Well-being at CGI: a blog for CGI members

5-immune-boosting Foods

bellesong — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:37:16 +0000

Yogurt

How it helps-It contains probiotics that strengthen the immune system. In one study, people who ate three-quarter of a cup of yogurt a daily for a year had 25 percent fewer colds than those who didn’t

Simple way to savor: stir into black bean soup

Eggs

How it helps -Packed with amino acids, zinc and B vitamins, egg build white blood cells and antibodies, which the body need to fight off illnesses

Simple way to savor: hard-boil a couple for a Greek salad with spinach, olives, tomatoes and feta.

Red bell pepper

How it helps-One pepper contains a whopping 200mg or more of vitamin C (an Orange, by comparison, provides about 70).

Simple way to savor: Julienne a fresh pepper and dip into store-bought hummus

Ginger

How it helps-An age-old Chinese cure-all for colds, fresh ginger may fight viruses by helping your body sweat out toxins.

Simple way to savor: Peel and finely chop a bulb and add to a stir-fry of shrimp and mixed vegetables

Garlic

How it helps-It contains sulfur-based compounds that may keep your body free of infection by boosting your immune system

Simple way to savor: Dice a peeled clove or two and stir into your mashed potatoes

from fitness magazine Dec.07/Jan. 08

Hip joint stretch

Young — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 01:26:52 +0000

For many people, their hips are one of the stiffest joint in their body. Especially in today’s culture, few people spend the day standing, walking, squatting, running, and otherwise emulating the primates and early humans in whom our physical structure developed. Sitting, probably at a desk with a computer, is a much more likely option.

Try this hip stretch to restore a little flexibility to your body, life, and maybe even mind:

Stand with legs comfortably apart. Bend forward and then shift your weight to one leg, pushing back into that hip joint. Feel the burn? Don’t forget the other side!

Heart Healthy Meals

bellesong — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:23:03 +0000

Every year in the U.S., more women than men die from heart disease. The good news is that what you eat for dinner tonight can cut your risk.

Take action today.

Shake the salt habit. -Too much sodium leads to high blood pressure, which can cause heart disease, heart attacks or strokes.
Eat some fat – Too little fat in the diet can increase risk for heart disease because it lowers your good cholesterol. About 25-30 percent of your calories should come from fat. Limit your intake of saturated and trans fats and focus on eating more mono and polyunsaturated fats, like those found in nuts, canola and safflower oils, and fatty fish.
Get more fiber – Studies show that it slows the progression of heart disease, yet the average women eat only about 15 grams a day. Try to consume at least 25grams daily by adding beans, veggies, fruits and whole grains to your meal.
Get your Superfoods – Research indicates you can lower your cholesterol by consuming plant stanols, naturally occurring compounds in fruits and vegetables

Infinite blank paper

bellesong — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 21:16:50 +0000

Infinite blank paper

Misunderstanding a picture of a moment as oneself,
people get emotionally wounded.
But the picture is something we can erase.
Do we think we are allowed
to draw only one picture?

We can paint pictures infinitely.
We have an infinite number of sheets of blank paper.
If a picture is not erased, then we can simply tear it out.
Then there is another picture.
There is a new me somewhere.

I am always blank paper.
I am white blank paper
on which I can draw and erase pictures infinitely.