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September 20th 2008 15:12
When we hear the word 'cholesterol,' it is almost always certain that our immediate reaction to it is that it's a bane to our health. To put it more specifically, we tend to connote cholesterol with heart disease. But not everything about cholesterol is bad. In fact, it carries out some functions that are beneficial to the body.
Cholesterol is known to assist in the digestion of fats. It also helps in the production of hormones and vitamin D in the body. The high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is considered "good" cholesterol because it transports cholesterol away from body tissues, thus preventing the clogging of blood vessels.
Yet our negative impression about cholesterol is not without any basis. As a matter of fact, cholesterol has so many drawbacks that far outweigh the advantages that we get from it. Foremost among these drawbacks is that indeed cholesterol can cause heart disease and stroke. That is, if its level is unnecessarily raised through our diet. We have to remember that most of the cholesterol our body needs is already produced by the liver. We also have to be aware that cholesterol is a constituent part of our body's cell membranes and nerves, and is present in every tissue of our body.
Being waxy in characteristic, cholesterol clings to artery walls. In the process, it clogs the blood vessels, impedes the circulation of blood, and lessens the amount of oxygen that must otherwise move normally to the heart muscle and brain. If HDL is praised for being good cholesterol, another one is feared for being "bad." This is known as low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. This bad cholesterol is the one that adheres more easily to artery walls which coats the blood vessels with a plaque-like substance. Triglycerides are another concern. These are fats that supply fuel to the body. An increase in the level of triglycerides can adversely affect our body in much the same way that an increased level of LDL cholesterol can do.
Lowering total cholesterol level in the body may not actually be an accurate measure in avoiding the risk of heart disease. Instead, there should be a conscious effort in increasing HDL while reducing both LDL and triglycerides. The key to reducing LDL and triglycerides is in eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, soy foods, oats, and beans - foods that are rich in soluble fiber.
Having sufficient exercise is another key in lowering levels of LDL and triglycerides. Since exercise advances weight loss, it naturally helps in simultaneously increasing HDL cholesterol and in reducing LDL and triglycerides levels.
September 20th 2008 15:08
Sewing machines come in various brands and models. Most brands, however, operate the same way. Once you have learned to thread and operate one brand, you can operate any of the other brands as well.
Before threading the machine you plan to use, study the instruction booklet. Every model of sewing machine is threaded in its own particular way. However, there is a general procedure which is similar for threading most machines. It follows this order:
1) Raise the presser foot to the "up" position with the presser-bar lifter. With the handwheel, raise the take-up lever to its highest position.
2) Put the thread on the spool pin. Keep one hand on the spool to hold the thread firm as you thread.
3) Pull the thread through the top thread guide or guides.
4) Continue pulling it through the tension discs.
5) Find the next thread guide and secure the thread in it.
6) Feed the thread through the take-up lever.
7) Continue pulling the thread through any other thread guides you find.
8) Thread the needle from the same side as the last thread guide. There will be a long groove running down the side of the needle on this side.
9) Pull the thread through the needle for 4 or 5 inches (10 to 12.5 centimeters).
Filling the conventional bobbin:
Most bobbins are filled on a special spindle on the surface of the machine head. The filled bobbin is then inserted into the lower part of the machine. It supplies a second thread so the machine can make a durable locked stitch. To fill the conventional bobbin, follow these steps:
1) Unscrew the smaller knob in the center of the balance wheel to disengage the wheel.
2) Place the bobbin on the bobbin winder, and snap it into position.
3) Place the spool of thread on the bobbin thread pin, and pull the thread through the thread guide, which holds it firm. Then thread it through one of the small holes from the inside of the bobbin to the outside. Hold this thread with your left hand.
4) Apply pressure to the knee or foot lever and watch the thread wind evenly and smoothly. If it does not, re-check each step.
5) When the bobbin is full, it will snap out of the winding position automatically. Tighten the balance wheel.
6) Open the slide plate and place the bobbin in the bobbin case or shuttle according to the instructions in the sewing machine booklet. Grasp the end of the top thread in your left hand. With your right hand, turn the balance wheel, or handwheel, one complete turn. As the needle is lowered and raised, the top thread loops around the bobbin thread and pulls it back through the needle hole in the throat plate.
7) Pull the bobbin thread up and pull both threads to the back under the presser foot for about 4 or 5 inches (10 or 12.5 centimeters).
8) Close the slide plate. You are ready to sew.
Every machine will operate better if you take good care of it. Keep the working parts of the machine free of loose threads and lint.
The common cold is caused by any one of some 200 viruses, so there is really very little that is common about this malady. And while colds do afflict most people in the fall and winter, cold weather itself isn't always the culprit. It is, rather, the greater amount of time people spend indoors during those chillier seasons that increases the risk of the virus spreading. As if by reflex, people reach for one of the over-the-counter medications on their shelves to treat their illness. However, even at recommended dosages, these over-the-counter medications can have side effects. At higher dosages, they can cause serious problems. Forget about antibiotics - they can't kill cold viruses.
Before turning to decongestants, expectorants, or antihistamines to cure your cold, there are actually a number of simple home treatments that can be of great help in your recovery
[ Click here to read more ]
The adventurous palate is always looking for new taste sensations. But it may find more than it bargained for when it takes on the delights of uncooked cuisine. Eating raw foods, such as sushi, oysters and steak tartare, poses an increased risk of food-borne illness. How? Let's take a look at each of these three situations:
1. Uncooked food. Health experts are one in saying that many foods, including meat, seafood, fruits, and vegetables, can harbor disease-causing microbes. Yet they become a health threat only when handled or cooked improperly. Cooking food thoroughly and with sufficient heat kills most microbes. Raw foods, of course, are uncooked. For produce like fruit and salad greens, rinsing thoroughly under running water (use a vegetable brush and discard outer leaves) minimizes exposure to disease-causing microbes. But raw animal foods cannot simply be made safe by washing, and the bacteria they may contain can cause such symptoms as nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Medical experts warn that these illnesses are especially dangerous, even fatal, among the young, the old, and anyone with a weakened immune system
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Pain accompanies almost every one of the many medical procedures. But with anesthesia, the sensation of pain is magically blocked during such medical procedures.
Although many drugs (and combinations of drugs) are used for anesthetic purposes, doctors say they are generally used in four ways
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They are cool and refreshing, quench thirst, and it always feels right to indulge in them especially during the hot summer days or right after a strenuous physical activity. They are soft drinks (sodas to some people, colas to others), and they almost always seem to be the natural first choice in soothing parched mouths and throats. When consumed in moderation, soft drinks are harmless beverages. Too much of them, however, can disturb your nutritional stability. This possibility becomes even more pronounced when soft drinks restrain you from drinking water and other, more nourishing beverages.
How can something as good as soft drinks be so bad when taken in excessively? For a lot of reasons, actually: Soft drinks are known to contain several artificial food colors, some of which are deemed to be possible carcinogens that can cause cancer. The syrups used in soft drinks, which are high in fructose, can cause irritable bowel syndrome. Soft drinks are exaggeratedly sweet (from sugar) and, therefore, can cause tooth decay. The caffeine in soft drinks is like a diuretic that can cause dehydration. Soft drinks are also known to be rich in phosphate which, in excess, can cause osteoporosis
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The antilock brake system (ABS) was introduced by car manufacturers in the 1980s. Immediately, it was hailed as a major safety feature because of its ability to help drivers avoid crashes that result from skidding on wet roads. Today, the brakes are standard equipment on most new vehicles - but at a cost of over $1,000. Which leads you to ask if you are getting your money's worth. Maybe not. When antilock brakes are needed the most - during emergency stops - many drivers do not use them correctly.
Antilock brakes are activated when the system senses that one or more wheels are about to lock up - usually, as you apply firm and continuous pressure to the brake pedal. If your car has ABS, you should not pump your brakes when stopping suddenly
[ Click here to read more ]
Can you really have a balanced life? A satisfying job, a happy home life, good health, beauty, peace of mind? Do you think it is impossible? Not if you follow this guide.
1. Set goals for every area of your life. Family, career, health and fitness, spiritual life, personal growth, and finance. Write them down, mark the most important ones, and give yourself deadlines
[ Click here to read more ]
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Comment by Bernadette
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LOL! Nice one! Thanks Ruby for sharing!