It seems that doctors the world over are all too ready to prescribe medication rather than to suggest natural methods of lowering high blood pressure (hypertension). Most of these medicines can have undesirable side-effects, so it is wise to look for natural methods.

It has been shown that a healthy diet containing high levels of potassium, magnesium and calcium can lower and help control high blood pressure. Just as important, a healthy diet should include essential fatty acids, but as little as possible saturated fats, salt and sugar. Below is just a short list of foods good for high blood pressure.

SPINACH Spinach is rich in magnesium and helps prevent heart disease. It also contains folate which protects the body from homocysteine, an excessive amount of which can cause heart attacks and strokes. Cook for as little time as possible. Better still, eat raw in salads.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS Sunflower seeds are rich in potassium, magnesium and phytosterols which can aid in the reduction of your cholesterol level. (High levels of cholesterol can cause narrowing of the arteries and blood vessels which raises blood pressure).

BANANAS Bananas are rich in potassium and have a high fiber content. Try to eat at least two bananas per day.

SOME FATS ARE GOOD! Unsaturated fats can help reduce cholesterol and provide essential fatty acid that the body needs. Fish contain omega-3 which prevents heart disease. Try eating oily fish such as trout, salmon and mackerel. It will be a lot healthier for you if you grill, bake or steam the fish. Do not add salt when cooking. Sardines, too, are a good choice. Fresh fish are best, but if you must buy tinned fish check the label to make sure the salt content is low.

GARLIC Garlic helps thin the blood and stops blood vessels clogging, so reducing blood pressure. Try chewing a clove or two of garlic each day. If you don’t want to lose all your friends you may prefer to take it in the form of a supplement.

TOMATOES Tomatoes are rich in calcium and potassium, and contain vitamins A, C and E. Tomatoes also contain lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant that is reputed to lower the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants found in tomatoes can prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and sticking to the blood vessel walls, which would raise blood pressure. Drinking tomato juice is a great way to enjoy tomatoes. If you own a juicer, make your own. If you have to buy tomato juice make sure it’s a pure juice with no added salt or sugar.

BROCCOLI Broccoli is full of nutrition. Not only is it high in potassium but it contains chromium that helps regulate blood sugar and insulin. Don’t over cook it. Place it in a pan with just enough water to cover it, that way it will retain more nutrients. Better still, steam it. When I’m preparing broccoli I always cut off a few florets and eat them raw. Try it, they’re delicious!

HAWTHORN Hawthorn dilates the arteries and improves the flow of blood, so lowering blood pressure. Use a mixture of leaves and flowers to make a tea. Place two teaspoonfuls in a cup and add boiling water. Leave to infuse for around twenty minutes before straining. Drink two or three cups of the elixir per day.

A carpet and allergies are like best friends. Your carpet soaks up anything that touches it and won’t release it until it is thoroughly washed. You wouldn’t wear a T-shirt for a year but carpet is fibrous material just like your clothes. the link between your carpet and allergies is indisputable — but it is made better or worse depending on how old the carpet is, how thick it is and its quality (some poor carpets shed more easily). Of course, if you clean it more, it should contain less allergens also!

Clean the Carpet and Allergies Will Stay Away

The best way to keep allergies away is to regularly clean your carpets. Carpets harbor mold, dust mites and pollen. Make sure you vacuum your carpet regularly which will keep these allergens to a minimum. Clean up spills quickly because, apart from possible stains, mold can result from this. This is especially a problem in humid parts of the world lacking adequate ventilation. If you do the above you will have a more visually clean carpet and allergies will be reduced. You should also do a good shampoo once a year — either by a product that you can use with a vacuum or hire a special carpet cleaning vacuum that runs moving water through the carpet as you move.

New Carpets and Allergies

Despite not holding the usual airborne allergens that latch onto carpets, a brand new carpet can also cause allergic reactions. During manufacture of the carpet, various chemicals are used that some people are allergic to. The best way to limit these outbreaks is to air the carpet well once it is installed by ventilating the room well. Unfortunately, this usually cannot be done before installation because carpets are rolled up for storage.

Most people are aware that there is a strong correlation between a carpet and allergies arising from it, but by following the above advice of keeping your carpet clean, you or your family need not suffer any more.

San Francisco is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The city is a perfect vacation getaway. There are many famous landmarks and attractions to see like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Transamerica Pyramid, the Coit Tower, and Chinatown. There’s a load of options for accommodations, from the most economical to the most luxurious.

If you love mouth-watering tapas (beef meat) and burritos, the Mission district lodges some of the finest places that offer these delicacies. Taqueria Cancun and Farolito are must-try restaurants.

San Francisco houses the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL, and the San Francisco Giants of MLB. Catch the Giants play baseball in summertime.

Here’s an overview of the more famous destinations of San Francisco.

The Transamerica Pyramid
Transamerica Pyramid was conceptualized in 1968 when President John R. Beckett observed that natural light was passing through the trees in the city, and onto the streets. He then decided to build a pyramid-shaped building to produce the same lighting results in his headquarters. Several years after, Transamerica Pyramid is now a highly recognized landmark worldwide. The unique structure claimed international recognition. This park is in the center of the Montgomery Financial District, with address 600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California. It is a part of Transamerica Center and covering nearly one city block.

The Coit Tower
Lillie Hitchcock Coit was a lady with eccentric personality who is supportive to the local firemen. In 1933, she used her funds to build the Coit Tower. She left one-third of her wealth for the beautification of the city upon her death.

Arthur Brown Jr. then took the task of renovating the magnificent city tower, standing 63m/210 ft tall. He filled the interior of the cylindrical tower with murals. Most of these murals depict life in California during the Great Depression. A total of 25 painters worked on that project including a scene from the harbor, a bank robbery, and a look into a department store. These historical murals are being preserved at great lengths. On top of the tower is a platform with a spectacular 360-degree view of San Francisco.

Chinatown
Some people would debate that New York’s Chinatown is the largest, but a majority still believe that the Chinatown of San Francisco is the biggest one outside Asia.

Get a feel of Hong Kong in this town. Residential areas and markets are distinctly Chinese. Most restaurants are inexpensive. Check out the herbal medicine stores, souvenir shops and historical sites. Parking in Chinatown may pose as a problem. Most tourists take public rides instead.