These connections are one of the main reasons experts suggest waiting at least 2 years (730 days) after a divorce to remarry. A marriage is an investment of time, energy and emotion. When a marriage ends, it is necessary to take time to heal and evaluate how you handled your investments in that relationship, and then learn to reinvest in other ways. What did you like about that relationship? What didn’t you like? How did you change as a result of that experience? What changes do you still need to make? It’s not realistic to think you can adequately evaluate some of these questions during or shortly after a divorce. The changes are too fresh and emotions too raw to be fully honest.

Some people have told me that they feel free since their divorce and can’t think of anything they’ve lost. My answer to that is: “Really?” Your income hasn’t changed? Your time and/or relationship with your children isn’t different? You aren’t viewed by others as different now that you are a “divorced person”?

Am I saying divorce is a horribly traumatic, wounding loss to everyone? No! For a lot of people, it’s a relief. But…there were some costs to get there whether they are within you as a person or in the lifestyle around you. Acknowledging those costs and changes is necessary to move forward and leave the past in the past. Again, I emphasize, that takes TIME- at least 730 days to be precise!

Simply put, learning that takes place outside the confines of a typical classroom environment – where you and the source of the information are separated by time, distance or both – can be defined as distance learning. For working adults it provides flexibility that makes possible the expansion of your knowledge base regardless of income, disability or age.

While distance learning may be a new concept to many adult learners who are veterans of traditional, classroom-based education, it has been successfully practiced for centuries by internationally renowned institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge. Many colleges in the U.S. accept credit awarded through distance learning or offer such programs themselves. One of these, Excelsior College, has been an accredited leader in this field for more than 40 years and focuses on meeting the needs of adult learners.

Online courses offered by colleges and universities cover the same subject matter taught in traditional classrooms, often by the same professors, and are growing in popularity. Online courses can provide you with energizing, interactive discussions with fellow students and instructors. Like those in classroom-based courses, you pay tuition and appropriate fees and may submit written assignments and take tests in order to receive grades and college credit.

Credit-by-examination programs offer motivated, independent learners the ability to study a specific subject matter at their own pace and then demonstrate mastery of the topic by taking an exam to earn college credit. You can prepare for exams using a variety of sources including standard textbooks, on-the-job training, and “open courseware” or college-level course material made available online for free by some of the nation’s top education providers. Regardless of the source, once confident in your preparation, you take an examination at one of the hundreds of secure facilities available around the country. To earn college credit for the successful completion of exams, it is important to make sure the exams have been recognized by the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT). Examples of these include, Excelsior College Examinations (ECE’s), UExcel Exams, CLEP and DSST.

Portfolio assessments offer you the ability to complete a formal process called Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). The PLA approach offers you the opportunity to have your knowledge, regardless of where or how it was learned, evaluated by faculty members who will determine an equivalent level of college credit that could be awarded for knowledge demonstrated in the portfolio. One recent study conducted by the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning (CAEL), found that 56 percent of students utilizing PLA continued on to earn their associate or bachelor’s degree, compared to 21 percent for their non-PLA peers.

Most adult learners combine two or more of these avenues to achieve their educational goals. Most important is that distance learning offers options that are flexible and academically challenging to meet the needs of any committed adult learner, especially those with some college but no degree.

Provided by: ARA

Smokers need a variety of tools to help them quit. “Even if you lapse when quitting smoking and have a cigarette, there are still opportunities for you to achieve your goal of quitting smoking successfully,” says Saul Shiffman, PhD, an addiction and dependence expert at the University of Pittsburgh and a world-renowned researcher in behavior change and relapse, and paid consultant to GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. To work toward a resolution to quit smoking, Shiffman recommends these tips:

Determine the best tools to help you quit smoking.

Make a plan to help you quit successfully.  Personalized quit plans can help a smoker make it though their quit attempt. There are a variety of resources available online to create a plan after inputting information about your personal habits and behaviors associated with quitting. Try CommittedQuitters.com or call 1-800-Quit-Now.

Use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

NRT doubles a smoker’s chances of quitting smoking successfully versus placebo and numerous studies have shown it significantly increases a smoker’s chances of quitting long-term. NRT, like nicotine gum or nicotine patch, helps relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking, without exposing the quitter to the carcinogens and toxins from cigarette smoking. One recent study even showed that continuing to use the nicotine patch helps smokers recover from lapses in their quit attempt – it is essential to continue your quit attempt, even after lapses. For best results, you should follow the label and use the amount recommended for the duration recommended.

Quit with a support network in place.

Many studies have shown that combining NRT with behavioral support can increase a smoker’s chances of quitting successfully. You can get behavioral support through your own personal network of family and friends, a counseling program or hotline, or an online smoking cessation resource like Blueprint to Quit, which provides smokers access to trained experts and quitting materials. In addition, behavioral support can provide you with tips on how to get back on track if you lapse.

Reward yourself along the way.

To help with quitting smoking and managing difficult cravings, it helps to reward yourself throughout the quit process – even if you lapse and slip back into smoking. One cigarette should not ruin a quit attempt. Reward yourself for the progress you’ve made, even if it hasn’t been perfect. For example, use the money you save from no longer buying cigarettes to buy yourself a treat at the end of the week.

Change up your daily routine.

Quitting smoking is a two-part problem – both a physical addiction and learned associations with cues that produce cravings for nicotine. To avoid those behavioral cravings, change your daily routine during times when you would normally have a cigarette, like driving to work or after a meal. “If you’re used to staying at the table and having a cigarette after a meal, get up and move on to something else, so you don’t feel the craving,” Shiffman says.

One person who knows the importance of understanding the risks for type 2 diabetes is Gary Deckman. Deckman was the runner-up on the first season of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” a reality weight-loss show. Before the show started, Deckman was undergoing the required health screenings when he was diagnosed with prediabetes. As many as 79 million American adults currently have prediabetes – which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

For many people, a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes may come seven to 10 years after the onset of the disease, giving time for deadly complications to develop. These complications include heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

Deckman’s prediabetes diagnosis was a wake-up call. The show jump-started his weight loss and healthy eating and he has remained diabetes-free since, although it’s not always easy. Deckman, who has spoken at the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes EXPOs and Tour de Cure cycling events, says eating right and staying active is still a day-to-day challenge.

“It’s truly a lifestyle change. There is no magic pill to keep weight off and I have to choose to be healthy every day. But, if you commit to yourself, make a plan and act on that plan, you can succeed.”

Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented, or delayed, by losing 7 percent (such as 15 pounds if you weigh 200) of body weight through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating.

March 27, 2012, is American Diabetes Association Alert Day which is a one-day “wake-up call” asking the American public to “Take It. Share It.” by taking the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and share it with their loved ones. This year there is a new Diabetes Risk Test that asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risks for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventative tips are provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging those at high risk to talk with their health care provider.

Everyone should be aware of the risks for type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight, not active and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease.

For more information and to take the free Diabetes Risk Test (English or Spanish) visit the American Diabetes Association on Facebook, stopdiabetes.com or by calling 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).

For every Diabetes Risk Test taken, Boar’s Head, manufacturer of premium deli meats and cheeses, will donate $5 to the American Diabetes Association starting March 27 through April 27, up to $50,000. American Diabetes Association Alert Day is supported in part by Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Forty percent of U.S. leisure travelers – 20.8 million people – had taken a multigenerational trip in the previous 12 months, according to a 2011 Preferred Hotel Group study. This year the numbers could grow even more. To plan the best multigenerational trip, possible, follow these insider tips:

Tip 1: Make planning a group activity

The most successful multigenerational vacations are when all family members are involved in choosing the destination. It will take some research to find the right locale for your vacation, and brainstorming with the entire group, young and old, to get ideas of where to go is a wise way to start your travel adventure. Do more people want a secluded trip with outdoor activity options, or does your family lean more toward travel to a big city with lots of shopping and museum visits? If everyone has a say in what type of vacation they enjoy up front, it’s easier to narrow down destinations that will make everyone happy.

Tip 2: Find group accommodations

While getting separate hotel rooms can work for multigenerational travel, having a large suite or private residence where the entire group can reside provides a more unified travel experience. The key is to find a place that is comfortable for all and provides many of the conveniences of home, but still feels like a grand escape. An extra consideration: Look for accommodations with a full kitchen so your family can cook and eat meals together as desired. Starting the day with a full family breakfast or ending it with fresh baked cookies and milk can be a bonding experience in itself.

Many resorts have accommodations appropriate for groups, such as the Inn on Woodlake or The American Club Resort in Kohler, Wis. The resort recently opened a nearby private cabin, Sandhill, nestled on 350 acres in the wilderness near the western shores of Lake Michigan and approximately an hour north of Milwaukee. The cabin is close enough so groups can enjoy the amenities of the resort, yet far enough away to feel like a private retreat. This charming, yet rustic, private cabin sleeps six comfortably and has a full kitchen and an attached sauna and poker shack with fireplace.

Tip 3: Research activities

When you’re narrowing down where you’d like to take your multigenerational vacation, consider the activities that are available. You’ll want options to entertain both young and old, so be sure to seek variety. Access local travel resources and online travel reviews to find destinations that are a good match for your group. You might even be able to schedule some activities in advance to reduce stress once you have arrived.

Guests of the Sandhill cabin, for example, have access to renowned golf at Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, home of the 2012 US Women’s Open. Both kids and adults enjoy top-notch golf lessons at Kohler Golf Academy. While group activities are plentiful, there are also many options for alone time too – while Dad and Grandpa hit the greens, Mom and Grandma can head to the Kohler Waters Spa and the kids can head to Kamp Kohler, a four-hour camp full of fun activities including crafts and swimming.

Tip 4: Adopt the multigenerational mindset

Traveling with a group of different aged people brings with it a unique set of variables. It’s important to remain flexible and set a comfortable pace. There are always traveling snafus, such as uncooperative weather or the kids losing their luggage, but remember to relax and deal with any bumps in the road as they arise. Sometimes overcoming these obstacles can make for the best family memories because you must figure out solutions together and spontaneous activities are often the experiences that are most cherished.

Provided by: Article Resource

The tight job market can be especially hard on job seekers with 15 or more years of work experience. As they look through posted jobs, they often find entry-level openings that require less education or experience than they have accumulated. Sheryl Decker, director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College – South Bend, offers steps that can help overqualified job seekers find employment.

“An overqualified job candidate is someone who has too much education or experience, or can be too highly-paid for the position sought,” Decker says. “When employers review a resume, they first tend to weigh the level of education and a candidate’s past experience against the job opportunity. If the candidate possesses qualifications that are higher than the position requires, a manager may set the resume aside.”

An overqualified applicant can raise a red flag for a number of reasons. Employers generally attach a negative connotation to overqualified candidates because they feel the candidate:

• May leave as soon as he or she finds a job commensurate with the higher qualifications.
• May continue looking for employment with a higher salary.
• Has never been promoted by previous employers.
• Has not explained why he or she seeks a lower level position.

“The employer’s top priority is to make the right hiring decision. It costs money to hire and train a new employee, and it is beneficial to the organization when the employee comes on board for the long haul,” Decker says. “It can be scary for an overqualified person who isn’t finding job openings that match their credentials.” How can you overcome this negative perception?

Change the format of your resume

“If you have a lot of skills, it can be helpful to organize your resume into a functional resume format,” Decker says. “Rather than presenting information in chronological order under each position held, highlight your skills and accomplishments as they pertain to the position you are seeking.” You can include the companies you have worked for in the past without emphasizing titles that may raise concerns. Quintessential Careers, a website dedicated to empowering job seekers, supports this tactic for overqualified applicants.

Customize resume to each specific position

“Tailor each resume to include the attributes the prospective employer seeks,” says Decker. “Highlight the things that show you are qualified, not overqualified.” Be sure to include characteristics of your personality that show you are motivated, a team player and dedicated to performing the job effectively. Along with a positive attitude, these soft skills can help define you as an asset.

Call on your professional network

Never underestimate the importance of joining a professional association. “People who know you can vouch for your experience and value to the company, even though your qualifications may be higher,” Decker says. “This is one of the best ways to overcome negative perceptions.”

Honesty is the best policy

“Prospective employers call your references, check your background and criminal history, and speak with the company where you last worked. Be honest about the reasons you left, and make it known that you are flexible about salary in a new position,” Decker says. “Today’s economy makes this a reality.”

Above all, focus on how your learned skills can benefit the company. Employers want to provide good service to customers in a positive atmosphere for employees.

Most people are familiar with UV or ultra-violet light and many wear sunglasses and sunscreen to protect their eyes and skin. UV falls in the spectrum of invisible light and is potentially damaging to the front of the eye, or the cornea and lens, i.e. cataract. But, what about blue light? How does this “other” light affect the back of the eye and what can you do to protect your vision?

Blue light waves are visible to the eye and on a different or longer range of the light spectrum than UV; blue light waves are all around us and can damage the photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the retina in the back of the eye.  The eye’s natural protective filter, macular pigment, acts like internal sunglasses to block harmful blue light before it reaches the photoreceptors. However, if your macular pigment density is thin (a reality for most), your photoreceptors are at a greater risk of being damaged by blue light.

So, what’s the big deal if you lose some of your rods or cones? Well, photoreceptors don’t regenerate and each person has a finite number of them. The other potential problem is that low macular pigment is a key risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which destroys central vision, and is the leading cause of vision loss in people over age 50, according to the American Optometric Association. Science indicates that damage from blue light exposure is a significant contributing factor to AMD, and if you make a fist and hold it between your eyes, you’ll see what vision loss from AMD can look like.

Leaves on a tree are protected from damaging light by carotenoids including zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin) and lutein, which are seen as leaves change colors. An apple’s skin also provides protection, however when the apple is sliced open, the inside eventually turns brown – a process known as oxidation. Oxidative stress also occurs in our eyes and carotenoids like zeaxanthin and lutein help protect our vision.

Macular pigment is comprised of two dietary carotenoids: zeaxanthin and lutein, which protect the photoreceptors that are responsible for vision. Low macular pigment density is also a key risk factor for AMD, and the macular pigments have also been demonstrated to enhance visual performance in sports, night driving, reduce sensitivity to bright light, and improve vision in low light situations. Our bodies cannot synthesize or make zeaxanthin or lutein, as they must be obtained from our diet. Too many Americans are not consuming enough and their vision can be adversely affected or even endangered.

A diet rich in dark green leafy and brightly colored fruits and vegetables can increase macular pigment density, however most Americans consume less than 25 percent of the recommended quantity of these sources. Zeaxanthin, in particular, is very difficult to obtain in one’s daily diet; you’d have to eat 20 ears of corn to equal the recommended daily amount of 8 milligrams of dietary zeaxanthin. Many eye care professionals recommend eye vitamins to help replenish what your eyes need most.

As blue light-induced damage accumulates over a lifetime, by the time you are in your 40s and 50s, you are at an increased risk for AMD, vision impairment, and decreased visual performance.  Visit your eye care professional and ask about having your MPOD (Macular Pigment Optical Density) measured – it’s simple, affordable and takes only a few minutes. If you do not eat the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, consume a high-quality eye vitamin like EyePromise that is doctor recommended, all natural and has an unconditional money-back guarantee.

Vision becomes even more precious as we age with loss of independence a very real threat to aging Americans. Reduce your risk of the harmful effects of blue light to your vision by increasing the density of your “internal sunglasses.”

Growing your own produce elevates the popular buying-local trend to a new sphere. Starting your very own edible garden can be a fun and economical way to serve the freshest herbs, greens and vegetables. For those seeking more gardening space beyond the backyard, “table-top” gardening is the new container gardening solution.

Container gardening for produce offers gardeners ways to grow all sorts of plants indoors and out. For example, decorate a table or bench inside your home with beautiful pots, filled with scented herbs or even crisp lettuce greens. Put your creativity to good use and find containers you can easily recycle – old serving bowls, pots, or even watering cans and juice containers. Drill a hole or two in the bottom of containers for drainage, or simply place the plants in a smaller plastic container inside that you can take out when watering. That old cooking crock or ceramic bowl has a new and purposeful life.

If you have a deck or patio, you can expand to larger containers, and thus, larger plants like tomatoes and peppers. If space is limited, see if your local garden center carries any dwarf vegetable varieties. Also, keep in mind that vining plants like cucumbers or squash can be grown up out of containers by simply placing the pot near a fence or trellis for vertical support.

Remember the delight herbs  bring to your menus. Herbs are easy to grow both indoors and out, and adapt extremely well to containers. If you are an herb garden beginner, try the Miracle-Gro Culinary Herb Garden, which contains everything needed – Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, a pot and seed disks – to grow herbs on a window sill or on your kitchen table.

To help beautify your garden, consider mixing in edible blooming flowers. Pansies and violets are two beautiful and delicious blooms that can be tucked right into container gardens. In order to eat these flowers, they must be grown from seed. Both varieties grow well in the cooler spring and later fall months. These blooms not only add a mild sweet flavor to salads, candies and teas, but also add decoration as well. Other edible flower options are nasturtiums and carnations.

Once you have containers, veggies and herbs chosen, it is time to get started planting. Use Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix to help your plants grow strong and thrive. This mix is lightweight, and when water is added, expands up to three times, giving plants the perfect soil mixture needed for nutrients and root growth. Then, simply add sunlight and water and watch your harvest grow.

Starting a table-top or container garden is a great way for any homeowner to get into the gardening spirit. Start your garden early this year, and soon you will be inviting friends and family over to enjoy delicious meals with vegetables and herbs grown in your kitchen or back patio.

“Selecting the best tools for your outdoor space can make all the difference if you’re looking for simple, year-round maintenance,” says Duane Utterback, marketing manager for Remington, a leading manufacturer of electric and power tools. “That’s why when you’re shopping for new equipment it’s important to consider the size of your lawn and garden, how much power you’ll need and who will be using it. It’s also just as important for the tool itself to be comfortable and easy to use.”

For example, a string trimmer is a useful handheld tool that can get into places that a lawn mower can’t reach – but if you don’t get the right one for your needs, it could make the job more difficult than it has to be. If you have a larger yard or tough brush to cut down, you should consider a higher-powered gas trimmer like the Remington RM2510. But if your lawn is smaller or you prefer something lightweight, an electric trimmer like the Remington RM115ST may be exactly what you need.

Beyond choosing the right tools, here are five more tips for easy lawn and garden care this spring:

1. Grow low-maintenance plants and flowers.

When deciding what to grow in your garden, you’ll want to consider the layout of your space, as well as the climate. To keep it easy, try undemanding perennials such as coneflowers, hostas, peonies and black-eyed Susans.

2. Cut your planting and weeding time in half.

Using a garden cultivator like the Remington RM151C Electric Cultivator speeds up the process of preparing soil for new plantings, quickly works in compost, manure and fertilizers, and can be used to eliminate weeds between garden rows.

3. Give your body a break.

Many lawn and gardening activities like trimming edges, planting or weeding require repetitive movements that can be stressful on muscles and joints. Take some of the work out of your work by selecting tools that feel comfortable and easy for you to use.

4. Try a container garden.

If you want to change the look of your garden throughout the season in a matter of minutes without the hassle of digging up your plants, try a container garden. Glazed ceramic pots with holes in the bottom work best. Put newspaper at the bottom to keep the soil from escaping.

5. Go ahead, recycle your clippings.

Not only does this save time and energy (versus bagging), but leaving the clippings on the lawn after you mow adds vital nutrients back into the soil as the clippings decompose. And, if you have the proper mowing height set, the clippings will quickly break down.

“By following simple tips and guidelines like these, you can create an outdoor space that you love, without spending the entire season working,” says Utterback. “Start with a good plan, have some fun working outside and take the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.”

Provided by: ARA

The most common forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and fibromyalgia.

Traditionally, the common signs and symptoms of arthritis (literally meaning “joint inflammation”) may include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and a decreased range of motion. There are numerous types of arthritis – more than 100 in all – and therefore many treatments, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, lifestyle and home remedies, surgery and alternative medicine. Many arthritis sufferers will benefit from some combination of these options.

One of the most commonly used arthritis medications is a category called NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce both pain and inflammation. Popular over-the-counter NSAIDs include naproxen sodium, as well as ibuprofen, both of which are available under a wide variety of retail “store-brand” labels.

“Pain and swelling have a serious impact on quality of life for many arthritis patients,” says Dr. John Tower, president and medical director of Arthritis Physicians LLC in Rochester Hills, Mich. “In combination with other therapies, NSAIDs like naproxen sodium and arthritis pain-relieving topical ointments can provide some symptomatic relief, and therefore can be an important part of a patient’s treatment plan.”

“For patients prescribed an NSAID by their physician, I would encourage them to purchase store-brand naproxen sodium or ibuprofen sold at leading retailers and pharmacies,” Tower continues. “These products are regulated by the FDA and use the same active ingredients, but cost significantly less than the brand names.”

Allegan, Mich.-based Perrigo is the largest manufacturer of over-the-counter medications found under store-brand labels at leading retailers, grocers and pharmacies. Perrigo offers consumers a variety of affordable store-brand NSAID choices, like naproxen sodium in caplet, tablet and liquid gel form, which compare with the active ingredients in brand names.

In addition to drugs for combating pain relief and inflammation, many arthritis patients find relief with physical therapy, lifestyle and home remedies and even alternative medicine.

“Arthritis patients need to work closely with their primary care physicians or rheumatologist to determine which combination of treatment options is best for them,” says Tower, who has been a practicing board certified rheumatologist for 21 years. “Appropriate management of symptoms can help people with arthritis to decrease pain, improve function and stay productive.”

Physical therapy and regular exercise help to keep joints flexible and strengthen muscle surrounding joints, which can result in improved range of motion for arthritis sufferers. Additionally, home remedies, such as hot and cold therapy, may help relieve arthritis pain, while use of assistive devices, such as a cane or walker, can help protect joints and improve a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks.

Alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, may offer some promise as a remedy for reducing symptoms of arthritis, but patients should bear in mind that there is still little reliable evidence to support the use of such treatments in managing arthritis.

“Arthritis is a complex disorder with many causes and no cure, but there are effective treatments to manage the symptoms,” says Tower. “Symptom management looks different for every patient, so arthritis sufferers should consider all of the options in partnership with their physician.”