Women News

Anti aging Laser Skin Treatment Guide without Surgery.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:12:00 +0000

Laser skin treatment is now one of the most commonly available options for treating sun damage, facial flushing, lines and wrinkles, spider veins and for a face tightening without surgery. Lasers can also be used as a powerful skin resurfacing agent where a general facial peel is needed.

The heat from the laser penetrates and destroys the topmost layers of the skin – where surface damage is evident – to trigger a healing response in the tissue below so that new, smoother, and younger looking skin can form.

Advantages over other facial peels without surgery

Lasers offered a clear advantage over other methods of skin resurfacing – they can produce targeted beams of light which can be directed at a very small specific area of dermal tissue on the face or body without damaging surrounding tissue. The heat destroys the blemish and triggers a healing response speeding repair and raising levels of collagen production.

Mechanical means of skin resurfacing are much more crude – chemical peels and abrasion at the deepest levels burn off surface skin over the whole area of application. They can help with age spots for instance but will have no effect on spider veins nor can they produce any skin tightening effect.

The advantages of laser over other resurfacing methods (deeps chemical peels and dermabrasion) include greater precision, less bleeding and discomfort and, possibly, shorter recovery time.

A laser peel is an invasive anti aging treatment without surgery

A laser peel is always done with an ablative laser and involves removal of the top layer of skin. The most often used ablative lasers are either the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser or the erbium:YAG laser.

You may be offered a laser peel for relatively deep wrinkles and skin blemishes. The CO2 laser seems to be better at treating deeper facial lines but the downside is greater discomfort, downtime and recovery. Laser resurfacing is done on a whole face basis or quite frequently on the skin around the eyes and mouth to treat deeper wrinkles in these areas. It is very common for a laser peel to be done at the same time as a face lift or other procedure to give the best possible result.

A laser peel may sound like an easy option for facial rejuvenation but it isn’t. It is an invasive technique and you need to find the best aesthetic facial surgeon you can with experience of doing many similar treatments. A heavy handed operator who passes the laser too many times over an area of your face or sets the beam of light too deep can cause damage which may be very long lasting.

Even with the best surgeon you can find – proper after care is important after a full skin peel. You may have a bandage over the whole area. If not you will have to wash your face and apply a special ointment several times a day. You’ll need to be extremely careful of the sun and wear a high SPF sun block with both UVA and UVB protection every day.

Scabs may form, and last for about 10 days. After that skin redness may persist for several weeks, or longer. The redness gradually lightens to pink, and then to a lighter, more natural color.

Which Ice Cream Is Best Nutritionally? (Details here) Share with your Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:07:00 +0000

With so many frozen-dessert options, it's easy to get a brain freeze trying to pick one. EatingWell melts the mystery to deliver the real scoop on which one's the best pick, nutritionally.
It is essentially iced cream; the primary ingredient is cream.

200-250 calories, 8-10 grams sat. fat per 1/2 cup vanilla.

Traditionally made as custard with whole milk and egg yolks, some gelatos today also contain a hefty dose of cream, which adds calories and fat, so choose wisely.

170-220 calories, 2-7 g sat. fat per 1/2 cup vanilla.

This is your standard ice cream. It's lighter than super-premium because some of the cream is replaced with evaporated, condensed or powdered milk. Check the nutrition and ingredient information -- its packaging is nearly identical to super-premium.

130-150 calories, 4-5 g sat. fat per 1/2 cup vanilla.

For frozen desserts made from rice milk, soymilk, coconut milk and tofu, the calories and saturated fat vary with the base (coconut-milk varieties have the most sat. fat; soy-based ones often have the least).

130-210 calories, 0-7 g sat. fat per 1/2 cup vanilla.

6 Ways Oral Hygiene Affects The Rest Of Your Body (Share with your Friends)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:06:00 +0000

Your dentist has been nagging you to brush twice a day and floss daily for as long as you can remember -- and while those habits, along with regular cleanings, are key components to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, it turns out that how well you take care of your mouth could actually affect your entire body.

"Your mouth is the gateway to your body -- and it's not a very pristine gateway," HuffPost blogger Deepak Chopra wrote on the topic last month. "It's filled with bacteria -- in fact, there are more bacteria living in your mouth than there are people on earth."

In the past month alone, two new studies have come out about the surprising effects of poor oral care on the body as a whole. So we rounded up just a handful of the research out there on this mouth-body connection. Here are a few reasons of why brushing up on oral hygiene may help to keep the rest of your body in shape:

A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found an association between the use of a non-alcohol antimicrobial mouth rinse in pregnant women and a decreased rate of delivering babies prematurely.

Analyzing 226 women with periodontal disease, the researchers found that study participants who rinsed twice-daily with the mouthwash were about three fourths as likely to deliver early, reports Reuters.

While the study didn't look to find the reason for the difference, lead author Marjorie Jeffcoat of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine told Reuters that one theory is that gum-disease-induced inflammation could trigger early birth. (The publication also points out that the researchers used a Crest mouthwash, with staffing and funding from the brand's parent company, Proctor and Gamble.)

n other pregnancy news, research presented earlier this month at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that gum disease could up the time it takes for a woman to become pregnant.

In the study, women with gum disease took an average of seven months to conceive, compared to five months among their peers without gum disease, The Huffington Post reported when the findings were released.

Like the previous study, one hypothesis for the cause is the inflammation resulting from gum disease. And, of course, the best way to prevent gum disease in the first place is through brushing and flossing.

Some research has connected periodontal disease (or inflammation and infection in the tissue around the teeth) to heart problems.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, "Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease."

"If you have gum disease or cuts in your gums from dental work, oral bacteria can enter your bloodstream and cause infection in your heart or lungs," HuffPost blogger Deepak Chopra wrote last month. "Poor oral health probably won't give you heart disease or other diseases. But if you already have risk factors for certain diseases, it can increase your chances of getting them."

A study published in October 2007's Journal of the American Dental Association found a relationship between people who lost more teeth before the age of 35 and an increased risk of dementia.

"Our findings suggest that a low number of teeth has an association with dementia late in life," the researchers wrote in their conclusion section of the study, pointing out, of course, that while they had found a correlation, they don't know at this point if tooth loss actually causes dementia.

In a preliminary 2007 study among rats, researchers found a possible link between periodontal disease and a progression toward diabetes among rats who were already prediabetic. While the results, published online in the Journal of Periodontology, are still early, they suggest one more possible reason to keep up with a brushing and flossing routine.

Another study published in the Journal of Periodontology uncovered a suspected link between periodontal disease and pulmonary disease, such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis.

"By working with your dentist or periodontist, you may actually be able to prevent or diminish the progression of harmful diseases such as pneumonia or COPD," Donald S. Clem, DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology, said in an organization press release. "This study provides yet another example of how periodontal health plays a role in keeping other systems of the body healthy."

5 Ways To Build A Healthier Breakfast (be Helpful & Share with your Friends)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:06:00 +0000

An estimated 56 percent of Americans do, which means they're missing out on some important morning meal benefits. For example, people who eat breakfast are better able to focus and concentrate throughout the day. Long term, morning munchers find it easier to maintain a healthy weight: "When you eat breakfast, you're literally breaking the fast, which kicks your metabolism into gear," says Keri Glassman, R.D., author of The O2 Diet.

Breakfast fans also tend to eat fewer calories over the course of a day and aren't as prone to wild swings in blood sugar, which often push people to nosh carb-rich, high-fat foods like cookies and pizza.

Try to get something in your belly within 60 to 90 minutes of getting up, advises Glassman. "Otherwise, your body goes into starvation mode, and your metabolism slows." Can't stomach a full meal that soon after your feet hit the floor? No problem: A piece of fruit, a handful of nuts or even a grande skim latte is all you need to swallow to jump-start your metabolism.

Your body needs calcium for strong bones. Trouble is, "most people aren't getting enough," Glassman says. To crank up your calcium intake, get a serving at breakfast -- eat a bowl of cereal with soy or cow's milk, add a slice of cheese to a whole-wheat bagel or top berries with a scoop of plain Greek yogurt.

These nutrition powerhouses are loaded with antioxidants that protect against tons of ailments, including heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. That's just one of the reasons it's recommended that people get at least five servings of fruits or vegetables per day -- which can be tough to do. If you start early, though, you're more likely to make your quota by the end of the day. And while fruit is a natural breakfast food, don't discount veggies! You can scramble diced zucchini or spinach into eggs, puree carrots into a smoothie or forget the classics and have a BLT for breakfast!

Are low-fiber foods like bagels, croissants and doughnuts the mainstay of your breakfast fare? If so, you're missing out on fiber, which takes time to digest and therefore helps you to feel full longer (read: You won't feel driven to the vending machine before lunchtime).

Swap low-fiber foods for fiber-rich choices like oatmeal, quinoa or whole-wheat bread or bagels (and make sure the labels say "whole" wheat -- not just "wheat").

Are Cholesterol Medications Really Just A Scam? (be Helpful & Share with your Friends)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:06:00 +0000

Cholesterol-lowering statin medications like Lipitor and Crestor have been the #1 prescribed class of drugs in the U.S. for years. More than 215 million prescriptions add $14 billion to drug company coffers every year. A recent report from the government's National Center for Health Statistics showed that an astounding 25 percent of Americans aged 45 and older take statins, compared to only 2 percent in 1994. (The drugs came on the market in 1987.)

It's not surprising that statins are so popular. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the biggest killer of Americans, and "bad" LDL cholesterol is one of the bad guys in this national tragedy, clogging arteries and triggering heart attacks and strokes. Taking an LDL-lowering statin is a science-proven strategy for people with diagnosed heart disease or other blood vessel blockages. You're on that list if you have angina or you've had a heart attack, coronary bypass surgery or an artery-widening angioplasty, a stroke or you have peripheral arterial disease (clogging of the arteries in the legs). You might also fall into this category if you have diabetes, which damages blood vessels and doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke. In other words, if you already have CVD, an LDL-lowering statin might save your life through what medical experts call secondary prevention.

But most people who take statins haven't been diagnosed with CVD. A blood test simply showed they had high cholesterol, and their doctor prescribed a statin to prevent a heart attack or stroke -- a use medical experts call primary prevention. Shockingly, a new scientific review of 14 studies shows that statins are virtually useless for primary prevention.

Meta-Analysis of Statin Studies

The study was a meta-analysis of scientific literature on primary prevention using statins. A team of UK researchers analyzed data from 14 earlier studies that involved more than 34,000 people. The meta-analysis was published by The Cochrane Collaboration, one of the most respected scientific reviews in the world.

Before telling you about the final conclusion of the meta-analysis, it's important to note that the UK researchers faulted the studies in several areas. There was evidence, they said, of “selective reporting of outcomes” -- statin-positive results were emphasized, while statin-negative results were ignored (an unfortunately common practice in drug studies). There was a “failure to report adverse events” -- if statins produced side effects, the study authors didn't mention them (another sadly routine feature of pharmaceutical research). And there was “an inclusion of people with cardiovascular disease” in the studies -- a sneaky strategy designed to produce positive results, since statins are proven to work in folks with CVD. (Remember, these were studies on primary prevention for people without CVD, not secondary prevention for people with CVD.)

The Cochrane scientists then reported the overall results of the 14 studies on statins and primary prevention. The results were not exactly overwhelming.

"Only limited evidence showed that primary prevention with statins may be cost effective and improve patient quality of life," they concluded. "Caution should be taken in prescribing statins for primary prevention among people at low cardiovascular risk."

To put it a little less politely: the millions of people taking statins for primary prevention are taking a drug they don't need!

The downside of statins for primary prevention isn't only that they cost you $1,000 a year and probably don't do you any good. They can also do you a lot of harm.

Side Effects of Statins

In my newest book Real Cause, Real Cure (published in July by Rodale), I detail the many common side effects of statins. They include muscle pain (myalgia), fatigue, exercise intolerance (muscles too painful and weak to exercise), memory loss, peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness or burning pain in the hands, arms, feet or legs), irritability, sleep problems and sexual dysfunction (such as erectile dysfunction).

I also cite a review of 880 scientific studies on statin side effects in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs. Those side effects include not only the problems in the above list, but also cancer, stroke, diabetes, autoimmune disease, digestive problems, kidney disease, liver problems, lung problems, and weight gain.

How can one drug cause so many different problems? Statins block a cholesterol-creating enzyme that also creates coenzyme Q10. This biochemical sparkplug and antioxidant is found in every cell of the body, where it protects and nourishes mitochondria, tiny structures that produce energy.

Now you might ask yourself: If statins -- the #1 prescribed drug in the U.S. -- don't work for primary prevention, how come you didn't hear about this study on TV or read about it in the newspapers? Follow the money, I believe. The #2 source of advertising money for the media is (you guessed it) prescription medications. You don't bite the hand that pays you.

I'd also like to mention another recent study on statins -- the five-year "Heart Protection Study," involving more than 20,000 people, which appeared recently in Lancet, a leading medical journal. This study showed that people with high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) -- a biomarker for inflammation -- do not benefit from taking statins any more than people with low levels of CRP. “These results do not lend support to the suggestion that the beneficial effects of statin therapy are affected by ... CRP concentration,” concluded the study researchers. And these results run counter to the widespread practice among physicians of prescribing statins for primary prevention in people with high CRP. I believe that this epitomizes a lot of modern medicine: using a meaningless test to prescribe a ineffective drug!

If you take a statin for secondary prevention, it is a very good idea to also take a coenzyme Q10 supplement, which can help protect you from side effects. I recommend 200 milligrams daily.

If you develop a side effect from a statin, talk to you doctor right away -- especially if you don't have known heart disease or CVD, as the statin may not be appropriate for you anyway. Another strategy if you develop a side effect from a statin is to simply lower the dose.

Natural Ways to Protect Your Heart

Fortunately, there are many safe and natural, non-drug approaches to protecting your heart. Vitamin K can shield your arteries from cholesterol buildup. The mineral magnesium is powerfully cardioprotective. Vitamin D is linked to better heart health.

Several lifestyle factors also play a role in a healthy heart. Exercise regularly. Stop smoking. Spend time with supportive family and friends. That includes your animal friends too -- a study showed that owning a cat is almost 25 times more effective in lowering the risk of dying from heart disease than taking a statin!

Especially important? A low thyroid, despite normal tests, was associated with a 69 percent increased risk of heart attack in women. So optimize thyroid function. In men (but not women), low testosterone is also associated with high cholesterol levels. So I recommend tuning up these hormones in people with high cholesterol, as this usually will lower cholesterol as well.

As for what you eat: I would recommend favoring a Mediterranean-style diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats (from olive oil, fatty fish, avocados, walnuts and the like), and minimizes meat, dairy products and processed foods.

You may also want to eat an ounce or so a day of dark chocolate, a delicious food that science shows works for both primary and secondary prevention of CVD -- and produces primary smiles in everybody who takes a bite!

5 Mouthwatering Barbecue and Grilled Chicken Recipes (be Helpful & Share with your Friends)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:05:00 +0000

In the past few years, granola has become so popular that you can't miss the countless brands on supermarket shelves. You'll find it in the form of loose granola or granola bars. Though store-bought granola is just fine, it's so easy -- and fun -- to make granola at home. Vary a basic recipe and come up with your own customized combination of granola. Use whatever nuts, seeds, grains or dried fruit you like.

Our collection of recipes features many possible combinations for granola. And it's ok to mix up the ingredients with a few substitutions. Some of our recipes use coconut oil for a lower fat version. And for sweeteners, we have recipes that use honey, maple syrup or even apple juice. The granola creativity is up to you!

Maple-Nut Granola

This granola recipe is packed with nuts, seeds and dried fruit. Use whatever combination you like. Maple syrup adds an earthy sweetness and helps bind the mixture.

Maple-Pecan Granola with Dried Fruit

Use a cup of your favorite combination of dried fruits for this granola recipe, which features pecans and almonds, too.

Apple-Candied Fennel Seed Granola

This granola recipe includes dried apples, honey and candied fennel seed, which adds a unique sweet and herbal quality.

Chunky Date, Coconut and Almond Granola

Try this chunky, spiced version of granola with milk or yogurt for breakfast. Or sprinkle it over ice cream

Raspberry Granola Bars

These granola jam bars have a layer of raspberry preserves in the middle, but you can also make them with any jam you prefer.

Can Water Help Me Lose Weight ... And 4 Other Hydration Questions Answered

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:05:00 +0000

Do you really need eight glasses of water every day? Should you filter your tap water? Get answers to these questions and more -- including if vitamin-spiked water is worth it.

The Institute of Medicine says adult men need about 13 cups (3 liters) per day of fluid; adult women need about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of fluid. (You get about an additional 2 1/2 cups of fluid from foods.)

"But one size doesn't fit all," says Leslie Bonci, R.D., C.S.S.D., director of sports nutrition at the Center for Sports Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and dietitian for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Your size and activity level affect your fluid requirements. Simply put, the larger and more active you are, the more you'll need.

"The easiest thing that anybody could do on a daily basis is monitor their urine color," says Douglas Casa, Ph.D., A.T.C., who studies hydration at the University of Connecticut. "Lighter urine color -- like lemonade -- means you're generally well-hydrated. If it's darker, like apple juice, you are most likely dehydrated."

Older adults' fluid needs don't change, but they're more likely to become dehydrated because their sense of thirst declines. Pregnant women and nursing mothers need slightly more water. Some medications, such as antihistamines and certain antidepressants, increase your fluid needs too.
Yes, in hot weather you typically need to drink more because you sweat more, especially if you're exercising. Humidity also increases your water needs. When it's humid and warm -- a double whammy -- you may need as much as two times more water than when it's drier.

And although we tend to skimp on water when it's chilly out -- don't. You also lose more water while breathing frigid, dry air. Fluid needs don't change at altitude (11,500 to 17,500 feet): in fact, your body finds a new normal at 2 percent dehydrated and actually functions better.

Sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium are essential for vital reactions in your body -- all are electrolytes and all are lost in sweat. It's important that the concentration of those electrolytes doesn't get too high or low -- and that they are replaced when depleted. If your electrolyte balances are out of whack, you won't properly absorb the water you do drink. Most electrolytes can be replenished simply with regular, healthy meals.

"If you're well-nourished and well-hydrated, then exercise can be at least an hour in length before you need to concern yourself with including electrolytes in the beverage," says Cheuvront. Replenishing what you lost could be as simple as having a few pretzels. You could also try a sports drink, since they often contain sodium. For a walk in cool weather or a short run, water will suffice. (

How Your Kids Can Help Around The House (from 3:15 years Old) (be Helpful & Share with your Friends)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:04:00 +0000

Three and a Half to Five
Focus on tasks that won't make your life more difficult, i.e. you might not want to ask your toddler to measure out the flour or the olive oil because it's going to take a long time to clean it up if they spill.

What kids in this age range can handle is helping to fold dishcloths from the laundry, unloading the dishwasher (you handle the knives and let them do the forks and spoons) and wiping down chair seats and tables with a sponge.

In terms of food preparation, no one needs their lettuce torn up perfectly, so let them give that a try while you work on the rest of dinner.

Other time savers? Have them water the plants. Give your child his or her own watering device with a red line clearly indicating where to fill it up to and let them at it. Kids like to Swiffer, too, so don't be shy about letting them help out with the floors, or trying out the hand-held vacuum.

Six to Eight
Get your kids stripping their own beds, helping to separate the lights from the darks, and even folding their own laundry. In terms of cleaning, they can handle operating a light vacuum at this age, and dusting furniture and baseboards.

In this age group, McCready said kids are also capable of making the salad portion of dinner. If their motor skills aren't as refined as you're comfortable with, a plastic knife can work for cutting the cucumbers and tomatoes.

Nine to 12
This group can be changing light bulbs for you, bathing the family pets and washing the car. Even better? They should be able to help their younger siblings with homework. There's a good chance they've done arithmetic without a calculator more recently than you have.

13 to 15
McCready said this age group can be changing the bed sheets by themselves. They can organize drawers and closets for you, and even handle cooking dinner for the whole family one night. With a little guidance, you can put them in charge of preparing a family meal one day a week,

"You say, 'Tuesday is your meal. You've got to include a meat, a vegetable, a fruit,' whatever parameters you want to put on it," McCready said. "You have to do a little bit of training, but if you do it, it's worth it."

When in doubt about any task, McCready advises taking a step back.

"Think about, if I provide a little bit of training, could she do this? Could he do this? In so many cases, the answer is yes."

How to Lose Belly Fat Fast - 7 Smart Diet Tricks (Share with your friends)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:40:00 +0000

Besides the combination of cardio, abs training, and weight exercises, the key on how to lose belly fat fast lies on a smart and healthy diet. Below are 7 tricks for a smart diet to help you lose belly fat effectively:

Trick #1 - Drink a glass of water 15-20 minutes before any meal to aid digestion as water dilutes stomach acid. Besides that, water makes you feel full sooner and hence you will eat less.

Trick #2 - Stop drinking soda entirely. Fizzy drinks will not help your weight loss program as it is high in calories yet very low in nutrition. Switching to water is much wiser. However, if you feel like it is almost impossible to abandon soda, you can substitute regular soda with the diet or zero-calorie variety and try to lessen the consumption.

Trick #3 - Familiarize yourself with serving terms. A regular serving of fish or meat is about the size of a deck of cards, one serving of grains or vegetables are about the size of your palm, all tablespoons and teaspoons should be leveled, a small can should weigh 200 grams, and one potato with skin should roughly weigh around 175 grams. You do not have to eat everything that is on your plate. Once you feel full, stop eating immediately.

Trick #4 - Avoid white bread or other starchy food as much as possible. Whole grain bread is a much healthier alternative. It contains more fiber and fewer calories, and it is tastier too.

Trick #5 - Abandon unnecessary salad toppings and creamy dressings. Salads consist of a variety of vegetables and/or fruits. They are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. What makes your salads less healthy is the creamy dressing or the croutons you cover them with. You can make a healthier salad dressing by mixing some virgin olive oil, vinegar, and sprinkles of lemon juice. It's tasty, healthy and it helps to accentuate the flavors of the vegetables.

Trick #6 - When shopping at a grocery store, skip the canned food section. Instead, stock your shopping cart with fresh, healthy foods like herbs, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lentils, and low- or fat-free dairy products.

Trick #7 - Home-made food is the best. When you eat in a restaurant, you can neither control the size of your serving nor find out what ingredients they use in your food. You might end up overeating or consuming unhealthy ingredients such as flavor enhancers or too much salt. By preparing your own meal, you can control your portions and use healthy and fresh ingredients.

Every combination of diet and exercise needs persistence for best result. Find out how to lose belly fat and how to perform abs training effectively on our website.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Women and the Health Care Battles (Share with your Friends)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:19:00 +0000

The current debate over national health care insurance is often centered in Congress, with occasional sidebars contributed by talk-show hosts. Given that women are patients, caretakers and often first-responders in health care crises, Women's eNews has asked its reporters to dig out angles of the debate that directly impact women's well-being. We have a lot at stake in the outcome:

Women are almost twice as likely as men to be covered as dependents in employer-sponsored plans, leaving them vulnerable if their spouse loses his job, they are divorced or they become widowed.
Women comprise two-thirds of adult Medicaid beneficiaries. Thus, Medicaid covers 4 in 10 births in the United States and two-thirds of all family planning services. The current bills under consideration would dramatically change Medicaid eligibility criteria.
More than half of all Medicare beneficiaries are women; of those over the age of 85, 70 percent are women. Congress is now considering requiring Medicare patients to pay more for preventative care, such as mammograms, Pap smears and bone density screenings.
More than 17 million—18 percent-- of nonelderly women are uninsured.
Childbirth and related conditions account for nearly 25 percent of all hospital stays.
Few women have insurance that covers long-term care and they and their families often exhaust their savings to pay for such care out-of-pocket.

source:http://womensenews.org

Making Money Using What You Have

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:34:00 +0000

Sometimes you don't have to look very far to find new ways to make money. You can start making money using what you have. Consider carefully what you can do to profitably use the things you own, the situations you are in, and the skills you have. How can you make some money from these?

Renting Rooms

We've made tens of thousands of dollars over the years renting out bedrooms, even when we were living in a mobile home at the time. We charged a weekly rate that included all utilities, making it very convenient for students and single people. I've also known of people renting a spot in the yard to somebody to park their R.V. and live in it. I once converted a shed into a bedroom and rented that out too.

Rummage Sales

Find everything you don't need (maybe half of your possessions) and have a sale. We find it better to simply take it to a flea market. The fee for a spot is usually cheaper than an ad in the paper and you are guaranteed some customers if it's a good flea market. If you enjoy the process, you can start accumulating more stuff to do it all over again.

Closet Grocery Store

I used to make a little money running a "grocery store" out of two shelves in a living room closet. My room renters paid regular retail for cereal, soup, etc., which I would buy during half-price sales. Also, selling cold pop out of the refrigerator for 50 cents was a regular source of income for years.

How to Profit from Short-Term Investments?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:31:00 +0000

Making short term investments, these days are one of the ways of earning maximum amount of interest in the minimum time. Though there is much scope for earning many bucks, there is equal amount of risk that is involved in the short term investments. The only thing that is necessary to gain big by making short term investments is the knowledge about them and the right place and time to make investments. There are various options where you can make short term investments.

Some short term investments

Certificates of Deposit – Basically offered by banks, the certificates of deposits are safer than the other investment options as the FDIC backs them. The investment period for certificated of deposit may extend from six months to sixty months.

Money Market Accounts – Offered by the banks too, the money market accounts are found to be more liberal than the certificates of deposit. The way of functioning of money market accounts is similar to the money market funds.

Bonds – There are also short term bonds in which you can invest only for a year or two. The yields in the bonds are often found to be around three percent. For gaining huge profits you will have to put in more amount of capital.

Real estate – Real estate is also an excellent option for short term investment but difficult compared to the rest of the investment options. This is because it needs a procurement of a high amount of starting capital to catch up with the investment.

Money Management Details (Share)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 04:28:00 +0000

Money Management
Now that you’re on your own, you might be tempted to spend money on all the things your parents wouldn’t let you have before. Go slow. If you play it smart, you can avoid the sort of money troubles that plague many young

Join a credit union. Don’t just sign up for a random bank giving away t-shirts or frisbees at registration. Track down a credit union in town, or do some research into online banks.
Don’t get a credit card unless you absolutely need one. Don’t be a sucker. Those guys sitting behind the sign-up table are not there to help you. They’re there to make money.
Avoid non-academic debt. It might seem like a good idea to put that Xbox on a credit card, but it’s not. Focus on developing good money skills with cash. Worry about credit later.
Save and then splurge. If you decide you must have that Xbox, then save for it. Wait until you can pay cash.
Pay your bills on time. Basic advice, but it’s surprising how many people lose track of things. If you pay your bills as they arrive, you won’t have to worry about forgetting them.

Credit Card Difintition system of payment

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:40:00 +0000

A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services.[1] The issuer of the card creates a revolving account and grants a line of credit to the consumer (or the user) from which the user can borrow money for payment to a merchant or as a cash advance to the user.

A credit card is different from a charge card: a charge card requires the balance to be paid in full each month. In contrast, credit cards allow the consumers a continuing balance of debt, subject to interest being charged. A credit card also differs from a cash card, which can be used like currency by the owner of the card. Most credit cards are issued by banks or credit unions, and are the shape and size specified by the ISO/IEC 7810 standard as ID-1. This is defined as 85.60 × 53.98 mm (3.370 × 2.125 in) (33/8 × 21/8 in) in size.

WoW-->First 2011 Nissan Leaf Delivery, To Northern Californian Buyer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:27:00 +0000

The first page of a new chapter in green-car history was written yesterday, as Nissan formally handed over a 2011 Leaf electric car to Olivier Chalouhi of Redwood City, California.

He was the very first person in the U।S. to order the all-electric vehicle, and the first to take delivery.

Leaf convoy

Chalouhi accepted the keys to his black 2011 Nissan Leaf SL at a dealership in Petaluma, about 40 miles north of San Francisco. Accompanied by four other Leafs, he then drove his new car to a press event at San Francisco's City Hall.

The scheduled 1:30 pm event kickoff was delayed about 15 minutes when the guest of honor got caught in the notorious San Francisco traffic. After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, the convoy of Leafs drove along Lombard Street and pulled silently into City Hall.

How to Make Your PC as Fast as the Day you Bought It

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:25:00 +0000

How to Make Your PC as Fast as the Day you Bought It

Rather, the problem lies with changes that occur to the PC's software. The 2 most common causes of slowdown (along with easy solutions) are:

Registry errors - the most common problem

Every time you (or your kids) load a program, game or file, your PC's software registery is updated with new instructions needed to operate that item. However, when the item is removed, these instructions usually remain on your PC. Every time you run your computer it tries to execute these instructions but, because the related program can't be found, it causes a registry error. Your PC is doing a lot more work than it should be and the result is a significantly slower computer.

One of the best ways to manage this is with a neat little tool from a Seattle based company called the Advanced Registry Optimizer 2010 (ARO for short). This program scans, identifies and fixes registry errors - resulting in a computer that's a lot more like it was when you first bought it. On top of the amazing results it offers, it's so easy to install and use that it was recently awarded a coveted 4.5 star rating (out of 5) by CNET's editorial staff.

You can now get a free working version of the software which will quickly scan your entire PC and identify all of the registry errors that may be bogging it down. The free version eliminates the first 100 errors and if you have more errors that you want to clean-up or want to set the program to run on a regular basis (recommended) you can easily upgrade to the full version for just $29.95. After that registry errors will no longer be a problem.

To get the free version simply click here.

Spyware and viruses

Spyware and viruses are software programs that are loaded on your computer without your knowledge or permission. They have various purposes, including:

Changing the default search engine in your browser
Tracking your web surfing habits and showing you targeted advertising
Using your email program to send out spam to other email addresses
Stealing your personal information

Most spyware and viruses get onto our computers through files that we download from the internet or as attachments to emails. They tend to take up a lot of computing power and as a result will significantly slow down the computer.

The simple rule of thumb to follow is to never download any free software programs from companies you do not know and trust, especially screensavers, emoticons and the like. In addition, you should never open any attachment to an email unless you are 100% certain you know and trust the sender. In addition, make sure you have a good anti-virus / spyware removal software running at all times.

Follow the above advice and your PC should stay fast and safe.

Share--->5 tips for controlling your privacy online

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:13:00 +0000

Losing control of your personal information can be all too easy online. But by taking some precautions, you can maintain privacy while surfing the Web.

We've got five tips for protecting yourself:

1. Adjust social-network privacy settings

Facebook has made strides in simplifying its privacy settings, but their many options can still seem like a labyrinth। Still, it's worth going in there every once in a while and familiarizing yourself with how much of your information is shared with the world.

To get there, log in to Facebook, and type "privacy settings" into the search box. Facebook recently shrunk that feature to be accessible from a smartphone.

The settings page now offers quick toggles to decide whether your profile is shared just with approved friends, with their friends, too, or publicly. Because many people draw privacy lines differently, you can also fine-tune individual switches.

Taking a leap further, you can give the "super-logoff" trick a try. It's especially popular among young people.

Twitter, another popular social network, also lets you lock your account from public view. In settings, there's a feature called "protect my tweets."

2. Ensure personal data is sent over a secure connection

When sending credit card numbers, banking information and passwords, verify that there's an image of a padlock on the address bar of the browser. This denotes a secure connection to the site. This technology encrypts the data you send and receive, so it's difficult for anyone snooping on the line to access your info.

3. Consider opting out of ad tracking

Online ad networks often install a small file on the computers of people who visit certain websites. These so-called cookies can log your surfing habits, allowing advertisers to tailor ads to your interests.

But what if we don't want to be tracked?

For starters, many Web browsers have a feature in their settings panel that lets you disable cookies from third-party websites। This will stop many ad networks from gaining a fast track into your computing activities.

A couple of organizations offer systems for opting out of popular ad networks. The Network Advertising Initiative and PrivacyChoice.org let you opt out of ad networks with a few clicks. You'll need to activate this on every computer you use. But be warned: Some ad companies may continue to track you even though you've elected to opt out.

U.S. can't force people to buy stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:11:00 +0000

Editor's note: Ilya Shapiro is a senior fellow in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute and editor in chief of the Cato Supreme Court Review. He has filed two briefs on behalf of Cato in Virginia's lawsuit challenging health care reform.

Washington (CNN) -- Today is a good day for liberty. By striking down the unprecedented requirement that Americans buy health insurance -- the "individual mandate" -- Judge Henry Hudson vindicated the idea that ours is a government of delegated and enumerated, and thus limited, powers.

But this should not be surprising, for the Constitution does not grant the federal government the power to force private commercial transactions.

Even if the Supreme Court has broadened the scope of Congress' authority under the Commerce Clause -- it can now reach local activities that have a substantial effect on interstate commerce -- never before has it allowed people to face a civil penalty for declining to buy a particular product। Hudson found therefore that the individual mandate "is neither within the letter nor the spirit of the Constitution."

Stated another way, every exercise of Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce has involved some form of action or transaction engaged in by an individual or legal entity. The government's theory -- that the decision not to buy insurance is an economic one that affects interstate commerce in various ways -- would, for the first time ever, permit laws commanding people to engage in economic activity.

Why car title loans are a bad idea

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 23:10:00 +0000

Cash advances are not a new concept in America's brand of capitalism. Many people have seen the commercials with some guy barking out, "Bad credit, no credit, no problem!" Or, "Don't worry about credit, I own the bank!"

Anytime some guy is telling you he owns the bank, run.

Even though these lenders have been around for a while, signing your car over for a high-interest loan has become a serious financial issue.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept of car title loans, allow us to explain.

At times, the best of us get strapped for cash; we may have no credit or bad credit (just like they say in the commercials), which keeps us from getting small loans from a bank or some other more traditional means।

A title loan offers you cash from the lender, in return you sign over the title of your paid-for car to secure the loan. Typically, these loans are due back in full 30 days later. There's no credit check and only minimal income verification.

It sounds pretty straightforward, but borrowing from these places can lead to a repossession of your car and a whole lot of financial trouble.

Interest rates that make credit card companies blush

Car title loans have been lumped into the "predatory lending" category by many consumers. Non-profit organizations such as Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the Center for Responsible Lending have issued detailed reports outlining some of the title loan issues that the public should be leery about.

One of the biggest issues with these loans is interest rates. Many people dislike credit card interest rates, which average between the mid to high teens for most Americans. Car title loan interest rates make complaining about credit rates seem ludicrous.

Car title lenders are in a different category than credit card companies or banks and work around usury laws. Thus, title loan lenders are able to charge triple digit annual percentage rates (APRs). Yes, triple digits. It's not an exaggeration to see 250% APR and higher on these car tile loans and only a handful of states have passed strict laws that prohibit exorbitant percentage rates.

Even if your credit card company is charging you a high interest of 25% APR, it's nothing compared to car title loans. AOL Autos: Most popular used cars

10 Year-Old Boys Save Frozen Kitten

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:08:00 +0000

Two 10 year-old boys in a suburb of New York are being called local heroes after they came to the aid of a tiny kitten whose paws had become frozen to a metal sewer grate.

Jack Masciopinto and Mike Margolis were on their way to school in Marmaroneck, New York last week when they saw four black spots on a metal sewer grate. At first they thought the spots were mice, but as they walked closer the boys realized they were the paws of a small black kitten.

Frigid weather had caused the cat’s paws to become frozen solid to the sewer grid – the way a tongue sticks a freezing light post।

Mike Margolis said, “Me and Jack were walking in front and we looked over…and looked down and saw these green eyes staring up at us.”

The boys took quick action to help the kitten, in a way that most other kids would. They called mom and dad for help.

Luckily Mike’s father Steven was home and he contacted the Department of Public Works.

Soon there were half-dozen workers on the scene. All of them agreed the kitten would have died if Jack and Mike hadn’t found her.

The DPW workers first used a crowbar to free the frozen metal grid.

“They had to hit it with a sledgehammer because it was frozen in the ground,” said mom Jenny Margolis. “When they picked up the grate, the cat came up too.”

A police officer at the rescue scene poured warm water over the kitten’s paws to release her from the sewer grate.

The kitten was transported to a local animal hospital where she received a thorough examination. Dr. Gina Antiaris DVM said the kitten is approximately 5 months old and had early signs of hypothermia.

The cat will be placed for adoption by Christmas, if her owner doesn’t step forward to claim her.

Infographic: How Color Affects Our Purchasing Habits

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:06:00 +0000

There's a reason Tide is bright orange: the color is aggressive, it screams for a call to action, "buy me, buy me, buy me." Black means luxury. Banks love blue and green because they exude trust and relax you, plus money is green.

KISSmetrics has collected this handy infographic on how colors affect our buying decisions, including which colors attract impulse buyers or budget shoppers. All of this quantified data, however pretty, is just another window into the terrifyingly sophisticated psychology behind consumer marketing.

Sometimes it's used to manipulate us for our own good—getting patients to take their medicine with soothing purple shades for instance. But those same colors are also used to push anti-aging cremes that might be totally useless. With knowledge is power, or awareness of our retail urges anyway.

Scroll on down and see what marketers are thinking about you when they choose a color to thrust in front of you, and consider how much, if at all, you think Tide's bright "call to action" orange gets you feeling ready to pick that over the store brand.

If it's too hard to read the text below, here's a larger version.

Via PSFK

Iceland may ban MasterCard, Visa over WikiLeaks censorship

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 08:02:00 +0000

Credit card companies that prevented card-holders from donating money to the secrets outlet WikiLeaks could have their operating licenses taken away in Iceland, according to members of the Icelandic Parliamentary General Committee.

Representatives from Mastercard and Visa were called before the committee Sunday to discuss their refusal to process donations to the website, reports Reykjavik Grapevine.

"People wanted to know on what legal grounds the ban was taken, but no one could answer it," Robert Marshall, the chairman of the committee, said. "They said this decision was taken by foreign sources."

The committee is seeking additional information from the credit card companies for proof that there was legal grounds for blocking the donations.

Marshall said the committee would seriously review the operating licenses of Visa and Mastercard in Iceland.

WikiLeaks' payment processor, the Icelandic company DataCell ehf, said it would take immediate legal action against the companies to make donations possible again.

"DataCell who facilitates those payments towards Wikileaks has decided to take up immediate legal actions to make donations possible again," DataCell CEO Andreas Fink said last week. "We can not believe WikiLeaks would even create scratch at the brand name of Visa."

"It will probably hurt their brand much much more to block payments towards WikiLeaks than to have them occur," Fink added.

After news that the companies had stopped processing donations to the secrets outlet, those participating in an online campaign known as "Operation Payback" temporarily knocked the websites of Visa and Mastercard offline.

"This does clearly create massive financial losses to WikiLeaks which seems to be the only purpose of this suspension," Fink continued. "This is not about the brand of Visa, this is about politics and Visa should not be involved in this."

Neither company has offered a detailed explanation of why they stopped processing payments to WikiLeaks. MasterCard said only that WikiLeaks had acted in an "illegal" manner, in violation of the company's terms.

The companies still process payments to The Guardian and the New York Times, which have published leaked US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks.

"I can use Visa and Mastercard to pay for porn and support anti-abortion fanatics, Prop 8 homophobic bigots, and the Ku Klux Klan," Jeff Javis noted at The Huffington Post. "But I can't use them or PayPal to support Wikileaks, transparency, the First Amendment, and true government reform. Just saying."

Last week, the Swiss bank Postfinance closed the account of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange because he gave "false information regarding his place of residence during the account opening process." Swiss authorities are investigating if the bank violated secrecy rules by publicly announcing that it had closed his account.

Wikileaks' Julian Assange tells of 'smear campaign'

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 04:54:00 +0000

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has said attempts to extradite him to Sweden over sexual assault allegations are part of a "smear" campaign.

Mr Assange is staying at a house near Bungay, Suffolk, after being freed on bail by the High Court in London while awaiting extradition proceedings.

He said more information would be published by the whistle-blowing website following his release.

Mr Assange denies the allegations made by Swedish prosecutors.

'Disturbing aspects'

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, the 39-year-old Australian said of the case against him: "My feeling is in fact that there's a number of different interests - personal, domestic and international - that are all feeding from this process and encouraging it and pushing it along.

"But it is revealing some important things. It's revealing some disturbing aspects of Europe.

"For example, that any person in any European country can be extradited to any other European country without the provision of any evidence whatsoever."

Referring to the Wikileaks website, he said: "Now that I am back to assist the directing of our ship, our work will proceed in a faster manner.

"But as we have seen with my absence, things are well set up to proceed even without my direct involvement."

BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark asked Mr Assange if he would give his word of honour that he would not try to abscond before the next hearing.

He replied: "We have done everything by the book. We have tried as hard as possible to set up a situation where we can clear my name of these allegations.

"But what we have not seen is the provision of any evidence or material to allow us to do that."

'Continuing vendetta'

Mr Justice Ouseley ordered Mr Assange be bailed on payment of £240,000 in cash and sureties.

The judge imposed strict bail conditions including wearing an electronic tag, reporting to police every day and observing a curfew.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 23:52:00 +0000

Last night, as reported by News Junkie Post’s O. Olson, Congress passed, by an overwhelming majority, a two year renewal of the Bush tax cuts। The bill is a nice extra Christmas bonus for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans, and it will only amplify the monumental US budget deficit. The logic behind the bill goes against, not only common sense but also against the global trend, notably in Europe, to cut spending and increase taxation in order to address a spreading budget crisis. The governments of countries such as Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain are pushing for unpopular austerity measures, and richer countries such as the UK and France are trying to implement the same type of economic policies often by cutting social benefits and programs.

If austerity is the trend in Europe, it is certainly not the case in the United States. The US political and financial ruling class, which can be credited for starting the global financial meltdown of 2008, is still betting on the “virtues” of shock capitalism by cutting taxes and not cutting spending. What Congress did last night is quite simple: Our politicians made the decision to charge our common national credit card with a $700 billion gift to themselves and their real constituents, which are the wealthiest 2 percent Americans. And, once again, future generations will have to pick-up the astronomic tab. That is, of course, unless the United States goes completely bankrupt from 30 years of reckless financial and economic policies.

However, Americans, especially Democrats, should not be surprised at all. The new documentary “Inside Job” exposed how the same players, often switching jobs from top Wall Street executives to “public servants” rigged the system, and are still running the show. By giving Wall Street full license to operate like a Ponzi scheme, we have allowed this very dangerous symbiosis between Wall Street and Congress, where the financial sector is truly in charge of the electoral American process.

Before he became president, Barack Obama was denouncing the “Fat Cats” of Wall Street. Two years later, this hypocritical populist stand has been exposed as a lie. President Obama has, in his own economic team, some of the worst fat cats he was denouncing a while back. The de-regulators or former Wall Street executives such as Larry Summers, Tim Geithner, Ben Bernanke etc are behind all financial and economic decisions in the Obama administration, and they fully qualify as fat cats.

The Oligarchs: Wall Street Fat Cats And Congressional Fat Cats

In November, many confused American voters were fed-up with Washington, and decided to vote for what they thought were the outsiders of the Tea Party. The Tea Party activists were conned, and now their so called representatives will just be pawns in the same old Washington game where only money can do the talking. If a majority of Americans, traditionally the ones voting Republican, are voting against their own financial interests, it is not the case for Senators and House Representatives. In other words, last night, Congressional millionaires voted for their own personal interests, financial gains and the ones of their real friends: Namely the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans.

In effect, despite a dreadful national economy, Congressional members’ personal wealth has increased since the 2008 crash. Last night, Congress voted an enthusiastic yes for they own financial stimulus. According to a recent study from the Center for Responsive Politics, Congressional members’ personal wealth collectively increased by more than 16 percent between 2008 and 2009.

According to the study, nearly half (261)members of Congress are millionaires. Of these Congressional millionaires, 55 had an average calculated wealth of $ 10 million or more in 2009, with eight in the $100 million plus range. In 2009, the median wealth of a US House member stood at $765,010 up from $645,503 in 2008. The median wealth of a US Senator was an astronomical $2.38 million up from $2.27 million in 2008. For all members of Congress, regardless of chamber, median wealth in 2009 reached $911,510 up from $785,515 in 2008.

“Few federal lawmakers must grapple with the financial ills-unemployment, loss of housing, wiped out savings- that have befallen millions of Americans. Congressional representatives, on balance, rank among the wealthiest of wealthy Americans, and boast financial portfolios that are all but unattainable for most of their constituents,” said Sheilla Krumholz, Executive Director at the Center for Responsive Politics.

Bill requiring sound device for electric vehicles, hybrids approved

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:50:00 +0000

Ever since the introduction of the first electric vehicles and hybrids there have been questions raised regarding the safety factor of these quiet vehicles hitting an unsuspecting pedestrian. Now, after many years of fruitless debate, the House has voted to approve the bill following the Senate’s approval vote last week.

The bill essentially aims to find a minimum levels of audible output required from a vehicle in order for it to be safety identifiable to those who are vision impaired, and according to The Detroit News, the bill received an overwhelmingly supportive vote of 379-30।

What type of sound, or how loud the sound will need to be is not yet known. Instead, the bill identifies the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the responsible party for determining those factors in order to allow the blind, children and other otherwise at-risk pedestrians to “reasonably detect a nearby electric or hybrid vehicles” while traveling at slower speeds.

The bill did stipulate, however, that the sound will not be defeat-able by the drivers, meaning there is no option to turn the safety function off like some safety technologies such as traction control sometimes allow।

Currently, most hybrid vehicles on the road lack this technology, but the Nissan Leaf has a device that is said to automatically notify pedestrians of its presense, while the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle has an activate-able chirping sound. The Prius does not currently offer such a device, but options are in testing in Japan.