My friend recommended a regimen to me years ago, of taking apple cider vinegar (2 teaspoon) with 2 teaspoon of honey and 8 ounces of water. She said that this is to be taken just before every meal in a day. This was very effective for her weight management and also said that this was healthy. I wasn't able to realize the full effects of this regimen since I didn't fully apply the regimen. But recently, while doing our weekly grocery, I came across the section where apple cider vinegar were stacked on the shelves of the supermarket. I just thought of doing some research about it and check on its benefits. Here are what I have found on the net so far:

(1) Detoxifies the liver. This is important since the liver has the main function of digesting fats and filters toxins in our body.
(2) Weight loss. It was claimed by some that ancient Egyptians use apple cider vinegar for weight loss.
(3) Reduces appetite.
(4) Controls blood pressure. Apple cider vinegar is said to be rich with potassium, an element known to make the blood thinner and control blood pressure at appropriate levels.
(5) Cholesterol control and glucose control. The fiber in apple cider vinegar is said to help in controlling the levels of cholesterol in our body and also control the glucose level in our blood.

I think with all the health benefits associated with apple cider vinegar, it is definitely worth it to try this regimen. But I think I should make sure this time that I stick to this regimen in order for me to realize its benefits.

Nowadays, no one is spared by the big C or the assassin like hypertension. Rich and poor alike are vulnerable to these fatal diseases. Although there are now a lot of supplements and 'organic' herbals in the market, still nothing beats the 'real natural', which could be derived off the market food that we buy. At the main forefront in preventing and battling the major diseases of big C and hypertension are foods that are rich in 'antioxidants'. But what are antioxidants exactly? Lets put it at simple definition with one that fights oxidation. And 'oxidation' reaction produce 'free radicals' that start chain reactions that damage cells. With both dreaded diseases, our cells are destroyed by 'free radicals' that mutate our cells and clogs our arteries. We could have that decision though to acquire that needed discipline to fight the oxidation reaction in our body through antioxidants.

Here is a list of the top food with most antioxidants content:

Rank	Food	Serving Size	Total Antioxidant Capacity per serving size
1	Small Red Bean	1/2 cup dried beans	13727
2	Wild blueberry	1 cup	13427
3	Red kidney bean	1/2 cup dried beans	13259
4	Pinto bean	1/2 cup	11864
5	Blueberry	1 cup cult- ivated berries	9019
6	Cranberry	1 cup whole berries	8983
7	Artichoke hearts	1 cup cooked	7904
8	Blackberry	1 cup	7701
9	Prune	1/2 cup	7291
10	Raspberry	1 cup	6058
11	Strawberry	1 cup	5938
12	Red Delicious apple	1	5900
13	Granny Smith	1	5381
14	Pecan	1 ounce	5095
15	Sweet cherry	1 cup	4873
16	Black plum	1	4844
17	Russet potato	1 cooked	4649
18	Black bean	1/2 cup dried beans	4181
19	Plum	1	4118
20	Gala apple	1	3903

Those I think that are widely available in stores for us to pick and be healthy are the following:
blueberry, cranberry (juice), prunes, strawberry, apple.

Philippines' Icon of Democracy breathe her last, early morning of August 1, 2009. Former President Corazon Aquino's only son, Senator Noynoy Aquino announced to the media outside of Makati Medical Center that their beloved mother passed away at 3:18 am. The widow of former Senator Ninoy Aquino, also an icon of democracy in the Philippines, was well-known for standing steadfast against the iron fist of the then strongman of the Philippines, former President Ferdinand Marcos. A self-proclaimed plain housewife, who took care of her children and tended well to the welfare of her popular husband, ran against the then powerful and dictator of the Republic of the Philippines. She led the people in a bloodless revolt, popularly known as the 'People Power' in Edsa in order to force out of power the violent regime that curtail the freedom and lives of many Filipinos. Her signature 'yellow' colored outfits and 'laban' sign has been very popular during her fight with the regime of the dictator. She with the people and the clerics fought the tanks and guns of the soldiers that back the dictator regime, not with guns and bullets but with flowers, prayers and rosaries. And indeed former President Corazon Aquino triumphed in the end. Her tenure as president though was not easy as she was constantly mired with coup attempts from the military who want to wrest power from her. They thought that the first woman president of the republic and of Asia was weak then. But she proved to them that she was resilient and she has with her the power of her prayers.

Perhaps, early morning of Saturday, August 1, Mrs Aquino breathed her last, without ever seeing her beloved Filipino people totally rising out of the chains of poverty, corruption and oppression from the powerful elite. We the next generation though are hopeful that the Filipino people after twenty five (25) years from having restored democracy, a gift from former President Cory Aquino and her husband Ninoy, could soon rise up and have their heads up as truly 'Filipinos worth dying for'.