Peekin My Mind

Food for A Stressed Me

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:34:00 +0000

Reach for these items next time you're feeling under pressure, under the weather, or just too close to that breaking point. Munching on these stress-free foods will help pull you back into the game.

Oranges
A German study in Psychopharmacology found that vitamin C helps reduce stress and return blood pressure and cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. Vitamin C is also well known for boosting your immune system.

Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes can be particularly stress-reducing because they can satisfy the urge you get for carbohydrates and sweets when you are under a great deal of stress. They are packed full of beta-carotene and other vitamins, and the fiber helps your body to process the carbohydrates in a slow and steady manner.

Dried Apricots
Apricots are rich in magnesium, which is a stress-buster and a natural muscle relaxant as well.

Almonds, Pistachios, and Walnuts
Almonds are packed with B and E vitamins, which help boost your immune system, and walnuts and pistachios help lower blood pressure.

Turkey
Turkey contains an amino acid called L-tryptophan. This amino acid triggers the release of serotonin, which is a feel-good brain chemical. This is the reason why many people who eat turkey feel relaxed, or even tired, after eating it. L-tryptophan has a documented calming effect.

Spinach
A deficiency in magnesium can cause migraine headaches and a feeling of fatigue. One cup of spinach provides 40 percent of your daily needs for magnesium.

Salmon
Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease. A study from Diabetes & Metabolism found that omega-3s keep the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline from peaking.

Avocados
The monounsaturated fats and potassium in avocados help lower blood pressure. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that one of the best ways to lower blood pressure is to consume enough potassium (avocados have more than bananas).

Green Vegetables
Broccoli, kale, and other dark green vegetables are powerhouses of vitamins that help replenish our bodies in times of stress.

More Stress-Busting Tips:

Exercise regularly.

Drink an energy shake for breakfast.

Eat small meals throughout the day, which will keep your blood sugar stable (when blood sugar is low, mental, physical, and emotional energy decreases, and stress increases).

What is Sabbath?

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Sabbath \Sab"bath\, n. [OE. sabat, sabbat, F. sabbat, L. sabbatum, Gr. sa`bbaton, fr. Heb. shabb[=a]th, fr. sh[=a]bath to rest from labor. Cf. Sabbat.]

Definitions of Sabbath:

1. A season or day of rest; one day in seven appointed for rest or worship, the observance of which was enjoined upon the Jews in the Decalogue, and has been continued by the Christian church with a transference of the day observed from the last to the first day of the week, which is called also Lord's Day. (http://www.dictionary.net/sabbath)

2. The seventh year, observed among the Israelites as one of rest and festival. --Lev. xxv. 4. (http://www.dictionary.net/sabbath)

3. The Biblical seventh day of the week, observed as a day of rest in Judaism, Seventh-day Adventism, or Seventh Day Baptism, starting at sundown on Friday till sundown on Saturday; Sunday, observed throughout the majority of Christianity as a day of rest. ... (en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Sabbath)

4. A day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians; Saturday for the Jews and a few Christians; Friday for Muslims(hypernym) rest day, day of rest (http://dictionary.babylon.com/Sabbath)

5. According to the first chapter of Genesis, God created the world in six days and on the seventh he rested. Therefore, Judaism holds that the seventh day is a holy day, and on it no profane work should be done. The sabbath starts at sundown Friday evening and lasts to sundown on Saturday. In the synagogue, this is usually a day for a worship servicesometimes two, one Friday evening and another Saturday morning. These services include prayers, music, sermons, and reading the Torah (i.e., the Pentateuch). In Orthodox households, the prohibition against work is taken quite seriously. People do not drive on the Sabbath but instead walk; they will not cook and so prepare their meals ahead of time; they can read, but they will not write. (Official Judaism Glossary)

6. (shabbath), "a day of rest," from shabath "to cease to do to," "to rest"). The name is applied to divers great festivals, but principally and usually to the seventh day of the week, the strict observance of which is enforced not merely in the general Mosaic code, but in the Decalogue itself. The consecration of the Sabbath was coeval with the creation. The first scriptural notice of it, though it is not mentioned by name, is to be found in (Genesis 2:3) at the close of the record of the six-days creation. (Smith's Bible Dictionary)

How To Tie A Necktie

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:55:00 +0000

I am one of the few people who got some dilemma on tying a necktie. So I thought of posting one in my blog to keep it handy for me and for others who needed the same help. Lawschool blogger is a big help with the steps below.

Goodluck with that tie.

How to tie a Half Windsor
1. Situate the tie so that the end "A" is longer than end "B" and cross "A" over "B".
2. Bring "A" up around and behind "B".
3. Bring "A" up.
4. Pull "A" up and through the loop.
5. Bring "A" around front, over "B" from left to right.
6. Again bring "A" up and through the loop.
7. Bring "A" down through the knot infront.
8. Using bothe hands, tighten the knot and draw up to collar.

(Credits to http://lawschoolblogger.com/tags/blog-tags/how-fix-tie)

Katrina Halili and Hayden Kho Sex Scandal

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:50:00 +0000

A friend buzzed me at my yahoo messenger and asked me if I know about the very hot issue of the famous Katrina Halili and Dr. Hayden Kho's sex scandal. I replied coldly that I don't waste time on gossips and I have better things to do than mind other people's business.

Oh well, if you are a public personality like actors, actresses and politicians to name a few, your life does not only belong to you but to the public eyes as well. This makes me thankful that I'm living a simple and peaceful life.

We live with people around us and I believe we are responsible with our every conduct. Our life is like an open book that people read and peek into our private lives. I feel sad about the famous celebrities whose lives have become a public consumption for talks, gossips etc. No wonder some of them go crazy, commit suicide and just lost hope to ever have peace in their lives or even just a chance to start again.

Give them a break. The world has enough troubles on its own.

Ways to Celebrate Your Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:43:00 +0000

1. Do a second honeymoon.
2. Cook together and prepare a romantic meal.
3. Visit that place that your sweetheart has been wanting to.
4. Exchange gifts.
5. Don't forget the flowers, anniversary card, or the cake.
6. Call in sick and spend the day together.
7. A romantic camping trip.
8. Perfect picnic.

You guys can add up the list and share your idea of how to spend an anniversary.

The Pain of Losing My Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Sat, 30 May 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Time to get serious with this pain.

I could be the greatest of all optimists but there's no denying to the pain I felt when I heard the doctor say, "The fetus has no activity, no heartbeat."

I sat there looking at the doctor's face for 10 seconds. What he said didn't register to my head. Seemed like I heard him use some deep scientific terms that nobody else can understand without the help of some medical dictionaries. Then I heard him say the words that broke my heart into tiny little pieces. "The baby is dead. I'm sorry."

The sad news was devastating. It sent some chill up my spine, shook my whole body and I broke into tears.

The pregnancy changed my life... gave me lofty dreams, beautiful plans, light for the future, sweet smiles for everyday. The news was a big bang to the whole family - felt her daddy's happiness and thrill, heard my brother's expression of excitement, my sisters cry of joy, parents' sigh of thankful prayer. The happiness was awesome, it was so hard to contain to myself.

I want to remember the joy of her coming to our life more than the pain of losing her.

My baby taught me that the future is still brighter and that hope is not faded. In the few weeks that I felt the miracle of life growing inside me, I saw the beauty of life, the joy of living that no death of the flesh can shatter.

As I touched my tummy with tears rolling down my cheeks I almost heard my baby whispered to me "You can try again Mommy. You can try again."

Protect Yourself from the Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:51:00 +0000

** Know When To Stay Indoors -- minimize your exposure to the sun's rays. Stay indoors from 10AM until 2PM . This is the time when the sun is at its hottest. Try to schedule your activities early morning so you can still reap the benefits from the sun.

** Drink Lots Of Water -- during the summer months, people tend to sweat and expel a lot of fluids. Since water is important in many bodily functions, including the moisturizing the skin from within, you need to make sure that you drink plenty of water during this season. Stay away from caffeine-rich beverages and alcohol; such beverages are diuretics and can make you lose instead of keep fluids inside your body.

** Apply Sun Block -- if you have to go out, always remember to wear sun block, preferably with a sun protection factor of 30 and above. There are many sunscreen and sun block lotions available in the market. However, you need waterproof sun protection cream when you are going to swim or basking on the beach. Furthermore, you need to reapply your sunscreen as often as possible for continued protection.

** Use A Hat And Sun Glasses -- Many people are not fond of hats, sun visors, and sunglasses because they think that these things are cramping their style. However, these accessories are important because they can shield you from direct exposure to the sun. Furthermore, they also protect your eyes. The skin around the eyes is very sensitive so just a little exposure to the sun without protection can cause skin discoloration, wrinkles and dryness.

WASH that filthy hands!

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Tips for effective handwashing

It is more important than ever to maintain good hygiene.The correct way to wash your hands should last about a minute in total. First, wet your hands with running water and apply cleanser evenly over your hands. Rub your hands together, making sure to rub between fingers and that all surfaces of the hands are covered, for about 20 seconds then rinse with clean water. Lastly, dry your hands using a dry paper towel or air dryer.

When to wash your hands

1. Before touching your face, nose, mouth or eyes with your hands, especially when you’ve been in public places.
2. After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
3. Before and after tending to someone who is sick.
4. Before preparing food or after touching raw food, especially meat, and eating.
5. After using the toilet.
6. After changing diapers/nappies or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom/toilet.
7. After handling garbage/rubbish.
8. Before and after treating a cut or wound.
9. After handling an animal or animal waste.

[1] The Handwashing Handbook, The Global Public Private Partnership for Handwashing, www.globalhandwashing.org
[2] Handwashing with soap – a new way to prevent ARIs? Sandy Cairncross, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London

He's My Son

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:30:00 +0000

He's My Son (by Mark Schultz)

I'm down on my knees again tonight

I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right

See there is a boy that needs Your help

I've done all that I can do myself

His mother is tired

I'm sure You can understand

Each night as he sleeps

She goes in to hold his hand

And she tries not to cry

As the tears fill her eyes

CHORUS:

Can You hear me?

Am I getting through tonight?

Can You see him?

Can You make him feel all right?

If You can hear me Let me take his place somehow

See, he's not just anyone

He's my son

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep

I dream of the boy he'd like to be

I try to be strong and see him through

But God who he needs right now is You

Let him grow old

Live life without this fear What would I be

Living without him here

He's so tired and he's scared

Let him know that You're there

Can You hear me?

Can You see him?

Please don't leave him

He's my son

When God said NO!

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:37:00 +0000

Thursday, November 13th of 2008

I found myself standing in a kiosk, asking God to give me something I need (the word I insisted to use over something I want). I was like a child asking God to buy me that barbie doll just because "I need it".

At first God didn't say anything which made me more desperate to reason out with him and I pleaded and cried just to make him give me my "barbie doll".

But God didn't say anything... He just stood there, looking down at me... I slept with swolen eyes... with more questions than answers to life.

I always wanted to have my own baby. Tried medical help. Now, everything is in God's hands.

Come Friday, we have Incite Cafe program at church where we gather to eat and sing and chit-chat with friends and listen to some inspiring messages... I was suppose to sing with the Praise Team but can't due to my recent surgery. I thought I'll go and sit around and talk with friends. Still with the grudge against God for not giving me the barbie doll I wanted for.The video message was rolled and to my surprise the message was exactly for me.. it was like God's answer to my pleadings on that Thursday night. It was a straight answer that left me dumb-founded.

"God please help me to have a baby, my own baby."

The answer is... NO! And it pains my heart.

Safe in My Arms - the Plumb

noreply@blogger.com (Izzhy) — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:24:00 +0000

I was driving in my car to work when I first heard this song over Praise 106.5 FM. I reached for the volume and turned it louder... such a beautiful song, almost like a lullabye but with powerful words.

As I work with young children, I fall inlove with the innocence and sincerity, and of friendship and fun that children have. Beholding a child's face is like looking at an angel's face and you can't explain the wonderful feelings. I believe there are lots of lessons adults can learn from the youngest generation. Personally, I love working with children. I love sorrounding myself with their laughs and giggles. I see hope in them. I see peace in them. I see happiness. I see everything that is good. But sad to say, there are tons of impurities in the world where they are born to. This makes me feel like I want to protect them from the world out there. It is in my principles to give as much positive influence to every child that God puts in my way... give as much care, as much love.