How White Noise Can Help You To Sleep

Surprisingly, only 5% of people with sleep disorders are diagnosed and treated. Some people would rather cope with their sleeping inability rather than to pay the high cost of treatment and doctor?s fees. It is a good thing that the present consumer market is now finding some ways and giving more people options on how to combat sleeping disorders without the complication of medical treatment and the price that comes with it.

For as low as $50, you can purchase a white noise machine that can generate those z?s out of you. To understand how this machine can help you, here is a quick overview of what white noise exactly is.

The word ?white? in white noise originates from how white light works. A white light is used to describe a type of light containing all possible colors. Similarly, white noise is a mixture of all imaginable sounds in varying frequencies. ?Noise? in white noise, simply refers to random signals that produce undistinguishable sounds.

The main objective of a white noise is to y mask all other sounds that could keep you from sleeping. The idea is to drown all unwanted sounds and listen to one ?soothing noise? that can put you to sleep.

Your ears normally pick up sounds which the brain translates to something understandable. In your sleep, if you can hear something that your brain can comprehend, for instance the sound of a conversation, then your brain automatically functions- thus keeping you awake. The idea of a white noise is to produce a type of noise that is unintelligible in order to cover for the rest of the sounds that you might hear.

White noise machines produce sounds that a person cannot actually define. Some would say that it is similar to a soothing waterfall or raindrops or even ocean waves. But most people would simple describe it as something pleasant to the ear, which is very peaceful and calming.

People of all ages can benefit from white noise. Most doctors would recommend the use of white noise machines to people with insomnia or babies with colic. People with ADD, hyperacusis or tinnitus can also benefit from it. If you want something that can drown noise pollution so that you can focus and concentrate at the job at hand, this is also one of the practical uses of white noise machines.

Alternatively, these sounds can be found on CD which is not only more economical but also makes it more portable. This is extremely useful if you travel a lot as you will be able to sleep comfortably and soundly anywhere you go.

Jason Rickard is the owner of Your Favourite Shop - Offering White Noise and Relaxation CDs - Visit Hapa Health for more articles

Bird Flu: Should You Stock Up on Medicines?

The bird flu virus called H5N1 can kill you. There is no bird flu epidemic in humans, but there could be. You can get bird flu only from birds. Since humans spend more time with humans than they do with birds, humans are at very low risk for bird flu. The concern is that H5N1 could mutate and be spread from human to human. This could cause an epidemic that could kill millions of people throughout the world.

At this time the only drugs we have to threat bird flu are Tamiflu and Relenza. On the first sign of chills or coughing during an epidemic, you would be instructed to take one Tamiflu pill twice a day for five days. This shortens the course of the disease by one day, which seems insignificant but could save your life. You could also take the drug prophylactically if you were exposed to people who have the flu. Relenza has to be inhaled , so you would take it only after you became sick.

If you hear that bird flu has mutated and is causing an epidemic among humans, you will want to get Tamiflu pills and have them ready if you need them. At this time it does not make sense to stockpile the drugs as there may never be a bird flu epidemic, the drugs are very expensive, and they have a limited shelf life.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition.

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure or hypertension is the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the blood vessels. Blood pressure is not static and varies from one heartbeat to another throughout the day. The blood pressure is measured by a sphygmomanometer. At home, you can measure your blood pressure by an electronic blood pressure monitor. Two readings of the blood pressure in the arteries during the cardiac cycle are taken. The peak pressure is known as systolic pressure and the lowest pressure at the resting phase of the cardiac cycle as the diastolic pressure.

Normal values for blood pressure readings of a resting healthy adult are:

Systolic Blood Pressure Read: between 90 and 135 mmHg
Diastolic Blood Pressure: between 50 and 90 mmHg
Average blood pressure for young people: 120/80 mmHg

Blood pressure readings in the lower end of these values are considered good for cardiovascular health.

High Blood Pressure When the arteries become obstructed with plaque and cholesterol, they constrict making the circulation of blood difficult. As a result, blood pressure becomes elevated. A systolic blood pressure above 200 and diastolic blood pressurea bove 120 mmHg is termed as severe hypertension.

The main causes of having high blood pressure are

Diet and lifestyle factors
Hereditary
High cholesterol
Mental tension/stress/worries/fear/work pressure/competitive life
Lack of exercise/sedentary lifestyle
Excessive consumption of common salt, sugar and/or fat
Nutritional deficiencies
Overweight
Smoking
Excessive consumption of alcohol.

If you have high blood pressure, then lowering your blood pressure will greatly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other illnesses. You can lower your blood pressure by having a control over the factors causing it. The good news is that you can improve all of the above causes, except hereditary. You need not to take any blod pressure medication.

Copyright 2005, P. Mehta www.fatfreekitchen.com

[You have permission to publish this article in your web sites, ezines or electronic publication, as long as the piece is used in its entirety including the resource box, all hyperlinks (clickable) and references and copyright info.

For more information on how to lower cholesterol naturally, visit the web site

http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/cholesterol/blood-pressure.html

http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/cholesterol/high-blood-pressure.html

Please note that this article is not a subsitute for medical advise.

A Guide to Hoodia Powder and the Hoodia Fat Burner

Are you sick and tired of other people and the media yapping about the results they are getting from the hoodia fat burner when you have pounds to lose and feel self-conscious about it?

Indeed, it seems like everytime you turn your head you are hearing about hoodia and weight loss.

Millions of people have either read about hoodia or seen it covered on such media sources as the Today Show, Oprah magazine, the BBC, CBS 60 minutes and more.

After all the media soundbytes settle, you are left with a myriad of questions....such as, what exactly is hoodia fat burner and how do I find a quality hoodia product for myself?

These are natural questions and getting the proper knowledge is important to minimize your chances of getting ripped off when you buy hoodia powder supplements.

If you live outside of a cave (as most of us do), you'll have probably not only seen the media coverage, but also noticed that hoodia products are now appearing all over the Internet and even being promoted unethically via spam.

How to make sense of it all?

Well, the first thing to bear in mind is that you must focus on the quality of the product above all else. Forget the hype, forget the testimonials (which are often fabricated), and just stick to the facts and you'll have the best shot of sifting through the hoodia labyrinth and finding a product that actually delivers what it promises.

So what facts should you know before buying a hoodia product?

We thought you'd never ask....

Facts to know about hoodia fat burner:

• The hoodia genus is comprised of many kinds of hoodia species, but only the hoodia gordonii species contains the appetite suppressing (and therefore weight loss and fat burning properites) you're looking for.

  Therefore, be cautious of any product that claims it contains pure hoodia or 100% hoodia when in fact it may be something other than hoodia gordonii, and, therefore, useless to you if you want to lose weight and burn fat.

• Hoodia gordonii is a protected plant species, regulated in its international trade. A Hoodia CITES certificate is required to export it out of South Africa, the only place it natively grows.

  Therefore, if you want to maximize your chances of getting authentic hoodia gordonii, look for hoodia product sellers that display a CITES certificate.

• The only scientific studies to date have been conducted on the active ingredient in the hoodia gordonii plant responsible for its appetite lowering benefits. This active ingredient is called P57.

  Hoodia powder from sellers of hoodia based products do not necessarily contain P57 -- or necessarily contain the same amount of it from product to product and brand to brand.

• Also be skeptical about hoodia product sellers who tout made from whole hoodia plant. This is because upwards of 40% of the hoodia gordonii plant contains no active ingredient. Such parts of the plant include: the flowers, the skin, the prickly spines, the pulpy leaves, and more.

  Only the core of the plant -- the flesh -- contains the active ingredient that can help suppress your appetite.

  If your product is made from whole hoodia plant it may sound good, but you may be paying for hoodia powder that is, in effect, 40% useless fillers that makes the product cheaper for the seller, and much less effective for you.

Keep the aforementioned tips in mind and you will go a long way in choosing amongst the so-called hoodia fat burners and finding a product made from hoodia powder that delivers what you want.

Discover the hoodia powder supplements we feature the most and why we do at http://www.hoodia-gordonii-central.com/Buyhoodia.html

Over Compulsive Disorder A Bit of the Other

What gives a person suffering from over compulsive disorder (OCD)the right to chastise others e.g. children/husband and wife's on their behaviour when we as a patient have no control over our own. Other peoples habits are very similar to that of what we do ourselves, antics may include irritating and annoying stunts. What is the difference between over compulsive disorder actions to that of what others do, fortunately for the others they gain control to stop what it is they do, as for the OCD patient I am afraid to say they have no jurisdiction or say on the matter when to stop?

Over compulsive disorder (OCD) comes with invisible powers where it leaves a patient feeling disorientated to an extent where life becomes meaningless. In other words life is not worth living if not able carry out their compulsions. (Depending on the individual)

You are not alone if you suffer from OCD the number in others are on the increase daily, we even have fellow patients who are unaware that they are infected. The reason for this is because symptoms are mild and seem to go unnoticed unlike the more sever cases where patients undergo medical treatment.

Over compulsive disorder (OCD) in the past was considered untreatable but doctors in the modern world would not be beaten and continued to research day and night looking for answers behind why a patient believed their OCD was a sign of madness or that their actions sent out signals of mental instability, in other words crazy. The good news is the modern world won the battle and brought hope to all sufferers with modern medication. Treatment is readily available along with people who care and want to help. All you have to do is, ask.

This is the modern world so be honest with yourself and face up to your over compulsive disorder (OCD) with revenge in mind. Retaliation as an ally in this battle is enough to win the war; it will take time but all worth while in the end. Start gathering ammunition to beat this invisible force by visiting the doctor, he/she may not see it but certainly are aware of its presence when the questions asked are answered openly and honestly.

Depending on you and the severity of your (OCD) symptoms medication and treatments will differ. How great your needs are to be rid of this illness that is slowly destroying breaking your heart and causing you and your nearest and dearest so much pain and suffering lies in your hands.

I envy how OTHERS are in control of their behaviour. I chastise no more. Give me a bit of the other any day.

For help with anxiety or stress go to my health page where you may find help with your problems. http://www.benidormbeaches.com

Atkins Diet Can Age Your Skin: How to Lose Weight Without Losing Face

The Atkins Diet has sold more copies than any other diet book in history. In fact it is one of the top 50 best-selling books of all time, according to Amazon. Recently, however, scientists at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University announced findings that may finally throw a bucket of cold water on all that steak and eggs: An Atkins-style diet increases inflammation in the body. And according to celebrity dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone, inflammation is the culprit behind premature skin aging, wrinkles, crow?s feet, and age spots.

Chronic low-level inflammation has also been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, Alzheimer?s, cancer, osteoporosis, depression, and a host of other illnesses. But from the beginning, experts have warned that a high fat, high protein diet would increase the risk of heart disease, kidney problems, and other diseases. None of these stodgy concerns dimmed popular enthusiasm for the Atkins approach. It may be the more cosmetic consequences that finally get the attention of Atkin?s devotees. After all, who needs a diet that makes you look older?

Foods affect inflammation in very complex ways. Foods that are high in sugar, for example, tend to promote inflammation--and these foods are almost completely eliminated on the Atkins Diet. On the other hand, foods high in saturated fats, such as butter, cream, bacon, and other Atkins-friendly foods also tend to increase the body?s production of inflammatory chemicals. Foods that naturally decrease inflammation include fruits and vegetables that may be restricted on a low-carb regime.

If you are a die-hard Atkins fan, take heart. You can enjoy the benefits of a low-carb lifestyle without sacrificing your skin. But you might have to work a little harder. In addition to counting carbs, you should familiarize yourself with the IF Rating system, a system that rates foods according to their inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects. Choosing low carb foods with high IF ratings will help you avoid the aging consequences of excess inflammation.

For example, low-carb foods that are also anti-inflammatory include wild-caught salmon, herring, oysters, tuna, pork tenderloin, flank steak, Canadian bacon, olive oil, and garlic. Low-carb foods that are highly inflammatory include farm-raised salmon, veal, liver, cream, egg yolks, turkey, and (sorry!) bacon. For a more complete list of IF Ratings, see The Inflammation Free Diet Plan, which includes IF Ratings and carbohydrate grams for over 1600 foods.

Copyright, Monica Reinagel, 2006

Monica Reinagel is a nutrition researcher, author, and professionally-trained chef. Her latest book, The Inflammation Free Diet Plan: The Scientific Way to Lose Weight, Banish Pain, Prevent Disease, and Slow Aging is available at online and retail booksellers.

Choose Only Natural Skin Care Products

I do not know who weight it, but scientists say the human body has six pounds of skin. In my opinion to know its surface in more important as dust, dirt, pollutants enter to our body through this porous membrane. I think that the skin provides the most significant gateway to our system for environmental pollutants.

A question rises in my mind. While we are surrounded by chemicals and pollutants, why to poison ourselves using toxic products?

According to The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) statistics, over 900 chemicals used in personal care products and cosmetics have been found to be toxic. A recent study in pediatric drugs found personal care products and cosmetics as the most common cause of unintentional poisonings of Canadian children younger than 6 years of age. Some days ago The US Food and Drug Administration concluded that two of most used drugs in atopic dermatitis therapy are a potential risk for skin cancer.

Many cosmetic products claim to utilize an all-natural formula. But do not trust the rumors, try to be sure that the product you buy actually contains the ingredients it claims to have. Be available to read and understand its label to ensure that the product you will use is as natural as it claims to be.

Do not think you should be a chemical scientist to know about the ingredients listed on most cosmetics and personal care products labels. If the label contains a long list of mind-numbing, tongue-twisting names put the product down. The ingredients of all natural products should be easily recognizable as natural components. On the other hand, the ingredients should be listed in descending order with the most important factors listed first. Just scan the first several lines on the label to be sure that product has the natural ingredients you are looking for.

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in skin care products.

The Difference Between Fat In Men And Women

It should be common knowledge that men and women store and carry fat in different areas; one need only look around to see this. In general, women tend to put on fat on their hips, legs, and buttocks while men tend to store primarily in their waistline.

Scientists call the shapes in men android or apple and the pear shape that most women have they call the gynoid. The third type of shape is androgynous, meaning appearing on males and females which is an overall coverage of body fat.

Someone who is prone to being overweight may be subject to factors such as a genetic predisposition to gain weight that comes from their parents, an under active thyroid, or as seen in recent news reports may even be infected with a virus that predisposes them to weight gain.

Fat distribution seems to be influenced by age, genetics, and race, but even more so it is governed by hormones that are specific to each gender. The estrogen hormones in women call for fat to be stored in the aforementioned pear shape while the testosterone in men leads to fat storage in the abdomen and even right above the hips.

It is not news to anyone that excessive body fat is bad for one?s health but the way that fat is stored and where it is stored affects the function and health of specific organs.

There are two types of fat, subcutaneous, which is under the skin and visceral, which is around the organs. Having excess fat around the abdomen is from visceral fat which tells us that abdominal fat is the most dangerous risk to our health.

One of the easiest ways to determine excessive fat deposits is the waist to hip ratio measurement. The way you get this is by dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement. The maximum for men is .95 for men and .80 for women. If your results are above this you need to take steps to reduce your weight.

If you are an apple shape you are prone to a variety of diseases related to obesity such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, and more.

Pear shapes are more prone to hip and knee problems and limitations in movement due to the accumulation of fat in the lower body.

Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman you should take the waist to hip ratio test and if you are over it you should begin a weight loss program immediately.

Glenn Freiboth is a Certified Health Advisor lives in Illinois and has helped many overweight and obese people lose weight and keep it off. Get Medifast weight loss products at http://www.GetYouHealth.com

Zinc Attack!

Minerals are sometimes overlooked as essential elements for our body. Zinc is vital to both humans and animals. It is found in all the cells in our body.

Zinc has a lot of functions. Here are some functions of zinc...

It stimulates the chemicals that promote biochemical processes in the body.

It helps in the maintenance of a healthy immune system.

It is required for wound healing or in healing injuries

It is important in maintaining your healthy sense of smell, sight and taste

It is required for proper DNA synthesis

It aids in optimal growth and development especially during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence.

It supports sperm development in men and is required for ovulation and fertilization in women.

It is needed in synthesizing protein and metabolism of fatty acids

It contributes to the body's protection against free radicals

Zinc was found to be very helpful in the following conditions:

Childhood intelligence deficiency

Acne (Zinc controls bacteria and is vital for normal production of oil in the body.)

Infertility (for male)

Contact Dermatitis

Common Cold (Zinc lozenges help shorten the length of having a cold. Zinc lozenges or zinc spray can be used to prevent a cold.)

Down's Syndrome

Wilson's disease (This is through interfering the body's use of mineral copper. Zinc blocks copper absorption.)

Night blindness

Wound healing

In addition to these, zinc aids in the prevention of prostate enlargement and reduction of the size of an enlarged prostate. Zinc is significant in several aspects of metabolism of hormones.

Zinc deficiencies are not as common in developed countries than in third world countries. People with Down's syndrome, malabsorption syndromes and liver cirrhosis are more or less prone to zinc deficiencies no matter what country they are in.

In addition to these other risk factors include alcoholism, insufficient caloric intake and digestive diseases. Alcoholism decreases the units of zinc absorbed by the body and increases zinc loss in the urine.

Furthermore, vegetarians need to be more cautious because zinc absorption from plants is generally lower.

Zinc deficiency often occurs when there is inadequate intake or malabsorption, when there is an increase in zinc body requirement or when there is increased zinc losses from the body.

There is also maternal zinc deficiency. This can lead to slowed fetal growth. Breast milk does not provide enough zinc for infants 7 months and older. Breastfeeding also drain the mother's zinc reserves. Thus, foods that are good sources of zinc should be included in her diet.

Deficiency manifests in several ways. These include diarrhea, hair loss, growth retardation, impotence and delayed sexual maturation, and eye and skin lesions.

Impaired wound healing, weight loss and mental lethargy can also be associated with zinc deficiency. However, these symptoms are also too general and too common for other medical conditions. Thus, it is best that you consult your doctor.

Zinc deficiency leads to a compromised immune system. This is because zinc is needed in T-lymphocyte development and activation.

Of course, too much of something is also bad for your health. Too much zinc supplementation can lead to zinc toxicity. This can lead to altered iron function, reduced immune function, low copper status and reduced levels of good cholesterol.

Proper diet and exercise are foundations of good health and nutrition. A multivitamin can mean just plus points to your diet or be as important as eating right. Remember to read labels to know the content and quality of what you are taking. Consult your doctor for the most suitable supplements for you.

Joyce Dietzel writes articles for your-vitamins.com a website dedicated to Vitamins-Supplements-Minerals

http://www.for-your-vitamins.com/Zinc.html

A Review of Techniques in Managing Your Depression

Some people have a difficult time in managing their depression. Sometimes, their depression and fears can get best of them. As a result, here is a short list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their depression.

I was told by a counselor that one of the ways to manage depression is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, your afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you don?t get this job promotion doesn?t mean that you will never get one. In addition, people change jobs all the time, and you always have that option of going elsewhere if you are unhappy at your present location.

Some people get depressed and have a difficult time getting out of bed in the mornings. When this happens, a person should take a deep breathe and try to find something to do to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. Doing something will get your mind off of the problem and give you confidence to do other things.

Sometimes, we can get depressed over a task that we will have to perform in the near future. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind. For instance, you and your team have to play in the championship volleyball game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that your playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.

Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that make us feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you in your pocket. Whenever you feel depressed, open up your small notebook and read those statements.

As a Layman and author of an anxiety book, I have done many interviews with various counselors in how to manage fear, anxiety and depression. The techniques that I have just covered are some basic ways to manage your depression, however your best bet is to get some help from a professional.

Stan Popovich is the author of A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear? an easy to read book that presents a overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com

Cancer Smart Bomb Research

Do you remember the Smart Bomb footage of the Gulf Wars on CNN, where the bomb was launched and you watched on full video as the smart munitions flew thru someone?s window and exploded? Well, some really brilliant folks at MIT had an idea. A cancer drug which could go to a cancer cell and penetrate it like a sponge and then seal-a-meal itself in the cancerous region. Then go off and attack the cancerous region without hurting nearby cells. Wow. How did they do it? Using nano-articles, that?s how.

The lethal dose of anti-cancer toxins goes off like the Mother of All Bombs and does not hurt the non-cancerous cells. It has been tested on Melanoma and Lewis Lung Cancer in rats so far. Soon clinical trials and tests will begin on real people, but everyone is very excited and pretty certain this will work very well. It was a group effort at MIT, between nano tech, bio-medicine and cancer researchers. They are confident that it will be better for the patient than the chemotherapy due to the reduction of toxicity to the healthy surrounding tissue cells.

By using this new research and methodology the MIT team hopes to cur off enemy supply lines, while dropping smart anti-cancer drugs on the cancer cells. Similar to starving out enemy insurgents and then attacking them from the air with precision smart bombs, a strategy which is currently ripping the heart out of our enemy. The nano cell or super Navy Seal like team, is like a balloon within a localized grid of the modern net-centric battlespace. A balloon within a balloon, where it releases the treatment, an anti-angiogenic drug; thus the blood vessels feeding the tumor then collapse, which means the loaded nanoparticles are trapped in the tumor, and release the chemotherapy. It worked in the mice, now it is time to use this to attack cancerous areas in humans. Eighty percent of the mice survived over 65 days; the best so far would have been only 30 days. The untreated mice died at less than 20 days. The nanocell treatment worked best on melanoma than lung cancer, but with a little work the researchers believe they will have an answer for safer treatment for many types of cancers and drastically increase the odds of survival. The future where cancer is conquered is rapidly approaching, that is good news for the World and it means more Lance Armstrong types amongst us. Think on this, because it is all good and it will be here soon.

Lance Winslow

Cosmetics Tips

Looking your best is easy with these simple cosmetics tips!

Keep your cosmetics fresh

Makeup does have an expiry date! It might not be written on the packaging, but there will come a time when your cosmetics won't be as vibrant, smooth or nice to wear as they used to be. Not only is it a good sign that you're possibly in the wrong season, it's also important if you want to be looking your best! Keep your makeup rotated every 6 months or so.

Make sure you're wearing the right cosmetics for your skin tone

The tragic flaw many people make when buying cosmetics is not matching them to their skin tone. This makes it almost impossible when trying to find the right foundation and concealer, but it also affects the lipstick and eye shadow you should be wearing. There are ways to determine skin tone, and you should base your cosmetics selections around the right tone:

Ruddy skin tone is associated with burning easily, but also with becoming easily flushed or pink-cheeked.

Yellow skin tones respond poorly to yellowish foundation and concealer and make the skin look more flawed than it did before.

Yellow-olive skin tone is easily identified because it's mainly found in people who tan easily and don't burn often. So if you come in from the beach a shade other than bright red, yellow-olive is you!

Olive skin tones are slightly gray or ashen, do not burn easily and have greenish undertones.

Neutral skin tone has no obvious yellow, olive or ruddy tones, nor any features of these skin tones.

Cosmetics counter assistants will be able to assist you in determining your skin tone, and also offer you the best options for cosmetics and colors. Similarly, you will find great tips just by looking through fashion magazines: ruddy skin responds well to earthy colors such as browns, greens, corals and reds; medium yellow and ruddy skin tones go well with both light and dark browns; darker olive skin looks great in more vibrant shades of ruby and cherry; and dark skin tones love more natural, soft pinks, corals and browns.

Wearing the 'wrong' cosmetics for your skin tone can result in you looking washed out, accentuating blemishes and otherwise causing flawed skin.

Learn to apply your cosmetics properly

Make sure you don't look like a ... well, clown ... after you put your makeup on in the morning. Most of us learn how to put on our faces from our friends in junior high or our mothers, and that's all well and good until we have to go to an important business meeting and we realize we actually don't know how to apply eyeliner!

Many makeup artists will actually visit you in your own home or as part of a cosmetics party and teach you how to do it properly, or you can visit a cosmetics counter and have them take you through the process. There's more to a great look than just throwing your makeup on, but there are simple and easy tricks that will have you looking gorgeous in no time!

Foundation: don't forget to blend foundation into your neck, or you'll end up with an unsightly line around your jaw; apply concealer after foundation!

Eye shadow: apply your base color from the inside out, then define your eyes with a darker shade in the crease of your eyelid; for extra definition, use a light shadow on your brow bone.

Eye liner: steady your hand by resting on a flat surface, and always apply from the inside to the outside of your eye; extending the liner beyond the end of your eyelids will give a great exotic look!

Mascara: two layers is best; apply the first layer downwards from the roots, then again upwards from the midway point of the lashes; apply a finer layer to the bottom lashes so you don't look like a panda, then leave for a couple of minutes and repeat.

Lipstick: the way you apply your lipstick depends on the shape of your mouth, but make sure your lip liner (if you use one) matches the color of your lipstick, use a base or primer, apply color with a lip brush and remember to blot; finish off with an application of lip gloss for perfectly luscious lips.

Accentuate your best features, improve the rest.

Barb S - your personal beauty expert. See our name brand salon hair products makeup and cosmetics at http://www.Stuff4Beauty.Com

Improve Your Workout With The Right Cross Training Clothes

Although for many people they are not the main consideration when cross training, it is still important to make sure that you have good cross training clothes. If you choose the right workout clothes then they can bring real benefits in enabling you to train comfortably and to help ensure that you stay comfortable and are able to maintain a steady body heat.

The correct workout gear is also beneficial because it can help to wick away any buildups of perspiration that may form which can cool on your skin and lead to chilling when you stop for a break. It is also important to make sure that your cross trainer clothes allow unrestricted movement so that you are not impeded in any way while you are exercising.

When training outdoors it's essential to use a layering system to keep you warm and dry when the weather is bad and to enable your body to naturally repel moisture away from your skin. The base layer of a three-part layering system should be the thinnest one, which is made for wicking moisture away to the upper layers so that it can be disbursed to the air. This is often made of a light man-made fiber such as polypropylene or a natural fiber such as Marino wool, which will first attract and then push perspiration towards the outer layers.

The second layer is for insulation to keep you warm and is essential for any training that is undertaken outside, especially in cold conditions or where there is no ready access to a warm environment after you have finished working out. The third layer should be made of waterproof and windproof material that is also light and highly breathable so that it will keep you warm and dry but also allow moisture to pass through.

Probably the most important part of your cross training clothes are your shoes. It's very important to get this aspect of your clothing right so you can exercise comfortably and not incur any unnecessary injuries to your feet, shin or thighs. Probably the best types of shoes to choose are made of split leather with a breathable upper mesh and a rubber toe cap. Make sure your exercise footwear also have a padded tongue to avoid chafing and a mesh lining with a foam foot bed. It is also important that they have a good tread so that you can get a good grip on uneven ground.

Choosing the right cross training clothes is not so much about fashion as about practicality and the need to function efficiently and keep yourself warm, dry and free from perspiration. A short time spent choosing the right clothes and even more importantly the right shoes, will repay the effort by making sure that you can get the best out of your equipment and your exercise.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Elliptical-Trainer-Solutions.com. He provides more elliptical trainer ratings, recommendations and information on the right cross training clothes that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

DoItYourself Manicure

Your hands are as obvious as any part of your body; you use them to emphasize points in a conversation and to do daily tasks, therefore they should look as well groomed as the rest of you. A good manicure is important to your appearance. Whether or not you use polish, your nails should be conservative, healthy, and always well manicured. To keep your hands attractive give yourself a weekly manicure.

Set aside about a half hour and have the following items before you start: emery board, cuticle scissors, nail buffer, a bowl of warm water, polish remover, nail brush, orangewood stick, cotton balls, base coat or nail hardener, nail polish and top coat.

1.Remove old polish with a cotton ball dampened with nail polish remover. Press the cotton ball firmly to the nail and hold until for a few seconds. Pull the cotton ball down the centre so the polish doesn?t smear on the skin around the nail. Use a clean cotton ball to remove any stubborn polish.

2.Holding it on a slant, use an emery board to shape nails. Use long strokes in one direction toward the centre of the nail (don?t go back and forth). Don?t file the nails away at the corners because it weakens the nails. Make the curve blunt and don?t file your nails into sharp points.

3.In a rotating motion use your thumb to massage cuticle cream into the rough skin at the sides and base of the nails.

4.Soak your nails in warm water for a few minutes to soften the cuticle. Clean your nails thoroughly using a nailbrush.

5.Wrap the end of the orangewood stick in cotton and apply cuticle remover to the blunt end. Use it to loosen dead skin from around the nails.

6.Use scissors on hangnails only. Never cut cuticles.

7.Make sure your nails are free from polish and are clean and dry. If you don?t wear polish, simply buff your nails lightly lengthwise from the base to the tip and you?re finished. 8.Wipe nails again with polish remover to make sure you get rid of any traces of oil moisture or soap.

9.For normal nails apply a clear base coat to the entire surface of each nail. If you have problem nails use nail hardener instead.

10.Apply nail polish using 3 strokes, one from the centre base to the tip and one on each side. Use only enough polish to do one nail at a time. Don?t redo while wet.

11.When the first coat is completely dry (about ten minutes) apply a second coat.

12.Finish with a coat of sealer for added protection and allow to dry for at least 30 minutes. Avoid contact with water until nails are completely dry.

? Copyright 2005 Sheila Dicks

Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who helps women dress to suit their body type and look fabulous. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her ebook Image Makeover and get How to Build a Wardrobe: free.

Are Nutritional Supplements Necessary?

How many times have your heard that we can get all the nutrients we need from the food we eat? How many of you manage to eat the five servings of fruits and vegetables per day that are recommended? If you are unable to consume the five servings of fruit and vegetables that are recommended daily, you are not alone. Two thirds of Americans fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables daily. Today?s active lifestyles make it virtually impossible to consume the perfect balance of different types of foods that is needed to obtain all the nutrients we need on a daily basis. Nutritional shortfalls exist for many nutrients in this country. Vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B-6, folic acid, zinc, copper, calcium, iron, and magnesium are all lacking in the normal American diet.

A large nutritional survey conducted in 1994 showed that most American women are only getting half of the daily recommended intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid in their diet. Numerous nutritional studies also show that most of the elderly and most of the young women in the United States were getting less than two-thirds of the RDA of 15 milligrams of zinc in their diets.

Another nationwide survey showed that ninety-five percent of American women aged 18 to 44 were getting only a little more that half of the 18 milligrams of iron needed to offset the menstrual losses of this mineral. Studies of calcium intake have shown that 75 percent of all women over age 35 get less the RDA of 800 milligrams per day. This lack of calcium causes bone loss weakening the bones and causing osteoporosis. Calcium supplements can not only stop this bone loss but can also actually reverse it.

A study of meals served to students at 50 colleges found that the foods on the menu provided only 251 milligrams of magnesium a day- even though the RDA is 350 milligrams for men and 300 milligrams for women. Even if we only ate minimally processed organic foods, it would be hard to eat the amount needed to provide all the needed nutrients for optimal health. Especially since our ability to absorb and utilize the nutrients in our food diminishes as we age. Unfortunately, most of us eat a diet rich in highly processed nutrient deficient food.

Why is our food so nutrient deficient?

Well, it is mostly our fault. As consumers, we want picture-perfect produce. The food industry, thus, focuses on developing food that ships well, not on food that is nutritious. Tomatoes and lettuce are picked green and shipped in cold storage in order to appear picture perfect on the store shelves. Unfortunately, peak nutrition is achieved by letting the fruit ripen on the vine. Vine ripened tomatoes are proven to contain higher levels of beta-carotene, lycopene and soluble fiber than green picked fruit. Lettuce loses up to 46% of certain nutrients within 7 days of cold, dark storage. Most fruits and vegetables contain fewer nutrients today than in the past. Research by CTV, published in the Globe and Mail in 2002, reports that broccoli contains 62% less calcium, potatoes have lost almost all their vitamin A, and apples nearly half of their iron as compared to vegetables grown before the 1950?s. In fact, among the majority of fruits and vegetables tested, there was a 68% loss of Vitamin A, a 76% loss of Iron and an 80% loss of Calcium. Even if we were to eat our five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, we still are not guaranteed of getting the nutrients that we need for optimal health.

Main cause

The main cause of the decline in nutrients in our food is the conventional farming methods used to grow most of our foods. Conventional farming methods deplete the nutrients in the soil which also diminishes the amount of nutrients in the plants that are grown. Soil can be depleted of most minerals in as few as five years of growing crops using pesticides, herbicides, and only minimal fertilizer. Conventional farming replaces only those nutrients that are needed for plant growth. No attention is given to replacing the many trace minerals that are essential for animal health. Modern livestock producers understand this lack of minerals in the crops and always have mineral blocks available for their animals. They understand that these minerals are necessary in order to achieve fast growth rates and good health in their livestock. Unfortunately, few of us realize that this supplementation is also necessary for our optimal health. What must we do in order to achieve optimal health?

We can?t rely on the modern American diet to supply us with the nutrients that we need so we have to find alternative sources of these nutrients. One solution would be to eat only organically produced foods, fruits, vegetables and meat. Organically produced foods are grown with no herbicides or pesticides. This eliminates the toxins from our diet that are known to accumulate over time. These toxins are thought to be the cause of many of the chronic diseases that are associated with aging such as cancer.

We are told to wash our fruits and vegetables before eating them in order to remove these toxins but consider this. Those pesticides and herbicides are sprayed on the whole plant and on the soil that supplies the nutrition for those plants. How does the plant absorb that nutrition? The nutrients are absorbed from the soil into the roots and up into the plant and into the fruit. Any substance sprayed on the plant is also absorbed through the leaves into that plant. How does washing remove the spray residue that has been absorbed into the plant?

Organic farmers also strive to improve the soil through the application of more traditional fertilizer as well as by crop rotation. Thus, the soil has more minerals with which to nourish the crops which are then fed to the livestock. The food that is organically produced will be much more nutritious because of these practices than conventionally produced foods.

Unfortunately, organic food is more expensive than conventionally produced food. This may put a total organic diet out of the reach of most people. Besides, we all like to eat out occasionally and organic restaurants are very hard to find if, in fact, they even exist.

Nutritional Supplements

So how are we to ensure that we get all of the nutrients our bodies need in order to obtain and maintain optimal health? Nutritional supplements can supply these nutrients and with careful shopping can be quite affordable. However, it is important to realize that more than the cost of a supplement has to be considered in order to get the best value for your nutritional dollar. Some supplements may seem inexpensive but if they are not absorbable, that is, if they are in a form that our body can not utilize, they are simply of no value at any price. For example, there is an antacid that is currently being advertised as a source of calcium. However, the calcium in the tablet is calcium carbonate which is only ten percent absorbable and requires a good supply of stomach acid in order to be absorbed at that level. Isn?t the main purpose of an antacid to reduce stomach acid? The calcium in the antacid serves no other purpose than as a filler as its bioavailability is highly questionable.

Many of the needed nutrients work together in the human body and, as such, need to be available in the proper proportions and at the same time. For example, in order for B12 to be absorbed, folic acid is required and folic acid requires B12 to be absorbed. If one of these nutrients is taken without the other, a severe deficiency of the one not taken can occur. Another example is calcium which is best absorbed in the presence of magnesium, vitamin D and zinc. As you can see, there is much to be considered when deciding which nutritional supplements should be taken. I can only urge you to, please, learn about proper nutrition and what your body needs in order to stay healthy. A lot of the chronic diseases of today are caused by nutritional deficiencies and, as such, can be prevented by seeing that you provide your body with the building blocks of good health that it needs. Our body?s ability to renew itself and protect itself is amazing- provided that it is given all of the essential nutrients, the building blocks that it requires.

Susan Bernau is owner of the web site, http://www.nutritionalsupplementsforhealth.com which is dedicated to finding absorbable and affordable nutritional supplements for your health needs. After losing her father and both of her husband's parents to cancer, she and her husband decided to work on preventing disease rather than trying to cure it. This article and her web site is a means of sharing the results of the research on health issues that she has done.

Online Health Supplements

A Guide to Online health supplements Many of the dietary supplements are available on net or otherwise under the name of women health supplements, weight loss dietary supplements or alternative health supplements. Some of these dietary supplements can be taken as alternative health supplements for some ailments or diseases or along with conventional therapies.

You have the option of buying online health supplements but remember that the only claims that a dietary supplement is allowed to make are structure/function claims. These are broad claims that the product can support the structure or function of the body such as heart health supplements for arteries. But the claims must be registered with the FDA ahead of time, and there is a requirement that these claims be substantiated.

Nevertheless, even if you are buying online health supplement or discount health supplements, remember that some of the dietary supplements overstate their importance and their impact on overall health. The solution here is not to buy these online health supplements, but to be well-informed about the different categories of health supplements available and what specific functions that these health supplements can perform.

The dietary intake of certain minerals or herbal health supplements can change the energy balance and increase or decrease the body fat of a body. Certain dietary supplements help in better absorption of other minerals or help in digestion. Certain health supplements regulate the hormone metabolism of a body especially some of the women health supplements or weight loss health supplements.

Chelated mineral supplements as the best mineral supplements Many multivitamin formulas have mineral supplements as their constituents. Minerals can also be sold as single supplements. These mineral supplements are available in various forms like tablet, capsule, powder, and liquid forms. Some are available in chelated form, which means that the minerals are bonded to protein molecules that transport them to the bloodstream and enhance their absorption. When mineral supplements are taken in non chelated form they are usually automatically chelated in the stomach during digestion. Chelated mineral supplements are considered as the best mineral supplement form by far. Our experience with the various chelated formulas available has shown that, in general, orotate and arginate forms of minerals make the most effective and the best mineral supplements.

Colloidal mineral supplements
Colloidal minerals differ from metallic minerals in that they are highly absorbable, water-soluble and enzymatically very active. These liquid colloidal mineral supplements are extracted from various vegetable and plant sources with pure, cool clear water to the desired concentration and then processed through a complex array of special filters to allow only the organic colloidal.

The characteristic feature of liquid colloidal minerals is that they have a natural negative electrical charge, which is the signature of the true plant derived mineral. The main advantage of these liquid mineral supplements is that they greatly increase the transport and bioavailability of other nutrients obtained from foods and/or vitamins and other supplements. And secondly these colloidal minerals can attract toxins and heavy metals from the body and flush them out.

Though taking these health supplements in some cases may be helpful but it is best to make use of the natural health supplements present in natural foods. A balanced nutrition and diet is the best solution for taking care of your health.

The author is involved with the hair growth research, he is also writing on subjects like the nutrition, and nutritional diet vitamin supplements and mineral and safe herbal supplements to educate people so that they don?t fall an easy prey to the hordes of synthetic nutrient growth supplements advertised on internet.

Longing For A Flexible Body? Order Online Phentermine

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for a leading a healthy life. People who have excessive weight are always mocked at. Obesity open doors to many health diseases such as high blood-pressure, diabetes, arthritis, heart diseases and hypertension. Those with a high body mass (BMI) are considered are considered to be at the edge of developing serious health problems. BMI is calculated by dividing weight (in kgs) with height (in mts). People who have a BMI of 27 or more are assisted for weight loss program with an effective weight loss drug ?Phentermine.

Phentermine acts as an appetite suppressant. When consumed in combination with a low-fat diet and regular exercise phentermine helps you to get rid of those extra calories thus reducing your body weight and giving you a flexible body.

Phentermine should not be used except under complete medical supervision. If you have had some health problems in the past, consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

One need not move to different stores looking for phentermine pills. These can be ordered online through a licensed pharmacy. You can even buy them from online stores that do not require a prescription.

Ordering phentermine online is easy. Since numerous online pharmacies deal with the drug, therefore the prices may vary. There will also be a difference between the composition and dosage of each manufacturer?s product. So, shopping around can help you get reasonable prices, better quality and delivery options.

Most of the pharmacy websites provide a price comparison chart. The prices are inclusive of tax, shipping and handling costs. These can be viewed before placing an order.

Online phentermine ensures customer privacy. The online drug stores take up a direct order and deliver the medicine free of cost if within a specified area.

The online pharmacies necessitate the customer to fill in an online medical history form. This online medical history form would be analyzed by a licensed nurse or a doctor. This makes sure that the product the online pharmacies are selling is safe for use by the customer. The medical prescription will be written online, so the customer does not feel a need to visit a doctor. Consultation is provided online, free of cost.

Before buying phentermine from an online pharmacy, one needs to be careful and attentive to protect himself against any treachery. The question that often arises is on the legalization of the online pharmacies. When an e-pharmacy is giving you a medical prescription, it is quite understood that the law has given them the right to do so.

In order to avoid any deceit while purchasing online phentermine, the customer is advised to check the tag and other guidelines for safety and quality as outlined by FDA.

Technology has benefited an individual to buy phentermine from an online drug store without getting into a direct contact with the seller. Order online phentermine now and make yourself look attractive once again.

Joseph Jones received training as a healthcare scientist. He has been working in the same field and writes informative articles for weight loss subject. To find Buy phentermine online, Cheap phentermine, phentermine diet pills visit http://www.onlinephentermine.net

Hair Loss Laser Treatment Is An Option

A very low level laser therapy system has been used all over the world, for a variety of ailments, with no reported toxic effects or any other visible side effects. Recently laser treatment is being employed as a source of treatment for preventing hair loss in some advanced countries of North America and Europe. Hair loss treatment by using laser emitting hand held devises are known to provide some accurate cure for ordinary hair loss problems. Being well known for its efficiency and ease of use, this devise is also called ?laser Comb? in its commercial avatar.

These hair loss laser treatment devises are hand held and prescribed for use many times in a month to attain positive benefits of preventing hair loss and infusing hair growth. Though the cost at the moment is quite high, it may become cheaper as more people start using this devise. Preliminary user?s experience suggests us that it has really improved the appearance and thickness of the hair. It needs to be used over a period of one year to see visible improvements. Handheld lasers devise works by emitting a low intensity nourishing light on to the scalp, to provide energy and improve circulation to the impoverished hair follicles. The cold laser beam will stimulate the scalp and hair follicles to absorb more oxygen and nutrients, so that they are better equipped to create more hair. This devise is recommended for usage at least 4 times a week and with a sustained bombarding with light.

Whatever may be the advantages of this devises are, one thing is absolutely certain: at the moment it is very costly and people will not able to experience the positive aspects of this devise in the near future. It may take a while for the prices to come down, so that many people can start using them to cure their hair loss. Hair loss laser treatment is still in its infancy and needs a thorough clinical data to back up the claims.

Jennifer Puffer is the owner of http://www.no-more-hairloss.com. A successful website focusing on the effects that people experience when dealing with hair loss, alopecia, male and female pattern balding and other similar symptoms. To find out more information visit: http://www.no-more-hairloss.com/hair-loss-solution.html

Hair Loss Will Make You A Better Person

We all know the negative side to experiencing male balding. We look old, people make fun of us, we have to put sun screen on our heads. But there truly is a positive side to hair loss. It's not as fun as having a sweet hair cut, but it has the possibility of making you a better person and improving your outlook on life.

The first thing balding can cause is a reevaluation of what you feel is important about yourself. Suddenly your looks have changed (for what many feel is the worse). All that time and money you've spent improving you appearance may seem like a waste now. But don't worry. That's a good thing. We're taught from our youth that beauty is on the inside. Now is your chance to believe it.

Some choose not to believe it and just throw more money at their looks. Buy Rogaine. Get on Propicia. Get fitted for a hair piece. Look into transplants.

However, if you choose to just live with your hair loss, you'll receive the awesome opportunity to start making yourself beautiful through your actions and the way you treat other people.

This leads into the second main benefit. You will begin to see other people in a new light. Losing your hair can change the way you look at people who aren't beautiful on the outside. For me, I suddenly realized what it was like to look a certain way and not be able to change it. It made me realize how much value I put on girls' looks.

From here you'll begin to treat people differently. You don't want to be judged based on your hair loss, so don't judge people based on their weight or their race or their job. Look deeper. See the person beneath the outside appearances.

Going bald isn't easy. And its rewards aren't easy either. But they are more important than a good haircut. Embrace them and your hair loss will truly make you a better person.

Ian Byrd runs a website dedicated to Male and Female Balding. Please visit to learn more about the reasons for balding as well as some possible solutions.

Ten Good Tips to Lose Weight

Below you find a few tips that can help you in your quest to lose weight. They will not magically make you reach your goals but can help you on your way if you are determined and work hard to lose weight

1.Make small goals. It is easy to dream about a slender body and make that your goal. This goal does however often end in disappointment. It is better to make many small goals on the way. This way it is easier to reach your goals and you feel that you are making progress which makes it easier to stick to a diet.

2.Avoid junk food: Avoid eating fast food and other junk food. It?s fattening and doesn?t help you lose weight. If you absolutely must eat fast food, give yourself one meal a week when you are allowed to eat fast/junk food.

3.Avoid fried food: Don?t eat fried food but rather grill or boil your food. Avoid using extra fat. .

4.Eat Breakfast: Eating breakfast helps getting the metabolism started. You are also less likely to snack if you eat a good breakfast. .

5.Eat fish and chicken: fish and chicken is low on fat and can make an excellent weight loss diet. Avoid fat fishes. A good cheap weight loss fish is Tilapia. .

6.Start drinking water: Soda and juice contains a lot of calories. Drink water and safe a lot calories. .

7.Start taking walks: Walking one or two times a day isn?t to hard but can help you lose weight faster. All other forms of physical activities are also good. .

8.Eat often: eating many well planned low calorie meals a day helps you keep from snacking and make you feel less hungry. .

9.Don?t expect dream results: There are many diets that promises fast results but permanent weight loss takes hard work and dedication. .

10.Eat fewer carbs: Eat less pasta and bread. Reducing your carb intake is often one of the best methods of loosing weight.

A bonus tip can be to get a dog. A dog need to be walked and will help to get you more active. Never get a dog if you don?t have the time or will to care for it.

Tilapia is very good weight loss food. Visit our site to find more Tilapia recipe Article provided by William Berg

Why Most of Your Diets Always Fail

Over the years, there has been millions and millions of people who have tried countless numbers of different diets to try and lose weight. Equally so, there has been millions and millions of people who failed at these diets. If all of these diets are supposed to be designed to make you lose weight, then why do most of them fail to do that? Why is it that no matter what diet you try, it never seems to work? Perhaps the diet itself was no good. Maybe it was too expensive to stick with. It could be that there was no support. Possibly, it just seemed to take too long to lose weight.

The fact is, not one of those reasons is why most diets don?t work. Surprised? Don?t be. In reality, it all boils down to one simple yet complex reason. Yes, there is really only one thing that stands between you and your weight loss and that one thing is; your desire to eat was stronger than your desire to lose weight.

It may sound too simple and may be a little hard to swallow, the truth often is, but that, my friend, is the plain and simple truth. The only real reason diets fail is because people decide to let themselves go back to their former eating habits rather than making the changes necessary to lose the weight and keep it off and maintaining those changes.

Dieting is a long and oftentimes difficult journey that must be done step by step, little by little. There can be and often are all kinds of setbacks and pitfalls that can trap you, particularly during an endeavor that takes so much time and effort. Just one slip, one temptation given in to, and your whole struggle for weight loss can be sabotaged.

In order for any diet to be successful, it must have a strong foundation. With a strong foundation, it will be a bit easier to hold your ground when those little pitfalls come along to tempt you. There also must be a solid plan. Without a good, solid plan, you will just be grasping at straws and going in all different directions. You need a plan to help guide you in the right direction at all times. One thing that has helped many people who were successful with their diets was having the support of family members and friends. This can be a major asset that can help you stay with it.

Probably the most important thing to remember is, never starve yourself, make sure you make room to eat the foods you like from time to time and make a little time for some moderate exercise. Your diet does not have to fail, and with a little help from you, it can succeed and that means, you can succeed.

Jim O'Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle. Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at: http://www.mrgymfitness.com

What Is An Elliptical Trainer And How Can It Help Me?

Elliptical trainers, sometimes referred to as cross trainers, are a new form of exercise equipment rapidly becoming the most popular piece of fitness equipment in gyms and homes around the world. Elliptical trainers are a good choice for anyone desiring a safe, total body work out. Ellipticals are one of the best weight bearing total body fitness exercise machines on the market today and no other fitness equipement offers as many benefits.

My Personal Experience On The Elliptical
I have to admit when I was first introduced to an elliptical trainer I was a bit skeptical about its ability to furnish a whole body workout. Boy was I (pleasantly) surprised however by the results. The elliptical is now a personal favorite for my husband and I, who use it religiously. Both of us have knee problems that do not affect us when working out on the elliptical. It's quite easy to get your heart rate up when using an elliptical machine, but you don't feel like you are 'pounding pavement' and killing your joints.

Elliptical Trainers: How Do They Work?
Elliptical trainers work much like a stair climber only they reduce the impact to your knees and joints. They provide you with footpads to stand on while you exercise. You hold onto handles that move in a manner much like you would if cross country skiing. Elliptical trainers allow you to engage in weight bearing exercise, which helps build muscle and strengthen your bones. Unlike jogging or running, elliptical trainers provide a total body workout without severely impacting your joints including your knees.

Most elliptical machines have a crank arm attached to a bar at one end of the machine and an axis at the other end of the machine. The axis then rotates when the bar moves and the end moves in a flat back and forth direction. Resistance for elliptical machines is created either through a band that attaches to the fly wheel or by magnetic resistance (most higher end models feature magnetic resistance). The motion of an elliptical machine is smooth like a bicycle ride. You can also switch your movement into reverse and rotate the areas of your legs you are working.

An elliptical machine provides continuous movements that are smooth and non-jarring. That is why so many people prefer them to the abrupt and impactful movements of a treadmill or other exercise machine. An exercise bike may provide the same smooth motion. You can't however work your upper body the same way using a bicycle that you can when using an elliptical machine. Likewise, swimming also provides excellent smooth exercise for all body parts, but it doesn't provide weight bearing exercise. Study after study suggests that it is important for people, especially women, to engage in weight bearing exercises to help boost bone density and muscle strength.

Benefits Of 'Elipticizing'
Using an elliptical trainer provides many benefits including:

1.They are easy to use.
2.They are good for patients with knee problems or those looking for a low impact but effective form of cardiovascular exercise.
3.You can adjust elliptical trainers to meet your fitness level.
4.Most come with built in heart monitors so you can check your fitness progress.
5.Elliptical trainers provide a total body workout, exercising the arms and legs at the same time.
6.If you own an elliptical trainer, you probably won't need another form of exercise equipment.

Even better, you can select from various types of elliptical workout machines to suite your personal needs. Some for example are built for home use while other higher end models are exclusively built for gyms (though many home owners prefer these because of their exceptional quality).

History of The Elliptical Trainer
The elliptical trainer first started gaining popularity during the 1990s. During this time studies began showing that elliptical trainers provided superior benefits over other forms of exercise like bicycling or running. Elliptical machines offer total body routines without high impact exercise. Traditional versions initially only worked the lower body with stable, unmoving handlebars. Fortunately the elliptical trainers of today feature movable handles that offer a more complex and sophisticated workout. Users can now workout multiple areas of the body in one session, rather than jump from machine to machine to get total body benefits.

About The Author:

Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as elliptical trainers, elliptical machines, and elliptical trainer reviews.

The Importance of Being Flexible

I am Dr Patrick Flanagan, and this is the latest edition of my Dr Health Secrets newsletter.

I am a scientist with over 300 inventions related to health, longevity and medicine. This newsletter installment is about stretching, flexibility and its effects on your body.

Bone Up on Your Stretching

You attempt to bend down and lift your cat but your lower back creaks, seizes up and complains. Your hamstrings are tight as two boards of plywood from years of running, but will not allow you to reach down to pick up your grandchild. You stretch for the bar of soap in the shower but your shoulder tightens in its rotator cuff. Your body rattles, grates and squeaks like the tin man as you stiffly maneuver through your busy day.

If you want to retain a youthful flexible body that will bend at your request, then move the toxins out and get the oxygen in to the connective tissues and joints. You may not ever be ready to run away with the trapeze lady at Cirque de Soleil, but you will be able to bend down and pick a flower or tie your shoe all the way into your 70?s if you give in to a routine practice of stretching.

Flexibility is a health issue for many adults as the average person loses up to 70% of flexibility between the ages of 20 to 70 if they do not take conscious action to stretch their joints, ligaments, and bones. Although not life-threatening, lack of flexibility is a health concern for those who exercise, and for those who don?t, because of its debilitating effects on the human body, as joint stiffness increases and muscles become less limber with age.

Stretch These Old Bones

Extended periods of inactivity bring about chemical changes that can limit flexibility. Underused connective tissue loses elasticity as it becomes stiff and dense. The human body goes through a similar process as it ages, but a flexibility program will not only improve physical fitness, it can give you a more youthful body. Stretching will increase suppleness by stimulating the production of chemicals that lubricate the connective soft tissue. Stimulating the production of lubricants between connective tissue fibers promotes hydration and as a result, the pliancy and agility of the movements of your body, slowing down the aging process.

Flexibility is defined as the absolute range of motion available in any joint. It is joint specific. How far will the joint yield to slow steady stretches while breathing deeply. It is also movement specific. You may be flexible in one shoulder stretch, but not in another. Flexibility training promotes relaxation both mentally and physically. Body awareness, aligned posture, and proper breathing patterns will be enhanced and carry over into your daily life, which is the ultimate goal of all exercise and health care. You exercise to increase the quality of your life through taking care of the body. Stretching quickens the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients, while speeding the removal of lactic acid and other waste products. It is vital to hydrate, and re-hydrate after deep stretching, to help remove the toxins from the body and to promote suppleness and lasting health.

Recommendations for Flexibility Training

1. Stretch and flexibility training should be done when the body is warm.

2. Yoga is an amazing practice to strengthen and stretch the body and mind.

3. Never stretch to the point of pain, only slight discomfort.

4. Slow long inhales and exhales will aid you to get into a stretch, and ease the muscles over time into relaxing more deeply.

5. Hydration is a necessary way to keep healthy, removing the toxins from the muscles, joints and connective tissue.

Water These Old Bones

Some of you may say, Well, I hate water and I don't want to drink anymore than I have to, and while I want to enforce that water is essential to our bodies and minds, seeing as how we are mostly comprised of it, there are other ways to make the most of the water that you do drink.

Make sure you can absorb the nutrients with proper hydration. That means enough of the right kind of water each day. The naturally present water in raw foods is a great source but also make sure your water has a low surface tension.

Though most tap and bottled water has high surface tenions, there are ways to make water more available to your body's cells.

Silica is a natural mineral and special forms of microcluster? silica are small enough to change the absorption properties of water. Ask your vitamin store for it.

For more information about optimal sources of hydration, visit http://www.drhealthsecrets.com/newsflexible.html

This article has been brought to you by Dr Patrick Flanagan, a cellular hydration expert who has developed a unique mineral form called Microcluster? silica and silica hydride to dramatically increase longevity. Silica hydride is also the most powerful antioxidant known. To learn more about Dr. Patrick Flanagan and ways to more beauty, health and longer life, for less than $1 a day, please visit http://www.drhealthsecrets.com/newsflexible.html

You will also find a link to download the Wetter Water Report by Dr. Patrick Flanagan for FREE.

The Psoas Muscles and Abdominal Exercises for Back Pain

Common opinion notwithstanding, the proper purpose of abdominal exercises is to improve coordination of the abdominal muscles with the other muscles of the trunk and legs (which include the psoas muscles), to improve alignment, and not to strengthen the back (a nonsensical proposition if one thinks about it). When the psoas muscles achieve their proper length and responsiveness, they stabilize the lumbar spine, giving the feeling of better support and strength, and cause the spine and abdomen to fall back, giving the appearance of strong abdominal muscles. To improve psoas functioning, a different approach to abdominal exercises than the one commonly practiced is necessary. Instead of strengthening, the emphasis must be on awareness, control, balancing and coordination of the involved muscles - the purview of somatic education.

A discussion of the methods and techniques of somatic education is beyond the scope of this paper, which confines itself to a discussion of the relation of the psoas muscles, abdominal exercises, and back pain.

The Relationship of Psoas, Abdominal Muscles and Back Pain

The psoas muscles and the abdominal muscles are agonist and antagonist as well as synergists; a free interplay between the two is appropriate. The psoas muscles lie behind the abdominal contents, running from the lumbar spine to the inner thighs near the hip joints (lesser trochanters); the abdominal muscles lie in front of the abdominal contents, running from the lower borders of the ribs (with the rectus muscles as high as the nipples) to the frontal lines of the pelvis.

Take a moment to contemplate each of these relationships until you can feel or visualize them.

• In the standing position, contracted psoas muscles (which ride over the pubic crests) move the pubis backward; the abdominal muscles move the pubis forward. (antagonists)

• In walking, the ilio-psoas muscles of one side initiate movement of that leg forward, while the abdominals bring the same-side hip and pubis forward. (synergists)

• The psoas

Can I Have A Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery is a major surgical procedure that aims to remove unwanted fat and excess skin from the lower abdominal area. Tummy tucks also tighten up the abdominal muscles via surgery. The end result is a nice figure free of unwanted fat and stretch marks.

If you are planning to undergo a tummy tuck, it would be a good idea to go for a general checkup to determine to overall health. You would be at an increased risk of complications if you have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, liver disease. Go through your medical history and consult with your family doctor to see if you can undergo a major surgical procedure.

Your bodyweight should in and around 30% of your ideal bodyweight to get the most out of a tummy tuck. Your weight should also be quite stable within the period of 6 months before your tummy tuck. If you are on a weight loss program or plan to take one up, then you should complete the weight loss program first. Upon completion of your weight loss program, wait a while for your body weight to stabilize before undergoing a tummy tuck.

If you plan to have children, then you should go for a tummy tuck only after completing you family planning. The reason is because pregnancy will stretch your abdomen and this could undo your tummy tuck procedure as a tummy tuck aims to tighten the abdomen.

It will also help a lot if you start gathering some information about surgery. A tummy tuck is considered a major surgery so you should be well prepared to know what you are getting yourself into. This information gathering exercise will help calm your emotions and help you understand the risks involved in undergoing major surgery.

Since a tummy tuck involves surgery, you would probably want to make sure that it is the last resort of your weight loss efforts. The main reason being the lengthy recovery period after a tummy tuck. It will take you up to a year before you can fully enjoy the benefits of a successful tummy tuck.

Want to learn more about Tummy Tucks?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.about-tummy-tucks.info

Home Gym Full Body Training Routines

We all know how difficult in might be to make it to the gym after 9 long hours at work. I bet it has happened to you as well.

But what do you do when you don't feel you have the energy to stop by the local gym on your way home? Or may be you don't have the time for a workout at the gym. You can only use 20 - 30 min.

What?s the solution then? It could be only one - a full body workout at your home gym.

But first take this from me. If you don't have a home gym set up already, don't even think of missing a workout. Go to the local gym where you are a member. Missing a single workout can set a path for a habit. Vice versa, not missing a workout won't let you think of such an option.

So, let?s suppose that it's one of these days when you can't make it to the gym, and are planning on working out at home. That means you have a gym of some sort, already set up.

In this article I want to advise you on your choices for a full body routine. The workout you will pick however, will all depend on how your home gym is equipped.

For example you might have a home-gym machine. Or you might be a hardcore bodybuilder. Then you have free weights as your main equipment.

If you belong to the first group - you own a home gym machine - this is the part you should be reading.

The simplest home gym machines are equipped for at least several exercises such as: bench press, lat pull down, seated rows, biceps curls, triceps push-downs, leg extensions and standing hamstring curls.

That?s actually plenty. You can complete the whole body in a single session.

Your circuit workout:

/Warm up/
Crunches 2-3 x 15 - 30
Seated bench press 3 x 10 - 12
Lat pull-down 3 x 10 - 12
Front cable raises (machine behind you, lower pulley cable between your thighs) 3 x 10 - 12
Standing biceps cable curls (lower pulley cable, facing the machine) 3 x 10 - 12
Standing triceps push-downs (using the lat-pull down handle) 3 x 10 - 12 Leg extensions 3 x 12 - 15
Standing hamstring curls (facing the machine) 3 x 12 - 15
/Cool down/

You have more options for replacing some of the exercises:

Replace seated bench press wide grip with seated bench press close grip.

Replace lat pull down with seated rows (facing the machine).

Replace standing biceps cable curls with lying cable curls (lie down on the floor on your back and place your feet on the rolling pads for support).

In case that you belong to the second group - you are a hardcore enthusiast or bodybuilder, the least equipment you have (I would guess) is an adjustable bench, a power rack, an olympic barbell set and a pair of dumbbells with adjustable weights.

For you I'd suggest two circuit routines. You can do only one of them or you can do two circuits, using both if you feel you have energy (and desire) to do that:

Workout One/Circuit One

/Warm up/
Crunches 1-2 x 15 - 30
Flat bench press on the rack 2-3 x 12 - 15
Barbell rows 2-3 x 10 - 15
Seated dumbbell overhead presses 2-3 x 12 - 15
Barbell curls 2-3 x 8 - 12
Barbell lying triceps extensions 2-3 x 12 - 15
Squats 2-3 x 10 x 15
Stiff Leg Dead Lifts 2-3 x 10 - 12
/Cool down/

Workout Two/Circuit Two

/Warm up/
Reverse crunches 1-2 x 15 - 20
Dumbbell flys 2-3 x 10 - 12
One-arm dumbbell rows 2-3 x 10 - 12
Dumbbell lateral raises 2-3 x 10 - 12
Seated dumbbell curls 2-3 x 8 - 12
One-arm overhead triceps extensions 2-3 x 8 - 12
Lunges (holding a pair of dumbbells) 2-3 x 12 - 15
/Cool down/

Note that the number of reps is slightly higher than what you would normally do should you have worked out at the gym. I did it this way intentionally. My advice is that you use 50 - 70% of your One Rep Max due to the fact that you don't have a spotter. If you think you can go heavier please do, but at your own risk.

That?s it. Now that you finished your workout you deserve a nice, chilled protein shake. After all you are at home and can make it any way you want, right. And, yes, you should feel good because you didn't miss your workout.

Ivan Nikolov, a top five natural bodybuilder, shares with you his secrets about his favorite foods and supplements, training routines and exercises. Visit his web site http://www.ivannikolov.com to learn more of what you need to know if you want to be a natural bodybuilder or simply look like one.

For more on training routines for novice, intermediate and advanced athletes visit the Total Body Exercise Routines page.

Seeing While Affected With Blindness

Being blind, is just simply the condition of not having visual perception. Like everything medical, and even today non-medical there is a more 'advanced' definition of blindness. This definition in North America is defined as having 20/200 or less in an individual's best eye after eye correction, such as contact lenses, or glasses. 20/200 means that you would stand 20 ft away from an object and see the same thing as someone with normal eyesight would see from 200ft.

Distance is one of the major factors in determining blindness, with the second being the visual field. A normal person has a visual field of 180 degrees, with someone who is blind having merely 20 degrees. Alot of times we assume that when someone is legally blind that they cannot see anything at all. This assumption holds true in ten percent of cases, with the rest having some vision. Even just some light perception accounts for vision.

One of the leading causes of blindness is Diseases. The most common causes of blindness around the world as determined by WHO (World Health Organization) are:

- cataracts (47.8%)

- glaucoma (12.3%)

- age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (8.7%)

- corneal opacity (5.1%)

- diabetic retinopathy (4.8%)

- trachoma (3.6%)

Developing countries are greatly more prone to developing visual impairment as it is one of the consequences of treatable or preventable conditions, that they simply just cannot afford.

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the article, this caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Color Blindness Test - http://www.color-blindness-test.com, which is the best site on the internet for all Blindness related information.

Diet Pills and Effective Weight Management

Trying to lose weight for some years now! Tired of sweating in a gym? Fed up of striving on tasteless diet schedule? Cellulites don?t seem to melt at all! Yes!!! Read On..

Have you ever given it a thought - Why? Answer is b?coz, there is no monitoring system; no back up plans for all the pills popped at random, no progressive charts to motivate and basically no fixed diet plan. People who had got tired of sweating in a gym and fed up of striving on tasteless diet schedule with a blank result in there hands may find diet pills to be a miraculous happening coming all the way long into their lives. The diet pills are known to be the fast way of loosing weight.

Diet pills popular among the common man as weight loss pills are the drugs used to reduce weight by suppressing hunger due to an increased rate of heart achieved by stimulating the nervous system of the body. These pills are manufactured and sold by drug companies. There are loads of diet pills available in the market like Phentermine, Didrex, Xenical, Adipex. However a doctor?s consultation is most needed before popping in these pills as these often trigger harmful side-effects to the body.

Diet pills can be categorized under two heads ? ?Prescription Diet Pills? and ?Over the Counter Diet Pills?. Prescription diet pills are those which require a prescription being provided by an authorized doctor or licensed nurse before its purchase. These pills are regulated by food and drug administration (FDA). Over the counter diet pills on the other hand are not regulated by FDA and do not require any prescription.

The weight loss diet pills supplement is also available in the market commonly known as herbal diet pills. These pills are being extracted from natural products obtained from plants and herbs. Herbal pills are often queued in the list of food supplements and are not under the regulation of FDA. People had a misconception that being herbal these pills will not have an adverse effect but it?s not true.

Besides outweighing benefits these pills are blamed to have several side effects ?

?Among few people the symptoms of dizziness, diarrhea, blurred vision, upset digestive system, and nervousness are noticed.

?Diet pills are found to be habit forming means people gets addicted to it.

?The effect of weight loss pills is of short duration. As soon as the body gets adapted to it the results start diminishing.

?Once you stop taking diet pills the weight is soon gained back with the same pace you had loosed it in past.

Diet pills with a balanced diet and regular exercise will always help you in loosing weight. Before going for these tiny miraculous pills it is advised to consult a doctor to avoid the risk and for better results.

Peter is an associated editor to the website http://www.slimtour.com. It is committed to provide visitors with complete information on weight loss,diet pills, and online prescription drugs like Phentermine, Didrex.

Can There be Safer Alternatives to Cosmetic Dermatology Dermabrasion and Facelifts?

Since the introduction of cosmetic dermatology, dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons have claimed to include refined procedures that are able to reduce the visible signs of aging and sun damage and to tone, smooth, and to cure skin imperfections of all varieties. With recent advances in the field of cosmetic dermatology, cosmetic surgeons claim that cosmetic surgeries of face lift, dermabrasion and fat grafting, artificial collagen restoration etc. have become easier and more affordable for more and more people to achieve the perfect looking skin that they crave for.

However, case studies made by various natural skin care manufacturing companies have revealed some major pitfalls of cosmetic dermatology. Ironically, in most cases, cosmetic dermatology has turned out to be the most unwelcome disasters that have affected your skin totally with high dosages of chemical drugs. In cases of surgeries of cosmetic dermatology, there has always been the risk of intense bruising and the scars that those leave behind, which even the most sophisticated surgeons have not been able to diminish fully. Apart from the effects of dermabrasion, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing, Botox therapy and collagen restoration surgeries too have been quite fatal, as far as the safety aspects of the anti-aging skin care is concerned.

If you've got wrinkles, laugh lines or crow's feet and are planning 'surface repairs' on your face never opt for dermabrasion. Although many surgeons would recommend dermabrasion to repair the lines and scars on your face, remember there are alternative options too to get rid of your facial scars. Dermabrasion uses surgical instruments to remove the affected skin layers and may not always prove to be a simple and pain-free solution to your facial problems. Instead, a chemical peel is used more often to treat fine wrinkles.

Though surgeons say that there aren't any recorded ill effects of dermabrasion, those who've undergone this surgical procedure know how painful it is. In fact, dermabrasion is not welcome by most people, particularly the older generation, because it is not only a painful exercise, but also need a 'time-out' in most cases. Alternative pain-free and safe solutions available from premier dermal therapy product companies help extend cell life and reducing potential ill affects of demabrasion.

Today, courtesy the anti-aging skin care manufacturers, a variety of products are there at your disposal that heal almost all ailments mentioned in dermatology science. Some of those not only defy many popular beliefs of dermatology, but also heal old age skin ailments like wrinkles, laugh lines and crow's feet. This revolution has come as various manufacturers of skin-related drugs have been striving to enrich the science of dermatology by continuously inventing new methods of painless, safe and cost-effective treatment of skin diseases and anomalies for people of all age groups.

Anti-aging Process Therapies: These include an endless number of gels, creams and patches that are a superior substitute to surgery and other methods of medication in dermatology. They not only help in stemming the aging process, but also alleviate sufferings of painful surgery among the old age people. While there are transdermal (through-the-skin) therapies like OHT Peptide-3, there are also tanning towels and scar therapy patches that are used by the young and the old alike.

Deep Skin Cleansing Therapies: A number of products are marketed that help in deep skin cleansing and return the youthful glow on your face. While On-The-Spot Acne Patches help heal pimples by directing maximum strength acne medicine straight to the pimple - and keeping it there all night long, super-deluxe versions of Deep Cleansing pore strips clean your clogged pores. On the other hand, wart remover patches are a medicated treatment for the fast, effective removal of warts, redefining dermatology in the process!

Then there are a slew of discount beauty supply offers, including anti-aging skin care infused with botanicals, anti-oxidants and technologically advanced ingredients that take skin care to a new level.

The therapeutic benefits of a skin care cream made from elements of Mother Nature, either in the form of an anti-wrinkle cream or a stretch mark removing cream, are reaching sophisticated women today through websites of natural skin care product dealers. Working as online stores, they offer dry skin care and other skin care remedies in the form of luscious cr?me masks, herbal lotions and other nature-based therapies with restorative botanicals and animal proteins, improving skin tone and texture and maintaining skin elasticity.

While the *Botox? therapy, cosmetic peels and micro dermabrasion have been ever-growing obsessions for people with acne, pigmentation, wrinkles and other acute skin problems, the dry skin care cream, anti-wrinkle cream and stretch mark removing cream carry the latest non surgical face lift or face rejuvenation techniques along with full information of their basic natural ingredients. The non-surgical face-lift these products offer is 100% safe, toxin-free and cost-effective to a great extent.

What are you waiting for, then? Go for these ?non-surgical? face-lifts to give your skin new life!

Lopa Bhattacharya is a content writer/developer working for various overseas corporate website projects, CD-Rom presentations, brochures, flyers and other communication materials). Has worked on numerous SEO copywriting projects on varied themes ranging from travel, hotel industry, photography, web design and software development to US-based clubs and network communities. Was previously an editorial associate for the news, culture and entertainment portal based on the life and times of Kolkata.

Universal Principles of Yoga Part 1

Yoga and Yogic philosophy is occasionally misunderstood because some people have not been informed of the universal principles that are not threatening to any belief or disbelief. Many people who do not practice Yoga are often surprised to find detailed dietary suggestions contained within their Yoga training. Yoga aids the student toward better health in every possible aspect. So, Yoga requires and in depth explanation.

Let?s start with the meaning of Yoga, which literally means ?unity? or ?union.? Your next question might be, ?Unity with what?? Yoga does help unify the mind and body, but it also unifies the spirit or soul within you with God. The soul is sometimes known as the ?Atman? and can also be referred to as pure or true consciousness. Yoga is not a religion, but it can be practiced in harmony with any religion.

Before we go any further; it should be noted that many students from a variety of religions have practiced Yoga and feel a deeper connection with God as a result of the mind, body, and spirit unification process. Therefore, Yoga is doing no harm to anyone of any religion. Yoga philosophy does not preach a ?Better than thou? doctrine. This has been mankind?s excuse to wage war, since history was first recorded and even before.

The concept of another person?s religion, nationality, ethnic background, race, and gender; being less, have always been convenient reasons for bigotry, slavery, and cruelty. Tolerance of others is not a new idea in Yogic philosophy.

There is no group that has the exclusive rights to Yoga. India is the birth place of Yoga and the people of India have gladly shared their gift with the rest of the world. There is no exclusive group that practices Yoga or teaches Yoga classes. Yoga was not designed to be an exclusive practice and Yoga has evolved for the best over 5,000 years to this day.

For the sake of being ?politically correct,? many Yoga teachers omit the spiritual aspect of Yoga in their Hatha Yoga classes. This is fine, since the masses of some cultures object to learning about a method to connect to God. However, what does it say about a culture that is to busy to talk or think about God?

It means many things and some societies are showing signs of systematic spiritual illness. However, if you teach Hatha Yoga under these circumstances, you might be best to leave religion outside your classes. Unless, you are teaching Bhakti Yoga or something similar such as Jewish, Moslem, or Christian Yoga, the union of mind, body, and spirit does not usually occur in a typical Hatha Yoga class.

? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

How To Lose Weight Part II

I mentioned last time that I started to lose weight by making small easy changes. The first was that I quit a very long habit of drinking Pepsi, I loved the stuff but it is loaded with sugar and acid that my dentist says is worse for my teeth than the sugar. Anyway, I lost 9 pounds from that one change in about 4 months. Besides the weight loss I noticed other changes like the brown spots I had on my face and chest almost disappeared. (I am sure that the extra water helped too) That was good proof to me how much one little change can make.

So what was the next change I made? I started drinking green tea instead of coffee. I had to try several brands before I found one I really liked. It amazes me how one thing can taste so different with different brands, oh well. That change was pretty simple for me and I love coffee! I felt a little better about a month down the road and lost about 4 more pounds. After about three months I started to drink coffee some times like when at a restaurant, but I try to mostly drink tea.

Since that change was fairly a breeze to me, after one month I decided it was time to make another change. So I started to eat one apple everyday. I like the taste of apples once I am eating them but for some reason I never felt like 'I want an apple, that sounds good'. So I had to make a conscious effort to eat one each day. This along with the extra water I started drinking when I gave up the soda pop made me very regular, if you know what I mean. That?s always a good thing!

Besides weight loss there are always added benefits to eating and drinking healthfully, even the smallest of changes effect everything, you will be amazed once you start. So make the effort today and make that change, you and your body will love you for it! Just do it!

I want to say here that it is extremely important to make these changes slowly and one at a time so you never feel deprived or too 'out' of your comfort zone. Also, Remember to find a replacement for what ever you give up or the vacuum will bring you back. Finally, there are things you should never give up; I love sweets, chocolate, YES! Why deprive myself of something I love so much? And how I can do that and still lose weight will be in the next installment.

Written by bonnie-- For more information on healthy weightloss visit our website.