100,000 people in the Canadian province of Alberta have been forced
out of their homes as torrential rain continues to cause serious
flooding.
Communities south of Calgary are the worst affected so far,
with water levels in massively swollen creeks not expected to drop until
Saturday afternoon.
Canmore resident Wade Graham said he had watched as the foundations of a row of houses was washed away.
An estimated 230,000 people live and work in central Calgary, officials
believed there would be few people to evacuate because many did not come
to work on Friday.
Some 25 neighbourhoods in Calgary, a city of one million, had
already been evacuated. An estimated 75,000 residents have been ordered
out of their homes.
Heavy rains eight years ago caused flood damage to about 40,000 Calgary
homes and resulted in the evacuation of more than 1,500 Calgarians. It
resulted in $275 million in insured losses.
There was water in the streets of the Bowness area in the city’s
northwest. The city has not said to what extent any homes have been
flooded.
Entire neighbourhoods all along the two rivers have been cleared of
inhabitants. City officials have estimated that as many as 100,000 could
be out of their homes.
As
many as four people may have been killed in Alberta, police said. The
bodies of two men were seen floating down a river and a woman washed
away with her campervan was missing. Another man was seen falling from a
canoe in the Highwood river and it was not known whether he had reached
safety. In downtown Calgary water inundated homes and businesses in the shadow of skyscrapers. Water swamped cars and train tracks.
Some of the worst flooding hit High River, where it was estimated half of the people in the town had their homes flooded.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s full statement:
Our thoughts and prayers are with those families who have been affected by the serious flooding in Calgary and Southern Alberta.
I want to assure Albertans that the federal government has offered
any and all possible assistance to the Province of Alberta in response
to the situation. Canadian Armed Forces assets, including a Cormorant
and Griffon helicopter, have been deployed to the area to assist the
Alberta Provincial Emergency team with rescue and evacuation efforts.
We hope for a speedy end to the flooding and return to safe
conditions as soon as possible. We remain ready to provide additional
assistance if requested by provincial authorities.
Did you know that Caffeine is the world's most popular stimulant? the drug that
four out of five Americans take on any given day. Most of the caffeine
we consume comes from coffee.
The United States buys nearly one-half of the world's supply of coffee
beans. It is said that a food service operation can stand or
fall on its reputation of the coffee it serves. Every
mid-morning and mid-afternoon working day millions of office and factory
workers abandon jobs for an employer-paid "coffee break."
Over 15 million Americans are hooked on coffee, and most of them don't
even know it, so insidious is its addictive onslaught. The child or
adult may unknowingly ingest several hundred milligrams of caffeine
daily.
Like narcotics, alcohol, or cigarettes, coffee and caffeinated beverages
are addictive, destructive drugs that each year predispose millions of
Americans to crippling illnesses and sometimes fatal diseases.
Coffee and tea are the two most popular beverages in America. Coffee is America's number one drug problem.
Drinking Coffee Daily Can Compound the Toxic
Substances in Your Body that Increase Your Risk of Insomnia, Stroke and
Heart Disease.
If your coffee beans are grown outside this country, it’s very likely
that they have been exposed to PESTICIDES that contribute to several
cancers and Parkinson’s disease. Coffee is also known to disrupt
absorption of vitamins and minerals that are essential for your body to
function properly. The caffeine doesn’t have any nutritional value
either, and has been linked to diabetes. In pregnant women, it
increases the risk of having a miscarriage or a low birth weight baby.
Other health hazards include: Please take note
Heart disease
High cholesterol levels
Fluid loss in your body
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Stroke
Damaged blood vessels
Insomnia
Anxiety symptoms
Depleted Calcium and Iron levels in women
The unfortunate reality is that your awareness of coffee is shaped by a
lucrative industry, with the U.S. alone importing over $4 billion in
coffee every year. Multinational companies spend millions of dollars on
coffee ad campaigns that persuade you to buy coffee. They convince you
that this drink is indeed safe and healthful for your consumption,
reducing your risk of diabetes and other illnesses, even when they don’t
have enough solid evidence to prove this.
Caffeine is a Poison
Caffeine, which is the main chemical in coffee, is a powerful poison! A
drop of caffeine injected into the skin of an animal will produce
death within a few minutes. An infinitely small amount injected into
the brain will cause convulsions. The amount of caffeine in a cup of
coffee is quite small, yet we drink coffee because of the effect of
the caffeine, just as we smoke because of the effect of the nicotine.
Both are drugs, and both are habit-forming. Both are poisons.
It is my firm stand that you should break your coffee habit and turn to a
coffee alternative, without the dangerous ingredients and without the
health risks, as soon as you can.
That is why I’d like to offer you a copy of this free report – to tell
you the dangers of coffee addiction and why you should change to a
nutrient-rich, natural beverage that will give you extra energy and
improve your health against any kind of disease.
Caffeine can occur from missing just one cup of coffee in the
morning. Symptoms of caffeine are headaches, irritability,
inability to work effectively, nervousness, restlessness, and
lethargy. A steady user of caffeine may, at times, experience tight
headaches in the back of the neck area and be quick to anger or
irritation.
Does Coffee Cause Cancer?
There is mounting evidence suggesting that if you want to avoid certain
cancers, you are well-advised to kick the coffee habit. Consider these
examples:
One study revealed that not only was coffee drinking associated with
increased risk of bladder cancer, but the drinking of non-diet cola
drinks also was linked to this problem.
Coffee drinking increases the risk of birth defects.
Coffee drinking increases blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease.
The Cardiovascular disease (also called heart disease) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins).
Cardiovascular disease refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system, principally cardiac disease, vascular diseases of the brain and kidney, and peripheral arterial disease.The causes of cardiovascular disease are diverse but atherosclerosis and/or hypertension
are the most common. Additionally, with aging come a number of
physiological and morphological changes that alter cardiovascular
function and lead to subsequently increased risk of cardiovascular
disease, even in healthy asymptomatic individuals.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of deaths worldwide,
though since the 1970s, cardiovascular mortality rates have declined in
many high-income countries. At the same time, cardiovascular deaths and disease have increased at a fast rate in low- and middle-income countries.Although cardiovascular disease usually affects older adults, the
antecedents of cardiovascular disease, notably atherosclerosis, begin in
early life, making primary prevention efforts necessary from childhood. There is therefore increased emphasis on preventing atherosclerosis by modifying risk factors, such as healthy eating, exercise, and avoidance of smoking. This is how the heart works;
To understand heart disease, it helps to know how the heart works.
Your heart is a pump. It's a muscular organ about the size of your fist
and located slightly left of center in your chest. Your heart is divided
into the right and the left side. The division protects oxygen-rich
blood from mixing with oxygen-poor blood. Oxygen-poor blood returns to
the heart after circulating through your body.
The right side of the heart, composed of the right atrium and ventricle,
collects and pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries.
The lungs refresh the blood with a new supply of oxygen, making it turn
red. Oxygen-rich blood then enters the left side of the heart, composed
of the left atrium and ventricle, and is pumped through the aorta to
supply tissues throughout the body with oxygen and nutrients.
Four valves within your heart keep your blood moving the right way. The
tricuspid, mitral, pulmonary and aortic valves open only one way and
only when pushed on. Each valve opens and closes once per heartbeat — or
about once every second while you're at rest.
Here Is How To Prevent Heart Disease
To prevent cardiovascular disease include:
A low-fat, high-fiber diet including whole grains and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day)
Tobacco cessation and avoidance of second-hand smoke;
Limit alcohol consumption to the recommended daily limits; consumption of 1-2 standard alcoholic drinks per day may reduce risk by 30%, However excessive alcohol intake increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lower blood pressures, if elevated, through the use of antihypertensive medications
Decrease body fat if overweight or obese;
Increase daily activity to 30 minutes of vigorous exercise per day at least five times per week;
Decrease psychosocial stress. Stress however plays a relatively minor role in hypertension.Specific relaxation therapies are not supported by the evidence.
These Are Some Of The Top Heart-Healthy Foods
They are loaded with heart-healthy nutrients that help protect your cardiovascular system.
The foods listed here are all top-performers in protecting your heart and
blood vessels. I've also got menu ideas -- so you can easily bring
heart-healthy foods into your daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks alongside Walmart CEO Bill Simon as she
announces her support for Walmat's new health initiative in Washington
on January 20, 2011. Walmart has announced they will cut the fat, sugar
and sodium in some packaged foods and will lower the price of fresh
fruits and vegetables.
Omega-3 fatty acids.
Grill salmon with a yummy rub or marinade. Save a chunk to chop for a pasta
or salad later on.
Flaxseed (ground)
Omega-3 fatty acids; fiber, phytoestrogens.
Ground flaxseed hides easily in all sorts of foods -- yogurt parfaits,
morning cereal, homemade muffins, or cookies.
Oatmeal
Omega-3 fatty acids; magnesium; potassium; folate; niacin; calcium; soluble
fiber.
Top hot oatmeal with fresh berries. Oatmeal-and-raisin cookies are a hearty
treat.
Black or Kidney Beans
B-complex vitamins; niacin; folate; magnesium; omega-3 fatty acids; calcium;
soluble fiber.
Give soup or salad a nutrient boost -- stir in some beans.
Almonds
Plant omega-3 fatty acids; vitamin E; magnesium; fiber; heart-favorable
mono- and polyunsaturated fats; phytosterols.
Mix a few almonds (and berries) into low-fat yogurt, trail mix, or fruit
salads.
Walnuts
Plant omega-3 fatty acids; vitamin E; magnesium; folate; fiber;
heart-favorable mono- and polyunsaturated fats; phytosterols.
Walnuts add flavorful crunch to salads, pastas, cookies, muffins, even
pancakes.
Red wine
Catechins and reservatrol (flavonoids).
Toast your good health! A glass of red wine could improve "good" HDL
cholesterol.
Tuna
Omega-3 fatty acids; folate; niacin.
Here's lunch: Salad greens, fresh fruit, canned tuna. Keep "Salad Spritzer"
- a light dressing -- in your office fridge.
Tofu
Niacin; folate; calcium; magnesium; potassium.
Tasty tofu is easy: Thinly slice "firm" tofu, marinate several hours, grill
or stir-fry.
Brown rice
B-complex vitamins; fiber; niacin; magnesium, fiber.
Microwavable brown rice makes a quick lunch. Stir in a few chopped veggies
(broccoli, carrots, spinach).
Soy milk
Isoflavones (a flavonoid); B-complex vitamins; niacin; folate, calcium;
magnesium; potassium; phytoestrogens.
Soy milk is great over oatmeal or whole-grain cereal. Or, make a smoothie
with soy milk.
Blueberries
Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); anthocyanin (a flavonoid); ellagic
acid (a polyphenol); vitamin C; folate; calcium, magnesium; potassium;
fiber.
Cranberries, strawberries, raspberries are potent, too -- for trail mixes,
muffins, salads!
Carrots
Alpha-carotene (a carotenoid); fiber.
Baby carrots are sweet for lunch. Sneak shredded carrots into spaghetti
sauce or muffin batter.
Spinach
Lutein (a carotenoid); B-complex vitamins; folate; magnesium; potassium;
calcium; fiber.
Pick spinach (not lettuce) for nutrient-packed salads and sandwiches.
Broccoli
Beta-carotene (a carotenoid); Vitamins C and E; potassium; folate; calcium;
fiber.
Chop fresh broccoli into store-bought soup. For a veggie dip, try hummus
(chickpeas).
Sweet potato
Beta-carotene (a carotenoid); vitamins A, C, E; fiber.
Microwave in a zip-lock baggie for lunch. Eat au naturale, or with
pineapple bits.
Red bell peppers
Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); B-complex vitamins; folate;
potassium; fiber.
Rub with olive oil, and grill or oven-roast until tender. Delicious in
wraps, salads, sandwiches.
Asparagus
Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); B-complex vitamins; folate;
fiber.
Grill or steam slightly, then dress with olive oil and lemon. It's a pretty
side dish.
Oranges
Beta-cryptoxanthin, beta- and alpha-carotene, lutein (carotenoids) and
flavones (flavonoids); vitamin C; potassium; folate; fiber.
Got orange juice? Check out the new nutrient-packed blends.
Tomatoes
Beta- and alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein (carotenoids); vitamin C;
potassium; folate; fiber.
For a flavor twist, try oil-packed tomatoes in sandwiches, salads, pastas,
pizzas.
Alpha- and beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); B-complex and C vitamins;
folate; potassium; fiber.
A fragrant ripe cantaloupe is perfect for breakfast, lunch, potluck dinners.
Simply cut and enjoy!
Papaya
Beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein (carotenoids); Vitamins C and E;
folate; calcium; magnesium; potassium.
Serve papaya salsa with salmon: Mix papaya, pineapple, scallions, garlic,
fresh lime juice, salt and black pepper.
Dark chocolate
Reservatrol and cocoa phenols (flavonoids).
A truffle a day lowers blood pressure, but choose 70%
or higher cocoa content.
Tea
Catechins and flavonols (flavonoids).
Make sun tea: Combine a clear glass jar, several tea bags, and hours of
sunshine.
Over 120 million people worldwide are affected by this killer of depression, Depression is one of the leading causes of disability, missed work, broken relationships and more.
Chances are you or someone you know will suffer from it in your lifetime.
It is one of the most devastating experience of in that it robs you of the ability to simply enjoy life. Activities that you used to enjoy leave you feeling empty. Interacting with friends, family and coworkers can be overwhelming.
I hate "DEPRESSION" What exactly is this epicdemic of depression? How do you fight this thing?, this giant of losing your mind, life is on a hault a slow motion mode, my friends depression kills!
Lets see;
Major depression: Clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or longer.
Doctors do not know the exact causes of depression. It is believed that chemical changes in the brain are responsible. This may be due to a problem with your genes. Or it may be triggered by certain stressful events. More likely it is a combination of both.
Some types of depression run in families. Other types occur even if you have no family history of the illness.
Anyone can develop depression, even children and teens.
Depression may be brought on by:
Alcohol or drug abuse
Certain medical conditions, including underactive thyroid, cancer, or long-term pain
Certain medicines such as steroids
Sleeping problems
Stressful life events, such as death or illness of someone close to you, divorce, childhood abuse or neglect, loneliness (common in the elderly), relationship breakup.
Prevention
Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. These substances make depression worse and may lead to thoughts of suicide.
Take your medicine exactly as your doctor instructed. Learn to recognize the early signs that your depression is getting worse.
Keep going to your talk therapy sessions. Counseling is just as effective as taking medicine.
The following tips may help you feel better:
Get more exercise.
Maintain good sleep habits.
Do activities that bring you pleasure.
Volunteer or get involved in group activities.
Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling.
Try to be around people who are caring and positive.
REMEMBER DON'T GET DEPRESSED!! FIGHT IT!! DEFEAT IT!!