Donating blood is as good for YOUR health as it is for the receiver

• Research discovered donating blood can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and cancer
• It has this affect by reducing iron levels which can thicken blood and increase free-radical damage
• Beneficial for weight watchers too as people burn 650 calories with every pint donated

Mail

Donating blood is as good for YOUR health as it is for the receiver

• Research discovered donating blood can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and cancer
• It has this affect by reducing iron levels which can thicken blood and increase free-radical damage
• Beneficial for weight watchers too as people burn 650 calories with every pint donated

Mail

Fear of the Unknown: How to Rid Yourself of Worries and Embrace the Future

29 May 2013

FinerMinds Team

by

Is your mind a master when it comes to conjuring up your present-day worries or fears, and projecting them into the future only to paint a rather bleak image?

For example, do you fear being alone forever because you can’t find your desired partner now? Or are you visualizing that a current poor financial situation will continue well into retirement?

Of course it’s only natural to look at your circumstances now and imagine that they’ll perpetuate into future, but in doing so, we often end up feeling incredibly anxious about the future, instead of optimistic.

To learn how to lasso your mind back to the present, and dispel your worries about the future, watch this empowering video where inspirational speaker and author, Byron Katie, provides a practical technique to help you overcome these unwarranted fears.

Fear of the Unknown: How to Rid Yourself of Worries and Embrace the Future

29 May 2013

FinerMinds Team

by

Is your mind a master when it comes to conjuring up your present-day worries or fears, and projecting them into the future only to paint a rather bleak image?

For example, do you fear being alone forever because you can’t find your desired partner now? Or are you visualizing that a current poor financial situation will continue well into retirement?

Of course it’s only natural to look at your circumstances now and imagine that they’ll perpetuate into future, but in doing so, we often end up feeling incredibly anxious about the future, instead of optimistic.

To learn how to lasso your mind back to the present, and dispel your worries about the future, watch this empowering video where inspirational speaker and author, Byron Katie, provides a practical technique to help you overcome these unwarranted fears.

Study links painkillers to increased risk of heart attack

Some of the most commonly used painkillers can increase long-term users' heart-attack risk by more than a third, an in-depth study into their side-effects has shown.

One year's high-dose treatment with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, used by hundreds of thousands of arthritis sufferers in the UK, leads to three avoidable heart-attacks and one fatal heart-attack for every 1,000 users, researchers said.

Independent

Study links painkillers to increased risk of heart attack

Some of the most commonly used painkillers can increase long-term users' heart-attack risk by more than a third, an in-depth study into their side-effects has shown.

One year's high-dose treatment with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, used by hundreds of thousands of arthritis sufferers in the UK, leads to three avoidable heart-attacks and one fatal heart-attack for every 1,000 users, researchers said.

Independent

Brussels eases Spain’s deficit target for this year to 6.5 percent of GDP

• In return, European Commission demands timely implementation of structural reforms
• Portugal given until 2015 to meet the EU's three-percent ceiling

El Pais

Brussels eases Spain’s deficit target for this year to 6.5 percent of GDP

• In return, European Commission demands timely implementation of structural reforms
• Portugal given until 2015 to meet the EU's three-percent ceiling

El Pais

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. -Bruce Lee

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. -Bruce Lee

Quote of the Day

Change is inevitable. Change is constant. -Benjamin Disraeli

Quote of the Day

Change is inevitable. Change is constant. -Benjamin Disraeli

5 Steps to Break Through Self-Sabotage

Self-sabotage and self-defeating behaviors can happen to anyone. Depending on your situation, they can lead to procrastination, indecision, anger, lack of focus, chemical dependency, self-pity, self-doubt and more. Whether you’re coping with too much pressure or too little motivation, you may need to take time to adjust your priorities and expectations. Stop demanding perfection and aim for improvement instead.

Read more

5 Steps to Break Through Self-Sabotage

Self-sabotage and self-defeating behaviors can happen to anyone. Depending on your situation, they can lead to procrastination, indecision, anger, lack of focus, chemical dependency, self-pity, self-doubt and more. Whether you’re coping with too much pressure or too little motivation, you may need to take time to adjust your priorities and expectations. Stop demanding perfection and aim for improvement instead.

Read more

Easy ways to a bright smile

A MERE 10 per cent of the population have excellent oral health, according to the Adult Dental Health Survey. Why? Our national dental hygiene is pretty poor. If stained or yellowing teeth is your problem whitening toothpastes are not the answer.

Read more: Express

Easy ways to a bright smile

A MERE 10 per cent of the population have excellent oral health, according to the Adult Dental Health Survey. Why? Our national dental hygiene is pretty poor. If stained or yellowing teeth is your problem whitening toothpastes are not the answer.

Read more: Express

High blood pressure is an epidemic but there are natural ways to keep it down

DO you have high blood pressure? One in three UK adults does, many without realising it. And although the condition itself has no obvious symptoms, it is seriously bad for your health. Severe high blood pressure needs to be treated with drugs, but if yours is edging upwards there are all kinds of natural remedies that can reverse the trend. Drinking at least three cups of black-leaf tea, such as Earl Grey or English breakfast, a day "significantly" cuts blood pressure, researchers at the University of Western Australia found. It's thought the benefits are largely down to flavonoids - antioxidant ingredients that counteract cardiovascular disease. And if you find tea too sharp tasting in its natural state, don't worry, because all the benefits are still there if you add milk (especially if it's low-fat or soya).

Read more: Express

High blood pressure is an epidemic but there are natural ways to keep it down

DO you have high blood pressure? One in three UK adults does, many without realising it. And although the condition itself has no obvious symptoms, it is seriously bad for your health. Severe high blood pressure needs to be treated with drugs, but if yours is edging upwards there are all kinds of natural remedies that can reverse the trend. Drinking at least three cups of black-leaf tea, such as Earl Grey or English breakfast, a day "significantly" cuts blood pressure, researchers at the University of Western Australia found. It's thought the benefits are largely down to flavonoids - antioxidant ingredients that counteract cardiovascular disease. And if you find tea too sharp tasting in its natural state, don't worry, because all the benefits are still there if you add milk (especially if it's low-fat or soya).

Read more: Express

Spaghetti with clams

Express

Published: Sat, May 25, 2013

0Comments

Spaghetti with clams

INGREDIENTS

1kg clams

3 tbsp white wine

100ml extra virgin olive oil

400g spaghetti

2 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly squashed

2 small red chillies, very finely sliced

2 tbsp chopped flat–leaf parsley

SERVES: 4

PREPARATION: 15 MINUTES

COOKING TIME: 20 MINUTES

METHOD

Rinse the clams under running cold water to remove any sand or grit. place them in a large frying pan over high heat with the white wine and 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let them pop open. As they are popping, stir them with a spoon. When all the clams have opened, lift them out with a slotted spoon and put them in a large bowl. Boil the liquid remaining in the pan until it has reduced by half, then strain it in another bowl through a fine sieve. Set it aside. Wash the pan well.

When the clams are cooled, take most of them out of their shells and put them in the bowl with the strained liquid; leave the rest of the clams in their shells, setting them aside.

Cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling salted water until al dente.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, chilli and 2 teaspoons of the parsley and stir until the garlic is just golden, then remove and discard the garlic cloves. Add the shelled clams and most of their cooking liquid and simmer for 2 minutes.

Drain the spaghetti and add it to the frying pan. Sprinkle on the remaining parsley, then add the reserved clams in their shells.

Toss over low heat for about 1 minute to allow the flavours to mingle, then serve immediately.

Spaghetti with clams

Express

Published: Sat, May 25, 2013

0Comments

Spaghetti with clams

INGREDIENTS

1kg clams

3 tbsp white wine

100ml extra virgin olive oil

400g spaghetti

2 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly squashed

2 small red chillies, very finely sliced

2 tbsp chopped flat–leaf parsley

SERVES: 4

PREPARATION: 15 MINUTES

COOKING TIME: 20 MINUTES

METHOD

Rinse the clams under running cold water to remove any sand or grit. place them in a large frying pan over high heat with the white wine and 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let them pop open. As they are popping, stir them with a spoon. When all the clams have opened, lift them out with a slotted spoon and put them in a large bowl. Boil the liquid remaining in the pan until it has reduced by half, then strain it in another bowl through a fine sieve. Set it aside. Wash the pan well.

When the clams are cooled, take most of them out of their shells and put them in the bowl with the strained liquid; leave the rest of the clams in their shells, setting them aside.

Cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling salted water until al dente.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, chilli and 2 teaspoons of the parsley and stir until the garlic is just golden, then remove and discard the garlic cloves. Add the shelled clams and most of their cooking liquid and simmer for 2 minutes.

Drain the spaghetti and add it to the frying pan. Sprinkle on the remaining parsley, then add the reserved clams in their shells.

Toss over low heat for about 1 minute to allow the flavours to mingle, then serve immediately.

Quote of the Day

When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion. -Abraham Lincoln

Quote of the Day

When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion. -Abraham Lincoln

Spain offers residency papers to foreign buyers and investors

The government has included in the Entrepreneurial Law a clause granting residency to foreigners who buy more than two million euros' worth of public debt in an attempt to attract capital and investment.
El Pais

Spain offers residency papers to foreign buyers and investors

The government has included in the Entrepreneurial Law a clause granting residency to foreigners who buy more than two million euros' worth of public debt in an attempt to attract capital and investment.
El Pais

Health Benefits of Different Types of Tea

Tea is a delicious beverage that can cool you down in the hot summer months and warm you up in the winter. But did you know that many types of tea also have great health benefits? Let’s have a look at what goes into creating different types of tea and how different varieties of tea [...]

Read more

Health Benefits of Different Types of Tea

Tea is a delicious beverage that can cool you down in the hot summer months and warm you up in the winter. But did you know that many types of tea also have great health benefits? Let’s have a look at what goes into creating different types of tea and how different varieties of tea [...]

Read more

Personal Development Tips and Tricks

Change can be intrinsically frightening, but one key to successful personal development is mastering that fear. Personal development is the art of fostering positive changes in oneself. This is not an art that can be practiced without recognizing that the external world is constantly changing too. Embracing change outside can lead to better results encouraging change inside. Learn a foreign langua..

Read more

Personal Development Tips and Tricks

Change can be intrinsically frightening, but one key to successful personal development is mastering that fear. Personal development is the art of fostering positive changes in oneself. This is not an art that can be practiced without recognizing that the external world is constantly changing too. Embracing change outside can lead to better results encouraging change inside. Learn a foreign langua..

Read more

Quote of the Day

I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else. -Winston Churchill

Quote of the Day

I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else. -Winston Churchill

Phrasal verbs

make fun of (inseparable): make jokes about (usually unkindly).

"I agree that Bob looks ridiculous since he shaved his head, but don't make fun of him. You'll hurt his feelings."

make up (1. separable): invent / create (imaginary) information.

"Judy's story is hard to believe. I'm sure she made it up."

make up (2. separable): compensate for something missed or not done by doing extra or equivalent work.

"I'm sorry I missed the test. May I make it up?"

make up (with) (3. inseparable): re-establish a friendly relationship by admitting guilt.

"Jack and his girlfriend were very angry with each other, but last night they finally made up."
"Jack and his girlfriend were very angry with each other, but last night they finally made up with each other."

make out (separable): see / hear something well enough to understand what it means. (Note: often negative.)

"Ruth's writing is very small. I almost need a magnify glass to make it out."
"What were the last two examples that he gave? I couldn't make them out."

make for (1. inseparable): go to or toward.

"Her teen-aged children are always hungry. As soon as they arrive home from school, they make for the refrigerator."

make for (2. inseparable): result in; cause.

"Many hands make for light work. (If many people work together, there's less work for everyone.)"

mark up (separable): increase the price (for resale).

"Mrs. White's import shop is profitable because she buys things inexpensively and thenmarks them up."

mark down (separable): reduce the price (as an incentive to buy).

"These shoes were really a bargain! The store marked them down by 40%!"

mix up (separable): cause to become confused.

"I didn't complete the assignment because I didn't know how. The directions mixed meup."

Phrasal verbs

make fun of (inseparable): make jokes about (usually unkindly).

"I agree that Bob looks ridiculous since he shaved his head, but don't make fun of him. You'll hurt his feelings."

make up (1. separable): invent / create (imaginary) information.

"Judy's story is hard to believe. I'm sure she made it up."

make up (2. separable): compensate for something missed or not done by doing extra or equivalent work.

"I'm sorry I missed the test. May I make it up?"

make up (with) (3. inseparable): re-establish a friendly relationship by admitting guilt.

"Jack and his girlfriend were very angry with each other, but last night they finally made up."
"Jack and his girlfriend were very angry with each other, but last night they finally made up with each other."

make out (separable): see / hear something well enough to understand what it means. (Note: often negative.)

"Ruth's writing is very small. I almost need a magnify glass to make it out."
"What were the last two examples that he gave? I couldn't make them out."

make for (1. inseparable): go to or toward.

"Her teen-aged children are always hungry. As soon as they arrive home from school, they make for the refrigerator."

make for (2. inseparable): result in; cause.

"Many hands make for light work. (If many people work together, there's less work for everyone.)"

mark up (separable): increase the price (for resale).

"Mrs. White's import shop is profitable because she buys things inexpensively and thenmarks them up."

mark down (separable): reduce the price (as an incentive to buy).

"These shoes were really a bargain! The store marked them down by 40%!"

mix up (separable): cause to become confused.

"I didn't complete the assignment because I didn't know how. The directions mixed meup."

Germany to create 5,000 jobs a year for young Spaniards

Germany has agreed to create 5,000 jobs a year for young Spanish workers as part of efforts to reduce youth unemployment in Spain, which hit 57 percent at the end of March.

A memorandum of understanding in this area was signed Tuesday in Madrid by Spanish Labor Minister Fátima Báñez and her German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen. It includes work combined with professional training and stable posts for qualified workers.

Read more

Germany to create 5,000 jobs a year for young Spaniards

Germany has agreed to create 5,000 jobs a year for young Spanish workers as part of efforts to reduce youth unemployment in Spain, which hit 57 percent at the end of March.

A memorandum of understanding in this area was signed Tuesday in Madrid by Spanish Labor Minister Fátima Báñez and her German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen. It includes work combined with professional training and stable posts for qualified workers.

Read more

Breathing to reduce stress

Summary

Shallow and rapid breathing is a typical part of the stress response, and hyperventilation can prolong anxiety and stress. Stress can be managed and reduced with controlled breathing. You can use abdominal breathing to help control your nervous system and encourage your body to relax, bringing about a range of health benefits.

Read more

Breathing to reduce stress

Summary

Shallow and rapid breathing is a typical part of the stress response, and hyperventilation can prolong anxiety and stress. Stress can be managed and reduced with controlled breathing. You can use abdominal breathing to help control your nervous system and encourage your body to relax, bringing about a range of health benefits.

Read more

Being rich. The UK is one of the richest countries in the world and some of the world's richest people are from the UK or live here. Here are ten ways of saying somebody has or earns a lot

Ten Expressions to Use In Speaking And Writing

1. A wealthy person
2. A comfortably-off person
3. High-earning / Top-earning executives
4. She's well-off / well-heeled
5. I'm not short of a bob or two
6. He's rolling in it
7. They're filthy rich
8. They're a bit nouveau-riche
9. A millionaire friend of mine...
10. Fat cats

How To Use These Phrases In Your English

1. In 1, wealthy is a general word that says that somebody has a lot of money.
2. Phrase 2 is less strong. A 'comfortably-off' person has enough money not to be worried about money.
3. Phrase 3 are adjectives meaning that the person gets a high salary.
4. Phrase 4 means that the person has a lot of money in the bank.
5. Phrase 5 is an informal / colloquial expression which has a similar meaning to 4.
6. Phrases 6 and 7 mean that the person has a ridiculous amount of money - more than they need.
7. Phrase 8 means that the people have made a lot of money recently and are spending it very quickly.
8. In 9, 'millionaire' can be used as an adjective as well as a noun.
9. In 10, 'fat cats' are top executives who earn enormous salaries. In the late nineties there were a series of scandals about the high salaries of bosses of failed companies.

Being rich. The UK is one of the richest countries in the world and some of the world's richest people are from the UK or live here. Here are ten ways of saying somebody has or earns a lot

Ten Expressions to Use In Speaking And Writing

1. A wealthy person
2. A comfortably-off person
3. High-earning / Top-earning executives
4. She's well-off / well-heeled
5. I'm not short of a bob or two
6. He's rolling in it
7. They're filthy rich
8. They're a bit nouveau-riche
9. A millionaire friend of mine...
10. Fat cats

How To Use These Phrases In Your English

1. In 1, wealthy is a general word that says that somebody has a lot of money.
2. Phrase 2 is less strong. A 'comfortably-off' person has enough money not to be worried about money.
3. Phrase 3 are adjectives meaning that the person gets a high salary.
4. Phrase 4 means that the person has a lot of money in the bank.
5. Phrase 5 is an informal / colloquial expression which has a similar meaning to 4.
6. Phrases 6 and 7 mean that the person has a ridiculous amount of money - more than they need.
7. Phrase 8 means that the people have made a lot of money recently and are spending it very quickly.
8. In 9, 'millionaire' can be used as an adjective as well as a noun.
9. In 10, 'fat cats' are top executives who earn enormous salaries. In the late nineties there were a series of scandals about the high salaries of bosses of failed companies.

Idioms

lend someone a hand: help someone.

"I can't do this alone. Can you lend me a hand?"

a let-down: a disappointment; something that's very disappointing.

"It must've been quite a let-down not to be chosen for that job.
I know you really hoped you would get it."

Let sleeping dogs lie.: Don't cause problems by doing something when it isn't necessary.

"I know that what Julie said made you angry, but let sleeping dogs lie.
If you say or do anything, you'll only make things worse."

live from hand to mouth: survive on very little money; have only enough money
to pay for basic needs.

"Chuck and Alice are living from hand to mouth since Chuck lost his job."

live and let live: don't unnecessarily make things difficult;
do as you wish and let others do as they wish.

"I'm not going to criticize Alice's family just because their habits
are a little strange. My motto is 'Live and let live.'"

a low blow: a big disappointment.

A: "Fred seems depressed. Is he OK?"
B: "He's OK, but not good. It was a low blow for him to be laid off from his job."

lousy: terrible; very bad.

"Why did you speak so rudely to your grandmother? That was a lousy thing to do!"

Idioms

lend someone a hand: help someone.

"I can't do this alone. Can you lend me a hand?"

a let-down: a disappointment; something that's very disappointing.

"It must've been quite a let-down not to be chosen for that job.
I know you really hoped you would get it."

Let sleeping dogs lie.: Don't cause problems by doing something when it isn't necessary.

"I know that what Julie said made you angry, but let sleeping dogs lie.
If you say or do anything, you'll only make things worse."

live from hand to mouth: survive on very little money; have only enough money
to pay for basic needs.

"Chuck and Alice are living from hand to mouth since Chuck lost his job."

live and let live: don't unnecessarily make things difficult;
do as you wish and let others do as they wish.

"I'm not going to criticize Alice's family just because their habits
are a little strange. My motto is 'Live and let live.'"

a low blow: a big disappointment.

A: "Fred seems depressed. Is he OK?"
B: "He's OK, but not good. It was a low blow for him to be laid off from his job."

lousy: terrible; very bad.

"Why did you speak so rudely to your grandmother? That was a lousy thing to do!"