Whether it’s personal or national, the question of spending & budgeting is of the utmost importance. Besides Thomas Jefferson, even Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady of British politics, had this to say:

What follow is reblogged from an article by Simon Black on September 28, 2015. (Sovereign Valley Farm, Chile)

On May 28, 1816, Thomas Jefferson penned a letter to his friend John Taylor deeply criticizing the use of debt to fund a government’s excessive operations:
“[T]he principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale,”
Public debt is a weapon of mass destruction that constitutes theft upon future generations.
And as Jefferson argued in the letter, every new generation has the right to be born onto this planet unencumbered by the debts racked up by their ancestors.
But that’s not the way it is anymore.
Governments, like many individuals, no longer follow the Universal Law of Prosperity: produce more than you consume.
Instead there’s a sense of entitlement.
Politicians seem to believe that because the US is the dominant superpower, its balance sheet doesn’t matter, and the government can spend as much as it wishes.
All of this is enabled by a financial system where unelected central bankers conjure money out of thin air and loan it to the federal government so that no hard choices ever really need to be made.
(This system reflects Jefferson’s words in the same letter that “banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies. . .”)
But this is incredibly dangerous and short-term thinking.
By its own financial statements, the government of the United States is insolvent.
Several of its major trust funds and institutions are already insolvent, or quickly heading that way:
▪ The United States Highway Fund is insolvent
▪ The Disability Insurance Trust Fund of Social Security is scheduled to become insolvent within months.
▪ The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, a sort of FDIC for pension funds, is insolvent.
▪ And the FDIC itself, which is supposed to insure the entire US banking system, is pitifully undercapitalized, with an insurance fund that fails to meet the minimum statutory requirements set forth by law.
These examples don’t even scratch the surface, and the total level of government insolvency, just at the federal level, goes into the tens of trillions of dollars.
In response, the people in charge of this mess have continually and habitually ignored it.
There was the incredibly embarrassing debt ceiling crisis of 2011 when Congress maxed out the national credit card. Back then the debt was ‘only’ $14 trillion.
And they dealt with the problem by ignoring it.
Then in 2013 it all blew up again in yet another debt-ceiling crisis when the national debt hit $17 trillion.
Yet still they slapped an absurd band-aid fix on the problem, enabling them to kick the can down the road once again.
Now here they are again in 2015.
Congress hit the debt ceiling back in March, and ever since, the Treasury Department has resorted to “extraordinary measures”, i.e. stealing from pension funds, to keep the lights on.
Their solution is to have once again waited until nearly the last minute to kick the can down the road– this time with a ‘stopgap funding measure’ that will make the issue blow up again in early December, barely two months from now.
It’s not like they didn’t have six months, or two years, or four years, or several decades to figure this out.
But it never happens… because the culture in banana republics like this is to ignore problems until they become so enormous they are beyond solving.
This gang of sycophants has had innumerable chances to fix the problem that they themselves created. And they failed at every occasion.
Expecting anything different from them is foolish.
Here’s how this ends: one day they’re going to kick the can to the end of the cul-de-sac and there will be no more road remaining.
That’s when real action will need to be taken.
But at that point, the only options on the table will be default. Confiscation. Capital controls.
All of which are enormously destructive and have the potential to tear through society like a wild boar.
In the same letter from 1816, Jefferson wrote about the dangers of reckless overspending and borrowing from banking establishments to go into debt:
“I contemplate it as a blot left in all our constitutions, which, if not covered, will end in their destruction.”
Jefferson may soon be proven right.
Amazingly enough, however, for anyone paying attention, the warning signs are as plain as day.
The government is practically jumping up and down waving its hands to show that they’re (a) incompetent, and (b) completely insolvent.
This isn’t exactly news.
It’s also not news that insolvent nations run into major, game-changing problems.
Cyprus nationalized bank accounts. Iceland imposed severe capital controls. Greece has resorted to every humiliating indignity imaginable. Argentina has seized private pensions.
And yet, people in the west still fail to connect the two dots. They think ‘those things can’t happen here.’
Well, they can. No nation is immune to the powerful gravitational pull of debt… and stupidity… both of which are in abundance in government.
Are the chances of a complete meltdown 100%? Of course not. There is very little certainty in this world.
But to believe that the chances of financial calamity are non-existent is a fool’s fantasy that’s just begging for people’s life savings to get wiped out.
These are major risks with a likelihood that is far higher than people expect. They should be treated as such… with sensibility and reason, not panic.
There’s no downside risk in ensuring that you don’t become a victim to such obvious financial dangers.
And certainly no benefit in pretending they don’t exist.
Our goal is simple: To help you achieve personal liberty and financial prosperity no matter what happens.
If you liked this post, please click the box below. You can watch a compelling video you’ll find very interesting.

Will you be prepared when everything we take for granted changes overnight?

Just think about this for a couple of minutes. What if the U.S. Dollar wasn’t the world’s reserve currency? Ponder that… what if…

Empires Rise, they peak, they decline, they collapse, this is the cycle of history.

This historical pattern has formed and is already underway in many parts of the world, including the United States.

Don’t be one of the millions of people who gets their savings, retirement, and investments wiped out.

About the author: Simon Black is an international investor, entrepreneur, permanent traveler, free man, and founder of Sovereign Man. His free daily e-letter and crash course is about using the experiences from his life and travels to help you achieve more freedom.

Writer Unknown

If there’s one thing that can be said about the Chinese government, it’s this: They don’t care one whit about being politically correct. And apparently, they’re willing to address something that the West will not: the fact that Islam is inherently dangerous.

Isn’t it ironic that an oppressive, communist country sees what free nations don’t : that, ultimately, Islam always turns nasty? History proved that!

It’s presence in a society always ends badly for everyone -except for its adherents. This is what “tolerance” will get you.

Everywhere Islam has been welcomed by a free people, it has grown from a quiet snake in the grass into an uncontrollable dragon.

Islamists are patient; they believe Allah is on their side, and they will wait. They bide their time, infiltrating a culture, until they have gained all of the strength they need to strike at the heart of the people who have accepted them into their midst.

There is a very simple reason for this; Islam is not just a religion, it is a political ideology and a cult of death, and no behaviour is tolerated outside of its murderous directives.

So what is China doing?

It’s declaring an all-out war to make sure Islam doesn’t take over, and never gains the strength to attack them. Here are China’s directives:

– Female head-coverings are banned.
— Men are discouraged from growing long beards.
– Islamic restaurants must sell cigarettes and drinks AND they must display them prominently.  Any business owner who does not follow this order … will lose their business.
Done.

China sees what’s happening to the West. It sees what happened in France, throughout the European Union, in Boston, in California, and even in Texas. So they have taken a stand. Islam will not be tolerated in China.

The country has decided to eradicate the plague before it can gain a foothold and turn into the dragon.

Unlike our inept government, with it’s Muslim sympathizers – the foremost being our President and his administration- China understands the reality behind Islam.

Communism is a horrible form of government, but it also unshackles China from tolerating the idiotic delusions of those who continue to preach that Islam is a  “religion of Peace.”

It is no such thing.  America/Australia should take heed.
Western Europe and all the small generous countries: isn’t it time to wake up???

Reblogged from BabaMail

Just 100 years ago, getting from America to Europe was a voyage that took several days by ocean liners. With the invention of airplanes, that travel time was significantly shortened to under 24 hours. At the apex of the era of transatlantic flight, the Concorde was able to fly 100 passengers at Mach 2.0 speeds from New York to London in just over 3.5 hours.

Now, the European Space Agency (ESA) just greenlighted the next stage of modern transportation – the hypersonic flight. The ESA has approved a new round of funding to project LAPCAT (Long-Term Advanced Propulsion Concepts and Technologies).

Ignoring its funny name, the new plane will fly at Mach 5.0 speed (that’s five times the speed of sound!), using liquid hydrogen engines. The planes will be able to travel from England to Australia in four hours, carry 300 passengers and even fly to space in just 15 minutes.
The new kind of engine is being developed by the British company Reaction Engines, who are said to invest over 60 million GBP in the development, and are going to start builing a full-scale prototype engine.

Current jet engines require that airplanes carry liquid oxygen as a coolant because in speeds beyond Mach 3.0 the engines cannot use external oxygen for cooling. The new type of engine can use external oxygen freely, allowing it to cool down its engines from over 1,000°c (1,832°f) to -150°c (-328°f) in a fraction of a second.

Experts are hailing this development as the biggest advancement in aviation since the invention of the jet engine. The cost of a single plane is estimated to be a whopping $1.1 Billion and will have no windows.

This interesting video explains the LAPCAT’s abilities:
Embedded Video

Hypersonic passenger plane LAPCAT A2 explainer
So would you be willing to fly in a windowless super-fast rocket?

Reblogged from BabaMail

Main > Health & Lifestyle > Health
Clogged arteries are the result of a plaque buildup on the inner walls of the arteries, restricting proper blood flow, also known as atherosclerosis. Clogged arteries can eventually lead to more severe consequences, which include heart attack, stroke and even death if not treated early on.

The most common symptom people experience is angina, which is easily mistaken for heartburn or indigestion. Angina is the feeling of pressure or tightness in your chest, and it occurs when there isn’t enough blood flowing to your heart. Other common symptoms include; difficulty breathing, numbness on one side of the body and palpitations.

The Most Common Causes and Symptoms:

Causes:
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Type I and Type II diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High LDL cholesterol levels
• Lack of physical exercise
• Inflammation from other diseases, such as arthritis
Symptoms:
• Angina (chest pain)
• Numbness on one side of the body
• inability to move an arm or a leg
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• An irregular heartbeat
• Weakness or dizziness
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite
Different Testing Procedures for Clogged Arteries:
• Cholesterol screening
• Echocardiogram
• Stress Test
• Electrocardiogram
• Chest X-ray
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI or PET scanning
• Angiogram
Editor’s note – Please visit your doctor if you are experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms, especially the more severe ones.

A few changes to your daily lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk for a wide assortment of heart diseases, such as pericarditis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arteriosclerosis and heart attacks. Make sure you regularly exercise, maintain a healthy diet and avoid smoking at all costs.

10 Natural Remedies for Clogged Arteries

1) The SMASH Fish Diet – SMASH is the acronym for sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon, and herring. Cold water fish contain a high level of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the bad cholesterol, fight off inflammation and promotehealthy hearts.

Remedy:
• You can select from any of the fish on the SMASH list and eat at least 2 servings per week.
• Garnish the fish with green leafy vegetables, such as spinach or kale.
2) Cayenne Pepper – Cayenne pepper contains the powerful anti-inflammatory property of capsaicin, which is used to prevent oxidation, chest congestion, thrombosis and other heart diseases.

Remedy:
• Add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to a cup of hot water. You can also mix a spoonful of the pepper into a cup of green tea, along with a bit of lemon juice and a squirt of honey.
• Drink the concoction twice daily for a few weeks3) Dark Chocolate – Good quality dark chocolate contains more antioxidants than a handful of blueberries. The delicious treat is high in fiber, iron and magnesium, all essential components to prevent atherosclerosis. Skip the processed sugary chocolates on the supermarket shelves and stack up on the darker, healthier version instead.

Remedy:
• You can snack on a small piece of dark chocolate as a sweet  alternative to fruits, but make sure you keep the intake moderate, since it is high in trans fats.
• Use dark chocolate while baking or cooking instead of the refined variety. 4) Garlic – Garlic might very well be the grand champion of all natural remedies. Garlic improves blood circulation, strengthens the immune system, lowers LDL cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart attack.

Remedy:
• Add 3 chopped garlic cloves to a glass of milk and boil it.
• Let the milk cool off and drink it before going to bed.
• Garlic supplements may be used as an alternative, but make sure you speak with your doctor in advance.

5) Turmeric – Turmeric is one of the most powerful spices around. The health benefits of this “miracle spice” dates back over 10,000 years, and is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a natural healing treatment. Turmeric supports a healthy cardiovascular system and prevents the blockage of arteries.

Remedy:
• Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk.
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the milk.
• Drink the turmeric milk twice per day.
• You may also take turmeric supplements, with a suggested dosage between 400 to 600 mg, up to 3 times per day. Make sure you consult your doctor if you plan on taking any supplements.

6) Lemons – Citrus fruits are ideal for combating coronary artery diseases and other heart problems. Lemons contain high levels of vitamin C, ideal for maintaining healthy blood flow and preventing COPD (the common cold).

Remedy:
• Squeeze the juice out of a single lemon into a glass of warm water.
• Add a tablespoon of honey and a pinch of black pepper powder.
• Drink the mixture twice daily for a couple of weeks.
• You can also boil 1 tablespoon of lemon peels in 4 cups of warm water for about 20 minutes.
• Strain the water and add a bit of honey. Drink 1 cup with each meal for several weeks.
 7) Ginger – Ginger is one of the healthiest super foods in existence. It contains over a dozen plaque-fighting antioxidant properties and a score of benefits you would not believe. The powerful herb also flushes out toxins from the bloodstream.
Remedy:
• Add 1 teaspoon of grated ginger to a cup of boiling water.
• Allow the tea to steep for about 5 minutes and then strain.
• Add a tablespoon of natural honey to enhance flavoring.
• Drink a cup of ginger tea with each meal.
8) Flaxseed – Flaxseeds are high in alpha-linolenic acid, which protects against inflammation and allows blood to flow properly throughout the body, while keeping your arteries clear from blockage.

Remedy:
• Consume 2 to 4 tablespoons of ground flaxseed each day.
• You can add a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds to yogurts, cereals, salads and soups.
• Sprinkle a few ground flaxseeds to add extra flavor to plain vegetable salads or use them as a sugar substitute when preparing baked goods.
 9) Red Yeast Rice – The natural monacolins found in red yeast rice, helps to increase the HDL cholesterol levels in the body. The rice also prevents your arteries from clogging, while lowering the risk for other assorted heart diseases.

Remedy:
• You can consume the rice with any of the SMASH cold water fish as a healthy side dish.
• Red yeast rice capsules may be substituted instead, but make sure you consult your doctor beforehand. The suggested dosage is 1,200 mg twice per day with meals.

10) Pomegranates are rich sources for vitamin C, E, and K. They also contain powerful antioxidant phytochemicals, which prevent plaque from building up in the arteries.

Remedy:
• A glass of pomegranate juice per day can help improve the cardiovascular system.
• Alternatively, you can eat 1 to 2 fresh pomegranates on a daily basis to reap the rewards.
Additional Bonus Tips:
• Avoid eating junk foods, fried foods, and processed foods.
• Limit your consumption of red meat.
• Avoid smoking.
• Abstain from drinking alcohol.
• Try meditation as a way to alleviate stress, which causes high blood pressure.
• Add legumes and whole-grain products to your diet.
• Eat more fruits with bright colors, such as mangos, blueberries, lemons, oranges, tomatoes, watermelon and butternut squash.
• Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin coconut oil with your meals, in order to help reduce plaque buildup.
• Have a few glasses of natural cranberry juice a day to protect your cardiovascular system.
• Bask in the early morning sunlight to get your daily dose of vitamin D, which helps reduce arterial stiffness.
• Take 100 to 300 mcg of vitamin B12 daily, but make sure you get your doctor’s approval first.

• Avoid refined sugar and use cinnamon or brown sugar as a substitute.
• Take omega-3 supplements after consulting your physician.
• Use extra-virgin olive oil while cooking.
• Eat at least 2 servings of the SMASH Diet each week.
• Drink a cup of green tea with each meal to keep the arteries from clogging.
• Snack on a few almonds or walnuts to stay energized during the day and prevent heart disease.
H/T: top10homeremedies.com

By Paul Chong     Tuesday, 22 September 2015

In May 1989 when I first led a party of 10 into China, there were still bicycles galore. Never had I seen such sheer numbers . . . by the millions . . . after all China has a total population of 1.4 billion now.

Chronologically & historically, in the shortest time span China has transformed itself teeming with millions & millions of motor vehicles. It’s just unimaginable . . . a great miracle unsurpassed by any industrial country in the world. A record such as this happened only once in a lifetime!

Everyday is a nightmare to the traffic controllers with traffic jams lasting for days, weeks & more. China set about the frenzy building of highways, flyways & byways. Speedy communication is essential to set or match with the gigantic growth of economic & social motion.

Since 2009 annual production of automobiles in China exceeds that of the European Union or that of the United States and Japan combined.

In 2014, total vehicles production in China reached 23.720 million, accounting for 26% of global automotive production.
The number of registered cars, buses, vans, and trucks on the road in China is expected to exceed 200 million by 2020.
The consultancy McKinsey & Company estimates that China’s car market will grow tenfold between 2005 and 2030.

Most of the automobiles produced in China are made by joint ventures between local and foreign manufacturers such as Volkswagen, General Motors, Hyundai, Nissan, Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
All foreign brands can own no more than 49% of of its joint ventures.
All foreign brands must be 100% design and 100% manufacture in China.
Indigenous brands that do not cooperate with a multinational also exist but may be less popular.
These include: Beijing Automotive Group, Brilliance Automotive, BYD, Dongfeng Motor, FAW Group, SAIC Motor, Chang’an (Chana), Geely, Chery, Jianghuai (JAC), Great Wall, and Guangzhou Automobile Group.

China-built German luxury cars such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi are Chinese most favourite buys.
Japanese cars lost sales badly because of boycott by Chinese citizens.

As a point of interest, when talking of highways, flyways & byways, reminds me to mention of the Big Bend Scenic Byway which will transport you to a different time & place through its wildlife, woods, waterways and the way of life. Yes, life springs up in all respects since Deng Xiao Ping opened up China in 1970s.
__________________________

Paul Chong     Saturday, 19 September 2015

Jack Ma, chairman of Alibaba Group, speaks in front of a big screen during the Nov 11 Singles’ Day shopping spree at Alibaba headquarters in Hangzhou city, East China’s Zhejiang province, on Nov 11 2014.

Alibaba chairman Jack Ma is reported to be the buyer of a luxury house in Hong Kong’s exclusive Victoria Peak district that sold this week for HK$1.5 billion ($193 million).

IN Malaysia where I come from, the top end property market is to be found in Kenny Hills. Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng, however, lives on the edge of Ukay Heights where he has a sweeping vista vision of the Klang Valley. Properties in Pantai Hills, Damansara Height also command premium prices. In Hong Kong, with none to compare, the place tho live is up in Victoria Peak.

The 70 year old, 1100 square meters property at 22 Barker Road is described variously as a “bungalow,” a “villa” and a “mansion”. The deal makes it the second most expensive home in the world per square foot, according to local media at HK$151,653 ($19,500) per saleable square foot.

The three story property boasts a 270-degree sea view of Victoria Harbour and — incredibly rare in Hong Kong — a 1858 square meters private garden.

The house was bought from telecoms magnate, Francis Yu, former deputy chairman of PCCW. Yu bought the place in 2000 for HK$163.5 million ($21.1 million), giving him a more than nine-fold gain in 15 years.

Earlier this week Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, reported financial figures for the second quarter which disappointed investors and caused the company’s shares to slump. But even after the devaluation of the Chinese currency and the share slide Ma still has a personal net worth in excess of $20 billion.

In 2007, Ma previously paid HK$282 million ($36.5 million) for another Hong Kong property in Branksome Crest, Mid-Levels, a deal which was then expected to help him gain Hong Kong permanent residency.

Jack Ma, 50, of Alibaba worth AUD$42 billion, paid 1.5 billion HK dollars (AUD$193 million) for a three-story mansion on Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak.
Here’s the view from the mansion:

___________________________________

Reblogged from SovereignMan.com

September 14, 2015
Sovereign Valley Farm, Chile

Every few centuries a new technology is invented and adopted that fundamentally changes everything about how a society is structured and organized.

The Agricultural Revolution allowed early humankind to stop being nomadic hunters and establish the roots of civilization in a single location.

The invention of the moveable type printing press in the 1400s (the Internet of its day) created a rapid spread of ideas that spawned lasting political revolutions across Europe.

The Industrial Revolution lifted millions of people out of poverty, empowered the middle class, and finally ended the feudal system.

Today it’s the Digital Revolution, which, along with robotics, genomics, and AI, is already creating fundamental changes in society.

Now, to say that the world is constantly changing is a statement of the obvious.

But the changes we’re experiencing right now have never been seen before in all of history.

Because in addition to major social changes, we’re also seeing a change in the world’s dominant superpower.

This happens from time to time throughout history.

The Italian city-states. The Ottoman Empire. Spain. France. Britain. All of these great empires held the top spot in the world for a time. Sometimes centuries.

But each was ultimately displaced by another rising power. Nations, like people, have natural life cycles. They rise, peak, and decline. It’s completely normal.

The United States as the world’s dominant superpower today is in its own period of decline.

Over the past 55 years, the US government posted a budget surplus a grand total of TWO times (one of which was a razor-thin surplus of just 0.01% of GDP), showing that this downward slide has been essentially uninterrupted.

There’s simply too much debt, military folly, and pitifully unsustainable entitlement programs for it to get back on track.

To quote former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, “There is surely something odd about the world’s greatest power being the world’s greatest debtor.”

Both of these trends are also playing a role in precipitating a reset within the third: finance.

Every few decades, the dominant financial system in the world is replaced, usually tracked by the rise and fall of global reserve currencies.

The current financial system, based on central bank innuendo and false political promises, is decades old.

Wreaking havoc on markets and decreasing the living standards of the majority of the population today, it’s clear that it’s time for a reset.

This is already in motion as we are seeing significant challenges to the US dollar’s dominance, with the Chinese dumping their US Treasury securities, and the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

You’ve seen and felt all of these trends, but what you may not realize is just how unique this is.

We’re seeing a shift in the world’s dominant superpower at the exact same time there’s a shift in the global financial system, and reserve currency, and game-changing technology. And even more trends that we haven’t even discussed.

The convergence of all of these trends at the same moment is the MEGA-trend.

The last time this happened was… never.

And it is bringing with it a whole host of unusual and unprecedented risks, which we’re already starting to see.

Financial markets are topsy-turvey, rising and collapsing in double digits within a few hours. That’s not supposed to happen.

Entire nations are going bankrupt. Radical and socialist politicians are surging.

Banking systems are on exceptionally shaky footing. Interest rates in many countries are actually negative.

And there are massive financial bubbles everywhere we look.

These risks are very real, and this is absolutely no time to be asleep at the wheel.

But behind each of these risks are incredible opportunities, and that’s what makes these changes so exciting.

In forgotten corners of financial markets, there are successful, profitable companies that are selling for HUGE discounts to their book values… and in some cases for less than the amount of cash they have in the bank.

Next-generation financial assets (including gold, silver, and even cryptocurrencies) are selling at historic discounts.

And alert individuals have the chance to invest in game-changing technologies that will dominate the next 100 years.

This is all incredibly exciting for anyone who’s actually paying attention.

There are huge risks. And huge opportunities. It’s important to be prepared for both.

Book 10 of Virgil’s Aeneid is one of the earliest references to the phrase “audentis Fortuna iuvat,” which is most commonly translated as “Fortune favors the bold.”

Perhaps. But if history is any guide, Fortune favors the prepared.

Until tomorrow,
Signature
Simon Black
Founder, SovereignMan.com

By Paul Chong     Saturday, 12 September 2015

Now that’s an interesting question & a difficult one to answer. Let’s just take a look at this scenario:

Well, the pink pill protects my heart from the side effects of the green pills that prevents potential liver failure due to the orange pill that minimizes the risk of stroke posed by the blue pill that reduces the blood clots caused by the pink pill.

A real virtual circle of pill popping. Sometimes you get & end up with extra doses or neglect them completely.

The problem is I can’t remember what the illness was that started all this round of pill popping.

I suffer from bad back with acute aches & pain. Most times I couldn’t sleep for nights at a stretch. So I had a painful surgical operation over 10 years ago. Initially after the operation I felt fine without any more pain. But as time dragged by the pain returned & things have never been the same. The surgeon would not recommend another surgery of the L4 & L5 vertebrae, because it would be more painful than the first time & more risky too he said. So care,C caution & medication was what he advocated.

However, resorting to drugs does not help at all. The relief is only temporary & soon you become additive to the pill. It’s called Paracetamol Plus Codeine-15 (Extra strong). The medication produces side effect of constipation & require me to take Movicol. One thing leads on to another & there does not seem to have any end.

Personally I hate taking pills not even supplements. You are like a guinea pig being experimented on & becoming a virtual drug addict.

Finally, I opt out & refrained from taking pills whether they are green blue or black. Exercises & stretching of body parts now rule my morning hours. Now, I feel fine & fit. No more pill popping. instead I opt for daily exercise mainly on stretching & resistance type. Also watching my diet because of my type 2 diabetes.

Global pharmaceutical trade is dominated by two major corporations running into billions of dollars. They wouldn’t be interested in any alternative medicine or simple herbal cure. They would go out of their way to disrupt or cover any other cures that would affect their trade. Their profits are astronomical & often throw kick-backs to doctors who would recommend the use of their drugs. It’s a question of rubbing each other’s back, without any serious consideration to the patient.

The Consumers International report says drug companies use unscrupulous and unethical marketing tactics not only to influence doctors to prescribe their products but also subtly to persuade consumers that they need them, writes Sarah Boseley of Guardian Weekly.

Consumers should be concerned because time and again the companies violate their own industry’s ethical marketing codes. Patients’ health may suffer if a drug such as Vioxx – a painkiller later withdrawn – is over-promoted. Yet, says Consumers International in its report, there is “a shocking lack of publicly available information about the $60bn spent annually by the industry on drug promotion”.

Drug promotion is the industry game
Not curing the illness is no shame!

Paul Chong   Friday, 11 September 2015

For the past 2,500 years, honey has been an essential ingredient, used by countless cultures all around the world. Perhaps one of the reasons why, even today, honey is so widely consumed, is due to the variety of ways it can be eaten: You can eat a spoonful of honey directly, or spread it on bread like a jam, you can mix it with juice or tea for a sweeter taste, or simply add it to warm water. No matter how you use it, honey has become an extremely useful and versatile ingredient. It is also becoming increasingly recognized not only for its amazing taste, but its medicinal properties. To reap its benefits, selecting the right type of honey is key.

Knowing the Difference between Pure and Artificial Honey When purchasing honey, bear in mind that raw honey (honey in its purest form) is best. Raw honey hasn’t been filtered, strained or heated above 115°F (46°C), unlike many of the commercial varieties we find lined up in our conventional grocery stores. In fact, most of the commercial kinds have been processed to the point that many (if not all) of the beneficial enzymes, nutrients and antioxidants have been completely destroyed. But, how can you identify the difference between the two? These 4 tests will help you determine whether the honey you purchased, is pure or not: 

1. The texture test
Unlike artificial honey, pure honey is solid. A spoonful will remain intact and will not drip off or spread easily.
2. The water test
Artificial honey, dissolves easily in water. Pure honey, on the other hand,  will lump and settle at the bottom of a glass that is filled with water.
3. The shelf life test
Pure honey will crystallize over time. While imitation honey will continue to look like syrup, no matter how long it has been stored.
4. Light a fire
If you dip the tip of a matchstick in honey, then strike it to light, natural honey will light the match easily and the flame will burn off the honey. Artificial honey, though, will not light due to the moisture that it contains.
To get the most out of this beneficial food, purchase a raw, organic honey from a whole food shops, a farmer’s market or specialized food stores.

The Key Nutrients Found in Pure Honey
Raw honey is loaded with many essential vitamins and minerals. It is packed with essential B vitamins, including B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic Acid) and B6 (Pyridoxine), all of which function as coenzymes that help the body attain energy from food. The B-vitamins are also important for normal appetite, good vision, healthy skin and nervous system function, as well as red blood cell formation. Honey is also a good source of vitamin C, which benefits the body by holding cells together through collagen synthesis (a connective tissue that holds muscles, bones and other tissues together).
Honey also contains minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, sulphur, zinc and phosphate – most of which aid in body metabolism, water balance and bone health, among many other beneficial qualities.
10 Ways Pure Honey Can Benefit Your Health 
1. A great source of energy
Carbohydrates in the form of glucose and fructose supply the body and mind with energy, which can boost endurance and reduce muscle fatigue. In fact, honey is used by many athletes as an instant, yet sustained, energy source.
2. An excellent source of antioxidants
Besides containing a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, honey also contains the flavonoid pinocembrin – which is unique to honey. This supports and promotes healthy enzyme activity.
3. Supports good bacteria
Honey supports Bifidobacteria, which is present in the gastrointestinal tract and is essential for efficient digestion and good health. Honey also contains pre/pro-biotics, which helps growth and activity of Bifidobacteria. Honey doesn’t ferment in the stomach and can be used to counteract indigestion.
4. Treats allergies and supports a strong immune system
Honey contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that can treat allergies by supporting a strong immune system. Using honey often can also strengthen the white blood corpuscles, which help fight bacterial and viral diseases.
5. Slows down the aging process
The slow depletion of enzymes in the body partly contributes to the aging process. Raw honey, however, is one of the few foods that helps slow the depletion of enzymes through the ingestion of amylase – an enzyme that breaks down sugars and carbohydrates. This has the ability to restore damaged skin, giving a softer, younger look.

6. Promotes better blood sugar control
Experimental evidence suggests that consumption of honey may improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity compared to other sweeteners. The body’s tolerance to honey is significantly better that its reaction to sucrose and glucose sourced from other foods. Individuals with greater glucose intolerance (those with mild diabetes and Type 1 diabetes – a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin) showed significantly better tolerance to honey than sucrose.
7. Helps suppress a cough
In children and teens aged between 2 and 18, honey has been found to be more effective than cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Buckwheat honey, has been shown to be an especially successful cough medicine.
8. Helps lower high cholesterol
In a series of experiments involving healthy subjects and those with high cholesterol, honey has been found to be the healthiest sweetener. However, the study also found that in patients with high cholesterol, artificial honey increased LDL (bad) cholesterol, while pure, natural honey decreased total cholesterol by 8% and LDL cholesterol by 11%.

9. A beneficial wound healer
Raw honey applied topically to the skin, has been revealed to contain a number of wound healing benefits. Because honey is composed mainly of glucose and fructose (two sugars that strongly attract water), honey absorbs water in the wound and dries it out so that the growth of bacteria and fungi is inhibited. Studies have also discovered that Manuka honey decreases the surface pH level of wounds so that germs can no longer survive and bacteria is kept out.
10. Potentially prevents low white blood cell count
Honey may be a promising and inexpensive way to prevent low white blood cell count caused by chemotherapy. In a small study, 40% of cancer patients who were known to be at risk of neuropenia (very low blood count) had no further episodes of the condition after taking 2 teaspoons of therapeutic honey each day during chemotherapy .

By Paul Chong   Sunday 6 September 2015

Today Sunday 6 September 2015, Australian Father’s Day, dawn bright & sunny with a maximum temperature of 20 & low 6 degrees celsius. It was indeed a perfect day for outdoor outing. The sky was blue with light patches of clouds & a light gentle breeze.

My younger brother Tony & youngest sister Annie had decided to gather together with family members to jointly celebrate Father’s Day at Ricefield in Cockburn Central, a suburb of Perth, 8 kilometres (5 mi) south of Fremantle and about 24 kilometres (15 mi) south of Perth’s central business district. It is easily accessible by road or rail.

Ricefieldbyhomecooked, as the restaurant is known, is just two or three minutes walk from Cockburn Central rail station. So it is very convenient to get there without having to drive.

The town Cockburn Central has tremendous growth potential with a shopping centre, known as Cockburn Gateway Shopping City, as large as Garden City, Fremantle Dockers’ Football Club Stadium will be located there, three-four storied apartments rising up here & there. For Ricefield its location couldn’t be any better with the proposed Municipality office situated right in front of the restaurant.

For Yanni, the owner with his wife Amy, it’s family heritage in action outside Singapore for the first time. Its authentic Malaysian-Singaporean flavours have none to compare. Delicious dishes like Nasi Lemak, Nasi Padang, Beef Rendang, Sambai Prawns, Curry Chicken, Sayur Lodeh, Teh Tarik & Ice Kachang all tasted uniquely different from what you have ever tasted.

With good food accompanied by good service, the restaurant has already captured many satisfied customers & clients. Amy makes her own chilli sauce & sambai to give you that extra special kick – without the tears & burning tongues. Their mixed platters are tops & popular for sharing.

Ranni’s speciality is Tarek (pulled tea). If requested he could demonstratively show you his skill & artistry in making a special cup of tea.

BYO. No corkage charge

Open everyday except Monday from 11.00am – 8.00pm

Dine in or takeaway
The food is absolutely MSG Free, 100% Canola Oil & Baked Not Deep Fried. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Assuring you of the best attention & service

Ricefieldbyhomecooked
Shop 9, 23 Junction Boulevard
Cockburn Central 6164
(50m from Cockburn Central Train Station)
Mobile: 0451 776 188/0424 994 188
Email: homecooked4u@hotmail.com