Health and Beauty Tips for Your Brass: Keep It Shiny!
Did you know that the health and beauty of your brass instruments require extra special attention? Note: Because brass instruments vary, be sure to learn the specific cleaning methods for your particular instrument. For example, rotor instruments like the French horns, rotor tubas, and rotor trombones should always be cleaned by an experienced repairperson.Once a week, lubricate the valves on your brass instrument. Simply unscrew the valve cap and draw out the valve half way. Using the appropriate lubricant, apply a drop of valve oil to the widest part of the valve. The valves on most brass instruments have a "guide" that helps you to line up the valve. If you play a brass instrument, you know what happens after a good session of blowing. You know, "moisture" can build up inside of your instrument. If it's not removed, this moisture can do a real number on the health of your instrument. To keep your brass shining, be sure to wipe down the outside of the instrument after each use. Doing so will not only spare your brass from damage, but it'll also keep your instrument clean. Remember, your instrument case is for your instrument; storing music books, cleaning supplies, or even your lunch inside the case can lead to all kinds of problems with the slides or valves of your instrument.
You'll also need some supplies, including cleaning brushes, liquid soap, slide grease (if your instrument has slides), and valve oil.
Remove all slides, valves and valve bottom caps and place them, except for the valves, in warm, soapy water. As your parts are soaking, run warm water over your valves and use the valve brush to brush out all openings. Give your valves a good shake to remove excess water and let dry
If your instrument has slides, apply a little slide grease to each and put back together reassemble
Play that horn, Daddy-O! Read More......
8:59 AM | 0 Comments
Simple healthy tips to prevent cancer

1. Don't Smoke
Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. If you smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes, or use "smokeless" tobacco, stop now. (Avoid second-hand smoke as if your life depended on it. It may.)
2. Wear a Hat
Exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Use SPF15 sunscreen,
wear a hat and cover up. Avoid tanning booths, too!
3. Watch What You Drink
Alcohol is not recommended, but if you do drink, the USDA suggests you do so in moderation.
If you must drink, make water your only choice.
4. Cut the Fat
Your daily consumption of fats should be 30% or less of your total calorie intake.
High fat diets contribute to several forms of cancer, including breast and colon cancer.
5. Eat Your Vegetables
Fruits/vegetables at least 5 servings a day will help provide Vitamins A, C, E and other substances that contain known anti-cancer agents. Especially good for you are deep green and yellow/orange vegetables.
6. Rough It
Roughage and fiber help prevent cancer of the colon; eat 6 servings daily (20-30 grams)
of fiber filled beans, whole grains and vegetables.
7. Stay In Shape
Overweight people are at greater risk for cancer and heart disease.
Get in the habit of exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet.
8. Learn to Relax
Stress weakens the immune system, which reduces your ability to fight cancer and other disease. Work out, walk, garden, meditate, etc. Find a method that works for you.
9. Keep a Healthy Home
Eliminate toxic chemicals and cleaners around your home. Switch to environmentally safe
cleaning and yard products.
10. Take Control of Your Health
Next to prevention, your best defense against cancer is early detection.
Make it a habit to get screening tests for cancer, such as a mammogram, PAP test and prostate exam.
8:55 AM | 0 Comments
Water or Coke ?
Some interesting facts that I would like to share :
WATER
1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population)
2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.
3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
4. One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?
COKE
1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.
2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.
3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.
8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.
So, are you going to have a glass of Coke instead of a glass of water? Think about it again.
9:24 AM | 0 Comments
Quick activity tips
•Take any opportunities you get to walk about while at work.
•During a break at work, go for a walk/ stretch and move your arms and legs around your workstation.
•If work is getting too busy and you miss an activity session, don’t worry. Try your best to get back to your activity plan as soon as possible.
•Take the stairs instead of the lift.
•Wash the car by hand instead of taking it to the car wash.
•Walk or cycle for short errands rather than taking the car.
•Throw away the remote control!
HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO BE ACTIVE???
•Set activity goal.
•Choose the best time and the most convenient time for you to exercise.
•Choose activities that you enjoy doing.
•Keep sport shoes and sport wears in a place that you spend a lot of time.
•Stick reminders in key places (refrigerator, computer) to remind you to do activity or ask a friend to send email or phone reminders.
RECOMMENDATION: 5 times/week, 30minutes for each session
Start increasing your activity level gradually & exercise regularly
6:33 AM | 0 Comments
Golden-needle-mushroom can destroy cancer cells
Golden-needle-mushroom successfully kills 95% of cancer cells( Taiwan Report) Research done by Singapore U shows that eating this mushroom can destroy 95% of cancer cells in our body by boosting our immune system.
Professor Phan Hwai Chong of Yang Ming Research Centre in Taiwan told that consuming this kind of mushroom, one of the ingredients in the mushroom can trigger the multiplication of our healthy 'defensive' cells. By out-numbering the cancer cells, healthy cells help radicate cancer cells. American scientists have since run tests on this particular type of mushroom extract with blood, done outside human body. Results show that mushroom extract is able to destroy cancer cells. According to Taiwan professor, since healthy 'fighting' cells can be multiplied to tens & thousands of times, it can either be used as drip or just by eating mushroom.
The mushroom is most frequently taken with steam boat. Cooking time should be less than 3 minutes, or the healing property would greatly diminish.
6:43 AM | 0 Comments
Treating Depression with Natural Techniques
We're in the Depression Era...And It's Getting Worse
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), major depression is the leading cause of disease burden in North America and high-income countries. It is the fourth leading cause worldwide; by 2030, it is expected to be the second leading cause of disease burden worldwide. (1)
"Depression" generally refers to chronic or severe levels of sadness, anxiety, perceived helplessness, insomnia and disinterest, among other related feelings. Depression can be moderate to severe. "Dysthymia" involves long-term symptoms that keep one from feeling good or functioning well, but will not disable the person affected by the condition. "Major Depression" interferes with a person's ability to function normally and enjoy life; this includes the ability to sleep, work, eat, and socialize. "Bipolar disorder," also known as manic-depressive illness, is marked by wide mood changes, including severe highs (mania) and lows (severe depression). Bipolar disorder is not as common as other forms of depression.
Antidepressants have become the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States, prescribed more often than drugs for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, asthma, or headaches.(2) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviewed 2.4 billion drugs prescribed in visits to doctors and hospitals in 2005. 118 million were for antidepressants (high blood pressure drugs were the second most common, with 113 million prescriptions). Almost 232 million prescriptions for antidepressants were written last year, a large increase. (3) Approximately 30 million patients in the US spent $12 billion on antidepressants in 2007. (4) The average time a general practitioner (MD) will spend with each patient to determine the best approach to treat a patient for the condition at issue during a visit? About 15 minutes. (5)
The use of antidepressants and other related drugs have ballooned over the last decade and that trend is projected to continue. Are more people receiving previously unaddressed yet needed treatment for depression? Are more people becoming depressed and require treatment? Are more people being treated for symptoms that reflect depressive symptoms, such as general unhappiness, with prescription drugs?
These are crucial questions regarding our healthcare system's approach to depression, particularly considering new research addressing the effectiveness of prescription drugs.
New Medical Studies Raise a Lot of Eyebrows, and Even More Questions
The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) recently published a study that questioned both the selective publication of (positive) medical studies on antidepressants and therefore whether we have an accurate, unbiased perspective on their effectiveness and risk-benefit ratio.(6) Instead of only considering published studies on the effectiveness of antidepressants, the authors evaluated all studies registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), both published and unpublished. According to publishes studies, it appeared that 94% of the trials conducted showed positive outcomes. However, when the unpublished studies were included, only about half (51%) of the studies demonstrated positive outcomes, suggesting a bias in the publication of positive studies, significantly questioning their efficacy. The authors concluded that they could not determine, however, the cause of the publication bias, but stated, "[s]elective reporting of clinical trial results may have adverse consequences for researchers, study participants, health care professionals, and patients."(7)
As a group of researchers wrote in a letter to the NEJM as a follow up to the study, "[t]he most serious implication of this study is that guidelines for the treatment of depression may be inaccurate, since they are often based on meta-analyses of published data alone.
This current system makes it impossible for scientific journals to provide a valid picture of the efficacy of antidepressants."
Additionally, a recent study publushed in PloS Medicine concludes that new antidepressant medications, such as SSRIs, benefit only the most severe patients and, "[a]lthough patients get better when they take antidepressants, they also get better when they take a placebo [such as a sugar pill], and the difference in improvement is not very great. This means that depressed people can improve without chemical treatments." (8)
An Explosion of the Use of Antidepressants Combined with the Recent Research Questioning Their Effectiveness
Dr. Ronald Dworkin has a clear opinion regarding the current state of depression treatment, which, as already stated, includes $12 billion spent on antidepressants in the US alone. Dworkin, a senior fellow at Washington's Hudson Institute, is the author of "Artificial Unhappiness: The Dark Side of the New Happy Class." "Doctors are now medicating unhappiness," said Dworkin. "Too many people take drugs when they really need to be making changes in their lives."(9)
Unstuck - A New Book That Challenges $20 billion in Drug Company Advertising and the Mainstream Treatment of Depression
Pharmaceutical companies spent almost $20 billion in advertising in 2001; the largest amount was spent to promote antidepressant drugs. A new book by integrative medicine pioneer James S. Gordon, M.D. criticizes our current system of treating depression so extensively and quickly with antidepressants and offers a comprehensive and largely self-directed program for those afflicted by depression. "Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven Stage Journey Out of Depression" is Gordon's first effort to write about the program he has developed and used for thirty five years to treat depression, extreme stress, and anxiety.
Gordon, the Founder and Director of the non-profit Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM) in Washington, DC, developed the foundation of the program over forty years ago and has been using it with patients and teaching it to health professionals during that period. He also served as the Chairman of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy under President Bill Clinton.
Gordon believes that depression is not a disease, but a sign that one's life is out of balance, or "stuck". He asserts that, while there are biological changes associated with depression, they are inconsistent among patients and are more likely to be the result of feelings of hopelessness, loss and helplessness than their cause. A core aspect of Gordon's approach is that antidepressants are significantly over-prescribed and they are less effective than other less-toxic approaches. According to Gordon, writing prescriptions for antidepressants has become a well-intentioned, but ill-informed and quick option for doctors, who have little time to spend with patients due to our current medical reimbursement system that encourages short patient visits. Their use has ballooned as a result. Gordon's comprehensive approach which emphasizes self-care techniques, including dietary change, nutritional supplements, meditation and exercise, represents a significant - and controversial - departure from typical modern medical approaches to depression treatment, which are based primarily on prescription drugs and only secondarily on the use of supportive and cognitive therapy.
Seven Stages of the Program
Gordon's Unstuck Program consists of seven stages and a variety of self-care techniques to treat depression. He tells patients to stay on antidepressants initially and work with their doctors and other health professionals with the program. The seven stages, as Gordon has titled them, include:
The Call. Gordon notes that one has to become aware that he or she is depressed and decide that change is necessary.
Guides on the Journey. The Unstuck Program suggests finding people, such as health professionals, who can help the patient through the process.
Surrender to Change. This stage involves letting go of those issues that may constrain us, and move into the current of life.
Dealing with Demons. Gordon discusses facing the challenges to the process, such as procrastination, pride, resentment, and fear, among others.
Dark Night of the Soul. This stage involves allowing freedom to emerge as participants move through despair along the process.
Spirituality: the Blessing. The Program discusses connecting with something or someone larger than ourselves.
The Return. This stage involves learning to live every day joyously, deeply and consciously in the light of what participants have experienced.
Treatments, Exercises and Techniques Used in Unstuck
Gordon includes a variety of forms of psychological guidance and instruction in various wellness approaches, included below. Ironically, some of these techniques have existed for thousands of years. Though they empower a patient to take control over the treatment process, Gordon also strongly recommends that each patient find a skilled "Guide" or therapist for support.
* Meditation
* Exercise
* Self-expression through words, drawings, and movement
* Yoga
* Nutrition and Supplements
* Acupuncture and Herbal Therapies
* A Variety of Spiritual Practices
* Psychological guidance
Scientific Basis for Program
Gordon has developed and used the Unstuck Program for 40 years. The Program is taught by Dr. Gordon and the faculty of the "Mind-Body Medicine Professional Training Program" held by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, based in Washington, DC. The Center has taught the program and approach to thousands of medical schools, health professionals and individuals around the world since 1994. Currently, the program is being used in New Orleans, throughout the Middle East, with returning veterans from Iraq, and others around the world to help alleviate the symptoms of stress, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
There are thousands of peer-reviewed scientific studies on the individual techniques included in the program that Gordon cites in Unstuck. In addition, several published studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Gordon's approach.(10)
Inevitable Controversy and Some Challenges
Gordon's Unstuck approach will inevitably face criticism from those in the mental health field who have seen the clear benefits of antidepressants for their patients and from some of those patients themselves. Gordon acknowledges that many people have, in fact, benefited from prescription medications. His program, however, offers a proven, natural alternative for the many who suffer from depression, but have not gotten relief from the typical treatments. It also offers a way for those who continue on medication to obtain significant benefits as well as take control over their treatment program. This active involvement addresses feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that are hallmarks of depression. The techniques are so simple, in fact, that patients can integrate them into their current mainstream treatment.
If there is one challenge to the program, it is the same one faced by countless dieters, people who exercise, and others who generally attempt to integrate healthy changes in their lives - sticking to the program and practicing the recommended exercises regularly, especially when hit with the "blues" of depression and lethargy. In "Unstuck," Gordon is there every step of the way, encouraging and helping readers to start from where they are, experimenting with different approaches, gradually building up the momentum for change and healing. To help with this process, we have created a web-based webinar with Dr. Gordon on treating depression.
References
(1) Mathers CD, Loncar D (November 2006). "Projections of global mortality and burden of disease from 2002 to 2030". PLoS Med. 3 (11): e442. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030442. PMID 17132052. (3) Source: IMS Health. ww.imshealth.com/portal/site/imshealth (4) Id. (5) Ann Fam Med. 2005 Nov-Dec;3(6):494-9. (6) N Engl J Med. 2008 Jan 17;358(3):252-60.(7) Id.(8) N Engl J Med 2008; 358:2180-2182, May 15, 2008. Kirsch I, Deacon BJ, Huedo-Medina TB, Scoboria A, Moore TJ, et al. (2008) Initial severity and antidepressant benefits: A metaanalysis of data submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. PLoS Med 5(2): e45. (9)
6:34 AM | 0 Comments
Women Need Papaya
Why the most woman need to eat is papaya?
This fruit packs about twice the vitamin C of an orange. Add it to your arsenal against gallbladder disease, which afflicts twice as many women as men. After analysing the blood of over 13,000 people, scientists from the University of California, San Francisco, found that women who had lower levels of vitamin C were more likely to have gallbladder illnesses. One medium papaya (about 280 grams), with 188 milligrams of C and a mere 500 kilo-joules, is a refreshing source of the vitamin. Best of all it’s probably growing in your garden.
9:24 AM | 0 Comments
Some facts about chocolate
Milk or dark, whatever your pleasure, registered dietician David Grotto says chocolate is a diet essential. The enjoyment that comes with eating this indulgence has been known to reduce the stress hormone cortisone. , which can play a role in weight gain, he says. Higher in flavonoids than its milkier sister, dark chocolate may reduce high blood pressure and improve cholesterol. But new reserach shows milk chocolate may do a better job of boosting brain function. Moderation of course, is the key. "Having maybe a religious experience with one inch square of chocolate is reasonable
7:07 AM | 0 Comments
How do you like your coffee?
The studies just keep pouring in on the benefits of drinking coffee. Higher consumption has been linked to decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's diesease. It also has been shown to stop headache and preventing cavities. Adding sugar and whole milk complicates matters, though skim milk can be vehicle for calcium and Vitamin D.
The Effects of Coffee to the Kidney
Patients with kidney stones are habitually recommended to increase their fluid intake. The problems come up: is the type of beverage essential and will the presence of caffeine, which can lead to diuresis, create a problem for such patients?
In fact, the effects of coffee or caffeine consumption on some aspects of kidney role have been examined including diuresis, detrusor instability and kidney stones.
As maintained by a new report drinking a lot of coffee, tea, beer or wine can lessen the risk of getting a kidney stone whereas apple and grapefruit juice can enlarge the risk.
In an additional report involving 81,000 women, caffeinated coffee and wine were discovered to be considerably more helpful than water in assisting women keep away from kidney stones.
However, in a latest survey maintain that kidney function is influenced by too much coffee or caffeine intake. It could lead to some problems for example diuresis, detrusor instability and kidney stones.
Caffeine intake has to be controlled or it can cause the painful medical situation of kidney stones. In a current examination, participants with a history of kidney stones were provided a dosage of caffeine equal to that found in two cups of coffee.
It is recommended that people prone to kidney stones ought to control their intake of coffee to less than two cups or 16 ounces per day. Caffeine is discovered in other beverages such as soda which have to be limited to amount alike as well.
However some views on the influence of coffee that have been validated by research remain need to be examined, particularly on how much intake of coffee would show beneficial and what quantity would be harmful to healthy kidneys and also a healthy life
7:04 AM | 0 Comments
Protein in diet
Definition
Proteins are complex organic compounds. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids
Function
Protein is the main component of muscles, organs, and glands. Every living cell and all body fluids, except bile and urine, contain protein. The cells of muscles, tendons, and ligaments are maintained with protein. Children and adolescents require protein for growth and development.
Food Sources
Proteins are described as essential and nonessential proteins or amino acids. The human body requires approximately 20 amino acids for the synthesis of its proteins.
The body can make only 13 of the amino acids -- these are known as the nonessential amino acids. They are called non-essential because the body can make them and does not need to get them from the diet. There are 9 essential amino acids that are obtained only from food, and not made in the body.
If the protein in a food supplies enough of the essential amino acids, it is called a complete protein. If the protein of a food does not supply all the essential amino acids, it is called an incomplete protein.
All meat and other animal products are sources of complete proteins. These include beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, and milk products.
Protein in foods (such as grains, fruits, and vegetables) are either low, incomplete protein or lack one of the essential amino acids. These food sources are considered incomplete proteins.
Plant proteins can be combined to include all of the essential amino acids and form a complete protein. Examples of combined, complete plant proteins are rice and beans, milk and wheat cereal, and corn and beans.
Side Effects
A diet high in meat could lead to high cholesterol or other diseases, such as gout. Another potential problem is that a high-protein diet may put a strain on the kidneys. Extra waste matter, which is the end product of protein metabolism, is excreted in the urine.
Recommendations
A nutritionally balanced diet provides adequate protein. Vegetarians are able to get enough protein if they eat the proper combination of plant proteins.
The amount of recommended daily protein depends upon age, medical conditions, and the type of diet one is following. Two to three servings of protein-rich food will meet the daily needs of most adults.
The following are the recommended serving sizes for protein:
For recommended serving sizes of protein for children and adolescents, see age appropriate diet for children
2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, and fish (a portion about the size of a deck of playing cards)
1/2 cup of cooked dry beans, lentils, or legumes
1 egg or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, which count as 1 ounce of lean meat
Select lean meat, poultry without skin, fish, and dry beans, lentils, and legumes often. These are the protein choices that are the lowest in fat. For more information, see the food guide pyramid.
10:42 AM | 0 Comments
Lime can do wonders
Lime is the best physician at all times. It relieves many symptoms which no doctor could do. Lime is very effective in coughs, cold and influenza. A big glass of warm water, one table spoon honey, half a lemon works wonders. Those who drink one lemon drink every day hardly have to visit a doctor.
Lime destroys the toxins in the body. Typhoid and other diseases die within no time. It is very effective in destroying the uric acid. It is very effective in destroying bacteria from intestinal tract. I t cures constipation, loss of appetite, arthritis, skin diseases, heart diseases. The high potassium content in them makes the lime very useful for preventing and curing heart diseases. It strengthens the teeth and gums. It freshens the breath. It purifies blood and liver.
It stimulates the functions of the kidney, liver and sweat glands. A ripe lime is a good appetizer. It destroys intestinal worms and expels the excessive gases formed in the digestive tract. Regular exercies and the juice helps excreting waste toxins innyour body. It purifies blood. Each and every cell of the body is rejuvenated by taking lime.
10:17 AM | 0 Comments



