10 Things to do this Ramadan

What better month to get right and help people than the holy month of Ramadan? As troubled Arabs that have some sort of identity crisis, we’ve been drifting further from God each passing day. Well, this month is the month of forgiveness and the only month you can actually get yourself back on track with minimum effort. Here are 10 simple things to try for a better you and a better society: 1. Talk to God: instead of BBMing our friends for at least 6 hours a day, let’s talk to God for 10 minutes a day. It could be in the form of praying or just plain and simple talk, try it you'll feel relieved. In the end, there’s no better listener and word won’t get out. 2. Help someone: anyone. A lot of people around us need help. Whether it’s the blind man crossing the street, the old lady carrying her groceries, your mum loaded with house work, or even a poor man asking for money; always lend someone a hand, you never know when you’ll need one. 3. Share: sharing isn’t just for Facebook. Share your food with your neighbor, your car with someone who needs a ride, your time at a shelter, or even your old clothes with the less fortunate. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, keep that in mind. 4. Read: I know the book of God isn’t exactly “Eat, Pray, Love” but if you read 4 pages after each sala, by the end of Ramadan you would’ve read the whole book. Remember, what's more important than reading the Quraan, is understanding it and taking interest in what it says. 5. Smile: spread love, you never know who could be breaking down and waiting for you to cheer them up. A simple smile to someone you don't necessarily know (and I'm not encouraging flirtatious, hair-flipping smiles at the hot boy at the gym) will uplift their mood almost instantly. 6. Be useful: donations don't have to be just money. You can donate your time at a shelter or an orphanage to help teach less fortunate kids something useful. There must be at least one subject you’re good at that you can pass on to someone else. You can also help plant fruitful trees in your neighborhood, hand out ice-water bottles to traffic police, paint a discolored wall in your area, or compliment the garbage collector on how important his job is. 7. Feed someone: carry dates in your bag and hand them out at Eftar time. On a much bigger scale, help cook meals and pack food bags to be sent to poor villages in your area. It’s great to feed someone in Ramadan, but it’s 10 times greater if you do that all year long. 8. Keep your mouth shut: That kind of applies all year round. If you have something nice to say about someone say it, if you don't be quiet. 9. Hold your horses: easy on the F-word. Not just because Eftar time came and you’ve broken your fast means you’ll be swearing at every person you see till the next morning. Words are very powerful, use them correctly. 10. Share this article :or any article that helps people understand that good behavior is just a gesture away and should be all year round rather than 1/12th of a year. Think outside the box, help people, talk to God, and just create an over-all better life for those who surround you. At the end of the day, what goes around comes back around. By: May Rostom

Simple ways to love your liver - 12 tips to good liver health

#1 Maintain a healthy weight It’s estimated that 60% of Australians are overweight or obese. And of those classed as obese, approximately 30% will have fatty liver disease, putting them at high risk of liver scarring (cirrhosis), liver failure and liver cancer. If you carry any excess weight around your middle, it can cause insulin resistance which often leads to fatty liver disease. Measure your middle and keep it at a healthy circumference. Men should maintain a waist of less than 102cm and women, less than 88cm. Exercising and eating a diet that’s low in fat and high in fibre, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals will help you maintain a healthy weight and liver. #2 Avoid fad diets Fad diets that make your weight yoyo can put excessive stress on your liver. Avoid any products that promise large amounts of weight loss in an unrealistically short period of time. These diets are usually lacking in essential nutrients and are not beneficial. Aim to lose weight at a healthy rate of ½ -1kg per week. Liver cleansing and detox diets should also be avoided. Contrary to popular belief, no particular diet is liver cleansing, but a healthy diet improves wellbeing. Take a look at our diet page and ask your doctor or dietitian to help you create a healthy and nutritious diet plan. #3 Limit your fat intake High levels of fat in the blood (hyperlipidaemia) and high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) are common causes of fatty liver disease. Keep your levels low by keeping your fat intake low. And of the little fats you do eat, make sure they’re unsaturated (poly- and monounsaturated fats). If a low fat diet isn’t working for you, speak to your doctor about medications that can help. #4 Drink alcohol in moderation Sensible consumption of alcohol is critical to your health. While alcoholism is more common among men, women are more susceptible to the adverse effects of alcohol on the liver. In fact, it takes as little as 20 grams of alcohol daily (only two standard drinks) for women to develop liver problems. If you can’t cut back, talk to your doctor about getting professional help. #5 Go for regular blood tests A blood test is the best way to keep an keen eye on the levels of fat, cholesterol and glucose in your blood – all of which are associated with fatty liver disease. Too much glucose can be an indication that you have Impaired Glucose Tolerance or Diabetes – in both cases you’ll need to carefully control your blood sugar levels through diet, medications and/or weight loss. Have you ever experimented with intravenous drugs? Did you have a blood transfusion, or organ transplant prior to 1992? If so, make sure you get tested for hepatitis C. #6 Quit smoking It’s been proven that smoking cigarettes is linked to the development of liver cancer. Smoking can also enhance the toxic effects that some medications (such as Paracetamol) have on the liver. Talk to your doctor, or ring Quitline to get help. #7 Get a jab Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. If you choose not to get vaccinated against hepatitis A, make sure you avoid sushi, or raw/partially cooked clams, oysters, mussels and scallops, as these fish often live in hepatitis A-contaminated rivers and seas. If you choose not to get vaccinated against hepatitis B, practice safer sex. #8 Ask your doctor Mixing medications is never advised without seeking advice from your doctor or pharmacist. This applies to herbal supplements as well as prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Some medications require the liver to work extra hard to metabolise them, and taking too many medications at once can damage the liver. Some herbal supplements can actually be toxic to the liver, such as kava, comfrey, chaparral, kombucha tea, pennyroyal and skullcap. Read our common toxins page for more information. #9 Protect yourself Practice safer sex and protect yourself from hepatitis B. Unlike hepatitis B, hepatitis C isn’t classified as a sexually transmissible infection, but if there is a chance of blood to blood contact, you should practice safer sex. Less commonly, toothbrushes, razors and other personal care items can also transmit hepatitis B or C, so don’t borrow, or share yours with anyone! #10 Be aware of drug risks Some illicit drugs and the chemicals they are mixed with can be toxic to the liver. Intravenous drug use is also commonly known to transmit hepatitis B and C. If you currently use intravenous drugs, don’t share needles – take advantage of a needle exchange program. #11 Don’t ignore your liver If you’ve been told that something is wrong with your liver, ask your doctor for a referral to a liver specialist (hepatologist). You might feel fine, but the signs and symptoms of liver disease and hepatitis are not always present. #12 Take care with tattoos and piercings If you’re keen to get a tattoo or a piercing, take extra care to find an establishment that is clean and adheres to meticulous sterilisation practices. Want to learn more about your liver? Understand what makes your liver so important, try our liver-loving recipes, read more diet tips and make sure you get plenty of exercise.

The Healing Properties of a Citrine

The Citrine stone is a powerful cleanser and regenerator. Carrying the powers of the sun this is an exceedingly beneficial stone. It's warming, energizing and highly creative. This is one of the crystals that never needs cleansing. Citrine energizes every level of life.

It is also one of the stones of abundance. This dynamic stone teaches how to manifest wealth and prosperity, success and all good things. It is also a generous stone and encourages sharing what you have and yet helps you hold on to your wealth. It has the power to impart joy to all who behold it. Gloom and negativity have no place around Citrine. It is a useful stone for smoothing group and family discord.

Psychologically, Citrine raises self esteem and self confidence. It enhances individuality, improves motivation, activates creativity and encourages self expression. This stone promotes enjoyment of new experiences and encourages exploring every possible avenue until you find the best solution.

Mentally, Citrine enhances concentration and revitalizes the mind. It is excellent for overcoming depression, fears and phobias. Citrine promotes inner calm so that wisdom can emerge. Wearing a Citrine pendant overcomes difficulties in verbalizing thoughts and feelings.

Citrine is an excellent stone for re-energizing and recharging. It is highly beneficial for reverse degenerative disease. Citrine stimulates digestion, the spleen and the pancreas. It negates infections of the kidney and bladder, helps eye problems, increases blood circulation, detoxifies the blood, activates the thymus and balances the thyroid. It has a warming effect and fortifies the nerves. Citrine is an excellent eliminator - it relieves constipation and removes cellulite. As an elixir, it is helpful for menstrual problems and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, balancing the hormones and alleviating fatigue.

It also great when places in the wealth corner of your home/room to attract wealth.