Jim Paull

Arm yourself with a humble can of chickpeas and you've got the makings for everything from a creamy dip to hearty meat-free mains. They are so wonderfully versatile. You can roast chickpeas and add them to salads, use them as a substitute for croutons in soups, or turn them into a simple snack with big flakes of sea salt.

There is nothing the mighty chickpea can't do. These 25 recipes prove it, and will convince you to always have a couple of cans stashed away in the pantry.

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KUALA LUMPUR: PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim will be released from the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital upon the finalisation of a full pardon granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow, said the party’s vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

“It is a wonderful day for us and we have always been fighting alongside our father to pursue reforms and justice.

“It has never been about our father but doing it because it is right,” she said when met at the hospital, where Anwar has been undergoing treatment following surgery.

When asked whether Anwar should take over as prime minister, Izzah said she believed the country deserved the best prime minister.

“I will continue to ensure that the current prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) fulfils the promises for reforms he has made and we will ensure there are proper checks and balances.”

Mahathir had previously said he would remain prime minister for two years before stepping down for Anwar to take over.

Anwar, 70, was due to be released from the Sungai Buloh prison on June 8, with time off for good behaviour.

He was handed a five-year jail sentence in 2015 on a sodomy charge which his supporters maintain were politically motivated.

Earlier, when met, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said Anwar will be released from the rehabilitation hospital tomorrow upon the pardons board’s decision.

He however was not able to give an exact time of release.

Saifuddin added there was nothing in Anwar’s health records preventing him from being discharged from the hospital.

“He will be at the gathering tomorrow night at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya,” he said.

SALE!

 

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Najib Razak confirmed today that he and his wife Rosmah Mansor have been barred from leaving the country.

He said in a tweet: “I have been informed that the Immigration Department has not allowed me and my family to leave the country. I respect the order and will remain in the country with my family.”

The Immigration Department, had also said in a Facebook posting at 11.30am that Najib and Rosmah had just been placed on the blacklist of those barred from leaving the country.

The director-general of Immigration, Mustafar Ali, told Bernama: “Yes, confirmed (Facebook posting)… correct. That is the latest announcement from the Immigration Department.”

A crowd of about 100 people gathered outside Subang airport’s business aviation centre early this morning after reports last night about a private jet scheduled to leave for Indonesia this morning with Najib and Rosmah listed as passengers.

The Legacy 650 aircraft, operated by Indonesian business aviation operator Premiair, belongs to an Indonesian company owned by a tycoon with links to Najib and a deal with Felda.

At about 10am, the crowd mobbed a car with dark tinted glass, to see if it contained Najib and Rosmah, only to discover that it was Perlis Umno and BN chairman Shahidan Kassim, who was rumoured to have been in Kuala Lumpur for talks about cooperation with Pakatan Harapan.

Crowd mobs Shahidan’s car, thinking it’s Najib

Najib says sorry, leaving for a ‘short break’

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have been urged to raid a luxury condominium here where 50 cartons of luxury handbags, with an estimated total value of RM10 million were allegedly transferred by three people using an official government vehicle.

The van used was believed to be from the Prime Minister’s Department, according to a police report lodged today.

A highly-placed source in the Kuala Lumpur police contingent has confirmed that there was a report.

“We received the report earlier in the day and all we can say is that we are investigating this. I cannot say anything more as it involves something of national importance.” the source said.

The report was lodge by a member of the PPBM Youth executive council, Ben Ali.

The report mentioned the name of Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, who is Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, whose name has frequently cropped up in allegations on social media about her taste for expensive handbags, especially the Birkin brand.

Ben said: “As Najib Razak and Rosmah Mansor are involved in a major financial scandal, we the people want the condominium unit at Pavilion Residence to be raided.”

It said a woman and two men were seen carrying away the boxes into an officially marked Toyota Hiace van. The report has stated the licence plate number of the van.

A screenshot of the police report was posted on Facebook, with details of the complainant being removed, alongside pictures showing orange boxes stacked inside what looked like a shopping trolley.

FMT is unable to verify the pictures.

A lemon drizzle cake is more of a concept than an actual recipe. Although there is a time and a place for Madeira-type plain lemon sponge, sometimes just a bit more pizzazz and sugar is required. A drizzle cake is just a lemon sponge cake that's soaked while still warm with a glaze made of lemon juice and sugar, which adds a crisp crust as it cools.

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If you work out using a treadmill, it can sometimes be difficult to stay motivated. To remain dedicated to your treadmill routine, you can mix entertainment with your workout to prevent yourself from becoming bored. Try listening to music, reading a magazine or book, listening to an audiobook, or watching a TV in the gym. You can also develop a variety of different workouts to make your daily routine more exciting.

EditSteps

EditSwitching up Your Workout Routine

1. Do interval training. Spend 1-5 minutes doing hard, fast, or steep running on the treadmill followed by 1-5 minutes of slower, less steep, or easier jogging or walking. Continue to alternate between the 2 types for your entire workout. This will allow you to get a more effective cardio workout in less time.
   
2. Try running a fartlek on the treadmill. A fartlek is a style of running which mixes hard, intense running with easier, relaxing periods of jogging. Use the treadmill controls to increase the incline and difficulty periodically. You can incorporate the visual environment into the fartlek: increase the difficulty when you see someone wearing red, and decrease when you see someone wearing blue.^[1]
   
   • For example, if you’re watching TV, adjust the treadmill setting to be very difficult every commercial break, and then ease things up again during the program. Or switch this up: make it easy during the commercials and tough during the show.
3. Gradually increase the difficulty with a “boil the frog” run. This workout gradually increases in difficulty as time passes. Begin your run at a comfortable rate. Then, every 10 minutes, make the run a little harder. Press the “Increase speed” button once or twice, and bump up the incline by 1 percent. After 30 minutes, you’ll be running at top speed. Then, gradually slow back down to a comfortable jog.^[2]
   
   • Since you’ll start out on an easy setting, the run won’t be as immediately unpleasant as if you’d started on a difficult setting.
4. Go to the gym with a friend. Motivating yourself to go to the gym—and work out once you’re there—can be challenging. Running on the treadmill with a friend will help motivate you to work out in the first place, and will give you something to do while running. The two of you can chat or listen to the same songs.^[3]
   
   • If you and your friend both feel a little bored at the gym, you could try to race one another, or keep track of who has run more miles overall.
5. Set daily exercise goals. Setting and working toward a daily goal can keep you entertained and focused throughout your workout. Set goals that determine the length of your workout, the distance you run or walk, or the amount of calories you burn.
   
   • For example, if you ran yesterday, set a goal to run today.

EditListening to Music or Audio Content

1. Listen to high-BPM music during your workout. In addition to keeping you entertained, music can motivate you to push yourself harder during your workout routine. Select a variety of rock or dance songs for your playlist that fall between 120 and 140 beats per minute (BPM). Songs with fast tempos that fall within this BPM range will help maintain your energy and motivation during your workout.^[4]
   
   • Play music on your stereo if you work out at home, or listen to music using your portable or digital music player and headphones at the local gym.
   • Songs with a BPM between 120 and 140 include: “Starships” by Nicki Minaj, “Best Day of my Life” by American Authors, “Raise Your Glass” by Pink, and “Eye of the Tiger” by Voyager.
   • Check out a list of the top 100 running songs at https://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=the_top_100_running_songs_of_all_time.
2. Switch up your exercise playlist weekly. No matter how fun and upbeat your standard exercise and treadmill songs are, you’ll get tired of them eventually. Keep yourself motivated—and stave off boredom—by adding a few new songs to your treadmill playlist every week.^[5]
   
   • You can make your own playlists, or look on a streaming site like Spotify or Pandora. These sites have popular exercise playlists that update frequently. Or, ask some friends for their treadmill playlists.
   • For example, try upbeat songs like: “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen, “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, “Beautiful Day” by U2, or “Dog Days are Over” by Florence and the Machine.^[6]
3. Cue certain songs to change the pace of your run. Designate certain songs or artists on your music playlist that require you to run or walk faster when they are played. Try putting 3 fast, upbeat songs in a row, and following these up with a slower rock song. Run at a fast rate during the pop songs, and slow down to a medium jog for the rock.^[7] This will keep you from getting bored, and ensure that you run at a variety of speeds.
   
   • Or, if you keep your playlist on shuffle, increase your treadmill speed whenever songs by a specific artist are played.
   • For example, start out with “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk (116 BMP), and follow it with “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore and “Fight for Your Right” by the Beastie Boys (146 and 135 BPM, respectively). Then slow things down a little with “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor (109 BPM).^[8]
4. Listen to an interesting podcast series. If you spend many hours per week on the treadmill, at some point you may want to listen to something a little more intellectually engaging than top-40 radio. Try out a few different types of podcasts to see which holds your attention while you’re running and working out.^[9]
   
   • Podcasts exist on nearly every topic imaginable. Check the iTunes store, or look to find podcasts that stream online.
5. Try audiobooks if reading while running is a challenge. Some people love to read while jogging on a treadmill, while others find it too difficult to keep their place and focus on the page. Audiobooks are a great alternative, especially if you're running for longer stretches of time.
   
   • You can stop at a cliffhanger in an engrossing novel, and you'll be eager to pick up where you left off during your next treadmill session!
   • Download audiobook files to your phone or tablet, or use a portable CD player.

EditEnjoying Visual Entertainment

1. Watch a sitcom for short, fast runs. If you’re planning a fast-paced run, you’ll need to find a show that keeps your attention. Sitcoms are useful to watch since their plots are brief and self-contained, and you don’t have to watch each episode in sequential order. Watching a sitcom or short, light drama is a great way to keep your mind distracted so you can jog for a few miles on the treadmill.^[10]
   
   • For a fast-paced run, try a sitcom with 30-minute episodes like Friends, How I Met Your Mother, or Modern Family.
2. Select a dramatic TV show for longer, slower runs. For a long-distance workout, look for an engrossing drama or other hour-long show. The length of the episodes will force you to run for 45 minutes to an hour, and the show’s plot will take your mind off of the difficulty of the workout.^[11]
   
   • Try attention-grabbing dramas like Game of Thrones, The Crown, or Grey’s Anatomy.
3. Make a fun game out of watching other people at your gym. If you’re tired of electronic media, try people-watching instead. Play variations of counting games during every workout. For example, count the number of people wearing a certain brand of athletic shoes throughout your workout.^[12]
   
   • Or, count the number of people wearing a specific shirt color. Keep track and try to beat your record the next time you’re at the gym.

EditTips

• When watching TV on the treadmill, experiment with different genres of TV to see what works best for you. If watching a dramatic reality show doesn’t hold your interest on the treadmill, try watching a horror show or high-stakes thriller instead.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Get Addicted to Exercise
• Increase Your Running Stamina
• Motivate Yourself to Work Out

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

You’ll really be conserving storage space with this foldable digital kitchen scale. It unfolds into a tripod to hold a plate or bowl, displaying weight in pounds, grams, ounces, and milliliters, and then folds back up to a size small enough to fit in your utensil drawer. $19 is the best price we’ve seen in about 6…

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PUTRAJAYA: Sebanyak 83% daripada 278,590 anggota keselamatan dan pasangan mereka keluar mengundi bagi pilihan raya umum ke-14 (PRU14) di seluruh negara, hari ini.

Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) berkata, semua 586 pusat pengundian awal melibatkan 910 saluran mengundi ditutup sepenuhnya 7 malam tadi.

Pengerusi SPR, Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah dalam kenyataan semalam berkata, terdapat 300,255 pengundi awal berdaftar bagi PRU14 dengan baki 21,665 lagi ialah pengundi pos.

Daripada 278,590 pengundi awal tersebut, 118,913 adalah polis dan 159,677 anggota tentera serta pasangan.

Hashim berkata, kertas undi awal tidak dikira di tempat mengundi hari ini, sebaliknya akan disimpan di tempat selamat, iaitu lokap balai polis. Kertas undi hanya akan dikira pada hari pengundian pada 9 Mei, bermula 4 petang.

Klik sini untuk perkembangan sepanjang musim PRU14

The new podcast from Trader Joe's, "Inside Trader Joe's," is surprisingly fascinating. I wasn't expecting to get into a podcast about a grocery store (I normally prefer the riveting world of listening to people play Dungeons and Dragons online), but "Inside Trader Joe's" keeps answering questions I didn't know I had.

If you've ever wondered what it means when bells ring in the store, or why bananas are sold individually, you're not alone.

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Televangelist Jim Bakker is building a Christian community in Missouri, reports the Christian Post. On his show this week he claimed that his Christian town is the safest place to live according to a NASA report. “You all are going to know soon why God brought us here,” Bakker said on...

More than 10 years ago, I gave my lifestyle a massive overhaul in attempts to be healthier. The biggest change? I decided to eat a diet full of vegetables, and without refined sugar or processed foods.

Despite my lack of cooking skills, I quickly learned one key lesson: I just needed the right appliance in order to fall in love with all sorts of veggies.

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Kitchn's Delicious Links column highlights recipes we're excited about from the bloggers we love. Follow along every weekday as we post our favorites.

Are you familiar with the power of ECDs? Of course you are — you're a cook! ECDs, or easy chicken dinners, are the LBDs (ahem, little black dresses) of the cooking world. You need at least one, and you're probably always looking for the next one that will make your dinner more delicious with less effort.

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New Zealand remains one of the world’s top destinations. Home to about four million people, the small country is known for its diverse sites and attractions. Yet, for some reason, cartographers around the globe often forget to include the country when printing maps. This unexplained absence has caused Tourism New Zealand to launch a campaign to explore the question that so many people have been asking: Why is New Zealand left off world maps? 

Tourism New Zealand launched the #getNZonthemap campaign after the country’s absence on maps began to garner international attention. The campaign features New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and comedian Rhys Darby in hopes to encourage the addition of the country on world maps. There is no known reason why the country does not appear maps. 

“As a world-class destination, it’s unfathomable that New Zealand is left off world maps,” CEO of Tourism New Zealand Stephen England-Hall said. “New Zealand is bigger than the United Kingdom. We’re over two-thirds the size of Japan and Germany. We have a lake the size of Singapore, a mountain range larger than the European Alps, and more coastline than California.”

“The campaign is a light-hearted way to raise awareness of New Zealand as a destination off the back of international media about the country missing from maps,” England-Hall added.

Check out the #getNZonthemap ad below:

Featured photo by wnjay_wootthisak/Getty Images.

Giada De Laurentiis is one of the most famous Italian food experts in the United States. She was born in Italy, her family lives there, and she gets to go to Italy a lot. She goes to all the big cities and famous places, of course. She says she loves pizza bianco in Rome and the gelato in Florence.

But there's a lot more to Italy than just the world-famous sights and popular tourist areas, and Giada is passionate on the subject of Sicily and the outskirts of Naples, which she says are the most underrated regions of Italy.

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More than 60 passengers were left hanging upside down for more than two hours on Universal Studios Japan’s Flying Dinosaur roller coaster Tuesday when the ride halted due to an emergency stop.

Riders were suspended about 100 feet off the ground when the ride stalled. Representatives of the amusement park said that the problem stemmed directly from an issue with one of the ride’s sensors. The ride is located in the Jurassic Park area of Universal Studios and, according to the company’s website, the height of the first drop is more than 120 feet. The total length of the course is nearly 3,700 feet long.

All 64 passengers were safely removed via an emergency passage by park staff. There were no injuries reported from ride failure.

Universal Studios Japan is located in Osaka and is similar to the Universal Studios park in Orlando — both offer similar rides and attractions. The park in Japan has been extremely successful since it first opened its doors in 2001 — more than 11 million guests visited the park its opening year. In 2012, it had welcomed more than 100 million total visitors. And in 2017, the park saw more than two million foreign visitors.

H/T: ABC News

Image from Changi Recommends via Facebook

Pasta casseroles are perhaps the ultimate combination of weeknight convenience and homey comfort food. Casseroles like this one don't take long to cook, and they can be put together the day before and baked or warmed up at the end of a long day. And yet these pasta bakes are comforting and delicious.

This one has a double dose of spinach, spoonfuls of pesto, and, yes, plenty of cheese. It's a whole meal in one dish.

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An airport escapee has finally been caught after eluding authorities for more than a week. Pepper, a four year-old tabby cat, is now in custody and will hopefully soon be reunited with her owner in China.

It all started around 11:30am on Friday, April 20, when Pepper’s owner was checking her into a flight to Beijing, China (PEK) at New York’s JFK Terminal 4. But the carrier reportedly fell over and broke open, and Pepper scurried off, jumping up onto the check-in counter and then disappearing into the check-in counter structure.

The owner spent the rest of the day trying to track down Pepper, missing her original flight. However, the heartbroken owner had to eventually leave her cat behind and caught a flight the next day.

This is my friend’s cat Pepper (中文名:呆萌). She’s four years old and has microchip in her. Please inbox me or the airport officials if you ever see her. All leads are greatly appreciated! We miss her so much. Here’s a recent picture of her. pic.twitter.com/vT7eoUowRY

— ntp17 (@tn_nt17) April 21, 2018

Nuan Lang, a local friend of the owner, and JFK police officer Kameel Juman led the efforts over the following days to try to capture the cat. The Port Authority posted regular Twitter updates on its attempts, which included climbing on top of the check-in counter structure:

Humane traps were set to capture the escapee:

Hopes were high on Friday when a video of Pepper in the structures above the JFK Terminal 4 check-in desks showed that she was still alive and healthy.

Finally, on Saturday morning, the good news came that Pepper had been rescued:

We’re thrilled to hear that Pepper has been found and will be reunited with her owner soon. This story hits especially close for me — as digital nomads, my wife Katie and I have been traveling through Europe with our cat Grace for the last two months while sharing our tips about how to do so safely:

• How to Keep Your Dog or Cat Safe When Flying
• How to Choose an On-Board Pet Carrier
• How to Prepare Your Pet for European Travel

Popping and cracking in your knees is generally not something to worry about. It's often caused by the cartilage on your knee becoming rough and grinding together.^[1] However, this roughness and grinding could lead to a loss of cartilage in your knee, which can lead the onset of osteoarthritis.^[2] If you're worried about new sounds your knees are making, go see a doctor. Otherwise, take steps to help your knees, such as giving your knees a break by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, strengthening your leg muscles, and keeping an eye out for worsening knee problems.

EditSteps

EditStretching and Strengthening Your Legs

1. Use calf releases to lengthen muscles. To perform this exercise, sit on the floor. Place a tennis ball under one calf. Put your other leg on top of the first leg. Roll your calf up and down on the tennis ball. If you hit a tight spot, wiggle your foot up and down for about half a minute.^[3]
   
   • This exercise helps stretch out your calf muscles. If these muscles are tight, they can put pressure on your knee, possibly pulling the kneecap out of alignment.
   • Try this exercise 6 times a week.
2. Work on tender spots in your IT band to stretch the ligament. While on your side, place a foam roller under your thigh. Roll your leg up and down on it from the hip to the knee. If you hit a sore spot, spend extra time using the foam roller on that spot.^[4]
   
   • This ligament stretches from your thigh to your shin. Sometimes, it has tight spots that tug on your knee, putting pressure on it.
   • Work on rolling out spots for 30 seconds to 2 minutes at least 6 times a week.
3. Try a hip flexor release to stretch your hip muscles. Tape 2 tennis balls together to make a larger roller. Lay face down on the floor, and put the roller under your hip just below the hip bone. Lean into the balls as much as you can, and lift that calf off the ground, creating a 90-degree angle with your leg. Swing your leg side to side for 30 seconds or so.^[5]
   
   • The hip muscles also work to keep the knee properly aligned. If they are out of whack, it can cause problems with your knee.
4. Try quadriceps sets to strengthen the quadriceps muscles. Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you. Tighten your quadriceps muscles, using your hand to check they're tight. Hold for 8 seconds and then release for 2.^[6]
   
   • The quadriceps are the muscles at the front of your thigh, and making these muscles stronger can help prevent further knee problems.
   • Work up to repetitions of 30.
   • Aim for 2-3 days a week of strength training.^[7]
5. Do straight-leg raises to work your quadriceps. Lay on you back on the floor. Have one leg out flat in front of you and the other bent at the knee. Tighten your quadriceps, and tilt the leg flat on the ground outward a little. Lift the flat leg off the floor about , then lower it back down.^[8]
   
   • Begin with 2-3 repetitions and move up to 10-12.^[9]
6. Work on wall squats to make your quadriceps stronger. Stand with your back up against the wall. Your feet should be from the wall. Using the friction of the wall, lower yourself down until you're in a sitting position. If you can't go that far, don't force it. Stay in this position for 20 seconds.^[10]
   
   • Try 10 repetitions.
7. Swim regularly to make your quadriceps stronger. Swimming is a great way to strengthen these muscles, taking pressure off your knee, so try to incorporate swimming into your exercise routine. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes 3 to 5 days a week.^[11]
   
   • If you don't like swimming, try doing some water aerobics instead.
8. Exercise by walking on level ground. Walking is a great way to strengthen your quad muscles. However, if you're beginning to develop knee problems, stick to level ground as much as possible, particularly if your problems are structural.^[12]
   
   • Try walking in a mall or an indoor walking track.
   • Choose walking for one or more of your 3 to 5 exercise days in the week. Walk for 30 to 45 minutes.
9. Take your bike out for a ride. Hopping on your bike is another low-impact way to strengthen your quadriceps. Stationary bikes or regular bikes work equally as well, though don't jump into an advanced cycling class if you haven't been exercising. Start slow and steady.^[13]
   
   • Add this into your routine by making it one of your 3 to 5 exercise sessions in the week. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes.

EditChecking with Your Doctor

1. Pay attention to knee pain. If you start having knee pain along with creaking knees, you should have your knees evaluated by a doctor. The pain could be a sign you're developing other conditions, such as osteoarthritis.^[14]
   
   • Osteoarthritis gets progressively worse over time, and treatment can help stop the worsening effect. Talk to your doctor about how diet and exercise can help treat osteoarthritis.
2. Look for swelling around your knees. Fluid in and around the joint can lead to swelling. Swelling, especially when accompanied by pain, can indicate a knee condition that needs treatment. If you notice swelling in your knees, make an appointment to see your doctor.^[15]
   
   • Swelling can be an indicator of osteoarthritis, as well as other conditions.
3. Notice stiffness in your knee joints. Stiffness, or having difficulty bending your knees, can also indicate the development of a knee disorder. Specifically, this symptom is common with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.^[16]
   
4. Check if your knee is hot to to the touch. With some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, your joint will be hot to the touch. You may also notice redness in the area.^[17]
   
   • If you notice these symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor.
5. Seek immediate medical care for sudden injuries. If you have a sudden onset of pain or your knee buckles, see a doctor right away. Go to urgent care or the emergency room if you have intense pain, you can't stand on your knee, or you have sudden swelling.^[18]
   
   • Also go to urgent care or the emergency room if your limb looks deformed or if you heard a popping sound when you were injured.
   • To help with the pain right away, take an NSAID like Ibuprofen.
6. Expect a physical exam. The doctor will likely begin with a physical exam. They may feel your knee, for instance, to check if it's swollen. They will also ask you about your recent medical history and why you're coming in for a visit.^[19]
   
   • Tell your doctor why you came in: "I've been experiencing new crackling and popping sounds in my knee. I've read they're mostly harmless, but they can also indicate the beginnings of osteoarthritis. I wanted to have my knees checked out just in case."
7. Ask your doctor about an X-ray. While having creaky knees isn't an issue by itself, it can sometimes indicate the beginning of osteoarthritis. Ask your doctor if an X-ray is appropriate to check if you're developing this condition.^[20]
   
   • The doctor may also request a bone scan, MRI, CAT scan, or biopsy to help diagnose any condition you may have.^[21]
   • Your doctor may also refer you to a sports medicine specialist to diagnose your condition.
8. Expect over-the-counter medications for osteoarthritis. If your doctor does diagnose you with osteoarthritis, you'll start with basic pain medications such as acetaminophen and aspirin. Your doctor might also suggest ibuprofen for inflammation.^[22]
   
9. Discuss supplements with your doctor. Some supplements, such Boswellia serrata and avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), may provide some relief. However, they mainly work with pain, and only limited evidence supports their effectiveness. If you would like to try a supplement, discuss taking one with your doctor.^[23]
   

EditGiving Your Knees a Break

1. Lose extra weight. Extra weight puts more pressure on your knees, so it can make conditions like osteoarthritis worse. If you're beginning to lose cartilage, losing weight may help slow down the progression of this condition.^[24] Work on eating a healthy, balanced diet, including lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.
   
   • At mealtime, fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. About a fourth of your plate should be a palm-sized serving of lean protein. Fill in the rest of your plate with whole grains, and have a helping of low-fat dairy on the side.^[25]
   • Cut back on sugary drinks and snacks, as they increase your caloric intake without adding much nutrition.
   • Try to exercise 30 minutes a day most days of the week.
   • Calculate your body mass index (BMI) to help you figure out how much weight you need to lose.
2. Wear workout shoes to exercise. When you're doing a higher-impact activity like running or performing aerobic exercises, wear shoes made for exercise. Exercise shoes absorb more of the impact than other shoes, taking pressure off your knees. Make sure to get fitted by a professional at a sporting good store for the most support.^[26]
   
   • Stilettos and other high heels can wreak havoc on your knees so avoid them as much as possible.
3. Stand up straight and strengthen your core muscles. If you are constantly slumping over, you're putting more pressure on your knees, while standing up straight can take some of the pressure off. To improve your overall posture, work on strengthening your core muscles.^[27]
   
   • Use an app to remind you to stand up straight or set reminders for yourself throughout the day.
   • Try planks to strengthen your core. Lay face down on the floor with your forearms flat on the ground. Clenching the muscles in your core, push off the floor. Rest on your forearms and toes, making a straight line with your body, and hold it for about 30 seconds.
   • Consider taking a yoga or pilates class, which can also strengthen your core.
4. Avoid sports that put you at risk for a knee injury. Collision sports, such as hockey and football, and contact sports, such as baseball, soccer, and basketball, put you at a higher risk for a knee injury. If you're at risk for developing knee issues, try to avoid playing these sports.^[28]
   
5. Take 100-300 mg of vitamin E a day. Vitamin E can help slow down the progression of knee conditions such as osteoarthritis. Most people can take a regimen of 100-300 mg of vitamin E a day without any side effects. However, always check with your doctor before starting a supplement.^[29]
   

EditWarnings

• Don't ignore knee problems, such as sudden and severe pain while playing a sport. It's always best to get checked out by a doctor.
• Always consult a doctor before starting any exercise routine.

EditSources and Citations

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As the temperatures climb past Arctic levels and the birds spend sixteen hours a day loudly heralding the arrival of Doin’ It Season, the brief and glorious highlight of my year—tomato season—seems close enough to touch. Of course, it’s still a long way off, but green tomato season has only just begun.

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Kristin Barnaby, a self-described arachnophobe, found a way to overcome what she dreads at a North Carolina burger joint. “I am going to eat my fear,” the 27-year-old said at the Bull City Burger and Brewery, where she tucked in to a hamburger topped with a crunchy full-grown, oven-roasted...

I hate to tell you this, but your cutting board is right up there with your sponge and sink in terms of the dirtiest places in your kitchen. "There's more fecal bacteria on a cutting board than on a toilet," says Dr. Chuck Gerba, a professor of microbiology at University of Arizona.

That's because cutting boards come into contact with all sorts of food in various stages, from raw to cooked and unwashed to clean. And much of the time, people just rinse it off, says Gerba, instead of taking the time to fully disinfect the cutting board.

When it comes to chicken, that fun-slash-yucky fact can turn into a health hazard. Because raw chicken and its juices can harbor bacteria like Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens that lead to foodborne illnesses, you need to be extra careful about what cutting board you use to prepare chicken.

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Get ready to cringe.

Traveling can shuttle you across the country — even the world — exposing you to different cultures, thousands of people, and beautiful, life-changing experiences. But eventually, you will fail. Miserably. Maybe you’ll forget something crucial back home (uhhh, you do need bathing suits at the beach….), screw up your flight times, or (gasp!) forget to use your points while booking. (Not that you’d ever do that.)

We asked our TPG Lounge members on Facebook about their biggest travel fails and boy, did they deliver. How many of these uncomfortable travel moments have you experienced — and more importantly, what did you learn?

1. You show up at the wrong airport.

Living in a large city with multiple airports —*cough, NYC, LA, DC, Bay Area, cough*— makes you a prime target for this fail, especially if you’re prone to booking flights quickly and not paying attention to the details. Plus, most airports are too far to get from one to the other in enough time. Learn from Prash K.’s mistake and double-check those three little initials:

“Wife dropped me to LGB for a JetBlue flight to Boston. Didn’t realize that the flight was out of LAX. Called my wife back and got her to take me to LAX. Just missed my flight and had to take first (and last Spirit) flight to JAX and connect to BOS. Terrible experience.”

2. You forget something important.

Sunscreen? Check. Directions to the hotel? Check. Luggage? Uhh…wait a second. Even the best-laid plans can be foiled. Melissa D.’s experience might take the cake:

“I showed up to the airport to realize I had no luggage. My 3 suitcases full of ski gear bounced out of the back of my pickup truck, and I’m sure were scattered across the highway. Never found them.”

Maybe remember that story the next time you’re annoyed you forgot to pack an extra pair of jeans.

3. You are way too optimistic.

Maybe the red-eye’s a little cheaper and the timing seems to work out. But when you’re actually doing it? You might not be at your best. Kevin C.’s biggest travel fail was “Thinking to myself: ‘Sure, i’ll just take the red eye back from Vegas and go right to the client site.’” 

That’s a no-go.

4. You book the wrong flight.

With so many options swimming through your head and your browser window, it’s not uncommon to skip reading some of the necessary details, like whether your flight is leaving out of Portland, Maine or Portland, Oregon, or accidentally booking the flight in the wrong direction—or leaving in the a.m. or p.m. Here’s Andrea W.’s story: 

“I was debating between a Sunday night flight or a Monday morning flight to Newark. I accidentally booked a Monday night flight. I realized it Saturday night when I couldn’t check in for the flight. Delta had no Sunday night or Monday morning availability to Newark but I luckily was able to fly to LaGuardia instead and somehow was still within the no penalty change window. It was a pain though having to Uber all the way from LaGuardia to NJ.”

Her words of advice should be added to your travel to-do list: “Now I always double check my dates right after booking flights.”

5. Your alarm fails.

Oversleep for a morning flight and the punishments are threefold: you’ll sprint through the terminal, you definitely won’t have time for a bathroom break, and if you’re trying to check a bag — good luck. There’s usually a cut-off time at the bag drop and no amount of sweet-talking will get them to check your bag for you. Believe me, I’ve tried. Hot tip: Set two alarms for the morning. Actually, three. Okay, seven, just to be safe.

6. You miss your flight.

It doesn’t only happen in movies. Missing a flight is one of the biggest fails of all, screwing up any connections you were supposed to make or obligations you had on your arrival. The worst part is standing in the middle of the terminal talking to gate agents or being on hold with the airline, trying figure out your options.

Take it from Alex Z.: “In the days of paper tickets I went to the Maui (OGG) airport to catch my flight home to the mainland. Unfortunately my flight departed from Honolulu (HNL) and tucked in the back of my ticket book, itinerary, rental contract, receipts etc was a ticket OGG -> HNL that I was unaware of. Obviously I was at the wrong airport at the wrong time and missed both flights to get home.”

But wait! This fail turned into the rare happy ending:

“United was nice enough to route me through San Francisco on my way to Seattle, and as chance would be it was Easter Sunday and all of the flights were way oversold. I volunteered my seat in SFO not once, not twice, not three times … but 12 times over the next 12 hours and walked away with 13 free round trip tickets plus they gave me meal vouchers so I was very well fed 12 times over! #SCORE”

7. You have passport problems.

How many blank pages do you have in your passport? You might want to check. Olivia C. was on a birding trip in Malaysia when she realized she didn’t have enough pages for the entrance and exit stamps for the next countries on her trip:

“We missed the last day of our birding trip to race back to the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur before noon to have additional pages added. Some countries use an entire page for their stamps—so, get the most pages possible when renewing your passport, and check to make sure you have at least 2 blank pages for each country you plan to visit.”

Also check if your passport is about to expire — after a hiccup during a business trip, Frederick B. got advice from a friend to always consider your 10-year passport to actually be a 9 1/2 year passport, since some countries require it to be valid for six months after entry.

And then there’s the other fail: Forgetting your passport at home.

8. You forget about the time change.

Daylight Savings Time can certainly mess up your plans, but combine that with actual time zone changes? Forget about it. Joey P. was on his first international solo trip with his friends and didn’t realize the time changed the day he was flying back to the US.

“Our cell phones were all on airplane mode as we had already turned in our rental SIM card (back in the day of very expensive roaming and getting a local rental SIM was the most affordable option for high speed), so we got to the local train station to get the train back to the airport and suddenly realized we were an HOUR LATE for the train. We ended up spending 3-4x the amount we planned on the express train to the airport.”

 

9. You lose your luggage.

This one isn’t entirely your fault (isn’t it more fun to point fingers at the airline?) but it stings all the same. David Y. had this slip-up: “I checked two bags at SEA. I wasn’t watching closely when Agent printed out both tags and affixed them to bags. When I arrived at baggage claim in DFW, one bag came out on carousel with two tags on it!! That means other bag was unlabeled.”

But wait! Luckily, a month later, he found the bag.

And despite all these fails and inconveniences, it pays to look on the bright side — everyone has stories they can tell for years. Kristie H. has the right attitude about all these misadventures: “They may have been a hassle at the time, but sometimes the flavor of life is made through the mistakes and challenges, rather than having everything run smoothly and efficiently! You hardly learn lessons from the flights you make, it’s the ones you miss that bring you something!”

Amen.

But seriously, don’t forget your passport.

Featured photo by anyaberkut/Getty Images

PETALING JAYA: Election flag fever has left some Kuala Lumpur residents hot under the collar, and rising demands are being heard for local authorities to take action.

Political parties have already begun staking out territory by putting up their flags even though it is still a week to nomination of candidates on April 28, when the election campaign officially begins.

But party flags have already sprouted in some places shortly after Parliament was dissolved two weeks ago.

This has upset many residents, including a woman in Taman Bukit Angkasa in Kuala Lumpur, who has questioned authorities for their lack of action in pulling down these flags.

“It is simply an eyesore for residents and all those using these roads,” she said.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, gave an example of the area between Pantai Permai and Pantai Hill Park. She said tents had been erected, banners put up and even the trees have not been spared, with flags draped over them.

“The flags have been actively displayed since April 8, but it was gradual and a few at first. But as of yesterday, it became worse with more and more flags dominating the streets in our area.”

“Does the law actually matter to these local government authorities, because the flags have been put up way too early, and not within the campaigning period.”

Some politicians seem to have taken the law into their own hands to begin campaigning prior to the nomination date, she said.

Under the Election Offences Act, party flags can only be placed by nominated election candidates or their agents, which means that no campaigning is allowed before nomination day

She accused Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) of not taking the matter seriously. “I have even seen DBKL workers around here, and they were looking at the flags being put up, but not doing anything about it,” she said.

Earlier this week, police detained three women who removed 133 Barisan Nasional banners in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

The women said their complaints to City Hall had fallen on deaf ears. They were detained for investigation on grounds of committing mischief, prompting electoral reform campaigner Maria Chin Abdullah to call for action against those who put up the flags.

Maria described the arrests as unfair, unnecessary and an attempt to intimidate citizens. “Those who had put up the flags should have been charged under the advertisement by-laws and the vandalism by-laws,” she said.

Maria, former head of the Bersih electoral reform group, is a prospective election candidate of Pakatan Harapan.

Polling in Malaysia’s 14 general election will be held on May 9.

Click here to get live updates throughout the GE14 season

Maria: Punish parties who put up flags early

Nama Sadao mungkin tidak sehebat Danok atau Hatyai, lokasi yang sentiasa menjadi tumpuan khususnya pelancong dari luar Thailand termasuk Malaysia.

Namun bandar yang terletak kira-kira 20km dari sempadan Bukit Kayu Hitam di Kedah ini sebenarnya mempunyai beberapa tarikan yang boleh menambat hati pengunjungnya.

Mengikut catatan sejarah, Sadao yang terletak di Wilayah Songkhla, Thailand ini dan mempunyai penduduk seramai 21,662 orang pernah menjadi sebahagian daripada negeri Kedah.

Rata-rata penduduknya terdiri daripada pelbagai kaum dan agama berbeza seperti Buddha, Islam dan Cina dan Siam.

Promosi pelancongan

Sebagai usaha untuk meningkatkan jumlah pelancong ke daerah ini, Majlis Perbandaran Sadao baru-baru ini melancarkan program ‘’Sadao Tourism Promotion”.

Penulis turut berpeluang mengikuti program ini bersama-sama beberapa wakil media tempatan.

Majlis yang berlangsung di bangunan Elderly’s Center for Quality of Life (ECQL) diserikan dengan perarakan beramai-ramai masyarakat setempat yang berpakaian tradisional Thai dan perasmiannya disempurnakan oleh Timbalan Gabenor Songkhla, Kajornsak Jareonsopha.

Datuk Bandar Sadao, Sumet Sasithon memberitahu Bernama, sebagai menyokong program “Amazing Thailand Tourism 2018″, pihaknya melalui Majlis Perbandaran Sadao kini giat mempromosikan daerah itu sebagai destinasi persinggahan untuk mereka yang ingin ke Hatyai.

“Kami mengadakan majlis ini untuk mempromosikan Sadao sebagai destinasi pelancongan yang berpotensi. Tambahan, langkah ini boleh menambah pendapatan penduduk tempatan,” katanya.

Gunung Khao Le tarikan utama bagi pendaki

Salah satu tarikan yang ada di Sadao ialah Gunung Khao Le. Bagi penggemar aktiviti lasak seperti mengembara berjalan kaki, gunung ini sudah pasti menjadi pilihan sekiranya berkunjung ke bandar ini.

Masyarakat tempatan mengibaratkan gunung yang berketinggian 295 meter ini sebagai “gunung tinggi melangit” .

Menurut salah seorang kakitangan di majlis perbandaran itu yang mahu dikenali sebagai Annasser, pendakian ke Gunung Khao Le ini pastinya memberikan satu pemandangan menakjubkan terutamnya panorama langit yang terbentang luas.

“Pendakian mungkin mengambil masa 3 hingga 4 jam bergantung kepada stamina seseorang,” kata Annasser yang fasih berbahasa Melayu.

Banyak makanan unik di Street Food

Sebut Thailand pastinya ramai yang memikirkan keenakan makanannya dan penulis yang sempat berkunjung ke pasar malam di Sadao mendapati pelbagai makanan yang sedap rasanya.

Terdapat beberapa pasar malam di bandar ini yang dibuka mengikut hari tertentu di beberapa kawasan, antara yang terkenal ialah di Thapuutayya yang bermula pada petang Isnin.

Selain itu terdapat beberapa lagi pasar malam yang terkenal di Sadao iaitu di Jalan Thapu I yang dibuka pada hari Jumaat dan Jalan Thapu II yang beroperasi pada Sabtu dan Ahad.

Penulis sempat menjamu selera pelbagai jenis makanan tradisi yang terdapat di pasar malam Sadao, seperti ‘Pong-Neng’, tepung goreng yang dibentuk seperti bebola sebesar penumbuk tangan yang mempunyai pelbagai jenis perisa.

Turut menarik perhatian penulis ialah hidangan ‘Bua Loy Ka Ti Sod’ ataupun bebola beras yang berwarna warni bersama santan pekat yang dihidangkan di dalam helaian daun yang berbentuk seperti perahu. Rasanya manis, berlemak dan tekstur bebola berasnya amat lembut.

Hampir kesemua makanan yang penulis cuba tidak menghampakan, dan penulis merancang untuk berkunjung lagi ke pasar malam ini untuk mencuba makanan-makanan ini.

Tarikan serta kemudahan lain

Terdapat satu mercu tanda Sadao iaitu Taman Buddha yang menempatkan 6 patung utama dalam agama Buddha seperti patung gergasi Dewi Kuan Yin.

Berkeluasan lebih 800,000 meter persegi, taman ini yang terletak di atas bukit sering menjadi tumpuan pengunjung terutamanya yang beragama Buddha.

Pengunjung Malaysia yang memandu kenderaan sendiri ke bandar ini tidak perlu risau mengenai kemudahan kawasan letak kereta.

Ini kerana Majlis Perbandaran Sadao turut menyediakan kemudahan itu di kawasan seluas 2.4 hektar berhampiran padang sukan Sadao sebagai usaha menggalakkan pelancong dari Malaysia untuk singgah di bandar berkenaan.

Kawasan letak kereta itu yang dibina dengan kos sekitar 40 juta baht (kira-kira RM5 juta) boleh memuatkan 50 kenderaan dari Malaysia seperti bas dan kereta atau 200 kereta pada satu-satu masa.

“Dengan adanya kemudahan yang terletak 12km dari pintu sempadan, ia akan membantu mengurangkan masalah kekurangan parkir apabila ramai pelancong datang ke Thailand menerusi Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah dan Padang Besar, Perlis.

“Selain itu, kita juga akan membina premis perniagaan di kawasan ini serta pasar kraftangan Malaysia-Thailand yang dijangka beroperasi setiap Isnin dan ini menjadikan keseluruhan kos pembinaan termasuk parkir mencecah 200 juta Baht (RM24.8 juta),” kata Sumet.

Hubungan erat UUM-Sadao

Sementara itu, Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Kayu Hitam Datuk Ahmad Zaini Japar berkata pihaknya sentiasa menjaga hubungan baik di antara kedua-dua negara melalui pelbagai aktiviti yang dianjurkan bersama.

Antaranya melalui program “Thailand-Malaysia Relationship Sport Tourism 2017” yang berlangsung pada Feb 2017. Seramai 1,300 penunggang basikal dari Thailand berkayuh dari Sadao, Wilayah Songkhla ke kampus Universiti Utara Malaysia.

Program berkenaan bersempena dengan ulang tahun ke-60 hubungan diplomatik antara Malaysia dan Thailand di samping mempromosikan sektor pelancongan di sepanjang 69km kayuhan mereka.

Ahmad Zaini turut berharap agar lebih ramai pelancong Thailand singgah melancong dan berkunjung ke tempat menarik di Kedah.

Langkah itu, kata beliau akan mewujudkan situasi menang-menang untuk kedua-dua negara dari aspek pelancongan.

TORONTO: To lose weight, or just avoid gaining it, pasta is not one of the foods that needs to be sacrificed, researchers say.

Although pasta is made from refined grains, it’s low on the glycemic index, a measure of how quickly a person’s blood sugar levels rise after a food is eaten, the authors write in BMJ Open.

They analysed data from 32 previous trials that compared eating pasta as part of a diet based on other low-glycemic foods versus eating a high-glycemic diet without pasta. The researchers found that people lost more weight on the low-glycemic diet with pasta, and that pasta itself did not cause weight gain or increases in body fat.

“We work in the areas of carbohydrate quality, doing randomised trials on glycemic index and plant-based diets that are higher in carbohydrates,” said senior study author John Sievenpiper. “And we’re seeing a lot of anti-carbohydrate sentiment and a real attack on carbohydrates, in particular a lot of the staples, like rice and bread and pasta.”

“So we wanted to test the question, ‘Does (pasta) have an adverse effect as suggested by the headlines and blog posts, and some of the expert opinions that you once find both in social and conventional media on this?’,” said Sievenpiper, a nutrition researcher at the University of Toronto.

The trials included in the review and analysis included a total of 2,448 participants, all overweight or obese, who were followed for at least 12 weeks, and in some cases up to 24 weeks. In addition to tracking weight, many of the trials assessed body fat as reflected by waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight relative to height.

Overall, the study team found that people who ate low-glycemic-index diets with pasta did not gain weight. Rather, they lost 0.63 kilogrammes (1.39 pounds) more than those on the high-glycemic diets without pasta. There was also a slight decline in BMI with the low-glycemic diet, but no other measures of body fat changed.

The researchers also separately analyzed the 11 trials where pasta serving sizes and number were measured. They found those participants who ate an average of about three half-cup servings of pasta per week lost about 0.7 kilogrammes (1.54 pounds) more than those who ate higher-glycemic diets.

“In the context of weight, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, in this case, a low-glycemic-index diet, (eating pasta) won’t sabotage or undo your goals and may even help you achieve them in terms of your weight,” Sievenpiper said in a telephone interview.

“I want to say, it’s almost quite ironic, in that pasta is an example – and there’s not too many – of a processed food and a highly refined carbohydrate, that has a low glycemic index, precisely because of it’s processing,” he added.

When flour and water are mixed then allowed to dry, it makes the starch less digestible, so it has a slower absorption rate and thus causes a slower and lower rise in blood glucose, Sievenpiper said.

The analysis is limited by the fact that the study team couldn’t find any studies that examined pasta alone, but only as part of an overall dietary pattern. They recommend that future studies also look at pasta’s role within other types of healthy diets, such as the Mediterranean diet.

Sandra Arevalo, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator for Montefiore Health System in New York who wasn’t involved in the analysis noted that the study did not differentiate between whole wheat and white pastas.

“Whole grains are always a better food choice because of the higher content of dietary fibre that helps to improve the function of the digestive system, helps to clean the inside of the body, helps with satiety and thus weight loss, and to control blood sugars,” she said in an email.

“A healthy diet includes whole grains that cover a quarter of our plate in each meal. When eating refined grains such as white rice, pasta, or bread, we shouldn’t exceed this portion size either, but eat them no more than two or three times per week.”

Some sauces that are commonly added to pasta, such as carbonara and Alfredo, are made with cream, butter, milk, and other rich ingredients which add hidden calories and fat, Arevalo noted.

Dementia is a very common neuro-cognitive disorder in this era. It is the gradual loss of mental function that slowly leads to the impairment of one’s ability to perform daily, basic activities.

There are different types of dementia – Alzheimer’s, vascular and Lewy body dementia are just some. Of these, Alzheimer’s is the most common and accounts for 50-70% of all dementia cases.

According to studies, approximately 24.3 million people in the world suffer from dementia, with 4.6 million new cases expected each year.

Studies also show that 6.1% of people aged 65 years and older suffers from this illness.

Dementia not only affects the patient, but also immediate family members, close friends and primary caregivers.

Dementia patients gradually lose their memory and in time will not be able to recognise even their closest family members. There will also be a steady deterioration of their ability to perform daily activities such as maintaining their personal hygiene or eating a meal by themselves.

It will therefore become the role of the caregiver to help those with dementia with these activities, a learning process that can be challenging at times.

It is therefore helpful for caregivers to know what they should do and what they should not when difficult situations present itself.

Aggressive behaviour

People with dementia can sometimes display physically or verbally aggressive behaviour without intending to. It usually happens when they feel uncomfortable, scared or confused with their surroundings.

Do

• Stay calm.

• Try to understand why they are behaving in such a manner. Is there anything unusual around them or are they feeling uncomfortable?

• Calm the patient down by slowly directing their focus away from what they are complaining about. Talk to them softly and assure them they are safe.

Every dementia patient has their own way of calming down, and caregivers must be patient in identifying actions that lead to eventual calmness.

Don’t

• Do not start an argument.

• Try to avoid the word “No” when dealing with them.

• Do not counteract their harsh words as these are unintentional and only spoken out of fear.

• Do not constrain them to the issue that makes them act out aggressively.

Confusion

People with dementia tend to get confused about time and space and therefore frequently ask to go home. They usually say things like “Let’s go home”, “Where am I?”, “When are we leaving?”.

Do

As a caregiver, it is important to know which place or situation gives a person with dementia a sense of comfort and safety. Hence, there could be a need to tell a “therapeutic lie”.

Therapeutic lies may seem insensitive to some but it does help relieve the anxiety and confusion that those with dementia usually experience. Always keep in mind that it is not obligatory to keep dementia patients in the realm of reality.

Don’t

• Do not use lengthy sentences, phrases or complicated words when talking to them.

• Do not try to reason with a dementia patient.

Decreased judgement

Dementia is a progressive brain disease. Hence, it will affect a patient’s sense of judgement, simply because their brain is in control of their cognitive thinking.

Those with dementia usually become suspicious of others and often accuse their own family members of stealing their things. Many therefore develop the habit of hoarding their personal or household items.

Do

• Do check the extent of any issue a dementia patient is obsessing over.

• Give them assurance and encouragement so they feel less pressured.

• Offer help in gradual ways to reduce their frustration.

Don’t

• Do not argue with a dementia patient.

• Do not doubt or question their ability to handle any issue as it will create more anxiety and frustration.

Remember to take care of yourself

Caregivers often become physically and mentally affected over time as it takes immense mental and physical ability to constantly care for a person with dementia.

It has been reported that many caregivers suffer from sleep deprivation, reduced work productivity, lack of appetite and lack of exercise.

Do rely on friends and family members in times of need. Take a short holiday to relax and make time for yourself once in a while.

Some non-governmental organisations provide day care services for dementia patients – The Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia, Dementia Society Perak, and Johor Bahru Alzheimer’s Disease Association are among these.

Staff in these organisations are well trained and caregivers could benefit from a little professional help once in a while. It is proven that caregivers are less likely to develop depression and stress with respite care.

 

 

 

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DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained here with other sources, and review all information with your physician. Please do not disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you have read here. FMT is not responsible and liable for any damage caused through information obtained here.

 

If you struggle to find dishes that are easy and quick enough for a weeknight, you're going to love this recipe for honey balsamic chicken and Brussels sprouts. The whole meal comes together in 25 minutes, and it all cooks on one sheet pan, which means cleanup is also sure to be a breeze.

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