Lately, people got confused by the contradiction of alcohol researches. As a conclusion of early studies held by the Australian Wine Research Institute, it’s found that

wine contains elements that are believed to reduce levels of bad cholesterol while boosting good cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart attack [Stuff.co.nz]

However, it’s also known that alcohol is dangerous for the liver because

alcohol metabolism permanently changes liver cell structure, which impairs the liver’s ability to metabolize fats. This explains why heavy drinkers tend to develop fatty livers [healthchecksystems.com]

It’s all your decision to choose whether to drink it or not. So, if you choose to do so, how to consume it wisely?

Well, only if you’re healthy, one drink per day (women) and two drinks (men) per day would be the maximum amount. However, it’s best if you take 2-3 days alcohol free in a week.
Why women’s consumption should be less than men? When entering the stomach, alcohol begins to break down with the dehydrogenase enzyme which reduces the amount of alcohol entering the blood by approximately 20%. Women produce less of the enzyme and as result, they get drunk easily than men.

Previously, I mentioned that you can enjoy alcohol only if you’re healthy. What kind of health anyway? I was referring to non-pregnant women, individuals not addicted to alcohol and not having any health problem.

To enjoy it wisely, try to sip each drink unhurriedly and with food, also consume plenty of water in between drinks.

IMPORTANT: Never drive while drunk!

Hm…let me also add something here…if you’re on a diet program, be careful! It might increase your appetite!

PS: Just a reminder, please read below…some bodily organs you might harm if you consume alcohol unwisely…

organ	disease
liver	fatty liver, hepatitis
heart	high blood pressure, stoke, heart disease
kidney	kidney enlargement, kidney failure

It’s not always easy for people with diabetes to control the food they consume. However, it’s a must.

Actually the easiest thing they can do is simply be a vegan.

By being one, they can avoid consuming meat, egg and milk. They can get the protein their body need from lentils and soybeans.

According to a report of the American Diabetes Association, those who do the vegan diet can lower more blood sugar levels than those who simply follow the standard diabetes diet.

They’re even healthier since the vegan diet helps lower the cholesterol levels and improve their kidney function.

If you wish to taste something yummy yet healthy, the Molasses Oat Bran Cookies recipe from Anna’s blog helps a lot.

Thanks, Anna, for sharing.

Other than soybeans, lentils are legumes with the highest level of protein, 25%. Those who are vegetarians consume lots of lentils to help get the protein.

What are the other things lentils can do to keep you healthy?

• A cup of cooked lentils (100 g) is high in molybdenum that aids in metabolism of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
• Also, a cup of cooked lentils is high in folate, 358 mcg. Besides, it is also rich in magnesium. Both help you reduce risk factors for heart disease.
• Lentils are rich in dietary fiber. They can help support bowel regularity, help maintain normal cholesterol and blood sugar levels and help keep unwanted pounds off.
• The rich fiber content in lentils helps lower levels of both plasma glucose (blood sugar) and insulin (the hormone that helps blood sugar get into cells).
• Lentils are high in iron, plus, unlike red meat (another good source of iron), they are low in fat and calories. Iron is needed by your body to transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells. Besides, it is also part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism.

So, why don’t you get some lentils and prepare them for dinner?

Moose made them into a soup and the soup looks yummy (at least for me, it does, Moose!).

I know, it’s not easy. Yet, you can try these tips of mine that I tried on my son:

• Replace ice cream with non-fat yoghurt, sorbet or sherbet
• Instead of having canned food, get some water, fruit juices or water with lemon slices
• Leave donuts and cakes, get yourself a slice of bread made of oats with home-made fruit jam
• Don’t buy the sugar coated cereal, grab oat cereal instead
• Say no to french fries, say yes to mashed or stewed potato
• Don’t make instant cream soup, instead, make your own spinach soup

The best time to enjoy the freshness of water melon is in a hot day. The liquid fades your thirst away. It even tastes a lot better if you have it cold.

But, you know what…based on a study, the best way to consume water melon is when it’s not cold.

Compared to the one put in the fridge, water melon which is kept in the room temperature contains 139% extra beta-carotene and extra 40% licopene.

After the crop/harvest, nutrition in the water melon keeps increasing until 14-21 days. The cold temperature (around 5°C) stops the nutrition addition process. It even eases the decomposition.

Do you like oatmeal? Are you bored with the way you make this high in fiber food? I think it’s time for you to try my Mom’s recipe on oatmeal.

It’s easy yet yummy!

Oatmeal Pancakes

What to prepare:

• 1 ½ cup of oatmeal
• 2 cups of buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup of flour
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of salt

What to do:

1. Mix the oats with buttermilk
2. Add eggs and other ingredients
3. Cook in a hot frying pan, flip pancakes when they bubble, to brown the other side

Notes:

If you’re watching your sodium intake, you can make them without salt and baking powder

Sometimes, having cold makes you feel that you’re having the worst days ever.

Here are things you can do to make you feel better:

1. Drink lots of water, juices, tea, lemon water with honey, warm soup, or any kind of fluid you like as long as it doesn’t contain alcohol or caffeine.
2. Avoid smoking!
3. Get some chicken soup to help relieve congestion.
4. Grab some vitamin C to reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten the cold’s duration
5. Make sure to keep your room warm.
6. Get rest and avoid work.
7. Soothe your throat by gargling with warm salt water.
8. Use nasal drops to help relieve nasal congestion

Hope these tips can help This Fish Needs a Bicycle.

Ginny once wrote a piece about fasting entitled “It’s Just Not about Food.”

She’s right. According to what the Moslems believe, when they are fasting, it’s not only about giving up food and drink, it’s more like training their soul.

I have mentioned earlier that not only fasting can help their physical health but it also can help their mental health.

By fasting, Moslems are training the soul, learning self-restraint, self-control, and patience. This way, they learn to see life in a more peaceful way. It will end them up to reduce the risk of getting stressed out which will get them to become mentally healthy.

Briefly, just like in other religions, such as Christian or Jew, fasting is always positive in result.