Author Archives: Natalee-Jewel

Health |

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Why Soy Milk is Evil

Soy is not a miracle health food. It is a rip-off and dangerous.Soy Milk Bad Evil Problems Sick Unwell not good

Don’t believe the hype, soy is about BIG, BIG profits, not about your health. In traditional Asian cultures they do NOT use the kind of soy foods that are being promoted now. They only used fermented soy and in small amounts.

Soy is a bean. Nothing more. To make soy food and soy milk it is highly processed. So it’s a 100% man-made food and as usual such foods are junk.

The finished processed soy products have a lot wrong with them. They are even promoted on TV as increasing the female hormone levels for middle aged women. So even if you believe the advertising, do you really want to be eating something that has female hormone effects?

If you are lactose intolerant, or allergic to cow’s milk (like I am) there are a number of viable, affordable and even healthy alternatives to both cow-derived and soy milk, such as; almond, oat, rice or goats milk.

Whenever I am out and having a coffee with friends, I always ask the Brewister if they have almond, oat, rice or goats milk. More often than not, they do not, but i believe by always asking I help raise awareness, as often the Brewister or cafe owner will ask me why?

I explain about my personal allergies and about the evils of soy. Some of my regular cafes have even changed their buying/selling habits and have stocked alternatives to soy/milk.

Don’t forget to ask your local cafe to stock a soy/milk alternative.

If you insist on sticking with Soy please ensure you only buy certified organic, Australian-grown Soy bean milk that is GMO-free!

HERE IS A LIST OF WHY SOY IS BAD NEWS:

  • It contains high levels of phytic acid. These block the assimilation of minerals in the body. The phytic acid is not neutralized during the processing of soy foods. This is bad enough on it’s own.
  • Soy leads to deficiencies in calcium and Vitamin D due to it’s mineral blocking actions.
  • Soy interferes with normal protein digestion in the body due to its trypsin inhibitors.
  • The soy phytoestrogens (the so called good factors) disrupt your bodies endocrine functions and cause infertility. They are also anti-thyroid agents that can cause thyroid problems and potentially cancer. It’s like taking female birth control pills. Do you really want a flood of a female hormone like substance in your body?
  • Soy protein is full of damaged and denatured proteins from the complicated processing process.
  • Soy contains high levels of aluminum.
  • The use of soy milk instead of real milk or tufo instead of real meat means you are replacing nutrient dense foods with nutrient poor foods. Just like eating too much sugar or white flour this provides the body with calories but vary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

Soy is going to be responsible for a lot of health problems in the future.

 

Here is some more information, I have had passed onto me regarding the dangers of Soy:
 
This “Health Food” Makes You Fat and Unhealthy – by Shin Ohtake, author of Max Workouts
 
It’s kind of crazy to think that soy products have really only been around in the U.S. food industry since the early 1990’s, unlike many of the Asian countries where it’s been a food staple for thousands of years.
 
So what made soy become so popular so fast here in the U.S.?
 
Well it certainly wasn’t coincidence. Like in most industries, if you follow the money…it’s a pretty good bet that you’ll end up at the truth. And soy is no different. Soy is cheap to cultivate and when consumed in whole “fermented” forms it has real health benefits.
 
Notice the terms “whole” food and “fermented”…see that’s key.
 
It’s bad enough that whole foods have become foreign in vast majority of North American diets, but throw in fermentation…and you’re looking at a population smaller than people living on Easter Island that would even take a second look at consuming soy in this form.
 
Fear not however, if there’s profit to be had, we can make anything palatable…or at least edible…sort of.
 
Which is why almost all soy produced in US is processed and converted into two prosperous commodities – soybean oil and soy protein.
 
See…now we can get the benefits of whole fermented soybeans without having to inflict our palates with foul smelly fermented foods. We all win..right?
 
Uhhh…NO
 
Here’s the problem:
 
Processing anything is bad and it’s no different for soy. Soybean oil is heavily refined and most have trans fats in them, making them one of the unhealthiest oils around. And unfortunately, it’s in pretty much all processed foods.
 
Soy protein is the other culprit and it’s also processed, although not as heavily as soybean oil. All possible health benefits of soy are completely taken out in the course of processing, making it a pretty poor source of protein.
 
But this is where the confusion and conflict begins. The FDA claims that soy protein is very healthy and they recommend consuming 25 g of soy protein a day to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
 
I know…once again more conflicting information…I don’t blame you for wanting to tear your hair out with frustration.
 
Okay…before you take FDA’s recommendation, let’s take a little closer look at the relationship it has with the soy industry
 
According to Soy Food Association of North America, the sales of soy food products exploded from 300 million dollars in 1992 to 4 billion dollars in 2006. It only took just over a decade to make soy one of the world’s most cultivated crop. In fact, the soy industry is growing so fast that in order to keep up with the demands, it’s clear cutting forests (yep…deforestation) to make more room for soy farms.
 
But that’s not enough…there’s too much at stake here…too much money to be made. The soy industry wants it all and nothing’s going to stop them…not even mother nature. Enter…GMO – genetically modified organism. Soybeans that are genetically modified to grow faster, bigger and be resistant to pretty much anything you throw at it.
 
In the U.S. about 90 % of all soy used is genetically modified (GM). GM soy is resistance to toxic herbicides and pesticides, which is great because they can keep pumping out soybeans without worrying about crops being destroyed by insects. Sounds dandy, except these toxic chemicals are being passed down the food chain into to animal feeds and you guessed it…you and I, the consumers.
 
I won’t get into the tyranny of the Big Agra (ie. Monsanto) in the farming industry as a whole, but getting non-GM foods have become alarmingly difficult and our right to get natural whole foods is diminishing quickly.
 
So what does any of this have to do with the FDA?
 
Well, it just so happens that the executives that run Big Agra, which produce both the GM seeds for soy as well as the toxic chemicals that they spray the crops with, coincidentally happened to serve on the board of execs on the FDA as well. It’s like a merry-go-round of execs just switching seats. Conflict of interest? Oh right…this is politics…profit and power over human rights and safety.
 
According to stats between 2000 – 2007 there were more than 2700 new soy-based foods that were introduced into the commercial market. And it hasn’t slowed down one bit. One of the biggest reason for the continual push for soy-based products is the FDA. It’s been unequivocally supporting soy as a healthy source of food since the very beginning. So, yes I think it’s fair to say that FDA is committed to the success of the soy industry and so far it’s been wildly successful.
 
That said, I’m not saying that the study done on the soy proteins reducing heart disease was false. It’s pretty easy to manipulate studies to get a desired outcome anyway, and knowing the intimate relation FDA has with the soy industry, I think it’s best to take (all) FDA’s recommendation with a grain of salt.
 
Health facts about soy:
 
Soy has many detrimental characteristics to your health:
 
Soy contains anti-nutrients which hinders the ability of digestive enzymes needed to for proper digestion.
 
Soy contains phytates (phytic acid) like nuts, which prevent absorption of certain important minerals like zinc, magnesium and calcium.
 
Soy is full of isoflavones which are phytoestrogens. They’re plant compounds that resemble human estrogen and have been known to disrupt endocrine function. It’s also been linked to infertility and breast cancer.
 
Soy also contain goitrogens which block the synthesis of thyroid hormones. So if you have thyroid issues, it’s definitely not recommended.
 
These are just the negatives health effects soy has in it’s natural state. Now combine that with the effects of genetic modification (GM) and you’ve really got a mess on your hands.
 
What effects genetically modified soy has on your health?
 
GMO is fairly new, so currently there’s only one published human study and a few published studies conducted on animals.
 
Although companies that produce GMO products claim that it’s completely safe for human consumption, all the studies done on animals fed GM soy have had seriously negative outcomes including infertility and even death – infant mortality.
 
The process of genetic modification in soy involves placing a gene from a bacteria that produces protein that’s completely foreign to humans. And if that doesn’t sound bad enough, the one human fed study done on GM soy, found that the gene inserted into the genetically modified soy transfers into the DNA of our gut bacteria and continues to function.
 
This means that even years after you stop eating GM soy, there’s a real good chance that foreign protein will still be produced in your gut. Sounds like a premise from a cheesy sci-fi movie…only it’s actually happening!
 
So what can we do about this awful situation?
 
First and foremost assume that most soy products are genetically modified, especially those meat and dairy substitutes like soy burgers, soy dogs, soy cheese, even soy milk.
 
Make sure to stay away from anything that has soybean oil in it, which shouldn’t be hard to do if you’re avoiding processed foods.
 
It’s best to stay away from so-called healthy foods with soy protein in them such as vegan protein bars, soy chips, soy nuts, and believe it or not…even tofu.
 
Tofu has been the go to source of soy protein for many vegans, however the negatives health factors outweigh the positives, so it’s best to avoid them.
 
As I mentioned in the very beginning of the article, soy is not bad for you as long as it’s prepared properly. And the key to getting the health benefits of soy is fermentation.
 
All whole soybean that’s been fermented is good to eat. The key is fermentation. The fermentation process takes out most of the negative health effects listed above. Although it doesn’t completely eliminate it, in fermented form the benefits outweigh the negatives.
 
Here’s a list of fermented soy foods that I recommend:
 
Tempeh – Fermented, firm textured, soybean cake
Miso – Fermented, salty, soybean paste usually used for soup stock
Natto – Fermented soybean with sticky, slimy texture often consumed with rice
Soy Sauce – Fermented soybean in liquid form used as condiments in many Asian dishes (not all brands are fermented, only the highest quality… also limit heavy use due to extremely high sodium levels)
 
So there you have it. The story of soy is heavy on politics and falls well short of being the panacea of health that it’s claimed to be. GM soy is just the tip of the iceberg, and it’s very frightening. Our body’s were meant to eat real whole foods…period. The consumption of processed foods have wreaked havoc to our health and now engineered food is about to over take our food supply.
 
Our best defense is knowledge so we can make the right food choices for the benefit of our own health, as well as the health and well being for our future generations.
 

Health |

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Health Update:Beat the Bloat

14 Reasons you’re gassy and how to avoid it.

2kgs can be added to your waist due to constipation, so feast on fibre daily.
Fibre helps remove waste from your body, preventing it from sitting in the bowel. And remember to drink plenty of water, so the fibre can swell up and do its job efficiently.

70% of women experience increase fluid retention before their periods, according to a study at Melbourne’s Monash University. This full feeling is caused by hormonal changes and thanks to gravity, the water tends to accumulate in your legs and ankles. try elevating them, or put an ice pack around your your ankles. Skipping salt and eating potassium-rich banana can help banish the bloating.

2300 Milligrams of sodium per day is the recommended level for adults, so choose products with reduced amounts. Excess sodium slows down your kidneys, making them work harder and retain water.

REDUCE CERTAIN CARBOHYDRATES
Starches, such as potatoes, corn, noodles, pasta, bread and pastries are either broken down in the large intestine, generating gas, or stored in the body as glycogen (glucose in the form of a starch), which has a high water content. Limit these carbs in your diet and increase serves of lean proteins and vegetables.

HAVE A MASSAGE
Deep tissue or lymphatic drainage massages can help by moving excess fluid out of the tissues and letting them drain properly.

MUNCH ON fresh vegetables like cucumbers, celery, eggplant, and herbs such as parsley, cardamom, fennel, and corriander, as they all have natural diuretic effects.

20 MINUTES of daily excercise causes the body’s metabolic rate to rise. It makes your organs work harder, thus making your bosy sweat, which inturn excretes water and salt, making bloating subside.

CHECK FOOD LABELS for natural thickeners, such as carrageenan and xanthan gum which can generate gas.

CUT OUT fizzy drinks and whipped cream – the gas from both can blow you up like a balloon.

DON’T sit for long periods of time. If at work, take regular breaks (at least every hour) to stretch your legs and abdomen.

2-2.5 Litres is the amount of water you should drin ka day. Water balances your body’s salt-to-water ratio, making it easier for the kidneys to filter excess salt and fluids. When your water intake isnt enough, the body releases antidiuretic hormones causing it to retain surplus fluid.

STOP GULPING AIR! Swallowing air while chewing, eating to quickly, smoking, sucking lollies and drinking from a straw or norrow-necked bottles can contribute to excess bloating.

SHUN FRUCTOSE. Fructose is a sugar that can be found in most vegetables and fruits as well as the food sweetener corn syrup. It’s poorly absorbed by the intestine, so it lingers behind, allowing bacteria to ferment and produce gas.

SEE THE DOCTOR if you can’t beat the bloat, in case there is an underlying medical problem.

FUN |

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Numerology – Extended Reading

I was already blown away with the FREE numerology reading I received from Mike Madigan. But when I got the below extended reading as a complimentary gift, I couldn’t believe how generous and not to mention accurate his reading are. The post below is simply for my records and for my friends to laugh at!

NumerologyIf you would like your own FREE reading just click here.

I’ve been looking a little deeper at your numerology chart Natalee-Jewel, and here is what I have found:

I see you floating in a sea of endless time – great vistas and a feeling of lifetimes behind and ahead of you. I get the feeling of urgency with you Natalee-Jewel, things that must be done, lessons that must be experienced. I sense the rhythm of life, the cycles we all experience.

From your “1” Life Path in combination with your “1” Soul Urge, I get the impression that you have a pleasant personality, and are generally liked by others. You can be easily hurt at times, and as a result are more careful with displaying your feelings than you used to be.

Natalee-Jewel, I sense that you are a very busy person who is always on the go. The more you have on your plate, the better. At times you wish you had less to do, but you would be totally lost if you woke up one morning and found nothing at all to do! This couldn’t happen, of course, as every time you get a space you seem to fill it up very quickly. You’ll be just as busy in late life as well … in fact you won’t get time to grow old, you’ll just simply keep on growing!

Having said that, it’s not surprising you need a break after this past year. Let’s face it – we all need a little breathing space now and again to re-charge our batteries. Remember to take time to smell the roses!

Natalee-Jewel, you have had a few worries recently about money, but you know you have the power to solve them. While it’s been a bit of a bumpy ride financially these past couple of years, the next 18 months or so will be a lot easier.

Looking at your Personal Days and Personal Months, you should be pleased Natalee-Jewel … it shows that shortly you will receive
some pleasant news. It is nothing momentous, but is sufficient to raise your sights and hopes. It is good news.

I sense a period early on in your life – teenage years perhaps – when you felt misunderstood, as if you couldn’t really get close to anyone, as it you are walking on the outside of life. These feelings very occasionally reoccur.

You are a very special person Natalee-Jewel. The experiences you undergo are all for a very special purpose, one I’m sure you are not aware of yet. Nevertheless, you are progressing in exactly the right direction. Your timing is good and you are learning from every experience. I don’t know if you believe in reincarnation, but I get the feeling that you are a highly evolved person, as if you have lived many times before. In time you will have much to offer
the rest of us.

Romantically, it has not always been easy, and your outlook on life has changed because of this. The future is much easier in this regard than in the past.

Natalee-Jewel, you have sometimes wondered if you have made the right decisions at times, and it looks as if you have. You work best when you make your own mind up on things, though it is useful to ask other people for advice before you make your own mind up.

I see some travel in your future, and several new horizons beckoning. Your progress in this world has not always been as fast as you would like, but I can see significant growth in the future. You tend to feel you have a lot of unused capacity, and that people don’t always give you full credit for your abilities.

I can see you happy and productive in your old age, surrounded by friends and family. You are of above average intelligence, and will keep on learning all the way through life.

FUN, Personal Development |

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FREE Numerology REPORT

I just received a FREE Numerology Reading that I think is pretty damn accurate!

If you want to learn a little more about me read the report below. Or if you just want your own FREE report get it now by clicking here!

ancient chinese turtleshell numerologyIf you are interested in learning more about how Numerology works – this is a great tool as they explain everything step-by-step in the report of how the calculations were made and you can also receive a FREE newsletter from them detailing ancient techniques in the art of numerology. Click here to receive your Newsletter now, absolutely free of charge.

What Does Your Life Path Say About You?

Natalee-Jewel, your Life Path of 1 …

Your life path number is number 1, and so you are probably also blessed with a great drive and burning desire to be “number one” at whatever you do. Unfortunately, your competitive spirit sometimes gets you into trouble with friends and family, as work and ambition take precedence over emotional relationships.

You have a great faith in yourself that often achieves result despite great odds … yet at the same time, has you often accused of having an enormous ego. However, in your defense, it is that enormous ego that gives you the daring and courage to change everybody’s life for the better.

You have probably been born into one of two life paths. Either you have been born into wealth and privilege and coddled by lucky circumstances into becoming “great” in some way or you are thriving despite great challenges such as poverty and war. The number 1 is the number of the hero and this is why you find many disabled as well as super achievers (such as military leaders and business magnates) born under this life path number.

You are also usually blessed with good health, vitality and endless inspiration. Your number is very connected with the divine and you often feel especially connected to God or your subconscious mind. However, as you are such an individualist, this insistence on listening to your hunches often make you appear irrational or even insane to others, that is, until the direction of your gut instincts pays off and all benefit.

Although you are capable of rising to great heights when it comes to career or athletics, you are also capable of great falls. However, as you are also an innovative and resourceful individual you have the uncanny ability to “make lemons out of lemonade” and start again from scratch.

Despite your main personally blessing, you might also feel as if you face more challenges or obstacles in life than others do. Karmically, many number 1’s spend their early years learning not to be dependent on others as fate throws difficult relationships and situations their way. If you feel cursed or that you have a bad luck, that is very characteristic of number ones whose life lessons are usually about “letting go”, “releasing control” and “overcoming great odds.”

As a number 1 you may also need to watch a tendency towards arrogance or over confidence. Many number ones stumble early in life because they have a habit of biting off more than they can chew. Often you are perceived as odd, controlling or self-centered by others. However often these are traits are forgiven as others also recognize that your talents outshine those of the ordinary mortal.

Of all the numbers, you are the one that values individuality, privacy and ethics more than anything. This is why so many of you become business, political and spiritual leaders. You tend to have faith in yourself, more than you do others, and make a better leader than a team player. You are best suited to occupations that allow you to work on your own or be the big boss.

Being a number 1, you are also likely to achieve some measure of fame in your life. This is because you are destined to be “the one that is loved by all” as opposed to “the one that is loved by one other.” It sometimes takes number ones a lifetime to realize that being adored by many is not such a bad thing.

 

What a Number ‘6’ Expression Says About You

Natalee-Jewel, your Expression of 6 … Your Potential Natural Talents and Abilities

You are a peace loving, harmonious individual who is a natural born diplomat. You detest conflict and will bend over backwards to make others happy. The ultimate height of your personal self expression is healing. Nothing gives you more satisfaction then knowing you have corrected a situation that was whirling out of balance.

You express who you are by caring for others. This is why so many sixes are doctors, healers, counselors, psychologists, policeman and therapists. Your philosophy usually relates to the idea that the world can be healed of all its ills if we heal one person at a time.

You have a brilliant, creative mind and many different talents but chances are you will forsake a career in the limelight to work in humble, yet helpful occupations. You are quite philosophical and believe that one should sacrifice oneself for the good of all.

You excel at making others feel good about themselves and have the ability to instill new hope in lost hearts with a kind touch or wise words. You are also a very affectionate person and comfort others with your easygoing nature. Others are attracted by your empathy and your friends often seek you out for advice.

You make a wonderful parent and teacher and have a way with children. At some point in your life you may find yourself coaching, mentoring or adopting a child or a teenager.

You are naturally full of vitality and enthusiasm. You exude a personal charisma that makes members of the opposite sex consider you to be a “catch.” Once you are caught you are usually loyal to that one person for your entire life.

Honesty and openness is very important in your relationships and if someone breaches your trust you are not likely to speak to them ever again. You consider yourself to be a very ethical and moral individual and are deeply pained by any situation that falls into a moral gray area.

You are also deeply spiritual and have a great faith in a higher power. However when that power seems to let you down you have the power to spiral down into a deep depression. As you are all about balance, you are a nightmare to be with when life knocks you out of balance. You may express your bitterness at being let down by God with addiction, codependent or destructive behaviors.

Sometimes you may also mistakenly believe that your mission on earth is to set things right. This can lead to a fanatical need to prove a point or get revenge on the individuals or organizations that you think are causing the disharmony for yourself and others in the first place. Many activists and cult leaders are number 6’s who have succumbed to this kind of black and white thinking.

On a less extreme level, your concern for others may be perceived as interfering or meddling as you just can’t help yourself when it comes to helping others. One of your life challenges is to let others make their own mistakes rather than trying to save them from themselves.

You often dress conservatively and are humble in your appearance. This is because you spend so much time focusing on others rather than yourself. Ironically, you may be good at caring for others but not so good at caring for yourself. If you are a six it is important for you to take time out to pamper yourself every now and then as your tendency to overwork yourself can lead to health problems in the future.

 

Now, Let’s Examine Your Soul Urge (also known as your “Heart’s Desire”)

Natalee-Jewel, your Soul Urge of 1 … 

What You Desire To Be, To Have, and To Do In Your Life

Your soul urge is to be the best at everything that you do. You play to win and when you don’t win you suffer a serious crisis of faith. As you believe you are directly connected to a higher power you just can’t bear it when you let yourself and others down. It makes you think that there is no God.

One of your greatest challenges is to put your life in perspective. Most ones are born into lives that encourage their personal development and in particular the expression of their free will. However it is often this sense of entitlement, that the world must always be your oyster that leads to your downfall.

You may see your pride as being evidence of your high self-esteem and confidence. However sometimes your ambition and drive is so extreme that it disgusts and angers others who may perceive you as selfish and controlling. In ancient cultures flaunting your talents and wealth was thought to attract “the evil eye.” In your case the evil eye is often others desire to see your pride crushed or watch you take a big fall off your pedestal.

You on the other hand don’t understand why others can’t see that you are special. Many number ones suffer from a bad case of terminal uniqueness. You love things that are one of a kind and will resort to extreme or even outrageous behavior to prove that you are irreplaceable.

In your universe you are the sun and everything and everybody else rotates around you. Many number ones sabotage their careers in the early stages, as they cannot get past the idea that someone else might know more or be better than them. Ones that feel dominated may resort to overtly rebelling against authority and cause chaos.

Your eagerness to be recognized for your talents sometimes turns you into a braggart. This often incurs the wrath of others, as it seems that you really are concerned with taking care of number one and nobody else. One of your soul lessons might be to recognize that “to rule is truly to serve.”

If your talents are not appreciated or recognized by others you may steal the spotlight by creating unnecessary dramas in your life. This is because in your mind even negative attention than no attention at all.

If you feel you are a failure you also risk the temptation of escaping into addiction or fantasy. You may get involved in troubling situations with emotionally disturbed people so that you can feel like the hero by rescuing them.

The conflict that you face is the age-old battle between your will and what fate has to offer. When bad things happen to number ones they tend to give up entirely. This is part of a damaging all or nothing mentality. This type of attitude often puts you in situations that are humiliating as you often persist out of pure stubbornness even though all signs point to eventual failure.

To be successful you need to temper your soul urges with patience and tact. You need to learn to see other people’s point of view and let others win an argument once in a while. You are in such a hurry to succeed that you often make hasty decisions that you regret later. Acting on impulse is definitely a hazard for you on your life path. Rather than listen to your ego, listen to you higher self as well.

 

Numerology

 

 

 

Business |

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B1G1

Natalee-Jewel is a proud B1G1 Business Partner.

What is B1G1?

B1G1 (Buy1GIVE1) is a global organisation founded in Australia and now headquartered in Singapore.

B1G1 is the home of transaction-based giving. Through B1G1, businesses and customers can now make huge impacts on our world in the simplest of ways.

B1G1 gives businesses around the world a unique ‘giving engine’ which allows them to match their products and services to over 600 projects worldwide. As a direct result, they create resonant stories that ‘connect’ in a much deeper way.

So, for example, the coffee shop is able to say, ‘Every time you buy our coffee, a child gets access to water’; the author can say, ‘Every time my book gets sold, a tree gets planted’; the recruitment company educates kids each time a candidate is placed; a cataract-blind person gets the gift of site each time a plasma TV gets sold and much, much more.

The possibilities are endless and the impact is huge. And it’s so easy to be a part of.

B1G1 is a new way of giving that is simple, effective and impactful.

What is the vision of B1G1?

B1G1’s vision is to turn every consumer activity in the world into a giving activity with a simple mechanism of giving. It is just like bumblebees pollinating flowers while receiving nectar. When we receive, we give back naturally.

Giving is an important part of who we are. It’s a fundamental part of being happy and inspired in life. By bringing the natural (and automatic) giving back in our everyday life, it creates more gratitude and caring in our world.

Who is behind B1G1?

B1G1 was originally launched in Australia in 2007 by the founders, David Anttony, Paul Dunn and Masami Sato. Please visit B1G1 Team page to meet the team and board members of B1G1.


Is B1G1 a charity?

B1G1 is a Social Enterprise (Buy1GIVE1 Pte. Ltd.) as well as a Not-for-Profit Society (B1G1 Giving) in Singapore.

The commercial enterprise part of B1G1 supports companies to integrate effective giving into their business activities while creating a sense of connection around the enterprise, which naturally results in their own ability to prosper and thrive.

B1G1 Giving (the Society) is separately established to administer the contributions made to the Worthy Causes. It makes sure 100% of contributions* received get transferred to the Worthy Causes efficiently and effectively. It also supports other charitable organisations to become more effective, sustainable and visible.

B1G1 is created as a sustainable giving movement. It has embraced a structure that maximises the transparency, integrity and efficiency of the initiative. Find out more about B1G1 by clicking here.

How is B1G1 funded?

B1G1 helps businesses give effectively, effortlessly and habitually and 100% of contributions* from B1G1 Businesses reach their Worthy Cause Partners. So, we frequently get asked the question about funding — after all, if 100% of the contributions flow directly to the Worthy Causes, how can B1G1 itself exist?

Here’s the answer: B1G1 is funded by its Business Members, Partners and Sponsors.

B1G1 also offers a range of products and services (like books, giving tours, seminars and so on) that create resources for the on-going operation of this unique initiative. So, in short, B1G1 keeps operating and expanding through many people supporting the concept and coming together to make a difference!

*less direct bank charges incurred for the transactions and transfers

How can I support B1G1?

If you have a business, you can join us as a Business Member and start making contributions. It’s that simple.

If you are an individual who does not own a business, you can become a ‘Friend’ or ‘Employee’ Member if you get invited by Business Members. Once you become a member, you can contribute online and invite others to come to B1G1 to make a difference.

If you run a charity organisation, you can apply to become a Worthy Cause Partner of B1G1. However, there is a set of criteria to meet, so you can first contact us to find out about this.


Giving related questions
Can I recommend a charity organisation I know to B1G1?

Yes. Please see the Worthy Cause question part to find out if the organisation you want to recommend qualifies. You can contact us for more info.

I don’t run a business. Can I still contribute?

You can contribute massively by inviting many other businesses to join B1G1. You can also make contributions using the B1G1 Giving Engine by creating a Free User Account.


How much of what we give gets to the cause?

100%. As you’d expect, when we transfer funds to the Worthy Causes, the Banks deduct a charge (yes, we wish they wouldn’t do it but they do) and we constantly seek ways to eliminate this charge too.

Do I need to join as a Business Member to give through B1G1?

No you don’t.

If you’re a business owner then you can choose to become a B1G1 Business straightway OR your business can just start giving through B1G1 as a Free User first. You then see if it resonates with you. When it does, when you want to support B1G1 more and make your giving even more effective, you can upgrade your account to Business Membership.

Remember too that B1G1 is totally funded by these dedicated businesses who believe that businesses can work together to make a world full of giving. So of course we want you to belong!

How often should I contribute?

We recommend monthly contributions because it helps turn giving into a habit by doing it more regularly and frequently. But if your business activities happen irregularly, or if you have a specific accounting cycle, you can change the giving reminder setting easily by going to your ‘My Account’ page.

Automatic Monthly Giving can be a great option too where giving happens automatically based on average sales figures rather than on actuals. You can then adjust your giving to reflect the actual numbers at a later time.


How much should I give?

You determine your own giving simply and easily. As a business, you just ask yourself this question, ‘How much can I reasonably afford to give per transaction?’ [Now clearly, the answer to that question varies depending upon the products or services to which you’re applying B1G1 giving.]

In B1G1 the ‘per transaction’ amount can be from just 1 cent! So just choose something with which you’re comfortable first — you can review it and change it at any time.

The most important thing is to choose something you can do consistently so that giving becomes a habit. That’s the key. Small giving accumulates to make a big differences through B1G1. Contact us for more.

How can we do ‘buy one give one’ giving with our company?

It’s simple.

First, you choose a product or a service you want to ‘link’ to B1G1 Giving. Second, you choose a per transaction amount with which you’re comfortable. And finally, you go to the B1G1 Worthy Cause listing and find a project that fits your budget and preference. You can proceed to give from there. If you need some ideas, try the virtual giving here.

And when you’re a Business Member, you’re able to use the B1G1 logo and the B1G1 branding to communicate your giving mission. B1G1 also gets your company ‘out there’ in all sorts of ways (through Newsletters, Blogs, Links and much, much more). Of course, as a Business Member you become part of the Giving Business community and you receive many additional Member’s privileges. See more about that here.


Will I be able to receive tax benefits for my contribution?

B1G1 focuses on the real effectiveness of giving – how small amounts can accumulate to make a significant impact globally. So, even though we understand how ‘tax-breaks’ can be useful, our priority is to focus simply on the giving.

Because every country has a different set of tax regulations (B1G1 Giving is a Registered Society in Singapore), you have to consult with your own tax advisor to have your question tax-related questions answered accurately.

In the Project Listing pages within B1G1, you’ll see information on every Worthy Cause, including its tax status within various countries.

If your government gives you tax benefits if you donate to specific chartable organisations, you can donate to one of these organisations directly and report the giving details to us so we can add that to your ‘giving account’ within B1G1. You can also invite those organisations to come on board on B1G1 Giving.


Can I contribute directly to my local charity?

Yes you can. You can report your giving details to us so that we can add it to your giving account.

What payment methods do you accept?

We currently use PayPal as our international Payment Gateway. Through that, you may use your own PayPal account AND can also use your VISA or MASTER card for your giving contributions.


Business Membership questions
How can we join as a Business Member?

It’s simple. Join us here. If your company can afford $1 a day to help support a world full of giving, we would love you to join the cause. Once you join as a Business Member and also start giving further using B1G1 Giving Engine, your company gets listed on the Giving Business List as well.


What are the benefits of the Business Membership?

Whilst giving is not what we do for ‘benefits’, it can be comforting to know that B1G1 offers some great membership benefits for you too! Here are some of them. You get:

– the fully enhanced searchable listing on ‘Giving Business List’
– the use of B1G1 branding and logo on all your marketing materials, business cards
– zero admin fee giving for all your giving through B1G1
– online and hard-copy tracking of your giving impacts
– free giving accounts for your employees so that they can play an important part in your giving
– the multiple giving cart and favourite giving feature
– B1G1 newsletters and IMPACT giving reports
– the chance to be featured in B1G1 newsletters, blogs and programs locally and around the world
– PLUS you connect with other Giving Businesses – people who share similar values
– and, once you’ve completed 12 months of giving, you get to become a certified giving company

Your Business Membership makes your giving simpler, more effective and more engaging.

Can we use the branding and logo of B1G1?

Yes, the moment you become a Business Member you get access to all of the B1G1 branding and logo collateral for use on your marketing materials, your website, your products and service and, most significantly as it turns out, your business cards.. See above for more info.

How do we track the effectiveness of our giving?

You receive special impact reporting from B1G1 Giving quarterly when you are a Business Member. You can also login on the site and see all your past contributions and impact summaries. Find out more here.


Can we invite our employees to give too?

Yes, it is also one of the privileges given to Business Members. But more importantly, all the giving your team members do is also added to your ‘Leveraged Giving Impact’ statistics. It means you are actually creating a giving culture together with all your team members too.

Can we invite our customers to give too?

Yes, it is also one of the privileges given to Business Members. You can invite your customers and even suppliers or friends. And through your invitation, they can become ‘Friends’ of B1G1. But more importantly, all the giving that your ‘Friends’ do is also added to your ‘Leveraged Giving Impact’ statistics (and friends’ friends’ giving etc). It means you are actually creating a giving culture together with all your connections. It means you’re getting a real-time view all the time of the giving ‘legacy’ you’re creating.


Can we continue to give to the charity organisation we’ve been supporting?

You can invite a new cause to join B1G1. But even if your cause is not part of B1G1, you can give directly to them and report your giving to B1G1. Then your giving can be added to your giving account on B1G1’s site.

B1G1 has a specific process to verify suitable organisations, so it is not always guaranteed that we can bring in the cause you recommend. However, we would love you to always look out for wonderful organisations that are working on important causes effectively.


Worthy Cause questions
How can we join B1G1 as a Worthy Cause?

There is a specific criteria for B1G1 Worthy Causes. Contact B1G1 first to find out more. We normally only bring in causes that are recommended by the members of B1G1, so if you are representing a cause, it will be great for you have some testimonials and endorsement from others to add to your application. You can also submit initial application from here but it does not guarantee that your organisation will be listed on B1G1.

Is there any cost to become a Worthy Cause Partner?

No. It’s free. That’s possible only because B1G1 is funded by dedicated business members around the world.

What’s the next step?

Simply click on the side bar widget and explore the B1G1 website.

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Hong Kong Harbour

When Britain defeated China in the first Opium war, Hong Kong was little more than fishing villages.

Signed over the the British in the Treaty of Nanking on August 29, 1842, Hong Kong returned to Chinese soverignty on July 1, 1997.

As a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy, retaining its capitalist system, independant judiciary and rule of law, free trade and freedom of speech.

Today, Hong Kong boasts one of the world’s highest GDP’s per capita and the largest number of skyscrappers in the world.

It is also one of the most densely populated areas of the planet, with seven million residents sharing just 1,100 km2 of land.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4yJGTPUR_0

Within 150 years, Hong Kong (meaning “fragrant harbour”) has gone from an inaccessible mountainous region to a thriving business hub, luring visitors from all over the world with its east-meets-west fusion.

NataleeJewelHongKongHarbour

Catch one of the “Star” ferries for less than a dollar or for a traditional crossing sail on a “Junk” across the harbour and admire the galaxy of lights radiating from the towering skyscrappers.

From Kowloon’s waterfront be mesmerized by the “Symphony of Lights”.

Every evening at 8pm the Honk Kong side of the harbour comes alive with a calidoscope of colour with transitioning fluorescent lasers, patterned neons and search-lights gleaming into the nights sky.

The performance itself lasts for 20minutes, plenty of time to grab a cocktail or two from the famous Inter-continental Hotel or any of the ultra-chic bistros and bars along the Kowloon esplanade.

Work up an appetite by walking along the “Avenue of the Stars”, HongKong’s version of Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame, where a path of embedded stars leads the way to the hand and footprints of local celebrities such as Jackie Chan and other film actors and directors.

Just about every street corner offers a culinary experience, there are just too many to choose from. Check out the local guide for the latest and most popular recommendations.

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Angkor Archaeological Park

Deep in the forests of Cambodia’s Siem Reap province, the elegant spires of an ancient stone city soar skyward above the sprawling complex of Angkor Archaeological Park.

Angkor is located about 20 minutes to the north, by car or motorbike, from central Siem Reap.

You need a pass to enter the Angkor complex. On sale at the front gate, you can buy 1-day ($20), 3-day ($40), or 7-day ($60) passes. The 3-day pass is valid for any 3 days within a week, while the 7-day pass is valid for any 7 days within a month. Cambodians can enter for free.

If you buy a pass in the evening, you can enter the park after 5PM to view the sunset without it counting as use of a day on your pass.

The passes are non-transferable. You will have a photograph taken and printed on your pass to make sure they are non-transferable. Regular checks for the pass are performed at almost all sites within the park, so carry your pass with you at all times.

Be sure to only buy your pass from the official Apsara Authority counters, not from other vendors, and definitely not second-hand.

Angkor Wat Monk

Guides can be hired for about US$20 a day and are available for most major languages. Hiring a guide for at least the first day can help you get orientated to the temples and are particularly useful for finding and explaining the bas-reliefs, which can otherwise be rather overwhelming and/or difficult to understand.

Be sure and get to the temples early. The park opens at 5AM; the temples open at sunrise. There are fewer visitors early in the morning, and the sun isn’t at full force. Arriving at the temples at 8AM instead of 9AM can make all the difference in staying one step ahead of the crowds.

The main temple itself is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking; the pinnacle of Buddhist architecture. Its massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers (stupa) rising 65 meters from ground level.

The Khmer Empire’s various capitals thrived here from the 9th to 15th centuries, while their rulers presided over an empire that stretched from Myanmar (Burma) to Vietnam.

Angkor Wat is a legacy of the might that was once the Khmer Empire, a detailed history of which has been carved into the many walls of this fortified temple. The temple is accessible by a giant stone causeway across the 200 yard wide moat, itself an incredible feat of engineering, to the west face of the Wat.

Though just one of hundreds of surviving temples and structures, the massive Angkor Wat is the most famed of all Cambodia’s temples—it appears on the nation’s flag—and it is revered for good reason. The 12th century “temple-mountain” was built as a spiritual home for the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is an architectural triumph laden with artistic treasures like the bas-relief galleries that line many walls and tell enduring tales of Cambodian history and legend.

When you first encounter Angkor Wat the sheer size of the monuments take your breath away and the idea of exploring much of the complex may seem quite daunting.

AngkorWat Temple

The following is Wiki’s suggested plan to explore Angkor Wat:

Enter through the west entrance. When you reach the entry tower, walk to the right to get a glimpse of all the five towering gopuras.

Passing the tower and the libraries on both sides of the walkway, climb down the steps towards the left side and get to the water basin. You can catch a glimpse of the temple and its reflection in the water. Go past the basin and reach the left end of the temple.

Hopefully by now you would have reached the starting point of the famous bas-reliefs depicting scenes from various mythological stories and historic events. Walking from left to right you will come across scenes from battle of Ramayana, battle of Mahabharata, army of Suryavarman II, scenes from judgement by Yama (the supreme judge), churning of ocean by demons and gods to get Amrita — the nectar of immortality, Vishnu’s victory over demons, victory of Krishna over Bana and other scenes of battle between gods and demons.

In other parts of Angkor such art depicts scenes of daily life—offering scholars a precious window into the past.

Climb the steps to reach the second tier.

You can reach the third tier and the central courtyard within by climbing the steps oriented towards any of the four cardinal points. However, it is suggested that the steps on the south (right) be taken, as these have now been fitted with a handrail — particularly useful when descending.

The sight of the grand monument towering over the landscape is breath-taking at any time of day. However, to maximise the effect it is suggested that the first trip to Angkor Wat be made in optimal lighting conditions, usually around 1~2PM.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat is a also great sight to behold. Hence many tourists watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat, then explore other ruins in the morning and then return to Angkor Wat later in the afternoon.

The sun rises behind Angkor Wat and the best colors are seen just before the sun climbs into view. As the position of the sun as it rises varies according to the time of year, do position yourself accordingly. For example, in November-December time when you are facing Angkor Wat, the sun rises on your right hand side. Hence grab a place to the extreme left of the entry tower to see the sunrise.

Sunset at Angkor Wat is best viewed either on the top tier or outside the main temple structure.

The Famous Bayon Temple is the spectacular central temple of the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Dating from the 12th century, this complex is located just to the north of the famous Angkor Wat. Learn more by clicking here.

The Tower Temple of Baphon
Located to the northwest of the Bayon, the Baphuon is supposed to represent Mount Meru (sacred to Hinduism), and was one of the largest and grandest structures in Angkor. Built into the western face of the Baphuon is a giant reclining Buddha, added in the 16th century after the region converted from Hinduism to Buddhism.

AngkorThom-Gateway-Baphuon-Temple-Cambodia

Archaeologists had dismantled the Baphuon to perform renovation when they were interrupted by the civil war; the records for piecing the temple back together were subsequently lost or destroyed. Today it is undergoing painstaking reconstruction work, so visitors can only walk across the long terrace leading up to the main structure and around the outside base. Completion is estimated for 2010.

The Bayon and Baphuon Temples form only part of what was formerly the giant city of Angkor Thom, once thought to hold a population of one million.

In addition to the Bayon and Baphuon temples, the ancient city of Angkor Thom holds a number of other sites of interest:

The Terrace of Elephant

Terrace of the Leper King

Five Gates of Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom has 5 entrance gates, one at each ordinal compass point and the Victory Gate in the east wall. The western and the northern gate are free from tourists, and climatic. Each of the gates is topped by the face of Avalokitesvara. There is a path on top of the walls, and one along the outside wall, that can be followed to walk from gate to gate. The total walk is around 13km, about 3.5 hours long.

Phnom Bakheng
The first temple-mountain constructed in Angkor, with a commanding hilltop location.

Extremely popular (and crowded) spot for sunsets: allow half an hour for the sweaty hike to the top, and leave early or bring a flashlight for the way back.

The final climb to the top of the temple is steep and dangerous at dark. Elephants will carry you to the hilltop for $20 per person, but you still have to climb the temple stairs on your own. Note that the sun does not set over Angkor if seen from here, and any visible temples are in fact quite far away.

**Please note that you are NOT allowed to climb Phnom Bakheng after 17.30 – hence make sure you arrive earlier.

An elephant ride back down the hill will cost $15.


Another great way to see the sites of the Angkor Archeological Park is by Helicopter.
Helicopter flights are a great way of seeing Angkor Archaeological Park. You can also visit outlying temples like Banteay Chhmar, Boeng Mealea, Koh Ker, Rolous Group, Phnom Bok & Tonle Sap floating village.

Sokha Helicopters have prices starting from US$110 per person for the basic Angkor Wat, Prasart Kravan, Bat Chum, Sras Srang, Pre Rup, Eastern Mebon & Ta Som 12 minutes tour. Flights depart daily next to the Sokha Yellow Balloon on the road from Siem Reap International Airport to Angkor Wat main entrance. Bookings essential and can be made through hotels or travel/tour agents or direct on +855 12 449 555.

By traveling by helicopter you learn to appreciate that Angkor is as much about water as it is about stone. The site boasts an enormous system of artificial canals, dikes, and reservoirs, the largest of which (West Baray) is 5 miles (8 kilometers) long and 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) wide. These incredible feats of engineering form an integral part of an overall site design that remains faithful to religious symbolism. Moats, for example, simulate the oceans surrounding Mount Meru, the home of Hindu gods.

But these massive works also served a practical purpose by skillfully harnessing river and rainwater to quench the thirst of some 750,000 residents in the world’s largest preindustrial city. That water also irrigated wealth-producing crops like rice, which served the Khmer as currency.

Some scholars speculate that the downfall of this elaborate water system led to the end of Angkor. A series of weak monsoons and/or the collapse of the water works due to environmental issues, like deforestation, which drove destructive floods and choked the system with sediment, might have tipped the movement of power toward Phnom Penh.

Even after its glory days had passed, Angkor remained popular with Buddhist pilgrims who journeyed from across Southeast Asia and beyond. Today the site also draws secular travelers—almost a million a year.

When Angkor was named a World Heritage site in 1992 it was also added to the List of World Heritage in Danger; the incomparable site was threatened by pillaging, plagued by illegal excavations, and even dotted with land mines. In 1993 UNESCO launched a major campaign to restore and safeguard Angkor. Thanks to a textbook case of international cooperation Angkor rebounded so dramatically that it was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2004.

UNESCO continues to be a part of Angkor’s future, working with the Cambodian authorities to ensure that tourism access and development do not compromise this great cultural treasure.


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