Excellent

Excellent: medical

2015-05-23T19:30:00.003-04:00

Excellent: medical: what is Anorexia nervosa Anorexia is the decreased sensation of appetite. While the term in non-scientific publications is often used inter...

What are the health benefits of bananas?

Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world for good reason. The curved yellow fruit packs a big nutritional punch, wrapped in its own convenient packaging. Some scientists believe that the banana may have even been the world's first fruit.
Dan Koeppel, author of Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World, traces the banana back to the Garden of Eden, where he believes it was the banana, not the apple, that was the "forbidden fruit" that Eve offered Adam.
Today, bananas are grown in at least 107 countries and are ranked fourth among the world's food crops in monetary value. Americans consume more bananas than apples and oranges combined.
The possible health benefits of consuming bananas include lowering the risks of cancer and asthma, lowering blood pressure, improving heart health and promoting regularity.
This MNT Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods, which can be found here.

Nutritional breakdown of bananas

One medium banana (about 126 grams) is considered to be one serving. One serving of banana contains 110 calories, 30 grams of carbohydrate and 1 gram of protein. Bananas are naturally free of fat, cholesterol and sodium.²
Bananas provide a variety of vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin B6 - .5 mg
Manganese - .3 mg
Vitamin C - 9 mg
Potassium - 450 mg
Dietary Fiber - 3g
Protein - 1 g
Magnesium - 34 mg
Folate - 25.0 mcg
Riboflavin - .1 mg
Niacin - .8 mg
Vitamin A - 81 IU
Iron - .3 mg

The recommended intake of potassium for adults is 4700 milligrams per day.

Possible health benefits of bananas

Blood pressure: Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure, however increasing potassium intake may be just as important because of its vasodilation effects. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, fewer than 2% of US adults meet the daily 4700 mg recommendation.³
Also of note, a high potassium intake is associated with a 20% decreased risk of dying from all causes.³
Asthma: A study conducted by the Imperial College of London found that children who ate just one banana per day had a 34% less chance of developing asthma.
Cancer: Consuming bananas, oranges and orange juice in the first two years of life may reduce the risk of developing childhood leukemia. As a good source of vitamin C, bananas can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. High fiber intakes from fruits and vegetables like bananas are associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer.
Heart health: The fiber, potassium, vitamin C and B6 content in bananas all support heart health. An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Mark Houston, MD, MS, an associate clinical professor of medicine at Vanderbilt Medical School and director of the Hypertension Institute at St Thomas Hospital in Tennessee.³
In one study, those who consumed 4069 mg of potassium per day had a 49% lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared with those who consumed less potassium (about 1000 mg per day).³
High potassium intakes are also associated with a reduced risk of stroke, protection against loss of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral density and reduction in the formation of kidney stones.³
Diabetes: Studies have shown that type 1 diabetics who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetics may have improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels. One medium banana provides about 3 grams of fiber.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 21-25 g/day for women and 30-38 g/day for men.
Treating diarrhea: Bland foods such as apple sauce and bananas are recommended for diarrhea treatment. Electrolytes like potassium are lost in large quantities during bouts of diarrhea and may make those affected feel weak. Bananas can help to promote regularity and replenish potassium stores.
Preserving memory and boosting mood: Bananas also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that studies suggest plays a role in preserving memory and boosting your mood.

Incorporating more bananas into your diet

In 2008, a popular diet ''fad'' known as the Morning Banana Diet recommended eating a banana in the morning along with water, eating a normal lunch and having dinner before 8pm.
Like apple sauce, ripe mashed bananas can be used in baked goods to replace oil or butter. Mashed bananas lend a moist, naturally sweet flavor to muffins, cookies and cakes.
Peel and freeze bananas for a great addition to any smoothie.
Add sliced banana to your morning cereal or oatmeal, or take a banana with you on your way to work or school for a healthy, portable snack.

Excellent: medical

2015-05-23T19:30:00.001-04:00

Excellent: medical: what is Anorexia nervosa Anorexia is the decreased sensation of appetite. While the term in non-scientific publications is often used inter...

What are the health benefits of bananas?

Nutritional breakdown of bananas

Vitamin B6 - .5 mg
Manganese - .3 mg
Vitamin C - 9 mg
Potassium - 450 mg
Dietary Fiber - 3g
Protein - 1 g
Magnesium - 34 mg
Folate - 25.0 mcg
Riboflavin - .1 mg
Niacin - .8 mg
Vitamin A - 81 IU
Iron - .3 mg

The recommended intake of potassium for adults is 4700 milligrams per day.

Possible health benefits of bananas

Incorporating more bananas into your diet

2013-09-17T18:39:00.000-04:00

What are free radicals?

We can understand free radicals by looking at the explanation in the box to the right.

Free radicals are oxygen atoms that are missing one electron from the pair the atom should have. When an atom is missing an electron from a pair, it becomes unstable and very reactive. That's because a free radical desperately wants to find another electron to fill in the gap, so it grabs an electron from the next atom it gets near.
The trouble is, when a free radical seizes an electron from another atom, the second atom then becomes a free radical, because now it's the one missing an electron. One free radical starts a cascade of new free radicals in our body. The free radicals blunder around, grabbing electrons from our cells-and doing a lot of damage to them at the same time.

Burning of fuel isn't the only thing that can make free radicals in our cells. Some other things include:
• The ultraviolet light in sunshine - that's why people who spend too much time in the sun are more likely to get skin cancer and cataracts.
• Toxins of all sort, such as: tobacco smoke, the natural chemicals found in our food, the poisonous wastes of our own metabolism, and man-made toxins like air pollution and pesticides.

On average, every cell in our body comes under attack from a free radical once every ten seconds.
Our best protection is to keep our antioxidant levels high.

To understand free radicals in more detail, we must first understand a bit about cells and molecules.
The body is made up of many different types of cell and cells are made of many different types of molecules. Molecules are made up of one or more atoms of one or more elements joined by chemical bonds and atoms consist of a nucleus, neutrons, protons and electrons.

The number of protons (positively charged particles) in the atom's nucleus determines the number of electrons (negatively charged particles) surrounding the atom.

Electrons are involved in chemical reactions and are the substance that bonds atoms together to form molecules. Electrons surround, or "orbit" an atom in one or more shells. The innermost shell is full when it has two electrons. When the first shell is full, electrons begin to fill the second shell. When the second shell has eight electrons, it is full, and so on.

The most important structural feature of an atom for determining its chemical behavior is the number of electrons in its outer shell. A substance that has a full outer shell tends not to enter into chemical reactions (it is an inert substance). Because atoms seek to reach a state of maximum stability, an atom will try to fill its outer shell by:
• Gaining or losing electrons to either fill or empty its outer shell, or
• Sharing its electrons by bonding together with other atoms in order to complete its outer shell.

Atoms often complete their outer shells by sharing electrons with other atoms. By sharing electrons, the atoms are bound together and satisfy the conditions of maximum stability for the molecule.

How are free radicals formed?
Normally, bonds don't split in a way that leaves a molecule with an odd, unpaired electron. But when weak bonds split, free radicals are formed. Free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other compounds, trying to capture the needed electron to gain stability.

Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, taking its electron. When the 'attacked' molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process is started, it can continue, finally resulting in the disruption of a living cell.

Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the body's immune system's cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn free radicals.

Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Of particular importance is that free radical damage accumulates with age.

The chain reaction of free radical formation occurs in three stages:
1. Initiation - energy reactions cause the formation of the first free radicals:
2. Propagation - the chain reaction continues and various other free radicals form and become other substances; and
3. Termination - eventually an antioxidant is able to stop the chain reaction.

Free radicals in living cells
Free radicals are present in all living cell and are a part of the cell processes. However excessive free radicals in our cells can attack the cell membranes (the outer coat of the cell).

This attack causes cell and tissue damage.Radicals can also break strands of DNA (the genetic material in the cell). Some of the chemicals known to cause cancer, do so by forming free radicals.

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2013-09-12T23:56:00.000-04:00

A Psychologist’s Guide to Goodnight Sleep
Sleep is very important for maintaining general health and wellbeing. Here is a list of tips to improve your sleep.
Morning Plan
• Routine is important. Get out of bed around the same time every day; weekends included, and once awake don’t ’snooze’ for an extra 10 minutes.
• Have something important or meaningful to get up for.
Day Plan
• Exercise but only during the day, avoid exercising in the late evening.
• Avoid taking naps, particularly late in the afternoon or after work in the evening.
• Maintain a healthy balance between stress and relaxation in your day (i.e., if work or study is stressful, make sure to take several gentle slow walks to even out the stress).
• Limit your intake of caffeine. No caffeine after midday is preferred.
• Do not eat, read, or watch TV in bed, use your bedroom for sleep and intimacy only.
Evening Plan
• Participate in calming activities and avoid heightening your senses before bedtime such as playing a competitive game, watching an exciting program on television or playing a stimulating computer game.
• Although drinking alcohol can sometimes create a feeling of being relaxed, if consumed within 5 hours of going to bed, it can contribute to night time awakenings.
• Avoid foods, beverages, and medications that may contain stimulants.
• Avoid eating large heavy meals or a lot of liquid close to bedtime. Do not go to bed too hungry or too full.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine such as having a warm bath or warm herbal tea.
Bedroom Plan
• If worry keeps you awake, keep a ‘to do’ diary next to the bed. Write down all that you’re worrying about for review the next day. This will help keep your mind clear.
• Keep the temperature in your bedroom comfortable.
• Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and tidy.
If You Can’t Fall Asleep Plan
• Do not command yourself to go to sleep. This makes your mind and body more alert.
• Try not to focus on falling asleep by ‘clock watching.’ Turn the clock around.
• If after about 20 minutes you are unable to fall asleep, get out of bed and find a quiet place to do a quiet activity. You could read a non-suspenseful book or magazine, meditate, listen to music, or do a relaxing puzzle until sleepy.
• Do not use alcohol to help you fall asleep.
If You Have Medicine to Help You Sleep
• Place your sleep medicine and a glass of water close to your bed. Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. If taking over the counter medication, take only if you are unable to fall asleep, or if you wake up within a couple hours of falling asleep.
• Some sleep medications may make you drowsy and tired the next day. Notify your doctor or pharmacist if this happens and do not perform any activities that require alertness.

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2012-11-01T18:55:00.000-04:00

The Antioxidants Benefits We Need

The antioxidants benefits include strengthening your immune system, slowing down the aging process and most importantly fighting off free radicals. This is big because free radicals are damaging to the body... causing an increase in inflammation & can lead to many degenerative diseases (e.g. cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, etc).

Adequate amounts of antioxidants are needed to fight off damaging free radicals and to keep your immune system strong. Fortunately your bodies have its own antioxidant defenses against free radicals... mostly using oxygen.

Disease cannot live in an oxygen-rich environment. However, our world has an oxygen shortage. As a result our bodies are working overtime in order to keep free radicals in check. And this is causing extra stress & strain on the body.

I related free radicals to cracks on a freeway. But how much damage can free radicals really do?

Imagine it affecting your brain, immune system, heart and other major organs. This type of excessive free radical activity in your body is the start to a slippery slope of bad health and disease.

Doctor’s are recognizing that many acute and chronic illnesses are related to the excess of free radicals in our bodies. There is also a lot of research being done in discovering the antioxidants benefits.

Which brings us to the next topic at hand...
So how are Antioxidants and the Immune System related?
There are 2 prevailing theories on why we get sick: The Holistic Theory and the
Disease Theory.

The older of the two, the Disease Theory, states that a particular bacteria or virus will get “inside” your body and can cause you to be sick.

The Holistic Theory states that your body is already full of foreign bodies and free radicals but is able to function normally because antioxidants will “disarm” the harmful stuff... thus keeping your body “in balance.” And the reason we get sick is because the amount of free radicals is greater than the antioxidants fighting them, causing an “imbalance” in the body.

This imbalance, if nothing is done about it, can go from you feeling a little under the weather to potentially causing cancer.

The antioxidants benefits help to prevent free radicals from tipping the scales to the wrong side of things. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals so they go from very harmful to practically harmless (kind of like pulling the trigger of an unloaded rifle).

As a result, building a healthy immune system from the aid of antioxidants benefits will keep your body and immune system healthy and working well!

What’s The Best Solution?

The best solution to combating imbalance in your body is through proper exercise, a good body-mind connection, nutrition and the right amount of antioxidants. Keep in mind that the benefits of antioxidants alone can’t make you invincible to everything but adding them definitely gives you a greater advantage.

Now that we know the benefits of antioxidants you might want to know what source(s) you can find them.

The best thing to do to start is by either adding an antioxidant supplement, such as a multi-vitamin w/ Vitamin A, C, D, E & selenium) and by including antioxidant-rich foods to your diet today!

Health Benefits of Corn

2012-08-16T19:47:00.000-04:00

Health Benefits of Corn

Health benefits of corn include controlling diabetes, prevention of heart ailments, lowering hypertension and prevention of neural-tube defects at birth. Corn or maize is one of the most popular cereals in the world and forms the staple food in many countries including USA, Africa etc. It not only provides the necessary calories for daily metabolism, but is a rich source of vitamins A, B, E and many minerals. Its high fiber content ensures that it plays a role in prevention of digestive ailments like constipation and hemorrhoids as well as colorectal cancer. The antioxidants present in corn also act as anti-cancer agents and prevent Alzheimer’s.

Health benefits of corn are offered by presence of quality nutrients in it. Also, being rich in phytochemicals, it provides protection against numerous chronic diseases. Following are some of the health benefits of corn:

Rich Source of Calories: Corn is a rich source of calories and forms a part of the staple diet among many populations. The calorific content of corn is 342 calories per 100grams, among the highest in cereals.

Prevention of Hemorrhoids and Colorectal Cancer: The fibre content of one cup of corn amounts 18.4% of the daily recommended amount. This aids in alleviating digestive problems such as constipation and hemorrhoids, as well as lowering the risk of colon cancer.

Rich Source of Vitamins:

Corn is rich in vitamin B constituents, especially Thiamin and Niacin. Thiamin is essential for maintaining nerve health and cognitive function. Niacin deficiency leads to Pellagra; a disease characterized by diarrhoea, dementia and dermatitis and is commonly observed in malnourished individuals.

Corn is also a good source of Pantothenic acid which is a vitamin necessary for carbohydrate as well as protein and lipid metabolism in the body. Deficiency of folic acid in pregnant women leads to birth of underweight infants and may also result in neural tube defects at birth.

Corn provides a large chunk of the daily folate requirement.

Yellow corn is a rich source of beta-carotene which forms vitamin A in the body, essential for maintenance of good vision and skin.

The kernels of corn are rich in vitamin E, a natural antioxidant essential for growth.

Provides Necessary Minerals:

Corn contains abundant phosphorus apart from magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron and copper. It also contains trace minerals like selenium. Phosphorus is essential for maintenance of normal growth, bone health and normal kidney functioning. Magnesium is necessary for maintaining normal heart rate and for bone strength.

Antioxidant Properties of Corn: According to studies carried out at Cornell University, corn is a rich source of antioxidants which fight the cancer causing free radicals. In fact, cooking increases the antioxidants in sweet corn.

Corn is a rich source of a phenolic compound ferulic acid, an anti-cancer agent which has been shown to be effective in fighting tumours in breast cancer and liver cancer. Anthocyanins, found in purple corn also act as scavengers of cancer-causing free radicals.

Cardio-Protective Attributes: According to researchers, corn oil has been shown to anti-atherogenic effect on the cholesterol levels, thus preventing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Prevents Anemia: The vitamin B12 and folic acid present in corn prevent anemia caused by the deficiency of these vitamins.

Lowering LDL Cholesterol: According to Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, consumption of corn husk oil lowers plasma LDL cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption by the body.

Protection against Diabetes and Hypertension: Consumption of corn kernels assists the management of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and is effective against hypertension due to the presence of phenolic phytochemicals in whole corn.

Cosmetic Benefits: Corn starch is used in the manufacture of many cosmetics and may also be applied topically to soothe skin rashes and irritations. Corn products can be used to replace carcinogenic petroleum products which form major components of cosmetic preparations.

Corn is a rich source of many essential nutrients and fibre. A meal rich in corn can go a long way in protecting against many diseases and ailments

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Reasons for Euthanasia

2012-08-08T19:35:00.000-04:00

Reasons for Euthanasia

I have written about this issue before but the more I think
about the more I am compelled to write and encourage others to speak up about
it

Here is what they say are the reasons for Euthanasia

1. The Unbearable pain as the reason for euthanasia

Probably the major argument in favor of euthanasia is that the person involved
is in great pain. Today, advances are constantly being made in the treatment of
pain and, as they advance, the case for euthanasia/assisted-suicide is
proportionally weakened.

Euthanasia advocates stress the cases of unbearable pain as reasons for euthanasia, but then they soon include a "drugged"
state. I guess that is in case virtually no uncontrolled pain cases can be
found - then they can say those people are drugged into a no-pain state but
they need to be euthanized from such a state because it is not dignified.

You See the opening for the slippery slope? How do you measure "dignity"?
- it will be euthanasia "on demand".

The pro-euthanasia folks have already started down the slope. They are even now not stopping with "unbearable pain" - they are already including this "drugged
state" and other circumstances.

PAIN CAN BE MANAGED
Nearly all pain can be eliminated and - in those rare cases
where it can't be eliminated - it can still be reduced significantly if proper
treatment is provided. It is a national and international scandal that so many
people do not get adequate pain control. But killing is not the answer to that
scandal. The solution is to mandate better education of health care
professionals on these crucial issues, to expand access to health care, and to
inform patients about their rights as consumers. Everyone – be it a person with
a life-threatening illness or a chronic condition has the right to pain
relief Medication.

With modern advances medical technology pain can be controlled, no
patient should ever be in excruciating pain. However, most doctors have never
had a course in pain management so they're unaware of what to do. If a patient
who is under a doctor's care is in excruciating pain, there's definitely a need
to find a different doctor. But that doctor should be one who will control the
pain, not one who will kill the patient.

There are board certified specialists in pain management who will not only help alleviate physical pain but are skilled in providing necessary support to deal with emotional suffering and depression that often accompanies physical pain.

2. Demanding a "right to commit suicide"
Probably the second most common point pro-euthanasia people bring up is this
so-called "right." But why should we be talking about is not giving a
right to the person who is killed, but to the person who does the killing. In
other words, euthanasia is not about the right
to die. It's about the right to kill. Euthanasia is not about giving
rights to the person who dies but, instead, is about changing the law and
public policy so that doctors, relatives and others can directly and
intentionally end another person's life. People do have the power to commit
suicide. Suicide and attempted suicide are criminalized. Suicide is a
tragic, individual act.

Euthanasia is not about a private act. It's about letting one person facilitate the death of another. That is a matter of very public concern since it can lead to tremendous abuse, exploitation and erosion of care for the most vulnerable people among us.

3. Should people be forced to stay alive? Yes/No. And
neither the law nor medical ethics requires that "everything be done"
to keep a person alive. Insistence, against the patient's wishes, that death be
postponed by every means available is contrary to law and practice. It would
also be cruel and inhumane. There comes a time when continued attempts to cure
are not compassionate, wise, or medically sound. “But we are human beings and
we have desires to have a relative with us for a long time”. That is the time
when all efforts should be "PUT" in place to make sure that the patient's remaining time is comfortable. Then, all interventions should be directed to alleviating pain and other symptoms as well as the provision of emotional and spiritual support
for both the patient and the patient's loved ones.

Celery

2012-07-06T17:55:00.000-04:00

Nutrition Information and Facts The health benefits of celery are more than just lowering blood pressure. they also contain at least eight families of anti-cancer compounds to combat cancer Celery is from the same family with parsley and fennel, the Umbelliferae family. It can grow to the height of up to 16 inches. The white celery is grown shaded from direct sunlight, thus has less chlorophyll, compared to its greener counterparts. The ribs of celery are crunchy and are often used to make soup or salad. It has a salty taste, so celery juice is a good mix with the sweeter fruit juices. Depending on variety, some may taste very salty. Nutritional Benefits Celery leaves has high content of vitamin A, whilst the stems are an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C with rich supplies of potassium, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and plenty essential amino acids. Nutrients in the fiber are released during juicing, aiding bowel movements. The natural organic sodium (salt) in celery is very safe for consumption, in fact is essential for the body. Even individuals who are salt-sensitive can safely take the sodium in celery, unlike table salt (iodised sodium) which is harmful for those with high blood pressure. While many foods lose nutrients during cooking, most of the compounds in celery hold up well during cooking. Health Benefits Celery has always been associated with lowering of blood pressure. When combined with other juices, it provides different formula that helps other conditions. Recent studies have shown that celery might also be effective in combating cancer. Read on. Some of the health benefits of celery juice: Acidity: The important minerals in this magical juice effectively balance the body's blood pH, neutralizing acidity. Athletes: Celery juice acts as the perfect post-workout tonic as it replaces lost electrolytes and rehydrates the body with its rich minerals. Cancer: Celery is known to contain at least eight families of anti-cancer compounds. Among them are the acetylenics that have been shown to stop the growth of tumor cells. Phenolic acids which block the action of prostaglandins that encourage the growth of tumor cells. And coumarins which help prevent free radicals from damaging cells. Cholesterol: This humble pale juice has been shown to effectively and significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Colon and stomach cancer: The phytochemical coumarins prevent the formation and development of the colon and stomach cancers. Constipation: The natural laxative effect of celery helps to relieve constipation. It also helps relax nerves that have been overworked by man-made laxatives. Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of celery juice two or three times a day, between meals. It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature. Diuretic: The potassium and sodium in celery juice helps to regulate body fluid and stimulate urine production, making it an important help to rid the body of excess fluid. Inflammation: The polyacetylene in celery is an amazing relief for all inflammation like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, asthma and bronchitis. Kidney function: Celery promotes healthy and normal kidney function by aiding elimination of toxins from the body. While eliminating toxins, it also prevents formation of kidney stones. Lower blood pressure: Drinking celery juice every day for a week significantly helps lower blood pressure. A compound called phtalides help relax the muscle around arteries, dilating the vessels and allowing blood to flow normally. To be effective, drink the juice for one week, stop for three weeks, and start over. Nervous system: The organic alkaline minerals in celery juice has a calming effect on the nervous system, making it a wonderful drink for insomniacs. Weight loss: Drink celery juice frequently throughout the day. It helps curb your cravings for sweets and rich food. Urinary stones, breaking of: The diuretic effect of celery juice also aids the breaking and elimination of urinary and gall bladder stones. You can expect many more healing benefits from celery juice as you consume its natural sodium.

Positive Mood Changes: Anxiety and Depression

2012-06-27T02:34:00.000-04:00

Positive Mood Changes: Anxiety and Depression

Positive Mood Changes: Anxiety and Depression Alternative Therapies Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health diagnoses. It is essential for those suffering from these disorders that they can have many different options for treatment. Even more outstanding is the idea that major depression has become the leading worldwide cause of disability. Depression and anxiety are both very disabling to people and their lives. However, sometimes the typical medications can have terrible side effects and many people do not want to take them because of this. Therefore, there are anxiety and depression alternative therapies available. Anxiety and depression often occur at the same time and can make overcoming the symptoms even more difficult. Anxiety and depression alternative therapies are available to help with many of the different symptoms. One of the leading symptoms of depression and anxiety is insomnia and sleep disturbances. The root of sleep disorders in people with depression and anxiety is physiological. There are a few very specific things that should be done to try and alleviate the sleeplessness that can occur. They are all considered to be anxiety and depression alternative therapies. The first is to make sure the body has plenty of vitamin E and B complex. While the vitamin E helps people sleep, the vitamin B complex calms the nerves. Second, it is helpful to avoid any stimulants. This includes illegal substances, caffeine, and sugar. It is also important to exercise. Not only can exercise help counter act the depression, it can also help tire a person out and help them sleep. Then it is a good idea to learn to meditate or use relaxation exercises. Lastly it is suggested that psychotherapy be obtained. That way, there is someone the person can talk to about the disturbances, stresses, and feelings that they are experiencing. Getting the troubles out of the mind can slow down the racing of thoughts that can occur. Anxiety and depression alternative therapies are often inexpensive and easily accessible. However, when already stressed and depressed and it can be difficult to try and make additional life changes. It is also important to note that they are not an instant help, but do take some time. So people must be patient. Another one of the anxiety and depression alternative therapies is something called Emotional Freedom Technique. This is said to be acupressure for the mind. This is a treatment of gentle pressure of the head, chest, and hands. The pressure in specific places is said to relieve emotional difficulties. People with depression and anxiety should be able to seek treatment without the side effects or stresses of medication trial and error.

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Snoring Symptoms & and; Treatment

2012-01-03T14:54:00.000-05:00

Snoring Symptoms & and; Treatment

Snoring literally drives millions of women around the world crazy every night. Some women snore as well, but this condition is much more common in men. Snoring is caused when the air from the mouth or nose makes the tissues in the throat to vibrate on its way to the lungs. Snoring can be caused even during daytime, but only when a person is indulged in a deep sleep.
Severity and loudness of snoring will differ drastically between men, and even on a night-to-night basis. A rapid increase in weight may affect snoring. When a person is extremely tired, the snores sound worse or louder. Snoring, a common cause for lack of sleep, is the main symptom of the sleep disorder called sleep apnea, which produces periods of breathlessness during sleep. If you suddenly stop breathing, gasp, or choke during sleep, this is caused by snoring. Conditions such as falling asleep at inappropriate times during the day or while eating is a very serious malady and needs an emergency visit to the physician, to determine the cause and the possible treatment for this condition.
This is caused by the relaxation of muscles in the roof of the mouth at the back, more commonly called the soft palate. The muscles in the tongue as well as the throat relax, and may block or narrow the airway. During respiration, the soft palate and the uvula (the flap of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate over the back of the tongue) vibrate against the back of the throat resulting in snoring. At the time of snoring the tonsils and adenoids may also vibrate increasing the loudness.
As it is very common, it's not considered as a symptom or sign of an illness or disease. However, it can be an indication of increase in body weight and can also be the side effect of smoking. While snoring can either be loud, soft, harsh, raspy, or intermittent, it can hinder the sleep and leave not only the snorer but also the bed partner tired and grumpy in the following morning.
Treatment
If you try to find methods to reduce the amount of snoring, please note that it requires the full cooperation of both partners. Snoring can also be temporarily cured by using nose strips, nasal sprays, or even better pillows. Avoiding alcohol and other sedatives at bedtime can further lessen the amount of snoring. Drug-free nasal strips that help widen the nostrils are also available to help reduce this discomfort. Also, sleeping on the side or on the stomach may help to alleviate it. You can also have a surgery for correcting social snoring. There are various natural treatments like acupressure that reduces snoring to a maximum extent.

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Mood-Boosting Foods

2011-09-30T21:03:00.003-04:00

Mood-Boosting Foods
It’s no surprise that you can become incredibly stressed—the workload and assignments are equally as challenging as those administered at a work or school. But instead of letting that stress consume you and lashing out at innocent bystanders like your family, co-workers or friends, learn how to change your mood. A good way to do this is to make sure you’re eating all the right foods. Below are some common foods known to boost your mood whenever you are particularly feeling stressed, sad or downright grouchy.
When consumed in moderate portions, chocolate is a healthy and tasty instantaneous mood elevator—perhaps that’s why for generations women have turned to the delicious treat to help heal after a bad breakup. Chocolate helps fight depression and irritability because it is filled with phenylethylamine, a chemical that helps produce serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps send “feel-good” chemicals to the brain (think of it as a natural antidepressant). If you aren’t really fond of chocolate, then pour yourself a tall glass of milk. Milk also contains large quantities of phenylethylamine.
If you are a seafood lover, then head on over to your local fish market. This is because fish and shellfish are also known to elevate mood. Seafood is filled with Selenium, a chemical that is proven to not only increase levels of happiness and decreased level of stress, but it also gives you an energy boost. Salmon and tuna specifically are also great seafood choices because they contain high levels of omega 3 fatty acids. These fats help repair brain cells which is essential in maintaining a good mood. So the next time you feel like chopping someone’s head off, grab a can or pouch of tuna or salmon and have a light snack before you do anything or say something you might regret.
Lastly,ever wonder why Popeye seemed so cheery? Perhaps it’s because he had a diet high in spinach. Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale and collard greens can help you reduce your anxiety and stress levels. This is because they contain high levels of folic acid and magnesium— two key nutrients that researches have discovered can help reduce stress and depression among other negative and harmful feelings

Cholesterol Lowering Foods That Taste Great!

2011-07-01T12:16:00.000-04:00

Cholesterol Lowering Foods That Taste Great!
Cholesterol levels are very important when it comes to leading a healthy life. Many Americans suffer from high levels of cholesterol. High cholesterol can be caused by foods that are high in cholesterol, smoking and lack of exercise, just to name a few. Most people are conscious of the foods that are high in cholesterol and try to stay away from them. There are actually a lot of foods that can help to lower cholesterol levels as well and many people are not aware of these wonder foods. Here are some foods that can help ease your high cholesterol levels.
Fiber Filled Foods

Fiber can be found in many foods. Fiber can benefit the body in many ways, including lowering cholesterol. Foods that are high in cholesterol include oatmeal, apples and prunes. You can also find foods in the grocery store that advertise high amounts of fiber, like granola and snack bars. Pay attention to the amount of fiber in different foods the next time you go to the grocery store.
Whole Grains

Many common foods can now be purchased as whole grain products. Whole grain can be found in foods like pancakes and bread. If given a choice, you should always choose the whole grain option. Consuming foods with whole grain will also lessen your chances of developing heart disease. It’s a win-win situation when it comes to whole grains!

Gobs of Garlic
Garlic is used in many dishes and food products because of its great flavor. Surprisingly, something so tasty can actually be good for you. Researchers have found that a component in garlic actually triggers the liver and forces it to stop producing cholesterol. Garlic works to lower cholesterol when both raw and cooked. Next time you prepare a meal throw a little more garlic in!
Seafood

Seafood, fish in particular, is a great source of fiber. This is a tasty way to get your fiber fix. Salmon is the fish that has the most fiber, as well as protein. The unique thing about the fiber found in fish is that is decreases the amount of bad cholesterol and actually increases the production of good cholesterol.
Nuts, Nuts and More Nuts

Many varieties of nuts contain large amounts of fiber. Nuts also filled with protein, reduce the chances of heart disease and increase the elasticity of arteries. The varieties of nuts with the most fiber are walnuts and pistachios. The only disadvantage of eating nuts is the high amounts of calories they contain.
Get Your Veggies

Vegetables, specifically ones that are dark green in color, are filled with fiber. This includes vegetables like cabbage, collard greens and spinach. You will consume more fiber by eating these foods raw. Drinking juice made from these vegetables will not give you any fiber. Dark green vegetables are extremely beneficial to the body because they also contain vitamin C and can lower blood pressure.
These are just some of the foods that can actually lower your cholesterol. Eating these types of foods will also benefit your body in many other ways!

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Naturally get rid of bad breath

2011-01-20T19:51:00.002-05:00

The Good News about Bad Breath!

The good news of bad breath is you can naturally get rid of bad breath. In fact, there are numerous natural bad breath treatments and you could actually be cured in days if you are serious about discovering what your bad breath cause is. But before you read about a historical natural bad breath treatment, let's first learn about what typically causes bad breath!

The Cause of Bad Breath

About 90% of the time, bad breath is caused by bacterium in the mouth. This bacterium is typically making its home on the tongue and makes a pungent, sharp taste and smell. If you look at the back of the tongue you will see a whitish or yellowish film which is a colony of billions of bacterium. However, don't freak out! Bacteria are natural for your body and some bacteria are actually 'good bacteria'. But, how do you get rid of the bad bacterium that is causing the bad breath?

Naturally Get Rid of Bad Breath

You might be surprised how simple it is to naturally get rid of bad breath? In fact, it is as simple as discovering how to prevent the cause of bad breath! Most often, bad breath can be naturally cured simply by changing a simple habit such as: your diet; what you drink; how you brush your teeth; or what you brush your teeth with.

The first step to naturally get rid of bad breath is to hydrate your mouth and body! In other words, drink and drink and drink water! Many times the mouth is left dry because of not drinking enough water. Over 80% of the population is walking around dehydrated. Buy a water bottle and make a goal of drinking at least 10-12 glasses of water per day. A good tip is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day! Therefore, a 150 lb. person would drink 75 ounces of water per day (almost 10 cups of water).
Then lastly and maybe not so obvious is eating yogurt. You see yogurt contains a bacterium that lives well in the body and is very benign in terms of bad effects

Finally, the next step to naturally get rid of bad breath is to kill or rid yourself of the bacterium on your tongue. Have you ever noticed the pungent or sharp smell of bad breath? It typically has an acidic smell and taste. By understanding how to balance the acids in your mouth, you can actually stop bacterium growth and say good bye to bad breath forever. In fact, you can actually start today with alkaline foods and ingredients which are already in your kitchen cupboard. To discover now to naturally get rid of bad breath today

Bad Breath, It Happens To the Best of Us

2011-01-02T19:59:00.000-05:00

So why do we get bad breath and how the heck can we get rid of it? These are two very common and very important questions that we have all had to ask ourselves at some time or another. The reason it is such an important thing to figure out is that it is so much a part of who we are. It affects our confidence with people and our reputation around people. Talking is such a part of our daily life and if we have bad breath we are either not talking for fear that someone will find out how nasty we are or we are embarrassing or offending those we are talking to. Bad breath is also not only offensive to others; it carries with it a taste that is offensive to the owner as well.

Now it is one thing to have bad breath once in a while or in the morning before we brush our teeth. This kind of problem is easily remedied with simple hygiene. But can you imagine (and some of you can) having bad breath chronically and so bad that simply brushing your teeth or avoiding spicy food at lunch is not enough. Well some people have to live with this nightmare called chronic halitosis.

So if you are one of these people you need to first know that there are very good remedies to most people's cases of bad breath that are worse than normal. First you should go see your dentist which is pretty obvious. You see bad body odors in general are secondary to the growth of microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, etc.) that are producing noxious fumes as a byproduct of their metabolisms. It is always important to go and see that you don't have a major infection that is causing the rotten (literally!) smell in your mouth.

Often however there isn't a huge cavity or pharyngeal abscess to explain the terrible smells and because the etiology is less obvious the solution is less obvious as well. Killing the bacteria is still the name of the game though and it just because people with chronic bad breath were unlucky enough to have gotten a particularly smelly strain of bacteria.

How do you get rid of this smell? Well in several ways. One is to brush your teeth more often like every time you have food. Another is to get in the habit of brushing your tongue. Another is to buy a good mouth wash that kills the bacteria. Then lastly and maybe not so obvious is eating yogurt. You see yogurt contains a bacterium that lives well in the body and is very benign in terms of bad effects. If you do these things you may just find that your bad breath goes away[read more.]

Do you experience sudden episodes of intense and overwhelming fear that seem to come on for no apparent reason?

2010-12-22T11:53:00.000-05:00

Do you experience sudden episodes of intense and overwhelming fear that seem to come on for no apparent reason?
During these episodes, do you experience symptoms similar to the following? Racing heart, chest pain, difficulty breathing, choking sensation, light headedness, tingling or numbness?
ACCEPT YOUR DISCOMFORT. Your negative images are understandable: you are scared of the flight, so you worry about it. This causes your mind and body to brace for the worst possible outcome. That response is built into the brain, as a genetic predisposition. When we are threatened, the mind and body shift to a survival stance, which is a natural, biologically based process. This is a fact. If you resist this fact, you only make matters worse for yourself.

Decide to accept this response, just as you would accept your startled response if someone made a sudden loud noise behind you. “I want to point out here that when you bring your attention to your symptoms, even in this manner when you are trying to help, you may become a little more nervous. Accept that added nervousness, too!”

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What Causes unpleasant to awful bad breath

2010-12-21T20:01:00.005-05:00

Anaerobic bacteria excrete (Volatile Sulphur Compounds) is a major cause the bad breath.(smells)Anaerobic bacteria are non oxygen breathing bacteria, so contact with oxygen will kill them.

Anaerobic bacteria live deep below and between taste buds, under the gum line, in the tonsils & in the sinus system. All places oxygen cannot get to(only through blood tissues)Anaerobic bacteria eat proteins found in blood, body tissues, mucus, sugars, dairy products & meat.

While everyone has anaerobic bacteria and they serve an important role in making food digestible, 1 in 5 people suffer from anaerobic bacteria imbalance. This imbalance allows anaerobic bacteria to colonize far larger areas of the mouth, sinuses and throat. This creates a jump in VSC output, at which time bad breath become detectable by people.

The smell can range from unpleasant to absolutely disgusting.
Anaerobic bacteria imbalance is caused many factors such as smoking, alcohol, medications, stress, diet, poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, Post Nasal Drip, age, low vitamin D intake (sunlight) and lack of exercise.

Next time you exercise remember you are working out both for your body as well as you breath it sound funny but it’s true so work hard and shed those pounds as well as that bad breath

How do you know if you’re Depressed?

2010-12-08T00:06:00.002-05:00

How do you know if you’re Depressed?

Recognizing the physical signs of depression will help you know if you're depressed. If you're a teenager or adolescent who is struggling with feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or despair, read Help for Depressed Teenagers.
Everyone gets a little depressed now and then; sometimes we feel depressed for no reason at all and other times we're sad about something specific, such as the loss of a parent or close friend.

Regardless of the cause of depression, some feelings of sadness aren't permanent or debilitating. Some feelings of sadness are easily banished with a change of pace, such as a new job or hobby.
But, clinical or double depression can be a different story. Recognizing the signs of depression is the first step in treating it.
Physical Signs of Depression
Some feelings of sadness last longer and are worse than a simple case of "the blues." Depression affects your everyday functioning and depletes your energy and interests. Everything, even just getting out of bed, takes a huge effort when you're dealing with depression. Things that you once enjoyed become tedious and difficult due to depression.
All your body and life rhythms are disturbed when you're dealing with depression.
Behavior can be physical signs of depression:
• Withdrawal from people, work, pleasures, activities is one of the first signs of depression
• Spurts of restlessness can be signs of depression
• Sighing, crying, moaning
• Difficulty getting out of bed is a sign of depression
• Lower activity and energy levels
• Lack of motivation – it's a physical sign of depression when everything feels like an effort
Feelings can be physical signs of depression:
• Sadness, misery are "obvious" signs of depression
• Overwhelmed by everyday tasks (eg, cooking dinner)
• Numbness or apathy can be a sign of depression
• Anxiety, tension, irritability
• Helplessness is a sign of depression
• Low confidence and poor self-esteem are often signs of depression
• Disappointment, discouragement, hopelessness
• Feelings of unattractiveness or ugliness can be signs of depression
• Loss of pleasure and enjoyment are signs of depression
Thinking patterns can be physical signs of depression:
• Inability to make decisions
• Lack of concentration or focus can be a sign of depression
• Loss of interest in activities, people, and life
• Self-criticism, self-blame, self-loathing is often a signs of depression
• Pessimism can be a sign of depression
• Preoccupation with problems and failures can be a sign of depressed feelings
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide can be signs of depression
Body signals can be physical signs of depression:
• Fatigue, low energy, exhaustion are often signs of depression
• Poor sleeping patterns – waking early, not sleeping even when exhausted
• Loss of appetite or, occasionally, increased appetite can be a physical sign of depression
• Loss of sexual interest can be a sign of depression
Recognizing the signs of depression involves understanding that the ranges of behaviors above are possible signs of depressed feelings. If you exhibit one or two signs or behaviors in each category, then you may be depressed. If you exhibit just one or two signs of depression (eg, pessimism or loss of interest in intimacy), then you may be dealing with something other than depression, such as physical illness. A doctor can help you figure out if you're dealing with depression.
Child abuse, grief, failure, the loss of a friend, or even the death of a pet can trigger feelings of sadness, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're depressed.
Dealing With Depression is Different for Everyone
If you're depressed because you suffered a miscarriage, you may have different signs of depression than your coworker who perhaps has low levels of dopamine or noradrenaline (brain chemicals). The signs of depression will be different as well.
Some depressed people feel worse in the morning, and better as the day wears on. Others feel it at night, and toss and turn until the early hours of the morning. It depends on your personality, situation at home, and even what medications you're taking or illnesses you have.
Getting Help for Depression
Different causes of depression can cause different signs of depression. They also require different treatments for depression or antidepressants. The first step is to talk to your family doctor or a counselor. Reaching out to people and being as honest as you can is the primary way to get help with depression – so you can start enjoying life again!

On-line shopper

2010-12-06T09:49:00.000-05:00

As an Online shoppers i love finding exactly I what want online, I love to be able to find a comparison to compare and contrast the various online shopping technology and large selection of products that are being offered. It helps to save time and money through Become.com’s comparison shopping site and shop for online discounts and the lowest prices from name brand retailers. From me underwear/boxers, briefs and for the cold season there are the underarmour ColdGear, find the best online deals and the lowest price on Become.com!
As a shoppers this holiday season you can depend on Become.com’s product, from buying guides for men’s clothes as well as tips for the hottest online deals and products for the season. Use the comparison shopping site to find your next purchase and give your loved one a gift for the season; you do not have to spend a fortune to make a purchase at Become.com’s try it out and you will have a season to remember

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excellent: Prepare for "No"

2010-11-13T18:56:00.011-05:00

excellent: Prepare for "No"

Handling job interview rejection.
You've had your job interview; you're checking your emails, the post box and your phone. Then it comes through - "Dear Julius, we regret to inform you ..." - the polite rejection. This is not what you expected; you know you're the right candidate for this job.
Job rejection shock is a hard fact of life. It doesn't matter how good a candidate you are, one or more rejections are inevitable. Even in good times organizations usually have a number of candidates to choose from and in today's job market supply clearly exceeds demand.
What are your options now? What do you do when facing rejection? Take these simple steps and come away from the experience wiser and better equipped to manage your next job application and interview.
Contact the employer immediately
Phone or email and ask politely for constructive feedback. Ask questions like, "Where did I fall short of the requirements?", "Can you give me some advice that will help me with any future applications?" Avoid sounding defensive but rather focus on the future and suggest to the company that they can assist you by providing you with honest feedback. Listen carefully to their answers, thank them for their time and input and make good use of their advice.
Conduct an audit of your job interview keeping their feedback in mind. Ask yourself these questions:
Did I do my homework?
Did you find out sufficient information beforehand about the organization and the job. Did you know all about the job you were interviewing for - the tasks, responsibilities, skills and abilities it involved?. How much detail did you have on the organization? Did you know your strengths, weaknesses, selling points, suitability? Was the position a good fit with your skills and abilities?
Did I make a good first impression?
First impressions are critically important in job interviews as they set the tone for the rest of the interview. Did you arrive on time? Were you appropriately dressed? When you saw how the company employees were dressed did you feel comfortable with what you were wearing? Did you greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and use the correct name?
Did I listen carefully and answer questions appropriately?
Were you clear about what the interviewer was asking you? Did you respond with the relevant information? Did the interviewer have to repeat the question to get the information he or she wanted? Were your responses fluent and well organized or did you stumble over your answers? Did you get the job interview questions you expected or were you taken by surprise?

Did I show my enthusiasm for the position?
Did you use positive words and project a positive message with your body language? Did you display confidence in your ability to do the job or were you nervous and unsure?

Is there a cure for Bad Breath?

2010-11-02T23:32:00.000-04:00

Is there a cure for Bad Breath?
Although there is no permanent cure for most cases, long-term treatment for halitosis can be easy, convenient and effective. Dentists and Hygienists are trained in the effective management of bad breath. We use comprehensive techniques and products, including PerioGuard, Peridex and Closys, to neutralize and remove odor-causing bacteria and VSC's (volatile sulphur compounds) from the teeth and tongue. For those patients whom have the most common condition (tongue dorsum VSC derived chronic Bad breath).

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There are Two Types of Bad Breath:
Transitory bad breath is caused by foods like garlic, onions and generally lasts from 1 to 3 days.
Chronic bad breath which estimates over one billion world-wide suffers from. Because our sense of smell has an incredible ability to adjust to odors, many people with halitosis aren't even aware of their problem breath.
About 10% of the time, chronic bad breath is actually caused by underlying medical conditions like diabetes, sinusitis or emphysema. The pungent, "rotten egg" odor of chronic bad breath usually results when bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue cause the formation of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's). This can be cleaned by over-the-counter mouthwashes which effectively mask these compounds for a few hours, at best
Good news to those garlic breath

Prepare for "No"

2010-10-13T19:07:00.009-04:00

Prepare for "No"
Before you go apply anywhere, you need to prepare yourself for rejection. That's right.

Nobody, and I mean, nobody, gets accepted every single place they apply for a job. As a first time job seeker, you need to mentally prepare for someone to say, "No". There's nothing wrong with a store owner saying to you, "I'm sorry, we don't need anyone right now." However, there is a right and a wrong way to respond to a business owner or manager who says they have no need for you. If you get a "No, I'm sorry" (and everyone will!), respond by saying, "Well, if you do need someone in the future, please give me a call. I'll leave you a copy of my resume. Thanks for your time."

Dealing with Stress

2010-09-26T10:54:00.002-04:00

Dealing with Stress
Every person deals with stress in his own way. Some people cope well with high levels of stress while others find it hard to cope with relatively minor levels. Everybody is under stress of some description. It can be positive or negative depending on the way the individual chooses to view the situation.

Sleep
The most important method in reducing stress is getting a good night’s sleep.

Most people find it hard to get good quality, relaxing sleep. They either find it difficult to fall asleep or they wake very early and cannot go back to sleep. They lay tossing and turning, building greater stress.

Sleep is essential for our body to restore itself after the day’s exertions.

Better quality sleep can enhance your immune system, boost your energy levels, increase your concentration, restore the body and improve your ability to learn.

Dehydration
Pure, simple water has a profound effect on the body. Every cell in the body needs water to survive and thrive.

Dehydration can lead to stiff aching joints, headaches, poor concentration and constipation.

Water is also vital to health in reducing harmful cholesterol and allowing exchange of chemicals through the cell wall.

Nutrition
Nutrition feeds the cells of the body so therefore good nutrition is essential to promote growth and healing, to strengthen the immune system, to fight impurities in the air as well as in food and to fight diseases.

A healthy diet is vital to lowering stress in the body. Too much sugar increases the likelihood of weight gain and can also adversely affect the immune system. Too much saturated fat increases weight and cholesterol.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies put pressure on the body and can themselves cause illnesses.

Protein is essential for healthy muscles.

Relaxation
Relaxation calms and soothes, relieves stress, anxiety and depression, helps prevent worrying, promotes peace and increases ability to cope with life.

Exercise
Exercise promotes feelings of well-being, decreases the risk of some diseases, improves the shape of the body, improves circulation, strengthens and tones muscles and keeps the body supple.

Massage
Massage can help to relax the mind and body thus giving the body a chance to heal itself.

Stress hormones build up throughout the body and need to be excreted or allowed to disperse.

The body is a powerful healer and massage can help by sending positive messages throughout the system. Massage can lower blood pressure, increase physical well -being and heighten a person’s awareness.

To reduce stress it is necessary to look at all aspects of your life not just the obvious problem areas. Stress affects the whole body therefore the whole body needs to be protected. Try to improve each of the outlined areas one step at a time. Every step, no matter how small puts you on the right path to a happier, healthier life.

2010-09-25T20:27:00.001-04:00

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Do you cry? I cry too

2010-09-16T18:09:00.001-04:00

Do you cry? I cry too.

Do you cry? I cry too. And sometimes, I may embarrass you by crying in a public place. (Don’t worry, doesn’t happen that often. Except in church or social gathering)
I cry at movies that aren’t even remotely sad. I cry after listening to a seriously brilliant song for the first time. I cry while reading books I’ve read for the tenth time. I cry when I pray — really praying and not just coming up with words. And if I haven’t cried for a long time, I will purposely watch anything that will make my tear ducts burst. My from-the-gut-sobs are forms of expression and release that I cannot live without. No, I am not being sappy here crying is a lifestyle I have come to adopt.

Tears serve as my sort of truth sifter. There have been times when I suddenly sob over something and I don’t understand why or how the trigger is connected to my life. I just know it’s real. My tears tell my I’ve stumbled upon something that’s true. And that makes me pay attention.

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Have you noticed that crying clears your head? At least it does for me. It is achieved by two actions: crying strips off some of your analytical processes and pulls your thoughts to one central direction. When that happens, you feel like you’ve been transported into a new horizon and your old is gone a new you is born, at the same time. Giving myself wholly to the act of crying provides you a different perspective and yet some sort of objective distance. Or maybe it’s just me. I don’t know how do you feel?
Perhaps what I’m just saying is don’t try to shush me too quickly when my eyes start to brim — you might rob me of an epiphany. As with all things in moderation: crying is healthy.
Grieving with no tears is no grieving; you have to lose in order to gain, next time you see someone crying offer your shoulder for them to lean on
.

What is Salmonella

2010-08-22T15:13:00.000-04:00

What is Salmonella?

A salmonella infection is a foodborne illness caused by the salmonella bacteria carried by some animals, which can be transmitted from kitchen surfaces and can be in water, soil, animal feces, raw meats, and eggs. Salmonella infections typically affect the intestines, causing vomiting, fever, and other symptoms that usually resolve without medical treatment.
Prevention

You have many ways to help prevent salmonella bacteria from making your family sick. Most salmonella bacteria appear in animal products and can be killed by the heat from cooking. So it's important to make sure that you don't serve raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat. Microwaving is not a reliable way to kill the salmonella bacteria.

Because salmonella bacteria can contaminate even intact and disinfected grade A eggs, avoid serving poached eggs or eggs that are served sunny-side up.

Salmonella also can be spread through cross-contamination, so when you're preparing meals, keep uncooked meats away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods. In addition, thoroughly wash your hands, cutting boards, counters, and knives after handling uncooked foods.

Some foods may contain unrecognized raw-food products and should be avoided. Caesar salad dressing, the Italian dessert tiramisu, homemade ice cream, chocolate mousse, eggnog, cookie dough, and frostings can contain raw eggs. Unpasteurized milk and juices also can be contaminated with salmonella.

Fecal matter is often the source of salmonella contamination, so hand washing is extremely important, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food.

Cleanliness is a key to prevention. Hand washing with soap and hot water, especially after handling eggs, poultry, and raw meat is likely to reduce the chance for infections. The use of antibacterial soaps has been recommended by some investigators. By using chlorine-treated drinking water, washed produce, and by not ingesting undercooked foods such as eggs, meat or other food, people can also reduce the chance of exposure to Salmonella. Avoiding direct contact with animal carriers of Salmonella (for example, turtles, snakes, pigs)

Take care to avoid contact with the feces of family pets — especially reptiles. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling an animal and ensure that no reptiles are permitted to come into contact with an infant. Even healthy reptiles (especially turtles and iguanas) are not appropriate pets for small children and should not be in the same house as an infant.