Sinus ~ Menthol Crystals for Nasal Cleansing

If you're experiencing nasal congestion, sneezing in the morning, nose blockage and all, good news is you're not the only one. But it wasn't really a good news. Sinus happens for many reasons, thanks to the invention of air-conditioner, air pollution, genetic reason, bla bla bla and the list goes on and on.

I have been having sinus since god knows when... maybe 4-5 years ago... all of sudden i was diagnosed with sinusitis... or was it even longer before that. I remembered some 10 years ago, i had KFC for lunch and soon after that, I experienced itchy nose, i guess that was some sort of nose allergy...to the chicken or to the ingredients to fry the chicken. I'm not sure... All I knew was things got from bad to worse and now worst of all.

I'm now allergy to even the slightest existing of dust, cloth, cold dry air, smoke, food, pets, and all the things that come near my nose.

I had waking up sneezing non stop in the morning and in fact I sneeze while asleep that I was awaken by my own sneezing at night. If a sneeze equals to a blessing, God must have loved me so much for giving me so much of blessings.

If you are not sure what is sinus and needed longer explanation of what causes it, please check it out here

Anyway, after reading from the link and knowing what causes sinus, here I would like to share with you how you can cleanse the clogged sinuses.

It's not home remedies but you can do it at home very safely.

Buy some menthol crystals from drugstore or asked your doctor where you can get them. 

Fill a pail with 1/3 of steaming hot water (just boiled) and throw in 3-4 crystals into the hot water. Use a big piece of cloth or blanket to cover yourself (fully) together with the hot pail of steaming water. Place your face on the surface of the pail and breath in and out deeply... You may find it difficult to breathe in the menthol steam tho... try to do that for about 15 minutes or until you couldn't take it anymore or when there's no more steam from the water. Unveiled yourself from the blanket... take a few breath and cool down to let your breathing goes back to normal. Next thing is to go blow your nose. Blow out all the mucus... Something to bear in mind tho, do not press on one side of the nose while blowing the other side. Blow it out naturally both sides at the same time. You will feel your head lighten and the nasal pathway cleared. Without you realizing, you could have cleared the mucus from your lungs as well.

If you can do it every night before going to bed, it will help you in getting a good sleep throughout the night. Over a period of time, one would have blown out all the blockages and infections in the nasal. Who knows it will cure the sinusitis one day.

The Time Keeper

I almost forgot that I've made a commitment to read a book a month...Nah, i didn't forget. I just don't have the time to finish a book. I do remember my "To Do List" for 2013. 

Anyway, i just finished a book today. This made it 2 books completed in 4 months.. Duhh... I have to speed up my reading skill... too slow and too much time wasted. There's a Father Time watching me somewhere, watching how I procrastinate and didn't complete things in given time.

Hehe... Well, this somehow related to the book i read, yes... The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. I like the author and I think he wrote very well and his books are all about life. He makes me think each time reading his stories.

To cut thing short, here's the synopsis of the book, again I would like to emphasize, I'm not reviewing any title. This one is a must read though... MUST READ if you are serious about your life.

The man who became Father Time.

In Mitch Albom's newest work of fiction, the inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure God's greatest gift. He is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come after him seeking more days, more years. Eventually, with his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom, along with a magical hourglass and a mission: a chance to redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true meaning of time.

He returns to our world--now dominated by the hour-counting he so innocently began--and commences a journey with two unlikely partners: one a teenage girl who is about to give up on life, the other a wealthy old businessman who wants to live forever. To save himself, he must save them both. And stop the world to do so.

Told in Albom's signature spare, evocative prose, this remarkably original tale will inspire readers everywhere to reconsider their own notions of time, how they spend it and how precious it truly is.

Banana and You

Found some very interesting FACTS about Bananas online... Here are something to take note. So interesting that one will never look at a banana in the same way again. 

First thing first... Never ever put banana in the refrigerator...

A nice looking bananas just in case you're wondering what is this fruit...duhhh

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Here are the facts of Bananas (and my comment aka reminder for myself)

DEPRESSION:

According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. 

(I have no depression issue but no harm eating on the fruit to make me happier)

PMS:

Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. 

(Important note for all ladies whom experience PMS every month)

ANEMIA:

High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
(Again to all ladies, replenish the iron after the monthly period)

BLOOD PRESSURE:

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

(Although I have very good measurement for blood pressure, no harm taking note on this one tho)

BRAIN POWER:

200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

(I wonder if it improves the memory power as well? When your brain is powerful, so does the memory right, right? I need powerful memory so badly because I was thinking of something and the next second i forgotten what had came into my mine and this is happening so frequently)

CONSTIPATION:

High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

(Everyone experiences this once in a while I believe, including myself... chomp chomp chomp bananas)

HANGOVERS:

One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

(Party animals, this is for you... definitely not for me...lol)

HEARTBURN:

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

(Don't know what is causing my regular heartburn lately but this is definitely a good solution than popping pills)

MORNING SICKNESS:

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

(Do not need it for now)

MOSQUITO BITES:

Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

(To all mommies, to whom their babies are precious, rub on bananas skin instead of oil or cream that might have chemical effects... knowing all mommies going organic for their kids now)

NERVES:

Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..

(Good news for me, next time before board on a flight, I will eat bananas. If you are wondering why, I have phobia of flying)

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

(Good news also, that means biting on bananas will reduce the craving for other fattening, unhealthy food such as chips, chocolates or heavier food like nasi lemak or roti canai)

ULCERS:

The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chroniclercases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

(Guess this is somehow related to heartburn as well...so bananas that's it)

TEMPERATURE CONTROL:

Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

(No comment on this one...but why not since Malaysia is such a hot country)

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!'

(I definitely like this new sayings!!)

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!

NEPAL Stole My Heart

I was still in awe... It has been 12 days since coming back from NEPAL. I'm feeling lost... Sometimes I wonder if I left my heart on the Himalayan mountains or the mountains did steal my heart and I willingly allowed. I don't know how to express myself ever since then. I left the land of Never Ending Peace And Love feeling really fascinated, mesmerized and captivated and with this I concluded NEPAL stole my heart.

I won't talk bout my experience nor the hiking trip in this post. I'm gonna keep this post short and sweet. The 15 days spent there was worth every seconds and penny, seriously... And I had already thought of going back the very moment I landed at the KL airport. In fact most of us in this trip felt really reluctant to come back.

This is also the first time i shed tears in my whole travelling history... Happy tears I called it. Here's some pictures to do the talking. 

A recap of Life Philosophy, NEPAL has taught me

Thamel Street, Kathmandu

View from bus window, On the way to the higher lands

Beautiful People

Again, looking out from the bus window

Awesome treks

Snow mountain ahead

Another view of snow mountain

Guest house surrounded my snow mountains

Frozen lake

Here are just some pictures. Will go into details of the treks with more beautiful photos when I'm free. Was caught up with work since coming back...lost in pool of works... lost in reality.