Will an apple a day keep the doctor away?

It's one of the most recognizable expressions around: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." But besides the fact that it rhymes, which makes it fun to say and easy to recall, does it really have any value? Could the common apple honestly help a person to maintain perfect health?

The first printed mention of this saying can be found in the February 1866 issue of the publication "Notes and Queries." The publication printed the proverb like this: "Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread." Nearly 150 years later, variations of this adage are still quoted. It's unlikely that the saying would have maintained such popularity if there wasn't some truth to it, right? With that in mind, let's consider some of the apple's components and their effect on our health:

• Pectin -- Pectin is a form of soluble fiber than lowers both blood pressure and glucose levels. It can also lower the levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol in the body. Pectin, like other forms of fiber, helps maintain the health of the digestive system. Apples are an excellent source of pectin.
• Boron -- A nutrient found in abundance in apples, boron supports strong bones and a healthy brain.
• Quercetin -- A flavonoid, this nutrient shows promise for reducing the risk of various cancers, including cancers in the lungs and breast. It may also reduce free radical damage. Free radicals develop when atoms in the body's cells have unpaired electrons, which can lead to damage to different parts of the cell, including DNA. Quercetin may neutralize free radical damage, which has been implicated in a variety of age-related health problems, including Alzheimer's disease.
• Vitamin C -- Vitamin C boosts immunity, which helps maintain overall health.
• Phytonutrients -- Apples are rich in a variety of phytonutrients, including vitamins A and E and beta carotene. These compounds fight damage from free radicals and can have a profound affect on health, including reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and asthma.

Apples also act as a toothbrush, cleaning teeth and killing bacteria in the mouth, which may reduce the risk of tooth decay. They're also low in calorie density, one of the trademarks of a healthy food. When a food is low in calorie density you can eat good size portions of the food for relatively few calories. In addition, apples are affordable and readily available.

(...)

Are apples the secret to a long life?

An apple a day can reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and many types of cancer. But would you be able to avoid the doctor entirely just by eating a bunch of the forbidden fruit? Not likely. Various studies show health benefits when participants eat an apple between three and five times a week, but all ailments cannot be cured by diet alone.

Are other fruits just as good for you as apples? Sure. All fruits are loaded with nutrients that are building blocks to good health. Bananas are loaded with potassium, which is important for a healthy heart and proper muscle function. Blackberries are loaded with fibre, and strawberries contain vitamin C and fibre.

Like cranberries, blueberries help prevent and fight urinary tract infections. They're also a bit tastier than cranberries, which most people only enjoy when combined with plenty of added sugar. Apricots, fresh or dried, are high in beta-carotene.

When choosing drinks, apple juice barely makes the top 10. Pomegranate juice, wine and purple grape juice are high in antioxidants, with apple juice in the tenth spot, right behind tea. One of the things that makes apples so incredibly healthy is the amount of fiber they contain, but that's lost during juicing.

If all fruits are nutritional powerhouses, why are apples the only one to be included in the folklore? At the time the adage emerged, apples were easy to grow (and still are). Once harvested, they could remain in storage for nearly a year. Recent studies have shown that, unlike many fruits and vegetables, the nutritional benefits of apples remain relatively stable as long as 200 days after harvest [source: Boyer and Liu].

While an apple a day will go a long way toward keeping the doctor away, most nutritionists recommend a varied diet. In addition to apples, fill your shopping cart with citrus fruits, tropical treats like mangos, and a variety of berries, which pack a nutritional punch. Eating several servings of a varied selection of fruits each day is truly the best way to keep the doctor away.

by Amy Hunter
http://health.howstuffworks.com/

Sources

• Boyer, Jeanelle and Rui Hai Lui. "Apple Phytochemicals and their Health Benefits." Nutrition Journal. May 12, 2004. (July 13, 2009) http://www.nutritionj.com/content/3/1/5
• CBS News. "Pomegranate Ranked Healthiest Fruit Juice." July 5, 2008. (July 13, 2009) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/05/earlyshow/health/main4234811.shtml
• Goldstein, Laura. "Try Nature's Toothbrush." Prevention. Oct. 1, 2004. (July 13, 2009) http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/try-nature-s-toothbrush/81cb88dc78803110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/health/conditions.treatments/oral.health
• Huber, Lia. "We Love Apples." Prevention. 2007. (July 13, 2009). http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/we-love-apples/a1c155d0c5045110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/nutrition.recipes/cook
• MayoClinic. "10 Great Health Foods for Eating Well." Feb. 22, 2008. (July 13, 2009) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-foods/NU00632

Finding our True Self, Meditation, Inner Light shall be our guide

Have you ever felt lost in our society? 

Or your brain being overloaded with information which cannot be even acknowledged? Having difficulties making decision? In the modern world everyday life can be a struggle if you are put under stress yet still be expected to perform your best. People tend to kept busy working, dealing with their finances, running businesses, looking after children or relatives in need, doing their shopping, etc. These people could find themselves lost and neglected, bumped out.
A precious thing is quite often forgotten to bear in mind which really seamed:
-Putting yourself as a top priority. The True you, Your True Self, the Inner Self who speaks trough your emotions and desires. Who guides you on your path, helping you to distinguish right and wrong.

Where can you find your Inner Self? 

It is easy. What you only need to do is have a "me-time" where is very quiet. When you have nothing to do. You can also make yourself time for that. You should be relaxed and let your thoughts, fears worries go and get out of your head. What need to be achieved is the state of an empty mind is free from stimulations and thoughts. It is just you and your Inner Self or Supreme Self. Some people find lighting candles and incenses in a darkened room. That could help you to get in that state of mind. Just be patience, take your time. Once you get there, celebrate the moment and enjoy your own company.

Remember, finding your true self and spend time with is a privilege. 

Especially in a world where most of the people are busy dealing with everyday life. Being able to communicate with your True Self and having balance, harmony in life go hand in hand. The more time you spend with yourself the more healthy and happy you are. It has magical effect on everyday life. For instance you are starting to notice some good changes around you such as a new job comes along, illnesses cured, more nice people come to help you, wining gifts or lottery, etc.
You can witness miracles like to be able to be self-aware which will allow you to find outstanding ideas hidden in the back of your mind, like international bestsellers, or inventions, etc. Making decisions gets easy. You will see the light at the end of the tunnel, you realise who you are and why you are there.
Finally you see the perfect picture of your life and how it should be. Now you have the power forming your own life on your own way. It is easy and fun.
Getting to know your Inner Self is an adventure, a journey where being confronted with your own qualities. In order to succeed in life and be happy you must know yourself. It is a guide. A really helpful one and always at hand. You only need to discover how to use it. Let me demonstrate these things above through on

a true life experience:

-Eve has been working as a hairdresser for three years. She is pretty successful, has excellent references, her customers love her and keep her busy. Now she has an opportunity to her master degree.
She has a dilemma because her parents want her to get to university and get a degree in law. It is important to her family as they have a law firm so Eve could join them. So Eve not sure what to do. She will make 30 minutes to herself and gets to the state of mind when she can ask herself what is the best thing to do. Seeks advice from her True Self. When she has finished she had life-changing recognitions.  She realised that going to the university would not be her choice. If she chose uni she would live her parents life not her own. She got the answers for her questions. Having known the fact of her success of her current carrier she sticks to it and get a master degree in hair dressing because is certain that it is her path which is right for her and can be happy with it.

Step by step guide:

Relax, make sure no-one disturbs you,
Empty your mind, and focus on your own thoughts,
Listen to your Inner Voice, take time to understand it,
Follow, what ever the advice may be.
Teach others the technique so you'll have happier people around. :)

Blessings!

Meredith A Stonewell

Beer - Is that a medicine after all?

Beer is used for preventing diseases of the heart and circulatory system, including coronary heart disease, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. It is also used to reduce the chance of death from heart attack and from another heart condition called ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

Beer is also used for preventing decline of thinking skills in later life,

 Alzheimer's disease, weak bones (osteoporosis), gallstones, type 2 diabetes, heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes, kidney stones, prostate cancer, breast cancer, other cancers, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. H. pylori is the bacterium that causes ulcers.

Some people use beer to stimulate the appetite and digestion, and to increase the flow of breast milk.

How does it work?

Beer is thought to help prevent heart disease by increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as "good cholesterol." Also, the vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) contained in beer can help lower homocysteine levels, a chemical considered to be one of the risk factors for heart disease.

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The night flowing so easily like
Glowing waves by the riverside,
Where hearts placed high, as stars upon
The crown o' Lord, the golden Throne.

Among willows they kindle fire,
Nine woods be here to feed the pyre.
Their foreheads adorned with the star,
Skyclad they stand, all ports afar.

The Moon is full, Her face ablaze,
Beneath silver charm stops the raze
The crazed, the blind, the wicked man,
Her light always be here, to lend.

People stunned all, gazing in awe,
From cradle, window and the grave,
Seeing their faith in the firmament
'tis conjures up great yearn and repent.

Mortals like stars, myriad point
Of gleaming-fading hope; "Anoint
them all, o Gods! With Love and Light!"
There are no other greater mights.

Old songs echoing by the shore,
Her chosen Circle makes the choir;
They sing what no one knoweth, alas!
" 'Be Perfect Love, and Perfect Trust. "

Dorek Todd