Delicious. They contain the most inflammation- fighting antioxidants.

Pomegranates

The juice from the biblical fruit of many seeds can reduce your risk of most cancers, thanks to polyphenols called ellagitannins, which give the fruit its color. In fact, a recent study at UCLA found that pomegranate juice slows the growth of prostate cancer cells by a factor of six.

Pak Choy

This crunchy cruciferous vegetable is more than the filler that goes with shrimp in brown sauce. “Bok choy is rich in bone-building calcium, as well as vitamins A and C, folic acid, iron, beta-carotene, and potassium,” says celebrity trainer Teddy Bass. Potassium keeps your muscles and nerves in check while lowering your blood pressure, and research suggests that beta-carotene can reduce the risk of both lung and bladder cancers, as well as macular degeneration.

Broccoli

One cup of broccoli contains a hearty dose of calcium, as well as manganese, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. And that’s in addition to its high concentration of vitamins—including A, C, and K—and the phytonutrient sulforaphane, which studies at Johns Hopkins University suggest has powerful anticancer properties.

Kiwis

Like bananas, this fuzzy fruit is high in bone-protecting potassium. “They’re also rich in vitamin C and lutein, a carotenoid that can help reduce the risk of heart disease,” says Bowerman. “I try to eat at least one or two a week after exercising.” Freeze them for a refreshing energy kick, but don’t peel the skin: It’s edible and packed with nutrients.

Olive Oil

The extra-virgin variety is rich in beneficial monounsaturated fats. “Its fatty acids and polyphenols reduce inflammation in cells and joints,” says Grieger. A study in the journal Nature found that it’s as effective as Advil at reducing inflammation. “Have 2 tablespoons a day,” says Bowerman.

Leeks

“Leeks can support sexual functioning and reduce the risk of prostate cancer,” says Michael Dansinger, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine and an obesity researcher at Tufts–New England Medical Center, in Boston. “Chop the green part of a medium leek into thin ribbons and add it to soups, sautés, and salads as often as possible.” These scallionlike cousins of garlic and onions are also packed with bone-bolstering thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and potassium, and they’re also rich in folic acid, a B vitamin that studies have shown to lower levels of the artery-damaging amino acid homocystein in the blood.

Artichokes

Lauded for centuries as an aphrodisiac, this fiber-rich plant contains more bone-building magnesium and potassium than any other vegetable. Its leaves are also rich in flavonoids and polyphenols—antioxidants that can cut the risk of stroke—and vitamin C, which helps maintain the immune system. “Eat them as often as you can,” says Bowerman. Ripe ones feel heavy for their size and squeak when squeezed.

Chili Peppers

“Chilis stimulate the metabolism, act as a natural blood thinner, and help release endorphins,” says Petersen. Plus, they’re a great way to add flavor to food without increasing fat or calorie content. Chilis are also rich in beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A in the blood and fights infections, as well as capsaicin, which inhibits neuropeptides (chemicals that cause inflammation). A recent study in the journal Cancer Research found that hot peppers even have anti-prostate-cancer properties. All this from half a chili pepper (or 1 tablespoon of chili flakes) every day.

Ginger

Contrary to popular belief, ginger—a piquant addition to so many Asian dishes—isn’t a root, it’s a stem, which means it contains living compounds that improve your health. Chief among them is gingerol, a cancer suppressor that studies have shown to be particularly effective against that of the colon. Chop ginger or grind it fresh and add it to soy- marinated fish or chicken as often as you can. The more you can handle, the better.

Cinnamon

Known for making desserts sweet and Indian food complex, cinnamon is rich in antioxidants that inhibit blood clotting and bacterial growth (including the bad-breath variety). “Studies also suggest that it may help stabilize blood sugar, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes,” says dietitian Nancy Clark, author of Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook. “What’s more, it may help reduce bad cholesterol. Try half a teaspoon a day in yogurt or oatmeal.”

Figs

Packed with potassium, manganese, and antioxidants, this fruit also helps support proper pH levels in the body, making it more difficult for pathogens to invade, says Petersen. Plus, the fiber in figs can lower insulin and blood-sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Select figs with dark skins (they contain more nutrients) and eat them alone or add them to trail mix.

Mushrooms

Delicious when added to brown rice, reiki, shiitake, and maitake mushrooms are rich in the antioxidant ergothioneine, which protects cells from abnormal growth and replication. “In short, they reduce the risk of cancer,” says Bowerman, who recommends half a cup once or twice a week. “Cooking them in red wine, which contains resveratrol, magnifies their immunity-boosting power.”

Pineapples

With its potent mix of vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes—in particular, bromelain— pineapple is an all-body anti-inflammation cocktail. It also protects against colon cancer, arthritis, and macular degeneration, says Grieger. (If only the “colada” part of the equation were as healthy.) Have half a cup, two or three times a week.

Fruit or Vegetable Juice

Raise a glass of the good stuff. In a 2006 University of South Florida study, people who drank three or more 4-ounce glasses of fruit or vegetable juice each week were 76 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who drank less. The high levels of polyphenols—antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables—may protect brain cells from the damage that may be caused by the disease, says study author Amy Borenstein, Ph.D.

Bing Cherries

Research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that eating about 35 bing cherries a day can lower the risk of tendinitis, bursitis, arthritis, and gout, says Bowerman. Studies also suggest that they reduce the risk of chronic diseases and metabolic syndrome.

Green Onion Cake recipe

2014-07-10T21:18:00.002-07:00

1 cup all-purpose flour, unsifted

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup boiling water

oil

2 whole green onions, thinly sliced

About 3 Tbsp sesame seeds

1 Tbsp oil

In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Mix in water with a fork or chopsticks until dough is evenly moistened and begins to hold together. On a lightly floured board, knead dough until smooth and satiny (about 3 minutes). Cover dough and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

On a lightly floured board, roll dough into a rectangle 8 by 16 inches. To shape, 1. cut dough crosswise in eight 2-inch-wide strips. Brush each strip with 1/2 tsp oil, then sprinkle almost to the edges with bacon and green onion. 2. Starting with a short end, roll up each strip jelly roll style; pinch seam across top to seal. 3. Stand roll on a wok surface. Flatten into a circle with your palm. 4 Roll circle into a disk about 4 inches in diameter. If filling begins to come out, press back into dough. Sprinkle about 1/2 tsp sesame seeds on each side of circle and lightly press into dough. At this point you can stack rounds (separate with sheets of wax paper), cover and chill for up to 8 hours.

In a wide frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook several cakes at a time until golden brown (about 2 to 3 minutes on a side). Serve hot. Makes 8.

Remember, don't knead the dough too long. Let me know how the cakes turn out! :)

Anti-Cancer Superfruits

2013-01-24T09:44:00.001-08:00

Even if these fruits have anti-cancer properties, it still may not do enough good if you continue to eat meat and dairy.

grapes, manosteen, blueberries, goji berries, avocado, noni, dragon fruit, acei berries, soursop, apple, citrus, pomegranate, strawberries, kiwi

Clean tarnished silverware and silver jewelry easily

2011-10-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

Silver reacts with the air and oxidize over time creating the tarnished black look. A quick and easy way to clean it is to put a piece of aluminum foil in hot water with salt. Put the silverware or jewelry into the pot and as soon as it touch the aluminum foil, it turns silver and shinny immediately. Then rinse the item in a clean bowl of salt water again and dry. You are now ready to use it.

The key is the proportion of salt to hot water. According to the video, you should use 200 cc hot water to 40 gram salt. It is approximately 1 cup of water with 2 teaspoon of salt.

女性補血養生食譜

2011-09-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

20 food to detox your body

2011-09-24T20:21:00.000-07:00

Sweet potato - best to bake and eat the entire potato including skin
Mung bean - make soup
Oats - make juice with apple and raisin
Job's tears - boil in water and add sugar to taste
Millet - make congee/porridge with it
Brown rice
Red bean - boil in water and drink the water
Carrot - add lemon and honey to carrot juice
Yam - peel skin and juice with pineapple
Lappa - make juice with juicer
Asparagus
Onion
Lotus root - juice and add honey, or add sugar and simmer and drink it hot
Radish/turnip - juice or add to salad or eat raw
Radish's leave - juice and add honey
Sweat potato's leave - cook with garlic and pinch of salt as a side dish
山茼蒿(昭和草) Crassocephalum crepidioides / Crassocephalum rabens - juice with tomato, apple, pomelo, carrot, orange
川七 Boussingaultia Gracilis Miers Var. Pseudobaselloides (Hauman) Bailey - juice with tomato, yellow bell pepper, kiwi, alfalfa sprout
yogurt
vinegar

排毒最強的食物 Food that helps detox body

2011-09-24T18:11:00.003-07:00

Apple cider vinegar

Yogurt

Sweet potato leave

Radish Leave

Radish / Daikon

Lotus Root

Onion

Asparagus

Yam

Carrot

Red bean

Brown rice

Millet

Oats

Mung bean

Sweet potato

Attorney's Advise - protect your identity and credit

2011-08-31T12:34:00.000-07:00

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company:

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, write 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED.'

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the 'For' line. Instead, just put the last four numbers.
The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address.
Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary.
But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. You should also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling abroad.

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. Thieves can use that information to apply for a credit card, credit line from department or electronic store to buy expensive stuff, or even receive a PIN number from DMV to change the driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important of all:

7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

3.) Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289

4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything.

If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.

Quick and easy eggplant dish

2011-06-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

Rinse the eggplant, cut it into slices, put it into a bowl and steam for 10 mins. On serving, stir it with chopped ginger and spring onion, garlic, sesame oil and a little vinegar and soy sauce.

Quick Asian flavor noodle bowl for lunch or dinner

2011-06-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

This is a quick and easy way to make a meal out of left over that is otherwise too little to make a full meal. I happend to have the items below at home but feel free to substitute.

1 bowl - Cooked glass noodle or any kind of asian noodle you like
4 tbsp - Miso dressing from Trader Joe's (optional)
1/2 cup - Asian salad dressing - I use Feast from the East asian dressing from Costco but you can also make your own with sugar, vinega, salt and pepper, sesame oil and other spices to your liking.

Heat up the leftover either in a pan or in the microwave. Put the hot noodle in a bowl. Mix the miso dressing with the asian salad dressing and then pour over hot noodle. Top with leftover.

Time: 10 mins.

Vegan Chili in 5 minutes

2011-04-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is a really easy recipe and you will have tasty vegan chili in 5 mins.

Ingredients:
Trader Joe's vegan chorizo sausage (1)
Kidney bean, canned (1 can)
Unsweetened Almond milk (1/2 cup to 2 cups)

1. Peel off the plastic casing on the sausage and crumple it in the saucepan.
2. Add kidney beans and 1/2 cup of almond milk.
3. Heat the mixture until hot. Add more almond milk if you want the chili to be milder in taste.

Eat with rice, nacho/sour cream, or any way you like to eat chili.

Note: you can use other beans if you want to. I am allergic to soy milk but I think you can use unsweetened soy or coconut milk.

Keep ants away

2011-03-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

Ants won't crawl over chalk, so sprinkle powdered chalk around window casements.

Mix 10.5 oz water, 3 oz tobasco sauce, 1.5 oz Dr Bronner's liquid peppermint soap and spray where ants enter the home.

Cayenne pepper is another natural deterrent: mix 1/4 tsp with 1 tsp dishwashing liquid per quart of water and spray around entry points to your home.
I forgot to add dishwashing liquid last time but as soon as the water evaporates, the ants crawled over the cayenne pepper so I don't think this method works.

Plant some goldenrod outside - it attracts ant predators such as ladybugs

Jump start to wellness

2011-03-12T06:50:00.000-08:00

I was reading an article I saved from one of those women's magazine about wellness. It gave strategies to achieve four goals: lower your blood pressure, slash cholesterol, clean up your diet, banish fatigue.

Some of the tips were pretty obvious lifestyle adjustments like drink more water, eat more vegetables, eat smaller meals but snack more often, exercise, get good quality sleep, reduce salt intake, get a massage, learn to breathe.

However, I find that the first three goals can be achieved effortlessly if you switch to a vegan diet. It is unfortunate that people are so brainwashed about getting protein from meat and dairy that we don't realize meat is the cause of much health problems in our country: obesity, heart disease, cancer, and many more aliments that can be avoided. Less developed country with plant based diet start to suffer dramatic increase in these diseases when they start to adopt our western diet. I wonder when people will find that meat is bad for you, much like how tobocco company use to make people think that smoking is alright.

Improve your quality of sleep

2011-03-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

Don't drink before bed - A glass of wine with dinner may relax you temporarily, but alcohol will actually wake you up again four to six hours after you've taken your last sip. That's because your body digests the alcohol, some of the by-products interfere with the stages and duration of your sleep.

Wear socks to bed - That added warmth encourages good blook circulation, which signals neurotransmitters in your brain that it's time to relax and go to sleep

Take your vitamins - Calcium and magnesium both help nerves stay healthy so they can effectively signal muscles to relax at night. When you know you're facing crazier-than-normal days ahead, make sure you get your daily 1,200 millgrams of calcium through dark leafy greens, and your magnesium by eating legumes, nuts, and whole grains.

Get out of bed - if you find yourself tossing and turning for longer than 15 minutes, get back up until your body feels ready to sleep. Try reading something boring.

Instant stress-buster

2011-03-12T06:38:00.000-08:00

Sit cross-legged on the floor and grasp your right shoulder with your right hand and your left shoulder with your left hand. Twist to the left at the wasit; hold for ten seconds. Repeat on the right side.

Home made bread in under an hour

2011-03-07T17:30:00.001-08:00

I read this the other day. I haven't tried it yet but will do so as soon as I buy the beer.

Beer Bread

3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 3 tbs sugar 1 tbs baking powder 1 1/2 tsp salt 12 oz beer 1 egg, beaten Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat over to 37 degrees. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add beer and stir with a fork until just combined. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead quickly to form a ball. Place bread on a baking sheet and confidently slit and X on top with a serrated or very sharp knife. Brush loaf with egg wash. Bake until golden brown, about 45 mins. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. yeild 12 servings (163 cal per serving)

Amway Queen Cookware replacement handle & lid knob

2011-01-27T17:05:00.000-08:00

If you are like me with a set of Amway Queen cookware, you will inevitably find yourself looking to replace the handle or lid knob as they will eventually fall apart. Even though the Queen cookware line has been discontinued for a long time now, those of us who bought them will probably still be using them for many more years.

For those of you looking for a long handle replacement, make sure you look at the connector on the saucepan/skillet. If yours is a round piece like the picture here, you can still get a replacement long handle here. https://goo.gl/9Axrtn

Long Replacement Handle for vintage Amway Queen sauce pan

short handle: http://bit.ly/ikdeYl
Lid knob: http://bit.ly/hZmHMu