Health Tips

The Happiness Boomerang 

Last year, I spent the school year — from September through May — doing a new happiness project. I wanted to identify the small, realistic changes I could make to my life that would make me happier at home. After all, my experience of our apartment and all that it embodied was the foundation of my life.

For me, my sense of "home" also included my neighborhood. To cultivate a true sense of neighborliness, I recognized, I needed to extend my attention beyond my apartment building and my own circle of acquaintances. But how? 

A few years ago, I set out to "imitate a spiritual master" in an effort to understand myself better. I identified my spiritual master as St. Thérèse of Lisieux — perhaps a curious choice, given that I'm not Catholic. I was haunted by different lines from her spiritual memoir, Story of a Soul, such as "When one loves, one does not calculate." My fascination with St. Thérèse was so deep that I'd become interested in the other spiritual masters in the Thérèse chain — the Renaissance-period Teresa of Ávila, the great reformer, founder, and mystic; and the contemporary Mother Teresa, who worked tirelessly with the "poorest of the poor" in Calcutta and elsewhere. 

As I read about Mother Teresa, I was particularly struck by a single line: When a person begged to join her mission or asked how to imitate the example of her life, she admonished, "Find your own Calcutta." Which I took to mean: Find your own cause, your own way to serve others. Just as she'd experienced a "call within a call" that had guided her to a particular kind of work, others should discover what cause moved them to action and where their work could be useful. I wanted to find my own Calcutta. 

About one-quarter of Americans volunteer, and of those, a third volunteer for more than a hundred hours each year. (Believe it or not, that kind of commitment requires just two hours a week.) Volunteering to help others is the right thing to do, and it also boosts personal happiness; research shows that people who aid the causes they value tend to be happier and in better health, and that they show fewer signs of physical and mental aging. And it's not just that helpful people also tend to be healthier and happier; helping others causes happiness. "Be selfless, if only for selfish reasons," as one of my happiness paradoxes holds. 

But while it's absolutely true that helping other people makes us happier, and that people feel a real "helper's high," it's also true that when people are unhappy, they often find it tough to help others. If they did help, they'd probably feel happier, but unhappy people often become preoccupied with their own problems and don't have the emotional reserves to turn outward. By contrast, happy people volunteer more, give away more money, and naturally take an interest in others.

I've observed this in myself. As my life became happier, I became more eager to find ways to help other people. To me, Mother Teresa's admonition to "find [my] own Calcutta" directed me to find a cause that demanded my interest, attention, and abilities. Already in my life there was a cause that moved me with particular force, I realized: organ donation.

When my husband was 8 years old, he had a heart operation and picked up hepatitis C from the blood transfusion — which means his liver is under constant surreptitious attack. We hope his liver will last forever, but it might not. He's outwardly perfectly healthy now and may never need a liver transplant. But because of the possibility of his needing one, I developed a deep interest in the issue of organ donation. A few years ago, in fact, I became involved with the New York Organ Donor Network (NYODN), the organ-procurement organization that manages the clinical process of organ donation, coordinates donor matches, and helps donor families. 

My time with this organization has taught me a great deal about the challenges of organ donation. The United States has a huge unmet need for organs for transplant, and the NYODN tries in manifold ways to address this issue. One of their initiatives: Work to encourage more people to sign up as organ donors on the donor registry. In New York State, where I live, 83% of people support organ donation, but only 15% have actually taken the step to sign the registry. This step is important: When families confront the issue of whether to donate a loved one's organs, it's helpful for them to know if the person wanted that.

Dear Angie: The oven of my gas range takes a really long time to preheat. Sometimes, I’ll leave it on for an hour and it doesn’t heat up at all. Is it unsafe to do that and what could be wrong with my oven? – T.M., No city given

Dear T.M.: The likely issue is a weak or failing oven igniter.

Heat resistance igniters can lose resistance as they get hot over time and won’t send enough resistance to the gas valve to allow the main valve to come on.

This intermittent starting can happen when the igniter is getting weak and before it goes completely out. If it doesn’t draw enough amperage, the igniter won’t send out the gas needed to light the oven. This is a very common problem in ovens and the repair typically costs around $150, though that can vary depending on the type and brand of oven you have. 

It’s worth noting that some manufacturers have gone to a spark ignition system instead of heat resistance ignition. A common problem with spark igniters is when the igniter fails to generate a spark. A qualified technician can tell you what type of igniter you have and can diagnose if the problem is related to the igniter.

As with any appliance that is not operating properly, especially a gas appliance, this issue could possibly cause an unsafe condition and you should have it repaired by a qualified appliance repair professional as soon as possible. A weak igniter could lead to ignition problems, improper gas flame, or high carbon dioxide emission from gas ovens. Most gas ovens should heat to 350-degrees in about 7-to-8 minutes.

Talk to your repair professional ahead of his or her visit and describe the brand of oven you have and the problem. That will help them ensure they have the parts needed for the repair when they come out to your home, so they won’t have to make another trip, which could delay the repair and increase the cost. Most appliance repair companies will also waive their service call charge if you hire them to make the repair.

17 Day Diet or Diet 17 Day was to be the talk of the country Uncle Sam. It is said that with only 17 days, weight loss can be achieved. Really that simple?

17 Day Diet is a cycle of carbohydrate diet created by Dr. Mike Moreno, a family physician in California.

The new diet was originally designed to help people lose weight after the holidays, but really how this diet can be followed at all times throughout the year to rapidly, lose weight and keep it ideal.
As with the other diet, 17 Day diet begins by restricting carbohydrates and calories to lose weight quickly, then slowly incorporate ‘good carbs’ back into the body.

“I think this diet is probably the only diet that works for everyone,” explains Dr Moreno in his book, as reported by Fox News on Monday (4/25/2011).

Many think the way these diet people can lose weight in 17 days. In fact, 17 Day diet consists of a series of cycles. Each cycle takes 17 days.

Each cycle will replace what foods you should eat. Dr. Moreno says a people can lose weight 4.5 kg to 5.4 kg in the first 17 days.

17 Day diet to follow the diet of carbohydrates, but it differs from other low-carb diets. This approach was taken for 17 days of the cycle known as the carbohydrate cycle

This diet requires the consumption of carbohydrates based on the phase adjustment is being followed. Some stages are very limited intake of carbohydrates, while another phase allows a higher carbohydrate diet. This is similar to the shift in calories but focus on carbohydrate intake.

Dr. Moreno suggests that the shift amount of carbohydrates you eat will confuse your metabolism and may contribute to weight loss faster.

How do I make 17 Day Diet?

17 Day diet consists of four cycles of 17 days. All cycles have in common is to avoid sugar and processed foods. The fourth phase of the cycle is accelerating, turn, reach and phase arrives.

• Phase ‘speed’
  The first phase of the diet phase of accelerating, dramatically reducing carbohydrates. This approach will lose weight rapidly and increase fat burning.
• Phase ‘enable’
  Phase of the cycle turn introduced carbohydrates. The goal is to reset a sluggish metabolism to encourage weight loss and continue to provide the support necessary to avoid excessive weight loss.
• Phase of the ‘reach’
  Phase before reaching adding restricted foods back to the original menu option. This stage is designed to help dieters learn how to build healthy eating habits for life.
• Phase ‘arrived’
  Arriving is the final phase of the plan 17 Day Diet. It is designed to help people maintain weight for life. It is encouraging healthy eating throughout the week and leave little room for ‘fun’ at the weekend.

Exercise 17 minutes :
Along with the cycle of the carbohydrate eating plan, this diet recommends 17 minutes of exercise routine should be done six days a week.

What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Here are some of the benefits and shortcomings of the 17 Day Diet, as reported by lovetoknow, Monday (4/25/2011).

Benefit :

• Take an approach that encourages healthy eating natural foods.
• Different cycles of 17 days allow for a change to a diet can help relieve the boredom that often sets in the long-term diet.
• This diet is not complicated and easy to understand.
• Offer’s ideas for meal plan include foods that are low carb recipes.
• Exercise is recommended in this diet only takes 17 minutes.

shortage :

• Caloric intake may be too low for active people.
• This diet is unsuitable for diabetics.
• This diet may not be suitable for people who are prone to eating disorders such as irregular eating patterns.

 Top 30 Health Tips

 A garlic a day: Garlic is the mother of all cures. Researchers in Liverpool have found that 5ml of garlic extract lower levels of a disease-causing chemical by up to 48 per cent.

 Eat wholegrain foods: Make sure you have whole-grain bread, rice or pasta at least four times a week and you will reduce the chance of having cancer by 40 per cent.

 Take care of your skin: Always wear sun-screen lotion during summers. It is advisable to use winter care creams to overcome the harsh and cold winds. The best cure is to smile through and your skin will shine with an extra dash. It's no big secret!

 Eat plenty of fish: Fish is the recommended diet for a longer healthier life. Studies have found that those who regularly ate fish were up to one-third less likely to get heart diesease than those who ate it less than once a month.

 Try Tea: Tea is always good. Being a heavy tea-drinker can never have nagative effects. The protective effects of tea increase with the amount drunk, and people who are regular tea drinkers are the least likely to die of a heart attack.

 Stop smoking: Do not smoke your health away. Nicotine pathces, gums or inhalers might work for some individuals, or other methods, from hypnosis to acupuncture. More you are to smoke, more likely your are to develop cancer or heart disease.

 Walk for Health: There is nothing better than walking. Walking a mile everyday, or taking reasonable exercise three times a week, promises to reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as strengthens bones and keeps them strong.
Buy a blood pressure instrument to monitor your B.P. before and after the walk.

 Never sleep over a backache: It is never advisable to sleep over a backache. Research shows that people who take to their beds with backache take the longest time to recover. Those who avoid bed-rest and continue normal activities as much as possible have less pain.

 Water spells health: Water flushes out the toxins. A good amount of liquid intake helps the entire system and of course is best for curing skin ailments. The average man needs 2.9 litres, or about 12 cups of water, a day and woman needs about 2.2 litres.

 Stop bad breath: You can prevent that unfriendly odour. It is caused by oral bacteria. A toungue scraper may help, but dental care may be needed. Mouth rinses are effective, as are flossing and brushing teeth twice a day.

 Slow down on the junk: Research shows that eating too many high-fat-food contributes to high blood-cholestrol levels, which can cause hardening of the arteries, coronory heart disease and stroke.

 Cut back on salt: Health Organisation recommend no more than five grams a day. Too much salt can lead to stroke and heart problems.

 Drink wine: Research suggests that the equivalent of a couple of glasses of wine a day may be good for health. It can also help you keep a good mental frame.

 Spouse can matter: A man in poor health in his 50s is six times more likely to be affected if married to a woman who is also in poor health.

 Eat right for better teeth: Your pearly whites can gleam. Eat apples, oranges, celery, carrots and high fiber green.

 Make love: There is no better medicine than to have sex. people who have sex at least twice a week get protective boost from their immune systems. Of course it relaxes the mind.

 Crash diets don't work: The so called new-age diets do not add to health prospects. There is no easy way to lose weight so the best way is to do it over a period of time.

 Coffee is good: Researchers have found that two to four cups of coffee daily can lower the risk of colon cancer by 25 per cent.

 Being overweight is dangerous: Loose the extra kilos. Over weight people cut 20 weeks of their life for every excess kilogram, according to new research.Keeping a personal weight machine at home really helps. Buy one now!

 Supplement with selenium: Research has shown that people who took a daily supplement of selenium had a 37 per cent reduction in cancers.

 Lower you cholesterol: Work on reducing your cholestrol. This can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke even when your level is not high. Exercise to reduce weight.

 Asprin is a wonder drug: Asprin can actually do wonders. It helps to reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease and cancers, including of the colon, oesophagus, stomach, rectum, prostrate. cent.

 Change your job: If the workplace is what bothers you. Simply quit! Consider becoming a salesperson. Salespeople are least likely to have a work-related illness.

 Socialising is good: Meeting friends and relatives is recommended. Weekly socialising improves the memory, concentration and problem solving skills.

 Learn to relax: Unwind, take up a hobby and start socialising. This fights stress and depression.

 Fruits and vegetables help: Have at least five portions of vegetables and fruit a day, especially tomatoes, red grapes.

 Sing to stay healthy: Singing is good for the mind and body. it is relaxing, improves breathing and muscle tone.

 Vitamins are vital: A multivit a day keeps the tablet away, but be sure it contains at least 200 meg of folic acid.

 Sleep well: There is nothing like a good sleep. Sleep primes the immune system. Most people need between seven and nine hours of sleep a night.

 Or just hum...: Humming helps. Daily humming is a good way to increase ventilation in the sinuses.