After the party

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Knowledge and Wisdom

“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit,

                       Wisdom is not putting them in a fruit salad.”

-- Anonymous

Celebration means......

Celebration means......
A winter evening.
Four friends.
One barsaat.
Four glasses of chai.

Celebration means......
Hundred bucks of petrol.
A rusty old bike.
And an open road.

Celebration means......
Maggi noodles.
A hostel room.
4.25 a.m.

Celebration means......
3 old friends.
3 separate cities.
3 coffee mugs.
1 internet messenger.

Celebration means......
Rain on a hot tin roof.
Pakoras deep-frying.
Neighbours dropping in.
A party.

Celebration means......
You and mom.
A summer night.
A bottle of coconut oil.
A head massage.
Gossiping about absent family members.

You can spend
Hundreds on birthdays,
Thousands on festivals,
Lakhs on weddings,

but to celebrate
all you have to do is spend your Time with your loved ones.

Keep in touch with your loved ones ........

The preamble of those working in the IT sector

The preamble of those working in the IT sector:

We the unwilling, lead by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful.

We have done so much for so long, with so little knowledge that we will one day qualify to do anything with knowing nothing.

Be proud to be working in this wonderful business!!!

Waterfall Model

For all those of you who do not know what a Software Engineering Waterfall Model is:

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING - WATERFALL MODEL

The Origin of the F-Word

The Origin of the F-Word

Netlore Archive: In which we are asked to believe that the word "fuck" originated as the acronym of "Fornication Under Consent of the King," "Fornication Under Command of the King," "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge," or some other variation thereof.

Description: Folk etymology
Circulating since: The 1960s
Status: False (see details below)

Example #1:
Email contributed by T. McInnis, March 22, 2001:

In ancient England a person could not have sex unless you had consent of the King (unless you were in the Royal Family). When anyone wanted to have a baby, they got consent of the King, the King gave them a placard that they hung on their door while they were having sex. The placard had F.*.*.*. (Fornication Under Consent of the King) on it. Now you know where that came from.

Example #2:
From a Usenet posting, Nov. 1, 1990:

The word fuck comes from colonial times, when someone would be punished for 'prostitution' It was an acronym for the words

'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge'

FUCK was written on the stocks that held these criminals because For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge was too long to go on the stocks.

Example #3:
From a Usenet posting, Oct. 12, 1990:

I always heard that "F.U.C.K." originated in the 1800's in London, when they used to charge prostitutes "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge". So officer got sick and tired of writing those, um, lessee, 26 characters, not including spaces, so it got abbreviated FUCK and stuck.

Analysis: Having consulted the definitive reference work on this subject (yes, there is such a thing: The F-Word by Jesse Sheidlower, published by Random House in 1999), I feel confident in dismissing all the claims above as imaginative bunk.

Simply put, the word fuck did not originate as an acronym. It crept, fully formed, into the English language from Dutch or Low German around the 15th century (it's impossible to say precisely when because so little documentary evidence exists, probably due to the fact that the word was so taboo throughout its early history that people were afraid to write it down). The American Heritage Dictionary says its first known occurrence in English literature was in the satirical poem "Flen, Flyss" (c.1500), where it was not only disguised as a Latin word but encrypted — gxddbov — which has been deciphered as fuccant, pseudo-Latin for "they fuck."

According to Sheidlower, the earliest published claims of a supposed acronymic origin for the F-word appeared during the 1960s. For example, an underground newspaper called the East Village Other printed this version in 1967:

It's not commonly known that the word "fuck" originated as a medical diagnostic notation on the documests of soldiers in the British Imperial Army. When a soldier reported sick and was found to have V.D., the abbreviation F.U.C.K. was stamped on his documents. It was short for "Found Under Carnal Knowledge."

Two more variants appeared in a letter published in Playboy magazine in 1970:

My friend claims that the word fuck originated in the 15th Century, when a married couple needed permission from the king to procreate. Hence, Fornication Under Consent of the King. I maintain that it's an acronym of a law term used in the 1500s that referred to rape as Forced Unnatural Carnal Knowledge."

Undoubtedly the most famous instance of this etymological travesty was its use as the title of the 1991 Van Halen album, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge."

Source: http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl-f-word.htm

F.U.C.K.

This acronym never was. It is an attempt to make an acronym out of the word FUCK, which origins date back several centuries and has always had a meaning associated with the sexual act, and this is the reason that it was taboo to include it in printed books; which has only made it more difficult to get to the origin of the word. The word may have been derived from a man named: "John le Fucker", a scoundrel and a cad, possibly even a sexual predator, as early as 1278. From this, others were compared to this man, i.e.: "You're just another fucker.", and also the reason prostitutes refer to their clients as "Johns". Printed usage of the current spelling dates back to a 15th century poem. The poem, which satirizes the Carmelite friars of Cambridge, England, called "Flen flyys," written in a mixture of Bastard Latin and Middle English about some wayward Monks. The relevant line (in B.L.) reads: "Non sunt in celi quia fuccant uuiuys of heli", which translated means: "They the monks are not in heaven because they fuck the wives of Ely.". Monks were supposed to be celibate (not engaging in sexual relations), hence the reason they would not be in heaven as the poem states. Ely, the town referenced in the poem, is a small town near Cambridge, England. The best acronym I've ever heard for F.U.C.K. is shown below:

I was once taught that F.U.C.K. stood for "From Understanding Comes Kindness", which is another way of describing the tender act of lovemaking.

Fornication Under Consent of King

The origin of the word "fuck". Back when, in Britain, fornication required consent from the king, you had to obtain a permit. You would be presented with a sign to hang on the door that read "F.U.C.K." or "Fornication Under Consent of King".

Fuck

One of the most heard and used words in America. This magical word can basically describe any situation your in, and can put much emphasis on any sentence. One origin of the word fuck goes back hundreds of years back in Europe. It is said that Women wore chastity belts that read “Fornicate under consent of king”, or f.u.c.k. This word can be seen anywhere (like on this website), whether you see it on the internet, engraved into your desk at school, spray painted on walls, on tv, videogames, yada yada yada. Do I need to go on? I’m not wasting my time putting examples, there are many already created right here, on this page. Have a great fucking day. :)

Fuck

Fuck comes from the early 16th cent.: of Germanic origin (compare Swedish dialect focka and Dutch dialect fokkelen); possibly from an Indo-European root meaning strike, shared by Latin pugnus ‘fist.’

Despite the wideness and proliferation of its use in many sections of society, the word fuck remains (and has been for centuries) one of the most taboo words in English. Until relatively recently, it rarely appeared in print; even today, there are a number of euphemistic ways of referring to it in speech and writing, e.g., the F-word, f***, or f—k.

Fuck

The etymology of this term is said to have originated from many a possibility, including truth and farcity. The highest possibility is that of Germanic origin, being it is found in many a cognate throughout several Germanic languages. German- Ficken (to copulate). Dutch- Fokken (to breed). dialectical Norwegian- fukka (to copulate. dialectical Swedish- fucka (to strike, copulate) and fuck (penis). It also has possible Celtic, Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon origins, most of which are based on situational absolutes.

Many farce etymologies of this term are of acronymic origin for the word, such as:

- Fornication Under Carnal/Cardinal Knowledge

- Fornication Under Control/consent/command (of the) King

- False Use (of) Carnal Knowledge

- Felonious Use (of) Carnal Knowledge

- Forced Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (generaly used to refer to rape).

Today, in america and many other countries, this term has been morphed and twisted into a much more "useful" form of usage. It's current definition is that of many, all molding the term into explitive form. Commonly refered to as the F Bomb, it can be used to express many emotions, such as anger, frustration, excitement, arousal, anxiety, being overwhelmed, being surprised, etc. It's most common form is that of an interjection, similar to missuse of the terms "bloody" in the UK, or "bloomin" in Australia. Usually "the" preceeds this term, almost acting as a disclaimer of sorts. All in all, it's a word that is seemingly taboo and yet so commonly used today.

Common Examples Include:

"What the FUCK!"

(Exclamation)

"Why the fuck do you think you are?"

(somewhat interjective)

"Fuck me."

(Verb)

"I'm fuckin' awesome!"

(adverb)

"I don't give a flying fuck"

(noun)

"Oooooh fuck, baby..."

(seemingly meaningless, but somehow explains everything)

Source: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=origin%20of%20the%20word%20fuck

Weight loss vs fat loss: Don't confuse the two!

Weight loss vs fat loss: Don't confuse the two!

Courtesy LifeMojo.com

They're not quite the same thing and you need to figure out which takes priority.

People seem to use the terms weight loss and fat loss interchangeably, not understanding the difference between them. It is important, however, that you do understand -- there is a big difference between losing weight and losing fat.

What's the difference? Let's start by defining weight loss and fat loss.

Weight loss is the loss in your body weight -- the sum weight of your bones, muscles, organs, body fat and water in the body.

Fat loss is the loss in your body fat -- the amount of fat your body carries. Healthy goals are 12-20 percent body fat for men and 18-25 percent for women.

Weight is good, not bad; you do not want to lose weight, and more importantly for your health, you do not want to lose muscle. Our weight is made up of tissue, muscle, bone, blood, fat, water, and the rest of our physical bodies.

Muscle, like every other component of our physical make-up, is most important.

And fat is also a necessary, vital part of our physical make-up. Excess fat, however, is bad news and that is what you should focus on -- fat loss.

On the weighing scale, it will look like you're not making progress

As you know, a scale measures how much weight you have lost, but it will never tell you where this weight was lost from.

This is where the problem lies. Carbs bind to water. So eating less carbs will make you lose weight (water loss). This is why you lose so much weight on a diet like the Atkins within the first two weeks: it's mostly water.

Of course, increasing your carb intake will make you gain weight again.

On the other hand, you'll gain muscle while losing fat when you get into strength training. But on the weighing scale it will look like you're not making progress: your body-weight doesn't change. Two people with the same height can weigh the same, but look completely different as one has lower body fat than the other. For this reason, a bodybuilder or a large athlete can weigh much more than the average person.

There is no need for starvation or 'all-liquid' diets

The best way to monitor your progress when embarking on a new diet, is to measure your body fat percentage and your lean body mass. Lean body mass is your weight excluding fat. Lean body mass includes bone, muscle, and other fat-free tissues with the majority of this being muscle.

By measuring these two items, you will be able to determine how much fat you are losing and whether or not you are losing any muscle.

The simplest way to measure your body fat percentage is through skinfold testing. Another method is using a machine, which displays the body fat percentage using the bioelectrical impedance method.

Not only is it healthier for you to lose fat, you will feel better while you're doing it. There is no need for starvation or 'all-liquid' diets. Eating smaller meals more frequently is the key to this process. Starvation diets actually slow down your metabolism in the long run, making it harder for you to keep the weight off.

Stop starving yourself and start starving your fat

If you want to lose fat here are a few tips to help you:

·         Make vegetables your primary source of carbohydrates.

·         Eat five to six small meals a day, consisting of high protein, moderate carbs, and low-fat.

·         Do cardiovascular workouts at least three or four times a week.

·         Do intense weight-training at least three or four times a week.

·         Eat more raw foods.

Focusing on fat loss will help to ensure that your body looks great and you feel great as well. It will give you the body you truly desire without sacrificing your diet and your health. So stop starving yourself and start starving your fat! The result will be a leaner, healthier you!

LifeMojo is one of the most trusted sources of information about good health and wellness. To those who want to manage their health themselves, LifeMojo provides necessary information, tips, tracking tools and support to help them stay informed and motivated.

Source: Weight loss vs fat loss: Don't confuse the two!

11 ways to have a rocking married life

-- Purba Dutt

With divorces throwing many a marriage apart, there are those who feel that this institution is in urgent need of an overhaul if it is to remain relevant and not become the sham modern marriages are increasingly ending up as.

While many lament that monogamy is all but dead, we feel that it's still too early to write off the institution, or even reinvent it. It's worked in the past, and there's no reason why it shouldn't now. What we might need to do instead is to find ways to make our marriage work, rather than wait for it to flounder and then take recourse in the excuse that it wasn't meant to work anyway.

If you think marriage is for keeps, here're 10 plus One ways to keep your marriage strong and rocking.

1.    Know that the romance and passion of the early days will sooner or later fizzle out. Instead of moping for that lost passion, recall the early days of your dating/courtship/wooing/chasing. This will instantly re-establish the connect that brought you both together, and you'll fondly look back at those days and moments. You may not be able to summon that kind of passion, but you can still steal time for just the two of you.... Remember when passion subsides, companionship takes over. Revel in the comfort of becoming good companions.

2.    True, you are now man and wife, but you don't need to merge your individual identities. If before marriage you were fond of wearing skirts, or playing a game of cricket with the boys, you don't need to give that up just because you're now married. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone, of course, like it would if you were a Casanova before marriage and insist on being allowed to remain so! It's worth preserving your own identity in a marriage because then you wouldn't be forced to cramp your signature/individual style or lose your personality. This will mean that there will be little scope for frustration and bitterness as your relationship gets older.

3.    Have a lot of US time, but don't forget to have plenty of ME time either... you not only stay away from each other's hair, but also give no room for breeding contempt that too much familiarity and being together invariably bring.

4.    While giving space to each other is vital, make sure that communication never ceases. Any lull in communication can be potentially dangerous. So, have periods of silences but fill each other in when you catch up. If there's anything that's bugging you about the other, or if there's something at work that's troubling you, nothing works better than using each other as involved and responsive sounding boards. Bounce ideas, plans, off each other.

5.    Fights between couples are normal, but so is making up. Scream, holler, have it all out, but once you're over and done with remember to not let the sun go down on your fight. Make up before the day's out.

6.    Many couples fight over finances. Joint accounts and holding investments together are all very fine, but there's no need to give up your fiscal independence or opt out of holding individual bank accounts.

7.    Infidelity- Now that's a deal breaker, but don't suspect your spouse of infidelity if he or she is appreciative of someone of the opposite sex, or is a recipient of admiring glances from them. Also you don't need to jump into some absurd conclusion just because you stumbled upon some innocuous SMSes or mails, or the last number dialed happened to belong to a colleague of the opposite sex. Unless you've caught him or her red-handed or have enough incriminating evidence to nail him or her, like, say, lipstick on his collar (of a shade not in your lipstick collection) or some strong masculine perfume on her person (a fragrance that's certainly not part of your vanity collection), there's no need to go ballistic or melodramatic. Even in cases where the telltale signs are rather strong, it would be better if you can bring it up instead of losing your sleep, peace and equanimity of mind over it.

8.    Parenting- now that's a tricky territory many couples fight over. Best would be to find a healthy middle ground. If one of you is too strict and the perfect disciplinarian, and the other way too indulgent, striking a balanced middle ground helps where parenting is concerned and less hair-splitting or accusations over kids and their upbringing, often an area of discord and bad blood between couples.

9.    Take holidays together. Building your nest egg, or working doubly hard to see your way through that mountain of EMIs is smart, but don't forget to take a break and breather. Also, though our daily existence moves in a, more or less, set pattern, it is always nice to make room for some unscheduled and off the beaten track moments.

10.  Respect each other's weaknesses and sensitive points. If he can't bear to hear any criticism about his mother, and she can't stand her unsuccessful attempts at losing weight being made fun of, know how to steer clear of those. Ribbing each other good-humouredly is healthy, provided you know where to get off. And finally:

11.  Marriage is another word for monotony and routine, but nothing like action between the sheets to rev it up and keep it exciting. You don't need to keep your scores but remember that sleeping together isn't just a bedroom arrangement; it's a marriage binder too!

Source: 11 ways to have a rocking married life

Why? Because!

Which bird is why and which bird is because?

WHY:

Why do men's clothes have buttons on the right while women's clothes have buttons on the left?

BECAUSE:

When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right! And that's where women's buttons have remained since.

*********************

WHY:

Why do ships and aircraft use 'mayday' as their call for help?

BECAUSE:

This comes from the French word m'aidez -meaning 'help me' -- and is pronounced, approximately, 'mayday.'

*********************

WHY

Why are zero scores in tennis called 'love'?

BECAUSE:

In France, where tennis became popular, the round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'the egg.' When tennis was introduced in the US, Americans (mis)pronounced it 'love.'

*********************

WHY:

Why do X's at the end of a letter signify kisses?

BECAUSE:

In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.

*********************

WHY:

Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?

A: In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility of dealing, he would 'pass the buck' to the next player.

*********************

WHY:

Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?

BECAUSE:

It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink. To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink it simultaneously. When a guest trusted his host, he would only touch or clink the host's glass with his own.

*********************

WHY:

Why are people in the public eye said to be 'in the limelight'?

BECAUSE:

Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and theaters by burning a cylinder of lime which produced a brilliant light. In the theatre, a performer 'in the limelight' was the center of attention.

*********************

WHY:

Why is someone who is feeling great 'on cloud nine'?

BECAUSE

Types of clouds are numbered according to the altitudes they attain, with nine being the highest cloud. If someone is said to be on cloud nine, that person is floating well above worldly cares.

*********************

WHY:

In golf, where did the term 'Caddie' come from?

BECAUSE:

When Mary Queen of Scots went to France as a young girl, Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scots game 'golf.' He had the first course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her. Mary liked this a lot and when returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the long run), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced 'ca-day' and the Scots changed it into ‘caddie.’

*********************

WHY:

Why are many coin collection jar banks shaped like pigs?

BECAUSE:

Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of a dense orange clay called 'pygg'. When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as 'pygg banks.' When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a container that resembled a pig. And it caught on.

Top 10 benefits of walking

This simple activity that we do everyday is really a great way to get healthy. Read on about the many surprising benefits of walking.

A new week is about to begin. Which means you can set new resolutions and get on that fitness program you've been putting off since the beginning of the year.

And this weekend, if there's just one thing you should start doing to get fitter, let that be walking. Here are 10 reasons why!

1. It’s great exercise

It is great exercise. Walking at a steady pace for 30 to 45 minutes a day has been proven to be an excellent fat burner. Do this six times a week, along with following a healthy diet, and you will see a change in your weight. A good speed of walking is 6km/hour. In other words, it should take you 10 minutes to cover a kilometre.

2. Good for the heart

It is good for the heart. Walking is known to reduce blood pressure, improve blood circulation and all round cardiovascular functions

3. Increases stamina

It increases stamina. Walking regularly at a good speed also improves muscle strength and endurance.

4. Mental health

Promotes mental health. Walking is a great stress buster. And if you're able to walk outdoors, there's nothing like it. The combination of fresh air and exercise is an excellent mood booster and you'll definitely find yourself feeling happier as well as healthier.

5. Good for bones

It is good for your bones. Walking is a great way of strengthening your bones. Walking 30 minutes a day actually increases bone density and slows down bone loss in the legs. This low-impact exercise also targets your spine, legs and hips.

6. Prevents diabetes

Prevents type 2 diabetes. Studies show that walking 150 minutes per week can reduce the risk of diabetes, which is why doctors highly recommend it to anyone who has a history of diabetes in their family.

7. Reduces risk of cancer

Reduces risk of breast and colon cancer. Studies show that regular walking can reduce a person's chances of getting breast and colon cancer

8. Safer than running

Safer than running. Many experts believe that walking is actually better than running because it's easier on your knees and joints. It leads to fewer injuries and if you're just starting to exercise, it's a good beginner workout.

9. Anyone can do it

Anyone can do it. Walking is truly a democratic exercise because anyone at ANY fitness level can do it. If you're completely out of shape, start by walking 20 minutes a day and then slowly increase the time every week.

10. Free

It is free! Unlike most other forms of exercise, all walking requires is a pair of good walking shoes. Walk in the park; on the road; up the stairs; on a treadmill; in a long corridor, it really doesn't matter. You don't need expensive equipment or a partner to do this. So if you're in the mood for a good, safe workout, just start walking!

Source: Top 10 benefits of walking

20 Painkillers Found in your Kitchen

Ginger

When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger's potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.

Cure a toothache with cloves

Got a toothache and cant get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.

Heal heartburn with cider vinegar

Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain, explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.

Erase earaches with garlic

Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic's active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People's Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.

Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries

Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you're one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today's painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing's Michigan State University . Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain, explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University . His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.

Fight tummy troubles with fish

Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract, explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead , MA . For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.

Prevent PMS with yogurt

Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York 's Columbia University . Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux, explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University .

Tame chronic pain with turmeric

Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That's because turmeric's active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.

End endometrial pain with oats

The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That's because oats don't contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University .

Soothe foot pain with salt

Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California's Stanford University . The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it's anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.

Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple

Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at Californias Stanford University . That's because pineapple is natually packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.

Relax painful muscles with peppermint

Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if they aren't properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half, says Stengler.

Give your back some TLC with grapes

Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That's great news because your back's vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.

Wash away pain injuries with water

Whether it's your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at New York's Manhattan College , say you could kick-start your recovery in one week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine, adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. And when these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain. One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today's juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.

Heal sinus problems with horseradish

Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation's number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn't just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.

Beat bladder infections with blueberries

Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60 percent, according to researchers at New Jerseyâs Rutgers University. That's because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can't get a toehold and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University .

Heal mouth sores with honey

Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until these skin woes disappear, and they heal 43 percent faster than if you use a prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates . Raw honey's natural enzymes zap inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues, say the study authors.

Fight breast pain with flax

In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax's phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don't have to be a master baker to sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.

Cure migraines with coffee

Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.

Tame leg cramps with tomato juice

At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed your recovery, you'll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.