Protecting Yourself

Do you know how the articles you carry everyday can save you from a life threatening situation? Things like umbrella, newspaper, perfume, books, keys and other objects that you may have in your purse can be used in self defense. 

HANDBAG: You are walking and someone is determined to stop you. Do not hesitate, hit your attacker in the face as hard as you can to distract him and immediately follow it up with a kick in the groin. Don't wait for the result of your action. Get away quickly.

NEWSPAPER: Someone grabs your arm. Turn and face your attacker and hit him solidly in the nose with the rolled up newspaper.

KEY: You can use this object to stab your attacker in the side of his face. Quickly follow this up by hammering the nose with a closed fist. If your attacker is holding you closely, use the key in the same manner and jab his nose with the heel of your hand to free yourself completely. Escape.

BOOK: If you are carrying a book, same moves apply. You can use the hard corner of the book to hit your attacker in the nose and as much as possible, make a follow up kick in the groin. Make your hit as accurately as you can. Do not think twice. Just do it and plan your escape.

UMBRELLA  Use this object targeting the nose or the groin or whichever is possible. If you have a long umbrella or a stick, you can poke hard in the center of the solar plexus of your attacker. This area is so sensitive, and causes an individual to reel in agony if he receives a blow there. When you learn self defense or any other martial arts techniques you will be told about the solar plexus location in the body. It is a location where a number of nerve endings meet, and this increases the sensitivity and the functionality of this specific region. The general location of the solar plexus in a human being is in the back of the stomach, or the upper abdomen.

Bear in mind that there are some important rules on how to react if attacked. Top most is focus; seconded with determination, quick to act and where to hit your attacker. Know your primary target - the eyes and the groin; the others are secondary targets only. If you keep these in mind then you already have the advantage over your attacker. If possible, avoid a confrontation. Stay calm and work out an effective strategy  to fight off. However, if you have a determined attacker, breathe slowly and calm your nerves. Always look straight in his eyes and turn sideways to make it a bit difficult for the attacker to grab you. Do not hesitate to hurt him. Otherwise, you will give him the chance to be successful with whatever his motives are. Be careful not to get cornered. Always lead yourself to an open space and not near the door or a wall. 

Most attackers think that they are at an advantage. They'll be in for a big shock if you surprise them with the least of their expectation. Surprise is a very important factor in self defense. If used properly, you can off balance him and this would definitely give you valuable time to save yourself. Screaming loud and spitting in the face are both effective.

Your correct stance is also essential because of the maximum mobility it can give you. Relax your body, position your other foot slightly forward and not too close from each other, knees slightly bent in a comfortable fashion. Your shoulders should be diagonal to your attacker  to present the least part of your body to be grabbed by the attacker. Always clench your fists to prevent your fingers to be damaged when there is a need to block their arms. Keep moving and avoid being in a steady position. Hands and arms must always be ready for any attacks. This will confuse your attacker. Try to stay out of reach from your attacker but maintain eye contact.

Always and always hit your attacker in vulnerable areas. Otherwise they may not affect your attacker. We are not Bruce Lee, Steven Segal or Jet Lee. We are of the weaker gender and are only fighting back for our life, defending the safety of our love ones or even protecting our property if confronted with an aggressor.

Read related post for Basic Self Defense for Women.

Basic Self Defense for Women

Unfortunately, the world outside is no longer a safe place to be in. Whether you like it or not, there are always bad guys waiting for their next prey. Women are most likely their target due to the fact that women are weaker than them in terms of physical stature. But that should not intimidate you as there are several techniques you can do to outsmart your attacker. Before we proceed, the goal here is to escape, not to kill or beat the hell out of him. You just want to let him know that you can't be a passive victim and that you know how to defend yourself.

Assess the distance of your attacker. Your move will depend on how close the person is to you; which part of your body to employ and where you will strike your attacker. Focus by looking straight into his eyes and start positioning your body. Make sure  to put one foot forward to have a solid foot hold on the ground; knees slightly bent. Putting yourself in this stance will not make you off balance easily.

  
POWERFUL MOVES FOR STRIKING VITAL AREAS

Eyes - Target the eyes by pushing your fingers into the attacker's eyes. Damaging the attacker's field of vision makes him more likely to leave you alone because he knows you'll be putting up a fight.

Throat/ Adam's Apple - Hit with your elbow or fist as hard as you can. You must do this accurately to give a good throat punch. Aim for the Adam's apple as it should shock the attacker the most.

Nose - You can hit the nose in three directions: on top, on the side and up under. Striking on top of the nose (bridge) needs a closed fist hammer blow. This will cause pain and possible bleeding. If the attacker is behind you, a backward elbow strike all the way up to the nose will be effective causing pain, eye watering, possible bleeding and jerking back of the attacker's head can create disorientation. If the attacker is close in front of you strike a palm up under the nose. This is a good move if the attacker is taller than you. A powerful blow to the head/ nose could be fatal. However, this move can disorient your attacker. Remember, the objective is to deliver enough pain to stun him so he'd loosen his grip on you. Escape.

Shin - Strike your attacker with a fast and forceful kick. It will briefly stop him and a great chance for you to escape. If you hit the shin accurately, your attacker should find it very hard to you a chase.

Groin - Like the throat, you need to be very precise when aiming for the groin. If you hit the right spot, it should immobilize him long enough for you to get away.

Avoid over thinking of what move to do. This will cause you to freeze. Act upon instinct and focus. Presence of mind will definitely give you control of your life.

It would be best though if you wouldn't have to engage yourself physically. It is always better to use your head. Self defense is actually doing everything possible to avoid fighting someone who threatens or attacks you. It is all about being smart. If you feel like you are being watched, that could be your intuition telling you something. Your common sense is telling you that something is not right and you should go back where there are a lot of people. Do the best thing you can to prevent things from getting worse. Do not invite trouble.

See related post for Basic Self Defense for Women

The Three Secrets of Fatima

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three young Portuguese shepherds; namely, Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto starting on 13 May 1917. The three children have been visited by a Marian apparition six times between May and October 1917. This is popularly known as Our Lady of Fatima.

The First Secret 

The first secret was a vision of Hell:

"Our Lady showed us a great sea of fire which seemed to be under the earth. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, floating about in the conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames that issued from within themselves together with great clouds of smoke, now falling back on every side like sparks in a huge fire, without weight or equilibrium, and amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us tremble with fear. The demons could be distinguished by their terrifying and repulsive likeness to frightful and unknown animals, all black and transparent. This vision lasted but an instant. How can we ever be grateful enough to our kind heavenly Mother, who had already prepared us by promising, in the first Apparition, to take us to heaven. Otherwise, I think we would have died of fear and terror"

The Second Secret
Prophecies about World War II and the expansion of Communism ("the errors of Russia") :

"You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The war is going to end: but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the Pontificate of Pope Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light*, know that this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father. To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the Consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world."

The Third Secret

A heavenly sign marking the beginning of the end times and a prediction of apostasy from the Church. Listen to the videos below to know the real secret of Fatima.

You are also encouraged to read the article of the Message of Fatima written by the Benedictines for full awareness of what's going on nowadays. at: 

The Message of Fatima 

You may also click the header tab above entitled "Catholic Faith" to be directly linked to the Most Holy Family Monastery for their other articles of importance.

You must not also miss the other videos from the Benedictines entitled "Is the World About To End?". For easy access, click the link below as I have compiled all 12 parts (short recordings) at:

Is the World About To End?

May you be Blessed and Touched by Our Lady of Fatima.

How Do You Know If You Are Having A Heart Attack?

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. If the blood flow is blocked, this will prevent the oxygen to flow to the heart and heart cells lose life. Clots happen due to plaque built up along the artery walls. Substances like fatty deposits are called plaque. Sometimes, the plaques crack and trigger a blood clot to form. Plaque can also become large enough to rupture and completely block the arteries. Since substances that make the plaque are built-up over the years, then, heart attack can be prevented and controlled. The development to an attack is triggered by smoking, elevated sugar, high cholesterol, over-weight, family history, highblood pressure, lack of exercise, aging and stress.

Most heart attacks start slowly, as a mild chest pain or discomfort. It may come and go and sometimes unnoticed. It is often ignored because the chest pain resembles a heartburn which has nothing to do with the heart. This feeling is a burning sensation inside the chest that is caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. 

So, how do you know if you are having a heart attack? Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack is important to prevent you from becoming an emergency case. Be aware and be conscious and  of the following feeling:

• A tight band around the chest
• Bad indigestion
• Something heavy sitting on your chest
• Squeezing or heavy preassure

Other symptoms include:

• Cough
• Fainting
• Light-headedness, dizzines
• Nausea or vomiting
• Palpitation
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Pain extending or moving towards the jaw, left arm or shoulder

If you think you are experiencing these symptoms or somebody with you is having a heart attack, immediately call for an emergency. Don't take chances by waiting out and expecting the signs to go away soon.  Immediately get medical examination even if the symptoms stop completely, It is better to sure than sorry. A life can be saved by making time for seemingly less important concerns without waiting for them to turn into life-threatening emergency.

Extreme Climate Change

Whether you agree or not the world is experiencing a vast number of extreme weather events from different parts of the globe in recent years. Each of which seems to be a record breaker of its kind. I don't know how you feel about all these but I would say these events are a big question mark for all of us.

Yale Environment 360 asked A panel of eight leading climate scientists that offer answers to the question, "Is extreme weather change linked to global warming?" Their responses varied, with some agreeing on rising temperatures already are bringing on turbulent weather and others saying that more extreme weather may be likely, however, data available is not enough to make out a trend in that note.

Whether the debate is true or not, here is one thing that is undeniably true - climate change is hitting the homes of the many. The phenomenal events are affecting the lives of millions. Media has been asking questions to the experts but they get the same answers. In a much earlier article in Yale Environment 360, Trenberth says  that scientists are giving the same nonchalant explanation that we can't definitely point a finger solely to the climate change. In finding trends, it is necessary to compare the most extreme events to ordinary extreme events (To read the full article, go to: Yale Environment 360).
 

Tsunami in Japan 2011

Typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines 2009

Massive Earthquake in New Zealand 2011

Haiti Earthquake 2010

These were but just a few of the unforgettable and most painful results of the said climate change.We are all so helpless when nature hits us big time. One can only pray for mercy and grieve for the losses including loved ones. Is climate change for real? I have come across websites with different views. Some are hard to believe, some can leave a doubt, some with logical explanation and others I find truly scary. Again, I try to keep an open mind to each and every article I read. Here are some of the links I've read. I don't know...I feel that we just have to educate ourselves to be aware and be prepared of I - don't - honestly - know - what.

Ten Facts & Ten Myths On Climate Change

Heres proof Global Warming ( Climate Change) is a FRAUD!

Is climate change real?
Global Warming
Study hints at extreme climate change

Carrots Before Cut Lowers Risk of Cancer

Anti-cancer properties of carrots are said to be more potent when cooked before cutting. Chopping, slicing and cutting causes the nutrients to leach out into the water while they are cooked.

Recent findings show that when carrots are heated, it kills the cells. Therefore, they lose the ability to retain the water inside them. Heating soften the cell walls that lead to leaching water-soluble compounds such as sugar and Vitamin C via the surface of the tissue. Scientists found carrots that were boiled before cutting contained 25% more of the anti-cancer compound falcarinol. Boiled carrots are also easy to digest, most likely you take more of the falcarinol thus lose less of it in the stools.

A single carrot will supply all your Vitamin A (helps normal cell reproduction) needs for the whole day. Studies have found that eating a lot of carrots is a strong indicator of lower cancer risk probably because carrots are a valuable source of a wide variety of substances in food called carotenoids which provide a wealth of benefits.

Health Benefits:

• Enhance the quality of breastmilk.
• Can improve the appearance of the skin, hair and nails.
• Can lower cholesterol and blood pressure when taken daily.
• Raw contains beta carotene, a strong anti oxidant that can prevent cancer.
• Carrot juice when taken daily prevents infections and is claimed to be valuable for the adrenal glands (the small endocrine glands situated above the kidneys).
• Can help improve eyesight.
• Can help increase menstrual flow.
• Can regulate blood sugar.
• Can promote colon health because it is fiber-rich.
• Also helpful in the following cases: obesity, blood poisoning, gum disease, insomnia, gall bladder, Alzheimer's disease, colitis, ulcer, painful urination.

Research also shows that carrots has a protective effect against ultraviolet light. Chinese medical practitioners recommend it to give your liver more energy. Enough sun exposure everyday helps vitamin A to take effect. Please take note that there is a possibility of overdose in Vitamin A. Overeating carrots can cause skin discoloration (yellow or yellow-orange) due to excess carotene in the blood; said condition is called carotenemia. Although the condition is said to be temporary, liver damage is possible. Those who drink large quantities of carrot juice are at a highest risk. It is therefore recommended to eat a diet that contains a vaiety of fruits and vegetables for good health.

Moreover, the carrot contains calcium, potassium, Vitamin B and C. Calcium helps prevent narrowing of the blood vessels. Potassium promotes regular heartbeat. Vitamin B improves metabolism. Vitamin C protects cells against free radicals and strengthen blood vessel walls.

Olive Oil Helps Prevent Stroke

"A lot more research needs to be carried out scientifically test the effectivenes of olive oil as an ingredient that can protect against stroke" Sharlin Ahmed.

Those who used a lot of olive oil in their diet are found to be in lower risk of stroke than those who never used it; researchers found after following 7,000 people aged 65 and over living in French cities, for at least five years. Olive oil is believed to have potential health benefits as it can protect against conditions as high cholesterol, highblood pressure and heart disease and so it's promising to see that it could have a similar protective function against stroke, said Sharlin Ahmed. It was also mentioned that the risk of stroke would only be reduced through consuming olive oil as an alterative to other cooking fats and as a part of a healthy balanced diet that is low in saturated fat and salt. But please take note that this is based on the responses from the public and not a clinical trial yet. 

Can Cut Cancer Risk

In the news reported by the BBC News on December 23, 2006; a study of 182 European men found those who had 25 mililitres of olive oil per day had reduced levels of a substances which indicate cell damage.The study is in the Federation American Societies for Experimental Biology.

Oxidative damage is a process whereby the metabolic balance of a cell is disrupted by exposure to substances that result in the accumulation of free-radicals, which can then damage the cell.

Phenols are believed to act as a poweful antioxidants that contain the olive oil. Moreover, the micronutrients in the oil have lead the scientists to believe that it makes a good heart protector.

Claire Birks, a senior market analyst at Mintel said, "The popularity of olive oil has not only been helped by its aspirational value, but also by its association with Mediterranean cooking and the health claims linked with this way of life,"

Olive trees were cultivated in the Mediterranean as long ago as 3000 BC. It is the unadulterated juice of crushed olives and contains no additives or preservatives.

It is an oil high in monounsaturates, which means it can help to control cholesterol levels as part of a healthy balanced diet. And its high vitamin E content helps to stave off heart disease.

Is the World About to End?

My brother found these links in Youtube. I feel it's something everyone must know and understand thus reason of posting it here. I checked on the website and found related articles that contributed a thirst for answers. Said articles were carefully researched and studied by the Benedictine community.

If you want to read more of their other articles, I have included a link to their website on the header tab "CATHOLIC FAITH".

IS THE WORLD ABOUT TO END?

(Click the links below.)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Overview of the Benedictine Community

(Excerpts from the website)

The said community lives under the Rule of St. Benedict. "The hours ordered by the Rule to be devoted daily to systematic reading and study, have given the world many of the foremost scholars and writers, so that the term 'Benedictine learning' has been for long centuries a byword indicative of the learning and laborious research fostered in the Benedictine cloister. The regulations regarding the reception and education of children, moreover, were the germ from which sprang up a great number of famous monastic schools and universities which flourished in the Middle Ages.”(4)  The work of education and the cultivation of literature have always been looked upon as belonging by right to the Benedictines.(5)

Besides being the chief educational centers during the Middle Ages, the monasteries were, moreover, the workshops where precious manuscripts were collected, preserved, and multiplied.  To the monastic transcribers the world is indebted for most of its ancient literature, not only the Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers, but those of the classical authors also.(6)"

The Benedictine Community

"As is obvious from our website, our community is heavily involved with educating people about what they must know and do in order to save their souls, which is the most important work of charity with which anyone could be involved.  “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6).  And without the Catholic faith it is impossible to be saved.  Therefore, our work as Catholic Benedictine monks – especially in this time of the great apostasy – necessarily involves educating Catholics about the true dogmas of the Church and condemning the heresies that are rampant today.  Our work also deeply involves exposing the counterfeit Catholic Church of the Vatican II sect, which is deceiving millions of those who profess to be Catholic.  This counterfeit Vatican II sect – with its antipopes – is the primary enemy of Jesus Christ today.  It is most dangerous for the salvation of souls because it purports to be the Catholic Church but it is not.  This is why we dedicate much effort to exposing it.

We also work and pray for the salvation of all non-Catholics, producing and distributing mass quantities of information with the goal of converting them to the one true faith, outside of which no one can be saved.  In our apostolic work (called an “apostolate”), we have distributed almost 1 million copies of our videos, audios, DVDs and books.  The material that we have distributed and continue to distribute covers a wide variety of topics that are essential, including (to name a few): the necessity of prayer; the eternity and pains of Hell; the shortness of life; miraculous conversion stories; the authenticity of Sacred Scripture; the special creation of the earth; the refutation of the theory of evolution; the miracles and marvels of the Catholic saints; the importance of the message of Fatima; the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin; the Communist and Freemasonic plot against the Catholic Church; the evils of Rock Music; the false and invalid New Mass; the false Second Vatican Council; the false Vatican II antipopes; the dogma outside the Church there is no salvation; and many others.

We also have spoken personally to thousands concerning the true Catholic faith and a person’s obligation to profess it. 

Our Community is dedicated first and foremost to Jesus Christ, our Savior, and the worship of the Most Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Ghost)– the One True God – and the profession of the Catholic faith whole and inviolate.  Secondly, our Community is deeply dedicated to the promotion of the Holy Rosary as the primary private devotion for a Catholic. Just as without the faith it is impossible to please God, so it is true that without a strong prayer life it is impossible to be saved.  We especially promote the 15 decade Rosary, which the monks recite each day.  We believe that the 15 decade Rosary is the key to the salvation of many souls and we encourage everyone to attempt to say it and promote it to others. The monks have personally witnessed the incredible transformation in the lives of many people through the 15 decade Rosary.  The power of the Holy Rosary is truly amazing, and God has revealed that He has conferred even more efficacy upon the Holy Rosary in our dark days.  St. Louis De Montfort recommends one set of mysteries at three different times in the day as an effective way to say the entire Rosary each day.  We believe that the salvation of millions of souls hinges upon the practice of a true devotion to the Mother of God and the necessary foundation of a pure profession of the true Catholic faith.

In addition to the above, our community practices (and encourages others to practice) devotion to saints, not only by getting to know their extraordinary devotion to God by learning about their lives, but also by praying to them to intercede with God for us.   We have posted on our website a few prayers to saints that we recommend (and we plan to add more).  At Most Holy Family Monastery we recite at least one prayer each day to St. Benedict (our founder), St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Michael the Archangel, Jacinta the shepherdess of Fatima, St. Joseph, and St. Jude."

Odd Finds

A friend told me of an article he read on two pillars depicting the destruction of New York City. He gave me the link which I took note of to see for myself the moment I get home from work. Too many questions popped in my head that lead me from one website to another in quest for answers to the many questions I have in mind. I found a lot of related articles on various  topics which I never knew of its existence until the day my friend paved the way to some facts that the majority know nothing about. I had to constantly remind myself to just keep an open mind and continue reading articles that would interest me.

My friend was so focused on symbols and its meaning and I was so focused on something else - true faith. Little did we know that one day we would actually be discussing the things we cannot freely discuss to anyone with the fear of what others might think. Here is a list of topics I found over the net that really captured my attention.

Check the links below to read for yourself and do come back to share us your thoughts.

Prophetic Pillars on St. John the Divine Cathedral?

St. John The Divine Cathedral

Lady Gaga’s Judas and the Age of Horus 

Lady Gaga' Born This Way 

New Strain of E-Coli Outbreak

The World Health organization has announced a new and virulent strain E coli claimed the life of 17 people and left 1.500 infected patients across Europe. Three infected British internationals  believed to have developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome. It is a rare and severe kidney complication that destroys red blond cells and can affect the central nervous system. A health official in Germany admitted the precise source of the disease may never be traced.

A microbiologist from the University of Aberdeen, professor Hugh Pennington, told the BBC that the outbreak was unusual because it didn't seem to be affecting young children. Records indicate that in the vast majority of outbreaks, most victims were the elderly or children. However, in the case of the German E coli strain, at least, 13 of the 19 adult women died of the new strain infection.  UK Health Protection Agency, Bob Adak, said that they cannot confirm why women have been disproportionately affected. Cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes were suspected to be at the centre of the E coli outbreak. Ironically, this may also explain why young women seen to be affected by the bug.

What's alarming is that this aberrant strain is resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics. The question lies where these resistance factors coming from? One nasty bacteria seems to have acquired a toxin from another nasty bacteria which resulted in an even nastier bug.  It's like producing two toxins that causes damage and lead to bloody diarrhea and damage tissues including the kidneys. Acute kidney failure is often a life threatening complication of normal E coli outbreaks.

In the recent news the E.coli outbreak in Germany already claimed its first child victim. A 2-year-old boy succumbed to the virulent strain in the eastern town of Hannover. The death toll for the outbreak is now at 37.

Kids Suffering from Stroke

I recently came across an article about kids suffering from strokes. Kids as young as 6 years old falling victim to obesity. The dramatic evidence shows that even babies are being treated in hospitals because of their weight - some after being weaned on pureed junk food. Research had it that hundreds of children under three are being treated for obesity. At least 40 babies under one have been admitted in the past five years. The rising increase in number of babies and toddlers are being diagnosed as clinically obese; more so suffering weight - linked diseases that normally appear in later life.

Much of the problem caused by the parents who wean their babies while they are too young and feed them with inappropriate foods. Report shows that doctors have seen babies being fed with crisps, chocolates and even sodas. There are parents guilty of giving their infants pureed chips with milk or even mashed take-away foods. It is sad to note that many of the overweight children are suffering from breathing difficulties and manifesting early signs of obesity related diabetes. Experts says some parents must be taught what to feed their babies.

The popular hope is that it is just baby fat and they will grow out of it, but studies show that it is more likely to continue being obese and even become more obese. Research suggests that unhealthy eating can "programme" young children's taste for the rest of their life. They are finding evidence that a child's gene may be programmed in the womb by the lifestyle of their parents.

Fat babies are cute to look at but is it really healthy?