Olive & Popeye

ngeee~.. tajuk entry tak leh blah kan. padahal entry kali ni nk cerite sedikit pasal cik olive OIL je. popeye tak de kaitan pun.. sorry ye en.POPEYE the sailor man! : P

Return to the main topic, OLIVE OIL is the greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat, and it is a prime component of the Mediterranean Diet. Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is - freshly pressed from the fruit.

Types of olive oil :

Generally, olive oil is extracted by pressing or crushing olives. Olive oil comes in different varieties, depending on the amount of processing involved. Varieties include:

Extra virgin - considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.

Virgin - from the second pressing.

Pure - undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.

Extra light - undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour.

When buying olive oil you will want to obtain a high quality EXTRA VIRGIN oil. The oil that comes from the first "pressing" of the olive, is extracted without using heat (a cold press) or chemicals, and has no "off" flavors is awarded "extra virgin" status. The less the olive oil is handled, the closer to its natural state, the better the oil. If the olive oil meets all the criteria, it can be designated as "extra virgin".

What is pure and light olive oil? "Pure" olive oil is made by adding a little extra virgin olive oil to refined olive oil. It is a lesser grade oil that is also labeled as just "olive oil" in the U.S.

"Light" olive oil is a marketing concept and not a classification of olive oil grades. It is completely unregulated by any certification organizations and therefore has no real precedent to what its content should be. Sometimes, the olive oil is cut with other vegetable oils.

Olive oil's health benefits :

The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil -mainly oleic acid.

Olive oil is very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil's protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally than prescribed drugs. Consequently, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.

Olive oil and heart disease :

Studies have shown that people who consumed 25 milliliters (mL) - about 2 tablespoons - of virgin olive oil daily for 1 week showed less oxidation of LDL cholesterol and higher levels of antioxidant compounds, particularly phenols, in the blood.

But while all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.

Olive oil is clearly one of the good oils, one of the healing fats. Most people do quite well with it since it does not upset the critical omega 6 to omega 3 ratio and most of the fatty acids in olive oil are actually an omega-9 oil which is monounsaturated.

Olive oil and colon cancer :

Spanish researchers suggest that including olive oil in your diet may also offer benefits in terms of colon cancer prevention. Their study results showed that rats fed diet supplemented with olive oil had a lower risk of colon cancer than those fed safflower oil-supplemented diets. In fact, the rats that received olive oil had colon cancer rates almost as low as those fed fish oil, which several studies have already linked to a reduction in colon cancer risk.

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Alkisah disebalik pencarian khasiat minyak zaitun: 

sebenarnya, suatu hari terfikir oleh otakku akan menggunakan minyak zaitun sebagai kuah kpd nasi putih dan ayam koki. kerana kemalasan yg teramat utk memasak lauk berkuah, gorenglah ayam koki dengan minyak zaitun dan dibuatnya minyak zaitun itu sebagai kuah. maka menu hari itu adalah "nasi putih minyak zaitun bersama ayam koki". wow tak?? panjang tu menu..haha.. wlpn ada minyak tp minyak zaitun bnyk khasiat! jangan lupa tu & kalau boleh jangan tiru macam saya :D  

A Story of a Japanese Boy

THIS letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan ‘s crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of “East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres.” Shanghai Daily condensed it.

Brother,

How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.

Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.

We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.

I am currently in Fukushima , about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm – their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good – so things aren’t as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can’t guarantee that things won’t get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order.

They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it’s like dropping a little salt into the ocean.

Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.

Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn’t be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father’s car away.

I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn’t make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.

The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That’s when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. “When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here’s my portion. I already ate. Why don’t you eat it?”

The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn’t. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.

I was shocked. I asked him why he didn’t eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: “Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally.”

When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn’t see me cry.

A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.

Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.

10 steps to a healthy pregnancy

• 1. Organise your antenatal care early
• 2. Eat well
• 3. Be careful about food hygiene
• 4. Take folic acid supplements and eat fish
• 5. Exercise regularly
• 6. Begin doing pelvic floor exercises
• 7. Limit your alcohol intake
• 8. Cut back on caffeine
• 9. Stop smoking
• 10. Get some rest

This post is addressed to any woman who will be a future mother or already in the process of pregnancy. expected that this post will gives  some benefits to you and serves a guide during your prenatal course.

1. Organise your antenatal care early 

Good antenatal care is essential to your baby's health. Choosing your carer early means you'll have months to build a good relationship in preparation for the birth. Even if you are not offered a choice of carer, you may be able to develop a rapport with one particular midwife or obstetrician you have met during the course of your pregnancy care. . 

2. Eat well 

There's no need to "eat for two" when you're pregnant, nor to drink full-fat milk or supplements marketed as maternal milk. In fact your energy needs don't change for the first six months of pregnancy, and only increase slightly in the last three months (by around 200 calories a day) . 

However, it is important to eat a well-balanced and healthy diet. Many women go off certain foods, but it's always possible to substitute those with others that provide similar nutritional value. 

Make sure that your diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day). Base your meals around carbohydrates such as bread, pasta and rice (preferably wholegrain so you get plenty of fibre). Include protein such as fish, meat, eggs, nuts or pulses, and some milk and dairy foods, every day. It's important, too, to eat breakfast and to keep an eye on meal portion sizes and snacks between meals . 

3. Be careful about food hygiene 

It is better to avoid certain foods in pregnancy because they carry a health risk for your baby. 

Listeria, which can cause miscarriage or severe illness in newborns, can be caused by mould-ripened soft cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert, and blue-veined cheeses, such as Stilton. Don't eat these while you're pregnant. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, and soft-processed cheeses, such as cottage cheese, Philadelphia and Boursin, are safe to eat. 

To avoid toxoplasmosis, which is rare, but can seriously affect an unborn baby, it is important to wear gloves when handling cat litter and garden soil, avoid eating undercooked or raw meat, and wash vegetables and salads thoroughly to remove any soil or dirt. 

Salmonella infections may be caused by eating undercooked poultry, and raw or soft-cooked eggs. (Read more about food hygiene in pregnancy).

4. Take folic acid supplements and eat fish 

The only supplement that is considered truly vital is folic acid (also called folate), which can help prevent spina bifida and other neural tube defects in babies. 

Spina bifida is a serious congenital condition. It occurs when the tube housing the central nervous system fails to close completely and may give rise to severe disabilities. All women planning a pregnancy are advised to take a daily supplement of 400mcg of folic acid starting around the time of conception through the first three months of pregnancy. 

You can also increase your intake of natural folate through your diet. Folate is found in many different foods, particularly vegetables and fortified breakfast cereals. Other nutrients that are important to your health and your baby's are iron and calcium, which can generally be provided by your diet. 

Some studies have shown that fish oils, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, may have a beneficial effect on pre-eclampsia, a baby's birth weight and on the development of a baby's brain and nerves in late pregnancy. 

Oily fish contain proteins, minerals, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which your baby needs as he grows and develops, but it also contains mercury and other pollutants. The current recommendation is to eat oily fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon or sardines no more than twice a week, but you can still eat other types of fish as much as you like. 

If you don't like fish, fish oil supplements are available (choose a brand free of the retinol form of Vitamin A, which is not recommended in pregnancy). 

5. Exercise regularly 

A good exercise programme can give you the strength and endurance you'll need to carry the weight you gain during pregnancy and to handle the physical stress of labour. It will also make it much easier to get back into shape after your baby is born. 

Exercise can boost your spirits and help ward off depression in pregnancy. Experts aren't sure exactly how,, but there is growing evidence that it has a positive effect on brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate your emotions and mood. 

If you are used to taking exercise in the form of a sport, you can continue with this as long as it feels comfortable for you, unless your particular sport carries a risk of falls or knocks. More gentle exercise such as walking, swimming, aqua-aerobics, and yoga are also very beneficial. You may also find our animated yoga for pregnancy videos helpful. 

6. Begin doing pelvic floor exercises 

It's very common for women who are pregnant or who have had children to experience stress incontinence; when small amounts of urine leak out during activities, including sneezing, laughing and exercise. You can help prevent this happening by doing pelvic floor exercises, starting before you get pregnant or during pregnancy. 

The pelvic floor muscles are the hammock of muscles at the base of your pelvis that support the bladder, vagina and rectum. They can feel weaker than usual in pregnancy because of the extra pressure upon them, and because the hormones of pregnancy cause them to slacken slightly. 

Your pelvic floor can be toned and strengthened by a daily exercise pattern. Current recommendations are that you should do pelvic floor exercises three times a day, eight contractions each time.. Read our article on pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy for more information on how to do them properly. 

7. Limit your alcohol intake 

Since any alcohol you drink rapidly reaches your baby via your blood stream and placenta, you may decide to cut it out completely, or at least to monitor the amount you consume. 

In the UK, the Royal College of Physicians, and more recently, the Department of Health, recommend that pregnant women play it safe by steering clear of alcohol. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Food Standards Agency recommend, if you do decide to drink, a limit of one or two units of alcohol, no more than once or twice per week, and not to get drunk. 

Women who drink heavily (over six units a day) on a regular basis during pregnancy are known to be at greater risk of giving birth to a baby with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which describes problems ranging from learning difficulties to more serious birth defects. 

8. Cut back on caffeine 

Coffee, tea and cola-style beverages are mild stimulants, and although the research evidence is not clear, some researchers feel that too much caffeine may contribute to a risk of having a low birth weight baby, or increase your risk of miscarriage. 

The current advice suggests that up to two mugs of coffee (equivalent to four cups of tea or five cans of cola) a day won't hurt your baby, although one study suggests that even low levels of caffeine can increase your risk of miscarriage. 

As with alcohol, it's best to err on the side of caution and you may prefer to cut down on caffeine significantly, or switch to decaffeinated coffee, tea, or fruit juices, instead, particularly in the first trimester. A refreshing alternative is a glass of water with a twist of lime or lemon. 

9. Stop smoking 

Women who smoke increase their risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, and cot death. 

Smoking in the first trimester also slightly increases the risk of having a baby with a cleft lip or palate. 

While it is best to give up smoking before you even try to conceive, any reduction in the number of cigarettes you smoke per day will give your baby a better chance. 

10. Get some rest 

The fatigue you feel in the first and third trimesters is your body's way of saying "slow down". A nap in the middle of the day may seem like a luxury you can't afford, but you and your baby will both benefit. If you can't sleep, at least put your feet up and relax for 30 minutes or more, in whatever way suits you best. 

If backache is disturbing your sleep, try massage (tell the therapist you are pregnant or look for a bidan experienced in helping pregnant women), aquanatal classes, or exercise classes specifically for back care. Exercise and relaxation can also help with sleep problems related to stress. Try relaxation techniques, which are safe in pregnancy, including yoga, stretching and deep breathing. Always tell the teacher of any exercise or relaxation class that you attend that you're pregnant or choose classes tailored for pregnant women. 

Reference: http://www.babycenter.com.my/

Mari beramal

Hari ini adalah hari Arafah, iaitu hari  yang ke-9 dari bulan Zulhijjah di mana banyak kelebihan pada hari 10 pertama bulan Zulhijjah. tidak ramai yang mengetahui ganjaran disebalik hari2 ini. kebanyakan kita hanya mengetahui kelebihan pada malam 10 terakhir ramadhan sahaja dan berebut2 utk mendapatkannya. kenapa kita tidak cuba merebut pahala dan ganjaran pada 10  hari pada bulan Zulhijjah?? aku sendiri alpa..

Imam Ahmad r.a. dari Ibnu Umar r.a. bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda, “Tiada suatu haripun, amalan kebaikan padanya mempunyai kelebihan melainkan pada hari-hari 10 Zulhijjah ini, oleh kerana itu perbanyakkanlah padanya tahlil (La Ilaha Illa Allah), takbir (Allah Akbar) dan tahmid (Alhamdu Lillah)”.

Ibnu Hibban di dam kitab Sahihnya meriwayatkan dari Jabir r.a. bahawa Baginda s.a.w bersabda, “Seutama-utama hari adalah hari Arafah”.

Maka rebutlah peluang pada 10 hari Zulhijjah ini dengan melakukan amalan2 yang dianjur padanya. antaranya:


1. Menunaikan ibadah haji dan umrah yang merupakan sebaik-baik amalan.
2. Berpuasa pada hari-hari tersebut atau sekadar kemampuannya – terutamanya pada hari Arafah.
Imam Muslim meriwayatkan dari Abi Qatadah r.a. bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda, “Puasa pada hari Arafah, saya mengharap Allah akan menghapuskan (dosa) setahun yang lalu dan setahun yang mendatang”. 
3. Takbir (Allahu Akbar) dan berzikir padanya.
4. Bertaubat dan meninggalkan segala maksiat dan dosa, semoga dengan amalan baik dapat mencapai keampunan dan rahmat Allah. 
5. Memperbanyakkan amalan soleh terutama amalan sunat tambahan seperti solat sunat, berjihad, membaca al-Quran, menyeru kepada kebaikan, mencegah kemungkaran dan seumpamanya.
6. Disyariatkan bertakbir pada beberapa hari yang mulia itu pada waktu siang atau malam terutama selepas menunaikan fardu solat lima waktu yang dikerjakan secara berjemaah.
7. Disyariatkan amalan korban (menyembelih haiwan ternakan) pada hari raya haji dan hari-hari Tasyriq (11, 12 dan 13 Zulhijjah). 
8. Setiap muslim hendaklah berusaha menunaikan solat hari raya secara berjemaah.
10. Penuhilah hari-hari berkenaan dengan ketaatan kepada Allah, berzikir, bersyukur, menunaikan perintah-Nya, menjauhi larangan-Nya, mendekatkan diri kepada-Nya semoga mendapat rahmat dan keampunan-Nya.


Jom berpuasa beramai-ramai pada hari ini. never to late utk merebut peluang2 sebegini. lakukanlah amalan2 soleh keranaNya. niat mestilah betul, bukan untuk mejaga ego (bila tengok org berpuasa sunat, dia pon turut nak puasa juge hanya utk bermegah diri). seperti kanak-kanak yang singkat akalnya. insyaAllah kita tidak begitu. semoga segala amalan dan ibadah diterima Allah.. wallahua'lam =)

Keliru

Aku keliru. fikiran aku buntu. betulkah apa yang aku putuskan ini? adakah keputusan dan tindakan aku ini adalah benar dan betul buat aku? adakah Allah meredhainya?

(resah gelisah, haru biru)

MAKA

beristikharahlah

أصَلِّي سُنَّةَ الإِسْتِخَارَةِ رَكَعَتَيْنِ لِلهِ تَعالىَ

Sengaja aku mengerjakan sembahyang istikharah dua rakaat kerana Allah Ta'ala

Solat Istikharah dilakukan bagi mengetahui penentuan tentang kebaikan dan pekerjaan yang akan oleh seseorang yang dia sendiri tidak dapat pastikan. Dengan solat ini, mudah-mudahan Allah SWT menunjukkan petandaNya, kalau baik natijahnya, diteruskan dan kalau tidak baik, tidak akan dilaksanakan.

Doa selepas selesai solat istikharah:

"Ya Allah, saya memohonkan pilihan menurut pengetahuanMu dan memohonkan penetapan dengan kesuasaanMu juga saya memohonkan kurniaMu yang besar, sebab sesungguhnya Engkaulah yang Maha Mengetahui dan saya tidak mengetahui apa-apa. Engkau Maha Mengetahui segala yang ghaib. Ya Allah, jikalau di dalam ilmuMu bahawa urusan saya ini........ baik untukku dalam agamaku, kehidupanku serta akibat urusanku, maka takdirkanlah untukku dan mudahkanlah serta berikanlah berkah kepadaku di dalamnya. Sebaliknya jikala di dalam ilmumu bahawa urusan ini buruk untukku, dalam agamaku, kehidupan serta akibat urusanku, maka jauhkanlah hal itu daripadaku dan jauhkanlah aku daripadanya serta takdirkanlah untukku yang baik-baik saja dimana saja adanya, kemudian puaskanlah hatiku dengan takdirMu itu."

Pilihan dibuat selepas meminta pertolongan dari Nya adalah lebih afdal dan membuatkan kita lebih yakin untuk memilih dan membuat keputusan. buatlah keputusan melalui perkiraan yang betul dan bukanlah dengan membuta tuli atau menurut hawa nafsu..

solat tiang agama, pengukuh jiwa