14 Foods that Fight Inflammation and Pain

Some of the best healing remedies to overcome inflammation also taste fabulous (I can’t say that about any prescription medications). Plus, foods won’t cause the nasty side effects common to most pain medications.


1. Blueberries: Blueberries are also excellent anti-inflammatory foods. They increase the amounts of compounds called heat-shock proteins that decrease as people age.  When heat-shock proteins are in short supply inflammation, pain and tissue damage is the result.

2. Cayenne Pepper: Ironically, cayenne pepper turns DOWN the heat on inflammation due to its powerful anti-inflammatory compound capsaicin.

3. Celery and 4. Celery Seeds: James Duke, Ph.D., author of The Green Pharmacy, found more than 20 anti-inflammatory compounds in celery and celery seeds in his research, including a substance called apigenin, which is powerful in its anti-inflammatory action.  Add celery seeds to soups, stews or as a salt substitute in many recipes.

5. Cherries: While many people opt for aspirin as their first course of action when they feel pain, Muraleedharan Nair, PhD, professor of natural products and chemistry at Michigan State University, found that tart cherry extract is ten times more effective than aspirin at relieving inflammation.

6. Dark Green Veggies: Veggies like kale and spinach contain high amounts of alkaline minerals like calcium and magnesium.  Both minerals help balance body chemistry to alleviate inflammation.

7. Fish: According to Dr. Alfred D. Steinberg, an arthritis expert at the National Institute of Health, fish oil acts directly on the immune system by suppressing 40 to 55 percent of the release of cytokines – compounds known to destroy joints and cause inflammation.

8. Flax seeds and Flax Oil: Flax seeds are high in natural oils that convert into hormone-like substances in the body to reduce inflammatory substances. Add ground flax seeds to smoothies, atop pancakes or French toast, and many other foods.  Do not heat.

9. Ginger: Dr. Krishna C. Srivastava at Odense University in Denmark found that ginger was superior to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Tylenol or Advil at alleviating inflammation.

10. Raspberries, 11. Blackberries, and 12. Strawberries: In Dr. Muraleedharan Nair’s later research she discovered that these berries have similar anti-inflammatory effects as cherries.

13. Turmeric: Research shows that the Indian spice frequently used in curries suppresses pain and inflammation through a similar mechanism as drugs like COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors (without the harmful side effects).

14. Walnuts: Like flax seeds, raw, unsalted walnuts contain plentiful amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids that decrease pain and inflammation.

Health risk of working long hours at the computer

Computers are ubiquitous. Nowadays computers are in every house and people are perpetually on it. Many children also find that using computers gives them a sense of power and accomplishment. Adding to that, the Internet has become an indispensable element of life for most people in the contemporary world.

The increased use of computers in the workplace has brought about the development of a number of health concerns. Many people are unaware of the side effects of their techy lifestyle on themselves, their friends, and their family until it's too late. If working with computers is a major task for you daily, you need to consider these associated potential health risks as well:

Eye strain: Eye strain is a common health hazard associated with prolonged exposure to computer screens. Constantly staring at the computer screen can cause dry or watery eyes because of your tendency to blink less. Excessive strain on eyes - Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) - can lead to itchy or burning eyes, blurred or double vision and headaches.

Neck and shoulder pain: One of the main causes of neck pain in middle-aged people today is from straining their neck to see and work on a computer screen. Excessive computer usage also leads to stiff shoulders. All this results from poor seating posture and poor organization of work equipments on the desk.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: Typing at the keyboard or using the mouse for hours and hours is horrible for your joints. This can lead to Carpal tunnel syndrome which causes pain, numbness and tingling sensation in the arm (mostly in the thumb and index fingers). Carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist that protects a main nerve to your hand and nine tendons that bend your fingers. The compression of the median nerve in this tunnel causes the signs and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Social Disconnect: The Internet has provided us a platform where we can say whatever we want and be whoever we want. This can have a negative effect since people act in certain ways and say certain things that they otherwise wouldn't do in real life.Many people believe that the Internet experience is the same as real life experience, but it's not.

You can use the following tips to avoid some of these complications:

Occasionally close your eyes for a few minutes and every 20 to 30 minutes or so look away from the computer to stare at an object in the distance. You can also sit back and just close your eyes for a few minutes.
To prevent dryness and irritation in your eyes, blink more often. Every 20 minutes, blink 10 times by closing your eyes very slowly.
Spread fingers apart for several seconds while keeping wrists straight.
For the back pain and other muscular related problems, it is suggested that you get up every hour, stretch and move around for about five minutes.
Sit straight while you are working on the computer. Avoid slouching.
Use a desk lamp, if possible, instead of an overhead light to reduce computer eye strain.
Make sure to keep the computer screen placed at least 18 inches away from direct view and top of the screen is at the eye level.
Using an ergonomically correct workstation can improve painful situations quickly.
Along with these tips you should also disconnect from time to time. You can do so by:

Always use a computer for a specified amount of time. Health experts say screen time at home should be limited to two hours or less a day. Only in that time you should check your email and do all the necessary stuff.
Try to keep your laptop away from you as mush as possible. Try keeping it out of your sight so that you don't get tempted to use it.
Go out for a walk or a bike ride with your friends and socialize.
These are just some techniques to avoid injuries and disorders from computer usage.

Coffee doesn't help after alcohol

Drinking coffee after drinking alcohol will not help you in waking up. Certainly, coffee will only blur your perception of how much you are actually under the influence of consumed alcohol.

Drinking a cup of coffee is perhaps the worst thing you can do if you want to get sober after drinking alcohol, and to this conclusion came some scientists through the laboratory research.

Lead researcher Dr. Thomas Gold says that it's important to know that the is mistake to belief that coffee speeds sober, because it can lead to making wrong decisions of catastrophic consequences.

Caffeine does not affect the level of alcohol in the blood, it reduces the sedative effect of ethanol and makes us more alert, but does not repair the influence of alcohol on the reasoning, perception and overall assessment of what we are capable of.

In reality, drunk people who drink coffee will conclude that they are not drunk and they will do some things that cold be risky to themselves or the others.

This is very important not to combine alcohol with energy drinks and other drinks that contain caffeine.

THE DEADLY FACTS ABOUT WATER

Water covers 70.9% of the Earth's surface, and is vital for all known forms of life.
Must know facts about your bottled Water and water

On Earth, 96.5% of the planet's water is found in oceans, 1.7% in groundwater, 1.7% in glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland, a small fraction in other large water bodies, and 0.001% in the air as vapor, clouds (formed of solid and liquid water particles suspended in air), and precipitation.

Only 2.5% of the Earth's water is freshwater, and 98.8% of that water is in ice and groundwater. Less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere, and an even smaller amount of the Earth's freshwater (0.003%) is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products

Safe drinking water is essential to humans and other lifeforms. Access to safe drinking water has improved over the last decades in almost every part of the world, but approximately one billion people still lack access to safe water and over 2.5 billion lack access to adequate sanitation.

There is a clear correlation between access to safe water and GDP per capita. However, some observers have estimated that by 2025 more than half of the world population will be facing water-based vulnerability.

A recent report (November 2009) suggests that by 2030, in some developing regions of the world, water demand will exceed supply by 50%. Water plays an important role in the world economy, as it functions as a solvent for a wide variety of chemical substances and facilitates industrial cooling and transportation. Approximately 70% of the fresh water used by humans goes to agriculture.

10 Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep Without Pills

1. Stick to a schedule. Mum was right when she set a time we always had to go to sleep as kids. Sticking to a schedule allows your body to set its internal rhythm so you can get up at the time you want, consistently, every single day. Also, make sure you try to keep the same schedule on weekends too, otherwise the next morning, you’d wake later and feel overly tired.
   
2. Sleep only at night. Avoid daytime sleep if possible. Daytime naps steal hours from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to 20-minute, power naps.
   
3. Exercise. It’s actually known to help you sleep better. Your body uses the sleep period to recover its muscles and joints that have been exercised. Twenty to thirty minutes of exercise every day can help you sleep, but be sure to exercise in the morning or afternoon. Exercise stimulates the body and aerobic activity before bedtime may make falling asleep more difficult.
   
4. Avoid eating just before bed. Give yourself at least 2 hours from when you eat to when you sleep. This allows for digestion to happen (or at least start) well before you go to sleep so your body can rest well during the night, rather than churning away your food.
   
5. Taking a hot shower or bath before bed helps bring on sleep because they can relax tense muscles.
   
6. Read a fiction book. It takes you to a whole new world if you really get into it. And then take some time to ponder over the book as you fall asleep. I find as I read more and more, regardless of the book, I get more tired at night and so find it easier to fall asleep. Different for others?
   
7. Avoid caffeine. It keeps you awake and that’s now what you want for a good nights sleep. We all know that.
   
8. Avoid alcohol before bedtime. It’s a depressant; although it may make it easier to fall asleep, it causes you to wake up during the night. As alcohol is digested your body goes into withdrawal from the alcohol, causing nighttime awakenings and often nightmares for some people.
   
9. Have the room slightly cooler. I prefer this to a hot room. I prefer to turn off the heat and allow the coolness to circulate in and out of the windows. If I get cold, I wear warmer clothes. It also saves on the bills as you’re not going to require the heat all night long.
   
10. Sleep in silence. I find sleeping with no music or TV on more easy and restful. I guess others are different, but sleep with no distractions is best for a clearer mind.

Tips When You Always Feel Tired

Oxygen is the thee most vital thing in having a brain get foggy or being tired all the time. The air we breathe is filled with sprays, smoke and what not. It’s the fresh air we need to get our body function. A good 20 to 40 minutes walk around some trees early in the morning is going to do the trick.

One of the other most important and major reason of being tired/lethargic or having a foggy brain is being DE-hydrated. Yes, a slight decrease in the intake or water than the normal makes you very tired. Water is the key ingredient that makes our body run smoothly and efficiently.

Minerals. Yes they are very important for a body to complete its normal functions. Since we do not eat with is rich with minerals itself. We have to make sure that we complete our dose of minerals regularly. Minerals like Magnesium, Salt and Zinc are very important for our body.

Vitamins are the next most important thing for us. They complete the cycle along with the minerals. minerals such as Vitamin C, B, A are good for the daily functions or the body.

Proteins come next in line. They are essential as well for the daily functions of the body. Proteins come in all form like eggs, cereals and meat.

Having a well balanced sleep is very important. 6-8 hours are usually enough for the body to rest and regain it’s energy.

It’s not possible to stay away from the daily grind of life, but it is possible to not beat your self for hours on it. Try to take a breather is you are having a difficult time at work/school or any other place. This will help you function better and will not try out your body.

Direct all your negative energies at the end of the day to some where positive. Play a hardcore game of tennis, or swim a few laps. These two activities are bound to help you relax and stay calm even when you are at the verge of explosion.

Try teaching yourself patience every now and then. Telling yourself to be calm and relaxed no matter what the problem will eventually help you learn. No matter what the problem or situation you will have your head straight and you would know what to do.

Lastly, start applying all these with yourself practically. Putting them off would only lead to having more mood swings, being tired all the time. Having less energy to work with or on something. Try and maintain a daily agenda of practicing. I’m sure once you start, you will notice the difference within a week.

Health Benefits of Donating Blood

Incredible Health Benefits of Donating Blood



(Plz Share )

1.Reduce the chance of heart diseases

It has been observed that increase in blood iron level increases the chance of heart disease. Iron is involved in the oxidation of cholesterol and this process is believed to be detrimental for the arteries. Increases blood iron level favors this process of-cholesterol oxidation and thus leads to heart disease. Regular blood donation helps especially males in loosing iron on regular basis. It helps in reducing the chance of heart attack to one third.

2. Enhance the production of new Red Blood Cells

As the blood is withdrawn from the donors body there is decrease in-blood cells. To replenish it, immediately new cells are produced by marrow and this way blood gets refreshed. Therefore donating blood helps in stimulating generation of new blood cells.

3. Helps in fighting atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a genetic disorder; also know as iron overload disorder wherein iron accumulates in the body tissue because or improper iron metabolism. This condition may lead to organ damage.3 Though this problem is uncommon in Indians 4  people with little iron overload also can easily donation blood and reduce their iron content.Taking example from other countries, one in every 300-400 people in England suffers from this disorder and American Red Cross blood services accept such donors as safe donor as it’s a genetic disorder,it won’t be harmful to the person receiving blood from such donors.

4. Burns calories

One can diet or remain fit by donating blood regularly. One pint of blood (450 ml) when donated burns 650 calories in donor’s body. 3, 5 Invigorated feeling in elderly people It has been mentioned in various sites though not proved that elderly people in good health have reported feeling invigorated or re-energized by giving blood on a regular basis.

5. Basic blood test is done

Apart from all these benefits a donor gets a mini blood test done before donating blood. This includes Hematocrit i.e. HB level test, Blood pressure is measured, body weight is checked. After the blood is collected it tested for 5 major diseases. Those are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis and malaria. Donor is immediately informed if any of these test found to be positive.

Health Benefits Of Eating Kidney Beans

Health Benefits Of Eating Kidney Beans


• Being a major source of protein, kidney beans provide all the eight basic forms of amino acids or the eight essential amino acids. These amino acids act against a number of diseases and are important to maintain a healthy immune system. It is estimated that a single cup of uncooked beans provides around 85% of the daily protein requirement.

• Certain natural antioxidants (anthocyanins) present in these beans also have a number of beneficial health effects. Studies have revealed that the darker the color of the skin of the beans, the higher these antioxidants.

• The soluble fiber present in the kidney bean regulates the blood glucose absorption from the body. This is done by forming a gel-like substance, by absorbing water from the intestines. This gel-like substance slows down the metabolism of carbohydrates in the body, thereby regulating the blood sugar levels and preventing their sudden elevation after meals. Hence, it is essential for diabetics (insulin resistance) to consume kidney beans on a regular basis.

• The dietary fiber in these beans also helps lower the blood cholesterol levels in the body. This is achieved by the bonding of the fiber with the bile acids in the intestines. As the bile acids are used for the synthesis of cholesterol, their bonding with the dietary fibers results in lesser availability of the acids for the synthesis of cholesterol. Hence, the risk of certain diseases, like stroke, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, is reduced to a considerable extent.

• A high source of certain nutrients involved in the process of detoxification, kidney beans reduce the risk of a number of inflammatory, degenerative and cardiovascular diseases and also help promote and maintain optimal health.

• As these beans prove to be a high source of iron, their regular intake helps in the process of respiration at the cellular level, by synthesizing hemoglobin to aid in the carriage of oxygen to the cells.

• Kidney beans also have considerable amount of the mineral molybdenum, which helps in the detoxification of sulfates from the blood.

• The copper present in these beans aids in the reduction of inflammatory conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). They also act as an important factor in promoting certain enzymatic activity that is required to maintain the normal elastic properties of ligaments, joints and blood vessels.

• The magnesium in kidney beans helps relieve fatigue by relaxing the muscles, nerves and blood vessels. This, in turn, prevents the adverse effects of conditions like asthma, muscle soreness, and migraine headaches.

• A prime effect of consuming kidney bean is prevention of conditions like stroke, heart attack and PVD (Peripheral Vascular Disease). This is done with the help of frolic acid present in the plant. The frolic acid lowers the levels of homo-cysteine (a potentially dangerous molecule), which is produced as a result of the metabolic process of methylation. Elevated levels of this molecule lead to the above mentioned harmful and life-threatening conditions.

Health benefits of sweet potato

Superior fiber content
Sweet potatoes contain almost twice as much fiber as other types of potatoes. Contributing close to 7 grams of fiber per serving, they make an excellent starchy addition to any meal. The high fiber content gives them a "slow burning" quality. This basically means their caloric energy is used more slowly and efficiently than a low-fiber carbohydrate.

Heart-healthy
They contain a large amount of vitamin B6. This vitamin is crucial in breaking down a substance called homocysteine, which contributes to hardening of the arteries and blood vessels. Vitamin B6 helps keep the walls of these important blood passageways flexible and healthy which allows blood to flow freely.

In addition, sweet potatoes contain high amounts of potassium. Potassium plays an important role in lowering blood pressure by ridding the body of excess sodium and regulating fluid balance. It is also an important electrolyte that helps regulate the natural rhythm of the heart, and maintains normal function of the brain and central nervous system.

Rich in beta-carotene
Beta-carotene or vitamin A is an important antioxidant. One medium sweet potato provides your body with the complete recommended daily allowance of vitamin A and then some. Vitamin A is useful in the prevention of several different types of cancer as it is one of the most potent antioxidants out there.

Beta-carotene also helps to internally protect your skin from sun damage by both deflecting and repairing cell damage caused by excessive UV exposure. It also is an excellent nutrient for eye health and has been linked to prevention of vision loss and macular degeneration.

A great source of manganese
Manganese is a little-discussed trace mineral that has some great health benefits. It is a pivotal component in the metabolism of carbohydrates which helps support healthy blood sugar levels. This can help stabilize the appetite for hours as opposed to the temporary satisfaction that comes with most other carbohydrates.

It also is a cofactor in enzymes that play an important role in the generation of energy as well as the efficient utilization of antioxidants. It is used for the treatment of anemia and is useful as a treatment for several premenstrual symptoms in women as well.

Rich in vitamins C and E
As if being one of the top vegetable sources of beta-carotene weren't enough, sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamins C and E. These are potent antioxidant vitamins that play an important role in disease prevention and longevity.

Both vitamins also play a huge role in the health and beauty of your skin and hair, making them popular supplements. The combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C in one food makes the sweet potato one heck of a "beauty food". These nutrients all contribute to a healthy, glowing complexion and vibrant hair.

Natural Treatment of Obesity

Obesity is a physical condition that results from excessive storage of fat in the body. Obesity has been defined as a weight more than 20% above what is considered normal as per the body mass index, which is calculated from an individual’s age, height, and weight.

Home Remedies for obesity:-


>Extract juice of one lemon in a glass of lukewarm water. Add a teaspoon of honey, mix well and take in the morning immediately after waking up and before taking anything else. Similarly add a pinch of black rock salt instead of honey to the lukewarm water, mix it well and take it daily in the afternoon. These two drinks must be taken regularly to cut off fats form your body.

>Roast barley seeds and powder it. Mix it with a little milk and honey. Make a small ball and take it in breakfast. A pinch of salt can be added with a little water.

>Sieve wheat flour and remove the bran. Mix two tablespoon full of this bran in a glass of skimmed milk, add honey and take it at least once a day. Do not add sugar. Bran can also be taken with buttermilk.

>Take a ripe banana mashed in plain diluted cow’s milk with a tablespoonful of fresh banana flower juice during breakfast for a couple of months can help in reducing obesity.

>Ten drops of tulsi leaf juice with two teaspoon full of honey in water for one month. This tulsi juice is very effective in terms of reducing obesity from body.

>Raw tomatoes and onions, mixed with juice of one lemon is a very good salad for obesity.

>Having green tea has been found to be beneficial in treating obesity. You can also consume tea made from dandelion root.

>Horse gram can help cure obesity. Soak 1-2 tbsp horse gram in a glass of water and keep it overnight. Filter the concoction the next morning and have it on an empty stomach.

>To prevent obesity, there is no better option than physical exercise. Brisk walking is the best exercise to begin with. As soon as you wake up in the morning, workout for at least 30mins to an hour. Burn up unwanted calories by putting large leg muscles to work.

Benefits Of Drinking Warm Lemon Water

Start the day out with a mug of warm water and the juice of half a lemon.
It's so simple and the benefits are just too good to ignore. Warm water with lemon:
1. Boosts you're immune system

Lemons are high in Vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C is great for fighting colds and potassium stimulates brain & nerve function and helps control blood pressure.
2. Balances pH
Lemons are an incredibly alkaline food, believe it or not. Yes, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they're alkaline (the citric acid does not createacidity in the body once metabolized). As you wellness warriors know, an alkaline body is really the key to good health.
3. Helps with weight loss
Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster. And, my experience is that when I start the day off right, it's easier to make the best choices for myself the rest of the day.
4. Aids digestion
The warm water serves to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and peristalsis梩he waves of muscle contractions within the intestinal walls that keep things moving. Lemons and limes are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract.
5. Acts as a gentle, natural diuretic
Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.
6. Clears skin
The vitamin C helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well.
7. Hydrates the lymph system
This cup of goodness helps start the day on a hydrated note, which helps prevent dehydration (obviously) and adrenal fatigue. When your body is dehydrated, or deeply dehydrated (adrenal fatigue) it can't perform all of it's proper functions, which leads to toxic buildup, stress, constipation, and the list goes on. Your adrenals happen to be two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys, and along with your thyroid, create energy. They also secrete important hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone secreted by your adrenals that regulates water levels and the concentration ofminerals, like sodium, in your body, helping you stay hydrated. Your adrenals are also responsible for regulating your stress response. So, the bottom line is that you really don't want to mess with a deep state of dehydration!
Adopting just this one practice of drinking a cup of warm water with lemon in the morning for a month can radically alter your experience of the day. Don't be surprised if you begin to view mornings in a new light.
Like I said, the recipe is really simple - a cup of warm (not hot) water and the juice from half a lemon.

Hollywood Amazing Movie Facts!

->Originally, the term “movies” did not mean films, but the people who made them. It was generally used with disdain by early Hollywood locals who disliked the “invading” Easterners.


->The first film ever made in Hollywood was 
D.W. Griffith’s 1910 In Old California, a Biograph melodrama about a Spanish maiden (Marion Leonard) who has an illegitimate son with a man who later becomes governor of California. It was shot in two days.

->Nicholas Cage’s real name is Nicholas Coppola, but he changed it to disassociate himself with Francis Ford. After the recent release of Bangkok Dangerous, one wonders if this was such a good idea.

->Samuel L. Jackson politely requests that anyone who claims not to enjoy watching themselves in movies to please stop lying.

->When Horace and Daeida Wilcox founded Hollywood in 1887, they hoped it would become a religious community. Prohibitionists, they banned liquor from the town and offered free land to anyone willing to build a church.t


->The “running W” was a trip wire to make horses fall over at the critical moment during filming. The device broke countless horses’ legs and necks. It is now illegal.

->Francis McDormand and Joel Coen have been married since 1984, the year of the Coen

->The most filmed author is William Shakespeare, including straight film versions, modern adaptations (West Side Story [1961], The Lion King [1994], etc.), and Shakespeare parodies.

->Sigourney Weaver’s real name is Susan Weaver, but she changed her first name to be named after a character in the classic novel “The Great Gatsby.”

->Oprah is actually a typo. Her parents wanted to use the biblical name Orpah, but the midwife couldn’t spell so it became Oprah.

->Some of the most infamous Hollywood film “curses,” in which cast members and crew are beset by tragic coincidences, are usually associated with horror movies such as Rosemary’s Baby, The Poltergeist, The Exorcist, and The Omen.

->The Dark Knight is the first Batman film not to have “Batman” in the title.

->The first Hollywood stunt woman was Helen Gibson who doubled for Helen Holmes in the first 26 episodes of The Hazards of Helen (1914). She was trained as a trick rider and married to cowboy star Hoot Gibson.

->The first Hollywood stunt man was ex-U.S. cavalryman Frank Hanaway who was cast in The Great Train Robbery (1903) for his ability to fall off a horse without hurting himself.

->78% of all musicians-turned-act­ors are rappers, and of those, 58% are black, and only two are any good.

->Sean Connery wore a toupee in every James Bond film that he starred in, beginning with Dr. No (1962).

->It took $7,500,000 to build the Titanic, approximately 20,000,000 tons of iceberg to sink it, and $200,000,000 to make a movie about it.

->Titanic passenger Stuart Collet’s insurance claim for lost college-lecture notes - $50. Passenger Charlotte Cardeza’s insurance claim for lost luggage - $177,352

Meet the real life Popeye with 31 inch biceps. ‘Big Mo’ has the biggest biceps in the world.

At 24 years old, Egyptian bodybuilder Moustafa Ismail has the pleasure of having the world’s largest biceps, a feat that he has been striving to accomplish since the age of ten years old courtesy of an arduous workout program that sees him these days pump iron 2 times a day, every day.

At present his biceps measure at 31 inches and by default his physique approximates the cartoon character of Popeye yet unlike Popeye he can’t stand spinach.

Instead ‘Big Mo,’ as he is nicknamed (can anyone figure out why?) eats on a daily basis as much as 3 pounds of chicken, a pound of steak or fish, 4 cups of almonds which is all washed down by two gallons of water and three liters of protein shakes. Hefty food bill right?

In fact so dedicated has ‘Big Mo’ become to bulking up his arms he has moved his whole family to the United States simply to attain better access to work out equipment.

Reflect Big Mo with respect to his weight training:

‘Working out makes my mood better. You’re just focusing. 

‘And I like that in this type of sport you can see your improvement in your shape,’ he says.

‘I know they are growing, my chest, my shoulders, my arms. I love weights.’

That said the ultimate question is why does Big Mo love weights and why has he savored the absurd shape of his biceps that many would simply find repulsive, is it because of the sense of power it affirms, self validation or simply it’s to let the world know at any moment that he alone is undeniably the best and biggest at one thing that very few of us could ever claim….
As an aside Moustafa’s biceps have now been confirmed as a record and he will appear in the Guinness Book of World Records 2013.

Most expensive wines of World

We all know that older the wine, the better it gets, and only a true wine connoisseur knows the value of an older wine. Vintage wines are chosen from some of the most exceptional vineyards and may sell for thousands of dollars per bottle. Some of the rare and super-expensive wines may not even be drinkable at all, but it is a delight for vintage liquor collectors and becomes more of a trophy piece. Some of the rarest bottles in the world lie in collector's cellars and some pass through well-known auction houses. So, for the avid wine collectors, below is the list of 10 most expensive wines.



1) D’Amalfi Limoncello Supreme liquor :

1. 
   

Price: $44 million
World’s most expensive wine that is created in association with Liverpool-based Stuart Hughes and Italian distillery Antica Distilleria Russo is called D’Amalfi Limoncello Supreme. The flawless design of the bottle that is adorned with three single cut diamonds (13 carats) on the neck has made it one of the most expensive wines in the world. One of the rarest diamonds is set on the body of the bottle that alone weighs 18.5 carats and the bottle costs whooping $ 44 million.

2)Isabella’s Islay :

Price: $6.2 million

The company behind the world’s most expensive non- alcoholic drink Ruwa has come up with Isabella’s Islay, is one of the world’s most luxurious whisky that is available in two editions. Each bottle of the drink is handcrafted and is encrusted with beautiful and dazzling 8500 diamonds, almost 300 rubies. The bottle is completely covered with very old single malt cask strength Islay whisky inside and English Crystal decanter. Each Isabella’s Islay costs $6.2 million and the bottle is also available in special edition that retails for $740,000 and is encrusted with gold and diamond lettering.



3)Chambord by Donald Edge:

Price: $3 million

Designed by renowned jeweler Donald Edge, the bottle is one of the most expensive sprits containers that was unveiled by the prominent fashion designer Betsey Johnson at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. The bottle is bejeweled with 1,100 brilliant, princess and pear cut diamonds as well as a single emerald cut diamond. the proceedings from this brilliant bottle will help in raising funds and awareness of breast cancer.



4)Master of Malt:

Price: $1.4 million

105-Year-Old wine has set a new record of being one of the finest wines in the world. The wine is produced by the well known company Malt whiskey and was discovered by Scottish historian. The hard fetched whiskey was distilled on February 17, 1906 at the Aisla T’Orten distillery in the Highlands. The cask that was used was a sherry butt and was kept in the basement for about a century by Aberdeen-based historian, Allie Sisell. It was sold to Master of Malt in 2010 by Mr. Sisell and was bottled on March 8, 2011 after it spent 105 years in cask. That is the reason this exclusive drink is worth $1.4 million.


5)1992 Screaming Eagle Wine: 

Price: Price: $500,0001992 Screaming Eagle Wine that has a beautiful opaque purple color with elegant fruity flavors that linger in the mouth for hours. This exclusive wine was sold at a charity event called Auction Napa Valley 2008 and fetched a whopping $500,000! Although it is one of the most expensive wines ever sold but, later some of the price was discounted as it was meant for the charity purpose. The wine was purchased byCisco Systems executive Chase Bailey





6)Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947:

Price: $304,375Next in the list is Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947 that has been given A class status in the Classification of Saint-Emilion wine. The exclusive colossal Cheval Blanc 1947 has set a record of single bottle sold at an auction. According to the Christie's wine expert, Michael Ganne, this is the only known bottle in the Imperial format and can be kept for another 50 years without any problem. One of the greatest Bordeaux of all time the bottle was owned by an anonymous Swiss collector. The wine was sold at an auction at Christie's in Geneva and was sold for $304,580.

7)Shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck :

Price: $275,000The Shipwrecked 1907 wine is 100 year old wine obtained from the Heidsieck vineyard and took over eighty years to reach its destination. Over 200 bottles were shipped to Russian Imperial family in 1916 and got lost in the sea and was discovered in 1997 by a ship driver. Finally, the old wines are being sold to the wealthy guests at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow. Each Heidsieck bottle costs whooping $275,000.



8) Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 1869:

Price: $232,692Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong ballroom witnessed a new record for auction of wine when three bottles of 1869 Chateau Lafite Rothschild went for sale and set a record of most expensive bottle of wine sold at auction. The fact that made the bottles rare was they came directly from the Chateau Lafite's cellars and were the oldest wines in the auction and costs $232,692 each.


9)Chateau Lafite 1787:

Price: $160,000Originally bought by Thomas Jefferson in France, the 1787 Chateau Lafite is amongst the finest wine that is turned into vinegar which is a natural happening. Coveted by the true connoisseur Chateau Lafite 1787 was sold in London for collection purpose as it is not drinkable and fetched a good some of $160,000.



10)1945 Romanée Conti :

Price: $123,900

1945 Romanée Conti got a special place in the Christie’s fine-wine auction in Geneva and this exclusive wine was sold in a record breaking amount. This rare wine was produced during the World War II before the outbreak of phylloxera and only 600 bottles were created. The bidder was a collector form U.S who paid whooping $123,900 for one fine bottle.

World Small Bird

At just 5cm long and 2g in weight the smallest bird in the world is none other than the Bee Hummingbird. Found mainly in Cuba and also holding the record for the smallest egg in the world these guys are tiny.


Like all hummingbirds they can fly not only forwards but also backwards, up, down and even just hover. Their small size and amazing flying skills mean they’re experts at moving from flower to flower collecting nectar and even small insects. In fact they’re so good at flying (some visiting as many as 1500 flowers a day) that they don’t even walk anymore and only use their feet for perching.


Now in order to maintain such flying control there’s one skill we haven’t touched upon yet, and that’s their ability to beat their wings at up to 80 times per second. That’s so fast that humans can only see the wings moving as a faint blur. Now that’s quick!