Cheers To Stronger Bones

Wine and beer can help build bones by boosting oestrogen levels, but only if drunk in moderation.

A study published in the American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition suggests that a glass or two of wine or beer everyday could help to keep bones strong.

However, drinking more – and choosing hard liquor instead of wine or beer – may actually weaken bones, Dr Katherine Tucker of Tuffs University in Boston and her colleagues found.

Dr Tucker told Reuters Health that the study saw that the effect of alcohol on bone mineral density was “larger than what we see for any single nutrient, even for calcium. It’s not ambiguous. It’s very clear.”

The researchers investigated how different types of alcohol affected bone density (BMD) in 1,182 men, 1,289 post-menopausal women and 248 pre-menopausal women aged 29 to 86 years.

Men who had a glass or two of wine or beer daily had denser bones than non-drinkers, the researchers found, but those who downed two or more servings of hard liquor a day had significantly lower BMD than the men who drink up to two glasses of liquor daily.

Dr Tucker noted that beer is an excellent source of silicon, a mineral needed for bone health that has become increasingly rare in modern diet.

Beer’s silicon content accounted for at least some of its bone-building effects in men. However, too few women drank beer to draw conclusions about how the mineral affected female bone density.

Beer and wine may be better for people than liquor, she suggested, because they contain potentially beneficial plant substances such as resveratrol, while hard liquor has had most natural substances distilled out of it.

Alcohol may help build bones by boosting oestrogen levels – which is the mechanism that also may account for the increased breast cancer risk seen in women who drink even moderately.

“The main message here is that if you are drinking up to one or two glasses of wine or beer a day, you don’t need to stop for your bones’ sake,” Dr Tucker said. “In fact, it’s helpful.

- The New York Times 

Secrets Of Nature

The lessons in life is contained in Mother Nature. In order to learn and benefit from these lessons, one has to be humble. One has to be calm, one has to put aside his ego and his assumed superiority. Only then can he gain greater ‘insight’ into the invisible realities behind the material appearances of creation.

Our objective senses are limited and can be faulty and do not lead us to the truth of actuality. It would be wiser to appreciate nature with our psychic or inner selves.

We need to attune ourselves with the cosmic life force – listen to the voice of existence flowing through air, water – all things as it silently speaks the language which knows no species, nor the barriers of time and space.

- Listen. Really listen with your psychic ear, can you hear the language spoken by a clear, flowing mountain stream? One can listen with the inner ear to any part of nature, be it an element or a friendly four-footed creature. Be still and know.

- See with the psychic eye. We need our inner light to help and guide us in seeing more clearly in the psychic world. See and appreciate the beauty of mother nature – the flowering of a rose etc…..

- ‘Keeping in touch’. Develop your intuition – your sensitivity, and your compassion. Sensibility is the most important step toward attunement of any form. Every human being wants to protect and is so concerned about his or her feelings that we tend to neglect those of the lower creatures of the earth. 

- Author Unknown 

Joe

              Joe was moderately successful in his career, but as he got older he was increasingly hampered by terrible headaches. When his love life started to suffer, he sought medical help. 

              After being referred from one specialist to another, he finally came across a doctor who can solve the problem. “The good news is I can cure your headaches. The bad news is that it will require castration. You have a very rare condition which causes your testicles to press up against the base of your spine. The pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles.” 

              Joe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He could not concentrate long enough to answer, but decided he had no choice but to go under the knife. 

              When he left the hospital, his mind was clear, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself. As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a different person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life. 

              He walked past a men’s clothing store and thought, “That’s what I need, a new suit.’’ He entered the shop and told the salesman, “I’d like a new suit.’’ 

              The salesman eyed him briefly and said, “Let’s see... size forty four long.’’

              Joe laughed, “That's right, how did you know?” 

              “It’s my job.’’ 

              Joe tried on the suit. It fit perfectly. As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, “How about a new shirt?’’ 

              Joe thought for a moment and then said, “Sure!” 

              The salesman eyed Joe and said, “Let’s see.... thirty four sleeve and...sixteen and a half neck.’’ 

              Joe was surprised, “That’s right, how did you know?”

              “It's my job.’’

              Joe tried on the shirt, and it fit perfectly. As Joe adjusted the collar in the mirror, the salesman asked, “How about new shoes?”

              Joe was on a roll and said, “Sure!’’ 

              The salesman eyed Joe’s feet and said, “Let’s see...nine and a half wide.’’ 

              Joe was astonished, “That’s right, how did you know?”

              “It’s my job.’’

              Joe tried on the shoes and they fit perfectly. Joe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked, “How about a new hat?’’

              Without hesitating, Joe said, “Sure!” 

              The salesman eyed Joe's head and said, “Let’s see. . .seven and five eight inches.’’ 

              Joe was incredulous, “That’s right, how did you know?” 

              “It’s my job.’’ 

              The hat fit perfectly. Joe was feeling great, when the salesman asked, “How about some new underwear?’’ 

              Joe thought for a second and said, “Sure!”

              The salesman stepped back, eyed Joe’s waist and said, “Let’s see...size thirty six.’’ 

              Joe laughed, “No, I’ve worn size thirty four since I was eighteen years old.” 

              The salesman shook his head and said, “You can’t wear a size thirty four. It would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache!”

What Goes Around Comes Around

One day, a man saw an old lady stranded on the side of the road. Even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. 

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry. 

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you. 

He said, 'I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.' 

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. 

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.

Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. 

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, 'And think of me.' 

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight. 

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin. 

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: 'You don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.' 

Under the napkin were four more $100 bills. 

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard.... 

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, 'Every thing's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.' 

Awesome Toilet

This is a picture of a toilet in Houston. The lady is getting ready to enter!


Now that you have seen the outside view, take a look at the inside view…

It’s entirely made of one-way glass. No one can see you from the outside but when you are inside it’s like sitting in a clear glass box!

Now would you … could your… ??

Screening Out Vitamin D

The claim: Sunscreen prevents vitamin D production.

The facts: Dermatologists routinely talk of the need to wear sunscreen. However the body needs sunlight to produce vitamin D, a crucial nutrient.

              So is it possible that wearing sunscreen might interfere with the synthesis of vitamin D?

              Yes. Studies have found that by blocking ultraviolet rays, sunscreen limits the vitamin D we produce.

              A few studies have concluded that the effect is significant – a reduction as great as tenfold. However, more recent, randomised studies that followed people for months - and in some cases years – suggest that the effect is negligible. While sunscreen does hamper vitamin D production, these studies said, it is not enough to cause a deficiency.

              That is because most people typically do not apply enough sunscreen to get its full effects, which in turn allows some sunlight through, said Dr Henry Lim, chairman of dermatology at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology.

              Also, according to the National Institutes of Health, it does not take much sunlight to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D: Perhaps as little as 30 minutes of daytime exposure (without sunscreen) twice a week.

              Dr Lim added that rather than cutting back on sunscreen , people concerned about vitamin D should consume more foods rich in vitamin D, like salmon, milk and fortified orange juice.

The bottom Line: Sunscreen can reduce vitamin D Production but probably not enough to have a significant effect. 

- The New York Times 

Secret Knowledge

There have always been legends and traditions about secret knowledge. At the root of most religions is some form of secret knowledge, a gnosis or inner realization that can be attained and may even be promised.

In secret societies and lodges there is another kind of secret knowledge – words, signs, symbols, and lore – all of which may appear in written form, but have additional meaning that is communicated private. Teachings within these secret societies are better described as private rather than secret.

The naïve searcher for secret knowledge might expect to find some magical fact or formula, something specific and objective that can be grasped and memorized. But the prime characteristic of a gnosis is that it cannot be communicated; it is said to be ineffable. It is a realization that cannot be physically transferred from one person to another. Yet it is attainable, and verifiable, by individual discovery.

Moreover, there are methods and programs leading to this discovery. But such teachings are usually venerated and preserved in private, esoteric societies. Tradition usually includes the idea that this knowledge, and any teachings that lead to its discovery, should be guarded and withheld from unworthy persons. Worthy seekers are inducted and led step by step on the path. Initiatory degrees and rituals in such orders dramatize the steps and foster the discovery.

Yet the big secret is that there is no secret, that this knowledge is really not secret at all! It is there for eyes that can see or ears that can hear. In spite of its supposed secrecy, much of it has been spoken and published very plainly – but still goes undetected.

Consider in this light the many cryptic statements in Christian and other sacred scripture. These statements, too are for the initiated. Without the key, without the personal preliminary development, they remain undeciphered. With the key they are stating, bold statements reflecting a radically different realization. So it is secret only in this strange way, protected by its own arcane nature, and by our lack of development.

It is easy (as in these comments) to continue saying much about such secret knowledge, but this is like talking about water – it does not quench the thirst. It is better to be told, “Here is a path to the spring, where you must learn to drink for yourself.”

- Author Unknown 

The Old Fridge

Some guy bought a new fridge for his house. To get rid of his old fridge, he put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying: 'Free to good home. You want it, you take it.' 

For three days the fridge sat there without even one person looking twice at it. He eventually decided that people were too un-trusting of this deal. It looked too good to be true, so he changed the sign to read: 'Fridge for sale $50.' 

The next day someone stole it.

A Beautiful Story

A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed. 

The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised. 

That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn't sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.

Moral of the story:

Be honest in your dealings. Keep your part of the bargain, and you will be at peace. You will be able to sleep peacefully. But if you don’t keep your part of the bargain, you will keep wondering if the other person is cheating you too!

This applies to all situations in life. 

Forgive And Forget

Sometimes, when we sit back and retrospect, we will realize that there are many occasions when a little forgiveness on our part will have made a lot of difference.

Forgiveness for others as well as for ourselves; We must exonerate ourselves for the unique decisions we’ve made, for the foolish things we’ve said, for the times we’ve let ourselves down, and for the times we’ve let our friends down.

Having past the stage where the fury and anger had long subsided and where our sanity is not being tempered by the irrational and unreasonable haste and actions, we must stop torturing ourselves for our lack of wisdom when we needed it; for our cautiousness when we should have been bold and for our boldness when we should have been cautious.

We must forgive the times when we’ve lost our temper over trifles, failed to stand up for our rights when we should have, stepped on other people’s toes with our insensitive remarks, given in to the inconsiderate egotism that is so much a part of human nature. We must erase our shame over the petty failures or prejudices in our life. We must recognize that there is great sweetness in forgiveness, for it is the balm for the scars of life. Without it there is no quiet room in our mind to escape to for peace; there is only a room jangling with tension.

We must also realize that no one can live creatively if he cannot forgive his own blunders and imperfections. We must understand that as human beings, we are not without faults nor are we perfect; we must see our successes and cherish them as we must see our faults too and forgive them.

It is only by this pragmatic and sober attitude in forgiving ourselves that we can forgive others. No matter who we are, we have been hurt at one time or another. But we must stop holding grudges. It is evident that too many people waste their time obsessed with hatred for those who have hurt them.

We must learn to forgive a parent, a friend or a loved one, for the errors in the past. We must forgive the hurt they have caused us. Forgiveness is part of a process that begins with a hurt and ends, as its final and long-range goal, with the event of reconciliation. It works only when we become aware of the depths and causes of the anger burning in us so that we can forgive whole-heartedly and ensure an enduring peace.

There is usually a pause between the hurt and the time when trust and love can take root again. The ability to forgive can’t be rushed. We owe it to each other to offer time to confront our hurts, to face our wounds head-on, to vent our emotions. Only then can real healing begin.

In the end, all forgivers do the same thing; they restore self-worth to the offender; they cancel a debt; they experience such peace that they lose the urge to retaliate, and live as freer persons, unshackled by the weight of the hurt.

Ultimately, we must forget all these trivialities by living in the present – in TODAY

“To err is human. To forgive divine.”

- Author Unknown