SCENT OF A WOMAN

What People Who Live to 100 Have in Common

2013-01-13T01:39:00.000-08:00

What People Who Live to 100 Have in Common

By Emily Brandon | U.S.News & World Report LP – Mon, 7 Jan, 2013

A growing number of Americans are living to age 100. Nationwide, the centenarian population has grown 65.8 percent over the past three decades, from 32,194 people who were age 100 or older in 1980 to 53,364 centenarians in 2010, according to new Census Bureau data. In contrast, the total population has increased 36.3 percent over the same time period.

Centenarians in the United States are considerably different from the overall population. Here's a look at some of the characteristics of people who live to age 100:
[In Pictures: States Where People Live the Longest.]

Female gender. It is overwhelmingly women who live to age 100. In 2010, 82.8 percent of centenarians were female. For every 100 females age 100 or older, there are only 20.7 males the same age. Females also make up 61.9 percent of those in their 80s and 72.2 percent of people in their 90s. "We know that women are more social than men. Other studies have found that staying socially connected predicts greater life expectancy," says Gary Small, a professor on aging and director of the UCLA Longevity Center in Los Angeles, who is not affiliated with the Census Bureau report. "If you are social, it may reduce stress levels because you can talk about your feelings and things that stress you out and it seems to help many people. If you need a ride to the doctor or you fall, they can take you to the hospital or help you find the best doctor."

Less diversity. Centenarians are considerably less diverse than the overall U.S. population. In 2010, some 82.5 percent of centenarians were white, versus 72.4 percent of the total population. Black or African Americans were unique in that their proportion of the centenarian population (12.2 percent) is about the same as their percentage of the total population (12.6 percent). Asians made up 2.5 percent of the centenarian population, while they make up 4.8 percent of the total population. And Hispanics represent 5.8 percent of centenarians, but 16.3 percent of the population.

Living with others. Just over a third of both female and male centenarians lived alone in their own home in 2010, but the majority of the oldest citizens live with others. "As people get older, things in life happen--like you might become a widow or you might have a disability, and because of those circumstances, living arrangements often change," says Amy Symens Smith, chief of the age and special populations branch at the Census Bureau. Centenarian females (35.2 percent) were more likely to live in a nursing home than males the same age (18.2 percent). Centenarian males are the most likely to be living with others in a household (43.5 percent), compared to just 28.5 percent of centenarian females.

[Read: How to Finance Life Until 100.]

City living. A large majority of the oldest U.S. citizens live in urban areas. "As age increases, the percentage living in urban areas also increases," says Smith. Some 85.7 percent of centenarians lived in urban areas in 2010, compared with 84.2 percent of those in their 90s, 81.5 percent of those in their 80s, and 76.6 percent of those in their 70s. "Living in the city, you have a lot more mental stimulation and the symphony and better doctors and hospitals and more social networking," says Small. "There are more resources, and there is better transportation."

Located in the Northeast or Midwest. States with the largest populations generally have the most centenarians. California has the largest number of centenarians (5,921), followed by New York (4,605), Florida (4,090), and Texas (2,917). Alaska has the fewest residents age 100 and older (40). Wyoming (72), Vermont (133), and Delaware (146) are also among the states with the fewest centenarians.
The Northeast and Midwest have proportions of centenarians that are higher than the national average of 1.73 per 10,000 people, while the West and South have below-average proportions of centenarians. "There's a lot of stuff going on in local areas, including access to medical care, diet, exercise, the culture, risk-taking, and more smoking," says Linda Waite, a sociology professor and director of the Center on Aging at the University of Chicago. "People in the Northeast tend to be more highly educated, and education is associated with a longer life expectancy." North Dakota is the only state with more than 3 centenarians for every 10,000 people in the state. Other states where centenarians make up a relatively large portion of the population include South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Three western states have less than one centenarian for every 10,000 people: Alaska, Utah, and Nevada.

[Read: How to Live to 100.]

The proportion of centenarians in the United States is smaller than that of many other developed countries. For example, for every 10,000 people, there are 1.92 centenarians in Sweden, 1.95 in the United Kingdom, and 2.70 in France. And Japan has 3.43 centenarians per 10,000 people, beating even our longest-lived state, North Dakota.

http://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/2013/01/07/what-people-who-live-to-100-have-in-common

7 shocking things that shorten your life span

2012-12-18T01:33:00.000-08:00

7 shocking things that shorten your life span

RealBuzz – Mon, 17 Dec, 2012

No sense of humor

You know how people always say “laughter is the best medicine?” Turns out they’re telling the truth. A study carried out by Sven Svebak at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, which covered 54,000 subjects, found that people with a high capacity for humor were 35 per cent more likely to be live longer than people who ranked at the bottom of the humor scale. If you are planning to go through life keeping laughter to a minimum, you’ll be missing out on health benefits such as stress reduction, immune system improvement, and increased blood flow, which could reduce your life expectancy when compared to your chuckling peers.

Flying

It’s been proven that taking regular holidays is a stress busting health booster, but it seems the way we travel to those holidays isn’t quite as healthy. In fact, flying can be downright bad for you. It’s already been proven by the Association of Flight Attendants that people who have careers in the aviation industry are more at risk of dying from cancer, and now it’s become apparent why. According to physicist Robert Parish, when you reach the average cruising altitude of 39,000 feet in a plane you are subject to 64 times more radiation than at sea level due to cosmic rays, which over time can seriously affect your wellbeing.

Nasty co-workers

You know that person who you can’t stand at work? As if things weren’t bad enough already, they’re actually shortening your lifespan. Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that a person’s colleagues have a significant bearing on their wellbeing, with friendly and supportive co-workers leading to lowered stress levels and a reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol. People at work who cause arguments and don’t share the workload equally have the opposite effect, causing stress and subsequently a higher risk of dying amongst their colleagues. These negative effects were most obvious in subjects between the ages of 38 and 43, so if you fall into that bracket it might be time to bury the hatchet with your work enemies.

Retiring

Retiring is often the light at the end of the tunnel for stressed workers, especially for those who have saved all of their life so that they can do it earlier. Sadly, that lifetime of financial sacrifice is leading to a shorter lifespan according to research carried out by Shell Health Services. The study discovered that people who retire at 55 on average died younger than those who waited until they were 65. John Rother, chief lobbyist of the American Association of Retired Persons, explained it rather bluntly by saying “you use it or you lose it” – by retiring early, your body misses out on its daily dose of activity and you gradually become more unhealthy.

Not drinking alcohol

We’re always told to cut back on how much alcohol we drink, and rightly so – excessive alcohol consumption can severely damage your health. However, go to the opposite end of the drinking spectrum and you could be in even more trouble than heavy drinkers. A study at the University of Texas found that non-drinkers have a lower life expectancy than people who drink a moderate amount, and in some cases even lower than heavy drinkers. This is partly due to missing out on the health benefits associated with alcohol. Alcohol (in sensible amounts) helps to protect against heart disease, and decreases the likelihood of Alzheimer’s and dementia through improved neuron function in the brain.

Sleeping too much

Getting enough sleep is important when it comes to good health, so surely the more shut-eye you get the better, right? Wrong. Consistently going too far over the recommended eight hours can negatively affect your health according to a study conducted by RealAge.com. The findings showed that participants who slept for more than nine and a half hours a night suffered from a staggering 60 per cent increase in heart disease, and a higher mortality rate when compared to people who stick to the recommended amount. As well as heart disease, over-sleeping has also been linked with a whole host of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, headaches and depression.

Not having sex

Sex is good for you. Is anyone still here? For those of you who haven’t frantically run off to tell a significant other the good news, we’ll explain why. The British Medical Journal conducted a sex survey and found that men who didn’t have sex at least once a month experienced twice the mortality rate of those who were getting lucky once a week. It’s not hard to see why this is the case – having sex burns kilojoules, lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, and much, much more. A study at Duke University also backed this up, finding that women who had enjoyable sex lives lived eight years longer than those who didn’t.

Read more on realbuzz.com...
10 ways to live to 100
Rewind your body age

men and women also have their own set of dietary requirements as well as their own unique health concerns

2012-12-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

Top 10 foods all women should eat

10 of the best: Tomatoes, butternut squash and salmon are just some of the foods women should have in their diet

While there are some foods we should all be eating more of, men and women also have their own set of dietary requirements as well as their own unique health concerns.

Here are the top 10 foods that women should be eating....

Tomato are one food that women should eat

Female-friendly food 1: Tomatoes

Another vibrant carotenoid beneficial for women's health is lycopene, a pigment found in tomatoes. Studies have suggested that lycopene may be effective in preventing breast cancer. Furthermore, there has been considerable evidence to suggest that the powerful antioxidant can help reduce risk of heart disease — the leading cause of death in women in the US, Australia, England and Wales.

[Related: Winter warmer recipes that won't have you piling on the pounds]

Female-friendly food 2: Butternut squash

Butternut squash — like many other yellow/orange fruit and vegetables — is packed with carotenoids such as alpha-carotene and beta-carotene and thefore ranks highly in the list of foods that women should eat. While carotenes should be included in everybody's diet for optimum health, they may prove essential to women's health as a high-carotenoid diet has been linked to lowered risks of both breast and ovarian cancer.

Female-friendly food 3: Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids and have been linked to reduced risk of breast cancer and heart disease. The seeds' anti-inflammatory properties are also good for preventing arthritis, while their digestive benefits can help irritable bowel syndrome; two painful conditions which are more prevalent in women than men.

Female-friendly food 4: Salmon

Salmon has a multitude of positive health benefits for women. Not only is it rich in iron — which is integral to the diets of premenopausal women — but it is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, known for their mood-enhancing effects. Studies have suggested that omega-3 can help beat depression (something that affects twice as many women as men) and prevent mood swings, while salmon can also boost babies' intelligence when eaten during pregnancy.

Female-friendly food 5: Cranberries

Various studies have suggested strong links between consuming cranberries and reduced risks of breast cancer and heart disease. However, the most notorious benefit of cranberries is their ability to prevent and cure urinary tract infections such as cystitis, which is eight times more likely to occur in women than men. One study suggests that drinking two glasses of cranberry juice a day can prevent the symptoms of common UTIs in women, making cranberries a food that women should consume.

[Related: Top 10 winter soup recipes]

Female-friendly food 6: Spinach

Spinach is rich in many different vitamins and minerals, but one thing that makes it great for women is its high content of magnesium. Research has shown that magnesium may be beneficial in reducing many of the physical symptoms of PMS which plague women, including reduction of swelling, breast tenderness, bloating and weight gain.

Female-friendly food 7: Figs

Figs are a great health food, containing many vital minerals and vitamins as well as contributing to your daily portions of fruit and veg. Two minerals found in figs that are particularly beneficial to women's health are iron, which is often deficient in menstruating women, and calcium, which is important for post-menopausal women, who are more prone to osteoporosis.

Female-friendly food 8: Milk

Milk is a great source of calcium, which is extremely beneficial to women's health, particularly when combined with vitamin D (found in some varieties of milk and many fortified milk products). Consumption of the combined nutrients is not only good for warding off osteoporosis, but a study has suggested that a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D could ease, or even prevent, symptoms of PMS.

Female-friendly food 9: Oats

Oats are literally packed with health-boosting nutrients, many of which have great impacts on female health. Oats are not only great for heart health, digestion and blood pressure levels (with hypertension affecting many women over 50), but they contain vitamin B6, which can help prevent PMS and mood swings, and folic acid, which is important for women to consume before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects in babies.

Female-friendly food 10: Walnuts

While all nuts are great for our health, walnuts have many great individual benefits for women. A study has recently found that walnuts, which are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols, may help to reduce women's risk of developing breast cancer, while their high omega-3 content may also help bone health, arthritis pain and depression. Walnuts also contain many nutrients essential for female health, such as calcium, magnesium and folic acid.

from RealBuzz – Mon, 3 Dec, 2012
Read more on realbuzz.com...

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/10-foods-women-eat-081017033.html

2012-12-06T03:18:00.000-08:00

The Major Health Risk You Take Every Day

By The Editors at Sharecare | Healthy Living – Mon, 3 Dec, 2012 3:39 PM EST

Sitting all day may be the worst thing you can do for your health. These tricks will get you moving.
By Rachael Anderson
Most people think smoking is the worst thing they can possibly do for their health. But in reality, perhaps the worst thing of all is something most of us do every day: sit. We sit when we drive, work, eat, use the computer, watch TV and read. In fact, before you read any further, you should probably stand up. It turns out that the more time you stay planted on your rear, the less time you're destined to live on this planet.
Take a break from sitting
Here's what we know:
Eye-opening research shows that keeping your butt in a chair (or on the couch) for hours at a time can lead to cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature death. One study by the American Cancer Society found that women who sat six hours a day were 37 percent more likely to die by the end of the 13-year study period; men who sat were 18 percent more likely to die. Another study tied 49,000 U.S. cases of breast cancer and 43,000 of colon cancer to prolonged sitting.
Sitting isn't dangerous just because it means you're not exercising. It's dangerous all by itself.
Prolonged time spent on your bum has significant metabolic consequences. It negatively affects your blood sugar, triglycerides, good cholesterol, resting blood pressure and levels of the "appetite hormone" leptin, all of which are biomarkers of obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Sitting also sabotages the lymph system, which helps the body fend off infections. Lymph vessels, which drain waste materials created by an infection, don't have a pump like the heart; they're controlled by rhythmic contractions of the muscles in your legs. So when you sit, the lymph system can't do its job.
If you sit all day but make sure to get to the gym or go for a walk after work, isn't that enough?
Unfortunately, no.
"Bursts of exercise is not the answer; two hours of exercise per day will not compensate for 22 hours of sitting," says cancer specialist and author David Agus, MD. In fact, sitting for five or six hours a day, even if you spend an hour a day at the gym, is the equivalent of smoking an entire pack of cigarettes.

How to sit less during the day
Moving more is tough, especially since most people's jobs revolve around sitting. But breaking up endless time on your bum, even for a few minutes, can make a huge difference. Key enzymes move, blood flows, mind and muscles flex. Here is what you can do to sit less:

Get up and move at least every 30 minutes. Get water or coffee. Pace up and down the hall or just stand when you're on a phone call. Even fidgeting helps.
Go ahead, watch your favorite TV shows-but don't just sit there. Cook, fold laundry, empty the dishwasher or ride a stationary bike.
If you have to spend all day at your computer, consider investing in a treadmill desk like Michael Roizen, MD. That way you can keep moving even while you work.
Make sure you exercise. Even though working out won't completely rid you of the negative effects of sitting, a study found that active people who sat for long periods lived longer than inactive people who sat for long periods.

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/healthy-living/major-health-risk-every-day-203900418.html

How to Clean Up Your Online Reputation

2012-11-16T01:50:00.000-08:00

By Becky Worley | Upgrade Your Life – Wed, 14 Nov, 2012

The Internet knows a lot about you, maybe too much. So how do you clean up your online reputation and get control of your image to reflect who you are now — or how you want a prospective employer to perceive you?

A study from Microsoft Research indicates that 70% of online recruiters have nixed candidates because of search results that come up around their names. So your identity online is vital. We'll start with the tried and true ways to clean your rep and then move on to my sneakier methods.

Hide and Delete
First the basics: Delete questionable posts on all social networks — Twitter, old-school Myspace entries, and of course Facebook. And about Facebook — get your privacy settings locked down. To access the settings, click the drop down arrow in the top-right corner of your main Facebook page, then click Privacy Settings. At minimum, make sure your posts are only shared with friends. Then scroll down through all the settings and make sure what you watch, read, and listen to aren't publically searchable. If you've been tagged in anyone else's dicey pictures — untag, untag, untag. Click the picture, choose options and click "I want to untag myself."

Bury the Bad Stuff
That's all the stuff you can control, but what if there's info sprayed across the Internet that you can't remove, maybe you were busted for graffiti back in high school and it made the town paper? Or worse, what if someone went on a rant about you and it shows up when your name is entered into a search? There are certainly advocates who say you should write letters asking individuals or organizations to remove those postings, but in real life it's pretty useless. Instead, take solace from the fact that 97% of searchers never look beyond the first 3 pages of search results. If you can push the negative results down by posting positive or neutral information that's more current or has more appeal to search engines, you'll win the battle 97% of the time.

[Related: How (and Why) to Turn Off Socialcam]

Claim your Name
To create material that search engines will find, the first step is putting your name out there on high-traffic sites:

Google: Google ranks its own sites higher than others, so create a Google Plus account, use the Google Dashboard to manage your profile, and create a Youtube channel all using your real name.
LinkedIn: Create a LinkedIn profile, this is one of the most powerful tools you have in establishing your work reputation. LinkedIn is the de facto resume and job networking site for professionals these days.
Yourrealname.com: This is the big one: buy the domain name for your real name. Then start a blog using one of the simple blog tools like WordPress or Blogger. You can either host your blog at that URL or build an independent site. I own beckyworley.com, and I have a site that reflects my current work, links to my social media pages, and houses my resume. I used Squarespace to build the site and it took me about a day to get it looking the way I wanted it to.

The Sneaky Stuff
Tweak your name. Any chance you can apply for a job using a slightly different form of your name? If you are Bob Smith with a slightly murky online reputation, applying for jobs as Robert Smith and representing yourself online as Robert going forward could help you distance yourself from that rascal "Bob."
Flood social sites. Go over to namechk.com, type in your real name (or your new professional name) and sign up for every social site you can, all those sites will boost the appearance of your name in search sites.
Use images to your advantage. Start a Flickr photo sharing site and write your name on all the (appropriate) pictures you post. Do the same with Instagram, Tumblr and photobucket.
Don't forget about the real world. Everything you do these days is archived online — volunteering for charities, PTA boards, 5K runs, seminars you attend. If your college or high school has class notes, submit info. Write a well thought out letter to the editor, do an online genealogy for your family, attend county meetings where the names of attendants are published online. All these well-established sites get lots of search engine love.
Link Link Link. Once any of the above listings of your name appear online, link to them from your blog or website. It's the interlinking that gives you real search engine power.
You can of course hire a reputation service to do all of this for you, but if you have the time and want to save a few thousand dollars, these techniques can really help.
If you have successful tips about how you've sculpted your online reputation, head over to our Facebook page and share your ideas.

[Related: Are You Being Monitored at Work?

http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/blogs/upgrade-your-life/clean-online-reputation-135856619.html

How Much Does Adoption Really Cost?

2012-11-16T00:50:00.000-08:00

Looking to adopt?

The number one answer back to me was, "How much does it really cost to adopt?" So I'm going to tell you; from popular international programs to domestic. These aren't exact figures, because every agency/attorney/situation is different, but they are close enough to give you a good idea.

Keep in mind these numbers are before tax credits, employer benefits, or grants. You may have a small heart attack while looking at these, but thousands of regular people (like us) adopt every year. It can be done. There are many programs out there that help with costs.

While it seems like a small fortune, these costs keep things legal, legit, and according to Holt International, include but are not limited to: "costs for personnel, administrative overhead, training, education, legal services and communications, working with government and agency authorities, legal fees, and passport and U.S. visa fees in the child's country. The fees also cover costs related to the care of your child prior to adoption, including - but not limited to - costs for food, clothing, shelter, medical care, foster care, orphanage care, and any other services provided directly to your child. It also includes any mandatory donations required by child welfare authorities. This fee may also cover child welfare projects in your child's country of origin."

Each country varies in fees, but this should give you a good idea. Whether you're preparing to adopt or just curious about how the process works, here are some facts to get you started:

Photo by: The Adoption Guide
India $20,000-$35,000
It takes 2-3 years to bring a child home. Couples must be married for at least 5 years.

Related: 12 questions to ask before adopting a child

Photo by: Holt International
China $20,000-$40,000

China has a very long wait time of around 4-6 years, with strict income guidelines and a law of one parent being 35 or older.

Photo by: The Adoption Guide
Bulgaria $25,000-$35,000

Most children are over the age of 5.
Married couples and singles can adopt.

Related: 10 tips on choosing an international adoption agency

Photo by: The Adoption Guide
U.S. Foster Adoption Up to $5,000

The costs depend on who you work with for the adoption (agency, social services, attorney). In 2009, the average wait of a child from foster care to adoption was 30 months.

Photo by: The Adoption Guide
U.S. Domestic Infant Adoption $25,000-$40,000 or more

Usually a short wait time, but costs vary depending on agency or private attorney.

Related: 5 questions you should NEVER ask a woman

Photo by: The Adoption Guide
Russia $40,000-$60,000
Parents must make 2-3 trips over.

Russian government focuses on the mental and physical health of prospective parents

Photo by: The Adoption Guide
Haiti $15,000-$30,000

Mostly older children, one parent must be 35 or older to adopt.

Photo by: The Adoption Guide
Poland $25,000-$35,000

Parents must take two trips. First trip approximately two weeks, second trip one week.

Related: 20 things ALL women do but hate to admit
A few weeks ago I asked on Facebook what questions my friends and followers had about adoption.

- By Diana Stone

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/much-does-adoption-really-cost-205600886.html

Is the Carrie Bradshaw Effect over? Female TV characters start taking responsibility for themselves

2012-11-09T11:56:00.000-08:00

By Anne T. Donahue | omg! TV – Tue, 6 Nov, 2012

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City." (HBO)

The past year has seen a new type of female character emerge. Unlike the Carrie Bradshaw effect of the late '90s and early 2000s, TV's fictional women are no longer glamorizing dysfunctional relationships or using retail therapy to numb emotional pain. True, characters like Mindy Lahiri ("The Mindy Project"), Ann Perkins ("Parks and Recreation"), and Jess Day ("New Girl") make their share of mistakes and poor decisions, but they don't shy away from their behaviour.

Unlike Carrie, these female characters take responsibility for their actions and handle distressing situations like adults. In this decade, the women on television control their own lives.

While "Sex and the City's" Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) made waves in the '90s for embracing an active sex life -- a trait Mindy, Ann, and Jess all share -- her irresponsible spending, penchant for labels, and relationship with Mr. Big (a man who mistreated her for years, yet whom she ended up marrying), made her the victim of her own actions. Yes, at some point, some people overspend, and some people find themselves with a partner who doesn't respect them, but unlike today's fictional women, Carrie was defined by those situations. By the second "Sex and the City" movie, Carrie kissed another man, and in response to the news, Mr. Big buys her a diamond ring to solve the problem.

Rashida Jones as Ann Perkins on "Parks and Recreation." (NBC)

On "Parks and Recreation," however, Ann (Rashida Jones) doesn't have this luxury. In the fourth episode of the current season, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) confronts Ann after noticing she adopts the personality and hobbies of any man she has a relationship with. Instead of a snide remark said at brunch (à la "Sex and the City"), the two friends actually discuss the problem, prompting Ann to re-evaluate her approach to boyfriends, and how important it is to be yourself.

Zooey Deschanel as Jess on "New Girl," and Mindy Kaling as Mindy on "The Mindy Project." (Fox)

The same can be said for "The Mindy Project's" Mindy (Mindy Kaling) and "New Girl's" Jess (Zooey Deschanel). Mindy's decision to keep up a one-sided relationship with her coworker is immediately called out by her best friend, so she instead begins pursuing men who treat her better. Meanwhile, Jess' go-to pal may be her roommate, Nick (Jake Johnson), but the two have countless confrontations about relationship choices and self-destructive behaviour. Case in point: now that Jess is unemployed, her friends have been consistently supporting her job search and keeping her motivated when she begins to feel down.

AnnaSophia Robb as a young Carrie Bradshaw on "The Carrie Diaries." (The CW)

However, this shift might not be permanent. With the premiere of "The Carrie Diaries" -- a "Sex and the City" prequel -- set for early 2013 on The CW, another generation of girls will be subjected to the franchise's "labels and love" ethos. Yes, some women like designers and others prioritize dating, but to define women by those things is limiting and dangerous, especially to young women. Shows like "Parks and Recreation," "The Mindy Project," and "New Girl" portray women as interesting and three-dimensional -- as actual human beings. They have real relationships with their friends, where bad behaviour is called out, and successes are celebrated. And while they aren't perfect, these women strive to fix their problems as opposed to shopping them away.

"The Carrie Diaries" may work to portray their characters as more than just PG-13 rated versions of their adult selves, but it might also perpetuate those dangerous traits that audiences are only now starting to tire of.

http://ca.omg.yahoo.com/blogs/omg-tv/carrie-bradshaw-effect-over-female-tv-characters-start-193247543.html

Why you wake up in a bad mood (sometimes)

2012-09-17T14:02:00.002-07:00

Bad mood trigger 1: Food intolerance

Food intolerances are responsible for a wide range of physical conditions including nausea and abdominal pain, but they can also affect your mood, causing irritability, mood swings, lack of focus, aggression, nervousness or hyperactivity. If you suffer from regular mood swings, try keeping a food diary – noting what you eat as well as any changes in mood – to see if you can identify a link.

Home decor can affect your mood

Bad mood trigger 2: Your home decor

If you want to give your mood a boost, try changing your home decor as your surroundings can heavily influence your mood. While red can make some people feel irritable or hostile, yellow communicates happiness and blue aids relaxation, so try accessorising your home with colours that enhance your mood. Research has also suggested that hanging up soothing pictures — such as beautiful landscape paintings —can positively affect a person’s mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

Bad mood trigger 3: Getting promoted

While many of us dream of getting a promotion in work, the reality may not be as rosy as you think. A study by researchers at the University of Warwick has found that rather than improving quality of life for workers, following a job promotion employees suffered from increased mental strain and there was on average a 10 per cent decrease in people’s mental health.

Bad mood trigger 4: Your bedside lamp

If you regularly fall asleep reading or watching TV, this can have repercussions on your mood the next day. Research has shown that night time light can suppress the production of melatonin; a mood-regulating hormone which is only produced during darkness. So, try investing in some heavy curtains and make sure you turn off all lights at night to give yourself a happiness boost.

Bad mood trigger 5: Nutrient deficiencies

While depression can be caused by a number of things, symptoms can be worsened or improved by your diet. Deficiencies in vitamin D, the B vitamins (particularly B6, B12 and folate) and omega-3 fatty acids can all lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Try introducing more foods rich in these nutrients into your diet to see if symptoms improve.

Bad mood trigger 6: Your friends

You might think that spending time with your friends is a great mood booster; however, that could all depend on their mood. Research has found that emotions – both positive and negative – are contagious and easily passed from person to person, often without you being aware of it. Furthermore, you don’t even need to see your friends to catch their mood, as a study suggests that the emotions of Facebook users directly affect the emotions of their friends for up to three days.

Bad mood trigger 7: Late nights

Many of us are aware that lack of sleep can contribute to a low mood; however, research suggests that when you go to sleep could be almost as important as how much sleep you get. According to a study published in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, night owls are almost three times as likely as early birds to experience severe symptoms of depression, so try getting some early nights to boost your mood.

Being a night owl can increase your risk of depression

Bad mood trigger 8: The pill

A study by researchers from Monash University has found that women who take birth control pills are twice as likely to be depressed as those who don’t. For some, certain birth control pills can also lead to mood swings, increased anger and loss of libido. If you think that your mood has changed for the worse since you began taking the pill, visit your GP to discuss the alternatives.

Bad mood trigger 9: Smoking

We all know that smoking causes cancer, heart disease and premature ageing, but it is less well known that cigarettes can also affect your mental health. According to the results of a large study conducted by New Zealand researchers, people who smoke cigarettes may increase their risk of developing depression, and those who are addicted to nicotine may be more than twice as likely to have depressive symptoms than those who are not.

Bad mood trigger 10: Sunlight

Most of us have heard of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) caused by dark winter days, but did you know that sunlight can also bring on the blues? While summer SAD is thought to affect less than one per cent of the population (compared to the five per cent affected by the winter version) it can be a serious condition for those it affects, bringing on insomnia, decreased appetite and depression. Read more on realbuzz.com...

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/why-you-wake-up-in-a-bad-mood--sometimes-.html

The best juices for your health problems

2012-09-04T09:43:00.001-07:00

The Best Juice for All Your Health Woes

By SHAPE magazine | Healthy Living – Mon, 27 Aug, 2012 9:41 AM EDT

by Faye Masterson for SHAPE.com

Bad skin? Always tired? No matter what your health problems, we have the juice recipe for you!

The best juice for healthy skin: cucumber
"Fruit and vegetable juices, prepared in the right combinations, can help you to remove crud from your blood and tissues and restore alkalinity and balance to your system," says Noelle Swatland of GreenLemonade.com. "You see the benefits of this crud removal in younger looking skin and greater energy."

Swatland's favorite skin booster? Cucumber. "Consisting of over 90-percent water, cucumbers are a naturally cooling and hydrating food," she says. Plus, they're rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and silica, which is believed to improve complexion and youthful radiance of your skin .
Ingredients:
1-2 Cucumbers
For a touch of sweetness, add a small piece of apple.

RELATED: 6 Protein-Packed Vegan Meals

2. The best juice for anti-aging: blueberries, strawberries, and kale
When stress, free-radicals, and lack of exercise and sleep attempt to age your skin, Patty James, certified natural chef and author of More Vegetables Please!, recommends fighting off Mother Nature with antioxidant -packed fruits and veggies that can easily be juiced.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups liquid of your choice (water or any kind of milk)
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1 large leaf kale (thick stem removed)
1/2 medium beet

3. The best juice to boost your sex drive: celery
While oysters and chocolate are a delicious way to get you and your partner in the mood, they're not so appealing juiced. Thankfully, James' top libido-boosting foods are also delicious in liquid form. "Celery contains an ingredient that increases those well-known pheromones in men that send out signals to women saying 'here I am'," James says. "Watermelon helps to relax the blood vessels that increase sex drive, and avocados contain a B vitamin said to boost male hormone production."

Ingredients:
2 cups coconut water
2 stalks celery
1/2 banana
Ginger (a small piece)
1/2 Avocado
Basil (a handful)
3 figs

4. The best juice to boost your immune system: Broccoli
Sip on this to stay well all year! "Broccoli is very high in vitamin C , which increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells," Judita Wignall, author of Going Raw says. "Garlic contains sulfur-containing compounds that have powerful immune-boosting antimicrobial properties."

Ingredients:
1 small beet
3 carrots
8 stalks celery
1 stalk broccoli
2 cloves garlic

RELATED: 8 Skinny Summer Cocktails

5. The best juice for stress relief: carrots
When Eat Naked author Margaret Floyd needs to wind down after a long day, she turns to spinach . "Spinach is high in the amino acid tryptophan, which helps elevate your mood and promotes better sleep," Floyd says. "It's also high in magnesium, which helps to relax nerves and muscles."

Ingredients:
2 big handfuls Spinach
3-4 stalks Broccoli
3-4 stalks Celery
1 large or 2 small carrots

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/healthy-living/best-juice-health-woes-134100046.html

Your Toothbrush—The Grossest Thing in the Bathroom

2012-07-18T13:28:00.003-07:00

By Sarah B. Weir, Yahoo! blogger | Healthy Living – Mon, Jul 16, 2012

"If you have your toothbrush too close to the toilet," microbiologist Charles Gerba, PhD, tells WebMD, "you are brushing your teeth withwhat's in your toilet." He explains that when you flush with the lid open, contaminated water vapor settles on surfaces in your bathroom. And that's not the only way germs pollute your toothbrush.

Health Tip: Don't Spread Germs at Work

Brushing your teeth removes bacteria, food debris, and blood and saliva that might be infected with a virus. If you don't rinse the bristles properly, you will be putting these contaminants right back into your mouth the next time you brush. Many families store their toothbrushes jammed together in a cup or holder, which can also cause cross contamination.

The average toothbrush harbors 10 million microbes, including germs like influenza viruses, herpes simplex I, streptococcus, staphylococcus, as well as bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities. Because of the sheer variety of germs, they can harbor more pathogens than the average toilet seat. Some of these microscopic creepy crawlies can survive for days. "Your toothbrush is the perfect breeding ground for these bugs," Dr. R. Tom Glass, professor emeritus of oral pathology at the University of Oklahoma tells USA Today. "There is food and water, and the brush itself provides the portal of entry into your body." Basically, he says, "Your toothbrush is an enriched Petri dish on a stick."

It's important to brush your teeth twice a day to prevent decay. These tips will help keep your toothbrush-and mouth-free of harmful bacteria.

Don't share toothbrushes and store different family members' toothbrushes at least an inch apart.
Rinse thoroughly after using.
Allow toothbrush to air dry after each use, preferably in an upright position. This will keep bacteria from breeding. Don't store in a small, moist, closed container.
Replace your toothbrush after having a cold or the flu.
If you have a compromised immune system, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwashbefore you clean your teeth. This can reduce the germs passed to your toothbrush.
Get a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or more frequently if you notice the bristles breaking down. While this won't reduce bacteria, it will ensure the best cleaning power.

What about sanitizers? The American Dental Association (ADA) says there is no evidence to show that commercial sanitizers completely sterilize toothbrushes although soaking in an antibacterial mouthwash can reduce the prevalence of microorganisms. They also recommend against trying to disinfect your toothbrush by putting it in the dishwasher or microwave which can damage the plastic.

<http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/grossest-thing-bathroom-toothbrush-194000217.html?_sr=1>

Child Bride Has Marriage Annulled -- Laxmi Sargara is Our Hero of the Day

2012-05-01T02:06:00.001-07:00

At an age when most kids are learning to walk, Laxmi Sargara was already married. Her husband, Rakesh, was just three-years-old when family sealed the deal on their fate. She was one.

Now seventeen years later the couple have set a history-making precedent by having their marriage annulled. But the real hero of this story is Laxmi, now 18, who took remarkably brave steps to reverse the archaic tradition and opened the door for more child brides to follow.

Though technically illegal in India, poor families living in rural areas often rely on these types of partnerships, using kids as pawns in order to provide more financial stability to those who can't afford to feed their children long-term. The fall-out is hardest felt for child brides, plucked from their parents' homes in their teens and forced to live with the husband they wed as a toddler and his family. The girls are expected to play the role of obedient wife and daughter-in-law, and in some instances, are beaten into submission by members of their new family.

Just days ago, Laxmi's was informed of her own marriage obligations, promised almost two decades before by her Rajasthani elders, and given a move-in deadline of April 24 from her in-laws.

"I was unhappy about the marriage. I told my parents who did not agree with me, then I sought help," Sargara told AFP.

She reached to a social worker in Jodhpur who advocates for children's rights through an organization called the Sarathi Trust. The social worker contacted the groom, who was prepared to go through with family arrangement. After some persuading, he finally changed his mind and agreed to an annulment, influenced by the fact that he'd be marrying a woman risking everything to live without him.

"It is the first example we know of a couple wed in childhood wanting the marriage to be annulled, and we hope that others take inspiration from it," Kriti Bharti, the social worker who orchestrated the annulment, told AFP.

A joint legal document signed by both Rakesh and Laxmi made it official and provided a road map for other young brides to do the same.

"Now I am mentally relaxed and my family members are also with me," said Laxmi, who beamed as she held up the document for photographers. She plans to continue her education in hopes of landing a job so she can maintain her independence. But Laxmi's newfound freedom comes with risk.

In India, where an estimated 50 percent of girls are married before they're 18, opponents of arranged child marriages can face serious threats, including gang rape, beatings and maiming. On the same day as Laxmi's annulment became official, protesters trying to stop a mass child wedding in Rajasthan were attacked and injured by villagers. When a 13-year-old refused to wed her arranged husband in 2009, her parents withheld her food for two weeks. Amazingly, the young girl prevailed and gained international attention and support for her stance. This week Laxmi moved the needle even further; hers is the first legally-binding child marriage annulment in India's history.

Child marriages are a worldwide phenomenon, particularly in rural areas with high poverty rates and closely-guarded ancient traditions. In parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, The Middle East and even the U.S. underage children are forced into marriages at the behest of their families. In recent years, American officials have cracked down on fundamentalist polygamist sects in Utah and Texasknown to pair adult grooms with child brides. Other countries provide less legal clout needed to protect young girls. In Yemen where, there is no punishment for families who marry off an underage daughter, about half the country's brides are under 15. In Saudi Arabia, there is no minimum age for marriage at all. An 8-year old girl found this out in 2009, when the Saudi courts denied her annulment request. At the time, her husband was 58.

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/child-bride-has-marriage-annulled----laxmi-sargara-is-our-hero-of-the-day.html

Warning: "Comfortable " Spring Shoes Can Be Bad for Your Feet

2012-04-25T13:05:00.003-07:00

By The Editors at RealAge | Healthy Living – Sat, 21 Apr, 2012

By Deborah Wilburn

Those fancy flip-flops might be hurting your feet.

Spring is here, and so are chic ballet flats, flip-flops, and sky-high platform sandals. They're comfortable shoes, and trendy, too, but are they good for your feet?
Not so much, says Dawn Olsen Figlo, MD, a certified foot surgeon in New York City. Even though many women think flats are a foot-friendly alternative, "ballet slippers are the worst shoe anyone can wear," she says. "There's no support whatsoever and the ankle can turn in too much or turn out."

Easy fix for foot pain

Does that rule out flip-flops, too? "It's not great to be in a super-flat shoe," says Figlo. "It overstretches the plantar fascia -- the tissue that covers the bottom of the foot -- and can cause plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of that tissue." In terms of flip-flops, "the cheap ones with a flimsy strap and no support throw your body off [balance]," she says. Your toes need to grip the shoe in order to keep it on, which strains your foot.
Her recommendation for footwear that won't hurt your feet? Anything with a heel no higher than 2 inches. "If you must wear heels, alternate them each day with a lower shoe with a little arch that provides support," says Figlo.

Destress with a soothing foot massage
Trendy shoes that Figlo does like? Platforms. "You do lose some stability, but as far as the foot biomechanics go, they're not so bad because the front of the foot is lifted as well."
Shoes on her forever thumbs-down list? "Pointy-toed shoes are horrible," Figlo declares. Whether they're high-heeled or low, pointy-toed shoes cause toes to curl in, which leads to painful (and unattractive) bunions and hammertoes.

Find the best walking shoe
One final footwear tip: Spray your shoes daily with antifungal spray. "There's a high incidence of athlete's foot infections in the summer since you're sweating in your shoes and not wearing socks," Figlo says. "Fungus thrives in dark, moist environments. " And for the pedicure-obsessed: "Don't fool with the cuticle. It's the seal that protects the toes from fungus and bacteria. If you break that seal you expose your feet to toe nail fungus and other problems."

The Most Overlooked Foods for Weight Loss

2012-04-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/the-most-overlooked-foods-for-weight-loss.html
Shape – Thu, 19 Apr, 2012 11:56 AM EDT

These high-fiber foods are packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor. Add them to your diet today!

Artichokes
1. Artichokes: 8 g fiber | 87 calories

Frozen artichokes have nearly as much fiber as fresh ones.

Love stuffed artichokes? Slim them down with this recipe for skinny stuffed artichokes.
RELATED: The 10 Best Ways to Eat Your Leftovers

Raspberries

2. Raspberries:
8 g fiber | 64 calories
These berries are high in cancer-fighting ellagic acid.
Add some fiber to dessert with these nectarine and raspberry sundaes.
Pumpkin

3. Pumpkin: 7 g fiber | 116 calories

Pumpkin is a rich source of alpha and beta carotene.
Don't know what to do with pumpkin besides carve it?
Try these tasty ideas for cooking with fresh pumpkin.

brussels sprouts

4. Brussels sprouts: 6 g fiber | 65 calories

Brussels sprouts have more protein than most veggies .

Don't think you like them? Think again-this recipe for braised Brussels sprouts in mustard sauce is flavorful and not at all bitter.

Kiwi

5. Kiwi: 5 g fiber | 110 calories

One kiwi provides 273 percent of your daily vitamin C needs.

Find out more reasons why kiwis are a better healthy snack than oranges.

RELATED: The Best Healthy Recipes from Around the World

Pears

6. Pears: 6 g fiber | 103 calories

Pears are high in soluble fiber , which lowers cholesterol.

Transgender man fights $3,400 hysterectomy bill

2012-04-24T14:00:00.001-07:00

CBC – Mon, 23 Apr, 2012

A transgender man in Nova Scotia has filed a human rights complaint after he was handed a $3,400 bill for a hysterectomy that he claims was medically necessary.

In an exclusive interview with the CBC, Jessiah MacDonald said the province's Medical Services Insurance is charging him for sexual reassignment surgery because it doesn't cover that operation.

MacDonald, 24, had the surgery in 2010. He insists in the time leading up to the operation that he was never told he would have to pay.

"I felt it was wrong because despite my gender, I still have pieces of my body and if a piece of my body gets sick, I expect it to be treated as any other piece."
Born Jessica MacDonald, Jessiah always felt different growing up. At 18, he told his family he wanted to be a man and started taking testosterone pills.
Medical problems began. MacDonald went to a gynecologist after experiencing abdominal pain.

"The gynecologist had mentioned during the consult that I had a small uterus and she could feel multiple polyps during the internal exam, and that was sufficient enough for her to suggest a hysterectomy. But there was no mention then that it was only if I was female. There was no mention in the nine months between that and the surgery date."
Several other women in his family, including his mother, had hysterectomies before they turned 30, MacDonald said.

"The gynecologist said I had two options to deal with the symptoms I was having. The first would be to take birth control to raise my estrogen levels but she ruled that out as an option because I take testosterone. I'm a man. And the second option was the abdominal hysterectomy, which was her suggestion."
In October 2010, MacDonald went to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax and had the operation.

He said after he woke up, his doctor gave him a bill for $3,400. He said he was stunned.
"I was fairly angry and I'm sure that was apparent as it was on my face. I'm fairly certain I started crying before they left the room and they couldn't have been in my room for more than 10 minutes tops. It was more like, 'Here's your bill, we'll help you pack your stuff … please get out.'"

A week later, MacDonald said he discovered that MSI considered his operation sexual reassignment surgery.

"Once I got back home, I ended up having to take the staples out myself because no one could guarantee that the followup care would be covered as well," he said.
MacDonald said it was never his intention to have a hysterectomy for sexual reassignment. Full reassignment involves a series of reconstructive surgeries.
MacDonald hired lawyer Kathryn Dumke, who is transgender herself, and filed a human rights complaint against MSI.

"I have never heard and I don't think anybody has ever heard of a case where a condition needed treatment and the treatment was denied because MSI questioned that it wasn't medically necessary," Dumke said.

MacDonald and Dumke want MSI to cover the surgery and change its policy so transgender people can have a hysterectomy if medically necessary.
"Someone's got to talk about it because if I don't stand up and say this is what happened to me and this is why it was wrong, then what if it happens to somebody else?" MacDonald said.
The case could be heard by a human rights tribunal if no agreement is reached. The two sides have communicated, Dumke said, but at this point it looks like the case will go to a hearing.
The Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness would not comment because the case is before the commission.

However, the department confirmed that this is the first time that a transgender person has complained about not being covered for a hysterectomy.
MacDonald's doctor is out of the country and was unavailable to comment.

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/transgender-man-fights-hysterectomy-bill-103059137.html

The Best Place to Retire Overseas on a Budget

2012-04-18T12:33:00.003-07:00

By Kathleen Peddicord

If an affordable cost of living is your priority in choosing where to retire, take a look at Cuenca, Ecuador. This city is one of the world's best places to retire overseas on a budget.

Cuenca is a beautiful colonial city in an interesting and diverse country. The health care is high quality, honest, and inexpensive. The climate is spring-like and pleasant 12 months of the year. And Cuenca's large and growing expat community is one of Latin America's most diverse and well-blended.

There are other colonial cities in Ecuador, but Cuenca is the cultural heart of the country. In this center of art and literature, you can attend the orchestra, a play, a tango show, or an art opening, and these activities are usually free.

Cuenca is also a popular destination for international tourists and language students, offering many super-affordable options to study Spanish. The tourists and students bring vitality to the city and help support Cuenca's developed infrastructure for amenities and services.

However, perhaps the biggest draw to Cuenca is its cost of living, which is extremely low, especially considering the quality of life that you find here. The falling dollar has caused prices to go up sharply for overseas retirees whose retirement incomes are denominated in U.S. dollars, but who are living in places where goods are priced in the local currency. But this exchange-rate concern does not exist in Cuenca, because Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar.

The $1 fixed-price lunch is still alive and well in Cuenca (although $2.50 is more common), and the city is awash with fresh tropical fruits and vegetables for pennies on the dollar. Fresh fish and shrimp arrive daily from the coast, and much of the local poultry is free-range. A bus trip through the city is a quarter, taxis start at about $1.50, and gas is only $1.48 per gallon.

You could rent a furnished apartment for as little as $400 per month, an unfurnished apartment from $300 per month, or buy a small condo outright for less than $40,000. Thanks to the comfortable year-round climate in Cuenca, you won't have to worry about heat or air conditioning, which is another important reason why retirement in this city is as affordable as it is.
Cuenca is very walkable and boasts an excellent public transit system, as does all of Ecuador. You could live easily without a car, which shaves even more costs from your monthly budget.

All that said, Cuenca is not the most affordable place to live in Ecuador. In small towns like Cotacachi or Vilcabamba, you could retire on an even more modest budget of as little as $650 or $700 a month. But the cost of living isn't the only factor you should consider when choosing a retirement spot. You want to balance the cost of your retirement against the quality of retirement life you'll be able to enjoy. Part of the reason the overall cost of living in places like Cotacachi is so low is because there's simply not much to do, meaning there's not much to spend money on. You could live quite frugally in Cotacachi, but also very simply.

Cuenca, on the other hand, is a fully developed city, where you could enjoy a rich and full life. To be able to enjoy all that the city has to offer, plan on a budget of $1,500 a month per couple if you're renting and $1,100 per month if you own your home. You could certainly live here for less, but these estimates will allow you to make the most of your new life in Cuenca.

Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group. With more than 25 years experience covering this beat, Kathleen reports daily on current opportunities for living, retiring, and investing overseas in her free e-letter. Her book, How To Retire Overseas--Everything You Need To Know To Live Well Abroad For Less, was recently released by Penguin Books.

18 Beauty Tricks to Try Only when You’re Sleeping

2012-04-13T00:01:00.002-07:00

Real Beauty – Wed, 11 Apr, 2012

Get your beauty rest-literally. Your body repairs and restores itself most during biological processes that occur when you're catching Z's. We consulted doctors and experts for the best overnight miracles.

#1: Zap Zits

Pimples may disappear like magic if you treat them with a product containing an antibacterial ingredient (bacteria can cause acne) and a sebum controller like zinc, says Kansas City, Missouri, dermatologist Audrey Kunin, M.D., associate clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

#2: Soothe Irritation

To reduce redness, makeup expert Jane Iredale recommends dusting on a loose micronized mineral powder with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties and won't clog your pores.

#3: Reduce Wrinkles

A cream or serum with vitamin A or retinol will help counteract fine lines, says Dr. Leffell, M.D., professor of dermatology and surgery at Yale University's School of Medicine, and since it can make your skin sun-sensitive for a few hours, it's best used at night. To treat deeper wrinkles, ask your dermatologist about a prescription for Renova, Retin-A or Avage, a cream that recently received FDA approval. Use every other night to reduce the chance of irritation.

Read More:The Best Overnight Skin Treatments

#4: Protect Your Face

On the nights you're not using vitamin A, try a cream or lotion with antioxidants, which help fight off skin-damaging free radicals. Since you're most exposed to these particles when you're out in the sun and fresh air, nighttime is your best bet for a fix, says Los Angeles-based dermatologist Howard Murad, M.D.

#5: Hydrate Dry, Rough Feet

Rub on a foot cream, then pull on cotton socks to hold the moisture in. (Have trouble sleeping in socks? Cut off the toe ends so your feet can breathe. Your heels will still reap the benefits.)

#6: Get Silky

Plagued by dull or flaky skin? Instead of vitamin A, use a glycolic acid cream to slough away the dead skin cells, which will help increase moisture retention. Check the label: You're not looking for straight glycolic acid, but rather its salt compound form, which will be listed as glycolic acid compound or glycolic and ammonium glycolate. The compound has been buffered to make it less acidic (i.e., less harsh) than glycolic acid - plus it's time-released, so it works all night, says Dr. Kunin.

#7: Defeat Major Skin Flaking

If your skin's still alligator-rough after regular glycolic acid use, try an at-home microdermabrasion kit with a buffing tool and cream. Follow with a moisturizer containing a gentle emollient like dimethicone or beeswax. The dermabrasion will exfoliate your skin thoroughly, letting the moisturizer penetrate deeply.

#8: Prevent Puff

Do you retain water in your face and eye area? Lisa Okesson, national training manager for makeup company Shu Uemura USA, suggests this old Hollywood secret: Sleep on your back and use a slightly elevated firm pillow to help prevent fluids from pooling in your facial tissues at night.

Read More: 101 Tips For Your Best Skin Ever

#9 Smooth Crepey Lids

Heavy creams can cause whiteheads to form on the thin skin of your eyelids. For that area, many doctors like Neova Eye Therapy, a light gel with a GHK copper peptide to help rebuild collagen. Or wear the lightweight eye therapy mask while you sleep - it releases natural wrinkle-fighting ingredients.

#10: Moisturize Your Undereye Area

Hate the taut feeling of too-dry skin but find soothing eye gels too greasy? Dab on anti-wrinkle concealers packed with hydrators like beeswax, soybean oil, and panthenol.

#11: Save Chafed Elbows

Slip on (and sleep in) ultrathin gel-lined sleeves, which force-feed olive and jojoba oils into that ever-scruffy area.

#12: Solve Sore Fingertips

Washing your hands (and dishes) can leave the tips of your digits cracked. Apply a small amount of ethyl cyanoacrylate - a.k.a. Krazy Glue - over the crack or split to seal your skin, says Dr. Leffell. It'll peel off naturally over the next couple of weeks as the new skin grows in.

#13: Fortify Brittle Nails

Look for polishes infused with the strengthening properties of hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium, and let the coat penetrate throughout the night. It's clear, so you won't end up with smudged color come dawn.

#14: Relieve Chapping

For raw, dry hands, try a foot cream instead of a hand cream, says A-list manicurist Kristi Marie Jones. You'll be better able to tolerate the heavier consistency at night.

#15: Treat Foot Cracks

Apply Polysporin antibiotic ointment to seal cracks on the bottom of your feet, says Dr. Kunin. Top with Epilyte lotion (available at drugstores) to soften the sides of the cracks so the skin is better able to heal.

#16: Get Rid of Calluses

Soak your feet for a few minutes in lukewarm water, then massage in Carmol 20 or AmLactin 12 percent cream or lotion; both over-the-counter preparations contain ingredients to soften your soles' thick keratin layer, says Dr. Leffell.

#17: Hydrate Flaky Lips

Dry lips seem to crack the most at night, says Iredale, making lipstick application uneven and cakey in the a.m. Slather your lips with lip balm overnight to repair damage while you sleep.

#18: Repair Cuticles

"Paper absorbs the natural oils from your fingers, leaving cuticles ragged," says Jones. During the day, hands are too busy for repair work, so try this before bed: Rub a cuticle cream (oils may dissipate too quickly) around your nail bed.

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/18-beauty-tricks-to-try-only-when-you’re-sleeping.html

10 Ways to Age Backwards

2012-03-29T17:56:00.000-07:00

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/10-ways-to-age-backwards.html
Real Beauty – Wed, 28 Mar, 2012 3:48 PM EDT

Hold on to your youth with these tips and tricks for younger-looking skin.

#1: Eat Seaweed

Certain undersea delicacies, like seaweed, have a composition similar to blood plasma and are among the richest sources of minerals and nutrients. Seaweed also minimizes signs of aging by detoxifying skin and fighting free radicals. If you don't want to munch on salty seaweed, introduce it into your diet with capsules.

#2: Get Enough Sleep

No matter how much makeup you apply, your skin won't look good without enough sleep. Skin needs this down time to repair and rejuvenate itself, so turn off all your digital gadgets at night.

#3: Don't Stress

Studies show that stressing out practically etches lines on your face (as if you don't have enough to worry about). Finding a few moments of solace everyday can add years to your life-and money to your bank account (think about how much you'd spend on Botox otherwise).

#4: Go Sugar-Free

Or at least avoid it whenever you can. Excessive sugar reacts with proteins in your skin and speeds up the clock.

Read More: 33 Anti-Aging Foods

#5: Try this DIY Toning Mask

Makes 1 Application. You'll need: Juice from 1/2 a lemon (strained), 1 egg white.

Beat together the egg white and lemon juice for 3 minutes. *Apply directly to your face, avoiding the eyes.* Leave on for 30 minutes.* Rinse off with warm water.*

#6: Eat A Lot of Protein

Feed your complexion by eating plenty of protein, which plays a vital role in the production of collagen and elastin -- essential ingredients for younger-looking skin. Good sources: meat, fish, eggs, cheese, beans, soy and lentils.

#7: Use Overnight Remedies

Double-duty your shut-eye time and use overnight products that contain ingredients like Vitamins B, C, and P to stimulate cell turnover and circulation. The result? Puffiness and overpigmentation are reduced by morning.

Read More: The Best Overnight Skin Treatments

#8: Take Your Vitamins

Taking oral supplements of vitamins A, C and E help prevent some damage from sunlight and aging.

#9: Know Which Foods Are Good For Your Skin

Eat more good-for-your-skin foods like salmon, almonds, and berries.

#10: Avoid Cigarette Smoke

It's not enough just to quit smoking, second-hand cigarette smoke also causes premature wrinkles. The oxygen-deprived (and toxin-filled) air triggers enzymes that destroy collagen.

For more from Real Beauty:

The Photoshop Is Closed: New Tool Measures Amount of Airbrushing

2012-03-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

Now you can visit a gallery of photoshopped photos of celebrities...

http://fashionindie.com/the-photoshop-is-closed-new-tool-measures-amount-of-airbrushing/angie-2/#gallery

Beautiful Angie before and after Photoshop

InFAUXmercial Must-See: Fotoshop by Adobé

2012-03-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

(Edited by Jessica Lapidos on January 17 2012)

For those who believe in what they see on TV!

Maybe she’s born with it? No freaking way. Odds are, which ever celeb you’re looking at has been treated with the fashion industry’s most highly prescribed and trusted beauty product: Fotoshop by Adobé. This (totally fake) infomercial forthe beauty fix-all is hilarious, informative and slightly disturbing. Call now and you get the Spot Healing Brush, Hue/Saturation and Liquefy tools absolutely free!

So which makes more sense? Banning celebs that use too much photoshop? Or equalizing the playing field with everyone’s now-photoshopped Facebook profile?

This commercial isn't real, neither are society's standards of beauty.
Full post here with behind the scenes: http://jesserosten.com/2012/fotoshop-by-adobe

By the way, did you know: photoshop was created in 1989? Yup!

Supermodels without photoshop

2012-03-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion

Photoshop and airbrushing scandals grow less shocking by the day, but we are always super excited to see unretouched photos. It's satisfying to see what celebrities and models really look like! The photo at the left was taken last weekend in St. Barth's during a photo shoot for Glamour's June issue. From left to right we have Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio, plus-size model Crystal Renn, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl Brooklyn Decker.

Of course makeup artists and celeb hair stylist Ted Gibson were on hand to help beautify the ladies, but this photo has not been airbrushed at all.

Do you think women would feel better about themselves if photos were not retouched, and we were able to see celebrities and models as their true undoctored selves? [WWD][Fashionindie]
(http://fashionindie.com/victorias-secret-angels-without-photoshop/#disqus_thread)

*For the record, I just want to clarify that Crystal Renn is a size 12, and that is what the modeling industry--not myself--labels as plus-size.
By Joanna Douglas

5 Tricks to Erase Wrinkles Naturally

2012-02-16T13:25:00.000-08:00

By Ayren Jackson-Cannady, REDBOOK

Before you Botox, try these five easy at-home tricks to fight aging naturally.

1. Wash With Oil:

Sounds terrifying, right? But you should relax and try it if you have dry, weary skin, says Miami Beach dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D.: "Many natural oils contain linoleic acid, which helps skin retain water." Start with 10 ml of olive oil, says natural skin-care expert Sharon Gnatt Epel, then mix in 2 drops of one of these oils: carrot seed to boost elasticity, frankincense to restore skin tone, or lavender to calm redness. Massage it in for thirty seconds, then rinse with warm water. We promise, no morning-after acne.

2. Rub These In:

Meet the latest crop of natural time-busters from around the globe. African Anogeissus, found in Origins Plantscription antiaging serum, $55, stimulates production of fibrillin (a protein responsible for skin's "bounce back"). Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating Cream, $60, is infused with Bulgarian Haberlea rhodopensis floral extract, a collagen booster. And sandthorn berry, a skin tightener, is found not only in some of the world's harshest climates but also in Yves Rocher Ovale Lifting Redensifying Night Care, $46, and Badger SPF 30 sunscreen, $16.

3. Massage the Years Off:

You can smooth skin with D.I.Y. acupressure, according to Maya Kron, acupuncturist at James Corbett Studio, a New York City spa. These moves will release tension and boost elasticity. Using the index and middle fingers of one hand, massage between your brows for 20 rotations. Apply light pressure to temples for 10 seconds, then to your jawbone joint (located in front of your ears) for 10 seconds. Repeat. Lightly press the muscle that protrudes when you clench your teeth for 5 to 10 seconds.

4. Get Juiced:

Salma Hayek is 44. How is that possible? The actress swears by juice cleanses, so much so that she cofounded Cooler Cleanse, a $58-a-day juice delivery program. During the three-day cleanse, you guzzle a whopping 18 pounds of organic fruits and veggies each day, says company cofounder Eric Helms. "This floods skin with vitamins A and C and other nutrients that boost cell turnover." No way you're spending more than your family's grocery budget on this regimen? Down a glass of green juice every day for a week instead. (At a juice bar or health-food store, ask for a blend of spinach, celery, parsley, lemon, pears, and cucumber.) By day seven your skin should feel softer and look more luminous. We'll drink to that.

5. Snack on Superfoods:

"Skin is a matrix of proteins, water, and fats that needs a nonprocessed food supply for replenishment," says dermatologist David Colbert, M.D., author of The High School Reunion Diet. Here are three line-softening nibbles to grab now: Almonds pack skin-plumping fats and vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps offset UV damage. Dark chocolate with a cacao content of 72 percent or higher is rich in damage-fighting antioxidants as well. Blueberries give you a magic combo of antioxidants and collagen-protecting vitamin C.

berry charlottes

2012-02-13T18:03:00.000-08:00

Source: adapted from Cannelle et Vanille

Are you looking for a show-stopping dessert? Something light and fresh? Look no further. These individual berry charlottes fit the bill. I have always, always wanted to make a charlotte. They are so beautiful and seemingly complex. A dessert filled with mousse, topped with fresh berries and tied with a bow is right up my alley. Over a year ago I purchased a regular charlotte mold as well as individual ring molds with this goal in mind. What took me so long? For one thing, I’ve never been extremely fond of lady fingers. Up to this point the only kind I had tried were store bought, and those are nothing to write home about. Mostly, I had just built these up in my head so much that I didn’t think the real life result would live up to my idea of them.

Finally, inspired by Valentine’s Day coming up and the fresh berries at the store, I decided it was time to get over my anxieties and just go for it. I am so, so glad I did. These individual desserts were lovely, light and refreshing. It turns out homemade lady fingers are worlds better than the purchased variety. (Though, don’t forget the step of sprinkling powdered sugar on them before baking! They look much prettier than without the sugar.) I am really excited to try more varieties of charlottes when other fruits are in season. I think they would be an ideal Valentine’s Day dessert, but even more they call to mind an elegant bridal or baby shower.

On a related note, I must say how thrilled I am that my son is learning phrases like “ladyfingers”, “blackberry mousse” and “raspberry mousse”. I have a very sophisticated two year old :) He loved everything about these, the mousse in particular. And I loved watching him enjoy it!

Individual Berry Charlottes
Printer-Friendly Version
Yield: 4-5 individual charlottes
Ingredients:
For the ladyfingers:
3 large eggs, separated
½ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted, plus more for sprinkling
1/3 cup granulated sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
For the blackberry mousse:
½ cup strained blackberry puree
2 tsp. granulated sugar
½ tsp. gelatin
1½ tsp. cold water
½ cup heavy cream
For the raspberry mousse:
½ cup strained raspberry puree
2 tsp. granulated sugar
½ tsp. gelatin
1½ tsp. cold water
½ cup heavy cream
Fresh berries, for serving

Directions:
To make the lady fingers, place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, and continue whipping the egg whites until a stiff, glossy meringue forms. Transfer the meringue mixture to a medium mixing bowl. In the empty mixer bowl, now fitted with the flat beater, combine the egg yolks and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed until thick and pale yellow. With a spatula, fold the egg yolk mixture into the meringue until smooth and blended, taking care not to deflate the egg whites. Gently fold in the flour until no streaks remain.
Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Transfer the batter to a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip. Pipe the ladyfingers onto the prepared baking pans, about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. Additionally, pipe small rounds for the bases of the charlottes (about 2½-3 inches in diameter). Sprinkle additional confectioners’ sugar over the piped ladyfingers. Bake until light golden, about 10 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking. Let cool on the pans 10-15 minutes, then remove the ladyfingers and cake bases to a wire rack to cool completely. (Yield: approximately 36 ladyfingers plus 4 cake bases)

To make the blackberry mousse, combine the blackberry puree and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. While the mixture is heating, combine the gelatin and water in a small bowl to soften. Once the fruit puree reaches a boil, remove from the heat. Stir in the softened gelatin mixture. Let cool to room temperature. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (be careful not to overbeat!) With a spatula, gently fold in the fruit puree until well mixed and no streaks remain.
To assemble the charlottes, place a cake disk inside the bottom of each 3-inch ring mold on a flat plate or baking sheet.
Line the edges of the mold with upright ladyfingers, flat sides facing toward the center.
With the blackberry mousse in a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip, pipe some of the mousse so that it comes approximately halfway up the height of the ladyfingers. Transfer to the freezer to let the mousse set, about 30 minutes.
To make the raspberry mousse, combine the raspberry puree and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. While the mixture is heating, combine the gelatin and water in a small bowl to soften. Once the fruit puree reaches a boil, remove from the heat. Stir in the softened gelatin mixture. Let cool to room temperature. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (be careful not to overbeat!) With a spatula, gently fold in the fruit puree until well mixed and no streaks remain.

Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip with the raspberry mousse. Pipe a layer of the mousse into the center of the charlottes, leaving at least ½-inch of exposed ladyfingers to act as a rim for the berry topping. Transfer the charlottes to the refrigerator to chill the mousse until ready to serve.
Before serving, gently remove the ring molds from the charlottes. Tie a decorative bow around the outside of each cake. Top with fresh berries and serve chilled.

Source: adapted from Cannelle et Vanille

One day before Valentine's Day

2012-02-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

Small things become great when done with LOVE.

And once again:
Wishing you lots of love on Valentine's Day... and always!

Dr. Oz: Five pains you should never ignore

2012-02-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

By Mehmet Oz | Chatelaine

(img from Chatelaine)

As a cardiac surgeon, I've encountered people with all kinds of aches and pains. And I can say with certainty that pain is one of our bodies' most complex, misunderstood warning systems. Sometimes it means that we simply overdid it at the gym, while other times it can be a sign of something much more serious-even deadly. In fact, knowing how to recognize these five most dangerous pains might just save your life.

1. Thunder and lightning headache
Headaches can range from annoying to downright debilitating. But there's one type that really worries me. This headache comes without warning, feels like an intense explosion and can have devastating consequences. People almost always describe it as "the worst headache of my life," and it's usually the result of an aneurysm (an abnormal balloon that grows out of the wall of a weakened blood vessel) bursting in the brain. It can lead to stroke or even death if not treated quickly. Fortunately, recognizing this headache and getting to the hospital quickly can improve your odds of survival. While some people are born with aneurysms, most of us aren't. And good lifestyle habits-like not smoking and controlling your blood pressure-go a long way in preventing them from rupturing or even happening in the first place.

RELATED: Dr. Oz's two-step plan to outsmart weight gain

2. Vise grip around your chest
If you experience progressively worsening tightness in the centre of your chest that radiates down your left arm or up to your neck and jaw, it may signal a heart attack. I worry because many women wait too long to seek help, perhaps thinking the pressure is too mild to be a real heart attack. Be aware of that. And if you also experience nausea, heartburn, shortness of breath, sweating, back pain, sleep disturbance or weakness, seek help immediately. Proper treatment within an hour hugely improves your chances for a full recovery.

RELATED: Dr. Oz's top three age-defying secrets

3. Severe abdominal pain
Major discomfort in your right upper abdomen may be caused by gallstones blocking your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small sac attached to the liver that stores a fat-digesting fluid called bile. Too much cholesterol in the bile can lead to stones, which are usually harmless but can cause the gallbladder to become inflamed. If the inflammation progresses, the gallbladder can rupture and require an immediate operation. Prevent gallstones by keeping a healthy weight, exercising and avoiding foods high in saturated and trans fats.

RELATED: Four fitness trends to add to your workout routine

4. Stabbing pelvic pain
Sharp, severe pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, often accompanied by vaginal bleeding, could point to a life-threatening ruptured ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. While you can't prevent ectopic pregnancy, recognizing it early can help avoid rupture. So if you think you're pregnant and you've had a previous ectopic pregnancy or STDs, or you smoke, make sure your doctor rules this out, generally through a pelvic exam.

RELATED: How to stop emotional eating: Three important steps

5. Swollen, tender leg
We all have occasional soreness in our legs, but when the pain is in only one calf and accompanied by swelling, take it seriously. This could be the sign of a clot in the veins of your leg called a deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). The big problem with a DVT is that a piece of the clot can break off, travel to your lungs and cut off your oxygen supply. To help prevent a DVT, stay well hydrated and stretch often during long trips.

RELATED: Train your thyroid to burn more fat

Dr. Oz is Chatelaine's on-call medical expert. The Dr. Oz Show airs every weekday on CTV at 4 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. CT. For more health advice from Dr. Oz, click here

Valentine's Day is coming...

2012-02-09T14:24:00.000-08:00

Wishing you lots of love on Valentine's Day and always!