JUNE 30, 2011

Karma Yoga and Voluntourism

Posted by Dorothy under Community Interests, Natural Highs, Philosophyno responses

The philosophy behind the practice of karma yoga is part of the teachings of life, whether you practice a certain religion or not. Usually, the mention of karma yoga will have one thinking of Hinduism or Buddhism because yoga teachings can be found in both religions due to their interrelations.

There are many interpretations of what karma yoga is and how it works. I choose to understand that karma yoga is the path of selfless service which is to be performed to create a better world for all living things and hopefully a better life for the server in the future or the next life. On the other hand, we must not forget that what we experience today is the result of our past actions. Generally, karma yoga is based on a universal law which says that for every action, there is an opposite reaction. In this context, it means that by serving others, we invite good acts into our own lives.

With that being said, we have to keep in mind that benefit from such actions is not the pure motive of our willingness to serve and do good to others. Some also perform karma yoga merely because of the fear of God. Therefore, I think God fearing humans should reevaluate their intentions or else the purpose of their actions become impure.

At the end of the day, such selfless actions will keep you smiling, knowing that you have made a positive difference in the life of a living thing. With that good energy around you, you will become a better person, benefiting everything and everyone around you.

The recent trend which is catching up in the travel sphere involving karma yoga is “VOLUNTOURISM”. It combines traveling with volunteering for a charitable cause. Volunteers can choose to contribute to their preferred cause by giving their time to do anything from the level of a blue collared worker ( which does not require much experience ) to a white collared professional ( which definitely require some relevant certification ). There are many non profit organizations who welcome voluntourism. There are also many ways to go about it, for example, some travelers pay for their expenses from lodging to food but there are also many organizations who provide basic lodging and food.

For those of you out there who are interested in bringing karma yoga into your traveling options, you can have a peek at www.thevoluntarytraveler.com

On the other hand, you can come join us provided you fit our few criterias:

1) You love animals
2) You do not mind getting dirty and sweaty
3) Langkawi, with the sand and beach sounds good to you
4) You are interested to do some yoga
5) You are fun and flexible ( not necessarily physical but mentally

**Our Next 4N 5D Langkawi Yoga And Nature Retreat

**Our Next 2N3D Langkawi Yoga And Nature Retreat

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JUNE 11, 2011

Bored Of Rice, Noodles And Pasta?? Healthy diet for Diabetics

Posted by Dorothy under Community Interests, Interesting Reads, Wellnessno responses

Living in Asia, we consume mostly rice and noodles, the occasional pasta, but rarely the traditional North African substitute to carbohydrate, namely couscous. Couscous is granules of semolina made from durum wheat which are precooked and then dried. It is easily obtainable from supermarkets and takes only about 5 minutes to prepare. Another article you might be interested in reading more about proplant complete shake.

The Diabetes DietHealthy eating can help you prevent, control, and even reverse diabetes. And with these tips, you can still enjoy your food without feeling hungry or deprived.Cauliflower and grainsWhat’s the best diet for diabetes?People with diabetes have nearly double the risk of heart disease and are at a greater risk of developing mental health disorders such as depression. But most cases of type 2 diabetes are preventable and some can even be reversed. Taking steps to prevent or control diabetes doesn’t mean living in deprivation; it means eating a tasty, balanced diet that will also boost your energy and improve your mood. You don’t have to give up sweets entirely or resign yourself to a lifetime of bland food. For diabetic people a good diet is essential, also to take care properly of small infections or wounds, learn more about the different treatments available at mymeticore.com.

Whether you’re trying to prevent or control diabetes, your nutritional needs are virtually the same as everyone else, so no special foods are necessary. But you do need to pay attention to some of your food choices—most notably the carbohydrates you eat. While following a Mediterranean or other heart-healthy diet can help with this, the most important thing you can do is to lose a little weight.

Losing just 5% to 10% of your total weight can help you lower your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Losing weight and eating healthier can also have a profound effect on your mood, energy, and sense of wellbeing. Even if you’ve already developed diabetes, it’s not too late to make a positive change. By eating healthier, being more physically active, and losing weight, you can reduce your symptoms or even reverse diabetes, try out flat belly tonic.
The biggest risk for diabetes: belly fatBeing overweight or obese is the biggest risk factor for type 2 diabetes. However, your risk is higher if you tend to carry your weight around your abdomen as opposed to your hips and thighs. A lot of belly fat surrounds the abdominal organs and liver and is closely linked to insulin resistance.

Despite the belief that couscous is actually healthier than any of the 3 carbohydrates above, some claim that it is higher in GI level* and should be avoided by people with wheat intolerance. Looking at the GI Index chart , the GI Index for couscous is 65, noodles 40, white pasta 41 and white rice 98. That means that noodles and white pasta are lowest in carbs followed by couscous and the Asian favorite, white rice.

On the other hand, couscous has the highest protein level ( to repair muscle wear out, wounds and build enzymes ), selenium ( an antioxidant for the cardiovascular system ) and potassium ( to regulate blood pressure ). Therefore, couscous does not fare well in the GI index but is considered healthy because of the other nutritional properties it has. The definite plus for the health conscious is that due to the high content of protein in couscous, glucose is released in the body at a slower rate, hence keeping you full longer. Other than that, it is so versatile that it is used in appetizers
( ie: salads ), main dish ( as a replacement to rice or pasta ) and dessert ( ie: with sweet sauces ).

So, do stock some couscous in your kitchen cabinet. To all rice enthusiasts or those who think you can’t live without white rice in your daily diet, please reconsider your options. For example, brown or basmati rice are equally as delicious and healthier than white rice. If that does not work for you, then try to mix them with your white rice so you get the best of both.

* What is GI level?
The glycemic index or GI describes this difference by ranking carbohydrates according    to their effect on our blood glucose levels. Choosing low GI carbs – the ones that produce only small fluctuations in our blood glucose and insulin levels – is the secret to long-term health reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes and is the key to sustainable weight loss ( Source: http://www.glycemicindex.com/ )

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