New York seeks national reduction of salt in food

Reference:

Kalawur. Y. (January 11, 2010). New York seeks national reduction of salt in food. CNN.Retrieved February 16, 2010, from http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/11/new.york.salt/index.html

Summary:

According to the author, salt as a traditional condiment that can make the food more tasteful, and at the same time, it is a kind of very import component in human body, but it is a very important factor which leads to heart attacks and strokes. In order to control these kinds of diseases and give us good health, the New York City Health Department is coordinating a nationwide effort to prevent heart disease by reducing the amount of salt in packaged and restaurant foods. The goal is to reduce American’s salt intake by 25% over five years.

Response:

Most people think salt can make the food more tasteful; salt can help us to defend many kinds of bacteria. But they do not know diets high in salt increase blood pressure are a leading risk factor for hears attacks and stroke. For example, when my mother cooks, she always put a lot of salt into the food. If she doesn’t put as much as she think it is ok, she doesn’t eat. As a result, she check her health every year, she has high blood pressure. The doctor suggests she eat less salt; however, she doesn’t follow. Most of us will feel unhealthy when we advise somebody to have a diet with little salt. Actually only 11% of salt come from the saltshakers; 80% of salt comes from food itself. So even if you cut down 20% of the salt in your food, you will be healthier body, and have more pleasure in life instead of worry about some kinds of cardiovascular disease because of your diet habit.

Some kids hurt themselves to feel better

Reference:

Beauchaine, T. (2010, February 1). Some kids hurt themselves to feel better. CNN. Retrieved February 2, 2010, from http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/02/01/Beauchaine.self.injury.cutting.teens/index.html?iref=allsearch

Summary:

According to the article, “Some kids hurt themselves to feel better,” the situation about self-injury is increasing. Especially, girls always cut their skin with sharp objects. Now, the media is paying more attention to this situation; they put it in the movies. In the author’s opinion, there is not enough money to do the research, which is the main point self-injury is rising. Then, the author tells us four reasons for the self-injury. First, when the young people feel depression, they usually hurt themselves in the USA. Second, people do not feel as good as other peers. Third, adolescence is a period time which is filled with much turmoil. Fourth, suicide always uses self-injury because it is the best method. Finally, scientists do not know why self-injury’s rates are increasing, because they can not get funding to do the research.

Reaction:

Self-injury is an increasingly risky social problem in the recent years. The bad economic solution has made many people lost their jobs; it is a hard time for each person and each country. Adults can not care about their family; they feel very powerless. When they try to change this again and again, it is still impossible. All negative emotions are come out. They will believe they are loser, in their whole lives. The best way to change this condition is suicide, which can help his/her family. In the world, I think most girls choose self-injury because they are disappointed in love. I had an ex-boyfriend; I loved him so much that even now I can not forget him. When he told me we had to break up, I felt so bad. I didn’t eat or drink for several days; also, I was thinking about self-injury. However, I didn’t do it because of three reasons. First, I am very scared of pain. For example, people usually cut their finger with paper; it is not pain. But, I feel very much pain and I will cry for this. I can not bear it. Next, I was thinking about my parents. They love me so much and they always do their best to satisfy me. If I had died, they would have had a sad life in their retirement. The guy didn’t know anything and he didn’t feel sadness. However, we had a lot of memories in my hometown forever. I could go outside and it would let me remember what happened between us in this area; my heart always felt hurt again. So I told my parents that I wanted to continue my courses in America. I think my parents knew the true reason, but they didn’t say anything except “study hard.” I am appreciating that they did that for me. In my opinion, the parents need to help their girl to face losing a lover and pay attention to her feeling. It will decline the rise of self-injury.

Mom and Dad Love(d) Me Best. Are You Sure?

Reference:

Newman, S. (2010, January 10). Mom and dad love(d) me best. Are you sure? Psychology Today. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/print/36773

Summary:

According to this article, only one child can get parents' attention very easily. If there are more than one child in a family, it is very difficult for parents to give the same rights for each person. Every child wants to become the favorite. For example, the author tells her experience to us about her two daughters. Then, she shows the other people found that the kid will have his/her own idea when they feel it is unfair with other brothers or sisters. Maybe, the kid will think about the negative things in his/her mind. Finally, Newman shares two ladies' experience to us.

Reaction:

I agree with the author, even though I am only one child in my family. In China, the government has only an one child policy. We can not have brothers or sisters in one family, except if they are twins or triplets. However, Chinese children have cousins in the family. If s/he can easily get your parents' attention, you will get jealous or get mad about him/her. I had this experience, I have a cousin whose age is close to mine. When I was a primary school student, my parents always asked me to get an A, and become the best student in school, and then they would take me to some place for travelling. I got an A and I was the best student in school; however, they did not take me to go anywhere. My cousin does not like to study, also he always failed the exams. But his parents and my parents gave him some gifts and wanted him to improve his score. I did not have anything when I got an A. I felt so bad and thought about negative things; at that time, I hate of my cousin because I thought that he was my parents' child and he took all of my parents' attentions. Now, my cousin has become my best friend in my family. I like talking to him for everything like a brother; also he can keep a secret from other family members.