Tag Archives: health

Pillow talk

Posted on August 1, 2013 | 22 comments

Before I begin, I need to make one thing clear that I am not a fussy traveler. I like to think myself as an adventurous traveler but one thing that always bothers me when I travel and that is the pillow.

I have stayed in many hotels in my travels around the globe and there were only a few occasion when I found a pillow that suits my need.

I think I am different from many people in that I need a very low soft pillow. Most of the people who have seen my pillow are amazed by its thinness. But that is what suits my neck and head. If I go for a high pillow, I get a sore neck and back the next morning so most of the places where they don’t have a low pillow, I will not use a pillow at all. That is not an ideal situation but I tend to sleep better without a pillow than on a high pillow.

There have been a few hotels that I have stayed in like the Holiday Inn in Belgium where they had a variety of pillows and you can order one according to your need. However, most of the places don’t have that luxury. Lately I have started to take my own pillow when I on a driving holiday around Australia but it will be impossible to pack a pillow on overseas holiday. I guess probably I could but that means I can buy less stuff because the pillow is taking up valuable suitcase space :).

In Nepal, in both our houses, they have a very low pillow just for me. In my parents place, they have a few that I use every time I am there while in AS’s parents place, I was surprise to find a low pillow that suited me well.

Recently, looking at some ads, AS ordered us a memory foam pillow. Memory foam is polyurethane with additional chemicals increasing its viscosity and density. It is often referred to as “viscoelastic” polyurethane foam, or low-resilience polyurethane foam. Higher-density memory foam softens in reaction to body heat, allowing it to mold to a warm body in a few minutes. A lower-density memory foam is pressure-sensitive and molds quickly to the shape of a body pressing against it, returning to its original shape once the pressure is removed.

They claim that memory foam pillow are huge relief of neck and back problems. Memory foam is heat-sensitive and its ability to cradle the head and neck is phenomenal. Memory foam works hard to relax muscles. The result is a more restful and peaceful night of sleep.

But for me it didn’t work at all. I tried it a few days but the pillow didn’t go low enough for my comfort that I swap it for my original pillow during the night when I couldn’t sleep.

So this is my pillow talk for today.

I am sure I am not the only one who needs a special pillow to sleep otherwise all these manchester industry selling special pillows couldn’t have survived.

So what is your type of pillow? Do you sleep comfortable when you travel?

Till next post, take care.

M from nepaliaustralia

XOXO

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Bokshi’s bites

Posted on May 31, 2013 | 19 comments

Bokshi means witch or a woman who practices black magic.

I have never believed in those stuffs but it is funny how things come up.

I have been sick the last few days and for the last few weeks, I am having nightmares. I really can’t remember them much but I know they were bad dreams as I remember running or falling and waking up in the middle of the night, panicked. I tried everything to get a better sleep but with no success.

I think I am having bad dream because I am stressed out. So much is happening around me that some nights, I am half sleep and I feel that someone is talking to me. Then the other day I saw this bruise on my thigh. It was oval shaped and dark blue in colour. I couldn’t remember bumping into anything but I have a bruise and it hurts.

bokshi biteSo, when I showed that to AS, he said it looks like something they call Bokshi’s bite in Nepal.

In Nepal, people believe that a bokshi sucks blood of other women to harm them. People still hold to the myth that such blue patches are marks after the bokshi has bitten and sucked their blood. Accordingly, the patches seem like a bite, kind of like a hikey. The mark of upper and lower teeth remains for a couple of days and it hurts as well.

I am sure it is nothing like that but hearing those things, we are always reminded of myths like that. I wonder how these things come to exist but doing further research, this is what I found.

According to a doctor, blue patches are frequent amongst women who are anemic. Accordingly, such patches develop often if there is any kind of deficiency in blood components or the person’s blood itself – for instance, in anemia. Generally, women in their fertility period get the patches. Such condition is known as bruises, bluish discoloration of skin, or ecchymosis.

A woman’s body is in need of blood as there is a heavy loss of it during menstruation. Thus, the blood capillaries burst in specific areas, causing bleeding under the skin. Besides, such bluish bruises also occur in women who have had their menopause, or are in that phase, as changes occur in the blood-clotting factor, which also affects the colouring factor of blood. And similar is the case in girls who have just reached their puberty. In the meantime, if there is deficiency of Vitamin C, then such bruises occur frequently.

As an early treatment, the doctor suggests taking iron capsules since it boosts hemoglobin. However, if this does not help, it is wise to have a blood test.

Furthermore, the doctor explains, the second layer of body skin has the most blood veins among the three layers. So if there is any kind of pressure on the capillaries, then bleeding can occur in the second layer of skin. But there can be no superficial bleeding. Blue patches appear more often if it is aplastic anemia. Usually, in this type of anemia, there is superficial bleeding and a continuous one, such as from the ears and nose.

Bluish discoloration of the skin can be related to many diseases. For instance, liver disease, scurvy, abnormal functioning of the kidneys, eye diseases, hormonal disorder, problems in circulatory functions, and lack of blood platelet, which helps in blood-clotting.

Unlike women, men don’t lose blood from their bodies so such patches are rare in them. If it appears then it’s serious. The patches might develop on men with liver cirrhosis or hormonal disorder. Men with hemophilia, a genetic disorder, also get such patches.

Explaining the shape of the patch which appears like a bite mark, the doctor says, It’s hypnotism. Because everyone has been repeating the same thing, we also feel that it’s a tooth mark. But actually, it’s the path of blood vessels, which can vary.

So here is the explanation for Bokshi’s bite on my leg. I don’t believe in black magic and divine power. If a person possesses divine power then why don’t they use it to make their life better than selling it to other for money? I really think there are so many things we can’t explain in this universe and that is why we give them different names.

I believe that everyone has a darker side, some darker than others. Therefore, when someone calls a person bokshi (witch), it is just a stage when that person has a personality disorder or a mental illness. So we need to help these people get proper medical treatment to make them better.

Do you believe in black magic? If you have any interesting story please share.

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Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

Posted on May 24, 2013 | 9 comments

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is Cancer Council Australia’s most popular fundraising event and the largest, most successful event of its kind in Australia.
Across Australia, workplaces, schools, communities and homes join the celebrations with funds raised contributing to vital cancer research, prevention and support services.


In conjunction with eight cancer-fighting organisations, money raised allows the Cancer Council to:
•    Undertake and fund cancer research
•    Prevent and control cancer
•    Provide information and support for people affected by cancer


Every cup counts:

$5 Can help us give a newly diagnosed cancer patient important support and information resources to help them through their cancer journey.

$10 Can help offer free exercise programs to help cancer patients build strength and fitness during and after treatment.

$25 Can help transport cancer patients to and from hospital for treatment.

$50 Can help the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 provide free and confidential information and support on all aspects of cancer.
$100 Can help provide free accommodation to cancer patients, their families and carers during treatment.

$500 Can help fund ground-breaking research into new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

One in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. Look around the room you are in, that is a scary stat. Every 12 minutes, someone in Australia dies from cancer and about 13,140 people will die from the disease this year.

Celebrating its 20 year anniversary this year, Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea plays a vital role in raising money for the non for prophet’s work in research, support & cancer prevention initiatives.

Every year our work participates in Australia’s biggest morning tea and raise much needed funds for cancer research. As you can see from the photos below, our office knows how to feast in style, and everyone was more than generous in bringing food and donating to this very worthy cause.

To make the fundraising more interesting, there is a competition held so people can be more creative. This year the theme was “party” and there was high tea party, kid’s birthday party, white themed party and cocktail party.

Prizes were awarded for:
• Best sweet
• Best Savoury
• Best Beverage
• Most creative

We had a great time feasting and having fun in the name of cancer research. Sharing some amazing photos from today.

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (1) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (2) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (4) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (7) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (8) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (8a) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (8b) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (9) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (10) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (11) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013 (12) Australia's Biggest Morning Tea 2013

If you would like to support the cause please visit their website.

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Posted in Australia, Health

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Benefits of wheat grass Juice

Posted on April 24, 2013 | 8 comments

Wheatgrass Nepal

Please call on 5534288 if you are looking for wheatgrass in Kathmandu.

Address is Kumaripati, Lalitpur.

I have talked about wheatgrass juice before. Please click my post here to know details.

Today I am writing more about the benefits of wheatgrass juice.

wheatgrass (6)

Wheatgrass Nutrition Facts

Vitamins

Wheatgrass contains high amounts of vitamins A, E and B. It also contains many minerals and trace elements: Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron and Zinc.

Amino Acids

Wheatgrass also contains twelve amino acids including the eight essential amino acids: phenylalanine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine, methionine, leucine, and lysine. Essential amino acids are those that the body cannot create, they must be obtained through one’s diet.

Predigested Food

Wheatgrass juice is considered a predigested food. It does not require enzymes for breaking down proteins. Wheatgrass juice contains both amino acids and glucose therefore it is readily assimilated in the body.

Chlorophyll

Wheatgrass juice is rich in Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has a molecular structure almost identical to the hemoglobin molecule of human blood. Chlorophyll in the wheatgrass juice helps the blood carry Oxygen to all the cells.

Chlorophyll cleanses the liver, tissues and cells and purifies the blood. Wheatgrass juice helps remove toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, aluminum, that have become stored in the tissues of the body.Wheatgrass juice aids in detoxification by breaking up impacted matter in the colon. It also helps fight infection therefore aiding the body’s natural self-healing process.

Wheatgrass Nutrient Analysis

The following information is from the publication entitled: Wheatgrass Nutritional Analaysis Report by The Optimum Healht Institute of San Diego. Test results were provided by Irvine Analyticial Laboratories, Inc., Irvine CA.

The results are listed per 100 grams of wheatgrass juice which is approximately 2.8 ounces.

Basic Nutrients in Wheatgrass

Calories 21.0 Cal
Water 95g
Fat 0.06g
Carbohydrates 2.0g
Dietary Fiber <0.1g
Chlorophyll 42.2mg
Choline 92.4mg
Glucose 0.80g


Minerals in Wheatgrass

Iron 0.61mg
Magnesium 24mg
Potassium 147mg
Phosphorous 75.2mg
Zinc 0.33mg
Calcium 24.2mg
Sodium 10.3mg
Selenium <1ppm

Vitamins in Wheatgrass

Vitamin C 3.64mg
Vitamin A 427 IU
Vitamin B1 0.08mg
Vitamin B2 0.13mg
Vitamin B3 0.11mg
Vitamin B5 6.0mg
Vitamin B6 0.2mg
Vitamin B12 <1mcg
Vitamin E 15.2IU
Folic Acid 29mcg

15 Uses of Wheatgrass

Besides drinking wheatgrass and giving your body the nutritional benefits of wheatgrass there are many more uses.

1. To eliminate itching apply wheatgrass to the skin.

2. Wheatgrass will soothe sunburned skin

3. Wheatgrass can be used as a disinfectant

4.Wheatgrass can be used a beauty treatment, it will help tighten loose and sagging skin

5. Rub wheatgrass into the scalp before shampooing to help mend damaged hair and alleviate itchy scalp

6.Wheatgrass can be used for soothing and healing cuts, burns, scrapes, rashes, poison ivy, athlete’s foot, insect bites, boils, sores, open ulcers and tumors

7.Use wheatgrass in your bath water to enjoy all the external benefits

8.As a sleep aid, place a tray of wheatgrass near the head of your bed. It will enhance the oxygen in the air

9. Gargle with wheatgrass to relieve soar throats

10. Wheatgrass helps overcome dandruff. Rub the juice into the scalp, rinse and shampoo.

11. Hold wheatgrass juice in the mouth for 5 minutes to relieve toothaches

12. Use wheatgrass as a mouthwash since it draws out toxins from the gums and teeth

13.Bundles of wheatgrass suspended in aquarium water purifies and disinfects the water and can heal sick fish

14.Wash eyes with finely strained wheatgrass juice to improve your vision, as well as relief of eyestrain and itchiness.

15.If you have a cold, insert wheatgrass juice into nasal passages and inhale to cleanse and open sinuses

20 Benefits of Wheatgrass

1. Wheatgrass lowers blood pressure

2. Wheatgrass helps the digestive system by flushing toxins from the system

3. Wheatgrass slows the graying of hair and removes dandruff

4. Wheatgrass suppresses appetite, curves cravings, and stimulates metabolism and circulation

5. Wheatgrass protects the body from outside pollutants by building up the white blood cells

6.  Wheatgrass has anti-inflammatory effects on arthritis, ulcers and insect bites

7. Wheatgrass builds blood by building red blood cells quickly

8. Wheatgrass energizes and reduces fatigue

9. Wheatgrass promotes regularity and helps fight constipation

10. Wheatgrass reduces or eliminates offensive body and breath odors

11. Wheatgrass’ antibacterial properties reduce symptoms of a sore throat when used to gargle

12.   Wheatgrass topical antibacterial use for skin wounds (burns and sunburns)

13.  Wheatgrass aids in stopping tooth decay

14. Chewing of wheatgrass may banish sleepiness and bring a new alertness

15. Wheatgrass juice helps cleanse the liver

16. Wheatgrass calms the nervous system

17. Presence of chlorophyll in wheatgrass stabilizes blood sugar levels

18. Wheatgrass reduces fever & irritability in children

19. Wheatgrass applied regularly onto the skin will eventually fade blemishes and sunspots by stimulating the growth of healthy new skin and “tightening” older skin

20.When inhaled through the nose, wheatgrass is effective in clearing sinus congestion

How Much Wheatgrass Should I Drink?

During your detoxification phase you should drink 60 ml (2 ounces) of wheatgrass juice twice a day.

If it is the first time drinking it, you should start slow. 15ml or 30ml (½ ounce or 1 ounce) of wheatgrass juice is a good start. You should slowly build up to 60 ml (2 ounces). Listen to your body, no need to rush it. Also, there are no real additional benefits of drinking more than 60 ml (2 ounces). Your body could only handle a small amount of wheatgrass each time.

Please call on 5534288 if you are looking for wheatgrass in Kathmandu.

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All the above in formations are collected from the following website:

http://www.mywheatgrass.com

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Update form Nepal Part 4

Posted on January 25, 2013 | 11 comments

Meeting Bashundhara and Meengma

I have to admit this blog has given me more than what I had expected. And this time in Kathmandu I was able to meet two of my fellow bloggers Bashundhara from Nepal mero maya and Meengma from iScribble.

I met Bashundhara with her better half and it was so nice to have a great conversation with someone who I have never seen and met before. The only common platform we had was our blogs but we still felt like friends who had know each other for so long. Thanks guys for the momo :). And all the best with everything.

Bashundhara

I also met Meengma with his better half and again I was surprised how comfortable I was with both of them. We had a great conversation and a good time together.

I hope to meet all of you again.

Spending the day with my MIL

AS I mentioned before, I am at my parents’ house now but I still meet my in-laws from time to time.

The other day I went shopping with my MIL as she wanted to buy me some stuffs. It was a great day out. We stopped at a pote shop as well as many other places.

momo

Then we went to a restaurant for lunch where we had pizza and momo. Finally we went back to AS’s home and spent more time together.

pizza

I am so glad to have MIL who understands me and tries her best to make adjustment for me in her life. I do understand that there is a generation gap between us and it is not easy all the time but I am glad that she is trying her best and I am doing the same as well. Happy to be part of my new family.

Visiting the dentist

It is my ritual to get my teeth cleaned and checked every time I come to Nepal. After the wedding it has been even easier as AS’s cousin and her husband are both dentists. But this time I did a big mistake and left the check up till the last minute. And unfortunately this time I have to do more than just the cleaning of the teeth. One of my teeth has decayed and if possible they wanted to do a root canal but due to lack of time, I am just getting it filled, Hope I won’t have any problem with my teeth in Sydney.

Being sick

We have been so careful about food and water in Nepal to avoid getting sick. Also we are taking wheatgrass juice as well as supplements to make sure that we are not sick and in bed for days so we don’t waste our limited time in Nepal.

Unfortunately even with all the care, the other night I became really sick. That day I had lunch at my mum’s friend place and dinner at AS’s house. So for the whole day I didn’t eat anything from outside but still my tummy was unhappy and I vomited at night. I was so scared as I kept on vomiting which looked like food poisoning and it was making me weak.

As it was the middle of the night I was alone in my bathroom and had no energy to even call my parents. Luckily, my dog was with me and he kept on barking when he saw me sick that my mum came to check. I was so glad to have my mum’s care but I was really missing AS as well.

my dog

Love you mum so much and thanks for nursing me back to health. And lots of hugs to my dog who loved me so much too.

I am fit and fine now but I was really scared for a while when I was vomiting nonstop.

Inviting in-laws for dinner at my house

As I keep on saying, a marriage is Nepal is not just between two people but it is between two families. So it is normal for the families to invite each other over for a meal.

My parents had invited my in-laws for dinner the other day and we had a great time. My BILs also joined us and it was so nice to see both the family enjoying each other’s company. They do meet often when we are not it in Nepal as well.

11 Comments

Posted in Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepal 2012 / 2013

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