Oh My Banana!

I used to have what I call Banana diet a few months ago.  I stopped for reasons I can’t remember now. Now, I want to do it again. My reasons why….  (a former colleague emailed this to me.)

A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class
about bananas.? He said the expression “going bananas” is from the
effects of bananas on the brain.? Read on:

Never, put your
banana in the refrigerator!!!

This is interesting.

After reading this, you’ll never look at a
banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars -
sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant,
sustained and substantial boost of energy.


Research has proven that just two bananas
provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana
is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a banana can
help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of
illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people
suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is
because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts
into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make
you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains
regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of
hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet
low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food
and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official
claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200
students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams
this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost
their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can
assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore
normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to
laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest
ways
of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The
banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted
blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system..

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you
suffer from heartburn, try e ating a banana for soothing relief…

Morning Sickness: Snacking
on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning
sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the
affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly
successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous
system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria
found pressure at wor k leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and
crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese
were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to
avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar le vels
by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal
disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit
that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also
neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the
stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit
that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant
mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their
baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural
mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6,
B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help
the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat,
sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are
stressed, our metabolic rate rises, there by
reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a
high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine,
eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes
by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to
kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the
yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical
tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for
many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein,
twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A
and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in
potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change
that well-known phrase so that we say, “A banana a day keeps the doctor
away!”

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are
so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes??
Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe…polish with
dry cloth. Amazing fruit !  - Anonymous 

Who says I am ferpect? (Classic Laughs for a Crazy Cause)

Just now, a former colleague’s YM status is, “I am not here right now.” This is truly one for the books, a classic one indeed. There’s nothing wrong with it grammatically but she could have easily said, “I am not at my desk” or “I am away.” Well, this same person has her share of anecdotes which may consume a blog entry but I will share some as I randomly remember them. I would also add anecdotes of my other former colleagues, of my friends. This will be my collection of classic jokes.

Did I mention that she pronounces the word ‘mavericks’ with a long A as in “maiv•ricks” and the word ‘archives’ with a short I as in “ar•chives” sounding like achieve? hehehe

She also posted a job opportunity in her YM status before. Her post: WANTED: Accounting Assistants. She should have added dead or alive!

A former classmate of mine applied for a position of Computer Programmer in a shipping company. During her panel interview, she was asked to create a sample of a computer program based on the data given. She sucked but she remained defiant. Wrapping up the interview, she was asked if she has any questions. She replied, “Yes. I do have a question. What are your hobbies?” The panel’s moderator was caught off-guard and felt the need to answer her. After getting one answered, my friend asked the other member of the panel as she said, “And you?” Humirit pa talaga!

One time, This friend of mine was arguing with her foreigner-boyfriend. She had difficulty in explaining her point in English. Her boyfriend got even more mad after she refused to speak up for sometime. After much prodding, she finally spoke up and said, “You’re a monster!” Her boyfriend can’t help but laugh!

While waiting for the elevator on the 9th floor of a condominium building, my friend got irritated and said “Paano aakyat yung elavator, eh hindi ninyo pinondot yung “UP?” May tama ka!

My former associate and I were a discussing an issue regarding OFW’s. Suddenly, I get to ask her, what does the acronym OFW stands for? Her reply: “Overseas Factory Worker” Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang!

A former colleague is known for his side comments that would make you go wild.  One time, he made a  gay-ish  approval to one of our colleagues and said “Dapat bigyan  ka ng  korona at sachet!”  Yes, sachets of shampoo for his crowning glory.

I will add more classics here in the coming days!

I wish I am Batman!

But I happen to be Iron Man. Maybe because I do not feel comfortable wearing cape and thongs. hehehe

Your results:
You are Iron Man

Iron Man 90% Green Lantern 85% Superman 75% Spider-Man 70% Hulk 60% Wonder Woman 53% Supergirl 53% Robin 48% Catwoman 45% The Flash 45% Batman 40%	Inventor. Businessman. Genius.
Click here to take the “Which Superhero are you?” quiz…

Cocky. Comic. Crazy. Hancock!

Hancock is my (almost) perfect superhero. Extraordinary strength sans the  superficials.  He is full of angst without being emotional.  He is drama-free and has no pretensions.  He does things his own way without trying to impress anyone.  He is just doing it the way he knows it how.  In a corporate setting, he is results-oriented without minding the process.  He is effective but not efficient. Initially!

The movie has introduced another infamous and reluctant superhero played convincingly by Will Smith. The story presented who is Hancock,  how he came about, his strengths and his weaknesses.  Because of his non-conforming heroic practices, a good-hearted PR man (played by Jason Bateman),  which once saved by Hancock, dared to clean the bad reputation of Hancock. With the universe coming to play, this PR man’s wife (Charlize Theron)  happens to be the wife of Hancock several decades ago. Yes, superheroes never age.

The lead actors were exemplary and consistently good.  Otherwise, Oscars would have not recognized them in their previous works.  Will Smith never fails to entertain me.  He is funny alright but I am not his fan. Though,  I have great respect for him as an actor.  Charlize remains to be one of the most beautiful and most intelligent actors of her time.  Her character requires not much emotions, hence,  she did not overdo it. Bravo!

I am looking forward to the next Hancock with a more powerful villain. I understand that this is just a prelude to more installments of this Will Smith franchise.  I want to see  Charlize’s character  displaying more of her powers as well ala husband-wife team.

Till the next more cocky, more comic and crazier but finally, refined Hancock!

God is really great…

I had fun. I am sure you did too unless… This reminds me that there is much hope for my country who happens to be proud in having English as its second language. Life is unfair but God is indeed fair to all His creations.