A Spoonful of Sugar -- Destroys Memory?

Keeping your blood sugar under control is beneficial for far more than just waistlines and diabetes prevention, it is also important to help preserve your memory as you age. Yep, that's right -- spiked blood sugar levels actually cause your brain to age prematurely, resulting in more "senior moments” than you'd care to have.

There have been other studies indicating this in the past, but a new study led by Scott A. Small, M.D., associate professor of neurology from the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain was remarkable because it showed that the activity of an important part of the memory center of the brain (called the dentate gyrus) decreases with elevated blood glucose levels.

Dr. Small's research looked at people with type 2 diabetes and found that they had this damage to their dentate gyrus. He then looked at factors such as a high body mass index, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and elevated blood sugar that are seen in type 2 diabetes, and replicated them in animals to determine which ones were correlated with the brain damage. He found that rapid blood sugar increases ONLY, damaged the memory center.1

Past studies have suggested that high blood sugar may play a role in Alzheimer's disease by contributing to the plaques in the brain, but Dr. Scott's studies show that elevated blood sugar directly damages the memory center in the brain.

Other recent studies have found that exercise is very important for preserving the memory center in the brain. Dr. Small stated that this is most likely because exercise decreases blood sugar levels. Other researchers commenting on this have stated that they believe there could be other mechanisms at play, and I agree.

For instance, animal studies have shown that stress can also impair the dentate gyrus.2
This is a precarious situation from my perspective. Here we have a condition -- stress -- that in and of itself can damage your memory center in the brain. Stress is also associated with increased cravings for high carb comfort foods like sweets, partly because stress reduces serotonin production. That high carb treat is a way to increase serotonin levels. But to give into that sweets craving can further damage your memory.

So to preserve your brain and memory as you age, control your blood sugar levels and make sure you manage your body's stress response. Exercise helps with both of these.

As you know from reading my articles in the past, I believe that a carb-controlled diet is also important for optimum control of blood sugar. Since Dr. Small's study found that rapid spikes in blood sugar were the cause of damage to the memory center, a low glycemic index diet should be of particular benefit for your brain.

Indeed, a recent Duke University study found that a very low carb diet reversed type 2 diabetes without medication,3 the very condition that Dr. Small found is a very high risk factor for destroying your memory as you age.

However, some researchers have suggested that low carb diets may not be good for your thinking powers since glucose is the primary fuel source for the brain. A recent report out of Tufts University was one such study.4

Not to worry. In my opinion and the opinion of another low carb diet researcher, Dr. Grant D. Brinkworth, the findings of the Tufts study could be nothing more than a transient effect that occurs when the body is "readjusting to an unfamiliar diet.”5 Dr. Brinkworth's own research on this very matter found that lower carb diets slightly lowered "cognitive processing speed, but did nothing to impair a person's working memory. So, don't be confused by the headlines, and don't think that you have to keep eating higher carbs to maintain your ability to think clearly.6

Make no mistake, diet and other lifestyles factors that help you control your blood sugar, not only help prevent diabetes and heart disease, they will help preserve your memory as you age. The Duke University study mentioned above tested a very low level of carbs, and had a high participant dropout rate. I do not believe that the carbs have to be that low to get results. At LMI, our patients are usually successful at controlling blood sugar on about 25% of their calories coming from carbs. That amount still allows about 100 grams of carbs per day. We strive for about half of those carbs to come from low glycemic sources like non-starchy vegetables.

To see if your efforts at blood sugar control have been effective, you should regularly monitor your fasting blood glucose levels. Levels of 95 and below are best. You can also have your hemoglobin A1c level checked, which will tell you how your blood sugar levels have been over the past 3 months. Levels from 4-5.9% are considered normal.

If your levels are high despite a lower carb diet and exercise, I would consider using blood sugar supportive nutrients like chromium, magnesium, zinc and alpha-lipoic acid.


sosurce: THB

Magic in Microsoft

I want to share this simple but amazing magic in the computer operation. Anybody who could answer this magic are welcome to comment. I have tried it and its really amazing, believe it!

MAGIC #1
An Indian discovered that nobody can create a FOLDER anywhere on the
Computer which can be named as "CON". This is something pretty Cool.
and Unbelievable. At Microsoft the whole Team, couldn't answer why this
happened! TRY IT NOW, IT WILL NOT CREATE " CON " FOLDER

MAGIC #2
For those of you using Windows, do the following:
1.) Open an empty notepad file
2.) Type "Bush hid the facts" (without the quotes)
3.) Save it as whatever you want.
4.) Close it, and re-open it.

is it just a really weird bug? :-??

MAGIC #3
Microsoft crazy facts
This is something pretty cool and neat...and unbelievable. .. At Microsoft
the whole Team, including Bill Gates, couldn't answer why this happened!
It was discovered by a Brazilian. Try it out yourself...

Open Microsoft Word and type
=rand (200, 99)
And then press ENTER, Then see the magic..

Predictions and Forecast for Year of the Ox

The year of the Ox is just what’s needed to clean up any mess and clutter left by the Rat. The Ox is not as he appears and should not be underestimated or considered slow or unaware.

The Ox is the quintessential hardworking, conventional cleaner-upper who will put everything back in order and turn chaos back into reason.

There is no room for anyone looking for a free ride during an Ox year. Hard work pays and laziness does not. It’s a plain-and-simple, cut-and-dried, yes-and-no type year. It’s a year to get papers in order and your life back on track, and to do whatever it takes to budget and plan for your financial future, lessening the stress and securing your position. Tradition will be important and keeping order and making sure that everyone plays by the rules a must.

The Ox doesn’t care for sob stories or those looking for a handout. There is nothing less appealing to an Ox than someone wanting his or her way paid for. You must gain respect through your actions if you want to fare well during the year of the Ox.

The United States must curtail ambition and set goals within reach. Limited profits will leave many without. Strict budgeting, joining together as one regardless of race, creed, color or political beliefs will be essential. It will take a strong leader, ready to do whatever is necessary to ignite a nation struggling to reinforce its voice and place in a world gone awry. New strategy and a bold jump into the future will be essential to maintain a leadership position. New measures must be implemented throughout 2009 to prepare for the vast opportunities this great nation has heading its way in 2010.

Although Canada has much to be grateful for, the year of the Ox will bring with it restrictions and an overflow of what’s happening economically in the U.S. With rising costs, the tightening of the belt by both government and individuals will be necessary. As a collective group, Canadians tend to be conservative like the Ox and, if great caution is taken in 2009, Canada will enjoy a much better harvest as the year comes to a close.

Although the Ox year will enable the United Kingdom to bring order back and allow progress once again, this will only occur with hard work and desire to make its own opportunities. The greatest problems will stem from what is expected of them by other nations who will put them in a position requiring strength of character and the wisdom that comes with experience. Colonies will be a concern and must be handled with unprecedented diplomacy.

As for the rest of us walking the planet, the Ox will not put up with anything short of supreme effort. No one will be able to get by without putting out. It will be necessary for everyone to plan carefully for the future and to live on less and give more in order to support the falling economy. It will be up to the people to question their leaders, to make sure they don’t give supremacy to just anyone and to remind the powers that hold our fragile existence by a string that it isn’t the individuals living on the planet who cannot get along but our leaders who cannot resolve issues peacefully. The Ox calls for simplicity, patience and the ability to work as one. The less cordial the main players are, the less we will accomplish as a collective group.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Imagination, ingenuity and intelligence will bring opportunities if you can also keep things simple, cost-efficient and serviceable. You will not be short of good ideas and you will express your hopes and wishes with such conviction and knowledge that it will be difficult for your audience to not want to join your team. Action, hard work and confidence will be your ticket back into the limelight. Your diligence and long hours will equate to great gains but, as usual, holding on to what you get will not be easy.

You will be able to feel change heading your way but don’t jump the gun. Impulsive action will spin into a cycle that will be difficult to control, let alone stop. You have plenty of time ahead to welcome the unexpected into your life. For now and throughout the year of the Ox, center, ground and position yourself securely to the ideals, possessions and the long-term strategy that will help guide you through the lightning-quick decisions that will be expected of you.

Now is the time to set yourself up for the future, not to charge ahead in your usual fashion without a care in the world. Take the ultimate Aries challenge and hold your ground rather than breaking new ground or trying to be first at everything. This year, you will be better off observing, planning and positioning yourself to be the best, not the first. So wait and see where everyone else is going and adjust accordingly. Holding back doesn’t suit your impetuous nature, but this is a year to learn the lesson of patience, tolerance and practicality.

There is no other route for you to take if you want the years ahead to be successful. After all, it’s the strength of your foundation that will carry you through the exciting times ahead. So put your ideas down on paper and do the necessary preparations. Then you’ll be fully ready to take advantage of the seven years of incredible changes that will take you from this year of planning to full-fledged, on-the-spot adventure.

Love: Harsh reality is likely to surface emotionally.

Money: Stick to conservative investments. Size down if necessary.

Health: Avoid products that promise the impossible. Common sense will rule.

Best months of the year: February, May, July, October and December.

What you should strive for: Regain all that has been taken from you in the past.

Fashion: Simple but different -- it’s time to make a statement and be yourself.

Your lucky numbers: 6, 13, 19, 25, 30, 34, 41

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll be passionate, adaptable and geared up to get what you want this year, sporting a new attitude that will be easily recognized by both shysters and upstanding associates. You’ll want to act fast and take on too much -- the exact two elements that will lead to your downfall. Be smart: Remember your Bullish characteristics and allow them to balance any desire to leap before you look. Surround yourself with people who question and perfect everything you do. It’s the combination of a great idea and the right team that will lead to your success.

There are so many variables to deal with during the year of the Ox and, if you are too eager to spread yourself around or take on too much, you will fall short and spin into a down cycle. Don’t be stubborn -- this is not the year to take a risk or to be arrogant about your position, direction or capabilities. Nothing will be etched in stone and protection will be the key. Don’t be fooled by your past position. Not only will the past not count, but you will only be as good or useable as your latest project.

The very things and people you knew as being constant will no longer hold that label and for you, the dance of a lifetime will begin. It’s time to pull everything back and secure what you have for the long-term, as nothing will be sacred or safe for years to come. Protection should be your middle name and the traits that have made you successful in the past must be brought to the forefront. No lending, borrowing or giving to charity, for now is the time for restraint and recycling.

Do not be fooled by wily individuals who can talk a good talk but are not likely to deliver. Desperate times may lead to desperate measures but, unless you can truly gauge the outcome, take a pass and live within your means. If anyone tells you to go-big-or-go-home, take flight and don’t look back. It’s time to horde, not squander and you do that wonderfully when you put your mind to it.

Love: Deception cannot be ruled out. Ask questions and stick to stable partners.

Money: Serious investments will tie up your cash and keep it in a safe place.

Health: Stick to a routine that incorporates physical exercise and regular meals.

Best months of the year: January, April, August, September, October.

What you should strive for: security, perfection and maintaining balance Fashion: Understated, elegant and classic ... rich, warm colors and natural fabrics.

Your lucky numbers: 3, 9, 17, 20, 28, 34, 49.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If you put in the time to perfect your skills, the sky is the limit during the year of the Ox. Emotionally, mentally and creatively you will be at the top of your game with lots of opportunities heading your way. Honesty and love will be the main issues, especially if your flirtatious ways get out of control. You’ll entice partners you should leave alone and be tempted to get involved in affairs that can end up destroying all that you have worked so hard to achieve. Think before you throw it all away. The choice is yours.

You can dance with the best but you can also make unwise moves just trying to keep up or to make an unnecessary impression. These are the days of the past not the future, so let your reputation proceed you and you can avoid having to prove your talents over and over again. As long as you utilize the year of the Ox to position yourself for the future, instead of trying to make this the be-all and end-all year to excel, you will open a passageway that will lead to greater gains than you could have ever imagined.

It’s your turn to take advantage of what unfolds and not to worry so much about what happens to others. Live in the moment and be shrewd and calculating and focus on your own prosperity, riches and circumstances. Make others’ mistakes your good luck. Your attitude must be every-man-for-himself, as you swiftly swoop down and gobble up all that’s abandoned or lost by others. Your good eye won’t let you down. Stop looking at a small picture when it’s a mural that is being painted. Allow the time for proper growth and you will reap rewards that far exceed your expectations. It may be a time of restraint but, positioned and marketed well, you, my friend, can turn someone else’s sour lemon into your lemonade. This is not the time to feel sorry for the losses others incur but a time to take advantage of the good fortune it has made for you.

Love: Boredom, coupled with passion, spells secret affairs.

Money: You will prosper off others’ mistakes.

Health: Poor diagnosis will cause worry when it’s lifestyle stress making you ill.

Best months of the year: February, May, July, September, October.

What you should strive for: professional gains and personal restraint.

Fashion: clean cut with trendy, unique accessories.

Your lucky numbers: 8, 13, 15, 23, 36, 39, 45.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): It’s time for a little self-realization and reevaluation. Take a critical look at your life, state of mind, physical well-being and financial status. It’s time to revamp top to bottom and without hesitation. Get with the times and make a point of putting yourself first this year. No more give-all to gain popularity. It’s all about you and where you want to be a year from now. Strategy must be strict and well laid out. Budget tight, fitness a must, self-help books and seminars top of your list. If you can primarily work on yourself, unbelievable rewards will follow.

Your first step will be to reinvent who you are and what you have to offer. Times are changing and, as much as you do not like anything out of place, you have to adjust to the world around you. This is a great year to find a new outlet or reeducate yourself. Consider some of the dreams, hopes and wishes you once had and bring these possibilities back to the forefront.

Check into what’s available through government services or even the possibility of an apprenticeship. There is no time like the present to take hold of your life and start anew. This is your second chance to stand up and follow a dream you let slip by the wayside. It’s a time to learn your lessons well and to position yourself for a future unlike the past that will be dependent on uniqueness and the ability to offer services that are in demand now more than ever before.

Power plays can be expected and, for Crabs who want to sit it out and do nothing, you’ll have a reason to be Crabby as you watch what you have let slip away. It will be by taking forceful action only that you will be able to keep up with the neighbors and hold your head high. He who hesitates will be lost in the backwash of the go-getters’ wake.

The more reluctant you are to embrace change, the further behind you will fall. It’s not a year to procrastinate about your future. It’s do-or-die, so get your mind wrapped around change and what you can do to take advantage of the trends that are unfolding before us.

Love: Uncertainty is likely if you let yourself go.

Money: Personal and financial change will lead to greater prosperity.

Health: Get on top of any unsavory habits you’ve developed.

Best months of the year: January, April, June, September, October.

What you should strive for: positive overall change to reposition yourself.

Fashion: Keep it simple and conservative.

Your lucky numbers: 3, 6, 17, 22, 27, 31, 47.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Greater opportunities to develop and launch your creative ideas, talents and projects will make for an interesting year, as long as you stay within your financial means and refrain from letting too many get involved in your plans. It’s fine to want to be the one to oversee everything but there is a price to pay if you wish to delegate work out instead of doing it yourself. Expect to be forced to admit to your true feelings in order live the life you desire. It’s time to stop living a lie and to move on.

Nothing has to be out of your reach but be careful what you wish for and don’t let greed get the better of you. You’ll be thinking outside the box and will want to do everything in a big way but, if you do, you may find the years to come are a rollercoaster ride that will test your strength and patience. Better to keep things a little on the small side and take the better part of the next decade to build, making adjustments that fit the changing times. It will be a long road but, if navigated properly, you can ride the wave to the top, slowly but surely setting yourself up for a long reign of power. It will bring you clout and position you well for other, more vocal opportunities, such as heading an organization, greater involvement in politics or even starting a group that will force issues and reforms that you feel are necessary.

You have lots to do in the future but, most of what’s to come depends heavily on how you handle the upcoming year. This is a great year of opportunity for the smart Lion and disgrace for the Leo who is greedy or overindulgent. The choice is yours as you approach the fork in the road this year. Take the high road or the low but, once you start down the path, whichever it might be, you will have to see it through to the end.

So be generous of heart, body and mind but tight and prudent with the way you run your operation. Then, you will not only gain popularity and respect but peace of mind and a vision that can be taken to greater heights.

Love: Instability and confusion will cause sorrow if you aren’t true to yourself.

Money: You will come into money from unusual sources and means.

Health: Overindulgence must be curbed or chronic problems will occur.

Best months of the year: February, March, May, July, October, December.

What you should strive for: Strive to reform and to build a new and solid base.

Fashion: Go for an intellectual look if you want to be taken seriously.

Your lucky numbers: 5, 16, 19, 25, 38, 41, 46.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): As much as you will want to keep things tight and do as much from home as possible, you will realize the necessity to venture out to reach your personal and professional goals. Trust issues will arise with some of the people you least expect and protecting your interests should be first and foremost. Look for new ways to accomplish old goals and you will stay one step ahead of anyone trying to surpass your efforts. Play a simple no-nonsense game but never lose sight of the fact that winning is the objective.

The ability to see outside your own ideals and beliefs will be important if you want to maintain some sort of control over the people within your circle. Turning your back on the possibilities that others bring to the table will be shortsighted. It will be better to keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. The only way to survive what unravels will be if you are totally aware of all the factors that have contributed to the results you are faced with.

This is not a time of stability and, like it or not, you will have to figure out a way to bring order out of chaos or to work with the instability that has flourished so quickly into all facets of life. Not only will you have to defend your position and your belief in why tried-and-true still works, you will have to prove it or be willing to do things differently. To your credit, giving a practical spin to someone else’s cockamamie ideas may be your ticket to stardom, so don’t dismiss someone with whom you may not agree but who definitely has a unique approach to the world. It will be your ability to pair with the right people that will be your saving grace.

Yes, it’s interesting times ahead and, for those Virgos willing to mix practical with impractical in order to come up with something that can handle the unpredictable and unexpected changes we face, there are going to be advantages that will lead to a new set of rules, regulations and a way to turn a negative into a positive.

Love: Don’t settle for less than what you want because you are lonely. Hold out.

Money: Healthy financial dealings will develop. You’ll gain from others’ losses.

Health: Alternative health care will be required to overcome chronic ailments.

Best months of the year: January, April, June, September, October, November.

What you should strive for: Put your house in order; prepare for new beginnings.

Fashion: well-coordinated, deep rich colors, like you mean business.

Your lucky numbers: 9, 11, 20, 24, 31, 35, 43.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take hold of any idea or concept that is unique or new to you and put your creative spin on it. This is a year of opportunity but only if you are not afraid to stand out in the crowd. Strive to be original and breathtaking in what you do and you will build a captive audience that will be begging to see what you are going to do next. It’s your turn to be the rising star and to let the rest of the world see what you can do. Your intuition will not let you down, so follow the voice within.

You will be the one who can bring peace out of chaos and reason out of madness. You will be the one with the answers, the vision, the ability to take the ball and run with it. It’s up to you to balance the world, to stabilize those who have weighed themselves down too heavily on one side or another. Yes, for the Scales, there is pressure to engage in tactics that you may not have been able to stomach in the past. These times call for measures that are strict but kind, stern but compassionate and, most of all, solutions that will not leave anyone behind.

You will be the glue that others look to as well as the target to blame or dismantle. You will walk a tightrope that has hidden agendas and propaganda to contend with. You will have to remain objective, nonjudgmental and on guard. Be ready to take on whatever unfolds and be prepared to bring another point of view to light. You will play devil’s advocate as well as question what’s right and what isn’t in this time of change.

You will be the balance between the rich and the poor, the go-between with a solution to satisfy even the toughest obstacle. This is a strange time we live in and, for the Scales, the test of mixing adaptability, intelligence and stability in order to come out on top without malice will be what counts. Look to Mother Nature and you will find the answers you need.

Love: There will be no shortage of love and romance. Enjoy your good fortune.

Money: Too many temptations may leave you cash poor. Easy come, easy go.

Health: Newfangled heath regimes and diets will get you in tip-top shape.

Best months of the year: February, March, May, July, October, December.

What you should strive for: spirituality, originality and peace of mind.

Fashion: Make a statement by being trendy and unmistakably noticeable.

Your lucky numbers: 2, 10, 23, 27, 30, 39, 42.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll tend to think too big and in too broad of terms. You have to focus on what’s really important and refuse to be enticed by what others think you should do. Keep things tight within your budget and easy for you to handle alone. Use your discipline, good work ethic and integrity to build a stellar position for yourself, professionally and personally. The temptations will be great but you must be strong, confident and secure about who you are and what you can do. This year is a test that will determine your prosperity for years to come.

You can expect added responsibilities that will change your way of thinking and doing things. The chance to make adjustments to your living arrangements by sizing down or picking up property at a rock-bottom price will be yours, but you will have to be fully aware of what you can and cannot afford. Adding stress to your life will end up dragging you down for years to come.

Being honest regarding what you can and cannot handle will be a determining factor that will make or break you. You will have plenty of support and good advice but taking it will be where you may fall short. You don’t have to do everything secretively and should probably share your thoughts with the people your decision will affect the most, before you sail off into the sunset in hopes you’ve made the right choice.

Think back to the decisions of the past and you will start to see a pattern that has led to some devastating aftermaths of poor choices. Never has it been a more important time for the Scorpion to see clearly than now. You must let go of the dead weight in your life and only carry forward with what you need. It’s the ability to abandon that will be the most difficult and yet the most crucial to your future prospects and your freedom. Continue down the path you desire most, never losing sight that deep within you, it’s the long-term security that you most crave.

Love: A detached attitude will cause problems. Don’t neglect loved ones.

Money: Invest in yourself and your talent. Don’t give away too much.

Health: Overdoing and overindulging will be your downfall.

Best months of the year: January, March, April, June, August, October.

What you should strive for: Keep things simple, build a solid base and prosper.

Fashion: understated but upscale ... deep colors and classic lines.

Your lucky numbers: 11, 14, 22, 31, 35, 40, 49.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Reinvent, reclaim, remake and recycle and you will come up with something viable that works for you. You don’t have to rush -- slow down and flush out exactly what it is you want to see unfold by being a precise, relentless fact-finder. Hiding your insecurity and uncertainty will be a must as strength will be what others need to see in you before they will cover your back. There will be no room for mistakes. The Ox is a one-shot type of year for the Archer that can go either way, depending on how you play the game of life.

You have to set the stage for the upcoming decade, positioning yourself to be a forerunner of innovative ideas and inventive new ways of doing things. Only then, will you grab the attention you need to parlay what you can offer into something with longevity that will sustain you for years to come.

You don’t have to strive for the same kind of stability some of the other signs need to feel secure, but you do need to be sure of where you are heading. Change and adaptability are what you thrive on and, therefore, moving about will in many ways be what brings you back to your roots and grounds you mentally and emotionally.

You can take on a more bohemian lifestyle and do far better than if you settle to live the mundane life that so many are attached to -- for you, that would be the kiss of death. A life without drastic change and constant motion is a life sentence -- uninspiring and debilitating. So position yourself for adventure, the thrill of the ride, the rollercoaster that beckons you, and you will differentiate yourself from the ordinary guy.

For the Archer, this is a time of uniqueness, creativity and reinventing the wheel in such a fashion that everyone looks on in awe and is willing to pay just to get a glimpse or a morsel of what you have to offer. So don’t fear being the one who takes the road less traveled, instead, pave it with other people’s gold. Believe in yourself and your ability to make something out of nothing.

Love: Someone equally as free-spirited and nonconforming is your best match.

Money: Manipulate your financial situation to suit your business needs.

Health: Unusual remedies and clean living will keep you healthy.

Best months of the year: February, May, July, September, November, December.

What you should strive for: rebirth of old ideas with new futuristic look.

Fashion: Gregarious, daring and colorful, bigger than life.

Your lucky numbers: 1, 9, 15, 22, 34, 39, 47.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You may have to think outside the box if you want to get ahead this year. Everyone will be looking for something a little different and, if you cannot offer the unique, you may find that you slowly lose ground. Your past performance will not count but what’s current will set the stage for what’s to come. A detached attitude regarding finances, investments and contracts will be required to stay on top. There will be no room for charity in your world. It’s time to go it alone, do the best you can and, most of all, separate yourself from the majority.

You will have less time to ponder things and certainly this won’t be the time to stay put when the globe has become such a small place and the markets available to you so vast. It is time to broaden your horizons and to venture into places that you never considered in the past. Expand your vision and become a world contender instead of a merchant with a limited source and outlet.

It’s your ability to do business and make deals that will enable you to expand into areas where other signs may fear to venture. But, as a Goat, you will see the potential in terms of your own security not to mention how much of an impact your worldliness will have on the way you present what you have to offer back home.

This is a great time for the Goat to learn from experience, so bring on greater interaction with foreigners and don’t let anyone deny you the right to cross borders, nationalities, customs and communities in order to grow at a rapid, industrious pace that will set the standard for the upcoming decade.

You can place yourself in a powerful position that will endure the test of time, making many onlookers envious of your ability to step outside your circle as you turn the world into your domain and your playground for the future.

Love: Keep your finances and emotions separate or you’ll pay for a mistake.

Money: Will come from the most unusual source -- fear not the unfamiliar.

Health: Stay in shape mentally and physically to avoid hard-to-diagnose ailments.

Best months of the year: January, April, June, August, September, November.

What you should strive for: to stand out, be a little different, wow your audience.

Fashion: Accessorize: There will be no room for the plain Jane in your world.

Your lucky numbers: 3, 6, 21, 27, 30, 39, 48.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Times are changing and, by opening up about your ideas, plans and feelings, you will transform your world into exactly what you’ve always wanted it to be. The drawback, however, will be indulgence, self-deception and finding out that what you thought you so desperately wanted is not the case, once you get it. Document, develop and decipher what is important and what is attainable before throwing yourself into the eye of the storm without preparation or protection. You can come out on top but only if you have a no-nonsense strategy that will catch you if you fall.

You are a thinker, an inventor, a humanitarian and it’s time to make a mark by doing something important. You will have all the attributes needed to pull a team together that can assist you in achieving your goals. But they must be sound and within the boundaries of what is acceptable. You will tend to be ahead of your time and this can pose a problem when trying to justify to others why you feel the necessity to do something.

Well-thought-out plans, modeled after something you know has worked in the past, can get you started. As long as you hold off bringing out your out-of-the-ordinary addition until you are ready to apply the finishing touches, you should be successful. But don’t rule out opposition from someone who has always been interested in what you do but too conservative to step over the line and help.

Putting everything you’ve got into something you believe in will keep you on the straight road, out of harm’s way and allow you to bypass some of the temptations that often end up dragging you down. If something doesn’t bring you victory or benefits, then chances are you should take a pass this year.

Posturing will be what’s important for the Water-Bearer during the Ox year as it will mark what’s to come and where you will be on the totem pole for years. This is not the time to ignore the possibilities or to drown your sorrows in wasteful pastimes, so pick and choose carefully and refuse to let anyone tempt or lead you astray when the outcome is so vital to everything you do in the future.

Love: Choose your partner for the right reason. Ulterior motives are apparent.

Money: You’ll acquire money due to unusual circumstances. Lock it up and save.

Health: Overindulgence will be your downfall -- size down physically, not up.

Best months of the year: March, May, July, September, October, December.

What you should strive for: Moderation, simplicity and creativity will be musts.

Fashion: playful, the eccentric trendsetter that offers change and nonconformity.

Your lucky numbers: 1, 8, 11, 22, 26, 31, 40.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Impulsive action based on hearsay will be your downfall. Don’t be fooled by what others do. Secret information will be hard to come by and your gut feeling isn’t likely to do you justice during the year of the Ox. Hold on to what you have and refuse to give anything away for nothing. Facts and figures will be what count if you want to maintain your status quo and be ready to maneuver into a cushy position a year from now. It will be then that everything becomes more apparent as to how far you can go with what you’ve got.

As a Fish, you have to swim deep this year, avoiding being caught up in the moment and getting involved in something that has no substance. Don’t waste your time on things that do not matter or try to be a part of something that really isn’t you. Soul searching may not bring you all the answers but it will help ground you and make you realize what you do not want.

Let your creative imagination take you to places that only you can go. Delve into your inner thoughts, your desires and your needs and you will be that much closer to knowing what you want to strive for in the future. Recognize your past mistakes and admit them and you will clear out the debris that holds you back. The Ox year is truly a time to repent and turn any wrongs into rights, so that you can breathe easy and prepare to take advantage of what’s to come. The future looks bright but only if you can come to terms with what has passed.

Opportunities are heading your way. This an all-important year to face facts head on about what went wrong in the past so you can move forward without baggage, debts or regrets, to years of achieving what you want. You hold the key to the past and the future and, as your gatekeeper, you mustn’t lose sight of what needs to be done.

Love: Doubt will lead to a change of heart. Your motives will lead you astray.

Money: deceptive investments, unscrupulous money matters will prevail.

Health: Stick to a simple diet and avoid the possibility of contaminated products.

Best months of the year: January, May, June, September, October, and November.

What you should strive for: honesty and maintaining integrity in all that you do.

Fashion: Inconspicuous and simple — blend in this year.

Your lucky numbers: 3, 14, 19, 24, 36, 41, 46.

source: prediction

Beauty of A Woman

Why Women Cry:
A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him.

"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"

"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.

Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"

God said:
"When I made the woman she had to be special.
I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.
I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.
I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.
gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.
I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.
I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.
And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed."
"You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."


source: forwarded email

Do's and Dont's in the Kitchen

Nothing beats the kitchen that is organized. Now, if you can make your own an ideal one, don't you think it would be much better? But like in almost everything, trying to be organized calls for patience, commitment and dedication. And a lot of make-do tips, of course. Here are some that could lessen whatever inefficiencies you've been trying to overcome in your daily sojourn in the kitchen.

1. Let It Mature. Gingerbreads should never be tasted before storing because the treacle and syrup need time to mature. Wrap closely, put away in a tin, bring out in a few days and they should be nice and sticky.

2. Best Breads. Some bread keeps fresh better than others. Crust loaves are best eaten on the same day as baked. To keep bread at its best: soft, moist and free from mould, store it at normal room temperature in a clean, dry, well-ventilated container, such as a special bread bin or crock. The storage container should be airtight; the lid of a crock should not fit exactly.

3. No Place To Be. A refrigerator is not the best place to keep bread. A loaf kept for one day in the refrigerator is similar in staleness to a three-day-old loaf. However, the refrigerator does delay mould growth, so if bread is needed just for toasting this may be the answer. Wrap bread in a polythene bag.

4. Flavor Quest. Soy sauce is useful for its piquant saltiness, rich brown color, and its very individual flavor. Sea salt is an item that should feature in every cupboard. Coffee essence in chilled milk makes a fantastic milk shake. A range of mustards turns dull food into something quite special. Creamed horseradish is a helpful seasoning, superb with spinach and you can't serve fish, like trout, without it.

5. Veggie Rerun. Don't' stick rigidly to recipes, that's the fun of cooking. Add an odd carrot or two or a few peas to a macaroni cheese, or some green beans when a casserole is almost cooked. Pastry shells can be filled with chopped, cooked vegetables combined with carefully seasoned sauce. Second day roast spuds can be thinly sliced and shallow-fried until crisp, season well and served with plenty of chopped parsley.

6. Infestation Free. Don't store dog and cat cereals, biscuits, etc., in the larder or store cupboard --- any infestation that might be present could spread rapidly to other commodities. If this should occur, all affected foodstuff must be destroyed, the container washed, sterilized and well dried before use.

7. Never Together. Never put unwrapped cooked and raw meat together in the refrigerator, or anywhere else, as this can lead to cross contamination by bacteria.

8. Fridge Not. Warm food should not be put into the refrigerator, as it will raise the temperature of the food that is already there. It should be left, covered with a clean tea towel, in the coolest place in the kitchen. Ideally, there should be a free passage of air around it.

9. Wine Is Fine. Wine should stay fit for cooking for several days if recorked and kept in a cool dry place. Better still, pour wine into a smaller, clean bottle, so that it comes up to the neck, keeping the air space to a minimum. Make a note on the bottle that it should be used quickly, as wine soon turns to vinegar and then you have a different cooking ingredient!

10. At Room Temp. Olive oil and other oils do not need to be refrigerated but should be kept away from light. Olive oil thickens when refrigerated and changes color. If this does happen to any oil, leave at room temperature and it will return to its original color and density.

11. Sugar Free-Flow. Cool and dry are the best conditions for sugar. Brown sugar are more prone to "cracking" because of their non-sugar (molasses) content, so keep their containers tightly sealed against moisture. The darker the sugar, the more easily this could occur. If it does get solid, keep the sugar overnight in a bowl covered with a damp cloth.

source: lutongbahay

Water Saving Tips

Let's do our part in conserving our water resources. Here are some practical tips.

1. Use only a glass of water when brushing teeth. Yup, keeping the faucet running while brushing one’s teeth wastes gallons of this precious liquid. Using only a glass of water will no doubt conserve a lot of water.

2. Use the reliable pail or tabo. Taking a bath? Well, don’t use the shower or the bath-tub just yet. Indeed, gallons of water are wasted when lounging about a tub or taking a quick douse. As DENR Sec. Elisea Gozun was quoted as saying, using a pail and the tabo is still one of the best ways of conserving water.

3. Recycle water. Use rice wash for watering plants in the garden. Although it’s environmentally questionable to use laundry water on plants, you can use the sudsy liquid in flushing toilets.

4. Place a brick in the water closet. Since most Philippine households do not yet have environment friendly water closets, why not place a brick instead inside the water compartment to raise the water level. This will reduce the water requirements of the good old w.c. Another trick is to fill a “litro” bottle with pebbles in lieu of the brick.

5. Serve water only when requested. Take a cue from restaurants and serve water only when requested by guests. Some people don’t like water and would rather take their liquids in the form of colas and juices. Chances are, when given the choice of water, some people would only take a sip, leaving most glasses still filled with the precious stuff.

6. Fix your faucet. Water waste may come in several forms—such as leaky faucets. Believe it or not, faucet leaks may waste as much as a half to a full gallon during the course of a day. Indeed, what a waste!


source: lutongbahay

Feng Shui In The Kitchen

The kitchen is symbolic of wealth and abundance in the home - so keep it clean and organized.

Positive or good chi in the kitchen is a must, considering that it is symbolic of wealth and abundance in the home. How could one improve the kitchen's feng shui vibes? Here are a few tips.

1. Clean the kitchen. The kitchen should be clean and clutter-free. Its cupboards and drawers should be tidy and organized. Although kitchen gadgets are a must, keep them from view unless used as they disturb the flow of positive chi (or energy).

2. Clean the refrigerator. It's not only hygienic, but cleaning the refrigerator is also a must for good chi in the kitchen. Indeed, a sparkling refrigerator is a must as it serves as a receptacle for good chi. As such, be sure to stock it with food and throw away food items that are six months old or older.

3. Choose fresh. Food that is. processed foods have little or no chi to offer humans by way of nourishment. Fresh fruits and veggies are good sources of nourishment and chi. If possible place a bowlful of fruits on the kitchen table.

4. Regarding the stove. The stove should have a wall at its back to provide support. also, it is best to use a stove (if possible) that is powered by natural gas instead of electricity and petroleum. Like the kitchen overall and the refrigerator, the stove should likewise be clean. A special emphasis should be placed on the cleanliness of the stove top.

5. Pots and pans. Pots and pans shouldn't be left out in the open when not in use. Also, try to keep them clean and even sparkling. Leftover food should immediately be placed in containers and kept in storage. Never, ever leave pots and pans with food residue out in the open for vermin to consume. This is bad chi.

6. Plumbing. This is one of the most important aspects of a kitchen that should not be ignored. The plumbing is symbolic of wealth (it holds and distributes water), and extra care and maintenance should be made in keeping it in tiptop shape and condition. It is best to clean pipes once a month with baking soda and vinegar.


source: lutongbahay