Thursday 22 December 2011

CURRANTS

The several varieties of fresh currants are actually berries that are related to gooseberries. The fruit marketed as dried currants is a variety of grape, and thus a type of raisin.
    Red and white currants are the most common types available in North America,usually for only a short time during the summer. Black currants lead both the red and white types in nutritional value. A cup of black currants provides a whopping 220 mg of vitamin C, as well as 360 mg of potassium. This compares with 50 mg of vitamin C and 300 mg of potassium in a cup of red or white currants. All types are low in calories, about 70 in a cup of fresh berries. Currants are also a good source of fiber, providing about 2 g per cup.
    Because they are quite tart, fresh currents usually are not eaten raw; instead, they are used in baking or to make jams, jellies, and sauces. Diluted and sweetened black currants juice is a refreshing beverage that is very high in vitamin C. The juice can be fermented and made into liqueurs and cordials.

BENEFITS
  • An excellent low-calorie source of vitamin C and potassium.
  • High in bioflavonoids.
DRAWBACKS
  • Fresh currants are highly perishable and are available for only a few weeks in the summer.

Thursday 15 December 2011

ASTHMA

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that is a leading cause of childhood deaths, especially among city dwellers. The rising toll of asthma has puzzled doctors, but many attribute it to a combination of factors, such as the cost of asthma medications, which may be beyond the means of low-income families, improper use of asthma medications, and exposure to environmental pollutants.
    Wheezing, chest tightness, labored breathing, and other asthma symptoms occur when the tiny muscles that control the airways to the lungs constrict, causing a bronchosphasm. Normally, the airways narrow somewhat when exposed to smoke, pollutants, very cold air, or substances that are harmful if inhaled. In asthmatic people, however, the response is exaggerated and often triggered by otherwise harmless substances or activities, such as pollen and other allergens and exercise.
    Heredity may be a factor. The reason some people have hyperreactive airways is unknown ; heredity, however, is suspected of playing a role, because the disease runs in families. Many asthmatic also have hay fever and allergies. Although stress and emotional upsets can trigger or worsen an attack, experts emphasize that asthma is a lung disease, not a psychological disorder ; as such, it should be treated as a serious and even debilitating physical condition.
    Some asthma attacks are quickly reversed by taking a bronchodilator  medication. These ease symptoms by opening the constricted airways. Other episodes are more prolonged, and, as the airways become more inflamed and clogged with mucus, breathing becomes increasingly difficult. In such cases an injection of epinephrine and a corticosteroid drug may be needed to stop the attack.
    Although asthma is a chronic disease, the changes that occur during an attack are temporary, and the lung generally function normally at other times. When asthma starts during childhood, the frequency and severity of attacks tend to lessen as the youngster grows and may disappear by adulthood. Some adults, however, suffer a recurrence, often as an aftermath of a viral infection. In such cases, the asthma may be even more severe than it was in childhood.

    DRINK ONE OR TWO CUPS OF COFFEE TO ABORT A MILD ASTHMA ATTACK

Wednesday 7 December 2011

APPLES

A fresh apple is an ideal snack. Its easy to carry, flavorful, filling, and low in calories; a 5 oz (140 g) piece of fruit has only 90 calories. Apples can be eaten fresh or cooked in myriad ways - baked into pies, crisps, and tats; added to poultry stuffing and made into jelly, apple butter, and sauce. Apple cider vinegar is an ingredient in many salad dressings. Pasteurized apple juice and fresh pressed cider are popular drinks, while fermented apple cider, wine, and brandy are gaining in popularity.
    Wash off the pesticide. Apple tress thrive in most temperate climates, but since they are vulnerable to worms, scale, and other insects, they are usually sprayed with pesticides several times. Apples should always be washed carefully before eating; some experts even suggest peeling them, especially if they have been waxed. The wax itself is not a problem but it may prevent pesticide residues from being rinsed off.

BENEFITS
  • Low in calories and high in soluble fiber that help lower cholesterol.
  • Packed with numerous phytochemicals such as quercetin that may help prevent heart disease and cancer.
  • Apples enhance dental hygiene.
DRAWBACKS
  • Relatively low in nutrients.
  • Skin may contain pesticide residues.

Thursday 1 December 2011

Village Named After Wild Ginger

At kampung Mongkos in Serian District, 12 families are running a homestay programme that offers visitors an excellent opportunity to experience authentic Bidayuh culture, warmth and hospitality.The homestay programme is under the Tourism and Heritage Ministry.
    Kampung Mongkos has two of the very few surviving Bidayuh longhouses in Sarawak.The village has existed for over a hundred years and is located near sungai Mongkos.The original residents of the village came from Kampung Terbat several miles down the road.
    Due to the shortage of farming land, two of the leaders by the name of Gandai and Orang Kaya Tulob and around 150 villagers decided to look for a resettlement area. They found the place near Sungai Mongkos and set about building a longhouse and open up land for farming.They began with 20 household and one longhouse, and the village has two longhouse with a total of 34 doors (24 doors and 10 doors).
    When it was time to take down the old longhouse in 1959 the people replaces it with two longhouses. They made sure the traditional design was retained. It is said that Mongkos was named after the plant lungkos (Bidayuh for wild ginger).
    One day, a merchant visited Orang Kaya Tulob. He was served with white rice flavoured with ginger cooked in a bamboo stem.He asked about the ingredients in the food but because the word lungkos was strange to him he could not pronounce it properly. It is said that he kept on saying mongkos. But that did not prevent him from suggesting that the village should be renamed Mongkos.
    Today, some houses in the village are modern while others are traditional.Kampung Mongkos Homestay Programme was declared open in 2006 after having been in operation since 2004 with 12 operators.A one night package costs only RM60 per person for a room and three meals per day.
    The rooms are clean with fans, common bathroom and toilet, and other basic amenities.On arrival visitors are welcomed with a ceremony. First they are greeted with drum music called "bidumbak". A white hen's egg is used to chase away evil spirits and visitors are then entertained with 'langi pingadap' (a traditional welcoming dance). To end the ceremony on a lighter and more festive note, the welcoming ceremony would end with a 'belangi' dance in which the visitors are encouraged to take part. Before this dance begins, male visitors are given 'sabok' (men sarong).
    For the less intrepid or those less inclined towards strenuous physical activities, they can watch or join the women making baskets, bead items, woodcarving and many others types of handicraft. Visitors can also learn the traditional method of processing paddy.
    The distance from Kuching to the village is 103 kilometres.It takes roughly 90 minutes by road to cover the distance.The population of Kampung Mongkos is approximately 1095 people, most of whom are farmers, especially the older generations. Some of the younger people are government servants and the rest are private sector employees.
    Paddy cultivation and farming are the main agricultural activities of the villagers. Among the things they plants are oil palm, paddy, pepper, rubber trees, and miscellaneous fruits such as rambutans, mangoes, bananas, jack fruits and durians.