Never Take What You Have For Granted.

Monday, February 9, 2009 // 8:15 PM

THIS is the reason i want to join the Peace Corps. To go to Africa. To help people living like this.

I find it disgusting how us as Americans, the richest people in the world, complain about stupid little petty things. Sure our economy is going into a "crisis". Sure its going to be harder to get into the dream college you want to. Compare what you have as a life to what these kids have as a life.

This little girl Jane is the reason why I have not given up on mankind. She would devote her life towards others rather than living her own life which she struggles already. She really touched my heart. It's amazing how much love an eight year old can give. It seems to me like she has more heart than more than half of our country.

Maybe materialistic things are what is stripping us away from compassion.

But honestly? Don't take for granted the things you have.

Try to cherish the things in life that are far greater than any video game or designer purse you could ever get.

Think about helping people like this in need.

I find it so sad how the richer a person is, the less likely they will help others and the more likely they will complain about the things they don't have. That is why i have so much respect for Anjolina Jolie. She just has so much heart and so much compassion and she uses her fame and fortune to help the world. She is a true inspiration to me.

FACTS:
-If you don’t suffer from malnutrition, you are better off than 50% of the world’s population who do.

-If you can read, you are better off than 70% of the world’s population who cannot.

-If you have food in the fridge, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world’s population who do not have any of these basic things.

- If the house you live in is not sub-standard, you are better off than 80% of the world’s population whose housing is either poor or non-existent.

- If you have money in the bank, some in your wallet or purse, and spare change in a dish or jar somewhere, you are richer than 92% of the world’s population who do not.

- If you have even one computer at home, you are more fortunate than 99% of the world’s population who do not.

We could feed and nourish the entire starving, impoverished world with the amount of money Americans spend on ice cream in twelve months.
Just think about THAT.

Help the world.
Stop being so selfish.
Reach out to those who need a helping hand.
Don't be afraid to show compassion.

-Kathleen.

Super Foods!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 // 8:43 PM

Here are the best foods you can eat that good for your health.
**I cut out fast foods out of my life, and I can tell you it makes a difference in my overall health and performance.**

Olive Oil

Olive oil has a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease. Because it is less processed, Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains higher levels of antioxidants and vitamin E.

Green Tea / Black Tea

Drinking green/black tea lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol and improves good (HDL) cholesterol. It also increases your metabolism!

Soy

Soybeans and soy foods contains high levels of important nutrients such as calcium, iron, vitamin B , fiber, and high quality protein,
You can reduce your risks of breast, colon, lung, prostrate and several types of cancer if you eat soy regularly.

Ginger

Ginger is known to aid circulation by helping the body sweat, why else do people recommend ginger for colds and flu? Studies have shown that Ginger helps reduce heart disease. If you have nausea or if you are vomiting, take some ginger.

Garlic

Garlic (especially aged garlic) has a powerful antioxidant effect. Antioxidants are known to protect the body against damaging "free radicals".

Pomegranates
Pomegranates are high in antioxidants and low in sugar!
Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is known to treat urinary tract, bladder and kidney infections. It has high doses of natural vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, antioxidants and nutrients that helps to protect you against heart disease and cancer.

Oats

Oats have the highest soluble fiber than all other grains. Some of the benefit includes lowering cholesterol and helps sooth the digestive process. (THE best breakfast)

Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Vitamins A and C are powerful antioxidants that remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals are chemicals that damages cells.

Cherry Tomatos

They're tiny, but are jammed packed with vitamin C and vitamin A and fiber and are fun to snack on. =]

Milk (Skim, 1%, or Soy)

A delicious way to get your daily dose of calcium, vitamins, and protein without the high contents of fat and cholesterol. Soy milk can be just as nutritious, just be sure the company fortifies it. And don't forget yogurt!

Broccoli

Broccoli is packed with vitamin C, vitamin A , calcium, and fiber. Also, broccoli is a great substutite for people who do not drink milk. It may not have as much calcium as milk, but it's better to receive small amounts of calcium than no calcium at all.

Salmon

The omega-3 fats in salmon can help reduce the risk of sudden-death heart attacks. Fatty fish like salmon that is caught wild has less contaminants than farmed salmon.

Crisp Breads

Crisp breads are whole grain rye crackers are loaded with fiber and are fat free.

Brown Rice

White rice is nutritionally weak because it has been processed and refined. When the grain is refined, you lose the fiber, magnesium, vitamins E, vitamin B-6, copper and zinc that are in the whole grain.

Orange

A delicious way to get your daily dose of Vitamin C, folic acid, and fiber. Vitamin C helps your immune system!

Blueberries

Yummy and rich in Vitamin C, fiber and antioxidents. Did I mention it was yummy?

Spinach

Spinach is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, magnesium, iron, and many more goodness for your health.

There are other good foods for your body, so stop by your local grocery store and pick up something good for your health!

Random Rants of February.

// 8:23 PM

So this blog will consist of more of randomness rather than complete rants like my previous posts.

I have officially decided that I will do something with my life. I will join the Peace Corps at least once in my lifetime. Wanting change and spreading awareness about those of less fortunate is not going to do anything. Everybody knows that there is poverty all over the world; everybody knows that cancer is one of the leading reasons for death, and yet do you see any changes? No. Everyone makes that wrong assumption that if we spread awareness about something, people’s heart will change, their compassion will grow, and that they will care more. That is complete bullshit. When told statistics of how many people die per day e.g. diseases or poverty or abuse, barely anyone is moved. When seen a video or pictures, people are moved for about one minute or two; then they go back to their regular nature of caring about materialistic things and unimportant things like who they want asking them to Winter Formal.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." -- Mahatma Gandhi
I find Gandhi one of the most inspirational people in history. He is absolutely correct. If I want to see a change in this world, I have to start with myself. If I want to make the world a better place, I must take a look at myself and then make a change. I cannot simply spread awareness about a cause and expect change to occur. I have to take things into my own hands. So, in a day or two, I will be getting a picture and description of a child in need and I will get the opportunity to sponsor that child ($22 a month) and we will be able to write letters to each other so that he or she will know that they are not alone. I am really excited and when I mean really excited I mean REALLY EXCITED.

I believe that our generation will go far. I believe that our compassion has risen from the past generations. I don’t mean that the world will all come together happily ever after; but all I mean is that we see past cliques and race and gender and culture and religion and sexuality more than those in the past. I mean the transformation is just amazing if you really think about it. People who think that our world will never arise from this gutter need to stop being such a cynic and start believing. Do you not know what we have gone through? We, Americans have abolished slavery, overcame majority racial and gender discrimination, been through the great depression of the ‘30’s fought and won a 2-front war against two powerful military empires, forcing each to surrender unconditionally in WWII; People, have some faith in our country. I believe that no matter who is president, who is in charge of the country; nothing will improve unless the he and the country have our faith in them. Our belief that we will all be okay. Will it take time? Of course it will. Will we make a dramatic change any time soon? Probably not. Does that mean that we should give up anyways because by the time the world might improve, we will all be dead? Of course not.
Keep on believing that “yes we can”.

And remember that although our country is doing pretty bad, with our banks with absolutely no money anymore, people losing jobs and homes; we are so fortunate; first of all Bush is out. We have a president that has people who never cared for the country open their eyes. I mean to be honest, I have never been so political until the ’08 election and watching every debate (while laughing at Palin), I have learned so much about this country. Second, have you forgotten that our world consists larger than the United States? Nearly every country has their own problems. It’s funny, how we live in such a small community and still find it huge; having to drive hours if not take a plane to just get out of the STATE. Our perceptive of the world is so small and we are so lucky to have such a perspective. Those in Africa have a perceptive of the world that it is all full of diseases, starvation, poverty, and death. Generation after generation, they have not experienced the life that we have; the life that we find demeaning and such a disaster. How is it possible that many Africans have such happiness; such faith that their luck will change, that their chance for luxury and life beyond their perspectives are coming soon, yet we Americans, able to buy iPods after iPods, keeping up with all of the “trendy fashions/technologies”, even spending so much money on those stressful SAT prep classes are giving up on our country already. Can’t we all just notice that although our elders might have had an easier time getting into colleges and finding jobs? We still have a future. We are not dying from AIDs and HIV by the millions. We have foods, if not excess, to stuff our mouths until we burst. We have the ability to grasp anything on the market that we desire. Stop thinking about the worst in our country for a while and just have hope and don’t ever forget about those existing beyond your premises.

BTW. February is Black History Month. Although much of our community is Asian, you probably all don’t care; but you should. They have overcome so much that I find it so amazing. If I could be black, I would. My parents called me completely insane when I told them that. But I have my reasons. It is not that Asians have not had it bad, but as far as I know, African Americans had it worse. (It might be my limited knowledge on Asian history, but still.) I would want to be part of a group that I could be proud of my ancestors. They have come so far in life ever since the earliest days. From overcoming slavery, to the Civil Rights Movement, to voting rights, all the way to becoming president; African Americans never fail to impress me. I am not asking you all to stop what you are all doing and worship those amazing African Americans significant to American history, but do not; DO NOT forget about them. You might think that this does not affect you, but America is all about freedom, all about unity, and African Americans have fought so long and hard for them. Do not forget about Martin Luther King Jr. Do not forget about Malcom X. Do not forget about Rosa Parks. Do not forget about Harriet Tubman…Do not forget about Black History Month.

Another thing I have been thinking about a lot lately is how everything does not exist without its’ opposite. In life, there is no perfection because without mistakes and flaws, there is no such thing as perfection. Without the bad, there is no good. Without the sick there are no healthy. Without the beautiful, there is no ugly. Without death, there is no life. So does that mean that there is no way for life to become unified because without segregation there is no unification? Does that mean that there is no way for life to become peaceful because without disruption there is no peace? Is life a matter of balance?

I think I should stop talking now. And I apologize, for this blog became another one of my rants; or well, multiple.
I guess I just have a lot to say about life.

-Kathleen Tung.