Chocolate, sex and cold meat can help boost brain power: Study

A model has her hat painted with chocolate for a fashion show

Forget crosswords. If you really want to boost your brain power, eat dark chocolate, consume cold meat and have plenty of sex, if possible everyday.

A team of international researchers has found that while dark chocolate and plenty of cold meat for breakfast boost grey matter, sex keeps the brain fit in later life, the ‘Daily Mail’ reported. According to the study, those wishing to improve their mental ability should also avoid smoking cannabis, watching soap operas and hanging out with those who moan. Instead, cuddling a baby, cheating at homework, reading out loud and doing a business degree can boost their mind power.

The theories of the researchers are contained in the book ‘Teach Yourself: Training Your Brain’. “What we eat and drink, how we learn at school and what type of moods we have are all crucial. People can make lifestyle choices that will constantly increase our cognitive capacity throughout our adult lives.

“Mix with people who make you laugh, have a good sense of humour or who share the same interests as you, and avoid people who whinge, whine and complain, as people who are negative will make you depressed,” the book’s author and one of the researchers, Terry Horne, was quoted as saying.

The researchers have claimed that sex has a very positive impact, listing seven chemical reactions the brain undergoes during intercourse which actually helps in improving its functioning ability.

The books says that sex raises levels of oxytocin or the ‘trust’ hormone which increases a person’s readiness to think of novel or risky solutions to a problem.

Elements in dark chocolate also prove to be beneficial. Magnesium and antioxidant chemicals increase the supply of oxygen to the brain and reduce the chances of brain damage through a stroke. Ditching a low-fat diet is also recommended. The book suggests a breakfast of eggs, fish or cold meat, a lunch of protein-based foods such as oily fish and dark green vegetables, and carbohydrates for dinner.

Christmas Cheer!

Christmas is around the corner and I'm sensing that many of you are eagerly anticipating this magical holiday. Thanks guys; it's great to see some cheer in the blogosphere, especially during this gloomy rainy weather we're experiencing nowadays!

In the spirit of Christmas, I thought it would be fun to see which Santa's reindeer am I. Apparently I'm Rudolph, which is GREAT since I love Rudolph the best! It's also true that I sometimes stick my red nose where it doesn't belong and end up making a mess of things; really need to learn how to say NO better!

So how about you guys? Are you a Rudolph like me or which other cute reindeer are you?

I'm Rudolph

Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy. Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

NOT IN A GOOD MOOD, GIRL?

Hormone fluctuation may trigger mood disorders in women

Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and pregnancy may trigger mood disorders in women, a report said. A report released recently by the Society for Women’s Health Research said mood disorders and depression can occur at any age during a woman’s life. However, women seem more vulnerable during the menstrual period, pregnancy and before and after menopause.

During times of hormonal fluctuations, many women are able to emerge relatively unscathed. But for others, a normal hormonal transition can trigger mild to severe mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder — a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function, reported Newswise wire.

“Science has revealed clues as to why these changes may occur in some women,” said Peter Schmidt, an investigator in the National Institute of Mental Health’s Reproductive Endocrine Studies Unit.

“But further research is needed to definitively show what causes depression and mood disorders in women during hormonal transitions,” he added.

“Women need to be critically aware of changes in their moods during key life cycle events,” another investigator Sherry Marts said.

Recurring Miscarriages

Many have gone through the traumatic experience of a miscarriage, sometimes more than once.

Any woman who has gone through a miscarriage knows how traumatic the experience is. The hope and excitement of having a baby is suddenly and unexpectedly dashed.

A woman who has had three or more miscarriages is said to have a ‘Bad Obstetric History’ or BOH and must be thoroughly investigated to find the cause and seek a solution to the problem. One of the commonest causes of an early pregnancy loss is a genetic problem with the baby. During development there can be a chromosomal problem and this prevents the pregnancy from growing normally. On sonography this may be diagnosed as a blighted ovum (just a pregnancy sac but no foetus inside) or a missed abortion, where the baby grows for a few weeks but then the heart beat stops. Missed abortion may present with minimal abortion, or it may have no symptoms and may be diagnosed only on sonography. In these cases, the foetus can be sent for genetic testing and also the parents should have genetic studies (karyotyping) done.

Another common cause for repeated miscarriages is an abnormality of the womb (uterus), there may be less space inside the womb due to birth defects such as a septum (a curtain dividing the womb) or two uteri instead of one or there may be fibroids present in the womb. Many of these problems can be treated by laparoscopic or hysteroscopic surgery and the patient may subsequently be able to have a normal pregnancy.

Nowadays, we are able to diagnose immunological problems by a simple blood test. In these patients, their body does not accept the baby and treats it like a foreign body or graft and rejects it. These patients respond well to treatment with blood thinning tablets and injections.

Rarely, infections such as toxoplasmosis, herpes, cytomegalovirus etc can cause abortions. Some of these can be treated and this may help the patient in subsequent pregnancies. Hormonal deficiency can occasionally cause miscarriage and this problem can be solved by giving hormonal support during early pregnancy. Abortions in the 4-6th month are often due to weak or incompetent cervix (mouth of the womb). Taking a stitch on the cervix gives excellent results in these cases and pregnancy can often go to nine months, after this procedure.

It is important to get all the tests and diagnosis prior to pregnancy, so that the treatment can be initiated early and this gives best results.

Extend the life of electronic gadgets

Unlike the TV you inherited from your grandparents, today's electronics have a more limited life expectancy.

Extend the life of your iPod

Average life span: Two to three years.

Preventive medicine: Protect an iPod with a hard rubber case. Inspired by those dancing ads on TV? Lest you jar your player senseless, keep it on an armband. The battery will last longer if you let it run down completely once a month before recharging, says Shannon Jean, founder of TechRestore, a repair service in Concord, California. This ensures 12 to 18 months of play before the battery must be replaced.

Most common ailment: You try to tune in and your personal sound track drops out.

Diagnosis and treatment: If your iPod plays dead, try reloading the playlist. (You have a backup file of the playlist, right?) Keep the hard drive running smoothly by updating the software (go to www.apple.com/ipod/download http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/?ipod). If your iPod isn't responding at all, the hard drive may be broken. Replacing it could cost more than buying a new player.

When to pull the plug: A pre-2002 iPod (identifiable by the raised scroll wheel) that has no sign of life is not worth fixing, says Jean. You'll get more for your money by upgrading to a new model. A later-addition iPod merits salvaging, but not if a repair estimate tops $100.

Extend the life of your cell phone

Average life span: Four years.

Preventive medicine: Do you recharge your cell phone more often than you brush your teeth? Ease up. The battery works most efficiently if you let it drain fully once a week or more. "Avoid exposing a cell phone to very low temperatures, direct sunlight, or excessive heat," which can damage the battery, adds Muzib Khan, vice president of product development and engineering for Samsung.

Most common ailment: The phone conks out just as your friend is giving you the address of the restaurant where you're meeting.

Diagnosis and treatment: The battery may not be holding a charge for as long as it should. If you're sure the charger isn't broken, the battery needs to be replaced. Buy a new one (about $40) from a reputable source. In rare cases, batteries from unauthorized dealers "can explode" and cause injury, says Grant Clauser, editorial director for E-Gear magazine, in Philadelphia.

When to pull the plug: An inexpensive phone with problems beyond a dead battery should be recycled (ask your service provider for details). Try to save a more costly model, even when it has taken a hard knock. "If you drop it in water, take it apart, let it dry for a day or two, and it may work," says Kasey Farrar of Nokia. But if the repair estimate tops half the price of the phone, junk it.

Extend the life of your flat-screen TV

Average life span: Ten years or longer.

Preventive medicine: Keep your fingers off the screen. "The pressure causes pixel burnout," says Robbie Baldwin, a flat screen--TV salesman at Best Buy in Baltimore. Because parts can fail (read: melt) if a TV overheats, keep the vents clear so they can "pull in air to cool the unit," says Dan Wiersma, senior vice president of service for Sony Electronics. Dust with a soft, dry cloth, and skip the cleaning spray, which can cloud the screen.

Most common ailment: The screen has a burned-in image that never seems to go away, and the picture is a little fuzzy.

Diagnosis and treatment: Plasma screens, especially older ones, are sensitive to "burn in" problems. Leave Comedy Central on all day and its logo may never disappear. (Newer models don't have as many burn-in issues, but it's best to turn off the TV every few hours.) A repair service can recalibrate a slightly hazy picture for as little as $250 or as much as $750, depending on the damage and the shop.

When to pull the plug: A malfunctioning flat-screen TV that's more than five years old should probably be replaced. Labor and parts run high, so a new model may cost you less than fixing an old one.

Extend the life of your DVD player

Average life span: Four to five years.

Preventive medicine: Keep it cool. Avoid stacking other components on top of or under a DVD player, and clear space around it, especially if it's in a cramped cabinet. When moving your player, always turn it off before unplugging it, and walk around corners slowly. Delicate interior parts can malfunction when they're jostled.

Most common ailment: Skippity-skip goes the DVD, if it bothers to play at all.

Diagnosis and treatment: It's possible that the DVD lens, which sits under the pop-out tray, has a film of skip-inducing dust. Use a DVD-player cleaning kit on the lens. Other kits can remove scratches from discs -- another potential culprit. To keep discs free of scratches and dust, store them in their cases.

When to pull the plug: When you've tried cleaning the machine and your discs still won't play, move on. While repair shops can fix many mechanical problems, DVD players are now so inexpensive that it might be wiser to replace a malfunctioning model.

Extend the life of your computer printer

Average life span: Five years or longer.

Preventive medicine: High humidity can cause paper jams and ink clogs, so if you're having problems, you may need to run an air conditioner or a dehumidifier while using the printer. Cover the printer with a dust protector when not in use, especially if it's near an open window. Wipe away any dust and grit inside it with a soft cloth, says Paul De Pasquale, a technician with Image 1, a printer-repair company in Oak Park, Michigan.

Most common ailment: Your printouts look pointillistic (like an Impressionist painting). Or, worse yet, like a Rorschach test.

Diagnosis and treatment: When the printing is spotty at best, remove the cartridge and gently get rid of inky residue with acetone and a soft cloth. If that doesn't work, replace the cartridge. If you have an ink-jet printer, consult the instruction manual to see if you can clean the print nozzles using built-in software.

When to pull the plug: If the printer isn't working and you've ruled out human error (like failing to connect to the computer properly), you probably have a mechanical problem, such as a broken ink sensor. In this case, "it's better to buy a new printer than to pay for parts and labor," says Calvin Green, a computer technician for Geek Squad, a repair shop in Philadelphia

A Short Beautiful Story

Little girl and her father were crossing a bridge.
The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter,

"Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river."

The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand."

"What's the difference?" Asked the puzzled father.
"There's a big difference," replied the little girl.

"If I hold your hand and something happens to me,
chances are that I may let your hand go.
But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens,
you will never let my hand go."

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond.

So hold the hand of the person who loves you rather than expecting them to hold yours...

10 Things All Single People Must Do

1. Travel alone
Whether you’re trying to find your way through the Paris Metro or the London Underground, haggling over a painting in Mexico or choosing where to bed down in the Badlands, traveling by yourself builds a confidence you simply can’t get any other way. In an unfamiliar place, you have to make decisions by yourself, for yourself every day, which will build a self-reliance you’ll always treasure—even when you become part of a twosome.

2. Wallow in the ache of a broken heart
Oh, the pain. The agony. The tubs of Ben & Jerry’s in front of the cable TV. Yep, getting dumped is beyond awful, but guess what? It’s the only way that you’ll develop the empathy you’ll need to be a better partner in a relationship. Because if you’re sensitive to the grief someone else has caused you, you’re less likely to do the same to anyone else. So, consider this painful milestone a lesson in karma that’ll serve you well as you travel through your dating days.

3. Spend a weekend with a married couple your age
On lonely nights, it’s common for single folk to envision marriage as a cosy scene from a Good Housekeeping magazine. But spend 48 hours with a real couple and you’ll learn that in between the snuggling and pet names comes growling, bickering, silent treatments and maybe even a slammed door or two before they ultimately compromise. It will show you what married life is like, warts and all, so you won’t over idealise the two becomes one phenomenon again.

4. Don’t come home all night
That’s right, wild thing. Crash on a friend’s couch, take your friends up on that offer of a last minute trip… Once you have a mate, you can’t just take off on your own without explanation. And, truthfully, you won’t want to. So if you don’t have someone you have to call and check in with every few hours, take this opportunity to check out!

5. Stand up for a cause you care about
Whether you volunteer to help register voters for the next election (why not start early?) or convince your neighborhood to start recycling, get fired up over an issue while you have the time to devote to it. It will remind you that while, yes, finding your soul mate is pretty important, there are other issues at stake in the world that could use your help. And besides, the big-heartedness you’ll be cultivating is very attractive.


6. Learn to fly a plane, surf some big waves, or start your own business.
Give yourself a high by doing something just for you, just for the experience without having someone at home worrying about you or nagging you not to. Oh, and one more gift with purchase: Think about how much fun you’ll have telling your next date about your daring experience.


7. Learn how to take care of yourself
Being solo shouldn’t keep you from cooking for yourself, so learn how to make an impressive meal for one (even if it’s macaroni cheese with your own three cheese spin). While you’re at it, learn how to back up your computer hard drive and sew on replacement buttons. You’ll feel strong and self sufficient and you’ll be well armed with skills to share when you are in a relationship.


8. Buy something hugely impractical just because you love it
Once you’re in a relationship, you’ll start thinking about your partner before you purchase pricey items, not just “Will he or she hate it?” but “Is this where I want to be putting my money if we’re saving for a wedding?” The single life means a single bank account and an excuse to blow a wad of cash without (some of the) guilt. So, make yourself happy and buy something you crave, whether it’s an expensive vintage film poster or a decked out mountain bike.

9. Develop a hobby
Learn to woodwork, play acoustic guitar, speak French, DJ on turntables, or make digital short films for fun. Of course you can (and should) still have hobbies when you’re dating someone, but your solo time is prime time to devote yourself to something that makes life more interesting for you and makes you more interesting to others.


10. Be completely, utterly, wholly single for at least three months
Hop-scotching from one relationship to the next can do you a disservice. Why? Because you’re never more ripe for self-reflection than when you’re on your own and the more you know yourself, the more likely you are to find someone who’s right for the real you.

Amy Spencer writes about relationships and other topics for Glamour, Maxim, Real Simple and Cosmopolitan magazines. She personally swears by all of the above—though she admits to being a little too chummy with number 8 on the list.

Women are always Clever

Man: " Haven't we met before?"
Woman: "Yes, I'm the receptionist at the V.D. Clinic."

Man: "Haven't I seen you someplace before?"
Woman: "Yeah, that's why I don't go there anymore."

Man: "Is this seat empty?"
Woman: "Yes, and this one will be too if you sit down."

Man: "So, wanna go back to my place?"
Woman: "Well, I don't know. Will two people fit under a rock?"

Man: "Your place or mine?"
Woman: "Both. You go to yours and I'll go to mine."

Man: "I'd like to call you. What's your number?"
Woman: "It's in the phone book."

Man: "But I don't know your name."
Woman: "That's in the phone book too."

Man: "So what do you do for a living?"
Woman: "I'm a female impersonator."

Man: "I know how to please a woman ."
Woman: "Then please leave me alone."

Man: "I want to give myself to you."
Woman: "Sorry, I don't accept cheap gifts."

Man: "I can tell that you want me."
Woman: "Ohhhh. You're so right. I want you...to leave."

Man: "May I see you pretty soon?"
Woman: "Why? Don't you think I'm pretty now?"

Man: "I'd go through anything for you."
Woman: "Good! Let's start with your bank account."

Man: "I would go to the end of the world for you."
Woman: "Yes, but would you stay there ?"

Boss is a Boss!

Banana Art!