A Key to Beautiful Skin - Wonders of Flaxseed 2

So what is Flaxseed? It is linen seed. Due to its health benefits, it is considered the modern miracle food. Flaxseed contains omega-3 oils, omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium, lecithin, magnesium, fiber, protein, zinc and 50% more omega-3 oils than taking fish oil. It will not be an understatement to say flaxseed is the secret to health and beautiful skin, nails and hair.

The following are part of the benefits of flaxseed:

1. Rich source of omega fatty acids and lignans (a number of studies suggest that lignans are could be helpful cancer fighters).
2. Boosts the immune function.
3. Weight Management.
4. Stabilize hormone levels.

Ground flaxseed with a coffee grinder to break the skin and attain its full benefits. Eating it by itself does not taste very nice, but I suggest mixing it with apple juice or pineapple juice. ?

Two things should be put in mind when consuming flaxseed:

1. Do not heat it. The essential oils with heat turns into harmful ones.
2. Do not grind the seeds and leave it. Grind it everyday fresh. This is because flaxseed becomes oxidized very fast.

Flaxseed should be taken on average one tablespoon a day. For those suffering from eczema, 2-3 large spoonfuls is advised. 

If you are unsure of its effects, consult your physician. Add flaxseed to your diet and enjoy its effect!

For more information:

Flaxseed health benefits

For more flaxseed recipes:

Flaxseed Recipes

A Key to Beautiful Skin - Wonders of Flaxseed 1

For the past year and a half, I have been trying to find a solution for eczema. 

After tons of research, I reached to one very effective method - taking the appropriate vitamins to heal. 

Each person uses up their minerals and vitamins differently. Especially those who suffer from eczema are lacking in Omega 3. Omega 3 is known to improve skin tone, moisturize the skin, and above all decrease inflammation. 

Due to the shift in life styles, the amount of Omega 3 in our diet has decreased tremendously. Instead, the amount of Omega 6 is increasing which is present in oils such as sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil and cotton seed oil.

It will become slightly scientific so bear with me:

Omega 3 contains Alpha-linolenic acid which converts to good eicosanoid. Omega 6 contains linoleic acid which converts to bad eicosanoid. Bad eicosanoid causes blood vessels to narrow, inflammation to increase and hence worsens the eczema.

The ideal proportions for omega 3 and 6 is: 1 Omega 3 : 2 Omega 6 (1:2). However, due to the unhealthy lifestyles, the proportions people are taking has shifted to 1:16 (In the US). 

So what is crucial is to decrease the amount of Omega 6 and and increase the Omega 3 - and hence comes flaxseed. 

Our Amazing Ancestors

                 Picture of Kom Ombo temple taken by me.

This Eid vacation, I had the privilege to tour Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. I knew that Egypt contains thousands of priceless artifacts, but to see them with my own eyes was a completely different experience. The Ancient Egyptians had an empire with highly developed health care, language, living standards and above all religion. Their religion was polytheism, and they beautifully carved their Gods and Kings on the stone walls. 

Some people say the Pharaohs ruled Egypt as dictators. But how could anyone create such a great Kingdom without trust for their Kings and their religion? So what I think is this - they must have truly loved their King and believed strongly in their religion. How could the thousands of hieroglyphs and drawings be carved into the stone walls out of hate? It is way too beautiful. 

However, there is something that disturbs me  -  it is the lack of interest and knowledge the current Egyptians have for their history. It is ironic how soo many egyptians have never been to the Pyramids or other historical places, while millions of foreigners travel thousands of miles to see what we can see in just a few hours drive. This neglect towards our history is extremely disappointing. 

I must repeat again - Egypt has an truly priceless artifact. Because of these artifacts, Egypt’s toursim industry blooms creating a major source of income for the country. The scale of its greatness! Even after the Kingdom fell, the Kings dead, religion replaced and temples buried, our country is being blessed by what the Ancient Egyptians have left us. More respect and gratitude for our history is the least we can do. Perhaps this Eid vacation, reading a book about Ancient Egypt could be a good way to spend your free time. 

More information about Ancient Egyptian History:

Ancient Egypt explanation by the British Museum

Ancient Egypt Video

End of Oprah Winfrey Show!

Oprah announced today the end of her talk show.  She told her audience that after prayer and careful thought "25 years seems right in my bones and right in my spirit". Her last show is to be broadcasted at the end of 2011 season.

Oprah has been a famous talkshow icon not just within U.S but also around the world. Her show has been syndicated to 200 markets throughout US and 140 countries around the world.

What is ultimately attractive about Oprah? It is perhaps her straightforwardness. She lead a difficult childhood, suffered abuse, survived teenage pregnancy, but still over came it all became a television superstar. She has power that generates from within her, words with feelings, and brings about positive outcomes in society that makes her so loved.

In the future, it is assumed that Oprah will be appearing on her personally owned network “The Oprah Winfrey Network.” But for those who are used to watching the “Oprah Winfrey Show” in front of the TV every night - perhaps it will take a little bit of getting used to. 

For more details, visit Oprah's Website:
Live Your Best Life

An Inconvenient Truth - A Must See Movie

We hear a lot about environmental issues but how many of you actually take part in saving it?

Our environment is in a critical situation - ice is melting, tornados are increasing, some are dying from floods while others die from drought. Its been reported that polar bears are actually drowning because the can’t find the ice to swim to. But here is what I think - the environment is in a critical state, but what’s even more disastrous is the attitude of people. 

Its obvious but let me remind you “just knowing doesn’t help.” What we take for granted today may not exist tomorrow. It is our responsibility to save our world and pass it on to the new generation. 

Don’t leave the tap open when you wash your face. Try not to use airconditioning when the weather is cool. Taking action is soo easy, yet WHY DON’T PEOPLE DO IT?

An Inconvenient Truth is a movie/documentary about the dangerous state of our environment. It is presented by Al Gore - who ran for president against George Bush. 

Just 2 hours of your day is enough - watch “An Inconvenient Truth”. 

Carbohydrate Diet - Friend or foe? Part 2

What’s the solution?

From experience I learnt that cutting carbs makes you gloomy, moody and irritated. Therefore, I decided to stop cutting carbs and find my own method. 

After trying out several combinations, I figured out that the best rebound-less diet is to EAT carbs in the following proportions: 

Breakfast: 

Something light:

Toast: yoghurt: fruits

2      :     1      :    1

Lunch: 

salad: main dish: soup: carbs 

   1   :       1     :     1  :   2

Dinner: 

Eat what you want but cut the carbs. 

The main point here is to eat a lot in the AFTERNOON. It keeps you full and energetic during the day.

Last but not least, my main advice is to “take it easy”. Eat chocolate once in a while, stop thinking about what foods to eat to lose weight. Eat healthy and don’t cut carbs.

Carbohydrate Diet - Friend or foe? Part 1

Diet, diet, diet....has anyone considered doing a carbohydrate diet?

Carbohydrate diet is a diet in which you cut all carbohydrates in your daily food intake - no rice, no bread, no potatoes - but unlimited amount of anything that is not a carbohydrate.

Now my point today is “Is Carbohydrate diet a truly successful method of loosing weight?”

I think everyone has heard all sorts of success stories about carbohydrate diet. I for one, heard a first hand success story of this diet. I was talking to my friend one day and apparently he lost 20 kg in just 2 weeks - an amazing number for those who are dreaming about losing weight. 

But the problem starts from here - the horrible REBOUND. Once you start eating carbs again, your body absorbs it vigorously causing weight gain. Furthermore, cutting on carbs causes excess accumulation of fats in the body and lethargy during the day.

Solution in Part 2.