Helloo !

More than half of all those infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) suffer from sleep problems. This can be due to the health of their liver and/or a side effect of combination therapy.  Sleep is as important to liver health as are a healthy diet and regular exercise. Regular insomnia can lead to  severe fatigue, cognitive difficulties,  depression,  anxiety and  metabolic disturbances.  Long-term sleep deprivation will increase the severity of chronic HCV.

Insomnia is a common side effect of interferon therapy, the current standard treatment for HCV. For those who are infected with Hep C and cirrhosis of the liver,  histamine levels in the brain are often altered. Histamine regulates the sleep-wake cycle, therefore if levels of this chemical become unbalanced than so do sleep patterns.

Natural approaches to promote sleep include: eliminating caffeine, taking a hot bath in the evening, reducing your bedroom’s temperature, turning off the TV early and setting aside time for unwinding before bed.

Certain types of food in the diet can also promote a healthy and regular sleep pattern. These foods are:

1. Whole Grains – High fibre grains such as brown rice and oats which contain large quantities of tryptophan (an amino acid that increases the calming neurotransmitter serotonin) and boosts melatonin (a sleep-inducing brain hormone).
2. Pecans - Pecans which are nutrient-rich with B vitamins, particularly Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is known to help calm an overactive nervous system. Pecans also contain pyridoxine which produces serotonin and stimulates the production of melatonin.
3. Cherries - Cherries which contain melatonin.
4. Bananas - Bananas which contain both tryptophan and potassium.
5. Warm Milk – Milk contains sleep-inducing tryptophan and calcium which has a natural calming effect on muscles and the central nervous system. Warming up milk reduces the energy required to digest it.
6. Turkey - Turkey contains tryptophan. A cold turkey sandwich (ideally with a glass of warm milk) should produce sleepiness.

Colourful open log fire which we had in our living area for most of the cold winter months. It was beautiful to look at, and to listen to (cackling wood; sometimes imitating a mini fireworks display if the wood was too wet). But it didn’t really warm up the living room, let alone the rest of the house – unless you sat right in front of it in the rocking chair. And it did make the room messy, to the point where I need to get it repainted shortly when the weather improves. The open log fire is now replaced with a cassette-type iron fireplace. Very clean and sending out enough heat to warm up most of the house. I miss the open log fire, but this new one is more practical. And just as “pretty”. And works out cheaper too: don’t have to buy so many logs from the log merchant.

The video below reminds me of christmas time, 2009.

I was hunting on the Internet to solve the problem I was getting with my new cassette fireplace. It made such a big difference in heating up the lounge area and other parts of the house. However, I noticed that the glass door was turning black inside in places with grained-on soot. Soapy water did not work, nor did a spray-on glass cleaner, and I knew that I mustn’t use a brillo pad or other abrasive on the glass door. I found this article written by Crystal Ray, which I have reproduced below. I hope it helps many other readers who have expereinced the same problem as me. In the end I opted for a watered-down ammonia solution with a hard (but not abrasive) rag. There are still two finger-size areas around the hinges which are still resilient to my cleaning, but on the whole the glass door came out satisfactorily clean even though it took me over 40 minutes to get it looking as it does now. I’m sure there is a quicker and simplier – and less messy – solution; perhaps someone could let me know what it is!

And now… I need to tackle the inside of the oven again. *big sigh*.

Many people have glass fireplace doors, and like glass shower doors, they can be difficult to clean. Fireplace doors coated with soot don’t do anything for the appearance of a room, and what good is it to start a fire if you can’t see it behind the glass? Cleaning fireplace doors can be a messy job, and it’s important that abrasives aren’t used since they can scratch glass. Unfortunately, ordinary glass cleaners meant for regular windows usually won’t cut through layers of baked-on soot.

Those who have glass fireplace doors can try the following safe and easy methods to clean their doors and enjoy watching the dancing flames of a beautiful fire on a cold fall or winter night. These are methods used by people who keep their glass fireplace doors sparkling clean, and they’ve found success with these simple household products, natural remedies, and a little elbow grease.

Fight Ashes With Ashes
It’s hard to believe that fireplace ashes would remove black soot from glass fireplace doors, but many people swear by this method of cleaning. Wad a sheet of newspaper into a ball, and slightly dampen it with water. Dip the newspaper in ashes, and use it to wipe away soot and grime. Repeat the process if necessary.

Household Ammonia
Ammonia is a fantastic product that’s great for a number of cleaning purposes, and it’s very inexpensive compared to name-brand cleaners that may or may not work. Next time you need to clean your glass fireplace doors, try ordinary household ammonia and a damp rag. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation, and remember to never mix the ammonia with any other household cleaners.

A Flat Razor Blade
If layers of soot are baked, consider using a flat razor blade to scrape it off. Use masking tape or duct tape to completely cover one side of a flat razor blade (not a utility knife), and carefully begin scraping the soot off the glass beginning at one corner. As long as the razor blade is used at a sharp angle, almost flat against the surface, it shouldn’t scratch the glass.

Quercetin is a phytochemical that is part of the colouring found in the skins of apples, red onions and cranberries. It is a natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent and antihistamine.

Quercetin’s antihistamine action may help to relieve allergic symptoms and asthma symptoms. Its anti-inflammatory properties may help to reduce pain from disorders such as arthritis. Recent scientific research shows that quercetin could be an aid to preventing cancer, in particular prostate and pancreatic cancer. Quercetin may also help reduce symptoms of ailments such as fatigue, depression and anxiety. Note that – to date – research is still underway.

Quercetin is also found in other common foods such as tea, nuts, berries, cauliflower and cabbage, however, in much smaller quantities. By increasing your intake of apples and red onions your diet and health will generally improve. Quercetin can be also be bought in health shops as a dietary supplement in the form of a vitamin supplement, or in energy drinks, or in green tea extract.

Once again – in my opinion – Sydney in Australia have produced another fantastic fireworks display to welcome in the new year.

I just couldn’t resist posting this seasonal video. Enjoy! I expect it should go in the Pet Care category!

Joining an affiliate program is a great way to start earning a sizeable income on the Internet without many of the hassles that come with running your own business. Follow these basic rules to find the right one for you.

1. Find a great quality product or service

Remember that any recommendation you make will reflect directly on you. If you recommend a great quality product, the people you recommend it to will always trust you and be interested in future recommendations that you make. If you recommend a bad quality product, people will likely hesitate to act on any future offers you recommend. Only recommend products that you truly believe in.

2. Look for an affiliate program that offers top commissions

It is perfectly reasonable for you to expect to be paid 30% to 50% of the profits on each product sold. 5% to 10% is very low. You should look for companies who understand the lifetime value of new customers you refer and appreciate your efforts. Only consider joining programs that show a similar level of respect for their affiliates.

3. Make sure they have a high sales conversion ratio

Make sure that the affiliate program is turning a reasonable number of visitors into sales. If not, then your efforts directing traffic to their website will be completely wasted. A 1% conversion ratio (1 out of every 100 visitors) is quite good, 2%+ is better.

4. Be sure that you will be credited for every sales you make

You should find out what kind of tracking software the affiliate program that you are interested in joining uses. You must look for a program that uses quality affiliate tracking software that is reliable and tracks all (online, by phone, fax, mail orders, etc.) because there are many companies who only track online orders, and this means that you will never get credit for anywhere from 5% – 10% of your affiliate sales. Make sure they have a high sales conversion ratio and a good tracking software.

5. They should allow you to access your sales statistics real time

The affiliate program you join should give you a special username and password that you can use to access your own personal affiliate sales information right on their website. Many affiliate programs have done this, but in case they have not, you should reconsider whether to join them.

6. Look for a program that teaches you to maximize your affiliate sales

A good affiliate program will provide you with everything you need to be successful. They will provide you with traffic-generating banners, text-links, and recommendation letter templates. They will tell you which techniques work well in which circumstances. Find an affiliate program that is similarly dedicated to educating their affiliates.

7. Make sure they are reputable

There have been known caes where people who have worked really hard making a lot of sales for a company, but then have never been paid or forced to wait months and months to get their money. If you have any concerns about a company that you are thinking of doing business with, ask for references and do some checks on them before you join them.

8. Be sure to read all contracts and agreements

Before you join any affiliate program make sure that you read all contracts and agreements very carefully. Pay very close attention to exclusivity clauses in the agreement. Be careful that any affiliate agreement or contract you sign does not restrict you.

Everyday choices such as what to eat for dinner can have an impact on someone with Hepatitis C. Because certain foods can help liver function while others may hinder it, nutritional awareness is a key component of any Hepatitis C health regimen. Specifically, eating asparagus can protect the liver from toxicity.

Increasing the proportion of fruit and vegetables per meal is guaranteed to support your liver’s health. Produce contains fibre and is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that optimise cellular function. For someone with Hepatitis C this translates to helping fortify and protect liver cells from the inflammation and cellular damage of a chronic liver virus.

According to an article published in the Journal of Food Science, “an extract from asparagus may increase the function of enzymes in the liver and boost the metabolism of alcohol.” Researchers from Korea concluded that, “the leaves of A. officinalis, which are normally discarded, have the potential for use in therapy designed to protect the liver from various harmful insults.”

Due to its anti-cancer effects, asparagus has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine in Asia. In addition, asparagus is purported to have the following properties:

• Anti-fungal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Diuretic

Packed with high levels of folate, amino acids, potassium and Vitamins B and C, asparagus officinalis is a common vegetable that is widely consumed worldwide. According to researchers at the Institute of Medical Science and Jeju National University in Korea, asparagus extract may alleviate alcohol hangover and protect liver cells against toxins.

When NOT to Eat Asparagus
Asparagus contains naturally-occurring substances called purines. Certain individuals who are susceptible to purine-related problems should NOT eat a lot of asparagus. Since purines can be broken down to form uric acid, excess accumulation of purines in the body can lead to excess accumulation of uric acid. Thus, those with ailments due to uric acid build-up should be advised to limit or avoid purine-containing foods such as asparagus. Examples of such ailments include gout and kidney stones.

I had to post this innovative idea. Taking the stairs instead of the escalator can not only build up your leg muscles and boost your energy level…. but it can also be fun as the following video from Sweden shows.

The potential health benefits of drinking a daily glass of red wine now include fatty liver disease prevention.

Resveratrol
An antioxidant known for its presence in the skin of red grapes, resveratrol is generating a lot of interest for its potential benefits for fatty liver disease. After identifying reservatrol’s presence in red wine, scientists began exploring if this compound might be responsible for the low rate of cardiovascular disease in the French, despite their diet renowned for excessively rich, fatty foods. Although there is some evidence that resveratrol may benefit heart disease by reducing blood clot formation, the American Heart Association does not recommend drinking wine to gain these potential benefits.

Resveratrol is found in grapes, wine, grape juice, peanuts and berries of Vaccinum species, including blueberries, bilberries and cranberries. In grapes, resveratrol is found only in the skins with the amount dependant on the following variables:

· The grape cultivar
· The geographic origin
· The exposure to fungal infection
· For wine, the amount of fermentation time spent in contact with the grape skins

Since the amount of resveratrol can vary in food and beverages, the following amounts of this antioxidant in different items are an approximation:

· 5 ounce glass of Spanish red wine = .29 – 1.89 mg resveratrol
· 5 ounce glass of global red wine = .30 – 1.07 mg resveratrol
· 5 ounce glass of Spanish red grape juice = .17 – 1.30 mg resveratrol
· 1 cup of raw peanuts = .01 – .26 mg resveratrol
· 1 cup boiled peanuts = .32 – 1.28 mg resveratrol
· 1 cup peanut butter = .04 – .13 mg resveratrol
· 1 cup red grapes = .24 – 1.25 mg resveratrol

Therefore, until the experts condone a daily glass of red wine to prevent fatty liver disease – munching on red grapes, boiled peanuts or sipping grape juice could help prevent fatty liver disease – without any of alcohol’s associated risks.