Waste land or 'brownfield' sites are vital for wildlife

Wasteland or"brownfield" areas are vital but overlooked habitats for
UK wildlife, according to the charity Butterfly Conservation.
These sites are home to unusual, hardy plants and their patches of
bare ground become warm"microclimates".
Experts say these features allow many rare insects to thrive.
One moth, the small ranunculus, which disappeared from the UK before
World War II, has now recolonised brownfield habitats throughout
England and Wales.
Winged wasteland residents
While most moths fly during the night, there are about 500 species of
day-flying moths in the UK. Early summer is the best time to spot them
Butterflies are actually a type of moth. The insects both belong to
the Lepidoptera family
Many moths thrive on brownfield sites, including the rare small
ranunculus (pictured) and more common, (and colourfully named) bright
wave, chalk carpet, wormwood and six-belted clearwing, which looks
like a wasp
In pictures: Day-flying moths
Springwatch: see how anoil refinery became a wildlife haven
BBC Nature's wildlife-finding field trip to the Chernobyl exclusion zone
The conservation group and and the wildlife magazine the insect
journal Atropos are encouraging people, wheresafe and legal access is
possible, to explore their local quarries, disused railway lines,
gravel pits and spoil tips in search of unusual moths this weekend.
This call for public participation is part of the charity's annual "moth night".
Richard Fox from Butterfly Conservation said that many of the sites
were under threat from by redevelopment and "bland landscaping
schemes".
He explained to BBC Naturewhy these areas - of disturbed or even
contaminated land - were such unique habitats.
"An old spoil tip [for example] would be terribleif you wanted to
create a garden, but it's great for wildlife, because the poor soil
leads to slow development of diverse plants."
The diversity arises because only hardy plants can grow in such poor
soil. These "tough" wild flowers- such as rosebay willowherb, prickly
lettuce and dandelions - thrive precisely because they are not pushed
out by swathesof more common weeds that need a more nutrient-rich
landscape.
The variety of wild flowers provides some favoured food for the
caterpillars of unusual moth species, suchas the small ranunculus.
This species disappeared from Britain completely in the mid-20th
Century, but has now recolonised large areas of south-east England,
become established in south Wales and been sighted as far north as
Lancashire.
Wild cities
Patches of bare ground that heat up in the sun alsoproduce "little
microclimates" on brownfield sites.
Mr Fox explained: "These are great for insects, especially in a cool,
damp place like Britain."
Elephant hawkmoths are commonly found on brownfield sites
He added that he hoped"moth night" would encourage formal wildlife
surveys of brownfield areas, so that their true environmental value
could be calculated and taken into consideration in any decision about
whether and how to develop them.
Philip James, professor of ecology at the University ofSalford, agreed
that such sites could be ecologically important, telling BBC Nature
that they often became home to rare species "normally associated with
other habitats that are regularly disturbed, such as river banks,
sandy heaths or chalk grassland".
But rather than avoid developing brownfield sites all together, he
pointed out that it was important to understand their changing nature,
and perhaps to leave areas derelict when they harboured "the greatest
species richness".
"Over a few years," Prof James explained, "soil begins to build up and
the vegetation changes.
"Before the soil builds up and burrowing animals come in is when there
are opportunistic plants and the insects that feed on them.
"That is the time when... one might find nationally rare species."
Prof James suggests that these "transient" habitats could become part
of planning an ever-changing,rich urban landscape.
Disused quarries can be home to many wildflower species

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HEALTH

Daily in the morning, on anempty stomach, drink honey and cinnamon
powder boiled in one cup of water,and then do not eat breakfast till
90 minutes.
Repeat the same cup of this drink at night before sleeping.
If taken regularly, this magical prasad will reduce the weight of even
the most obese person, and will not allow the fat to accumulate in the
body even if the person is on a high calorie diet :)

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New Day

People often wish for a return to the good old days. First of all,
when we look at them objectively, they weren't really so good. Sure, I
have funny and pleasant memories from my youth, but I also remember
the confusion and loneliness.
I personally would not trade my life at this moment for my life at any
time in the past. Among other things, I now have a beautiful daughter
who I love more than life itself; my writing, which has evolved to
allow me to express my deepest convictions; and many small blessings
that add upto a pot of gold.
Secondly, the old days are called "old" for a reason. That's the past.
We can't goback.
What we can do is focus onthe journey forward.
"Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord,and for a Garden
whose width is that (of the whole)of the heavens and of the earth,
prepared for the righteous; – Those who spend (freely), whether in
prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon people;-
for Allah loves those who do good; – And those who, having done
something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly
bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for theirsins,- and who
can forgive sins except Allah…." – Quran, Surat Aal Imran, 3:133-135
This is how we make a better future for ourselves and our families,
Insha'Allah. Letting go of anger, forgiving, asking forgiveness,
giving to the poor and needy, and racingto Allah. The Almighty has
given us the formula. This is how, instead of yearning for the good
old days, we create good new days! Our future can be as good as the
past ever was; it can bebetter, brighter and happier.
Let's build the good new days.

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Be someone’s silver lining

They say every cloud has a silver lining. Goodness knows, a lot of
people these days are laboring under heavy clouds. I am, sometimes.
Maybe you are too.
Today, how about being someone else's silver lining? Relieve someone's
distress, bring ease to someone's heart, and help someone, as the
Messengerof Allah (pbuh) said,
"Whoever relieves a believer from a distress of this life, Allah will
relieve from him a distress on the Day of Judgment. Whosoever brings
ease to a believer who is in difficulty, Allah will bring ease to him
in both this lifeand the next. Whosoever conceals the shortcomings of
a Muslim, Allah will conceal his shortcomings inthis world and the
next. Allah will always help a servant as long as that servant helps
his brother."
Many of us are familiar with Allah's words in the Quran, in Surat
al-Balad. It'sa Juz Amma surah, frequently memorized:
"And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult
pass? It is the freeing of aslave, or feeding on a dayof severe hunger
an orphan of near relationship, or a needy person in misery; and then
being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and
advised one another to compassion. Those are the companions of the
right."
What if you don't have the capability at this moment of feeding an
orphan, or a needy person? The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has given us
examples of extremely simple things each of us can do that still count
in Allah's eyes as sadaqah (charity). He (peace be upon him) said:
"Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun
rises." Hewas then asked: "From what do we give charity every day?"
The Prophet answered: "The doors of goodness are many… enjoining good,
forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf,
leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying
with the strength of one's legs to one in sorrow who is asking for
help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one's arms — all
of these are charity prescribed for you." He alsosaid: "Your smile for
your brother is charity." – Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98
All of these are only examples. Look around youat your community. What
needs are not being met? What distress are people in? What simple
things can you do to help the people around you?
*. Muslims in communities from California to New York, and in other
nationsas well, have started soupkitchens to feed the poor and
homeless.
*. Muslims in Baltimore USA and other cities have opened shelters for
victims of domestic abuse.
*. There are many organizations that allow you to support an
orphananywhere in the world. For a monthly donation that's probably
less than you would spend on a movie or a restaurant dinner, you can
make sure that one child is fed, clothed, and educated.
*. Volunteer jobs are plentiful. The Prophet (pbuh) mentioned leading
the blind. Even today many blind people need assistance from
volunteers. You can help with grocery shopping, reading the newspaper,
or sending and reading email.
*. Many public libraries haveadult literacy programs, and always need
tutors to help teach people to read and write.
*. Campaign online, throughFacebook and forums, to raise money for
victims ofdisasters like the recent typhoon in Indonesia, or the
floods in Pakistan. Or work with your local masjid to collect
clothing,blankets and food supplies from your local community to be
sent to disaster areas.
*. Volunteers in some inner cities have turned abandoned lots into
organic food gardens. Theinner city residents all pitch in to help,
and the result is healthy food for people who otherwise would not have
access to fresh produce, and a new sense of community brotherhood and
sisterhood.
There are countless other examples I could give. Evenclearing some
broken glassout of the road or smiling at someone are counted as
sadaqah; they may seem like small things, but the stakes are greater
than youor I can imagine.
It's not about being a goody-two-shoes, impressing your friends,
having a story to tell, or earning a merit badge. It's not about
recognition. It's about changing the world one small step at a time,
earning Allah's pleasure, saving your own soul, and becoming one of
the people of Paradise. What could be more important?

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Bellies and Souls

Most of us are concerned with our bellies and the souls of others;
when we should be concerned with our own souls, and the bellies of
others. The first thing the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said when he
arrived in Madinah was, "Spread peace, and feed the people."
Instead of judging others, care for them. Feed them, help them, and
spread peace. That is your representation as a Muslim,your da'wah, and
your salvation of the world. In the process, you save your own soul.

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A yellow watermelon is a fruit that is nearly identical to a traditional watermelon

A yellow watermelon is a fruit that is nearly identical to a
traditional watermelon, but the flesh inside is a bright yellow color
instead of red or pink.The taste is also very similar, though some say
it has a sweeter or more honey-like taste.

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Syptoms of DENGUE FEVER..

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Try the rainbow diet

A "Rainbow Diet" is one that includes foods of different colours by
addingdifferent kinds of fruits andvegetables into your diet. Most of
us know that including generous servings of fruits and vegetables in
the diet is the cornerstone of good health, but we lack the motivation
to do so.
Besides, the effort that goes into the processing and preparation of
vegetables and the ever spiralling cost are huge deterrents towards
ensuring a salad, one or two vegetables and an after meal fruit. But
everyone must include more fruits and vegetables in their diet because
they have special ingredients that not only prevent but also delay the
onset of many diseases.
Essential nutrients
Vitamins like vitamin C, compounds called carotenoids (some of which
can be converted to vitamin A in the body), vitamin K, riboflavin, and
folic acid are found in many vegetables and fruits. In fact, guava and
gooseberry are some of the inexpensive sources of vitamin C.
Vegetables like capsicum are rich in thiamin, a member of the Bcomplex
family of vitamins.
Some vegetables like potato, sweet potato, tapioca and yam and fruits
like mango, banana and sapota make a fair contribution towards energy
intake. Most vegetables and fruits are high in water and fibre
contents and low in calorific value.
Many of the greens — Amaranth (mulai keerai and araikeerai),
manathakkali, mint and cowpea leaves — are packed with iron. Green
leafy vegetables like agathi, amaranth, drumstick and fenugreek leaves
also have generous amounts of calcium. Green leafy vegetables are also
high in potassium and magnesium, low in fat and sodium, all of which
are cardio-protective.
Phytochemicals
More recently it has been reported that vegetables and fruits contain
compounds called phytochemicals, which have antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and immune-boosting properties and
promote good health and a high quality of life. There are thousands of
phytochemicals packed into fruits and vegetables.
Flavonols are found in lemons, oranges, plums, peaches, apricots,
apples, green leafy vegetables, yellow capsicum, onions and broccoli.
Naringenin — found in all citrus fruits, especially grape fruit —
known to reduce blood cholesterol and glucose concentrations.
Anthocyanidins are found in red grapes, pomegranates, strawberries,
cherries and plums and are cardio and neuro-protective.
Yellow fruits like mangoes and green leafy vegetablesand carrots are
rich in beta carotene which is converted to vitamin A in the body and
also helps fight cancer.
Red fruits like tomatoes and watermelon contain lycopene, which is
important for fighting prostate cancer and heart disease.
Fisetin — found in strawberries, blueberries, apples, grapes and
onions — is being studied for its anti-ageing effects
The most natural way to overcome constipation is to increase intake of
green leafy and other high fibre vegetables and fruits.
Their high water and fibre content and low energy values promote
satiety anddecrease energy intake andcould be important in weight
management. Nutritionists recommend regular moderate exercise and many
servings of soups and salads for those who need to shed a few pounds.
Substituting fruits and vegetables for a calorie dense evening snack
helps weight loss.
Benefits
Other health benefits include prevention of or delaying type 2
diabetes mellitus, protection againstesophageal, stomach and perhaps
colorectal, lung and mouth and pharyngealcancers; reduced risk of
cardiovascular events and stroke. A diet packed with raw fruits and
salads can help prevent Amyloid plaque formation in the brain, which
leads to Alzheimers disease.
Emerging evidence also shows a beneficial role in reducing risk of
cataract, diverticulosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and
even hypertension. In fact, the Dietary Approaches to StopHypertension
(DASH) plan recommends generous intake of fruits and vegetables.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends
that adults eat at least five kinds of vegetable and twokinds of fruit
every day. Most experts do not consider potatoes as a partof these
seven servings.
The key to good health is therefore to include plenty of fruits and
vegetables. Ensure that your shopping bag is filled with colour. Both
variety and quantity is the key. Lastly, go seasonal. This is the best
way to ensure quality and an affordable price.
Begin early
Train children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Add pureed
or smooth vegetables and fruits to cereals as first foods and
introduced to infants at about six monthsof age.
The quantity, consistency and variety can be increased as the child
grows. This way, resistanceto vegetables and fruits at a later age is
likely to be minimal.
How much?
Start with five servings of fruits or vegetables.
Slowly increase to at least seven servings through theday.
One serving = 75 gm.

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Keep faith in yourself and don’t let anyone else define your reality. You arestrong and unique. You have a particular mission inthis life that only you can fulfill. You can wake up in the morning and change the world, one small step at a time, just b

Keep faith in yourself and don't let anyone else define your reality.
You arestrong and unique. You have a particular mission inthis life
that only you can fulfill. You can wake up in the morning and change
the world, one small step at a time, just by fulfilling your unique
mission.
Maybe you think, "Hey, I don't want to change the world. I just want
to stay sane, take care of myself and my family, perform theIslamic
rituals and hope forJannah."
The thing is, life is always acontest between the worldchanging you,
or you changing the world. The world pushes, and if you don't push
back then it willinevitably corrupt you in one way or another.
Today's world tries to change you through the pressures of:
*. blind materialism
*. consumerism
*. sexual imagery in the media
*. constant advertising
*. negative portrayals of Islam
*. alcohol and drug use
*. peer pressure
to name a few.
Sometimes the pressures are more brutal and blunt: emotional or sexual
abuse, pornography, violence, racism, bigotry, misogyny, hatred and
war.
Iman (faith) is not static. It rises or it falls, but it never freezes
in place. If the world is not changing you then you must be
changingthe world.
You change the world by spreading light, teaching truth, being
honorable and kind, behaving with sincerity in all things, showing
compassion to all people, and always being just. You exert an outward
pressure of truth that has atransformational effect on those around
you, beginning with your family, and then rippling out to all those
you come in contact with, and then everyone they come in contact with,
flowing outward in concentric circles.
The ultimate world-changer – and our eternal example – was the
ProphetMuhammad (peace be upon him). Allah describes Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) in the Quran as an illuminating lamp: "O Prophet, indeed We
have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner.
And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating
lamp." (Quran, Al Ahzab 45-46).
The Prophet's light radiatesthroughout humanity and the ages. Any
objective observer must admit the power and influence of the Prophet's
tremendous struggle. A non-Muslim writer named Michael Hart, in his
book, "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History",
ranked the Prophet Muhammad as thesingle most influential human being
in history.
The Prophet grew up in a society of idol worship, moral corruption and
constant blood feuds, but he never allowed that society to taint his
innocent nature. Not knowing how he should worship Allah, he kept
himself distant from the evil around him and sought Allah in his own
way, until Prophethood came to him. When it did, he accepted the
burden and fulfilled the trust, exerting an outward pressure so
powerful that it changed the entire worldforever.
The same is true for you and I, on a smaller scale. We've been given a
trust and a mission. We are to be callers to Tawheed , witnesses for
truth, a civilizing force, champions of human equality, and restorers
of human values (the fact that many modern Muslims have failed
abominably on everypoint does not change the truth of this).
"O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not
die except as Muslims[in submission to Him].
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become
divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were
enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His
favor,brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He
saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that
you may be guided.
And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is]
good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and
thosewill be the successful." (Quran, Aal-Imran: 102-104)
That is our mission and trust. If we fulfill it – even ifwe only try –
we will change the world, maybe incrementally, maybe profoundly.
If we fail, then the world will change us, and not for the better.
There is one key to success in fulfilling our mission to change the
world. It's not purity, because in a post-Prophethood age, no one is
truly pure. Purification of the soul is indeed a lifelong goal to
strive for, but it is not the key.
It's not wisdom, or power, or finance. It's not even knowledge.
Knowledge is the most powerful tool there is, but like any other tool
it can be used or misused. That's why a littleknowledge can be a
powerful thing, while greatknowledge can sometimes be crippling.
Purity, wisdom and knowledge are goals for usto pursue. But none of
those is the single most important key to changing the world.
The key is sincerity in all things: sincerity with Allah,with your
family, your friends, your colleagues, and – this is the greatest
challenge of all – sincerity with yourself. Sincerity enc0mpasses
purity, because actions done sincerely are done with purity of
intention, and with obedience to Allah.

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Everything is possible for those who believe

Nourish your dreams. To achieve anything requires faith in Allah,
belief in yourself, imagination, vision, persistence, hard work, and
sometimes blood and tears.
The will of Allah and the power of your heart and mind make an
unbeatable combination. Everything is possible for those who believe –
anything you can envision, and many things you can't.
I'm thinking of a ragtag group of desert Arabs, who,in the course of a
single generation, transformed the world forever. I am speaking of
course of the Prophet Muhammad (peacebe upon him) and his companions.
What they didwas impossible – there's noother word for it. But through
the power of Allah, and the tremendous determination of one man, and
the faith of those who followed him, the impossible became possible.
Because of their faith and sacrifices, you andI can utter the words, "
Laa ilaha-il-Allah " and put them into practice in our lives.
Your dreams don't have to be that grand. Whether you dream of building
a new masjid for your community, writing a novel, competing in sports,
becoming a doctor, doing charity work overseas, memorizing the Quran,
or any other good and meaningful goal – it can beachieved by the will
of Allah. But you can't just sit back and wait for it to happen. Feed
your dream as you would feed a newly planted seed. Care for it, devote
time to it, don't give up, and watch it grow before your eyes.

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Your “Stuff” is Not a Part of You

In fact what truly defines our character is how we react to loss. If
we were stripped of all the possessions we love, who would we be in
that moment? Would we still be grateful to Allah, patient, trusting?
Hopefully it never comes tothat. But seriously, those times of
greatest sadness and joy are when our thoughts must turn to Allah, The
Eternal, The Merciful, The Wise.
Allah says, "Never will you attain the good until you spend from that
which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allahis Knowing of
it." [Quran 3: 92]
Think about that. Allah is telling us to give away the things that we
love the most! SubhanAllah! Why does Allah ask this of us? Is it to
liberate us from slavery to material possessions? To f0cus our minds
on Allah and the aakhirah (hereafter)? To prevent the evil that
results from the love of money? To benefit the poor?
Yes, for all of those reasons. Excessive attachment to any
materialthing is misguidance. The love of possessions is a spiritual
trap.
I have at times given away things that were precious to me, thinking
they wouldmean as much to the otherperson as they do to me. Sometimes
they do, and sometimes they don't, and yes it hurts my feelings when
the other person doesn't value my gift; but eventually I get over it,
because the point is the actof giving. And maybe – Insha-Allah – I'll
have something to show Allah on Yawm Al-Qiyamah (the Day of
Resurrection), maybe I'll be able to say, "O Allah, I gave away
thesethings that I loved," and maybe that will earn me some
forgiveness, Allah knows.

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