Remoet's Weblog

HEALTHY LIFE STYLE

remoet — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:56:53 +0000

Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism means following a diet that is strictly vegetarian in nature, i.e.
there is no inclusion of meat, fish, poultry (except eggs) in the diet.

Vegetarian diet does provide people with all the nutrition they require for proper functioning of their body. However, all vegetarians have to ensure that they eat food which ranges over a variety of foods.

Vegetarian food includes grains, vegetables, fruits, salads, nuts, dried beans and only those which grow on plants. There are different types of vegetarian diets. These can be classified mainly as vegan, lacto vegetarian, lacto ovo vegetarian and ovo vegetarian. All these diets follow some or the other pattern regarding inclusion of food.

Vegan diet includes all vegetarian foods excluding dairy products as well as eggs.
Lacto vegetarian diet includes all vegetarian foods and also dairy products but no eggs.
Lacto ovo vegetarian diet includes vegetarian foods, dairy products and also eggs.
Ovo vegetarian diet includes vegetarian foods and eggs but no dairy products.

Nutrition is provided completely by vegetarian food, but it is important that every vegetarian eats a variety of food, so that each food can provide them with required nutrition.

Vegetarians do need to concentrate on getting proper amounts of proteins, iron calcium, zinc as well as Vitamin B12 in their diets. There are many advantages to vegetarian diet, firstly this diet is rich in fiber, which makes proper digestion of food possible. Most of the non-vegetarian dishes can be made with a little difference by vegetarian way and will taste as tasty, except that the vegetarian dish is likely to have lesser calories and saturated fats that its non vegetarian counterpart.

Vegetarian food can be made in several different ways, therefore tastes as different each time. You can have as much fun barbecuing vegetarian food as you may have at your non-vegetarian barbecue. If you are interested in going vegetarian then you need not worry about eating out. There are many restaurants which have now opened up this new option of serving vegetarian food, you will find a varied vegetarian menu at Indian and Asian restaurants all over the world.

If you want low calorie and low fat food, lentils and beans are ideal substitutes. Substituting cheese for meat however is not a good option because it is higher in fat.
For sautéing green vegetables you can use olive oil and spices in vegetarian food to provide it with extra taste and make interesting vegetarian dishes for all to enjoy. You can even make vegetarian pizzas and sandwiches, kebabs, lasagna, etc.

So go vegetarian for a healthy low fat diet

HEALTHY FAST FOOD

remoet — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:39:29 +0000

Healthy Fast Food: Guide to Healthy Fast Food Restaurant Eating Yes, it is possible to make nutritious choices at fast food restaurants. By paying attention to your choices you can make the most of your fast food meal. In fact, you can make the most of any restaurant meal. This guide is full of tips for staying healthy while eating out.

Fast food nutrition – is it possible?

America has been called a ‘fast food nation,’ and for good reason. Everyday, one out of four Americans eats fast food. Most do it for the convenience – lack of time leads many people to the drive thru, and money plays a part as well. If you are eating out, fast food restaurants are often the cheapest option. Unfortunately, fast food restaurants are not the most nutritious option. Generally, fast food meals are higher in calories, sodium and fat, and often lacking in important vitamins and minerals. Until recently, french fries were the only vegetable option at many fast food restaurants. By most standards, it is a stretch to call fast food french fries a vegetable. Restaurant dining poses similar challenges. Restaurant meals also tend to include too much fat, salt, or sugar, and portions are almost always larger than normal. While fast food restaurants may not offer the healthiest options, most people find themselves eating fast food from time to time. How can you make the most of your fast food meal? For that matter, how can you make the most of any restaurant meal? The good news is that many restaurants, fast food and sit-down, are adding healthier menu options. It is now possible to eat a fairly nutritious meal on the go. Keep in mind portion control (no super sizing), high fat and calorie sauces and dressings (eliminate them or take them on the side and use sparingly), and sodas (drink water or low fat milk). Making good choices when you are eating out will help you maintain a healthy diet. Knowing what types of menu items are healthier than others can help limit temptation and will also help you encourage your children and grandchildren to make healthy choices as well.

Some healthy fast food choices

Fast food restaurants have added many new healthy options. Most fast food restaurants and restaurant chains post nutritional information about their food offerings on their web sites. Visit some of the sites to determine your choices are. If you decide what you can and should order before you arrive, it will make it easier to avoid the less nutritious, higher calorie options. Also, pay attention to changes in the menu and new offerings because many restaurants are finally starting to pay attention to the demand for healthy options. Many restaurants try new items out before they add them to the menu permanently. When choosing, be aware of highly caloric additions such as salad dressings, cheese, sour cream, etc. Sometimes, making your choice healthier is as simple as removing the condiments. For example, ask for a grilled chicken sandwich without the mayonnaise. Many restaurants are making progress and offering alternatives like salads with low calorie, fat free dressings, or grilled chicken sandwiches on whole wheat rolls, but if they don’t, see what you can do to make your choice more nutritious and less fattening. Some healthy fast food choices include:

Some Healthy Fast Food choices
Grilled chicken or fish sandwich Whole wheat rolls Fruit or fruit and yogurt Baked potato (with vegetables instead of cheese, butter or sour cream) Salad with dressing on the side or fat free salad dressing	Single hamburger (regular or children’s size) Low fat deli sandwiches on wheat bread or on pita bread Wraps on whole wheat tortillas (without dressing) Fat free / low fat milk or water

For more information, Nutrition Action Healthletter’s Fast Food in ’05 helps you sort out many fast food options to help you make healthy choices when dining out.

Least healthy fast food choices

While the choice of meal can be unhealthy, oftentimes it is the condiment or side order that packs in the fat and calories. The George Matejlan Foundation suggests decreasing your use of high-fat condiments, such as butter and mayonnaise. Other types of unhealthy condiments include:

Least Healthy Fast Food Choices
cheese sauce most “special sauce” tartar sauce	sour cream gravy guacamole

Selecting non-fat or low-fat versions of condiments will help make your favorite fare healthier. As an example, Newman’s Own Ranch dressing (offered at McDonald’s) contains 170 calories and 15 grams of fat per serving. Choosing Newman’s Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette brings the totals down to 40 calories and 3 grams of fat. Additionally, drinks are often a significant source of nutritionally empty calories. For example, a large cola (32 ounces) has 310 calories. Make your beverage selection healthier by switching to water or low fat milk. In general, some particularly unhealthy menu choices to avoid include:

Particularly Unhealthy Menu Choices
Chicken nuggets Croissant breakfast sandwiches (and croissants or pastries in general) Fried fish or fried chicken sandwiches	Fried chicken Large and jumbo size fries Onion rings

The Fast Food Nutrition Guide (see below) can help you find nutritional information for your favorite fast food restaurant offerings (the restaurants are listed in a sidebar on the left side of the page).

Fast food and restaurant suggestions for children

Whether you are dining out with your children or grandchildren, it is important to know how to make good fast food and restaurant choices. Children love to eat out, but the growing numbers of overweight and obese children mean that adults need to take more responsibility for proper nutrition, and more importantly, help children make good choices. Nearly one-third of children eat fast food every day, and those children who do eat fast food tend to consume more calories on a daily basis. These increased calories lead to increased pounds and add to the child’s risk of becoming overweight. It is important to keep this in mind when you are thinking about taking your children or grandchildren out to eat with you. These facts make it all the more important to think about making healthy choices. When you find yourself out to eat with children, particularly at fast food restaurants, keep in mind some of the main points outlined above. That being said, it might be hard to persuade your youngster to order a salad instead of a cheeseburger, but you can steer them towards healthier options. Below are some important things to remember about fast food/restaurant dining for kids.

Soda is highly caloric and not nutritious – kids should have water or milk instead.
Avoid chicken nuggets – fried nuggets are sorry imposters of real chicken.
Skip the fries – consider taking along a bag of mini carrots, grapes or other fruits and vegetables to have instead. This will add vitamins and fiber to the meal.
Order the kids meal with some substitutions. Children often love the kid’s meal more for the fun box and toys than for the food. Let them order the kid’s meal, but ask to make substitutions for the soda and the fries if possible. Many restaurants are making it easier to substitute and all usually have water and milk available as beverage options. In sit-down restaurants, help them opt for chicken and vegetables or spaghetti with tomato sauce rather than a big plate of macaroni and cheese.

Guidelines for eating out and staying healthy

Following a few simple rules when you are eating out will make it possible to maintain your nutritious diet even when you are away from home or on the road.

Order food to go – Studies show that people tend to consume more food when they are not eating at their own kitchen tables. When you take fast food home, you also have the option of providing a healthier side dish such as fruit or vegetables.
Avoid buffets – All-you-can-eat buffets promote overeating. If the temptation isn’t in front of you, you are less likely to overindulge.
Stick to the light menu / Make careful menu selections – Many restaurants indicate healthy choices on their menus, and most sit-down places will modify menu items on your request. Additionally, fast food restaurants now offer a wider range of healthy choices and most will provide nutritional information on all of their offerings by request. Knowing how food is prepared can be a good indication of whether it will work with your diet or ruin it. Main courses which have been baked, broiled, roasted, poached or steamed will be more healthy than anything fried. Salads with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and lighter dressings will be better than salads with croutons, cheeses, meats and heavy dressings.
Don’t be afraid to special order – Most restaurants have plenty of things that are good for you, but they are served in heavy sauces. Ask for your vegetables and main dishes to be served without the sauces. Ask if things are fried or cooked in oil or butter – if they are, see if you can order them in a more healthy way. Many restaurants, even fast food restaurants are happy to accommodate your requests.
Watch portion size – At a typical restaurant, a single serving provides enough calories for at least two meals. Portion sizes at restaurants are usually double or triple what a person would normally eat so it is important to keep that in mind when ordering and eating. If it is possible to order a smaller portion (often called ‘half sizes’), that will help eliminate the temptation to overeat. If you can’t order smaller portions, it is a good rule of thumb to leave at least one-third to one-half of the meal on your plate. Or, separate your meal before you start eating so that you create a distinction between what you are going to eat in the restaurant and what you want to take home. Ordering something that will reheat easily will provide you with a delicious lunch or dinner the next day.
Share – Sharing entrees, appetizers and desserts with dining partners is a great idea. It allows you to sample something that you really want to have while also helping you avoid the temptation to overindulge. If you are sharing with a friend or your partner, your portion size is automatically reduced and there is less available to eat. It is still important to make good menu choices, but sharing might make dessert (or something else indulgent) more of an option.
Order sauce and dressing on the side – If you ask for sauces and dressings on the side, you can control the amount that you eat. Often you can use less than is normally used and still enjoy the same taste.
Remember the big picture – Think of eating out in the context of your whole diet. If it is a special occasion or a fun social occasion and you know you want to order your favorite meal at a nice restaurant, cut back on your earlier meals that day. Moderation is always key, but planning ahead can help you relax and enjoy your dining out experience without sacrificing good nutrition or diet control.

The most important thing to remember when eating out is to think of it as part of your overall healthy eating plan. Try to order wisely and if portions or big or the food is rich, consider taking some of it home for a meal the next day. Also, consider sharing entrees, appetizers or desserts with dining partners or friends. Everything in moderation is a wise guideline to follow when considering the menu at your favorite restaurant.

How to Take Action to Reduce Global Warming

Temperatures are rising^[1]

The future is not somewhere we are going. It is something we are creating. Every day we do things that make some futures more probable and others less likely.^[2]
Global warming already disrupts millions of lives daily in the forms of destructive weather patterns and loss of habitat.^[3] What is already happening is only the tip of the melting iceberg, for it is our children and grandchildren who will suffer the greatest from the impacts of global warming. ^[4] Hundreds of millions of people will be exposed to famine, water shortages, extreme weather conditions and a 20 – 30% loss of animal and plant species if we don’t reduce the rate of global warming and reduce GHG emissions.^[5] This article outlines some ways that you can act to help prevent the Earth’s atmosphere from warming further. While humankind has the ability to destroy the planet, we also have the capacity to protect and sustain it.

Reducing your carbon and greenhouse gas emissions will not only make your personal living space more sustainable but it will save you money in both the short and long term. Global warming is occurring more rapidly than it was originally expected to — only forty years ago, ^[6] the big worry was global cooling. Even if you remain a cynic, however, and believe that the majority of scientists are wrong, you’ll benefit from reduced pollution, a healthier lifestyle and increased savings from enacting these simple activities that will not reduce the quality of your life.

[edit] Steps

Get educated. Educate yourself about global warming. The more facts you have as to what mainstream science says about it, the more you can persuade others to make simple but effective changes in daily behavior. Energy-saving techniques are either initially expensive (for example, solar power), or take extra time (for example, recycling), so many people need convincing that their efforts matter. ^[7] Always keep in mind that you are aiming to demonstrate the benefits of these activities and highlight how each person can play a vital role in helping to reduce global warming; equally remember that “[c]ivil society does not respond at all well to moralistic scolding.”^[8] Use education to enlighten, not frighten.
Vote and influence your government with phone calls, e-mails, letters and meetings with those who represent you in government.
Recycle more. 15-25% of people don’t recycle. Recycle more using recycling bins, composting, etc. Encourage neighbors, superintendents, colleagues and businesses to do likewise. Lobby for improved recycling incentives and tougher penalties for using non-renewable where viable alternatives exist. You can be active in this by writing letters, producing blogs and simply conversing with others. ^[9]
Use compact fluorescent bulbs. Replace three frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs/lamps and save 300 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$60 per year. A standard compact fluorescent bulb will save around one third of a tonne of greenhouse gas, along with the cost of six of more incandescent globes.^[10] And you don’t have to change the bulbs as often.Consider using more, and give them as gifts to family and friends. Consider donating a set to a local charity to refit their office with compact fluorescent lights.^[11]
Fill the dishwasher. Run your dishwasher only with a full load. Save 100 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$40 per year, or do them by hand with minimal water. ^[12]
Use recycled paper. Make sure your printer paper is 100% post consumer recycled paper. Save 5 lbs. of carbon dioxide per ream of paper. Decide if something is really worth printing out. Leave a signature at the bottom of your e-mails reminding the reader to think twice before printing the e-mail. And make the most of scrap paper for shopping lists, notes, scrapbooks, school and college note-taking etc. Only recycle your paper when it has been thoroughly used up! (And don’t forget the potential for making origami and other paper crafts.)
Buy locally made and locally grown products. Buy locally to reduce the energy required to transport your goods.^[13] The consumable products we all purchase represent over half of the average family’s carbon footprint! If you successfully encourage neighbors to do this, store owners will be forced to stock local goods. Shop at farmers’ markets – be sure to cycle, walk or share a lift to them, and take carry bags with you.
Count your carbon. Keep track of how little carbon you’re using and how much you’re offsetting, and set an example by advertising or talking about your achievement with pride and satisfaction.
- There is a logo called Carbon Counted that companies can put on their products to communicate their carbon footprint.^[14] Buying products that have a low Carbon Counted footprint number gives consumers a means by which to influence and reward companies that reduce emissions in the creation of their products. In addition, it encourages non-participating companies to participate when consumers increase demand for such products.
- Use a carbon calculator. These counters enable you to calculate your personal impact by adding up the carbon emissions from your activities. There are counters available for many countries; use your local search engine for results. An international calculator is provided by the World Resources Institute.^[15]
- Buy energy certificates. Help spur the renewable energy market by participating in it. In doing so, you help to reduce both global warming and pollution output by buying wind certificates, green tags and stocks in renewable energy companies. Many of these companies are new and small and the stock is low in price. While they are high-risk, it is an opportunity to help the company move beyond the initial stages of uncertainty and to corner important, upcoming market niches.^[16] And you have a brilliant opportunity to get rich if the company takes off; just be sure to do your homework first, as you would when investing in anything.
Buy minimally packaged goods. Less packaging could reduce your garbage by about 10%. Save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide and $1,000 per year. If you consider a certain products’ packaging to be excessive, mail it to the company with your challenge to the company to reduce its packaging; include suggestions on how if you have ideas. And while you’re at it, feel free to let companies know that if Wal-Mart thinks reduced packaging is not only a good idea but very achievable, then this is likely to set the standard for many businesses in the future.^[17]
Insulate.
- Keeping your water heater insulated could save 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$40 per year. Don’t use units fitted with continuous pilot lights and you will save AUD$40 and 200 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions yearly.^[18] Also, use less hot water. For example, if the shower is too cold, don’t turn up the hot water but turn down the cold water.
- Be energy wise and insulate your entire home to keep down the heating and cooling costs. If your insulation is old or inefficient, do yourself a favor and fix it; not only will it reduce your output of emissions but it’ll reduce your energy bills considerably. Consider the attic, crawlspaces, basement, walls and ceiling. If you have awkward spaces, don’t forget that cellulose or fiberglass insulation can be blown in by a professional contractor.^[19]
Replace old appliances and reduce reliance on them.
- Inefficient appliances such as fridges, washing machines etc., waste energy. Save hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year by replacing them (and having your old appliance recycled or disposed of properly). Many countries have “energy star” ratings on new appliances that allow you to assess the energy usage of the appliance. You may even be able to check online before you go shopping, to save time.
- While you’re at it, reassess appliances that you really do not need to use, such as plug-in air fresheners. Try opening the windows instead (and throwing out that rotting fruit bowl) and replace with natural air freshener alternatives. Other items include the many so-called time-saving devices in your kitchen. By the time you finish assembling, disassembling and cleaning some kitchen appliances, the old-fashioned method may prove appealing. Compare and use commonsense – if you need an appliance a lot because you’re a hobby chef or it really does do the job well, keep it but don’t if it just vexes you and you don’t mind the non-powered alternative. Also consider if one appliance can do the job of several and prefer that model over purchasing several – you’ll be grateful for the extra space.
Weather strip your home. Caulk and weather strip your doorways, windows and air conditioners. Save 1,700 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$274 per year. You will discover the that the costs of caulking are far outweighed by savings in fuel costs and increased comfort level.^[20]
Use a push mower and reduce the lawn. Use your muscles instead of fossil fuels and get some strength-building exercise. Save 80 lbs of carbon dioxide per year. Consider planting rock/cactus garden, ivy, wildflowers, native grasses etc., instead of a water-wasting, pesticide and fertilizer using bland lawn. Fertilizers and pesticides require the use of chemicals and oil in their production. Reducing usage of these products reduces our reliance on oil, reduces global warming emissions and reduces human exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Unplug unused electronics. Even when electronic devices are turned off, they use energy. Save over 1,000 lbs of carbon dioxide and US$256 per year by unplugging them.
Grow fast growing plants. Plants like bamboo grow faster and produce 35% more oxygen than trees like oak or birch, and require less chemicals and care. Make sure that the plants are appropriate for your area; prefer native over introduced species and do not plant problem species.
Take public transportation. Taking the bus, the train, the subway or other forms of public transportation lessens the load on the roads and reduces one’s individual greenhouse gas emissions (an average of 1600 pounds of GHG emissions per year can be saved).^[21] As an added bonus, some new buses are even hybrid already, depending on where you live in the world. Taking public transport removes the stress of long road commutes and gives you a great opportunity to read, think and relax. On some train services, you can even use a computer. You also save on parking money and time wasted looking for parks.
Ride a bicycle. Taking the bike instead of the car is a very simple solution. However, if you experience such problems as lack of suitable bike paths, having to deal with congested traffic or hilly terrain, you are faced with a few challenges. They are, however, challenges that you as an individual can overcome with a little determination.
- Ask your municipality, city or local government to start making bike trails in your area and to make sure that bicyclists are kept safe from traffic in the same way that pedestrians are afforded this right. Get the local community behind you – a few neighbors, the street or the whole suburb!
- And if you have hilly terrain, there are solutions also – building up your strength gradually is one way and adding a small motor that runs on veggie oil may be another solution. With this latter solution, however, you’ll need to be creative – it has been done and we challenge you to be the first to put an article on wikiHow on how to do it!
Use your vehicle as a tool against global warming. If you can’t live without a car, then use it in a way that minimizes global impact.
- Buy a hybrid car. The average driver could save 16,000 lbs. of CO2 and $3,750 per year driving a hybrid. Plug-in hybrids can save even more and give cash-back (see V2G). Encourage your company to create incentive plans for this as their workers might be more likely to be on time.
- Buy a fuel efficient car. Save up to 20,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide per year using a more fuel efficient car – that’s a savings of AUD$10,000 over a car’s lifetime.^[22] Buying fuel efficient cars also encourage companies to continue making and improving them owing to increased demand.
- Practice green driving. Save gas and lower stress levels by being a considerate driver. Improve fuel efficiency by removing unused external objects such as roof racks, discontinuing idling where possible and removing loads from the trunk/boot that are not necessary.^[23]
- Keep the tires on your car adequately inflated – under inflated tires can reduce fuel economy by up to 3% and increase wear and tear on your tires.^[24]Keep your car tires inflated. Check them monthly. Save 250 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$840 per year. A good gift is a tire air-pressure gauge as it not only saves money but makes driving safer. ^[25]
- Change your air filter. Check your car’s air filter monthly. Save 800 pounds of carbon dioxide and US$130 per year. ^[26]

[edit] Tips

Even if humans do not contribute to global warming (although the scientific evidence now points clearly to anthropogenic causes of planetary warming),^[27] these steps reduce smog, acid rain, oil spills, smog, soot, foreign dependence, smaller landfills, less wasted resources and cleaner and more available water. Reduced pollution is good for the health of all living beings and for our heritage buildings that are easily damaged by acidic rain and soot.
Buy water in large bottles to reduce packaging and transportation costs. The latest movement is to use more tap water and to cease usage of bottled water.^[28] Why? Well, it helps to stop making water a commodity beyond paying for it to reach your home. It stops chemicals leaching from the plastic into the water and then being ingested by you. It also helps to reduce all the haulage costs (energy and financial wise) involved in carting water around in this way. And most of all, it encourages a return to provision of good quality water services from our municipal/local water providers through community-wide expectations.
The ultimate in recycling is to not use a product at all, if possible. If you do not need it, it may be that you are wasting resources. Always be conscious of using or buying items as a substitute for things you feel you are missing in life – shopping cannot salve a broken heart for long but it can break the bank and clutter your home! Rent movies, and video games instead of buying them, or buy them used, or at a garage sale. Check out books in the library or buy them used, or at a garage sale

GLOBAL WARMING

remoet — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:40:57 +0000

What causes global warming?

The answer is greenhouse gases. Water vapour, carbon dioxyde, methane, CFC are greenhouse gases. Burning of fossil fuel emits carbon dioxydes and water vapour.According to the EIA report, about 72% of electricity is generated by burning of fossil fuel, and burning of fossil fuel emit greenhouse gases. Therefore i can state that saving the use of electricity can lessen the contribution to global warming.

Change your home’s incandescent light into compact fluorescent light. A compact fluorescent light uses only 25% energy of incandescent light.
Switch off all your electrical appliances if it is not in used.
Need to change your monitor? buy an LCD monitor instead of CRT monitor cause LCD monitor uses about 56% less energy than CRT monitor. Off your computer screen when you are away from the computer. Set your monitor into screen saver mode will not save any electricity.
Don’t open your fridge’s door except needed. This is because open the door for one minute will force fridge’s motor to operate for half hour more.
Use solar heating technique to heat up your home and water so that you can save the use of electricity.
Need to change your car? consider to buy a electric car or a hybrid car instead of gasoline car. Normally a gasoline cars have efficiency of about 20-30 mpg ( miles per gallon ), hybrid cars have efficiency of about 50-60 mpg while electric car have efficiency as high as 130-140 mpg.
Plant more trees in front or at the back of your house. Trees have shading effect that can make your house colder during sumer. Besides, trees can absorb carbon dioxyde for photosynthesis purposes. This directly reduce the concentration of carbon dioxyde in the atmosphere.
Recycle paper, aluminium can and glass. This is because recycle uses 60-70 % less energy than producing product from raw material. Use more energy means burn more amount of fossil fuel and severe the degree of global warming.
Conserve water. This action have two advantages: (i) Clean water become less and less available nowadays, experts believe that we will face water crisis on the next few decades. (ii) A lot of energy is needed to process clean water.

I’m a webmaster of http://english.wenapron.org which is a website that discover environmental issues. I hope that people on this planet will care our mother nature more. So i put articles on how to solve environmental issues and in the same time sustainable develop to promote environmental protection.

Prevent Cancer Now!!!!!

remoet — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:25:07 +0000

What can you do to Prevent Cancer Now?

Cancer statistics are pretty scary. We can, however, take hope in prevention. There are many things that you and I can do today to reduce our exposure to cancer-causing agents.

The Cancer Picture

In 2007, nearly 160,000 Canadians – about the same number as the entire population of metropolitan Kelowna, BC, or Kingston, Ontario – will hear three words that will change their lives forever: “You have cancer.” This year, over 70,000 Canadians will die from cancer. These are not just statistics – they are mothers, co-workers, school-mates and big brothers. They’re children, next-door neighbours, grandparents, sisters, uncles and cherished friends. They are young and old, male and female, rich and poor – and of every race, colour and creed. As the Baby Boom generation gets older, even more Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer. But it’s not just our aging population – the incidence of many cancers, such as breast, prostate and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, has increased in nearly every age group in Canada since the Second World War.
The economic costs of cancer throughout society are enormous. The physical and emotional costs to individuals and families affected by cancer are unimaginable – they simply can’t be counted.

Prevention is the Answer

Is this picture of cancer depressing? Yes, definitely. But here is much better news: More than half of all cancers in Canada can be prevented. Prevention is what Prevent Cancer Now is all about. We know that if we take bold action for prevention, thousands of Canadians will live. Thousands more will not suffer the brutality of cancer treatment.
The purpose of Prevent Cancer Now is to build a Canada-wide movement with the resolve to eliminate all avoidable causes of cancer. There are many ways to take action for prevention:

  Sign our Declaration for Cancer Prevention
  Pledge your financial support, or help us
  raise funds through the annual
  Cancer Prevention Challenge

Changes You can Make Today

Prevent Cancer Now works at a broader level to remove cancer-causing agents from our environment There are many things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Devra Davis is the director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. In addition to the well-known rules of cancer prevention: don’t smoking, eat well (plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit), and exercise, these are the things Devra does:

Food: Eat organic produce, especially fruits whose peels are eaten, and avoid red meat. Eat low on the food chain, choosing more fresh produce and grains and less meat.
Cleaning products: Look under the kitchen sink, and avoid using anything that carries a skull and crossbones. Buy baking soda and vinegar instead - they’re just as good.
Cellphones: Limit your calls as much as possible, to lower direct microwave penetration to your brain.
Non-stick cookware and stain repellents: Throw out any old, cracked non-stick pans, since the chemical, PFOA, used to make the non-stick coating has been linked to cancer. It is also presernt in stain-resistant clothing, and waterproof fabrics. Rain-proof gear is OK,, but not next to the skin.
Personal care items: Avoid anything that contains parabens - butylparaben, methylparaben - which in some studies have shown estrogenic activity, and which have also been found in human breast tumours. “We have to create political change so young mothers and fathers don’t need to be chemists to decide on a shampoo for their baby.” – Devra Davis.

Prevention is the best single opportunity we have to stop the cancer epidemic in Canada. We invite you to join us now!

Diana Daghofer and Guy Dauncey
On behalf of Prevent Cancer Now

We salute our generous donors!

Prevent Cancer Now heartily thanks the Saunders-Matthey Cancer Prevention Coalition for its super donation of $25,000 for the May 24-27 Ottawa conference.

We are also immensely grateful to the Ontario-based labour group, Workers for Cancer Prevention, for its hugely appreciated donation of $19,000 over two years – a major contribution to the conference’s success!.

We were also very grateful to receive donations of $5,000 from the national office of the Canadian Auto Workers, and $2,000 from the Canadian Labour Congress. In addition, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and Rainbow Natural Foods, Ottawa, each contributed $100.

THANK YOU, all !

National Education System

remoet — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:39:14 +0000

National Education System of Indonesia

The Units of Education
The Paths of Education
Types of Education
Level of Education

The National Education System of Indonesia is generally aimed at elevating the intellectual life of the nation and developing the Indonesian people fully, i.e. as people who are devoted to God, have knowledge and skills, are in good physical and spiritual health, are independent and fair, and feel responsible for their countrymen and nation.

The education system also strives to create a patriotic spirit, strengthen love for the fatherland, enhance the nation spirit, social solidarity and awareness of nation history for the nation heroes, and create a forward-looking attitude. The learning and teaching climate has to generate self-confidence and a learning culture among all layers of society that induces an attitude and behavior of creativity, innovative thinking, and orientation toward the future.

The education system has its roots in the Indonesian culture based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. In the Law No. 2 of 1989 about National Education System, the system aims at generating abilities and increasing the standard of living and dignity of the Indonesian people in order to achieve the national development objectives. Based on the Law, the national education system is identified in terms of units, paths, types, and levels of education.

The Units of Education:

The units of education (school or out-of-school) organize learning and teaching activities, which are implemented respectively inside and outside the schools.

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The Paths of Education:

The education system is organized in two different paths, i.e. school and out-of-school education. School education is organized in schools through teaching and learning activities, which are gradual, hierarchical, and continuous. Out-of-school education is organized outside the formal schooling through teaching and learning activities, which may or may not be hierarchical and continuous. Education in the family as an important part of the national education system is an out-of-school education and provides religious, cultural, moral values and skills.

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Types of Education

The system consists of seven types of education, they are: (1) General education prioritizes expansion of general knowledge and improvement of skills for the student. Specialization is also needed in the last grade; (2) Vocational/technical education prepares students in mastering a number of specific vocational/technical skill needed for employment; (3) Special education provides important skills and abilities for students with physical and/or mental disabilities; (4) Service-related education aims at increasing abilities required for a government official or a candidate to implement a certain task; (5) Religious education prepares students to play a role which demand the mastery of specific knowledge about religion and related subject; (6) Academic-oriented education focuses primarily on improving the mastery of science; and (7) Professional education prepares students primarily on mastering specialized or job-related knowledge and skills.

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Level of Education

The level of education that includes formal school system consists of the following level of education, i.e. basic education, secondary education, and higher education. Apart from the levels of education mentioned above, pre-school education is also provided. Out-of-school education can be held at the outside schools and provided by governmental and non-governmental agencies of private sector and the community.

Basic Education is a general education of nine years, i.e. six years of primary and three years of junior secondary school. Junior secondary school consists of two types, namely general junior secondary school and vocational/technical junior secondary school. The goal of basic education is to develop students as individuals, members of society, citizens and members of mankind, as well as to prepare them to pursue study in secondary education. Basic Education is a compulsory education that providing the learners with basic knowledge and skills.

In addition to the Basic Education, there are also an Islamic Primary School called Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, equivalent to Primary School and an Islamic General Junior Secondary School called Madrasah Tsanawiyah, equivalent to General Junior Secondary School managed and run by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Secondary education is available to graduates of primary school. The paths of secondary education include general secondary school, vocational/technical secondary school, religious secondary school, service related secondary school, and special secondary school. Secondary education gives priority to expanding knowledge and developing students’ skills and preparing them to continue their studies to the higher level of education or the preparation of students to enter the world of work and expanding their professional attitude. The length of secondary education is three years for general secondary education and three or four years for vocational/technical education.

In addition to the Secondary Education, there is also an Islamic General Senior Secondary School called Madrasah Aliyah, equivalent to General Senior Secondary School managed and run by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Higher education is an extension of secondary education consisting of academic and professional education. Academic education is mainly aimed at mastering science, technology, and research, whereas professional education is more aimed at developing practical skills. Institutions involved in higher education are of the following types: academics, polytechnics, school of higher learning, institutes, and universities. The length of higher education is three years for diploma program and four years for bachelor’s degree program. After completion the bachelor’s degree program, students may continue to pursue the master’s degree program for two years and finally may continue to pursue the doctorate program for three years.

Pre-school education aims at stimulating physical and mental growth of children out-side of the family circle before entering primary education that can be held in format school system or out-of-school education. Among the types of pre-school education available are kindergartens at the formal school, playgroups and day-care centers at the out-of-school. Kindergarten is provided for children age 5 to 6 years for one to two years of education, while playgroups and day-care centers are for children at least 3 years old.

Type of Out-of-School Education consists of general education, religious education service-related education, and vocational education. Out-of-School Education may include courses, group learning such as packet A, B Income Generating Program, or any other option like apprenticeship.

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speak out guys!!!!!!!!!!

remoet — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:16:57 +0000

Voices of Youth Forums > English > Education > Indonesia..complicated education system…

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Cathrine

21-June-2006, 12:34

Hi guys
I want to share something with you all, its about education system in my country (Indonesia)and its a big question now for all the teenagers in here.
2 days ago is notification national exam for high school, and if you do it well you can continue to the university but if you don’t, you can’t continue to university, our government give repeat exam for students who cant pass the test but the problem is if they follow the repeat exam, they can only get LOCAL CERTIFICATE it means the certificate only from local government not national government, I think its not fair because for continue study to university in Indonesia, the university only accept NATIONAL CERTIFICATE, it makes me confused…although now Im in university but I really care about this, because not all teenagers in Indonesia can get BEST EDUCATION. Honestonly in big city like Jakarta (my home town) we can get best education or good facilities or international education but if we live in small province or village its just like a dream to get best education, sometimes theres no teachers want to teach because the salary is lowthe facilities is downeven there is one place (I forgot the name) they study at pigpencan you imagine that?…., I don’t know what my government do!!!, they cant give same good education for all childrens in here. And now they make education system like this?…we can get National Certificate but we must wait until the next year national exam and we should join to high school again for one year.
It was complicated..Isn`t it???? :confused:Note: sorry guys if my English not good enoughbut Ill do my best!

smellywellies

21-June-2006, 13:40

It sounds very complicated! Im not sure that I understand it fully, but it sounds like not everyone gets the best opportunites, am I right?
In Ireland, when we finish high school (secondary) we can go on to third level education, (college) but only if we get enough points from a state examination called the Leaving Cert. This sets out career paths and people make choices about what they want to study. Except that some people choose courses we a very high number of points and if the dont get enough marks in the leaving cert, they cannot study that subject. It is stupid, because,for example, if you want to study medicine, you have get 575 points out of 600. This is very difficult to achieve as you must take exams in English, Irish, Maths, and other optional subjects, so if you want to become a doctor, even if you are rubbish at english, then you still have to take and exam in it a pass it with enough points.
This can cut many people out of third level education and also force them to take courses in which they are not particularly suited to or happy with.
It sounds like both of our countries have complicated education systems!

rapidstreetwalker

21-June-2006, 15:37

well, I am an Indonesian too.I am a junior high skool student and I am waiting for the national exam result.i think it’s unnecessary to do that exam bcause we don’t really need to be fluent in those subjects(especially Indonesian), do we?the education system is really exhausting.why do we have to learn subjects that we wouldn’t use in our future?i always complaining about this evrytime I study for “unnecessary subject”.okay,as an example,take citizenship.we must remember verses from the country basis and things like that.well, it teaches us about how to do the right thing as a citizen.but the politicians and the ppl in the goverment do the opposite thing.so it’s kinda useless to learn it. :confused:

Cathrine

22-June-2006, 08:02

yeah u rite smelly..not all childrens in indonesia can get best education.., and i`m very worry of this…my government always change the education system every years..and it makes all the student confused…it was so complicated…
the most important thing to get best education in here is “money”, if u had enough money u can get it, but if u don`t…like i told on this thread before it`s just like a dream!!!
there so many small province that government not try to reach them…their parents didn`t have job, their only farmers who works for the land lord…because the low income so they can`t give their children good education in big city, sometimes in small province at small village the school its only elementary school, after graduate from elementary they become farmers like their parents…
sadly..but its true…, sometimes i`m wondering if all childrens in indonesia can get same oppurtunities like me, it can be good…isn`t it?…
it needs hard work…and takes time right??…hehehe..yeah i think our country have same complicated system..but hopely we can make it better in the future…viva for us!!!

Cathrine

22-June-2006, 08:18

hi…rapit, nice to know u speak out in this thread…
yeah…u rite…but thx GOD i passed it…hehehe,
i think indonesian subject is useless, u know…everyday we`re speaking indonesian…so why we must learn it?…we got it since we are born as indonesian rite???, yeah…our government should take atention of this…because since we at elementary school we`ve study so many subject that it wouldn`t use in our future,example like me…i study lots of subject…like chemistry, math, and other useless subject..but now in university i learn PR (public relations)…and in PR we only need comunication and business skills…so whats happen to me for almost 12 years??? n now in university i only learn comunication and business…
u and me and maybe other students will have the same opinion…i don`t know whats happen with our system…it can`t make us become a professional or smart but i`m sure it make us look silly…isn`t it?? :confused:

do you like fabel?????

remoet — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:43:27 +0000

SECTION 1

The Wolf and the LambWolf, meeting with a Lamb astray from the fold, resolved not to lay
violent hands on him, but to find some plea to justify to the Lamb
the Wolf’s right to eat him. He thus addressed him: “Sirrah, last
year you grossly insulted me.” “Indeed,” bleated the Lamb in a mournful
tone of voice, “I was not then born.” Then said the Wolf, “You feed
in my pasture.” “No, good sir,” replied the Lamb, “I have not yet
tasted grass.” Again said the Wolf, “You drink of my well.” “No,”
exclaimed the Lamb, “I never yet drank water, for as yet my mother’s
milk is both food and drink to me.” Upon which the Wolf seized him
and ate him up, saying, “Well! I won’t remain supperless, even though
you refute every one of my imputations.” The tyrant will always find
a pretext for his tyranny.

The Bat and the Weasels

A Bat who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded
to be spared his life. The Weasel refused, saying that he was by nature
the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird,
but a mouse, and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again
fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel, whom he likewise
entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility
to mice. The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and
thus a second time escaped.

It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

The Ass and the Grasshopper

An Ass having heard some Grasshoppers chirping, was highly enchanted;
and, desiring to possess the same charms of melody, demanded what
sort of food they lived on to give them such beautiful voices. They
replied, “The dew.” The Ass resolved that he would live only upon
dew, and in a short time died of hunger.

EDUCATION IN INDONESIA………….

remoet — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:42:13 +0000

Indonesian Constitution“Every citizen shall have the right to obtain education and the government shall establish and conduct a national education system which shall be regulated by the state. Struggling under the shift of political system and economic structure, and the shift from centralized concentration of power development to decentralization, the government of Indonesia through the Ministry of National Education has done efforts to maintain the existing education development achievement, to prepare high quality of human resources, and to make some adjustment toward the national education system in line with the implementation of decentralization.”

EDUCATION

remoet — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:40:51 +0000

EDUCATION

Indonesia Table of ContentsThe character of Indonesia’s educational system reflects its diverse religious heritage, its struggle for a national identity, and the challenge of resource allocation in a poor but developing archipelagic nation with a young and rapidly growing population. Although a draft constitution stated in 1950 that a key government goal was to provide every Indonesian with at least six years of primary schooling, the aim of universal education had not been reached by the late 1980s, particularly among females–although great improvements had been made. Obstacles to meeting the government’s goal included a high birth rate, a decline in infant mortality, and a shortage of schools and qualified teachers. In 1973 Suharto issued an order to set aside portions of oil revenues for the construction of new primary schools. This act resulted in the construction or repair of nearly 40,000 primary school facilities by the late 1980s, a move that greatly facilitated the goal of universal education.

Primary and Secondary Education

Following kindergarten, Indonesians of between seven and twelve years of age were required to attend six years of primary school in the 1990s. They could choose between state-run, nonsectarian public schools supervised by the Department of Education and Culture or private or semiprivate religious (usually Islamic) schools supervised and financed by the Department of Religious Affairs. However, although 85 percent of the Indonesian population was registered as Muslim, according to the 1990 census, less than 15 percent attended religious schools. Enrollment figures were slightly higher for girls than boys and much higher in Java than the rest of Indonesia. A central goal of the national education system in the early 1990s was not merely to impart secular wisdom about the world, but also to instruct children in the principles of participation in the modern nation-state, its bureaucracies, and its moral and ideological foundations. Since 1975, a key feature of the national curriculum–as in other parts of society–had been instruction in the Pancasila. Children age six and above learned its five principles–belief in one God, humanitarianism, national unity, democracy, and social justice–by rote and were instructed daily to apply the meanings of this key national symbol to their lives. The alleged communist coup attempt in 1965 provided a vivid image of transgression against the Pancasila. Partly to prove their rejection of communist ideology, all teachers–like other members of Indonesian bureaucracy–swore allegiance not only to the Pancasila, but to the government party of functional groups. Inside the public school classroom of the early 1990s, a style of pedagogy prevailed that emphasized rote learning and deference to the authority of the teacher. Although the youngest children were sometimes allowed to use the local language, by the third year of primary school nearly all instruction was conducted in formal Indonesian. Instead of asking questions of the students, a standard teaching technique was to narrate a historical event or to describe a mathematical problem, pausing at key junctures to allow the students to fill in the blanks. By not responding to individual problems of the students and retaining an emotionally distanced demeanor, the teacher is said to be sabar (patient), which is considered admirable behavior. Nationally, the average class size in primary schools was approximately twenty-seven, while upper-level classes included between thirty and forty students. Ninety-two percent of primary school students graduated, but only about 60 percent of those continued on to junior high school (ages thirteen through fifteen). Of those who went on to junior high school, 87 percent also went on to a senior high school (ages sixteen through eighteen). The national adult literacy rate remained at about 77 percent in 1991 (84 percent for males and 68 percent for females), keeping Indonesia tied with Brunei for the lowest literacy among the six member nations of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In the early 1990s, after completion of the six-year primary school program, students could choose among a variety of vocational and preprofessional junior and senior high schools, each level of which was three years in duration. There were academic and vocational junior high schools that could lead to senior-level diplomas. There were also “domestic science” junior high schools for girls. At the senior high-school level, there were three-year agricultural, veterinary, and forestry schools open to students who had graduated from an academic junior high school. Special schools at the junior and senior levels taught hotel management, legal clerking, plastic arts, and music. Teacher training programs were varied, and were gradually upgraded. For example, in the 1950s anyone completing a teacher training program at the junior high level could obtain a teacher’s certificate. Since the 1970s, however, the teaching profession was restricted to graduates of a senior high school for teachers in a primary school and to graduates of a university-level education course for teachers of higher grades. Remuneration for primary and secondary school teachers compared favorably with countries such as Malaysia, India, and Thailand. Student-teacher ratios also compared favorably with most Asian nations at 25.3 to 1 and 15.3 to 1, respectively, for primary and secondary schools in the mid-1980s when the averages were 33.1 to 1 and 22.6 to 1 for Asian-Pacific countries.

Islamic Schools

The emphasis on the Pancasila in public schools has been resisted by some of the Muslim majority. A distinct but vocal minority of these Muslims prefer to receive their schooling in a pesantren or residential learning center. Usually in rural areas and under the direction of a Muslim scholar, pesantren are attended by young people seeking a detailed understanding of the Quran, the Arabic language, the sharia, and Muslim traditions and history. Students could enter and leave the pesantren any time of the year, and the studies were not organized as a progression of courses leading to graduation. Although not all pesantren were equally orthodox, most were and the chief aim was to produce good Muslims. In order for students to adapt to life in the modern, secular nation-state, the Muslim-dominated Department of Religious Affairs advocated the spread of a newer variety of Muslim school, the madrasa. In the early 1990s, these schools integrated religious subjects from the pesantren with secular subjects from the Western-style public education system. The less-than 15 percent of the school-age population who attended either type of Islamic schools did so because of the perceived higher quality instruction. However, among Islamic schools, a madrasa was ranked lower than a pesantren. Despite the widespread perception in the West of resurgent Islamic orthodoxy in Muslim countries, the 1980s saw little overall increase in the role of religion in school curricula in Indonesia. In general, Indonesia’s educational system still faced a shortage of resources in the 1990s. The shortage of staffing in Indonesia’s schools was no longer as acute as in the 1950s, but serious difficulties remained, particularly in the areas of teacher salaries, teacher certification, and finding qualified personnel. Providing textbooks and other school equipment throughout the farflung archipelago continued to be a significant problem as well.

Higher Education

Indonesia’s institutions of higher education have experienced dramatic growth since independence. In 1950 there were ten institutions of higher learning, with a total of 6,500 students. In 1970 there were 450 private and state institutions enrolling 237,000 students, and by 1990 there were 900 institutions with 141,000 teachers and nearly 1,486,000 students. Public institutions enjoyed a considerably better student-teacher ratio (14 to 1) than private institutions (46 to 1) in the mid-1980s. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of state university budgets were financed by government subsidies, although the universities had considerably more autonomy in curriculum and internal structure than primary and secondary schools. Whereas tuition in such state institutions was affordable, faculty salaries were low by international standards. Still, university salaries were higher than primary and secondary school salaries. In addition, lecturers often had other jobs outside the university to supplement their wages. Private universities were operated by foundations. Unlike state universities, private institutions had budgets that were almost entirely tuition driven. Each student negotiated a one-time registration fee–which could be quite high–at the time of entry. If a university had a religious affiliation, it could finance some of its costs through donations or grants from international religious organizations. The government provided only limited support for private universities. Higher education in the early 1990s offered a wide range of programs, many of which were in a state of flux. Nearly half of all students enrolled in higher education in 1985 were social sciences majors. Humanities and science and technology represented nearly 28 percent and 21 percent, respectively. The major degrees granted were the sarjana muda (junior scholar; roughly corresponding to a bachelor’s degree) and the sarjana (scholar or master’s degree). Very few doktor (doctoral) degrees were awarded. Few students studying for the sarjana muda actually finished in one to three years. One study found that only 10 to 15 percent of students finished their course of study on time, partly because of the requirement to complete the traditional skripsi (thesis). In 1988, for instance, 235,000 new students were admitted for sarjana muda-level training and 1,234,800 were enrolled at various stages of the program, but only 95,600 graduated. Discussion about how to improve Indonesian higher education focused on issues of teacher salaries, laboratory and research facilities, and professor qualifications. According to official figures, in 1984 only 13.9 percent of permanent faculty members at state institutions of higher learning had any advanced degree; only 4.5 percent had a doctorate. Since doctoral programs were rare in Indonesia and there was little money to support education overseas, this situation improved only slowly. Despite these difficulties, most institutions of higher education received large numbers of applications in the late 1980s and early 1990s; in state institutions less than one application in four was accepted. One of the most serious problems for graduates with advanced degrees, however, was finding employment suited to their newly acquired education. The University of Indonesia, founded in Jakarta in the 1930s, is the nation’s oldest university. Other major universities include Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia’s oldest postindependence university, founded in 1946) in Yogyakarta; Catholic University and Institut Teknologi Bandung, both in Bandung; and the Institut Pertanian Bogor in Bogor. In the early 1990s, there also were important regional universities in Sulawesi, Sumatera Utara, Jawa Barat, and Irian Jaya.

Source: U.S. Library of Congress

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National Education System

speak out guys!!!!!!!!!!

do you like fabel?????

EDUCATION IN INDONESIA………….

EDUCATION

EDUCATION

Primary and Secondary Education

Islamic Schools

Higher Education