CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Training and juice for People with Insomnia

Recently, a close relative was having great difficulty falling asleep.  He went to see his family doctor who prescribed some sleeping pills. However, the person was experiencing some negative side effects form the sleeping pills which was gradually losing its effectiveness . 

Therefore he sought an alternative way of dealing with his insomnia.  He went to a clinic located  on Warden and Ellesmere in Toronto.  This clinic takes a comprehensive approach utilizing the services of psychiatrists, group therapy sessions and pharmacists who specialize and are devoted to helping patients with sleep disorder.
 
 This patient's family doctor referred him to this sleep disorder clinic. After the first session, the pharmacist strongly suggested Cognitive Behavioural Training (CBT) for him.

She told the patient that he needs to throw away his sleeping pills and suggested the following for him:

1.  Find out the source of your stress
2.  Don't do drugs, try sleeping naturally instead.
3.  Don't stay in bed if you are not sleeping in 30 minutes maximum. 
4.  Get up, turn on some soothing music and read a book; no TV, iPad, email nor any gadgets.
5   If you can't sleep at all, so be it. Eventually, the body will sleep naturally. Taking drugs altered this natural tendency.

That was the patient's first session only. He was very excited and could not wait to learn more about the CBT approach in dealing with his insomnia. 

Also, I have been reading a book by Dr. Sandra Cabot, an Australian doctor specialized in nutritional medicine. She is a firm believer in the healing benefits of raw juice. In her book " Raw Juices Can Save Your Life!", there is a recipe, page 108, that would help with insomnia called Insomnia Juice. To make this juice, you'll need:

2 to 3               large outer leaves of lettuce
1                      whole pear of a apple
1                      carrot
1                      sweet potato
1/4 to 1/2        medium bulb of fennel

Wash, trim and chop and pass through juicer. Drink 17 oz ( 1/2 litre) daily, with half in the morning and half in the late afternoon.

According to Dr. Cabot as stated in her book:

Lettuce contains natural opiates, which help to relax the body
Fennel is a carminative ( natural calming agent)
Vitamin C found in citrus fruits, aids breathing and oxygenation of the tissues during the night

She also advises to avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, sugar, sweet foods and alcohol during the evening, and avoid drinking excess water during the two hours before bed.

I hope that people with insomnia will be able to try the method of CBT and the insomnia juice recipe therefore helping them to ease their problem.

R.T.
Toronto

We Loved Our Annual Family Christmas Party!

Our family has been holding our annual Christmas get together for years! This tradition started in Thunder Bay when we first landed in that little northern city. I could still vividly remember our family's first Christmas gathering in 1971in this frigid country. Though it was minus many degrees outside; inside our house, it was filled with warmth, laughter, hope and optimism for our new lives in Canada. I could still see clearly our youngest brother - Dave's little face lit up when he got some hockey stuff that Christmas!

I am so glad that this family tradition has carried on for more than thirty years. It started with just our family. As my parents' children and grandchildren have grown and many of whom are married with their own youngsters, this one family tradition has expanded to included many others.

E. was able to make it for this year's big family dinner!

Even though E. has gone away to the U.S. to study and work, he has never missed one Christmas at home. However, due to his work schedule, he did miss the big family dinner for a couple of years.

 I was delighted when E. came home the Saturday before Christmas, therefore allowing him to attend this big family dinner on Sunday at Susan and Dave's place.

A great family get together!

Dave, Susan and their family did a fantastic job organizing this family get together!

Dave's family did a fantastic job organizing a dinner party and a bingo game

They started  planning weeks ago  organizing this annual event making sure there was enough food and variety dishes to satisfy a diverse group of participants of around thirty-five people!

Not an easy task at all!







The food was always delicious as everybody chipped in and brought a dish to share.

Everyone's favorite was the dessert table after the main meal!

A beautifully laid out and very tempting dessert table awaiting us!

Our annual family Christmas party brought everyone together!

 Besides excellent food, there was entertainment after dinner too!

As a tradition, we always have a gift exchange game after dinner.

This year there was something different!

It could be a difficult decision for a kid to choose a gift

We played a Bingo Gift Exchange Game after dinner

What was different and fun at this year's family party?

 A Bingo gift exchange game Dave and Susan introduced to the party after the Christmas dinner!

At the beginning as guests arrived to the dinner, they brought gifts with them.  Mikaela collected them and placed them on the gift cart.



Dave's family came up with some rules to make sure the game was fun and fair for all.

 It was! and everyone had a great time and loads of fun!

 Dave, the Bingo Master, explained the rules clearly before the game started so everyone knew what to expect.

Everyone took part and had loads of fun at the party

We were happy to see everyone, both young and old, at the party participating in the gift exchange bingo game.

Mom had a lot of fun playing Bingo at the family party.

 Even Mom was able to take part!

It was fun to see how excited Mom and everyone was when they scored and yelled out

" Bingo Ah!"  at the party!

Choosing a prize from the Gift Cart

 If you bingo and after your numbers were checked by the Bingo Master, you got to go up to the gift cart and choose a gift from the pile of gifts
collected from the guests.

It was great clean fun for the whole family!

After opening their gifts, the cousins trying their hands at the new games

( While many people feel that they must consume a lot of alcohol to have a good time at a party, I am  immensely proud of our family gatherings! Having fun without anyone getting drunk, fist fighting, saying or doing any stupid things to one another!)

 Many thanks to Dave, Susan, Jordon and Mikaela for organizing this fantastic family Christmas get together! 

The party rocked!

R.T.
Christmas Party
2014
Toronto

It was Great Having Our Son home for Christmas!

The village scene under our Christmas tree this year

 When children are young, parents are busy and occupied with looking after them, hardly having a quiet moment to themselves. Now that our children are grown, finished school and living their own independent lives, we are happy that they can come home and spend some time with us.

 Putting poinsettias around our house

This was exactly what happened this Christmas. While both of our sons are working outside of Canada, E., our first born came home and stayed at home with us for eight days this Christmas! This hasn't happened for a long time since he left home to study in the U.S.!


With S. not feeling well and staying at the hospital, I was overwhelmed with daily visits and looking after him. Therefore I was glad that I had some help from D. and D. and Leona with decorating for the holidays.

Preparing our house for Christmas is a tradition in our house

 Last year, we invited the trio for dinner, followed by a Christmas tree decorating party.

We had so much fun that we decided making it our annual Christmas tradition. Therefore, I invited the trio for dinner after their visit with S. at the hospital.  After dinner and dessert, we put Christmas lights in and outside our house.

The Christmas lights brighten the dark winter nights and lift our spirit

Because of the special circumstances this year, I was too late getting the nice poinsettias from our florist. Next year, I must remember to order and have them reserved by the end of November so that we would have the best picks of flowers.


The Christmas lights looked beautiful in front of our house; they lifted our spirit every time we looked out of the windows in the evening.

Great to have E. helping out in the kitchen!

E. came home the Saturday before Christmas and was able to attend the big family dinner with us on Sunday at Susan and Dave's place.

Christmas dinner at home

On Christmas Day, we had our own family dinner with Mom and other people sharing with them the joy of Christmas.

Eliza and her daughter joining us for Christmas dinner

It was really meaningful when we could have friends joining our celebration.

T. opened his present

I was grateful that S. was home for Christmas and could enjoy the family party.
 

E. helped to entertained his young cousins playing Monopoly with them after dinner.

E. helping his cousins with his puzzle

 He told us he had a lot of fun helping his cousins figuring out the wooden puzzle too!

Yes! Helping others often brings  happiness to ourselves too!




On Boxing Day, it was perfect driving condition as it was mild and no snow in the forecast.

Driving across the Canadian border to the U.S.

We drove across the border to Niagara Falls. Our Christmas present from E. - a stay at the Four Point Sheraton Hotel, Niagara Falls, (U.S.)

Enjoying breakfast and enjoying the waterfront scenery at the hotel

E. dropped me off at the outlet mall on Military Road at Exit 22, to do some shopping while S. rested at the hotel and E. went to meet up with his friend in Buffalo.

Our stay at Sheraton on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls

We capped the day by having dinner at Buffalo, Western New York's best Thai/ Burmese restaurant voted by its residents. It was a place packed with hungry patrons and it served us a delicious dinner!

We never had Burmese food; we tried some exotic dishes and it was a new and pleasant experience for us.

Opening gifts on Boxing Day

Though it started out as a grim Christmas with S. being in the hospital, everything turned out fine!  His illness is under control; he is recovering and making good progress.

Great to have our son home for Christmas with us!

We were grateful having E. home helping and showing his love and support for us.

It meant a lot to us!

Meeting old friends at the Law's annual party

With our family members and best friends around to support us, we were able to celebrate and remember this wonderful special occasion of Jesus' birth!

Thank you, God, for your mercies and love!

R.T.
Christmas, 2014
Toronto, Ontario, Canada /
Buffalo, New York, U.S.A.

What Do Canadians Get for Their Tax Dollars?

The view from the cafeteria at North York Hospital

In Canada, we pay our government income tax every time we get paid. Many of us complain about the amount of dollars deducted and the large percentage of money taken from us.

A recent experience taught me this - our tax dollars are put into excellent use for Canadians by our government. I am happy to pay the taxes!

A concert in the atrium of the Steinberg Tower at  North York Hospital

Last week, Y., a close family member of mine was admitted into the North York General Hospital in Toronto. I was with him and the following was the treatment he received within 24 hours after admitted into the hospital.

1. 10:30 a.m. - We had a meeting with the specialist and the nurse assigned to look after Y. The doctor  explained his diagnose, treatment plan plus the prescribed medications to us.  He explained clearly to the patient about the treatment plan and what he would do:                                                                                                 
2. Phase 1 – getting well       Phase 2 – stays well

A decorated fridge in the patients' dining room

2. 2:30 p.m. – Y. was taken down for an ultra sound of his stomach – He had to drink four cups of water starting at 1:30p.m.  A porter came and took Y. down for the ultrasound. As he was waiting, he was feeling very uncomfortable as his bladder was filling up  I went and told the nurse about it. The nurse understood his situation and treated him very gently and patiently. Y was so happy as he described the whole experience: " Since I have been admitted, the nurse and everyone has been so nice to me.I feel like being treated like a king!”

3. 3:15 p.m. - After the ultra sound examination, Y was taken for a chest X ray right across from the ultra sound dept. to find out the other medical issue he was experiencing.
4. 4:00 p.m. - I accompanied Y. back to his floor where the hospital dietitian was waiting to see him. Y. was so happy! That was what we were talking about as he has lost almost twelve lbs in the past 4 weeks!

Christmas tree decorated with crafts made by patients

5.The hospital dietitian met Y. in his room and gave him an extensive consultation explaining to him what he should eat and to avoid based on his current health condition. She cleared a lot of his worries and myths Y. has learned previously.

 Recommendations from the dietitian:

A.  6 cups of liquid a day, any liquid counts, 1 cup with each meal and I cup in between meals, that would be 6 cups.

B.  Can eat anything with higher calories.

C.  Food to avoid or watch out for  – peppermint, chocolate, citrus juices, onions, garlic and tomato products

D. Y.'s ideal body wt should be between 68 - 72 kgs.

6. Besides the above special care provided by various specialists, Y's blood pressure was taken three times a day and his daily blood tests were closely monitored.

Can you imagine how much all these special tests and care provided by a team of medical staff would cost?

Recently a Canadian couple flew to Hawaii for a vacation. The woman was six month pregnant and the baby was born prematurely while she was on holiday. After they came back to Canada, the couple received a hospital bill totaled more than $950,000.00!

We feel so fortunate to be Canadians receiving universal health care! Never would we complain about paying for taxes again after learning what we get for our tax dollars from our hospital when we are sick!

R.T.
Toronto

The Umbrella Movement at Occupy Central, Hong Kong - A Fight for Universal Sufferage

Occupy Central, Hong Kong

In Hong Kong for a day waiting for a connecting flight, I thought of having a relaxing day, sipping coffee at the posh coffee lounge and writing my blogs at the airport hotel.

However, I was in Hong Kong, a world famous city, I wanted to look around.

A Yellow Umbrella - Symbol of the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong

The Occupy Central has been in the Asian news a lot lately and I wanted to visit the site.

I got on the shuttle and asked for directions getting to the site where a demonstration has been staged for almost seventy days demanding universal suffrage for Hong Kong residents.

    

I took the subway to Admiralty Station

This was the first time I took the MTR on my own – Hong Kong’s subway system. It is modern, clean, efficient and convenient. The MTR can practically get you anywhere in Hong Kong, Kowloon, the New Territory as well as the Hong Kong International Airport with a very reasonable fare.

(How I wish we could have the same efficient subway system in Toronto!)

The hotel shuttle bus dropped me off  at the City Gate Plaza and it was a short walk to the Tung Chung Station where I took the subway to the Admiralty Station.



  

Protesters expressed their thoughts on paper, not spray painting

 As soon as  l got off the train, there were public announcements informing passengers that due to the current situation, a few bus routes were re- routed.

 On the walls of the subway station outside, there were posters and flyers from the demonstrators. 

Tents were set up in rows in Central Hong Kong as far as the eyes could see

Standing on the walkway overlooking the occupied central site, I saw a great number of tents below.

The tents were set up neatly in rows leaving walkways and passages for pedestrian traffic.

One of the many messages expressed by demonstrators

Tears started to swell in  my eyes as I  walked and  began to take in the scale and meaning of this protest.

The numerous heart felt messages left on the site by demonstrators were everywhere expressed in words, in symbols and the art work they have created.













 It was not ten, or hundreds of  emotional  teenagers and students doing something off the top of their heads.

A great number of messages were left on the walls of the Occupy Central site

But the desires and cries of thousands demanding for a right to vote and their voices to be heard.

I felt sad for the Chinese people who have been living under dictatorial governments for over 5000 years, never having the taste of real freedom .

Top Poster: I am a student standing up for Hog Kong.     Bottom Poster : Mom & Dad, Don't worry about me.

While the Greeks had free political discussions and elections since ancient time, a quarter of the world's population is still under the thumbs of a handful politicians.
 

The Berlin Wall was removed; U.S.S.R.was dismantled; yet thousands were crushed at the 6-4 demonstrations in the Tian Man Square. When will the Chinese people have a taste of democracy?

Inspiring messages from great current and past activists and politicians

Clear instructions on recycling and sorting of waste material

Following the examples and ideals of historical non violent and peaceful demonstrations, the Umbrella Movement demonstrators have been incredibly well  behaved and disciplined.!

 Comparing to the demonstrators and protesters in the west, which often cause very destructive damages to neighborhood properties and businesses resulting in injuries for many.

I did not see any signs of destruction to cars, store windows smashed, stores looted nor garbages thrown all over the place.

 Instead, I saw law and order.
A recycling community sprung up on site.

Composting helps to reduce waste and garbage on site

There were posted instructions teaching protesters how to sort and recycle their garbage and compost vegetable and fruit peels.

 An organic garden was being cultivated using the compost material as fertilizer for the plants in the garden.

A library has been set up on site for protesters to borrow books

There was a library of books for demonstrators to cure their boredom.

A tank made of recycled water bottles

A powerful piece of art work - a military tank made from recycling water bottles of various sizes stood hauntingly in the Occupy Central site reminding people of  the demonstration in the past.

People of differing opinions exchanged and discussed their views calmly

There were no yelling, screaming exchanges between people with differing opinions on this movement. 

Only calm, civilized and polite political discussions taking place between demonstrators and visitors to the site.

No spray paint nor vandalism; only slogans written on banners

Instead of graffiti of profane language written or sprayed painted on the walls of the Occupy Central site,
there were banners of slogans of the movement hanging down from the walkway balconies

Surprisingly clean washroom at the Occupy Central Site

The Umbrella Movement demonstrators' restrain, self discipline and their respect of  public properties extended to every aspect of the Occupy Central site including the public washrooms!

There was no mess, no vandalism, nor any graffiti anywhere!

Tents set up in front of  a HK  Government building

I admired the courage, the tenacity and the tremendous restrain displayed by the students, the protesters and  volunteers in this demonstrations.

I cannot imagine with such a large number of  demonstrators, there was so much respect displayed towards government buildings and public properties.

Hats off to the Umbrella Movement folks!

I sincerely hope that both the protesters and the Hong Kong government can come up with a win-win solution to resolve this crisis and set an excellent example to the world of how China  is capable and mature enough to handle the desires of its people.


R.T.
Occupy Central Site
Admiralty Station Area
Hong Kong
Dec. 2, 2014