Entries Tagged 'Reflexion' ↓

As often the case, the fluff has become more catchy and exciting than the essence. Today is the big day. St Valentine! Do you know of the essence of this day? Why do you fete this day? To be reminded that you have to tell and demonstrate to your cherished that you love her is excellent. St Valentine day for me serves the purpose. I look up wikipedia or read some of specialized website on the subject to know more of the history around this day.

What fascinate me: the marketers have used their entrepreneur’s genius to transform this occasion into an opportunity to push the consumers to spend by creating fluff around the event. Can you imagine the money spent around this St Valentine day? Since a fortnight the media has not stopped to pump up the event. Even Book Court my preferred book store in Caudan and Shoprite ,soon in Flacq has joined in the bandwagon of using the Valentine’s event.

For the chocolate industry, this is one of the big events of the year. What is the close relationship between St.Valentine and Chocolate? Read below about the psychoactive Chocolate. Do give to your partner her shot of love chemical in a chocolate Valentine gift.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Chocolate is a psychoactive food. It is made from the seeds of the tropical cacao tree, Theobroma cacao. The cacao tree was named by the 17th century Swedish naturalist, Linnaeus. The Greek term theobroma means literally “food of the gods”. Chocolate has also been called the food of the devil; but the theological basis of this claim is obscure.

Cacao beans were used by the Aztecs to prepare a hot, frothy beverage with stimulant and restorative properties. Chocolate itself was reserved for warriors, nobility and priests. The Aztecs esteemed its reputed ability to confer wisdom and vitality. Taken fermented as a drink, chocolate was also used in religious ceremonies. The sacred concoction was associated with Xochiquetzal, the goddess of fertility. Emperor Montezuma allegedly drank 50 goblets a day. Aztec taxation was levied in cacao beans. 100 cacao beans could buy a slave. 12 cacao beans bought the services of courtesan.

The celebrated Italian libertine Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798) took chocolate before bedding his conquests on account of chocolate’s reputation as a subtle aphrodisiac. More recently, a study of 8000 male Harvard graduates showed that chocoholics lived longer than abstainers. Their longevity may be explained by the high polyphenol levels in chocolate. Polyphenols reduce the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins and thereby protect against heart disease. Such theories are still speculative.

Placebo-controlled trials suggest chocolate consumption may subtly enhance cognitive performance. As reported by Dr Bryan Raudenbush (2006), scores for verbal and visual memory are raised by eating chocolate. Impulse-control and reaction-time are also improved. This study needs replicating.

Coincidentally or otherwise, many of the worlds oldest supercentenarians, e.g. Jeanne Calment (1875-1997) and Sarah Knauss (1880-1999), were passionately fond of chocolate. Jeanne Calment habitually ate two pounds of chocolate per week until her physician induced her to give up sweets at the age of 119 – three years before her death aged 122. Life-extensionists are best advised to eat dark chocolate rather than the kinds of calorie-rich confectionery popular in America.

In the UK, chocolate bars laced with cannabis are popular with many victims of multiple sclerosis. This brand of psychoactive confectionery remains unlicensed.

Chocolate as we know it today dates to the inspired addition of triglyceride cocoa butter by Swiss confectioner Rodolphe Lindt in 1879. The advantage of cocoa butter is that its addition to chocolate sets a bar so that it will readily snap and then melt on the tongue. Cocoa butter begins to soften at around 75 F; it melts at around 97 F.

Today, chocolates of every description are legal, unscheduled and readily available over the counter. Some 50% of women reportedly claim to prefer chocolate to sex, though this response may depend on the attributes of the interviewer. More than 300 different constituent compounds in chocolate have been identified. Chocolate clearly delivers far more than a brief sugar high. Yet its cocktail of psychochemical effects in the central nervous system are poorly understood. So how does it work?

CHOCOLATE : the Psychoactive Cocktail

Chocolate contains small quantities of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid found in the brain. Sceptics claim one would need to consume several pounds of chocolate to gain any very noticeable psychoactive effects; and eat a lot more to get fully stoned. Yet it’s worth noting that N-oleolethanolamine and N-linoleoylethanolamine, two structural cousins of anandamide present in chocolate, both inhibit the metabolism of anandamide. It has been speculated that they promote and prolong the feeling of well-being induced by anandamide.

Chocolate contains caffeine. But the caffeine is present only in modest quantities. It is easily obtained from other sources. Indeed a whole ounce of milk chocolate contains no more caffeine than a typical cup of “decaffeinated” coffee.

Chocolate’s theobromine content may contribute to – but seems unlikely to determine – its subtle but distinctive psychoactive profile. Surprisingly, perhaps, recent research suggests that pure theobromine may be superior to opiates as a cough medicine due to its action on the vagus nerve.

Chocolate also contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. It is the rate-limiting step in the production of the mood-modulating neurotransmitter serotonin. Enhanced serotonin function typically diminishes anxiety. Yet tryptophan can normally be obtained from other sources as well; and only an unusually low-protein, high-carbohydrate meal will significantly increase its rate of intake into the brain.

Like other palatable sweet foods, consumption of chocolate triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s endogenous opiates. Enhanced endorphin-release reduces the chocolate-eater’s sensitivity to pain. Endorphins probably contribute to the warm inner glow induced in susceptible chocoholics.

Acute monthly cravings for chocolate amongst pre-menstrual women may be partly explained by its rich magnesium content. Magnesium deficiency exacerbates PMT. Before menstruation, too, levels of the hormone progesterone are high. Progesterone promotes fat storage, preventing its use as fuel; elevated pre-menstrual levels of progesterone may cause a periodic craving for fatty foods. One study reported that 91% of chocolate-cravings associated with the menstrual cycle occurred between ovulation and the start of menstruation. Chocolate cravings are admitted by 15% of men and around 40% of women. Cravings are usually most intense in the late afternoon and early evening.

Cacao and chocolate bars contain a group of neuroactive alkaloids known as tetrahydro-beta-carbolines. Tetrahydro-beta-carbolines are also found in beer, wine and liquor; they have been linked to alcoholism. But the possible role of these chemicals in chocolate addiction remains unclear.

One UK study of the human electroencephalographic (EEG) response to chocolate suggests that the odour of chocolate significantly reduces theta activity in the brain. Reduced theta activity is associated with enhanced relaxation. This study needs replication.

Perhaps chocolate‘s key ingredient is its phenylethylamine (PEA) “love-chemical”. Yet the role of the “chocolate amphetamine” is disputed. Most if not all chocolate-derived phenylethylamine is metabolised before it reaches the CNS. Some people may be sensitive to its effects in very small quantities.

Phenylethylamine is itself a naturally occurring trace amine in the brain. Phenylethylamine releases dopamine in the mesolimbic pleasure-centres; it peaks during orgasm. Taken in unnaturally high doses, phenylethylamine can produce stereotyped behaviour more prominently even than amphetamine. Phenylethylamine has distinct binding sites but no specific neurons. It helps mediate feelings of attraction, excitement, giddiness, apprehension and euphoria; but confusingly, phenylethylamine has also been described as an endogenous anxiogen. One of its metabolites is unusually high in subjects with paranoid schizophrenia.

There is even a phenylethylamine theory of depression. Monoamine oxidase type-b has been described as phenylethylaminase; and taking a selective MAO-b inhibitor, such as selegiline (l-deprenyl, Eldepryl) or rasagiline (Agilect) can accentuate chocolate’s effects. Some subjects report that bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) reduces their chocolate-cravings; but other chocoholics dispute this.

La Joie Chrétienne ou la voie du bonheur. A la messe, le nouveau vicaire, le Père Victoire qui vient d’être affecté à notre paroisse, fait une juxtaposition entre la lecture de l’évangile et le passage de Jérémie dans son homélie. Nous sommes donnés le choix entre suivre le chemin des hommes ou la joie et voie Chrétiennes. A nous de choisir !

Pourquoi ‘malheureux les riches’ ? Pourquoi ‘malheureux vous qui êtes repus’ ? Quand nous sommes dans le confort et la plénitude, nous croyons être maîtres du monde. Le culte du « Moi ».Notre regard se retourne vers nous mêmes et nous savourons le plaisir sans nous soucier des autres peut etre ! Notre avidité pour les biens temporels nous prive de rechercher et d’amasser les trésors de l’infini, que ce soit l’amour de Dieu et l’amour du prochain.

Pourquoi ‘Malheureux êtes vous quand tous les hommes disent du bien de vous’ ? Quand notre motivation de bien faire du bien ne réside que dans les compliments et les congratulations des hommes, nous devenons le dieu des hommes. Est-ce cela notre mission primaire ? La joie chrétienne a une autre motivation : plaire à Dieu. Faire la volonté de Dieu et servir Dieu devraient être notre moteur unique. Ainsi, en écrivant ce blog ce matin, je dois me demander : Quelle est ma motivation ? Est-ce pour me faire valoir auprès des lecteurs ou pour servir Dieu dans la propagation de son message d’amour ?

Aussi paradoxale que cela puisse paraître, la voie de la joie chrétienne vante le bien être des pauvres, des affamés et des méprisés. L’évangile nous demande d’être heureux dans ces situations humainement impossibles. Où est l’astuce ?

Est-ce que mon regard et mon interprétation de la situation sont à défaut ? Comment pourrai-je être bienheureux tout en étant pauvre, affamé et méprisé en même temps ? Serait- il possible que ‘être bienheureux’ soit sur un ordre spirituel, donc vu de Dieu, et que les autres conditions soient un ordre humain ?

Cette foi en Dieu, dans l’espérance de la résurrection, raison pour laquelle par amour pour nous, Jésus est venu, change aujourd’hui mon appréciation du paradoxe.

Oui, je peux être bienheureux au présent tout en étant pauvre, souffrant, malade, affamé et méprisé. Ce qui importe s’est bien le regard de Dieu !

China and India are without doubt,the two super powers of the coming decades.Each country has their +s and -s. As a free-minded observer,I have been for the last few years keen in watching the development of these countries.

Ever since my early work life,I had a very close association with India. Having worked for Air India in my prime years, when I was given my first management job,I still maintained a love for this wonderful country continent. I was so lucky to have traveled so often and so extensively through out India with travel writers and travel agents. To be invitees of the ITDC, Indian Trade and development Corporation in those days, I was treated like a real Maharajah.I often jokingly say that I was an Indian mystic,perched in the Himalayas in my previous life.
As for China: blood and origins are vibrating in my body and soul.

Deloitte Research has published recently a document,China and India:The Reality Beyond the Hype, which has retained my keen interest.

You will recalled that I told you earlier that my bed time reading was Anthony de Mello‘s book.

His short stories are well worth reading. I would advise you to get this book. To wet your appetite, I have copied yet another extract to you.

Just imagine all the wars going on because of religions. Even worse, ponder on the conflicts which arise between brothers of the same faith! Shiites or Sunnites.

Simon Pierre, a été secoué par cette pêche miraculeuse. Et oui, lui-même était au départ, sans conviction et c’était pour plaire à Jésus, qu il jeta les filets. Devant l’ampleur de cette prise, la puissance du Dieu Seigneur se manifesta…et Simon Pierre allait encore une fois de plus se persuader que c’est bien le messie venu sauver Israël. Dieu est présent devant lui. Il tomba aux pieds de Jésus en prosternation.

La première leçon :

Comme Simon Pierre devant la manifestation de la puissance du Seigneur, je dois reconnaître ma modeste condition de pécheur. « Seigneur, éloigne-toi de moi, car je suis un homme pécheur. »
Pratiquer cette crainte de Dieu serait il être en émerveillement devant la toute puissance de Dieu ? Sans toi je ne suis qu’un rien ! Et pourtant, par amour Tu m’a considéré comme frère dans l’humanité, par ton incarnation et ta vie modèle Tu nous as ouvert la voie. Je n’ai pas le droit de refuser Ton amour gratuit. Main tendue, et dans Ta miséricorde infinie Tu nous sauveras.

La seconde leçon :

Simon et ses frères, une fois les barques au rivage, ils laissent tout pour suivirent Jésus. Ils ont trouvé l’essentiel. Tout le reste devient superflu…les barques et filets … les tonnes de poissons pris… Comme Simon et ses frères faire du Seigneur mon essentiel, mon unique raison de vivre…laissant tout pour Le suivre..Je m’abandonne à Toi en toute confiance….

Today in Paris,The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said temperatures were probably going to increase by 1.8-4C (3.2-7.2F) by the end of the century.

Dr Rajendra Pachauri, the IPCC chairman, said: “It is extremely encouraging in that the science has moved on from what was possible in the Third Assessment Report.

“If you see the extent to which human activities are influencing the climate system, the options for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions appear in a different light, because you can see what the costs of inaction are,” he told delegates in Paris.

Writing in the journal Science, an international group of scientists concluded that temperatures and sea levels had been rising at or above the maximum rates proposed in the last report, which was published in 2001.

The paper compared the 2001 projections on temperature and sea level change report with what has actually happened.

The models had forecasted a temperature rise between about 0.15C-0.35C (0.27-0.63F) over this period. The actual rise of 0.33C (0.59F) was very close to the top of the IPCC’s range.

A more dramatic picture emerged from the sea level comparison. The actual average level, measured by tide gauges and satellites, had risen faster than the intergovernmental panel of scientists predicted it would.

In my earlier blog in July last year, I mentioned the mitigating effect of global dimming.Now, the 130 scientists have statued: the net effect of global warming is greater than forecasted earlier.
Island country like Mauritius, where a large part of our economy is based on sea related Tourism,has to readjust its economic strategy. Soon,there would  be a Carbon tax for airline travelers which will change the economics of traveling long distances and also an environment tax to be levied from those causing deteriorations of the global  environment.
I wonder if the authorities issuing building permits  on the coast will integrate these  climatic changes to come :the rising sea level, warmer atmosphere, more violent winds  etc…..”Gouverner c’est prevoir” I had been taught by my 6th grade primary school teacher Mr. Aime Laval to whom I am forever so grateful.

The entrepreneur in me sees opportunities to exploit, in the light of such future certainties.

I am happy to come back home after my 10 weeks long escapade to Mysore. My mobility has unfortunately not improved and yet I had a good time and wonderful Karnataka experience.

My India immersion does not end with the trip, as the 1st February,the day following my arrival  is the festival of Cavadee. Another occasion to search & deepen my knowledge of the Indian culture or shall I say the Mauritian Indian customs!
I quote below  an interesting extract of what I found on a website:

The ‘kavadee’ most commonly seen in Mauritius are the ‘pushpa kavadee’ (flower kavadee) and ‘paal kavadee’ (milk kavadee). But there are other types of kavadee as well. In earlier days some devotees used to carry fish as offering instead of milk. On the eve of the festival the penitent who had vowed to carry the ‘Matchak Kavadee’ (fish kavadee) would be shown in a dream the exact place where he would find two fishes. The next morning he would go to the place and would easily catch the fish in a piece of linen used as a net. He would cut each into two halves and put them separately in two earthen pots containing water which he would then tie to his kavadee.

After the ceremony at the temple, the devotee would go back to the river and open the pots. The two fishes would have come back to life in the meantime and the separated halves would have joined together and the fish would leap out of the pots into the river. It was on the occasion of the

‘Sittireye Parouvam’ in 1967 that the ‘fish kavadee’was last performed by an old man named Manmootoo Chellambrum at St Hubert. This miracle was witnessed by hundreds of people among whom were several journalists who published the feat in their papers”.

Tamils worship Muruga with great love and devotion. Many Tamils are called after one of the several names of Muruga: Vel, Velan, Moorghen or Murugan, Soopaya short for Subramanian or Soopramanien, Kadirvelan, Kumaran or Kumara, Thandayudapaani, Palani, Palanisami, Palamiyandee, Swamynaden, Ku marasawmy, Kandasami, Kandan, Sooben, Muth uvel, Mootoosamy, Armoogum or Arumugam.

The Muruga cult is more widespread in Tamil Nadu than anywhere else in India, although worship is offered in many parts of North India as well. People vow to carry a kavadee for various reasons: because of serious health problems or

other failures, or as penance for wrongs done to someone else. There is a ‘janma kavadee’ i.e lifelong kavadee which parents vow when their children suffer from an incurable disease.

In the opinion of some learned people ‘kavadee’ may represent man’s unconscious desire to lay at the feet of God all his burdens and go away with His blessings. It is also a form of purificatory sacrifice — by self-inflicted suffering the penitent washes away his sins and becomes ‘pure’.

Kavadee also symbolises the triumph of good over evil. According to the Hindus our era is the ‘Kali Yug’ (the black era) dominated by irreligion, injustice, violence and evil. The ‘vel’ of Muruga symbolises the spear of victory that will eventually restore peace and harmony in the world. It will destroy arrogance and hypocrisy, violence and injustice — and man will emerge from the ashes of sin and evil like ldumban redeemed.

The Tamils here seem to have evolved their cultural heritage or was it possible for their forefathers were a different breed from their own village unique tradition?

Dear Doctor
Not every single day of your life is the same.
Each day brings its lot of happiness and challenges
because isn’t it life a continuous quest
for equilibrium between the opposing forces?
Today is so special for you.
Blessed was the day when many of moon ago
Out of the love of two persons so dear to
you came the emerging fruit of their union.
Propulsed by the initial impetus given by your parents
you have contrived with your own will and efforts
to forge yourself into the talented person you are today.
Teacher, as you have been trained, you will always be
a knowledge source to your entourage
Your delicate ways and keen attention to the needs of others
are the living proof of your Hippocratic oath
Even your Carnatic talents and singing
gift direct to the healing of mankind.
Man of so much talent I had the privilege to meet.
I am so thankful to the Almighty for this grace
I pray the Lord to bless you and your family to be accompanied by Him forever.
The departure of your daughter this week end from the family nest: like a small bird reaching maturity,
she will be flying on her own wings to catch the wind of success! True, a pinch of the heart may well be felt, but this will quickly be inundated by a feeling of hope at the prospect of the world opening to her
Isn’t it our aim: to nurture new spirits to cultivate our world?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DOCTOR!

26th January 1950 is one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. On this day India became a totally republican unit. The other celebration is the 15th August  which is called the Independence Day. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who fought for and sacrificed their lives for the independence of their country.  So, ever since, the 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India.

26^th January 2007 is also a day of great rejoicing at IVAC. At 9 am all the staff and guests were assembled to have a rising of the flag in presence of the senior management. The short ceremony  was enhanced by the singing of the national anthem.

I was delighted to take cognizance of the President Abul Kalam message for the occasion. His speech he titled: ‘What can I give to the nation?” is well worth reading as he enumerates India’s achievements in a number of fields and gives the vision of the over a billion heads strong country in 2020.

It was also “fete” for me today. Marie Anne & Stephane arrived in the early morning from Montreal. They brought in with them a large box of chocolate & candies to be distributed to the therapists and hands of the center. It was our way to celebrate with them the India Republic day and be thankful for their services.

En 1806, était il possible de s’en procurer aux marché une volaille pour se nourrir et d’en faire une fête ? Peut-être bien que la volaille était de la ferme de l’éleveur ou alors la volaille été le produit de la chasse !

En 2006, est il possible de s’en procurer du poisson pêcher ou du poisson de ferme? Dans peu de temps, les produits pêchés de la mer ne suffiront pas. L’exploitation grandissante de la pêche conjuguée avec une baisse drastique de la reproduction marine résultera dans un déficit irréversible. O la ! Déjà les quotas sont imposés par les pays sensés et conscients de la situation critique de la pêche non contrôlée. La solution : l’aquaculture ou cultiver l’océan.

Je vous recommande la lecture d’un mini dossier qui parait sur l’express du jour le 24 janvier. Je me réjouis de voir l’évolution de la deuxième phase de la societe FMM. Red Drum semble avoir pris des ailes….Outre de se trouver à la table des convives de Maurice, Red Drum et Guele Pavee de FMM donnent saveur aux repas gastronomique maintenant en Suisse, Afrique du sud, les pays du Golfe, les états unis d’Amérique et le Canada. FMM a ouvert la voie me disait mon ami Jean Pierre H…, maintenant les gros captaines arrivent ! La bataille et le jeu d’influence seront pour les meilleurs sites ! Voila que l’industrie de la mer prend son envol. Petit Ile Maurice avec un champ d’action océanique très étendue ! Ile Maurice Ferme océanique d’envergure c’est mon rêve !

Cultivons l’Océan…notre Ferme Marine Bio et Ecolo!