Ways to Create a Healthier Community

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Patricia Thao

There are many issues in the community that needs to be addressed and fixed. But we cannot do that alone as it requires everyone’s active participation. We should make a team effort, to not only educate those in our community, but everyone else in this world.

Original artwork belong to rightful owner.

“The National League of Cities (NLC) report states that one in three children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, and that children aged 2-19 from low-income families are 1.7 times more likely to be obese.” – http://preventobesity.net/

Problems like obesity, racism, health inequality, and such will continue to exist. But we can always put effort in positive changes that will help make our world better. Here are a few tips on how to:

Listen to one another in a respective manner. Sure, we are all different, but that doesn’t mean we should be close minded to another. That is ignorance and the will to not listen to others only results in anger and frustration. Take the time to listen to your friends, relatives, and those around you. Although you may not agree with others, it is more about broadening your perspective and understanding how or why people think the way they do.
Encourage your community to become healthier! Whether it is making healthier choices, buying more to organic produces, reading and researching into what you are purchasing, or anything else, it is a great start to live a healthier lifestyle. You can become motivated by others or become part of someone’s else motivation. So share the healthy lifestyle with everyone you know and on your social media platforms and please do share it @biculturalliving.
Be the change you want to see! If no one is fighting for your cause, you can start an organization/club/group for those who may share the same goals as you. It does not have to be a big cause and small goals are more attainable. Such as fundraising for animal causes, health awarenesses, and more!

This Month in Japan | February

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Patricia Thao

“Kisaragi is the old Japanese name for February, meaning “wear still more clothes” to protect against cold February winters in Japan.

National Foundation Day is February 11 and is the only national holiday this month. This is the date that Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, was enthroned as documented in the Nihon Shoki(Chronicles of Japan). Today, there are many celebrations and events that occur in February. It is a popular month to play in and enjoy the beauty of snow!” – Rightful owner

Listed down below are other events that occurs throughout Japan!

Setsubun (Feb 3) is thought to be the day before spring. During this period, people will visit shrines and pray for evil spirits to go away either by throwing beans outside of their house or by visiting shrines. And people eat roasted soybeans to bring in good luck and some believes it will bring in extra years of living.

http://kyotofoodie.com/

Sapporo Snow Festival is held seven days in early Feb and features amazing snow statues. It is a popular attraction for people to attend because of the snow sculptures and the variety of regional foods that surrounds the area.
Ashikawa Winter Festival (early Feb) is another event that holds snow sculptures, festival foods, and winter activities. It is hosted in the city of Ashikawa and is another popular attraction, especially for family with children.

http://www.japan-talk.com/

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is celebrated for 10 days in early Feb where it features lanterns, festive foods, and fun snow sculptures as well! It is located in the western part of Hokkaido and usually occurs on similar days as the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Tokyo Marathon (February 28) is an annual marathon event that is hosted in Tokyo and it is one of the biggest marathon that occurs around the world.
Japanese Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) is a popular holiday and celebrated throughout Japan with a tradition of girls giving chocolates to the guys.

blogs.wsj.com

This Month in Japan | January

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Patricia Thao

http://travel.rakuten.com/

“The old name for the month of January, Mutsuki, means “month of harmony” or “month where friends and relatives gather.”

One of the most important national holidays in Japan is Oshogatsu (New Year’s Day). Schools are typically closed for about 2 weeks, and many business are closed from December 28 through January 1. Read 14 Ways to Have a Happy New Year in Japan.

http://www.dnaindia.com/

Coming-of-Age Day, observed on the second Monday of January, is another national holiday this month. On this day, women often wear an elaborate style of kimono called furisode while men typically wear formal suits to celebrate being 20-years-old, the age of adulthood in Japan.” – Rightful owner

Here are some fun things that occur in this month:

“Wakakusa Yamayaki – January 23, Nara
Centuries ago there was a land dispute between Kofukuji and Todaiji temples in Nara. As part of the dispute someone ended up burning down Mount Wakakusa. Now they do it every year as part of the Wakakusa Yamayaki Festival.” – http://www.japan-talk.com/
There’s a ton of festivals that features snow/ice art in the cold season of Japan. They are visited by people who comes to visit the beautiful sceneries.
Although it is the coldest month of the year, this is the time where the sun shines the most. This allows people to enjoy outdoor activities even more!
This is the month that signifies the beginning of a new year and that means that many people will come visit shrines to pray.

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Patricia Thao

In celebration of Martin Luther King day, let’s highlight some of the accomplishments from the African American community and other fun facts!

On November 2, 1983, the bill for Martin Luther King day was signed by President Ronald Reagan.
Michael Curry became the the first Black leader of Episcopal church in June of 2015.
“The poverty rate among blacks is the highest of any racial or ethnic group, but has declined slightly over time, from 31.3% in 1976 to 27.2% in 2014, according to census data.” – http://www.pewresearch.org/
Here are some ways to reflect on this day:
1. Think about yourself in place of other people who are different from you.
2. Become part of or be a supporter of a positive change! Whether it is in politics, activism, or a cause that you believe in.
3. Open your eyes and ears! Start to take notice of the injustice around the world and think about what you can do to serve others.

For more info, click on the link here.

Healthy Living from Within!

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Patricia Thao

Part of living healthy is caring for yourself internally. And making yourself feel or look good from the outside is part of it as well. Healthy living isn’t supposed to occur in one day, but throughout your lifetime. Yes, it is not an easy thing to do. But here are some tips on how to be healthy within:

Your mentality affects your perspective. Sometimes, we over think things and it makes our problems seem like it is a bigger deal than it really is. But try to avoid it by distracting yourself by doing positive thinking/activities. And negativity could stem from the people around you that may have or carry the negative energy. It’s a good idea to shift away from those people as they could bring you down instead of helping you.
Are you meeting your basic needs? We can forget to feed our body properly like drinking enough water or getting the right amount of sleep. And that can translate to us being in a bad mood, over-eating, or having unhealthy habits. So it’s a good time to always check with yourself every now and then.
Changing your lifestyle could be a good thing! Reevaluate what is important to you and try to have a focus on the goals you want to achieve. In this way, you will not feel lost or fall behind on what you wanted to do. Take the time in the present to invest what you value for your future!
What does healthy correlate to? Well, that’s really up to your own definition. Make it realistic and make it happen. One way to do it is to have a goal to be “healthier” whether it means to get fit, get into your dream college, find a new job, or simply to eat healthier. It’s the little things that you could do to be healthier and happier.

How Can People Quit Smoking?

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Patricia Thao

AMA Postcard

It’s not a fun or easy topic to discuss about, but smoking is a real issue all around the world. If you happen to be a smoker and is trying to quit or knows somebody who would like to quit, there are resources available to you and anyone in need of help. You can receive the help and support of people who wants to help you without being judge.

Here are some local and government resources that you can use:

1-800-QUIT-NOW is a government support program that is available for smokers through this phone number, a phone app, and follow them on social media.
Minnesota based programs, for more info click here.
- Asian Smokers’ Quitline: This is a free program to help smokers quit. Services include self-help materials, a referral list of other programs, one-on-one counseling over the phone, and a free two-week starter kit of nicotine patches. Visit asiansmokersquitline.org.
- Smokefree Teen Smokefree Teen helps teens take control of their health. It offers free support for quitting, including their QuitSTART smartphone app. Visit Teen.Smokefree.gov.
- Smokefree EspaÃ±ol: Este sitio en la red ofrece enfoques recomendados sobre cÃ³mo dejar de fumar, informaciÃ³n sobre un amplio rango de temas relacionados con el fumar y dejar de fumar, y una fuente de recursos gratuitos en espaÃ±ol. La informaciÃ³n disponible en este sitio en la red puede darle apoyo con sus necesidades inmediatas y a largo plazo a medida que deja de fumar.
Want to get a better idea of the trend in tobacco usage:
- Nearly 3 of every 100 middle school students (2.5%) reported in 2014 that they smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days—a decrease from 4.3% in 2011.
- More than 13 of every 100 high school students (13.4%) reported in 2014 that they used electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days—an increase from 1.5% in 2011.
- Check out CDC for more information.

Information used belongs to rightful owners.

3 New Year Resolutions For You!

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Patricia Thao

As the ending of 2015 comes nearer, it is that time again of the year where people make new resolutions! Don’t stress making big goals to achieve and instead, focus on the small things you can do. Have you got goals any yet? Here are some resolutions that you can try to achieve for 2016!

Want to start a healthier lifestyle? They say that “An apple a day, keep the doctor away”, but the point is that eating healthier foods will help improve your health. So try to avoid food with hight contents of saturated fat, oil, sugar, and sodium! It cannot be stressed enough as more than 1/3 of adults are obese in the U.S. So putting that with other healthy activities like exercising, your sleeping cycle, drinking water, and other things, will improve your overall health!
Feeling like you need to try new things/activities/hobbies? It’s never to late to be part of something whether it is to make new friends, raise awareness, or just to have fun. Join community clubs, events, and be part of something bigger! Sometimes it is not easy putting yourself out there but if you do, you’ll get to meet people that you wouldn’t have been able to! The best part is that you would meet people who share similar interest
Help save the planet! 2015 was a huge year that raised global awareness to global warming! If you are looking for a cause to support this is a major one as every living thing rely on the Earth! If you can’t contribute much to this cause, you can always try to lessen the trash/waste you put out. A few tips are to compost your foods, recycle when you can, reduce electricity and gas usage, & such! If we can all try to a live a a minimal lifestyle, then the Earth will greatly benefit from it!

DPS Video: Only One Choice

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Patricia Thao

Screenshot

This holiday, make sure you are driving sober. For the safety of yourself and other people, it is recommended that you either stay sober or have a designated driver. It is important that safe driving is enforced, especially during the holidays as many people are going to different places.

Students from Chanhassen High School and Chaska High School have an important message for parents during this holiday season. The video – “Only One Choice” -shows how parents can be a part of their kids’ lives — now and for years to come. Of course, it applies to everyone so that people are less likely to be harmed while driving on the roads.

Extra Enforcement Now on Minnesota Roads

The extra DWI enforcement campaign started November 25 and runs on weekends through January 2, 2016. The statewide enforcement involves police departments, sheriff’s offices and the State Patrol. The percentage of drunk-driving related deaths compared with total traffic fatalities is significantly higher for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods than other major holidays (2010 – 2014). During the first two weekends of the campaign, including the Thanksgiving holiday, law enforcement took 732 drunk drivers off Minnesota roads.

To prevent drunk driving:

Plan for a safe ride – designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation or stay at the location of the celebration.
Offer to be a designated driver, or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere.
Buckle up – the best defense against a drunk driver.
Report drunk driving – call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Be prepared to provide location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior.

References belong to rightful owner.

Avoid Identity Theft

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Patricia Thao

Have you been doing lots of shopping this holiday? You probably aren’t worried about having your identity stolen, but you should still try to be aware of it. Why? According to the https://www.ncjrs.gov/, the majority of identity theft victims (86%) experienced the fraudulent use of existing account information, such as credit card or bank account information. Most likely you are using a card during your shopping trips. That’s it is important for you to be reminded of a few things when you are shopping this holiday.

www.uwlax.edu

Here are some tips on how to avoid identity theft:

Avoid scams online and in person! Websites that starts out with the “https” will tell you that they are actual online shops. So don’t buy in on spam emails that say they are from your favorite stores. Also, the common knowledge is to avoid buying anything from people who are randomly selling products because you never know where it is from and what it is.
Keep track of all of your spendings! Most importantly, keep track of your credit cards and debit card. If you notice that there is money being taken out of your card, contact your bank or credit card immediately.
- “Under federal law, your liability for unauthorized use of your credit card tops out at $50. If you report the loss of your credit card before someone else uses it, you are not responsible for any charges you didn’t authorize. If your credit card number is stolen, but not the card, you are not liable for unauthorized use.” – http://mn.gov/commerce/
- For debit cards, it is your liability to report it as soon as possible as money is being directly taken out from your account.
Make sure that you buy things online buy it through Paypal or create an account with the stores so that your financial information is secured. If not, it is best to go directly to the store then clicking on a unknown link.

This Month in Japan | December

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Patricia Thao

“Shiwasu, the traditional name for December, refers to teachers or priests rushing around hastily. This is because the teachers and priests at temples or shrines are busy preparing and cleaning for upcoming New Year celebrations.

The Emperor’s birthday, December 23, is the primary national holiday in Japan this month. His birthday is one of the only two occasions per year when the Imperial Grounds are open to the public. The end of year holidays on December 29, 30 and 31 that continue into the beginning of January (1-3) are also official national holidays for the purpose of enjoying the end of the year.

Bonenkai parties (or “year forgetting parties”) are often held in December with companies, organizations, families, and friends to forget the troubles and worries of the year.” – Rightful owner

Fun facts & info:

Photo credit belongs to http://kelly.cybr.org/

Nabe is a popular dish to eat during the cold season! What is it? It’s Japanese hotpot and usually, there is a group of people eating the food that’s cooked on a pot with a gas burner. It is a great way for people to bond through eating!
Hotsprings or onsen, are a popular attraction year round, but even more so during the colder season. It is a public bathing house and can be indoors or outdoors. It is a great way to relax the body!
December is a popular month for people to visit shrines and temples as it is coming close to the New Year! People gather around from all over the country to pray and ask their wishes to come true.
There will be tons of festivals occurring happening all over in Japan! Just to name some, Fukugonji Fire Festival, Akou Gishisa, & Sanpoji Daikon Festival. Here is a link for more info!

Bicultural Healthy Living

A Balanced Approach to a Bicultural Healthy Life