Seven Amazing Benefits of COFFEE

1. Coffee is the #1 source of antioxidants in the American diet

While fruits and veggies are still the richest sources of antioxidants, it turns out that for Americans, coffee is the main basis of antioxidant consumption (according to the Institute of Coffee Studies at Vanderbilt University). Black tea and bananas came in second and third place, respectively. Surprisingly, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee provide similar amounts of antioxidants.

2. Coffee increases your metabolism

Studies also show that coffee is very beneficial in terms of weight loss. It is a common misconception that coffee is an appetite suppressant, however, your morning cup can significantly speed up metabolism by about 10 percent.

The National Research Council on Diet and Health found that metabolic rates will be highest during the first three hours following consumption. Just make sure to skip the added sugars, syrups, and whipped toppings found in many store-bought coffee drinks.

3. Coffee can improve short-term memory

According to studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, caffeine is a cognitive stimulant that actually boosts brain functioning. Furthermore, coffee reduces levels of beta amyloid, a protein in the brain that is responsible for Alzheimer's disease.

4. Coffee lowers the rates of some cancers

According to WebMD, coffee drinkers are 50 percent less likely to get liver cancer. By drinking 2 cups per day, you're also slashing your risk of getting colon cancer by 25 percent. Some studies have also found ties to lower rates of breast and skin cancers as well

5. Coffee can reduce risk for Type 2 diabetes

Web MD also asserts that coffee contains chemicals that lower blood sugar, making heavy coffee drinkers half as likely to get diabetes as light to non-coffee drinkers. 1-3 cups per day can reduce the risk for diabetes by single digits, but people who drink 6 cups or more per day can slash their chances by up to 54 percent.

6. Coffee is actually good for your teeth

We all know that one of the biggest cons of drinking coffee is a stained smile, but the beverage can also have a positive effect on teeth. According to a 2009 article published in the Wall Street Journal, people who drink coffee are less likely to have cavities. Roasted coffee beans have antibacterial effects against microorganisms like Streptococcus, which play a hand in causing tooth decay.

7. Coffee can help prevent/stop headaches

Have you ever wondered why caffeine is one of the main ingredients in migraine medication like Excedrin Migraine? WebMD explains that blood vessels increase in size during a migraine-- caffeine works to decrease the size of blood vessels before they can affect nerves in the brain. So, drinking coffee in the early stages of a headache can help minimize the severity later on.

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S H M I L Y

My grandparents were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word "shmily" in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving "shmily" around the house, and as soon as one of them discovered it, it was their turn to hide it once more.

They dragged "shmily" with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers to await whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio where my grandma always fed us warm, homemade pudding w/ blue food coloring. "Shmily" was written in the steam left on the mirror after a hot shower, where it would reappear bath after bath. At one point, my grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave "shmily" on the very last sheet.

There was no end to the places "shmily" would pop up. Little notes with "shmily" scribbled hurriedly were found on dashboards, and car seats, or taped to steering wheels. The notes were stuffed inside shoes and left under pillows. "Shmily" was written in the dust upon the mantel and traced in the ashes of the fireplace. This mysterious word was as much a part of my grandparents' house as the furniture.

It took me a long time before I was able to fully appreciate my grandparents' game. Skepticism has kept me from believing in true love one that is pure and enduring. However, I never doubted my grandparents' relationship. They had love down pat. It was more than their flirtatious little games; it was a way of life. Their relationship was based on a devotion and passionate affection which not everyone is lucky experience.

Grandma and Grandpa held hands every chance they could. They stole kisses as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. They finished each other's sentences and shared the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble. My grandma whispered to me about how cute my grandpa was, how handsome an old he had grown to be. She claimed that she really knew "how to pick 'em." Before every meal they bowed their heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessings: a wonderful family, good fortune, and each other.

But there was a dark cloud in my grandparents' life: my grandmother had breast cancer. The disease had first appeared ten years earlier. As always, Grandpa was with her every step of the way. He comforted her in their yellow room, painted that way so that she could always be surrounded by sunshine, even when she was too sick to go outside.

Now the cancer was again attacking her body. With the help of a cane and my grandfather's steady hand, they went to church every morning. But my grandmother grew steadily weaker until, finally, she could not leave the house anymore. For a while, Grandpa would go to church alone, praying to God to watch over his wife. Then one day, what we all dreaded finally happened. Grandma was gone.

"Shmily." It was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons of my grandmother's funeral bouquet. As the crowd thinned and the last mourners turned to leave, my aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members came forward and gathered around Grandma one last time. Grandpa stepped up to my grandmother's casket and, taking a shaky breath, he began to sing to her. Through his tears and grief, the song came, a deep and throaty lullaby.

Shaking with my own sorrow, I will never forget that moment. For I knew that, although I couldn't begin to fathom the depth of their love, I had been privileged to witness its unmatched beauty.

S-h-m-i-l-y: See How Much I Love You.

Contributed by: bsundaran @ yahoo.com

Original source: Unknown

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The Leadership of Small Things

Life's mantra  

Leadership: Roll Up Your Sleeves

One of Mr. Ratan N Tata's first assignments was the stewardship of the  ailing electronics company in the Tata portfolio - Nelco.

Story goes that a team of senior managers from Nelco was driving to Nasik along with RNT. Halfway into the journey, the car had a flat tyre,  and as the driver pulled up, the occupants - including Mr. Tata - got off for a comfort break, leaving the driver to replace the tyre.

Some of the managers welcomed the forced break, as it allowed them a  much-needed chance to light up a cigarette. Some used the opportunity to stretch, and smile, and share a joke. And then, one of them suddenly noticed that Mr. Tata was not to be seen, and wondered aloud where Ratan Tata might have vanished.

Was he behind some bush?

Had he wandered off inside the roadside dhaba for a quick cup of tea?

Or was he mingling with some passer-bys, listening to their stories?

None of these, in fact while his colleagues were taking a break, Ratan Tata was busy helping the driver change tyres. Sleeves rolled up, tie swatted away over the shoulder, the hands expertly working the jack and the spanner, bouncing the spare tyre to check if the tyre pressure was ok. Droplets of sweat on the brow, and a smile on the face.

In that moment, the managers accompanying Ratan Tata got a master class in leadership they haven't forgotten.

And that's a moment that the driver of that car probably hasn't forgotten either.

Questions to ask:

·         When was the last time I rolled up my sleeves to do a task much below my hierarchy?

·         Do I wait for the big opportunity to showcase my leadership?

·         Is that big opportunity ever going to come?

·         Am I trying to manage upwards so much that I've lost the feel of the field?

Ideas for action:

·         Humility is the essence of success.  Be humble and even teach your children to be so.

·         To reach the top and remain there, always start from the bottom, else your days at the top will not last long..

·         Practice leadership in small things instead of waiting for the big crisis or a major product launch.

·         Seek to find opportunities to lead in everyday moments.

·         Build your leadership skills one baby step at a time.

·         When ones hands get dirty - The mind remains clean !!!

  Carry a heart that never hates, carry a smile that never fades & carry a touch that never hurts.

Contributed by: bharathig @ hpcl.co.in

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Let Them Know

One fine day, an old couple around the age of 70, walks into a lawyer's office. Apparently, they are there to file a divorce. Lawyer was very puzzled, after having a chat with them, he got their story….

This couple had been quarrelling for all their 40 over yrs of marriage nothing ever seems to go right. They hang on because of their children, afraid that it might affect their up-bringing. Now, all their children have already grown up, have their own family, there's nothing else the old couple have to worry about, all they wanted is to lead their own life free from all these years of unhappiness from their marriage, so both agree on a divorce….

Lawyer was having a hard time trying to get the papers done, because he felt that after 40 yrs of marriage at the age of 70, he couldn't understand why the old couple would still want a divorce..

While they were signing the papers, the wife told the husband..

"I really love u, but I really cant carry on anymore, I'm sorry.."

"Its o.k., I understand." said the husband. Looking at this, the lawyer suggested a dinner together, just 3 of them, wife thought, why not, since they are still going to be friends..

At the dining table, there was a silence of awkwardness. The first dish was roasted chicken. Immediately the old man took the drumstick for the old lady." Take this, it's your favourite." Looking at this, the lawyer thought maybe there's still a chance, but the wife was frowning when she answer." This is always the problem, you always think so highly of yourself, never thought about how I feel, and don't you know that I hate drumsticks?"

Little did she know that, over the years, the husband have been trying all ways to please her, little did she know that drumsticks was the husband's favourite. Little did he know that she never thought he understand her at all, little did he know that she hates drumsticks even though all he wants is the best for her.

That night, both of them couldn't sleep, toss and turn, toss and turn…after hours, the old man couldn't take it anymore, he knows that he still loves her, and he cant carry on life without her, he wants her back, he wants to tell her, he is sorry, he wanted to tell her "I love you".

He picks up the phone, starting dialling her number….ringing never stops. He never stops dialling. On the other side, she was sad, she couldn't understand how come after all these years, he still doesn't understand her at all, she loves him a lot, but she just cant take it anymore….phone's ringing, she refuses to answer knowing that its him." What's the point of talking now that its over…I have ask for it and now I want to keep it this way, if not I will lose face." She thought…still ringing…she has decided to pull out the cord. Little did she remember, he had the heart problems.

The next day, she received news that he had passed away…she rushed down to his apartment, saw his body, lying on the couch still holding on to the phone…he had a heart attack when he was still trying to get through her phone line. As sad as she could be…she will have to clear his belongings…when she was looking thru the drawers, she saw this insurance policy, dated from the day they got married, with the beneficiary being her… And together in those file, there was this note…

"To my dearest wife, by the time you're reading this, I'm sure I'm no longer around, I bought this policy for you, though the amount is only $100k, I hope it will be able to help me continue my promise that i have made when we got married, I might not be around anymore, I want this amount of money to continue taking care of you, just like the way I will if I could have live longer. I want you to know that I will always be around, by your side… I love you"

Tears flowed like river……

"When you love someone, let them know… You never know what will happen the next minute…. Learn to build a life together. Learn to love each other. For who they are… not what they are…"

God Bless You!

Contributed by: kvananthanarayanan @ gmail.com

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Ten Rules For A Blessed Day

1. Today I will not strike back...

If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind, I will not respond in a like manner.

 

2. Today I will ask god to bless my 'enemy'

If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual.

I understand "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

 

3. Today I will be careful about what I say...

I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.

 

4. Today I will go the extra mile...

I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

 

5. Today I will forgive...

I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

 

6. Today I will do something kind for someone, (but I will do it in secret...)

I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

 

7. Today I will treat others the way I wish to be treated...

I will practice the golden rule. "Do Unto others as I would have them do unto me"- with EVERYONE I encounter.

 

8. Today I will raise the spirits of someone who is discouraged...

My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

 

9. Today I will nurture my body...

I will eat less... I will eat only healthy foods.

I will thank God for my body.

 

10. Today I will grow spiritually...

I will spend a little more time in prayer today.

I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to God's voice.

 

Luke 10:27 – He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

 

We learn three principles about loving our neighbor:

(1) lack of love is often easy to justify, even though it is never right;

(2) our neighbor is anyone of any race, creed, or social background who is in need; and

(3) love means acting to meet the person's needs.

 

Wherever you live, there are needy people close by.

There is no good reason for refusing to help.

Remember, today is a gift from God so treat it preciously

 

Contributed by: i_asianwoman @ yahoo.com

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52 Ways To Perfect Health

1.       Drink eight glasses of water a day.

2.       Include two vegetables and one fruit in every meal.

3.       Begin each meal with a raw vegetable salad.

4.       Make a light snack of assorted sprouts.

5.       Start the day with a glass of warm water and a dash of lime.

6.       Use only fresh vegetables.

7.       Once a week have only fresh fruits until noon, make lunch the first meal of the day.

8.       Eat only freshly cooked meals, not refrigerated leftovers.

9.       Include one green vegetable and one yellow vegetable in every meal.

10.   Go on a juice fasta for a day. Start with vegetable juice, and sip fruit for lunch and dinner.

11.   Kick the old coffee habit. Have a glass of fresh fruit juice instead.

12.   Cut out all deep-fried foods from your diet.

13.   Cut down on high sugar products like soft drinks, ice-cream, candy and cookies in your diet.

14.   Never skip a meal, even if you are on a diet. Eat a fresh fruit or have vegetable juice instead.

15.   Avoid beverages like soda, coffee, colas and so on.

16.   Include high fibre foods plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains in planning your diet.

17.   Use salt in moderation

18.   Wash vegetables throughly in clean water before chopping.

19.   Stream or boil vegetables (rather than fry or saute.

20.   Retain peels of potato, cucumber, carrot and tomato while cooking.

21.   Do take a moment off to mentally list out the nutritional value of the food you are about to eat.

22.   Dont rush through your meals. Set aside enough time to appreciate, enjoy and digest your food.

23.   Make every meal an enjoyable experience. Set dishes out attractively and chew slowly to appreciate the full flavour of the foods you eat.

24.   Choose to be radiantly healthy. Keep yourself informed about the nutritive value of every food you buy.

25.   Shop for groceries yourself. Notice the look, feel and smell of fresh fruit and vegetables and enjoy their intrinsic goodness.

26.   Watch out for eating habits paired with emotional states, like reaching for a chocolate when you’re depressed. Resist the urge and eat fruit instead.

27.   Eat popcorn (rather than chips) while watching a movie.

28.   Sit at the table at meal times. Dont read the paper or review bills while eating.

29.   Make it a point to have dinner with the entire family at the table, and not in front of the TV.

30.   Eat just to the point of the fullness. Dont stuff yourself!

31.   Stop smoking.

32.   Restrict alcohol consumption.

33.   Get a good night sleep, every night.

34.   Enrol today in an exercise programme.

35.   Take a brisk, 20 minute invigorating walk each morning.

36.   Spend 10 minutes every morning and evening doing basic stretches.

37.   Do not use elevators when you can climb the stairs.

38.   Enrol in a TM programme today.

39.   Focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. Repeat a couple of times a day.

40.   Learn to relax. Spend 20 minutes consciously relaxing each muscle of your body.

41.   Spend 20 minutes a day in silent meditation, prayer or contemplation.

42.   Learn the healing power of laughter. Watch a crazy movie, recall a joke or read a funny book and laugh out loud.

43.   Tap the powers of your sub-conscious. Relax your body for 20 minutes and project the Perfect You on your mind screen.

44.   Balance your lifestyle. Devote equal time each week to work and fun.

45.   Join kids in a sports activity and rediscover the joys of childhood.

46.   Do keep in touch with friends. Call up or visit them and be at peace with the world.

47.   Enrol in an activity (like dancing, swimming or roller skating…) you never indulged in because you were afraid of “what people might say.

48.   Forgive someone who you think has done you wrong and cleanse your spirit of rancour.

49.   Do a nice turn to someone you dont know too well, but who could do with a friend.

50.   Spend a quiet half-hour chatting with your family.

51.   Listen to soothing music for 15 minutes at least each day.

52.   Read a great book once a week.

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