Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
On my way to school this morning besides being 18 degrees (F) and windy, I noticed that the hill I usually walk up had undergone quite a change. I decided to snap a quick pic with the old iPhone to do a little compare and contrast!
Been feeling a bit under the weather the past few days, so I decided to come home early, get most of my homework done and rest. After sleeping for some time, I was awakened by a text message from my cousin, "Happy first snow." Being the crazy kid from Arizona, I threw on my jacket and scarf and ran downstairs, shouting, "happy first snow" on each floor as I went down! Although one of my housemates GongShan didn't quite understand what I was so giddy about, Hiro understood quite well, for he was out with his camera too! So, under the weather or not, here's to the first snow fall of the year!
Now this is marketing!
Have you ever looked at a magazine ad or watched a commercial and thought, "man, now that's come clever marketing?" I know that in the US, we pride ourselves on our innovative marketing skills. Take Hersheys for example: Of course we're all familiar with the "Hershey's Kiss." How brilliant was that? Name a chocolate after something that boys and girls have pursued since the beginning of time and you've got a hit. But they didn't stop there! What goes better with kisses than hugs?! And while I thought that the height of candy marketing genius, last week I found out that US companies might learn a thing or two from Lotte (롯데). Lotte makes this cracker called Pepero (빼빼로). They're basically thin cookie sticks covered in chocolate. Well guess what November 11th is? National.. YES NATIONAL Pepero day. Why might you ask? Because November 11th is 11-11 and that looks like 4 Peperos! GENIUS! Can you imagine if there was a National Kiss Day? or National NutterButter day?! Where the entire point of the day is to buy people _____ (fill in the blank). 
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/health/07fat.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1194438040-WQ8KzBIizxq%20luYBavokrw&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
Have you ever looked at a magazine ad or watched a commercial and thought, "man, now that's come clever marketing?" I know that in the US, we pride ourselves on our innovative marketing skills. Take Hersheys for example: Of course we're all familiar with the "Hershey's Kiss." How brilliant was that? Name a chocolate after something that boys and girls have pursued since the beginning of time and you've got a hit. But they didn't stop there! What goes better with kisses than hugs?! And while I thought that the height of candy marketing genius, last week I found out that US companies might learn a thing or two from Lotte (롯데). Lotte makes this cracker called Pepero (빼빼로). They're basically thin cookie sticks covered in chocolate. Well guess what November 11th is? National.. YES NATIONAL Pepero day. Why might you ask? Because November 11th is 11-11 and that looks like 4 Peperos! GENIUS! Can you imagine if there was a National Kiss Day? or National NutterButter day?! Where the entire point of the day is to buy people _____ (fill in the blank).
The ball and chain... (Korean Culture)
So we learned in Korean class today that there are certain gifts that are generally reserved for girlfriends and spouses to give their man/men. Specifically, neck ties and belts. As the teacher was telling us this, my classmate Jason looks over at me as says, "that's as bad as getting socks for Christmas." I have to agree. But, it's actually much much worse. Of course everything has symbolism, so what do these gifts symbolize? OWNERSHIP! Yup, the ol girlfriend buys you a tie because it's something she can drag you around by, and she buys you a belt so that she can grab a hold of it incase you try to run off. Now while the "girls" will tell you it's actually more cute and affectionate than that, they're lying! Just let a different girl buy you a tie and see how your girlfriend reacts!
GETTING FAT?
On a side note, I ran across a pretty interesting article in the New York Times, the Headline: Causes of Death Linked to Weight.
Now while you might immediately think that the article is going to be about how overweight people die from all sorts of crazy diseases and should immediately drop 1,000 pounds, what a series of recent studies have shown is quite different.
It appears that "overweight" people (not to be confused with "obese" people, actually have a lower death rate than other weight classes. It seems that overweight people "are much less likely to die from a grab bag of diseases that includes Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, infections andlung disease."
"The new study began several years ago when the investigators used national data to look at death risks according to body weight. They concluded that, compared with people of normal weight, the overweight had a decreased death risk and the underweight and obese had increased risk."
Hmmm.. Maybe I should ease of my new super "one day maybe I can look like Joe" exercise plan?
On a side note, I ran across a pretty interesting article in the New York Times, the Headline: Causes of Death Linked to Weight.
Now while you might immediately think that the article is going to be about how overweight people die from all sorts of crazy diseases and should immediately drop 1,000 pounds, what a series of recent studies have shown is quite different.
It appears that "overweight" people (not to be confused with "obese" people, actually have a lower death rate than other weight classes. It seems that overweight people "are much less likely to die from a grab bag of diseases that includes Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, infections andlung disease."
"The new study began several years ago when the investigators used national data to look at death risks according to body weight. They concluded that, compared with people of normal weight, the overweight had a decreased death risk and the underweight and obese had increased risk."
Hmmm.. Maybe I should ease of my new super "one day maybe I can look like Joe" exercise plan?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/health/07fat.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1194438040-WQ8KzBIizxq%20luYBavokrw&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
Just wanted to take a quick moment to update you all on my brief encounter with the Korean medical system, specifically Severance Hospital. First, I'll note that Yonsei's Severance Hospital was recently internationally accredited as a medical school and training center, Severance has also been responsible for assisting the White House Physician during several recent US Presidential visits, I know this because there were certificates of appreciation on the walls!. (just an FYI).
So on to my experience. For one reason or another, I found myself needing the services of the hospital for an x-ray of my hand. (I won't go into the boring details surrounding the incident that caused the need for the x-ray). So I head into the International Clinic at about 1:30PM and fill out the preliminary paper work and notified the staff that I DID NOT have any Korean insurance. They told me that walk in hours began at 2:00PM and I could wait or grab something to eat, I chose the latter. I came back in about thirty minuets later and was promptly taken to have my blood pressure and temperature read. Moments later I was in an examination room meeting with an intern who said the lead Dr. would be in shortly. Within minutes the head Dr. came in and after pressing on my hand thought I might have a "boxer's fracture" and sent me to radiology. The clinic provided me with a translator and guide to help me on my journey.
We walked over to the pay station where I grabbed a number. About 2 mins later I was asked to pay $121 for my visit, consultation and x-ray charge. Good deal. From there we walked over to radiology where I took another number. My guide told me to wait until I say my number above the x-ray room (mine was #29) and then just go in. About 2 mins later my number popped up so I walked in. I was greeted by 2 x-ray techs who looked the my receipt and took two x-rays. They told me I was done and to report back downstairs to the clinic. When I got back down stairs I was guided back into my examination room. The intern walked in seconds later and typed my information on the computer. My x-rays pulled up along with a comment stating that there were no abnormalities. She said she thought my hand was fine and that I likely bruised my knuckle. I waited for about 15 mins until the head Dr. came in. He agreed with the intern's assessment and prescribed anti-inflammatory. I was taken back out to the front desk where I paid $27 for my prescription and then walked over to the Outpatient Pharmacy where I was told to watch a monitor for my name. 6 minutes later my name popped up, I walked over, handed my receipt and took my pills.
Perhaps the US could learn a thing or two from the Korean health care system?
In total my visit lasted about an hour (including my lunch) and my total bill was $147 INCLUDING the XRAY, without any insurance coverage. Not a bad deal.
*I don't have time to post the play by play pictures.. but I'll try to have them up in the next day or two...*
Today was a productive day. And by productive I don't necessarily mean that I left my room, although I did. I showered, had some qt, ate kimbap, ate some brown eggs (and I really mean brown, as in the eggs whites were egg browns... and it was a bit chewy, and the uhh "browns" had a flavor.. my housemate told me it's because of the way it's cooked. Right.) I did some laundry, did quite a bit of homework, even got out of the house a bit to venture to starbucks. So this is where I begin my blog.. (after which I will hit the books again).
It seems the big word for the past couple of decades, has been "globalization." And the center of globalization is becoming (or has become) the multinational organization. And while some will argue that there is really no such thing as a "multinational" organization, I really don't care. Globalization has it's ups and downs. On the good side, as I mentioned I visited starbucks earlier today and the familiar surroundings made studying there quite comfortable. For one, they have good coffee. Now I know some of you will disagree, but since arriving in Korea I can't say that I've had a cup of good coffee. I even went to Hyundai (the 8 story we have everything department store and ended up with two boxes of instant coffee.) One is Nescafe, the other is Taster's Choice original except it's not really original because it comes pre-sweetened. So I've been drinking watered down sugar-coffee out of a glorified shot glass "they" call a coffee cup for the past three weeks. Starting tomorrow, that's all gonna change!
Not only did I pick up a french press and a starbucks korean coffee mug, but also a bag of the black apron exclusive! Now while this might seem insignificant to many, to me, it's a day changer! (Not only is extra bold sumatra a great jump start to the day, but according to wikipedia, coffee's also a natural laxative/diuretic!). You also have the benefits of the 24 hour McDonalds and Burger Kings! I know, some of you are thinking McDonalds = not healthy, but au contraire! A New York Times article actually states that because of the increase in "western foods," actually "The height and weight of younger Japanese have increased strikingly, reflected in the need to buy larger school desks. The decrease in salt consumption has strikingly reduced the number of deaths from stroke and from stomach cancer. And the incidence of infectious diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis, caused by malnutrition, has dropped." Well let's chalk all that onto the positives of globalization. Now on to the negatives:
Not only did I pick up a french press and a starbucks korean coffee mug, but also a bag of the black apron exclusive! Now while this might seem insignificant to many, to me, it's a day changer! (Not only is extra bold sumatra a great jump start to the day, but according to wikipedia, coffee's also a natural laxative/diuretic!). You also have the benefits of the 24 hour McDonalds and Burger Kings! I know, some of you are thinking McDonalds = not healthy, but au contraire! A New York Times article actually states that because of the increase in "western foods," actually "The height and weight of younger Japanese have increased strikingly, reflected in the need to buy larger school desks. The decrease in salt consumption has strikingly reduced the number of deaths from stroke and from stomach cancer. And the incidence of infectious diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis, caused by malnutrition, has dropped." Well let's chalk all that onto the positives of globalization. Now on to the negatives: Sure people are always mentioning things like depressed wages, worker exploitation, child labor and other ills of globalization... but let me by quoting the aforementioned New York Times article again, "there has been a significant increase in the mortality rate from colon, lung, rectal and liver cancer among men" [who generally eat out more often than women because Japanese women more often stay home and don't work]. Okay, so maybe some of this "western globalization" has adverse side effects, but weighed against the positive effects mentioned above, I'll just say they cancel each other out. Now let me hit on the "elephant in the room," if I may. What about all the obesity?! I mean honestly, I always hear about the American obesity problem, why is it an American problem? Let me tell you something: IT'S NOT. Perhaps the biggest negative effect of globalization is all the "overly-healthy" people it's creating? I know when you picture the "typical" asian you think of someone like Takeru Kobayashi, the 92 pound Japanese competitive food eating champ that can scarf 70 hot dogs in 4 seconds, or something like that, but what about all those in the shadows? The people who are eating three bulgogi-burger meals a day, super-sized and then washing them down with venti caramel macchiatos? WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN!?!?!?!?! (sorry, it seemed appropriate). Don't think they exist? Trust me they do... still don't believe me? I was at McDonalds the other night and gathered evidence... Perhaps the end result of globalization is not "making the world a smaller place" as many claim, but perhaps it's really making the world a bigger place?
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Labels:
amonia,
health,
iodine,
iodized salt,
salt,
smoking,
trans fat
And you thought salt was bad for you...
I remember my grandpa tellng me of the days when doctors spoke of the benefits of bacon, grease, eating lots of red meat... today we're told that's just the opposite. New York just passed a bill outlawing transfat usage in resturaunts, (so much for a good 'ol big mac), next thing you know we'll be eating sodium free, soy-full... EVERYTHING. Or will we? An article just publish by the New York Times shows that iodized salt helps to prevent brain damage in infants. Jack Ling goes so far as to say "Find me a mother who wouldn’t pawn her last blouse to get iodine if she understood how it would affect her fetus." Dr. Gerald Burrow of Yale's Medical Schools is quoted as sayng "For 5 cents per person per year, you can make the whole population smarter than before." Sounds like a wonder drug to me? The article is actually talking about iodine and the best way to get it is iodized salt.
I suppose this really shows nothing except history destined to repeat itself... first smoking was good for you.. starting January 1st you won't be able to smoke in any public place in Arizona... oh well... You smokers just hold out.. I'm sure in not-too-long, there'll be an article that says the amonia in cigarretts is actually a good thing. (maybe that's a stretch)
SALT MOUND
NYT: Raising the world's IQ
NYT: No to TransFat
I remember my grandpa tellng me of the days when doctors spoke of the benefits of bacon, grease, eating lots of red meat... today we're told that's just the opposite. New York just passed a bill outlawing transfat usage in resturaunts, (so much for a good 'ol big mac), next thing you know we'll be eating sodium free, soy-full... EVERYTHING. Or will we? An article just publish by the New York Times shows that iodized salt helps to prevent brain damage in infants. Jack Ling goes so far as to say "Find me a mother who wouldn’t pawn her last blouse to get iodine if she understood how it would affect her fetus." Dr. Gerald Burrow of Yale's Medical Schools is quoted as sayng "For 5 cents per person per year, you can make the whole population smarter than before." Sounds like a wonder drug to me? The article is actually talking about iodine and the best way to get it is iodized salt.
I suppose this really shows nothing except history destined to repeat itself... first smoking was good for you.. starting January 1st you won't be able to smoke in any public place in Arizona... oh well... You smokers just hold out.. I'm sure in not-too-long, there'll be an article that says the amonia in cigarretts is actually a good thing. (maybe that's a stretch)
SALT MOUND
NYT: Raising the world's IQ
NYT: No to TransFat
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