Why it is better to regret something you HAVE done than something you haven't

This article was found at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2001931/Why-IS-better-regret-youve-havent.html

The saying 'it's better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all' is true, scientists say. The pain of lost chances lingers on far longer than the short term regret of doing something wrong according to the study by two U.S. universities. And painful as they are, regrets can actually spur us on to future success, by ensuring that we take chances in the future to avoid missing out on career or love success.

I agree completely! I think if you have regrets about something you have done, this is, of course, not a good feeling.  However, the feeling will lessen and go away. If you regret something that you haven’t done, I can imagine the feeling of regret will linger and stay longer. I think a good motto regarding this subject is ‘at least I tried’. Although things may not work out the way you had imagined, you will have at least, given it a try. This feeling of regret for something you have done can be turned into something positive. Feelings of regret about something you haven’t done is more difficult to turn into something more positive.

Dried fruit 'just as healthy as fresh' and can help combat cancer and heart problems

The article was found at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2001868/Dried-fruit-just-healthy-fresh-help-combat-cancer-heart-problems.html

The article is about the positive effects of dried fruits. Researchers have found that dried fruits are just as healthy as fresh fruits. It can help combat cancer, metabolic disease and heart problems. They are also a good source of fibers, vitamins and minerals. The article also mentions that fruit juices contains too much sugar and is too sweet. Fruit juices are therefore not healthy, drinking water is a better alternative.

As a person who loves fruit and dried fruit as well, this is good news to me. I think that dried fruits are an easy way to get the vitamins and minerals that you need, it is very quick and it does not require any preparation. It is a very healthy snack. I am surprised to hear that dried fruits are just as healthy as fresh fruit, I thought dried fruits would be just a healthier alternative to sweets and candy. Glad to hear it is not just better for you, but actually healthy and good for you. I do assume that if you eat an entire bag of dried fruit, that would be overdoing it and it would not be healthy anymore. So I will enjoy healthy dried fruit, but also with moderation.

Fitness flip-flops: What's behind this sandal fad?

This article was found on bbc.co.uk:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13669714

The  article is about footwear that is supposed to help people lose weight and tone their muscles. The article reveals if there is any evidence to support this. After sports footwear, there is now beach footwear, sandals that are supposed to be an easy way to tone up. According to the article the sandal is good compared to regular sandals but not an alternative to working out. The sandals are not suitable for everyone, people with flat feet should avoid them. They are seen as comfortable because of the thick sole.

It seemed a bit too good to be true. I can imagine that the sandals and the sneakers that are supposed to tone your body have maybe more effect than regular footwear, but, obviously, it is not a full body workout and an alternative to being active. I don’t think I would buy them for that purpose. I would perhaps purchase them because they are comfortable and better for you than regular footwear. The ugly truth is that if you want to lose weight of tone your body you need to actually workout and break a sweat!

Amazing uses for animal body parts are revealed on new TV show

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-world/2011/06/08/amazing-uses-for-animal-body-parts-are-revealed-on-new-tv-show-115875-23186910/

This article is written by Rachael Bletchly, Daily Mirror.

The article explains how animal parts are not only used for meat and leather. A new BBC3 series called Kill It, Cut it, Use will reveal the weird world of animal by-products.

The first show on Monday at 9pm will unveil the amazing array of things made from inedible parts of cattle. As an example, many parts of the cow are used; the blood is used to put into plywood, glue, dye etc. The hooves contain a protein used in fire extinguisher foam on airplanes. The horns are used in clothes and buttons. The small intestines are used for tennis racquet strings. The fat from a cow is used in roads, explosives and drugs. The hair is amongst other things, used in paintbrushes.

I didn’t know there were so many uses for all these different body parts of the cow. I think it is good that we use all these parts. If an animal is killed, I think it is important to use every part and not let it go to waist. I am a bit shocked about all these different uses, many of them I did not know at all! I sure didn’t think of a dead cow the last time I played tennis! Perhaps it is better not to know! Just the fact  that a lot of parts have a purpose is plenty of information for me.

From Drugs to Mugs: Shocking before and after images show the cost of drug addiction

From Drugs to Mugs: Shocking before and after images show the cost of drug addiction

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthpicturegalleries/8345461/From-Drugs-to-Mugs-Shocking-before-and-after-images-show-the-cost-of-drug-addiction.html

I found this article in The Telegraph. The article shows shocking before and after images that reveal the effects of drug addiction on the human face. 'From Drugs to Mugs' is the follow up to the controversial 2004 'Faces of Meth' release which highlighted the effects of methamphetamine use.

The pictures are released in the hope that they will make kids think twice about ever touching drugs, the pictures show how addicts have lost teeth and scratched their skin to the bone.

Picture: Methamphetamines user first pictured in 2001, left, and then in 200

I know drugs do serious damage to the body but I forgot how shocking it is! This is just one of the many before and after pictures on the website, some are even worse. I think it’s a good idea to confront kids with the facts. This is the way it is, this is what drugs do. Kids get warned about drugs at home and at school. I think some of these warnings are effective for some children, but it is still far from reality to them. If you show them pictures, especially shocking ones like these, they’ll remember the effects that drugs have much better than just telling them about it. This is very visual, very real and also important, very scary. What teenager would want to take the risk to look like this? I think it will help, but it won’t prevent all kids from using drugs, unfortunately!

E.coli outbreak believed to be new strain of bacteria

This article is found in the telegraph at the link below.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8552557/E.coli-outbreak-believed-to-be-new-strain-of-bacteria.html

The article explains how the E. coli outbreak at the centre of a German outbreak is believed to be a new strain of bacteria never seen before.

Seven people in the UK have been affected by the virus, including three British and four German nationals.

Investigations suggest the strain is a mutant form of two different E.coli bacteria.

Hilde Kruse, a food safety expert at the WHO, told the Associated Press: "This is a unique strain that has never been isolated from patients before. Various characteristics that make it more virulent and toxin-producing".

It is not uncommon for bacteria to continually evolve and swap genes but the new strain appears to be more virulent than other strains of E.coli.

Yuk, scary! I really hope they find a way to fight this bacteria quickly. Does this bacteria pass on from person to person or can one only get ill by eating the or touching the infected foods? I also do wonder if this sort of thing is caused by all the human intrusion with the growth and the whole process with foods. Isn’t it a lot better to go the natural way and just let nature take its course, in a organic way. I have no proof or an idea for that matter if bacteria like these wouldn’t exist with organic foods, but common sense does tell me it can not be good to change nature’s course the way that we do. There should be a research regarding the cause and effect of the bacteria as well as a way to fight it.

Help kids fall in love with books

The article is written by Natasha Harding and Caitlin Black, Sun Online.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/parenting/3583976/Help-kids-fall-in-love-with-books.html

The article starts by mentioning that up to one in five 16-year-olds will leave school with a below average reading ability and that the new Department of Education figures also reveal that 20 per cent of children will fail the SATS reading test. The article also mentions that studies show poor reading skills leave children with low self-esteem, a higher rate of absence and poor exam results.

The article tells us the many reasons why reading is so important.

Film and television are wonderful but all the work is done for you. Whereas, when you read a book, you have to use your imagination and ask questions.

It's a quieter, more personal thing and you set the pace yourself and can totally immerse yourself in the story.

Some children however, need some encouragement to read. This article mentions some ways to do so. First of all, it’s important to have books around, make story-time part of a bedtime or daily routine, find books they respond to, don’t be judgmental about the topic of type of reading material and do not force it. It doesn’t matter what their choices are, as long as they are developing a love of reading.

I think in Holland we have the same issue. Kids these days do not read unless they have to. We don’t have to discuss why this is a problem, we all know the benefits of reading. I think this article has a very good point and it’s good to give parents and teachers tips on how to get kids reading again. I think the most important thing is to have books around that draw their attention. You can not force books on them that they do not respond to. If anything, this will make them dislike books. Another good point is to have children make their own choices on what they want to read. As long as they develop a positive attitude towards reading. I think this is very much needed, also in Holland.