Health

Industries DO Care About the Environment

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:24:27 +0300

On Wednesday the 5th of November, I attended a conference in Doha, Qatar about Environmental Challenges in Gas Production. The annual conference is part of the Gas Processors Association (GPA) of GCC countries. The level of competition between industries to use the most environmentally friendly production methods impressed me. I was happy to see that the technology serves today's industry in a matter that helps increase production, increase revenues and lower environmental damage. Such industries invest a lot money, effort and time in research and studies that contribute in improving the environmental condition in the region by minimizing or eliminating the harmful affects of the industries activities. Many techniques were applied and used like using filters on smoke stacks, but this is a very old approach. Nowadays, researchers talk about technologies that can capture carbon dioxide, a main green house effect gas, that is emitted from factories and then store it in underground storage units. After that, the carbon dioxide can be released in forests where it would be consumed by plants. Plants use photosynthesis to react carbon dioxide with sun light energy and produce energy for the plants and oxygen for the planet. This was one of the new and interesting ideas I learnt in the conference and wanted to share it with everyone, it's called Carbon Capture and Storage CCS.

Treadmill or Vacuum...Both Help Shape Your Body

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:04:56 +0300

When I walk on the treadmill, the machine it self shows me the number of calories I burn as I do the work out. However, I do other activities during the day like cleaning, cooking (rarely) or even vacuuming. I like to know how many calories I burn doing such housework so that I'd feel good about my self in the end of the day. So it's not just that the house is spotless clean, but now you can eat more cookies. I'm just kidding ladies. The link below from Marie Clair's website calculates the amount of calories used during exercises and housework too. This can especially be useful for those of us who couldn't go to the gym for few days or who didn't have time to do their yoga lately. For mothers who are terribly loaded with work, kids and house responsibilities, they can now count some housework as a time to boost their metabolism levels and burn some calories. http://www.marieclaire.com/life/healthy/calculators/calorie-counter

Fish Pedicure

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:49:39 +0300

The latest trend in feet care is the flesh eating fish pedicures. At first the idea might sound weird to you, but don't worry the fish used in this process are toothless. The fish known as the "doctor fish" nibble away at dead skin but doesn't touch the healthy flesh. This is a natural alternative to unsanitary clippers or razors. I really liked the idea of this fish pedicure and I can't wait to try it!

Thinking About LASIK Laser Eye Surgery?

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:28:11 +0300

Have you thought about getting lasik laser eye surgery done? LASIK laser eye operation is turning out to be fairly popular these days. A lot of people are currently thinking about getting laser eye surgery done. You are certainly reading this for the reason that you are one of these people. Are you thinking about doing LASIK eye surgery? Perhaps you are acquainted with someone that had LASIK laser eye surgery done and is satisfied with the outcome. On the other hand, maybe you have heard a lot of pessimistic stuff concerning the practice and are worried about the dangers. Are you worried about altering your eyes permanently by doing laser eye surgery? After following all this info, you might make a decision that you would like to wait until the technology gets better.

Light Your Mind with Exercise

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:38:15 +0300

Memory experts believe the increased oxygen and blood flow that's needed during walking improves circulation to key areas of the brain, which makes it work better. A 30 minute walk three times a week can help in the following:

• Improve word recall

• Think clearly

• Make snappier decisions

• Remember appointments

• Concentrate better

• Be more alert

• Easily juggle multiple metal tasks

• Reduce Alzheimer's risk by 33%

Care For Some Chocolate? Or May Be Not..

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:35:47 +0300

Cadburys Crème Egg 174 cal

Mars Bar 294 cal

Celebrations 36 cal

Kit Kat 106 cal

Snickers 323 cal

Maltesers 183 cal

These are names of some candies and chocolates with the amount of calories they contain. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything. But, just by knowing how much calories that small Kit Kat bar contains, I bet every one of us would think twice before eating it. If you want to know how much calories in anything else you eat, use this calorie counter website:

http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_counter.htm

Rice Benefits

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:32:40 +0300

Rice has been used as food for centuries. Many people consider rice as the main food source, especially in Asia, and now in many parts of the world. Rice has many health benefits and tastes good whether it's steamed or fried. Here are some of the benefits of rice: • Good energy food • Balances blood sugar levels • Antioxidant • Anti-cancer • Lowers cholesterol • Lowers high blood pressure • Relieves constipation So don't worry about gaining weight because of rice. Eat it steamed and eat it in reasonable amounts and you wont gain weight. You'll just get all the vitamins and energy from the rice and live healthier.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:22:05 +0300

Every 20 minutes, 1,200 acres of forest are destroyed, resulting in another species being pushed to extinction and 180,000 tons of CO2 being released into the atmosphere. This creative idea by the WWF helps people realize that the more paper they use, the more they use up the resources of their precious planet. Such idea can hugely increase levels of awareness among people. Let us all use the 3 R principles: Reduce buying or using products like paper and plastics, Reuse those products once you had to buy them, and finally Recycle those products after you are done using them.

Can't Shed Any Tears??

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:53:03 +0300

If you witnessed a very sad incident and everyone around you was crying and you cannot produce a single tear, then don't worry. This doesn't mean that you are a heartless person. You probably just have DES (Dry Eye Syndrome). This syndrome is characterized by a deficiency in the quantity and/or quality of tears. Also, it is noticed that people with DES suffer from symptoms like ocular irritation, dryness, fatigue and visual disturbances. DES can negatively impact ones activities like reading and using the computer. To help reduce the symptoms, DES patients can try some home tips like avoiding dust and using humidifiers to increase the humidity in the room and avoid the eyes to dry out. For more useful tips and information check out this link: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/dry_eye_syndrome/article_em.htm

Sustainability and Elegance in Kitchens and Bathrooms Designs

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:25:51 +0300

Kitchens and Bathrooms are the most reinvented and remodeled rooms in the house. At Kohlers Company, they use recycled and renewable resources from earth like sand, water, clay and iron to create their bathroom and kitchen products. We need to conserve water and reduce its consumption through designing products that do this job like high efficiency flushing systems and electronic faucets. These sustainability targeted methods are what the people at Kohler work on. "As a company, we are committed globally to reducing our consumption of energy and resources in our business" says David Kohler, Group president of the Kohler Company

The Endangered Species Chocolate

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:58:45 +0300

I was shopping for some groceries with a friend today when this candy bar caught my eyes. The Endangered Species Chocolate bar has a green label that reads the following: 10% of net profits donated to help support species, habitat and humanity. This chocolate product tries to send a noble environmental message. The cocoa used is 100% ethically traded, to ensure healthy and just conditions for farmers who grow it. They choose their chocolate in a way that supports sustainable forest farmland and protects the species that live there. On top of all that, this chocolate tasted really good! For more information about this chocolate product visit ChocolateBar.com

Wheat and Oats

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:23:42 +0300

Wheat is one of the world's Primary food crops, and in its whole form is highly nutritious food, offering a good supply of Protein, B Vitamins , and Minerals, including iron, Magnesium , and Manganese. Its also a geat source of Fiber.

Oats have been a traditional staple of the Scots, Irish , Russian and Poles, and whole oats are a prime source of the complex carbohydrates that help to sustain energy, while also offering impressive levels of Selenium, Thiamin, Phosphorus, and Manganese.

World AIDS Day, 1 December 2007

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:19:00 +0300

What dose AIDs stands for?
Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome

What causes AIDs?
It's caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

How is it transmitted from one person to another?

1- The majority of HIV infections are acquired through sexual relations with people who carry HIV .

2- Exposure to infected body fluids.

3- Mother-to-child transmission during the last weeks of pregnancy and at childbirth.

What's the treatment for AIDs?
There is currently no vaccine or cure for HIV or AIDS

What's the red Ribbon represent ?
The Red Ribbon is a symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS.

Some Facts and Numbers :
- AIDS has killed more than 25 million people (Accourding to UNAIDS and the WHO).
-It was first recognized in 1981.
-Between 33.4 and 46 million people currently live with HIV (2006 , UNAIDS)
-In 2005, between 3.4 and 6.2 million people were newly infected and between 2.4 and 3.3 million people with AIDS died, an increase from 2003 and the highest number since 1981.

Prevalence of HIV among adults per country at the end of 2005.

Other Links and sources:
http://www.islamandhivaids.org/
http://www.unaids.org/
http://www.worldaidsday.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS
http://www.aids.org/

Dubai to turn green in 2008

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:40:41 +0300

Dubai: All buildings in Dubai will have to be constructed as per environment-friendly "green building" standards from January, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has instructed in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai.

Owners of residential, commercial and other buildings will have to implement the decision according to the highest international standards that are suitable for Dubai, to maintain a healthy city that follows the global benchmarks in sustainable development and clean environment.

gulfnews.com

Some sobering facts about mobile phones

Sat, 26 May 2007 14:42:22 +0300

I have read interesting facts saying that " The production and disposal of mobile phones and other mobile electronic devices (pagers, PDAs, etc.) presents a growing threat to human health and to the environment. " .Another thing that we already know but never noticed is how many old mobiles in our drawers i already have 4 in my drawer right now !! "There are almost a billion mobile phones waiting to be recycled around the world; either in drawers, or already in the waste stream. Another 130 million or so will be added this year from the US alone. (http://www.rustletheleaf.com/phones.html)