Sunny Health

This is a strange resolution to make, but in 2017, I have decided that I want to be more prudent with the cleanliness of my smart phone. After all, smart phones are more contaminated than an office toilet seat, and even tablets, even more so than smart phones! According to the study by British company Which, one particularly dirty tablet was found to have 600 units of Staphylococcus aureus, commonly referred to as staph infection. This bacteria can cause a variety of diseases, including food poisoning and toxic infection. 600 units is a risky amount and would have been prohibited on a food handler. Yet many of us dine with our dirty phones at our finger tips!

Each day, our hands touch many surfaces that numerous people have also touched, leading to an exchange of germs. Some of us may clean our hands, but we don't think of cleaning our phones, and when we touch them, our hands get dirty again. Furthermore, bacteria thrive in warm places. Our phones are warm, and we keep them in warm, dark places like in our bags or pockets. Little wonder that they are a hotbed for bacteria.

Japanese mobile giant NTT Docomo recognises the potential severity of the situation, and has sponsored toilet paper at the Narita International Airport which can be used to disinfect your phone. If you visit the airport from now until March next year, you will see it installed in seven bathrooms.

But of course, maintaining the cleanliness of your phone should not stop at a one-time wipe in the bathroom.
To prevent your phone from turning into a further health hazard (as if all that talk about radiation isn't bad enough), you should clean it everyday, and if you're a heavy user, then a few times a day.

You can use a soft, slightly damp/moisturised lint-free cloth to wipe your phone, then use a dry lint-free cloth to dry it. Be careful not to get water or dampness into the openings on your phone. Alternatively, you can also purchase screen wipes made for phones. Alcohol-based cleaners, though effective for general hygiene, are not recommended, particularly for Apple products, as Apple has said that iPads and iPhones are susceptible to damage by alcohol.

Aside from cleaning your phone, practise good personal hygiene by not using your phone while on the potty. Surely you aren't going to miss much during those few minutes that are not spent looking at your phone. Refrain from touching your phone when eating. It's bad manners to do so anyway if you're eating with someone. If you must look at your phone, then be sure to have tissue or hand sanitiser with you, which you can use to clean your hands after touching your phone.

Good sanitation habits go a long way. Make them a part of your life as you start the new year.

Have a healthy 2017!

The end of the year is just round the corner. There is so much to do and so many appointments to tend to! If you have a poor memory or poor organisational skills, this will be a trying time as you try to remember all your appointments, meetings, names of new people you meet, to-do lists for the year end holidays and Christmas shopping lists!

Having a good memory is not just crucial for Christmas. The ability to store, retain and recall information is one of the most important aspects of success. If you can’t even remember to do something or how to do something, you may unintentionally miss many opportunities, which would be a great pity.

Poor memory isn't something that can be quickly treated by medicines, but you can improve your memory and focus by making some dietary and lifestyle alterations.
Having sufficient sleep are crucial to allow your brain cells to rest and repair. Regular exercise increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Whether you’re studying, working or trying to juggle life’s many demands, sleep deprivation is a recipe for disaster. Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep daily to promote learning and memory consolidation.

Six types of food that can boost your brain power:

• Salmon: A great source of healthy fats that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It is expensive, but for good reason. Not only is it good for your brain, it also improves your mood, fights depression and gives you glowing radiant skin!
• Olive oil: This healthy oil is rich in vitamins A, D, E and K. It has a compound called oleocanthal, which helps your synapses function smoothly, preventing nerve cell damage often associated with Alzheimer’s.
• Berries: Both blueberries and blackberries are rich in antioxidant polyphenols that help boost brain cell function and prevent memory loss. They increase brain energy production and keeps your brain youthful!
• Greens: Vegetables such as celery contain luteolin, an antioxidant that helps tame brain inflammation. Broccoli is rich in folic acid, which contributes to better memory and faster information processing.
• Whole grains: They’re full of fiber and antioxidants, especially Vitamins B to E. Whole grain cereal are also rich in folic acid.
• Chocolate: This sweet treat comes with antioxidants known as polyphenols, which increases blood flow to your brain, hence triggering growth of new blood vessels and brain cells.

As the year-end draws near, your social media feed will likely be filled with pictures of happy couples, families and groups of friends enjoying the festivities, parties, travels plans and pictures, new purchases and so forth. On the other hand, some people will be having a quiet holiday, by choice or not, and that can also be very pleasant and enjoyable. But when comparison kicks in and the green-eyed monster rears its head, it is difficult to shake off feelings of jealousy and unhappiness. And stewing in such negative thoughts can be unhealthy for your emotional wellness and ruin your holiday.

This problem is so real that looking up Facebook and depression will bring up many articles, both personal and scientific. An article on Forbes referred to a new study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, which indicates that Facebook and depressive symptoms go hand-in-hand, and this is due to Social comparison.

Social comparison is by no means a new phenomenon. Contentment is the crux to being happy, but people are never content because they compare. Social media is not quite the main reason here, because as long as you exposed yourself to others and had the tendency to draw comparisons, you might find something to feel inadequate about. Of course, social media makes it easier because it gives you more exposure about other people’s lives.

Ceasing the use of social media is a popular recommendation, but in these days when social media is becoming increasingly relevant for other important things aside from just social interaction, it is difficult to simply cut off usage of it. Moreover, learning to cope with these feelings of jealousy would take one further than simply cutting away the source.

First of all, it is human nature for one to present to others the “highlights” of their lives. Just like how they would only post their best moments of their life on social media. They may be dealing with other problems, problems worst than yours, that you would not know about unless you’re very close to said person. They posted about their successful party, but you never knew how much effort they put into, how many weekends they burnt, to achieve the right to brag about it. They posted lovey dovey couple pictures, but they don’t tell you about the arguments they had, the hard work they invested to keep their relationship smooth-sailing. They posted their latest travel pictures, but they skipped the part about their falling out with the travel buddy.  There are multiple sides to a person, and you are often just shown the side they want you to believe about them. And therefore, this leaves your comparisons and concerns with little basis.


On a related note, Facebook has altered its algorithm such that the most popular posts are higher up on your feed. Instagram has announced plans to do this as well and is integrating this function in gradual changes. Twitter has long had the function to toggle between top posts and all posts. That would be the answer to why some of your social media friends may have more likes on their posts than you do. In fact, there are countless other posts with no likes buried at the bottom of the feed.

Next, think about why this person is your friend, on Facebook and in real life. Think about their redeeming qualities. Perhaps they are really pleasant and generous, and that’s why they have so many friends and their posts get an insane amount of likes. Perhaps they work really hard, and that’s how they afford all those new purchases. If this person is friend or family, then you should be happy for their achievements. However, if you have no idea why this person is your friend, or you don’t actually like that person and their existence on your social media feed only causes you misery, well, the “unfollow” button is just one click away. (On facebook, you can stop seeing someone on your feed without unfriending them). Being able to walk away from toxic people in your life is an invaluable ability too.



Appreciate the things you already have. Yes this is clichéd, but it is one of the best ways to counter envy, and it is often neglected. You might envy your friend for having the means to spend Christmas in Europe, while you’ll be spending it alone at home. Now think about the homeless people in Europe who will be spending what could possibly be their last Christmas out in the freezing streets.

That is not to say that you should strive for something you deem to be better. But if any comparison should be done, then make it against your old self, and think about how you can improve. Did I save more money than last year? I want to buy that new gadget, what can I do to get enough funds for it? I want to have a boyfriend/girlfriend. I should go out and join some interest groups instead of stewing in misery in front of my computer screen wondering why no one wants to date me.

And if you’re in fact, happy with what you already have, before making comparisons, then ask yourself what makes you happy about your situation, and recall these reasons when you start feeling jealous about someone else’s situation. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Social media broadens your world, but ironically, it also narrows your perspectives. So don’t stalk your friends online all the time. Empower yourself with knowledge about what’s going on around you and far beyond. Pick up some new skills – knowing something new is always a confidence booster. Read more. Empower yourself with knowledge. As your world gets bigger, you will soon realise that in the grand scheme of things, your jealousy is unfounded.

Having a good relationship with your family is important. Not only does it make life at home more interesting and fun, it is also good for health. If you have people close to you whom you can depend on in times of trouble and sickness, you can cope with your problems more easily, and are less likely to fall into depression. You also tend to be happier, and as we all know, happiness is a solution to longevity and good health.

Yet these days, the youngsters tend to prefer spending holidays with their friends and significant others. They would do dinners and count down parties outside of home, while parents consider the holiday a well-earned rest. But the holiday season is the best time for family get-togethers as it is a rare time when everybody gets time off work or school. It would be such a waste not to spend this precious free time together!

Parents may perhaps attribute this lack of interest to celebrate holidays with family to generation gaps and differing interests. Indeed, few parents would like to go to the foam party or clubbing with their children. But regardless of generation gap, family members should enjoy their time together and have strong bonds with each other. If you find yourself leading your life separately from your children, the problem may be more of a lack of communication than an age gap, and you should consider ways to mend the gap.

Here are some ideas to get you started!

1.      Studies have shown that children who regularly eat dinner with their parents have bigger vocabularies, earn better grades, are less likely to do drugs and less likely to be overweight than children who don’t. This is because they adopt interaction skills from their parents, as well as enjoy their parents' attention. Start making family dinners compulsory from the start of the holidays!

2.      The family that plays together stays together. If dinner is usually followed by the television, laptop and telephone, it’s time to pull the plug. There are board games and card games for every age and temperament, as well as creative games like charades and active games like Twister. Teenagers may groan, but which are they more likely to look back on nostalgically, the time spent staring at their playstation or defeating mum overwhelmingly at Monopoly?

3.       There is one common saying that every parent knows, "time flies". The baby you held yesterday has become an adolescent, and will be on his/ her own before you know it. You can’t catch time in a bottle, but you can watch it go. Don't spend all your time at work, or all your time in the kitchen. Set aside some time every night to interact with your child.     

4.        Give yourselves the gift of time. While all sorts of entertainment are available these days, from movies to theme parks, it is often time spent relaxing at home and doing activities together that we remember most fondly. Set aside some regular time with each other. Just one day per week or per month when the entire family says no to other commitments and just hang out together.

This year, arrange an interesting family activity for countdown night. Have a movie marathon at home, play card games and board games, game together as a family, go to Marina Bay to catch the fire works, just to name a few. Time passes quickly, and it helps to retain beautiful memories whenever you can.

Our nails pay an important role in making an impression as their condition give subtle messages to about us. Poorly-groomed nails suggest that we are perhaps not very meticulous in our work.
Even if you’re donning a neatly pressed outfit, matching shoes and stylish bags, topped off with immaculate make-up, ugly nails can ruin your image, in the same way that brownish teeth of a habitual smoker does.
Unfortunately, we tend to neglect that our nails require daily care. As such, nails get uneven and dry cuticles and dirt accumulate, passing off the message that we’re dirty and untidy, regardless of how gorgeous our outfit can be.
Hence, many women and some men are turning to manicure and pedicure parlours to beautify their hands and feet, or purchasing DIY kits for trimming cuticles and applying nail polish. However, by directly exposing our nails to so many chemicals, our nails weaken over time, breaking, peeling or in the worst case scenario, to dropping off completely!
What exactly makes up a nail? Well, a nail is a hardened form of protein that protects the nail bed and enhances the sensibility of our fingertips.
Physical damage done to our nails through constant usage of nail polish or interaction with strong chemicals like washing detergents can lead to peeling of our nails. Chemicals like washing detergents, nail polish removers, nail polish and nail glue contain acetone that can dry out our nails, leaving them brittle.
More importantly, damaged, discoloured nails suggest heath problems. We must pay attention to our nails to  ensure that we are in the pink of health.

The flesh under our nails are by nature pinkish. Very pale nails may be a sign of illness, such as:
• Anaemia
• Congestive heart failure
• Liver disease
• Malnutrition

One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate more serious conditions such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.


If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Discoloration of the nail is common; the skin under the nail can seem reddish-brown.

Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.



Dark lines beneath the nail should be investigated as soon as possible. They are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.


While you may think nothing about habitual nail biting, it could be a sign of persistent anxiety that could benefit from treatment. Nail biting and picking have also been linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you can't stop, you should see a doctor.



Women who work most of the time with their hands and feet soaked in water and detergents are more likely to get infected with green nails.While it poses no immediate hazard, it can lead to swelling and pain, and damage to the nail. Fortunately, this isn't hard to get rid of. You can go to the pharmacy to get a precription in the form of creams and solutions to apply over it. A vinegar is also a commonly recommended home remedy for mild infections, which involves you soaking the infected nails in apple cider vinegar for a few minutes daily. However, if you see no improvement in your condition, do seek professional help.

Nail problems should not be ignored.  Many people take to nail polish or manicures to cover up discoloured or cracked nails. This is wrong as you may worsen the problem with the chemicals. Remember, beauty comes from within too. Hiding the problem does not make it go away. See a doctor if you must to set it right.

Written By: Veronica Tay

Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/peeling-fingernails/
http://skincare.about.com/od/skincarefaqs/f/PeelingNails.htm
http://dermatology.about.com/cs/nailanatomy/a/nailanatomy.htm

Unemployment without reliable source of alternative income is a state of life that most would dread to find themselves in. Nonetheless, that does not mean that you should sulk and gripe and get all anxious at finding a new job, because you may well worsen your situation.

According to an ongoing health and retirement survey partly sponsored by the National Institute on Aging in the US, joblessness has been linked with heart attacks in older workers. Multiple job losses can be as threatening as smoking, high blood pressure and other related heart problems. The rationale is that the worry and anxiety that comes with the loss of jobs and income creates stress for the heart. With rising health care costs and the world economy still in the doldrums, health problems stemming from unemployment may become a serious and prevalent problem.

Medical bills are the last thing you want to add on to your situation, so chin up! Here are some ideas on keeping your spirits up as the search for a new job goes on.

Continue your usual routine

This means no waking up in the middle of the day or lounging around in smelly pajamas. Do what you did while you had a work schedule to keep to. Get up early in the morning, go for a jog, take a shower and have a hearty breakfast. Consider this as one of the benefits of your current predicament – having the luxury of time to get your life in order, eat healthily and exercise. Then go about with your job hunting. Do also take some time out to do some chores; relief your spouse of some housework and make yourself feel useful. Set aside some time to do something constructive and significant to your field of work to keep abreast with times, such as reading up on relevant issues.

Upgrade your skills

If you have savings, upgrade your skills to boost your value, or even learn new skills to make a career change. WDA has many subsidized schemes, while UniSIM has a variety of post-graduate courses with flexible timings that you may continue with even after you’ve regained employment. You can even head to your nearest community centre to inquire about courses that you always wanted to do but never found time to.

Have fun

Don’t feel guilty because you’re unemployed. Like everyone else, you deserve some entertainment after a day of job seeking. Reward yourself for dutifully writing and rewriting your resume for different employers. Watch television, view some funny youtube videos, play with the children (if you have them), take a walk in the park, go out on a date with the other half to the supermarket… There are lots you can do to keep the depression bug away without spending a lot.

Exercise

Long hours of staying at home can cause you to feel lethargic. Your body also requires sufficient exposure to the morning sun or you will lack Vitamin D. Jog around your estate, go to the gym. Exercise relieves stress and motivates you while keeping you in good shape.

Turn to family and friends for support

Singaporeans, especially the Chinese, tend to associate unemployment with shame and having ‘no face’, which is really an undesirable mentality. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen a drama show a dejected man who just got fired, acting as though everything is savvy in front of his family members and even staying out the whole day. The really wise thing to do is to come clean with your family, and start budgeting and making plans for a tighter wallet. This is also a good chance to instill in your children the importance of saving for a rainy day.

Keep in touch with your friends; they may have job opportunities for you. Consider going online to seek support from local self-help groups. There’s bound to be a suitable Facebook group out there to join. Seek camaraderie. Ask for recommendations. Let off some steam by sharing your problems. But don’t whine continuously about your misfortune. Negative thoughts are a waste of time.

Volunteer

Spend some time helping the less fortunate. This will give you something meaningful to while your time away with. In addition, when you compare their problems to yours, you’ll put things in perspective and feel that unemployment is nothing to get worked up about.

Sell things you don’t need

Give your house a good tidying up. Compile the things you don’t need, and list them for sale on Ebay, or rent a flea market stall to hawk them. There are lots of flea markets held all over Singapore over the weekends that come with affordable rental fees. This may bring in extra income while you do something productive.

Remember, when your mental and physical health are in good shape, you'll be able to tackle those interviews more easily!

The year end is rainy and cold, and in low temperatures, it is when the flu bug comes out to play. Influenza isn't caused by the drop in temperatures. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the flu virus forms an outer coating in cold weather than enables it to fly through air. And as influenza is an air-bourne disease, this propagates the virus to spread more easily and inhaled by people. It is also theorised that people spend more time indoors due to the cold and rain, and that increases human contact with each other and thus, the spread of germs.

These days, perhaps due to poor lifestyle habits that lead to poor immune system, or flu viruses getting more resilient than before, a patient can be plagued by the virus for up to 3 to 4 weeks. Imagine feeling lethargic, having achy muscles and headaches for almost a month! It's certainly not something you want to experience in the upcoming holiday season.

Flu spreads easily through social contact, so one of the key things is to avoid close contact with people who are down with the flu. Sharing food and dining utensils, along with any other actions that could result in the exchange of saliva, are almost sure ways to contract the flu virus.

The virus spreads through air and transitional surface contact as well. Washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces (e.g. canteen table top, door knob, lift button, ATM machine) helps reduce direct exposure to the virus.

If you have to visit the hospital or take someone to the clinic, wear a mask, practise good hygiene habits and change your clothes and take a bath when you get home.

Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth where the virus is able to enter your body directly.

Strengthen your immune system. Get sufficient sleep, drink lots of water, consume healthy food like fruits and vegetables, exercise and manage your stress. People who are prone to stress tend to have a weaker immune system.

If you have to be in close contact with sick people e.g. family member or colleague, encourage to practise good habits, such as wearing a face mask to avoid the spread of saliva. They should cough and sneeze into a tissue, and dispose the tissue properly.

Consider antiviral medication, especially if you generally have a weaker immune system. Tamiflu and Relenza are prescription-only medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza. With school holidays coming up, you definitely want to consider packing some for your trip!

Increased risk in developing type 2 diabetes.
According to a research in Canada, the probability is more than twice as high, compared to those who sleep regular hours (7 to 8 hours)

Greater risk of obesity
It has been indicated in a published journal that people who get more than eight hours of sleep increase their risk of obesity by 21 percent.

Back pain
It is difficult to maintain the same, recommended position when you’re sleeping. The longer you lie in bed, the more likely you may subject your spinal cord to some unhealthy positions. Additionally, you need to maintain a certain level of activity to keep aches and pains at bay, and sleeping doesn't help with that, especially if you’re pressing down on your spinal cord for long hours.

Headaches
This could be due to disturbances to neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin. Serotonin has been known to play a role in causing migraines. It is also known to worsen depression, which brings us to the next point.

Worsening of depression
According to a study in Germany, about 15 percent of people suffering from depression tend to oversleep. Oversleeping may or may not have a causal relationship with depression, but escaping problems via sleeping certainly does no favours but only prolongs the problem.

Greater risk of heart disease
According to a research done at the Chicago Medical School, people who sleep more than the required eight hours have a greater tendency to contract heart disease. They are also twice as likely to develop chest pain.

Earlier onset of Alzheimer’s disease
Why does one oversleep?
For many of us in Singapore, clocking in 7 to 8 hours sleep is probably a luxury. But there are still instances when some people do sleep longer than the recommended hours. Alcohol, certain medications and depression can cause oversleeping. During stress and sickness, one also has a greater tendency to feel lethargic and want to hit the bed for comfort. It is not too troubling if the tendency to oversleep is confined during the period of medication, or the few nights when one goes drinking. However, if it is becoming an enduring habit, the doctor’s advice will have to be sought.

It is also a common conception that old people need more sleep. It may seem that they need more sleep because it is more difficult for them to fall asleep or sleep restfully throughout the night, and because they have less strength and may feel a need to rest more. But like everyone regular teenager and adult, they should only need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each day.

Some people may have legitimate reasons for having to sleep long hours each day. There is a medical disorder known as hypersomnia, in which the sufferer experiences extreme sleepiness through the day, and napping doesn’t help. Those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea may also need more sleep because the disorder, whereby they stop breathing momentarily during sleep, disturbs their normal sleep cycle.
If you’re sleeping longer than 7 – 8 hours and have no reason for it, or have a medical condition that makes your sleep pattern unusual, do be sure to get yourself checked by the doctor! Just as it is important to ensure that you get sufficient sleep, it is also important that you don’t get too much sleep!

Sources:
http://www.businessinsider.com/heath-hazards-of-oversleeping-2012-10?IR=T
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/17/sleep-alzheimers-brain-memory_n_1677754.html
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/physical-side-effects-oversleeping
http://menshealth.intoday.in/story/What-happens-when-I-oversleep/0/2941.html

Brown rice is a healthier option and often recommended for people with chronic health problems like diabetes and high cholesterol. Rice itself is very nutritious and filled with goodness like proteins, calcium, potassium, fibre and more. However, white rice is processed rice and in a bit to make it taste smoother and softer, it has been refined and stripped of many of these. Brown rice on the other hand, is unrefined rice. It is also strongly recommended for diabetic patients due to its low glycemic rating which reduces insulin spikes.

In Singapore, brown rice remains an uncommon option for restaurants and store-bought food. This is because it is a little bland compared to white rice which is sweeter, tougher and therefore takes longer to cook, and is more expensive. For places where there is the option to change white rice to brown rice, you almost always have to pay an additional $0.30. This could add up in the long run.

A more economical way to enjoy the benefits of brown rice is to incorporate it in home-cooked meals. For starters, brown rice obviously tastes better when properly cooked. It’s a little more complicated than white rice, but absolutely worth it. For 3 servings of cooked rice, use 1 cup of uncooked brown rice, 2 ½ cups of water and a little salt. Bring it to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 40 to 50 minutes until the water is absorbed and the rice is soft. Turn off the heat and leave the rice in the pan to simmer for five minutes. Don’t forget to fluff with a fork before serving.

If this sounds too tedious to do everyday, don’t worry, because cooked rice freezes well, and can be freezed for up to 6 months! Just reheat it in the rice cooker or even the microwave and you’re good. So feel free to cook a week’s supply and leave it in the freezer on weekends.

Mooncakes are a staple of the Mid-Autumn festival and you can expected to be gifted them, or be invited to have some at almost every gathering involving Chinese friends or family. Did you know that a double-yolk moon cake contains about 1000 calories? That’s about the equivalent of two full meals and half the calories you’ll need in a day! Furthermore, it is rich in unhealthy ingredients like sugar, and salted egg yolks are high in sodium.

Although many Chinese would consider the consumption, exchange and gifting of mooncakes as a necessity, you can do your visitors and giftees a favour by making some conscientious choices.

There are three main types of mooncake – baked, snowskin and flaky crust. Baked and snowskin are the less sinful options. The flaky crust mooncake is made by rolling alternate layers of oily dough and flour that have been fried in oil.

For those with diabetes and high cholesterol, and those who are overweight, choose low or no sugar moon cakes wherever possible to minimise calorie intake. Skip the salted egg yolks. Vegetarian options tend to be healthier due to the use of vegetable oil. Do not be taken in by supposedly healthier flavours like green tea. Flavourings create the taste of green tea, but don't expect to find the healthy benefits of green tea in it.

Check the shelf life of the mooncake. Usually, the longer the shelf life, the more transfat, sugar or preservatives it would contain. Try to sample the mooncake before buying. The smoother and softer the mooncake skin or paste is, the more fat it has.

When serving the mooncake, cut it into 8 pieces. Each piece would come up to about 100 calories, which is not so bad. Drink something filling, like milk with it, and you will resist the urge for multiple helpings.
Many are under the misconception that drinking tea can help to “wash the oil and fats away” and is therefore the best drink to go with your mooncake. It does indeed get rid of the greasy feeling in your mouth so that you feel more refreshed. Unfortunately, it also makes you feel less guilty and ready to eat more!

Fruits do aid with digestion (though it doesn’t reduce your calorie intake). Pomelo is one such fruit and therefore, it is always eaten with moon cakes. It's lightly sweet and sour taste makes it the perfect companion to the heavy, greasy mooncake.

Eating at night is also a recipe for putting on weight, and drinking tea might keep you up. So while supper is usually a popular time for mooncake, try to not to have it too late. The key is to practise moderation and don't overindulge because of the festive season. Otherwise you may find yourself with more issues than gaining some pounds!

Most of us consider chocolate to be a guilty pleasure, but in recent years, chocolate has also gained some positive reputation when it comes to health matters. Just recently, a study in the Journal “Heart” suggested a correlation between chocolate consumption and lower risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The study spanning across 12 years indicated that among participants who did not eat chocolate at all, 17.4% developed cardiovascular disease, while among participants who ate a large amount of chocolate daily (about 16g-200g), 12% developed cardiovascular disease. While further research needs to be done to examine this apparent correlation, it is at least nice to note that chocolate is likely not responsible for heart diseases.

Nevertheless, there are some scientific reasons behind the health values of chocolate.

Flavanols, a component of cocoa beans, and more common in dark chocolate, have antioxidant effects that reduce cell damage in heart disease. They also help lower blood pressure and improve vascular function (function of the veins in carrying blood and oxygen around body).

Chocolate releases endorphins, the hormones that make one feel happy. In times of stress, anxiety and unhappiness, chocolate is a good pick-me-up. If you read / watch Harry Potter, you might recall that chocolate is recommended/prescribed after an encounter with dementors, creatures that siphon away feelings of happiness. J. K. Rowling certainly knew her Science when she wrote that.

If you are prone to water retention, chocolate is rich in magnesium which will help to reduce the problem. Don’t overindulge though, as sugar is also one of the factors that cause fluid retention and of course, weight gain.

A study by the University of Illinois goes as far as to suggest that dark chocolate rich in flavanols will lower cholesterol and improve blood pressure. Further research needs to be done, however, as this research uses but a small sample.

And according to a research by Germany’s Heinrich Heine University, chocolate may even improve skin condition. They exposed chocolate eaters to ultraviolet light and discovered that after six weeks, they had 15 percent less skin reddening than those who didn’t eat it. After 12 weeks, the chocolate eaters’ skin was 16 percent denser and 42 percent less scaly. The study leader concludes that the compounds in chocolate may act as UV filters.

It looks like there is no reason to not eat chocolate but there is one important factor to consider. Most commercial chocolate have added ingredients like fat and sugar, which can all lead to weight gain and in turn, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. They also may not retain much of the cocoa bean, which is the main source of beneficial healthy components like flavonoids. You can enjoy your chocolate, but do so in moderation and try to stick with dark chocolate or just plain cocoa, which goes great with milk or oats.

Do you feel that the tips of your toes hurt even when you’re wearing reasonably comfortable shoes? Hell, maybe they’re even throbbing when you’re wearing flip flops. It can’t just be that short walk you made to the supermarket, can it?

Ingrown toenails are a huge source of annoyance, and they occur when growing into your flesh (usually one or both sides of your nail bed) instead of growing outwards. Depending on the severity, they can range from a mild discomfort to bleeding and pus. These ingrown nails, which usually affect the large toes, are so sneaky that most people aren’t even sure how they happen, and how to prevent them. Some people have gone as far as to get their nail partially or even completely removed.

Before you do something drastic, if your ingrown toenail is not very deep, some people swear by a simple and effective method to guide the nail to grow away from the skin.

First of all, make sure you cut your toe nail straight across. Do not clip the sides downwards. That gives the skin allowance to grow over the nail and is a common cause of ingrown toenails. However, you can round the sharp edge to prevent it from digging into your skin. Then take a very small ball of cotton and slip it under the nail to create a buffer between the nail and the skin. This doesn’t work for very short nails, so do grow out your nail a bit to be able to fit anything under that. This should not hurt you at all. If it does, you are probably using too thick a wad of cotton and you should thin it. Change the cotton every day. In a few days’ time, the nail should start growing away from the skin.

There are a few typical causes of ingrown toenails:

The way you cut your toenails
Cutting them too short, or in a manner such that they encourage your skin to fold over your nail and eventually grow into your skin.

Wearing very tight socks, stockings and shoes.
These press against the skin around your toenail, and could result in your skin getting pierced. Personally, my mildly ingrown nail does not really bother me, but when I wear pressure stockings, my toe really hurts! Consider getting stockings / tights that stop at the ankle or before the toes to avoid this problem.

Sweaty feet
When your skin is wet, it gets soft, and it becomes easier for your nail to grow into it and embed itself within.

Stubbing or dropping something on your toe
The force could affect the toenail, causing it to become ingrown.

Shape of your nail
If your nails are curved at the sides or fan-shaped, they tend to press into the skin surrounding the nail.

Fungal nail infection
These could alter the thickness and size of your nail. If it is bigger and thicker, the likelihood of it becoming ingrown becomes greater.

Genetics
If someone in the family has it, it will likely happen to you too.


To prevent ingrown toenails from forming, coming back, or to reduce their impact, be sure to take care of your feet:

If you can’t stop your toenail from growing inwards, you can do the following to reduce the impact and chances of infection:

Clip the sharp edges of your toenails, just enough to prevent the piercing feeling, but not too much to encourage growth of skin over the nail.

Wear comfortable footwear that do not press against your toes. For shoes that encase your feet, you might want to consider buying them one size larger, adding cushioned soles to prevent the shoes from being too loose (cushioned soles make walking more comfy too!), while at the same time giving your toes more buffer space.

Wear clean socks and stockings everyday.

Clean your feet with soap and water every day, including every part of your toes.

If the problem is so severe that it’s red and inflamed, there’s blood and/or pus, or it’s affecting your daily life, do see your GP who may be able to recommend a minor operation, or refer you to a medical facility that does. Usually, a partial or total nail avulsion (removal of toenail) is recommended. In such operations, a local anaesthetic is typically used to numb the toe. The toenail is then partially cut away or completely removed. Phenol is applied to the affected area to prevent the nail from growing back.

The toe will be bandaged. You may be expected to keep your foot rested and raised for one to two days time after the surgery, and then stick to open-toe or soft shoes for about a week.

There will be an indent on your toe where your nail used to be, but your toe will not be affected otherwise.

- Go for protein-rich foods like lean meat, eggs, diary, beans. Consume whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians can opt for soy products, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds and whole grains to make up for the lack of meat. Dark green vegetables, soy milk and tofu are good sources of calcium.

- Vary the foods you eat as much as possible as the types of food consumed will change the flavour of the milk. This will help to reduce picky eating when the baby starts eating solid food down the road.