Wash your hands Bird flu has been detected once again in a number of locations throughout the country. It's that time of the year again. Flu thrives in cold climates.
Flu viruses can not move about on their own, they are hitchhikers. There are some claims that up to 90% of flu transmissions in humans is by hand contact. Touch a doorknob, shake a hands, and the like, and then scratch your face, or rub your eyes, and you are sure to get it.
During the flu season frequently washing your hands should be a priority if you want to avoid the flu. Disposable hand towels containing alcohol are an ideal way of keeping your hands clean while traveling.
If your are traveling through farm country where poultry is raised free range, it's even a good idea to wash the soles of your shoes.
The Thai way of greeting, the Wai, thus becomes a very sensible alternative to shaking hands.
Wear a hat Fishing, golfing, gardening, farming,any outdoor activity: wear a hat or use an umbrella. Protect your skin. Around here, even on seemingly cloudy days there is still enough sun out there to burn and give you skin cancer.
This is the latest e-mail going around with medical cure claims
To stop nighttime coughing in a child put Vicks Vapor rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. The Canada Research Council describes these findings on the part of their scientists when they were investigating the effectiveness and usage of prescription cough medicines in children....
The e-mail also states: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can 'taste' it.
The internet is a great source for information and research, but you really have to weed out the truth from fiction. The National Research council of Canada denies making any such findings or claims according to snopes
Vitamins Apple Vitamin A - 73 IU Vitamin C - 09 mg Folic acid - 4 mcg Vitamin E - .66 IU
Banana Vitamin A - 95 IU Vitamin C - 11 mg Folic acid - 22.5 mcg Vitamin E - .67 IU Vitamin B6 - .7mcg Niacin - .6 mg Pantothenic Acid - .31 mg
Bananas are the first solid food for many Thais <>
Here is a list of touted benefits
Bone Mass Decay: Slows bone deterioration."
Brain Power: Improves alertness.
Constipation: Helps to restore normal bowel function.
Cosmetic: Mashed bananas are used to relieve dry skin. exfoliating masks, hair conditioner
Depression: Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
Diarrhea Contains pectin, a water-absorbing nutrient which aids in firming your stool.
Hangovers: Make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
High Blood Pressure: The U.S. Food and Drug Association recently allowed the banana industry to make official claims that bananas reduce the risk of blood pressure problems.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: The New England Journal of Medicine reported that adding banana to your regular diet can cut the risk of death by stoke by as much as 40%.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Ulcers: Neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
Bananas can be refrigerated. Refrigeration will cause the skin to turn black without damaging the fruit. Peeled bananas can be frozen
Apply the inside of the peel to leather (shoes, etc), then polish
I was invited through a friend to attend a local Thai wedding. I had no idea who was getting married.
For me it was simply an evening out of the house, free food and drink, and meeing a few friends.
Apparently this was more of a reception, rather than a full fledged wedding. Most likely the formal ceremonies where held earlier in the day. This party had very little ceremonial rituals..
Someone in the family must have been of Vietnamese descent. Much of the music this evening was Vietnamese. Even though I dont’ understand the language, I’ve always enjoyed the music..
The eight courses of food were quite appetizing. What’s nice about such meals is the large variety. If there is an item you don’t like, someone else will like it.
I was warned about the spicy salad. I took a small taste. The taste cleared my sinuses, that’s all I needed.
The young blonde,Thai waitress caught the eye of a gentelman at our table. This insured that we had a continuous supply of beer. As soon as the beer ran low, our gentelman friend took the opportunity to call on the young waitress.
A trip to the toilet was an experience in itself. It also seemed to serve as a smoking room that evening. Exhaust fans in the restrooms were blowing air in, instead of out. As you walked into the room you walked into a cloud of smoke. I felt tall, I had my head in the clouds.
Entrances to both restrooms were directly opposite from each other. You had to really stand close to the urinals, so that the ladies could not scrutenize you too closely from across the hall.
It is customary that guests bring an envelope with a donation, The wedding present. Also 'customary is that all visitors receive a trinket to remember the event.
Last night's token, a hand shaped candle is now added to a growing trinket collection.
