Vegetarian and Vitamin B12

Taken from Tzu Chi's monthly distributed magazine 140 01/2012.

Vitamin B12 is important for nervous system such as brain, spinal cord, nerve and also for red blood cell. Long term deficiency will bring about side effects related to these parts of your body.

However, the amount which Vitamin B12 required by the body is not in large quantity and it can be stored in the body (for a longer time) and being reused.

If one is a lacto-ovo-vegetarian, one will have no problem with having enough Vitamin B12 because it is available from eggs, yoghurt, cheese, soya and etc.

According to ADA (American Dietetic Association), Vitamin B12 cannot be found from plant-based food sources. Therefore, for pure vegetarian, the following options must be considered.

1.) Consume food supplement.

Bee Pollen is a good choice of natural food supplement for Vitamin B12.

2.) Consume food and beverages which contain Vitamin B12 such as soya and breakfast cereal.

Plant vs Zombies - Pogo Party

This mini game from plant vs zombies is pretty challenging due to two reasons:

1. Not enough time to gather enough sunlight to plant powerful weapon. The only cheaper options are either cabbage-pult(cabbage shooter) or kernel-pult(corn shooter).
   
2. Magnet-shroom must be planted early to deal with properly.
   

The solution I found to be effective is to plan Magnet-shroom early (in the front) in a straight line in the middle so that vaulting zombies can be knocked off its pogo stick early so that cabbage shooter can attack it earlier and more effective.

Appropriate usage of pumpkin and cherry bomb is also useful.

More on games.

How to Save Capitalism ? Michael Schuman (Time)

Something's gone wrong with the global economy. But there are ways to put things back on track.

The solution is to encourage more capitalism.

The author suggested that governments must not rescue banks. Only freer markets can ensure that wrongdoers lose and do-gooders win.

Secondly, to encourage more corporate governance for better financial management and moral justification for a capitalist system.

So, what is the proper definition for capitalism ?

Capitalism biggest opposition is communism. Period.

Capitalism is a meritocracy that rewards the hardworking and talented. However, the biggests problem with capitalism is the widening gap between rich and poor. What about equal opportunity ?

There can never be. It is never perfect. It is like trying to make things right for a specific period of time. Does it means that parents who can afford early education for kids must defer sending childrens to pre-school so that it will create more equality for others who can't afford. It doesn't make sense either.

The solution is to encourage a freer economy ? Yes but we need more than that.

Phosphate Diet Control For Kidneys' Health

High level of phosphorus will greatly affect the kidneys. When kidneys fail, blood phosphate level increases. High blood phosphate levels absorb calcium from bones causing bones to become brittle and weak in the long term. High calcium and phosphate levels cause skin itchiness, joint pains as well as eye irritation.

Hence, foods that has to be taken minimally are:

• Beverages - carbonated drinks, cocoa drinks.
  
• Cereals & grains - bakery products which contain yeast/self - raising flour / baking soda.
  
• Eggs (yolk) and cheese products.
  
• Processed meats - burgers, sausages, patties, nuggets etc
  
• Sauces and condiments - instant cooking powders/sauces, fish paste, sesame seeds, soup cubes, marmite/vegemite, peanut butter, dried shrimps and mushrooms
  
• Dairy /milk products - especially skimmed milk powder
  
• Fruits - dried fruits like raisins & sultanas.
  

Vegetables and fruits are to be consumed at appropriate portions and be cautious about fruits with high potassium level.

For more details, refer to NKF.

Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) For The Proposed Kuala Lumpur Outer Ring Road (KLORR)

The Proposed Project is about constructing and operating a tolled expressway linking Kajang SILK Highway (E18) at the southern side to Karak Expressway (E8) at the northern side of the expressway. It will provide bypass route for inter-urban traffic that do not need to pass through the city centre of Kuala Lumpur for those who intent to travel from the southern part of the Klang Valley (e.g. Cheras, Bangi, Subang) to the northern parts of Kuala Lumpur (e.g. Selayang, Gombak) or vice versa. It also serves as a bypass around Kuala Lumpur for inter-regional traffic from the Karak Highway to other regions. The proposed expressway is part of the planned Kuala Lumpur Outer Ring Road.

With good design and responsible implementation and management by the Project Proponent, most of these impacts can be reasonably minimised with appropriate mitigation and control measures as proposed in this report. The proposed monitoring programmes to be carried out will ensure that criteria and standards of environmental quality are observed and abided by the project proponent throughout the project’s life. It is important that this project be carried out in full compliance with all the conditions set by DOE and the relevant regulatory agencies.

The KLORR Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) is available for public review and comments. The proposed alignment of the KLORR will cut through some parts of the Selangor State Park, a park that provides vital ecosystem services to the people residing in the Klang Valley. The park acts as the main water catchment forests, providing water to Klang Valley residents and harbours rich biodiversity. It is an environmentally sensitive area.

If you are concerned about the development of this road within the Selangor State Park, please take this opportunity to review the DEIA (Executive Summary) at http://gis.doe.gov.my/eia2/Upload_folder/Ex_Su/ExecutiveSummaryklorr.pdf and provide comments to the Department of Environment by 23rd January, 2012.

You can submit your views via snail mail or fax to:

Director General
Department of Environment
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Level 2, Podium 3, Wisma Sumber Asli
No.25, Persiaran Perdana
62574 PUTRAJAYA
(Attn: Assessment Division –DEIA Secretariat)
Tel : 03-8871 2000, Fax : 03-8889 1045

用感覺去應對世間，不是真的美好，用禪心去體會人生，才是正確的菩提。~星雲大師

用感覺去應對世間，不是真的美好，用禪心去體會人生，才是正確的菩提。~星雲大師

WWF-Malaysia’s Forest for Life Programme

Forests cover 30% of the Earth's surface and contain much of the biological diversity found on land – they harbour over two-thirds of known terrestrial species, many of which are threatened. As you read this, an estimated 13 hectares of the world's forest are lost. In the next 30 seconds, another 13 hectares will disappear. Within a minute, mankind succeeds in undoing 1,000 years of natural evolution. Read on to understand a little more about our Malaysian rainforests, and how YOU can help us change for the better.

WWF-Malaysia’s Forest for Life Programme aims to increase the coverage of forest protected areas, improve the management of production forests for the supply of sustainable timber, and restore degraded areas especially where there is need to maintain critical forest linkages.

Breast Cancer - It’s not just an old ladies’ disease

When young women get breast cancer it often spreads more aggressively, leading to tougher treatments and lower survival rates.
Add such age-specific issues as fertility, diagnosis during pregnancy, childcare, financial security… and breast cancer becomes a triple threat to young women.

But here’s the good news: When it’s caught in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for women ages 20-39 is almost 90%. We think that¹s a pretty fabulous reason for every young woman to get proactive about her breast health.

Rethink Breast Cancer

Makna's Volunteer Activities Jan-Feb 2012

JANUARY 2012

Event	Date	Organiser	Status
Ca Awareness, Fundraising, HospVisit	5 - 6 Jan	at Penang General Hospital Time: 9.30am - 5.00pm Volunteer: Mdm Azlina	C
Volunteer Support Group, Fundraising	7 - 8 Jan	at Kpg Tanjong Senkanang, Segamat Johor Time: 9.30am - 2.00pm Volunteer: Mr Mokthar	C
Interstates Support Group Meeting,Fundraising	13 - 15 Jan	at Bukit Larut, Taiping Perak Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm Volunteer: Mr Nazri, Mdm Nadzirah	C
Hospital Support Group, Fundraising	16 - 17 Jan	at Hospital Kulim Kedah Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm Volunteer: Mdm Azlina	C

FEBRUARY 2012

Event	Date	Organiser	Status
Kancer Klimb 2012 - World Cancer Day	2 - 4 Feb	at Mount Kinabalu, Kundasang Sabah Time: 3 Days 2 Nights	C
Volunteer Appreciation 2011	4 - 5 Feb	at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Volunteer: Ms Monica Dius	C
1st Makna Introductory Programme	18 Feb	at MAKNA Office Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm Volunteer: Mr Ahmad	C
1st Technical Activities	25 Feb	at MAKNA Office Time: 10.00am - 3.00pm Volunteer: Mdm Nining	C

Makna welcome donations in kind for our community outreach programmes. You may send Milo, condensed milk, powder milk, rice, biscuits, sardine or any canned food, clothes, blankets, pillow, mattress, stationery etc to us. Please send them to MAKNA Volunteer Management Office.

To participate in the volunteer activities, please call :-

Ms Mama Gie : 019 - 2894 717 or 03 - 2161 1645
Email: fadzilahwan[at]makna.org.my

Ms Monica : 014 - 887 2026 or 03 - 2161 1645
Email: monicadius[at]makna.org.my

For more information, check out Makna.

Ajahn Chah Rememberance Day - 20th Anniversary Malaysia

"Even if it takes hundreds or thousands of lifetimes to get enlightened, so what ? However many lifetimes it takes, we just keep practising with a heart at ease, comfortable with our pace. Once your mind has entered the stream, there's nothing to fear." Ajahn Chah.

Forest Sangha

WWF-Malaysia Merchandise Catalogue 2011

WWF-Malaysia

FGS Dong Zen Temple CNY Lantern & Flora Festival 2012

Cansurvive Provides Free Workshops With People Living With Cancer

Cansurvive is an NGO that aims to help you get informed, to be a one stop educational and support centre for bridging allopathic and complimentary approaches to wellbeing so that you can make informed decisions about how to best lead your life.

Anne Munro-Kua Transformations facilitates free workshops with people living with cancer, with plans for working with health practitioners. This year I have had the joy of running 4 such workshops and working with a number of individuals to explore ways to be able to "Laugh and relax even though I have cancer". Each time I engage in such sessions, I am humbled and encouraged by the commitment of the people I work with, many of whom now see "cancer as a gift", an opportunity to be empowered and really turn their lives around.

Anne Munro-Kua Transformations
For Life-changing Skills at Work and Play
9, Jalan Koop Cuepacs 2F
Taman Cuepacs
Cheras
43200, Selangor
Malaysia
Tel: 03 21697710
HP: 016 9127019
www.annemunro-kua.com
anne@annemunro-kua.com

TNT Charity Hunt - Call for entries

TNT Express in Malaysia today announces calls for entry to the TNT Charity Hunt being held on 18 December 2011 (Sunday) and benefitting Precious Children’s Home and Shelter Home Malaysia.

The TNT Charity Hunt proudly organised by TNT Express in Malaysia and supported by Mail Boxes Etc Sdn Bhd aims to raise RM20,000 for Shelter Home Malaysia and Precious Children’s Home. The amount raised will be used for the rehabilitation and education of children-at-risk and empower them to get ahead in life.

At only RM250 per team of four and over RM10,000 worth of prizes up for grabs, the TNT Charity Hunt promises to be a family and friends day filled with fun as teams race to solve clues and find their way to the treasure, while raising money for children-at-risk.

S C Chong, Managing Director of TNT Malaysia and Brunei is very excited about the TNT Charity Hunt. “We have set ourselves the challenge of striving to improve the lives of others.” Encouraging others to participate, SC says “This will be a meaningful way for treasure hunt enthusiasts and beginners as well as families to spend their Sunday, because their participation will be supporting charities to help the most vulnerable in our society.”

Precious Children’s Home currently houses 32 children ranging from four to 18 years of age. They are housed at two separate homes. The main home has 14 kids aged four to 12 and there are 18 kids aged 13 to 18 in a second home. The children come from various races and backgrounds. They all attend school, from kindergarten to secondary school. These children are mostly orphans from the streets or whose parents are drug addicts, alcoholics, undergoing rehabilitation program or who are in prison.

SHELTER is a registered, voluntary welfare organisation for children and teenagers who have been abandoned, neglected, orphaned or abused. They are guided by the vision to give children at risk the best possible childhood and future by protecting, guiding and healing them, and by building strong communities and loving families.

Anyone can be part of this exciting event. The details of the TNT Charity Hunt:

Date: 18 December 2011 (Sunday)

Fee: RM250 per team of four

Registration Deadline: 10 December 2011

What are you waiting for. Contract Rajj at 016-220 0765/ rajj@purpleantz.biz and register now to avoid disappointment.

Kidney Transplant Recipients Feel Grateful For Her Life

When Lim Chu Ee was 10 years old, she suffered a viral fever, which left her weak and unable to lead a normal life. Little did she realise that it would be a life changing experience. Enrolled into a Chinese school, and enjoying her life as a school girl, with many friends and a happy family, it was an earth shattering experience to be informed by her doctor that her kidneys had failed as a result of the illness.

Out of the blue in 1996, her parents received a phone call requesting them to make a trip to KL as a child had died and the parents were willing to donate her kidneys. Lim and her parents made the journey, hoping for good news and they were not disappointed. Lim was one of the lucky recipients and the other kidney went to another school girl, known only to Lim as 'Haslina' They became good friends over the 3 months hospitalized in HKL.

NKF Spent RM 152,470 From Jan - July 2011 To Provide 100% Subsidy On Dialysis Treatment For Poor Patients

NKF Spent RM 152,470 From Jan - July 2011 to provide 100% subsidy on dialysis treatment For our hard core poor patients.

The average life expectancy of a Malaysian man is that of 72 years, whereas a woman is about 76 years old. However we are fortunate, that in NKF we have a patient who is 101 years old. Mr. Chaw Kang Hoo begun his dialysis treatment with NKF on the 16th May 2006.

Makna's Bursary Programme Aims To Assist Financially Challenged Cancer Patients

Makna's Bursary Programme aims to assist financially challenged cancer patients mainly those who are unable to pay for the following:

1. Treatment cost
   
2. Medication
   
3. Equipment
   
4. Other relevant costs
   

The chart above shows the approved applications for adult and paediatric patients from 1995 to 2011 (as at 31 Aug 2011). A total of 18,612 patients' applications have been approved totaling the cost of equipment related to cancer and treatment cost such as total body radiation and radioiodine treatment.

Besides the above assistance, Makna's Bursary Programme also provides emergency assistance in the form of petty cash to relevant government hospitals. Applications are made by the respective Medical Social Workers by providing the list of patients that they have helped to enable Makna to determine the amount to be allocated to the relevant hospitals. This emergency aid is set for patients who need urgent attention. The amount given to patients depends on the severity of the case. The 83 hospitals Makna get referral from are as listed above.

Steve Jobs Passed On

I am saddened :(

Steve Jobs (1955-2011), had passed on on 5 Oct 2011.

Steve was a gift to the world, his life carries many messages. Chief amongst them is that if you come from humble beginning, you worked hard, you struggled, you can make it.

Life is not without compromises and making difficult decisions. Every steps taken are associated with certain risks and costs and passion will be your ultimate business partner.

We must not forget that life is short, so short that we often forgotten that we are vulnerable to many things and illnesses spare no one. On that note, appreciating every moment of our life is important, appreciating every person around us is equally important and appreciating that the next second is of top most importance.

To Steve Jobs, you have always inspired me and in my opinion, you were the greatest marketeer in the world.

We are not personal friend, you are my idol.

May peace be with you.

Election Day Is Near (For Malaysia)

If you look at Newspaper, the election day is near.

The way I see it, it is possible that it may happen by end year (2011).

Now is a good time to make applications for anything to do with public services.

This also includes payment of summons.

Bad Investment Choice, IQ Can Be Trained Up!!

Refer to 'Billionaire willing to pay RM100K for young, high IQ and fair ovum donor'

You can train up good IQ, no need to look for it. But it will require time, just like building up your muscle.

IQ is just a state of mind, it is how you think and react.

High EQ people are passionate people, because their thinking are based on feelings.

High IQ people are the opposite.

One way to train up your IQ is to play computer strategy games.

Why ?

Because it will put you into training ground for the following scenario.

• Forces one to solve a specific problem within a short period of time.
  
• Forces one to solve a problem before you get up.
  
• Forces one to think about strategies and solutions to problems on the spot.
  
• Forces one to think within the scope of the problem.
  
• Trains one to stay focus.
  
• Trains one to be more patience.
  
• Trains one to not to give up until you find a solution
  
• Trains one to be innovative (in certain ways).
  
• Trains one to think about best practices.
  

It is just like going to the gym.