Category Archives: Health and Fitness

A Banana A Day

By | Health and Fitness | No Comments

A  professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas.  He said the  expression “going bananas” is from the effects of bananas on the brain.  Read on:

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!

This is interesting..

After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again.

banana-a-day-02.jpg

 

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber.  A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.  No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit.  It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:  According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana.  This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:  Forget the pills – eat a banana.  The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:  High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure:  This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure.  So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

banana-a-day-03.jpg

 

Brain Power:  200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power.  Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
  High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
  One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey.  The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:  Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

banana-a-day-04.jpg

Morning Sickness:  Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:  Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin.  Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:  Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips.  Looking at 5,000 hospital patients,  researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs.  The report concluded  that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:  The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture  and smoothness.  It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases.  It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the  stomach.

Temperature control:  Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.  In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

banana-a-day-05.jpg

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):  Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use:  Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking.  The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:  Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance.  When we  are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels.  These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium  banana snack.

Strokes:  According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts:  Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of  banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out.  Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

banana-a-day-06.jpg

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills.  When you compare it to an apple, it has  four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say,  “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

PASS  IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS
  

PS:  Bananas must be the reason monkeys are  so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?  Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the  shoe…polish with dry cloth…Amazing fruit!

 396600_264316350335293_1339664023_n.jpg

[email_link]

Philips Air Fryer

By | Great Inventions, Health and Fitness, Recipes, Yummy! | 3 Comments

Last year I was lucky to purchase an air fryer for half the price!  I am so glad I bought it!!  I finally opened the box and was able to try it for the first time a few weeks ago!  What they really promote in their demonstrations are french fries.  We all know how unhealthy french fries can be because of all the oil that is being used to cook it but with the air fryer, no oil is needed.  I will try that next.  What I tried was the fried chicken and it was so easy, so fast and so yummy!  

Previous entry:  Experience How to Use  Air to Fry Food August 2, 2012 

philips-air-fryer-1.jpg

It took around 30 minutes only and it was very good.  I am looking forward to trying other recipes

philips-air-fryer-2.JPG

 

[email_link]

Mr. Bean

By | Foodie, Health and Fitness | No Comments

I visited Alabang Towncenter and went to their new wing – The Garden Wing.  There is a Starbucks as well in this area!

mr-bean-2.JPG

I came over to visit Mr. Bean!

mr-bean-image.jpg

No not that Mr. Bean but this Mr. Bean 🙂  

 525802_420645557949581_470630805_n.jpg

I have not heard of this though they had opened since last April 2012 – this store.  They have expanded to Eastwood Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall and soon in Mc Kinley Hills.  I can’t wait for the Makati branch to open!  Mr. Bean is a franchise from Singapore.  18 years ago found by two college friends who developed a machine that could make soya milk quickly and efficiently.  Their first stall was in People’s park Hawker Center.  They now have 50 stores in Singapore and are available already in Japan, Korea, China and Malaysia  

mr-bean-1.JPG

I met the owner of Mr. Bean there – Anne Tan King.  She is the cousin of Donna and Diana of Sariwon.  This is the second generation of the Jollibee family and they are now starting new franchises.  I love these young ladies – they are all so humble and so so nice!  Anne told me that they are all owners but each one handles each franchise separately so that there will be no conflict in management though they have board meetings regularly to monitor their businesses as a team.  I admire them and I hope they can continue this. 

Previous entry:  Sariwon Korean Barbeque April 26, 2012

mr-bean-11.jpg

Life’s Simple Pleasures!

mr-bean-3.JPGmr-bean-7.jpg

I am not really a taho or soy milk person, but after trying Mr. Bean, I am now converted!  I love Soy – anything soy 🙂 atleast from Mr. Bean

mr-bean-5.jpg18690_557765900904212_1546550799_n.jpg178975_637244342956367_1192515175_n.jpg374523_557714357576033_1770000450_n.jpg

579525_456044877742982_1548541432_n.jpg

I tried almost everything on the menu!  Anne served me their bestsellers

mr-bean-8.JPG

Of course the basic CLASSIC soya milk chilled for me since its summer 🙂  

 mr-bean-12.JPG

All the products are made fresh daily and once it reaches a certain period of expiry – they dispose it and make a fresh batch.  They have a machine behind in their backroom which processes the soy beans.  All the soy beans are imported from Malaysia

601617_550401861640616_1898852345_n.png

Then I tried the Icy Lychee! I loved it because of the lychee pop which was in the drink! Instead of the usual sago balls its a lychee pop which literally pops in your mouth!  

mr-bean-16.JPG

Then I got to try the watermelon which was for me something I would order because they use fresh fruit.  In the menu there is a FRESH FRUIT SOY drink section – those are all fresh fruits mixed with soy milk.  I would recommend those for health reasons 

mr-bean-17.JPG

And then the taho!  Anne told me they had to change the wording of the menu so that our countrymen could identify with taho! 🙂  

mr-bean-10.JPGmr-bean-6.jpg

I took home some of these and my boys loved it!! They are the real taho eaters!  This is how it comes in so it is easy to take home.  I feel safer buying these rather than through vendors in the street in terms of safety and sanitary reasons.  No offense to the vendors because we do want to support them too

mr-bean-15.JPG526924_622155571131911_1547141108_n.png

You can add sugar to your soy products, you have to specify your sweetness level 🙂 Love this feature!

 943345_638932242787577_2004741907_n.jpg

Oh my gosh!  I liked this next one – mostly because of that peanut rice ball!!!  I like to order only the rice ball! 🙂  It reminds me of a mochi or a buchi in a chinese restaurant!!

mr-bean-4.jpg

You cannot see it when it gets to you, you have to scoop it out 🙂

mr-bean-14.JPG

Another yummy product!!!! Pancakes!!

pancakes-1.jpg mr-bean-9.JPG

 Reminds me of those Japanese pancakes

mr-bean-13.JPG

Of course I liked the one with cheese inside!!! 

mr-bean-18.JPG

 Then there is soy ice cream! Yummy!!!!

mr-bean-19.JPGmr-bean-pricelist.jpg

Thank you Anne for this cute Mr. Bean stuffed toy – definitely cuter than Mr. Bean up there 🙂  This will soon be available for sale as customers have been requesting for this

mr-bean-21.JPG

A heart in his behind 🙂

mr-bean-22.JPGmr-bean-20.JPG

[email_link]

Zumba Fitness with Zin Pepper

By | Health and Fitness | No Comments

My good friend, Lils, has a gym on top of her building.  

 img_6092.jpg

We held some parties and some velada practices here already before.  

Previous entry:  Luke’s Dedication and First Birthday  September 11, 2012

 luke-dedication-1st-bday-021.jpg

They are now offering Zumba classes here!  So come and join if you are in the area – best way to exercise and have fun at the same time! 

zumba-fitness-with-zin-pepper.jpg

Handmade locational map by Lills 🙂

 541966_10151077358531872_1611527585_n.jpgzumba-fitness-with-zin-pepper-2.jpg

[email_link]

Quantum Touch

By | Health and Fitness, Workshops | No Comments

Last April 22 and 23 a Quantum workshop was held, some of my family members attended.  Here is a photo from last Sunday lunch, apparently my sister in law, Tina,  has benefitted from this and has been practicing already 🙂  on Dina and Uncle Ray 

quantum-touch-tina-de-jesus-and-dina-campos.JPGquantum-touch-tina-de-jesus-and-rey-reyes.JPG

For those interested, see a letter here below from Denise Celdran and read more about Quantum Touch

quantum-touch-denise-celdran.jpgquantum-touch-7.jpg

quantum-touch-1.jpg

quantum-touch-2.jpg

quantum-touch-3.jpg

quantum-touch-5.jpg

quantum-touch-6.jpg

Click below to go to their website:

energy-healing-chakra-healing-alternative-medicine-vibrational-medicine-20130502.jpg

[email_link]

 

FILTER