Sweet Wisdom

We all enjoy something sweet now and again, but with so much in the scientific literature confirming the negative health effects of refined sugar, one of the very best things that we can do for ourselves, and for our loved ones, is to seek out better alternatives. Here are two of our favourites:

Date Syrup and Date Jam:

Dates are a perfectly natural combination of sweetness, nutrition and fibre. As such, dates present us with an ideal means of adding sweetness to puddings, cereals,  porridges and even to certain biscuit and cake recipes – without endangering our health. By the simple preparation of a supply of date syrup and / or date jam every week, you will be able to enjoy peace-of-mind along with your “piece of cake.”

Date Jam Recipe: Place the required amount of depitted dates in a stainless steel or glass pot. Add sufficient water and/or freshly-squeezed orange juice to cover. Bring to just before boiling and simmer for 30 minutes. Now mash with a fork to form a jam.

Date Syrup Recipe: Prepare as for date jam, but use more liquid. Place dates and any remaining liquid in a blender and whisk into a syrup, or a combination of the two for a variation in taste. Always store date jam and date syrup in the refrigerator.

Natural sweetness have a thousand healthful uses. A free pamphlet is available from Nature’s Choice entitled Magic With Dates. Speak to your nearest stockist.

Fruit Cream:

To sweeten cereals and porridges or as a sweetish sauce that you can serve over salads and fruit salads, fruit cream must be the healthiest alternative – and there is no end to the variations that you can use.

Preparation: In a blender, simply whisk together the washed fruits of your choice (eg, an apple and a banana) along with a little milk or soya milk. For a more sweet end product, add a handful of sultanas or chopped dates before blending. For superb nutrition, add a tablespoon each of sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, mixed nuts and wheat germ.

This is a great and tasty way to boost the nutritional intake of the kids – and especially those kids who insist that everything must taste like ice cream.

If you prefer an all-natural product, liquidize a cup or more of sweet grapes in the blender and then add the fruits, nuts, seeds of your choice and blend again. This sauce can be served over cereal or salad, etc.

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Microwaving those vitamins away

Using your microwave to cook vegetables could be destroying valuable nutrients, according to a study published in the Journal of the science of Food and Agricultural. 

In tests it was found that microwaved broccoli lost up to 97 percent of flavonoids, important cancer fighting antioxidants, compared to steamed broccoli, which lost only 11 percent.

Experts also recommend that vegetables are cooked in a minimum amounts of water - water soluble anti-oxidents drain away in cooking water.

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Breast forms for the life you live today

Pandora Bra Studio, for the perfect fit, takes a personal approach when it comes to custom fitting bras. With many years of experience in the industry, Natie Spangenberg is up to date with the latest available prosthesis for post mastectomy patients.

Natie has just received a consignment  of a revolutionary new adhesive prosthesis that follows body contours, maximizing patient comfort. Extensive research has led to the development of this adhesive prosthesis  which is lightweight and hassle free - designed to suit any lifestyle.

The ultra lightweight silicone based gel gives the product a very natural feel and look that creates the perfect shape for all age groups. Features such as a flatter base and the tapered top ensures that the product fits into most bras. The wider shape creates a more even natural spread.

It is narrow enough for the product to be worn bilaterally but wide enough to smooth out slight irregularities and loss of tissue.

The product can last up to two years and requires no special creams, lotions or cleaners. For a personal consultation contact Bettie Human at (018) 484 3330 or e-mail comfitcc@yahoo.com. For further information on the self adhesive breast prosthesis, contact Nati Spangenberg or Belinda Brits @ (018) 660 4514.

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The effects of drug abuse

Drugs contain substances that change the way your brain and body works. Drugs can be swallowed, inhaled, smoked, or injected.

They can come from plants, like tobacco or marijuana, or they can be manufactured in a lab, like ecstasy. Sometimes, everyday items like glue or paint are used like drugs.

Items like these are called inhalants and using them this way can kill you instantly. Whichever way drugs are taken, they end up in your bloodstream. Blood supplies your entire body with oxygen and nutrients. When your blood contains drugs, the drugs go to all parts of your body. 

• Memory loss and problems with learning, thinking and problem solving. Loss of coordination and distorted perception, anxiety and paranoia. Loss of interest in sports, activities, schoolwork, friends and family. If you are high you can forget to have safe sex and put yourself at risk for STDs and HIV. In the long-term, it can cause cancer, problems with breathing and damage your immune system. 

• Damage to your brain cells and blood vessels and possible stroke. At lower doses, you suffer decreased appetite, increased respiration, irritability, inability to sleep, confusion, tremors, anxiety, paranoia and aggressiveness. You also could have convulsions or a dangerously high body temperature that can lead to death.

• Gives you dry mouth, faintness, chills, dehydration, sweating, nausea, cramps, tremors, blurred vision, anxiety, depression, paranoia, confusion and an increased heart rate. Everyone reacts differently, but one could have a heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, seizure and increase in body temperature. You may clench and grind your teeth, wearing off the enamel that protects them from rotting. If you use it regularly, you can become psychologically dependent on it to feel good as a person. It can also damage your brain permanently.

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Yoga eases breast cancer burden

A recent study suggests that yoga may be the ideal way to relieve the stress and fatigue that come with treatment for breast cancer.

Doctors at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York split 126 volunteers undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer into two groups.

The first followed a yoga programme involving three classes a week for 12 weeks and then daily practice sessions using an audio tape as a guide. The second group was just assigned to a yoga class waiting list as a comparison.

The difference  in emotional health and scores in quality of life measures were significantly different between the two groups by the end of the study.

As well as having a greater sense of wellbeing, the women doing yoga reported less fatigue and were able to function better physically, according to chief researcher Dr. Alyson Moadel.

She presented these findings at a recent annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago.

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