Tag Archives: Health

Day 733

Don’t be afraid of being embarrassed – that’s what I keep learning 🙂

It’s  3 : 35 PM on day 733 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, go to the doctor – it was nothing serious (thank God) he didn’t even insist that I take antibiotics 🙂 – drink milk  by myself,   prepare and  publish my Disability of the Day feature and feed myself custard  for lunch.

Yesterday afternoon I felt a lump in my throat every time I swallowed and although my family reassured me that it was nothing and poked fun at my hypochondriacal nature this morning I insisted on seeing a doctor just to make sure my family was right and I was wrong and sure enough my family was right and I was wrong (my throat was a little irritated from when I chocked on juice on Thursday)  but the way I look at it the only things you can’t buy are your health and the  people in your life so better safe than sorry. Do you not insist on certain things because you’re too afraid of being embarrassed?

I LOVE hearing from you feel free to leave a comment below.

Day 663

You have to take care of yourself before you can take of anybody  else – that’s what I keep learning 🙂

It’s 7: 11 PM on day 663 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, feed myself All Bran Flakes  for breakfast, watch TV,   prepare and  publish my Disability of the Day feature, feed myself  brown rice and vegetables   for lunch, watch some more  TV, feed myself boiled vegetables for dinner and brush my teeth once more.

This morning my mother received life-changing news from her doctor which compels me to say to all parents, especially special needs parents, take care of yourself so that you can take care of your kids. Are you taking care of yourself?

I LOVE hearing from you feel free to leave a comment below.

Day 306

Without health life is not life; it is only a state of languor and suffering – an image of death. – Buddha

It’s 10: 47 PM on day 306 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, feed myself Batura and potato for breakfast, tweet about my Clean Water For All Campaign – no luck – feed myself oranges for lunch, prepare my Kid of the Week feature for tomorrow, tweet about my campaign some more – it’s so depressing it seems like most people care more about Marc Antony and Jlo getting divorced than they do about children dying of hunger and thirst 🙁 – read What Am I Responsible For? on Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker – a very good blog post about letting go of the things you don’t control – have dinner with my extended family – we had heaps of fun playing 30 Seconds – the board game – 🙂 – and brush my teeth once more.

At 4 AM this morning I woke up with an excruciating pain in the left-hand side of my lower back and although the same thing had happened last Friday I took the fact that it happened a second time as a sign that I should change my lifestyle – replacing all the “white foods” e.g. pasta and rice with “brown foods” e.g. whole-grain pasta and brown rice eliminating carbonated drinks, chips and fast food and adding fruits and vegetables to my diet in conjunction with thirty minutes of exercise daily – and it is my greatest hope that you will follow in my footsteps more or less making your own replacements, eliminations and additions as you go along. Are you taking care of your health so that you can live life to the fullest?

Are we connecting on Twitter? If not, say hi at http://twitter.com/Nisha360

If you’ve given to my cause or you can’t give now, please help me by sharing my cause with others. You can tweet about it like my friend Stan Faryna. This is the tweet he uses: @Nisha360 is a brave, smart young woman trying to make a better world for us all. Please help her do an amazing thing. http://bit.ly/hC7vOu

Stan’s very sweet for saying so, but feel free to write what reflects you best.

Thanks to all my friends out there who are helping me make my dream come true: to make a better world for all of us!

Day 227

It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. – Mohandas Gandhi

It’s 7: 23 PM on day 227 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to continue reading A Purloined Life – the first of two books in Stella Cameron‘s Charmedtweet about my Clean Water For All Campaign@mysunderstood74 (M) made her second donation – thanks M it’s people like you that make me want to get up every morning and do this all over again 🙂 – brush my teeth, vote for Hands on in Africa – a great project that my friend,@SophieBrown95 (Sophie), is involved in that aims to teach kids in the UK social responsibly while providing kids in Africa an education feed myselfParottaa common layered flat bread of Southern India – and beef curry for breakfast, tweet about my campaign some more – no further luck – watch TV while and after feeding myself strawberry yoghurt for lunch, went to visit my cousin and her family, feed myself chicken nuggets and nuggets and French fries from McDonald’s for dinner and watch some more TV.

Today I stumbled onto Power 9: Habits of the World’s Healthiest People and as I read it I realized that people who live the longest are balanced in all aspects of their lives. Read the article below and you’ll catch my drift:

Power9: 9 Habits of the World’s Healthiest People

by Healthy Theory

The United States is facing a health crisis of unprecedented proportions: Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Diabetes and heart disease rates are on the rise. For the first time in living history, the life expectancy of America’s children is less than that of their parents.

In other parts of the world, however, people are living longer, healthier lives. In certain areas known as Blue Zones, people tend to live well into their 90s and beyond while remaining mentally and physically vibrant. It’s no coincidence that people in these regions share several lifestyle traits.

The Blue Zones

  1. Sardinia, Italy: a mountain village where researchers encountered a 102-year-old man who hikes at least 6 miles a day.
  2. Okinawa, Japan: home to some of the world’s longest-lived people.
  3. Loma Linda, California: where a group of Seventh Day Adventists commonly live to 100 years old and enjoy more healthy years of life than the rest of the United States.
  4. Icaria, Greece: a tiny island with 20 percent lower rates of cancer, 50 percent lower rates of heart disease, and almost no dementia.
  5. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: where residents enjoy lower levels of obesity and longer lives than the rest of Costa Rica.

Dan Buettner, explorer and writer for National Geographic, has worked with longevity researchers to identify the habits that allow Blue Zone inhabitants to reach the age of 100 at ten times greater rates than most of the United States, while suffering a mere fraction the rate of heart disease and cancer as the rest of the world.

The key to living longer, fuller lives, says Buettner, is to create an environment of health. Science has determined that less than 25% of a person’s lifespan is determined by genes. The rest can be influenced by lifestyle factors.

Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Buettner and his team of researchers have identified nine lifestyle factors common among Blue Zone inhabitants, all of which are associated with an extra 3-6 years of quality life. The secret to vitality and longevity is incorporating these habits into your daily life. Adopting all nine of these habits — known as the Power9 — is not necessary to experience the benefits of increased health and longevity; according to Buettner, practicing just six of the Power9 will deliver 90% of the benefits. His book, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest, provides practical guidelines for setting up your home, your social life, and your work place to help add more quality years to your life.

Surprisingly, only one of the Power9 deals with exercise, and a full third involve social factors. In fact, says Buettner, the single most important thing you can do is extend your life is to build your own “Right Tribe.” The world’s longest-lived people were either born into or choose to associate with the right people — those who provide emotional support and the motivation to engage in healthy activities. Research shows that if you surround yourself with people who are active and eat healthy foods, you are more likely to adopt these habits yourself.

The Power9

1. Move naturally

Find ways to move mindlessly and adopt a lifestyle that makes moving unavoidable. In many Blue Zones, walking is the main mode of transportation. People also engage in some sort of moderate daily activity such as gardening, walking, or playing with their children. Buettner believes that many Americans exercise too hard; our bodies were not made to withstand years of heavy pounding and high-intensity physical activity. Regular, low-intensity activity — doing something light every day — may be more beneficial. Focus on activities you enjoy — even something as seemingly simple as a daily walk can provide health benefits.

2. Know your purpose in life

Having a meaningful reason to get out of bed in the morning can help reduce stress and ward off disease. Studies show that people who retire early often see a decline in their health and even experience higher mortality rates than those who continue to work. If you enjoy your job, keep working as long as possible. Volunteer work and community service can also help provide a sense of purpose.

3. Downshift

People in Blue Zones typically have less stress in their lives. Look for ways to simplify your life: slow down, get plenty of rest, and take vacations. Try to punctuate your day with periods of calm, whether that means meditating, taking a relaxing bath, or carving out some time for yourself to engage in a hobby.

4. Follow the 80% Rule

As Americans, we’re used to eating until we’re full, but allowing yourself to feel hunger can actually be beneficial. A study involving mice revealed that the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin may help fight stress and depression. People in Blue Zones typically stop eating when they are 80% full. Buettner’s book and the Blue Zone web site provide advice on adopting healthier eating habits.

5. Eat a plant-based diet

People in Blue Zones don’t diet; they eat wisely. Blue Zone diets consist of large amounts of locally grown vegetables and less protein than the average American diet. Limit processed foods, meats, fats, and sweets as much as possible. Also drink plenty of fresh water and herbal teas. In Icaria, residents drink high levels of herbal teas that act as diuretics, lower blood pressure, and prevent heart disease.

6. Drink red wine

Red wine is high in powerful antioxidants that can help fight cancer, reduce inflammation, and lower cholesterol. In Sardinia, researchers found a red wine with the world’s highest-known levels of antioxidants. Drink red wine consistently and in moderation — a glass or two a day is recommended.

7. Belong to a healthy social network

Having a strong and supportive social system is key to reducing stress and living a healthy life. There is a biological link between social connection and how well our bodies function. Fifteen years ago, the average American had three good friends; that number is now down to two. Our increasingly wired society and busy lifestyles have made us more isolated, which can shave years off our lives. Make an effort to spend time with friends and nurture a face-to-face network instead of just connecting with people online. Proactively build friendships with people who practice healthy habits. Participating in social exercise groups or volunteering are great ways to meet healthy, like-minded individuals.

8. Have a belief system

Having some sort of faith system or spiritual practice has been shown to have health benefits. Participating in a belief system doesn’t have to mean organized religion: Okinawans believe in ancestral worship; yoga and meditation are also forms of non-religious spiritual practices. “People who feel their life is part of a larger plan and are guided by their spiritual values have stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, a lower risk of heart attack and cancer, and heal faster and live longer,” says Harold G. Koenig, M.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center.

9. Put your family first

People in Blue Zones make family a priority and nurture supportive relationships with their loved ones. Studies have shown that the average working American parent spends just 19 minutes a day engaged in childcare. As you work on simplifying your routine, look for new, beneficial activities you can do with your children and extended family members. Complete a craft project together, get the family together for a bike ride, or involve the children in making dinner and choosing healthy foods for the family.


Day 184

If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one. – Mother Teresa

It’s 10: 24  PM on day 184 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, feed myself bread and jam  for breakfast,  tweet about my Clean Water For All Campaign for a few hours – no luck –  feed myself rice and curry for lunch, exercise for 5 minutes, tweet about my campaign some more –   still  no luck – it was the saddest thing every 30 minutes I would click ‘Refresh’ in the hopes that someone had made a donation only no one did 🙁 – feed myself Chapati – an unleavened flatbread – butternut and vegetable curry  for dinner and watch TV

Today our housekeeper, Nandipha came to me and asked how much it costs to attend the schools that my brother and sister go to and I replied to go to Selborne Primary – the school that my brother goes to – it costs R6 000 per month and to go to Clarendon High – it costs R10 000 per month and after I answered her question I was curious as to why she wanted to know how much it costs to go to a private school because I knew that she had already finished school so I asked why do you ask and she replied my cousin is moving here from Johannesburg and she wanted to go to the best school that there was and since your brother and sister do go to those schools I thought I’d asked you only now that I know how much it costs I’ll have to tell her to look somewhere else because those schools are too expensive and in that moment I knew that I had to help Nandipha’s community in some way  so I decided that I would make some bread and jam sandwiches on Saturday and have Nandipha hand them out to her hungry neighbors.  In your quest to change the world have you forgotten that the smallest things can make the biggest difference?

Day 79

Everybody is HIV positive until proven otherwise – Unknown.  

It’s 7: 40 PM on day 79 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, feed myself Oats for breakfast,  created a Jango account – I really recommend that website if your a music lover – it allows you to create radio station and only plays songs by your favourite artists –    learn how to calculate Separable Differentials – it was so easy hopefully I’ll finish the chapter by tomorrow  🙂 –      feed myself  rice and curry for lunch     and exercise for 30 minutes – my legs where so still today that they would go straight no matter how hard my mother pressed on them – no two days are the same I suppose hopefully tomorrow my legs will be a lot more cooperative 🙂  

Approximately 5.7 million people in South Africa are living with HIV and although the rate of new infections has dropped there are still new diagnoses being made every day and today being World Aids Day I would like to make two things VERY clear – firstly, you CANNOT contract HIV through touching, hugging or kissing and secondly NOBODY who chooses to have unprotected sex is immune from contracting HIV – black, white or blue HIV does not discriminate. Do you know your status? 🙂

Day 74

Knowledge is power – Sir Francis Bacon.

It’s 6: 31 PM on day 74 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, feed myself a Banana for breakfast,    memorize the common formulae in my notes – I think I’ve got it down pat 🙂 –     feed myself rice and curry for lunch, practised wheeling myself around the house – today I got to The sitting room and tomorrow I’ll get a little further and pretty soon I’ll be able to wheel myself everywhere without any assistance  I just KNOW it 🙂 – and went to physiotherapy – I LOVE my physiotherapist I feel like she’s the only person on the  planet who sees me for my soul rather than my body – I remember once my mother said to someone  this is Nisha my sick daughter and my jaw dropped to the floor – literally LOL 🙂

Today morning I took the plunge and had my blood sugar levels tested not because I exhibited any of the symptoms but because I felt like I should know what was going on with my own body and I’m happy to report that my blood sugar level was 5 – 4 to 8 is the normal range – after I took the test which took less than 20 seconds out of my day I felt a great sense of relief and with that said I would like to ask all of you to get your blood sugar tested either at home – you can buy a portable blood sugar monitor at your local pharmacy – or you can ask your doctor to run a simple blood test because at the end of the day what you don’t know can KILL you.  Will you follow in my footsteps and get your blood sugar levels tested? 🙂