Rondezvous on the Beach

Tonight the roads leading to the beaches along the coastline of Kota Kinabalu and beyond will be clogged with traffic.

Lots of people,with many families coming out in full force, will be wending their way to the beach for the annual ritual of dipping into the sea before the stroke of midnight.


There is only one road leading to Tg Aru, the beautiful beach in Kota Kinabalu and there will be many vehicles parked on both sides of the road. Most of the people will leave their cars and walk to the beach because there is nowhere to park. The road used to lead directly to the main beach but this has changed because there is now a cluster of small restaurants built at the end of the road,facing the beach and you have to pay to enter the carpark that now serves these eateries. Carpark space is also limited.

Another alternative is to go to the STAR Tg Aru Beach Hotel and party there. They don't have a beach but next to it is a smaller beach and this will also be crowded.

Further along the coast towards the airport is what we call the Second Beach also accessed by the road leading to Tg Aru but one turns left before reaching the main beach. This is a lovely spot, quiet and usually isolated but tonight it will have its fair share of night revellers.


Why do these people make a beeline for the beach every year on New Year's Eve?

I am told by the locals that they go into the sea to wash away the past year's bad luck and on the stroke of midnight, they will welcome in the New Year and hopefully a year of good luck and better things to come.Many will opt to sleep at the beach and return home only the following morning. If I remember correctly, this late night dip is known as "mandi safar" in local lingo.

Such a quaint belief and I wonder if there is any similar belief and practice elsewhere. I don't go to the beach myself on New Year's Eve mainly because of the throngs of people and there will be a lot of jostling. No thank you. I'd rather stay at home and watch t.v. and later watch the fireworks from my bedroom window.

Nothing like the creature comforts of one's home. Leave the partying and the hangovers to the young!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2010! Cheers!

Can we ever be free of this hazard?

Have you ever felt your throat closing and you were unable to breathe? Have you tried to take shallow breaths to avoid inhaling the poisonous fumes around you?

Then you know what I mean. The smokers are still King even though public buildings and air-conditioned restaurants and malls have been decreed as non-smoking areas. Even the schools are not smoke-free areas. I have seen workers and parents stand just outside the fence, puffing away. The wind carries the pollutants into the classrooms that are just meters away.


In coffeeshops, in the airwells and staircases of public buildings, the odor is so heavy that you feel you are being gassed to death.

Cigarette packets now carry the mandatory health warnings of the consequences of smoking and taxes have been raised year after year but these measures have little effect as more and more young people, especially girls, are taking up the bad habit.

When asked why they smoke, some say it soothes their nerves and calms them. Others say that they think and concentrate better. Some just cannot do without a cigarette from the moment they wake up until bedtime.

I used to live with a chain-smoker and it was most unpleasant. There were many squabbles over this. One day he fell ill while we were on holiday and he had to hole up in the hotel while the children and I had a fun time in Disneyland. Then he decided to quit cold turkey and for that I had to admire him.

My brother (another chain smoker) also quit cold turkey after a mild stroke and so did my brother-in-law.

So you see, anyone can quit if they are determined to do so. Saying that they will grow fat if they quit, that they will get severe withdrawal symptoms are just excuses. If there is the determination and will power to quit there and then, one surely can. Granted the first couple of days are hardest but think of the future, think of good health, not only your own but your family's.

To a non-smoker and an ex-smoker, the cigarette fumes are now obnoxious. In fact non-smokers who inhale the smoke are at greater health risks than the smokers themselves. Secondary smoke is worse.

So to live longer and to stay healthy, one should give up the habit of smoking. Feel your body become detoxicated and clean. No more nicotine-stained fingers or ugly yellow teeth, no more bad breath.

To the ladies who smoke, you don't look sophisticated; on the contrary you look most unattractive and cheap. Your skin dries out and puckers around your mouth. You will not have healthy babies. Don't short-change them even before they are born.

Give up smoking and we will have healthier societies and cleaner surroundings.

Cranberries for a Healthy Bladder

Have you ever suffered from urinary tract weakness or poor bladder control? Have you ever experienced urine spurting out when you cough, sneeze or even when you laugh?

It’s most unpleasant and embarrassing. When I told my doctor about this, she suggested that I do Kegler exercises, i.e. contracting your pelvic floor and holding it for a few seconds and increasing the time each day as you work those muscles. That really worked.

Urinary infections can also be painful and unpleasant. There is this constant need to urinate even though you’ve just gone to the toilet. There is also a burning sensation when urinating and only a little quantity comes out. You just can’t settle down to sleep because you keep going to the toilet.

More women than men suffer from urinary infection because the female urethra is shorter and bacteria quickly find their way into the bladder and urinary tract.

Older men with enlarged prostate suffer from weak flow of urine and leaking as well. They are unable to fully empty their bladders and find it difficult to urinate.Urine just comes out in drops.

On the other hand, do you know that it is bad to hold back your urine when you have the urge to urinate? It not only makes you susceptible to urinary infection but also weakens the bladder.

If you feel an urgent and frequent need to urinate, even when your bladder is not full, you have what is known as a hyperactive bladder. Urine often flows involuntarily if you can’t get to a toilet in time.

Scientific studies on the Cranberry have revealed that this berry contains large quantities of antioxidants, vitamins and plant substances that promotes and maintains urinary tract health.

It disposes of bacteria in the bladder that cause inflammation and prevents urinary infections. Its antibodies also protect body cells and the heart and circulatory system.

What are cranberries?



They are red, shiny egg-shaped fruits, smaller than cherries. The cranberry contains B vitamins, vitamin C, beta-carotene, inorganic compounds, secondary plant substances and high levels of antioxidants. They contain particular tannins that are very important for a strong and healthy bladder.

What are the benefits of eating cranberries?

They protect you against bladder inflammation and incontinence. You will have better bladder function. Taking them will prevent and alleviate urinary tract infections and the urgent need to urinate. They contain lots of potent antioxidants and vitamins.


They give you relief from pressure on the bladder and painful urination. You will experience normal urine flow again. Cranberries also promote good health apart from giving you a healthy and strong bladder.


So those of you who live in countries where it is easy to get cranberries, better start munching on these crispy fruits. Good for your general health and bladder. I wish we had them where I live. We have dried cranberries but the good stuff’s all gone. Fresh fruit is best.

Merry Christmas and watch out!

Christmas is upon us and there will be the endless rounds of visits, food and more food! I have been told that when you visit someone, you must partake of whatever is offered, be it a drink or a piece of cake. If you refuse to do so, you do it at your own peril. An old friend said that it is a belief that misfortune would befall that person if he leaves without taking a drink or whatever was offered. I guess it is only polite to take that drink, even if you don’t finish it, so as not to hurt the host’s feelings.

Coming back to Christmas, many homes have “open houses” so that friends and neighbours can share the goodwill and enjoy the food.

We have Malaysianised all our festivals such that the food is no longer special or specific to the occasion. I remember that Christmas in the UK is largely a home celebration with immediate family members dining on roast turkey, Christmas pudding, mince pies and drinking eggnog. There is also the rich fruit cake redolent with brandy. Yummy, the very thought of it makes me drool! There are mistletoes hung up and of course the red holly berries and leaves, and Christmas trees with presents beneath its branches. Red poinsettas are also in bloom. One tradition is that if you are standing under the mistletoe, you get kissed!

In Malaysia, it is celebrated on a grander scale, with hotels and restaurants offering special Christmas dinners. Those who have open houses will have a mixture of Malaysian food and cakes. The rich fruit cake is offered in some homes.

What is certain is that most of us, going on our rounds of open houses, will overeat, even though we remind ourselves that we mustn’t eat too much so as to reserve some space in our stomachs for the next house visit.

Then comes payday! A couple of days later, we find our tummies bloating. There is an uncomfortable sensation and a clogged up feeling. Ha! This is it! The overeating for the last couple of days has burdened our digestive system and it is telling us that we’ve got to do something about it.

So what does one do? Go on a water fast or fruit only diet? I guess we have to do what it takes to relieve us of that horrible bloat and a congested colon. If you want to know more about decongesting and detox, please go to my other website http://www.peggy-chan.com

Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Enjoy but don't overdo it!

Stop your Sugar Cravings

I would like to share an article abstracted from "Good Housekeeping" Magazine
By Denise Foley.

Here are some food which will keep you healthy and help you to lose some weight.

1. Eggs: these are full of protein and will make you feel fuller
longer. A multicenter study of 30 overweight or obese women found that those who
ate two scrambled eggs (with two slices of toast and a reduced-calorie fruit
spread) consumed less for the next 36 hours than women who had a bagel breakfast
of equal calories. Other research has shown that protein may also prevent spikes
in blood sugar, which can lead to food cravings


2. Beans contain cholecystokinin, a digestive hormone which is a
natural appetite suppressant. They also keep blood sugar on an even keel, so
that you can stave off hunger longer. High-fiber beans can lower your
cholesterol.


3. Salad Start off with a salad. The sheer volume of a salad makes
you feel too full to pig out.: A study published in the Journal of the American
Dietetic Association found that people who ate one salad a day with dressing had
higher levels of vitamins C and E, folic acid, lycopene, and carotenoids-all
disease fighters-than those who didn't add salad to their daily menu.

4. Green tea contain antioxidants called catechins which help speed
metabolism and fat burning. In a recent Japanese study, 35 men who drank a
bottle of oolong tea mixed with green tea catechins lost weight, boosted their
metabolism, and had a significant drop in their body mass index.The participants
also lowered their(bad) LDL cholesterol.

5. Pears have more fiber. At six grams per medium-size pear, they
fill you up. Apples come in second, with about three grams per medium-size
fruit. Both contain pectin fiber, which decreases blood-sugar levels thus
helping you to avoid snacking.

6. Soup fills you up so that you wont eat so much. Researchers
speculate that even the simplest soup satisfies hunger because your brain
perceives it as filling.

7. Lean beef contains the amino acid leucine, which is abundant in
proteins like meat and fish as well as in dairy products. It can help you pare
down while maintaining calorie-burning muscle.

8. Olive oil. Fight off middle-age pounds with extra virgin olive
oil. A monounsaturated fat, it'll help you burn calories and boost metabolism.
Use in salad dressings, as a bread dip, or for sautéing.

9. Grapefruit A 2006 study of 91 obese people conducted at the
Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center at Scripps Clinic found that eating half
a grapefruit before each meal or drinking a serving of the juice three times a
day helped people drop more than three pounds over 12 weeks. The fruit's
phytochemicals reduce insulin levels, a process that may force your body to
convert calories into energy rather than flab.

10. Cinnamon Sprinkle it on microwave oatmeal or whole-grain toast
to help cure those mid-afternoon sugar slumps. Research from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture found that a little cinnamon can help control post-
meal insulin spikes, which make you feel hungry One USDA study showed that just
a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon a day lowered the blood sugar, cholesterol, and
triglyceride levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

11. Vinegar In a Swedish study, researchers found that people who
ate bread dipped in vinegar felt fuller than those who had their slices plain.
The probable reason: Acetic acid in the vinegar may slow the passage of food
from the stomach into the small intestine, so your tummy stays full longer.
Vinegar can also short-circuit the swift blood-sugar rise that occurs after you
eat refined carbs such as white bread, cookies, and crackers.

12. Tofu: Tofu is an appetite-quashing protein.

13. Nuts Yes, they are fattening but research shows that people who
snack on nuts tend to be slimmer than those who don't. A study from Purdue
University found that when a group of 15 normal-weight people added about 500
calories worth of peanuts to their regular diet, they consumed less at
subsequent meals. The participants also revved up their resting metabolism by 11
percent, which means they burned more calories even when relaxing. Walnuts
contain omega-3 fatty acids. And researchers at Loma Linda University recently
found that eating 10 to 20 whole pecans daily can reduce heart disease risks.


14. High-fiber cereal can curb your appetite when you eat a bowl
for breakfast.

15. Hot red pepper Eating a bowl of spicy chili regularly can help
you lose weight. The magic ingredient may be capsaicin, which helps suppress
appetite.

So it's up to us to include the above food in our diets to maintain a healthy weight.
To your good health!

What is Obesity?

Obesity is to be dreaded and avoided. Fat people are definitely obese but thin people can be obese too.

What is obesity?

It is the excessive amount of body fat, especially in our abdominal region. Your BMI will indicate whether you are overweight or obese. BMI is calculated by your weight in kilos divided by the square of your height in meters. ( Subscribe to www.peggy-chan.com for your BMI table )


If you have a BMI of 25.0 – 29.9 you are overweight. A BMI of 30 and above indicates obesity. Why should we avoid obesity?

Obesity brings with it life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, Type II Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, some forms of cancer and osteoarthritis.

The cancers indicated include breast, ovarian, cervical, esophageal, stomach & colorectal, liver & pancreatic, kidney and prostate. Other medical conditions are erectile dysfunction, renal failure, urinary incontinence and infertility.

Obesity-related deaths are on the rise because of the current sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits. The lack of exercise has also resulted in more and more people with weight problems.

Another factor is the advance in technology which has made it possible for people to use machines both in the workplace and at home. Thus work is no longer physically demanding and people have become more sedentary.

The only way to reduce the risks associated with obesity and premature death is to exercise and to lose weight. A weight loss program can help faster weight loss and an exercise regime has to be followed daily. Those who are severely obese need to be monitored by a doctor to prevent complications that may arise in their efforts to lose weight.

There are many weight loss supplements in the market that will help in weight loss. For the severely obese,the last resort will be bariatic surgery.

Prevention is better than cure. So to prevent obesity do watch your weight and eating habits. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle which is healthy eating and regular exercise. This becomes more important as we grow older. Good eating habits and daily physical activity will keep you at a healthy weight and reduce your health risks. Read more at www.peggy-chan.com

Love Ourselves First

How many of us can truly say that we have a healthy lifestyle? By that I mean eating healthy food and exercising regularly, if not on a daily basis.

If you do, then congratulations! If not, then it’s time to change. I believe we all want to see our children graduate from college/university and to hold our grandchildren in our arms.

In order to do so, we have to love ourselves and put a stop to bad eating habits and start exercising daily. We must avoid food with high fat content, especially the wrong type of fat ( yes, there are some fats that are good for us!) and we should more vegetables and fruit.


Opting for a healthy lifestyle will reduce some of the health risks we are exposed to. Obesity is one we should be wary of.

Obesity-related deaths are expected to rise and the sad thing is that it is a preventable cause of death. Many of us are not aware that we are obese. Yes. We can be obese without being fat.

To know more about obesity and how to avoid it, watch out for my next blog entry.

Why? 7-year Itch?

Hi,

The question foremost in many people's minds must be "Why?"

Tiger Woods is in the news, not because of winning another tournament on the fairways but because of another kind of tournament, the kind that many people are jousting with daily.

No one wins in this kind of tournament. The question remains. "Why did he do it?"
Do what? Those who have not tuned into the radio or read the news will be wondering what he did. So far no one really knows what he did or did not do. There is only speculation that he cheated on his wife, just 5 years into marriage and with 2 kids.

Why do men cheat? Why do women cheat? Cheat on their spouses, that is. Not cheating in games or tests.

There have been many opinions, one of them being the "7-year itch" whereby after 7 years of marriage, a partner begins to stray. It is said that the male partner suffers from this itch. Some even go so far as to say that having the same dish day in and day out gets monotonous. Variety is the spice of life is how they rationalise the cheating.

Society is such that most men get away with it and are not stigmatised if his wayward ways are found out. In fact there is a "sorry that you were found out, mate" kind of attitude on the part of his colleagues. The wife forgives and although it is not forgotten, the couple usually move on, after going for counselling sessions.

What happens if a woman cheats and is found out? The reaction is very different. She is called names and stigmatised as a home-wrecker if the other party's wife decides ti opt out of the marriage.

What would you do if your partner cheats on you?



Would you do some soul-searching, would you look for a solution to save the marriage, would you simply walk out, would you play the blame game, would you opt for separate lives pending a divorce? What would you do?