2003 Book Club Activities

Living Group Seminar: September 27, 2003

"Medicare & Medicaid Eligibility: Medical, Assets & Income" -- Mr. J. Gregory Wallace, Councilor of the Elder Law Section of the N.C. Bar Association.

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Literature Group Seminar: May 4, 2003

"Reading Maniac in Taiwan" -- Ms. Celia Hong, CEO of Hong's Foundation for Education & Culture, Taiwan

 

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Summary:

1. How book clubs were formed: It all started as small social gatherings and progressively transformed into events which affected all levels of lives.
2. How PHP organization (Peace and Happiness through Prosperity) in Taiwan was founded in 1987 to help members practice their daily life with peace and happiness through sincere thinking, learning, discussion and activities. PHP organization's approach was to promote its spirits through speeches, book club reading, seminars with Japan, and various tea parties to attract general public's interests.
3. How Taiwan PHP had expanded its scope to collaborate with different organizations to serve society. For example, PHP cooperated with Buddhism Club in Fo-Guang Mountain to help them train their members to improve their lives. It also contributed funds to Nursing House through simplifying their meals to save extra money when club members had their regular social gathering.

Health & Fitness Group Seminar: March 8, 2003

Diet Secrets to Enhance Youth, Health, and Longevity" -- Ms. Cindy Chen, a dietician at Hospitals in Taiwan, Ph.D. Candidate in Pharmacy at Taipei Medical School in Taiwan.

 

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Summary:

1. Hypocholesterolemia Diet (Low Cholesterol Diet):
   In order to lower cholesterol, we should:
   • Limit saturated fatty acid intake (solid fat, such as: butter)
   • Substitute unsaturated fats for saturated fats whenever possible (liquid oil, such as: vegetable oil)
   • Increase fruits and vegetables
   • Increase fiber, especially soluble fiber (such as: oat meal, alga, jello)
   • Exercise
2. Nutritional Therapy for Hypertension:
   To control high blood pressure, we should:
   • Lower salt intake
   • Increase fruit and vegetable intake
   • Decrease meat intake
   • Maintain appropriate weight -- “weight” is one of important indicators of good health.
   
   The formula for the ideal body weight:
   Ideal Body Weight (Kg) = Body Height (m) X Body Height (m) X 22 (for Chinese)
   Ideal Body Weight (Kg) = Body Height (m) X Body Height (m) X 24 (for American)
   High blood pressure is not only the indication of heart disease, but also the possibility of kidney disease.
3. Postmenopausal Diet Management:
   • 30 g soy bean intake per day was found to be beneficial for postmenopausal women.
   • Soy bean contains natural form of estrogen. It has three beneficial components:
     1. High quality protein (The quality of soy bean protein is equal to the quality of meat protein, 1 cup of soy bean = 1 oz meat).
     2. Isoflavone (not only a precursor of estrogen, but also a powerful antioxidant)
     3. A blood pressure lowering agent ( It can lower our blood pressure.)
   • Increase estrogen level by taking soy bean, estrogen has two following benefits to our body:
     1. Reduce our cholesterol level, preventing heart disease.
     2. Increase calcium content in our bone, preventing osteoporosis.
4. Anti-Cancer Diet:
   • Reduce fat and oil intake (using cold oil, like olive oil, instead of high heated fried oil), high heated and fried oil may release “free radical” which may cause cancer.
   • Limited salted and smoked foods.
   • Consume more fruits and vegetables, fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, such as: vitamin C and E
5. Nutrition for Health & Fitness:
   • Eat lots of vegetables & fruits
   • Limited intake of saturated fatty acid fat
   • Reduce salt intake
   • Reduce sugar intake
   • Drink lots of water
   • Keep a balanced diet – variety of food and appropriate quantity of food (don’t overeat)
   • Use different brand of food products
   • Exercise regularly