Diet against tiredness
By Sandra Goģe
The end of winter is the time when our bodies are the most exhausted and when we, especially students, have to care about our energy level and health.
Tiredness can be physical, after work or a workout, but it also can be emotional. More information about causes and symptoms of tiredness find at http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/beating_tiredness.html
“If the tiredness is permanent eat fewer carbohydrates and more often say No to bread and pasta products. Give preference to fresh products of very good quality, because food is one of the most important sources of energy,” says leading diet specialist of Latvia, Lolita Neimane. Experts also suggest not buying ready-made salads in supermarkets or other fast-food products and saying no to products with long usage period. Neimane advises forgetting about ketchup, synthetic cakes and cookies.
It’s better to eat less but more qualitatively – choose vegetables, fish, fruit, seeds, nuts and spices with exhilarating powers. Don’t eat cold products. Instead of coffee and tea give priority to still water. For uplifting mood choose dark chocolate which stimulates happiness. And the main rule in the fight against tiredness – Forget about smoking, drinking alcohol, eating sweets and drinking coffee!
Usually everybody has their own methods of fighting against tiredness, so it would be great if you could share some with us!
Options of healthy food:
Graffiti – forbidden art
By Kārlis Kocers
Graffiti seems inescapable in urban areas, especially in Riga.
Graffiti is often seen as having become intertwined with hip-hop culture and the myriad of international styles derived from New York City Subway graffiti. In America around the late 1960s, graffiti was used as a form of expression by political activists, and also by gangs such as the Savage Skulls, La Familia, and Savage Nomads to mark territory. As hip-hop culture spread to Europe, including Eastern Europe, it brought graffiti as one of the four main elements.
„I’m not an artist; I’m a graffiti writer” says Tase, who goes by this nickname rather than using his real name, because graffiti isn’t legal in Riga. According to Tase, there is big a difference between graffiti writer and an artist. Real graffiti writers are those who only leave their initials in city environment. Tase says an artist can easily be everybody who makes paintings or pictures with spray paint. “By writing your initials you somehow show who you are, that this is your city” Tase explains the reason why he does graffiti writing.
While there are some battles between graffiti writers; they don’t represent any criminal gangs, but it is like a game for them to compete with somebody. They try to show their power to other graffiti writers, that’s why graffiti sometimes is on unbelievable almost inapproachable places (see picture).
For some observers it is kind of romantic urbanism, knowing that at night there is whole underground life with different rules and writers and artists using paint to show them their point of view. To see more local graffiti, click this link.
Healthy Chocolate
By Sandra Goge
What is it that makes chocolate so irresistible?
Now for every chocolate lover scientists have good news – chocolate not only tastes good, but is healthy too!
High in potassium and magnesium, chocolate also provides us with several vitamins – including B1, B2, D, and E. According to researchers chocolate contains up to four times the anti-oxidants found in tea – 53.5 mg of catechins per 100 grams. By contrast, 100 ml of black tea contains a mere 13.9 mg of catechins. Chocolate stimulates the secretion of endorphins, producing a pleasurable sensation.
Magnesium and anti-oxidants as well as other vitamins and mineral substances strengthen blood capillary walls and enlarges blood-vessels, improve blood structure, help in case of heart disease, delay formation of cholesterol and development of thrombus, strengthen immunity, reduce risk of cancer, increase endurance against stress and depression and improve memory.
Specialists say that dark chocolate is healthiest because it contains 30-70 percent paste of cacao beans. However even 40g of milk chocolate can provide 10 percent of necessary daily doses of potassium, calcium, iron and vitamin B, and it contains as many anti-oxidants as a glass of red wine.
Chocolate is recommendable for those who are physically stressed or have serious diseases. Others have to remember that the average chocolate bar contains approximately 250 calories, promotes obesity, causes acne problems and can bring out other negative reactions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRnxBaRnT2w&feature=related
Here you can find a little video about how chocolate is made.
Cyber guerillas reveal the truth
By
Karlis Muiznieks
A group of cyber guerillas who call themselves Army of People of the 4th Awakening (4ATA – Ceturtās Atmodas Tautas Armija) broke into the Latvian SRS data base and published information about salaries of government officials in police and heat supplier “Rīgas Siltums” which is a state enterprise (more at http://www.delfi.lv/news/national/politics/4ata-publisko-rigas-siltuma-algas-uznemums-apstiprina-plkst2100.d?id=30068027).
Also there are other salary data publications in the internet from such institutions as “Rīgas Satiksme” and “Latvijas Banka”. Making these data available for masses, 4ATA wants people to see that managers in the biggest government institutions get salaries most of which are outrageously big.
Above the published data (e.g. at http://stashbox.org/801291/rsiltums-anon.html) 4ATA added an explanation saying that for avoiding making hasty conclusions you should ask commentaries from representatives of the establishment for further interpretation. This penetration of server security reminds us all of how much of our lives are recorded on the vast canvas of the World Wide Web. It is also a reminder of internal political disagreements about social and economic programs.
Book exchange event receives unexpected popularity
By Kārlis Kocers
International exhibition organizer “BT 1” recently hosted a Latvian book exhibition where over 8,000 books were exchanged.
In Last year’s exhibition 3,000 books found new owners, but this year surpassed even the most optimistic expectations of organizers of the Latvian Book Exhibition. The 2010 Project Manager Valts Jirgensons said there were more than 15,000 visitors from Feb. 25-28, when exhibition took place in Riga.
Ints Dālderis, the Latvian Minister of Culture, was happy that so many people could exchange with books, because he said “Considering current economical situation, a lot of book readers can’t afford to buy new books.”
The book exchange wasn’t the only thing that attracted people. This year “Latvijas Grāmatnieku ģildes” versatile cultural program provided several book-related events. Children had their chance to participate in many competitions. French writer Frederic Beigbeders also visited the exhibition.
These kinds of events are welcome in harsh times when people search for cheaper alternatives to having fun and enjoying cultural experiences like reading books.
Keeping your eyes open and healthy
By Madara Zvejniece
There is a saying that eyes are the mirror of the soul. On the one hand, everyone wants beautiful eyes and good vision, but it is almost impossible to work and live in the 21st century without using a computer. Close to 150 millions people sit in front of a computer monitor each day http://www.helium.com/items/906846-how-staring-at-a-computer-all-day-can-affect-your-eyes .
Katrina Lulle, a student of communication science (University of Latvia), says, ‘‘When I`m working on computer my eyes seem to become dry, it feels uncomfortable! I think that people who work in offices or students who study by looking at monitors risk having crow`s feet.’’ Wrinkles and dry eyes are only a few of the symptoms caused by looking at a monitor.
‘‘Computer vision syndrom’’ includes blurred vison, eye strain, headache and other problems. For further information.
It is important to blink regularly and to put the computer in the right place (to avoid reflection of light or sun on the monitor). A very simple practice to relax is to look out of the window for one minute and to stand up every 40 minutes and move your shoulders and head. Watch video
It would be difficult to imagine the world without PC, without watching movies, chatting, tweeting and, of course, studying. Even if wearing glasses is in fashion, nobody wants worse eyesight.
Exercises against gloominess
By Linda Parfenoviča
Being in a bad mood or even feeling depressed?
Start exercising!
Exercises produce a “happiness hormone” called serotonin in the brain, which is seen as an important mood regulator. Exercises can have the same affect as anti-depression drugs, and in mild depression are even more recommended than taking pills.
North Lincolnshire Mental Health Service`s research shows that 83% of people with mental health problems, had an improvement in their mood. after exercising!
So if physical activity helps people even with illness diagnoses, it should help you!
The British Journal of Sports Medicine found that even 20 minutes per week of moderate exercise including housework helps people keep positive mood. But the best results come from exercising 3 hours every week or 30 minutes daily.
Basketball as a lifestyle
By Ģirts Smelters
Anna Kondratovica (born in 1988) is a former basketball player and also a basketball referee, who played as point guard. Kondratovica has played for “BK Kolibri” and “University of Latvia”. Currently she is coaching young girls, working in the sports service centre at the University of Latvia and studying in the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Kondratovica is linked with sports in LU very strongly, as she organizes basketball league at the university and the basketball night tournament. She is responsible for all basketball at the LU as well as managing women’s team for the faculty.
Kondratovica also is the only woman referee with Latvian Basketball League category in Latvia. She received her license only 6 months ago and is still practicing, but in the next season she will join the men’s league referees. “It is the thing I enjoy doing and it is also great to know that you are the only one in all country,” Kondratovica says of her new credentials.
Apart form refereeing and managing basketball life at LU Kondratovica also tries to be a role model for children and is coaching 7-12 year old girls in the BK “Kolibri” basketball system. She has practices 3 times a week and on weekends there are games.
“It is the most responsible thing I have done in my life- coaching the children. At this age the coach has a very big influence on children and it is very important to do all your best, so the child becomes a good athlete as well as good person,” Kondratovica says.
Floorball Winter Cup 2010
By Ģirts Smelters
Recently students and scholars of University of Latvia celebrated their fourth floorball night tournament with Winter Cup 2010.
The tradition, which started three years ago, now has gained more and more popularity from the students as well as from the teachers. The first floorball cup was competition among 8 teams but “Winter Cup 2010” had 16 teams, subdivided into 4 groups with almost 200 participants.
As Ugis Bisenieks, director of the sports service centre, said, “it is the floorball tournament that has the greatest progress among all other night tournaments in University of Latvia”.
This tournament was special because each team had a distinct uniform, for example, there was “old school” style, “zorro mask” style, “very formal” style and so on. The most attractive team won the Cup of Liberal Arts, sponsored by the student council of faculty of liberal arts. The other change that made floorball night tournaments more interesting was remaining a girl on the court at all the times, so the formation was goalkeeper, 4 men and 1 woman.
Starting at 11 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m. more than 30 games were played in “Winter Cup 2010”. The winning team was “We need a player”, which was their fourth title. This team has dominated through all the floorball night tournaments and didn’t leave an opening for its opponents this time either. Since the first tournament started, they lost only one game.
“We need a player” has become a legendary team setting a record that is almost impossible to break. The captain of the team Martins Druvkalns was elected the MVP of the tournament. “It has become routine for us to win the floorball night tournament”, Druvkalns said with a smile.
“Floorball is getting more and more popular”, says the coach of the LU floorball section Remars Vikanis. “The practices are regularly attended by almost 40 students, and it is phenomenal how attractive this new game is to people”, Vikanis admits.
Interview with Remars Vikanis and some participants (in Latvian)
Become a Volunteer
By Ieva Cielava
Latvia has one of the lowest participation rates in youth volunteering http://www.jaunatneslietas.lv/page/1171, according to “Jaunatnes Lietas”.
Liene Bigača, the project administrator of the EU program department in the agency of International Youth Program, affirms that in 2008 only 70 young people participated in international voluntary projects, but there is a good chance for growth. In 2009 more than 140 people from Latvia went to an EU country to be volunteers.
“Jaunatne” offers volunteer work opportunities for those http://www.jaunatne.gov.lv/lv who are 18 – 30 years old. The next deadline for applying for a project is April. Projects offer a stay in a European country for 2 – 12 months to do socially useful work. All living costs are paid. Volunteers receive pocket money every week and an amazing work experience for their whole life.
There might be some problems in intercultural communication or wrong expectations about the job possibilities or place, but in most of cases people come home happy because they have gained new experience, and they feel useful, says Bigača.
Volunteers are needed not only in other countries, but in Latvia too. The children support center “Dardedze” in Riga http://www.centrsdardedze.lv/lat/brivpratigais_darbs/ needs volunteers to help with baby sitting, organizing different events, and providing technical or cleaning-up help.
Baiba Krastiņa, a student of Sociology in the University of Latvia, spent almost a year in Kullu, India. She paid all her living and traveling costs by herself and didn’t get any salary. She says discussions, playing, and laughing with these children offered her a new view of the world.
“I am trying to understand people now, not to blame them for being different from me. I wasn’t trying to save the world, for sure” she says, “I just felt I needed to go, and so I went!”
Yellofrog 