Small crochet purse

This is a small crochet purse, just big enough to hold my cell, specs & keys. As I just had enough thread left after making a bigger bag, I thought of making this, as once we shift to our new home, it will be handy to carry my cell,keys & specs. It is made from thick thread, just single crochet, from the 2nd row, did it alternately in the front & back loop only in each row to get the ridge effect.

those interested in simple, healthy, vegetarian recipes, you're free to view my blog-
http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

Afghan Square Crochet Bag

This is an 8" square afghan. I made 2, for front & back, made a 2" handle to go all around the bottom & the sides. As I'm bad in stitching, asked a tailor to put the zip, pockets. Made a small design on the top.

Eggplant helps to lower cholesterol & blood pressure

Alzheimer's Disease

Causes & Risk Factors

Age and family history are risk factors for AD.

• As you get older, yoru risk of developing AD goes up. However, developing Alzheimer's disease is not a part of normal aging.
• Having a close blood relative, such as a brother, sister, or parent who developed AD increases your risk.
• Having certain combination of genes for proteins that appear to be abnormal in Alzheimer's disease also increases your risk.

Other risk factors that are not as well proven include:

• Longstanding high blood pressure
• History of head trauma
• Female gender

There are two types of AD -- early onset and late onset.

• In early onset AD, symptoms first appear before age 60. Early onset AD is much less common than late onset. However, it tends to progress rapidly. Early onset disease can run in families. Several genes have been identified.
• Late onset AD, the most common form of the disease, develops in people age 60 and older. Late onset AD may run in some families, but the role of genes is less clear.

The cause of AD is not entirely known, but is thought to include both genetic and environmental factors. A diagnosis of AD is made when certain symptoms are present, and by making sure other causes of dementia are not present.

The only way to know for certain that someone has AD is to examine a sample of their brain tissue after death. The following changes are more common in the brain tissue of people with AD:

• "Neurofibrillary tangles" (twisted fragments of protein within nerve cells that clog up the cell)
• "Neuritic plaques" (abnormal clusters of dead and dying nerve cells, other brain cells, and protein)
• "Senile plaques" (areas where products of dying nerve cells have accumulated around protein).

When nerve cells (neurons) are destroyed, there is a decrease in the chemicals that help nerve cells send messages to one another (called neurotransmitters). As a result, areas of the brain that normally work together become disconnected.

The buildup of aluminum, lead, mercury, and other substances in the brain is no longer believed to be a cause of AD.

Tests & Diagnostics

AD can often be diagnosed through a history and physical exam by a skilled doctor or nurse. A health care provider will take a history, do a physical exam (including a neurological exam), and perform a mental status examination.

Tests may be ordered to help determine whether other medical problems could be causing dementia or making it worse. These conditions include:

• Thyroid disease
• Vitamin deficiency
• Brain tumor
• Stroke
• Intoxication from medication
• Chronic infection
• Anemia
• Severe depression

Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain may be done to look for other causes of dementia, such as a brain tumor or stroke.

• In the early stages of dementia, brain image scans may be normal. In later stages, an MRI may show a decrease in the size of different areas of the brain.
• While the scans do not confirm the diagnosis of AD, they do exclude other causes of dementia (such as stroke and tumor).

Treatments

Unfortunately, there is no cure for AD. The goals in treating AD are to:

• Slow the progression of the disease (although this is difficult to do)
• Manage behavior problems, confusion, sleep problems, and agitation
• Modify the home environment
• Support family members and other caregivers

DRUG TREATMENT

Most drugs used to treat Alzheimer's are aimed at slowing the rate at which symptoms become worse. The benefit from these drugs is often small, and patients and their families may not always notice much of a change.

Patients and caregivers should ask their doctors the following questions about whether and when to use these drugs:

• What are the potential side effects of the medicine and are they worth the risk, given that there will likely be only a small change in behavior or function?
• When is the best time, if any, to use these drugs in the course ofAlzheimer's disease?

Two types of medicine are available:

• Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne, formerly called Reminyl) affect the level of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine. Side effects include indigestion, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and fatigue.
• Memantine (Namenda) is another type of drug approved for treating AD. Possible side effects include agitation or anxiety.

Other medicines may be needed to control aggressive, agitated, or dangerous behaviors. These are usually given in very low doses.

It may be necessary to stop any medications that make confusion worse. Such medicines may include painkillers, cimetidine, central nervous system depressants, antihistamines, sleeping pills, and others. Never change or stop taking any medicines without first talking to your doctor.

SUPPLEMENTS

Many people take folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, and vitamin E. However, there is no strong evidence that taking these vitamins prevents AD or slows the disease once it occurs.

Some people believe that the herb ginkgo biloba prevents or slows the development of dementia. However, high-quality studies have failed to show that this herb lowers the chance of developing dementia. DO NOT use ginkgo if you take blood-thinning medications like warfarin (Coumadin) or a class ofantidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

If you are considering any drugs or supplements, you should talk to your doctor first. Remember that herbs and supplements available over the counter are NOT regulated by the FDA.

Complications

• Loss of ability to function or care for self
• Bedsores, muscle contractures (loss of ability to move joints because of loss of muscle function), infection (particularly urinary tract infections andpneumonia), and other complications related to immobility during end stages of AD
• Falls and broken bones
• Loss of ability to interact
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Failure of body systems
• Harmful or violent behavior toward self or others
• Abuse by an over-stressed caregiver

Prevention

Although there is no proven way to prevent AD, there are some practices that may be worth incorporating into your daily routine, particularly if you have a family history of dementia. Talk to your doctor about any of these approaches, especially those that involve taking a medication or supplement.

• Consume a low-fat diet.
• Eat cold-water fish (like tuna, salmon, and mackerel) rich in omega-3 fatty acids, at least 2 to 3 times per week.
• Reduce your intake of linoleic acid found in margarine, butter, and dairy products.
• Increase antioxidants like carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin C by eating plenty of darkly colored fruits and vegetables.
• Maintain a normal blood pressure.
• Stay mentally and socially active throughout your life.
• Consider taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) likeibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), sulindac (Clinoril), or indomethacin (Indocin). Statin drugs, a class of medications normally used for high cholesterol, may help lower your risk of AD. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of using these medications for prevention.

In addition, early testing of a vaccine against AD is underway.

crochet gift bag 2

this is another small gift bag I made, with simple stitches, that looks like crosses, those who want the design may mail me.

ps- those interested in simple, healthy vegetarian recipes, can view my blog

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

coffee cancer killer !

To fight against cancer, coffee may be one of the most beneficial & surprising weapons. in 8 months, coffee has been linked to lower rates of 4 kinds of cancer.
coffee seems to be anathema to-

endometrial cancer-
women who have several cups of coffee are 25% less likely to develop endometrial cancer than women who don't finish even 1 cup !
dose- at least 4 cups a day.

Prostrate cancer- just weeks ago, new data came in indicating that coffee- high test AND decaf- is particularly effective at shooting off the most dangerous kind of prostrate cancer.

dose- at least 1 ideally up to 6 cups a day with/without caffeine.

Basal cell carcinoma- if cellular trouble has quietly started, caffeinated coffee acts to shut it down.

dose- more than 3 cups a day.

Breast cancer- heavy coffee drinkers have been linked to a lower risk of certain types of breast cancer after menopause.

dose -  at least 5 cups a day. decaf doesn't do it.

Being active is more important than losing weight

Being active is more important than losing weight

Here is why getting your body into gear is more important- Fitness edged out the scale. The fit/fat debate raged for years, until new data hit the news late in 2011. men who stay or get active & fit are almost 40 %  less likely to die than guys who slack off, even if they gain weight. Every increase in fitness level lowers the risk of fatal heart attacks & strokes by 19%. Cutting back on exercise boosts risk 4 times more than gaining a few pounds.

Unless you’re obese, worry less about your weight & more about both getting & staying fit & active. It’s not that excess weight, especially belly fat, isn’t important. But doing something active everyday discourages a build-up of belly fat, reduces stress, improves sleep, sharpens your memory & keeps your body’s systems humming.

Sitting around proved lethal. Strong evidence in 2011 showed that sitting around messes up your blood sugar, blood pressure & cholesterol & causes cancer.

Here are some tips to be active-

1)      Do mini-workouts. Spread your activity into 10 minute chunks throughout the day. Just be sure to do 30 minutes total.

2)      use the buddy system. You keep each other honest & cheer each other on. Plus, walking & talking with a pal naturally blows off stress, another big health booster.

3)      Find an enforcer. Add another layer of support- your Dr. or your partner. Give it 2 weeks, that is how ling it takes your brain to start cementing a new habit.

4)      Whether talking on the phone or cooking, keep moving around. When working in the office, do an extra lap around the office when you get your coffee break. Drag your exercise bike in front of TV.

5)      Clean the kitchen like an aerobics class. Take a 10 minute break every chance you get & walk. That break counts towards your daily exercise goal.

Search like a bee for good memory

Those with the best memory foraging strategies are better at recalling things.

New research finds that people move from one patch of memory to another in a manner similar to that of bees flitting between flowers for pollen or birds searching for berries in bushes. This suggests that people with the best memory foraging strategies are better at recalling items. Be cause of the way human attention has evolved, the scientists wondered if humans use the same strategies to forage in memory. For e.g., when hunting for animals in memory, most people start with a patch of household pets like cat, dog & hamster. But then as this patch becomes depleted, they look elsewhere. They might then alight to another semantically distinct patch like predatory animals.

Scientists asked people to name as many animals as they could in 3 minutes & compared these results with a classic model of optimal foraging, the marginal value theorem, which predicts how long animals will stay in one patch before jumping to another. Researchers said, being able to search memory effectively would be an educational advantage. Here, knowing when to give up one attempted solution & try something new is the question that a good mind must be trained to answer. Simply trying a failing solution repeatedly is like the bird that keeps foraging in the patch, even after all the berries are gone. 

Hypnosis may help children’s stomach problems

Hypnosis may bring lasting relief to some kids with irritable bowel syndrome or chronic stomach pain, a small study suggests. Researchers found that  those who had 6 hypnosis sessions, plus at home “self-hypnosis”, were still doing well five years later. More than 2/3rds were free or mostly free of abdominal pain.

Many people may think of hypnosis as someone waving a watch in front of your eyes, then making you do strange things/ but in medicine, hypnosis is used to help people create relaxing images in their minds to ease pain & anxiety. ‘Gut-directed’  hypnosis therapy may, for instance, suggest images for normalizing bowel function- like picturing a smoothly flowing river.  

How eye sight affects circadian rhythms & other ailments

For decades, scientists have looked for explanations as to why certain conditions occur with age, among them memory loss, s slower reaction time, insomnia & even depression. They’ve scrupulously investigated such suspects as high cholesterol, obesity, heart disease & an inactive lifestyle.

Now research supports largely unrecognized culprit- the ageing of the eye. The gradual yellowing of the lens & the narrowing of the pupil that occur with age disturb the body’s circadian rhythm, contributing to a range of health problems.  As the eyes age, less & less sunlight gets through the lens to reach key cells in the retina that regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, its internal clock.

Circadian rhythms are the cyclical hormonal & physiological processes that rally the body in the morning to tackle the day’s demands & slow it down at night. This internal clock relies on light to function properly & studies have found that people whose circadian rhythms are out of sync, like shift workers, are at greater risk for a no. of ailments, including insomnia, heart disease & cancer.

So-called photoreceptive cells in the retina absorb sunlight & transmit messages to a part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which governs the internal clock. The SCN adjusts the body to the environment by initiating the release of melatonin in the evening & cortisol in the morning. Melatonin is thought to have many health promoting functions & studies have shown that people with low melatonin secretion have a higher incidence of many illnesses.

According to researchers, that by 45, the photoreceptors of the average adult receive 50 % of the light needed to fully stimulate the circadian system. By 55, it dips tp 37 % & by 75 to a mere 17%. Because of these changes, doctors believe that with age, people should make an effort to expose themselves to bright sunlight or bright indoor lighting when they cannot get outdoors. Older adults are at particular risk, because they spend more time indoors.

Healthy Diets: Must-eats for Men

Tomatoes: This popular fruit has many benefits for men. Lycopene (a phytochemical) is known to lower cholesterol, cut risk of colorectal cancer and heart disease. Studies show that men who regularly eat food rich in lycopene have lesser chances of developing prostate cancer.


Brazil Nut: Snacking on nuts in general is good for the heart and skin. Brazil nuts, however, are particularly good for men as they have a high selenium content, which is known to enhance sperm health and motility. Selenium also helps reduce LDL or bad cholesterol and acts as mood enhancer.


Cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprout are some important veggies that every man must include in his diet. These veggies are known to contain cancer-fighting chemicals, which are known to cut risk of prostate and colorectal cancer in men. So add them in plenty in your daily diet.




Eggs: If you’re prone to hair loss, then look no further. Eggs, an excellent source of protein and biotin (vitamin B7) boosts hair growth. Additionally, egg yolks are a good source of iron, which research suggests helps alleviate hair loss caused by anaemia.


Blueberries: Blueberries have been linked to reduced risk of prostate cancer, owing to high levels of proanthocyanidins (a subtype of flavonoids). The benefits of blueberries does not end there, research also suggests that this fruit can reduce risk of heart disease, age-related memory loss and type-2 diabetes — all of which – typically effect more men than women.




Pomegranate: Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and studies show that eating pomegranate regularly can help lower cholesterol, a problem common to many men. Many studies also suggest that drinking a glass of pomegranate juice daily ca slow down the progress of prostate cancer.


Garlic: Garlic’s heart health boosting properties are well known, it helps lower cholesterol, reducing chances of blockage. Further, research findings published in the Journal of National Cancer Institute suggests that regularly eating garlic and onions cuts risk of prostate cancer. So include them in your diet today.


Salmon: Salmon, a sea fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help treat the cause of many common health ailments in men. It not only helps reduce LDL or bad cholesterol, it also helps alleviate depression and cuts risk of prostate and colorectal cancer.


Whole grains: Whole grains pack in a host of vitamins, minerals and fibre – good for both men and women. However, it’s the B vitamins that particularly benefit men. Vitamin B9 (folate) helps keep sperm healthy, vitamin B7 (biotin) helps reduce hair loss. Silica, also found in whole grains aids healthy hair growth.

1. Tomatoes: This popular fruit has many benefits for men. Lycopene (a phytochemical) is known to lower cholesterol, cut risk of colorectal cancer and heart disease. Studies show that men who regularly eat food rich in lycopene have lesser chances of developing prostate cancer.

2. Brazil Nut: Snacking on nuts in general is good for the heart and skin. Brazil nuts, however, are particularly good for men as they have a high selenium content, which is known to enhance sperm health and motility. Selenium also helps reduce LDL or bad cholesterol and acts as mood enhancer.

3. Cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sproutare some important veggies that every man must include in his diet. These veggies are known to contain cancer-fighting chemicals, which are known to cut risk of prostate and colorectal cancer in men. So add them in plenty in your daily diet.

4. Eggs: If you’re prone to hair loss, then look no further. Eggs, an excellent source of protein and biotin (vitamin B7) boosts hair growth. Additionally, egg yolks are a good source of iron, which research suggests helps alleviate hair loss caused by anaemia.

5. Blueberries: Blueberries have been linked to reduced risk of prostate cancer, owing to high levels of proanthocyanidins (a subtype of flavonoids). The benefits of blueberries does not end there, research also suggests that this fruit can reduce risk of heart disease, age-related memory loss and type-2 diabetes — all of which – typically effect more men than women.

1. Cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprout are some important veggies that every man must include in his diet. These veggies are known to contain cancer-fighting chemicals, which are known to cut risk of prostate and colorectal cancer in men. So add them in plenty in your daily diet.

   Cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sproutare some important veggies that every man must include in his diet. These veggies are known to contain cancer-fighting chemicals, which are known to cut risk of prostate and colorectal cancer in men. So add them in plenty in your daily diet.

1. Tomatoes: This popular fruit has many benefits for men. Lycopene (a phytochemical) is known to lower cholesterol, cut risk of colorectal cancer and heart disease. Studies show that men who regularly eat food rich in lycopene have lesser chances of developing prostate cancer.

2. Brazil Nut: Snacking on nuts in general is good for the heart and skin. Brazil nuts, however, are particularly good for men as they have a high selenium content, which is known to enhance sperm health and motility. Selenium also helps reduce LDL or bad cholesterol and acts as mood enhancer.

3. Cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sproutare some important veggies that every man must include in his diet. These veggies are known to contain cancer-fighting chemicals, which are known to cut risk of prostate and colorectal cancer in men. So add them in plenty in your daily diet.

Heart attack symptoms 'different in women and men'

The symptoms of heart attack in womendiffer from that of men as fewer females experience chest pain, a new study has claimed.

Overall men have significantly more heart attacks, but under the age of 55 women are more likely to die from one.

According to a study of more than one million people in the US, without displaying the classic chest pain symptoms of a heart attack, some women may not be getting the right kind of treatment.

The research found that among younger women, those aged under 55, the differences in symptoms with men of the same age were striking.

Overall, 42 percent of women did not experience chest pain compared with 30 percent of men.

Once admitted, the study found that women were more likely to die than men from the same age group.

The study adds to evidence that women can experience quite different symptoms to men.

"Optimal recognition and timely management of myocardial infarction (MI), especially for reducing patient delay in seeking acute medical care, is critical," the BBC quoted the authors of the study as saying.

"The presence of chest pain/discomfort is the hallmark symptom of MI.

"Patients without chest pain/discomfort tend to present later, are treated less aggressively, and have almost twice the short-term mortality compared with those presenting with more typical symptomsof MI," they said.

In fact the average age of women admitted to hospital in the study was 74, compared with 67 for men.

Cathy Ross, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said a heart attack did not necessarily mean dramatic and excruciating chest pains.

"Symptoms vary; for some the pain is severe and yet others may feel nothing more than a mild discomfort or heaviness. The most important thing to remember is if you think you're having a heart attack, call 999," Ross said.

"Younger women may need to heed that advice more than most because they appear to be less likely to have chest pains.

"Their symptoms can be overlooked by inexperienced medical staff because heart attacks in young women are rare.

"More research will hopefully identify why there are such variations in the way heart disease affects men and women," she added.

15 Brilliant Uses for Toothpaste...

Toothpaste: it whitens, brightens, deodorizes, removes stains, and restores and protects enamel. But toothpaste's cleaning capabilities work wonders on many things besides our teeth.    The same ingredients that help polish our pearly whites can also soothe some common ailments, make household items sparkle, and even get rid of stains and pungent smells. Try out these fifteen tricks with a white, non-gel toothpaste (unless otherwise noted), and watch that cavity-fighting, breath-freshening tube of wonder work its magic.    1. Relieve irritation from bug bites, sores, and blisters: These skin irritations all tend to weep and, in the case of bug bites, often itch. Apply a drop of toothpaste to a bug bite or insect sting to stop the itching and decrease any swelling. When applied to sores or blisters, it dries them up, thus allowing the wound to heal faster. It's best when used overnight.    2. Soothe a stinging burn: For minor burns that donot involve an open wound, toothpaste can deliver temporary cooling relief. Apply it delicately to the affected area immediately after a burn develops; it temporarily relieves the sting and prevents the wound from weeping or opening.    3. Decrease the size of a facial blemish: Want to speed up the healing of a zit? Apply a tiny dot of toothpaste to the affected area at night before bed. Wash it off in the morning.    4. Clean up your fingernails: Our teeth are made of enamel, and toothpaste is good for them, so it stands to reason that toothpaste would also be good for our fingernails. For cleaner, shinier, and stronger nails, simply scrub the underneath and tops of fingernails with a toothbrush and toothpaste.    5. Keep hair in place: Gel toothpastes contain the same water-soluble polymers that many hair gels are made of. If you are looking to style and hold an extreme hair creation, try gel toothpaste as your go-to product if you are out of regular hair gel. (This is also a great trick for making baby barrettes stay in place.)    6. Scrub away stinky smells: Garlic, fish, onion, and other pungent foods can permeate the skin cells on our hands. Scrubbing hands and fingertips briefly with toothpaste removes all traces of smelly odors.    7. Remove stains: Toothpaste can make tough stains on both clothing and carpets disappear. For clothes, apply toothpaste directly to the stain and rub briskly until the spot is gone, then wash as usual. (Note that using a whitening toothpaste on colors can sometimes bleach the fabric.) For carpet stains, apply toothpaste to the stain and scrub it with an abrasive brush, then rinse immediately.    8. Spruce up dirty shoes: This tactic works great on running shoes or scuffed-up leather shoes. As with carpet stains, apply toothpaste directly to the dirty or scuffed area, then scrub with a brush and wipe clean.    9. Remove crayon stains on painted walls: Rub a damp cloth with toothpaste gently on the marked-up wall and watch the Crayola marks disappear.    10. Make silver jewelry and other silver pieces sparkle: Rub toothpaste onto jewelry and leave overnight. Wipe clean with a soft cloth in the morning. Make diamonds shine by giving them a gentle scrub using a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a little water. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of toothpaste. Do not use this method on pearls, as it will damage their finish  11. Remove scratches on DVD's and CD's. This remedy has been use with mixed success rates. But it seems to work fairly well on shallow scratches and smudges.  Apply thin coating of toothpaste to the disc and rub gently, then rinse clean. 12. Tidy up piano keys before tickling them. Piano keys retain oil from the skin, which then attaracts dust and dirt.  Clan away grime gently with damp. lint-free cloth and toothpaste; after rubbing in the toothpaste, wipe the keys clean with a second lint-free cloth. 13. Deodorize baby bottles: if baby bottles develop a sour-milk smell, a good cleaning with some toothpaste and a bottle scrubber will clean away residue and deodorize. Always make sure to rinse well. 14. Remove the burned crust on irons: for those of you who still use an iron, you may find that after time, the plate of the iron develops a burned crust.  The silica in toothpaste gently grinds away this rusty - looking layer. 15. Defog goggles. ; Scuba divers, swimmers and triathletes may already know about this handy little trick.  Rub a smell spot of toothpaste into each legs of your goggles.  Then rinse thoroughly and voila!  There'll be no need to ever buy expensive defogger and gets again.  Avoid rubbing too vigorously, though, as the abrasive ingredients in toothpaste could scratch the lenses.              ps- pl. consult your doctors while using for skin problems etc. __._,_.___

Night shifts can lead to diabetes

As more & more places stay open 24/7, night work is an economic fact of life for many people. But the body doesn’t like having its sleep/wake clock ignored. Women have more trouble with this than men. It’s well known that steady night workers are more vulnerable to type 2 diabetes & obesity, but new research indicates that both also are true for women who work even a few rotating night shifts. Probably the most important goal is to get 7-8 hours of sleep, no matter what & to exercise everyday, even if you’re beat. Both are critical for health & both help to keep your energy up & weight down. Yet the hardest part can be falling asleep at dawn.

 Some tips-

Avoid caffeine in the 2^nd half of your shift.

If it’s bright outside when you head home, wear dark sunglasses door to door so sunlight can’t activate your internal “wake-up” clock.

When you get home, have at most a light snack, so digestion won’t keep you awake, relax a bit, then go to bed & get a good day’s sleep.