Round Fruits: A Filipino Tradition—and Charm—on New Year’s Eve

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As the current year is about to end in a few days’ time, Filipinos are excited prepping up for the coming of a new one. Apparently, New Year’s Eve is the most festive time of the year in the Philippines. Locals associate the celebration to a lot of things: New Year’s resolutions, firecrackers, firework displays, bright lights, noise-making instruments, polka dots, parties, parades, and reunions.

The celebration of the coming year never goes without some traditions and superstitions.

For many Pinoys, the end of the year is the best time not just to reflect on how life has changed over the year but also to think of the ways to further improve it. Hence, many resort to holding on to traditions and charms with a belief that these help attract good vibes and luck.

In welcoming the “New Year,” Filipino families prepare round fruits on their dining tables. This is with a belief that anything round signifies endless prosperity for the whole family.

How Many?

Preparing round fruits is so easy but there always seems a confusion or a minor problem. Undeniably, each household has varying views on which fruits and how many types of fruits to have.

Ten? Twelve? Or thirteen “lucky” fruits? You decide.

What You Should Have

Regulars:

There may be variations on the kinds of fruits to prepare, but the following are the 12 most common fruits that locals put on their tables:

• Grapes
• Kastanyas
• Chico
• Pear
• Apple
• Orange
• Mango
• Banana
• Melon
• Pomelo
• Pineapple
• Watermelon

Alternatives:

If you are not able to buy any of the above-mentioned fruits or you are not particular with the number of fruits to put on your table, you may also have any of the following alternative fruits:

• Guava
• Dalandan
• Lychee
• Lemon
• Avocado
• Papaya

Each of these “lucky” fruits has its corresponding meaning—something that most Filipinos recognize as showing of Chinese influence.

How Much?

Prices for each of these fruits vary per type and location. One thing is for sure: prices could go up and reach the highest mark as the occasion draws near. The good thing is, you are free to buy the ones that are within your budget.

Thoughts to Ponder

Lucky or not, there’s nothing wrong if we celebrate New Year’s Eve with these circular fruits, regardless of their number. Just always bear in mind that eating these fruits is one good way to stay healthy this festive season.

Just be sure to arrange these fruits well so they will look attractive and mouth-watering once uploaded to your social media accounts!

May we all have a prosperous 2016!

Share your thoughts by writing in the comments section below.

10 Awesome Foods that Help Cleanse and Detoxify Your Body

Ward off the harmful toxins and enjoy the long-lasting benefits of a healthy and clean body from within with the help of these cleansing and detoxifying foods.

1. Yogurt – the ones that contain probiotics supply healthy bacteria that fortify the GI tract’s natural flora, helping digestion and boosting the body’s natural immune responses.

2. Onion and Garlic – they contain powerful antibacterial and immune-boosting properties like flavonoids that stimulate the production of glutathione, one of the liver’s strongest antioxidants.

3. Green Tea – is rich in antioxidants and caffeine that gives diuretic effect. This helps alleviate bloating by counteracting water retention.

4. Broccoli – works with the enzymes in your liver and turns the toxins into something your body can remove easily. They contain sulforaphane that helps prevent cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and allergies.

5. Apples – are high in pectin, a fiber that binds to cholesterol and heavy metals in the body. They help remove toxic build up and the clean the intestines.

6. Cabbage – contains sulfur that is vital in breaking down chemicals and removing them from your body. It also contains indole-3-carbinol, a chemical that boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells.

7. Flaxseeds – are loaded with essential fatty acids like Omega-3s and ensure that toxins are removed properly. It contains fiber that helps to bind and flush toxins from the intestinal tract.

8.  Grapefruit – is a great intestinal and liver detoxifier. It contains pectin fiber that binds to cholesterol and heavy metals and helps escort them out of the body.

9. Almonds – are the best source of Vitamin E in nuts. They are also high in calcium, fiber, magnesium, and usable protein that helps stabilize blood sugar and remove impurities from the bowels.

10. Basil – is great for digestion and detoxification. Aside from antioxidants, it also contains anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer, and antimicrobial properties.

Aside from cleaning and detoxifying your body, these foods also help you shed unwanted body fats the natural way. Have you tried any of these foods? Are they helpful? Share your experiences and help us inspire other people towards a healthy lifestyle.

Top 10 Overweight and Obesity-Related Health Problems

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Besides having an apple-shaped body, being overweight or obese can also cause serious health problems. Due to this fact, the National Nutrition Council (NCC) decided to focus this year’s nutrition month theme on the growing problem of obesity in the Philippines. To help them raise awareness, here are the top 10 obesity-related diseases that you can avoid if you’re healthy.

1. High Blood Pressure – with weight gain and age, blood pressure tends to increase, too. Though the reason obesity is the major cause of high blood pressure is still unknown, research has shown that obese people displayed an increase in blood volume and arterial resistance.

2. Diabetes – insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes and being obese contributes to the development of diabetes by making cells more resistant to the effects of insulin.

3. Heart Disease – aside from coronary heart disease, being obese can also lead to heart failure, a condition in which your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.  

4. Stroke – the risks of having a stroke increases as BMI rises due to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. It causes blood clotting that blocks the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain that causes the stroke.

5. Cancer – obesity increases your chances of having a colon, gallbladder, breast, or endometrial cancer.

6. Infertility – excess fats in your reproductive system can cause menstrual issues and infertility in women.

7. Osteoarthritis – is a condition that occurs if the tissue that protects the joints wears away and extra weight can put more pressure and wear the tissues on your joints.

8. Sleep Apnea – is a sleeping disorder that causes shallow breaths due to the excess fat stored around the neck, narrowing the airway.

9. Skin Infections – obese people tends to have excess skin folds that can be irritated from excess sweating or friction that can lead to skin infections.

10. Gallstones – obese people have a higher chance of having gallstones that are mostly made of cholesterol. It can cause stomach or back pain if not removed.

If you’re obese or overweight, take action! Avoid these health problems by eating healthy food in moderation and exercising.

Rainy Season Warning: Four Common Diseases to Avoid

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We’re on the third quarter of the year and for Filipinos it signals the onset of rainy season. Apart from ongoing schooling and a few school openings, this period of the year also reminds us to take care of our health.

While people may get sick at any time of the year, transmission and acquisition of diseases are prevalent during rainy season. And the most alarming fact: students are very much vulnerable to any type of sickness.

In the current local education setting, it is ironic that students go to school during the rainy season, when cyclones and typhoons often batter the Philippines. This was one of the reasons why a few local universities began shift to international school calendar (September opening) and many proposed the same thing to all of local schools.

Take Care of Yourself

As always, the Department of Health is quick to warn the public against four diseases with high number of cases during rainy season in recent years.

Get to know these health threats and the ways to avoid them.

• Flu

It is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It transfers from an infected person to another through coughing and sneezing. Physical contacts (e.g., handshake) can also spread the virus.

What should you do to avoid it? While getting flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against flu, you can do other healthy yet simple routines: wash your hands often, do not make close contact with sick people, and practice personal hygiene and other good health routines.

• Leptospirosis

It is an infectious bacterial disease caused when urine-contaminated environment (e.g., water, soil, etc.) gains entry to one’s skin and mucous membranes. If left untreated, the disease can lead to one or many more serious illness and even death.

What should you do to avoid it? Do not wade in floodwaters or if you don’t have no other choice but to do it, wear protective gear (e.g., clothing, footwear).

• Waterborne Infections

These are any illness caused by pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., human or animal feces, other fecal material), which contaminated the fresh water, often drinking water. These diseases include cholera, diarrhea, typhoid fever, dysentery, malaria, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis.

What should you do to avoid it? Drink safe potable water, wash your hands often, wash raw foods before cooking them, and do not consume raw foods from roadside.

• Dengue

It is a mosquito-borne disease affecting tropical areas, such as the Philippines and all of Southeast Asian countries. Its symptoms are mild and often mistaken for a flu. This illness can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever.

What should you do to avoid it? Stay away from area where dengue is common, protect your skin by applying mosquito repellent, and destroy mosquito habitat.

Share your thoughts about this article by placing your comments below.

Ways for Students to Avoid Diseases during Schooling

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For many parents, schooling is not always about good things. This is because some parents feel the pressure and anxiety whenever their kids leave their homes to attend classes. Various threats to student’s health are one of the many things that make them so much worried. Indeed, sending a child to school is worrisome and parents should do something to at least lessen their burden.

Of all population groups, children are the most vulnerable to sickness yet the most helpless ones. Ironically, students have much higher risk of acquiring sickness as they are exposed to many people almost every single day. They commute to school, meet a lot of people, play with friends, and study in a confined space. What is even worse is that most students don’t practice precautionary measures to protect themselves from various health dangers.

What are the diseases that students often acquire while schooling?

Most Common Ailments

While school is the best place for learning, it is not the safest of all. In fact, it is home to countless numbers of germs. Below are a few of the many common ailments among students:

1. Cough and colds – These two often come together and are both caused by infection with a virus. Many types of viruses infect students’ throat and nose up to eight times a year.

2. Flu and fever – There are times students have a hard time getting up from bed more often during rainy days. And the culprit? Their cough or colds may had been worsened by another virus. Flu spreads fast among children who have active interaction with other youngsters. Coughing and sneezing produce droplets that are spread in the air and infect other people. When infected, children develop high fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, and joint pains.

3. Foodborne diseases – Most students are not aware that they are eating unhealthful and contaminated foods. This is very risky. As a result, they develop one or many foodborne ailments. These include but are not limited to e. coli, hepatitis A, salmonella infection, typhoid fever, cholera, and diarrhea.

How to Avoid Them

Care about your child’s health. It all starts with proper education to make him aware of how to take care of his health.

Here are some good ways to make your child stay safe and disease-free:

-      Practice good personal hygiene.

-      Drink plenty of water each day.

-      Avoid close contact with people who fell ill.

-      Have enough sleep.

-      Eat healthful foods.

-      Avoid processed foods.

-      Take probiotics.

-      Maintain clean hands.

-      Sanitize all stuff.

    -  Stay home when sick.

Dangers and Health Risks of Penitence during Holy Week

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It is during Lent season when Catholic and Christian faithful perform acts that depict regret and sorrow for wrongdoings. These acts of penance aim for the remission of sins. Some devotees believe that these acts and expressions of repentance will not just cleanse their human and spiritual body but also help cure their illness and even grant their hopes and wishes.

Being one of the largest Catholic nations in the world, the Philippines is home to various activities and traditions performed during the most sacred days of the year—the Holy Week.

Acts of Penitence

How do Filipino devotees reflect during Lenten season? Below are the usual things penitents do to commemorate the life of Jesus on earth:

• Walking barefoot along the streets while whipping the back even if it is already bloodied
• Carrying a heavy wooden cross on the back while walking for long stretches
• Marching for a couple of hours while arms are tied
• Having one’s hands nailed to a standing cross

All these acts are often done with a crown of wire placed on the head of the penitents and are always done under the heat of the sun. Yes, some Filipino faithful do these all in the name of faith and sacrifice.

Are these extreme rites and acts of remorse salutary? Does Holy Week require a bloody ritual?

Good or Bad?

While there’s nothing wrong with doing penitence during Lent, it is still best to stay healthy and well during this season.

In fact, even Catholic bishops and health experts are against these extreme practices.

During the past years, the CBCP strongly expressed their dislike for the reenactment of crucifixion saying that “Jesus Christ already offered His life to save the people from their sins.”

The Department of Health, for their part, discourages crucifixion and self-flagellation and warns penitents that such practices expose them “to infection and other complications that may arise.” Further, such acts may cause permanent damage to affected body parts, tetanus, severe bleeding, dehydration, and even rabies.

As a Filipino Catholic or Christian, will you still endanger your life just to stay true to your religious vow and devotion?

Bear in mind that there are some other options to remember the sacrifices of Christ— in a non-bloody yet more meaningful and solemn way.

MERS-CoV: What People Should Know about It

Photo credit: cdc.gov

People today face much greater challenge in maintaining good health compared to their counterparts a few decades back. This is for a fact that new strains of diseases continue to exist while other known ailments remain incurable. Further, some viruses are believed to have evolved into something worse, which affect the human body and ruin it within a short span of time. Thus, it is important that people be aware of these illnesses and learn how to prevent or treat them.

One of the new threats to human health is the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (or MERS-CoV), a viral illness that originated in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

Know More about It

As of today, the cause of MERS-CoV has yet to be discovered. Some research suggest that it may have come from bats and was transferred to humans. But one thing is for sure: this virus is deadly. In fact, one-third of the total number of patients who fell ill due to MERS-CoV died.

Below are some interesting facts about this viral illness and some helpful information to educate and guide people:

• Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of MERS-CoV are so common that they are often mistaken for some other mild and common ailments. People who acquired the disease developed severe acute respiratory illness, which included cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

• Who Are at Risk?

According to health experts, people who may be at increased risk of developing MERS-CoV include (1) travelers who go to and have gone from the Arabian Peninsula; (2) healthcare staff who do not use safety gear while taking care of the infected patient; (3) people who have close contact with either confirmed case of MERS or ill traveler from the infected region; and (4) people who are exposed to camels.

• Treatment

If you feel you or someone shows the symptoms of MERS-CoV or is suspected of having it, do not self-medicate at home. While there is no known vaccine to cure the infection, it is still better to seek medical care.

• Recent Data

After the first case was reported a few years ago, the virus has since spread to some other countries in different continents. It has reached Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, France, Greece, Egypt, UK, the Philippines, and US, among others. Cases outside the Arabian Peninsula are reported by those who recently traveled there.

• Prevention Tips

Anyone can reduce the risk of acquiring the infection by doing good health routines and hygiene practices.

Let us all unite to fight all kinds of virus to stay healthy.

Best Bodybuilding Foods to Give Your Muscles a Boost

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Have you been working out for a couple of weeks or months and still not seeing the fruit of your hard work? This is really disgusting, especially if you can’t think of what really went wrong with your fitness program. Perhaps, the food that you have been eating are the culprits why you’re not yet reaching your goals for your physique.

Proper diet always comes along with physical activities to gain weight and build muscles. For sure you’d ask yourself which foods you should eat to achieve a well-built body. Read on.

What You Should Eat

If you’re into bodybuilding, try to eat these foods in moderation so you’ll soon get closer to your dream curve and shape.

• Red meat – While light meats (e.g., chicken and turkey) play a vital role in bodybuilding, health experts and fitness buffs alike are one in saying that lean cuts of red meat will work best to improve one’s frame. Red meats are full of protein, a factor in growing human tissues.

• Fish fillet – Seafood varieties are also a good of source of protein. But eating fish can bring a lot of benefits to your body. Fishes, like salmon and tuna, contain amino acids that are easy to digest. They have minerals that support and boost testosterone functions.

• Sweet potato – This root crop is rich in carbohydrates, a good source of energy for you to get going each time you work out. A sweet potato contains nutrients that help you gain weight and build muscles.

• Greek yogurt – This contains high concentration of protein and has no fat.

• Egg – This food is complete with elements that help build minerals and recover muscle. Eggs’ dietary cholesterol does not contribute to high blood cholesterol level. They are easy to digest.

Other Foods to Try

Most bodybuilders also eat these foods: oatmeal, grapes, oyster, cottage cheese, chicken breast, peas, lentils, and butter.

Pieces of Advice

All these foods mentioned above make up a high-performance diet. These will surely give your muscles a boost in no time. Include them in your regimen and soon you can show your hard-earned muscular and chiseled figure!

Do not just consume these foods as you wish. For better results, ask a dietitian for proper consumption and a fitness expert to match your gym routines.

Achieving a well-built body takes time. Hence, you should be patient, determined, and strive hard to fulfill it. This goes along with discipline every time you hit the gym and enter the kitchen.

Dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Self-Help for Relief

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Living with any kind of disease is a terribly hurting experience. What’s worse than this is having a disease that one is not fully aware of his own condition. Yes, this is possible. Your act, which is just normal for you, may be a sign of a disease you have yet to uncover and treat.

Do you wash your hands frequently thinking that it makes you very dirty when you don’t do it? Do you check your light every so often just to make sure it’s turned off, or a liquefied petroleum gas to check if it doesn’t leak? Do you do annoying or disturbing routines that eat up your time and make you feel depressed or dissatisfied even after doing them? If you answer “yes” to any or all of these questions, then you probably have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But take it easy. Don’t freak out as of yet.

Learn more about this disease and get to know how it affects your daily living.

What is OCD?

OCD can either obsession or compulsion or both of them, which involve various thoughts, activities, and fear. According to International OCD Foundation, these obsessions are “thoughts, images, or impulses that occur over and over again and feel outside of the person’s control.” Compulsions, on the other hand, are “are repetitive behaviors or thoughts that a person uses with the intention of neutralizing, counteracting, or making their obsessions go away.”

If you think you have OCD or you have been diagnosed with this type of mental-behavior disorder, you can still cope even without any therapy.

Help Yourself

While you may be showing signs of OCD, there are ways for you to deal with it. Believe it: you can overcome this disease on your own. Find relief toward a stress-free life by replacing your old habits with these new ones:

1. Tell yourself “there is no real danger.” People with OCD tend to act for their “routine” just to be ready for the “perceived” danger. Analyze if this danger really exists or will really happen.
2. Manage your anxiety well.
3. Divert your attention to some other worthwhile things and activities.
4. Think about your obsessions in a more helpful and balanced way.
5. Try to resist the urge that triggers to do your compulsions.
6. Challenge yourself to be “different.”
7. Be brave in facing life’s trials.

Try to heed these tips and you’ll soon find relief and eventually make you think and behave normally as a human being.

The Top 10 Most Weight Loss Friendly Foods on the Planet

Photo © Alan Cleaver

Do you know that there are certain foods that can help you shed the extra pounds? It sounds too good to be true, right? But it’s for real!

The following foods can help you feel full longer, curb cravings, and even kick up your metabolism. So if you want to be healthy and lose those excess fats, take this list when you go to the supermarket:

1. Whole Eggs

Eggs are among the “best foods” you can eat if you need to lose weight. They are nutrient dense and can help you get all the nutrients you need on a calorie-restricted diet. You can find most of the nutrients in the yolks.

2. Salmon

Big and oily fishes like salmon are incredibly healthy. They are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation, known to play a major role in obesity and metabolic disease.

3. Boiled Potatoes

Root vegetables like potato are high in potassium, a nutrient that plays a vital role in blood pressure control. Eating white, boiled potatoes will naturally make you feel full and eat less of other foods.

4. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collards are low in both calories and carbs, but loaded with fiber. They also have calcium that aid fat burning in some studies.

5. Avocados

Avocado is a unique type of fruit. Whereas most fruit is high in carbs, avocados are full of healthy fats that also found in olive oil. They also contain vital nutrients such as potassium and fiber.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Taking this at the same time as a high carb meal can increase feeling of fullness and make people eat 200-275 fewer calories for the rest of the day. It is also known to reduce blood sugar spikes after meals that may lead to long term good effects on health.

7. Quinoa

Quinoa is packed with protein, amino acids, phytosterols, and vitamin E that helps lessen body fat, body weight, and food intake.

8. Honey

Known to be a nutritious alternative to sugar, honey can improve blood sugar control, is a cough suppressant, and boosts immunity.

9. Cocoa

Cocoa contains more antioxidants that can reduce degeneration of aortic arteries and blunts fat deposition. Studies show that a bit of dark chocolate daily strengthens the heart, boosts mood, and keeps skin young.

10. Full-fat Yoghurt

Yoghurt contains probiotic bacteria that can improve the function of your gut, making you leptin resistant, which is the main hormonal driver of obesity.

Easy Ways to Make You Feel and Look Good

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People today look much more stressed out and anxious than ever before. It is ironic, though, that the current generation enjoys the pleasure of using modern tools, which help ease human tasks.

There may be a lot of reasons for such experience of stress and anxiety and these causes vary from one person to another. But it all seems to boil down to lack of healthful daily routines. Yes, people forget to do basic activities that could brighten up the day and make them happy all day long.

Now is the time to bring back those old healthful habits and make a change to the way you live your life.

What to Embrace and Do

In case you forget what these habits are, read on. This article gives tips on how you can improve your lifestyle.

• Utter – Don’t forget to utter your mantra once you wake up. This is the simplest way to start your day right. Your mantra should motivate and guide you toward reaching your daily goal.

• Breathe – Take a few deep breaths to lower stress in the body. This is the essence of being a human.

• Smile – Even if you are going through life’s trials, take time to smile for it is the secret of youthfulness. A smile can attract good vibes.

• Move – Do some stretching or physical exercises. Walk or jog around for a couple of minutes. This releases muscle tensions, relaxes your body parts, and prepares to get you going.

• Drink – Thirst can weaken you. So, drink water, coffee, tea, or milk. The key here is: whatever makes you and your tummy happy, drink a plenty of it.

• Eat – Watch what you eat. Consider the type, quality, and amount of food, as well as your current body mass and health goals.

• Play – Release some sweat to cool you down and cleanse your body system.

• Talk – Find time to talk to anyone—your parent, sibling, friend, or office mate. Share your thoughts and listen to what they say. Socialize with people online and offline.

• Meditate – If time permits, perform yoga. This can recharge your body and refresh your mind.

• Rest – After hours of doing various activities, end your day with something good. Take a rest to restore your energy. Sleep on time. Find the best position so you’ll have a sound sleep.

Things to Quit and Ignore

To achieve a worry-free life, avoid these:

-      Vices and bad habits (smoking cigarettes, taking illegal drugs, drinking alcohol)

-      Laziness

-      Pessimism

Follow these tips, stay focused, and you’ll soon see yourself living life to its fullest.